Egmund Leland for a reason immediately following nameth him William of Stamford but Egremont is the Orthography of his name from a small Market-town yet a Barony of the late Earls of Sussex in this Shire where he was born Quitting this cold Country he took his Progress into the South and fixing himself at Stamford became an Augustinian Eremite and proceeded Doctor of Divinity Going beyond the Seas he was by the Pope made Episcopus Pissinensiâ—… some poor pitifull Bishoprick so that one would scarce trouble himself to find it out to have the profit thereâ—…f and therewith held the Suffragane-ship under Henry Beaufort Bishop of Lincoln Indeed that voluminous Diocess a full fourth part of England before Eli Peterborough and Oxford were cantoned out of it required a Co-adjutor Many are the learned works written by him and seeing he is Doubly qualified I thought fitter to repose him under the Topick of Writers then of Prelates being confident that he got more credit by his Books then profit by his Bishoprick He flourished under King Richard the second anno 1390. JOHN SKELTON was a younger branch of the Skeltons of Skelton in this County I crave leave of the Reader hitherto not having full instructions and preserving the undoubted Title of this County unto him to defer his character to Norfolk where he was Beneficed at Diss therein Since the Reformation RICHARD CRAKENTHORP D. D. was descended of an Ancient Family in this County as appeareth by their frequent being Sheriffs thereof He was bred Fellow of Queens-colledge in Oxford and afterwards in the first of King James went over Chaplain to the Lord Evers sent Embassadour to the King of Denmark and other prime Princes of Germany Here by use he got an easiness in the Latine tongue and correspondency with several persons of eminent Learning He was an excellent Logiciaâ—… witness his work in that kind and became Chaplain in Ordinary to King James Rector of Black-Notley in Essex greater preferments expecting him had not his death prevented it Pliny observeth that Posthume Children born after the death of their Father and Caesars understand such who are cut out of the womb of their Mother prove very happy in success What reason soever Naturalists assign hereof Divines justly impute it to Gods goodness graciously remembring those Orphans which cannot remember their own Parents The Observation may be applyed to the Books of this worthy Doctor set forth after his death one called Vigilius Dormità ns in defence of the Emperour Justinian and a generall Councill held by him Anno 553. set forth by his Brother George Crakenthorp the other being an answer to the Manifesto of the Arch-bishop of Spalato set forth by that Learned Antiquary Dr. John Barkham and both of these Books finding an universall and gratefull reception among the Learned and Religious I cannot certainly fix the date of his death and be it here solemnly entred that Westmerland shall be unprejudiced if he were born as a most credible person hath informed me at NewBiggin in this County SALKELD was a branch of a Right Worshipfull Family in this County bred a Divine beyond the Seas but whether 〈◊〉 or Secular Priest I know not Coming over into England to Angle for Proselites it seems his Line broke and he was cast into prison Hence he was brought out and presented to K. James by whose Arguments and a Benefice bestowed on him in Somersetshire he became a Protestant This he used in all companies to boast of that he was a Royall Convert Nobisque dedit solatia victor And was it not a Noble thing Thus to be conquer'd by a King Indeed His Majesty in some of his works styleth him the Learned Salkeld which the other much vaunted of often telling it to such who well knew it before for fear they might forget it His preaching was none of the best and he retained some Popish though not Opinions Fancies to the day of his death I have heard much of his discourse more of his own praise then to his own praise in my judgement But his true character may be taken out of the Book he wrot of Angells He died about the year 1638. GERARD LANGBAIN D. D. was born at Kirk-Banton in this County bred first Fellow in then Provost of Queens-colledge in Oxford A skilfull Antiquary ingenious industrious and judicious in â—…is Writings as by his Works will appear Who so shall read over the History of thâ—… Councill of Trent translâ—…ted out of Italian by Sir Nathaniel Brent will conceive it so compleat a Narration of all the concernments in that Council that nothing of consequence can be added thereunto Yet this his mistake will be confuted by perusing the Works set forth by Doctor Langbain of the dissent of the Gallican Churches from severall conclusions in that Council As his Brain was the Mother of some so was it the Midwife to other good books which he procured to be published Especially a book made by Sir John Cheeke concerning Rebellion and Loyalty seasonably reprinted in the beginning of our Civil Wars But alas such then was the noise of mens Animosities that the Still voice of Truth could not be heard amongst them More Excellent Tracts were expected from him particularly an Edition of Brian Twine with Additions concerning the Antiquity of Oxford when God was pleased almost in the midst of his days to put an end to his life Anno 1657. Benefactors to the Publick ROBERT EAGLESFIELD born in this County was a pious and learned man according to the rate of that age Chaplain and Confessor to Philippa Queen to King Ed ward the third He founded a fair Colledge in Oxford by the name of Queens-colledge for a Provost and twelve Fellows whom he ordered to sit in the Hall in purpura and that they should be attended on more Curiali He appointed that those of Cumberland and Westmerland should be proper for perferment in his Foundation rendring this reason why he reflected most on those Northern Counties Propter insolitam vastitatem melioris literaturae infrequentiam But prevented by death he finished not his intentions leaving onely to the Colledge the Mannor of Renwick in this County with the impropriation of Burgh under Stanmore and which I assure you was considerable most excellent Statutes To shew himself both Courtier and Scholar he ordered that in the Hall they should speak either Latine or French He bequeathed his Colledge to the honorary Patronage of the Queens of England and his Sur-name is still extant in this County in persons of quality but how to him related to me unknown He dyed about the year of our Lord 1370. Memorable Persons MAUD the Daughter of Thomas Lord Lucy Sister and Heir of Anthony Lord Lucy and Baron of Cokermouth the Widow of Gilbert Humfrevile Earl of Angus was the second Wife of Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland Who when she saw that she should dye without Issue gave to Earl Henry her husband the Castle and Honour of
prayer before his Sermon usually consisted of one entire Allegory not driven but led on most proper in all particulars He was at last by exchange of his living setled in Suffolk which hath the best and worst aire in England best about Bury and worst on the Sea-side where Master Fleticher was beneficed His clownish and low parted Parishoners having nothing but their shoos high about them valued not their Pastour according to his worth which disposed him to melancholy and hastened his dissolution I behold the life of this learned Poet like those half-verses in Virgils Aeneids broken off in the middle seeing he might have doubled his days according to the ordinary course of nature whose death happened about the year 162. He had another brother Phineas Fletcher Fellow of Kings-colledge in Cambridge and beneficed also in Norfolk a most excellent Poet witness his Purple Island and several other pieces of great ingenuity JOHN DONNE was born in this City of wealthy parentage extracted out of Wales one of an excellent wit large travail and choice experience After many vicissitudes in his youth his reduced age was honoured with the Doctorship of Divinity and Denary of Saint Pauls Should I endeavour to deliver his exact character who willingly would not doe any wrong should do a fourfold injury 1. To his worthy memory whose merit my pen is unable to express 2. To my self in undertaking what I am not sufficient to perform 3. To the Reader first in raising then in frustrating his expectation 4. To my deservedly honored friend Master Isaac Walton by whom his life is so learnedly written It is enough for me to observe he died March 31. Anno Dom. 1631. and lieth buried in Saint Pauls under an ingenious and choice monument neither so costly as to occasion envy nor so common as to cause contempt Romish Exile Writers JOHN HEIWOOD was born in London and was most familiar with Sir Thomas More whom he much resembled in quickness of parts both undervaluing their friend to their jest and having Ingenium non edentulum sed mordax I may safely write of him what he pleasantly writes of himself that he applied mirth more then thrift many mad plays and did few good works He hath printed many English proverbial Epigrams and his Monumenta Literaria are said to be non tam labore condita quà m lepore condita He was highly in favour with Queen Mary and after her death fled for Religion beyond the seas It is much that one so Fancyful should be so conscientious He lived and for ought I find died at Mechlin about the year 1566. Gasper Heiwood his son was a great Jesuit and executed here in Q. Elizabeths raign MAURICE CHAMNEE most probably born in this City was bred a Friar in Charter-house now called Suttons Hospital He was imprisoned for refusing the Oath of Supremacy with 18. of his Order all which lost their lives for their obstinacy whilst our Maurice like Jobs messenger only escaped alone to tell of his fellows misfortune and write the history of the execution Some of Chamnee's party report to his praise that Martyrdome was only wanting to him and not he to Martyrdome Others more truly tax him for warping to the Will of King Henry the eighth not so much to decline his own death as to preserve his Covent from destruction who sped in the first and failed in the latter However fearing some afterclaps he fled beyond the Seas passing the rest of his life in the Low-Countries dying Anno Dom. 1581. EDMUND CAMPIAN was born in this City and bred Fellow in Saint Johns-colledge in Oxford where he became Proctor Anno 1568. when Queen Elizabeth visited that University being made Deacon by the Protestant Church he afterwards renounced that Order and fled beyond the Seas A man of excellent parts though he who rod post to tell him so might come too late to bring him tidings thereof being such a valuer of himself that he swelled every drop of his ability into a bubble by his vain ostentation And indeed few who were reputed Scholars had more of Latine or less of Greek then he had He was sent over with Father Parsons into England to reduce it to the Church of Rome to this purpose he set forth his Ten Reasons so purely for Latine so plainly and pithily penned that they were very taking and fetch'd over many Neuters before to his perswasion It was not long before he was caught by the Setters of the Secretary Walsingham and brought to the Tower where one of his own Religion saith that he was exquisitissimis cruciatibus tortus rack'd with most exquisite torments Yet the Lieutenant of the Tower truly told him that he had rather seen then felt the rack being so favourably used therein that being taken off he did presently go to his lodging without help and used his hands in writing Besides as Campian confess'd he was not examined upon any point of Religion but only upon matters of State Some days after he was ingaged in four solemn disputations to make good that bold challenge he had made against all Protestants Place Auditors Time Opposers Questions Campians answer The Chappel in the Tower The Lieutenant of the Tower Mr. Bele Clerk of the Counsel withmany Protestants and Papists 1581 August 31 Alexander Nowell Dean of Pauls 1. Whether the Protestants had cut off many goodly and principal parts of Scripture from the body thereof Affirmative   Septem 18 William Day Dean of Windsor 2. Whether the Catholick Church be not properly invisible Negative   23 William Fulk D. D. 3. Whether Christ be in the Sacrament Substantially very God and Man in his Natural Body Affirmative   27 Roger Goad D. D. 4. Whether after the Consecration the Bred Wine are Transubstantiated Negative    William Fulk D. D. 5. Whether the Scriptures contain sufficient Doctrine for our Salvation     Roger Goad D. D. 6. Whether Faith only justifyeth     John Walker      William Clarke   An Authentick Author giveth this unpartial account of Campian in his Disputation ad disputandum productus expectationem concitatam aegre sustinuit and in plain truth no man did ever boast more when he put on his Armour or had cause to boast less when he put it off Within few days the Queen was necessitated for her own security to make him the subject of severity by whose laws he was executed in the following December Benefactors to the Publike THOMAS POPE Knight was born in this City as my worthy friend Doctor Seth Ward the Head and others of the Society of Trinity colledge in Oxford have informed me I behold him as fortunae suae fabrum the Smith who by Gods blessing hammered out his own fortune without any Patrimonial advantage Indeed he lived in an Age which one may call the harvest of wealth wherein any that
Fathers as if some Peculiar Blessing attended them whilst they continue therein Thus of the Prelatical Clergy we have Francis Godwin a Bishop the Son of a bishop and Doctor John King Son to his Reverend Father the Bishop of London And of other Clergy men we have three Generations of the wards in Suffolk As many of the Shutes in York shire no lesse painful then pious and able in their Professions Let me add that there were at one time 3 Fellows of Kings Colledge Sons of eminent Divines and afterwards Doctors of Divinity 1 Samuel Collings 2 Thomas Goad 3 William Sclater And I believe there were not severally in their Generations men more signal in their different Eminencies It is easie for any to guess out of what Quiver this Envenomed Arrow was first shot against the Children of Clergy men namely from the Church of Rome Who in their Jurisdiction forbid the Banes of all Clergymen against the Law of Nature Scripture and the practice of the Primitive Church And in other places unsubjected to their power bespatter the posterity of the Clergy with their scandalous Tongues Yet be it known unto them the Sons of English Priests or Presbyters may be as good as the Nephews of Roman Cardinals However because Antidotes may be made of poysons it is possible that Good may be extracted out of this false Report Namely if it maketh Clergy-men more careful to go before their Children with good Examples to lead them with good Instructions to drive and draw them if need so requireth with Moderate Correction seasonably used putting up both Drye and Wet Prayers to God for his Blessing on their children As also if it maketh the children of Clergy-men to be more careful by their circumspect lives to be no shame to the Memory and Profession of their Fathers CHAP. XXI General Rules for the AUTHOR and READERS Ease I Have ranked all persons under their respective Titles according to their Seniorities of the ages they lived in Good the method of the Sons of Jacob sitting down at the Table of their unknown brother Joseph the first according to his Birthright and the Youngest according to his Youth If therefore on this account a mean man take place of a mighty Lord the later as being dead I am sure will not and the Living Reader should not be offended thereat Of the Dates of Time annexed to the Persons and their Actions The Sun that Glorious Creature doth serve Mankind for a double use to lighten their Eyes with his Beams and Minds with his Motion The later is performed by him as appointed for Signs and for Seasons as he is the great Regulator of Time joynted into Years and Months carved into Weeks and Dayes minced into Hours and Minutes At what a sad loss are such who living in Lone Houses in a Gloomy Winter Day when the Sun doth not at all appear have neither the benefit of Watches Silent Clocks nor of Clocks Speaking Watches being ready oft-times to mistake Noon for Night and Night for Noon Worse Errors are committed by those who being wholy ignorant in Chronology set the Grand-children before their Grandfathers and have more HysteronProterons than of all other Figures in their Writings The Maxime He who distinguisheth well instructeth well is most true in the observing of the Distinction of time It will pose the best Clerk to read yea to spel that Deed wherein Sentences Clauses Words and Letters are without Points or Stops all continued together The like Confusion ariseth when persons and their actions are not distanced by Years nor pointed with the periods of Generations I have endevoured in my following work to Time Eminent Persons by one of these Notations First that of their Morning or Nativity the second that of their Noon or Flourishing the last that of their Night or Death The first is very uncertain many Illustrious Men being of obscure Extraction The second more conspicuous when Mens Lustre attracts many Eyes to take Notice of them Many see the Oake when grown especially if a standard of Remark whilst few if any remember the Acorn when it was set The last is not the least Direction as which is generally observed It cometh to pass somtimes that their Deaths acquaint us with their births viz. when attended on their Tomb with Intelligence of their age so that by going backward so many years from their Coffins we infallibly light on their Cradles Some Persons in our Works are notified by all of these Indications most with two and all with one of them When we find a Contest amongst Chronologers so that with the mutinous Ephesians some cry one thing and some another being as much dispersed in their Opinions as the Amorites in their Persons when defeated by Saul so that two of them were not left together in such a case I have pitched on that Date under correction of better judgements which seemed to me of greatest Probability An Apology for Qualificatives used and Blanks left in this History I approve the plain Country By-word as containing much Innocent Simplicity therein Almost and very nigh Have saved many a Lie So have the Latines their prope fere juxta circiter plus minus used in matters of fact by the most authentick Historians Yea we may observe that the Spirit of Truth it self where Numbers and Measures are concerned in Times Places and Persons useth the aforesaid Modificatives save in such cases where some mystery contained in the number requireth a particular specification thereof In times In places In persons Dan. 5. 33. Darius being about threescore and two years old Luk. 24. 13. From Jerusalem about sixty furlongs Exod. 12. 37. About six hundred thousand men on foot Luke 3. 23. Jesus began to be about thirty years of age Joh. 6. 19. Had rowed about five and twenty furlongs Act. 2. 41. Added to the church about 3 thousand 〈◊〉 None therefore can justly find fault with me if on the like occasion I have secured my self with the same Qualificatives Indeed such Historians who grind their Intelligence to the powder of fraction pretending to cleave the pin do sometimes misse the But. Thus one reporteth how in the Persecution under Dioclesian there were neither under nor over but just nine hundred ninety nine Martyrs Yea generally those that Trade in such Retail-ware and deal in such small parcells may by the ignorant be commended for their Care but condemned by the judicious for their ridiculous curiosity But such who will forgive the use of our foresaid Qualificatives as but limping and lamenesse will perchance not pardon the many blanks which occur in this Book accounting them no better then our Flat fallingto the ground in default of our Industry where they found their best preferment especially if Convents or Dignities of signal note as Henry of Huntington not born but Arch-Deacon there William of Malmsbury and Matthew of Westminster no Natives of those Towns but Monks of the Monasteries therein However
Perin in Cornwall The Angel Gabriel was very much beholding to him for instituting an Annual Festival unto Him observed as I humbly conceive only in his own Cathedral or own Diocesse at the most and least people shoâ—…ld complain of the dearnesse of their Devotion he left good Land to defray the cost of that Solemnity He is much blamed for compassing the Mannour of Bishops-Clift to his Church by indirect means to which I can say nothing but only observe that this small City within eighty Years did afford three eminent Prelates whereof two Episcopi in Patria the Natives thereof which will scarcely be paralell'd in any Place of the same proportion He died Anno 12. Writers JOSEPHUS ISCANUS was born at this City anciently called Isca from the River Isk now named Eske running thereby A golden Poâ—…t in a leaden Age so terse and elegant were his Conceipts and expressions This our English Maro had for his Mecenas Baldwin Archbishop of Canterbury But I revoke my words and desire to turn Maro into Cornelius Nepos under whose name the Dutch-men have lately printed a Poem made by this Josephus debello Trojano It soundeth much to a Mans honour even to be mistaken for another Man of eminency for though there may be much of error in the mistake there must be something of truth in the error especially with the judicious Yea in such case a general conformity betwixt the Persons is not enough to build the mistake on without some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as here the affinity of phrase and fancy betwixt these two Poets This 〈◊〉 Nepos under whose name the Poems of this Josephus were printed flourished in the time of Tully Indeed I finde not any Poems made by him though having to that purpose perused all Scaliger de Arte 〈◊〉 as a most probable Authour But most sure it is that this Cornâ—…lius was most judicious in that Art because Valerius Catullus dedicated his Poem unto him as best able to pâ—…sse a learned censure thereon this Josephus Iscanus flourished under King John Anno 1210 being Arch-Bishop of Burdeaux I have nothing more to observe of him save what with the Readers pardon I cannot omit viz. that this Josephus alwayes minded me of another Josephus Iscanus I mean Joseph Hall lately Bishop of Exeter a witty Poet when young a painfull Preacher and solid Divine in his middle a patient Sufferer in his old age of whom God willing more in due place WILLIAM of Exeter was born in this City bred a Doctor of Divinity in Oxford and afterwards became 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 in the place of his nativity Now in his age fome Franciscan Friers so praised the perfectiou of Poverty that they touched the Popes Coppy-hold of Inheritance For if Poverty was so essential to Piety Papal pomp and plenty must needs argue prophaneness In confutation hereof this William of Exeter undertook William of Ockam though indeed impar congressus betwixt them for Exeter a fair City did not more exceed Ockam a smal village in Surrey in beauty and building than that Ockam William excelled this Exeter William in parts and Learning however what he wanted in brains he had in a good back to assist him and William of Exeter with John the three and twentieth Pope of Rome was able to undertake any Authour of that age He flourished in the Year of our Lord 1330. under the Raign of King Edward the third Since the Reformation RICHARD MARTYN was born in this City and bred partly in the Court partly in the Inns of Court and at last â—…etook himself to the Study of the Law He was accounted one of the highest Witts of our Age and his Nation King James being much delighted with his facetiousnesse a quality which with other of his Abilities commended him to be chosen Recorder of London He is eminent as for many Speeches so especially for that he made in Parliament in the tenth year of King James when account was taken of Forty Gentlemen in the House which were not twenty and some of them not sixteen years of age Formerly said this Râ—…order Martyn it was the custome of Old men to make Lawes for Young ones But now Nature is invaded and inverted seeing Young men enact Lawes to govern their Fathers He had an excellent Pen and wrote very much and the more the pitty that they are suppressed from publick use his death happened about the year 1616. WILLIAM MARTIN Kinsman to the aforesaid Recorder was born in this City and bred a Student in the Lawes of the Land He wrote a short and clear of the Kings of England since the conquest I have been credlbly informed that King James took some exceptions at a Passage therein sounding either to the derogation of his own Family or of the Scotch Nation which he took so tenderly that Mr. Martin was brought into trouble for the same and though he wethered out the Kings displeasure and was reconciled to his Majesty yet he never râ—…covered his former chearfulnesse It seems that a Princes Anger is a disease which though cured is not cured grief for the same being conceived to hasten his death which happened about the year 1616. WILLIAM TUCKER was born in this City bred fellow of New-Colledge in Oxford and after became Doctor in Divinity Canon of Sarisbury Arch-deacon of Barnstable and Dean of Lichfield The purity of his Latine Pen procured his preferment writing and dedicating a Book to Queen Elizabeth de Charismate of our Kings of England their gracious healing the Evil being the best that I have seen on that Subject vindicating such cures from all imposture unlawfull Magick and from some French Writers bold usurpations who lay claim to it as originally belonging to their Kings alone Whereas under correction I conceive that the word Soveraign which properly importeth the Supream Majesty doth also in our English Tongue in a secondary sence signiâ—…ie what is cordial to cure and heal Diseases or sores ever since such sanative power hath been annexed to the Crown of England This Doctor may be said to have worn half a Miter seeing his Congee de-lire was signed if not sent to elect him Bishop of Glocester but afterwards by Order fâ—…om King James it was revoked on what occasion I list not to enquire I conjecture the date of his death was much about the Year 1617. JOHN BARKHAM born in this City was bred in Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford whereof he was Fellow Chaplain afterwards to Archbishop Bancroft and Parson of Bocking in Essex Much his Modesty and no lesse his Learning who though never the publique Parent of any was the carefull Nurse of many Books who otherwise had expired in their Infancy had not his care preserved them He set forth D. Crackenchorp his Posthume Book against Spalato and was helpfull to John Speed in the composing of his English History yea he wrote the whole Life of the Raign of King John which is the King of all the
Works left to posterity 1. De variis Annorum Formis 2. De natura Coeli conditione Elementorum 3. Praelectio Astronomica 4. De origine Fontium 5. Disquisitio Phisiologica 6. Explicatio additameutnm Arg. temp nat ministerii Christi In handling of these subjects it seems he crossed Scalliger who was highly offended thereat conceiving himself such a Prince of Learning it was high Treason for any to doubt of much more deny his opinion Yea he conceited his own Judgment so canonical that it was Heresie for any inferiour person to differ from the same Shall Scalliger write a book of the Emendation of Times and should any presume to write one of the Emendation of Scalliger especially one no publick Professor and so private a person as Lydyate However this great Bugbear Critick finding it more easie to contemn the person than confute the arguments of his Adversary sleighted Lydyate as inconsiderable jeering him for a Prophet who indeed somewhat traded in the Apocalyptical Divinity Learned men of unbiassed judgments will maintain that Lydyate had the best in that Contest but here it came to pass what Solomon had long before observed Nevertheless the poor mans wisdom is despised and his words are not heard He never attained higher Church-preferment than the Rectory of Alkerton the Town of his Nativity and deserted that as I have cause to suspect before his death Impute his low condition to these causes 1. The nature of his Studies which being Mathematical and Speculative brought not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grist to the mill 2. The nature of his Nature being ambitious of Privity and Concealment 3. The death of Prince Henry whose Library-keeper he was and in whose Grave Lydyates hopes were interred 4. His disaffection to Church-discipline and Ceremonies used therein though such wrong his memory who represent him an Anabaptist His modesty was as great as his want which he would not make known to any Sir William Boswell well understanding his worth was a great friend unto him and so was Bishop Williams He dyed about Westminster as I take it in the year of our Lord 1644. Happy had it been for posterity if on his death-bed he could have bequeathed his Learning to any surviving Relation Sir RICHARD BAKER Knight was a Native of this County and High-Sheriff thereof in the 18. of King James Anno Dom. 1621. His youth he spent in learning the benefit whereof he reaped in his old age when his Estate thorough Surety-ship as I have heard him complain was very much impair'd But God may smile on them on whom the World doth frown whereof his pious old age was a memorable instance when the storm on his Estate forced him to flye for shelter to his studies and devotions He wrote an Exposition on the Lords prayer which is corrival with the best Comments which professed Divines have written on that subject He wrote a Chronicle on our English Kings imbracing a method peculiar to himself digesting Observables under several heads very useful for the Reader This reverend Knight left this troublesome world about the beginning of our Civil wars WILLIAM WHATELEY was born in Banbury whereof his father was twice Mayor and bred in Christs-college in Cambridge He became afterwards Minister in the Town of his Nativity and though generally people do not respect a Prophet or Preacher when a Man whom they knew whilest a Child yet he met there with deserved reverence to his Person and Profession Indeed he was a good Linguist Philoso pher Mathematician Divine and though a Poetical Satyrical Pen is pleas'd to pass a jeer upon him free from Faction He first became known to the world by his book called the Bride-bushe which some say hath been more condemned than confuted as maintaining a Position rather odious than untrue But others hold that blows given from so near a Relation to so near a Relation cannot be given so lightly but they will be taken most heavily Other good Works of his have been set forth since his death which happened in the 56. year of his age Anno Dom. 1639. JOHN BALLE was born at Casfigton four miles North-west of Oxford in this County an obscure Village onely illustrated by his Nativity He proceeded Batchelor of Arts in Brazen-nose college in Oxford his Parents purse being not able to maintain him longer and went into Cheshire untill at last he was beneficed at Whitmore in the County of Stafford He was an excellent School man and School-master qualities seldom meeting in the same man a painful Preacher and a profitable Writer and his Treatise of Faith cannot sufficiently be commended Indeed he liv'd by faith having but small means to maintain him but 20 pounds yearly Salary besides what he got by teaching and boording his Scholers and yet was wont to say he had enough enough enough Thus contentment consisteth not in heaping on more fuell but in taking away some fire He had an holy facetiousness in his discourse when his friend having had a fall from his horse and said that he never had the like deliverance Yea said Mr. Balle and an hundred times when you never fell accounting Gods preserving us from equal to his rescuing us out of dangers He had an humble heart free from passion and though somewhat disaffected to Ceremonies and Church-discipline confuted such as conceived the corruptions therein ground enough for a separation He hated all New Lights and pretended Inspirations besides Scripture and when one asked him whether he at any time had experience thereof in his own heart No said he I bless God and if I should ever have such phantasies I hope God would give me grace to resist them Notwithstanding his small means he lived himself comfortably relieved others charitably left his children competently and dyed piously October the 20. Anno Dom. 1640. WILLIAM CHILLINGWORTH was born in the City of Oxford so that by the benefit of his birth he fell from the lap of his mother into the armes of the Muses He was bred in Trinity college in this University an acute and subtil Disputant but unsetled in judgment which made him go beyond the Seas and in some sort was conciled to the Church of Rome but whether because he found not the respect he expected which some shrewdly suggest or because his Conscience could not close with all the Romish corruptions which more charitably believe he returned into England and in testimony of his true conversion wrote a book entituled The Religion of Protestants a safe way to salvation against Mr. Knot the Jesuit I will not say Malo nodo malus quaerendus est cuneus but affirm no person better qualified than this Author with all necessary accomplishments to encounter a Jesuit It is commonly reported that Dr. Prideaux compared his book to a Lamprey fit for food if the venemous string were taken out of the back thereof a passage in my opinion inconsistent with the Doctors approbation prefixed in the beginning
Mounchensey bred first in Oxford then an Augustinian Eremite in Clare He was a great Scholar as his Works evidence and Confessor to Lionel Duke of Clarence whom he attended into Italy when he married Joland daughter to John Galeaceus Duke of Milan J. Pits conceiveth him to have been an Arch-bishop in Ireland which is utterly disowned by Judicious Sir James VVare And indeed if Bales words whence Pits deriveth his intelligence be considered it will appear he never had Title of an Arch-bishop sed cujusdam Archi-Episcopatus curam accepit He undertook care of some Arch-bishoprick probably commended in the vacancy thereof to his inspection And why might not this be some Italian Arch-bishoprick during his attendance on his Patron there though afterwards preferring privacy before a pompous charge he returned into his Native Country and died at Clare Anno 1396. THOMAS PEVâ—…REL was born of good Parentage in this County bred a Carmelite and D. D. in Oxford He was afterwards by King Richard the Second made Bishop of Ossory in Ireland I say by King Richard the Second which minds me of a memorable passage which I have read in an excellent Author It may justly seem strange which is most true that there are three Bishopricks in Ireland in the Province of Ulster by name Derry Rapho and Clogher which neither Queen Elizabeth nor any of her Progenitors did ever bestow though they were the undoubted Patrons thereof So that King James was the first King of England that did ever supply those Sees with Bishops so that it seems formerly the Great Irish Lords in those parts preferred their own Chaplains thereunto However the Bishopricks in the South of the Land were ever in the disposal of Our Kings amongst which Ossory was one bestowed on our Peverel From Ireland he was removed to Landaffe in Wales then to VVorchester in England being one much esteemed for Learning as his Books do declare He died according to Bishop Godwins account March the 1 1417 and lieth buried in his own Cathedral STEPHEN GARDINER was born in Bury St. Edmunds one of the best aires in England the sharpness whereof he retained in his Wit and quick apprehension Some make him Base-son to Lionel VVoodvile Bishop of Salisbury which I can hardly beleeve Salisbury and St. Edmunds-Bury being six score miles asunder Besides time herein is harder to be reconciled than place For it being granted an errour of youth in that Bishop and that Bishop vanishing out of this World 1485. Gardiner in all probability must be allowed of greater age than he was at his death It is confess'd by all that he was a man of admirable natural parts and memory especially so conducible to Learning that one saith Tantum scimus quantum meminimus He was bâ—…ed Doctor of Laws in Trinity-hall in Cambridge and after many State-Embassies and employments he was by King Henry the Eighth made Bishop of VVinchester His malice was like what is commonly said of white powder which surely discharged the Bullet yet made no report being secrete in all his acts of cruelty This made him often chide Bonner calling him Asse though not so much for killing poor people as not for doing it more cunningly He was the chief Contriver of what we may call Gardiners-Creed though consisting but of six Articles which caused the death of many and trouble of more Protestants He had almost cut off one who was and prevented another for ever being a Queen I mean Katharine Par and the Lady Elizabeth had not Divine Providence preserved them He complied with King Henry the Eighth and was what he would have him opposed King Edward the Sixth by whom he was imprisoned and depriv'd acted all under Queen Mary by whom he was restored and made Lord Chancellour of England He is reported to have died more than half a Protestant avouching that he believed himself and all others onely to be justified by the merits of Christ which if so then did he verifie the Greek and Latine Proverb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Saepe Olitor valde verba opportuna loquâ—…tus The Gardiner oft times in due season Speaks what is true and solid reason He died at VVhite-hall of the Gout November the 12th 1555. and is buried by his own appointment on the Northside of the Quire over against Bishop Fox in a very fair Monument He had done well if he had parallell'd Bishop Fox Founder of Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford in erecting some publick work the rather because he died so rich being reported to have left fourty thousand Marks in ready money behind him However on one account his memory must be commended for improving his power with Queen Mary to restore some Noble Families formerly depressed My Author instanceth in some descendanâ—…e from the Duke of Norfolk in the Stanhops and the Arundels of VVarder Castle To these give me leave to adde the Right Ancient Family of the Hungerfords to whom he procured a great part of their Patrimony seased on by the Crown to be restored Since the Reformation JOHN BALE was born at Covie in this County five miles from Donwich and was brought up in Jesus-Colledge in Cambridge being before or after a Carmelite in Norwich By the means of Thomas Lord Wentworth he was converted to be a Protestant This is that Bale who wrote a Book De scriptoribus Britannicis digested into nine Centuries not more beholding to Leland than I have been to Bale in this Work and my Church-History Anno 1552 February the 2d he was consecrated at Dublin Bishop of Ossory in Ireland whence on the death of King Edward the Sixth he was forced to flie some of his servants being slain before his eyes and in his passage over the sea was taken prisoner by Pirates sold ransom'd and after many dangers safely arrived in Switzerland After the death of Queen Mary he returned into England but never to his Irish Bishoprick preferring rather a private life being a Prebendary of the Church of Canterbury One may wonder that being so Learned a Man who had done and suffered so much for Religion higher promotion was not forced upon him seeing about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth Bishopricks went about begging able men to receive them But probably he was a person more Learned than discreet fitter to write than to govern as unable to command his own passion and Biliosus Balaeus passeth for his true Character He died in the sixty eighth year of his Age at Canterbury Anno Domini 1563 in the moneth of November and was buried in the Cathedâ—…al Church therein JOHN MAY was born in this County bred in the â—…niversity of Cambridge whereof he became Proctor 1545 Elected Master of Katharine-hall 1564 Vice-Chancellour 1569 and at last consecrated Bishop of Carlile Sept. 27 1577 continuing eleven years in that See and died in April 1598. JOHN OVERAL D. D. born aâ—… Hadley in this County was bred in the Free-School therein
fell down and bruised himself to death But that Simon did it by the Black our Oliver by the White Art he being supported by ill spirits this by meer ingenuity which made him the more to be pitied He wrot some books of Astrology and died Anno Dom. 1060. five years before the Norman Invasion and so saw not his own prediction prevented by death performed It being the fate of such Folk Ut sint Oculati foras caecutiant Domi. That when they are quick sighted to know what shall betide to others they are blind to behold what will befall to themselves WILLIAM quitting his own name of SUMMERSET assumed that of MALMESBURY because there he had if not born his best Preferment Indeed he was a Duallist in that Convent and if a Pluralist no ingenious person would have envied him being Canter of that Church and Library-Keeper therein Let me adde and LibraryMaker too for so may we call his History of the Saxon Kings and Bishops before the Conquest and after it untill his own time An History to be honoured both for the Truth and Method thereof if any fustiness be found in his Writings it comes not from the Grape but from the Cask the smack of Superstition in his books is not to be imputed to his person but to the Age wherein he lived and dyed viz. Anno Dom. 1142. and was buried in Malmesbury ROBERT CANUTUS His Surname might justly perswade us to suspect him a Dane but that Bale doth assure him born at Cricklade in this County and further proceedeth thus in the desciption of the place Leland in the life of great King Alfred informs us that during the flourishing of the glory of the Britains before the University of Oxford was founded two Scholars were famous both for Eloquence and Learning the one called Greeklade where the Greek the other Latinlade where the Latine tongue was professed since corruptly colled Cricklade and Lechlade at this day Having so good security I presumed to Print the same in my Church-History and am not as yet ashamed thereof But since my Worthy Friend Doctor Heylyn whose Relations living thereabouts gave him the opportunity of more exactness thus reporteth it that Cricklade was the place for the Profession of Greek Lechlade for Physick and Latine a small village small indeed for I never saw it in any Map hard by the place where Latin was professed But to proceed our Canute went hence to Oxford and there became Chief of the Canons of Saint Fridswith He gathered the best flowers out of Plinie his Naturall History and composing it into a Garland as he calleth it dedicated the book to King Henry the second He wrot â—…so his Comments on the greater part of the Old and New Testament and flourished Anno 1170. RICHARD of the DIVISES A word of the place of his nativity The Vies or Devises is the best and biggest Town for trading Salisbury being a City in this Shire so called because antiently divided betwixt the King and the Bishop of Salisbury as Mine-Thine corruptly called Minden a City in Westphalia had its Name from such a partition Now because the Devises carrieth much of strange conceipts in the common sound thereof and because Stone-henge is generally reputed a wonder Country-People who live far off in our Land misapprehend them distanced more then 12. miles to be near together Our Richard born in this Town was bred a Benedictine in Winchster where his Learning and Industry rendred him to the respect of all in that Age. He wrot a History of the raign of King Richard the first under whom he flourished and an Epitome of the British affaires dedicating them both to Robert Prior of Winchester His History 〈◊〉 could never see but at the second hand as cited by others the rarity thereof making it no piece for the Shop of a Stationer but a Property for a publick Library His death was about the year 1200. GODWIN of SALISBURY Chanter of that Church and what ever was his skill in Musick following the precepts of Saint Paul he made melody in his heart having his mind given much to Meditation which is the Chewing of the Cud of the food of the soul turning it into Clean and Wholsome Nourishment He wrot beside other works a book of Meditations dedicating the same to one Ramulia or rather Ranilda an Anchoress and most incomparable woman saith my Author the more remarkable to me because this is the first and last mention I find of her memory This Godwin flourished about the year of our Lord 1256. JOHN of WILTON Senior was bred an Augustinian Friar and after he had stored himself with home-bred Learning went over into France and studied at Paris Here he became a subtile Disputant insomuch that John Baconthorp that Staple School-man not onely highly praiseth him but also useth his authority in his JOHN of WILTON Junior was bred a Benedictine Monke in Westminster He was Elegant in the Latine tongue praeter ejus aetatis sortem He wrot Metricall Meditations in imitation of Saint Bernard and one Book highly prized by many intituled Horologium sapientiae english it as you please the Clock or Diall of Wisdome Arguments I meet not with any man in that age better stock'd with Sermons on all occasions having written his Summer his Winter his Lent his Holy-day Sermons He flourished under King Edward the second Anno 1310. He was a great Allegory-Monke and great his dexterity in such Figurative conceits He flourished some fifty years after his Namesake under King Edward the third Reader I confess there be eleven Wiltons in England and therefore will not absolutely avouch the Nativities of these two Johns in this County However because Wilton which denominateth this Shire is the best and biggest amongst the Towns so called I presume them placed here with the most Probability JOHM CHYLMARK was born at that Village well know in Daworth Hundred and bred Fellow of Merton-colledge in Oxford He was a diligent searcher into the mysteries of Nature an acute Phylosopher and Disputant but most remarkable was his skill in Mathematicks being accounted the Archemedes of that age having written many Tractates in that Faculty which carry with them a very good regard at this day He flourished under King Richard the second Anno 1390. THOMAS of WILTON D. D. was for his Learning and Abilities made first Chancellour and then Dean of Saint Pauls in London in his time in the raign of King Edward the fourth happened a tough contest betwixt the Prelats and the Friars the latter pretending to poverty and taxing the Bishops for their pompe and plenty Our Wilton politickly opposed the Friars Now as the onely way for to withdraw Hanniball from his invasive war in Italy was by recalling him to defend his own Country near Carthage so Wilton wisely wrought a diversion putting the Friars from accusing the Bishops to excuse themselves For although an Old Gown a
not know and dare not too curiously inquire left I turn their mirth among themselves into anger against me Sure it is seated in a fruitful soyl and cheap Country and where good chear and company are the Premisses mirth in common consequence will be the Conclusion Which if it doth not trespass in time cause and measure Heraclitus the sad Philosopher may perchance condemn but Saint Hilary the good Father will surely allow Princes HENRY youngest son to William Duke of Normandy but eldest to King William the Conquerour by whom he was begotten after he was Crowned King on which politick 〈◊〉 he claim'd and gain'd the Crown from Duke Robert his eldest brother was Anno Dom. 1070. born at Selbey in this County If any ask what made his Mother travail so far North from London know it was to enjoy Her Husbands company who to prevent insurrections and settle peace resided many months in these parts besides his peculiar affection to Selby where after he founded a MitredAbby This Henry was bred say some in Paris say others in Cambridge and I may safely say in both wherein he so profited that he attained the Surname of Beauclerke His learning may be presumed a great advantage to his long and prosperous raign for thirty five years and upwards wherein he remitted the Norman rigour and restored to His subjects a great part of the English Laws and Liberties Indeed his princely vertues being profitable to all did with their lustre so dazle the eyes of his subjects that they did not see his personall vices as chiefly prejudicial to himself For he was very wanton as appeareth by his numerous natural issue no fewer then fourteen all by him publickly owned the males highly advanced the females richly married which is justly reported to his praise it being lust to beget but love to bestow them His sobriery otherwise was admirable whose temperance was of proof against any meat objected to his appetite Lampreys alone excepted on a surfeit whereof he died Anno Domini 1135. He had onely two children William dying before and Maud surviving him both born in Normandy and therefore omitted in our Catalogue THOMAS Fifth son of King Edward the first and the first that he had by Margaret his second Wife was born at and surnamed from Brotherton a small Village in this County June 1. Anno Dom. 1300. He was created Earl of Norfolke and Earl Marshall of England He left no male-issue but from his females the Mowbrays Dukes of Norfolke and from them the Earls of Arundel and Lords Berkeley are descended RICHARD PLANTAGENET Duke of York commonly is called Richard of Conisborrow from the Castle in this Shire of his nativity The Reader will not grudge him a place amongst our Princes if considering him fixed in his Generation betwixt an Antiperistasis of Royal extraction being Son to a Son of a King Father to the Father of a King Edmund of Langley Duke of York Richard Duke of York Fifth son to K. Edward 3. Father to King Edward 4. Besides he had 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 raign of K. Henry the fifth EDWARD sole son to King Richard the third and Anne his Queen was born in the Castle of Midleham near Richmond 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 of a suddain dying within a month of his Mother King Richard little lamenting the loss of either and presently projecting to repair himself by a new Marriage The untimely death of this Prince in respect of the terme to which by Naturall possibility he might have attained in his innocent age is generally beheld as a punishment on him for the faults of his Father The Tongue foreswears the Ears are cut off the Hand steals the Feet are stocked and that justly because both consisting of the same body And because Proles est pars parentis it is agreeable with divine justice to inflict on Children temporal judgements for defaults of their Parents Yet this judgment was a mercy to this Prince that he might not behold the miserable end of his Father Let me adde and a mercy also to all England For had he survived to a mans estate he might possibly have proved a wall of partition to hinder the happy union of the two houses of York and Lancaster Saints HILDA was daughter unto Prince Hererick nephew to Edwin King of Northumberland and may justly be counted our English Huldah not so much for sameness of sex and name-sounding similitude as more concerning conformities Huldah lived in a Colledge Hilda in a Convent at Strenshalt in this County Huldah was the Oracle of those times as Hilda of her age being a kind of a Moderatresse in a Saxon Synod or conference rather called to compromise the controversie about the celebration of Easter I behold her as the most learned English Female before the Conquest and may call her the She-Gamaliel at whose feet many Learned men had their education She ended her holy life with an happy death about the year of our Lord 680. BENEDICT BISCOP was born saith Pitz amongst the East Saxons saith Hierome Porter in Yorkshire whom I rather believe First because writing his life ex professo he was more concerned to be curious therein Secondly because this Benedict had much familiarity with and favour from Oswy King of Northumberland in whose Dominions he fixed himself building two Monasteries the one at the influx of the river Were the other at the river Tine into the sea and stocking them in his life time with 600 Benedictine Moncks He made five Voyages to Rome and always returned full fraught with Reliques Pictures and Ceremonies In the former is driven on as great a Trade of Cheating as in any earthly Commodity in so much that I admire to meet with this passage in a Jesuite and admire more that he Met not with the Inquisition for writing it Addam * nonnunquam in Tem plis reliquias dubias profana corpora pro Sanctorum qui cum Christo in Coelo regnant exuviis sacris fuisse proposita He left Religion in England Braver but not better then he found it Indeed what Tully said of the Roman Lady That she danced better then became a modest woman was true of Gods Service as by him adorned the Gaudiness prejudicing the Gravity thereof He made all things according not to the Patern in the Mount with Mose's but the Precedent of Rome and his Convent being but the Romish Transcript became the English Original to which all Monasteries in the Land were suddenly conformed In a word I reverence his Memory
know not where to end Besides having in the fundamentalls of this Book confined Princes to the children of Soveraigns it is safest for me not to sally forth but to intrench my self within the aforesaid restrictions Onely I cannot but insert the following note found in so Authentick an Author for the rarity thereof in my apprehension Camdens Remains pag. 181. As for the Britains or Welsh whatsoever Jura Majestatis their Princes had I cannot understand that they ever had any Coin of their own for no Learned of that Nation have at any time seen any found in Wales or elsewhere Strange that having so much Silver digged out they should have none Coined in their Country so that Trading was driven on either by the bartery or change of Wares and Commodities or else by money Imported out of England and other Countries Confessors WALTER BRUTE was born in Wales and if any doubt thereof let them peruse the ensuing protestation drawn up with his own hand I Walter Brute Sinner Layman Husbandman and a Christian having mine of-spring of the Britains both by Fathers and Mothers side have been accused to the Bishop of Hereford that I did err in many matters concerning the Catholick Christian faith by whom I am required that I should write an answer in Latine to all those matters whose desire I will satisfie to my power c. Observe herein a double instance of his Humility that being a Welch-man with which Gentleman is reciprocall and a Scholar graduated in Oxford contented himself with the plain addition of husbandman He was often examined by the aforesaid Bishop by whom he was much molested and imprisoned the particulars whereof are in Master Fox most largely related At last he escaped not creeping out of the window by any cowardly compliance but going forth at the door fairly set open for him by Divine Providence For he onely made such a generall subscription which no Christian man need to decline in form following I Walter Brute submit my self principally to the Evangely of Jesus Christ and to the determination of holy Kirk and to the General Councels of Holy Kirk And to the sentence and determination of the four Doctors of holy writ that is Austin Ambrose Jerome and Gregory And I meekly submit me to your correction as a Subject ought to his Bishop It seems the Popish Prelates were not as yet perfect in their art of persecution Brute being one of the first who was vexed for Wickliffisme so that as yet they were loose and favourable in their language of Subscription But soon after they grew so punctuall in their expressions and so particular in penning abjurations and recantations that the persons to whom they were tendered must either strangle their consciences with acceptance or lose their lives for refusall thereof NICHOLAS HEREFORD I have presumptions to perswade my self though possibly not to prevail with the Reader to believe him of British extraction He was bred Doctor of Divinity in Oxford and a Secular Priest betwixt whose Profession and Fryery there was an ancient Antipathy But our Hereford went higher to defie most Popish Principles and maintain That 1. In the Eucharist after the Consecration of the Elements Bread and Wine still remained 2. That Bishops and all Clergy-men ought to be subject to their Respective Princes 3. That Monks and Fryers ought to maintain themselves by their own labour 4. All ought to regle their lives not by the Popes Decrees but Word of God From these his four Cardinall Positions many Hereticall Opinions were by his Adversaries deduced or rather detracted and no wonder they did Wrack his Words who did desire to torture his Person From Oxford he was brought to London and there with Philip Repington was made to Recant his Opinions publiquely at Saint Pauls Cross 1382. See their severall success REPINTON like a violent Renegado proved a Persecutor of his Party for which he was rewarded first with the Bishoprick of Lincoln then with a Cardinals Cap. HEREFORD did too much to displease his Conscience and yet not enough to please his enemies For the jealousie of Archbishop Arundel persecuted and continued him always a Prisoner The same with the later was the success of John Purvey his partner in opinions whom T. Walden termeth the Lollards Library But they lock'd up this Library that none might have access unto it keeping him and Hereford in constant durance I will say nothing in excuse of their Recantation nor will I revile them for the same knowing there is more requisite to make one valiant under a Temptation then only to call him coward who is foiled therewith Yet I must observe that such as consult Carnall Councills to avoid afflictions getting out by the window of their own plotting not the door of Divine Providence seldome injoy their own deliverance In such Cases our Saviours words are always without the parties Repentance spiritually and often literally true He that findeth his life shall lose it And although we read not that this Hereford was put to death he lost the life of his life his liberty and lustre dwindling away in obscurity as to the time and place of his death REGINALD PEACOCK was born in Wales bred in Kings commonly saith Bale called Orial Colleâ—…ge in Oxford where for his learning and eloquence he proceeded Doctor in Divinity Bishop first of Saint Asaph then of Chichester For twenty years together he favoured â—…he opinions of Wicliffe and wrot many books in defence thereof untill in a Synod held at Lambeth by T. Bourcher Arch-bishop of Canterbury 1457. he was made to recant at Pauls Cross his books being burnt before his eyes confuted with seven solid arguments thus reckoned up Authoritate Vi Arte Fraude Metu Terrore Tyrannide Charitable men behold this his Recantation as his suffering and the act of his enemies some account it rather a slip then a fall others a fall whence afterwards he did arise It seems his recanting was little satisfactory to his adversaries being never restored to his Bishoprick but confinâ—…d to a poor pension in a mean Monastery where he died obscurely though others say he was privily made away in prison He is omitted by Pitzeus in his Catalogue of Writers a presumption that he apprehended him finally dissenting from the Popish perswasion Popes I find none bred in this Principality and the wonder is not great For before the time of Austin the Monk his coming over into England Wales acknowledged no Pope but depended meerly on their own Arch-bishop of Carlyon Yea afterwards it was some hundreds of years before they yielded the Pope free and full obedience besides the inhabitants of Wales being depressed in their condition had small accommodations for their travels to Rome and those at Rome had lesse list to chuse persons of so great distance into the Papasie Cardinals SERTOR of WALES was so called from his Native Country By some he is named Fontanerius Valassus
but why saith Bishop Godwin Rationem non capio and I will not hope to understand what he could not He was bred a Franciscan and was chosen very young for that place their General the nineteenth in succession Anno Domini 1339. Afterwards he was made Bishop of Massile then Arch-Bishop of Ravenna next Patriarch of Grado and by Pope Innocent the sixth was made Cardinal Anno Domini 1361. But being extremely aged he was so unhappy that before the Cardinals Cap could come to him he was gone out of this world Many Books he wrote of his Lectures Quodlibets but chiefly he is eminent for his Comment on Saint Austin De civitate Dei He died at Padua in Italy and was therein buried in the Church of Saint Anthony Prelates MARBOD EVANX I had almost read him Evans a noted name in Wales was born in this Country and bred in the study of all Liberal Sciences In his time the Danes wofully harassed the Land which caused him to ship himfelf over into little Britain in France the inhabitants whereof may be termed Cosin-Germans to the Welch as Sons to their younger brethren much symbolizing with them in manners and language Here Marbod though abroad was at home worth is the worlds Countriman and his deserts preferred him to be Episcopus Redonensis Bishop of Renes Praelatus non Elatus such his humility in his advancement We may conclude him a general Scholar by the variety of his works writing of gems and precious stones and compounding profit and pleasure together in his book called Carmina Sententiosa much commended Italian praise of British Poetry is a black swan by Lilius * Giraldus an Italian in his life 's of Poets We will conclude all with the Character given unto him by Giraldus Cambrensis Marbodus bonarum literarum magister eruditus colores rhetoricos tam verborum quam sententiarum exornationes versibus egregiis declaravit He flourished 1050. WALTER de CONSTANTIIS Who would not conclude him from his Surname born at Constance on the Boden Zee in Switserland But we have a Constat for his British Nativity He was preferred first Arch-Deacon of Oxford then Bishop of Lincoln then Arch-Bishop of Rohan by King Richard the first A man of much merit besides his fidelity to his Soveraign whom he attended to Palestine through many perils by Sea and by Land 〈◊〉 somuch that there want not those who will have him named De Constantiis from the Expressive Plural relating to his Constancy to his Master in all conditions No doubt he had waited on him in his return through Austria and shared with him in the miseries of his Captivity if not formerly remanded into England to retrench the Tyranny of William Longcampt Bishop of Ely which he effectually performed He had afterwards a double Honour first to interr King Richard at Font-Everard then to invest K. John with the Principality of Normandy as being the Prime Prelate therein His death may be collected about the year 1206. CADUCANUS a Welsh-man by birth was a very skilful Divine and Bishop of Bangor Leaving his Bishoprick he became a Cistercian Monk in Monasterio Durensi sive Dorensi which for the present I am unwilling to English Here I find two learned Antiquaries the one the lender the other the debtor I had almost said the one owner the other stealer much divided in their judgements about this his retrograde motion from a Bishop to a Monke the one commending the other condemning him herein J. Leland cited by Bale J. Bale Rarum hoc equidem exemplum est ut quis optimas fortunas macra commutet tenuitate This indeed was a rare example that one should willingly exchange the best fortunes for a lean meannesse Qui EpiscopatuÌ„ appetit ait Paulus perfectum opus desiderat Non sic de monachatu otioso quum sit plantatio quam non consolidavit Pater coelestis Whoso desireth a Bishoprick desireth a good thing saith St. Paul It cannot be said so of Monkery which is a plant whâ—…h the Heavenly Father hath not planted It is past my power to comprimise a difference betwixt two so great persons in so great a difference at so great a distance onely to hold the ballance even betwixt them give me leave to whisper a word or two First for Leland whereas he calleth the Bishoprick of Bangor Optimas fortunas it was never very rich and at the present very troublesome by reason of the Civill Wars so that Caducanus turning Monk in most mens apprehension did but leave what was little for what was less As for John Bale he himself under King Edward the sixth was Bishop of Ossory in Ireland and flying thence in the days of Queen Mary did not return in the raign of Queen Elizabeth to his See but contented himself rather with a Canons place in the Church of Canterbury so that by his own practise a Bishops place may on some considerations be left and a Private though not Superstitious life lawfully embraced The best is even Bale himself doth consess of this Caducanus that after â—…e turned Monk Studiorum ejus interea non elanguit successus He was no less happy then industrious in his endeavours writing a book of Sermons and another called speculum Christianoâ—…um He dyed under the raign of King Henry the third Anno Domini 1225. Since the Reformation HUGH JOHNES born in Wales was bred Batchelour of the Laws in the University of Oxford and made Bishop of Landaff which See it seems for the poorness thereof lay Bishopless for three years after the death of Bishop Kitchin May 5. 1566. Memorable no doubt on other accounts as well as for this that though this 〈◊〉 be in Wales he was the first Welch-man who for the last three hundred years viz. since John of Monmouth elected 1296. was the Bishop thereof He was buried at Matherne November 15. 1574. Doctor ......... PHILIPS was a native of Wales had his education in Oxford and was afterward preferred to be Episcopus Sodorensis or Bishop of Man Out of his zeal for propagating the Gospell he attained the Manks tongue and usually preached therein Know by the way Reader that the King of Spain himself notwithstanding the vastness of his Dominions had not in Europe more distinct languages spoken under his command then had lately the King of great Britain seven tongues being used in his Territories viz. 1. English in England 2. French in Gersey Guernzey 3. Cornish in Cornwall 4. Welch in Wales 5. Scotch in Scotland 6. Irish in Ireland 7. Manks in the Isle of Man This Doctor Philips undertook the translating of the Bible into the Manks tongue taking some of the Islanders to his assistance and namely Sir Hugh Cavoll Minister of the Gospell and lately if not still 〈◊〉 of Kir-Michael He perfected the same work in the space of twenty nine years but prevented by his death it was never put to
Statutes of Ruthland made in the year of King Edward the first This Lady Elizabeth at fourteen years of age was married to John the first of that name Earl of Holland Zealand c. And after his death remarried to Humfreâ—… Bohune Earle of Hereford and Essex High Constable of England by whom he had a numerous issue She died Anno Dom. 1316. and was buried in the Abby-Church of Saffron Walden in Essex Saints CONGELLUS or COMGALLUS I perceive a storm a coming and must provide a shelter against it The omitting this Writer will make Wales angry and the inserting him will make Ireland offended with me whom a good Antiquary makes the first Abbâ—…t of Banchor in this County and a better though living later first Abbot of Bangor nigh Nockfergus in Ireland What is to be done herein When the Controversie was started whether the Isle of Man belonged to England or Ireland it was adjudged to the later because no venomous Creature will live therein But this controverted nativity is not capable of that discrimination Indeed if the difference was betwixt Wales and England my Native Country concerning Congellus we would according to our premised principles freely resign him not daring to be so bold with an outlandish Interest let him stand here so long till better evidence be brought to remove him For if those be beheld as the worst of Felons who steal stragling Children in London streets from their Parents and spirit them over unto forraign Plantations high also is their robbery who deprive Countries of their true Natives as to their Memories after their deaths and dispose them elsewhere at their pleasures As for Congellus it is agreed on all hands that he was one of a pious life who wrote learned Epistles and being aged eighty five years died Anno Dom. 600. St. BENO was instructer to Saint Wenefride committed by her Father to his careful Education now it happened when the head of the said Wenefride was cut off by Cradocus Son to Alane King of North Wales for not yielding to his unlawful lust This Beno miraculously set it on again she living fifteen years after But if the tip of his tongue who first told and the top of his fingers who first wrote this damnable lye had been cut off and had they both been sent to attend their cure at the Shrine of Saint Beno certainly they would have been more wary afterwards how they reported or recorded such improbable untruths ASAPH was born in these parts of right honourable parentage and bred at Llan-Elvy in this County under Kentigernus or Mongo the Scotch Bishop in that place Here the said Kentigerâ—…us had a Convent consisting of 663. Monks whereof 300. being unlearned in the nature of Lay-Brethren were employed abroad in Husbandry as many busied about work at home the rest attended Divine service in the Convent so divided that some were always officiating therein Amongst these Asaph was eminently conspicuous for piety and learning in so much that Kentigernus being called into his own Country resigned both his Convent and Cathedral unto him Here this Bishop demeaned himself with such Sanctity that Llan-Elvy lost its name and after his death was called from him St. Asaph He was an assiduous Preacher having this Speech in his mouth Such who are against the preaching of Gods Word envy mans salvation Bishop Godwin confesseth himself ignorant of the certain time of his death though another not more knowing but more confident assigneth the first of May but with this abatement about 569. I say not out possibly a randome date may hap to hit the mark Here I would be thankful to them who should expound unto me that passage in J. Bale concluding the life of this Saint with these words Primus hic erat qui d Romano Pontifice Unctionem accepit He was the first who received Unction from the Pope of Rome This neither Pits owneth ready enough to steal out of Bale especially to improve what might sound to Papal advantage nor any other Romanist writing his Life whom I have seen so that it seems to me a Note 〈◊〉 scattered After the death of Saint Asaph his See stood void above 500. years until Jeffery of Monmouth was placed therein Prelates since the Reformation RICHARD PARRY D. D. was born at Ruthin in this County bred in Christ Church in Oxford whence he was preferred Dean of Bangor and at last Bishop of Saint Asaph consecrated Decemb. 30. 1604. Bishop Godwin passeth on him this Complement take it in the best derivation of the word from Completio mentis that he desireth being so near unto him in time and his Studies to be his equal in other Episcopal Qualities I crave the Readers leave to forbear any further Character of him Pictures present buildings presumed at great distance very small whilest such things which are supposed near the eye are made in a greater proportion Clean contrary I may sasely write largely on mens lives at far distance whilest as I may say I must make Landskips of those near hand and touch little on them who lived in later times Bishop Parry died Anno Dom. 16. ... Souldiers OWEN GLENDOWER-WYE was born in his ancient Patrimony of Glendower-Wye in this County then bred in London a Student in the Common Law till he became a Courtier and servant to King Richard the second After whose death this Owen being then on the wrong side of preferment retired to this his Native County where there arose a difference betwixt him and his neighbour the Lord Gre of Ruthen about a piece of Common which Owen by force recovered and killed the Lord Gre. There wanted not many to spur his posting Ambition by telling him that he was the true Heir to all North Wales and now or never the time to regain it That the injuries he had already offered the English were above pardon and no way left to secure himself but by committing greater There needeth no Torch to light Tinder where a Spark will do the deed and hereupon Owen brake out into open rebellion The worst was being angry with the King his revenge fell upon God burning down the fair Cathedrals of Bangor and Saint Asaph His destructive nature delighted in doing mischief to others though no good to himself King Henry the fourth found it more facile by far to depose King Richard than subdue this Owen who had taken Roger Mortimer Earl of March and next Heir to the Crown prisoner Writers ELVODUGUS surnamed Probus and no doubt it was true of him what was said of Probus the Emperor he was Vir sui nominis was a Cambrian by birth and this Country-man by habitation for he lived most of his days at Bangor Monachorum in that age the Cambridge and Oxford of all Britain He wrote many Books and particularly a Chronicle of his Nation which the envy of time hath denied to posterity He had many eminent men for his Scholars amongst
be without excuse if not expressing their bounty in some proportion God having provided them Paper enough The poor you have alwayes with you and set them signal examples as in our ensuing Work will plainly appear Fourthly To entertain the Reader with delight I confess the subject is but dull in it self to tell the time and place of mens birth and deaths their names with the names and number of their books and therefore this bare Sceleton of Time Place and Person must be fleshed with some pleasant passages To this intent I have purposely interlaced not as meat but as condiment many delightful stories that so the Reader if he do not arise which I hope and desire Religiosior or Doctior with more Piety or Learning at least he may depart Jucundior with more pleasure and lawful delight Lastly to procure moderate profit to my self in compensation of my pains It was a proper question which plain dealing Jacob pertinently propounded to Laban his Father in Law and now when shall I provide for mine house also Hitherto no Stationer hath lost by me hereafter it will be high time for me all things considered to Save for my self The matter following may be divided into Real and Personal though not according to the legal acception of the words By Real I understand the commodities and observables of every County by Personal the Characters of those worthy men who were Natives thereof We begin with a Catalogue of the particular heads whereof this book doth consist intending to shew how they are severally useful and then I hope if good as single instruments they will be the better as tuned in a Consort CHAP. II. The Real Topicks insisted on in the Respective Counties The Native Commodities NO County hath cause to complain with the Grecian Widdowes that they are neglected in the daily Ministration God hath not given all Commodities to one to elate it with pride and none to others to deject them with pensivenesse but there is some kind of equality betwixt the Profits of Counties to continue commerce ' and ballance trading in some proportion We have therefore in this work taken especial notice of the several cōmodities which every Shire doth produce And indeed God himself enjoyneth us to observe the variety of the Earths productions in this kind For speaking of the land of Havilah where saith he there is Gold and the gold of that land is good there is Bdellium and the Onix-stone See here how the holy spirit points at those places where God hath scattered such treasure and the best thereof in all kinds that man if so disposed may know where to gather them up I confess England cannot boast of Gold and precious Stones with the land of Havilah yet affordeth it other things both above and beneath ground more needful for man's being Indeed some shires Joseph like have a better coloured coat then others and some with Benjamin have a more bountiful messe of meat belonging unto them Yet every County hath a Childs portion as if God in some sort observed Gavel-kind in the distribution of his favours O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness and declare the wondrous works which he doth for the Children of men Know Reader when a Commodity is general to all England then to avoid Repetition it is entered in that County where there was the first or else the most and best of that kind And we have so contrived it that generally Three Commodities are treated of in every County The Manufactures Some heathen have causlesly complained of nature as a step-mother to man-kind because other creatures come into the world clothed with Feathers furs or fleeces c. or armed with pawes clawes beaks tusks horns hoofs whilest man is exposed naked into the world I say a causles charge because providence having given men Hands and Reason to use them two blessings denyed to other creatures all Clothing and fencing is eminently and transcendently bestowed upon him It is very remarkable to see the Manufactures in England not knowing whether more to admire the Rarity or Variety thereof Undoubtedly the wealth of a Nation consisteth in driving a native commodity through the most hands to the highest artificial perfection whereof we have taken especial cognisance in the respective counties yet so as though breifly nameing not largely handling that Manufacture whereon we have formerly insisted It must not be forgotten that there be some things which cannot properly be termed Natural commodities because of their quality altered and disguised by mens industry and yet they attain not the reputation of Manufactures As salt being water boyled malt barley dryed Cider Apples pressed seeing therefore they have a mixt nature they are promiscuosly placed as suiteth best with my own conveniency Medicinal Waters The God of Nature hath not discovered himself so variously wonderful in any thing as in the waters of Fountains Rivers c. England hath as large a share herein as any Country and her springs wonderful on several accounts 1. Colour Black Red Yellow c. 2. Tast Sweet bitter salt acide corroding astringing c. 3. Odour stinking of Sulphur like the scouring of a gun very fowl 4. Sound beating somtimes like a March sometimes like a Retreat on several occasions 5. Heat Luke-warm and gradually hot even to scalding 6. Weight considerably heavier or lighter in proportion to other watters 7. Motion though many miles from the sea sympathizing therewith ebing and flowing accordingly 8. Effects some being surgeons to heale sores others Physitians to cure diseases The last is proper for our pen being the Largess of heaven to poor people who cannot go to the price of a costly cure Of these more have been discovered by casualty than industry to evidence that therein we are not so much beholden to mans paynes as Gods providence Many Springs formerly soveraign have since lost their vertue yet so that other springs have found it so that their sanative qualities may seem not taken away but removed And as there are many mean men of great ability yet depressed in obscurity so no doubt there are in our Land Aquae incognitae of concealed worth and vertue in effect no whit inferior to those which in fame are far above them However the gift which nature holdeth forth may be doubled in the goodnesse thereof if the hand of Art do but help to receive it and the patients be prepared with Physick in the using of such water otherwise fons vitae may be fons mortis if diet due time and quantity be not observed Some will say that our English waters must needs be raw because so far from the fire whilest those are better boyled which lying more south are neerer the sun But experience avow's the contrary that England affordeth most sanative waters for English bodies if men were as judicious in taking as Nature is bountiful in tendering them As for the Proprietaries of such or rather of
William Sawtree John Badby c. In the two former of these we are prevented and they anticipated from us by the Popes canonizing them under the Title of Saints The third and last only remain proper for our pen martyred by the Romish Prelates for above an hundred and fifty years together I confess I have formerly met with some men who would not allow them for Martyrs who suffered in the Reign of Queen Mary making them little better then Felons de se wilfully drawing their blood on themselves Most of these I hope are since convinc'd in their judgement and have learn'd more charity in the School of affliction who by their own Losses have learn'd better to value the Lives of others and now will willingly allow Martyrship to those from whom they wholy with-held or grudgingly gave it before We have reckoned up these Martyrs according to the places of their Nativity where we could find them which is my first choice in Conformity to the rest of this work But in case this cannot be done my second choyce is for know Reader t is no refuge to rank them according to the place of their death which is their true birth-place in the Language of Antiquity Hear how a right Antient Authour expresseth himself to this purpose Apte consuetudinem tenet Ecclesia ut solennes beatorum Martyrum vel Confessorum Christi Dies quibus ex hoc mundo ad regionem migraverunt Vivorum nuncupentur Natales eorum Solennia non funebria tanquam morientium sed utpote in vera vita nascentium Natalitia vocitentur Now if the day of their Death be justly entituled their Birth-day the place of their Death may be called their Birth-place by the same Analogy of Reason and Language We have given in a List of Martyrs names in their respective Countyes but not their Total Number only inâ—…isting on such who were most remarkable remiting the Reader for the rest to the voluminous pains of Mr. Fox who hath written All and if malicious Papists be believed more then All of this Subject Worthy Confessors All good Christians are concluded within the Compase of Confessors in the Large acception thereof With the Mouth Confession is made unto Salvation But here we restrain this Title to such who have adventured fair and far for Martyrdome and at last not declined it by their own Cowardize but escaped it by Divine Providence Confessor is a Name none can wear whom it cost Nothing It must be purchased for the Maintenance of the Faith with the Losse of their Native Land Liberty Livelyhood Limbs any thing under Life it self Yet in this confined sense of Confessors we may say with Leah at the birth of Gad behold a Troop cometh Too many to be known written read remembred We are forced therefore to reconfine the Word to such who were Candidates and Probationers for Martyrdome in proxima potentia There was not a stride but to use Davids expression but a step betwixt them and Death their Wedding Clothes were made but not put on for their marriage to the Fire In a Word they were soft Waxe ready chafed and prepared but the Signature of a violent Death was not stamped upon them Manifold is the use of our observing these Confessors First to show that God alone hath Parramount power of Life and Death Preserving those who by men are appointed to Dye One whose Son lay very Sick was told by the Physician Your Son Sir is a dead man To whom the Father not disheartned thereat returned I had rather a Physician should call him so an hundred times than a Judge on the Bench should do it once whose Pronouncing him for a Dead man makes him to be one But though both a Physician in Nature and a Judge in Law give men for Gon The one passing the Censure the other Sentence of Death upon them GOD to whom belongeth the Issues from Death may Preserve them long in the Land of the Living Hereof these Confessors are Eminent Instances and may God therefore have the Glory of their so strange Deliverances Secondly it serveth to comfort Gods servants in their greatest distress Let hand joyne in hand let Tyrants piece the Lions cruelty with the Fox his craft let them face their plots with power and line then with policy all shall take no effect Gods servants if he seeth it for his glory and their good shall either be mercifully preserved from or mightily protected in dangers whereof these Confessours are a Cloud of Witnesses We have an English Proverb Threatned Folks live long but let me add I know a Threatned Man who did never dye at all namely the Prophet Elijab Threatned by cruel and crafty Iesabel The Gods do so to me and more also if I make not thy Life like one of their Lives by to morrow at this time Yet did he never tast of Mortallity being conveyed by a fiery hariot into Heaven Now although our ensuing History presenteth not any miraculously preserved from Death yet affordetb it Plenty of strange preservations of Persons to extream Old age though they wear the Marks of many and mighty mens Menacies who plotted and practised their Destruction We have persued the same course in Confessors which we embraced in Martyrs viz. We have ranked them according to their Nativities where we could certainly observe them to make them herein Uniforme with the rest of our Book But where this could not be attained we have entred them in those Counties where they had the longest or sharpest 〈◊〉 And this we humbly conceive proper enough seeing their Confessor-ship in a strict sense did bare true date from place of their greatest Persecution CHAPTER IV. Of Popes Cardinals and Prelates before the Reformation Popes I Meet with a mess of English Natives advanced to that Honour Pope John-Joan is wholly omitted partly because we need not charge that See with suspicious and doubtful crimes whose notorious faults are too apparent partly because this He-She though allowed of English extraction is generally believed born at Ments in Germany Wonder not that so few of our Countrymen gain'd the Triple-Crown For first great our distance from Rome who being an Island or little World by our selves had our Archbishop of Canterbury which formerly was accounted Alterius orbis Papa Secondly 〈◊〉 â—…talians of late have ingrossed the Papacy to themselves and much good may their Monopolie do them seeing our English may more safely repose themselves in some other seate then the Papal Chair more fatal it is to be feared to such as sit therein than ever Eli's proved unto him Yea I assure you four Popes was a very fair proportion for England For having perused the voluminous book of Pantaleon De Viris illustribus Germaniae I find but six Popes Dutchmen by their Nativity viz. Stephen the Eighth Gregory the Fifth Silvester the Second Leo the Ninth Victor the Second and Adrian the Sixth Seeing therefore Germany
cured all Maladies and so in my apprehension gave a Supersedeas to the Practitioners in that Faculty and yet I find honourable mention made of Luke the beloved Physician But since I have wondred at my wondring thereat For that Communion of Goods was but tâ—…mporal for a short continuance and topical of a narrow compasse practised onely in Judea or thereabouts whilest the Churches amongst the Gentiles continued their propriety and particularly at Rome where Zenas had his Habitation and had work enough no doubt to exercise his Profession even amongst Christians themselves As for the Apostles they had not alwayes power at their own pleasure to work Miâ—…acles and cure diseases in all Persons no nor allwayes in themselves witnesse sick St. Paul receiving in himself the Sentence of Death but as they were directed for the glory of God and other occasions And therefore notwithstanding their miraculous Power St Luke might have plenty of Practice in his Profession Not was it probable that God the Authour of all Ingenuity would by the giving of the Gospel utterly extinguish any literal Calling which formerly had been publickly lawfully and needfully professed We have in our following Book given in the List of some Eminent LAVVYERS Civilians and Cannonists who have wrote on that Subject though we confess them very few in Number their Profession being lately undeservedly disgraced though now we congratulate the probability of the Restitution thereof to its former Dignity Sure I am in the dayes of Queen Elizabeth when an Embassadour was sent to Foreign PRINCES if it were an Affair of grand importance and more than a mere matter of magniâ—…ent complement some able Civilian as Doctor Hadden Dale Fletcher c. was joyned in Commission with the Noble-man imployed on that Embassie And as the Iron Doggs bear the burthen of the fuel while the Brasen-Andirons stand only for state to entertain the Eyes so the Negotiating part was loaded on the Civil 〈◊〉 whilest the Pomp-pageantry was discharged at the cost of the Noble-man Writers on Physick The Pâ—…ecept in the Apocrypha hath a Canonical Truth therein Honour the Physician for necessity sake and although King Asa justly received little benefit by them because of his preposterous addressing himself to them before he went to God and the. Woman in the Gospel troubled with the Issue reaped lesse ease by their Endeavours because God reserved her a Subject for his own Miraculous Cure yet in all Ages Millions have been cured by their Practice The Ancient Briâ—…tans who went without Cloathes may well be presumed to live without Physick Yet seing very Beasts know what is good for themselves the Dear the Cretan Dictamum and Toad his Antidote of plantaine sure they had some experimental Receipts used amongst them and left the rest to Nature and Temperance to cure The Saxons had those they termed Leaches or Bloud-letters but were little skilled in methodical practise Under the Normans they began in England and would we had ferch'd Physicians onely and not Diseases from France Yet three hundred years since it was no distinct Profession by it self but practiced by men in Orders witness Nicholas de Fernham the chief English Physician and Bishop of Durham Hugh of Evesham a Physician and Cardinal Grisant a Physician and Pope Yea the word Physician appears not in our Statutes till the days of King Henry the eight who incorporated their Colledge at London since which time they have multiplied and flourished in our Nation but never more and more learned then in our age wherein that Art and especially the Anatomical part thereof is much improved our Civil Wars perchance occasioning the latter We begin our Catalogue at Richardus Anglicus our first Physician flourishing Anno 1230. and continue to Doctor Harvey whom I may term Gulielmus Anglicus such honour he hath done England by his worthy Writings Thus wishing them all happy success in their Practice I desire a custome in France and other forreign parts naturalized in England where a Physician is liable to Excommunication if visiting a Patient thrice before he acquainteth a Priest of his sickness that so the Medicine for soul and body may go hand in hand together Chimistry Chimistry is an ingenious Profession as which by Art will force somewhat of worth and eminence from the dullest substance yea the obduras'st and hardest hearted body cannot but shed forth a tear of precious liquor when urged thereunto with its intreaties They may be termed Parcel-physicians every day producing rare experiments for the curing of many diseas es bu I must confess there occurs t few and of those few fewer Modern ones through the whole series of our Book Yet may we be said to have extracted the spirits I mean such as were eminent therein of this Profession being confident the judicious Reader will value one Jem before many Barly Corns and one Drop of a true extract before many Bottles of worthless water Chirurgery Necessary and ancient their Profession ever since mans body was subject to enmity and casualty For that promise A bone of him shall not be broken is peculiar to Christ. As for the other To keep them in all their ways that they dash not their foot against a stone though it be extended to all Christians yet it admitteth as other temporal promises of many exceptions according to Gods will and pleasure It seemeth by the Parable of the good Samaritan who bound up the Passengers wounds pouring in Oil and Wine that in that age ordinary persons had a general insight in Chirurgery for their own and others use And it is reported to the just praise of the Scotch Nobility that anciently they all were very dextrous thereat particularly it is written of James the fourth King of Scotland Quod vulnera scientissime tractaret He was most scilful at the handling of wounds But we speak of Chirurgery as it is a particular Mystery Professed by such as make a Vocation thereof Of whom we have inserted some eminent for their Writings or otherwise amongst Physicians and that as we hope without any offence seeing the healing of diseases and wounds were anciently one Calling as still great the Sympathy betwixt them many diseases causing wounds as Ulcers as wounds occasioning diseases as feavers till in process of time they were seperated and Chirurgions only consigned to the Manual Operation Thus wishing unto them the three Requisits for their practise an Eagles Eye a Ladies Hand ond a Lions Heart I leave them and proceed CHAP. X. Writers BEING to handle this Subject let not the Reader expect that I will begin their Catalogue from Fabulous Antiquity or rather fanciful Fabels For if the first Century of J. Bale or J. Pits their British Writers were Garbled four parts of five would be found to be Trash such as 1. Samothes Gigas 2. Magus Samotheus 3. Sarron Magius 4. Druys Sarronius 5. Bardus Druydius 6. Albion Mareoticus 7. Brytus Julius 8. Gerion
tamen a scribendo temporare non possunt Many men like my self are sick of this decease that when they know not how to write yet cannot forbear from writing A worthy English Barronet in his book incomparable on that subject hath clearly and truly stated this point Here I expect that the judicious Reader will excuse me if I take no notice of many Modern Phamphliteers seeing unlearned Scriblers are not ranked with learned Writers yea it was though tartly truly said to the Author of such a book Dum scateant alii erratis datur unica Libro Menda tuo totâ—…m est intiger error opus Whilst others flow with faults but one is past In all thy book 't is fault from first to last Indeed the Press at first a Virgin then a chast Wife is since turned Common as to prostitute her self to all Scurrilous Pamphlets When the Author of an idle and impersect book endeth with a caetera dessiderantur one altered it non dessider antur sed desunt Indeed they were not though wanting wanted the world having no need of them many books being like King Joram who lived not being desired yea the Press begineth to be an oppression of the Land such the burden of needless books therein Some will say the charge may most justly be brought against your self who have loaded the Land with more books then any of your Age. To this I confess my fault and promise amendment that God willing hereafter I will never Print book in the English tongue but what shall tend directly to Divinity CHAP. XI Of Benefactors to the Publick wherein also Choise Charities are recommended to men of Estates These are reducible to several Heads and we will begin with them who have been Builders of CHURCHES SUch Centurions who have erected us Synagogues places for Gods publick VVorship seem to me to have given good testimony of their Love to our nation Bitter was the Brave which railing Rabsheca sent to holy Hezekiah proffering him 2000 Horses on Condition that the other were but able to find Riders for them But it grieves me to see the Superstition of the former insult over the religion of this present age bragging that she left us ten thousand Churches and Chappels more or lesse ready built if we can find but repairers to keep them up It is in my opinion both dishonorable to God and scandalous to all good men to see such houses daily decay But there is a generation of people who to prevent the verifying of the old proverb Pater noster built Churches and our Father plucks them down endevour to pluck down both Churches and Our Father together neglecting yea despising the use both of the one and the other Be it here remembred that it is not only equal but just that such as have been Founders of Churches or Grand Benefactors unto them should have due Respect in preserving their Monuments from Violation or Incroachment of others I urge this the rather because abuses have been frequent in this kind even to those that have deserved best I cannot with patience remember the Story of Henry Keble Lord Maior of London 1511. who besides other Benefactions in his Life time rebuilded Alder-Mary-Church run to very Ruines and bequeathed at his Death a thousand pounds for the finishing thereof Yet within sixty years after his Bones were unkindly yea inhumanely cast out of the Vaute wherein they were buried his Monument plucked down for some Wealthy Person of the present times to be buried therein I could not but on this Occasion rub up my old Poetry Facit Indignatio Versus The Author to Alder-Mary Church Ungrateful Church orerun with rust Lately buried in the dust Utterly thou hadst been lost If not preserv'd by Keble's cost A Thousand Pounds might it not buy Six foot in length for him to lie But outed of his quiet Tombe For later Corps he must make Roome Tell me where his Dust is cast Though 't be late yet now at last All his Bones with Scorne ejected I will see them recollected VVho faine my self would Kinsman prove To all that did God's Temples love Alder-Mary Churches Answer Alas my Innocence excuse My Wardens they did me abuse VVhose Avarice his Ashes sold That Goodness might give place to Gold As for his Reliques all the Town They are scattered up and down See'st a Church repaired well There a Sprinkling of them fell See'st a new Church lately built Thicker there his Ashes spilt O that all the Land throughout Kebles Dust were throwne about Places scattered with that seed VVould a Crop of Churches breed I could wish this was the last Barbarisme in this kind and am sorry that upon small Inquiry I could insist on later Instances Free-Schools and Colledges I place Schools before Colledges because they are introductory thereunto intended for the bâ—…eeding of Children and Youth as the other for youth and men And seeing much of Truth is contained in our English Proverb It is as good to be unborn as unbred such may in some sort seem their Second-Parents who have provided for their Education These Schools are of two kinds First those wherein only a Salary is given to the School-master to teach Children gratis and these I confess are good Secondly such wherein a select number of Scholars have competent maintenance allowed towards their Living in the University and these all will acknowledge are better Some do suspect a surfet in our Land of the multitude of Schools because the Nursery is bigger then the Orchard the one breeding more Plants then the other can maintain Trees and the Land not affording sufficient preferment for them Learning is forced to stoop to mean Courses to make a Livelihood But I conceive that Store in this kind is no sore and if we must not do evil that good may come thereof we must not forbear doing that which is good for fear of accidental Evils which may arise from the same Bridges Builders of Bridges which are high-waies over water and makers of Caused-waies or Causways which are Bridges over dirt though last in order are not least in benefit to the Commmon-wealth Such conveniences save the lives of many ease the labour of moe painful travellers and may be said in some sort to lengthen the day and shorten the way to men in their journeys yea Bridges make and keep this our Island a Continent to it self How great the care of the ancient Romans to repair them for the safety of passengers appears by the origination of Pontifex having the inspection over bridges by his primitive institution Indeed the word bridge appears not in all Scripture whereof this the reason the rivers of Palestine were either so shallow that they were passable by foords as of Jabbok Arnon and Jordan before it grew navigable or else so deep that they were ferried over as Jordan when neer his fall into the Dead Sea but most of ours in England are of a middle size so
all earnestnesse which will add so much to their account Some will say if the English be so forward in deeds of Charity as appeareth by what you said before any exhortation thereunto is altogether supersâ—…uous I answer the best disposed to Bounty may need a Remembrancer and I am sure that Nightingale which would wake will not be angry with the Thorn which pricketh her Breast when she noddeth Besides it is a Truth what the Poet saith Qui monet ut facias quod jam facis ipse monendo Laudat hortatu comprobat acta suo Who what thou dost thee for to do doth move Doth praise thy Practice and thy Deeds approve Thus the exhortations of the Apostles at Jerusalem were commendations of St. Paul Only they would that we should remember the poor the same which I also was forward to do Lastly though many of our Nation be free in this kind there want not those who instead of being Zealous are Jealous of good works being so far from shining themselves that they enviously endevour to extinguish the light of others whose Judgements I have laboured to rectifie herein The Stating of the Word REFORMATION with the Extensiveness thereof No word occurs oftner in this our Book then REFORMATION It is as it were the Aequator or that remarkable Line dividing betwixt Eminent Prelates Leaed Writers and Benefactors to the Publick who lived Before or After It. Know then that this Word in Relation to the Church of England is of above twenty years extent For the Reformation was not advanced here as in some Forraign Free-States suddenly not to say rapidly with popular Violence but Leisurely and treatably as became a matter of so great importance besides the meeting with much opposition retarded the proceedings of the Reformers We may observe that the Jews returned from the Captivity of Babylon at three distinct times under the Conduct of several persons 1. When the main Body of the Captives was brought home by Zorobabel by whom the second Temple was built 2. When a considerable Company returned with Ezra by whom the Church part as I may tearm it was setled in that Nation 3. When Nehemiah no doubt with suitable attendance came home and ordered the State moiety repairing the VValls of Jerusalem In like manner we may take notice of three distinct Dates and different degrees of our English Reformation though in relation to the Jewish I confess the method was altogether inverted For 1. The Civil part thereof when the Popes Supremacy was banished in the Reign of King Henry the Eight 2. VVhen the Church Service was reformed as far as that Age would admit in the first year of King Edward the Sixth 3. VVhen the same after the Marian interruption was resumed and more refined in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth The first of these I may call the morning Star The second the dawning of the day The third the Rising of the Sun and I deny not but that since that time his light and heat hath been increased But now the Question will be what is to be thought of those Prelates Writers and Benefactors which lived in the aforesaid Interval betwixt the Beginning and Perfecting of this Reformation For these appear unto us like unto the Batable ground lying betwixt England and Scotland whilest as yet two distinct Kingdomes in so dubious a posture it is hard to say to which side they do belong It is Answered the only way to decide this difference is to observe the Inclinations of the said persons so far forth as they are discovered in their Writings and actions such as appear in some good degree favourers of the Gospel are reputed to be since whilest those who are otherwise are adjudged to be Before the Reformation CHAP. XII Of Memorable Persons THe former Heads were like private Houses in which persons accordingly Qualified have their several habitations But this last Topick is like a publick Inn admitting all Comers and Goers having any extraordinary not vitious Remark upon them and which are not clearly reducible to any of the former Titles Such therefore who are over under or beside the Standard of Common persons for strength stature fruitfulnesse Vivacity or any other observeable eminence are lodged here under the Notion of Memorable Persons presuming the pains will not be to Me so much in marking as the pleasure to the Reader in knowing them Under this Title we also repose all such Mechanicks who in any Manual Trade have reached a clear Note above others in their Vocation Objection It is Deforme Spectaculum an uncouth Sight to behold such handy-crafts-men blended with Eminencies in ingenious professions such a mottley colour is no good wearing How would William Cecill Lord Treasurer of England and Baron of Burghleigh be offended to behold James York the Blacksmith set with him at the same Table amongst the Natives of Lincolne-shire Answer I am confident on the contrary that he would be highly pleased being so great a Statesman that he would countenance and encourage his Industrious Country man accounting nothing little without the help whereof greater matters can either not be attained or not long subsist Yea we see what signal notice the Spirit of God takes of the three Sons of Lamech the first Founders of Tent-making Organs and Iron-works and it is observable that whereas all their names are forgotten which built the Tower of Babel though done on design to get them a name these three Mechanicks viz. Jabal Jubal and Tubal Cain are nominatim recorded to all posterity Thus is it better to bottome the perpetuity of ones memory on honest Industry and ingenuous diligence then on Stately Structures and expensive magnificence I confesse it is easier to add to any art than first to invent it yet because there is a perfection of degrees as well as Kinds Eminent Improvers of an art may be allowed for the Co-inventers thereof being Founders of that accession which they add thereunto for which they deserve to be both regarded and rewarded I could name a worshipful Family in the South of England which for 16. several descents and some hundreds of years have continued in the same stay of Estate not acquiring one foot of Land either by match purchase gift or otherwise to their ancient Patrimony The same may be said of some handycrafts wherein men move in the same compasse but make no further progresse to perfection or any considerable improvement and this I impute generally to their want of competent encouragement CHAP. XIII Of Lord Maiors of LONDON I Have concluded this Work with these Chief Officers in that great City A place of so great Honour and Trust that it hath commonly been said that on the death of an English King The Lord Maior is the Subject of the greatest Authority in England Many other Offices determining with the Kings Life till such time as their Charters be renewed by his Successor whereas the Lord Maiors Trust continueth for a
marryed by a Proxy a naked sword being in bed interposed betwixt him and her body to Alphons King of Arragon with all Ceremonies of State And indeed they proved but Ceremonies the substance soon 〈◊〉 the said King Alphons dying Anno Dom. 1292. before the Consummation of the Mâ—…rriage But soon after this Lady found that a Living Earl was better then a Dead King when Marryed to Henry the 3d. Earl of Berry in France from whom the Dukes of 〈◊〉 and Kings of Sicil are descended This Lady deceased in the seven and twentieth of her Fathers Reign Anno Dom. 1298. MARGARET third Daughter of King Edward the first and Queen Eleanor was born at Windsor in the 3d. year of her Fathers Reign 1275. When fifteen year old she was Marryed at Westminster July 9th 1290. to John the second Duke of Brabant by whom she had Issue John the third Duke of Brabant from whom the Dukes of Burgundy are descended MARY sixth Daughter of King Edward the first and Queen Eleanor was born at Windsor April the 12. 1279. being but ten years of Age she was made a Nun at Amesbury in Wilt-shire without her own and at the first against her Parents consent meerly to gratify Queen Eleanor her Grand-mother Let us pity her who probably did not pity her self as not knowing a vaile from a kerchief not understanding the requisites to nor her own fitness for that profession having afterwards time too much to bemoan but none to amend her condition As for the other Children of this King which he had by Eleanor his Queen probably born in this Castle viz. HENRY ALPHONSE BLANCHE Dying in their infancy immediately after their Baptism it is enough to name them and to bestow this joynt Epitapb upon them â—…leansed at Font we drew untainted Breath Not yet made bad by Life made good by Death The two former were buryed with their Brother John of whom before at Westminster in the same Tomb but where Blanche was interred is altogether unknown Edward the Third Son to Edward the Second and Queen Isabel was born at Windsor October 13. 1312. and proved afterwards a pious and fortunate Prince I behold him as meerly 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 though the Conquests by King Henry the fifth were thicker atchieved in a shorter time His were broader in France and Scotland by Sea and Land though both of length alike as lost by their immediate Successours He was the first English King which Coined* Gold which with me amounts to a wonder that before his time all yellow payments in the Land should be made in foreign Coin He first stamped the Rose-Nobles having on the one side Jesus autem transiens per medium illorum ibat And on the reverse his own image with sword and shield sitting in a ship waving on the Sea Hereupon an English Rhymer in the Reign of King Henry the sixth For four things our Noble she weth to me King Ship and Swerd and Power of the See He had a numerous and happy issue by Philippa his Queen after whose death being almost seventy years old he cast his affection on Alice Pieâ—…ce his Paramour much to his disgrace it being true what Epictetus returned to Adrian the Emperour asking of him what Love was In puero pudor in virgine rubor in soemina 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 take this King altogether at home abroad at Church in State and he had few equals none superiours He dyed Anno Dom. 1378. WILLIAM sixth Son of King Edward the third and Queen Philippa was born at Windsor Indeed his second Son born at Hatfield was of the same name who dyed in his infancy and his Mother had a fond affection for another William because her Fathers Brothers and a Conquering Name till his short Life also dying in his cradle weaned her from renewing her desire As for King Edwards female Children Isabel Joan Blanch Mary and Margaret there is much probability of their French and no assurance of their English Nativity HENRY the sixth Son to Henry the fifth was born in Windsor-Castle against the will of his Father by the wilfulness of his Mother He was fitter for a Coul then a Crown of so easie a nature that he might well have exchanged a pound of Patience for an ounce of Valour Being so innocent to others that he was hurtful to himself He was both over-subjected and over-wived having marryed Margaret the Daughter of Reinier King of Jerusalem Sicily and Arragon a Prince onely Puissant in Titles otherwise little able to assist his Son in Law Through home-bred Dissentions he not onely lost the foreign acquisitions of his Father in France but also his own inheritance in England to the House of York His Death or Murder rather happened 1471. This Henry was twice Crowned twice Deposed and twice Buryed first at Chertsy then at Windsor and once half Sainted Our Henry the seventh cheapned the price of his Canonization one may see for his love and buy for his money in the Court of Rome but would not come up to the summe demanded However this Henry was a Saint though not with the Pope with the People repairing to this Monument from the farthest part of the Land and fancying that they received much benefit thereby 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 were born at Abbington in this County and were successively Prioresses of Catesby in Northampton-shire They were Sisters to St. Edmund whose life ensueth and are placed before him by the Courtesie of England which alloweth the weaker Sex the upper hand So great the Reputation of their Holiness that The former Dying Anno 1257. The latter 1270. Both were honoured for Saints and many Miracles reported by crafty were believed by Credulous people done at their shrine by their Reliques St. EDMUND Son to Edward Rich and Mabel his Wife was born at Abbington in Bark-shire and bred in Oxford Some will have Edmunds-Hall in that University built by his means but others more probably nam'd in his Memory He became Canon of Salisbury and from thence by the joynt-consent of Pope King and Monkes three cords seldom twisted in the sa ne Cable advanc'd Arch-Bishop of Canterbury where he sate almost ten years till he willingly deserted it partly because offended at the power of the Popes Legate making him no more then a meer Cypher signifying onely in conjunction when concurring with his pleasure partly because vexed at his polling and peeling of the English people so grievous he could not endure so general
he could not avoid to behold it For these reasons he left the Land went or shall I say fled into France where he sighed out the remainder of his Life most at Pontiniack but some at Soyssons where he dyed Anno 1240. Pope Innocent the fourth Canonized him six years after his death whereat many much wondred that he should so much honour one a professed foe to Papal Extortions Some conceived he did it se defendendo and for a ne noceat that he might not be tormented with his Ghost But what hurt were it if all the Enemies of his Holiness were Sainted on condition they took death in their way thereunto Sure it is that Lewis King of France a year after translated his Corps and three years after that bestowed a most sumptuous Shrine of Gold Silver and Chrystal upon it and the 16. of November is the Festival appointed for his Memorial Martyrs It appeareth by the confession of Thomas Man Martyred in the beginning of King Henry the eighth that there was at Newberry in this County a glorious and sweet Society of faithful Favourers who had continued the space of fifteen years together till at last by a certain lewd person whom they trusted and made of their Council they were betrayed and then many of them to the number of six or seven score were abjured and three or four of them burnt Now although we knew not how to call these Martyrs who so suffered their Names no doubt are written in the Book of Life We see how the day of the Gospel dawned as soon in this County as in any place in England surely Seniority in this kind ought to be respected which made Paul a pusney in piety to Andronicus and Iunia his kinsmen to enter this caveat for their Spiritual precedency who were in Christ before me On which account let other places give the honour to the Town of Newberry because it started the first and I hope not tire for the earliness thereof in the race of the Reformed Religion Yea Doctor William Twis the painful Preacher in that Parish was wont to use this as a motive to his flock to quicken their pace and strengthen their perseverance in piety because that Town appears the first fruits of the Gospel in England And Windsor the next in the same County had the honour of Martyrs ashes therein as by the ensuing list will appear There was in Windsor a company of right godly persons who comfortably enjoyed themselves untill their enemies designed their extirpation though it cost them much to accomplish it one of them confessing that for his share he expended an hundred marks besides the killing of three Geldings These suspecting that the Judges Itinerant in their circuit would be too favourable unto them procured a special Session got four arraigned and condemned by the Commissioners whereof the three following were put to death on the Statute of the six Articles 1. Anthony Persons a Priest and profitable Preacher so that the great Clerks of Windsor thought their idleness upbraided by his industry Being fastned to the stake he laid a good deal of straw on the top of his head saying this is Gods hat I am now arm'd like a souldier of Christ. 2. Robert Testwood a singing-man in the Quire of Windsor There hapned a contest betwixt him and another of that Society singing an Anthem together to the Virgin Mary Robert Philips on the one side of the Quire Robert Testwood on the other side of the Quire Oh Redemtrix Salvatrix Non Redemtrix nec Salvatrix I know not which sung the deepest Base or got the better for the present Sure I am that since by Gods goodness the Nons have drowned the Ohs in England Testwood was also accused for disswading people from Pilgrimages and for striking off the nose of the image of our Lady 3. Henry Fillmer Church-Warden of Windsor who had Articled against their superstitious Vicar for heretical Doctrine These three were burnt together at Windsor Anno 1544. and when account was given to their patient death to King Henry the eighth sitting on horse-back the King turning his horses head said Alas poor innocents A better speech from a private person then a Prince bound by his place not only to pity but protect oppressed innocence However by this occasion other persecuted people were pardoned and preserved of whom hereafter This storm of persecution thus happily blown over Bark-shire enjoyed peace and tranquillity for full twelve years together viz. from the year of our Lord 1544. till 1556. When Dr. Jeffrey the cruel Chancellour of Sarisbury renewed the troubles at Newberry and caused the death of JULINS PALMER See his Character being born in Coventry in Warwickshire JOHN GWIN THOMAS ASKINE These three July 16. 1556. were burnt in a place nigh Newberry called the Sand-pits enduring the pain of the fire with such incredible constancy that it confounded their foâ—…s and confirmed their friends in the Truth Confessors JOHN MARBECK was an Organist in the Quire of Windsor and very skilful therein a man of Admirable Industry and Ingenuity who not perfectly understanding the Latin Tongue did out of the Latin with the help of the English Bible make an English Concordance which Bishop Gardiner himself could not but commend as a piece of singular Industry Professing that there were no fewer then twelve Learned men to make the first Latin Concordance And King Henry the eighth hearing thereof said that he was better imployed then those Priests which accused him Let therefore our Modern Concordances of Cotton Newman Bernard c. as Children and Grand-Children do their duty to Marbecks Concordance as their Parent at first endeavour'd in our Language This Marbeck was a very zealous Protestant and of so sweet and amiable Nature that all good men did love and few bad men did hate him Yet was he condemned Anno 1544. on the Statute of the 6. Articles to be burnt at Windsor had not his pardon been procured divers assigning divers causes thereof 1. That Bishop Gardiner bare him a speciall affection for his skill in the Mystery of Musick 2. That such who condemned him procured his pardon out of Remorse of Conscience because so slender the evidence against him it being questionable whether his Concordance was made after the Statute of the 6. Articles or before it and if before he was freed by the Kings General pardon 3. That it was done out of design to reserve him for a discovery of the rest of his party if so their plot failed them For being as true as Steel whereof his fetters were made which he ware in Prison for a good time he could not be frighted or flattered to make any detection Here a mistake was committed by Mr. Fox in his first Edition whereon the Papisâ—…s much insult making this Marbeck burnt at Windsor for his Religion with Anthony Persons Robert Testwood and Henry Fillmer No doubt Mr. Fox rejoyced at
their order who passed by the name of Historicus Regius the Kings Historian to write the remarkable passages of his time Our Roger was by King Henry the third selected for that service and performed it to â—…is own great credit and the contentment of others He flourished in the year of our Lord 1235. ROBERT RICH Son to Edward and Mabell his Wife Brother of St. Edmund Arch-Bishop of Canterbury was born at Abbington in this County he followed his Brother at very great distance both in Parts and Learning though accompanying him in his Travells beyond the Seas and wrote a Book of the Life Death and Miracles of his Brother being much to blame if he did not do all right to so near a Relation He dyed about the year of our Lord 1250. RICHARD of WALLINGFORD was born in that Market Town pleasantly seated on the River Thames wherein his Father was a Black-Smith He went afterwards to Oxford and was bred in Merton Coll then a Monke and at last Abbot of St. Albans where he became a most expert Mathematician especially for the Mechanical part thereof and retaining somewhat of his Fathers Trade was Dexterous at making pritty engines and Instruments His Master-piece was a most Artificial Clock made saith my Author Magno labore majore sumptu Arte verò maxima with much Pain more Cost and most Art It remain'd in that Monastry in the time of John Bale whom by his words I collect an Eye-witness thereof affirming that Europe had not the Like So that it seemed as good as the famous Clock at Strasburg in Germany and in this Respect better because ancienter It was a Calendar as well as a Clock Shewing the fixed Stars and Planets The Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea Minutes of the Hours and what not I have heard that when Monopolies began to grow Common in the Court of France the Kings Jester moved to have this Monopoly for himself viz. a Cardescue of every one who carried a Watch about him and cared not how he employed his Time Surely the Monks of Saint Albans were Concerned to be carefull how they spent their hours seeing no Convent in England had the like Curiosity This their Clock gathering up the least Crum of Time presenting the Minutary fractions thereof On which account I conceive Richard the maker thereof well prepared for the time of his dissolution when he died of the Leprosie Anno Dom. 1326. Since the Reformation HENRY BULLOCK was most probâ—…bly born in this County where his ancient name appears in a worshipful estate He was bred Fellow and Doctor of Divinity in Queens Colledge in Cambridge A good Linguist and general Scholar familiar with Erasmus an Evidence of his Learning it being as hard to halt before acriple as to deceive his Judgement calling him Bovillum in his Epistles unto him By the way our English Writers when rendring a Sirname in Latine which hath an Appellative signification content them to retein the Body of the Name and only disguise the termination as Cross Peacok Crossus Peacocus c. But the Germans in such a Case doe use to mould the meaning of the name either into Latine as I. Fierce they translate I. Ferus Bullock Bovillus or into Greek as Swarts they render Melanthon Reeck-lin Capnio T is confessed our Bullock compelled by Cardinal Wolsy wrote against Luther but otherwise his affections were biased to the Protestant Party The Date of his death is unknown WILLIAM TWIS was born at Spene in this County which was an ancient Roman City mentioned by Antonine in his Itinerary by the name of Spinae This mindeth me of a passage in Clemens Alexandrinus speaking of sanctified afflictions Nos quidem è Spinis uvas colligimus and here in another sense Gods Church gathered grapes this Good man out of this thornie place Hence he was sent by Winchester-School to New-Colledge in Oxford and there became a general Scholar His plaine preaching was good solid disputing better pious living best of all He afterwards became Preacher in the place of his nativity Spinham lands is part of Newberry and though generally our Saviours observation is verified A prophet is not without honour save in his own country chiefly because Minutiae omnes pueritiae ejus ibi sunt cognitae yet here he met with deserved respect Here he laid a good foundation and the more the pity if since some of his fancifull auditors have built hay and stubble thereupon And no wonder if this good Doctor toward his death was slighted by Sectaries it being usuall for New-lights to neglect those who have born the heat of the day His Latin Works give great evidence of his abilities in controversial matters He was chosen Prolocutor in the late Assembly of Divines wherein his moderation was very much commended and dying in Holborn he was buried at Westminster Anno Dom. 164. WILLIAM LYFORD was born at Peysmer in this County and bred in Magdalen Colledge in Oxford where he proceeded Bachelour of Divinity 1631. He was also Fellow of that foundation on the same token that his Conscience Post factum was much troubled about his resigning his place for money to his Successor but as his friends have informed me he before his death took order for the restitution thereof The modesty of his mind was legible in the comeliness of his countenance and the meekness of his Spirit visible in his courteous Carriage He was afterwards fixed at 〈◊〉 in Dorset-shire where his large Vineyard required such an able and painfull Vine-dresser Here he layed a good foundation before the beginning of our Civil Wars with his learned Preaching and Catechising and indeed though Sermons give most Sail to mens souls Catechising layeth the best Ballast in them keeping them stedy from being carriâ—…d away with every wind of Doctrine Yet he drank a deep Draught of the bitter Cup with the rest of his brethren and had his share of Obloquie from such factious Persons as could not abide the wholsome words of sound Doctrine But their Candle without their Repentance shall be put out in darkness whilst his memory shall shine in his Learned works he hath left behind him He died about the year of our Lord 1652. Romish Exile Wâ—…iters THOMAS HYDE was born at Newberry in this County and bred a Master of Art in New Colledge in Oxford he was afterwards Canon of Winchester and chief Master of the school therein He with â—…ohn martiâ—…l the second Master about the beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth left both their School and their Land living long beyond the Seas This Hyde is charactred by one of his own perswasion To be a man of upright life of great gravity and severity He wrote a book of Consolation to his fellowexile And died Anno Dom. 1597. Bâ—…nefactors to thâ—… Publick ALFREDE the fourth Son to K. Athelwolph was born at Wantage a market-town in this County An excellent scholar though he was
past twelve years of age before he knew one letter in the Book and did not he run fast who starting so late came soon to the mark He was a Curious Poet excellent Musician a valiant and successeful Souldier who fought seven Battles against the Danes in one year and at last made them his Subjects by Conquest and Gods servants by Christianity He gave the first Institution or as others will have it the best 〈◊〉 to the University of Oxford A Prince who cannot be painted to the Life without his losse no words reaching his worth He Divided 1. Every natural day as to himself into three parts eight hours for his devotion eight hours for his imployment eight hours for his sleep and refection 2. His Revenues into three parts one for his expences in War a second for the maintenance of his Court and a third to be spended on Pious uses 3. His Land into Thirty two shires which number since is altered and increased 4. His Subjects into Hundreds and Tythings consisting of Ten persons mutually Pledges for their Good behaviour such being accounted suspitious for their Life and Loyalty that could not give such Security He left Learning where he found Ignorance Justice where he found Oppression Peace where he found Distraction And having Reigned about Four and thirty years He dyed and was buried at Winchester Anno 901. He loved Religion more then Superstition favoured Learned men more then Lasie Monks which perchance was the cause that his memory is not loaden with Miracles and He not solemnly Sainted with other Saxon Kings who far less deserved it Since the Reformation PETER CHAPMAN was born at Cokeham in this County bred an Iron-monger in London and at his death bequeathed five pounds a year to two Scholars in Oxford as much to two in Cambridge and five Pounds a year to the Poor in the town of his Nativity besides threescore pounds to the Prisons in London and other Benefactions The certain date of his death is to me unknown JOHN KENDRICK was born at Reading in this County and bred a Draper in the City of London His State may be compared to the Mustard-seed very little at the beginning but growing so great that the birds made nests therein or rather he therein made neâ—…ts for many birds which otherwise being either infledged or maimed must have been exposed to wind and weather The Worthiest of Davids WORTHIES were digested into Ternions and they again subdivided into two Ranks If this double Dichotomie were used to methodize our Protestant Benefactors since the Reformation sure I am that Mr. Kendrick will be if not the last of the first the first of the second Three His Charity began at his Kindred proceeded to his Friends and Servants to whom he left large Legacies concluded with the Poor on whom he bestowed above twenty thousand pounds Reading and Newbury sharing the deepest therein And if any envious and distrustfull Miser measuring other mens hearts by the narrowness of his own suspecteth the truth hereof and if he dare hazard the smarting of his bleered eyes to behold so bright a Sun of Bounty let him consult his Will publickly in Print He departed this life on the 30. day of September 1624. and lyes buried in St. Christophers London To the Curate of which Parish he gave twenty pounds per annum for ever RICHARD WIGHTWICK Bachelor of Divinity was Rector of East Isley in this County What the yearly value of his living was I know not and have cause to believe it not very great however one would conjecture his Benefice a Bishoprick by his bounty to Pembroke Colledge in Oxford to which he gave one hundred pounds per annum to the maintenance of three Fellows and four Scholars When he departed this life is to me unknown Memorable Persons THOMAS COLE commonly called the rich clothier of Reading Tradition and an authorless pamphlet make him a man of vast wealth maintaining an hundred and fourty meniall servants in his house besides three hundred poor people whom he set on work insomuch that his Wains with cloth filled the high-way betwixt Reading and London to the stopping of King Henry the first in his Progress Who notwithstanding for the incouraging of his Subjects industry gratified the said Cole and all of his profession with the set measure of a Yard the said King making his own Arme the standard thereof whereby Drapery was reduced in the meting thereof to a greater certainty The truth is this Monkes began to Lard the lives of their Saints with lies whence they proceeded in like manner to flourish out the facts of Famous Knights King Arthur Guy of Warwick c. in imitation whereof some meaner wits in the same sort made description of Mechanicks powdering their lives with improbable passages to the great prejudice of truth Seeing the making of Broad-cloath in England could not be so ancient and it was the arme not of King Henry but King Edward the first which is notoriously known to have been the adequation of a yard However because omnis fabula fundatur in Historia let this Cole be accounted eminent in this kind though I vehemently suspect very little of truth would remain in the midst of this story if the grosse falshoods were pared from both sides thereof JOHN WINSCOMBE called commonly Jack of Newberry was the most considerable clothier without fancy and fiction England ever beheld His Looms were his lands whereof he kept one hundred in his House each managed by a Man and a Boy In the expedition to Flodden-field against James King of Scotland he marched with an hundred of his own men as well armed and better clothed then any to shew that the painfull to use their hands in peace could be valiant and imploy their Armes in War He feasted King Henry the eighth and his first Queen Katharine at his own house extant at Newberry at this day but divided into many Tenements Well may his house now make sixteen Clothiers houses whose wealth would amount to six hundred of their estates He built the Church of Newberry from the Pulpit westward to the Tower inclusively and died about the year 1520. some of his name and kindred of great wealth still remaining in this County Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 John Parveis John Parveis Erlgeston Fishmonger 1432 2 Nicholas Wyfold Thomas Wyfold Hertley Grocer 1450 3 William Webbe John Webbe Reading Salter 1591 4 Thomas Bennet Thomas Bennet Wallingford Mercer 1603 The Names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the Sixth 1433. Robert Bishop of Sarum Commissioners to take the Oaths William Lovel Chivaler  Robert Shotsbroke Knights for the Shires William Fyndern  Johan Prendegest Praeceptor Hospitalis St. Johan Jerus in Anglia de Grenham Johannis Golefre Armigeri Willielmi Warbelton Ar. Willielmi Danvers Ar. Johannis Shotesbrooke Ar. Thomae Foxle Ar. Phi. Inglefeld Ar. Thomae Rothewell
advanced thee to be a Bishop before many reverend persons and able Divines His expression licking the Chancery hath left Posterity to interpret it whether taxing him for Ambition liquorishly longing for that Place Or for Adulation by the soft smoothing of flatery making his way thereunto Or for Avarice licking it so that he gained great if good profit thereby As for his expression little Cleark it is plain it referred not to his stature but dwarfness in learning However all this would not perswade him into a resignation of his Bishoprick though it was not long before he lost both it and his life by a fall from a skittish-horse Anno Domini 1254. I find no Bishop born in this County since the Reformation and therefore we may go on in our propounded method Capital Judges and Writers on the Law Sir JOHN COKEYN Knight Chief Baron of the Exchequer in the reign of King Henry the fourth founded a worshipfull Family at and imparted his Sirname to Cokeyn-Hatley in this County But being convinced that he was born at Ashbourn in Derbyshire I have reserved his character for that County EDMOND WINGATE Esq. was a Native of this County whose family flourisheth at Hartington therein He was bred in Greys 〈◊〉 in the Study of our Common-law whereof he wrote besides others a Book Intitled The Reason of the Common-law and is lately deceased Writers JOHN of DUNSTABLE so called from a Market-town in this County wherein he was born If hitherto the Reader hath not it is high time for him now to take notice of a person of such perfection Indeed at first my Pen feared famishing finding so little since surfetting meeting so much of this man For this John of Dunstable was John of all Arts as appeareth by his double Epitaph one inscribed on his Monument the other written on his memory But be it premised of both that we will not avouch the truth of the Latine or quantity in these verses but present them here as we find them with all their faults and his vertues on whom they were made On his tombe in Saint Stephen's Wallbrook London Clauditur hoc tumulo qui 〈◊〉 pectore clausit Dunstable I Juris Astrorum conscius ille ......... ..... .... 〈◊〉 pondere 〈◊〉 Hic vir erat tua Laus tua Lux 〈◊〉 Musica Princeps Quique tuas fulces per 〈◊〉 sparserat Artes .......................................................... Suscipiant proprium 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sibi Cives The second made by John Wheathamsted Abbot of Saint Albans Musicus hic Michalus alter novus Ptolomaeus Junior ac Atlas supportans robore 〈◊〉 Pausat sub cinere melior vir de muliere Nunquam natus erat vitii quia labe carebat Et virtutis opes possedit unicus omnes Perpetuis annis celebretur fama Johannis Dunstable in pace requiescat hic sine fine What is true of the bills of some unconscionable Trades-men if ever paid over paid may be said of this hyperbolical Epitaphs if ever believed over believed Yea one may safely cut off a Third in any part of it and the remainder will amount to make him a most admirable person Let none say that these might be two distinct persons seeing besides the concurrence of time and place it would bank-rupt the Exchequer of Nature to afford two such persons one 〈◊〉 at once being as much as any will believe This Dunstable died an 1455. Sinee the Reformation GEORGE JOY was born in this County though the exact place be not expressed He was a great friend to Master Tindall and therefore perfectly hated by Woolsey Fisher and Sir Thomas Moor the perticulars of his sufferings if known would justly advance him into the reputation of a Confessor He translated some parts of the Bible into English and wrote many books reckned up by Bale notwithstanding many machinations against his life he found his Coffin where he fecht'd his Cradle in sua patria sepultus being peaceably buried in his native Country 1553. the last year of King Edward the sixth FRANCIS DILLINGHAM was born at Dean in this County and bred Fellow in Christ-Colledge in Cambridge He was an excellent Linguist and subtile Disputant My Father was present in the Bachillors-Scholes when a Greek Act was kept between him and William Alabaster of Trinity-Colledge to their mutuall commendation A disputation so famous that it served for an Aera or Epoche for the Scholars in that age thence to date their seniority He was afterwards chosen Anno 1607. to be one of the Translators of the Bible and being richly beneficed at Wilden in this County died a single man leaving a fair estate to his brother Master Thomas Dillingham who was chosen one of the late Assembly though for age indisposition and other reasons not appearing therein and for many years was the humble painfull and faithfull Pastor of Deane the place of his Nativity WILLIAM SCLATER was born at Layton-buzard in this County son to Anthony Sclater the Minister thereof for fifty years together who died well nigh an hundred years of age This William his son was bred in 〈◊〉 then in Kings Colledge in Cambridge where he commenced Bachillor and after many years discountinance Doctor of Divinity Hence he was invited to be 〈◊〉 at Walsal in Stafford-shire where he began his sermons afterwards printed on the three first Chapters of the Romans Afterwards John Coles Esquire of Sommerset-shire over-intreated him into the Western parts where he presented him Vicar of Pitmister Here he met with manifold and expensive vexations even to the Jeopardy of his life but by the goodness of God his own innocency and courage with the favour of his Diocesan he came off with no lesse honour to himself then confusion to his adversaries He was at first not well affected to the Ceremonies of the Church but afterwards on his profound studying of the point he was reconciled to them as for order and decency and by his example others were perswaded to conforme Constancy of studying contracted the stone upon him which he used to call flagellum studiosorum Nor was his health improved by being removed to a wealthier Living when John Lord Pawlet of Hinton at the instance of Elizabeth his Lady in whose inheritance it was a worthy favourer of piety and pious men preferred him to the rich Parsonage of Limpsam in Somerset-shire where indeed there was scarce any element good save the earth therein Whereupon for his own preservation he was re-perswaded to return to Pitmister there continuing till the day of his death which happened in the year of our Lord 1627. in the fifty one year of his age leaving many learned works behind him as his Comment on the Romans and on the Thessalonians Sermons at Pauls cross and the treatise of Tithes styled the Ministers portion with other posthume works some since set forth by more remaining in the hand of his son William Scalter Doctor of Divinity and Minister at London lately deceased
Benefactors to the Publick Sir WILLIAM son to William HARPER was born in the Town of Bedford but bred a Merchant-taylor in the City of London Where God so blessed his endeavours that Anno 1561. he was chosen Lord Mayor thereof In gratitude to God and the place of his Nativity he erected and endowed a free-schole in Bedford in which Town he lyeth buryed HENRY GREY son to Henry Grey was born at Wrest in this County Something must be premised of his extraction Richard Grey third Earl of Kent of that family was so profuse a person that he wilfully wasted his Estate giving away what he could not spend to the King and others so little he reflected on Sir Henry Grey his Brother but by a second Venter of Wrest in this County Hereupon the said Sir Henry though heir to his Brother Richard after his death yet perceiving himself overtitled or rather under-stated for so high an honour the undoubted right whereof rested in him declined the assuming thereof Thus the Earldome of Kent lay though not dead asleep in the family of the Greys almost 50. years viz. form the 15 of King Henry the eight till the 13. of Queen Elizabeth when she advanced Reginald Grey grandchild to Sir Hen. Grey aforesaid who had thriftily recruted himself with competence of Revenues to be Earl of Kent Anno 1571. This Reginald dying Issuelesse within the year Henry his Brother the subject of our present description succeeded to his honour A person truly noble expending the income of his own Estate and of his Ladies fair Joynter Mary the Relict of Edward Earl of Darby in hospitality He was a most Cordiall Protestant on the same token that being present at the execution of the Queen of Scots when she requested the Nobility there to stand by and see her death he fearing something of Superstition hardly assented thereunto Yet was he as far from the faction as Superstition deserving the caracter given unto him Omnibus verae nobilitatis Ornamentis vir longè Honoratissimus He left no Isue except some will behold him in some sort Parent of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge as one of the executors to the Foundress thereof who did both Prove and Improve her will besides his Personall benefaction thereunto And being the surviving executor he did perpetuate the fellowships formerly temporary according to the implicite trust deposited in him to the advantage of that foundation He died Anno Domini 1613. FRANCIS CLEARK Knight was born at Eaton-soton in this shire near to Saint Neots in the Lordship there commonly called the Parsonage He was a noble Benefactour to Sidney-colledge augmenting all the Scholarships of the Foundation and erecting a fair and firme range of building Such his skill in Arithmetick and Architecture that staying at home he did provide to a brick what was necessary for the finishing thereof He founded four new Fellowships and had he been pleased to consult with the Colledge the settlement with the same expence might have proved more advantageous For though in gifts to private persons it be improper that the Receiver should be the Director thereof a Corporation may give the best advise to improve the favours conferr'd upon it But it is a general practice that men desire rather to be broad then thick Benefactours However seeing every one may do with his own as he pleaseth blessed be the memory of this worthy Knight whose gift in effect was selt by the Colledge before the giver thereof was seen being himself a meer stranger unto it Some say that because this was the youngest foundation in the University generally the last child hath the least left it his charity pitched upon it But I have been informed that Sir Fâ—…ancis coming privately to Cambridge to see unseen took notice of Doctor Ward his daily presence in the Hall with the Scholars conformity in caps and diligent performance of exercises which indeared this place unto him Thus the observing of old Statutes is the best load-stone to attract new Benefactours His death happyned Anno Domini 163 Memorable Persons A WOMAN whose name I cannot recover lived died and is buried at Dunstable in this County It appeareth by her Epitaph in the Church that she had nineteen children at five births viz. three several times three children at a birth and five at a birth two other times How many of them survived to mans estate is unknown Here I must dissent from an Author maintaining that more Twins were born in the first Age of the World then now adays Whereas we meet with none but single births in the Patriarchs before the Flood and more 〈◊〉 six hundred years after the Deluge Esau and Jacob were the first Twins mentioned in Scripture Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 Thomas Chalton Thomas Chalton Dunstable Mercer 1449 2 William Stoker Thomas â—…toker Eaton Draper 1484 3 William Butler â—…ichard Butler Bidenham Grocer 1515 4 William Harper William Harper Bedford Merchant-Taylor 1561 The Names of the 〈◊〉 of this County Returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the sixth William Bishop of Lincoln John de Fanhope Chivaler Commissioners John Wenlock Armig. Knights for the shire John Gascoigne Armig. Knights for the shire Abbatis de Woborn sui Celerarii Abbatis de Wardon Prioris de Dunstable Prioris de Chekesond Prioris de Nunham Prioris de Chaldwell Prioris de Buschemede Simonis Filbrigge Chivaler Henrici Bronnflete Chivaler Thomae 〈◊〉 Chivaler Thomae Maningham Thomae Hoo Johannis Broughton Iohan. Enderby Roberti Mordant Iohan. Hertusherne Hen. Godfrey Iohan. Boteler de Northzele Hum. Acworth Iohan. Ragon Thomae Ragon Iohan. 〈◊〉 Iohan. Radwell Iohan. Fyse Iohan. Coldington Chri. Preston Steph. Cruker Tho. Roxston Will. Lancelin Hen. de Lye Iohan. Conquest de Houghton Tho. Lonnde Walte Lâ—…nnde Iohan. Lonnde Rich. Merston Iohan. â—…eeke junioris Tho. Peeke Will. Peeke Iohan. Glove junioris Iohan. Turvey de Turvey Iohan. Ferrour de Bedford Iohan. Gerveys de Maldon Hen. Etewell Rober. Bollock Will. Wale Nich. Ravenhull Nich. Low Valentini Bailli de Luton Willielmi White de eadem Iohan. Boughton Hugonis Hasselden Thomae Bailli de Houghton Will. Trought Hen. Manntell Rober. Valence Iohan. Attehay Will. Ypping Iohan. Petifer Tho. Purvey Will. Purvey Will. Shotfold Will. Wingate Will. Kene Tho. Stokker Ade Alford Iohan. Morton Tho. Morton Tho. Stratton Tho. Chamberlain Radulp. Cleark Math. Stepeing Nich. Harding Will. Marham Rich. Sampson Rober. Warner Iohan. Coke de Crawley Will. Sileham Will. Purvey Will. Rede Tho. Blondell Will. Milward Rober. Ratele Iohan. Kiggill de Todinton Iohan. Pestell de Nunham Thomae Chopper de Turvey Iohan. Marram Thomae Jakes Iohan. Pikot Will. Molso Iohan. Sewell Hen. Sewell Radul Falwell Hug. Billingdon Iohan. Baldoe Will. Palmer Rober. Davy junioris Iohan. Stanlow Rich. Lincoln Waleri Taillard Thomae Spencer de Geton Iohan. Spencer Iohannis King de Harowdon Iohan. Wait Will. Bochell Thomae William Roberti Ratull Rober. Warner de le
laid to his charge He was buried in Leonard Shorditch where this remains of his Epitaph Orate pro Animabus Humphredi Starkey Militis nuper Capitalis Baronis de Scaccario Domini Regis Henrici septimi Isabellae Uxoris ejus omnium amicorum suoâ—…um c. The date of his death defaced on his Tombe appeareth elsewhere to be at the end of K. Henry the seventh so that his on the Bench was parallel with his Soveraigns sitting on the Throne begun in the first and ended in the last of his raign Sir HENRY BRADSHAW Knight This Surname being diffused in Darbyshire and Lancashire aswell as in this County his Nativity advantaged by the Alphabet first come first served is fixed herein He became so noted for his skill in our Common Law that in the sixth of K. Edward the sixth in Hillary terme he was made Chief Baron of the Exchequer demeaning himself therein to his great commendation Pity it is that Demetrius who is well reported of all* men should suffer for his name sake Demetrius the Silver Smith who made the Shrines for Diana and raised persecution against Saint Paul And as unjust it is that this good Judge of whom nothing ill is reported should fare the worse for one of the same Surname of Execrable Memory of whom nothing good is remembred I have cause to conceive that this Judge was outed of his place for Protestant inclination 1. Mariae finding no more mention of him Sir RANDAL CREW was born in this County bred in the study of our Municipal Law wherein such his proficiency that after some steps in his way thereunto in the 22. of K. James he was made Lord Chief Justice of the Upper Bench and therein served two Kings though scarce two years in his Office with great integrity King Charles his occasions calling for speedy supplies of Money some Great-Ones adjudged it unsafe to adventure on a Parliament for fear in those distempered Times the Physick would side with the Disease and put the King to furnish his necessities by way of Loan Sir Randal being demanded his Judgement of that Design and the Consequence thereof the imprisoning of Râ—…usants to pay it openly manifested his dislike of such Preter-legal Courses and thereupon November 9. 1626. was commanded to forbear his sitting in the Court and the next day was by Writ discharged from his Office whereat he discovered no more Discontentment then the weary Travailer is offended when told that he is arrived at his journies end The Country hath constantly a Smile for him for whom the Court hath a Frown this Knight was out of Office not out of Honour living long after at his house in Westminster much praised for his Hospitality Indeed he may the better put off his Gown though before he goeth to bed who hath a warm Suit under it and this learned Judge by Gods blessing on his endeavours had purchased a fair Estate and particularly Crew-hall in Cheshire for some ages formerly the possession of the Falshursts but which probably was the Inheritance of his Ancestors Nor must it be forgotten that Sir Randal first brought the Model of excellent Building into these remorter parts yea brought London into Cheshire in the Loftiness Sightliness and Pleasantness of their Stuctures One word of his Lady a virtuous wife being very essential to the integrity of a Married Judge lest what Westminster-hall doth conclude Westminster Bed-chamber doth revoke He married Julian Daughter and Co-heir of John Clipsby of Clipsby in Northfolk Esq. with whom he had a fair Inheritance She died at Que in Surry 1623. and lieth buried in the Chancell of Richmond with this Epitaph Antiquâ fuit orta Domo pia vixit inivit Virgo pudica thorum sponsa pudica polum I saw this worthy Judge in health 1642. but he survived not long after and be it remembred he had a Younger Brother Sir Thomas Crew a most honest and learned Serâ—…eant in the same Profession Whose Son John Crew Esquire of his Majesties Privy-Councel having been so instrumental to the happy change in our Nation is in Generall report which no doubt will be effected before these my paines be publick designed for some Title of Honour Sir HUMFREY DAVENPORT His Surname is sufficient to intitle this County unto him but I will not be peremtory till better information He was bred in the Temple had the reputation of a Studied Lawyer and upright person qualities which commended him to be chosen Chief Baron of the Exchequer How he behaved himself in the case of the Ship-money is fresh in many mens memories The Reader cannot be more angry with me then I am grieved in my self that for want of intelligence I cannot doe the right which I would and ought to this worthy Judges Memory who died about the beginning of our Civil distempers Souldiers Sir HUGH CALVELY born at Calvely in this County Tradition makes him a man of Teeth and Hands who would Feed as much as two and Fight as much as ten men his quick and strong Appetite could disgest any thing but an Injury so that killing a man is reported the cause of his quitting this County making hence for London then for France Here he became a most eminent Souldier answering the Character our great Antiquary hath given him Arte militari ita in Galliâ incâ—…ruit ut vivide ejus virtuti nihil fuit impervium I find five of his principall Aâ—…hievements 1. When he was one of the thirty English in France who in a duel encountred as many Britans 2. When in the last of King Edward the third being Governour of Calice he looked on his hands being tyed behind him by a Truce yet in force for a Month and saw the English slain before his eyes whose bloud he soon after revenged 3. When in the first of King Richard the second after an unfortunate voyage of our English Nobility beaten home with a Tempest he took Bark bulloigne and five and twenty other French-ships besides the Castle of Mark lately lost by negligence which he recovered 4. When in the next year he spoiled Estaples at a Fair-time bringing thence so much Plunder as enriched the Calicians for many years after 5. When he married the Queen of Aragon which is most certain her Armes being quartered on his Tomb though I cannot satisfy the Reader in the Particularities thereof The certain date of his death is unknown which by proportion may be collected about the year 1388. After which time no mention of him and it was as impossible for such a spirit not to be as not to be active Sir ROBERT KNOWLES Knight was born of mean parentage in this County yet did not the weight of his low extraction depress the wings of his Martial mind who by his valour wrought his own advancement He was Another of the thirty English who for the honour of the Nation undertook to duel with as many Britons and came off
Scholar-ships to each yearly four pounds 10. To the Colledge of Saint John Baptist in Oxford two Scholar-ships of the same value 11. To Christ-Church Hospital three Hundred pounds 12. To the Church and Poor to buy them Gowns of Wrenbury seventy pounds With other Benefactions Verily I say unto you I have not met a more universall and unpartial Charity to all Objects of want and worth He died about the beginning of the raign of King James JOHN BREWERTON Knight a Branch of that well-spred Tree in this County was bred one of the first Scholars of the foundation in Sidney-colledge and afterwards being brought up in the study of the Common-law he went over into Ireland and at last became the Kings Serjeant therein I say at last for at his coming thither in the tumults of Tirone neither Rex nor Lex neither King nor Serjeant were acknowledged till Loyalty and Civility were by degrees distilled into that Nation He obtained a plentifull Estate and thereof gave well nigh three thousand pounds to Sidney-colledge Now as it is reported of Ulysses returning from his long travail in Forraign Lands that all his family had forgot him so when the news of this Legacy first arrived at the Colledge none then extant therein ever heard of his name so much may the spunge of forty years blot out in this kind onely the written Register of the Colledge faithfully retained his name therein This his gift was a gift indeed purely bestowed on the Colledge as loded with no detrimentall Conditions in the acceptance thereof We read in the Prophet Thou hast increased the Nation and not multiplied their Joy In proportion whereunto we know it is possible that the comfortable condition of a Colledge may not be increased though the number of the Fellows and Scholars therein be augmented superadded Branches sucking out the sap of the Root Whereas the Legacy of this worthy Knight ponebatur in lucro being pure gain and improvement to the Colledge His death happened about the year 1633. JOHN BARNSTON D. D. was born of an ancient Family in this County bred Fellow of Brasen-Nose-Colledge in Oxford afterwards Chaplain to Chancellor Egerton and Residentiary of Salisbury A bountifull House-keeper of a cheerfull spirit and peaceable disposition whereof take this eminent Instance He sate Judge in the Consistory when a Church-warden out of whose house a Chalice was stolen was sued by the Parish to make it good to them because not taken out of the Church-Chest where it ought to have been reposited but out of his private house The Church-warden pleaded that he took it home onely to scoure it which proving ineffectuall he retained it till next morning to boil out the in-laid Rust thereof Well said the Doctor I am sorry that the Cup of Union and Communion should be the cause of difference and discord between you Go home and live lovingly together and I doubt not but that either the Thief out of remorse will restore the same or some other as good will be sent unto you which by the Doctors secret Charity came to pass accordingly He founded an Hebrew Lecture in Brasen-Nose-Colledge and departed in Peace in the beginning of our Wars about the year 1642. Memorable Persons WILLIAM SMITH was born in this County wherein his Surname hath been of signal note for many ages His Genius inclined him to the study of Heraldry wherein he so profitted that Anno he was made Persuivant of Arms. By the name of Rougdragon he wrote a description Geographical and Historicall of this County left it seems in the hands of Raynulph Crew Knight sometimes L. Chief Justice of the Kings Bench and lately set forth by the favour of Mr. Raynulph Crew Grand-child to that worthy Knight the time of his death is to me unknown WILLIAM WEB a native of this County was bred a Master in Arts and aâ—…terwards betook himself to be a Clark of the Mayors Court in Chester It appeareth also he was Under sheriffe to Sir Richard Lee High-sheriffe of this County in the thirteenth year of King James He compiled a description of Cheshire and Chester lately Printed by procurement of that no less Communicative then Judicious Antiquary Sir Simon Archer of Tamworth in Warwickshire I cannot attain the certain date of his death RANDAL CREW Esquire second Son to Sir Clipsby Grand-child to Judge Crew He drew a Map of Cheshire so exactly with his pen that a judicious eye would mistake it for Printing and the Gravers skill and industry could little improve it This Map I have seen and Reader when my eye directs my hand I may write with confidence This hopefull Gentleman went beyond the Seas out of design to render himself by his Travells more useful for his Country where he was Barbarously Assassinated by some French-men and honourably buried with generall lamentation of the English at Paris 1656. Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 Hugh Witch Richard Witch Nantwich Mercer 1461 2 Thomas Oldgrave William Oldgrave Knotysford Skinner 1467 3 Edmond Shaw John Shaw Donkenfield Goldsmith 1482 4 James Spencer Robert Spencer Congleton Vintner 1527 5 Thomas Offley William Offley Chester Merchant-Taylor 1556 6 Humfry Weld John Weld Eaton Grocer 1608 7 Thomas Moulson    1634 I am certainly informed that this Moulsonâ—…ounded â—…ounded a fair School in the Town where he was born but am not instructed where this is or what Salary is setled thereon Reader know this that I must confess my self advantaged in the description of this County by Daniel King a native of this County whence it seems he travelled beyond the Seas where he got the Mystery both of Survaying and Engraving So that he hath both drawn and graven the portraicture of many ancient structures now decayed I hope in process of time this Daniel King will out-strip King Edgar erecting more Abbeys in Brâ—…ss then he did in Stone though he be said to have built one for every day in the Year But Cheshire is chiefly beholding to his Pains seeing he hath not only set forth two Descriptions thereof named the Vale Royal of England with the praise to the dead Persons the Authors thereof duly acknowledged but also hath enlivened the same with severall Cuts of Heraldry and Topography on whom we will bestow this Distick Kingus Cestrensi Cestrensis Patria Kingo Lucem Alternatim debet uterque suam Cheshire to King and King to Cheshire owes His light 〈◊〉 doth 〈◊〉 what each Bâ—…stows What is amiss in my Poetry shall be amended in my Prayers for a Blessing on his and all ingenious-mens undertakings Cheshire is one of the 12. pretermitted Counties the Names of whose Gentry were not returned into the Tower in the 12. year of K. Henry the sixth Sheriffs HEN. II. Anno 30 Gilbert Pipehard Anno 35 Rich. de Pierpoint RICH. I. Anno 1 RECORDA MANCA JOHAN Anno 1 〈◊〉 Rich. de Burham Anni Incerti HEN. III. Anno 15 Rich. de Sonbach Anno 23 Rich. de
his own at his own pleasure I find also two other of the same Sur-name not mutually more allyed in bloud then in charitable dispositions Master Hugh Offley Leather-seller Sheriff of London in the year 1588. buried also in Saint Andrews aforesaid Besides many other benefactions he gave six hundred pounds to this City to put forth youngmen Mr. Robert Offley bred in London and as I take it Brother to the aforesaid Hugh Offley did in year the of our Lord 1596. bestow six hundred pounds on twenty four youngmen in Chester whereof twelve were Apprentices I know not the exact date of his departure It is hard to instance in a Lease of kinsmen born so far from bred in London meeting together in such bountifull performances I believe it was the First of these three Offleys on whom the Rhythme was made Offley three dishes had of daily Roast An Egge an Apple and the third a Toast This I behold neither sin nor shame in him feeding himself on plain and wholesome repast that he might feast others by his bounty and thereby deserving rather praise then a jear from posterity JOHN TERER Gentleman and a Member of this City He erected a seemly waterwork built Steeplewise at the Bridgegate by his own ingenious industry and charge This since hath served for the conveying of River-water from the Cisterne in the top of that Work through Pipes of Lead and Wood to the Citizens houses to their great conveniences I could wish all designes in the like nature hopefully begun may as hâ—…ppily be compleated My industry cannot attain the exact time of his death only I find that his son of the same name indeavoured the like to bring water from a fine spring to the midst of this City which I believe was effected The Farewell And now being to take our leave of this Antient and Honorable City the worst that I wish it is that the distance betwixt Dee and the New-tower may be made up all Obstructions being removed which cause or occasion the same That the Rings on the New-tower now only for sight may be restored to the Service for which they were first intended to fasten Vessels thereunto That the Vessells on that River lately degenerated from Ships into Barks may grow up again to their former Strength and Stature CORNWALL CORNWALL it hath its name partly from the Form partly from the Inhabitants thereof from the former it is so called because narrow in fashion of a horn which by the way is a word of all others passing thorough both Learned and Modern Languages with the least variation 1 Keren Hebr. 2 Keras Gr. 3 Cornu Lat. 4 Corn Fr. 5 Cuerno Span. 6 Corno Ital. 7 Horn Eng. 8 Horne Dut. 9 Kerne Wel. The latter Wale signifies strangers for such were the Inhabitants of this County reputed by their Neighbours It hath Devonshire on the West divided from it generally with the River Tamer encompassed with the Sea on all other sides affording plenty of Harbours so that Forraigners in their passage to or from Spain Ireland the Levant East or West Indies sometimes touch herewith sometimes are driven hither against their will but never without the profit of the Inhabitants according to the Common Proverbe where the horse lieth down there some hairs will be found The Language of the Natives it is a different tongue from the English and dialect from the Welsh as more easie to be pronounced and is sufficiently copious to express the conceits of a good wit both in Prose and Verse Some have avouched it derived from the Greek producing for the proof thereof many words of one sense in both as Kentron A spur Schaphe A boat Ronchi Snoring c. But the judicious behold these as no regular congruities but casuall coincidencies the like to which may be found in languages of the greatest distance which never met together since they parted at the confusion of Babel Thus one would enforce a conformity between the Hebrew and English because one of the three giants sons of Anak was called Ahiman The Cornish-tongue affordeth but two natural oaths or three at most but whether each of them be according to the kinds of Oaths divided by the School-men one Assertory the other Promissory to which some add a third Comminatory is to me unknown The worst is the Common Cornish supply this I will not say defect not onely with swearing the same often over but also by borrowing other oaths of the English Naturall Commodities Diamonds These of themselves sound high till the Addition of Cornish substracteth from their Valuation In Blackness and Hardness they are far short of the Indian Yet Set with a good Foyle advantaged Hypocrisie passeth often for Sincerity may at the first sight deceive no unskilfull Lapidary as their Lustre is less then Orient Diamonds so herein they exceed them that Nature hath made both their Face and their Dressing by whom they are Pointed and Polished But enough hereof the rather because some from the Latine names of Jewells Jocalia things to be jested and played with and Baubellae things which are Trifles and Baubles spightfully collect that Stones accounted precious are more beholding to the Consent of Fancy then their own Intrinsick worth for their high valuation Ambergreese I confess this precious Commodity is fixed to no place in the world as too great a Treasure for any one Country to engross and therefore it is only fluctuating and casually found by small parcells sometimes in one place and sometimes in another yet because the last greatest and best quantity thereof that ever this Age did behold was found on the Coasts of this County we will here insert a little of the name nature and use thereof It is called Ambra-gresia That is gray Amber from the Colour thereof which modern name utterly unknown to the Antients doth speak it to be of later invention whereof a Learned Doctor of Physick hath assigned this probable reason because it was never found in the Midland-sea which in effect was all the Seas to the Antients but onely in the main Ocean which was not navigated on till within this last two hundred years since Seamen have gotten the use of the Card and Compass It is almost as hard to know what it is as where to find it Some will have it the sperme of a fish or some other unctuous matter arising from them others that it 's the foam of the Sea or some excrescency thence boiled to such a height by the heat of the Sun Others that it is a gum that grows on the shore In a word no certainty can be collected herein some Physitians holding one way and some another but this is most sure that Apothecaries hold it at five pounds an Ounce which some say is dearer then ever it was in the memory of man It is a rare Cordiall for the refreshing of the spirits and soveraign for the strengthning the head besides the most fragrant scent
observe that when Arch-Bishop of Canterbury his Metropolitical Visitation charged through and through every Diocesse in his own Province no resistance being of Proof against him all Opposers giving some trouble to him but disgrace to themselves soon suppressed by his high bloud strong brains full purse skill in Law and plenty of powerful friends in the English and Romish Court The difficulty which he underwent herein made the work easie to his Successors ever after He deceased July 31. Anno Domini 1396. Prelates ROBERT CHICHESTER Here I had been at a perfectlosse had I not met with a good Guide to direct me For I had certainly from his Sirname concluded him born at Chichester in Sussex according to the Custome of other Clergy-men But this single swallow which makes no Summer had a Flight by himself retaining his Paternal Name descended from a Noble and Ancient Family saith my Author* Still flourishing at Rawleigh in this County He was first Dean of Sarisbury then Anno 1128. Consecrated Bishop of Exeter highly commended by many VVriters for his Piety though the Principal thereof consisted in his Pilgrimages to Rome and procuring Reliques thence He bestowed much money in building and adorning his Cathedral and having sate therein two and twenty years died and was buried 1150 on the South side of the High Altar nigh a Gentleman of his own Sirname whose inscribed Arms are the best Directory to this Bishops Monument GILBERT FOLIOT was born at Tamerton Foliot in this County Abbot of Glocester Bale saith Exeter then successively Bishop of Hereford and London He was observed when a Common Brother of his Covent to inveigh against the Prior when Prior against the Abbot when Abbot against the pride and lazinesse of Bishops but when he himself was Bishop all was well and Foliots mouth when full was silent Whether because all things do rest quiet in their center or because Age had abated his juvenile Animosity or because he found it more facil to find faults in others then mend them in himself Indeed oft times meer Morosâ—…ness of Nature usurps the reputation of Zeal and what is but a bare disgust of mens persons passeth for dislike of their vices However our Foliot the lesse he had in Satyrs the more he had of Elegies afterwards secretly bemoaning the badnesse of the Age he lived in Hear a Passe betwixt him and a strange voice Satans Challenge O Gilberte Foliot Dum revolvis tot tot Deus tuus est ASHTAROT Foliots Answer Mentiris Daemon qui est Deus Sabaoth est ille meus He finds little favour from our Historians of his Age because they do generally Becketize whilst Foliot was all for the King being a professed Enemy to the not person but pride of that Prelate* This wise and learned Bishop died Feb. 18. 1187. ROBERT FOLIOT Arch-Deacon of Oxford was neer Cosen and therefore is placed Country man to Gilbert aforesaid He was bred first in England then in France where he got the Sirname of Robertus Melundinensis probably from the place of his longest abode He was first Tutor to Becket and Becket afterwards was Patron to him by whose procurement he succeeded his Kinsman in the See of Hereford He wrote several Books whereof One of the Sacraments of the Old Law is most remarkable Hitherto we have followed Bale with blind obedience until Bishop Godwin whom we rather believe hath opened our eyes in two particulars 1 That Robert de Melune Bishop also of Hereford was a distinct person from our Robert 2 That our Foliot was advanced Bishop after the death of Becket probably for the affection he bore unto him not the assistance he received from him His deah happened Anno 1186. Nor must we forget there was also one Hugh Foliot Arch-Deacon of Shrewsbury afterwards Bishop of Hereford of whom nothing remains but his Name and the date of his Death 1234. WILLIAM BREWER was born in this County or in Somerset-shire whereof William his Father was several years Sheriffe under King Henry the Second where we shall insist on the occasion of his Sirname Bishop Godwin informeth us that he was Brother to Sr. William Brewer Knight if there be not an errour therein seeing Two Brethren surviving their Parents together both of a Name are seldome seen in the same Family He was preferred Bishop of Exeter Anno 1224. A Great Courtier and employed in such Embassies proper for a Person of Prime Quality as when he was sent to conduct Isabel Sister to King Henry the Third to be married to Frederick the Emperour whom he afterwards attended to the Holy Land Returning to his See he set himself wholly to the adorning and enriching thereof founding a Dean and 24 Prebendaries allowing the later the Annual Stipend of Four Pounds which they receive at this day But I am lately informed that the Dean and Residenciaries of Exeter have since augmented the Salary of all the Prebendaries at large to twenty pounds a year Which Intelligence if false they are not injured if true they are courteously used This Bishop died Anno Domini 1244. WILLIAM de RALEIGH was born at that well known Town in this County preferred first Canon of St. Pauls then successively Bishop of Norwich and Winchester The last of which cost him much trouble his Election being stiffely opposed by King Henry the Third intending a Valentinian Uncle to the Queen for that Bishoprick whom the Monks of Winchester refused terming him Vir Sanguinum A man of Bloud Whether in that sense wherein David is so termed and on that account prohibited the building of the Temple because a Martial Man or whether onely because descended of high bloud whose Descent was all his Desert so that they ridgidly adhered to the election of Raleigh King Henry who seldome used to be angry and more seldome to swear sware in his anger That he would have his will at last or they should never have Bishop and how his Conscience came off vvithout Perjury herein his own Confâ—…ssor vvas best able to satisfie him Raleigh had beâ—…ides his own merits two good friends his Purse and the Pope the former procuring the later He presented his Holynesse with six thousaâ—…d Mark which effected his Work Here two persons were at once deceived the Pope not expecting so great a sum should be tendred him and Raleigh not suspecting he would take all but leave at least a morsel for manners But his hands will take what ever is tendred him if not too Hot or too Heavy Raleigh thus runin debt could never creep out thereof though living very privately and dying very penitently For when the Priest brought the â—…uchrist unto him lying on his Death-Bed Raleigh expressing himself in language like to that of John Baptist I have need to come to thee and comest thou to me would rise out of his Bed to meet him His death happened Anno Dom. 1249. RICHARD COURTNEY was one of
his friend and Patron Baldwin Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He travailed into Forrain parts which he did not as too many weed but gathered the Flowers returning stored with good Manners and stock'd with good Learning He endeavoured that all in his Convent should be like himself and Ford-Abbey in his time had more Learning therein than three Convents of the same bignesse He was Confessor to King John wrote many pious Works and dying was buried in his own Convent without any Funeral Pomp about the year 1215. RICHARD FISHAKER or FIZACRE Matthew Paris termeth him FISHACLE was saith 〈◊〉 born in Exoniensi Patria which I english in Devonshire He was bred first in Oxford then in Paris and became a Dominican Friar For his Learning and Preaching as highly esteemed as any of that age He was saith Learned Leland as fast linked in Friendship to Robert Bacon of whom hereafter as ever 〈◊〉 to Bacchius or Thesâ—…us to Perithous So that one may say ofthem there was two friends This Richard disdaining to survive Robert aâ—…oresaid hearing of his death expired in the same year 1248. and was buried at Oxford JOHN CUT 〈◊〉 was born at the Manor of Gammage in this County where his Name and Family do continue Owners thereof Now because that which is pretty is pleasing and what is little may be presumed pretty we will insert the short and indeed all the information we have of him In the time of King Edward the Third Johannes Rupe-Scissanus or de Rupe scissa Cutclif being a very sincere and learned man opposed himself against the Doctrine and Manners of the Clergy and wrote against the Pope himself I see Baleus non vidit omnia for Pitzeus it is no wonder if he be pleased to take no notice of a Writer of an opposite judgment to himself When we receive then will we return more Intelligence of this Authour RICHARD CHICHESTER was not born at Chichester in Sussex as his Name doth import but was an extract of that Ancient Family still flourishing at Raleigh in this County He became a Monk in Westminster seldome spending any spare time in vanity but laying it out in reading Scripture and good History He wrote a Chronicle from Hengisius the Saxon to the year of our Lord 1348. done indeed fide Historica His death happened about the year 1355. ROBERT PLYMPTON was born in Plypmton in this County and bred an Augustinian in the Town of his Nativity He was afterwards preferred Arch-Deacon of Totnesse conscientiously discharging his place for perceiving people extreamly 〈◊〉 he was another John Baptist in his painful preaching repentance unto them which Sermons he caused to be written and it is conceived they wrought a very good 〈◊〉 on the Devonians The time wherein he flourished is not certainly known NICHOLAS UPTON was born in this County of an Ancient Family still flourishing therein at ........... He was bred Doctor in the Canon-Law and became Canon of Salisbury Wells and St. Pauls Humphrey Duke of Glocester the Me coenas General of goodnesse and learning had him in high esteem and gave him great rewards Hereupon Upton in expression of his gratitude presented his Patron with a Book the first in that kind of Heraldry and the Rules thereof a Book since set forth in a fair impression by Edward Bish Esquire a Person composed of all worthy accomplishments He flourished under King Henry the Sixth 1440. Since the Reformation RICHARD HOOKER was born at Heavy-tree nigh Exeter bred in Corpus Christi Colledg in Oxford and afterwards was preferred by Arch-Bishop Whitgift Master of the Temple whilst at the same time Mr. Walter Travers was the Lecturer thereof Here the Pulpit spake pure Canterbury in the Morning and Geneva in the Afternoon until Travers was silenced Hooker his Stile was prolixe but not tedious and such who would patiently attend and give him credit all the reading or hearing of his Sentences had their expectation over-paid at the close thereof He may be said to have made good Musick with his fiddle and stick alone without any Rosin having neither Pronunciation nor gesture to grace his matter His Book of Ecclestiastical POLITIE is prized by all generally save such who out of Ignorance cannot or Envy will not understand it But there is a kind of People who have a Pike at him and therefore read his Book with a prejudice that as Jephtha vowed to sacrifice the first living thing which met him these are resolved to quarrel with the first word which occurreth therein Hereupon it is that they take exception at the very Title thereof Ecclesiastical Politie as if unequally yoked Church with some mixture of City-nesse that the Discipline Jure Divino may bow to Humane Inventions But be it reported to the Judicious whether when all is done a Reserve must not be left for prudential Supplies in Church Government True it is his Book in our late Times was beheld as an Old-Almanack grown out of date but blessed be God there is now a Revoluion which may bring his Works again into reputation Mr. Hooker leaving London no inclination of his own but obedience to others put him on so publick a place retired to his small Benefice in Kent where he put off his Mortality Anno 1599 leaving the Memory of an humble holy and learned Divine Here I must retract after a Father no shame for a Child two passages in my Church History For whereas I reported him to die a Bachilour he had Wife and Children though indeed such as were neither to his comfort when living nor credit when Dead But Parents cannot stamp their Children from their Heads or Hearts Secondly his Monument was not erected by Sir Edwin Sandys a person as probable as any man alive for such a performance but by Sir William Cooper now li ving in the Castle of Hartford and let the good Knight have the due Commendation thereof JOHN REINOLDS was born in this County bred in Corpus-Christi-Colledge in Oxford of whom I have spoken plentifully in my Church-History NATHANIEL CARPENTER Son to a Minister was born in this County bred Fellow of Exeter-Colledge in Oxford He was right-handed in the Cyclopedy of all Arts Logick witnesse his Decades Mathematicks expressed in the Book of his Geography and Divinity appearing in his excellent Sermons called Achitophel As for his Opticks it had been a Master-piece in that kind if truly and perfectly printed I have been informed that to his great grief he found the written Preface thereof CaChristmass Pies in his Printers House Pearles are no Pearles when Cocks or Coxcombs find them and could never after from his scattered Notes recover an Original thereof He went over into Ireland where he became Chaplain to James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh and School-Master of the Kings Wards in Dublin A place of good profit great credit greatest trust being to bring up many Popish Minors in the Protestant Religion who under his Education grew
daily out of the Nonage of their Years and Vassallâ—…ge of their Errours He died in Dublin Robert Usher soon after Bishop of Kildare preached his Funeral Sermon on that Text Behold a true Israelite wherein there is no guile shewing how he was truly a Nathaniel Gods Gift and a Carpenter a Wise Builder of Gods House until the Dissolution of his Own Tabernacle about the year 1636. Benefactors to the Publick PETER BLUNDELL of Tiverton in this County was a Clothier by his Profession and through Gods Blessing on his Endeavours therein raised unto himself a fair Estate Nor was he more painful and industrious in gaining then Pious aud Prudent in disposing thereof erecting a fair Free-School in the Town of his Nativity By his Will he bequeathed thereto a competent maintenance together with conveniency of Lodging for a Master and Usher And lest such whose Genius did encline and Parts furnish them for a further Progresse in Learning should through want of a Comfortable Subsistency be stopped or disheartned he bestowed two Scholarships and as many Fellowships on Sidney Colledge in Cambridge carefully providing that the Scholars bred in his School at Tiverton should be elected into the same I cannot attain to a certainty in the Time of his Death though it be thought to have happened about the year 1596. WILLIAM BURGOIN Esquire must not be forgotten finding this his Epitaph on his Marble Stone in the Church of Arlington Here lies Will. Burgoin a Squire by discent Whose death in this World many People lament The Rich for his love The Poor for his Almes The Wise for his Knowledge The Sick for his Balmes Grace he did love and Vice conroul Earth hath his body and Heaven his Soul He died on the Twelfth day of August in the Morning 1623. as the Inscription on his said Tomb doth inform us Memorable Persons HENRY de LA POMERAY lived at and was Lord of Berry-Pomeray in this County This Henry taking heart at the imprisonment of Richard the First by Leopaldus Duke of Austria surprized and expulsed the Monkes out of Michaels-Mount in Cornwal that there he might be a petty Prince by himself But being ascertained of his Soveraignes inlargement and fearing deserved death to prevent it he laid violent hands on himself as Roger Hoveden doth report But the Descendants from this Pomeray make a different relation of this accident affirming that a Serjeant at Armes of the Kings came to his Castle at Berry-Pomeray and there received kind entertainment for certain dayes together and at his departure was gratified with a liberal reward In counter-change whereof he then and no sooner revealing his long concealed errand flatly arrested his Host to make his immediate appearance before the King to answer a capital crime Which unexpected and ill carried Message the Gentleman took in such despight that with his Dagger he stabbed the Messenger to the heart Then despairing of pardon in so superlative an offence he abandoned his home and got himself to his Sister abiding in the Island of Mount-Michael in Cornwal Here he bequeathed a large portion of his land to the religious people dwelling there to pray for the redeeming of his soul and lastly that the remainder of his estate might descend to his heir he caused himself to be let blood unto death JOHN de BEIGNY Knight lived Lord of Ege-Lifford in this County who having been a great Travailer and Souldier in his youth retired home married and had three Sons in his reduced Age. Of these the third put himself on Forraign Action in the War against the Saracens in Spain whereof Fame made a large report to his Fathers great contentmâ—…nt which made him the more patiently dispence with his absence But after that death had bereft him of his two elder Sons he was often heard to say Oh that I might but once embrace my Son I would be contented to die presently His Son soon after returning unexpectedly the old man instantly expired with an extasie of Joy An English Father I see can be as passionate as the Italian Mother which died for Joy after the return of her Son from the Battail of 〈◊〉 Thus if all our randome desires should hit the Mark and if Heaven should alwayes take us at our word in our wishes we should be tamed with our Wild prayers granted unâ—…ous us and be drowned in the Deluge of our own Passions This Knight as I take it flourished under King Edward the Third CHILD Whose Christian Name is unknown was a Gentleman the last of his Family being of ancient extraction at Plimstock in this County and great Possessions It happened that he hunting in Dart-More lost both his Company and way in a bitter Snow Having killed his Horse he crept into his hot bowels for warmâ—…h and wrote this with his bloud He that findes and brings meto my Tombe The Land of Plimstock shall be his doom That nâ—…ght he was frozen to death and being first found by the Monkes of Tavâ—…stock they with all possible speed hasted to interre him in their own Abby His own 〈◊〉 of Plimstock hearing thereof stood at the Ford of the River to take his Body from them But they must rise early yea not sleep at all who over-reach Monkes in matter of profit For they cast a slight Bridge over the River whereby they carried over the Corps and interred it In avowance whereof the Bridge a more Premeditate Structure I believe in the place of the former Extempore Passage is called Guils Bridge to this day And know Reader all in the Vicinage will be highly offended with such who either deny or doubt the credit of this common Tradition And sure it is that the Abbot of Tavistock got that rich Manor into his Possession The exact Daâ—…e of this Childs Death I cannot attain NICHOLAS ANDREW TREMAINE were Twins and younger Sons to Thomas Tremaine of 〈◊〉 in this County Esquire Had they preceded Hypocrates in time posterity would have presumed them the sympathising Twins whereof he maketh so large mention Such their likenesse in all lineaments they could not be distinguished but by their several habits which when they were pleased on private confederacy to exchange for disport they occasioned more mirthful mistakes than ever were acted in the Amphitruo of Plautus They felt like pain though at distance and without any intelligence given they equally desired to walk travail sit sleep eat drink together as many credible Gentry of the Vicinage by relation from their Father will attest In this they differred that at New-haven in France the one was a Captain of a Troop the other but a private Souldier Here they were both slain 1564 death being pitiful to kill them together to prevent the lingering languishing of the Surviver Lord-Mayors Never one of this Office was a Devon-shire man by birth on my best enquiry Whereof some assigne these reasons 1 The Distance of the Place whose Western part is removed from London Two
of his estate to pious uses viz. For the building of Alms-Houses in Pool 333 l. For the relief of poore Prisoners neither Atheists nor 〈◊〉 each man at the sum of twenty Nobles 150 l. For poor Preachers allowing to each man ten pound 100 l. To decaied Artificers charged with wife and children 100 l. To the Merchant Adventurers for the relief of old and support of young freemen 400 l. To Christs Hospital 500l To erect Alms-Houses in and about London 600 l. For a weekly dole of bread to the poor 200 l. For the maintaining of two Scholars in each University intrusting the Leather-sellers with the managing thereof 400 l. I have only gathered the greatest clusters of his Charity which the top boughs thereof did produce purposely concealing the smaller bunches of his bounty growing on the under branches He died Anno Dom. 1601. and lieth buried in Christ-Church in London Memorable Persons THOMAS de la LYND a Gentleman of a fair Estate in this County killed a white Hart in Blackmore Forrest which King Henry the third by expresse will had reserved for his own chase Hereupon a mulct was imposed upon him and the whole County as accessary for not opposing him which is paid called White-Hart Silver to this day into the Exchequer My self hath paid a share for the sauce who never tasted any of the meat so that it seems Kings Venison is sooner eaten than digested Let the Latine Proverb Albo gallo c. in Dorset-shire be turned into Albo cervo ne manum admoliaris ARTHUR GREGORY of Lyme in this County had the admirable Art of Forcing the Seal of a Letter yet so invisibly that it still appeared a Virgin to the exactest beholder Secretary Walsingham made great use of him about the Pacquets which passed from Forraign parts to Mary Queen of Scotland He had a pension paid unto him for his good service out of the Exchequer and died at Lyme about the beginning of the reign of King James WILLIAM ENGLEBERT born at Sherborne was an incomparable Ingeneere and much used in the Eighty eight Queen Elizabeth an excellent House-wife of her Treasure allowed him a pension of one hundred Marks per annum which was paid him until the day of his death He requested of King Iames his Privy Councel leave to serve Foreign Princes and States long peace rendring him useless in England proffering to wave his Pension on that condition but they utterly denied him licence to depart who lived and died in Westminster about the year 1634. The Names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the sixth William Bishop of Bath and Wells Chancellor of England Commissioners to take the Oaths William de Botreaux Chivaler  John Chedyok Knight Knights for the Shire  William Turbervill Knights for the Shire  Humf. Stafford Chiv Ioh. Newburgh sen. Radulph Bush Iohan. Latymer Iohan. Neburgh jun. Williel Bronning Roberti Frampton Nicholai Latymer Walteri Gonis Thome Manston Iohan. Cammel Iohan. Frantleroy Henrici Sherard Will. Anketill Iohan. Hering Iohan. Carent Roberti Turbervile Richardi Fitton Iohannis Mone Iohannis Peterel Rich. Strode Iohannis de la Lynde Roberti Rempston Will. Gerrard Will. Godwyn Will. Dakcombe Roberti Savage Roberti Bannet Edw. Stone Roberti Larkestoke Iohannis Frampton de Dorchester Rogeri Rochford Iohannis Stampford Roberti Hymerford Stephani Russel Henrici Russel Roberti Tredosa Willi. Chetil Walt. Hayngstrigge Ioh. Talbot Simonis Talbot Richardi Byle Williel Hornsbow Radulphi Belton Iohannis Phillippe Thome Anketill Willielmi Clavil de Ferne Willielmi Morton de Chestesbury Willielmi Cole Willielmi Bontley Iohan. Butt Rogeri Grogge de Lyme Willielmi Warner de Pole Roberti Bertram de Dorchester Tho. Tinam de Lyme Rob. Abbot de Melcombe Regis Richardi Kaynell Iohan. Hillary de Shirborn Iohan. Scryveyn de Shirborn Sheriffs of Dorset and Somerset Shires HEN. II. Anno 1 Warinus Anno 2 Rich. de Raddona Anno 3 Warinus de Lisoris Rich. de Raddona Anno 4 Anno 5 Rich. de Raddona Warinus de Lisoris Anno 6 Anno 7 Warinus de Lisoris Anno 8 Idem Anno 9 Robertus de Bello Campo Anno 10 Gilbertus Percy Anno 11 Rich. de Raddon Gilb. de Percy Anno 12 Rob. de Pucherel for four years Anno 16 Alud de Lincolne for six years Anno 22 Rob. de Bello Campo for seven years Anno 29 Will. de Bendenger Anno 30 Idem Anno 31 Rob. filius Pag. Anno 32 Idem Anno 33 Idem RICH. I. Anno 1 Hugo Bardulph Anno 2 Rob. Anno 3 Willielmus de Chahaignes Rad. de Chahaignes for 4. years Anno 7 Will. Chahaignes Walt. de Giffardus Anno 8 Anno 9 Will. de Chaignes Pet. de Schidemore Anno 10 Will. de Cahaignes Reg. JOHAN Anno 1 Pet. de Schidemore Anno 2 Rob. Belet Hen. de Stokes Anno 3 Hubert de Burge Alanus de Wigton Anno 4 Idem Anno 5 Idem Anno 6 Will. de Monte Acuto for four years Anno 10 Will. Briewre Rad. de Brey Anno 11 Idem Anno 12 Will. Mallet sive Malet for four years Anno 16 Rich. de Marisco Rog. de Pealton HEN. III. Anno 1 Anno 2 Pet. de Malo Lacu Anno 3 Idem Anno 4 Idem Anno 5 Rog. de Forda Ralph Clericus Anno 6 Rog. de Forda Ralph Clericus Anno 7 Sheriffs of Dorset-Shire Radus Germein Ermegundus de Wenham Sheriffs of Somerset-Shire Rob. de Ford. Rich. Abbas de Michelem Anno 8 Sheriffs of Dorset-Shire Radus Germin Rich. Episcopus Saresb. Gilbert de Staplebigg Sheriffs of Somerset-Shire Johan Russel Radus Russel Joscelin Bathon Episcopus Lucas Rupel Anno 9 Sheriffs of Dorset-Shire Ricus Episcopus Saresb. Gilbert de Staplebig Sheriffs of Somerset-Shire Joscelin Bathon Episcopus Lucas Russel Anno 10 Sheriffs of Dorset-Shire Rich. Episcopus Saresb. Gilbert de Staplebigg Sheriffs of Somerset-Shire Joscelin Bathon Episcopus Will. de Schorewell Anno 11 Will. filius Henerici Anno 12 Idem Anno 13 Tho. de Cirencester Anno 14 Idem Anno 15 Idem Hen. de Campo Florido Anno 16 Tho. de Cirencester Hen. de Campo Florido Anno 17 Tho. de Cirencester Anno 18 Idem Anno 19 Idem Hen. de Campo Florido Anno 20 Tho. de Cirencester Hen. de Campo Florido Anno 21 Tho. de Cirencester Anno 22 Idem Anno 23 Idem Anno 24 Jordan Oliver Anno 25 Hugo de Vinon for six years Anno 31 Hugo de Vinon Barth Peach for four years Anno 35 Hen. de Derleg Anno 36 Elias de Cabian Anno 37 Idem Anno 38 Idem Anno 39 Idem Walterus de Burges Anno 40 Steph. de Hasseton Anno 41 Idem Anno 42 Walt. de Burges Anno 43 Williel Everard Humf. Chaehet Will. Lecombe Clericus Anno 44 Phil. de Cerve Anno 45 Idem Anno 46 Johan Basset Anno 46 Johan Basset Hen. Aultun Anno 47 Phil. Basset Hen. Aulton for five years Anno 53 Tho. de
this Doctor Cosen's Life out of which most of our aforesaid Character hath been excerped Writers WILLIAM SHIRWOOD was born in this Bishoprick being otherwise called William of Durham bred first in University Colledge in Oxford then in Paris and afterwards was made Chancellor of Lincoln In his time the University of Oxford was Interdicted for some affronts offered to the Popes Legate and had lain longer under that burden had not the hands of this William helped to remove it shewing therein no less his love to his Mother than his power with the Pope In that age the English Clergy did drive a great Trade of preferment in France King Henry the third having large Dominions therein and amongst the rest this William was advanced Arch Bishop of Roan where he died Anno Dom. 1249. JOHN of DARLINGTON was born in this Bishoprick at a Town so called needing no other Indication than the Rode passing thorow it into Scotland He was bred a Dominican and a great Clerk Mat. Paris giveth him this Testimony that he was one qui literatura pollebat exellenter consilio King Henry the third made him his Confessor which argueth his Piety that so devout a Prince used him in so consciencious an Office and afterwards he became Arch-Bishop of Dublin in Ireland on this occasion The Prior and Covent of Trinity Church chose William de la Corner the Kings Chaplain whilest the Dean and Chapter of Saint Patricks elected Fâ—…omund le Brun the Popes Chaplain into that See Hence ensued an hot and high contest and Pope John 21. unwilling to engage therein caâ—…ted both their Elections and pitched on our Darlington as a good expedient A person in whom King and Pope met in some equal proportion seeing he was as we have said Confessor to the one and to the other his Collector of Peter-pence as also to his two Successors Nicholas the third and Martin the fourth thorow all Ireland Many Books he wrote to Posterity and returning into England sickned died and was buried in Preaching Friers in London 1284. WILLIAM SIVEYER was born at Shinkley in this Bishoprick where his Father was a Siveyer or Sive-maker and I commend his humility in retaining his Fathers Trade for his Surname to mind him of his mean extraction He was bred in Merton Colledge whereof he became Warden and Provost of Eaton and afterward Bishop of Carlile 1496. whence five years after he was traâ—…lated to Durham His Sur-name so contemptible in English sounds â—…erially and Episcopally when latinized In which language he is rendred Gulielmus Severus severity well agreeing with the gravity of his Function He died Anno Dom 1505. All I will ad is this that England neither before nor since saw two â—…ieve-makers Sons at the same juncture of time advanced to so high dignity this William in the Church Sir Richard Empson in the Common wealth 〈◊〉 the Reformation THOMAS JACKSON born of a good Family in this County was designed to be a Merchant in New-Castle till his Parents were diverted by Ralph Lord 〈◊〉 and perswaded to make him a Scholar He was admitted first in Queens Colledge in Oxford and then became Candidate of a Fellowship in Corpus Christi knowing of the election but the day before he answered to admiration and was chosen by general consâ—…nt Soon after in all likelihood he lost his life being drowned in the River and taken out rather for desire of decent burial than with hope of any recovery He was wrap'd in the Cowns of hâ—…s fellow Students the best shrowd which present love and need could provide him and being brought home to the Colledge was revived by Gods blessing on the care of Doctor Chenil equally to all peoples joy and admiration His gratitude to the Fisher-men who took him up extended to a revenue unto them â—…u ring his life Thus thankful to the Instrument he was more to the Principal striving to repay his life to that God who gave it him He was afterwards Vicar of New Castle a Factor for Heaven in the place where he was designed a Merchant a Town full of men and opinions wherein he endeavoured to rectifie their Errors and unite their Affections At this distance was he chosen President of Corpus Christi Colledge never knowing of the vacancy of the place till by those Letters which informed him it was refilled with his electâ—…on Here he lived piously ruled peaceably wrote profoundly preached painfully His Charity had no fault if not of the largest size oftentimes making the Receiver richer than it left him that was the Donor thereof Learn the rest of his praise from the Learned Writer of his Life in whom nothing wanting save the exact place of his birth and date of his death which hapned about the year 1640. SAMUEL WARD was born at Bishops Middleham in this County his Father being a Gentleman of more Ancientry than Estate He was first Scholar of Christs then Fellow oâ—… Emanuel and afterwards Master of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge and Margareâ—… Professor therein for above twenty years Now because the Pen of a Pupil may probably be suspected of partiality of an Historian I will turn a Translator and only endeavour to English that Character which one who knew him as well as most men and could judge of him as well as any man doth bestow upon him Age perge Cathedram ornare quod facis sacram Subtilitate non levi rapidâ vagâ Sed Orthodoxa quam coronat veritas Et justa firmat soliditas patiens librae Antiquâ—… at is crypta tu penetras frequens Scholasticorum tu profundos vortices Te'nulla fallit nulla te scium latet Distinctionum tela rationum stropha Tam perspicacem mente judicio gravem Linguis peritum tamque nervosum stylo His addo genium temperatum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Placidum modestum lite rixosâ procul Go to go on deck as thou doest the Chaire With subtilty not light slight vage ás air But such as Truth doth crown and standing sure Solidly fix'd will weighing well endure Antiquities hid depths thou oft doest sound And School-mens whirl-pools which are so profound Distinctions threads none can so finely weave Or Reason wrench thy Knowledge to deceive None thy quick sight grave judgement can beguile So skill'd in Tongues so sinewy in style Add to all these that peaceful Soul of thine Meek modest which all brawlings doth decline He turned with the Times as a Rock riseth with the Tide and for his uncomplying there with was imprisoned in Saint Johns Colledge in Cambridge In a word he was counted a Puritan before these times and Popish in these times and yet being alwayes the same was a true Protestant at all times He died Anno 1643. and was the first man buried in Sidney Colledge Chappel Memorable Persons ANTHONY Lord GRAY and eighth Earl of Kent of that Surname Son of George Gray 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Salvam his Wife Son to Anthony
oath You shall swear by the custome of our confession That you never made any nuptiall transgression Since you were married man and wife By houshold brawles or contentious strife Or otherwise in bed or at bord Offended each other in deed or word Or since the Parish-Clerk said Amen Wished your selves unmarried agen Or in a twelve-moneth and a day Repented not in thought any way But continued true and in desire As when you joyn'd hands in holy Quire If to these conditions without all fear Of your own accord you will freely swear A Gammon of Bacon you shall receive And bear it hence with love and good leave For this is our custome at Dunmow well known Though the sport be ours the Bacons your own It appeareth in an old book on record that Richard Wright of Badesnorth in Norfolk in the twentieth third of Henry the sixth when John Canon was Prior that Stephen Samuel of Little-Easton in Essex the seventh of Edward the fourth when Roger Rullcot was Prior and that Thomas Lee of Coxhall in Essex the second of Henry the eight when John Taylor was Prior demanded their Bacon on the premisses and receiv'd it accordingly Princes HENRY FITZ-ROY naturall son to King Henry the eight Here we confess our Trespass against our own Rules who confined our selves to the Legitimate Issue of Kings presuming that the worth of this Henry will make amends for our breach of order herein He was begotten on the Body of the Lady Talbois and born at Blackmore-Mannor in this County Anno 1519. being afterwards Created Earl of Noâ—…tingham and Duke of Richmond He confuted their Etymology who deduced Bastard from the Dutch words boes and art that is an abject Nature and verifyed their deduction deriving it from besteaerd that is the best disposition Such was his forwardness in all Martiall Activities with his knowledge in all Arts and Sciences Learned Leland dedicating a book unto him He married Mary daughter to Thomas Duke of Norfolk and dying Anno 1536. in the seventeenth year of his age was buried at Framlingham in Suffolk with great lamentation Saints Saint HELEN was born at Colchester in this County daughter to Coel King thereof as all our British Authors unanimously doe report She was Mother of Constantine the first Christian Emperour and is famous to all ages for finding out Christ's Cross on Mount Calvary Hence it is that in memoriall hereof the City of Colchester giveth for its Arms a Cross enragled between four Crowns A scandal is raised on her name that she was Stabularia A Stableress whereof one rendreth this witty râ—…ason because her Father was Comes Stabuli an high office equivalent to the Constable in France unto the Emperour Others more truly make her so nick named by Pagan malice for her officious devotion in finding out the Stable of Christs Nativity Heathen pens have much aspersed her calling her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whose tongues are no slander seeing the Disciple is not above his Master More was I moved when first finding thispassage in Paulinus the pious Bishop of Nola Paulin. Epist. 11. ad Severum This englished ad verbum Prompto filii Imperatoris adsensu mater Augusta patefactis ad opera sancta thesauris toto abusa fisco est She being Mother Emperess the treasuries being set open to pious works by the ready consent of her Son the Emperor she wholly abused the exchequer I wondred to see Paulinus charging such abuses upon her being a person so prodigiously charitable that he is said to have sold himself to redeem a widows son from captivity but consulting the best of Orators I find abuti sometimes fixing no fault and importing no more then uti so that abusing the Exchequer signifieth no more then a full free usage thereof She died at Rome being eighty years of age Anno Domini 337. Saint CONSTANTINE son to the aforesaid Saint Helen was born also at Colchester one sufficiently known to all posterity by the meer mentioning of him My pen shall now do penance with its silence to expiate its tediousness in describing his character in our Ecclesiasticall History He died Anno Domini 339. Saint Ethelburgh Hildetha Theorithoid Edilburge Wolfhild Sister to Erkenwald Bishop of London was by him appointed first Abbess of the Nunnery of Barking in this County by him built and endowed Here she led a very austere life and obtained the veneration of a Saint after her death which happened 676. Sister to St. Ethelburgh aforesaid succeeded her in the government of the said Nunnery for the term of four and twenty years so that she died very aged with the reputation of a Saint Anno 700. The first of whose name soundeth Greek the second Saxon was in this respect inferior to the two former because no Abbess but onely a Nun of Barking Yet did she equall them in some sort in the holiness of her life and her memory may go a breast with them in the Classis of Sts. She died 678. Wife to Ina K. of the West-Saxons by the consent of her husband who went a Pilgrim to Rome became a Nun at Barking after her death Anno 740. room was made for her memory amongst the rank of Saints Afterwards Barking Nunnery destroyed by the Danes was rebuilt by King Edgar Daughter to Wulfhelme E. of the West-Saxons born after the 18. year of her Mothers barrenness was by King Edgar made Abbess of Barking which was the first Nunnery of England the richest valued at above 1000l of year rent at the dissolution and the fruit fullest of Saints as by this parallel doth appear St. Wolfhild died Anno 989. Saint OSITH She was daughter to the King of the East-Angles and wife to Suthred last King of East-Saxons by whose consent forsaking the world she was veiled and at last became Abbess of a Monastery of her own founding at Chich in this County untill the Danes infesting these fea-coasts cut off her head in hatred of Religion Yet this her head after it was cut off was carried by Saint Osith oh wonder oh lie three furlongs and then she fell down and died The same mutatis mutandis is told of Saint Dionys in France Saint Winefride in Wales and others such being the barrenness of Monkish invention that unable to furnish their severall Saints with variety of fictions their tired fancie is fain to make the same miracle serve many Saints She was martyred about the year of our Lord 870. Saint NEOTS why Sir-named Adulphius I know not was born saith Bale either in Essex or Kent but Pitz. who wrote sixty years after him saith positively he was born in Essex It seemeth he met with some evidence to sway down the even beam to preponderate on the side of this County Waving the pleasures of the world he lived long an Eâ—…emite in Cornwell and then leaving his solitary life he became a painfull and profitable Preacher of the
1550. few years before the beginning of Queen 〈◊〉 many being 〈◊〉 and so 〈◊〉 armed by his useful 〈◊〉 It must not be forgotten how during my abode in Cambridge on 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1626. a Book was â—…ound in the belly of a Cod brought into the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 containing therein three 〈◊〉 whereof the 〈◊〉 and largest was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Crosse. It was wrapped about with Canvasâ—… and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fish plundred plâ—…ndred out of the pocket of some Ship-wracked Seaman The Wits of the 〈◊〉 made themselves merry thereat one making a long Copy of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on whereof this Dystiâ—… I remember If 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 do bring us Books then we May hope 〈◊〉 Bodlyes Library But whilest the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 themselves herewith the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beheld iâ—… as a sad 〈◊〉 And some who then little looked for the 〈◊〉 have 〈◊〉 found it in that plâ—… This Book was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Author 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But no such Book 〈◊〉 in Bale though â—…y accurate to give â—…s a Catalogue of his Writings Whereby we 〈◊〉 it was the same made by this Richard 〈◊〉 to which another Treatise was annexed 〈◊〉 one to die made 〈◊〉 by our Tracy who himself 〈◊〉 about an hundred years since Sir THOMAS OVERBURY Knight Son to Sir Nicholas Overbury one of the Judges of the Marches was born at Borton on the Hill in this County bred in Oxford and attained to be a most accomplished Gentleman which the happiness of his Pen both in Poetry and Prose doth declare In the later he was the first writer of Characters of our Nation so far as I have observed But if the great parts of this Gentleman were guilty of Insolency and Petulancy which some since have charged on his Memory we may charitably presume that his reduced age would have corrected such juvenile extravagancies It is questionable whether Robert Carre Earl of Somerset were more in the favour of King James or this Sir Thomas Overbury in the favour of the Earl of Somerset until he lost it by disswading that Lord from keeping company with a Lady the Wife of another person of Honour as neither for his credit here or comfort hereafter Soon after Sir Thomas was by King James designed Embassadour for Russia His false friends perswaded him to decline the employment as no better than an Honourable Grave Better lie some dayes in the Tower than more months in a worse prison A Ship by Sea and a barbarous cold Country by land Besides they possessed him that within a small time the King should be wrought to a good opinion of him But he who willingly goes into a prison out of hope to come easily out of it may stay therein so long till he be too late convinced of another judgment Whilest Sir Thomas was in the Tower his Refusal was represented to the King as an Act of high contempt as if he valued himself more than the Kings service His strict restraint gave the greater liberty to his enemies to practise his death which was by poyson performed Yet was his Blood legally revenged which cost some a violent and others a civil death as deprived of their Offices The Earle was soon abated in King Jame's affection O the short distance betwixt the cooling and quenching of a Favourite being condemned and banished the Court. The death of this Worthy Knight did happen Anno Dom. 1615. JOHN SPRINT was bred a Student in Christ Church in Oxford and was afterward beneficed at Thornbury in this County a grave and godly Divine but for a long time much disaffected to the Ceremonies of the Church It happeened that Mr. Burton Arch-Deacon of Gloucester his Collegiate and Contemporary took him to task perswading him seriously to study the point which he promised and performed accordingly He put In the one Scâ—…le In the other The Wo pronounced to such who preach 〈◊〉 the Gospel and dissert their Flocks on pretended scrupulosity The nature of Ceremonies when things indifferent are enjoyned by lawfull Authority Weighing both exactly in the ballance of his judgment he found the former to preponderate concluding it unlawful for any on such â—…count to leave or lose the exercise of his Miniâ—…erial Function Hereupon he not only conformed for the future 〈◊〉 also wrote a Book dedicated to Arch-Deacon Burton called Casâ—…der Angâ—…anus to perswade others to conformity He died as I am informed â—…bout thirty years ago JOHN WORKMAN was born about Lasbury in this County where his Father was a servant to Sir Tho. Escourt He was bred in Oxford and afterwards became for many years the pioâ—…s and painfull Preacher at Gloucester being conformable to Church Discipline both in judgement and practise and in very deed It happened that some pressed super-â—…nonical Ceremonies and such sesqui-Conformists made Mr. Workman turn first but a semiConformist and then by degrees to renounce all Conformity He was prosecuted by G. G. his 〈◊〉 for preaching to the disparagement of the Blessed Virgin Mary though he pleaded his words were only these That the Papists painted her more like a Curtesan than a modest Maid Hereupon he was silenced and not suffered to teach Schoole seeing Sheâ—… and Lambs differ not in hind but age At last his good Priâ—…nd Dr. Baud furnishing him with instructions he turned Phyâ—… and 〈◊〉 unable to preservâ—… his Pattents in liâ—…e he could well prepare them for death He died about the year 1636. We have put them in Parallels not so much because living at the same time in the same County as because the one from disliking came to approve the other from approving to dislike Conformity though both no doubt did follow the dictates of their consciences RICHARD CAPEL was born as I am informed in the City of Gloucester whereof his Father was Alderman and left him a good temporal estate he was bred Fellow of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford where he had many Pupils of good qualitie and among the rest Mr. William Pemble whose Books he set forth and as I remember finished his imperfect Comment on Zachary Leaving the Colledge he was presented by Mr. Stephens to a good benefice in this County where he made his excellent Book Of Temptations full fraught with practical Piety so that what judicious person soever readeth it will experimentally say unto him as once the Lawyer to our Saviour Master thou hast well spoken it carrieth in it such a Truth by the confession confession his Conscience One thing he hath irrefragably proved That there is no Temptation which a man is subject to but what might be suggested by our own corruption without any injection of Satan We have an English expression The Devil he doth it the Devil he hath it where the addition of Devil amounteth only to a strong denial equivalent to he doth it not he hath it not My opinion is if the phrase took not the original from yet is it applyable to our common and causeless accusing of Satan with our
for his Motto Dilexi decorem domus tuae Domine I have loved the beauty of thy House ô Lord and sometimes Credite operibus Trust their works Now although some may like his Almes better then his Trumpet Charity will make the most favourable construction thereof Being 96. years of age he resigned his Bishoprick and died in the same year Anno Dom. 1536. JOHN WHITE was born in this County of a worshipful House began on the floor and mounted up to the roof of Spiritual Dignitie in this Diocess First Scholar in VVinchester then Fellow of New-colledge in Oxford then Master of VVinchester-School then VVarden of that Colledge and at last taking Lincoln Bishoprick in his passage Bishop of VVinchester all composed in this Distick Me puero Custos Ludi paulo ante Magister VITUS hac demum Praesul in Urbe fuit I may call the latter a Golden Verse for it cost this VVhite many an Angel to make it true entring into his Bishoprick on this condition to pay to Cardinal Pole a yearly Pension of a thousand pounds Now though this was no better then Simony yet the Prelats Pride was so far above his Covetousness and his Covetousness so farre above his Conscience that he swallowed it without any regreet He was a tolerable Poet and wrote an Elegy on the Eucharist to prove the corporal presence and confute Peter Martyr the first and last I believe who brought controversial Divinity into Verses He preached the Funeral Sermon of Queen Mary or if you will of publique Popery in England praising Her so beyond all measure and slighting Queen Elizabeth without any cause that he justly incurr'd Her displeasure This cost him deprivation and imprisonment straiter then others of his Order though freer than any Protestant had under Popish Persecutours until his death which hap'ned at London about the year 1560. Since the Reformation THOMAS BILSON was born in the City of Winchester bred first Scholar in Winchester-School then taking New-Colledge in his passage School-master thereof afterwards Warden of the Colledge and at last taking Worcester in his way Bishop of Winchester As reverend and learned a Prelate as England ever afforded witness his worthy Works Of the perpetual Government of Christs Church and of Christs Descent into Hell not Ad 1. Patiendum to Suffer which was concluded on the Cross with it is finished Nor 2. Praedicandum to Preach useless where his Auditory was all the forlorn hope Neither 3. Liberandum to Free any Pardon never coming after Execution But 4. Possidendum to take possession of Hell which he had conquered And 5. Triumphandum to Triumph which is most honourable in Hostico in the Enemies own Country The New Translation of the Bible was by King James his command ultimately committed to his and Dr. Smiths Bishop of Gloueester perusal who put the compleating hand thereunto His pious departure out of this life hapned 1618. HENRY COTTON was born at Warblington in this County being a younger son unto Sir Richard Cotton Knight and privy Councellor to King Edward the Sixth Queen whilest yet but Lady Elizabeth being then but twelve years of age was his God-mother He was bred in Magdalen Colledge in Oxford and was by the Queen preferred Bishop of Salisbury When she pleasantly said That formerly she had blessed many of her God-sons but now her God-son should bless her Reflecting on the Solemnity of Episcopal Benediction He was consecrated November the 12. 1598. at which time William Cotton of another Family was made Bishop of Exeter The Queen merrily saying alluding to the plenty of clothing in those parts that she hoped that now she had well Cottoned the West By his wife whose name was Patience he had nineteen children and died May the 7. 1615. ARTHUR LAKES was born in the Parish of Saint Michael in the Town of Southampton bred first in VVinchester-School then Fellow of New-Colledge In his own nature he preferred the fruitfulness of the Vine and fatness of the Olive painfulness in a private Parish before the government of the Trees had not immediate Providence without his suit and seeking preferred him successively Warden of New-Colledge Prefect of Saint Crosses nigh VVinchester Dean of VVorcester Bishop of Bath and VVells He continued the same in his Rochet what he was in his Scholars-gown and lived a real comment upon Saint Pauls character of a Bishop 1. Blameless Such as hated his Order could not cast any aspersion upon him 2. The Husband of one VVife He took not that lawful Liberty but led a single Life honouring Matrimony in his brethren who embraced it 3. Vigilant Examining Canonically in his own person all those whom he ordained 4 Sober of good behaviour Such his austerity in diet from his University-Commons to his dying day that he generally fed but on one and that no daintie dish and fasted four times a week from supper 5. Given to Hospitality When Master of Saint Crosses he encreased the allowance of the poor-Brethren in diet and otherwise When Bishop he kept 50. servants in his Family not so much for state or attendance on his Person but pure charity in regard of their private need 6. Apt to teach the Living with his pious Sermons in his Cathedral and neighbouring Parishes and Posterity with those learned Writings he hath left behinde him 7. Not given to VVine His abstemiousness herein was remarkable 8. No striker not given to filthy lucre He never fouled his fingers with the least touch of Gehazi's reward freely preferring desert 9. One that ruleth well his own House The rankness of House-keeping brake not out into any Riot and a Chapter was constantly read every Meal by one kept for that purpose Every night besides Cathedral and Chappel-Prayers he prayed in his own Person with his Family in his Dining-room In a word his Intellectuals had such predominancy of his Sensuals or rather Grace so ruled in both that the Man in him being subordinate to the Christian he lived a pattern of Piety I have read of one Arthur Faunt a Jesuite who entring into Orders renounced his Christian name because forsooth never Legendary Saint thereof and assumed that of Laurence This gracious Arthur was not so superstitiously scrupulous and if none before may pass for the first Saint of his name dying in the fifty ninth year of his age Anno Domini 1602. States-men RICHARD RICH Knight was in the words of my Author A Gentleman well descended and allied in this County Bred in the Temple in the study of our Common Law and afterwards became Sollicitor to King Henry the eighth His Deposition on Oath upon words spoken to him in the Tower was the sharpest evidence to cut off the head of Sir Thomas More He was under Cromwel a lesser hammerto knock down Abbeys most of the Grants of which Lands going through his hands no wonder if some stuck upon his fingers Under King Edward the Sixth he
was made Lord Chancellour of England dischargeing his place with Prudence and Equity for the terme of five years Foreseeing he should be outed of his Office being of the Anti-faction to Duke Dudley to prevent stripping he politickly put off his Robes of State resigning his Office Which done no danger of catching cold his own Under-suit was so well lined having gotten a fair Estate about Lees Abbey in Essex whereof he was created Baron He died in the beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth being direct Ancestour unto the right Honourable Charles Rich now Earl of VVarwick WILLIAM POWLET where ever born had his largest Estate and highest Honour Baron of Basing and Marquess of VVinchester in this County He was descended from a younger house of the Powlets of Hinton Saint George in Sommersetshire as by the Crescent in his Arms is acknowledged One telleth us that he being a younger brother and having wasted all that was left him came to Court on trust where upon the bare stock of his wit he traffick'd so wisely and prospered so well that he got spent and left more than any Subject since the Conquest Indeed he lived at the time of the dissolution of Abbeys which was the harvest of Estates and it argued idleness if any Courtier had his Barnes empty He was servant to K. Henry the seaventh and for Thirty years together Treasurer to K. Henry the eighth Edward the sixth Qu. Mary and Qu. Elizabeth The 〈◊〉 in some 〈◊〉 owed their Crowns to his Counsel his policy being the principal 〈◊〉 of Duke Dudleys Designe to disinherit them I behold this Lord 〈◊〉 like to aged Adoram so often mentioned in Scripture being over the Tribute in the dayes of K. David all the Reign of K. Solomon untill the first Year of 〈◊〉 And though our Lord Powlet enjoyed his place not so many years yet did he serve more Soveraigns in more mutable times being as he said of himself no 〈◊〉 but an 〈◊〉 Herein the Parallel holds not The honry hairs of Adâ—…m were sent to the Grave by a violent death slain by the people in a 〈◊〉 This Lord had the rare happiness of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 setting in his full splendour having lived 97 years and seen 103 out of his body he dyed anno Domini 1572. Sr. THOMAS LAKES was born in the Parish of St. Michael in the Town of South-Hampton and there bred in Grammer-Learning under Doctor Seravia By several under Offices he was at last deservedly preferred Secretary of Estate to K. James Incredible his dexterity in dispatch who at the same time would indite write discourse more exactly than most men could severally performe them Men resembled him to one of the hips-Royal of Qu. Elizabeth called the Swift-sure such his celerity and solidity in all Affairs No lesse his secresie in concealing and what was credited to his Counsel was alwayes found in the same posture it was left in Add to all these he was a good man and a good mans Brother Dr. Arthur Lakes Bishop of Bath-and Wells King James who allwayes loved what was facile and fluent was highly pleased with his Latine Pen who by practice had made Tullie's phrase his own He was one of the three noble hands who at the Court first led Mr. George Villers into the favour of King James At last he fell for the faults of others into the Kings displeasure being punished for the Offences of one of his nearest Relations and of all them fin'd in the star-chamber he was the only person generally pittied for his suffering yet even then K. James gave him this publick Eulogie in open Court That he was a Minister of State fit to serve the greatest Prince in Europe He was outed his Secretaries place which needed him more than he it having atchieved a fair fortune which he transmitted to posterity How long he lived afterwards in a private life is to me unknown Souldiers BEAVOIS an English man was Earle of South-Hampton in the time of the Conquerer and being unable to comport with his Oppression banded against him with the Fragments of the English men the strength of Hastings the Dane and all the assistance the VVelch could afford In whose Country a Battel was fought near Carcliffe against the Normans anno Domini 1070. wherein Three Nations were conquered by One Beavois being worsted Success depends not on Valour fled to Carlile a long step from Carcliffe And afterwards no mention what became of him This is that Beavois whom the Monks cryed up to be such a man that since it hath been questioned Whether ever such a man I mean whether ever his person was in rerum natura So injurious those are who in the Reports of any mans performances exceed the bounds of probability All I will add is this that the Sword preserved and shewed to be this Beavoises in Arundel Castle is lesser perchance worn with age than that of King Edward the third kept in Westminster-Church Seamen Sr. JOHN WALLOP born in this County of a most ancient and respected Family was directed by his Genius to Sea-service at what time our Coasts were much infested with French-Piracies For there was a Knight of Malta passing in our Chronicles by the name of Prior John more proper by his Profession to be employed against the Turks lately so victorious in Hungary who liv'd by pickeering and undoing many English Merchants But our Sr. John made the French pay more than treble Dammages who with Eight Hundredh Men landed in Normandy burnt One and Twenty Towns with divers Ships in the Havens of Traport Staples c. and safely returned with wealth and Victory Methinks the ancient Armes of the Wallhops appear propheticall herein viz. argent a Bend-unde Sable interpreted by my Authour a wave or sourge of the Sea raised by some turbulent flaw of wind and tempest prognosticating the activity of that Family in Marine Performances ROBERT TOMSON Merchant was born at Andover in this County bred much at Bristol in Sea-Imployments Hence anno 1553. he sailed into Spain and thence two Years after shipped himself for Nova Hispania to make a discovery thereof on the same token that in his passage thither in a Spanish Ship a light like a canâ—…le being nothing else but a Meteor frequent by Sea and Land sell on their main Mast which the Spaniards on their knees worshiped for St. Elmo the Advocate of Saylers He afterwards wrote the Description of New Spain with the City of Mexico giving a good and the first account thereof of any Englishman During his abode many Months in Mexico at dinner he let fall some Discourse against Saint-worship for which he was imprisoned in the holy-House and enjoyned solemn Penance by the Arch-Bishop of Mexico This Tomson being the first reputed Heretick which was ever seen in America on a penitential Scaffold Hence he was sent into Spain and after three Years durance in the Inquisition discharged
c. Which many think meerly made by a conceited Brain on design to puzzle Intellects to create sense by their Ingenuity and Industry which was never intended therein For I am clearly of his opinion who said Qui ea scribit legi quae non vult intelligi debet negligi I have nothing else to observe of this Richard White save that after he had successively married two Wives He was made a Priest by the special dispensation of Pope Clement the eight and that he was alive at Doway 1611. JOHN PITS was born in this County nigh the Market Town of Aulton witness his words in Vicinio cujus Oppidi natus sum ego Son he was to Henry Pits and Elizabeth his Wife Sister to Nicholas Sanders It is hard to say whether his hands took more pains in writing or feet in travelling if the List of his Laborious Life be perused whereby he will appear a very aged person At 11. years of Age he went to the school of Winchester 11 Seven years he staid there until chosen unto New-Colledge 18 Two years he lived in Oxford and then went beyond the Seas 20 One year he stayed and studied in the Colledge of Rhemes 21 Thence going to Rome he lived 7. years there in the English-Colledge and was ordained Priest 28 Returning to Rhemes two yeares he there taught Rhetorick and Greek 30 Then lived in Lorrain and in Triers two years 32 Three years at Ingolstad in Bavaria where he was made D. D. 35 Made Canon of Verdun in Lorrain and lived there two years 37 Then for twelve years he was Confessor to the Dutches of Cleve 49 Here he wrote many Volumes of several Subjects one of the Apostolical men another of the Kings and Bishops in England but because he survived not to see them set forth He was as good as his word mecum morientur sepelientur with him they died and were buried Onely that his book is brought to light which is Intituled de Illustribus Angliae Scriptoribus a Subject formerly handled by many so that some stick not to say J. Leland is the industrious BEE working all J. Bale is the angry WASP stinging  J. Pits is the idle DRONE stealing  For my part I have made much use of his endeavours to help me with many Writers especially with such English Papists as have been since the Reformation Nor will I pay him with rayling from whose pen I have borrowed much information Some wonder at his invectiveness I wonder more that he inveigheth so little and seeing he was sisters son to blackmouth'd Sanders it is much that he doth not more Avunculize in his bitterness against Protestants After the death of Anthonia Dutches of Cleve he returned the third time into Lorrain where the Bishop of Toul who formerly had been his Scholar gave him the Deanary of Liverdune a place of good credit and revenue where quietly he reposed himself for the remainder of his life for many years and dying Anno 1616. was there buried Benefactors to the Publick Besides Bishop Wickham of whom before who alone may pass for Ten I meet with none of grand remark before the Reformation since it besides many of meaner note I find Two of signal Charity Sir WILLIAM DODDINGTON Knight High Sheriffe of this County in the Third of King James kept a bountiful House at Bremer therein Succeeding to an unexpected Estate he had the words of David frequent in his mouth What am I or what is my Fathers House that thou hast brought me hitherto Having a godly jealousie that some former Dysasters in his Family had been caused by Gods displeasure on his Ancestors for holding so many Impropriations he freely and fully restored them to the Church setling them as firmly as Law could devise to a greater yearly value than many will believe or any imitate Yet was he a man of Mourning or son of Affliction all the dayes of his life No sooner had he seen Herbert his eldest son a most hopeful Gentleman married to a considerable Co-heir in Somer set-shire but he beheld him snatcht away by an untimely death What Tragedies have since happened in his household is generally known All these he bare with Saint-like Patience hearing the Rod that is understanding and obeying it and him who appointed it In a word God the skilful Lapidary polished him with sharp Instruments that he then did glister as a Pearle here who now shineth as a Starre in Heaven He died about the year of our Lord 1638. JOSEPH DIGGONS Esquire was of Dutch extraction whose Father was a Sea-man of Trinity-House but had his longest Habitation in this County in a house of his own building at Whetham in the Parish of Lisse He was bred a Fellow-Commoner of Clare-hall in Cambridge and afterwards became a Barrester in the Temple By his Will he gave to Clare hall where none knew his Face nor remembred his Name save the Worthy Master Dr. Pask all his Estate in Land of very improveable Rents to the Value of One Hundred and Thirty Pounds per annum for the founding of Fellowships and Scholarships at the discretion of the Master and Fellows He made Mr. Pickering an Attourney of Clements-Inn living at Oldham in this County an Overseer of his Will who faithfully gave the Colledge notice thereof and was very usefull and assistant to them in the settling of the Lands aforesaid Mr. Diggons died anno 1658. Memorable Persons We must not forget ONE better known to me by his Invention than his Name who dwelling at Stockbridge in this County made so artificial a Plough that by the help of Engins and some Contrivances it might be drawn by Doggs and managed by one Man who would plough in one day well nigh an Acre of the Light Ground in this County This Plough I saw some thirty Years since at Stockbridge aforesaid But the â—…roject was not taking beheld rather as pretty than profitable though in the judgment of Wise Men this Groundwork might have been built upon and Invention much improved by the skilfull in Mathematicks For I have heard that some Polititians are back Friends how justly I know not to such Projects which if accomplish'd invite the Land to a Losse the fewer Poor being thereby set awork that being the best way of Tillage which imployeth most about it to keep them from stealing and starving So that it would not be beneficiall to State might a Plough be drawn by Butterflies as which would draw the greater Burden on the Common wealth to devise other wayes for the Maintenance of the Poor The mentioning of these plow 〈◊〉 Doggs mindeth me one Rarity attracteth another of other Doggs in this County more usefull for the Common-wealth meeting with this Passage in a * Modern Authour It is reported that about Portsmouth is a Race of small Doggs like Beagles that they use their to hunt Moles which they hunt as their proper natural Game If this be true
1266. and presented it to the young Earl conjuring him by the cogent arguments of example and rule to patrizate His other Patron was Sir Henry Sidney so often Lord Deputy of Ireland whereby he became incorporated into the familiarity of his Son Sir Philip Sidney between whom and Sir Edward there was so great freindlinesse that they were never better pleased then when in one anothers Companies or when they corresponded each with other And we find after the Death of that worthy Knight that he was a close-concerned Mourner at his Obsequies as appeareth at large in the printed Representation of his Funeral Solemnity His third Patron was Sir John Perot Deputy also of Ireland who so valued his Counsel that in state-affairs he would do nothing without him So great his employment betwixt state and state that he crossed the seas Thirty seven times until deservedly at last he came into a Port of Honour wherein â—…he sundry years anchored and found safe harbour For he received the Honour of Knighthood was sworn of her Majesties Privy Council for Ireland and Chancellour of the Exchequer therein Now his grateful soul coursing about how to answer the Queens Favour laid it self wholly out in Her service wherein two of his actions most remarkable First he was highly instrumental in modelling the Kingdome of Ireland into shires as now they are shewing himself so great a Lover of the Politie under which he was born that he advanced the Compliance therewith as commendable and necessary in the Dominions annexed thereunto His second service was when many in that Kingdome shrowded themselves from the Laws under the Target of power making force their Tutelary Saint he set himself vigorously to suppress them And when many of the Privy Council terrified with the greatness of the Earl of Desmond durst not subscribe the Instrument wherein he was proclaimed Traitor Sir Edward among some others boldly signed the same disavâ—…wing his and all treasons against his Prince and Country and the Council did the like commanding the publication thereof As to his private sphear God blessed him being but a third Brother above his other Brethren Now though he had three Wives the first a Viliers the second a Spilman the third the Widow of Herlakenden of VVood-church in Kent Esquire and though he had so strong a Brain and Body yet he lived and dyed Childlesse entercommoning therein with many Worthies who are according to Aelius Spartianus either improlifick or have Children in genitorum vituperium famarum laesuram God thus denying him the pleasure of posterity he craved leave of the Queen to retire himself and fixed the Residue of his life at VVood-church in Kent living there in great honour and repute as one who had no designe to be popular and not prudent rich and not honest great and not good He dyed in the fifty sixth year of his age the 13. of October 1591. and is buried at VVood church under a Table Marble-Monument erected to his memory by his sorrowful Lady surviving him Reader I doubt not but thou art sensible of the alteration and improvement of my Language in this Character owing both my Intelligence and expressions unto Edward VVaterhouse now of Syon Colledge Esquire who to revive the memory of his Namesake and great Uncle furnished me with these instructions HENRY CARY Viscount of Falkland in Scotland and Son to Sir Edw. Cary was born at Aldnam in this County He was a most accomplished Gentleman and compleat Courtier By King James he was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland and well discharged his Trust therein But an unruly Colt will fume and chafe though neither switcht nor spur'd merely because backt The rebellious Irish will complain only because kept in Subjection though with never so much lenity the occasion why some hard Speeches were passed on his Government Some beginning to counterfeit his hand he used to incorporate the year of his Age in a Knot flourished beneath his Name concealing the Day of his Birth to himself Thus by comparing the date of the Month with his own Birth-day unknown to such Forgers he not only discovered many false Writings which were past but also deterred dishonest Cheaters from attempting the like for the future Being recalled into England he lived honourably in this County until he by a sad casualty brake his Leg on a Stand in Theobalds Park aud soon after dyed thereof He married the sole Daughter and Heir of Sir Lawrence Tanfield Cheif Baron of the Exchequer by whom he had a fair estate in Oxfordshire His Death happened Anno Dom. 1620. being Father to the most accomplished Statesman Lucius Grandfather to the present Henry Lord Falkland whose pregnant parts now clarified from Juvenile Extravagancies perform much and promise more useful service to this Nation Souldiers Sir HENRY CARY Son to Sir William Cary and Mary Bollen his Wife was where-ever born made by Queen Elizabeth Lord Chamberlain Baron of Hunsdon in this County A Valiant man and Lover of Men of their hands very cholerick but not malicious Once one Mr. Colt chanced to meet him coming from Hunsdon to London in the Equipage of a Lord of those dayes The Lord on some former grudge gave him a Boxe on the Ear Colt presently returned the principle with Interest and thereupon his Servants drawing their Swords swarmed about him You Rogues said the Lord may not I and my Neighbour change a blow but you must interpose Thus the Quarrel was begun and ended in the same minute It was merrily said that his Latine and his Dissimulation were both alike and that his custome in swearing and obscenity in speech made him seem a worse Christian than he was and a better Knight of the Carpet then he could be He might have been with the Queen whatsoever he would himself but would be no more then what he was preferring enough above a Feast in that nature He hung at Court on no mans Sleve but stood on his own Botome till the time of his death having a competent estate of his own given him by the Queen Who bestowed on him in the first of her Reign Hunsdon house in this County with four thousand pounds a year according to the valuation in that age in fair Demesnes Parks and Lands lying about it Yet this was rather Restitution than Liberality in her Majesty Seeing He had spent as great an estate left him by his father in her Service or rather Releif during her persecution under Queen Mary â—… This Lord suppressed the first Northern Commotion the sole reason why we have ranked him under the Title of Soldier for which This Letter of Thanks was solemnly returned unto him By the QUEEN Right Trusty and Wellbeloved Cousin We greet you well And right glad we are that it hath pleased God to assist you in this your late Service against that cankred subtil Traytor Leonard Dacres whose force being far greater in Number than yours we perceive you have overthrown and how he
that is Give all kind kind signifying a Child in the low Dutch This practice as it appeares in Tacitus was derived to our Saxons from the ancient Germans Teutonibus priscis patrios succedit in agros Mascula stirps omnis ne foret ulla potens 'Mongst the old Teuch lest one o'retop his breed To his Sire's land doth every son succeed It appeareth that in the eighteenth year of King Henry the sixth there were not above fourty persons in Kent but all their land was held in this tenure But on the petition of divers Gentlemen this custome was altered by Act of Parliament in the 31. of King Henry the eighth and Kentish-lands for the most part reduced to an uniformitie with the rest in England DOVER-COURT All speakers and no hearers There is a Village in Essex not far from Harwich called Dover-Court formerly famous for a Rood burnt in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth But I take it here to be taken for some Tumultuous Court kept at Dover the Consluence of many Blustering Sea-men who are not easily ordered into awful attention The Proverb is applyed to such irregular conferences wherein the People are all Tongue and no Eares parallel to the Latine Proverb Cyclopum Respublica being thus charactered that therein 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Father to the Bough The Son to the Plough That is though the Father be executed for his Offence the Son shall neverthelesse succeed to his Inheritance In this County if a Tenant in Fee-simple of Lands in Gavel-kind commit Felony and suffer the judgement of Death therefore the Prince shall have all his Chattels for a forfeiture But as touching the Land he shall neither have the Escheat of it though it be immediately holden of himself nor the Day year and Wast if it be holden of any other for in that case the Heir notwithstanding the offence of his Ancestor shall enter immediately and enjoy the lands after the same Customes and services by which they were holden before In assurance whereof the former Proverb is become Currant in this County But this Rule holdeth in case of Felony and of Murther onely and not in case of Treason nor peradventure in Piracy and other Felonies made by Statutes of later times because the custome cannot take hold of that which then was not in being It holdeth moreover in case where the offender is justiced by Order of Law and not where he withdraws himself after the fault coÌ„mitted and will not abide his lawful trial TENTERDENS Steeple is the Cause of the Breacâ—… in Goodwyn Sands It is used Commonly in derision of such who being demanded to render a reason of some inportant Accident assign Non causam pro causa or a Ridiculous and improbable cause thereof and hereon a story depends When the Vicinage in Kent met to consult about the Inundation of Goodwyn sands and what might be the Cause thereof an Old man imputed it to the building of Tenterden Steeple in this County for those sands said he were firme Lands before that steeple was built which ever since were overflown with Sea-water Hereupon all heartily laughed at his unlogical Reason making that the effect in Nature which was only the consequent in time not flowing from but following after the building of that steeple But One story is good till another is heard Though this be all whereon this Proverb is generally grounded I met since with a * supplement thereunto It is this Time out of mind mony was constantly collected out of this County to fence the East bancks thereof against the eruption of the Seas And such Sums were deposited in the hands of the Bishop of Rochester But because the Sea had been very quiet for many years without any encroachings The Bishop commuted that money to the building of a Steeple and endowing of a Church in Tenterden By this diversion of the Collection for the maintenance of the Banks the Sea afterwards brake in upon Goodwyn Sands And now the old man had told a rational tale had he found but the due favour to finish it And thus sometimes that is causelesly accounted ignorance in the speaker which is nothing but impatience in the Auditors unwilling to attend the end of the discourse A Jack of Dover I find the first mention of this Proverb in our English Ennius Chaucer in his Proeme to the Cook And many a Jack of Dover he had sold Which had been two times hot and two times cold This is no Fallacy but good Policy in an houshould to lengthen out the Provision thereof and though lesse toothsome may be wholsome enough But what is no false Logick in a Family is false Ethicks in an Inn or Cooks-shop to make the abused Guest to pay after the rate of New and Fresh for meat at the second and third hand Parallel to this is the Latine Proverb crambe bis cocta crambe being a kind of Colewort which with vinegar being raw is good boiled better twice boiled noysome to the Palat and nauceous to the stomach Both Proverbs are appliable to such who grate the ears of their Auditors with ungratefull Tautologies of what is worthlesse in it selse tolerable as once uttered in the notion of Novelty but abominable if repeated for the tediousnesse thereof Princes JOHN of ELTHAM Second Son to King Edward the Second by Isabell his Queen was born at Eltham in this County He was afterwards created Earle of Cornwal A spritely Gentleman and who would have given greater evidence of abilities if not prevented by death in the prime of his age He dyed in Scotland in the tenth yeare of the reign of King Edward the Third Be it observed that hitherto the younger Sons to our English Kings were never advanced Higher than Earls Thus Richard Second son to King Iohn never had higher English Honour then the Earle of Cornwel though at the same time he were King of the Romans But this Iohn of Eltham was the last Son of an English King who dyed a plain Earl the Title of Duke coming aâ—…erwards into fashion Hence it was that all the younger Sons of Kings were from this time forwards Created Dukes except expiring in their infancy BRIDGET of ELTHAM fourth Daughter of K Edward the fourth and Elizabeth his Q. was born at Eltham in this County Observing her three eldest Sisters not over happy in their husbands she resolved to wed a Monastical life and no whit ambitious of the place of an Abbess became an ordinary votary in the Nunnery at Dartford in this County founded by K. Edward the 3. The time of her death is uncertain but this is certain that her dissolution hapned some competent time before the dissolution of that Nunnerie EDMUND youngest Son to King Henry the 7. and Elizabeth his Queen bearing the name of his Grand-father Edmund of Haddam was born at Greenwich in this County 1495. He was by his Father created Duke of Somerset and he dyed before he was full
she was a Kings Daughter none I hope will grudge his memory a room in this Book were it only because he was an Earles Brother He dyed Anno 1515. HEâ—…RY STANDISH was as I have just cause to conclude extracted from the Standishes of Standish in this County bred a Franoiscan and Dr. of Divinity in Cambridge and afterwards made Bishop of S. Asaph I neither believe him so Good as Pitz doth character him pietate doctrina clarum nor so bad as Bale doth decry him making him a doteing Fool. Sure I am there was Impar congressus betwixt him and Erasmus as unequal a Contest as betwixt a Childe and Man not to say Dwarf and 〈◊〉 This Standâ—… is said to have fallen down on his knees before King Henry the Eighth petitioning him to continue Religion established by his Ancesters and 〈◊〉 into Maâ—…ers of Divinity he cited the Colâ—…s for the Corinthians which being but a Memory-mistake in an Aged Person needed not to have exposed him so much as it did to the laughter of the Standers by After he had sate 16 years Bishop of St. 〈◊〉 he died very aged 1535. JOHN CHRISTOPHERSON was born in this County bred first in Pembrook Hall then Fellow of St. Johns and afterwards Master of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge an excellent Scholar and Linguist especially I have seen a Greek Tragedy made and written by his own hand so curiously that it seemed printed and presented to K. Henry the eight He no lesse eleganly if faithfullly translated Philo and 〈◊〉 into Latine Besides his own benefaction to the Masters Lodgings and 〈◊〉 he was highly instrumental in moving Queen Mary to her magnificent bounty to Trinity Colledge In the visitation of Cambridge he was very active in burning the bones of 〈◊〉 being then Elect Bishop of Chichester scarcely continuing a year in that Place All expected that at his first coming into his Diocesse he should demean himself very favourably For why should not the Poets Observation of Princes be true also of Prelates Mitissima sors est Regnorum sub Rege novo Subjects commonly do finde New made Soveraigns most kinde But he had not so much mercy as Nero to begin courteously having no sooner put on his Episcopal Ring but presently he washed his hands in the blood of poor Martyrs whereof in due * Place In the First of Qu. Elizabeth he was deprived and kept in some restraint wherein he dyed about the Year 1560. Since the Reformation JAMES PILKINTON D.D. was the third Son of James Pilkinton of Rivington in this County Esq. a Right ancient Family being informed by my good Friend Master William Ryley Norrey and this Countryman that the Pilkintons were Gentlemen of repute in this Shire before the conquest when the chief of them then sought for was fain to disguise himself a Thresher in a barn Hereupon partly alluding to the 〈◊〉 of the flail falling sometime on the one sometime on the other side partly to himself embracing the safest condition for the present he gave for the Motto of his Armes Now thus Now thus This James bred fellow of St. Johns in Cambridge was in the First of Qu. Mary forced to fly into Germany where he wrote a Comment on Ecclesiastes and both the Epistles of St. Peter after his return in the First of Qu. Elizabeth he was chosen Master of St. Johns and March the 2d 1560. was consecrated Bishop of Durham Nine Years after the Northern Rebels came to Durham and first tore the Bible then the English Liturgy in pieces Unhappy though most innocent Book equally odious to opposite parties such who account the Papists Heretiques esteeming it popish whilest the Papists themselves account it heretical The Bishop had fared no better than the book could he have been come by But when the Rebellion was suppress'd the Bishop commenced a Suit against Qu. Elizabeth for the Lands and Goods of the Rebels attainted in the Bishoprick as forfeited to him by his Charter and had prevailed if the Parliament had not itnerposed and on special consideration pro hoc tempore adjudged them to the Queen He dyed Anno Dom. 1576. EDWIN SANDYS was born at Conisby in this County whose good actings great sufferings pious life and peaceable death 1588. are plentifully related in our Church History RICHARD BARNES was borne at Bolde near Warrington in this County bred in Brasen-Nose Colledg in Oxford and afterwards advanced Suffragan Bishop of Nottingham thence he was preferred to Carlile 1570. and seven years after to Durham He was himself One of a good nature as by the sequele will appear but abused by his Credulity and affection to his Brother John Barnes Chancellour of his Diocesse A Man of whom it is hard to say whether he was more Lustfull or more Covetous who where as he should have been the man who ought to have reformed many Enormities in the Diocess was indeed the Authour of them permitting base and dishonest Persons to escape scot-free for a piece of mony so that the Bishop had a very ill report every where By the suggestion of this ill instrument the Patriarchall man Mr. Gilpin fell into this Bishops Displeasure and by him was suspended from his Benefice But the good Bishop afterwards restored him and visiting him at his house took him aside into the Parlour and thus accosted him Father Gilpin I acknowledge you are fitter to be Bishop of Durham then my self to be Parson of this Church of yours I ask forgiveness for Errors passed forgive me Father I know you have hatched up some Chickens that now seek to pick out your Eyes but so long as I shall live Bishop of Durham be secure no man shall injure you This Bishop sate about Eleven years in his See and dyed a very aged man a little before the Spanish Invasion Anno Dom. 1588. JOHN WOOLTON was born at Wiggin in this County of honest Parents and worshipful by his mothers side He was bred a short time in Oxford and in the reign of Queen Mary attended his Unkle Alexander Nowell in his flight beyond the Seas Returning into England he was made first Cannon Residentiary and after Anno 1579. Bishop of Exeter being an earnest assertor of Conformity against opposers thereof He met whilst living with many hard speeches but after his death when mens memories are beheld generally in their true colours he was restored to his deserved esteem even by those who formerly had been his adversaries He indited Letters full of Wisdome and Piety becoming the strength of one in health not two hours before his death which happened March the 13. Anno 1593. It is a part though not of his Praise of his happiness that his Daughter was married to Francis Godwin Bishop of Hereford whose Learned pen hath deserved so well of the Church of England MATTHEVV HUTTON I have given a large account of him formerly in my Ecclesiastical History However having
us should 〈◊〉 the others Funerall-Sermon But see a strange change God to whom belongs the 〈◊〉 from death was pleased with the Patriarch Jacob blessing his 〈◊〉 wittingly to guide his hands 〈◊〉 reaching out death to the living and life to the dying So that Dr. Felton recovered and not only performed that last office to his Friend Dr. Fenton but also survived him more than ten years and dyed Bishop of 〈◊〉 Roger Fenton dyed in the fiftieth Year of his age anno Dom. 1615. buryed in his own Church under a Monument made at the expence of the Parish ROBERT BOITON was born at Blackborne in this County on Whit sunday 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Year as infamous for the Massacre of many Protestants in France so for the 〈◊〉 of some eminent in England His Parents having a narrow Estate struggled with their necessities to give him liberal Education and he was bred first in 〈◊〉 then in Brazen-nose Colledge in Oxford He had Isocrates his six Marks or Properties of a good Scholar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His want of means proved an advancement unto him For 〈◊〉 having whence to buy Books he borrowed the best Authours of his Tutor read over abridged into Note-books and returned them He was as able to express himself in Latine or Greek as English and that Stylo Imperatorio He was chosen one of the Disputants before King James at his first coming to the University and performed it with great applause Thus far I have followed my Authour mentioned in the Margine but now must depart from him a little in one particular Though Mr. Boltons parents were not overflowing with wealth they had a competent Estate as I am informed by credible intelligence wherin their Family had comfortably continued long time in good repute Sr. Angustine Nicholls presented him to the Rectory of Broughton in Northamptonshire sending him his Presentation unexspectedly from his Chamber in Sergeants â—…nn where D. King Bishop of London being accidentally present thanked the Judge for his good choice but told him withall that he had deprived the University of a singular Ornament Besides his constant Preaching he hath left behinde him many usefull Books the Witnesses of his Piety and Learning and dyed in the 59th Year of his age December 17. 1631. JOHN WEEVER was born at in this County bred in Queens Colledge in Cambridge under Dr. John Person his worthy Tutor He was very industrious in the Studie of Antiquity and composed a usefull Book of Funeral Monuments in the Diocesse of Canterbury Rochester London and Norwich He dyed in London in the fifty sixth Year of his age and was Buried in St. James Clerken-well where he appointed this Epitaph for himself Lancashire gave me Breath And Cambridge Education Middlesex gave we Death And this Church my Humation And Christ to me hath given A place with him in Heaven The certain date of his Death I cannot attain but by Proportion I collect it to be about the Year of our Lord 1634. RALPH CUDVVORTH D. D. the second Son of Ralph Cudworth of Wernith-hall near Manchester Esquire Chief Lord of Ouldham was bred Fellow of Emanuel-colledge in Cambridge A most excellent preacher who continued and finished some imperfect works of Mr. Perkins and after his Decease supplyed his place in St. Andrews in Cambridge He was at last presented by the Colledge to the parish of Auler in Somersetshire Anno 163. LAWRENCE CHADERTON was born at Chaderton in this County of ancient and wealthy Parentage but much nuzled up in Popish Superstition He was intended for a Lawyer and in order thereunto brought up some time in the Inns of Court till he changed his profession and admitted himself in Christs Colledge in Cambridge His Father hearing that he had altered his place studies and Religion sent him a Poke with a groat therein for him to go a begging therewith disinheriting him of â—…hat fair estate which otherwise had descended upon him But God who taketh men up when their Fathers and Mothers forsake them provided him a comfortable subsistance when chosen Fellow of the Colledge He was for many years Lecturer at St. Clements in 〈◊〉 with great profit to his Auditors afterwards made by the Founder first Master of Emanuel He was chosen by the Non-Conformists to be one of their four Representatives in Hampton-court conference and was afterwards employed one of the Translators of the Bible He had a plain but effectual way of Preaching It happened that he visiting 〈◊〉 friends preached in this his Native Countrey where the Word of God as in the dayes of Samuell was very pretious And concluded his Sermon which was of two hours continuance at least with words to this effect That he would no longer trespasse upon their Patience Whereupon all the Auditory cryed out wonder not if hungry people craved more meat for God 〈◊〉 Sir Go on go on Hereaâ—… Mr. Chaderton was surprised into a longer Discourse beyond his expectation in Satisfaction of their importunity and though on a sudden performed it to their contentment and his commendation Thus constant Preachers like good house keepers can never be taken so unprovided but that though they make not a plentiful Feast they can give wholsome food at a short warning He commenced Dr. in Divinity when Frederick Prince Palatine who married the Lady Elizabeth came to Cambridge What is said of Mount Caucasus that it was never seen without Snowe on the Top was true of this Reverend Father whom none of our Fathers generation knew in the Universitie before he was gray headed yet he never used Spectacles till the day of his death being Ninety four years of age He was not disheartned with that common saying he that resigneth his place before his death buryeth himself alive but put off his Clothes long before he went to bed divested himself of the Master-ship of Emanuel Colledge that so he might see a worthy successor in his life time The blessing which befell Job was in some sort appliable unto him he saw his Successors to the fourth generation I mean Doctor Presson and after his Death Doctor Sancroft and after his death Doctor Holesworth who preached his Funeral Sermon Anno 1640. about the Ninety fourth year of his age GEORGE WALKER was born at Hauxhead in Fournifells of Religious Parents Being visited when a child with the Small-poxe and the standers by expecting his dissolution he started up out of a Trance with this ejaculation Lord take me not away till I have shewed forth thy praises which made his Parents devote him to the Ministery after his recovery He was bred B. D. in St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge where he attained to be well skilled in the Oriental Tongues an excellent Logician and Divine Mr. Foster formerly his Tutor resigned unto him his living of St. John the Evangelist London wherein Mr. Walker continued the painful Preacher well nigh fourty years refusing higher preferment often profered him Dr. Felton the
plentiful in Corn and Pasture but wanting Wood forceing the Inhabitants to make use of Straw Coweâ—… c. For the most part Hard and Barren yielding Fruit not without labour and expence but well stored with Wood Pit-cole Good Soyle apt to bear Corn and Grass and sufficiently provided with Fuell Much like the last for fruitfulnesse of the two better furnished with Fuel However these four Quarters being put together into the Body of one Shire competently supply their mutual defects Natural Commodities Beans Plenty of these in this County especially about Barton in the Beans in the Hundred of Sparkhen-Hoe where they appear like a Forrest toward the time of Harvest Wherefore the Scouts of Charles Duke of Burgundie who mistook a Field full of high thistles near unto Paris for the Army of the King of France with their lances held upright might here commit the like mistake with more probability Though Beans be generally beheld but as horse and hog-graine yet were they mans * meat even in the plentiful Country of Canaan called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pholl in the Hebrew whence some deduce the word Pulse though none dare affirm that Daniel his Pulse was made thereof But more of this Grain hereafter Cole These are digg'd up plentifully at Cole-Orton in the Hundred of West Goscot I say Cole-Orton for there is another Village called Cold-Orton in this Shire An addition which no lesse truly than sadly would be prefixed to most Towns in this County if not warmed in VVinter with this under-ground-fewell that above-ground is so much decayed I confess 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Treasure of Coles passeth both in the Greek and Latine Proverb for a frustrated Expectation and his hopes fall very low who looking for Gold either in Specie or in Oarâ—… lighteth only on a heap of Coles which anciently used to be buryed in the Earth for boundaries or limits of lands However such Mines of Coles as these without any help of Alcumy are quickly turned into Gold and Silver sold at good rates to the Countryes round about Manufactures in this County are not to be expected for where the Husbandmans Acre-Staffe and the Shepheards-hook are as in this County in Staie there they engross all to themselves and command Manufactures to observe their distance from them The Buildings This County afordeth no Cathedralls and as for the Parish-Churches therein they may take the Eye not ravish the admiration of the beholder Bottsford is one of the primest very fair and large with a high Spire Steeple At the Suppression of Abbeys many ancient Monument of the Albanies and Rosses were removed hither out of the Priory of Beaver by the command of Thomas Earl of Rutland and pity it was that his commendable care was not imitated in other places As for ciâ—…il Structures there is a seeming parity betwixt many fair Houses in this Shire only something Monarchical above the ordinary Aristocracy of Fabricks apppears in the heigth strength and workmanship of the Stone Tower built by William Lord Hastings at Ashby de la-Zouch Also the fair large and beautiful pallace built at Broadgate by Thomas Grey Marquess of Dorset challengeth the preheminence above the rest The Wonders There is a Village in this County named Charleton sirnamed Curley and all that are born therein have an harsh and wratling kind of Speech uttering their words with much difficulty and wharling in the Throat and cannot well pronounce the Letter R. Surely this proceedeth not from any natural imperfection in the Parents whence probably the Tribual Lisping of the Ephramites did arise because their children born in other places are not haunted with that Infirmity Rather it is to be imputed to some occult quality in the Elements of that Place Thus a learned Author informeth us that some Families at Labloin in Guyen in France do naturally stut and stammer which he taketh to proceed from the nature of the Waters As for the inability distinctly to pronounce R. it is a catching disease in other Counties I knew an Essex man as great a Scholar as any in our age who could not for his life utter Carolus Rex Britanniae without stammering The best was the King had from him in his hearty prayers what he wanted in his plain pronunciation My Father hath told me that in his time a Fellow of Trinity Colledge probably a Native of Charleton in this County sensible of his own imperfection herein made a Speech of competent length with select words both to his Mouth and for his Matter without any R. therein to shew that Men may speak without being beholding to the Dogs Letter Proverbs Bean-belly Leicester-shire So called from the great plenty of that grain growing therein Yea those in the neighbouring Counties use to say merrily Shake a Leicester-shire Yeoman by the Collar and you shall hear the Beans rattle in his belly But those Yeomen smile at what is said to rattle in their bellies whilst they know good silver ringeth in their Pockets Indeed I read a Latine Proverb A Fabis abstineto Forbear beans whereof some make a civil interpretation meddle not with matters of State because anciently men cast in a Bean when they gave their Suffrages in publick elections others expound it physically because Beans are windy and discompose the tranquillity of mens minds by their slatuous evaporation the reason assigned for the general report that Pythagoras prohibited the eating of them to his Scholars Yet an excellent Authour informs me that Pythagoras had his repast on Beans more than on any kind of pulse However nothing will put Leicester-shire men out of conceit of their beloved Beans the rather because their plenty argueth the goodnesse of their ground For whereas lean land will serve for puling pease and faint fetches it must be a strong and fruitful soyle indeed where the masculine Beans are produced If Bever have a capp You Churles of the Vale look to that That is when the Clouds as he expoundeth it hang over the Towers of the Castle it is a prognostick of much rain and moisture to the much indamaging of that fruitful Vale lying in the three Counties of Leicester Lincoln and Nottingham But alas though the cap may be there still the head or the crown thereof I am sure is not there I mean Beaver Castle it self being lately demolished in our Civil Wars though I hear some part thereof is in rebuilding I wish the Workmen good success though I suspect the second Edition to use a Scholars Metaphor of this Castle will not be â—…o full and fair as the former Princes IANE GREY eldest Daughter of HENRY GREY Duke of Suffolk by Francis 〈◊〉 Eldest Daughter to Mary second Sister to King Henry the eighth was born at Broadgates near unto Leicester No Lady which led so many pious lived so few pleasant Dayes whose soul was never out of the Non-age of Afflictions till Death made her of full years
to interpret them The Farewell Being now to take my leave of this County it is needless to wish it a Friday Market the Leap-day therein and it is strange there should be none in so spacious a Shire presuming that defect supplied in the Vicinage Rather I wish that the Leprosy may never return into this County but if it should return we carry the seeds of all sins in our Souls sicknesses in our Bodies I desire that the Lands may also without prejudice to any returne to the Hospital of Burton Lazars in this Shire if not intire yet in such a proportion as may comfortably maintain the Lepers therein LINCOLNE-SHIRE This County in Fashion is like a bended Bowe the Sea making the Back the Rivers Welland and Humber the two horns thereof whiles Trent hangeth down from the latter like a broken string as being somewhat of the Shortest Such persecute the Metaphor too much who compare the River Witham whose Current is crooked unto the Arrow crossing the middle thereof It extendeth 60. Miles from South to North not above 40. in the middle and broadest part thereof Being too Volluminous to be managed entire is divided into three parts each of them corrival in quantity with some smaller Shires Holland on the South-East Kesteven on the South-West and Lindley on the North to them both Holland that is Hoyland or Hayland from the plenty of Hay growing therein may seem the Reflection of the opposite Holland in the Neatherlands with which it Sympathyzed in the Fruitfulness lowe and wet Scituation Here the Brakishnesse of the Water and the Grossenesse of the Ayre is recompenced by the Goodnesse of the Earth abounding with Deries and Pasture And as God hath to use the * Apostles phrase tempered the body together not making it all Eye or all Ear Nonsense that the Whole should be but One sense but assigning each Member the proper office thereof so the same Providence hath so wisely blended the Benefits of this County that take Collective Lincolne-shire and it is Defective in Nothing Natural Commodities Pikes They are found plentifully in this Shire being the Fresh-Water-Wolves and therefore an old pond-pike is a dish of more State than Profit to the Owners seeing a Pikes belly is a little Fishpond where lesser of all sorts have been contained Sir Francis Bacon alloweth it Though Tyrants generally be short-lived the Surviver of all Fresh-water-Fish attaining to forty years and some beyond the Seas have trebled that term The Flesh thereof must needs be fine and wholsome if it be true what is affirmed that in some sort it cheweth the Cud and yet the less and middle size Pikes are preferred for Sweetnesse before those that are greater It breedeth but once whilest other Fishes do often in a year such the providence of Nature preventing their more multiplying least the Waters should not afford Subjects enough for their Tyranny For want of other Fish they will feed one on another yâ—…a what is four footed shall be Fish with them if it once come to their jawes biteing sometimes for cruelty and revenge as well as for hunger and because we have publickly professed that to delight as well as to inform is our aim in this Book let the ensuing story though unwarranted with a cited Authour find the Readers acceptance A Cub-Foxe drinking out of the River Arnus in Italy had his head seised on by a mighty Pike so that neither could free themselves but were ingrapled together In this contest a young man runs into the water takes them out both alive and carrieth them to the Duke of Florence whose palace was hard by The Porter would not admit him without promising of sharing his full half in what the Duke should give him To which he hopelesse otherwise of entrance condescended The Duke highly affected with the Rarity was in giving him a good reward which the other refused desiring his Highnesse would appoint one of his Guard to give him an hundred Lashes that so his Porter might have fifty according to his composition And here my Intelligence leaveth me how much farther the jest was followed But to return to our English Pikes wherein this County is eminent especially in that River which runneth by Lincolne whence grew this Proverb Witham Pike England hath nene like And hence it is that Mr. Drayton maketh this River Poetizing in her praises always concluding them Thus to her Proper Song The Burden still she bare Yet for my dainty Pikes I am without compare I have done with these Pikes when I have observed if I mistake not a great mistake in Mr. Stow affirming that Pickrels were brought over as no Natives of our Land into England at the same time with Carps and both about the beginning of the Reign of King Henry the Eighth Now if Pickrels be the deminatives of Pikes as Jacks of Pickrels which none I conceive will deny they were here many hundred years since and probably of the same Seniority with the Rivers of England For I find in the Bill of Fare made at the Prodigious Feast at the Installing of George Nevil Arch-bishop of York Anno 466 that there was spent three hundred Lupi Fluviatiles that is River Pikes at that Entertainment Now seeing all are children before they are men and Pikes Pickrels at the first Pickrels were more anciently in England then that Author affirmeth them Wild-foule Lincoln-shire may be termed the Aviary of England for the Wild-foule therein Remarkable for their 1. Plenty So that sometimes in the Month of August three thousand Mallards with Birds of that kind have been caught at one Draught so large and strong their Nets and the like must be the Readers belief 2. Variety No man no not Gesmar himself being able to give them their proper names except one had gotten Adam his Nomenclator of Creatures 3. Deliciousnesse Wild-foule being more dainty and digestable then Tame of the same kind as spending their Grossie humours with their Activity and constant Motion in Flying Now as the Eagle is called Jovis Ales so here they have a Bird which is called the Kings Bird namely Knuts sent for hither out of Denmark at the charge and for the use of Knut or Kanutus King of England If the plenty of Birds have since been drained with the Fenns in this County what Lincoln-shire lacks in her former Foul is supplyed in Flesh more Mutton and Beef and a large First makes amends for a lesse second Coursâ—… But amongst all Birds we must not forget Dotterells This is Avis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Mirthmaking Bird so ridiculoussy Mimical that he is easily caught or rather catcheth himself by his over-Active imitation There is a sort of Apes in India caught by the Natives thereof after this manner They dress a little Boy in his Sight undresse him again leave all the Childs apparel behind them in the place and then depart a competent distance The Ape presently attiâ—…eth
King Iames Bishop of Salisbury He dyed in his calling having begun to put in print an excellent book against Atheists most useful for our age wherein their sin so aboundeth His Death happened March 11. 1619. not two full years after his Consecration Statesmen EDVVARD FINES Lord Clinton Knight of the Garter was Lord Admiral of England for more then thirty years a Wise Valiant and Fortunate Gentleman The Masterpeice of his service was in Mustleborough Field in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth and the Battail against the Scots Some will wonder what a Fish should do on dry Land what use of an Admiral in a Land fight But know the English kept themselves close to the shore under the shelter of their ships and whilst their Arrows could do little their spears lesse their swords nothing against the Scots who appeared like a hedge of Steel so well armed and closed together the great Ordnance from their ships at first did all making such destruction in the Scottish army that though some may call it a Land-fight it was first a Victory from the sea and then but an Execution on the Land By Queen Elizabeth who honoured her honours by bestowing them sparingly he was created Earl of Lincoln May 4. 1574. and indeed he had breadth to his height a proportionable estate chiefly in this County to support his Dignity being one of those who besides his paternal Inheritance had much increased his estate He dyed January the sixteenth 1585. and lyeth buryed at Windsor in a private chappel under a stately Monument which Elizabeth his third Wife Daughter to the Earl of Kildare erected in his Remembrance THOMAS WILSON Doctor of Laws was born in this County bred Fellow of Kings-Colledge in Cambridge and afterwards was Tutor in the same University to Henry and Charles Brandons successively Dukes of Suffolk Hard shift he made to conceal himself in the Reign of Queen Mary Under Queen Elizabeth he was made Master of the Hospital of St. Katharines nigh the Tower of London upon the same Token that he took down the Quire which my Author saith allow him a little Hyperbole was as great as the Quire at St. Pauls I am loth to believe it done out of Covetousnesse to gain by the materials thereof but would rather conceive it so run to Ruin that it was past repairing He at last became Secretary of State to Q. Elizabeth for four years together It argues his ability for the place because he was put into it Seeing in those active times under so judicious a Queen weaknesse might despair to be employed in such an office He dyed anno dom 15. THOMAS Lord BURGE or BOROUâ—…H Son to William Lord Burge Grandson to Thomas Lord Burge created Baron by King Henry the Eight was born in his Fathers Fair house at Gainsborough in this County His first publick appearing was when he was sent Embassador into Scotland anno 1593. to excuse Bothwell his lurking in England to advise the speedy suppressing of the Spanish Faction and to advance an effectual association of the Protestants in that Kingdome for their Kings defence which was done accordingly Now when Sir William Russel Lord Deputy of Ireland was recalled this Lord Tho. Burgh was substituted in his room anno 1597. Mr. Camden doth thus character him Vir acer animi plenus â—…ed nullis fere castrorum rudimentis But where there is the stock of Valour with an able brain Experience will soon be graffed upon it It was first thought fit to make a Months Truce with Tyrone which cessation like a Damm made their mutual animosities for the present swell higher and when removed for the future run the fiercer The Lord Deputy the Truce expired streightly besieged the Fort of Blackwater the only Receptacle of the Rebells in those parts I mean besides their Woods and Bogs the Key of the County of Tyrone This Fort he took by Force and presently followed a bloody Battle wherein the English paid dear for their Victory loosing many worthy men and amongst them two that were Foster brothers Fratres Collactanei to the Earl of Kildare who so layed this losse to his heart amongst the Irish Foster brethren are loved above the Sons of their fathers that he dyed soon after Tyrons credit now lay a bleeding when to stanch it he rebesieged Blackwater and the Lord Deputy whilst indevouring to relieve it was struck with untimely death before he had continued a whole year in his place All I will add is this that it brake the heart of Valiant Sir John Norris who had promised the Deputies place unto himself as due to his deserts when this Lord Burgh was superinduced into that Office His Relict Lady famous for her Charity and skill in Chirurgery lived long in Westminster and dyed very aged some twenty years since WILLIAM CECIL Know Reader before I go farther something must be premised concerning his position in this Topick Virgil was prophane in his flattery to Augustus Caesar profering him his free choice after his death to be â—…anked amongst what heathen Gods he pleased so that he might take his place either amongst those of the Land which had the oversight of Men and Cities or the Sea-Gods commanding in the Ocean or the Skye-Gods and become a new Constellation therein But without the least adulation we are bound to profer this worthy Peer his own election whether he will be pleased to repose himself under Benefactors to the Publick all England in that age being beholden to his bounty as well as the poor in Standford for whom he erected a fair Bead-house acknowledging under God and the Queen their prosperity the fruit of his prudence Or else he may rest himself under the title of Lawyers being long bred in the Inns of Court and more learned in our Municipal-Law then many who made it their sole profession However for the present we lodge this English Nestor for wisdome and vivacitie under the notion of States-men being Secretarie and Lord-Treasurer for above thirty years together Having formerly written his life at large it will be enough here to observe that he was born at Bourn in this County being son to Richard Cecil Esq of the Robes to King Henry the eighth and a Legatee in his Will and Jane his Wife of whom hereafter He was in his age Moderator Aulae steering the Court at his pleasure and whilst the Earl of Leichester would indure no equall and Sussex no superiour therein he by siding with neither served himself with both Incredible was the kindness which Queen Elizabeth had for him or rather for her self in him being sensible that he was so able a Minister of State Coming once to visit him being sick of the Goute at Burley house in the Strand and being much heightned with her Head Attire then in fashion the Lords Servant who conducted her thorow the door May your Highness said he be pleased to stoop the Queen
Navar called Mortileto de Vilenos who had accused him of Treason to the King and Realm In which combat the Navarois was overcome and afterwards hang'd for his false accusation HENRY the Fourth 2. JOHN ROCHFORD Miles The same no doubt with him who was Sheriff in the 15. of K. Richard the Second I confesse there was a Knightly Family of this Name at Rochford in Essex who gave for their Arms Argent a Lyon Rampant Sable langued armed and crowned Gules quartered at this day by the Lord Rochford Earl of Dover by the Butlers and Bollons descended from them But I behold this Lincolnshire Knight of another Family and different Arms quartered by the Earl of Moulgrave whence I collect his heir matched into that Family Consent of time and other circumstances argue him the same with Sir John Rochford whom Bale maketh to flourish under King Henry the Fourth commending him for his noble birth great learning large travail through France and Italy and worthy pains in translating Iosephus his Antiquities Polychronicon and other good Authors into English RICHARD the Third 2. ROâ—…ERT DIMOCK Miles This Sir Robert Dimock at the Coronation of King Henry the Seventh came on horse back into VVestminster Hall where the King dined and casting his Gauntlet on the Ground challenged any who durst Question the Kings right to the Crown King Henry being pleased to dissemble himself a stranger to that Ceremony demanded of a stander by what that Knight said to whom the party returned He challengeth any man to fight with him who dares deny your Highnesse to be the lawful K. of England If he will not fight with such a one said the King I will And so sate down to dinner HENRY the Seventh 9. JOHN HUSEE This was undoubtedly the same person whom King Henry the Eigth afterwards created the first and last Baron Husee of Sleford who ingaging himself against the King with the rebellious Commons anno 1537 was justly beheaded and saw that honour begun and ended in his own person HENRY the Eighth 16. THOMAS BURGE Miles He was honourably descended from the Heir General of the Lord Cobham of Sterbury in Surry and was few years after created Baron Burge or Burough by King Henry the Eigth His Grandchild Thomas Lord Burge Deputy of Ireland and Knight of the Garter of whom before left no Issue Male nor plentiful Estate only four Daughters Elizabeth married to Sir George Brook Frances to the ancient Family of Copinger in Suffolk Anna Wife to Sir Drue Drury and Katharine married to ..... Knivet of Norfolk Mother to Sir John Knivet Knight of the Bath at the last Installment so that the honour which could not conveniently be divided was here determined King CHARLES 9. JERVASIUS SCROOP Miles He ingaged with his Majesty in Edge-hill-fight where he received twenty six wounds and was left on the ground amongst the dead Next day his Son Adrian obtained leave from the King to find and fetch off his Fathers Corps and his hopes pretended no higher then to a decent Interment thereof Hearty seeking makes happy finding Indeed some more commendedthe affection than the judgement of the Young Gentleman conceiving such a search in vain amongst many naked bodies with wounds disguised from themselves and where pale Death had confounded all complexions together However he having some general hint of the place where his Father fell did light upon his body which had some heat left therein This heat was with rubbing within few Minutes improved into motion that motion within some hours into sense that sense within a day into speech that speech within certain Weeks into a perfect recovery living more then ten years after a Monument of Gods mercy and his Sons affection He always after carried his Arme in a Scarfe and loss of blood made him look very pale as a Messenger come from the Grave to advise the Living to prepare for Death The effect of his Story I received from his own mouth in Lincolne-colledge The Farewel It is vain to wish the same Successe to every Husband man in this Shire as he had who some seven score years since at Harlaxton in this County found an Helmet of Gold as he was Plowing in the Field Besides in Treasure Trove the least share falleth to him who first finds it But this I not only heartily wish but certainly promise to all such who industriously attend Tillage in this County or else where that thereby they shall find though not gold in specie yet what is gold worth and may quickly be commuted into it great plenty of good grain the same which Solomon foretold He that tilleth his Land shall have Plenty of Bread IT is in effect but the Suburbs at large of London replenished with the retyring houses of the Gentry and Citizens thereof besides many Pallaces of Noble-men and three lately Royal Mansions Wherefore much measure cannot be expected of so fine ware The cause why this County is so small scarce extending East and West to 18 miles in length and not exceeding North and South 12 in the bredth thereof It hath Hertford-shire on the North Buckingham-shire on the West Essex parted with Ley on the East Kent and Surrey severed by the Thames on the South The ayr generally is most healtful especially about High-Gate where the expert Inhabitants report that divers that have been long visited with sickness not curable by Physick have in short time recovered by that sweet salutary ayr Natural Commodities Wheate The best in England groweth in the Vale lying South of Harrow-the-Hill nigh Hessen where providence for the present hath fixed my habitation so that the Kings bread was formerly made of the fine flower thereof Hence it was that Queen Elizabeth received no Composition money from the Villages thereabouts but took her Wheat in kinde for her own Pastry and Bake-house There is an obscure Village hereabouts called Perivale which my Author will have more truly termed Purevale an Honour I assure you unknown to the Inhabitants thereof because of the cleerness of the Corn growing therein though the Purity thereof is much subject to be humbled with the Mildew whereof hereafter Tamarisk It hath not more affinity in sound with Tamarind then sympathy in extraction both originally Arabick general similitude in leaves and operation onely Tamarind in England is an annual dying at the approach of Winter whil'st Tamarisk lasteth many years It was first brought over by Bishop Grindal out of Switzerland where he was exile under Queen Mary and planted in his Garden at Fulham in this County where the soile being moist and Fenny well complied with the nature of this Plant which since is removed and thriveth well in many other places Yet it groweth not up to be Timber as in Arabia though often to that substance that Cups of great size are made thereof Dioscorides saith it is good for the Tooth-ach as what is not and yet indeed
no wonder if the streams issuing thence were shallow when the fountain to feed them was so low the revenues of the Crown being much abated There is no redemption from Hell There is a place partly under partly by the Exchequer Court commonly called Hell I could wish it had another name seeing it is ill jesting with edge tools especially with such as are sharpened by Scripture I am informed that formerly this place was appointed a prison for the Kings debtors who never were freed thence untill they had paid their uttermost due demanded of them If so it was no Hell but might be termed Purgatory according to the Popish erronious perswasion But since this Proverb is applyed to moneys paid into the Exchequer which thence are irrecoverable upon what plea or pretence whatsoever As long as Megg of Westminster This is applyed to persons very tall especially if they have Hop-pole-heighth wanting breadth proportionable thereunto That such a gyant woman ever was in Westminster cannot be proved by any good witness I pass not for a late lying Pamphlet though some in proof thereof produce her Grave-stone on the South-side of the Cloistures which I confess is as long an large and entire Marble as ever I beheld But be it known that no woman in that age was interred in the Cloistures appropriated to the Sepultures of the Abbot and his Monkes Besides I have read in the Records of that Abby of an infectious year wherein many Monkes dyed of the Plague and were all buried in one Grave probably in this place under this Marble Monument If there be any truth in the Proverb it rather relateth to a great Gun lying in the Tower commonly call'd long Megg and in troublesome times perchance upon ill May day in the raign of King Henry the eighth brought to Westminster where for a good time it continued But this Nut perchance deâ—…erves not the Cracking Princes EDWARD the first was born in Westminster being a Prince placed by the posture of his nativity betwixt a weak Father and a wilful Son Yet he needed no such advantage for foils to set forth his 〈◊〉 worth He was surnamed Longshanks his step being another mans stride and was very high in stature And though oftimes such who are built four stories high are observed to have little in their cock-loft yet was he a most judicious man in all his undertakings equally wise to plot as valiant to perform and which under Divine Providence was the result of both happy in success at Sea at Land at Home Abroad in VVar in Peace He was so fortunate with his Sword at the beginning of his raign that he awed all his enemies with his Scabbard before the end thereof In a word he was a Prince of so much merit that nothing under a Chronicle can make his compleat Character EDWARD sole â—…on to King Henry the sixth and Margaret his Queen was born at Westminster on the 13 day of Octo. 1453. Now when his Father's party was totally and finally routed in the battail at Teuks-bury this Prince being taken prisoner presented to King Edward the fourth and demanded by him on what design he came over into England returned this answer That he came to recover the Crown which his Ancestos for three desents had no less rightfully then peaceably possessed An answer for the truth befitting the Son of so holy a Father as King Henry the sixth and for the boldness thereof becoming the Son of so haughty a Mother as Queen Margaret But presently King Edward dashed him on the mouth with his 〈◊〉 and his Brother Richard Crook-back stab'd him to the heart with his dagger A barbarous murder without countenance of justice in a legal or valour in a military way And his blood then shed was punished not long after Here I am not ashamed to make this observation That England had successively three Edwards all Princes of Wales sole or eldest sons to actual Kings Two dying violent all untimely deaths in their minority before they were possessed of the Crown viz. 1 Edward Son to Henry 6. stab'd In the Seventeenth years of his age 2 Edward Edward 4. stifled Tenth 3 Edward Richard 3. pined away Eleventh The murder of the second may justly be conceived the punishment of the murder of the first and the untimely death of the last of whom more in Yorkshire a judgement for the murder of the two former EDWARD eldest son of Edward the fourth and Elizabeth his Queen was born in the Sanctuary of Westminster November 4. 1471. His tender years are too soft for a solid character to be fixed on him No hurt we find done by him but too much on him being murthered in the Tower by the procurement of his Unckle Protector Thus was he born in a spiritual and kill'd in a temporal Prison He is commonly called King Edward the fifth though his head was ask'd but never married to the English Crown and therefore in all the Pictures made of him a distance interposed forbiddeth the banes betwixt them ELIZABETH eldest daughter of King Edward the fourth and Elizabeth his Queen was born in Westminster on the eleventh of February 1466. She was afterwards married to King Henry the seventh and so the two Houses of York and Lancaster united first hopefully in their Bed and aâ—…terwards more happily in their Issue Bâ—…sides her dutifulness to her husband and fruitfulness in her children little can be extracted of her personal character She dyed though not in Child bearing in Child-bed being safely delivered on Candlemas day Anno 1503 of the Lady Katharine and afterwards falling sick languished until the eleventh of February and then died in the thirty seventh year of her age on the day of her nativity She lieth buried with her husband in the Chappel of his erection and hath an equal share with him in the use and honour of that his most magnificent monument CECILY second daughter to King Edward the fourth by Elizabeth his Queen bearing the name of Cecily Dutchess of York her grand mother and god mother was born at Westminster In her Child-hood mention was made of a marriage betwixt her and James son to James the third Prince of Scotland But that Motion died with her father Heaven wherein marriages are made reserving that place for Margaret her eldest sisters eldest daughter She long led a single life but little respected of King Henry the seventh her brother in law That politick King knowing that if he had none or no surviving Issue by his Queen then the right of the Crown rested in this Cecily sought to suppress her from popularity or any publick appearance He neither preferred her to any 〈◊〉 Prince nor disposed of her to any prime Peer of England till at last this Lady wedded her self to a Linconshire Lord John Baron Wells whom King Henry advanced Viscount and no higher After his death my Author saith she was re-married not mentioning her husbands name
five parts which were used in Cathedrals many years after his death the certain date whereof I cannot attain JOHN DOULAND was as I have most cause to believe born in this City sure I am he had his longest life and best livelyhood therein being Servant in the Chappel to Queen Elizabeth and King James He was the rarest Musician that his Age did behold Having travailed beyond the Seas and compounded English with Forreign Skill in that faculty it is questionable whether he excell'd in Vocal or Instrumental Musick A chearful Person he was passing his days in lawful meriment truly answering the Anagram made of him JOHANNES DOULANDUS ANNOS LUDENDO HAUSI Christian the fourth K. of Denmark coming over into England requested him of K. James who unwillingly willing parted with him Many years he lived as I am credibly informed in the Danish Court in great favour and plenty generally imployed to entertain such English Persons of quality as came thither I cannot confidently avouch his death at Denmark but believe it more probably then their assertion who report him returned and dying in England about the year 1615. Benefactors to the Publique JAMES PALMER B. D. was born in this City and bred in Magdalen-colledge in Cambridge The Company of Carpenters in London gave him an exhibition towards his maintenance there or lent it him rather For since his bounty hath repaid them the Principle with plentiful consideration He was afterwards for many years the constant Preacher of Saint Bridgets in Fleetstreet the onely Church preferment he enjoyed I perceive thus craft and cruelty may raise a quick and great but plain frugallity especially if vivacious will advance a better and surer estate Though sequestred in these times what he had formerly gained in his place he hath since bestowed in building and endowing over against the New Chappel in Westminster a fair Almes-house for twelve poor people besides this many and great have his gifts been to Ministers poor widdows and wonder not Reader if they be unknown to me which were unknown to his own left-hand all this he did in his life time O it giveth the best light when one carrieth his Lant-horn before him The surest way that ones Will shall be performed is to see it performed Yea I may say that his poor people in his Almes-house are in some sort provided for not onely from head to foot but also from body to soul he constantly preaching to them twice a week He dyed Anno 1659. Memorable Persons EDMOND DOUBLEDAY Esquire was of a tall and proper person and lived in this City Nor had this large case a little jewell this long body a lazy soul whose activity and valour was adequate to his strength and greatness whereof he gave this eminent testimony When Sir Thomas Knevet was sent November 4. 1605. by King James to search the Cellar beneath the Parliament-house with very few for the more privacy to attend him he took Master Doubleday with him Here they found Gui Faux with his dark-lant-horn in the dead of the night providing for the death of many the next morning He was newly come out of the Divels Closset so I may fitly term the inward room where the powder lay and the train was to be laid into the outward part of the Cellar Faux beginning to bussel Master Doubleday instantly ordered him at his pleasure up with his heels and there with the Traytor lay the Treason flat along the floor by Gods goodness detected defeated Faux vowed and though he was a false Traitor herein I do believe him that had he been in the inner room he would have blown up himself and all the company therein Thus it is pleasant musick to hear disarmed malice threaten when it cannot strike Master Doubleday lived many years after deservedly loved and respected and died about the year of our Lord 1618. The Farewell Seeing the well-being yea being of this City consisteth in the Kings Court and in the Courts of Justice I congratulate the happy return of the one praying for the long continuance of the other yea may the Lawyers in Westminster-hall never again plead in their Armour as they did in the time of Wyats rebellion but in their peaceable Gowns and Legal Formalities Nor doth this Wish onely extend to the Weal of Westminster but all England For no such dearth in a Land as what is caused from a drought of Justice therein For if judgement do not run down as Waters and righteousness as a mighty Stream Injustice like an Ocean will drown all with its inundation NOR FOLK hath the German Ocean on the North and East thereof Suffolk severed by the river Waveny on the South-side Cambridge-shire parted by the river Ouse and a small part of Lincoln shire on the West it extendeth full 50. miles from East to West but from North to South stretcheth not above thirty miles All England may be carved out of Norfolk represented therein not onely to the kind but degree thereof Here are Fens and Heaths and Light and Deep and Sand and Clay-ground and Meddows and Pasture and Arable and Woody and generally woodless land so gratefull is this Shire with the variety thereof Thus as in many men though perchance this or that part may justly be cavelled at yet all put together complete a proper person so Norfolk collectively taken hath a sufficient result of pleasure and profit that being supplied in one part which is defective in another This County hath the most Churches of any in England six hundred and sixty and though the poorest Livings yet by some occult quallity of their good husbandry and Gods blessing thereon the richest Clergy-men Nor can there be given a greater demonstration of the wealth and populousness of this County than that in the late Act for an Assessment upon England at the rate of sixty thousand pounds by the Month for three Months Norfolk with the City of Norwich is rated at three thousand two hundred sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence the highest proportion of any Shire in England And though Norfolk hath little cause to please and less to pride it self in so dear purchased pre-eminence yet it cannot but account it a credit to see it self not undervalued Natural Commodities It shareth plentifully in all English Commodities and aboundeth with the best and most Rabbits These are an Army of natural Pioners whence men have learned cuniculos agere the Art of undermining They thrive best on barren ground and grow fattest in the hardest frosts Their flesh is fine and wholesome If Scotish-men tax our language as improper and smile at our wing of a Rabbit let us laugh at their shoulder of a Capon Their skins were formerly much used when furs were in fashion till of late our Citizens of Romans are turned Grecians have laid down their grave gowns and took up their light cloaks men generally disliking all habits though emblemes of honour if also badges of age Their rich
Admirals and which Sir Clement used during his life on Festivals and at his death bequeathed them to his family for a monument He received divers wounds and was left for dead at Muscleburough-field in Scotland When Sir Thomas VVyat in the reign of Queen Mary was worsted at Ludgate and desired for the more civil usage to render himself to a Gentleman he submitted himself saith our Historian to Sir Clement Paston He served at New-haven having command of some ships of Queen Elizabeth and was pensioner to two Kings and two Queens successively So rare was his happiness that he spent his old age honourably quietly and in good house-keeping in this County where at Oxnit he built a goodly house for hospitality and a hospital hard by for six poor serving-men retainers to his name and family allowing them convenient maintenance He died Anno Domini 15. and lieth buried in a fair tombe in the Church at Oxnit Seamen No County in England doth carry a top and top gallant more high in Maritime performances then Norfolk Witness the proportion of Yarmouth alone in the ensuing Catalogue of Ships used by King Edward the third against Calis The South-fleet Ships 493. The North-fleet Ships 217. Ships of London 25. Ships of Yarmouth 43. The Mariners thereof 9630. The Mariners thereof 4521. Mariners of London 662. Mariners of Yarmouth 1950. or 1075. Know Reader I cannot with all my diligence and interest recover the Original of this Catalogue as extant not in the Tower where by my friends favour I could do something but in the Kings great VVardrobe in London out of which it is cited by our Author But our times I fear have brushed it away with the rest of the VVardrobe However give me leave to make some Annotations thereon 1. These Ships as by their great number appeareth were small vessels Yet as good as any in that age of England and better witness their victories then any in France 2. The Proportion may seem strange that Yarmouth should afford well nigh twice as many Ships and Mariners as London it self 3. Except it was that the King spared London at this time as the sure reserve for his Navy on all occasions 4. Or except there be a mistake in the numbers figures in Writing as well as figures in Rethorick may with a small dash have their Meiosis made an Hyperbole And the various Lections in the Mariners of Yarmouth doth something shake though not shatter the credit of the account 5. The numbers may be very true Yarmouth in that age being so populous a place that though but one Parish a lamentable Plague in one year did sweep thence 7000 men to the grave Thus though the Church and that very large could never hold their Living the Church yard could contain the Dead Seeing persons alive will not be pressed in their Pews so close as Corps may be crowded together in their Graves But let us proceed to the particular Sea men of this County and let none be offended if a Frier be put in the front before all the rest viz. NICHOLAS of LYNNE born in that Town bred in Oxford and is generally accounted a Franciscan Frier But my Author being a Carmelite himself makes him one of his own Order And all acknowledge him an excellent Musician Mathematician and Astrologer It is reported of him how in the year 1330. being the thirty year of the reign of King Edward the third he sailed with others to the most Northern Islands in the world Then leaving his company and taking his Astrolabe he by the help of Art-Magick so Mathematicians are nick-named by the ignorant went as far as the Pole it self where he discovered four In-draughts of the Ocean from the four opposite Quarters of the World from which many did conceive as well the flowing of the Sea as blasts of the Winds to have their Original Were these things true and had they been known to the Ancients as it would have spared Philosophers much pains in disputing the Moon the cause of the Motion of the Tide in the Sea so had it spoiled Virgil his fancy in making the Country of Aeolia the onely Magazene of the winds Sure I am Gerardus Mercator hath so graced the fancy of this Frier that he made his description of the Countries about the Artick Pole conformable to this his imaginary discovery preferring to fill that his Map with a Fiction then otherwise to leave it altogether empty But the other Parts of his book have more solid and substantial truths ór else weak were the Shoulders of his Atlas to support the world therewith But to return to Frier Nicholas One tells us he wrote a book of his discoveries and intituled it Inventio Fortunata Sure it is he was highly honoured by our learned * Chaucer witness his testimony of him styling Freere N. Linne A reverend Clerk But all his learning could not sence him from death which happened about the year 1360. and he was buried in Linne the Town of his nativity PETER READ what he was his ensuing Epitaph on his Monument in the South-Isle in Saint Peter's Church in Norwich will fully acquaint you Here under lieth the Corps of Peter Read Esquire who hath worthily served not onely his Prince and Country but also the Emperour Charles the fifth both at his Conquest of Barbary and his Siege at Tunis as also in other places Who had given him by the said Emperour for his valiant deeds the order of Barbary Who died the 29. day of December in the year of our Lord God 1566. We place him among Sea men because finding first his mention in Hakluit's voyages and Salt-water is the proper Element of the Pen of that Author Secondly because his service was performed at Tunis a Port-town in a Sea expedition Now although we confess it follows not that he was born in or about Norwich because buried therein Vast oftimes the distance betwixt the Cradles and Coffins of far-travaillers yet let none dislike his placing here but such who can disprove it and depose the negative that elsewhere he had his nativity It is observable that this Sir Peter Kinghted by the Emperour as appears in his Epitaph let me adde Anno 1538. is onely styled not less modestly then truly Esq. upon his Monument I confess some maintain that though higher honours Baron Count c. are onely local to be owned by the person receiving them in that place where they are given him Yet that Knighthood given by a Sovereign Prince is universal and passeth currant through all Christendome But others their equals as stifly deny it and one who is their superior I mean Queen Elizabeth who in the case of Count Arundle would not admit of any forreign honour conferred on her Subjects avowing that her sheep should onely be known by her own Mark Writers JOHN BACONTHORPE was born in a Village so called in this County bred a Carmelite in the
Convent of Blackney and afterwards studied first in Oxford then in Paris one remarkable on many accounts First for the Dwarfishness of his stature Scalpellum calami atramentum charta libellus His Pen-knife Pen Ink-horn one sheet of Paper and any of his books would amount to his full height As for all the books of his own making put together their burden were more then his body could bear Secondly for his high spirit in his low body Indeed his soul had but a small Diocess to visit and therefore might the better attend the effectual informing thereof I have heard it delivered by a learned Doctor in Physick at the Anatomy lecture in London who a little before had been present at the Emboweling and and Embalming of Duke Hamilton and the Lord Capel that the heart of the former was the largest the latter the least he had ever beheld inferring hence that contracted spirits act with the greatest vigorousness Thirdly for his high title wherewith he was generally termed the resolute Doctor Two sorts of people he equally disliked Scepticks who are of none and unconstant people who are successively of all opinions and whilst others turned about like the Wheel he was as fixed as the Axletree in his own judgement Yet this his resoluteness was not attended with censuring of such who were of another Opinion where equal probability on either side allowed a latitude to dissent He groaped after more light then he saw saw more than he durst speak of spake of more then he was thanked for by those of his superstitioâ—…s Order amongst whom saith Bale neither before nor after arose the like for learning and religion Most agree in the time of his death Anno 1346. though dissenting in the place of his burial assigning Blackney Norwich London the several places of his Interment JOHN GOLTON born at Tirington in this County was Chaplain to William Bateman Bishop of Norwich and first Master by the appointment of the Founder of Gonvil-hall in Cambridge Leland allows him a man plus quam mediocriter doctus bonus for which good qualities King Henry the fourth advanced him Arch-bishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland He was imployed to the Court of Rome in the heavy schisme betwixt Pope Urban the sixth and Clement the seventh which occasioned his writing of his learned treatise De causa Schismatis and because knowing the cause conduceth little to the cure without applying the remedy he wrote another book De Remediis ejusdem It seemeth he resigned his Arch-bishoprick somewhat before his death which happened in the year of our Lord 1404. ALAN of LYNNE was born in that famous Mart-town in this County and brought up in the University of Cambridge where he proceeded Doctor of Divinity and afterwards became a Carmelite in the Town of his nativity Great his diligence in reading many and voluminous Authors and no less his desire that others with him should reap the fruit of his industry to which end he made Indexes of the many Writers he perused An Index is a necessary implement and no impediment of a book except in the same sense wherein the Carriages of an Army are termed Impedimenta Without this a large Author is but a labyrinth without a clue to direct the Reader therein I confess there is a lazy kind of learning which is onely Indical when Scholars like adders which onely bite the horse heels nibble but at the Tables which are calces librorum neglecting the body of the book But though the idle deserve no Crutches let not a staff be used by them but on them pity it is the weary should be denied the benefit thereof and industrious Scholars prohibited the accommodation of an Index most used by those who most pretend to contemn it To return to our Alan his Herculean labour in this kind doth plainly appear to me who find it such a toil and trouble to make but an Index of the Indexes he had made of the Authors following 1 Aegidius 2 Alcuinus 3 Ambrosius 4 Anselmus 5 Aquinas 6 Augustinus 7 Baconthorpe 8 Basil 9 Bede 10 Belethus Bles. 11 Bernard 12 Berthorius 13 Cassianus 14 Cassiodorus 15 Chrysostome 16 Cyril 17 Damascen 18 Gerard. Laodic 19 Gilbert 20 Gorham 21 Gregory 22 Haymo 23 Hierome 24 Hilary 25 Hugo 26 Josephus 27 Neckam 28 Origen 29 Pamph. Eusebius 30 Phil. Ribot 31 Raban 32 Remigius 33 Richard All these I. Bale professeth himself to have seen in the Carmelites Library at Norwich acknowledging many more which he saw not Now although it be a just and general complaint that Indexes for the most part are Heteroclites I mean either redundant in what is needless or defective in what is needful yet the Collections of this Alan were allowed very complete He flourished Anno 1420. and was buried at Lynne in the Convent of Carmelites WILLIAM WELLS was born saith Pitz. at Wells the Cathedral See in Somerset-shire wherein no doubt he is mistaken For be it reported to any indifferent judgement that seeing this VVilliam had his constant converse in this County living and dying an Augustinian in his Covent at Lynne and seeing there is a VVells no mean Market-Town in this Shire with more probability he may be made to owe his nativity and name to Norfolk He was for twenty years Provincial of his Order in England Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge an industrious man and good writer abate only the Siboleth of Barbarisme the fault of the age he lived in He died and was buried at Lynne 1421. JOHN THORPE was born in a Village so called in this County bred a Carmelite at Norwich and Doctor at Cambridge Logick was his Master-piece and this Dedalus wrote a book intituled the Labyrinth of Sophismes and another called the Rule of Consequences for which he got the title of Doctor Ingeniosus This minds me of a Prognosticating Distick on the Physiognomies of two children Hic erit Ingenuus non Ingeniosus at ille Ingeniosus erit non erit Ingenuus The later of these characters agreeth with our Thorpe who had a pound of wit for a dram of good nature being of a cruel disposition and a violent persecutor of William White and other godly Wickliffites He died Anno Domini 1440. and lieth buried at Norwich His name causeth me to remember his Name-sake of modern times lately deceased even Mr. John Thorpe B. D. and Fellow of Queens-colledge in Cambridge my ever honored Tutor not so much beneath him in Logick as above him in the skill of Divinity and an Holy conversation JOHN SKELTON is placed in this County on a double probability First because an ancient family of his name is eminently known long fixed therein Secondly because he was beneficed at Dis a Market-town in Norfolk He usually styled himself and that Nemine contradicente for ought I find the Kings Orator and Poet Laureat We need go no further for a testimony of his learning than to Erasmus styling
itcrum tedeat esse tuam Do not the least part of your trust disdain Nor grudge of Boys to take the care again He lived to be a very aged man past seventy six and died Anno Domini 162. JOHN FLETCHER Son of Richard Fletcher D. D. was as by proportion of time is collectible born in this County before his Father was Bishop of Bristol or London and whilst as yet he was Dean of Peterborough He had an excellent wit which the back-friends to Stage-plays will say was neither idle nor well imploy'd For he and Francis Beaumont Esquire like Castor and Pollux most happy when in conjunction raised the English to equal the Athenian and Roman Theater Beaumont bringing the ballast of judgement Fletcher the sail of phantasie both compounding a Poet to admiration Meeting once in a Tavern to contrive the rude draught of a Tragedy Fletcher undertook to kill the King therein whose words being over-heard by a listener though his Loyalty not to be blamed herein he was accused of High Treason till the mistake soon appearing that the plot was onely against a Drammatick and Scenical King all wound off in merriment Nor could it be laid to Fletcher's charge what Ajax doth to Ulysses Nihil hic Diomede remoto When Diomede was gone He could do nought alone For surviving his partner he wrote good Comedies himself though inferiour to the former and no wonder if a single thread was not so strong as a twisted one He died as I am inform'd in London of the plague in the first of King Charles 1625. Sir HENRY MONTAGUE Knight third son to Sir Edward Montague Knight grand-child to Sir Edward Montague Knight Lord Chief-Justice of the Kings-bench was born at Boughton in this County One skilful in mysterious arts beholding him when a School-boy foretold that by the pregnancy of his parts he would raise himself above the rest of his family which came to pass accordingly He was bred first in Christs-colledge in Cambridge then in the Middle-Temple where he attained to great learning in the Laws and passed through many preferments viz. 1. Sergeant at Law 2. Knighted by King James July 22. 1602. 3. Recorder of London 4. Lord Chief-Justice of the Kings-Bench November 18. 1616. 5. Lord Treasurer of England Decem. 16. 1620. 6. Baron of Kimbolton 7. Viscount Mandevile 8. President of the Council Septem 29. 1621. 9. Earl of Manchester 10. Lord Privy-Seal He wisely perceiving that Courtiers were but as counters in the hands of Princes raised and depress'd in valuation at pleasure was contented rather to be set for a smaller sum then to be quite put up into the box Thus in point of place and preferment being pleased to be what the King would have him according to his Motto Movendo non mutando me he became almost what he would be himself finaly advanced to an Office of great honour When Lord Privy-Seal he brought the Court of Requests into such repute that what formerly was called the Almes-basket of the Chancery had in his time well nigh as much meat in and guests about it I mean Suits and Clients as the Chancery it self His meditations on Life and Death written in the time of his health may be presumed to have left good impressions on his own soul preparatory for his dissolution which happened 164. Writers JOHN of NORTHAMPTON in Latine Johannes Avonius was born in the Town of Northampton in ipso Insulae umbilico saith Bale and is not mistaken in his proportion This mindeth me of a village in this County sufficiently known commonly call'd Navesby whose Orthography Criticks will have Navelsby as in the middle of England This John became a Carmelite in his native Town and so addicted himself to the Study of Mathematicks that he became one of the most eminent in that age for practical experiments He was Author of a work which he called The Philosophers Ring This was not like The Philosophers Stone a thing meerly imaginary nor yet was it a work of the Cyclopedy of Arts as the sound may seem to import but it was in plain truth a perpetual Almanack I say Almanack which word though many make of Arabick extraction a great Antiquary will have it derived from the Dutch Al-mon-aght that is to say Al-mon-heed the regard or observation of all Moons However this work of John was beheld as a Master-piece of that age and since commented upon by other Writers He flourished Anno Domini 1340. ROBERT HOLCOT was born in a Village of this County so named bred in the University of Oxford and afterwards became a Dominican in Northampton A deep Scholar and yet commended to be prudent in rebus agendis and accounted one of the greatest School-men in that age Nor was he onely a Candle or domestick light confin'd within the walls of his own Country but his learning was a publick Luminary to all Christendome as appears by the praise which Trithemius bestoweth upon him Vir in Divinis Scripturis eruditissimus secularium literarum non ignarus ingenio praestans clarus eloquio declamator quoque sermonem egregius Scripsit multa praeclara opuscula quibus nomen suum posteris notificavit He died at Northampton of the plague Anno 1349 before he had finished his Lectures on the seventh of Ecclesiastes I say of the plague which at that time so raged in England that our Chroniclers affirm scarce a tenth person of all sorts was left alive Insomuch that the Churches and Church-yards in London not sussicing for their interments a new Church-yard was Consecrated in West-smithfield wherein fifty thousand were buried who at that time died of the pestilence ROBERT DODFORD was born in a Village so called in this County where the Wirlyes Gentlemen of good account have long had their habitation so named as I take it from a Ford over the river Avon and Dods Water-weeds commonly called by children Cats Tales growing thereabouts He was bred a Benedictine Monke in the Abby of Ramsey and applied himself to the Study of the Hebrew Tongue wherewith the Library of which he was Keeper in that Convent did much abound He wrote Postills on the Proverbs and other Sermons which the envy of time hath intercepted â—…rom us He is said to have flourished about the year 1370. by Bale though Pitz on what account I know not maketh him more ancient by an hundred years PETER PATESHULL was no doubt born in that Village not far from Northampton bred a Augustinian in Oxford however falling afterwards into some dislike of his Order he procured from Walter Dysse Legate to Pope Urbane the sixth a Dispensation to relinquish it and was made the Popes Honorary Chaplain Afterwards by often reading the works of Wickliffe but especially his book of Real Universals he became of his judgement and after the death of Wickliffe preached and promoted his doctrine he wrote an Exposition of the Prophesie of Hildegardes a Stinging
after their removal Let his works witness the rest of his worth some of whose books are published others prepared for the Press and I wish them a happy nativity for the publique good Coming to take his Farewell of his friends he Preached on the Fore-noon of the Lords-day sickned on the After-noon and was buried with his wife in the same grave in Warton Chancell the week following 1657. Romish Exile Writers MATTHEW KELLISON was born in this County at Harrowden his father being a Servant and Tenant of the Lord Vaux in whose family his infancy did suck in the Romish Perswasions He afterwards went beyond the Seas and was very much in motion 1. He first fixed himself at the Colledge of Rhemes in France 2. Thence removed to the English-colledge at Rome where he studied in Phylosophy and Divinity 3. Returned to Rhemes where he took the Degree of Doctor 4. Removed to Doway where for many years he read School-Divinity 5. Re-returned to Rhemes where he became Kings Professor and Rector of the University So much for the travails of his Feet now for the labours of his Hands the pains of his Pen those of his own opinion can give the best account of them He wrote a book to King James which his Majesty never saw and another against Sutliff with many more and was living 1611. Benefactors to the Publick HENRY CHICHELY Son of Thomas and Agnes Chichely was born at Higham-Ferrers in this County bred in Oxford and designed by Wickham himself yet surviving to be one of the Fellows of New-colledge he afterwards became Chaplain to R. Metford Bishop of Sarum who made him Arch-Deacon which he exchanged for the Chancelours place of that Cathedral This Bishop at his death made him his chief Executor and bequeathed him a fair gilt Cup for a Legacy By King Henry the fourth he was sent to the Council of Risa 1409. and by the Popes own hands was Consecrated Bishop of Saint Davids at Vienna and thence was advanced Arch-bishop of Canterbury by King Henry the fifth During his reign in the Parliament at Leicester a shrude thrust was made at all Abbies not with a Râ—…bated point but with sharps indeed which this Arch-bishop as a skilful Fencer fairly put by though others will say he guarded that blow with a silver Buckler the Clergy paying to the King vast sums of money to maintain his Wars in France and so made a forreign diversion for such active spirits which otherwise in all probability would have Antidated the dissolution of Monasteries Under King Henry the sixth he sat sure in his See though often affronted by the rich Cardinal Beaufort of Winchester whom he discreetly thanked for many injuries A Cardinals Cap was proferred to and declined by him some putting the refusal on the account of his humility others of his pride loath to be junior to the foresaid Cardinal others of his policy unwilling to be more engaged to the Court of Rome Indeed he was thorough-paced in all Spiritual Popery which concerned religion which made him so cruel against the VVicklevites but in secular Popery as I may term it touching the interest of Princes he did not so much as rack and was a zealous assertor of the English Liberties against Romish Usurpation Great his zeal to promote learning as appears by three Colledges erected and endowed at his expence and procurement 1. One with an Hospital for the poor at Higham-Ferrers the place of his Nativity 2. Saint Bernards in Oxford afterwards altered and bettered by Sir Thomas VVhite into Saint Johns colledge 3. All-souls in Oxford the fruitful Nursery of so many Learned Men. He continued in his Arch-bishoprick longer then any of his Predecessors for 500. years full 29. years and died April 12. 1443. WILLIAM LAXTON Son to John Laxton of Oundle in this County was bred a Grocer in London where he so prospered by his painful endeavours that he was chosen Lord Mayor Anno Domini 1544. He founded a fair School and Almeshouse at Oundle in this County with convenient maintenance well maintained at this day by the Worshipful Company of Grocers and hath been to my knowledge the Nursery of many Scholars most eminent in the University These Latine Verses are inscribed in the Front of the building Oundellae natus Londini parta labore Laxtonus posuit Senibus pâ—…erisque levamen At Oundle born what he did get In London with great pain Laxton to young and old hath set A comfort to remain He died Anno Domini 1556. the 29. of July and lyeth buried under a fair Tombe in the Chancel of Saint Antonies London Since the Reformation NICHOLAS LATHAM was born at Brigtock in this County and afterwards became Minister of Al-saints Church in Barn-wells This man had no considerable Estate left him from his father nor eminent addition of wealth from his friends nor injoyed any Dignity in the Church of England nor ever held more then one moderate Benefice And yet by Gods blessing on his vivacious frugality he got so great an Estate that he told a friend he could have left his son had he had one land to the value of five hundred pounds by the year But though he had no Issue yet making the Poor his heirs he left the far greatest part of his Estate to pious uses Founded several small Schools with salaries in Country Villages and Founded a most beautiful Almes-house at Oundale in this County and I could wish that all houses of the like nature were but continued and ordered so well as this is according to the Will of the Founder He died Anno Domini 1620. and lyeth buried in the Chancel of his own Parish having lived 72. years EDWARD MONTAGUE Baron of Boughton and eldest son to Sir Edward Montague Knight was born in this County a Pious Peaceable and Hospitable Patriot It was not the least part of his outward happiness that having no male issue by his first wife and marrying when past fifty years of age he lived to see his son inriched with hopeful children I behold him as bountiful Barsillai superannuated for courtly pleasures and therefore preferring to live honorably in his own Country wherein he was generally beloved so that popularity may be said to have affected him who never affected it For in evidence of the vanity thereof he used to say Do the common sort of people nineteen courtesies together and yet you may loose their love if you do but go over the stile before them He was a bountiful Benefactor to Sidney-colledge and builded and endowed an Almes-house at VVeekley in this County To have no bands in their death is an outward favour many VVicked have many Godly men want amongst whom this good Lord who dyed in restraint in the Savoy on the account of his Loyalty to his Sovereign Let none grudge him the injoying of his judgement a purchase he so dearly bought and truly paid for whose death happened in the year of our Lord
happiness Writers RALPH FRESBOURNE was born in this County bred a Souldier Scholar Travailer being a man of great estate and at last turn'd a Frier He attended Richard Earl of Cornwall and King of the Romans into the Holy-land Here he came acquainted with the Friers living on Mount Carmel which were then much molested with the inrodes of Pagans Our Ralph pitying their condition and much taken with their sanctity and as some say miracles brought them over with him into England and built them an house at Holme nigh Alnwick in Northumberland In loco Carmelo Syriae non dissimili saith my Author In a place not unlike to Carmel in Syria Thus pence are like shillings and as Carmel had an Hill with the river Kishon running under it a Forrest beside it and the Mid-land-Sea some three miles from it so this had the river Alne a Park adjoyning and the German-Sea at the same distance But Northumberland was but a cold Carmel for these Friers who soon got themselves warmer nests in Kent Essex London and where not Multiplying more in England then in any other Country as Mantuan observeth and hath not ill expressed Cur apud Anglorum populos ita creverit audi Anglicus in Syrias veniens exercitus olim Achonem Tyrii positam prope litora ponti Quae priùs occurrit subit is oppresserat armis Hear why that they so much in England thriv'd th' English earst in Palestine arriv'd The City Acon on the shore of Tyre As next at hand with arms did soon acquire And after some verses interpos'd Ista duces tanta intuiti miracula secum In patriam duxere viros quibus arma negabant In laribus sedem Assyriâ—… templa domosque Construxere novas Pauc is it a fâ—…ruit annis Relligio quasi virga solo depact a feraci Et veluti palmes robur translata recepit The Captains seeing so great wonders wrought These Friers with them into England brought What war deni'd at home they here anew Churches and Houses built In years but few Increasing twig-like set by happy band Or tree transplanted to a fruitful land This Ralph wrote Books of pious exhortations and Epistles and after he had been fourteen years provincial of his own Order died and was buried at Holme aforesaid Anno Domini 1274. JOHANNES SCOTUS We have formerly asserted the very Scociety of this Scotus his nativity to belong to England and have answered the objections to the contrary He was born at Dunston a village in the Parish of Emildon in this County as appeareth by a writing in a book of his in Merton-colledge wherein he was bred He was a Franciscan by Order and of such nimble and solid parts that he got the title of Doctor subtilis Hitherto all School-men were like the world before the building of Babel of one language and of one speech agreeing together in their opinions which hereafter were divided into two Regâ—…ments or Armies rather of Thomists and Scotists under their several Generals opposing one another Scotus was a great stickler against the Thomists for that sinful opinion that the Virgin Mary was conceived without sin which if so how came she to rejoyce in God her Saviour He read the Sentences thrice over in his solemn Lectures once at Oxford again at Paris and last at Colen where he died or was kill'd rather because falling into a strong fit of an Apoplexy he was interred whilst yet alive as afterwards did appear Small amends were made for his hasty burial with an handsome monument erected over him at the cost of his Order otherwise whether as Scot Scholar or Franciscan he had little wealth of his own in the Quire before the High Altar On his Monument are inscribed the names of fifteen Franciscans viz. three Popes and two Cardinals on the top and ten Doctors whereof six English on the sides thereof all his Contemporaries as I conceive He died Anno Dom. 1308. Benefactors to the Publick STEPHEN BROWN Grocer son of John Brown was born at Newcaste upon Tine in this County afterwards Knighted and made Lord Mayor of London 1438. In which year happened a great and general famine caused much by unseasonable weather but more by some Huckstering Husbandmen who properly may be termed Knaves in grain insomuch that wheat was sold for three shillings a bushel intollerable according to the standard of those times and poor people were forced to make bread of fern roots But this Sir Stephen Brown sent certain ships to Dantz whose seasonable return with Rye suddenly sunk grain to reasonable rates whereby many a languishing life was preserved He is beheld one of the first Merchants who in want of Corn shewed the Londoners the way to the Barn-door I mean into Spruseland prompted by charity not covetousness to this his Adventure He may be said that since his death he hath often relieved the City on the like occasion because as Symmachus well observeth Author est bonorum sequentium qui bonum relinquit exemplum ROBERT WOODLARKE was born saith my Author at Wakerly in this County True it is in my late Church History I have challenged him for Northamptonshire Because there is no VVakerly in Northumberland Because there is a VVakerly in Northamptonshire But on second thoughts I resige him clear to this County loth to higgle for a letter or two misprinted perchance in the name of a Town This VVoodlarke was the last of the first Original Fellows and third Provost of Kings-colledge in Cambridge He bought three tenements in Miln-street and by a Mortmain procured from King Edward the fourth erected of them a small Colledge by the name of Saint Katharines-hall As is the man so is his strength great matters cannot be expected from so private a person who never attained to any Prelatical preferment who was bountiful to his Foundation to the utmost of his ability Herein he stands alone without any to accompany him being the first and last who was Master of one Colledge and at the same time Founder of another This his Zoar hath since met with many worthy Benefactours who have advanced it to be considerable both in buildings and revenues The date of his death I cannot with any certainty affix Memorable Persons MACHELL VIVAN is a Scotish-man by his birth but because beneficed in this County so many years shall by the Readers leave pass for an English-man so far as to be here inserted The rather because he will minister to the present and future ages just matter of admiration as by the perusing of the ensuing letter from my credible friend well know in London where his surviving Father was not long since the Prime Magistrate thereof will appear There is an acquaintance of mine and a friend of yours who certified me of your desire of being satisfied of the truth of that relation I made concerning the old Minister in the North. It fortuned in my journey to
Henry the sixth and afterwards to King Richard the third 1. Her Husband being killed at Barnet fight all her land by Act of Parliament was setled on her two Daughters as if she had been dead in Nature 2. Being attainted on her Husbands score she was forced to flye to the Sanctuary at Beauly in Hant-shire 3. Hence she got her self privately into the North and there lived a long time in a mean condition 4. Her want was increased after the death of her two daughters who may be presumed formerly to have secretly supplyed her I am not certainly informed when a full period was put by death to these her sad calamities Saints St. FRIDESWIDE was born in the City of Oxford being daughter to Didan the Duke thereof It happened that one Algarus a noble young man sollicited her to yield to his lust from whom she miraculously escaped he being of a sudden struck blind If so she had better success than as good a Virgin the daughter to a greater and better father I mean Thamar daughter of King David not so strangely secured from the lust of her brother She was afterward made Abbess of a Monastery erected by her father in the same City which since is become part of Christ-church where her body lyeth buried It happened in the first of Queen Elizabeth that the Scholars of Oxford took up the body of the wife of Peter Martyr who formerly had been disgracefully buried in a dunghill and interred it in the Tomb with the dust of St. Frideswide Sanders addeth that they wrote this Inscription which he calleth Impium Epitaphium Hic requiescit Religio cum â—…uperstitione though the words being capable of a favourable sense on his side he need not have been so angry However we will rub up our old Poetry and bestow another upon them In tumulo fuerat Petri quae Martyris uxor Hic cum Frideswida virgine jure jacet Virginis intactae nihilum cum cedat honori Conjugis in thalamo non temerata fides Si facer Angligenis cultus mutetur at absit Ossa suum â—…ervent mutua tuta locum Intom'd with Frideswide deem'd a Sainted maid The Wife of Peter Martyr here is laid And reason good for Women chaste in mind The best of Virgins come no whit behind Should Popery return which God forefend Their blended dust each other would deâ—…end Yet was there more than eight hundred years betwixt their several deaths Saint Frideswide dying Anno 739. and is remembred in the Romish Calendar on the nineteenth day of October St. EDWOLD was younger Brother to St. Edmund King of the East-Angles so cruelly martyred by the Danes and after his death that Kingdom not onely descended to him by right but also by his Subjects importunity was pressed upon him But he declined both preferring rather a sollitary life and heavenly contemplation In pursuance whereof he retired to Dorcester in this County and to a Monastery called Corn-house therein where he was interred and had in great veneration for his reputed miracles after his death which happened Anno Dom. 871. St. EDWARD the CONFESSOR was born at I slip in this County and became afterwards King of England sitting on the Throne for many years with much peace and prosperity Famous for the first founding of Westminster Abby and many other worthy aâ—…hievements By Bale he is called Edvardus simplex which may signifie either shallow or single but in what sense soever he gave it we take it in the later Sole and single he lived and dyed never carnally conversing with St. Edith his Queen which is beheld by different persons according to their different judgments coloured eyes make coloured objects some pitying him for defect or natural Impotence others condemning him as affecting singelness for want of Conjugal affection others applauding it as an high pâ—…ece of 〈◊〉 and perfection Sure I am it opened a dore for forreign Competitors and occasioned the Conquest of this Nation He dyed Anno Dom. 1065. and lyeth buryed in Westminster Abby Cardinals ROBERT PULLEN or Pullain or Pulley or Puley or Bullen or Pully for thus variously is he found written Thus the same name passing many mouths seems in some sort to be declined into several Cases whereas indeed it still remaineth one and the same word though differently spelled and pronounced In his youth â—…e studied at Paris whence he came over into England in the reign of King Henry the Fiâ—…st when learning ran very low in Oxford the university there being first much afflâ—…cted by Herald the Dane afterwards almost extinguished by the cruelty of â—…he Conqueror Our Pullen improved his utmost power with the King and Prelates for the restoring thereof and by his praying preaching and publick reading gave a great advancement thereunto Remarkable is his character in the Chronicle of Osny Robertus Pulenius scriptur as divin as quae in Anglia obsolverant apud Oxoniam legere câ—…pit Robert Pullen began to read at Oxford the holy scriptures which were grown out of fashion in England The fame of his leâ—…rning commended him beyond the Seas and it is remarkable that whereas it is usual with Popes in policy to unravel what such weaved who were before them three successive Popes continued their love to and increased honours upon him 1. Innocent courteously sent for him to Rome 2. Celestine created him Cardinal of St. Eusebius Anno 1144. 3. Lucius the second made him Chancellor of the Church of Rome He lived at Rome in great respect and although the certain date of his death cannot be collected it happened about the year of our Lord 1150. THOMAS JOYCE or Jorce a Dominican proceeded Doctor of Divinity in Oxford and living there he became Provincial of his Order both of England and Wales From this place without ever having any other preferment Pope Clement the fifth created him Cardinal of St. Sabine though some conceive he wanted breadth proportionable to such an height of dignity having no other revenue to maintain it Cardinals being accounted Kings fellow in that Age. Others admire at the contradiction betwixt Fryers pâ—…ofession and practice that persons so low should be so high so poor so rich which makes the same men to 〈◊〉 that so chaste might be so wanton He is remarkable on this account that he had six brethren all Dominicans I will not listen to their compaâ—…ison who resemble them to the seven sons of Sceva which were Exorcists but may term them a week of brethren whereof this Rubricated Cardinal was the Dominical letter There want not those who conceive great vertue in the youngest son of these seven and that his Touch was able to cure the Popes Evil. This Thomas as he had for the most time lived in Oxford so his Corps by his own desire were buried in his Convent therein He flourished Anno Dom. 1310. Prelates HERBERT LOSING was born in Oxford his father being an Abbot
a Church-porch Poverty and Poetry his Tomb doth enclose Wherefore good nighbours be merry in Prose His death according to the most probable conjecture may be presumed about the eleventh year of the Queens Reign Anno Dom. 1570. THOMAS HOLLAND D. D. was born in this County in finibus limitibus Cambriae in the confines and Marches of Wales bred in Exeter Colledge in Oxford and at last became Rector thereof He did not with some only sip of Learning or at the best but drink thereof but was Mersus in Libris Drowned in his Books so that the Scholar in him almost devoured all other Relations He was saith the Authour of his Funeral Sermon so familiar with the Fathers as if he himselfe had been a Father This quality commended him to succeed Dr. Lawrence Humphrid in the place of Regius Professor which place he discharged with good credit for twenty years together When he went forth of his Colledge on any journey for any long continuance he alwayes took this solemn Valediction of the Fellowes I commend you to the love of God and to the hatred of Popery and Superstition His extemporaries were often better than his praemeditations so that he might have been said to have been out if he had not been out He died in March Anno Dom. 1612. and was buried in Oxford with great solemnity and lamentation ABRAHAM WHELOCK was born in White-church Parish in this County bred Fellow of Clare-Hall Library-keeper Arabick Professor and Minister of St. Sepulchers in Cambridge Admirable his industry no lesse his Knowledg in the Oriental tongues so that he might serve for an Interpreter to the Queen of Sheba coming to Salomon and the Wise Men of the East who came to Herod such his skill in the Arabiâ—… and Persian Language Amongst the Western Tongues he was well vers'd in the Saxon witness his fair and true Edition of Bede He translated the New Testament into Persian and printed it hoping in time it might tend to the conversion of that Country to Christianity Such as laugh at his design as ridiculous might well forbear their mirth and seeing they expended neither penny of cost nor hour of pains therein might let another enjoy his own inclination True it is he that sets an acorn sees it not a timber-oak which others may behold and if such Testaments be conveyed into Persia another age may admire what this doth deride He died as I take it Anno Dom. 1654. Benefactors to the Publick Sir ROGER ACHLEY born at Stanwardine in this County He beheld the whole City of London as one Family and himself the Major 1511 for the time being the Master thereof He observed that poor people who never have more than they need will sometimes need more than they have This Joseph collected from the present plenty that a future famine would follow as in this kind a Lank constantly attendeth a Bank Wherefore he prepared Leaden-Hall therefore called the Common Garner and stored up much Corn therein for which he deserved the praise of the Rich and the blessing of the Poor Since the Reformation Sir ROWLAND HILL son of Richard Hill was born at Hodnet in this County bred a Mercer in London whereof he was Lord Major 1549. Being sensible that God had given him a great estate he expressed his gratitude unto him In Giving maintenance to a fair School at Drayton in this County which he built and endowed besides six hundred pounds to Christ-Church-Hospital and other benefactions In Forgiving at his death all his Tenants in his Mannors of Aldersy and Sponely a years Rent Also enjoyning his Heirs to make them new Leases of one and twenty years for two years Rent As for the Cause-wayes he caused to be made and Bridges built two of stone conteining eighteen arches in them both seeing hitherto it hath not been my hap to go over them I leave his piety to be praised by such passengers who have received safety ease and cleaness by such conveniences He died Anno Dom. 15. ¶ A note to the Reader I have heard the natives of this County confess and complain of a comparative dearth in proportion to other Shires of Benefactors to the publick But sure Shropshire is like to the Mulberry which putteth forth his leaves last of all Trees but then maketh such speed as sensible of his slowness with an ingenious shame that it overtaketh those trees in Fruit which in Leaves started long before it As this Shire of late hath done affording two of the same surname still surviving who have dipp'd their hands so deep in charitable morter Sir THOMAS ADAMS Kt. was born at Wem in this County bred a Draper in London where God so blessed his honest industry that he became Lord Major thereof 164. A man who hath drunk of the bitter waters of Meribah without making a bad face thereat cheerfully submitting himself to Gods pleasure in all conditions He gave the house of his nativity to be a Free School that others might have their breeding where he had his birth and hath liberally endowed it He liveth in due honor and esteem and I hope will live to see many years seeing there is no better Collurium or Eye-salve to quicken and continue ones sight than in his life time to behold a building erected for the publick profit WILLIAM ADAMS Esq. was born at Newport in this County bred by Trade a Haberdasher in London where God so blessed his endeavours that he fined for Alderman in that City God had given him an heart and hand proportionable to his estate having founded in the Town of his nativity a School-house in the form following 1 The building is of Brick with Windowes of free stone wherein the School is Threescore and ten in length and two and twenty foot in breadth and height 2 Over it a fair Library furnished with plenty and choise Books At the South end the lodgings of the Schoolmaster whose salary is sixty On the North the Ushers whose stipend is thirty pounds per annum 3 Before the front of the School a stately Crupto-porticus or fair walk all the length of the School with Pillars erected and on the top thereof a leaden Tarras with Railes and Barristers 4 Two Alms-houses for poor people at convenient distance from the School with competent maintenance 5 Two Gardens a piece for School-master and Usher with well nigh two Acres of ground for a place for the Scholars to play in 6 The Rent for the maintenance thereof deposed in the hands of Trustees a year before that in case of casualty there may be no complaint 7 More intended for the settlement of exhibitions to Scholars chosen hence to the University as God hereafter shall direct the founder But who for the present can hold from praising so pious a performance Come Momus who delight do'st take Where none are found there faults to make And count'st that cost and care and pain Not spent
else quite forgotten any other vocation Hard it was for peace to feed all the Idle mouthes which a former war did breed being too proud to begge too lazy to labour Those infected the Highwayes with their Felonies some presuming on their multitudes as the Robbers on the Northern Rode whose knot otherwise not to be untyed Sr. John cut asunder with the Sword of Justice He possessed King James how the frequent granting of pardons was prejudicial to Justice rendring the Judges to the contempt of insolent Malesactors which made his Majesty more sparing afterward in that kind In a word the deserved death of some scores preserved the lives and livelyhoods of more thousands Travellers owing their safety to this Judges severity many years after his death which happened Anno Dom. 16. Souldiers JOHN COURCY Baron of Stoke-Courcy in this County was the first Englishman who invaded and subdued Ulster in Ireland therefore deservedly created Earl thereof He was afterward surprised by Hugh Lacy corrival for his Title sent over into England and imprisoned by King John in the Tower of London A French-Castle being in controverfie was to have the Title thereof tried by Combate the Kings of England and France beholding it Courcy being a lean lank body with staring eyes prisoners with the wildnesse of their looks revenge the closenesse of their bodies is sent for out of the Tower to undertake the Frenchman and because enfcebled with long durance a large bill of fare was allowed him to recruit his strength The Monsieur hearing how much he had eat and drank and guessing his courage by his stomack oâ—… rather stomack by his appetite took him for a Canibal who would devoure him at the last course and so he declined the Combate Afterwards the two Kings desirous to see some proof of Courcy's strength caused a steel Helmet to be laid on a block before him â—…ourcy looking about him 〈◊〉 grimme countenance as if he intended to cut with his eyes as well as with his arms sundered the Helmet at one blow into two pieces striking the Sword so deep into the wood that none but himself could pull it out again Being demanded the cause why he looked so sternly Had I said he failed of my design I would have killed the Kings and all in the place words well-spoken because well taken all persons present being then highly in good humour Hence it is that the Lord Courcy Baron of Ringrom second Baron in Ireland claim a priviledge whether by Patent or Prescription Charter or Custome I know not after their first obeisance to be covered in the Kings presence if processe of time had not antiquated the practice His devotion was equal to his valour being a great Founder and endower of Religious Houses In one thing he fouly failed turning the Church of the Holy Trinity in Down into the Church of St. Patrick for which as the Story saith he was condemned never to return into Ireland though attempting it fifteen several times but repell'd with foul weather He afterwards went over and died in France about the year 1210. MATTHEW GOURNAY was born at Stoke-under-Hamden in this County where his Family had long flourished since the Conquest and there built both a Castle and a Colledge But our Matthew was the honour of the House renowned under the reign of King Edward the Third having fought in seven several signal set Battails viz. 1 At the siege of d'Algizer against the Sarazens 2 At the Battail of Benemazin against the same 3 Sluce a Sea-fight against the French 4 Cressy a Land-fight-against the same 5 Ingen Pitch'd fights against the French 6 Poictiers Pitch'd fights against the French 7 Nazaran under the Black Prince in Spain His Armour was beheld by Martial Men with much civil veneration with whom his faithful Buckler was a relique of esteem But it added to the wonder that our Matthew who did lie and watch so long on the bed of honour should die in the bed of peace aged ninety and six years about the beginning of King Richard the Second He lieth buried under a fair Monument in the Church of Stoke aforesaid whose Epitaph legible in the last age is since I suspect defaced Sea-men Sir AMIAS PRESTON Knight was descended of an Ancient Family who have an Habitationat Cricket nigh Creukern in this County He was a Valiant Souldier and Active Sea-man witnesse in 88. when he seized on the Admiral of the Galiasses wherein Hugh de Moncada the Governour making resistance with most of his Men were burnt or killed and Mr. Preston as yet not Knighted shared in a vast Treasure of Gold taken therein Afterwards Anno 1595 he performed a victorious Voyage to the West-Indies wherin he took by assault the I le of Puerto Santo invaded the I le of Coche surprised the Fort and Town of Coro sacked the stately City of St. Jago put the Town of Cumana to ransome entred Jamaica with little loss some profit and more honour safely returned within the space of six months to Milford Haven in Wales I have been informed from excellent hands that on some dis-tast he sent a Challenge to Sr. Walter Raleigh which Sr. Walter declined without any abatement to his Valour wherein he had abundantly satisfied all possibility of suspicion and great advancement of his Judgement For having a fair and fixed Estate with Wife and Children being a Privy Counsellor and Lord Warden of the Stannereys he thought it an uneven lâ—…y to stake himself against Sr. Amias a private and as I take it a single person though of good birth and courage yet of no considerable Estate This also is consonant to what he hath written so judiciously about Duels condemning those for ill Honours where the Hangman gives the Garland However these two Knights were afterwards reconciled and Sr. Amias as I collect died about the beginning of the reign of King James Learned Writers GILDAS sirnamed the WISE was born in the City of Bath and therefore it is that he is called Badonicus He was eight years junior to another Gildas called Albanius whose Nativity I cannot clear to belong to our Brittain He was also otherwise sur-stiled Querulus because the little we have of his Writing is only a Complaint Yet was he none of those whom the Apostle condemneth These are Murmurâ—…s Complainers c. taxing only such who either were impious against GOD or uncharitable against men complaining of them either without cause or without measure whilst our Gildas only inveigheth against the sins and bemoaneth the sufferings of that wicked and woful age wherein he lived calling the Clergy Montes Malitiae the Brittons generally Atramentum seculi He wrote many Books though we have none of them extant at this day some few fragments excepted inserted amongst the Manuscript Canons but his aforesaid History This makes me more to wonder that so Learned a Critick as Dr. Gerrard 〈◊〉 should attribute the Comedy of Aulularia
a place for persons of a different perswasion Whilst we leave the invisible root to the Searcher of hearts let us thankfully gather the good fruit which grew from it He died before his Colledge was finished his Estate by Co-heirs descending to Strangwayes Windham White c. and he lyeth buried with his wife under a stately Monument in the fair Church of Illminster PHILIP BISS was extracted from a worshipful Family in this County who have had their habitation in Spargrave for some descents Being bred Fellow and Doctor in Divinity in Magdalen-Colledge in Oxford he was afterwards preferred Arch-Deacon of Taunton A Learned Man and great lover of Learning Now though it be most true what Reverend Bishop Hall was wont to say Of Friends and Books good and fâ—…w are best Yet this Doctor had good and many of both kinds And at his death bequeathed his Library consisting of so many Folio's as were valued at one thousand pounds to Wadham Colledge then newly founded This Epitaph was made upon him wherein nothing of wit save the Verbal-Allusion which made itself without any pains of the Author thereof Bis fuit hic natus puer Bis Bis juvenisque Bis vir Bisque senex Bis Doctor Bisque Sacerdos I collect by probable proportion that his death happened about the year 1614. Memorable Persons Sir JOHN CHAMPNEIS son of Robert Champneis was born at Chew in this County but bred a Skinner in London and Lord Major thereof 1535. Memorable he is on this account that whereas before his time there were no Turrets in London save what in Churches and publick structures he was the first private man who in his house next Cloth-workers Hall built one to oversee his neighbours in the City which delight of his eye was punished with blindness some years before his death But seeing prying into Gods secrets is a worse sin than over-looking mens houses I dare not concurre with so Censorious an Author because every consequent of a fact is not the punishment of a fault therein THOMAS CORIAT Though some will censure him as a person rather ridiculous than remarkable he must not be omitted For first few would be found to call him Fool might none do it save such who had as much Learning as himself Secondly if others have more Wisdom than he thankfulnesse and humility is the way to preserve and increase it He was born at Odcombe nigh Evil in this County bred at Oxford where he attained to admirable fluency in the Greek tongue He carried folly which the charitable called merriment in his very face The shape of his head had no promising form being like a Sugar-loaf inverted with the little end before as composed of fancy and memory without any common-sense Such as conceived him fool ad duo and something else ad decem were utterly mistaken For he drave on no design carrying for Coin and Counters alike so contented with what was present that he accounted those men guilty of superfluity who had more suits and shirts than bodies seldom putting off either till they were ready to go away from him Prince Henry allowed him a pension and kept him for his Servant Sweet-meats and Coriat made up the last course at all Court-entertainments Indeed he was the Courtiers Anvil to trie their Witts upon and sometimes this Anvil returned the Hammers as hard knocks as it received his bluntnesse repaying their abusinesse His Book known by the name of Coriat's Crudities nauceous to nice Readers for the rawnesse thereof is not altogether useless though the porch be more worth than the Palace I mean the Preface of other mens mock-commending verses thereon At last he undertook to travail unto the East-Indies by land mounted on an horse with ten toes being excellently qualified for such a journey For rare his dexterity so properly as consisting most in manual signs in interpreting and answering the dumb tokens of Nations whose language he did not understand Besides such his patience in all distresses that in some sort he might seem cool'd with heat fed with fasting and refresh'd vvith weariness All expecting his return with more knowledge though not more wisdom he ended his earthly pilgrimage in the midst of his Indian travail about as I collect the year of our Lord 1616. Lord Majors Name Father Place Company Time 1 John Champneis Robert Champneis Chew Skinner 1535 2 George Bond Robert Bond Trul Haberdasher 1588 Know Reader this is one of the Ten pretermitted Counties the Names of whose Gentry were not by the Commissioners returned into the Tower in the 12 of K. Henry the sixth Sheriffes This County had the same with Dorsetshire until the ninth year of Queen Elizabeth since which time these following have born the Office in this County alone Name Place Armes ELIZ. Reg.  Crosses Formee Argent 9 Maur. Berkley mil. Bruiton Gules a Cheveron between 10 10 Geo. Norton Mil.   11 Hen. Portman ar Orchard Or a flower de Luce Azure 12 Thâ—… Lutterel ar Dunst. Ca. Or a Bend betwixt 6 Martlets S. 13 Geo. Rogers arm Cannâ—…gton Arg. a Cheveron betwixt 3 Bucks currant Sa. attired Or. 14 Joh. Horner arm Melles Sable 3 Talbots passant Arg. 15 Io. Sydenham arm Broâ—…pton Argent 3 Rams Sable 16 Ioh. Stowel Miles Stawel Gules a Cross Lozengee Argent 17 Christop Kenne ar Conâ—…swick Ermin 3 half Moons Gules 18 Tho. Mallet arm Enmore Azure 3 Escallops Or. 19 Geo Sydenham ar ut prius  20 Joh. Colles arm   21 Ioh. Brett   22 Maur. Rodney ar Rodney Sâ—…ke Or 3 Eâ—…glets displayed Purpure 23 Hen. Newton arm  Arg. on a Cheveron Az 3 Garbs Or. 24 Ioh. Buller arm  Sa. on â—… plain Cross Arg. quarter pierced 4 Eaglets of the field 25 Ar. Hopton arm VVitham Argent 2 Barrs Sable each with 3 Mullets of six points Or. 26 Gaâ—…r Hawley ar †  27 Nic. Sidenham ar ut prius †Vert a Saltir ingrailed Or. 28 Ioh. Clifton miles Bâ—…rringtoÌ„ Sable Semee of Cinquefoils a Lion rampant Arg. 29 Hen. Berkley mil. ut prius  30 Edw. Sainthorp ar   31 Sam. Norton arm   32 Hugo 〈◊〉 ar ut prius  33 Ioh. Harington ar  Sable a Frâ—…t Argent 34 Geo. Speke aâ—…g 〈◊〉 Argent 2 Barrs Azure over all an Eagle displayed Gules 35 Geo. Lâ—…erel arm ut prius  36 Hen. Walrond  AMP. 37 Ioh. Francis arm Combe flouree Argent a Cheveron betwixt 3 Mullets Gules pierced 38 Ioh. Stowel mil. ut prius  39 Ioh. Colles arm   40 Ioh. Gennings ar â—…urron Azure a Châ—…veron Or betwixt 3 Bâ—…zants on a Chief Eâ—…min 3 Cinquesoils Gules 41 Gâ—…o Rodney arm ut prius  42 Hugo Portman mil. ut prius  43 Ioh. Mallet aâ—…mig ut prius  44 Joh. May aâ—…mig Charterhouse Hâ—…yden Sable a Câ—…everon Or betwixt 3 Roses Argâ—… a Chief of the second 45 Edw. Râ—…gers 〈◊〉 ut prius  IAC
Fathers Lands the more he enjoyed of himself It was not sullenesse or revenge but free choice which made him betake himself to his studies wherein he became eminent I place him confidently not a trans but Cis-reformation-man for translating the Book of Dr. Fox Bishop of Hereford a favourer of Luther into English Of the Difference of the power Ecclesiastical and Secular A Subject profitable in all seasonable not to say necessary in our Times For as the Water and Earth making but one Globe take their mutual advantages to enlarge themselves so these two powers united under one King in our land wait their opportunities to advance their respective Jurisdictions the right stating whereof would conduce much to the publick Peace This Lord died I dare not say the more the pitty some moneths before the beginning of Queen Elizabeth Anno 1558. SAMPSON ERDERSWIK Esq. was born at Sandon near Stafford in this County of a Right Worshipful and ancient Extraction He was a Gentleman accomplished with all Noble qualities affability devotion and Learning 'T is hard to say whether his Judgement or Industry was more in matters of Antiquity Bearing a tender respect to his native Country and desiring the honour thereof he began a description â—…ntituled A view of Stafford-shire Anno Domini 1593 conteining the same till the day of his death A short clear true impartial work taken out of ancient evidences and Records the Copies whereof in Manuscripts are deservedly valued for great Rarities This is he who when I often groped in the dark yea feared to fall in matters concerning this County took me by the hand Oh! for the like Conductors in other Counties and hath led me safe by his direction He was much delighted with decency of Gods House which made him on his own cost to repaire new Glaze the Church of Sandon wherein to prevent neglect of Executors he erected for himself a goodly Monument of Free-stone with his proportion cut out to the life and now lieth therein interred He died April the 11 1603 and let his Elogie of Mr. Camden serve for his Epitaph Venerandae Antiquitatis fuit Cultor Maximus THOMAS ALLEN was born in this County deriving his original from Allanus de Buckenhole Lord of Buckenhole in the reign of King Edward the 2d He was bred in Glocester-Hall in Oxford a most excellent Mathematician where he succeeded to the skill and scandal of Frier Bacon taken at both but given I beleeve by neither accounted a Conjurer Indeed vulgar eyes ignorant in Opticks conceit that raised which is but reflected fancy every shadow a spirit every spirit a Divel And when once the repute of a Conjurer is raised in vulgar esteem it is not in the power of the greatest Innocence and Learning to allay it He was much in favour with Robert Earl of Leicester and his admirable writings of Mathematicks are lâ—…tent with some private possessors which envy the publick profit thereof He died a very aged man towards the end of the reign of King James HENRY and ROBERT BURTON Brethren and eminent Authors in their several kinds were as some say born at Fald in this County But Leicester-shire pretending some probability to their Nativities hath by the Alphabetical advantage prevented this Shire and carried away their Characters therein Besides these deceased WRITERS Reader I have Three in my eye who are and long may they be alive as different as eminent in their liberal inclinations Edward Leigh of Rushwel-Hall Esq. whose Critica Sacra with many other worthy works will make his Judicious Industry known to posterity Elias Ashmole Esq. born in Litchfield critically skilled in Ancient Coins Chymistry Heraldry Mathematicks what not John Lightfood D. D. who for his exact insight in Hebrew and Rabbinical Learning hath deserved well of the Church of England But forgive me Reader I have forgot myself and trespassed on my Fundamental Rules Romish Exile Writers WILLIAM GIFFORD Though this Ancient and Worshipful Name be diffused in several Counties I have satisfied my self in fixing him here as an Extract of the Family of Chillington He was a man of much Motion and my Pen is resolved to follow him as able to Travel with more Speed less Pain and Cost 1 From his Fathers house he went to and lived four years in Oxford 2 Thence with his School-master he went over to Lovain where he got Lauream Doctoralem in Artibus was made Master of Arts. 3 Then studying Divinity there under Bellarmin was made Batchelour in that Profession 4 Frighted hence with War went to Paris 5 Removed to Rheams where he eleven years professed Divinity 6 Doctorated at Pont-Muss in Lorain 7 Highly prized by Henry Duke of Guise and Cardinal Lewis his brother who gave him a Pension of two hundred Crowns a year 8 After their death he went to Rome where he became Dean of St. Peters in the Isle for ten years 9 Returning to Rheams he was made Rector of the Vniversity therein 10 At fifty years of Age bidding farewel to the World he became a Benedictine at Delaware in Lorain Thus far Pitseus acquainting us that he was alive 1611 on whose Stock give me leave to graft what followeth This Dr. Gifford was afterwards advanced Arch-bishop of Rheams by the favour of the Duke of Guise who is shrewdly suspected to have quartered to heavily on the profit of that place However our Gifford gained so much as therewith to found not only a Covent for English Monks at St. Mallowes in France but also at Paris for those of the same profession Remarkable Charity that an Exile who properly had no home of his own should erect Houses for others Benefactors to the Publick This County I confess is exceeded by her Neigbours in this particular and I meet with few either ancient or eminent Benefactions therein Yet besides a â—…air School at Wolver-Hampton built by Sr. Stephen Jennings Lord Major of London and another erected by Mr. Thomas Allen at â—…tceter I am credibly informed that MARTEN NOEL Esq. born in the Counâ—…y-Town of Stafford bred Sâ—…rivener in London hath fairly built and largely endowed an Hospital in Stafford aforesaid The Crown Muâ—…al amongst the Romanâ—… waâ—… noâ—… given to every Souldier who scaled the Walls but onely to him who footed them first on which account a Garland of Glory is due to this Gentleman whose Foundation as I am certified is the first considerable Fabrick of that kind in this County Iâ—… is to be hoped that as the zeal of Achaia provoked many â—…o this good Leader will invite maâ—…y Followers to succeed him living in London this present 1660. Memorable persons THOMAS TARLTON My intelligence of the certainty of his birth-place coming too late confessed by the marginal mark I fix him here who indeed was born at Condover in the neighbouring County of Shrap-shire where still some of his Name and Relations remain Here he was in the field keeping his Fathers Swine
when a Servant of Robert Earl of Leicester passing this way to his Lords Lands in his Barony of Denbighe was so highly pleased with his happy unhappy answers that he brought him to Court where he became the most famous Jester to Queen Elizabeth Many condemn his vocation I cannot term it for it is a coming without a calling Imployment as unwarrantable Such maintain that it is better to be a Fool of Gods making born so into the World or a Fool of Mans making jeered into it by general Dirision than a Fool of one 's own making by his voluntary affecting thereof Such say also he had better continued in his Trade of Swine-keeping which though more painful and less profitable his conscience changed to loss for a Jesters place in the Court who of all men have the hardest account to make for every idle word that they abundantly utter Others alledge in excuse of their Practises That Princes in all Ages were allowed their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whose Virtue consisted in speaking any thing without control That Jesters often heal what Flatterers hurt so that Princes by them arive at the notice of their Errors seeing Jesters carry about with them an Act of Indemnity for whatsoever they say or do That Princes over-burdered with States-business must have their Diversions and that those words are not censurable for absolutely idle which lead to lawful delight Our Tarlton was Master of his Faculty When Queen Elizabeth was serious I dare not say sullen and out of good humour he could un-dumpish her at his pleasure Her highest Favorites would in some Cases go to Tarleton before they would go to the Queen and he was their Vsher to prepare their advantagious access unto Her In a word He told the Queen more of her faults than most of her Chaplains and cured her Melancholy better than all of her Physicians Much of his merriment lay in his very looks and actions according to the Epitaph written upon him Hic â—…itus est cujus poterat vox actio vultus Ex Heraclito reddere Democritum Indeed the self same words spoken by another would hardly move a merry man to smile which uttered by him would force a sad soul to laughter This is to be reported to his praise that his Jests never were prophane scurrilous nor Satyrical neither trespassing on Piety Modesty or Charity as in which plurimum inerat salis muâ—…tum aceti aliquid sinapis nihil veneni His death may proportionably be assigned about the end of Queen Elizabeth JAMES SANDS of Horborn nigh Bremingham but in this County is most remarkable for his Vivacity for he lived 140 and his wife 120 years He out lived five Leases of twenty one years a piece which were made unto him after his Marriage Thus is not the age of Man so Vniversally contracted but that Divine Providence sometimes draweth it out to an extraordinary length as for other reasons so to render the longevity of the primitive Patriarchs more credible He died about the year 1625. WALTER PARSONS born in this County was first Apprentice to a Smith when he grew so tall in stature that a hole was made for him in the Ground to stand therein up to the knees so to make him adequate with his Fellow work-men He afterwards was Porter to King James seeing as Gates generally are higher than the rest of the Building so it was sightly that the Portâ—… should be taller than other Persons He was proportionable in all parts and had strength equal to height Valour to his strength Temper to his valour so that he disdained to do an injury to any single person He would make nothing to take two of the tallest Yeomen of the Guard like the Gizard and Liver under his Arms at once and order them as he pleased Yet were his Parents for ought I do understand to the contrary but of an ordinary stature whereat none will wonder who have read what St. Augustine reports of a Woman which came to Rome a little before the sacking thereof by the Goths of so Giantlike a height that she was far above all who saw her though infinite Troopes came to behold the spectacle And yet he addeth Et hoc erat maximae admirationis quod ambo parentes ejus c. This made men most admire that both her Parents were but of ordinary stature This Parsons is produced for proof that all ages affords some of extraordinary height and that there is no general decay of Mankind in their Dimentions which if there were we had ere this time shrunk to be lower than Pigmyes not to instance in a lesse proportion This Parsons died Anno Dom. 162. Lord Majors Name Father Place Company Time 1 William Taylor John Taylor Ecclestone Grocer 1468 2 Stephen Jennings Will. Jennings Wolverhampton Merchant-Tailor 1508 3 Richard Pipe Richard Pipe Wolverhampton Draper 1578 4 James Harvey Will. Harvey Cottwalton Iron-monger 1581 5 Stephen Slany John Slany Mitton Skinner 1595 6 William Rider Thomâ—…s Rider Muclestone Haberdasher 1600 7 Hugh Hamersley Hugh Hamersley Stafford Haberdasher 1627 The Names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the 12 year of K. Henry the Sixth Anno Dom. 1433. Commissioners to take the Oathes William Bishop of Covent and Liech Humphry Earl of Stafford Knights for the Shire Hugh Ardeswyk Thomas Arblastier Johannis Sutton chiv Johannis Bagot chiv Rogeri Aston chival Johannis Gruffith chi Johannis Gresley chiv Thomae Stanley arm Radulphi Egerton ar Radulphi Basset arm Roberti Harecourt ar Philippi Chetwynd ar Richardi Bagot arm Roberti Whitgrave ar Thomae Barbour arm Willielmi Grevel arm Thomae Detheck arm Thomae Goyne armig Johannis Miners ar Tho. Oker arm senioris Tho. Oker arm junioris Johannis Minerel arm Richardi Peshale armi Hugonis Wrotesley arm Riehardi Hareconrt ar Sampsonis Ardiswick ar Johannis Winesbury ar Thomae Swinerton arm Willielmi Newport arm Johannis Hampton arm Humphry Low armiger Richardi Lone armig Willieimi Lee armiger Willielmi Everdon ar Willielmi Leveson arm Nicolai Warings arm Jacobi Leveson arm Rogeri Wirley armig Cornelii VVirly armig Johannis Whatecroft ar Gerardi de Ringeley ar Richardi Pety armig VVillielmi Hexstall ar Edwardi Doyle arm Richardi Selman arm David Cawardyn arm Thome Swynfen arm Richardi Rugeley ar Johannis Broghton arm Johannis Atwell arm Thomae Cotton armig Johannis Cotton arm Aymeri Cotton armig Thomae VVolseley ar Johannis Colwich ar Roberti Swinerton ar Rogeri Swineshede ar Th. VVhitington ar Joh. More armiger Thome More arm Joh. Askeby arm Joh. Mollesley arm Joh. Horewold ar VVill. Saltford ar VVil. Leventhorp ar VVill. Corbyn gent. Joh. Corbyn gent. Thomae VValton ar Reg. Bro de Oake ar Johannis Sheldon ar Radulphi Frebody arm VVill. Bradshaw arm Joh. Bonghay gent. Joh. Burton gent. Roberti Stokes armig Joh. Cumberford armig Nicolai Thiknes armig Aegidii Swinerton arm Thomae VVolaston gent. Hugonis Holyns gent. Thomae Lokewood gent. Thomae Stafford gent. Nicolai Norman gent. Richardi Snede
enjoy the honour thereof or farther off so as not to be envied and suspected for his Title thereunto by King Henry the Fourth Now all the harm this Earl had done King Henry was this that King Henry held from him his lawful Inheritance Yea this meek Mortimer was content to wave the Crown so be it he might but enjoy his private Patrimony which he could not without many molestations from the King For this is the nature of some Men to heap injuries on those they have wronged as if the later injuries would give a countenance of Justice to the former He employed this Edmund in a War against Owen Glendour the Welsh Rebel on the same design that Saul sent David to fight against and fetch the fore-skins of the Philistins If he prov'd Conquerour then was King Henry freed from a professed Foe if conquered then was he rid of a suspected Subject But Mortimer went by the worst and being taken prisoner the King though often solicited never endeavoured his enlargement till at last he dearly ransomed himself Yet did he but exchange a Welsh for an Irish prison kept 20 years in râ—…traint in his own Castle of Trim in the end of the reign of cunning King Henry the Fourth all the reign of couragious King Henry the Fifth and the beginning of the reign of innocent King Henry the Sixth their different tempers meeting in cruelty against this poor Prisoner He died Anno Domini 1454. without Issue leaving Anne his sister his heir and lieth buried in Clare as is aforesaid Saints St. EDMUND King of the East-Angles Hear what falshoods are hudled together in our English Martyrology written as he terms himself By a Catholick Priest Permiâ—… Superiorum 1608. pag. 319 on the 20 of November At Hexam in Northumberland the passion of St. Edmund King and Martyr who being a Saxon by Bloud born in the City of Noremberg in that Province and Nephew to Offa King of the East-Angles First Hexam in Northumberland should be Hoxton in this County where St. Edmund was martyred Secondly there is no City Noremberg in Brittain nor Europe save that in Germany This is enough to make us distrust what he writeth afterwards viz. that When the said St. Edmund was cruelly murdered by the Danes and when the Christians seeking his Corps were lost in a Wood did call one to another Where art Where art Where art The martyred head answered Here Here Here. However God forbid that this Authors fauxities should make us undervalue this worthy King and Martyr cruelly tortured to death by the Pagan Danes and by an old Author thus not unhansomely express'd Utque cruore suo Gallos Dionysius ornat Graecos Demetrius gloria quisque suis. Sic nos Edmundus nulli virtute secundus Lux patet patriae gloria magna suae Sceptra manum diadema caput sua purpura corpus Ornat ei sed plus vincula mucro cruor As Denis by his death adorneth France Demetrius Greece each credit to his place So Edmunds lustre doth our Land advance Who with his vertues doth his Country grace Scepter Crown Robe his hand head corps renouns More famous for his bonds his bloud his wounds His death happened Anno Domini 870. whose body was placed in a goodly shrine richly adorned with jewels and precious stones at Bury in this County These all are vanish'd whilst the name of St. Edmund will ever remain in that Towns denomination ROBERT GROSTHEAD â—…ehosaphat seeing four hundred Prophets of Baal together and suspecting they were too many to be good cast in that shrewd question Is there not here a Prophet of the Lord besides and thereupon Micaiah was mentioned unto him Possible the Reader seeing such swarms of Popish Saints in England will demand Is there not â—…et a Saint of the Lord besiâ—…es and I conceive my self concerned to return a true answer that there is Robert Grosthead by name whom now we come to describe He was born in this County bred in Oxford where he became most eminent for Religion and Learning in all kind of Languages Arts and Sciences and at last was preferred Bishop of Lincoin 1235. He wrote no fewer than three hundred Treatises whereof most are extant in Manuscript in Westminster Library which Dr. Williams his Successor in the See of Lincoln intended to have published in three fair Folio Volumes had not the late troublesome Times dis-heartned him Thus our Civil Warrs have not only filled us with Legions of lying Pamphlets but also deprived us of such a Treasure of Truth as this worthy Mans works would have proved to all posterity He was a stout Opposer of Popish-Oppression in the Land and a sharp Reprover of the Corruptions of the Court of Rome as we have largely declared in our Ecclesiastical History Such the Piety of his Life and Death that though loaded with Curses from the Pope he generally obtained the Reputation of a Saint Bellarmine starts a Question whether one may pray lawfully to him paint his Picture in the Church who is not Canonized by the Pope and very gravely he determineth a short line will serve to fadom a shallow water that privately he may do it and that a Picture of such a Man may be painted in the Church provided his head be not encompassed with a Radiated Circle as particular to Canonized Saints Thus our Learned and Pious Robert must want that addition of a Glory about his Picture and the matter is not much seeing no doubt having Turned many to righteousness he doth shine in Heaven as the brightness of the Firmament Whose death happened Anno Domini 1254. Martyrs ROWLAND TAYLOR Where born unknown though some without any assurance have suggested his Nativity in Yorkshire was bred in Cambridge and became head of Borden Hostle nigh if not now partly in Cajus Colledge where he commenced Doctor of the Laws Hence he was by Archbishop Cranmer presented to the Rectory of Hadley in this County He was a great Scholar painful Preacher charitable to the Poor of a comly Countenance proper Person but inclining to corpulency and chearful behaviour The same devotion had different looks in several Martyrs frowning in Stern Hooper weeping in meek Bradford and smiling constantly in pleasant Taylor Indeed some have censured his merry Conceits as trespassing on the gravity of his calling especially when just before his death But surely such Romanists who admire the temper of Sr. Thomas More jesting with the Axe of the Executioner will excuse our Taylor for making himself merry with the Stake But though it be ill Jesting with edged Tooles whereof Death is the sharpest yet since our Saviour hath blounted it his servants may rather be delighted than dismayed with it Not long after Doctor Taylor set Archbishop Cranmer who was his Patron a Copy of Patients who indeed wrote after it but not with so steady a hand and so even a Character of constancy Taylor was martyred at Hadley February 9 1555.
bred in Bennet Colledge in Cambridge to which afterwards he proved a bountiful Benefactor building a beautiful Chappel therein He afterwards applied himself to the study of the Common Law and was made Attourney to the Court of Wards whence he was preferred Lord Keeper of the Great Seal in the First of Queen Elizabeth 1558. He married Anne second daughter to S â— Anthony Cook of Giddy-hall in Essex Governour to King Edward the Sixth And it is worthy of our observation how the Sates-men in that Age were arched together in affinity to no small support one to another Sir John Cheek Secretary to K. Edward the Sixth whose sister was first wife to Sr William Cecil Secretary to the same King Sir Will. Cecil aforesaid for his second wife married the wives sister unto this Sir Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper Sr. Francis Walsingham Secretary to Queen Elizabeth had a sister married unto Sir Walter Mildmay Chancellour of the Exchequer Sir Franc. Walsingham was also brother in Law unto Sir Tho. Randolph that grand States-man Ambassador To return to Sir Nicholas Bacon he was condemned by some who seemed wise and commended by those that were so for not causing that Sâ—…atute to be repealed the Queen relying on him as her Oracle of Law whereby the Queen was made illegitimate in the dayes of her Father For this wise States-man would not open that wound which time had partly closed and would not meddle with the variety yea contrariety of Statutes in this kind whereby people would rather be perplexed than satisfied but derived her right from another Statute which allowed her succession the rather because Lawyers maintain That a Crown once worn cleareth all defects of the wearer thereof He continued in his Office about eighteen years being a Man of rare wit and deep experience Cui fuit ingenium subtile in corpore crasso For he was loaden with a corpulent body especially in his old Age so that he would be not only out of breath but also almost out of life with going from Westminster-hall to the Star-chamber in so much when sitting down in his place it was some time before he could recover himself And therefore it was usual in that Court that no Lawyer should begin to speak till the Lord Keeper held up his staffe as a signal to him to begin He gave for his Motto Mediocria Firma and practised the former part thereof Mediocria Never attaining because never affecting any great Estate He was not for Invidious Structures as some of his Contemporaries but delighted in Domo Domino pari Such as was his house at Gorhambury in Hartfordshire And therefore when Queen Elizabeth coming thither in progresse told him My Lord your house is too little for you No Madam returned he no less wittely than gratefully But it is your Highness that hath made me too great for mine house Now as he was a just practiser of the first part of this Motto Mediocria so no doubt he will prove a true Prophet in the second part thereof Firma having left an Estate rather good than great to his posterity whose eldest son Sir Edward Bacon in this County was the first Baronet of England He died on the 20th of February 1578 and Iieth buried in the Quire of St. Pauls In a word he was a goodman a grave States-man a Father to his Country and Father to Sir FRANCIS BACON Sir WILLIAM DRUERY was born in this County where his Worshipful Family had long flourished at Haulsted His name in Saxon soundeth a Pearle to which he answered in the pretiousness of his disposition clear and hard innocent and valiant and therefore valued deservedly by his Queen and Country His youth he spent in the French Wars his middle in Scotland and his old Age in Ireland He was Knight Marshal of Barwick at what time the French had possessed themselves of the Castle of Edenburgh in the minority of King James Queen Elizabeth employed this Sir William with 1500 men to besiege the Castle which service he right worthily performed reducing it within few dayes to the true owner thereof Anno 1575 he was appointed Lord President of Mounster whether he went with competent Forces and executed impartial Justice in despite of the Opposers thereof For as the Sign of Leo immediately precedeth Virgo and Libra in the Zodiack so no hope that innocency will be protected or Justice administred in a Barbarous Country where power and strength do not first secure a passage unto them But the Earl of Desmond opposed this good President forbidding him to enter the County of Kerry as a Palatinate peculiarly appropriated unto himself Know by the way as there were but four Palatinates in England Chester LancasterDurham and Ely whereof the two former many years since were in effect invested in thâ—… Crown there were no fewer than eight Palatinates in Ireland possessed by their Respective Dynasts claiming Regal Rites therein to the great retarding of the absolute Conquest of that Kingdom Amongst these saith my Author Kerry became the Sanctuary of sin and Refuge of Rebels as out-lawed from any English Jurisdiction Sir William no whit terrified with the Earls threatning entred Kerry with a competent Train and there dispenced Justice to all persons as occasion did require Thus with his seven-score men he safely forced his return through seven hundred of the Earls who sought to surprise him In the last year of his life he was made Lord Deputy of Ireland and no doubt had performed much in his place if not afflicted with constant sickness the fore-runner of his death at Waterford 1598. Sir ROBERT NAUNTON was born in this County of Right ancient Extraction some avouching that his Family were here before others that they came in with the Conqueror who rewarded the chief of that Name for his service with a great Inheretrix given him in marriage In so much that his Lands were then estimated at a vast sum in my Judgment seven hundred pounds a year For along time they were Patrons of Alderton in this County where I conceive Sir Robert was born He was first bred Fellow Commoner in Trinity Colledge and then Fellow of Trinity-Hall in Cambridge He was Proctor of the University Anno Domini 160 0 1 which Office according to the Old Circle returned not to that Colledge but once in fourty four years He addicted himself from his youth to such studies as did tend to accomplish him for Publick imployment I conceive his most excellent piece called Fragmenta Regalia set forth since his death was a fruit of his younger years He was afterwards sworn Secretary of State to King James on Thursday the eighth of January 1617. which place he discharged with great ability and dexterity And I hope it will be no offence here to insert a pleasant passage One Mr. Wiemark a wealthy Man great Novilant and constant Pauls walker hearing the News that day of the beheading of Sir Walter Raleigh His head said he
he was the son of a good King which many men would wish and no child could help The then present Power more of coveteousness than kindness unwilling to maintain him either like or unlike the son of his Father permitted him to depart the Land with scarce tolerable Accommodations and the promise of a never-performed Pension for his future Support A passage I meet with in my worthy Friend concerning this Duke deserveth to be written in letters of Gold In the year 1654 almost as soon as his two Elder Brethren had removed themselves into Flanders he found a strong practise in some of the Queens Court to seduce him to the Church of Rome whose temptations he resisted beyond his years and thereupon was sent for by them into Flanders He had a great appetite to Learning and a quick digestion able to take as much as his Tutors could teach him He fluently could speak many understood more Modern Tongues He was able to express himself in matters of importance presently properly solidly to the admiration of such who trebled his Age. Judicious his Curiosity to inquire into Navigation and other Mathematical Mysteries His Courtesie set a lustre on all and commanded mens Affections to love him His life may be said to have been All in the night of affliction rising by his Birth a little before the setting of his Fathers and setting by his Death a little after the rising of his Brothers peaceable Reign It seems Providence to prevent Excess thought fit to temper the general mirth of England with some mourning With his Name-sake Prince Henry he compleated not twenty years and what was said of the Unkle was as true of the Nephew Fatuos a morte defendit ipsa insulsitas si cui plus caeteris aliquantulum salis insit quod miremini statim putrescit He deceased at Whitehall on Thursday the 13th of September 1660 and was buried though privately solemnly Veris spirantibus lacrymis in the Chappel of King Henry the Seventh Martyrs I meet with few if any in this County being part of the Diocess of Politick Gardiner The Fable is well known of an Ape which having a mind to a Chest-nut lying in the fire made the foot of a Spannel to be his tongs by the proxy whereof he got out the Nut for himself Such the subtlety of Gardiner who minding to murther any poor Protestant and willing to save himself from the scorching of general hatred would put such a person into the fire by the hand of Bonner by whom he was sent for up to London and there destroyed Confessors ELEANOR COBHAM daughter to the Lord Cobham of Sterborough-Castle in this County was afterwards married unto Humphrey Plantaginet Duke of Glocester This is she who when alive was so persecuted for being a Wickliffiâ—…e and for many hainous crimes charged upon her And since her memory hangs still on the file betwixt Confessor and Malefactor But I believe that the voluminous paines of Mr. Fox in vindicating her innocency against the Cavils of Alane Cope and others have so satisfied all indifferent people that they will not grudg her position under this Title Her troubles happened under King Henry the Sixth Anno Domini 14 ... Prelates NICHOLAS of FERNHAM or de Fileceto was born at Fernham in this County and bred a Physician in Oxford Now our Nation esteemeth Physicians little Physick little worth except far fetcht from foreign parts Wherefore this Nicholas to acquire more skill and repute to himself travelled beyond the Seas First he fixed at Paris and there gained great esteem accounted Famosus Anglicus Here he continued until that â—…niversity was in effect dissolved thorough the discords betwixt the Clergy and the Citizens Hence he removed and for some years lived in Bononia Returning home his fame was so great that he became Physician to King Henry the Third The Vivacity and health of this Patient who reigned longer than most men live was an effect of his care Great were the giâ—…ts the King conferred upon him and at last made him Bishop of Chester Wonder not that a Physician should prove a Prelate seeing this Fernham was a general Scholar Besides since the Reformation in the reign of Queen Elizabeth we had J. Coldwel Doctor of Physick a Bishop of Sarum After the Resignation of Chester he accepted of the Bishoprick of Durham This also he surrendred after he had sitten nine years in that See reserving only three Mannors for his maintenance He wrote many Books much esteemed in that Age of the practice in Thysick and use of Herbs and died in a private life 1257. WALTER de MERTON was born at Merton in this County and in the reign of King Henry the Third when Chancellors were chequered in and out three times he discharged that Office 1 Anno 1260 placed in by the King displac'd by the Barons to make room for Nicholas of Ely 2 Anno 1261. when the King counting it no Equity or Conscience that his Lords should obtrude a Chancellor on him restored him to his place continuing therein some three years 3 Anno 1273. when he was replaced in that Office for a short time He was also preferred Bishop of Rochester that a rich Prelate might maintain a poor Bishoprick He founded Merton-Colledge in Oxford which hath produced more famous School-men than all England I had almost said Europe besides He died in the year 1277 in the fifth of King Edward the First THOMAS CRANLEY was in all probability born at and named from Cranley in Blackheath Hundred in this County It confirmeth the conjecture because I can not find any other Village so named in all England Bred he was in Oxford and became the first Warden of New Colledge thence preferred Arch-bishop of Dublin in Ireland Thither he went over 1398 accompanying Thomas Holland Duke of Surrey and Lieutenant of Ireland and in that Kingdom our Cranley was made by King Henry the Fourth Chancellour and by King Henry the Fifth Chief Justice thereof It seems he finding the Irish possessed with a rebellious humour bemoaned himself to the King in a terse Poem of 106 Verses which Leland perused with much pleasure and delight Were he but half so good as some make him he was to be admired Such a Case and such a Jewel such a presence and a Prelate clear in Complexion proper in Stature bountiful in House-keeping and House-repairing a great Clerk deep Divine and excellent Preacher Thus far we have gone along very willingly with our Author but now leave him to go alone by himself unwilling to follow him any farther for fear of a tang of Blasphemy when bespeaking him Thou art fairer than the children of men full of grace are thy lips c. Anno 1417 he returned into England being fourscore years old sickned and died at Faringdon and lieth buried in New-Colledge Chappel and not in Dublin as some have related NICHOLAS WEST was born at Putney in
in this Shire though one may seem somewhat suspicious as being bred living though not to their full strength and stature of being navigable and dying therein swallowed up by the sea It is sufficient evidence of the plenty of this County that the Tolle of the Wheat Corn and Malt growing or made about and sold in the City of Chichester doth amount yearly at a half penny a Quarter to sixty pounds and upwards as the Gatherers thereof will attest and the numbers of the Bushels we leave to be Audited by better Arithmeticians It hath been said that the first Baron Viscount and Earl in England all three have and have had for some term of time their chief residence in this County and it is more civility to believe all then to deny any part of the repoâ—…t though sure I am this observation was discomposed at the death of the Earl of Essex since which time Viscount Hereford is the first Person in England of that Dignity Naturall Commodities Iron Great the necessity hereof some Nations having lived in the ignorance of Gold and Silver scarce any without the use of Iron Indeed we read not of it in making the Tabernacle though from no mention no use thereof therein cannot infallibly be inferred which being but a Slight and Portable Building Brass might supply the want thereof But in the Temple which was a firmer fabrick we find Iron for the things of Iron and a hundred thousand Talents of that Metal imployed therein Great the quantity of Iron made in this County whereof much used therein and more exported thence into other parts of the Land and beyond the Seas But whether or no the private profit thereby will at long-running countervail the publick loss in the destruction of woodâ—… I am as unwilling to discuss as unable to decide Onely let me adde the ensuing complaint wherein the Timber-trees of this County deplore their condition in my opinion richly worth the Readers perusall Joves Oake the warlike Ash veyn'd Elm the softer Beech Short Hazell Maple plain light Aspe the bending Wych Tough Holly and soomth Birch must altogether burn What should the Builders serve supplies the Forgers turn When under publick good base private gain takes hold And we poor wofull woods to ruin lastly sold. But it is to be hoped that a way may be found out to â—…harke Seacole in such manner as to render it usefull for the making of Iron All things are not found out in one age as reserved for future discovery and that perchance may be easy for the next which seems impossible to this generation Talk Talk in Latine Talchum is a cheap kind of Mineral which this County plentifully affords though not so fine as what is fetch'd from Venice It is white and transparent like Chrystall full of strekes or veins which prettily scatter themselves Being calcined and variously prepared it maketh a curious White wash which some justiâ—…y lawfull because Cleaâ—…ing not Changing Complexion It is a great Astringent yet used but little in Physick Surely Nature would not have made it such an Hypocrit to hang out so fair a sign except some guest of Quality were lodged therein I mean it would not appear so beautifull to the eye except some conâ—…ealed worth were couched therein Inclining me to believe that the vertue 〈◊〉 is not yet fully discovered Wheat ears Wheat-ears is a bird peculiar to this County hardly found out of it It is so called because fattest when Wheat is râ—…pe whereon it feeds being no bigger then a Lark which it equalleth in the fineness of the flesh far exceedeth in the fatness thereof The worst is that being onely seasonable in the heat of summer and naturally larded with lumps of fat it is soon subject to corrupt so that though abounding within fourty miles London-Poulterers have no mind to meddle with them which no care in carriage can keep from Putrefaction That Palate-men shall pass in silence who being seriously demanded his judgment concerning the abilities of a great Lord concluded him a man of very weak parts because once he saw him at a great Feast feed on CHICKENS when there were WHEAT-EARS on the Table I will adde no more in praise of this Bird for fear some female Reader may fall in longing for it and unhappily be disappointed of her desire Carpes It is a stately fish but not long Naturalized in England and of all Fresh-water fishes the Ele only excepted lives longest out of his Proper Element They breed which most other fishes doe not severall Months in one year though in cold Ponds they take no comfort to increase A learned Writer observeth they live but ten years though others assign them a far longer life They are the better for their age and bigness a rule which holds not in other Fishes and their Tongues by ancient Roman Palate-men were counted most delicious meat though to speak Properly they have either no Tongues in their Mouths or all their Mouths are Tongues as filled with a Carneous substance whilst their Teeth are found in their throats There is a kind of Frog which is a Profest Foe unto them insomuch that of a Hundred Carpes put into a Pond not five of them have been found therein a year after And though some may say perchance two-leged Frogs stole them away yet the strict care of their Owners in watching them disproved all suspition thereof Now as this County is eminent for both Sea and River 〈◊〉 namely an Arundel Mullet a Chichester Lobster a 〈◊〉 Cockle and an Ameâ—…ly Trout So Sussex aboundeth with more Carpes then any other of this Nation And though not so great as Jovius reporteth to be found in the Lurian Lake in Italy weighing more then fifty pounds yet those generally of great and goodly proportion I need not adde that Physicians account the galls of Carpâ—…s as also a stone in their heads to be 〈◊〉 only I will observe that because Jews will not eat Caviare made of 〈◊〉 because coming from a fish wanting Scals and therefore forbidden in the Levitical Law Therefore the Italians make greater profit of the Spaun of Carps whereof they make a Red Caviare well pleasing the Jews both in Palate and Conscience All I will adde of Carps is this that Ramuâ—… himself doth not so much redound in Dichotomies as they do Seeing no one bone is to be found in their body which is not forked or divided into two parts at the end thereof Manufactures Great Guns It is almost incredible how many are made of the iron in this County Count Gondomer well knew their goodness when of K. James he so often begg'd the boon to transport them A Monke of Mentz some three hundred years since is generally reputed the first Founder of them Surely ingenuity may seem transposed and to have cross'd her hands when about the same time a Sâ—…uldier found out Printing and it is questionable which of the two Inventions
bestowed should be pleased to provide a fair and firm Fabrick to receive it but now is reposited Bodly within a 〈◊〉 in the matchless Library of Oxford Romish Exil'd Writers GREGORY MARTINE was born at Macfield in this County bred contemporary with Campian Fellow of Saint Johns-colledge in Oxford He was chosen by Thomas Duke of Northfolk to be Tutor to his Son Philip Earl of Arundell and well discharged his trust therein Going afterwards beyond the Seas and living some time in Doway and Rome he fixed at last in the English-colledge at Rhemes where he was Professor of Divinity As he was Papall both in his Christian and Surname so was he deeply dyed with that Religion writing many Books in the defence thereof and one most remarkable intituled A Detection of the corruptions in the English Bible Athaliah did craftily to cry out first Treason Treason when she was the greatest Traitor her self and this Martine conscious of the many and foul corruptions in his own Rhemish translation politickly complained of the Faults in our English Bible He dâ—…ed the 28. of October 1582. and lyeth buried in the Parish Church of St. Stephens in Rhemes THOMAS STAPLETON was born at Henfield in this County as Pitts his familiar friend doth informe us Object not that it is written on his Tomb at Saint Peters at Lovaine Thomas Stapletonus qui Cicestriae in Anglia Nobili loco Natus Chichester there not being taken restrictively for the City but extensively for the Diocess His bare Sirname is sufficient proof of his Gentile Birth Those of his own perswasion please themselves much to observe that this Thomas was born in the same year and month wherein Sir Thomas Moor was beheaded as if Divinè Providence had purposely dropped from Heaven an Acorn in place of the Oake that was â—…ell'd He was bred in New colledge in Oxford and then by the Bishop Christopherson as I take it made Cannon of Chichester which he quickly quitted in the First of Queen Elizabeth Flying beyond the Seas he first fixed at Doway and there commendably performed the Office of Catechist which he discharged to his commendation Reader pardon an Excursion caused by just Grief and Anger Many counting themselfs Protestants in England do slight and neglect that Ordinance of God by which their Religion was set up and gave Credit to it in the first Reformation I mean CATECHISING Did not nor Saviour say even to Saint Peter himself feed my Lambs feed my heep And why Lambs first 1. Because they were Lambs before they were Sheep 2. Because if they be not fed whilst Lambs they could never be Sheep 3. Because Sheâ—…p can in some sort feed themselves but Lambs such their tenderness must either be fed or famished Our Stapleton was excellent at this Lamb-feeding from which Office he was afterwards preferred Kings Professor of Divinity in Lovain and was for fourty years together Dominus ad Oppositum the Undertaker-General against all Protestants Dr. Whitacre Professor in Cambridge experimentally profest that Bellarmine was the fairer and Stapleton the shrewder adversary His preferment in mine Eye was not proportionable to his Merit being no more then Cannon and Master of a Colledge in Lovain Many more admired that Stapleton mist then that Allen got a Cardinals Cap equalling him in Strictness of Life exceeding him in Gentility of Birth and Painfulness of Writing for the Romish Cause Such consider not that Stapletons Ability was drowned with Allens Activity and one Grain of the Statesman is too heavy for a pound of the Student Practical Policy in all Ages beating Pen-pains out of distance in the Race of Preferment Stapleton died and was buried in St. Peters in Lovain Anno 1598. Benefactors to the Publick Reader let not the want of Intelligence in me be mis-interpreted want of munificence in the natives of this County finding but one most eminent and him since the Reformation RICHARD SACKVILL Eldest son of Thomas Earl of Dorcet by Cecilly his Wife had his Barony if not his Birth at Buckhurst in this County A Gentleman of Singular learning in many Sciences and Languages so that the Greek and Latine were as familiar unto him as his own native Tongue Succeeding his father in that Earldom he enjoyed his dignity not a full year as lacking seven Weeks thereof Yet is there no fear that the shortness of his Earlship will make his Name forgotten having erected a Monument which will perpetuate his Memory to all Posterity viz. A Colledge at East-greensted in this County for one and Thirty poor people to serve Almighty God therein Endowing the same with three hundred and thirty pounds a Year out of all his Land in England By Margaret sole daughter to Thomas Duke of Norfolk he left two surviving sons Richard and Edward both Persons of admirable parts successively Earls after him and dying 1608. was buried at Withiham in this County Memorable Persons JOHN PALMER HENRY PALMER THOMAS PALMER Sons unto Edward Palmer Esq. of Angmarine in this County A Town so called as I am informed from Aqua Marina or the water of the sea being within two Miles thereof and probably in former Ages neerer thereunto Their Mother was daughter to one Clement of Wales who for his effectuall assisting of King Henry the seventh from his landing at Milford-haven untill the Battle of Bosworth was brought by him into England and rewarded with good Lands in this and the next County It happened that their Mother being a full fortnight inclusively in Labour was on Whitsunday delivered of John her eldest son on the sunday following of Henry her second son and the sunday next after of Thomas her third son This is that which is commonly called Superfoetation usuall in other Creatures but rare in Women the cause whereof we leave to the disquisition of 〈◊〉 These Three were knighted 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 by King 〈◊〉 the eighth who never laid his sword on his Shoulders who was not a Man so that they appear as remarkable in their sucâ—…esse as their Nativities The truth hereof needeth no other Atrestation then the generall and uncontrolled Tradition of their no lesse worshipfull then Numerous posterity in Sussex and Kent Amongst whom I instance in Sir Roger Palmer aged 80. years lately deceased and 〈◊〉 to our late King averring to me the faith hereof on his Reputation The exact date of these Knights deaths I cannot attain LEONARD 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 in this County being much delighted in gardening mans Original vocation was the 〈◊〉 who brought over into England from beyond the seas Carps and Pippins the one well cook'd delicious the other cordial and restorative For the proof hereof we have his own word and witness and did it it seems about the Fifth year of the reign of King Henry the eighth Anno Dom. 1514. The time of his death is to me unknown WILLIAM WITHERS born at Walsham in this County being a Child of Eleven years old did Anno 1581. lye
the vomit of Popery which my charity will not believe Indeed in the first of Queen Mary he was outed of his Bishoprick for being married and all that we can recover of his carriage aâ—…terwards is this passage at the examination of Master Thomas Hauke Martyr When John Bird then very old brought Boner a bottle of Wine and a dish of Apples probably a present unto him for a Ne noceat and therefore not enough to speak him a Papist in his perswasion Bishop Boner desired him to take Haukes into his Chamber and to try if he could convert him whereupon after Boners departure out of the room the quondam Bishop accosted Haukes as followeth I would to God I could do you some good you are a young man and I would not wish you to go to far but learn of the elders to bear somewhat He enforced him no further but being a thorough old man even fell fast asleep All this in my computation amounts but to a passive compliance and is not evidence enough to make him a thorough paced Papist the rather because John Pitts omitteth him in the Catalogue of English-writers which no doubt he would not have done had he any assurance that he had been a radicated Romanist Nothing else have I to observe of him but onely that he was a little man and had a pearl in his eyes and dying 1556. was buried in Chester States men Sir NICHOLAS THROCKMORTON Knight fourth Son of Sir George Throckmorton of Coughton in this County was bred beyond the Seas where he attained to great experience Under Queen Mary he was in Guild-Hall arraigned for Treason compliance with Wyat and by his own warie pleading and the Jurie's upright verdict hardly escaped Queen Elizabeth employed him Her Leiger a long time first in France then in Scotland finding him a most able Minister of State yet got he no great wealth and no wonder being ever of the opposite party to Burleigh Lord Treasurer Chamberlain of the Exchequer and Chief Butler of England were his highest preferments I say Chief Butler which office like an empty covered cup pretendeth to some state but affordeth no considerable profit He died at supper with eating of salates not without suspicion of poison the rather because hapning in the house of one no mean artist in that faculty R. Earl of Leicester His death as it was sudden was seasonable for him and his whose active others will call it turbulent spirit had brought him into such trouble as might have cost him at least the loss of his personal estate He died in the fifty seventh year of his age February the 12. 1570. and lyeth buryed in the South-side of the Chancel of St. Katharine Cree-Church London EDWARD CONWAY Knight Son to Sir John Conway Knight Lord and Owner of Ragleigh in this County This Sir John being a Person of Great skill in Military affaires was made by Robert Earl of Leicester Generall of the English Auxiliaries in the united Provinces Governour of Ostend His Son Sir Edward succeeded to his Fathers Martial skill and valour and twisted therewith peaceable policy in State-affaires so that the Gown and the Sword met in him in most Eminent Proportion and thereupon King James made Him one of the Principal Secretaries of State For these his good services he was by him created Lord Conway of Ragleigh in this County and afterwards by King Charles Viscount Killultagh in the County of Antrim And lastly in the third of King Charles Viscount Conway of Conway in Carnarvanshire England Ireland and Wales mutually embracing themselves in His Honours He dyed January the third Anno 1630. JOHN DIGBY Baron of Sherborn and Earl of Bristol was born in this County a younger Son of an ancient family long flourishâ—…ng at Coleshull therein To pass by his Infancy all Children being alike in their long Coats his Youth gave pregnant hopes of that Eminency which his mature age did produce He didken the Emhassador-Craft as well as any in his age employed by King James in several services to frreign Princes recited in his Patent which I have perused as the main motives of the Honors conferr'd upon him But his managing the Matchless Match with Spain was his Master-piece wherein a Good I mean a Great number of State-Traverses were used on both sides His contest with the Duke of Buckingham is fresh in many mens Memories charges of High Treason mutually flying about But this Lord fearing the Dukes Power as the Duke this Lorâ—…s policy it at last became a Drawn Battail betwixt them yet so that this Earl lost the love of King Charles living many years in his Dis-favour But such as are in a Court-Cloud have commonly the Countries Sun-shine and this Peer during his Eclyps was very Popular with most of the Nation It is seldom seen that a favorite once Broken at Court sets up again for himself the hap rather then happiness of this Lord the King graciously reflecting on him at the beginning of the Long-Parliament as one Best able to give him the safest Counsell in those dangerous Times But how he incensed the Parliament so far as to be excepted Pardon I neither do know nor dare enquire Sure I am after the surrender of Exeter he went over into France where he met with that due respect in forraign which he missed in his Native Country The worst I wish such who causelesly suspect him of Popish inclinations is that I may hear from them but half so many strong Arguments for the Protestant Religion as I have heard from him who was to his commendation a Cordial Champion for the Church of England He dyed in France about the year 1650. Writers WALTER of COVENTRIE was born and bred a Benedictine therein Bale saith he was Immortali vir dignus Memoria and much commended by Leland though not of set purpose but sparsim as occasion is offered He excelled in the two Essential Qualities of an Historian Faith and Method writing truly and orderly onely guilty of Coursness of style This may better be dispenced with in him because Historia est res veritatis non Eloquentiae because bad Latin was a catching disease in that age From the beginning of the Britons he wrote a Chronicle extant in Bennet Colledge Library to his own time He flourished Anno 1217. VINCENT of COVENTRIE was born in the chief City in this shire and bred a Franciscan though Learned Leland mistakes him a Carmelite in the University of Cambridg His order at their first entrance into England looked upon learning as a thing beneath them so totally were they taken up with their Devotion This Vincent was the first who brake the Ice and then others of his order drank of the same water first applyed himself to Academicall studies and became a publick Professor in Cambridge he set a Coppy for the Carmelites therein to imitate who not long after began their publick Lectures in the same place he
Reader to his Life written at large by Bishop Carlton he was Rector of Houghton in the North consisting of fourteen Villages In his own house he boarded and kept full four and twenty scholars The greater number of his boarders were poor mens sons upon whom he bestowed meat drink and cloth and education in learning He was wont to entertain his Parishioners and strangers at his table not onely at the Christmas time as the custome is but because he had a large and wide Parish a great multitude of people he kept a table for them every Sunday from Michâ—…elmas to Easter He had the Gentlemen the Husbandmen and the Poorer sort set every degree by themselves and as it were ordered in ranks He was wont to commend the married estate in the Clergy howbeit himself lived and dyed a single man He bestowed in the building ordering and establishing of his School and in providing yearly stipends for a School-master and an Usher the full summe of five hundred pounds out of which School he supplied the Church of England with great store of learned men He was carefull to avoid not only all evil doing but even the lightest suspicions thereof And he was accounted a Saint in the judgements of his very enemies if he had any such Being full of faith unfained and of good works he was at the last put into his grave as a heap of wheat in due time swept into the garner He dyed the 4. of March 1583. and in the 66. year of his age RICHARD MULCASTER was born of an ancient extract in the North but whether in this County or Cumberland I find not decided From Eaton-school he went to Cambridge where he was admitted into Kings-colledge 1548. but before he was graduated removed to Oxford Here such his proficiency in learning that by general consent he was chosen the first Master of Merchant-Tailors-School in London which prospered well under his care as by the flourishing of Saint Johns in Oxford doth plainly appear The Merchant-Tailors finding his Scholars so to profit intended to fix Mr. Mulcaster as his Desk to their School till death should remove him This he perceiv'd and therefore gave for his Motto Fidelis servus perpetuus asinus But after twenty five years he procured his freedome or rather exchanged his service being made Master of Pauls-school His method in teaching was this In a morning he would exactly and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the lessons to his Scholars which done he slept his hour custome made him critical to proportion it in his desk in the School but wo be to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 slept the while Awaking he heard them 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉 to pity as soon as he to pardon where he found just fault The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Mothers prevailed with him as much as the requests of indulgent Fathers rather increasing then mitigating his severity on their offending child In a word he was Plagosus Orbilius though it may be truly said and safely for one out of his School that others have taught as much learning with fewer lashes Yet his sharpness was the better endured because unpartiall and many excellent Scholars were bred under him whereof Bishop Andrews was most remarkable Then quitting that place he was presented to the rich Parsoâ—…ge of Stanfórd-rivers in Essex I have heard from those who have heard him preach that his Sermons were not excellent which to me seems no wonder partly because there is a different discipline in teaching children and men partly because such who make Divinity not the choice of their youth but the refuge of their age seldome attain to eminency therein He died 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth CHRISTOPHER POTTER D. D. kinsman to Bishop Potter of whom before was born in this County 〈◊〉 Fellow of Queens-colledge in Oxford and at last was chosen Provost thereof Chapâ—…in in Ordinary to King Charles and Dean of 〈◊〉 One of a sweet nature â—…mely preâ—…ence courteous carriage devout life and deep learning he wrot an excellent book entituled Charity mistaken containing impregnable truth so that malice may sâ—…arl at but not bite it without breaking its own teeth Yet a railing Jesuit wrote a pretended 〈◊〉 thereof to which the Doctor mâ—…de no return partly because the industrious Bee would not meddle with a 〈◊〉 or Hornet rather partly because Mr. Chillingworth a great Master of defence in School-divinity took up the Cudgells against him This worthy Doctor died in the beginning of our civill distempers Benefactors to the Publique ROBERT LANGTON Doctors of Law MILES SPENCER Doctors of Law It is pity to part them being Natives of this County as I am credibly informed Doctors in the same faculâ—…y and Co-partners in the same Charity the building of a fair School at Appleby The Pregnant Mother of so many Eminent Scholars As for Robert Langton he was bred in and a Benefactor to Queens-â—…edge in Oxford owing the Glaseing of many Windows therein to his Beneficence Witness his Conceit to Communicate his Name to Posterity viz. a Ton the 〈◊〉 or Fancy Generall for all Sirnames in that Termination extended very long beyond an ordinary proportion Lang the Northern man pronounceth it whereby he conceived his Surname completed I shall be thankfull to him who shall enform me of the Dates of their severall deaths ANNE CLYFFORD sole Daughter heir to George Earl of Cumberland Wife first to Richard Earl of Dorset then to Phillip Earl of Pembrokâ—… and Montgomery though born and nursed in Hartfordshire yet because having her greatest Residence and Estate in the North is properly referrable to this County The Proverb is Homo non est ubi animat sed amat One is not to be reputed there where he lives but where he loves on which account this Lady is placed not where she first took life but where she hath left a most lasting Monument of her Love to the Publique This is that most beautifull Hospital Stately Built and Richly Endowed at her sole Cost at Appleby in this County It was conceived a bold and daring part of Thomas Cecill son to Treasurer Burghleigh to enjoyn his Masons and Carpenters not to omit a days Work at the building of Wimbleton house in Surrâ—…y though the Spanish Armado Anno 1588. all that while shot off their Guns whereof some might be heard to the Place But Christianly Valiant is the Charity of this Lady who in this Age wherein there is an Earthquake of Antient Hospitals and as for new ones they are hardly to be seen for New lights I say Couragious this Worthy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who dare found in this Confounding Age wherein so much was demolished and aâ—…ened which was given to God and his Church Long may she live in Wealth and 〈◊〉 exactly to Compleat whatâ—…oever her 〈◊〉 Intentions have 〈◊〉 Mâ—…morable Persons RICHARD GILPIN a Valiant Man in this County was 〈◊〉 offed in the Raign of K. John about the year 1208. in the Lordship of Kent-mire-â—…all by
Tattered Cowle a Shirt of Hair a Girdle of Hempe a Pair of Beads a Plain Crucifix and Picture of some Saint passed for all the wealth and Wardrobe of a Friar yet by hearing Feminine Confessions wherewith Wilton twitteth them and abusing the Key of Absolution they opened the Coffers of all the Treasure in the Land He wrot also a smart Book on this subject An validi Mendicantes sint in 〈◊〉 Perfectionis Whether Friars in health and Begging be in the state of perfection The Anti-Friarists maintaining that such were Rogues by the Laws of God and Man and fitter for the House of Correction then State of Perfection This Dean Wilton flourished Anno Dom. 1460. Since the Reformation WILLIAM HOREMAN was saith my Author Patria Sarisburiensis which in the Strictest sence may be rendred born in the City in the Largest born in the Diocess of Salisbury and in the Middle-sence which I most embrace born in Wiltshire the County wherein Salisbury is situated He was bred saith Bale first in Eaton then in Kings-colledge in Cambridge both which I doe not deny though propably not of the Foundation his name not appearing in the exact Catalogue thereof Returning to Eaton he was made Vice-Provost thereof where he spent the remainder of his 〈◊〉 He was one of the most Generall Scholars of his age as may appear by the Diffusiveness of his Learning and Books written in all Faculties Grammar  Of Orthography Poetry  Of the Quantities of penultime syllables History  A Chronicle with a Comment on some Index of most Chronicles Controversial Divinity A Comment on Gabriel Biel. Case  On the divorce of King Henry the eighth Hnsbandry  A Comment on Cato Varro Columella Palladius de Re Rusticâ Other books he left unfinished for which Bale sends forth a sorrowfull sigh with a Proh Dolor which his passion is proof enough for me to place this Horeman on this side of the line of Reformation He dyed April 12. 1535. and lieth buried in the Chappel of Eaton Masters of Musick WILLAM LAWES son of Thomas Lawes a Viâ—…ar Choral of the Church of Salisbury was bred in the Close of that City being from his Childhood inclined to Musick Edward Earl of Hertford obtained him from his Father and bred him of his own cost in that Faculty under his Master Giovanni Coperario an Italian and most Exquisite Musician Yet may it be said that the Schollar in time did Equal yea Exceed his Master He afterwards was of the Private Musick to King Charles and was respected and beloved of all such Persons who cast any looks towards Vertue and Honour Besides his Fancies of the three four five and six parts to Vyol and Organ he made above thirty severall sorts of Musick for Voyces and Instruments neither was there any Instrument then in use but he composed to it so aptly as if he had only studied that In these distracted times his Loyalty ingaged him in the War for his Lord and Master and though he was by Generall Gerrard made a Commissary on designe to secure him such Officers being commonly shot-free by their place as not Exposed to danger yet such the activity of his Spirit he disclaimed the Covert of his Office and betrayed thereunto by his own adventurousness was casually shot at the Siege of Chester the same time when the Lord Bernard Stuart lost his life Nor was the Kings soul so ingrossed with grâ—…ef for the death of so near a Kinsman and Noble a Lord but that hearing of the death of his dear servant William Laws he had a particular Mourning for him when dead whom he loved when living and commonly called the Father of Musick I leave the rest of his worth to be expressed by his own Works of Composures of Psalms done joyntly by him and his brother Master Henry Laws betwixt which two no difference either in Eminency Affection or otherwise considerable save that the one is deceased and the other still surviving Master William Laws dyed in September 164. Benefactours to the Publique T. STUMPS of the Town of Malmesbury in this County was in his Age one of the most eminent Clothiers in England of whom there passeth a story told with some variation of circumstances but generally to this purpose King Henry the eighth Hunting near Malmesbury in Bredon Forrest came with all his Court Train unexpected to Dine with this Clothier But great House-keepers are as seldome surprised with Guests as vigilant Captains with Enemies Stumps commands his little Army of Workmen which he fed daily in his house to fast one Meal untill night which they might easily doe without indangering their health and with the same Provision gave the King and his Court-train though not so delicious and various most wholesome and plentifull entertainment But more Authentick is what I read in the great Antiquary speaking of the plucking down of Malmesbury Monastery The very Minster it self should have sped no better then the rest but being Demolished had not T. Stumps a wealthy Clothier by much suit but with a greater summe of Money redeemed and bought it for the Iowns-men his Neighbours by whom it was converted to a Parish-church and for a great part is yet standing at this day I find one William Stumps Gentleman who in the one and thirtieth year of King Henry the eight bought of him the demeans of Malmesbury Abby for fifteen hundred pound two shillings and a half penny Now how he was related to this T. Stumps whether son or father is to me unknown It will not be a sin for me to wish more branches from such Stumps who by their bounty may preserve the Monuments of Antiquity from destruction Memorable Persons SUTTON of 〈◊〉 Tradition and an old Pamphlet newly vamped with Additions make him a great Clothier Entertaining King Henry the first and bequeathing at his death one hundred pounds to the Weavers of Salisbury with many other benefactions I dare not utterly deny such a person and his bountifull Gifts but am â—…ured that he is notoriously mis-timed seeing Salisbury had scarce a stone laid therein one hundred years after King Henry the first and as for old Sarum that age knew nothing of Clothing as we have proved before Thus these Mungrell Pamphlets part true part false doe most mischief Snakes are less dangerous then Lampries seeing none will feed on what is known to be poison But these books are most pernicious where truth and falshoods are blended together and such a Medly Cloth is the Tale-story of this Clothier MICHEL born at ........... in this County was Under-sheriffe to Sir Anthony Hungarford a worthy Knight Anno 1558. in the last year of Queen Mary Of this Master Michel I find this Character A right and a perfect godly man Under sheriffs generally are complained of as over-crafty to say no worse of them but it seems hereby the place doth not spoil the person but the person the
not so much for his first bringing over Painted Glass into England as for his bringing up Pious Bead in his Monastery Being struck beneath the Girdle with the dead Palsey his soul retired into the Upper Rooms of his Clay Cottage much employed in meditation untill the day of his death which happened Anno 703. Saint JOHN of Beverley may be challenged by this County on a threefold title because therein he had his 1. Birth at Harpham in this County in the East-Riding 2. Life being three and thirty years and upwards Archbishop of York 3. Death at Beverley in this County in a Colledge of his own foundation I remember his Picture in a Window in the Library at Salisbury with an inscription under it whose character may challenge to it self three hundred years antiquity affirming him the first Master of Arts in Oxford and Alfredus Beverlacensis reporteth as much Arts indeed were and Oxford was though hardly an University in that age but seeing the solemnity of graduating was then unknown a judicious Oxonian rejecteth it as a fiction More true it is that he was bred at Strenshalt under Hilda aforesaid which soundeth something to her honour and nothing to his disgrace seeing eloquent Apollos himself learned the Primer of his Christianity partly from Priscilla He was afterwards educated under Theodorus the Grecian and Arch-bishop of Canterbury Yet was he not so famous for his Teacher as for his Scholar Venerable Bede who wrote this Johns life which he hath so spiced with Miracles that it is of the hottest for a discreet man to digest into his belief Being very aged he resigned his Arch-bishoprick that he might the more effectually apply his private devotions in his Colledge at Beverley for which he procured the Freedstool from King Athelston Yet such Sanctuaries though carrying something of holiness in their name had a profane abuse for their very use making Malefactours with their promise of impunity and then protecting them from justice Saint John died May 7. 722. and was buried in the Porch of his Collegiate Church A Synod held at London 1416. assigned the day of his death an Anniversary Solemnity to his Memory THOMAS PLANTAGENET Before I proceed I must confess my self formerly at a great loss to understand a passage in an Honourable Author speaking of the counterfeit Reliques detected and destroyed at the Reformation Lord Herbert in the life of King Henry the eighth pag. 431. The Bell of Saint Guthlac and the Felt of Saint Thomas of Lancaster both remedies for the Head ach But I could recover no Saint Thomas saving him of Canterbury in any English Martyrology till since on inquiry I find him to be this Thomas Plantagenet He was Earl of Derby Lancaster Leicester and in the right of Alice his Wife of Lincoln A popular person and great enemy to the two Spencers Minions to King Edward the second who being hated as Devils for their pride no wonder if this Thomas was honoured as a Saint and Martyr by the common sort Indeed he must be a good Chymist who can extract Martyr out of Malefactour and our Chronicles generally behold him put to death for Treason against K. Edward the 2d. But let him pass for a Saint in this Shire though never solemnly canonized it being true of such locall Saints what Servius Honoratus observeth of Topicall Gods Ad alias Regiones nunquam transibant They travailed not so far as to be honoured in other Countries His beheading alias his Martyrâ—…ome happened at Pontfret Anno Dom. 1322. RICHARD ROLE alias HAMPOLE had his first Name from his Father the other from the Place three Miles from Doncaster where living he was Honoured and dead was Buried and Sainted He was a Heremite led a strict life and wrot many Books of Piety which I prefer before his Propheticall Predictions as but a degree above Almanack Prognostications He threatned the Sins of the Nation with suture Famine Plague Inundations War and such generall Calamities from which no Land is long free but subject to them in some proportion Besides his Predictions if Hitting were Heeded if Missing not Marked However because it becomes me not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 let him pass for a Saint I will adde that Our Saviours Dilemma to the Jews may partly be pressed on the Papists his Contemporaries If Hampoles Doctrine was of Men why was he generally reputed a Saint if from God why did they not Obey him seeing he spake much against the vitiousness and covetousness of the Clergy of that Age He died Anno Domini 1349. JOHN of BIRLINGTON or BRIDLINGTOM was born hard by that Town bred two years in Oxford where he profited in piety and learning above his age and equals Returning home for a short time he was teacher to a Gentlemans Sons untill the twentieth year of his age he entred himself a Canon-Regular in the Covent of Bridlington where he grew eminent for his exemplary holiness It was his happiness that such offices always fell to his share as did not retard but quicken his devotion as Chaunter Almoner c. At last he was choâ—…en Prior but refus'd the place alledging his own unworthiness professing he had rather be beaten in pieces with blows then accept thereof so that another was put into the place This new elect dying soon after our John was chosen again in the vacancy and then took it fearing there might be as much peevishness in rejecting as pride in effecting it and hoping that Providence which fairly called him to would freely fit him for the discharge of that office He used to treat strangers at his table with good chear and seemingly kept pace with them in eating morsell for morsell whilst he had a secret contrivance wherein he conveyed his exceedings above his Monasticall pittance Being demanded of one why he did not enter into more strict and austere Order Surely said he A man may lead a sincere and acceptable life in any order and it were arrogancy in me to pretend to a severer discipline when I cannot observe as I ought this easier course of life My Author saith that Martha and Mary were both compounded in him being as pious so provident to husband the revenues of their house to their best advantage Going to view their lands in Richmond-shire he gave a visit to a woman lately turn'd an Ancorist and renowned for her holiness she told him that now her vision was out who the night before dreamed that an Eagle flew about her house with a label in his bill wherein was written Jesus is my love and you saith she are the person who so honour him in your heart that no earthly thing can distract you To whom our John returned I came hither to hear from you some saving and savoury discourse but seeing you begin with such idle talk farewell and so waved any farther converse However I must not dissemble that the prophesies fathered on this our John are as
fabulous and frivolous as her dreams witness that deadly passage in an excellent Author In Johannis de Bridlington vatis monastici vaticinales rythmos omnino ridiculos incidimus yet no doubt he was a holy man and could one light on his life unleavened before heaved up with the ferment of Monkish fiction it would afford many remarkables He died in the sixtieth year of his age 1379. and was reputed though I believe not solemnly canonized a Saint amongst his own Countrimen WILLIAM SLEIGHTHOLME It is pity to part him from his last named dear friend such the sympathy of amity and sanctity betwixt them Once this William demanded of his friend John what might be the reason that the Devil in their days afrighted few if any with his terrible appearance who in former ages was very frequent with formidable apparitions reflecting in this his question perchance on Saint Pauls messenger of Satan sent to buffet him but chiefly on those usuall reported personall combates of the Devil with Saint Dunstan Guthlake c. To whom his friend return'd We are grown so remiss in goodness that the Devil needs not put himself to such pains seeing less and lighter temptations will doe the deed It is recorded of this William that he was one of singular piety and after his death wrought many miracles at his Tombe in the Monastery of Bridlington where he was buried about the year 1380. I will adde no more but that I have a learned friend William Sleight holme Doctor of Physick living at Buntingford in Hartfordshire but born in this County whom I believe remotely related to this Saint Expect not here that I should adde to this Catalogue that Maiden who to secure her virginity from his unchast embraces that assaulted it was by him barbarously murdered whereby she got the reputation of a Saint and the Place the Scene of his Cruelty formerly called Horton the Name of Hali-fax or Holy-hair For the credulous People conceited that the Veins which in form of little threds spred themselves between the Bark and Body of that Yew-tree whereon the head of this Maid was hung up were the very hairs indeed of this Virgin head to whom they flock in Pilgrimage Oh! how sharp sighted and yet how blind is Superstition Yet these Country-folks fancies had the advantage of Daphnes being turned into a Laurell-tree In frondem criâ—…es in ramos brachia crescunt Into a bough her hair did spred And from her Armes two branches bred But here she is wholly omitted not so much because her Name and Time are unknown but because the judicious behold the whole Contrivance devoid of Historicall truth Martyrs The County and generally the Province of York escaped very well from Popish persecution which under Gods goodness may be justly imputed to the tempers of their four succeeding Arch-bishops 1. Thomas Wolsey whom all behold as a person more proud then cruell not so busying himself to maintain Popery as to gain the Popedome 2. Edward Lee more furious then the former persecuting many to imprisonment none to death save two of whom hereafter 3. Robert Hollgate who was as they say a parcell-Protestant imprisoned and deprived for being married 4. Nicholas Heath a meek and moderate man carrying a Court of Conscience in his bosome long before Queen Mary made him Chancellor of England Hereupon it came to pass that the Diocess of York was dry with Gedeon's fliece whilst others lying near unto it were wet in their own tears and blood Confessors Where no fish there no fry and seeing here no Martyrs which are Confessors full blown no wonder if here no Confessors which are Martyrs in the bud Cardinalls JOHN FISHER was born in the Town of Beverly in this County his father Robert Fisher was by condition a Merchant and lived in good reputation He was afterwards bred in Michaell-house in Cambridge whereof he was the first Chancellor pro termino vitae and Bishop of Rochester How this Fisher was caught afterwards in the net of Elizabeth Barton commonly called the holy Maid of Kent thereby made accessary to her dissembling How stiffe he was against King Henrys Divorce and Title of Supream head of the Church How the Pope sent him a Cardinalls Cap and the King Cut off his head hath been so largely related in my Ecclesiastical History and being I hope pardoned by the Reader for my former tediousness I will not now contract a new guilt by offending in Prolixity on the same person The rather because his Manuscript life written 80. years since by Richard Hall of Christs-colledge in Cambridge is lately set forth in Print under the name of Thomas Bâ—…ily D. D. in which book as I doe not repine at any passages though Hyperbolicall to the praise of this Prelate so I cannot but be both angry and grieved at the many false and scandalous reflections therein on the worthy Instruments of our Reformation This learned Bishop was beheaded in the year 1535. the Threescore and seventeenth year of his age Let me adde he was tryed by an Ordinary Jury and not by his Peers whereof severall reasons are rendred Some thought he forgot to demand his Priviledge herein disturb'd with grief and fear as Edward Duke of Somerset forgot to crave the Benâ—…fit of the Clergy or that he neglected it as surfetting of long life and 〈◊〉 of his Dissolution Others because he preferred death in a Direct Line before a Circumferential Passage thereunto as Certain though not so Compendious being assured that the Lords durst not displease the King in acquitting him But most imputâ—… it to his suspicion that if desiring to be tryed by his Peers it would have been denyed him as not due to a Bishop And yet that worthy Lawyer Judge Stamford in his Pleas of the Crown leaveth it doubtfull and seemeth inclined to the Affirmative Besides Sir Robert Brook in his Novell Cases affirmeth in Express Terms that a Bishop is Peer of the Realm and ought to be tryed by his Peers The best is our Charity may be Confident that our Bishops will so inoffensively behave themselves and God we hope so secure their innocence that there will not hereafter be need to decide this Question Prelates EUSTATHIUS de FAUCONBRIDGE was born in this County where his Surname appeareth among the Antient Sheriffs thereof He was chosen Bishop of London in the sixth of King Henry the third Anno 1222. carrying it clearly from a Company of able Competitors occasioning this Distick Omnes his Digni tu Dignior omnibus omnes Hic plene sapiunt plenius ipse sapis All here are Worthy thou the Worth est All fully Wise thou Wiser then the rest Others played on his Name Eustatius One that stood well both in Respect of his spirituall Estate yet let him that standeth take heed lest he fall and Temporall Condition well fixed in the Favour of Prince and People being Chief Justice then Chancellour of
Brachyography was not then nor many years after invented But he though a quick Scribe is but a dull one who is good only at fac simile to transcribe out of an original whereas our Robert left many Books of his own making to posterity He flourished Anno Dom. 1180. and lleth buried before the Doors of the Cloyster of his Convent PETER of Rippon was Canon of that Colledge built antiently therein by Saint Wilfred purposely omitted by us in our Catalogue of Saints to expiate our former tediousnesse concerning him in our Church History Jeoffry Archbishop of York not only delighted in but doted on our Peter He wrote a Book of the life and miracles of Saint Wilfred How many suspected persons did prick their credits who could not thread his Needle This was a narrow place in his Church and kind of Purgatory save that no fire therein through which chaste Persons might easily passe whilest the Incontinent did stick therein beheld generally as a piece of Monkish Legerdemain I am sorry to hear that this Collegiate Church one of the most ancient and famous Churches in the North of England hath the means and allowance appointed for the repair thereof deteined and more â—…orry that on the eighth of December 1660. a violent wind blew down the great Steeple thereof which with its fall beaâ—… down the Chancel the onely place where the people could assemble for Divine Worship and much shattered and weakened the rest of the Fabrick and I hope that His Majesties Letters Patents will meet with such bountiful contributions as will make convenient Reparation Our Peter flourished Anno 1190. under King Richard the first WILLIAM of NEWBOROUGH was born at Bridlington in this County but named of Newborough not far off in which Monastery he became a Canon Regular He also was called Petit or Little from his low stature in him the observation was verified that little men in whom their heat is most contracted are soon angry flying so fiercely on the memory of Geffrey of Monmouth taxing his British Chronicle as a continuâ—…d fiction translated by him indeed but whence from his own Brain to his own Pen by his own Invention Yea he denieth that there was ever a King Arthur and in effect overthroweth all the Welsh History But learned Leland conceives this William Little greatly guilty in his ill language which to any Author was uncivil to a Bishop unreverent to a dead Bishop uncharitable Some resolve all his passion on a point of meer revenge heartily offended because David Prince of Wales denied him to succeed G. Monmouth in the See of St. Asaph and therefore fell he so soul on the whose Welsh Nation Sure I am that this angry William so censorious of G. Monmouth his falsehoods hath most foul slips of his own Pen as when he affirmeth That in the place of the slaughter of the English nigh Battaile in Sussex if peradventure it be wet with any small showre presently the ground thereabouts sweateth forth very blood though indeed it be no more than what is daily seen in Rutland after any sudden rain where the ground floweth with a reddish moisture He flourished Anno 1200. under King John ROGER HOVEDEN was born in this County of the Illustrious Family of the Hovedens saith my Author bred first in the study of the Civil then of the Canon-Law and at last being servant to King Henry the second he became a most accomplished Courtier He is the chiefest if not sole Lay-Historian of his age who being neither Priest nor Monk wrote a Chronicle of England beginning where Bede ended and continuing the same until the fourth of King John When King Edward the first layed claim to the Crown of Scotland he caused the Chronicles of thâ—…s Roger to be diligently searched and carefully kept many Authentical passages therein tending to his present advantage This Roger flourished in the year of our Lord 1204. JOHN of HALIFAX commonly called De SACRO BOSCO was born in that Town so famous for Cloathing bred first in Oxford then in Paris being the prime Mathematician of his age All Students of Astronomy enter into that Art through the Door of his Book De â—…phaerâ He lived much beloved died more lamented and was buried with a solemn Funeral on the publick cost of the University of Paris Anno 1256. ROBERTUS PERSCRUTATOR or ROBERT the SEARCHER was born in this County bred a Dominican great Mathematician and Philosopher He got the sirname of Searcher because he was in the constant quest and pursuit of the Mysteries of Nature A thing very commendable if the matters we seek for and means we seek with be warrantable Yea Solomon himself on the same account might be entituled Searcher who by his own confession Applyed his heart to know and to Search and to seek out wisdome and the reason of things But curiosity is a kernel of the forbidden fruit which still sticketh in the throat of a natural man sometimes to the danger of his choaking it is heavily laid to the charge of our Robert that he did light his Candle from the Devils Torch to seek after such secrets as he did desire witnesse his Work of Ceremonial Magick which a conscientious Christian would send the same way with the Ephesian conjuring Books and make them fuel for the fire However in that age he obtained the reputation of a great Scholar flourishing under King Edward the second 1326. THOMAS CASTLEFORD born in this County was bred a Benedictine in Pâ—…mfraict whereof he wrote a History from ASK a Saxon first owner thereof to the Lacies from whom that large Lordship descended to the Earls of Lancaster I could wish some able Pen in Pomfraict would continue this Chronicle to our time and give us the particulars of the late memorable siege that though the Castle be demolished the Fame thereof may remain Leland freely confesseth that he learnt more then he looked for by reading Castlefords History promising to give a larger account thereof in a Book he intended to write of Civil History and which I suspect he never set forth prevented by death Our Castleford flourished about the year of our Lord 1326. JOHN GOWER was born saith Leland at Stitenham in the North Riding in Bulmore Wapentake of a Knightly Family He was bred in London a Student of the Laws till prizing his pleasure above his profit he quitted Pleading to follow Poetry He was the first refiner of our English Tongue effecting much but endeavouring more therein Thus he who sees the Whelp of a Bear but half lickt will commend it for a comely Creature in comparison of what it was when first brought forth Indeed Gower left our English Tongue very bad but â—…ound it very very bad Bale makes him Equitem auratâ—…m Poetam Laureatum proving both from his Ornaments on his monumental Statue in Saint Mary Overies Southwark Yet he appeareth there neither laureated nor hederated Poet except
parentage Veritati Dei tunc revelatae Auscultans and Pitz taxeth him that his Pen was too compliant to pleasure K. Henry the eight The truth is this he lived in these parts in that juncture of time when the two Northern Rebellions happened the one in Lincoln the other in Yorkshire and when the Popish party gave it out that the Reformation would ruine Church and State levell all dignities and degrees Wilfrid to Confute the Priests truthless Reports and the Peoples causless Jealousies stated the Controversie Truely Clearly and Wittily in the manner of a Dialogue He survived not many months after the setting forth of this book Anno 1536. THOMAS ROBERSON was born in this County and being Doctor of Divinity in Oxford was one of the best Grammarians for Greek and Latine in that age He had an admirable faculty in teaching of youth for every Boy can teach a Man whereas he must be a Man who can teach a Boy It is easie to inform them who are able to understand but it must be a Master piece of industry and discretion to descend to the capacity of Children He wrote notes upon the Grammar of Lilly and besides others one book De Nominibus Hetoroclitis and another De verbis Defectivis so that by his pains the hardest parts of Grammar are made the easiest and the most anomalous reduced to the greatest regularity by his endeavours What Robert Robinson under whose name Quae genus in the Grammar is Printed was to this Thomas Roberson I have no leisure to enquire and leave it to those to whom it is more proper suspecting they may be the same person and thâ—…t Pitzaeus our Author living mostly beyond the seas might be mistaken in the name However he flourished Anno Domini 1544. WILLIAM HUGH was born in this County and bred in Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford where he attained to great Eminency in Learning In his time the Consciences of many tender Parents were troubled about the Finall Estate of Infants dying unbaptized as posting from the Wombe to the Winding sheet in such speed that the Sacrament could not be fastened upon them To pacify persons herein concerned this William wrote and Dedicated a book to Q. Katherine Parr entituled The troubled mans Medicine He died of the breaking of a Vain Anno Dom. 1549. ROGER ASCHAM was born at Kirby-weik in this County and bred in Saint Johns-Colledge in Cambridge under Doctor Medcalfe that good Governour who whet-stonelike though dull in himself by his encouragement set an edge on most excellent wits in that foundation Indeed Ascham came to Cambridge just at the dawning of learning and staid therein till the bright-day thereof his own endeavours contributing much light thereunto He was Oratour and Greek-Professour in the University places of some sympathy which have often met in the same person and in the beginning of the raign of Queen Mary within three days wrote letters to fourty seven severall Princes whereof the meanest was a Cardinal He travailed into Germany and there contracted familiarity with John Sturmius and other learned men and after his return was a kind of teacher to the Lady Elizabeth to whom after she was Queen he became her Secretary for her Latine letters In a word he was an Honest man and a good Shooter Archery whereof he wrote a book called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being his onely exercise in his youth which in his old age he ex changed for a worse pastime neither so healthfull for his body nor profitable for his purse I mean Cock-fighting and thereby being neither greedy to get nor carefull to keep money he much impaired his estate He had a facile and fluent Latine-style not like those who counting obscurity to be elegancy weed out all the hard words they meet in Authors witness his Epistles which some say are the only Latine-ones extant of any English-man and if so the more the pity What loads have we of letters from forraign Pens as if no Author were compleat without those necessary appurtenances whilst surely our English-men write though not so many as good as any other Nation In a word his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is accounted a good book for Young-men his School-master for Old-men his Epistles for all men set out after his death which happened Anno Dom. 1568. December 30. in the 53. year of his Age and he was buried in Saint Sepulchers in London Sir HENRY SAVILL Knight was born at Bradley in the Parish of Hallifax in this County of antient and worshipfull extraction He was bred in Oxford and at last became Warden of Merton-colledge and also Provost of Eaton Thus this skilfull Gardiner had at the same time a Nurcery of young Plants and an Orchard of grown Trees both flourishing under his carefull inspection This worthy Knight carefully collected the best Copies of Saint Chrysostome and imployed Learned men to transcribe and make Annotations on them which done he fairly set it forth on his own cost in a most beautifull Edition a burden which he underwent without stooping under it though the weight thereof would have broken the back of an ordinary person But the Papists at Paris had their Emissaries in England who surreptitiously procured this Knights learned Labours and sent them over weekly by the Post into France Schedatim sheet by sheet as here they passed the Press Then Fronto Duceus a French Cardinall as I take it caused them to be Printed there with implicite faith and blind obedience letter for letter as he received them out of England onely joyning thereunto a Latine translation and some other inconsiderable Additions Thus two Editions of Saint Chrysostome did together run a race in the world which should get the speed of the other in publique sale and acceptance Sir Henry his Edition started first by the advantage of some Months But the Parisian Edition came up close to it and advantaged with the Latine Translation though dearer of pâ—…ice out-stript it in quickness of Sale but of late the Savilian Chrysostome hath much mended its pace so that very few are left of the whole Impression Sir Henry left one onely Daughter richly married to Sir William Sidley of Kent Baronet He dyed at Eaton where he lyeth buried under a Monument with this Inscription Hic jacent Ossa Cineres Henrici Savill sub spe certa resurrectionis natus apud Bradley juxta Halifax in Comitatu Ebor Anno Domini 1549. ultimo die mensis Novembris Obiit in Collegio Etonensi Anno Domini 1621. xix die mensis Februarii It must not be forgotten that he was a most excellent Mathematician witness his learned Lectures on Euclid Yet once casually happening into the Company of Master Briggs of Cambridge upon a learned encounter betwixt them Master Briggs demonstrated a truth besides if not against the judgment of Sir Henry wherewith that worthy Knight was so highly affected that he chose him one of his Mathematick
Professors in Oxford wherein he founded two allowing a liberall salary unto them THOMAS TAYLOR was born at Richmond in this County where his father a bountifull entertainer of people in distress was Recorder of the Town He was afterwards bred in Christs-colledge in Cambridge and chose a Fellow thereof This Timothy grave when green entred very young but not raw into the Ministry at 21. years of age and continued in the same at Reading and London for the space of thirty five years His Sermons were generally well studied and he was wont to say That oftimes he satisfied himself the least when he best pleased his people not taking such pains in his preaching His flock was firmly founded and well bottomed on Catechistacall Divinity It being observed that his Auditors stuck close to their principles in this Age wherein so many have reeled into damnable Errors He was a great giver of Alms but without a Trumpet and most strict in his Conversation Zeal for the House of God may be said in some sort to have Consumed him Dying in the fifty six year of his age Anno Domini 1632. comfortably avowing at his death that we serve such a Master Who covereth many imperfâ—…ctions and giveth much wages for a little work NATHANIELL SHUTE was born at Gigleswick in this County Christopher Shute his father being the painfull Vicar thereof He was bred in Christs-colledge in Cambridge A most excellent schollar and solid preacher Though nothing of his is extant in Print save a Sermon call'd Carona Charitatis preached at the funerall of Master Fâ—…shbourn But the goodness of the Land of Canaan may as well be guessed from one great bunch of grapes as if the spies had brought whole vineyards along with them Indeed he was a profouâ—…d and profitable preacher for many years together at St. Mildred Poultrey in London One in the University being demanded his judgement of an excellent sermon in Saint Maries returned that It was an uncomfortable sermon leaving no hope of imitation for such as should succeed him In this sense alone I must allow Master Nathaniel Shute an uncomfortable preacher though otherwise a true Barnabas and Son of consolation possessing such as shall follow him in time with a dispair to equall him in eminency He died Anno Domini 1638. when our English skâ—…e was clouded all over and set to rain but before any drops of war fell down amongst us Doctor Holdesworth most excellently preached his Funerall Sermon taking for his text We have this our treasure in earthly vessels JOSIAH SHUTE brother to Nathaniel aforesaid was bred in Trinity colledge in Cambridge and became afterwards Minister of Saint Mary Woolnoâ—…h in London and was Reader I doe say and will maintain it the most Pretious Jewell that was ever shewn or seen in Lumbardstreet All Ministers are Gods Husband mâ—…n but some of them can onely plough in soft ground whose Shares and Coultures will turn Edge in a hard point of Divinity No ground came amiss to Master Shute whether his Text did lead him to controversiall or positive Divinity having a strain without straining for it of native Eloquence he spake that which others studied for He was for many years and that most justly highly esteem'd of his Parish till the beginning of our late Civil Warrs somâ—… began to neglect him distasting wholesome meat well dressed by him merely because their mouths were out of tast by that generall distemper which in his time was but an Ague afterwards turn'd to a feaver and since is turn'd to a Frensy in our Nation I insist hereon the rather for the comfort of such godly Ministers who now suffer in the same nature wherein Mr. Shute did before indeed no servant of God can simply and directly comfort himself in the sufferings of others as which hath something of envy therein yet may he do it consequentially in this respect because thereby he apprehends his own condition herein consistent with Gods love and his own salvation seeing other precious Saints tast with him of the same affliction as many godly Ministers doe now a days whose sickles are now hung up as useless and neglected though before these Civil Warrs they reaped the most in Gods harvest Master Shute dyed Anno Domini 1640. and was buried with great solemnity in his own Church Master Udall preaching his Funerall Sermon since his death his excellent Sermons are set forth on some part of Genesis and pity it is there is no more extant of his worthy indeavours It must not be forgotten how retiring a little before his death into the Country some of his Parishioners came to visit him whom he chearfully entertained with this expression I have taught you my dear flock for above thirty years how to live and now I will shew you in a very short time how to dye He was as good as his word herein for within an Hour he in the presence of some of them was peaceably dissolved Be it also known that besides these two brothers Nathaniel and Josiah fixed in the City of London there were three more bred and brought up in the Ministry viz. Robert preacher at Lyn Thomas Minister for a good time in Chester and Timothy lately if not still alive a preacher in Exeter All great though not equall Lights are set up in fair Candlesticks I mean places of eminency and conveniently distanced one from another for the better dispersing of their Light and good Housewives tell me Old Candles are the best for spending Happy their Father who had his Quiver full with five such Sons he need not be ashamed to see his Enemies in the Gate It is hard to say whether he was more happy in his sons or they in so good a Father and a wary man will crave time to decide the doubt untill the like instance doth return in England GEORGE SANDYS youngest son of Edwin Sandys Arch-bishop of York was born at Bishops-Thorp in this County he proved a most accomplished gentleman and an observant Travailer who went as far as the Sepulchre at Jerusalem and hath spared other mens pains in going thither by bringing the Holy Land home to them so lively is his description thereof with his passage thither and return thence He most elegantly translated Ovid his Metamorphosis into English verse so that as the soul of Aristotle was said to have transmigrated into Thomas Aquinas because rendring his sence so naturally Ovid's genius may seem to have passed into Master Sandys He was a servant but no slave to his subject well knowing that a Translatour is a person in free Custody Custody being bound to give the true sense of the Author he translated Free left at liberty to cloath it in his own expression Nor can that in any degree be applyed to Master Sandys which one rather bitterly then falsly chargeth on an Author whose name I leave to the Readers conjecture We know thou dost well as a Translatour But where things require a genius
and a fire Not kindled before by others pains as often thou hast wanted brains Indeed some men are better Nurses then Mothers of a Poem good onely to feed and foster the Fancies of others whereas Master Sandys was altogether as dexterous at Inventing as Translating and his own Poems as spritefull vigorous and masculine He lived to be a very aged man whom I saw in the Savoy Anno 1641. having a youthfull soul in a decayed body and I believe he dyed soon after JOHN SALTMARSH was extracted from a right antient but decayed family in this County and I am informed that Sir Thomas Metham his kinsman bountifully contributed to his education he was bred in Magdalen-colledge in Cambridge Returning into this his Native Country was very great with Sir John Hotham the Elder He was one of a fine and active fancy no contemptible Poet and a good Preacher as by some of his profitable Printed Sermons doth appear Be it charitably imputed to the information of his Judgment and Conscience that of a zealous observer he became a violent oppresser of Bishops and Ceremonies He wrote a book against my Sermon of Reformation taxing me for many points of Popery therein I defended my self in a book called Truth maintained and challenged him to an answer who appeared in the field no more rendring this reason thereof that he would not shoot his arrows against a dead mark being informed that I was dead at Exeter I have no cause to be angry with fame but rather to thank her for so good a Lye May I make this true use of that false report to dye daily See how Providence hath crossed it the dead reported man is still living the then living man dead and seeing I survive to goe over his grave I will tread the more gently on the mold thereof using that civility on him which I received from him He died in or about Windsor as he was Riding to and fro in the Parliament Army of a Burning Feaver venting on his death-bed strange expressions apprehended by some of his party as extaticall yea propheticall raptures whilst others accounted them no wonder if outrages in the City when the enemy hath possessed the Castle commanding it to the acuteness of his disease which had seized his intellectualls His death happened about the year 1650. JEREMIAH WHITACRE was born at Wakefield in this County bred Master of Arts in Sidney-colledge and after became School-master of Okeham then Minister of Stretton in Râ—…and He was chosen to be one of the Members of the late Assembly wherein he behaved himself with great moderation at last he was Preacher at St. Mary Magdalens Bermonsey well discharging his duty being a solid Divine and a man made up of Piety to God pity to poor men and Patience in himself He had much use of the last being visited with many and most acute diseases I see Gods love or hatred cannot be conjectured much less concluded from outward accidents this mercifull man meeting with merciless afflictions I have sometimes wondered with my self why Satan the Magazeen of Malice who needeth no man to teach him mischief having Job in his power did not put him on the rack of the Stone Gout Collick or Strangury as in the height most exquisite torments but onely be-ulcered him on his Skin and outside of his body And under correction to better judgments I conceive this might be some cause thereof Being to spare his life the Devill durst not inflict on him these mortall maladyes for fear to exceed his commission who possibly for all his cunning might mistake in the exact proportioning of the pain to Jobs ability to bear it and therefore was forced to confine his malice to externall pain dolefull but not deadly in its own nature Sure I am this good Jeremiah was tormented with Gout Stone and one ulcer in his bladder another in his kidneys all which he endured with admirable and exemplary patience though God of his goodness grant that if it may stand with his will no cause be given that so sad a Copy be transcribed Thus God for reasons best known unto himself sent many and the most cruell Bayliffes to arrest him to pay his debt to nature though he always was ready willingly to tender the same at their single summons His liberality knew no bottome but an empty purse so bountifull he was to all in want He was buried on the 6. of June Anno 1654. in his own Parish in Southwarke much lamented Master Simon Ash preaching his Funerall Sermon to which the Reader is referred for his further satisfaction I understand some sermons are extant of his preaching Let me but adde this Distick and I have done Whites ambo Whitehead Whitgift Whitakerus uterque Vulnera Romano quanta dedere papae Romish Exile Writers JOHN YOUNG was born in this County His life appeareth to me patched up of unsuiting peices as delivered by severall Authors A Judicious Antiquary seldome mistaken will have him a Monke of Ramsey therein confounding him with his Name-sake many years more antient An other will have him bred Doctor of Divinity in Trinity-colledge in Cambridge though that Foundation suppose him admitted the first day thereof affordeth not Seniority enough to write Doctor before the raign of Queen Mary except we understand him bred in some of the Hostles afterwards united thereunto So that I rather concurre herein with the forenamed Antiquary that he was Fellow of Saint Johns-colledge in that University It is agreed that at the first he was at the least a Parcell-Protestant translating into English the Book of Arch bishop Cranmer of the Sacrament But afterwards he came off with a witness being a Zealous Papist and great Antagonist of Mart. Bucer and indeed as able a Disputant as any of his Party He was Vice-Chancellour of Cambridge Anno 1554. Master of Pembroke hall Kings-Professor of Divinity and Rector of Land-beach nigh Cambridge but lost all his preferment in the first of Queen Elizabeth Surely more then Ordinary Obstinacy appeared in him because not onely deprived but imprisoned And in my judgment more probably surprised before he went then after his return from forraign parts He died under restraint in England 1579. JOHN MUSH was born in this County bred first in the English-colledge at Doway and then ran his course of Philosophy in their Colledge at Rome Afterwards being made Priest he was sent over into England to gaine People to his own perswasion which he did without and within the Prison for 20. years together but at last he got his liberty In his time the Romish Ship in England did spring a dangerous Leak almost to the sinking thereof in the Schisme betwixt the Priests and the Jesuits Mush appeared very active and happy in the stopping thereof and was by the English Popish Clergy sent to Rome to compose the controversie behaving himself very wisely in that service Returning into his own Country he was for fourteen
years together assistant to the English Arch Priest demeaning himself commendably therein he wrote many books and one whose title made me the more to mind it Vitam Martyrium D. Margaretae Clithoroae Now whether this D. be for Domina or Diva for Lady or Saint or both I know not I take her for some Gentlewoman in the North which for some practises in the maintenance of her own Religion was obnoxious to and felt the severity of our Laws This Mush was living in these parts Anno 1612. Benefactors to the Publick THOMAS SCOT was born at Roâ—…heram no obscure market in this County waving his paternall name he took that of Roâ—…heram from the place of his Nativity This I observe the rather because he was according to my exactest enquiry the last Clergy-man of note with such an assumed Surname which Custome began now to grow out of fashion and Clergy-men like other men to be called by the name of their fathers He was first Fellow of Kings-colledge afterwards Master of Pembroke-hall in Cambridge and Chancellour of that University here he built on his proper cost saving something help'd by the Scholars the fair gate of the School with fair walks on each side and a Library on the East thereof Many have mistaken this for the performance of King Richard the third meerly because his Crest the Boar is set up therein Whereas the truth is that Rotheram having felt the sharp Tuskes of that Boar when imprisoned by the aforesaid King for resigning the Great Seal of England to Queen Elizabeth the relict of King Edward the fourth advanced his Armes thereon meerly to engratiate himself He went thorough many Church preferments being successively Provost of Beverly Bishop of Rochester Lincoln and lastly Arch-bishop of York nor less was was his share in Civil honour first Keeper of the Privy Seal and last Lord Chancellour of England Many were his Benefactions to the Publique of which none more remarkable then his founding five Fellowships in Lincoln colledge in Oxford He deceased in the 76. year of his age at Cawood of the plague Anno Domini 1500. JOHN ALCOCKE was born at Beverly in this County where he built a Chappell and founded a Chantry for his parents He was bred a Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge and at last became Bishop of Ely his prudence appeared in that he was preferred Lord Chancellour of England by King Henry the seventh a Prince of an excellent palate to tast mens Abilities and a Dunce was no dish for his diet His piety is praised by the pen of J. Bale which though generally bitter drops nothing but honey on Alcocks Memory commending him for a most mortified man Given to Learning and Piety from his Child-hood growing from grace to grace so that in his age none in England was higher for holiness He turned the old Nunnery of Saint Radigund into a new Colledge called Jesus in Cambridge surely had Malcolm King of Scots first founder of that Nunnery survived to see this alteration it would have rejoyced his heart to behold Leudness and Laziness turned out for Industry and Piety to be put in their place This Alcock died October 1. 1500. And had Saintship gone as much by merit as favour he deserved one as well as his name-sake Saint John his predecessor in that See Since the Reformation The extent of this large Province and the distance of my Habitation from it have disabled me to express my desires suitable to the merit thereof in this Topick of Modern Benefactors which I must leave to the Topographers thereof hereafter to uspply my defaults with their diligence But let me forget my self when I doe not remember the worthy charitable Master ....... Harrison inhabitant of the Populous Town of Leeds so famous for the Cloath made therein Methinks I hear that great Town accosting him in the Language of the Children of the Prophets to Elisha Behold now the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us The Church could scarce hold half the inhabitants till this worthy gentleman provided them another So that now the men of Leeds may say with Isaack Rehoboth God hath made room for us He accepted of no assistance in the building of that fair Fabrick but what he fully paid for so that he may be owned the sole Founder thereof But all his Charity could not secure him from sequestration in our Troublesome Times All I will adde is this as he hath built a House for God may God in Scripture Phrase build a House for him I mean make him fruitfull and fortunate in his posterity Memorable Persons PAULINUS DE LEEDS born in this County where there be three Towns of that name in one Wapentake It is uncertain in which of these he was born and the matter is of no great concernment One so free from Simony and far from buying a Bishoprick that when a Bishoprick bought him he refused to accept it For when King Henry the second chose him Bishop of Carlisle and promised to increase the Revenue of that Church with three hundred mark yearly rent besides the grant of two Church livings and two Mannors near to Carlisle on the condition that this Paulinus would accept the place all this would not work him to imbrace so wealthy an offer The reasons of his refusall are rendred by no Author but must be presumed very weighty to overpoise such rich proffers on which account let none envy his name a Room in this my Catalogue He flourished about the year of our Lord 1186. WILLIAM DE LA POLE born at Ravensrode in this County was for wealth and skill in Merchandize inferiour to none in England he made his abode at Kingston upon Hull and was the first Mayor of that Town When K. Edward the third was at Antwâ—…rp and much necessitated for money no shame for a Prince always in War to be sometimes in want this William lent him many thousand pounds of gold In recompence whereof the King made him his Valect equivalent to what afterward was called Gentleman of the Bed-chamber and Lord Chief-Baron of his Exchequer with many other honours Amongst which this was one that he should be reputed a Banneret not that he was really made one seeing the flourishing of a Banner over his head in the field before or after a fight was a ceremony essentiall thereunto but he had the same precedency conferred upon him I find not the exact date of his death but conjecture it to be about the year 1350. Lord Mayor Name Father Place Company Time 1 William Eastfield William Eastfield Tickell Mercer 1429 2 John Ward Richard Ward Howdon Grocer 1484 3 William White William White Tickhill Draper 1489 4 John Rudstone Robert Rudstone Hatton Draper 1528 5 Ralph Dodmer Henry Dodmer Pickering leigh Mercer 1529 6 William Roch John Roch Wixley Draper 1540 7 Richard Dobbes Robert Dobbes Baitby Skinner 1551 8 William Hewet Edmund Hewet Wales
Extraction a Welch man immediately adding patria Herefordensis by his Country a Hereford-shire man We now for quietness sake resign him up wholly to the former Yet was he a Person worth contending for Lealand saith much in little of him when praising him to be Vir illustris Famâ Eraditione Religione He wrot severall Comments on Aristotle Peter Lumbard and the Revelalion He was chief of the Franciscans Convent in Hereford where he was buried in the raign of King Henry the fourth 1406. DAVID BOYS Let not Kent pretend unto him wherein his Surname is so Ancient and Numerous our Author assuring us of his British Extraction He studied in Oxford saith Lealand no less to his own Honour then the Profit of others reaping much benefit by his Books Having his Breeding at Oxford he had a Bounty for Cambridge and compassing the writings of John Barningham his Fellow-Carmelite he got them fairly transcribed in four Volumes and bestowed them on the Library in Cambridge where Bale beheld them in his Time He was very familiar understand it in a good way with Eleanor Cobham Dutchess of Gloucester whence we collect him at least a Parcell-Wickliffite Of the many books he wrot fain would I see that Intituled of Double Immortality whether intending thereby the Immortality of Soul and Body or of the Memory here and Soul hereafter I would likewise satisfie my self in his Book about the madness of the Hagarens whether the Mahometans be not ment thereby pretending themselves descended from Sarah when indeed they are the Issue of the Bond-woman He was Prefect of the Carmelites in Gloucester where he dyed 1450. Let me adde that his Surname is Latined Boethius and so Wales hath her David Boethius whom in some respects she may Vie with Hector Boethius of Scotland Since the Reformation Sir JOHN RHESE alias Ap Ryse Knight was born in Wales Noble by his Linage but more by his Learning He was well vers'd in the British Antiquities and would not leave a Hoof of his Countries Honour behind which could be brought up to go along with him Now so it was that Polydore Virgil that Proud Italian bare a Pique to the British for their Ancient Independency from the Pope Besides he could not so easily compass the Welch Records into his clutches that so he might send them the same way with many English Manuscripts which he had burnt to ashes This made him slight the Credit of Welch Authors whom oâ—… Sir John was a Zelot to assert being also a Champion to vindicate the story of King Arthur Besides he wrot a Treatise of the Eucharist and by the good words Bale bestoweth on him we believe him a Favorour of the Reformation flourishing under King Edward the sixth 1550. JOHN GRIFFIN was born in Wales first bred a Cistercian Friar in Hales-Abbey in Gloucester-shire After the dissolution of his Convent he became a Painfull and Profitable Preacher He suited the Pulpit with Sermons for all seasons having his Conciones Aestivales Brumales which he preached in English and wrot in Latine flourishing under King Edward the sixth Anno Domini 1550. HUGH BROUGHTON was born in Wales but very nigh unto Shrop-shire He used to speak much of his Gentility and of his Armes which were the Owles presaging as he said his Addiction to the study of Greek because those were the birds of Minerva and the Emblâ—…me of Athens I dare not deny his Gentile Extraction but it was probable that his Parents were fallen to great decay as by the ensuing story will appear When Mr. Barnard Gilpin that Apostolike man was going his annual journey to Oxford from his Living at Houghton in the North he spied by the way-side a Youth one while walking another while running of whom Mr. Gilpin demanded whence he came he answered out of Wales and that he was a going to Oxford with intent to be a Scholar Mr. Gilpin perceiving him pregnant in the Latine and having some smattering in the Greek Tongue carried him home to Houghton where being much improved in the Languages he sent him to Christs-colledge in Cambridge It was not long before his worth preferred him Fellow of the House This was that Broughton so famous for his skill in the Hebew a great Ornament of that University and who had been a greater had the heat of his Brain and Peremptoriness of his Judgement been tempered with more moderation being ready to quarrell with any who did not presently and perfectly imbrace his Opinions He wrote many books whereof one called The consent of times carrieth the generall commendation As his Industry was very Commendable so his Ingratitude must be condemned if it be true what I read that when Master Gilpin his Mecaenas by whose care and on whose cost he was bred till he was able to breed himself grew old he procured him to be troubled and molested by Doctor Barnes Bishop of Durham in expectation of his Parsonage as some shrewdly suspect At last he was fixed in the City of London where he taught many Citizens and their Apprentices the Hebrew Tongue He was much flocked after for his Preaching though his Sermons were generally on Subjects rather for Curiosity then Edification I conjecture his death to be about the year of our Lord 1600. HUGH HOLLAND was born in Wales and bred first a Scholar in Weâ—…minster then Fellow in Trinity-colledge in Cambridge No bad English but a most excellent Latine Poet. Indeed he was addicted to the New-old Religion New in comparison of Truth it self yet Old because confessed of long continuance He travailed beyond the Seas and in Italy conceiving himself without Ear-reach of the English let flie freely against the Credit of Queen Elizabeth Hence he went to Jerusalem though there he was not made or he would not own himself Knight of the 〈◊〉 In his return he touched at Constantinople where Sir Thomas Glover Embassador for King James called him to an account for his Scandalum Reginae at Rome and the former over freedome of his tongue cost him the confinement for a time in Prison Enlarged at last returning into England with his good parts bettered by learning and great learning increased with experience in travail he expected presently to be chosen Clerk of the Councell at least but preferment not answering his expectation he grumbled out the rest of his life in visible discontentment He made verses in description of the chief Cities in Europe wrot the Chronicle of Queen Elizabeths raign believe him older and wiser not railing as formerly and a book of the life of Master Camden all lying hid in private hands none publikely Printed This I observe the rather to prevent Plagearies that others may not impe their credit with stollen feathers and wrongfully with ease pretend to his painfull endeavours He had a competent estate in good Candle-rents in London and died about ' the beginning of the raign of King Charles The Farewell To take my Vale
Wales is therefore placed in this because the first County thereof Prelates GUIDO de MONA was so sir-named from his Birth-place in Anglesey Some suspect that Filius insulae may be as bad as Filius populi no place being particularized for his birth whiles others conceive this sounding to his greater dignity to be denominated from a whole Island the Village of his nativity being probably obscure long and hard to be pronounced He was afterwards Bishop of Saint Davids and Lord Treasurer of England under King Henry the fourth who highly honoâ—…ed him for when the Parliament moved that no Welsh-man should be a State Officer in England the King excepted the Bishops as confident of their faithful service Indeed T. Wallingham makes this Gui the Author of much trouble but is the lesse to be believed therein because of the known Antipathy betwixt Fryers and Secular 〈◊〉 the former being as faulty in their lafie speculation as the other often offending in the practical over-activity This Bishop died â—…nno 1407. ARTHUR BULKLEY Bishop of Bangor was born either in Cheshire or more probably in this County But it matters not much had he never been born who being bred Doctor of the Laws had either never read or wholly forgotten or wilfully would not remember the Chapter De sacrilegio for he spoyled the Bishoprick and sold the five Bells being so over-officious that he would go down to the Sea to see them shipped which in my mind amounted to a second selling of them We have an English Proverb of him who maketh a detrimental bargain to himself That he may put all the gains gotten thereby into his eye and see nothing the worse But Bishop Bulkley saw much more the worse by what he had gotten being himself suddenly deprived of his sight who had deprived the Tower of Bangor of the tongue thereof Thus having ended his credit before his days and his days before his life and having sate in that See fourteen years he died 1555. WILLIAM GLYN D. D. Was boâ—…n at 〈◊〉 in this County bred in Queens Colledge in Cambridge whereof he was Master until in the second of Queen Mary he was preferred Bishop of Bangor An excellent Scholar and I have been assured by judicious Persons who have seriously perused the solemn Disputations printed in Master Fox betwixt the Papists and Protestants that of the former none pressed his Arguments with more strength and lesse passion than Doctor Glyn though constâ—…t to his own he was not cruel to opposite judgements as appeareth by the appearing of no persecution in his Diocesse and his mild Nature must be allowed at least Causa socia or the fellow-cause thereof He died in the first of Queen Elizabeth and I have been informed that Jeoffry Glyn his Brother Doctor of Laws built and endowed a Free-Schoole at Bangor Since the Reformation ROULAND MERRICK Doctor of Laws was born at Boding án in this County bred in Oxford where he became Principal of New Inne-Hall and afterwards a Dignitary in the Church of Saint Davids Here he with others in the reign of King Edward the sixth violently prosecuted Robert Farrar his Diocesan with intention as they made their boast to pull him from his Bishoprick and bring him into a premunire and prevailed so far that he was imprisâ—…ned This Bishop Farrar was afterwards martyred in the raign of Queen Mary I find not the least appearance that his former adversaries violented any thing against him under that Queen But it is suspicious that advantage against him I say not with their will was grafted on the stock of his former accusation However it is my judgement that they ought to have been I can be so charitable to believe that Dr. Merrick was penitent for his causelesse vexing so good a person Otherwise many more besides my self will proclaim him unworthy to be who had been a Persecutor of a Bishop He was consecrated Bishop of Bangor December 21. in the second of Qâ—…een Elizabeth 1559. and sate six years in his See I have nothing to adde save that he was Father to Sir Gilly Merrick Knight who lost his life for engaging with the Earl of Essex 1600. LANCELOT BULKLEY was born in this County of a then right Worshipful since Honourable Family who have a fair habitation besides others near Beumaris He was bred in Brasen nose Colledg in Oxford and afterwards became first Arch-Deacon then Archbishop in Dublin He was consecrated the third of October 1619. by Christopher Archbishop of Armagh Soon after he was made by King James one of his Privy Councel in Ireland where he lived in good reputation till the day of his death which happened some ten years since Seamen MADOC Son to Owen Gwineth ap Gruffyth ap Conan and brother to David ap Owen Gwineth Prince of North Wales was born probably at Aberfraw in this County now a mean Town then the principal Palace of their royal Residence He made a Sea-voyage westward and by all probability those names of Cape de Breton in Noruinberg Pengwin in part of the northern America for a white Rock and a white headed bird according to the British were reliques of this discovery If so then let the Genoveses and Spaniards demean themselves as younger Brethren and get their Portions in Pensions in those parts paid as well as they may owning us Britons so may the Welsh and English as an united Nation style themselves for the Heirs to whom the solid inheritance of America doth belong for the first discovery thereof The truth is a good Navy with a strong Land-Army therein will make these probabilities of Madoc evident Demonstrations and without these in cases of this kind the strongest Arguments are of no validity This Sea voyage was undertaken by Madoc about the year 1170. The Sheriffs Expect not my description should conform this Principality to England in presenting the respective Sheriffs with their Arms. For as to Heraldry I confesse my self Luscum in Anglia Caecum in Walliâ Besides I question whether out Rules in Blazonry calculated for the East will serve on the West of Severne and suspect that my venial mistakes may meet with mortal anger I am also sensible of the prodigious Antiquity of Welsh Pedegrees so that what Zalmana said of the Israelites slain by him at Tabor Each of them resembleth the children of a King all the Gentry here derive themselves from a Prince at least I quit therefore the Catalogue os Sheriffs to abler Pens and proceed to The Farewell I understand there is in this Island a kind of Allumenous Earth out of which some fifty years since began to make Allum and Copperess until they to use my Authors phrase like unflesht Souldiers gave over their enterprise without further hope because at first they saw it not answer their over-hasty expectations If this Project was sirst founded on rational probability which I have cause to believe I desire the seasonable
succeed as Illegitimate A strâ—…nge reply â—…o a civil Message and fitting his mouth with whom it was a usual saying That he would have no Prince in his Compagnion but all Subject under his Foot Besides he commanded Sir Edward Carne to lay down the Office of an Embassador and under the pain of the greater Excommunication and confiscation of all his goods not to go out of the City but to take on him the Regiment of the English Hospital therein So that I see not how Queen Elizabeth can be taxed by the Papists for a Schismatick and wilful breach from the Church of Rome being thrust away thence by the Pope himself so barbarously treating her Embassador whilest as yet she had made no alteration in Religion against the Law of Nations though I confess some conceive that the crafty old Knight was such his addiction to Popery well contented with his restraint wherein he died 1561. The Farewell I heartily congratulate the return of the Name and with it of the See to Landaff in this County Sure I am our Civil Wars had deprived it of the better moity of its appellation Land leaving bare aff thereunto I am not Ignorant that Landaff in British is the Church by Taff though that Church I fear will not stand long that hath lost its ground Happy therefore is it that now Landaff may be truly termed Landaff having through Gods goodness and long may it possess them regained its ancient Lands and Revenues MERIONITH-SHIRE MERIONITH-SHIRE in Latine Mervinia hath the Sea on the West side on the South for certain miles together Cardiganshire severed by the River Dony and on the North bounded upon Carnarvon and Denbigh-shire It is extream mountainous yea if true what Giraldus Cambrensis reporteth thereof so high the Hills therein that men may discourse one with the other on the tops thereof and yet hardly meet beneath in the Valley in a days time Yet are not the Mountains altogether useless feeding great numbers of Sheep thereon Mr. Cambden takes especial notice of the beauty and comliness of the Inhabitants of this Shire Nor must it be forgot that there is a place at this day called Le Herbert upon this account When the unhappy difference raged betwixt the Houses of York and Lancaster David ap Jenkin ap Enion a stout and resolute Gentleman who took part with the House of Lancaster valiantly defended the Castle Arleck against King Edward the fourth until Sir William Herbert afterwards Earl of Pembroke with great difficulty made his passage unto it and so furiously stormed it that immediately it was surrendred Wonders There is a Lake in this County called in British Lhin-tegid in English Pimble-mear which may be termed our Leman Lake having the same work of wonder therein though set forth by nature in a less Letter For as Rhodanus running through that French Lake preserveth his stream by it self discernable by the discolouration thereof with the Fishes peculiar thereunto The same is here observed betwixt the River Dee and the water of the Lake so that here is what some cavil at in the Grammar a Conjunction disjunctive Let Philosophers dispute what invisible partition incloseth the one severally from the other I have heard some by way of similitude apply it to such who being casually cast into bad company lie at such a cautious posture of defence that they keep their own innocency entire not maculated with the mixture of their bad manners as rather being in than of their Society We must not forget another strange quality of Pimble-mear viz. It swelleth not with all the Waters and those very many which fall therein by the bordering Mountains whereas a blast of wind will quickly make it mount above the bounds and banks thereof Like some strange dispositions not so much incensed with blows as provoked by words accounted but wind into passion I know not whether it be worth the relating what is known for a truth of a Market Town called Dogelthy in this Shire that 1. The Walls there of are 3. miles high 1. The Mountains which surround it 2. Men come into it over the water but 2. On a fair bridge 3. Go out of it under the water 3. Falling from a Rock and conveyed in a wooden Trough under which Travellers must make shift to pass to drive an Over-shot Mill. 4. The Steeple thereof doth grow therein 4. The Bells if plural hang in an Yeugh tree 5. There are more Ale-houses than houses 5. Tenements are divided into two or more Tipling-houses and Chimnyless Barns used to that purpose This last I had mediately from the mouth of a Judge in his Charge condemning the same Saints Saint THELIAN was of British extraction and placed here until with certainty he câ—…n be removed to another County He was bred under Dubritius Bishop of Landaff by whose Holy care he attained to a competent Learning and exemplary Sanctity Great his acquaintance and intimacy with Saint David Bishop of Menevia In his days the Picts harrassed his Country he was much envied for his Holiness by one of their chief Commanders who sent two lewd Strumpets supposing by their tempting tricks to entrap this holy man These women counterfeiting madness whereby they might assume the more liberty to themselves of filthy discourse returned distracted indeed not having understanding enough to relate the cause of their sad misfortune which wrought so much upon the first design of their practises that he received the Faith and was baptized and ever after had a great veneration and esteem for this our Saint He accompanied Saint David to Jerusalem and returning into his own Country by his fervent Prayers freed the same from the Plague wherewith it was then much infested His death happened February the ninth about the year of our Lord 563. The Farewell This County the inhabitants whereof generally betake themselves to the feeding of Sheep was much beholding to Ludwall their Prince who King Edgar imposing on him as a yearly Tribute the presenting him with three hundred Wolves did in a manner free it from Wolves It is my desire that seeing that ill natured Creature is at this day totally removed out of it that the people wholly lay aside all strife and animosities and give no longer occasion to the Proverb Homo Homini Lupus MONTGOMERY-SHIRE MONTGOMERY-SHIRE is bounded on the South side with Cardigan and Radnor-shire on the East with Shrop-shire on the North with Denbighshire and on the West thereof with Merionith-shire Nature cannot be accused for being a Step-Mother unto this County For although she hath mounted many an high Hill which may probably be presumed not over fruitful yet hath she also sunck many a delightful Valley therein Humility is the common attendant of Greatness accompanied with true worth which plentifully yield all necessaries for mans comfortable subsistance The Chief Town therein stands and bestoweth its Name upon the whole County It never dignified any
with the Title of Earl thereof until the raign of King James who created Philip Herbert second Son to Henry Earl of Pembroke Baron Herbert of Shurland and Earl of Montgomery Natural Commodities Horses How good and swift are bred in this County I may well spare my Commendation and remit the Reader to the Character I find given of them in a good Author From the Gomerian fields Then which in all our Wales there is no Country yields An excellenter Horse so full of Natural fire As one of Phoebus Steeds had been that Stallions Sire Which first their race begun or of th' Asturian kind Which some have held to be begotten by the wind Now after proportionable abatement for his Poetical Hyperbole the remainder is enough to inform us of the good Strain this Shire doth afford Proverbs Y Tair Chiwiorydd In English the Three Sisters being a common By-word to express the three Rivers of 〈◊〉 Severn Rhiddiall arising all three in this County out of the South-west side of Plynnillimmon Hill within few paces one of another but falling into the Sea more miles asunder Severn into the Severn Sea Wye into the Severn Rhiddiall into the Irish Sea The Tradition is that these three sisters were to run a race which should be first married to the Ocean Severn and Wye having a great journey to go chose their way through soft Medows and kept on a Travellers pace whilest Rhiddiall presuming on her short Journey staid before she went out and then to recover her lost time runs furiously in a distracted manner with her mad stream over all opposition The Proverb is applyable to Children of the same Parents issuing out of the same Womb but of different dispositions and embracing several courses of lives in this World so that their Cradles were not so near but their Coffins are as farre asunder Pywys Paradwys Cymry That is Powis is the Paradise of Wales This Proverb referreth to Teliessen the Author thereof at what time Powis had far larger bounds than at this day as containing all the land inter-jacent betwixt Wye and Severn of the pleasantness whereof we have spoken before Gwan dy Bawlyn Hafren Hafren fyà d hifcl cynt That is Fixt thy Pale with intent to sence out his water in Severn Severn will be as before Appliable to such who undertake projects above their power to perform or grapple in vain against Nature which soon returns to its former condition Writers GEORGE HERBERT was born at Montgomery-Castle younger Brother to Edward Lord Herbert of whom immediately bred Fellow of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge and Orator of the university where he made a speech no less learned than the occasion was welcome of the return of Prince Charles out of Spain He was none of the Nobles of Tâ—…koa who at the building of Jerusalem put not their necks to the work of the Lord but waving worldly preferment chose serving at Gods Altar before State-employment So pious his life that as he was a copy of primitive he might be a pattern of Sanctity to posterity to testifie his independency on all others he never mentioned the name of Jesus Christ but with this addition My Master Next God the Word he loved the Word of God being heard often to protest That he would not part with one leaf thereof for the whole world Remarkable his conformity to Church-Discipline whereby he drew the greater part of his Parishioners to accompany him daily in the publick celebration of Divine Service Yet had he because not desiring no higher preferment than the Benefice of Bemmerton nigh Salisbury where he built a fair house for his Successor and the Prebend of Leighton founded in the Cathedral of Lincoln where he built a fair Church with the assistance of some few Friends free Offerings When a Friend on his death bed went about to comfort him with the remembrance thereof as an especial good work he returned It is a good work if sprinkled with the Blood of Christ. But his Church that unimitable piece of Poetry may out-last this in structure His death hapned Anno Dom. 163 EDWARD HERBERT Son of Richard Herbert Esquire and Susan Newport his Wife was born at Montgomery * Castle in this County Knighted by King James who sent him over Embassador into France Afrerwards King Charls the first created him Baron of Castle Island in Ireland and some years after Baron of Cheirbury in this Counâ—…y he was a most excellent Artist and rare Linguist studied both in Books and Men and himself the Author of two Works most remarkable viz. A Treatise of 〈◊〉 written in French so highly prized beyond the Seas that as I am told it is extant at this day with great Honour in the Popes Vatican He married the Daughter and sole Heir of Sir VVilliam Herbert of Saint Julians in Monmouth-shire with whom he had a large Inheritance both in England and Ireland He died in August Anno Domini 1648. and was buried in Saint Giles in the fields London having designed a fair Monument of his own Invention to be set up for him in the Church of Montgomery according to the Model following upon the ground a Hath pace of fourteen foot square on the midst of which is placed a Dorrick Columne with its rights of Pedestal Basis and Capital fifteen foot in height on the Capital of the Columne is mounted an urn with an Heart Flamboul supported by two Angels The foot of this Columne is attended with four Angels placed on Pedestals at each corner of the said Hath pace two having Torches reverst extinguishing the Motto of Mortality the other two holding up Palmes the Emblems of Victory This Monument hath not hitherto by what obstruction I list not to enquire and I fear will not be finished which hath invited me the rather to this Description that it might be erected in Paper when it was intended in Marble Memorable Persons HAWIS GADARN She was a Lady of remark sole Daughter and Heir to Owen ap Graffyth Prince of that part of Powis called Powis Wenwinwin which taketh up this whole County She was justly as will appear surnamed Gadarn that is the Hardy I confess Hardy sounds better when applyed to men as Philip the Hardy a Prince in France meek and mild being a more proper Epethite for a woman Yet some competent hardiness to comport with troubles mis-becometh not the weaker Sex and indeed if she had not been Hawis the Hardy she had been Hawis the Beggerly She had four Uncles her Fathers Brethren Lhewelyn Iohn Griffith Vachan and David which uncles became her Cosens detaining all her inheritance from her Give said they a Girle a little Gold and marry her God and nature made Land for men to manage Hereupon Hawis comes to Court complains to King Edward the second The mention of her minds me of the Daughter of Zelophehad who pleaded so pathetically for her patrimony before Moses and Joshua The King commiserating her case
consigned his Servant John Charleton born at Apple in Shropshire a vigorous Knight to marry her creating him in her right Bâ—…ron of Powis Thus was he possessed of his Lady but get her Land as he can it was bootless to implead her uncles in a Civil Court Action was the only Action he could have against them and he so bestirred himself with the assistance of the Kings Forces that in short time he possessed himself of three of her uncles prisoners and forced the fourth to a composition Yea he not only recovered every foot of his Wives Land but also got all the Lâ—…nds of her uncles in default of their issue male to be settled upon her I wish that all Ladies injured by their potent Relations may have such Husbands to marry them and match their adversaries These things hapned about the yeare of our Lord 1320. Know Reader there were four John Charletons successively Lords of Powis which I observe rather because their Homonymy may not occasion confusion JULINES HERRING was born at Flambere-Mayre in this County 1582. His Father returned hence to Coventry to which he was highly related Coventry whose Ancestors for the space of almost two hundred years had been in their course chiefe Officers of that City Perceiving a pregnancy in their Son his parents bred him in Sidney Colledge in Cambridge he becamê afterwards a profitable and painful Preacher at Calk in Derby-shire in the Town of Shrewsbury and at Rendbury in Cheshire being one of a pious life but in his judgement disaffected to the English Church-Discipline I could do no less than place him amongst the memorable Persons otherwise coming under no Topick of mine as writing no Books to my knowledge 〈◊〉 hiâ—… Life written at large by Mr. Samuel Clark I say Mr. Clark whose Books of our modern Divines I have perused as Travellers by the Levitical Law were permitted to pass thorow other mens Vinyards For they must eat their fill on conditions they put no Grapes up in their Vessels I have been satisfied with reading his works and informed my self in Places and Dates of some mens births and deaths But never did nor will whatever hath been said of me or done by others incorporate any considerable quantity of his Works in my own detesting such Felony God having given me be it spoken with thanks to him and humility to man plenty of my own without being plagiary to any Author whatsoever To return to Julines Herring whose Christian name is very usual in the Country amongst people of quality in memory of Julius Palmer in the Marian Days martyred and a Native of that City he being prohibited his preaching here for his non-Conformity was called over to Amsterdam where he continued Preacher to the English Congregation some years well respected in his place and died in the year of our Lord 1644. The Farewell And now being to take our leave of this County the worst I wish the Inhabiâ—…ants thereof is that their Horses excellent in their kind whereof before may to use â—…he Counâ—…-mans expression Stand well being secured from all Infectious and peâ—…lential Diseâ—…ses â—…he rather because when God is pleased to strike this Creature not unfitly termed mans wings whereby he so swiâ—…tly flyeth from one place to another for dispatch of his occasions it is a sad presage that he is angry with the Riders and will without their seasonable Repentance punish their sins with some exemplary judgment MONMOUTH-SHIRE MONMOUTH-SHIRE I may fiâ—…ly call this an English-Welsh County for though it lie West of Severn yea of 〈◊〉 it self and though the Welsh be the common Language thereof yet it doth wear a double badge of English relation First whereas formerly all Welsh Counties sent but one Knight to the Parliament this had the priviledge of two Conformable to the Shires of England Secondly it is not subject to the VVelsh Jurisdiction but such Itinerant Judges as go Oxford Circuit have this County within the compass of their Commission Manufactures Caps These were the most ancient general warm and profitable coverings of mens heads in this Island It is worth our pains to observe the tenderness of our Kings to preserve the trade of Cap-making and what long and strong strugling our State had to keep up the using thereof so many thousands of people being maintained thereby in the land especially before the invention of Fulling-Mills all Caps before that time being wrought beaten and thickned by the hands and feet of men till those Mills as they eased many of their labour outed more of their livelihood Thus ingenious inventions conducing to the compendious making of Commodities though profitable to private persons may not always be gainful to the publick to which what employes most is most advantageous as Capping anciently set fiâ—…teen distinct Callings on work as they are reckoned up in the Statute 1. Carders 2. Spinners 3. Knitters 4. Parters of Wooll 5. Forsers 6. Thickers 7. Dressers 8. Walkers 9. Dyâ—…rs 10. Battellers 11. Shearers 12. Prâ—…ers 13. Edgers 14. Liners 15. Band-makers And other Exercises No wonder then if so many Statutes were enacted in Parliaments to encourage this Handicraft as by the ensuing Catà logue will appear 1. Anno 22. of Edward the fourth Cap. 5. That none thicken any Cap or Bonnet in any Fulling-Mill upon pain to forfeit forty shillings 2. Anno 3. of Henry the eighth Cap. 15. That no Caps or Hats ready wrought should be brought from beyond the Seas upon the forfeiture of fourty shillings Yet because notwithstanding this Statute some still presumed to import forraign Wares it was enacted 3. Anno 21. of Henry the eighth Cap. 9. That such outlandish Hats should be sold at such low prices as are specified in the Statute meerly to deter the Merchant from importing them because such their cheapness that they would turn to no accompt 4. Anno 7. of Edward the sixth Cap. 8. Fulling-Mills beginning now to take footing in England the Statute made the 22 of Edward the fourth was revived to stand and remain in full force strength and effect 5. Anno 8. of Queen Elizabeth Cap. 11. Fulling-Mills still finding many to favour them the pains and profit of Cap-making was equally divided betwixt the Mills and the Cap-makers it being enacted That no Cap should be thicked or fulled in any Mill untill the same had first been well scoured and closed upon the Bank and half footed at least upon the foot-stock 6. Lastly to keep up the usage of Caps it was enacted the 13. of Queen Eliz. Cap. 19. That they should be worn by all persons some of worship and quality excepted on Sabboth and Holy-days on the pain of forfeiting ten groats for omission thereof But it seems nothing but Hats would fit the Heads or humors rather of the English as fancied by them fitter to fence their fair faces from the injury of wind and weather so that the 39 of Queen Elizabeth this Statute was repealed Yea the Cap accounted
whole year without any renewing after the Inter-Regnum Objection Such persons had better been omitted whereof many were little better then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Though by good fortune they have loaded themselves with Thick clay and will be but a burden in your Book to the Readers thereof Answer All Wise men will behold them under a better Notion as the Pregnant proofs of the truth of 2. Proverbs not contradictory but confirmatory one to another Prov. 10. 22. Prov. 10. 4. The Blessing of the Lord maketh Rich. The hand of the Diligent maketh Rich. The one as the principal the other as the Instrumental cause and both meeting in the persons aforesaid For though some of them were the Younger Sons of Worshipful and Wealthy Parents and so had good Sums of Money left them Yet being generally of mean extraction They raised themselves by Gods Providence and their own Painfulness The City in this Respect being observed like unto a Court where Elder Brothers commonly spend and the younger gain an Estate But such Lord Maiors are here inserted to quicken the Industry of Youth whose Parents are only able to send them up to not to set them up in London For whaâ—… a comfort is it to a poor Apprentice of that City to see the Prime Magistrate thereof Riding in his Majoralibus with such Pomp and Attendance which another day may be his hap and happiness Objection It commeth not to the share of one in twenty thousand to attain to that Honour and it is as impossible for every poor Apprentice in process of time to prove Lord Maior as that a Minum with long living mould become a Whale Answer Not so the later is an utter Impossibility as debarred by nature being Fishes of several kinds Whereas there is a Capacity in the other to arive at it which puts hopes the only Tie which keeps the heart from breaking into the hearts of all of the attainablenesse of such preferment to themselves Doctor Hutton Arch-bishop of York when he came into any Great Grammar School which he did constantly visit in his visitations was wont to say to the young Scholars Ply your Books Boys ply your Books for Bishops are old men and surely the possibility of such dignity is a great Encouragement to the Endévours of Students Lord Maiors being generally aged and always but Annual soon make Room for Succession whereby the Indevours of all Freemen in Companies are incouraged But if they should chance to fall short as unable to reach the Home of Honour I mean the Majoralty it self yet if they take up their Lodgings at Sheriffe Alderman and Common-Councellour with a good Està tè they will have no cause to complain I confess some Counties in our ensuing Discourse will appear Lord-Maior-less as Cumberland Dorset-shire Hant-Shire c. However though hitherto they have not had hereafter they may have Natives advanced to that Honour and it may put a lawful Ambition into them to contend who shall be their Leader and who should first of those Shires attain to that Dignity As lately Sir Richard Cheverton Skinner descended I assure you of a right antient and worshipful Family was the first in Cornwall who opened the Dore for others no doubt to follow after him Nor must it be forgotten that many have been Lord-Maiors Mates though never rémembred in their Catalogues viz. Such who by Fine declined that Dignity and as I am glad that some will Fine that so the Stock of the Chamber of London may be increased so am I glad that some will not fine that so the State of the City of London may be maintained I begin the observing of their Nativities from Sir William Sevenoke Grocer Lord Maior 1418. For though there were Lord Maiors 200. years before yet their Birth-places generally are unknown It was I confess well for me in this particular that Mr. Stow was born before me being herein the Heir of Endevours without any pain of my own For knowing that Cuilibet Artifici in sua Arte est credendum I have followed him and who him continued till the year 1633. at what time their Labours do determine Since which Term to the present year I have made the Catalogue out by my own Inquiry and friends Intelligence To speak truth to their due praise one may be generally directed to their Cradles though by no other Candle then the Light of their good works and Benefactions to such places CHAP. XIV A Catalogue of all the Gentry in ENGLAND made in the Reign of King HENRY the Sixth why inserted in our Book AFter we have finished the Catalogue of the worthy Natives of every Shire We present the Reader with a List of the Gentry of the Land sollemnly returned by select Commissioners into the Chancery thence into the Records in the Tower on this occasion The Commons in Parliament complained that the Land then swarmed with Pilours â—…obbers Oppressers of the People Man-stealers Fellons Outlaws Ravishers of Women Unlawful Haunters of Forrests and Parks c. Whereupon it was ordered for the suppressing of present and preventing of future mischeifs that certain Commissioners should be impowered in every County to summon all persons of Quality before them and tender them an Oath for the better keeping of the Peace and observing the Kings Laws both in themselves and Retainers Excuse me Reader if I be bold to inâ—…pose my own Conjecture who conceive what ever was intended to palliate the Businesse The Principal Intent was to detect and suppress such who favoured the Title of York which then began to be set on foot and afterwards openly claimed and at last obtained the Crown 2. Even-done Of the method general used in this Catalogue The first amongst the Commissioners is the Bishop of their Diocesse put before any Earl partly because he was in his own Diocesse partly because giving of Oaths their proper work was conceived to be of Spiritual cognisance Besides the Bishop when there were three as generally Commissioners the first of them was either an Earl or at least though often intituled but Chivaler an Actual Baron as will hereafter appear And which will acquaint us partly with the Peerage of the Land in that Age. Next follow those who were Knights for the Shire in the Parliament foregoing and if with the addition of Chivaler or Miles were Knights by dubbing before of that their Relation All Commissioners expressed not equal Industry and Activity in prosecution of their trust For besides the natural Reasons that in all Affairs some will be more rigorous some more Remiss by their own Temper some more some less fancyed their Imployment insomuch as we find some Shires 1. Over done as Oxford and Cambridge-Shires whose Catalogues are too much allayed descending to persons of meaner quality 2. Even done as generally the most are where the Returns bear a competent proportion to the Populousness and numerousnesse of the Counties 3. Under done as Shropshire York-shire Northumberland c. where
to inherit Happiness so severe her Education VVhilest a childe her Father's was to her an House of Correction nor did she write Woman sooner than she did subscribe Wife and in Obedience to her Parents was unfortunately matched to the L. Guilford Dudley yet he was a goodly and for ought I â—…ind to the contrary a Godly Gentleman whose worst fault was that he was Son to an ambitious Father She was proclaimed but never crowned Queen living in the Tower which Place though it hath a double capacity of a Palace and a Prison yet appeared to her chiefly in the later Relation For She was longer a Captive than a Queen therein taking no contentment all the time save what she found in God and a clear Conscience Her Family by snatching at a Crown which was not lost a Coronet which was their own much degraded in Degree and more in Estate I would give in an Inventory of the vast Wealth they then possessed but am loth to grieve her surviving Relations with a List of the Lands lost by her Fathers attainture She suffered on Tower-Hill 〈◊〉 on the twelfth of February KATHARINE GREY was second Daughter to Henry Duke of Suffolk T is pity to part the Sisters that their Memories may mutually condole and comfort one another She was born in the same place and when her Father was in height married to Henry Lord Herbert Son and Heir to the Earl of Pembroke buâ—… the politick old Earl perceiving the case altered and what was the high way to Honour turned into the ready road to Ruin got pardon from Queen Mary and brake the marriage quite off This Heraclita or Lady of Lamentation thus repudiated was seldome seen with dry eyes for some years together sighing out her sorrowful condition so that though the Roses in her Cheeks looked very wan and pale it was not for want of watering Afterward Edward Seymour Earl of Hertford married her privately without the Queens Licence and concealed till her pregnancy discovered it Indeed our English Proverb It is good to be near a kin to Land holdeth in private patrimonies not Titles to Crowns where such Aliances hath created to many much molestation Queen Elizabeth beheld her with a jealous Eye unwilling she should match either Forreign Prince or English Peer but follow the pattern she set her of constant Virginity For their Presumption this Earl was fined fifteen thousand pounds imprisoned with his Lady in the Tower and severely forbidden her company But Love and Money will find or force a passage By bribing the Keeper he bought what was his own his Wifes Embraces and had by her a surviving Son Edward Ancestor to the Right Honourable the Duke of Somerset She dyed January 26. a Prisoner in the Tower 1567. after nine years durance therein MARY GREY the youngest Daughter frighted with the Infelicity of her two Elder Sisters Jane and this Katharine forgot her Honour to remember her Safety and married one whom she could love and none need fear Martin Kayes of Kent Esq. who was a Judge at Court but only of Doubtful casts at Dice being Seâ—…jeant-Porter and died without Issue the 20. of April 1578. Martyrs HUGH LATIMER was born at Thurcaston in this County what his Father was and how qualified for his State take from his own mouth in his first Sermon before King Edward being confident the Reader will not repent his pains in perusing it My Father was a Yeoman and had no Lands of his own onely he had a Farme of three or four Pounds a Year at the uttermost and hereupon he tilled so much as kept halfe a dozen men he had walk for an Hundred Sheep and my Mother milked thiry Kine he was able and did finde the King an HARNESS with himself and his Horse whilest he came unto the Place that he should receive the Kings Wages I can remember I buckled his Harness when he went to Black Heath Field He kept me to School or else I had not been able to have Preached before the Kings Majestie now He married my Sisters with Five Pounds or twenty Nobles a piece so that he brought them up in Godliness and Fear of God He kept Hospitallity for his Poor Neighbours and some Almes He gave to the Poor and all this did he of the same Farme where he that now hath it payeth sixteen pounds by the Year and more and is not able to do any thing for his Prince for himself nor for his Children or give a Cup of Drink to the Poor He was bred in Christ's Colledg in Cambridg and converted under God by Mr. Bilney from a Violent Papist to a Zealous Protestant He was afterwards made Bishop of Worcester and four Years after outed for refusing to subscribe the six Articles How he was martyred at Oxford 1555. is notoriously known Let me add this Appendix to his Memory when the Contest was in the House of Lords in the Raign of K. Henry the Eighth about the giving all Abby Lands to the King There was a Division betwixt the Bishops of the Old and New Learning for by those Names they were distinguished Those of the Old Learning unwillingly willing were contented that the King should make a Resumption of all those Abbies which his Ancestors had founded leaving the rest to continue according to the Intention of their Founders The Bishops of the new Learning were more pliable to the Kings Desires Only Latimer was dissenting earnestly urging that two Abbies at the least in every Diocess of considerable Revenues might be preserved for the Maintenance of Learned men therein Thus swimming a good while against the stream he was at last carried away with the Current Eminent Prelates before the Reformation GILBERT SEGRAVE Born at Segrave in this County was bred in Oxford where he attained to great Learning as the Books written by him do declare The first Preferment I find conferred on him was The Provosts place of St. Sepulchers in York and the occasion how he obtained it is remakable The Pope had formerly bestowed it on his near Kinsman which argueth the good value thereof seeing neither Eagles nor Eagles Birds do feed on Flyes This Kinsman of the Popes lying on his death bed was troubled in Conscience which speakâ—…eth loudest when men begin to be speechlesse and all Sores pain most when nere night that he had undertaken such a Cure of Souls upon him who never was in England nor understood English and therefore requested the Pope his Kinsman that after his Death the Place might be bestowed on some Learned English-man that so his own absence and negligence might in some sort be repaired by the Residence and diligence of his Successor And this Segrave to his great Credit was found the fittest Person for that Performance He was afterwards preferred Bishop of London sitting in that See not full four years dying Anno Dom. 1317. WALTER DE LANGTON was born at VVest-langton in this County He was highly in favour
house of the Earl of Arundel at High-gate and was buried in Saint Michaels Church in Saint Albans Master Mutis his grateful servant erecting a Monument for him Since I have read that his grave being occasionally opened his scull the relique of civil veneration was by one King a Doctor of Physick made the object of scorn and contempt but he who then derided the dead is since become the laughing stock of the living Writers SULCARD of WESTMINSTER was an English-man by birth bred a Benedictine Monke He was one of an excellent wit meek disposition candid behaviour and in great esteem with King Edward the Conâ—…essor What Progress he made in learning may easily be collected from what is recorded in an old Manuscript In Westmonasterio vixerunt simul Abbas Eadwinus Sulcardus Coenobita Sed Sulchardus doctrina major erat He flourished Anno Domini 1070. under King William the Conquerour GILBERT of WESTMINSTER bred first Monkc then Abbot thereof He gave himself to the study of humane learning then of Divinity and through the guidance of Anselme Arch-bishop of Canterbury attained to great knowledge in the Scriptures Afterwards he studied in France visited Rome in his return from whence he is reported to have had a disputation with a learned Jew which afterwards he reduced into the form of a Dialogue and making it publique he dedicated it to Saint Anselme He dyed Anno 1117. and was buried in Westminster MATHEW of WESTMINSTER was bred a Monke therein and as accomplished a Scholar as any of his age Observable is the grand difference betwixt our English history as he found it and as he left it He found it like Polyphemus when his eye was bored out a big and bulky body but blind Memorable actions were either presented without any date which little informed or too many dates which more distracted the Reader Our Mathew reduced such confused sounds to an Articulate and intelligible voice regulating them by a double directory of time viz. the beginnings and deaths of all the Kings of England and Arch bishops of Canterbury He wrote one History from the beginning of the world to Christ a second from Christs Nativity to the Norman Conquest a third from thence to the beginning of King Edward the second augmenting it aâ—…terwards with the addition of his life and King Edward the thirds He named his book Flores Historiarum and if sometimes for it is but seldome he presenteth a flower less fragrant or blasted bud the judicious Reader is not tyed to take what he tenders but may select for his own ease a Nosegay out of the choicest flowers thereof He dyed about the year 1368. Since the Reformation BENIAMIN JOHNSON was born in this City Though I cannot with all my industrious inquiry find him in his cradle I can fetch him from his long coats When a little child he lived in Harts-horn-lane near Charing-cross where his Mother married a Bricklayer for her Second husband He was first bred in a private school in Saint Martins Church then in VVestminster school witness his own Epigram Camden most reverend Head to whom I owe All that I am in Arts all that I know How nothing's that to whom my Country owes The great renown and Name wherewith she goes c. He was Statutably admitted into Saint Johns-colledge in Cambridge as many years after incorporated a honorary Member of Christ-church in Oxford where he continued but few weeks for want of further maintenance being fain to return to the trade of his father in law And let not them blush that have but those that have not a lawful calling He help'd in the building of the new structure os Lincolns-Inn when having a Trowell in his hand he had a book in his pocket Some gentlemen pitying that his parts should be buried under the rubbish of so mean a Calling did by their bounty manumise him freely to follow his own ingenuous inclinations Indeed his parts were not so ready to run of themselves as able to answer the spur so that it may be truly said of him that he had an Elaborate wit wrought out by his own industry He would sit silent in learned company and suck in besides wine their several humors into his observation What was ore in others he was able to refine to himself He was paramount in the Dramatique part of Poetry and taught the Stage an exact conformity to the laws of Comedians His Comedies were above the Volge which are onely tickled with down right obscenity and took not so well at the first stroke as at the rebound when beheld the second time yea they will endure reading and that with due commendation so long as either ingenuity or learning are fashionable in our Nation If his later be not so spriteful and vigorous as his first pieces all that are old will and all that desire to be old should excuse him therein He was not very happy in his children and most happy in those which died first though none lived to survive him This he bestowed as part of an Epitaph on his eldest son dying in infancy Rest in soft peace and Ask'd say here doth lye Ben Johnson his best piece of Poetry He dyed Anno Domini 1638. And was buried about the Belfry in the Abby-church at VVestminster Masters of Musick CHRISTOPHER TYE Doctor of Musick flourished in the reign of King Henry the eight and King Edward the sixth to whom he was one of the Gentlemen of their Chappel and probably the Organist Musick which received a grievous wound in England at the disolution of Abbyes was much beholding to him for her recovery such his excellent skill and piety that he kept it up in credit at Court and in all Cathedrals during his life He translated the Acts of the Apostles into verse and let us take a tast of his Poetry In the former treatise to thee Dear friend Theophilus I have written the veritie Of the Lord Christ Jesus VVhich he to do and eke to teach Began untill the day In which the Spirit up did him fetch To dwell above for Aye After that he had power to do Even by the Holy Ghost Commandements then he gave unto His chosen least and most To whom also himself did shew From death thus to revive By tokens plain unto his few Even forty days alive Speaking of Gods kingdome with heart Chusing together them Commanding them not to depart From that Jerusalem But still to wait on the promise Of his Father the Lord Of which ye have heard me ere this Unto you make record Pass we now from his Poetry being Musick in words to his Musick being Poetry in sounds who set an excellent Composition of Musick of four parts to the several Chapters of his aforementioned Poetry dedicating the same to King Edward the sixth a little before the death of that good Prince and Printed it Anno Domini 1553. He also did compose many excellent Services and Anthems of four and