Glouc. Brist and Peterbur being the other 4. whose Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction were not confirmed by the Pope nor Baronies by the Parliament These owed their being solely to the Kings Prerogative And therefore when some Anti-Prelatists in the late long Parl. 1641. endeavoured to overthrow their Baronies for want of Confirmation in Parl. upon better Consideration they desisted from that design as unfesible Proverbs I. When the Daughter is stoln shut Pepper-gate The Mayor of Chester had his Daughter stoln through that Gate whereupon he caused that shut with all other Gates in the City Martyrs Geo. Marsh condemned by Bishop Coats burnt without this City near to Spittle Boughton See his Charact. in Lanc. Prelates Geo. Dounham D. D. Son to Jo. Dounham Bishop of Chester was born in this City and bred in Christs-Coll in Camb. made Fellow thereof 1585. and chosen Logick Professor of the University Was as well skilled in Rhetorick as Logick tho 't is seldom seen that the Clunch-fist of this Art good to knock a Man down at a blow can so open it self as to Smooth and Stroak one with the Palm thereof That the Doctor could do both his Oration prefixed to his Treatise of Logick does sufficiently Witness He Preached the Sermon Apr. 17. 1608. at the Consecration of Ja. Montague Bishop of Bath and Wells irrefragably proving therein Episcopacy jure divino After which he was made Bishop of Derry of Ireland to which London-Derry had been added a little before He endeavoured by his Gentleness to Civilize the Wild Irish and proved very successful therein Sea-men Dav. Middleton one of those who effectually contributed his Assistance to the making of Through-lights in the World I mean New discoveries in the East and West Indies v. his Printed Relation His dangers were great and many among Canibals and Portugals Crocodiles and Hollanders yet at last he did settle the English Trade at Bantam about 1610. Sir Hen. Middleton Knight younger brother as I take it to the former under-went great Pains and Perils in advancing the English Trade Remarkable his Voyage into the Red-Sea which had like to have proved the Dead-Sea unto him Here he was tolled to Land at Moha by the Treacherous Aga and had eight of his Men Barbarously Slain himself and seven more Chained up by the Necks The pretence was because that Port was the Door of the Holy-City and it is Capital for any Christian to come so near thereunto Then was he sent above 160 Miles to the Basha at Zenan in Arab. Jan. 1611. in which City tho but 15 deg N. Lat. from the Equator there was Ice at that time of a Fingers thickness in one Night as the said Sir Hen. did relate At last the Basha giving him leave he sailed East-ward and repaired himself by a gainful Composition with the Indians for the losses he had sustained by the Turks His Ship called the Trades encrease well answered the Name thereof until it pleased God to visit his Men with a strange disease whereof 100 English deceased the grief whereat was conceived the cause of this Worthy Knights Death May 24. 1613. whose Name will ever survive whilst Middletons-Bay from him so called appeareth in the Dutch Cards Writers Roger of Chester a Benedictine Monk in St. Werburges wrote a British Chron. from the beginning of the World which after an addition of 25 years he Entitled Polycratica Temporum the Stile pure Latine He dyed about 1339. and was buried in Chester Randal or Ranulph Higden commonly called Ran of Chester bred a Benedictine in St. Werb not only vamp'd the History of Rog. aforesaid but composed One of his own Commendable for his Method and Modesty therein He continued 46 years a Monk and dyed 1363 and was buried in Chester Hen. Bradshaw a Benedictine in this City and diligent Historian wrote a Chronicle and the Life of St. Werburge in Verse A pious Man for the Age he lived in He flourished about 151â— Since the Reformation Edward Brierwood bred in Brason-nose-Coll in Oxf. Being Candidate of a Fellowship and loosing it he afterwards applyed himself so seriously to his Studies that he became a most accomplished Scholar in Logick Witness his Treatise thereof Mathematicks being afterwards Lecturer thereof in Gresham-Coll and Languâ—ges of which he wrote his Enquiries He maintained against Mr. Byfield That we are not bound to a Jewish exactness in the observatiobservation of the Sabbath He dyed about 1633. Jo. Downham younger Son of Will Bishop of Chester bred in Camb. B. D. became a profitable Preacher in London and was the first who commendably discharged the Eminent Lecture behind the Exchange plentifully endowed by Mr. Jones of Monmouth He is Memorable to Posterity for his worthy work of the Christian Warfare He dyed about 1644. Benefactors Will. Aldersea a Pious Man was Mayor of the City 1560. and compleated the Lame List of Mayors out of the Records He dyed Oct. 12. An. 1577. and lies buried in the Chancel of St. Oswals Sir Th. Offley bred a Merch. Taylor in London whereof he became Lord Mayor An. 1556. in his Mayoralty began the Custom of the Night-Bell-man He was the Zaccheus of London for his high Charity bequeathing the half of his Estate being 5000 pound to the Poor tho he had Children of his own yea he appointed that 200 pound left to his Son Hen. should be taken out of the other half and employed to Charitable uses He dyed 1560 and was buried in the Church of St. Andr. Vndershaft Mr. Hugh Offley Leather-Seller Sheriff of London An. 1588. buried in the same Church gave 600 pound to the City to put forth young Men. Mr. Rob. brother to Hugh gave 600 pound for 24 young Men in Chester whereof 12 were Apprentices On the first of these I suppose these Rhythms were made Offley three Dishes had of daily Roast An Egg an Apple and the third a Toast Feasting himself moderately that he might feed others by his Bounty Jo. Terer Gent. Erected a seemly Water-work built Steple-wise at the Bridge-gate which serves to convey the River-water through Pipes to the Citizens Houses in Chester His Son endeavoured and I believe effected the like for the Conveniency of the middle part of that City Cornwal COrnwall hath its Name from the Form and Inhabitants thereof Cornu signifying a Horn and Wale Strangers for such were the Inhabitants of this County reputed by their Neighbours It hath Devonshire on the West divided from it by the River Tamer encompassed with the Sea on all other sides affording plenty of Harbours where Forreigners touch in their passage to or from Spain Ireland the Levant the E. or W. Indies The Language hath some Affinity with the Welsh and is Copious to express the Conceits of a good Wit tho as 't is said affording but two Natural Oaths or three at the most The Natural Commodities are Diamonds which well cut and set off with a good Foyl may at the first sight deceive no unskilful Lapidary
Of them was Privy-Councellor to four Sir Th. Smith Knight born in Abbington bred in the University of Oxf. God and himself raised him to the Eminency he attained unto unbefriended with any Extraction Emulating Sir Th. Smith Senior Secretary of State he had equalled him in Preferment if not prevented by Death This Sir Thomas was Master of the Requests and Secretary to King James He died Nov. 28. 1609. and was buried in the Church of Fulham in Middlesex under a Monument erected by his Lady Frances Daughter to William Lord Chandes and since the Countess of Exeter Souldiers Henry Vmpton Knight born at Wadley in this County was Son to Sir Edward Vmpton by Anne the Relick of Jo. Dudley Earl of Warwick and eldest Daughter of Edward Seymor D. of Somerset He was employed by Queen Elizabeth Ambassadour into France where in the Month of May An. 1592. being sensible of some injury offered by the D. of Guise to the Honour of the Queen of England he sent him this Challenge Forasmuch as lately in the Lodging of my Lord Du Mayne and in Publick elsewhere impudently indiscreetly and over boldly you spoke boldly of my Soveraign whose sacred Person here in this County I represent To maintain both by Word and Weapon her Honour which never was called in Question by people of Honesty and Vertue I say you have wickedly lyed by speaking so basely of my Soveraign and you shall do nothing else but lye whensoever you shall dare to tax her Honour Moreover that her Sacred Person being one of the most Complete and Vertuous Princess that lives in this World ought not to be evil spoken of by the Tongue of such a perfidious Traitor to her Law and Country as you are And hereupon I defie you and Challenge your Person to mine with such manner of Arms as you shall like or choose be it either on Horse-back or on Foot Nor would I have you to think any inequality of Person between us I being issued of as great a Race and Noble House everyway as your self So assigning me an indifferent place I will there maintain my Words and the Lie which I gave you and which you should not endure if you have any Courage at all in you If you consent not to meet me hereupon I will hold you and cause you to be generally held for the arrantest Coward and most slanderous Slave that lives in all France I expect your Answer I find not what Answer was returned This Sir Henry dying in the French Kings Camp before Lofear and his Corps brought over was buried in Farrington Church July 8. 1596. He had allowed him a Barrons Heirs because dying Ambassadour Leigier Writers Hugh of Reading quitted his Expectances of a fair Estate and embraced a Monastical life till at last he became Abbot of Reading He is highly commended by the Learned and writ a Book of Questions fetcht from the Scripture Roger of Windsor Chanter of the Convent of S. Albans was the Kings Historian He flourished An. Dom. 1235. Robert Rich Son to Edward and Mabel his Wife Brother of S. Edmund Arch-Bishop of Canterbury was born at Abbington in this County He wrote a Book of the Life Death and Miracles of his Brother and died about the year of our Lord 1250. Richard of Wallingford a Black-Smith's Son was bred at Merton-Colledge in Oxford a Monk at last Abbot of S. Albans where being a good Mathematician especially as to the Mechanick part thereof he made a Clock with much Pain more Cost and most Art Being a Calender as well as Clock shewing the Fixed Stars and Planets the Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea c. but my Author did not inform me if the Canonical hours were mark't on the Clock He died An. Dom. 1326. Since the Reformation Henry Bullock probably born in this County where his Name appears in a Worshipful Estate He was bred a Fellow and Doctor of Divinity in Queens-Colledge in Cambridge a general Scholar familiar with Erasmus calling him Bovillum in his Epistles to him At Cardinal Wolsey's instance he wrote against Luther tho otherwise his Affections were biased to the Protestant Party When he died is unknown Will. Twis born at Spene an ancient Roman City bred at New-Colledge in Oxford and there became a General Scholar Good at plain Preaching better at Disputing and best in Living He became Preacher in Spinhamlands Towards his Death he was slighted by Sectaries it being usual for New-lights to neglect those who have born the heat of the Day His Latin Works speak him able in Controversie He was Moderate Prolocutor in the Assembly of Divines And dying in Holborn he was buried at Westminster An. Dom. 164 Will. Lyford born at Peysmer and bred at Magdalen-Coll in Oxf. Proceeded there Batchelour of Divinity 1631. He was also Fellow of that Foundation He was troubled in Conscience for having Resigned his place for Money to his Successour but before his Death he made Restitution He had a comely Countenance and modest Mind a Courteous Carriage and meek Spirit He was afterwards Preacher at Shirburn in Dorsetshire and tho both Pious and Painful he had his share of Obloquie from such factious Persons as could not abide the wholsome Words of sound Doctrine He dyed about 1652 tho his Memory lives in his Learned Works Romish Exile Writers Th. Hyde born at Newbury bred Master of Art in New-Coll in Oxf. was made Canon of Winchester and chief Master of the School there He with Jo. Martial about the beginning of the Reign of Queen Eliz. went beyond the Seas This Hyde is Charactered by one of his own profession to be A Man of upright Life of great Gravity and Severity He wrote a Book of Consolation to his Fellow Exile and dyed An. Dom. 1597. Benefactors to the Publick Alfrede the fourth Son to King Athelwolf born at Wantage An excellent Scholar tho he was past 12 years of Age before he knew one Letter He was a Curious Poet an Excellent Musician a valiant and successful Souldier fighting seven Battles against the Danes in one year at last Conquered them and reduced them to the Profession of Christianity He gave the first Institution or according to others the best Instauration to the University of Oxford A Prince who cannot be Painted to the Life without his Loss no Words reaching his Worth He divided 1. every natural day as to himself into 3 parts viz. 8 hours for his Devotion and 8 for Business and the remainder for Sleep and Refection 2. His Revenues into 3 parts one for War a second for his Court and the third for Pious uses 3. His Land into 32 Shires 4. His Subjects into Hundreds and Tithings consisting of 10 Persons mutually Pledges for their Good Behaviour He left Learning where he found Ignorance Justice where he found Oppression and Peace where he found Destraction And having Reigned 34 years he dyed and was buried at Winchester An. 901. He loved Religion more then
flourished 1460 under H. 6. Robert Fabian Sheriff of London 1493. wrote 2 Chronicles 1. From Brutus to the death of Henry 2. another from the 1. of King Richard to the death of King Henry 7. He was an Excellent Poet. A modern Master-wit in the contest betwixt the Poets of our Age maketh Apollo to adjudge the Laurell to an Alderman of London because to have most wealth was a sign of most wit But had the Scene of this Competition been laid 140 years since c. Apollo would have given the Laurel to this our Alderman He died 1512 and was buried at the Church of Alhallows After his death Cardinal Woolsey caused them to burn all the Copies of his Book which he could come by because therein he had made too clear Discovery of the Revenues of the Clergy Th. Lupset Greek Prof. at Oxford was known unto Erasmus He was diverted from Divinity by Woolsey He was in favour with Hen. 8. and died of a Consumption 1532. in Lond. and buried at St. Alphage Since the Reformation Jo. Rastal Printer undertook to prove Purgatory by Reason He was a Good Mathematician and made a Comedy of Europe Asia and Africa He wrote a Book against Jo. Frith which he afterwards recanted and a Book of the Terms of the Law and an Index to J. Fitz-Herbert He was Father to Rastal the Famous Lawyer He died and was buried at London 1536. Edw. Hall bred in K. College became a Judge in the Sheriffs Court He wrote an elegant Hist of the Warrs of York and Lanc. He died 1547 and was buried in St. Sithes Church Will. Fulke D. D. and Marg. Professor in Camb. when Young wrote a Book of Meteors Being a solid Divine he confuted the Rhemish Translation of the Bible He died 1589. Edm. Spencer bred in Camb. A great Poet who imitated Chaucer 'T is said that he presented Q. Eliz. with a Poem with which she was so well pleased that she commanded the Lord Treasurer Cecil to give him 100 l. and when he alledged that Sum was too much then give him Quoth the Q. what is Reason but being delayed he presented these Lines to the Queen I was promised on a time To have Reason for my Rhyme From that time unto this Season I receiv'd nor Rhyme nor Reason Hereupon the Q. gave strict Order for the present payment of 100 l. He was afterwards Secretary to the Lord Gray Deputy of Ireland He was an Excellent Linguist Antiquary Philosopher Mathematician yet so poor as being a Poet that he was thought Fami non Famae scribere Returning into England he was robb'd by the Rebels of that little he had and dying for Grief in great Want 1598 was honourably buried nigh Chaucer in Westminster The expence of his Funeral and Monument was defrayed at the sole charge of Rob. first of that Name E. of Essex Jo. Stow bred at learning no higher then a good Grammar-Scholar became an useful Historian and very accurate in the Notation of Time Besides his Chron. of England he hath written a large Survey of London He died 1605 and lyeth buried in the Quire of St. Andr. Vndershaft There was another of his Name a Monk of Norwich 1440. Giles Fletcher equally loved of the Muses and Graces wrote a Poem entitled Christs Victory Having commenced D. D. he became Preacher first in St. Maries then in Suff. where being slighted by his clownish Parishioners he fell into Melancholy and died in a short time 162 His Brother Phineas of Cambridge wrote an excellent Poem called The Purple Island c. Jo. Donne a Man of excellent Wit large Travail and choice Experience in his reduced Age became D. D. and Dean of St. Pauls He died 1631. and lyeth buried in St. Pauls His Life is written by Mr. Isaac Walton Romish Exile Writers Jo. Heiwood writes of himself that he applied Mirth more then Thrift many mad Plays and did few good Works His Jests were biting He printed English Proverbial Epigrams and his pleasant Monumenta Literaria After the Death of Q. Mary who highly favoured him he fled for Religion He died 156. Whose Son Jasper a Jesuit was executed in the Reign of Q. Eliz. Maurice Chamnee bred a Frier in the Charterhouse He only escaped when 18 of his Order lost their lives by him written for refusing the Oath of Supremacy 'T is said he warped to the Will of H. 8. to preserve his Convent from Destruction He dyed beyond the Seas 1581. Edm. Campian bred in Oxf. being Deacon of the Protestant Church he renounced that Order and fled beyond the Seas A Man of great Parts and no less Ostentation Coming over into England with Father Parsons to reduce it to the Church of Rome he fetched over many Neuters before to his perswasion by his Ten Reasons in pure Latine and pithily penned He was quickly caught by the Setters of Secretary Walsingham imprisoned examined on Matters of State and saw rather than felt the Rack but a while after he was engaged in 4 solemn Disputations in the Chappel in the Tower to make good a bold Challenge he had made against all Protestants concerning Scripture the Church the Sacrament and Justification and 't is said whatever Questions he there answered that he answered not the general expectation of his own Party He was executed 1581. Benefactors to the Publick Th. Pope Knight Architect under God of his own Fortune employed under the Lord Cromwell an Instrument of the second magnitude got his share at the dissolution of the Abbeys and refunded a considerable proportion for what he received for the Building endowing of Trin. Coll. in Oxf. He died about the beginning of the Reign of Q. Eliz. There are in Oxford-shire many descendants from him continuing in a worshipful Estate the Chief of the Family being the E. of Down in Ireland on the same token that K. James came in Progress to the House of Sir Pope Knight when his Lady was lately delivered of a Daughter who was presented to K. James with this Paper of Verses See this little Mistress here Did never sit in Peter's Chair Or a Tripple Crown did wear And yet she is a Pope No Benefice she ever sold Nor did dispence with Sins for Gold She hardly is a Sevenight Old And yet she is a Pope No King her Feet did ever kiss Or had from her worse Look then this Nor did she ever hope To Saint one with a Rope And yet she is a Pope A Female Pope you 'l say A Second JOAN No sure she is Pope Innocent or none Th. Curson Armorour being much afflicted with a sad Accident one having shot another in his Shop tho during his absence resolved to give all his Estate to pious uses and accordingly disposed of some hundreds of pounds for the use of the poor in Alhallows Lumbard-Street where he was born and other Parishes He died 16 Edw. Allin a Stage-Player and Roscius of our Age built a fair Colledge at Dulwich in Kent for
Owâ—n Glendour the Welsh Rebel put him to flight and took his Banner with his own hands 3. He vanquished the two Piercies at Shrewsbury 4. Being challenged in his Pilgrimage to the Holy-Land at Verona by Sir Pandulph Malacet an Italian to fight with him at three Weapons viz. with Axe Sword and Dagger he had slain his Adversary at the second Weapon had not some seasonably interceded 5. Fighting at Justs in France with Sir Collard Fines at every stroke he bare him backward to his Horse and when the French suspected that he was tyed to his Saddle to conâ—ute their Jealousies our Earl â—ighted and presently remounted 6. He was eminently active in the Kings Victorious Battles in France and might truly say Quorum pars ego magna sui 7. By King Henry 5. he was sent to the Council of Constance with a Retinue of 800 Horse 8. Here he killed a Dutch Duke who challenged him in the presence of the Emperour 9. The Empress affected with his Valour took the Badge from one of the Earls Men being a plain Bear of Silver and wore it on her Shoulder But the next day our Earl presented her with a Bear which was his Crest made of Pearls and Precious Stones 10. Being sent by King Henry 5. with 1000 Men in Arms to fetch Queen Katharine sole Daughter to the King of France he fought with the Earls of Vendosme and Limosin killed one of them with his own hand routed the Forces of 5000 Men and brought the Lady whom he saw safely Married to the King 11. He was by the said Kings Will appointed Governour of his Son in his Minority and made Lieutenant of all France 12. During his Life our success in France was progressive and retrograde after his death Sigismund the Emperor coming into England told King Henry 5. that no Christian King had such another Knight for Wisdom Nurture and Manhood and by Imperial Authority with the Kings consent caused him to be named The Father of Courtesie Being tossed with a great Tempest in his last Voyage to Normandy and despairing of Life he caused himself his Lady and infant Son to be bound to the main Mast on this design that being known by his Armour and Coat of Arms upon him he might have a Christian Burial Yet he dyed afterwards in his Bed at Roan April 30. 14â—9 and lyeth buried in a Chappel of the Collegiate Church of Warwick having a most stately Tomb. His Deeds of Charity were little inferiour to the Atchievments of his Valour Physicians and Chymists Sir Edward Kelley alias Talbot born at Worcester was reported to have joyntly found with Dr. d ee a great quantity of Elixir in the Ruins of Glassenbury Abbey That Doctor having Calculated Sir Edward's Nativity might possibly by some Mystical Equations find out the place of that Elixir They afterwards fixed at Trebona in Bohemia where Sir Edward being a skilful as well as fortunate Chymist is said to have transmuted a Brass warming Pan by warming it by the fire and putting the Elixir thereon into pure Silver a piece whereof was sent to Queen Elizabeth These two Sir Edward and Dr. Dee kept constant Intelligence with a Spirit giving them advice how to proceed in their mystical discoveries and enjoyning them by way of preparatory qualification for the same they should enjoy their Wives in common Though bogling hereat at first they resolved to submit thereunto because the Law-giver might dispense with his Laws in matters of so high Nature Upon this 't is thought Dee left his Companion to rant it in Germany who trusting too much to his Treasure spent extravagantly 4000 pounds on Rings which he gave away at the Marriage of one of his Maid-servants Being highly conceited of his Skill he gives Advice to all Lovers of Chymistry in these words To you I say how Learned soever you be Go burn your Books and come and learn of me According to the malignant position of Aquarius which hath influence on the Legs observed in the Scheme of his Nativity Being imprisoned by Radulphus the Emperour and endeavouring to escape out of an high Window by a pair of Sheets tyed together he fell and brake his Leg whereof he dyed 1595. From this Compound Chymist if you separate his Sublimate and Precipitate that is his Pride and Prodigality there will remain an experienced Philosopher worthy recommendation to Posterity Writers Florence of Worcester being learned and industrious wrote Chronicum Chronicorum from the Creation till his death happening 1119. Jo. Wallis or Welsh a Franciscan in VVorcester was bred in Oxford then in Paris where he was commonly called the Tree of Life though the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil had been more proper he having written 20 Volumes of curious speculations He dyed and was buried in Paris 1216. Elias de Evesham a Benedictine born of good Parentage flourished about 1270. VV. de Packington a Layman was Secretary and Treasurer to Edward the black Prince Having lived long in France and acquired an eâ—actness in the Language he wrote in French the Story of five English Kings John Henry 3. Edward 1.2 and 3. and a Book of the Atchievments of the Black Prince He flourished 1380. Since the Reformation Sir Edwin Sandys Son to Edw. D. D. and Bishop of VVorcester was bred in Cambridge and attained to be a most accomplished person right handed to any great Employment and constant in all Parliaments as the Speaker himself being beheld by all as an excellent Patriot He was Treasurer to the Undertakers for the VVestern Plantations the Bermudaes owing their happiness to his care and Sandys Tribe is no contemptible proportion therein He had a Commanding Pen Witness his Book of the Religion of the VVestern World I have been informed that he bequeathed a considerable Sum to the building of a Colledge in Cambridge but Debts not coming in according to expectation his good intention failed in the performance thereof He dyed 1631. Romish Exile Writers Riehard Smith D. D. was bred in Oxford where he was the Kings Professor till King Edward 6. sent for Pet. Martyr to supply that place betwixt whom and Smith there was great contest But in the Reign of Queen Mary Peter Martyr was glad to fly from that University and make room for the old pretender Thus we see that in such Controversies as were betwixt them it mattered little who were the disputants whilst the prevalent power was the Moderator Dr. Smith flying again into the Low Countries became Dean of St. Peter in Doway and the first Professor in the University founded therein He dyed 1563. Jo. Marshal born at Dalisford was bred at New-Colledge in Oxford where he proceeded Batchelour of Laws and was second Master of VVinchester School Flying an 1. Elizabeth he became Canon of Lisle in Flanders He wrote a Book against Jo. Calfield an English Protestant At his death he bequeathed a Ring with a rich Stone to adorn a piece of the Cross in
I say touching whose design was not to enrich himself but impoverish the Enemy He left Impressions of his Valour and Mercy in all places where he came Queen Elizabeth an 1592. honoured him with the Dignity of the Garter When King James came first out of Scotland to York he attended him with such an Equipage that he seemed rather a King then Earl of Cumberland Here happened a Contest between the Earl and the Lord President in the North about carrying the Sword before the King in York which Office was finally adjudged to the Earl as belonging to him and whilst Clifford's Tower is standing in York that Family will never be forgotten His Anagram was as really as literally true Georgius Cliffordius Cumberlandius Doridis regno clarus cum vi fulgebis He dyed 1605. leaving one Daughter and Heir the Lady Anne Married to the Earl of Dorset Physicians Sir George Ripley born at Ripley was Canon of Bridlington in this County He went over into Italy and there studied 20 years together in pursuance of the Philosophers Stone and found it an 1470. as some collect from his words Inveni quem diligit Anima mea An English Gentleman of good credit reported that he saw a Record in the Isle of Malta which declares that Sir George Ripley gave yearly to those Knights of Rhodes 100000 pounds towards maintaining of the War against the Turks This vast Donation might easily induce one to think that he was Eques Auratus though indeed never more then Sir Priest and Canon of Bridlington Returning home he became a Carmelite-Anchorite at Boston in Lincoln shire where he wrote 25 Books his Compound Alchymy carrying away the credit of all the rest It makes mention of the 12 Gates leading to the making of the Philosophers Stone viz. Calcination Solution Separation Conjunction Putrefaction Congelation Cibation Sublimation Fermentation Exaltation Multiplication Projection But all this was but a Project with a Termination for because things did not answer his expectation I understood by my Author's Information that Sir George made afterwards a solemn Recantation He dyed about 1492. Thomas Johnson born near Hull was an Apothecary in London the best Herbalist in his Age. He made Additions to Gerard He was of great Modesty as being both more Learned and Valiant then he pretended to be After he was made Honorary Doctor in Oxford he performed a dangerous piece of service at Basing-house at the Siege of which he afterwards lost his Life on the Loyal side in the late Wars 1644. Writers Alphred of Beverly bred in Cambridge and Treasurer of the Convent at Beverly wrote a Chronicle from Brutus to the time of his own death which happened 1136. W. of Rievaulx a Monk of Rushford wrote an History of his own Age and dyed 1146. St. Ealread the Pious and Learned Abbot of Rivaulx was intimate with Dav. King of Scotland and many persons of prime Quality He had an active Soul which he employed for the benefit of the publick He is generally accounted the English St. Bernard and wrote de Virginitate Mariae de Abusionibus Claustri He refused several Bishopricks c. proffered to him and dyed 1166. Whose Deacon Walter Daniel trod in his Masters foot-steps and wrote on the same subject De Virginitate Mariae He flourished under King Henry 2. and was buried in his own Abbey Robert the Scribe Prefect of the Canons Regulars at Bridlington was extolled by Erasmus for his fair and fast Writing Having left many Books to Posterity he dyed about 1180. and was buried in his Convent Peter of Rippon Canon of that Colledge wrote a Book of the Life and Miracles of St. Wilfred the Founder thereof There was a narrow place in his Church through which chaste persons might easily pass whilst the incontinent did stick therein Many suspected persons did prick their credit who could not thred his Needle I confess there might be some such narrow place the occasion as well as Touch-stone of incontinency over which this Inscription had been proper Aut inveniam aut faciam Libidinosas The Steeple of this Church was blown down the fall whereof beat down the Chancel Peter flourished 1190. under King Richard 1. W. of Newborough born at Bridlington was Canon Regular of Newborough A fierce little Man He charged Jeffrey of Monmouth with Forgery and denies that there ever was such a Man as King A thur c. 'T is said he was out of humour because Dav. Prince of Wales denied him the See of St Asaph So it seems for William himself can tell an incredible story and therefore its likely he would not have charged a Falshood upon another for the sake of Truth only 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 it be the quality of the Soyl naturally reddish and nothing else He flourished under King John 1200. Roger Hoveden of an Illustrious Family bred in the Study of the Civil and Canon Laws became a most accomplished Courtier under King Henry 2. He is the chief if not sole Lay-Historian of his Age writing a Chronicle beginning where Bede ended continuing the same until the fourth of King John by which Chronicle King Edward 1. did partly clear his Title to the Crown of Scotland He flourished 1204. Jo. of Halifax commonly called De Sacro Bosco was bred in Oxford then in Paris the prime Mathematician of his Age. All Students of Astronomy enter into that Art through the door of his book De Sphaerâ He dyed an 1256. Robert the Searcher a Dominican great Mathematician and Philosopher is reported to have lighted his Candle at the Devils Torch to seek after such secrets as he did desire Witness his Book of Ceremonial Magick He flourished under King Edward 2. 1326. Thomas Castleford was a Benedictine in Pontfract whereof he wrote an History from a Ask a Saxon the first Proprietor to the Lacies from whom that Lordship descended to the Earls of Lancaster He flourished about 1326. Jo. Gower born at Stitenham of a Knightly Family was first a Student in the Law then a Poet and was the first Refiner of the English Tongue But it seems he was made a Judge in his old Age. He may be called the English Homer having grown stark blind with Age. He wrote amongst other Books Speculum Meditantis in French Confessio Amantis in English Vox Clamantis in Latine He dyed 1402. Jo. Marre born at Marre bred in Oxford a Carmelite of great Learning was praised by Trithemius and others chiefly for his writing against J. Wickliffe He dyed 1407. and was buried in Doncaster Thomas Gascoigne younger Brother to Sir William Lord Chief Justice was born at Huntfleet and bred D. D. in Bal. Colledge in Oxford He was Commissioner of that University 1434. He was a great follower of St. Hierom whose Life he wrote He Composed a
Clarence President in his stead for the same No sooner was his Father dead but he reclaimed himself and became a Glory to his Country and a constant Terror to his Enemies yea and banished all his idle Companions from Court allowing them a competency for their subsistence When the Lord Chief Justice who had secured him when Prince for striking him for the Commitment of some of his lewd Companions he not only forgave him but rewarded his Justice In his Reign a Supplication was preferred that the Temporal Lands given to pious uses but abusively spent might be siezed on by the King This was wisely awarded by Chichley Arch-Bishop of Canterbury by putting the King on the design of recovering France Yea this King by his Valour reduced Charles 6. King of France to such a condition that he resigned his Kingdom into his hand and our King Henry 5. was accordingly Crowned in Paris King of France There the French found him as good or rather worse as his Promise which he made to the Dolphin who sent him a Barrel of Paris Tennis-Balls sending such English-Balls that they proved fatal to them He dyed at Boys St. Vincent ult Aug. 1422. and was brought over with great Solemnity and interred in Westminster-Abbey Saints St. Amphibalus a Citizen of Carlion See the Saints in Hereford St. Aaron a wealthy Citizen of Carlion was Martyred under Dioclesian the Emperour 30â— Note that the three first British Martyrs viz. Alban Amphibalus and Aaron have the first a Latine the second a Greek and the third an Hebrew Name St. Julius of Carlion suffered with Aaron aforesaid Note that Carlion now a small Town was once a great City reaching a Mile in length and comprehending St. Julian's a House of late Sir William Herbert's now a Mile distant from the Town Cardinals Geffery of Monmouth is avouched by some to have been made Cardinal but it is improbable that so much honour should be done unto him whilst living who was so solemnly disgraced after his death his Books being then publickly prohibited by the Court of Rome See Writers in this Shire John of Monmouth D. D. and Canon of Lincoln was chosen Bishop of Landaff 1296. after that See had been 7 years vacant He was a Learned and Pious Divine Besides other Benefactions to his See he procured the Rectory of Newland in the Forrest of Dean to be appropriated thereto But Bishop Kitchin afterwards impoverished the same more then all his Predecessors had endowed it in 400 years This John dyed April 8. 1322. and was buried in St Maries Chappel Walter Cantilupe Son to William the elder Lord Cuntilupe whose prime residence was at Abergavennie in this County was made by Henry 3. Bishop of Worcester He would not yield to the Popes Legate who complained of many Clergy-men keeping their Livings against the Canons intending to make room for the Popes Favourites or force such irregular incumbents to a Composition He was one of a keen nature whose two-edged spirit did cut on both sides against the King and Pope Against the former he sided with the Barons to whom he promised Heaven for the reward of their Rebellion against their Prince though it cost him an Excommunication from the Pope who was the more forward in denouncing that fatal Sentence against him because he had told Rusland his Legate coming hither 1255. that he would preferr him to be hang'd on the Gallows rather then ever consent to such expilation of the Church as aforesaid Lying on his deathâ—bed he was touched with true remorse for his disloyalty and obtained Absolution He dyed February 1267. whom I behold as Uncle to Thomas the Sainted Bishop of Hereford Souldiers Richard de Clare alias Strongbow born probably at Stringule Castle was Earl of Stringule and Pembrook A person of effectual performance It happened that Mac Murugh an 1167. being expelled his Territories for several Tyrannies by the Lords of Meath and Conaight repaired to King Henry 2. and invited him to Ireland That Politick King sent over this R. Strongbow with 1200 Men who possessed himself of the Ports of Leinster and Mounster with large Lands thereunto belonging insomuch that the King growing jealous of his greatness remanded him home and commanded him to surrender his Acquest into his hands which done he received them by regrant from the King save that Henry reserved the City of Dublin for himself This Strongbow is commonly called Domitor Hiberniae the Tamer of Ireland Yet some of the great Lords there did still retain the Power and Title of King Witness the Preface in the Commission whereby King Henry 2. made William Fitz-Adelme his Lieutenant of Ireland Archiepiscopis Episcopis Regibus c. Salutem This Earl dyed at Dublin 1177. Sir Roger Williams born of an ancient Family at Penross was first a Souldier of Fortune under the Duke of Alva and afterwards served Queen Elizabeth A man extreamly forward to Fight When a Spanish Captain challenged Sir John Norris to fight a single Combat which was beneath him to accept being a General this Roger undertook the Don. And after they had fought some time both Armies beholding them without any hurt they pledged each other a deep draught of Wine and so friendly departed Another time at mid-night he assaulted the Camp of the Prince of Parma nigh Venloe slew some of the Enemies and pierced to the Tent of the General He bravely defended Sluse whilst any hope of help William Herbert Earl of Pembrook with Sir Richard his Brother were both valiant Men and as fast Friends to King Edward 4. as professed Foes to Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick Leading the Army of the Welsh in the Battle of Banbury with their Poll-Axes they twice made way through the Battle of the Northern men which sided with King Henry 6. without any Mortal Wound There passeth a Tradition in the Noble Family of the Herberts of Chierbury that this Sir Richard their Ancestor slew that day 140 Men with his own hands in passing and repassing through the Army Guns not being then in fashion the Poll-Axe was the next Mortal Weapon especially in such a dead Hand as this Knight had He is reported also to be of a Giants Stature the Peg being extant in Montgomery Castle whereon he used to hang his Hat at dinner which no Man of an ordinary height can reach with his hand at this day However both these brave Brethren circumvented with the subtilty of their Foes Odds at any time may be bet on the side of Treachery against Valour were brought to Banbury beheaded and buried the Earl at Tinterne and Sir Richard at Abergaveny in this County Writers Jeffrey of Monmouth alias ap Arthur Translated and Compiled the various British Authors into one Volume He hath many things from the British Bards which though improbable are not therefore ipso facto untrue yet Humanum est errare and Tradition having run a great way from its clear Original may swell into a rapide Stream violently
age would admit An 1. Ed. 6. 3. When the same after the Marian interruption was resumed and more refined in the Reign of Q. El. The first of these I may call the Morning Star The Second the Dawning of the Day The third the rising of the Sun As to the Prelats and Writers in Q. Maries days their inclinations are discovered in their Writings and by their Actions CHAP. XII Memorable Persons THE former Heads were like Private Houses but this Topick is like a publick Inn admitting all Comers and Goers having any extraordinary not vicious Remark upon them Such therefore who are over under or beside the Standard of Common Persons for strength stature fruitfulness vivacity c. are lodged under this Head under which I also repose such Mechanicks who have reached a clear note above others in their Vocation and Eminent improvers of Arts being Founders of that Accession which they add thereunto CHAP. XIII Of Lord Mayors of London AFter the Death of the King the Lord Majors Office and Authority continues a whole year whereas most other Offices determine with the Kings Death Younger Sons are raised to this Dignity by their own Vertue which affords an Illustrious Example and gives the greatest Encouragement to all well-disposed Youth Some Shires are destitute of this Honourable Office tho 't is probable they may come to arrive at the Priviledge of Majorality for Sir Richard Chiverton Skinner descended of a right Ancient and Worshipful Family having been lately the first in Cornwal has opened the door there for others to follow after him Some in London have refused the Office and Fined and thereby have Charitably increased the Stock of the City CHAP. XIV Why a Catalogue of the English Gentry in the Reign of H. 6. is inserted in this Book IN the days of H. 6 under pretence of routing out Felons Outlaws c. Opposition was made to the House of York which was the Occasion that a List of Gentry was made As to the Method of the Catalogue among the Commissioners the Bishop of the Diocess is first put after whom follow Earls Barons Knights of the Shire Note here that in the time of H. 6 de such a place was left off and the addition of Knight or Squire was assumed tho not generally in all places CHAP. XV. Of Sheriffs SHeriff is a Reeve or Overseer of a Shire in Latin Vicecomes or Deputy of an Earl or Count who anciently presiding over a County gave names both to the Place and deputed Jurisdiction In the year 888. K. Alfred first divided England into Shires The Clerk of the Peace for each County in Mich. Term presents to the Lord Chief Justice six or more names of able Persons for the Office of Sheriff of whom three are presented to the King who pricks one to stand Sheriff for the County His Power is to suppress Riots secure Prisoners distrain for Debts execute Writs return Knights and Burgesses for Parliament empannel Juries attend the Judge see the Execution of Malefactors c. By 4. H. 4 5. Sheriffs are to abide within their Counties 'T is observed by some that anciently the Office of Sheriff was Honos sine onere in middle times Honos cum onere and in our days Onus sine Honore a burden without honour CHAP. XVI Of the Coats of Arms of Sheriffs ARms seem to have been Jure Divino to the Jews and their use is great both in War and Peace without them an Army neither has Method nor strikes terror and in peace Arms distinguish one Man from another Arms assumed according to one's fancy are but personal but Arms assigned by Princes are Hereditary The plainer the Coat is the more Ancient and Honourable two Colours are necessary and most highly honourable tho both may be blazoned with one word as Varrey formerly born by the Beauchamps of Hatch in Wiltshire and still quartered by the Duke of Somerset three are very honourable four Commendable five Excuseable more disgraceful One said of a Coat that it was so well Victualled that it might endure a Siege such was the Plenty and Variety of Fowl Flesh and Fish therein Or and Azure are the richest Argent and Sable the fairest Coats The Lion and Eagle are the most Honourable the Cross the most Religious bearing a Bend the best Ordinarie being a Belt athwart as a Fess is the same about the middle Herbs Vert being natural are better then Or. There are Reasons rendred for some bearings Thus whereas the Earls of Oxford anciently gave their Coat plain quarterly Gules and Or they took afterwards in the first a Mallet or Star Argent because the Chief of the House had a Falling-Star as is said alighting on his Shield as he was fighting in the Holy-land Now for the Arms of Sheriffs we have added them ever since the first of King Richard 2. I will conclude this Discourse with a Memorable Record Claus 5 H. 5. Membr 15 in the Tower The King to the Sheriff Health c. because there are divers Men as we are informed which before these times in the Voyages made by us have assumed to themselves Arms and Coat-Armours where neither they nor their Ancestors in times past used such Arms c. and Propound with themselves to use and exercise the same in this present Voyage which God willing we intend to make And altho the Omnipotent disposeth his favours in things Natural as he pleaseth equally to the Rich and Poor yet We willing that every one of our Liege Subjects should be Esteemed and Treated in due manner according to the Exigency of his State and Condition We Command thee that in every place within thy Bailiwick where by our Writ we have lately shewn you cause to be Proclaimed that no Man of what State Degree or Condition soever he be shall take upon him such Arms or Coats of Arms save he alone who doth possess or ought to possess the same by the right of his Ancestors or by Donation and grant of some who had sufficient power to assign him the same and that he that useth such Arms or Coats of Arms shall on the day of his Muster manifestly shew to such Persons assigned or to be assigned by us for that purpose by vertue of whose gift he enjoyeth the same those only excepted who carried Arms with us at the Battle of Agincourt under the penalties not to be admitted to go with us in our aforesaid Voyages under his Command by whom he is for the present retained and of the loss of his wages as also of the rasing out and breaking off the said Arms called Coat-Armours at the time of his Muster aforesaid if they shall be shewn upon him or found about him And this you shall in no case omit Witness the King at the City of New Sarum June the Sâ—cond CHAP. XVII Of the Alterations and Variations of Surnames SUrnames of Families have been altered and new Names assumed chiefly for Concealment in time of Civil
and a bad People A French Proverb 't is well they being such Admirers of their own will allow any goodness to another Country XV. The High Dutch Pilgrims when they beg they sing the French whine and cry the Spaniards curse swear and blaspheme the Irish and English steal This is Spanish The Italians are not mentioned because they seldom go out of their Country There was occasion to make Felony highly Penal in England to restrain the Pezantry somewhat addicted thereunto but may Honesty in themselves and Charity in others hinder the Progress and prevent the Consequences of that Sneaking Trade Princes John Eldest Son of King E. 1. and Queen Eleanor born at Windsor dyed in his Infancy 1273. an ult H. 3. and was buried August 8. in Westminster under a Marble Tomb inlaid with his Picture in an Arch over it Eleanor Eldest Daughter to King Ed. 1. and Queen Eleanor born at Windsor An. Dom. 1266. Afterwards was Married by Proxy a Naked Sword interposed between her and his Body to Alphons King of Arragon who dyed An. 1292 before the Consummation of Marriage This Princess was afterwards Married to Hen. 3. Earl of Berry in France from whom the Dukes of Anjou and Kings of Sicil are descended She died in 27 th year of her Fathers Reign Anno Dom. 1298. Margaret third Daughter of E. 1. and Queen Eleanor born at Windsor An. 3. E. 1. 1275. At fifteen she was Marryed at Westminster July 9. 1290. to John II. Duke of Brabant by whom she had John Issue III. Duke of Brabant from whom the Dukes of Burgundy are descended Mary sixth Daughter of King Ed. and Queen El. born at Windsor April 12. 1279. at 10 years of Age was made a Nun at Amesbury in Wiltshire meerly to gratifie Queen Eleanor her Grand-mother The other Children of this King probably born in this Castle viz. Henry Alphonse Blanche dyed in their Infancy who Cleansed at Font did draw untainted Breath Not yet made bad by Life made good by Death The two former were buried with their Brother John at Westminster in the same Tomb but where Blanche was interr'd is unknown Edward III Son to E. 2. and Queen Isab born at Windsor Oct. 13. 1312. a Pious and Fortunate Prince was Passive in the deposing of his Father Practised on in his Minority by his Mother and Mortimer His French Victories speak both of his Wisdom and Valour And tho the Conquests by H. 5. were thicker his were broader in France and Scotland tho both in length alike as lost by their immediate Successors He was the first English King which Coyned Gold He first stamped the Rorse-Nobles having on one side Iesus autem transiens per medium illorum ibat and on the Reverse his own Image with a Sword and Shield siting in a Ship Waving on the Sea Hereupon was made the English Rhym in the Reign of H. 6. For four things our Noble sheweth to me King Ship and Swerd and Power of the Sea He had a Numerous and Happy Issue by Phillippa his Queen after whose Death being almost 70 years old he cast his Affection on Alice Pierce his Paramour to his Dishonour it being true what Epictetus returned to Adrian the Emperour asking of him what Love was In Puero Pudor in Virgine Rubor in faeminâ Furor in juvene Ardor in Sene Risus In a Boy bashfulness in a Maid blushing in a Woman fury in a young-Man fire in an old Man folly However this King had few Equals none Superiors for Wisdom Clemency and Courage He died An. Dom. 1378. William Sixth Son to E. 1. and Queen Phil. born at Windsor He had a Brother born at Hatfield of the same Name who died in his Infancy as this William also did As for King Edwards Female Children Isabel Joan Blanch Mary and Margaret 't is believed they were born in France Henry VI Son to H. 5. born at Windsor was fitter for a Coul than Crown of so easie a Nature that he might well have Exchanged a pound of Patience for an ounce of Valour He Marryed Margaret Daughter of Reinier King of Jerusalem Sicily and Arragon Puissant only in Titles Through Home-bred Dissentions he not only lost the Forreign Acquisitions of the Father in France but also his own Inheritance in England to the House of York Her Death or Murder rather happened 1471. This Henry was twice Crowned twice Deposed and twice Buried first at Chestry then at Windsor and once half Sainted Our Hen. VII cheapned the price of his Canonization but would not come up to the Sum demanded However this Henry was a Saint with the People repairing to his Monument from the farthest part of the Land He was the last Prince whom I find expresly born at Windsor It seems that afterwards our English Queens grew out of Conceit with that place as unfortunate for Royal Nativities Saints Margaret Alice Rich born at Abbington in this County and were successively Prioress of Catesby in Northamptonshire They were Sisters to St. Edmund The former dying An. 1257. the latter 1270. Both were Honoured for Saints and many Miracles were reported done at their Shrine St. Edmund Son to Edw. Rich and Mabel his Wife born at Abbington and bred in Oxford Edmunds-Hall in that University which probably was not built by but Named in Memory of him He was Canon of Salisbury and afterwards Arch-bishop of Canterbury but after 10 years deserted this Function being offended at the Ambition and Extortion of the Popes Legate in England he therefore going into France sighed out the Remainder of his Life at Pontiniack some say at Soissons where he dyed An. 1240. Pope Innocent IV Canonized him 6 years after his Death that as some affirm he might not be tormented with his Ghost Lewis King of France a year after translated his Corps and three years after that bestowed a most Sumptuous Shrine of Gold Silver and Chrystal upon it And the 16 of Nov. is the Festival appointed for his Memorial Martyrs At Newbury in this County there were 6 or 7 score Persons being betrayed by a Lewd Person whom they admitted into their Society Abjured and besides there were three or four burnt whose Names tho not known are no doubt written in the Book of Life The day of the Gospel dawned as soon in this County as in any place of England The Honour of the Seniority in this kind belongs to Newbury the Motive used by Doctor Will. Twit to quicken the pace of his Parishoners there that Town as he said being the first Fruits of the Gospel in England At Windsor of a Company of Godly Persons there four were Arraigned and Condemned by Commissioners whereof three were put to Death viz. Anth. Parsons Priest being fast'ned to the Stake he laid a good deal of Straw on his Head saying This is God's Hat I am now Arm'd like a Souldier of Christ Rob. Testwood a Singer in Windsor-Quire There hap'ned a Contest betwixt him and
another of that Society Singing an Anthem together to the Virgin Mary Rob. Philips on the one side of the Quire O Redemtrix Salvatrix Rob. Testwood on the other side Non Redemtrix nec Salvatrix Whoever had the better then God be thanked the Nons have got now the better of the Os in England He was also accused for diswading the People from Pilgrimages and for striking off the Nose of the Image of our Lady Hen. Palmer Church-Warden of Windsor who had Articled against their Superstitious Vicar for Heretical Doctrine When an account was given of the patient Death of these three to King Hen. VIII he was pleased to say Alass poor Innocents This was Pity but could be no Protection yet by this Occasion others were preserved This storm blown over Barkshire enjoyed peace for twelve years viz. from An. Dom. 1544. till 1556 when Doctor Jeffrey the Cruel Chancellour of Sarisbury renewed the Troubles of Nembury and caused the Death of Julins Palmer See his Character being born in Coventry in Warwickshire John Gwin Th. Askin All three Burnt July 16. 1556. in the Sandpits near Newbury enduring the Fire with such incredible Constancy that it confounded their Foes and confirmed their Friends in the Truth Confessors John Marbeck a skilful Organist in Windsor-Quire who not perfectly understanding the Latin Tongue did out of the Latin with the help of the English Bible make an English Concordance commended highly by Bishop Gardiner yea by King Hen. VIII saying He was better employed than those Priests who accused him Marbick was a very Zealous Protestant of so sweet a Nature all good Men did love and few bad Men did hate him Yet he was Condemned An. 1544. on the Stat. of the six Articles to be Burnt at Windsor but was pardoned some say for the Love Gardiner bore to him some that his Accusers out of Remorse of Conscience procured his Pardon others that they intended to reserve him for a discovery of others 'T was a pardonable mistake of Mr. Fox in affirming this Marbeck was burnt which he afterwards amended Some Cavil and tell us That Many who were burnt in Fox's time in the Reign of Queen Mary drank Sack in the days of Queen Elizabeth but Humanum est errare Protestants disclaim infallibility and will reclaim their Errors when known Robert Bennet Lawyer in Windsor a zealous Professor of the true Religion when Mr. Testwood was Condemned was sick of the Plague in the Prison of the Bishop of London and by that means preserved receiving a Pardon after his recovery Cardinals This County affordeth one who might have been a Cardinal but would not viz. William Laud who at the proffer said That the Church of Rome must be first mended before he would accept any such Dignity Prelates Will. Reading a learned Benedictine employed by King Henry II. in many Embassies and by him promoted to the Arch-Bishoprick of Bourdeaux where he died in the Reign of King Richard I. John de Bradfield or De Lato Campo born likely at Bradfield in Berks. He was Chanter and Bishop of Rochester He had another Sur-name viz. De Hoe but the same Character viz. A man of honest Conversation good Learning and Moderation in all things Richard Beauchamp Brother to William Beauchamp Bar. of St. Amaud of Widehay in this County was bred Doctor in the Laws and became Bishop first of Hereford then of Salisbury He was Chancellour of the Garter which Office descended to his Successours Windsor-Castle the Seat of that Order being in the Diocess of Salisbury He built a beautiful Chappel on the South-side of St. Marries Chappel in his own Cathedral where he lyeth buried His death hap'ned An. Domini 1482. Since the Reformation Tho. Godwin born at Oakingham in this County was of Magdalen-Colledge in Oxford maintained there for a time by the Bounty of Doctor Layton Dean of York till at last he was chosen Fellow of the Colledge Afterwards he was School-Master of Barkley in Gloucestershire then he studied Physick which proved Beneficial to him when forbidden to teach School in the Raign of Queen Mary Bonner threatning him with Fire and Faggot caused him often to obscure himself He was an Eloquent Preacher Tall and Comely in person which much indeared him to Queen Elizabeth For eighteen years together he was one of the Select Chaplains which Preached in Lent before her Majesty He was first Dean of Chirst-Church in Oxford then Dean of Canterbury and at last Bishop of Bath and Wells Being Aged and Diseased he was necessitated for a Nurse to marry a second Wife which was represented to the Queen to his disgrace as if he had married a Girl of Twenty But the Earl of Bedford intervening Madam said he to her Majesty I know not how much the Woman is above Twenty but I know a Son of hers is but little under Forty He died at Oakingham of a Quartane Feaver Nov. 19. 1590. And lyeth buried under a Monument in the South-side of the Chancel Th. Ramme born at Windsor was admitted in Kings Colledge in Cambridge An. Dom. 1588. whence he was Chaplain first to Robert Earl of Essex then to Charles Lord Mountjoy both Lord Lieutenants in Ireland afterwards he was made Bishop of Fernos and Laghlin in that Kingdom both peaceably enjoyed An. 1628. Will. Lawd born at Reading in this County of honest Parents bred in S. John's Colledge in Oxford whereof he became President Successively Bishop of S. David's Bath and Wells London and at last Arch-Bishop of Canterbury One of low Stature but high parts piercing Eyes chearful Countenance wherein Gravity and Pleasantness were well compounded admirable in his Naturals unblameable in his Morals being very strict in his Conversation Impartial posterity will allow his Name to be reposed among the Heroes of England seeing such as behold his expence on S. Paul's as but a Cypher will assign his other Benefactions a very valuable Signification viz. His erecting and endowing an Alms-house in Reading his encreasing of Oxford Library with Books and S. John's Colledge with beautiful Buildings He was beheaded Jan. 10. 1644. States-men Sir John Mason Knight born at Abbington where he was Benefactor to a beautiful Alms-house bred in All-Souls in Oxford King Henry VIII coming hither was so highly pleased with an Oration Mr. Mason made unto him that he instantly gave Order for his Education beyond the Seas as confident he would prove an able Minister of State He was Privy-Councellour to Henry 8. and Edward 6. One maketh him Secretary of State Another but Master of the Requests He continued Councellor to Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth to whom he was Treasurer of the Houshold and Chancellor of the University of Oxford He having no Child adopted his Nephew He was a Man of Gravity and great Learning He died 1566 and lyeth buried in the Quire of S. Paul's a part of whose Epitaph in English is thus He saw five Princes which the Scepter bore
Superstition favoured Learned Men more then Lazie Manks which may be the cause he was not solemnly Sainted with other Saxon Kings who did not so much deserve Since the Reformation Pet. Chapman born at Cokeham bred an Iron-monger in Lond. at his Death bequeathed five pounds a year to two Scholars in Oxford as much to two in Camb. and five Pounds a year to the poor of the Town of his Nativity besides sixty Pounds to the Prisons of Lond. c. The time of his Death is unknown Jo. Kendrick born at Reading bred a Draper in Lond. His State may be compared to the Mustard-seed from a small encreasing to a prodigious bigness If Benefactors were digested as David's Worthies Mr. Kendrick would be if not the last of the first the first of the second three His Charity began at his Kindred proceeded to his Friends and Servants to whom he left large Legacies concluded with the Poor on whom he bestowed above 20000 Pounds Reading and Newbury sharing the deepest therein as appears by his Printed Will He dyed 30 Sept. 1624. and is buried in St. Christophers Lond. to the Curate of which Parish he gave 20 Pounds a year for ever Rich. Wightwick Batchellor of Divinity was Rector of East-Isley in this County His Benefice not very great may appear a Bishoprick by his Bounty to Pembroke-Coll in Oxf. to which he gave 100 Pounds a year for 3 Fellows and 4 Scholars When he dyed is unknown Memorable Persons Tho. Cole commonly called the Rich Clothier of Reading He is reported a Man of vast Wealth maintaining 140 Menial Servants besides 300 poor People whom he set on Work insomuch that his Wains with Cloth filled the High-way from Reading to Lond. to the stopping of King H. I. in his Progress which King gratified Cole with a Standard-yard the length of his Royal-Arm but the Truth is was the Arm of E. I. which was the Adequation of a Yard This whole story is uncertain yet Cole may be accounted Eminent in this kind Jo. Winscombe commonly called Jack of Newbury was indeed the most considerable Clothier England ever beheld He kept 100 Looms in his House each of them managed by a Man and a Boy In the Expedition to Flodden-field against Ja. King of Scotland he marched with 100 of his own Men well Mounted to shew that the Painful in Peace could be Valiant in War He Feasted King Hen. 8 and his first Queen Kath. at his own House yet extant at Newbury the Church of which he built from the Pulpit to the Tower Inclusively He dyed about 1520 some of his Name and Kindred of great Wealth in this County As to the Gentry in this County Will. Fachel or Vachel was right Ancient having an Estate in and about Reading And the Family of the Pusays is so Ancient that they were Lords of Pusay a Village near Faringdon long before the Conquest in the time of King Canutus holding their Lands by the Tenure of Cornage viz. by Winding of a Horn when the Enemies made their Approach which that King gave their Family and which their Posterity still Extant at this day do produce But generally the List of Sheriffs is the most Comprehensive Catalogue of the English Gentry Noted Sheriffs monarch R. I. Will. Briewere of mean Extraction yet he was such a Minion to King Rich. I. that he created him Baron of Odcomb in Somersetshire One Fulk-paynel gave this William the Town of Bridgwater that he might procure for him the King's favour which he had lost Seeing he left no Son partition was made of his Inheritance amongst his Daughters married into the Honourable Families of Breos Wake Mohun La-fert and Percy Phillip Son of Rob. and Alan de Marton joynt Sheriffs in this County Rog. Bishop of Covent Lich. Sher. in this County He was Surnamed de Molend monarch H. 3 aliàs Longespee and was Nephew to King Hen. III. Phil. de la Beach The Seat of this Family was at Aldworth monarch E. 2. where their Statues on their Tombs are yet extant They were most Valiant Men their Male issue was extinct in the next Kings Reign whose Heir General was marryed to the Ancient Family of Whitlock Th. Chaucer sole Son to Geffery Chaucer the Famous Poet monarch H. 4. from whom he inherited fair Lands at Dunning-Castle in this County and at Ewelme in Oxf. He married Maud Daughter and Coheir of Sir Jo. Burwash by whom he had Alice married to Will. de la Pole D. of Suffolk He lyeth buried under a fair Tomb in Ewelme Church with this Inscription Hic jacet Th. Chaucer Armiger quondam Dominus istius villae patronus istius Ecclesiae qui ob 13. Nov. An. Dom. 1434. Matilda uxor ejus quae ob 28. Apr. 1436. Th. Wickham Kinsman and next heir to Will. VVickham that famous Bishop of VVinchester monarch H. 5. who notwithstanding above 6000 pounds bequeath'd in Legacies left to Thomas 600 pound Lands a year As for his Arms viz. Arg. 2 Cheverons S. between 3 Roses G. The most ingenious Sir Isaac VVake conceiveth those Cheverons or Couples in Architecture given him in Relation to the two Colledges he built in Oxford and VVinchester Jo. Gowfere or Golofre monarch H. 6. the first who is Styled Esquire as he was Sheriff This Addition grew afterwards more fashionable for after that Jack Straw one of the Grandfounders of the Levellers was defeated the English Gentry to appear above the Mobile did in all publick Instruments insert their Native or acquired Qualifications Sir Jo. Howard Knight Son to Sir Rob. Howard monarch E. 4. soon after was Created a Baron by Edw. IV. and Duke of Norfolk by King Rich. III. as Kinsman and one of the Heirs of Anne Dutchess of York and Norfolk whose Mother was one of the Daughters of Th. Mowbray Duke of Norfolk Soon after he lost his Life in Bosworth-field in the Quarrel of him who had given him his Honour From him descended the Noble and Numerous Family of the Howards of whom four Earls viz. Arundel Notingham Suffolk and Barkshire and two Barons viz. Mowbray and Estrick sat in the last Parliament of King Ch. I. Verstegan the great Antiquary will have their Name to be Holdward that is Keeper of a Castle or Trust and they have well answered unto their Name Did not Th. Howard Earl of Surrey well Hold his ward by Land when in the Reign of King H. 8. he Conquered the Scots in Floddon-field and took James IV their King Prisoner And did not Charles Howard afterward Earl of Nottingham hold his ward by Sea in 88. when the Armado was defeated Humph. Foster Ar. Afterward Knighted lies Buried in St. Martins in the Fields Lond. with this Inscription Of your Charity pray for the Soul of Sir Humphrey Foster Knight whose body lies buried here in Earth under this Marble Stone who deceased 18 Sept. 1500. On whose Soul Jesu have mercy Amen Robert Harecourt Knight right Ancient is this
held the Suffragans-Ship under Hen. Beaufort B. of Lincoln He left behind him many Learned Books He flourished under King R. 2. An. 1390. Jo. Skelton See his Character in Norf. Since the Reformation Rich. Crakenthorpe D. D. descended of an Ancient Family bred Fell. in Queens Coll. in Oxf. An. 1. Jac. went over Chaplain to the Lord Evers sent Ambassadour to the King of Denmark Here he attained to a great easiness in the Latine Tongue and kept Correspondency with Persons of Eminent Learning He was an excellent Logician witness his Work in that kind and became Chaplain in Ord. to King Ja. and Rector in Black-Notley in Ess His Posthume Works viz. Vigilius dormitans in defence of Justinian the Emp. and the Answer to the Manifesto of the Arch-bishop of Spalato find an Universal and Grateful Reception Salkeld a Branch of a Worshipful Family bred beyond the Seas either Jesuit or secular Priest Coming over into England to angle for Proselites his Line broke and he was cast in Prison Whence being brought to King Ja. by his Arguments with a Benefice bestowed on him in Som. he became a Protestant He was not a little proud that that King was pleased to Stile him the Learned Salkeld See his true Character in the Book he wrote of Angels He dyed 1638. Gerard Langbain D. D. born at Kirk-Banton bred first Fellow then Provost of Queens Coll. in Oxf. A Skilful Antiquary and ingenious in his Writings In his Works concerning the Dissent of the Gallican Churches from the Council of Trent he makes it appear that the History of that Council is not so compleat as is generally believed He dyed young An. 1657. Benefactors Rob. Eaglesfield Pious and Learned in that Age Chapl. and Confessor to Philippa Queen to King E. 3. founded Queens Coll. in Oxf. for a Provost and 12 Fellows appointing that those of Cumberland and Westm should be proper for Preferment in his Foundation Alledging that those Counties were Desert Places and the Minds of the Inhabitants uncultivated But prevented by Death he only left to this Colledge the Mannor of Renwick in this County with the impropriation of Burgh under Stanmore He ordered that in the Hall they should speak either Latin or French He bequeathed his Colledge to the Honorary Patronage of the Queens of England He dyed about the year 1370. Memorable Persons Maud Daughter of Th. Lord Lucy and Heir of Anth. Lord Lucy and Bar. of Cokermouth the Widow of Gilb. Humphrevile Earl of Angus was the second Wife of Hen. Piercy E. of Northum Who when she saw that she should die without Issue gave to E. Hen. her Husband the Castle and Honour of Cokerworth c. upon Condition that his Issue should bear the Arms of the Lucies viz. G. 3. Lucies or Pikes Hauriant Arg. quartered with their own Arms of the Percies and incorporated into one Coat in effect and for it levyed a fine in the Court of R. 2. This promise the Piercies have bonâ fide performed She dyed about 1382. Noted Sheriffs An. 21. Rob. de Vaus al. de Vaux or de Vallibus a right Ancient Family monarch K. Hen. 2. still extant in this County Beu-Castle Church is thought to have been of their erection This Rob. was Father to Jo. de Vallibus on whose Loyalty and Valour K. Hen. 3. relied The Lord Vaux of Harrowd of Northamton-sh doth hence fetch his Extraction An. 8. Walt Epis. Carliel no great Clerk monarch H. 3. Being made Lord Treasurer of England he avowed his Accounts even when justly charged with 100 pound debt to the Exchequer upon which he resigned his Bishoprick and became a Fryar at Oxf. where he dyed 1248. An. 2. Andr. de Harcla monarch E. 2. behaved himself right handsomely in the Service of King E. 2. especially at the Battle of Borough-bridge where he killed Humph. Bohun Earl of Heref. and took Th. Plantagenet Earl of Lanc. c. Prisoners In reward whereof he was created Earl of Carlile and had the Isle of Man bestowed upon him But he turned Apostate from his Allegiance and lest the Nobility should by secret Sympathy suffer in his disgraceful Death the Earl was first parted from the Man and his Honour severed from his Person by a solemn Degradation having his Knightly Spurs hew'd off which done he was hang'd drawn and quartered 16. Rich. Duke of Glouc. had a Labell for the difference of his Arms monarch E. 4. tho he was but third Son to the King for in his own Ambition he was not only the Eldest but the only Child of his Father as it appeareth by his project not long after to Bastardize both his Brethern And now did he begin to take this County in his way to the Crown by securing it in the time of his Shirivalty in order to his higher Advancement 21. Th. Wharton by H. 8. Created first Lord Wharton of Wharton in Westmerl gave the Scots such a Blow at Solemn Moss that K. Ja. 5. soon after dyed for Sorrow thereof monarch H. 8. The Scots then preferred rather to be taken Prisoners than to fight under their distasted Genera Ol. Saint-clere a Man of Low-birth and Highpride Derbyshire DErbyshire hath Yorkshire on the North Notinghamsh on the East Leic. on the South and Staff and Cheshire on the West The River South Darwent falling into Trent runneth through the middle thereof It is in length 38 Miles and 29 Miles in the broadest part thereof The South and East thereof are very Fruitful whilst the North part called the Peak is Poor above and Rich beneath the Ground Yet is the fair Pasture near Haddon belonging to the Earl of Rutland so Rich that one proferred to surround it with Shillings to purchase it which because to be set Side-ways not Edgeways was refused Of Natural Commodities there is in this County the best Lead in England The Miners as a particular Common-wealth are Governed with Laws peculiar to themselves often confirmed by Act of Parl. Of which Laws one is this 16 E. 1. c. 2. That whosoever Stealeth Oar twice shall be fined and the third time struck through hit Hand with a Knife unto the haft into the Stow and shall there stand untill Death or loose himself by cutting off his Hand As for Buildings there is Chatsworth erected by the Magnificent Lady Eliz. Cavendish Countess of Shrewsbury A Stately Structure upon the Bank of Darwent The Garden on the backside with an Artificial Rock compleateth the place with all Pleasure Of Wonders the Chief is Maim or Mam Tor that is the Mother-Hill from which incredible heaps of Sandy Earth fall yet it is not visibly diminished And Buxtom Well dedicated to St. Anne sending forth both cold and warm Water by which Queen Mary Queen of Scots received much refreshing of which Mr. Hobbs Huc Mater fieri cupiens accedit inanis Plenaque discedit puto nec veniente Marito Where Wives may breed tho desperately Barren Sans Husbands help as Conies in a Warren
Jo. de Beigny Knight Lord of Edge-Lifford long'd earnestly for his youngest Son employed in the Wars against the Saracens in Spain and used to say Oh that I might but once Embrace my Son I would be content to dye presently And afterwards his Son returning unexpectedly he expired with an Extasie of Joy He flourished under King E. 3. Child of Ancient Extraction at Plimstock hunting at Dart-More lost his Company and Way in a bitter Snow and having killed his Horse he crept into his hot Bowels for warmth and wrote this with his Blood He that finds and brings me to my Tomb The Land of Pemstock shall be his Doom The Monks of Tavistock finding him Frozen to Death and being too Nimble for the Men of Plimstock buried him and the Abbot accordingly got that Rich Mannor into his Possession The Bridge built in the place where the Monks passed over the River is called Guils-Bridge to this day Nich. and Andr. Tremane were Twins alike in all Lineaments and felt like pain tho at a distance and without any intelligence given they equally desired to Walk Travel Sit Sleep Eat and Drink together In this they differed that at New Haven in France the one was a Captain of a Troop the other but a private Souldier There they were both slain together 1564. Noted Sheriffs 2. Rich. Comes that is Earl monarch H. 2. viz. of Devonshire who Married Avis Daughter and Heir of Reginald E. of Cornwal the base Son of Hen. 1 27. Will. Brewer whose Mother unable to maintain him cast him into the Brakes in New-Forrest where Hen. 2. found him He was made by Rich. 1. Baron of Odcomb and his Inheritance was by his Daughters and Heirs derived to Breos Wake la Fort and Percy Will. Yoo His Worshipful Family in this County give for their Arms Ar. a Cheveron monarch E. 3. S. between 3 Turky-Cocks in their pride proper Jo. Damerel Throwely in Dartmore his Chief Mannor came to his Family by Match with the Eldest Daughter and Coheir of Moeles who Married Avis sole Heir to Sir Will. le Prouze in the Reign of E. 2. monarch R. 2. her two younger Sisters being Married to North-coat and Wibery amongst whom a great Inheritance was divided and by a Writ of Partition An. 14. E. 3. Throwely fell to the share of Damerel Rich. Edgecombe Knight being Zealous in the Cause of the Earl of Richmond afterwards King H. 7. monarch H. 7. was too cunning for those whom King Rich. sent to apprehend him for upon their approach he tumbled his Cap with a Stone in it into the Water which by the noise it made and the Swimming of the Cap induced them to believe he had drowned himself He built a Chappel in the place where he had lurk'd King Hen. 7. rewarded his Loyalty by bestowing the Castle of Totnes upon him Pet. Carew Knight had much ado to save his Life monarch E. 6. when Imprisoned for his Complyance with Sir Tho. Wyate Afterwards he did signal Service in the Irish Wars He dyed 1575. monarch Q. Eliz. Rob. Dennis Knight erected An. 1592. a fair Almshouse in the Suburbs of Exeter for 12 poor Aged Men allowing to each an Herber and 12 pence weekly The Family descended from the Danes is now extinct the Heir General being Married into the House of the Rolles Amias Bampfield of Ancient and Worthy Extraction one of whose Ancestors Married to a Daughter and Coheir of the Lord Semaur whereby a fair Inheritance at South-Molton in this County accrued to this Family iâ— which Church this Amias with his Father lyeth Pâ—ttimore near Exeter hath been their prime Habitation ever since the time of King E. 1. Exeter Exeter is of a Circular Form Situated on the Top of a Hill and since Nature is the Scavenger thereof is a very cleanly City As for Manufactures Cloathing is plyed in this City with great Industry and Judgment the return of Serges alone in this City amounting weekly tho Trading be now Sick to 3000 Pounds This City was highly Commendable for its Loyalty when besieged by Perkin Werbeck in the Reign of H. 7. and by the Western Rebels in the Reign of E. 6. and in our time by the Parl. Forces in the Reign of King Ch. I. Their Valour was invincible in the two first and their Loyalty unstained in the last rewarded by their Enemies with the best made and best kept Articles Of Buildings the Cathedral is a most Beautiful Structure Here also is that Castle which when R. 3. ask'd its Name was called Rugement to the great astonishment of that Usurper who had heard he should never prosper after he had met Rugemont or rather Richmond in K. 7. In this City 13 Churches were exposed to sale by the Publick Cryer and bought by well affected Persons who preserved them from Destruction For Wonders take this one when Exeter was besieged by the Parl. Forces so that only the South side towards the Sea was open unto it an incredible Number of Larks were found in that open quarter which were sold for two pence the dozen and tho it may be alledged that they were â—ighted thither by the shooting or that being Winter they shelrted themselves in the Southern parts or lastly that they were invited thither by some sort of Seeds that had been there lately sown yet the Cause of Causes was Divine Providence providing a feast for many poor People Princes Henrietta youngest Child of King Charles and Queen Mary was born at Bedford-house in this City An. 1644. June 16. After her long and sad Night of Affliction the Day dawn'd with her in her Brothers happy return Since she is Married to the D. of Orleans I had the Honour to be once Chaplain to that Princess Prelates Bartholm Iscanus the Oracle of Learning and Religion in his time was Bishop of Exeter and opposed Beckets insolence He dyed An. 1185. Having been intimate with Baldvinus Devonius of poor Parentage a Man of great Learning and Merit made Bishop of Worcester then Arch-bishop of Canterbury An Eloquent Man and Pious Preacher He attended King Rich. 1. into Palestine and dyed there 1190. Walt. Bronscombe of mean descent by his own Industry raised himself to be Bishop of Exeter where he built and endowed a Hospital He also founded a fair Colledge at Perin in Cornwall He instituted an Annual Festival to the Angel Gabriel and left Land to defray the cost of the Solemnity tho I believe it was only observed in his own Diocess Yet he is said to have compassed the Mannor of Bishops-Clift to his Church by indirect means Writers Joseph Iscanus was a Golden Poet in a leaden Age. This our English Maro had for his Mecenas Baldwin Arch-bishop of Cant. The Dutch-men Printed a poem of this Joseph under the Name of Cornelius Nepos who lived in the Days of Tully Will. of Exeter D. D. in Oxf. and afterward Canon of the Cathedral in Exeter being back'd with Pope John 23 he was able
to undertake Will. of Ockam a much more Learned Man than himself who cryed up Poverty in opposition to the Papal Pomp. He flourished An. 1330. under the Raign of E. 3. Since the Reformation Rich. Martyn bred in the Court and in the Inns of Court was accounted one of the greatest Wits of that Age King Ja. being much delighted with his Facetiousness a quality which with his other Abilities commended him to be chosen Recorder of Lond. He is Eminent for the Speech he made in Parl. An. 10. Jac. when account was taken of 40 Gentlemen in the House of Commons which were not 20 and some of them not 16 years of Age. Formely said the Recorder Martyn it was the Custom of Old Men to make Laws for young ones but now Nature is invaded and inverted seeing young Men Enact Laws to govern their Fathers He dyed 1616. Whose Kinsman Will. Martyn bred a Student in the Laws wrote a Treatise Of the Kings of England since the Conquest By a Passage in which reflecting on the Royal Family or the Scotch Nation he irrecoverably lost King Ja. his Favour He dyed 1616. Will. Tucker D. D. Dean of Lichfield wrote a Book de Charismate Of the Kings of England their Gracious healing of the Evil dedicating the same to Queen Eliz. in which he vindicated such Cures from Imposture and the Usurpation of the French c. His Congee d'elire was signed to Elect him Bishop of Glocester but it was revoked by King James so that the Doctor may be said to have worn half a Mitre Jo. Berkham set forth Doctor Crackenthorp his Posthume Works and was helpful to Jo. Speed in Composing his English History yea he wrote the whole Life and Reign of King John which of all in that Book is the most profoundly Pen'd Mr. Guillim in his Heraldry was much beholden to this Doctor 's Emendations He was a greater Lover of Coyns than Money That excellent Collection in Oxf. Library was his Gift to the Arch-bishop before the Arch-bishop gave it to the University He dyed 1641. Benefactors Joan Tuckvile Widow procured the Possession and Consecration of a Parcil of Ground for the interment of such as were Executed at Heavy-tree allowing Land to buy a Shroud for every one of them She dyed about the beginning of the Reign of Queen Eliz. Dorsetshire DOrsetshire hath Devonshire on the West Som. and Wiltshire on the North Hampshire on the East and the Narrow-Sea on the South in length 40 and in the broadest part 26 Miles It aboundeth with all the necessaries for Man's Life has plenty of Sheep Timber Freestone nor wanteth it Veins of Marble in the Isles of Purbeck There is also Salt made in this County and it can cloth it self with its own Wool of which Broad-Cloth is here made And to all this an excellent Air and the Conveniency of Navigation The Natural Commodities are Tenches abounding in the River Stowre Tobacco-Pipe-Clay carried to Lond. from Poole and the Isle of Wight and at Lond. it is worth 30 Shillings the Tun. Hâ—mp betwixt Bemister and Byrd-port Wild-Madder at Hod-Hill c. For Buildings Lulworth-Castle and Sherburn-Lodge are most Eminent Indeed the Rhyme holds true Generally of English Structures The North for Greatness the East for Health The South for Neatness the West for Wealth Proverbs I. As much a Kin as Lenson-hill to Pilsen-pen Spoken of those who are Neigbours and no Relations The first of these two Hills is wholly the other partly in the Parish of Broad-Windsor whereof once I was Minister yet Sea-men make a Relation betwixt them calling the one the Cow and the other the Calf as being Eminent Sea-marks II. Stab'd with a Byrdport Dagger That is Hang'd the best Hemp growing about Byrdport III. Dorsetshire Dorsers i. e. Panniers Saints Edward Son to Edgar King of England was in his Infancy whipt by Elfrida his Mother-in-law with Wax-Candles so that afterwards he could never endure the sight of any such Candles When he was King Elfrida managed for the most part all the Affairs of State and afterwards caused this Edward to be Stab'd at Corfe-Castle whither he had come to visit her An. 978. Intending by that Murder to make way for her Son Ethelred to the Kingdom He was buried at Shaftsbury which formerly was called St. Edwards Cardinals Jo. Morton born at St. Andrews Milborne of a Worshipful Family still Extent was made Bishop of Ely 1578. He proposed the Marriage of Eliz. Eldest Daughter to E. 4. of the House of York to Hen. Earl of Richmond H. 7. of the House of Lanc. which Alliance this Earl did account his surest Title to the Crown The Bishop was made by that King Chancellour of England and afterwards Arch-bishop of Cant. He was a great Instrument in advancing a Voluntary Contribution to the King through the Lands persuading Prodigals to part with their Money because they did spend it most and the Covetous because they might spare it best This Bishop with vast cost cut a new Channel in the Fennes He enjoyned his Executors to maintain 20 poor Scholars in Oxf. and 10 in Camb. 20 years after his Death which hap'ned 1500. Prelates Jo. Stafford Son to Humph. 6 th Earl of Staff was born at Hooke made Bishop of Wells and was 18 years Chancellour of England and at last Arch-bishop of Cant. He dyed at Maidstone 1452. Rob. Morton Brother to Card. Morton was made by his Means Bishop of Worcester 1486. He dyed 1497. and lyeth buried in St. Pauls in Lond. Ja. Turbevil of a Worshipful Family in this County was made Bishop of Exeter 1556. at which time it was said he was a Baron but a Bare one so miserably had that Cathedral been Polled Yet he obtained amongst other Lands the Restitution of the fair Mannor of Crediton or Kiron from Queen Mary which was again alienated in the Reign of Queen Eliz. This Bishop staved off Persecution from those of his Jurisdiction He was deprived in the beginning of Queen Eliz. Since the Reformation Th. Winniffe born at Sherborne D. D. Chapl. to Prince Henry for a passage in his Sermon about Gondomer was committed close Prisoner to the Tower and during his imprisonment a Great Lord begg'd his Church-preferment No said King Ja. I mean not thus to part with the Man At which the Lord said he intended only to try the Kings Resolution and that he knew the Doctor to be a Man of great Merit He was chosen Bishop of Lincoln 1642. He dyed An. 1654. and was buried at Lamburn in Ess the Conclusion of his Epitaph being Anima haec recepta in Coelos non Laudationem quaerit sed Imitationem In the same place had his Father been buried Souldiers Th. Basket Esquire of Divelish much confided in for his Wisdom and Valour by King Hen. 8. He was commonly called Little Mr. Basket the Great Souldier He dyed about 1530. Jo. Russel born at Kingston-Russel bred beyond the Sea was a Man of great Accomplishment and was
born at and a Monk in Girway now Yarrow the most General Scholar of that Age expounded almost all the Bible Translated the Psalms and New-Testament into English and lived a Comment upon those Words Shining as a Light in the World c. Phil. 2.15 Credible Authors report he never went out of his Coll. tho both Cambridge and Rome pretend to his Habitation He dyed An. 734. and his Corps was removed to Durham Confessors Jo. Wickliffe published Opinions distasteful to the Church of Rome and wrote 200 Volumns besides his Translation of the Bible into English Having suffered much Persecution from the Popish Clergy after a long Exile he return'd in safety and dyed at his Living at Lutterworth in Leicestershier An. 1387. His Bones were taken up and burnt 42 years after his Death Prelates I shall begin with four Nevils of Honourable Extraction 1. Ralph Nevil born at Raby Lord Chanc. under King Hen. 3. and Bishop of Chichester 1223. built a fair House for himself and his Successors in Chancery-lane in Lond. which House is since called from the Earl of Lincoln once possessor therereof Lincolns-Inn He was chosen afterwards Arch-bishop of Cant. but the Pope stopped his Consecration as being apt to dissuade King Hen. from paying the Pension granted to his Holiness by King John Then being elected Bishop of Winch. he was obstructed by the King He built St. Michaels Chapple without the East-gate of Chichester and dyed at Lond. 1244. 2. Alex Nevil 3 d. Son of Ralph Lord Nevil born at Raby was Arch-bishop of York where he beautified Cawood Castle Being Loyal to R. 2. he was forced for Protection to flee to Pope Vrban who Translated him to St. Andrews in Scotland But this Nevil chose rather to be Minister at Lovaine where he dyed 3. Rob. Nevil sixth Son of Ralph first Earl of Westmerland by Joan his Wife Daughter of Jo. of Gaunt was Bishop of Sarisbury An. 6. Hen. 6. 1427. He founded a Convent at Sunning in Barkshire From Sarisbury he was Translated to Durham where he built the Exchequer at the Castle-gate and added in allusion to his 2 Bishopricks 2 Annulets to his Arms. He dyed An. 1457. 4. Geo. Nevil fourth Son to Rich. Earl of Salisbury was born at Middleham and consecrated Bishop of Exeter when he was not as yet 20 years of Age and five years after was made Lord Chancellor of England and aftewards Arch-bishop of York making a prodigious Feast at his Installing yet at last falling into the displeasure of E. 4. he was slenderly dieted not to say Famished in the Castle of Calis for after his enlargement he dyed Heart-broken at Blyth and was buried in the Cathedral of York 476. There was another Nevil Brother to Alexander who was chosen Bishop of Ely but dyed before Consecration Since the Reformation Rob. Horn bred in St. Johns 〈…〉 E. 6. made Dean of Durham 〈…〉 he became head of the Episcopal 〈…〉 in Germ. Returning into England 〈…〉 of Winch. 1560. A worthy Man 〈…〉 Papists and Sectaries who sported 〈…〉 and twitted his Person as Dwarfâ—◠〈…〉 Case when they were not able to find 〈…〉 Jewel Whatever his Mould might 〈…〉 of good Metal as being of a Sprightâ—u◠〈…〉 Wit He dyed 1589. Jo. Cosen was born in Norwich one 〈…〉 are sufficiently made known in his 〈…〉 Great his Constancy in Religion thâ— he was â—â—â—â—der'd by some silly people as declining 〈…〉 Religion As for his urging of some 〈…〉 made his Purgation effectually clearing himself from the least Imputation of any Fault yea whilst in France he was the Atlas of the Prot. Religion supporting the same with his Piety and Learning and daily adding Proselytes not of the meanest Rank thereunto Since the Kings Restauration he was preferred Bishop of Durham When some Propositions of the Pope in favour of Protestants were made mention of by one in his presence he said We thank him not at all for which God hath always allowed us in his Word for he would grant it so long as it stood with his Policy and take it away so soon as it stood with his Power Civilians Rob. Cosen Dr. of Law was born at Hartly Poole His Father a Person of Quality a valiant Captain in Mussâ—lborough field was drowned in the River Tweed Richard at 12 years of Age was admitted into Tâ—â—n Coll. in Camb. He became a General Scholar Geometrician Musitian Physician Divine but chiefly Civil and Canon Lawyer He was Chancellor of Worcester then Dean of the Arches He defended the High Commission and Oath ex Officio against a Book called the Abstract which one observed was abstracted from all Wit Learning and Charity Some laid to his Charge that he gave many Blank Licences for Marriage whereas there was but one which a Fugitive Servant stole from the Register He had according to his Wish a sweet and quiet departure and his laâ—â— Words to his Friends were Remember your Mortality and eternal Life He gave 40 l. to the building of a Chamber in Trin. Coll. and 15 l. a year for the maintainance of two Scholarships therein On him these Verses were made by the University of Camb. Magna deos inter lis est exorta creatas Horum qui lites Dirimit ille deest Cosinum petiere Dii Componere tantus Lites quod vere jure peritus erat Writers Jo. of Darlington Confessor to Hen. 3. and Archbishop of Dublin and Collector of the Pope's Peter-pence through Ireland wrote many Books and dyed in Lond. 1284. Will. Siveyar in lat Severus born at Shinkley was Son to a Sive-maker was Bishop of Carlile 1496. and Translated to Durham He dyed An. 1505. Note Sir Empson was also the Son of a Sive-maker and his Contemporary Since the Reformation Th. Jackson bred in Oxf. where falling into the River he was taken up for dead by some Fisher-men who were rewarded with a Revenue during his life He was chosen President of Corp. Christi-Coll where he dyed 1640. He was a Pious Man profound Writer and painful Preacher Sam. Ward born at Bishops-Middleham Mr. of Sidney-Coll in Camb. was imprisoned in the late times before which he was counted a Puritan and Popish whilst those days lasted yet was he a true Protestant at all times He dyed An. 1643. Memorable Persons Anth. Lord Gray Earl of Kent Son of Geo. Gray Esquire was born at Branspath He studied Divinity and became Rector of Burbach in Leicestershire And upon the Death of Hen. Earl of Kent his Kinsman the Inheritance and Honour descended upon him Yet after that he abated nothing in the constancy of his Preaching but improved that accession of Greatness to make his Goodness the more Illustrious When Summoned as a Peer to Parl. he excused himself by reason the indisposition of his Age. By Magdal Puresoy his Wife he had Hen. the 9 th Earl of Kent He dyed An. 164 In this County the Bishop is Sheriff Paramount whose Deputy never accounts in the Exchequer but makes up his Audit to
the Bishop Essex ESsex hath Kent on the South Suffolk on the North Cambr. Hartf and Middlesex on the West A fair County 35 Miles Square affording all things necessary for Mans Subsistence save that the Eastern part thereof is not very healthful in the Air thereof The parts adjoyning to the Sea are called the Hundreds of Essex and Vulgar Wits will tell you that the Stock of poor people in these parts is Five Hundred Cows which is no more than five The Natural Commodities are Saffron about Walden Oysters the best in England bred near Colchester King Ja. was wont to say he was a Valiant Man that first adventured on the Eating of them Hops which are said to grow best where Vines will not grow and are wholesome if unmixed c. according to Stat. 1. Jac. c. 18. Puits in the Puit-Island near Harwick a kind of Birds which are delicate Food when fatted As for Manufactures Bays Says and Serges are made in Colchester Coxal c. And there is Gun-powder made in Mills erected on the River Ley between Waltham and Lond. Of Buildings 1. Audley-End built by Th. Howard Earl of Suff is the best Subjects House in this Island 2. New-hall built by the Ratcliffs Earls of Suff. bought by Geo. Villiers D. of Buck. surpasses for the pleasant approach thereunto and the adjoyning Parks 3. Copt-Hall or Coppice-Hall seated on a Hill in the midst of a Park was built by the Abbot of Waltham and enlarged by Sir Th. Heneage In which there is the most Proportionable Gallery in England An. 1639. a Hericano forced the Stones of the great East-Window like Pellets quite through this Gallery in length 56 Yards Dr. Jackson about the same time observed the like Wind as Ominous and Presaging our Civil Dissentions To proceed to more Wonders the huge Bones which were digged out at the Ness near Harwich were generally thought to be Bones of Men tho it be more probable they were Bones of Elephants brought over by the Emperor Claudius The Story of the Anatomy of Bones in the Abbey of Waltham-Cross which being touched in one part fell all into Powder is confirmed by Publick Fame with several instances of the like Nature Proverbs I. Essex miles that is very long Miles Comparatively to those of Middlesex II. Essex Calves the fattest fairest and finest in Engl. III. The Weavers Beef of Colchester That is Sprats the Weavers Food such Beef-eaters and such Beef being numerous in and about that City IV. Jeering-Coxhall it was true by way of Catachresis in Queen Maries daies for then the Inhabitants of that Town were very serious some in suffering and others in shifting Martyrdom V. He may fetch a flitch of Bacon from Dunmoe It was a Custom formerly that whoever did swear before the Prior of the Convent at Dunmoe That they never made any Nuptial Transgression might demand a Gammon of Bacon Princes Hen. Fitz. Roy Natural Son to H. 8. and the Lady Talbois was born at Black-more Mannor An. 1519. He was created Earl of Nottingham and D. of Richmond Bastard in him was not Boes art i. e. an abject Nature but Besteaerd the best disposition since he purchased a Reputation by his Martial Activity and Learning He Married Mary Daughter to Th. D. of Nâ—rf and dyed An. 1536. and was buried in Framlingham in Suff. Saints St. Helen was born at and Daughter to Coel King of Colchester She was Mother of Constantine the first Christian Emperor and is famous to all Posterity for finding out Christs-Cross on Mount Calvary Hence the Arms of Colchester a Cross enragled between four Crowns By the Pagans she was Nick-named Stabularia she having found the Stable of Christs-Nativity Whose Son St. Constantine was born at Colchester V. Eccl. Hist St. Ethelburgh Sister to Erkenwald Bishop of Lond. was Abbess of the Nunery of Barking where she led an Austere Life and dyed 676. Whose Sister Hildetha succeeded her and dyed 700. Theorithoid a Holy Nun of the same place dyed 678. Edilburge Wife to Ina King of the West Saxons a Nun at Barking was reputed a Saint after here Death An. 740. Wolfhild a Barking Nun dyed An. 989. This Nunery was valued at 1000 l. yearly rent at the Dissolution St. Ofith Daughter to the King of the E. Angles was abbess of a Monastery of her own founding at Chich. She was beheaded by the Danes about 870. after which she was able to carry her own head no further than 3. furlongs and if St. Deni's carried his head further you may imagine his was the lighter Head of the twâ— St. Neots first an Eremite in Cornw. then a profitable Preacher of the Gospel a Zaccheus for Stature and Piety He moved King Alfred to found or restore the University of Oxf. for which his Memory is sacred to all Posterity He dyed An. 883. and was buried at Eynsbury since St. Neots in Hunt Martyrs Jo. Lawrence being very feeble had a Chair at the Stake the little Children crying God strengthen you Th. Hawkes Gent. having promised to give his Friends a Token of the comfort of his Conscience whilst burning raised himself up and clapped his Hands over his Head to the Admiration of all the beholders Rose Allin a Virgin endured the Burning of her Wrists with incredible Patience as afterwards the burning of her Body with a Christian Constancy These are the most Noted of 44 Martyrs in this Shire Confessors Rich. George Labourer of West-Barfold Of three several Wives he had two of them were Burnt and himself the third imprisoned for Religion His Burning was prevented by Queen Maries Death Cardinals Th. Bourcher Brother to Hen. first Earl of Ess was successively Bishop of Worc. Ely Arch-bishop of Cant. for 51 years by the Title of St. Cyriacus in the Baths He married H. 7. to the Daughter of E. 4. and applyed himself Politickly to the Power of that Prince Yet 't is said Praestitit hic praesul nil tanto sanguine dignum What was 100 pounds and a Chest given by him to Camb. He saw the Civil Wars between York and Lanc. begun continued and concluded Many Noble Prelates were his Contemporaries and after his decease Cardinal Pole a Man of Noble Extraction Prelates Rich. de Barking became Abbot of Westminster and Councellor to Hen. 3. Ch. Baron of the Exchequer and Lord Treasurer of England He dyed An. 1246. and was buried in Westm Church Jo. de Chesill was Bishop of Lond. and twice Chancellour and afterwards Lord Treasurer of England Jo. Waltham Mr. of the Rolls Keeper of the Pr. Seal and Bishop of Salisbury was Excommunicated by Courtney Arch-bishop of Cant. for refusing to be visited by him after the Popes death Yet he dyed Lord Treasurer and was by R. 2. his Order buried amongst the Kings in Westm 1395. Roger Walden a poor Mans Son was Dean of York and at last Treasurer of England during the Exile of Th. Arundel Arch-bishop of Cant. he called Synods c. in that See till the
Burial in the Abbey of Westminster of his own Foundation An. Dom. 1273. Eleanor Daughter to E. 1. was born at Winch. An. 1306. and dyed in her Infancy and lyeth buried in St. Pet. Westm Arth. Eldest Son to King Hen. 7. and Queen Eliz. was born at Winch An. 1486. being Partus Octomestris yet vigorous He is more known to Pesterity by the Widow he left the Lady Kath. Dowager than by any of his own Personal Performances He dyed An. 1502. and lies buried in the Cathedral of Worc. Saints Edburgh Daughter to King E. the Elder at three years of Age took you may believe it if you will the N. Testament leaving Jewels presented joyntly by her Father a great Argument of Radical Piety afterwards she would steal the Nuns Socks and restore them washed and anointed She dyed 920. some of her Bones lying at Winchester or Wilton were Translated to Pilshore in Worc. Martyrs Jo. Philpot well descended was Arch-Deac of Lincoln and a Zealous Promoter of the Prot. Religion For some Words he used in the Convocation he was Martyred An. 1555. Kath. Gowches and her two Daughters Guillemine Gilbert and Perotine Massey for absenting from the Church and denying the Real presence were burnt for Hereticks An. 1556. Add to these the Infant that by the force of the Fire burst of of his Mothers Belly Perotine aforesaid whose Husband was a Minister of Gods Word The Babe being taken out of the Fire was thrown in again by the command of Eliez Gosselin Bailiff of the Isle of Guersney where this hapned Prelates Will. Wickham the Long Son to Sir Jo. Perrot Long his Name and Long lasting his Memory while the World endures for his 2 Foundations at Oxf. and Winchester in the first founding St. Maries Coll. He dyed An. 5. Hen. 4. Jo. Russel born at Winchester was Chanc. of Oxf. for Term of his Life By E. 4. he was made Bishop of Lincoln and by R. 3. Lord Chanc. of England but opposing the Lord Hastings Death he was imprisoned He dyed An. 1490. leaving behind him the Reputation of a Pious Prudent and Learned Man Will. Warham born at Ockley of Worshipful Parentage was employed by H. 7. to Marg. Dutchess of Burgundy and by him advanced Bishop of Lond. then Arch-bishop of Cant. but was Eclipsed by Woolsey who had more Honour and more Envy Being Prime Advocate for Queen Kath. in the matter of her Divorce he carried it so prudently that he neither betrayed the cause of his Client nor incurred the Kings displeasure He fell into a Praemunire with the rest of the Clergy and is said to have spent 3000 l. in repair of his Places He dyed An. 1533. Rob. Sherborn was employed Ambassadour by H. 7. and by him made Bishop of St. Dav. then Chich. which Church he adorned When 90 years of Age he resigned and dyed An. 1536. Jo. White was Bishop of Lincoln then of Winch. upon which Bishoprick he entered upon condition to pay Card. Pole a yearly Pension of 1000 l. He wrote an Elegy on the Eucharist to prove the Corporal presence and Preached the Funeral Sermon of Queen Mary wherein reflecting on Queen Eliz. he incurred her just displeasure Whereupon he was imprisoned till his Death An. 1560. Since the Reformation Th. Bilson born in Winch. was Bishop of Worc. then of Winch. As Reverend and Learned a Prelate as England ever afforded Witness his Works Of the Perpetual Government of Christs Church and of Christs descent into Hell The new Translation of the Bible was by King Ja. command ultimately committed to his and Dr. Smith's Bishop of Glouc. perusal He dyed 1618. Hen. Cotton born at Warblington was Pr. Counsellor to E. 6. and God-son to Queen Eliz. who preferred him Bishop of Salisbury and pleasantly said that formerly she had blessed many of her God-sons but now her God-son should bless her Another Cotton about the same time being Consecrated Bishop of Exeter the Queen added that she hoped she had well Cottoned the West By Patience his Wife he had 19 Children and dyed 1615. Arth. Lakes born in Southampton was Dean of Worc. and Bishop of Bath and VVells He answered St. Pauls Character of a Bishop only he had no Wife When Mr. of St. Crosses he encreased the Diet c. of the poor Brethren When Bishop he kept 50 Servants in Charity He was in fine a Pattern of Piety He dyed An. 1602. States-men Richard Rich Knight well descended was Sollicitor to H. 8. Upon his deposition chiefly Sir Th. More was beheaded Under Cromwell he was a lesser Hammer to knock down Abbeys some of which stuck justly to his Fingers By E. 6. he was made Lord Chanc. of Engl. Being an opposer of D. Dudley he resigned his Office by Prevention having got a fair Estate at Lees-Abbey in Ess whereof he was Baron He dyed in the beginning of the Reign of Queen Eliz. being direct Ancestor to the Right Honourable Ch. Rich now Earl of Warwick Will. Pawlet was Bar. of Basing and Marq. of Winch. in this County descended from the Powlets in Som. 'T is said that coming to Court upon trust he prosper'd more than any Subject since the Conquest living in the Harvest of Estates viz. the time of the Dissolution of the Abbeys He was Servant to H. 7. and for 30 years Treasurer to H. 8. E. 6. Queen Ma. and Queen Eliz. The latter in some sort owed their Crown to his Counsel his Policy being the Principal Defeater of D. Dudley's design to Disinherit them Having seen 103 of his Descendants he dyed An. Dom. 1572. Aet 97. Sir Th. Lakes born in Southampton was Secr. of Estate to King Ja. He could Endite Write and Discourse at the same time He was resembled to the Ship Swift-sure and was withal one of great Secrecy a learned and good Man He was one of the three Noble Hands who first led Mr. Geo. Villers into the favour of King Ja. Yet he incurred the Kings Displeasure for the Offences of his Relations tho the King even then gave him this Publick Eulogie in open Court That he was a Minister of State fit to serve the greatest Prince in Europe Souldiers Beavois Earl of Southampton in the time of W. Conqueror was vanquished with his English and Welsh Army by the Normans near to Carclis's from whence he fled to Carlile Note Beavoisses Sword in Arundel Castle is less than that of E. 3. in Westminster-Church Sea-men Sir Jo. Wallop well descended provoked with Prior Johns Piracy Landed in Normandy with 800 Men Burnt 21 Towns with Divers Ships Wherefore his Arms may appear prophetical viz. Arg. a Bend-unde i. e. Wave S. Rob. Tomson Merch. born in Andover made a Voyage for the Discovery of Nova Hispania of which with the City Mexico he wrote a Description He was imprisoned in Mex then in Spain for speaking against Saint-worship And after his Enlargement he was confined to Donna Maria de la Barrera a Spanish Lady with whom he had in Marriage
and dangers of the Times He thought that Intelligence could not be bought too dear the Cause that so great a Statesman left so small an Estate and that so Publick a Person was so privately buried in St. Pauls An. 1590. His only Daughter Frances was successively matched to three matchless Men Sir Philip Sidney Rob. E. of Essex and Richard Earl of Clanricard Capital Judges and Writers on the Law Sir Jo. Fineux born probably at Swinkfield bestowed on him by Th. Criol a Lord in the Reign of E. 2. was for 24 years L. Ch. J. of the K. Bench. viz. from 11 H. 7. to 17. H. 8. He was a great Benefactor to St. Augustines in Cant. and was of great Prudence Justice Piety and Humanity He died about 1526. and lyes buried in Christ-Church in Cant. Sir Rog. Manwood born at Sandwich was by Q. Eliz. preferred second Justice of the Com. Pleas and afterwards Chief Bar. of the Exchequer He was one of the Commissioners who sate on the Trial of the Q. of Scots He wrote a Learned Book of the Forrest Laws He erected and endowed a Free-School at Sandwich and died An. 35 Eliz. 1593. Sir Hen. Finch Knight of Right Worshipful Extraction the ancient Surname being Herbert was Serj. at Law to K. James and wrote a Book of the Law which is much esteemed He wrote also another learned Book of the Calling of the Jews by which he was brought into some trouble K. James conceiving that Sir Hen. advanced the Common-Wealth of the Jews to the depressing Christian Monarchies He was Father unto Sir Jo. Finch L. Ch. J. and for a time Lord Keeper and Baron of Fore-ditch Souldiers In former times the leading of the Front in Armies absolutely belonged to the Men of Kent When the Cornish had that priviledge in the time of K. Arthur it was only Temporary and when the Men of Archenfeld in Herâ—ford-sh prescribed to have it that was only local as being confined to the Welsh Warrs Seamen Will. Adams born at Gillingham served the English Company of Barbary Merchants 10 years and was for 14 years Employed by the Dutch in India Being Pilot to their Fleet of 5 Sail he conducted them to Japan being the first English-man who effectually discovered that Island and in order to the settlement of Trade endured many Miseries He died at Firando in Japan 1612. Civilians Nich. Wotton Son to Sir Rob. was born at Bockton-Malherb He was the first Dean of 2 Metrapol Churches of Cant and York and of those Cathedrals Also Privy Councellour to 4. Successive Soveraigns K. Hen. 8. E. 6. Q. Ma. Q. Eliz. was Employed 13 several times in Embassies to Forreign Princes He refused the Arch-Bishoprick of Cant. He died An. 1566. and was buried in Cant. Giles Fletcher D. L. and Brother to Rich. B. of Lond. was a most Excellent Poet Commissioner into Scotl. Germ. and the Low Countrys for Q. Eliz. and her Ambassador into Russia Secretary of Lond. and Master of the Court of Requests His Russian Embassy to settle the English Merchandise was his Master-piece to Theodore Juanowich D. of Muscovia He came thither in 88. when some Hollanders envying the free Trade of the English had done them bad Offices and when a false report was generally believed that the Spanish Armado had worsted the English Fleet. Yet our Doctor demeaned himself with such Cautiousness that he procured many priviledges for the English Merchants exemplified in Mr. Hackluit Having returned home he gave God hearty Thanks for being rid out of the power of that Barbarous Prince and wrote a Book called The Russian Common-wealth the printing whereof was not permitted by Q. Eliz. Physicians Rob. Floyd of a Knightly Family was bred in Oxf. and beyond the Seas A great Philosopher and Physician He was of the Order of the Rosa-Crucians His Books are Mystical as his Discourses were He died An. 1637. Will. Harvey born at Folkston and bred in Caius-Coll in Camb. where he proceeded Dr. of Physick 5 years also he studied at Padua He was afterwards Physician to Ch. 1. and was not only Dr. Medicinae but Dr. Medicorum For this was he who first found out the Circulation of the Blood Tho he lived a Batchelor he may be said to have left three hopefull Sons to Posterity his Books 1. De Circulatione Sanguinis 2. De Generatione 3. De Ovo This Dr. had made a good progress in laying down a Practice of Physick conformable to his Thesis of the Circulation of blood but was plundred of his Papers in the Civil War Yet Posterity will acknowledge the improvements of this opinion as Superstructures on his Foundations and thankfully pay the fruit to his Memory He hath since been a second Linacre and great Benefactor to the Colledge of Physicians at Lond. He died An. Dom. 1657. Writers Jo. of Kent was sent Legate by Pope Innoc. 4. into Engl. He flourished 1248. Haimo of Feversham went to Paris where he was inter Aristotelicos Aristotelissimus He was Provincial then General of the Franciscan Order in Engl. when on his death-Bed he received a Visit from the Pope He died 1260. Having first corrected the Roman Breviary Sim. Stock lived an Hermite in a hollow Tree whence his name tho B. D. of Oxf. He left behind him many superstitious Books Being 80 years of Age he had a Revelation that before his Death he should behold a Holy Order of Carmelites come out of Syria which fell out accordingly Simon coming out of his Oak to meet them which is as true as that he was fed 7 years with Manna in Mount Carmel Th. Haslewood an Augustinian Frier in Leeds a good Scholar and fruitful Historian He flourished under E. 2. 1321. in a Manuscript in Librar Cotton he mentions how Edw. the Black Prince took K. Jo. of Fr. Captive vanquished Hen. an Usurper in Spain and restored Peter K. of Spain Since the Reformation Sir Th. Wiat Senior Knight was born at Allington-Castle Being Servant to H. 8. he fell into his disfavour about the business of Q. Anne Bullen till by his Innocence Industry and Discretion he extricated himself He was one of great Learning admirable Ingenuity and answered his Anagram Wiat a Wit He translated David Psalms into English Metre Of him Leland Let Florence fair her Dante 's justly boast And Royal Rome her Petrarchs numbred feet In English Wiat both of them doth Coast In whom all graceful Eloquence doth meet Being sent Ambassador by Hen. 8. to Ch. 5. Emp. before he took shipping he died of the Pestilence An. 1541. Leonard Diggs Esq one of excellent Learning and deep Judgment was very skilful in Architecture and Fortification He printed his Tectonicon Prognostick general Stratiotick c. He flourished 1556 and died I think about the beginning of Q. Eliz. His Learning seems to run in the Blood of his Family Witness Sir Dudley Diggs of Chilham-Castle made Mr. of the Rolls 1636. whose Abilities will be in perpetual remembrance And the Son of
the Land After his return he was again haunted at Mortlack with the same scandal but he gave such satisfaction of the lawfulness and usefulness of his Studies that the Queen besides many New-years gifts presented him Warden of Manchester All his Books speak him a Learned Man He died about 1 year of King James Roger Fenton D. D. in Camb. was a Pious Minister in St. Steph. Walbrook London He wrote a Treatise against Usury He had set about studying Dr. Felton's Funeral Sermon who lay at the point of Death Yet it pleased God this Dr. recovered and preached Dr. Fenton's according to a former mutual agreement betwixt them that the Surviver should Preach the others Funeral Sermon He died 1615. Robert Balton born at Blackborne had the 6 Properties of a good Scholar viz. good natural parts a Faithful Memory Curiosity using withal Study Labour and Attention He could speak the Greek and Lattin as well as English and that Stilo imperatorio He was chosen a Disputant before King James and acquitted himself with great applause He was afterwards Rector of Broughton He died 1631. Jo Weaver bred in Cambridge an Antiquary composed a Book of Funeral Monuments in the Diocess of Canterbury Roch Lond. and Norwich He died about 1634. Ja Cudworth D. D. and an excellent Preacher finished some of Mr Perkins's Works Lawr. Chaderton Lawyer was a Convert from the Romish Religion which when his father a rich Gentleman heard he sent him a groat in a poak to go a begging therewith He was one of the four Representatives of the Nonconformists in Hampton Court Conference and afterwards a Translator of the Bible having preached one time for two hours space he concluded That he would no longer trespass upon their patience at which the hungry people cryed out For Gods sake go on which obliged him to an Extempore-continuance After he had commenced D. D. he died 1640. Geo. Walker born at Hauxhead having the small-Pox in his childhood the standers by expecting his dissolution 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 His Sermon printed against the profanation of the Sabbath c. procured him much trouble and 2 years Imprisonment He died 1651. Romish Exile Writers Edw. Rishton M. A. in Doway and priest in Rome 1580. at his return to England was three years Prisoner He died of the Plague at St. Manhow 1585. Th. Worthington well descended was bred at Doway B. D. and sent into England in 88. where he was imprisoned in the Tower of London He commenced D. D. at Triers He wrote Notes on the Old Testament which came out in English at Rhemes Anderton a Learned Popish Priest scurvily disappointed Mr. Bolton his Prosylite who was to go over with him to the English Seminary Benefactors to the Publick Will. Smith born at Farmeworth preferred by H. 8 B. of Lich. Cov. president of the Marches Founded a Hosp and School at Lich. and a School at Farmeworth allowing 10 l. per An. Salary for the Master He founded Brazen-nose Colledge in Oxford before the finishing of which he died 1513. Molineux a preacher about the time of H. 8. descended of the House of Softon built the Church there and Houses for Schools about the Church Yard and made the great Wall about Mag. Colledge in Oxford Edw. Halsall Esquire Chamberlain of the Exchequer at Chester founded a Free School in Halstall Th. West younger Brother to the Lord de la Ware and Parson of Manchester became Heir to that Barony For a Marriage-License from the Pope he built a Colledge for Priests in Manchester Since the Reformation Jo. Smith finding Magd. Coll. in Cambridge poor and empty left it rich and full of Scholars having served it all his life and bequeathed to it 600 l. at his Death Geo. Clarke Haberdasher a devout Man dying Issueless before the late Civil Wars left to the Poor 100 l. per An. in Lands lying in Crompsal Humph. Chetham a Pious and prosperous Man was High Sheriff of this County 1635. He gave by his Will 7000 l. to buy a Fee-simple Estate of 420 l. per an for the Education of 40 poor Children in Manchester at School from about 6 till 14 years of Age. He gave 1000 l. for Books to a Library and 100 l. to prepare a place for them He bequeathed 200 l. to buy Books for the Churches of Manchester Bolton c. He gave the remainder of his Estate above 2000 l. Debts c. being paid to the encrease of the Books in the Library Memorable Persons Sir Edm. de Trafford and Th. de Ashton Knights descended of great Wealth and Reputation were Famous Chymists They procured a Patent from K. Henry 6. for trying their pretended Skill in turning base Metalls into Gold Rich. Rothwell is said to have dispossessed Jo. Fox near Nott. of the Divel there passing betwixt them a large Dialogue He died 1627. The Battels At Preston in Anderness Aug. 7. 1648. D. Hamilton entered England with an Army Most beheld him as one rather cunning than Wise yet rather Wise than Valiant However he had Officers what did Ken the geat of feighting as wee l as ony of oor Age. He would accept of no English assistance Their Van and Rear were many Miles asunder and they met the resistance of Maj. Gen. Lambert before they expected it He at Preston gave the Scotch Army such a blow as stunn'd it tho it reeled on some Miles more Southward into Stafford-shire where at Vlcester the Duke was taken prisoner and utterly defeated As for the defeat of Ja. E. of Derby ult Aug. 1651. it amounted to no Battel by reason of the Vigilancy of Coll. Lilburn and others This County may be called the Cock-pit of Conscience by reason of the constant Combats therein betwixt Religion and Superstition A certain Impostor had almost made Eleanor Q. Mother mad by reporting the Posthume Miracles done by her Husband H. 3. till Hugh of Manchester of whom before settled her judgment aright Leicester-shire LEicester-shire is almost circular in form the Town of Leic. being the Center and the River Soare the Diameter thereof Having Linc. and Rut. on the E. Darby and Nott. on the N. Warw. on the W. and Northam on the S. in length 33 and in breadth 27 miles The South W. parts abound in Corn the North. W. in Wood. The rest of the County having sufficiency of both The natural Commodities are Beans about Barton in the Beans where they appear like a Forrest in the time of Harvest Cole digged up at Cole-Orton which warms Cold-Orton another Village together with the whole County Of Buildings the Parish Church of Bottsford is very fair and large with a high Spire Steeple At the suppression of the Abbeys many ancient Monuments of the Albanies and Roses were removed hither out of the Priory of Beaver by the Command
of Th. E. of Rutland Then the Stone Tower built by William Lord Hastings at Ashby de la Zouch hath something Monarchical in Height Strength and Workmanship above the ordinary Aristocracy of Fabricks Also the Fair Palace built at Broadgate by Th. Grey Marq. of Dorset challengeth the preheminence above the rest As for Wonders There is a Village in this County called Charleton Curly and all that are born therein have an harsh and ratling kind of Speech and cannot well pronounce the Letter R. Which in all probability proceeds from a peculiar Intemperature of the Elements in that place There was a Fellow of Trin. Coll. likely a Native of Charleton composed a Speech of competent length without any R therein which he could not pronounce his Speech having no Room for ERROURS seeing there was an errour in his Speech Proverbs 1. Bean-belly Leicester-shire for Plenty 'T is a merry saying Shake a Leicester-shire Yeoman by the Collar and you shall hear the Beans rattle in his Belly tho at the same time they may have good Silver ringing in their Pockets 2. If Bever have a Cap You Churles of the Vale look to that That is when Clouds hang over Bever-Castle it is a signe of much Rain c. Princes Jane Grey eldest Daughter of Hen. D. of Suff. by Fr. Bandon eldest Daughter to Mary second Sister to K. Hen. 8. was born at Broadgate near Leicester She lived many pious but few pleasant days whose Soul was never out of the Non-age of Afflictions till death made her of full years to inherit Happiness Whilst a Child her Father 's was to her an House of Correction nor did she write Woman sooner than she did subscribe Wife and in obedience to her Parents was unfortunately matched to the Lord Guilford Dudley a pious Gentleman but Son to an Ambitious Father She was Proclaimed but never Crowned Queen living in the Tower longer a Captive than a Queen Her Family by snatching at a Crown which â—as not lost a Coronet which was their own She suffered on Tower-hill 1554 5 Feb. 12. Kath. Grey 2 d. Daughter to Henry D. of Suffolk was married to the Lord Herbert Son to the Earl of Pembroke who knowing the Case altered with that Family brake the Marriage quite off Thus she became a Heraclita or Lady of Lamentation The Roses of whose cheeks looked very wan and pale tho they wanted not for watering Afterward Ed. Seymour E. of Hertford married her privately without the Queens Licence and concealed it till her pregnancy discovered it The English Proverb It is good to be near a Kin to land holdeth in private Patrimonies not Titles to Crowns Q. Elizabeth beheld her with a jealous eye unwilling she should match either Forreign Prince English Peer or any person whatsoever The E. of Hartford being fined 15000 l. was imprisoned with his Lady in the Tower and severely forbidden her company By bribing the Keeper he bought what was his own his Wives Embraces and had by her a surviving Son Edw. Ancestor to the Right Honorable the D. of Som. She died Jan. 26. a Prisoner in the Tower 1567 after 9 years Durance therein Whose Sister Mary Grey the Youngest Frighted with the infelicity of her two elder Sisters forgot her Honour to remember her Safety and married one whom She could love and none need fear Martin Kayes of Kent Esq Serjeant Porter and died without Issue 20 Ap. 1578. Martyrs Hugh Latimer born at Thurcaston in his first Sermon before King Ed. 6. declared his own Pedigree to this effect My Father was a Yeoman who had a Farm of 3 or 4l a year kept 100 Sheep and six Servants and my Mother milked 30 Kine He did find the King an HARNESS which I remember I buckled on with himself and his Horse when he went to Black-heath field He kept me to School or else I had not been able to Preach before the King's Majesty now He married my Sisters with 5l a piece so that he brought them up in Godliness and the fear of God He kept Hospitality for poor Neighbours and some alms and all this did he of the same Farm where he that now hath it payeth 16l p. an and more and is not able to do any thing for his Prince for himself nor for his Children or give a cup of Drink to the Poor He was bred in Cambridg and converted under God by Mr. Bliney from a violent Papist to a zealous Protestant He was afterwards made Bishop of Worc. and 4 years after outed for refusing to subscribe the 6. Art He onely of the Bishops of the new Learning in the time of H. 8. urged that two Abbeys at the least in every Diocess of considerable Revenues might be preserved for the maintenance of Learned Men therein And swiming a good while against the stream he was at last carried away with the Current He was Martyred at Oxford 1555. Prelates Gilb. Segrave born at Segrave and bred in Oxford succeeded a Kinsman who on his death-Bed recommended him in the Provost's place of St. Sepulâ—hers in York and afterwards was Bishop of Londdon He died 1317. Walt. de Langton born at West-Langton made by E. 1. Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield and Treas of English He lost the Favor of E. 2. for reproving him when as yet but Prince for his debauchery and tho he never wholly regained that Princes good Will 't is said the surplusage of the People's affection to him did fill up that blank Prodigious his bounty in building and endowing his Cathedral He died 1321 and was buried in the Chappel of St. Ma. of his own erection Rog. de Martival Son of Sir Aukitell Mar. whose Arms were Ar. a cinque-foil S. was born at Nowsley He was First Arch-Deacon of Leic. then Dean of Linc. and at last Bishop of Salisbury in the Reign of E. 2. 1315. He was the last heir male of his Race and Founded a Colledge at Nowsley for a Warden and certain Brethren His Estate descended to Joyce-de Mart. his Sister married to Sir Ralph Hastings lineal Ancestor to the now Earl of Hunt and the Hazleriggs are at this day Possessors of the Mannor of Newsley He died 1329. Rob. Wivil well descended born at Stanton Wivil was made Bishop of Salisbury 1329. tho both a Dunce and a Dwarfe He impleaded William Montague E. of Salisbury in a Writ of Right for the Castle of Salisbury and it had been tried by a Combat of their two Champions had not the King interposed and ordered that the Bishop should pay 2500 marks for the quiet Possession of the Castle Since the Reformation Joseph Hall born at Ashby de la Zouch and bred in Em. Colledg in Cambridg maintained there with a Flourishing wit That the World groweth Old He was Minister at Halsted in Suffolk where his Little Catechisme did much good He became D. D. and was at the Synod of Dort and was preferred first Dean of Worc. then Bishop of Ex. then of Norwich then of
Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench An. 30. H. 8. His Motto was Equitas Justitiae Norma In his time tho the Golden Showers of Abby-Lands rained amongst great Men it was long before he would open his lap scrupling the acception of such Gifts and at last received but little in proportion to others An. 37. H. 7. he was made Chief Justice of the Common Pleas a descent in Honour but ascent in profit In drawing up the Will of E. 6. and setling the Crown on Lady Jane for a time he swam against the Tide and Stream of D. Dudley till at last he was carried away with the Stream Outed of his Office An. 1. Mary he found that Contentment in his Hospital-Hall in Northampton-shire which he could not find in Westm Hall He died An. 1556. and lyeth buried in the Church of Weekley Sir Augustine Nicolls born at Eckton was freely made by K. James one of the Judges of the Com. Pleas. That K. commonly called him the Judge that would give no money He was renowned for his Patience to hear both Parties all they could say a happy Memory and singular Sagacity to search into the material circumstances and exemplary Integrity even to the rejection of Gratuities after Judgment given He forbearing to Travel on the Lords Day wrote a Reformation on some of his own Order He loved Plain and profitable preaching being wont to say I know not what you call Puritanical Sermons but they come nearest to my Conscience He died as he went the Northern Circuit and lyeth buried in Kendall-Church in Westmorland Sir Robert Dallington born at Geddington bred a Bible-Clerk in Bennet-Colledg He was afterwards a School-Master in Norf. and after having travelled Secretary to Francis Earl of Rutland His accurate Aphorisms on Tacitus witness his Excellent Wit and Judgment At last he was Knighted and preferred Mr. of the Charter-House At the end of a Latin Speech spoken by a School-Boy with which he was welcomed to that Hospital there was a Distick to this effect Do not the least part of your trust disdain Nor grudge of Boyes to take the Care again He died An. 162. Jo. Fletcher Son of Rich. D. D. had an excellent Wit He with Fr. Beaumont Esq like Castor and Pollux most happy when in conjunction raised the English to equal the Athenian and the Roman Theatre Beaumont being the Ballast of Judgment Fletcher the Sail of Phantasie both compounding a Poet to Admiration Meeting once in a Tavern to contrive the rude draught of a Tragedy Fletcher undertook to kill the King therein his words being overheard by a Listner he was accused of High Treason till the mistake soon appearing that the Plot was only against a Dramatick and Scenical King all wound off in Merriment Fletcher surviving his Partner wrote good Comedies himself tho inferiour to the former and no wonder if a single thred was not so strong as a twisted one He died as I am informed of the Plague An. 1. Car I. 1625. Sir Hen. Montague Grandson to Sir Edward Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench was born at Boughton He raised himself as was foretold in his Childhood above the rest of his Family by the pregnancy of his parts He was bred in Christ's Colledge in Cambridge then in the Middle Temple He became Serjant at Law was Knighted by King James 1602. and was Recorder of London made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench 1616. Lord Treasurer of England 1620. created Baron of Kimbolton and Visc Mandevile afterwards Earl of Manchester made President of the privy Councel then Lord Privy Seal at which time he brought the Court of Requests into such repute that what was formerly called the Almes-Basket of the Chancery had in his time well nigh as many Suits and Clients as the Chancery it self His Motto was Movendo non mutando me His Meditations on Life and death written in time of his health may be presumed to have left good impressions on him preparatory for his death which hapned 164. Writers Jo. of Northampton in lat Jo. Avonius a Carmelite an Eminent Mathematician wrote a Book entitled The Philosophers Ring a Perpetual Almanack a Masterpiece of that Age. He flourished 1340. Robert Holcot born in Holcot and bred in Oxford became a Dominican in Northam A learned and prudent Man He wrote many famous Treatises He died of the plague 1349 at Northam before he had finished his Lectures on Ecclesiastes Note The Plague about that time so raged in England that our Chroniclers affirm scarce a tenth person of all sorts was left alive Robert Dodford born at Dodford was a Benedictine Monk in Ramsey He wrote Postills on the Proverbs which the envy of time hath intercepted from us He flourished about 1370. Pet. Peteshull an Augustinian in Oxford disliking his Order procured a dispensation to relinquish it and became Honorary Chaplain to Pope Vrbain 6. He afterwards promoted the Doctrine of Wickliffe and in his Exposition of the Prophesie of Hildegardes so taxed the pride and laziness of all Friers that his Book was burnt and himself fled to escape the same Fate He flourished 1390. Since the Reformation Robert Crowley bred in Oxford confuted Miles Hogheard who wrote against the poor Protestants He fled to Frankford in the Reign of Queen Mary and in the Reign of Q. Eliz. was made Vicar of St. Giles without Cripple-gate London where he lyes buried having died 1588. Eusebius Paget born at Cranford and bred in Oxford was commonly called the Golden Sophister He was Minister in London and wrote an excellent book called the History of the Bible and Catechism of the 40 short Questions Ja. Preston D. D. born in Heyford and bred in Cambridge was so far from Eminency before he commenced Master of Arts that he was but a little above Contempt Soon after his skill in Philosophy rendred him to the general respect of the University He was the greatest Pupil-manager in England The Duke used him to work the Puritan Party then most active in Parliament to his compliance And tho this Dr. was most powerfull with them he was at last found useless to the intended Purpose He was therefore called by one the Court Comet blazing for a time and fading soon afterwards He was a perfect Politician and used Lapwing-like to flutter most on that place which was furthest from his eggs He had perfect command of his Passion with the Caspian Sea never ebbing nor slowing and would not alter his composed Pace for all the whipping which Satyrical Wits bestowed on him He never had Wife or Cure of Souls and leaving a plentiful no invidious estate died 1628. Th. Randolph born at Hougton was bred Fell. in Trinity College in Cambridg The Muses may seem not only to have Smiled but to have been tickled at his Nativity such the Festivity of his Pomes of all sorts He died 163 Nick. Estwick B. D. born at Harowden and bred in Cambridg was 40 years Parson of Warton
to the Lord Dacres Lord Wotton Sir Peter Temple of Stow Barronet and Sir Ed. Partridge 3. Jo. Freeman was a most bountiful Benefactor to Clare-Hall in Cambridge giving 2000 l. to the founding of Fellowships and Scholar-ships therein He died without Issue 12. W. Wilmer Arm. the first Pensioner in Sidney-Colledge to which he was a Benefactor An. 7. Jo. Hewet Baronet tho he had no Land in this County monarch K. Charles the Shrivalty was imposed upon him because he had offended a great Courtier Northumberland NOrthumberland hath Durham on the S. Cumberland on the S. W. the German Ocean on the E. and Scotland on the N. and W. parted with the River Tweed and Cheviot Hills It is somewhat of a Pyramidal Form whose Base extendeth to above 40. and Shaft ascendeth to 50 miles The Soyl is not very fruitful but is improved more and more daily An 4. Jac. many Gentlemen in this County challenged their hereditary right in the Bounds betwixt the two Kingdoms which had been formerly neglected The Buildings in this County are either Castles or Castle-like able to resist a tumultuary incursion Proverbs I. To carry Coals to Newcastle That is to busy ones self in a needless employment II. From Berwick to Dover 300 miles over That is from one end of the Land to the other III To take Hectors Cloak That is to deceivce a friend who confideth in his faithfulness 'T is said that one Hector Armstrong of Harlaw betrayed his friend Th. Piercy Earl of Northumberland for mony and afterwards fell into so great poverty and contempt that he durst not go abroad IV. We will not lose a Scotâ—â— That is We will lose nothing how inconsiderable soever The Proverb began during the Enmity betwixt the 2 Kingdoms V. A Scotish Mist may wet an Englishman to the skin That is small mischiefs in the beginning if not seasonably prevented may prove very dangerous VI. A Scotish-man and a Newcastle grindstone travil all the World over Occasioned by the curiosity of the one and the goodness of the other VII If they come they come not and if they come not they come That is if the Borderers came the Cattle of the Vicinage came not home from their Pasture but were by them intercepted c. The 4 following Proverbs are Scotish VIII Lang or ye cut Faulkland-Wood with a penknife It is spoken of such means which are insufficient for the effecting of any end or design IX He is an Aberdeen 's man taking his word again Aberdeen is a Town in the County of Mar in Scotland X. He was born in August This is said to be meant as a Periphrasis of a liquorish person A Yule Feast may be quat at Pasche That is Christmass-cheer may be digested and the Party hungry again at Easter Saints St. Ebba Daughter to Edilfrid King of Northum was Prioress of Coldingham in Scotland She with others cut off their Noses that their Beauty might be no bait to the lustfull Danes She flourished 630. Prelates since the Reformation Geo. Carleton born at Norham bred in Oxford was one of the 4 Divines sent by King James to the Synod of Dort He was Bishop of Landaff afterwards of Chichester A man of good affections solid Judgment and clear Invention He wrote amongst others 2 Treatises called A Thankfull Remembrance of Gods mercy and a Confutation of Judicial Astrology When Young he was grave in his manners so when old he was youthful in his parts even to his death which hapned An. 1. Ch. Valentine Cary born at Barwick extracted from the Cary's Barons of Hunsdon was bred in Cambridg where he was Vice-Chancellor An. 1612. He was preferred Dean of St Pauls and at last Bishop of Exeter A compleat Gentleman and excellent scholar Tho some Contest hapned betwixt him and the City of Exeter yet he was bountiful above expectation in relieving the poor thereof when it was visited with the Sickness He died 1626. and lyes buried in St Pauls London Rich. Holeworth D. D. born at Newcastle bred in Cambridg Rector of St Peter in the Poor in London Arch-deacon of Huntington at last Mr. of Emanuel Colledg incurred the Censures of Factious Innovators in London at the beginning of the Civil wars Most candid his disposition being wont to check himself when in Passion He was imprisoned for a Sermon he preached in Cambridg After he had procured his Liberty he waited on his Majesty in the Isle of Wight He was Proffered the Bishoprick of Bristol but refused it Some shoot by the aim of their own fancies who report him to have said He would not wear a Bristol-stone Tho he was a zealous assertor of Episcopacy he esteemed the acceptance of that Bishopprick unsafe and unseasonable He afterwards took the Deanry of Worcester The Treatise called the Valley of Vision is in all probability none of his Dying about 1650 he was buried in St. Pet. Broadstreet Souldiers This County breedeth most hardy Men. The Borderers have been embroyled in several Battles against the Scotch Witness the Battel of Chevy chase An. 29 Henry 8. about which time Henry Earl of Northumberland died peaceably at Hackney near London tho reported to be slain in that battle Physicians W. Turner born at Morpeth bred in Cambridge was a general Scholar and very zealous in the Protestant Religion writing much in the defence thereof and much molested for the same by Bishop Gardner and others After long imprisonment he escaped and fled beyond the Seas At Ferrara in Italy he commenced Dr. in Physick He wrote a great Herbal and a Book of Physick for the English Gentry besides several other Treatises He died in Germany as I conjecture in the Reign of Queen Mary Whose Contemporary and fellow Confessor Th. Gibson born at Morpeth wrote a Book of Herbs as also a Treatise entitled The Treasons of the Prelates since the Conquest He was alive in the last of Queen Mary Writers Ralph Frechbourne bred a Souldier Scholar Traveller became at last a Frier He attended Rich. Earl of Cornwall and King of the Romans into the Holy land whence he brought the Carmelites into England and built for them a House at Holme in Northumberland He wrote Books of pious Exhortations and Epistles and after he had been 14 years Provincial of his Order died and was buried at Holme 1274. Johannes Scotus born at Dunston a Franciscan Frier got the Title of Doctor Subtilis He maintained against the Thomists that the Blessed Virgin was conceived with sin He died of a sit of an Apoplexy at Colen Benefactors to the Publick Stephen Brown Grocer was born at Newcastle afterwards Knighted and made Lord Mayor of London 1438. In which year happened a Great Famin caused much by unseasonableness of weather but more by some Huckstring husbandmen who properly may be termed Knaves in Grain Sir Stephen sent some ships to Dantz whose seasonable return with Rye suddainly sunk grain to reasonable rates whereby many a languishing life was preserved He was
the Engish Tongue A great Mathematician Witness his Book de Sphaerâ He was living 1402. being Contemporary with Gower Since the Reformation Th. Lydgate born at Alkerton and bred in Oxford was Eminent for his Learning and Obscure for his Living An admirable Mathematician witness his Learned Treatises De Naturâ Coeli and de variis Annorum Formis c. He opposed the opinion of Scaliger and was by him jeered for a Prophet having somewhat traded in the Apocalyptical Divinity yet 't is said Lydgate had the best in the Contest He was Rector of Alkerton His low Condition may be imputed to these Causes 1. The Barrenness of his speculative Studies 2. His own Nature being inclined to Solitude 3. The death of P. Henry whose Library-Keeper he was 4. His Disaffection to Church Discipline and Ceremonies tho 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 W. Boswell and B. Williams were great Friends to him He died about 1644 Sir Richard Baker Knight was High Sheriff of this County An. 18. Jac. 1621. his Estate being encumbered he fled in his old Age for shelter to his studies and devotions He wrote an Exposition on the Lords Prayer and a Chronicle of our English Kings He died about the beginning of the Civil Wars W. Whateley born in afterwards Minister of Banbury and bred in Cambridge was a good Linguist Philosopher Mathematician and Divine He wrote a Book entitled the Bride-bush which is variously construed He died 1639. Jo. Balle born at Casfigton bred B. D. in Oxford was Preacher at Whitmore in Stafford-shire His Treatise of Faith cannot sufficiently be commended He was a Humble Pious and good Natured Christian When his friend having had a fall from a Horse said that he never had the like deliverance Yea said Mr. Balle and a hundred times when you never fell He hated all New Lights Living comfortably he relieved others charitably left his children competently and died piously 1640. W. Chillingworth born in Oxford and bred in Trinity College was a subtil Disputant Going beyond the Seas he was in some sort reconciled to the Church of Rome but returning afterwards into England in testimony of his true Conversion he wrote a Book entitled The Religion of Protestants a safe way to Salvation He was taken Prisoner by the Parliaments Forces at Arundel-Castle and safely conducted to Chichester where hard usage hastned his death Dan. Featly D. D. born in or near to Oxford made the Speech in Corpus-Christi-College at the Funeral of Dr. Reynalds He was good in the Schools and in the Pulpit and a happy disputant against Papists In the conference with F. Fisher who was caught in a Net cast by Dr. White Dr. Featly did help strongly to draw that Net to the shore He was in but it seems not of the late Assembley his body being with them but his heart at Oxford Being discovered he was imprisoned in the College at Chelsey where he died 1643. Jo. White originally from Hant-shire born at Staunton-St John and bred in Oxford was Minister at Dorchester for about 40 years in which time he expounded the whole Scripture once over and half over again That Town was enriched by his Wisdom Knowledge causing Piety Piety breeding Industry and Industry Plenty unto it A beggar then was not to be seen in the Town He absolutely commanded his own Passions and the Purses of the Parishoners and was free from Covetousness He had a Patriarchal influence both in Old and New-England Yet towards the end of his days Factions grew in his stock then disloyal persons would not pay the due respect to the Crown of his old Age. He was chosen one of the Assembly of Divines He married the sister of Dr. Burges by whom he left 4 Sons and died quietly at Dorchester 163. Benefactors to the Publick Th. Tisdall of Glimpton Esq dying 1610. bequeathed 5000 l. to Geo. Abbot then Bishop of London and others to purchase Lands for the maintainance of 7 Fellows and 6 Scholars which Money was expended for the purchase of 250 l. per An. and a new College was erected therewith by the Name of Pembroke College Th. gave many other charitable Legacies and deserved well of Abbington School founding an Usher therein Memorable Persons Anne Green a person unmarried having been executed at Oxford 1650. for killing her Child recovered perfect health Charitable people interpret her so miraculous preservation a Compurgator of her Innocence Noted Sheriffs An. 11. W. Taverner Arm. in the year of his Sherivalty came to Oxford monarch Q. Eliz. went up into the pulpit at St. Maries with a sword by his side and a gold chain about his neck where he made a Sermon to the University 18 Rob. Doyle Knight in whose year the Black Assizes were at Oxford wherein the Prisoners caused the death of the Judge Chief Baron Bell the Sheriff some of the Lawyers many of the Justices and most of the Jury besides other persons of Quality there present It was generally imputed to the stench of the Prisoners cloathes and bodies 31 W. Clarke Arm. Son to W. Sher. 10 Jac. and grandchild to Sir Jo. of Northam 21. Henry 8. 36. Rich. Fenys bred in Oxford was lineally desended from Ja. Lord Say and Seal Treasurer of England in the days of Henry 6. was created An. 1 Ja. Lord Say and Seal He died 1612. W. Fenys his eldest Son was since created Visc Say and Seal and is still alive An. 3. Rich. Wenmam was by King Charles I. created monarch K. Ch. I. first Baron of Wenman of Chilmaynam in the County of Dublin and then Visc Wenman of Tuant in the County of Galloway both in the Kingdom of Ireland Rutland-shire RVtland-shire the least County in England is both pleasant and fruitful and in Form almost Orbicular The name is q. Redland from the colour of the Soyl. As for Buildings Burgley on the Hill belonged formerly to the Lords Harringtons but since so beautified by the D. of Buckingham that it was inferiour to few for the House superiour to all for the Stable It was demolished in the Civil War Of Wonders this is one that this County had never an absolute or entire Abby therein producing only Okeham and Brook two small Appurtenances to Convents in other Counties The cause whereof seems to have been Ed. the Confessor's giving all Rutland to Westminster Church which tho rescinded by William the Conqueror yet other Convents perchance might be scrupulous to accept what once belonged to another Foundation Proverbs I. Rutland Raddleman A poor sort of Trader that sells red stones or Oker for the marking of sheep Saints St. Tibba a Saxon was in the times of Superstition reputed the Patroness of Hawking and worshipped as a second Diana she lived a Virgin and Anchoress at Dormundcaster and died with the reputation of holiness about 660. Benefactors to the Publick W. Brown Esq twice Alderman
Baron of Mounslow He died in Oxford and was buried in Christs-Church 1645. Souldiers Sir Jo. Talbot born at Blackmore was Lord Talbot and Strange from his paternal Extraction Lord Furnival and Verdon by Marriage with Joan Daughter of Th. de Nevil and E. of Shrewsbury in England and Weisford in Ireland by creation of King Henry 6. This is that Talbot so famous for his Sword or rather whose Sword was so famous for his Arm that used it A Sword with bad Latin upon it viz. Sum Talboti pro vincere inimicos meos but good steel within it which constantly conquered where it came insomuch that the bare Fame of his approach frighted the French from the Siege of Burdeaux Being victorious for 24 years together success failed him at last charging the Enemy near Castilion on unequal termes where he was slain with a Shot July 17. 1453. The Victories of the English in France were buried with the Body of this Earl which lyes at White-Church in this County Whose Son Sir Jo. Talbot Visc Lisle in right of his Mother was slain with his Father who had advised him by an escape to reserve himself for future fortune but he craved to be excused and would not on any termes be perswaded to forsake his Father He surpassed Emilius the Roman General who being pressed with Hanibal's Forces was resolved to die and not come again under the Judgment of the People of Rome in that Sir Jo. was young unhurt and able to escape and in no wise answerable for the daies misfortune Aemilius old grievously wounded and accountable for the overthrow received Writers Rob. of Shrewsbury wrote the Life and Miracles of St. Winfride He flourished 1148. Dav. of Chirbury born in Chirbury a Carmelite and according to Leland a Famous Divine was made B. of Drummore in Ireland His Writings were either few or obscure He died and was buried at Ludlow 1420. Since the Reformation Rob. Langeland a Protestant in Judgment tho he lived 150 years before the general Reformation was born at Mortimer's Clibery bred a Priest and one of the first followers of Wickliffe wanting neither Wit nor Learning Witness his Book entituled The Vision of Pierce Plough-man highly commended by Mr. Selden He flourished under Edward 3. An. 1369. Th. Churchyard born in Shrewsbury about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth wrote a Book in Verse of the Worthiness of Wales taking in Shrop-shire He died about 11 Elizabeth 1570. His Epitaph being Come Alecto lend me thy Torch To find a Church-Yard in a Church-Porch Poverty and Poetry his Tomb doth enclose Wherefore good Neighbours be merry in Prose Th. Holland D. D. born in the Marches of Wales bred in and Rector of Exeter Colledge in Cambridge was so much addicted to Study that the Scholar in him almost devoured all other Relations and being well acquainted with the Fathers succeeded Dr. Lawr. Humphride in the place of Regius Professor His solemn Valediction of the Fellows when occasion was I commend you to the Love of God and to the hatred of Popery and Superstition His Extemporaries were often better than his premeditations He died 1612. and was buried in Oxford Abraham Whelock born in White-Church Parish Arabick Professor and Minister of St. Sepulchres in Cambridge admirable his knowledge in the Oriental Tongues amongst the Western he was well versed in the Saxon. Witness his Edition of Bede He translated the New Testament into Persian and printed it hoping that it might tend to the Conversion of that Country He died 1654. Benefactors to the Publick Sir Roger Achley born at Stanwardine was Mayor of London 1511. Observing that poor People who never have more than they need will sometimes need more than they have pepared Leaden-Hall the Common-Garner and stored up much Corn therein collecting from the present Plenty a relief against an ensuing Famine Since the Reformation Sir Rowland Hill born at Hodnet was a Mercer in London whereof he was Lord Mayor 1549. He gave maintainance to a fair school at Drayton in thâ—s County which he built and endowed besides 600 l. to Christs-Church Hospital c. He forgave at his death all his Tenants in his mannors of Aldersey and Sponely a years Rent and enjoyned his Heirs to make them new Leases of 21 years for 2 years Rent He built two Bridges of stone containing 18 Arches in both besides Cawseys c He died 15 Sir Th. Adams Knight born at Wem bred a Draper in became Lord Mayor of London 164 A man who drank of the bitter waters of Meribah without making a bad face thereat He gave the House of his Nativity to be a Free-School with liberal endowment W. Adams Esq born at Newport bred a Haberdasher in London where he fined for Alderman founded a School-house in Newport with a Library and Lodgings for a Master and Usher the one having 60 l. the other 30 l. salary per An. with a Tarras on the top 2 Almshouses near to the School with competent maintainance On which School the following Verses were made Some Cottage-Schools are built so low The Muses there must groveling goe Here whilst Apollo's harp doth sound The sisters Nine may dance around And Architects may take from hence The Pattern of Magnificence Long may this Worthy person live to see his Intentions compleated Memorable Persons Th. Parre born at Alberbury lived above 150 years verifying his Anagram Th. Parre Most rare hap being born in the Reign of E. 4. 1483. he was 2 months before his death brought up by Th. Earl of Arundel a great Lover of Antiquities to Westminster He slept away most of his time and is thus Charactred by an eye witness of him From head to heel his body had all over A Quick-set thick-set natâ—ral hairy cover Change of Air and Diet tho to the better with the trouble of many Visitants are conceived to have accelerated his death which happened Westminster November 15. 1634. and was buried in the Abbey-Church all present at his burial doing homage to this our aged Th. de Temporibus Noted Sheriffs An. 9. Nich de Sandford This ancient Name is still extant in this County monarch R. 2 amongst those who compounded for their reputed delinquency in our late Civil Wars Fr. Sandford Esq paid 459. a Gentleman excellently skilled in Fortification Jo. Cornwall Mil. descended from Rich. Earl of Cornwall and King of the Almains monarch H. 4. was a man of prosperous Valour under Henry 5. in France He built a Fair House at Amp-hil in Bedford-shire He was created by King Henry 6. Baron of Fanhop and Knight of the Garter and faithfully adhered to that King after the Crown forsook him Continuing till the Raign of E. 4. he was by him dispossessed of his lands in Bedford of which he said pleasantly That not he but his fine House at Amp-hill was guilty of High Treason An. 1. Th. Mitton in obedience to the Kings Command monarch R. 3. apprehended the D. of Buckingham the grand Engineer to promote
King Edw. 4. and lyeth buried under a fair Monument in the Cathedral of VVorcester Edmund Dudley Esq was Son to John Dudley Esq second Son to John Sutton first Baron of Dudley though he was slandered by some as being the Son of a Carpenter He Married the Daughter and Heir of the Visc Lisle Being bred in the Study of the Laws he was made one of Puisne Judges and wrote an excellent book Entitled the Tree of the Common VVealth He was employed by K. Henry 7. to put his Penal Statutes in Execution which he did with severity cruelty and extortion K. Henry 8. resigned this Dudley and Sir Richard Empson his Partner to Justice so that they were made a Peace-Offering to popular anger 1510 being Executed at Tower-Hill Sir Thomas Bromley Knight was an 1. Mary made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench holding his place hardly a year Souldiers Jo. Bromley Esq branched from the Bromleys in Shropshire was born at Bromley He recovered the English Standard which was taken by the French at the battle near Corby in France In reward of his Valour King Henry 5. whose Arms he had followed in France made him a Knight Batchelor Captain of Dampfront and great Constable of Bossevile le Ross in France and granted by Letters Patent 40 pounds in Land a year to him and his Heirs Hugh Stafford Lord Bourchier having on the same account conferred on him a yearly Pension of 40 pound during his life Sir John dyed about the middle of the Reign of Hen. 6. John Dudley Duke of Northumberland Son to Edward Dudley Esq and would willingly be reputed of this County a descendant from the Lord Dudley therein He was a proper wise and valiant Man and generally till his last project prosperous But he was also notoriously wanton intolerably ambitious a constant dissembler prodigiously profuse so that he had sunk his Estate had he not met with a seasonable support of Abbey-Land King Henry 8. first Knighted him then Created him Visc Lisle Earl of Warwick and Duke of Northumberland Under Queen Mary he contrived the setling of the Crown on Queen Jane his Daughter in Law for which Treason he was Executed an 1. Mary much bemoaned by Martial Men whom he had formerly endeared in his good service in the French and Scotish Wars He left two Sons who survived to great Honour Ambrose Earl of Warwick Heir to all that was good and Robert Earl of Leicester Heir to all that was great in his Father The Bagnols or Bagenhalts were formerly a Family of such remark in this County that before the Reign of Hen. 8. there scarce passed an ancient Evidence which is not attested by one of that Name And having for a time sunk into a low condition was afterwards restored to their genuine Lustre when Ralph and Nicholas Sons to John Bagnol of Newcastle in this County were both Knighted for their good service the one in Mussleborough Field the other in Ireland Their Sons Samuel and Henry were for their Martial merit advanced to the same degree Seamen William Minors Son to Richard Gent. of Hallenbury-Hall was born at Vttoxater who afterwards coming to London became so prosperous a Mariner that he hath safely returned eleven times from the East-Indies and now peaceably enjoyeth what he painfully hath gotten living in or near Hartford at this present year 1660. Writers John Stafford a Franciscan born in Stafford wrote a Latine History of England about 1380. W. de Lichfield D. D. and Rector of All-hallowes the Great in Thames-street London a Learned and Godly Man wrote many Books one Entituled The complaint of God unto sinful men There were found in his Study after his death 3083 Sermons of his own Writing He dyed an 1447. and was buried in the Quire of his own Church Robert Whittington born at Lichfield was an indifferent but conceited Grammarian He coped with W. Lillie and others in comparison of whom he was but a crackling Thorn Since the Reformation Henry Stafford Baron of Stafford was Son to Edw. Duke of Buckingham beheaded under K. Hen. 8. The Barony descended unforfeited to this Henry placed here not as a trans but a 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 He dyed 1558 some Months before the beginning of Q. Elizabeth Sampson Erderswik Esq born at Sandon of Ancient and Worshipful Extraction was a Gentleman accomplished with all Noble Qualities Affability Devotion and Learning Being a great Antiquary he began a description Eâ—tituled a View of Stafford-shire an 1â—93 which hath directed me in matters of difficulty relating to 〈◊〉 County He repaired and new glazed the Church of Sandon wherein he Erected a Monument for himself with his Statue in Stone and lyeth now Interred dying April 11 1603. Of him Mr. Cambden sayes Venerandae Antiquitatis fuit Cultor Maximus Thomas Allen descended from Allanus de Buckenhole Lord of Buckenhole in the Reign of Edw. 2. was bred in Glocester-Hall in Oxford a most excellent Mathematician where he succeeded to the skill and scandal of Frier Bacon as accounted a Conjurer He was much in favour with Robert Earl of Leicester His Writings are detained in some private hands He dyed towards the end of K. James Edward Leigh of Rushwel-Hall Esq alive wrote Critica Sacâ—a with many other worthy Works which will make his judicious Industry known to Posterity Elias Ashmole Esq alive born in Litchfield a great Antiquary Chymist Herauld Mathematician John Lightfoot D. D. alive hath deserved well of the Churches of England for his exact insight in Hebrew and Rabbinical Learning Romish Exile Writers W. Gifford an extract of the Family of Chillington was a man of much motion Being bred in Oxford he went over to Lovain where he became B. D. whence going to Paris he was highly prized by H. Duke of Guise who made him Arch-Bishop of Rhemes and the Cardinal his Brother who gave him a Pension of 200 Crowns a year He became afterwards Dean of St. Pet. the Isle in Rome then Rector of the University of Rhemes and at last a Benedictine at Delaware in Lorain He founded a Convent for English Monks at St. Mallower in France and another at Paris for those of the same Profession He was alive 1611. Benefactors to the Publick Sir Stephen Jennings Lord Mayor of London built a fair School at Wolver-Hampton Another being erected by Mr. Tho. Allen at Vtceter Martin Noel Esq born in Stafford bred Scrivener in London built and largely endowed an Hospital in the Town of his Nativity the first considerable Fabrick of that kind in this County Memorable Persons Tho. Tarlton born at Condover in Shropshire Here he was in the Field keeping his Fathers Swine when a Servant of Robert Earl of Leicester passing this way was so highly pleased with his odd Answers that he brought him to Court where he became the most famous Jester
over-awed by God and John Duke of Lancaster he could do him no harm He was killed in the Rebellion of J. Straw and Wat Tyler 1381. being buried in St. Gregories Church in Sudbury Tho. Edwardston born in Edwardston bred in Oxford then Augustinian in Clare attended Lionel Duke of Clarence in Italy when he Married the Daughter of the Duke of Milan He wrote some Learned Works and undertook care of some Arch-Bishoprick probably during the vacancy thereof He dyed at Clare 1396. Tho. Peverel well descended a Carmelite and D. D. in Oxford was by Rich. 2. made Bishop of Ossory in Ireland whence he was removed to Landaff in Wales then to Worcester in England being much esteemed for his Learning as his Books do declare He dyed 1417. and lyeth buried in his own Cathedral Stephen Gardiner was born in Bury St. Edmunds and by some reported to be Base-Son to Lionel Woodvile Bishop of Salisbury though this Bishop was by others more truly conceived to be younger then he He was a Man of admirable natural parts and Memory especially and was bred Dr. of Laws in Trinity-Hall in Cambridge After many great Employments he was made Bishop of Winchester Being Secret in all his own Acts of Cruelty he often chid Bonner calling him Ass though not so much for killing poor people as for not doing it more cunningly He chiefly contrived the six Articles Gardiner's Creed which caused the death of many and trouble of more Protestants He had almost cut off Queen Kath. Par and prevented Queen Elizabeth from being Queen had not Divine Providence preserved them He throughly complyed with Henry 8. opposed K. Edw. 6. by whom he was imprisoned and deprived acted all under Q. Mary by whom he was restored and made Lord Chancellour of England He is reported to have avowed at his death Justification by the Merits of Christ only He dyed at Whitehall of the Gout Nov. 12. 1555 and was buried in the Quire leaving as is said 4000 Marks in ready Money behind him He improved his power with Queen Mary to restore some Noble Families formerly depressed viz. Some descendant from the Duke of Norfolk the Arundels of Warder-Castle and the Hungerfords Since the Reformation John Bale born at Covie and bred in Jesus-Colledge in Oxford was a Carmelite in Norwich He was converted to be a Protestant by the means of Thomas Lord Wentworth He wrote a Book de Scriptoribus Britannicis He was Bishop of Ossory in Ireland an 1552. whence on the death of Edw. 6. he fled some of his servants being slain before his eyes and in his passage over the Seas was taken Prisoner ransom'd and safely arrived in Switzerland Under Q. Eliz he was made only Prebendary of the Church of Canterbury being probably a pâ—â—son more learned then discreet fitter to write then govern as unable to command his own Passion and Biliosus Balaeus passeth for his true Character He dyed at Canterbury 1563. and was buried in the Cathedral Church therein John May bred in Cambridge was Consecrated Bishop of Carlile September 27. 1577. and dyed in April 1598. John Overal D. D. born at Hadley was Regius Professor in Cambridge and Master of Kath. Hall afterwards Dean of St. Pauls He was by King Jamâ—â— employed in the New Translation of the Bible and made Bishop of Norwich where he was a discreet presser of Conformity He dyed 1618. Leonard Maw born at Rendlesham antiently the Residence of the Kings of the E. Angles where K. Redwald kept at the same time a Communion Table and Altars for Idols was Master of Peter House then of Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge and in 5 years disengaged that Foundation from a great debt He was Chaplain to King Charles whilst he was a Prince and waited on him in Spain by whom he was made Bishop of Bath and Wells A good Scholar grave Preacher mild man and gentile in his deportment He dyed 163. Ralph Brownrig D. D. born in Ipswich was the Son of a Merchant He was Fellow of Pembrook Hall in Cambridge where he to the wonder of the hearers performed the Joco-serious part of a Philosophy Act before King James no man had more ability or less inclination to be Satyrical His Wit was Page and not Privy Councellor to his Judgment He had a Loyal Memory quick Fancy solid Judgment and fluid Utterance being not only flumen but fulmen Eloquentiae When Commencing B. D. he chose for his Text Phil. 1. 29. To you it is given not only to believe but suffer somewhat Propâ—etical to him being afterwards affronted and defied by some who almost Deified him before in whose Eyes he seemed the blacker for wearing white Sleeves when 1641. made Bishop of Exeter Dr. Young Preaching his Consecration Sermon on this Text The Waters are risen c. complained of the many invasions which Popular Violence had made on the Rights and Priviledges of Church and State This Bishop himself was soon sadly sensible of such Inundations and yet by the procerity of his parts and piâ—ty he not only safely waded through them himself but also when Vice-Chancellour of Cambridge by his Prudence raised such Banks that those overflowings were not so destructive as otherwise they would have been to the University He continued constant to the Church of England a Champion of the needful use of the Liturgy and for the priviledges of Ordination to belong to Bishops alone Being unmoveable in his Principles of Loyalty he told Oliver the Usurper demanding his Advice in a matter of great difficulty My Lord the best Counsel I can give you is give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are Gods with which free Answer O. C. was rather silenced then satisfied A little before his death he was Minister of both Temples He dyed December 7. 1659. Aet 67. The deserved Opinion of his goodness had peaceable possession in the hearts of the Presbyterian-Party and at his Burial the prime persons of all perswasions were present Dr. Jo. Gauden wrote the Memorials of his Life and hath since succeeded him in the Temple and Bishoprick of Exeter Statesmen Sir Nich. Bacon Knight born not far from St. Edmund Bury of a very ancient Family and bred in Ben. Colledge in Cambridge in which he built a beautiful Chappel after he had studied the Common Law was made Atturney to the Court of Wards whence he was preferred Lord Keeper of the Great Seal an 1. Eliz. 1558. He Married Anne second Daughter to Sir Anth. Cook of Giddy-Hall in Essex Governour to King Edw. 6. Queen Elizabeth relyed upon him as her Oracle in Law who that he might clear the Point of her Succession derived her Right from a Statute which allowed the same though there was a Statute whereby the Queen was made illegitimate in the days of her Father remained unrepealed the rather because Lawyers maintain that a Crown once worn cleareth all defects of the wearer thereof He was a Man of rare Wit and deep
have been the most effectual way of ruining the Lord absolutely and infallibly The first making of Venice Glasses in England began at the Crochet Friers in London about the beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth by one Jacob Venaline an Italian As for the Buildings in this County Chichester Cathedral is a fine Fabrick built after it had been twice burnt by Bishop Seffride 2. an 1193. The Country Folk say the Master Workman built Sarisbury and his Man the Church of Chichester but this is a mistake since Seffride lived under King John and Bishop Poor who founded Sarisbury lived much later under Hen. 3. This Church was Beautified by Bishop Sherborn in the Reign of Henry 7. Lately a great part thereof hath fallen to the ground Arundel Castle is of great esteem the rather because a Local Earldome is cemented to the Walls thereof Some will have it named from Arundel the Horse of Beavois the great Champion though this Castle was so called long before that imaginary Horse was Foaled that is long before the Conquest from the River Arund running hard by it Petworth the House of the Earls of Northumberland is most famous for a stately Stable which affordeth standing in State for 60 Horses with all necessary accommodations Proverbs I. He is none of the Hastings That is he is slow and dull the Proverb bearing only a nominal counter-relation to the Noble and ancient Family of the Hastings formerly Earls of Pembroke and still of Huntington There is also a Haven of that name in this County which is said to have been built in all hast by William the Conquerour Martyrs Grievous the persecution in this County under Jo. Christopherson the Bishop thereof Such his havock in burning poor Protestants in one year that had he sat long in that See and continued after that Rate there needed no Iron Mills to rarifie the Woods of this County The Papists admire him as a great Divine which I will not oppose but only say as the Man said of his surly Mistriss She hath too much Divinity for me Oh! that She had some more Humanity Cardinals Herbert de Bosham was a Manubus unto Tho. Becket at whose Murder-Martyring he was present and had the discretion to make no resistance He wrote the story of his Masters death Going over into Italy he was by Pope Alex. 3. made Arch-Bishop of Beneventum and in Dec. 1178. created Cardinal Prelates Jo. Peckham born of obscure Parents bred in Oxford and beyond the Seas became Arch-Bishop of Canterbury by the Popes favour for which he afterwards paid 4000 Marks He neither feared the Layty nor flattered the Clergy and was a great punisher of Pluralists He transmitted the Canons place at Lyons which he held for life to his Successors who held the same in Commendam some hundred years after He built and endowed a Colledge at Wingham yet left a great Estate to his Kindred whose descendants are possessed of the same at this day in this and the next County He dyed 1294. Robert Winchelsey bred in Merton-Colledge in Oxford where after having travelled he proceeded D. D. and became Chancellour of the University successively Can. of Pauls Arch-Deacon of Essex and Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He went to Rome and obtained his Pall of Pope Celestine refusing a Cardinals Cap offered unto him After his return confiding in the Canon of the Councel of Lions which forbad the Clergy to pay Taxes to Princes without consent of the Pope he created much molestation to himself King Edw. 1. using him first very harshly till at last he overcame all with his Patience A worthy Prelate excellent Preacher Being Learned himself he loved and preferred Learned Men. Prodigious his Hospitality being reported that Sundays and Fridays he fed no fewer then 4000 Men when Corn was cheap and 5000 when it was dear After his death 1313 poor men used to repair to his Tomb and present their Petitions to him Tho. Bradwardine descended of an ancient Family at Braâ—w in Hereford whence they removed and setled in this County for three Generations was born in or near Chichester and bred in Merton-Colledge in Oxford where for his skill in the Mathematicks and Divinity he was called Dr. Profundus He was Confessor to Edw. 3. To his Prayers the Conquest of France was by some imputed He Preached Piety to the Army He was Consecrated at Avignon Arch-Bishop of Canterbury at which time he was accounted somewhat Clownish both because he could not mode it with the Italians but chiefly because he was advanced for his Merit and not for his Money In his excellent Book De Causâ Dei he complaineth grievously of the prevalent Errours of Pelagius He dyed 1349. Tho. Arundel Son to Robert and Brother to Richard Fitz-Allen both Earls of Arundel was Arch-Bishop of York the fourth Arch-Bishop of Canterbury having been Bishop of Ely at 22 years of Age. He was thrice Lord Chancellour of England viz. an 10. and 15. Rich. 2. and 11 Hen. 4. He was by Rich. 2. banished the Land after his Brother was beheaded Restored by Hen. 4. to his Arch-Bishoprick In Parliament he was the Churches Champion for preservation of her Revenues He was the first who persecuted the Wicklevites with Fire and Faggot This Noble Person who had stop'd the Mouths of many Servants of God from Preaching his Word was himself famished to death by a swelling in his Throat Feb. 20. 1413. and lyeth Buried in the Cathedral of Canterbury H. Burwash of Noble Alliance a Covetous Ambitious Rebellious and Injurious Person was recommended by Barth de Badilismer Bar. of Leeds in Kent to Edw. 2. who preferred him Bishop of Lincoln Having fallen into the Kings displeasure and forfeited his Temporalities though afterwards restored he was most forward to assist the Queen in the deposing of her Husband He was twice Lord Treasurer once Chancellour and once Ambassadour to the Duke of Bavaria He dyed 1340. There 's a merry Story that he was condemned after his death to be a Green Forrester because in his life time he had violently enclosed other Mens Grounds into his own Park Since the Reformation W. Barlow D. D. was Canon of St. Osiths then Prior of Bisham in Bark-shire afterwards preferred by Hen. 8. Bishop of St. Asaph whence he was Translated to St. Davids thence an 3. Edw. 6. to Bath and Wells Having fled in the dayes of Queen Mary he was superintendent of the English Congregation at Embden Returning afterwards into England he was made by Queen Elizabeth Bishop of Chichester He had a numerous and prosperous Female Issue He dyed December 10 1569. W. Juxton born at Chichester was bred at St. Johns Colledge in Oxford where he commenced Doctor of Law and became Pres of the Colledge He was admirably Master of his Pen and Passion By K. Charles I. he was preferred Bishop first of Hereford then of London and for some years Lord Treasurer of England in the legal and prudent management of which Office
Lords of the Privy Council at Dublin of whom Bishop Coren a Principal produced a Card for his Commission and was imprisoned for the affront After his enlargement he was very willing to make a reparation by getting the Commission renewed in England but was prevented by the Queens death Bishop Coren conformed with the first to the Reformation of Queen Elizabeth being ever sound in his heart He was for some time Chief Justice and Chancellour of Ireland till he quitted all his Dignities in Exchange for the Bishoprick of Oxford which being attended with more quiet was more welcome to him in his old Age. He dyed 1567. Barnaby Potter was born within the Barony of Kendal 1578. and bred in Queens Colledge in Oxford whereof he became Provost He was Chaplain in Ordinary to Prince Charles being accounted at Court the Penitential Preacher and by King Charles I. was preferred Bishop of Carlile He was commonly called the Puritanical Bishop and they said of him in the time of King James that Organs would blow him out of the Church which I do not believe the rather because he loved Vocal Musick and could bear his own part therein He was a constant Preacher and performer of Family duties of a weak Constitution Melancholly lean and a hard Student He dyed in Honour being the last Bishop that dyed a Member of Parliament 1642. Statesmen Sir Edward Bellingham Knight of an Ancient and Warlike Family was Servant of the Privy Chamber to King Edward 6. who sent him over Deputy of Ireland He first extended the English pale proceeding against the Irishry in a Martial course by breaking the Moors and Connors two Rebellious Sexts He built the Forts of Leix and Offaly to secure his new Acquisition and had setled the English Plantations therein had he not been suddenly revoked before two years were expired His Souldiers never knew whither they went till they were come whither they should go Thus he surprized the rude Earl of Desmond brought him to Dublin reformed him in Civility sometimes making him to kneel an hour together before he knew his Duty till he became a new man in his behaviour This Earl all his Life after highly honoured him and at every Meal would pray to God for good Sir Edward Bellingham When the Deputy returned into England he cleared himself of many faults laid to his charge recovering the King's favour and had been sent over Deputy again save that he excused himself by indisposition of Body and dyed not long after Writers Richard Kendal an excellent Grammarian and Schoolmaster extracted a Quintessence from a vast number of Latine Grammars and boasted like a conceited Pedant that Latine only to be elegant which was made according to his Rules He flourished under Henry 6. Since the Reformation Bernard Son of Edward Gilpin Esquire was born at Kentmire 1517. and bred in Queens Colledge in Oxford He disputed against Mr. Hooper who was afterwards Martyred when indeed he did follow his Argument with his Affections He afterwards became a zealous Protestant He was Rector of Houghton in the North and boarded in his house 24 Scholars the greater number poor mens Sons upon whom he bestowed Meat Drink Cloth and Education He kept a Table for his Parishioners every Sunday from Michaelmas to Easter He commended a Marryed life in Clergy-men himself living and dying a Batchelour He bestowed 500 pounds in the building and endowing of his School He was accounted a Saint in the Judgments of his very Enemies if he had any such Being full of Faith and good works he was put in his Grave as a heap of Wheat in due time swept into the Garner dying March 4. 1583. Aet 66. Richard Mulcaster of ancient Extraction was born in this County or Cumberland and bred in Kings Colledge in Cambridge afterwards in Oxford He was chosen the first Master of Merchant Taylors School in London where his Scholars profited so well that the Merchant Taylors intended to fix him as his Desk to their School till death should remove him This he perceived and therefore gave for his Motto Fidelis servus perpetuus Asinus but after 25 years he was made Master of Pauls School Such his Discipline that the Indulgence of Parents rather encreased then mitigated his severity on their offending Children He was Plagosus Orbilius and which quallified the matter unpartial Amongst the many excellent Scholars which he bred Bishop Andrews was most remarkable At last quitting the place he became Parson of Stanford Rivers and dyed about the middle of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth Christopher Potter D. D. Kinsman to Bishop Potter was bred in and Provost of Queens Colledge in Oxford He was Chaplain in Ordinary to King Charles I. and Dean of Worcester one of a sweet nature comely Presence courteous Carriage devout Life and deep Learning He wrote an excellent Book Entituled Charity mistaken answered by a Jesuit against whom Mr. Chillingworth took up the Cudgels He dyed in the beginning of the Civil War Benefactors to the Publick Robert Langton and Miles Spencer Doctors of Law joyntly built a fair School at Appleby Robert was bred in and a Benefactor to Queens Colledge in Oxford owing the Glasing of many Windows therein to his Beneficence on which Windows he caused his Sirname to be made in this manner viz. Long or Lang ton Anne Clyfford sole Daughter and Heir to George Earl of Northumberland Wife to Richard Earl of Dorset then to Philip Earl of Pembrock and Montgomery had her greatest Estate in the North She built and endowed a most beautiful Hospital at Appleby in this County and is still living Memorable Persons Richard Gilpin who was enfeoffed in the Lordship of Kent-mire-hall by the Baron of Kendal for his singular deserts killed the wild Bore that raging in the Mountains adjoyning much endammaged the Country people whence it is that the Gilpins give the Bore in their Arms. Note that in the Reign of King Edward 1. the Hereditary Sherivalty of this County was conferred on the Lord Clifford who married Sibel eldest Daughter to Robert de Vipont Henry Lord Clifford was by Henry 8. an 1525. Created Earl of Cumberland and when Henry the 5th Earl of that Family dyed lately without issue male the Honour of the Hereditary Sherivalty reverted unto Anne the third Daughter of George Clifford the third Earl of Cumberland the Relict of Richard Earl of Dorset and since of Philip Earl of Pembrook and Montgomery by whom she had two Daughters the elder Married to the Earl of Thanet and the younger Married to James Earl of Northampton WILT-SHIRE WIlt-shire hath Glocester-shire on the North Bark-shire and Hamp-shire on the East Dorset-shire on the South and Somerset-shire on the West From North to South it extendeth 39 Miles being in bredth 29. and in circumference 139-miles A pleasant County and of great variety It is plentiful in all English Commodities especially in Wool the Manufacture of Clothing being vigorously pursued and very good Whites made
Bishop Capon Wilt-shire affordeth these Marian Martyrs Jo. Spicer Free-Mason William Coberly Taylor in Kevel burnt in Salisbury 1556. John Maundrel Husbandman Confessors John Hunt and Richard White Husbandmen at Marleborough were persecuted in Salisbury 1558 and being condemned to dye were little less then miraculously preserved as will appear hereafter Alice Coberly Wife to William Coberly forenamed failed in her Constancy The Jaylors Wife of Salisbury heating a Key fire hot and laying it in the Grass spake to this Allice to bring it unto her in doing whereof she pitiously burnt her hand and cryed out O said the other if thou canst not abide the burning of a Key how wilt thou endure thy whole Body to be burnt at the Stake whereat the said Alice revoked her opinion Cardinals Walter Winterburn born at Sarisbury and bred a Dominican Frier was an excellent Scholar and a skilful Casuist a quality which recommended him to be Confessor to King Edward 1. Pope Benedict 11. made him being 79 years of Age Cardinal of St. Savin upon the news of the death of Maklesfield at London who dyed before the Cap was sent him and this Walter 's Cap being not enjoyed one year was never a whit the worse for wearing for having made a journey to Rome to procure it in his return home he left it and the World and was buried at Genoa but his Corps afterwards brought over was interred in London 1305. Robert Halam is reported to have been born of the Royal Blood of England He was bred in and Chancellour of Oxford 1403. and was Arch-Deacon of Canterbury then Bishop of Salisbury at last made Cardinal June 6. 1411. He was one of them who represented the English Clergy both in the Council of Pisa and Constance in which last Service he dyed 1417. in Gotleby Castle Prelates Johannes Sarisburiesis a Restorer of Learning in most kinds whereof himself was most eminent He was Companion to Thomas Becket in his Exile but not in his disloyalty for which he sharply reproved him He was highly in favour with Pope Eugen 3. and Adrian 4. and yet no Author in that Age hath so pungent passages against the Pride and Covetousness of the Court of Rome For in his Polycrat he sayes Scribes and Pharisees sit in the Church of Rome His Legates do so swaggeâ— as if Satan were gone forth from the Face of the Lord to scourge the Church They eat the sins of the people with them they are clothed and many ways riot therein Who dissent from their Doctrine are condemned for Hereticks or Schismaticks c. He was generally esteemed a pious man and was by King Henry 2. made Bishop of Chartres in France where he dyed 1182. Richard Poor Dean of Sarisbury was first Bishop of Chester then of Sarisbury He removed his Cathedral most inconveniently seated for want of water c. to a place called Merry field since Sarisbury where he laid the Foundation of that stately Structure which he lived not to finish He was afterwards removed to Durham Pious was his life and peaceable his end April 2. an 1237. His Corps was buried at Tarrent in Dorset-shire in a Nunnery of his own founding and some of his Name and probably of his Alliance are still extant in this County William Edendon born at Edendon and bred in Oxford was by Edward 3. made Bishop of Winchester and Lord Treasurer of England He then first caused â—roats and half Groats to be made with some abatement of the weight He was afterwards made Lord Chancellour and erected a stately Convent for Bonhomes at Edendon in this County valued at the dissolution at 521 l. 12. s. 5 d. ½ per Annum Some condemn him for robbing St. Peter to whom with Swithin Winchester Church was dedicated to pay all Saints to whom Edendon Convent was consecrated suffering his Episcopal Palaces to decay whilst he raised up his new Foundation Whereupon after his death his Executors were sued for Dilapidations by his Successor William Wickham an excellent Architect who recovered of them 1662 l. 10 s. besides his Executors were forced to make good the standing stock of the Bishoprick which in his time was impaired viz. Oxen 1556 Weathers 4717 Ewes 3521 Lambs 3521 Swine 127. He dyed 1366 and lyeth buried under a fair Monument of Alabaster near to the Quire Richard Mayo born nigh Hungerford of good Parentage whose Sirname is since extinguished was bred in and President of Magdalens-Colledge in Oxford He was sent by King Henry 7. into Spain an 1501 to bring over the Lady Katharine to be Married to Prince Arthur After his return he was rewarded with the Bishoprick of Hereford He dyed 1516 and was buried under a Magnificent Monument in his Church Since the Reformation John Thornborough B. D. born in Salisbury and bred in Magdalens-Colledge in Oxford was a man of goodly Presence By Queen Elizabeth he was made Dean of York and Bishop of Lymrick in Ireland where he had a wonderful deliverance For an upper Floor in an old Castle wherein he his Wife and Children lay did fall down in the dead hour of the night into his Room and rested on some Chests after it had crushed Cupboards and Tables c. without hurting any living Creature An. 1. Jac. he was Consecrated Bishop of Bristol holding his other places in Commendam with it and from thence was Translated to Worcester Being a great Chymist he presented King James with an Extraction which was reputed a preserver of Health and prolonger of Life though as for the Bishop himself I conceive that his merry heart was his best Elixir Dying exceeding Aged An. Dom. 164. John Buckbridge born at Dracot was bred in Oxford where he became D. D. and President of St. Johns-Colledge He was afterwards Minister of St. Giles Cripplegate and on the 9th of June 1611 he was Consecrated Bishop of Rochester He wrote a Learned Book against John Fisher De Potestate Papae in Temporalibus He was afterwards preferred Bishop of Ely He dyed 163. and was buried in the Church of Bromly in Kent Statesmen Edward and Thomas Seimor Sons of Sir John Kt. of Wolful are here joyn'd because they were only then invincible whilst they were united in Affection First Edward Seimor Duke of Sommerset Lord Protector and Treasurer of England being the eldest Brother succeeded to a fair Inheritance He was a valiant Souldier for Land-service fortunate and generally beloved by Martial men a man of great Candour and Affability He Married Anne Daughter of Sir Edward Stanhop Knight a Lady of an high Mind and undaunted Spirit His younger Brother Thomas Seimor made Baron of Sudley by the favours of his Nephew King Edward 6. obtained a great Estate Being well experienced in Sea Affairs he was made Lord Admiral of England He was reserved and more cunning in his Carriage He Married Queen Katharine Par the Widow of King Henry 8. Very great the Animosities betwixt their Wives the Dutchess refusing to bear the
was of proof against any Meat objected to his Appetite Lampreys only excepted on a Surfeit whereof he dyed 1135. He had only two Legitimate Children William dying before and Maude surviving him both born in Normandy Thomas fifth Son of King Edward 1. and the first that he had by Margaret his second Wife was born at and Sirnamed from Brotherton a Village in this County June the 1st 1300. He was created Earl of Norfolk and Earl Marshal of England He left no Male Issue but from his Females the Mowbrays Dukes of Norfolk and from them the Earls of Arundel and the Lords Berkley are descended Richard Plantag Duke of York commonly called Richard of Connisborough from the Castle in this Shire of his Nativity was Grandchild to King Edward 3. He Married Anne Daughter and sole Heir to Edward Mortimer the true Inheritrix of the Crown But tampering too soon and too openly to derive the Crown in his Wives Right to himself by practising the death of the present King he was taken and beheaded for Treason in the Reign of King Henry 5. Edward sole Son to King Richard 3 and Anne his Queen was born in the Castle of Midleham in this County and was by his Father created Prince of Wales A Prince who himself was a Child of as much Hopes as his Father a Man of Hatred But he consumed away on a sudden dying within a Month of his Mother A Judgment on his Father a Mercy to the Prince that he might not behold the miserable end of him who begot him and a Mercy to all England for had he survived to a Mans Estate he might possibly have proved a Wall of Partition to hinder the Happy Vnion of the two Houses of York and Lancaster Saints St. Hilda Daughter to Prince Hererick Nephew to Edwin King of Northumberland lived in a Convent at Strenshalt in this County and was the Oracle of her Age being a kind of Moderatrix in a Sax. Synode held about the Celebration of Easter The most Learned English Female before the Conquest the She-Gamaliel at whose Feet many Learned Men had their Education This our English Huldah ended her holy life with a happy death 680. St. Benedict Biscop fixed himself in the Dominions of Oswy King of Northumberland and built two Monasteries the one at the influx of the River Were the other at that of the River Tine into the Sea and stockt them in his life time with 600 Benedictine Monks He made five Voyages to Rome and always returned full fraught with Reliques Pictures and Ceremonies He left Religion in England braver but not better then he found it the Gawdiness prejudicing the Gravity thereof His Monastery being but the Romish Transcript became the English Original to which all Monasteries in the Land were suddenly conformed Being struck with the dead Palsie his Soul retired into the Vpper Rooms of his Clay Cottage much employed in Meditation until the day of his death which happened 703. St. John of Beverly born at Harpham was 33 years and upwards Arch-Bishop of York being bred under Hilda aforesaid and after under Theodorus the Grecian and Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Venerable Bede his Scholar wrote his Life and supposed Miracles Being Aged he resigned his Arch-Bishoprick and retired to Beverly where he had Founded a Colledge for which he procured the Freedstool a Sanctuary from King Athelstan He dyed May 7. 722. and was buried in the Porch of his Collegiate Church A Synode held at London 1416. assigned the day of his death an Anniversary Solemnity to his Memory Thomas Plantag was Earl of Darby Lancaster Leicester a popular person and a great enemy to the two Spencers Minions to King Edward 2. who being hated as Devils for their Pride no wonder if this Thomas was honoured as a Saint or Martyr by the common sort Indeed he must be a good Chymist who can extract Saint out of Malefactor and our Chronicles generally behold him put to death for Treason against King Edward 2. But let him pass for a Provincial though no National or Loyal Saint seeing he did not Travel far enough for Romish and too far for English Canonization His beheaded Martyrdom happened at Pontfret 1322. Note Lord Herb. in the Life of King Henry 8. speaking of Reliques The Bell of St. Guthlack and the Felt of St. Thomas of Lancaster both Remedies for the Head-ach must mean this St. Thomas seeing there is no other English of the Name found in any English Martyrology Richard Role alias Hampole from the place of his Holy Life Death and Burial was a Hermite of strict Life He wrote many Books of Piety which I prefer before his Prophetical Predictions as but a degree above Almanack Prognostications He threatned the sins of the Nation with future Judgments and his Predictions if hitting were heeded if missing not marked Having spoken much against the Covetousness of the Clergy of that Age he dyed 1349. Jo. Birlington born in Birlington and bred in Oxford became Canon in the Convent of Birlington where he grew Eminent for exemplary Holiness He refused at first the Office of Prior counting himself unworthy thy thereof but upon the second proffer accepted of it 'T is said Martha and Mary were compounded in him being as pious so provident to husband the Revenues of his house to the best advantage A She-Ancorist accosting him thus Jesus is my Love and you so honour him in your heart that no earthly thing can distract you He replyed I came hither to hear from you some saving and savoury discourse but seeing you begin with such idle talk farewel He dyed 1379. being reputed though I think not Canonized a Saint whose Friend W. Slightholme asked of his friend Jo. aforesaid what might be the reason the Devil appeared so seldom in their dayes c. To whom Jo. replyed We are grown so remiss in Godliness that the Devil needs not put himself to such pains seeing less and lighter Temptations will do the deed William is reported to have been one of singular Piety and to have wrought many Miracles at his Tomb after his death which happened 1380. A certain Maid resisting the sollicitations of a Bravo was by him Murdered her Head being set up on a Yew-Tree at Horton called now Halifax The silly people conceited that the Veins which in form of little threds spread themselves betwixt the Bark and the Body of the said Tree were the very Hairs of the Virgins Head to whom they flocked in Pilgrimage Note the prevalency of Opinion Her reputation for being a Saint is transmitted to Posterity though her name be lost Martyrs The County and generally the Province of York escaped from Popish Persecution which under Gods goodness may be imputed to the tempers of their four succeeding Arch-Bishops Thomas Woolsey who was more Proud then Cruel Edward Lee who persecuted to Imprisonment none to Death save two Robert Holgate who was a parcel-Protestant Nicholas Heath a meek and moderate Man And as there
Theological Dictionary much esteemed by Divines in that Age. He was 57 years old an 1460. Jo. Harding Esquire of ancient Parentage was bred a Souldier doing good service at Roxborough-Castle against the Scots and following the Standard of King Edward adhered to him in his deepest distress He adventured into Scotland not without the manifest hazard of his Life where he so cunningly demeaned himself that he found there and fetched thence out of their Records many Original Letters which he presented to Edward 4. Out of these he Collected an History of the several Solemn Submissions publickly made and Oaths of Fealty publickly taken from the time of King Athelstan by the Kings of Scotland to the Kings of England for the Crown of Scotland though the Scots affirm that such Homage was only taken for Cumberland and some parcels held of England on the South of Tweed He wrote also a Chronicle of the English Kings from Brutus to King Edward 4. He was living 1461. Henry Parker a Carmelite at Doncaster and D. D. in Cambridge Preached a Sermon in London in which he endeavoured to prove that Christs Poverty was the Pattern of Humane Perfection and drove the Nail so far that he was imprisoned by the Bishop of London for the same and since his Holiness took the Bishops part Parker thought to recant at Pauls Cross where he had Preached before And from this time we may date the decay of the credit of the Carmelites in England moulting their Feathers afterwards till King Henry 8. cut off their Wings and Bodies Politick This Parker flourished under Edward 4. 1470. Since the Reformation Sir Francis Bigot Knight wrote a Book against the Clergy Of Impropriations He was slain 1537. among the Northern Rebels who detained Loyal Persons in their Camp until the blind Sword having Aciem but not Ocuium killed Friend and Foe in fury without distinction Wilfrid Holme of gentile Parentage lived in these parts when the two Northern Rebellions happened and when the Popish-party gave it out that the Reformation would ruine Church and State Wilfrid stated the Controversie truly clearly and wittily confuting the Priests false Reports and the Peoples causless Jealousies He dyed 1536. Thomas Roberson D. D. in Oxford was a Grammarian for Greek and Latine and an excellent Teacher of Youth He wrote Notes upon Lilly's Grammar Robert under whose name Quae Genus is written may be the same with this Thomas He flourished 1544. William Hugh bred in Corpus-Christi-Colledge in Oxford wrote a Book Entituled The troubled Mans Medicine dedicated to Queen Katharine Par. for the satisfaction of those who were troubled about the final State of their Children dying unbaptized He dyed of the breaking of a Vein 1549. Roger Ascham born at Kirby-Weik and bred in St. Johns-Colledge in Cambridge was Orator and Greek Professor of the University and an 1. Mary wrote Letters to 47 several Princes the meanest whereof was a Cardinal Travelling into Germany he was familiar with Jo. Sturmius After his return he was a Teacher to the Lady Elizabeth to whom after she was Queen he became Secretary for her Latine Letters He was an honest man a good Archer and much delighted with Cock-fighting His Latine Style was facile and fluent witness his Letters His 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a Book good for young men his School-Master for old and his Epistles for all Men. He dyed 1568. December 30. and was buried in St. Sepulchres in London Sir Henry Savil Knight born at Bradley and bred in Oxford became Warden of Merton-Colledge and Prov. of Eaton He set forth an excellent Edition of Hierom with Annotations Copies of which were stoln before the Printing thereof by Popish Emissaries and sent to France and Printed there with a Latine Translation His only Daughter was Married to Sir William Sidley of Kent Barronet He dyed at Eaton 1549. and was interred there He was an excellent Mathematician witness his Learned Lectures on Euclide He founded Mathematick Professors in Oxford whereof one was Mr. Briggs who had mightily pleased Sir Henry with a certain curious demonstration in that Science Thomas Taylor born at Richmond bred in Christs-Colledge in Cambridge entred into the Ministery at 27 years of Age continuing in the same at Reading and London 35 years A pious and charitable man and a painful Pastor A little before his death 1632. he avowed that we serve such a Master who covereth many imperfections and giveth much wages for a little work Nathaniel Shute born at Gigleswick and bred in Christs-Colledge in Cambridge was an excellent Scholar and solide Preacher at St. Mildred Poultrey in London though nothing of his is extant in Print save a Sermon called Corona Charitatis He was an uncomfortable Preacher in one sense in that he left no hope of imitation for such as should succeed him He dyed 1638. Josiah Shute Brother to Nathaniel aforesaid was bred in Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge and was afterwards Minister of St. Mary Woolnoth in London One of the most considerable Labourers in Gods Vineyard that ever was beheld in Lombard street He was good at both Positive and Controversial Divinity and had a strain of Native Eloquence Highly esteemed of his Parish till the beginning of our late Civil Wars when some began to neglect him distasting wholsome Meat because their Mouths were out of taste He dyed 1640. and was buried in his own Church One hour before his death he cheerfully entertained some of the Parishioners who came to visit him with this expression I have taught you my dear Flock for above 30 years how to live and now I will shew you in a very short time how to dye Note there were three other Brothers of this Josiah who were Ministers viz. Robert in Lyn Thomas in Chester and Timothy in Exeter George Sandys youngest Son of Sir Edwin Arch-Bishop of York was born at Bishops-Thorp A most accomplished Gentleman He travel'd to and wrote a description of the Holy Land He most elegantly Translated Ovid's Metamorphosis into English Verse and Composed some spriteful and Masculine Poems of his own He dyed about 1642. Jo. Saltmarsh of an ancient but decayed Family was bred chiefly at the Charge of Sir Thomas Metham his Kinsman in Magdalens Colledge in Cambridge He was a Poet and good Preacher Be it charitably imputed to his Conscience that of a zealous observer he became a violent oppresser of Bishops and Ceremonies He wrote against my Sermon of Reformation taking me for many points of Popery therein I defended my self in a Book called Truth maintained to which he answered not being informed I was dead at Exeter He dyed 1650 in or about Windsor as he was riding to and fro in the Parliaments Army of a burning Feaver venting on his death strange and extatical expressions Jer. Whitacre born at Wakefield was bred Master of Arts in Sidney-Colledge He became School-master of Okeham then Minister of Stretton in Rutland Being a Member in the late Assembly he behaved himself with
under his Uncle of whom hereafter in Westminster-School then in Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge where he Commenced D. D. was successively preferred Prebend of Windsor Dean of Rochester and Bishop of Glocester He lived since but was no friend to the Reformation constantly complaining of the first Reformers amongst whom he noted Ridley as a very Odd Man One being then present My Lord says he He was an Odde Man indeed for all the Popish Party in England could not match him with his equal in Learning and Religion He is the only instance amongst 200 Bishops since Queen Elizabeth who was Popishly affected He was a harmless man hurtful to none but himself pitiful to the Poor hospitable to his Neighbours against the ruining of any of an opposite Judgment and gave the most he left to pious uses He was no contemptible Historian He was made Bishop 1624. and dyed about 1655. in Westminster Writers since the Reformation William Salesbury born in this County where his Family flourisheth at this day composed an English and Weâ—sh Dictionary Printed 1547. He dyed 1560. Benefactors to the Publick since the Reformation Sir Thomas Son of Sir Richard Exmew was born at Rithin and bred in London a Goldsmith and was Lord Mayor thereof 1517. Besides Benefactions in his own Country and to St. Mary Magdalens in Milk-street London where he lyes buried he made the VVater-Conduit by London VVall at Moor-Gate Gabriel Goodman Son of Edward Goodman Esq was born at Rithin afterwards D. D. in St. Johns-Colledge in Cambridge and Dean of VVestminster for forty years The Bible was Translated into VVelsh on his cost He founded a School-house in Rythin with a competent Salary and erected an Almshouse therein for 12 poor people He repaired the House for the Minster there called the VVarden of Rythin furnishing it with Plate c. which were to descend to his Successors He purchased a fair House thereunto at Cheswick in Middlesex where with his own hands he set a fair row of Elmes for a Retiring place to the Masters and Scholars at VVestminster He was made one of the Executors of the Will of our English Nestor the Lord Treasurer Cecil for the disposing of great sums to charitable uses He dyed 1â—01 and is buried in the Collegiate Church of VVestminster whereof he so well deserved as of all England Mr. Cambden performing his perambulation about it on his Expences Sir Hugh Middleton Son of Sir Richard Middleton was born at Denbigh and bred in London This is that worthy Knight who fetcht into London VVater on his own cost more then 24 Miles encountring all the way with an Army of Oppositions grapling with Hills strugling with Rocks fighting with Forests till in defiance of difficulties he had brought his Project to Perfection A potent person and an idle Spectator struck in and by his greatness possessed a Moiety of the profit whilst the Honour thereof will remain Eternally fixed to the Memory of Sir Hugh Middleton Note Robert Earl of Leicester by his bounty advanced the Building of a new Church in Denbigh FLINT-SHIRE FLint-shire named from Flint formerly an eminent place therein hath the Sea on the North Shrop-shire on the South Cheshire on the East and Denbigh-shire on the West The smallest Shire in VVales Flint the Shire-Town is no Market Town no nor St. Asaph a City and Bishops See till made so very late But it is near to Chester the Market General of these parts and besides every Village hath a Market in it self as affording all necessary Commodities This County was Parcel of the County Palatine paying 2000 Marks called a Mize at the Change of every Earl of Chester until the year 1568. For then upon the occasion of one Thomas Radford committed to Prison by the Chamberlain of Chester this County disjoyned it self from the Earldom of Chester and united it self to the Principality though I cannot see how the one or the other could be done without an Act of Parliament Proverbs I. Mwy nag un bw a yro Ynghaer That is More then on Yugh-Bow in Chester Cheshire men have been very famous for Archery It is applyed to such who take other folks Goods for their own being mistaken with the similitude and resemblance Princes Elizabeth the 7th Daughter of King Edward 1. and Queen Lleanor was born at Ruthland Castle where antiently a Parliament was kept an Edward 1. This Princess at 14 years of Age was Married to John first of that Name Earl of Holland Zealand c. and after his death to Humfrey Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex High Constable of England by whom he had a numerous Issue She dyed 1316. and was buried in the Abby-Church of Saffron-Walden in Essex Saints Congellus or Comgallus is challenged by the Welsh for their Country-Man as being first Abbot of Banchâ—r in this County though Arch-Bishop Vsher makes him the first Abbot of Bangor in the North of Ireland He was one of a pious Life who wrote Learned Epistles and dyed an 600. Aet 85. St. Beno Instructor to St. Wenefride was it seems a good Chirurgeon to a Miracle who when VVenefride was beheaded by the Lustful Caradocus set her Head on again she living 15 years after Asaph born of Right Honourable Parentage was bred at Llan-Elvy under Mungo the Scotch Bishop of that place who had a Convent of 663 Monks almost the number of the Beast whereof 300 being more unlearned then the rest were employed in Husbandry Amongst the rest who attended Divine Service St. Asaph was eminently conspicuous for Piety and Learning insomuch that Mungo in Latine Quentigermu being called into his Country resigned both his Convent and Cathedral to him Here he demeaned himself with such Sanctity that Llan-Elvy was after his death called from him St. Asaph He was an assiduous Preacher having this Speech in his Mouth Such who are against the Preaching of Gods word envy Mans Salvation He is thought by some to have dyed about 569. After which his See was Vacant above 500 years until Jeffrey of Monmouth was placed there Prelates since the Reformation Richard Parry D. D. born at Ruthin was bred in Christs-Church in Oxford whence he was preferred Dean of Bangor and at last Bishop of St. Asaph consecrated December 30. 1604. Bishop Godwin being near to him in time and in his studies desireth to be his equal in other Episcopal Qualities Bishop Parry dyed 16. Souldiers Owen Glendower born in his ancient Patrimony of Glendower-Wye was bred in London a Student of the Common Law till he became a Courtier and Servant to King Richard 2. After whose death being in the wrong side of preferment he retired into Wales where there arose a difference between him and the Lord Gre of Ruthen about a Common which Owen by force recovered from Gre whom he killed Many spur'd his posting Ambition by telling him he was the true Heir to all North-Wales and now or never the time to regain it whereupon he brake into open Rebellion Being
Lord Dep. of Ireland where he vigorously endeavored the reduction of the Irish to Obedience to the King and profit to the Exchequer but some believe the means he used for that good end were not Legal Being charged in Parliament with many Crimes he pleaded that they amounted not to Treason But the Parliament found an Almighty expedient of giving the Name and stamping the signature of Accumulative Treason on that Brave Gentleman's past Actions By a Clause in the 25 of Edward 3. after an enumeration of many particular Treasons it is in general Enacted that whatsoever the Parliament should hereafter declare to be Treason should be accounted so by Vertue of that Statute It seems the Parliament did only pursue their power given them by that Act. But there are two things worth the consideration in this Case first According to the aforesaid Statute Such Crimes as were afterwards to be declared Treasonable ought to be of like Nature with those Treasons which are specified in the said Act. Secondly If the Parliament had made those Misdemeanors Constructive Treason before that my Lord Strafford had committed them he could have had no colour for the Plea he made But seeing where there is no Law there is no Transgression my Lord of Strafford at the time of his Misdemeanours committed was guilty of no Treason and if it was possible for him to become guilty of the same ex post facto I leave to the Learned to determine The Parliament provided his Condemnation should not pass into Precedent Some hours before his suffering he fell fast asleep alledged by his Friends as an Evidence of the clearness of his Conscience He was beheaded 1641. He hath an everlasting Monument in the great Character given him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Med. 2. p. 6. I looked upon my Lord of Strafford as a Gentelman whose Abilities might make a Prince rather affraid than ashamed in the greatest Affairs of State c. King Charles II. hath made his Son a Knight of the Garter Lyonel Cranfield Merchant Man of a great Sense was made by King James Lord Treasurer Baron of Cranfield and Earl of Middlesex Having lost the Treasurers Place by the means of the D. of Buckingham into whose displeasure he had fallen he was wont to say that the way to preserve Life was to get to be Lord Treasurer of England for they never dye in their Place which was true for 4 Successions He was a Wise and Good Man He dyed about 1644. Writers on the Law Fleta who being in the Fleet wrote an Excellent Treatise of the Common Law before the 14. R. 3. He lived about the end of E. 2. and beginning of E. 3. Christopher St. German of an ancient Family read constantly a Chapter in the Bible every night to his Family lived and dyed unmarried without the least spot on his Reputation gave Counsel and Help to all his People gratis He was excellently skilled in the Civil Canon and Common Law and Scripture Witness his Book of Doctor and Student In his several Works he plainly appeareth a Champion for the Reformation He lived to be above 80 years Old dying 1593. and was buriâ—d at St Alphage London William Rastal one of the Justices of the Kings Bench wrote the Life c. of his Uncle More and made a Comment on the Statutes of England Being a zealous Papist he fled in the Raign of Edward 6. into Flanders where he wrote against Bishop Jewel He died 1565. Souldiers Sir Th. Roper the Surname formerly Furneaux Son to Th. Servant to Queen Elizabeth was Page to Sir Jo. Norrice and was Captain of a Foot Company at 16 years of Age. Being Privy Councellour and having acquired the Reputation of a Valiant Souldier by his Services in Connaught Vlster in Ireland and Brest in France in his Voyage to Portugal at Bergen in the Netherlands c. he was An. 3. Car. created Baron of Bauntree and Visc Baltinglasse in Ireland When in Ireland he put himself in Irish Trouzes and was imitated by other English-men which easie Habit tended 〈◊〉 the more effectual execution on their Enemies He died at Ropers Rest 164. and was buried in St. Jo. Church in Dublin Civilians Sir Hen. Martin Knight bred in Oxford a great Civilian and an Eminent Advocate in the High Court of Commission and afterwards Judge of the Prerogative Court and also of the Admiralty so that as King James said pleasantly He was a mighty Monarch in his Jurisdiction over Sea and Land He died 1642. Physicians Richardus Anglicus bred first in Oxford became afterwards in Paris one of the most Eminent Writers in the Profession of Physick He Flourished 1230. Jo. Phreas bred in Oxford was afterward an Auditor of Guarinus in Ferrara He read Physick successively at Ferrara Florence Padua and Rome Pope Paul 2. made him Bishop of Bath and Wells but he died of Poison as is thought before his Consecration 1465. Andr. Borde bred I think in Oxford was Physician to Henry 8. His Book the first written of that Faculty in English was dedicated to the Colledg of Physicians in London He died in the Reign of Queen Mary Writers Nothelmus of London Bishop of London then Arch-Bishop of Canterbury wrote the Gests of Greg. the Great c. which are inserted in Bede's Church-History He died 736. William Fitz-Stephen descended of Norman Nobility was a Monk in Canterbury He wrote amongst others a Latin Book of the Description of London He flourished 1190. Albricius of London wrote a work of the Original of Heathen Gods He flourished 1217. William Sengham poor but Witty wrote de Fide and Legibus affirming the Gospel of Christ to be the onely Law for the Salvation of men about the time that a Book called The Eternal Gospel or rather the Infernal Gospel was obtruded on the World by the Friers He flourished 1260. Laurentius Anglicus bred in Paris opposed the Mock-Gospel of the Friers and wrote against False Preachers but afterwards being frightned with the Popes Thunderbolts he cowardly recanted He flourished An. 1260. Nich. Lyra a Jew by Nation and born probably in the Old Jury was converted by some Franciscans He vigorously confuted the Jews He wrote Commentaries on all the Old and New Testament keeping close to the Text therefore uncharitable the Censure Lyra delirat tho sometimes he may be wide of the mark He dyed in Paris 1340. Bankinus of London an Augustinian Frier a Violent Opposer of the Wicklevites was stopped some think Killed by the Violence of an Earthquake when ready to dispute against them in a publick Council He flourished 1382. Robert Ivory D. D. in Cambridge and President Gen. of the Carmelites adorned the Library of White Friers with his own and other Books and dyed 1392. Juliana Barnes of an ancient and Illustrious Family the Diana of her Age for Hunting c. of which with Hawking and Fishing she wrote 3 Treatises She wrote also a Book of Heraldry She
written of Orthography the Quantities of Syllables a Chronicle a Comment on Gabriel Biel On the divorce of King Henry 8. A Comment on Cato Varro c. He dyed 1535. and lyeth buried in the Chappel Masters of Musick William Lawes bred in Salisbury was of the Private Musick to King Charles I. He made several sorts of Musick for Voices and Instruments He disclaimed the covert and priviledge of the Office of Commissary and valiantly venturing his person was casually shot at the Siege of Chester The King commonly called him the Father of Musick He and his Brother were the Authors of the Composures of the Psalms He dyed 164. Benefactors to the Publick Thomas Stumps of Malmesbury an Eminent Clothier entertained as is said King Henry 8. and his Court-train coming unexpected with the plentiful Provision which was prepared for his Workmen who were forced to fast in the mean time He preserved Malmesbury Minster at the time of the general dissolution buying the same with a great sum of Money for the Townsmen by whom it was converted into a Parish Church He bought the Demesnes of Malmesbury Abbey for 1500 l. 2 s. ½ may there be many branches of such Stumps Memorable Persons Sutton of Salisbury a great Clothier in the time of King Henry 1. is by a mistake sâ—pposed to have bequeathed 100 l. to the Weavers of Salisbury which was not built till long after that King's time Michael Under-Sheriff to Sir Anthony Hungerford 1558. in the last of Queen Mary was a right Godly Man When the Writ de Haereticis Comburendis for the Execution of R. White and Jo. Hunt was brought to him instead of burning them he burnt the Writ and before the same could be renewed Dr. Geffrey the bloody Chancellour of Salisbury who procured it and Queen Mary were both dead Sir James Vicar Choral of the Church of Salisbury in the time of King Edward 6. was wholly addicted to the Study of Chymistry and pretended he had all his Skill by Inspiration He dyed about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth Noted Sheriffs Edward 3. An. 35. Henry Sturmy Lord of Woolfhall in this County Bailiff and Guardian of the Forrest of Savernake by right of Inheritance as all his Ancestors were from the time of King Henry 2. Their Hunters Horn is kept by the Seymours Dukes of Sommerset as a Monument of their descent from such noble Ancestors King Henry 6. An. 23. Jo. Basket Esquire had a dispensation from Pope Eugenius the 4th to choose a Confessor in the Parish of Salisbury who was impowred to commute his vowes of Pilgrimage to St. Peter Paul and James if he had made any such into other works of Piety Q. Elizabeth An. 11. Thomas Thin Mil. for his sudden Wealth was Summoned before the Councel some suggesting he had met with Tresor trove or used some indirect means He shewed that he had got the same by Marriage Industry and Frugality for the rest said he you have a good Mistriss Our Gracious Queen and I had a good Master the Duke of Sommerset Cambden saith that this Thomas was descended from the Ancient Family of the Bottevils 41. Walter Vaughan had for his Arms S. a Chev. betwixt three Childrens Heads cooped at the Shoulders Ar. their Peruques O. inwraped about their Necks with as many Snakes proper One of the Family is reported to have been born with a Snake about his Neck His Lands descended to Sir George a worthy Gentleman and after his issueless decease to a Brother of his who was born blind bred in Oxford and became Prebendary of Sarum K. Charles I. An. 1. Francis Seymour Mil. Grandchild to Edward Earl of Hartford and Brother to William Duke of Sommerset was by King Charles I. Created Baron of Troubridge in this County since for his Loyalty made Privy Councellour to King Charles II. and Chancellour of the Dutchy of Lancaster Battles Lansdoune Fight was fought in the Confines of this County and Sommerset July 13. 1643. and it seemed not so much an entire Battle as a heap of Skirmishes hudled together It may be said Victus Victor uterque fuit The Parliaments Forces beat the Royalists back five times with much disorder Sir Bevil Greenvil being slain in the Head of his Pikes Major Lowre in the Head of his party of Horse yet the Kings Forces alleadge demonstration of Conquest that Prince Maurice and Sir Ralph Hopton remained in the Heads of their Troops all Night and next Morning found themselves possessed of the Field and of the dead as also of Three Hundred Armes and Nine Barrels of Powder the Enemy had left behind them Round way Fight Five dayes after Prince Maurice with the Earl of Carnarvan returning and the Lord Wilmot coming from Oxford with a gallant supply of select Horse charged the Parliaments Forces under the Conduct of Sir William Waller With him were the Horse of Sir Arthur Haslerigg so well Armed that each Souldier seemed an impregnable Fortification But these were so smartly charged by the Prince that they fairly forsook the Field leaving the Foot which in English Battles bear the heat of the day to shift for themselves In the mean time Sir Ralph Hopton hurt lately with the blowing up of Powder lay sick and sore in the Town of Devizes His men wanted Match whom Sir Ralph directed to beat and boyl their Bed-cords and marching forth they effectually contributed to the total routing and ruining of the Parliaments Foot which remained Note King Edgar freed this Land from Wolves May the Flocks of this County be also freed from two legg'd Wolves Spanish Ewes whereof one being formerly brought over into England brought with it the first general contagion of Sheep and Hunger-Rot the effect of an over dry Summer WORCESTER-SHIRE WOrcester-shire hath Stafford-shire on the North Warwick-shire on the West Glocester-shire on the South Hereford and Shrop-shire on the West Being of a Triangular form it stretcheth from North to South 22 Miles from South to North-West 28 and thence to her North-East point 28 Miles The natural Commodities are Lampreys in the River Severn then Perry a Wine made of Pears There is also fine Salt made in this County which is reputed the second Salt Cellar in England There are found here many Salt Fountains but stopped up again for the preservation of Woods As for the Buildings in this County the Cathedral of Worcester was much defaced in the Civil Wars The Market Towns are generally handsomely built and no Shire in England can shew a brace of them so neat and near together as Beaudly and Kidderminster in this County being scarcely two Miles asunder Saints St. Richard born at Wich alias Droitwich bred in Oxford and beyond the Seas became Chancellour of Oxford then of Canterbury till at last he was chosen Bishop of Chichester He was a great Becketist a stout Opposer of Regal Power over Spiritual Persons on which and other accounts he wrote a Book to Pope Innocent the 4th against King Henry
3. Wherefore after his death he was Canonized by Pope Vrban the 4th As for their Report that the Wiches or Salt Pits in this County were miraculously procured by the Prayers of this Holy Man their unsavoury lie hath not a grain of probability to season it it appearing by antient Authors that Salt-water flowed there time out of Mind before sweet Milk was given by Mother or Nurse to this St. Richard Cardinals Jo. Cumin bred a Monk at Eversham in this County was by the Kings procurement chosen Arch-Bishop of Dublin and afterwards by Pope Lucius created Cardinal of St. Vellit in Italy Hugh of Evesham so applyed himself to the Study of Physick that he became the Phenix in that Faculty great was his skill in the Mathematicks and Astrology Having satisfied Pope Martin the 4th in some matters of great difficulty he was by his Holiness made Cardinal of St. Laurence 1280. Seven years after he was poysoned though Cicaonius to palliate the business said he dyed of the Plague Prelates Wulstan of Brandsford was Prior of Worcester and built a most beautiful Hall in his Convent Hence he was preferred Bishop of Worcester 1338. He was Verus Pontifex in the Grammatical Notation thereof building a fair Bridge at Brandsford over the River Teme He dyed 1349. Jo. Lowe an Augustine Friar in Wich was presented to St Asaph and afterwards made Bishop of Rochester He preserved many Manuscripts and bestowed them on the Magnificent Library which he furnished at St. Augustines in London which Library vanished away at the dissolution with the fine Steeple of that Church one person who shall be Nameless imbezelling both Books and Buildings to his private profit Edmund Bonner alias Savage was Son of Jo. Savage Priest Son to Sir Jo. Knight of the Garter and Privy Councellour to King Henry 7. His Mother Concubine to this Priest was sent out of Cheshire to cover her shame and lay down her Burden at Elmley in this County where this bouncing Babe Bonner was born Being Dr. of Laws he was employed by King Henry 8. in several Embassies beyond the Seas at which time he was Bonner was not Bonner being as yet meek and a great Cromwelite Not long after he was Consecrated Bishop of London Under King Edward 6. being deputed to Preach publickly concerning the Reformation his frigid and faint Expressions concerning the same occasioned his deprivation and Imprisonment Then it was when one jearingly saluted him Good morrow Bishop Quondam that Bonner as tartly returned Good morrow Knave semper Being restored under Queen Mary he caused the death of twice as many Martyrs as all the Bishops in England besides justly occasioning these Verses made upon him No Body speaking to Bonner All call thee Cruel and the Spunge of Blood But Bonner I say thou art mild and good Under Queen Elizabeth he was deprived and secured in his Castle I mean the Marshalsea in Southwark for as that Prison kept him from doing hurt to others it kept others from doing hurt to him being so Universally odious he had been stoned in the Streets if at Liberty The Oath being tendred to him by Horn then Bishop of Winchester he pleaded for himself that Horn was no lawful Bishop which occasioned the ensuing Parliament to confirm him and the rest of his Order to all purposes and intents After ten years Imprisonment he dyed 1569. and was buried in the Church-yard of St. George in Southwark But enough of this Herostratus who burnt so many living Temples of the Holy Ghost yet let me add one thing that being a very Corpulent Man a Constitution that argues rather a Plethorie then a Cacochymie or ill humour he seems by his cruelty to have done violence to his own disposition seeing the temper of the Mind commonly followes that of the Body But Quid non Religio potuit suadere Malorum Since the Reformation Jo. Watson born at Bengeworth was Prebendary then Dean and afterwards Bishop of Winchester 'T is said he being 60 years of Age proffered the Earl of Leicester 200 l. to be excused from the Bishoprick which the Queen understanding Nay then said she Watson shall have it he being more worthy thereof who will give 200 l. to decline then he who will give 2000 l. to attain it There were three Watsons Bishops in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth Thomas of Lincoln our Jo. of Winchester and Anthony of Chichester He dyed 15. and was buried in the Church of St. Mary Overies Statesmen Sir Thomas Coventry Knight born at Croone was eldest Son to Sir Thomas Knight one of the Justices of the Common Pleas. He was bred in and Treasurer of the Inner Temple 1618. Being first Attorney General to King James he was afterwards made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal November an 1. Car. I. by whom he was created an 4. Reg. Baron Coventry of Alesborough in this County He enjoyed the dignity of Lord Keeper fifteen years if it was not more proper to say that dignity enjoyed him This latter Age affording none better qualified for the place The Patent whereby he was created Baron makes mention of his most worthy Services to King James and King Charles I. his Prudence Courage Dexterity Integrity and Industry manifested towards the King and his Crown He dyed January 1639. before the Civil Wars Never Lord Keeper made fewer Orders which were afterwards reversed His being firmly grounded on the consent of the Parties Writers on the Law Sir Thomas Littleton Knight born in Frankley was Son of Thomas Wescot Esquire and Elizabeth Littleton his Wife and two great Kings had a great Sympathy to him who had an Antipathy each to other Henry 6. whose Serjeant he was and rode Judge of the Northern Circuit and Edward 4. who made him a Judge and in his Reign he rode the Northampton Circuit His Book of Tenures witnesseth his deep skill in the Laws and retains at this day an Authentical Reputation Insomuch that when in the Reign of King James it came in question upon a Demurrer in Law whether a Release to one Trespasser should be available or no to his Companion Sir Henry Hubbard and Judges Warberton Winch and Nicols his Companions gave judgment according to the opinion of our Littleton and openly said That they would not have his Case disputed or questioned He left three Families signally flourishing in this and the Neighbouring Counties of Stafford and Salop. This Judge and the Judicious Lord Coke who Commented on his Tenures were the two great Luminaries of the Law of England He dyed an 21. Edward 4. and lyeth buried in the Cathedral of Worcester See more of him in Stafford-shire Souldiers Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick born at the Mannor house of Salwape Jan. 28. 1381. was a person so redoubted for Martial Atchievments that Hercules his Labours found in him a real performance 1. Being hardly 22 years old an 5. Henry 4. at the Queens Coronation he Justed and Challenged all Comers 2. He bid Battle to