She was youngest Daughter and Child to Ralph Earl of Westmerland who had one and twenty and exceeded her Sisters in honour being married to Richard Duke of York She saw her Husband kill'd in battel George Duke of Clarence her second Son cruelly murdered Edward her eldest son cut off by his own intemperance in the prime of his years his two sons butchered by their Uncle Richard who himself not long after was slain at the bartel of Bosworth She was blessed with three Sons who lived to have issue each born in a several Kingdom Edward at Bourdeaux in France George at Dublin in Ireland Richard at Fotheringhay in England She saw her own reputation murdered publickly at Pââ¦uls-Cross by the procurement of her youngest son Richard taxing his eldest Brother for illegitimate She beheld her eldest Son Edward King of England and enriched with a numerous posterity  Yet our Chronicles do not charge her with elation in her good or dejection in her ill success an argument of an even and steady soul in all alterations Indeed she survived to see Elizabeth her grand child married to King Henry the seventh but little comfort accrued to her by that conjunction the party of the Yorkists were so depressed by him She lived five and thirty years a widow and died in the tenth year of King Henry the seventh 1495. and was buried by her Husband in the Quire of the Collegiate Church of Fotheringhay in Northampton-shire which Quire being demolished in the days of King Henry the eighth their bodies lay in the Church-yard without any Monument until Queen Elizabeth coming thither in Progress gave order that they should be interred in the Church and two Tombs to be erected over them Hereupon their bodies lapped in Lead were removed from their plain Graves and their Coffins opened The Duchess Cicely had about her neck hanging in a Silver Ribband a Pardon from Rome which penned in a very fine Roman Hand was as fair and fresh to be read as if it had been written but yesterday But alas most mean are their Monuments made of Plaister wrought with a Trowell and no doubt there was much daubing therein the Queen paying for a Tomb proportionable to their Personages The best is the memory of this Cicely hath a better and more lasting Monument who was a bountiful Benefactress to Queens Colledge in Cambridge Saints BEDE And because some Nations measure the worth of the person by the length of the name take his addition Venerable He was born at Girwy now called Yarrow in this Bishoprick bred under Saint John of Beverly and afterwards a Monk in the Town of his Nativity He was the most general Scholar of that age Let a Sophister begin with his Axioms a Batchelor of Art proceed to his Metaphysicks a Master to his Mathematicks and a Divine conclude with his Controversies and Comments on Scripture and they shall find him better in all than any Christian Writer in that age in any of those Arts and Sciences He expounded almost all the Bible translated the Psalms and New Testament into English and lived a Comment on those Words of the * Apostle shining as a light in the world in the midst of a crooked and perverse Generation He was no gadder abroad credible Authors avouching that he never went out of his Cell though both Cambridge and Rome pretend to his habitation Yet his Corps after his death which happened Anno 734. took a journey or rather were removed to Durham and there enshrined Confessors JOHN WICKLIFFE It is a great honour to this small County that it produced the last maintainer of Religion before the general decay thereof understand me Learned Bede and the firm restorer thereof I mean this Wickliff the subject of our present discourse True it is His Nativity cannot be demonstrated in this Bishoprick but if such a scientia media might be allowed to man which is beneath certainty and above conjecture such should I call our perswasion that Wickliff was born therein First all confess him a Northern man by extraction Secondly the Antiquary allows an ancient Family of the Wickliffs in this County whose Heir general by her match brought much wealth and honour to the Brakenburies of Celaby Thirdly there are at this day in these parts of the name and alliance who continue a just claim of their kindred unto him Now he was bred in Oxford some say in Baliol others more truly in Merton Colledge and afterwards published opinions distasteful to the Church of Rome writing no fewer than two hundred Volumns of all which largely in our Ecclesiastical History besides his translating of the whole Bible into English He suffered much persecution from the Popish Clergy Yet after long exile he by the favour of God and good Friends returned in safety and died in quietness at his living at Lutterworth in Leicestershire Anno 1387. the last of December whose bones were taken up and burnt 42. years after his death Disdain not Reader to learn something by my mistake I conceive that Mr. Fox in his Acts and Monuments had entred the Names of our English Martyrs and Confessors in his Kalender on that very day whereon they died Since I observe he observeth a Method of his own fancy concealing the reasons thereof to himself as on the perusing of his Catalogue will appear Thus VVickliff dying December the last is by him placed January the second probably out of a design to grace the new year with a good beginning though it had been more true and in my weak judgement as honourable for VVickliff to have brought up the rear of the old as to lead the front of the new year in his Kalender Prelates The Nevills We will begin with a Quaternion of Nevils presenting them in Parallels and giving them their Precedency before other Prelates some their Seniors in time because of their Honourable Extraction All four were born in this Bishoprick as I am informed by my worthy Friend Mr. Charles Nevil Vice-Provost of Kings in Cambridge one as knowing ãâã Universal Heraldry as in his own Colledge in our English Nobility as in his own Chamber in the ancient fair and far branched Family of the Nevils as in his own Study RALPH NEVIL was born at Raby in this Bishoprick was Lord Chancellour under King Henry the third none discharging that Office with greater integrity and more general commendation and Bishop of Chichester 1223. He built a fair House from the ground in Chancery Lane for himselfe and successors for an Inne where they might repose themselves when their occasions brought them up to London How this House was afterwards aliened and came into the possession of Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln from whom it is called Lincolns Inne at this day I know not Sure I am that Mr. Mountague late Bishop of Chichester intended to lay claim therunto in right of his see But alas he was likely to follow a cold scent
the Chequer and afterwards Treasurer of England and twice Embassadour to the King of France He deserved right well of his own Cathedrall and dying October 31. 1228. was buried under a Marble Tombe on the South-side of the Presbytery WILLIAM de MELTON was born in this County wherein are four villages so named and preferred therein Provost of Beverly and Canon then Arch-bishop of York He went to Avinion there to procure his Consecration I say to Avinion whither then the Court was removed from Rome and continued about threescore and ten years on the same token that those remaining at Rome almost starved for want of employment called this the seventy years captivity of Babilon Consecrated after two years tedious Attendance he returned into England and fell to finish the fair fabrick of his Cathedrall which John Roman had began expending seven hundred Marks therein His life was free from Scandall signall for his Chastity Charity Fasting and Praying He strained up his Tenants so as to make good Musick therewith but not break the string and surely Church-lands were intended though not equally yet mutually for the comfortable support both of Landlord and Tenants Being unwilling that the Infamy of Infidell should be fixed upon him according to the Apostles Doctrine for not providing for his family he bought three Mannors in this County from the Arch-bishop of Roan with the Popes Confirmation and setled them on his Brothers Son whose Descendant William Melton was High-sheriff of this County in the Fiftieth of King Edward the third There is a Place in York as well as in London called the Old-baly herein more remarkable then that in London that Arch-bishop Melton compassed it about with a great Wall He bestowed also much cost in adorning Feretrum English it the Bear or the Coffin of Saint William a Person purposely omitted by my Pen because no assurance of his English Extraction Arch-bishop Melton dyed after he had sate two and twenty years in his See Anno Domini 1340. Entombed in the Body of his Church nigh the Font whereby I collect him buried below in the Bottom of the Church that Instrument of Christian Initiation antiently advancing but a little above the Entrance into the Church HENRY WAKEFEILD is here placed with Assurance there being three Towns of that name in and none out of this County Indeed his is an Episcopall Name which might mind him of his Office the Diocess of Worcester to which he was preferred Anno 1375. by King Edward the third being his Field and he by his place to Wake or watch over it Nor hear I of any complaints to the contrary but that he was very vigilant in his Place He was also for one year Lord Treasurer of England Dying March 11. 1394. he lyeth covered in his own Church Ingenti marmore and let none grudge him the greatness of his Grave-stone if two foot larger then ordinary who made the Body of this his Church two Arches longer Westward then he found it besides a fair Porch added thereunto RICHARD SCROOPE son to the Lord Scroope of Bolton in this County brother to William Earl of Wilt-shire was bred a Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge attaining to be a man of great learning and unblamable life Nor was it so much his high extraction as his own Abilities causing him to be preferred Bishop first of Coventry and Lichfield then Arch-bishop of York Being netled with the news of his Earl-brothers Beheading he conjoyned with the Earl of Northumberland the Earl Marshall Lord Bardolph and others against King Henry the fourth as an Usurper and Invader of the Liberties of Church and State The Earl of Westmerland in outward deportment complied with him and seemed to approve a Writing wherein his main intentions were comprised so to Trepan him into his destruction Toling him on till it was too late for him either to advance or retreat the King with his Army being at Pontfract Bishop Godwin saith it doth not appear that he desired to be tried by his Peers and I believe it will appear that nothing was then Calmly or Judiciously transacted but all being done in an hurry of heat and by Martiall Authority The Executioner had five strokes at his Neck before he could sunder it from his Body Imputable not to his Cruelty but Ignorance it not being to be expected that one nigh York should be so dextrous in that trade as those at London His beheading happened Anno 1405. STEPHEN PATRINGTON was born in the Village so called in the East-riding of this County He was bred a Carmelite and Doctor of Divinity in Oxford and the three and twentieth Provinciall of his Order through out England for fifteen years It is incredible saith Leland what Multitudes of People crowded to his Sermons till his Fame preferred him Chaplain and Confessour to King Henry the fifth He was deputed of the King Commissioner at Oxford to enquire after and make Process against the Poor Wicklevites and as he was busyed in that employment he was advanced to the Bishoprick of Saint Davids Hence he was sent over to the Councill of Constance and therein saith Walsingham gave great Testimony of his ability Returning into England he was made Bishop of Chichester but dying before his Translation was finished 1417. was buried in White-fryars in Fleetstreet WILLIAM PEIRCY was Son to Henry Peircy second Earl of Northumberland of that Name and Eleanour Nevill his Wife Indeed the Son of a Publique Woman conversing with many men cannot have his Father certainly assigned and therefore is commonly called Filius Populi As a base child in the Point of his Father is subject to a shamââ¦full so is the Nativity of this Prelate as to the Place thereof attended with an Honorable Uncertainty whose Noble Father had so many houses in the Northern Parts that his Son may be termed a Native of north-North-England but placed in this County because Topliffe is the Principall and most Antient seat of this Family He was bred a Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge whereof he was Chancellour and had a younger Brother George Peircy a Clerk also though attaining no higher preferment then a Prebend in Beverly Our William was made Bishop of Carlile 1452. Master Mills erroneously maketh him afterwards Bishop of Wells and it is enough to detect the mistake without disgracing the Mistaker He died in his See of Carlile 1462. CUTHBERT TONSTALL was born at Hatchforth in Richmond-shire in this County of a most Worshipfull Family whose chief seat at Tonstall Thurland not far off and bred in the University of Cambridge to which he was in books a great Benefactor He was afterwards Bishop of London and at last of Durham A great Grecian Orator Mathematician Civilian Divine and to wrap up all in a word a fast friend to Erasmus In the raign of King Henry the eight he publiquely confuted the papall supremacy in a learned Sermon with various and solid arguments preached on
Professors in Oxford wherein he founded two allowing a liberall salary unto them THOMAS TAYLOR was born at Richmond in this County where his father a bountifull entertainer of people in distress was Recorder of the Town He was afterwards bred in Christs-colledge in Cambridge and chose a Fellow thereof This Timothy grave when green entred very young but not raw into the Ministry at 21. years of age and continued in the same at Reading and London for the space of thirty five years His Sermons were generally well studied and he was wont to say That oftimes he satisfied himself the least when he best pleased his people not taking such pains in his preaching His flock was firmly founded and well bottomed on Catechistacall Divinity It being observed that his Auditors stuck close to their principles in this Age wherein so many have reeled into damnable Errors He was a great giver of Alms but without a Trumpet and most strict in his Conversation Zeal for the House of God may be said in some sort to have Consumed him Dying in the fifty six year of his age Anno Domini 1632. comfortably avowing at his death that we serve such a Master Who covereth many imperfââ¦ctions and giveth much wages for a little work NATHANIELL SHUTE was born at Gigleswick in this County Christopher Shute his father being the painfull Vicar thereof He was bred in Christs-colledge in Cambridge A most excellent schollar and solid preacher Though nothing of his is extant in Print save a Sermon call'd Carona Charitatis preached at the funerall of Master Fââ¦shbourn But the goodness of the Land of Canaan may as well be guessed from one great bunch of grapes as if the spies had brought whole vineyards along with them Indeed he was a profouââ¦d and profitable preacher for many years together at St. Mildred Poultrey in London One in the University being demanded his judgement of an excellent sermon in Saint Maries returned that It was an uncomfortable sermon leaving no hope of imitation for such as should succeed him In this sense alone I must allow Master Nathaniel Shute an uncomfortable preacher though otherwise a true Barnabas and Son of consolation possessing such as shall follow him in time with a dispair to equall him in eminency He died Anno Domini 1638. when our English skââ¦e was clouded all over and set to rain but before any drops of war fell down amongst us Doctor Holdesworth most excellently preached his Funerall Sermon taking for his text We have this our treasure in earthly vessels JOSIAH SHUTE brother to Nathaniel aforesaid was bred in Trinity colledge in Cambridge and became afterwards Minister of Saint Mary Woolnoââ¦h in London and was Reader I doe say and will maintain it the most Pretious Jewell that was ever shewn or seen in Lumbardstreet All Ministers are Gods Husband mââ¦n but some of them can onely plough in soft ground whose Shares and Coultures will turn Edge in a hard point of Divinity No ground came amiss to Master Shute whether his Text did lead him to controversiall or positive Divinity having a strain without straining for it of native Eloquence he spake that which others studied for He was for many years and that most justly highly esteem'd of his Parish till the beginning of our late Civil Warrs somâ⦠began to neglect him distasting wholesome meat well dressed by him merely because their mouths were out of tast by that generall distemper which in his time was but an Ague afterwards turn'd to a feaver and since is turn'd to a Frensy in our Nation I insist hereon the rather for the comfort of such godly Ministers who now suffer in the same nature wherein Mr. Shute did before indeed no servant of God can simply and directly comfort himself in the sufferings of others as which hath something of envy therein yet may he do it consequentially in this respect because thereby he apprehends his own condition herein consistent with Gods love and his own salvation seeing other precious Saints tast with him of the same affliction as many godly Ministers doe now a days whose sickles are now hung up as useless and neglected though before these Civil Warrs they reaped the most in Gods harvest Master Shute dyed Anno Domini 1640. and was buried with great solemnity in his own Church Master Udall preaching his Funerall Sermon since his death his excellent Sermons are set forth on some part of Genesis and pity it is there is no more extant of his worthy indeavours It must not be forgotten how retiring a little before his death into the Country some of his Parishioners came to visit him whom he chearfully entertained with this expression I have taught you my dear flock for above thirty years how to live and now I will shew you in a very short time how to dye He was as good as his word herein for within an Hour he in the presence of some of them was peaceably dissolved Be it also known that besides these two brothers Nathaniel and Josiah fixed in the City of London there were three more bred and brought up in the Ministry viz. Robert preacher at Lyn Thomas Minister for a good time in Chester and Timothy lately if not still alive a preacher in Exeter All great though not equall Lights are set up in fair Candlesticks I mean places of eminency and conveniently distanced one from another for the better dispersing of their Light and good Housewives tell me Old Candles are the best for spending Happy their Father who had his Quiver full with five such Sons he need not be ashamed to see his Enemies in the Gate It is hard to say whether he was more happy in his sons or they in so good a Father and a wary man will crave time to decide the doubt untill the like instance doth return in England GEORGE SANDYS youngest son of Edwin Sandys Arch-bishop of York was born at Bishops-Thorp in this County he proved a most accomplished gentleman and an observant Travailer who went as far as the Sepulchre at Jerusalem and hath spared other mens pains in going thither by bringing the Holy Land home to them so lively is his description thereof with his passage thither and return thence He most elegantly translated Ovid his Metamorphosis into English verse so that as the soul of Aristotle was said to have transmigrated into Thomas Aquinas because rendring his sence so naturally Ovid's genius may seem to have passed into Master Sandys He was a servant but no slave to his subject well knowing that a Translatour is a person in free Custody Custody being bound to give the true sense of the Author he translated Free left at liberty to cloath it in his own expression Nor can that in any degree be applyed to Master Sandys which one rather bitterly then falsly chargeth on an Author whose name I leave to the Readers conjecture We know thou dost well as a Translatour But where things require a genius
of such who secretly design their overthrow whom they openly embrace Hengsten down well ywrought Is worth London town dear ybought The truth hereof none can confirm or confute seeing under-ground-wealth is a Nemo scit and vast may the treasure be of Tinne in this Down Sure I am that the gainfull plenty of metall formerly afforded in this place is now fallen to a scantsaving-scarcity But to make the Proverbe true it is possible that the Cornish Diamonds found therein may be pure and orient as better concocted in the bowells thereof For though crafty not to say dishonest Chapmen put the best grain in the top and worst in the bottome of their sack such is the integrity of nature that the coursest in this kind are higher and the purest still the lowest Tru-ru Triveth eu Ombdina geveth try-ru Which is to say Trââ¦u consisteth of three streets and it shall in time be said Here Truru stood I trust the men of this town are too wise to give credit to such predictions which may justly prove true to the superstitious believers thereof Let them serve God and defie the Devil with all his Pseudo-prophesies Like to this is another fond observation presaging some sad success to this Town because ru ru which in English is Woe Woe is twice in the Cornish name thereof But let the men of Truru but practice the first syllable in the name of their town and they may be safe and secure from any danger in the second He doth sail into Cornwall without a Bark This is an Italian Proverb where it passeth for a description or derision rather of such a Man who is wronged by his Wises disloyalty I wonder the Italians should take such pains to travail so far to fetch this expression having both the Name and Matter nearer home Name Having the field Cornetus Campus in agro falisco called Corneto at this day And a people called Corni in Latium with the Cornicti montes near Tiber not to speak of its two Promontories tearmed by good Authors Cornua duo Italiae the two Horns of Italy Matter Keeping their wives under restraint as generally full of Jealousie which if just I much bemoan the Gaolers if not I more pity their Prisoners Whereas in our Cornwall the Wives liberty is the due reward of their Chastity and the Cause of their husbands comfortable confidence therein He is to be summoned before the Mayor of Halgaver This is a joculary and imaginary Court wherewith men make merriment to themselves presenting such Persons as go Slovenly in their Attire untrussed wanting a spur c. Where judgement in formal terms is given against them and executed more to the scorn then hurt of the persons But enough hereof least I be summoned thither my self When Dudman and Ramehead meet These are two forelands well known to Sailers well nigh twenty miles asunder and the Proverbe passeth for the Periphrasis of an impossibility However these two Points have since met together though not in position in possession of the same owner Sir Pierce Edgecombe enjoying one in his own the other in right of his wife Saints SAINT KIBY was son to Solomon Duke of Cornwall whom severall inducements moved to travail First because A Prophet hath the least Honour in his own Country Secondly because Britain at that time was infected with Arianisme Thirdly because he had read so much of the works and heard more of the worth of Saint Hilary Bishop of Poicteers in France This main motive made him address himself to that worthy Father with whom he lived fifty years and afterwards saith learned Leyland was by him made Bishop of the Isle of Anglesey Pardon me Reader if suspending my belief herein seeing surely that holy and humble French Saint would not pretend to any Metropoliticall power in appointing a Bishop in Britain More probable it is that Saint Hilary made him a Bishop at large sine titulo whereof there are some precedents in Antiquity However into Wales he went and there converted the Northern parts thereof to and confirmed the rest in Christianity A Three-fold memoriall is in the Isle of Anglesey extant at this day One of his Master in Point Hilary another of himself in Caer-Guiby and a third of both in Holyhead He florished about the year of our Lord 380. URSULA daughter to Dinoth Duke of Cornwall was born in this County This is she who se life is loaden with such Anticronismes and Improbabilities that it is questionable whether this fable was ever founded in a truth or hath any thing in History for its Original This Ursula is said to have carried over out of Britain eleven thousand Maids of prime quality besides threescore thousand of meaner rank seventy one thousand in all a prodigious number to be married to so many in little Britain in France Preposterous in my mind to proffer themselves and it had argued more modesty if their Husbands had fetcht them hence But blame them not who paid so dear for their Adventures All shipp'd from London some of them were drowned in their Passage the rest slain by the Hunnes of Colen say some at Rome say others by King Attila under Gratian the Emperour Mendacium Aequabile observing equall Temper of untruth in time place and person However there is a Church at Colen dedicated to their Memories where the Virgin Earth let the reporter have the Whetstone will digest no other body no not the Corps of an Infant newly Baptised as good a Maid I believe as the best of them but will vomit it up in the night time again as if they had never been buried This Massacre is reported to have happened in the year of our Lord 383. SAINT MELIORUS was onely son of Melianus Duke of this County who being secretly made a Christian was so maliced by Rinaldus his Pagan-brother-in-law that he first cut off his right-hand and then his left-legg no reason of this transposed method of cruelty save cruelty and at last his head about the year 411. whose body being buried in some old Church in this County by the miracles reported to be done thereat procured the reputation of a Saint to his memory Prelates WILLIAM de GREN-VIL was born of a worshipfull family in this County and became Canon of York Dean of Chichester Chancellour of England under K. Edward the first and Arch-bishop of York But the worst was two years his Confirmation was deferred untill he had paid nine thousand fiveh undred marks Let him thank the Pope who gave him the odd five hundred not mounting it to even ten thousand Besides he had this favour not as many others to be consecrated by a Proxy but the very hands of P. Clement the fifth This paiment reduced him to such poverty he was relieved by the Clergy of his Province by way of Benevolence This not doing the deed to make him a Saver he was fain to crave another help
without the Brittleness thereof soon Ripe and long Lasting in his Perfections He Commenced Doctor in Physick and was Physician to Queen Elizabeth who Stamped on him many Marks of her Favour besides an Annuall Pension to encourage his Studies He addicted himself to Chemistry attaining to great exactness therein One saith of him that he was Stoicall but not Cynicall which I understand Reserv'd but not Morose never married purposely to be more beneficiall to his Brethren Such his Loyalty to the Queen that as if unwilling to survive he dyed in the same year with her 1603. His Stature was Tall Cââ¦plexion Cheerfull an Happiness not ordinary in so hard a Student and retired a Person He lyeth buried in Trinity Church in Colchester under a plain Monument Mahomets Tombe at Mecha is said strangely to hang up attracted by some invisible Load-stone but the Memory of this Doctor will never fall to the ground which his incomparable Book De Magnete will support to Eternity Writers GERVASE of TILBURY born at that Village in this County since famous for a Cââ¦mpe against the Spaniards in 88. is reported Nephew to King Henry the second But though Nepos be taken in the Latitude thereof to signify Son to Brother Sister or Child I cannot make it out by the Door and am loth to suspect his coming in by the Window This Gervase may be said by his Nativity to stand but on one foot and that on tip toes in England being born on the Sea side at the mouth of Thames and therefore no wonder if he quickly convayed himself over into Forraign Parts He became Courtier and favorite to his Kinsman Otho the fourth Emperour who conferred on him the Marshal-ship of the Arch-bishoprick of Arles which proveth the Imperiall Power in this Age over some parts of Province an office which he excellently discharged Though his person was wholly conversant in Forraign Aire his Pen was chiefly resident on English Earth writing a Chronicle of our Land and also adding illustrations to Gââ¦ffrey Monmouth He flourished Anno 1210. under King John ADAM of BARKING no mean market in this County was so termed from the Town of his Nativity Wonder not that being born in the East of England he went West-ward as far as Sherborn where he was a Benedictine for his education it being as usuall in that age for Monkes as in ours for Husbandmen to change their soil for the seed that their grain may give the greater encrease He was a good Preacher and learned Writer and surely would have soared higher if not weighed down with the ignorance of the age he lived in whose death happened Anno 1216. RALPH of COGSHALL in this County was first Canon of Barnewell nigh Cambridge and afterwards turn'd a Cistertian Monke He was a man Incredibilis frugalitatis parsimoniae but withall of great learning and abilities These qualities commended him to be Abbot of Cogshall the sixth in order after the first foundation thereof where he spent all his spare hours in writing of Chronicles and especially of additions to Radulphus Niger Afflicted in health he resigned his place and died a private person about the year 1230. ROGER of WALTHAM was so called from the place of his Nativity I confess there be many Walthams in England and three in Essex but as in Herauldry the plain Coat speaks the bearer thereof to be the best of the house whiles the younger Brethren give their Armes with differences so I presume that Waltham here without any other addition of Much Waltham Wood-Waltham c. is the Chief in that kind viz. Waltham in this County within twelve Miles of London eminent in that Age for a wealthy Abby The merit of this Roger being saith Bale tersè nitidè eleganter eruditus endeared him to Fulke Basset Bishop of London who preferred him Canon of Saint Pauls He wrot many worthy works flourishing under King Henry the third Anno Domini 1250. JOHN GODARD wherever born had his best being at Cogshall in this County where he became a Cistercian Monke Great was his skill in Arithmetick and Mathematicks a Science which had lain long asleep in the World and now first began to open it's eyes again He wrot many certain Treatises thereof and dedicated them unto Ralph Abbot of Cogshall He flourished Anno Dom. 1250. AUBREY de VERE extracted from the right Honorable Earls of Oxford was born saith my Authors in Bonaclea Villa Trenovantum Three miles srom Saint Osith by which direction we find it to be Great Bentley in this County Now although a witty Gentleman saith that Noble-men have seldome any thing in Print save their Cloths yet this Aubrey so applyed his studies that he wrote a Learned Book of the Eucharist In his old age he became an Augustinian of Saint Osiths preferring that before other places both because of the pleasant retireness thereof and because his kindred were great Benefactors to that Covent witness their Donation de septem Libratis terrae thereunto This Aubrey the most learned of all Honorable Persons in that Age Flourished Anno Domini 1250. THOMAS MALDON was born at Maldon no mean Market Town in this County anciently a City of the Romans called Camulodunum He was afterwards bred in the University of Cambridge where he Commenced Doctor of Divinity and got great reputation for his Learning being a Quick Disputant Eloquent Preacher Solid in Defining Subtle in Distinguishing Clear in Expressing Hence he was chosen Prior of his own Monastery in Maldon where he commendably discharged his place till the day of his death which happened 1404. THOMAS WALDENSIS was son to John and Maud Netter who declining the Surname of his Parents took it from Walden the noted place in this County of his Nativity so much are they mistaken that maintain that this Waldensis his name was Vuedale and that he was born in Hant-shire In some sort he may be termed Anti-Waldensis being the most professed Enemy to the Wicklevites who for the main revived and maintained the Doctrine of the Waldenses Being bred a Carmelite in London and Doctor of Divinity in Oxford he became a great Champion of yet Vassall to the Pope witness his sordid Complement consisting of a conjunction or rather confusion and misapplication of the words of Ruth to Naomi and David to Goliah Perge Domine Papa perge quò cupis ego tecum ubicunque volueris nec deseram in Authoritate Dominorum meorum incedam in armis eorum pugnabo He was in high esteem with three succeeding Kings of England and might have changed his Coul into what English Miter he pleased but refused it Under King Henry the fourth he was sent a solemn Embassadour 1410. about taking away the Schismâ⦠and advancing an Union in the Church and pleaded most eloquently before the Pope and Segismund the Emperour He was Confââ¦ssor and Privy Councellour to King Henry the fifth who died in his
censure him for deserting his Principles yet he is said on his death-bed to have given full ââ¦tisfaction to such who formerly suspected his sincerity to the Presbyterian Discipline dying Anno Dom. 1655. He was solemnly buried in the ââ¦bbey at Westminster Exiââ¦-Romish-Writers RICHARD BROUGHTON was born at Great Steuckley in this County bred at Rhemes in France where he received the Order of Priesthood and was sent over into England for the propagation of his partie Here he gave so signal testimony and fidelity to the cause that he was before many others preferred Assistant to the English Arch-Priest He wrote many books and is most esteemed by those of his own Religion for his English Ecclesiastical History from the first planting of the Gospel to the coming in of the Saxons But in plain truth there is little milk no creame and almost all whey therein being farced with Legendary stuff taken from Authors some of condemned most of suspected credit If by the Levitical Law a bastard should not enter into the congregation of the Lord understand it to bear Office therein to the tenth generation it is pity that adulterated Authours being an illegitimate off-spring should be admitted to bear rule in Church-History This Broughton was living in the latter end of the Reign of King Iames. Benefactors to the Publicke AMBROSE Son to Iohn Nicholas was born at Needenworth in this County whence he went to London and was bound apprentice to a Salter thriving so well in his Trade that Anno 1576. he became Lord Mayor of London He founded Twelve Almes houses in Mungwel-street in that City indowing them with Competent maintenance Sir WOLSTAN Son to Thomas Dixie was born at Catworth in this County bred a Skinner in London whereof he became Lord Mayor Anno 1585. He was a man made up of deeds of Charitie the particulars whereof are too long to recite He gave 600. pound to Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge to the founding of a Fellowship Erected a Free-school at Bosworth in Leicestershire and Endowed it where his family flourish at this day in a worshipfull Estate RICHARD FISHââ¦OURN was born in the Town of Huntington cut out of no mean Quarry being a Gentleman by his Extraction Leaving a Court life as more pleasant then profitable He became servant to Sir Raptist Hicks afterwards Viscount Camden and by Gods blessing on his industry attained a great Estate whereof he gave two thousand pounds for the buying out of Impropriations in the Northern parts and setling a preaching Ministery where most want thereof he bequeathed as much to the Company of Mercers whereof he was free and the same summe to Huntington the place of his Nativity with One thousand marks to Christ-Church Hospital The whole summe of his benefactions amounted to ten thousand seven hundred pounds and upwards briefly summed up in his Funeral Sermon commonly called Corona Charitatis preached by Master Nathaniel Shute wherein to use his Expression He supped up many things with a very short breath contracting his Deeds of Charity to avoid tediousness Nor must it be forgotten how this Gentleman lying on his death-bed when men are presumed to speak with unmasked consciences did professe that to his knowledge he had got no part of his goods unjustly No man of his Quality won more Love in health Prayers in sicknesse and Lamentation at his Funeral dying a single man and buried in Mercers Chappel May the 10. 1625. Memorable Persons Sir OLIVER CROMWELL Knight son of Sir Henry Cromwell Knight of Hinching-brooke in this County is Remarkable to Posterity on a four-fold account First For his hospitality and prodigious entertainment of King James and his Court. Secondly for his upright dealing in bargain and sale with all chapmen so that no man who soever purchased Land of him was put to charge of three pence to make good his Title Yet he sold excellent penniworths insomuch that Sir Iohn Leamon once Lord Mayor of London who bought the fair Manour of Warboise in this County of him affirmed That it was the cheapest Land that ever he bought and yet the dearest that ever Sir Oliver Cromwell sold. Thirdly for his Loyalty alwayes beholding the Usurpation and Tyranny of his Nephew God-Son and NAME-SAKE with Hatred and Contempt Lastly for his Vivacity who survived to be the oldest Gentleman in England who was a Knight Though not the oldest Knight who was a Gentleman seeing Sir George Dalston younger in years yet still alive was Knighted some dayes before him Sir Oliver died Anno Dom. 1654. The Names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the Twelfth year of King Henry the Sixth William Bishop of Lincoln Commissioners John de Tiptofte Chivaler  Roger Hunt Knights for the Shire  William Waton Knights for the Shire  Abbatis de Ramsey Abbatis de Sautrey Prioris de Huntington Prioris de S. Neoto Prioris de Stonle Archidiaconi Eliensis Rectoris de Somerham PrebendaÅii Ecclesiae Lincolniens Domini de Leighton Rectoris Ecclesiae de Bluntesham Vicarii Ecclesiae de Gurmecest Vicarii Ecclesiae de S. Neoto Rect. Ecclesiae de Ript Abbatis Nicholai Stivecle Militis Roberti Stonham armigeri Everardi Digby armigeri Radulphi Stivecle armigeri Thomae Devyll armigeri Thomae Nesenham armigeri Henrici Hethe Johannis Bayons armigeri Rogeri Lowthe Edwardi Parker Walteri Taillard Iohannis Eyr Iohannis Bekeswell Willielmi Castell Willielmi Waldesheefe Thomae Freman Ioannis Donold Walteri Mayll Roberti Boteler de Alyngton Roberti Boteler de Hilton Iohannis Kirkeby Iohannis Sankyn Roberti Langton Reginaldi Rokesden Iohannis Pulter Roberti Wene Iohannis Sampson de Somersh Thomae Clerevax Radulphi Pakynton VVillielmi Est Richardi Est Roberti Creweker VVillielmi Maister Iohannis Morys VVillielmi Druell de VVeresle Radulphi Ioce Iohannis Devyll de Chescerton Iohannis Cokerham Richardi Bââ¦singham I. Cokeyn Parker de Kimbolton Richardi Burgham Richardi Parker de Bukden Thomae Alcumbury VVillielmi Boteler de VVeresle VVill. Iudde dâ⦠Sancto Ivone VVillielmi VVassingle VVillielmi VVardale VVillielmi Colles Laurentii Merton Thomae Judde Willielmi Boteler de Ramsey Thomae Barboure de Eadem Thomae Rede Thomae Irlle Willielmi Holland Williel Smith de Alcumbury Williel Hayward de Buckworth Richardi Boton Iohannis Cross senioris Edmundi Fairstede Willielmi Erythe Willi. Skinner de Brampton Willielmi West Thomae Daniel Willielmi Daniel Iohannis Barbour Thomae Parker de S. Neoto Edm. Faillour de Kymbolton Thomae Bowelas Willielmi ââ¦eete Willielmi Talers Thomae Aungevin Walteri Godegamen Iohannis Cage Johannis Manypeny Johannis Copgray clerici Willielmi Arneburgh Henrici Attehill Johannis Charwalton Edmundi Ulfe Willielmi Hare Johannis Dare Willielmi Sturdivale Richarde Brigge Mich. Carleton Ballivi ejusdeÌ Ville Huntington Georgei Giddyng Iohannis Chikson Iohannis Pecke Thome Charwalton Iohannis Abbotesle I meet with this uncomfortable passage in Mr. Speeds or rather in Sir Robert Cottons description of this Shire Thus as this City so the old families have been here with time out worne
the vomit of Popery which my charity will not believe Indeed in the first of Queen Mary he was outed of his Bishoprick for being married and all that we can recover of his carriage aââ¦terwards is this passage at the examination of Master Thomas Hauke Martyr When John Bird then very old brought Boner a bottle of Wine and a dish of Apples probably a present unto him for a Ne noceat and therefore not enough to speak him a Papist in his perswasion Bishop Boner desired him to take Haukes into his Chamber and to try if he could convert him whereupon after Boners departure out of the room the quondam Bishop accosted Haukes as followeth I would to God I could do you some good you are a young man and I would not wish you to go to far but learn of the elders to bear somewhat He enforced him no further but being a thorough old man even fell fast asleep All this in my computation amounts but to a passive compliance and is not evidence enough to make him a thorough paced Papist the rather because John Pitts omitteth him in the Catalogue of English-writers which no doubt he would not have done had he any assurance that he had been a radicated Romanist Nothing else have I to observe of him but onely that he was a little man and had a pearl in his eyes and dying 1556. was buried in Chester States men Sir NICHOLAS THROCKMORTON Knight fourth Son of Sir George Throckmorton of Coughton in this County was bred beyond the Seas where he attained to great experience Under Queen Mary he was in Guild-Hall arraigned for Treason compliance with Wyat and by his own warie pleading and the Jurie's upright verdict hardly escaped Queen Elizabeth employed him Her Leiger a long time first in France then in Scotland finding him a most able Minister of State yet got he no great wealth and no wonder being ever of the opposite party to Burleigh Lord Treasurer Chamberlain of the Exchequer and Chief Butler of England were his highest preferments I say Chief Butler which office like an empty covered cup pretendeth to some state but affordeth no considerable profit He died at supper with eating of salates not without suspicion of poison the rather because hapning in the house of one no mean artist in that faculty R. Earl of Leicester His death as it was sudden was seasonable for him and his whose active others will call it turbulent spirit had brought him into such trouble as might have cost him at least the loss of his personal estate He died in the fifty seventh year of his age February the 12. 1570. and lyeth buryed in the South-side of the Chancel of St. Katharine Cree-Church London EDWARD CONWAY Knight Son to Sir John Conway Knight Lord and Owner of Ragleigh in this County This Sir John being a Person of Great skill in Military affaires was made by Robert Earl of Leicester Generall of the English Auxiliaries in the united Provinces Governour of Ostend His Son Sir Edward succeeded to his Fathers Martial skill and valour and twisted therewith peaceable policy in State-affaires so that the Gown and the Sword met in him in most Eminent Proportion and thereupon King James made Him one of the Principal Secretaries of State For these his good services he was by him created Lord Conway of Ragleigh in this County and afterwards by King Charles Viscount Killultagh in the County of Antrim And lastly in the third of King Charles Viscount Conway of Conway in Carnarvanshire England Ireland and Wales mutually embracing themselves in His Honours He dyed January the third Anno 1630. JOHN DIGBY Baron of Sherborn and Earl of Bristol was born in this County a younger Son of an ancient family long flourishââ¦ng at Coleshull therein To pass by his Infancy all Children being alike in their long Coats his Youth gave pregnant hopes of that Eminency which his mature age did produce He didken the Emhassador-Craft as well as any in his age employed by King James in several services to frreign Princes recited in his Patent which I have perused as the main motives of the Honors conferr'd upon him But his managing the Matchless Match with Spain was his Master-piece wherein a Good I mean a Great number of State-Traverses were used on both sides His contest with the Duke of Buckingham is fresh in many mens Memories charges of High Treason mutually flying about But this Lord fearing the Dukes Power as the Duke this Lorââ¦s policy it at last became a Drawn Battail betwixt them yet so that this Earl lost the love of King Charles living many years in his Dis-favour But such as are in a Court-Cloud have commonly the Countries Sun-shine and this Peer during his Eclyps was very Popular with most of the Nation It is seldom seen that a favorite once Broken at Court sets up again for himself the hap rather then happiness of this Lord the King graciously reflecting on him at the beginning of the Long-Parliament as one Best able to give him the safest Counsell in those dangerous Times But how he incensed the Parliament so far as to be excepted Pardon I neither do know nor dare enquire Sure I am after the surrender of Exeter he went over into France where he met with that due respect in forraign which he missed in his Native Country The worst I wish such who causelesly suspect him of Popish inclinations is that I may hear from them but half so many strong Arguments for the Protestant Religion as I have heard from him who was to his commendation a Cordial Champion for the Church of England He dyed in France about the year 1650. Writers WALTER of COVENTRIE was born and bred a Benedictine therein Bale saith he was Immortali vir dignus Memoria and much commended by Leland though not of set purpose but sparsim as occasion is offered He excelled in the two Essential Qualities of an Historian Faith and Method writing truly and orderly onely guilty of Coursness of style This may better be dispenced with in him because Historia est res veritatis non Eloquentiae because bad Latin was a catching disease in that age From the beginning of the Britons he wrote a Chronicle extant in Bennet Colledge Library to his own time He flourished Anno 1217. VINCENT of COVENTRIE was born in the chief City in this shire and bred a Franciscan though Learned Leland mistakes him a Carmelite in the University of Cambridg His order at their first entrance into England looked upon learning as a thing beneath them so totally were they taken up with their Devotion This Vincent was the first who brake the Ice and then others of his order drank of the same water first applyed himself to Academicall studies and became a publick Professor in Cambridge he set a Coppy for the Carmelites therein to imitate who not long after began their publick Lectures in the same place he
found in the name of ALCUINUS LUCIANUS Thus these Nominall Curiosities whether they hit or miss the Mark equally import nothing to Judicious Beholders He was made first Abbot of Saint Augustines in Canterbury and afterward of Saint Martins in the City of Towers in France and dying Anno 780 he was buried in a small Convent appendant to his Monastery He is here entred under the Topick of Saints because though never solemnly canonized he well deserved the Honor His Subjects said to David Thou art worth ten Thousand of us and though I will not ascend to so high a Proportion many of the Modern Saints in the Church of Rome must modestly confess that on a Due and True estimate our Alcuinus was worth many Scores of them at least so great his Learning and holy his Conversation SEWALL had his Nativity probably in these Parts But he was bred in Oxford and was a Scholar to St. Edmund who was wont to say to him Sewald Sewald thou wilt have many Afflictions and dye a Martyr Nor did he miss much of his mark therein though he met with Peace and Plenty at first when Arch-bishop of York The occasion of his Trouble was when the Pope plenitudine potestatis intruded one Jordan an Italian to be Dean of York whose Surprised Installing Sewald stoutly opposed Yea at this time there were in England no fewer then three Hundred Benefices possessed by Italians where the People might say to them as the Eunuch to Philip How can we understand without an ââ¦nterpreter Yea which was far worse they did not onely not teach in the Church but mis-teach by their lascivious and debauched behaviour Asfor our Sewald Mathew Paris saith plainly that he would not bow his Knee to Baal so that for this his contempt he was excommunicated and cursed by Bell Book and Candle though it was not the Bell of Aarons Garment nor Book of Scripture nor the Candle of an Unpartiall Judgement This brak his heart and his Memory lyeth in an Intricate posture peculiar almost to himself betwixt Martyr and no Martyr a Saint and no Saint Sure it is ââ¦ewall though dying excommunicated in the Romish is reputed Saint in Vulgar estimation and some will maintain that the Popes solemn Canonization is no more requisite to the making of a Saint then the Opening of a Manâ⦠Windows is necessary to the lustre of the Sun Sewald died Anno Dom. 1258. Bale who assumeth liberty to himself to surname Old-writers at his pleasure is pleased to Addition this worthy man Sewaldus Magnanimus Martyrs VALENTINE FREESE and his Wife were both of them born in this City and both gave their lives therein at one Stake for the testimony of Jesus Christ Anno Domini 1531. Probably by order from Edward Lee the cruell Arch-bishop I cannot readily call to mind a man and his wife thus Marryed together in Martyrdome And begin to grow confident that this Couple was the first and laâ⦠in this kind Confessors EDWARD FREESE brother to the aforesaid Valentine was born in York and there a Prentice to a Painter He was afterwards a Novice-Monke and leaving his Convent came to Colchester in Essex Here his hereticall Inclination as then accounted discovered it self in some sentences of Scripture which he Painted in the Borders of Cloths for which he was brought before John Stoaksley Bishop of London from whom he found such cruell usage as is above belief Master Fox saith that he was fed with Manchet made of Saw-dust or at the least a great part thereof and kept so long in Prison Manicled by the wrests till the Flesh had overgrown his Irons and he not able to kembe his own head became so distracted that being brought before the Bishop he could say nothing but my Lord is a good man A sad sight to his Friends and a sinfull one to his Foes who first made him mad and then made mirth at his madness I confess distraction is not mentioned in that list of losses reckoned up by our Saviour He that left his House or Brethren or Sisters or Father or Mother or Wife or Children or Lands for my sake c. But seeing his wits is nearer and dearer to any man then his wealth and seeing what is so lost may be said to be left no doubt this poor mans distraction was by God gratiously accepted on his enemies severely punished and to him mercifully rewarded We must not forget how the wife of this Edward Freese being big with child and pressing in to see her husband the Porter at Fulham gave her such a kick on the belly that the child was destroyed with that stroke immediately and she died afterwards of the same Prelates JOHN ROMAN so called because his Father was born in Rome though living a long time in this City being Treasurer of the Cathedrall therein and I conjecture this John his Son born in York because so Indulgent thereunto For generally Pure Pute Italians preferred in England transmitted the gain they got by Bills of Exchange or otherwise into their own Country and those outlandisâ⦠Mules though lying down in English Pasture left no Hairs behind them Whereas this Roman had such Affection for York that being advanced Arch-bishop he began to build the Body of the Church and finished the North Part of the Cross-Isle therein Polydore Virgil praised him no wonder that an Italiaâ⦠commended a Roman for a Man of great Learning and Sincerity He fell into the disfavour of King Edward the first for Excommunicating Anthony Beck Bishop of Durham and it cost him four thousand marks to regain his Princes Good Will He died Anno Domini 1295. And let none grudge his Buriaâ⦠in the best Place of the Church who was so Bountifull a Builder thereof ROBERT WALBEY born in this City was therein bred an Augââ¦stinian Friar he afterwards went over into France where he so applied his studies that at last he was chosen Divinity Professor in the City of Tholouse he was Chaplain to the black Prince after his death to his Father K. Edward the third Now as his Mr. injoyed three Crowns so under him in his three Kingdoms this his Chaplain did partake successively of three Miters being first a Bishop in Gascoine then Arch-bishop of Dublin in Ireland afterwards Bishop of Chichester in England not grudging to be degraded in Dignity to be preferred in profit At last he was consecrated Arch-bishop of York and was the first and last Native which that City saw the least of Infants and in his Time when Man the greatest therein Yet he enjoyed his place but a short time dying May 29. Anno Domini 1397. Since the Reformation THOMAS MORTON was born Anno 1564. in the City of York whose father Richard Morton allyed to Cardinall Morton Arch bishop of Canterbury was a Mercer I have been informed the first of that calling in that City sure of such repute that no Mercers
Nature a word is enough to the wise and half a word too much for others Lastly I recommend unto their Charity such Servants who have nothing save what they have gained by their industry and have lived seven years and upwards with the same Master I mean not Apprentices but such Covenant Servants which are bound to their Masters their year being ended with no other Indentures then their own discretion and are sensible that they must run a hazard and may loose with their alteration Especially such Females who prefer a good Master in certain before a good Husband in hopes and had rather serve in plenty then wed and adventure Poverty I confess such is the cruelty of some Masters no Servant can and such the ficklenesse of others no Servant may stay long with them Such a Master was he who being Suitor to a Gentlewoman came every time he visited her waited on by a new man though keeping but one at once such was his unconstancy and delight in Change Whereupon when taking leave of his Mistresse he proferred to salute her spare your Complements said she unto him for probably I shall shortly see you again but let me I pray you salute your Servant whom I shall never behold any more However though sometimes the ââ¦ault may be in the Masters or Mistresses yet generally Servants are to be blamed in our Age shifting their places so often without cause The truth is the Age that makes good Soldiers marrs good Servants cancelling their obedience and allowing them too much Liberty What Nabal applied falsely and spitfully to David There be many Servants now a dayes which break away every man from his Master was never more true then now Yea what Tully said of the Roman Consull chose in the morning and put out before night some Servants have been so vigilant they never slept in their Masters houses so short their stay so soon their Departure The Ficklenesse and Fugitivenesse of such Servants justly addeth a valuation to their Constancy who are Standards in a Family and know when they have met with a good Master as it appears their Masters know when they have met with a good Servant It is pity but such Properties of a Houshold should be incouraged and Bounty bestowed upon them may be an occasion to fixe other Servants to stay the longer in their places to the general good of our Nation I desire these my Suggestions should be as inoffensively taken as they are innocently tendred ãâã I know there was in the water of Bethesda after the Angell had troubled it a medicinal power I know also that such impotent folk as lay in the five porches were the proper Subjects to be cured But alas they wanted one at the critical instant to bring their wounds and the Cure together and to put them seasonably into the water I am as confident that there be hundreds in England really willing and able to Releive as that there are Thousands that do desire and in some sort deserve their charity But there wanteth one in the prââ¦per juncture of time to present such poor objects to their liberality and if these my weak endevours may be in any degree instrumentall to promote the same it will be a great comfort unto me I will conclude this Subject with a motive to Charity out of the Road of besides if not against the ordinary Logick of Men. Give a portion to Seven and to Eight for thou knowest not what evill shall be upon the Earth To Seven and to Eight that is extend thy Bounty to as high a Proportion of deserving persons as can consist with thy Estate for thou knowest not what evill will be upon the Earth Matters are mutable and thou mayest need the relief of others Ergo saith the Miser part with nothing but keep all against a Wet day not so Solomon advising to secure somewhat in a safe bank the backs and bowels of the Poor Never Evil more likely to never People less knowing of the same then our selves And therefore the Counsell never out of is now most in season Why Benefactors Since are distinguished from them Before the Reformation I conceive it not fit to mingle both together for these two Reasons First because of the difference of their Charity Since the Reformation as not parched up by the Fear of the Fire of Purgatory but kindly ripened by the Sun viz. A Clear Apprehension by the Light of the Scripture that they were bound to do good Works Secondly because a Romish Goliah hath defied our English Israel taxing our Church Since the Reformation as able to shew few considerable pieces of Charity in comparison of those beyond the Seas who may hence be easily confuted Indeed when I read the emulations between Peninna and Hanna it mindeth me of the contests betwixt the Church of Rome and us such the conformity between them Her Adversary provoked Hanna sore for to make her fret because the Lord hath shut up her Womb. But how did Hanna rejoyce afterwards The Barren hath born seven and she that hath many Children is waxed feeble It is confessed immediately after the Reformation Protestant Religion stood for a while in amaze scarcely recovered from the Marian Persecutitn and was but barren in good works But since her beginning to bear fruit she hath overtaken her Roman Corrival and left her fairly behind Let the extent of time and content of ground be proportionably stated and England cannot be matched for Deeds of Charity in any part of Spain France and Italy as by the ensuing Catalogue of Benefactors to the Publick will appear Objection You had better omitted them leaving them modestly to multiply and increase in their own silence and secresie You know how dear David paid for numbring the people Answer David did not offend in meer numbring the people but in not paying the Poll-money appointed by God in such cases purposely to decline the Plague which omission argued his Pride of heart It is lawful for Protestants without any just suspicion of Vain glory and Ostentation to make a list and take the number of Benefactors in this kind provided the Quit-rent of praise be principally paid to the Lord of Heaven Besides we are not Challengers but Defenders of our selves herein against the challenge of another desiring to do it in all humility in confidence of our good cause And here I can hold no longer but must break forth into a deserved commendation of good works Glorious things in Scripture are spoken of you yea fruits of the spirit By them the Gospel is graced wicked men amazed some of them converted the rest of them confounded weak Christians confirmed poor Christians relieved our faith justified our reward in Heaven by Gods free grace amplified Angels rejoyce for them Devils repine at them God himself is glorified in them Oh therefore That it were in my power to exhort my Countrymen to pursue good works with
have reasons rendered of their bearing Thus whereas the Earls of Oxford anciently gave their Coat plain quarterly Gules and Or they took afterward in the first a Mullet or Star Argent because the cheife of the house had a Falling-star as my Authour saith alighting on his shield as he was fighting in the Holy-land But it were a labour in vain for one to offer at an account for all things borne in Armorie This mindeth me of a passage in the North where the ancient and worthy Family of the Gascoignes gave for their Arms the Head of a Lucie or Pike cooped in Pale Whereon one merrily The Lucy is the Finest Fish That ever graced any Dish But why you give the HEAD alone I leave to you to pick this Bone A Question which on the like occasion may be extended to Beasts and Fowle whose single heads are so generally born in several Coats After the names and places of Sheriffs exemplifyed in their respective Counties we have added their Arms ever since the first of King Richard the second And though some may think we begin too late the fixing of Hereditary Arms in England being an Hundred years ancienter we find it sometimes too soon to attain at any certainty therein In peruseing these Arms the Reader will meet with much observeable variety viz. 1. That the same Family sometimes gives two paternal Coats as Spencer in Northampton-shire Quarterly Arg. and Gules the second and third charged with a Fret Or over all on a Bend Sable 3. Escallops of the First Azure a Fess Ermin betwixt 6. Sea Meaws heads erased Arg. Sometimes two distinct Families and Names give the self same Coat as in Barkshire Fettiplace Gules 2 Cheverons Argent Hide  The same name but being distinct Families in several Counties give different Arms. Grey In Leicester-shire Barry of 6. Argent and Azure in Chief 3. Torteauxes In Northumberland Gules a Lyon Rampant with a Border engrailed Argent The same Name in the same Shire being distinct Families gives different Coats as in Northampton shire Green Of Greens-Norton Azure three Bucks trippant Or. Of Drayton Argent a Cross engrailed Gules The same name and Family in the same Shire gives the same Coat for Essentials but disguised in Colours as in Northampton-shire Tresham Of Lifden Of Newton The same Family giveth a Coat this day bearing some general allusion to but much altered and bettered from what they gave some sixty years since and forbearing to give an instance hereof for some reason I refer it to the Readers Discovery Contented with the Coat it self I have not inserted the differences of younger Houses Crescents Mullets Martlets c. Chiefly because they are generally complained of and confessed as defective subject to coincidence and not adequate to the effectual distinguishing of the branches from the same root As the affixing of Differences if done were imperfect so the doing thereof is not only Difficult but also Dangerous Dangerous for it would bring many Old houses and new ones too on his Head who undertakes it so undistinguishable are the Seniorities of some Families parted so long since that now it is hard to decide which the Root and which the Branch I remember a Contest in the Court of Honour betwixt the two Houses of Constable the one of Flamborongh head the other of Constable-Burton both in York-shire which should be the Eldest The Decision was it was never decided both sides producing such ancient Evidences that in mounting up in antiquity like Hawks they did not only Lessen but fly out of Sight even beyond the Kenn and Cognizance of any Record The Case I conceive occurs often betwixt many Families in England Some names we have left without Arms. Physicians prescribe it as a Rule of health to rise with an appetite and I am loth the Reader should fill himself with all which he might desire But not to dissemble I could not with all mine own and friends skill and industry attain their Coats as of Families either extinct in those Counties before the first or only extant therein since the last Visitation of Heralds Yet let not my ignorance be any mans injury who humbly desireth that such Vacuities may hereafter be filled up by the particular Chorographers of those respective Counties This I am sure A needle may be sooner found in a Bottle of Hay a task though difficult yet possible to be done than the Arms of some Sheriffs of Counties be found in the Heraulds Visitations of the said Counties For many were no Natives of that Shire but came in thither occasionally from far distant places Thus the Arms of Sir Jervis Clifton thrice High-Sheriff of Kent in the Reign of King Henry the Sixth are invisible in any Kentish Heralds Office as not landed therein himself though living at Braburn on the Jointure of Isabel his Wife the Widdow of William Scot Esq and I doubt not but instances of the same Nature frequently are found in other Counties We will conclude this Discourse of Arms with this memorable Record being as ancient as the Reign of King Henry the Fift Claus. 5. Henrici Quinti Membrana 15. in Dorso in Turre Londinensi Rex Vic Salutem c. Quia prout informamur diversi ââ¦omines qui in viagiis nostris ante haec tempora factis Arma Tunicas Armorum vocat Coat Armours in se susceperunt ubi nec ipsi nec eorum Antecessores hujusmodi Armis ac Tunicis Armorum temporibus retroactis usi fuerint ea in presenti viagio nostro in proximo Deo dante faciend exercere proponant Et quanquam Omnipotens suam gratiam disponat prout vult in naturalibus equaliter Diviti Pauperi volentes tamen quemlibet Ligeorum nostrorum predictorum juxta status sui exigentiam modo debito pertractari haberi Tibi praecipimus quod in singulis locis intra Ballivam tuam ubi per breve nostrum nuper promonst faciendis proclamari facias quod nullus cujuscunq status Gradus seu conditionis fuerit hujusmodi Arma sive Tunicas ââ¦rmorum in se sumat nisi ipse jure Antecessorto vel ex donatione alicujus ad hoc suââ¦ficientem potestatem habentis ea possideat aut possidere debeat Et quod ipse Arma sive Tunicas illas ex cujus dono obtinet die Monstrationis suae personis ad hoc per nos assignatis seu assignandis manifeste demonstret Exceptis illis qui nobiscum apud Bellum de Agincourt Armu portabant sub poenis non admissionis ad proficiendum in viagio praedicto sub numero ipsius cum quo retentus existit ac perditionis Vadiorum suorum ex causa praedicta praeceptorum nec non rasura ruptura dictorum armorum Tunicarum vocat Coat-armours tempore monstrationis suae praedicto si ea super illum monstrata fuerint seu inventa hoc nulla tenus omittas T. R. apud Civitatem Nov. Sarum Secundo die Junii
to prevent Cavils and avoid Confusion and to distinguish those from the former their Names are marked with S. N. for second Nativity to shew that whence soever they fetcht their Life here they found their best Livelyhood But when a person plainly appears born beyond the Seas We take no notice of him though never so highly advanced in England as without our Line of Communication and so not belonging to this Subject What REM for Remove when affixed in the Margin doth Denote We meet with some persons in this our Work whose Nativities we cannot Recover with any great Probability neither by help of History or Heraldry or Tradition or Records or Registers or Printed or Writen books which hitherto have come to our hands Now if such persons be of no Eminence we intend not to trouble our selves and Reader with them Let Obscurity even go to Obscurity when we find no great note in them we take not any notice of them But in case they appear men of much Merit whose Nativities are concealed by some Casualty we are loath that their Memories who whilst living were Worthies now dead should be Vagrants reposited in no certain place Wherefore we have disposed them in some Shire or other not as Dwellers no nor so much as Sojourners therein But only as Guests and we render some slight Reasons why we invited them to that place rather then another seeing a small motive will prevail with a charitable mind to give a Worthy Stranger a Nights Lodging However that these may not be confounded with those of whose Nativities we have either assurance or strong presumption We have in the Margin charactered them with a Rem for Remove it being our desire that they should be transplanted on the first convincing Evidence which shall appear unto us to their proper place And therefore I behold them as standing here with a Staffe in their hands ready to pack up and go away whither any good Guide shall give them direction Always provided that as they are set here with little they be not removed hence with lesse probability an unset bone is better then a bone so ill set that it must be broken again to double the pain of the Patient And better it is these persons should continue in this their loose and dislocated condition than to be falsly fixed in any place from whence they must again be translated Now Reader to recollect our marginal or prefixed characters know it is the best sign when no Sign at all is added to a name for then we proceed on certainty at least wise on the credit of good Authors for the place of his Nativity thus the best of the house giveth his Coat plain whilst the following differences are but the Diminutions of the younger brothers viz. 1. Amp. Where our Evidence of a persons birth is but conjectural and craveth further instruction 2. S. N. When having no aim at the place of their birth we fixe them according to their best Livelyhood 3. REM When wholly unsatisfied of their position we remit their Removal to the Readers discretion Now seeing order only makes the difference betwixt a wall and a heap of stones and seeing Quibene distinguit bene docet we conceived our selves obliged to part and not jumble together the several gradations How Persons belonging to several Topicks are ranked It often ãâã to passe that the same person may justly be entituled to two or more ââ¦opicks as by the ensuing may appear for not seeking due Information But let such know that those Officers who by their place are to find out persons enquired after deserve neither to be blamed nor shamed when having used their best diligence they return to the Court a Non est inventus For my own part I had rather my Reader should arise hungry from my Book than surfeited therewith rather uninformed than misinformed thereby rather ignorant of what he desireth than having a falsehood or at the best a conjecture for a truth obtruded upon him Indeed I humbly conceive that vacuity which is hateful in nature may be helpful in History For such an hiatus beggeth of posterity to take pains to fill it up with a truth if possible to be attained whereas had our bold adventure farced it up with a conjecture intus existens prohibuerit extraneum no room had been left for the endevours of others What Ampliandum so often occurring in this Book doth import It is sufficiently known to all Antiquaries that causes brought to be heard and determined before the Roman Judges were reducible to two kinds 1. Liquets 2. Ampliandums When the case as clear and plain was preâ⦠decided When being dark and difficult they were put off to farther debate somewhat alluding to our Demurrs Hence it is that we find the Roman Oratour complaining of an unjust Judge Cum causam non audisset potestas esset Ampliandi dixit sibi Liquere I should be loth to be found guilty of the like offence in rash adjudging mens Nativities to places on doubtful Evidence and therefore when our presumptions do rather incline then satisfie we have prefixed AMP. before the Names of such persons For when they appear undoubted English and Eminent in their respective Qualities it would be in us a sin of omission not to insert them and yet being ignorant of the exact place of their Birth it would be presumption peremptorily to design it without this Note of Dubitation though on the most tempting Probabilities Know also that when AMP. is used in the Arms of Sheriffs it is only done in such an Exigent where there are different Coats of very ancient Families and largely diffused as Nevil Ferrers Basset c. So that it is hazardous for me to fixe on one in such great variety What S. N. frequently appearing prefixed to Mens NAMES doth signifie When we cannot by all our indevours inform our selves of the Nativities of some eminent person we are forced to this Refuge so creditable that I care not what Eyes behold us entring under the Roof thereof to insert such persons in those Counties where we find them either first or highest preferred and this we conceive proper enough and done upon good consideration For the wild Irish love their Nurses as well if not better than their own Mothers and affect their Foster-brothers which suckt the same breast as much as their Natural-brothers whith sprang from the same Womb. If any say these are the wild Irish whose barbarous customes are not to be imitated I defend my self by the practice of more civilized people The Latines have a Proverb non ubi nascor sed ubi pascor making that place their Mother not which bred but which fed them The Greeks have but one word ãâã both for Life and Livelyhood The Hebrews accounted that place was to give a Man his Native Denomination where he had his longest and most visible ãâã from though not sometimes in his Infancy By which common mistake Jesus
in this Land flying hither for succour from their Civil Wars and surely it was against their mind if they all went back again Distress at Sea hath driven others in as the Stewards High-sheriffs in Cambridgeshire As other accidents have occasioned the coming in of the Scrimpshires an hundred years since High sheriffs in Staffordshire more lately the Nappers in Bedfordshire and before both the Scots of Scots-hall in Kent I much admire that never an eminent Irish native grew in England to any greatness so many English having prospered in that Country But it seems we love to live there where we may Command and they care not to come where they must Obey Our great distance from Italy always in Position and since the Reformation in Religion hath caused that few or none of that Nation have so incorporated with the English as to have found Families therein Yet have we a sprinkling of Italian Protestants Castilian a valiant Gentleman of Berkshire The Bassanoes excellent Painters and Musicians in Essex which came over into England under King Henry the eight and since in the raign of Queen Elizabeth Sir Horatio Palavicine Receiver of the Popes Revenues landed in Cambridgeshire and the Caesars aliàs Dalmarii still flourishing in Hartfordshire in Worshipful Estates though I never find any of these performing the office of Sheriff The High-Dutch of the Hans Towns antiently much conversed in our Land known by the name of Easterlings invited hither by the large priviledges our Kings conferred upon them so that the Steel-yard proved the Gold-yard unto them But these Merchants moved round in their own Sphere matching amongst themselves without mingling with our Nation Onely we may presume that the Easterlings corruptly called Stradlings formerly Sheriffs in Wiltshire and still famous in Glamorganshire with the Westphalings lately Sheriffs of Oxfordshire were originally of German Extraction The Low Country-men frighted by Duke D'Alvas Tyranny flocked hither under King Edward the sixth fixing themselves in London Norwich Canterbury and Sandwich But these confined themselves to their own Church discipline and for ought I can find advanced not forward by eminent Matches into our Nation Yet I behold the worthy Family of De la Fountain in Lecestershire as of Belgian Original and have read how the ancestours of Sir Simon D'us in Suffolk came hither under King Henry the eight from the Dunasti or D'us in Gelderland As for the Spaniards though their King Philip matched with our Queen Mary but few of any eminence now extant if I well remember derive their Pedigrees from them This I impute to the shortness of their Reign and the ensuing change of Religions Probable it is we might have had more Natives of that Kingdome to have setled and flourished in our Nation had he obtained a marriage with Queen Elizabeth of Blessed Memory which some relate he much endeavoured As for Portugal few of that Nation have as yet fixed their habitations and advanced Families to any visible height in our Land But it may please God hereafter we may have a happy occasion to invite some of that Nation to reside and raise Families in England Mean time the May's who have been Sheriffs in Sussex are all whom I can call to mind of the Portugal Race and they not without a Mixture of Jewish Extraction Come we now to the second Division of our Gentry according to the Professions whereby they have been advanced And here to prevent unjust misprision be it premised that such professions Found most of them gentlemen being the though perchance Younger Sons of wealthy Fathers able to give them liberal education They were lighted before as to their Gentility but now set up in a higher Candlestick by such professions which made a visible and conspicuous accession of Wealth and Dignity almost to the ecclipsing their former condition Thus all behold Isis increased in name and water after its conjunction with Thame at Dorchester whilst few take notice of the first Fountain thereof many miles more Westward in Gloucestershire The Study of the Common-law hath advanced most antient extant Families in our Land It seems they purchased good Titles made sure Setlements and entailed Thrift with their Lands on their posterity A prime person of that profession hath prevented my pains and given in a List of such principal Families I say principal many being omitted by him in so Copious a subject Miraculous the mortality in Egypt where there was not a House wherein there was not one dead But I hope it will be allowed Marvellous that there is not a generous and numerous House in England wherein there is not one though generally no first Born but a Younger Brother antiently or at this day Living Thriving and Flourishing by the Study of the Law Especially if to them what in Justice ought be added those who have raised themselves in Courts relating to the Law The City hath produced more then the Law in number and some as broad in Wealth but not so high in Honour nor long lasting in time who like Land-floods soon come and soon gone have been dried up before the third Generation Yet many of these have continued in a certain channel and carried a Constant stream as will plainly appear in the sequel of our Worthies The Church before the Reformation advanced many Families For though Bishops might not marry they preferred their Brothers Sons to great Estates As the Kemps in Kent Peckhams in Sussex Wickham in Hampshire Meltons in Yorkshire Since the Reformation some have raised Families to a Knightly and Worshipful Estate Hutton Bilson Dove Neil c. But for Sheriffs I take notice of Sandys in Worcester and Cambridgeshire Westphaling in Herefordshire Elmar in Suffolk Rud in Carmarthenshire c. Sure I am there was a generation of People of the last Age which thought they would level all Clergy-men or any descendants from them with the ground Yea had not Gods arme been stretched out in their preservation they had become a prey to their enemies violence and what they had designed to themselves and in some manner effected had ere this been time perfectly compleated As for the inferiour Clergy it is well if their narrow maintenance will enable them to leave a livelihood to their little ones I find but one Robert Johnson by name attaining such an estate that his Grand-son was pricked Sheriff of a County but declined the place by pleading himself a Deacon and by the favour of Arch-bishop Laud. The Study of the Civil-Law hath preferr'd but few The most eminent in that faculty before the Reformation being persons in Orders prohibited marriage However since the Reformation there are some Worshipful Families which have been raised by the Study in this Faculty Yet have our wars which perhaps might have been advocated for in Turks and Pagans who bid defiance to all humanity but utterly mis-beseeming Christians been a main cause of the moulting of many Eminent and Worthy persons of this Profession Nor
the generall Granarie of the Land which then is dearer in other Counties and it is harder for one to feed foure than foure to feed one It is furthermore observed that a drought never causeth a dearth in England because though parching up the sandy ground the clay being the far greatest moiety of the Land having more natural moisture therein affordeth a competent encrease England were but a fling Save for the crooked stick and the gray-goose-wing But a fling That is a slight light thing not to be valued but rather to be cast away as being but half an Island It is of no great extent Philip the Second King of Spain in the reign of Queen Elizabeth called our English Ambassadours unto him whilst as yet there was Peace betwixt the two Crowns and taking a small Map of the World layed his little finger upon England wonder not if he desired to finger so good a Countrey and then demanded of our English Ambassadour where England was Indeed it is in greatness inconsiderable to the Spanish dominions But for the crooked stick c. That is use of Archery Never were the Arrows of the Parthians more formidable to the Romans then ours to the French horsemen Yea remarkable his Divine Providence to England that since Arrowes are grown out of use though the weapons of war be altered the English mans hand is still in Ure as much as ever before for no Country affords better materials of Iron Saltpeter and Lead or better work-men to make them into Guns Powder and Bullets or better marks-men to make use of them being so made So that England is now as good with a streight Iron as ever it was with a crooked stick England is the Paradise of Women Hell of Horses Purgatory of Servants For the first Billa vera Women whether Maids Wives or Widowes finding here the fairest respect and kindest usage Our Common-Law is a more courteous carver for them than the Civil-Law beyond the seas allowing Widows the thirds of their Husbands Estates with other Priviledges The ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or highest seats are granted them at all Feasts and the wall in crowding most danger to the weakest in walking most dignity to the worthiest resigned unto them The Indentures of maid-servants are cancelled by their Marriage though the term be not expired which to young-men in the same condition is denyed In a word betwixt Law and Laws-Corrival Custom they freely enjoy many favours and we men so far from envying them wish them all happiness therewith For the next â⦠Englands being an Hell for Horses Ignoramus as not sufficiently satisfied in the evidence alledged Indeed the Spaniard who keeps his Gennets rather for shew than use makes wantons of them However if England be faulty herein in their over-violent Riding Racing Hunting it is high time the fault were amended the rather because The good man regardeth the life of his beast For the last â⦠Pugatory for servants we are so far from finding the Bill we cast it forth as full of falshood We have but two sorts Apprentices and Covenant-servants The Parents of the former give large summes of money to have their Children bound for seven yeares to learn some Art or Mystery which argueth their good usage as to the generality in our Nation Otherwise it were madness for men to give so much money to buy their Childrens misery As for our Covenant-servants they make their own Covenants and if they be bad they may thank themselves Sure I am their Masters if breaking them and abusing their servants with too little meat or sleep too much work or correction which is true also of Apprentices are liable by Law to make them reparation Indeed I have heard how in the Age of our Fathers servants were in far greater subjection than now adayes especially since our Civil Wars hath lately dislocated all relations so that now servants will do whatsoever their Masters injoyn them so be it they think fitting themselves For my own part I am neither for the Tyranny of the one nor Rebellion of the other but the mutuall duty of both As for Vernae Slaves or Vassals so frequent in Spain and forreign parts our Land and Lawes whatever former Tenures have been acknowledg not any for the present To conclude as Purgatory is a thing feigned in it self so in this particular it is false in application to England A famine in England begins first at the horse-manger Indeed it seldom begins at the horse-rack for though hay may be excessive dear caused by a dry summer yet winter-grain never impaired with a drought is then to be had at reasonable rates Whereas if Pease or Oates our horse-grain and the latter mans-grain also generally in the North for poor people be scarce it will not be long ere Wheat Rie c. mount in our Markets Indeed if any grain be very dear no grain will be very cheap soon after The King of England is the King of Devils The German Emperour is termed the King of Kings having so many free Princes under Him The King of Spain King of men because they willingly yield their Sovereign rational obedience The King of France King of Asses patiently bearing unconscionable burdens But why the King of England King of Devils I either cannot or do not or will not understand Sure I am S. Gregory gave us better language when he said Angli velut Angeli for our fair complexions and it is sad we should be Devils by our black conditions The English are the Frenchmen's Apes This anciently hath been and still is charg'd on the English and that with too much truth for ought I can find to the contrary dolebat Et dici potuisse non potuisse refelli it is to us a pain This should be said and not gain-said again We ape the French chiefly in two particulars First in their language which if Jack could speak he would be a Gentleman which some get by travell others gain at home with Dame Eglentine in Chaucer Entewned in her voice full seemly And French she spake full feteously After the scole of Stratford at Bowe For French of Paris was to her unknow Secondly in their Habits accounting all our fineness in conformity to the French-fashion though following it at greater distance than the field-pease in the Country the rath ripe pease in the garden Disgracefull in my opinion that seeing the English victorious Armes had twice charged through the bowels of France we should learn our fashions from them to whom we taught Obedience The English Glutton Gluttony is a sin anciently charged on this Nation which we are more willing to excuse than confess more willing to confess than amend Some pretend the coldness of Climate in excuse of our sharp Appetites and plead the Plenty of the Land England being in effect all a great Cookes-shop and no reason any should starve therein for our prodigious Feasts They alledge also that foreigners even the
marryed by a Proxy a naked sword being in bed interposed betwixt him and her body to Alphons King of Arragon with all Ceremonies of State And indeed they proved but Ceremonies the substance soon ãâã the said King Alphons dying Anno Dom. 1292. before the Consummation of the Mââ¦rriage But soon after this Lady found that a Living Earl was better then a Dead King when Marryed to Henry the 3d. Earl of Berry in France from whom the Dukes of ãâã and Kings of Sicil are descended This Lady deceased in the seven and twentieth of her Fathers Reign Anno Dom. 1298. MARGARET third Daughter of King Edward the first and Queen Eleanor was born at Windsor in the 3d. year of her Fathers Reign 1275. When fifteen year old she was Marryed at Westminster July 9th 1290. to John the second Duke of Brabant by whom she had Issue John the third Duke of Brabant from whom the Dukes of Burgundy are descended MARY sixth Daughter of King Edward the first and Queen Eleanor was born at Windsor April the 12. 1279. being but ten years of Age she was made a Nun at Amesbury in Wilt-shire without her own and at the first against her Parents consent meerly to gratify Queen Eleanor her Grand-mother Let us pity her who probably did not pity her self as not knowing a vaile from a kerchief not understanding the requisites to nor her own fitness for that profession having afterwards time too much to bemoan but none to amend her condition As for the other Children of this King which he had by Eleanor his Queen probably born in this Castle viz. HENRY ALPHONSE BLANCHE Dying in their infancy immediately after their Baptism it is enough to name them and to bestow this joynt Epitapb upon them ââ¦leansed at Font we drew untainted Breath Not yet made bad by Life made good by Death The two former were buryed with their Brother John of whom before at Westminster in the same Tomb but where Blanche was interred is altogether unknown Edward the Third Son to Edward the Second and Queen Isabel was born at Windsor October 13. 1312. and proved afterwards a pious and fortunate Prince I behold him as meerly passive in the deposing of his Father practised on in his Minority by his Mother and Mortimer His French Victories speak both of his Wisdom and Valour and though the Conquests by King Henry the fifth were thicker atchieved in a shorter time His were broader in France and Scotland by Sea and Land though both of length alike as lost by their immediate Successours He was the first English King which Coined* Gold which with me amounts to a wonder that before his time all yellow payments in the Land should be made in foreign Coin He first stamped the Rose-Nobles having on the one side Jesus autem transiens per medium illorum ibat And on the reverse his own image with sword and shield sitting in a ship waving on the Sea Hereupon an English Rhymer in the Reign of King Henry the sixth For four things our Noble she weth to me King Ship and Swerd and Power of the See He had a numerous and happy issue by Philippa his Queen after whose death being almost seventy years old he cast his affection on Alice Pieââ¦ce his Paramour much to his disgrace it being true what Epictetus returned to Adrian the Emperour asking of him what Love was In puero pudor in virgine rubor in soemina furor in juvene ardor in sene risus In a boy bashfulness in a maid blushing in a woman fury in a young man fire in an old man folly However take this King altogether at home abroad at Church in State and he had few equals none superiours He dyed Anno Dom. 1378. WILLIAM sixth Son of King Edward the third and Queen Philippa was born at Windsor Indeed his second Son born at Hatfield was of the same name who dyed in his infancy and his Mother had a fond affection for another William because her Fathers Brothers and a Conquering Name till his short Life also dying in his cradle weaned her from renewing her desire As for King Edwards female Children Isabel Joan Blanch Mary and Margaret there is much probability of their French and no assurance of their English Nativity HENRY the sixth Son to Henry the fifth was born in Windsor-Castle against the will of his Father by the wilfulness of his Mother He was fitter for a Coul then a Crown of so easie a nature that he might well have exchanged a pound of Patience for an ounce of Valour Being so innocent to others that he was hurtful to himself He was both over-subjected and over-wived having marryed Margaret the Daughter of Reinier King of Jerusalem Sicily and Arragon a Prince onely Puissant in Titles otherwise little able to assist his Son in Law Through home-bred Dissentions he not onely lost the foreign acquisitions of his Father in France but also his own inheritance in England to the House of York His Death or Murder rather happened 1471. This Henry was twice Crowned twice Deposed and twice Buryed first at Chertsy then at Windsor and once half Sainted Our Henry the seventh cheapned the price of his Canonization one may see for his love and buy for his money in the Court of Rome but would not come up to the summe demanded However this Henry was a Saint though not with the Pope with the People repairing to this Monument from the farthest part of the Land and fancying that they received much benefit thereby He was the last Prince whom I find expresly born at Windsor It seems that afterwards our English Queens grew out of conceit with that place as unfortunate for Royal Nativities Saints MARGARET ALICE RICH were born at Abbington in this County and were successively Prioresses of Catesby in Northampton-shire They were Sisters to St. Edmund whose life ensueth and are placed before him by the Courtesie of England which alloweth the weaker Sex the upper hand So great the Reputation of their Holiness that The former Dying Anno 1257. The latter 1270. Both were honoured for Saints and many Miracles reported by crafty were believed by Credulous people done at their shrine by their Reliques St. EDMUND Son to Edward Rich and Mabel his Wife was born at Abbington in Bark-shire and bred in Oxford Some will have Edmunds-Hall in that University built by his means but others more probably nam'd in his Memory He became Canon of Salisbury and from thence by the joynt-consent of Pope King and Monkes three cords seldom twisted in the sa ne Cable advanc'd Arch-Bishop of Canterbury where he sate almost ten years till he willingly deserted it partly because offended at the power of the Popes Legate making him no more then a meer Cypher signifying onely in conjunction when concurring with his pleasure partly because vexed at his polling and peeling of the English people so grievous he could not endure so general
a Coulâ⦠under which betwixt shame and sanctity he blushed out the remainder of his life 16 DAVID ARCHIDIACONUS c. It may justly seem strange that an Arch-deacon should be Shââ¦riff of a Shire and one would have sought for a person of his Profession rather in a Pulpit then in a Shire-Hall Some will answer that in that Age Men in Orders ingrossed not onely Places of Judicature but also such as had Military and Martial Relations whereof this Sheriff did in some sort partake But under correction I conceive that though Bishops who had also Temporall Baronies were sometimes Sheriffs yet no inferiour Clergy-men being in Orders were ever advanced to that Office neither in Anoient nor in Modern Times Sure I am that in the reign of King Charles one being pricked Sheriff of Rutland escaped pleading that he was a Deacon Yet we meet with many whose surnames sound of Church-relation both in the Catalogue of Ancient and Modern Sheriffs 1. Abbot of London 2. Arch-deacon of Cornwall 3. Bishop of Sussex 4. Chaplain of Norfolke Clerk of Northamptonshire Dean of Essex Frier of Oxfordshire Moigne of Dorsetshire M on of Devonshire Parson of Buckinghamshire Pope of Oxfordshire Prior of London It addeth to the difficulty that whereas persons of their profession were formerly enjoyned single lives we find in this list some of their sons in the next generation Sheriffs also But take one answer to all as these were Lay men so probably their Ancestors were Ecclesiasticks and did officiate according to their respective Orders and Dignities These afterwards having their patrimony devolved unto them by the death of their elder brethren were dispenced with by the Pope to marry yet so that they were always afterwards called by their former profession which was fixed as a surname on their posterity Thus we read how in France Hugh de Lusignian being an Arch-bishop and the last of his family when by the death of his Brethren the Signieuries of Partnay Soubize c. fell unto him he obtained licence to marry on condition that his posterity should bear the name of Archevesque and a Miter over their Arms for ever As for the Surname of Pope in England it is such a transcendent I cannot reach it with mine own and must leave it to more judicious conjectures King John 13. ROB. de BRAYBROOK HEN. filius ejus 14. HEN. BRAYBROOK ROB. pater ejus Here is a loving reciprocation First a son Under-sheriff to his father that was his duty Secondly the father Under-sheriff to his son that was his courtesie Indeed I can name one Under sheriff to his own father being a Gentleman of right worthy extraction and estate which son afterwards in my memory became Lord Chief Justice and Treasurer of England Henry III. 52 EDVARD filius REGIS primo-genitus It soundeth not a little to the honour of these two shires that Prince Edward afterwards the most renowned King of England first of his Christian name since the Conquest was their Sheriff for five years together Yea the Imperial-Crown found him in that office when it fell unto him though then absent in Palestine We may presume that Bartholomew de Fowen his Under-sheriff was very sufficient to manage all matters under him Sheriffs of Bedford and Buckingham-shire Name Place Armes RICH. II.   Anno   1 Ioh. de Aylesbury Aylesbury Azure a Cross Argent 2 Tho. Peynere   3 Egidius Daubeny SOMER Gules four Lozenges in Fess Argent 4 Tho. Sackwell SUSSEX Quarterly Or and Gules a Bend Vayre 5 Ioh. de Aylesbury ut prius  6 Idem ut prius  7 Ioh. Widevill Northam Arg. a Fess Canton Gu. 8 Rob. Dikeswell   9 Tho. Covell  Az. a Lion Ramp Arg. a File of 3 Lambeaux Gu. 10 Ioh. de Aylesbury ut prius  11 Rad. Fitz. Rich.   12 Tho. Peynere   13 Tho. Sackvill ut prius  14 Edm. Hampden Hampden Buc. Arg. a Saltire G. betw 4 Eaglets displayed Az. 15 Will. Teringham Teringhá B. Az. a Cross ingrailed Arg. 16 Tho. Peynere   17 Phil. Walwane   18 Ioh. Longvile WolvertoÌ Gules a Fess Indented betwixt 6 Cross Croslets Arg. 19 Edm. Hampden ut prius  20 Regin Ragon   21 Ioh. Worship   22 Idem   HEN. IV.   Anno   1 Tho. Eston   2 Edw. Hampden ut prius  2 Ro. Beauchamp Eaton Bed G. a Fess betw 6 martlets Or. 3 Reg. Ragon   4 Iohan. Boys KENT Or a Griffin Sergreant S. within 2 Borders G. 5 Idem   6 Edw. Hampden ut prius  7 Tho. Peynere   8 Rich. Hay  Sable three Pickaxes Arg. 9 Bald. Pigott Stratton Bed  10 Tho. Strickland YORK sh. G. a Chev. Or between 3 Crosses formee Arg. on a Canton ermin a Bucks-head erased sable 11 Rich. Wyott   12 Bald. Pigott ut prius  HEN. V.   Aââ¦no   1 Tho. Strickland ut priââ¦s  2 Edw. Hampden ut prius  3 Tho. Wauton   4 Rich. Wyott   5 Ioh. Gifford   6 Will. Massy   7 Walt. Fitz. Rich.   8 Iohan. Radwell   9 Ioh. Radwellet   10 Will. Massy   11 Idem   HEN. VI.   Anno   1 Iohan. Wauton   2 Ioh. Chen y mil. Cheneys B. Checky Or Az. a Fess G. Fretty Erm. 3 Rich. Wyott   4 Ioh. Cheney ut prius  5 Will. Massy ar   6 Hum. Stafford ar  Or a Chev. G. a Quarter Erm. 7 Tho. Wauton mi.   8 Tho. Hoo  Quarterly Sable and Arg. 9 Ioh. Cheney ut prius  10 Egid. Daubeny m. ut prius  11 Tho. Wauton mil.   12 Ioh. Glove   13 Ioh. Hampden ar ut prius  14 Ioh. Broughton   15 Rob. Manfeld   16 Hum. Stafford mi. ut prius  17 Ioh. Hampden ut prius  18 Walt. Strickland ut prius  19 Ioh. Brekenoll   20 Edw. Campden ut prius  21 Edw. Rede   22 Tho. Singleton   23 Ioh. Wenlock  Arg. a Chev. betw 3 Black-moreheads conped Proper 24 Tho. Rokes   25 Tho. Gifford   26 Gor. Longvile ut prius  27 Idem ut prius  28 Will. Gedney   29 Ioh. Hampden ut prius  30 Ro. Whittingham   31 Rob. Olney   32 Edw. Rede ar   32 Ioh. Poulter HARTF Arg. a Bend voided Sable 33 Tho. Singleton   34 Tho. Charlton m.   35 Ioh. Hampden ut prius  36 Ioh. Maningham   37 Ioh. Heyton ar   38 Ioh. Broughton  Arg. a Chev. betwixt 3 Mullets Gules EDWARD IV   Anno   1 Edw. Rede ar   2 Tho. Reynes   3
Barbarous fact Yet though his right hand suffered as a Malefactour there want not those who maintained that Martyr belongs to the rest of his Body Prelats STEPHEN de FULBORN was born at Fulborn no other of that name in England in this County Going over into Ireland to seek his Providence commonly nick-named his fortune therein he became anno 1274 Bishop of Waterford and Lord Treasurer of Ireland Hence he was preferred Arch-bishop of Tuam and once and again was Chief Justice of that allow me a Prolepsis Kingdome He is reported to have given to the Church of Glassenbury in England Indulgââ¦nces of an hundred days which I cannot understand except he promised pardon of so many days to all in his Province who went a Pilgrimage to that place and this also seems an over-papal Act of a plain Arch-bishop He died 1288. and was buried in Trinity Church in Dublin NICHOLAS of ELY was so called say some from being Arch-Deacon thereof which dignity so died his Denomination in grain that it kept colour till his death not fading for his future higher preferments though others conjecture his birth also at Ely When the bold Barons obtrued a Chancellour A Kings Tongue and Hands by whom he publickly speaks and acts Anno 1260. they forced this Nicholas on King Henry the third for that Office till the King some months after displaced him yet knowing him a man of much merit voluntarily chose him L. Treasurer when outed of his Chancellors place so that it seems he would trust him with his Coffers but not with his Conscience yea he afterwards preferred him Bishop of Worcester then of Winchester Here he sate 12. years and that Cathedrall may by a Synedoche of a novel part for the whole challenge his interment having his Heart inclosed in a Wall though his body be buryed at Waverly in ââ¦urry 1280. WILLIAM of BOTLESHAM was born at Bottlesham contractly Botsam in this County This is a small village which never amounted to a Market-town some five miles East of Cambridge pleasantly seated in pure aire having rich arable on the one and the fair health of New-market on the other side thereof It hath been the nursery of refined wits affording a Triumvirate of learned men taking their lives there and names thence and to prevent mistakes to which learned pens in this point have been too prone we present them in the ensuing parallels William of Bottlesham John of Bottlesham Nicholas of Bottlesham Made by the Pope first Bishop of Bethlehem in Syria afterwards Anno 1385. Bishop of Landaffe and thence removed to Rochester A famous Preacher Confessor to King Richard the second and learned Writer but by Walsingham and Bale called John by mistake He dyed in Febru Anno 1399. Nor must we forget that he was once Fellow of Pembroke-hall Was bred in Peter-house in Cambridge whereunto he was a Benefactor as also to the whole University Chaplain to T. Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury by whose recommendation he was preferred to succeed his Towns-man in the See of Rochester which he never saw saith my Authour as dying in the beginning of the year 1401. Was a Carmelite bred in Cambridge afterwards removed to Paris where in Sorbone he commenced Doctor of Divinity Returning to Cambridge he became Prior of the Carmelites since Queens-colledge where he wrote many books and lies buried in his own Covent Anno Domini 1435. Let all England shew me the like of three eminent men all contemporaries at large which one petty village did produce Let Bottlesham hereafter be no more fam'd for its single Becon but for these three lights it afforded THOMAS of NEW MARKET was born therein and though that Town lyeth some part in Suffolk my Author assures his Nativity in this County He was bred in Cambridge an excellent Humanist and Divine having left some learned Books to Posterity and at last was advanced to be Bishop of Carlile Surely then he must be the same with Thomas Merks consecrated Anno 1397. consent of time most truly befriending the conjecture Merks also and Market being the same in effect Neither doth the omission of New in the least degree discompose their Identity it being usuall to leave out the Prenomen of a Town for brevity sake by those of the Vicenage amongst whom there is no danger of mistake commonly calling West-chester Chester South-hampton Hampton If the same he is famous in our English Histories because his devotion in a Transposed Posture to publick practise worshiped the Sun-setting King Richard the second for which his memory will meet with more to commend then imitate it Yet was his Loyalty shent but not sham'd and King Henry the fourth being sick of him not daring to let him to live nor put him to death because ãâã Prelate found an Expedient for him of a living death confining him to a Titular Grecian Bishoprick He dyed about 1405. THOMAS THIRLBY Doctor of Laws was as I am assured by an excellent Antiquary born in the Town and bred in the University of Cambridge most probably in Trinity hall He was very able in his own faculty and more then once employed in Embasseys by King Henry the eighth who preferred him Bishop of Westminster Here had Thirlby lived long and continued the course he began he had prevented Queen Mary from dissolving that Bishoprick as which would have dissolved it self for lack of land sold and wasted by him And though probably he did this to raise and enrich his own family yet such the success of his sacriledge his name and alliance is extinct From Westminster he was removed to Norwich thence to Ely He cannot be followed as some other of his order by the light of the Fagots kindled by him to burn poor Martyrs seeing he was given rather to Prodigality then cruelty it being signally observed that he wept at Arch-bishop Cranmers degradation After the death of Queen Mary he was as violent in his opinions but not so virulent in his expressions always devoted to Queen Mary but never invective against Queen Elizabeth He lived in free custody dyed and is buried at Lambeth 1570. Since the Reformation GODFREY GOLDSBOROUGH D. D. was born in the Town of Cambridge where some of his Sur-name and Relation remained since my memory He was bred in Trinity-colledge Pupil to Arch-bishop Whitgiff and became afterwards Fellow thereof at last he was consecrated Bishop of Gloucester Anno Dom. 1598. He was one of the second set of Protestant Bishops which were after those so famous for their sufferings in the Marian days and before those who fall under the cognizance of our generation the true reason that so little can be recovered of their character He gave a hundred mark to Trinity colledge and died Anno Dom. 1604. ROBERT TOWNSON D. D. was born in Saint Botolphs parish in Cambridge and bred a Fellow in Queens-colledge being admitted very young
therein but 12. years of age He was blessed with an happy memory insomuch that when D. D. he could say by heart the second Book of the Aeneads which he learnt at School without missing a Verse He was an excellent Preacher and becoming a Pulpit with his gravity He attended King James his Chaplaine into Scotland and after his return was preferred Dean of Westminster then Bishop of Salisbury Hear what the Author of a Pamphlet who inscribeth himself A. W. saith in a Book which is rather a Satyre then a History a Libell then a Character of the Court of King James for after he had slanderously inveighed against the bribery of those days in Church and State hear how he seeks to make amends for all King James's Court pag. 129 130. Some worthy men were preferred gratis to blow up their Buckingham and his party Fames as Tolson a worthy man paid nothing in fine or Pension and so after him Davenant in the same Bishoprick Yet these were but as Musick before every hound Now although both these persons here praised were my God-fathers and Uncles the one marrying the sister of the other being Brother to my Mother and although such good words seem a Rarity from so railing a mouth yet shall not these considerations tempt me to accept his praises on such invidious terms as the Author doth proffer them O! Were these worthy Bishops now alive how highly would they disdain to be praised by such a pen by which King James their Lord and Master is causelesly traduced How would they condemn such uncharitable commendations which are if not founded on accompanied with the disgrace of others of their order Wherefore I their Nephew in behalf of their Memories protest against this passage so far forth as it casteth Lustre on them by Eclipsing the credit of other Prelates their contemporaries And grant corruption too common in that kind yet were there besides them at that time many worthy Bishops raised to their dignity by their Deserts without any Simonicall complyances Doctor Townson had a hospitall heart a generous disposition free from covetousness and was always confident in Gods Providence that if he should dye his children and those were many would be provided for wherein he was not mistaken He lived in his Bishoprick but a year and being appointed at very short warning to preach before the Parliament by unseasonable ââ¦tting up to study contracted a Fever whereof he died and was buried in Westminster Abbey Anno Dom. 1622. THOMAS son to William WESTFIELD D. D. was born Anno Dom. 1573. in the Parish of Saint Maries in Ely and there bred at the Free-school under Master Spight till he was sent to Jesus-colledge in Cambridge being first Scholar then Fellow thereof He was Curate or Assistant rather to Bishop Felton whilst Minister of Saint Mary le Bow in Cheapside afterward Rector of Hornsey nigh and Great Saint Bartholomews in London where in his preaching he went thorow the four Evangelists He was afterwards made Arch-Deacon of Saint Albans and at last Bishop of Bristol a place proffered to and refused by him twenty five years before For then the Bishoprick was offered to him to maintain him which this contented meek man having a self-subsistence did then decline though accepting of it afterwards when proffered to him to maintain the Bishoprick and support the Episcopall dignity by his signall devotion What good opinion the Parliament though not over-fond of Bishops conceived of him appears by their Order ensuing The thirteenth of May 1643. From the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestration of Delinquents Estates Upon information in the behalf of the Bishop of Bristoll that his Tenants refuse to pay him his Rents it is Ordered by this Committee that all profits of his Bishoprick be restored to him and a safe conduct be granted him to pass with his family to Bristoll being himself of great age and a person of great learning and merit Jo. Wylde About the midst of his life he had a terrible sickness so that he thought to use his own expression in his Diary that God would put out the candle of his life though he was pleased onely to snuff it By his will the true Copy whereof I have he desired to be buried in his Cathedral Church neer the tombe of Paul Bush the first Bishop thereof And as for my worldly goods Reader they are his own words in his Will which as the times now are I know not well where they be nor what they are I give and bequeath them all to my dear wife Elizabeth c. He protested himself on his death-bed a true Protestant of the Church of England and dying Junii 28. 1644. lyeth buried according to his own desire above mentioned with this inscription Hic jacet Thomas Westfield S. T. D. Episcoporum intimus peccatorum primus Obiit 25. Junii anno MDCXLIV Senio moerore confectus Tu Lector quisquis es vale resipisce Epitaphium ipse sibi dictavit vivus Monumentum uxor moestissima Elizabetha Westfield Marito desideratissimo posuit superstes Thus leaving such as survived him to see more sorrow and feel more misery he was seasonably taken away from the evil to come And according to the Anagram made on him by his Daughter Thomas Westfield I dwel the most safe Enjoying all happiness and possessing the reward of his pains who converted many and confirmed more by his constancy in his Calling States-men JOHN TIPTOFT son and heir of John Lord Tiptoft and Joyce his wife daughter and Co-heir of Edward Charlton Lord Powis by his wife Eleanor sister and Co-heir of Edmund Holland Earl of Kent was born at Everton in this but in the confines of Bedford shire He was bred in Baliol-colledge in Oxford where he attained to great learning and by King Henry the sixth was afterwards created first Vice-count then Earl of Worcester and Lord Hââ¦gh Constable of England and by K. Edward the fourth Knight of the Garter The skies began now to lowre and threaten Civil Wars and the House of York fell sick of a Relapse Mean time this Earl could not be discourteous to Henry the sixth who had so much advanced him nor disloyall to Edward the fourth in whom the right of the Crown lay Consulting his own safety he resolved on this Expedient for a time to quit his own and visit the Holy-land In his passage thither or thence he came to Rome where he made a Latin speech before the Pope Piâ⦠the second and converted the Italians into a better opinion then they had formerly of the English-mens learning insomuch that his holiness wept at the elegancy of the Oration He returned from Christs sepulcher to his own grave in England coming home in a most unhappy juncture of time if sooner or later he had found King Edward on that Throne to which now Henry the sixth was restored and whose restitution was onely remarkable for the death of this worthy
must be more in it to give him that denomination seeing many had that office besides himself He was a great Scholar and deep Divine it being reported to his no small praise That he conformed his Divinity to Scripture and not to the rules of Philosophy He flourished under King Edward the third anno 1350. WILLIAM CAXTON born in that Town a noted stage betwixt Roiston and Huntington Bale beginneth very coldly in his commendation by whom he is charactered Vir non omnino stupidus aut ignavia torpens but we understand the language of his Liptote the rather ââ¦ecause he proceedeth to praise his Diligence and Learning He had most of his Education beyond the Seas living 30. years in the Court of Margaret Dutchesse of Burgundy Sister to King Edward the fourth whence I conclude him an Anti-Lancastrian in his affection He continued Polychronicon beginning where Trevisa ended unto the end of King Edward the fourth with good judgment and Fidelity And yet when he writeth that King Richard the second left in his Treasury Money and Jewells to the value of seven hundred thousand pounds I cannot credit him it is so contrary to the received Character of that Kings Riotous Prodigality Caxton carefully collected and printed all Chaucers works and on many accounts deserved well of Posterity when he died about the year 1486. Since the Reformation RICHARD HULOET was born at Wishich in this County and brought up in good learning He wrote a book called the English and Latine A B C and dedicated the same to Thomas Goowrich Bishop of Ely and Chancellor of England Some will condemn him of Indiscretion in presenting so low a subject to so high a person as if he would teach the Greatest States-man in the land to spell aright Others will excuse him his book being though of low of generall use for the Common people who then began to betake themselves to reading long neglected in the land so that many who had one foot in their grave had their hand on their primer But I believe that his book whereof I could never recover a sight though entitled an A B C related not to Literall reading but rather to some Elementall grounds of Religion He flourished Anno Domini 1552. JOHN RICHARDSON was born of honest parentage at Linton in this County bred first Fellow of Emanuell then Master of Saint Peters and at last of Trinity-colledge in Cambridge and was Regius Professor in that University Such who represent him a dull and heavy man in his parts may be confuted with this instance An extraordinary Act in Divinity was kept at Cambridge before King James wherein Doctor John Davenant was Answerer and Doctor Richardson amongst others the opposers The Question was maintained in the negative concerning the excommunicating of Kings Doctor Richardson vigorously pressed the practice of Saint Ambrose excommunicating of the Emperour Theodosius insomuch that the King in some passion returned profecto fuit hoc ab Ambrosio insolentissimè factum To whom Doctor Richardson rejoyned responsum vere Regium Alexandro dignum hoc non est argumenta dissolvere sed desecare And so sitting down he desisted from any further dispute He was employed one of the Translators of the Bible and was a most excellent linguist whose death happened Anno Dom. 1621. ANDREW WILLET D. D. was born at Ely in this County bred Fellow of Christs-colledge in Cambridge He afterwards succeeded his father in the Parsonage of Barley in Hertford shire and became Prebendary of Ely He confuted their cavill who make children the cause of covetousness in Clergy-men being bountifull above his ability notwithstanding his numerous issue No less admirable his industry appearing in his Synopsiâ⦠Comments and Commentaââ¦ies insomuch that one considering his Polygraphy said merrily that he must write whilst he slept it being unpossible that he should do so much when waking Sure I am he wrote not sleepily nor oscitantèr but what was solid in it self and profitable for others A casuall fall from his horse in the high-way near Hodsden breaking his leg accelerated his death It seems that Gods promise to his children to keep them in all their ways that they dash not their foot against the stone 'T is as other Temporall promises to be taken with a Tacit clause of revocation viz. if Gods wisdome doth not discover the contrary more for his glory and his childrens good This Doctor died Anno Domini 1621. Sir THOMAS RIDLEY Kt. Dr. of the Laws was born at Ely in this County bred first a scholar in Eaton then Fellow of Kings-colledge in Cambridge He was a general scholar in all kind of learning especially in that which we call melior literatura He afterwards was Chancellor of Winchester and the Vicar generall to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury his memory will never dye whilst his book called the view of the Ecclesiastical Laws is living a book of so much merit that the Common Lawyers notwithstanding the difference betwixt the professions will ingeniously allow a due commendation to his learned performance in that subject He died Anno Domini 1629. on the two and twentieth day of January ARTHUR HILDERSHAM was born at Strechworth in this County descended by his mothers side from the Bloud-Royal being great-great-grand-child to George Duke of Clarence brother to Edward the fourth Yet was he not like the proud Nobles of Tecoa who counted themselves too good to put their hands to Gods work But being bred in Christs-colledge in Cambridge he entred into the Ministry How this worthy Divine was first run a ground with poverty and afterwards set a float by Gods Providence how he often alternately lost and recovered his voice being silenced and restored by the Bishops how after many intermediate afflictions this just and upright man had peace at the last is largely reported in my Ecclesiastical History to which except I adde to the truth I can adde nothing on my knowledge remarkable He died Anno Domini 1631. R. PARKER for so is his Christian name defectively written in my Book was born in Ely therefore Place-nameing himself Eliensis was son as I am confident to Master Parker Arch-deacon of Ely to whom that Bishoprick in the long vacancy after the death of Bishop Cox was profered and by him refused tantum opum usuram iniquis conditionibus sibi oblatam respuens Our Parker was bred in and became Fellow of Caius-colledge an excellent Herauld Historian and Antiquary Author of a short plain true and brief Manuscript called Sceletos Cantabrigiensis and yet the bare Bones thereof are Fleshed with much matter and hath furnished me with the Nativities of severall Bishops who were Masters of Colledges I am not of the mind of the Italian from whose Envy God deliver us Polidore Virgil who having first served his own turn with them burnt all the rare English Manuscripts of History he could procure so to raise the valuation of his own works But from my heart I wish some
with great reputation He was afterwards a Commander in the French-war under King Edward the third where in despight of their power he drove the people ãâã him like sheep destroying Towns Castles and Cities in such manner and number that many years after the sharp points and Gable end of overthrown houses cloven asunder with instruments of war were commonly call'd KNOWLES HIS MITRES The last piece of his servrce was performed in suppressing Wat Tiler and his Rebells Then I behold aged Sir Robert buckling on his armonr as old Priam at the taking of Troy but with far better success as proving very victorious and the Citizens of London infranchized him a member ãâã of in expression of their thankfulness His Charity was as great as his Valour and he rendred himself no less loved by the English then feared of the French He gave bountifully to the building of Rochester-bridge founding a Chappel and Chantery at ââ¦he East end thereof with a Colledge at ãâã in Yorkshire where Constance his Lady was born endowing it with one hundred and eighty pounds per annum He died at his ãâã of Sconââ¦-Thorp in Norfolk in peace and honour whereas ãâã generally set in a cloud being at least ninety years of age for he must be ãâã no ãâã then ãâã years old when Annoââ¦52 ââ¦52 he was a Generall under K. Edâ⦠ãâã third and he ãâã untill the ãâã of August 1407. being buried in White-Friers in London to which he had been a great benefactour JOHN SMITH Captain was ãâã in ãâã County as Master Arthur Smith his Kins man and my School-master did inform me But whether or no related unto the Worshipfull Family of the Smiths at ãâã I know not He spent the most of his life in ãâã ãâã First in Hungary under the Empeâ⦠fighting against the Turks Three of which he himself killed in single Duells and therefore was Authorized by ãâã King of Hungary to bear three Turks-heads as an Augmentation to his Armes Here ãâã gave intelligence to a besieged City in the night by significant ãâã works formed in ãâã in legible Characters with many strange performances the Scene whereof is laid at such a distance they are cheaper credited then confuted From the Turks in Europe he passed to the Pagans in America where towards the latter end of the Raign of Queen Elizabeth such his Perills Preservations Dangers Deliverances they seem to most men above belief to some beyond Truth Yet have we two witnesses to attest them the Prose and the Pictures both in his own book and it soundeth much to the diminution of his deeds that he alone is the Herauld to publish and proclaime them Two Captains being at dinner one of them fell into a large relation of his own atchivements concluding his discourse with this question to his fellow And pray Sir said he what service have you done To whom he answered Other men can tell that And surely such reports from strangers carry with them the greater reputation However moderate men must allow Captain Smith to have been very instrumentall in setling the plantation in Virginia whereof he was Governour as also Admiral of New-England He led his old age in London where his having a Princes mind imprison'd in a poor mans purse rendred him to the contempt of such who were not ingenuous Yet he efforted his spirits with the remembrance and relation of what formerly he had been and what he had done He was buried in Sepulchres-Church-Quire on the South-side thereof having a ranting Epitaph inscribed in a table over him too long to transcribe Onely we will insert the first and last verses the rather because the one may fit Alexanders life for his valour the other his death for his religion Here lies one conquer'd that hath conquer'd Kings Oh may his soul in sweet Elysium sleep The Orthography Poetry History and Divinity in this Epitaph are much alike He on the 21. of June 1631. Physicians If this county hath bred no Writers in that faculty the wonder is the less if it be true what I read that if any here be sick They make him a posset and tye a kerchieff on his head and if that will not mend him then God be mercifull to him But be this understood of the common people the Gentry having the help no doubt of the learned in that profession Writers THOMAS ECLESTONE A Village in Broxtone Hundred was born in this County bred a Franciscan in Oxford Leland saith of him that under the conduct of prudence and experience he contended with many paces to pierce into the Penetrales of Learning He wrote a book of the succession of Franciscans in England with their works and wonders from their first coming in to his own time dedicating the same to not G. Notingham the Provinciall of his Order but to his friend and Fellow-Frier his mortified mind it seems not aiming at honour therein He wrote another Book intituled De impugnatione Ordinis suâ⦠per Dominicanos Of the assaults which the Dominicans made on his Order These two sorts of Friers whipping each other with their Cords or Knotted Girdles to the mutual wounding of their reputations He died Anno Domini 1340. Since the Reformation RALPH RADCLIFFE was born in this County who travelling Southward fixed himself at Hitching in Hertfordshire where he converted a demolished house of the Carmelites into a Publique Grammar-school He here erected a fair stage whereon partly to entertain his Neighhours and partly to embolden his Scholars in pronuntiation many interludes were acted by them Pitz. praiseth him being a School-master that he confined himself to his own profession not medling with Divinity and yet amongst his books he reckoneth up a Treatise of the Burning of Sodome and another of the Afflictions of Job Nor must we forget his book entitled de triplice Memoriâ of the Threefold Memory which though I never met with any that saw it may probably be presumed of the Water Wax Iron Memory receiving things very somewhat very hardly easily  retaining them no a little long Time He flourished under the raign of King Edward the sixth Anno Domini 1552. and it is likely he died before the raign of Queen Mary JOHN SPEED was born at Farrington in this County as his own Daughter hath informed me he was first bred to a handicraft and as I take it to a Taylor I write not this for his but my own disgrace when I consider how far his Industry hath outstript my Ingenious Education Sir Fulk Grevill a great favourer of Learning perceiving how his wide soul was stuffed with too narrow an occupation first wrought his inlargement as the said Author doth ingeniously confess Whose merits to me-ward I do acknowledge in setting this hand free from the daily imployments of a manuall Trade and giving it his liberty thus to express the inclination of my mind himself being the procurer of my present Estate This
that age and assign 1339. the time of his death Chester the place of his buriall RANDAL or RANULPH HYGDEN commonly called Ranulph of Chester was bred a Benedictine in Saint Werburge He not onely Vamped the history of Roger aforesaid but made a large one of his own from the beginning of the World commendable for his Method and Modesty therein Method assigning in the Margent the date of each action We read Genesis 1. that Light was made on the First and the Sun on the Fourth day of the Cââ¦eation when the Light formerly diffused and dispersed in the Heavens was Contracted United and Fixed in one full Body thereof Thus the Notation of Times confusedly scattered in many antient Authors as to our English Actions are by our Ranulphus reduced into an Intire bulk of Cronology Modesty Who to his great commendation Unicuique suorum Authorum honorem integrum servans confeseth himself to use his own expression with Ruth the Moabite to have gleaned after other Reapers He calleth his book Poly-Cronicon He continued sixty four years a Monke and dying very aged 1363. was buried in Chester HENRY BRADSHAW was born in this City and lived a Benedictine therein A diligent Historian having written no bad Chronicle and another Book of the Life of Saint Werburg in verse Take a tast at once both of his Poetry and the Originall Building of the City both for Beauty alike The Founder of this City as saith Polychronicon Was Leon Gawer a mighty strong Giant Which builded Caves and Dungeons many a one No goodly Building ne proper ne pleasant These his verses might have passed with praise had he lived as Arnoldus Vion doth erroniously insinuate Anno 1346. But flourishing more then a Century since viz. 1513. they are hardly to be excused However Bale informeth us that he was the Diamond in the Ring pro ea ipsa aetate admodum pius and so we dismiss his Memory with Commendation Since the Reformation EDWARD BRIERWOOD was as I am informed born in this City bred in Brasen-nose-colledge in Oxford Being Candidate for a Fellowship he lost it without loss of credit For where preferment goes more by favour then merit the Rejected have more honour then the Elected This ill success did him no more hurt then a Rub doth to an over-thrown Bowl bringing it the nearer to the mark He was not the more sullen but the more serious in his studies retiring himself to Saint Mary-hall till he became a most accomplished Scholar in Logick witness his worthy work thereof Mathematicks being afterwards a Lecturer thereof in Gresham-colledge All learned and many modern languages hereof he wrot a Learned book called his Enquiries No Sacrilegious Enquiries whereof our age dothsurfet It is a Snare after vows to make Enquiries but judicious disquisitions of the Originall and Extent of Languages A little before his death Pens were brandish'd betwixt Master Byfield and him about the keeping of the Sabbath Master Brierwood learnedly maintaining that th other exacted more strictness therein then God enjoyned Let me contribute my symbole on this Subject Our Saviour is said to be made under the Law and yet he saith of himself The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath Indeed he was made under the fourth Commandement as under the rest of the Law to observe the dominion not tyranny thereof usurped partly by the misinterpretation of the Priests partly by the misapprehension of the People and therefore both by his Life and Doctrine did manumisse men from that vassallage that the day instituted for rest and repose should not be abused for self-affliction and torment To return to our Brierwood I have heard a great Scholar in England say That he was the fittest Man whom he knew in England to sit at the Elbo of a Professor to prompt him But in my opinion he was a very proper person to discharge the place himself I conjecture his death about 1633. JOHN DOWNHAM younger Son of William Downham Bishop of Chester was as far as my best enquiry can recover born in this City bred in Cambridge B. D. and afterwards became a painfull and profitable Preacher in London He was the first who commendably discharged that eminent Lecture plentifully indowed by Master Jones of Munmouth and is memorable to posterity for his worthy work of the Christian Warfare Well had it been for England had no other war been used therein for this last twenty years all pious Persons being comfortably concerned in the prosecution thereof Seriously considering that their Armour is of proof their Quarrel is lawfull their Fight is long their Foes are fierce their Company are Saints their Captain is Christ their Conquest is certain their Crown is Heaven This grave Divine died very aged about the year 1644. Benefactors to the Publique WILLIAM ALDERSEA a pious and godly man was Mayor of the City 1560. demeaning himself in his place with much Gravity and Discretion He caused with much Cost and Industry the Catalogue of the Mayors of Chester to be compleated and that on this occasion He found by Authentick Evidences that one Whetlyââ¦ad ââ¦ad been four times Mayor of Chester and yet his name was never mentioned in the ordidinary Book of Mayors This put this good Magistrate on the employment Detection of faults informes little without Correction of them to amend and compleat that lame list out of their Records Thus Imperfections may occasion Perfection which makes me to hope that hereafter the Defects of this my Book without prejudice to my Profit or Credit will be judiciously discovered and industriously amended by others This William died the twelfth of October Anno 1577. and lyeth buried in the Chancell of Saint Osswalls under a fair stone of Alabaster Sir THOMAS OFFLEY Son to William Offley was born in the City of Chester and bred a Merchant-taylor in London whereof he became Lord Mayor Anno 1556. The usefull custome of the night Bellman preventing many Fiers and more Felonies began in his Mayoralty He was the Zachaeus of London not for his low Stature but his high Charity bequeathing the half of his Estate computed by a Reverend Divine to amount to five thousand pounds unto the Poor although he had children of his own Yea he appointed that two hundred pound should be taken out of the other half left to his son Henry and employed to charitable uses He died 1560. and was buried in the Church of Saint Andrews Undershaft I am heartily sory to meet with this passage in my Author Sir Thomas Offley bequeatheth one half of all his goods to charitable actions But the Parish meaning Saint Andrews Undershaft received little benefit thereby If the Testators Will were not justly performed it soundeth to the shame and blame of his Executors But if the charity of Sir Thomas acted Eminus not Comminus I mean at some distance and not at his own habitation it was no injury for any to dispose of
Egmund Leland for a reason immediately following nameth him William of Stamford but Egremont is the Orthography of his name from a small Market-town yet a Barony of the late Earls of Sussex in this Shire where he was born Quitting this cold Country he took his Progress into the South and fixing himself at Stamford became an Augustinian Eremite and proceeded Doctor of Divinity Going beyond the Seas he was by the Pope made Episcopus Pissinensiâ⦠some poor pitifull Bishoprick so that one would scarce trouble himself to find it out to have the profit thereââ¦f and therewith held the Suffragane-ship under Henry Beaufort Bishop of Lincoln Indeed that voluminous Diocess a full fourth part of England before Eli Peterborough and Oxford were cantoned out of it required a Co-adjutor Many are the learned works written by him and seeing he is Doubly qualified I thought fitter to repose him under the Topick of Writers then of Prelates being confident that he got more credit by his Books then profit by his Bishoprick He flourished under King Richard the second anno 1390. JOHN SKELTON was a younger branch of the Skeltons of Skelton in this County I crave leave of the Reader hitherto not having full instructions and preserving the undoubted Title of this County unto him to defer his character to Norfolk where he was Beneficed at Diss therein Since the Reformation RICHARD CRAKENTHORP D. D. was descended of an Ancient Family in this County as appeareth by their frequent being Sheriffs thereof He was bred Fellow of Queens-colledge in Oxford and afterwards in the first of King James went over Chaplain to the Lord Evers sent Embassadour to the King of Denmark and other prime Princes of Germany Here by use he got an easiness in the Latine tongue and correspondency with several persons of eminent Learning He was an excellent Logiciaâ⦠witness his work in that kind and became Chaplain in Ordinary to King James Rector of Black-Notley in Essex greater preferments expecting him had not his death prevented it Pliny observeth that Posthume Children born after the death of their Father and Caesars understand such who are cut out of the womb of their Mother prove very happy in success What reason soever Naturalists assign hereof Divines justly impute it to Gods goodness graciously remembring those Orphans which cannot remember their own Parents The Observation may be applyed to the Books of this worthy Doctor set forth after his death one called Vigilius Dormità ns in defence of the Emperour Justinian and a generall Councill held by him Anno 553. set forth by his Brother George Crakenthorp the other being an answer to the Manifesto of the Arch-bishop of Spalato set forth by that Learned Antiquary Dr. John Barkham and both of these Books finding an universall and gratefull reception among the Learned and Religious I cannot certainly fix the date of his death and be it here solemnly entred that Westmerland shall be unprejudiced if he were born as a most credible person hath informed me at NewBiggin in this County SALKELD was a branch of a Right Worshipfull Family in this County bred a Divine beyond the Seas but whether ãâã or Secular Priest I know not Coming over into England to Angle for Proselites it seems his Line broke and he was cast into prison Hence he was brought out and presented to K. James by whose Arguments and a Benefice bestowed on him in Somersetshire he became a Protestant This he used in all companies to boast of that he was a Royall Convert Nobisque dedit solatia victor And was it not a Noble thing Thus to be conquer'd by a King Indeed His Majesty in some of his works styleth him the Learned Salkeld which the other much vaunted of often telling it to such who well knew it before for fear they might forget it His preaching was none of the best and he retained some Popish though not Opinions Fancies to the day of his death I have heard much of his discourse more of his own praise then to his own praise in my judgement But his true character may be taken out of the Book he wrot of Angells He died about the year 1638. GERARD LANGBAIN D. D. was born at Kirk-Banton in this County bred first Fellow in then Provost of Queens-colledge in Oxford A skilfull Antiquary ingenious industrious and judicious in ââ¦is Writings as by his Works will appear Who so shall read over the History of thâ⦠Councill of Trent translââ¦ted out of Italian by Sir Nathaniel Brent will conceive it so compleat a Narration of all the concernments in that Council that nothing of consequence can be added thereunto Yet this his mistake will be confuted by perusing the Works set forth by Doctor Langbain of the dissent of the Gallican Churches from severall conclusions in that Council As his Brain was the Mother of some so was it the Midwife to other good books which he procured to be published Especially a book made by Sir John Cheeke concerning Rebellion and Loyalty seasonably reprinted in the beginning of our Civil Wars But alas such then was the noise of mens Animosities that the Still voice of Truth could not be heard amongst them More Excellent Tracts were expected from him particularly an Edition of Brian Twine with Additions concerning the Antiquity of Oxford when God was pleased almost in the midst of his days to put an end to his life Anno 1657. Benefactors to the Publick ROBERT EAGLESFIELD born in this County was a pious and learned man according to the rate of that age Chaplain and Confessor to Philippa Queen to King Ed ward the third He founded a fair Colledge in Oxford by the name of Queens-colledge for a Provost and twelve Fellows whom he ordered to sit in the Hall in purpura and that they should be attended on more Curiali He appointed that those of Cumberland and Westmerland should be proper for perferment in his Foundation rendring this reason why he reflected most on those Northern Counties Propter insolitam vastitatem melioris literaturae infrequentiam But prevented by death he finished not his intentions leaving onely to the Colledge the Mannor of Renwick in this County with the impropriation of Burgh under Stanmore and which I assure you was considerable most excellent Statutes To shew himself both Courtier and Scholar he ordered that in the Hall they should speak either Latine or French He bequeathed his Colledge to the honorary Patronage of the Queens of England and his Sur-name is still extant in this County in persons of quality but how to him related to me unknown He dyed about the year of our Lord 1370. Memorable Persons MAUD the Daughter of Thomas Lord Lucy Sister and Heir of Anthony Lord Lucy and Baron of Cokermouth the Widow of Gilbert Humfrevile Earl of Angus was the second Wife of Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland Who when she saw that she should dye without Issue gave to Earl Henry her husband the Castle and Honour of
Requests and at last Secretary of State for twenty years together He was a very zealous Protestant and did all good Offices for the advancement of true Religion and died the eighth of Septemb. 1644. Capital Judges and Writers on the Law JOHN STATHOM He was born in this County in the Raign of King Henry the sixth and was a learned man in the Laws whereof he wrote an Abridgement much esteemed at this day for the Antiquity thereof For otherwise Lawyers behold him as Souldiers do Bows and Arrows since the invention of Guns rather for sight than service Yea a Grandee in that Profession hath informed me that little of Stathom if any at all is Law at this day so much is the practice thereof altered whereof the Learned in that faculty will give a satisfactory accompt though otherwise it may seem strange that reason continuing alwayes the same Law grounded thereon should be capable of so great alteration The first and last time that I opened this Author I lighted on this passage Molendinarius de Matlock tollavit bis ââ¦Ã² quod ipse audivit Rectorem de eadem villa dicere in Dominica Ram. Palm Tolle tolle The Miller of Matlock took toll twice because he heard the Rectour of the Parish read on Palme Sunday Tolle Tolle i. e. crucifie him crucifie him But if this be the fruit of Latine Service to encourage men in Felony let ours be read in plain English Sir ANTHONY FITZ-HERBERT Son of Ralph Fitz-Herbert Esquire was born at Norbury in this County He was first the Kings Serjeant at Law and was afterwards in the fourteenth of King Henry the eighth made one of the Justices of the Common Pleas so continuing until the thirtieth year of the said King when he died He wrote the excellent Book De Natura Brevium with a great and laborious Abridgement of the Laws and a Kalendar and Index thereunto Monuments which will longer continue his Memory than the flat blew Marble stone in Norbury Church under which he lieth interred Sea-Men Sir HUGH WILLOUGHBY was extracted from a right worthy and ancient stock at Riseley in this County He was in the last year of the raign of King Edward the sixth employed for the North-East passage and by the King and Merchants of London made Captain General of a Fleet for Discovery of Regions and places unknown Their Fleet consisted of three Ships the Bona Esperanza Admiral of one hundred and twenty Tun the Edward Bonaventure whereof Richard Chancelour Pilot-Major of one hundred and sixty Tun and the Good Confidence of ninety Tun. A large Commission was granted unto them which Commission did not bear date from the year of our Lord but from the year of the World 5515. because in their long Voyage they might have occasion to present it to Pagan Princes They departed from Debtford May 10. 1553. and after much foul weather steered up North-North-East But on the second day of August a tempest arose and their ships with the violence of the Wind were much shattered and the Bonaventure scattered from the other two ships which never after saw it again Sir Hugh holding on his course descried a Land which for Ice he could not approach lying from Synam an Island belonging to the King of Denmark one hundred and sixty leagues being in Latitude seventy two Degrees This was then called Willoughby-land as well it might seeing it had neither then or since any Owner or Inhabitant pretending to the propriety thereof It appeareth by a Will found in the ship which was the Admiral in the pocket of a person of quality how in January 1554. Sir Hugh and most of his Company were then in health though all soon after froze to death in a River or Haven called Arzina in Lapland We are bound in charity to believe them well prepared for death the rather because they had with them a Minister Mr. Richard Stafford by name one of the twelve Councellors to manage the design who read constantly every morning and evening the English Service to those who were in the Admiral with the Bible and Paraphrases thereon So that this may be termed the first reformed Fleet which had the English Prayers and Preaching therein However seeing Nocumenta Documenta and that the Ship-wrecks of some are Sea-marks to others even this Knights miscarriage proved a direction to others As for the Bonaventure which answering its name was onely found by losing it self it returned safe and performed afterwards most excellent service in opening the Traffick to Muscovy Thus as the last Dog most commonly catcheth the Hare which other Dogs have turned and tired before so such who succeed in dangerous and difficult enterprises generally reap the benefit of the adventures of those who went before them As for Sir Hugh and his Company their Discoveries did thaw though their Bodies were frozen to death the English the Summer following finding a particular account of all passages of their voyages remaining entire in the Ship wherein they perished Lapland hath since been often surrounded so much as accosts the Sea by the English the West part whereof belongeth to the King of Sweden but the East moity to the Muscovite They were generally Heathen as poor in knowledge as estate paying their Tribute in Furres whose little Houses are but great ââ¦oles wherein generally they live in the ignorance of Money Here let me insert a passage to refresh the Reader after this long and sad story of a Custom in this barbarous Country from the mouths of credible Merchants whose eyes have beheld it It is death in Lapland to marry a Maid without her Parents or Friends consent Wherefore if one beare affection to a young Maid upon the breaking thereof to her friends the fashion is that a day is appointed for their friends to meet to behold the two young parties to run a Race together The maid is allowed in starting the advantage of a third part of the race so that it is impossible except willing of her self that she should ever be overtaken If the Maid overrun her Suitor the matter is ended he must never have her it being penal for the Man again to renew the motion of Marriage But if the Virgin hath an affection for him though at the first running hard to try the truth of his love she will without Atalantaes Golden Balls to retard her speed pretend some casualty and make a voluntary hault before she cometh to the mark or end of the race Thus none are compelled to marry against their own wills and this is the cause that in this poor Countrey the married people are richer in their own contentment than in other lands where so many forced Matches make fained Love and cause real unhappinesse Physicians THOMAS LINACER Doctor of Physick was born in the Town of ãâã bred in Oxford whence he afterwards travelled beyond the Seas residing chiefly at Rome and Florence Returning into England he brought Languages along
great linage allied to the Earl of Devonshire and no lesse Learning excellently skilled in the Knowledg of both Laws So that at the instant suit of K. Henry the Fifth He was preferred Bishop of Norwich Anno 1413. His person the Inne of his Soul had a fair Sign was highly favoured by his Prince and beloved by the people Yet all this could not prolong his life So that he died of a flux at the siege of Harflew in Normandy in the second year of his Consecration and his Corps brought over was honourably entombed in Westminster Jââ¦AMES CARY was born in this County his name still flourishing nt Cockington therein He was at Rome made Bishop of Lichfield and travailing thence homewards towards England did again light on the Pope at Florââ¦nce just at the news of the vacancy of Exeter and the same See was bestowed on him the more welcome because in his Native County Say not this was a Degradation For though in our time Lichfield is almost twice as good as Exeter ââ¦xeter then was almost four times as good as Lichfield This appeareth by their valuations of their Income into First-Fruits Exeter paying the Pope six thousand Ducats whilst Lichfield paid onely seventeen hundred at the most But what ever the value of either or both was Cary enjoyed neither of them dying and being buried in Florence Thus though one may have two Cups in his hand yet some intervening accident may so hinder that he may taste of neither He died 1419. JOHN STANBERY was saith Bale out of Leland in Occidentali ãâã parte natus But the Western parts being a wide Parish thanks to our Authour who hath particularized the place of his Nativity viz. the Farm of Church-hill within the Parish of Bratton or Broad-Town in this County where some of his Name and Kindred remain at this day He was bred a Carmelite in Oxford and bââ¦came generaââ¦ly as learned as any of his Order deserving all the dignity which the ââ¦niversity did or could confer upon him King Hââ¦n the sixth highly favoured and made him the first Provost of Eaton being much ruled by his advice in ordering that his new Foundation He was by the King designed Bishop of Norwich but William de la Poole Duke of Suffolk See the presumption of a proud Favourite or Minion rather got it from him for his own Chaplain and Stanbery was for to stay his stomack on the poor Bishoprick of Bangor till Anno 1453 he was advanced Bishop of Hereford Leland doth condemn him for his over compliance with the Pope in all his intollerable taxes and others commend him as much for his fidelity to his Master King Hen. whom he deserted not in all his adversity so that this Bishop was taken prisoner in the Battail of Northampton Say not to this Prelate as Eliab to David Why camest thou down hither with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the Wildernesse I know the pride and the malice of thy heart for thou art come down to see the Battail For Stanbery being Confessor to King Henry he was tyed by his Oath to such personal attendance After long durance in Warwick Castle he was set at liberty and dying Anno 1474 was buried in the Convent of Carmelites at Ludlow where his barbarous and tedious Epitaph ill suiting with the Authour of such learned and pithy Books is not worth the inserting PETER COURTNEâ⦠son to Sir Phillip Courtney was born at Powderham in this Shire He was first preferred Arch-Deacon then Bishop of ââ¦xeter expending very much money in finishing the North Tower giving a great called Peter Bell thereunto He was afterwards Anno 1486 translated to Winchester where he sat five years It is much one of so Illustrious Birth should have so obscure a Burial Bishop Godwin conÌfessing that he knew not whereabouts in his Church he lyeth interred Since the Reformation JOHN JEWEL bearing the Christian Name of his Father Grandfather and Great Grandfather was born at Buden a Farm possessed more than two hundred years by his Ancestors in the Parish of ãâã nigh Illfracombe in this County on the 24th of May 1552. His mothers Sirname was Bellamy who with her husband John Jewel lived happily fifty years together in Holy Wedlock and at their death left ten children behind them It may be said of his Sirname Nomen Omen Jewel his Name and Pretious his Vertues So that if the like ambition led us English men which doth Foraigners speciously to render our Sirnames in Greek or Latine he may be termed Johnnes Gemma on better account then Gemma Frisius entituleth himself thereunto He was chiefly bred in the School of Barstable where John Harding afterwards his Antagonist was his School fellow and at 15 years of age was admitted in Merton Collââ¦dge under the tuition of John Parkhurst afterwards Bishop of Norwich Such his sedulity rising alway at 4 of the Clock and not going to bed till 10 that he was never punished for any exercise and but once for absence from Chappel Hence he was removed to Corpus Christi Colledge where he proved an Excellent Poet having all Horace by heart Linguist and Orator Thus having touched at all Humane Arts he landed at Divinity being much assisted by Peter Martyr the Kings Professor therein St. Jerome telleth us that so great was the intimacy betwixt Pamphilius that worthy Martyr a Priest and Eusebius the Bishop of Caesarea ut ab uno alter nomen acceperet that they mutually were sirnamed the one from the other Pamphilius Eusebii and Eusebius Pamphilii No lesse the unity of affections be twixt these two who accordingly might be called Martyrs Jewell and Jewells Martyr as seldome in body and never in mind asunder What eminent changes afterwards befel him in the course of his life how he fled into Germany lived at Zurick returned into England was preferred Bishop of Salisbury wrote learnedly preached painfully lived piously died peaceably Anno Dom. 1572. are largely related in my Ecclesiastical History and I will trouble the Reader with no repetitions JOHN PRIDEAUX was born at Hartford in the West part of this County bred Scholar Fellow and Rââ¦ctor of Exeter Colledg in Oxford Canon of Christ-Church and above thirty years Kings Professor in that University An excellent Linguist but so that he would make words wait on his matter chiefly aiming at expressivenesse therein he had a becomming Feââ¦ivity which was Aristotles not St. Pauls ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Admirable his memory retaining what ever he had read The Welch have a Proverb in my mind somewhat uncharitable He that hath a good memory giveth few Alms because he keepeth in mind what and to whom he had given before But this Doctor cross'd this Proverb with his constant charity to all in want His learning was admired by Forreigners Sextinus Amma Rivet c. He was not Vindicative in the least degree One intimate with him having assured me that he would
Perin in Cornwall The Angel Gabriel was very much beholding to him for instituting an Annual Festival unto Him observed as I humbly conceive only in his own Cathedral or own Diocesse at the most and least people shoââ¦ld complain of the dearnesse of their Devotion he left good Land to defray the cost of that Solemnity He is much blamed for compassing the Mannour of Bishops-Clift to his Church by indirect means to which I can say nothing but only observe that this small City within eighty Years did afford three eminent Prelates whereof two Episcopi in Patria the Natives thereof which will scarcely be paralell'd in any Place of the same proportion He died Anno 12. Writers JOSEPHUS ISCANUS was born at this City anciently called Isca from the River Isk now named Eske running thereby A golden Poââ¦t in a leaden Age so terse and elegant were his Conceipts and expressions This our English Maro had for his Mecenas Baldwin Archbishop of Canterbury But I revoke my words and desire to turn Maro into Cornelius Nepos under whose name the Dutch-men have lately printed a Poem made by this Josephus debello Trojano It soundeth much to a Mans honour even to be mistaken for another Man of eminency for though there may be much of error in the mistake there must be something of truth in the error especially with the judicious Yea in such case a general conformity betwixt the Persons is not enough to build the mistake on without some ãâã ãâã as here the affinity of phrase and fancy betwixt these two Poets This ãâã Nepos under whose name the Poems of this Josephus were printed flourished in the time of Tully Indeed I finde not any Poems made by him though having to that purpose perused all Scaliger de Arte ãâã as a most probable Authour But most sure it is that this Cornââ¦lius was most judicious in that Art because Valerius Catullus dedicated his Poem unto him as best able to pââ¦sse a learned censure thereon this Josephus Iscanus flourished under King John Anno 1210 being Arch-Bishop of Burdeaux I have nothing more to observe of him save what with the Readers pardon I cannot omit viz. that this Josephus alwayes minded me of another Josephus Iscanus I mean Joseph Hall lately Bishop of Exeter a witty Poet when young a painfull Preacher and solid Divine in his middle a patient Sufferer in his old age of whom God willing more in due place WILLIAM of Exeter was born in this City bred a Doctor of Divinity in Oxford and afterwards became ãâã of the ãâã in the place of his nativity Now in his age fome Franciscan Friers so praised the perfectiou of Poverty that they touched the Popes Coppy-hold of Inheritance For if Poverty was so essential to Piety Papal pomp and plenty must needs argue prophaneness In confutation hereof this William of Exeter undertook William of Ockam though indeed impar congressus betwixt them for Exeter a fair City did not more exceed Ockam a smal village in Surrey in beauty and building than that Ockam William excelled this Exeter William in parts and Learning however what he wanted in brains he had in a good back to assist him and William of Exeter with John the three and twentieth Pope of Rome was able to undertake any Authour of that age He flourished in the Year of our Lord 1330. under the Raign of King Edward the third Since the Reformation RICHARD MARTYN was born in this City and bred partly in the Court partly in the Inns of Court and at last ââ¦etook himself to the Study of the Law He was accounted one of the highest Witts of our Age and his Nation King James being much delighted with his facetiousnesse a quality which with other of his Abilities commended him to be chosen Recorder of London He is eminent as for many Speeches so especially for that he made in Parliament in the tenth year of King James when account was taken of Forty Gentlemen in the House which were not twenty and some of them not sixteen years of age Formerly said this Rââ¦order Martyn it was the custome of Old men to make Lawes for Young ones But now Nature is invaded and inverted seeing Young men enact Lawes to govern their Fathers He had an excellent Pen and wrote very much and the more the pitty that they are suppressed from publick use his death happened about the year 1616. WILLIAM MARTIN Kinsman to the aforesaid Recorder was born in this City and bred a Student in the Lawes of the Land He wrote a short and clear of the Kings of England since the conquest I have been credlbly informed that King James took some exceptions at a Passage therein sounding either to the derogation of his own Family or of the Scotch Nation which he took so tenderly that Mr. Martin was brought into trouble for the same and though he wethered out the Kings displeasure and was reconciled to his Majesty yet he never rââ¦covered his former chearfulnesse It seems that a Princes Anger is a disease which though cured is not cured grief for the same being conceived to hasten his death which happened about the year 1616. WILLIAM TUCKER was born in this City bred fellow of New-Colledge in Oxford and after became Doctor in Divinity Canon of Sarisbury Arch-deacon of Barnstable and Dean of Lichfield The purity of his Latine Pen procured his preferment writing and dedicating a Book to Queen Elizabeth de Charismate of our Kings of England their gracious healing the Evil being the best that I have seen on that Subject vindicating such cures from all imposture unlawfull Magick and from some French Writers bold usurpations who lay claim to it as originally belonging to their Kings alone Whereas under correction I conceive that the word Soveraign which properly importeth the Supream Majesty doth also in our English Tongue in a secondary sence signiââ¦ie what is cordial to cure and heal Diseases or sores ever since such sanative power hath been annexed to the Crown of England This Doctor may be said to have worn half a Miter seeing his Congee de-lire was signed if not sent to elect him Bishop of Glocester but afterwards by Order fââ¦om King James it was revoked on what occasion I list not to enquire I conjecture the date of his death was much about the Year 1617. JOHN BARKHAM born in this City was bred in Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford whereof he was Fellow Chaplain afterwards to Archbishop Bancroft and Parson of Bocking in Essex Much his Modesty and no lesse his Learning who though never the publique Parent of any was the carefull Nurse of many Books who otherwise had expired in their Infancy had not his care preserved them He set forth D. Crackenchorp his Posthume Book against Spalato and was helpfull to John Speed in the composing of his English History yea he wrote the whole Life of the Raign of King John which is the King of all the
places and at a place called Somervill near to Chappel which by the landing place as ye come from Altferrâ⦠to Chesil is in great abundance It is an assured remedy for the Yellow Jaundice openeth the obstructions of the Spleen c. Buildings The Houses of the Gentry herein are built rather to be lived in than to be looked on very low in their scituation for warmth and other conveniencies Indeed the rhime holds generally true of the English structures The North for Greatness the East for Health The South for Neatness the West for Wealth However amongst the Houses in this County Lullworth Castle and Sherburn-Lodge are most eminent escaping pretty well in the late war so that they have cause neither to brag nor complain Proverbs As much a kin as Lenson-hill to Pilsen-pen That is no kin at all It is spoke of such who have vicinity of habitation or neighbourhood without the least degree of consanguinity or affinity betwixt them For these are two high hills the first wholy the other partly in the Parish of Broad Windsor whereof once I was Minister Yet Reader I assure thee that Sea-Men make the nearest Relation betwixt them calling the one the Cow the other the Calf in which forms it seems they appear first to their fancies being eminent Sea-marks to such as sail along these Coasts And although there be many Hills interposing betwixt these and the Sea which seem higher to a land Traveller yet these surmount them all so incompetent a Judge and so untrue a Surveyor is an ordinary eye of the Altitude of such places Stab'd with a Byrdport Dagger That is hang'd or executed at the Gallowes The best if not the most Hemp for the quantity of ground growing about Byrdport a Market Town in this County And hence it is that there is an ancient Statute though now disused and neglected that the Cable Ropes for the Navy Royal were to be made there abouts as affording the best Tackling for that purpose Dorset-shire Dorsers Dorsers are Peds or Panniers carried on the backs of Horses on which Haglers use to ride and carry their Commodities It seems this homely but most useful implement was either first found out or is most generally used in this County where Fish-Jobbers bring up their Fish in such contrivances above an hundred miles from Lime to London Saints EDWARD son to Edgar King of England was in his Child-hood bred under the cruel correction of Elfrida his Mother-in-law who used for small faults to whip him with Wax-Candles In so much that it is reported it made such an impression in this young Princes memory that when a man he could not endure the sight of Wax-Candles But Edward afterwards outgrew his Mothers tuition and succeeded his Father in his Throne However such her ambition that advantaged with the others easiness of nature She managed most matter of State leaving her Son in-law little more than the bare title of Soveraign Not contented herewith and to derive the Scepter to her own Son Ethelred caused him to be stab'd at Corfe Castle in this County coming in a civil visit unto her His hidden ââ¦ody being miraculously discovered was first buried at Warham and thence removed to Shaftsbury which Town for a time was termed Saint Edwards from his interment His murder hapned about the year of our Lord 978. Cardinals JOHN MORTON was born at Saint Andrews Milborne in this County of a right Worshipful Family still extant therein He was bred in Oxford and after many mediate preferments made Bishop of Ely Anno 1578. Not long after when many groaned under the Tyranny of King Richard the third this Prelate first found out the design of marrying Elizabeth eldest daughter to Edward the fourth of the House of York to Henry Earl of Richmond the last who was left of the line of Lancaster Indeed the Earls title to the Crown was not enough to make a countenance therewith much less a claim thereto but as the Lady had a Title and wanted a man to manage it the Earl was man enough to manage any design but wanted a Title and pursuing this advice by Gods blessing he gained the Crown by the name of Henry the seventh In expression of his gratitude he made this Bishop Chancellor of England and afterwards Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He was a great instrument in advancing a voluntary Contribution to the King through the Land perswading Prodigals to part with their money because they did spend it most and the Covetous because they might spare it best So making both extreams to meet in one medium to supply the Kings necessities who though prodigiously rich may be said always to need because never-satisfied This Bishop with vast cost cut a new Channel in the Fennes for the publick good but it neither answered his expectation nor expence He was magnificent in his buildings and bountiful to poor Scholars enjoyning his Executors to maintain twenty poor Scholars in Oxford and ten in Cambridge twenty years after his death which hapned in October 1500. Prelates JOHN STAFFORD Son to Humphrey Stafford sixth Earl of Stafford was born at Hooke in this County then a most stately House belonging to this Family and bred a Doctor of the Laws in Oxford he was afterwards Dean of the Arches and Dean of Saint Martins This was a fair Colledge near Aldersgate in London founded Anno 1056. by Ingelricus and Edvardus his Brother priviledged by our Kings of England with great immunities the cause of many and high contests betwixt this Colledge and the City of London Afterwards he was made Bishop of Wells and for eighteen years a continuance hardly to be parallel'd was Chancellor of England At last he was advanced Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and no Prelate his Peer in Biââ¦th and preââ¦erment hath either less good or less evil recorded of him He died at Maidstone 1452. and lies buried in Canterbury ROBERT MORTON was Brothers Son to Cardinal Morton of whom before whose Father had a fair Habitation at Saint Andrews Milborne in this County His relation to so good an Uncle mixed with his own merits preferred him to the Bishoprick of Worcester Of whom we have little more than the date of his consecration 1486. and of his Death 1497. He lieth buried in the body of Saint Pauls Church in London JAMES TURBERVIL or De turbida villa was born of a worshipful Family who long have lived in great account in this County â⦠First a Monk but afterwards brought up in New-Colledge in Oxford He was consecrated Bishop of Exeter 1556. and deserved right well of that See When he entred thereon it was most true what his Successor therein since said That the Bishop of Exeter was a Baron but a Bare one so miserably that Cathedral had been pilled and polled But Bishop Turbervil recovered some lost lands which Bishop Voysey had vezed and particularly obtained of Queen Mary the ââ¦estitution of the fair Manor of
according to the strictness of the Rules which we proposed to follow as not being of the number of those Bishops who may not unfitly be termed with Noah righteous in their Generations having seen two Sets if I may so speak of their Order but preferred to that Dignity since our late happy Revolution He is here fixed though no Native of this County because the fittest place I conceive it is happy when the Antidote meets the Poyson where it was first suck'd in seeing formerly treating in my Church History of this Cathedral I delivered his Character to his disadvantage very defectively JOHN COSEN D. D. was born in the City of Norwich bred in Cays Colledge in Cambridge whereof he was Fellow Hence was he removed to the Mastership of Peter-House in the same University One whose abilities quick apprehension solid Judgement variety of Reading c. are sufficiently made known to the world in his learned Books whereby he hath perpetuated his name to posterity I must not pass over his constancy in his Religion which rendereth him aimable in the eys not of good men only but of that God with whom there is no variableness nor shââ¦dow of changing It must be confessed that a sort of fond people surmised as if he had once been declining to the PopishPerswasion Thus the dim sighted complain of the darkness of the room when alas the fault is in their own eyes and the lame of the unevenness of the floor when indeed it lieth in their unsound leggs Such were the silly folk their understandings the eys of their minds being darkned and their affections the feet of their soul made lame by prejudice who have thus falsly conceited of this worthy Doctor However if any thing that I delivered in my Church History relating therein a Charge drawn up against him for urging of some Ceremonies without inserting his Purgation which he effectually made clearing himself from the least imputation of any fault hath any way augmented this opinion I humbly crave pardon of him for the same Sure I am were his Enemies now his Judges had they the least spark of ingenuity they must acquit him if proceeding according to the evidence of his Writing Living Disputing Yea whilest he remained in France he was the Atlas of the Protestant Religion supporting the same with his Piety and Learning confirming the wavering therein yea dayly adding Proselytes not of the meanest rank thereunto Since the return of our gracious Soveraign and the reviving of swooning Episcopacy he was deservedly preferred Bishop of Durham And here the Reader must pardon me if willing to make known my Acquaintance with so eminent a Prelate When one in his presence was pleased with some Propositions wherein the Pope condescended somewhat to the Protestants he most discreetly returned in my hearing We thank him not at all for that which God hath always allowed us in his Word adding withall He would allow it us so long as it stood with his Policy and take it away so soon as it stood with his Power And thus we take our leave of this Worthy Prelate praying for his long life that he mââ¦y be effectual in advancing the settlement of our yet distracted Church Civilians RICHARD COSIN Doctor of Law was born at Hartly Poole a well known harbour for the safety and some observe a providence that he who afterwards was to prove the grand Champion of Episcopacy should amongst all the counties of England be born in ãâã ââ¦ishoprick His Father was a person of quality a Captain of a Company in Mustââ¦borough field whence his valour returned with victory and wealth when crossing the River Tweed O the uncertainty of all earthly happiness was drowned therein to the great losse of his Son Richard and greater because he was not sensible thereof as left an infant in the cradle His Mother afterwards married one Mr. Meddow a York-shire Genââ¦leman who bred this his Son-in-law at a Schoole at Scypton in the Craven wherein such his proficiency that before he was twelue years old little less than a wonder to me in that age from so far a Country he was admitted in Trinity Colledge in Cambridge Some of his Friends in Queens Colledge in that University had a design to fetch him thence had not Doctor Beamont prevented the Plot in making him Scholar and Fellow as soon as by his Age Degree and the Statââ¦tes he was capable thereof He was a general Scholar Geometrician Musician Physician Divine but chiefly Civil and Canon Lawyer By Arch-Bishop Whitgift he was preferred to bâ⦠first Chancellor of Worcester in that age a place non tam gratiosus quam negotiosus and afterwards Dean of the Arches wherein he carried himself without giving though many took offence at him Of these one wrote a Book against him called the Abstract abstracted saith my Author from all Wit Learning and Charity to whom he returned such an answer in the defence of the High Commission and Oath ex officio that he he put his Adversary to silence Others lay to his charge that he gave many Blank Licences the common occasions of unlawful marriages and the procurer herein is as bad as the thief robbing many a parent of his dear child thereby But always malice looks through a multiplying glasse Euclio complained Intromisisti sexcentos Coquos Thou hast let in six hundred Cooks when there was but two truely told Anthrax and Congrio so here was there but one which a fugitive servant stole from the Register to make his private profit thereby God in his sickness granted him his desire which he made in his health that he might be freed from torture which his corpulency did much suspect bestowing ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã upon him a sweet and qutet departure pious his dying expressions I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ Phil. 1. The wages of sin is death Rom. 6. Come Lord Jesus come quickly Revel 12. and his last words was these Farewell my surviving friends remember your mortality and eternal life He gave forty pound to the building of a Chamber in Trinity Colledge and fifteen pound per annum for the maintenance of two Scholar-ships therein a good gift out of his Estate who left not above fifty pound a year clear to his Heir a great argument of his integrity that he got no more in so gainful a place Dying at Doctors Commons he was buried by his own appointment in Lambeth Church and Doctor Andrews preached his Funeral Sermon Amongst the many verses made by the University of Cambridge this with the allowance of poetical Licence came from no bad Fancy Magna Deos inter lis est exorta creatas Horum qui lites dirââ¦mit ille deest Cosinum petiere Dii componere tantas Lites quod vero jure peritus erat It must not be forgotten that Doctor Barlow afterwards Bishop of Lincoln was bred by Doctor Cosen at his charge in his own Family who in expression of his Thankfulness wrote
oath You shall swear by the custome of our confession That you never made any nuptiall transgression Since you were married man and wife By houshold brawles or contentious strife Or otherwise in bed or at bord Offended each other in deed or word Or since the Parish-Clerk said Amen Wished your selves unmarried agen Or in a twelve-moneth and a day Repented not in thought any way But continued true and in desire As when you joyn'd hands in holy Quire If to these conditions without all fear Of your own accord you will freely swear A Gammon of Bacon you shall receive And bear it hence with love and good leave For this is our custome at Dunmow well known Though the sport be ours the Bacons your own It appeareth in an old book on record that Richard Wright of Badesnorth in Norfolk in the twentieth third of Henry the sixth when John Canon was Prior that Stephen Samuel of Little-Easton in Essex the seventh of Edward the fourth when Roger Rullcot was Prior and that Thomas Lee of Coxhall in Essex the second of Henry the eight when John Taylor was Prior demanded their Bacon on the premisses and receiv'd it accordingly Princes HENRY FITZ-ROY naturall son to King Henry the eight Here we confess our Trespass against our own Rules who confined our selves to the Legitimate Issue of Kings presuming that the worth of this Henry will make amends for our breach of order herein He was begotten on the Body of the Lady Talbois and born at Blackmore-Mannor in this County Anno 1519. being afterwards Created Earl of Noââ¦tingham and Duke of Richmond He confuted their Etymology who deduced Bastard from the Dutch words boes and art that is an abject Nature and verifyed their deduction deriving it from besteaerd that is the best disposition Such was his forwardness in all Martiall Activities with his knowledge in all Arts and Sciences Learned Leland dedicating a book unto him He married Mary daughter to Thomas Duke of Norfolk and dying Anno 1536. in the seventeenth year of his age was buried at Framlingham in Suffolk with great lamentation Saints Saint HELEN was born at Colchester in this County daughter to Coel King thereof as all our British Authors unanimously doe report She was Mother of Constantine the first Christian Emperour and is famous to all ages for finding out Christ's Cross on Mount Calvary Hence it is that in memoriall hereof the City of Colchester giveth for its Arms a Cross enragled between four Crowns A scandal is raised on her name that she was Stabularia A Stableress whereof one rendreth this witty rââ¦ason because her Father was Comes Stabuli an high office equivalent to the Constable in France unto the Emperour Others more truly make her so nick named by Pagan malice for her officious devotion in finding out the Stable of Christs Nativity Heathen pens have much aspersed her calling her ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã whose tongues are no slander seeing the Disciple is not above his Master More was I moved when first finding thispassage in Paulinus the pious Bishop of Nola Paulin. Epist. 11. ad Severum This englished ad verbum Prompto filii Imperatoris adsensu mater Augusta patefactis ad opera sancta thesauris toto abusa fisco est She being Mother Emperess the treasuries being set open to pious works by the ready consent of her Son the Emperor she wholly abused the exchequer I wondred to see Paulinus charging such abuses upon her being a person so prodigiously charitable that he is said to have sold himself to redeem a widows son from captivity but consulting the best of Orators I find abuti sometimes fixing no fault and importing no more then uti so that abusing the Exchequer signifieth no more then a full free usage thereof She died at Rome being eighty years of age Anno Domini 337. Saint CONSTANTINE son to the aforesaid Saint Helen was born also at Colchester one sufficiently known to all posterity by the meer mentioning of him My pen shall now do penance with its silence to expiate its tediousness in describing his character in our Ecclesiasticall History He died Anno Domini 339. Saint Ethelburgh Hildetha Theorithoid Edilburge Wolfhild Sister to Erkenwald Bishop of London was by him appointed first Abbess of the Nunnery of Barking in this County by him built and endowed Here she led a very austere life and obtained the veneration of a Saint after her death which happened 676. Sister to St. Ethelburgh aforesaid succeeded her in the government of the said Nunnery for the term of four and twenty years so that she died very aged with the reputation of a Saint Anno 700. The first of whose name soundeth Greek the second Saxon was in this respect inferior to the two former because no Abbess but onely a Nun of Barking Yet did she equall them in some sort in the holiness of her life and her memory may go a breast with them in the Classis of Sts. She died 678. Wife to Ina K. of the West-Saxons by the consent of her husband who went a Pilgrim to Rome became a Nun at Barking after her death Anno 740. room was made for her memory amongst the rank of Saints Afterwards Barking Nunnery destroyed by the Danes was rebuilt by King Edgar Daughter to Wulfhelme E. of the West-Saxons born after the 18. year of her Mothers barrenness was by King Edgar made Abbess of Barking which was the first Nunnery of England the richest valued at above 1000l of year rent at the dissolution and the fruit fullest of Saints as by this parallel doth appear St. Wolfhild died Anno 989. Saint OSITH She was daughter to the King of the East-Angles and wife to Suthred last King of East-Saxons by whose consent forsaking the world she was veiled and at last became Abbess of a Monastery of her own founding at Chich in this County untill the Danes infesting these fea-coasts cut off her head in hatred of Religion Yet this her head after it was cut off was carried by Saint Osith oh wonder oh lie three furlongs and then she fell down and died The same mutatis mutandis is told of Saint Dionys in France Saint Winefride in Wales and others such being the barrenness of Monkish invention that unable to furnish their severall Saints with variety of fictions their tired fancie is fain to make the same miracle serve many Saints She was martyred about the year of our Lord 870. Saint NEOTS why Sir-named Adulphius I know not was born saith Bale either in Essex or Kent but Pitz. who wrote sixty years after him saith positively he was born in Essex It seemeth he met with some evidence to sway down the even beam to preponderate on the side of this County Waving the pleasures of the world he lived long an Eââ¦emite in Cornwell and then leaving his solitary life he became a painfull and profitable Preacher of the
Heraldry in that age from that well noted Town in this County In process of time he became Abââ¦ot of Westminster for twenty four years He was so high in favour with King Hââ¦nry the third that he made him one ' of his speciall Councellours Chief Baron of the Exchequer ââ¦nd for a short time Lord Treasurer of England He died Anno. 1246. buried in Westminster-Church whose marble tombe before the middle of the Altar was afterwards pulled down probably because taking up too much room by Frier Combe Sacriââ¦t of the House who laid a plain marble stone over him with an Epitaph too tedious and barbarous to be transcribed JOHN de CHESILL There are two Villages so called in this County where the North-west corner thereof closeth with Cambridge-shire I will not define in which this John was born time having left us nothing of his actions saving the many preferments thorough which he passed being Dean of Saint Pauls successively Arch-Deacon and Bishop of London and twice Chancellor of England viz. Anno Domini 1264. in the 48. of King Henry the third viz. Anno Domini 1268. in the 53. of King Henry the third He was afterward also Lord Treasurer of England and died Anno Domini 1279. in the seventh year of the raign of King Edward the first JOHN of WALTHAM was so named from the place of his nativity and attained to be a prudent man and most expert in government of the State so that he became Master of the Rolls Keeper of the Privy Seal and Anno 1388. was consecrated Bishop of Salisbury But he miss'd his mark and met with one who both matched and mastered him when refusing to be visited by Courtney Arch-bishop of Canterbury on the criticisme that Pope Urbane the sixth who granted Courtney his Commission was lately dead till the Arch-bishop excommunicated him into more knowledge and humility teaching him that his Visitations had a self-support without assistance of Papal power cast in onely by the way of religious complement This John of Waltham was afterwards made Lord Treasurer and Richard the second had such an affection for him that dying in his Office he caused him to be buried though many muttered thereat amongst the Kings and next to King Edward the first in Westminster His death happened 1395. ROGER WALDEN taking his Name from his Birth in that Eminent Market-Town in this County was as considerable as any man in his Age for the alternation of his fortune First he was the son of a poor man yet by his Industry and Ability attained to be Dean of York Treasurer of Calis Secretary to the King and Treasurer of England Afterwards when Thomas Arundell Arch-bishop of Canterbury fell into the disfavour of King Richard the second and was banished the land this Roger was by the King made Arch-bishop of Canterbury and acted to all purposes and intents calling of Synods and discharging of all other offices However he is beheld as a Cypher in that See because holding it by Sequestration whilst Arandell the true Incumbent was alive who returning in the first of King Henry the fourth resumed his Arch-Bishoprick And now Roger Walden was reduced to Roger Walden and as poor as at his first beginning For though all maintained that the Character of a Bishop was indelable this Roger found that a Bishoprick was delable having nothing whereon to subsist untill Arch-bishop Arundell nobly reflecting upon his Worth or Want or Both procured him to be made Bishop of London But he enjoyed that place onely so long as to be a testimony to all posterity of Arundell his Civility unto him dying before the year was expired 1404. He may be compared to one so Jaw-fallen with over long ââ¦asting thaââ¦ââ¦e cannot eat meat when brought unto him and his spirits were so depressed with his former ill fortunes that he could not enjoy himself in his new unexpected happiness Why he was buried rather in Saint Bartholomews in Smithfiââ¦ld then his own Cathedrall Church is too hard for me to resolve Since the Reformation RICHARD HOWLAND was born at Newport-Pââ¦nds in this County first Hellow of Peterhouse then chosen 1575. Master of Magdalen and next year Master of Saint Johns-Colledge in Cambridge He was twice Vice-chancellor of the University in the year 1584. he was Consecrated Bishop of Peterborough in which place he continued sixteen years and died in June 1600. JOHN JEGON was born in this County at Coxhall Fellow first of Queens then Master of Bennet-colledge in Cambridge and three times Vice-chancellour of the University A most serious man and grave governour yet withall of a most faceââ¦ious disposition so that it was hard to say whether his counsel was more grateful for the soundness oâ⦠his company more acceptable for the pleasââ¦ess thereof Take one eminent instance of his ââ¦genuity Whilst Master of the Colledge he chanced to punish all the Under-graduates therein for some generall offence and the penalty was put upon their Heads in the Buttery And because that he disdained to convert the money to any private use it was expended in new whiteing the Hall of the Colledge Whereupon a scholar hung up these verses on the Skreen Doctor Jegon Bennet-colledge Master Brake the Scholars head and gave the walls a plaister But the Doctor had not the readiness of his parts any whit impaired by his age for perusing the paper ex tempore he subscribed Knew I but the Wagg that writ these verses in a Bravery I would commend him for his Wit but whip him for his Knavery Queen Elizabeth designed him but King James confirmed him Bishop of Norwich where if some in his Diocess have since bestowed harsh language on his memory the wonder is not great seeing he was a somewhat severe presser of Conformity and dyed Anno Domini 1618. SAMUEL HARESNET was born at Colchester in the Parish of Saint Butolph bred first Scholar then Fellow then Master of Pembrock-hall in Cambridge A man of grââ¦t learning strong parts and stout spirit He was Bishop first of Chichester then of Norwich and at last Arch-bishop of York and one of the Privy Councill of King Charles the 2. last dignities being procured by Thomas Earl of Arundell who much favoured him and committed his younger son to his Education Dying unmarried he was the better enabled for Publick and Pious uses and at Chigwell in this County the place of his first Church-preferment he built and endowed a fair Grammer School He conditionally bequeathed his Library to Colchester where he was born as by this passage in his Will may appear Item I give to the Bayliffs and Corporation of the Town of Colchester all my Library of Books provided that they provide a decent room to set them up in that the Clergy of the Town of Colchester and other Divines may have free access for the reading and studying of them I presume the Town corresponding with his desire the Legacy took due effect
about three years viz. from the seventh of July in the 22. year of King Henry the Sixth being the year of our Lord 1544. until the 25. year of that Kings raign This Lord built Sudeley Castle in this County which of Subjects Castles was the most handsome Habitation and of Subjects Habitations the strongest Castle King Edward the Fourthââ¦ent ââ¦ent for him with such summons that this Lord conjectured and that truly enough that it was but a Preface to his imprisonment whereupon going to London and resting himself on a Hill whence he did behold his own Castle It is thou Sudeley it is thou said he and not I that am a Traytor and so resigned the same at last into the hand of the King to procure his own liberty So true it is what Solomon saith The ransome of a mans life are his riches but the poor heareth not rebuke I find not the certain date of his death Capital Judges and Writers on the Law ANTHONY FITZ-HERBERT for a long time Justice of the Common Pleas was as a good Antiquary will have it born about Dean Forrest in this County but is by another no whit his inferiour on better evidence referred to Derby-shire where formerly we have placed his Nativity Yea I have been informed from excellent hands the Natives of this County that no Capital Judge of the three Great Courts though many of the Marches was ever born in this County yet are they here as litigious as in other places Sure I am that Gloucester-shire did breed if no Judge yet a Plaintiff and Defendant of the primest quality which betwixt them with many alternations traversed the longest suit that ever I read in England for a suit was commenced betwixt the Heirs of Sir Thomas Talbot Viscout Lisle on the one party and the heirs of Lord Barkley on the other about certain possessions lying in this County not far from Wotton-under-edge which suit begun in the end of King Edward the Fourth was depending until the beginning of King James when and was it not high time it was finally determined But the long barrenness of this County in Judges may be recompenced with fruitfulness at last the rather because Gloucestershire at this day sheweth two eminent ones Mr. Justice Adkins and Mr. Justice Hales which grace the Court of the Common Pleas with their known ability and integrity EDWARD TROTMAN Son of Edward Trotman Esquire was born at Cam nigh Duresly in this County bred a Student of the Law till he became a Bencher in the Inner Temple He wrote an Abridgement of Sir Edward Coke his eleven Volumes of Reports for the benefit of those who had not money to purchase or leisure to peruse them at large Yea such as have both may be profitted thereby for in my owne profession and in the Book of Books even those who are best acquainted with the Chapters make also use of the Contents This Gentleman in his Title page ingeniously wisheth that his Compendium might not prove Dispendium to the Reader thereof And I verily believe he hath had his desire being informed that his endeavours are well esteemed by the Learned in that profession He was buried in the Temple Church May 29. Anno Dom. 1643. Souldiers Sir WILLIAM TRACY of Todington in this County was a Gentleman of high Birth State and Stomach much in favour with King Henry the second on whom he was a daily attendant One fact hath made his Memory call it famous or infamous because he was the first and forwardest of the four Knights who at the encouragement if not command at leastwise at the connivance if not encouragement of the aforesaid King Imbrewed their hands in the blood of Thomas Becket In his old age he went into Devon-shire where he had large possessions as may appear by so many Towns bearing his surname 1. Wollocomb-Tracy 2. Bovi-Tracy 3. Nimet-Tracy 4. Bradford-Tracy c. It is reported that he intended a penitential Pilgrimage to Jerusalem but setting to Sea was ever crost with adverse Winds He is conceived to lie buried in the Parish Church of Mort in Devonshire dying about the year of our Lord 1180. Seamen This is scarcely a Maritine-shire rather bordering on the Severn than on the Sea having therein no considerable Haven Bristol being beheld as a City entire of it self and therein eminent Seamen cannot be expected yet one Family herein hath been most fortunate in such voyages having their chief Seat at Lydney in the Forrest of Dean which hath afforded WILLIAM WINTER Knight and Vice Admiral of England famous in his Generation for several performances 1. Anno 1559. being then but Machinarum classicarum praefectus English it as you please he frighted the French in Edenborough Frith assaulting their Fort in the Island of Inchkeith 2. Anno 1567. he was sent with Sir Thomas Smith with the sound of the Trumpet and shooting of some Cannons to demand the restitution of Callis of the French King 3. Anno 1568. he conducted a great Treasure of the Genoan Merchants safely into the Netherlands in despight of the French opposing him 4. Anno 1576. he with Robert Beale Clerk of the Councel was employed into Zeland to demand the restitution of our Ships which they had either taken or did detain 5. Anno 1588. he did signal service in the station appointed him coming in though not in the heat in the coole of the day when the Spanish Fleet was fallen towards the shore of Zeland and were sadly sensible of his valour I conceive him not to survive long after because if in life he would have been in action and if in action I should have found him in Cambden's Elizabeth And therefore from no mention I conclude no motion that about this time he departed Besides others of this Family unknown to me and justly referred to this County as their chief habitation And were the phrase as proper of Men sailing as Fishes swimming in the Sea I should say that Lydney-House hath brought forth a shole of Mariners So happy have they been in Sea voyages One wondring how the English durst be so bold as to put to Sea in all weathers it was returned that they were provided to saile in all seasons having both Winters and Summers on their side The more the pity that this worthy Family of the Winters did ever leave the Element of Water to tamper with Fire especially in a destructive way to their King and Country Writers OSBERNUS CLAUDIANUS or Osbern of Gloucester was bred a Benedictine Monk in the famous Convent in that City He was learned saith Leland Praeter iliius aetatis sortem above the Standard of that age He was a good Linguist Philosopher Divine he used to give clearness to what was obscure facility to what was difficult politeness to what was barbarous Nor wanted he a becoming facetiousness in his Dialogues He wrote many Books dedicating them to Gilbert Foliot Bishop of Hereford as a
for his Motto Dilexi decorem domus tuae Domine I have loved the beauty of thy House ô Lord and sometimes Credite operibus Trust their works Now although some may like his Almes better then his Trumpet Charity will make the most favourable construction thereof Being 96. years of age he resigned his Bishoprick and died in the same year Anno Dom. 1536. JOHN WHITE was born in this County of a worshipful House began on the floor and mounted up to the roof of Spiritual Dignitie in this Diocess First Scholar in VVinchester then Fellow of New-colledge in Oxford then Master of VVinchester-School then VVarden of that Colledge and at last taking Lincoln Bishoprick in his passage Bishop of VVinchester all composed in this Distick Me puero Custos Ludi paulo ante Magister VITUS hac demum Praesul in Urbe fuit I may call the latter a Golden Verse for it cost this VVhite many an Angel to make it true entring into his Bishoprick on this condition to pay to Cardinal Pole a yearly Pension of a thousand pounds Now though this was no better then Simony yet the Prelats Pride was so far above his Covetousness and his Covetousness so farre above his Conscience that he swallowed it without any regreet He was a tolerable Poet and wrote an Elegy on the Eucharist to prove the corporal presence and confute Peter Martyr the first and last I believe who brought controversial Divinity into Verses He preached the Funeral Sermon of Queen Mary or if you will of publique Popery in England praising Her so beyond all measure and slighting Queen Elizabeth without any cause that he justly incurr'd Her displeasure This cost him deprivation and imprisonment straiter then others of his Order though freer than any Protestant had under Popish Persecutours until his death which hap'ned at London about the year 1560. Since the Reformation THOMAS BILSON was born in the City of Winchester bred first Scholar in Winchester-School then taking New-Colledge in his passage School-master thereof afterwards Warden of the Colledge and at last taking Worcester in his way Bishop of Winchester As reverend and learned a Prelate as England ever afforded witness his worthy Works Of the perpetual Government of Christs Church and of Christs Descent into Hell not Ad 1. Patiendum to Suffer which was concluded on the Cross with it is finished Nor 2. Praedicandum to Preach useless where his Auditory was all the forlorn hope Neither 3. Liberandum to Free any Pardon never coming after Execution But 4. Possidendum to take possession of Hell which he had conquered And 5. Triumphandum to Triumph which is most honourable in Hostico in the Enemies own Country The New Translation of the Bible was by King James his command ultimately committed to his and Dr. Smiths Bishop of Gloueester perusal who put the compleating hand thereunto His pious departure out of this life hapned 1618. HENRY COTTON was born at Warblington in this County being a younger son unto Sir Richard Cotton Knight and privy Councellor to King Edward the Sixth Queen whilest yet but Lady Elizabeth being then but twelve years of age was his God-mother He was bred in Magdalen Colledge in Oxford and was by the Queen preferred Bishop of Salisbury When she pleasantly said That formerly she had blessed many of her God-sons but now her God-son should bless her Reflecting on the Solemnity of Episcopal Benediction He was consecrated November the 12. 1598. at which time William Cotton of another Family was made Bishop of Exeter The Queen merrily saying alluding to the plenty of clothing in those parts that she hoped that now she had well Cottoned the West By his wife whose name was Patience he had nineteen children and died May the 7. 1615. ARTHUR LAKES was born in the Parish of Saint Michael in the Town of Southampton bred first in VVinchester-School then Fellow of New-Colledge In his own nature he preferred the fruitfulness of the Vine and fatness of the Olive painfulness in a private Parish before the government of the Trees had not immediate Providence without his suit and seeking preferred him successively Warden of New-Colledge Prefect of Saint Crosses nigh VVinchester Dean of VVorcester Bishop of Bath and VVells He continued the same in his Rochet what he was in his Scholars-gown and lived a real comment upon Saint Pauls character of a Bishop 1. Blameless Such as hated his Order could not cast any aspersion upon him 2. The Husband of one VVife He took not that lawful Liberty but led a single Life honouring Matrimony in his brethren who embraced it 3. Vigilant Examining Canonically in his own person all those whom he ordained 4 Sober of good behaviour Such his austerity in diet from his University-Commons to his dying day that he generally fed but on one and that no daintie dish and fasted four times a week from supper 5. Given to Hospitality When Master of Saint Crosses he encreased the allowance of the poor-Brethren in diet and otherwise When Bishop he kept 50. servants in his Family not so much for state or attendance on his Person but pure charity in regard of their private need 6. Apt to teach the Living with his pious Sermons in his Cathedral and neighbouring Parishes and Posterity with those learned Writings he hath left behinde him 7. Not given to VVine His abstemiousness herein was remarkable 8. No striker not given to filthy lucre He never fouled his fingers with the least touch of Gehazi's reward freely preferring desert 9. One that ruleth well his own House The rankness of House-keeping brake not out into any Riot and a Chapter was constantly read every Meal by one kept for that purpose Every night besides Cathedral and Chappel-Prayers he prayed in his own Person with his Family in his Dining-room In a word his Intellectuals had such predominancy of his Sensuals or rather Grace so ruled in both that the Man in him being subordinate to the Christian he lived a pattern of Piety I have read of one Arthur Faunt a Jesuite who entring into Orders renounced his Christian name because forsooth never Legendary Saint thereof and assumed that of Laurence This gracious Arthur was not so superstitiously scrupulous and if none before may pass for the first Saint of his name dying in the fifty ninth year of his age Anno Domini 1602. States-men RICHARD RICH Knight was in the words of my Author A Gentleman well descended and allied in this County Bred in the Temple in the study of our Common Law and afterwards became Sollicitor to King Henry the eighth His Deposition on Oath upon words spoken to him in the Tower was the sharpest evidence to cut off the head of Sir Thomas More He was under Cromwel a lesser hammerto knock down Abbeys most of the Grants of which Lands going through his hands no wonder if some stuck upon his fingers Under King Edward the Sixth he
WADES-Mill Part of a Village lying two miles North thereof were so prodigiously rich as to countervail the wealth of LONDON The Fallacy lieth in the Homonymy of WARE here not taken for that Town so named but appellatively for all vendible Commodities We will not discompose the wit of this Proverb by cavilling that WEARE is the proper name of that Town so called anciently from the Stoppages which there obstruct the River But leave it as we found it and proceed HARTFORD-SHIRE Kindness This is generally taken in a good and grateful sense for the mutual return of favours received It being belike observed that the people in this County at entertainments drink back to them who drank to them parallel to the Latine Proverbs Fricantem refrica Manus manum lavat par est de merente bene bene mereri However sometimes Hartford-shire kindness may prove Hartford-shire cruelty and amount to no less then a Monopoly when this reciprocation of Favours betwixt themselves is the exclusion of all others from partaking thereof Princes WILLIAM second Son of King Edward the Third and Philip his wife took his Christian-name from his Grandfather William Earle of Henault and his Sirname of Hatfield from the place of his Nativity in this County where he was born the ninth of his Fathers Reign Anno Domini 1335. and expired within few dayes afââ¦er So that what I find written on the late Monument of a Noble Infant may also serve for his Epitaph Vivus nil poteram fari quin mortuus Infans Nunc loquor ut mortis sis memor atque vale Living I could not speak now dead I tel Thy duty think of death and so farewel It is uncertain where he was interred but most believe him buried at Westminster EDMUND of LANGLEY Fifth son to King Edward the Third and Queen Philip Was so sirnamed from Kings-Langley in this County the place of his Nativity He was created Earle of Cambridge in the Thirty sixth year of the Reign of his Father and Duke of York in the ninth year of his Nephew King Richard the Second He married Isabel daughter and Co-Heir of Peter King of Castile and lie buried at Langley together He had besides other Children of both Sexes to his eldest Son Richard Duke of York and he died Anno Dom. 1402. EDMUND of HADDAM Reader I presume thee to be so much a Gentleman as in courtesie to allow him a Prince who was Son to Queen Katherine by Owen Theodor her second husband womb-brother to King Henry the Sixth and Father to King Henry the Seventh That he was born in this County one may well be confident seeing there is no Haddam in any Shire of England save Hartford-shire alone I confesse therein three Villages of that name but sure no lesse then Great Haddam was the place of so eminent a Native He was solemnly created Earle of Richmond at Reading in the 31. of King Henry the Sixth Many good works no doúbt he did when living whose corps when buried saved from destruction the fair Cathedral of Saint Davids For his Monument in the midst of the Quire saith my Author as the Prebendaries told him spared their Church from defacing in the dayes of King Henry the Eighth I could wish all King Henries nearest relations had after their decease been severally so disposed preservatives from ruine rapine as the corps of Q. Katherin Dowager did as some say save the Church of Peterburgh But this ill agreeth with that which Brookes reporteth viz. That this Earl was buried in Carmarthen and because Vincent his professed adversary finding fault with him alwayes when any sometimes when no cause taketh no exception thereat I the more rely on his Testimony Onely it is possible that this Earle first enterred in Carmarthen might be afterwards for the more eminence of Sepulture removed to Saint Davids He died Anno Domini 1456. Saints Saint ALBAN though as Saint Paul a Roman by priviledge but Britton by Parentage was born in this County though many hundreds of years before Hartfordshire had its modern Name and Dimensions in the City of Verulam and was martyred for Christianity under Dioclesian An. 303. The cause and manner whereof with the Martyrdome of Saint Amphibalus hard by Rudborn I have so largely related in my Ecclesiastical History that as I will repeat nothing I can add nothing of consequence thereto Except any will conceive this to be remarkable that good Liquoras groweth naturally out of the ruinous walls of Verulam an old City the Mother of the New Town of Saint Albans as a skilful eye-witness Antiquary and zealous Protestant hath observed Had some Papist taken first notice hereof he might probably have made it a Miracle and assign the sanctitie of this place for the root of this Liquoras Martyrs It appeareth by the Maps that Africa lieth partly in the Torrid and partly in the Temperate Zone Nor is the wonder any at all considering the vastness thereof extending it self through many Degrees More strange it is that this small County should be partly in a Temperate viz. the Western part thereof subjected to the Bishop of Lincoln and partly in the Torrid Climate namely the Eastern Moity belonging to the Dioces of London which under Bonner was parched with persecution Yet not to make this Monster worse then he was though many in his Jurisdiction were much molested and though Tradition points the very place in Bishops Stortford where poor people were burnt at the stake yet my Book of Martyrs or Eyes or both be defective wherein I cannot recover the name of any particular person Pope NICHOLAS Son to Robert Break-spear a Lay brother in the Abbey of St. Albans fetcht his Name from Break-speare a place in Middlesex but was born at Abbots-Langley a Town in this County When a Youth he was put to such servile work in St. Albans Abbey that his ingenious Soul could not comport therewith Suing to be admitted into that house he received the repulse which in fine proved no mis-hap but a happy-miss unto him for going over into France he studied so hard and so happily at Paris that for his worth he was preferred Abbot of St. Rufus neer Valentia and afterward by Pope Eugenius the Third was made Bishop of Alba nigh Rome Adnatalis soli memoriam saith my Author that he who was refused to be Monachus Albanensis in England should be Episcopus Albanensis in Italy He was employed by the Pope for the conversion of the Norwegians and though Bale saith he were not Bale if he were not bitter Anti-christiano charactere Norwegios signavit yet his reducing them from Paganisme to Christianity in the Fundamentals was a worthy work and deserves true commendation He was afterwards chosen Pope of Rome by the name of Adrian the fourth There is a mystery more then I can fathome in the changing of his name Seeing his own font-name was a Papal one Yet he
he entred with four great advantages of Pitie Kindred Favour and Merit Pitie on the account of his Father lately dead to say no more and generally lamented Kindred by his Mothers side Lettice Knowles near allied to the Queen Favour being son in Law to Leicester and so was a Favourits Favourite at the first day though he quickly stood on his own legs without holding Merit being of a Beautiful Personage Courteous Nature Noble Descent Fair though much impaired Fortune Fore-noon when the Queen favourably reflected on him as a Grand-Mother on a Grand-Child making him the wanton to her fond and indulgent affection as by this Letter written with her own hand doth appear ESSEX Your sudden and undutiful departure from our presence and your place of Attendance you may easily conceive how offensive it is and ought to be unto Us. Our great Favours bestowed upon you without deserts hath drawn you thus to neglect and forget your Duty For other Construction we cannot make of these your strange Actions Not meaning therefore to tolerate this your disordered Part We gave directions to some of Our Privy Councel to let you know our Express Pleasure for your Immediate Repair hitber which you have not performed as your Duty doth bind you Increasing thereby greatly your former offence and undutiful behaviour in departing in such sort without our Privity having so special Office of Attendance and Charge near our Person We do therefore Charge and Command you forthwith upon the Receit of these our Letters all Excuses and Delayes set apart to make your present and immediate Repair unto Us to understand our further Pleasure Whereof see you fail not as you will be loth to incur our Indignation and will Answer for the contrary at your uttermost Peril The 15. of April 1589. This letter angry in the first and loving in the fourth degree was written to him sent by Sir Thomas Gorges on this occasion The Earle in pursuance of his own martial inclination secretly left the Court to see some service in France The Q. passionately loving his Person grievously complained of his absence and often said We shall have this young fellow knockt on the head as foolish Sidney was by his own forwardness and was restless till his return I behold him in his high-noon when he brought Victory with him home from Cadiz and was vertical in the esteem of the Souldiery and may be said to awaken the Queens jealousie by his popularitie His After-noon followed when he undertook the Irish action too knotty service for his smooth disposition being fitter for personal performance then conduct and managing of martial affaires And now his enemies work was halfe done having gotten such a Gulf betwixt him and the Queen For as Antaeus is said to have recruited strength when he touched his Mother Earth so this Earle wrestling with his Enemies suppressed them and supported himself by his dayly access to the Queen which distance now denied him His Night approached when coming over without leave he was confined by the Q. to his house to reclaim not ruine him Hither a miscellaneous crew of sword-men did crowd tendering him their service some of one perswasion some of another some of all some of no religion Their specious pretence was to take evil Counsellors from the Queen though it had been happie if they had been first taken away from the Earle What his companie said they would doe the Earle knew but what would have been done by them God knowes The Earle rising and missing of expected support from the City of London quickly sunck in the Queens final displeasure Anno Domini 1600. He was valiant liberall to Scholars and Souldiers nothing distrustful if not too confident of fidelity in others Revengefulness was not bred but put into his disposition 'T is hard to say whether such as were his Enemies or such as should be his friends did him more mischief When one flattered him to his face for his Valour no said he my sins ever made me a coward In a word his failings were neither so foul nor so many but that the Character of a right worthy man most justly belongs to his memory Writers ROGER of HEREFORD born in that City was bred in the University of Cambridge being one of the prime Promoters of Learning therein after the Re-foundation of the University by the Abbot of Crowland He was an excellent Astronomer and Stars being made for signes was a good Interpreter what by these signes were intended He wrote a Book of Judicial Astrologie whether to commend or condemn it such onely can satisfie themselves that have seen his Book He was also skilful in all Mettals and Minerals and his pretty curiosities made him acceptable to the Nobility of England flourishing under King Henry the Second An. Dom. 1170. WILLIAM LEMPSTââ¦R a Franciscan and a Dr. of Divinity in Oxford was born in that well known Town in this County He wrote Collations on the Master of the Sentences and Questions in Divinity as J. Pits informeth me adding withall Haec scripsit novi sed non quo tempore novi Well I know these works he wrot But for the time I know it not And I am content for companies sake with him to be ignorant of the exact date thereof Since the Reformation RICHARD HACKLUIT was born of an ancient extract in this County whose Family hath flourished at ...... in good esteem He was bred a Student in Christ Church in Oxford and after was Prebendary of Westminster His Genius inclined him to the Study of History and especially to the Marine part thereof which made him keep constant Intelligence with the most noted Seamen of Wapping until the day of his Death He set forth a large Collection of the English Sea Voyages Ancient Middle Modern taken partly out of private Letters which never were or without his care had not been printed Partly out of Small Treatises printed and since irrecoverably lost had not his providence preserved them For some Pamphlets are produced which for their Cheapnesse and Smalnesse men for the present neglect to buy presuming they may procure them at their pleasure which small Books their first and last Edition being past like some Spirits that appear but once cannot afterwards with any price or pains be recovered In a word many of such useful Tracts of Sea Adventures which before were scattered as several Ships Mr. Hackluit hath imbodied into a Fleet divided into three Squadrons so many several Volumes A Work of great honour to England it being possible that many Ports and Islands in America which being base and barren bear only a bare name for the present may prove rich places for the future And then these Voyages will be produced and pleaded as good Evidence of their belonging to England as first discovered and denominated by English-men Mr. Hackluit dyed in the beginning of King Iames his Reign leaving a fair estate to an unthrift Son who embezill'd it on this
he had a ãâã reflection on the priviledges of the Clergy as exempted by preaching the truth from payment of Taxes save with their own free consent But all would not serve their turn for in the contemporary Parliament the Clergy unwillingly-willing granted a yearly Tenth to supply the pressing occasions of King Edward the Third This William died Anno Dom. 1375. Since the Reformation FRANCIS WHITE was born at St. Neots in this County and not in Lancashire as I and others have been mis-informed witness the Admission book of Caius-Colledge and the Testimonie of his brothers son still alive The Father to this Francis was a Minister and had 5 sons who were Divines and two of them most eminent in their generation Of these this Francis was bred in Caius-Colledge on the same Token That when he was Bishop of Ely and came to consecrate the Chappel of Peter-House he received an Entertainement at that Colledge where with a short speech he incouraged the young students to ply their books by his own Example who from a poor Scholar in that house by Gods blessing on his Industry was brought to that preferment By the Lord Grey of Grobie he was presented to Broughton Ashby in Leicestershire and thence why should a Candle be put under a bushel he was brought to be Lecturer of St. Pauls in London and Parson of St. Peters in Cornhil whence he was successively preferred first Deane then Bishop of Carlile after Bishop of Norwich and at last of Ely He had several solemn Disputations with Popish Priests and Jesuites Father Fisher and others and came off with such good successe that he reduced many seduced Romanists to our Church He often chose Daniel Featly D. D. his assistant in such disputes so that I may call this Prelate and his Doctor Ionathan and his Armour-bearer being confident that the Doctor if alive would not be displeased with the comparison as any disparagement unto him joyntly victorious over the Romish Philistines He died Anno. 163 leaving some of his learned workes to Posterity Writers The Candid Reader is here requested to forgive and amend what in them is of casual transposition HENRY SALTRY was born in this County and became a Cistertian Monk in the Monastery of Saltry then newly founded by Simon Saint Liz Earl of Huntington He was also instructed by one Florentian an Irish Bishop He wrote a profitable book for his own Religion in the maintenance of Purgatory which made him esteemed in that superstitious age He flourished Anno Dom. 1140. GREGORY of HUNTINGTON so called from the place of his Nativity was bred a Benedictine Monke in Ramsey Where he became Prior or Vice-Abbot a place which he deserved being one of the most Learned men of that age for his great skill in Languages For he was through-paced in three Tongues Latine Greek as appears by his many Comments on those Grammarians and Hebrew which last he learned by his constant conversing with the Jewes in England But now the fatal time did approach wherein the Iewes full loth I assure you must leave the Land and many precious books behind them Our Gregory partly by love partly by the Kings power both together will go far in driving a bargain purchased many of those rarities to dispose them in his Convent of Ramsey which as it exceeded other English Monasteries for a Library so for Hebrew books that Monastery exceeded it self After this Gregory had been Prior of Ramsey no fewer then 38 years flourishing under King Henry the Third He died in the Reign of K. Edward the First about 1280. HUGH of Saint Nââ¦OTS was born in that well known Market-Town bred a Carmelite in Hitching in Hartfordshire Hence he went to study in Cambridge where for his worth the Degree of Doctorship was by the University gratis quare whither without paying of Fees or keeping of Acts conferred upon him To him Bale though that be the best Bale which hath the least of Bale and most of Leland therein giveth this Testimony that living in the Egyptian Darkness he sought after the light of Truth adding that he was Piscis in Palude nihil trahens de Sapore Palustri a Fish in the ââ¦enns drawing nothing of the mud thereof which is a rarity indeed Many his Sermons and he wrotea Comment on Saint Luke He died 1340. and was buried at Hitching WILLIAM RAMSEY was born in this County famous for the richest Benedictines Abbey in England yet here he would not stay but went to Crowland where he prospered so well that he became Abbot thereof He was a Natural Poet and therefore no wonder if faults be found in the feet of his verses For it is given to thorough-pacedNaggs that amble naturally to trip much whilest artificial pacers goe surest on foot He wrote the life of St. Guthlake St. Neots St. Edmond the King c. all in verse But that which may seem a wonder indeed is this that being a Poet he paid the vast debts of others even fourty thousand Mark for the ingagement of his Covent and all within the compasse of eighteen Moneths wherein he was Abbot of Crowland But it rendreth it the more credible because it was done by the assistance of King Henry the Second who to expiate the blood of Becket was contented to be melted into Coine and was prodigiously bountiful to some Churches Our William died 1180. HENRY of HUNTINGTON Son to one Nicholas where born unknown was first a Canon of the Church of Lincolne where he became acquainted with one Albine of Angiers born in France but Fellow-Canon with him of the same Church This Albine he afterwards in his writings modestly owned for his Master having gained much learning from him He was afterwards Chaplain to Alexander that Great Bishop of Lincoln Magnificent unto Madnesse who made him Arch-Deacon of Huntington whence he took his Dââ¦nomination A Town which hath received more Honour from him than ever it can return to him seeing Huntington had never been mentioned in the mouths nor passed under the Pens of so many foreigners but for the worthy History of the Saxon Kings written by this Henry Let me add that considering the sottishness of Superstition in the age he lived in he is less smoohted therewith than any of his contemporaries and being a secular Priest doth now and then abate the pride of Monastical pretended perfection He flourished under King Stephen in the year of our Lord 1248. and is probably conjectured to die about the year 1260. ROGER of St. IVES was born at that noted Town of this County being omitted by Bale but remembred by Pits though seldome sounding when the other is silent for his activity against the Lollards and Sir John Old-Castle against whom he wrote a book flourishing in the year 1420. Since the Reformation IOHN YONG was a Monk in Ramsey Abbey at the dissolution thereof Now by the same proportion that a penny
five years of age at Bishops Hatfield in Hartford shire which then was the Nursery for the Kings Children Little notice generally is taken of this Prince and no wonder for Who onely act short parts in Infant age Are soon forgot they e're came on the Stage He died Anno Dom. 1500. in the 15. year of his Fathers Reign and lieth buried without any Monument in Westminster HENRY the Eighth second son of King Henry the Seventh was born at Greenwich A Prince who some praise to the Skies others depresse to the Pit whilest the third and truer sort embrace a middle way betwixt both Extream Mean Extream Some carry him up as the Paragon of Princes The great advancer of Gods Glory and true Religion and the most Magnificent that ever sate on the Throne Master Fox in his Acts and Monuments is sometimes very superlative in his Commendation And so are most Protestant Authours who wrote under his Reign Polidor Virgil hath an Expression of him to this Effect Princeps in quo aequali quasi temperamento magnae inerantVirtutes ac non minora vitia A Prince in whom great Virtues and no less Vices were in a manner equally contemperated Sir Walter Rawleigh in his Preface to his great History whose words may better be read there than Transcribed thence makes him the truest Map of Tyranny Insomuch that King James who could not abide that any under a King should speak against a King was much offended thereat And those words worst became the writer so much advanced by the daughter of the said K. Henry For mine own part I humbly conceive God effected more by his work as the Instrument than he was directed by Gods Word as the Principal Indeed he was a Man of an Uncomptrolable spirit carrying a MANDAMUs in his mouth sufficiently sealed when he put his hand to his Hilt He awed all into Obedience which some impute to his skilfulnesse to Rule others ascribe to his Subjects ignorance to resist Let one pleasant passage for Recreation have its Pass amongst much serious Matter A company of little boyes were by their School-Master not many years since appointed to act the Play of King Henry the Eighth and one who had no presence but an absence rather as of a whyning voice puiling spirit Consumptionish body was appointed to personate K. Henry himself only because he had the richest Cloaths and his parents the best people of the parish but when he had spoke his speech rather like a Mouse then a Man one of his fellow Actors told him If you speak not HOH with a better spirit your Parliament will not grant you a penny of Money But it is vain to Glean in the stubble seeing the Lord Herbert hath so largely wrote the life of this King that nothing of moment can be added thereunto He dyed January 28 1546. MARY eldest Daughter to King Henry the Eighth and Q. Katharine of Spain was born at Greenwich the 18. of February 1518. She did partake of both her parents in her person and properties having from her Father a broad face big voyce and undaunted spirit from her Mother a swarthy complexion and a mind wholy devoted to the Romish Religion She attained the crown by complying with the Gentry of Norfolk and Suffolk promising them to continue Religion as established by K. Edward the 6. after the breach of which promise she never prospered For first she lost the hearts of her subjects then her hopes of a Child then the company not to say affection of her husband then the City of Calais then her mirth then her health then her life which ended on the. 17. of November 1558. Queen ELIZABETH Second Daughter to King Henry the Eighth was born at Greenwich Septemb. 7. 1533. She was Heire only to the eminences of her Father his Learning Bounty Courage and Success Besides Grace and true goodness wherein she was Daughter to her Mother Her Learning appears in her two Latine speeches to the University and a third little better then Ex tempore to the Poland Ambassador Her bounty was better then her Fathers less flowing from Humour and more founded on Merit and ordered with Moderation seeing that s the best Liberality that so enricheth the Receiver that it doth not impoverish the Giver Her Courage was undaunted never making her self so cheap to her Favorites but that she still valued her own Authority whereof this an eminent instance A prime Officer with a White staffe whose name I purposely forbear coming into her presence the Queen willed him to confer such a place now voyd on one of her servants whom she commended unto him Pleaseth your Highness Madam saith the Lord The disposal thereof pertaineth to me by vertue of this white staffe conferred upon me True said the Queen yet I never gave you your office so absolutely but I still reserved my self of the Quorum But of the Quarum Madam returned the Lord presuming on the favour of her Highnesse Hereat the Queen in some passion snatching the staff out of his hand you shall acknowledge me said She of the Quorum Quarum Quorum before you have it again The Lord waited Stafflesse almost a day which seemed ââ¦o long unto him as if the Sun stood still before the same was reconferred upon him Her success was admirable keeping the King of Spain at Armes End all her Reign She was well skilled in the Queen-craft and by her policy and prosperity she was much beloved by her people insomuch that since it hath been said That Queen Elizabeth might lawfully doe that which King James might not For although the Laws were equally the rule to them both yet her popularity sugared many bitter things her subjects thanking her for taking those Taxes which they refused to pay to her Successor She died at Richmond March 24. Anno Domini 1602. MARY Daughter to King James and Anne of Denmark his Queen was born at Greenwich April 8. about eleven a clock at night and soon after baptized with greater state than the memory of any then alive in England could recover King James was wont pleasantly to say that he would not pray to the Virgin Mary but he would pray for the Virgin Mary meaning his own Daughter But it seems his prayers prevailed not Divine Providence having otherwise determined it for her long life who expired in her infancy and lies buried at Westminster SOPHIA youngest daughter to King James and Queen Anne was born at Greenwich the 22. day of June 1606. and departed this life three dayes after This Royal Babe lieth buried nigh Queen Elizabeth in the North part of the Chappel of King Henry the Seventh represented sleeping in her Cradle wherewith vulgar eyes especially of the Weaker sex are more affected as level to their Cognizance more capable of what is prety than what is pompous than with all the magnificent Monuments in Westminster CHARLES eldest Son of King Charles and Q. Mary was born at Greenwich Anno 1629.
A fright of his Mother is generally reported to have accelerated or rather antedated his nativity The Popish Priests belonging to the Queen stood ready watching to snatch the Royal Babe to their superstitious baptisme but the tender care of King Charles did out vigil their watchfullness commanding Doctor Web His next Chaplain in attendance to Christen it according to the Church of England This done within few houres he expired and lyes buried at Westminster Saints EALPHAGE born of good parentage had his education during his youth in Glocestershire then he became a Monk at Glastenbury But that place not sufficiently suiting the severity of his solitary soul removing thence he built himself a Hut at Bath which smal Cel in process of time the longest line proceedeth from a little point at first proved the beautiful Priory in that place Hence by Dunstan he was preferred Bishop of Winchester continuing therein twenty two years And at last became Bishop of Canterbury It happeneth that the cruel Danes seizing on that City put it under Decimation Start not loyal reader at the word if in the late Tyranny of the times thou thy self hast been against all right and reason Decimated in thy Purse as now the poor Citizens of Canterbury were in their Persons For the Danes under pretence of Tribute detained Saved the tenth part of the Citizens alive amounting unto eight hundred and four Destroyed the other nine parts no fewer than seven thousand two hundred thirty six As for Arch-Bishop Alphage they demanded of him a greater summe than he could pay or procure whose wealth consisted chieââ¦y in his Piety no currant Coin with the Pagan Danes So that after seven moneths imprisonment they barbarously murthered him near Greenwich about the year 1013. His Corps was first buried in Saint Pauls and then removed by the command of King Canutus to Canterbury Impudent Monks have almost as much wronged his memory as the Danes did his Person farcing his life with such abominable lies that thereby the very truth therein is rendred suspected AGELNOTH Son to Count Agelmar was a Calendred Saint in this County being Elected Archbishop of Canterbury from being Dean over the Canons in that Convent This is the first time I find the Dignity of Decanus or Dean in England so called from ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Ten having it seemeth at the first Inspection just over that Number though since an Heteroclite in England as either over fewer but Six in Norwich Bristol c. or many more in other Cathedrals He was so pious in his Life that he was commonly called the GOOD And here one may justly wonder God having two Grand Epithets OPTIMUS and MAXIMUS most give the former the go-by and strive onely for the latter to be the Greatest though Greatnesse without Goodnesse is both Destructive to him that hath it and Dangerous to all others about him Going to Rome to get his Pall from the Pope by him he was courteously entertained and deserved his welcome who gave him saith my Author for the Arm of Saint Augustine Bishop of Hippo one hundred Talents of Silver and one Talent of Gold citing Bishop Godwin for his author But indeed that Bishop though reporting the hundred Talents of Silver mentioneth not at all that of Gold Perchance Mr. Weaver had lately read still obversing his fancy how Pharaoh K. of Egypt having taken away King Jehoahash condemned the land in An Hundred Talents of Silver and A Talent of Gold and to me it is a double wonder First that this Archbishop would give Secondly that he could give living in a harraged Land wherein so much Misery and little Money so vast a sum However this mindeth me of a passage in Saint Augustine speaking of the Reliques of the deceased Si tamen Martyrum if so they be of Martyrs and let me chuse the words of this Father on this Father Si tamen Augustini If this were the arm of Saint Augustine and not of some other Ordinary not to say Infamous person Well were one as good a Mathematician as He who collected the Stature of Hercules from the length of his Foot it were easie to proportion the Price of Saint Augustines whole body from this valuation of his arme And now having so dearly bought it let him dispose thereof as he pleaseth and let no man grudge if he gave it to Coventry rather than Canterbury He expended much in repairing or rather renewing of his Cathedral of Canterbury lately destroyed by the Danes assisted therein by the bounty of King Canutus who at the instance and by the advice of this Prelate did many worthy works Our Agelnoth after he had set 17. years in his See died October 29. in the year 1038. Martyrs WILLIAM WHITE was born in this County and entering into Orders became a great maintainer of the Opinions of Wicliffe He was the first married Priest in England since the Popes solemn prohibition thereof I find Johan his wife commended for her modesty and patience and that she was conjux talidigna marito Indeed she shared very deep in her husbands sufferings hardly coming off with her life at the last For he though leaving his living as unsafe to hold still kept his calling and preached about all the Eastern parts of the Land The same mouth which commanded the Disciples in time of Peace Goe not from house to house so to avoid the censure of Levity advised them also when ye are persecuted in one City fly to another so to provide for their own security Such the constant practice of this W. VVhite who was as a Partridge dayly on the wing removing from place to place At last he was seised on at Norwich by VVilliam Alnwick the cruel Bishop thereof and charged with 30 Articles for which he was condemned and burnt at Norwich in September 1428. He was the Protomartyr of all born in this County and had not five before him in all England who suffered merely for Religion without any mixture of matter of State charged upon them As for MARIAN Martyrs we meet with many in this County though not to be charged on Cardinal Pool Arch-bishop of Canterbury further then his bare permission thereof It is observed of Bears that they love to kill their own Prey and except forced by Famine will not feed on what was dead before Such a Bear was bloody Bonner who was all for the quick and not for the dead whilest clean contrary Cardinal Pool let the living alone and vented his spleen onely on the dead whom he could wrong but not hurt burning the bones of Martin Bucer and Paulus Phagius at Cambridge Such Martyrs therefore as suffered in this Shire were either by the cruelty of Griffin Bishop of Rochester or of Thornton Suffragan of Dover Confessors SIMON FISH Esquire was born in this County bred a Lawyer in Graies-Inn London Here he acted that part in a Tragedy wherein the pride
as when perceiving his old Palace at Otford to want water he struck his staff into the dry ground still called Saint Thomas his well whence water runneth plentifully to serve that house lately re-built unto this day Others spightful as when because a Smith dwelling in that Town had clogged his Horse he ordered that no Smith afterwards should thrive within that Parish But he who shall go about seriously to confute these Tales is as very a Fool as he was somewhat else who first impudently invented and vented them Prelates STEPHEN LANGTON Here we are at a perfect losse for the place of his birth his surname affording us so much direction in effect it is none at all Inopes nos copia fecit finding no fewer than twelve Langtons though none very near to this place which makes us fly to our marginal refuge herein Stephen born in England was bred in Paris where he became one of the greatest Scholars of the Christian world in his age He was afterwards consecrated Cardinal of Saint Chrysogone and then by Papal power intruded Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in defiance of all opposition which King John could make against him Many are his learned Works writing Comments on all the Old and on some of the New Testament He was the first that divided the whole Bible into Chapters as Robert Stephens a French-man that curious Critick and painful Printer so ne six score years since first subdivided into Verses A worthy Work making Scripture more managable in mens memories and the passages therein the sooner to be turned to as any person who is ââ¦ooner found out in the most populous City if methodized into Streets and Houses with signs to which the Figures affixed do fitly allude Say not this was a presumption incurring the curse denounced to such who adde to Scripture it being no Addition but an Illustration thereof Besides God set the first pattern to mens industry herein seeing the distinction of some Verses may be said to be Jure Divino as those in the Lamentations and elsewhere which are Alphabetically modelled As causless their complaint who cavil at the inequality of Chapters the eighth of the first of Kings being sixty six the last of Malachy but six verses seeing the entireness of the sense is the standard of their length or shortness It is confessed some few Chapters end and others begin obruptly and yet it is questionable whether the ateration thereof would prove advantageous seeing the reforming of a small fault with a great change doth often hurt more than amend and such alterations would discompose Millions of Quotations in excellent Authors conformed to the aforesaid received divisions Here it must not be concealed that notwithstanding this general tradition of Langtons chaptering the Bible some learned men make that design of far ancienter date and particularly that able Antiquary Sir Henry Spelman This I am confident of that Stephen Langton did something much material in order thereunto and the Improver is usually called the Inventor by a complemental mistake However though I believe Langton well employed in dividing the Bible he was ill busââ¦ed in rending asunder the Church and Kingdom of England reducing King Iohn to sad extremities He died and was buried at Canterbury Anno Dom. 1228. Souldiers WILLIAM PRUDE Esquire vulgarly called Proud was born in this City where his stock have continued for some hundreds of years bred a Souldier in the Low Countreys where he attained to be Lieutenant Colonel He was slain Iuly 12. 1632. at the siege of Mastrich His body which I assure you was no usual honour was brought over into England and buried in the Cathedral of Canterbury in Saint Michaels Chappel on the South side of the Quire with this Inscription on his Monument Stand Souldiers ere you march by way of charge Take an example here that may enlarge Your minds to noble Action Here in peace Rests one whose Life was War whose rich encrease Of Fame and Honour from his Valour grew Unbegg'd unbought for what he won he drew By just desert having in service been A Souldier till near sixty from sixteen Years of his active Life continually Fearless of Death yet still prepar'd to die In his Religious Thoughts for midd'st all harmes He bare as much of Piety as Armes Now Souldiers on and fear not to intrude The Gates of Death by th' example of this Prude He married Mary Daughter of Sir Adam Sprackling Knight and had Issue by her four Sons and three Daughters to whose memory his surviving Son Searles Prude hath erected this Monument Writers OSBERN of CANTERBURY so called because there he had his first birth or best Being as Chanter of the Cathedral Church therein An admirable Musitian which quality endeared him though an Englishman to Lankfrank the Lordly Lombard and Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He was the English Jubal as to the curiosity thereof in our Churches An Art which never any spake against who understood it otherwise Apollo is in a sad case if Midas his ears must be his Judges However in Divine Service all Musick ought to be tuned to edification that all who hear may understand it otherwise it may tend to delight not devotion and true zeal cannot be raised where knowledge is depressed This Osbern wrote the life of Saint Dunstan in pure Latine according to that age flourishing under William the Conquerer Anno 1070. SIMON LANGTON was by his Brother Stephen Langton the Arch-Bishop preferred Arch-Deacon of Canterbury who Carne sanguine revelante saith the Record made the place much better both to him and his successors in revenue and jurisdiction A troublesome man he was and on his Brothers score a great adversary to King Iohn even after that King had altered his Copy and became of a fierce Foe a Son-Servant to the Pope by resigning his Crown unto him But our Simon could not knock off when he should having contracted such an habit of hatred against K. Iohn that he could not depose it though commanded under the pain of excommunication This caused him to trudge to the Court of Rome where he found little favour For such who will be the Popes white Boyes must watchfully observe his signals and not only charge when he chargeth but retreat when he retreateth This Simon beside others wrote a Book of the penitence of Magdalene in relation it seems to himself though she found more favour in the Court of Heaven than he at Rome He died Anno Dom. 12 Benefactors to the Publick JOHN EASDAY was Alderman and Mayor of this City Anno 1585. He found the Walls thereof much ruined and being a man but of an indifferent estate began the reparation thereof at Ridingate and therein proceeded so far as his name is inscribed on the Wall whose exemplary endeavours have since met with some to commend none to imitate them THOMAS NEVILE born in this City of most honourable extraction as his name is enough to notifie
she was a Kings Daughter none I hope will grudge his memory a room in this Book were it only because he was an Earles Brother He dyed Anno 1515. HEââ¦RY STANDISH was as I have just cause to conclude extracted from the Standishes of Standish in this County bred a Franoiscan and Dr. of Divinity in Cambridge and afterwards made Bishop of S. Asaph I neither believe him so Good as Pitz doth character him pietate doctrina clarum nor so bad as Bale doth decry him making him a doteing Fool. Sure I am there was Impar congressus betwixt him and Erasmus as unequal a Contest as betwixt a Childe and Man not to say Dwarf and ãâã This Standâ⦠is said to have fallen down on his knees before King Henry the Eighth petitioning him to continue Religion established by his Ancesters and ãâã into Maââ¦ers of Divinity he cited the Colââ¦s for the Corinthians which being but a Memory-mistake in an Aged Person needed not to have exposed him so much as it did to the laughter of the Standers by After he had sate 16 years Bishop of St. ãâã he died very aged 1535. JOHN CHRISTOPHERSON was born in this County bred first in Pembrook Hall then Fellow of St. Johns and afterwards Master of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge an excellent Scholar and Linguist especially I have seen a Greek Tragedy made and written by his own hand so curiously that it seemed printed and presented to K. Henry the eight He no lesse eleganly if faithfullly translated Philo and ãâã into Latine Besides his own benefaction to the Masters Lodgings and ãâã he was highly instrumental in moving Queen Mary to her magnificent bounty to Trinity Colledge In the visitation of Cambridge he was very active in burning the bones of ãâã being then Elect Bishop of Chichester scarcely continuing a year in that Place All expected that at his first coming into his Diocesse he should demean himself very favourably For why should not the Poets Observation of Princes be true also of Prelates Mitissima sors est Regnorum sub Rege novo Subjects commonly do finde New made Soveraigns most kinde But he had not so much mercy as Nero to begin courteously having no sooner put on his Episcopal Ring but presently he washed his hands in the blood of poor Martyrs whereof in due * Place In the First of Qu. Elizabeth he was deprived and kept in some restraint wherein he dyed about the Year 1560. Since the Reformation JAMES PILKINTON D.D. was the third Son of James Pilkinton of Rivington in this County Esq. a Right ancient Family being informed by my good Friend Master William Ryley Norrey and this Countryman that the Pilkintons were Gentlemen of repute in this Shire before the conquest when the chief of them then sought for was fain to disguise himself a Thresher in a barn Hereupon partly alluding to the ãâã of the flail falling sometime on the one sometime on the other side partly to himself embracing the safest condition for the present he gave for the Motto of his Armes Now thus Now thus This James bred fellow of St. Johns in Cambridge was in the First of Qu. Mary forced to fly into Germany where he wrote a Comment on Ecclesiastes and both the Epistles of St. Peter after his return in the First of Qu. Elizabeth he was chosen Master of St. Johns and March the 2d 1560. was consecrated Bishop of Durham Nine Years after the Northern Rebels came to Durham and first tore the Bible then the English Liturgy in pieces Unhappy though most innocent Book equally odious to opposite parties such who account the Papists Heretiques esteeming it popish whilest the Papists themselves account it heretical The Bishop had fared no better than the book could he have been come by But when the Rebellion was suppress'd the Bishop commenced a Suit against Qu. Elizabeth for the Lands and Goods of the Rebels attainted in the Bishoprick as forfeited to him by his Charter and had prevailed if the Parliament had not itnerposed and on special consideration pro hoc tempore adjudged them to the Queen He dyed Anno Dom. 1576. EDWIN SANDYS was born at Conisby in this County whose good actings great sufferings pious life and peaceable death 1588. are plentifully related in our Church History RICHARD BARNES was borne at Bolde near Warrington in this County bred in Brasen-Nose Colledg in Oxford and afterwards advanced Suffragan Bishop of Nottingham thence he was preferred to Carlile 1570. and seven years after to Durham He was himself One of a good nature as by the sequele will appear but abused by his Credulity and affection to his Brother John Barnes Chancellour of his Diocesse A Man of whom it is hard to say whether he was more Lustfull or more Covetous who where as he should have been the man who ought to have reformed many Enormities in the Diocess was indeed the Authour of them permitting base and dishonest Persons to escape scot-free for a piece of mony so that the Bishop had a very ill report every where By the suggestion of this ill instrument the Patriarchall man Mr. Gilpin fell into this Bishops Displeasure and by him was suspended from his Benefice But the good Bishop afterwards restored him and visiting him at his house took him aside into the Parlour and thus accosted him Father Gilpin I acknowledge you are fitter to be Bishop of Durham then my self to be Parson of this Church of yours I ask forgiveness for Errors passed forgive me Father I know you have hatched up some Chickens that now seek to pick out your Eyes but so long as I shall live Bishop of Durham be secure no man shall injure you This Bishop sate about Eleven years in his See and dyed a very aged man a little before the Spanish Invasion Anno Dom. 1588. JOHN WOOLTON was born at Wiggin in this County of honest Parents and worshipful by his mothers side He was bred a short time in Oxford and in the reign of Queen Mary attended his Unkle Alexander Nowell in his flight beyond the Seas Returning into England he was made first Cannon Residentiary and after Anno 1579. Bishop of Exeter being an earnest assertor of Conformity against opposers thereof He met whilst living with many hard speeches but after his death when mens memories are beheld generally in their true colours he was restored to his deserved esteem even by those who formerly had been his adversaries He indited Letters full of Wisdome and Piety becoming the strength of one in health not two hours before his death which happened March the 13. Anno 1593. It is a part though not of his Praise of his happiness that his Daughter was married to Francis Godwin Bishop of Hereford whose Learned pen hath deserved so well of the Church of England MATTHEVV HUTTON I have given a large account of him formerly in my Ecclesiastical History However having
us should ãâã the others Funerall-Sermon But see a strange change God to whom belongs the ãâã from death was pleased with the Patriarch Jacob blessing his ãâã wittingly to guide his hands ãâã reaching out death to the living and life to the dying So that Dr. Felton recovered and not only performed that last office to his Friend Dr. Fenton but also survived him more than ten years and dyed Bishop of ãâã Roger Fenton dyed in the fiftieth Year of his age anno Dom. 1615. buryed in his own Church under a Monument made at the expence of the Parish ROBERT BOITON was born at Blackborne in this County on Whit sunday ãâã ãâã Year as infamous for the Massacre of many Protestants in France so for the ãâã of some eminent in England His Parents having a narrow Estate struggled with their necessities to give him liberal Education and he was bred first in ãâã then in Brazen-nose Colledge in Oxford He had Isocrates his six Marks or Properties of a good Scholar ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã His want of means proved an advancement unto him For ãâã having whence to buy Books he borrowed the best Authours of his Tutor read over abridged into Note-books and returned them He was as able to express himself in Latine or Greek as English and that Stylo Imperatorio He was chosen one of the Disputants before King James at his first coming to the University and performed it with great applause Thus far I have followed my Authour mentioned in the Margine but now must depart from him a little in one particular Though Mr. Boltons parents were not overflowing with wealth they had a competent Estate as I am informed by credible intelligence wherin their Family had comfortably continued long time in good repute Sr. Angustine Nicholls presented him to the Rectory of Broughton in Northamptonshire sending him his Presentation unexspectedly from his Chamber in Sergeants ââ¦nn where D. King Bishop of London being accidentally present thanked the Judge for his good choice but told him withall that he had deprived the University of a singular Ornament Besides his constant Preaching he hath left behinde him many usefull Books the Witnesses of his Piety and Learning and dyed in the 59th Year of his age December 17. 1631. JOHN WEEVER was born at in this County bred in Queens Colledge in Cambridge under Dr. John Person his worthy Tutor He was very industrious in the Studie of Antiquity and composed a usefull Book of Funeral Monuments in the Diocesse of Canterbury Rochester London and Norwich He dyed in London in the fifty sixth Year of his age and was Buried in St. James Clerken-well where he appointed this Epitaph for himself Lancashire gave me Breath And Cambridge Education Middlesex gave we Death And this Church my Humation And Christ to me hath given A place with him in Heaven The certain date of his Death I cannot attain but by Proportion I collect it to be about the Year of our Lord 1634. RALPH CUDVVORTH D. D. the second Son of Ralph Cudworth of Wernith-hall near Manchester Esquire Chief Lord of Ouldham was bred Fellow of Emanuel-colledge in Cambridge A most excellent preacher who continued and finished some imperfect works of Mr. Perkins and after his Decease supplyed his place in St. Andrews in Cambridge He was at last presented by the Colledge to the parish of Auler in Somersetshire Anno 163. LAWRENCE CHADERTON was born at Chaderton in this County of ancient and wealthy Parentage but much nuzled up in Popish Superstition He was intended for a Lawyer and in order thereunto brought up some time in the Inns of Court till he changed his profession and admitted himself in Christs Colledge in Cambridge His Father hearing that he had altered his place studies and Religion sent him a Poke with a groat therein for him to go a begging therewith disinheriting him of ââ¦hat fair estate which otherwise had descended upon him But God who taketh men up when their Fathers and Mothers forsake them provided him a comfortable subsistance when chosen Fellow of the Colledge He was for many years Lecturer at St. Clements in ãâã with great profit to his Auditors afterwards made by the Founder first Master of Emanuel He was chosen by the Non-Conformists to be one of their four Representatives in Hampton-court conference and was afterwards employed one of the Translators of the Bible He had a plain but effectual way of Preaching It happened that he visiting ãâã friends preached in this his Native Countrey where the Word of God as in the dayes of Samuell was very pretious And concluded his Sermon which was of two hours continuance at least with words to this effect That he would no longer trespasse upon their Patience Whereupon all the Auditory cryed out wonder not if hungry people craved more meat for God ãâã Sir Go on go on Hereaâ⦠Mr. Chaderton was surprised into a longer Discourse beyond his expectation in Satisfaction of their importunity and though on a sudden performed it to their contentment and his commendation Thus constant Preachers like good house keepers can never be taken so unprovided but that though they make not a plentiful Feast they can give wholsome food at a short warning He commenced Dr. in Divinity when Frederick Prince Palatine who married the Lady Elizabeth came to Cambridge What is said of Mount Caucasus that it was never seen without Snowe on the Top was true of this Reverend Father whom none of our Fathers generation knew in the Universitie before he was gray headed yet he never used Spectacles till the day of his death being Ninety four years of age He was not disheartned with that common saying he that resigneth his place before his death buryeth himself alive but put off his Clothes long before he went to bed divested himself of the Master-ship of Emanuel Colledge that so he might see a worthy successor in his life time The blessing which befell Job was in some sort appliable unto him he saw his Successors to the fourth generation I mean Doctor Presson and after his Death Doctor Sancroft and after his death Doctor Holesworth who preached his Funeral Sermon Anno 1640. about the Ninety fourth year of his age GEORGE WALKER was born at Hauxhead in Fournifells of Religious Parents Being visited when a child with the Small-poxe and the standers by expecting his dissolution he started up out of a Trance with this ejaculation Lord take me not away till I have shewed forth thy praises which made his Parents devote him to the Ministery after his recovery He was bred B. D. in St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge where he attained to be well skilled in the Oriental Tongues an excellent Logician and Divine Mr. Foster formerly his Tutor resigned unto him his living of St. John the Evangelist London wherein Mr. Walker continued the painful Preacher well nigh fourty years refusing higher preferment often profered him Dr. Felton the
same morning he was elected Bishop of Ely made him his Chaplain and Dr. Featly chose him his second in one of his Disputations against Father Fisher yea Mr. Walker alone had many encounters with the subtillest of the Jesuitical party He was a man of an holy life humble heart and bountiful hand who deserved well of Sion Colledge Library and by his example and perswasion advanced about a thousand pounds towards the maintenance of preaching-Ministers in this his Native County He ever wrote all his Sermons though making no other use of his Notes in the Pulpit than keeping them in his pocket being wont to say that he thought he should be out if he had them not about him His Sermons since printed against the prophanation of the Sabboth and other practises and opinions procured him much trouble and two years Imprisonment till he was released by the Parliament He dyed in the seventy year of his Age Anno Dom. 1651. Romish Exile Writers EDWARD RISHTON was born in this * County and bred some short time in Oxford till he fled over to Doway where he was made Master of Arts. Hence he removed to Rome and having studyed Divinity four years in the English Colledge there was ordained Preist 1580. Then was he sent over into England to gain Proselites in prosecution whereof he was taken and kept Prisoner three years Yet was the Severity of the State so mercifull unto him as to spare his Life and only condemn him to Banishment He was carried over into France whence he went to the University of Pontmuss in Loraine to plye his Studies During his abode there the place was infected with the Plague Here Rishton forââ¦ate the Physicians Rule Citâ⦠Procul Longe Tarde flye away soon live away far sââ¦ay away long come again slowly For he remained so long in the Town till he carried away the infection with him and going thence dyed at St. Manhow 1585. I presume no Ingenuous Papist will be censorious on our Painful Munster Learned Junius Godly Greenham all dying of the Pestilence seeing the most conscientious of their own Perswasion subject to the same and indeed neither Love nor Hatred can be collected from such Casualties THOMAS WORTHINGTON was born in this * County of a Gentile Family was bred in the English Colledge at Doway where he proceeded Bachelour in Divinity and a little before the Eighty Eight was sent over into England as an Harvinger for the Spanish Invasion to prepare his Party thereunto Here he was caught and cast into the Tower of London yet found such favour that he escaped with his life being banished beyond the Seas At Triers he commenced Doctor in Divinity and in process of time was made President of the English Colledge at Rhemes When after long expectation the Old Testament came out in English at Rhemes permitted with some cautions for our Lay-Catholicks to read this Worthington wrote his notes thereupon which few Protestants have seen and fewer have regarded He was alive in 1611. but how long after is to me unknown If not the same which for his vivaciousness is improbable there was a Father Worthington certainly his Kinsman and Countryman very busie to promote the Catholick cause in England about the beginning of King Charles He Dining some thirty years since with a Person of Honour in this Land at whose Table I have often eaten was very obstreperous in arguing the case for Transubstantiation and the Ubiquitariness of Christs body Suppose said he Christ were here To whom the Noble Master of the House who till then was silent returned If you were away I beleive he would be here Worthington perceiving his Room more wellcome then his Company embraced the next opportunity of Departure ANDERTON whose christian name I cannot recover was born in this County and brought up at Blackborne School therein and as I have been informed he was bred in Christs Colledge in Cambridge where for his Eloquence he was commonly called Golden Mouth Anderton afterwards he went beyond the Seas and became a Popish preist and one of the learnedst amongst them This is he who improving himself on the poverty of Mr. Robert Bolton sometimes his School-Fellow but then not fixed in his Religion and Fellow of Brazenose colledge perswaded him to be reconciled to the Church of Rome and go over with him to the English Seminary promising him gold enough a good argument to allure an unstable mind to popery and they both appointed â⦠meeting But it pleased the God of Heaven who holdeth both an Hour-glass and reed in his hand to measure both time and place so to order the matter that though Mr. Bolton came Mr. Anderton came not accordingly So that Rome lost and England gain'd an able Instrument But now I have lost J. Pitz to guide me and therefore it is time to knock off having no direction for the date of his Death Benefactors to the publick WILLIAM SMITH was born at * Farmeworth in this County bred Fellow in Pembroke hall in Cambridge and at last by King Henry the Eighth preferred Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry That Politick Prince to ease and honour his Native Country of Wales erected a Court of Presidency conformable to the Parliaments of France in the Marshes thereof and made this Bishop first President those Parts lying partly in his Diocesse He discharged the place with singular Integrity and general contentment retaining that Office till the day of his Death when he was removed to be Bishop of Lincoln A good name is an Ointment poured out saith Solomon and this man wheresoever he went may be followed by the perfume of charity he left behind him 1. At Lichfield he founded an Hospital for a Master two preists and ten poor people 2. In the same place he founded a School procuring from King Henry the seventh that the Hospital of Downholl in Cheshire with the Lands there unto belonging should be bestowed upon it Say not this was Robbing the Spittle or at the best Robbing Peter to pay Paul seeing we may presume so charitable a Prelate would do nothing unjust though at this distance of time we cannot clear the particulars of his proceedings At Farmeworth where he was born he founded a school allowing ten pounds annually in that age no mean salary for the Master thereof The University of Oxford discreetly chose him Oxford being in his Diocesse of Lincoln their Chancellour and lost nothing thereby for he proved a more loving Nephew than Son so bountiful to his Aunt Oxford that therein he founded Brazen Nosecolledge but dyed 1513 before his Foundation was finished Molineux a famous preacher about Henry the Eigths time descended of the house of Sefton in the County of Lancaster builded the Church at Sefton anew and houses for Schools about the Church-yard and made the great Wall about Magdalen Colledge in Oxford EDVVARD HALSALL in the County of Lancaster Esquire sometimes Chamberlain of the Exchequer at Chester
to interpret them The Farewell Being now to take my leave of this County it is needless to wish it a Friday Market the Leap-day therein and it is strange there should be none in so spacious a Shire presuming that defect supplied in the Vicinage Rather I wish that the Leprosy may never return into this County but if it should return we carry the seeds of all sins in our Souls sicknesses in our Bodies I desire that the Lands may also without prejudice to any returne to the Hospital of Burton Lazars in this Shire if not intire yet in such a proportion as may comfortably maintain the Lepers therein LINCOLNE-SHIRE This County in Fashion is like a bended Bowe the Sea making the Back the Rivers Welland and Humber the two horns thereof whiles Trent hangeth down from the latter like a broken string as being somewhat of the Shortest Such persecute the Metaphor too much who compare the River Witham whose Current is crooked unto the Arrow crossing the middle thereof It extendeth 60. Miles from South to North not above 40. in the middle and broadest part thereof Being too Volluminous to be managed entire is divided into three parts each of them corrival in quantity with some smaller Shires Holland on the South-East Kesteven on the South-West and Lindley on the North to them both Holland that is Hoyland or Hayland from the plenty of Hay growing therein may seem the Reflection of the opposite Holland in the Neatherlands with which it Sympathyzed in the Fruitfulness lowe and wet Scituation Here the Brakishnesse of the Water and the Grossenesse of the Ayre is recompenced by the Goodnesse of the Earth abounding with Deries and Pasture And as God hath to use the * Apostles phrase tempered the body together not making it all Eye or all Ear Nonsense that the Whole should be but One sense but assigning each Member the proper office thereof so the same Providence hath so wisely blended the Benefits of this County that take Collective Lincolne-shire and it is Defective in Nothing Natural Commodities Pikes They are found plentifully in this Shire being the Fresh-Water-Wolves and therefore an old pond-pike is a dish of more State than Profit to the Owners seeing a Pikes belly is a little Fishpond where lesser of all sorts have been contained Sir Francis Bacon alloweth it Though Tyrants generally be short-lived the Surviver of all Fresh-water-Fish attaining to forty years and some beyond the Seas have trebled that term The Flesh thereof must needs be fine and wholsome if it be true what is affirmed that in some sort it cheweth the Cud and yet the less and middle size Pikes are preferred for Sweetnesse before those that are greater It breedeth but once whilest other Fishes do often in a year such the providence of Nature preventing their more multiplying least the Waters should not afford Subjects enough for their Tyranny For want of other Fish they will feed one on another yââ¦a what is four footed shall be Fish with them if it once come to their jawes biteing sometimes for cruelty and revenge as well as for hunger and because we have publickly professed that to delight as well as to inform is our aim in this Book let the ensuing story though unwarranted with a cited Authour find the Readers acceptance A Cub-Foxe drinking out of the River Arnus in Italy had his head seised on by a mighty Pike so that neither could free themselves but were ingrapled together In this contest a young man runs into the water takes them out both alive and carrieth them to the Duke of Florence whose palace was hard by The Porter would not admit him without promising of sharing his full half in what the Duke should give him To which he hopelesse otherwise of entrance condescended The Duke highly affected with the Rarity was in giving him a good reward which the other refused desiring his Highnesse would appoint one of his Guard to give him an hundred Lashes that so his Porter might have fifty according to his composition And here my Intelligence leaveth me how much farther the jest was followed But to return to our English Pikes wherein this County is eminent especially in that River which runneth by Lincolne whence grew this Proverb Witham Pike England hath nene like And hence it is that Mr. Drayton maketh this River Poetizing in her praises always concluding them Thus to her Proper Song The Burden still she bare Yet for my dainty Pikes I am without compare I have done with these Pikes when I have observed if I mistake not a great mistake in Mr. Stow affirming that Pickrels were brought over as no Natives of our Land into England at the same time with Carps and both about the beginning of the Reign of King Henry the Eighth Now if Pickrels be the deminatives of Pikes as Jacks of Pickrels which none I conceive will deny they were here many hundred years since and probably of the same Seniority with the Rivers of England For I find in the Bill of Fare made at the Prodigious Feast at the Installing of George Nevil Arch-bishop of York Anno 466 that there was spent three hundred Lupi Fluviatiles that is River Pikes at that Entertainment Now seeing all are children before they are men and Pikes Pickrels at the first Pickrels were more anciently in England then that Author affirmeth them Wild-foule Lincoln-shire may be termed the Aviary of England for the Wild-foule therein Remarkable for their 1. Plenty So that sometimes in the Month of August three thousand Mallards with Birds of that kind have been caught at one Draught so large and strong their Nets and the like must be the Readers belief 2. Variety No man no not Gesmar himself being able to give them their proper names except one had gotten Adam his Nomenclator of Creatures 3. Deliciousnesse Wild-foule being more dainty and digestable then Tame of the same kind as spending their Grossie humours with their Activity and constant Motion in Flying Now as the Eagle is called Jovis Ales so here they have a Bird which is called the Kings Bird namely Knuts sent for hither out of Denmark at the charge and for the use of Knut or Kanutus King of England If the plenty of Birds have since been drained with the Fenns in this County what Lincoln-shire lacks in her former Foul is supplyed in Flesh more Mutton and Beef and a large First makes amends for a lesse second Coursâ⦠But amongst all Birds we must not forget Dotterells This is Avis ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã a Mirthmaking Bird so ridiculoussy Mimical that he is easily caught or rather catcheth himself by his over-Active imitation There is a sort of Apes in India caught by the Natives thereof after this manner They dress a little Boy in his Sight undresse him again leave all the Childs apparel behind them in the place and then depart a competent distance The Ape presently attiââ¦eth
himself in the same garments till the Childs Cloaths become his Chains putting off his Feet by putting on his Shoos not able to run to any purpose and so is soon taken The same Humour otherwise persued betrayeth the Dotterells As the Fowler stretcheth forth his Arms and Legs going towards the Bird the Bird extendeth his Legs and Wings approaching the Fowler till surprised in the Net But it is observed that the Foolisher the Fowl or Fish Woodcocks Dotterels ââ¦odsheads c. the Finer the Flesh thereof Feathers It is Pity to part Lancashire Ticking lately spoken of and Lincoln-shire Feathers making so good Beds together I cannot find the first beginning of Feather-Beds the Latine word Pulvinar for a Cusheon Pillowe or Bolster sheweth that the Entrals of such Utensils amongst the Romans were made but of Dust and our English plain Proverb De Puerperis they are in the Straw shows Feather-Beds to be of no ancient use amongst the Common sort of our Nation and Beds of Down the Cream of Feathers are more Modern then they The Feathers of this County are very good though not so soft as such as are imported from Bardeaux in France and although a Feather passeth for the Emblem of Lightnesse it self they are heavy enough in their Prises to such as buy any Quantity and daily grow Dearer Pippins With these we will close the Stomach of the Reader being concluded most cordial by Physicians some conceive them to be of not above a hundred years seniority in England However they thrive best and prove biggest not Kentish excepted in this County particularly in Holland and about Kirton therein whence they have acquired addition of Kirton Pippins a wholsome and delicious Apple and I am informed that Pippins graffed on a Pippin stock are called Renates bettered in their generous Nature by such double extraction Fleet-Hounds In Latine called PETRONII or Petrunculi from Petra a Rock either because their Feet are sound and solid and therefore named ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã by Xenophon or from the hard and rocky ground whereon they were accustomed to hunt These with much certainty of scent and quicknesse of feet will run down a Hare in a short time Janus Ulitius a Dutchman some 15 years since came into England though a man of the Gown employed in publick affairs for Diversion he went down into this County to spend one Winter where conversing with some young Gentlemen he hunted twice a Week with so great content that the season otherwise unpleasant was past before he perceived how it went Hear him expressing himself sed Petrunculi illi qui vestigiis eorum non minus celeriter quam sagaciter instant haud facile trihorio minus leporem aliquem defatigant ut in Lincolniensi montium aequijugi tractu aliquoties ipse vidi and yet I assure you the Hares in this County on Ancaster-Heath do though lesser far exceed in swiftnesse and subtilty of Doubling those of the Vallyes and Plains Such a Petronius or Fleet-hound is two Hounds in Effect Sed premit Inventas non inventura Latentes Illa feras quae Petroniis bene Gloria constat To the Petronian both the praise is due Quickly to find and nimbly to persue Grey-Hounds In Latin termed VELTRAGA or VERTRAGUS or VERTAGUS derived it seems from the Dutch Word VELT a Field and RACH or BRACH a Dog and of how high esteem the former and these were amongst the Ancients the Reader may infer from the old Burgundian Law Siquis Canem Veltraum aut Segutium vel Petrunculum praesumpserit involare jubemus ut convictus coram omni populo posteriora ipsius osculetur Martial speaking of these Greyhounds thus expresseth himself Non sibi sed Domino venatur Vertragus acer Illaesum Leporem qui tibi dente feret For 's Master not Himself doth Greyhound toyl Whose Teeth to thee return the unhurt spoyl I have no more to observe of these Greyhounds save that they are so called being otherwise of all Colours because originally imployed in the Hunting of Grays that is Brocks and Badgers Mas-Tiffes Known to the Romans by the name of Molossi from Molossia a County in Epirus whence the fiercest in that kind were fetched at first before better were brought out of Brittain Gratius an Ancient Poet Contemporary with Virgil writing his Cynegeticon or Poem of Hunting giveth great praise to our English Mastiffes highly commending their Valour only taxing them that they are not handsomly made Haec una est Catulis jactura Britannis The Brittish Whelps no blemish know But that they are not shap'd for show Which thing is nothing in my mind seeing beauty is no whit material to a Souldier This County breedeth choice Mastiffes for the Bull and Bear and the sport is much affected therein especially about Stamford whereof hereafter What remaineth concerning Mastiffes is referred to the same Topick in Somerset-shire Thus the three kinds of ancient hunting which distinctly require fleetnesse scent and strength are compleatly performed in this County by a Breed therein which are answerably qualified This I have inserted because as to my Native Country in general so to this here in particular I would not willingly do lesse right then what a Stranger hath done thereunto Before we come to Catalogue the Worthies of this County it is observable that as it equalled other Shires in all ages so it went beyond it self in one generation viz. in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth when it had Natives thereof 1. Edward Clinton Lord Admiral 2. William Cecil Lord Treasurer 3 Sir Edmund Anderson Lord Chief Justice 4. John Whitgift Arch-bishop of Canterbury 5. Peregrine Bartu Lord General in France 6. Tho. Wilson Dr. of Law and Secretary of State All Countrymen and Contemporaries Thus Sea and Land Church and Camp Sword and Mace Gospel and Law were stored with prime Officers out of this County Nor must it be forgotten though born in the same Shire they were utterly unrelated in Kindred and raised themselves independently as to any mutual assistance by Gods Blessing the Queens favour and their own deserts The Buildings Here the complaint of the Prophet taketh no place taxing men to live in Ceeled Pallaces whilst the Temple of God lay wast No County affording worse Houses or better Churches It addeth to the Wonder that seeing in this soft County a Diamond is as soon found as a Flint their Churches are built of Pollished Stones no Natives but Naturalized by importation from forreign parts I hope the Inhabitants of this Shire will endevour to disprove the old Proverb the nearer to the Church the further from God because they have substituted a better in the room thereof viz. The further from stone the better the Churches As for the Cathedral of Lincoln whose Floor is higher then the Roof of many Churches it is a magnificent Structure proportionable to the Amplitude of the Diocesse This I dare boldly say that no Diocesse in Christendome affordeth two such Rivers viz.
same name doth rise But such nominal Proverbs take the advantage of all manner of Spelling as due unto them It is applyed to such people as are not overstock'd with acutenesse The best is all men are bound to be honest but not to be witty Grantham Gruel Nine Grits and a Gallon of Water Gruel though homely is wholsome Spoon-meat Physick for the Sick and food for persons in health Water is the Matter Grits the Form thereof giving the being thereunto Now Gruel thus imperfectly mix'd is Wash rather which one will have little heart to eat and get as little heart thereby The Proverb is appliable to those who in their Speeches or Actions multiply what is superfluous or at best less necessary either wholly omitting or lesse regarding the Essentials thereof They held together as the Men of Marham when they lost their Common Some understand it Ironically that is they were divided with several Factions which Proverb Mutato Nomine is used in other Counties Yea long since Virgil said the same in effect of the Men of Mantua when they lost their Lands to the Souldiers of Augustus En quo Discordia Cives Perduxit miseros En queîs consevimus Agros See Townsmen what we by our Jars are grown And see for whom we have our Tillage sown Indeed when a Common Danger calls for a Union against a General Enemy for any then to prosecute their Personal Quarrels and Private Grudges is a Folly always observed often reproved sometimes confessed but seldome Reformed Others use this Proverb only as an expression of ill Successe when men strive to no purpose though Plotting and Practising together to the utmost of their power being finally foiled in their undertakings Princes HENRY eldest surviving Son of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster was born at the Castle of Bullingbrook in this County and bred according to the Discipline of those days in Camp and Court in both which he proved a good proficient By Nature he was made more to command then obey being ambitious cholerick and withal couragious cunning to catch careful to keep and industrious to improve all advantages Being netled with some injuries received from King Richard the second he complotted with a good party of the Nobility to depose him Miscarriages in his Government many by miââ¦managing more by the missucceeding of matters exposed him to just Exception besides his own Debauchery and how easily is a dissolute Government dissolved Having by the Murther of King Richard atcheived the Government to himself he reigned with much difficulty and opposition Though his Father was a great Patron He was a great Persecutor of the Wickliffites though not so much out of hatred to them as Love to himself thereby to be ingratiated with the Clergy then Potent in the Land When Duke he wore on his Head an Antick Hood which he cast not off when King so that his Picture is generally known by the Crown superadded thereon Lying on his Death-bed he was rather querulous then penitent much complaining of his Sufferings in keeping nothing bewayling his sin in getting the Crown Fire and Faggot was first kindled in his Reign in England to burn pardon the Prolepsis poor Protestants and happy had it been had they been quenched at his Death which happened Anno Dom. 1413. This Henry was the only Prince born in this Connty since the Conquest though a good Authour by mistake entituleth this County to another an ancienter Henry Yet so that he giveth him with one hand to it in his Book of Maps and takes him away with the other in his Chronicle J. Speed in his Description of Lincolne-sh Parag. 7. J. Speed in his Chronicle in the life of W. ãâã Pag. 436. This Shire triumpheth in the Births of Beaucleark K. Henry the first whom Selby brought forth Henry Fourth and Youngest Son of King William was born at Selby in York-Shire I believe Mr. Speed the Chronocler before Mr. Speed the Chorographer because therein concurring with other Authors Besides consult the Alphabetical Index of his Map and there is no Selby in this Shire we have therefore placed King Henry the First in York-shire and thought fit to enter this observation not to reprove others but least I be reproved my self Saints Here I make no mention of St. Botolph because there is no Constat though very much Probability of his English Nativity who lived at and gave the name to Botolphs Town corruptly Boston in this County GILBERT DE SEMPRINGHAM There born in this County was of noble extraction Joceline his Father being a Knight to whom he was eldest Son and Heir to a great Estate In Body he was very deformed but of subtile wit and great courage Travelling over into France there he got good Learning and obtained leave from the Pope to be Founder of those Epicoene and Hermaphrodite Convents wherein Monks and Nuns lived together as under one Roof but with partitions betwixt them Sure it was to him a comfort and credit which is confidently related by credible Authors to see 13. Convents 700. Monks 1100. Nuns Women out-superstition Men of his order being aged one hundred and six years He appointed the fair Convent at Sempringham his own rich Inheritance to be mother and prime residence of his new erected order He dyed anno 1189. HUGH was a Child born and living in Lincoln who by the impious Jews was stoln from his Parents and in Derision of Christ and Christianity to keep their cruel hands in ure by them crucified being about Nine years old Thus he lost his Life but got a Saintship thereby and some afterwards perswaded themselves that they got their cures at his Shrine in Lincoln However this made up the measure of the Sins of the Jews in England for which not long after they were ejected the land or which is the truer unwillingly willing they departed themselves And whilst they retain their old manners may they never return especially in this Giddy and unsettled age for fear more Christians fall sick of Judaisme then Jews recover in Christianity This Hugh was martyred Anno Dom. 1255. on the 27. of July Martyrs ANNE ASKEVVE Daughter of Sir William Askewe Knight was born at Kelsey in this County of her Piety and Patience when first wracked in the Tower then burnt in Smithfield I have largely treated in my Church History She went to Heaven in a Chariot of Fire July 16. 1546. Cardinals ROBERT SOMMERCOT There are two Villages North and South Sommercot in this ãâã and to my notice no where else in England fromone of which I presume he took his Nativity and Name Yet because Bale affirmeth Lawrence Sommercot his Brother or Kinsman born in the South of England we have affixed our Note of Dubitation But out of doubt it is he was a right learned man to whom Matthew Paris gives this short but thick commendation viz. Vir fuit discretus circumspectus omnibus amabilis merito gratiosus
King Iames Bishop of Salisbury He dyed in his calling having begun to put in print an excellent book against Atheists most useful for our age wherein their sin so aboundeth His Death happened March 11. 1619. not two full years after his Consecration Statesmen EDVVARD FINES Lord Clinton Knight of the Garter was Lord Admiral of England for more then thirty years a Wise Valiant and Fortunate Gentleman The Masterpeice of his service was in Mustleborough Field in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth and the Battail against the Scots Some will wonder what a Fish should do on dry Land what use of an Admiral in a Land fight But know the English kept themselves close to the shore under the shelter of their ships and whilst their Arrows could do little their spears lesse their swords nothing against the Scots who appeared like a hedge of Steel so well armed and closed together the great Ordnance from their ships at first did all making such destruction in the Scottish army that though some may call it a Land-fight it was first a Victory from the sea and then but an Execution on the Land By Queen Elizabeth who honoured her honours by bestowing them sparingly he was created Earl of Lincoln May 4. 1574. and indeed he had breadth to his height a proportionable estate chiefly in this County to support his Dignity being one of those who besides his paternal Inheritance had much increased his estate He dyed January the sixteenth 1585. and lyeth buryed at Windsor in a private chappel under a stately Monument which Elizabeth his third Wife Daughter to the Earl of Kildare erected in his Remembrance THOMAS WILSON Doctor of Laws was born in this County bred Fellow of Kings-Colledge in Cambridge and afterwards was Tutor in the same University to Henry and Charles Brandons successively Dukes of Suffolk Hard shift he made to conceal himself in the Reign of Queen Mary Under Queen Elizabeth he was made Master of the Hospital of St. Katharines nigh the Tower of London upon the same Token that he took down the Quire which my Author saith allow him a little Hyperbole was as great as the Quire at St. Pauls I am loth to believe it done out of Covetousnesse to gain by the materials thereof but would rather conceive it so run to Ruin that it was past repairing He at last became Secretary of State to Q. Elizabeth for four years together It argues his ability for the place because he was put into it Seeing in those active times under so judicious a Queen weaknesse might despair to be employed in such an office He dyed anno dom 15. THOMAS Lord BURGE or BOROUââ¦H Son to William Lord Burge Grandson to Thomas Lord Burge created Baron by King Henry the Eight was born in his Fathers Fair house at Gainsborough in this County His first publick appearing was when he was sent Embassador into Scotland anno 1593. to excuse Bothwell his lurking in England to advise the speedy suppressing of the Spanish Faction and to advance an effectual association of the Protestants in that Kingdome for their Kings defence which was done accordingly Now when Sir William Russel Lord Deputy of Ireland was recalled this Lord Tho. Burgh was substituted in his room anno 1597. Mr. Camden doth thus character him Vir acer animi plenus ââ¦ed nullis fere castrorum rudimentis But where there is the stock of Valour with an able brain Experience will soon be graffed upon it It was first thought fit to make a Months Truce with Tyrone which cessation like a Damm made their mutual animosities for the present swell higher and when removed for the future run the fiercer The Lord Deputy the Truce expired streightly besieged the Fort of Blackwater the only Receptacle of the Rebells in those parts I mean besides their Woods and Bogs the Key of the County of Tyrone This Fort he took by Force and presently followed a bloody Battle wherein the English paid dear for their Victory loosing many worthy men and amongst them two that were Foster brothers Fratres Collactanei to the Earl of Kildare who so layed this losse to his heart amongst the Irish Foster brethren are loved above the Sons of their fathers that he dyed soon after Tyrons credit now lay a bleeding when to stanch it he rebesieged Blackwater and the Lord Deputy whilst indevouring to relieve it was struck with untimely death before he had continued a whole year in his place All I will add is this that it brake the heart of Valiant Sir John Norris who had promised the Deputies place unto himself as due to his deserts when this Lord Burgh was superinduced into that Office His Relict Lady famous for her Charity and skill in Chirurgery lived long in Westminster and dyed very aged some twenty years since WILLIAM CECIL Know Reader before I go farther something must be premised concerning his position in this Topick Virgil was prophane in his flattery to Augustus Caesar profering him his free choice after his death to be ââ¦anked amongst what heathen Gods he pleased so that he might take his place either amongst those of the Land which had the oversight of Men and Cities or the Sea-Gods commanding in the Ocean or the Skye-Gods and become a new Constellation therein But without the least adulation we are bound to profer this worthy Peer his own election whether he will be pleased to repose himself under Benefactors to the Publick all England in that age being beholden to his bounty as well as the poor in Standford for whom he erected a fair Bead-house acknowledging under God and the Queen their prosperity the fruit of his prudence Or else he may rest himself under the title of Lawyers being long bred in the Inns of Court and more learned in our Municipal-Law then many who made it their sole profession However for the present we lodge this English Nestor for wisdome and vivacitie under the notion of States-men being Secretarie and Lord-Treasurer for above thirty years together Having formerly written his life at large it will be enough here to observe that he was born at Bourn in this County being son to Richard Cecil Esq of the Robes to King Henry the eighth and a Legatee in his Will and Jane his Wife of whom hereafter He was in his age Moderator Aulae steering the Court at his pleasure and whilst the Earl of Leichester would indure no equall and Sussex no superiour therein he by siding with neither served himself with both Incredible was the kindness which Queen Elizabeth had for him or rather for her self in him being sensible that he was so able a Minister of State Coming once to visit him being sick of the Goute at Burley house in the Strand and being much heightned with her Head Attire then in fashion the Lords Servant who conducted her thorow the door May your Highness said he be pleased to stoop the Queen
For being with some other by this General for want of provisions left on land after many miseries they came to Mexico and he continued a Prisoner twenty three years viz Two years in Mexico one year in the Contractation-House in Civil another in the Inquisition-House in Triana twelve years in the Gallies four years with the Cross of St. Andrew on his back in the Everlasting-Prison and three years a drudge to Hernando de Soria to so high a summ did the Inventorie of his sufferings amount So much of his patience now see the end which the Lord made with him Whil'st enslaved to the aforesaid Hervando he was sent to Sea in a Flemish which was afterward taken by an English ship called the Galeon-Dudley and so was he safely landed at Portsmouth Decemb. the second 1590. And I believe lived not long after Sir WILLIAM MOUNSON Knight was extracted of an Antient Family in this Shire and was from his youth bred in Sea-Service wherein he attained to Great Perfection Queen Elizabeth having cleared Ireland of the Spanish Forces and desiring carefully to prevent a Relapse altered the Scaene of the War from Ireland to Spaine from Defending to Invading Sir Richard Leveson was Admiral our Sir William Vice-Admiral Anno 1602. These without drawing a Sword Killed Trading quite on the Coasts of Portugal no Vessels daring to goe in or out of their Harbours They had Intelligence of a Caract ready to land in Sisimbria which was of 1600 Tun richly laden out of the East-Indies and resolved to assault it though it seemed placed in an Invincible Posture Of it self it was a Gyant in Comparison to our Pigmy Ships and had in her three hundred Spanish Gentlemen the Marquess de Sancta Cruce lay hard by with thirteen Ships and all were secured under the Command of a Strong and well fortified Castle But nothing is Impossible to Mars valour and Gods blessing thereon After a ââ¦aire dispute which lasted for some houres with Sillogismes of fire and sword the Caract was Conquered the wealth taken therein amounting to the value of Ten Hundred Thousand Crownes of Portugal Account But though the Goods gotten therein might be valued the Good gained thereby was Inestimable for henceforward they beheld the English with admiring eyes and quitted their thoughts of Invasion This worthy Knight dyed about the mid'st of the Reign of King Iames. Writers This County hath afforded many partly because so large in it self partly because abounding with so many Monasteries whereof two Mitred ones Crowland and Bardney the Seminaries of many Learned men Not to speak of the Cathedral of Lincoln and Embrio University of Stamford wherein many had their Education Wherefore to pass by Faelix Crowlandensis Kimbertus Lindesius and others all of them not affording so much true History as will fill a hollow quill therewith we take notice of some principal ones and begin with GILBERT of HOLLAND He took his name not as others from a single Town but a great part of ground the third part of this Tripartite County which in my apprehension argues his Diligence in preaching thereabouts But quitting his Native Land he was invited by the famous St. Bernard to go to and live with him at Clarvaulx in Burgundy where he became his Scholar Some will prize a Crum of Forreign Praise before a Loafe of English commendation as subject to partiality to their own Countrymen Let such hear how Abbot Trithemius the German commendeth our Gilbert Vir erat in Scripturis Divinis Studiosus egregie doctus ingenio subtilis clarus eloquio The Poets feigâ⦠that Hercules for a time supplyed the place of wearied Atlas in supporting the Heavens so our Gilbert was frequently substitute to St. Bernard continuing his Sermons where the other brake ââ¦ff from those words in lectulo meo per noctes c. unto the end of the book being forty six Sermons in style scarce discernable from St. Bernards He flourished anno Dom. 1200. and was buryed at Gistreaux in France ROGER of CROULAND was bred a Benedictine Monk therein and afterwards became Abbot of Friskney in this County He was the seventh man in order who wrote the Life of Thomas Becket Some will say his six elder Brethren left his Pen but a pitiful portion to whom it was impossible to present the Reader with any remarkable Novelty in so trite a subject But know that the pretended miracles of Becket daily multiplying the last Writer had the most matter in that kind He divided his book into seven Volumes and was full fifteen years in making of it from the last of King Richard the first to the fourteenth of King Iohn But whether this Elephantine Birth answered that proportion of time in the performance thereof let others decide He flourished anno Domini 1214. ELIASDE TREKINGHAM was born in this County at a Village so called as by the sequents will appear Ingulphus relateth that in the year of our Lord 870. in the Month of September Count Algar with others bid battle to the Danes in Kesteven a Third part of this County and worsted them killing three of their Kings whom the Danes buryed in a Village therein formerly called Laundon but after Trekingham Nor do I know any place to which the same name on the like accident can be applied except it be Alcaser in Africa where anno 1578. Sebastian the Portugal and two other Morish Kings were killed in one Battle I confess no such place as Trekingham appeareth at this day in any Catalogue of English Towns Whence I conclude it either a Parish some years since depoulated or never but a Churchlesse Village This Elias was a Monk of Peterborough Doctor of Divinity in Oxford a Learned man and great Lover of History writing himself a Chronicle from the year of our Lord 626 till 1270. at what time it is probable he deceased HUGO KIRKSTED was born at that well known Town in this County being bred a Benedictine-Cistercian-Bernardine A Cistercian is a Reformed Benedictine a Bernardine is a Reformed Cistercian so that our Hugh may charitably be presumed Pure as twice Refined He consulted one Serlo an aged man and one of his own Order and they both clubbing their pains and brains together made a Chronicle of the Cistercians from their first coming into England anno 1131. when Walter de Espeke founded their first Abby at Rivaax in York-shire Our Hugh did write Serlo did indict being almost an hundred years old so that his Memory was a perfect Chronicle of all remarkable Passages from the Beginning of his Order Our Hugo flourished anno Domini 1220. WILLIAM LIDLINGTON was born say some at that Village in Cambridge-shire at a Village so named in this County say others with whom I concur because he had his Education at Stamford He was by profession a Carmelite and became the Fifth Provincial of his Order in England Monasteries being multiplyed in that age Gerardus a Frenchman Master General
of the Carmelites in a Synode at Narbone deputed two English Provincials of that Order to the great grievance of our Lidlington refusing to subscribe to the Decisions of that Synode His stubbornesse cost him an Excommunication from Pope Clement the Fifth and four years Pennance of banishment from his Native Country Mean time our Lidlington living at Paris acquired great credit unto himself by his Lectures and Disputations At last he was preferred Provincial of the Carmelites in Palestine whence from Mount Carmel he fetched their Original and he himself best knew whether the Depth of his profit answered the Heigth of his Honour therein which I suspect the rather because returning into England he dyed and was buryed at Stanford anno Dom. 1309. NICHOLAS STANFORD He was born at that well-known Town once offering to be an University and bred a Bernardine therein The Eulogy given him by Learned Leland ought not to be measured by the Yard but weighed in the ballance Admirabar hominem ejus aetatis tam argute tam solido tamque significanter potuisse scribere I admired much that a man of his age could write so smartly so solidly so significantly Understand him not that one so infirm with age or decrepit in years but that one living in so ignorant and superstitious a generation could write so tercely flourishing as may be collected about the year of our Lord 1310. JOHN BLOXHAM was born at that Town in this County and bred a Carmelite in Chester I confess it is a common expression of the Country folk in this County when they intend to character a dull heavy blundering person to say of him he was born at Bloxham but indeed our Iohn though there first incradled had acuteness enough and some will say activity too much for a Fryer He advantagiously fixed himself at Chester a City in England nere Ireland and not far from Scotland much conducing to his ease who was supream prefect of his Order through those three Nations for two years and a half For afterwards he quitted that place so great was his employment under King Edward the second and third in several Embassies into Scotland and Ireland flourishing anno 1334. JOHN HORNBY was born in this County bred a Carmelite D. D. in Cambridge In his time happened a tough contest betwixt the Dominicans and Carmelites about Priority Plaintiffe Judges Defendant Dominican  Carmelite Iohn Stock or Stake rather so sharp and poinant his pen left marks in the Backs of his Adversaries Iohn Donwick the Chancellor and the Doctors of the University Iohn Hornby who by his preaching and writing did vindicate the seniority of his Order But our Hornby with his Carmelites clearly carried away the Conquest of precedency and got it confirmed under the authentique seal of the University However the Dominicans desisted not to justle with them for the upper hand until Henry the Eight made them friends by thrusting both out of the Land Our Hornby flourished anno Domini 1374 and was buried at his Convent in Boston BOSTON of BURY for so he is generally called I shall endevour to restore him first to his true name then to his native countrey Some presume Boston to be his Christian of Bury his Sirname But seeing Boston is no Font-name and Godfathers were consciencious in those dayes I appeal to all English Antiquaries in imposing if not Scripture or Saints names yet such as were commonly known the christianizing of Sirnames to baptized Infants being of more modern devise we cannot concur with their judgment herein And now thanks be to Doctor Iohn Caius who in the Catalogue of his Authors cited in the Defence of the Antiquity of Cambridge calleth him Iohn Boston of Bury being born at and taking his Sirname from Boston in this County which was customary for the Clergymen in those dayes though he lived a Monk in Bury Thus in point of Nativities Suffolk hath not lost but Lincoln-shire hath recovered a Writer belonging unto it He Travelled all over England and exactly perused the Library in all Monastaries whereby he was enabled to write a Catalogue of Ecclesiasticall Writers as well Forraign as English extant in his age Such his acuratness as not only to tell the Initiall words in Every of their Books but also to point at the place in each Library where they are to be had John Leland oweth as much to this Iohn Boston as Iohn Bale doth to him and Iohn Pits to them both His Manuscript was never Printed nor was it my happiness to see it but I have often heard the late Reverend Arch-Bishop of Armagh rejoyce in this that he had if not the first the best Copie thereof in Europe Learned Sir James WARE transcribed these Verses out of it which because they conduce to the clearing of his Nativity I have here Inserted Requesting the Reader not to measure his Prose by his Poetry though he dedicated it to no meaner then Henry the fourth King of England Qui legis hunc Librum Scriptorum Rex Miserere Dum scripsit vere non fecit ut aestimo pigrum Si tibi displiceat veniat tua Gratia grandis Quam cunctis pandis haec sibi sufficiat Scriptoris nomen Botolphi Villa vocatur Qui condemnatur nisi gratum det Deus Omen Sure it is that his Writings are Esteemed the Rarity of Rarities by the lovers of Antiquitys which I speak in Humble Advice to the Reader if possessed thereof to keep and value them if not not to despise his Books if on any Reasonable price they may be procured This Iohn Boston flourished Anno Dom. 1410. LAURENCE HOLEBECK was born saith my Author Apud Girvios that is amongst the Fenlanders I confess such people with their Stilts do stride over much ground the parcells of severall Shires Norfolk Suffolk Cambridg Huntington Northampton Lincolnshire But I have fixed him right in this County where Holebeck is not far from Crowland in Holland He was bred a Monk in the Abby of Ramsey and was very well skill'd in the Hebrew Tongue according to the rate of that Age. For the English-men were so great strangers in that Language that even the Priests amongst them in the Reign of King Henry the Eight as Erasmus reporteth Isti quicquid non intelligunt Haebraicum vocant counted all things Hebrew which they did not understand and so they reputed a Tablet which he wrote up in Walsingham in great Roman Letters out of the Rode of Common Cognizance Holebeck made an Hebrew Dictionary which was counted very exact according to those days I. Pitz doth heavyly complaine of Robert Wakefeild the first Hebrew Professor in Cambridg that he purloined this Dictionary to his private use whereon all I will observe is this It is resolved in the Law that the taking of another mans Sheep is Felony whilst the taking away of a Sheep-Pasture is but a Trespass the party pretending a right thereunto Thus I know many men so Conscientious that
they will not take twenty lines together from any Author without acknowledging it in the Margin conceiving it to be the fault of a Plagearie Yet the same Criticks repute it no great guilt to seize a whole Manuscript if they can conveniently make themselves the Masters though not Owners thereof in which Act none can excuse them though we have had too many Precedents hereof This Laurence died Anno Dom. 1410. BERTRAM FITZALIN Finding him charactered Illustri stemmate oriundus I should have suspected him a Sussex man and Allied to the Earls of Arundell had not another Author positively informed me he was patria Lincolniensis bred B. D. in Oxford and then lived a Carmelite in the City of Lincolne Here he built a faire Library on his and his freinds cost and furnish'd it with books some of his own making but more purchased He lived well beloved and dyed much lamented the seventeenth of March 1424. Writers since the Reformation EDMUND SHEFFEILD descended from Robert Sheffeild Recorder of London Knighted by King Henry the Seventh 1496 for his good Service against the Rebells at Black-Heath was born at Butterwick in the Isle of Axholm in this Country and was by King Edward the sixth Created Baron thereof Great his Skill in Musick who wrote a Book of Sonnets according to the Italian fashion He may seem Swan like to have sung his own Funeral being soon after Slaine or Murthered rather in a skirmish against the Rebells in Norwich first unhorsed and cast into a ditch and then Slaughtered by a Butcher who denyed him Quarter 1449. He was direct Anchester to the hopeful Earl of Moulgrave PETER MORVVING was born in this County and bred fellow of Magdalen Colledg in Oxford Here I cannot but smile at the great Praise which I Pitz bestoweth upon him Vir omni Latini sermonis elegantia bellè instructus qui scripta quaedam tum versu tum Prosa tersè nitidèque composuisse perhibetur It plainly appeareth he mistook him for one of his own perswasion and would have retracted this Caracter and beshrewed his own fingers for writing it had he known him to have been a most Cordial Protestant Nor would he have afforded him the Phrase of Claruit sub Philippo et Mariâ who under their Reigns was forced for his Conscience to fly into Germany where he supported himself by Preaching to the English Exiles I find not what became of him after his return into England in the Reigne of Queen Elizabeth ANTHONY GILBY was born in this County and bred in Christs Colledge in Cambridge where he attained to great skill in the three learned languages But which gave him the greatest Reputation with Protestants was that in the Reign of Queen Mary he had been an Exile at Geneva for his Conscience Returning into England he became a feirce fiery and furious opposer of the Church Discipline established in England as in our Ecclesiasticall History may appear The certaine date of his death is to me unknown JOHN FOX was born at Boston in this County and bred Fellow in Magdalen Colledg in Oxford He fled beyond the Seas in the Reign of Queen Mary where he set forth the first and least edition of the Book of Martyrs in Latine and afterwards returning into England inlarged and twice revised the same in our own language The story is sufficiently known of the two Servants whereof the one told his Master he would do every thing the other which was even Esop himself said he could do nothing rendering this reason because his former fellow servant would leave him nothing to do But in good earnest as to the particular subject of our English Martyrs Mr. Fox hath done every thing leaving posterity nothing to work upon and to those who say he hath overdone somthing we have returned our answer before He was one of Prodigious Charity to the poor seeing nothing could bound his bounty but want of mony to give away but I have largely written of his life and death in my Church History THOMAS SPARKS D. D. was born at South Sommercot in this County bred in Oxford and afterwards became Minister of Bleachley in Buckingham-shire An Impropriation which the Lord Gray of Wilton whose dwelling was at Whaddon hard-by Restored to the Church He was a solid Divine and Learned man as by his Works still extant doth appear At first he was a Non-conformist and therefore was chosen by that party as one of their Champions in the Conference of Hampton Court Yet was he wholy silent in that Disputation not for any want of Ability but because as afterwards it did appear he was Convinced in his Conscience at that Conference of the lawfullness of Ceremonies so that some accounted him King James's Convert herein He afterwards set forth a book of Unity and Uniformity and died about the year of our Lord 1610. Doctor TIGHE was born at Deeping in this County bred as I take it in the University of Oxford He afterwards became Arch Deacon of Middlesex and Minister of Alhallowes Barking London He was an excellent Textuary and profound Linguist the reason why he was imployed by King James in translating of the Bible He dyed as I am informed by his Nephew about the year of our Lord 1620. leaving to John Tighe his Son of Carby in this County Esquire an Estate of one thousand pounds a year and none I hope have cause to envy or repine thereat FINES MORISON Brother to Sir Richard Morison Lord President of Munster was born in this County of worshipfull extraction and bred a fellow in Peter-house in Cambridge He began his Travels May the first 1591 over a great part of Christendome and no small share of Turky even to Jerusalem and afterwards Printed his Observations in a large book which for the truth thereof is in good Reputation For of so great a Traveller he had nothing of a Traveller in him as to stretch in his reports At last he was Secretary to Charles Blunt Deputy of Ireland saw and wrote the Conflicts with and Conquest of Tyrone a discourse which deserveth credit because the Writers cye guide his pen and the privacy of his place acquainted him with many secret passages of Importance He dyed about the year of our Lord 1614. Benefactors to the Publique Having formerly presented the Reader with two Eminent ones Bishop Wainfleit Founder of New Colledge and Bishop Fox Founder of Corpus Christi in Oxford He if but of an ordinary appetite will be plentifully feasted therewith so that we may proceed to those who were Since the Reformation WILLIAM RATCLIFF Esq And four times Alderman of the Town of Stamford died Anno Dom. 1530. Gave all his Messuages Lands and Tenements in the Town to the Maintenance of a Free-School therein which Lands for the present yeild thirty pounds per Annum or there-abouts to a School-Master and Usher I am informed that an Augmentation was since
England to the great prejudice of English Artisans which caused the insurrection in London on ill May-day Anno Dom. 1517. Nor was the City onely but Country Villages for four miles about filled with French fashions and infections The Proverb is applied to such who contemning the custome of their own Country make themselves more ridiculous by affecting forraign humours and habits Princes EDVVARD sole surviving Son of King Henry the eight and Jane his Wife was born at Hampton Court in this County Anno Dom. 1537. He succeeded his Father in the Kingdome and was most eminent in his Generation seeing the Kings of England fall under a five-fold division 1. Visibly Vicious given over to dissolutenesse and debauchery as King Edward the second 2. Potius extra vitia quà m cum virtutibus Rather free from Vice then fraught with Virtue as King Henry the third 3. In quibus aequali temperamento magnae virtutes inerant nec minora vitia In whom Vices and Virtues were so equally matched it was hard to decide which got the Mastery as in King Henry the eight 4 Whose good qualities beat their bad ones quite out of distance of Competition as in King Edward the first 5 Whose Virtues were so resplendent no faults humane frailties excepted appeared in them as in this King Edward He died July 5. 1553. and pity it is that he who deserved the best should have no monument erected to his memory indeed a brass Altar of excellent workmanship under which he was buried I will not say sacrificed with an untimely death by the treachery of others did formerly supply the place of his Tombe which since is abolished under the notion of superstition Guesse the goodness of his head and heart by the following letters written to Barnaby Fitz-Patrick Gentleman of his Bedchamber and brought up with him copyed out from the Originalls by the Reverend Arch-Bishop of Armagh and bestowed upon me Say not they are but of narrow and personal concernment seeing they are sprinkled with some passages of the Publique Neither object them written by a Child seeing he had more man in him than any of his Age. Besides Epistles are the calmest communicating truth to Posterity presenting History unto us in her night cloths with a true face of things though not in so fine a dress as in other kindes of writings EDVVARD We have received your Letters of the eighth of this present moneth whereby we understand how you are well entertained for which we are right glad and also how you have been once to goe on Pilgrimage For which cause we have thought good to Advertise you that hereafter if any such chance happen you shall desire leave to goe to Mr. Pickering or to Paris for your business And if that will not serve to declare to some man of Estimation with whom you are best acquainted that as you are loth to offend the French King because you have been so favourably used so with safe conââ¦cience you cannot do any such thing being brought up with me and bound to obey my Laws Also that you had Commandment from me to the Contrary yet if you be vehemently procured you may go as waiting on the King not as intending to the abuse nor willingly seeing the Ceremonies and so you look on the Masse But in the mean season regard the Scripture or some good Book and give no reverence to the Masse at all Furthermore remember when you may conveniently be absent from the Court to tarry with Sir William Pickering to be instructed by him how to use your self For Women as far forth as you may avoid their Company Yet if the French King command you you may some time Dance so measure be your meane else apply your self to Riding Shooting Tennis or such honest games not forgetting some times when you have leisure your learning cheifly reading of the Scriptures This I write not doubting but you would have done though I had not written but to spur you on your exchange of 1200 Crowns you shall receive either monthly or quarterly by Bartholomew Campaignes Factor in Paris He hath warrant to receive it by here and hath written to his Factors to deliver it you there we have signed your Bill for wages of the Chamber which Fitzwilliams hath likewise we have sent a Letter into Ireland to our Deputy that he shall take Surrender of your Fathers Lands and to make again other Letters Patent that those Lands shall be to him you and your Heirs lawfully begotten for ever adjoyning thereunto two religious Houses you spake for Thus fare you well from Westminster the 20 of December 1551. Mr. BARNABY I have of late sent you a Letter from Bartholmew Campaigne for your payment by the French Embassadors Pacquet I doubt not but your good nature shall profitably and Wisely receive the Kings Majesties Letter to you Fatherly of a Child Comfortably of your Soveraign Lord and most wisely of so young a Prince And so I beseech you that you will think wheresoever you go you carry with you a Demonstration of the Kings Majesty coming a Latere Suo and bred up in Learning and Manners with him with your conservation and modesty let me therefore believe the good reports of the King to be true and let them perceive what the King is when one brought up with him Habeat Virtutis tam Clarum Specimen This I write boldly as one that in you willeth our Masters honour and credit and I pray you use me as one that loveth you in plain termes Scribled in hast from Westminster the 22 of December 1551. Yours to use and have W. Cecill To the KINGS MAIESTY According to my bounden Duty I most humbly thank your Highness for your gratious Letters of the 20 of December lamenting nothing but that I am not able by any meanes nor cannot deserve any thing of the goodness your Highness hath shewed towards me And as for the avoiding of the company of the Ladies I will assure your Highness I will not come into their Company unless I do wait upon the French King As for the Letter your Majesty hath granted my Father for the assurance of his Lands I thank your Highness most humbly confessing my self as much bound to you as a Subject to his Soveraign for the same As for such simple news as is here I thought good to certifie your Majesty It did happen that a certain Saint standing in a blind corner of the Street where my Lord Admirall lay was broken in the night-time when my Lord was here which the French men did think to have been done by the English-men and the English-men did think it to have been done by some French-men of spite because the English-men lay in that street and now since that time they have prepared another Saint which they call our Ladie of Silver because the French King that dead is made her once of clean Silver and afterwards was stoln like as she hath been divers times both stolen
ready for hearing being finally determined Whereon a Rhythmer When More some years had Chancelor been ââ¦o more suits did remain The same shall never more be seen Till More be there again Falling into the Kings displeasure for not complying with him about the Queens divorce he seasonably resigned his Chancellours Place and retired to his House in Chelsey chiefly imploying himself in writing against those who were reputed Hereticks And yet it is observed to his Credit by his great friend Erasmus that whilest he was Lord Chancellor no Protestant was put to death and it appears by some passages in his Utopia that it was against his mind that any should lose their Lives for their Consciences He rather soyled his Fingers then dirtied his hands in the matter of the holy Maid of Kent and well wiped it off again But his refusing or rather not accepting the Oath of Supremacy stuck by him for which he was 16. Months imprisoned in the Tower bearing his afflictions with remarkable patience He was wont to say that his natural temper was so tender that he could not indure a philip But a supernatural Principle we see can countermand yea help natural imperfections In his time as till our Memory Tower Prisoners were not dyetââ¦d on their own but on the Kings charges The Lieutenant of the Tower providing their Fare for them And when the Lieutenant said that he was sorry that Commons were no better I like said Sir Thomas Your Dyet very well and if I dislike it I pray turn me out of Dores Not long after he was beheaded on Tower hill 153. He left not above one hundred pounds a year Estate perfectly hating Covetousnesse as may appear by his refusing of four or five thousand pounds offered him by the Clergy Among his Latin Books his Utopia beareth the Bell containing the Idea of a compleat Common-wealth in an Imaginary Island but pretended to be lately discovered in America and that so lively counterfeited that many at the reading thereof mistook it for a real truth Insomuch that many great Learned men as Budeus and Johannes Paludanus upon a fervent zeal wished that some excellent Divines might be sent thither to preach Christs Gospel yea there were here amongst us at home sundry good men and Learned Divines very desirous to undertake the Voyage to bring the People to the Faith of Christ whose manners they did so well like By his only Son Mr. John More he had five Grandchildren Thomas and Augustin born in his Life time who proved zealous Romanists Edward Thomas and Bartholomew born after his Death were firm Protestants and Thomas a married Minister of the Church of England MARGARET MORE Excuse me Reader for placing a Lady among Men and Learned Statesmen The Reason is because of her ãâã affection to her Father from whom she would not willingly be parted and for me shall not be either living or dead She was born in Bucklers-bury in London at her Fathers house therein and attained to that Skill in all Learning and Languages that she became the miracle of her age Forreigners took such notice hereof that Erasmus hath dedicated some Epistles unto her No Woman that could speak so well did speak so little Whose Secresie was such that her Father entrusted her with his most important Affairs Such was her skill in the Fathers that she corrected a depraved place in St. Cyprian for whereas it was corruptly writen she amended it Nisi vos sinceritatis Nervos sinceritatis Yea she translated Eusebius out of Greek but it was never printed because I. Christopherson had done it so exactly before She was married to William Roper of Eltham in Kent Esquire one of a bountiful heart and plentiful Estate When her Fathers head was set up on London Bridge it being suspected it would be cast into the Thames to make room for divers others then suffering for denying the Kings Supremacy she bought the head and kept it for a Relique which some called affection others religion others Superstition in her for which she was questioned before the Council and for some short time imprisoned until she had buryed it and how long she her self survived afterwards is to me unknown THOMAS WRIOTHESLEY Knight of the Garter was born in Barbican Son to William Wriothesley York Herauld and Grandchild to John VVriothesley descended from an heir general of the ancient Family of the Dunsterviles King of Arms. He was bred in the University of Cambridge and if any make a doubt thereof it is cleared by the passage of Mr. Ascams Letter unto him writing in the behalf of the University when he was Lord Chancellour Quamobrem Academia cum omni literarum ratione ad te unum conversa Cui uni quam universis aliis se chariorem intelligit partim tibi ut alumno suo cum authoritate imperat partim ut patrono summo demisse humiliter supplicat c. He afterwards effectually applyed his Studies in our municipal Law wherein he attained to great eminency He was by King Henry the Eighth created Baron of Titchborne at Hampton Court January the first 1543. and in the next year about the beginning of May by the said King made Chancelor of England But in the first of King Edward the Sixth he was removed from that place because a conscienciously Rigorous Romanist though in some reparation he was advanced to be Earl of Southampton He dyed at his House called Lincolns place in Holborn 1550. the 30. of Iuly and lyes buryed at St. Andrews in Holborn WILLIAM PAGET Knight was born in this City of honest Parents who gave him pious and learned education whereby he was enabled to work out his own advancement Privy-Councellour to 4 successive princes which though of different perswasions agreed all in this to make much of an able and trusty Minister of State 1. King Henry the Eighth made him his Secretary and imployed him Embassador to Ch. the Emperor and Francis King of France 2. King Edward the Sixth made him Chancellor of the Dutchy Comptroller of his Houshold and created him Baron of Beaudesert 3. Queen Mary made him ââ¦eeper of her privy Seal 4. Queen Elizabeth dispenced with his attendance at Court in favour to his great Age and highly respected him Indeed Duke Dudley in the dayes of King Edward ignominiously took from him the Garter of the Order quarrelling that by his extraction he was not qualified for the same Bur if all be true which is reported of this Dukes Parentage he of all men was most unfit to be active in such an imployment But no wonder if his Pride wrongfully snatched a Garter from a Subject whose Ambition endevoured to deprive two Princes of a Crown This was restored unto him by Queen Mary and that with Ceremony and all solemn accents of honour as to a person who by his prudence had merited much of the Nation He dyed very old anno 1563 and his Corps as
Indeed I read of a Company of ââ¦hysicians in Athens called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã because they would take no Money of their Patients and our St. German was of their Judgement as to his Clients 5. Ability being excellently skill'd in Civil Caxon and Common Law so that it was hard to say wherein he excelled Add to these his skill in scripture witnesse his Book called The Doctor and Student where the former vics Divinity with the Lââ¦w of the later 6. Industry he wrote several works wherein he plainly appeareth not only a Favourer of but Champion for the Reformation 7 Vivacity Lââ¦ving to be above eighty years old and dying anno Dom. 1593. was buryed at St. Alphage London near Criplegate WILLIAM RASTAL was born in this City Sisters Son to Sir Thomas More and was bred in the Study of our Common Law and whoever readeth this passage in Pitz. will thence conclude him one of the two Chief Justices of England Pitz. de Ang. Script Aetat 16. anno 1565. Factus est Civilium Criminalium causarum alter ex duobus per Angliam supremis Judicibus whereas in deed he was but one of the Justices of the Kings Bench yet his Ability and Integrity did capacitate him for higher preferment being also a person of Industry He wrote the Life and set forth the Works of his Uncle More made a Collection of and Comment on the statutes of England Great was his Zeal to the Roââ¦ish Religion flying into Flanders with the changing of his Countrey under King Edward the Sixth he changed the nature of his Studies but then wrote worse Books on a better subject I mean Divinity He undertook Bishop Juel as much his over match in Divinity as Rastal was his in the common Law The Papists are much pleased with him for helping their cause as they conceive and we are not angry with him who hath not hurt ours in any degree He dyed at Lovain 1565. and lyeth buryed with his Wife in the same Tomb and this Epitaph may be bestowed on him Rastallus tumulo cum conjuge dormit in uno Unius carnis Pulvis unus erit Know that Winifrid Clement his Wife was one of the greatest Female Scholars an exact Grecian and the Crown of all most pious according to her perswasion Souldiers No City in Europe hath bred more if not too many of late and indeed we had had better Tââ¦adesmen if worse Souldiets I dare not adventure into so large a Subject and will instance but in one to keep possession for the rest submitting my self to the Readers censure whether the Parties merit or my private Relation puts me on his Memorial Sir THOMAS ROPER Son of Thomas Roper Servant to Queen Elizabeth was born in Friday Street in London whose Grandfather was a younger Son of the House of Heanour in Derby shire Indeed Furneaux was the ancient name of that Family until Richard Furneaux marryed Isald the Daughter of ..... Roper of Beighton in the County of Derby Esquire and on that Consideration was bound to assume the name of Roper by Indenture Dated the Sââ¦venth of Henry the Sixth This Sir Thomas Going over into the Lowe Countries became Page to Sir John Norrice and was Captain of a Foot Company at sixteen years of age what afterwards his Martial performances were to avoid all suspicion of Flattery to which my Relation may incline me I have transcribed the rest out of the Original of his Patent Cum Thomas Roper Eques auratus è Secretioribus Concilliariis nostris in regno nostro Hyberniae jampridem nobis Bellicae virtutis Splendore clarus innotuerit Utpote qui quam plurimis rebus per eum in nuperrimo bello hujus Regni fortiter gestis praeclarum Nomen Strenui Militis prudentis Ducis reportavit Cujus virtus praecipuè in recessu in Provinciâ nostrâ Conaciae prope Le Boyle emicuit ubi paucissimis admodum equestribus ingentes equitum turmas per Regni Meditullia hostiliter grassantes fortiter aggressus Ita prudentiâ suâ singulari receptui cecinit ut non modo se suos sed etiam totum exercitum ab ingenti periculo Liberavit hostesque quam plurimos ruinae tradidit Qui etiam cum Provincia nostra Ultoniae bello deflagaverat ob exploratam animi fortitudinââ¦m ab honoratissimo Comite Essexiae exercitus tunc imperatore unius ex omnibus designatus fuit ad Duellum eum Makal uno ex fortissimis Tyronentium agminum ducibus suscipiendum nisi praedictus Makal duello praedicto se exponere remisset Cumque etiam praedictus Thomas Roper in nuperrimo Bello apud Brest in Regno Gallie se maximis periculis objiciendo sanguinem suum effundendo Fortitudinem suam invictam demonstravit Qui etiam in expeditione Portugalenci se fortiter ac honorifice ãâã ac etiam apud Bergen in Belgio cum per Hispanos obsideretur invictissimae fortitudinis juvenem in defensione ejusdem se praebuit Qui etiam in expugnationis Kinsalensis die primus ãâã juxta ãâã propissime constitutus fuerat Hispanesque ex eo oppido sepius eodem die ãâã fortissime felicissimeque ad maximam totius exercitus ãâã ãâã profligavit Sciatis igitur quod nos intuitu praemissorum Dominum Thomam Roper millitem c. Whereas Thomas Roper Knight one of our Privy Councellors of our Kingdome of Ireland long since hath been known unto us famous with the Splendor of his Warlike vertue As who by the many Atchievements valiantly performed by him in the late War of this Kingdome hath gained the eminent Repute both of a stout Souldier and a discââ¦eet Commander whose Valour chiefly appeared in his Retreat near Le Boyle in ââ¦ur Province of Conaught where with very few horse he undantedly charged great Troops of the Horse of the Enemy who in a Hostile manner forraged the very Bowels of the Kingdome and by his Wisdome made such a singular retreat that he not only saved himself and his men but also delivered the whole Army from great danger and slew very many of his Enemies Who also when our Province of Ulster was all on Fire with war being one out of many was for the tryed resolution of his mind chosen by the Right Honorable the E. of Essex then General of the Army to undertake a Duel with Makal one or the stoutest Captains in the Army of Tyrone had not the said Makal declined to expose himself to the appointed Duel And also when the aforesaid Thomas Raper in the late war in the Kingdome of France at Brest by exposing himself to the greatest perils and sheding of his own bloud demonstrated his courage to be unconquerable Who also iâ⦠the voyage to Portugal behaved himself valiantly and honorably as also at Bergen in the Nether-lands when it was besiedged by the Spaniards approved himself a young man of ãâã valour in the defence thereof Who also in the day wherin Kinsale was assaulted was
no wonder if the streams issuing thence were shallow when the fountain to feed them was so low the revenues of the Crown being much abated There is no redemption from Hell There is a place partly under partly by the Exchequer Court commonly called Hell I could wish it had another name seeing it is ill jesting with edge tools especially with such as are sharpened by Scripture I am informed that formerly this place was appointed a prison for the Kings debtors who never were freed thence untill they had paid their uttermost due demanded of them If so it was no Hell but might be termed Purgatory according to the Popish erronious perswasion But since this Proverb is applyed to moneys paid into the Exchequer which thence are irrecoverable upon what plea or pretence whatsoever As long as Megg of Westminster This is applyed to persons very tall especially if they have Hop-pole-heighth wanting breadth proportionable thereunto That such a gyant woman ever was in Westminster cannot be proved by any good witness I pass not for a late lying Pamphlet though some in proof thereof produce her Grave-stone on the South-side of the Cloistures which I confess is as long an large and entire Marble as ever I beheld But be it known that no woman in that age was interred in the Cloistures appropriated to the Sepultures of the Abbot and his Monkes Besides I have read in the Records of that Abby of an infectious year wherein many Monkes dyed of the Plague and were all buried in one Grave probably in this place under this Marble Monument If there be any truth in the Proverb it rather relateth to a great Gun lying in the Tower commonly call'd long Megg and in troublesome times perchance upon ill May day in the raign of King Henry the eighth brought to Westminster where for a good time it continued But this Nut perchance deââ¦erves not the Cracking Princes EDWARD the first was born in Westminster being a Prince placed by the posture of his nativity betwixt a weak Father and a wilful Son Yet he needed no such advantage for foils to set forth his ãâã worth He was surnamed Longshanks his step being another mans stride and was very high in stature And though oftimes such who are built four stories high are observed to have little in their cock-loft yet was he a most judicious man in all his undertakings equally wise to plot as valiant to perform and which under Divine Providence was the result of both happy in success at Sea at Land at Home Abroad in VVar in Peace He was so fortunate with his Sword at the beginning of his raign that he awed all his enemies with his Scabbard before the end thereof In a word he was a Prince of so much merit that nothing under a Chronicle can make his compleat Character EDWARD sole ââ¦on to King Henry the sixth and Margaret his Queen was born at Westminster on the 13 day of Octo. 1453. Now when his Father's party was totally and finally routed in the battail at Teuks-bury this Prince being taken prisoner presented to King Edward the fourth and demanded by him on what design he came over into England returned this answer That he came to recover the Crown which his Ancestos for three desents had no less rightfully then peaceably possessed An answer for the truth befitting the Son of so holy a Father as King Henry the sixth and for the boldness thereof becoming the Son of so haughty a Mother as Queen Margaret But presently King Edward dashed him on the mouth with his ãâã and his Brother Richard Crook-back stab'd him to the heart with his dagger A barbarous murder without countenance of justice in a legal or valour in a military way And his blood then shed was punished not long after Here I am not ashamed to make this observation That England had successively three Edwards all Princes of Wales sole or eldest sons to actual Kings Two dying violent all untimely deaths in their minority before they were possessed of the Crown viz. 1 Edward Son to Henry 6. stab'd In the Seventeenth years of his age 2 Edward Edward 4. stifled Tenth 3 Edward Richard 3. pined away Eleventh The murder of the second may justly be conceived the punishment of the murder of the first and the untimely death of the last of whom more in Yorkshire a judgement for the murder of the two former EDWARD eldest son of Edward the fourth and Elizabeth his Queen was born in the Sanctuary of Westminster November 4. 1471. His tender years are too soft for a solid character to be fixed on him No hurt we find done by him but too much on him being murthered in the Tower by the procurement of his Unckle Protector Thus was he born in a spiritual and kill'd in a temporal Prison He is commonly called King Edward the fifth though his head was ask'd but never married to the English Crown and therefore in all the Pictures made of him a distance interposed forbiddeth the banes betwixt them ELIZABETH eldest daughter of King Edward the fourth and Elizabeth his Queen was born in Westminster on the eleventh of February 1466. She was afterwards married to King Henry the seventh and so the two Houses of York and Lancaster united first hopefully in their Bed and aââ¦terwards more happily in their Issue Bââ¦sides her dutifulness to her husband and fruitfulness in her children little can be extracted of her personal character She dyed though not in Child bearing in Child-bed being safely delivered on Candlemas day Anno 1503 of the Lady Katharine and afterwards falling sick languished until the eleventh of February and then died in the thirty seventh year of her age on the day of her nativity She lieth buried with her husband in the Chappel of his erection and hath an equal share with him in the use and honour of that his most magnificent monument CECILY second daughter to King Edward the fourth by Elizabeth his Queen bearing the name of Cecily Dutchess of York her grand mother and god mother was born at Westminster In her Child-hood mention was made of a marriage betwixt her and James son to James the third Prince of Scotland But that Motion died with her father Heaven wherein marriages are made reserving that place for Margaret her eldest sisters eldest daughter She long led a single life but little respected of King Henry the seventh her brother in law That politick King knowing that if he had none or no surviving Issue by his Queen then the right of the Crown rested in this Cecily sought to suppress her from popularity or any publick appearance He neither preferred her to any ãâã Prince nor disposed of her to any prime Peer of England till at last this Lady wedded her self to a Linconshire Lord John Baron Wells whom King Henry advanced Viscount and no higher After his death my Author saith she was re-married not mentioning her husbands name
Manuscripts he acquired to their Library But his memory ought most to be honoured Saving Gods living Temples is better then building dead Colledges on this account because in the days of Queen Mary he was the Skrene to keep off the fire of Persecution from the faces and whole bodies of many a poor Protestant so that by his means no Gremial of the University was martyred therein I know he is much taxed for altering his Religion four times in twelve years from the last of King Henry the eight to the first of Queen Elizabeth a Papist a Protestant a Papist a Protestant but still Andrew Perne However be it known that though he was a Bending VVillow he was no Smarting VVillow guilty of Compliance not Cruelty yea preserving many who otherwise had been persecuted He was of a very facetious nature excellent at Blunt-sharp Jests and perchance sometimes too tart in true ones One instance of many This Dean chanced to call a Clergy-man fool who indeed was little better who returned that he would complain thereof to the Lord Bishop of Ely Do saith the Dean when you please and my Lord Bishop will Confirm you Yet was Doctor Perne himself at last heart-broken with a Jest as I have been most credibly informed from excellent hands on this occasion He was at Court with his Pupil Arch-bishop VVhitgift in a rainy afternoon when the Queen was I dare not say wilfully but really resolved to ride abroad contrary to the mind of her Ladies who were on hors-back Coaches as yet being not common to attend her Now one Clod the Queens Jester was imployed by the Courtiers to laugh the Queen out of so inconvenient a Journey Heaven saith he Madam diswades you it is cold and wet and Earth diswades you it is moist and dirty Heaven diswades you this heavenly minded man Arch-bishop Whitgift and Earth diswades you your fool Clod such a lump of clay as my self And if neither will prevail with you here is one that is neither Heaven nor Earth but hangs betwixt both Doctor Perne and he also diswades you Hereat the Queen and the Courtiers laugh'd heartily whilst the Doctor look'd sadly and going over with his Grace to Lambeth soon saw the last of his life Since the Reformation Sir THOMAS GRESHAM was born in this County bred a Mercer and Merchant in the City of London where God so blessed his endeavours that he became the Wealthiest Citizen in England of his age and the founder of two stately Fabricks the Old Exchange a kind of Colledge for Merchants and Gresham-Colledge a kind of Exchange for Scholars I have learn'd from Goldsmiths that Vessels made of Silver and Guilt are constantly Burnished seldome or never those few which are made of Massy Gold whose real intrinsick worth disdaineth to borrow any Foyl from Art Let lesser Donations be amplified with rhetorical Prayses Nothing need be said of this worthy Knights gifts but his gifts and take them truly copied from the Original of his Will as followeth First concerning the building in London called the Royal Exchange with all Shops Cellars Vaults Tenements thereunto belonging I will and dispose one moity to the Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of London upon confidence that they perform the payments and other intents hereafter limited The other moity of the said buildings to the Wardens and Commonalty of the Mystery of Mercers of the City of London upon trust that they perform the payments and other intents hereafter mentioned I Will and Dispose that they the said Mayor and Commonalty do give and distribute for the sustentation maintenance and finding four Persons from time to time to be chosen nominated and appointed by the said Mayor c. to read the Lectures of Divinity Astronomy Musick and Geometry within mine own dwelling house in the Parish of Saint Hellens I give and dispose out of this moity two hundred pouuds to be payed to the four Readres sufficiently learned fifty pounds to each yearly I likewise give the said Mayor c. fifty three pounds to be yearly distributed in manner following Unto eight Almes-folks whom the said Mayor c. shall appoint to inhabit my eight Almes-houses in the Parish of St. Peters Poor the summe of six pounds thirteen shillings four pence to each of them to be payed at four usual terms c. I likewise Dispose out of this moity fifty pounds yearly to be distributed by the said Mayor c. To the Prisoners in New-gate Lud-gate the Kings-bench the Marshalsey the Counter in Wood-street ten pounds to each prison to be paid among the poor thereof The other moity of the said building disposed to the Mercers I Will and Dispose out of it to be by them paid one hundred and fifty pounds to the finding c. three persons to be by the Wardens c. chosen nominated and appointed to read the Lectures of Law Physick and Rhetorick That the said Mercers shall out of their moity yearly expend one hundred pounds at four several Dinners for the whole Company of the said Corporation in the Mercers-hall in London on every Quarter day That they shall distribute to the several Hospitals of Christ-church Saint Bartholomews the Spittle at Bedlam the Hospital for the poor in Southwark and the Poultry-Counter fifty pounds yearly in money or other provisions ten pounds My Mansion house with the Gardens Stables c. I give to the Mayor and Commonalty of London and also to thâ⦠Wardens and Commonalty of the Mystery of Mercery to have and to hold in Common upon trust and confidence that they observe perform and keep my Will and true meaning hereafter expressed My Will Intent and Meaning is that the said Mayor and Commonalty and their Successors and that the said Wardens and Commonalty of tââ¦e Mercers shall permit and suffer seven persons by them from time to time to be elected and appointed as aforesaid to meet and sufficiently learned to read the said seven Lectures to have the occupation of all my said Mansion house Gardens c. for them aud every of them there to inhabite study and daily to read the said several Lectures And my Will is that none shall be chosen to read any of the said Lectures so long as he shall be married neither shall receive any Fee or Stipend appointed for the reading of the said Lectures Moreover I Will and Dispose that the said Mayor and Commonalty and Mercers shall enjoy the said Royal Exchange c. for ever severally by such moities as is before expressed provided they do in the tearm of fifty years provide and obtain sufficient and lawful Dispensations and Licenses warrant and authority upon trust and confidence and to the intent that they shall severally for ever maintain and perform the payment charges and all other intents and meanings thereof before limited and expressed according to the intent and true meaning of these presents And that I do require and charge the said Corporations and chief Governours
justly suspected and I reserve his character to be ranked amongst the Benefactors to the Publique Prelates RICARD of NORTHAMPTON ADAM of NORTHAMPTON We compound them for several reasons First because natives of the same Town Secondly both going over into Ireland there became Bishops of the same See Thirdly because the history of them is single so slender it cannot subsist alone though twisted together it is posible that their memories may support one the other For we have nothing more of them then the dates of their Consecrations and Deaths The former Consecrated Bishop of Fernose October the 13. 1282. dyed Anno 1304. The later Consecrated 1322. died October the 29. 1346. having first seen his Cathedral Church burnt and destroyed by the Rebells WILLIAM le ZOUCH son to Lord Zouch was born at Haringworth in this County as a branch of thar Honorable Family still alive and Critical in their Pedigrees hath credably informed me From Dean he became Arch-bishop of York 1342. King Edward the third going over to France committed the North to the care of this Prelate Soon after David King of Scots with a great Army invaded it he promised himself Cesars success to Come and Conquer See and Subdue The rather because he believed that he floure of the English Chivalry being gone into France onely Priests and Peasants were left behind Our Arch-bishop with such forces as he could suddenly provide bid him Battle at Durham on Saint Lukes Eve whereon the Scotch King found such a fast he had little list to feast the day following being routed and taken Prisoner Hence a Poet of that age Est pater invictus sicco de stipite dictus Zouch in French signifying the dry stump of a stick However his honorable Family flourished as a Green Tree for many years till withered in our memory when Edward the last Lord Zouch dyed without Issue male in the beginning of King Charles To return to our Prelate he began a beautiful Chappel on the South-side of his Cathedral intending to be interred therein But dying before the finishing thereof was buried before the Altar of Saint Edmund 1352. ROBERT BRAYBROOKE was born at a Village in this County well known for the carkase of a Castle therein He was Consecrated Bishop of London January 5. 1381. ââ¦nd afterwards for six Months was Chancellour of England He dyed 1404. being buried under a Marble-stone in the Chappel of Saint Mary Which is all we can recover of this Prelate and if it be enough to satisfie the Readers hunger he need not leave any thing for manners in the dish LIONELL WYDEVILL or WOODVILL was born at Grafton since called Grafton honor in this County bred in the University of Oxford whereof for a time he was Chancellour then made Bishop of Sarisbury 1482. As he was at first preferred so his memory is still supported from sinking in Silence rather by the Buttresses of his great relations then the foundation of his own deserts For he was Son to Jaquet Dutchess of Bedford and Richard Wydevill E. of Rivers Brother to Elizabeth Q. of England Brother in-law to King Edward the fourth Uncle to King Edward the fiââ¦t and Father say some to Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester Heart-broken with grief with the Tragedies he beheld in his own family caused by the cruelty of King Richard the third he died about the year of our Lord 1484. Since the Reformation JAMES MONTAââ¦UE son to Sir Edward Montague Knight was born at Boughton in this County bred in Christs-colledge in Cambridge He was afterwards Master or rather Nursing father to Sidney-colledge For he found it in Bonds to pay 20. Marks per annum to Trinity-colledge for the ground whereon it is built and left it free assigning it a rent for the discharge thereof When the Kings Ditch in Cambridge made to defend it by its Strength did in his time offend it with its Stenche he expended a hundred marks to bring running water into it to the great conveniency of the University He was afterwards Bishop first of Bath and VVells then of VVinchester being highly in favour with King James who did ken a man of merrit as well as any Prince in Christendome He translated the works of King James into Latine and improved his greatness to do good offices therewith He died Anno Domini 1618. and lyeth buried within his fair Monument within his fairer Monument I mean a goodly Tombe in the Church of Bath which oweth its well being and beauty to his Munificence FRANCIS GODWIN son to Thomas Godwin Bishop of Bath and VVells was born at Hanningham in this County bred in Christs-church in Oxford Doctor of Divinity and Sub-Dean of Exeter He was born in the fourth year of the raign of Queen Elizabeth Anno 1561. and in the fortieth year of his age 1601. by her Majesty made Bishop of Landaffe A bishoprick better proportioned to his modesty then merits as which was much impaired by his predecessor so that one did tââ¦uly say A bad Kitching did for ever spoil the good Meat of the Bishops of Landaffe He was a good Man grave Divine skilful Mathematician pure Latinist and incomparable Historian The Church of Landaffe was much beholding to him yea the whole Church of England yea the whole Church Militant yea many now in the Church Triumphant had had their memories utterly lost on Earth if not preserved by his painfull endeavours in his Catalogue of English Bishops I am sorry to see that some have since made so bad use of his good labours who have lighted their Candles from his Torch thereby meerly to discover the faults of our Bishops that their Personal failings may be an argument against the Prelatical function He was translated by King James to the Bishoprick of Hereford and died very aged in the reign of King Charles Anno Domini 162. JOHN OWEN was born at Burton Latimers in this County his father being the worthy and grave Minister thereof He was bred a Fellow in Jesus-colledge in Cambridge where he commenced Doctor of Divinity and was Chaplain to King Charles whilst he was a Prince A modest man who would not own the worth he had in himself and therefore others are the more ingaged to give him his due esteem In the vacancy of the Bishop wrick of Saint Asaff King Charles being much troubled with two Competitours advanced Doctor Owen not thinking thereof as an expedient to end the Contest Indeed his Majesty was mistaken in his birth accounting him a Welch-man but not in his worth seeing he deserved a far better preferment Besides he was though not Ortus oriundus è Wallia and by his father being a Welchman he was related to all the best families in North-wales He out-lived his Vote in Parliament and survived to see all contempt cast on his Order which he bare with much moderation and dyed Anno Dom. 164. ROBERT SKINNER D. D. was born at Pisford in this County where his father was
WILLIAM CATESBYE was born in this County where his family long flourished at Asby Saint Leger He was first advanced by VVilliam Lord Hastinges by whose countenance he came to the notice then favour of Richard the third though ill requiting it when betraying him who caused his preferment Take his character transcribing in this kind is safer then inditing from an Author above exception This Catesbye was a man well learned in the Laws of this Land and surely great pity it was that he had not had more truth or less wit If any object that being neither Lord Chief-Justice Chief-Baron nor any VVriter on the Law He falleth not under my Pen by the Charter of Method prefixed to this Catalogue know that though formerly none he was eminently all Officers in every Court of Judicature all the Judges shaking at his displeasure Witness the Libel which Collingborn made and which cost him his life for the same The Rat and the Cat and Lovel the Dog Do govern all England under the Hog The time of his death is uncertain but because we find him not molested in the raign of King Henry the seventh which had he survived surely had happened it is probable he died before his Patron and Preferrer King Richard the third Sir RICHARD EMPSON It is pity to part them seeing Empson may be called the Catesbye to King Henry the seventh as Catesbye the Empson to King Richard the third both Country-men eminent for having odious for abusing their skill in Law active for the Prince injurious to the people This Sir Richard was Chancellour of the Dutchy of Lancaster and from a Sieve-makers son at Towceter in this County where he was born came to sift the estates of the most wealthy men in England For King Henry the seventh vexed that he had refused Columbus his profer whereby the VVest-Indies being found out fortunately fell to Ferdinand King of Spain resolved to discover Indies in England and to this purpose made Empson Promotor General to press the Penal-Statutes all over the land Impowred hereby this prolling Knight did grind the faces of rich and poor bringing the grist thereof to the King and keeping the toll thereof to himself whereby he advanced a vast estate which now with his name is reduced to nothing He united the two houses of York and Lancaster in the Kings Coffers taking no notice of parties or persons for their former good service but making all equally obnoxious to fines and forfeitures But in the beginning of the reign of King Henry the eight he was arraigned condemed and beheaded August the 17. 1510. Say not that Princes if sacrificing their Ministers to popular fury will want persons faithfully to serve them seeing such exemplary justice will rather fright Officers from false disserving them for in fine no real profit can redoun to the Soveraign which resulteth from the ruine of his Subjects I must not forget how there was an old man in VVarwickshire accounted very judicious in Judicial Astrology of whom Sir Richard Empson then in his prime did scoffingly demand VVhen the Sun would Change to whom the old man replyed Even when such a wicked Lawyer as you go to Heaven But we leave him to stand and fall to his own Master and proceed EDWARD MONTAGUE son of Thomas Montague born at Brigstocke in this County was bred in the Inner-Temple in the study of the Laws until his ability and integrity advanced him Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench in the thirtieth of Henry the eight He gave for his Motto Equitas Justiae Norma And although equity seemeth rather to resent of the Chancery then the Kings-Bench yet the best justice will be worm-wood without a mixture thereof In his Times though 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 of that age In the thirty seventh of King Henry the eight he was made Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas a descent in honor but ascent in profit it being given to old age rather to be thrifty then ambitious In drawing up the Will of King Edward the sixt and setling the Crown on the Lady Jane for a time he swam against the tide and torrent of Duke Dudley till at last he was carried away with the stream as in our Church History is largely related Outed of his Judges Office in the first of Queen Mary he returned into Northamptonshire and what contentment he could not find in VVestminster-hall his Hospital-hall at Boughton afforded unto him He died Anno 1556. and lieth buried in the Parish-Church of VVeekely Sir AUGUSTIN NICOLLS Son to Thomas Nicolls Serjeant at Law was born at Eckton in this County Now though according to the rigor of our Fundamental Premises he cometh not within our Cognizance under this Title yet his merit will justifie us in presenting his Character He was bred in the study of the Common-law wherein he attained to such knowledge that Queen Elizabeth made him a King James his own Serjeant whence he was freely preferred one of the Judges of the Common-Pleas I say freely King James commonly calling him the Judge that would give no money Not to speak of his moral qualifications and subordinate abilities He was renowned for his special Judiciary Endowments Patience to hear both parties all they could say a happy memory a singular sagacity to search into the material circumstances exemplary integrity even to the rejection of gratuities after judgment given His forbearing to travail on the Lords day wrought 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 neerest to my Conscience The speech of Caesar is commonly known Oportet Imperatorem stantem mori which Bishop Jewell altered and applyed to himself Decet Episcopum concionanteÌ mori of this man it may be said Judex mortuus est jura dans dying in his calling as he went the Northern Circuit and hath a fair Monument in Kendall-church in Westmerland Sir ROBERT DALLINGTON Knight was born at Geddington in this County bred a Bible-clerk as I justly collect in Bennet-colledge and after became a School-master in Northfolk Here having gained some money he travailed over all France and Italy being exact in his observations and was after his return Secretary to Francis Earl of Rutland He had an excellent wit and judgement witness his most acurate Aporismes on Tacitus At last he was Knighted and preferred Master of the Charter-house where the School-master at his first entering wellcomed him with a Speech in Latine verse spoken by a School-boy but sure he was more then a Boy who indited it It is hard to say whether Sir Robert was more pleased or displeased with the last Distick therein Partem oneris vestri minimaÌ ne despice curam Nec Pueros
itcrum tedeat esse tuam Do not the least part of your trust disdain Nor grudge of Boys to take the care again He lived to be a very aged man past seventy six and died Anno Domini 162. JOHN FLETCHER Son of Richard Fletcher D. D. was as by proportion of time is collectible born in this County before his Father was Bishop of Bristol or London and whilst as yet he was Dean of Peterborough He had an excellent wit which the back-friends to Stage-plays will say was neither idle nor well imploy'd For he and Francis Beaumont Esquire like Castor and Pollux most happy when in conjunction raised the English to equal the Athenian and Roman Theater Beaumont bringing the ballast of judgement Fletcher the sail of phantasie both compounding a Poet to admiration Meeting once in a Tavern to contrive the rude draught of a Tragedy Fletcher undertook to kill the King therein whose words being over-heard by a listener though his Loyalty not to be blamed herein he was accused of High Treason till the mistake soon appearing that the plot was onely against a Drammatick and Scenical King all wound off in merriment Nor could it be laid to Fletcher's charge what Ajax doth to Ulysses Nihil hic Diomede remoto When Diomede was gone He could do nought alone For surviving his partner he wrote good Comedies himself though inferiour to the former and no wonder if a single thread was not so strong as a twisted one He died as I am inform'd in London of the plague in the first of King Charles 1625. Sir HENRY MONTAGUE Knight third son to Sir Edward Montague Knight grand-child to Sir Edward Montague Knight Lord Chief-Justice of the Kings-bench was born at Boughton in this County One skilful in mysterious arts beholding him when a School-boy foretold that by the pregnancy of his parts he would raise himself above the rest of his family which came to pass accordingly He was bred first in Christs-colledge in Cambridge then in the Middle-Temple where he attained to great learning in the Laws and passed through many preferments viz. 1. Sergeant at Law 2. Knighted by King James July 22. 1602. 3. Recorder of London 4. Lord Chief-Justice of the Kings-Bench November 18. 1616. 5. Lord Treasurer of England Decem. 16. 1620. 6. Baron of Kimbolton 7. Viscount Mandevile 8. President of the Council Septem 29. 1621. 9. Earl of Manchester 10. Lord Privy-Seal He wisely perceiving that Courtiers were but as counters in the hands of Princes raised and depress'd in valuation at pleasure was contented rather to be set for a smaller sum then to be quite put up into the box Thus in point of place and preferment being pleased to be what the King would have him according to his Motto Movendo non mutando me he became almost what he would be himself finaly advanced to an Office of great honour When Lord Privy-Seal he brought the Court of Requests into such repute that what formerly was called the Almes-basket of the Chancery had in his time well nigh as much meat in and guests about it I mean Suits and Clients as the Chancery it self His meditations on Life and Death written in the time of his health may be presumed to have left good impressions on his own soul preparatory for his dissolution which happened 164. Writers JOHN of NORTHAMPTON in Latine Johannes Avonius was born in the Town of Northampton in ipso Insulae umbilico saith Bale and is not mistaken in his proportion This mindeth me of a village in this County sufficiently known commonly call'd Navesby whose Orthography Criticks will have Navelsby as in the middle of England This John became a Carmelite in his native Town and so addicted himself to the Study of Mathematicks that he became one of the most eminent in that age for practical experiments He was Author of a work which he called The Philosophers Ring This was not like The Philosophers Stone a thing meerly imaginary nor yet was it a work of the Cyclopedy of Arts as the sound may seem to import but it was in plain truth a perpetual Almanack I say Almanack which word though many make of Arabick extraction a great Antiquary will have it derived from the Dutch Al-mon-aght that is to say Al-mon-heed the regard or observation of all Moons However this work of John was beheld as a Master-piece of that age and since commented upon by other Writers He flourished Anno Domini 1340. ROBERT HOLCOT was born in a Village of this County so named bred in the University of Oxford and afterwards became a Dominican in Northampton A deep Scholar and yet commended to be prudent in rebus agendis and accounted one of the greatest School-men in that age Nor was he onely a Candle or domestick light confin'd within the walls of his own Country but his learning was a publick Luminary to all Christendome as appears by the praise which Trithemius bestoweth upon him Vir in Divinis Scripturis eruditissimus secularium literarum non ignarus ingenio praestans clarus eloquio declamator quoque sermonem egregius Scripsit multa praeclara opuscula quibus nomen suum posteris notificavit He died at Northampton of the plague Anno 1349 before he had finished his Lectures on the seventh of Ecclesiastes I say of the plague which at that time so raged in England that our Chroniclers affirm scarce a tenth person of all sorts was left alive Insomuch that the Churches and Church-yards in London not sussicing for their interments a new Church-yard was Consecrated in West-smithfield wherein fifty thousand were buried who at that time died of the pestilence ROBERT DODFORD was born in a Village so called in this County where the Wirlyes Gentlemen of good account have long had their habitation so named as I take it from a Ford over the river Avon and Dods Water-weeds commonly called by children Cats Tales growing thereabouts He was bred a Benedictine Monke in the Abby of Ramsey and applied himself to the Study of the Hebrew Tongue wherewith the Library of which he was Keeper in that Convent did much abound He wrote Postills on the Proverbs and other Sermons which the envy of time hath intercepted ââ¦rom us He is said to have flourished about the year 1370. by Bale though Pitz on what account I know not maketh him more ancient by an hundred years PETER PATESHULL was no doubt born in that Village not far from Northampton bred a Augustinian in Oxford however falling afterwards into some dislike of his Order he procured from Walter Dysse Legate to Pope Urbane the sixth a Dispensation to relinquish it and was made the Popes Honorary Chaplain Afterwards by often reading the works of Wickliffe but especially his book of Real Universals he became of his judgement and after the death of Wickliffe preached and promoted his doctrine he wrote an Exposition of the Prophesie of Hildegardes a Stinging
after their removal Let his works witness the rest of his worth some of whose books are published others prepared for the Press and I wish them a happy nativity for the publique good Coming to take his Farewell of his friends he Preached on the Fore-noon of the Lords-day sickned on the After-noon and was buried with his wife in the same grave in Warton Chancell the week following 1657. Romish Exile Writers MATTHEW KELLISON was born in this County at Harrowden his father being a Servant and Tenant of the Lord Vaux in whose family his infancy did suck in the Romish Perswasions He afterwards went beyond the Seas and was very much in motion 1. He first fixed himself at the Colledge of Rhemes in France 2. Thence removed to the English-colledge at Rome where he studied in Phylosophy and Divinity 3. Returned to Rhemes where he took the Degree of Doctor 4. Removed to Doway where for many years he read School-Divinity 5. Re-returned to Rhemes where he became Kings Professor and Rector of the University So much for the travails of his Feet now for the labours of his Hands the pains of his Pen those of his own opinion can give the best account of them He wrote a book to King James which his Majesty never saw and another against Sutliff with many more and was living 1611. Benefactors to the Publick HENRY CHICHELY Son of Thomas and Agnes Chichely was born at Higham-Ferrers in this County bred in Oxford and designed by Wickham himself yet surviving to be one of the Fellows of New-colledge he afterwards became Chaplain to R. Metford Bishop of Sarum who made him Arch-Deacon which he exchanged for the Chancelours place of that Cathedral This Bishop at his death made him his chief Executor and bequeathed him a fair gilt Cup for a Legacy By King Henry the fourth he was sent to the Council of Risa 1409. and by the Popes own hands was Consecrated Bishop of Saint Davids at Vienna and thence was advanced Arch-bishop of Canterbury by King Henry the fifth During his reign in the Parliament at Leicester a shrude thrust was made at all Abbies not with a Rââ¦bated point but with sharps indeed which this Arch-bishop as a skilful Fencer fairly put by though others will say he guarded that blow with a silver Buckler the Clergy paying to the King vast sums of money to maintain his Wars in France and so made a forreign diversion for such active spirits which otherwise in all probability would have Antidated the dissolution of Monasteries Under King Henry the sixth he sat sure in his See though often affronted by the rich Cardinal Beaufort of Winchester whom he discreetly thanked for many injuries A Cardinals Cap was proferred to and declined by him some putting the refusal on the account of his humility others of his pride loath to be junior to the foresaid Cardinal others of his policy unwilling to be more engaged to the Court of Rome Indeed he was thorough-paced in all Spiritual Popery which concerned religion which made him so cruel against the VVicklevites but in secular Popery as I may term it touching the interest of Princes he did not so much as rack and was a zealous assertor of the English Liberties against Romish Usurpation Great his zeal to promote learning as appears by three Colledges erected and endowed at his expence and procurement 1. One with an Hospital for the poor at Higham-Ferrers the place of his Nativity 2. Saint Bernards in Oxford afterwards altered and bettered by Sir Thomas VVhite into Saint Johns colledge 3. All-souls in Oxford the fruitful Nursery of so many Learned Men. He continued in his Arch-bishoprick longer then any of his Predecessors for 500. years full 29. years and died April 12. 1443. WILLIAM LAXTON Son to John Laxton of Oundle in this County was bred a Grocer in London where he so prospered by his painful endeavours that he was chosen Lord Mayor Anno Domini 1544. He founded a fair School and Almeshouse at Oundle in this County with convenient maintenance well maintained at this day by the Worshipful Company of Grocers and hath been to my knowledge the Nursery of many Scholars most eminent in the University These Latine Verses are inscribed in the Front of the building Oundellae natus Londini parta labore Laxtonus posuit Senibus pââ¦erisque levamen At Oundle born what he did get In London with great pain Laxton to young and old hath set A comfort to remain He died Anno Domini 1556. the 29. of July and lyeth buried under a fair Tombe in the Chancel of Saint Antonies London Since the Reformation NICHOLAS LATHAM was born at Brigtock in this County and afterwards became Minister of Al-saints Church in Barn-wells This man had no considerable Estate left him from his father nor eminent addition of wealth from his friends nor injoyed any Dignity in the Church of England nor ever held more then one moderate Benefice And yet by Gods blessing on his vivacious frugality he got so great an Estate that he told a friend he could have left his son had he had one land to the value of five hundred pounds by the year But though he had no Issue yet making the Poor his heirs he left the far greatest part of his Estate to pious uses Founded several small Schools with salaries in Country Villages and Founded a most beautiful Almes-house at Oundale in this County and I could wish that all houses of the like nature were but continued and ordered so well as this is according to the Will of the Founder He died Anno Domini 1620. and lyeth buried in the Chancel of his own Parish having lived 72. years EDWARD MONTAGUE Baron of Boughton and eldest son to Sir Edward Montague Knight was born in this County a Pious Peaceable and Hospitable Patriot It was not the least part of his outward happiness that having no male issue by his first wife and marrying when past fifty years of age he lived to see his son inriched with hopeful children I behold him as bountiful Barsillai superannuated for courtly pleasures and therefore preferring to live honorably in his own Country wherein he was generally beloved so that popularity may be said to have affected him who never affected it For in evidence of the vanity thereof he used to say Do the common sort of people nineteen courtesies together and yet you may loose their love if you do but go over the stile before them He was a bountiful Benefactor to Sidney-colledge and builded and endowed an Almes-house at VVeekley in this County To have no bands in their death is an outward favour many VVicked have many Godly men want amongst whom this good Lord who dyed in restraint in the Savoy on the account of his Loyalty to his Sovereign Let none grudge him the injoying of his judgement a purchase he so dearly bought and truly paid for whose death happened in the year of our Lord
Henry the sixth and afterwards to King Richard the third 1. Her Husband being killed at Barnet fight all her land by Act of Parliament was setled on her two Daughters as if she had been dead in Nature 2. Being attainted on her Husbands score she was forced to flye to the Sanctuary at Beauly in Hant-shire 3. Hence she got her self privately into the North and there lived a long time in a mean condition 4. Her want was increased after the death of her two daughters who may be presumed formerly to have secretly supplyed her I am not certainly informed when a full period was put by death to these her sad calamities Saints St. FRIDESWIDE was born in the City of Oxford being daughter to Didan the Duke thereof It happened that one Algarus a noble young man sollicited her to yield to his lust from whom she miraculously escaped he being of a sudden struck blind If so she had better success than as good a Virgin the daughter to a greater and better father I mean Thamar daughter of King David not so strangely secured from the lust of her brother She was afterward made Abbess of a Monastery erected by her father in the same City which since is become part of Christ-church where her body lyeth buried It happened in the first of Queen Elizabeth that the Scholars of Oxford took up the body of the wife of Peter Martyr who formerly had been disgracefully buried in a dunghill and interred it in the Tomb with the dust of St. Frideswide Sanders addeth that they wrote this Inscription which he calleth Impium Epitaphium Hic requiescit Religio cum ââ¦uperstitione though the words being capable of a favourable sense on his side he need not have been so angry However we will rub up our old Poetry and bestow another upon them In tumulo fuerat Petri quae Martyris uxor Hic cum Frideswida virgine jure jacet Virginis intactae nihilum cum cedat honori Conjugis in thalamo non temerata fides Si facer Angligenis cultus mutetur at absit Ossa suum ââ¦ervent mutua tuta locum Intom'd with Frideswide deem'd a Sainted maid The Wife of Peter Martyr here is laid And reason good for Women chaste in mind The best of Virgins come no whit behind Should Popery return which God forefend Their blended dust each other would deââ¦end Yet was there more than eight hundred years betwixt their several deaths Saint Frideswide dying Anno 739. and is remembred in the Romish Calendar on the nineteenth day of October St. EDWOLD was younger Brother to St. Edmund King of the East-Angles so cruelly martyred by the Danes and after his death that Kingdom not onely descended to him by right but also by his Subjects importunity was pressed upon him But he declined both preferring rather a sollitary life and heavenly contemplation In pursuance whereof he retired to Dorcester in this County and to a Monastery called Corn-house therein where he was interred and had in great veneration for his reputed miracles after his death which happened Anno Dom. 871. St. EDWARD the CONFESSOR was born at I slip in this County and became afterwards King of England sitting on the Throne for many years with much peace and prosperity Famous for the first founding of Westminster Abby and many other worthy aââ¦hievements By Bale he is called Edvardus simplex which may signifie either shallow or single but in what sense soever he gave it we take it in the later Sole and single he lived and dyed never carnally conversing with St. Edith his Queen which is beheld by different persons according to their different judgments coloured eyes make coloured objects some pitying him for defect or natural Impotence others condemning him as affecting singelness for want of Conjugal affection others applauding it as an high pââ¦ece of ãâã and perfection Sure I am it opened a dore for forreign Competitors and occasioned the Conquest of this Nation He dyed Anno Dom. 1065. and lyeth buryed in Westminster Abby Cardinals ROBERT PULLEN or Pullain or Pulley or Puley or Bullen or Pully for thus variously is he found written Thus the same name passing many mouths seems in some sort to be declined into several Cases whereas indeed it still remaineth one and the same word though differently spelled and pronounced In his youth ââ¦e studied at Paris whence he came over into England in the reign of King Henry the Fiââ¦st when learning ran very low in Oxford the university there being first much afflââ¦cted by Herald the Dane afterwards almost extinguished by the cruelty of ââ¦he Conqueror Our Pullen improved his utmost power with the King and Prelates for the restoring thereof and by his praying preaching and publick reading gave a great advancement thereunto Remarkable is his character in the Chronicle of Osny Robertus Pulenius scriptur as divin as quae in Anglia obsolverant apud Oxoniam legere cââ¦pit Robert Pullen began to read at Oxford the holy scriptures which were grown out of fashion in England The fame of his leââ¦rning commended him beyond the Seas and it is remarkable that whereas it is usual with Popes in policy to unravel what such weaved who were before them three successive Popes continued their love to and increased honours upon him 1. Innocent courteously sent for him to Rome 2. Celestine created him Cardinal of St. Eusebius Anno 1144. 3. Lucius the second made him Chancellor of the Church of Rome He lived at Rome in great respect and although the certain date of his death cannot be collected it happened about the year of our Lord 1150. THOMAS JOYCE or Jorce a Dominican proceeded Doctor of Divinity in Oxford and living there he became Provincial of his Order both of England and Wales From this place without ever having any other preferment Pope Clement the fifth created him Cardinal of St. Sabine though some conceive he wanted breadth proportionable to such an height of dignity having no other revenue to maintain it Cardinals being accounted Kings fellow in that Age. Others admire at the contradiction betwixt Fryers pââ¦ofession and practice that persons so low should be so high so poor so rich which makes the same men to ãâã that so chaste might be so wanton He is remarkable on this account that he had six brethren all Dominicans I will not listen to their compaââ¦ison who resemble them to the seven sons of Sceva which were Exorcists but may term them a week of brethren whereof this Rubricated Cardinal was the Dominical letter There want not those who conceive great vertue in the youngest son of these seven and that his Touch was able to cure the Popes Evil. This Thomas as he had for the most time lived in Oxford so his Corps by his own desire were buried in his Convent therein He flourished Anno Dom. 1310. Prelates HERBERT LOSING was born in Oxford his father being an Abbot
seeing wives in that Age were not forbidden the Clergy though possibly his father turned Abbot of Winchester in his old age his son purchasing that preferment for him But this Herbert bought a better for himself giving nineteen hundred pounds to King William Rufus for the Bishoprick of Thetford Hence the Verse was made Filius est Praesul pater Abbas Simon uterque Meaning that both of them were guilty of Simony a fashionable sin in the reign of that King preferring more for their gifts than their endowments Reader pardon a digression I am confident there is one and but one sin frequent in the former Age both with Clergy and Laity which in our dayes our Land is not guilty of and may find many compurgators of her innocence therein I mean the sin of Simony seeing none in our Age will give any thing for Church livings partly because the persons presented thereunto have no assurance to keep them partly because of the uncertainty of Tithes for their maintenance But whether this our Age hath not added in saââ¦rilege what it wanteth in simony is above my place to discuss and more above my power to decide To return to our Herbert whose character hitherto cannot entitle him to any room in our Catalogue of Worthies but know that afterwards he went to Rome no such clean washââ¦ing as in the water of Tyber and thence returned as free from fault as when first born Thus cleansed from the Leprosie of simony he came back into England removed his Bishoprick from Thetford to Norwich laid the first stone and in effect finished the fair Cathedral therein and built five beautiful Parish Churches He dyed Anno Dom. 1119. See more of his character on just occasion in Suffolk under the title of Prelates OWEN OGLETHORP was saith my Author born of good parentage and I conjecture a Native of this County finding Owen Oglethorp his Kinsmââ¦n twice High-Sheriff thereof in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth He was President of Magaalen College in Oxford Dean of Windsor and at last made Bishop of Carlile by Queen Mary A good natur'd man and when single by himself very plyable to please Queen Elizabeth whom he crowned Queen which the rest of his Order refused to do but when in conjunction with other Popish Bishops such principles of stubbornness were distilled into him that it cost him his ãâã However an Author tells me that the Queen had still a favour for him intending his restitution either to his own or a better Bishoprick upon the promise of his general conformity had he not dyed suddenly of an Apoplexy 1559. Since the Reformation JOHN UNDERHILL was born in the City of Oxford sirst bred in New college and afterwards Rector of Lincoln-college in that University Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth and esteemed a good Preacher in those dayes The Bishoprick of Oxford had now been void 22. years and some suspected that so long a Vacancy would at last terminate in a Nullity and that See be dissolved The ââ¦ause that Church was so long a widow was the want of a competent Estate to prefer her At last the Queen 1589. appointed John underhill Bishop thereof An ingenious Pen but whose accusative suggestions are not alwayes to be believed hinteth a suspition as if he gave part of the ãâã portion this Church had to a great Courtier which made the match betwixt them He dyed 1592. and lyeth buried in the middle Quire of Christs Church JOHN BANCROFT was born at Ascot in this County and was advanced by Archbishop Bancroft his Uncle from a Student in Christ-church to be Master of universitycollege in Oxford Here it cost him much pains and expence in a long suit to recover and settle the ancient Lands of that Foundation Afterwards he was made Bishop of Oxford and during his sitting in that See he renewed no Leases but let them run out for the advantage of his successor He obtained the Royalty of Shot-over for and annexed the Vicariââ¦ge of Cudsden to his Bishoprick where he built a fair Palace and a Chappel expending on both about three thousand five hundred pounds Cujus munificentiae said the Oxford Orator of him to the King at Woodstock debemus quod incerti Laris Mitra surrexerit è pulvere in Palatium But now by a retrograde motion that fair building è Palatio recidit in pulverem being burnt down to the ground in the late wars but for what advantage as I do not know so I list not to enquire This Bishop dyed Anno Dom. 1640. States = Men. Sir DUDLEY CARLETON Knight was born in this County bred a Student in Christ-church in Oxford He afterwards was related as a Secretary to Sir Ralph Winwood Ambassador in the Low-Countries when K. James resigned the cautionary Towns to the States Here he added so great experience to his former learning that afterwards our King imployed him for twenty years together Ambassador in Venice Savoy and the united Provinces Anne Garrard his Lady co-heir to George Garrard Esq accompanying him in all his travels as is expressed in her Epitaph in Westminster Abby He was by King Charles the first created Baron of Imbercourt in Surrey and afterwards Viscount Dorchester marying for his second wife the daughter of Sir Henry Glenham the Relict of Paul Viscount Banning who survived him He succeeded the Lord Conway when preferred President of the Council in the Secretary-ship of State being sworn at White-hall Decemb. 14. 1628. He dyed without issue Anno Dom. 163. assigning his burial as appears on her Tomb with his first wife which no doubt was performed accordingly Souldiers Of the NORRISES and the KNOWLLS No County in England can present such a brace of Families contemporaries with such a bunch of Brethren on either for eminent atchievements So great their states and stomachs that they often justled together and no wonder if Oxford-shire wanted room for them when all England could not hold them together Let them be considered root and branch first severally then conjunctively Father Mother Father Mother Henry Lord Norris descended from the Viscounts Lovels whose father dyed in a manner Martyr for the Queens mother executed about the businesse of Anna Bullen Margaret one of the daughters and heirs of John Lord Williams of Tame Keeper of Queen Elizabeth whilest in restraint under her sister and civil unto her in those dangerous dayes Sir Francis Knowlls Treasurer to the Q. houshold Knight of the Garter who had been an exile in Germany under Q. Mary deriving himself from Sir Robert Knowlls that conquering Commander in France Cary sister to Henry Lord Hunsdon and Cousin-german to Queen Elizabeth having Mary Bullen for her mother Thus Queen Elizabeth beheld them both not onely with gracious but grateful eyes Ricot in this County was their chief habitation Thus the Husband was allied to the Queen in conscience Fellow-sufferers for the Protestant cause the Wife in kinred Grays in this County was their chief dwelling Their
of his book This William Chillingworth was taken prisoner by the Parliament Forces at Arundel castle and not surprised and slain in his studiââ¦es as Archimedes at the sacking of Syracuse as some have given it out but wââ¦s safely conducted to Chichester where notwithstanding hard usage hastened his dissolution DANIEL FEATLY D. D. was born in or very near to the City of Oxford his father being a servant of Corpus-Christi college and this his son Fellow thereof Here he had the honour to make the Speech in the College at the Funeral of Dr. Reynalds Some men may be said to have mutinous parts which will not obey the commands of him who is the owner of them Not so this Doctor who was perfect Master of his own Learning He did not as Quintilian saith of some Occultis thesaur is incumbere but his learning was in numerato for his present using thereof He was as good in the Schools as in the Pulpit and very happy in his Disputes with Papists for in the Conference with F. Fisher when Fisher was caught in his own Net though Dr. White did wisely cast that Net Dr. Featly did help strongly to draw it to the shore It seems though he was in yet he was not of the late Assembly of Divines as whose body was with them whilest his heart was at Oxford Yea he discovered so much in a Letter to the Archbishop of Armagh which being intercepted he was proceeded against as a Spie and closely imprisoned though finding some favour at last he dyed in the Prison College at Chelsey Anno Dom. 1643. His Wifes son hath since communicated to me his Pocket-Manual of his memorable observations all with his own hand but alas to be read by none but the writer thereof JOHN WHITE descended from the Whites in Hant-shire was born at StantonSt Johns in this County bred first in Winchester then New-college in Oxford whereof he was Fellow and fixed at last a Minister at Dorchester in Dorcet-shire well nigh forty years A grave man yet without moroseness as who would willingly contribute his shot of facetiousness on any just occasion A constant Preacher so that in the course of his Ministery he expounded the Scripture all over and half over again having an excellent faculty in the clear and solid interpreting thereof A good Governor by whose wisdom the Town of Dorchester notwithstanding a casual merciless fire was much enriched Knowledge causing Piety Piety breeding Industry and Industry procuring Plenty unto it A beggar was not then to be seen in the Town all able Poore being set on work and impotent maintained by the profit of a publique Brew house and other collections He absolutely commanded his own Passions and the purses of his Parishioners whom he could wind up to what height he pleased on important occasions He was free from covetousness if not trespassing on the contrary and had a Patriarchal influence both in Old and New-England yet towards the end of his dayes Factions and fond Opinions crept in his flock a new generation arose which either did not know or would not acknowledge this good man disloyal persons which would not pay the due respect to the Crown of his old age whereof he was sadly and silently sensible He was chosen one of the Assembly of Divines and his judgment was much relied on therein He married the sister of Dr. Burges the great Non-conformist who afterwards being reclaimed wrote in the defence of Ceremonies by whom he left four sons and dyed quietly at Dorchester Anno Dom. 164. I hope that Solomons observation of the poor wise man who saved the little City Yet no man remembred him will not be verified of this Town in relation to this their deceased Pastor whom I hope they will not I am sure they should not forget as a person so much meriting of them in all considerations His Comment on some part of Genesis is lately set forth and more daily expected Benefactors to the Publick since the Reformation THOMAS TISDALL of Glimpton in this County Esquire deceasing Anno 1610. bequeathed five thousand pounds to George Abbot then Bishop of London John Bennet Knight and Henry Aray Doctor of Divinity to purchase Lands for the maintainance of seven Fellows and six Scholers which money deposited in so careful hands was as advantagiously expended for the purchase of two hundred and fifty pounds per annum It fell then under consideration that it was pity so great a bounty substantial enough to stand of it self should be adjected to a former Foundation whereupon a new College formerly called Broad-gates-hall in Oxford was erected therewith by the name of Pembroke-College which since hath met with some considerable Benefactors May this the youngest College in England have the happiness of a youngest child who commonly have in their mothers love what they lack in the land of their father We must not forget that the aforesaid Thomas Tisdall gave many other charitable Legasies and deserved very well of Abington-school founding an Usher therein Memorable Persons ANNE GREENE a person unmarried was indicted arraigned cast condemned and executed for killing her child at the Assizes at Oxford Decemb. 14. 1650. After some hours her body being taken down and prepared for dissection in the Anatomyschools some heat was found therein which by the care of the Doctors was improved into her perfect recovery Charitable people interpret her so miraculous preservation a Compurgator of her innocence Thus she intended for a dead continues a living Anatomy of divine Providence and a monument of the wonderful contrivances thereof If Hippolytus revived onely by Poetical fancies was surnamed Virbius because twice a man why may not Mulierbia by as good proportion be applied to her who since is married and liveth in this County in good reputation Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1. John Norman John Norman Banbury Draper 1453 2. Thomas Pargitor John Pargitor Chippingnorton Salter 1530 3. Michael Dormer Jeffrey Dormer Tame Mercer 1541 The Names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the sixth William Bishop of Lincoln  William de Lovell chiv Commissioners to take the Oaths Stephen Haytfeld Knights for the Shire  Richard Quatermayns Knights for the Shire  Tho. Wikeham chiv Lodowici Grevill Iohannis Wisham Iohan. Banufo Humphridi Hay Iohannis Tyso Will. Thomlyns Thome Andrey Thome atte Mille Iohannis Benet Rad. Archer Ioh. Archer Thome Willes Iohannis Perysson Ioh. Crosse de Sibford Thome Eburton Thome Kynch Willielmi Brise Willielmi Dandy Richardi Stanes Iohannis Wallrond Iohannis Daypoll Iohannis Fabian VVill. Page Iohannis Mose Williel Seton Iohannis Pytte Thome Helmeden Tho. Scholes Thome Sperehawke Thome Gascoine Thome Clere Ioh. Goldwell Williel Goldwell Iohannis White Thome Lynne Will. Smith de Bloxham Thome Chedworth Willielmi Haliwell Ioh. Chedworth Ioh. de Berford Robert Qââ¦inaton Richardi atte Mille Willielmi Mason Willielmi almer Thome Tymmes Ioh. Cross
of their utter failing Medicinal Waters BATH is well known all England and Europe over far more useful and wholesome though not so stately as Dioclesian his Bath in Rome the fairest amongst 856 in that City made onely for pleasure and delicacy beautified with an infinite of Marble Pillars not for support but ostentation so that Salmuth saith fourteen thousand men were imployed for some years in building thereof Our Baths-waters consist of 1 Bitumen which hath the predominancy sovereign to discuss glutinate dissolve open obstructions c. 2 Niter which dilateth the Bitumen making the solution the better and water the clearer It clenseth and purgeth both by Stool and ââ¦rine cutteth and dissolveth gross Humours 3 Sulphur In regard whereof they dry resolve mollifie attract and are good for Uterine effects proceeding from cold and windy Humours But how thesâ⦠Waters come by their great heat is rather controverted than concluded amongst the Learned Some impute it to Wind or Airy Exhalations included in the Bowels of the Earth which by their agitation and attrition upon Rocks and narrow passages gather Heat and impart it to the Waters Others ascribe it to the heat of the Sun whose Beams piercing through the Pores of the Earth warm the Waters and therefore anciently were called Aquae Solis both because dedicated to and made by the Sun Others attribute it to quick-lime which we see doth readily heat any water cast upon it and kindleth any combustible substance put therein Others referre it to a Subterranean fire kindled in the bowels of the Earth and actually burning upon Sulpher and Bitumen Others impute the heat which is not destructive but generative joyned with moisture to the fermentation of several minerals It is the safer to relate all than reject any of these Opinions each having both their Opposers and Defenders They are used also inwardly in Broths Beere Juleps c. with good effect And although some mislike it because they will not mixe Medicaments with Aliments yet such practice beginneth to prevail The worst I wish these waters is that they were handsomly roofed over as the most eminent Bathes in Christendome are which besides that it would procure great benefit to weak persons would gain more respect hither in Winter Time or more early in the Spring or more late in the Fall The Right Honourable James Earle of Marleborough undertook to cover the Crosse-Bath at his own charge and may others follow his resolution it being but fit that where God hath freely given the Jewel Men bestow a Case upon it Proverbs VVhere should I be bore else thââ¦n in Tonton Deane This is a parcel of Ground round about Tonton very pleasant and populous as conteining many Parishes and so fruitful to use their Phrase with the Zun and Zoil alone that it needs no manuring at all The Peasantry therein are as Rude as Rich and so highly conceited of their good Country God make them worthy thereof that they conceive it a disparagement to be born in any other place as if it were eminently all England The Beggars of Bath Many in that place some natives there others repairing thither from all parts of the Land the Poor for Alms the pained for ease Whither should Fowl flock in an hard frost but to the Barn-door Here all the two seasons the general confluence of Gentry Indeed Laws are daily made to restrain Beggars and daily broke by the connivence of those who make them it being impossible when the hungry Belly barks and bowels sound to keep the tongue silent And although Oil of whip be the proper plaister for the cramp of lazinesse yet some pity is due to impotent persons In a word seeing there is the Lazars-Bath in this City I doubt not but many a good Lazarus the true object of Charity may beg therein Saints DUNSTAN was born in the Town of Glassenbury in this County He afterwards was Abbot thereof Bishop of London VVorcester Archbishop of Canterbury and at last for his promoting of Monkery reputed a Saint I can add nothing to but must subtract something from what I have written of him in my Church History True it is he was the first Abbot of England not in time but in honour Glassenbury being the Proto-Abbaty then and many years after till Pope Adrian advanced St. Albans above it But whereas it followeth in my Book That the title of Abbot till his time was unknown in England I admire by what casualty it crept in confess it a foul mistake and desire the Reader with his Pen to delete it More I have not to say of Dunstan save that he died Anno Dom. 988. and his skill in Smithery was so great that the Gold-smiths in London are incorporated by the Name of the Company of St. Dunstans Martyrs JONH HOOPER was born in this County bred first in Oxford then beyond the Seas A great Scholar and Linguist but suffering under the notion of a proud man onely in their Judgments who were un-acquainted with him Returning in the reign of king Edward the Sixth he was elected Bishop of Glocester but for a time scrupuled the acceptance thereof on a double account First because he refused to take an Oath tendered unto him This Oath I conceived to have been the Oath of Canonical obedience but since owing my information to my Worthy Friend the Learned Dr. John Hacket I confess it the Oath of Supremacy which Hooper refused not out of lack of Loyalty but store of Conscience For the Oath of Supremacy as then modelled was more than the Oath of Supremacy injoyning the receivers thereof conformity to the Kings commands in what alterations soever he should afterwards make in Religion Which implicite and unlimited obedience Learned Casuists allow onely due to God himself Besides the Oath concluded with So help me God and all his Angels and Saints So that Hooper had just cause to scruple the Oath and was the occasion of the future reforming whilst the King dispensed with his present taking thereof The second thing he boggled at was the wearing of some Episcopal habiliments but at last it seemeth consented thereunto and was Consecrated Bishop of Glocester His adversaries will say that the refusing of One is the way to get Two Bishopricks seeing afterward he held Worcester in Commendam therewith But be it known that as our Hooper had double dignity he had treble diligence painfully preaching Gods Word piously living as he preach'd and patiently dying as he liv'd being martyred at Glocester Anno 155 He was the onely native of this Shire suffering for the testimony of the Truth and on this account we may honour the memory of Gilbert Bourn Bishop of Bath and Wells in the reign of Queen Mary who persecuted no Protestants in his Diocese to Death seeing it cannot be proved that one Lush was ever burnt though by him condemned I mention Bishop Bourn here the more willingly because I can no where recover the certainty
of his Nativity Prelates JOCELINE of WELLS Bishop Godwin was convinced by such evidences as he had seen that he was both born and bred in Welles becomming afterwards the Bishop thereof Now whereas his Predecessors stiled themselves Bishops of Glaston especially for some few years after their first Consecration He first fixed on the Title of Bath and Wells and transmitted it to all his Successors In his time the Monks of Glassenbury being very desirous to be only subjected to their own Abbot purchased their Exemption by parting with four fair Mannors to the See of Wells This Joceline after his return from his five years Exile in France banished with Archbishop Langton on the same account of obstinacy against King John layed out himself wholely on the beautifying and enriching of his Cathedral He erected some new Prebends and to the use of the Chapter appropiated many Churches increasing the revenues of the Dignities so fitter called than Profits so mean then their maintenance and to the Episcopal See he gave three Mannors of great value He with Hugo Bishop of Lincoln was the joynt Founder of the Hospital of St. Johns in Wells and on his own sole cost built two very fair Chappels one at VVokey the other at VVells But the Church of VVells was the Master-piece of his Works not so much repaired as rebuilt by him and well might he therein have been afforded a quiet repose And yet some have plundered his Tomb of his Effigies in Brasse being so rudely rent off it hath not only defaced his Monument but even hazarded the ruin thereof He sat Bishop which was very remarkable more than thirty seven years God to Square his great undertakings giving him a long life to his large heart and died 1242. FULKE of SAMFORD was born in this County but in which of the Samfords there being four of that name therein none elsewhere in England is hard and not necessary to decide He was first preferred Treasurer of St. Pauls in London and then by Papal Bull declared Archbishop of Dublin 1256. Mr. Paris calleth him Fulk Basset by mistake He died in his Mannor of Finglas 1271 and was buried in the Church of St. Patrick in the Chappel of St. Maries which likely was erected by him JOHN of SAMFORD It is pity to part Brethren He was first Dean of St. Patrick in Dublin preferred probably by his Brother and for a time Eschaetor of all Ireland Indeed the Office doth male audire sound ill to ignorant eares partly because the vicinity thereof to a worse word Esquire and Squire are known to be the same partly because some by abusing that Office have rendred it odious to people which in it self was necessary and honourable For the name Eschaetor cometh from the French word Escheoir which signifieth to Happen or Fall out and He by his place is to search into any Profit accrewing to the Crown by casualty by the condemnation of Malefactors Persons dying without an Heir or leaving him in minority c. and whereas every County in England hath an Eschaetor This John of Samford being Eschaetor General of Ireland his place must be presumed of great Trust from the King and Profit to himself He was Canonically chosen and by King Edward the first confirmed Archbishop of Dublin 1284 mediately succeeding John de Derlington interposed his Brothet Fulke therein and I cannot readily remember the like Instance in any other See For a time he was Chief Justice of Ireland and thence was sent with Anthâ⦠Bishop of Durham Embasââ¦adour to the Emperour whence returning he died at London 1294. and had his Body carried over into Ireland an Argument that he was well respected and buried in the Tomb of his Brother in the Church of St. Patricks THOMAS BECKINTON was born at Beckinton in this County bred in New-Colledge Doctor in the Laws and Dean of the Arches till by King Henry the Sixth he was advanced Bishop of Bath and VVelles A good 1 States-man having written a Judicious Book to prove the Kings of England to the Crown of France notwithstanding the pretenced Salique-Law 2 Church-man in the then notion of the Word professing in his Will that he had spent six thousand Marks in the repairing and adorning of his Palaces 3 Towns-man besides a Legacy given to the Town where he was born he built at VVells where he lived a fair Conduit in the Market-place 4 Subject alwayes loyal to King Henry the Sixth even in the lowest condition 5 Kinsman plentifully providing for his alliance with Leases without the least prejudice to the Church 6 Master bequeathing five pounds a piece to his chief five Marks a piece to his meaner Servants and fourty shillings a piece to his Boys 7 Man He gave for his Rebus in allusion to his Name a burning Beacon to which he answered in his Nature being a burning and a shining light Witnesse his many benefactions to VVells Church and the Vicars therein VVinchester New Merton but chiefly Lincoln-Colledg in Oxford being little lesse than a second Founder thereof A Beacon we know is so called from Beckoning that is making signs or giving notice to the next Beacon This bright Beacon doth nod and give hints of bounty to future ages but it is to befeared it will be long before his signs will be observed understood imitated Nor was it the least part of his prudence that being obnoxious to King Edward the Fourth in his life time he procured the confirmation of his Will under the broad Seal of England and died January the 14 1464. RICHARD FITZ-JAMES Doctor at Law was born at Redlinch in this County of right ancient and worshipful extraction bred at Merton Colledge in Oxford whereof he became Warden much meriting of that place wherein he built most beautiful Lodgings expending also much on the repair of St. Maries in Oxford He was preferred Bishop first of Rochester next of Chichester last of London He was esteemed an excellent Scholar and wrote some Books which if they ever appeared in publick never descended to posterity He cannot be excused for being over busie with fire and faggot in persecuting the poor Servants of God in his Diocess He deceased Anno 1512. lyeth buried in his Cathedral having contributed much to the adorning thereof in a Chappel-like Tomb built it seems of Timber which was burnt down when the steeple of St. Pauls was set on fire Anno 1561. This Bishop was brother to Judg Fitz-James Lord Chief Justice who with their mutual support much strengthned one another in Church and State To the Reader I cannot recover any native of this County who was a Bishop since the Reformation save only John Hooper of whom formerly in the Catalogue of Martyrs States-men Sir AMIAS POULET Son to Sir Hugh grand-Child to Sir Amias Poulet who put Cardinal Wolsey then but a Schoolmaster in the Stockes was born at Hinton Saint George in this County He was Chancelor
then would appear in publick to converse with his Friends whereof Dr. Cowel and Mr. Camden were principal Some tax him to smack of the Old Cask as resenting of the Romish Religion but they have a quicker Palatââ¦than than I who can make any such discovery In his old Age he turn'd Husbandman and Rented a Farm in Wiltshire nigh the Devises I can give no account how he thrived thereupon For though he was well vers'd in Virgil his fellow Husbandman-Poet yet there is more required to make a rich Farmer than only to say his Georgicks by heart and I question whether his Itaââ¦ian will fit our English Husbandry Besides I suspect that Mr. Daniel his fancy was too fine and sublimated to be wrought down to his private profit However he had neither a Bank of wealth or lank of want living in a competent condition By Justina his wife he had no child and I am unsatisfied both in the Place and Time of death but collect the latter to be about the end of the reign of King James HUMPHRY SIDENHAM was born at Dalverton in this County of a most Ancient and Worshipful Family bred Fellow of Wadham Colledge so Eloquent a Preacher that he was commonly called Silver-tongued Sidenham But let his own printed Sermons and especially that called the Athenian Babler set forth his deserved praise who died since our Civil distempers about the year 1650. Romish-exile Writers JOHN GIBBON was undoubtedly born in this County though herein Pitts presents us with an untoward and left-handed direction Patrica Somersetensis Diocesis Wintoniensis Now either Wââ¦nchester is imprinted for Wells or he was born in this County in some peculiar belonging to Winchester which See hath large revenues about Taunton Leaving the Land for his Religion Pope Gregory XIII collated on him a Canons place in the Church of Bonn. This he soon quitted and became Rector of the Jesuits Colledge in Triers he wrote a Book against G. Schon Professor at Heydelberge in vindication that the Pope was not Antichrist Being indisposed in health his hearing of the defeat of the Spanish Armado was no cordial unto him and died Anno 1589. ROBERT PERSON was born in this County bred in Baliol-Colledge in Oxford till for his viciousness he was expelled thence with disgrace Running to Rome and there finishing the course of his studies he with Campian were the first brace of English Jesuits who returned hither 1589 to preserve this Nation Two years after he escaped hence and got beyond the Seas One of a troublesome spirit wherewith some moderate Romanists were so offended that during his abode here they once resolved to resign him up to the Queens Officers He had an ill natured Wit biassed to Satyricalnesse A great States-man and it was not the least part of his policy to provide for his own safety who would look on direct give ground abet on other mens hands but never plaid so as to adventure himself into England He wrote a shrewd Book of the Succession to the English-crown setting it forth under the false name of Dolman a dulsecular Priest guilty of little Learning and less policy dedicating the same to the Earl of Essex He had an authoritative influence on all English Catholicks nothing of importance being agitated by them but Person had a finger hand arm therein He was for 23 years Rector of the Colledge at Rome where he died Anno Dom. 1610. JOHN FEN was born at Montacute in this County bred in New-Colledge in Oxford where he proceeded Bachelour in Laws continuing there till Anno Dom. 1562 for his Popish activity he was ejected by the Queens Commissioners Then for a time he lived Schoolmaster at St. Edmunds-bury till outed there on the same account Hence he fled over into Flââ¦nders thence into Italy whence returning at last he was fixed at Lovain He wrote many and translated more Books living to finish his Jubile or Fiftieth year oâ⦠exile beyond the Seas where he died about the years of our Lord 1613. Let me add that this John Fen mindeth me of another of the same surname and as violent on conââ¦rary principles viz. Humphrey Fen a non-conformist Minister living about Coventry who in the preface to his last Will Made such a Protestation against the Hierarchy and Ceremonies that when his Will was brought to be proved the Preface would not be suffered to be put amongst the Records of the Court as which indeed was no Limb but a Wen of his Testament JOHN COLLINGTON was born in this County bred in Lincoln-Colledge in Oxford Going beyond the Seas and there made Priest he returned into England and with Campian was taken cast into the Tower of London and condemned but afterwards reprieved enlarged and sent beyond the Seas Hence he returned and for 30 years together zelously advanced his own Religion being Assistant to the two Arch-Priests and he himself supplied the Place in the vacancy betwixt them He could not but be a very aged Man who though in restraint was alive 1611. Benefactors to the Publik The Lady MOHUN Reader know I can surround the Christian Names of her neââ¦rest Relations Her Husband was John the last Lord Mohun of Dunstor Her eldest daughter Philip married to Edward Duke of York her second Elizabeth to William Montacute Earl of Salisbury her youngest Maud matcht to the Lord Strange of Knockyn buâ⦠her own Christian Name I cannot recover However she hath left a worthy memory behind her chiefly on this account that she obteined from her Husband so much good ground for the Commons of the Town of Dunstor as she could in one day believe it a Summer one for her ease and advantage compasse about going on her naked feet Surely no Ingenious Scholar beheld her in that her charitable perambulation but in effect vented his wishes in the Poets expression Ah! tibi nè teneras tellus secet aspera plantas The certain date of her death is unknown which by proportion is conjectured in the reign of King Henry the Fifth Since the Reformation NICHOLAS WADHAM of Merrifield in this County Esq. had great length in his extraction breadth in his Estate and depth in his liberality His Hospital house was an Inn at all times a Court at Cristmas He married Dorothy daughter to the Secretary sister to the first Lord Peters Absolom having no children reared up for himself a Pillar to perpetuate his name This Worthy pair being Issueless erected that which hath doth and will afford many Pillars to Church and State the uniform and regular nothing defective or superfluous therein Colledge of Wadham in Oxford Had this worthy Esquire being a great Patron of Church-Livings annexed some Benefices thereunto which may be presumed rather forgotten than neglected by him it had for compleatenesse of Fabrick and endowment equalled any English Foundation If he was which some suggest a Romanist in his Judgement his charity is the more commendable to build
Book be mysteriously extracted He was scarce twenty eight years of Age when in fourty dayes believe him for he saith so of himself he learn'd the perfection of Chymistry taught as it seems by Mr. George Ripley But what saith the Poet Non minor est virtus quà m quaerere parta tueri The spight is he complaineth that a Merchants wife of Bristol stole from him the Elixir of life Some suspect her to have been the wife of William Cannings of whom before contemporary with Norton who started up to so great and sudden Wealth the clearest evidence of their conjecture The admirers of this Art are justly impatient to hear this their great Patron traduced by the Pen of J. Pits and others by whom he is termed Nugarum opifex in frivola scientia and that he undid himself and all his friends who trusted him with their money living and dying very poor about the year 1477. JOHN SPINE I had concluded him born at Spine in Bark-shire nigh Newbury but for these diswasives 1. He lived lately under Richard the Third when the Clergy began to leave off their Local Surnames and in conformity to the Laity to be called from their Fathers 2 My Author peremptorily saith he was born in this City I suspect the name to be Latinized Spineus by Pits and that in plain English he was called Thorn an ancient Name I assure you in this City However he was a Carmelite and a Doctor of Divinity in Oxford leaving some Books of his making to posterity He died and was buried in Oxford Anno Dom. 1484. JOHN of MILVERTON Having lost the Fore I must play an After-game rather than wholely omit such a Man of Remark The matter is not much if he be who was lost in Somerset-shire where indeed he was born at Milverton be found in Bristol where he first fixed himself a Frier Carmelite Hence he went to Oxford Paris and at last had his abode in London He was Provincial General of his Order thorough England Scotland and Ireland so that his Jurisdiction was larger than King Edward the Fourth's under whom he flourished He was a great Anti-Wiââ¦liffist and Champion of his Order both by his writing and preaching He laboured to make all believe that Christ himself was a Carmelite Professor of wilful Poverty and his high commending of the Poverty of Friers tacitly condemned the Pomp of the Prelates Hereupon the Bishop of London being his Diocesan caââ¦t him into the Jaile from whom he appealed to Paul the II. and coming to Rome he was for three years ââ¦ept close in the Prison of St. Angelo It made his durance the more easie having the company of Platina the famous Papal Biographist the Neb of whose Pen had been too long in writing dangerous Truth At last he procured his Cause to be referred to Seven Cardinals who ordered his enlargement Returning home into England he lived in London in good repute I find him nominated Bishop of St. Davids but how he came to miss it is to me unknown Perchance he would not bite at the bait but whether because too fat to cloy the stomack of his mortified Soul or too lean to please the appetite of his concealed covetousness no man can decide He died and was buried in London 1486. WILLIAM GROCINE was born in this City and bred in Winchester-School Where he when a Youth became a most excellent Poet. Take one instance of many A pleasant Maid probably his Mistris however she must be so understood in a LoveFrolick pelted him with a Snow-ball whereon he extempore made this Latin Tetrastick Me nive candenti petiit mea Julia rebar Igne carere nivem nix tamen ignis erat Sola potes nostras extinguere Julia flammas Non nive non glacie sed potes ignes pari A snow-ball white at me did Julia throw Who would suppose it Fire was in that snow Julia alone can quench my hot desire But not with snow or Ice but equal fire He afterwards went over into Italy where he had Demetrius Calchondiles and Politian for his Masters And returning into England was Publick Professor of the Greek Tongue in Oxford There needs no more to be added to his Honour save that Erasmus in his Epistles often owns him pro Patrono suo praeceptore He died Anno 1520. Romish Exile Writers JOHN FOWLER was born in Bristol bred a Printer by his occupation but so Learned a Man that if the Character given him by one of his own perswasion be true he may pass for our English Robert or Henry Stephens being skilful in Latin and Greek and a good Poet Oratour and Divine He wrote an abridgment of Thomas his Summes the Translation of Osorius into English c. Being a zealous Papist he could not comport with the Reformation but conveyed himself and his Presse over to Antwerp where he was signally serviceable to the Catholick Cause in printing their Pamphlets which were sent over and sold in England He died at Namurch 1579. and lies there buried in the Church of St. John the Evangelist Benefactors to the Publick ROBERT THORN was born in this City as his ensuing Epitaph doth evidence I see it matters not what the Name be so the Nature be good I confesse Thorns came in by mans curse and our Saviour saith Do men gather Grapes of Thorns But this our Thorn God send us many Copices of them was a Blessing to our Nation and Wine and Oil may be said freely to flow from Him being bred a Merchant-Tailor in London he gave more than Four thousand four hundred fourty five pounds to pious uses A Sum sufficient therewith to build and endow a Colledge the time being well considered being towards the beginning of the reign of King Henry the Eighth I have observed some at the Church-dore cast in six pence with such ostentation that it rebounded from the Bottom and rung against both the sides of the Bason so that the same piece of Silver was the Alms and the Givers Trumpet whilst others have dropt down silent 5 shillings without any noise Our Thorn was of the second sort doing his Charity effectually but with a possible privacy Nor was this good Christian abroad worse in the Apostle-phrase than an Iââ¦del at home in not providing for his Family who gave to his poor Kindred besides Debt forgiven unto them the sum of five thousand one hundred fourty two pounds Grudge not Reader to peruse his Epitaph which though not so good as he deserved is better than most in that Age. Robertus cubat hic Thornus Mercator Honestus Qui sibi legitimas Arte paravit opes Huic vitam dederat parvo Bristolia quondam Londinum hoc tumulo clauserat ante diem Ornavit studiis patriam virtutibus auxit Gymnasium erexit sumptibus ipse suis. Lector quisquis ades requiem cineri precor ora Supplex precibus numina
heirs the Patent whereof is extant in the Tower and exemplified in my Author He appears to me no more than a plain Knight or a Knight Batchelour But were it in the power of my Pen to create a Banneret he should for the Reason premised have that Honour affixed to his Memory who as we conjecture died about the middle of the reign of King Henry the Sixth JOHN DUDLEY Duke of Northumberland where born uncertain was son to Edward Dudley Esq. of whom hereafter and would willingly be reputed of this County a Descendent from the Lord Dudley therein whose memory we will gratifie so far as to believe it He lived long under King Henry the Eighth who much favoured him and the Servant much resembled his Master in the equal contemperament of Vertue and Vices so evenly matched that it is hard to say which got the Mastery in either of them This John was proper in person comely in carriage wise in advising valiant in adventuring and generally till his last project prosperous in success But he was also notoriously wanton intollerably ambitious a constant dissembler prodigeously profuse so that he had sunk his Estate had it not met with a seasonable support of Abbey Land he being one of those who well warmed himself with the chipps which fell from the felling of Monasteriââ¦s King Henry the 8th first Knighted then created him Vicount Lisle Earle of Warwick and Duke of Norââ¦humberland And under Queen Mary he made himself almost King of England though not in Title in power by contriving the settling of the Crown on Queen Jane his daughââ¦er in Law till successe failed him therein And no wonder if that design missed the mark which besides many rubbs it met with at hand was thrown against the general bias of English affection For this his treasonable practises he was executed in the First of Queen Mary much bemoaned by some Martial men whom he had formerly indeared 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 their Father The BAGNOLS Something must be premised of their Name and extraction The Bagenhalts commonly called Bagnols were formerly a Family of such remark in this County that before the reign of King Henry the Eighth there scarce passed an Ancient piece of evidence which is not attested by one of that Name But see the uncertainty of all humane things it afterwards sunck down to use my Authours language into a Plebean Condition But the sparks of their gentle Bloud though covered for a time under a mean estate have since blazed again with their own worth and valour when Ralph and Nicholas sons to John Bagnol of Newcastle in this County were both Knighted for their good service the one in Mustle-Borough fight the otherin Ireland Yea as if their courage had been hereditary Their sons Samuel and Henry were for their Martial merit advanced to the same degree Sea-men WILLIAM MINORS Reader I remember how in the Case of the Ship-money the Judges delivered it for Law that England being an Island the very Middle-land-Shires therein are all to be accounted as Maritime Sure I am the Genius even of Land-lock-Counties acteth the Natives with a Maritime dexterity The English generally may be resembled to Ducklings which though hatched under a Hen yet naturally delight to dabble in the Water I mean though born and bred in In-Land places where neither their Infancy nor Childhood ever beheld Ship or Boat yet have they a great Inclinatioâ⦠and Aptnesse to Sea-service And the present subject of our Pen is a pregnant proof thereof This William son to Richard Minors Gent. of Hallenbury-Hall was born at Uttoxater in this County who afterwads coming to London became so prosperous a Mariner that he hath safely returned eleven times from the East-Iudies whereas in the dayes of our GrandFathers such as came thence twice were beheld as Rarities thrice as Wonders four times as Miracles Much herein under Divine Providence is to be attributed to the Make of our English Ships now built more advantageous for sailing than in former Ages Besides the oftner they go the nearer they shape their Course use being the mother of Perfectnesse Yet whilst others wonder at his happiness in returning so often I as much commend his moderation in going no oftner to the East-Indies More men know how to get enough than when they have gotten enough which causeth their Coveteousness to increase with their wealth Mr. Minors having advanced a competent Estate quitted the water to live on the land and now peaceably enjoyeth what he painfully hath gotten and is living in or near Hartford at this present year 1660. Writers JOHN STAFFORD born in the Shire-Town of this County was bred a Franciscan No contemptible Philosopher and Divine but considerable Historian who wrote a Latin History of Englands affaires Authors are at an absolute loss when he lived and are fain by degrees to screw themselves into a general notice thereof He must be since the year 1226 when the Franciscans first fixed themselves in our Land He must be before John Ross who flourished Anno 1480 under Edward the Fourth and maketh honourable mention of him Therefore with proportion and probability he is collected to have written about 1380. WILLIAM de LICHFIELD so termed from the place of his Nativity applied himself to a study of Divinity whereof he became Doctor and afterwards Rector of All-hallowes the Great in Thames-street London He was generally beloved for his great Learning and godly liââ¦e He wrote many Books both Moral and Divine in Prose and Verse one intituled The complaint of God unto sinful Men. There were found in his Study after his death Three thousand four score and three Sermons of his own writing He died Anno Dom. 1447. being buried under a defaced Monument in the Quire of his own Church ROBERT WHITTINGTON born at Lichfield was no mean Grammarian Indeed he might have been greater if he would have been less Pride prompting him to cope with his Conquerors whom he mistook for his Match The first of these was Will. Lillie though there was as great difference betwixt these two Grammarians as betwixta Verb defective and one perfect in all the Requisites thereof The two other were William Horman and Alderedge both eminent in the Latin Tongue But some will carp at the best who cannot mend the worst line in a Picture the humour of our Whittington who flourished 1530. Since the Reformation HENRY STAFFORD Baron of Stafford in this County was son unto Edward Duke of Buckingham attainted and beheaded under King Henry the Eighth This our Henry though loosing his Top and Top-Gallant his Earledom and Dukedome in the tempest of the Kings displeasure yet still he kept his Keel his Barony of Stafford The less he possessed of his
Fathers Lands the more he enjoyed of himself It was not sullenesse or revenge but free choice which made him betake himself to his studies wherein he became eminent I place him confidently not a trans but Cis-reformation-man for translating the Book of Dr. Fox Bishop of Hereford a favourer of Luther into English Of the Difference of the power Ecclesiastical and Secular A Subject profitable in all seasonable not to say necessary in our Times For as the Water and Earth making but one Globe take their mutual advantages to enlarge themselves so these two powers united under one King in our land wait their opportunities to advance their respective Jurisdictions the right stating whereof would conduce much to the publick Peace This Lord died I dare not say the more the pitty some moneths before the beginning of Queen Elizabeth Anno 1558. SAMPSON ERDERSWIK Esq. was born at Sandon near Stafford in this County of a Right Worshipful and ancient Extraction He was a Gentleman accomplished with all Noble qualities affability devotion and Learning 'T is hard to say whether his Judgement or Industry was more in matters of Antiquity Bearing a tender respect to his native Country and desiring the honour thereof he began a description ââ¦ntituled A view of Stafford-shire Anno Domini 1593 conteining the same till the day of his death A short clear true impartial work taken out of ancient evidences and Records the Copies whereof in Manuscripts are deservedly valued for great Rarities This is he who when I often groped in the dark yea feared to fall in matters concerning this County took me by the hand Oh! for the like Conductors in other Counties and hath led me safe by his direction He was much delighted with decency of Gods House which made him on his own cost to repaire new Glaze the Church of Sandon wherein to prevent neglect of Executors he erected for himself a goodly Monument of Free-stone with his proportion cut out to the life and now lieth therein interred He died April the 11 1603 and let his Elogie of Mr. Camden serve for his Epitaph Venerandae Antiquitatis fuit Cultor Maximus THOMAS ALLEN was born in this County deriving his original from Allanus de Buckenhole Lord of Buckenhole in the reign of King Edward the 2d He was bred in Glocester-Hall in Oxford a most excellent Mathematician where he succeeded to the skill and scandal of Frier Bacon taken at both but given I beleeve by neither accounted a Conjurer Indeed vulgar eyes ignorant in Opticks conceit that raised which is but reflected fancy every shadow a spirit every spirit a Divel And when once the repute of a Conjurer is raised in vulgar esteem it is not in the power of the greatest Innocence and Learning to allay it He was much in favour with Robert Earl of Leicester and his admirable writings of Mathematicks are lââ¦tent with some private possessors which envy the publick profit thereof He died a very aged man towards the end of the reign of King James HENRY and ROBERT BURTON Brethren and eminent Authors in their several kinds were as some say born at Fald in this County But Leicester-shire pretending some probability to their Nativities hath by the Alphabetical advantage prevented this Shire and carried away their Characters therein Besides these deceased WRITERS Reader I have Three in my eye who are and long may they be alive as different as eminent in their liberal inclinations Edward Leigh of Rushwel-Hall Esq. whose Critica Sacra with many other worthy works will make his Judicious Industry known to posterity Elias Ashmole Esq. born in Litchfield critically skilled in Ancient Coins Chymistry Heraldry Mathematicks what not John Lightfood D. D. who for his exact insight in Hebrew and Rabbinical Learning hath deserved well of the Church of England But forgive me Reader I have forgot myself and trespassed on my Fundamental Rules Romish Exile Writers WILLIAM GIFFORD Though this Ancient and Worshipful Name be diffused in several Counties I have satisfied my self in fixing him here as an Extract of the Family of Chillington He was a man of much Motion and my Pen is resolved to follow him as able to Travel with more Speed less Pain and Cost 1 From his Fathers house he went to and lived four years in Oxford 2 Thence with his School-master he went over to Lovain where he got Lauream Doctoralem in Artibus was made Master of Arts. 3 Then studying Divinity there under Bellarmin was made Batchelour in that Profession 4 Frighted hence with War went to Paris 5 Removed to Rheams where he eleven years professed Divinity 6 Doctorated at Pont-Muss in Lorain 7 Highly prized by Henry Duke of Guise and Cardinal Lewis his brother who gave him a Pension of two hundred Crowns a year 8 After their death he went to Rome where he became Dean of St. Peters in the Isle for ten years 9 Returning to Rheams he was made Rector of the Vniversity therein 10 At fifty years of Age bidding farewel to the World he became a Benedictine at Delaware in Lorain Thus far Pitseus acquainting us that he was alive 1611 on whose Stock give me leave to graft what followeth This Dr. Gifford was afterwards advanced Arch-bishop of Rheams by the favour of the Duke of Guise who is shrewdly suspected to have quartered to heavily on the profit of that place However our Gifford gained so much as therewith to found not only a Covent for English Monks at St. Mallowes in France but also at Paris for those of the same profession Remarkable Charity that an Exile who properly had no home of his own should erect Houses for others Benefactors to the Publick This County I confess is exceeded by her Neigbours in this particular and I meet with few either ancient or eminent Benefactions therein Yet besides a ââ¦air School at Wolver-Hampton built by Sr. Stephen Jennings Lord Major of London and another erected by Mr. Thomas Allen at ââ¦tceter I am credibly informed that MARTEN NOEL Esq. born in the Counââ¦y-Town of Stafford bred Sââ¦rivener in London hath fairly built and largely endowed an Hospital in Stafford aforesaid The Crown Muââ¦al amongst the Romanâ⦠waâ⦠noâ⦠given to every Souldier who scaled the Walls but onely to him who footed them first on which account a Garland of Glory is due to this Gentleman whose Foundation as I am certified is the first considerable Fabrick of that kind in this County Iâ⦠is to be hoped that as the zeal of Achaia provoked many ââ¦o this good Leader will invite maââ¦y Followers to succeed him living in London this present 1660. Memorable persons THOMAS TARLTON My intelligence of the certainty of his birth-place coming too late confessed by the marginal mark I fix him here who indeed was born at Condover in the neighbouring County of Shrap-shire where still some of his Name and Relations remain Here he was in the field keeping his Fathers Swine
Mounchensey bred first in Oxford then an Augustinian Eremite in Clare He was a great Scholar as his Works evidence and Confessor to Lionel Duke of Clarence whom he attended into Italy when he married Joland daughter to John Galeaceus Duke of Milan J. Pits conceiveth him to have been an Arch-bishop in Ireland which is utterly disowned by Judicious Sir James VVare And indeed if Bales words whence Pits deriveth his intelligence be considered it will appear he never had Title of an Arch-bishop sed cujusdam Archi-Episcopatus curam accepit He undertook care of some Arch-bishoprick probably commended in the vacancy thereof to his inspection And why might not this be some Italian Arch-bishoprick during his attendance on his Patron there though afterwards preferring privacy before a pompous charge he returned into his Native Country and died at Clare Anno 1396. THOMAS PEVââ¦REL was born of good Parentage in this County bred a Carmelite and D. D. in Oxford He was afterwards by King Richard the Second made Bishop of Ossory in Ireland I say by King Richard the Second which minds me of a memorable passage which I have read in an excellent Author It may justly seem strange which is most true that there are three Bishopricks in Ireland in the Province of Ulster by name Derry Rapho and Clogher which neither Queen Elizabeth nor any of her Progenitors did ever bestow though they were the undoubted Patrons thereof So that King James was the first King of England that did ever supply those Sees with Bishops so that it seems formerly the Great Irish Lords in those parts preferred their own Chaplains thereunto However the Bishopricks in the South of the Land were ever in the disposal of Our Kings amongst which Ossory was one bestowed on our Peverel From Ireland he was removed to Landaffe in Wales then to VVorchester in England being one much esteemed for Learning as his Books do declare He died according to Bishop Godwins account March the 1 1417 and lieth buried in his own Cathedral STEPHEN GARDINER was born in Bury St. Edmunds one of the best aires in England the sharpness whereof he retained in his Wit and quick apprehension Some make him Base-son to Lionel VVoodvile Bishop of Salisbury which I can hardly beleeve Salisbury and St. Edmunds-Bury being six score miles asunder Besides time herein is harder to be reconciled than place For it being granted an errour of youth in that Bishop and that Bishop vanishing out of this World 1485. Gardiner in all probability must be allowed of greater age than he was at his death It is confess'd by all that he was a man of admirable natural parts and memory especially so conducible to Learning that one saith Tantum scimus quantum meminimus He was bââ¦ed Doctor of Laws in Trinity-hall in Cambridge and after many State-Embassies and employments he was by King Henry the Eighth made Bishop of VVinchester His malice was like what is commonly said of white powder which surely discharged the Bullet yet made no report being secrete in all his acts of cruelty This made him often chide Bonner calling him Asse though not so much for killing poor people as not for doing it more cunningly He was the chief Contriver of what we may call Gardiners-Creed though consisting but of six Articles which caused the death of many and trouble of more Protestants He had almost cut off one who was and prevented another for ever being a Queen I mean Katharine Par and the Lady Elizabeth had not Divine Providence preserved them He complied with King Henry the Eighth and was what he would have him opposed King Edward the Sixth by whom he was imprisoned and depriv'd acted all under Queen Mary by whom he was restored and made Lord Chancellour of England He is reported to have died more than half a Protestant avouching that he believed himself and all others onely to be justified by the merits of Christ which if so then did he verifie the Greek and Latine Proverb ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Saepe Olitor valde verba opportuna loquââ¦tus The Gardiner oft times in due season Speaks what is true and solid reason He died at VVhite-hall of the Gout November the 12th 1555. and is buried by his own appointment on the Northside of the Quire over against Bishop Fox in a very fair Monument He had done well if he had parallell'd Bishop Fox Founder of Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford in erecting some publick work the rather because he died so rich being reported to have left fourty thousand Marks in ready money behind him However on one account his memory must be commended for improving his power with Queen Mary to restore some Noble Families formerly depressed My Author instanceth in some descendanââ¦e from the Duke of Norfolk in the Stanhops and the Arundels of VVarder Castle To these give me leave to adde the Right Ancient Family of the Hungerfords to whom he procured a great part of their Patrimony seased on by the Crown to be restored Since the Reformation JOHN BALE was born at Covie in this County five miles from Donwich and was brought up in Jesus-Colledge in Cambridge being before or after a Carmelite in Norwich By the means of Thomas Lord Wentworth he was converted to be a Protestant This is that Bale who wrote a Book De scriptoribus Britannicis digested into nine Centuries not more beholding to Leland than I have been to Bale in this Work and my Church-History Anno 1552 February the 2d he was consecrated at Dublin Bishop of Ossory in Ireland whence on the death of King Edward the Sixth he was forced to flie some of his servants being slain before his eyes and in his passage over the sea was taken prisoner by Pirates sold ransom'd and after many dangers safely arrived in Switzerland After the death of Queen Mary he returned into England but never to his Irish Bishoprick preferring rather a private life being a Prebendary of the Church of Canterbury One may wonder that being so Learned a Man who had done and suffered so much for Religion higher promotion was not forced upon him seeing about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth Bishopricks went about begging able men to receive them But probably he was a person more Learned than discreet fitter to write than to govern as unable to command his own passion and Biliosus Balaeus passeth for his true Character He died in the sixty eighth year of his Age at Canterbury Anno Domini 1563 in the moneth of November and was buried in the Cathedââ¦al Church therein JOHN MAY was born in this County bred in the ââ¦niversity of Cambridge whereof he became Proctor 1545 Elected Master of Katharine-hall 1564 Vice-Chancellour 1569 and at last consecrated Bishop of Carlile Sept. 27 1577 continuing eleven years in that See and died in April 1598. JOHN OVERAL D. D. born aâ⦠Hadley in this County was bred in the Free-School therein
buried by him and if some eminent Surgeon was interred on his other side I would say that Physick lay here in state with its two Pages attending it Writers HUMPHREY NECTON was born though Necton be in Northfolk in this County and quitting a fair fortune from his Father professed poverty and became a Carmelite in Norwich Two Firstships met in this Man for he Handselled the House-Convent which Philip Wat in of Cowgate a prime Citizen and almost I could beleeve him Mayor of the City did after the death of his Wife in a fit of sorrow give with his whole Estate to the Carmelites Secondly He was the first Carmelite who in Cambridge took the Degree of Doctor in Divinity ââ¦orsome boggled much thereat as false Heraldry in Devotion to super-induce a Doctoral hood over a Friers Coul till our Necton adventured on it For though Poverty might not affect Pride yet Humility may admit of Honour He flourished under King Henry the Third and Edward the First at Norwich and was buried with great solemnity by those of his Order Anno Dom. 1303. JOHN HORMINGER was born of good Parents in this County and became very accomplished in Learning It happened that travelling to Rome he came into the company of Italians the admirers only of themselves and the Slighters-General of all other Nations vilifying England as an inconsiderable Country ' whose Ground was as barren as the people Barbarous Our Horminger impatient to hear his Mother land traduced spake in her defence and fluently Epitomized the commodities thereof Returning home he wrote a Book De Divitiis Deliciis Angliae of the Profit and Pleasure of England which had it come to my hand O how advantageous had it been to my present design He flourished 1310. THOMAS of ELY was born in this County For though Cambridge-shire boasteth of Ely so famous for the Cathedral yet is there Monks-Ely in Suffolk the Native Town of this Thomas who followed the foot-steps of his Countryman Necton being a Carmelitâ⦠but in Ipswich and afterwards Doctor in the University of Cambridge aith my Author of Both Divinities But the same hand which tieth untieth this knot giving us to understand that thereby are meant Scholastical and Interpretative Divinity seeming to import them in that Age to have been distinct Faculties till afterwards united as the Civil and Common Law in one profession Leaving his Native Land he travelled over the seas with others of his Order to Bruges in Flanders and there kept Lectures and Disputations as one Gobelike a formidable Author informeth my Informer till his death about 1320. RICHARD LANHAM was born at a Market-Town well known for Cloathing in this County and bred when young a Carmelite in Ipswich He made it his only request to the Trefect of his Convent to have leave to study in Oxford which was granted him and deservedly employing his time so well there that he proceeded Doctor with publick applause Lelands Pencil paints him Pious and Learned but Bale cometh with his spunge and in effect deletes both because of his great Antipathy to the VVicklevites However his Learning is beyond contradiction attested by the Books he left to Posterity Much difference about the manner and place of his death some making him to decease in his Bed at Bristol others to be beheaded in London with Sudbury Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Hales Master of St. ãâã of Jerusalem by the Rebellious Crew of VVat Tyler who being a Misogrammatist if a good Greek word may be given to so Barbarous a Rebel hated every man that could write or read and were the more incensed against Lanham for his eminent Literature He died Anno Dom. 1381. JOHN KINYNGHAM was born in this County bred a Carmelite first in Ipswich then in Oxford being the 25th Prefect of his Order in England and Ireland Confessor to John of Gant and his Lady He was the first who encountred VVickliffe in the Schools at Oxford disputing of Philosophical Subtilties and that with so much Ingenuity that VVickliffe much taken with the Mans modesty prayed heartily for him that his Judgement might be convinced But whether with so good successe wherewith Peter Martyr besought God on the same account for ãâã Gilpin I know not He died a very aged man Anno 1399 and was buried at York far I confesse from Ipswich his first fixation But it was usual for Prefects of Orders to travel much in their Visitations JOHN LYDGATE was born in this County at a Village so called bred a Benedictine Monk in St. Edmunds-Bury After some time spent in our English Universities he travelled over France and Italy improving his time to his great accomplishment Returning he became Tutor to many Noble-mens sons and both in Prose and Poetry was the best Author of his Age. If Chaucers Coin were of a greater weight for deeper learning Lydgates were of a more refined Standard for purer language so that one might mistake him for a modern Writer But because none can so well describe him as himself take an Essay of his Verses excusing himself for deviating in his Writings from his Vocation I am a Monk by my profession In Berry call'd John Lydgate by my name And wear a habit of perfection Although my life agrees not with the same That meddle should with things spiritual As I must needs confess unto you all But seeing that I did herein proceed At his command whom I could not refuse I humbly do beseech all those that read Or leasure have this story to peruse If any fault therein they find to be Or error that committed is by me That they will of their gentleness take pain The rather to correct and mend the same Than rashly to condemn it with disdain For well I wot it is not without blame Because I know the Verse therein is wrong As being some too short and some too long For Chaucer that my Master was and knew What did belong to writing Verse and Prose Ne're stumbled at small faults nor yet did view With scornful eye the Works and Books of those That in his time did write nor yet would taunt At any man to fear him or to daunt He lived to be 60 years of age and died about the year 1444 and was buried in his own Convent with this Epitaph Mortuus saeclo superis superstes Hic ãâã Lydgate tumulatus urna Qui fuit quondam celebris Britannae Fama Poesis Dead in this World living above the skie Intomb'd within this Urn doth Lydgate lie In former time fam'd for his Poetry All over England As for the numerous and various Books which he wrote of several subjects Bale presenteth us with their perfect Catalogue JOHN BARNYNGHAM born at a Village so named in this County was bred a Carmelite in Ipswich and afterwards proceeded Doctor in Oxford thence going to Serbon the Cock-pit of controversies was there admitted to the same Degree Trithemius takes
he was the son of a good King which many men would wish and no child could help The then present Power more of coveteousness than kindness unwilling to maintain him either like or unlike the son of his Father permitted him to depart the Land with scarce tolerable Accommodations and the promise of a never-performed Pension for his future Support A passage I meet with in my worthy Friend concerning this Duke deserveth to be written in letters of Gold In the year 1654 almost as soon as his two Elder Brethren had removed themselves into Flanders he found a strong practise in some of the Queens Court to seduce him to the Church of Rome whose temptations he resisted beyond his years and thereupon was sent for by them into Flanders He had a great appetite to Learning and a quick digestion able to take as much as his Tutors could teach him He fluently could speak many understood more Modern Tongues He was able to express himself in matters of importance presently properly solidly to the admiration of such who trebled his Age. Judicious his Curiosity to inquire into Navigation and other Mathematical Mysteries His Courtesie set a lustre on all and commanded mens Affections to love him His life may be said to have been All in the night of affliction rising by his Birth a little before the setting of his Fathers and setting by his Death a little after the rising of his Brothers peaceable Reign It seems Providence to prevent Excess thought fit to temper the general mirth of England with some mourning With his Name-sake Prince Henry he compleated not twenty years and what was said of the Unkle was as true of the Nephew Fatuos a morte defendit ipsa insulsitas si cui plus caeteris aliquantulum salis insit quod miremini statim putrescit He deceased at Whitehall on Thursday the 13th of September 1660 and was buried though privately solemnly Veris spirantibus lacrymis in the Chappel of King Henry the Seventh Martyrs I meet with few if any in this County being part of the Diocess of Politick Gardiner The Fable is well known of an Ape which having a mind to a Chest-nut lying in the fire made the foot of a Spannel to be his tongs by the proxy whereof he got out the Nut for himself Such the subtlety of Gardiner who minding to murther any poor Protestant and willing to save himself from the scorching of general hatred would put such a person into the fire by the hand of Bonner by whom he was sent for up to London and there destroyed Confessors ELEANOR COBHAM daughter to the Lord Cobham of Sterborough-Castle in this County was afterwards married unto Humphrey Plantaginet Duke of Glocester This is she who when alive was so persecuted for being a Wickliffiââ¦e and for many hainous crimes charged upon her And since her memory hangs still on the file betwixt Confessor and Malefactor But I believe that the voluminous paines of Mr. Fox in vindicating her innocency against the Cavils of Alane Cope and others have so satisfied all indifferent people that they will not grudg her position under this Title Her troubles happened under King Henry the Sixth Anno Domini 14 ... Prelates NICHOLAS of FERNHAM or de Fileceto was born at Fernham in this County and bred a Physician in Oxford Now our Nation esteemeth Physicians little Physick little worth except far fetcht from foreign parts Wherefore this Nicholas to acquire more skill and repute to himself travelled beyond the Seas First he fixed at Paris and there gained great esteem accounted Famosus Anglicus Here he continued until that ââ¦niversity was in effect dissolved thorough the discords betwixt the Clergy and the Citizens Hence he removed and for some years lived in Bononia Returning home his fame was so great that he became Physician to King Henry the Third The Vivacity and health of this Patient who reigned longer than most men live was an effect of his care Great were the giââ¦ts the King conferred upon him and at last made him Bishop of Chester Wonder not that a Physician should prove a Prelate seeing this Fernham was a general Scholar Besides since the Reformation in the reign of Queen Elizabeth we had J. Coldwel Doctor of Physick a Bishop of Sarum After the Resignation of Chester he accepted of the Bishoprick of Durham This also he surrendred after he had sitten nine years in that See reserving only three Mannors for his maintenance He wrote many Books much esteemed in that Age of the practice in Thysick and use of Herbs and died in a private life 1257. WALTER de MERTON was born at Merton in this County and in the reign of King Henry the Third when Chancellors were chequered in and out three times he discharged that Office 1 Anno 1260 placed in by the King displac'd by the Barons to make room for Nicholas of Ely 2 Anno 1261. when the King counting it no Equity or Conscience that his Lords should obtrude a Chancellor on him restored him to his place continuing therein some three years 3 Anno 1273. when he was replaced in that Office for a short time He was also preferred Bishop of Rochester that a rich Prelate might maintain a poor Bishoprick He founded Merton-Colledge in Oxford which hath produced more famous School-men than all England I had almost said Europe besides He died in the year 1277 in the fifth of King Edward the First THOMAS CRANLEY was in all probability born at and named from Cranley in Blackheath Hundred in this County It confirmeth the conjecture because I can not find any other Village so named in all England Bred he was in Oxford and became the first Warden of New Colledge thence preferred Arch-bishop of Dublin in Ireland Thither he went over 1398 accompanying Thomas Holland Duke of Surrey and Lieutenant of Ireland and in that Kingdom our Cranley was made by King Henry the Fourth Chancellour and by King Henry the Fifth Chief Justice thereof It seems he finding the Irish possessed with a rebellious humour bemoaned himself to the King in a terse Poem of 106 Verses which Leland perused with much pleasure and delight Were he but half so good as some make him he was to be admired Such a Case and such a Jewel such a presence and a Prelate clear in Complexion proper in Stature bountiful in House-keeping and House-repairing a great Clerk deep Divine and excellent Preacher Thus far we have gone along very willingly with our Author but now leave him to go alone by himself unwilling to follow him any farther for fear of a tang of Blasphemy when bespeaking him Thou art fairer than the children of men full of grace are thy lips c. Anno 1417 he returned into England being fourscore years old sickned and died at Faringdon and lieth buried in New-Colledge Chappel and not in Dublin as some have related NICHOLAS WEST was born at Putney in
Idem  26 Philippus de Crofts  27 Radul de Kaymes for 3 ye   30 Rob. de Savage for 4 years   34 Nic. de Wancy for 3 years   37   38 Will. Mich. de Vere   39   40 Galfr. de Grues   41 Idem   42 Gerard. de Cuncton   43 David de Jarpennil  Anno Anno Anno  44 Johannes de Wanton   45 Idem  46 Rogerus de VVikes for 6 years 46 VVillielmus de Lazouch for 3 years 46 Robertus Agwilon for 6 years  52 Rogerus de Loges for 3 years  55 Matth. de Hasting  55 Bartholomeus de Hasting 56 Idem  56 Idem  EDW. I.   Anno   1 Matth. de Hastings   2 Idem   3 VVillielmus de Herne   4 Johannes VVanton for 3 years   7 Emerindus de Cancellis   8 Idem   9 Nicholaus de Gras for 5 years   14 Richardus de Pevensey   15 Idem   16 VVill. de Pageham for 5 years  17 Rogerus de Lukenor for 4 years    21 Robertus de Gla morgan for 6 years   27 Joh. Albel for 4 years   31 VValter de Gedding   32 Idem   33 Robertus de le Knole ' for 3 years  Sheriffs of Surrey and Sussex EDW. II. Anno 1 Walter de Gedding Anno 2 VVillielmus de Henle Robertus de Stangrave Anno 3 VVillielmus de Henle Robertus de Stangrave Anno 4 Idem Anno 5 VVillielmus de Henle Anno 6 VVillielmus de Henle VVillielmus de Mere Anno 7 Petrus de Vienne Anno 8 Idem Anno 9 VVillielmus Merre Anno 10 VValterus le Gras Anno 11 VValterus le Gras Petrus de VVorldham Anno 12 Petrus de VVorldham Henricus Husey Anno 13 Idem Anno 14 Henricus Husey Anno 15 Nicholaus Gentil Anno 16 Anno 17 Petrus de VVorldham Andream Medested for 3 years EDW. III. Anno 1 Nicholaus Gentil Anno 2 Nicholaus Gentil Robertus de Stangrave for 3 years Anno 5 Johannes Dabnam Anno 6 VVillielmus Vaughan Anno 7 Idem Anno 8 Willielmus Vaughan Joh. Dabnam for 3 years Anno 11 VVillielmus Vaughan Anno 12 Idem Anno 13 Godfridus de Hunston Anno 14 Wilielmus de Northo Godfridus de Henston Anno 15 Hugo de Bowcy Willielmus de Northo Anno 16 Andreas Peverel Hugo de Bowcy Anno 17 Idem Anno 18 VVilliemus de Northo Anno 19 Regind de Forester for 3 years Anno 22 Rogerus Daber Anno 23 Tho. Hoo for 3 years Anno 26 Richardus de St. Oweyn Anno 27 Idem Anno 28 Simon de Codington Anno 29 Rogerus de Lukenor Anno 30 VVill. Northo Anno 31 Tho. de Hoo for 3 years Anno 34 Richardus de Hurst for 3 years 37 Simon de Codington 38 Ranul Thurnburn 39. Johannes Wateys 40 Johannes Weyvile 41 Andreas Sackvile 42 ââ¦dem 43 Ranul Thurnburn 44 Idem 45 VVillielmus Neidegate 46 Roger. Dalingrugg 47 Nicholaus Wilcomb 48 Robertus de Loxele 49 Robertus Atte Hele 50 Johannes St. Clere 51 Johannes de Melburn The Sheriffs of these two Counties before King Edward the Second are in the Records so involved complicated perplexed that it is a hard taske to untangle them and assign with the Sheriffs did severally which joyntly belong unto them Had the like difficulty presented it self in other united Shires I suspect it would have deterred me from ever meddling with their Catalogue Nor will we warrant that we have done all right in so dare a subject but submit our best endeavours to the censure and correction of the more Judicious HENRY the II. 7 Sussex HILARIUS Episcopus Chichester The King had just cause to confide in his loyalty and commit the Shire to his care For although I behold him as a French-man by birth yet great alwayes was his loyalty to the King whereof afterwards he gave a signal testimony For whereas all other Bishops assembled at the Council of Clarendon only assented to the Kings propositions with this limitation Salvo ordine suo this Hilarie absolutely and simply subscribed the same The time of his Consecration as also of his death is very uncertain EDWARD the Third 1 ANDREAS SACKVIL The Family of the Sackvils is as Ancient as any in England taking their Name from Sackvil some will have it Sicca Villa a Town and their Possession in Normandy Before this time we meet with many Eminent Persons of their Name and Ancestry 1 Sir Robert Sackvil Knight younger son of Herbrann de Sackvil was fixed in England and gave the Mannor of Wickham in Suffolk to the Abbey of St. John de Baptist in Colchester about the reign of William Rufus 2 Sir John de Sackvil his son is by Matthew Paris ranked amongst those Persons of Prime Quality who in the reign of King John were Assistants to the five and twenty Peers appointed to see the Liberties of Charta Magna performed 3 Richard de Sackvil as I have cause to beleive his son was one of such Quality that I find Hubertus de Anesty to hold two Fields in Anesty and Little Hormeed of the Honor of Richard Sackvil Now the word Honor since appropriated to Princes Palaces was in that Age attributed to none but the Patrimony of principal Barons 4 Sir Jordan Sackvil Grand-child to the former was taken prisoner at the Battle of Emesham in the Age of King Henry the Third for siding with the Barons against him 5 Andrew his son and heir being under Age at his Fathers death and the Kings Ward was imprisoned in the Castle of Dover Anno the third of Edward the First and afterwards by the special command of the said King did marry Ermyntude an I conceive a Spanish Honourable Lady of the Houshold of Queen Elianor Whereby he gained the Kings favour and the greater part of his formerly forfeited Inheritance I behold this Andrew Sackvil the Sheriff as his son Ancestor to the Truly Honourable Richard now Earl of Dorset Sheriffs Name Place Armes RICH. II.   Anno   1 Will. Percy  Or a Lion Rampant Azure 2 Edw. Fitz-Herbert  Gules 3 Lions Rampant Or. 3 Ioh. de Hadresham   4 Nich. Sleyfeld   5 Will. Percy ut prius  6 Will. Weston  Ermin on a Chief Azu 5 Bezants 7 Will. Waleys   8 Robertus Nutborne   9 Richardus Hurst   10 Thomae Hardin   11 Idem   12 Edw. de ââ¦t Johan  Argent on a Chief Gules 2 Mullets Or. 13 Rob. Atte-Mulle   14 Rob. de Echingham   15 Nicholaus Carew Beddingtâ⦠Surrey Or 3 Lions Passant-gardant Sable armed and langued Gules 16 Thomae Jardin  Â
he was successively preferred by King Charles the first Bishop of Hereford and London and for some years Lord Treasurer of England A troublesome place in those times it being expected that he should make much Brick though not altogether without yet with very little Straw allowed unto him Large then the Expences Low the Revenues of the Exchequer Yet those Coffers which he found Empty he left Filling and had left Full had Peace been preserved in the Land and he continued in his Place Such the mildness of his temper that Petitioners for Money when it was not to be had departed well pleased with his denialls they were so civilly Languaged It may justly seem a wonder that whereas few spake well of Bishops at that time and Lord Treasurers at all times are liable to the Complaints of discontented people though both Offices met in this man yet with Demetrius he was well reported of all men and of the truth it self He lived to see much shame and contempt undeservedly poured on his Function and all the while possessed his own soul in patience He beheld those of his Order to lose their votes in Parliament and their insulting enemies hence concluded Loss of speech being a sad Symptom of approching Death that their Final extirpation would follow whose own experience at this day giveth the Lie to their malicious Collection Nor was it the least part of this Prelates Honour that amongst the many worthy Bishops of our Land King Charles the first selected him for his Confessor at his Martyrdome He formerly had had experience in the case of the Earl of Strafford that this Bishops Conscience was bottom'd on Piety not Policy the reason that from him he received the Sacrament good Comfort and Counsell just before he was Murdered I say just before that Royal Martyr was Murdered a Fact so foul that it alone may confute the errour of the Pelagians maintaining that all Sin cometh by imitaââ¦ion the Universe not formerly affording such a Precedent as if those Regicides had purposely designed to disprove the Observation of Solomon that there is No new thing under the Sun King Charles the second Anno Domini 1660. preferred him Arch-bishop of Canterbury which place he worthily graceth at the writing hereof Feb. 1. 1660. ACCEPTUS FRUIN D. D. was born at in this County bred Fellow of Magdalen-colledge in Oxford and afterwards became President thereof and after some mediate preferments was by King Charles the first advanced Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield and since by King Charles the second made Arch-bishop of York But the matter whereof Porcellane or China dishes are made must be ripened many years in the earth before it comes to full perfection The Living are not the proper objects of the Historians Pen who may be misinterpreted to flatter even when he falls short of their due Commendation the Reason why I adde no more in the praise of this worthy Prelate As to the Nativities of Arch-bishops one may say of this County many Shires have done worthily but SUSSEX surmounteth them all having bred Five Archbishops of Canterbury and at this instant claiming for her Natives the two Metropolitans of our Nation States-men THOMAS SACKVILL son and heir to Sir Richard Sackvill Chancellour and Sub-Treasurer of the Exchequer and Privy-Counsellour to Queen Elizabeth by Winifred his wife daughter to Sir John Bruges was bred in the University of Oxford where he became an excellent Poet leaving both Latine and English Poems of his composing to posterity Then studied he law in the Temple and took the degree of Barrister afterward he travelled into forraign parts detained for a time a prisoner in Rome whence his liberty was procured for his return into England to possess the vast Inheritance left him by his father whereof in short time by his magnificent prodigality he spent the greatest part till he seasonably began to spare growing neer to the bottom of his Estate The story goes that this young Gentleman coming to an Alderman of London who had gained great Pennyworths by his former purchases of him was made being now in the Wane of his Wealth to wait the coming down of the Alderman so long that his generous humour being sensible of the incivility of such attendance resolved to be no more beholding to Wealthy pride and presently turned a thrifty improver of the remainder of his Estate If this be true I could wish that all Aldermen would State it on the like occasion on condition their noble debtors would but make so good use thereof But others make him the Convert of Queen Elizabeth his Cosin german once removed who by her frequent admonitions diverted the torrent of his profusion Indeed she would not know him till he began to know himself and then heaped places of honour and trust upon him creating him 1. Baron of Buckhurst in this County the reason why we have placed him therein Anno Dom. 1566. 2. Sending him Ambassadour into France Anno 1571. into the Low-countries Anno 1586. 3. Making him Knight of the Order of the Garter Anno 1589. 4. Appointing him Treasurer of England 1599. He was Chancellour of the University of Oxford where he entertained Q. Elizabeth with a most sumptuous feast His elocution was good but inditing better and therefore no wonder if his Secretaries could not please him being a person of so quick dispatch faculties which yet run in the bloud He took a Roll of the names of all Suitors with the date of their first addresses and these in order had their hearing so that a fresh-man could not leap over the head of his senior except in urgent affairs of State Thus having made amends to his house for his mis-spent time both in increase of Estate and Honour being created Earl of Dorset by King James he died on the 19. of April 1608. Capitall Judges Sir JOHN JEFFRY Knight was born in this County as I have been informed It confirmeth me herein because he left a fair Estate in this Shire Judges genebuilding their Nest neer the place where they were Hatched which descended to his Daughter He so profited in the study of our Municipall-Law that he was preferred Secondary Judge of the Common-pleas and thence advanced by Queen Elizabeth in Michaelmas Terme the nineteenth of her Reign to be Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer which place he discharged for the Terme of two years to his great commendation He left one only Daughter and Heir married to Sir Edward Mountague since Baron of Boughton by whom he had but one Daughter Elizabeth married to Robert Barty Earl of Linsey Mother to the truly Honorable Mountague Earl of Linsey and Lord Great Chamberlain of England This worthy Judge died in the 21. of Queen Elizabââ¦h Souldiers The ABBOT of BATTLE He is a pregnant Proof that one may leave no Name and yet a good Memory behind him His Christian or Surname cannot be recovered out of our Chronicles which hitherto
1. William 2. Guy 3. Thomas 4. Thomas 5. Richard 6. Henry Such a series there was of successive undauntedness in that noble Family But if a better may be allowed amongst the best and a bolder amongst the boldest I conceive that Thomas the first of that name gave the chief occasion to this Proverbe of whom we read it thus reported in our Chronicles At Hogges in Normandy in the year of our Lord 1346. being there in safety arrived with Edward the third this Thomas leaping over ship-board was the first man who went on land seconded by one Esquire and six Archers being mounted on a silly Palfray which the suddain accident of the business first offered to hand with this company he did fight against one hundred armed men and in hostile manner overthrew every one which withstood him and so at one shock with his seven assistants he slew sixty Normans removed all resistance and gave means to the whole fleet to land the Army in safety The Heirs-male off this name are long since extinct though some deriving themselves from the Heirs-generall are extant at this day The Bear wants a Tail and cannot be a Lion Nature hath cut off the Tail of the Bear close at the Rump which is very strong and long in a Lion for a great part of the Lions strength consists in his Tail wherewith when Angry he useth to Flap and Beat himself to raise his Rage therewith to the Height so to render himself more Fierce and Furious If any ask why this Proverbe is placed in Warwick-shire Let them take the Ensuing Story for their satisfaction Robert Dudley Earl of Leiceââ¦er derived his Pedegree from the ancient Earls of Warwick on which Title he gave their Crest the Bear and Ragged Staffe and when he was Governour of the Low Countries with the high Title of his Excellency disusing his Own Coat of the Green-Lion with Two Tails he signed all Instruments with the Crest of the Bear and Ragged Staffe He was then suspected by many of his jealous adversaries to hatch an Ambitious design to make himself absolute Commander as the Lion is King of Beasts over the Low-Countries Whereupon some Foes to his faction and Friends to the Dutch-freedome wrote undeâ⦠his Crest set up in Publick places Ursa caret cauda non queat esse Leo. The Bear he never can prevail To Lion it for lack of Tail Nor is Uââ¦sa in the feminine meerly placed to make the Verse But because Naturalists observe in Bears that the Female is always the strongest This Proverb is applyed to such who not content with their Condition aspire to what is above their worth to deserve or Power to atchive He is true Coventry-blew It seems the best blews so well fixed as not to fade are died in Coventry It is applied to such an one who is fidus Achates a fast and faithfull friend to those that employ him Opposite hereunto is the Greek Proverb ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Ignavi vertitur color A Coward will change colour either for fear or falsehood when deserting those who placed confidence in him As for those who apply this Proverb to persons so habited in wickedness as past hope of amendment under favour I conceive it a secondary and but abusive sense thereof Princes ANNE NEVILL Daughter and Co heir to Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick was most probââ¦bly born in Warwick-castle She was afterward married with a great portion and inheritance to Edward Prince of Wales sole Son to King Henry the sixth A Prince neither dying of Disease nor slain in Battle nor executed by Justice but barbarously butchered by Richard Duke of Gloucester Was it not then a daring piece of Court-ship in him who had murthered her husband to make love unto her in way of marriage and was not his success strange in obtaining her having no ãâã to commend his person to her affection O the Impotency of the weaker sex to resist the battery of a Princely Suitor who afterward became King by his own ambition however her life with him proved neither long nor fortunate It happened that there was the muttering of a marriage between Henry Earl of Richmond and Elizabeth eldest Daughter to Edward the fourth so to unite the houses of Lancaster and York To prevent this King Richard the third intended to marry the Lady himself so methodicall he was in breaking the Commandements of the second Table First Honour thy Father and Mother when he procured his Mother to be proclaimed a harlot by a Preacher at Pauls Cross. Secondly Thou shalt not kill when he murthered his Nephews Thirdly Thou shalt not Commit adultery being now in pursuit of an incestuous Copulation Say not that this match would nothing confirme his title seeing formerly he had pronunced all the Issue of King Edward the fourth as Illegitimate for first that designe was rather indevoured then effected most men remaining notwithstanding this bastardizing attempt well satisfied in the rightfulness of their extraction Secondly they should or should not be Bastards as it made for his present advantage Tyrants always driving that nail which will goe though it go cross to those which they have driven before Lastly if it did not help him it would hinder the Earl of Richmond which made that Usurper half wild till he was wedded But one thing withstood his desires this Anne his Queen was still alive though daily quarrelled at and complained of her son being lately dead for barren and O what a loss would it be to nature it self should her husband dye without an heir unto his vertues Well this Lady understanding that she was a burthen to her husband for grief soon became a burthen to herself and wasted away on a suddain Some think she went her own pace to the grave while others suspect a grain was given her to quicken her in her journy to her long home Which happened Anno Dom. 1484. EDWARD PLANTAGââ¦NET Son to George Duke of Clarence may passe for a Prince because the last Male-heir of that Royal Family Yea some of his Foes feared and more of his Friends desired that he might be King of England His Mother was Isabel Eldest Daughter to Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick And he was born in Warwick-castle As his Age increased so the Jealousie of the Kings of England on him did increase being kept Close Prisoner by King Edward the fourth Closer by King Richard the third and Closest by King Henry the seventh This last being of a New Linage and Sirname knew full well how this Nation hankered after the Name of Plantagenet which as it did out-syllable Tuthar in the Mouths so did it out-vie it in the Affections of the English Hence was it that the Earl was kept in so strict Restraint which made him very weak in his Intellectuals and no wonder being so sequestred from human converse It happened a marriage was now in debate betwixt Prince Arthur and Katherine Daughter to Ferdinand King of
King Edward the second regaining his Good will by the intercession of Arch-bishop Mepham and being a Subject not to the Prosperity but person of his Prince he forsooke him not in his greatest Extremity This cost him the Displeasure of the Queen Mother and King Edward the third till at last Converted by his Constancy they turned their frowns into smiles upon him When Arch-bishop of Canterbury he perswaded King Edward the third to invade France promising to supply him with competent provisions for the purpose A promise not so proportionable to his Archiepiscopal Capacity as to him as he had been twice Treasurer of England and skilfull in the collecting and advancing of money so that he furnished the King with great sums at his first setting forth for France These being spent before the year ended the King sends over for a supply Stratford instead of Coin returns Counsell advising him to alter his Officers otherwise if so much was spent at a Breakfast the whole wealth of the land would not suffice him for Dinner Over comes the angry King from whose fury Stratford was forc'd to conceal himself untill publickly passing his purgation in Parliament he was restored to the reputation of his Innocence and rectified in the Kings esteem He built and bountifully endowed a Beautifull Colledge in the Town of his Nativity and having set Archbishop fifteen years dyed Anno 1348. leaving a perfumed memory behind him for his Bounty to his Servants Charity to the Poor Meekness and Moderation to all persons RALPH STRATFORD kinsman to the foresaid Arch-bishop was born in the Town of Stratford on Avon where he built a Chappel to the honour of Saint Thomas He was first Cannon of Saint Pauls and afterwards May 12. 1339. was consecrated at Canterbury Bishop of London During his sitting in that See there happened so grievous a Pestilence in London that hardly the Tenth Person in some places did escape Then each Church-yard was indeed a Polyandrum so that the Dead might seem to Justle one another for room therein Yea the Dead did kill the Living so shallowly were their heaped Corps interred Whereupon this Bishop Charitably bought a Piece of Ground nigh Smithfield It was called No Mans-Land not à parte Ante as formerly without an Owner seeing it had a Proprictary of whom it was legally purchased but de futuro none having a particular interest therein though indeed it was All-Mens-Land as designed and consecrated for the Generall Sepulture of the Deceased This Bishop having continued about 14. years in his See he died at Stepney 1355. ROBERT STRATFORD brother to the Arch-bishop aforesaid was in the reign of King Edward the third made Bishop of Chichester He was at the same time Chancellour of Oxford wherein he was bred and of all England Honorable Offices which sometimes have met in the same Person though never more deservedly then in the Present Enjoyer of them both In his time there was a tough contest betwixt the South and Northern-men in that University They fell from their Pens to their Hands using the contracted fist of Marââ¦ial Logick bloody blows passing betwixt them Th s Bishop did wisely and fortunately bestirre himself an Arbitrator in this Controversy being a proper Person for such a performance born in this County in the very Navil of England so that his Nativity was a Naturall Expedient betwixt them and his Judgement was unpartiall in compremising the difference He was accused to the King for favouring the French with his Brother Archbishop contented patiently to attend till Pregnant Time was delivered of Truth her Daughter and then this Brace of Prelates appeared Brethren in Integrity He died at Allingbourn April 9. 1362. JOHN VESTY alias HARMAN Doctor of Law was born at Sutton Colefield in this County bred in Oxford A most vivacious person if the Date of these Remarks be seriously considered 1. In the twentieth year of King Henry the sixth he was appointed to celebrate the Divine-service in the Free-Chappell of Saint Blase of Sutton aforesaid 2. In the twentie third year of Henry the seventh he was made Vicar of Saint Michaells Church in Coventry 3. Under K. Henry the eighth he was made Dean of the Chappell Royall Tutor to the Lady Mary and President of Wales 4. In the Eleventh of K. Henry the eighth 1519. he was advanced to be Bishop of Exeter Which Bishoprick he destroyed not onely shaving the Hairs with long leases but cutting away the limbs with sales outright in so much that Bishop Hall his successor in that See complaineth in print that the following Bishops were Barons but Bare-ones indeed Some have Confidently affirmed in my hearing that the word to Veize that is in the West to drive away with a Witness had its Originall from his Profligating of the lands of his Bishoprick but I yet demurre to the truth thereof He robbed his own Cathedrall to pay a Parish Church Sutton in this County where he was born wheron he bestowed many Benefactions and built fifty one houses To inrich this his Native Town he brought out of Devonshire many Clothiers with Desire and Hope to fix the Manufacture of Cloathing there All in vaine for as Bishop Godwin observeth Non omnis fert omnia tellus Which though true conjunctively that all Countrys put together bring forth all things to be Mutually bartered by a Reciprocation of Trade is false disjunctively no one place affording all Commodities so that the Cloath-workers here had their pains for their labour and sold for their lost It seems though he brought out of Devon-shire the Fiddle and Fiddlestick he brought not the Rosen therewith to make Good Musick and every Country is innated with a Peculiar Genius and is left handed to those trades which are against their Inclinations He quitted his Bishoprick not worth keeping in the reign of King Edward the sixth and no wonder he resumed it not in the reign of Queen Mary the Bone not being worth the taking the Marrow being knocked out before He died being 103. years old in the reign of Q. Mary and was buried in his Native Town with his Statue Mitred and Vested Since the Reformation JOHN BIRD was born in the City of Coventry bred a Carmelite at Oxford and became afterwards the 31. the head-game and last Provinciall of his Order He Preached some smart Sermons before King Henry the eighth against the Primacy of the Pope for which he was preferred saith Bishop Godwin to be successively Bishop of Ossery in Ireland Bangor in Wales and Chester in England To the two last we concur but dissent to the former because John Bale contemporary with this John Bird and also Bishop of Ossery who therefore must be presumed skilfull in his Predecessors in that See nameth him not Bishop of Ossery but Episcopum Pennecensem in Hiberniâ the same Bale saith of him Audivi eum ad Papismi vomitum reversum I have heard that in the reign of Queen Mââ¦ry he returned to
may conquer the corruptions of their Nature If Fââ¦rca in no unusuall sence be taken for the Cross by the vertue of Christs sufferings thereon a man may so repell Nature that it shall not recoile to his destruction Princes KATHARINE PAR daughter of Sir Thomas Par was born at Kendall-castle in this County then the prime seat of that though no parliamentary Barony devolved to her father by inheritance from the Bruses and Rosses of Werk She was first married unto John Nevile Lord Latimer and afterwards to K. Henry the eighth This King first married half a maid no less can be allowed to the Lady Katharine the Relict of Prince Arthur and then he married four maids successively of the two last he complained charging the one with impotency the other with inconstancy and being a free man again resolved to wed a Widow who had given testimony of her fidelity to a former husband This Lady was a great favourer of the Gospell and would earnestly argue for it sometimes speaking more then her husband would willingly hear of Once politick Gardiner who spar'd all the Weeds spoil'd the good Flowers and Herbs had almost got her into his clutches had not divine Providence delivered her Yet a Jesuite tells us that the King intended if longer surviving to behead her for an Heretick to whom all that I will return is this that he was neither Confessour nor Privy-Counââ¦ellour to King Henry the eighth This Queen was afterward married to Thomas Seymer Baron of Sudeley and Lord Admiral and died in child-bed of a daughter Anno Domini 1548. her second husband surviving her This makes me the more admire at the great mistake of Thomas Mills otherwise most industrious and judicious in genealogies making this Lady married the third time unto Edward Burgh eldest son unto Thomas Lord Burgh without any shew of probability Cardinals CHRISTOPHER BAMBRIDGE born near Apleby in this County was bred Doctor of Law in Queens-colledge in Oxford He was afterwards Dean of York Bishop of Durham and at last Arch-bishop of York Being imployed an Embasadour to Rome he was an active instrument to procure our King Henry the eight to take part with the Pope against Lewis King of France for which good service he was created Cardinal of Saint Praxis A title some say he long desired let me adde and little injoyed For falling out with his Steward Rivaldus de Modena an Italian and fustigating him for his faults the angry Italian Poysoned him Herein something may be pleaded for this Cardinal out of the Old sure I am more must be pleaded against him out of the New Testament if the places be Parallell'd Proverbs 29. 19. 1 Timothy 3. 3. A servant will not be corrected by words c. A Bishop must be no striker c. But grant him greatly faulty it were uncharitable in us to beat his Memory with more stripes who did then suffer so much for his own Indiscretion His death happened July 14. 1511 and was buried at Rome not in the Church of Saint Praxis which entitled him but in the Hospitall of the English Prelats THOMAS VIPONT was descended of those Ancient Barons who were Hereditary Lords of this County Surely either his Merit was very great or Might very prevalent advantaged by his near and potent Relations That the Canons of Carlile stuck so stiffly to their electing their Bishop when King Henry the third with so much importunity commended John Prior of Newbury unto them This Thomas injoyed his place but one year the onely reason as I conceive that no more is reported of him He died Anno Dom. 1256. JOHN de KIRKBY born at one of the two Kirkbies Landsdale or Stephens in this County was first Canon and afterwards Bishop of Carlile Anno 1332. This is that Stout Prelate who when the Scots invaded England Anno 1345. with an Army of thirty thousand under the conduct of William Douglas and had taken and burnt Carlile with the Country thereabouts I say this John Kirkby was he who with the assistance of Thomas Lucy Robert Ogle persons of prime power in those Parts fighting in an advantagious place utterly routed and ruined them Such as behold this Act with envious eyes cavelling that he was non-resident from his Calling when he turned his Miter into an Helmet Crosier-staffe into a Sword consider not that true Maxim In Publicos hostes omnis home miles and the most consciencious Casuists who forbid Clergy-men to be Military Plaintiffs allow them to be defendants He died Anno Dom. 1353. THOMAS de APPLEBY born in that Eminent Town in this County where the Assises commonly are kept was legally chosen Bishop of Carlile by all that had right in that Election Yet he was either so Timerous or the Pope so Tyrannicall or both that he durst not own the choice with his publique consent untill he had first obtained his Confirmation from the Court of Rome He was Consecrated Anno Dom. 1363. and having set 33. years in that See deceased Decemb 5. 1395. ROGER de APPLEBY went over into Ireland and there became Prior of Saint Peters near Trimme formerly founded by Simon de rupe forti Bishop of Meath hence by the Pope he was preferred Bishop of Ossory in the same Kingdome He died Anno Dom. 1404. WILLIAM of STRICKLAND descended of a Right Worshishful Family in this County Anno 1396. by joynt consent of the Cannons chosen Bishop of Carlile However by the concurrence of the Pope and K. Richard the second one Robert Read was preferred to the Place which injury and affront Strickland bare with much moderation Now it happened that Read was removed to Chichester and Thomas Mââ¦x his successor translated to a Grecian Bishoprick that Strickland was Elected again Patience gains the Goal with Long-running and Consecrated Bishop of Carlile Anno 1400. For the Town of Perith in Cumberland he cut a pââ¦ssage with great Art Industry and Expence from the Town into the river Petterill for the conveiance of Boatage into the Irish sea He sate Bishop 19. years and died Anno Dom. 1419. NICHOLAS CLOSE was born at Bibreke in this County was One of the Six Original Fellows whom K. Henry the sixth placed in his new erected Colledge of Kings-colledge in Cambridge Yea he made him in a manner Master of the Fabrick committing the building of that house to his Fidelity who right honestly discharged his trust therein He was first Bishop of Carlile then of Leichfield where he died within a year after his Consecration viz. Anno Dom. 1453. Since the Reformation HUGH COREN or CURWEN was born in this County and made by Queen Mary Archbishop of Dublin Brown his immediate Predecessor being deprived for that he was married Here it is worthy of our observation that though many of the Protestant Clergy in that Land were imprisoned and otherwise much molested yet no one Person of what quality soever in all Ireland did suffer
Rayes they report he hung his Veââ¦ment which miraculously supported it to the great admiration of the beholders Coming to Rome to be Consecrated Bishop of Sherburn he reproved Pope Sergius his fatherhood for being a father indeed to a Base Child then newly born And returning home he lived in great Esteem untill the day of his death which happened Anno Dom. 709. His Corps being brought to Malmesbury were there Inshrined and had in great Veneration who having his longest abode whilst living and last when dead in this County is probably presumed a Native thereof EDITH Naturall daughter of King Edger by the Lady Wolfhild was Abbess of Wilton wherein she demeaned her self with such Devotion that her Memory obtained the reputation of Saint-ship And yet an Author telleth us that being more curious in her attire then beseemed her profession Bishop Ethelwold sharply reproved her who answered him roundly That God regarded the Heart more then the Garment and that Sins might be covered as well under Rags as Robes One reporteth that after the slaughter of her brother Edward holy Dunstan had a design to make her Queen of England the Vail of her head it seems would not hinder the Crown so to defeat Ethelred the lawfull Heir had she not declined the proffer partly on Pious partly Politick diswasions She died Anno Dom. 984. and is buried in the Church of Dioness at Wilton of her own building she is commonly called Saint Edith the younger to distinguish her from Saint Edith her Aunt of whom before Martyrs It plainly appeareth that about the year of our Lord 1503. there was a persecution of Protestants give me leave so to Antedate their name in this County under Edmund Audley Bishop of Salisbury as by computation of time will appear Yet I find but one man Richard Smart by name the more remarkable because but once and that scentingly mentioned by Mr. Fox burnt at Salisbury for reading a book called Wicliffs Wicket to one Thomas Stillman afterwards burnt in Smithfield But under cruel Bishop Capon Wiltshire afforded these Marian Martyrs Name Vocation Residence Martyred in Anno John Spicer Free-Mason    William Coberly Taylor Kevel Salisbury 1556 Apr. John Maundrell Husbandman    Confessors Name Vocation Residence Persecuted in Anno John Hunt Husbandman Marleborough Salisbury 1558 Richard White Husbandman    These both being condemned to die were little less then miraculously preserved as will appear hereafter ALICE COBERLY must not be omitted wife to William Coberly forenamed charitably presuming on her repentance though she failed in her Constancy on this occasion The Jaylors wife of Salisbury heating a key fire hot and laying it in the grasse spake to this Alice to bring it in to her in doing whereof she pitiously burnt her hand and cryed out thereat O said the other if thou canst not abide the burning of a key how wilt thou indure thy whole body to be burnt at the stake Whereat the said Alice revoked her opinion I can neither excuse the Cruelty of the one though surely doing it not out of a Persecuting but Carnall preserving intention nor the Cowardliness of the other For she might have hoped that her whole body encountering the flame with a Christian resolution and confidence of Divine support in the Testimony of the truth would have found lesse pain then her hand felt from the suddain surprize of the fire wherein the unexpectedness added if not to the pain to the fright thereof This sure I am that some condemn her shrinking for a burnt hand who would have done so themselves for a scratched finger Cardinals WALTER WINTERBURN was born at Sarisbury in this County and bred a Dominican-fryer He was an excellent Scholar in all Studies suitable to his age when a Youth a good Poet and Orator when a Man an acute Philosopher Aristotelicarum doctrinarum heluo saith he who otherwise scarce giveth him a good word when an Old-man a deep Controvertial Divine and Skilfull Casuist a quality which commended him to be Confessor to King Edward the first Now news being brought to Pope Benedict the eleventh that William Maklesfield Provincial of the Dominicans and designed Cardinall of Saint Sabin was dead and buried at London before his Cap could be brought to him he appointed this Walter to be heir to his Honour The worst is as Medlers are never ripe till they are rotten so few are thought fit to be Cardinals but such as are extreamly in years Maklesfield had all his body buried and our Winterburn had one foot in the grave being seventy nine years of age before he was summoned to that dignity However over he went with all hast into Italy and though coming thither too late to have a sight of Pope Benedict the eleventh came soon enough to give a suffrage at the choice of Clement the fift This Walter his Cardinals Cap was never a whit the worse for wearing enjoying it but a year In his return home he died and was buried at Genua but afterwards his Corps were brought over and Re-interred most solemnly in London Anno 1305. ROBERT HALAM was saith my Author Regio sanguine Angliae natus born of the bloud Royal of England though how or which way he doth not acquaint us But we envy not his high Extraction whilst it seems accompanied with other Eminences He was bred in Oxford and afterwards became Chancelour thereof 1403. From being Arch-deacon of Canterbury he was preferred Bishop of Salisbury On the sixt of June 1411. he was made Cardinal though his particular title is not expressed It argueth his Abilities that he was one of them who was sent to represent the English Clergy both in the Council of Pisa and Constance in which last service he dyed Anno Dom. 1417. in Gotleby Castle Prelates JOANNES SARISBURIENSIS was born at and so named from old Sarum in this County though I have heard of some of the Salisburies in Denby shire who Essay to assert him to their Family as who would not recover so eminent a person Leland saith that he seeth in him Omnem ãâã Orbem all the World or if you will the whole Circle of Learning Bale saith that he was one of the first who since Theodorus Arch-bishop of Canterbury living five hundred years before him oh the ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã of Barbarisme in England indeavoured to restore the learned languages to their Originall Purity being a good Latinist Grecian Musician Mathematician Philosopher Divine and what not What learning he could not find at home he did fetch from abroad travelling into France and Italy companion to T. Becket in his Exile but no partner in his protervity against his Prince for which he sharply reproved him He was highly in favour with Pope Eugenius the third and Adrian the fourth and yet no author in that age hath so pungent passages against the Pride and Covetousness of the Court
of Rome Take a tast of them Joannes Sarisburiensis in Polycratico Sedent in Ecclesia Romana Scribae Pharisaei ponentes onera importabilia in humeros hominum Ita debacchantur ejus Legati ac si ad Ecclesiam flagellandam egressus sit Satan a facie Domini Peccata populi comedunt eis vestiuntur in iis multipliciter luxuriantur dum veri adoratores in Spiritu adorant Patreâ⦠Qui ab eorum dissentit Doctrina aut Haereticus judicatur aut ãâã Manifestet ergo seipsum Christus palà m faciat viam quá nobis est incedendum Scribes and Pharisees sit in the Church of Rome putting unbearable burthens on mens backs His Legates do so swagger 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 whilst the true worshipers worship the Father in Spirit who so dissent from their Doctrine are condemned for Hereticks or Schismaticks Christ therefore will manifest himself and make the way plain wherein we must walk How doth our Author Luther it before Luther against their errors and vices the more secure for the generall opinion men had of his person all holding our John to be though no Prophet a Pious man King Henry the second made him Bishop of Chartres in France where he died 1182. RICHARD POOR Dean of Sarisbury was first Bishop of Chichester then of Sarisbury or Old Sarum rather He found his Cathedrall most inconveniently seated for want of water and other necessaries and therefore removed it a mile off to a place called Merry-field for the pleasant situation thereof since Sarisbury Where he laid the foundation of that Stately Structure which he lived not here to finish Now as the place whence he came was so dry that as Malmsbury saith miserabili commercio ibi aqua vaeneat by sad chaffer they were fain to give money for water so he removed to one so low and moist men sometimes upon my own knowledge would give money to be rid of the water I observe this for no other end but to show that all humane happiness notwithstanding often exchange of places will still be an Heteroclite and either have too much or too little for our contentment This Poor was afterwards removed to the Bishoprick of Durham and lived there in great esteem Mat. Paris characterizing him eximiae sanctitatis profundae scientiae virum His dissolution in a most pious and peaceable manner happened April 5. Anno Domini 1237. His Corps by his Will were brought and buried at Tarrent in Dorsetshire in a Nunnery of his own founding and some of his Name and probably Alliance are still extant in this County WILLIAM EDENDON was born at Edendon in this County bred in Oxford and advanced by King Edward the third to be Bishop of Winchester and Lord Treasurer of England During his managing of that Office he caused new coines unknown before to be made groats and half-groats both readier for change and fitter for charity But the worst was imminuto nonnihil pondere the weight was somewhat abated If any say this was an un-episcopal act know he did it not as Bishop but as Lord Treasurer the King his Master having all the profit thereby Yea succeeding Princes following this patern have sub-diminished their coin ever since Hence is it that our Nobility cannot maintain the port of their Ancestors with the same revenues because so many pounds are not so many pounds though the same in noise and number not the same in intrinsecal valuation He was afterward made Lord Chancellor and erected a stately Convent for Bonhomes at Edendon in this County the place of his Nativity valued at the Dissolution per annum at five hundred twenty one pounds twelve shillings five pence half penny Some condemn him for robbing Saint Peter to whom with Saint Swithin Winchester-Church was dedicated to pay all Saints collectively to whom Edendon-Covent was consecrated suffering his Episcopal Palaces to decay and drop down whilst he raised up his new foundation This he dearly payed for after his death when his Executors were sued for dilapidations by his successour William Wickham an excellent Architect and therefore well knowing how to proportion his charges for reparations who recovered of them one thousand six hundred sixty two pounds ten shillings a vast sum in that Age though paid in the lighter groats and half-groats Besides this his Executors were forced to make good the standing-stock of the Bishoprick which in his time was empaired viz. Oxen 1556. Weathers 4717. Ewes 3521. Lambes 3521. Swine 127. This Edendon sat in his Bishoprick twenty one years and dying 1366. lyeth buried on the South-side in the passage to the Quire having a fair Monument of Alabaster but an Epitaph of course stone I mean so barbarous that it is not worth the inserting RICHARD MAYO alias MAYHOWE was born nigh Hungerford in this County of good parentage whose Sur-name and Kindred was extinct in the last generation when the Heirs-general thereof were married into the Families of Montpesson and Grove He was first admitted in New-colledge and thence removed to Magdalens in Oxford where he became President thereof 27. years It argueth his abilities to any indifferent apprehension that so knowing a Prince as Henry the seventh amongst such plenty of Eminent Persons elected and sent him into Spain Anno 1501. to bring over the Lady Katharine to be married to Prince Arthur which he performed with all fidelity though the heavens might rather seem to Laugh at then Smile on that unfortunate marrying After his return he was rewarded with the Bishoprick of Hereford and having sat 11. years therein dyed 1516 and lyeth buried in his Church on the South-side of the high Altar under a Magnificent Monument Since the Reformation JOHN THORNEBOROUGH B. D. was born as I am credibly informed in the City of Salisbury bred in Magdalen-colledge in Oxford He did ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and his Goodly Presence made him more acceptable to Queen Elizabeth preferring him Dean of York and Bishop of Lymbrick in Ireland where he received a most remarkable deliverance in manner as follweth Lying in an Old Castle in Ireland in a large room partitioned but with Sheets or Curtaines his Wife Children and Servants in effect an whole Family In the dead time of the night the floor over head being Earth and Plaister as in many places is used over-charged with weight fell wholly down together and crushing all to pieces that was above two foot high as Cupboards Tables Formes Stools rested at last on certain Chests as God would have it and hurt no living Creature In the first of King James 1603. he was consecrated Bishop of Bristoll and held his Deanery an Irish Bishoprick in commendam with it and from thence was translated to Worchester I have heard his skill in Chimistry much commended and he presented a
School Thus Dunces poring looks Menâ⦠not themselves but onely marre their Bnoks How vast the difference 'twixt wise and fool The Master makes the Scholar not the School 6. With rich conditions ROME did You invite To purchase You their ROYALL PROSELYTE An emptysoul's soon tempted with full Coffers Whilst You with sacred scorn refus'd their proffers And for the FAITH did earnestly CONTEND Abroad which now You do at Home DEFEND 7. Amidst all Storms Calm to Your Self the while Saddest Afflictions You did teach to smile Some faces best become a Mourning Dress And such Your Patience which did grace Distress Whose Soul despising want of worldly pelf At lowest ebbe went not beneath it Self 8. GOds JUSTICE now no longer could dispence With the Abusing of His PROVIDENCE To hear SUCCESSE his APPROBATION styl'd And see the Bastard brought against the Child SCRIPTURE by such who in their own excuse Their Actings 'gainst His Writings did produce 9. The Pillar which Gods people did attend To them in night a constant Light did lend Though Dark unto th' Egyptians behind Such was brave MONCK in his reserved mind A Riddle to his Foes ââ¦e did appear But to YOU and Himselfe Sense plain and clear 10. By Means unlikely God atchives his End And crooked ways straight to his Honour tend The great and antient Gates of LONDON Town No Gates no City now are voted down And down were cast O happy day for all Do date our hopefull rising from their fall 11. Mens loyal Thoughts conceiv'd their Time was good But Gods was best Without one drop of Bloud By a dry Conquest without forraign hand Self-hurt and now Self-healed is Our Land This silent Turn did make no noise O strange Few saw the changing all behold the Change 12. So Solomon most wisely did conceive His Temple should be STIL BORN though ALIVE That stately Structure started from the ground Unto the Roof not guilty of the sound Of Iron Tool all noise therein debarr'd This Virgin-Temple thus was sââ¦en not heard 13. TH' impatient Land did for Your presence long England in swarms did into Holland throng To bring Your Highness home by th' Parliament Lords Commons Citizens Divines were ââ¦ent Such honour Subjects never had before Such honour Subjects never shall have more 14. Th' officious Wind to serve You did not fail But scour'd from West to East to fill Your Sail And fearing that his Breath might be too rough Prov'd over-civil and was scarce enough Almost You were becalm'd amidst the Main Prognostick of Your perfect peacefull Raign 15. Your Narrow Seas for Forraigners do wrong To claim them surely doth the Ditch belong Not to the common Continent but Isle Inclosed did on You their Owner smile Not the least loss onely the NASEBY mar'ls To see her-self now drowned in the CHARLES 16. You land at Dover shoals of People come And KENT alone now ââ¦eems all CHRISTEN DOM. The Cornish Rebels eight score Summers since At BLACK-HEATH fought against their lawful Prince Which dolefull place with hatefull Treason stain'd Its Credit now by Loyalty regain'd 17. Great LONDON the last station You did make You took not it but LONDON You did take And now no wonder Men did silence break When Conduits did both French and Spanish speak Now at WHITE-HALL the Guard which You attends Keeps out Your Foes God keep You from Your Friends 18. THe Bells aloud did ring for joy they felt Hereafter Sacriledge shall not them melt And round about the Streets the Bonfires blaz'd With which NEW LIGHTS Fanatiques were amaz'd The brandisht Swords this Boon begg'd before Death Once to be ãâã then buried in the Sheath 19. The Spaniard looking with a serious Eye Was forc'd to trespass on his Gravity Close to conceal his wondring he desir'd But all in vain who openly admir'd The French who thought the English mad in mind Now fear too soon they may them Sober find 20. The Germans seeing this Your sudden Power Freely confess'd another Emperour The joyful Dane to Heav'ns cast up his Eyes Presuming suffering Kings will ââ¦ympathize The Hollanders first in a sad suspence Hop'd that Your Merty was their Innocence 21. LOng live Our Gracious CHARLES Second to none In Honour who ere sate upon the Throne Be You above Your Ancestors renown'd Whose Goodness wisely doth Your Greatness bound And knowing that You may be What You would Are pleased to be onely What You should 22. EUROP's Great ARBITRATOR in Your choice Is plac'd of Christendom the CASTING VOICE Hold You the Scales in Your Judicious Hand And when the equal Beam shall doubtfull stand As You are pleased to dispose one Grain So falls or riseth either France or Spain 23. As Sheba's Queen defective Fame accââ¦s'd Whose niggardly Relations had abus'd Th' abundant worth of Solomon and told Not half of what she after did behold The same Your case Fame hath not done You right Our Ears are far out-acted by our Sight 24. Your SELF 's the Ship return'd from forreign Trading England's Your Port Experience the Lading God is the ` Pilot and now richly fraught Unto the Port the Ship is safely brought What 's dear to You is to Your Subjects cheap You sow'd with pain what we with pleasure reap 25. The Good-made Laws by You are now made Good The Prince and Peoples right both understood Both being Bank'd in their respective Station No fear hereafter of an Inundation Oppression the KINGS-EVIL long indur'd By others caus'd by YOU alone is cur'd And here my Muse craves her own nunc dimittis never to make Verses more and because she cannot write on a better will not write on another Occasion but heartily pray in Prose for the happiness of her Lord and Master And now having taken our Vale of verses let us therewith take also our Farewell of Worcester-shire The Farewell I read in a good Author how the State of Lunenburg in Germany whose chief revenues arise from the sale of salt prohibited poor people the benefit thereof Whereupon Divine Providence offended that a Monopoly was made of his mercy stopped the flowing of those Salt-springs for a time till the Poor were restored to their paxtage therein I am not particularly instructed what share the Poor have in the Salt of this Shire not knowing how their interest is stated therein But I presume the concernments of the Poor are well cared for and all things equally ordered betwixt them and Rich-people grounding my confidence on the long and large continuance of the Salt-pits amongst them All I will adde is this I shall pray that they may indeavour for spirituall-soul-savoriness that their speech may be always with grace seasoned As for the Loyal City of Worcester which deserves a particular Farewell by it self I heartily desire that God would be pleased to restore unto it the years which the Locust Caterpillar and Palmer-worm have devoured And how quickly can he doe it as by infinite other ways so by blessing the Clothing the Staple
a spring of a Vitrioline tast and Odour It was discovered by one Master Slingsby about the year 1620. and is conceived to run paralell with the Spaw waters in Germany Not far off is a sulphur-well which hath also the qualities of saltness and bitterness The stench whereof though offensive Patients may hold their nose and take wholesome physick is recompenced by the vertues thereof Insomuch as my Author saith It heateth and quickneth the stomack bowels liver spleen blood veynes nerves and indeed the whole body insomuch that it consumes crudities rectifieth all cold distempers in all parts of the body causeth a good digestion cureth the dropsy spleen scurvy green-sickness gout And here it is high time to hold still for if this last be true let that disease which formerly was called dedecus medicinae be hereafter termed decus fontis Knaresburgensis In the same parish over against the Castle the river Nid running betwixt ariseth a spring which runneth a little way in an entire streame till dammed at the brow of the discent with ragged rocks it is divided into severall trickling branches whereof some drop some streame down partly over partly through a jetting rock this is called the Petrifying well how grammatically I will not engage because it converteth spungy substances into stone or crusteth them over round about We must not forget Saint Mungus his Well which some have slighted as an ineffectuall superstitious relique of Popery whilst others maintain it hath regained its reputation and is of Soveraign vertue Some will have the name thereof mistaken for Saint Magnus which in my opinion was rather so called from Saint Mungo Kentigernus in Latine a Scotish Saint and much honoured in these Northern parts I believe no place in England can shew four springs so near in scituation so distant in operation Such as desire to know more of the nature and use of these springs of the time manner and quantity wherein the Waters are to be taken and how the Patient is to be dieted for his greater advantage may inform themselves by perusing two small Treatise one set forth Anno 1626. by Edmund Dean Doctor of Physick living in York called Spadsacrena Anglica The other written some six years since by John French Doctor of Physick and is very satisfactory on that subject The Buildings The Church of Beverly is much commended for a fine Fabrick and I shall have a more proper occasion to speak hereafter of the Collegiate Church in Rippon but amongst antient Civil Structures we muâ⦠not forget Wreseâ⦠Castle It is sealed in the Confluence of Derwent and Owse In what plight it is now I know not but hear how Leland commendeth it in his Itinerary through this County It is built of square stone which some say was brought out of France it hath four fair Towers one at each corner and a Gatehouse wherein are Chambers five stories high which maketh the fifth In Lelands time it looked as new built though then 100. years old as being erected by the Lord Percy Earl of Winchester in the raign of King Richard the second Without the Walls but within the Mote gardens done Opere Topiario In a word he termeth it one of the properest buildings North of Trent But that which most affected him was a study in an eight square Tower called Paradise furnished with curious and convenient Deskes loaden with variety of choice books but as Noahs floud is generally believed of learned men to have discomposed the Paradise in Eden so I shrewdly suspect that the Deluge of time hath much impaired if not wholly defaced so beautifull a building then belonging to the Earl of Northumberland Amongst many fine and fair Houses now extant in this County we hear the highest commendation of Maulton late the house of the Lord Euers Proverbs From Hell Hull and Halifax deliver us This is part of the Beggars and Vagrants Letany Of these three frightfull things unto them it is to be feared that they least fear the first conceiting it the furthest from them Hull is terrible unto them as a Town of good government where Vagrants meet with Punitive Charity and 't is to be feared are oftner Corrected then Amended Halifax is formidable unto them for the Law thereof whereby Theeves taken ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in the very Act of stealing of cloath are instantly beheaded with an Engine without any further Legal Proceedings A Scarborough warning That is none at all but a sââ¦dain surprize when a mischief is felt before it be suspected This Proverbe is but of 104. years standing taking its Originall from Thomas Stafford who in the raign of Queen Mary Anno 1557. with a small company seized on Scarborough-castle utterly distitute of provision for resistance before the Towns-men had the least notice of his approach However within six days by the industry of the Earl of Westmerland he was taken brought to London and Beheaded So that since the Proverb accepteth a secondary but no genuine sense and a Scarborough-warning may be a Caveat to any how he undertaketh a treacherous design But if any conceive this Proverbe of more antient original fetching it from the custome of Scarborough-castle in former times with which it was not a word and a blow but a blow before and without a word as using to shoot ships which passed by and strook not sail and so warning and harming them both together I can retain mine own without opposing their opinion As true Steel as Rippon Rowels It is said of trusty Persons men of metall faithfull in their imployments Spurs are a principal part of Knightly Hatchments yea a Poet observes The Lands that over Ouze to Barwick forth doe bear Have for their Blazon had the Snaffle Spur and Spear Indeed the best Spurs of England are made at Rippon a famous Town in this County whose rowels may be inforced to strike through a Shilling and will break sooner then bow However the horses in this County are generally so good they prevent the Spurs or answer unto them a good sign of thrifty metall for continuance An Yorkshire * way-Bit That is an Over-plus not accounted in the reckoning which sometime proveth as much as all the rest Ask a Country-man here on the high-way how far it is to such a Town and they commonly return So many miles and a way-bit which way-bit is enough to make the wearied Travailer surfet of the length thereof If such over-measure be allowed to all Yards Bushels c. in ãâã Shire the Poor therein have no cause to complain of their penny-worths in buying any Commodities But hitherto we have run along with common report and false spelling the way not to win the race and now return to the starting place again It is not Way-bit though generally so pronounced but Wee-bit a pure Yorkshirisme which is a small bit in the Northern Language Merry Wakefield What peculiar cause of mirth this Town hath above others I doe
not know and dare not too curiously inquire left I turn their mirth among themselves into anger against me Sure it is seated in a fruitful soyl and cheap Country and where good chear and company are the Premisses mirth in common consequence will be the Conclusion Which if it doth not trespass in time cause and measure Heraclitus the sad Philosopher may perchance condemn but Saint Hilary the good Father will surely allow Princes HENRY youngest son to William Duke of Normandy but eldest to King William the Conquerour by whom he was begotten after he was Crowned King on which politick ãâã he claim'd and gain'd the Crown from Duke Robert his eldest brother was Anno Dom. 1070. born at Selbey in this County If any ask what made his Mother travail so far North from London know it was to enjoy Her Husbands company who to prevent insurrections and settle peace resided many months in these parts besides his peculiar affection to Selby where after he founded a MitredAbby This Henry was bred say some in Paris say others in Cambridge and I may safely say in both wherein he so profited that he attained the Surname of Beauclerke His learning may be presumed a great advantage to his long and prosperous raign for thirty five years and upwards wherein he remitted the Norman rigour and restored to His subjects a great part of the English Laws and Liberties Indeed his princely vertues being profitable to all did with their lustre so dazle the eyes of his subjects that they did not see his personall vices as chiefly prejudicial to himself For he was very wanton as appeareth by his numerous natural issue no fewer then fourteen all by him publickly owned the males highly advanced the females richly married which is justly reported to his praise it being lust to beget but love to bestow them His sobriery otherwise was admirable whose temperance was of proof against any meat objected to his appetite Lampreys alone excepted on a surfeit whereof he died Anno Domini 1135. He had onely two children William dying before and Maud surviving him both born in Normandy and therefore omitted in our Catalogue THOMAS Fifth son of King Edward the first and the first that he had by Margaret his second Wife was born at and surnamed from Brotherton a small Village in this County June 1. Anno Dom. 1300. He was created Earl of Norfolke and Earl Marshall of England He left no male-issue but from his females the Mowbrays Dukes of Norfolke and from them the Earls of Arundel and Lords Berkeley are descended RICHARD PLANTAGENET Duke of York commonly is called Richard of Conisborrow from the Castle in this Shire of his nativity The Reader will not grudge him a place amongst our Princes if considering him fixed in his Generation betwixt an Antiperistasis of Royal extraction being Son to a Son of a King Father to the Father of a King Edmund of Langley Duke of York Richard Duke of York Fifth son to K. Edward 3. Father to King Edward 4. Besides he had married Anne Daughter and sole Heir to Edward Mortimer the true Inheritrix of the Crown But tampering too soon and too openly to derive the Crown in his Wives right to himself by practising the death of the present King he was taken and beheaded for treason in the raign of K. Henry the fifth EDWARD sole son to King Richard the third and Anne his Queen was born in the Castle of Midleham near Richmond in this County and was by his father created Prince of Wales A Prince who himself was a child of as much hopes as his Father a man of hatred But he consumed away of a suddain dying within a month of his Mother King Richard little lamenting the loss of either and presently projecting to repair himself by a new Marriage The untimely death of this Prince in respect of the terme to which by Naturall possibility he might have attained in his innocent age is generally beheld as a punishment on him for the faults of his Father The Tongue foreswears the Ears are cut off the Hand steals the Feet are stocked and that justly because both consisting of the same body And because Proles est pars parentis it is agreeable with divine justice to inflict on Children temporal judgements for defaults of their Parents Yet this judgment was a mercy to this Prince that he might not behold the miserable end of his Father Let me adde and a mercy also to all England For had he survived to a mans estate he might possibly have proved a wall of partition to hinder the happy union of the two houses of York and Lancaster Saints HILDA was daughter unto Prince Hererick nephew to Edwin King of Northumberland and may justly be counted our English Huldah not so much for sameness of sex and name-sounding similitude as more concerning conformities Huldah lived in a Colledge Hilda in a Convent at Strenshalt in this County Huldah was the Oracle of those times as Hilda of her age being a kind of a Moderatresse in a Saxon Synod or conference rather called to compromise the controversie about the celebration of Easter I behold her as the most learned English Female before the Conquest and may call her the She-Gamaliel at whose feet many Learned men had their education She ended her holy life with an happy death about the year of our Lord 680. BENEDICT BISCOP was born saith Pitz amongst the East Saxons saith Hierome Porter in Yorkshire whom I rather believe First because writing his life ex professo he was more concerned to be curious therein Secondly because this Benedict had much familiarity with and favour from Oswy King of Northumberland in whose Dominions he fixed himself building two Monasteries the one at the influx of the river Were the other at the river Tine into the sea and stocking them in his life time with 600 Benedictine Moncks He made five Voyages to Rome and always returned full fraught with Reliques Pictures and Ceremonies In the former is driven on as great a Trade of Cheating as in any earthly Commodity in so much that I admire to meet with this passage in a Jesuite and admire more that he Met not with the Inquisition for writing it Addam * nonnunquam in Tem plis reliquias dubias profana corpora pro Sanctorum qui cum Christo in Coelo regnant exuviis sacris fuisse proposita He left Religion in England Braver but not better then he found it Indeed what Tully said of the Roman Lady That she danced better then became a modest woman was true of Gods Service as by him adorned the Gaudiness prejudicing the Gravity thereof He made all things according not to the Patern in the Mount with Mose's but the Precedent of Rome and his Convent being but the Romish Transcript became the English Original to which all Monasteries in the Land were suddenly conformed In a word I reverence his Memory
Daughter Frances Countess of Warwick scatter her Benesactions the thicker in that place But I have been informed that his Ancestor by some accident came out of Cornwell where his Name is right Antient. He was bred in the study of our Municipall Law and such his proficiency therein that in the sixteenth of Queen Elizabeth in Michaelmas Term he was made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-bench He was not like that Judge who feared neither God nor man but onely one Widow lest her importunity should weary him but he heartily feared God in his Religious Conversation Each man he respected in his due distance off of the Bench and no man on it to biass his judgement He was pro tempore Lord Privy Seal and sate Chief in the Court when Secretary Davison was sentenced in the Star Chamber Sir Christopher collecting the censures of all the Commissioners concurred to Fine him but with this Comfortable conclusion that as it was in the Queens power to have him punished so Her Highness might be prevailed with for mitigating or remitting of the Fine and this our Judge may be presumed no ill instrument in the procuring thereof He bountifully reflected on Magdalen-colledge in Cambridge which infant Foundation had otherwise been starved at nurse for want of maintenance We know who saith * the righteous man leaveth an inheritance to his Childrens Children and the well thriving of his third Generation may be an evidence of his well-gotten goods This worthy Judge died May the eighth in the thirty fourth of Queen Elizabeth States Men. Pardon Reader my post poning this Topick of States-Men being necessitated to stay a while for further information Sir JOHN PUCKERING Kt. was born at Flamborough head in this County as I have learned out of the Notes of that industrious and judicious Antiquary Mr. Dodââ¦worth He was second Son to his Father a Gentleman who left him neither plentiful nor penurious estate his breeding was more beneficial to him than his portion gaining thereby such skill in the Common Law that he became Queens-Serjeant Speaker in the House of Commons and at last Lord Chancellor of England How he stood in his judgement in the point of Church-Discipline plainly appeareth by his following Speech delivered in the House of Lords 1588. the Original whereof was courteously communicated unto me And especially you are commanded by Her Majesty to take heed that no eare be given nor time afforded to the wearisome solicitations of those that commonly be called Puritans wherewithal the late Parliaments have been exceedingly importuned which sort of men whilest that in the giddiness of their Spirits they labour and strive to advance a new Eldership they do nothing else but disturb the good repose of the Church and Commonwealth which is as well grounded for the body of Religion it self and as well guided for the Discipline as any Realm that prosesseth the Truth and the same thing is already made good to the world by many the writings of Godly and Learned men neither answered nor answerable by any of these new fangled Refiners And as the present case standeth it may be doubted whether they or the Jesuits do offer more danger or be more speedily to be repressed For albeit the Jesuites do empoison the hearts of her Majesties Subjects under a pretext of Conscience to withdraw them from their obedience due to Her Majesty Yet do they the same but closely and only in privy corners But these men do both teach and publish in their printed Books ââ¦nd teach in all their Conventicles sundry opinions not only dangerous to the well-setled Estate and Policy of the Realm by putting a Pique between the Clergy and the Laââ¦ty But also much derogatory to Her Saââ¦red Majesty and Her Crown as well by the diminution of her ancient and lawfull Revenues and by denying her Highness Prerogative and Supremacy as by offââ¦ng peril to her Majesties safety in her own Kingdom In all which things however in other points they pretend to be at war with the Popish Jesuites yet by this separation of themselves from the unity of their Fellow-Subjects and by abasing the Sacred Authority and Majesty of their Prince they do both joyn and concur with the Jesuites in opening the door and preparing the way to the Spanish Invasion that is threatned against the Realm And thus having according to the weaknesse of my best understanding delivered Her Majesties Royal pleasure and wise direction I rest there with humble suit for Her Majesties most gracious pardon in supply of my defects and recommend you to the Author of all good counsel He died Anno Domini 1596. caractered by Mr. Cambden VIR INTEGER His estate is since descended according to the solemn settlement thereof the male-issue failing on Sir Henry Newton who according to the condition hath assumed the Surââ¦name of Puckering and I can never be sufficiently thankful to him and his Relations Sir GEORGE CALVERT Kt. was born at Kiplin near Richmond in this County had his education first in Trinity Colledge in Oxford then beyond the Seas His abilities commended him first to be Secretary to Robert Cecil Earl of Sarisbury Lord Treasurer of England Afterwards he was made Clerk of the Councel and at last principal Secretary of State to King James succeeding Sir Thomas Lakes in that office Anno 1619. Conceiving the Duke of Buckingham highly instrumental in his preferment he presented him with a Jewel of great value which the Duke returned him again not owning any activity in his advancement whom King James ex mero motu reflecting on his ability designed for the place This place he discharged above five years until he willingly resigned the same 1624. on this occasion He freely confessed himself to the King That he was then become a Roman Catholick so that he must either be wanting to his Trust on violate his Consolence in discharging his office This his ingenuity so highly affected King James that he continued him Privy Councellor all his raign as appeareth in the Councel-Book and soon after created him Lord Baltemore of Baltemore in Ireland During his being Secretary he had a Patent to him and his Heirs to be Absolutus Dominus Proprietarius with the Royalties of a Count Palatine of the Province of Avalon in New-found-Land A place so named by him in imitation of old Avalon in Somerset shire wherein Glassenbury stands the first fruits of Christianity in Britain as the other was in that part of America Here he built a fair House in Ferry Land and spent five and twenty thousand pounds in advancing the Plantation thereof Indeed his publick spirit consulted not his private profit but the enlargement of Christianity and the Kings Dominions After the death of King James he went twice in person to New found-Land Here when Mounsier de l'Arade with three Men of War sent from the King of France had reduced our English Fishermen to great extremity This Lord with two Ships manned at
One hundred thousand pounds towards maintaining the war then on foot against the Turks This vast donation makes some suspect this Sir George for a Knight who by this might have been Eques Auratus though indeed never more than Sir Priest and Canon of Bridlington Returning into his native Country and desiring to repose his old age no Philosophers Stone to quiet retirement he was dispensed with by the Pope to leave his Canons place as too full of employment and became a Carmelite-Anchorite at Boston in Lincolnshire where he wrote no fewer than 25. Books though his Compound of Alchimy carrieth away the credit of all the rest It presenteth the Reader with the twelve gates leading to the making of the Philosophers Stone which are thus reckoned up in order 1. Calcination 2. Solution 3. Separation 4. Conjunction 5. Putrefaction 6. Congelation 7. ââ¦ibation 8. Sublimation 9. Fermentation 10. Exaltation 11. Multiplication 12. Projection Oh for a Key saith the Common Reader to open these Gates and expound the meaning of these words which are familiar to the knowing in this mystery But such who are disaffected thereunto what Art hath not enemies demand whether these gates be to let in or let out the Philosophers Stone seeing Projection the last of all proves but a Project producing nothing in effect We must not forget how the said Sir George beseecheth all men wheresoever they shall meet with any of his Experiments written by him or that go under his name from the year 1450. to the year 1470. either to burn them or afford them no credit being written according to his esteem not proofe and which upon trial he afterwards found false and vaine For mine own part I believe his Philosophy truer than his Chimical Divinity for so may I call his Work wherein he endeavours to equal in merit for mankind the compassion of the Virgin Mary with the passion of Christ. He died about the year of our Lord 1492. and some of his Works are since exactly set forth by my worthy and accomplished Friend Elias Ashmole Esqire in his Theatrum Chimicum Britannicum THOMAS JOHNSON was born in this County not far from * Hull bred an Apothecary in London where he attained to be the best Herbalist of his age in England making Additions to the Edition of Gerard. A man of such modesty that knowing so Much he would own the knowledge of Nothing The University of Oxford bestowed on him the Honourary degree of Doctor in Physick and his loyalty engaged him on the Kings side in our late Civil Warre When in Basing House a dangerous piece of service was to be done this Doctor who publickly pretended not to Valour undertook and performed it Yet afterwards he lost his life in the siege of the same House and was to my knowledge generally lamented of those who were of an opposite judgement But let us bestow this Epitaph upon him Hic Johnsone jaces sed si mors cederet herbis Arte fugata tua cederet illa tuis Here Iohnson lies could Physick fence deaths dart Sure death had bin declined by his art His Death happened Anno Dom. 1644. Wââ¦iters ALPHRED of Beverley born therein a Town termed Urbs or City by Bale or thereabouts and bred in the University of Cambridge Hence he returned to his native place where he was made Treasurer of the Convent ââ¦ence as some will have it commonly called Alphredus Thesaurarius others conceiââ¦g this his Topical relation too narrow to give him so general a Name will have him sâ⦠stiled from being so carefull a storer up God send more to succeed him in that Office of memorable Antiquities Indeed with the good Housholder he brought out of his Treasury things new and old writing a Chronicle from Brutus to the time of his own death which happened Anno 1136. GULIELMUS REHIEVAILENSIS or WILLIAM of RIEVAULX was so named from the place of his Nativity in this County being otherwise a Monk of Rushford His Learning was great according to that age and his genius enclined him most to History whereof he wrote a fair Volumne of the things done in his own age himself being an eye witnesse of a great part thereof For though generally Monks were confined to their Cloisters more liberty was allowed to such persons whose Pens were publickly employed And when Monks could not go out to the news news came home to them such was their intelligence from Clergy men who then alone were employed in State Offices It was no wonder that the writings of this William did but had been a miracle if they did not savour of the superstition of the times He dedicated his Book to Ealread Abbot of Rievaulx and died Anno Dom. 1146. EALREAD Abbot of Rievaulx lately named was one eminent in his generation for Piety and Learning He was most intimate with David King of Scotland and had the rare felicity to adventure on desperate differences betwixt great persons and yet above humane hope to compleat their agreement He had Saint Augustines Confessions both by heart and in his heart yet generally he is accounted the English Saint Bernard and wrote very many Books whereof one De Virginitate Mariae and another De Abusionibus Claustri shewing twelve abuses generally committed in that kind of life Yet as Saint Paul honoured widows that were widows indeed he had a high esteem for Monks who were Monks indeed so addicted to a solitary life that he refused all Honours and several Bishopricks proffered unto him He died in the 57. year of his age 1166. and after his death attained with many the reputation of a Saint WALTER DANIEL was Deacon to Ealread aforesaid and it is pity to part them Leland saith that he followed his Abbot Sanctâ Invidiâ Give me leave to english it with holy emulation and they who run in that race of Vertue neither supplant such who are before them nor justle those that are even with them nor hinder those who come behind them He trod in his Masters foot steps yet so that my Author saith Non modo aequavit sed superavit writing a Book on the same subject De Virginitate Mariae He flourished Anno 1170. under King Henry the second and was buried in his own Abby ROBERT the SCRIBE but no Pharisee such his Humility not Hypocrite such his Sincerity was the fourth Prefect of Canon Regulars at Bridlington in this County He had his surname from his dexterity in writing not a little beneficial in that age Erasmus ingeniously confessing that his Father Gerard got a handsome livelihood thereby But our Robert in fair and fast writing did reach a Note above others it being true of him what was said Nondum lingua suum dextra peregit opus The Tongue her task hath not yet done When that the Hand her race hath run And he may be said to have had the long Hand of short Hand such the swiftness of his Pen though I confesse
and a fire Not kindled before by others pains as often thou hast wanted brains Indeed some men are better Nurses then Mothers of a Poem good onely to feed and foster the Fancies of others whereas Master Sandys was altogether as dexterous at Inventing as Translating and his own Poems as spritefull vigorous and masculine He lived to be a very aged man whom I saw in the Savoy Anno 1641. having a youthfull soul in a decayed body and I believe he dyed soon after JOHN SALTMARSH was extracted from a right antient but decayed family in this County and I am informed that Sir Thomas Metham his kinsman bountifully contributed to his education he was bred in Magdalen-colledge in Cambridge Returning into this his Native Country was very great with Sir John Hotham the Elder He was one of a fine and active fancy no contemptible Poet and a good Preacher as by some of his profitable Printed Sermons doth appear Be it charitably imputed to the information of his Judgment and Conscience that of a zealous observer he became a violent oppresser of Bishops and Ceremonies He wrote a book against my Sermon of Reformation taxing me for many points of Popery therein I defended my self in a book called Truth maintained and challenged him to an answer who appeared in the field no more rendring this reason thereof that he would not shoot his arrows against a dead mark being informed that I was dead at Exeter I have no cause to be angry with fame but rather to thank her for so good a Lye May I make this true use of that false report to dye daily See how Providence hath crossed it the dead reported man is still living the then living man dead and seeing I survive to goe over his grave I will tread the more gently on the mold thereof using that civility on him which I received from him He died in or about Windsor as he was Riding to and fro in the Parliament Army of a Burning Feaver venting on his death-bed strange expressions apprehended by some of his party as extaticall yea propheticall raptures whilst others accounted them no wonder if outrages in the City when the enemy hath possessed the Castle commanding it to the acuteness of his disease which had seized his intellectualls His death happened about the year 1650. JEREMIAH WHITACRE was born at Wakefield in this County bred Master of Arts in Sidney-colledge and after became School-master of Okeham then Minister of Stretton in Rââ¦and He was chosen to be one of the Members of the late Assembly wherein he behaved himself with great moderation at last he was Preacher at St. Mary Magdalens Bermonsey well discharging his duty being a solid Divine and a man made up of Piety to God pity to poor men and Patience in himself He had much use of the last being visited with many and most acute diseases I see Gods love or hatred cannot be conjectured much less concluded from outward accidents this mercifull man meeting with merciless afflictions I have sometimes wondered with my self why Satan the Magazeen of Malice who needeth no man to teach him mischief having Job in his power did not put him on the rack of the Stone Gout Collick or Strangury as in the height most exquisite torments but onely be-ulcered him on his Skin and outside of his body And under correction to better judgments I conceive this might be some cause thereof Being to spare his life the Devill durst not inflict on him these mortall maladyes for fear to exceed his commission who possibly for all his cunning might mistake in the exact proportioning of the pain to Jobs ability to bear it and therefore was forced to confine his malice to externall pain dolefull but not deadly in its own nature Sure I am this good Jeremiah was tormented with Gout Stone and one ulcer in his bladder another in his kidneys all which he endured with admirable and exemplary patience though God of his goodness grant that if it may stand with his will no cause be given that so sad a Copy be transcribed Thus God for reasons best known unto himself sent many and the most cruell Bayliffes to arrest him to pay his debt to nature though he always was ready willingly to tender the same at their single summons His liberality knew no bottome but an empty purse so bountifull he was to all in want He was buried on the 6. of June Anno 1654. in his own Parish in Southwarke much lamented Master Simon Ash preaching his Funerall Sermon to which the Reader is referred for his further satisfaction I understand some sermons are extant of his preaching Let me but adde this Distick and I have done Whites ambo Whitehead Whitgift Whitakerus uterque Vulnera Romano quanta dedere papae Romish Exile Writers JOHN YOUNG was born in this County His life appeareth to me patched up of unsuiting peices as delivered by severall Authors A Judicious Antiquary seldome mistaken will have him a Monke of Ramsey therein confounding him with his Name-sake many years more antient An other will have him bred Doctor of Divinity in Trinity-colledge in Cambridge though that Foundation suppose him admitted the first day thereof affordeth not Seniority enough to write Doctor before the raign of Queen Mary except we understand him bred in some of the Hostles afterwards united thereunto So that I rather concurre herein with the forenamed Antiquary that he was Fellow of Saint Johns-colledge in that University It is agreed that at the first he was at the least a Parcell-Protestant translating into English the Book of Arch bishop Cranmer of the Sacrament But afterwards he came off with a witness being a Zealous Papist and great Antagonist of Mart. Bucer and indeed as able a Disputant as any of his Party He was Vice-Chancellour of Cambridge Anno 1554. Master of Pembroke hall Kings-Professor of Divinity and Rector of Land-beach nigh Cambridge but lost all his preferment in the first of Queen Elizabeth Surely more then Ordinary Obstinacy appeared in him because not onely deprived but imprisoned And in my judgment more probably surprised before he went then after his return from forraign parts He died under restraint in England 1579. JOHN MUSH was born in this County bred first in the English-colledge at Doway and then ran his course of Philosophy in their Colledge at Rome Afterwards being made Priest he was sent over into England to gaine People to his own perswasion which he did without and within the Prison for 20. years together but at last he got his liberty In his time the Romish Ship in England did spring a dangerous Leak almost to the sinking thereof in the Schisme betwixt the Priests and the Jesuits Mush appeared very active and happy in the stopping thereof and was by the English Popish Clergy sent to Rome to compose the controversie behaving himself very wisely in that service Returning into his own Country he was for fourteen
years together assistant to the English Arch Priest demeaning himself commendably therein he wrote many books and one whose title made me the more to mind it Vitam Martyrium D. Margaretae Clithoroae Now whether this D. be for Domina or Diva for Lady or Saint or both I know not I take her for some Gentlewoman in the North which for some practises in the maintenance of her own Religion was obnoxious to and felt the severity of our Laws This Mush was living in these parts Anno 1612. Benefactors to the Publick THOMAS SCOT was born at Roââ¦heram no obscure market in this County waving his paternall name he took that of Roââ¦heram from the place of his Nativity This I observe the rather because he was according to my exactest enquiry the last Clergy-man of note with such an assumed Surname which Custome began now to grow out of fashion and Clergy-men like other men to be called by the name of their fathers He was first Fellow of Kings-colledge afterwards Master of Pembroke-hall in Cambridge and Chancellour of that University here he built on his proper cost saving something help'd by the Scholars the fair gate of the School with fair walks on each side and a Library on the East thereof Many have mistaken this for the performance of King Richard the third meerly because his Crest the Boar is set up therein Whereas the truth is that Rotheram having felt the sharp Tuskes of that Boar when imprisoned by the aforesaid King for resigning the Great Seal of England to Queen Elizabeth the relict of King Edward the fourth advanced his Armes thereon meerly to engratiate himself He went thorough many Church preferments being successively Provost of Beverly Bishop of Rochester Lincoln and lastly Arch-bishop of York nor less was was his share in Civil honour first Keeper of the Privy Seal and last Lord Chancellour of England Many were his Benefactions to the Publique of which none more remarkable then his founding five Fellowships in Lincoln colledge in Oxford He deceased in the 76. year of his age at Cawood of the plague Anno Domini 1500. JOHN ALCOCKE was born at Beverly in this County where he built a Chappell and founded a Chantry for his parents He was bred a Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge and at last became Bishop of Ely his prudence appeared in that he was preferred Lord Chancellour of England by King Henry the seventh a Prince of an excellent palate to tast mens Abilities and a Dunce was no dish for his diet His piety is praised by the pen of J. Bale which though generally bitter drops nothing but honey on Alcocks Memory commending him for a most mortified man Given to Learning and Piety from his Child-hood growing from grace to grace so that in his age none in England was higher for holiness He turned the old Nunnery of Saint Radigund into a new Colledge called Jesus in Cambridge surely had Malcolm King of Scots first founder of that Nunnery survived to see this alteration it would have rejoyced his heart to behold Leudness and Laziness turned out for Industry and Piety to be put in their place This Alcock died October 1. 1500. And had Saintship gone as much by merit as favour he deserved one as well as his name-sake Saint John his predecessor in that See Since the Reformation The extent of this large Province and the distance of my Habitation from it have disabled me to express my desires suitable to the merit thereof in this Topick of Modern Benefactors which I must leave to the Topographers thereof hereafter to uspply my defaults with their diligence But let me forget my self when I doe not remember the worthy charitable Master ....... Harrison inhabitant of the Populous Town of Leeds so famous for the Cloath made therein Methinks I hear that great Town accosting him in the Language of the Children of the Prophets to Elisha Behold now the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us The Church could scarce hold half the inhabitants till this worthy gentleman provided them another So that now the men of Leeds may say with Isaack Rehoboth God hath made room for us He accepted of no assistance in the building of that fair Fabrick but what he fully paid for so that he may be owned the sole Founder thereof But all his Charity could not secure him from sequestration in our Troublesome Times All I will adde is this as he hath built a House for God may God in Scripture Phrase build a House for him I mean make him fruitfull and fortunate in his posterity Memorable Persons PAULINUS DE LEEDS born in this County where there be three Towns of that name in one Wapentake It is uncertain in which of these he was born and the matter is of no great concernment One so free from Simony and far from buying a Bishoprick that when a Bishoprick bought him he refused to accept it For when King Henry the second chose him Bishop of Carlisle and promised to increase the Revenue of that Church with three hundred mark yearly rent besides the grant of two Church livings and two Mannors near to Carlisle on the condition that this Paulinus would accept the place all this would not work him to imbrace so wealthy an offer The reasons of his refusall are rendred by no Author but must be presumed very weighty to overpoise such rich proffers on which account let none envy his name a Room in this my Catalogue He flourished about the year of our Lord 1186. WILLIAM DE LA POLE born at Ravensrode in this County was for wealth and skill in Merchandize inferiour to none in England he made his abode at Kingston upon Hull and was the first Mayor of that Town When K. Edward the third was at Antwââ¦rp and much necessitated for money no shame for a Prince always in War to be sometimes in want this William lent him many thousand pounds of gold In recompence whereof the King made him his Valect equivalent to what afterward was called Gentleman of the Bed-chamber and Lord Chief-Baron of his Exchequer with many other honours Amongst which this was one that he should be reputed a Banneret not that he was really made one seeing the flourishing of a Banner over his head in the field before or after a fight was a ceremony essentiall thereunto but he had the same precedency conferred upon him I find not the exact date of his death but conjecture it to be about the year 1350. Lord Mayor Name Father Place Company Time 1 William Eastfield William Eastfield Tickell Mercer 1429 2 John Ward Richard Ward Howdon Grocer 1484 3 William White William White Tickhill Draper 1489 4 John Rudstone Robert Rudstone Hatton Draper 1528 5 Ralph Dodmer Henry Dodmer Pickering leigh Mercer 1529 6 William Roch John Roch Wixley Draper 1540 7 Richard Dobbes Robert Dobbes Baitby Skinner 1551 8 William Hewet Edmund Hewet Wales
Books imputed to him of the Wonders and first inhabitants of Britain of King Arthur and his unknown Sepulehre so that now we can teach Gildas what he knew not namely that King Arthur was certainly buried at Glassenbury He wrot also of Percevall and Lancelot whoâ⦠I behold as two Knights Combatants and presume the former most victorious from the Notation of his Name Per sevalens prevailing by himself Our Author is charged to be full of Fables which I can easily believe for in Ancient History if we will have any thing of truth we must have something of falsehood and abating onely Holy-writ it is as impossible to find Antiquity without Fables as an old Face without Wrinckles He flourished Anno Dom. 860. BLEGABRIDE LANGAURIDE Philip Comineus observeth that to have a short Name is a great advantage to a Favorite because a King may readily remember and quickly call him If so the writer aforesaid is ill qualified for a Favorite But let him then pronounce his own Name for others will not trouble themselves therewith He attained to be a great Scholar Doctor of both Laws and Arch-deacon of the Church of Landaft He to the honour of his Country and use of Posterity translated the laws of Howell the most modest King of Wales and flourished 914. SALEPHILAX the BARDE This Mungrell name seemeth to have in it an Eye or Cast of Greek and Latine but we are assured of his Welch extraction In inquiring after his works my success hath been the same with the painfull Thresher of Mill-dew'd wheat gaining little more then Straw and Chaffe All the grain I can get is this that he set forth a Genealogy of the Britains and flourished about the year 920. GWALTERUS CALENIUS may we not English him Walter of Calen was a Cambrian by his Nativity though preferred to be Arch-deacon of Oxford He is highly prized for his great learning by Lealand and others This was he who took the pains to go over into Britain in France and thence retrived an Ancient Manuscript of the British Princes from Brutus to Cadwalader Nor was his labour more in recovering then his courtesie in communicating this rarity to Jeffrey of Munmouth to translate the same into Latine Nor was this Walter himself idle continuing the same Chronicle for four hundred years together untill his own time He flourished Anno Dom. 1120. under King Henry the first GUALO BRYTANNUS born in Wales was from his Infancy a servant to the Muses and lover of Poetry That he might injoy himself the better herein he retired into a private place from the noise of all people and became an Anchorite for his Fancy not Devotion according to the Poet Carmina secessum scribentis otia quaerunt Verses justly do request Their writers privacy and rest Here his pen fell foul on the Monks whose covetousness in that age was so great that of that subject Difficile est Satyram non scribere 'T was hard for any then to write And not a Satyre to indite He wrot also Invectives against their wantonness and impostures and yet it seems did it with that Cautiousness that he incurred no danger Indeed he is commended by John of Sarisbury and others Quod esset Prudens Doctus He flourished Anno Domini 1170. under King Henry the second WILLIAM BRETON was born saith Bale and Pitz. the later alledging one Willot for his Author in Wales bred a Franciscan at Grimsby in Lincoln-shire I will not quarrell his Cambrian extraction but may safely mind the Reader that there was an ancient family of the Bretons at Ketton in Rutland next Lincoln-shire where this William had his education But let this Breton be Brito believing the allusion in sound not the worst evidence for his Welch originall sure it is he was a great Scholar and deep Divine the Writer of many books both in Verse and Prose and of all his Master-piââ¦ce was an exposition of all the hard words in the Bible which thus begins Difficiles studeo partes quas Biblia gestat Pandere sed nequeo latebras nisi qui ma ââ¦festat Auxiliante Deo qui câ⦠vult singula praestat Dante juvamen eo nihil insuperabile restat c. Hard places which the Bible doth contain I study to expound but all in vain Without Gods help who darkness doth explain And with his help nothing doth hard remain c. Such the reputation of his book that in the controversie betwixt Standish Bishop of Saint Aââ¦aph and Erasmus unequal contest the former appeals to Brââ¦tons book about the interpretation of a place of Scripture This William died at Grimsby Anno Domini 1356. UTRED BOLTON was born saith Lealand ex Transabrinâ Gente Now though parts of Salop Worcester and Gloucester-shire with all Hereford shire be beyond Severn yet in such doubtfull Nativities England giveth up the Cast rather then to make a Contest to measure it Troublesome times made him leave his Country and travail to Durham where he became a Benedictine He had a rare Naturall Happiness that the Promptness and Pleasantness of his Parts commended all things that he did or said This so far ingratiated him with the Abbot of his Convent that he obtained leave to go to Oxford to File his Nature the Brighter by learning Hither he came in the heat of the difference betwixt Wickliffe and his Adversaries Bolton sided with both and with neither consenting in some things with Wickliffe dissenting in others as his conscience directed him William Jordan a Dominican and Northern Man was so madded hereat that he he fell foul on Bolton both with his Writing and Preaching Bolton angry hereat expressed himself more openly for Wickliffe especially in that his smart Book Pro Veris Monachis for True Monkes or Monkes Indeed parallel with Saint Pauls Widdows indeed which were to be honoured showing what Sanctity and Industry was required of them Hereat the anger of Jordan did Overflow endeavouring and almost effecting to get Bolton excommunicated for an Heretick This Learned Man flourished under King Richard the second 1330. JOHN GWENT was born in Wales bred a Franciscan in Oxford till he became Provinciall of his Order throughout all Britain He wrot a Learned Comment on Lombard his Common Places and is charactered a Person qui in Penitiore recognitae Prudentiae Cognitione se vel admirabilem ostenderet Here endeth Lealand his writing of him and beginneth Bale his railing on him pretending himself to the truest Touchstone of Spirits and trying Men thereby Yet doth he not charge our Gwent with any thing peculiar to him alone but common to the rest of his Order telling us what we knew before that all Mendicants were acted with an ill Genius being Sophisters Cavilers c. this Bee being no more guilty then the whole Hive therein He dyed at Hereford in the Verge of his Native Country 1348. JOHN EDE was saith Bale genere Wallus by
tract of its self But this Edward first estranged himself from his Subjects and in effect subjected himself to a stranger Pierse Gaveston his French Minion and after his execution to the two Spencers who though Native English-men were equally odious to the English for their insolence Hence it was that he first lost the love of his Subjects then of his Queen the vacuity of whose bed was quickly filled up then his Crown then his Life Never any English Kings case was so pitiful and his person less pitied all counting it good reason that he should give entertainment to that woe which his wilfulness had invited home to himself His violent death happened at Berkley Castle Septemb. 22. 1327. Saints There is an Island called Berdsey justly reduceable to this County lying within a mile of the South-West Promontory thereof wherein the Corps of no fewer than twenty thousand Saints are said to be interred Estote vos omnes Sancti Proud Benhadad boasted that the dust of Samaria did not suffice for handfuls for all the people that followed him But where would so many thousand Bodies find Graves in so petty an Islet But I retrench my self confessing it more facile to find Graves in Berdsey for so many Saints than Saints for so many Graves States = Men. JOHN WILLIAMS was born at Aber-Conwy in this County bred Fellow of Saint Johns Colledge in Cambridge Proctor of the University Dean of Westminster Bishop of Lincoln Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England and lastly Arch-Bishop of York In my Church History I have offended his Friends because I wrote so little in his praise and distasted his Foes because I said so much in his defence But I had rather to live under the indignation of others for relating what may offend than die under the accusation of my own conscience for reporting what is untrue He died on the 25. day of March 1649. Prelates since the Reformation RICHARD VAUGHAN born at Nuffrin or else at Etern in this County was bred Fellow in Saint Johns Colledge in Cambridge and was afterwards successively Bishop of Bangor Chester and lastly of London a very corpulent man but spiritually minded an excellent Preacher and pious Liver on whom I find this Epigram which I will endeavour to English Praesul es ô Britonum decus immortale tuorum Tu Londinensi primus in Urbe Brito Hi mihi Doctores semper placuere docenda Qui faciunt plus quam qui faciendae docent Pastor es Anglorum doctissimus optimus ergo Nam facienda doces ipse docenda facis Prelate of London O immortal grace Of thine own Britons first who had that place He 's good who what men ought to do doth teach He 's better who doth do whââ¦t men shold preach You best of all preaching what men should do And what men ought to preach that doing too Here to justifie the observation Praesul must be taken for a plain Bishop and primus accounted but from the conversions of the Saxons to Christianity For orherwise we find no fewer than sixteen Arch Bishops of London before that time and all of the British Nation He was a most pleasant man in discourse especially at his Table maintaining that Truth At meals be glad for sin be sad as indeed he was a mortified man Let me add nothing could tempt him to betray the Rights of the Church to sacrilegious Hands not sparing sharply to reprove some of his own Order on that account He died March 30. 1607. being very much lamented HENRY ROULANDS born in this County bred in the University of Oxford was consecrated Bishop of Bangor Novemb. 12. 1598. We have formerly told how Bishop Bulkley plundered the Tower of Saint Asaph of five fair Bells now the bounty of this Bishop bought four new ones for the same the second Edition in Cases of this kind is seldom as large as the first whereof the biggest cost an hundred pounds He also gave to Jesus Colledge in Oxford means for the maintenance of two Fellows He died Anno Dom. 1615. The Farewell The Map of this County as also of Denby and Flint-shire in Mr. Speed is not divided as other Shires in England and Wales with Pricks into their several Hundreds which would have much conduced to the compleating thereof whereof he rendreth this reason That he could not procure the same though promised him out of the Sheriffs Books fearing lest the riches of their Shire should be further sought into by revealing such particulars He addeth moreover This I have observed in all my Survey that where least is to be had the greatest fears are possessed I would advise these Counties hereafter to deny no small Civility to a painful Author holding a Pen in his hand for fear a drop of his Ink fall upon them for though juyce of Lemmon will fetch such spots out of Linnen when once printed in a Book they are not so easily got out but remain to posterity DENBIGH-SHIRE DENBIGH-SHIRE hath Flint-shire Cheshire and Shrop-shire on the East Montgomery and Merionith-shires on the South Carnarvonshire divided by the River Conwey on the West being from East to West thirty one from North to South twenty miles The East part of this County towards the River Dee is fruitful but in the West the industrious Husbandman may be said to fetch his bread out of the fire paring off their upper Turfs with a Spade piling them up in heaps burning them to Ashes and then throwing them on their barren ground which is much fertilized thereby Natural Commodities Amelcorne This English Word which I find in the English Cambden is Welsh to me Let us therefore repair to his Latine Original where he informeth us that this County produceth plenty of Arinca Here the difficulty is a little changed not wholly cleared In our Dictionaries Arinca is Englished 1. Rice but this though a frequent name of many in this Country is a grain too choice to grow in Wales or any part of England 2. Amelcorn and now having run round we have not stirred a step as to more information of what we desired a kind of At last with long beating about we find it to be RYE in Latine more generally called Serale Plinles Pen casts three dashes on this Grain being it seems no friend to it or it to him 1. Est tantum ad arcendam famem utile Good only to drive away famin as not pleasant at all 2. Est licet farre mixtum ventri ingratissimum as griping the Guts 3. ââ¦ascitur quocunqne solo any base ground being good enough to bear it However whatever his forraign Rye was that which groweth incredibly plentiful in this County is very wholsome and generally in England Rye maketh moistest bread in the dryest Summer for which cause some prefer it before Wheat it self Buildings The Church of Wrexham is commended for a fair and spacious building and it is questionable whether it claimeth more praise for
Creature of absolute and common Concernment without which we should be burnt with the thirst and buried with the filth of our own bodies GABRIEL GOODMAN Son of Edward Goodman Esq was born at Rythin in thââ¦s County afterwards Doctor of Divinity in Saint Johns Colledge in Cambridge and Dean of VVestminster where he was fixed for full forty years though by his own parts and his friends power he might have been what he would have been in the Church of England Abigail said of her Husband Nabal is his name and folly is with him But it may be said of this worthy Dean Goodman was his name and goodness was in his nature as by the ensuing Testimonies will appear 1. The Bible was translated into VVelsh on his cost as by a note in the Preface thereof doth appear 2. He founded a Schoole-house with a competent salary in the Town of his Nativity as also erected and endowed an Almes-House therein for twelve poore people 3. He repaired the House for the Minister there called the Warden of Rythin furnishing it with Plate and other Utensils which were to descend to his Successors 4. He purchased a fair House with Land thereunto at Chiswick in Middlesex where with his own hands he set a fair Row of Elmes now grown up to great beauty and height for a retiring place for the Masters and Scholars at Westminster in the heat of Summer or any time of Infection If these Lands at this Day be not so profitably employed as they were by the Donor piously intended it is safer to bemoan the sad effect than accuse the causers thereof There needs no other Testimony of his Honesty and Ability than that our English Nestor the Lord Treasurer Cecil made him one of the Executors of his Will to dispose of great sums to charitable uses which Trust he most faithfully discharged He died in the year 1601. and is buried in the Collegiate Church of Westminster whereof he so well deserved as of all England Mr. Cambden performing his Perambulation about it on his expences Sir HUGH MIDDLETON Son of Richard Middleton was born at Denbigh in this County and bred in London This is that worthy Knight who hath deserved well of London and in it of all England If those be recounted amongst Davids worthies who breaking through the Army of the Philistines fetcht water from the Well of Bethlehem to satisfie the longing of David founded more on fancy than necessity how meritorious a work did this worthy man perform who to quench the thirst of thousands in the populous City of London fetcht water on his own cost more than 24. miles encountering all the way with an Army of oppositions grapling with Hills strugling with Rocks fighting with Forrests till in defiance of difficulties he had brought his project to perfection But Oh whaâ⦠an injury was it unto him that a potent Person and idle Spectator should strike in Reader I could heartily wish it were a falshoââ¦d what I report and by his greatness possess a moity of the profit which the unwearied endeavours of the foresaid Knight had purchased to himself The Farewell I heartily wish this County may find many like Robert Eari of Leicester by his bounty much advancing the building of a new Church in Denbigh who may willingly contribute their Charity for the repairing of all decayed Churches therein Yea may it be happy in faithful and able Ministers that by their pains they may be built up in the Faith of the Lord. FLINT-SHIRE FLINT-SHIRE It taketh the name from Flint formerly an eminent place therein But why Flint was so named will deservedly bear an enquiry the rather because I am informed there is scarce a Flint stone to be found in the whole shire An eminent Antiquary well known in these parts Reader I must carry my Author at my back when I write that which otherwise will not be believed hath informed me it was first called Flit-Town because the people Flitted or removed their habitations from a smal Village hard by to and under a Castle built there by King Edward the first Afterwards it was called Flint Town or Flint to make it more sollid in the prononciation Now although sometimes Liquids are melted out of a word to supple it to turn the better on the tongues end It will hardly be presidented that ever the sturdy Letter N. was on that or any account interjected into the middle of an original word But it is infidelity not to believe what is thus traditioned unto us It hath the Sea on the North Shropshire on the South Cheshire on the East and Denbigh-shire on the west thereof the smallest County in Wales whereof the Natives render this reason That it was not handsomly in the power of King Edward the first who made it a Shire to enlarge the Limits thereof For the English Shires Shropshire and Cheshire he would not discompose and on the Welsh side he could not well extend it without prejudice to the Lord Marchers who had Potestatem vitae necis in the adjacent Territories the King being unwilling to resume and they more unwilling to resign their respective Territories If any ask why so small a parcel of ground was made a Shire let them know that every foot therein in Content was ten in Concernment because it was the passage into North Wales Indeed it may seem strange that Flint the Shire Town is no Market Town no nor Saint Asaph a City qua sedes Episcopi till made so very late But this is the reason partly the vicinity of Chester the Market generaâ⦠of these parts partly that every village hath a Market in it self as affording all necessary Commodities Nor must we forget that this County was parcel of the Pallatinate of Chester paying two thousand Marks called a Mize at the change of every Earl of Chester until the year of our Lord 1568. For then upon the occasion of one Thomas Radford committed to prison by the Chamberlain of Chester Flint-shire saith my Author revolted I dare say disjoyned it self from that County Pallatine and united it self to the Principalities of Wales as conceiving the same the more advantagious Proverbs Mwy nag ââ¦n bwa yro Ynghaer That is more then one Yugh-Bow in Chester Modern use applieth this Proverb to such who seize on other folks goods not with intent to steal but mistaken with the similitude thereof to their own goods But give me leave to conjecture the original hereof seeing Cheshire-men have been so famous for Archery Princes ELIZABETH the seventh Daughter of King Edward the first and Queen Elenor was born at Ruthland Castle in this County a place which some unwarily confound with Rythin Town in Denbigh shire This Castle was anciently of such receipt that the King and his Court were lodged therein yea a Parliament or something equivalent was kept here or hereabouts seeing we have the Statutes of Ruthland on the same token the year erroneously printed in the
the Dolphin who sent him a Barrel of Paris Tennis-Balls sending such English Balls that they proved to their great loss He died at Boys S. Vincent in France the last day of August Anno 1422. and was brought over with great solemnity and interred in Westminster Abby Prelates ELIAS de RADNOR GUILIELMUS de RADNOR Ijoyn them together for three Reasons First because Natives of the same Town understand it Old Radnor the new town of that name being built probably since their decease Secondly because Bishops of the same See Landaff Thirdly because eminent being eminent for Nothing the names and dates of their deaths the one May 6. 1240. the other June the 30. 1256. being all that learned Antiquary and their Successour Bishop Godwin could recover of their memories which dishearââ¦eth me from ââ¦arther enquiry after them For let them never look for a crop who sow that ground which so skilful an husband-man thought fit to lie fallow The Farewell It much affected me and I believe all others whose hearts are of flesh and blood what I read in an Author concerning the rigorous laws imposed on the observation of the Welsh For when Owen Glyndower-dwy inveigled by some well-skilled in Merlins Prophesies that the time was come wherein the Britains through his assistance should recover their ancient freedom and liberty raised a Rebellion making war upon the Earl of March the Heir apparent both to the Crown of England and Principality of Wales King Henry the fourth inraged at his proceedings enacted these ensuing Laws First That no Welshman should purchase Lands or be chosen Citizen or Burgess of any City Borough or Market Town nor be received into any Office of Mayor Bayliff Chamberlaine c. or to be of the Councel of any Town or to bear Armour within any City Besides that if any Welsh-man should impeach or sue an Englishman It was ordained he should not be convicted unless by the judgment of English Justices verdict of English Burgesses or by the Inquest of the English Boroughs where the suits lay Yea that all English Burgesses who married Welsh Women should be disfranchised of their Liberties No congregation or Council was permitted to the Welsh-men but by licence of the chief Officers of the same Seigââ¦ory and in the presence of the same Officers That no Victuals should be brought into Walls unless by the especial licence of the King and his Council That no Welshmen shouââ¦d have any Castle Fortress or House of Defence of his own or any other mââ¦ns to keep That no Welsh-man should be made Justice Chamberlaâ⦠Chancellor c. of a Castle Receivor Eschetor c. nor other Officer or Keeper oââ¦W Records â⦠nor of the Council of any English Lord. That no English man that in time to come should marry a Welsh-woman be put in any Office in Wales or in the Marches oâ⦠the same Now as I am heartily sorry that ever the Welsh were bound to the observance of so rigorous Laws so am I truly glad that at this day they are to the happiness both of England and Wales freed from the same Yea I shall constantly pray that God would be pleased to grant us of the Loins of our Soveraign one who may be born Prince of the one and after the though late decease of his Majesty King of the other FINIS AN ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO FULLER'S Worthies of England A. NAMES SHIRE PAGE ST Aaron Monm 50 Robert Abbot Surr. 82 George Abbot Surr. 83 Sir Roger Achley Shrop. 10 John Acton Middl. 104 Ralph Acton ib. 178 Sir Thomas Adams Shrop. 10 William Adams ib. 10 William Adams Kent 77 Adam de Marisco Somer 27 St. Adelme Wilt. 147 Pope Adrian IV. Hertf. 20 Agelnoth Kent 68 William Alabaster Suff. 70 â⦠Alan de Morton Berk. 104 Albericus de Veer Bedf. 121 b Alan of Lynne Norf. 256 Flaccus Albinus alias Alcuinus York 227 King Alfred Berk. 96 Alphred of Beverly York 205 Henry de Aldecheleia Staff 50 John Alcock York 214 Albricius of Lond. 216 Robert Aldricke Bucks 131 William Alley ib. 131 William Aldersea Ches 191 St. Alride Cumb. 217 St. Alkmund Derb. 231 James Altham Essex 347 William Alton Hant. 11 St. Alban Hertf. 19 St. Alnulphus Bedf. 115 c William Alan Lanc. 109 Edward Allin Lond. 223 Rose Allin Essex 323 Bertram Fitz-Allin Linc. 166 Thomas Allin Staff 42 John Amersham Buck. 135 St. Amphibalus Monm 50 Anderton Lanc. 119 Sir Edmund Anderson Linc. 161 Anderson Northumb. 310 Lancelot Andrewes Lond. 206 Thomas Andrewes Northamp 300 Richardus Anglicus Lond. 215 Laurentius Anglicus ib. 216 Anne D. to King Charles Westm. 229 Richard Angervile Suff. 29 Henry D'Anvers Wilt. 153 Sir Edmund Appleby Leicest 136 Thomas de Appleby Westmorl 137 Roger de Appleby ibid.  Sir Simon Archer Warw. 133 William Armyne Linc. 155 David Archidiaconus Bedf. 122 King Arthur Cornw. 201 Prince Arthue Hant. 4 John Arundle Cornw. 200   202 209 Thomas Arundell Suss. 103 St. Asaph Flint 38 Roger Ascham York 209 John Ashburnham Surrey 95 Thomas Askine Berk. 91 William Ascough Linc. 156 Anne Askewe ib. 155 Thomas Ashbourne Derby 236 Sir Thomas de Ashton Lanc. 122 John de Aston Staff 48 Sir Walter Aston ib. 50 Atwell Cornw. 202 Edmund Audley Staff 42 Sir Thomas Audley Essex 327 James Lord Audley Devon 258 John Aylmer Norf. 238 B. NAMES SHIRE PAGE Richard Badew Essex 335 John Badby Lond. 204 Sir Francis Bacon Westmin 241 Robert Bacon Oxf. 337 Sir Nicholas Bacon Suff. 62 75 Ralph Baines York 197 John Baconthorpe Norf. 255 William Baitman Norw 276 Sir Richard Baker Oxf. 338 John Bale Suff. 60 Thomas Bagnols Staff 44 Christopher Bambridge Westmorl 136 Bankinus Londin Lond. 217 Sir John Banks Cumb. 219 John Ball Oxf. 339 John Bancroft ib. 333 Richard Bancroft Lanc. 112 Ralph Baldock Herââ¦f 21 Sir Paul Bannyng Essex 347 Hugo de Balsham Camb. 160 Amias Bamfeild Devon 272 Richard Barnes Lanc. 110 William Barry Kent 94 Thomas Barrington Essex 340 John Barnston Chesh. 183 John Barkham Devon 276 Juliana Barnes Lond. 217 Richard de Barking Essex 325 Adam of Barking ib. 332 Thomas Barret ib. 340 a John Barret Norf. 258 John Barnet Hertf. 21 Edward Bash ib. 30 Richard de Baskervill Heref. 44 Sir James Baskervill ib. 46 John Barningham Suff. 69 Herbert de Basham Sussex 101 William Barlow ib. 103 Salephilax the Bard Wales 13 John of Basingsloke Hant. 10 b Valentine Barret Kent 94 John Basket Berk. 108 Thomas Basket Dorces 28â⦠John Basket Wilt. 163 Abbot of Battle Sussex 106 Walter de Baud Simon alii Essex 343 James Baynam Glocest. 354 Richard Basset Bedf. 121 John Basset Cornw. 210 Thomas Beckington Somers 23 Thomas Becket Lond. 203 Bede Durham 292 Sir Thomas Beigney Devon 265 Philip de la Beach Berk. 104 Margaret Beaufort Bedf. 115 Anne Beauchamp Oxâ⦠330 Richard Beauchamp Berk. 92  Worc. 171 Sir Edward Bellingham Westmorl 138 Thomas Bell Glocest. 362 Beavois Hant. 9
to inherit Happiness so severe her Education VVhilest a childe her Father's was to her an House of Correction nor did she write Woman sooner than she did subscribe Wife and in Obedience to her Parents was unfortunately matched to the L. Guilford Dudley yet he was a goodly and for ought I ââ¦ind to the contrary a Godly Gentleman whose worst fault was that he was Son to an ambitious Father She was proclaimed but never crowned Queen living in the Tower which Place though it hath a double capacity of a Palace and a Prison yet appeared to her chiefly in the later Relation For She was longer a Captive than a Queen therein taking no contentment all the time save what she found in God and a clear Conscience Her Family by snatching at a Crown which was not lost a Coronet which was their own much degraded in Degree and more in Estate I would give in an Inventory of the vast Wealth they then possessed but am loth to grieve her surviving Relations with a List of the Lands lost by her Fathers attainture She suffered on Tower-Hill ãâã on the twelfth of February KATHARINE GREY was second Daughter to Henry Duke of Suffolk T is pity to part the Sisters that their Memories may mutually condole and comfort one another She was born in the same place and when her Father was in height married to Henry Lord Herbert Son and Heir to the Earl of Pembroke buâ⦠the politick old Earl perceiving the case altered and what was the high way to Honour turned into the ready road to Ruin got pardon from Queen Mary and brake the marriage quite off This Heraclita or Lady of Lamentation thus repudiated was seldome seen with dry eyes for some years together sighing out her sorrowful condition so that though the Roses in her Cheeks looked very wan and pale it was not for want of watering Afterward Edward Seymour Earl of Hertford married her privately without the Queens Licence and concealed till her pregnancy discovered it Indeed our English Proverb It is good to be near a kin to Land holdeth in private patrimonies not Titles to Crowns where such Aliances hath created to many much molestation Queen Elizabeth beheld her with a jealous Eye unwilling she should match either Forreign Prince or English Peer but follow the pattern she set her of constant Virginity For their Presumption this Earl was fined fifteen thousand pounds imprisoned with his Lady in the Tower and severely forbidden her company But Love and Money will find or force a passage By bribing the Keeper he bought what was his own his Wifes Embraces and had by her a surviving Son Edward Ancestor to the Right Honourable the Duke of Somerset She dyed January 26. a Prisoner in the Tower 1567. after nine years durance therein MARY GREY the youngest Daughter frighted with the Infelicity of her two Elder Sisters Jane and this Katharine forgot her Honour to remember her Safety and married one whom she could love and none need fear Martin Kayes of Kent Esq. who was a Judge at Court but only of Doubtful casts at Dice being Seââ¦jeant-Porter and died without Issue the 20. of April 1578. Martyrs HUGH LATIMER was born at Thurcaston in this County what his Father was and how qualified for his State take from his own mouth in his first Sermon before King Edward being confident the Reader will not repent his pains in perusing it My Father was a Yeoman and had no Lands of his own onely he had a Farme of three or four Pounds a Year at the uttermost and hereupon he tilled so much as kept halfe a dozen men he had walk for an Hundred Sheep and my Mother milked thiry Kine he was able and did finde the King an HARNESS with himself and his Horse whilest he came unto the Place that he should receive the Kings Wages I can remember I buckled his Harness when he went to Black Heath Field He kept me to School or else I had not been able to have Preached before the Kings Majestie now He married my Sisters with Five Pounds or twenty Nobles a piece so that he brought them up in Godliness and Fear of God He kept Hospitallity for his Poor Neighbours and some Almes He gave to the Poor and all this did he of the same Farme where he that now hath it payeth sixteen pounds by the Year and more and is not able to do any thing for his Prince for himself nor for his Children or give a Cup of Drink to the Poor He was bred in Christ's Colledg in Cambridg and converted under God by Mr. Bilney from a Violent Papist to a Zealous Protestant He was afterwards made Bishop of Worcester and four Years after outed for refusing to subscribe the six Articles How he was martyred at Oxford 1555. is notoriously known Let me add this Appendix to his Memory when the Contest was in the House of Lords in the Raign of K. Henry the Eighth about the giving all Abby Lands to the King There was a Division betwixt the Bishops of the Old and New Learning for by those Names they were distinguished Those of the Old Learning unwillingly willing were contented that the King should make a Resumption of all those Abbies which his Ancestors had founded leaving the rest to continue according to the Intention of their Founders The Bishops of the new Learning were more pliable to the Kings Desires Only Latimer was dissenting earnestly urging that two Abbies at the least in every Diocess of considerable Revenues might be preserved for the Maintenance of Learned men therein Thus swimming a good while against the stream he was at last carried away with the Current Eminent Prelates before the Reformation GILBERT SEGRAVE Born at Segrave in this County was bred in Oxford where he attained to great Learning as the Books written by him do declare The first Preferment I find conferred on him was The Provosts place of St. Sepulchers in York and the occasion how he obtained it is remakable The Pope had formerly bestowed it on his near Kinsman which argueth the good value thereof seeing neither Eagles nor Eagles Birds do feed on Flyes This Kinsman of the Popes lying on his death bed was troubled in Conscience which speakââ¦eth loudest when men begin to be speechlesse and all Sores pain most when nere night that he had undertaken such a Cure of Souls upon him who never was in England nor understood English and therefore requested the Pope his Kinsman that after his Death the Place might be bestowed on some Learned English-man that so his own absence and negligence might in some sort be repaired by the Residence and diligence of his Successor And this Segrave to his great Credit was found the fittest Person for that Performance He was afterwards preferred Bishop of London sitting in that See not full four years dying Anno Dom. 1317. WALTER DE LANGTON was born at VVest-langton in this County He was highly in favour
with King Edward the first under whom he was Bishop of Coventry and Liechfield and Treasurer of England He granted him also Liberty of free Warren in VVest and Thorpe Langton in this County the Patrimoniall inheritance of this Prelate VVith his own innocence and friends assistance at long sailing he weathered out the Tempest of the Popes displeasure Longer did he groan under the undeserved Anger of King Edward the second chiefly because this Bishop sharply reproved him when as yet but Prince for his Debauchery See here the great difference betwixt youth some hopefully some desperately riotous Of the former was Henry the fifth who when King is said to have rewarded and advanced such who had reproved and punished him when Prince Of the latter was King Edward not only wild but mad in his vitiousnesse But our Langton at length was brought saith my Author in Regis Semigratiam into the Kings half favour let me add in populi sesquegratiam and into the peoples favour and half who highly loved and honoured him His tragicomical life had a peaceable end in Plenty and Prosperity He found his Cathedral of Liââ¦hfield mean and left it magnificent and it will appear by the instance of our Langton Josseline of Wells and others that Bishops continuing unremoved in their See have atcheived greater matters then those who have been often translated though to richer Bishopricks Indeed prodigious was his bounty in building and endowing his Cathedral wherein he continued almost 25. years and dying 1321. was buryed in the Chappel of St. Mary of his own erection ROGERDE MARTIVAL Son and Heir of Sir Aukitell de Martivall Kt. who gave for his Arms Argent a Cinque foyle Sable was born at Nowsley in this County He was first Arch-Deacon of Leicester then Dean of Lincoln and at last consecrated Bishop of Salisbury in the Reign of King Edward the Second 1315. Now seeing Bishop Godwin hath nothing more of him save his Name and Date it is charity further to inform Posterity that he was the last heir male of his house and founded a Colledg at Nowsley temp Edw. 1. for a Warden and certain Brethren which in the 24. of Hen. 6. was valued to dispend yearly besides all charges 6. l. 13. 5. 4. d. His estate descended to Joyce de Martivall his Sister married unto Sir Ralph Hastings lineal Ancestor to the now Earl of Huntington As for the Mannor of Nowsley as it came by the mother so it went away with her Daughter into the Family of the Herons and by her Daughter into the Family of the Hazleriggs who at this day are the Possessors thereof This Bishop dyed in the midst of Lent 1329. ROBERT WIVIL was born of worthy and wealthy parentage at Stanton Wivil in this County at the Instance of Philippa Queen to King Edward the Third the Pope Anno 1329. preferred him Bishop of Salisbury It is hard to say whether he were more Dunce or Dwarfe more unlearned or unhansome insomuch that T. Walsingham tells us that had the Pope ever seen him as no doubt he felt him in his large Fees he would never have conferred the Place upon him He sate Bishop more then 45. years and impleaded William Mountague Earl of Salisbury in a Writ of Right for the Castle of Salisbury The Earl chose the Trial by Battell which the Bishop accepted of and both produced their Champions into the Place The Combatant for the Bishop coming forth all clad in white with the bishops own Arms viz. Gules Fretty Varee * a Chief Or empailed no doubt with them of his See on his Surcote Some highly commended the Zeal of the Bishop asserting the Rights of his Church whilest others condemned this in him as a unprelatical act God allowing Duells no competent Deciders of such Differences And moderate men to find out an expedient said he did this not as a Bishop but Baron the best was the matter was taken up by the Kings interposing and the Bishop with 2500. Marks bought of the Earl the quiet possession of the Castle and dyed Anno Dââ¦m 1375. being buryed under a Marble Stone about the middle of the Quire Since the Reformation JOSEPH HALâ⦠was born at Ashby De La Zouch in this County where his Father under the Earl of Huntington was Governour or Bayly of the Town So soon almost as Emanuel Colledge was admitted into Cambridge he was admitted into that Colledge within few years after the first foundation thereof He passed all his degrees with great applause First noted in the University for his ingenuous maintaining be it Truth or Paradox that Mundus senescit The World groweth old Yet in some sort his position confuteth his position the wit and quickness whereof did argue an increase rather than a decay of parts in this latter age He was first beneficed by Sir R. Drury at Hallsted in Suffolk and thence removed by Edward Lord Denny afterward Earl of Norwich to Waltham Abbey in Essex Here I must pay the Tribute of my Gratitude to his memory as building upon his foundation beholding my self as his great Grandchild in that place three degrees from him in succession But oh how many from him in ability His little Catechisme hath done great good in that populous parish and I could wish that Ordinance more generally used all over England Being Doctor of Divinity he was sent over by K. James to the Synod of Dort whence only indisposition of body forced him to return before the rest of his Collegues He was preferred first Dean of Worcester then Bishop of Exeter then Bishop of Exeter then Bishop of no place surviving to see his sacred function buryed before his eyes He may be said to have dyed with his pen in his hand whose Writing and Living expired together He was commonly called our English Seneca for the purenesse plainesse and fulnesse of his style Not unhappy at Controversies more happy at Comments very good in his Characters better in his Sermons best of all in his Meditations Nor will it be amiss to transcribe the following passage out of his Will In the name of God Amen I Joseph Hall D.D. not worthy to be called Bishop of Norwich c. First I bequeath my soul c. my body I leave to be interred without any funeral pomp at the Discretion of my Executors with this only monition that I do not hold Gods House a meet Repository for the dead bodies of the greatest Saints He dyed September the 8. Anno Dom. 1656. and was buryed at Hyhem near Norwich Statesmen GEORGE VILLIERS was born at Brooksby in this County ãâã son to his father Sir George Villiers and second son to his Mother Mary Beaumont Being debarred by his late Nativity from his fathers lands he was happy in his Mothers love maintaining him in France till he returned one of the compleatest Courtiers in Christendom his body and behaviour mutually gracing one another Sir Tho. Lake