same consideration the like Grant of the Forestership of Thornwoods on the Southern part of Shirewoâ—â— in that County with the Fee of four pence a day for executing that Office Nevertheless no sooner did the Earl of Richmund land in this Realm though but with a very slender strength that that he with his six valiant Brothers viz. another Sir Everard then also of Tilton Iohn Digby of â—etilby Rouland Digby of Welby both in Leicestershire Lybeus Digby of Luffâ—am in com Rotel Thomas and Benjamin not forgetting the old Lancastrian Interest came in freely unto him and fought stoutly on his part at Bosworth-Field against King Richard where the Victory falling to that Earl being thenceforth King by the name of Henry the Seventh he advanced Iohn and Thomas to the dignity of Knighthood making the former also Knight-Marshal of His Houshold and the other one of the Gentlemen Huishers of His Chamber conferring on him the Bailywick of â—â—ney in com Buck. and Keepership of the Park there where he thenceforth made his residence But none of them had better advantages for their faithful services to that King than Simon for in the first year of his Râ—ign he obtained the Stewardship of certain Lordships in com Rutl. viz. Uppingham Preston Barouâ—hdon Esenden and Greteham and of all the Lands formerly belonging to George Duke of Clarence to hold for life as also the like Office and Receivership for the Mannor of Bâ—dale in com Ebor. And having in the second year of his Reign been a Commander in His Army at the Battel of Stoke had in consideration of his acceptable services a Grant of the Mannor of â—avysbâ—ry in the parish of Micham in com Surr. and to the heirs male of his body and the next ensuing year a Grant of the Office of Comptroller of the Petty-Customes in the Port of London as also of the Forestership of Thornwoods in Shirewood formerly conferred upon him by King Edward the 4 th and in 11 H. 7. of the Lordship of Coâ—eshill before-specified in special Tail being at that time Deputy to Iohn Earl of Oxford Constable of the Tower of London Which Lordship came to the Crown by the attainder of Sir Simon Montfort Knight for his adherence to Perkâ—n Warbeck After this in 12 H. 7. he had a Commission to exercise Marshal-Law in the Counties of Devon and Cornwall against divers Malefactors and having been Sheriff of the Counties of Warwick and Leicester in the first and ninth years of King Henry the Eighth by his Testament bearing date 22 Aug. 9 H 8. bequeathed his body to be buried in the Chancel of the parish Church of Coleshill under a fair Toâ—b there erected in his life time and departed this life 24 Febr. 12 H. 8. leaving issue by Alice his wife daughter and heir to Iohn Waleys of Est Raddon in com Devon Esquire Reginald Digby his son and heir as also a younger son called Thomas from whom the Digby's of Mansfeild Woodhouse in com Nott. are descended Which Reginald by Ann his wife daughter and coheir to Iohn Danvers of Cothorpe in com Oxon. Esquire had issue Iohn who took to wife Ann the daughter of Sir George Throkmorton of Coughton in com Warr. K t And he George who being at the siege of â—utphen in 28 Eliz. had there the honor of Knighthood conferred on him and by Abigail his wife daughter to Sir Arthur Heveningham of ... in com Norff. Knight left issue l three sons Robert Philip and this Iohn Which Robert being afterwards a Knight and taking to wife Lettice the Grandchild and heir female to Gerald Earl of Kildare in Ireland left issue Robert his son and heir created Lord Digby of Geashill in that Realm by K. Iames whose descendents do still enjoy that honor As to the advancement of this Iohâ— it was his own meer merits which brought it to pass For having first been a Fellow-Commoner in Magdalen-Colledge Oxon. and afterwards travelled into France and Italy whereby he became singularly qualified upon that designed Insurrection on Dunsmore Health in Warwickshire by those Unparallel'd Gunpowder-Conspirators about the beginning of November 3 Iac. in order to the surprisal of the Princess Elizabeth the King's daughter then residing at Combe in that County whereof the Lord Harington her Guardian had private intimation he was by that Lord dispatcht to the Court to acquaint His Majesty therewith Where his abilities and fidelity being amply discern'd by that prudent King he was admitted Gentlâ—man of the privy-chamber and one of His Majesties Carvers Also upon the sixteenth of March 4 Iac. Knighted at Whitehall And in the moneth of April An. 1611. 9 Iac. imployed Embassador into Spaine so likewise in October An. 1614. 12 Iac. Moreover 3 April An. 1616. 14 Iac. made Vice-Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold and one of his Privy Council And the next ensuing year 15 Iac. being sent again into Spaine upon his return was advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm 25 Nov. 16. Iac. by the title of Lord Digby of Shireburne in com Dors. After which scil An. 1620. 18 Iac. he was sent Embassador to the Arch Duke Albert and the next year following to Ferdinand the Emperor as also to the Duke of Bavaria Whence returning in October An. 1621. he was again scil in An. 1622. 20 Iac. employed Embassador extraordinary to the Spaniard touching a Marriage betwixt Prince Charles and the Lady Maria daughter to Philip the Third then King of that Realm and created Earl of Bristol 15 Sept. the same year He married Beatrice daughter to Charles Walcot of Walcot in com Salop. Esq widdow of Sir Iohn Dive of Bromham in com Bedf. Knight by whom he had issue two sons George born at Madrid in Spaine in the month of October An. 1612. and Iohn born in England in March An. 1617. who dyed in France unmarried As also two daughters Mary married to Sir Arthur Chichester now Lord Dunegal in Ireland and Abigal to George Freake â—ldest son of Iohn Freake of Shroughton in â—om Dors. Esquire And departing this life at Paris in France 16 Ian. An. 1653. was there buried in the common burial place of the Hugâ—enots in that City To whom succeed George his son and heir installed Knight of the Garter An. Apr. 1661 which George married Anne daughter to Francis late Earl of Bedford and by her had issue two sons viz. Iohn his son and heir who first married Alice the only child of Robert Bourne of Blake-Hall in the Parish of Bovenger in com Essex Esquire by whom he had no issue secondly Rachel daughter of Sir Hugh Windham Knight one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas the name of his second son was Francis slain in that sharp Fight at Sea
all things were peaceably accorded in shew but there happening not long after an affray scil in 37 Hen. 6. betwixt a Servant to the King and one of Warwick's followers it gave colour of report that there was a designe to kill the Earl which occasioned him to take his Barge and hast to Calais Thither therefore the young Duke of Somerset was sent as Captain but this Earl would not resigne maintaining himself there with the great Booty he had got at Sea as Admiral no less worth then ten thousand pounds for he had after two dayes fight taken three Carricks of Genoa and two of Spain laden with Merchandize with the loss of about an hundred men of his own and a thousand of theirs After which scil in 38 Hen. 6. he brought over a Band of stout Soldiers from Calais and with them a valiant Commander called Andrew Trollop to a general Rendezvous which the Yorkists had at Ludeford in Herefordshire on the Vigil of the Translation of S. Edward the King where he produced certain persons before the people to swear that the King was deceased causing Mass to be said and Offerings made that they might the less dread to take the Field But Trollop who had served formerly against the French and done notably finding that this Earl and the rest had foul intentions whereas his preservation and honor was the only thing pretended got away privately with a choice sort of men and came in to the King which did so much daunt the Yorkists that they forthwith shifted for themselves this our Earl with his Father passing with difficulty to Calais Whereupon the King calling a Parliament at Coventrie attainted him and the rest of high Treason From Calais therefore they sailed speedily into Ireland to the Duke of York but finding themselves not able to carry on their work in England by strength began to make specious pretences of all fidelity to K. Henry Which feigned shew did not only deceive the ordinary sort of men but even the Archbishop of Canterbury himself and divers other persons of quality so that they were permitted to land in Kent Where the better to delude the people this Earl openly at the Cross in Canterbury swore that they had ever born true Faith and Allegiance to King Henry and thereupon got many to joyn with them giving out that they only desired admission to the King for speech with him Nevertheless when they came to Northampton where his Army was they put themselves in order to fight the Vant-guard being led by this Earl of Warwick in so much as a Bloody Battle ensued upon the nineth of Iuly wherein the King himself was taken and many a gallant man slain Howbeit after this the Queen raised more power in Yorkshire whereof the Duke of York having intelligence soon hasted thither and meeting with the Royalists at Wakefield Ann. 39 H. 6. there felt the reward of his perfidiousness being fatally slain in that Battle Hereupon she advanced towards London where this Earl and his party then in Armes on the behalf of Edward Earl of March Son and Heir to the slain Duke of York then were having the King along with them who endeavoring to stop her passage at St. Alvans were there routed at which time the person of the King was recovered But it was not long after ere the Earles of March and this our Earl of Warwick having by flight escaped made up towards London with a mighty power Which so affrighted the Queen notwithstanding her late success at St. Albans that she again retired with the King and Prince towards the North. Which gave such encouragement to the Yorkists that London received them without opposition so that the Earl of March from this time forwards taking upon him the title was proclaimed King by the name of Edward the Fourth and therupon hasted Northwards against those Forces which King Henry had raised there But at Ferribrigg receiving some loss whereat divers were staggered this Earl to encourage others slew his own Horse in King Edward's presence saying Let him flee that flee will I will tarry with him that will tarry with me and so kissed the Cross of his Sword to confirm that resolution this being the day preceding that great Battle at Touton where King Edward obtained a mighty Victory by the slaughter of many thousands of the adverse party After which there was nothing of Honor Authority and benefit that he who had been so signally instrumental for King Edward did desire but he had it for soon after this he was made Captain of Calais and the Tower of Risebank as also Lieutenant of the Marches there and Governor of the Castle of Guynes which Castle he was obliged by Indenture to keep from the fourth of March 1 Edw. 4. so long as he should live with forty eight men at Armes on Foot himself and his Lieutenant on Horseback and fifty Archers on Foot in consideration whereof himself and his Lieutenant on were to have two shillings per diem his men at Armes eight pence and his Archers six pence He was likewise the same year constituted General Warden of the East-Marches towards Scotland as also Lord great Chamberlain of England for life and Constable of Dover Castle and besides all this Lord high Steward of England Moreover in recompence of his many and great services he obtained a grant in Fee of the Mannor of More end in Northamptonshire as also of the Mannors of Athirston and Fulbroke in Com. Warw. In 2 Edw. 4. he was made Constable of the Castle of Hampnes in the Marches of Picardy to hold by himself or his Deputy for terme of life and to have there one Archer on Horseback and seventeen men at Armes on Foot as also seventeen Archers taking for himself or his Deputy twelve pence by the day for his Archer on Horseback and every man at Armes on Foot eight pence and for every Archer on Foot six pence Certain it is that this great Earl was the chiefest man in England for supporting the House of York as the Duke of Somerset was for that of Lancaster So that Comines saith that he might justly be called King Edwards Father as well for that he trained him up as for the great services he did him for the which that King so highly rewarded him For besides his own Inheritance which was great he had divers goodly Lordships of his gift aswell Crown Lands as Lands forfeited by attainder as also divers great Offices so that I have heard saith he that his Revenues were valued at fourscore thousand Crowns per annum besides his own Inheritance But to proceed shortly after this being sent into France and employed to treat there on the behalf of King Edward touching a Marriage betwixt him
obtain'd a Charter for a Mercate every Saturday at his Mannor of Mâ—reâ—on in Com. Devon and two Fairs one on the Eve Day and Morrow after the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle and the other on the Eve Day and Morrow after the Feast of St. Margaret In 16 E. 3. being then Earl of Devon he was in that Expedition then made into Bâ—itanâ—y with one Banâ—ret twelve Knights thirty six Esquires and sixty Archers on Horseback of his Retinue And in 19 E. 3. the War continuing still there receiv'd command to prepare himself and all his Retinue well fitted with Horse and Arms to attend the King thither In 21 E. 3. being so infirm as that he was not able to go Personally in that Expedition then made beyond-Sea William de Boâ—un Earl of Northampton joyn'd with Hugh de Courtney his Son in moving the King that he might be excused from coming to Parliament or any Councils and had their Request granted After which recovering he obtain'd leave in 24 E. 3. to travel for one whole year And about this time was elected into that Honourable Society of the most Noble Order of the Garter then newly instituted In 26 E. 3. he together with Thomas de Courtney his Brother were assigned by the King to Arm and Array all Persons both Knights Esquires and others within the Counties of Devon and Cornwall and to conduct them to the Sea-Coasts in opposition of an Invasion then feared from the French And in 30 E. 3. was sent into Britanny with other English Lords upon the King 's special Service Whilst his Father lived he resided at Colcumbe and had the Lordships of Wellesdene and Coker for his Support And having married Margaret the Daughter of Humphrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford had by her Issue six Sâ—â—s viz. Hugh born xi Cal. Apr. Aâ—no MCCCXXVII 1 E. 3. Thomas Edward William Philip and Peter and five Daughters scil Ioan Margaret Elizabeth Catherine and Anne And departing this Life upon Saturday nâ—xâ— preceding the Feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross in 51 E. 3. was buried in the Cathedral Church at Exeter Of which Sons Hugh being called Hugo de Courtney junior whilst he lived went in thâ—â— Expedition made into France in 20 â— 3. In 21 â— 3. being in the Tournament at Eâ—tham he had a Hood of White Cloth embroider'd with 〈◊〉 and button'd with large Pearls then given him by the King And enjoy'd the Mannor of Woddesden in Com. Buck. with the Advowson of the Church in Right of Maude his Wife Daughter of Thomas Holland Earl of Kent Which Maude in her Widowhood afterwards married to Waleraâ— Earl of St. Paul But this Hugh died in 48 E. 3. his Father then living Thomas the second Son died also before his Father So likewise did Edward the third Son who married Emeline the Daughter of Sir Iohn D'aâ—ney Knight and left Issue two Sons viz. Edward who in 51 E. 3. was found Nephew and Heir to Earl Hugh his Grandfather and at his death xxi years of age and Sir Hugh Courtney of Baunton Knight who married Philippâ— one of the three Daughters and Coheirs of Warine Arcedekene and Elizabeth his Wife Daughter and Heir to Iohn Talbot of Ricards Castle William the fourth Son was Archbishop of Canterbury Philip the fifth was of Pouderham from whom the Courtneys of that House are descended Which Sir Philip for he was a Knight being in that Fight at Sea in 1 R. 2. against the Spaniard was sore wounded and fled After which viz. in 7 R. 2. he was constituted Lieutenant of Ireland for ten years Sir Piers de Courtney Knight the sixth Son was unmarried This Sir Piers being also in that Sea-fight against the Spaniard in 1 R. 2. was there sore wounded and taken Prisoner but for his Enlargement had a Grant from the King of the Benefit of the Marriage of Richard the Brother and Heir of Thomas de Poynings In 7 R. 2. he had Licence to send into France by Northampton Herald and Anlet Pursuivant eight Cloths of Scarlet of Black and Russet to give to certain Noblemen of that Realm as also two Horses six Saddles six little Bows one Sheaf of large Arrows and another Sheaf of Crossbow-Arrows for the King of Franâ—e's Keeper Likewise a Greyhound and other Dogs All which were for Presents to the French in respect of the great Honour the King of France had done unto him at such time as he combated there with a Knight of that Realm In 11 R. 2. this Sir Piers Courtney was made Chief Chamberlain to the King And the same year had Licence again to go to Calais with Iohn Hoboldâ—d Esq to challenge the French for the Performance of certain Feats oâ— Arms and behaved himself bravely there But in 13 R. 2. being at Calais he receiv'd a Message from the King of England that he should forbear to exercise any Feats of Arms with the French without the special leave of Henry de Percy Earl of Northumberland which it seems he had for he did then notably manifest his Military Skill and Valour in a Tournament held there to his high Renown In 14 R. 2. he was made Constable of Windsore-Castle And after this viz. in 16 R. 2. when divers Knights came out of Scotland to challenge the English to certain Feats of Arms one ... Darell challenging him they ran with sharp Spears This Sir Piers died in 10 H. 4. ¶ As to the Daughters of the before-mentioned Eâ—â— Hugh Margaret was the Wife of Iohn Lord Cobham Elizabeth 〈◊〉 married to ... Vere and afterwards to Andrew Lutterell and Catherine first to William Lord Harrington and next to Sir Thomas Engaine Knight But I return to Margaret their Mother This Margaret continued a Widow till her death and by her Testament bearing date 28 Ian. 14 R. 2. bequâ—ath'd her Body to be buried in the Cathedral Church at Exeter near to her Lord and Husband appointing that there should be no other Herse for her than plain Bars to keep off the Preass of People and onely two Tapers of five pounds apiece the one at her Head and the other at her Feet without any Torches or other Lights Likewise That upon the day of her Funeral xx l. in Money should be given amongst poor People viz. to every one a Groat And that for the Soul of her Husband and her own Soul CC l. should be distributed amongst the Daughters of Knights and Gentlemen towards that Marriage-Portions and to poor Scholars at School To Margaret the Daughter of her Son Philip she bequeath'd C Marks in augmentation of her Portion To William Archbishop of Canterbury her Son a gilt Chalice and
of Age Ioane his Wife surviving who by her Testament bearing date 3 Dec. an 1485. 1 H. 7. bequeath'd her Body to be buried in the Parish-Church of All-Hallows at Herst Monceaux near to the grave of Sir Richard Fenys Kt her Husband And to Elizabeth Lady Clinton her Daughter Wife of Iohn Lord Clinton and Thomas Fenys her Son gave all her Chattels and Jewells to be divided betwixt them Which Thomas accomplishing his full age in 7 H. 7. had Livery of his Lands Shortly after which viz. in 10 H. 7. he was made Knight of the Bath upon the Creation of Henry the Kings second Son Duke of Yorke And in 8 H. 7. appeared in Arms against the Cornish-men who had then made a great Insurrection So likewise shortly after when the Scots had laid Siege to Norham-Castle he marcht with the Earl of Surrey to the raising thereof This Thomas having been summon'd to Parliament from 11 H. 7. to 21 H. 8. by his Testament bearing date 1 Sept. an 1531. 23 H. 8. bequeath'd his Body to be buried in the Parish-Church of Herst Monceaux on the North-side of the high Altar Appointing that a Tomb should be there made for placing the Sepulcher of our Lord with all fitting Furniture thereto in honour of the most blessed Sacrament Also that towards the Lights about the same Sepulcher C l. in Wax should be imploy'd in Tapers of ten pound weight a piece for to burn about it Likewise that his Funeral should be solemnized according to the degree of a Baron and a Tomb set over his Grave to the end it might be known where his Body resteth Moreover that an honest Priest should sing there for his Soul by the space of seven years taking annually for his Salary and to find Bread Wine and Wax xii marks sterling And died in an 1534. 26 H. 8. as it seems for then doth the Probate of this his Testament bear date leaving Thomas his Cousin and Heir Apparent to succeed him Which Thomas in an 1541. 33 H. 8. being seduced by some extravagant persons to course in the night time in Laughton-Park in Com. Suss. belonging to Nicholas Pelham Esq by the way at a place called Pikehay met with three persons betwixt whom and those of his Company there hapned a fray wherein one of them was mortally wounded and died soon after Whereupon he was indicted of murther for the same and being found guilty thereof upon Tryal by his Peers upon the xxix th of Iune being St. Peters day was carried from the Tower of London to Tiburn and there hang'd After which his Body was buryed in St. Sepulchers Church near Newgate he being then not above xxiv years of Age. Whose death was much lamented in regard of his youth noble disposition and the King 's inexorable rigour It is said that this Manslaughter for it was no other was committed by those who were of his Company at that time he not being present And that being call'd in question he was through the subtilty of some Courtiers who gaped for his Estate perswaded to acknowledge the Murther for that the Indictment charg'd him with and to submit himself to the King's mercy Unto which advice imprudently hearkning he had Sentence of death and suffered accordingly leaving Issue Gregory his Son and Heir and a Daughter called Margaret Which Gregory with his Sister being restored by Act of Parliament in 1 Eliz. accompanied the Earl of Lincoln in 14 Eliz. then sent Embassador to the King of France at Paris Where the League not long before concluded on at Bloys was fully ratified This Gregory Lord Dacres dying without Issue 26 Sept. an 1549. 36 Eliz. was buried at Chelsey leaving Margaret his Sister his sole Heir Which Margaret being Married to Sampson Lennard Esq and making claim to the Honour it was declared and adjudg'd by the Lords Commissioners for exercising the Office of Earl Marshal of England in the second year of King Iames with the privity and assent of the King that she the said Margaret ought to have and enjoy the name state degree stile honour place and precedency of the Barons Dacre to have and to hold to her and to the Issue of her Body in as full and ample manner as any of her Ancestors did enjoy the same As also that her Children might and should take and enjoy their place and precedence respectively as the Childern of her Ancestors Barons Dacre formerly had and enjoyed This Sampson also by the special favour of the King in 10 Iac. obtaining a grant to himself during his Life for to take place and precedence as the eldest Son to the Lord Dacres of the South had Issue by her the said Margaret Henry his Son and Heir to whom the Title of Lord Dacres was afterwards confirm'd Which Henry died 10 Aug. an 1616. 14 Iac. and by Chrysogona his Wife Daughter of Sir Henry Baker of Sissinhurst in Com. Cantii Knight left Issue three Sons Richard Edward and Fienes And two Daughters Margaret Married to Sir ... Wildgoose Knights and Philadelphia to Sir Thomas Parker of Willington in Com. Suss. Knight Which Richard Lord Dacre departed this Life at Herst-Monceaux 18 Aug. an 1630. 6 Car. 1. leaving Issue by Elizabeth his first Wife Daughter and Coheir to Sir Arthur Throkmorton of Paulere Perie in Com. Northt Knight four Sons viz. Francis Richard Thomas and Henry of which Sons Richard and Henry died young And by Dorothy his second Wife Daughter of Dudley Lord North one Son called Richard and Catherine a Daughter To whom succeeded Francis his Eldest Son who Married Elizabeth Daughter of Paul Vicount Banning and died in an 1662. leaving Issue by her two Sons Thomas advanced to the dignity of Earl of Sussex by Letters Patents bearing date at Westminster 5 Octobris 26 Car. 2. and Henry Fienes Lord Say 25 H. 6. ¶ I Now come to Iames the second Son of the before-specified Sir William de Fienes Kt. This Iames being a valiant Souldier in 6 H. 5. obtain'd a grant from that Victorious King of the Lordship of De la Court le Comte within the Bayliwick of Cauâ— in Normandy part of the possessions of the Lord of Lymers and likewise of all those Lands lying within the Bailiwick of â—oben and Cauâ— which did belong to Roger Bloset and his Wife The next year following upon the render of Arqueâ— he was constituted Governour there And in 8 H. 6. attended the King into the France for the better defence of those parts In 15 H. 6. he was made Sheriff of Kent So likewise in 17 H. 6. of Surrey and Sussex And in 18 H. 6. being Esquire for the Body to that King had a grant of Câ— yearly Pension to
Elysabeth espoused unto the Vicount Fitz Walter 's Son and Heyr and the Lady Dorothie then being not marryed but lefte for her ryght good substance to marry her wyth Thus far the Tablet Touching some of his Children before I do further go on with my discourse of the succeeding Dukes I shall heretake notice And in the first place that the Lord Edward his second Son in 7 H. 7. was in that Expedition made into Flanders on the behalf of Maximilian the Emperour against the French which proved fruitles Also that in 1 H. 8. being then a Knight he was made the King's Standard-Bearer within the Realm of England and elsewhere 20 Maii. And in 4 H. 8. 19 Martii constituted Admiral of England Wales Ireland Normandy Gascoine and Aquitane At which time he convoy'd the Marquess Dorset into Spain in aid of the Emperour Ferdinand against the French and having with his Fleet cleared the Seas from Enemies landed at a little Bay in Britanny whence marching seven miles into the Country he burnt some Towns and brought away rich spoils Likewise putting his men on Shore at Conquet and divers other places where the French were still worsted they sought a Parley in which they desired that the English would leave off this cruel warring upon them which tended only to the burning of Villages and ransacking the poor But he replyed that he was not to take his directions from them Adding that it was the part of brave Gentlemen to defend their Country and not shamefully to sue for mercy After which and a Banquet in his Ship he dismis'd them and return'd home The French in the mean while making great preparations by Sea King Henry thought fit to reinforce his Fleet adding twenty more Ships under the command of this his Admiral and twenty five more under the command of the choicest of those gallant men that attended him These chancing to meet with thirty nine sail coming out of Brest in Britanny fought with them In which Fight two great Ships one of the English Commanded by Sir Thomas Knevet wherein were seven hundred men the other of the French under Primaugot a Briton grapling hapned to be on Fire and utterly consum'd not a man saved He was also sent out against Sir Andrew Barton a Scot who being a great Pirate rob'd the Merchants of England at every Haven's mouth and at length after a sharp fight took him so wounded that he lived not But about the beginning of the year 1513. 5 H. 8. King Henry intending a farther War with France thought fit to clear the Seas from the French and to that end sent his Fleet composed of forty two Sail besides lesser Barques against them The French therefore having advertisement of this design got one Pregent a Knight of Rodes with four Gallies to pass the Straits and come into Britanny where divers good Ships were appointed to their aid but till he came directed that they should keep within the Haven of Brest and not encounter with the English who lay at Anchor in sight of them The English therefore resolving to attempt them in the midst of their defences at length entred the Haven where the French Fleet lay under the defence of many Plat-forms raised on the land besides Fire-ships Being thus prepared this Lord Admiral advertised the King thereof advising him to come in person to have the glory of the Action But the King in stead of coming wrote sharply to him with command to do his duty Whereof he grew so apprehensive that he hazarded his own person too rashly first sending out his boats to make a shew of landing Whereupon the French flockt to the Shore to the number of ten thousand the English in those Boates being not above fifteen-hundred and landing over against Brest burnt the Country in sight of the Castle thinking not fit to do any more till victuals came But soon after six Galleys of the Enemiâ—s and two Foists under Pregent putting in near Conquet a little below Brest notice thereof being given to this our Admiral attended with four choice Captains he resolved to board them and entring into one of those two Galleys which the English had only at that time there did board that Galley in which Pregent was with his Sword and Target one Carroz a Spanish Cavalier and seventeen English attending him commanding that his own Galley should be grapled to the Enemies But whether the French he wed in sunder the Cable or the Marriners let it slâ—p for fear of the Ordinance the English Galley â—â—ll off so that this noble person was left in the hands of his enemies Of whom there could no other account be given by his own men than that when he was past all hope of recovering his Galley he took his Whistle from his neck and threw it into the Sea His loss being therefore known and the French Admiral sent to to signiâ—y what was become of him Pregent answered that they had none but one Marriner who told him that a certain person whom they bore over-board with their Pikes was their Admiral This is all I can say of him other than that he was a Knight of the most noble order of the Garter and that he married Alice Sister to Henry Lovel Lord Morley Widow of Sir William Parker Knight Of his third Son the Lord Edmund it appears that at Flodden-field 5 H. 8. he and the Lord Thomas Howard his elder Brother led the Vantguard and that at first he was in some distress through the singular valour of the Earls of Lenox and Argylâ— but that the Lord Dacres coming to his succour and one Heron the fight was renewed This Lord Edmund was at that time also a Knight and Marshal of the Host. It is affirmed by some of our Historians that being got upon the Hill side with his wing the Lord Hume with those two Earls of Lenox and Argyle encountred him so fiercely that with their Spears on foot they beat down and broke that whole Band of the English so that he was in a manner left alone and fell'd to the ground Also that had not the Bastard Heron come to his rescue he had been slain but he bringing with him a strong Troop of Horse which during his banishment from England and Scotland he had cunningly train'd up in Robberies by his means he escaped again to the English Vantguard And in 12 H. 8. upon that famous enterview betwixt King Henry the eight and Francis the first of France whereat all â—eats of Arms were performed for the space of thirty days betwixt Ardres and Guisnes he was one of the Challengers on the part of the English To his first Wife this Lord Edmund married Ioyce Daughter to Sir Richard Culpeper of Hollingburn in Kent Knight by
Eliz. took his place there upon the second of April In 15 Eliz. he was one of the Peers upon the Tryal of Thomas Duke of Norff. And the same year upon the League made by Queen Elizabeth with the States of the United Provinces was one of the Lords then sent into France with Edward Earl of Lincoln Lord Admiral for ratifying thereof In 29 Eliz. he was also one of the Peers which sate at Fotheringhay upon Tryal of the Queen of Scots Likewise in 43 Eliz. upon that Insurrection made in London by Robert Earl of Essex he was one of those Lords which appear'd with him therein and thereupon suffered Imprisonment This William Married two Wives First Christian Daughter of ... Anslow Esq by whom he had Issue one Son called William And to his second Wife Catherine Daughter of Edmund Lord Chandos by whom he had Issue one Daughter named Elizabeth Married to Sir Edwyne Sands Knight Son and Heir of Miles Sandys of Latimers in Com. Buck. Esq Master of the Kings Bench Office and departed this life 29 Sept. an 1623. 21 Iac. To whom succeeded William his said Son and Heir Which William took to Wife Alathea eldest Daughter and Coheir of Iohn Panton of Brinneskiâ— in the Parish of Hanthlan in Com. Denb Esq and died 12 Nov. an 1629. 5 Car. 1. without Issue Whereupon William the Son of Colonel Henry Sands Son of the said Edwyn and Elizabeth which Colonel being mortally wounded on the Kings part in the Fight at Bramdene near Alâ—ford in Com. Sutht 29 Martii 1644. died 6 Apr. next ensuing becoming Heir to this Honour had Summons to Parliament accordingly And having Married Mary the youngest Daughter to William late Earl of Salisbury died in an 1668. without Issue This last mention'd William had three other Brothers viz. Henry Miles and Edwyn and six Sisters Hesther Married to Humphrey Noy Son to William Noy sometime Attorney General to King Charles the First Alathea to Francis Gofton of Alderidge in Com. Sutht Esq Mary to Dr. Henry Savage Principal of Baliol-Coll in Oxford Iane to Iohn Harris of Old-Wodstoke in Com. Oxon. Esq Margaret to Sir Iohn Mill of Tachbury in Com. Sutht Baronet and Margery to Sir Edmund Fortescue of Fallowpitt in Com. Devon Baronet Which Henry now Lord Sandys Brother and Heir of William is yet Unmarried Vaux of Harwedon 15 H. 8. THis Family whose Seat hath been at Harwedon in Com. Northt for more than two hundred and fifty years do derive their Descent from Robert de Vaux a great man in the North of this Realm in the days of King Stephen and Henry the Second being then Founder of the Priory of Laâ—ercost in Cumberland as I have elsewhere shewed Being thus fix'd there William Vaux in the time of those great and sharp contests betwixt the Houses of Yorke and Lancaster lost all for his adherence to King Henry the Sixth but at length Henry Earl of Richmund obtaining the Crown Nicholas his Son and Heir had restitution thereof Whereupon he fought stoutly for that King in the Battel of Stoke near Newark in 2 H. 7. against Iohn Earl of Lincoln and his Adherents then in Arms on the behalf of Lambert Simnel set up as a Counterfeit Son to George Duke of Clarence for which good service King Henry being there Victorious he receiv'd the honour of Knighthood And in 17 of the same Kings Reign at that great Solemnity of Prince Arthur's Marriage wore a Gown of Purple Velvet adorn'd with pieces of gold so thick and massy that beside the Silk and Furs it was valued at a thousand pounds as also a Collar of SS weighing eight hundred pound in Nobles In 1 H. 8. this Nicholas being made Lieutenant of the Castle at Guisnes in Picardy in 5 H. 8. was at the Siege of Therouene In 10 H. 8. he was one of the Embassadors then sent into France for confirming the Articles of Peace betwixt King Henry and the French And in 11 H. 8. in order to that famous Enterview near Guisnes between King Henry and the King of France was one of the Commissioners at that time sent thither to make preparation for the same After which he grew in such high esteem at Court as that in 15 H. 8. 27 Apr. he was advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm the solemnity of his Creation with some others then being at the King 's Royal Palace of Bridewell in the Suburbs of London But he lived not long to enjoy that Honour For having by his Testament bearing date the same year by the Title of Lord Harowden bequeath'd his Body to be buried at Harowdon in case he should depart this life in Northamptonshire if in London then in the Black-Fryers and if at Guisnes in the Church there appointing that C l. should be bestow'd upon Priests Clerks and poor People at his Funeral and ordained a Chantry for one Priest to sing Mass in the Parish-Church of Harowden for the Souls of his Grandfather Father and Mother as also for the Souls of his two Wives his Children and other his Ancestors Souls And having likewise bequeath'd to his Daughters Margaret Bridget and Maud five hundred pounds a piece for their respective Marriages and to his Sons Thomas and William all his wearing gere except Cloth of Gold Cloth of Silver and Tissue he departed this life soon after as by the Probate of that his Testament which beareth date 3 Iulii next ensuing appeareth This Nicholas had two Wives First Elizabeth Daughter and Heir to Henry Lord Fitz Hugh Widow of Sir William Parr Knight by whom he left Issue three Daughters viz. Catherine Married to Sir George Throkmorton of Coughton in Com. Warr. Knight Anne to Sir Thomas Strange of Hunston in Com. Norff. Knight and Alice to Sir Edward Sapcote of Elton in Com. Hunt Knight Secondly Anne Daughter of Thomas Greene of Green's-Norton in Com. Northt Esq by whom he had Issue two Sons Thomas and William and three Daughters Margaret Wife of Francis Pultney of Misterton in Com. Leic. Esq Maud of Sir Iohn Farmer of Eston juxta Touceter in Com. Northt Knight and Bridget of Maurice Welsh of Sudbury in Com. Glouc. Esq Which Thomas his Son and Heir in 19 H. 8. was one of those who attended Cardinal Wolsey when he went Embassador in such great state beyond-Sea to make Peace betwixt the Emperour King Henry of England and King Francis of France In 22 H. 8. being summon'd to Parliament he took his place there 19 Ian. And in 24 H. 8. waited on the King to Calais and thence to Boloine In 25 H. 8. upon the Coronation of Queen Anne Bullen this Thomas was one of the Knights of the Bath then made for the honour of that Solemnity He was also Captain