France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith The King only is Dei Gratiâ simply i.e. from the favour of none but God and the Archbishops and Bishops that pretend to that Title must understand Dei gratiâ Regis or Dei gratiâ voluntate Regis Defender of the Faith was antiently used by the Kings of England as appears by several Charters granted to the University of Oxford but in the year 1521 more affixt by a Bull from Pope Leo the Tenth for a Book written by Henry the Eighth against Luthers in defence of some points of the Romish Religion but since continued for defence of the Antient Catholck and Apostolick Faith Primogenitus Ecclesiae belongs to the Kings of England because their Predecessor Lucius was the first King that embraced Christianity Christianissimus was by the Lateran Council under Pope Julius the 2d conferred on the Kings of England in the 5th year of Henry 8 though now used only by the French King The Title of Grace was first given to the King about the time of H. 4. to H. 6. Excellent Grace to Ed. 4. High and Mighty Prince to Hen. 8. first Highness then Majesty and now Sacred Majesty after the Custom of the Eastern Emperours that used 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The King of England in his Publick Instruments and Letters stiles himself Nos We in the plural number before King John's time the Kings used the singular number which Custom is still seen in the end of Writs Teste meipso apuâ— Westm In speaking to the King is used often besides Your Majesty Syr from Cyr in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Abbreviation o◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dominus much used to the Greek Emperours but Syr or Domine iâ— now in England become the ordinary word to all of better rank even from the King to the Gentleman It was antiently in England given to Lords afterwards to Knights and to Clergymen prefixt before their Christian Names â—ow in that manner only to Baâ—onets and Knights of the Bath and Knights Batchelours yet in France Syr or Syre is reserved only for their King About the time that our Saviour lived on Earth there was a Jewish Sect whose Ring-â—eader was one Judas of Gaile mentioned Acts 5. 37. that would not give this Title of Sir or Dominus to any man affirming that it was proper only to God and stood not unlike our new Fanaticks called Quakers so perversely for such Nominal Liberty being â—n other points meer Pharisees that no penalties could force them to give this honorary Title to any man no not to the Emperour uti videre 〈◊〉 apud Josephum alios Sed hâ—â— obiter The Saxon Kings before the Conquest bare Azure a Crossâ— Formy between four Martlet Or. Afterward the Danish King raigning in England bare oâ— Semi de Harts Gules 3 Lyon Passant Gardant Azure After the Conquest the Kings of England bare two Leopards born first by the Conquerour as Duke of Normandy till the time of Hen. 2 who in right of his Mother annext her Paternal Coat the Lyon of Aquitaine which being of the same Field Mettal and Form with the Leopards â—â—om thence-forward they were â—intly marshalled in one Shield and Blazoned 3 Lyons as at â—resent King Edward the Third in â—â—ght of his Mother claiming â—he Crown of France with the Arms of England quartered the Arms of France which then were Azure Semy Flower â—eluces Or afterwards changed to 3 Flower deluces whereupon Hen. 5. of England caused the English Arms to be changed likewise King James upon the Union of England and Scotland caused the Arms of France and England to be quartered with Scotland and Ireland and are thus blazoned The King of England beareth for his Soveraign Ensigns Armorial as followeth In the first place Azure 3 Flower deluces Or for the Regal Arms of France quartered with the Imperial Ensigns of England which are Gules threâ— Lyons Passant Gardant in Palâ— Or. In the second place with in a double Tressure counter-flowered de lys Or a Lyon Rampant Gules for the Royal Arms of Scotland In the third place Azure an Irish Harp Or Stringed Argent for the Royal Ensigns of Ireland In the fourth place as in the first All within the Garter the chief Ensign of that most Honourable Order above the same an Helmet answerable to His Majesties Soveraign Jurisdiction upon the same a rich Mantle of Cloth of Gold doubled Ermine adorned with an Imperial Crown and surmounted for a Crest by a Lyon Passant Gardant Crowned with the like supported by 〈◊〉 Lyon Rampant Gardant Or Crowned as the former and an unicorn Argent Gorged with a Crown thereto a Chain affixt passing between his foreâ—egs and reflext over his back Or both standing upon a Compartment placed underneath and in the Table of the Compartment His Majesties Royal Motto Dieu mon Droit The Supporters used before the Union of England and Scotland were the Dragon and Lyon The Arms of France placed first for that France is the greater Kingdom and because from the first bearing those Flowers have been alwayes Ensigns of a Kingdom whereas the Arms of England were originally of Dukedoms as beforesaid The Motto upon the Garter Honi soit qui mal y pense that is Shame be to him that evil thereof thinketh was first given by Edward 3 the Founder of that Order upon occasion as some have written of a Garter falling from the Countess of Kent and Salisbury as she danced and taken up by that King whereat the Queen being jealous or the Courtiers observing it the King first uttered those words now upon the Garter whereof the Order was soon after instituted The Motto Dieu mon Droit that is God and my Right was first given by Richard the First to intimate that the King of England holdeth his Empire not in Vassallage of any mortal man but of God only and after taken up by Edward 3. when he first claimed the Kingdom of France King William the Conquerour getting by right of Conquest all the Lands of England except Lands belonging to the Church to Monastenies and Religious Houses into his own hands in Demesne as Lawyers speak soon bestowed amongst his Subjects aâ— great part thereof reserving some retribution of Rents and Services or both to him and his Heirs Kings of England which reservation is now as it was before the Conquest called the Tenure of Lands the rest he reserved to himself in Demesne called Coronae Regis Dominica Domaines and Sacra Patrimonia Praedium Domini Regis Directum Dominum cujus nullus est Author nisi Deus all other Lands in England being held now of some Superiour and depend mediately or immediately on the Crown but the Lands possest by the Crown being held of none can escheat to none being sacred cannot become prophane are or should be permanent and inalienable Which Royal Domaines are by Time the Gift and Bounty of
the Nobility or Bishops is made choice of by the Three States assembled in the name of the Infant King who by Nature or Alliance hath most Interest in the preservation of the Life and Authority of the Infant and to whom least benefit can accrue by his Death or Diminution as the Uncle by the Mothers side if the Crown come by the Father and so vice versa is made Protector so during the minority of Edward 6. his Uncle by the Mothers side the Duke of Somerset had the tuition of him and was called Protector and when this Rule hath not been observed as in the minority of Edw. 5. it hath proved of ill consequence If the King of England be Non compos mentis or by reason of an incurable disease weakness or old age become uncapable of governing then is made a Regent Protector or Guardian to govern King Edward 3. being at last aged sick and weak and by grief for the death of the Black Prince sore broken in body and mind did of his own will create his fourth Son John Duke of Lancaster Guardian or Regent of England If the King be absent upon any Foreign Expedition or otherwise which antiently was very usual the Custom was to constitute a Vice-gerent by Commission under the Great Seal giving him several Titles and Powers according as the necessity of affairs have required sometimes he hath been called Lord Warden or Lord of the Kingdom and therewith hath had the general power of a King as was practised during the Absence of Edward the First Second and Third and of Henry 5. but Henry 6. to the Title of Warden or Guardian added the Stile of Protector of the Kingdom and of the Church of England and gave him so great power in his absence that he was tantum non Rex swaying the Scepter but not wearing the Crown executing Laws summoning Parliaments under his own Teste as King and giving his assent to Bills in Parliament whereby they became as binding as any other Acts. Sometimes during the Kings Absence the Kingdom hath been committed to the care of several Noblemen and sometime of Bishops as less dangerous for attempting any usurpation of the Crown sometimes to one Bishop as Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury was Viceroy of England for many years and when Edward 3. was in Flanders though his Son then but nine years old had the Name of Protector John Stafford Archbishop of Canterbury was Governour both of the Kings Son and of the Realm Lastly Sometimes to the Queen as two several times during the absence of Henry 8. in France Of the QUEEN of ENGLAND THe Queen so called from the Saxon Konigin whereof the last syllable is pronounced as gheen in English it being not unusual to cut off the first Syllables as an Almes-House is sometimes called a Spital from Hospital She hath as high Prerogatives Dignity and State during the life of the King as any Queen of Europe From the Saxon times the Queen Consort of England though she be an Alien born and though during the life of the King she be femme covert as our Law speaks yet without any Act of Parliament for Naturalization or Letters Paâ—ents for Denization she may purchase Lands in Feesimple make Leases and Grants in her own Name without the King hath power to give to sue to contract as a femme sole may receive by gift from her Husband which no other femme â—overt may do Had anciently a Revenue of Queen Gold or Aurum Reginae as the Records call it which was the tenth part of so much as by the Name of Oblata upon Pardons Gifts and Grants c. came to the King Of later times hath had as large a Dower as any Queen in Christendome hath her Royal Court apart her Courts and Officers c. The Queen may not be impleaded till first petitioned shall not be amerced if she be nonsuited as all other Subjects are if she be Plaintiff the Summons in the Process need not have the solemnity of 15 dayes c. Is reputed the Second Person in the Kingdom The Law setteth so high a value upon her as to make it High Treason to conspire her death or to violate her Chastity Her Officers as Attourney and Sollicitor for the Queens sake have respect above others and place within the Barre with the Kings Council The like honour the like reverence and respect that is due to the King is exhibited to the Queen both by Subjects and Foreigners and also to the Queen Dowager or Widdow Queen who also above other Subjects loseth not her Dignity though she should marry a private Gentleman so Queen Katharine Widdow to King Henry the Fifth being married to Owen ap Theodore Esquire did maintain her Action as Queen of England much less doth a Queen by inheritance or a Queen Soveraign of England follow her Husbands condition nor is subject as other Queens but Soveraign to her own Husband as Queen Mary was to King Philip. Of the SONS and DAUGHTERS of ENGLAND THe Children of the King of England are called the Sons and Daughters of England because all the subjects of England have a special interest in them though the whole power of Education Marriage and disposing of them is only in the King The Eldest Son of the King is born Duke of Cornwall and as to that Dutchy and all the Lands Honours Rents and great Revenues belonging thereunto he is upon his Birth-day persumed and by law taken to be of full age so that he may that day sue for the Livery of the said Dukedom and ought of right to obtain the same as if he had been full 21 years of age Afterwards he is created Prince of Wales whose Investiture is performed by the Imposition of a Cap of Estate and Coronet on his Head as a Token of Principality and putting into his Hand a Verge of Gold the Emblem of Government and a Ring of Gold on hs Finger to intimate that he must be a Husband to his Countrey and Father to her Children Also to him is given and granted Letters Patents to hold the said Principality to him and his Heirs Kings of England by which words the separation of this Principality is prohibited From the day of his Birth he is commonly stiled the Prince a Title in England given to no other Subject The Title of Prince of Wales is ancient and was first given by King Edward 1. to his Eldest Son for the Welsh Nation till that time unwilling to submit to the yoke of strangers that King so ordered that his Queen was delivered of her first Child in Caernarvan Castle in Wales and then demanded of the Welsh If they would be content to subject themselves to one of their own Nation that could not speak one word of English and against whose life they could take no just exception Whereunto they readily consenting the King nominated this his new born Son and afterwards created
him Prince of Wales and bestowed on him all the Lands Honours and Revenues belonging to the said Principality The Prince hath ever since been stiled Prince of Wales Duke of Aquitaine and Cornwall and Earl of Chester and Flint which Earldomes are alwayes conferred upon him by his Patent since the Union of England and Scotland his Title hath been Magnae Britanniae Princeps but more ordinarily the Prince of Wales As Eldest Son to the King of Scotland he is Duke of Rothsay and Seneschal of Scotland from his Birth The King of Englands Eldest Son so long as Normandy remained in their hands was alwayes stiled Duke of Normandy Antiently the Princes of Wales whilest they were Soveraigns bare quarterly Gules and Or 4 Lyons passant gardant counterchanged The Arms of the Prince of Wales differ from those of the King only by addition of a Labell of three points and the Device of the Prince is a Coronet beautified with three Ostrich Feathers inscribed with Ich dien which in the German or old Saxon Tongue is I serve alluding perhaps to that in the Gospel The Heir whilest his Father liveth differeth not from a Servant This Device was born at the Battel of Cressy by John King of Bohcmia as serving there under the King of the French and there slain by Edward the Black Prince and since worn by the Princes of Wales and by the Vulgar called the Princes Arms. The Prince by our Law is reputed as the same Person with the King and so declared by a Statute of Henry 8. Corruscat enim Princeps say our Lawyers radiis Regis Patris sui censetur una persona cum ipso And the Civilians say the Kings Eldest Son may be stiled a King He hath certain Priviledges above other Persons To imagine the death of the Prince to violate the Wife of the Prince is made High Treason Hath heretofore had priviledge of having a Purveyor and taking Purveyance as the King To retain and qualifie as many Chaplains as he shall please To the Prince at the Age of 15 is due a certain Aid of Moneys from all the Kings Tenants and all that hold of him in Capite by Knight Service and Free Socage to make him a Knight Yet as the Prince in nature is a distinct person from the King so in Law also in some cases He is a Subject holdeth his Principalities and Seignories of the King giveth the same respect to the King as other Subjects do The Revenues belonging to the Prince since much of the Lands and Demesnes of that Dutchy have been aliened are especially out of the Tinne Mines in Cornwall which with all other profits of that Dutchy amount yearly to the summe of The Revenues of the Principality of Wales surveyed 200 years ago was above 4680 l. yearly a rich Estate according to the value of Money in those dayes At present his whole Revenues may amount to Till the Prince come to be 14 years old all things belonging to the Principality oâ— Wales were wont to be disposed of by Commissioners consisting of some principal Persons of the Clergy and Nobility The Cadets or younger Son of England are created noâ— born Dukes or Earls of what Places or Titles the King pleaseth They have no certain Appanages as in France but onely what the good pleasure of the King bestows upon them All the Kings Sons are Consilii nati by Birth-right Counsellors of State that so they may grow up in the weighty affairs of the Kingdom The Daughters of England are stiled Princesse the eldest of which have an Aid or certain rate of Money paid by every Tenant in Capite Knight Service and Soccage towards her Dowry or Marriage Portion To all the Kings Children belong the Title of Royal Highness All Subjects are to be uncovered in their presence to kneel when they are admitted to kiss their hands and at Table they are out of the Kings Presence served on the Knee The Children the Brothers and Sisters of the King if Plaintiffs the summons in the Process need not have the solemnity of 15 dayes as in Case of other Subjects The Natural or Illegitimate Sons and Daughters of the King after they are acknowledged by the King take precedence of all the Nobles under those of the Blood Royal. They bear what Surname the King pleaseth to give them and for Arms the Arms of England with a Bend Sinister border Gobionnee or some other mark of illegitimation Some Kings of England have acknowledged many and had more illegitimate Sons and Daughters King Henry the First had no fewer than sixteeen illegitimate Children Henry the Eighth amongst others had one by Elizabeth Blount named Henry Fitzroy created by him Duke of Somerset and Richmond Earl of Notingham and Lord High Admiral of England Ireland and Aquitain OF THE PRESENT KING OF ENGLAND THe King now raigning is CHARLES the Second of that Name His Name of Baptisme Charles in the German Tongue signifies one of a Masculine strength or vertue The Royal and also the most princely and antient Families of Europe at this day have properly no Surnames for neither is Burbon the Surname but the Title of the Royal Family of France nor Austria of Spain nor Stuart of England since the coming in of King James nor Theodore or Tudor for his 5 immediate Ancestors in England nor Plantagenet for 11 Generations before as some vainly think for although Geffery Duke of Anjou was surnamed Plantagenet from a Broom Stalk commonly worn in his Bonnet yet his Son H. 2. King of England was surnamed Fitz-empresse and his Son Richard Coeur de Lion So Owen Grandfather to King Henry 7. was ap Meredith and he ap Theodore pronounc'd Tyder Surnames being then but little in use amongst the Cambrobritans So Walter Father to Robert King of Scotland from whom our present King is descended was only by Office Grand Seneschal or High Steward or Stuart of Scotland though of later times by a long vulgar errour it hath so prevailed that they are accounted Surnames of many Families descended from him Steward is a Contraction from the Saxon word Stedeward that is in Latine Locum-tenens in French Lieu-tenant because the Lord High Steward was Regis Locum tenens a Name not unfit for any King who is Dei Locum tenens Gods Stuart or Lieutenant or Vicegerent upon Earth The King now raigning is Son to King Charles the Martyr and the Princess Henretta Maria Daughter of King Henry the Great of France from which two Royal Stocks he hath in his Veins all the Royal Blood of Europe concentred Is descended lineally and lawfully from the British Saxon Danish Norman and Scottish Kings and Princes of this Island From the first British King the 139th Monarch from the Scottish in a continued Succession for almost 2000 years the 109th from the Saxon the 46th and from the first of the Norman Line the 26th King So that for Royal
Extraction and long Line of just Descent his Majesty now raigning excells all the Monarchs of all the Christian if not of the whole World Is the first Prince of Great Britain so born and hath in possession larger Dominions than any of his Ancestors He was born the 29th of May 1630. at the Royal Palace of St. James over which House the same day at Noon was by thousands seen a star and soon after the Sun suffered an Eclipse a sad presage as some then divined that this Princes Power should for some time be eclipsed and some subject signified by a star should have extraordinary splendor Was christened the 27th June following by the then Bishop of London Doctor Land Had for Godfathers his two Uncles Lewis the 13th King of France and Frederick Prince Palatine of the Rhine then called King of Bohemia represented by the Duke of Richmond and Marquiss Hamilton his Godmother being his Grandmother then Queen Mother of France represented by the Dutchesse of Richmond Had for Governess Mary Countess of Dorset Wife to Edward Earl of Dorset In May 1638 he was first knighted and immediately after he was made Knight of the Garter and installed at Windsor About this time by Order not Creation he was first called Prince of Wales and had all the profits of that Principality and divers other lands annexed and Earldom of Chester granted unto him and held his Court apart from the King At the Age of Eight he had for Governour the Earl afterwards Marquiss and now Duke of Newcastle and for Tutor or Preceptor Doctor Duppa then Dean of Christchurch after Bishop of Salisbury and lately of Winchester At the Age of 12 was with the King his Father at the Battel of Edge-hill and soon after at Oxford was committed to the care of the Marquiss of Hertford About 14 years old was in the Head of an Army in the West of England At the Age of 15 a Marriage was proposed between him and the Eldest Daughter of the King of Portugal the Infanta Joanna since deceased Two years after was from Cornwall transported to the Isle of Scilly and after to Jersey and thence to his Royal Mother to St. Germains near Paris In 1648 was at Sea with some Naval Forces endeavouring to rescue the King his Father then in the Isle of Wight out of the wicked hands of his rebellious Subjects Not many moneths after upon the sad News of the horrid Murther of his Royal Father he was in Holland first saluted King and soon after proclaimed in Scotland being not yet 19 years of Age. At the Age of 20 from Holland he landed in Scotland June 1650 and in January following was crowned at Scoon The 3d of September 1651 fought the Battel of Worcester whence after the unfortunate loss of his whole Army wandring in disguise about England for six weeks he was at length transported from a Creek near Shoram in Sussex to Fecam near Havre de Grace in France in which Kingdom with his Royal Brothers and divers English Nobility Clergy and Gentry he was for some years received and treated as King of England and by his mediations and interest with the Prince of Conde and Duke of Lorraine then in the Head of two great and mighty Armies against the French King quenched the then newly kindled fires of a great and universal rebellion against him much resembling that of England and was a means of recalling the then fled and banished Cardinal Mazarine After which in Germany Flanders Spain c. he passed the residue of his time in the Studies and Exercises most befitting a Prince in solliciting the Aid of Christian Princes and in advising and vigorously promoting the several attempts of his Friends in England until the year 1660 at which time being at Brussells within the Spanish Territories and perceiving a general inclination and disposition of all England to receive him he providently removed himself to Breda within the Dominions of the United Netherlands in the moneth of April and thence in May to the Hague from whence after a magnificent Entertainment and an humble Invitation by English Commissioners sent from the then Convention at Westminster he embarkt at Schevling the 23th of May 1660 and with a gallant English Fleet and a gentle gale of Wind landed the 25th at Dover and on the 29th following being his Birth-day and then just 30 years of Age he entred into London and was there received with the greatest and most universal Joy and Acclamations and Magnificence that could possibly be expressed on so short a warning On the first of June following His Majesty fate in Parliament and on the 22th of April 1661 rode in triumph from the Tower to Westminster on the next day being St. Georges was crowned with great Ceremony On the 28th of May following declared to his Parliament his Resolution to marry the Infanta of Portugal who accordingly in May 1662 being landed at Portsmouth was there espoused to the King by the then Bishop of London now Archbishop of Canterbury Of the present Queen of England DONNA CATHERINA Infanta of Portugal being Queen Consort of England and the Second Person in the Kingdom was Daughter of Don Juan the Fourth of that Name King of Portugal descended from our English John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and King of Castile and Jean Fourth Son of Edward the third King of England and of Donna Lucia Daughter of Don Guzman el bueno a Spaniard Duke of Medina Sidonia who was lineally descended from Ferdinando de la Cerde and his Consort Blanche to whom St. Lewis King of France her Father relinquisht his Right and Title to Spain descended to him by his Mother Blanche eldest Daughter and Heir of Alphonso the Spanish King She was born the 14th of November 1638 at Villa Vicosa in Portugal she was baptized Catherina signifying in Greek Pure her Father being then Duke of Braganza though right Heir of the Crown of Portugal the most potent Subject in Europe for a third part of Portugal was then holden of him in Vassallage and is only Sister at present of Don Alphonso the Sixth of that Name and 23th King of Portugal born 1643. Hath one Brother more called Don Pedro born 1648. Had another Brother called Don Theodosio the eldest Son of that King who was the most gallant and hopeful Prince of all Europe but died 1653 aged but 18 years yet his life thought worthy to be written by divers grave Authors of Portugal Having been most carefully and piously educated by her Mother and at the age of 22 desired in Marriage by King CHARLES the Second and the Marriage not long after concluded by the Negotiation of Don Francisce de Melo Conde de Ponte Marquis de Sande and then Extraordinary Ambassadour of the King of Portugal and solemnized at Lisbon She embarkt for England upon the 23th of April 1662 being the Festival of St. George Patron as well of Portugal as England and was safely
Duke of Cumberland after the extinction of the Male Line of the Cliffords Finally the Kings forces at land being totally defeated he transported himself into France and was afterward made Admiral of such Ships of War as submitted to King Charles the Second to whom after divers disasters at Sea and wonderful preservations he returned to Paris 1652 where and in Germany sometimes at the Emperours Court and sometimes at Heydelberg he passed his time in Princely Studies and Exercises till the Restauration of his Majesty now raigning after which returning into England was made a Privy Counsellour in 1662 and in 1666 being joyned Admiral with the Duke of Albemarle first attackt the whole Dutch Fleet with his Squadron in such a bold resolute way that he put the Enemy soon to flight He enjoys a Pension from his Majesty of 4000 l. per Annum After Prince Rupert the next Heirs to the Crown of England are 3 French Ladies Daughters of Prince Edward lately deceased who was a younger Son of the Queen of Rehemia whose Widdow the Princess Dowager Mother to the said three Ladies is Sister to the late Queen of Poland Daughter and Coheir to the last Duke of Nevers in France amongst which three Daughters there is a Revenue of about 12000 l. Sterling a year After these is the Princess Elizabeth eldest Sister living to the Prince Elector Palatin born 26 Decemb. 1618. unmarried and living in Germany The next is another Sister called the Princess Louisa bred up at the Hague with the Queen her Mother in the Religion of the Church of England at length embracing the Romish Religion is now Lady Abbess of Maubisson at Ponthoise not far from Paris Last of all is the Princess Sophia youngest Daughter to the Queen of Bohemia born at the Hague 1630. and in 1659 wedded to John Duke of Lunenberg and Free Prince of Germany Heir to the Dutchy of Brunswick by whom she hath Sons and Daughters Of these three Princesses it is said that the first is the most learned the second the greatest Artist and the last one of the most accomplisht Ladies in Europe Of the Great Officers of the Crown NExt to the King and Princes of the Blood are reckoned the Great Officers of the Crown whereof there are Eight viz. the Lord High Chancellour the Lord High Treasurer the Lord Privy Seal the Lord High Admiral the Lord Great Chamberlain the Lord High Constable the Earl Marshal and the Lord High Steward for the time being First the Lord High Chancellour Summus Cancellarius so called because all Patents Commissions Warrants coming from the King and perused by him are signed if well or cancelled if amiss He is after the King and Princes of the Blood in Civil Affairs the highest Person in the Kingdom as the Archbishop of Canterbury is in Ecclesiastical Affairs His Office is to keep the Kings Great Seal to judge not according to the Common Law as other Civil Courts do but to moderate the rigour of the Law and to judge according to Equity Conscience or Reason His Oath is to do right to all manner of People poor and rich after the Laws and Customs of the Realm and truly counsel the King to keep secret the Kings Counsel nor suffer so far as he may that the Rights of the Crown be diminisht c. From the time of Henry 2. the Chancellours of England have been ordinarily made of Bishops or other Clergy-men learned in the Civil Laws till Henry 8. made Chancellour one Richard Rich a Common Lawyer from whom is descended the present Earl of Warwick and the Earl of Holland since which time there have been some Bishops but most Common Lawyers This High Office is in France durante vitâ but here is durante beneplacito Regis The Salary from the King is 848 l. per Annum and when the Star-Chamber was up 200 l. per Annum more for his Attendance there The Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper who differ only in Name is created per traditionem magni Sigilli sibi per dominum Regem and by taking his Oath The Great Seal being lately taken from Edward Earl of Clarendon Lord Chancellour was by his Majesties great favour bestowed upon Sir Orlando Bridgeman with the Title of Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England The next Great Officer of the Crown is the Lord High Treasurer of England who receives this high Office by delivery of a White Staffe to him by the King and holds it durante beneplacito Regis Antiently he received this Dignity by the delivery of the Golden Keys of the Treasury His Oath is little different from that of the Lord Chancellour He is Praefectus Aerarii a Lord by his Office under whose Charge and Government is all the Kings Revenue kept in the Exchequer He hath also the check of all the Officers any way emploied in collecting Imposts Customs Tributes or other Revenues belonging to the Crown He hath the gift of all Customers Controllers and Searchers in all the Ports of England He hath the nomination of the Escheators in every County and in some Cases by Statute is to appoint a Measurer for the length and breadth of Clothes He with others joyned in Commission with him or without letteth Leases of all the Lands belonging to the Crown He giveth Warrants to certain Persons of Quality to have their Wine Custom free The Annual Salary of the Lord High Treasurer is in all 383 li. 7s 8d per Annum Since the decease of Thomas Wriothesly last Earl of South-hampton and last Lord High Treasurer of England this Office hath been executed by a Commission granted to five eminent Persons viz. the Duke of Albemarle Lord Ashley Sir Thomas Clifford Sir Will. Coventry and Sir John Duncomb The Third Great Officer of the Crown is the Lord Privy Seal who is a Lord by his Office under whose hands pass all Charters and Grants of the King and Pardons signed by the King before they come to the Great Seal of England also divers other matters of less Concernment as for payments of money c. which do not pass the Great Seal He is by his Place of the Kings Privy Council and Chief Judge of the Court of Requests when it shall be re-continued and besides his Oath of Privy Counsellour takes a particular Oath as Lord Privy Seal His Salary is His Place according to Statute is next to the Lord President of the Kings Council It is an Office of great Trust and Skill that he put not this Seal to any Grant without good Warrant under the Kings Privy Signet nor with Warrant if it be against Law or Custom until that the King be first acquainted This great Officer is mentioned in the Statutes of 2 Rich. 2. and then â—anked amongst the Chief Persons of the Realm And is at present enjoyed by John Lord Robarts Baron Robarts of Truro The Fourth Great Officer of the Crown is the Lord
High Admiral of England whose Trust and Honour is so great that this Office hath usually been given either to some of the Kings younger Sons near Kinsmen or to some one of the highest and chiefest of all the Nobility He is called Admiral from Amir in Arabick and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Greek that is Praefectus Marinus a word borrowed from the Eastern Empire where such kind of compounds were much in re-request and introduced into England after the Wars in the Holy Land by King Richard or King Edward 1. The Patent of the Lord Admiral did anciently run thus Angliae Hiberniae Aquitaniae Magnus Admirallus but at present thus Angliae Hiberniae ac Dominiorum Insularum earundem Villae Callesiae Marchiarum ejusdem Normandiae Gasconiae Aquitaniae Magnus Admirallus Praefectus Generalis Classis Marium dictorum Regnorum To the Lord High Admiral of England is by the King intrusted the management of all Marine Affairs as well in respect of Jurisdiction as Protection He is that High Officer or Magistrate to whom is committed the Government of the Kings Navy with Power of decision in all Causes Maritime as well Civil as Criminal of all things done upon or beyond the Sea in any part of the World all things done upon the Sea Coasts in all Ports and Havens and upon all Rivers below the first Bridge next toward the Sea The Lord Admiral hath the power to commissionate a Vice-Admiral a Reer Admiral and all Sea Captains also Deputies for particular Coasts Coroners to view dead bodies found on the Sea Coasts or at Sea Commissioners or Judges for exercising Justice in the Court of Admiralty to imprison release c. He hath sometimes a power to bestow Knighthood to such as shall deserve it at Sea To the Lord Admiral belongs by Law and Custom all penalties and amercements of all Transgressors at Sea on the Sea Shore in Ports and from the first Bridge on Rivers towards the Sea also the Goods of Pyrats Felons or Capital Faulters condemned outlawed or horned Moreover all Waifs Stray Goods Wrecks of Sea Deodands a share of all lawful Prizes Lagon Jetson and Flotson as the Mariners term them that is Goods lying in the Sea on Ground Goods floting on the Sea and Goods cast by the Sea on the Shore not granted to Lords of Mannors adjoyning to the Sea All great Fishes as Sea Hogs and other Fishes of extraordinary bigness called Royal Fishes except only Whales and Sturgeons This High Dignity is at present enjoyed by the Kings only Brother the Illustrious Prince James Duke of York The Fifth Great Officer of the Crown is the Lord Great Chamberlain of England an Officer of great Antiquity to whom belongs Livery and Lodging in the Kings Court and certain Fees due from each Archbishop and Bishop when they do their Homage or Fealty to the King and from all Peers of the Realm at their Creation or doing the Homage or Fealty and at the Coronation of any King to have 40 Ells of Crimson Velvet for his own Robes and on the Coronation day before the King riseth to bring him his Shirt Coyfe Wearing Clothes and after the King is by him apparelled and gone forth to have his Bed and all Furniture of his Bed-Chamber for his Fees all the Kings Night Apparel and to carry at the Coronation the Coyfe Gloves and Linnen to be used by the King upon that occasion also the Sword and Scabberd and the Gold to be offered by the King and the Robe Royal and Crown and to undress and attire the King with his Robes Royal and to serve the King that day before and after Dinner with water to wash his hands and to have the Basin and Towells for his Fees c. This Honour was long enjoyed by the Earls of Oxford from the time of Hen. 1. by an Estate Tayle or Inheritance but in the two last Coronations by the Earls of Lindsey and that by an Estate of Inheritance from a Daughter or Heir General claimed and controverted The Sixth Great Officer is the Lord High Constable of England so called some think from the Saxon Cuning by contraction King and Stable quasi-Regis columen for it was antiently written Cuningstable but rather from Comes Stabuli whose Power and Jurisdiction was antiently so great that after the death of Edward Bohun Duke of Buckingham 1521 the last High Constable of England it was thought too great for any Subject But since upon occasion of Coronations as at that of King Charles 2. was made the present Earl of Northumberland and at Solemn Trials by Combat as at that which was intended between Rey and Ramsey 1631 was made Robert Earl of Lindsey there is created pro hac vice a Lord High Constable His Power and Jurisdiction is the same with the Earl Marshal with whom he sits Judge in the Marshals Court and takes place of the Earl Marshal The Seventh Great Officer of the Crown is the Earl Marshal of England so called from Mare in the old Saxon i.e. Horses and Schal Praefectus He is an Earl some say by his Office whereby he taketh as the Constable doth Cognisance of all matters of War and Arms determineth Contracts touching Deeds of Arms out of the Realm upon Land and matters concerning Wars within the Realm which cannot be determined by Common Law This Office is of great Antiquity in England and antiently of great Power The last Earl Marshal was Henry Howard Earl of Arundel who died in 1652 his Father Thomas Earl of Arundel and he enjoying that Office onely for the Term of their lives by the Kings Letters Patents At the Coronation of His Majesty now raigning the present Earl of Suffolk for that Solemnity only was made Earl Marshal The Eighth and last Great Officer of the Crown is the Lord High Steward of England quasi Stedeward Locum tenens the Kings Lieftenant in Lawyers Latin Seneschallus of Sen in Saxon Justice and Schals Governour or Officer His Power antiently in Civil Matters was next to the King and was so transcendent that it was thought fit not longer to trust it in the hands of any Subject for his Office was Supervidere regulare sub Rege immediatè post Regem as an antient Record speaks totum Regnum Angliae omnes ministros Legum infra idem regnum temporibus pacis guerrarum The last that had a State of Inheritance in this High Office was Henry of Bullinbrook Son and Heir to the great Duke of Lancaster John of Gaunt afterwards King of England since which time they have been made only hâc vice to officiate at a Coronation by vertue of which Office he sitteth judicially and keepeth his Court in the Kings Palace at Westminster and there receiveth the Bills and Petitions of all such Noblemen and others who by reason of their Tenure or otherwise claim to do Services at the New Kings Coronation
his Subdean is Doctor Jones whose Fee is 100 l. yearly The Fee of each Priest and Clerk of the Chappel is 70 l. yearly The Clerk of the Closet is Doctor Blandford Bishop of Oxford hath no Fee The Lord High Almoner is Doctor Henchman Bishop of London hath no Fee his Sub-Almoner is Doctor Perinchef whose Fee is 6 l. 6 s. 10 d. Of the Civil Government of His Majesties Houshold FOr the Civil Government of the Kings Court the Chief Officer is the Lord Steward quasi Stede ward Locum tenens called also in the time of Henry 8. the Great Master of the Kings Houshold after the French Mode but Primo Mariae and ever since called the Lord Steward of the Kings Houshold He hath Authority over all Officers and Servants of the Kings House except those of His Majesties Chappel Chamber and Stable c. He judgeth of all disorders committed in the Court or within the Verge which is every way within 12 miles of the chief Tunnel of the Court only London by Charter is exempted for the Law having an high esteem of the dignity of the Kings settled Mansion House laid out such a Plot of ground about his House as a half-pace or Foot-Carpet spread about the Kings Chair of Estate that ought to be more cleared and void than other places to be subject to a special exempted jurisdiction depending on the Kings Person and Great Officers that so where the King comes there should come with him Peace and Order and an Awfulness and Reverence in mens hearts besides it would have been a kind of eclipsing of the Kings Honour that where the King was any Justice should be sought but immediately from the Kings own Officers and therefore from very antient times the Jurisdiction of the Verge hath been executed by the Lord Steward with great Ceremony in the nature of a peculiar Kings Bench and that not only within but without the Kings Dominions for so it is recorded that one Engleam of Nogent in France for stealing Silver dishes out of the House of Edward 1. King of England then at Paris after the matter had been debated in the Council of the King of France touching the Jurisdiction and ordered that the King of England should enjoy this Kingly Prerogative of his Houshold was condemned by Sir Robert fitz-Fitz-John then Steward to the King of England and hanged in St. Germans Fields The Lord Steward is a White Staffe Officer for he in the Kings Presence carrieth a White Staffe and at other times going abroad it is carried by a Foot-man bare-headed At the death of the King over the Hearse made for the Kings Body he breaketh this Staffe and thereby dischargeth all the Officers whom the succeeding King out of his meer grace doth re-establish each one in his former Office This eminent Emploiment is now enjoyed by James Duke of Ormond Lord Lieftenant of Ireland whose Fee is 100 l. yearly and 16 Dishes daily each Meal with Wine Beer c. The next Officer is the Lord Chamberlain who hath the over-sight of all Officers belonging to the Kings Chamber except the Precincts of the Kings Bed-Chamber which is wholy under the Groom of the Stool and all above Stairs who are all sworn by him or his Warrant to the Gentlemen Ushers to the King He hath also the over-sight of the Officers of the Wardrobes at all his Majesties Houses and of the removing Wardr or of Beds of the Tents Revels Musick Comedians Hunting and of the Messengers of the Trumpetters Drummers of all Handy-Crafts and Artisans retained in the Kings Service Moreover he hath the over-sight of the Heraulds and Pursivants and Sergeants at Arms of all Physitians Apothecaries Surgeons Barbers c. To him also belongeth the over-sight of the Chaplains though himself be a Lay-man contrary in this particular to the Antient Custom of England and Modern Custom of all other Kingdoms where Ecclesiastiques are never under the ordering of Lay-men The Fee of the Lord Chamberlain of the Kings House is 100 l. yearly and 16 Dishes each Meal with all the Appurtenances This Office is now in the hands of Edward Montague Lord Montague and Earl of Manchester Most of the above-named Offices and Places are in the Gift and Disposal of the Lord Chamberlain The Third Great Officer of the Kings Court is the Master of the Horse antiently called Comes Stabuli or Constable to whom a higheâ— Employment and Power was then given and this taken from him This great Officer hath now the ordering and disposal of all the Kings Stables and Races of Horses and had heretofore of all the Posts of England He hath also the power over Escuiries and Pages over the Footmen Grooms Riders of the Great Horses Farriers Smiths Coach-men Sadlers and all other Trades working to the Kings Stables to all whom he or by his Warrant the Avener giveth an Oath to be true and faithful He hath the Charge of all Lands and Revenues appointed for the Kings breed of Horses and for Charges of the Stable and for Litters Coaches Sumpter Horses c. Also for the Charges of Coronations Marriages Entries Cavalcades Funerals c. He only hath the Priviledge to make use of any Horses Pages Foot-men belonging to the Kings Stable At any Solemn Cavalcade he rides next behind the King and leads a Lear Horse of State This great honour is now enjoyed by George Monk Duke of Albemarle in consideration of his unparalleld Services to the King to his Crown and Dignity at a juncture of time when his Affairs and Friends were in a very desperate condition His yearly Fee is 666 l. 16 s. 4 d. Under these Three Principal Officers of His Majesties Houshold are almost all the other Officers and Servants First under the Lord Steward in the Compting-House is the Treasurer of the Houshold Comptroller Cofferer Master of the Houshold Two Clerks of the Green-Cloth Two Clerks Comptrollers One Sergeant Two Yeomen The Cofferers Clerk The Groom Two Messengers It is called the Compting-House because the Accompts for all Expences of the Kings Houshold are there taken daily by the Lord Steward the Treasurer the Comptroller the Cofferer the Master of the Houshold the two Clerks of the Green Cloth and the two Clerks Comptrollers who also there make Provisions for the Houshold according to the Law of the Land and make Payments and Orders for the well governing of the Servants of the Houshold In the Compting-House is the Green-Cloth which is a Court of Justice continually sitting in the Kings House composed of the Persons last mentioned whereof the three first are usually of the Kings Privy Council To this Court being the first and most ancient Court of England is committed the charge and oversight of the Kings Court Royal for matters of Justice and Government with Authority for maintaining the Peace within 12 miles distance wheresoever the Court shall be and within the Kings House the power of correcting all the Servants therein that
be verified of Religion and Gods Service amongst us The time thereof may be Threescore years and ten if it continue till Fourscore it will be but small joy to those that shall then behold the Condition of the English Church and the best read Historian cannot produce one example of a happy State where the Clergy hath been exposed to the peoples Contempt which must needs happen where their Benefices their Maintenance is scandalous and their Persons despicable It is the last Trick saith St. Gregory that the Devil hath in this World when he cannot bring the Word and Sacraments in disgrace by Errours and Heresies he invented this Project to bring the Clergy into contempt and low esteem as it is now in England where they are accounted by many as the dross and refuse of the Nation Men think it a stain to their blood to place their Sons in that Function and Women ashamed to marry with any of them whereas antiently in England as among the Jews the Tribe of Levi was counted Noble above all other Tribes except that of the Royal Tribe of Judah the Function of the Clergy was of so high account and esteem that not only the best Gentry and Nobility but divers of the Sons and Brothers of divers of our English Kings since the Conquest and before disdained not to enter into Holy Orders and to be Clergy-men as at this day is practised in most other Monarchies of Christendome Ethelwolph Son and Successor to Egbert first sole King of England was in Holy Orders and Bishop of Winchester at his Fathers death Odo Bishop of Bayeux in Normandy was Brother to William the Conquerour Henry de Blois Brother to King Stephen was Bishop of Winchester Geofry Plantagenet Son to Henry 2 was Bishop of Lincoln Henry de Beaufort Brother to Henry the 4th was Bishop also of Winchester And of later Times that most prudent Henry 7 had designed his second Son to be a Clergyman to omit many others of Noble Blood Which Policy is still observed even amongst the few Families of the Romish Religion in England wherein are to be found at this day some Brothers or Sons of Dukes Marquisses Earls and Barons in Holy Orders and all the rest of the Stock of Baronets Knights or Gentry and for this cause find respect not only amongst those of their own Opinions but even of the more sober moderate and best civilized Protestants Whilst this Policy lasted in England the Clergy were judged the fittest Persons to execute most of the Chief Offices and Places of the Kingdom according to the Divine Policy amongst Gods peculiar People where the Priests and Levites were the Principal Officers and Judges in every Court to whom the People were to be obedient on pain of death and the Laity did with much reverence and respect submit to them And as then Os Sacerdotis Oraculum erat plebis according to that of Malachi 2. 7. So Os Episcopi Oraculum erat Regis Regni Rex amplectabatur universum Clerum lata fronte ex eo semper sibi eligebat primos a Consiliis primos ad officia Regni obeunda Primi igitur sedebant in omni Regni Comitiis Tribunalibus Episcopi in Regali quidem Palatio cum Regni Magnatibus in Comitatu una cum Comite in Turno cum Vicecomite in Hundredo cum Domino Hundredi sic ut in promovenda Justitia usquequaque gladius gladium adjuvaret nihil inconsulto Sacerdote vel Episcopo ageretur And because the Weal of the Kingdom and the Service of the King depended so much upon them and their presence for that end so oft required at London it was judged expedient that every Bishoprick should have a Palace or House belonging to it in or about London and it is known at this day where stood the Houses of every one except that of St. Asaph which also might probably have had one but more obscure than some other that Bishoprick having been as still very mean Great was the Authority of the Clergy in those dayes and their Memory should be precious in these dayes if we consider that they were the Authors of so great benefits and advantages to this Kingdom that there are few things of any importance for promoting of the welfare of this Church and State wherein the Bishops and Prelats under God have not been the Principal Instruments The Excellent Laws made by King Ina King Athelstan King Edmund and St. Edward from whom we have our Common Laws and our Priviledges mentioned in Magna Charta were all made by the perswasions and advice of Bishops and Archbishops named in our Histories The Union of the 2 Houses of York and Lancaster whereby a long and bloody War was ended was by the most wise Advice and Counsel of Bishop Morton then a Privy Councellour The Union of England and Scotland that inexpressible advantage to both Nations was brought to pass by the long fore-sight of Reverend Bishop Fox a Privy Councellour in advising Henry the 7th to match his Eldest Daughter to Scotland and his Younger to France Most of the Great Publick Works now remaining in England acknowledge their antient and present being either to the sole Cost and Charges or to the liberal Contributions or at least to the powerful Perswasions of Bishops as most of the best endowed Colledges in both our Vniversities very many Hospitals Churches Palaces Castles have been founded and built by Bishops even that famous chargeable and difficult Structure of London-Bridge stands obliged to the liberal Contributions of an Archbishop and it was a Bishop of London at whose earnest request William the Conquerour granted to the City of London so large Priviledges that in a grateful remembrance thereof the Lord Mayor and Aldermen to this day upon some solemn dayes of their resort to St. Pauls Church do go in Procession to the Grave Stone where that Bishop lies interred But above all The Converting England to the Christian Religion the Reforming that Religion when corrupted and since that the maintenance of the Doctrine thereof against all Romish Writers and of the Discipline thereof none of the least good Offices against all the Practices and Power of the Puritan and Presbyterian Factions and all those other Sectaries lineally descended from them all this and more is owing if not solely yet principally to Bishops and Prelats by the late want of whom to sit at the Stern how soon was this goodly Vessel split upon the Rocks of Anarchy and Confusion Even since the late Restauration of Bishops to set down the many considerable Publick Benefits flowing from them and other Dignified Clergy would tire the Reader What Sums of Money have been by them expended in repairing Cathedral Churches Episcopal Houses in founding and building Hospitals in Charity to poor Widdows of Clergymen utterly ruined by the late Rebels for redeeming of poor Christian Slaves at Algier what publick and private Sums for supplying the Kings Necessities at his
Second State or Nobility of England p. 405. to p. 457. and therein of their Degrees Priviledges Precedence State Revenues c. p. 417. A Catalogue of all the Peers of England according to their Precedence p. 439. Of the Third State or Commons of England p. 457. Of Knights Esquires Gentlemen Yeomen Citizens Handycrafts c. p. 472. Of the Liberties and Properties of the English Subjects p. 493. Of the Women in England p. 497. Of the Children p. 509. Of the Servants p. 513. OF ENGLAND ENgland the better part of the best Iland in the whole World antiently with Scotland called Britain and sometimes Albion was about 800 years after the Incarnation of Christ by special Edict of King Egbert descended from the Angles a people of the Lower Saxony named Angle or Englelond thence by the French called Angleterre by the Germans Engeland and by the Inhabitants England It is situated between the Degrees 16 and 21 Longitude equal with Normandy and Britany in France and between 50 and 57 Northern Latitude equal with Flanders Zeland Holland Lower Saxony and Denmark The longest day in the most Northern part is 16 hours 44 minutes and the shortest 7 hours 16 minutes It is in length 386 miles in breadth 279 in compass by reason of the many Bayes and Promontories about 1300 miles in shape triangular contains by computation about 30 Millions of Acres about the thousandth part of the Globe and 333d part of the habitable earth almost ten times as big as the United Neatherlands five times as big as the Spanish Neatherlands less than all Italy by almost one half and in comparison of France is as 30 to 82. The Aire is far more mild and temperate if not more healthy than any part of the Continent under the same Climat By reason of the warm vapours of the Sea on every side and the very often Winds from the huge Western Sea the Cold in Winter is less sharp than in some parts of France and Italy though more Southern By reason of the continual blasts from Sea the Heat in Summer is less scorching than in some parts of the Continent that lies more Northern As in Summer the gentle Winds and frequent Showres qualifie all violent Heats and Droughts so in Winter the Frosts do only meliorate the cultivated Soyle and the Snow keep warm the tender Plants It is blessed with a very fertile wholsome Soyle watered abundantly with Springs and Streams and in divers parts with great Navigable Rivers few barren Mountains or craggy Rocks but generally gentle pleasant Hills and fruitful Valleys apt for Grain Corn or Wood. The excellency of the English Soyle may be learnt as Varro advised of old from the Complection of the Inhabitants who therein excell all other Nations or else from the high value put upon it by the Romans and the Saxons who â—ookt upon it as such a precious â—pot of ground that they thought it worthy to be fenced â—n like a Garden Plot with a mighty Wall of fourscore miles â—n length viz. from Tinmoâ—th on the German Sea to Solwey Frith on the Irish Sea whereby the Caledonian Bores might be excluded and with a monstrous Dike of fourscore and ten miles viz. from the Mouth of the River Wy to that of the River Dee whereby the Cambrobritan Foxes might be kept out lastly the excellency of her Soyle may also be learnt from those transcendent Elogies bestowed on her by Antient and Modern Writers calling England the Granary of the Western World the Seat of Ceres c. That her Valleys are like Eden her Hills like Lebanon her Springs as Pisgah and her Rivers as Jordan That she is a Paradise of Pleasure and the Garden of God O fortunata omnibus terris beatior Britannia te omnibus coeli ac soli ditavit Natura tibi nihil inest quod vitae offendat tibi nihil deest quod vita desiderat ita ut alter orbis extra orbem poni ad delicias humani generis videaris O happy and blessed Britanie above all other Countries in the World Nature hath enricht thee with all the blessings of Heaven and Earth Nothing in thee is hurtful to Mankind nothing wanting in thee that is desirable in so much that thou seemest another World placed besides or without the great World meerly for the delight and pleasure of Mankind As it is divided from the rest of the World so by reason of its great abundance of all things necessary for the life of Man it may without the contribution of any other part of the World more easily subsist than any of its Neighbouring Countries Terra suis contenta bonis non indiga mercis First for Food what plenty every where of Sheep Oxen Swine Fallow Deer and Coneys what plenty of Hens Ducks Geese Turkeys Swans Peacocks Phesants Partridges Woodcocks Snipes Plovers Quailes Herons Bustards Heath Cocks or Grouse Thrushes or Throstles Black-birds Veldevers Nightingales Pigeons and Larks What plenty of Salmon Trouts Carps Tench Lampreys Pikes Perches Eeles Crevish Flounders Plaice Shads Mullets What great abundance of Herrings Pilchards Oysters Lobsters Crabs Mackerel Whitings Soles Smelts Sprats Prawnes Ruffes c. What great plenty of Apples Pears Plums and Cherries How doth England abound with Wheat Barly Pulse Beans and Oates with excellent Butter and Cheese with most sorts of Edible Roots and Herbs It wants not Red Deer Hare Goats c. It wants not Wild-Ducks Wild-Geese Puffins Snipes God-wits and many other kind of Sea-fowl It wants not Apricocks Peaches Nectarins Grapes Figgs Melons Quinces c. Walnuts and Hasel-nuts Lastly for Drinks England abounds with Beer Ale Sider Perry and in some places with Metheglin Now of all these things there is such a constant continuance by reason of the Clemency of the Climat that scarce the least Famine which frequenteth other Countries hath been felt in England these 300 years Then for Rayment England produceth generally not onely very Fine Wooll which makes our Cloth more lasting than other Countrey Cloth and better conditioned against Wind Weather but also such great abundance of Wooll that not onely all sorts from the highest to the lowest are clothed therewith but so much hath been heretofore transported beyond the Seas that in honour of the English Wooll that broughâ— heretofore such plenty of Golâ— into the Territories of Charleâ— the puissant and bold Duke of Burgundy where the Staple for English Wooll was then keptâ— he instituted that famous Military Order of the Golden Fleece aâ— this day in highest esteem with the whole House of Austria This abundance and cheapness of Wooll in England proceeds not onely from the goodness of the Soyle but also from the freedom from Wolves and temperateness of Heat and Cold which in other Countries creates a great charge of a constant guarding their Sheep and housing them by Night and sometimes by Day Also for advancing the Manufacture of Cloth that necessary Earth called Fullers Earth
French Nation began to take Surnames with de prefixt as at this day is their usual manner The English also took to themselves Surnames but not generally by the Common People till the Raign of Edw. 2. At first for Surnames the English Gentry took the Name of their Birth-place or Habitation as Thomas of Aston or East-Town John of Sutton or South-Town and as they altered their Habitation so they altered their Surname After when they became Lords of places they called themselves Thomas Aston of Aston John Sutton of Sutton The Common People for Surnames added their Fathers Name with Son at the end thereof as Thomas Johnson Robert Richardson They also oft took their Fathers Nick Name or abbreviation with addition of s as Gibs the Nick Name or abbreviation of Gilbert Hobs of Robert Nicks of Nicholas Bates of Bartholomew Sams of Samuel and thence also Gibson Hobson Nickson Batson Samson c. Many also were surnamed from their Trade as Smith Joyner Weaver c. Or from their Office as Porter Steward Sheepheard Carter or from their Place of Abode as Atwood Atwell Athill which since are shrunk into Wood Wells Hill The Normans at their first coming into England brought Surnames for many of their Gentry with de prefixt as the French Gentry doth generally at this day and their Christian Names were generally German they being originally descended from a part of North Germany And some for about 200 years after the Conquest took for Surname their Fathers Christian Name with Fitz or Fils prefixt as Robert Fitz-William Henry Fitz-Gerard c. The Britains or Welsh more lately civilized did not take Surnames till of late years and that for the most part only by leaving out a in ap and annexing the p to their Fathers Christian Name as instead of Evan ap Rice now Evan Price so instead of ap Howel Powel ap Hughe Pughe ap Rogers Progers c. The most ancient Families and of best account for Surnames in England are either those that are taken from Places in Normandy and thereabouts in France and from some other Transmarine Countries or else from Places in England and Scotland as Devereux Seymour Nevile Montague Mohun Biron Bruges Clifford Berkley Darcy Stourton c. which antiently had all de prefixt but of later times generally neglected Of the Government of ENGLAND in general OF Governments there can be but three Kinds for either One or More or All must have the Soveragn Power of a Nation If One then it is a Monarchy If More that is an Assembly of Choice Persons then it is an Aristocracy If All that is the General Assembly of the People then it is a Democracy Of all Governments the Monarchical as most resembling the Divinity and nearest approaching to perfection unity being the perfection of all things hath ever been estemed the most excellent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For the Transgressions of a Land many are the Princes or Rulers thereof Prov. 28. 2. Of Monarchies some are Despotical where the Subjects like Servants are at the Arbitrary Power and Will of their Soveraign as the Turks and Barbarians Others Political or Paternal where the Subject like Children under a Father are governed by equal and just Laws consented and sworn unto by the King as is done by all Christian Princes at their Coronations Of Paternal Monarchies some are Hereditary where the Crown descends either only to Heirs Male as in France or next of Blood as in Spain England c. Others Elective where upon the death of every Prince without respect had to the Heirs or next of Blood another by Solemn Election is appointed to succeed as in Poland and Hungary and till of late in Denmark and Bohemia Of Hereditary Paternal Monarchies some are dependent and holden of Earthly Potentates and are obliged to do Homage for the same as the Kingdoms of Scotland and Man that held in Capite of the Crown of England and the Kingdome of Naples holden of the Pope others independent holden only of God acknowledging no other Superiour upon Earth England is an Hereditary Paternal Monarchy governed by one Supreme Independent and Undeposable Head according to the known Laws and Customs of the Kingdom It is a Free Monarchy challenging above many other European Kingdoms a freedom from all Subjection to the Emperour or Laws of the Empire for that the Roman Emperours obtaining antiently the Dominion of this Land by force of Arms and afterwards abandoning the same the Right by the Law of Nations returned to the former Owners pro derelicto as Civilians speak It is a Monarchy free from all manner of Subjection to the Bishop of Rome and thereby from divers inconveniencies and burdens under which the neighbouring Kingdoms groan as Appeals to Rome in sundry Ecclesiastical Suits Provisions and Dispensations in several cases to be procured from thence many Tributes and Taxes paid to that Bishop c. It is a Monarchy free from all Interregnum and with it from many mischiefs whereunto Elective Kingdoms are subject England is such a Monarchy as that by the necessary subordinate Concurrence of the Lords and Commons in the making and repealing all Statutes or Acts of Parliament it hath the main advantages of an Aristocracy and of a Democracy and yet free from the disadvantages and evils of either It is such a Monarchy as by a most admirable temperament affords very much to the Industry Liberty and Happiness of the Subject and yet reserves enough for the Majesty and Prerogative of any King that will own his people as Subjects not as Slaves It is a Kingdom that of all the Kingdoms of the World is most like the Kingdom of Jesus Christs whose yoke is easie whose burden is light It is a Monarchy that without interruption hath been continued almost 1000 years and till of late without any attempts of change of that Government so that to this sort of Government the English seem to be naturally inclined and therefore during the late Bouleversations or over-turnings when all the art that the Devil or Man could imagine was industriously made use of to change this Monarchy into a Democracy this Kingdom into a Common-wealth the most and the best of English Men the general Spirit and Genius of the Nation not so much the Presbiterian or Royalist by mighty though invisible influence concurred at once to restore their exiled Soveraign and re-establish that antient Government Of the KING of ENGLAND THe King is so called from the Saxon word Koning intimating Power and Knowledge wherewith every Soveraigne should especially be invested The Title antiently of the Saxon King Edgar was Anglorum Basileus Dominus quatuor Marium viz. the British German Irish and Deucalidonian Seas and sometimes Anglorum Basileus omniumque Regum Insularum Oceanique Britanniam circumsacentis cunctarumque Nationum quae infra eum includuntur Imperator Dominus The Modern Title more modest is Dei Gratiâ of England Scotland
our Kings and some Necessities for the preservation of the Weal Publick too much alienated The Antient Dominions of the Kings of England were first England and all the Seas round about Great Britain and Ireland and all the Isles adjacent even too the Shores of all the Neighbour Nations and our Law saith the Sea is of the Ligeance of the King as well as the Land and as a mark thereof all ships of Foreigners have antiently demanded leave to fish and pass in these Seas and do at this day Lower their Top-sailes to all the Kings Ships of War To England Henry 1. annext Normandy and Henry 2. Ireland being stiled only Lord of Ireland till 33 H. 8. although they had all Kingly Jurisdiction before Henry 2. also annext the Dukedomes of Guien and Anjou the Counties of Poictou Turein and Mayn Edward the First all Wales and Edward the Third the Right though not the Possession of all France King James added Scotland and since that time there have been super-added sundry considerable Plantations in America The Dominions of the King of England are at this day in Possession besides his just Right and Title to the Kingdom of France all England Scotland and Ireland Three Kingdoms of large extent with all the Isles above 40 in number small and great whereof some very considerable and all the Seas adjacent Moreover the Islands of Jersey Garnsey and Alderny Parcel of the Dutchy of Normandy besides those profitable Plantations of New England Virginia Barbados Jamaica Florida Bermudos besides several other Isles and Places in those Quarters and some in the East Indies and upon the Coast of Africa also upon the main land of America by right of first discovery to Estoit land Terra Corterialis New found Land Novum Belgium Guiana the King of England hath a Legal Right though not Possession Rex Angliae est Persona mixta cum Sacerdote say our Lawyers He is a Priest as well as a King He is anointed with Oyle as the Priests were at first and afterward the Kings of Israel to intimate that his Person is Sacred and Spiritual and therefore at the Coronation hath put upon him a Sacerdotal Garment called the Dalmatica c. and before the Reformation of England when the Cup in the Lords Supper was denied to the Laity the King as a Spiritual Person received in both kinds He is capable of Spiritual Jurisdiction of holding of Tythes all Extra-Parochial Tythes some Proxies and other Spiritual Profits belong to the King of which Laymen both by Common and Canon Law are pronounced uncapable He is an External Bishop of the Church as Constantine the Emperour said of himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But I am constituted Bishop for external things of the Church Rex idem hominum Phaebique Sacerdos He is as the Roman Emperours Christian as well as Heathen stiled themselves Pontifex Max. He is the Supreme Pastor of England and hath not only Right of Ecclesiastical Government but also of Exercising some Ecclesiastical Function so far as Solomon did 1 Kings 8. when he blessed the People consecrated the Temple and pronounced that Prayer which is the Pattern now for Consecration of all Churches and Chappels but all the Ministerial Offices are left to the Bishops and Priests as the determinination of Causes are to the Kings Judges although the King may himself sit in Judgement if the Affairs of State did not alwayes require his Presence at the Helme and the Administration of Sacraments Preaching and other Church Offices and Duties to the Bishops and their Ordained Clergy Of this Sacred Person of the King of the life and safety thereof the Laws and Customs of England are of tender that they have made it High Treason onely to imagine or intend the death of the King And because by imagining or conspiring the death of the Kings Counsellors or Great Officers of his Houshold the destruction of the King hath thereby sometimes ensued and is usually aimed at saith Stat. 3 H. 7. that also was made felony to be punisht with death although in all other Cases Capital the Rule is Voluntas non reputabitur pro facto and an English Man may not in other Cases be punisht with death unless the Act follow the Intent The Law of England hath so high esteem of the Kings Person that to offend against those Persons and those things that represent his Sacred Person as to kill some of the Crown Officers or the Kings Judges executing their Office or to counterfeit the Kings Seals or his Moneys is made High Treason because by all these the Kings Person is represented and High Treason is in the Eye of the Law so horrid that besides loss of Life and Honour Real and Personal Estate to the Criminal his Heirs also are to lose the same for ever and to be ranked amongst the Peasantry and Ignoble till the King shall please to restore them Est enim tam grave crimen saith Bracton ut vix permittitur haeredibus quâ—d vivant High Treason is so grievous a Crime that the Law not content with the Life and Estate and Honour of the Criminal can hardly endure to see his heirs survive him And rather than Treason against the Kings Person shall go unpunisht the Innocent in some Cases shall be punished for if an Idiot or Lunatick who cannot be said to have any will and so cannot offend during his Idiocy or Lunacy shall kill or go about to kill the King he shall be punisht as a Traytor and yet being Non compos mentis the Law holds that he cannot commit Felony or Petit Treason not other sorts of High Treason Moreover for the precious regard of the Person of the King by an Antient Record it is declared that no Physick ought to be administred to him without good Warrant this Warrant to be made by the Advice of his Council no other Physick but what is mentioned in the Warrant ro be administred to him the Physitians to prepare all things with their own hands and not by the hands of any Apothecary and to use the assistance only of such Chyrurgeons as are prescribed in the Warrant And so precious is the Person and Life of the King that every Subject is obliged and bound by his Allegeance to defend his Person in his Natural aswell as Politick Capacity with his own Life and Limbs wherefore the Law saith that the life and member of every Subject is at the service of the Soveraign He is Pater Patriae Dulce erit pro Patre Patriae mori to lose life or limb in defending him from Conspiracies Rebellions or Invasions or in the Execution of his Laws should seem a pleasant thing to every loyal hearted Subject The Office of the King of England according to the Learned Fortescue is Pugnare bella populi sui eos rectissime judicare To fight the Battels of his People and to see Right and Justice done unto them Or according to
and that by reason of their Honourable Order and Employment and also to all Bannerets made under the Kings Banner or Standard displayed in an Army Royal in open War and the King personally present Note also That if any of the Degrees of Nobility above-mentioned are descended of the Blood Royal they are to have place of all those of the same Degree with them Moreover Observe that all the Nobles of the same Degree take place according to the Seniority of their Creation There are certain Marks of State that belong to each Degree amongst the Nobility which they may practise or not practise at pleasure A Duke may have in all places out of the Kings presence a Cloth of Estate hanging down within half a yard of the ground so may his Dutchess and her Train born up by a Baron and no Earl to wash with a Duke without the Dukes pleasure A Marquiss may have a Cloth of Estate reaching within a yard of the ground and that in all places out of the presence of the King or a Duke and his Marchioness to have her Train born by a Knights Wife and no Vicount to wash with a Marquiss but at his pleasure An Earl also may have a Cloth of Estate without Pendants but only Fringe and a Countess may have her Train born by a Gentlewoman out of the presence of her Superiours and in their presence by a Gentleman A Vicount may have a Cover of Assay holden under his Cup while he drinks but no Assay taken as Dukes Marquisses and Earls may have And a Vicountess may have her Gown born up by a Woman out of the presence of her Superiours and in their presence by a Man A Baron may also have the Cover of his Cup holden underneath whilst he drinketh and a Baroness may have her Gown born up by a man in the presence of a Vicountess All Dukes eldest Sons be as Earls and the younger as Lords with the addition of their Christian Names as Lord Thomas Lord John c. A Dukes eldest Son of the Blood Royal shall take place of a Marquiss that is not and of an Earl that is of the Blood Royal. A Marquisses eldest Son is called Lord of a place and the younger Sons Lord Thomas Lord John c. A Marquisses eldest Son of the Blood Royal shall go before an Earl that is not and of a Vicount that is of the Blood Royal. An Earls eldest Son is called Lord of a place and all his Daughters Ladies but his younger Sons not Lords An Earls eldest Son of the Blood Royal takes place of a Vicount that is not and of a Lord that is of the Blood Royal. A Vicounts eldest Son is no Lord nor his Daughters Ladies and therefore the eldest Son and the eldest Daughter of the first Vicount of England is said to be the first Gentleman and Gentlewoman without Title in England A Vicounts eldest Son of the Blood Royal takes place of all Barons The Princes of the Blood the Great Officers of the Realm and the Bishops are to precede according to an Act of Parliament 31 H. 8. The Lord Chancellour Lord Treasurer Lord President of the Kings Council Lord Privy Seal These being Barons or above shall in Parliament sit above all Dukes except the Son Brother Grand-Child or Nephew of the King The Lord High Steward of England is not here named because it was intended that he should not continue beyond the occasion for which he should be made Next hath place the Lord Great Chamberlain of England then the Lord High Constable the Earl Marshal the Lord High Admiral Lord Steward of the Kings Houshold Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold These shall sit after the Lord Privy Seal above all of their Degree only And if the Kings Principal Secretary be a Baron he takes place of all Barons that are not of the Offices before mentioned but if he be a Vicount or higher Degree he shall take place only according to his Degree Also if the Kings Secretary be a Bishop as antiently was usual he takes place next to the Bishop of Winchester of all other Bishops that have none of the Offices aforesaid All Dukes Marquisses Earls Vicounts and Barons not having any of the said Offices shall take place according to the antiently of their Creation All Dukes eldest Sons have the Title of Earls and the eldest Son of an Earl hath the Title of the Earls Barony and sometimes of the Vicountry according to the Patent A Catalogue of the Peers of England according to their Precedence Dukes of the Royal Blood JAMES Duke of York and Albany Earl of Ulster Lord High Admiral of England the Kings only Brother Rupert Duke of Cumberland and Earl of Holderness Edgar Duke of Cambridge The Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Privy Seal take place before all Dukes not of the Blood Royal. Dukes Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk William Seymour Duke of Somerset George Villars Duke of Buckingham Charles Stuart Duke of Richmond George Monk Duke of Albemarle James Scot Duke of Monmouth William Cavendish Duke of Newcastle Marquisses John Pawlet Marquiss of Winchester Edward Somerset Marquiss of Worcester Henry Pierrepont Marquiss of Dorchester Earls These three take place in respect of their Offices Bertue Earl of Lindsay Lord High Chamberlain of England James Butler Earl of Brecknock Lord Steward of the Kings Houshold Edward Montague Earl of Manchester Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold Earls Awbrey de Vere Earl of Oxford Algernon Percy Earl of Northumberland Francis Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury Anthony Grey Earl of Kent Charles Stanley Earl of Derby John Mannours Earl of Rutland Theophilus Hastings Earl of Huntingdon William Russel Earl of Bedford Philip Herbert Earl of Pembroke Theophilus Clinton Earl of Lincoln Charles Howard Earl of Nottingham James Howard Earl of Suffolk Richard Sacvile Earl of Dorset William Cecil Earl of Salisbury John Cecil Earl of Exeter John Edgerton Earl of Bridgewater Robert Sydney Earl of Leicester James Compton Earl of Northampton Charles Rich Earl of Warwick William Cavendish Earl of Devonshire Basil Fielding Earl of Denbigh George Digby Earl of Bristol Lionel Cranfield Earl of Middlesex Henry Rich Earl of Holland John Hollis Earl of Clare Oliver St. John Earl of Bullingbroke Mildmay Fane Earl of Westmorland Montague Earl of Manchester Thomas Howard Earl of Berkshire Thomas Wentworth Earl of Cleveland Edward Sheffield Earl of Mulgrave Thomas Savage Earl Rivers Bertue Earl of Lindsay Nicolas Knowles Earl of Banbury Henry Cary Earl of Dover Henry Mordant Earl of Peterborough Henry Grey Earl of Stamford Henage Finch Earl of Winchelsey Charles Dormer Earl of Caernarvon Montjoy Blunt Earl of Newport Philip Stanhop Earl of Chesterfield John Tufton Earl of Thanet William Wentworth Earl of Strafford Robert Spenser Earl of Sunderland James Savil Earl of Sussex George Goring Earl of Norwich Nicholas Leak Earl of Scarsdale John
Willmot Earl of Rochester Henry Jermin Earl of St. Albans Edward Montague Earl of Sandwich James Butler Earl of Brecknock Edward Hyde Earl of Clarendon Arthur Capel Earl of Essex Thomas Brudnel Earl of Cardigan Anthony Annesly Earl of Anglesey John Greenvile Earl of Bath Charles Howard Earl of Carlile John Craven Earl of Craven Thomas Bruce Earl of Alisbury Richard Boyle Earl of Burlington Vicounts Leicester Devereux Vicount Hereford Francis Brown Vicount Montague James Fiennes Vicount Say and Seale Edward Conway Vicount Conway Baptist Noel Vicount Camden William Howard Vicount Stafford Thomas Bellasis Vicount Falconbridge John Mordant Vicount Mordant George Savil Vicount Halifax Barons John Nevil Lord Abergavenny James Touchet Lord Andley Charles West Lord de la Warre George Berkly Lord Berkly Thomas Parker Lord Morly and Monteagle Francis Lennard Lord Dacres Conyers Darcy Lord Darcy and Menil William Stourton Lord Stourton William Lord Sandys de la Vine Edward Vaux Lord Vaux Thomas Windsor Lord Windsor Thomas Wentworth Lord Wentworth Wingfield Cromwel Lord Cromwell George Evre Lord Evre Philip Wharton Lord Wharton Francis Willoughby Lord Willoughby of Parham William Paget Lord Paget Dudly North Lord North. William Bruges Lord Chandos William Petre Lord Petre. Dutton Gerard Lord Gerard. Charles Stanhop Lord Stanhop Henry Arundel Lord Arundel of Warder Christopher Rooper Lord Tenham Fulk Grevil Lord Brooke Edward Montague Lord Montague of Boughton Charles Lord Howard of Charlton William Grey Lord Grey of Wark John Robarts Lord Robarts John Lovelace Lord Lovelace John Pawlet Lord Pawlet William Mainard Lord Mainard Thomas Coventry Lord Coventry Edward Lord Howard of Escrick Warwick Mohun Lord Mohun William Butler Lord Butler Percy Herbert Lord Powis Edward Herbert Lord Herbert of Cherbury Francis Seymour Lord Seymour Francis Newport Lord Newport Thomas Leigh Lord Leigh of Stonelty Christopher Hatton Lord Hatton Henry Hastings L. Loughborough Richard Byron Lord Byron Richard Vaughan Lord Vaughan Charles Smith Lord Carington William Widrington Lord Widrington Humble Ward Lord Ward Thomas Lord Culpeper Isaack Astley Lord Astley Richard Boyle Lord Clifford John Lucas Lord Lucas John Bellasis Lord Bellasis Lewis Watson Lord Rockingham Charles Gerard Lord Gerard of Brandon Robert Sutton Lord Sutton of Lexinton Charles Kirkhoven Lord Wotton Marmaduke Langdale Lord Langdale William Crofts Lord Crofts John Berkley Lord Berkley Denzil Hollis Lord Hollis Frederick Cornwallis Lord Cornwallis George Booth Lord de la Mere. Horatio Townsend Lord Townsend Anthony Ashley Cooper Lord Ashley John Crew Lord Crew c. Henry Bennet Lord Arlington John Freschevile Lord Fresschevile Richard Arundel Lord Arundeâ— of Trerice Of Temporal Lords or Peer of England there are at presenâ— about 170 whereof there arâ— 10 Dukes 3 Marquisses 6â— Earls 8 Vicounts and 78 Barons whereas within 60 yearâ— last past there was not onâ— Duke but one Marquiss abouâ— 20 Earls 3 or 4 Vicounts anâ— 40 Lords The Laws and Customs of England alwayes willing that Decorum and Conveniency should be every where observed and considering the Charges and Expences appertaining to the several Degrees of Honour as they belong to Men of Principal Service to the King and Realm both in time of War and Peace expected that each of them should have a convenient Estate and Value of Lands of Inheritance for the support of their Honours and the Kings Service Therefore antiently when the intrinsique value of a Pound Sterling was worth 30 l. of our Money now every Knight was to have about 800 Acres reckoned at 20 l. yearly in Land that is about 600 l. of our Money at this day A Baron to have 13 Knights Fees and one third part which amounted to 400 l. which multiplied by 30 was as much as 8000 l. a year at this day An Earl 20 Knights Fees and a Duke 40. And in case of decay of Nobility or that they had so far wasted their Revenues that their Honours could not decently be maintained as the Roman Senators were in such case removed from the Senate so sometimes some English Barons have not been admitted to sit in the Higher House of Parliament though they kept the Name and Title of Dignity still For the better support oâ— these Degrees of Honour the King doth usually upon the Creation of a Duke Marquiss Earl or Vicount grant an Annuity or yearly Rent to them and their heirs which is so annext to the Dignity that by no Grant Assurance or any manner of Alienation can be given from the same but is still â—ncident to and a support of the same Creation contrary to that Principle in Law That every Land of Feesimple may be charged with a Rent in Fee-simple by one way or other To a Duke the King grants 40 l. heretofore a considerable Pension to a Marquiss 40 Marks to an Earl 20 l. and to a Vicount 20 Marks To Barons no such Pensions is ordinarily granted onely the late King creating Mountjoy Blount the late Earl of Newport Lord Mountjoy of Thurlston granted him a Fee of 20 Marks per annum to him and his heirs for ever As the King of England hath ever had the repute of the richest in Domaines of any King in Europe so the Nobility of England have been accounted the richest in Lands of any Neighbouring Nation some having above 20000 l. yearly others 15000 and so many of them above ten that if one with another they have 10000 l. yearly it will amount to in all amongst the 160 Lords Sixteen hundred thousand pounds a year about the ninth part of the yearly Revenue of all England which upon Computation is found to be about Fourteen Millions yearly The English Nobility for Valour Wisdome Integrity â—nd Honour hath in all former Ages been equal to any in Christendom Every Lords House was a kind of a well disciplined Court insomuch that the Gentry Males and Females were wont to be sent thither for vertuous breeding and returned excellently accomplisht At home their Table Attendance Officers Exercises Recreations Garb was an Honour to the Nation Abroad they were attended with as brave numerous and uniform Train of Servants and Followers as any â—uâ—ope not thinking it consistent with their Honours to be seen walk the Streets almost in Cuerpo with one Lackey or not that much less to be found drinking in a Tavern c. If the English Nobility by â— long continued Peace excessive Luxury in Diet want oâ— Action c. were before thâ— late Wars born more feeble in body than their Ancestors anâ— by too fine and too full Dieâ— afterwards were rendred weaker in mind and then during thâ— late troubles by much licentiousness and want of fit Education were so debauched thaâ— it was lately difficult to finâ— as some are bold to affirme the Courage Wisdom Integrity Honour Sobriety and Courtesie of the Antient Nobility yet is it not to be doubted but that under a Warlike Enterprising Prince all those Vertues of their Fore-Fathers may spring afresh especially if we consider the vicissitude