was very wild and venturous witness his playing at Dice with Henry the second King of France from whom he won a Diamond of great worth at a Cast And being demanded by the King what shift he would have made to repair himself in case he had lost the cast I have said young Chency in an hyperbolical brave SHEEPS TAILS enough in Kent with their Wool to buy a better Diamond then this His reduced Age afforded the befitting fruits of Gravity and Wisdome and this Lord deceased without Issue As for Sir Francis Cheney Sheriff for this present year we formerly observed the distinct Armes of his Family This worthy Knight was father to Charles Cheney Esq. who by his exquisite Travelling hath Naturalized foreign perfections into himself and is exemplarily happy in a vertuous Lady Jane Daughter to the truly Noble William Marquis of New-castle and by her of hopefull Posterity The Farewell On serious consideration I was at a loss to wish to this County what it wanted God and the Kings of England have so favoured it with naturall perfections and civil priviledges In avowance of the latter it sheweth more Burrow-towns sending Burgesses no fewer then twelve to the Parliament then any Shire though thrice as big lying in the Kingdome of Mercia Now seeing at the instant writing hereof the generall News of the Nation is of a Parliament to be called after his Majesties Coronation my prayers shall be that the Freehoulders of this County shall amongst many therein so qualified chuse good Servants to God Subjects to the King Patriots to the County effectually to advance a happiness to the Church and Common-wealth CAMBRIDGE-SHIRE CAMBRIDGE-SHRE hath Lincoln shire on the North Northfolk and Suffold on the East Essex and Hartford-shire on the South Huntington and Bedford-shires on the West being in length thirty five in breadth not fully twenty miles The Tables therein as well furnished as any the South-part affording bread and beer and the North the Isle of Ely meat thereunto So good the grain growing here that it out-selleth others some pence in the Bushel The North-part of this County is lately much improved by drayning though the poorest sort of people will not be sensible thereof Tell them of the great benefit to the publick because where a Pike or Duck fed formerly now a Bullock or Sheep is fatted they will be ready to return that if they be taken in taking that Bullock or Sheep the rich Owner ââ¦indicteth them for Felons whereas that Pike or Duck were their own goods only for their pains of catching of them So impossible it is that the best project though perfectly performed should please all interests and affections It happened in the year 1657. upon the dissolution of the great Snow their banks were assaulted above their strength of resistance to the great loss of much Cattle Corn and some Christians But soon after the seasonable industry of the Undertakers did recover all by degrees and confute their jealousies who suspected the relapsing of these lands into their former condition This Northern part is called the Isle of Eelie which one will have so named from the Greek word ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Fenny or Marish-ground But our Saxon Ancestors were not so good Grecians and it is plain that plenty of Eels gave it its denomination Here I hope I shall not trespass on gravity in mentioning a passage observed by the Reverend Professour of Oxford Doctor Prideaux referring the Reader to him for the Authours attesting the same When the Priests in this part of the County would still retain their wives in despight of whatever the Pope and Monks could doe to the contrary their wives and children were miraculously turned all into Eels surely the greater into Congers the less into Griggs whence it had the name of EELY I understand him a LIE of EELS No doubt the first founder of so damnable an untruth hath long since received his reward However for this cause we take first notice amongst this Counties Naturall Commodities Of Eels Which though they be found in all Shires in England yet are most properly treated of here as most first and best the Courts of the Kings of England being thence therewith anciently supplyed I will not ingage in the controversy whether they be bred by generation as other fish or aequivocally out of Putrefaction or both ways which is most probable Seeing some have adventured to know the distinguishing marks betwixt the one and other I know the Silver Eels are generally preferred and I could wish they loved men but as well as men love them that I my self might be comprised within the compass of that desire They are observed to be never out of season whilst other fishes have their set times and the biggest Eels are ever esteemed the best I know not whether the Italian proverb be here worth the remembring Give Eels without wine to your Enemies Hares Though these are found in all Counties yet because lately there was in this Shire an Hare-park nigh New-market preserved for the Kings game let them here be particularly mentioned Some prefer their sport in hunting before their flesh for eating as accounting it melancholick meat and hard to be digested though others think all the hardness is how to come by it All the might of this silly creature is in the flight thereof and remember the answer which a school-boy returned in a latine distick being demanded the reason why Hares where so fearfull Cur metuunt lepores Terrestris nempe marinus Aethereus quod sit tartareusque canis Whether or no they change their sex every year as some have reported let Huntsmen decide These late years of our civil wars have been very destructive unto them and no wonder if no law hath been given to hares when so little hath been observed toward men Saffron Though plenty hereof in this County yet because I conceive it first planted in Essex we thither refer our description thereof Willows A sad Tree whereof such who have lost their love make their mourning garlands and we know what Exiles hung up their Harps upon such dolefull Supporters The twiggs hereof are Physick to drive out the folly of children This Tree delighteth in moist places and is triumphant in the Isle of Ely where the roots strengthen their Banks and lop affords fuell for their fire It groweth incredibly fast it being a by-word in this County that the profit by Willows will buy the Owner a Horse before that by other Trees will pay for his Saddle Let me adde that if green Ash may burn before a Queen withered Willows may be allowed to burn before a Lady Manufactures Paper Expect not I should by way of Preface enumerate the several inventions whereby the ancients did communicate and continue their Notions to Posterity First by writing in Leaves of Trees still remembred when we call such a Scantling of Paper a Folio or Leafe Hence from Leaves men proceeded to the
I wish the continuance and Encrease of the breed of this kind of Canes Venatici And though the pleasure be not so much as in hunting of Hares the profit is more in destroying those Malignant Pioneers mischievous to Grasse more to Grain most to Gardens Lord Majors It is no less true theâ⦠strange that this County so large in it self so near to London weekly changing Cloth for Money therewith is ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã I mean hath not contributed one to this Topick Such as suspect the truth thereof will be satisfied on their exact survey of Stow's Survey of London The Names of the Gentry in this Shire returned into the Tower by the Commissioners in the 12th Year of K. Henry the sixth anno 1445. H. Epus VVinton Cardinalis Angliae  Commissioners to take the Oath Reginaldus le Warre Miles   Johannes Lysle Knights for the Shire  Johannes Brewe de Stapule   Walter Sandes Chivaler Johannes Popham Chivaler Johannes Uvedale Willielm Warbleton Thome Tame VVilliam Fanconer Roberti Dyngle Steph. Popham Chivaler Willielm Brokays Willielm Ryngebourne Walter Veere Iohannes Hampton Iohannes Gyffard Iohannes Brinkeley Petri Condraye Iohannes Skilling Thome Ringewood senior Willielm Persh Iohannes Hacket Iohannes Haymowe Roberti Fursey Roberti Tylbourgh Willielm Astel. Iohannes Balon Iohannes Bray Iohannes Purbyke Iohannes Catevan Willielm Clive Willielm Chellys Iohannes Faukoner Iohannes Mofunt Willielm Tested Richard Rumsey Willielm Burton Roberti VVhittehede Richard Spicer Johannes atte Berwe de Charleford Johannes Lawrence Thome Rockley Thome Yardly Thome Benebury Willielm Wellis Iohannes Escote Iohannes Rotherfield Richard Parkere Iohannes Kybbyll Iohannes Barbour Symonis Almayn William Farcy Richard Punchardon Nicholas Bernard Nicholas Banestre Thome Wayte It will be worth our enquiry who this chief Commissioner Henry Bishop of Winchester was with his insolent Title of CARDINAL of ENGLAND I finde many eminent Epithets but none of the Quorum of St. Pauls Bishops meeting in his person viz. Noble Rich Valiant Politique and long-lived Noble being Son of JOHN à GAUNT by KATHARINE SWINFORD born at Beaufort in France whence he had his Name ââ¦rother to King Henry the Fourth Uncle to King Henry the fifth great Uncle to King Henry the Sixth Rich commonly called the Rich Cardinal In his time the King and Courtiers cast a covetous eye on Church-Endowments but were diverted from longer looking on them by the Councel of Arch-Bishop Chickly and Coin of this Bishop Beaufort The former putting the King upon the War with France the later lending him on good security twenty thousand Pounds a Sum sounding high in those dayes He was also called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the Cardinal of England though we had another and his Senior at the same time of the same Order viz. Thomas Langley Bishop of Durham Valiant being the Pope's Legate in plain English the Pope's General leading his Army into Bohemia in which service he behaved himself fortius quam Episcopum decebat Worldly ââ¦olitick venting words on his Death-bed to this purpose That if all England some Reporters take a longer Circuit would preserve his Life he was able by his Purse to purchase or by Policy to procure it Long Life having been Bishop of Lincolne and Winchester fifty Years yet was he so far from being weaned from the world he sucked the hardest as if he would have bit off the Nipples thereof the nearer he was to his Grave Dying anno 1447. He was in his Generation by a charitable Antiperistasis fixed betwixt Bishop Wickham and Wanfleet but did not equall them in his Benefactions to the publick though he founded a fair Hospital in VVinchester a work no doubt more acceptable to God than when he anno 1417 undertook and performed a dangerous Voyage to Jerusalem It is in my apprehension very remarkeable that the 3 aforesaid Bishops of Winchester Wickham Beaufort and Wanfleet sate successively in that See six score years lacking two not to be parallel'd in any other Bishoprick To take our leave of this great Cardinall we read of K. Josiah Now the rest of the Acts of K. Iosiah and his GOODNESS c. But as for this Prelate the rest of his acts and his GREATNESS we leave to such as are desirous thereof to collect them out of our English Hystorians Sheriffs of Hantshire HEN. II. Anno 1 Anno 2 Turcinus vic Anno 3 Turcinus vic Anno 4 Anno 5 Turcinus vic Anno 6 Anno 7 Rich. fil Turcini for 9 years Anno 16 Hugo de Gundevill for 4 years Anno 20 Herudus de Stratton Hugo de Gundevill for 5 years Anno 25 Hen. de Stratton Hugo de Gundevile Anno 26 Galf. fil Aze for 8 years RICH. I. Anno 1 Galf. fil Azon Anno 2 Ogerus fil Ogeri Anno 3 Joh. de Rebez Anno 4 Will. Briewere Anno 5 Ogerus fil Ogeri Anno 6 Hugo de Bosco for 5 years JOH REG. Anno 1 Hugo de Basco Anno 2 Idem Anno 3 Will. Briewere Rad. de Bray Anno 4 Galf. fil Petri Will Stokes Anno 5 Idem Anno 6 Rog. fil Ade for 4 years Anno 10 Walt. Briewere Alan de Bockland Anno 11 Idem Anno 12 Will. Briewere Anno 13 Hugo de Nevill Galf. de Salvaozins Anno 14 Idem Anno 15 Idem Anno 16 Will. de S to Johanne Anno 17 Will. Briewere Will de S to Johanne HEN. III. Anno 1 Anno 2 Pet. Winton Epis. Will de Schorewell for 7 yearr Anno 9 Rich. Epis. Saresb. Bartholomew de Kemes Anno 10 Idem Anno 11 Rich. Epis. Saresb. Gilb. de Staplebrigg Anno 12 Idem Anno 13 Nich. de Molis Walt. de Romsey Anno 14 Nich. de Molis Hen. de Bada Anno 15 Idem Anno 16 Idem Anno 17 Pet. Winton Epis. Rog. Wascelin Anno 18 Idem Anno 19 Hen. fil Nicholai Anno 20 Hen. fil Nich. Rob. de Mara Anno 21 Galf. de Insula Anno 22 Idem Anno 23 Idem Anno 24 Emueus de Lacy Anno 25 Idem Anno 26 Idem Anno 27 Rob. Passelewe for 6 years Anno 33 Rob. Passell Anno 34 Hen. Facull for 6 years Anno 40 Hen. de Farneleg Anno 41 Ja. le Savage Anno 42 Joh. le Jac. Savage Anno 43 Idem Anno 44 Will. de Wintershull Anno 45 Regin fil Petri Joh. de Flemer Anno 46 Idem Anno 47 Regin fil Petri Hereward de Marisco Anno 48 Idem Anno 49 Joh. de Botele Anno 50 Idem Anno 51 Gerar. de Grue Anno 52 Joh. le Botele Anno 53 Idem Anno 54 Idem Anno 55 Will. de Wintershull Anno 56 Idem EDW. I. Anno 1 Will. de Wintershull Anno 2 Hen. de Shote broke Anno 3 Joh. de Havering for 4 years Anno 7 Will. de Braybofe Anno 8 Idem Anno 9 Phil. de Foynil Anno 10 Idem Anno 11 Idem Anno 12 Simon de Winton Anno 13 Idem Anno
For being with some other by this General for want of provisions left on land after many miseries they came to Mexico and he continued a Prisoner twenty three years viz Two years in Mexico one year in the Contractation-House in Civil another in the Inquisition-House in Triana twelve years in the Gallies four years with the Cross of St. Andrew on his back in the Everlasting-Prison and three years a drudge to Hernando de Soria to so high a summ did the Inventorie of his sufferings amount So much of his patience now see the end which the Lord made with him Whil'st enslaved to the aforesaid Hervando he was sent to Sea in a Flemish which was afterward taken by an English ship called the Galeon-Dudley and so was he safely landed at Portsmouth Decemb. the second 1590. And I believe lived not long after Sir WILLIAM MOUNSON Knight was extracted of an Antient Family in this Shire and was from his youth bred in Sea-Service wherein he attained to Great Perfection Queen Elizabeth having cleared Ireland of the Spanish Forces and desiring carefully to prevent a Relapse altered the Scaene of the War from Ireland to Spaine from Defending to Invading Sir Richard Leveson was Admiral our Sir William Vice-Admiral Anno 1602. These without drawing a Sword Killed Trading quite on the Coasts of Portugal no Vessels daring to goe in or out of their Harbours They had Intelligence of a Caract ready to land in Sisimbria which was of 1600 Tun richly laden out of the East-Indies and resolved to assault it though it seemed placed in an Invincible Posture Of it self it was a Gyant in Comparison to our Pigmy Ships and had in her three hundred Spanish Gentlemen the Marquess de Sancta Cruce lay hard by with thirteen Ships and all were secured under the Command of a Strong and well fortified Castle But nothing is Impossible to Mars valour and Gods blessing thereon After a ââ¦aire dispute which lasted for some houres with Sillogismes of fire and sword the Caract was Conquered the wealth taken therein amounting to the value of Ten Hundred Thousand Crownes of Portugal Account But though the Goods gotten therein might be valued the Good gained thereby was Inestimable for henceforward they beheld the English with admiring eyes and quitted their thoughts of Invasion This worthy Knight dyed about the mid'st of the Reign of King Iames. Writers This County hath afforded many partly because so large in it self partly because abounding with so many Monasteries whereof two Mitred ones Crowland and Bardney the Seminaries of many Learned men Not to speak of the Cathedral of Lincoln and Embrio University of Stamford wherein many had their Education Wherefore to pass by Faelix Crowlandensis Kimbertus Lindesius and others all of them not affording so much true History as will fill a hollow quill therewith we take notice of some principal ones and begin with GILBERT of HOLLAND He took his name not as others from a single Town but a great part of ground the third part of this Tripartite County which in my apprehension argues his Diligence in preaching thereabouts But quitting his Native Land he was invited by the famous St. Bernard to go to and live with him at Clarvaulx in Burgundy where he became his Scholar Some will prize a Crum of Forreign Praise before a Loafe of English commendation as subject to partiality to their own Countrymen Let such hear how Abbot Trithemius the German commendeth our Gilbert Vir erat in Scripturis Divinis Studiosus egregie doctus ingenio subtilis clarus eloquio The Poets feigâ⦠that Hercules for a time supplyed the place of wearied Atlas in supporting the Heavens so our Gilbert was frequently substitute to St. Bernard continuing his Sermons where the other brake ââ¦ff from those words in lectulo meo per noctes c. unto the end of the book being forty six Sermons in style scarce discernable from St. Bernards He flourished anno Dom. 1200. and was buryed at Gistreaux in France ROGER of CROULAND was bred a Benedictine Monk therein and afterwards became Abbot of Friskney in this County He was the seventh man in order who wrote the Life of Thomas Becket Some will say his six elder Brethren left his Pen but a pitiful portion to whom it was impossible to present the Reader with any remarkable Novelty in so trite a subject But know that the pretended miracles of Becket daily multiplying the last Writer had the most matter in that kind He divided his book into seven Volumes and was full fifteen years in making of it from the last of King Richard the first to the fourteenth of King Iohn But whether this Elephantine Birth answered that proportion of time in the performance thereof let others decide He flourished anno Domini 1214. ELIASDE TREKINGHAM was born in this County at a Village so called as by the sequents will appear Ingulphus relateth that in the year of our Lord 870. in the Month of September Count Algar with others bid battle to the Danes in Kesteven a Third part of this County and worsted them killing three of their Kings whom the Danes buryed in a Village therein formerly called Laundon but after Trekingham Nor do I know any place to which the same name on the like accident can be applied except it be Alcaser in Africa where anno 1578. Sebastian the Portugal and two other Morish Kings were killed in one Battle I confess no such place as Trekingham appeareth at this day in any Catalogue of English Towns Whence I conclude it either a Parish some years since depoulated or never but a Churchlesse Village This Elias was a Monk of Peterborough Doctor of Divinity in Oxford a Learned man and great Lover of History writing himself a Chronicle from the year of our Lord 626 till 1270. at what time it is probable he deceased HUGO KIRKSTED was born at that well known Town in this County being bred a Benedictine-Cistercian-Bernardine A Cistercian is a Reformed Benedictine a Bernardine is a Reformed Cistercian so that our Hugh may charitably be presumed Pure as twice Refined He consulted one Serlo an aged man and one of his own Order and they both clubbing their pains and brains together made a Chronicle of the Cistercians from their first coming into England anno 1131. when Walter de Espeke founded their first Abby at Rivaax in York-shire Our Hugh did write Serlo did indict being almost an hundred years old so that his Memory was a perfect Chronicle of all remarkable Passages from the Beginning of his Order Our Hugo flourished anno Domini 1220. WILLIAM LIDLINGTON was born say some at that Village in Cambridge-shire at a Village so named in this County say others with whom I concur because he had his Education at Stamford He was by profession a Carmelite and became the Fifth Provincial of his Order in England Monasteries being multiplyed in that age Gerardus a Frenchman Master General
Indeed I read of a Company of ââ¦hysicians in Athens called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã because they would take no Money of their Patients and our St. German was of their Judgement as to his Clients 5. Ability being excellently skill'd in Civil Caxon and Common Law so that it was hard to say wherein he excelled Add to these his skill in scripture witnesse his Book called The Doctor and Student where the former vics Divinity with the Lââ¦w of the later 6. Industry he wrote several works wherein he plainly appeareth not only a Favourer of but Champion for the Reformation 7 Vivacity Lââ¦ving to be above eighty years old and dying anno Dom. 1593. was buryed at St. Alphage London near Criplegate WILLIAM RASTAL was born in this City Sisters Son to Sir Thomas More and was bred in the Study of our Common Law and whoever readeth this passage in Pitz. will thence conclude him one of the two Chief Justices of England Pitz. de Ang. Script Aetat 16. anno 1565. Factus est Civilium Criminalium causarum alter ex duobus per Angliam supremis Judicibus whereas in deed he was but one of the Justices of the Kings Bench yet his Ability and Integrity did capacitate him for higher preferment being also a person of Industry He wrote the Life and set forth the Works of his Uncle More made a Collection of and Comment on the statutes of England Great was his Zeal to the Roââ¦ish Religion flying into Flanders with the changing of his Countrey under King Edward the Sixth he changed the nature of his Studies but then wrote worse Books on a better subject I mean Divinity He undertook Bishop Juel as much his over match in Divinity as Rastal was his in the common Law The Papists are much pleased with him for helping their cause as they conceive and we are not angry with him who hath not hurt ours in any degree He dyed at Lovain 1565. and lyeth buryed with his Wife in the same Tomb and this Epitaph may be bestowed on him Rastallus tumulo cum conjuge dormit in uno Unius carnis Pulvis unus erit Know that Winifrid Clement his Wife was one of the greatest Female Scholars an exact Grecian and the Crown of all most pious according to her perswasion Souldiers No City in Europe hath bred more if not too many of late and indeed we had had better Tââ¦adesmen if worse Souldiets I dare not adventure into so large a Subject and will instance but in one to keep possession for the rest submitting my self to the Readers censure whether the Parties merit or my private Relation puts me on his Memorial Sir THOMAS ROPER Son of Thomas Roper Servant to Queen Elizabeth was born in Friday Street in London whose Grandfather was a younger Son of the House of Heanour in Derby shire Indeed Furneaux was the ancient name of that Family until Richard Furneaux marryed Isald the Daughter of ..... Roper of Beighton in the County of Derby Esquire and on that Consideration was bound to assume the name of Roper by Indenture Dated the Sââ¦venth of Henry the Sixth This Sir Thomas Going over into the Lowe Countries became Page to Sir John Norrice and was Captain of a Foot Company at sixteen years of age what afterwards his Martial performances were to avoid all suspicion of Flattery to which my Relation may incline me I have transcribed the rest out of the Original of his Patent Cum Thomas Roper Eques auratus è Secretioribus Concilliariis nostris in regno nostro Hyberniae jampridem nobis Bellicae virtutis Splendore clarus innotuerit Utpote qui quam plurimis rebus per eum in nuperrimo bello hujus Regni fortiter gestis praeclarum Nomen Strenui Militis prudentis Ducis reportavit Cujus virtus praecipuè in recessu in Provinciâ nostrâ Conaciae prope Le Boyle emicuit ubi paucissimis admodum equestribus ingentes equitum turmas per Regni Meditullia hostiliter grassantes fortiter aggressus Ita prudentiâ suâ singulari receptui cecinit ut non modo se suos sed etiam totum exercitum ab ingenti periculo Liberavit hostesque quam plurimos ruinae tradidit Qui etiam cum Provincia nostra Ultoniae bello deflagaverat ob exploratam animi fortitudinââ¦m ab honoratissimo Comite Essexiae exercitus tunc imperatore unius ex omnibus designatus fuit ad Duellum eum Makal uno ex fortissimis Tyronentium agminum ducibus suscipiendum nisi praedictus Makal duello praedicto se exponere remisset Cumque etiam praedictus Thomas Roper in nuperrimo Bello apud Brest in Regno Gallie se maximis periculis objiciendo sanguinem suum effundendo Fortitudinem suam invictam demonstravit Qui etiam in expeditione Portugalenci se fortiter ac honorifice ãâã ac etiam apud Bergen in Belgio cum per Hispanos obsideretur invictissimae fortitudinis juvenem in defensione ejusdem se praebuit Qui etiam in expugnationis Kinsalensis die primus ãâã juxta ãâã propissime constitutus fuerat Hispanesque ex eo oppido sepius eodem die ãâã fortissime felicissimeque ad maximam totius exercitus ãâã ãâã profligavit Sciatis igitur quod nos intuitu praemissorum Dominum Thomam Roper millitem c. Whereas Thomas Roper Knight one of our Privy Councellors of our Kingdome of Ireland long since hath been known unto us famous with the Splendor of his Warlike vertue As who by the many Atchievements valiantly performed by him in the late War of this Kingdome hath gained the eminent Repute both of a stout Souldier and a discââ¦eet Commander whose Valour chiefly appeared in his Retreat near Le Boyle in ââ¦ur Province of Conaught where with very few horse he undantedly charged great Troops of the Horse of the Enemy who in a Hostile manner forraged the very Bowels of the Kingdome and by his Wisdome made such a singular retreat that he not only saved himself and his men but also delivered the whole Army from great danger and slew very many of his Enemies Who also when our Province of Ulster was all on Fire with war being one out of many was for the tryed resolution of his mind chosen by the Right Honorable the E. of Essex then General of the Army to undertake a Duel with Makal one or the stoutest Captains in the Army of Tyrone had not the said Makal declined to expose himself to the appointed Duel And also when the aforesaid Thomas Raper in the late war in the Kingdome of France at Brest by exposing himself to the greatest perils and sheding of his own bloud demonstrated his courage to be unconquerable Who also iâ⦠the voyage to Portugal behaved himself valiantly and honorably as also at Bergen in the Nether-lands when it was besiedged by the Spaniards approved himself a young man of ãâã valour in the defence thereof Who also in the day wherin Kinsale was assaulted was
so the Cathedral dedicated unto him in this County challengeth the Precedency of all in England for a Majestick Western Front of Columel-work But alas This hath lately felt the misfortune of other Fabricks in this kind Yea as in a Gangrean one member is cut off to preserve the rest so I understand the Cloysters of this Cathedral were lately plucked down to repair the Body thereof and am heartily glad God in his mercy hath restored the onely remedy I mean its lands for the Cure thereof As for Civil Structures Holdenby-house lately carried away the credit built by Sir Christopher Hatton and accounted by him the last Monument of his Youth If Florence be said to be a City so fine that it ought not to be shown but on Holy-days Holdenby was a House which should not have been shown but on Christmas-day But alas Holedenby-house is taken away being the Embleme of human happiness both in the beauty and brittleness short flourishing and soon fading thereof Thus one demolishing Hammer can undoe more in a day then ten edifying Axes can advance in a Month. Next is Burleigh-house nigh Stamford built by William Lord Cecil Who so seriously compareth the late state of Holdenby and Burleigh will dispute wââ¦th himself whither the Offices of the Lord Chancellour or Treasurer of England be of greater Revenues seeing Holedenby may be said to show the Seal and Burleigh the Purse in their respective magnificence proportionable to the power and plenty of the two great Officers that built them Withorpe must not be forgot the least of Noble Houses and best of Lodges seeming but a dim reflection of Burleigh whence it is but a Mile distant It was built by Thomas Cecil Earl of Exeter to retire to as he pleasantly said out of the dust whilst his great House of Burleigh was a sweeping Castle Ashby the Noble Mansion of the Earl of Northampton succeeds most beautifull before a casual fire deformed part thereof But seeing fire is so furious a plunderer that it giveth whatsoever it taketh not away the condition of this house is not so much to be condoled as congratulated Besides these there be many others no County in England yeilding more Noble men no Noble men in England having fairer habitations And although the Freestone whereof they be built keepeth not so long the white innocence as Brick doth the blushing modesty thereof yet when the fresh luster is abated the full state thereof doth still remain The Wonders There is within the Demeasnes of Boughton the Barony of the Right Honorable Edward Lord Mountague a Spring which is conceived to turn wood into stone The truth is this the coldness of the water incrustateth wood or what else falleth into it on every side with a stony matter yet so that it doth not transubstantiate wood into stone For the wood remaineth entire within untill at last wholy consumed which giveth occasion to the former erroneous relation The like is reported of a Well in Candia with the same mistake that Quicquid incidit lapidescit But I have seen in Sidney-colledge in Cambridge a Skull brought thence which was candied over with stone within and without yet so as the bone remained intire in the middle as by a casual breach thereof did appear This Skull was sent for by King Charles and whilst I lived in the house by him safely again returned to the Colledge being a Prince as desirous in such cases to preserve others propriety as to satisfie his own curiosity Medicinal Waters Wellingborough-well Some may conceive it called Wellingborough from a sovereign Well therein anciently known afterwards obstructed with obscurity and re-discovered in our days But Master Camden doth marr their mart avouching the ancient name thereof Wedlingburough However thirty years since a water herein grew very famous insomuch that Queen Mary lay many weeks thereat What benefit her Majesty received by the Spring here I know not this I know that the Spring received benefit from her Majesty and the Town got credit and profit thereby But it seems all waters of this kind have though far from the Sea their ebbing and flowing I mean in esteem It was then full tide with Wellingburough-well which ever since hath abated and now I believe is at low water in its reputation Proverbs The Mayor of Northampton opens Oysters with his Dagger This Town being 80 miles from the Sea Sea fish may be presumed stale therein Yet have I heard that Oysters put up with care and carried in the cool were weekly brought fresh and good to Althrope the house of the Lord Spencer at equal distance Sweeter no doubt then those Oysters commonly carried over the Alpes well nigh 300. miles from Venice to Viena and there ââ¦eputed far fetch'd and deer bought daintes to great persons though sometimes very valiant their savour Nor is this a wonder seeing Plinny tell us that our English Oysters did Romanis culinis servire Serve the Kitchings of Rome Pickled as some suppose though others believe them preserved by an ingenious contrivance Epicures bear their brains in there bowels and some conceive them carried in their shells But seeing one of their own Emperours gave for his Motto Bonus odor hââ¦stis melior Civis occisi Good is the smell of an Enemy but better the smell of a Citizen of Rome killed I say unto such a Roman-Nose stinking may be better then sweet Oysters and to their Palates we 'll leave them He that must eat a buttered Fagot let him go to Northampton Because it is the dearest Town in England for fuel where no Coles can come by Water and little Wood doth grow on Land Camden saith of this County in general that it is Silvis nisi in ulteriori citeriori parte minùs laetus And if so when he wrote fifty years since surely it is less wooddy in our age What reformation of late hath been made in mens judgments and manners I know not sure I am that deformation hath been great in trees and timber who verily believe that the clearing of many dark places where formerly plenty of wood is all the new light this age produced Pity it is no better provision is made for the preservation of woods whose want will be soonest for our fire but will be saddest for our water when our naval walls shall be decayed Say not that want of wood will put posterity on witty inventions for that supply seeing he is neither pious nor prudent parent who spends his patrimony on design that the industry and ingenuity of his son may be quick'ned thereby Princes ELIZABETH daughter of Sir Richard Woodevill by the Lady Jaquet his wife formerly the relict of John Duke of Bedford was born at Grafton Honour in this County in proof whereof many stronge presumptions may be produced Sure I am if this Grafton saw her not first a child it beheld her first a Queen when married to King Edward the fourth This Elizabeth was widow to Sir John Grey who
departed this life a little before the beginning of our Civil Wars Memorable Persons JOHN CAVENDISH Esq. was born at Cavendish in this County bred at Court a Servant in ordinary attendance on King Richard the Second when Wat Tyler played Rex in London It happ'ned that Wat was woundly angry with Sir John Newton Knight Sword-Bearer to the King then in presence for devouring his distance and not making his approaches mannerly enough unto him Oh the pride of a self-promoting Pesant Much bussling a rising thereabout Sir William Walworth Lord Mayor of London arrested VVat and with his Dagger wounded him and being well stricken in years wanted not valour but vigour to dispatch him He is seconded by John Cavendish standing by who twice or thrice wounded him mortally my Author complaining That his death was too worthy from the hands of honourable persons for whom the Axe of the Hangman had been too good I would have said the Hââ¦lter of the Hangman But it matters not by whom a Traitor be kill'd so he be kill'd Hereupon the Arms of London were augmented with a Dagger and to divide the Honour equally betwixt them if the Heaft belonged to Walworth the Blade or point thereof at least may be adjudged to Cavendish Let me add that King Richard himself shewed much wisedome and courage in managing this matter so that in our Chronicles he appeareth wiser Youth than Man as if he had spent all the stock of his discretion in appeasing this tumult which happened Anno Dom. 1381. Sir THOMAS COOK Knight Sir WILLIAM CAPELL Knight I present these pair of Knights in parallels because I find many considerable occurrences betwixt them in the course of their lives 1 Both were natives of this County born not far asunder Sir Thomas at Lââ¦venham Sir William at Stoke-Neyland 2 Both were bred in London free of the fame Company of Drapers and were Lord-Mayors of the City 3 Both by Gods blessing on their industry attained great Estates and were Royal-Merchants indeed The later is reported by tradition since by continuance consolidated into Historical truth that after a large entertainment made for King Henry the Seventh he concluded all with a Fire wherein he burnt many Bonds in which the King a Borrower in the beginning of his Reign stood obliged unto him a sweet perfume no doubt to so thrifty a Prince not to speak of his expensive Frolick when at another time he drank a dissolved Pearl which cost him many hundreds in an health to the King 4 Both met with many molestations Sir Thomas being arraigned for lending money in the reign of King Edward the Fourth hardly escaped with his life thank a good God a just Judge and a stout Jury though griveously fined and long imprisoned As for Sir William Empson and Dudley fell with their bodies so heavy upon him that they squeased many thousand pounds out of his into the Kings Coffers 5 Both died peaceably in Age and Honour leaving great Estates to their Posterities The Cooks flourishing lately at Giddy-Hall in Essex in a Worshipful as the Capels at Hadham in Hartford-shire now in an Honourable condition Nor must it be forgotten that Elizabeth daughter to Sir William Capel was married to William Powlet Marquess of Winchester and Mildred descended from Sir Thomas Cook to William Cecil Lord Burleigh both their husbands being successively Lord Treasurers of England for above fifty years Sir Thomas Cook lieth buried in the Church of Augustineâ⦠â⦠London Sir William Capel in the South-side of the Parish Church of St. Bartholomews in a Chappel of his own addition behind the Exchange though the certain date of their deaths do not appear Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 John Michel John Michel Ekelingham Stock-Fishmonger 1422. 2 Henry Barton Henry Barton Myldenhal Skinner 1428. 3 Roger Oteley Will. Oteley Vfford Grocer 1434. 4 John Paddesley Simon Paddesley Bury St. Edmunds Gold-smith 1440. 5 Simon Eyre John Eyre Brandon Draper 1445. 6 William Gregory Roger Gregory Myldenhal Skinner 1451. 7 Thomas Cook Robert Cook Lavenham Draper 1462. 8 Richard Gardiner John Gardiner Exning Mercer 1478. 9 William Capel John Capel Stoke-Neyland Draper 1503. 10 William Coppinger Walter Coppinger Buckshal Fish-monger 1512. 11 John Milborn John Milbourn Long-Melford Draper 1521. 12 Roger Martin Lawrence Martin Long-Melford Mercer 1567. 13 John Spencer Richard Spencer Walding-Field Cloath-worker 1594. 14 Stephen Some Thomas Some Bradley Grocer 1598. Reader this is one of the twelve pretermitted Shires the Names of whose Gentry were not returned into the Tower in the reign of King Henry the Sixth Sheriffs Know that this County and Nââ¦hfolk had both one Sheriff until the seventeenth year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth a List of whose names we formerly have presented in the description of Northfolk ãâã Place Armes Reg. ELIZ   Anno   17 Rob. Ashfield ar Netherhall Sable ãâã Fesse ââ¦ngrailed betwixt 3 flower de Luces Arg. 18 Ioh. ãâã arm  Sable a Fesse checkee Or and Azure betwixt 3 Naggs heads erazed Argent 19 Will. Spring mil. Lanham Argent on a Cheveron between 3 Martlets Gules as many Cinquefoiles of the Field 20 Rob. Jermin mil. Rushbrook Sable a Cressant betwixt ãâã Mullets Argent 21 Philip. Parker mil. Arwerton Argent a Lion passant Gules betwixt 2 Barrs Setheron 3 Bezââ¦nts in Chief as many Bucks heads ââ¦abosed of the third 22 Th. Bernardiston m. Kedington Azure a Fesse Dauncette Ermin betwixt 6 Crosleââ¦s Argent 23 Nich. Bacon mil. Culfurth Gules on a Chief ãâã 2 Mullets Sable 24 Will. Drury mil. Halsted Argent on a Chief Vert the letter Tau betwixt 2 Mullets pierced Or. 25 Carol. Framling ham miles   26 Ioh. Gurdon arm Assington S. 3 Leopards heads jessant flowers de Luce Or. 27 Will. Clopton aâ⦠ Sable a Bend Argent betwixt 2 Cotises dauncette Or. 28 Geo Clopton ar ut prius  29 Franc. Jermy arm  Arg. a Lion ramp gardant Gules 30 Phil. Tilney arm Shelleigh Argent a Cheveron betwixt 3 Griffins-heads erazed Gules 31 Will. Walgrave m. ãâã Party per Pale Argent and Gu. 32 Tho. Rowse arm  Sable 2 Barrs engrailed Argent 33 ââ¦c Garnish arm  Ar. a chev engr Az. bet 3 scallops Sab. 34 Lionel Talmarsh ãâã HelminghaÌ Argent Fretty Sable 35 Rob. Forth arm  â Or 3 Buls-heads coupee Sable 36 Tho. â Croâ⦠arm SaxmundhaÌ * Ar. on a fess Gu. 3. Garbs Or between 2 cheverons Az. charged with Escallops Arg. 37 Will. Spring mil. ut prius  38 Tho. * Eden arm   39 Antho. Wingfield Letheringham Argent a Bend Gules cotised able 3 Wings of the first 40 Hen. Warner ar   41 Antho. Felton ar Playford Gules 2 Lions passant Eââ¦in crowned Or. 42 Edw. Bacon arm ut prius  43 Edwin Withipol Christ Church in Ipswich Party per pale Or and Gules 3 Lions pââ¦ssant regardant armed Sable langued Argent a Bordure interchanged 44 Tho.
Ioh. Palmer arm ut prius  36 Ioh. Thetcher arm   37 Ioh. Dawtree mil. ut prius  38 Ioh. Sackvile arm ut prius  EDVV. VI.   Anno   1 Thom Carden mil.   2 Ioh. Scott armig ut prius  3 Nich. Pelham mil. ut prius  4 VVill. Goring m. ut prius  5 Rob. Oxenbrigg â⦠ut prius  6 Anthon. Brown m. ut prius  Rex PHIL. MAR. Reg   Anno   1 Tho. Saunders mil. chartwood Sable a Cheveron between 3 Bulls heads Aââ¦g 2 Ioh. Covert arm ut prius  3 VVill. Saunders ar ut prius  4 Edw. Gage mil.  Gyronne of four Az. and Arg a Saltire Gules 5 Ioh. Ashburnham ut prius  6 VVill. Moore arm ut prius  Regin ELIZ.   Anno   1 Tho. Palmer mil. ut prius  2 Ioh. Colepeper ar  ââ¦rg a Bend engrailââ¦d Gules 3 Joh. Stidolf arm  Arg. Or a Chief Sable 2 Wolves heads Erased Or. 4 Hen. Goring arm ut prius  5 Will. Gresham   6 Rich. Covert arm ut prius  7 Antho. Pelham ar ut prius  8 Will. Dawtree arm ut prius  This year the 2 Counties were divided Sheriffs of Surrey alone Name Place Amreâ⦠9 Franc. Carew ar ut prius  10 Hen. Weââ¦on mil. ut prius  11 Thom. Lifeld ar ut prius  12 Tho. Brown arm ut prius  This year the two Counties were again united under one Sheriff Name Place Amreâ⦠13 Ioh. Pelham arm ut prius  14 Tho Palmer mil. ut prius  15 Fran. Shirley arm ut prius  16 Ioh. Rede arm Rich. Polsted   17 Hen Pelham arm ut prius  18 Will. Gresham ar ut prius  19 Tho. Shirley mil ut prius  20 Georg. Goring ar ut prius  21 Will. Moore mil. ut prius  22 Will. Morley arm ut prius  23 Edw. Slifeld arm   24 Tho. Brown mil. ut prius  25 Walt. Covert arm ut prius  26 Tho. Bishop arm Parham Argent on a Bend cottised Gules 3 Bezauts 27 Rich. Bostock ar  Sable a Fesse Humet Aââ¦g 28 Nich. Parker ar   29 Rich. Brown arm ut prius  30 Ioh. Carrell arm Harting Argent 3 Bars and as many Martlets in Chief Sable 31 Thom. Pelham a. ut prius  32 Hen. Pelham arm ut prius  33 Robâ⦠Linsey arm  Or an Eagle displayed Sable beaked and membred Az. a Chief Varry 34 Walt. Covert mil. ut prius  35 Nich. Parker mil.   36 Will. Gardeux a.   37 Rich. Leech arm   38 Edm. Culpeper a. ut prius  39 Georg. Moore arm ut prius  40 Jam. Colebrand a. Botham Az. 3 Levels with Plummets O. 41 Tho. Eversfeld a. Den Erm. on a Bend S. 3 Mullets O. 42 Edm. Boier arm Camberwel Sur. O. a Bend varry betwixt 2 Cottises Gules 43 Thom. Bishop arm ut prius  44 Ioh. Ashburnham ut prius  45 Rob. Lynsey ut prius  JAC. Rex   Anno   1 Rob. Linsey arm ut prius  2 Hen. Goring mil. ut prius  3 Edw. Culpeper mil ut prius  4 Tho. Hoskings mil.   5 Hen. Morley arm ut prius  6 Georg. Gunter mil.  Sable 3 Gantlets within a Border Or. 7 Thom. Hunt miles   8 Ioh. Lountesford  Az. a Cheveron betwixt 3 Boares Or Coupe Gules 9 Edw. Bellingham ãâã prins  10 Wil. Wignall a Tandrigde Sur. Azure on a Cheveron Or betwixt 3 Ostriges 3 Mullets Gules 11 Edw. Goring arm ut prius  12 Ioh. Willdigos m.   13 Rola Tropps Mor Ioh. Morgan m.   14 Ioh. Shirley mile ut prius  15 Ioh. Middleton a.   16 Ioh. Howland mil. Shatham Arg. 2 Bars and 3 Lions Ramp in Chief Sable 17 Nich. Eversfeld a. ut prius  18 Rich. Michelborne   19 Franc. Leigh mil. ut prius  20 Tho. Springet m.   21 Ben. Pelham mil. ut prius  22 Amb. Browne arm ut prius  CAROLUS Rex   Anno   1 Edr. Alford arm  G. 6 Pears 3 2 1 a chief O. 2 Tho. Bowyer arm Leghthorn Suss. Or a Bend Vary betw 2 Cotises G 3 Edw. Jourden arm Gatwik S. an Eagle displaied betw 2 Bendlets Ar. a Canton siââ¦ster Or. 4 Steph. Boord mil.   5 Anth. May armââ¦ger  G. a Fesse between 8 Billets Or. 6 Will. Walter mil. Wimblâ⦠Az. a Fesse indented Or between 3 Eagles Argent 7   8 Iohâ⦠Chapman m.   9 Rich. Evelyn arm Wotton Az. a Gââ¦yphon passant Chief O. 10 Will Culpeper ar ut prius  11 Will. Morley mil. ut prius  When I look upon these two Counties it puts me in mind of the Epigram in the Poet. Nec cum te possum vivere nec sine te Neither with thee can I well Nor without thee can I dwell For these two Shires of Surrey and Sussex generally had distinct Sheriffs until the Reign of King Edward the Second when they were united under One. Then again divided in the ninth of Queen Elizabeth united in the thirteenth divided again in the twelfth of King Charles and so remain at this day but how long this condition will continue is to me unknown seeing neither conjunctim nor divisim they seem very well satisfied Sheriffs of this Connty alone Name Place Amreâ⦠King CHARLES   Anno   12 Antho. Vincent mil. Stock'd Azure 3 Quarterfoils Argent 13 Abernn  14 Iohan Gresham mil   15 Ioh. Howland mil. ut prius  16 Tho. Smith armig   17 Georg. Price arm   18   19 Edru Jorden arm ut prius  20 Mathe. Brand mi   21   22 Will. VVymondsal mil. Putnie  RICHARD the Second 19 JOHN ASHBURNHAM My poor and plain Pen is willing though unable to add any lustre to this Family of stupendious Antiquity The Chief of this name was High Sheriffe of Sussex and Surrey Anno 1066. when WILLIAM Duke of Normandy invaded England to whom King Harauld wrote to assemble the Posse Comitatunm to make effectuall resistance against that Foreigner The Original hereof an Honourable Heir-Loome worth as much as the Owners thereof would value it at was lately in the Possession of this Family A Family wherein the Eminency hath equalled the Antiquity thereof having been Barons of England in the Reign of King Henry the Third The Last Sr. John Ashburnham of Ashburnham married Elizabeth Beaumont Daughter of Sr. Tho. Beaumont afterwards by especiall Grace created Viscountess Crawmount in Scotland and bare unto him two Sons John of the Bed-chamber to King CHARLES the first and second and William Cofferer to his
of Rome Take a tast of them Joannes Sarisburiensis in Polycratico Sedent in Ecclesia Romana Scribae Pharisaei ponentes onera importabilia in humeros hominum Ita debacchantur ejus Legati ac si ad Ecclesiam flagellandam egressus sit Satan a facie Domini Peccata populi comedunt eis vestiuntur in iis multipliciter luxuriantur dum veri adoratores in Spiritu adorant Patreâ⦠Qui ab eorum dissentit Doctrina aut Haereticus judicatur aut ãâã Manifestet ergo seipsum Christus palà m faciat viam quá nobis est incedendum Scribes and Pharisees sit in the Church of Rome putting unbearable burthens on mens backs His Legates do so swagger as if Satan were gone forth from the Face of the Lord to scourge the Church They eat the sins of the people with them they are clothed and many ways riot therein whilst the true worshipers worship the Father in Spirit who so dissent from their Doctrine are condemned for Hereticks or Schismaticks Christ therefore will manifest himself and make the way plain wherein we must walk How doth our Author Luther it before Luther against their errors and vices the more secure for the generall opinion men had of his person all holding our John to be though no Prophet a Pious man King Henry the second made him Bishop of Chartres in France where he died 1182. RICHARD POOR Dean of Sarisbury was first Bishop of Chichester then of Sarisbury or Old Sarum rather He found his Cathedrall most inconveniently seated for want of water and other necessaries and therefore removed it a mile off to a place called Merry-field for the pleasant situation thereof since Sarisbury Where he laid the foundation of that Stately Structure which he lived not here to finish Now as the place whence he came was so dry that as Malmsbury saith miserabili commercio ibi aqua vaeneat by sad chaffer they were fain to give money for water so he removed to one so low and moist men sometimes upon my own knowledge would give money to be rid of the water I observe this for no other end but to show that all humane happiness notwithstanding often exchange of places will still be an Heteroclite and either have too much or too little for our contentment This Poor was afterwards removed to the Bishoprick of Durham and lived there in great esteem Mat. Paris characterizing him eximiae sanctitatis profundae scientiae virum His dissolution in a most pious and peaceable manner happened April 5. Anno Domini 1237. His Corps by his Will were brought and buried at Tarrent in Dorsetshire in a Nunnery of his own founding and some of his Name and probably Alliance are still extant in this County WILLIAM EDENDON was born at Edendon in this County bred in Oxford and advanced by King Edward the third to be Bishop of Winchester and Lord Treasurer of England During his managing of that Office he caused new coines unknown before to be made groats and half-groats both readier for change and fitter for charity But the worst was imminuto nonnihil pondere the weight was somewhat abated If any say this was an un-episcopal act know he did it not as Bishop but as Lord Treasurer the King his Master having all the profit thereby Yea succeeding Princes following this patern have sub-diminished their coin ever since Hence is it that our Nobility cannot maintain the port of their Ancestors with the same revenues because so many pounds are not so many pounds though the same in noise and number not the same in intrinsecal valuation He was afterward made Lord Chancellor and erected a stately Convent for Bonhomes at Edendon in this County the place of his Nativity valued at the Dissolution per annum at five hundred twenty one pounds twelve shillings five pence half penny Some condemn him for robbing Saint Peter to whom with Saint Swithin Winchester-Church was dedicated to pay all Saints collectively to whom Edendon-Covent was consecrated suffering his Episcopal Palaces to decay and drop down whilst he raised up his new foundation This he dearly payed for after his death when his Executors were sued for dilapidations by his successour William Wickham an excellent Architect and therefore well knowing how to proportion his charges for reparations who recovered of them one thousand six hundred sixty two pounds ten shillings a vast sum in that Age though paid in the lighter groats and half-groats Besides this his Executors were forced to make good the standing-stock of the Bishoprick which in his time was empaired viz. Oxen 1556. Weathers 4717. Ewes 3521. Lambes 3521. Swine 127. This Edendon sat in his Bishoprick twenty one years and dying 1366. lyeth buried on the South-side in the passage to the Quire having a fair Monument of Alabaster but an Epitaph of course stone I mean so barbarous that it is not worth the inserting RICHARD MAYO alias MAYHOWE was born nigh Hungerford in this County of good parentage whose Sur-name and Kindred was extinct in the last generation when the Heirs-general thereof were married into the Families of Montpesson and Grove He was first admitted in New-colledge and thence removed to Magdalens in Oxford where he became President thereof 27. years It argueth his abilities to any indifferent apprehension that so knowing a Prince as Henry the seventh amongst such plenty of Eminent Persons elected and sent him into Spain Anno 1501. to bring over the Lady Katharine to be married to Prince Arthur which he performed with all fidelity though the heavens might rather seem to Laugh at then Smile on that unfortunate marrying After his return he was rewarded with the Bishoprick of Hereford and having sat 11. years therein dyed 1516 and lyeth buried in his Church on the South-side of the high Altar under a Magnificent Monument Since the Reformation JOHN THORNEBOROUGH B. D. was born as I am credibly informed in the City of Salisbury bred in Magdalen-colledge in Oxford He did ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and his Goodly Presence made him more acceptable to Queen Elizabeth preferring him Dean of York and Bishop of Lymbrick in Ireland where he received a most remarkable deliverance in manner as follweth Lying in an Old Castle in Ireland in a large room partitioned but with Sheets or Curtaines his Wife Children and Servants in effect an whole Family In the dead time of the night the floor over head being Earth and Plaister as in many places is used over-charged with weight fell wholly down together and crushing all to pieces that was above two foot high as Cupboards Tables Formes Stools rested at last on certain Chests as God would have it and hurt no living Creature In the first of King James 1603. he was consecrated Bishop of Bristoll and held his Deanery an Irish Bishoprick in commendam with it and from thence was translated to Worchester I have heard his skill in Chimistry much commended and he presented a
Virg. Aeâ⦠lib. 1. juxta finem * ãâã in Helvidium * Camden in Cambridgeshire * ãâã Twin Ant. Acad. Ox. pag. 333. * Gulielmus Zoon * So Mr. Fox spells it in his Acts and Mon. pag. 1573. called Sââ¦il Well at this day * Gen. 6. 2. * There were but 3. more Maryred in this County whereof John Hullier Fellow of Kings-col was most remarkable * Sir James Ware in the Arch-bishops of Tuam * Ireland properly was no Kingdome till the time of K. Henry the eighth * Sir James ut prius * John Philipot in his Catal. of Chancellors pag. 23. * Idem in his Catalogue of Treasurers pag. 16. * Bishop Godwin in the Bishops of Winchester a Godwin in the Catal. of Landaffe and Rochester b Idem in the Biposhs of Rââ¦chester c Bale pag. 576. and Pits pag. 625. * Bale de Script Ang. Cent. 7. Num. 60. * Idem i bidem * Bale maketh him to flourish under K. Henry the fourth * See his speech in Parliament Speed pag. * Godwin in the Bishop of Carlile * Mr. Martin beneficed neer Northampton * The particulars of this were procured for me by my worthy friend Mathew Gilly Esquire from Elizabeth the Bishops sole surviving daughter * Mills Cat. of Hon. pag. 1010. * Bale de script Brit. Cent. 8. num 46. * Milles ut supra * Chronicon ââ¦o Bromton pag. 887. AMP. * Camdens Briâ⦠in Cambridgeshire * Pits de it Aug. dââ¦script pag. 3ââ¦8 * Bââ¦le dââ¦pt Brit. Cent. 4. Num. 48. * Bale descript Brit. Cent. 5. Num. 40. S. N. * Bale Descript. Brit. Cent. 5. Num. 88. * Cent. octa Num. 43. * Polychron lib. ult cap. 10. * Balâ⦠dââ¦ript Bâ⦠Cââ¦w 9. Num. 67. * So his son-in-law informed me * With Mrs. Skinner daughter to Sir Ed. Coke a very religious Gentlewoman * Henry of Huntington * Stows survay of London pag. 575. * This story is oâ⦠his own relation * Bale descript Bââ¦t Cent. oct Num. 77. * Idem ibidem * Misprinted Sir Robertââ¦n ââ¦n my Ecclesiasticall History * Lord Herbert in the life of K. Henry the 8 pag. 181. Amos 4. 7. * Vate Royall of Eng. pag. 19. * Camdens Brit. in Chââ¦shire * William Smith in his Vale Royal pag. 18. * In the wonders of Angle sea * ãâã Smith in his Vale-royal of England pag. 17. * Once Anno 14. and again Anno 1583. * See our Pro verbs in Kent * Holinshead Chron. pag. 489. * Stows Survey of London pag. 522. * Draytons Po lyalbion Song ãâã * â⦠Kings 19. 12. * In his Brit. in Ireland * Pitz de ãâã script pag. 388. â In his ãâã of Cardinals * In his Cata of Bishops of Exeter * Bishop Godâ⦠in the Arch bishop ãâã York â ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã * Idem ãâã â In his comment on the 90. ãâã * R. Parker in Scel Cant in the Masters of Queens-colledge * In his Cata. of the Bishops of Lincola Printed 1616. * In ãâã Cestriensi natus Bishop Godwin in the Bishops of Durham * Sir J. Harrington pag. 206. * Luk. 8. 3. * Joh. 13. 29. * In his Elizabeââ¦h Anno 1596. * Bishop Williams * Alledââ¦'d by Sir Fââ¦a Bââ¦con in his Censure on the Earl of Som rset AMP. * Sir Hen. Sp. Gââ¦oss verbo justiciarius seems to assign him 1 Edw. 5. 1 Rich. 3. 1 Hen. 7. * In Sir Henry Spelm. ut prius John 12. * Acts 19. 24 * ãâã Brit. in Cheshire * Camden ibidem * Weavers Fun Mon. pag. 436 * Sir Wal. Rââ¦leigh Hist. of the World lib 5. pag. 545. * Lambertsââ¦er ââ¦er amb of Kent * ãâã ãâã in this County * So is it writ in the Table over ãâã tomb * William Smith Vale-royal pag. 16. * Pitz de scripâ⦠Brit. Anno 1340. * Bale Script Brit. Cent. 8. Num. 98. * Ang. Script Num. 992. * Mrs. Blackmore a Stationers wife in Pauls-Church-yard * In his description of Warwick-shire * Gen. 30. 36. * See Arch-bishop ushers Cron. * So my good friend Dr. Tates Principal of Brasen-Nose hath informed me * Mr. Hatcher in his Manuscript Catalogue of the Fellows of Kings-colledge * Fox Acts Mon. pag. 1958. * Mr. Haââ¦cher ut prius * Acts 10. 38. * Isaith 9. 3. * Will. Smith in his Vââ¦le pag. 18. * The Vale-Royal of England pag. 86. Idem pag. 199. * Vale royal of England written by Witt. Webb p. 22. * Christs-coll Register * Master John Spencer Library Keeper of Zion-colledge * Puââ¦chas his Piââ¦grims 1. part pag. 226. sââ¦q * Mat. 4. â⦠* Purchas his Pilgrims lib. 3. pag. 255. * Bale de script Brit. Gent. 6. Nuâ⦠1â⦠* Pits de Ang. Script pag. 690. * Script Brit. Ceut 9. Num. 17. * Pro. 20. 25. * Gal. 4. 4. * Mat. 12. 8. * In the Church behind the Exchange * Stows Suââ¦vey of London pag. 585. * Dâ⦠Willet in his Catalogue of good works since the Reformation pag. 1226. * Stows Survey of London pag. 1226. * Stow his Survey of London pag. 154. â Vale Royal of England pa. 207. * Ibidem * Carews Survey of Cornwall pag. 55. * Num. 11. 5. * Camdens Brit. in Cornwall * Polydore Virgil de Invent. Rerum in lib 3. Cap. 8. Pag. 251. * Virg. ãâã 6. * Lib. 3. Epig. 5â⦠* Cââ¦rew in his Sur. of Corn. pag. 100. * Cam English Brit. in Cornwall * Cââ¦ews Sur ãâã Cââ¦wall fol. 115. * Idââ¦m fol. 141. * ãâã lib. 8. cap. 3. â ãâã * ãâã lib. 3. cap. 5. Mela lib. 2. cap. 4. * ãâã Sur. of Cornwall fol. 126. * Caââ¦ew ãâã of Cornwall fol. 141. * See Master ãâã notes on Polyolbion pag. 131. * Rich. White of Basing-Stoke in Hist. Brit. Mart. and English Martyr on Octob. 21. * ãâã ãâã in Cata. Sanct. Brit. Anno Dââ¦m 411 * Carew Survey of Corn. fol. 59. * Godwin in the Arch-bish of York * Bââ¦le de Scrip. Brit. Cent. Oct. Num. 13. * Sir James Wââ¦re de scrip Hib. lib. 2. pag. 13â⦠* Idem de Arch epis Dublin pag. 30. * Garews Sââ¦r Corn. fol. 59. Bishop Godwin in the Bishops of Exeter Bishop Godwin ut prius * Stows Survey * Carew Survey of Cornwall fol. 59. * These cannot now be pretended an hinderance being put down by the long-lasting Parliament * Hamond L'Estrange Esq his Life of King Charles Reader in the last page I affirmed that Mr. Noy was no writer But since I am informed that there is a Posthume Book of his * Alomena wife to Amphitruo and Igern wife to Gââ¦loise Pr. of Cornwall * Draytons Polyolbion pag. 5. * Michael Cornubiensis * Joan. Sarishu de nugu Curial 5. cap. 18. * L Verulam in King Henry the seventh pag. 171. * Carew's survey of Cornwall * Carew in his survey of Cornwall sol 61. Speed Chron. pag. 780. *
all earnestnesse which will add so much to their account Some will say if the English be so forward in deeds of Charity as appeareth by what you said before any exhortation thereunto is altogether supersââ¦uous I answer the best disposed to Bounty may need a Remembrancer and I am sure that Nightingale which would wake will not be angry with the Thorn which pricketh her Breast when she noddeth Besides it is a Truth what the Poet saith Qui monet ut facias quod jam facis ipse monendo Laudat hortatu comprobat acta suo Who what thou dost thee for to do doth move Doth praise thy Practice and thy Deeds approve Thus the exhortations of the Apostles at Jerusalem were commendations of St. Paul Only they would that we should remember the poor the same which I also was forward to do Lastly though many of our Nation be free in this kind there want not those who instead of being Zealous are Jealous of good works being so far from shining themselves that they enviously endevour to extinguish the light of others whose Judgements I have laboured to rectifie herein The Stating of the Word REFORMATION with the Extensiveness thereof No word occurs oftner in this our Book then REFORMATION It is as it were the Aequator or that remarkable Line dividing betwixt Eminent Prelates Leaed Writers and Benefactors to the Publick who lived Before or After It. Know then that this Word in Relation to the Church of England is of above twenty years extent For the Reformation was not advanced here as in some Forraign Free-States suddenly not to say rapidly with popular Violence but Leisurely and treatably as became a matter of so great importance besides the meeting with much opposition retarded the proceedings of the Reformers We may observe that the Jews returned from the Captivity of Babylon at three distinct times under the Conduct of several persons 1. When the main Body of the Captives was brought home by Zorobabel by whom the second Temple was built 2. When a considerable Company returned with Ezra by whom the Church part as I may tearm it was setled in that Nation 3. When Nehemiah no doubt with suitable attendance came home and ordered the State moiety repairing the VValls of Jerusalem In like manner we may take notice of three distinct Dates and different degrees of our English Reformation though in relation to the Jewish I confess the method was altogether inverted For 1. The Civil part thereof when the Popes Supremacy was banished in the Reign of King Henry the Eight 2. VVhen the Church Service was reformed as far as that Age would admit in the first year of King Edward the Sixth 3. VVhen the same after the Marian interruption was resumed and more refined in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth The first of these I may call the morning Star The second the dawning of the day The third the Rising of the Sun and I deny not but that since that time his light and heat hath been increased But now the Question will be what is to be thought of those Prelates Writers and Benefactors which lived in the aforesaid Interval betwixt the Beginning and Perfecting of this Reformation For these appear unto us like unto the Batable ground lying betwixt England and Scotland whilest as yet two distinct Kingdomes in so dubious a posture it is hard to say to which side they do belong It is Answered the only way to decide this difference is to observe the Inclinations of the said persons so far forth as they are discovered in their Writings and actions such as appear in some good degree favourers of the Gospel are reputed to be since whilest those who are otherwise are adjudged to be Before the Reformation CHAP. XII Of Memorable Persons THe former Heads were like private Houses in which persons accordingly Qualified have their several habitations But this last Topick is like a publick Inn admitting all Comers and Goers having any extraordinary not vitious Remark upon them and which are not clearly reducible to any of the former Titles Such therefore who are over under or beside the Standard of Common persons for strength stature fruitfulnesse Vivacity or any other observeable eminence are lodged here under the Notion of Memorable Persons presuming the pains will not be to Me so much in marking as the pleasure to the Reader in knowing them Under this Title we also repose all such Mechanicks who in any Manual Trade have reached a clear Note above others in their Vocation Objection It is Deforme Spectaculum an uncouth Sight to behold such handy-crafts-men blended with Eminencies in ingenious professions such a mottley colour is no good wearing How would William Cecill Lord Treasurer of England and Baron of Burghleigh be offended to behold James York the Blacksmith set with him at the same Table amongst the Natives of Lincolne-shire Answer I am confident on the contrary that he would be highly pleased being so great a Statesman that he would countenance and encourage his Industrious Country man accounting nothing little without the help whereof greater matters can either not be attained or not long subsist Yea we see what signal notice the Spirit of God takes of the three Sons of Lamech the first Founders of Tent-making Organs and Iron-works and it is observable that whereas all their names are forgotten which built the Tower of Babel though done on design to get them a name these three Mechanicks viz. Jabal Jubal and Tubal Cain are nominatim recorded to all posterity Thus is it better to bottome the perpetuity of ones memory on honest Industry and ingenuous diligence then on Stately Structures and expensive magnificence I confesse it is easier to add to any art than first to invent it yet because there is a perfection of degrees as well as Kinds Eminent Improvers of an art may be allowed for the Co-inventers thereof being Founders of that accession which they add thereunto for which they deserve to be both regarded and rewarded I could name a worshipful Family in the South of England which for 16. several descents and some hundreds of years have continued in the same stay of Estate not acquiring one foot of Land either by match purchase gift or otherwise to their ancient Patrimony The same may be said of some handycrafts wherein men move in the same compasse but make no further progresse to perfection or any considerable improvement and this I impute generally to their want of competent encouragement CHAP. XIII Of Lord Maiors of LONDON I Have concluded this Work with these Chief Officers in that great City A place of so great Honour and Trust that it hath commonly been said that on the death of an English King The Lord Maior is the Subject of the greatest Authority in England Many other Offices determining with the Kings Life till such time as their Charters be renewed by his Successor whereas the Lord Maiors Trust continueth for a
he could not avoid to behold it For these reasons he left the Land went or shall I say fled into France where he sighed out the remainder of his Life most at Pontiniack but some at Soyssons where he dyed Anno 1240. Pope Innocent the fourth Canonized him six years after his death whereat many much wondred that he should so much honour one a professed foe to Papal Extortions Some conceived he did it se defendendo and for a ne noceat that he might not be tormented with his Ghost But what hurt were it if all the Enemies of his Holiness were Sainted on condition they took death in their way thereunto Sure it is that Lewis King of France a year after translated his Corps and three years after that bestowed a most sumptuous Shrine of Gold Silver and Chrystal upon it and the 16. of November is the Festival appointed for his Memorial Martyrs It appeareth by the confession of Thomas Man Martyred in the beginning of King Henry the eighth that there was at Newberry in this County a glorious and sweet Society of faithful Favourers who had continued the space of fifteen years together till at last by a certain lewd person whom they trusted and made of their Council they were betrayed and then many of them to the number of six or seven score were abjured and three or four of them burnt Now although we knew not how to call these Martyrs who so suffered their Names no doubt are written in the Book of Life We see how the day of the Gospel dawned as soon in this County as in any place in England surely Seniority in this kind ought to be respected which made Paul a pusney in piety to Andronicus and Iunia his kinsmen to enter this caveat for their Spiritual precedency who were in Christ before me On which account let other places give the honour to the Town of Newberry because it started the first and I hope not tire for the earliness thereof in the race of the Reformed Religion Yea Doctor William Twis the painful Preacher in that Parish was wont to use this as a motive to his flock to quicken their pace and strengthen their perseverance in piety because that Town appears the first fruits of the Gospel in England And Windsor the next in the same County had the honour of Martyrs ashes therein as by the ensuing list will appear There was in Windsor a company of right godly persons who comfortably enjoyed themselves untill their enemies designed their extirpation though it cost them much to accomplish it one of them confessing that for his share he expended an hundred marks besides the killing of three Geldings These suspecting that the Judges Itinerant in their circuit would be too favourable unto them procured a special Session got four arraigned and condemned by the Commissioners whereof the three following were put to death on the Statute of the six Articles 1. Anthony Persons a Priest and profitable Preacher so that the great Clerks of Windsor thought their idleness upbraided by his industry Being fastned to the stake he laid a good deal of straw on the top of his head saying this is Gods hat I am now arm'd like a souldier of Christ. 2. Robert Testwood a singing-man in the Quire of Windsor There hapned a contest betwixt him and another of that Society singing an Anthem together to the Virgin Mary Robert Philips on the one side of the Quire Robert Testwood on the other side of the Quire Oh Redemtrix Salvatrix Non Redemtrix nec Salvatrix I know not which sung the deepest Base or got the better for the present Sure I am that since by Gods goodness the Nons have drowned the Ohs in England Testwood was also accused for disswading people from Pilgrimages and for striking off the nose of the image of our Lady 3. Henry Fillmer Church-Warden of Windsor who had Articled against their superstitious Vicar for heretical Doctrine These three were burnt together at Windsor Anno 1544. and when account was given to their patient death to King Henry the eighth sitting on horse-back the King turning his horses head said Alas poor innocents A better speech from a private person then a Prince bound by his place not only to pity but protect oppressed innocence However by this occasion other persecuted people were pardoned and preserved of whom hereafter This storm of persecution thus happily blown over Bark-shire enjoyed peace and tranquillity for full twelve years together viz. from the year of our Lord 1544. till 1556. When Dr. Jeffrey the cruel Chancellour of Sarisbury renewed the troubles at Newberry and caused the death of JULINS PALMER See his Character being born in Coventry in Warwickshire JOHN GWIN THOMAS ASKINE These three July 16. 1556. were burnt in a place nigh Newberry called the Sand-pits enduring the pain of the fire with such incredible constancy that it confounded their foââ¦s and confirmed their friends in the Truth Confessors JOHN MARBECK was an Organist in the Quire of Windsor and very skilful therein a man of Admirable Industry and Ingenuity who not perfectly understanding the Latin Tongue did out of the Latin with the help of the English Bible make an English Concordance which Bishop Gardiner himself could not but commend as a piece of singular Industry Professing that there were no fewer then twelve Learned men to make the first Latin Concordance And King Henry the eighth hearing thereof said that he was better imployed then those Priests which accused him Let therefore our Modern Concordances of Cotton Newman Bernard c. as Children and Grand-Children do their duty to Marbecks Concordance as their Parent at first endeavour'd in our Language This Marbeck was a very zealous Protestant and of so sweet and amiable Nature that all good men did love and few bad men did hate him Yet was he condemned Anno 1544. on the Statute of the 6. Articles to be burnt at Windsor had not his pardon been procured divers assigning divers causes thereof 1. That Bishop Gardiner bare him a speciall affection for his skill in the Mystery of Musick 2. That such who condemned him procured his pardon out of Remorse of Conscience because so slender the evidence against him it being questionable whether his Concordance was made after the Statute of the 6. Articles or before it and if before he was freed by the Kings General pardon 3. That it was done out of design to reserve him for a discovery of the rest of his party if so their plot failed them For being as true as Steel whereof his fetters were made which he ware in Prison for a good time he could not be frighted or flattered to make any detection Here a mistake was committed by Mr. Fox in his first Edition whereon the Papisââ¦s much insult making this Marbeck burnt at Windsor for his Religion with Anthony Persons Robert Testwood and Henry Fillmer No doubt Mr. Fox rejoyced at
 Sable a Chev. betw 3 Towers Argent 2 Ant. Blagrave ar  Or. on a Bend Sable 3 Greaves Errased at the Ankle Ar. 3 Tho. Read ar ut prius  4 Will. Stonhou ar Radley Arg. on a Fess Sable between 3 Falcons volant Az. a Leopards-heads and 2 Mullets Or. 5 Fr. Winchcombe ut prius  6 Will. Foster mil. ut prius  7 Anth. Barker mil. Suning  8 Ric. Lovelace ml ut prius  9 Tho. Vachell mil. Colly Bender of six peeces Er. Az 10 Tho. Hinton ar   11 Car. Wiseman ar ut prius  12 Io. Ayshcombe ar   13 Will. Young mil.   14 Will. Standin ar Aââ¦borfield  15 Val. Knightley m.  Quarterly Er. Or. 3 Pales Gu. 16 Ioh. Catcher ar   17 Hum. Foster ar ut prius  18 Gabri Pyle mil. Compton  19 Io. Winchcombe ut prius  20 Io. Marrycot ar   21 Will. Hide ar ut prius  22 Io. Blagrave mil. ut prius  23   24   CAR I. REX   Anno   1 Ioh. Darrell Bar. W. Woodh Az. a Lion Ramp Or Crowned Argââ¦t 2 Edr. Clark mil. Ardigton  3 Gor. Willmot ar Charlton  4 Edw. Yates Barr. Buckland  5 Sam. Dunch ar ut prius Per Fess embattel'd Arg. Sable 3 Yates caunterchanged 6 Io. Fetiplace ar ut prius  7 Hen. Samborn ml Moulsford  8 Hen. Powle ar   9 Edm. Dunch ar ut prius  10 Hum. Dolman ar ut prius  11 Will. Barker ar ut prius  12 Ric. Harrison mi. Hurst Or on a Cheife Sable 3 Eagles displaied of the first 13 Ge. Stonhouse B. ut prius  14 Hump. Hide ar ut prius  15 Geo. Puresy ar Wadley S. 3 Pair of Gantlets dipping Ar. 16 Peregrine Hobby Bisham Ar. 3 Fusiles upon Slippers Gâ⦠17 Tanfield Vachel ut prius  18   19   20   21   22 Io. Southleg ar   Queen Elizabeth 9 EDWARD UNTON or UMPTON Miles This ancient and worshipfull name was extinct in the days of our fathers for want of Issue Male and a great part of their lands devolved by an Heir-general to G. Purfen of wadley Esquire whose care is commendable in preserving the Monuments of the Umptons in Farington Church and restoring such as were defaced in the war to a good degree of their former fairness 26 BESILIUS FETIPLACE Some may colourably mistake it for Basilius or Basil a Christian-name frequent in some families whereas indeed it is Besil a Surname These liv'd in great regard at Lee thence called Besiles-Lee in this County untill Elizabeth danghter and heir of William Besiles last of that name was married unto Richard Fetiplace whose great-great-grand-child was named Besile to continue the remembrance of their Ancestors Reader I am confident an instance can hardly be produced of a Surname made Christian in England save since the Reformation before which time the Priests were scrupulous to admit any at Font except they were baptized with the name of a Scripture or Legendary-Saint Since it hath been common and although the Lord Coke was pleased to say he had noted many of them prove unfortunate yet the good success in others confutes the generall truth of the observation King James 8 RICHARD LOVELACE Knight He was a Gentlââ¦man of Mettal and in the reign of Queen Elizabeth making use of letters of Mart had the successe to light on a large remnant of the King of Spains Cloth of silver I mean his West-Indian Fleet wherewith he and his posterity are the warmer to this day King Charles created him Lord Lovelace of Hurley King Charles 1 Sir JOHN DARELL Baronet He being the first who in the Catalogue of Sheriffs occurreth of that order a word of the institution thereof We meddle not with ancient Baronets finding that word formerly promiscuously blended with Bannerets Sir Ralph Fane in a Patent passed unto him is expressly term'd a Baronet but insist on their new erection in the ninth of King James Their Qualifications Their Service Their Dignity 1. They were to be persons Morum probitate spectati 2. Descended at least of a Grand-father by the Fathers side that bare Arms. 3. Having a clear estate of one thousand pounds per annum two thirds thereof at least in possession the rest in reversion expectant on one life only holding in Dower or in Joynture 1. Each of them was to advance towards the planting of the Province of Ulster in Ireland with Colonies and Castles to defend them money enough to maintain thirty Foot for three years after the rate of eight pence a day for everyone of them 2. The first years wages was to be paid down on the passing of their Patent the remainder as they contracted with the Kings Commissioners authorized to treat and conclude thereof 1. They were to take place with their wives and children respectively immediately after the sons of Barons and before all Knights-bachelours of the Bath and Bannerets save such solemn ones ashereafter should be created in the field by the King there present under the Standard Royall displayed 2. The addition of Sir was to be prefixed before theirs of Madam their wives names 3. The Honour was to be hereditary and knighthood not to be denied to their eldest sons of full age if desiring it 4. For an augmentation in their Arms they might bear a bloody hand in a Canton or Escutcheon at their pleasure The King did undertake that they should never exceed two hundred which number compleated if any chanced to die without issue-male none were to be substituted in their place that so their number might daily diminish and honour increase He did also promise for himself and his Heirs that no new Order under another name should be superinduced The Battles Newberry the first 1643. Septemb. 20. The Earl of Essex having raised the Siege of Glocester and returning towards London was rather followed then overtaken by the Kings army Both sides might be traced by a tract of bloody foot-steps especially at Auborn in Wilts where they had a smart encounter At Newberry the Earl made a stand Here happen'd a fierce fight on the East-side of the Town wherein the Londoners did shew that they could as well use a Sword in the field as a Met-ward in a Shop The Parliament was conceived to lose the most the King the most considerable persons amongst whom the Earl of Carnarvon and Sunderland the Viscount Falkland Colonel Morgan c. Both armies may be said to beat and be beaten neither winning the Day and both the Twi-light Hence it was that both sides were so sadly filled with their Supper over night neither next morning had any stomack to break-fast but keeping their stations were rather contented to face then willing to fight one another Newberry the second 1644. Octob. 27. One would wonder where the
204. This hope of Comfort came to his Lord-ship thereby that if it pleased God to impart any mercy to him as his mercy endureth for ever it was by the especial Ministry of this Man who was the last of his Coat that was with him in his sickness He was a principal means of recovering Durham house unto his See This house was granted by King Edward the sixth to the Lady afterwards Queen Elizabeth only for term of life and lay long neglected during her Raign till Bishop James about the sixth of King James regained it and repaired the Chappel which he found not only Profaned but even defaced to his great cost and furnished it very decently He once made so compleat an Entertainment for Queen Elizabeth that Her Majesty commended the order and manner thereof for many years after This maketh me the more to admire at what I have heard reported that when King James in his progress to Scotland Anno 1617. passed through the Bishoprick of Durham some neglect was committed by this Bishops Officers for which the King secretly and sharply check'd this Bishop who layed it so to heart that he survived the same Reproof not a full twelvemonth JOHN RICHARDSON was as he told me born in this County of a Family of good worship and great antiquity therein After his hopeful education in Country Schools he was bred in the University of Dublin where he was Graduated Doctor in Divinity and afterwards was made Bishop of Ardagh in Ireland In the late Rebellion he came over into England continuing for many years therein Episcopal Gravity was written in his Countenance and he was a good Divine according to the Rule Bonus Textuarius bonus Theologus no man being more exact in Knowledge of Scripture carrying a Concordance in his Memory Great was his paines in the Larger Annotations especially on Ezechiel For let not the Cloaks carry away the credit from the Gowns and Rochet in that Work seeing this Bishop might say Pars Ego magna fui and Doctor Featly with others of the Episcopal Party bare a great share therein Our Saviour we know lived on the Charity of such good People as ministred unto him and yet it may be collected that it was his constant custome especially about the feast of the Passover to give some Almes to the poor So our Bishop who was relieved by some had his Bounty to bestow on others and by his Will as I am Informed he bequeathed no inconsiderable Legacy to the Colledge in Dublin He died Anno 1653. in the 74. year of his Age. States men Sir THOMAS EGERTON Knight was extracted from the Ancient Family of the Egertons of Ridley in this County bred in the Study of the Municipal Laws of our Land wherein he attained to such eminency that Queen Elizabeth made him her Solicitor then Master of the Rolls and at last Keeper of the Great Seal May 6. in the 38. year of her Raign 1596. Olaus Magnus reporteth that the Emperour of Muscovia at the Audience of Embassadours sendeth for the Gravest and Seemliest men in Musco and the Vicinage whom he apparelleth in Rich Vests and placing them in his presence pretendeth to Forraigners that these are of his Privy-council who cannot but be much affected with so many Reverend aspects But surely all Christendome afforded not a Person which carried more Gravity in his Countenance and Behaviour then Sir Thomas Egerton in so much that many have gone to the Chancery on purpose only to see his Venerable Garb happy they who had no other business and were highly pleased at so acceptable a Spectacle Yet was his Outward Case nothing in comparison of his Inward Abilities Quick Wit Solid Judgment Ready Utterance I confess Master Camden saith he entred his Office Magna expectatione Integritatis opinione With a great expectation and opinion of Integrity But no doubt had he revised his Work in a second Edition he would have afforded him a full-faced commendation when this Lord had turned his expectation into performance In the first of King James of Lord Keeper he was made Lord ââ¦hauncellour which is only another Name for the same Office and on Thursday the seventh of Novemb. 1616. of Lord Elismer he was created Viscount Brackley It is given to Courts whose Jurisdictions do border to fall out about their bounds and the Contest betwixt them is the hotter the higher the Spirits and Parts of the Respective Judges Great the Contention for many years together betwixt this Lord of Equity and Sir Edward Cook the Oracle of Justice at Westminster-hall I know not which of them got the better sure I am such another Victory would if this did not have undone the Conqueror He was attended on with Servants of most able parts and was the sole Chancellor since the Reformation who had a Chaplain which though not immediatly succeeded him in his place He gave over his Office which he held full twenty years some few days before his death and by his own appointment his body was brought down and buried at Duddleston in this County leaving a fair Estate to his Son who was afterwards Created Earl of Bridgwater When he saw King James so profuse to the Scots with the grave Fidelity of a States-man he sticked not often to tell him that as he held it necessary for his Majesty amply to remunerate those his Country-men so he desired him carefully to preserve his Crown-lands for his own support seeing he or his Successourâ⦠might meet with Parliaments which would not supply his Occasions but on such Conditions as would not be very acceptable unto him It was an ordinary Speech in his Mouth to say Frost and Fraud both end in Foul. His death happened Anno Dom. 1616. Capitââ¦l Judges Sir HUMPHRY STARKEY was born with most Probability in this County where his Name is in good hath been in a better Esteem and Estate He in the Study of our Laws so profited that after some intermediate Dignities he was preferred Chief Baron of the Exchequer I cannot with certainty fix his admission into that Office Confused Times causing Confused Dates but with as much certainty as we can collect we conclude him preferred to that place 1. Henrici 7. We need enquire no farther into his ability finding him by so wise and frugal a King imployed in a place belonging to his Coffers who though he was sometimes pleased to be remiss in matters which concerned his Subjects was ever carefull in things wherein his own Emolument was interested Wonder not that we have so little left of this Judge his Actions because Empson and Dudly Loaders grinding more then the Chief Miller were such Instruments whose over-activity made all others seem Slugs in that Court It doth sound not a little to the praise of our Starkey that whereas that Age was justly complaining of the Extortions of the Kings Officers nothing of that nature no hearing best hearing in this kind is
with great reputation He was afterwards a Commander in the French-war under King Edward the third where in despight of their power he drove the people ãâã him like sheep destroying Towns Castles and Cities in such manner and number that many years after the sharp points and Gable end of overthrown houses cloven asunder with instruments of war were commonly call'd KNOWLES HIS MITRES The last piece of his servrce was performed in suppressing Wat Tiler and his Rebells Then I behold aged Sir Robert buckling on his armonr as old Priam at the taking of Troy but with far better success as proving very victorious and the Citizens of London infranchized him a member ãâã of in expression of their thankfulness His Charity was as great as his Valour and he rendred himself no less loved by the English then feared of the French He gave bountifully to the building of Rochester-bridge founding a Chappel and Chantery at ââ¦he East end thereof with a Colledge at ãâã in Yorkshire where Constance his Lady was born endowing it with one hundred and eighty pounds per annum He died at his ãâã of Sconââ¦-Thorp in Norfolk in peace and honour whereas ãâã generally set in a cloud being at least ninety years of age for he must be ãâã no ãâã then ãâã years old when Annoââ¦52 ââ¦52 he was a Generall under K. Edâ⦠ãâã third and he ãâã untill the ãâã of August 1407. being buried in White-Friers in London to which he had been a great benefactour JOHN SMITH Captain was ãâã in ãâã County as Master Arthur Smith his Kins man and my School-master did inform me But whether or no related unto the Worshipfull Family of the Smiths at ãâã I know not He spent the most of his life in ãâã ãâã First in Hungary under the Empeâ⦠fighting against the Turks Three of which he himself killed in single Duells and therefore was Authorized by ãâã King of Hungary to bear three Turks-heads as an Augmentation to his Armes Here ãâã gave intelligence to a besieged City in the night by significant ãâã works formed in ãâã in legible Characters with many strange performances the Scene whereof is laid at such a distance they are cheaper credited then confuted From the Turks in Europe he passed to the Pagans in America where towards the latter end of the Raign of Queen Elizabeth such his Perills Preservations Dangers Deliverances they seem to most men above belief to some beyond Truth Yet have we two witnesses to attest them the Prose and the Pictures both in his own book and it soundeth much to the diminution of his deeds that he alone is the Herauld to publish and proclaime them Two Captains being at dinner one of them fell into a large relation of his own atchivements concluding his discourse with this question to his fellow And pray Sir said he what service have you done To whom he answered Other men can tell that And surely such reports from strangers carry with them the greater reputation However moderate men must allow Captain Smith to have been very instrumentall in setling the plantation in Virginia whereof he was Governour as also Admiral of New-England He led his old age in London where his having a Princes mind imprison'd in a poor mans purse rendred him to the contempt of such who were not ingenuous Yet he efforted his spirits with the remembrance and relation of what formerly he had been and what he had done He was buried in Sepulchres-Church-Quire on the South-side thereof having a ranting Epitaph inscribed in a table over him too long to transcribe Onely we will insert the first and last verses the rather because the one may fit Alexanders life for his valour the other his death for his religion Here lies one conquer'd that hath conquer'd Kings Oh may his soul in sweet Elysium sleep The Orthography Poetry History and Divinity in this Epitaph are much alike He on the 21. of June 1631. Physicians If this county hath bred no Writers in that faculty the wonder is the less if it be true what I read that if any here be sick They make him a posset and tye a kerchieff on his head and if that will not mend him then God be mercifull to him But be this understood of the common people the Gentry having the help no doubt of the learned in that profession Writers THOMAS ECLESTONE A Village in Broxtone Hundred was born in this County bred a Franciscan in Oxford Leland saith of him that under the conduct of prudence and experience he contended with many paces to pierce into the Penetrales of Learning He wrote a book of the succession of Franciscans in England with their works and wonders from their first coming in to his own time dedicating the same to not G. Notingham the Provinciall of his Order but to his friend and Fellow-Frier his mortified mind it seems not aiming at honour therein He wrote another Book intituled De impugnatione Ordinis suâ⦠per Dominicanos Of the assaults which the Dominicans made on his Order These two sorts of Friers whipping each other with their Cords or Knotted Girdles to the mutual wounding of their reputations He died Anno Domini 1340. Since the Reformation RALPH RADCLIFFE was born in this County who travelling Southward fixed himself at Hitching in Hertfordshire where he converted a demolished house of the Carmelites into a Publique Grammar-school He here erected a fair stage whereon partly to entertain his Neighhours and partly to embolden his Scholars in pronuntiation many interludes were acted by them Pitz. praiseth him being a School-master that he confined himself to his own profession not medling with Divinity and yet amongst his books he reckoneth up a Treatise of the Burning of Sodome and another of the Afflictions of Job Nor must we forget his book entitled de triplice Memoriâ of the Threefold Memory which though I never met with any that saw it may probably be presumed of the Water Wax Iron Memory receiving things very somewhat very hardly easily  retaining them no a little long Time He flourished under the raign of King Edward the sixth Anno Domini 1552. and it is likely he died before the raign of Queen Mary JOHN SPEED was born at Farrington in this County as his own Daughter hath informed me he was first bred to a handicraft and as I take it to a Taylor I write not this for his but my own disgrace when I consider how far his Industry hath outstript my Ingenious Education Sir Fulk Grevill a great favourer of Learning perceiving how his wide soul was stuffed with too narrow an occupation first wrought his inlargement as the said Author doth ingeniously confess Whose merits to me-ward I do acknowledge in setting this hand free from the daily imployments of a manuall Trade and giving it his liberty thus to express the inclination of my mind himself being the procurer of my present Estate This
of such who secretly design their overthrow whom they openly embrace Hengsten down well ywrought Is worth London town dear ybought The truth hereof none can confirm or confute seeing under-ground-wealth is a Nemo scit and vast may the treasure be of Tinne in this Down Sure I am that the gainfull plenty of metall formerly afforded in this place is now fallen to a scantsaving-scarcity But to make the Proverbe true it is possible that the Cornish Diamonds found therein may be pure and orient as better concocted in the bowells thereof For though crafty not to say dishonest Chapmen put the best grain in the top and worst in the bottome of their sack such is the integrity of nature that the coursest in this kind are higher and the purest still the lowest Tru-ru Triveth eu Ombdina geveth try-ru Which is to say Trââ¦u consisteth of three streets and it shall in time be said Here Truru stood I trust the men of this town are too wise to give credit to such predictions which may justly prove true to the superstitious believers thereof Let them serve God and defie the Devil with all his Pseudo-prophesies Like to this is another fond observation presaging some sad success to this Town because ru ru which in English is Woe Woe is twice in the Cornish name thereof But let the men of Truru but practice the first syllable in the name of their town and they may be safe and secure from any danger in the second He doth sail into Cornwall without a Bark This is an Italian Proverb where it passeth for a description or derision rather of such a Man who is wronged by his Wises disloyalty I wonder the Italians should take such pains to travail so far to fetch this expression having both the Name and Matter nearer home Name Having the field Cornetus Campus in agro falisco called Corneto at this day And a people called Corni in Latium with the Cornicti montes near Tiber not to speak of its two Promontories tearmed by good Authors Cornua duo Italiae the two Horns of Italy Matter Keeping their wives under restraint as generally full of Jealousie which if just I much bemoan the Gaolers if not I more pity their Prisoners Whereas in our Cornwall the Wives liberty is the due reward of their Chastity and the Cause of their husbands comfortable confidence therein He is to be summoned before the Mayor of Halgaver This is a joculary and imaginary Court wherewith men make merriment to themselves presenting such Persons as go Slovenly in their Attire untrussed wanting a spur c. Where judgement in formal terms is given against them and executed more to the scorn then hurt of the persons But enough hereof least I be summoned thither my self When Dudman and Ramehead meet These are two forelands well known to Sailers well nigh twenty miles asunder and the Proverbe passeth for the Periphrasis of an impossibility However these two Points have since met together though not in position in possession of the same owner Sir Pierce Edgecombe enjoying one in his own the other in right of his wife Saints SAINT KIBY was son to Solomon Duke of Cornwall whom severall inducements moved to travail First because A Prophet hath the least Honour in his own Country Secondly because Britain at that time was infected with Arianisme Thirdly because he had read so much of the works and heard more of the worth of Saint Hilary Bishop of Poicteers in France This main motive made him address himself to that worthy Father with whom he lived fifty years and afterwards saith learned Leyland was by him made Bishop of the Isle of Anglesey Pardon me Reader if suspending my belief herein seeing surely that holy and humble French Saint would not pretend to any Metropoliticall power in appointing a Bishop in Britain More probable it is that Saint Hilary made him a Bishop at large sine titulo whereof there are some precedents in Antiquity However into Wales he went and there converted the Northern parts thereof to and confirmed the rest in Christianity A Three-fold memoriall is in the Isle of Anglesey extant at this day One of his Master in Point Hilary another of himself in Caer-Guiby and a third of both in Holyhead He florished about the year of our Lord 380. URSULA daughter to Dinoth Duke of Cornwall was born in this County This is she who se life is loaden with such Anticronismes and Improbabilities that it is questionable whether this fable was ever founded in a truth or hath any thing in History for its Original This Ursula is said to have carried over out of Britain eleven thousand Maids of prime quality besides threescore thousand of meaner rank seventy one thousand in all a prodigious number to be married to so many in little Britain in France Preposterous in my mind to proffer themselves and it had argued more modesty if their Husbands had fetcht them hence But blame them not who paid so dear for their Adventures All shipp'd from London some of them were drowned in their Passage the rest slain by the Hunnes of Colen say some at Rome say others by King Attila under Gratian the Emperour Mendacium Aequabile observing equall Temper of untruth in time place and person However there is a Church at Colen dedicated to their Memories where the Virgin Earth let the reporter have the Whetstone will digest no other body no not the Corps of an Infant newly Baptised as good a Maid I believe as the best of them but will vomit it up in the night time again as if they had never been buried This Massacre is reported to have happened in the year of our Lord 383. SAINT MELIORUS was onely son of Melianus Duke of this County who being secretly made a Christian was so maliced by Rinaldus his Pagan-brother-in-law that he first cut off his right-hand and then his left-legg no reason of this transposed method of cruelty save cruelty and at last his head about the year 411. whose body being buried in some old Church in this County by the miracles reported to be done thereat procured the reputation of a Saint to his memory Prelates WILLIAM de GREN-VIL was born of a worshipfull family in this County and became Canon of York Dean of Chichester Chancellour of England under K. Edward the first and Arch-bishop of York But the worst was two years his Confirmation was deferred untill he had paid nine thousand fiveh undred marks Let him thank the Pope who gave him the odd five hundred not mounting it to even ten thousand Besides he had this favour not as many others to be consecrated by a Proxy but the very hands of P. Clement the fifth This paiment reduced him to such poverty he was relieved by the Clergy of his Province by way of Benevolence This not doing the deed to make him a Saver he was fain to crave another help
they might prove profitable as by Arch-bishop Grindall limited and regulated Being really blind more with grief then age dying at sixty four he was willing to put off his clothes before he went to bed and in his life time to resigne his place to Doctor Whitgiff who refused such acceptance thereof And the Queen commiserating his condition was graciously pleased to say that As She had made him so he should die an Arch bishop as he did July 6. 1583. Worldly wealth he cared not for desiring onely to make both ends meet and as for that little that lapped over he gave it to pious uses in both Universities and the founding of a fair Free-school at Saint Bees the place of his nativity HENRY ROBINSON D. D. was born in Carlile bred Fellow and at last Provost of Queens-colledge in Oxford and afterwards 1598. was consecrated Bishop of the place of his nativity When Queen Elizabeth received his Homage She gave him many Gracious words of the good Opinion which She conceived of his Learning Integrity and Sufficiency for that place Moreover adding that She must ever have a care to furnish that See with a worthy man for his sake who first set the Crown on Her Head and many words to the like purpose He was a Prelate of great gravity and temperance very mild in Speech but not of so strong a constitution of body as his countenance did promise And yet he lived to be a very old man He dyed Anno Dom. 16 ... RICHARD SENHOUSE D. D. was born of worshipfull parentage at Netherhall in this County A valiant man in his younger days and I have heard that in his old age he felt the admonitions of his youthfull over-violent exercises He was bred Fellow of Saint Johns-colledge in Cambridge and became an Excellent Preacher his Sermons losing no lusture by his good utterance and gracefull delivering of them He was Chaplain to King Charles whilst Prince and Preached his Sermon at His Coronation He was preferred Bishop of Carlile enjoying the place but a short time He dyed Anno Domini 1626. Capitall Judges and Writers on the Law Sir RICHARD HUTTON was born at Perith of a Worshipfull Family his elder Brother was a Knight and bred in Jesus Colledge in Cambridge He intended his Studies for Divinity till disswaded by the importunity of his friends amongst whom George Earl of Cumberland most eminent he became Barrister in Grays-Inn But in expression of his former affection to Divinity he seldome if ever took Fee of a Clergy-man Afterwards being Recorder of York he was Knighted and made Judge of the Common-Pleas In the Case of Ship-money though he was against the King or rather for the Commons yet His Majesty manifested not the least distast continuing to call him the Honest Judge This person so pious to God and charitable to his poor Members was dissolved about the beginning of our National misery Thus God before he new ploweth up a land with the furrows of a Civil War first cutteth down his old crop and gathereth them like ripe sheaves into his barn He dyed at Serjeants-Inn and was buried at his earnest desire without any Funerall Sermon save what his own vertues preached to posterity at St. Dunstons in the West on the 27. day of Febr. Anno Dom. 1638. Sir JOHN BANKS was born at Keswick of honest parents who perceiving him judicious and industrious bestowed good breeding on him in Grays-Inn in hope he should attain to preferment wherein they were not deceived After he was called to the Bar for some years he solicited suits for others thereby attaining great practicall experience He afterwards might laugh at them who then did smile at him leaving many behind him in learning whom he found before him in time untill at last he was Knighted by K. Charles made first his Atââ¦urney then Chief Justice of the Common-pleas dying in the midst and heat of our Civil dissentions He ordered by his Will the Copy whereof I have received from my good friend that his body should be buried under some plain Monument at the discretion of his Executors and after an Epitaph mentioning the severall places he had held This Motto to be added Non nobis Domine non nobis sed Nomini Tuo da gloriam It must not be forgotten that by his said Will he gave to the value of thirty pounds per annum with other Emoluments to be bestowed in Pious uses and chiefly to set up a Manufacture of Course Cottons in the Town of Keswick which I understand hath good and is in hopes of better success Civilians GEORGE PORTER was born at Weery-hall in the Parish of Bolton in this County of gentile extraction He was afterward Fellow of Queens-colledge in Cambridge Doctor and Professor of Civil-law therein for above thirty years so that he might have been made Comes Imperii primi ordinis according to the constitution of Theodosius the Emperor allowing that honour to Professours in that faculty Cum ad viginti annos observatione jugi ac sedulo docendi labore pervenerint He was of a pitifull nature and we commonly called him for I had oft the honour to be in his mess The Patron of infirmities whose discourse was always defensive and charitable either to excuse mens failings or mitigate their punishments He was valiant as well as learned and with his sterne looks and long sword frighted three thieves from setting upon him He dyed Anno Domini 163. and Doctor Collins who with Saint Chrysostome was in laudatoriis hyperbolicus Preaching his Funerall Sermon endeavoured to heighten his memory to his soul mounting it above the skies for his modesty and learning Writers JOHN CANON Some will have him so called because Canon of some Cathedral Church and if so there were Hundreds of John Canons besides himself others because he was Doctor of Canon Law which leaves as great a Latitude as the former for hundreds with equall right to justle with him for the same Surname I have cause to conceive untill I shall be clearly convinced to the contrary that he was born at Canonsby in this County By being set by for brevities sake Bilious Bale bespattereth him more then any of his Order Hear how he ranteth He turned a Minotaure I should say Minorite and with his Thrasonicall Boasting c. But I am not bound to believe him the rather because Trithemius a Forraign Judicious and Moderate Writer giveth him great commendation Whence I collect that his worth was not like a Candle in the House onely burning at Home in England but a Torch blazing abroad beyond the Seas the University of Paris and other places taking signall notice of his Learning He flourished under K. Edward the second 1320. WILLIAM EGREMONT He hath almost lost his true Surname amongst the various writing thereof Bale calleth him Egumonde though no such place in all England Pits reduceth it to a Saxon Name and calleth him
Egmund Leland for a reason immediately following nameth him William of Stamford but Egremont is the Orthography of his name from a small Market-town yet a Barony of the late Earls of Sussex in this Shire where he was born Quitting this cold Country he took his Progress into the South and fixing himself at Stamford became an Augustinian Eremite and proceeded Doctor of Divinity Going beyond the Seas he was by the Pope made Episcopus Pissinensiâ⦠some poor pitifull Bishoprick so that one would scarce trouble himself to find it out to have the profit thereââ¦f and therewith held the Suffragane-ship under Henry Beaufort Bishop of Lincoln Indeed that voluminous Diocess a full fourth part of England before Eli Peterborough and Oxford were cantoned out of it required a Co-adjutor Many are the learned works written by him and seeing he is Doubly qualified I thought fitter to repose him under the Topick of Writers then of Prelates being confident that he got more credit by his Books then profit by his Bishoprick He flourished under King Richard the second anno 1390. JOHN SKELTON was a younger branch of the Skeltons of Skelton in this County I crave leave of the Reader hitherto not having full instructions and preserving the undoubted Title of this County unto him to defer his character to Norfolk where he was Beneficed at Diss therein Since the Reformation RICHARD CRAKENTHORP D. D. was descended of an Ancient Family in this County as appeareth by their frequent being Sheriffs thereof He was bred Fellow of Queens-colledge in Oxford and afterwards in the first of King James went over Chaplain to the Lord Evers sent Embassadour to the King of Denmark and other prime Princes of Germany Here by use he got an easiness in the Latine tongue and correspondency with several persons of eminent Learning He was an excellent Logiciaâ⦠witness his work in that kind and became Chaplain in Ordinary to King James Rector of Black-Notley in Essex greater preferments expecting him had not his death prevented it Pliny observeth that Posthume Children born after the death of their Father and Caesars understand such who are cut out of the womb of their Mother prove very happy in success What reason soever Naturalists assign hereof Divines justly impute it to Gods goodness graciously remembring those Orphans which cannot remember their own Parents The Observation may be applyed to the Books of this worthy Doctor set forth after his death one called Vigilius Dormità ns in defence of the Emperour Justinian and a generall Councill held by him Anno 553. set forth by his Brother George Crakenthorp the other being an answer to the Manifesto of the Arch-bishop of Spalato set forth by that Learned Antiquary Dr. John Barkham and both of these Books finding an universall and gratefull reception among the Learned and Religious I cannot certainly fix the date of his death and be it here solemnly entred that Westmerland shall be unprejudiced if he were born as a most credible person hath informed me at NewBiggin in this County SALKELD was a branch of a Right Worshipfull Family in this County bred a Divine beyond the Seas but whether ãâã or Secular Priest I know not Coming over into England to Angle for Proselites it seems his Line broke and he was cast into prison Hence he was brought out and presented to K. James by whose Arguments and a Benefice bestowed on him in Somersetshire he became a Protestant This he used in all companies to boast of that he was a Royall Convert Nobisque dedit solatia victor And was it not a Noble thing Thus to be conquer'd by a King Indeed His Majesty in some of his works styleth him the Learned Salkeld which the other much vaunted of often telling it to such who well knew it before for fear they might forget it His preaching was none of the best and he retained some Popish though not Opinions Fancies to the day of his death I have heard much of his discourse more of his own praise then to his own praise in my judgement But his true character may be taken out of the Book he wrot of Angells He died about the year 1638. GERARD LANGBAIN D. D. was born at Kirk-Banton in this County bred first Fellow in then Provost of Queens-colledge in Oxford A skilfull Antiquary ingenious industrious and judicious in ââ¦is Writings as by his Works will appear Who so shall read over the History of thâ⦠Councill of Trent translââ¦ted out of Italian by Sir Nathaniel Brent will conceive it so compleat a Narration of all the concernments in that Council that nothing of consequence can be added thereunto Yet this his mistake will be confuted by perusing the Works set forth by Doctor Langbain of the dissent of the Gallican Churches from severall conclusions in that Council As his Brain was the Mother of some so was it the Midwife to other good books which he procured to be published Especially a book made by Sir John Cheeke concerning Rebellion and Loyalty seasonably reprinted in the beginning of our Civil Wars But alas such then was the noise of mens Animosities that the Still voice of Truth could not be heard amongst them More Excellent Tracts were expected from him particularly an Edition of Brian Twine with Additions concerning the Antiquity of Oxford when God was pleased almost in the midst of his days to put an end to his life Anno 1657. Benefactors to the Publick ROBERT EAGLESFIELD born in this County was a pious and learned man according to the rate of that age Chaplain and Confessor to Philippa Queen to King Ed ward the third He founded a fair Colledge in Oxford by the name of Queens-colledge for a Provost and twelve Fellows whom he ordered to sit in the Hall in purpura and that they should be attended on more Curiali He appointed that those of Cumberland and Westmerland should be proper for perferment in his Foundation rendring this reason why he reflected most on those Northern Counties Propter insolitam vastitatem melioris literaturae infrequentiam But prevented by death he finished not his intentions leaving onely to the Colledge the Mannor of Renwick in this County with the impropriation of Burgh under Stanmore and which I assure you was considerable most excellent Statutes To shew himself both Courtier and Scholar he ordered that in the Hall they should speak either Latine or French He bequeathed his Colledge to the honorary Patronage of the Queens of England and his Sur-name is still extant in this County in persons of quality but how to him related to me unknown He dyed about the year of our Lord 1370. Memorable Persons MAUD the Daughter of Thomas Lord Lucy Sister and Heir of Anthony Lord Lucy and Baron of Cokermouth the Widow of Gilbert Humfrevile Earl of Angus was the second Wife of Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland Who when she saw that she should dye without Issue gave to Earl Henry her husband the Castle and Honour of
observe that when Arch-Bishop of Canterbury his Metropolitical Visitation charged through and through every Diocesse in his own Province no resistance being of Proof against him all Opposers giving some trouble to him but disgrace to themselves soon suppressed by his high bloud strong brains full purse skill in Law and plenty of powerful friends in the English and Romish Court The difficulty which he underwent herein made the work easie to his Successors ever after He deceased July 31. Anno Domini 1396. Prelates ROBERT CHICHESTER Here I had been at a perfectlosse had I not met with a good Guide to direct me For I had certainly from his Sirname concluded him born at Chichester in Sussex according to the Custome of other Clergy-men But this single swallow which makes no Summer had a Flight by himself retaining his Paternal Name descended from a Noble and Ancient Family saith my Author* Still flourishing at Rawleigh in this County He was first Dean of Sarisbury then Anno 1128. Consecrated Bishop of Exeter highly commended by many VVriters for his Piety though the Principal thereof consisted in his Pilgrimages to Rome and procuring Reliques thence He bestowed much money in building and adorning his Cathedral and having sate therein two and twenty years died and was buried 1150 on the South side of the High Altar nigh a Gentleman of his own Sirname whose inscribed Arms are the best Directory to this Bishops Monument GILBERT FOLIOT was born at Tamerton Foliot in this County Abbot of Glocester Bale saith Exeter then successively Bishop of Hereford and London He was observed when a Common Brother of his Covent to inveigh against the Prior when Prior against the Abbot when Abbot against the pride and lazinesse of Bishops but when he himself was Bishop all was well and Foliots mouth when full was silent Whether because all things do rest quiet in their center or because Age had abated his juvenile Animosity or because he found it more facil to find faults in others then mend them in himself Indeed oft times meer Morosââ¦ness of Nature usurps the reputation of Zeal and what is but a bare disgust of mens persons passeth for dislike of their vices However our Foliot the lesse he had in Satyrs the more he had of Elegies afterwards secretly bemoaning the badnesse of the Age he lived in Hear a Passe betwixt him and a strange voice Satans Challenge O Gilberte Foliot Dum revolvis tot tot Deus tuus est ASHTAROT Foliots Answer Mentiris Daemon qui est Deus Sabaoth est ille meus He finds little favour from our Historians of his Age because they do generally Becketize whilst Foliot was all for the King being a professed Enemy to the not person but pride of that Prelate* This wise and learned Bishop died Feb. 18. 1187. ROBERT FOLIOT Arch-Deacon of Oxford was neer Cosen and therefore is placed Country man to Gilbert aforesaid He was bred first in England then in France where he got the Sirname of Robertus Melundinensis probably from the place of his longest abode He was first Tutor to Becket and Becket afterwards was Patron to him by whose procurement he succeeded his Kinsman in the See of Hereford He wrote several Books whereof One of the Sacraments of the Old Law is most remarkable Hitherto we have followed Bale with blind obedience until Bishop Godwin whom we rather believe hath opened our eyes in two particulars 1 That Robert de Melune Bishop also of Hereford was a distinct person from our Robert 2 That our Foliot was advanced Bishop after the death of Becket probably for the affection he bore unto him not the assistance he received from him His deah happened Anno 1186. Nor must we forget there was also one Hugh Foliot Arch-Deacon of Shrewsbury afterwards Bishop of Hereford of whom nothing remains but his Name and the date of his Death 1234. WILLIAM BREWER was born in this County or in Somerset-shire whereof William his Father was several years Sheriffe under King Henry the Second where we shall insist on the occasion of his Sirname Bishop Godwin informeth us that he was Brother to Sr. William Brewer Knight if there be not an errour therein seeing Two Brethren surviving their Parents together both of a Name are seldome seen in the same Family He was preferred Bishop of Exeter Anno 1224. A Great Courtier and employed in such Embassies proper for a Person of Prime Quality as when he was sent to conduct Isabel Sister to King Henry the Third to be married to Frederick the Emperour whom he afterwards attended to the Holy Land Returning to his See he set himself wholly to the adorning and enriching thereof founding a Dean and 24 Prebendaries allowing the later the Annual Stipend of Four Pounds which they receive at this day But I am lately informed that the Dean and Residenciaries of Exeter have since augmented the Salary of all the Prebendaries at large to twenty pounds a year Which Intelligence if false they are not injured if true they are courteously used This Bishop died Anno Domini 1244. WILLIAM de RALEIGH was born at that well known Town in this County preferred first Canon of St. Pauls then successively Bishop of Norwich and Winchester The last of which cost him much trouble his Election being stiffely opposed by King Henry the Third intending a Valentinian Uncle to the Queen for that Bishoprick whom the Monks of Winchester refused terming him Vir Sanguinum A man of Bloud Whether in that sense wherein David is so termed and on that account prohibited the building of the Temple because a Martial Man or whether onely because descended of high bloud whose Descent was all his Desert so that they ridgidly adhered to the election of Raleigh King Henry who seldome used to be angry and more seldome to swear sware in his anger That he would have his will at last or they should never have Bishop and how his Conscience came off vvithout Perjury herein his own Confââ¦ssor vvas best able to satisfie him Raleigh had beââ¦ides his own merits two good friends his Purse and the Pope the former procuring the later He presented his Holynesse with six thousaââ¦d Mark which effected his Work Here two persons were at once deceived the Pope not expecting so great a sum should be tendred him and Raleigh not suspecting he would take all but leave at least a morsel for manners But his hands will take what ever is tendred him if not too Hot or too Heavy Raleigh thus runin debt could never creep out thereof though living very privately and dying very penitently For when the Priest brought the ââ¦uchrist unto him lying on his Death-Bed Raleigh expressing himself in language like to that of John Baptist I have need to come to thee and comest thou to me would rise out of his Bed to meet him His death happened Anno Dom. 1249. RICHARD COURTNEY was one of
great linage allied to the Earl of Devonshire and no lesse Learning excellently skilled in the Knowledg of both Laws So that at the instant suit of K. Henry the Fifth He was preferred Bishop of Norwich Anno 1413. His person the Inne of his Soul had a fair Sign was highly favoured by his Prince and beloved by the people Yet all this could not prolong his life So that he died of a flux at the siege of Harflew in Normandy in the second year of his Consecration and his Corps brought over was honourably entombed in Westminster Jââ¦AMES CARY was born in this County his name still flourishing nt Cockington therein He was at Rome made Bishop of Lichfield and travailing thence homewards towards England did again light on the Pope at Florââ¦nce just at the news of the vacancy of Exeter and the same See was bestowed on him the more welcome because in his Native County Say not this was a Degradation For though in our time Lichfield is almost twice as good as Exeter ââ¦xeter then was almost four times as good as Lichfield This appeareth by their valuations of their Income into First-Fruits Exeter paying the Pope six thousand Ducats whilst Lichfield paid onely seventeen hundred at the most But what ever the value of either or both was Cary enjoyed neither of them dying and being buried in Florence Thus though one may have two Cups in his hand yet some intervening accident may so hinder that he may taste of neither He died 1419. JOHN STANBERY was saith Bale out of Leland in Occidentali ãâã parte natus But the Western parts being a wide Parish thanks to our Authour who hath particularized the place of his Nativity viz. the Farm of Church-hill within the Parish of Bratton or Broad-Town in this County where some of his Name and Kindred remain at this day He was bred a Carmelite in Oxford and bââ¦came generaââ¦ly as learned as any of his Order deserving all the dignity which the ââ¦niversity did or could confer upon him King Hââ¦n the sixth highly favoured and made him the first Provost of Eaton being much ruled by his advice in ordering that his new Foundation He was by the King designed Bishop of Norwich but William de la Poole Duke of Suffolk See the presumption of a proud Favourite or Minion rather got it from him for his own Chaplain and Stanbery was for to stay his stomack on the poor Bishoprick of Bangor till Anno 1453 he was advanced Bishop of Hereford Leland doth condemn him for his over compliance with the Pope in all his intollerable taxes and others commend him as much for his fidelity to his Master King Hen. whom he deserted not in all his adversity so that this Bishop was taken prisoner in the Battail of Northampton Say not to this Prelate as Eliab to David Why camest thou down hither with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the Wildernesse I know the pride and the malice of thy heart for thou art come down to see the Battail For Stanbery being Confessor to King Henry he was tyed by his Oath to such personal attendance After long durance in Warwick Castle he was set at liberty and dying Anno 1474 was buried in the Convent of Carmelites at Ludlow where his barbarous and tedious Epitaph ill suiting with the Authour of such learned and pithy Books is not worth the inserting PETER COURTNEâ⦠son to Sir Phillip Courtney was born at Powderham in this Shire He was first preferred Arch-Deacon then Bishop of ââ¦xeter expending very much money in finishing the North Tower giving a great called Peter Bell thereunto He was afterwards Anno 1486 translated to Winchester where he sat five years It is much one of so Illustrious Birth should have so obscure a Burial Bishop Godwin conÌfessing that he knew not whereabouts in his Church he lyeth interred Since the Reformation JOHN JEWEL bearing the Christian Name of his Father Grandfather and Great Grandfather was born at Buden a Farm possessed more than two hundred years by his Ancestors in the Parish of ãâã nigh Illfracombe in this County on the 24th of May 1552. His mothers Sirname was Bellamy who with her husband John Jewel lived happily fifty years together in Holy Wedlock and at their death left ten children behind them It may be said of his Sirname Nomen Omen Jewel his Name and Pretious his Vertues So that if the like ambition led us English men which doth Foraigners speciously to render our Sirnames in Greek or Latine he may be termed Johnnes Gemma on better account then Gemma Frisius entituleth himself thereunto He was chiefly bred in the School of Barstable where John Harding afterwards his Antagonist was his School fellow and at 15 years of age was admitted in Merton Collââ¦dge under the tuition of John Parkhurst afterwards Bishop of Norwich Such his sedulity rising alway at 4 of the Clock and not going to bed till 10 that he was never punished for any exercise and but once for absence from Chappel Hence he was removed to Corpus Christi Colledge where he proved an Excellent Poet having all Horace by heart Linguist and Orator Thus having touched at all Humane Arts he landed at Divinity being much assisted by Peter Martyr the Kings Professor therein St. Jerome telleth us that so great was the intimacy betwixt Pamphilius that worthy Martyr a Priest and Eusebius the Bishop of Caesarea ut ab uno alter nomen acceperet that they mutually were sirnamed the one from the other Pamphilius Eusebii and Eusebius Pamphilii No lesse the unity of affections be twixt these two who accordingly might be called Martyrs Jewell and Jewells Martyr as seldome in body and never in mind asunder What eminent changes afterwards befel him in the course of his life how he fled into Germany lived at Zurick returned into England was preferred Bishop of Salisbury wrote learnedly preached painfully lived piously died peaceably Anno Dom. 1572. are largely related in my Ecclesiastical History and I will trouble the Reader with no repetitions JOHN PRIDEAUX was born at Hartford in the West part of this County bred Scholar Fellow and Rââ¦ctor of Exeter Colledg in Oxford Canon of Christ-Church and above thirty years Kings Professor in that University An excellent Linguist but so that he would make words wait on his matter chiefly aiming at expressivenesse therein he had a becomming Feââ¦ivity which was Aristotles not St. Pauls ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Admirable his memory retaining what ever he had read The Welch have a Proverb in my mind somewhat uncharitable He that hath a good memory giveth few Alms because he keepeth in mind what and to whom he had given before But this Doctor cross'd this Proverb with his constant charity to all in want His learning was admired by Forreigners Sextinus Amma Rivet c. He was not Vindicative in the least degree One intimate with him having assured me that he would
Perin in Cornwall The Angel Gabriel was very much beholding to him for instituting an Annual Festival unto Him observed as I humbly conceive only in his own Cathedral or own Diocesse at the most and least people shoââ¦ld complain of the dearnesse of their Devotion he left good Land to defray the cost of that Solemnity He is much blamed for compassing the Mannour of Bishops-Clift to his Church by indirect means to which I can say nothing but only observe that this small City within eighty Years did afford three eminent Prelates whereof two Episcopi in Patria the Natives thereof which will scarcely be paralell'd in any Place of the same proportion He died Anno 12. Writers JOSEPHUS ISCANUS was born at this City anciently called Isca from the River Isk now named Eske running thereby A golden Poââ¦t in a leaden Age so terse and elegant were his Conceipts and expressions This our English Maro had for his Mecenas Baldwin Archbishop of Canterbury But I revoke my words and desire to turn Maro into Cornelius Nepos under whose name the Dutch-men have lately printed a Poem made by this Josephus debello Trojano It soundeth much to a Mans honour even to be mistaken for another Man of eminency for though there may be much of error in the mistake there must be something of truth in the error especially with the judicious Yea in such case a general conformity betwixt the Persons is not enough to build the mistake on without some ãâã ãâã as here the affinity of phrase and fancy betwixt these two Poets This ãâã Nepos under whose name the Poems of this Josephus were printed flourished in the time of Tully Indeed I finde not any Poems made by him though having to that purpose perused all Scaliger de Arte ãâã as a most probable Authour But most sure it is that this Cornââ¦lius was most judicious in that Art because Valerius Catullus dedicated his Poem unto him as best able to pââ¦sse a learned censure thereon this Josephus Iscanus flourished under King John Anno 1210 being Arch-Bishop of Burdeaux I have nothing more to observe of him save what with the Readers pardon I cannot omit viz. that this Josephus alwayes minded me of another Josephus Iscanus I mean Joseph Hall lately Bishop of Exeter a witty Poet when young a painfull Preacher and solid Divine in his middle a patient Sufferer in his old age of whom God willing more in due place WILLIAM of Exeter was born in this City bred a Doctor of Divinity in Oxford and afterwards became ãâã of the ãâã in the place of his nativity Now in his age fome Franciscan Friers so praised the perfectiou of Poverty that they touched the Popes Coppy-hold of Inheritance For if Poverty was so essential to Piety Papal pomp and plenty must needs argue prophaneness In confutation hereof this William of Exeter undertook William of Ockam though indeed impar congressus betwixt them for Exeter a fair City did not more exceed Ockam a smal village in Surrey in beauty and building than that Ockam William excelled this Exeter William in parts and Learning however what he wanted in brains he had in a good back to assist him and William of Exeter with John the three and twentieth Pope of Rome was able to undertake any Authour of that age He flourished in the Year of our Lord 1330. under the Raign of King Edward the third Since the Reformation RICHARD MARTYN was born in this City and bred partly in the Court partly in the Inns of Court and at last ââ¦etook himself to the Study of the Law He was accounted one of the highest Witts of our Age and his Nation King James being much delighted with his facetiousnesse a quality which with other of his Abilities commended him to be chosen Recorder of London He is eminent as for many Speeches so especially for that he made in Parliament in the tenth year of King James when account was taken of Forty Gentlemen in the House which were not twenty and some of them not sixteen years of age Formerly said this Rââ¦order Martyn it was the custome of Old men to make Lawes for Young ones But now Nature is invaded and inverted seeing Young men enact Lawes to govern their Fathers He had an excellent Pen and wrote very much and the more the pitty that they are suppressed from publick use his death happened about the year 1616. WILLIAM MARTIN Kinsman to the aforesaid Recorder was born in this City and bred a Student in the Lawes of the Land He wrote a short and clear of the Kings of England since the conquest I have been credlbly informed that King James took some exceptions at a Passage therein sounding either to the derogation of his own Family or of the Scotch Nation which he took so tenderly that Mr. Martin was brought into trouble for the same and though he wethered out the Kings displeasure and was reconciled to his Majesty yet he never rââ¦covered his former chearfulnesse It seems that a Princes Anger is a disease which though cured is not cured grief for the same being conceived to hasten his death which happened about the year 1616. WILLIAM TUCKER was born in this City bred fellow of New-Colledge in Oxford and after became Doctor in Divinity Canon of Sarisbury Arch-deacon of Barnstable and Dean of Lichfield The purity of his Latine Pen procured his preferment writing and dedicating a Book to Queen Elizabeth de Charismate of our Kings of England their gracious healing the Evil being the best that I have seen on that Subject vindicating such cures from all imposture unlawfull Magick and from some French Writers bold usurpations who lay claim to it as originally belonging to their Kings alone Whereas under correction I conceive that the word Soveraign which properly importeth the Supream Majesty doth also in our English Tongue in a secondary sence signiââ¦ie what is cordial to cure and heal Diseases or sores ever since such sanative power hath been annexed to the Crown of England This Doctor may be said to have worn half a Miter seeing his Congee de-lire was signed if not sent to elect him Bishop of Glocester but afterwards by Order fââ¦om King James it was revoked on what occasion I list not to enquire I conjecture the date of his death was much about the Year 1617. JOHN BARKHAM born in this City was bred in Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford whereof he was Fellow Chaplain afterwards to Archbishop Bancroft and Parson of Bocking in Essex Much his Modesty and no lesse his Learning who though never the publique Parent of any was the carefull Nurse of many Books who otherwise had expired in their Infancy had not his care preserved them He set forth D. Crackenchorp his Posthume Book against Spalato and was helpfull to John Speed in the composing of his English History yea he wrote the whole Life of the Raign of King John which is the King of all the
of his estate to pious uses viz. For the building of Alms-Houses in Pool 333 l. For the relief of poore Prisoners neither Atheists nor ãâã each man at the sum of twenty Nobles 150 l. For poor Preachers allowing to each man ten pound 100 l. To decaied Artificers charged with wife and children 100 l. To the Merchant Adventurers for the relief of old and support of young freemen 400 l. To Christs Hospital 500l To erect Alms-Houses in and about London 600 l. For a weekly dole of bread to the poor 200 l. For the maintaining of two Scholars in each University intrusting the Leather-sellers with the managing thereof 400 l. I have only gathered the greatest clusters of his Charity which the top boughs thereof did produce purposely concealing the smaller bunches of his bounty growing on the under branches He died Anno Dom. 1601. and lieth buried in Christ-Church in London Memorable Persons THOMAS de la LYND a Gentleman of a fair Estate in this County killed a white Hart in Blackmore Forrest which King Henry the third by expresse will had reserved for his own chase Hereupon a mulct was imposed upon him and the whole County as accessary for not opposing him which is paid called White-Hart Silver to this day into the Exchequer My self hath paid a share for the sauce who never tasted any of the meat so that it seems Kings Venison is sooner eaten than digested Let the Latine Proverb Albo gallo c. in Dorset-shire be turned into Albo cervo ne manum admoliaris ARTHUR GREGORY of Lyme in this County had the admirable Art of Forcing the Seal of a Letter yet so invisibly that it still appeared a Virgin to the exactest beholder Secretary Walsingham made great use of him about the Pacquets which passed from Forraign parts to Mary Queen of Scotland He had a pension paid unto him for his good service out of the Exchequer and died at Lyme about the beginning of the reign of King James WILLIAM ENGLEBERT born at Sherborne was an incomparable Ingeneere and much used in the Eighty eight Queen Elizabeth an excellent House-wife of her Treasure allowed him a pension of one hundred Marks per annum which was paid him until the day of his death He requested of King Iames his Privy Councel leave to serve Foreign Princes and States long peace rendring him useless in England proffering to wave his Pension on that condition but they utterly denied him licence to depart who lived and died in Westminster about the year 1634. The Names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the sixth William Bishop of Bath and Wells Chancellor of England Commissioners to take the Oaths William de Botreaux Chivaler  John Chedyok Knight Knights for the Shire  William Turbervill Knights for the Shire  Humf. Stafford Chiv Ioh. Newburgh sen. Radulph Bush Iohan. Latymer Iohan. Neburgh jun. Williel Bronning Roberti Frampton Nicholai Latymer Walteri Gonis Thome Manston Iohan. Cammel Iohan. Frantleroy Henrici Sherard Will. Anketill Iohan. Hering Iohan. Carent Roberti Turbervile Richardi Fitton Iohannis Mone Iohannis Peterel Rich. Strode Iohannis de la Lynde Roberti Rempston Will. Gerrard Will. Godwyn Will. Dakcombe Roberti Savage Roberti Bannet Edw. Stone Roberti Larkestoke Iohannis Frampton de Dorchester Rogeri Rochford Iohannis Stampford Roberti Hymerford Stephani Russel Henrici Russel Roberti Tredosa Willi. Chetil Walt. Hayngstrigge Ioh. Talbot Simonis Talbot Richardi Byle Williel Hornsbow Radulphi Belton Iohannis Phillippe Thome Anketill Willielmi Clavil de Ferne Willielmi Morton de Chestesbury Willielmi Cole Willielmi Bontley Iohan. Butt Rogeri Grogge de Lyme Willielmi Warner de Pole Roberti Bertram de Dorchester Tho. Tinam de Lyme Rob. Abbot de Melcombe Regis Richardi Kaynell Iohan. Hillary de Shirborn Iohan. Scryveyn de Shirborn Sheriffs of Dorset and Somerset Shires HEN. II. Anno 1 Warinus Anno 2 Rich. de Raddona Anno 3 Warinus de Lisoris Rich. de Raddona Anno 4 Anno 5 Rich. de Raddona Warinus de Lisoris Anno 6 Anno 7 Warinus de Lisoris Anno 8 Idem Anno 9 Robertus de Bello Campo Anno 10 Gilbertus Percy Anno 11 Rich. de Raddon Gilb. de Percy Anno 12 Rob. de Pucherel for four years Anno 16 Alud de Lincolne for six years Anno 22 Rob. de Bello Campo for seven years Anno 29 Will. de Bendenger Anno 30 Idem Anno 31 Rob. filius Pag. Anno 32 Idem Anno 33 Idem RICH. I. Anno 1 Hugo Bardulph Anno 2 Rob. Anno 3 Willielmus de Chahaignes Rad. de Chahaignes for 4. years Anno 7 Will. Chahaignes Walt. de Giffardus Anno 8 Anno 9 Will. de Chaignes Pet. de Schidemore Anno 10 Will. de Cahaignes Reg. JOHAN Anno 1 Pet. de Schidemore Anno 2 Rob. Belet Hen. de Stokes Anno 3 Hubert de Burge Alanus de Wigton Anno 4 Idem Anno 5 Idem Anno 6 Will. de Monte Acuto for four years Anno 10 Will. Briewre Rad. de Brey Anno 11 Idem Anno 12 Will. Mallet sive Malet for four years Anno 16 Rich. de Marisco Rog. de Pealton HEN. III. Anno 1 Anno 2 Pet. de Malo Lacu Anno 3 Idem Anno 4 Idem Anno 5 Rog. de Forda Ralph Clericus Anno 6 Rog. de Forda Ralph Clericus Anno 7 Sheriffs of Dorset-Shire Radus Germein Ermegundus de Wenham Sheriffs of Somerset-Shire Rob. de Ford. Rich. Abbas de Michelem Anno 8 Sheriffs of Dorset-Shire Radus Germin Rich. Episcopus Saresb. Gilbert de Staplebigg Sheriffs of Somerset-Shire Johan Russel Radus Russel Joscelin Bathon Episcopus Lucas Rupel Anno 9 Sheriffs of Dorset-Shire Ricus Episcopus Saresb. Gilbert de Staplebig Sheriffs of Somerset-Shire Joscelin Bathon Episcopus Lucas Russel Anno 10 Sheriffs of Dorset-Shire Rich. Episcopus Saresb. Gilbert de Staplebigg Sheriffs of Somerset-Shire Joscelin Bathon Episcopus Will. de Schorewell Anno 11 Will. filius Henerici Anno 12 Idem Anno 13 Tho. de Cirencester Anno 14 Idem Anno 15 Idem Hen. de Campo Florido Anno 16 Tho. de Cirencester Hen. de Campo Florido Anno 17 Tho. de Cirencester Anno 18 Idem Anno 19 Idem Hen. de Campo Florido Anno 20 Tho. de Cirencester Hen. de Campo Florido Anno 21 Tho. de Cirencester Anno 22 Idem Anno 23 Idem Anno 24 Jordan Oliver Anno 25 Hugo de Vinon for six years Anno 31 Hugo de Vinon Barth Peach for four years Anno 35 Hen. de Derleg Anno 36 Elias de Cabian Anno 37 Idem Anno 38 Idem Anno 39 Idem Walterus de Burges Anno 40 Steph. de Hasseton Anno 41 Idem Anno 42 Walt. de Burges Anno 43 Williel Everard Humf. Chaehet Will. Lecombe Clericus Anno 44 Phil. de Cerve Anno 45 Idem Anno 46 Johan Basset Anno 46 Johan Basset Hen. Aultun Anno 47 Phil. Basset Hen. Aulton for five years Anno 53 Tho. de
He died Anno Domini 1631. and lieth buââ¦ied at Chigwell aforesaid AUGUSTINE LINSELL D. D. was born at Bumsted in this County bred Scholar and Fellow in Clare-hall in Cambridge He applyed himself chiefly to the Studies of Greek Hebrew and all Antiquity attaining to great exactness therein He was very knowing in the antient practices of the Jews and from him I learned that they had a Custome at the Circumcising of their Children that certain Undertakers should make a solemn stipulation for their pious education conformable to our God-fathers in Baptisme He was afterwards made Bishop of Peterborough where on the joint-cost of his Clergy he procured Theophilact on the Epistles never printed before to be fairly set forth in Greek and Latine Hence he was removeâ⦠to Hereford where he died 163. States-men Sir THOMAL AUDLEY Knight where born my best Industry and Inquiry cannot attain He was bred in the Studie of the Laws till he became Atturney of the Dutchie of Lancaster and Sergeant at Law as most affirme then Speaker of the Parliament Knighted and made Keeper of the great Seal June 4. 1532. being the twenty fourth of King Henry the eight and not long after was made Lord Chancellor of England and Baron Audley of Audley End in this County In the feast of Abby Lands King Henry the eight carved unto him the first cut and that I assure you was a dainty morsell viz. the Priory of the Trinity in Eald-gate Ward London dissolved 1531. which as a Van Currier foreran other Abbeys by two years and foretold their dissolution This I may call afterwards called Dukes-Place the Covent Garden within London as the greatest empty space within the Walls though since filled not to say pestered with houses He had afterwards a large Partage in the Abby Lands in severall Counties He continued in his Office of Chancellour thirteen years and had one onely daughter Margaret who no doubt answered the Pearl in her name as well in her precious qualities as rich Inheritance which she brought to her husband Thomas last Duke of Norfolk This Lord Audley died April 30. 1544. and is buried in the fair Church of Saffron-walden with this lamentable Epitaph The stroak of deaths Inevitable Dart Hath now alas of Life berefââ¦t the Heart Of Sir Thomas Audley of the garter Knight Late Chancellor of England under our Prince of might Henry the eight worthy of high renown And made him Lord Audley of this Town This worthy Lord took care that better Poets should be after then were in his age and founded Magdalen-colledge in Cambridge giving good lands thereunto if they might have enjoyed them according to his Donation Sir RICNARD MORISIN Knight was born in this County as J. Bale his Fellowexile doth acquaint us yet so as that he qualifieth his intelligence with Ut fertââ¦r which I have commuted into our marginall note of dubitation Our foresaid Author addeth that per celebriora Anglorum gymnasia artes excoluit bred probably first in Eton or Winchester then in Cambridge or Oxford and at last in the Inns of Court In those he attained to great skill in Latine and Greek in the Common and Civil Law insomuch that he was often imployed Ambassadour by King Henry the eight and Edward the sixth unto Charles the fifth Emperor and others Princes of Germany acquitting himself both honest and able in those negotiations He began a beautifull house at Cashobery in Hertford-shire and had prepared materialls for the finishing thereof but alas this house proved like the life of his Master who began it I mean King Edward the sixth broken off not ended and that before it came to the middle thereof Yea he was forced to fly beyond the Seas and returning out of Italy died at Strasburgh on the 17. of March Anno Domini 1556. to the grief of all good men Yet his son Sir Charles finished his fathers house in more peaceable times whose great-grand daughter augmented by matches with much honour and wealth a right worthy and vertuous Lady lately deceased was wife to the first Lord Capel and Mother to the present Earl of Essex Sir ANTHONY COOK Knight great-grant child to Sir Thomas Cook Lord Mayor of London was born at Giddy hall in this County where he finished a fair house begun by his great-grand-father as appeareth by this inscription on the frontispiece thereof Aedibus his frontem Proavus Thomas dedit olim Addidit Antoni caetera sera manus He was one of the Governours to King Edward the sixth when Prince and is charactered by Master Camden vir antiquâ severitate He observeth him also to be happy in his daughters learned above their sex in Greek and Latine namely 1. Mildred marryed unto 1. William Cecil Lord Treasurer of England 2. Anne  2. Nicholas Bacon  Chancellor  3. Katherine  3. Henry Killigrew Knights  4. Elizabeth  4. Thomas Hobby   5.  5. Ralph Rowlet   Indeed they were all most eminent Scholars the honour of their own and the shame of our sex both in prose and poetry and we will give an instance of the later Sir Henry Killigrew was designed by the Queen Embassadour for France in troublesome times when the imployment always difficult was then apparently dangerous Now Katherine his Lady wrot these following verses to her sister Mildred Cecil to improve her power with the Lord Treasurer her husband that Sir Henry might be excused from that service Si mihi quem cupio cures Mildreda remitti Tu bona tu melior tu mihi sola Soror Sin malè cunctando retines vel trans mare mittes Tu mala tu pejor tu mihi nulla Soror It si Cornubiam tibi pax six omnia lââ¦ta Sin mare Cecili nuntio bella vale We will endeavour to translate them though I am afraid falling much short of their native elegancy If Mildred by thy care he be sent back whom I request A Sister good thou art to me yea better yea the best But if with stays thou keepst him still or sendst where seas may part Then unto me a Sister ill yea worse yea none thou art If go to Cornwall he shall please I peace to thee foretell But Cecil if he set to Seas I war denounce farewell This Sir Anthony Cook died in the year of our Lord 1576. leaving a fair estate unto his son in whose name it continued untill our time Sir THOMAS SMITH Kt. was born at Saffron Walden in this County and bred in Queens-colledge in Cambridge where such his proficiency in learning that he was chosen out by Henry the eight to be sent over and brought up beyond the Seas It was fashionable in that age that pregnant Students were maintained on the cost of the State to be Merchants for experience in forraign parts whence returning home with their gainfull adventures they were preferred according to the improvement of their time to offices in
Bosome and whom he taxed for too much lenity to the Wicklevites so that we behold the Breath of Waldensis as the Bellows which Blew up the Coals for the burning of those Poor Christians in England under King Henry the sixth he was employed to provide at Paris all necessaries for his solemn Coronation and dying in his journey thether Anno 1430. was buried at Roan He was 16 years Provinciall of his Order throughout all England and wrot many books against the Wicklevites Bale citeth four all sorraign Authors which make him solemnly Sainted whilst Pitzeus more truly and modestly onely affirmeth that he died non sine sanctitatis opinione Indeed as the Pagans had their Lares and Penates Dii Minorum Gentium so possibly this Thomas though not publickly Canonized might pass for a Saint of the lesser Size in some particular places Since the Reformation THOMAS TUSSââ¦R was born at Riven-hall in this County of an ancient family since extinct if his own pen may be believed Whââ¦lst as yet a Boy he lived in many Schools Wallingford Sââ¦int Pauls Eaton whence he went to Tââ¦inity hall in Cambridge when a Man in Stafford-shire Suffolk Northfolk Cambridge-shire London and where not so that this Stone of Sisiphus could gather no Moss He was successively a Musitian School master Servingman Husbandman Grasier Poet more skilfull in all then thriving in any Vââ¦cation He traded at large in Oxen Sheep Dairies Grain of all kinds to no profit Whether he bought or sold he lost and when a Renter impoverished himself and never inriched his Landlord Yet hath he laid down excellent Rules in his Book of Husbandry and Houswifery so that the Observer thereof must be rich in his own dââ¦fence He spread his Bread with all sorts of Butter yet none would stick thereon Yet I hear no man to charge him with any vicious extravagancy or visible carelââ¦ssness imputing his ill success to some occult cause in Gods counsel Thus our English ãâã might say with the Poet Monitis sum minor ipse meis None being better at the Theory or worse at the Practise of Husbandry I match him with Thomas ãâã yard they being mark'd alike in their Poeticall parts living in the same time and ãâã alike in their Estates both low enough I assure you I cannot find the certain date of his death but collect it to be about 1580. FRANCIS QUARLES Esquire son to James Quarles Esquire was born at Sââ¦wards in the Parish of Ruââ¦ford in this County where his son as I am inform'd hath an Estate in expectancy He was bred in Cambridge and going over into Ireland became Secretary to the Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh He was a most excellent Poet and had a mind by assed to devotion Had he been contemporary with Plato that great back-friend to Poets he would not onely have allowed him to live but advanced him to an office in his Common wealth Some Poets if debarr'd proââ¦ess want oness and Satyricalness that they may neither abuse God themselves nor their neighbours have their tongues cut out in effect Others onely trade in wit at the second hand being all for translations nothing for invention Our Qââ¦arles was free from the fââ¦ts of the first as if he had drank of Jordan in stead oâ⦠Helicon and slept on mount Olivet for his Pernassus and was happy in his own invention His visible Poetry I mean his Emblems is excellent caââ¦ching therein the eye and fancy at one draught so that he hath out Aleiated therein in some mens judgement His Verses on Job are done to the life so that the Reader may see his sores and through theâ⦠the anguish of his soul. The troubles of Ireland where his lossââ¦s were great forced his return hither bearing his crosses with great patience so thaâ⦠according to the advice of Saint Hierome Verba vertebat in opera and practiced the Job he had described dying about the year 1643. JOSEPH MEDE was born in this County a little east of Bishop-Startford Men in ââ¦cripture generally are notified by their Fathers as Johnadab the Son of Rechab Simon the Son of Jona Some few are described by their Sons as Simon of Cyren the Father of Alexander and Rufus wherein it is presumed that their Sons were most eminent and their Branches not known by the Root but the Root by the Branches Such the case here where the Parents obscure in themselves may hereafter be known for having Joseph Mede to their Son He was bred in Christs-colledge in Cambridge where he attained to great Learning by his own industry R. was Shiboleth unto him which he could not easily pronounce so that a set-speech cost him the double pains to another man being to fit words as well to his Mouth as his Matter Yet by his Industry and Observation He so conquered his Imperfection that though in private discourse he often smiled out his stammering into silence yet chusing his words he made many an excellent Sermon without any considerable Hesitation The first fruits of his Eminent Studies was a written Treatise de sanctitate Relativa which he presented to Bishop Andrews who besteded him with the Kings favour when his election into his Fellow-ship met with some opposition He afterwards became an Excellent Linguist Curious Mathematician Exact Text-man happy in makeing Scripture to expound it self by Parallel places He was charitable to poor people with his Almes and to all people with his candid censure Of one who constantly kept his Cell so he called his Chamber none Travailed oftener and farther over all Christendome For things past he was a Perfect Historian for things present a Judicious Novilant and for things to come a Prudentiall not to say Propheticall Conjecturer To his private friends he would often insist on the place of Scripture Judges 3. 30. and the land had a rest Four score years which was the longest term of Peace which he ever observed the Church of God to enjoy after which many troubles did ensue And seeing the same lease of Halcion days was expired in England since the first of Queen Elizabeth he grievously suspected some strange Concussion in Church and State which came to pass accordingly I confess his Memory hath suffered much in many mens Judgements for being so great a Fauter of the fancifull opinion of the Millenaries Yet none can deny but that much is found in the Ancient fathers tending that way Besides I dare boldy say that the furious Factors for the fift Monarchy hath driven that Nail which Master Mede did first enter farther then he ever intended it and doing it with such violence that they split the truths round about it Thus when ignorance begins to build on that Foundation which learning hath laid no wonder if there be no Uniformity in such a Mungrell Fabrick He died in the fifty third year of his age Anno Domini 1638. leaving the Main of his Estate to the Colledge about the value of 300l a large
about three years viz. from the seventh of July in the 22. year of King Henry the Sixth being the year of our Lord 1544. until the 25. year of that Kings raign This Lord built Sudeley Castle in this County which of Subjects Castles was the most handsome Habitation and of Subjects Habitations the strongest Castle King Edward the Fourthââ¦ent ââ¦ent for him with such summons that this Lord conjectured and that truly enough that it was but a Preface to his imprisonment whereupon going to London and resting himself on a Hill whence he did behold his own Castle It is thou Sudeley it is thou said he and not I that am a Traytor and so resigned the same at last into the hand of the King to procure his own liberty So true it is what Solomon saith The ransome of a mans life are his riches but the poor heareth not rebuke I find not the certain date of his death Capital Judges and Writers on the Law ANTHONY FITZ-HERBERT for a long time Justice of the Common Pleas was as a good Antiquary will have it born about Dean Forrest in this County but is by another no whit his inferiour on better evidence referred to Derby-shire where formerly we have placed his Nativity Yea I have been informed from excellent hands the Natives of this County that no Capital Judge of the three Great Courts though many of the Marches was ever born in this County yet are they here as litigious as in other places Sure I am that Gloucester-shire did breed if no Judge yet a Plaintiff and Defendant of the primest quality which betwixt them with many alternations traversed the longest suit that ever I read in England for a suit was commenced betwixt the Heirs of Sir Thomas Talbot Viscout Lisle on the one party and the heirs of Lord Barkley on the other about certain possessions lying in this County not far from Wotton-under-edge which suit begun in the end of King Edward the Fourth was depending until the beginning of King James when and was it not high time it was finally determined But the long barrenness of this County in Judges may be recompenced with fruitfulness at last the rather because Gloucestershire at this day sheweth two eminent ones Mr. Justice Adkins and Mr. Justice Hales which grace the Court of the Common Pleas with their known ability and integrity EDWARD TROTMAN Son of Edward Trotman Esquire was born at Cam nigh Duresly in this County bred a Student of the Law till he became a Bencher in the Inner Temple He wrote an Abridgement of Sir Edward Coke his eleven Volumes of Reports for the benefit of those who had not money to purchase or leisure to peruse them at large Yea such as have both may be profitted thereby for in my owne profession and in the Book of Books even those who are best acquainted with the Chapters make also use of the Contents This Gentleman in his Title page ingeniously wisheth that his Compendium might not prove Dispendium to the Reader thereof And I verily believe he hath had his desire being informed that his endeavours are well esteemed by the Learned in that profession He was buried in the Temple Church May 29. Anno Dom. 1643. Souldiers Sir WILLIAM TRACY of Todington in this County was a Gentleman of high Birth State and Stomach much in favour with King Henry the second on whom he was a daily attendant One fact hath made his Memory call it famous or infamous because he was the first and forwardest of the four Knights who at the encouragement if not command at leastwise at the connivance if not encouragement of the aforesaid King Imbrewed their hands in the blood of Thomas Becket In his old age he went into Devon-shire where he had large possessions as may appear by so many Towns bearing his surname 1. Wollocomb-Tracy 2. Bovi-Tracy 3. Nimet-Tracy 4. Bradford-Tracy c. It is reported that he intended a penitential Pilgrimage to Jerusalem but setting to Sea was ever crost with adverse Winds He is conceived to lie buried in the Parish Church of Mort in Devonshire dying about the year of our Lord 1180. Seamen This is scarcely a Maritine-shire rather bordering on the Severn than on the Sea having therein no considerable Haven Bristol being beheld as a City entire of it self and therein eminent Seamen cannot be expected yet one Family herein hath been most fortunate in such voyages having their chief Seat at Lydney in the Forrest of Dean which hath afforded WILLIAM WINTER Knight and Vice Admiral of England famous in his Generation for several performances 1. Anno 1559. being then but Machinarum classicarum praefectus English it as you please he frighted the French in Edenborough Frith assaulting their Fort in the Island of Inchkeith 2. Anno 1567. he was sent with Sir Thomas Smith with the sound of the Trumpet and shooting of some Cannons to demand the restitution of Callis of the French King 3. Anno 1568. he conducted a great Treasure of the Genoan Merchants safely into the Netherlands in despight of the French opposing him 4. Anno 1576. he with Robert Beale Clerk of the Councel was employed into Zeland to demand the restitution of our Ships which they had either taken or did detain 5. Anno 1588. he did signal service in the station appointed him coming in though not in the heat in the coole of the day when the Spanish Fleet was fallen towards the shore of Zeland and were sadly sensible of his valour I conceive him not to survive long after because if in life he would have been in action and if in action I should have found him in Cambden's Elizabeth And therefore from no mention I conclude no motion that about this time he departed Besides others of this Family unknown to me and justly referred to this County as their chief habitation And were the phrase as proper of Men sailing as Fishes swimming in the Sea I should say that Lydney-House hath brought forth a shole of Mariners So happy have they been in Sea voyages One wondring how the English durst be so bold as to put to Sea in all weathers it was returned that they were provided to saile in all seasons having both Winters and Summers on their side The more the pity that this worthy Family of the Winters did ever leave the Element of Water to tamper with Fire especially in a destructive way to their King and Country Writers OSBERNUS CLAUDIANUS or Osbern of Gloucester was bred a Benedictine Monk in the famous Convent in that City He was learned saith Leland Praeter iliius aetatis sortem above the Standard of that age He was a good Linguist Philosopher Divine he used to give clearness to what was obscure facility to what was difficult politeness to what was barbarous Nor wanted he a becoming facetiousness in his Dialogues He wrote many Books dedicating them to Gilbert Foliot Bishop of Hereford as a
the people thereabout if in point of Profit their tongues would not cross their hearts as this New-Forrest did Whereof hereafter Natural Commodities Red Deer Great store of these were lately in New Forrest so called because Newly made by K. William the Conqueror Otherwise ten years hence it will be six hundred years old Indeed as Augustus Cââ¦sar is said to have said of Herod King of Judaea that it was better to be his Hog than his Childe So was it most true of that King William that it was better to have been his Stag than his Subject the one being by him spared and preserved the other ruined and destroyed Such was the Vastation he made of Townes in this County to make room for his game And it is worth our observing the opposition betwixt the Characters of K. EDGAR K. WILLIAM Templa Deo Templis Monachos Monachis dedit agros Templa adimit Divis fora Civibus arva Colonis And now was the South-West of this County made a Forest indeed if as an Antiquary hath observed a Forest be so called quia foris est because it is set open and abroad The Stags therein were stately creatures jealous revengeful insomuch that I have been credibly inform'd that a Stag unable for the present to master another who had taken his Hinde from him waited his opportunity till his enemy had weakned himself with his wantonness and then kill'd him Their Flesh may well be good whose very Horns are accounted Cordial Besides there is a concave in the neck of a green-headed Stag when above his first crossing wherein are many worms some 2. inches in length very useful in Physick and therefore carefully put up by Sir Theodore Mayerne and other skilful Physicians But I beleive there be few Stags now in New-Forest fewer Harts and not any Harts-Royal as escaping the chase of a King though in time there may be some again Hony Although this Countie affordeth not such Lakes of Honey as some Authors relate found in hollow Trees in Muscovy nor yieldeth Combes equal to that which Pliny reporteth seen in Germany eight foot long yet produceth it plenty of this necessary and profitable Commoditie Indeed Hantshire hath the worst and best Hony in England worst on the Heath hardly worth five pound the Barrel best in the Champian where the same quantity will well nigh be sold for twice as much And it is generally observed the finer the Wheat and Wooll both which very good in this County the purer the Hony of that place Hony is useful for many purposes especially that Hony which is the lowest in any Vessel For it is an old and true rule the best Oyle is in the top the best Wine in the middle and the best Hony in the bottome It openeth Obstructions cleareth the Breast and Lights from those humors which fall from the head loosneth the belly with many other soveraign qualities too many to be reckoned up in a Winters day However we may observe three degrees or kinds rather of Hony 1. Virgin Hony which is the purest of a late Swarm which never bred Bees 2. Chaste Hony for so I may term all the rest which is not Sophisticated with any addition 3. Harlot Hony as which is adulterated with Meal and other trash mingled therewith Of the first and second sort I understand the Counsel of Salomon My Sonne eat Hony for it is good good absolutely in the substance though there may be excess in the quantitie thereof Wax This is the Cask where Hony is the Liquour and being yellow by Nature is by Art made white red and green which I take to be the dearest colours especially when appendant on Parchment Wax is good by Day and by Night when it affordeth light for Sight the clearest for Smell the sweetest for Touch the cleanliest Useful in Law to seal Instruments and in Physick to mollifie Sinewes ripen and dissolve Ulcers c. Yea the Ground and Foundation of all Cere-cloath so called from Cera is made of Waxe Hoggs Hantshire Hoggs are allowed by all for the best Bacon being our English Westphalian and which well ordered hath deceived the most judicious Pallats Here the Swine feed in the Forrest on plenty of Acorns Mens meat in the golden Hogs food in this iron Age which going out lean return home fat without either care or cost of their Owners Nothing but fulness stinteth their feeding on the Mast falling from the Trees where also they lodge at liberty not pent up as in other places to stacks of Pease which some assign the reason of the fineness of their flesh which though not all Glorre where no bancks of lean can be seen for the Deluge of fat is no less delicious to the taste and more wholsome for the stomack Swines-flesh by the way is observed most nutritive of mens bodies because of its assimilation thereunto Yet was the eating thereof forbidden to the Jewes whereof this Reason may be rendred besides the absolute Will of the Law-giver because in hot countries Mens bodies are subject to the Meastes and Leprosies who have their greatest repast on Swines-flesh For the Climate of Canaan was all the year long as hot as England betwixt May and Michael-mass and it is penal for any Butchers with us in that Term to kill any Pork in the Publick Shambles As for the Manufacture of Clothing in this County diffused throughout the same such as deny the goodness of Hant-shire Cloath and have occasion to wear it will be convinced of its true worth by the price which they must pay for it The Buildings The Cathedral in Winchester yeildeth to none in England for venerable magnificence It could not be Opus unius saeculi perfected by the contributive endeavours of several successive Bishops whereof some lie most sumptuously interred in their Chappel-like-Monuments On the walls of the Quire on each side the dust of the Saxon-Kings and ancient Bishops of this Church were decently Intombed many hundred years after by Richard Fox Bishop of this See till in the beginning of our Civil Wars they were barbarously thrown down by the Souldiers Josephus reports what some hardly believe how Herod took many talents of Treasure out of the Sepulchre of David sure I am they met with no such wealth here in this Mine of Mortality amongst the ashes which did none any injurie and therefore why Malice should scratch out that which did not bite it is to me unknown As for Civil Structures Basing built by the first Marquess of Winchester was the greatest of any Subjects House in England yea larger than most Eagles have not the biggest Nests of all Birds of the Kings Palaces The Motto Love Loyaltie was often written in every window thereof and was well practised in it when for resistance on that account it was lately levelled to the Ground Next Basing Bramsell built by the last Lord Zouch in a bleak and barren place was a stately
and Gaping Chincks the Heraulds of its downfall deeming with my self that I discovered as Physicians in our Bodies do cadaverosam faciem ruinosam therein But it rejoyced me when coming there this last year to find it so well amended by the soveraign medicine of Gold or Silver charitably applyed by its good Bishop I wish all Cathedrals in England sick of the same distemper as quick and happy a recovery HARTFORD-SHIRE is so called from Hartford the chief Town therein as Hartford so termed from the Ford of Harts a Hart Couchant in the waters being the Armes thereof Which convinceth me that HART not HERTFORD-SHIRE is the Orthography of this County It hath Essex on the East Middlesex on the South Buckingham shire on the West Bedford and Cambridge shire on the North thereof It might be allowed a Square of 20. miles save that the Angular Insinuations of other Counties prejudice the Entireness thereof I have been informed from an ancient ââ¦stice therein that one cannot be so advantagiously placed in any part of this Shire but that he may recover another County within the riding of five miles It is the garden of England for delight and men commonly say that such who buy a house in Hartfordshire pay two years purchase for the aire thereof It falls short in Fruitfulness of ESSEX adjoyning thereunto to which it was also annexed under one Sheriff and one Eschetor till after the Reign of King Edward the Third And Paynfull Norden writes a bold Truth For deep feedings or Sheep pastures I take notice of few and those especially about Knebworth To speak of the Soyle as indeed it is most generally for my part I take it but a barren Countrey in respect of some other Shires Indeed this Forrestie-Ground would willingly bear nothing so well as a Crop of Wood. But seeing Custome is another Nature it hath for many years been contented to bring forth good Grain perswaded thereunto by the Industrious Husbandman Surely no County can shew so fair a Bunch of Berries for so they term the fair Habitations of Gentlemen of remark which are called Places Courts Halls and Mannors in other Shires This County affording no peculiar Commodity nor Manufacture We may safely proceed to other Observations when first we have given the due commendation to the Horses of this Shire Their Teames of Horses oft times deservedly advanced from the Cart to the Coach are kept in excellent equipage much alike in colour and stature fat and fair such is their care in dressing and well-feeding them I could name the place and person Reader be not offended with an innocent digression who brought his servant with a Warrant before a Justice of Peace for stealing his grain The man brought his five horses tailed together along with him alledging for himself That if he were the Theefe these were the Receivers and so escaped The Buildings THEOBALDS did carry away the credit built by Sir William beautified by Sir Robert Cecil his Son both Lord Treasurers of England The last exchanged it too wise to do it to his Losse with King James for Hatfield-house which King deceased therein March 27. 1625. Yea This House may be said to decease about its grand Climacterical some sixty three years from the finishing thereof taken down to the ground for the better partage among the Soldiery Anno 1651. and from the seat of a Monarch is now become a little Common-wealth so many intire Tenements like Splinters have flown out of the Materials thereof Thus our Fathers saw it built we behold it unbuilt and whether our Children shall see it re-built he only knows who hath written There is a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together Hatfield-house was first the Bishops of Ely then the Kings afterwards by exchange the Earls of Salisbury For Situation Building Contrivance Prospect Air and all accommodations inferiour to none in England Within a little mile thereof lyeth a place called the Vineyard where nature by the Midwifery of Art is delivered of much pleasure So that the Reader must be a Seer before he can understand the perfection thereof Had this place been in Graecia or nigh Rome where the luxuriant fancies of the Poets being subject-bound improve a Tree into a Grove a Grove into a Forrest a Brook into a River and a Pond into a Lake I say had this Vineyard been there it had disinherited Tempe of its honour and hence the Poets would have dated all their delights as from a Little Paradise and Staple-place of earthly pleasure Medicinal Waters One hath lately been discovered neer Barnet in a Common as generally sanative springs are found in such places as if nature therein intimated her intention designing them for publique profit not private employment it is conceived to run thorough veines of Alome by the taste thereof It coagulateth milk and the curd thereof is an excellent plaister for any green wounds besides several other operations But as Alexander was wont to applaud Achilles not as the most valiant but the most fortunate of men having Homer to trumpet forth his actions so are these waters much advantaged with the vicinitie of London whose Citizens proclame the praise thereof And indeed London in this kind is stately attended having three Medicinal Waters within one dayes Journy thereof The Catalogue of the Cures done by this Spring amounteth to a great number in so much that there is hope in process of time the Water rising here will repaire the blood shed hard by and save as many lives as were lost in the fatal Battel at Barnet betwixt the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster Hartford-shire Proverbs HARTFORD-SHIRE Clubs and clouted shoon Some will wonder how this Shire lying so near to London the Staple of English Civilitie should be guiltie of so much Rusticalness But the finest Cloth must have a List and the pure Pesants are of as course a thread in this County as in any other place Yet though some may smile at their clownishness let none laugh at their Industry the rather because the high-shoon of the Tenant payes for the Spanish-Leather-Boots of the Landlord HARTFORD-SHIRE Hedge-Hogs Plenty of Hedge-Hogs are found in this High woodland-County where too often they suck the Kine though the Dayry-maid conne them small thanks for sparing their pains in milking them A creature alwayes in his posture of defence carrying a Stand of Pikes on his back so that if as well victualled as armed he may hold out a seige against any equal opposition If this Proverb containeth any further reflection on the People in this County as therein taxed for covetousness and their constant nudling on the Earth I will not so understand it as hoping and believing this to be a false Application WARE and WADES-Mill are worth all LONDON This I assure you is a Master-piece of the Vulgar wits in this County wherewith they endeavour to amuse Travellers as if WARE a thorough-fare-Market and
he entred with four great advantages of Pitie Kindred Favour and Merit Pitie on the account of his Father lately dead to say no more and generally lamented Kindred by his Mothers side Lettice Knowles near allied to the Queen Favour being son in Law to Leicester and so was a Favourits Favourite at the first day though he quickly stood on his own legs without holding Merit being of a Beautiful Personage Courteous Nature Noble Descent Fair though much impaired Fortune Fore-noon when the Queen favourably reflected on him as a Grand-Mother on a Grand-Child making him the wanton to her fond and indulgent affection as by this Letter written with her own hand doth appear ESSEX Your sudden and undutiful departure from our presence and your place of Attendance you may easily conceive how offensive it is and ought to be unto Us. Our great Favours bestowed upon you without deserts hath drawn you thus to neglect and forget your Duty For other Construction we cannot make of these your strange Actions Not meaning therefore to tolerate this your disordered Part We gave directions to some of Our Privy Councel to let you know our Express Pleasure for your Immediate Repair hitber which you have not performed as your Duty doth bind you Increasing thereby greatly your former offence and undutiful behaviour in departing in such sort without our Privity having so special Office of Attendance and Charge near our Person We do therefore Charge and Command you forthwith upon the Receit of these our Letters all Excuses and Delayes set apart to make your present and immediate Repair unto Us to understand our further Pleasure Whereof see you fail not as you will be loth to incur our Indignation and will Answer for the contrary at your uttermost Peril The 15. of April 1589. This letter angry in the first and loving in the fourth degree was written to him sent by Sir Thomas Gorges on this occasion The Earle in pursuance of his own martial inclination secretly left the Court to see some service in France The Q. passionately loving his Person grievously complained of his absence and often said We shall have this young fellow knockt on the head as foolish Sidney was by his own forwardness and was restless till his return I behold him in his high-noon when he brought Victory with him home from Cadiz and was vertical in the esteem of the Souldiery and may be said to awaken the Queens jealousie by his popularitie His After-noon followed when he undertook the Irish action too knotty service for his smooth disposition being fitter for personal performance then conduct and managing of martial affaires And now his enemies work was halfe done having gotten such a Gulf betwixt him and the Queen For as Antaeus is said to have recruited strength when he touched his Mother Earth so this Earle wrestling with his Enemies suppressed them and supported himself by his dayly access to the Queen which distance now denied him His Night approached when coming over without leave he was confined by the Q. to his house to reclaim not ruine him Hither a miscellaneous crew of sword-men did crowd tendering him their service some of one perswasion some of another some of all some of no religion Their specious pretence was to take evil Counsellors from the Queen though it had been happie if they had been first taken away from the Earle What his companie said they would doe the Earle knew but what would have been done by them God knowes The Earle rising and missing of expected support from the City of London quickly sunck in the Queens final displeasure Anno Domini 1600. He was valiant liberall to Scholars and Souldiers nothing distrustful if not too confident of fidelity in others Revengefulness was not bred but put into his disposition 'T is hard to say whether such as were his Enemies or such as should be his friends did him more mischief When one flattered him to his face for his Valour no said he my sins ever made me a coward In a word his failings were neither so foul nor so many but that the Character of a right worthy man most justly belongs to his memory Writers ROGER of HEREFORD born in that City was bred in the University of Cambridge being one of the prime Promoters of Learning therein after the Re-foundation of the University by the Abbot of Crowland He was an excellent Astronomer and Stars being made for signes was a good Interpreter what by these signes were intended He wrote a Book of Judicial Astrologie whether to commend or condemn it such onely can satisfie themselves that have seen his Book He was also skilful in all Mettals and Minerals and his pretty curiosities made him acceptable to the Nobility of England flourishing under King Henry the Second An. Dom. 1170. WILLIAM LEMPSTââ¦R a Franciscan and a Dr. of Divinity in Oxford was born in that well known Town in this County He wrote Collations on the Master of the Sentences and Questions in Divinity as J. Pits informeth me adding withall Haec scripsit novi sed non quo tempore novi Well I know these works he wrot But for the time I know it not And I am content for companies sake with him to be ignorant of the exact date thereof Since the Reformation RICHARD HACKLUIT was born of an ancient extract in this County whose Family hath flourished at ...... in good esteem He was bred a Student in Christ Church in Oxford and after was Prebendary of Westminster His Genius inclined him to the Study of History and especially to the Marine part thereof which made him keep constant Intelligence with the most noted Seamen of Wapping until the day of his Death He set forth a large Collection of the English Sea Voyages Ancient Middle Modern taken partly out of private Letters which never were or without his care had not been printed Partly out of Small Treatises printed and since irrecoverably lost had not his providence preserved them For some Pamphlets are produced which for their Cheapnesse and Smalnesse men for the present neglect to buy presuming they may procure them at their pleasure which small Books their first and last Edition being past like some Spirits that appear but once cannot afterwards with any price or pains be recovered In a word many of such useful Tracts of Sea Adventures which before were scattered as several Ships Mr. Hackluit hath imbodied into a Fleet divided into three Squadrons so many several Volumes A Work of great honour to England it being possible that many Ports and Islands in America which being base and barren bear only a bare name for the present may prove rich places for the future And then these Voyages will be produced and pleaded as good Evidence of their belonging to England as first discovered and denominated by English-men Mr. Hackluit dyed in the beginning of King Iames his Reign leaving a fair estate to an unthrift Son who embezill'd it on this
token that he vanted that he cheated the covetous Usurer who had given him Spick and Span new money for the Old Land of his Great Great Grandfather JOHN GVVILLIM was of VVelch extraction but born in this County and became a Pursuivant of Arms by the name first of Portsmouth then Rougecroixe but most eminent for his methodical Display of Herauldry confusion being formerly the greatest difficulty therein shewing himself a good Logician in his exact Divisions and no bad Philosopher noting the natures of all Creatures given in Armes joyning fansie and reason therein Besides his Travelling all over the earth in beasts his Industry diggeth into the ground in pursuit of the properties of precious stones diveth into the Water in Inquest of the qualities of Fishes flyeth into the Air after the Nature of Birds yea mounteth to the very Skies about stars but here we must call them Estoiles and Planets their use and influence In a word he hath unmysteried the mysterie of Heraldry inso much that one of his own faculty thus descanteth in the Twilight of jest and earnest on his performance But let me tell you this will be the harm In Arming others you Your self disarm Our Art is now Anatomized so As who knows not what we our selves do know Our Corn in others Mill is ill apaid Sic vos non vobis may to us be said I suspect that his endevours met not with proportionable reward He dyed about the latter end of the Reign of King Iames. JOHN DAVIES of Hereford for so he constantly styled himself was the greatest Master of the Pen that England in his age beheld for 1 Fast-writing so incredible his expedition 2 Fair-writing some minutes Consultation being required to decide whether his Lines were written or printed 3 Close-writing A Mysterie indeed and too Dark for my Dimme Eyes to discover 4 Various-writing Secretary Roman Court and Text. The Poetical fiction of Briareus the Gyant who had an hundred hands found a Moral in him who could so cunningly and copiously disguise his aforesaid Elemental hands that by mixing he could make them appear an hundred and if not so many sorts so many Degrees of Writing Yet had he lived longer he would modestly have acknowledged Mr. Githings who was his Schollar and also born in this County to excel him in that faculty whilst the other would own no such odious Eminencie but rather gratefully return the credit to his Master again Sure I am when two such Transcendent Pen-masters shall again come to be born in the same shire they may even serve fairly to engross the will testament of the expiring Universe Our Davies had also some pretty excursions into Poetry and could flourish matter as well as Letters with his Fancy as well as with his Pen. He dyed at London in the midst of the Reign of King James and lyeth buryed in St. Giles in the fields Romish Exile Writers HUMPHRY ELY born in this County was bred in St. Johns Colledge in Oxford Whence flying beyond the Seas he lived successively at Doway Rome and Rheams till at last he setled himself at Pont-Muss in Lorain where for twenty years together he was Professor of Canon and Civil Law and dying 1604. Was buried therein with a double Epitaph That in Verse my Iudgement commands me not to beleive which here I will take the boldnesse to translate Albion Haereseos velatur nocte viator Desine Mirari Sol suus hic latitat Wonder not Reader that with Heresies England is clouded Here her SUN he LIES The Prose-part my Charity induces me to credit Inopia ferme laborabat alios inopia sublevans He eased others of Poverty being himself almost pinched therewith Benefactors to the Publick JOHN WALTER was born in the City of Hereford Know Reader I could learn little from the Minister which preached his funeral less from his acquaintance least from his Children Such his hatred of vain glory that as if Charity were guiltinesse he cleared himself from all suspicion thereof Yet is our Intelligence of him though breif true as followeth He was bred in London and became Clerk of Drapers-hall Finding the World to flow fast in upon him he made a solemn Vow to God that he would give the surplusage of his estate whatever it was to pious uses Nor was he like to those who at first maintained ten thousand pounds too much for any man which when they have attained they then conceive ten times so much too little for themselves but after his Cup was filled brim-full to the aforesaid proportion he conscienciously gave every drop of that which over-flowed to quench the thirst of people parched with Poverty I compare him to Elizabeth in the Gospel who as if ashamed of her shame so then reputed taken from her hid her self five Moneths so great her modesty such his concealing of his Charity though pregnant with good works and had not the Lanthorn of his body been lately broken it is beleived the light of his bounty had not yet been discovered He built and endowed a fair Almes house in Southwark another at Newington both in Surrey on which and other pious uses he expended well nigh ten thousand pounds whereof twenty pounds per annum he gave to Hereford the place of his Nativity His Wife and surviving Daughters were so far from grudging at his gifts and accounting that lost to them which was lent to God that they much rejoyced thereat and deserve to be esteemed joint-givers thereof because consenting so freely to his Charity He dyed in the seventy fourth year of his age 29. December Anno Domini 1656. and was solemnly buried in London Memorable Persons ROSAMUND that is saith my Authour Rosemouth but by allufion termed Rose of the World was remarkable on many accounts First for her Father VValter Lord Clifford who had large Lands about Cliffords-castle in this County secondly for her self being the Mistress-peice of beauty in that Age. Thirdly for her Paramour King Henry the second to whom she was Concubine Lastly fot her Son VVilliam Longspee the worthy Earl of Salisbury King Henry is said to have built a Labyrinth at VVoodstock which Labyrinth through length of time hath lost it self to hide this his Mistress from his jealous Iuno Queen Eleanor But Zelotypiae nihil impervium by some device she got accesse unto Her and caused her Death Rosamund was buryed in a little Nunnery at Godstowe nigh Oxford with this Epitaph Hic jacet in Tumba Rosa mundi non Rosamunda Non redolet sed olet quae redolere solet This Tomb doth inclose the worlds fair Rose so sweet full of favour And smell she doth now but you may guess how none of the sweetest savour Her Corps may be said to have done penances after her Death For Hugh Bishop of Lincoln coming as Visitor to this Nunnery and seeing Rosamund's body lying in the Quire under a Silken Herse with tapors continualââ¦y burning about
he had a ãâã reflection on the priviledges of the Clergy as exempted by preaching the truth from payment of Taxes save with their own free consent But all would not serve their turn for in the contemporary Parliament the Clergy unwillingly-willing granted a yearly Tenth to supply the pressing occasions of King Edward the Third This William died Anno Dom. 1375. Since the Reformation FRANCIS WHITE was born at St. Neots in this County and not in Lancashire as I and others have been mis-informed witness the Admission book of Caius-Colledge and the Testimonie of his brothers son still alive The Father to this Francis was a Minister and had 5 sons who were Divines and two of them most eminent in their generation Of these this Francis was bred in Caius-Colledge on the same Token That when he was Bishop of Ely and came to consecrate the Chappel of Peter-House he received an Entertainement at that Colledge where with a short speech he incouraged the young students to ply their books by his own Example who from a poor Scholar in that house by Gods blessing on his Industry was brought to that preferment By the Lord Grey of Grobie he was presented to Broughton Ashby in Leicestershire and thence why should a Candle be put under a bushel he was brought to be Lecturer of St. Pauls in London and Parson of St. Peters in Cornhil whence he was successively preferred first Deane then Bishop of Carlile after Bishop of Norwich and at last of Ely He had several solemn Disputations with Popish Priests and Jesuites Father Fisher and others and came off with such good successe that he reduced many seduced Romanists to our Church He often chose Daniel Featly D. D. his assistant in such disputes so that I may call this Prelate and his Doctor Ionathan and his Armour-bearer being confident that the Doctor if alive would not be displeased with the comparison as any disparagement unto him joyntly victorious over the Romish Philistines He died Anno. 163 leaving some of his learned workes to Posterity Writers The Candid Reader is here requested to forgive and amend what in them is of casual transposition HENRY SALTRY was born in this County and became a Cistertian Monk in the Monastery of Saltry then newly founded by Simon Saint Liz Earl of Huntington He was also instructed by one Florentian an Irish Bishop He wrote a profitable book for his own Religion in the maintenance of Purgatory which made him esteemed in that superstitious age He flourished Anno Dom. 1140. GREGORY of HUNTINGTON so called from the place of his Nativity was bred a Benedictine Monke in Ramsey Where he became Prior or Vice-Abbot a place which he deserved being one of the most Learned men of that age for his great skill in Languages For he was through-paced in three Tongues Latine Greek as appears by his many Comments on those Grammarians and Hebrew which last he learned by his constant conversing with the Jewes in England But now the fatal time did approach wherein the Iewes full loth I assure you must leave the Land and many precious books behind them Our Gregory partly by love partly by the Kings power both together will go far in driving a bargain purchased many of those rarities to dispose them in his Convent of Ramsey which as it exceeded other English Monasteries for a Library so for Hebrew books that Monastery exceeded it self After this Gregory had been Prior of Ramsey no fewer then 38 years flourishing under King Henry the Third He died in the Reign of K. Edward the First about 1280. HUGH of Saint Nââ¦OTS was born in that well known Market-Town bred a Carmelite in Hitching in Hartfordshire Hence he went to study in Cambridge where for his worth the Degree of Doctorship was by the University gratis quare whither without paying of Fees or keeping of Acts conferred upon him To him Bale though that be the best Bale which hath the least of Bale and most of Leland therein giveth this Testimony that living in the Egyptian Darkness he sought after the light of Truth adding that he was Piscis in Palude nihil trahens de Sapore Palustri a Fish in the ââ¦enns drawing nothing of the mud thereof which is a rarity indeed Many his Sermons and he wrotea Comment on Saint Luke He died 1340. and was buried at Hitching WILLIAM RAMSEY was born in this County famous for the richest Benedictines Abbey in England yet here he would not stay but went to Crowland where he prospered so well that he became Abbot thereof He was a Natural Poet and therefore no wonder if faults be found in the feet of his verses For it is given to thorough-pacedNaggs that amble naturally to trip much whilest artificial pacers goe surest on foot He wrote the life of St. Guthlake St. Neots St. Edmond the King c. all in verse But that which may seem a wonder indeed is this that being a Poet he paid the vast debts of others even fourty thousand Mark for the ingagement of his Covent and all within the compasse of eighteen Moneths wherein he was Abbot of Crowland But it rendreth it the more credible because it was done by the assistance of King Henry the Second who to expiate the blood of Becket was contented to be melted into Coine and was prodigiously bountiful to some Churches Our William died 1180. HENRY of HUNTINGTON Son to one Nicholas where born unknown was first a Canon of the Church of Lincolne where he became acquainted with one Albine of Angiers born in France but Fellow-Canon with him of the same Church This Albine he afterwards in his writings modestly owned for his Master having gained much learning from him He was afterwards Chaplain to Alexander that Great Bishop of Lincoln Magnificent unto Madnesse who made him Arch-Deacon of Huntington whence he took his Dââ¦nomination A Town which hath received more Honour from him than ever it can return to him seeing Huntington had never been mentioned in the mouths nor passed under the Pens of so many foreigners but for the worthy History of the Saxon Kings written by this Henry Let me add that considering the sottishness of Superstition in the age he lived in he is less smoohted therewith than any of his contemporaries and being a secular Priest doth now and then abate the pride of Monastical pretended perfection He flourished under King Stephen in the year of our Lord 1248. and is probably conjectured to die about the year 1260. ROGER of St. IVES was born at that noted Town of this County being omitted by Bale but remembred by Pits though seldome sounding when the other is silent for his activity against the Lollards and Sir John Old-Castle against whom he wrote a book flourishing in the year 1420. Since the Reformation IOHN YONG was a Monk in Ramsey Abbey at the dissolution thereof Now by the same proportion that a penny
censure him for deserting his Principles yet he is said on his death-bed to have given full ââ¦tisfaction to such who formerly suspected his sincerity to the Presbyterian Discipline dying Anno Dom. 1655. He was solemnly buried in the ââ¦bbey at Westminster Exiââ¦-Romish-Writers RICHARD BROUGHTON was born at Great Steuckley in this County bred at Rhemes in France where he received the Order of Priesthood and was sent over into England for the propagation of his partie Here he gave so signal testimony and fidelity to the cause that he was before many others preferred Assistant to the English Arch-Priest He wrote many books and is most esteemed by those of his own Religion for his English Ecclesiastical History from the first planting of the Gospel to the coming in of the Saxons But in plain truth there is little milk no creame and almost all whey therein being farced with Legendary stuff taken from Authors some of condemned most of suspected credit If by the Levitical Law a bastard should not enter into the congregation of the Lord understand it to bear Office therein to the tenth generation it is pity that adulterated Authours being an illegitimate off-spring should be admitted to bear rule in Church-History This Broughton was living in the latter end of the Reign of King Iames. Benefactors to the Publicke AMBROSE Son to Iohn Nicholas was born at Needenworth in this County whence he went to London and was bound apprentice to a Salter thriving so well in his Trade that Anno 1576. he became Lord Mayor of London He founded Twelve Almes houses in Mungwel-street in that City indowing them with Competent maintenance Sir WOLSTAN Son to Thomas Dixie was born at Catworth in this County bred a Skinner in London whereof he became Lord Mayor Anno 1585. He was a man made up of deeds of Charitie the particulars whereof are too long to recite He gave 600. pound to Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge to the founding of a Fellowship Erected a Free-school at Bosworth in Leicestershire and Endowed it where his family flourish at this day in a worshipfull Estate RICHARD FISHââ¦OURN was born in the Town of Huntington cut out of no mean Quarry being a Gentleman by his Extraction Leaving a Court life as more pleasant then profitable He became servant to Sir Raptist Hicks afterwards Viscount Camden and by Gods blessing on his industry attained a great Estate whereof he gave two thousand pounds for the buying out of Impropriations in the Northern parts and setling a preaching Ministery where most want thereof he bequeathed as much to the Company of Mercers whereof he was free and the same summe to Huntington the place of his Nativity with One thousand marks to Christ-Church Hospital The whole summe of his benefactions amounted to ten thousand seven hundred pounds and upwards briefly summed up in his Funeral Sermon commonly called Corona Charitatis preached by Master Nathaniel Shute wherein to use his Expression He supped up many things with a very short breath contracting his Deeds of Charity to avoid tediousness Nor must it be forgotten how this Gentleman lying on his death-bed when men are presumed to speak with unmasked consciences did professe that to his knowledge he had got no part of his goods unjustly No man of his Quality won more Love in health Prayers in sicknesse and Lamentation at his Funeral dying a single man and buried in Mercers Chappel May the 10. 1625. Memorable Persons Sir OLIVER CROMWELL Knight son of Sir Henry Cromwell Knight of Hinching-brooke in this County is Remarkable to Posterity on a four-fold account First For his hospitality and prodigious entertainment of King James and his Court. Secondly for his upright dealing in bargain and sale with all chapmen so that no man who soever purchased Land of him was put to charge of three pence to make good his Title Yet he sold excellent penniworths insomuch that Sir Iohn Leamon once Lord Mayor of London who bought the fair Manour of Warboise in this County of him affirmed That it was the cheapest Land that ever he bought and yet the dearest that ever Sir Oliver Cromwell sold. Thirdly for his Loyalty alwayes beholding the Usurpation and Tyranny of his Nephew God-Son and NAME-SAKE with Hatred and Contempt Lastly for his Vivacity who survived to be the oldest Gentleman in England who was a Knight Though not the oldest Knight who was a Gentleman seeing Sir George Dalston younger in years yet still alive was Knighted some dayes before him Sir Oliver died Anno Dom. 1654. The Names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the Twelfth year of King Henry the Sixth William Bishop of Lincoln Commissioners John de Tiptofte Chivaler  Roger Hunt Knights for the Shire  William Waton Knights for the Shire  Abbatis de Ramsey Abbatis de Sautrey Prioris de Huntington Prioris de S. Neoto Prioris de Stonle Archidiaconi Eliensis Rectoris de Somerham PrebendaÅii Ecclesiae Lincolniens Domini de Leighton Rectoris Ecclesiae de Bluntesham Vicarii Ecclesiae de Gurmecest Vicarii Ecclesiae de S. Neoto Rect. Ecclesiae de Ript Abbatis Nicholai Stivecle Militis Roberti Stonham armigeri Everardi Digby armigeri Radulphi Stivecle armigeri Thomae Devyll armigeri Thomae Nesenham armigeri Henrici Hethe Johannis Bayons armigeri Rogeri Lowthe Edwardi Parker Walteri Taillard Iohannis Eyr Iohannis Bekeswell Willielmi Castell Willielmi Waldesheefe Thomae Freman Ioannis Donold Walteri Mayll Roberti Boteler de Alyngton Roberti Boteler de Hilton Iohannis Kirkeby Iohannis Sankyn Roberti Langton Reginaldi Rokesden Iohannis Pulter Roberti Wene Iohannis Sampson de Somersh Thomae Clerevax Radulphi Pakynton VVillielmi Est Richardi Est Roberti Creweker VVillielmi Maister Iohannis Morys VVillielmi Druell de VVeresle Radulphi Ioce Iohannis Devyll de Chescerton Iohannis Cokerham Richardi Bââ¦singham I. Cokeyn Parker de Kimbolton Richardi Burgham Richardi Parker de Bukden Thomae Alcumbury VVillielmi Boteler de VVeresle VVill. Iudde dâ⦠Sancto Ivone VVillielmi VVassingle VVillielmi VVardale VVillielmi Colles Laurentii Merton Thomae Judde Willielmi Boteler de Ramsey Thomae Barboure de Eadem Thomae Rede Thomae Irlle Willielmi Holland Williel Smith de Alcumbury Williel Hayward de Buckworth Richardi Boton Iohannis Cross senioris Edmundi Fairstede Willielmi Erythe Willi. Skinner de Brampton Willielmi West Thomae Daniel Willielmi Daniel Iohannis Barbour Thomae Parker de S. Neoto Edm. Faillour de Kymbolton Thomae Bowelas Willielmi ââ¦eete Willielmi Talers Thomae Aungevin Walteri Godegamen Iohannis Cage Johannis Manypeny Johannis Copgray clerici Willielmi Arneburgh Henrici Attehill Johannis Charwalton Edmundi Ulfe Willielmi Hare Johannis Dare Willielmi Sturdivale Richarde Brigge Mich. Carleton Ballivi ejusdeÌ Ville Huntington Georgei Giddyng Iohannis Chikson Iohannis Pecke Thome Charwalton Iohannis Abbotesle I meet with this uncomfortable passage in Mr. Speeds or rather in Sir Robert Cottons description of this Shire Thus as this City so the old families have been here with time out worne
A fright of his Mother is generally reported to have accelerated or rather antedated his nativity The Popish Priests belonging to the Queen stood ready watching to snatch the Royal Babe to their superstitious baptisme but the tender care of King Charles did out vigil their watchfullness commanding Doctor Web His next Chaplain in attendance to Christen it according to the Church of England This done within few houres he expired and lyes buried at Westminster Saints EALPHAGE born of good parentage had his education during his youth in Glocestershire then he became a Monk at Glastenbury But that place not sufficiently suiting the severity of his solitary soul removing thence he built himself a Hut at Bath which smal Cel in process of time the longest line proceedeth from a little point at first proved the beautiful Priory in that place Hence by Dunstan he was preferred Bishop of Winchester continuing therein twenty two years And at last became Bishop of Canterbury It happeneth that the cruel Danes seizing on that City put it under Decimation Start not loyal reader at the word if in the late Tyranny of the times thou thy self hast been against all right and reason Decimated in thy Purse as now the poor Citizens of Canterbury were in their Persons For the Danes under pretence of Tribute detained Saved the tenth part of the Citizens alive amounting unto eight hundred and four Destroyed the other nine parts no fewer than seven thousand two hundred thirty six As for Arch-Bishop Alphage they demanded of him a greater summe than he could pay or procure whose wealth consisted chieââ¦y in his Piety no currant Coin with the Pagan Danes So that after seven moneths imprisonment they barbarously murthered him near Greenwich about the year 1013. His Corps was first buried in Saint Pauls and then removed by the command of King Canutus to Canterbury Impudent Monks have almost as much wronged his memory as the Danes did his Person farcing his life with such abominable lies that thereby the very truth therein is rendred suspected AGELNOTH Son to Count Agelmar was a Calendred Saint in this County being Elected Archbishop of Canterbury from being Dean over the Canons in that Convent This is the first time I find the Dignity of Decanus or Dean in England so called from ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Ten having it seemeth at the first Inspection just over that Number though since an Heteroclite in England as either over fewer but Six in Norwich Bristol c. or many more in other Cathedrals He was so pious in his Life that he was commonly called the GOOD And here one may justly wonder God having two Grand Epithets OPTIMUS and MAXIMUS most give the former the go-by and strive onely for the latter to be the Greatest though Greatnesse without Goodnesse is both Destructive to him that hath it and Dangerous to all others about him Going to Rome to get his Pall from the Pope by him he was courteously entertained and deserved his welcome who gave him saith my Author for the Arm of Saint Augustine Bishop of Hippo one hundred Talents of Silver and one Talent of Gold citing Bishop Godwin for his author But indeed that Bishop though reporting the hundred Talents of Silver mentioneth not at all that of Gold Perchance Mr. Weaver had lately read still obversing his fancy how Pharaoh K. of Egypt having taken away King Jehoahash condemned the land in An Hundred Talents of Silver and A Talent of Gold and to me it is a double wonder First that this Archbishop would give Secondly that he could give living in a harraged Land wherein so much Misery and little Money so vast a sum However this mindeth me of a passage in Saint Augustine speaking of the Reliques of the deceased Si tamen Martyrum if so they be of Martyrs and let me chuse the words of this Father on this Father Si tamen Augustini If this were the arm of Saint Augustine and not of some other Ordinary not to say Infamous person Well were one as good a Mathematician as He who collected the Stature of Hercules from the length of his Foot it were easie to proportion the Price of Saint Augustines whole body from this valuation of his arme And now having so dearly bought it let him dispose thereof as he pleaseth and let no man grudge if he gave it to Coventry rather than Canterbury He expended much in repairing or rather renewing of his Cathedral of Canterbury lately destroyed by the Danes assisted therein by the bounty of King Canutus who at the instance and by the advice of this Prelate did many worthy works Our Agelnoth after he had set 17. years in his See died October 29. in the year 1038. Martyrs WILLIAM WHITE was born in this County and entering into Orders became a great maintainer of the Opinions of Wicliffe He was the first married Priest in England since the Popes solemn prohibition thereof I find Johan his wife commended for her modesty and patience and that she was conjux talidigna marito Indeed she shared very deep in her husbands sufferings hardly coming off with her life at the last For he though leaving his living as unsafe to hold still kept his calling and preached about all the Eastern parts of the Land The same mouth which commanded the Disciples in time of Peace Goe not from house to house so to avoid the censure of Levity advised them also when ye are persecuted in one City fly to another so to provide for their own security Such the constant practice of this W. VVhite who was as a Partridge dayly on the wing removing from place to place At last he was seised on at Norwich by VVilliam Alnwick the cruel Bishop thereof and charged with 30 Articles for which he was condemned and burnt at Norwich in September 1428. He was the Protomartyr of all born in this County and had not five before him in all England who suffered merely for Religion without any mixture of matter of State charged upon them As for MARIAN Martyrs we meet with many in this County though not to be charged on Cardinal Pool Arch-bishop of Canterbury further then his bare permission thereof It is observed of Bears that they love to kill their own Prey and except forced by Famine will not feed on what was dead before Such a Bear was bloody Bonner who was all for the quick and not for the dead whilest clean contrary Cardinal Pool let the living alone and vented his spleen onely on the dead whom he could wrong but not hurt burning the bones of Martin Bucer and Paulus Phagius at Cambridge Such Martyrs therefore as suffered in this Shire were either by the cruelty of Griffin Bishop of Rochester or of Thornton Suffragan of Dover Confessors SIMON FISH Esquire was born in this County bred a Lawyer in Graies-Inn London Here he acted that part in a Tragedy wherein the pride
County a place so named as it seems from some noxious and malignant herbs growing therein What the natural plants there may be I know not sure the moral ones are excellent which hath produced so many of the Honourable Family of the Wottons Of whom this Nicholas Doctor of Civil Laws bred in Oxford may be termed a Center of Remarkables so many met in his person 1. He was Dean of the two Metropolitan Churches of Canterbury and York 2. He was the first Dean of those Cathedrals 3. He was Privy Councellor to four successive Soveraigns King Henry the eight King Edward the sixth Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth 4. He was employed Thirteen several times in Embassies to forraign Princes Now because there are some of so diffident Natures that they will believe no total summe except they peruse the particulars let them satisfie themselves with what followeth Five times to Charls the fifth Emperor Once to Philip his Son King of Spain Once to Francis the first King of France Once to Mary Queen of Hungary Governess of the Netherlands Twice to William Duke of Clive Once to renew the peace between England France and Scotland Anno Dom. 1540. Again to the same purpose at Cambra 1549. Once sent Commissioner with others to Edinbourgh in Scotland 1560. We must not forget how in the first of Queen Elizabeth the Archbishoprick of Canterbury was proffered unto and refused by him He died January the twenty sixth Anno Dom. 1566. being about seventy years of age and was buried in Canterbury GILES FLETCHER brother of Richard Fletcher Bishop of London was born in this County as I am credibly informed He was bred first in Eaton then in Kings Colledge in Cambridge where he became Doctor of Law A most excellent Poet a quality hereditary to his two Sons Giles and Phineas Commissioner into Scotland Germany and the Low-Countries for Queen Elizabeth and her Embassador into Russia Secretary to the City of London and Master of the Court of Requests His Russian Embassie to settle the English Merchandise was his master-piece to Theodor Juanowich Duke of Muscovia He came thither in a dangerous juncture of time viz. in the end of the year 1588. First some forraigners I will not say they were the Hollanders envying thâ⦠free Trade of the English had done them bad offices Secondly a false report was generally believed that the Spanish Armado had worsted the English Fleet and the Duke of Muscovy who measured his favour to the English by the possibility he apprehended of their returning it grew very sparing of his smiles not to say free of his frowns on our Merchants residing there However our Doctor demeaned himself in his Embassie with such cautiousness that he not only escaped the Dukes fury but also procured many priviledges for our English Merchants exemplified in Mr. Hackluit Returning home and being safely arrived at London he sent for his intimate friend Mr. Wayland Prebendary of S. Pauls and Senior Fellow of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge Tutor to my Father from whose mouth I received this report with whom he heartily exprest his thankfulnesse to God for his safe return from so-great a danger for the Poets cannot fansie Ulrsses more glad to be come out of the Den of Polyphemus than he was to be rid out of the power of such a barbarous Prince who counting himself by a proud and voluntary mistake Emperour of all Nations cared not for the Law of all Nations and who was so habited in blood that had he cut off this Embassadors head he and his friends might have sought their own amends but the question is where he would have found it He afterwards set forth a Book called The Russian Commonwealth expressing the Government or Tyranny rather thereof wherein saith my Author are many things most observable But Queen Elizabeth indulging the reputation of the Duke of Muscovy as a confederate Prince permitted not the publick printing of that which such who have private Copies know to set the valuation thereon I cannot attain the certain date of his death Physicians ROBERT FLOID who by himself is latined Robertus de Fluctibus was born in this County and that of a Knightly Family as I am informed bred as I take it in Oxford and beyond the Seas A deep Philosopher and great Physician who at last fixed his habitation in Fan-Church-Street London He was of the Order of the Rosa-Crucians and I must confesse my self ignorant of the first Founder and Sanctions thereof perchance none know it but those that are of it Sure I am that a Rose is the sweetest of Flowers and a Cross accounted the sacredest of forms or figures so that much of eminency must be imported in their composition His Books written in Latine are great many and mystical The last some impute to his Charity clouding his high matter with dark language left otherwise the lustre thereof should dazle the understanding of the Reader The same phrases he used to his Patients and seeing conceit is very contributive to the well working of Physick their fancy or faith-natural was much advanced by his elevated expressions His works are for the English to sleight or admire for French and Forraigners to understand and use not that I account them more judicious than our own Countrymen but more inquiring into such difficulties The truth is here at home his Books are beheld not so good as Chrystal which some say are prized as precious pearls beyond the Seas But I conclude all with the Character which my worthy though concealed Friend thus wrote upon him Lucubrationibus quas solebat edere profusissimas semper visus est plus sumere laboris quam Populares nostri volebant fructum quia hunc fere negligebant prae tedio legendi prejudicio quodam oleam perdendi operamque ob CABALAM quam scripta ejus dicebantur olere magis quam PERIPATUM ob ferventius hominis ingenium in quo plerique requirebant Judicium He died on the eighth of September Anno Dom. 1637. WILLIAM HARVEY Son of Thomas Harvey was born at Folkston in this County His Father had a Week of Sons whereof this William bred to learning was the eldest his other brethren being bound Apprentices in London and all at last ended in effect in Merchants They got great Estates and made their Father the Treasurer thereof who being as skilful to purchase Land as they to gain Money kept employed and improved their gainings to their great advantage so that he survived to see the meanést of them of far greater estate than himself Our William was bred in Caius Colledge in Cambridge where he proceeded Doctor of Physick Five years also he studied at Padua making a good Composition of Forraign and Domestick learning So that afterwards he was for many years Physician to King Charles the First And not only Doctor Medecinae but Doctor Medicorum For this was he that first found out the Circulation of the Blood an
whom the Cheif Justice therin said Your Kinsman was my Predecessour in the Court and a great Lawyer My Lord replied the Gentleman he was a very honest man for he left a small estate But indeed though his estate was not considerable compared to his Successors then present it was in it self of a good valuation Writers WILLIAM DE LEICESTER otherwise called William de Montibus which I would willingly English William of the Woulds was born in Leicester in this County bred in Oxford where he was Doctor and Professor of Divinity so eminent for his Learning that he was known to and much beloved by the Nobility of the land He was also known by the name of Mr. William an evidence I assure you sufficient to avouch his Majesterialty in all Learning He was removed to Lincolne and became first Canon then Chancelour of the Church Boston of Bury reckoneth up many and Learned Books of his making He flourished under King John 1210. and lyeth buryed at Lincolne RICHARD BELGRAVE was born saith J. Pitz at Chichester in Sussex but at Belgrave in Leicester-shire saith Mr. William Burton whom I rather beleive because he wrote a particular Description of this County Now surely the more is the exactness of the Authour the less the extent of his Subject especially making it his Set-work what was Pits his by-work to observe the Natives of this Shire But both agree him to be a Carmelite bred in Cambridge an excellent Divine and good Schoolman more Learned then eloquent He wrote one Book of Theological Determinations and another of Ordinary Questions flourishing in the year 1220 under King Edward the Second ROBERT DE LEICESTER was born therein but bred in Oxford a Franciscan Fryer He was one of those who brought preaching into Fashion in that age and was much esteemed for his faculty therein by most of the Nobility But Robert Mascall Bishop of Hereford as pious and learned as any in that age had an extraordinary affection for him Our Leicestrian Robert appeareth also a good Chronologer having written judiciously of the Hebrew and Roman Computation In his reduced age he retired to Leichfield where he dyed and was buryed in the Monastery of the Franciscans 1348. THOMAS RATCLIF born at Ratcliffe in this County was bred an Augustinian in Leicester where he was Ordinis sui Episcopus strain the Word no higher then to overseer of his order He had Ingenium fecundum amplum and pity it was that he had Vitae institutum sterile angustum However to enlarge his Soul he wrote divers Books and flourished anno 1360. BARTHOLOMEVV CULIE was born at Radoliffe-Culie in this County as the exact Describer thereof avoucheth And therefore Pitz committeth a double mistake about this One Writer first calling him Conway then making him a Welshman by his Nativity How hard is it to commit one and but one Error This Bartholomew was an excellent Philosopher and wrote a Book of Generation and Corruption and although J. Pitz. confesseth himself ignorant of the time he lived in my Authour assureth me that he flourished under King Edward the third WILLIAM DE LUBBENHAM was born at Lubbenham in this County brought up in Oxford a good Philosopher and a Divine was after a White Fryer or Carmelite in Coventry and after became Provincial of the Order which place he kept till he dyed He wrote upon Aristotles Posteriors and one Book of ordinary Questions He dyed in the White Fryers in Coventry 1361. in the 36. year of K. Edward the Third JEFFERY DE HARBY was born at Harby in this County and bred in Oxford where he became Provincial of the Augustines and Confessor to K. Edward the Third Wonder not when meeting with so many Confessors to that King presuming he had but one at one time Conscience not standing on State and variety in that kind For know King Edward reigned 50. years and Confessors being aged before admitted to their place his Vivaciousnesse did wear out many of them Besides living much beyond the Seas it is probable that he had his Forraign and his Home Confessors Our Jeffery was also of his Privy Counsel being as prudent to advise in matters politick as pious in spiritual concernments Such as admired he was not preferred to some wealthy Bishoprick must consider that he was ambitious and covetous to be poor and wrote a violent Book in the praise and perfection thereof against Armachanus Dying in London he was buryed in the Church of the Augustines about the Year 1361. WILLIAM DE FOLVIL was born at Ashbye-Folvil in this County and therefore when Bale calleth him Lincolniensem understand him not by County but by Diocesse He was bred a Franciscan in the University of Cambridge and engaged himself a great Master of defence in that doughty quarrel pro pueris induendis that children under the age of 18. might be admitted into Monastical orders For whereas this was then complained of as a great and general grievance that by such preproperous Couling of Boyes and vailing of Girles Parents were cozened out of their children and children cozened out of themselves doing in their Minority they knew not what and repenting in their maturity not knowing what to do our Folvil with more passion then reason maintained the legality thereof He dyed and was buryed in Stamford anno 1384. HENRY DE KNIGHTON was born at Knighton in this County sometime Abbot of Leicester who wrote his History from William the Conquerour to the time of King Richard the Second in whose Reign he dyed It seemeth Lelandus non vidit omnia nor his shadow Bale nor his shadow Pits all three confessing that the History of this Knighton never came to their hands Whereas of late it hath been fairly printed with other Historians on the commendable cost of Cornelius Bee Thus it is some comfort and contentment to such whom Nature hath denyed to be Mothers that they may be drye Nurses and dandle Babes in their Laps whom they cannot bear in their Wombs And thus this Industrious Stationer though no Father hath been Foster Father to many worthy Books to the great profit of posterity WILLIAM WOODFORD I cannot fixe his Nativity with any certainty because so many Woods and Fords and would the former did continue as well as the latter and consequently so many Towns called Woodfords in England He is placed here because his Surname in this age flourished in great Eminency in this County He was bred a Franciscan and though Bilious Bale giveth him the Character of Indoctè Doctus we learn from Leland that he was one of profound Learning and Thomas Waldensis owneth and calleth him Magistrum suum His Master Indeed Woodford set him the first Copy of Railing against Wickliffe being deputed by T. Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury to confute publickly in Writing his Opinions He dyed and was buryed at Colchester 1397. THOMAS LANGTON was born at
West-Langton in this County bred a Carmelite in London but first brought up in Oxford He wrote a Book of their own ordinary Acts another called The Tryal of Henry Crump Doctor in Divinity another Book against the Errors of the said Doctor Crump Reader We are beholden to my Author for retriving this Writers memory which otherwise appears not in Leland Bale or Pits He flourished under K. Henry the fourth anno Dom. 1400. ROBERT DE HARBY was born at Harby in this County bred a Carmelite in their Covent at Lincolne He seems to be a Doctor in Divinity and surely was a great Adorer of the Virgin Mary writing many Sermons of her Festivities He flourished 1450. RICHARD TURPIN was born at Knaptoft in this County very lately if not still in the possession of that antient Family and was one of the Gentlemen of the English Garrison of Calis in France in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth Such Soldiers generally in time of VVar had too much in time of Peace to little work to employ themselves therein Commendable therefore the Industry of this Richard who spent his spare hours in writing of a Chronicle of his time He dyed Anno Domini 1541. in the ãâã fifth year of the aforesaid Kings reign This I observe the rather that the Reader may not run with me on the rock of the same mistake who in my apprehension confounded him with Richard Turpin the Herauld first Blew-mantle and then created Winsor in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth Writers Since the Reformation HENRY SMITH Commonly called Silver-tongued Smith Preacher at St. Clemenââ¦s Danes But I refer the Reader to his Life writ by me at large and preposed to his Printed Sermons JOHN DUPORT D. D. Son to Tho. Duport Esquire was born at Shepshed in this County bred fellow then Master of Jesus Colledge in Cambridge once Proctour and thrice Vice-chancelour of that University He was one of the Translators of the Bible and a Reverend man in his Generation who bestowed the perpetual Advowsance of the Rectory of Harston on the Colledge Men generally in Scripture are notified by their Fathers seldome by their Sons as Simon of Cyrene father of Alexander and Rufus Persons no doubt of signal worth in that Age. Thus this Doctor is remarkable for his Son by Rachel Daughter to Richard Cox Bishop of Ely James Duport D.D. Fellow of Trinity Colledge and lately Greek Professor happy in the Education of many hopefull Pupils of Worship and Honour as they more happy in so able a Tutor His Father D. John Duport deceased 1617. WILLIAM BURTON Esquire son of Ralph Burton of Lindley in this County who had a more ancient Inheritance belonging to his name at Falde in Staffordshire a place remarkable because no Adder Snake or Lizard common in the Confines were ever seen therein as if it were a Land-Island and an Ireland in England This VVilliam was born at Lindley August 24. 1575. bred in Brazen-nose Colledge and wrote an Alphabetical Description of the Towns and Villages in this County with the Arms and Pedegrees of the most ancient Gentry therein The sparks of his Ingenuity herein have since set fire on Mr. Dugdale my worthy Friend to do the like to Warwickshire lately under one Sheriff with Leicester-shire and I hope in process of time they may inflame many others into imitation that so give me leave to match an English and Greek word together the County Graphy of our Land may be compleated ROBERT BURTON his younger Brother born Febr. 8. 1575. afterwards Student of Christs-Church Oxon and Batchellor of Divinity He wrote an excellent Book commonly called Democritus Junior of the Anatomy of Melancholy none to the Native to describe a Countrey wherein he hath piled up variety of much excellent Learning On whose Tomb is this Epitaph Paucis notus paucioribus `ignotus Hic jacet Democritus junior Cui vitam-pariter mortem Dedit Melancholia Scarce any Book of Philology in our Land hath in so short a time passed so many Impressions He died Rector of Segrave presented by his Patron George Lord Berkeley in this County about 1636. RICHARD VINES was born at Blazon in this County and bred in Magdalen Colledge in Cambridge where he commenced Master of Arts. Now although many healthfull souls in their age break out in their youth he was never given to any extravagancy Hence he was chosen School-master of Hinckley in this County a Profession wherein many a good Minister hath been and it is pity that any but a good man should be imployed Entring the Ministry after other intermediate places such as are his Censurers would be his Compurgators if privie to the weighty causes of his just removal he was fixed at last at S. Lawrence Jury in Lonââ¦on An excellent Preacher skilfull to cut out Doctrines in their true shape naturally raised to sew them up with strong stitches substantially proved and set them on with advantage on such backs who should wear them effectually applied He was one yea I may say one of sevenscore in the Assembly The Champion of their Party therefore called their Luther much imployed in their Treaties at Uxbridge and Isle of Wight His Majesty though of a different Judgement valued him for his Ingenuity seldome speaking unto him without touching if not moving his Hat Which by Master Vines was returned though otherwise blunt and unobservant with most respectfull Language and Gestures which I will not say was done by all his fellow Divines there present He was most charitably moderate to such as dissented from him though most constant to his own Principles witness his forsaking of his Mastership of Pembroke-Hall for refusing of the Engagement Such who charged him with covetuousness are confuted with the small Estate he left to his Wife and Children It seemeth that the sand in his hour-glass though sticking high on each side was but hollow in the middle for it sunk down on sudden Visible decays appeared in him a year before his death though rather in his Limbs than Parts Spirits than Spirit But alas the best Mind cannot make good Musick where the Instrument of the Body is out of tune his speech grew very low Not a week before his death preaching in S. Gregories a rude fellow cried out unto him Lift up your voice for I cannot hear you to whom Mr. Vines returned Lift you up your ears for I can speak no lowder Indeed his strength was much spent by his former pains so that some suppose had he wrought less he had lived longer He was buried Febr. the 7. 1655. in his own Parish Church where Mr Jacome modestly and learnedly performed his Funeral Sermon Much lamented as by many others so by his own Parish where he piously indeavoured to make them all of one piece who were of different colours and to unite their Judgements who dissented in Affections JOHN CLEVELAND was born in this County at Hinckley where his Father was Vicââ¦r
By Pope Gregory the Ninth he was made Cardinal of St. Stephens anno 1231. He was a true Lover of his Countrymen and could not abide to hear them abused the cause that his choler was twice raised when the Pope said in his Presence that there was not a faithful man in England though wisely he repressed his Passion After this Pope Gregories death he was the formost of the ãâã Elects for the Papacy and on fair play the most probable person to carry the place but he was double barr'd First because an honest man as any in that age Secondly because an English-man the Italians desiring to Monopolize the choice to themselves Hereupon in the Holy Conclave the better place the better deed he was made away by poison to make room for Celestine to succeed him who sate that skittish place but a short time dying 17. days after our Somercots death which happened anno Dom. 1241. Prelates WILLIAM of GANESBOROUGH was born in that Fair Market Town which performeth more to the Eye then Fame hath reported to the Ear thereof He was bred a Franciscan in Oxford and became the Twenty fifth Lecturer of his Order He was afterwards sent over by King Edward the first with Hugh of Manchester to Philip King of France to demand reparation for some Dammages in Aquitaine He was a mighty Champion of the Popes Infallibility avowing that what David indulged to his Son Adonijah never saying unto him why didst thou so ought to be rendred by all to his Holynesse being not to be called to an account though causing the Damnation of thousands I remember when I was in Cambridge some thirty years since there was a Flying though false report that Pope Urban the Eight was cooped up by his Cardinals in the Castle of St. Angelo Hereupon a waggish Scholar said jam ãâã est Papa non potest errare it was then true according to their received Intelligence that the Pope could not straggle or wander But our Ganesborough stoutly defended it in the literal sense against all opposers for which his good service Pope Boniface the Eight preferred him Bishop of Worcester where he sate 6. years and dyed 1308. WILLIAM AYRMIN was descended of an ancient Family in this County still extant in great Eminency of Estate at Osgodby therein He was for some time Keeper of the Seal and Vice-Chancellour to King Edward the Second at what time anno 1319. the following misfortune befell him and take the Original thereof out of an Anonymal Croniclering Manuscript Episcopus Eborum Episcopus Eliae Thesaurarius Abbas Beatae Mariae Eborum Abbas de Selbie Decanus Eborum Dominus Willielmus Arymanee Vice-Cancellarius Angliae ac Dominus Johannes Dabeham cum 8000. ferme hominum tam equitum quam peditum Civibus properanter Civitatem egredientes quoddam flumen Swale nuncupatum sparcis cuneis transeuntes indispositis seu potius confusis ordinibus cum Adversariis congressi sunt Scoti siquidem in Marte gnari amplitudinem eorum exercitus caute regentes in nostris agminibus strictis audacter irruerunt nostrorum denique in brevi laceratis cuneis atque dissipatis corruerunt ex nostris tam in ore gladii quam aquarum scopulis suffocati plusquam 4000. capti sunt Domini Johannes de Papeham Dominus Willièlmus de Arymanee ut praefertur de Cancellaria c. The Arch-bishop of York the bishop of Ely Lord Treasurer the Abbot of St. Maries in York the Abbot of Selby the Dean of York Mr. William Arymane Vice-Chancelour and Mr. John Dabehame with almost 8000. Men as well Horse as Foot and Citizens hastily going out of the City passing over a certain River called Swale with scattered parties and with disordered or rather confused Ranks encountred the Enemy The Scotch cunning in War waryly ruling the greatnesse of their Army boldly rushed on our Men with well ordered Troops and afterwards in short time having broken and scattered ouâ⦠Parties there fell of our Men with the mouth of the Sword and chok'd with the Water more then 4000. and Mr. Iohn de Pabehame and Mr. William Arymane of the Chancery as aforesaid were taken Prisoners Afterwards recovering his Liberty he was made Chancelour of England and bishop of Norwich in the 18. year of King Edward the Second He gave two hundred pounds to buy Land to maintain priests to say Masse for his Soul He dyed anno Dom. 1337. at Charing Cross nigh London when he had been eleven years bishop I am credibly informed that he bestowed the Mannor of Silk Willoughby in this County on his Family which with other Fair Lands is possessed by them at this day WILLIAM WAYNFLET was born at Waynflet in this County whence he took his Denomination according to the custome of Clergymen in that age For otherwise he was eldest Son to Richard Pattin an ancient Esquire in this County and I understand that at this day they remain at Barsloe in Darbyshire descended from the said Knight But of this worthy Prelate Founder of Magdalen-colledge in Oxford abundantly in my Church-History WILLIAM LYNVVOOD was born at Lynwood in this County and proceeded Doctor of the Laws probably rather by Incorporation then constant Education in Oxford long living a Commoner in Gunvil Hall in Cambridge He was Chancellor to the Archââ¦bishop of Canterbury Keeper of the Privy Seal to King Henry the Sixth and was employed in several Embassies into Spain and Portugall He wrote a learned Comment on the English provincial Constitutions from Stephen Langhton to Archbishop Chichley and his pains at last was rewarded with the Bishoprick of St. Davids where he dyed 1446. WILLIAM ASCOUGH was descended of a worshipful and very ancient Family now living at Kelsey in this County the variation of a Letter importing nothing to the contrary I have seen at Sarisbury his Arms with allusion to the Arms of that House and some Episcopal addition Such likeness is with me a better Evidence then the samenesse knowing that the Clergy in that age delighted to disguise their Coats from their Paternal bearing He was bred Doctor of the Laws a very able man in his profession became Bishop of Sarum confessor to King Henry the Sixth and was the first as T. Gascoigne relateth of Bishops who discharged that Office as then conceived beneath the place Some will say if King Henry answered the character commonly received of his Sanctity his Confessor had a very easie performance Not so for always the most conscientious are the most scrupulous in the confession of their sins and the particular enumeration of the circumstances thereof It happened that I. Cade with his cursed crew many of them being the Tennants of this Bishop fell fowl on this Prelate at Edington in this shire Bishop Godwin saith Illi quam ob causam infensi non habââ¦o compertum He could not tell why they should be so incensed against him But I conceive it was because he was learned pious and
King Iames Bishop of Salisbury He dyed in his calling having begun to put in print an excellent book against Atheists most useful for our age wherein their sin so aboundeth His Death happened March 11. 1619. not two full years after his Consecration Statesmen EDVVARD FINES Lord Clinton Knight of the Garter was Lord Admiral of England for more then thirty years a Wise Valiant and Fortunate Gentleman The Masterpeice of his service was in Mustleborough Field in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth and the Battail against the Scots Some will wonder what a Fish should do on dry Land what use of an Admiral in a Land fight But know the English kept themselves close to the shore under the shelter of their ships and whilst their Arrows could do little their spears lesse their swords nothing against the Scots who appeared like a hedge of Steel so well armed and closed together the great Ordnance from their ships at first did all making such destruction in the Scottish army that though some may call it a Land-fight it was first a Victory from the sea and then but an Execution on the Land By Queen Elizabeth who honoured her honours by bestowing them sparingly he was created Earl of Lincoln May 4. 1574. and indeed he had breadth to his height a proportionable estate chiefly in this County to support his Dignity being one of those who besides his paternal Inheritance had much increased his estate He dyed January the sixteenth 1585. and lyeth buryed at Windsor in a private chappel under a stately Monument which Elizabeth his third Wife Daughter to the Earl of Kildare erected in his Remembrance THOMAS WILSON Doctor of Laws was born in this County bred Fellow of Kings-Colledge in Cambridge and afterwards was Tutor in the same University to Henry and Charles Brandons successively Dukes of Suffolk Hard shift he made to conceal himself in the Reign of Queen Mary Under Queen Elizabeth he was made Master of the Hospital of St. Katharines nigh the Tower of London upon the same Token that he took down the Quire which my Author saith allow him a little Hyperbole was as great as the Quire at St. Pauls I am loth to believe it done out of Covetousnesse to gain by the materials thereof but would rather conceive it so run to Ruin that it was past repairing He at last became Secretary of State to Q. Elizabeth for four years together It argues his ability for the place because he was put into it Seeing in those active times under so judicious a Queen weaknesse might despair to be employed in such an office He dyed anno dom 15. THOMAS Lord BURGE or BOROUââ¦H Son to William Lord Burge Grandson to Thomas Lord Burge created Baron by King Henry the Eight was born in his Fathers Fair house at Gainsborough in this County His first publick appearing was when he was sent Embassador into Scotland anno 1593. to excuse Bothwell his lurking in England to advise the speedy suppressing of the Spanish Faction and to advance an effectual association of the Protestants in that Kingdome for their Kings defence which was done accordingly Now when Sir William Russel Lord Deputy of Ireland was recalled this Lord Tho. Burgh was substituted in his room anno 1597. Mr. Camden doth thus character him Vir acer animi plenus ââ¦ed nullis fere castrorum rudimentis But where there is the stock of Valour with an able brain Experience will soon be graffed upon it It was first thought fit to make a Months Truce with Tyrone which cessation like a Damm made their mutual animosities for the present swell higher and when removed for the future run the fiercer The Lord Deputy the Truce expired streightly besieged the Fort of Blackwater the only Receptacle of the Rebells in those parts I mean besides their Woods and Bogs the Key of the County of Tyrone This Fort he took by Force and presently followed a bloody Battle wherein the English paid dear for their Victory loosing many worthy men and amongst them two that were Foster brothers Fratres Collactanei to the Earl of Kildare who so layed this losse to his heart amongst the Irish Foster brethren are loved above the Sons of their fathers that he dyed soon after Tyrons credit now lay a bleeding when to stanch it he rebesieged Blackwater and the Lord Deputy whilst indevouring to relieve it was struck with untimely death before he had continued a whole year in his place All I will add is this that it brake the heart of Valiant Sir John Norris who had promised the Deputies place unto himself as due to his deserts when this Lord Burgh was superinduced into that Office His Relict Lady famous for her Charity and skill in Chirurgery lived long in Westminster and dyed very aged some twenty years since WILLIAM CECIL Know Reader before I go farther something must be premised concerning his position in this Topick Virgil was prophane in his flattery to Augustus Caesar profering him his free choice after his death to be ââ¦anked amongst what heathen Gods he pleased so that he might take his place either amongst those of the Land which had the oversight of Men and Cities or the Sea-Gods commanding in the Ocean or the Skye-Gods and become a new Constellation therein But without the least adulation we are bound to profer this worthy Peer his own election whether he will be pleased to repose himself under Benefactors to the Publick all England in that age being beholden to his bounty as well as the poor in Standford for whom he erected a fair Bead-house acknowledging under God and the Queen their prosperity the fruit of his prudence Or else he may rest himself under the title of Lawyers being long bred in the Inns of Court and more learned in our Municipal-Law then many who made it their sole profession However for the present we lodge this English Nestor for wisdome and vivacitie under the notion of States-men being Secretarie and Lord-Treasurer for above thirty years together Having formerly written his life at large it will be enough here to observe that he was born at Bourn in this County being son to Richard Cecil Esq of the Robes to King Henry the eighth and a Legatee in his Will and Jane his Wife of whom hereafter He was in his age Moderator Aulae steering the Court at his pleasure and whilst the Earl of Leichester would indure no equall and Sussex no superiour therein he by siding with neither served himself with both Incredible was the kindness which Queen Elizabeth had for him or rather for her self in him being sensible that he was so able a Minister of State Coming once to visit him being sick of the Goute at Burley house in the Strand and being much heightned with her Head Attire then in fashion the Lords Servant who conducted her thorow the door May your Highness said he be pleased to stoop the Queen
of the Carmelites in a Synode at Narbone deputed two English Provincials of that Order to the great grievance of our Lidlington refusing to subscribe to the Decisions of that Synode His stubbornesse cost him an Excommunication from Pope Clement the Fifth and four years Pennance of banishment from his Native Country Mean time our Lidlington living at Paris acquired great credit unto himself by his Lectures and Disputations At last he was preferred Provincial of the Carmelites in Palestine whence from Mount Carmel he fetched their Original and he himself best knew whether the Depth of his profit answered the Heigth of his Honour therein which I suspect the rather because returning into England he dyed and was buryed at Stanford anno Dom. 1309. NICHOLAS STANFORD He was born at that well-known Town once offering to be an University and bred a Bernardine therein The Eulogy given him by Learned Leland ought not to be measured by the Yard but weighed in the ballance Admirabar hominem ejus aetatis tam argute tam solido tamque significanter potuisse scribere I admired much that a man of his age could write so smartly so solidly so significantly Understand him not that one so infirm with age or decrepit in years but that one living in so ignorant and superstitious a generation could write so tercely flourishing as may be collected about the year of our Lord 1310. JOHN BLOXHAM was born at that Town in this County and bred a Carmelite in Chester I confess it is a common expression of the Country folk in this County when they intend to character a dull heavy blundering person to say of him he was born at Bloxham but indeed our Iohn though there first incradled had acuteness enough and some will say activity too much for a Fryer He advantagiously fixed himself at Chester a City in England nere Ireland and not far from Scotland much conducing to his ease who was supream prefect of his Order through those three Nations for two years and a half For afterwards he quitted that place so great was his employment under King Edward the second and third in several Embassies into Scotland and Ireland flourishing anno 1334. JOHN HORNBY was born in this County bred a Carmelite D. D. in Cambridge In his time happened a tough contest betwixt the Dominicans and Carmelites about Priority Plaintiffe Judges Defendant Dominican  Carmelite Iohn Stock or Stake rather so sharp and poinant his pen left marks in the Backs of his Adversaries Iohn Donwick the Chancellor and the Doctors of the University Iohn Hornby who by his preaching and writing did vindicate the seniority of his Order But our Hornby with his Carmelites clearly carried away the Conquest of precedency and got it confirmed under the authentique seal of the University However the Dominicans desisted not to justle with them for the upper hand until Henry the Eight made them friends by thrusting both out of the Land Our Hornby flourished anno Domini 1374 and was buried at his Convent in Boston BOSTON of BURY for so he is generally called I shall endevour to restore him first to his true name then to his native countrey Some presume Boston to be his Christian of Bury his Sirname But seeing Boston is no Font-name and Godfathers were consciencious in those dayes I appeal to all English Antiquaries in imposing if not Scripture or Saints names yet such as were commonly known the christianizing of Sirnames to baptized Infants being of more modern devise we cannot concur with their judgment herein And now thanks be to Doctor Iohn Caius who in the Catalogue of his Authors cited in the Defence of the Antiquity of Cambridge calleth him Iohn Boston of Bury being born at and taking his Sirname from Boston in this County which was customary for the Clergymen in those dayes though he lived a Monk in Bury Thus in point of Nativities Suffolk hath not lost but Lincoln-shire hath recovered a Writer belonging unto it He Travelled all over England and exactly perused the Library in all Monastaries whereby he was enabled to write a Catalogue of Ecclesiasticall Writers as well Forraign as English extant in his age Such his acuratness as not only to tell the Initiall words in Every of their Books but also to point at the place in each Library where they are to be had John Leland oweth as much to this Iohn Boston as Iohn Bale doth to him and Iohn Pits to them both His Manuscript was never Printed nor was it my happiness to see it but I have often heard the late Reverend Arch-Bishop of Armagh rejoyce in this that he had if not the first the best Copie thereof in Europe Learned Sir James WARE transcribed these Verses out of it which because they conduce to the clearing of his Nativity I have here Inserted Requesting the Reader not to measure his Prose by his Poetry though he dedicated it to no meaner then Henry the fourth King of England Qui legis hunc Librum Scriptorum Rex Miserere Dum scripsit vere non fecit ut aestimo pigrum Si tibi displiceat veniat tua Gratia grandis Quam cunctis pandis haec sibi sufficiat Scriptoris nomen Botolphi Villa vocatur Qui condemnatur nisi gratum det Deus Omen Sure it is that his Writings are Esteemed the Rarity of Rarities by the lovers of Antiquitys which I speak in Humble Advice to the Reader if possessed thereof to keep and value them if not not to despise his Books if on any Reasonable price they may be procured This Iohn Boston flourished Anno Dom. 1410. LAURENCE HOLEBECK was born saith my Author Apud Girvios that is amongst the Fenlanders I confess such people with their Stilts do stride over much ground the parcells of severall Shires Norfolk Suffolk Cambridg Huntington Northampton Lincolnshire But I have fixed him right in this County where Holebeck is not far from Crowland in Holland He was bred a Monk in the Abby of Ramsey and was very well skill'd in the Hebrew Tongue according to the rate of that Age. For the English-men were so great strangers in that Language that even the Priests amongst them in the Reign of King Henry the Eight as Erasmus reporteth Isti quicquid non intelligunt Haebraicum vocant counted all things Hebrew which they did not understand and so they reputed a Tablet which he wrote up in Walsingham in great Roman Letters out of the Rode of Common Cognizance Holebeck made an Hebrew Dictionary which was counted very exact according to those days I. Pitz doth heavyly complaine of Robert Wakefeild the first Hebrew Professor in Cambridg that he purloined this Dictionary to his private use whereon all I will observe is this It is resolved in the Law that the taking of another mans Sheep is Felony whilst the taking away of a Sheep-Pasture is but a Trespass the party pretending a right thereunto Thus I know many men so Conscientious that
given to their stipend by William Cecil Lord Treasurer but it seems that since some Intervening accident hath hindered it from taking the true effect JANE CECIL Wife to Richard Cecil Esquire and co-heire to the worshipfull Families of Ekington and Wallcot was born in this County and lived the maine of her life therein Job speaking of parents deceased His Sons saith he come to honour and he knoweth it not but God gave this good woman so long a life abating but little of an hundred years that she knew the preferment of her Son William ââ¦ecil for many years in her life Lord Treasurer of England I say she knew it and saw it and joyed at it and was thankfull to God for it for well may we conclude her gratitude to God from her Charity to man At her own charges Anno 1561. She Leded and Paved the Friday Market Cross in Stamford Besides fifty pound given to the Poor and many other Benefactions Her last Will was made Anno Dom. 1588. But she survived some time after and lies buried in the same Vault with her Son in St. Martins in Stamford GEORGE TRIGG Gentleman was as I collect a Native of this County he gave Anno Dom. 1586 four hundred pounds to be lent out for ever upon good security without Interest to Poor young Trads-men and Artificers in Stamford He also bestowed a Tenement upon the Parson and Poor of St. Johns in the same Town RICHARD SUTTON Esquire was born at Knaith in this County bred a Souldier in his Youth and was somwhat of Pay-Master by his place much mony therefore passing through some did lawfully stick on his fingers which became the bottom of his future Estate He was afterward a Merchant in London and gained great Wealth therein Such who charge him with Purblindness in his soul looking too close on the earth do themselves acquit him from Oppression that though Tenax he was not Rapax not Guilty of Covetousness but Parcimony Indeed there was a Merchant his Comrage whose name I will Conceal except the great Estate he left doth discover it with whom he had Company in Common but their Charges were severall to themselves when his friend in Travell called for two Faggots Mr. Sutton called for one when his friend for half a pint of Wine Mr. Sutton for a Gill under-spending him a Moity at last Mr. Sutton hearing of his friends death and that he left but fifty thousand pounds Estate I thought said ââ¦e he would dye no Rich man who made such needless expences Indeed Mr. Suttons Estate doubled his and he bestowed it all on Charter-House or Suttons Hospitall This is the Master-peice of Protestant English Charity designed in his life Compleated after his death Begun Continued and finished with Buildings and Endowments Sinâ⦠Causa Socia soly at his Charges Wherein Mr. Sutton appears peerless in all Christendom on an equall Standart and Valuation of Revenue As for the Canker of Popish Malice endeavouring to fret this fair Flower we have returned plentifull Answers to their Cavells in our Ecclesiasticall History Mr. Sutton died Anno Dom. 1611. ROBERT JOHNSON was born at Stamford whereof Maurice his Father had been chiefe Magistrate He was bred in Cambridge and entring into the Ministry he was beneficed at Luffenham in Rutland at what time that little County was at a great losse for the education of the Children therein and Mr. Johnson endeavoured a remedy thereof He had a rare faculty in requesting of others into his own desire and with his arguments could surprise a Miser into charity He effectually moved those of the Vicinage to contribute to the building and endowing of Schools Money or Money worth Stones Timber Carriage c. not flighting the smalest guift especially if proportionable to the Givers Estate Hereby finding none he left as many Free Schools in Rutland as there were Market Towns therein One at Oakeham another at Uppingham well faced with buildings and lined with endowments Hitherto he was only a Nurse to the Charity of others erecting the Schools aforesaid as my Author observeth who afterwards proved a fruitful parent in his own person becoming a considerable Benefactor to Emanuel and Sidney Colledges in Cambridge And though never dignified higher then Archdeacon of Leicester he left an Estate of one thousand pounds per Annum which descended to his posterity He dyed about the year of our Lord 1616. FRANCES WRAY Daughter to Sir Chichester Wray Lord chief Justice was born at Glentworth in this County and married first unto Sir George St. Paul of this County and afterwards to Robert Rich first Earl of Warwick of that Sirname She was a Pious Lady much devoted to charitable actions though I am not perfectly instructed in the particulars of her Benefactions Only I am sure Magdalen Colledge in Cambridge hath tasted largely of her Liberality who dyed in the beginning of the Reign of King Charles Memorable Persons JAMES YORKE a Blacksmith of Lincolne and an excellent Workman in his Profession Insomuch that if Pegasus himself would wear shoes this man alone is fit to make them contriving them so thin and light as that they would be no burthen to him But he is a Servant as well of Apollo as Vulcan turning his Stiddy into a Study having lately set forth a Book of Heraldry called the Union of Honour containing the Arms of the English Nobility and the Gentry of Lincolne-shire And although there be some mistakes no hand so steady as alwayes to hit the Nail on the head yet is it of singular use and industriously performed being set forth Anno 1640. Lord Maiors  Name Father Place Company Time 1 John Stockton Richard Stockton Bratoft Mercer 1470. 2 Nicholas Aldwin Richard Aldwin Spalding Mercer 1499. 3 William Rennington Robert Rennington Bostone Fishmonger 1500. 4 William Forman William Forman Gainsborough Haberdasher 1538. 5 Henry Hoberthorn Christ. Hoberthorn Waddingworth Merchant-Tay 1546. 6 Henry Amcoates William Amcoates Astrap Fishmonger 1548. 7 John Langley Robert Langley Althrope Goldsmith 1576. 8 Iohn Allot Richard Allot Limbergh Fishmonger 1590. 9 Nicholas Raynton Robert Raynton Highington Haberdasher 1632. The Names of the Gentrie of this County returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the sixth William Bishop of Lincoln Commissioners Lion de Welles Chivaler  Thomas Meres Knights of the Shire  Patricius Skipwith Knights of the Shire  Johannis Willoughby militis Roberti Ros militis Humfridi Littelbery armig Phillippi Tilney armigeri Johannis Copuldik armig Richardi Laund armigeri Willielmi Braunche armig Richardi Pynchebek Richardi Welby Richardi Benynington Willielmi Goding de Boston Gilberti Haltoft Will. Hughbert de Doning VVill. Quadring de Tofte Iohan. Pawlyn de Frampton VVill. VValcote de Spaldyng Thom. Overton de Swynshed Hug. Dandison de VVrangle Roberti Hughson de Boston Rich. Whiteb. de Gosberkirk Ioh. Docking de VVhaploade Will. Calowe de Holbetch Will. ââ¦awode de Whaploade Nich. Gyomer de
what is good for it but it is especially used for mollifying the hardness and opening the stopping of the Belly Manufactures Leather This though common to all Counties is entred under the Manufactures of Middlesex because London therein is the Staple-place of Slaughter and the Hides of beasts there bought are generally tanned about Enfield in this County A word of the antiquity and usefulness of this commodity Adams first suit was of leaves his second of Leather Hereof Girdles Shoes and many utensils not to speak of whole houses of Leather I mean Coaches are made Yea I have read how Frederick the second Emperour of Germany distressed to pay his Army made Monetam Coriaceam Coin of Leather making it currant by his Proclamation and afterwards when his Souldiers repayed it into his Exchequer they received so much silver in lieu thereof Many good-laws are made and still one wanting to enforce the keeping of them for the making of this Merchantable commodity and yet still much unsaleable leather is sold in our Markets The Lord Treasurer Barleigh who always consulted Artificers in their own Art was indoctrinated by a Cobler in the true Tanning of Leather This Cobler taking a slice of Bread tosted it by degrees at some distance from the fire turning many times till it became brown and hard on both sides This my Lord saith he we good Fellowes call a Tanned Tost done so well that it will last many mornings draughts and Leather thus leisurely tanned and turned many times in the Fat will prove serviceable which otherwise will quickly fleet and rag out And although that great Statesman caused Statutes to be made according to his instructions complaints in this kind daily continue and encrease Surely were all of that Occupation as honest as Simon the Tanner the entertainer of Simon Peter in Joppa they would be more conscientious in their calling Let me add what experience avoweth true though it be hard to assign the true cause thereof that when Wheat is dear Leather alwayes is cheap and when Leather is dear then Wheat is cheap The Buildings HAMPTON COURT was built by that pompous Prelate Cardinal Woolsey one so magnificent in his expences that whosoever considereth either of these three would admire that he had any thing for the other two left unto him viz. His House-building House-keeping House-furnishing He bestowed it on King Henry the eight who for the greater grace thereof erected it Princes can conferr dignities on Houses as well as persons to be an honour increasing it with buildings till it became more like a small City than a House Now whereas other royal Pallaces Holdenby Oatlands Richmond Theobalds have lately found their fatal period Hampton Court hath a happiness to continue in its former estate Non equidem invideo miror magis undique totis Usque adeo spoliatur agris I envy not its happy lot but rather thereat wonder There 's such a rout our Land throughout of Pallaces by Plunder Let me add that Henry the Eight enforrested the grounds hereabouts the last of that kinde in England though they never attained the full reputation of a Forrest in common discourse OSTERLY HOUSE now Sir William Wallers must not be forgotten built in a Park by Sir Thomas Gresham who here magnificently entertained and lodged Queen Elizabeth Her Majesty found fault with the Court of this House as too great affirming That it would appear more handsome if divided with a Wall in the middle What doth Sir Thomas but in the night-time sends for workmen to London money commands all things who so speedily and silently apply their business That the next morning discovered that Court double which the night had left single before It is questionable whether the Queen next day was more contented with the conformity to her fancy or more pleased with the surprize and sudden performance thereof Whilest her Courtiers disported themselves with their several expressions some avowing it was no wonder he could so soon change a Building who could Build a Change others reflecting on some known differences in this Knights Family affirmed That any house is easier divided than united Proverbs A Middlesex Clown Some English words innocent and in-offensive in their primitive Nation are bowed by Custome to a disgraceful sense as Villain originally nothing but a Dweller in a Village and Tiller of the Ground thereabouts Churle in Saxon Coorel a strong stout Husbandman Clown from Colonus one that plougheth the ground without which neither King nor Kingdome can be maintained of which Middlesex hath many of great Estates But some endeavour to fix the Jgnominious sense upon them as if more arrant Rusticks then those of their condition elsewhere partly because Nobility and Gentry are respectively observed according to their degree by People far distant from London less regarded by these Middlesexians frequency breeds familiarity because abounding thereabouts partly because the multitude of Gentry here contraries are mutuall Commentaries discover the Clownishness of others and render it more Conspicuous However to my own knowledge there are some of the Yeomantry in this County as compleatly Civill as any in England He that is a low Ebbe at Newgate may soon be a Flote at Tieburne I allow not this Satyricall Proverb as it makes mirth on men in Misery whom a meer man may pity for suffering and a good man ought to pity them for deserving it Tieburne some will have it so called from Tie and Burne because the poor Lollords for whom this instrument of Cruelty to them though of Justice to Malefactors was first set up had their necks tied to the Beame and their lower parts burnt in the fire Others will ââ¦ave it called from Twa and Burne that is two Rivolets which it seems meet near to the place But whencesoever it be called may all endeavour to keep themselves from it though one may justly be Confident that more souls have gone to Heaven from that place then from all the Churches and Church-yards in England When Tottenham-Wood is all on fire Then Tottenham-Street is naught but mire I find this Proverbe in the Description of Tottenham written by Mr. William Bedwell one of the most learned Translators of the Bible And seeing so grave a Divine stoop'd to solow a subject I hope I may be admitted to follow him therein He thus expoundeth the Proverb When Tottenham-Wood of many hundred-Acres on the top of an high hill in the West-end of the Parish hath a foggie mist hanging and hovering over it in manner of a smoak then generally foul weather followeth so that it serveth the Inhabitants instead of a Prognostication I am confident as much mire now as formerly in Tottenham-Street but question whether so much wood now as anciently on Tottenham-hill Tottenham is turn'd French I find this in the same place of the same Author but quoting it out of Mr. Heiwood It seems about the beginning of the Reign of King Henry the eigth French Mechanicks swarmed in
Rââ¦ward ãâã a Feild ãâã more safe and no less honourable in my Opinion Sir Ralph was of the second sort and the last which survived in England of that Order Yet was he little in stature tall not in person but performance Queen Eliz. made him Chanceââ¦our of the Dutchy During his last Embassie in Scotland his house at Standon in Herââ¦forashire was built by his Steward in his absence far greater then himself desired so that he never joyed therein and died soon after Anno 1587. in the 80 year of his age Howââ¦ver it hath been often filled with good Company and they feasted with great chear by the Hereditary Hospitality therein I must not forget how when this Knight attended his Master the Lord Cromwel at Rome before the English renounced the Papal power a ââ¦ardon wââ¦s granted not by his own but a Servants procuring for the Sins of that Famiââ¦y for three immediate Generations expiring in R. Sadlier Esquire lately dead which was extant but lately lost oâ⦠displaced amongst their Records and though no use was made thereof much mirth was made therewith Capital Judges and Writers on the Law Sir THOMAS FROVVICK Knight was born at Elinge in this County son to Thomas Frowick Esquire By his Wife who was Daughter and Heire to Sir John Sturgeon Knight giving for his Armes Azure three Sturgeons Or under a fret Gules bred in the study of our Municipal Law wherein he attained to such eminency that he was made Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas on the 39 of September in the 18 year of the Reign of King Henry the seventh Four years he sate in his place accounted the Oracle of Law in his Age though one of the youngest men that ever enjoyed that Office He is reported to have dyed floridâ juventute before full forty years old and lyeth buryed with Joane his Wife in the Church of Finchley in this County the Circumscription about his Monument being defaced onely we understand that his death hapned on the seventeenth of October 1506. He left a large Estate to his two Daughters whereof Elah the Eldest was married to Sir John Spelman one of the Justices of the Kings Bench Grand-Father to Sir Henry that Renowned Knight Sir WILLIAM STAMFORD Knight was of Staffordian extraction Robert his Grand-Father living at Rowley in that County But William his Father was a Merchant in London and purchased Lands at Hadley in Middlesex where Sir William was born August 22. 1509. He was bred to the study of our Municipal Lawes attaining so much eminence therein that he was preferred one of the Judges of the Common Pleas His most learned Book of the Pleas of the Crown hath made him for ever famous amongst men of his own profession There is a Spirit of Retraction of one to his native Country which made him purchase Lands and his son settle himself again in Staffordshire this worthy Judge died August 28 and was buried at Hadley in this Shire in the last year of the Reign of Queen Mary 1558. Writers JOHN ACTON I find no fewer then seventeen Actons in England so called as I conceive Originally from Ake in Saxon an Oake wherewith antiently no doubt those Townes were well stored But I behold the place nigh London as the Paramount Acton amongst them Our Iohn was bred Doctor of the Laws in Oxford and afterwards became Canon of Lincolne being very able in his own faculty He wrote a learned Comment on the Ecclesiasticall Constitutions of Otho and Ottob one both Cardinalls and Legats to the Pope in England and flourished under King Edward the First Anno 1290. RALPH ACTON was bred in the University of Oxford where he attained saith my Author Magisterium Theologicum and as I understand Magister in Theologiâ is a Doctor in Divinity so Doctor in Artibus is a Master of Arts. This is reported to his eternall Commendation Evangelium regni Dei fervore non modico praedicabat in medijs Romanarum Superstitionum Tenebris And though somtimes his tongue lisped with the Siboleth of the superstition of that age yet generally he uttered much pretious truth in those dangerous days and flourished under King Edward the second Anno 1320. ROGER TVVIFORD I find eleven Towns so named in England probably from the confluence of two fords thereabouts and two in this County He was bred an Augustinian Friar studied in both Universities and became a Doctor in Divinity In his declining age he applyed himself to the reading of the Scripture and the Fathers and became a painfull and profitable Preacher I find him not fixed in any one place who is charactered Concionum propalator per Dioecesin Norvicensem an Itinerant no Errant Preacher through the Diocess of Norwich He was commonly called GOODLUââ¦K and Good-Luck have he with his honour because he brought good success to others and consequently his own welcome with him whithersoever he went which made all Places and Persons Ambitious and Covetous of his presence He flourished about the year of our Lord 1390. ROBERT HOVVNSLOVV was born in this County at Hownslow a Village well known for the Road through and the Heath besides it He was a Fryar of the Order of the Holy Trinity which chiefly imployed themselves for the redemption of Captives Indeed Locusts generally were the devourers of all food yet one kind of Locusts were themselves wholesome though course food whereon Iohn Baptist had his common repast Thus Fryers I confess generally were the Pests of the places they lived in but to give this order their due much good did redound from their endeavours For this Robert being their Provinciall for England Scotland and Ireland rich people by him were affectionately exhorted their Almes industriously collected such collections carefully preserved till they could be securely transmitted and thereby the liberty of many Christian Captives effectually procured He wrote also many Synodall sermons and Epistles of confequence to severall persons of quality to stir up their liberality He flourished sayes Pitseus Anno Dom. 1430. a most remarkable year by our foresaid Author assigned either for the flourishing or for the Funeralls of eleven famous writers yet so as our Robert is dux gregis and leads all the rest all Contemporaries whereas otherwise for two or three eminent persons to light on the same year is a faire proportion through all his book De illustribus Angliae scriptoribus Since the Reformation WILLIAM GOUGE Born at Stratford-Bow in this County bred in Kings Colledge in Cambridge where he was not once absent from publique service morning and evening the space of nine years together He read fifteen Chapters in the Bible everyday and was afterwards Minister of Blackfryers in London He never took a journey meerly for pleasure in all his Life he preached so long till it was a greater difficulty for him to go up into the Pulpit then either to make or preach a Sermon and dyed aged seventy nine years leaving
Saint John's then Master of Pembroke hall in Cambridge His studies were suitable to his years when young a good Philosopher witness his book of Meteors afterwards his endeavours ascended from the middle region of the aire to the highest heavens when he bââ¦came a pious and solid Divine Now the Romanists seeing they could no longer blind-fold their Laitie from the Scriptures resolved to fit them with false spectacles and set forth the Rhemish Translation which by Doctor Fulke was learnedly confuted though he never attained any great preferââ¦ent in the Church Here it is worth our pains to peruse the immediate succession of Masters in Pembroke-hall because unparallel'd in any English Foundation Edm. Grindall Archp. of Cant. Mat. Hutton Archp. of York Jo. Whitgift Archp. of Cant. Jo. Young ãâã of Rochester William Fulke D. D. Lanc. Andrews Bp. of Winchester Sam. Harsnet Archp. of York Nic. Felton Bp. of Eely Here though all the rest were Episcopated Doctor Fulke was but Doctor Fulke still though a man of great merit This proceeded not from any disaffection in him to the Hierarchie as some would fain suggest but principally from his love of privacy and place of Margaret-Professour wherein he died Anno Dom. 1589. EDMOND SPENCER born in this City was brought up in Pembroke-hall in Cambridge where he became an excellent Scholar but especially most haypy in English Poetry as his works do declare In which the many Chaucerisms used for I will not say affected by him are thought by the ignorant to be blemishes known by the learned to be beauties to his book which notwithstanding had been more salable if more conformed to our modern language There passeth a story commonly told and believed that Spencer presenting his Poems to Queen Elizabeth She highly affected therewith commanded the Lord Cecil Her Treasurer to give him an hundred pound and when the Treasurer a good Steward of the Queens money alledged that sum was too much then give him quoth the Queen what is reason to which the Lord consented but was so busied belââ¦ke about matters of higher concernment that Spencer received no reward Whereupon he presented this petition in a small piece of paper to the Queen in her Progress I was promis'd on a time To have reason for my rhyme From that time unto this season I receiv'd nor rhyme nor reason Hereupon the Queen gave strict order not without some check to her Treasurer for the present payment of the hundred pounds she first intended unto him He afterwards went over into Ireland Secretary to the Lord Gray Lord Deputy thereof and though that his office under his Lord was lucrative yet got he no estate but saith my Author Pââ¦culiari Poetis fato semper cum paupertate conflictatus est So that it fared little better with him then with William Xilander the German a most excellent Linguist Antiquary Philosopher and Mathematician who was so poor that as Thuanus saith he was thought fami non famae scribere Returning into England he was robb'd by the Rebels of that little he had and dying for grief in great want Anno 1598. was honorably buried nigh Chaucer in Westminster where this Distick concludeth his Epitaph on hââ¦s monument Anglica te vivo vixit plausitque poesis Nunc moritura timet te moriente mori Whilst hââ¦iu didst live liv'd English poetry Which fears now thou art dead that she shall die Nor must we forget that the expence of his funeral and monument was defrayed at the sole charge of Robert first of that name Earl of Essex JOHN STOW son of Thomas Stow who died Anno 1559. grand-child to Thomas Stow who died 1526. both Citizens of London and buried in Saint Michaels in Cornhill was born in this City bred at learning no higher then a good Gramar-scholar yet he became a painful faithful and the result of both useful Historian Here to prevent mistake by the homonymie of names I request the Reader to take special notice of three brace of English writers 1. Sir Thomas commonly with the addition of De la More who lived under and wrote the life of King Edward the second 1. John Leland bred in Oxford the most exquisite Grammarian of his age who flourished Anno 1428. 1. John Stow a Benedictine Monke of Norwich Anno 1440. who wrote various Collections much cited by Caius in his history of Cambridge 2. Sir Thomas More the witty and learned Chancellour of England 2. John Leland bred in Cambridge the most eminent Antiquary under K. Henry the eight 2. John Stow this Londiner and Historian I confess I have heard him often accused that as learned Guicciardine is charged for telling magnarum rerum minutias he reporteth res in se minutas toys and trifles being such a Smell-feast that he cannot pass by Guild-hall but his pen must tast of the good chear therein However this must be indulged to his education so hard it is for a Citizen to write an History but that the fur of his gown will be felt therein Sure I am our most elegant Historians who have wrote since his time Sir Francis Bacon Master Camden c. though throwing away the basket have taken the fruit though not mentioning his name making use of his endeavors Let me adde of John Stow that however he kept tune he kept time very well no Author being more accurate in the notation thereof Besides his Chronicle of England he hath a large Survey of London and I believe no City in Christendome Rome alone excepted hath so great a volume extant thereof Plato was used to say that many good laws were made but still one was wanting viz. a law to put all those good laws in execution Thus the Citizens of London have erected many fair monuments to perpetuate their memories but still there wanted a monument to continue the memory of their monuments subject by time and otherwise to be defaced which at last by John Stow was industriously performed He died in the eightieth year of his age April 5. 1605. and is buried at the upper end of the North-Isle of the Quire of Saint Andrews-Undershaft His Chronicle since continued by another whose additions are the lively embleme of the times he writeth of as far short of Master Stow in goodness as our age is of the integrity and charity of those which went before it GILES FLETCHER was born in this City son to Giles Fletcher Dr. in law and Embassadour into Russia of whom formerly in Kent From Westminster-school he was chosen first Scholar then Fellow of Trinity colledge in Cambridge One equally beloved of the Muses and the Graces having a sanctified wit witness his worthy Poem intituled Christs Victory made by him being but Bachelour of Arts discovering the Piety of a Saint and Divinity of a Doctor He afterward applied himself to School-Divinity cross to the grain of his Genius as some conceive and attained to good skill therein When he preached at Saint Maries his
house of the Earl of Arundel at High-gate and was buried in Saint Michaels Church in Saint Albans Master Mutis his grateful servant erecting a Monument for him Since I have read that his grave being occasionally opened his scull the relique of civil veneration was by one King a Doctor of Physick made the object of scorn and contempt but he who then derided the dead is since become the laughing stock of the living Writers SULCARD of WESTMINSTER was an English-man by birth bred a Benedictine Monke He was one of an excellent wit meek disposition candid behaviour and in great esteem with King Edward the Conââ¦essor What Progress he made in learning may easily be collected from what is recorded in an old Manuscript In Westmonasterio vixerunt simul Abbas Eadwinus Sulcardus Coenobita Sed Sulchardus doctrina major erat He flourished Anno Domini 1070. under King William the Conquerour GILBERT of WESTMINSTER bred first Monkc then Abbot thereof He gave himself to the study of humane learning then of Divinity and through the guidance of Anselme Arch-bishop of Canterbury attained to great knowledge in the Scriptures Afterwards he studied in France visited Rome in his return from whence he is reported to have had a disputation with a learned Jew which afterwards he reduced into the form of a Dialogue and making it publique he dedicated it to Saint Anselme He dyed Anno 1117. and was buried in Westminster MATHEW of WESTMINSTER was bred a Monke therein and as accomplished a Scholar as any of his age Observable is the grand difference betwixt our English history as he found it and as he left it He found it like Polyphemus when his eye was bored out a big and bulky body but blind Memorable actions were either presented without any date which little informed or too many dates which more distracted the Reader Our Mathew reduced such confused sounds to an Articulate and intelligible voice regulating them by a double directory of time viz. the beginnings and deaths of all the Kings of England and Arch bishops of Canterbury He wrote one History from the beginning of the world to Christ a second from Christs Nativity to the Norman Conquest a third from thence to the beginning of King Edward the second augmenting it aââ¦terwards with the addition of his life and King Edward the thirds He named his book Flores Historiarum and if sometimes for it is but seldome he presenteth a flower less fragrant or blasted bud the judicious Reader is not tyed to take what he tenders but may select for his own ease a Nosegay out of the choicest flowers thereof He dyed about the year 1368. Since the Reformation BENIAMIN JOHNSON was born in this City Though I cannot with all my industrious inquiry find him in his cradle I can fetch him from his long coats When a little child he lived in Harts-horn-lane near Charing-cross where his Mother married a Bricklayer for her Second husband He was first bred in a private school in Saint Martins Church then in VVestminster school witness his own Epigram Camden most reverend Head to whom I owe All that I am in Arts all that I know How nothing's that to whom my Country owes The great renown and Name wherewith she goes c. He was Statutably admitted into Saint Johns-colledge in Cambridge as many years after incorporated a honorary Member of Christ-church in Oxford where he continued but few weeks for want of further maintenance being fain to return to the trade of his father in law And let not them blush that have but those that have not a lawful calling He help'd in the building of the new structure os Lincolns-Inn when having a Trowell in his hand he had a book in his pocket Some gentlemen pitying that his parts should be buried under the rubbish of so mean a Calling did by their bounty manumise him freely to follow his own ingenuous inclinations Indeed his parts were not so ready to run of themselves as able to answer the spur so that it may be truly said of him that he had an Elaborate wit wrought out by his own industry He would sit silent in learned company and suck in besides wine their several humors into his observation What was ore in others he was able to refine to himself He was paramount in the Dramatique part of Poetry and taught the Stage an exact conformity to the laws of Comedians His Comedies were above the Volge which are onely tickled with down right obscenity and took not so well at the first stroke as at the rebound when beheld the second time yea they will endure reading and that with due commendation so long as either ingenuity or learning are fashionable in our Nation If his later be not so spriteful and vigorous as his first pieces all that are old will and all that desire to be old should excuse him therein He was not very happy in his children and most happy in those which died first though none lived to survive him This he bestowed as part of an Epitaph on his eldest son dying in infancy Rest in soft peace and Ask'd say here doth lye Ben Johnson his best piece of Poetry He dyed Anno Domini 1638. And was buried about the Belfry in the Abby-church at VVestminster Masters of Musick CHRISTOPHER TYE Doctor of Musick flourished in the reign of King Henry the eight and King Edward the sixth to whom he was one of the Gentlemen of their Chappel and probably the Organist Musick which received a grievous wound in England at the disolution of Abbyes was much beholding to him for her recovery such his excellent skill and piety that he kept it up in credit at Court and in all Cathedrals during his life He translated the Acts of the Apostles into verse and let us take a tast of his Poetry In the former treatise to thee Dear friend Theophilus I have written the veritie Of the Lord Christ Jesus VVhich he to do and eke to teach Began untill the day In which the Spirit up did him fetch To dwell above for Aye After that he had power to do Even by the Holy Ghost Commandements then he gave unto His chosen least and most To whom also himself did shew From death thus to revive By tokens plain unto his few Even forty days alive Speaking of Gods kingdome with heart Chusing together them Commanding them not to depart From that Jerusalem But still to wait on the promise Of his Father the Lord Of which ye have heard me ere this Unto you make record Pass we now from his Poetry being Musick in words to his Musick being Poetry in sounds who set an excellent Composition of Musick of four parts to the several Chapters of his aforementioned Poetry dedicating the same to King Edward the sixth a little before the death of that good Prince and Printed it Anno Domini 1553. He also did compose many excellent Services and Anthems of four and
or silver-hair-skins formerly so dear are now levelled in prices with other colours yea are lower then black in estimation because their wool is most used in making of hats commonly for the more credit called Half-Beavers though many of them hardly amount to the proportion of Semi-Demi-Castors Herrings Great store and very good of these are caught nigh Yarmouth where once every year on the Feast of Saint Michael is a Fair held for the sale of fish and such the plenty of Herrings there constantly vented that incredible the sum which is raised thereby Indeed the fishing for Herrings is a most gainful trade fish though contemptable in it self considerable in its company swiming in such shoals that what the Whale hath in bigness the Herring hath in number It may well mind such who excell in strength and valour not to boast or be proud thereof seeing the greatest courage may be soon pressed to death under unequal number Yea Red-herrings in England mostly eaten for sauce to quicken the Appetite serve in Holland and elsewhere for food to satisfy hunger I will conclude the Natural Commodities of this County with this memorable passage which I have read in a modern Author The Lord F. W. assured me of a Gentleman in Norfolk that made above 10000l sterl of a piece of ground not forty yards square and yet there was neither Mineral nor Metal in it He aââ¦ter told me it was onely a sort of fine clay for the making a choise sort of earthen ware which some that knew it seeing him dig up discovered the value of it and sending it into Holland received so much money for it My belief tireth in coming up to the top of this story suspecting the addition of a cypher But if it were so how much would it have inriched us if those mockChina-dishes had been made in England Manufactures Worsteds These first took their name from Worsted a Village in this County originally it is nothing but Woollen-thred spun very fine and for the more strength twisted together But O! it surpassesh my skill to name the several stuffs being VVorsted disguised with VVeaving and Colouring made thereof It argueth the usefulness and publick profit of this commodity which first found a general repute in England toward the end of the raign of King Henry the sixth that there are no fewer then fourteen Statutes now in force in the well ordering thereof to Merchantable proof And appointing which of them may which may not be Transported Not to speak of four VVardens of VVorsted VVeavers to be chosen yearly within the City of Norwish and other four out of the County of Northfolk with their solemn Oath Office and Authority As for worsted Stockins they were first made in England Anno 1564. by VVilliam Rider an ingenious Apprentice living against Saint Magnus Church at the foot of London Bridge This William chancing to see a pair of knit worsted Stockins in the Lodging of an Italian Merchant who had brought them from Manââ¦ua borrowed them and making the like by that pattern presented them to VVilliam Earl of Pembroke who first wore them in England Proverbs Norfolk dumplings This cannot be verified of any dwarfish or diminutive stature of people in this County being as tall of their bodies and as tall of their arms too I assure you as any in England But it relates to the fare they commonly feed on so generally called I wish much good may it do them and that their bodies thereby may be enabled for all natural civil and spiritual performances Norfolk VViles Such the skill of the common people hereof in our Common-Law wherein they are so versed ut si nihil sit litium lites tamen ex juris apicibus serere callent If I must go to Law I wish them rather of my Counsel then my Adversaries For whereas pedibus ambulando is accounted but a vexatious Suit in other Counties here where men are said to study Law as following the Plough tail some would perswade us that they will enter an action for their neighbours horse but looking over their hedge Now although we listen to this but as a jeer yet give me leave to observe two parts in VViles VVittiness which all must commend VVickedness condemn Sure I am that in Scripture a VVile always male audit is taken in an evil sense as wherein the simplicity of the Dove is stung to death by the subtilty of the Serpent But no more hereof least Norfolk-men commence a Suit against me though I verily believe many therein are of as peaceable dispositions as any in other places A Yarmouth Capon That is a red-herring No news for creatures to be thus disguised under other names seeing Criticks by a Libyon bear sub pelle Libystidis ursae understand a Lion no Bears being found in the land of Libya And I believe few capons save what have more fins then feathers are bred in Yarmouth But to countenance this expression I understand that the Italian Friers when disposed to eat flesh on Fridays call a Capon piscem è corte a fish out of the Coop He is arrested by the Baily of Marshland The aire of Marshland in this County is none of the wholesomest being surrounded with the Sea and Fens on all sides Hence it is that strangers coming hither are clapt on the back with an ague which sometimes lasts them longer then a Stuffe Suit The best is when such prisoners have paid the Bailiffs Fees and Garnish and with time and patience have weathered out the brunt of that disease they become habited to the aire of the Country and arrive in health at a very great age Princes I meet with no Prince since the Conquest taking his first breath in this County probably because so remote from the principal place of Royal Residence Prelats GILBERT BERKELEY was born in this County but descended from the ancient Barons of that name as appeareth by his Armes He was consecrated Bishop of Bath and Wells in the first of Queen Elizabeth and sate therein 22. years He died of a Lethargy being 80. years of age 1581. and is buried on the North-side of the Communion-table of his own Cathedral JOHN AYLMER Brother to Sir Robert Aylmer Knight was born at Aylmerhall in the Parish of Tilsely in this County as his nearest surviving relations have informed me from whom I have received the following information When he was but a Child going toward school Henry Gray Duke of Suffolk having some discourse with took so much liking unto him that after he had been bred some years in the University of Cambridge he made him his Chaplain and committed his daughter the Lady Jane Gray to his tuition In the reign of Queen Mary he fled over beyond Sea and was little less then miraculously saved from the Searchers of the Ship by the ingenuity of a Marchant who put him into a great Wine-but which had a partition in the middle so that
thereof with circumspect diligence and without long delay to procure and see to be done and obtained such Licenses as they will answer for the same before Almigbty God for if they or any of them should neglect to obtain such Licenses no Prince nor Counsel in any degree will deny or defeat the same and if conveniently by my Will or other Conveyance I might assure it I would not leave it to be done after my Death Then the same shall revert to my Heirs whereas I do mean the same to the Commonweale and then their default thereof shall be to the reproch and condemnation of the said Corporation before God c. This worthy Knight compleated his second change I mean of a mortal life for a Blessed Eternity on the 21. of November 1579. and lieth buried in the Parish Church of Saint Hellens Sir WILLIAM PASTON Knight son and heir to Erasmus Paston of Paston Esquire is justly recounted a Publick Benefactour True it is the family whence he was extracted were always forward in deeds of Charity according to the devotion of the days they lived in Witness their ââ¦ountiful donations to the Abbys of Saint Bennet in the Holme and Bromholme in this County after the Reformation they had not with too many less heat because more light but continued the stream though they changed the Channel of charity This Sir William erected a very fair school with thirty pounds per annum for the maintenance thereof at Northwalsam in this County a deed no doubt acceptable to the God of heaven Solomon saith Teach a Child in the trade of his youth But alas it's above the reach of poor parents to teach their Children lacking learning to do it themselves and livelyhood to hire others save where such good persons as this worthy Knight have made provision for them This Sir William married Francis the daughter of Sir Tho. Clear of Stokesby and was Great-grand-father to Sir William Paston the bountiful promoter of all my weak endeavours HENRY HOWARD youngest son of Henry Howard Earl of Surrey and brother to Thomas Howard last Duke of Norfolk was boâ⦠at Shotesham in this County He was bred a serious student for many years in Kings colledge in Cambridge then in Trinity-hall going the ordinary path and pace to the degree of Mastership without any honorary advantage Here he became a greaâ⦠and general Scholar witness his large and learned work intituled A Dââ¦pensative against the poyson of supposed Prophesies and dedicated to Sir Francis Walsingham His fortune left him by his Father was not great and he lived privately all the reign of Queen Elizabeth till King James advanced him in honour and wealth Here for variety sake and the better to methodize our matter we will make use of a distinction common in the Custome-house about bills of lading Inwards and Outwards observing what greatness were imported and conferred on him what gratitude was exported and performed by him Inwards Outward 1. King James Created him Baron of Marnehill in Dorset shire 2. Earl of Northampton 3. Lord Privy Seal 4. Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports 5. Knight of the Garter 6. Cambridge chose him her Chancellour 1. He founded and endowed an Hospital for twelve poor women and a Governour at Rising in this County 2. Another for twelve poor men and a Governour at Clun in Shropshire 3. Another at Greenwich in Kent for a Governour and twenty poor men of whom eight are to be chosen out of Shotesham the place of his nativity He died the 15. of June 1614. and was buried in the ancient Chappel of the Castle of Dover Memorable Persons SHARNBORN born at and Lord of Sharnborn a considerable Mannor in this County This Manner William the Conquerour out of the plenitude of his power conferred on one Warren a Norman Souldier But Sharnborn was not so tame as silently to set down and suffer a stranger peaceably to possess his inheritance which his English Ancestors for many years had injoyed but fairly traversed his Title I will not say in Westminster-hall as of later erection in the reign of King Rufus but in that publick place where Pleas were held in that age Surely none but a Norfolk-man durst go to Law with the Conquerour and question the validity of his Donations Yea brave Sharnborn got the better of the Suit and the Kings grant was adjudged void This is pertinently pressed by many to prove that King William though in Name was in very deed no Conquerour but came in by composition to keep the Laws of England Now as I am heartily sorrowful that Sharnborn possessed ever since almost 600. years by that name and family should in our age be sold and aliened from it whose heir males are just now extinct so am I cordially glad that it is bought by a worthy person Francis Ash Esquire which with some limitation hath freely setled it being of good yearly value on Emanuel-colledge and may they as long enjoy it as the former owners if before that term the Day of Judgement put not a Period to all earthly possessions Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 Godfry Bullen Geffrey Bullen Salle Probably Mercer 1457 2 Bartholomew Rede Robert Rede Crowmer Goldsmith 1502 3 Richard Gresham John Gresham Holt Mercer 1537 4 John Gresham John Gresham Holt Mercer 1547 5 Thomas Cambell Robert Cambell Fullsam Iron-Monger 1609 6 John Leman John Leman Gillingham Fish-Monger 1616 7 Edward Barkham Edward Barkham South-Akere Draper 1621 The names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the sixth 1433. William Bishop of Norwich Commissioners to take the Oaths John de Morley Chivaler Robert Cliffton mil. Knights for the shire John Roys Knights for the shire Abbatis de Langle Abbatis de Creek Abbatis de Wendelyng Abbatis de Derham Prioris Sancte fidis Prioris de VValsyngham Prioris de Tetford Prioris de Linne Prioris de Yernemouth Prioris de Ingham Prioris de Cokysforde Prioris de Westar Prioris de Penteneye Prioris de Castelacre Prioris de Bromhill Prioris de Ghildham Prioris de Wyrmingheye Prioris de Bokynham Prioris de Bromholm Prioris de Hyking Prioris de Petreston Prioris de Flycham Prioris de Baeston Iohan. Clyfton mil. Briani Stapulton mil. Tho. Kerdeston Hen. Inglose mil. Tho. Tudenham mil. Rog. Harsick mil. Hen. Richford mil. Iohan. Curson mil. Henry Grey Willielââ¦i Calthorp Iohan. Fitz-Rauf de Moris Thomae Willoughby Oliveri Groos Thomae Chaumbir Edmundi Winter Nich. Apilyerde VVill. Apilyerde Nicholai Castel Edmundi Stapulton Thomae Pigot Henrici Walpole Thomae Trusbute Willielmi Byllingford Willielmi Daubeney Thomae Astele Radulphi Lampet Iohannis Woodehouse Iohan. Berney de Redham Ioh. Berney de Wythingham Georgii Holkham VVillielmi Yelverton Edmundi VVychyngham Iohan. Heydon VVill. Grey de Merston VVillielmi Raimis Thomae Dengayne Iohannis Clepisby Iohannis Strange Richardi Gogh Christopheri Strange Henrici Catte Iohannis Bakon
Esquire of Addington by Isabel his wife sister and at last sole heir to Henry Green of Drayton Esquire of whom formerly This Henry was afterwards Knighted and dying without Issue-male Elizabeth his daughter and co heir was married to John first Lord Mordant to whom she brought Draiton-house in this County and other fair lands as the partage of her portion NICHOLAS VAUX Mil. He was a jolly Gentleman both for Camp and Court a great Reveller good as well in a March as a Masque being Governour of Guines in Picardie whom King Hen. the eight for his Loyalty and Valour Created Baron of Harouden in this County Ancestor to Edward Lord Vaux now living This Sir Nicholas when young was the greatest Gallant of the English-Court no Knight at the marriage of Prince Arthur appearing in so costly an equipage when he wore a gown of purple velvet pight with pieces of gold so thick and massive that it was valued besides the silk and furs at a thousand pounds and the next day wore a Colar of S. S. which weighed as Goldsmiths reported eight hundred pounds of nobles Some will wonder that Empson and Dudley the Royal Promoters then in prime did not catch him by the Collar or pick an hole in his Gown upon the breach of some rusty penal sumptuary Statute the rather because lately the Earl of Oxford was heavily fined for supernumerous attendance But know that King Henry could better bear with ãâã then greatness in his Subjects especially when such expence cost ââ¦imself nothing and conduced much to the solemnity of his Sons Nuptials Besides such plate as wrought employed Artizans as massive retain'd its intrinsecal value with little loss either of the owners or Common-wealth HENRY the Eight 1 THOMAS PAR Mil. His former residence was at Kendal-Castle in Westmerland whence he removed into this Country having married Maud one of the daughters and co-heirs of Sir Thomas Green of Green-Norton He was father to Queen Katharine Par which rendereth a probability of her nativity in this County and to William Marquiss of Northampton of whom hereafter 15 WILLIAM FITZ-WILLIAMS Sen. Mil. This must be the person of whom I read this memorable passage in Stows Survey of London Sir William Fitz-Williams the elder being a Merchant-Taylor and servant sometime to Cardinal Wolsey was chosen Alderman of Bread-street-Ward in London Anno 1506. Going afterward to dwell at Milton in Northamptonshire in the fall of the Cardinal his former Master he gave him kind entertainment there at his house in the Country For which deed being called before the King and demanded how he durst entertain so great an Enemy to the State his Answer was that he had not contemptuously or wilfully done it but onely because he had been his Master and partly the means of his greatest fortunes The King was so well pleased with his Answer that saying himself had few such servants immediately Knighted him and afterwards made him a Privy Counsellour But we have formerly spoken of the benefactions of this worthy Knight in the County of Essex whereof he was Sheriffe in the sixth of King Henry the eight 17 WILLIAM PAR Mil. I have cause to be confident that this was he who being Uncle and Lord Chamberlain to Queen Katharine Par was afterwards by King Henry the eight Created Baron Par of Horton Left two daughters onely married into the Families of Tressame and Lane The Reader is requested to distinguish him from his Name-sake Nephew Sheriffe in the 25. of this Kings reign of whom hereafter 21 JOHN CLARKE Mil. I find there was one Sir John Clarke Knight who in the fifth of Henry the eight at the Siege of Terrowane took prisoner Lewis de Orleans Duke of Longevile and Marquiss of Rotueline This Sir John bare for his paternal Coat Argent on a Bend Gules three Swans proper between as many Pellets But afterwards in memory of his service aforesaid by special command from the King his Coat armour was rewarded with a Canton Sinister Azure and thereupon a Demi-ramme mounting Argent armed Or between two Flowers de lices in Chief of the last over all a Batune dexter-ways Argent as being the Arms of the Duke his prisoner and by Martial-law belonging to him He lieth buried in the next County viz. in the Church of Tame in Oxfordshire where his Coat and cause thereof is expressed on his Monument If this be not the same with Sir John Clarke our Sheriffe I am utterly at a loss and desire some others courteous direction All I will adde is this If any demand why this Knight did onely give a parcel and not the entire Arms of the Duke his prisoner a learned Antiquary returns this satisfactory answer That he who ââ¦aketh a Christian Captive is to give but part of his Arms to mind him of charitable moderation in using his success intimating withall that one taking a Pagan prisoner may justifie the bearing of his whole Coat by the laws of Armory I must not conceal that I have read in a most excellent Manuscript viz. the View of Staffordshire made by Sampson Erderswicke Esquire That one William Stamford in that County had good land given him therein for taking the Duke of Longevile prisoner August the 16. in the fifth of King Henry the eight History will not allow two Dukes of Longevile Captives and yet I have a belief for them both that Sir John Clarke and William Stamford were causae sociae of his Captivity and the King remunerated them both the former with an addition of honour the later with an accession of Estate 23 WILLIAM SPENCER Miles DAVID SISILL Arm. 24 DAVID CECILL Arm. Sir William Spencer dying it seems in his Sherivalty David Sissill supplied the remainder of that and was Sheriffe the next year This David had three times been Alderman of Stamford part whereof called Saint Martins is in this County viz. 1504. 1515. and 1526. and now twice Sheriffe of the County which proves him a person both of Birth Brains and Estate seeing in that age in this County so plentiful of capable persons none were advanced to that office except Esquires at least of much merrit The different spelling of his name is easily answered the one being according to his extraction of the Sitsilts of Alterynnis in Herefordshire the other according to the vulgar pronunciation All I will adde is this that his Grand-child William Cecil afterwards Baron of Burghley and Lord Treasurer of England being born Anno 1521. was just ten years of age in the Sherivalty of this David his Grand-father 25 WILLIAM PAR Mil. He was son to Sir Thomas Par of whom before Ten years after viz. in the 35. year of his reign King Henry the eight having newly married his Sister Queen Katharine Par made him Lord Par of Kendall and Earl of Essex in right of Anne Bourcher his wife King Edward the sixth Created him Marquiss of Northampton Under Queen Mary
happiness Writers RALPH FRESBOURNE was born in this County bred a Souldier Scholar Travailer being a man of great estate and at last turn'd a Frier He attended Richard Earl of Cornwall and King of the Romans into the Holy-land Here he came acquainted with the Friers living on Mount Carmel which were then much molested with the inrodes of Pagans Our Ralph pitying their condition and much taken with their sanctity and as some say miracles brought them over with him into England and built them an house at Holme nigh Alnwick in Northumberland In loco Carmelo Syriae non dissimili saith my Author In a place not unlike to Carmel in Syria Thus pence are like shillings and as Carmel had an Hill with the river Kishon running under it a Forrest beside it and the Mid-land-Sea some three miles from it so this had the river Alne a Park adjoyning and the German-Sea at the same distance But Northumberland was but a cold Carmel for these Friers who soon got themselves warmer nests in Kent Essex London and where not Multiplying more in England then in any other Country as Mantuan observeth and hath not ill expressed Cur apud Anglorum populos ita creverit audi Anglicus in Syrias veniens exercitus olim Achonem Tyrii positam prope litora ponti Quae priùs occurrit subit is oppresserat armis Hear why that they so much in England thriv'd th' English earst in Palestine arriv'd The City Acon on the shore of Tyre As next at hand with arms did soon acquire And after some verses interpos'd Ista duces tanta intuiti miracula secum In patriam duxere viros quibus arma negabant In laribus sedem Assyriâ⦠templa domosque Construxere novas Pauc is it a fââ¦ruit annis Relligio quasi virga solo depact a feraci Et veluti palmes robur translata recepit The Captains seeing so great wonders wrought These Friers with them into England brought What war deni'd at home they here anew Churches and Houses built In years but few Increasing twig-like set by happy band Or tree transplanted to a fruitful land This Ralph wrote Books of pious exhortations and Epistles and after he had been fourteen years provincial of his own Order died and was buried at Holme aforesaid Anno Domini 1274. JOHANNES SCOTUS We have formerly asserted the very Scociety of this Scotus his nativity to belong to England and have answered the objections to the contrary He was born at Dunston a village in the Parish of Emildon in this County as appeareth by a writing in a book of his in Merton-colledge wherein he was bred He was a Franciscan by Order and of such nimble and solid parts that he got the title of Doctor subtilis Hitherto all School-men were like the world before the building of Babel of one language and of one speech agreeing together in their opinions which hereafter were divided into two Regââ¦ments or Armies rather of Thomists and Scotists under their several Generals opposing one another Scotus was a great stickler against the Thomists for that sinful opinion that the Virgin Mary was conceived without sin which if so how came she to rejoyce in God her Saviour He read the Sentences thrice over in his solemn Lectures once at Oxford again at Paris and last at Colen where he died or was kill'd rather because falling into a strong fit of an Apoplexy he was interred whilst yet alive as afterwards did appear Small amends were made for his hasty burial with an handsome monument erected over him at the cost of his Order otherwise whether as Scot Scholar or Franciscan he had little wealth of his own in the Quire before the High Altar On his Monument are inscribed the names of fifteen Franciscans viz. three Popes and two Cardinals on the top and ten Doctors whereof six English on the sides thereof all his Contemporaries as I conceive He died Anno Dom. 1308. Benefactors to the Publick STEPHEN BROWN Grocer son of John Brown was born at Newcaste upon Tine in this County afterwards Knighted and made Lord Mayor of London 1438. In which year happened a great and general famine caused much by unseasonable weather but more by some Huckstering Husbandmen who properly may be termed Knaves in grain insomuch that wheat was sold for three shillings a bushel intollerable according to the standard of those times and poor people were forced to make bread of fern roots But this Sir Stephen Brown sent certain ships to Dantz whose seasonable return with Rye suddenly sunk grain to reasonable rates whereby many a languishing life was preserved He is beheld one of the first Merchants who in want of Corn shewed the Londoners the way to the Barn-door I mean into Spruseland prompted by charity not covetousness to this his Adventure He may be said that since his death he hath often relieved the City on the like occasion because as Symmachus well observeth Author est bonorum sequentium qui bonum relinquit exemplum ROBERT WOODLARKE was born saith my Author at Wakerly in this County True it is in my late Church History I have challenged him for Northamptonshire Because there is no VVakerly in Northumberland Because there is a VVakerly in Northamptonshire But on second thoughts I resige him clear to this County loth to higgle for a letter or two misprinted perchance in the name of a Town This VVoodlarke was the last of the first Original Fellows and third Provost of Kings-colledge in Cambridge He bought three tenements in Miln-street and by a Mortmain procured from King Edward the fourth erected of them a small Colledge by the name of Saint Katharines-hall As is the man so is his strength great matters cannot be expected from so private a person who never attained to any Prelatical preferment who was bountiful to his Foundation to the utmost of his ability Herein he stands alone without any to accompany him being the first and last who was Master of one Colledge and at the same time Founder of another This his Zoar hath since met with many worthy Benefactours who have advanced it to be considerable both in buildings and revenues The date of his death I cannot with any certainty affix Memorable Persons MACHELL VIVAN is a Scotish-man by his birth but because beneficed in this County so many years shall by the Readers leave pass for an English-man so far as to be here inserted The rather because he will minister to the present and future ages just matter of admiration as by the perusing of the ensuing letter from my credible friend well know in London where his surviving Father was not long since the Prime Magistrate thereof will appear There is an acquaintance of mine and a friend of yours who certified me of your desire of being satisfied of the truth of that relation I made concerning the old Minister in the North. It fortuned in my journey to
that the world may see what time cureth in a weak mind that Discretion and Moderation helpeth in you in this accident where there is so just cause to demonstrate true Patience and Moderation Your gracious and loving Sovereign E. R. Now thoughâ⦠nothing more consolatory and pathetical could be written from a Prince yet his death went so near to the heart of the Lord his ancient father that he dyed soon after Writers JOHN HANVILE took his name as I conceive from Hanwell a Village in this County now the habitation of the ancient Family of the Copes seeing none other in England both in sound and spelling draweth nearer to his Sirname He proceeded Master of Arts in Oxford then studied in Paris and travelled over most parts in Christendom He is commonly called Archithrenius or Priââ¦ce of lamentation being another Jeremy and man of mourning He wrote a book wherein he bemoned the errors and vices of his own Age and himself deserved to live in a better Yet this doleful Dove could peck as well as grone and somtimes was satyrical enough in his passion there being but a narrow ââ¦age betwixt grief and anger and bitterness is a quality common to them both He flourished under King John Anno 1200. and after his return from his travels is conceived by some to have lived and dyed a Benedictine of St. Albans JOHN of OXFORD was no doubt so named from his birth in that City otherwise had he onely had his Education or eminent learning therein there were hundreds Johns of Oxford as well as himself Hector Boethius sirnamed him a Vado Boum and owneth him the next Historian to Jeffrey Monmouth in age and industry He was a great Anti-Becketist as many more in that Age of greater learning except stubornness be made the standard thereof than Becket himself Being Dean of old Sarââ¦m and Chaplain to King Henry the second he was by him imployed with others to give an account to the Pope but I question wheââ¦her he would take it of the Kings carriage in the business of Becket He was preferred Anno 1175. Bishop of Norwich where he repaired his Cathedral lately defaced with fire built a fair Almes-house and Trinity-church in Ipswich His death happened Anno Dom. 1200. ROBERT BACON first Scholer of afterward a familiar Friend to St. Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury was bred a Doctor of Divinity in Oxford and when aged became a Dominican or preaching Fryer and for his Sermons he was highly esteemed by King Henry the third He was Lepidus Cynicus and a most profest enemy to Peter Roach Bishop of Winchester Matââ¦hew Paris gives him and another viz. Richard de Fishakle this praise Quibus non erant majores imò nec pares ut creditur viventes in Theologia aliis scientiis and I listen the rather to his commendation because being himself a Benedictine Monk he had an antipathy against all Fryers I behold this Robert Bacon as the senior of all the Bacons which like tributary streams disembogued themselves with all the credit of their actions into Roger Bacon who in process of time hath monopolized the honour of all his Sirname-sakes in Oxford Our Robert dyed Anno Dom 1248. ROBERT of OXFORD was not onely an Admirer but Adorer of Thomas Aquinas his contemporary accounting his Opinions Oracles as if it were a venial sin to doubt of and a mortal to deny any of them Mean time the Bishop of Paris with the consent of the Masters of Sorbonne the great Champions of liberty in this kind granted a licence to any Scholer Opinari de opinionibus to guess freely and by consequence to discuss in Disputations any mans Opinions which as yet by a general Council were not decided matters of faith Our Roberâ⦠much offended thereat wrote not onely against Henricus Gandavensis and Aegiââ¦ius Romanus but also the whole College of Sorbonne an act beheld of many as of more boldness than brains for a private person to perform He flourished under King Henry the third Anno Dom. 1270. JEFFREY CHAUCER was by most probability born at Woodstock in this County though other places lay stiff claim to his Nativity Berk-shires title Londons title Oxford shires title Leland confesseth it likely that he was born in Barochensi provincia and Mr. Cambden avoweth that Dunington-castle nigh unto Newburie was anciently his Inheritance There was lately an old Oake standing in the Park called Chaucers Oake The Author of his life set forth 1602. proveth him born in London out of these his own words in the Testament of love Also in the Citie of London that is to mââ¦e ââ¦ot deare and swéete in which I was foorth growne and more kindely love have I to that place than to any other in yerth as every kindely creature hath full appetite to that place of his kindly ingendure Besides Mr. Cambden praiseth Mr. Edmund Spencer the Londoner for the best Poet Ne Chaucero quidem concive excepto Chaucer himself his fellow-citizen not being excepted Leland addeth a probability of his birth in Oxford-shire and Cambden saith of Woodstock Cuâ⦠nihil habeat quod ostentet Hââ¦merum nostrum Anglicum Galfredum Chaucerum alumnum suum fuisse gloriatur Besides â⦠Pits is positive that his father was a Knight and that he was born at Woodstock And Queen Elizabeth passed a fair stone-house next to her Palace in that Town unto the Tenant by the name of Chaucers house whereby it is also known at this day Now what is to be done to decide the difference herein Indeed Appion the Grammarian would have Homer concerning whose Birth-place there was so much controversie raised ab Inferis that he might give a true account of the place of his Nativity However our Chaucer is placed heââ¦e having just grounds for the same untill stronger reasons are brought to remove him He was a terse and elegant Poââ¦t the Homer of his Age and so refined our English Tongue Ut inter expolitas gentium linguas potuit rectè quidem connumerari His skill in Mathematicks was great being instructed therein by Joannes Sombus and Nicholas of Linn which he evidenceth in his book De Sphaera He being Contemporary with Gower was living Anno Dom. 1402. Since the Reformation THOMAS LYDYATE Now I find the old sentence to be true Difficile fugitivas mortuorum memorias retrahere seeing all my industry and inquiry can retrive very little of this worthy person and the Reader I hope will not be angry with me who am so much grieved with my self for the same Indeed contradicting qualities met in him Eminency and Obscurity the former for his Learning the later for his Living All that we can recover of him is as followeth He was born at Alkerton in this County bred first in Winchester school then in New college in Oxford being admitted therein Iune 22. 1593. An admirable Mathematician witness these his learned
Works left to posterity 1. De variis Annorum Formis 2. De natura Coeli conditione Elementorum 3. Praelectio Astronomica 4. De origine Fontium 5. Disquisitio Phisiologica 6. Explicatio additameutnm Arg. temp nat ministerii Christi In handling of these subjects it seems he crossed Scalliger who was highly offended thereat conceiving himself such a Prince of Learning it was high Treason for any to doubt of much more deny his opinion Yea he conceited his own Judgment so canonical that it was Heresie for any inferiour person to differ from the same Shall Scalliger write a book of the Emendation of Times and should any presume to write one of the Emendation of Scalliger especially one no publick Professor and so private a person as Lydyate However this great Bugbear Critick finding it more easie to contemn the person than confute the arguments of his Adversary sleighted Lydyate as inconsiderable jeering him for a Prophet who indeed somewhat traded in the Apocalyptical Divinity Learned men of unbiassed judgments will maintain that Lydyate had the best in that Contest but here it came to pass what Solomon had long before observed Nevertheless the poor mans wisdom is despised and his words are not heard He never attained higher Church-preferment than the Rectory of Alkerton the Town of his Nativity and deserted that as I have cause to suspect before his death Impute his low condition to these causes 1. The nature of his Studies which being Mathematical and Speculative brought not ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Grist to the mill 2. The nature of his Nature being ambitious of Privity and Concealment 3. The death of Prince Henry whose Library-keeper he was and in whose Grave Lydyates hopes were interred 4. His disaffection to Church-discipline and Ceremonies used therein though such wrong his memory who represent him an Anabaptist His modesty was as great as his want which he would not make known to any Sir William Boswell well understanding his worth was a great friend unto him and so was Bishop Williams He dyed about Westminster as I take it in the year of our Lord 1644. Happy had it been for posterity if on his death-bed he could have bequeathed his Learning to any surviving Relation Sir RICHARD BAKER Knight was a Native of this County and High-Sheriff thereof in the 18. of King James Anno Dom. 1621. His youth he spent in learning the benefit whereof he reaped in his old age when his Estate thorough Surety-ship as I have heard him complain was very much impair'd But God may smile on them on whom the World doth frown whereof his pious old age was a memorable instance when the storm on his Estate forced him to flye for shelter to his studies and devotions He wrote an Exposition on the Lords prayer which is corrival with the best Comments which professed Divines have written on that subject He wrote a Chronicle on our English Kings imbracing a method peculiar to himself digesting Observables under several heads very useful for the Reader This reverend Knight left this troublesome world about the beginning of our Civil wars WILLIAM WHATELEY was born in Banbury whereof his father was twice Mayor and bred in Christs-college in Cambridge He became afterwards Minister in the Town of his Nativity and though generally people do not respect a Prophet or Preacher when a Man whom they knew whilest a Child yet he met there with deserved reverence to his Person and Profession Indeed he was a good Linguist Philoso pher Mathematician Divine and though a Poetical Satyrical Pen is pleas'd to pass a jeer upon him free from Faction He first became known to the world by his book called the Bride-bushe which some say hath been more condemned than confuted as maintaining a Position rather odious than untrue But others hold that blows given from so near a Relation to so near a Relation cannot be given so lightly but they will be taken most heavily Other good Works of his have been set forth since his death which happened in the 56. year of his age Anno Dom. 1639. JOHN BALLE was born at Casfigton four miles North-west of Oxford in this County an obscure Village onely illustrated by his Nativity He proceeded Batchelor of Arts in Brazen-nose college in Oxford his Parents purse being not able to maintain him longer and went into Cheshire untill at last he was beneficed at Whitmore in the County of Stafford He was an excellent School man and School-master qualities seldom meeting in the same man a painful Preacher and a profitable Writer and his Treatise of Faith cannot sufficiently be commended Indeed he liv'd by faith having but small means to maintain him but 20 pounds yearly Salary besides what he got by teaching and boording his Scholers and yet was wont to say he had enough enough enough Thus contentment consisteth not in heaping on more fuell but in taking away some fire He had an holy facetiousness in his discourse when his friend having had a fall from his horse and said that he never had the like deliverance Yea said Mr. Balle and an hundred times when you never fell accounting Gods preserving us from equal to his rescuing us out of dangers He had an humble heart free from passion and though somewhat disaffected to Ceremonies and Church-discipline confuted such as conceived the corruptions therein ground enough for a separation He hated all New Lights and pretended Inspirations besides Scripture and when one asked him whether he at any time had experience thereof in his own heart No said he I bless God and if I should ever have such phantasies I hope God would give me grace to resist them Notwithstanding his small means he lived himself comfortably relieved others charitably left his children competently and dyed piously October the 20. Anno Dom. 1640. WILLIAM CHILLINGWORTH was born in the City of Oxford so that by the benefit of his birth he fell from the lap of his mother into the armes of the Muses He was bred in Trinity college in this University an acute and subtil Disputant but unsetled in judgment which made him go beyond the Seas and in some sort was conciled to the Church of Rome but whether because he found not the respect he expected which some shrewdly suggest or because his Conscience could not close with all the Romish corruptions which more charitably believe he returned into England and in testimony of his true conversion wrote a book entituled The Religion of Protestants a safe way to salvation against Mr. Knot the Jesuit I will not say Malo nodo malus quaerendus est cuneus but affirm no person better qualified than this Author with all necessary accomplishments to encounter a Jesuit It is commonly reported that Dr. Prideaux compared his book to a Lamprey fit for food if the venemous string were taken out of the back thereof a passage in my opinion inconsistent with the Doctors approbation prefixed in the beginning
much abused by the avarice and mis-imployment of the Governors thereof and charitably do presume that such faults if any are since or will be suddenly amended Since the Reformation JOHN HARINGTON the elder son to Sir James Harington was born at Exton in this County where their ancient Family had long flourished A bountiful House-keeper dividing his hospitality between Rutland and Warwick-shire where he had a fair habitation He was one of the Executors to the Lady Frances Sidney and a grand Benefactor to the College of her founding in Cambridge King James created him Baron of Exton and his Lady a prudent woman had the Princess Elizabeth committed to her government When the said Princess was married to Frederick Prince Palatine this Lord with Henry Martin Doctor of the Laws was sent over to the Palatinate to see her Highness setled at Hidleburgh and some formalities about her Dowry and Joynture performed This done as if God had designed this for his last work he sickned on the first day of his return and dyed at Wormes in Germany on St. Bartholomews day Anno Dom. 1613. The Lord John his son of whom in Warwick-shire did not survive him a year both of them signally eminent the one a pattern for all good fathers th' other for all gracious sons and pity it is the last had not issue to be a president to all grand-children but God thought it fit that here the Male-issue of that honourable Family should expire Memorable Persons JEFFEREY was born in the Parish of Okeham in this County where his father was a very proper man broad-shouldered and chested though his son never arived at a full Ell in stature And here we may observe Pliny his observation not true ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã In plenum autem cuncto mortalium generi ââ¦inorem staturam indies fieri propemodum observatur rarosque patribus proceriores c. It seems that Families sometimes are chequered as in brains so in bulk that no certainty can be concluded from such alternations His father who kept and ordered the baiting Bulls for George Duke of Buckingham a place you will say requiring a robustious body to manage it presented him at Burleigh on the Hill to the Duchesse of Buckingham being then nine years of age and scarce a foot and half in height as I am informed by credible persons then and there present and still alive Instantly Jefferey was heightned not in stature but in condition from one degree above rags into Silk and Sattin and two tall men to attend him He was without any deformity wholly proportionable whereas often Dwarfs Pigmââ¦es in one part are Giants in another And yet though the least that England ever saw he was a proper person compared to him of whom Sabinus doth write in his Comment upon the Metamorphosis Vidit Italia nuper virum justa aetate non majorem cubito circumferri in caveâ Psittaci cujus viri meminit in suis scriptis Hieronymus Cardanus There was lately to be seen in Italy a man of a ripe age not above a cubit high carried about in a Parrets cage of whom Hierome Cardan in his Writings makes mention It was not long before he was presented in a cold baked Pye to King Charles and Queen Mary at an entertainment and ever after lived whiles the Court lived in great plenty therein wanting nothing but humility high mind in a low body which made him that he did not know himself and would not know his father and which by the Kings command caused justly his sound correction He was though a Dwarf no Dastard a Captain of horse in the Kings Army in these late civil wars and afterwards went over to wait on the Queen in France Here being provoked by Mr. Crofts who accounted him the object not of his anger but contempt he shewed to all that Habet musca suum splenum and they must be little indeed that cannot do mischief especially seeing a Pistol is a pure leveller and puts both Dwarf and Giant into equal capacity to kill and to be killd For the shooting the same Mr. Crofts he was imprisoned And so I take my leave of Jefferey the least man of the least County in England The Names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the sixth William Bishop of Lincoln Commissioners to take the Oaths William de Souche de Harringworth chiv  Thomas Grenham Knights for the Shire  William Beaufo Knights for the Shire  Iohannes Basinges de Empyngham mil. Iohannes Colepepar de Exton mil. Henricus Plesington de Burley mil. Robertus Browne de Wodehead ar Robertus Davis de Tykencoat ar Iohannes Browne de Tygh ar Iohannes Plesington de Wissenden ar Thomas Flore de Oakham ar Franciscus Clerke de Stoke-dry ar Iohannes Chycelden de Brameston ar Iohannes Sapcoat de Keton merchant Robertus Whitwell de eadem gentleman Iohannes Clerk de Wissenden merch Willielmus Lewis de Oakham merch Iohannes Brigge de eadem merch Ioh. Basset de North Luffenham gent. Iacobus Palmer de eadem gent. Iohannes Palmer de eadem gent. Willielmi Sheffeild de Seyton gent. Iohannes Sadington de eadem gent. Rob. Sousex de Market Overton gent. Iohannes Vowe de Whitwell gent. Willielmus Pochon de Wissenden gent. Williââ¦lmus Swafeld de Braunston gent. Henricus Breton de Keton gent. Williââ¦lmus Uffingââ¦on de Pilton gent. Thomas Luffenham de Winge Sheriffs It remaineth now that we give in a List of the Sheriffs of this Shire and here Rutland conceiveth it to sound to her credit that whereas other Shires ten times bigger than this viz. Norfolk and Suffolk had but one Sheriff betwixt them this little County never took-hands to hold with a partner but had alwayes an entire Sheriff to it self though anciently the same person generally honourable discharged the Office for many years together as by the ensuing Catalogue will appear SHERIFFS From the year of King To the year of King Richard de Humet Tenth of Henry 2. Six and twenty of Henry 2. William Molduit six and twentieth of Henry 2. first of Richard 1. Anna Brigg dispensat first of Richard 1. second of Richard 1. William Albeney William Fresney second of Richard 1. nineth of Richard 1. William Albevine solus nineth of Richard 1. first of King John Benedic de Haversham first of King John second of King John Robert Malduit second of King John fifth of King John Ralph Normanvill fifth of King John twelfth of King John Robert de Braibro Henry filius ejus twelfth of King John second of Henry 3. Alan Basset second of Henry 3. twelfth of Henry 3. Jeffrey de Rokingham twelfth of Henry 3. thirty eight of Henry 3. Ralph de Greneham thirty eight of Henry 3. forty third of Henry 3. Anketyn de Markinall forty third of Henry 3. first of Edward 1. Peter Wakervill William Bovile first of Edward 1. nineth of Edward 1. Alberic de Whitleber
his Paynes and Piety Prelates ROBERT of SHREWSBURY was in the reign of King John but I dare not say by him preferred Bishop of Bangor 1197. Afterwards the King waging war with Leoline Prince of Wales took this Bishop prisoner in his own Cathedral Church and enjoyned him to pay Three hundred Hawkes for his ransome Say not that it was improper that a Man of Peace should be ransomed with Birds of Prey seeing the Bishop had learnt the Rule Redime te captum quam queas minimo Besides 300 Hawkes will not seem so inconsiderable a matter to him that hath read how in the reign of King Charles an English Noble Man taken prisoner at the I le Ree was ransomed for a Brace of Grey-hounds Such who admire where the Bishop on a sudden should furnish himself with a stock of such Fowl will abate of their wonder when they remember that about this time the Men of Norway whence we have the best Hawkes under Magnus their General had possessed themselves of the Neighbouring Iland of Anglesea Besides he might stock himself out of the Aryes of Pembrook-shire where Perigrines did plentifully breed How ever this Bishop appeareth something humerous by one passage in his Will wherein he gave order that his Body should be buried in the middle of the Market place of Shrewsbury Impute it not to his profaness and contempt of Consecrated ground but either to his humility accounting himself unworthy thereof or to his prudential fore-sight that the fury of Souldiers during the intestine War betwixt the English and Welsh would fall fiercest on Churches as the fairest market and men preferring their profit before their Piety would preserve their Market-places though their Churches were destroyed He died Anno 1215. ROBERT BURNEL was son to Robert and brother to Hugh Lord Burnel whose Prime Seat was at Acton-Burnel-Castle in this County He was by King Edwà rd the First preferred Bishop of Bath and VVellââ¦s and first Treasurer then Chancelor of England He was well vers'd in the Welsh affairs and much us'd in managing them and that he might the more effectually attend such employment caused the Court of Chancery to be kept at Bristol He got great Wealth wherewith he enriched his kindred and is supposed to have rebuilt the decayed Castle of Acton-Burnel on his own expence And to decline envy for his secular structures left to his heirs he built for his Successors the beautiful Hall at VVells the biggest room of any Bishops Palace in England pluck'd down by Sir John Gabos afterwards executed for Treason in the reign of King Edward the Sixth English and Welsh affaires being setled to the Kings contentment he employed Bishop Burnel in some businesse about Scotland in the Marches whereof he died Anno Domini 1292. and his body solemnly brought many miles was buried in his own Cathedral WALTER de WENLOCK Abbot of Westminster was no doubt so named from his Nativity in a Market Town in this County I admire much that Matthew of VVestminster writeth him VVilliam de VVenlock and that a Monk of VVestminster should though not miscall mis-name the Abbot thereof He was Treasurer of England to King Edward the First betwixt the twelfth and fourteenth year of his reign and enjoyed his Abbots Office six and twenty years lacking six dayes He died on Christmasse day at his Mannor of Periford in Glocester-shire 1307 and was buried in his Church at VVestminster besides the High-Altar before the Presbutery without the South dore of King Edward's Shrine where Abbas VValterus non fuit Ausââ¦erus is part of his Epitaph RALPH of SHREWSBURY born therein was in the third of King Edward the Third preferred Bishop of Bath VVells Being consecrated without the Popes privity a daring adventure in those dayes he paid a large sum to expiate his presumption therein He was a good Benefactor to his Cathedral and bestowed on them a Chest Port-cullis-like barred with iron able to hold out a siege in the view of such as beheld it But what is of proof against Sacriledge Some Thieves with what Engines unknown in the reign of Queen Elizabeth forced it open But this Bishop is most memorable for erecting and endowing a spacious structure for the Vicars-Choral of his Cathedral to inhabit together which in an old Picture is thus presented The Vicars humble petition on their knees Per vicos positi villae Pater alme rogamus Ut simul uniti te dante domos maneamus To us dispers'd i th' streets good Father give A place where we together all my live The gracious answer of the Bishop sitting Vestra petunt merita quod sint concessa petita Ut maneatis ita loca fecimus haec stabilita Your merits crave that what you crave be yeilded That so you may remain this place we 've builded Having now made such a Palace as I may term it for his Vicars he was in observation of a proportionable distance necessitated in some sort to enlarge the Bishops Seat which he beautified and fortified Castle-wise with great expence He much ingratiated himself with the Country people by disforasting Mendip Beef better pleasing the Husbandmans palate than Venison He sate Bishop thirty four years and dying August 14. 1363. lieth buried in his Cathedral where his Statue is done to the life Vivos viventes vultus vividissimè exprimens saith my Authour ROBERT MASCAL Was bred saith Bale in and born saith Pitz positively at Ludlow in this County where he became a Carmelite Afterwards he studied in Oxford and became so famous for his Learning and Piety that he was made Confessor to Henry the Fourth and Counsellor to Henry the Fifth Promoted by the former Bishop of Hereford He was one of the Three English Prelates which went to and one of the Two which returned alive from the Council of Constance He died 1416 being buried in the Church of White-Friers in London to which he had been an eminent Benefactor RICHARD TALBOTE was born of Honourable Parentage in this County as Brother unto John Talbote the first Earl of Shrewsbury Being bred in Learning he was consecrated Arch-bishop of Dublin in Ireland 1417. He sate two and thirty years in that See being all that time a Privy Counsellor to King Henry the Fifth and Sixth twice Chief Justice and once Chancelor of Ireland He deserved well of his Church founding six petty Canons and as many Choristers therein yea generally of all Ireland writing a Book against James Earl of Ormond wherein he detected his abuses during his Lieutenancy in Ireland He died August the 15. 1449. and lieth buried in Saint Patricks in Dublin under a marble stone whereon an Eââ¦itaph is written not worthy the inserting The said Richard was unanimously chosen Arch-bishop of Armagh a higher place but refused to remove wisely preferring Safety above either Honor or Profit GEORGE DAY was born in this County and successively Scholer Fellow and
then would appear in publick to converse with his Friends whereof Dr. Cowel and Mr. Camden were principal Some tax him to smack of the Old Cask as resenting of the Romish Religion but they have a quicker Palatââ¦than than I who can make any such discovery In his old Age he turn'd Husbandman and Rented a Farm in Wiltshire nigh the Devises I can give no account how he thrived thereupon For though he was well vers'd in Virgil his fellow Husbandman-Poet yet there is more required to make a rich Farmer than only to say his Georgicks by heart and I question whether his Itaââ¦ian will fit our English Husbandry Besides I suspect that Mr. Daniel his fancy was too fine and sublimated to be wrought down to his private profit However he had neither a Bank of wealth or lank of want living in a competent condition By Justina his wife he had no child and I am unsatisfied both in the Place and Time of death but collect the latter to be about the end of the reign of King James HUMPHRY SIDENHAM was born at Dalverton in this County of a most Ancient and Worshipful Family bred Fellow of Wadham Colledge so Eloquent a Preacher that he was commonly called Silver-tongued Sidenham But let his own printed Sermons and especially that called the Athenian Babler set forth his deserved praise who died since our Civil distempers about the year 1650. Romish-exile Writers JOHN GIBBON was undoubtedly born in this County though herein Pitts presents us with an untoward and left-handed direction Patrica Somersetensis Diocesis Wintoniensis Now either Wââ¦nchester is imprinted for Wells or he was born in this County in some peculiar belonging to Winchester which See hath large revenues about Taunton Leaving the Land for his Religion Pope Gregory XIII collated on him a Canons place in the Church of Bonn. This he soon quitted and became Rector of the Jesuits Colledge in Triers he wrote a Book against G. Schon Professor at Heydelberge in vindication that the Pope was not Antichrist Being indisposed in health his hearing of the defeat of the Spanish Armado was no cordial unto him and died Anno 1589. ROBERT PERSON was born in this County bred in Baliol-Colledge in Oxford till for his viciousness he was expelled thence with disgrace Running to Rome and there finishing the course of his studies he with Campian were the first brace of English Jesuits who returned hither 1589 to preserve this Nation Two years after he escaped hence and got beyond the Seas One of a troublesome spirit wherewith some moderate Romanists were so offended that during his abode here they once resolved to resign him up to the Queens Officers He had an ill natured Wit biassed to Satyricalnesse A great States-man and it was not the least part of his policy to provide for his own safety who would look on direct give ground abet on other mens hands but never plaid so as to adventure himself into England He wrote a shrewd Book of the Succession to the English-crown setting it forth under the false name of Dolman a dulsecular Priest guilty of little Learning and less policy dedicating the same to the Earl of Essex He had an authoritative influence on all English Catholicks nothing of importance being agitated by them but Person had a finger hand arm therein He was for 23 years Rector of the Colledge at Rome where he died Anno Dom. 1610. JOHN FEN was born at Montacute in this County bred in New-Colledge in Oxford where he proceeded Bachelour in Laws continuing there till Anno Dom. 1562 for his Popish activity he was ejected by the Queens Commissioners Then for a time he lived Schoolmaster at St. Edmunds-bury till outed there on the same account Hence he fled over into Flââ¦nders thence into Italy whence returning at last he was fixed at Lovain He wrote many and translated more Books living to finish his Jubile or Fiftieth year oâ⦠exile beyond the Seas where he died about the years of our Lord 1613. Let me add that this John Fen mindeth me of another of the same surname and as violent on conââ¦rary principles viz. Humphrey Fen a non-conformist Minister living about Coventry who in the preface to his last Will Made such a Protestation against the Hierarchy and Ceremonies that when his Will was brought to be proved the Preface would not be suffered to be put amongst the Records of the Court as which indeed was no Limb but a Wen of his Testament JOHN COLLINGTON was born in this County bred in Lincoln-Colledge in Oxford Going beyond the Seas and there made Priest he returned into England and with Campian was taken cast into the Tower of London and condemned but afterwards reprieved enlarged and sent beyond the Seas Hence he returned and for 30 years together zelously advanced his own Religion being Assistant to the two Arch-Priests and he himself supplied the Place in the vacancy betwixt them He could not but be a very aged Man who though in restraint was alive 1611. Benefactors to the Publik The Lady MOHUN Reader know I can surround the Christian Names of her neââ¦rest Relations Her Husband was John the last Lord Mohun of Dunstor Her eldest daughter Philip married to Edward Duke of York her second Elizabeth to William Montacute Earl of Salisbury her youngest Maud matcht to the Lord Strange of Knockyn buâ⦠her own Christian Name I cannot recover However she hath left a worthy memory behind her chiefly on this account that she obteined from her Husband so much good ground for the Commons of the Town of Dunstor as she could in one day believe it a Summer one for her ease and advantage compasse about going on her naked feet Surely no Ingenious Scholar beheld her in that her charitable perambulation but in effect vented his wishes in the Poets expression Ah! tibi nè teneras tellus secet aspera plantas The certain date of her death is unknown which by proportion is conjectured in the reign of King Henry the Fifth Since the Reformation NICHOLAS WADHAM of Merrifield in this County Esq. had great length in his extraction breadth in his Estate and depth in his liberality His Hospital house was an Inn at all times a Court at Cristmas He married Dorothy daughter to the Secretary sister to the first Lord Peters Absolom having no children reared up for himself a Pillar to perpetuate his name This Worthy pair being Issueless erected that which hath doth and will afford many Pillars to Church and State the uniform and regular nothing defective or superfluous therein Colledge of Wadham in Oxford Had this worthy Esquire being a great Patron of Church-Livings annexed some Benefices thereunto which may be presumed rather forgotten than neglected by him it had for compleatenesse of Fabrick and endowment equalled any English Foundation If he was which some suggest a Romanist in his Judgement his charity is the more commendable to build
eos tantum ille qui ut habet Tsalmus 126. numerat multitudinem Stellarum omnibus eis nomina vocat St. BERTELIN was a Britton of a Noble Birth and lead an Eremitical Life in the Woods near Stafford anciently called Bethiney contracted it seems for Bertiliney something of solitariness still remaining in his Memory as being so alone it hath no memorable particulars of his accounts to accompany it WOLFADUS RUFFINUS It was pitty to part them seeing they were loving in their lives and in their death they were not divided They were sons to Wolââ¦erus the Pagan King of Mercia and a Tyrant to boot who hating Christianity and finding these times to profess privately to practice it was so enraged that nothing but their bloud would quench his anger Wolfadus was taken and martyred at Stone in this County Whilst his younger if not twin brother Ruffinus came little more behind him at his death then he started before him at his birth seeking to hid himself in a woody place where since the Chappel of Burnweston hath been built was there by his Herod-father found out and murthered They were by succeding ages rewarded with reputation of Saintââ¦ip This Massacre happened Anno Domini .... Cardinals REGINALD POLE was born at Stoverton Castle in this County Anno 1500. He was second son unto Sr. Richard Pole Knight of the Garter and Frater consobrinus a relation which I cannot make out in reference to him to Henry the Seventh His mother Margaret Countess of Salisbury was Neice to King Edward the Fourth and daughter to Geoââ¦ge Duke of Clarence This Reginald was bred in Corpus-Christi-Colledge in Oxford preferred afterward Dean of Exeter King Henry the Eighth highly favoured and sent him beyond the Seas allowing him a large Pension to live in an equipage suitable to his birth and alliance He studied at Padua conversing there so much with the Patricians of Venice that at last he degenerated into a perfect Italian so that neither love to his Country nor gratitude to the King nor sharp Letters of his Friends nor fear to lose his present nor hopes to get future preferments could perswade him to return into England but that his pensions were withdrawn from him This made him apply his studies the more privately in a Venetian-Monastery where he attained great credit for his Eloquence Learning and good Life Such esteem forreign Grandees had of his great Judgment that Cardinal Sadolet having written a large Book in the praise of Philosophy submitted it wholy to his Censure Pole as highly commended the Work as he much admired that a Cardinal of the Church of Rome would conclude his old age with writing on such a subject applying unto him the Verses of Virgil Est in conspectu Tenedos notissima fama Insula dives opum Priami dum regna manebant Nunc tantum sinus statio male fidacarinis From Troy may th'Ile of Tenedos bespide Much fam'd when Priams kingdom was in pride Now but a Bay where ships in danger ride These far fetch'd lines He thus brought home to the Cardinal that though Philosophy had been in high esteem whilst Paganisme was in the prime thereof yet was it but a bad Harbour for an aged Christian to cast his Anchor therein It was not long before he was made Deacon-Cardinal by the Title of St. Mary in Cosmedin by Pope Paul the Third who sent him on many fruitless and dangerous Embassies to the Emperour and the French King to incite them to War against King Henry the Eighth Afterwards he retired himself to Viterbo in Italy where his House was observed the Sanctuary of Lutherans and he himself became a racking but no thorough-paced Protestant In so much that being appointed one of three Presidents of the Council of Trent he endeavoured but in vain to have Justification determined by Faith alone During his living at Viterbo he carried not himself so cautiously but that he was taxed for begetting a base Child which Pasquil published in Latine and Italian Verses affixed in the season of liberty on his lawless pillar This Pasquil is an Authour eminent on many accounts First for his self-concealement being Noscens omnia notus nemini Secondly for his intelligence who can display the deeds of midnight at high noon as if he hid himself in the holes of their bedstaves knowing who were Cardinals Children better than they knew their Fathers Thirdly for his unpartial boldness He was made all of tongue and teeth biting what e're he touch'd and it bled what e're he bit Yea as if a General Council and Pasquil were only above the Pope he would not stick to tell where he trod his holy Sandals awry Fourthly for his longevity having lived or rather lasted in Rome some hundreds of years whereby he appears no particular person but a successive corporation of Satyrists Lastly for his impunity escaping the Inquifition whereof some assign this reason because hereby the Court of Rome comes to know her faults or rather to know that their faults are known which makes Pasquils converts if not more honest more wary in their behaviour This defamation made not such an impression on Poles credit but that after the death of Paul the Third he was at midnight in the Conclave chosen to succeed him Pole refused it because he would not have his choice a deed of darkness appearing therein not perfectly Italianated in not taking preferment when tendred and the Cardinals beheld his refusal as a deed of dulness Next day expecting a re-election he found new morning new minds and Pole being reprobated Julius the Third his professed enemy was chosen in his place Yet afterwards he became Alterius Orbis Papa when made Arch-bishop of Canterbury by Queen Mary He was a person free from passion whom none could anger out of his ordinary temper His youthful Books were full of the Flowers of Rhetorick whilst the withered stalkes are only found in the Writings of his old Age so dry their style and dull their conceit He died few hours after Queen Mary November the 17 Anno 1558. Prelates EDMUND STAFFORD was Brother to Ralph first Earl of Stafford and consequentially must be son to Edmund Baron Stafford His Nativity is rationally with most probability placed in this County wherein his father though Landed every where had his Prime Seat and largest revenues He was by King Richard the Second preferred Bishop of Exeter and under King Henry the Fourth for a time was Chancellour of England I meet with an Authour who doth make him Bishop first of Rochester then of Exââ¦ter and lastly of York But of the first and last altum silentium in Bishop Godwin whom I rather believe He was a Benefactor to Stapeltons-Inn in Oxford on a three-fold account viz. Of 1 Credit first calling it Exeter Colledge whereby he put an obligation on the Bishop of that See favourably to reflect thereon 2 Profit adding two Fellowships unto it and
heirs the Patent whereof is extant in the Tower and exemplified in my Author He appears to me no more than a plain Knight or a Knight Batchelour But were it in the power of my Pen to create a Banneret he should for the Reason premised have that Honour affixed to his Memory who as we conjecture died about the middle of the reign of King Henry the Sixth JOHN DUDLEY Duke of Northumberland where born uncertain was son to Edward Dudley Esq. of whom hereafter and would willingly be reputed of this County a Descendent from the Lord Dudley therein whose memory we will gratifie so far as to believe it He lived long under King Henry the Eighth who much favoured him and the Servant much resembled his Master in the equal contemperament of Vertue and Vices so evenly matched that it is hard to say which got the Mastery in either of them This John was proper in person comely in carriage wise in advising valiant in adventuring and generally till his last project prosperous in success But he was also notoriously wanton intollerably ambitious a constant dissembler prodigeously profuse so that he had sunk his Estate had it not met with a seasonable support of Abbey Land he being one of those who well warmed himself with the chipps which fell from the felling of Monasteriââ¦s King Henry the 8th first Knighted then created him Vicount Lisle Earle of Warwick and Duke of Norââ¦humberland And under Queen Mary he made himself almost King of England though not in Title in power by contriving the settling of the Crown on Queen Jane his daughââ¦er in Law till successe failed him therein And no wonder if that design missed the mark which besides many rubbs it met with at hand was thrown against the general bias of English affection For this his treasonable practises he was executed in the First of Queen Mary much bemoaned by some Martial men whom he had formerly indeared in his good service in the French and Scotish Wars He left two sons who survived to great Honour Ambrose Earl of Warwick heir to all that was good and Robert Earl of Leicester heir to all that was great in their Father The BAGNOLS Something must be premised of their Name and extraction The Bagenhalts commonly called Bagnols were formerly a Family of such remark in this County that before the reign of King Henry the Eighth there scarce passed an Ancient piece of evidence which is not attested by one of that Name But see the uncertainty of all humane things it afterwards sunck down to use my Authours language into a Plebean Condition But the sparks of their gentle Bloud though covered for a time under a mean estate have since blazed again with their own worth and valour when Ralph and Nicholas sons to John Bagnol of Newcastle in this County were both Knighted for their good service the one in Mustle-Borough fight the otherin Ireland Yea as if their courage had been hereditary Their sons Samuel and Henry were for their Martial merit advanced to the same degree Sea-men WILLIAM MINORS Reader I remember how in the Case of the Ship-money the Judges delivered it for Law that England being an Island the very Middle-land-Shires therein are all to be accounted as Maritime Sure I am the Genius even of Land-lock-Counties acteth the Natives with a Maritime dexterity The English generally may be resembled to Ducklings which though hatched under a Hen yet naturally delight to dabble in the Water I mean though born and bred in In-Land places where neither their Infancy nor Childhood ever beheld Ship or Boat yet have they a great Inclinatioâ⦠and Aptnesse to Sea-service And the present subject of our Pen is a pregnant proof thereof This William son to Richard Minors Gent. of Hallenbury-Hall was born at Uttoxater in this County who afterwads coming to London became so prosperous a Mariner that he hath safely returned eleven times from the East-Iudies whereas in the dayes of our GrandFathers such as came thence twice were beheld as Rarities thrice as Wonders four times as Miracles Much herein under Divine Providence is to be attributed to the Make of our English Ships now built more advantageous for sailing than in former Ages Besides the oftner they go the nearer they shape their Course use being the mother of Perfectnesse Yet whilst others wonder at his happiness in returning so often I as much commend his moderation in going no oftner to the East-Indies More men know how to get enough than when they have gotten enough which causeth their Coveteousness to increase with their wealth Mr. Minors having advanced a competent Estate quitted the water to live on the land and now peaceably enjoyeth what he painfully hath gotten and is living in or near Hartford at this present year 1660. Writers JOHN STAFFORD born in the Shire-Town of this County was bred a Franciscan No contemptible Philosopher and Divine but considerable Historian who wrote a Latin History of Englands affaires Authors are at an absolute loss when he lived and are fain by degrees to screw themselves into a general notice thereof He must be since the year 1226 when the Franciscans first fixed themselves in our Land He must be before John Ross who flourished Anno 1480 under Edward the Fourth and maketh honourable mention of him Therefore with proportion and probability he is collected to have written about 1380. WILLIAM de LICHFIELD so termed from the place of his Nativity applied himself to a study of Divinity whereof he became Doctor and afterwards Rector of All-hallowes the Great in Thames-street London He was generally beloved for his great Learning and godly liââ¦e He wrote many Books both Moral and Divine in Prose and Verse one intituled The complaint of God unto sinful Men. There were found in his Study after his death Three thousand four score and three Sermons of his own writing He died Anno Dom. 1447. being buried under a defaced Monument in the Quire of his own Church ROBERT WHITTINGTON born at Lichfield was no mean Grammarian Indeed he might have been greater if he would have been less Pride prompting him to cope with his Conquerors whom he mistook for his Match The first of these was Will. Lillie though there was as great difference betwixt these two Grammarians as betwixta Verb defective and one perfect in all the Requisites thereof The two other were William Horman and Alderedge both eminent in the Latin Tongue But some will carp at the best who cannot mend the worst line in a Picture the humour of our Whittington who flourished 1530. Since the Reformation HENRY STAFFORD Baron of Stafford in this County was son unto Edward Duke of Buckingham attainted and beheaded under King Henry the Eighth This our Henry though loosing his Top and Top-Gallant his Earledom and Dukedome in the tempest of the Kings displeasure yet still he kept his Keel his Barony of Stafford The less he possessed of his
buried by him and if some eminent Surgeon was interred on his other side I would say that Physick lay here in state with its two Pages attending it Writers HUMPHREY NECTON was born though Necton be in Northfolk in this County and quitting a fair fortune from his Father professed poverty and became a Carmelite in Norwich Two Firstships met in this Man for he Handselled the House-Convent which Philip Wat in of Cowgate a prime Citizen and almost I could beleeve him Mayor of the City did after the death of his Wife in a fit of sorrow give with his whole Estate to the Carmelites Secondly He was the first Carmelite who in Cambridge took the Degree of Doctor in Divinity ââ¦orsome boggled much thereat as false Heraldry in Devotion to super-induce a Doctoral hood over a Friers Coul till our Necton adventured on it For though Poverty might not affect Pride yet Humility may admit of Honour He flourished under King Henry the Third and Edward the First at Norwich and was buried with great solemnity by those of his Order Anno Dom. 1303. JOHN HORMINGER was born of good Parents in this County and became very accomplished in Learning It happened that travelling to Rome he came into the company of Italians the admirers only of themselves and the Slighters-General of all other Nations vilifying England as an inconsiderable Country ' whose Ground was as barren as the people Barbarous Our Horminger impatient to hear his Mother land traduced spake in her defence and fluently Epitomized the commodities thereof Returning home he wrote a Book De Divitiis Deliciis Angliae of the Profit and Pleasure of England which had it come to my hand O how advantageous had it been to my present design He flourished 1310. THOMAS of ELY was born in this County For though Cambridge-shire boasteth of Ely so famous for the Cathedral yet is there Monks-Ely in Suffolk the Native Town of this Thomas who followed the foot-steps of his Countryman Necton being a Carmelitâ⦠but in Ipswich and afterwards Doctor in the University of Cambridge aith my Author of Both Divinities But the same hand which tieth untieth this knot giving us to understand that thereby are meant Scholastical and Interpretative Divinity seeming to import them in that Age to have been distinct Faculties till afterwards united as the Civil and Common Law in one profession Leaving his Native Land he travelled over the seas with others of his Order to Bruges in Flanders and there kept Lectures and Disputations as one Gobelike a formidable Author informeth my Informer till his death about 1320. RICHARD LANHAM was born at a Market-Town well known for Cloathing in this County and bred when young a Carmelite in Ipswich He made it his only request to the Trefect of his Convent to have leave to study in Oxford which was granted him and deservedly employing his time so well there that he proceeded Doctor with publick applause Lelands Pencil paints him Pious and Learned but Bale cometh with his spunge and in effect deletes both because of his great Antipathy to the VVicklevites However his Learning is beyond contradiction attested by the Books he left to Posterity Much difference about the manner and place of his death some making him to decease in his Bed at Bristol others to be beheaded in London with Sudbury Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Hales Master of St. ãâã of Jerusalem by the Rebellious Crew of VVat Tyler who being a Misogrammatist if a good Greek word may be given to so Barbarous a Rebel hated every man that could write or read and were the more incensed against Lanham for his eminent Literature He died Anno Dom. 1381. JOHN KINYNGHAM was born in this County bred a Carmelite first in Ipswich then in Oxford being the 25th Prefect of his Order in England and Ireland Confessor to John of Gant and his Lady He was the first who encountred VVickliffe in the Schools at Oxford disputing of Philosophical Subtilties and that with so much Ingenuity that VVickliffe much taken with the Mans modesty prayed heartily for him that his Judgement might be convinced But whether with so good successe wherewith Peter Martyr besought God on the same account for ãâã Gilpin I know not He died a very aged man Anno 1399 and was buried at York far I confesse from Ipswich his first fixation But it was usual for Prefects of Orders to travel much in their Visitations JOHN LYDGATE was born in this County at a Village so called bred a Benedictine Monk in St. Edmunds-Bury After some time spent in our English Universities he travelled over France and Italy improving his time to his great accomplishment Returning he became Tutor to many Noble-mens sons and both in Prose and Poetry was the best Author of his Age. If Chaucers Coin were of a greater weight for deeper learning Lydgates were of a more refined Standard for purer language so that one might mistake him for a modern Writer But because none can so well describe him as himself take an Essay of his Verses excusing himself for deviating in his Writings from his Vocation I am a Monk by my profession In Berry call'd John Lydgate by my name And wear a habit of perfection Although my life agrees not with the same That meddle should with things spiritual As I must needs confess unto you all But seeing that I did herein proceed At his command whom I could not refuse I humbly do beseech all those that read Or leasure have this story to peruse If any fault therein they find to be Or error that committed is by me That they will of their gentleness take pain The rather to correct and mend the same Than rashly to condemn it with disdain For well I wot it is not without blame Because I know the Verse therein is wrong As being some too short and some too long For Chaucer that my Master was and knew What did belong to writing Verse and Prose Ne're stumbled at small faults nor yet did view With scornful eye the Works and Books of those That in his time did write nor yet would taunt At any man to fear him or to daunt He lived to be 60 years of age and died about the year 1444 and was buried in his own Convent with this Epitaph Mortuus saeclo superis superstes Hic ãâã Lydgate tumulatus urna Qui fuit quondam celebris Britannae Fama Poesis Dead in this World living above the skie Intomb'd within this Urn doth Lydgate lie In former time fam'd for his Poetry All over England As for the numerous and various Books which he wrote of several subjects Bale presenteth us with their perfect Catalogue JOHN BARNYNGHAM born at a Village so named in this County was bred a Carmelite in Ipswich and afterwards proceeded Doctor in Oxford thence going to Serbon the Cock-pit of controversies was there admitted to the same Degree Trithemius takes
the stipend and benevolence of the one and the dividend of the other but was utterly unacquainted with the taking of Tithes with the many troubles attending it together with the causeless molestations which Persons Presented meet with in their respective Parishes And because it is hard for one to have a Fellow-suffering of that whereof he never had a suffering this say some was the cause that he was so harsh to Ministers when brought before him Being Chaplain to the Earl of Dunbar then Omni-prevalent with King James he was unexpectedly preferred Archbishop of Canterbury being of a more fatherly presence than those who might almost have been his Fathers for age in the Church of England I find two things much charg'd on his memory First that in his house he respected his Secretary above his Chaplains and out of it alwayes honoured Cloaks above Cassocks Lay above Clergie-men Secondly that he connived at the spreading of non-conformity in so much that I read in a modern Author Had Bishop Laud succeeded Bancroft and the project of Conformity been followed without interruption there is little question to be made but that our Jerusalem by this time might have been a City at unity in it self Yet are there some of Archbishop Abbot his relations who as I am informed will undertake to defend him that he was in no degree guilty of these crimes laid to his charge This Archbishop was much humbled with a casual homicide of a keeper of the Lord Zouch's in Bramzel-Park though soon after he was solemnly quitted from any irregularity thereby In the reign of King Charles he was sequestred from his Jurisdiction say some on the old account of that homicide though others say for refusing to Licence a Sermon of Dr. Sibthorps Yet there is not an Express of either in the Instrument of Sequestration the Commission only saying in the general That the said Archbishop could not at that present in his own person attend those services which were otherwise proper for his cognizance and Jurisdiction For my own part I have cause to believe that as Vulnus semel sanatum novo vulnere recrudescit so his former obnoxiousness for that casualty was renewed on the occasion of his refusal to Licence that Sermon with some other of his Court-un-compliances This Archbishop died Anno Dom. 1633. having erected a large Hospital with liberal maintenance at Guildford the place of his nativity RICHARD CORBET D. D. was born at Ewel in this County and from a Student in became Dean of Christ-Church then Bishop of Oxford An high VVit and most excellent Poet of a courteous carriage and no destructive nature to any who offended him counting himself plentifully repaired with a jest upon him He afterwards was advanced Bishop of Norwich where he died Anno Dom. 1635. States-men THOMAS CROMWEL was born at Putney in this County of whom I have given measure pressed down and running over in my Church-History WILLIAM HOWARD son to Thomas Howard second of that Surname Duke of Norââ¦hfolk was by Queen Mary created Baron of Effingham in this County and by her made Lord Admiral of England which place he discharged with credit I find he was one of the first Favourers and Furtherers with his purse and countenance of the strange and wonderful discovery of Russia He died Anno Domini 154. CHARLES HOWARD son to the Lord William aforesaid succeeded him though not immediately in the Admiralty An hearty Gentleman and cordial to his Sovereign of a most proper person one reason why Queen Elizabeth who though she did not value a Jewel by valued it the more for a fair Case reflected so much upon him The first evidence he gave of his prowes was when the Emperors sister the Spouse of Spain with a Fleer of 130 Sailes stoutly and proudly passed the narrow Seas his Lordship accompanied with ten ships onely of Her Majesties Navy Royal environed their Fleet in a most strange and warlike sort enforced them to stoop gallant and to vail their Bonnets for the Queen of England His service in the eighty eighth is notoriously known when at the first news of the Spaniards approach he towed at a cable with his own hands to draw out the harbourbound-ships into the Sea I dare boldly say he drew more though not by his person by his presence and example than any ten in the place True it is he was no deep Sea-man not to be expected from one of his Extraction but had skill enough to know those who had more skill than himself and to follow their instructions and would not sterve the Queens service by feeding his own sturdy wilfulness but was ruled by the experienced in Sea-matters the Queen having a Navy of Oak and an Admiral of Osier His last eminent service was when he was Commander of the Sea as Essex of the Land forces at the taking of Cadiz for which he was made Earl of Nottingham the last of the Queens creation His place was of great profit Prizes being so frequent in that age though great his necessary and vast his voluntary expences keeping as I have read seven standing Houses at the same time at London Rigate Effingham Blechenley c. so that the wonder is not great if he died not very wealthy He lived to be very aged who wrote Man if not married in the first of Q. Elizabeth being an invited guest at the solemn Consecration of Matthew Parker at Lambeth and many years after by his testimony confuted those lewd and loud lies which the Papists tell of the Naggs-head in Cheap-side He resigned his Admiralty in the reign of King James to the Duke of Buckingham and died towards the later end of the reign of the King afore-said Sea-men Sir ROBERT DUDLEY Knight son to Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester by Douglas Shefeld whether his Mistris or Wife God knoweth many men being inclinable charitably to believe the later was born at Shene in this County and bred by his mother out of his Fathers reach at Offington in Sussex He afterwards became a most compleat Gentleman in all suteable accomplishments endeavoring in the reign of King James to prove his legitimacy and meeting with much opposition from the Court in distast he left his Land and went over into Italy But Worth is ever at home and carrieth its own welcome along with it He became a Favorite to the Duke of Florence who highly reflected on his Abilities and used his directions in all his Buildings At this time Ligorn from a Child started a Man without ever being a Youth and of a small Town grew a great City on a sudden and is much beholding to this Sir Robert for its fairness and firmness as chief contriver of both But by this time his Adversaries in England had procured him to be call'd home by a special Privy Seal which he refused to obey and thereupon all his Lands in England was seised on by the King by the Statute
of the Ladies amongst whom one reputed a kins-man to the great Sophy after some Opposition was married unto him She had more of Ebââ¦ny then Ivory in her Complexion yet amiable enough and very valiant a quality considerable in that Sex in those Countries With her he came over into England and lived many years therein He much affected to appear in forreign Vestes and as if his Clothes were his limbes accounted himself never ready till he had something of the Persian Habit about him At last a Contest happening betwixt him and the Persian Ambassadour to whom some reported Sir Robert gave a Box on the Ear the King sent them both into Persia there mutually to impeach one another and joyned Doctor Goââ¦gh a Senior Fellow of Trinity-colledge in Cambridge in Commission with Sir Robert In this ââ¦oyage as I am informed both died on the Seas before the controverted difference was ever heard in the Court of Persia about the beginning of the reign of K. Charles Sir THOMAS SHIRLEY I name him the last though the eldest Son of his Father because last appearing in the world mens Activity not always observing the method of their Register As the Trophies of Miltiades would not suffer Themistocles to sleep so the Atchivements of his two younger brethren gave an Alaââ¦m unto his spirit He was ashamed to see them Worne like flowers in the Breasts and Bosomes of forreign Princes whilst he himself withered upon the stalk he grew on This made him leave his aged Father and fair Inheritance in this County and to undertake Sea Voyages into forreign parts to the great honour of his Nation but small inriching of himself so that he might say to his Son as Aeneas to Aescanius Disce puer VirtuteÌ ex me verumque Laborem Fortunam ex aliis Virtue and Labour Learn from me thy Father As for success Child Learn from others rather As to the generall performances of these three brethren I know the Affidavit of a Poet carieth but a small creââ¦it in the court of History and the Comedy made of them is but a friendly foe to their Memory as suspected more accommodated to please the present spectators then inform posterity However as the belief of Mitiâ⦠when an Inventory of his adopted Sons misdeââ¦nours was brought unto him embraced a middle and moderate way nec omnia credere nec nihil neither to believe all things nor nothing of what was told him so in the list of their Atchivements we may safely pitch on the same proportion and when abatement is made for poeticall embelishments the remainder will speak them Worthies in their generations The certain dates of their respective deaths I cannot attain Physicians NICHOLAS HOSTRESHAM Know Reader I have placed him in this County only on presumption that Horsham in this Shire no such place otherwise in England is contracted for Hostresham He was a learned man a most famous Physician and esteemed highly of all the Nobility of the Land who coveted his company on any conditions It seemeth that he was none of those so pleasing and conformable to the Humor of their Patients as that they press not the true Cure of the Disease and yet none of those who are so Regular in proceeding according to Art for the Disease as that they respect not sufficiently the condition of their Patients but that he was of a Middle Temper and so in effect was two Physicians in one Man Many were the Books he wrote reckoned upby Bale and Pitz amongst which I take especial notice of one contra dolorem renum thus beginning Lapis quandoque generatur in renibus I observe this the rather because his Practise was wholly at home it not appearing that he ever went beyond the Sea and this is contrary unto the confidence of such who have vehemently affirmed that the Stone was never heard of in England untill Hopps and Beer made therewith about the year 1516. began to be commonly used He flourished Anno Domini 1443. Writers LAURENCE SOMERCOTE was born saith Bale in the South-part of the Kingdome But had I am sure his best English preferment in Sussex being Canon of Chichester After his breeding here under his Carefull Parents and Skilfull Masters who taught him Logick and Rhetorick he applied himself to the Study of the Law and attained to great Learning therein Then leaving the Land he went to Rome and repaited to his Brother or Kinsman Robert Somercote Cardinall who it seems procured him to be Sub-Deacon under the Popâ⦠He wrote some Books both in Latine and French and flourished in the year of our Lord 1240. JOHN DRITON so is his Surname Englished by Bale And why not as well John Driby a Vââ¦llage in Lincoln-shire seeing no Driton in all England The truth is this in Latine he wrote himself de Arida Villâ⦠equivalent with Sicoa villa or Sack-wil a Surname most renowned in this County and because it is added to his Character ex Illustri quadam Angliae familia procreââ¦s it suiteth well with our conjecturing him this Country-man He was bred according to the Mode of that Age in France and there became at Paris Summus Gymnasii Moderator which howsoever rendred in English soundeth a high place Conferred on a Forreigner In his time was much busling in the University about an Apocrypha Book patched together out of the Dreams of Joachime and Cyril two Monkes which was publickly read and commented on by many Admirers thereof by the name of the Eternall Gospell The Pope who often Curseth where God Blesseth here Blessed where God Cursed and notwithstanding the solemn Commination against such Additions to Scripture favoured them and what a Charitable Christian can scarcely believe damned their Opposers for Hereticks this our Sackwill bestirred himself and with William de Sancto Amore and other pious Men opposed this piece of Imposture Pitz in the Character of this our de Arida Villa treads like a foundred Horse on stones mentioning only that he met with much disturbance without any particulars thereof At last this Eternall Gospell had a Temporal End and with the Serpents of the Aegyptian Inchanters which vanished away this pretended Quint Essence Gospell sunk with shame into silence whilst the other four Gospells with the Serpent of Moses doe last and continue This our Writer flourished 1260. JOHN WINCHELSEY was bred in Oxford and became a great Scholar therein I am not bound to believe Bale in full latitude that he made a Centaur-Divinity out of Poets and Philosophers but this I believe that in his old Age he turned a Franciscan and when Gray became a Green Novice of the Order at Sarisbury Many condemned him that he would enter into such a life when ready to goe out of the world and others of his own Covent commended him who being old was concerned to find out the most compendious way to Heaven The year of his Probation was not ended when he died and was
the Baron of Kendal ãâã his singular deserts ââ¦oth in Peace and War This was that Richard ãâã who sââ¦w the wild Bore that raging in the Mountains ãâã as sometimes that of Erimanthus much indamaged the Country people whence it is that the Gilpins in their Coat Armes give the Bore I confess the story of this Westmerland-Hercules soundeth something Romanza like However I believe it partly because so reverend a pen hath recorded it and because the people in these parts need not feigne foes in the fancy Bears Bores and Wild beasts who in that age had real enemies the neighbouring Scots to encounter Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 Cuthbert Buckle Christopher Buckle Bourgh Vintner 1593 Sheriffs I find two or three Links but no continued chain os Sheriffs in this County untill the 10. of K. John who bestowed the Baily-week and Revenues of this County upon Robert Lord Vipont ROBERT de VIPONT the last of that Family about the raign of K. Edward the first left two daughters 1. Sibel married to Roger Lord Clifford 2. Idonea the first and last I meet with of that Christian-name though proper enough for women who are to be meet helps to their husbands married to Roger de Leburn Now because honor nescit dividi Honour cannot be divided betwixt Co-heirs and because in such cases it is in the Power and Pleasure of the King to assign it entire to which he pleased the King Conferred the Hereditary Sheriffalty of this County on the Lord Clifford who had Married the Eldest Sister Iâ⦠hath ever since continued in that honorable family I find Elizabeth the Widdow of Thomas Lord Clifford probably in the Minority of her son Sheriffess as I may say in the sixteenth of Richard the second till the last of K. Henry the fourth Yet was it fashionable for these Lords to depute and present the most Principal Gentry of this Shire their Sub-Vicecomites Under-sheriffs in their Right to order the affairs of that County I find Sir Thomas Parr Sir William Parr Ancestors to Q. Katherin Parr as also Knights of the Families of the Bellingams Musgraves c. discharging that office so high ran the Credit and Reputation thereof Henry Lord Clifford was by K. Henry the eight Anno 1525. Created Earl of Cumberland and when Henry the fift Earl of that family died lately without Issue male the Honour of this Hereditary Sheriffalty with large Revenues Reverted unto Anne the sole daughter of George Clifford third Earl of Cumberland the Relict of Richard Earl of Dorset and since of Phillip Earl of Pembroke and Mountgomery by whom she had two daughters the Elder married to the Earl of Thanet and the younger married to James Earl of Northampton The Farewell Reader I must confess my self sorry and ashamed that I cannot do more right to the Natives of this County so far distanced North that I never had yet the opportunity to behold it O that I had but received some intelligence from my worthy friend Doctor Thomas Barlow Provost of Queens-colledge in Oxford who for his Religion and Learning is an especiall ornament of Westmerland But Time Tide and a PrintersPress are three unmannerly things that will stay for no man and therefore I request that my defective indeavours may be well accepted I learn out of Master Camden that in the River Cann in this County there be two Catadupae or Waterfalls whereof the Northern sounding Clear and Loud foretokeneth Fair Weather the Southern on the same Terms presageth Rain Now I wish that the former of thesemay be Vocall in Hay-time and Harvest the latter after Great Drought that so both of them may make welcome Musick to the Inhabitants VVILT-SHIRE WILT-SHIRE hath Gloucester-shire on the North Berk-shire and Hampshire on the East Dorset-shire on the South and Summerset-shire on the West From North to South it extendeth 39. Miles but abateth ten of that Number in the breadth thereof A pleasant County and of great Variety I have heard a Wise man say that an Oxe left to himself would of all England choose to live in the North a Sheep in the South part hereof and a Man in the Middle betwixt both as partaking of the pleasure of the plain and the wealth of the deep Country Nor is it unworthy the observing that of all Inland Shires no ways bordered on Salt-water this gathereth the most in the Circumference thereof as may appear by comparing them being in compass one Hundred Thirty and Nine Miles It is plentifull in all English especially in the ensuing Commodities Naturall Commodities Wooll The often repetition hereof though I confess against our rules premised may justly be excused Well might the French Embassadour return France France France reiterated to every petty title of the King of Spain And our English Wooll Wooll c. may counterpoize the numerous but inconsiderable Commodities of other Countries I confess a Lock thereof is most contemptible Non flocci te facio passing for an expression of the highest neglect but a quantity thereof quickly amounteth to a good valuation The Manufactures Clothing This Mystery is vigorously pursued in this County and I am informed that as MEDLEYS are most made in other Shires as good WHITES as any are woven in this County This mentioning of Whites to be vended beyond the Seas minds me of a memorable contest in the raign of King James betwixt the Merchants of London and Sir William Cockain once Lord Mayor of that City and as Prudent a Person as any in that Corporation He ably moved and vigorously prosecuted the design that all the Cloth which was made might be died in England alledging that the wealth of a Country consisteth in driving on the Naturall Commodities thereof through all Manufactures to the utmost as far as it can go or will be drawn And by the Dying of all English cloth in England Thousands of poor People would be imployed and thereby get a comfortable subsistence The Merchants returned that such home-dying of our cloth would prove prejudiciall to the sale thereof Forreigners being more expert then we are in the mysterie of fixing of Colours Besides they can afford them far cheaper then we can much of dyingstuff growing in their Countries and Forraigners bear a great affââ¦ction to White or Virgin cloth unwilling to have their Fancies prevented by the Dying thereof insomuch that they would like it better though done worse if done by themselves That Sir William Cockain had got a vast deal of Dying-stuff into his own possession and did drive on his own interest under the pretence of the Publick good These their Arguments were seconded with good store of good Gold on both sides till the Merchants prevailed at last A Shole of Herrings is able to beat the Whale it self and Clothing left in the same condition it was before Tobacco pipes The best for shape and colour as curiously sized are made at Amesbury in this County They may be
the most marvellous It groweth ordinarily fifteen foot in length yea I read of one four and twenty foot long which may be true because as there are Giants amongst men so there are Giants amongst Giants which even exceed them in proportion The place whereon it groweth is low lying some Winters under water having hills round about it and a spacious sheep common adjoyning The soyl whereof by every hasty showre is brought down into this little medow which makes it so incredibly fruitfull This Grasse being built so many stories high from knot to knot lyeth matted on the ground whence it is cut up with sickles and bound into sheaves It is both Hay and Provender the joint-like knots whereof will fat swine Some conceive that the seed thereof transplanted would prosper plentifully though not to the same degree of Length in other places from whose judgement other husband-men dissent conceiving it so peculiar to this place that Ground and Grass must be removed both together Or else it mrst be set in a Parellel'd position for all the particuler advantages aforesaid which England will hardly afford So that nature may seem mutually to have made this Plant and this Place one for another Proverbs It is done secundum usum Sarum This Proverb coming out of the Church hath since inlarged it self into a civil use It began on this occasion Many Offices or forms of service were used in severall Churches in England as the Office of York Hereford Bangor c. which caused a deal of Confusion in Gods Worship untill Osmond Bishop of Sarum about the year of our Lord 1090. made that Ordinall or Office which was generally received all over England so that Churches thence forward easily understood one another all speaking the same words in their Liturgy It is now applyed to those persons which do and Actions which are formally and solemnly done in so Regular a way by Authentick Precedents and Paterns of unquestionable Authority that no just exception can be taken thereat Princes MARGARET PLANTAGENET Daughter to George Duke of Clarence and Isabel Nevile Eldest Daughter and Co-heir of Richard Nevile Earl of Warwick was born August 14. 1473. at Farrley-Castle in this County Reader I pray thee let her pass for a Princesse because Daughter to a Duke Neece to two Kings Edward the fourth and Richard the third Mother to Cardinal Reginale Poole But chiefly because she was the last liver of all that Royall Race which from their birth wore the names of Plantagenets By Sir Richard Poole a Knight of Wales and Cozen-Jerman to King Henry the seventh she had divers children whereof Henry Lord Mountague was the eldest he was Accused of Treason and this Lady his Mother Charged to be Privy thereunto by King Henry the eighth who as his father was something too slow was somewhat too quick in discovering Treasons as soon as if not before they were On the Scaffold as she stood she would not gratify the Executioner with a Prostrate Posture of her body Some beheld this her action as an argument of an erected soul disdaining pulingly to submit to an infamous death showing her mind free though her body might be forc'd and that also it was a demonstration of her innocence But others condemn'd it as a needless and unseasonable animosity in her who though suppos'd innocent before man for this fact must grant her self guilty before God whose Justice was the supreme Judge condemning her Besides it was indiscreet to contend where it was impossible to prevail there being no guard against the edge of such an axe but patience and it is ill for a soul to goe recking with anger out of this world Here happened an unequall contest betwixt Weakness and Strength Age and Youth Nakedness and Weapons Nobility and Baseness a Princess and an Executioner who at last draging her by the hair gray with age may truly be said to have took off her head seeing she would neither give it him nor forgive him the doing thereof Thus dyed this Lady Margaret Heir to the name and stout nature of Margaret Dutchess of Burgundy her Aunt and God-mother whose spirits were better proportioned to her Extraction then Estate for though by special Patent she was created Countess of Sarisbury she was restored but to a small part of the inheritance she was born unto She suffered in 23. year of the raign of K. Henry the eighth JANE SEYMORE Daughter to Sir John Seymoure Knight honourably descended from the Lords Beauchamps was as by all concurring probabilities is collected born at Wulfall in this County and after was married to King Henry the eight It is currantly traditioned that at her first coming to Court Queen Anne Bollen espying a Jewell pendant about her neck snatched thereat desirous to see the other unwilling to show it and causually hurt her hand with her own violence but it greived her heart more when she perceived it the Kings Picture by himself bestowed upon her who from this day forward dated her own declining and the others ascending in her husbands affection It appeareth plainly by a passage in the Act of Parliament that the King was not onely invited to his marriage by his own affections but by the Humble Petition and intercession of most of the Nobles of his Realme moved thereunto as well by the conveniency of her years as in respect that by her Excellent Beauty and Pureness of Flesh and Bloud I speak the very words of the Act it self she was apt God willing to Conceive Issue And so it proved accordingly This Queen dyed some days after the birth of Prince Edward her son on whom this Epitaph Phoenix Jana jacet nato Phoenice dolendum Saecula Phoenices nulla tulisse duas Soon as her Phoenix Bud was blown Root-Phoenix Jane did wither Sad that no age a brace had shown Of Phoenixes together Of all the Wives of King Henry she only had the happiness to dye in his full favour the 14. of Octob. 1337. and is buried in the quire of Windsor Chappel the King continuing in real mourning for her even all the Festival of Christmas Saints ADELME Son to Kenred Nephew to Ina King of the West-Saxons was bred in Forraign parts and returning home was Abbot of Malmesbury Thirty years a Person Memorable on severall Accounts 1. He was the first Englishman who ever wrote in Latine 2. He was the first that ever brought Poetry into England 3. The first Bishop of the See of Sherburn Bede giveth him a large commendation for his Learning the rather because he wrot a book for the reducing the Britons to observe Easter according to the Church of Rome Impudent Monkes have much abused his Memory with Shameless lyes and amongst the rest with a Wooden Miracle that a Carpenter having cut a Beam for his Church too short he by his Prayers stretched it out to the full proportion To this I may add another lye as clear as the Sun it self on whose
Tattered Cowle a Shirt of Hair a Girdle of Hempe a Pair of Beads a Plain Crucifix and Picture of some Saint passed for all the wealth and Wardrobe of a Friar yet by hearing Feminine Confessions wherewith Wilton twitteth them and abusing the Key of Absolution they opened the Coffers of all the Treasure in the Land He wrot also a smart Book on this subject An validi Mendicantes sint in ãâã Perfectionis Whether Friars in health and Begging be in the state of perfection The Anti-Friarists maintaining that such were Rogues by the Laws of God and Man and fitter for the House of Correction then State of Perfection This Dean Wilton flourished Anno Dom. 1460. Since the Reformation WILLIAM HOREMAN was saith my Author Patria Sarisburiensis which in the Strictest sence may be rendred born in the City in the Largest born in the Diocess of Salisbury and in the Middle-sence which I most embrace born in Wiltshire the County wherein Salisbury is situated He was bred saith Bale first in Eaton then in Kings-colledge in Cambridge both which I doe not deny though propably not of the Foundation his name not appearing in the exact Catalogue thereof Returning to Eaton he was made Vice-Provost thereof where he spent the remainder of his ãâã He was one of the most Generall Scholars of his age as may appear by the Diffusiveness of his Learning and Books written in all Faculties Grammar  Of Orthography Poetry  Of the Quantities of penultime syllables History  A Chronicle with a Comment on some Index of most Chronicles Controversial Divinity A Comment on Gabriel Biel. Case  On the divorce of King Henry the eighth Hnsbandry  A Comment on Cato Varro Columella Palladius de Re Rusticâ Other books he left unfinished for which Bale sends forth a sorrowfull sigh with a Proh Dolor which his passion is proof enough for me to place this Horeman on this side of the line of Reformation He dyed April 12. 1535. and lieth buried in the Chappel of Eaton Masters of Musick WILLAM LAWES son of Thomas Lawes a Viââ¦ar Choral of the Church of Salisbury was bred in the Close of that City being from his Childhood inclined to Musick Edward Earl of Hertford obtained him from his Father and bred him of his own cost in that Faculty under his Master Giovanni Coperario an Italian and most Exquisite Musician Yet may it be said that the Schollar in time did Equal yea Exceed his Master He afterwards was of the Private Musick to King Charles and was respected and beloved of all such Persons who cast any looks towards Vertue and Honour Besides his Fancies of the three four five and six parts to Vyol and Organ he made above thirty severall sorts of Musick for Voyces and Instruments neither was there any Instrument then in use but he composed to it so aptly as if he had only studied that In these distracted times his Loyalty ingaged him in the War for his Lord and Master and though he was by Generall Gerrard made a Commissary on designe to secure him such Officers being commonly shot-free by their place as not Exposed to danger yet such the activity of his Spirit he disclaimed the Covert of his Office and betrayed thereunto by his own adventurousness was casually shot at the Siege of Chester the same time when the Lord Bernard Stuart lost his life Nor was the Kings soul so ingrossed with grââ¦ef for the death of so near a Kinsman and Noble a Lord but that hearing of the death of his dear servant William Laws he had a particular Mourning for him when dead whom he loved when living and commonly called the Father of Musick I leave the rest of his worth to be expressed by his own Works of Composures of Psalms done joyntly by him and his brother Master Henry Laws betwixt which two no difference either in Eminency Affection or otherwise considerable save that the one is deceased and the other still surviving Master William Laws dyed in September 164. Benefactours to the Publique T. STUMPS of the Town of Malmesbury in this County was in his Age one of the most eminent Clothiers in England of whom there passeth a story told with some variation of circumstances but generally to this purpose King Henry the eighth Hunting near Malmesbury in Bredon Forrest came with all his Court Train unexpected to Dine with this Clothier But great House-keepers are as seldome surprised with Guests as vigilant Captains with Enemies Stumps commands his little Army of Workmen which he fed daily in his house to fast one Meal untill night which they might easily doe without indangering their health and with the same Provision gave the King and his Court-train though not so delicious and various most wholesome and plentifull entertainment But more Authentick is what I read in the great Antiquary speaking of the plucking down of Malmesbury Monastery The very Minster it self should have sped no better then the rest but being Demolished had not T. Stumps a wealthy Clothier by much suit but with a greater summe of Money redeemed and bought it for the Iowns-men his Neighbours by whom it was converted to a Parish-church and for a great part is yet standing at this day I find one William Stumps Gentleman who in the one and thirtieth year of King Henry the eight bought of him the demeans of Malmesbury Abby for fifteen hundred pound two shillings and a half penny Now how he was related to this T. Stumps whether son or father is to me unknown It will not be a sin for me to wish more branches from such Stumps who by their bounty may preserve the Monuments of Antiquity from destruction Memorable Persons SUTTON of ãâã Tradition and an old Pamphlet newly vamped with Additions make him a great Clothier Entertaining King Henry the first and bequeathing at his death one hundred pounds to the Weavers of Salisbury with many other benefactions I dare not utterly deny such a person and his bountifull Gifts but am ââ¦ured that he is notoriously mis-timed seeing Salisbury had scarce a stone laid therein one hundred years after King Henry the first and as for old Sarum that age knew nothing of Clothing as we have proved before Thus these Mungrell Pamphlets part true part false doe most mischief Snakes are less dangerous then Lampries seeing none will feed on what is known to be poison But these books are most pernicious where truth and falshoods are blended together and such a Medly Cloth is the Tale-story of this Clothier MICHEL born at ........... in this County was Under-sheriffe to Sir Anthony Hungarford a worthy Knight Anno 1558. in the last year of Queen Mary Of this Master Michel I find this Character A right and a perfect godly man Under sheriffs generally are complained of as over-crafty to say no worse of them but it seems hereby the place doth not spoil the person but the person the
the leaves of the Bayes and ââ¦y be withered to nothing since the erection of the Tomb but only rosated having a Chaplet of four Roses about his head Another Author unknighteth him allowing him only a plain Esquire though in my apprehension the Colar of S.S.S. about his neck speak him to be more Besides with submission to better judgements that Colar hath rather a Civil than Military relation proper to persons in places of Judicature which makes me guess this Gower some Judge in his old age well consisting with his original education He was before Chaucer as born and flourishing before him yea by some accounted his Master yet was he after Chaucer as surviving him two years living to be stark blind and so more properly termed our English Homer Many the Books he wrote whereof three most remarkable viz. Speculum Meditantis in French Confessio Amantis in English Vox Clamantis in Latine His death happened 1402. JOHN MARRE by Bale called MARREY and by Trithemius MARRO was born at Marre a village in this County three miles West from Doncaster where he was brought up in Learning Hence he went to Oxford where saith Leland the University bestowed much honour upon him for his excellent Learning He was by Order a Carmelite and in one respect it was well for his Memory that he was so which maketh John Balâ⦠who generally falleth foul on all Fryers to have some civility for him as being once himself of the same Order allowing him subtilly learned in all secular Philosophy But what do I instance in home-bred Testimonies Know Reader that in the Character of our own Country Writers I prize an Inch of Forraign above an Ell of English Commendation and Outlandish Writers Trithemius Sixtus Senensis Petrus Lucius c. give great Encomiums of his Ability though I confesse it is chiefly on this account because he wrote against the Opinions of J. Wickliffe He died on the eighteenth of Mà rch 1407. and was buried in the Convent of Carmelites in Doncaster THOMAS GASCOIGNE eldest son to Richard the younger brother unto Sir William Gascoigne Lord Chief Justice was born at Huntfleet in this County bred in Baliol Colledge in Oxford where he proceeded Doctor in Divinity and was Commissioner of that University Anno Dom. 1434. He was well acquainted with the Maids of Honour I mean Humane Arts and Sciences which conducted him first to the presence then to the favour of Divinity the Queen He was a great Hieronymist perfectly acquainted with all the Writings of that Learned Father and in expression of his gratitude for the good he had gotten by reading his Woââ¦ks he collected out of many Authors and wrote the life of Saint Hierom. He made also a Book called Dictionarium Theologicum very useful to and therefore much esteemed by the Divines in that age He was seven and fifty years old Anno 1460. and how long he survived afterwards is unknown JOHN HARDING was born saith my Author in the Northern parts and I have some cause to believe him this Countrey-man He was an Esquire of ancient Parentage and bred from his Youth in Military Employment First under Robert Umfrevil Governour of Roxborough Castle and did good service against the Scots Then he followed the Standard of King Edward the fourth adhering faithfully unto him in his deepest distresse But the Master-piece of his service was his adventuring into Scotland not without the manifest hazard of his Life where he so cunningly demeaned himselfe that he found there and fetched thence out of their Records many Original Letters which he presented to King Edward the fourth Out of these he collected an History of the several Solemn Submissions publickly made and Sacred Oaths of Fealty openly taken from the time of King Athelstane by the Kings of SCOTLAND to the Kings of ENGLAND for the Crown of SCOTLAND although the Scotch Historians stickle with might and maine that such Homage was performed onely for the County of Cumberland and some parcels of Land their Kings had in ENGLAND south of TWEED He wrote also a Chronicle of our English Kings from BRUTUS to King EDWARD the fourth and that in English Verse and in my Judgement he had drank as hearty a draught of Helicon as any in his age He was living 1461. then very aged and I believe died soon after HENRY PARKER was bred from his infancy in the Carmelite Convent at Doncaster afterwards Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge Thence he returned to Doncaster and well it had been with him if he had staid there still and not gone up to London to preach at Pauls-Crosse where the subject of his Sermon was to prove That Christs poverty was the pattern of humane perfection and that men professing eminent sanctity should conform to his precedent Going on foot feeding on Barley-bread wearing seamless-woven-coats having no houses of their own c. He drove this nail so far that he touched the quick and the wealthy Clergy winched thereat His Sermon offended much as preached more as published granting the Copy thereof to any that would transcribe it For this the Bishop of London put him in prison which Parker patiently endured in hope perchance of a rescue from his Order till being informed that the Pope effectually appeared on the party of the Prelates to procure his liberty he was content at Pauls-Cross to recant Not as some have took the word to say over the same again in which sense the Cuckow of all Birds is properly called the Recanter but he unsaid with at least seeming sorrow what he had said before However fââ¦om this time we may date the decay of the Carmelites credit in England who discountenanced by the Pope never afterwards recruited themselves to their former number and honour but moulted their feathers till King Henry the eight cut off their very wings and body too at the Dissolution This Parker flourished under King Edward the fourth Anno 1470. Since the Reformation Sir FRANCIS BIGOT Knight was born aud well landed in this County Bale giveth him this testimony that he was Evangelicae veritatis amator Otherwise I must confess my self posed with his intricate disposition For he wrote a book against the Clergy Of IMPROPRIATIONS Had it been against the Clergy of Appropriations I could have guessed it to have proved Tithes due to the Pastors of their respective Parishes Whereas now having not seen nor seen any that have seen his book I cannot conjecture his judgment As his book so the manner of his death seems a riddle unto me being though a Protestant slain amongst the Northern Rebells 1537. But here Bale helpeth us not a little affirming him found amongst them against his will And indeed those Rebells to countenancé their Treason violently detained some Loyall Persons in their Camp and the Blind sword having Aciem not Oculum kill'd friend and foe in fury without distinction WILFRID HOLME was born in this County of Gentile
years together assistant to the English Arch Priest demeaning himself commendably therein he wrote many books and one whose title made me the more to mind it Vitam Martyrium D. Margaretae Clithoroae Now whether this D. be for Domina or Diva for Lady or Saint or both I know not I take her for some Gentlewoman in the North which for some practises in the maintenance of her own Religion was obnoxious to and felt the severity of our Laws This Mush was living in these parts Anno 1612. Benefactors to the Publick THOMAS SCOT was born at Roââ¦heram no obscure market in this County waving his paternall name he took that of Roââ¦heram from the place of his Nativity This I observe the rather because he was according to my exactest enquiry the last Clergy-man of note with such an assumed Surname which Custome began now to grow out of fashion and Clergy-men like other men to be called by the name of their fathers He was first Fellow of Kings-colledge afterwards Master of Pembroke-hall in Cambridge and Chancellour of that University here he built on his proper cost saving something help'd by the Scholars the fair gate of the School with fair walks on each side and a Library on the East thereof Many have mistaken this for the performance of King Richard the third meerly because his Crest the Boar is set up therein Whereas the truth is that Rotheram having felt the sharp Tuskes of that Boar when imprisoned by the aforesaid King for resigning the Great Seal of England to Queen Elizabeth the relict of King Edward the fourth advanced his Armes thereon meerly to engratiate himself He went thorough many Church preferments being successively Provost of Beverly Bishop of Rochester Lincoln and lastly Arch-bishop of York nor less was was his share in Civil honour first Keeper of the Privy Seal and last Lord Chancellour of England Many were his Benefactions to the Publique of which none more remarkable then his founding five Fellowships in Lincoln colledge in Oxford He deceased in the 76. year of his age at Cawood of the plague Anno Domini 1500. JOHN ALCOCKE was born at Beverly in this County where he built a Chappell and founded a Chantry for his parents He was bred a Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge and at last became Bishop of Ely his prudence appeared in that he was preferred Lord Chancellour of England by King Henry the seventh a Prince of an excellent palate to tast mens Abilities and a Dunce was no dish for his diet His piety is praised by the pen of J. Bale which though generally bitter drops nothing but honey on Alcocks Memory commending him for a most mortified man Given to Learning and Piety from his Child-hood growing from grace to grace so that in his age none in England was higher for holiness He turned the old Nunnery of Saint Radigund into a new Colledge called Jesus in Cambridge surely had Malcolm King of Scots first founder of that Nunnery survived to see this alteration it would have rejoyced his heart to behold Leudness and Laziness turned out for Industry and Piety to be put in their place This Alcock died October 1. 1500. And had Saintship gone as much by merit as favour he deserved one as well as his name-sake Saint John his predecessor in that See Since the Reformation The extent of this large Province and the distance of my Habitation from it have disabled me to express my desires suitable to the merit thereof in this Topick of Modern Benefactors which I must leave to the Topographers thereof hereafter to uspply my defaults with their diligence But let me forget my self when I doe not remember the worthy charitable Master ....... Harrison inhabitant of the Populous Town of Leeds so famous for the Cloath made therein Methinks I hear that great Town accosting him in the Language of the Children of the Prophets to Elisha Behold now the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us The Church could scarce hold half the inhabitants till this worthy gentleman provided them another So that now the men of Leeds may say with Isaack Rehoboth God hath made room for us He accepted of no assistance in the building of that fair Fabrick but what he fully paid for so that he may be owned the sole Founder thereof But all his Charity could not secure him from sequestration in our Troublesome Times All I will adde is this as he hath built a House for God may God in Scripture Phrase build a House for him I mean make him fruitfull and fortunate in his posterity Memorable Persons PAULINUS DE LEEDS born in this County where there be three Towns of that name in one Wapentake It is uncertain in which of these he was born and the matter is of no great concernment One so free from Simony and far from buying a Bishoprick that when a Bishoprick bought him he refused to accept it For when King Henry the second chose him Bishop of Carlisle and promised to increase the Revenue of that Church with three hundred mark yearly rent besides the grant of two Church livings and two Mannors near to Carlisle on the condition that this Paulinus would accept the place all this would not work him to imbrace so wealthy an offer The reasons of his refusall are rendred by no Author but must be presumed very weighty to overpoise such rich proffers on which account let none envy his name a Room in this my Catalogue He flourished about the year of our Lord 1186. WILLIAM DE LA POLE born at Ravensrode in this County was for wealth and skill in Merchandize inferiour to none in England he made his abode at Kingston upon Hull and was the first Mayor of that Town When K. Edward the third was at Antwââ¦rp and much necessitated for money no shame for a Prince always in War to be sometimes in want this William lent him many thousand pounds of gold In recompence whereof the King made him his Valect equivalent to what afterward was called Gentleman of the Bed-chamber and Lord Chief-Baron of his Exchequer with many other honours Amongst which this was one that he should be reputed a Banneret not that he was really made one seeing the flourishing of a Banner over his head in the field before or after a fight was a ceremony essentiall thereunto but he had the same precedency conferred upon him I find not the exact date of his death but conjecture it to be about the year 1350. Lord Mayor Name Father Place Company Time 1 William Eastfield William Eastfield Tickell Mercer 1429 2 John Ward Richard Ward Howdon Grocer 1484 3 William White William White Tickhill Draper 1489 4 John Rudstone Robert Rudstone Hatton Draper 1528 5 Ralph Dodmer Henry Dodmer Pickering leigh Mercer 1529 6 William Roch John Roch Wixley Draper 1540 7 Richard Dobbes Robert Dobbes Baitby Skinner 1551 8 William Hewet Edmund Hewet Wales
Books imputed to him of the Wonders and first inhabitants of Britain of King Arthur and his unknown Sepulehre so that now we can teach Gildas what he knew not namely that King Arthur was certainly buried at Glassenbury He wrot also of Percevall and Lancelot whoâ⦠I behold as two Knights Combatants and presume the former most victorious from the Notation of his Name Per sevalens prevailing by himself Our Author is charged to be full of Fables which I can easily believe for in Ancient History if we will have any thing of truth we must have something of falsehood and abating onely Holy-writ it is as impossible to find Antiquity without Fables as an old Face without Wrinckles He flourished Anno Dom. 860. BLEGABRIDE LANGAURIDE Philip Comineus observeth that to have a short Name is a great advantage to a Favorite because a King may readily remember and quickly call him If so the writer aforesaid is ill qualified for a Favorite But let him then pronounce his own Name for others will not trouble themselves therewith He attained to be a great Scholar Doctor of both Laws and Arch-deacon of the Church of Landaft He to the honour of his Country and use of Posterity translated the laws of Howell the most modest King of Wales and flourished 914. SALEPHILAX the BARDE This Mungrell name seemeth to have in it an Eye or Cast of Greek and Latine but we are assured of his Welch extraction In inquiring after his works my success hath been the same with the painfull Thresher of Mill-dew'd wheat gaining little more then Straw and Chaffe All the grain I can get is this that he set forth a Genealogy of the Britains and flourished about the year 920. GWALTERUS CALENIUS may we not English him Walter of Calen was a Cambrian by his Nativity though preferred to be Arch-deacon of Oxford He is highly prized for his great learning by Lealand and others This was he who took the pains to go over into Britain in France and thence retrived an Ancient Manuscript of the British Princes from Brutus to Cadwalader Nor was his labour more in recovering then his courtesie in communicating this rarity to Jeffrey of Munmouth to translate the same into Latine Nor was this Walter himself idle continuing the same Chronicle for four hundred years together untill his own time He flourished Anno Dom. 1120. under King Henry the first GUALO BRYTANNUS born in Wales was from his Infancy a servant to the Muses and lover of Poetry That he might injoy himself the better herein he retired into a private place from the noise of all people and became an Anchorite for his Fancy not Devotion according to the Poet Carmina secessum scribentis otia quaerunt Verses justly do request Their writers privacy and rest Here his pen fell foul on the Monks whose covetousness in that age was so great that of that subject Difficile est Satyram non scribere 'T was hard for any then to write And not a Satyre to indite He wrot also Invectives against their wantonness and impostures and yet it seems did it with that Cautiousness that he incurred no danger Indeed he is commended by John of Sarisbury and others Quod esset Prudens Doctus He flourished Anno Domini 1170. under King Henry the second WILLIAM BRETON was born saith Bale and Pitz. the later alledging one Willot for his Author in Wales bred a Franciscan at Grimsby in Lincoln-shire I will not quarrell his Cambrian extraction but may safely mind the Reader that there was an ancient family of the Bretons at Ketton in Rutland next Lincoln-shire where this William had his education But let this Breton be Brito believing the allusion in sound not the worst evidence for his Welch originall sure it is he was a great Scholar and deep Divine the Writer of many books both in Verse and Prose and of all his Master-piââ¦ce was an exposition of all the hard words in the Bible which thus begins Difficiles studeo partes quas Biblia gestat Pandere sed nequeo latebras nisi qui ma ââ¦festat Auxiliante Deo qui câ⦠vult singula praestat Dante juvamen eo nihil insuperabile restat c. Hard places which the Bible doth contain I study to expound but all in vain Without Gods help who darkness doth explain And with his help nothing doth hard remain c. Such the reputation of his book that in the controversie betwixt Standish Bishop of Saint Aââ¦aph and Erasmus unequal contest the former appeals to Brââ¦tons book about the interpretation of a place of Scripture This William died at Grimsby Anno Domini 1356. UTRED BOLTON was born saith Lealand ex Transabrinâ Gente Now though parts of Salop Worcester and Gloucester-shire with all Hereford shire be beyond Severn yet in such doubtfull Nativities England giveth up the Cast rather then to make a Contest to measure it Troublesome times made him leave his Country and travail to Durham where he became a Benedictine He had a rare Naturall Happiness that the Promptness and Pleasantness of his Parts commended all things that he did or said This so far ingratiated him with the Abbot of his Convent that he obtained leave to go to Oxford to File his Nature the Brighter by learning Hither he came in the heat of the difference betwixt Wickliffe and his Adversaries Bolton sided with both and with neither consenting in some things with Wickliffe dissenting in others as his conscience directed him William Jordan a Dominican and Northern Man was so madded hereat that he he fell foul on Bolton both with his Writing and Preaching Bolton angry hereat expressed himself more openly for Wickliffe especially in that his smart Book Pro Veris Monachis for True Monkes or Monkes Indeed parallel with Saint Pauls Widdows indeed which were to be honoured showing what Sanctity and Industry was required of them Hereat the anger of Jordan did Overflow endeavouring and almost effecting to get Bolton excommunicated for an Heretick This Learned Man flourished under King Richard the second 1330. JOHN GWENT was born in Wales bred a Franciscan in Oxford till he became Provinciall of his Order throughout all Britain He wrot a Learned Comment on Lombard his Common Places and is charactered a Person qui in Penitiore recognitae Prudentiae Cognitione se vel admirabilem ostenderet Here endeth Lealand his writing of him and beginneth Bale his railing on him pretending himself to the truest Touchstone of Spirits and trying Men thereby Yet doth he not charge our Gwent with any thing peculiar to him alone but common to the rest of his Order telling us what we knew before that all Mendicants were acted with an ill Genius being Sophisters Cavilers c. this Bee being no more guilty then the whole Hive therein He dyed at Hereford in the Verge of his Native Country 1348. JOHN EDE was saith Bale genere Wallus by
tract of its self But this Edward first estranged himself from his Subjects and in effect subjected himself to a stranger Pierse Gaveston his French Minion and after his execution to the two Spencers who though Native English-men were equally odious to the English for their insolence Hence it was that he first lost the love of his Subjects then of his Queen the vacuity of whose bed was quickly filled up then his Crown then his Life Never any English Kings case was so pitiful and his person less pitied all counting it good reason that he should give entertainment to that woe which his wilfulness had invited home to himself His violent death happened at Berkley Castle Septemb. 22. 1327. Saints There is an Island called Berdsey justly reduceable to this County lying within a mile of the South-West Promontory thereof wherein the Corps of no fewer than twenty thousand Saints are said to be interred Estote vos omnes Sancti Proud Benhadad boasted that the dust of Samaria did not suffice for handfuls for all the people that followed him But where would so many thousand Bodies find Graves in so petty an Islet But I retrench my self confessing it more facile to find Graves in Berdsey for so many Saints than Saints for so many Graves States = Men. JOHN WILLIAMS was born at Aber-Conwy in this County bred Fellow of Saint Johns Colledge in Cambridge Proctor of the University Dean of Westminster Bishop of Lincoln Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England and lastly Arch-Bishop of York In my Church History I have offended his Friends because I wrote so little in his praise and distasted his Foes because I said so much in his defence But I had rather to live under the indignation of others for relating what may offend than die under the accusation of my own conscience for reporting what is untrue He died on the 25. day of March 1649. Prelates since the Reformation RICHARD VAUGHAN born at Nuffrin or else at Etern in this County was bred Fellow in Saint Johns Colledge in Cambridge and was afterwards successively Bishop of Bangor Chester and lastly of London a very corpulent man but spiritually minded an excellent Preacher and pious Liver on whom I find this Epigram which I will endeavour to English Praesul es ô Britonum decus immortale tuorum Tu Londinensi primus in Urbe Brito Hi mihi Doctores semper placuere docenda Qui faciunt plus quam qui faciendae docent Pastor es Anglorum doctissimus optimus ergo Nam facienda doces ipse docenda facis Prelate of London O immortal grace Of thine own Britons first who had that place He 's good who what men ought to do doth teach He 's better who doth do whââ¦t men shold preach You best of all preaching what men should do And what men ought to preach that doing too Here to justifie the observation Praesul must be taken for a plain Bishop and primus accounted but from the conversions of the Saxons to Christianity For orherwise we find no fewer than sixteen Arch Bishops of London before that time and all of the British Nation He was a most pleasant man in discourse especially at his Table maintaining that Truth At meals be glad for sin be sad as indeed he was a mortified man Let me add nothing could tempt him to betray the Rights of the Church to sacrilegious Hands not sparing sharply to reprove some of his own Order on that account He died March 30. 1607. being very much lamented HENRY ROULANDS born in this County bred in the University of Oxford was consecrated Bishop of Bangor Novemb. 12. 1598. We have formerly told how Bishop Bulkley plundered the Tower of Saint Asaph of five fair Bells now the bounty of this Bishop bought four new ones for the same the second Edition in Cases of this kind is seldom as large as the first whereof the biggest cost an hundred pounds He also gave to Jesus Colledge in Oxford means for the maintenance of two Fellows He died Anno Dom. 1615. The Farewell The Map of this County as also of Denby and Flint-shire in Mr. Speed is not divided as other Shires in England and Wales with Pricks into their several Hundreds which would have much conduced to the compleating thereof whereof he rendreth this reason That he could not procure the same though promised him out of the Sheriffs Books fearing lest the riches of their Shire should be further sought into by revealing such particulars He addeth moreover This I have observed in all my Survey that where least is to be had the greatest fears are possessed I would advise these Counties hereafter to deny no small Civility to a painful Author holding a Pen in his hand for fear a drop of his Ink fall upon them for though juyce of Lemmon will fetch such spots out of Linnen when once printed in a Book they are not so easily got out but remain to posterity DENBIGH-SHIRE DENBIGH-SHIRE hath Flint-shire Cheshire and Shrop-shire on the East Montgomery and Merionith-shires on the South Carnarvonshire divided by the River Conwey on the West being from East to West thirty one from North to South twenty miles The East part of this County towards the River Dee is fruitful but in the West the industrious Husbandman may be said to fetch his bread out of the fire paring off their upper Turfs with a Spade piling them up in heaps burning them to Ashes and then throwing them on their barren ground which is much fertilized thereby Natural Commodities Amelcorne This English Word which I find in the English Cambden is Welsh to me Let us therefore repair to his Latine Original where he informeth us that this County produceth plenty of Arinca Here the difficulty is a little changed not wholly cleared In our Dictionaries Arinca is Englished 1. Rice but this though a frequent name of many in this Country is a grain too choice to grow in Wales or any part of England 2. Amelcorn and now having run round we have not stirred a step as to more information of what we desired a kind of At last with long beating about we find it to be RYE in Latine more generally called Serale Plinles Pen casts three dashes on this Grain being it seems no friend to it or it to him 1. Est tantum ad arcendam famem utile Good only to drive away famin as not pleasant at all 2. Est licet farre mixtum ventri ingratissimum as griping the Guts 3. ââ¦ascitur quocunqne solo any base ground being good enough to bear it However whatever his forraign Rye was that which groweth incredibly plentiful in this County is very wholsome and generally in England Rye maketh moistest bread in the dryest Summer for which cause some prefer it before Wheat it self Buildings The Church of Wrexham is commended for a fair and spacious building and it is questionable whether it claimeth more praise for
with the Title of Earl thereof until the raign of King James who created Philip Herbert second Son to Henry Earl of Pembroke Baron Herbert of Shurland and Earl of Montgomery Natural Commodities Horses How good and swift are bred in this County I may well spare my Commendation and remit the Reader to the Character I find given of them in a good Author From the Gomerian fields Then which in all our Wales there is no Country yields An excellenter Horse so full of Natural fire As one of Phoebus Steeds had been that Stallions Sire Which first their race begun or of th' Asturian kind Which some have held to be begotten by the wind Now after proportionable abatement for his Poetical Hyperbole the remainder is enough to inform us of the good Strain this Shire doth afford Proverbs Y Tair Chiwiorydd In English the Three Sisters being a common By-word to express the three Rivers of ãâã Severn Rhiddiall arising all three in this County out of the South-west side of Plynnillimmon Hill within few paces one of another but falling into the Sea more miles asunder Severn into the Severn Sea Wye into the Severn Rhiddiall into the Irish Sea The Tradition is that these three sisters were to run a race which should be first married to the Ocean Severn and Wye having a great journey to go chose their way through soft Medows and kept on a Travellers pace whilest Rhiddiall presuming on her short Journey staid before she went out and then to recover her lost time runs furiously in a distracted manner with her mad stream over all opposition The Proverb is applyable to Children of the same Parents issuing out of the same Womb but of different dispositions and embracing several courses of lives in this World so that their Cradles were not so near but their Coffins are as farre asunder Pywys Paradwys Cymry That is Powis is the Paradise of Wales This Proverb referreth to Teliessen the Author thereof at what time Powis had far larger bounds than at this day as containing all the land inter-jacent betwixt Wye and Severn of the pleasantness whereof we have spoken before Gwan dy Bawlyn Hafren Hafren fyà d hifcl cynt That is Fixt thy Pale with intent to sence out his water in Severn Severn will be as before Appliable to such who undertake projects above their power to perform or grapple in vain against Nature which soon returns to its former condition Writers GEORGE HERBERT was born at Montgomery-Castle younger Brother to Edward Lord Herbert of whom immediately bred Fellow of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge and Orator of the university where he made a speech no less learned than the occasion was welcome of the return of Prince Charles out of Spain He was none of the Nobles of Tââ¦koa who at the building of Jerusalem put not their necks to the work of the Lord but waving worldly preferment chose serving at Gods Altar before State-employment So pious his life that as he was a copy of primitive he might be a pattern of Sanctity to posterity to testifie his independency on all others he never mentioned the name of Jesus Christ but with this addition My Master Next God the Word he loved the Word of God being heard often to protest That he would not part with one leaf thereof for the whole world Remarkable his conformity to Church-Discipline whereby he drew the greater part of his Parishioners to accompany him daily in the publick celebration of Divine Service Yet had he because not desiring no higher preferment than the Benefice of Bemmerton nigh Salisbury where he built a fair house for his Successor and the Prebend of Leighton founded in the Cathedral of Lincoln where he built a fair Church with the assistance of some few Friends free Offerings When a Friend on his death bed went about to comfort him with the remembrance thereof as an especial good work he returned It is a good work if sprinkled with the Blood of Christ. But his Church that unimitable piece of Poetry may out-last this in structure His death hapned Anno Dom. 163 EDWARD HERBERT Son of Richard Herbert Esquire and Susan Newport his Wife was born at Montgomery * Castle in this County Knighted by King James who sent him over Embassador into France Afrerwards King Charls the first created him Baron of Castle Island in Ireland and some years after Baron of Cheirbury in this Counââ¦y he was a most excellent Artist and rare Linguist studied both in Books and Men and himself the Author of two Works most remarkable viz. A Treatise of ãâã written in French so highly prized beyond the Seas that as I am told it is extant at this day with great Honour in the Popes Vatican He married the Daughter and sole Heir of Sir VVilliam Herbert of Saint Julians in Monmouth-shire with whom he had a large Inheritance both in England and Ireland He died in August Anno Domini 1648. and was buried in Saint Giles in the fields London having designed a fair Monument of his own Invention to be set up for him in the Church of Montgomery according to the Model following upon the ground a Hath pace of fourteen foot square on the midst of which is placed a Dorrick Columne with its rights of Pedestal Basis and Capital fifteen foot in height on the Capital of the Columne is mounted an urn with an Heart Flamboul supported by two Angels The foot of this Columne is attended with four Angels placed on Pedestals at each corner of the said Hath pace two having Torches reverst extinguishing the Motto of Mortality the other two holding up Palmes the Emblems of Victory This Monument hath not hitherto by what obstruction I list not to enquire and I fear will not be finished which hath invited me the rather to this Description that it might be erected in Paper when it was intended in Marble Memorable Persons HAWIS GADARN She was a Lady of remark sole Daughter and Heir to Owen ap Graffyth Prince of that part of Powis called Powis Wenwinwin which taketh up this whole County She was justly as will appear surnamed Gadarn that is the Hardy I confess Hardy sounds better when applyed to men as Philip the Hardy a Prince in France meek and mild being a more proper Epethite for a woman Yet some competent hardiness to comport with troubles mis-becometh not the weaker Sex and indeed if she had not been Hawis the Hardy she had been Hawis the Beggerly She had four Uncles her Fathers Brethren Lhewelyn Iohn Griffith Vachan and David which uncles became her Cosens detaining all her inheritance from her Give said they a Girle a little Gold and marry her God and nature made Land for men to manage Hereupon Hawis comes to Court complains to King Edward the second The mention of her minds me of the Daughter of Zelophehad who pleaded so pathetically for her patrimony before Moses and Joshua The King commiserating her case
by the Romans an emblem of liberty is esteemed by the English except Faulconers and Hunters a badge of servitude though very useful in themselves and the Ensign of constancy because not discomposed but retaining their fashion in what form soever they be crouded The best Caps were formerly made at Monmouth where the Cappers Chappel doth still remain being better carved and gilded than any other part of the Church But on the occasion of a great plague hapning in this Town the trade was some years since removed hence to Beaudly in Worcester-shire yet so that they are called Monmouth Caps unto this day Thus this Town retains though not the profit the credit of Capping and seeing the Child still keeps the Mothers name there is some hope in due time she may return unto her All I will adde is this if at this day the phrase of wearing a Monmouth Cap be taken in a bad acception I hope the inhabitants of that Town will endeavour to disprove the occasion thereof Saints Saint AMPHIBALUS a Citizen of Carlion See the Saints in Hereford shire Saint AARON was a wealthy Citizen of Carlion in this County who for the testimony of the Christian Faith was martyred under the Tyrant Emperor Dioclesian By the way we may observe the names of the three first British Martyrs as to their Language 1. Alban Of Latine Originall 2. Amphibalus  Greek  3. Aaron  Hebrew  It seems that the Christian Britons at the Font quitted their Native names as barbarous and imposed on their Children those of the learned Languages This Aaron was martyred Anno Dom. 303. Saint JULIUS It is pity to part so fast friends both being Citizens of Carlion Yea they were lovely in their lives and in their deaths they were not divided both suffering martyrdom together and therefore like Philip and Jacob one day is assigned to their Memories in the Kalendar Nor must I forget how Carlion the place of their aboad though now a small Town was once a great City stretching so far oâ⦠both sides of the River that Saint Julians a house of late of Sir William Herberts was sometimes within the City though now about a mile South-West thereof being a Church dedicated anciently to the Memory of this Saint Julius Cardinals GEFFERY of Monmouth is by some very firmly avouched to have been created a Cardinal but by what Pope and with what Title uncertain but my worthy Author justly suspecteth the truth hereof alledging that Popes in that age advanced few Forraigners at so great a distance to that Title except their merits to the See of Rome which appears not to this Jeffery were very great Let me adde that it is improbable so much honour should be done unto him whilest living who was so solemnly disgraced after his death whose Books extant in his life were afterwards by the Court of Rome publickly prohibited See him therefore in this Shire under the Title of Writers JOHN of Monmouth so called from the place of his Nativity D. D. and Canon of Lincoln was chosen Anno 1296. Bishop of Landaff The manner whereof was remarkable for when Robert Kilwarby complained to Pope Celestine how that Cathedral had been for seven years without a Bishop caused either by the troublesomness of those Times or the exility of revenue thereof his Holiness remitted his Election wholly to the discretion of this Arch-Bishop to conferre that vacant See on whomsoever he pleased The Arch-Bishop knowing all eyes intent on his Integrity herein resolved on a Welsh-man by his birth as most proper for and acceptable in the place and on one of merit for the Function Both Qualifications met in this John of Monmouth as British by his birth and alliance and Charactered to be Doctus Pius Theologus One of his Successors in that Bishoprick acknowledgeth that he was Multimodis sedi suae Benefactor and more particularly that he procured the Rectory of Newland in the Forrest of Dean to be appropriated thereunto But one Bishop Anthony Kitchin by name more unlanded Landaff in one than all his Predecessors endowed it in four hundred years This John dying April 8. 1323. was buried in Saint Maries Chappel whose Epitaph in French is hardly legible at this day on his Marble Monument WALTER CANTILUPE was Son to William the elder Lord Cantilupe whose prime residence was at Abergavennie in this County One of high birth higher preferment made by King Henry the third Bishop of Worcester and highest spirit In his time the Popes Legate came into England and complained of mââ¦ny Clergy-men keeping their livings against the Canons intending either to force such irregular Incumbents into avoydance so to make room for the Popes Favourites or else to compound for their continuance at his arbitrary price But our Walter would not yield to such extortion Indeed he was one of a keene nature and his two-edged spirit did cut on both sides against The Pope The King Telling Rusland his Legate coming hither 1255. that he would preferre to be hang'd on the Gallows rather than ever consent to such expilation of the Church Siding with the Barons he encouraged them in their Civil Warres promising Heaven for their reward though this doctrine cost him an excommunication from the Pope Lying on his death-bed he was touched with true remorse for his disloyalty and upon his desire obtained absolution He died February the fifth 1267. whom I behold as Uncle unto Thomas Cantilupe the Sainted Bishop of Hereford Souldiers RICHARD de CLARE was born as from all concentred probabilities may be conjectured at Strigule-Castle in this County and had the Title of Earl of Strigule and Pembroke He was otherwise surnamed Strongbow from drawing so strong a Bow and had Brachia projectissima saith my Author though I can hardly believe that Reacher which another writeth of him that with the palms of his hands he could touch his knees though he stood up right More appliable to him is the expression of Tully Nihil egit levi brachio being a person of effectual performance It hapned that Mac Murugh Lord of Leinster in the year of our Lord 1167. being expelled his Territory for several Tyrannies by the Lords of Meth and Conaght repaired to our King Henry the second and invited him to invade Ireland But that politick King fearing if failing in success to forfeit the reputation of his discretion would not engage in the design but permitted such Subjects of his who had a mind Militare propriis stipendiis to adventure themselves therein Amongst these Richard Strongbow was the principal going over into Ireland with twelve hundred men too great for an Earls Train yet too little for a Generals Army to make a National Invasion yet so great his success that in a short time he prossessed himself of the Ports of Leinster and Mounster with large lands belonging thereunto insomuch that King Henry grew jealous of his greatness remanded
prius  14 Nich. Moor ar   The Farewell I understand that in January 1607. part of this County which they call the Moore sustained a great loss by the breaking in of the Severn sea caused by a violent South-west wind continuing for three dayes together I heartily desire the Inhabitants thereof may for the future be secured from all such dangerous inundations water being a good servant but bad master by his Providence who bindeth the sea in a girdle of sands and saith to the waves thereof Thus far shall ye go and no further PEMBROKE-SHIRE is surrounded on all sides with the Sea save on the North-East where it boundeth on Cardigan and East where it butteth on Carmarthen-shire A County abounding with all things necessary for mans livelihood and the East part thereof is the pleasantest place in all VVales which I durst not have said for fear of offence had not Giraldus their own Country-man affirmed it Nor is it less happy in Sea than in Land affording plenty of Fish especially about Tenby therefore commonly called Tenby-y-Piscoid which I rather observe for the vicinity of the British piscoid with the Latine piscosus for fishfull though never any pretended an affinity between the two Languages A part of this Country is peopled by Flemmings placed there by King Henry the first who was no less politick than charitable therein For such Flemmings being driven out of their own Country by an irruption of the Ocean were fixed here to defend the land given them against the Welsh and their Country is called little England beyond Wales This mindeth me of a passage betwixt a Welsh and English man the former boasting Wales in all respects beyond England to whom the other returned he had heard of an England beyond Wales but never of a Wales beyond England Natural Commodities Faulcons Very good are bred in this County of that kind they call Peregrines which very name speaks them to be no Indeginae but Forraigners at first lighting here by some casualty King Henry the second passing hence into Ireland cast off a Norway Goshawk at one of these but the Gos-hawk taken at the source by the Faulcon soon fell down at the Kings foot which performance in this ramage made him yearly afterward send hither for Eyesses These Hawkes Aeries not so called from building in the Air but from the French word Aire an Egge are many in the Rocks in this Shire Buildings For a sacred structure the Cathedral of Saint David is most eminent began by Bishop Peter in the raign of King John and finished by his Successors though having never seen it I can say little thereof But in one respect the roof thereof is higher than any in England and as high as any in Europe if the ancient absolute independent jurisdiction thereof be considered thus stated by an Authentick Author Episcopi Walliae à Menevensi Antistite sunt consecrati ipse similiter ab aliis tanquam suffraganeis est consecratus nulla penitus alii Ecclesiae facta professione vel subjectione The generality of which words must be construed to have reference as well to Rome as to Canterbury Saint Davids acknowledging subjection to neither till the reign of King Henry the first Princes HENRY TUTHAR Son to Edmund Earl of Richmond and Margaret his Lady was born at Pembroke in this County Anno Dom. In the reign of King Henry the sixth he was bred a Child at Court when a young man he lived an Exile in France where he so learned to live of a little that he contracted a habit of frugality which he did not depose till the day of his death Having vanquished King Richard the third in the battel of Bosorsth and married Elizabeth eldest Daughter to King Edward the fourth he reigned King of England by the name of Henry the seventh He is generally esteemed the wisest of our English Kings and yet many conceive that the Lord Bacon writing his life made him much wiser than he was picking more prudence out of his actions than the King himself was privy to therein and not content to allow him politick endeavoured to make him policy it self Yet many thiââ¦k hââ¦s judgemenâ⦠ãâã him when refusing the ãâã ãâã of Columbus for the discovery of America who might therein have made a secret advenââ¦e without any prejudice to the rââ¦putation of his wisdom But such his waââ¦ss he would not tamper with costly Contââ¦s though never ââ¦o probable to be gainful nor would he hazard a hook of Silver to catch a fish of Gold He was the first King who secretly sought to abaââ¦e the formidable greatness the Parent of many former Rebellions in the English ââ¦earage lessening their Dependencies countenaââ¦cing the Commons and encouraging the Yeomandry with provisions against Depopulations However ââ¦ereby he did not free his Successors from fear but only exchanged their care making the Commons who because more numerous less manageble more absolute and able in time to conââ¦est with Soveraignty He survived his Queen by whom he had the true Title to the Crown about five years Some will say that all that time he was King only by the Courtesie of England which I am sure he was loth to acknowledge Others say he held the Crown by Conquest which his Subjects were as unwilling to confess But let none dispute how hâ⦠hââ¦ld seeing he held it having Pope Parliament Power Purse Success and some shadow of Succession on his side His greatest fault was grinding his Subjects with grievous exactions he was most magnificent in those Structures he hath left to posterity Amongst wââ¦ich his ââ¦evotion to God is most seen in two Chappels the one at Cambridge the other at Westminster his charity to the poor in the Hospital of the Savoy his Magnificence to himself in his own Monument of guilded Copper and his vanity to the World in building a Ship called the Great Harry of equal cost saith some with his Chappel which asterwards sunk into the Sea and vanished away in a moment He much imployed Bishops in his service finding them honest and able And here I request the judicious and learned Reader to help me at a dead liâ⦠being posed with this passage written in his life by the Lord Verulam He did use to raise Bishops by steps that he might not lose the profits of the First fruits which by that course of gradation was multiplied Now I humbly conceive that the First fruits in the common acception of the word were in that age paid to the Pope and would fain be informed what By-FirstFruits these were the emolument whereof accrued to the Crown This politick King at his Palace of Richmond April 22. 1509. ended his life and was buried in the Magnificent Chappel aforesaid On the same token that he ordered by his last Will and Testament that none save such of the Blood Royal who should descend from his Loyns should be buried in that place
straitly forbidding any other of what Degree or Quality soever to be interred therein But only the Will of the King of Heaven doth stand inviolable whilest those of the most Potent earthly Princes are subject to be infringed Saints JUSTINIAN was a Noble Briton by birth who with his own inheritance built a Monastery in the Island of Ramsey in this County where many Monks lived happily under his discipline until three of them by the Devils instigation slew this Justinian in haââ¦red of his sanctity about the year of Christ 486. His body was brought with great veneration to Menevia and there interred by Saint David himself and since much famed with supposed Miracles Writers GIRALDUS CAMBRENSIS whose Sir-name say some was Fitz-Girald say others was Barry and I believe the latter because he saith so himself in his Book De vita sua and was born at Tenby in this County His Father His Mother William de Barry an Englishman Angaââ¦eth the daughter of Nesta daughter of Rhese Prince of South-Wales He was Nephew to David the second Bishop of St. Davids by whom he was made Arch-Deacon of Brecknock He was wont to complain that the English did not love him because his Mother was a Welsh-woman and the Welsh did hate him because his Father was an English-man though by his excellent writings he deserved of England well of Wales better and of Ireland best of all making a Topographical description of all three But acting in the last as a Secretary under King John with great industry and expence Yea he was a great Traveller as far as Jerusalem it self and wrote De mirabilibus terrae Sanctae so that he might be styled Geraldus Anglicus Hibernicus Hierosolymitanus though it was his mind and modesty only to be Cambrensis One may justly wonder that having all Dimensions requisite to preferment his birth broad acquaintance deep learning long life living above seventy years he never attained to any considerable Dignity Hear how betwixt grief and anger he expresseth him self concerning his ill success at Court Irreparabili damno duo ferè lustra consumens nihil ab illis preter inanes vexationes ãâã veris promissa suscepi Indeed for a long timè no Preferment was proffered him above a beggerly Bishoprick in Ireland and at last the See of S. Davids was the highest place he attained Whilest some impute this to His Planet the malignant influence whereof hath blasted men of the most merit Pride some men counting it their due for preferment to court them and that it is enough for them to recive too much to reach after it Profitableness to be employed in meaner places Some having gotten an useful Servant love to wear him out in working and as Gardiners keep their hedges close cut that they may spread the broader maintain them mean that they may be the more industrious Giraldus himself tells us the true reason that he was ever beheld oculo novercali because being a Welsh-man by the surer side and then such the Antipathy of the English they thought no good could come out of Wales Sad that so worthy a man should poenas dare Patriae Matris suae Being at last as we have said made Bishop of Saint Davids he went to Rome and there stickled for an exemption of that his See from Canterbury whereby he highly offended Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury But Giraldus after long debates being rather over-born with Bribes than over-come in Cause returned re infecta died and was buried in his own Cathedral about the year 1215. The Farewell I know not what better to wish this County than that the Marle a great fertilizer of barren ground which it affordeth be daily encreased especially since Corn is in all probability likely to grow scarcer and scarcer that their land through Gods blessing being put in heart therewith may plentifully answer the desires of the Husbandman and hereafter repair the Penury of this with the Abundance for many succeeding years RADNOR-SHIRE RADNOR-SHIRE in British Sire Maiseveth in form three square is bounded on the North-West with Hereford-shire and on the South side separated by the River Wye with Breckneck-shire and on the North part thereof with Montgomery-shire Nature may seem to have chequered this County the East and South parts being fruitful whilest the North and West thereof lying rough and uneven with Mountains can hardly be bettered by the greatest pains and industry of the Husband man Yet is it indifferently well stored with woods and conveniently watered with running Rivers and in some places with standing Meers Mr. Cambden telleth us that there is a place therein termed Melienith from the Mountains thereof being of a Yellowish colour which stretcheth from Offa Dike unto the River Wye which cutteth overthwart the West corner of this Shire where meeting with some stones which impede its motion on a sudden for want of ground to glide on hath a violent downfall which place is termed Raihader Gowy that is the Fall or Flood-gates of Wye Hereupon he supposeth it not improbable that the English men forged that word for the name of this Shire terming it Radnor-shire Princes HENRY of MONMOUTH so called from that well known Town wherein he was born hath his Character fixed here because formerly passed over in its proper place through the posting speed of the Press He was Son to King Henry the fourth by Mary one of the Daughters and Heirs of Humfrey de Bohun Earl of Herefoââ¦d and whom he succeeded on the Throne being the fifth of that name and began his raign March 20. Anno 1413. He cannot be excused from extravagancies in his Youth seeing the King his Father expelled him his Council substituting his younger Brother the Duke of Clarence President in his steed for the same Yet as those bodies prove most healthful which break out in their youth so was his soul the sounder for venting it self in its younger days For no sooner was his Father dead but he reclaimed himself and became a glory to his Country and a constant terror to his Enemies Yea he banished all his idle Companions from Court allowing them a competency for their subsistence When the Lord Chiefe Justice who had secured him when Prince for striking him for the commitment of some of his lewd Companions begg'd his Pardon for the same he not only forgave him but rewarded his Justice for distributing it without fear or partiality In his raign a Supplication was preferred that the Temporal Lands given to pious uses but abusively spent might have been seized to the King This was wisely awarded by Chichley Arch-Bishop of Canterbury by putting the King on the design of recovering France Yea this King by his valour reduced Charles the sixth King of France to such a condition that he in a manner resigned his Kingdom into his hand And here the French men found him as good or rather worse as his promise which he made to
Master Aylmer sate in the hind part whilst the Searchers drank of the Wine which they saw drawn out of the head or other end thereof Returning into England he was made Arch-Deacon of Lincoln and at last Bishop of London He was happy in a meet Yoke-fellow having a gratious Matron to his wife by whom he had many children and one son to which Arch-bishop Whitgift was Godfather and named him Tob-el that is The Lord is good in memorial of a great deliverance bestowed on this childs mother For when she was cast out of her Coach in London by a Mastiff casually seising upon the Horses she received no harm at all though very near to the time of her Travail Bishop Aylmer was well learned in the Languages a ready Disputant and deep Divine He was eighteen years Bishop of London and dying Anno 1594. in the 73. year of his age had this for part of his Epitaph which Bishop Vaugham sometimes his Chaplain afterwards his Successor made upon him Ter senos Annos Praesul semul Exul idem Bis Pugil in causa religionis erat Eighteen years Bishop and once Banish'd hence And twice a Champion in the Truths defence I understand it thus once a Champion in suffering when an Exile for religion and again in doing when chosen one of the disputants at Westminster against the Popish Bishops Primo Elizabethae except any expound it thus once Champion of the Doctrine against Papists and afterwards against the Discipline of the Non-Confromists none more stoutly opposing or more fouly belibelled of them God blessed him with a great estate the main whereof he left unto Samuel Aylmer his eldest son High-sheriff of Suffolk in the reign of King Charles and amongst his youngest sons all well provided for Doctor Aylmer Rector of Haddam in Hartfordshire was one of the most learned and reverend Divines in his generation JOHN TOWERS was born in this County bred Fellow of Queens-colledge in Cambridge and became Chaplain to William Earl of Northampton who bestowed on him the Benefice of Castle-Ashby in Northampton-shire He was preferred Dean and at last Bishop of Peterborough He was a good actor when he was young and a great sufferour when he was old dying about the year 1650. rich onely in Children and Patience Nothing but sin is a shame in it self and poverty as poverty especially since our Saviour hath sanctified it by suffering it is no disgrace Capital Judges and Writers on the Law RALPH DE-HENGHAM so named from a fair Market-town in this County was made Lord Chief-justice of the Kings-bench in Michaelmas term in the second year of King Edward the first when the King was newly returned from the Holy-land He sate 16. years in that place saving that one Winborne was for a year or two interposed and at the general purging and garbling of the Judges which happened in the 18. year of the aforesaid King when all the Judges except two John de Metingham and Elias de Bekingham were cast out by the Parliament for their corruption fined banished and imprisoned then this Ralph was merced in seven thousand marks for bribery and ejected out of his place Some will say let him wither in silence why do you mention him amongst the Worthies of our Nation I answer Penitence is the second part of Innocence and we find this Ralph after his fine payed made Chief-justice of the Common-pleas sub recipiscendi fiducia under the confidence generally conceived of his amendment He died the next being the 19. year of the raign of King Edward the first he lies buried in the Church of Saint Paul where he hath or had this Epitaph Per versus patet hos Anglorum quod jacet hic flos Legum qui tuta dictavit vera statuta Ex Hengham dictus Radulphus vir benedictus One must charitably believe that he played a good after-game of integrity and if injoying longer life he would have given a clearer testimony thereof WILLIAM PASTON Esq. son of Clement Paston Esq. and Beatrix his wife sister and heir to Jeffry Sommerton Esq. was born at Paston in this County He was learned in the laws of this Realm and first was Serjeant to King Henry the sixth and was after by him preferred second Judge of the Common-pleas I confess having confined our Catalogue to Capital Judges or Writers on the Law he falls not under our method in the strictness thereof But I appeal to the Reader himself whether he would not have been highly offended with me had I in silence passed over a person so deserving his observation He was highly in favour with King Henry the sixth who allowed him besides the ordinary salary assigned to other Judges one hundred and ten marks Reader behold the Standard of money in that age and admire with two Gowns to be taken yearly out of the Exchequer as by the ensuing letters Patents will appear Henricus Dei gratia Rex Angliae Franciae Dominus Hiberniae Omnibus ad quos Praesentes literae pervenerint Salutem Sciatis quod de gratia nostra speciali ut dilectus fidelis noster Willielmus Paston unus Justiti nostrorum de com Banco Statum suum decentius manu tenere expensas quas ipsum in officio pradicto facere oportebit sustinere valeat concessimus ei centum decem marcas percipiendum singulis annis ad scaccarium nostrum ad terminos Pasche Sancti Michaelis per equales Portiones duas robas per annum percipiendum unam videlicet cum Pellura ad festum Natalis Domini aliam cum Limra ad festum Pentecostes ultra feodum consuetum quamdiu ipsum Stare contigerit in officio supradicto In cujus rei Testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes teste meipso apud Westminst XV. die Octobris anno regni nostri octavo What Pellura is I understand Furr but what Limra is if rightly written I would willingly learn from another though some are confident it is Taffata I wonder the less at these noble favours conferred on the said William Paston Judge for I find him in grace with the two former Kings being made Serjeant by King Henry the fourth and of ââ¦is counsel for the Dutchie of Lancaster and in the reign of King Henry the fifth he was in such esteem with Sir John Falstofe Knight that he appointed him one of his Feoffees whom he enabled by a writing under his hand to recover debts from the Executors of King Henry the fifth This William Paston married Agnes daughter and heir of Sir Edmond Berrey by which marriage the Pastons rightly quarter at this day the several Coats of Hetherset Wachesham Craven Gerbredge Hemgrave and Kerdeston and received both advancement in bloud and accession in estate This said VVilliam Paston died at London August 14. 1444. and lies buryed in Norwich so that his corps by a peculiar exception do straggle from the Sepulture of their Ancestors who
from VVolstan de Paston who three years after the Conquest came into England to VVilliam Earl of Glandwill were all interred at Paston He lest rich revenues to John Paston Esquire his eldest son who married Margaret daughter and heir of John Mautby and no mean Estate to VVilliam his second surviving son who married Anne daughter to Edmond Duke of Somerset Sir EDWARD COKE Knight son of Robert Coke Esquire and of VVinefred Knightly his wife was born at Mileham in this County bred when ten years of age at Norwich-school and thence removed to Trinity-colledge in Cambridge After four years continuance there he was admitted into Cliffords-Inn-London and the year following entered a Studient of the Municipal-law in the Inner-Temple Such his proficiency therein that at the end of six years exceeding early in that strict age he was callââ¦d to the Bar and soon after for three years chosen Reader in Lyons-Inn Here his learned Lectures so spred forth his fame that crouds of Clients sued to him for his counsel and his own suit was the sooner granted when tendering his affections in order to marriage unto Briget daughter and Co-heir of John Paston Esquire She was afterwards his incomparable wife whose Portion moderately estimated Viis modis amounted unto thirty thousand pounds her vertues not falling under valuation and she enriched her husband with ten children Then began preferment to press upon him the City of Norwich chusing him Recorder the County of Norfolk their Knight to Parliament the Queen her Speaker therein as also successively her Solicitor and Attorney King James honoured him with Knighthood and made him Chief Justice first of the Common-Pleas then of the Kings-Bench Thus beginning on a good bottome left him by his father marrying a wife of extraordinary wealth having at the first great and gainful practice afterwards many and profitable Offices being provident to chuse good penny-worths in purchases leading a thrifty life living to a great age during flourishing and peaceable times born as much after the Persecution under Queen Mary as dying before our Civil Wars no wonder if he advanced a fair estate so that all his sons might seem elder brethren by the large possessions left unto them Some falsly character him a back-friend to the Church and Clergy being a grand benefactour to the Church of Norwich who gratefully under their publique seal honoured him with the ensuing testimony Edwardus Coke Armiger saepius in multis difficillimis negotiis Ecclesiae nostrae auxiliatus est nuper eandem contra Templorum Helluones qui dominia maneria haereditamenta nostra devorare sub titulo obscuro Concelatum dicunt sponte suâ nobis insciis sine mercede ullâ legittimè tutatus est atque eandem suam nostri defensionem in perpetuam tantaerei memoriam quam posterorum si opus fuerit magna cum industria scriptis redegit nostrae Ecclesiae donavit As for the many Benefices in his own Patronage he freely gave them to worthy men being wont to say in his Law-language that he would have Church-livings pass by Livery and Seisin not Bargain and Sale Five sorts of people he used to fore-design to misery and poverty Chemists Monopolizers Concelers Promoters and Rythming Poets For three things he would give God solemn thanks that he never gave his body to physick nor his heart to cruelty nor his hand to corruption In three things he did much applaud his own success in his fair fortune with his wife in his happy study of the laws and in his free coming by all his Offices nec prece nec pretio neither begging nor bribing for preferment His parts were admirable he had a deep judgment faithful memory active fancy and the jewel of his mind was put into a fair case a beautiful body with a comely countenance a case which he did wipe and keep clean delighting in good cloaths well worne and being wont to say that the outward neatness of our bodies might be a Monitor of purity to our souls In his pleadings discourse and judgements he declined all Circumlocutions usually saying The matter lies in a little room In all places callings and jurisdictions he commended modesty and sobriety within their boundaries saying If a River swells beyond its Banks it loseth its own Channel If any adverse party crossed him he would patiently reply If another punisheth me I will not punish my self In the highest Term of business he made Vacation to himself at his Table and would never be perswaded privately to retract what he had publikely adjudged professing he was a Judge in a Court and not in a Chamber He was wont to say No wise man would do that in prosperity whereof he should repent in adversity He gave for his Motto Prudens qui Patiens and his practise was accordingly especially after he fell into the disfavor of King James The cause hereof the Reader may find in our English Chronicles whilst we behold how he employed himself when retired to a private life when he did frui suo infortunio and improv'd his loss to his advantage He triumphed in his own innocency that he had done nothing illegally calling to mind the Motto which he gave in his rings when made Serjeant Lex est tutissima Cassis The Law is the safest Helmet And now he had leisure to peruse what formerly he had written even thirty books with his own hand most pleasing himself with a Manual which he called his Vade mecum from whence at one view he took a prospect of his life pass'd having noted therein most remarkables His most learned and laborious works on the Laws will last to be admired by the judicious posterity whilst ââ¦ame hath a trumpet left her and any breath to blow therein His judgement lately passed for an Oracle in Law and if since the credit thereof hath causelesly been questioned the wonder is not great If the Prophet himself living in an incredulous age found ââ¦ause to complain Who hath believed our Report it need not seem strange that our licentious times have afforded some to shake the authenticalness of the Reports of any earthly Judge He constantly had prayers said in his own house and charitably relieved the poor with his constant almes The foundation of Suttous-hospital when indeed but a foundation had been ruined before it was raised and crush'd by some Courtiers in the hatching thereof had not his great care preserved the same The Free-school at Thetford was supported in its being by his assistance and he founded a School on his own cost at Godwick in this County It must not be forgotten that Doctor Whitgift afterwards Arch-bishop of Canterbury was his Tutor who sent unto his Puple when the Queens Atturney a fair New Testament with this message He had now studied Common-law enough let him hereafter study the Law of God Let me adde to this that when he was under a cloud at Court and outed of his Judges place