The Grandeur OF THE LAW OR An exact Collection of the Nobility and Gentry of this Kingdom whose Honors and Estates have by some of their Ancestors been acquired or considerably augmented by the Practice of the Law or Offices and Dignities relating thereunto The Name of such Ancestor together with the Time in which he Fluorished the Society in which he was a Member and to what Degree in the Law he arrived being perticularly expressed By H. P. Gent. LONDON Printed for Arthur Jones at the Flying-Horse near St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet 1684. TO The RIGHT HONORABLE FRANCIS Lord GVILFORD LORD KEEPER OF THE GREAT SEAL OF England c. MY LORD THE welfare of Mankind hath so necessary a Dependance upon Laws and the Administration of Justice that by the Vote of all Ages The Profession of the Law hath ever been rank't amongst the most Honorable Callings Perhaps in the Judgment of many it would not have become any Person less eminent than Cicero to have said Cedant Arma Togae And yet if a good Peace be the end and only justifiable ground of War and if it be true what Philosophy teacheth us That the End is always more noble than the Means I do not well see how the Consequence will be avoided in Favour and Preferrence of the Gown But this small Treatise hath nothing to do with such Polemical Debates It only designs to set down and enumerate those Illustrious Families of our Nation which have been raised to Honor and Wealth by the Profession of the Law The very Nature of the Subject does in a manner entitle it to your Lordships Protection who are in your self the greatest Example of this kind and the greatest Ornament of the Law in this or any Age. Others have owed their Preferments in Honor and Estate to the Law To which your Lordship is much more a Creditor than a Debtor When we consider your Nobility of Extraction Eminency of Parts and above all your Inviolable Integrity we are all bound to confess that you brought with you more Honor to the Gown than you receive from it But these great Truths are not fit to be spoken by so mean a Person as I am who shall be too much honored in being permitted to lay my self with this small Tribute at your Lordships Feet and to make a Profession of being My Lord Your Honors most Obedient and most humble Servant H. Philipps TO THE READER THE Method I have taken is first of all to Enumerate so many of the present Nobility of England and such Englishmen whose Titles of Honor are in Scotland and Ireland of which there are but few as by the Study and Practice of our Laws eminent Preferments and Places of Trust and Profit relating thereunto are risen and advanced to such their Dignities and according to the times of their respective Creations have placed them with all Circumspection Yet I do not insist that they are ranked without any Error but submit it to the Judgment of those better read in Matters of that Nature It may be Objected That I ought not to have preferred the Scots and Irish Nobility any otherwise than according to such English Honors as they are here invested with and truely they ought not but in regard they were but few I thought it would not be improper to place them next after our English Nobility according to their Titles The next Degree are the Baronets which being an Hereditary Title I have with the like Care placed them persuant to the Date of their several Patents And as to the Knights and Esquires forasmuch as there is not any material Precedency claimed or used I have placed those Degrees promiscuously as they came to my hands without the least design or intention of Injury to them or any of them and hope it will be so taken There have been many Families both of Nobility and Gentry as have been raised by the means above-mentioned besides such as I have expressed in this Book who are now become Extinct as to their Names though perhaps their Estates have been Vnited to some other Families by Daughters and Heirs but being it is difficult to point particularly at such Families to whom such Estates were carriâ—d and least it might be offensive I have not in the least meddled therewith THE NOBILITY THE first who laid the Foundation of that Noble and Flourishing Family of the Howards was William Howard one of the Judges of the Court of Common-Pleas in the Reigns of the two first Edwards From which William are directly descended Henry Howard Duke of Norfolk Earl of Arundel Surry Norfolk and Norwich and Earl Marshal of England c. James Howard Earl of Suffolk and Baron Howard of Walden Thomas Howard Earl of Berkshire Viscount Andover and Baron of Charleton Charles Howard Earl of Carlisle Viscount Morpeth and Baron Dacres of the North. Henry Lord Stafford Son and Heir to William Howard Late Lord Viscount Stafford Francis Howard Baron of Effingham And William Lord Howard of Escrick with diverse other Honourable Persons of this great Family Henry Cavendish Duke Marquess and Earl of New-Castle Earl of Ogle Viscount Mansfield Baron Ogle Bertram of Bothall and Bolesover as also William Cavendish Earl of Devonshire and Baron Cavendish of Hardwick are both descended from Sir John Cavendish Knight Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Kings-Bench in the Reigns of King Edward the Third and Richard the Second * Observe The Earl of Devonshire is the Elder House Charles Sackvill Earl of Dorsett and Middlesex Baron of Buckhurst and Lord Cranfield is descended of an Ancient Family of that Name in Sussex But the first who made any considerable addition to the Estate and Honour was Sir Richard Sackvill Knight one of the Benchers of the Inner-Temple in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth and afterwards Under-Treasurer of the Court of Exchequer whose Son and Heir was the first Lord Buckhurst James Cecill Earl of Salisbury Viscount Cranbourne and Baron of Essendon as also John Cecill Earl of Exeter and Baron of Burleigh are both Issued in a direct Line from William Cecill an eminent Lawyer of the Society of Grays-Inn in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth in which Study he made so great a Progress that besides many other worthy Offices he at last was constituted Lord High Treasurer of England and created Baron of Burleigh in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth and at his Death left an Estate of a prodigious Vallue John Edgerton Earl of Bridgewater Viscount Brackley Baron of Elsmeere is the Grandson of Thomas Edgerton a Natural Son to Sir Richard Edgerton of Ridley in Cheshire Knight which Thomas being placed in Lincolns-Inn to the Study of the Law so improved himself therein that he became first Sollicitor General to Queen Elizabeth next her Attorney General then Master of the Rolls then Lord Keeper afterwards Lord Chancellor and last
created Baron of Elesmere and Viscount Brachley leaving at his Death an Estate of his own raising of at least Eight thousand pound per Annum Edward Rich Earl of Warwick and Holland Lord Rich of Leez and Kensington is Lineally descended from Sir Richard Rich Knight Reader of the Middle-Temple in the One and twentieth year of Henry the Eighth who for his great knowledge in the Law was made Sollicitor General to that Prince and afterwards in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth farther advanced to the Dignity of Lord High Chancellor of England and created Baron of Leez Court obtaining a great share of the Revenues of the Church to support his Dignity both which he left to his Son Robert created Earl of Warwick Charles Montague Earl of Manchester Viscount Mandevill and Baron of Kimbolton Edward Montague Earl of Sandwich Viscount Hitchinbrooke and Baron of St. Neotts and Ralph Montague Baron of Boughton all persons of great Estates The foundation whereof was first laid by Sir Edward Montague Knight Serjeant at Law first Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench and then Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth He was the Father of Sir Edward Montague Knight who had Six Sons First Sir Edward made Lord Montague of Boughton the Third Son was Sir Henry Montague of the Middle-Temple London Knight Serjeant at Law Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Kings-Bench Lord High Treasurer of England in the Reign of King James afterwards advanced to the Dignity of the Earl of Manchesters The Sixth Son was Sir Sidney Montague Knight Grandfather to Edward now Earl of Sandwich John Sheffield Earl of Mulgrave and Baron of Butterwick is directly descended from Sir Robert Sheffield of the Inner-Temple Knight Recorder of London and Speaker of the House of Commons in the Reign of King Henry the Seventh which Sir Robert by his great knowledge in the Laws of this Kingdom very much advanced his Family and purchased a fair Estate in the County of Lincoln which is now part of the Inheritance of the present Earl who is the Fifth Baron and Third Earl of the Family Henry Mordant Earl of Peterborough Baron of Turvey and Charles Lord Viscount Mordant are both of them the Descendants of John Mordant of the Middle-Temple Serjeant at Law and Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster in the Reign of King Henry the Seventh who having accumulated a great Estate was before his death made a Peer of this Realm by King Henry the Eighth Thomas Weston Earl of Portland and Baron of Neyland is descended from Richard Weston of the Inner-Temple one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth who being a younger Brother may truly be supposed to be the first advancer of this Family to the Quality and Estate it now enjoys Henry Hide Earl of Clarendon Viscount Cornbury and Baron of Hindon as also Lawrence Hide Earl of Rochester Viscount Kenellworth and Baron of Wooton Basset are both of them the Sons of Edward late Earl of Clarendon who was bred up in the Middle-Temple in the Study of the Law in which he arrived to such perfection that he became first Chancellor of the Court of Exchequer and afterwards Lord High Chancellor of England by means of which Honourable preferments 't is well known what a Vast Estate he left to his Posterity Robert Brudnell Earl of Cardigan and Baron Brudnell of Stanton-Wivell is direct Heir-Male to Robert Brudnell Esq Serjeant at Law and Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common-Pleas in the time of King Henry the Eighth a Man of great Learning in the Laws and Master of a great Estate most of his own acquiring Robert Earl of Alesbury Viscount Bruce of Ampthill and Baron of Skelton is the Grandson of Edward Bruce Master of the Rolls in the Reign of King James by whom the said Edward was created Baron of Kinloss in Scotland The place of Master of the Rolls did doubtless much conduce to the advancement of the Estate which the said Edward Lord Kinloss had yet notwithstanding he was Honourably descended and enjoyed an ample Fortune before he executed that Office but most of it lay in Scotland the place of his Nativity Anthony Cooper Earl of Shaftsbury Baron Ashly of Wimbourne Saint Giles and Lord Cooper of Paulett is the Son and Heir to Anthony late Earl of Shaftesbury who tho' I cannot say he ever made it his business to study the Law yet was he of the Society of Lincolns-Inn and by the profits arising out of such Offices as he enjoyed relating to the Law did he greatly augment his Estate being first Chancellor of the Exchequer and afterwards Lord High-Chancellor of England Charles Gerrard Earl of Macklesfield Viscount and Baron of Brandon Digby Lord Gerrard Baron of Gerrards-Bromley are both descended from that Learned and Judicious Lawyer of Grays-Inn Sir Gilbert Gerrard Knight Attorney General and Master of the Rolls in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth who being a Younger Son of the House of Bryn in Lancashire was placed to Study the Law and thereby lay'd the first Foundation of those great Estates and Honours which in succeeding times accrewed to this spreading Family * The Reader may be pleased to observe that though the Earl of Macklesfield according to his Dignity be placed before the Lord Gerrard of Bromley yet the said Lord Gerrard is of the Elder House William Paston Earl and Viscount of Yarmouth and Baron of Oxnead is descended from Sir William Paston Knight one of the Justices of the Court of Kings-Bench in the Reign of King Henry the Sixth Much might be mentioned to the Antiquity and Greatness of this Worthy Family were it not contrary to the method designed Daniell Finch Earl of Nottingham and Baron of Daventry is the Grandson of Sir Heneage Finch of the Inner-Temple Knight Recorder of the City of London and Son of Sir Heneage Finch Barronet a Member of the same Society who was first Attorney General to this King next Lord Keeper then Baron of Daventry after Lord High Chancellor of England and lastly Earl of Nottingham which first Sir Heneage was a younger Branch of the House of Winchelsea and so consequently it may be presumed what Estate this Noble Earl now enjoys was in a great measure acquired by those two famous Members of the Law A younger Brother of this Earl is that most Ingeneous and Excellent Lawyer Heneage Finch of the Inner-Temple Esq His now Majesties Sollicitor General as also William Finch Esq his Brother a learned Gentleman of the same Socity Of this Family was John Finch of Grays-Inn Esq Serjeant at Law and Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common-Pleas in the Reign of King Charles the first and for a short time Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England and created Baron of Fordwich in Kent but
dyed without Issue William Brabazon Earl of Meath in Ireland is the direct Heir Male to Sir Roger Brabazon of Estwell in the County of Leicester Knight one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas in the Reign of King Edward the first Francis Lord Angier Earl of Longford in Ireland is descended from Francis Angier of Grays-Inn Esq Reader thereof in the Four and fortieth year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth and afterwards became Master of the Rolls in Ireland where he layd the foundation to this Honour and the Estate that attends it Horatio Townsend Lord Viscount Raynham and Baron of Lynn-Regis in the County of Norfolk is descended by many worthy Ancestors from Sir Roger Townsend Knight Reader of Lincolns-Inn who for his great knowledge in the Law was called to the Degree of a Serjeant and made one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas in the Reigns of King Richard the Third and Henry the Seventh Thomas Thynn Viscount Weymouth and Baron of Warminster enjoys a very plentiful Estate as descended from Sir Egremont Thynn of the Inner-Temple London Knight Serjeant at Law in the Reign of King James which Sir Egremont did not a little augment the Estate of his Ancestors who were before Men of very considerable repute and Quality Christopher Hatton Viscount Gretton and Baron of Kirby in the County of Northampton is a Branch of the Ancient Stem of the Hattons of Cheshire and is the Heir to Sir Christopher Hatton Knight who from a Student in the Inner-Temple in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth did by his great abillities and singular knowledge in the Laws raise himself to great Honour and Estate by the access of divers places of great Profit and Repute and at last arrived to the highest step of Preferment being made Lord High-Chancellor of England but Dying without Islue a great part of his Estate did at length devolve to the Ancestor of this Lord Hatton who was Nephew to the said Lord-Chancellor William Farefax Lord Viscount Farefax of the Kingdom of Ireland is descended from that famous Lawyer Sir Guy Farefax Knight Serjeant at Law and one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas in the several Reigns of King Edward the Fourth and Richard the Third Bryen Cockain Lord Viscount Cullen of the Kingdom of Ireland whose Seat is at Rushton in the County of Northampton is descended by a Younger Son from that famous and Learned Judge Sir John Cockain Lord Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer and afterwards one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas in the Reign of King Henry the Fourth which John had his residence at Ashborn in the Peake in the County of Derby where his Ancestors for many Ages before and his Successors ever since continue and live in great Honour and Esteem Charles Mildmay Lord Fitz Walter a person of very Noble Extraction as descended from the Female Issue of the Antient Lords Fitz Walter and the Ratcliffs Earls of Sussex and by the Fathers side from Thomas Mildmay Esq one of the Auditors of the then new Erected Court of Augmentations in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth Henry Yelverton Lord Grey of Ruthyn is lineally descended from those two Learned Judges Sir Cristopher Yelverton of Grays-Inn Knight Serjeant at Law and one of the Justices of the Kings-Bench in the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King James and also from Sir Henry Yelverton of the same Society Knight Son of the said Sir Chistopher who was called to the Degree of a Serjeant and constituted one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas by King Charles the First in the beginning of his Reign both which Eminent persons were the Descendants of Sir William Yelverton Knight one of the Justices of the said Court of Common-Pleas in the Reign of King Henry the Sixth Vere Cromwell Lord Cromwell Baron of Oakeham in England and Earl of Ardglass Viscount Lecale c. in Ireland is directly descended from Thomas Cromwell Earl of Essex Baron of Oakeham and Knight of the Garter who being a person of no great Extraction did by his great knowledge in the Laws and other singular accomplishments first of all obtain the place of Clerk of the Hannaper next Chancellor of the Court of Exchequer then Master of the Rolls after Lord Privy-Seal and lastly to those Honourable Titles abovementioned by the access of which Offices and by the dissolution of Religious Houses in which he acted a considerable part he did greatly enrich himself till at last being Convicted Attainted and Beheaded for Treason or some other great Offence the Earldome of Essex was thereby lost and his Son an Heir only dignified with the said Barony by a new Creation and restored to a considerable part of his Fathers Estate William Pagett Lord Pagett and Baron of Beudesert in Stafford-Shire is descended by many Noble Peers of this Realm in a direct course of succession from Sir William Pagett Knight a Gentleman very Learned in the Laws by means whereof he was made one of the Clerks of the Council and Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster in the several Reigns of King Henry the Eighth and Edward the Sixth and afterwards having greatly advanced himself in Estate and Riches he was created a Baron of this Kingdom being at first but a Student in the Inns of Court Charles North Lord North Baron of Carthlidge and Lord Grey of Rolleston is lineally descended from Edward North Esq a Younger Branch of the worthy Family of the Norths of Walkringham in the County of Nottingham which Edward having applyed himself to the Study of the Laws and thereby made himfelf capable of those honourable Preferments to which he afterwards arrived was first one of the Clerks of the Council next Treasurer and Chancellor of the Court of Augmentations in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth and lastly made a Peer of this Realm by Queen Mary John Lord Petre Baron of Writtle in the County of Essex is descended from Sir William Petre Knight Doctor of the Civil Law and one of the Secretaries of State to King Henry the 8th Edward the Sixth Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth and by his great Learning and Honourable Preferments became Master of a great Estate most of which continueth to his Successors at this Day Christopher Roper Lord Tenham Baron of Tenham in Kent is very Honourably descended from a Family of great Antiquity in the said County amongst whom was John Roper of Lincolns-Inn Esq direct Ancestor to this Noble Lord which John being Attorney General to King Henry the Eighth and of profound Judgement and Knowledge in the Laws made a very considerable Augmentation to the Antient Inheritance of this worthy Family John Lovelace Lord Lovelace Baron of Hurly in Berkshire is Descended from that eminent Lawyer William Lovelace of Grays-Inn Esq Reader thereof in the fourth Year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth
and soon after called to the Degree of a Serjeant at Law John Lord Coventry Baron of Alesbrough in the County of Worcester enjoys an Estate of vast extent and worth as Heir to those two most famous Lawyers of their time the first of which was Thomas Coventry of the Inner-Temple London Esq Serjeant at Law and one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas in the Reign of King James Father of the no less Learned Thomas Coventry a Student in the same Society who for his great Abillities was first Recorder of London next Sollicitor and afterwards Attorney General to King James and lastly further advanced to the Dignity of Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England which Honourable place he Executed with great Honour and Justice for the space of Fifteen years in the Reign of King Charles the first And was longer than any person before or since his time ever held the same and longer he might have enjoyed it had not Death interposed Francis Smyth Lord Carrington and Baron of Woton in Warwickshire is directly descended from John Smyth Esq Serjeant at Law and one of the Barons of the Court of Exchequer in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth which John Dyed seized of a very plentiful Estate most of his own acquiring John Lord Colepeper Baron of Thoresway in the County of Lincolne is lineally descended by many worthy Ancestors and men of great quallity in the County of Kent from John Colepeper Esq Serjeant at Law and one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas in the Reign of King Henry the Fifth The Father of this Lord Colepeper was Master of the Rolls for a short time till he was devested thereof for his Loyalty by the Parliament about the year 1642. Thomas Crew Lord Crew and Baron of Stone in the County of Northampton is the Grandson and Heir to Sir Thomas Crew Knight one of his Majesties Serjeants at Law in the Reign of King Charles the First which Sir Thomas purchased a very fair Estate in the County of Northampton himself being a younger Branch of the Antient Family of the Crews of Crew in Cheshire A younger Brother of the present Lord Crew is the Right Reverend Father in God Nathaniel Lord Bishop of Durham Hugh Clifford Lord Clifford of Chudleigh in the County of Devon is the Son and Heir to the late famous and truly honourable Sir Thomas Clifford Baron Clifford of Chudleigh who was of the Society of the Middle-Temple and for his singular Learning and Merits was made Lord High-Treasurer of England which great Trust he faithfully Executed with all the Justice and integrity imaginable Francis Lord North Baron of Guilford in the County of Surry whose descent from Edward North Esq Treasurer and Chancellor of the Court of Augmentations I have herein before expressed being a younger Son of Dudly late Lord North applyed himself to the Study of the Law in the Middle-Temple in which he became so eminent for his great Learning and Experience that he was first invested with the Honour of Knighthood and then constituted his now Most Gracious Majesties Solicitor General after Attorney General then one of his said Majesties Serjeants at Law and shortly after Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common-Pleas from whence upon the Death of the late Earl of Nottingham his Lordship was most worthily removed to the Dignity of Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England in which he now continues Administring Justice and Equity without partiallity to the great ease and satisfaction of His Majesties Subjects and his own everlasting Honour Henry Lord Farfax Baron of Cameron in the Kingdom of Scotland is descended from that Learned Lawyer Sir Guy Farfax Knight Serjeant at Law and one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas in the Reign of King Edward the Fourth which Sir Guy was descended of a Family of great Antiquity and Honour in the County of York in which his now Lordship's residence is Henry Lord Richardson Baron of Cramond in the said Kingdom of Scotland is descended from the late famous Sir Thomas Richardson of Lincolns-Inn Knight Serjeant at Law first Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common-Pleas and thence removed to the same Dignity in the Court of Kings-Bench in the Reign of King James by which honourable places and his own great Abillities he laid a fair foundation to that Honour and Estate which now attends this Noble Lord. Henry Hare Baron of Colerane in the Kingdom of Ireland is descended from Sir Nicholas Hare Knight Reader of the Inner-Temple in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth made Master of the Rolls in the Reign of Queen Mary and from Hugh Hare Esq who was Reader of the same Society in the last Year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth Thomas Needham Lord Kilmurry of the Kingdom of Ireland is descended from Sir John Needham of Shevington Alias Sheinton in the County of Salop Knight Serjeant at Law Cheif Justice of Chester and one of the Judges of the Court of Common-Pleas in the Reign of King Henry the Sixth and one of the Justices of the Kings-Bench in the beginning of the Reign of King Edward the Fourth Baronets SIR Edmond Bacon of Redgrave in the County of Suffolke Baronet the first of that Dignity within this Kingdom is Descended from the famous Sir Nicholas Bacon of Grays-Inn Knight Attorney of the Court of Wards and Liveries and Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth a younger Son of which Sir Nicholas was the no less learned Francis Bacon of Grays-Inn aforesaid a person singularly read in the Laws and of incomparable Parts in respect whereof he was Created Baron of Verulam Viscount St. Albans and Lord High Chancellor of England by King James which great Honours and Preferments were soon blasted by some great Offence he committed during the time he had the Custody of the Seal and so became reduced to lead the remainder of his Life in privacy at his Chambers in Grays-Inn till his Death leaving no Issue Male. Sir Henry Hobart of Intwood in the County of Norfolk Baronet a Gentleman of a very fair Estate in those parts is the great Grandson and Heir to Sir Henry Hobart of Lincolns-Inn Knight and Baronet Serjeant at Law Attorney General to King James and afterwards Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common-Pleas a person of profound Judgment and Knowledge in the Laws as by his Learned works lately published under the Title of Hobarts Reports is sufficiently manifested which said Reverend Judge was descended by a Younger Son from Sir James Hobart Knight Reader of the same Society and Attorney General to King Henry the Seventh Sir John Shelly of Michelgrove in the County of Sussex Barronet is Descended from William Shelly of the Inner-Temple Esq Serjeant at Law and one of the Justices of the Common-Pleas in the Reign of King Henry