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A40672 The history of the worthies of England who for parts and learning have been eminent in the several counties : together with an historical narrative of the native commodities and rarities in each county / endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.; History of the worthies of England Fuller, Thomas, 1608-1661.; Fuller, John, b. 1640 or 41. 1662 (1662) Wing F2441; ESTC R6196 1,376,474 1,013

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therein but 12. years of age He was blessed with an happy memory insomuch that when D. D. he could say by heart the second Book of the Aeneads which he learnt at School without missing a Verse He was an excellent Preacher and becoming a Pulpit with his gravity He attended King James his Chaplaine into Scotland and after his return was preferred Dean of Westminster then Bishop of Salisbury Hear what the Author of a Pamphlet who inscribeth himself A. W. saith in a Book which is rather a Satyre then a History a Libell then a Character of the Court of King James for after he had slanderously inveighed against the bribery of those days in Church and State hear how he seeks to make amends for all King James's Court pag. 129 130. Some worthy men were preferred gratis to blow up their Buckingham and his party Fames as Tolson a worthy man paid nothing in fine or Pension and so after him Davenant in the same Bishoprick Yet these were but as Musick before every hound Now although both these persons here praised were my God-fathers and Uncles the one marrying the sister of the other being Brother to my Mother and although such good words seem a Rarity from so railing a mouth yet shall not these considerations tempt me to accept his praises on such invidious terms as the Author doth proffer them O! Were these worthy Bishops now alive how highly would they disdain to be praised by such a pen by which King James their Lord and Master is causelesly traduced How would they condemn such uncharitable commendations which are if not founded on accompanied with the disgrace of others of their order Wherefore I their Nephew in behalf of their Memories protest against this passage so far forth as it casteth Lustre on them by Eclipsing the credit of other Prelates their contemporaries And grant corruption too common in that kind yet were there besides them at that time many worthy Bishops raised to their dignity by their Deserts without any Simonicall complyances Doctor Townson had a hospitall heart a generous disposition free from covetousness and was always confident in Gods Providence that if he should dye his children and those were many would be provided for wherein he was not mistaken He lived in his Bishoprick but a year and being appointed at very short warning to preach before the Parliament by unseasonable ●…tting up to study contracted a Fever whereof he died and was buried in Westminster Abbey Anno Dom. 1622. THOMAS son to William WESTFIELD D. D. was born Anno Dom. 1573. in the Parish of Saint Maries in Ely and there bred at the Free-school under Master Spight till he was sent to Jesus-colledge in Cambridge being first Scholar then Fellow thereof He was Curate or Assistant rather to Bishop Felton whilst Minister of Saint Mary le Bow in Cheapside afterward Rector of Hornsey nigh and Great Saint Bartholomews in London where in his preaching he went thorow the four Evangelists He was afterwards made Arch-Deacon of Saint Albans and at last Bishop of Bristol a place proffered to and refused by him twenty five years before For then the Bishoprick was offered to him to maintain him which this contented meek man having a self-subsistence did then decline though accepting of it afterwards when proffered to him to maintain the Bishoprick and support the Episcopall dignity by his signall devotion What good opinion the Parliament though not over-fond of Bishops conceived of him appears by their Order ensuing The thirteenth of May 1643. From the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestration of Delinquents Estates Upon information in the behalf of the Bishop of Bristoll that his Tenants refuse to pay him his Rents it is Ordered by this Committee that all profits of his Bishoprick be restored to him and a safe conduct be granted him to pass with his family to Bristoll being himself of great age and a person of great learning and merit Jo. Wylde About the midst of his life he had a terrible sickness so that he thought to use his own expression in his Diary that God would put out the candle of his life though he was pleased onely to snuff it By his will the true Copy whereof I have he desired to be buried in his Cathedral Church neer the tombe of Paul Bush the first Bishop thereof And as for my worldly goods Reader they are his own words in his Will which as the times now are I know not well where they be nor what they are I give and bequeath them all to my dear wife Elizabeth c. He protested himself on his death-bed a true Protestant of the Church of England and dying Junii 28. 1644. lyeth buried according to his own desire above mentioned with this inscription Hic jacet Thomas Westfield S. T. D. Episcoporum intimus peccatorum primus Obiit 25. Junii anno MDCXLIV Senio moerore confectus Tu Lector quisquis es vale resipisce Epitaphium ipse sibi dictavit vivus Monumentum uxor moestissima Elizabetha Westfield Marito desideratissimo posuit superstes Thus leaving such as survived him to see more sorrow and feel more misery he was seasonably taken away from the evil to come And according to the Anagram made on him by his Daughter Thomas Westfield I dwel the most safe Enjoying all happiness and possessing the reward of his pains who converted many and confirmed more by his constancy in his Calling States-men JOHN TIPTOFT son and heir of John Lord Tiptoft and Joyce his wife daughter and Co-heir of Edward Charlton Lord Powis by his wife Eleanor sister and Co-heir of Edmund Holland Earl of Kent was born at Everton in this but in the confines of Bedford shire He was bred in Baliol-colledge in Oxford where he attained to great learning and by King Henry the sixth was afterwards created first Vice-count then Earl of Worcester and Lord H●…gh Constable of England and by K. Edward the fourth Knight of the Garter The skies began now to lowre and threaten Civil Wars and the House of York fell sick of a Relapse Mean time this Earl could not be discourteous to Henry the sixth who had so much advanced him nor disloyall to Edward the fourth in whom the right of the Crown lay Consulting his own safety he resolved on this Expedient for a time to quit his own and visit the Holy-land In his passage thither or thence he came to Rome where he made a Latin speech before the Pope Pi●… the second and converted the Italians into a better opinion then they had formerly of the English-mens learning insomuch that his holiness wept at the elegancy of the Oration He returned from Christs sepulcher to his own grave in England coming home in a most unhappy juncture of time if sooner or later he had found King Edward on that Throne to which now Henry the sixth was restored and whose restitution was onely remarkable for the death of this worthy
Gospell He was a Zacheus for his Stature and with him tall in Piety and Charity He moved King Alfred to found or restore the University of Oxford on which account his memory is sacred to all posterity He died Anno Dom. 883. whose body was buried by one Barry his Scholar in Eynsebury since St. Neots in Huntington-shire and some say was afterwards removed to the Abby of Crouland Martyrs Of the forty four Martyrs in this Shire Three were most Remarkable 1. JOHN LAURENCE who at the Stake was permitted a Posture peculiar to himself For being so infeebled with long durance and hard usage that he could not stand he had a Chair allowed him and had the painfull ease to sit therein Nor must we forget how little Children being about the fire C●…ied unto him God strengthen you God strengthen you which was beheld as a product of his providence who out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings ordained Strength as also it evidenced their Pious Education To say Hosanna is as soon learnt by children as go up thou Bald head if it be as surely taught unto them 2. THOMAS HAWKES Gentleman first brought into trouble for refusing to Christen his Child after the Popish fashion This man going to the Stake promised his friends to give them some solemn token of the clearness and comfort of his Conscience In performance where of whilst his body was burning he raised up himself and though having the sence having no fear of the Fire joyfully clapp'd his hands over his head to the admiration of all the beholders 3. ROSE ALLIN a Virgin who being in her Calling fetching Beer for her Bedrid Mother was intercepted by Justice or rather un-justice Tyrrell who with a Candle most cruelly burnt her wrists which her Fire-proof patience most constantly endured What was said of the Roman scaevola when he burnt his hand before Porcenna is more appliable to this Maid Manum amisit sed Palmam retinuit Tyrrell did this meerly by the Law of his List otherwise no statute except written on the back-side of the book did authorize him for so Tyrannicall an act Some days after the fire which here took Livery and seisin of her hand brought her whole body into the possession thereof Confessors RICHARD GEORGE Labourer of West-Barfold is most eminent amongst the many Confessors in this Shire For he had successively three wives whereof two were burnt and the third imprisoned for Religion viz. 1. Agnes George burnt at Stratford-Bow June 27. 1556. 2. Christian George burnt at Colchester May 26. 1558. 3. ........... George imprisoned in Colchester and escap'd by Queen Maries death Novemb. 17. 1558. Some who consult the dates of his wives deaths will condemn him for over-speedy marriage and the appetite to a new wife is not comely before the grief for the former be well digested Such consider not that their glorious death in so good a cause was the subject rather of his joy then grief and that being necessitated for his children sake to marry he was carefull as it appears to marry in the Lord. Nor did he thrust his wives into the fire and shrink back from the flames himself who being imprisoned in Colchester had followed his two first and gone along with his last to the Stake had not Divine Providence by Queen Maries death prevented it Cardinalls THOMAS BOURCHIER was son to Sir William Bourchier who though but an English Knight was a French Earl of Ewe in Normandy Created by King Henry the fifth and had a great estate in this County with many mansion-Mansion-houses Hawsted being the place of their principall residence where I presume this Prelate was born He was bred in the University of Oxford whereof he was Chancellour 1454. Dean of Saint Martins then successively Bishop of Worcester Ely Arch-bishop of Ca●…terbury and Cardinall by the title of Saint Cyriacus in the Baths A Prelate besides his high birth aforesaid and brotherhood to Henry Bourchier first Earl of Essex of that Surname remarkable on many accounts First for his vivacity being an old man and proportionably an older Bishop 1. Being consecrated Bishop of Worcester 1435. the fourteenth of Henry the sixth 2. Dying Arch-bishop of Canterbury 1486. the second of K. Henry the seventh Whereby it appeareth that he wore a Mitre full fifty one years a term not to be paralleld in any other person Secondly he saw strange revolutions in State the Civil-wars between Lancaster and York begun continued and concluded For though Bishop Morton had the happiness to make the match Arch-bishop Bourchier had the honour to marry King Henry the seventh to the Daughter of King Edward the fourth so that his hand first solemnly held that sweet posie wherein the White and Red Roses were tied together Thirdly for his wary compliance that he lost not himself in the labyrinth of such intricate times applying himself politiquely to the present predominant power However it may be said of him Praestitit hic Praesul nil tanto sanguine munere tempore dignum He left no monument to posterity proportionable what was an hundred pounds and a chest given to Cambridge to his great blood rich place and long continuance therein But this my Author imputeth unto the troublesomeness of the times seeing peace was no sooner setled and the land began to live but he died March 30. 1486. I know not what generous planet had then influence on the Court of Rome this I know that England never saw such a concurrence of noble Prelates who as they were Peers by their places were little less by their descent I behold their birth a good buttress of Episcopacy in that age able in Parliament to check and crush any Antiprelaticall project by their own relations But let us count how many were contemporaries with Thomas Bourchier from his first consecration at Worcester till the day of his death John Stafford son to the Earl of Stafford Arch-bishop of Canterbury Robert Fitz-Hugh Bishop of London Henry Beauford son to John Duke of Lancaster Bishop of Winchester William Gray son to the Lord Gray of Codnor Bishop of Ely Marmaduke Lumley extracted from the Lord Lumley Bishop of Lincoln Richard Beauchamp brother to the L. Saint Amand Bishop of Sarum Lionel Woodvile son to the Earl of Rivers Bishop of Sarum Peter Courtney extracted from the Earls of Devon Bishop of Exeter Richard Courtnee of the same extraction Bishop of Norwich John Zouch descended of the Lord Zouch Bishop of Landaffe George Novile brother to the Make-King Earl of Warwick Arch-bishop of York William Dudley son to the Lord Dudley Bishop of Durham William Piercy son to the Earl of Northumberland Bishop of Carlile But after the death of Bourchier I meet with but three Bishops of noble extraction viz. James Stanley Edmond Audley and Cardinall Pole However they were though of lower image of no less learning and religion Prelates RICHARD de BARKING took his name according to the Clergy-mens
c. Which many think meerly made by a conceited Brain on design to puzzle Intellects to create sense by their Ingenuity and Industry which was never intended therein For I am clearly of his opinion who said Qui ea scribit legi quae non vult intelligi debet negligi I have nothing else to observe of this Richard White save that after he had successively married two Wives He was made a Priest by the special dispensation of Pope Clement the eight and that he was alive at Doway 1611. JOHN PITS was born in this County nigh the Market Town of Aulton witness his words in Vicinio cujus Oppidi natus sum ego Son he was to Henry Pits and Elizabeth his Wife Sister to Nicholas Sanders It is hard to say whether his hands took more pains in writing or feet in travelling if the List of his Laborious Life be perused whereby he will appear a very aged person At 11. years of Age he went to the school of Winchester 11 Seven years he staid there until chosen unto New-Colledge 18 Two years he lived in Oxford and then went beyond the Seas 20 One year he stayed and studied in the Colledge of Rhemes 21 Thence going to Rome he lived 7. years there in the English-Colledge and was ordained Priest 28 Returning to Rhemes two yeares he there taught Rhetorick and Greek 30 Then lived in Lorrain and in Triers two years 32 Three years at Ingolstad in Bavaria where he was made D. D. 35 Made Canon of Verdun in Lorrain and lived there two years 37 Then for twelve years he was Confessor to the Dutches of Cleve 49 Here he wrote many Volumes of several Subjects one of the Apostolical men another of the Kings and Bishops in England but because he survived not to see them set forth He was as good as his word mecum morientur sepelientur with him they died and were buried Onely that his book is brought to light which is Intituled de Illustribus Angliae Scriptoribus a Subject formerly handled by many so that some stick not to say J. Leland is the industrious BEE working all J. Bale is the angry WASP stinging   J. Pits is the idle DRONE stealing   For my part I have made much use of his endeavours to help me with many Writers especially with such English Papists as have been since the Reformation Nor will I pay him with rayling from whose pen I have borrowed much information Some wonder at his invectiveness I wonder more that he inveigheth so little and seeing he was sisters son to blackmouth'd Sanders it is much that he doth not more Avunculize in his bitterness against Protestants After the death of Anthonia Dutches of Cleve he returned the third time into Lorrain where the Bishop of Toul who formerly had been his Scholar gave him the Deanary of Liverdune a place of good credit and revenue where quietly he reposed himself for the remainder of his life for many years and dying Anno 1616. was there buried Benefactors to the Publick Besides Bishop Wickham of whom before who alone may pass for Ten I meet with none of grand remark before the Reformation since it besides many of meaner note I find Two of signal Charity Sir WILLIAM DODDINGTON Knight High Sheriffe of this County in the Third of King James kept a bountiful House at Bremer therein Succeeding to an unexpected Estate he had the words of David frequent in his mouth What am I or what is my Fathers House that thou hast brought me hitherto Having a godly jealousie that some former Dysasters in his Family had been caused by Gods displeasure on his Ancestors for holding so many Impropriations he freely and fully restored them to the Church setling them as firmly as Law could devise to a greater yearly value than many will believe or any imitate Yet was he a man of Mourning or son of Affliction all the dayes of his life No sooner had he seen Herbert his eldest son a most hopeful Gentleman married to a considerable Co-heir in Somer set-shire but he beheld him snatcht away by an untimely death What Tragedies have since happened in his household is generally known All these he bare with Saint-like Patience hearing the Rod that is understanding and obeying it and him who appointed it In a word God the skilful Lapidary polished him with sharp Instruments that he then did glister as a Pearle here who now shineth as a Starre in Heaven He died about the year of our Lord 1638. JOSEPH DIGGONS Esquire was of Dutch extraction whose Father was a Sea-man of Trinity-House but had his longest Habitation in this County in a house of his own building at Whetham in the Parish of Lisse He was bred a Fellow-Commoner of Clare-hall in Cambridge and afterwards became a Barrester in the Temple By his Will he gave to Clare hall where none knew his Face nor remembred his Name save the Worthy Master Dr. Pask all his Estate in Land of very improveable Rents to the Value of One Hundred and Thirty Pounds per annum for the founding of Fellowships and Scholarships at the discretion of the Master and Fellows He made Mr. Pickering an Attourney of Clements-Inn living at Oldham in this County an Overseer of his Will who faithfully gave the Colledge notice thereof and was very usefull and assistant to them in the settling of the Lands aforesaid Mr. Diggons died anno 1658. Memorable Persons We must not forget ONE better known to me by his Invention than his Name who dwelling at Stockbridge in this County made so artificial a Plough that by the help of Engins and some Contrivances it might be drawn by Doggs and managed by one Man who would plough in one day well nigh an Acre of the Light Ground in this County This Plough I saw some thirty Years since at Stockbridge aforesaid But the ●…roject was not taking beheld rather as pretty than profitable though in the judgment of Wise Men this Groundwork might have been built upon and Invention much improved by the skilfull in Mathematicks For I have heard that some Polititians are back Friends how justly I know not to such Projects which if accomplish'd invite the Land to a Losse the fewer Poor being thereby set awork that being the best way of Tillage which imployeth most about it to keep them from stealing and starving So that it would not be beneficiall to State might a Plough be drawn by Butterflies as which would draw the greater Burden on the Common wealth to devise other wayes for the Maintenance of the Poor The mentioning of these plow 〈◊〉 Doggs mindeth me one Rarity attracteth another of other Doggs in this County more usefull for the Common-wealth meeting with this Passage in a * Modern Authour It is reported that about Portsmouth is a Race of small Doggs like Beagles that they use their to hunt Moles which they hunt as their proper natural Game If this be true
of the Sea c. I confesse the modern mystery of Watch-making is much completed men never being more curious to divide more carelesse to imploy their time but surely this was accounted a master-peece in that age His Sermons so indeared him to King Edward 6. that he preferred him whilst as yet scarce thirty six yeares of age to the Bishoprick of Rochester then of Winchester But alas these honor 's soon got were as soon lost being forced to fly into high Germany in the first of Queen Mary Where before he was fully fourty and before he had finished his Book begun against Thomas Martin in defence of Ministers marriage he died at Strasburg the 2. August 1556. And was buried there with great Lamentation RICHARD FLETCHER was born in this County Brother to Doctor Giles Fletcher the Civilian and Embassadour in Russia and bred in Bennet Colledge in Cambridge He was afterwards Dean of Peterborough at what time Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded at Fotheringhay to whom he made saith my Authour Verbosam Orationem a Wordy speech of her past present and future condition wherein he took more pains that he received thanks from her who therein was most concerned Hence he was preferred Bishop of Peterborough and at last of London my Authour saith he was Presul Splendidus and indeed he was of a comly presence and Queen Elizabeth knew full well Gratior est pulcro veniens è corpore virtus The Iewel vertue is more Grac'd When in a proper person Cas'd Which made her alwayes on an equality of Desert to reflect favourably on such who were of Graceful countenance and stature In one respect this Bishop may well be resembled to John Peckham Archbishop of Canterbury of whom I find this Character Quanquam gestu incessu saepeetiami n Sermone gloriosus videretur elatus animo tamen fuit benignissimo perquam comi Although he seemed a boaster and puffed up both in gesture and ga●…e and sometimes in his speech also yet was he of a loving disposition exceeding courteous Such a one was Bishop Fletcher whose pride was rather on him than in him as only gate and gesture-deep not sinking to his heart though causelesly condemned for a proud man as who was a good Hypocrite and far more humble than he appeared He married a Lady of this County who one commendeth for very vertuous which i●… so the more happy she in her self though unhappy that the world did not believe it Sure I am that Queen Elizabeth who hardly held the second matches of Bishops excusable accounted his marriage a trespasse on his gravity whereupon he fell into her deep displeasure Hereof this Bishop was sadly sensible and seeking to lose his sorrow in a mist of smoak died of the immoderate taking thereof June the fifteenth 1596. BRIAN DUPPA D. D. the worthy Bishop of Winchester was born at Lewsham in in this County staying for farther instructions I am forced to deferre his life to our Additions States-Men Sir EDWARD POYNINGS Knight was in martial performances inferiour to none of his age and a Native of this County as from the Catalogue of the Sheriffs therein may be collected We will insist only on his Irish Action being employed by King Henry the seventh to conjure down the last walking Spirit of the House of York which haunted that King I mean Perkin Warbeck Having ferreted him out of Ireland he seriously set him self to reclaim that barbarous Nation to civility and in order thereunto passed an Act in Parliament whereby all the Statutes made in England b●…fore that time were enacted established and made of force in Ireland He caused also another Law to be made that no Act should be propounded in any Parliament in Ireland till first it had been transmitted into England approved there by the King and returned thence under his broad Seal Now though this Act seemeth prima facie prejudicial to the liberty of the Irish Subjects yet was it made at the request of the Commons upon just important cause being so sensible of the oppression and Laws imposed by private Lords for their particular ends that they rather referred themselves to the Kings Justice than to the merciless mercy of so many Masters Also to conform Ireland to England he procured the passing of an Act that the Irish Barons should appear in Parliament in their Robes which put a face of Grandeur and State on their Convention And indeed formalities are more than Formalities in matters of this nature essentiall to beget a veneration in barbarous people who carry much of their Brain in their Eyes He thriftily improved the Kings Revenues and obtained a Subsidy of twenty six shillings eight pence payable yearly for five years out of every six score Acres manured The worst was the burden fell on their backs whose Islands were most industrious whereby the Soveraign became not more wealthy but the Subjects more lazy the mischief being as apparent as the remedy impossible Many more large Laws of his making found but narrow performance viz. only within the Pale Nor was Henry the seventh though in title in tr●…th Lord of all Ireland but by the favour of a Figure and large Synechdeche of a part for the whole These things thus ordered Sir Edward was recalled in to England created a Baron and dying in the beginning of King Henry the eight left a numerous natural but no legitimate issue Sir ANTHONY St. LEGER is rationally reputed a Kentish man though he had also a Devonshire Relation as will appear to such who peruse the Sheriffs of this County He was properly the first Vice-Roy of Ireland seeing shadows cannot be before their substance and in his Deputy-ship Henry the eight in the 33. year of his reign assumed the Title of King and Supream Head of the Church of Ireland To him all the Irish Nobility made their solemn submission falling down at his feet upon their knees laying aside their Girdles Skeines and Caps This was the fourth solemn submission of the Irish to the Kings of England and most true it is such seeming submissions have been the bane of their serious subjection For out of the Pale our Kings had not power either to Punish or Protect where those Irish Lords notwithstanding their Complemental Loyalty made their list the law to such whom they could over-power He caused also certain Ordinances of State to be made not altogether agreeable with the Rules of the Law of England a satisfactory reason hereof being given in the Preamble to them Quia nondum sic sapiunt leges Jura ut secundum ea jam immediate vivere regi possint Because the Irish as yet do not so savour the Laws of England as immediately to live after and be ruled by them Thus the greatest Statesmen must sometimes say by your leave to such as are under them not acting alway according to their own ability but others capacity He seized all
returned For your Masters sake I will stoop but not for the King of Spains This worthy Patriot departed this life in the seventy seventh year of his Age August the 4th 1598. Capitall Judges Sr. WILLIAM de SKIPVVITH was bred in the study of the Laws profiting so well therein that he was made in Trinity Terme Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer in the thirty fifth continuing therein untill the fortieth of the Reign of King Edward the third I meet not with any thing memorable of him in our English Histories except this may pass for a thing remarkable that at the importunity of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster this Sr. William condemned William Wichkam Bish. of Winchester of Crimes rather powerfully objected then plainly proved against him whereupon the Bishops Temporalls were taken from him and he denied access within twenty miles of the Kings Court. I confess there is a Village in the East riding of Yorkshire called SKIPWITH but I have no assurance of this Judge his Nativity therein though ready to remove him thither upon clearer information Sr. WILLIAM SKIPVVITH Junior He was inferior to the former in place whom I behold as a Puisne Judge but herein remarkable to all posterity That he would not complie neither for the importunity of King Richard the second nor the example of his fellow Judges in the 10th year of that Kings Reign to allow that the King by his own power might rescinde an Act of Parliament Solus inter impios mansit integer Gulielmus Skipwith * Miles Clarus ideo apud Posteros And * shined the brighter for living in the midst of a crooked Generation bowed with fear and favour into Corruption I know well that the Collar of S. S. S. or Esses worn about the necks of Judges and other persons of Honor is wreathed into that form whence it receiveth its name Chiefly from Sanctus Simon Simplicius an uncorrupted Judge in the Primitive Times May I move that every fourth link thereof when worn may mind them of this SKIPVVITH so upright in his judgment in a matter of the highest importance Having no certainty of his Nativity I place him in this County where his name at Ormesby hath flourished ever since his time in a very worshipfull equipage Sr. WILLIAM HUSE●… Knight was born as I have cause to believe in this County where his name and Familie flourish in a right worshipfull equipage He was bred in the study of our Municipall Law and attained to such eminencie therein that by King Edward the fourth in the one and twentieth of his Reign he was made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. King HENRY the seventh who in point of policy was onely directed by himself in point of Law was chiefly ruled by this Judge especially in this question of importance It hapned that in his first Parliament many Members thereof were returned who being formerly of this Kings partie were attainted and thereby not legal to sit in Parliament being disabled in the highest degree it being incongruous that they should make Laws for others who themselves were not Inlawed The King not a little troubled therewith remitted it as a case in Law to the Judges The Judges assembled in the Exchequer Chamber agreed all with Sr. VVilliam Husee their Speaker to the King upon this Grave and safe opinion mixed with Law and convenience that the Knights and Burgesses attainted by the course of Law should forbear to come into the House till a Law were passed for the reversall of their attainders which was done accordingly When at the same time it was incidently moved in their Consultation what should be done for the King himself who likewise was attainted the rest unanimously agreed with Sr. VVilliam Husee that the Crown takes away all defects and stops in blood and that by the Assumption thereof the fountain was cleared from all attainders and Corruptions He died in Trinity Term in the tenth year of King Henry the 7th Sr. EDMUND ANDERSON Knight was born a younger brother of a Gentile extract at Flixborough in this County and bred in the Inner Temple I have been informed that his Father left him 1000 l. for his portion which this our Sr. Edmund multiplyed into many by his great proficiency in the Common Law being made in the twenty fourth of Queen Elizabeth Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. When Secretary Davison was sentenced in the Star Chamber for the business of the Queen of Scots Judge Anderson said of him that therein he had done * justum non juste and so acquitting him of all malice censured him with the rest for his indiscretion When H. ●…uff was arraigned about the Rising of the Earl of Essex and when Sr. Edward Coke the Queens Solicitor opposed him and the other answered Syllogistically our Anderson sitting there as Judge of Law not Logick checked both Pleader and Prisoner ob stolidos Syllogismos for their foolish Syllogismes appointing the former to press the Statute of King Edward the third His stern countenance well became his place being a great promoter of the established Church-discipline and very severe against all Brownists when he met them in his Circuit He dyed in the third of King James leaving great Estates to several sons of whom I behold Sr. Francis Anderson of Euworth in Bedfordshire the eldest whose son Sr. John by a second Wife Audrey Butler Neece to the Duke of Buckingham and afterwards married to the Lord Dunsmore in VVarwickshire was according to some conditions in his Patent to succeed his Father in Law in that honour if surviving him This I thought fit to insert to vindicate his memory from obl●…vion who being an hopefull Gentleman my fellow Colleague in Sidney Colledge was taken away in the prime of his youth Souldiers Sr. FREDERICK TILNEY Knight had his chief Residence at Bostone in this County He was a man of mighty stature and strength above the Proportion of ordinary persons He attended King Richard the first Anno Dom. 1190. to the Seidge of Acon in the Holy Land where his Atcheivements were such that he struk terror into the Infidels Returning home in safety he lived and died at Terington nigh Tilney in Norfolk where the measure of his incredible stature was for many 〈◊〉 preserved Sixteen Knights flourished from him successively in the Male line till at last their Heir generall being married to the Duke of Norfolk put a period to the Lustre of that ancient family PEREGRINE BERTY Lord Willoughby Son of Richard Berty and Katharine Dutchess of Suffolk Reader I crave a dispensation that I may with thy good leave trespass on the Premised Laws of this Book his name speaking his foraign Nativity born nigh Hidleberg in the Palatinate Indeed I am loath to omit so worthy a Person Our Histories fully report his valiant Atcheivements in France and the Netherlands and how at last he was made Governour of
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 w●…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 ●…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 h●…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
WILLIAM CATESBYE was born in this County where his family long flourished at Asby Saint Leger He was first advanced by VVilliam Lord Hastinges by whose countenance he came to the notice then favour of Richard the third though ill requiting it when betraying him who caused his preferment Take his character transcribing in this kind is safer then inditing from an Author above exception This Catesbye was a man well learned in the Laws of this Land and surely great pity it was that he had not had more truth or less wit If any object that being neither Lord Chief-Justice Chief-Baron nor any VVriter on the Law He falleth not under my Pen by the Charter of Method prefixed to this Catalogue know that though formerly none he was eminently all Officers in every Court of Judicature all the Judges shaking at his displeasure Witness the Libel which Collingborn made and which cost him his life for the same The Rat and the Cat and Lovel the Dog Do govern all England under the Hog The time of his death is uncertain but because we find him not molested in the raign of King Henry the seventh which had he survived surely had happened it is probable he died before his Patron and Preferrer King Richard the third Sir RICHARD EMPSON It is pity to part them seeing Empson may be called the Catesbye to King Henry the seventh as Catesbye the Empson to King Richard the third both Country-men eminent for having odious for abusing their skill in Law active for the Prince injurious to the people This Sir Richard was Chancellour of the Dutchy of Lancaster and from a Sieve-makers son at Towceter in this County where he was born came to sift the estates of the most wealthy men in England For King Henry the seventh vexed that he had refused Columbus his profer whereby the VVest-Indies being found out fortunately fell to Ferdinand King of Spain resolved to discover Indies in England and to this purpose made Empson Promotor General to press the Penal-Statutes all over the land Impowred hereby this prolling Knight did grind the faces of rich and poor bringing the grist thereof to the King and keeping the toll thereof to himself whereby he advanced a vast estate which now with his name is reduced to nothing He united the two houses of York and Lancaster in the Kings Coffers taking no notice of parties or persons for their former good service but making all equally obnoxious to fines and forfeitures But in the beginning of the reign of King Henry the eight he was arraigned condemed and beheaded August the 17. 1510. Say not that Princes if sacrificing their Ministers to popular fury will want persons faithfully to serve them seeing such exemplary justice will rather fright Officers from false disserving them for in fine no real profit can redoun to the Soveraign which resulteth from the ruine of his Subjects I must not forget how there was an old man in VVarwickshire accounted very judicious in Judicial Astrology of whom Sir Richard Empson then in his prime did scoffingly demand VVhen the Sun would Change to whom the old man replyed Even when such a wicked Lawyer as you go to Heaven But we leave him to stand and fall to his own Master and proceed EDWARD MONTAGUE son of Thomas Montague born at Brigstocke in this County was bred in the Inner-Temple in the study of the Laws until his ability and integrity advanced him Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench in the thirtieth of Henry the eight He gave for his Motto Equitas Justiae Norma And although equity seemeth rather to resent of the Chancery then the Kings-Bench yet the best justice will be worm-wood without a mixture thereof In his Times though the golden showers of Abby-lands rained amongst great men it was long before he would open his lap scrupling the acception of such gifts and at last received but little in proportion to others of that age In the thirty seventh of King Henry the eight he was made Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas a descent in honor but ascent in profit it being given to old age rather to be thrifty then ambitious In drawing up the Will of King Edward the sixt and setling the Crown on the Lady Jane for a time he swam against the tide and torrent of Duke Dudley till at last he was carried away with the stream as in our Church History is largely related Outed of his Judges Office in the first of Queen Mary he returned into Northamptonshire and what contentment he could not find in VVestminster-hall his Hospital-hall at Boughton afforded unto him He died Anno 1556. and lieth buried in the Parish-Church of VVeekely Sir AUGUSTIN NICOLLS Son to Thomas Nicolls Serjeant at Law was born at Eckton in this County Now though according to the rigor of our Fundamental Premises he cometh not within our Cognizance under this Title yet his merit will justifie us in presenting his Character He was bred in the study of the Common-law wherein he attained to such knowledge that Queen Elizabeth made him a King James his own Serjeant whence he was freely preferred one of the Judges of the Common-Pleas I say freely King James commonly calling him the Judge that would give no money Not to speak of his moral qualifications and subordinate abilities He was renowned for his special Judiciary Endowments Patience to hear both parties all they could say a happy memory a singular sagacity to search into the material circumstances exemplary integrity even to the rejection of gratuities after judgment given His forbearing to travail on the Lords day wrought a reformation on some of his own Order He loved plain and profitable Preaching being wont to say I know not what you call Puritanical Sermons but they come neerest to my Conscience The speech of Caesar is commonly known Oportet Imperatorem stantem mori which Bishop Jewell altered and applyed to himself Decet Episcopum concionantē mori of this man it may be said Judex mortuus est jura dans dying in his calling as he went the Northern Circuit and hath a fair Monument in Kendall-church in Westmerland Sir ROBERT DALLINGTON Knight was born at Geddington in this County bred a Bible-clerk as I justly collect in Bennet-colledge and after became a School-master in Northfolk Here having gained some money he travailed over all France and Italy being exact in his observations and was after his return Secretary to Francis Earl of Rutland He had an excellent wit and judgement witness his most acurate Aporismes on Tacitus At last he was Knighted and preferred Master of the Charter-house where the School-master at his first entering wellcomed him with a Speech in Latine verse spoken by a School-boy but sure he was more then a Boy who indited it It is hard to say whether Sir Robert was more pleased or displeased with the last Distick therein Partem oneris vestri minimā ne despice curam Nec Pueros
Majestie who will build their Name a Story Higher to Posterity HENRY the Sixth 29. JOHN LEWKENOR He was afterwards knighted by this King and was a Cordial Zealote for the Lancastrian Title at last paying dear for his Affections thereunto For in the Raign of King Edward the Fourth Anno 1471. He with three Thousand others was slain in the Battle at Teuksbury valiantly fighting under Prince Edward Son to King Henry the sixth HENRY the Seventh 12 MATTHEW BROWN Armiger I would be highly thankfull to him Gratitude is the Gold wherewith Schollars honestly discharge their Debts in this kinde who would inform me how Sr. Anthony Brown a younger Branch of this Family stood related to this Sheriffe I mean that Sr. Anthony Standard-bearer of England second Husband to Lucy fourth Daughter to John Nevell Marquess Montacute and Grandfather to Sr. Anthony Brown whom Queen Mary created Viscount Montacute He was a zealous Romanist for which Queen Mary loved him much the more and Queen Elizabeth no whit the less trusting and employing him in Embassies of High Consequence as knowing he embraced his Religion not out of politick Designe but pure Devotion He was direct Ancestour to the Right Honourable the present Viscount Mountacute This Viscount is eminently but not formally a Baron of the Land having a Place and Vote in Parliament by an express clause in his Patent but otherwise no particular Title of a Baron This I observe for the unparallel'd rarity thereof and also to confute the peremptory Position of such who maintain that only actual Barons sit as Peers in Parliament HENRY the Eighth 10 NICHOLAS CAREW Miles He was a jolly Gentleman fit for the favour of King Henry the Eighth who loved active Spirits as could keep pace with him in all Atchievements and made him Knight of the Garter and Master of his Horse This Sr. Nicholas built the fair House or Pala●…e rather at Beddington in this County which by the advantage of the Water is a Paradice of Pleasure Tradition in this Family reporteth how King HENRY then at Bowles gave this Knight opprobrious Language betwixt jest and earnest to which the other returned an Answer rather True than Discreet as more consulting therein his own Animosity than Allegiance The King who in this kind would give and not take being no Good Fellow in tart Repartees was so highly offended thereat that Sr. Nicholas fell from the top of his Favour to the bottome of his Displeasure and was bruised to Death thereby This was the true Cause of his Execution though in our Chronicles all is scored on his complying in a Plot with HENRY Marquess of Exeter and HENRY Lord Mountague We must not forget how in the Memory of our Fathers the last of this Surname adopted his near Kinsman a Throck-morton to be his Heir on condition to assume the Name and Armes of C●…rew From him is lineally descended Sr. Nicholas Carew Knight who I confidently hope will continue and encrease the Honour of his Ancient Family EDWARD the Sixth 1 THOMAS CARDEN Miles Some five Years before this Knight was improbable to be Sheriffe of this or any other County when cunning Gardiner got him into his clutches within the compass of the six Articles being with a Lady and some others of the Kings Privy Chamber indited for Heresie and for aiding and abetting Anthony Persons burnt at WINSOR as is above mentioned But King HENRY coming to the notice hereof of his special Goodness without the suit of any man defeated their Foes preserved their Lives and confirmed their Pardon ELIZABETHA Regina 20 GEORGE GORING He would do me an High Favour who would satisfie me how Sr. George Goring Knight bred in Sydney Colledge in Cambridge to which he was a Benefactor referred in kindred to this present Sheriffe This our Sr. George was by King Charles the first created Baron of Hurst Per-point in Sussex and after the death of his Mothers Brother Edward Lord Denny Earle of Norwich He is a Phaenix sole and single by himself vestigia sola retrorsum the onely Instance in a Person of Honour who found Pardon for no Offence his Loyalty to his Soveraign Afterwards going beyond the Seas He was happily instrumental in advancing the Peace betwixt Spain and Holland I remember how the Nobility of Bohemia who fided with Frederick Prince Palatine gave for their Motto COMPASSI CONREGNA●…IMUS meaning that such who had suffered with him in his Adversity should share with him in his Prosperity when settled in his Kingdome But alas their hopes failed them But blessed be God this Worthy Lord as he patiently bare his part in his Majesties Afflictions so he now partaketh in his Restitution being Captain of his Guard To the Reader May ●…e be pleased to behold this my b●…ief Description of 〈◊〉 as a Running Collation to stay his Stomack no set meal to Sati●…fie his hunger But to tell him good News I hear that a Plentifull Feast in this kinde is providing for his Entertainment by Edward Bish Esq. a Native of SVRREY intending a particular Survey thereof Now as when the Sun a●…iseth the Moon 〈◊〉 down obscurely without any observation so when the pains of this worthy Gentleman shall be publick I am not only contented but desirous that my weak Endeavours without further Noise or Notice should sink in Silence The Farewell I have been credibly 〈◊〉 that one Mr. CLARKE some seven score Years since built at his Charges the Market-House of Fa●…nham in this County Once rep●…oving his Workmen for going on so slowly they excused themselves that they were hindred with much people pressing upon them some liking some disliking the Model of the Fabri●…k Hereupon Mr. Clarke caused this Distich hardly extant at this day to be written in that House You who do like me give 〈◊〉 to end me You who dislike me give mony to mend me I wish this Advice practised all over this County by those who vent their various Verdicts in praising or reproving 〈◊〉 erected gratis for the General Good SUSSEX SUSSEX hath Surrey on the North Kent on the East the Sea on the South and Hant-shire on the West It is extended along the Sea-side threescore miles in length but is contented with a third of those miles in the breadth thereof A fruitfull County though very durty for the travellers therein so that it may be better measured to its advantage by days-journeys then by miles Hence it is that in the late Order for regulating the wages of Coach-men at such a price a day and distance from London Sussex alone was excepted as wherein shorter way or better pay was allowed Yet the Gentry of this County well content themselves 〈◊〉 the very badness of passage therein as which secureth their provisions at 〈◊〉 prices which if mended Higglers would mount as bajulating them to London It is peculiar to this County that all the rivers and those I assure you are very many have their fountains and falls
of them Naturall Commodities Oakes It was given in instruction to the Spies sent to search the Land of Canaan that amongst other enquiries they should take particular notice Whether there be Wood therein or not An important question the rather because at that time the Israelites were in Arabia the Desert where they saw not a tree in many moneths travaile in so much that it is Recorded for a wonder that in Elim were seventy Palm trees and now knew the worth of wood by wanting it But Bark-shire affordeth abundance of trees of all kinds though her Oakes in Windsor-Forest for the present come onely under our commendation First for their firmness whereof our Ships are made The Oake in other Kingdoms may be called cowardly as riving and splitting round about the passage of the bullet fearing as it were the force thereof whilst our English as heart of Oake indeed though entred with bullet remaineth firm round about it Secondly for the conveniencie of Portage The wealth of a covetous man wanting an heart to make use thereof may not unfitly be compared to the Oakes and Firre-trees good and plentifull indeed in the High-lands in Scotland but growing on such unaccessible mountains no Strength or Art can render them usefull nature in this kind having given them full coffers but no key to unlock them Whereas so indulgent is Divine Providence to England that our four principal Forests lie either on the Sea or Navigable Rivers viz. New-Forest on the Sea Shirewood on the Trent Dean on the Severne and this Windsor-Forest on the Thames and I could wish more care were taken for preserving the Timber therein Bark The very name of this Shire justly intitles us here to handle this Commodity though common to other Counties because Bark-shire as some will have it was so called from a stripped or Bark-bared-Oake to which signal place the people repaired in time of trouble to make their generall defence It is essential for making good Leather though lately one hath propounded a way to tanne it solid and saleable without the help thereof on condition and good reason too he may be allowed reasonable profit for so rare an invention But many think that he that waits for dead mens shooes and he that stays for Leather-shooes made without bark may both of them go a long time bare-foot Trouts This is a pleasant and wholesom Fish as whose feeding is pure and cleanly in the swiftest streams and on the hardest gravell Good and great of this kind are found in the River of Kennet nigh Hungerford though not so big as that which Gesner affirmes taken in the Leman-lake being three cubits in length They are in their perfection in the moneth of May and yearly decline with the Buck. Being come to his full growth he decays in goodness not greatness and thrives in his head till his death Note by the way that an hog-back and little head is a sign that any fish is in season Other commodities of This return in other Counties where they may be mentioned with more conveniencie The Manufactures Clothing It is plyed therein and because we meet with the best of our Manufactures in the first of our Shires a word of the Antiquity thereof 1. Cloth sure is of the same date with Civility in this Land Indeed the ancient Brittains are reported to go naked clothed onely with colours painted custom making them insensible of cold with the beggar who being demanded how he could go naked returned all my body is face But no sooner had the Romans reduced this Island but cloth though course such as would hide and heat was here generally made and used 2. Fine Cloth though narrow for persons of worth at home to wear and for forreign Exportation began in England about the beginning of the Reign of King Edward the Third Before which time our Statutes take no Cognizance of Clothing as inconsiderable Wooll being transported in specie and needing no Rules to regulate it save what prudence dictated to private Husbands with their own families 3. Broad Cloth wherein the wealth of our Nation is folded up made with broad loomes two men attending each of them began here in the Reign of King Henry the eighth And I have been informed that Jack of Newberry was the first that introduced it into this County Well may the Poets feign Minerva the Goddess of Wit and the Foundress of Weaving so great is the ingenuity thereof The Buildings Windsor Castle was a Royal seat ever since the Conquest but brought to the modern Beauty chiefly at the cost of King Edward the Third It is a Castle for Strength a Palace for State and hath in it a Colledge for Learning a Chappel for Devotion and an Almes-house of decayed Gentlemen for Charity In this Palace most remarkeable the Hall for greatness Winchester-Tower for height and the Terrace on the North-side for pleasure where a dull eye may travaile twenty miles in a moment Nor boasteth so much that it consisteth of two great Courts as that it conteined two Great Kings John of France and David of Scotland Prisoners therein together as also that it was the seat of the Honourable Order of the Garter Many neat Houses and pleasant seats there be in this County both on the Kennet and Thames which seem dutifully to attend at distance on Windsor Castle as Aldermaston Inglefield c. most sweet in their situations Proverbs I meet with but one in this County but either so narrow that they stretch not beyond the bounds thereof or else so broad that all other Counties equally share in the cause and usage of them Wherefore seeing this is the first English Shire in the Alphabetical Order to avoid a Vacuity we will here insert such Proverbs wherein England or English-men are by express mention concerned But first we will dispatch that sole Proverb of this County viz. The Vicar of Bray will be Vicar of Bray still Bray a Village well known in this County so called from the BIBROCES a kind of ancient Britons Inhabiting thereabouts The Vivacious Vicar hereof living under King Henry the 8. King Edward the 6. Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth was first a Papist then a Protestant then a Papist then a Protestant again He had seen some Martyrs burnt two miles off at Windsor and found this fire too hot for his tender temper This Vicar being taxed by one for being a Turn-coat and an unconstant Changeling Not so said he for I alwaies kept my Principle which is this to live and die the Vicar of Bray Such many now adayes who though they cannot turn the wind will turn their Mils and set them so that wheresoever it bloweth their Grist shall certainly be grinded Proceed we now to the Proverbs General of England When our Lady falls in our Lords lap Then let England beware a sad clap Then let England beware a mishap aliàs Then let the Clergy-man look to his cap. I behold this proverbial
marryed by a Proxy a naked sword being in bed interposed betwixt him and her body to Alphons King of Arragon with all Ceremonies of State And indeed they proved but Ceremonies the substance soon 〈◊〉 the said King Alphons dying Anno Dom. 1292. before the Consummation of the M●…rriage But soon after this Lady found that a Living Earl was better then a Dead King when Marryed to Henry the 3d. Earl of Berry in France from whom the Dukes of 〈◊〉 and Kings of Sicil are descended This Lady deceased in the seven and twentieth of her Fathers Reign Anno Dom. 1298. MARGARET third Daughter of King Edward the first and Queen Eleanor was born at Windsor in the 3d. year of her Fathers Reign 1275. When fifteen year old she was Marryed at Westminster July 9th 1290. to John the second Duke of Brabant by whom she had Issue John the third Duke of Brabant from whom the Dukes of Burgundy are descended MARY sixth Daughter of King Edward the first and Queen Eleanor was born at Windsor April the 12. 1279. being but ten years of Age she was made a Nun at Amesbury in Wilt-shire without her own and at the first against her Parents consent meerly to gratify Queen Eleanor her Grand-mother Let us pity her who probably did not pity her self as not knowing a vaile from a kerchief not understanding the requisites to nor her own fitness for that profession having afterwards time too much to bemoan but none to amend her condition As for the other Children of this King which he had by Eleanor his Queen probably born in this Castle viz. HENRY ALPHONSE BLANCHE Dying in their infancy immediately after their Baptism it is enough to name them and to bestow this joynt Epitapb upon them ●…leansed at Font we drew untainted Breath Not yet made bad by Life made good by Death The two former were buryed with their Brother John of whom before at Westminster in the same Tomb but where Blanche was interred is altogether unknown Edward the Third Son to Edward the Second and Queen Isabel was born at Windsor October 13. 1312. and proved afterwards a pious and fortunate Prince I behold him as meerly passive in the deposing of his Father practised on in his Minority by his Mother and Mortimer His French Victories speak both of his Wisdom and Valour and though the Conquests by King Henry the fifth were thicker atchieved in a shorter time His were broader in France and Scotland by Sea and Land though both of length alike as lost by their immediate Successours He was the first English King which Coined* Gold which with me amounts to a wonder that before his time all yellow payments in the Land should be made in foreign Coin He first stamped the Rose-Nobles having on the one side Jesus autem transiens per medium illorum ibat And on the reverse his own image with sword and shield sitting in a ship waving on the Sea Hereupon an English Rhymer in the Reign of King Henry the sixth For four things our Noble she weth to me King Ship and Swerd and Power of the See He had a numerous and happy issue by Philippa his Queen after whose death being almost seventy years old he cast his affection on Alice Pie●…ce his Paramour much to his disgrace it being true what Epictetus returned to Adrian the Emperour asking of him what Love was In puero pudor in virgine rubor in soemina furor in juvene ardor in sene risus In a boy bashfulness in a maid blushing in a woman fury in a young man fire in an old man folly However take this King altogether at home abroad at Church in State and he had few equals none superiours He dyed Anno Dom. 1378. WILLIAM sixth Son of King Edward the third and Queen Philippa was born at Windsor Indeed his second Son born at Hatfield was of the same name who dyed in his infancy and his Mother had a fond affection for another William because her Fathers Brothers and a Conquering Name till his short Life also dying in his cradle weaned her from renewing her desire As for King Edwards female Children Isabel Joan Blanch Mary and Margaret there is much probability of their French and no assurance of their English Nativity HENRY the sixth Son to Henry the fifth was born in Windsor-Castle against the will of his Father by the wilfulness of his Mother He was fitter for a Coul then a Crown of so easie a nature that he might well have exchanged a pound of Patience for an ounce of Valour Being so innocent to others that he was hurtful to himself He was both over-subjected and over-wived having marryed Margaret the Daughter of Reinier King of Jerusalem Sicily and Arragon a Prince onely Puissant in Titles otherwise little able to assist his Son in Law Through home-bred Dissentions he not onely lost the foreign acquisitions of his Father in France but also his own inheritance in England to the House of York His Death or Murder rather happened 1471. This Henry was twice Crowned twice Deposed and twice Buryed first at Chertsy then at Windsor and once half Sainted Our Henry the seventh cheapned the price of his Canonization one may see for his love and buy for his money in the Court of Rome but would not come up to the summe demanded However this Henry was a Saint though not with the Pope with the People repairing to this Monument from the farthest part of the Land and fancying that they received much benefit thereby He was the last Prince whom I find expresly born at Windsor It seems that afterwards our English Queens grew out of conceit with that place as unfortunate for Royal Nativities Saints MARGARET ALICE RICH were born at Abbington in this County and were successively Prioresses of Catesby in Northampton-shire They were Sisters to St. Edmund whose life ensueth and are placed before him by the Courtesie of England which alloweth the weaker Sex the upper hand So great the Reputation of their Holiness that The former Dying Anno 1257. The latter 1270. Both were honoured for Saints and many Miracles reported by crafty were believed by Credulous people done at their shrine by their Reliques St. EDMUND Son to Edward Rich and Mabel his Wife was born at Abbington in Bark-shire and bred in Oxford Some will have Edmunds-Hall in that University built by his means but others more probably nam'd in his Memory He became Canon of Salisbury and from thence by the joynt-consent of Pope King and Monkes three cords seldom twisted in the sa ne Cable advanc'd Arch-Bishop of Canterbury where he sate almost ten years till he willingly deserted it partly because offended at the power of the Popes Legate making him no more then a meer Cypher signifying onely in conjunction when concurring with his pleasure partly because vexed at his polling and peeling of the English people so grievous he could not endure so general
past twelve years of age before he knew one letter in the Book and did not he run fast who starting so late came soon to the mark He was a Curious Poet excellent Musician a valiant and successeful Souldier who fought seven Battles against the Danes in one year and at last made them his Subjects by Conquest and Gods servants by Christianity He gave the first Institution or as others will have it the best 〈◊〉 to the University of Oxford A Prince who cannot be painted to the Life without his losse no words reaching his worth He Divided 1. Every natural day as to himself into three parts eight hours for his devotion eight hours for his imployment eight hours for his sleep and refection 2. His Revenues into three parts one for his expences in War a second for the maintenance of his Court and a third to be spended on Pious uses 3. His Land into Thirty two shires which number since is altered and increased 4. His Subjects into Hundreds and Tythings consisting of Ten persons mutually Pledges for their Good behaviour such being accounted suspitious for their Life and Loyalty that could not give such Security He left Learning where he found Ignorance Justice where he found Oppression Peace where he found Distraction And having Reigned about Four and thirty years He dyed and was buried at Winchester Anno 901. He loved Religion more then Superstition favoured Learned men more then Lasie Monks which perchance was the cause that his memory is not loaden with Miracles and He not solemnly Sainted with other Saxon Kings who far less deserved it Since the Reformation PETER CHAPMAN was born at Cokeham in this County bred an Iron-monger in London and at his death bequeathed five pounds a year to two Scholars in Oxford as much to two in Cambridge and five Pounds a year to the Poor in the town of his Nativity besides threescore pounds to the Prisons in London and other Benefactions The certain date of his death is to me unknown JOHN KENDRICK was born at Reading in this County and bred a Draper in the City of London His State may be compared to the Mustard-seed very little at the beginning but growing so great that the birds made nests therein or rather he therein made ne●…ts for many birds which otherwise being either infledged or maimed must have been exposed to wind and weather The Worthiest of Davids WORTHIES were digested into Ternions and they again subdivided into two Ranks If this double Dichotomie were used to methodize our Protestant Benefactors since the Reformation sure I am that Mr. Kendrick will be if not the last of the first the first of the second Three His Charity began at his Kindred proceeded to his Friends and Servants to whom he left large Legacies concluded with the Poor on whom he bestowed above twenty thousand pounds Reading and Newbury sharing the deepest therein And if any envious and distrustfull Miser measuring other mens hearts by the narrowness of his own suspecteth the truth hereof and if he dare hazard the smarting of his bleered eyes to behold so bright a Sun of Bounty let him consult his Will publickly in Print He departed this life on the 30. day of September 1624. and lyes buried in St. Christophers London To the Curate of which Parish he gave twenty pounds per annum for ever RICHARD WIGHTWICK Bachelor of Divinity was Rector of East Isley in this County What the yearly value of his living was I know not and have cause to believe it not very great however one would conjecture his Benefice a Bishoprick by his bounty to Pembroke Colledge in Oxford to which he gave one hundred pounds per annum to the maintenance of three Fellows and four Scholars When he departed this life is to me unknown Memorable Persons THOMAS COLE commonly called the rich clothier of Reading Tradition and an authorless pamphlet make him a man of vast wealth maintaining an hundred and fourty meniall servants in his house besides three hundred poor people whom he set on work insomuch that his Wains with cloth filled the high-way betwixt Reading and London to the stopping of King Henry the first in his Progress Who notwithstanding for the incouraging of his Subjects industry gratified the said Cole and all of his profession with the set measure of a Yard the said King making his own Arme the standard thereof whereby Drapery was reduced in the meting thereof to a greater certainty The truth is this Monkes began to Lard the lives of their Saints with lies whence they proceeded in like manner to flourish out the facts of Famous Knights King Arthur Guy of Warwick c. in imitation whereof some meaner wits in the same sort made description of Mechanicks powdering their lives with improbable passages to the great prejudice of truth Seeing the making of Broad-cloath in England could not be so ancient and it was the arme not of King Henry but King Edward the first which is notoriously known to have been the adequation of a yard However because omnis fabula fundatur in Historia let this Cole be accounted eminent in this kind though I vehemently suspect very little of truth would remain in the midst of this story if the grosse falshoods were pared from both sides thereof JOHN WINSCOMBE called commonly Jack of Newberry was the most considerable clothier without fancy and fiction England ever beheld His Looms were his lands whereof he kept one hundred in his House each managed by a Man and a Boy In the expedition to Flodden-field against James King of Scotland he marched with an hundred of his own men as well armed and better clothed then any to shew that the painfull to use their hands in peace could be valiant and imploy their Armes in War He feasted King Henry the eighth and his first Queen Katharine at his own house extant at Newberry at this day but divided into many Tenements Well may his house now make sixteen Clothiers houses whose wealth would amount to six hundred of their estates He built the Church of Newberry from the Pulpit westward to the Tower inclusively and died about the year 1520. some of his name and kindred of great wealth still remaining in this County Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 John Parveis John Parveis Erlgeston Fishmonger 1432 2 Nicholas Wyfold Thomas Wyfold Hertley Grocer 1450 3 William Webbe John Webbe Reading Salter 1591 4 Thomas Bennet Thomas Bennet Wallingford Mercer 1603 The Names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the Sixth 1433. Robert Bishop of Sarum Commissioners to take the Oaths William Lovel Chivaler   Robert Shotsbroke Knights for the Shires William Fyndern   Johan Prendegest Praeceptor Hospitalis St. Johan Jerus in Anglia de Grenham Johannis Golefre Armigeri Willielmi Warbelton Ar. Willielmi Danvers Ar. Johannis Shotesbrooke Ar. Thomae Foxle Ar. Phi. Inglefeld Ar. Thomae Rothewell
cause valiantly fighting in the battle of Teuxbury It is charity to enter this memorial of him the rather because he died without issue and his fair estate forfeited to King Edward the fourth was quickly scattered amongst many Courtiers but from his Cousin and Heire-general the Lauleys in Shropshire are lineally descended Henry VII 17 Sir JOHN SAINT JOHN Mil. There were three Sir John Saint Johns successively in the same family since their fixing in this County 1. The father this year Sheriffe being son to Sir Oliver Saint John by Margaret daughter and sole heir to Sir John Beauchamp This Margaret was afterwards married to John Duke of Somerset to whom she bare Margaret Mother to King Henry the seventh 2. The son Sheriffe in the seventh year of King Henry the eighth 3. The grand-child Sheriffe in the third of Edward the sixth and father to Oliver the first Lord Saint John This we insert to avoid confusion it being the general complaint of Heraulds that such Homonymie causeth many mistakes in pedigrees 22 WILLIAM GASCOIGNE Much wondering with my self how this Northem Name stragled into the South I consulted one of his Family and a good Antiquary by whom I was informed that this William was a Younger Brother of Gauthorpe house in York-shire and was settled at Cardinton nigh Bedford in this County by Marrying the Inheritrix thereof He was afterwards twice Sheriffe under King Henry the eighth Knighted and Controler of the House of Cardinall Woolsey A rough Gentleman preferring rather to profit then please his Master And although the Pride of that Prelate was sar above his Covetousnesse yet his Wisedome well knowing Thrift to be the Fuell of Magnificence would usually disgest advice from this his Servant when it plainly tended to his own Emolument The Name and which is worse the Essate is now quite extinct in this County Henry VIII 1 JOHN MORDANT Ar. He was extracted of a very Ancient parent in this County and married one of the Daughters and Heirs of Henry Vere of Addington in Northampton-shire whereby he received a great Inheritance being by Aged persons in those parts remembred by the name of John of the Woods Reader I was born under the shadow and felt the warmth of them so great a Master he was of Oaks and Timber in that County besides large possessions he had in Essex and elswhere King Henry the eight owning him deservedly for a very wise man created him Baron Mordant of Turvey 29 WILLIAM WINDSOR Mil. He was descended from Walter Fitz Otho Castle-keeper of Windsor in the time of King William the Conqueror and was by King Henry the eighth created Baron Windsor of Bradenham in Buckingham-shire Ancestor to the present Lord Windsor descended from him by an Heir-general so that Hickman is his Surname E●…ward VI. 1 FRANCIS RUSSEL Mil. He was Son to John Lord Russel afterward Earl of Bedford Succeeding his Father in his honour so great was his Hospitality that Queen Elizabeth was wont to say pleasantly of him That he made all the beggars He founded a small School at Wobourne and dying in great age and honour was buried at Cheneys 1585. 5 OLIVER SAINT JOHN Ar. He was by Queen Elizabeth made Lord Saint John of Bletso in this County and left two sons who succeeded to his honour First John whose onely daughter Anne was married to William Lord Effingham and was mother to Elizabeth now Countess Dowager of Peterborough His second son was Oliver blessed with a numerous issue and Ancestor to the present Earl of Bullinbrook Queen Mary 1 WILLIAM DORMER Mil. He was son to Sir Robert Dormer Sheriffe the 14. of K. Henry the 8. by Jane Newdigate his wife which Lady was so zealous a Pap●…st that after the death of Q. Mary she left the land and lived beyond the Seas This Sir William by Mary Sidney his wife had a daughter married to the Count of Feria when he came over hither with King Philip. This Count under pretence to visit his sick Lady remaining here did very earnestly move a match betwixt King Philip his Master and Queen Elizabeth which in fine took no effect He the●… also mediated for Jane Dormer his Grand-mother and some other fugitives that they might live beyond the Seas and receive their revenues out of England which favour the Queen though not fit to indulge whereat the Count was so incensed ●…hat he moved Pope Pius the fourth to excommunicate Her though his wife did with all might and maine oppose it Sheriffs of this County alone Name Place Armes REG. ELIZA     Anno     17 〈◊〉 Rotheram Es. Farly Vert 3 Roe bucks tripping Or a Baston Gul. 18 Ioh 〈◊〉 ●…ewelbury G. a Salter engrailed Arg. 19 Ge. Kenesham Es. Temsford   20 Ioh. Spencer Esq Cople   21 Nich. Luke Esq. Woodend Ar. a Bugle-horn S. 22 Hen. Butler Esq. Biddenhā G. a Fess Cho●…kee Ar. S. betw 6 Cross 〈◊〉 Ar. 23 Ioh. Tompson Es. Crawley   24 Ric. Conquest Es. Houghton Q. Ar. S. a Labelw th 3 points 25 Lodo. Dive Esq. Brumham Parte per Pale Ar. et G. a Fess Az. 26 Ioh. Rowe Esq Ric. Charnock Es. Holeot Ar. on a Bend S. 3 Crosses Croslet of the field 27 Oliv. St. John Es.   Ar. on a Chief G. 2 Mullets Or. 28 Ric. Charnock Es. ut prius   29 Will. Butler Esq. ut prius   30 Rad. Astry Esq. Westning Barr●…wavee of six Ar. Az. on a Chief G. 3 Bezants 31 Oliv. St. John Es. ut prius   32 Ge Rotheram Es. ut prius   33 Exp. Hoddeson Es. ut prius   34 Will. Duncombe Batlesden Party per Chev. count●…r Flore G. Arg. 3 Talbots-heads Erazed countercharged 35 Nich. Luke Esq. ut prius   36 Ioh. Dive Esq ut prius   37 Wil. Gostwick Es. Willingtō Arg. a Bend G. cotized S. twixt 6 C●…rnish chaughes proper on a chief Or 3 Mullets vert 38 Ric. Conquest Es. ut prius   39 Tho. Cheney Esq. Sundon   40 Edr. Rateliffe Kt. Elstow Arg. a Bend engrailed S. 41 W●…ll Butler Esq ut prius   42 Ioh. Crost Kt.     43 Ric Charnocks Es. ut prins   44 Geo. Francklyn Malvern   45 Ioh. Dive Kt. ut prius   JAC. REX     Anno     1 Ioh. Dive Kt. ut prius   2 Ioh. Leigh Esq.     3 Edr. Sands Kt. Eaton   4 Fran. Anderson E. Eworth Arg. a Cheveron twixt 3 Cross-Croslets S. 5 Tho. Snagge Kt. Marson   6 Edw Mord●…nt Es. Ockley A●…a a Chev. 〈◊〉 3 Estoyles S. 7 Tho. Ancell Esq. Barford G. on a Saltier Or betw 4 Bezants a Malcel of the first 8 Fran Ventres Kt. Campton Azu a lutie beewaot 2 Bendswavy Arg. 9 Rob. Sandy Esq.     10 Wil. Beecher Esq. Hooberry   11 Ric. Sanders Esq. Marson Parte per Ch. Ar. S. 3 Elephants heads Erazed ceunterchanged 12 Edw. Duncombe ut prius   13 Will. Plomer
great Disputant and well studied Scholar as his works do declare He was afterwards preferred Bishop of Lincoln where several contests happened betwixt him and Pope Boniface the ninth who in revenge ex plenitudine Potestatis removed him from Lincoln to Litchfield that is from the Hall into the Kitchin a Bishoprick of less credit and profit Buckingham grew sullen hereat and would rather shut himself out then play at a less game and so quitting Episcopacy 1397. lived and died a private Monck at Canterbury where he lies buried the lowermost in the body of Christ-Church under a very fair Grave-stone as my industrious friend hath well retrived his memory though the brasse on his Monument be worn or rather torn away He indented with the Prior and Covent at Canterbury to build him a Chantry-Chappel near his Sepulcher which I find not performed JOHN YOUNG was born at Newton-longvile in this County and bred in New-colledge in Oxford on the same token that there are no fewer then ten Youngs in their Register reckoned Fellows of that Foundation and one said that Seeing the Colledge was always New well may many Fellows be Young therein This John Young became Warden thereof and afterwards was made Bishop of the fair City of Callipoli in Greece An excellent place to fat a neither Camel nor Lion but Camelion in and seeing the great Turk was his Tenant little the rent he paid to this his Landlord However this titular Bishoprick gave him Precedency a Vote in General Councils and Power of Ordination But some English Earth doth not well with such Grecian Aire and for his better support he was made Master of the Rowles Jan. 12. in the first of King Henry the eighth and either died or resigned his Office some eight years after As I remember he lieth buried with a brass Inscription in New-colledge Chappel JOHN HOLYMAN was born at Codington in this County bred in New-colledge in Oxford and afterwards became a Benedictine in Reading untill that Monastery was dissolved Queen Mary in the first of her reign preferred him Bishop of Bristoll whilst his predecessor Paul Bush deprived for being married was yet alive He lived peaceably not embrewing his hands in Protestants bloud and died seasonably for himself a little before the death of Queen Mary 1558. Since the Reformation JOHN HARLEY was born in the Parish of Newport-Paganel in this County as a learned Antiquary a native of the same place hath informed me where some of his kindred were lately if not still in being He was bred first Fellow then School-Master in Magdalen-colledge in Oxford in the dangerous days of King Henry the eighth he was an hearty but concealed Protestant In the first week of the reign of King Edward the sixth whilst most mens minds stood at a gaze it being dead-water with them which way the tide would turn Master Harley in the Parish-Church of Saint Peters in Oxford and a solemn Lent-Sermon publiquely preached Antipapal doctrine and powerfully press'd justification by faith alone whereupon the over-officious Vice-Chancellor hurried him up to London for an Heretick there to answer for his contempt But the case was soon altered Harley was acquitted commended preferred to be Tutor to the sons of John Earl of Warwick afterwards Duke of Northumberland He was thence made Bishop of Hereford It is said of Abraham he was buried in a good old age It cannot be said of our Harley he died in an old age finding him not above fifty though expiring in a good age in two respects in relation to the piety of his life past and in reference to the future troubles which immediately followed Surely had he survived a little longer he had lost his life as he did his Bishoprick for being married in the first of Q. Mary Doctor LAURENCE HUMPHRED Harley his Scholar in Magdalen-colledge hath consecrated this Distick to the memory of his Master though the Muses in my mind looked very solemnly without the least smile at the making thereof Flo●… domui Harlaeus socius ludique Magister Celsus-deinde throno celsior inde polo. He died Anno Domini 1554. shifting from place to place the cause why there is no certain intelligence where he was interred ROBERT ALDRICH although he lived but in the twilight of Religion he is justly to be placed not on the Dark but Light side of Reformation For though his actions were but weak his affections were sincere therein Born he was at Burnham in this County bred in Kings-colledge in Cambridge Proctor of that University anno 1525. About which time many letters passed betwixt him and his familiar friend Erasmus who stileth him Blandae eloquentiae juvenem He was afterward School-master then Fellow and Provoster of Eaton and at last made Bishop of Carlile anno 1537. by King Henry the eighth He was never a through paced Papist much lesse a persecutor of Protestants though a complyer with some superstitions He died at Horncastle in Lincoln shire a house belonging to his See in the reign of Queen Mary 1555. WILLIAM ALLEY was born at Wi●…kham in this County bred first at Eaton then in Kings-colledge where he was admitted Anno Domini 1528. Hence he went away being Batchelour of Arts and afterwards became Lecturer in Saint Pauls I say Lecturer which name though since it hath sounded ill in some jealous ears as infected with faction was an ancient office founded in some Cathedralls to read Divinity there and this Master Alleys learned lectures according to that age are Extant in Print He was Consecrated Bishop of Exeter July 14. 1560. and dying 1576. lyeth buried under a fair Marble in his own Cathedrall RICHARD COX was born at Whaddon in this County and bred for some years in Kings-colledge in Cambridge Even when Cardinal Woolsy was erecting Christs-church in Oxford This great Prelate desiring that this his Colledge should be as fair within as without and have learning answerable to the building thereof employed his Emisaries to remove thither the most hopefull Plants of Cambridge and this Richard Cox amongst the rest He became afterwards School-master of Eaton which was happy with many florishing wits under his endeavours and Haddon amongst the rest whom he loved with filiall affection nor will it be amisse to insert the Poeticall Passe betwixt them Walter Haddon to Doctor COX his School-master Vix caput attollens è lecto scribere carmen Qui velit is voluit scribere plura Vale. Doctor COX to Walter Haddon his Scholar Te magis optarem salvum sine ●…armine Fili Quam sine te salvo carmina multa Vale. Hence he was sent for to be Instructor to Prince Edward which with good conscience to his great credit he discharged Here Reader forgive me in hazarding thy censure in making and translating a Distick upon them Praeceptor doctus docilis magis an puer ille Ille puer docilis Praeceptor tu qu●…que doctus Master
more able child of more docility Docil the child Master of great ability At last he was prefered Bishop of Ely 1559. commendably continuing therein whatever causless malice hath reported to the contrary twenty one years and dying Anno Domini 1580. THOMAS BICKLEY was born at Stow in this County bred first Chorister then Scholar then Fellow in Magdalen-colledge in Oxford In the first of Edward the sixth his detestation of Superstition may rather be commended then his discretion in expressing it when before the publique abolishing of Popery at Evening-prayer he brake the consecrated Host with his hands and stamped it under his feet in the Colledge-chappel Afterwards he fled over into France living an exile at Paris Orleans all the reign of Queen Mary Returning into Eugland he became Chaplain to Arch-bishop Parker who preferred him Warden of Merton-colledge wherein he continued twenty years When pass'd the age of a man eighty years old he began the life of a Bishop and was rather contented then willing to accept the Bishoprick of Chichester * freely offered unto him Yet lived he eleven years therein and died ninety years of age April 30 1596. and had a most sumptuous funerall all the Gentry of the Vicinage doing their homage to the Crown of his old age which was foun'd in the way of truth He led a single life left an hundred pound to Merton-colledge and other moneys to pious uses JOHN KING was born at Warnhall nigh Tame in this County Robert King the last Abbot of Osney and first Bishop of Oxford being his great Uncle he was first Deane of Christ-church then Bishop of London being ful fraught with all Episcopal qualities so that he who endeavoureth to give a perfect account thereof will rather discover his own defects then describe this Prelates perfections He died Anno Dom. 1618. being buried in the Quire of Saint Pauls with the plain Epitaph of Resurgam and I cannot conceal this elegant Elegie made upon him Sad Relique of a blessed soul whose trust We sealed up in this Religious dust O do not thy low Exequies suspect As the cheap Arguments of our Neglect 'T was a commanded duty that thy Grave As little pride as thou thy self should have Therefore thy covering is an humble stone And but a word for thy inscription When those that in the same earth neighbour thee Have ●…ach his Chronicle Pedigree They have their waving Pennons and their flaggs Of Matches and Alliance formal Braggs Whenthou although from ancestors thou came Old as the Heptarchy great as thy name Sleepst there inshrin'd in thy admired parts And hast no Heraldry but thy deserts Yet let not them their prouder Marbles boast For they rest with less Honor though more cost Go search the world with your Mattokwound The groaning bosom of the patient ground Digg from the hidden veins of her dark womb All that is rare and precious for a tomb Yet when much treasure more time is spent You must grant his the Nobler Monument Whose faith standsore him for a Hearse hath The Resurrection for his Epitaph See more of the character of this most worthy Prelate in our Ecclesiasticall History anno 1620. wherein he died RICHARD MONTAGUE was born at Dorney where his Father was Vicar of the Parish within 3. miles of Eaton and so though not within the reach within the sight of that Staple Place for Grammar learning wherein he was bred Thence was he chosen successively Fellow of Kings Colledge in Cambridge Fellow of Eaton Parson of Stanford Rivers in Essex Canon of Windsor Parson of Petworth elected Bishop of Chichester and at last of Norwich He spent very much in repairing his parsonage-Parsonage-house at Petworth as also on his Episcopal house at Allingbourn near Chichester He was most exact in the Latin and Greek and in the Vindication of Tithes wrestled with the grand Antiquary of England and gave him a fair flat fall in the point of a Greek Criticisme taxing him justly for mistaking a God amongst the Aegyptians more then there was by making a Man amongst the Grammarians fewer then they should be He hath many learned works extant against the Papists some in English some in Latin and one called his Appello Caesarem which without his intent and against his will gave occasion of much trouble in the Land He began an Ecclesiasticall History and set forth his Apparatus and alas it was but an Apparatus though through no Default of his but defect of his Health sicknesse troublesome times and then death surprizing him Had it been finished we had had Church Annalls to put into the Ballance with those of Baronius and which would have swayed with them for Learning and weighed them down for Truth He dyed Anno Dom 1641. HENRY KING D. D. son to John King lately mentioned Bishop of London and his wife of the ancient family of the Conquests was born in this County in the ●…me town house and chamber with his father a locall Coincidence which in all considerable particulars cannot be parallel'd We know the Scripture-Proverb used in Exprobration As is the mother so is the daughter both wicked both wofull But here it may be said by way of thankfullness to God and honour to the persons As was the father so is the son both pious both prosperous till the calamity of the times involved the later Episcopacy Anno 1641. was beheld by many in a deep consumption which many hoped would prove mortal To cure this it was conceived the most probable cordiall to prefer persons into that Order not only unblameable for their life and eminent for their learning but also generally beloved by all disingaged people and amongst these King Charles advanced this our Doctor Bishop of Chichester But all would not do their Innocency was so far from stopping the mouth of malice that malice almost had swallowed them down her throat Since God hath rewarded his Patience giving him to live to see the Restitution of his Order David saith that the good Tree Man shall bring forth his fruit in due season so our Doctor varied his fruits according to the diversity of his age Being brought up in Christ-church in Oxford he delighted in the studies of Musi●…k and Poetry more elder he applyed himself to Oratory and Philosophy and in his reduced age fixed on Divinity which his Printed Sermons on the Lords-prayer and others which he preached remaining fresh in the minds of his Auditors will report him to all posterity He is still living Anno Domini 1660. Writers on the Law Sir GEORGE CROOK Knight son of Sir John Crook and Elizabeth Unton his wife was born at Chilton in this County in the second year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth bred first in Oxford then a double Reader in the Inner Temple Serjeant at Law and the Kings Serjeant Justice first of the Common-bench 22. Jacobi and then of the Upper-bench 4. Caroli His ability
Barbarous fact Yet though his right hand suffered as a Malefactour there want not those who maintained that Martyr belongs to the rest of his Body Prelats STEPHEN de FULBORN was born at Fulborn no other of that name in England in this County Going over into Ireland to seek his Providence commonly nick-named his fortune therein he became anno 1274 Bishop of Waterford and Lord Treasurer of Ireland Hence he was preferred Arch-bishop of Tuam and once and again was Chief Justice of that allow me a Prolepsis Kingdome He is reported to have given to the Church of Glassenbury in England Indulg●…nces of an hundred days which I cannot understand except he promised pardon of so many days to all in his Province who went a Pilgrimage to that place and this also seems an over-papal Act of a plain Arch-bishop He died 1288. and was buried in Trinity Church in Dublin NICHOLAS of ELY was so called say some from being Arch-Deacon thereof which dignity so died his Denomination in grain that it kept colour till his death not fading for his future higher preferments though others conjecture his birth also at Ely When the bold Barons obtrued a Chancellour A Kings Tongue and Hands by whom he publickly speaks and acts Anno 1260. they forced this Nicholas on King Henry the third for that Office till the King some months after displaced him yet knowing him a man of much merit voluntarily chose him L. Treasurer when outed of his Chancellors place so that it seems he would trust him with his Coffers but not with his Conscience yea he afterwards preferred him Bishop of Worcester then of Winchester Here he sate 12. years and that Cathedrall may by a Synedoche of a novel part for the whole challenge his interment having his Heart inclosed in a Wall though his body be buryed at Waverly in ●…urry 1280. WILLIAM of BOTLESHAM was born at Bottlesham contractly Botsam in this County This is a small village which never amounted to a Market-town some five miles East of Cambridge pleasantly seated in pure aire having rich arable on the one and the fair health of New-market on the other side thereof It hath been the nursery of refined wits affording a Triumvirate of learned men taking their lives there and names thence and to prevent mistakes to which learned pens in this point have been too prone we present them in the ensuing parallels William of Bottlesham John of Bottlesham Nicholas of Bottlesham Made by the Pope first Bishop of Bethlehem in Syria afterwards Anno 1385. Bishop of Landaffe and thence removed to Rochester A famous Preacher Confessor to King Richard the second and learned Writer but by Walsingham and Bale called John by mistake He dyed in Febru Anno 1399. Nor must we forget that he was once Fellow of Pembroke-hall Was bred in peter-Peter-house in Cambridge whereunto he was a Benefactor as also to the whole University Chaplain to T. Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury by whose recommendation he was preferred to succeed his Towns-man in the See of Rochester which he never saw saith my Authour as dying in the beginning of the year 1401. Was a Carmelite bred in Cambridge afterwards removed to Paris where in Sorbone he commenced Doctor of Divinity Returning to Cambridge he became Prior of the Carmelites since Queens-colledge where he wrote many books and lies buried in his own Covent Anno Domini 1435. Let all England shew me the like of three eminent men all contemporaries at large which one petty village did produce Let Bottlesham hereafter be no more fam'd for its single Becon but for these three lights it afforded THOMAS of NEW MARKET was born therein and though that Town lyeth some part in Suffolk my Author assures his Nativity in this County He was bred in Cambridge an excellent Humanist and Divine having left some learned Books to Posterity and at last was advanced to be Bishop of Carlile Surely then he must be the same with Thomas Merks consecrated Anno 1397. consent of time most truly befriending the conjecture Merks also and Market being the same in effect Neither doth the omission of New in the least degree discompose their Identity it being usuall to leave out the Prenomen of a Town for brevity sake by those of the Vicenage amongst whom there is no danger of mistake commonly calling West-chester Chester South-hampton Hampton If the same he is famous in our English Histories because his devotion in a Transposed Posture to publick practise worshiped the Sun-setting King Richard the second for which his memory will meet with more to commend then imitate it Yet was his Loyalty shent but not sham'd and King Henry the fourth being sick of him not daring to let him to live nor put him to death because 〈◊〉 Prelate found an Expedient for him of a living death confining him to a Titular Grecian Bishoprick He dyed about 1405. THOMAS THIRLBY Doctor of Laws was as I am assured by an excellent Antiquary born in the Town and bred in the University of Cambridge most probably in Trinity hall He was very able in his own faculty and more then once employed in Embasseys by King Henry the eighth who preferred him Bishop of Westminster Here had Thirlby lived long and continued the course he began he had prevented Queen Mary from dissolving that Bishoprick as which would have dissolved it self for lack of land sold and wasted by him And though probably he did this to raise and enrich his own family yet such the success of his sacriledge his name and alliance is extinct From Westminster he was removed to Norwich thence to Ely He cannot be followed as some other of his order by the light of the Fagots kindled by him to burn poor Martyrs seeing he was given rather to Prodigality then cruelty it being signally observed that he wept at Arch-bishop Cranmers degradation After the death of Queen Mary he was as violent in his opinions but not so virulent in his expressions always devoted to Queen Mary but never invective against Queen Elizabeth He lived in free custody dyed and is buried at Lambeth 1570. Since the Reformation GODFREY GOLDSBOROUGH D. D. was born in the Town of Cambridge where some of his Sur-name and Relation remained since my memory He was bred in Trinity-colledge Pupil to Arch-bishop Whitgiff and became afterwards Fellow thereof at last he was consecrated Bishop of Gloucester Anno Dom. 1598. He was one of the second set of Protestant Bishops which were after those so famous for their sufferings in the Marian days and before those who fall under the cognizance of our generation the true reason that so little can be recovered of their character He gave a hundred mark to Trinity colledge and died Anno Dom. 1604. ROBERT TOWNSON D. D. was born in Saint Botolphs parish in Cambridge and bred a Fellow in Queens-colledge being admitted very young
passant of the first 4 Tho. Parker ar     5 Iacob Pedley ar     6 Tho. Terrell ar Fulborn C. Arg. two Cheverons Az. within a border engrailed G. 7 Rich. Covil ar   Az. a Lion ramp Arg. a File os 3 Lambeaux G. 8 Capel Bedell ar ut prius   9 Anth. Cage ar ut prius   10 Rob. Ballam ar     11 Ludo. Dyer Bar. Gr. Ston ton Hu. O●… a chief indented Gules The Sheriffs of Cambridge-shire alone Name Place Armes 12 Ioh. Carleton ba. Chevely Arg. on a Bend Sa. 3 Mascats of the first 13 Tho. Chichesley ut prius   14 Tho. Wendy ar ut prius G. a Fess twixi 3 Scallops Or. 15 Tho. Pichard * Trūpington Arg. a Fess betwixt 3 Crosses Fitchee G. 16 Ioh Crane † ar Kingston   17 Ioh. Cotton mil. Landwad S. a Cheveren betwixt 3 〈◊〉 ●…heads erazed Arg. The Sheriffs of Cambridge and Huntington-shires again Name ●…lace Armes 18 Tho. Martin mil. Barton Arg. an Eagle displayed G. 19 Idem ut prius   20 On slo Winch ar     21 Tris. Diumond Wel.   Edward IV. 16 THOMAS COTTON Ar. This Thomas Cotton different in Arms and descent from the Cottons of Hunt was of Cambridg-shire the same person who in the. Gentry of that County Henric●… 6. 12. was returned the twenty second in Order Henry the VIII 24 THOMAS ELIOT Mil. He was son to Sir Richard Eliot and born some say in Suffolk but his house and chief estate lay in this County After his long sailing into forraign parts he at last cast anchor at home and being well skilled in Greek and Latine was the Author of many excellent works Of these one in Latine was styled Defensorium bonarum mulierum or the defence of good women though some will say that such are hardly found and easily de●…ended He wrote also an excellent Dictionary of Latine and English if not the first the best of that kind in that age and England then abounding with so many learned Clergy-men I know not which more to wonder at that they mist or he hit on so necessary a subject let me adde Bishop Cooper grafted his Dictionary on the stocke of Sir Thomas Eliot which worthy Knight deceased 1546. and was buried at Carlton in this County 28 THOMAS CROMWELL Ar. Here Reader I am at a perfect los●… and do desire thy charitable hand to lead me No Cromwell Thomas can I find at this time in this County and can hardly suspect him to be the Cromwell of that Age because only additioned Armiger Indeed I find him this very year created Baron of Okeham but cannot believe that he was Un-knighted so long besides the improbability that he would condescend to such an Office having no Interest I ever met with in Cambridg-shire though which may signifie somewhat he was at this time Chancellor of the University of Cambridge Thus I have started the doubt which others may hunt down to their own satisfaction 34 EDWARD NORTH Mil. He was a prudent Person and in managing Matters of importance of great dispatch not unskilled in Law and eminently imployed in the Court of Augmentation A Court though short lived erected in the end of King Henry the eighth dissolved in the beginning of King Edward the sixth his reign yet very beneficial to the Officers therein This Sir Edward was made by Queen Mary Baron of Catlidge in this County and was a considerable Benefactor to peter-Peter-house in Cambridge where he is remembred in their Parlour with this Distich under his Picture Nobilis Hic vere fuerat si Nobilis ullus Qui sibi 〈◊〉 Nobilitatis erat He was Father to Roger Lord North and Great-grand-father to Dudly Lord North now surviving Edward the VI. 2 JOHN HUDDLESTON Mil. He was highly honored afterwards by Queen Mary and deservedly Such the T●…ust she reposed in him that when Jane Grey was proclaimed Queen she came privately to him to ●…alston and rid thence behind his servant the better to disguise herself from discovery to Framlingham castle She afterwards made him as I have heard her Privy-Councellor and besides other Great Boones bestowed the bigger part of Cambridgecastle then much ruined upon him with the stones whereof he built his fair house in this County I behold his Family as branched from the Huddlestones in Cumberland Queen Elizabeth 14 JOHN CUTS Mil. He was a most bountifull house-keeper as any of his estate insomuch that Queen Elizabeth in the beginning of her reign whilst as yet she had peace with Spain the sickness being at London consigned the Spanish Embassadour to this Knights house in this County The Embassadour coming thither and understanding his name to be John Cuts conceived himself disparaged to be sent to one of so short a name the Spanish Gentlemen generally having voluminous Surnames though not so long as the Deity in New-Spain called Yoca huvaovamaorocoti usually adding the place of their habitation for the elongation thereof But soon after the Don found that what the Knight lacked in length of name he made up in the largeness of his entertainment 34 HENRY CROMWELL Mil. This was the fourth time he was Sheriff in the reign of the Queen He was son to Richard Cromwell Esquire Sheriff in the 32. of King Henry the eighth to whom his Valour and Activity so endeared him that he bestowed on him so much Abby-land in this County as at that day at a reasonable rate is worth twenty thousand pounds a year and upwards He was no whit at all allyed to though intimately acquainted with Thomas Lord Cromwell the Mauler of Monasteries which I knowingly affirme though the contrary be generally believed For when Doctor Goodman late Bishop of Gloucester presented a Printed paper to Oliver Cromwell Grand child to this our Sheriff mentioning therein his near Affinity to the said Lord Cromwell the pretended Protectour desirous to confute a Vulgar Errour in some passion returned That Lord was not related to my Family in the least degree 39 JARVASIUS CLIFTON Mil. He had a fair Estate at Barrington in Somerset-shire whence he removed to Huntingtonshire on his Match with the sole Daughter and Heir of Sir Henry Darcy of Leighton-bromswold in that County This Sir Jarvase was by King James created Baron of Leighton aforesaid and there began a beautifull house which he lived not to finish His sole Daughter Katherine was married to Esme Steward Duke of Lenox to whom she bare the truly Illustrious by Virtues and high Extraction James Duke of Richmond King James 9 SIMON STEWARD Mil. I remember he lived after he was Knighted a Fellow-commoner in Trinity-hall where these his Armes are fairly depicted in his Chamber with this Distich over them Francorū Carolus voluit sic Stemmata ferri Singula cum valeant sunt meliora simul French Charls would have these Coats to be thus worn When singly good their better jointly born But how the Royal Name of Steward came
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 〈◊〉 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 〈◊〉 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 ●…he East end thereof with a Colledge at 〈◊〉 in Yorkshire where Constance his Lady was born endowing it with one hundred and eighty pounds per annum He died at his 〈◊〉 of Scon●…-Thorp in Norfolk in peace and honour whereas 〈◊〉 generally set in a cloud being at least ninety years of age for he must be 〈◊〉 no 〈◊〉 then 〈◊〉 years old when Anno●…52 ●…52 he was a Generall under K. Ed●… 〈◊〉 third and he 〈◊〉 untill the 〈◊〉 of August 1407. being buried in White-Friers in London to which he had been a great benefactour JOHN SMITH Captain was 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 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 〈◊〉 I know not He spent the most of his life in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 First in Hungary under the Empe●… fighting against the Turks Three of which he himself killed in single Duells and therefore was Authorized by 〈◊〉 King of Hungary to bear three Turks-heads as an Augmentation to his Armes Here 〈◊〉 gave intelligence to a besieged City in the night by significant 〈◊〉 works formed in 〈◊〉 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 su●… 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
Requests and at last Secretary of State for twenty years together He was a very zealous Protestant and did all good Offices for the advancement of true Religion and died the eighth of Septemb. 1644. Capital Judges and Writers on the Law JOHN STATHOM He was born in this County in the Raign of King Henry the sixth and was a learned man in the Laws whereof he wrote an Abridgement much esteemed at this day for the Antiquity thereof For otherwise Lawyers behold him as Souldiers do Bows and Arrows since the invention of Guns rather for sight than service Yea a Grandee in that Profession hath informed me that little of Stathom if any at all is Law at this day so much is the practice thereof altered whereof the Learned in that faculty will give a satisfactory accompt though otherwise it may seem strange that reason continuing alwayes the same Law grounded thereon should be capable of so great alteration The first and last time that I opened this Author I lighted on this passage Molendinarius de Matlock tollavit bis ●…ò quod ipse audivit Rectorem de eadem villa dicere in Dominica Ram. Palm Tolle tolle The Miller of Matlock took toll twice because he heard the Rectour of the Parish read on Palme Sunday Tolle Tolle i. e. crucifie him crucifie him But if this be the fruit of Latine Service to encourage men in Felony let ours be read in plain English Sir ANTHONY FITZ-HERBERT Son of Ralph Fitz-Herbert Esquire was born at Norbury in this County He was first the Kings Serjeant at Law and was afterwards in the fourteenth of King Henry the eighth made one of the Justices of the Common Pleas so continuing until the thirtieth year of the said King when he died He wrote the excellent Book De Natura Brevium with a great and laborious Abridgement of the Laws and a Kalendar and Index thereunto Monuments which will longer continue his Memory than the flat blew Marble stone in Norbury Church under which he lieth interred Sea-Men Sir HUGH WILLOUGHBY was extracted from a right worthy and ancient stock at Riseley in this County He was in the last year of the raign of King Edward the sixth employed for the North-East passage and by the King and Merchants of London made Captain General of a Fleet for Discovery of Regions and places unknown Their Fleet consisted of three Ships the Bona Esperanza Admiral of one hundred and twenty Tun the Edward Bonaventure whereof Richard Chancelour Pilot-Major of one hundred and sixty Tun and the Good Confidence of ninety Tun. A large Commission was granted unto them which Commission did not bear date from the year of our Lord but from the year of the World 5515. because in their long Voyage they might have occasion to present it to Pagan Princes They departed from Debtford May 10. 1553. and after much foul weather steered up North-North-East But on the second day of August a tempest arose and their ships with the violence of the Wind were much shattered and the Bonaventure scattered from the other two ships which never after saw it again Sir Hugh holding on his course descried a Land which for Ice he could not approach lying from Synam an Island belonging to the King of Denmark one hundred and sixty leagues being in Latitude seventy two Degrees This was then called Willoughby-land as well it might seeing it had neither then or since any Owner or Inhabitant pretending to the propriety thereof It appeareth by a Will found in the ship which was the Admiral in the pocket of a person of quality how in January 1554. Sir Hugh and most of his Company were then in health though all soon after froze to death in a River or Haven called Arzina in Lapland We are bound in charity to believe them well prepared for death the rather because they had with them a Minister Mr. Richard Stafford by name one of the twelve Councellors to manage the design who read constantly every morning and evening the English Service to those who were in the Admiral with the Bible and Paraphrases thereon So that this may be termed the first reformed Fleet which had the English Prayers and Preaching therein However seeing Nocumenta Documenta and that the Ship-wrecks of some are Sea-marks to others even this Knights miscarriage proved a direction to others As for the Bonaventure which answering its name was onely found by losing it self it returned safe and performed afterwards most excellent service in opening the Traffick to Muscovy Thus as the last Dog most commonly catcheth the Hare which other Dogs have turned and tired before so such who succeed in dangerous and difficult enterprises generally reap the benefit of the adventures of those who went before them As for Sir Hugh and his Company their Discoveries did thaw though their Bodies were frozen to death the English the Summer following finding a particular account of all passages of their voyages remaining entire in the Ship wherein they perished Lapland hath since been often surrounded so much as accosts the Sea by the English the West part whereof belongeth to the King of Sweden but the East moity to the Muscovite They were generally Heathen as poor in knowledge as estate paying their Tribute in Furres whose little Houses are but great ●…oles wherein generally they live in the ignorance of Money Here let me insert a passage to refresh the Reader after this long and sad story of a Custom in this barbarous Country from the mouths of credible Merchants whose eyes have beheld it It is death in Lapland to marry a Maid without her Parents or Friends consent Wherefore if one beare affection to a young Maid upon the breaking thereof to her friends the fashion is that a day is appointed for their friends to meet to behold the two young parties to run a Race together The maid is allowed in starting the advantage of a third part of the race so that it is impossible except willing of her self that she should ever be overtaken If the Maid overrun her Suitor the matter is ended he must never have her it being penal for the Man again to renew the motion of Marriage But if the Virgin hath an affection for him though at the first running hard to try the truth of his love she will without Atalantaes Golden Balls to retard her speed pretend some casualty and make a voluntary hault before she cometh to the mark or end of the race Thus none are compelled to marry against their own wills and this is the cause that in this poor Countrey the married people are richer in their own contentment than in other lands where so many forced Matches make fained Love and cause real unhappinesse Physicians THOMAS LINACER Doctor of Physick was born in the Town of 〈◊〉 bred in Oxford whence he afterwards travelled beyond the Seas residing chiefly at Rome and Florence Returning into England he brought Languages along
Leke ar Sutton Arg. on a saltire engrailed Sab. 9. Annulets Or. 15 Humf. Bradborn     16 Germ. Pole ar     17 Ioh. Manners ar Haddon Or two Bars Az. on a Chief quarterly 2 flower de lys of France and a Lion of 〈◊〉 18 Fran. Wortley ar * York shire   19 Will. Basset ar †     20 Godf. Fuliamb ar * Walton * Arg. a Bend with 3 Besants betwixt 6 Martlets Gul. 21 Tho. Cockain mil. ut prius   22 Ioh. Zouch mil. ut prius † Or 3 Piles Gul. a Canton Er. 23 Ioh. Harper ar † Calke ● S. a Bend bet 6. scallops Or. 24 Hen. Cavendish ar* Chatswo † Arg. a Lion rampant within a border engrailed S able 25 Fran. Curson ar † Kedlifton   26 Ioh. Vernon ar *   * Sable 3 Bucks Heads cabosed Arg. attired Or. 27 Tho. Cockayn mil. ut prius   28 Fran. Leake ar ut prius † Arg. on a bend Sab. 3. Popingais Or collered Vert. 29 Will. Kniveton ar Mircaston   30 Ioh. Manners ar ut prius * Arg. frettee Sab. a canton G. 31 Godf. Fuliamb ar ut prius   32 Humf. Dethick ar   Arg. a Fesse Varr●… Or and Gul. bet 3. water bougets Sa. 33 Tho. Gresley ar † Greisly C.   34 Will. Basset ar ut prius † Varry Ermin and Gules 35 Fran. Cockain ar ut prius   36 Ioh. Rodes ar Balbrough Arg. a Lion passant bend-ways Gul. dotfessed Ermin betw 37 Will. Cavendish ar ut prius   38 Geo. Curson ar ut prius 3. Acorns Azure 39 Ioh Manners ar ut prius   40 Hen. Sacheverel ar   Arg. a saltire Az. 5. water Bougets Argeet 41 Io. Willoughby ar* Riseley   42 Edw Cockain ar ut prius * Or on two Bars Gul. 3. water Bougets Argent 43 Pet. Frechvile ar ut prius   44 Fran Fitz-Herbert Norbury Argent a Chies Varry Or and Gules a 〈◊〉 Sable 45 Tho. Gresley mil. ut prius   JACOBUS     Anno     1 Tho. Gresley mil ●…t prius   2 Fran. Leake mil. ●…t prius   3 Ioh. Harper mil. ut prius   4 Hen Willoughby a ut prius   5 Rich Harpe●… ar ut prius   6 Hen. Cavendish ar ut prius   7 Ioh. Curson ar ut prius   8 Tho. Burdet ar   Az on 2 〈◊〉 Or 6. Martlets Gules 9 Geo. Fulwood mil.     10 He●… Leigh mil.   Gul. a Cross engrailed in the first quarter a Lozenge Arg. 11 Tho. 〈◊〉 mil. *     12 Will Kniv●…ton bar ut prius * Gul. on a Bend Argent 3. 13 Ioh. Bullock ar   Crosses patee Sable 14 Hen. Agard ar     15 Fran. Munday ar     16 Rog. Manners mil. ut prius   17 Godf. Tacker ar     18 Ioh. Milward ar   Erm. on a fess Gules 3. plates 19 Tho. Eyre ar     20 Iacinth Sacheverel   Argent on a Saltyre Azure 5. water Bougets of the field 21 〈◊〉 Kniveton m. ut prius   22 Ioh. Fitz-Herbert ut prius   CAROL I.     Anno     1 Hen. Harper ar ut prius   2 Ioh Fitz Herb. mil. ut prius   3 Edw. Vernon mil. ut prius   4 T●…o Burton ar     5 Ioh. Stanhope mil. ut prius   6 Fran. Bradshaw ar     7 Humf. Oakeover ar     8 Ioh. Manners ar ut prius   9 Fran. Foliamb b●…r ut prius   10 Ioh. Gell. ar     11 Ioh. Millward ar ut prius   12 Ioh. Harpur mil. ut prius   13 Ioh. Harpur bar ut prius   14 Ioh. Curson bar ut prius   15 Ioh. Agard ar     16     17 Ioh. Harpur bar ut prius   18     19     20 Edw. Cooke bar   Partee per 〈◊〉 Gules and Azure 3. Eagles Argent 21     22 Mich Bartonar     Hen. VIII 18. JOHN VERNON Arm. Indeed I meet with many Vernons in this Catalogue of Sheriffs Henry John c. but cannot find him I seek for viz. Sir George Vernon of Haddon in this County I assign my self this reason that he never executed that Office because it was beneath a Prince to be a Sheriff and such his vast revenues and retinue that in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth he was called the King of the Peak This Sir George left two Daughters Coheirs Elizabeth married to Sir John Manners Ancestor to the present Earl of Rutland and Margaret to Sir Thomas Stanley younger Son of the House of Derby deriving a vast Inheritance to their Husbands How this Sir John this year Sheriff stood to him related is to me unknown sure I am some of his surname and alliance still flourish in this and the neighbouring Counties where they have a fair Estate Yet will they remember their Motto Ver non semper floret so ill it is to trust in the fading Spring of humane felicity The Farewell I understand that it is fashionable in this County for Adventurers to begin a Mine with this solemn expression For the Grace of God and what I there can find By the grace of God understanding good success otherwise saving Grace is not to be sought for by mining of Earth but mounting up to Heaven by Faith and Repentance This their expression I approve the Earth being the Lords and the fulness thereof both beneath and above ground belongeth unto him I have read that the Vicars in that Country doe receive every tenth Dish of Oar for their due being obliged thereby to pray heartily for the Miners Now though no such place or profit belongeth unto me yet treating of this subject I conceive my selfe bound if not in Conscience in Courtesie to wish these Work-men a good speed in their lawful endeavours whilest they only undermine the Earth and not their Neighbours right by fraudulent practices May their Lot prove a Prize unto them that they may gain at the least no Blank to lose thereby Particularly may Divine Providence fecure the Persons of their Labourers from Damps and other casualties which have happened to many when the Earth though cruel to kill was courteous to bury them by the same mischance DEVON-SHIRE DEVON-SHIRE hath the Narrow Sea on the South the Severn on the North Cornwal on the West Dovset and Somerset-Shire on the East A goodly Province the second in England for greatnesse clear in view without measuring as bearing a square of fifty miles Some part thereof as the South-Hams is so fruitful it needs no art some so barren as Dart-more it will hardly be bettered by art but generally though not running of it self it answers to the spur of industry No Shire showes more industrious or so many Husbandmen who by Marle blew and white Chalk Lime Sea-sand Compost Sope-ashes Rags and what not make the ground both to take and keep a moderate fruitfulnesse so that Virgil if now alive might make additions to his Georgicks
strength thereof and wise conduct of their General The Loyal English did rather gaze on than pray for him as ignorant of his intentions and the Apostle observeth that the private man knoweth not how to say Amen to what is spoken in an unknown Language Now the scales began to fall down from the eyes of the English Nation as from Saul when his sight was received sensible that they were deluded with the pretences of Religion and Liberty into Atheisme and Vassallage They had learnt also from the Souldiers whom they so long had quartered to cry out One and All each Shire setting forth a Remonstrance of their grievances and refusing farther payment of Taxes Lambert cometh forth of London abounding with more outward advantages than General Monk wanted Dragon like he breathed out nought but fire and fury chiefly against the Church and Clergy But he met with a Saint George who struck him neither with sword nor spear but gave his Army a mortal wound without wounding it His Souldiers dwindled away and indeed a private person Lambert at last was little more must have a strong and long hand on his own account to hold an whole Army together The Hinder part of the Parliament sitting still at Westminster plied him with many Messengers and Addresses He returned an answer neither granting nor denying their desires giving them hope too little to trust yet too much to distrust him He was an absolute Riddle and no ploughing with his Heifer to expound him Indeed had he appeared what he was he had never been what he is a Deliverer of his Countrey But such must be as dark as midnight who mean to atchieve Actions as bright as Noon-day Then was he put on the unwellcome Office to pluck down the Gates of London though it pleased God that the Odium did not light on him that acted but those who imployed him Hence forward he sided effectually with the City I say the City which if well or ill affected was then able to make us a happy or unhappy Nation Immediately followed that TURN of our TIMES which all the World with wonder doth behold But let us not look so long on second causes as to lose the sight of the Principal Divine Providence Christ on the Crosse said to his Beloved Disciple behold thy Mother and said to her behold thy Sonne Thus was he pleased effectually to speak to the hearts of the English Behold your Soveraign which inspirited them with Loyalty and a longing desire of his presence saying likewise to our Gracious Soveraign Behold thy Subjects which encreased his ardent affection to return and now blessed be God both are met together to their mutual comfort Since the Honours which he first deserved have been conferred upon him compleated with the Title of the Duke of Albemarle and Master of his Maj●…sties Horse c. Nor must it be forgotten that he carried the Scepter with the Dove thereupon the Emblem of Peace at the Kings Coronation But abler Pens will improve these Short Memoires into a large History Sea-men WILLIAM WILFORD was a Native nigh Plymouth in this County a valiant and successeful Sea-man It happened in the Raign of King Henry the Fourth that the French out of Britain by a sudden Invasion burnt sixteen hundred Houses in Plymouth if there be not a mistake in the figures which I vehemently suspect Sure it was a most sad desolation remembred at this day in the division of Plymouth whereof the one part is called the Britons-side the other the Old-Town But let the French boast their gain when the Game is ended which now was but began This fire enflamed all the English and especially our Wilford with desire of revenge Within a short time he made them to pay besides costs and charges more than sixfold damages by taking forty ships on the Coast of Britains and burning as many at Penarch besides many Towns and Villages for six leagues together I collect the death of this W. Wilford to be about the beginning of the Raign of King Henry the Fifth Sr. HVMPHREY GILBERT or Jilbert or Gislibert was born at Green-way in this County the pleasant Seat of his Family for a long continuance He was famous for his knowledg both by Sea and Land In the year 1569 he valiantly and fortunately served in Ireland Afterwards he led nine Companies to the assistance of the Hollanders In the year 1583 he set forth with five ships to make discoveries in the North of America where he took Sezin and Possession of New-Found-Land according to the Ancient Solemn Ceremony of cutting a Turf for the Crown of England He resolved to adventure himself in his Return in a Vessel of sorty Tun. And with two ships the onely remains of five did make for England In the instant of their winding about I may confidently report what is generally in this County averred and believed A very great Lion not swimming after the manner of a Beast with the motion of his feet nor yet diving sometimes under water and rising again as Porpyces and Dolphins do but rather gliding on the water with his whole body except legs in sight shunned not the ship nor the Marriners who presented themselves in view but turning his head too and fro yawning and gaping wide made a horrible roaring It is conceived no Spectrum or Apparition but a real fish seeing we read that such like a Lion in all lineaments was taken at Sea Anno 1282. and presented to Pope Martin the Fourth Instantly a terrible Tempest did arise and Sir Humphrey said cheerfully to his companions We are as neer Heaven here at Sea as at Land Nor was it long before his ship sunck into the Sea withal therein though the other recovered home like Jobs Messengers to bring the tydings of the destruction of their companions This sad accident happened 158. ....... COCK I am sorry I cannot add his Christian Name and more sorry that I cannot certainly avouch his Nativity in this County though inclined with many motives to believe it being a Cock of the Game indeed For in the Eighty eight Solus Cockus Anglus in sua inter medios hostes navicula cum laude periit And whereas there was not a noble Family in Spain but lost either Son Brother or Nephew in that Fight this Cock was the onely man of note of the English who fighting a Volanteer in his own ship lost his life to save his Queen and Countrey Unus homo nobis pereundo restituit rem Pity it is his memory should ever be forgotten and my Pen is sensible of no higher preferment then when it may be permitted to draw the Curtains about those who have died in the bed of Honour Sir FRANCIS DRAKE Having formerly in my Holy State written his life at large I will forbear any addition and onely present this Tetrastrick made on his Corps when cast out of the Ship wherein he died into the Sea Religio quamvis Romana
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 sho●…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 Po●…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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as here the affinity of phrase and fancy betwixt these two Poets This 〈◊〉 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 〈◊〉 as a most probable Authour But most sure it is that this Corn●…lius was most judicious in that Art because Valerius Catullus dedicated his Poem unto him as best able to p●…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 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 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 ●…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 R●…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 r●…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 signi●…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 f●…om King James it was revoked on what occasion I list not to enquire I conjecture the date of his death was much about the Year 1617. JOHN BARKHAM born in this City was bred in Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford whereof he was Fellow Chaplain afterwards to Archbishop Bancroft and Parson of Bocking in Essex Much his Modesty and no lesse his Learning who though never the publique Parent of any was the carefull Nurse of many Books who otherwise had expired in their Infancy had not his care preserved them He set forth D. Crackenchorp his Posthume Book against Spalato and was helpfull to John Speed in the composing of his English History yea he wrote the whole Life of the Raign of King John which is the King of all the
places and at a place called Somervill near to Chappel which by the landing place as ye come from Altferr●… to Chesil is in great abundance It is an assured remedy for the Yellow Jaundice openeth the obstructions of the Spleen c. Buildings The Houses of the Gentry herein are built rather to be lived in than to be looked on very low in their scituation for warmth and other conveniencies Indeed the rhime holds generally true of the English structures The North for Greatness the East for Health The South for Neatness the West for Wealth However amongst the Houses in this County Lullworth Castle and Sherburn-Lodge are most eminent escaping pretty well in the late war so that they have cause neither to brag nor complain Proverbs As much a kin as Lenson-hill to Pilsen-pen That is no kin at all It is spoke of such who have vicinity of habitation or neighbourhood without the least degree of consanguinity or affinity betwixt them For these are two high hills the first wholy the other partly in the Parish of Broad Windsor whereof once I was Minister Yet Reader I assure thee that Sea-Men make the nearest Relation betwixt them calling the one the Cow the other the Calf in which forms it seems they appear first to their fancies being eminent Sea-marks to such as sail along these Coasts And although there be many Hills interposing betwixt these and the Sea which seem higher to a land Traveller yet these surmount them all so incompetent a Judge and so untrue a Surveyor is an ordinary eye of the Altitude of such places Stab'd with a Byrdport Dagger That is hang'd or executed at the Gallowes The best if not the most Hemp for the quantity of ground growing about Byrdport a Market Town in this County And hence it is that there is an ancient Statute though now disused and neglected that the Cable Ropes for the Navy Royal were to be made there abouts as affording the best Tackling for that purpose Dorset-shire Dorsers Dorsers are Peds or Panniers carried on the backs of Horses on which Haglers use to ride and carry their Commodities It seems this homely but most useful implement was either first found out or is most generally used in this County where Fish-Jobbers bring up their Fish in such contrivances above an hundred miles from Lime to London Saints EDWARD son to Edgar King of England was in his Child-hood bred under the cruel correction of Elfrida his Mother-in-law who used for small faults to whip him with Wax-Candles In so much that it is reported it made such an impression in this young Princes memory that when a man he could not endure the sight of Wax-Candles But Edward afterwards outgrew his Mothers tuition and succeeded his Father in his Throne However such her ambition that advantaged with the others easiness of nature She managed most matter of State leaving her Son in-law little more than the bare title of Soveraign Not contented herewith and to derive the Scepter to her own Son Ethelred caused him to be stab'd at Corfe Castle in this County coming in a civil visit unto her His hidden ●…ody being miraculously discovered was first buried at Warham and thence removed to Shaftsbury which Town for a time was termed Saint Edwards from his interment His murder hapned about the year of our Lord 978. Cardinals JOHN MORTON was born at Saint Andrews Milborne in this County of a right Worshipful Family still extant therein He was bred in Oxford and after many mediate preferments made Bishop of Ely Anno 1578. Not long after when many groaned under the Tyranny of King Richard the third this Prelate first found out the design of marrying Elizabeth eldest daughter to Edward the fourth of the House of York to Henry Earl of Richmond the last who was left of the line of Lancaster Indeed the Earls title to the Crown was not enough to make a countenance therewith much less a claim thereto but as the Lady had a Title and wanted a man to manage it the Earl was man enough to manage any design but wanted a Title and pursuing this advice by Gods blessing he gained the Crown by the name of Henry the seventh In expression of his gratitude he made this Bishop Chancellor of England and afterwards Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He was a great instrument in advancing a voluntary Contribution to the King through the Land perswading Prodigals to part with their money because they did spend it most and the Covetous because they might spare it best So making both extreams to meet in one medium to supply the Kings necessities who though prodigiously rich may be said always to need because never-satisfied This Bishop with vast cost cut a new Channel in the Fennes for the publick good but it neither answered his expectation nor expence He was magnificent in his buildings and bountiful to poor Scholars enjoyning his Executors to maintain twenty poor Scholars in Oxford and ten in Cambridge twenty years after his death which hapned in October 1500. Prelates JOHN STAFFORD Son to Humphrey Stafford sixth Earl of Stafford was born at Hooke in this County then a most stately House belonging to this Family and bred a Doctor of the Laws in Oxford he was afterwards Dean of the Arches and Dean of Saint Martins This was a fair Colledge near Aldersgate in London founded Anno 1056. by Ingelricus and Edvardus his Brother priviledged by our Kings of England with great immunities the cause of many and high contests betwixt this Colledge and the City of London Afterwards he was made Bishop of Wells and for eighteen years a continuance hardly to be parallel'd was Chancellor of England At last he was advanced Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and no Prelate his Peer in Bi●…th and pre●…erment hath either less good or less evil recorded of him He died at Maidstone 1452. and lies buried in Canterbury ROBERT MORTON was Brothers Son to Cardinal Morton of whom before whose Father had a fair Habitation at Saint Andrews Milborne in this County His relation to so good an Uncle mixed with his own merits preferred him to the Bishoprick of Worcester Of whom we have little more than the date of his consecration 1486. and of his Death 1497. He lieth buried in the body of Saint Pauls Church in London JAMES TURBERVIL or De turbida villa was born of a worshipful Family who long have lived in great account in this County ●… First a Monk but afterwards brought up in New-Colledge in Oxford He was consecrated Bishop of Exeter 1556. and deserved right well of that See When he entred thereon it was most true what his Successor therein since said That the Bishop of Exeter was a Baron but a Bare one so miserably that Cathedral had been pilled and polled But Bishop Turbervil recovered some lost lands which Bishop Voysey had vezed and particularly obtained of Queen Mary the ●…estitution of the fair Manor of
She was youngest Daughter and Child to Ralph Earl of Westmerland who had one and twenty and exceeded her Sisters in honour being married to Richard Duke of York She saw her Husband kill'd in battel George Duke of Clarence her second Son cruelly murdered Edward her eldest son cut off by his own intemperance in the prime of his years his two sons butchered by their Uncle Richard who himself not long after was slain at the bartel of Bosworth She was blessed with three Sons who lived to have issue each born in a several Kingdom Edward at Bourdeaux in France George at Dublin in Ireland Richard at Fotheringhay in England She saw her own reputation murdered publickly at P●…uls-Cross by the procurement of her youngest son Richard taxing his eldest Brother for illegitimate She beheld her eldest Son Edward King of England and enriched with a numerous posterity   Yet our Chronicles do not charge her with elation in her good or dejection in her ill success an argument of an even and steady soul in all alterations Indeed she survived to see Elizabeth her grand child married to King Henry the seventh but little comfort accrued to her by that conjunction the party of the Yorkists were so depressed by him She lived five and thirty years a widow and died in the tenth year of King Henry the seventh 1495. and was buried by her Husband in the Quire of the Collegiate Church of Fotheringhay in Northampton-shire which Quire being demolished in the days of King Henry the eighth their bodies lay in the Church-yard without any Monument until Queen Elizabeth coming thither in Progress gave order that they should be interred in the Church and two Tombs to be erected over them Hereupon their bodies lapped in Lead were removed from their plain Graves and their Coffins opened The Duchess Cicely had about her neck hanging in a Silver Ribband a Pardon from Rome which penned in a very fine Roman Hand was as fair and fresh to be read as if it had been written but yesterday But alas most mean are their Monuments made of Plaister wrought with a Trowell and no doubt there was much daubing therein the Queen paying for a Tomb proportionable to their Personages The best is the memory of this Cicely hath a better and more lasting Monument who was a bountiful Benefactress to Queens Colledge in Cambridge Saints BEDE And because some Nations measure the worth of the person by the length of the name take his addition Venerable He was born at Girwy now called Yarrow in this Bishoprick bred under Saint John of Beverly and afterwards a Monk in the Town of his Nativity He was the most general Scholar of that age Let a Sophister begin with his Axioms a Batchelor of Art proceed to his Metaphysicks a Master to his Mathematicks and a Divine conclude with his Controversies and Comments on Scripture and they shall find him better in all than any Christian Writer in that age in any of those Arts and Sciences He expounded almost all the Bible translated the Psalms and New Testament into English and lived a Comment on those Words of the * Apostle shining as a light in the world in the midst of a crooked and perverse Generation He was no gadder abroad credible Authors avouching that he never went out of his Cell though both Cambridge and Rome pretend to his habitation Yet his Corps after his death which happened Anno 734. took a journey or rather were removed to Durham and there enshrined Confessors JOHN WICKLIFFE It is a great honour to this small County that it produced the last maintainer of Religion before the general decay thereof understand me Learned Bede and the firm restorer thereof I mean this Wickliff the subject of our present discourse True it is His Nativity cannot be demonstrated in this Bishoprick but if such a scientia media might be allowed to man which is beneath certainty and above conjecture such should I call our perswasion that Wickliff was born therein First all confess him a Northern man by extraction Secondly the Antiquary allows an ancient Family of the Wickliffs in this County whose Heir general by her match brought much wealth and honour to the Brakenburies of Celaby Thirdly there are at this day in these parts of the name and alliance who continue a just claim of their kindred unto him Now he was bred in Oxford some say in Baliol others more truly in Merton Colledge and afterwards published opinions distasteful to the Church of Rome writing no fewer than two hundred Volumns of all which largely in our Ecclesiastical History besides his translating of the whole Bible into English He suffered much persecution from the Popish Clergy Yet after long exile he by the favour of God and good Friends returned in safety and died in quietness at his living at Lutterworth in Leicestershire Anno 1387. the last of December whose bones were taken up and burnt 42. years after his death Disdain not Reader to learn something by my mistake I conceive that Mr. Fox in his Acts and Monuments had entred the Names of our English Martyrs and Confessors in his Kalender on that very day whereon they died Since I observe he observeth a Method of his own fancy concealing the reasons thereof to himself as on the perusing of his Catalogue will appear Thus VVickliff dying December the last is by him placed January the second probably out of a design to grace the new year with a good beginning though it had been more true and in my weak judgement as honourable for VVickliff to have brought up the rear of the old as to lead the front of the new year in his Kalender Prelates The Nevills We will begin with a Quaternion of Nevils presenting them in Parallels and giving them their Precedency before other Prelates some their Seniors in time because of their Honourable Extraction All four were born in this Bishoprick as I am informed by my worthy Friend Mr. Charles Nevil Vice-Provost of Kings in Cambridge one as knowing 〈◊〉 Universal Heraldry as in his own Colledge in our English Nobility as in his own Chamber in the ancient fair and far branched Family of the Nevils as in his own Study RALPH NEVIL was born at Raby in this Bishoprick was Lord Chancellour under King Henry the third none discharging that Office with greater integrity and more general commendation and Bishop of Chichester 1223. He built a fair House from the ground in Chancery Lane for himselfe and successors for an Inne where they might repose themselves when their occasions brought them up to London How this House was afterwards aliened and came into the possession of Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln from whom it is called Lincolns Inne at this day I know not Sure I am that Mr. Mountague late Bishop of Chichester intended to lay claim therunto in right of his see But alas he was likely to follow a cold scent
He died Anno Domini 1631. and lieth bu●…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 remove●… 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 beref●…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 fert●…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 l●…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
own drink afterwards SIMON LYNCH Son of William Lynch Gentleman was born at Groves in the Parish of 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1562 bred a Student in Queens Colledge in Cambridge and afterwards Bishop Aylmere his kinsman bestowed on him a small living then not worth above 40 〈◊〉 per 〈◊〉 at North Weale nigh Epping 〈◊〉 this County and ●…ly said unto him Play Cousin with this a while till a better comes But Mr. Lynch continued therein the first and last place of his Ministry sixty four years The Bishop ●…terwards 〈◊〉 him Brent-Wood Weale three times better 〈◊〉 North 〈◊〉 to whom Mr. Lynch to use his own words return'd this answer That he 〈◊〉 the weal of his 〈◊〉 souls before any other weal whatsoever He lived sixty one years in wedlock with Elizabeth eane his wife He was an excellent house keeper 〈◊〉 yet provided well for his ten children He was buryed at North-Wale Annò 〈◊〉 1656 Lord Mayors Name 〈◊〉 Place Company Time 1 William Edwards William Edwards Hoton Grocer 1471 2 Robert Basset Robert Basset Billenkei Salter 1475 3 Iohn Shaa Iohn Shaa Rochford Goldsmith 1501 4 Laurence Aylmer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Draper 1507 5 William Baily Iohn 〈◊〉 Thackstead Draper 1524 6 〈◊〉 Allen Richard 〈◊〉 Thackstead Mercer 1525 7 Richard Martin Thomas Martin Saffron Walden Goldsmith 1593 8 Thomas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Skinner Walden Clothworker 1596 9 〈◊〉 Dean George Deane MuchdunMowe Skinner 1628 The Names of the Gentry of this County Returned by the Commissioners in the 〈◊〉 year of King Henry the sixth 1433. Ralph Bishop of London or his 〈◊〉 generall the Bishop being absent beyond the 〈◊〉 Commissioners to take the 〈◊〉 Iohn Earl of Oxford Henry 〈◊〉 Chivaler Knights for the Shire Iohn Tyrill Chivaler Knights for the Shire Ioh. Mongom chiv Nich. Thorle chiv 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chiv Edm. Benst chiv Ioh. Fitz-Sim chiv Will. Golingh chiv Ludov. Ioh. ar Ioh 〈◊〉 ar Rob. Darey ar Tho. 〈◊〉 ar Edvar Torell ar Will. 〈◊〉 ar Tho. Rolf. Ioh. Teye arm Tho. Knevet ar Hen. Langley ar Georgii Langham ar Ricardi Fox ar Ioh. Helyon ar Tho. Batyll ar Tho. Henenyngh ar Ioh. Godmanston ar Rob. Hunte ar Ioh. Leventhorp jun. arm Tho. Barington ar Tho. Pynthon ar Tho. Pykenham ar Galf. Robell ar Hen. Chater●…on ar Tho. Storkedale ar Will. Senklere ar Ioh. Godeston ar Rogeri Spyce ar Tho. Bendysh ar Hug. Nayllingh ar Tho. Rigedon Ricardi Priour Ioh. Green Ioh. Basset Rogeri Deyncourt Ioh. Poynes Ioh. Santon Ioh Malton Tho. Basset Ioh. Walchif Edm. Prest on Rob. Sudbury Ioh. Baryngton W●…ll Ardale Nich. Mortimer Hen. Aleyn Rob. Weston Ioh. Chamber Tho. Chittern Will. Aleyn Ioh. Beche Rob. Pri●…ur Ballivi Burgi Colcesteri Rich. Beamond Will. Gorge Balivi Burgi de Maldon Rob. Simond de Hatfield Tho. Hardekyn Tho. Mullyng Ioh. Gale de Farnham Ioh. Stodehawe Tho. Aldres Egidii Lucas Ioh. Stanford Rob. Wade Tho. Blosme Will. Ga●…ton Rob. Wright de Thurrok Ioh. Barowe Rob. Brook de Dedham Ioh. Steph●…nede de Elmestede Tho. Andrew Rich. Dykeleygh Will. Cony Ioh. Rouchestre Ioh. Marlere Rob. de Bury Tho. Stanes Ioh. à Benham de Witham Rich. Jocep Ioh. Berdefeld Tho. Brentys Tho. Selers Ioh. Boreham Rob. Seburgh Hen. Maldon Ioh. Caweston Th. Mars de Dunmow Ioh. Hereward de Thapstede Ioh. Fil. Will. Atte Fan de eadem Reg. Bienge de eadem Walt. Goodmay Will. Spaldyng Hug. Dorsete Rich. Atte More Radul Bonyngdon Tho. Barete Radul de Uphavering Ioh. Gobyon Will. Scargoyll Ioh. Shyunyng VVill. Higham Ioh. Riche Ioh. Veyle senioris Ioh. Hicheman Edm. Botere Ioh. VVestle VVill. Admond Ioh. Campion Rich. Sewale VValt Tybenham Ioh. Marshant de Peldon Rich. Eylotte Ioh. Baderok Ioh. VVayte de Branketre Ioh. Parke de Gestmyngthorp Will. Manwode Hen. Hoberd Rog. Passelewe Will. Atte Cherche Will. Reynold Ioh. Sailler Rich. Billingburgh Allani Bushe Ioh. Wormele Ioh. Glyne Rob. Ferthyng Mart. Stainer Rob. Beterythe Rob. Smyth de Waltham Observations Some part of this County lyeth so near London that the sound of Bow-bell befriended with t●…e wind may be heard into it A Bell that ringeth the Funerall Knell to the ancient Gentry who are more healthfull and longer-liv'd in Counties at greater distance from the City R. Bishop of London being absent beyond the Seas was Robert Fitz-Hugh who was twice sent Embassadour into Germany and once unto the Pope John Earl of Oxford was John de Vere second of that name and eleventh Earl of Oxford beheaded afterwards Anno 1462. in the fifth of King Edward the fourth for his Loyalty to the House of Lancaster HENRY BOURCHIER Here additioned Chivaler appears by all proportion of time and place the self same person who marryed Elizabeth sister to ●…ichard Plantaganet Duke of York and who by his Nephew King Edward the fourth was created Earl of Essex He dyed an aged person 1483 I conceive that his Father William Lord Bourchier Earl of Ewe in Normandy was living when this Henry Bourchier was chosen Knight for the shire a place usually conferred on the Eldest Sons of Peers in the life-time of their Fathers JOHN TE●…RYLL Chivaler Was chief of that family rich andnumerous in this County of exemplary note and principall regard Great Thorndon was the place of their sepulture where their Monuments to the Church both ruinous This name if still alive lies gasping in this County but continuing health●…ull in Buchingham shire JOHN MOUNTGOMERY Chivaler I find him Supervisor to the Will of Sir Robert Darcy Anno 1469. and conceive that Surname since utterly extinct MAURICE BRUYN Chivaler He had his seat at South-Okenton From the two heirs generall of this family often married Charles Branden Duke of Suffolk the Tirells Berners Harlestons Heveninghams and others are descended A branch of the Heir-male removed into Hant-shire since into Dorset-shire where they subsist in a right Worshipfull equipage WILLIAM GOLDINGHAM Chivaler Though the great tree be blasted a small sprig thereof still sprouteth in this County JOHN DOREWARD Esq. He lived at Bocking-Doreward in this County and was Patron of the rich Parsonage therein which no ingenious person will envy to the worthy Incumbent Doctor John Gauden This John Doreward lieth buried in the Church with this inscription Hic jacet Johannes Doreward Armiger qui obiit xxx die Januar. Anno Domini Mil. cccc lxv Blancha uxor ejus quae obiit ... die Mens ... Anno Dom. Mil. cccc lx quorum animabus propitietur Deus Amen Claviger Aethereus nobis sit janitor almus ROBERT DARCY Ar. An ancient name in this County having Danbury whilst living for their residence and the Church in Maldon when dead for their Sepulture where there be many of their shamefully defaced Monuments This Robert Darcy afterwards Knighted by his Will made the fifth of October 1469. bequeathed his body to be buried in Alhallows-church in Maldon before the Alter where his father lyed in a Tombe of Marble He willed that forty marks should be disposed for Two thousand Masses four p●…nce a Masse to be said
own faults charging him with those Temptations wherein we our selves are always chiefly and sometimes solely guilty When the reading of the Book of sports on the L●…rds day was pressed upon him he refused the same as not comporting with his Conscience and willingly resigned his benefice living afterwards on his temporal means and preaching gratis in neighbouring Congregations He died Anno Dom. 165 Benefactors to the Publick KATHARINE CLYVEDON better known by the name of Dame KATHARINE BERKLEY was Daughter unto Sir John Clyvedon richly landed in this County She was first married to Sir Peter Le Veale and after to Thomas third of that Christian name Baron of Berkley whom she survived living a constant Widow for four and twenty years great her In●…eritance augmented with a large Joynture and yet she expended the profits thereof in Hospitality and prous ●…es amongst which the Founding of the fair Schoole of Wootton-under-edge was most remarkable I have sometimes wondered with my self to see the vast Donations which the Family of the Berkleys bestowed on Mona●…eries So that there was no Religious House with in twenty-miles of their Castle besides others at greater distance which did not plentifully partake of their Liberality All these now are lost and extinct whilest the endowment of Wootton Schoole doth still continue whereof I render this private reason to my own thoughts Because Monks were not of Gods planting whilest-teaching of Youth is Iure Divino by a positive precept Teach a Child in the Trade of his Youth and he will remember 〈◊〉 when ●…e is old I behold Wootton Schoole as of great Seniority after Winchester but before Eaton in standing Iohn Smith late of Nibley Esquire was ef●…ctually instrumental in recovering the Lands to this School●… which since hath been happy in good School Masters as they in pregnant Scholars This Lady died March 13. 1385. and is buried by her Husband in Berkley Church in a Monument grated about with Iron Bars Sir WILLIAM HAMPTON son to Iohn Hampton was born at Minchen Hampton in this County bred after a Fish-m●…nger in London where he ●…ved so well that he became Lord Mayor thereof Anno 1472. He was the first that set up Stocks in every Ward for the punishment o●… Vaga●…s and S●…mpets on which account I enter him a publick Benefactor For an House of Correction is a kind of Alms-House it being as charitable a work to reclaim the wicked as to re●…ieve the wanting and were it not for Prisons all the Land would be but a Prison Since the R●…formation THOMAS BELL born in this County was twice Mayor of the City of Gloucester and raised his estate by Gods blessing on his Industry and Ingenuity being one of the first that brought the trade of Capping into the City Hereby he got great wealth sufficient to maintain the degree of Knighthood which King Henry the eight as I take it bestowed on him He bought from the Crown Black-Friers by the South gate in this City and reformed the ruines thereof into a beautiful house for himself and hard by it erected an Alms-house and endowed it with competent Revenues His Daughter and sole Heir brought a fair Estate into the Families of Dennis This Sir Thomas died in the beginning of the raign of Queen Elizabeth EDWARD PALMER Esquire Uncle to Sir Thomas Overbury was born at Limington in this County where his Ancestry had continued ever since the Conquest Of his breeding I can give no exact account for as the growing of Vegetables towards perfection is insensible so for want of particular information I cannot trace his Gradual motions but find him at last answering the Character given by Mr. Cambden A curious and a diligent Antiquary Great his store of Coins Greek and Roman in Gold Silver and Brasse and greater his skill in them His plentiful Estate afforded him opportunity to put forward the ingenuity impressed in him by nature for the publick good resolving to erect an Academy in Virginia in order whereunto he purchased an ●…sland called Palmers Island unto this day but in pursuance thereof was at many thousand pounds expence some instruments employed therein not discharging their trust reposed in them with corresponding fidelity he was transplanted to another world leaving to posterity the memorial of his worthy but unfinished intentions He married one of his own name and neighbourhood the Daughter of Palmers of Compton Schorfin Esquire Palmero Palmera nobit sic nubilis Amnis Auctior adjunctis Nobilitatis aquis By her he had many Children but most of them desceased amongst whom Muriel married to Michael Rutter of this County Esquire inheriting her Fathers parts and piety left a perfumed Memory to all the Neighbourhood This Edward Palmer died at London about the year 1625. HUGH PIRRY was born in Wootton under-edge a known Market Town in this County bred a Merchant in London whereof he was Sheriff Anno Dom. 1632. He brought the best Servant that ever hath or will come to the Town of Wootton I mean the Water which in his life time on his own cost he derived thither to the great benefit of the Inhabitants He had read how Job had warmed the poor with the Fleece of his Sheep and observed what sheep Job had left he lost and what he had laid out was left him that wooll onely remaining his which he had expended on the poor Master Pirry therefore resolved on pious uses but prevented by death bequeathed a thousand pounds and upwards for the building and endowing of a fair Alms-House in Wo●…on aforesaid which is persormed accordingly God hath since visibly blessed him in his fair posterity four Daughters the eldest married to the Lord Fitz Williams of Northampton the second to Sir of Glamorgan the third to Sir Robert Be●…wes of Lancaster and the youngest the Relict of Viscount Camden's second son to Sir William Fermoure of Northampton-shire He died Anno Dom. 163 Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 Will. Hampton John Hampton Minchen Hamptō Fish-monger 1472 2 John Brug or Bruges Thomas Brug or Bruges Dymmock Draper 1520 3 Leon. Holliday William Holliday Redborough Merchant Taylor 1605 4 Richard Ven. Wottō under-edg 5 Thomas Viner Thomas Viner Gold-smith 1653 The Names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the sixth The Keeper of the Spiritualties of the Bishoprick of Worcester sede vacante Commissioners for taking the oaths James de Berkeley James Greyndore Knights for the Shire Robert Stanshaw Knights for the Shire Guidonis Whitington Richardi Norman Iohannis Hurtesley Thome Hoke Johannis Joce Johannis Anne Johannis Panncefote Chivaler Johannis Cassy Edwardi Brugge Rob. Whitington Willielmi Boteler Willielmi Moryn Johannis Stough●…on Roberti Vobe Johannis Morvan Clementis de Mitton Johannis Moryn Johannis S●…ll Willielmi Pen●…ock Johan Gifford Chivaler Reginaldi Machyn Walteri Fr●…sh Thome Sloughter Nicholai Eynesham Radulphi Bottiller Chivaler Johannis Grennell Baldewini Rouse Willielmi Somervile Johannis
Structure especially before part thereof was defaced with a casual fire The Wonders There is an Oake in this County which by most credible people is generally reported to put forth green leaves yearly on or about Christ-mas day It groweth nigh Lindhurst in the New Forrest and perchance I could point more exactly at the position thereof but am loath to direct some ignorant Zealot lest he cut it down under the notion of superstition and make Timber of this Oake as some lately have made Fewel of the Hawthorn at Glassenburie Proverbs Manners makes a Man Quoth William Wickham This generally was his Motto inscribed frequently on the places of his Founding so that it hath since acquired a Proverbial Reputation We commonly say In the 1. Church God makes a Man as who truly created him 2. Court Clothes make a Man as which habit and adorn him 3. Change Money makes a Man which puts him in a solvable condition 4. Schools Manners make a Man as which compleat and accomplish him Grant the two middle Expressions the extravagancy of our Pride and Covetousness the first and last must be allowed proportionable to Piety and Truth Without manners one is but a Man-beast or Centaure Now seeing no man without Manners no Manners without some Learning no Learning without Teaching no teaching of Youth to that in a Grammer Free-school of men to that in a Colledge in an Universitie How much thanks doth Posteritie owe to this VVickham's memory Canterbury is the higher Rack but Winchester is the better Manger W. Edington Bishop of Winchester was the Authour of this Expression rendring this the reason of his refusal to be removed to Canterbury though chosen thereunto Indeed though Canterbury be Graced with an higher Honor the Revenues of Winchester lying entirely are more advantagious to gather riches thereon The Proverb is appliable to such who prefer a wealthy Privacy before a less profitable Dignity Yet know that that Manger did once partly maintain that Rack viz. When John White Bishop of Winchester was injoyned by Queen Mary to pay a thousand pound a year to Cardinal Poole Archbishop of Canterburie for the better support of his Estate The Isle of Wight hath no Monks Lawyers nor Foxes This Speech hath more mirth than Truth in it That they had Monks I know Black ones at Carisbrook White ones at Quarter in this Island That they have Lawyers they know when they pay them their Fees and that they have Foxes their Lambs know However because perchance they have fewer in proportion to places of the like extent and few or none are often coupled in common discourse let not that which was pleasantly spoken be frowardly taken but pass as we found it to Posteritie Princes HENRY Eldest Son of King John and his Wife ISABEL born at Winchester Anno 1208. was one besides the account of Longaevity Eminent in his Generation He was a most pious King Son to a prophane Father King John A very poor King brother to a most wealthie Richard King of the Romans A very weak King Father to a most wise Son Edward the First The Tragi-Comedie of his life was Eminent in many particulars 1. He had scarce half a Kingdome in the beginning of his Reign Lewis of France being brought in to be King by the English in their hot and cast out in their cold Bloud 2. He had no part of a Kingdome in the middle of his Reign Imbroyled with War with his Barons Beaten in Battle Imprisoned and no King in effect 3. He had all the Kingdome in the end of his Reign For as soon as Prince Edward began to Man it This His Son may be accounted his Father by whom he attained a comfortable Old Age. He was not so weak but that he knew who were wiser then himself and would be governed by them One main cause which procured his Death in Peace and Burial in Pomp In the Abbey of Westminster of his own foundation Anno Dom. 1273. ELEANOR tenth Daughter sixteenth and youngest Child of King Edward the First was born at Winchester the 6. of May 1306. and died in her Infancy So that the Epitaph which I find elsewhere of an Infant of meaner birth may be applyed unto her She lieth buried at Saint Peters VVestminster having her Picture upon her Monument with three of her Brothers ARTHUR Eldest son to King Henry the Seaventh and Queen Elizabeth was born being partus octomestris yet vital and vigorous contrary to the rules of Physicians at Winchester the 20. day of September 1486. Some will wonder at his name whereof no Alliance nor English Prince since the unhappy Arthur Duke of Britain supposed to be made away by King John his cruel Uncle But because this Prince by his Fathers side was with King Arthur of British extraction and because born at Winchester where King Arthur kept his Court and His pretended Round Table still to be seen that name was bestowed upon him He died at Ludlow in the sixteenth year of his Age Anno 1502. and is buried in the Cathedral of Worcester more known to Posterity by the Widow he left the Lady Katherine Dowager and the effects ensuing thereon then by any of his own personal performances Saints EDBURGH eight Daughter of King Edward the Elder and his first by Queen Edgiva gave when but three years of Age a great Augury of her future Pietie Her Father presenting before her and leaving to her choyce On the one hand the New Testament and a Challice On the other Jewels Rings and Bracelets She took the New Testament and the Challice conceive it not because of Massy Silver but acted with the Principal of Infant Pietie Hereupon her Parents left her to her own disposal who became a Nun at Winchester after the Order of Saint Benedict under-going the Austeritic of that Order It is reported of her Forgive me Reader though I would not write these things they are so Absurd I cannot but write them they are so Absurd That she would by night play the part of a Pious Thief and steal the Socks of all the other Nuns and having carefully washed and annointed them restore them to their beds sides This Saint EDBURG died on the 15. of June 920. Some of her bones being kept at Winchester others say at Wilton So facile the mistakes in Latine betwixt WILTONIA and WINTONIA and the rest were translated to Pershore an Abbey in the Diocess of WORCESTER Martyrs This County being in the Diocesse of VVinchester escaped very well in the MARIAN DAYES from any visible persecution Under God it might thank Stephen Gardener or rather Gardners policy This Bishop like a Cunning Hunter preserved the GAME fair at home and Killed it in the WALKES of other Keepers It was not he but bloody Bonner who procured the death of JOHN PHILPOT Son of Sir Peter Philpot Knight was born in this County whose Family had an Ancient habitation at therein
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 ●…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-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
preferred rather to be Adrian the fourth then Nicholas the third He held his place four years eight moneths and eight and twenty dayes and Anno 1158. as he was drinking was choakt with a Fly Which in the large Territory of St. Peters patrimony had no place but his Throat to get into But since a Flye stopt his Breath fear shall stop my Mouth not to make uncharitable Conclusions from such Casualties Cardinal BOSO confessed by all an English-man is not placed in this County out of any certainty but of pure Charity not knowing where elswhere with any Probability to dispose him But seeing he was Nephew to the late named Nicholas or Pope Adrian we have some shadow and pretence to make him of the same County This is sure his Unckle made him Cardinal in the Moneth of December 1155. and he was a great Change-Church in Rome being successively 1. Cardinal Deacon of Sts. Cosma Damiam 2. Cardinal Priest of St. Crosses of Jerusalem 3. Cardin. Pr. of St. Prudentiana 4. Cardin. Pr. of Pastor He was more than Instrumental in making Alexander the third Pope with the suffrages of 19. Cardinals who at last clearly carried it against his Anti-Pope Victor the fourth This Boso dyed Anno Dom. 1180. Prelates RICHARD de WARE for this is his true name as appears in his Epitaph though some pretending his honour but prejudicing the Truth thereby sirname him Warren He was made Abbot of Westminster 1260 and twenty years after Treasurer of England under King Edward the first This Richard going to Rome brought thence certain Work-men and rich Purphury And for the rest hear my Author By whom and whereof he made the rare Pavement to be seen at Westminster before the Communion Table containing the Discourse of the whole World which is at this day most Beautiful a thing of that Singularity Curiousnesse and Rarenesse that England hath not the like again See Readers what an Enemy Ignorance is to Art How often have I trampled on that Pavement so far from admiring as not observing it And since upon serious Survey it will not in my Eyes answer this Character of Curiosity However I will not add malice to my Ignorance qualities which too often are Companions to disparage what I do not understand but I take it on the trust of others more skilful for a Master-peece of Art This Richard dyed on the second of December 1283 the 12. of King Edward the first and lyeth buryed under the foresaid Pavement RALPH BALDOCK So called from the Place of his Nativity A MoungrelMarket in this County was bred in Merton Colledge in Oxford One not unlearned and who wrote an History of England which Leland at London did once behold King Edward the first much prised and preferred him Bishop of London He gave two hundred pounds whilst living and left more when dead to repair the East part of St. Pauls on the same token that upon occasion of clearing the Foundation an incredible number of Heads of Oxen were found buried in the Ground alledged as an argument by some to prove That anciently a Temple of Diana Such who object that heads of Stagges had been more proper for her the Goddesse of the Game may first satisfie us Whether any Creatures ferae Naturae as which they could not certainly compass at all seasons were usually offered for Sacrifices This Ralph dyed July the 24. 1313. Being buryed under a Marble Stone in St. Maries Chappel in his Cathedral JOHN BARNET had his Name and Nativity from a Market-Town in this County sufficiently known by the Road passing thorough it He was first by the Pope preferred 1361. to be Bishop of Worcester and afterwards was translated to Bath and Wells Say not this was a Retrograde motion and Barnet degraded in point of profit by such a Removal For though Worcester is the better Bishoprick in our age in those dayes Bath and Wells before the Revenues thereof were reformed under King Edward the sixth was the richer preferment Hence he was translated to Ely and for 6. years was Lord Treasurer of England He dyed at Bishops Hatfield June 7. 1373. and was buried there on the South-fide of the high Altar under a Monument now miserably defaced by some Sacrilegious Executioner who hath beheaded the Statue lying thereon THOMAS RUDBURNE no doubt according to the fashion of those dayes took his Name from Rudburne a Village within four miles from St. Albans He was bred in Oxford and Proctor thereof Anno 1402. and Chancellour 1420. An excellent Scholar and skilful Mathematician of a meek and mild temper though at one time a little tart against the Wic-livites which procured him much love with great persons He was Warden of Merton Colledge in Oxford and built the Tower over the Colledge Gate He wrote a Chronicle of England and was preferred Bishop of St. Davids He flourished Anno Domini 1419. though the date of his Death be unknown Reader I cannot satisfie my self that any Bishop since the Reformation was a Native of this County and therefore proceed to another Subject Statesmen Sir EDVVARD WATERHOUSE Knight was born at Helmsted-bury in this County of an ancient and worshipful Family deriving their discent lineally from Sir Gilbert VVaterhouse of Kyrton in Low Lindsey in the County of Lincoln in the time of King Henry the third As for our Sir Edward his Parents were John Waterhouse Esquire a man of much fidelity and Sageness Auditor many years to King Henry the Eighth of whom he obtained after a great entertainment for him in his house the grant of a Weekly Market for the Town of Helmsted Margaret Turner of the ancient house of Blunts-Hall in Suffolk and Cannons in Hartfordshire The King at his Departure honoured the Children of the said John Waterhouse being brought before him with his praise and encouragement gave a Benjamins portion of Dignation to this Edward foretelling by his Royal Augury That he would be the Crown of them all and a man of great Honour and Wisdome fit for the Service of Princes It pleased God afterwards to second the word of the King so that the sprouts of his hopeful youth only pointed at the growth and greatness of his honourable age For being but twelve years old he went to Oxford where for some years he glistered in the Oratorick and Poëtick Sphear until he addicted himself to conversation and observance of State affairs wherein his great proficiency commended him to the favour of three principal patrons One was Walter Devereux Earl of Essex who made him his bosome-friend and the said Earl lying on his death-bed took his leave of him with many kisses Oh my Ned said he farewell thou art the faithfullest and friendliest Gentleman that ever I knew In testimony of his true affection to the dead Father in his living Son this Gentleman is thought to have penned that most judicious and elegant Epistle recorded in Holinsheds History pag.
making I behold his as the second accounting the Lord Tiptoft the first noble hand which since the decay of Learning took a Pen therein to be Author of a Book He dyed on the 16. of March 1532. and is buryed in the great church in Calice And I have read that the estate of the Berners is by an Heir-general descended to the Knyvets of ●…shwelthorp in Norfolk Since the Reformation ROGER HUTCHINSON was born in this County and bred Fellow of St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge where he was very familiar with Mr. Roger Askam who disdained Intimacy with Dunces And as this is euough to speak him Scholar so it is a sufficient Evidence to an Intelligent Jury to prove him Protestant that being commended by Bale for writing a book in English of the Image of God he is wholly omitted by John Pits He flourished Anno Dom. 1550. and probably dyed in the happy Reign of Edward the sixth before the following persecution THOMAS CARTVVRIGHT was born in this County and was admitted in St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge Anno 1550. In the Reign of Queen Mary he left the University being probably one of those Scholars which as Mr. Fox observeth went alias were driven away from this Colledge all at one time and betook himself to the service of a Counsellour Here he got some skill in the Common-Law which inabled him afterwards to fence the better for himself by the advantage thereof In the Reign of Queen Elizabeth he returned to Cambridge was chosen Fellow first of St. Iohns then of Trinity How afterwards he was made Margaret Professour outed thereof for his Non-conformity travelled beyond Seas returned home became the Champion of the Presbyterian partie is largely related in our Ecclesiastical History Onely I will add that the Non conformists not a greeing which of them where there is much choice there is no choice should answer Dr. Whitgifts Reply I read that Mr. Cartwright at last was chosen by lot to undertake it It seems the Brethren concluded it of high and holy concernment otherwise I know what Mr. Cartwright hath written of the appeal to Lots Non nisi in rebus gravioribus alic●…jus magni momenti ad sortis judicium recurrendumm maxime cum per sortem Deus ipse in judicio sedeat One saith for riches he sought them not and another saith that he dyed rich and I beleive both ●…ay true God sometimes making Wealth to find them who seek not for it seeing many and great were his Benefactors He dyed and was buryed in Warwick where he was Master of the Hospital Anno. 1603. DANIEL DIKE was born at Hempstead in this County where his Father was a Minister silenced for his Non-conformity He was bred in ....... Colledge in Cambridge and became afterwards a profitable Labourer in Gods Vineyard Witness besides his Sermons his worthy books whereof that is the Master-peice which treateth of the deceitfulnesse of mans heart wherein he layes down directions for the Discovery thereof As also how in other Cases one may be acquainted with his own Condition seeing many men lose themselves in the Labyrinths of their own hearts so much is the Terra incognita therein This Book he designed for his pious Patron John Lord Harrington But alas when the Child was come to the Birth there was no strength to bring forth before the Book was fully finished the Author thereof followed his honourable Patron into a better World so that his Surviving brother of whom immediately set it forth And to the Lady Lucy Countesse of Bedford the Lords Sister the same was dedicated A Book which will be owned for a Truth whilst men have any badness and will be honoured for a Treasure wilst men have any goodnesse in them This Worthy man dyed about the Year 1614. JEREMIAH DIKE his Younger Brother was bred in Sidney Colledge in Cambridge beneficed at Epping in Essex one of a chearful Spirit And know Reader that an Ounce of Mirth with the same degree of Grace will serve God farther then a pound of Sadnesse He had also a gracious heart and was very profitable in his Ministry He was a Father to some good Books of his own and a Guardian to those of his Brother whose Posthume Works he set forth He was one peaceable in Israel And though no Zelot in the practice of Ceremonies quietly submitted to use them He lived and dyed piously being buryed in his own Parish-Church Anno Dom. 1620. ARTHUR CAPEL Esquire of Had●…m in this County was by King Charls the first created a Baron 1641. He served the King with more Valour and Fidelity then Success during the Civil Wars in the Marches of Wales After the Surrender of Oxford he retired to his own house in this Shire and was in some sort well cured of the so then reputed Disease of Loyalty when he fell into a Relaps by going to Colcbester which cost him his life beheaded in the Palace Yard in Westminster 1648. In his Life time he wrote a book of Meditation published since his death wherein much judicious piety may be discovered His mortified mind was familiar with afflictions which made him to appear with such 〈◊〉 Resolution on the Scaffold where he seemed rather to fright Death then to be frighted with it Hence one not unhappily alluding to his Arms a Lyon Rampant in a Field Gules betwixt three Crosses thus expresseth himself Thus Lion-like Capel undaunted stood Beset with crosses in a Field of Blood A Learned Dr. in Physick present at the opening and embalming of him and Duke Hambleton delivered it at a publike Lecture that the Lord Capels was the least Heart whilst the Dukes w●…s the greatest he ever beheld Which al●…o is very proportionable to the Observation in Philosophy that the Spirits contracted in a lesser model are the cause of the greater courage God hath since been the Husband to His Widow who for her goodnesse may be a Pattern to her Sexe and Father to his Children whom not so much their Birth Beauty and Portions as Vertues married to the best Bloods and Estates in the Land even when the Royalists were at the lowest condition EDVVARD SYMONDS born at Cottered in this County was bred in Peter House in Cambridge where he commenced Master of Arts afterwards Minister of Little Rayne in Essex a man strict in his Life and profitable in his preaching wherein he had a plain and piercing faculty Being sequestred from his Living for siding with the King with David 1 Sam. 23. 13. He went wheresoever he could go to Worcester Exeter Barnstable France and lastly returned to London He wrote a Book in VINDICATION OF KING CHARLES and was Instrumental in setting forth his Majesties book called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pens were brondished betwixt him and Mr. Stephen Marshal though all was fair betwixt them before his Death For Mr. Symonds visited him lying in his bed at Westminster told him Had I taken you for a
Edw. Gardner ar Thunderidge Per pale O G. on a F. 2 Mascles betw 3 Hinds pass 〈◊〉 5 VVill. Hoe Ar. Hoe Quarterly Sable and Argent 6 Johan Boteler m. ut prius   7 Rich. Hale arm ut prius   8 Hen. Cogshil ar     9 VVill. Plomer ar Radwell Vert a Chev. betw 3 Lions heads erased Or Billited Gules 10 VV. Prestley ar   S. a Chever Ar. charged with 3 Anchors of the field betw as many Lions Or each issuant out of a Tower of the second 11 VVil. Leaman ar North-hal Az. a Fess betw 3 Dolphins Ar. 12 Rad. Freeman ar Aspden Azure 3 〈◊〉 Argent 13 T. Coningsby 〈◊〉 ut prius   14 Th●… Hewet ar Pesso-bury Sable a Cheve counter battellee betw 3. Owles Argent 15 Johan Gore ar Gilsden Gules a Fess betwixt 3 〈◊〉 16 Atth. Pulter ut prius Fitchee Or. 17     18 Joh. Gerrard Bar.     19 Joh. Gerrard Bar.     20 Cha. Nodes Ar.     QUEEN ELIZABETH 14. GEORGE HORSEY The Horseys had a free and competent estate at Digswell in this County where they had lived long in good Esteem It hapned that Sir John Horsey of Clifton in the County of Dorset whose two daughters were married into the Families of Mohune and Arnold wanting an Heir-Male settled the main of his estate which was very great on Ralph the son of this George Horsey His Father advised this Ralph his son newly augmented with the addition of so great an Estate that in case he should have any occasion to sell lands not to part with his Hartford-shire Inheritance which had continued so long in the Family but rather to make sale of some Dorset-shire land But the young Gentleman ill-advised sold this his Patrimony first of all For which the rest of his means probably prospered no whit the better Not one foot thereof remaining at this day to his posterity I write not this to grieve any of his surviving Relations but to instruct all in obedience to their Parents lawful commands 16. HEN. COCK Arm. He was afterward knighted and 〈◊〉 to Q. Elizabeth and King Iames who lay at his house May the second at his first coming out of Scotland to London where so abundant entertainment that no man of what condition soever but had what his appetite desired which made the K. at his departure heartily thank the good Knight for his great expences This Sir Henry's daughter was married to the Lord Delaware 44. EDWARD DENNY Knight was High Sheriffe of this Countie when King Iames coming from Scotland passed through it He was attended on by 140 men sutably apparell'd and well mounted with whom he tendred his service to the King presenting also his Majesty with a gallant Horse rich saddle and furniture But before the year of his Shreivalty was expired King James created him Baron Denny of Waltham and another supplyed the remainder thereof KING JAMES 2. GORGE PURIENT Arm. Let me doe my best ● devoir and last office to preserve the memorie of an ancient now expired family Digswell I presume was the place of their living because of their interments therein whereof this most remarkable Hic jacent Joannes Perient Armiger pro corpore Regis Richardi secundi Penerarius ej●…sdem Regis Et Armiger etiam Regis Hen. quarti Et Armiger etiam Regis Henrici quinti Magister Equitum Johanne filie Regis Navar Reginae Angliae qui obiit ....... Johanna uxor ejus quondam capitalis Domicilla ....... que obiit xxiv Anno Dom. M. ccccxv ........ Surely he was a man of merit being Penon or Ensign-bearer to one Esquire of the body to three successive Kings and Mr. of the Horse to one of their Queens to whom his wife was chief Lady of Honour THOMAS DACRES Miles mort He was one of the three Sheriffes in this County who within the compasse of ten years died in their Shrievalties as by this Catalogue may appear He was Grand-child unto Robert Dacres Esqu one of the Privy Council to King Henry the Eighth THOMAS HOE This most ancient name which formerly had Barons thereof is now expiring in the Male line This Gentlemans sole daughter being married unto ....... Kete of London THOMAS CONISBY Armiger When one told him that his potent adversarie had prevailed to make him Sheriffe I will not said he keep a man the more or a dog the fewer on that account The Farewell I am sorry to hear that the fair Font of solid Brasse brought out of Scotland and bestowed by Sir Richard Lea on the Abbey Church in St. Albons is lately taken away I could almost wish that the plunderers fingers had found it as hot as it was when first forged that so these theives with their fault might have received the deserved punishment thereof Had it bin return'd to the place whence it was taken to serve for the same use the matter had not bin so much but by an usual Alchymy this Brass is since turned into Silver But let us not so much condole the late losing of the Font as congratulate our still keeping of Baptisme which if some men might have their minds should utterly be denied to all Infants I wish all Infants to be christned in this County and elsewhere though not so fair a Font fair water and which is the best of all the full concurrence of Gods Spirit effectually to compleat the Sacrament unto them HEREFORD-SHIRE hath Worcester-shire and Shrop-shire on the North Glocester shire on the East Monmouth-shire on the South Brecknock and Radnor-shires on the West In form it is almost circular being from North to South measured to the best improvement 35. miles though from East to West not altogether so much There cannot be given a more effectual Evidence of the healthful aire in this Shire then the vigorous vivacity of the inhabitants therein Many aged folk which in other countries are properties of the chimneyes or confined to their beds are here found in the feild as able if willing to work The ingenious Serjeant Hoskin gave an intertainment to King Iames and povided ten aged people to dance the Morish before him all of them making up more then a thousand yeares So that what was wanting in one was supplied in another A nest of Nestors not to be found in another place This County doth share as deep as any in the Alphabet of our English Commodities though exceeding in VV. for VVood VVheat VVooll and VVater Besides this Shire better answereth as to the sound thereof the name of Pomerania then the Dukedome of Germany so called being a continued Orchard of Apple trees whereof much Sider is made of the use whereof we have treated of before There is a Tract in this County called Gylden Vale And if any demand how much gold is to be found therein know that even as much as in Chrusaroas or Golden stream the river of Damascus so called from the
the erection of Convents and such would be sure to chuse the best for men of their own Profession Sure I am it would set all England hard to show in so short a distance so pleasant a Park as Waybridge so ●…air a Meadow as Portsholme and so fruitful a Town for Tillage as Godmanchester all three within so many miles in this County No peculiar Commodity or Manufacture save with others equally intercommoning appearing in this County let us proceed The Buildings KIMBOLTON Castle This being part of the jointure of Queen Katharine Dowager was chosen by her to retire thereunto as neither too neer to London to see what she would not nor so far off but that she might hear what she desired Here she wept out the Remnant of her widdowhood while her husband was yet alive in her devotions This Castle came afterwards by gift to the Wingfields from them by sale to the Montagues Henry late Earle of Manchester sparing no cost which might add to the beauty thereof HINCHING-BROOKE once a Nunnery and which I am confident will ever be a Religious house whilst it relateth to the truly Noble Edward Montague Earl of Sandwich the owner thereof It sheweth one of the Magnificent roomes which is to be beheld in our Nation VVe must not forget the House and Chappel in litle Godding the inheritance of Master Ferrer which lately made a great Noise all over England Here three Numerous female families all from one Grand-Mother lived together in a strict discipline of devotion They rise at midnight to Prayers and other people most complained thereof whose heads I dare say never ak't for want of sleep Sure I am strangers by them were entertained poore people were relieved their Children instructed to read whilest their own Needles were emploied in learned and pious work to binde Bibles Whereof one most exactly done was presented to King Charles But their society was beheld by some as an Nunnery●…uspecting ●…uspecting that there was a Pope Ioane therein which causeless Cavill afterwards confuted it selfe when all the younger of those Virgins practised the Precept of St. Paul to marry bear Children and guide their houses Medicinal Waters There is an Obscure Village in this County neare St. Neots called Haile-weston whose very name Soundeth something of sanativeness therein so much may the Adding of what is no Letter alter the meaning of a Word for 1. Aile Signifieth a Sore or Hurt with complaining the effect thereof 2 Haile having an affinity with Heile the Saxon Idol for Esculapius Importeth a cure or Medicine to a Maladie Now in the afore-said Village there be two Fountaine-lets which are not farre asunder 1. One sweet conceived good to help the dimness of the eyes 2 The other in a manner salt esteemed sovereign against the Scabs and Leprosie What saith St. James Doth a Fountain send forth at the same Place sweet Water and bitter meaning in an Ordinary way without Miracle Now although these different Waters flow from several Fountains Yet seeing they are so near together it may justly be advanced to the Reputation of a Wonder Proverbs This is the way to BEGGARS BUSH It is spoken of such who use dissolute and improvident courses which tend to poverty Beggars Bush being a tree notoriously known on the left hand of London road from Huntington to Caxton I have heard how King James being in progress in these parts with Sir Francis Bacon the Lord Chancellour and having heard that morning how Sir Francis had prodigiously rewarded a mean man for a small present Sir Francis said He you will quickly come to beggars bush and I may even goe along with you if both be so bountifull RAMSEY the Rich This was the Cresus or Croessus of all our English Abbies For having but sixty Monks to maintaine therein the Revenues thereof according to the standard of those times amounted unto Seven Thousand pounds a year which in proportion was a hundred pound for every Monk and a thousand for their Abbot Yet at the dissolution of Monasteries the Income of this Abby was reckoned but at One thousand nine hundred eighty three pounds by the year whereby it plainly appears how much the Revenues were under rated in those valuations But how soon is Crassus made Codrus and Ramsey the Rich become Ramsey the Poor The wealth of the Town relative with the Abby was dissolved therewith and moe the Mendicants since in Ramsey than the Monks were before However now there is great hope that Ramsey after the two extremes of Wealth and Want will at last be fixed in a comfortable mediocrity the wish of Agur being granted unto him give me neither poverty nor riches especially since it is lately erected or rather restored to the Dignity of a Market-Town And surely the convenient scituation thereof since the draining of the Fens doth advantage it to be a Staple-place for the sale of fat and lean Cattle Saints ELFLED daughter of Ethelwold Earl of East-Angles Founder of the Monastery of Ramsey in this County was preferr'd Abbess of Ramsey confirm'd by K. Edgar therein She is reported to excel in austerity and holiness of life When her Steward complained unto her that she had exhausted her coffers with the profuseness of her Charity she with her prayers presently recruited them to their former fulness VVhen her candle as she read the Lesson casually went out there came such a brightness from the Fingers of her right hand that it inlightned the whole Quire which is as true as the New Lights to which our modern Sectaries do pretend the one having Miracles the other Revelations at their fingers-ends She died Anno Dom. 992. being buried in the Lady-Church at Ramsey with high veneration Prelates VVILLIAM de VVHITLESEY no printed Author mentioning the Place of his birth and breeding He was placed by us in this County finding Whitlesey a Town therein so memorable for the Mere and presuming that this William did follow suit with the best of his Cote in that age sirnamed from the places of their Nativity Mr. Parker I tell you my story and my stories-man an industrious Antiquary collecteth out of the Records of the Church of Ely that after the resignation of Ralph de Holbeach William de Whitlesey Arch-deacon of Huntington 1340. was admitted third Master of Peter-House in Cambridge Yet hath he left more signal Testimony of his affection to Oxford which he freed from the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Lincolne allowing the Scholars leave to choose their own Chancellour He was Kinsman to Simon Islip Archbishop of Canterbury who made him Vicar General Dean of the Arches and successively he was preferred Bishop of Rochester Worcester London Archbishop of Canterbury An excellent Scholar an eloquent Preacher and his last Sermon most remarkable to the Convocation on this Text Veritas liberabit vos The truth shall make you free It seems by the story that in his Sermon
censure him for deserting his Principles yet he is said on his death-bed to have given full ●…tisfaction to such who formerly suspected his sincerity to the Presbyterian Discipline dying Anno Dom. 1655. He was solemnly buried in the ●…bbey at Westminster Exi●…-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 FISH●…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 Prebendaŕii 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 B●…singham I. Cokeyn Parker de Kimbolton Richardi Burgham Richardi Parker de Bukden Thomae Alcumbury VVillielmi Boteler de VVeresle VVill. Iudde d●… 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 ●…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 ejusdē 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
with the stones It fixeth no fault in the Fruit the Expression being merely Metaphorical wherein the folly of such is taxed who associate themselves equal in expence with others in higher dignity and estate till they be loosers at last and well laughed at for their pains Saint-Foine SAINT-FOINE or Holy-hay Superstition may seem in the name but I assure you there is nothing but good husbandry in the sowing thereof as being found to be a great Fertilizer of Barren-ground It is otherwise called Polygala which I may English much Milk as causing the Cattle to give abundance thereof Some call it the small clover Grass and it prospereth best in the worst ground It was first fetcht out of France from about Paris and since is sown in divers places in England but especially in Cobham-Park in this County where it thriveth extraordinary well on dry chalky banks where nothing else will grow If it prospereth not equally in other dry places it is justly to be imputed to some errour in the managing thereof as that the ground was not well prepared or made fine enough that the seed was too sparing or else old and decayed that cattle cropt it the first year c. It will last but seven years by which time the native grasse of England will prevail over this Foreigner if it be not sown again Trouts We have treated of this Fish before and confesse this repetition had been a breach of the Fundamental Laws premised to this Book were it not also an addition Kent affording Trouts at a Town called Forditch nigh Canterbury differing from all others in many considerables 1. Greatness many of them being in bignesse near to a Salmon 2. Colour cutting white as others do red when best in season 3. Cunning onely one of them being ever caught with an Angle whereas other Trouts are easily tickled into taking and fla●…tered into their destruction 4. Abode remaining nine moneths in the Sea and three in the fresh water They observe their coming up thereinto almost to a day and the men of Forditch observe them as exactly whom they catch with nets and other devices Weld or Wold Know Reader that I borrow my Orthographie hereof if it be so from the Dyers themselves This is a little seed sown in this County some fourty years since when first it was brought into England with Barley the growth whereof it doth not hinder in any degree For when the barley is mowed down in Harvest then this Weld or Wold first peeps out of the Earth where it groweth till the May following when it is gathered And thus Husband-men with one sowing reap two Crops yet so as it taketh up their ground for two years The use hereof is for the dying of the best Yellow It hath some times been so low as at four pounds a Load which containeth fifteen hundred weight and somtimes so dear that it was worth fifteen pounds betwixt which prices it hath its constant motion and now is in the Aequator betwixt both worth seven pounds ten shillings It was first sown in this County and since in Northfolk and in other places Madder This is very useful for Dyers for making of Redds and Violets It is a Weed whose root onely is useful for dying whilest the leaves only of Woade are serviceable for that purpose and there are three kinds thereof 1. Crop-Madder worth betwixt 4. and 5. l. the hundred 1. Umber-Owe   betwixt 3. and 4. l.   3. Pipe or Fat-Madder   about 1. l. 10. s.   Some two years since this was sown by Sir Nicholas Crispe at Debtford I hope will have good success first because it groweth in Zeland in the same if not a more Northern Latitude Secondly because wild-Madder growes here in abundance and why may not Tame Madder if Cicurated by Art Lastly because as good as any grew some thirty years since at Barn-Elms in Surrey though it quit not Cost through some Error in the first Planter thereof which now we hope will be rectified Flaxe I am informed by such who should know that no County in England sends better or more to London Yet doth not our whole Land afford the tenth part of what is spent therein so that we are fain to fetch it from Flanders France yea as far as Aegypt it selfe It may seem strange that our Soile kindlie for that seed the use whereof and profit thereby so great yet so little care is taken for the planting thereof which well husbanded would find linen for the rich and living for the poor Many would never be indicted Spinsters were they Spinsters indeed nor come to so publick and shameful punishments if painfully imployed in that Vocation When a Spider is found upon our clothes we use to say some money is coming towards us The Moral is this such who imitate the industry of that contemptible creature which taketh hold with her hands and is in Kings Palaces may by Gods blessing weave themselves into wealth and procure a plentiful estate Manufactures Though clothing whereof we have spoken before be diffused through many Shires of England yet is it as vigorously applyed here as in any other place and Kentish cloth at the present keepeth up the credit thereof as high as ever before Thread I place this the last because the least of Manufactures Thread being counted a thing so inconsiderable Abraham said to the King of Sodom that he would take nothing from a Thread to a Shoe latchet That is nothing at all It seems this Hebrew Proverb surrounded the Universe beginning at a Thread a contemptible thing and after the incircling of all things more precious ended where it begun at a Shoe-latchet as mean as Thread in valuation But though one Thread be little worth many together prove useful and profitable and some thousand of pounds are sent yearly over out of England to buy that Commodity My Author telleth me that Thread is onely made I understand him out of London at Maidstone in this County where well nigh a hundred hands are imployed about it I believe a thousand might be occupied in the same work and many idle women who now onely spin Street-thread going tatling about with tales might procure if set at work a comfortable lively-hood thereby The Buildings The Cathedral of Rotchester is low and little proportional to the Revenews thereof Yet hath it though no Magnificence a venerable aspect of Antiquity therein The King hath besides other three fair Palaces in this Shire Greenwich with a pleasant medlay prospect of City Country Water and Land Eltham not altogether so wholsome and Otford which Arch-Bishop VVarham did so enlarge and adorne with Building that Cranmer his Successor was in some sort forced to exchange it with King Henry the Eighth on no gainful conditions To lesson the Clergy to content themselves with Decency without sumptuousness lest it awaken Envy and in fine they prove loosers thereby COBHAM the House of the late
Duke of Richmond and ..... the fair Mansion of Sir Edward Hales Baronet adequate to his large Estate when finished will carry away the credit from all the buildings in this County The Wonders A marvellous accident happened August 4. 1585. in the Hamlet of Mottingham pertaining to Eltham in this County in a Field which belongeth to Sir Percival Hart. Betimes in the morning the ground began to sink so much that three great Elm-trees were suddenly swallowed into the Pit the tops falling downward into the hole and before ten of the Clock they were so overwhelmed that no part of them might be discerned the Concave being suddenly filled with water The compasse of the hole was about 80. yards and so profound that a sounding-line of fifty Fathoms could hardly find or feel any bottom Ten yards distance from that place there was another piece of ground sunk in like manner near the High-way and so nigh a dwelling-house that the Inhabitants were greatly terrified therewith The Navy Royal. It may be justly accounted a WONDER of Art and know the Ships are properly here handled because the most best and biggest of them have their Birth built at Woolwich and Winter aboad nigh Chattam in the River of Medway in this County Indeed before the Reign of Q. Elizabeth the ships Royal were so few they deserved not the name of a Fleet when our Kings hired Vessels from Hamborough Lubeck yea Genoa it self But such who in stead of their own servants use chair folke in their houses shall find their work worse done and yet pay dearer for it Queen ELIZABETH sensible of this mischief erected a Navy-Royal continued and increased by her successors of the best ships Europe ever beheld Indeed much is in the matter the excellency of our English-Oake more in the making the cunning of our shipwrights most in the manning the courage of our Seamen and yet all to Gods blessing who so often hath crowned them with success If that man who hath versatile ingenium be thereby much advantaged for the working of his own fortune Our ships so active to turn and winde at pleasure must needs be more useful than the Spanish Gallions whose unwieldiness fixeth them almost in one posture and maketh them the stedier markes for their enemies As for Flemish bottoms though they are finer built yet as the slender Barbe is not so fit to charge with they are found not so useful in fight The great SOVERAIGN built at Dulwich a Leigership for State is the greatest Ship our Island ever saw But great Medals are made for some grand solemnity whilest lesser Coyn are more current and passable in payment I am credibly informed that that Mystery of Ship-Wrights for some descents hath been preserved successively in Families of whom the Petts about Chattam are of singular regard Good success have they with their skill and carefully keep so precious a pearl lest otherwise amongst many Friends some Foes attain unto it It is no Monopoly which concealeth that from common enemies the concealing whereof is for the common good May this Mystery of ship-making in England never be lost till this floting world be arrived at its own Haven the End and Dissolution thereof I know what will be objected by Forreigners to take off the lustre of our Navy-Royal viz. That though the Model of our great Ships primitively were our own yet we fetched the first Mold and Pattern of our Frigots from the Dunkerks when in the dayes of the Duke of Bukcingham then Admiral we took some Frigots from them two of which still survive in his Majesties Navy by the name of the Providence and Expedition All this is confessed and honest men may lawfully learn something from thieves for their own better defence But it is added we have Improved our Patterns and the Transscript doth at this day exceed the Original witnesse some of the swiftest Dunkirks and Ostenders whose wings in a fair flight have failed them overtaken by our Frigots and they still remain the Monuments thereof in our Navy Not to disgrace our Neigbouring Nations but vindicate our selves in these nine following particulars The Navy-Royal exceeds all Kingdoms and States in Europe 1. Swift sayling Which will appear by a comparative Induction of all other Nations First for the Portugal his Carvils and Caracts whereof few now remain the charges of maintaining them far exceeding the profit they bring in they were the veriest Dr ones on the Sea the rather because formerly their Seeling was dam'd up with a certain kind of morter to dead the shot a fashion now by them disused The Frenchh ow dexterous soever in Land-battles are Left-handed in Sea-fights whose best ships are of Dutch Building The Dutch build their ships so sloaty and boyant they have little hold in the Water in comparison of ours which keep the better Winde and so out sail them The Spanish-Pride hath infected their ships with Loftiness which makes them but the fairer marks to our shot Besides the winde hath so much power of them in bad weather so that it drives them two Leagues for one of ours to the Lee-ward which is very dangerous upon a Lee-shore Indeed the Turkish Frigots especially some 36 of Algier formed and built much near the English mode and manned by Renegadoes many of them English being already too nimble heeld for the Dutch may hereafter prove mischievous to us if not seasonably prevented 2. Strength I confine this only to the Timber whereof they are made our English Oak being the best in the World True it is to our shame and sorrow be it written and read the Dutch of late have built them some ships of English Oak which through the Negligence or Covetousness of some Great ones was bought here and transported hence But the best is that as Bishop Latimer once said to one who had preached his Sermon that he had gotten his fidle-stick but not his rosin so the Hollanders with our Timber did not buy also our ship-Building Now the ships of other Countries are generally made of Fir and other such slight wood whereby it cometh to passe that as in the Battle in the Forest of Ephraim wherein Absolon was slain the Wood devoured more People that Day then the Sword the splinters of so brittle Timber kill more than the shot in a Sea fight 3. Comelyness Our Friggots are built so neat and snug made long and low so that as the Make of some Womens Bodies hansomely concealeth their pregnancy or Great Belly their Contrivance hideth their bigness without suspicion the Enemy not expecting thirty when to his cost he hath found sixty Peeces of Ordnance in them Our Masts stand generally very upright whereas those of the Spaniards hang over their Poop as if they were ready to drop by the Board their Deckes are unequal having many Risings and fallings whereas ours are even Their ports some higher in a Tire then others ours drawn upon an Equal Line Their Cables bad
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 chie●…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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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
of Cardinal Wolsey was personated and wherewith that Prelate was so offended that Fish was fain to fly and live two years beyond the Seas There he made and thence sent over into England a small but sharp Treatise called The Supplication of Beggars termed by Master Fox a Libel understand him a little Book Otherwise prizing and praising it for a Master-piece of Wit-learning and Religion discovering the Superstition of that age This by Queen Anna Bollen was presented to King Henry the Eighth who therewith was so highly affected that he sent for the Author home and favoured him in great proportion However many nets were laid by the Popish party against him especially by Sir Thomas More his implacable Enemy yet Fish had the happinesse to escape the hands of Men and to fall into the hand of God more immediately Dying of the Plague 1531. and lieth buried at St. Dunstan in London Sir JAM HALES was born did live was richly landed in this county one of the Justices of the Common-Pleas a man of most signal Integrity When the rest of the Judges frighted at the frowns of the Duke of Northumberland subscribed the disinheriting of the Lady Mary and Lady Elizabeth he onely refused as against both Law and Conscience Yet afterwards in the first of Queen Mary he fell into the displeasure of Bishop Gardiner which like Juniper coals once kindled hardly quenched for urging the observation of some Lawes of King Edward the Sixth For this he was imprisoned hardly used and so threatned by his Keeper that he endeavoured to have killed himself which being after let at liberty he afterwards effected drowning himself in a small water near his house fear and melancholly so much prevailing upon him Mr. Fox concludeth the sad Poem of his final estate with this Distich Cū nihil ipse vides propria quin labe laboret Tu tua fac cures caetera mitte Deo Seing nought thou ●…eest but faling in the best Mind thy own matters leave God the rest We must look on his foul Deed with anger and yet with pity on the doer thereof Frown on the one and weep for the other For seeing he had led a right godly life and had suffered so much on the account of his Conscience I hope that his station in this place will not be cavilled at by any charitable persons He died Anno Dom. 1555. Cardinals JOHN KEMP son to Thomas Grand-child to Sir John Kemp Nephew to Sir Roger Kemp both Knights was born at Wie in this County where he built a fair Colledge for Seculars bred also in Merton Colledge in Oxford successively Bishop of Rochester Chichester and London afterwards Arch-Bishop of York and Canterbury Cardinal first by the Title of Saint Balbine then of Saint Rufine in Rome all his preferments are comprehended in the old following verse Bis Primas ter Praesul erat ●…is Cardine functus He had another honour to make up the Distich being twice Lord Chancellour of England so that I may add Et dixit Legem bis Cancellari us Anglis Such are mistaken who report him the first raiser of his Family to a Knightly degree which he found in that Equipage as is aforesaid though he left it much improved in Estate by his bounty and some of his name and bloud flourish in Kent at this day He died a very old man March the 22. Anno 1453. RICHARD CLIFFORD His Nativity may bear some debate Herefordshire pretending unto him But because Robert Clifford was his brother in the first of King Henry the Fourth High Sheriff of this County and richly landed therein I adjudge him a Cantian and assign Bobbing as the most probable place of his birth His worth preferred him Bishop of London 1407. and he was sent by King Henry the Fourth as his Embassadour to the Council of Constance I could hold my hand from ranking him under the Topick of Cardinals confident that no ingenious person would take exception thereat For first he was one in Merit and Desert Secondly in general Desire and Designation Thirdly though no actual Cardinal he acted as a Cardinal when joyned to their Conclave to see fair play amongst them at the choosing of a new Pope Yea some mentioned him for the place who counting it more credit to make than be a Pope first nominated Cardinal Columna and he clearly carried it by the name of Martin During his abode at Constance he preached a Latine Sermon before the Emperour and Pope He answered his name de clivo forti or of the strong Rock indeed viz. Davids being a most pious person returning home he lived in good esteem with Prince and People until his death which happened 1421. being buried nigh the present Monument of Sr. Christopher Hatton Prelates RALPH of MAYDENSTAN I presume this the ancient Orthography of Maydston a noted Town in this County the rather because I met with no other place in England offering in sound or syllables thereunto An Author giveth him this short but thick commendation Vir magnae literaturae in Theologia Nominatissimus Insomuch that in the Reign of King Henry the Third 1234. He was preferred Bishop of Hereford This Prelate bought of one Mount-hault a Noble-man a fair house in and the Patronage of St. Mary Mount-hault commonly but corruptly called Mount-haw in London leaving both to his successours in the See of Hereford Know Reader that all English Bishops in that age had Palaces in London for their conveniency wherein they resided and kept great Hospitality during their attendance in Parliament Now although the School-men generally hold that Episcopacy is Apex consummatae Religionis then which Nihil amplius Nothing higher or holyer in this life and though many Friers have been preferred Bishops as a progressive motion both in Dignity and Sanctity Yet our Ralph was of a different judgement herein This made him in the year 1239. turn his Miter into a Coule and become a Franciscan first at Oxford then at Glocester where he died about the year 1244. HENRY de WINGHAM a well known Town in this County was by K. Henry the Third preferred Chancellour both of England and Gascony Dean both of Totten-Hall quaere where this place is and Saint Martins and twice Embassadour into France It happened that one Ethelmar wom-brother to King Henry the Third was then Bishop of Winchester A person who properly comes not under my pen First for his Foreign nativity Secondly so much as he was English he was an UNWORTHY wanting Age Ability and Orders to qualifie him in that place Hereupon the Monks of Winchester indeavouring to eject him chose Wingham a man of Merit and Might in the Court to be their Bishop which honour he wisely refused fearing to incur the Kings displeasure It was not long before his Modesty and Discretion were rewarded with a peaceable in sted of that litigious Bishoprick when chosen to London 1259. But he enjoyed his See
the Abby Lands in Ireland for the Kings use a flower of the Crown which alone had made a Posey if continued thereunto But alas the Revenues of Abby Lands are as 〈◊〉 as their buildings nothing more than the rubbish thereof remaining in the Kings Exchequer He made a Law that no Children should be admitted to Church livings which importeth the frequency of that abuse in former times He perswaded O Neile O Brian c. to go over into England to surrender their lands into the Kings hands promising they should receive them again from him by Letters Patents with the Addition of Earls which was done accordingly At his desire the King conferred on them Houses nigh Dublin that residing there they might suck in Civility with the Court air These things thus setled he returned into England and died as I take it in the raign of King Edward the sixth Sir HENRY SIDNRY was son to Sir William Sidney of Pensherst in this County who by his own worth was advanced into the favour of Queen Elizabeth never a whit the lesse for marrying Mary Dudley sister to Robert Earl of Leicester he was by her made Knight of the Garter Lord President of Wales and for eleven years off and on Deputy of Ireland Now though generally the Irish are querelous of their Deputies what Patient for the present will praise his Chirurgion who soundly searcheth his sore yet Sir Henry left a good memory and the monuments of a good Governor behind him 1. He made Annaly a Territory in Loynsteresse by the Sept of Offerralles one entire Shire by it self called the County of Longford he likewise divided the Province of ●…onaght into six Counties 2. In a Parliament held the eleventh of Elizabeth he abolished the pretended and usurped Captain-ships and all extortions incident thereunto 3. He caused an Act to pass whereby the Lord Deputy was authorized to accept the surrenders of the Irish Se●…gniories and to re-grant estates unto them to hold of the Crown by English Tenures and Services 4. Because the inferiour sort of the Irish were poor and not Ames●…able by Law he provided that five of the best persons of every Sept should bring in all the persons of their surname to be justified by the Law 5. A Law was made that for the civil education of the youth there should be one Free Schoole at least in every Diocesse 6. To acquaint the people of Mounster and Conaght with the English Government again disused amongst them for two hundred years he instituted two Presidency Courts in those two Provinces 7. To augment the Revenues of the Crown he resumed and vested therein by the power of the same Parliament more than half the Province of Ulster upon the attainder of Shane O Neale 8. He raised Customs upon the principal Commodities of the Kingdom and reformed the abuses of the Exchequer by many good instructions from England 9. He established the Composition of the Pale in lieu of Purveyance and Sesse of Souldiers It must not be forgotten that he caused the Statutes of Ireland unto his own time to be printed and so saith my Author ex umbra in solem eduxit he brought them out of the shadow into the sun-shine Whereas formerly they were only in Manuscript a sad case that men should be obliged to the observation of those Laws scarce ever seen by one in an hundred subjected thereunto Being to leave Ireland Anno 1578. and now ready to go up into his Ship he took his leave thereof with the words of the Psalmist When Israel came out of Egypt and Jacob from a strange people rejoycing in heart that he came with a clear conscience from that dangerous employment He died at Worcester May the fifth 1586. and his Corps being brought to Pensherst were there solemnly interred amongst his Ancestors I will close his Life with this Encomium which I find in a Worthy Author His disposition was rather to seek after the Antiquities and the Weal-Publick of those Countries which he governed than to obtain lands and revenues within the same for I know not one foot of Land that he had either in Wales or Ireland Sir PHILIP SIDNEY Reader I am resolved not to part him from his Father such the Sympathy betwixt them living and dying both within the compass of the same year Otherwise this Knight in relation to my Book may be termed an Ubiquitary and appear amongst Statesmen Souldiers Lawyers Writers yea Princes themselves being though not elected in election to be King of Poland which place he declined preferring rather to be a Subject to Queen Elizabeth than a Soveraign beyond the Seas He was born at Pensherst in this County son to Sir Henry Sidney of whom before and Sisters Son to Robert Earl of Leicester bred in Christs Church in Oxford Such his appetite to Learning that he could never be fed fast enough therewith and so quick and strong his digestion that he soon turned it into wholsome nourishment and thrived healthfully thereon His homebred abilities travel perfected with forraign accomplishments and a sweet Nature set a glosse upon both He was so essential to the English Court that it seemed maimed without his company being a compleat Master of Matter and Language as his Arcadia doth evidence I confesse I have heard some of modern pretended Wits cavil thereat meerly because they made it not themselves such who say that his Book is the occasion that many pretious hours are otherwise spent no better must acknowledge it also the cause that many idle hours are otherwise spent no worse than in reading thereof At last leaving the Court he followed the Camp being made Governor of Flushing under his Uncle Earl of Leicester But the Walls of that City though high and strong could not confine the activity of his mind which must into the Field and before Zutphen was unfortunately slain with a shot in a small skirmish which we may sadly tearm a great battel considering our heavy losse therein His Corps being brought over into England was buried in the Quire of St. Pauls with general lamentation Sir FRANCIS WALSINGHAM Knight was born in this County wherein his Family long flourished at Chiselhurst though I read that originally they fetch their name from Walsingham in Norfolk He was bred in Kings Colledge in Cambridge and gave the King of ●…pain his Bible to the Library thereof As a traveller many years beyond the 〈◊〉 he learnt experience as an Agent he practised it there and after his return a Secretary of State he taught it to many Emisaries imployed under him None alive did better ken the Secretary Craft to get Counsels out of others and keep them in himself M●…rvellous his ●…agacity in examining suspected persons either to make them confesse the truth or confound themselves by denying it to their detection Cunning his hands who could unpick the Cabinets in the Popes Conclave quick his ears who could hear at London what
and exceed him in Acurateness therein Being old rather in experience than years he died not 46. years old Anno 1583. and lieth buried under a comely Monument in Saint Giles without Creplegate London on the South Wall of the Quire Let Mr. Cambdens commendation pass for his Epitaph Artis Heraldicae studiosissimus peritissimusque qui in foecialium Collegio Somerseti titulum gessit Robertus Gloverus If the expression were as properly predicated of a Nephew as of the next Brother one might say he raised up seed unto his Uncle Glover in setting forth his Catalogue of Honour in English as more useful therein because chiefly of our Nationall concernment He was employed on a message of Importance from Q. Elizabeth unto Henry the fourth King of France be ing then in Normandy which trust he discharged with great fidelity and incredible scelerity being returned home with a satisfactory answer to her Highness before she could believe him arrived there In memory of which service he had given him for the Crest of his Arms a Chappeau with Wings to denote the Mercuriousnesse of this Messenger He died Anno 16. in Ordinary by name of RoughDragon and afterwards Somerset Herald He made very pertinent Additions to the second Edition of Mr. Cambdens Remains and deserved highly wel of the City of London proving in a learned and ingenious Book that Gentry doth not abate with Apprentiship but only sleepeth during the time of their Indentures and awaketh again when they are expired Nor did he contribute a little to the setting forth of his Uncles Catalogue of Honour He died Anno 1645. and was buried in Bennet Pauls-wharf THOMAS PLAYFERD was born in this County as some of his nearest Relations have informed me He was bred Fellow of Saint Johns Colledge in Cambridge and chosen 1597. to succeed Peter Barrow in the place of Margaret Professor His fluency in the Latine tongue seemed a wonder to many though since such who have seen the Sun admire no more at the Moon Doctor Collins not succeeding him so much in age as exceeding him in eloquence The counsel of the Apostle is good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His Foe-Friends commending of him and his own conceiting of himself made too deep an impression on his Intellectuals It added to his Distemper that when his re●…election to his place after his last two years end was put into the Regent-House a great Doctor said DETUR DIGNIORI However he held his Professor-ship until the day of his death 1609. and lieth buried with an Hyperbolical Epitaph in S. Botolphs in Cambridge JOHN BOIS D. D. was descended of a right ancient and numerous Family in this County deriving themselves from J. de Bosco entring England with William the Conqueror and since dispersed into eight Branches extant at this day in their several seats Our John was bred Fellow of Clare-Hall in Cambridge and afterwards preferred Dean of Canterbury famous to posterity for his Postils in defence of our Liturgy So pious his life that his adversaries were offended that they could not be offended therewith A great Prelate in the Church did bear him no great good will for mutual animosities betwixt them whilest Gremials in the University the reason perchance that he got no higher preferment and died as I conjecture about the year 1625. Benefactors to the Publick Sir JOHN PHILPOT was born in this County where his Family hath long resided at Upton-Court in the Parish of Sibbertswood He was bred a Citizen and Grocer in London whereof he became Mayor 1378. In the second of King Richard the second our English Seas wanted scouring over-run with the rust of Piracies but chiefly with a Canker fretting into them one John Mercer a Scot with his fifteen Spanish Ships To represse whose insolence our Philpot on his own cost set forth a Fleet a project more proportionable to the Treasury of a Prince than the purse of a private subject His successe was as happy as his undertaking honourable and Mercer brought his Wares to a bad Market being taken with all his Ships and rich plunder therein Two years after he conveyed an English Army into Britaine in ships of his own hiring and with his own money released more than 1000. Arms there which the Souldiers formerly engaged for their victuals But this industry of Philpot interpretatively taxed the lazinesse of others the Nobility accusing him Drones account all Bees pragmatical to the King for acting without a Commission Yea in that ungrateful age under a Child-King Pro tantorum sumptuum praemio veniam vix obtinuit However he who whilest living was the scourge of the Scots the fright of the French the delight of the Commons the darling of the Merchants and the hatred of some envious Lords was at his death lamented and afterwards beloved of all when his memory was restored to its due esteem WILLIAM SEVENOCK was born at Sevenock in this County In allusion whereunto he gave Seven Acorns for his Arms which if they grow as fast in the field of Heraldry as in the Common field may be presumed to be Oaks at this day For it is more than 200. years since this William bred a Grocer at London became Anno 1419. Lord Mayor thereof He founded at Sevenock a fair Free Schoole for poor peoples Children and an Alms House for twenty men and women which at this day is well maintained Since the Reformation Sir ANDREW JUD Son of John Jud was born at Tunbridge in this County bred a Skinner in London whereof he became Lord Mayor Anno 1551. He built Alms Houses nigh Saint Ellens in London and a stately Free Schoole at Tunbridge in 〈◊〉 submitting it to the care of the Company of Skinners This fair Schoole hath been twice founded in effect seeing the defence and maintenance whereof hath cost the Company of Skinners in suits of Law and otherwise four thousand pounds So careful have they been though to their own great charge to see the Will of the Dead performed WILLIAM LAMB Esquire sometime a Gentleman of the Chappel to King Henry the eighth and in great favour with him was born at Sutton-Valens in this County where he erected an alms-Alms-House and a well endowed Schoole He was a person wholly composed of goodnesse and bounty and was as general and discreet a Benefactor as any that age produced Anno 1557. he began and within five months finished the fair Conduit at Holborn-Bridge and carried the water in pipes of Lead more than two thousand yards at his own cost amounting to Fifteen hundred pound The total summe of his several gifts moderately estimated exceeded six thousand pounds He lies buried with his good works in Saint Faiths Church under Saint Pauls where this Inscription set up it seems by himself in his life time is fixed on a Brasse plate to a Pillar O Lamb of God which sin didst take away And as a Lamb wast offered up for sin Where I poor Lamb
same morning he was elected Bishop of Ely made him his Chaplain and Dr. Featly chose him his second in one of his Disputations against Father Fisher yea Mr. Walker alone had many encounters with the subtillest of the Jesuitical party He was a man of an holy life humble heart and bountiful hand who deserved well of Sion Colledge Library and by his example and perswasion advanced about a thousand pounds towards the maintenance of preaching-Ministers in this his Native County He ever wrote all his Sermons though making no other use of his Notes in the Pulpit than keeping them in his pocket being wont to say that he thought he should be out if he had them not about him His Sermons since printed against the prophanation of the Sabboth and other practises and opinions procured him much trouble and two years Imprisonment till he was released by the Parliament He dyed in the seventy year of his Age Anno Dom. 1651. Romish Exile Writers EDWARD RISHTON was born in this * County and bred some short time in Oxford till he fled over to Doway where he was made Master of Arts. Hence he removed to Rome and having studyed Divinity four years in the English Colledge there was ordained Preist 1580. Then was he sent over into England to gain Proselites in prosecution whereof he was taken and kept Prisoner three years Yet was the Severity of the State so mercifull unto him as to spare his Life and only condemn him to Banishment He was carried over into France whence he went to the University of Pontmuss in Loraine to plye his Studies During his abode there the place was infected with the Plague Here Rishton for●…ate the Physicians Rule Cit●… Procul Longe Tarde flye away soon live away far s●…ay away long come again slowly For he remained so long in the Town till he carried away the infection with him and going thence dyed at St. Manhow 1585. I presume no Ingenuous Papist will be censorious on our Painful Munster Learned Junius Godly Greenham all dying of the Pestilence seeing the most conscientious of their own Perswasion subject to the same and indeed neither Love nor Hatred can be collected from such Casualties THOMAS WORTHINGTON was born in this * County of a Gentile Family was bred in the English Colledge at Doway where he proceeded Bachelour in Divinity and a little before the Eighty Eight was sent over into England as an Harvinger for the Spanish Invasion to prepare his Party thereunto Here he was caught and cast into the Tower of London yet found such favour that he escaped with his life being banished beyond the Seas At Triers he commenced Doctor in Divinity and in process of time was made President of the English Colledge at Rhemes When after long expectation the Old Testament came out in English at Rhemes permitted with some cautions for our Lay-Catholicks to read this Worthington wrote his notes thereupon which few Protestants have seen and fewer have regarded He was alive in 1611. but how long after is to me unknown If not the same which for his vivaciousness is improbable there was a Father Worthington certainly his Kinsman and Countryman very busie to promote the Catholick cause in England about the beginning of King Charles He Dining some thirty years since with a Person of Honour in this Land at whose Table I have often eaten was very obstreperous in arguing the case for Transubstantiation and the Ubiquitariness of Christs body Suppose said he Christ were here To whom the Noble Master of the House who till then was silent returned If you were away I beleive he would be here Worthington perceiving his Room more wellcome then his Company embraced the next opportunity of Departure ANDERTON whose christian name I cannot recover was born in this County and brought up at Blackborne School therein and as I have been informed he was bred in Christs Colledge in Cambridge where for his Eloquence he was commonly called Golden Mouth Anderton afterwards he went beyond the Seas and became a Popish preist and one of the learnedst amongst them This is he who improving himself on the poverty of Mr. Robert Bolton sometimes his School-Fellow but then not fixed in his Religion and Fellow of Brazenose colledge perswaded him to be reconciled to the Church of Rome and go over with him to the English Seminary promising him gold enough a good argument to allure an unstable mind to popery and they both appointed ●… meeting But it pleased the God of Heaven who holdeth both an Hour-glass and reed in his hand to measure both time and place so to order the matter that though Mr. Bolton came Mr. Anderton came not accordingly So that Rome lost and England gain'd an able Instrument But now I have lost J. Pitz to guide me and therefore it is time to knock off having no direction for the date of his Death Benefactors to the publick WILLIAM SMITH was born at * Farmeworth in this County bred Fellow in Pembroke hall in Cambridge and at last by King Henry the Eighth preferred Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry That Politick Prince to ease and honour his Native Country of Wales erected a Court of Presidency conformable to the Parliaments of France in the Marshes thereof and made this Bishop first President those Parts lying partly in his Diocesse He discharged the place with singular Integrity and general contentment retaining that Office till the day of his Death when he was removed to be Bishop of Lincoln A good name is an Ointment poured out saith Solomon and this man wheresoever he went may be followed by the perfume of charity he left behind him 1. At Lichfield he founded an Hospital for a Master two preists and ten poor people 2. In the same place he founded a School procuring from King Henry the seventh that the Hospital of Downholl in Cheshire with the Lands there unto belonging should be bestowed upon it Say not this was Robbing the Spittle or at the best Robbing Peter to pay Paul seeing we may presume so charitable a Prelate would do nothing unjust though at this distance of time we cannot clear the particulars of his proceedings At Farmeworth where he was born he founded a school allowing ten pounds annually in that age no mean salary for the Master thereof The University of Oxford discreetly chose him Oxford being in his Diocesse of Lincoln their Chancellour and lost nothing thereby for he proved a more loving Nephew than Son so bountiful to his Aunt Oxford that therein he founded Brazen Nosecolledge but dyed 1513 before his Foundation was finished Molineux a famous preacher about Henry the Eigths time descended of the house of Sefton in the County of Lancaster builded the Church at Sefton anew and houses for Schools about the Church-yard and made the great Wall about Magdalen Colledge in Oxford EDVVARD HALSALL in the County of Lancaster Esquire sometimes Chamberlain of the Exchequer at Chester
with King Edward the first under whom he was Bishop of Coventry and Liechfield and Treasurer of England He granted him also Liberty of free Warren in VVest and Thorpe Langton in this County the Patrimoniall inheritance of this Prelate VVith his own innocence and friends assistance at long sailing he weathered out the Tempest of the Popes displeasure Longer did he groan under the undeserved Anger of King Edward the second chiefly because this Bishop sharply reproved him when as yet but Prince for his Debauchery See here the great difference betwixt youth some hopefully some desperately riotous Of the former was Henry the fifth who when King is said to have rewarded and advanced such who had reproved and punished him when Prince Of the latter was King Edward not only wild but mad in his vitiousnesse But our Langton at length was brought saith my Author in Regis Semigratiam into the Kings half favour let me add in populi sesquegratiam and into the peoples favour and half who highly loved and honoured him His tragicomical life had a peaceable end in Plenty and Prosperity He found his Cathedral of Li●…hfield mean and left it magnificent and it will appear by the instance of our Langton Josseline of Wells and others that Bishops continuing unremoved in their See have atcheived greater matters then those who have been often translated though to richer Bishopricks Indeed prodigious was his bounty in building and endowing his Cathedral wherein he continued almost 25. years and dying 1321. was buryed in the Chappel of St. Mary of his own erection ROGERDE MARTIVAL Son and Heir of Sir Aukitell de Martivall Kt. who gave for his Arms Argent a Cinque foyle Sable was born at Nowsley in this County He was first Arch-Deacon of Leicester then Dean of Lincoln and at last consecrated Bishop of Salisbury in the Reign of King Edward the Second 1315. Now seeing Bishop Godwin hath nothing more of him save his Name and Date it is charity further to inform Posterity that he was the last heir male of his house and founded a Colledg at Nowsley temp Edw. 1. for a Warden and certain Brethren which in the 24. of Hen. 6. was valued to dispend yearly besides all charges 6. l. 13. 5. 4. d. His estate descended to Joyce de Martivall his Sister married unto Sir Ralph Hastings lineal Ancestor to the now Earl of Huntington As for the Mannor of Nowsley as it came by the mother so it went away with her Daughter into the Family of the Herons and by her Daughter into the Family of the Hazleriggs who at this day are the Possessors thereof This Bishop dyed in the midst of Lent 1329. ROBERT WIVIL was born of worthy and wealthy parentage at Stanton Wivil in this County at the Instance of Philippa Queen to King Edward the Third the Pope Anno 1329. preferred him Bishop of Salisbury It is hard to say whether he were more Dunce or Dwarfe more unlearned or unhansome insomuch that T. Walsingham tells us that had the Pope ever seen him as no doubt he felt him in his large Fees he would never have conferred the Place upon him He sate Bishop more then 45. years and impleaded William Mountague Earl of Salisbury in a Writ of Right for the Castle of Salisbury The Earl chose the Trial by Battell which the Bishop accepted of and both produced their Champions into the Place The Combatant for the Bishop coming forth all clad in white with the bishops own Arms viz. Gules Fretty Varee * a Chief Or empailed no doubt with them of his See on his Surcote Some highly commended the Zeal of the Bishop asserting the Rights of his Church whilest others condemned this in him as a unprelatical act God allowing Duells no competent Deciders of such Differences And moderate men to find out an expedient said he did this not as a Bishop but Baron the best was the matter was taken up by the Kings interposing and the Bishop with 2500. Marks bought of the Earl the quiet possession of the Castle and dyed Anno D●…m 1375. being buryed under a Marble Stone about the middle of the Quire Since the Reformation JOSEPH HAL●… was born at Ashby De La Zouch in this County where his Father under the Earl of Huntington was Governour or Bayly of the Town So soon almost as Emanuel Colledge was admitted into Cambridge he was admitted into that Colledge within few years after the first foundation thereof He passed all his degrees with great applause First noted in the University for his ingenuous maintaining be it Truth or Paradox that Mundus senescit The World groweth old Yet in some sort his position confuteth his position the wit and quickness whereof did argue an increase rather than a decay of parts in this latter age He was first beneficed by Sir R. Drury at Hallsted in Suffolk and thence removed by Edward Lord Denny afterward Earl of Norwich to Waltham Abbey in Essex Here I must pay the Tribute of my Gratitude to his memory as building upon his foundation beholding my self as his great Grandchild in that place three degrees from him in succession But oh how many from him in ability His little Catechisme hath done great good in that populous parish and I could wish that Ordinance more generally used all over England Being Doctor of Divinity he was sent over by K. James to the Synod of Dort whence only indisposition of body forced him to return before the rest of his Collegues He was preferred first Dean of Worcester then Bishop of Exeter then Bishop of Exeter then Bishop of no place surviving to see his sacred function buryed before his eyes He may be said to have dyed with his pen in his hand whose Writing and Living expired together He was commonly called our English Seneca for the purenesse plainesse and fulnesse of his style Not unhappy at Controversies more happy at Comments very good in his Characters better in his Sermons best of all in his Meditations Nor will it be amiss to transcribe the following passage out of his Will In the name of God Amen I Joseph Hall D.D. not worthy to be called Bishop of Norwich c. First I bequeath my soul c. my body I leave to be interred without any funeral pomp at the Discretion of my Executors with this only monition that I do not hold Gods House a meet Repository for the dead bodies of the greatest Saints He dyed September the 8. Anno Dom. 1656. and was buryed at Hyhem near Norwich Statesmen GEORGE VILLIERS was born at Brooksby in this County 〈◊〉 son to his father Sir George Villiers and second son to his Mother Mary Beaumont Being debarred by his late Nativity from his fathers lands he was happy in his Mothers love maintaining him in France till he returned one of the compleatest Courtiers in Christendom his body and behaviour mutually gracing one another Sir Tho. Lake
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 BOROU●…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 ●…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 ●…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
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 ●…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
Thomae Malton Iohannis Drayton Willielmi Swanlond Willielmi Norton Iohannis Barnvile Richardi Richmond Roberti Oliver Willielmi Bray Roberti Foster Henrici Filingsley Iohannis Bronn Roberti Charyngworth Richardi Skarburgh Richardi Bronn Iohannis e Elryngton VVillielmi Brokherst Iohannis Danyell What is generally true of the Gentry in all Counties that being in continuo fluxu Labitur labetur in omne volubilis aevum is most true in this County where the Stream thereof runneth most rapid to make more speedy room for Succession so that the Gentry in Middlesex seem Sojourners rather then Inhabitants therein Is it not strange that of the thirty three forenamed Families not three of them were extant in the Shire one hundred and sixty years after viz. anno Dom. 1593. as appeareth by the alphabetical Collection set forth by Mr. Norden in that year I impute the brevity as I may term it of such Gentry in this County to the Vicinity of London to them or rather of them to it and hope that Worshipful Families now fixed in Middlesex will hereafter have longer continuance THOMAE a CHALETON Militis I can hardly believe him of the same Family R. being slipped out in the Writing thereof with Thomas Carleton who dyed anno Domini 1447. being buryed under a much defaced Monument in EdmontonChurch and whom the Inhabitants deliver by Tradition to have been a man of great command in this County THOMAE b FROVVYK He was Owner of Gunners-Bury in the Parish of Great Eling wherein he lyes buryed and was Father of famous Judge Frowyk of whom before WILLIELMI c WROTH Ancestor to Sir Henry VVrot●… still living at Durance whose great Grandfather Sir Thomas VVroth fled over for his Religion into Germany in the Reign of Queen Mary and it is observable that he who then went away for his Conscience hath alone of all this Catalogne his name remaining in this County As for VVilliam VVroth mentioned in this Catalogue he was Son to VVill. VVroth Esquire who dyed the 20. of March the Ninth of Henry the Fourth who was the Son of Iohn VVroth who married Maud sole Daughter unto Thomas Durand by whom the house of Durands was devolved unto him JOHN SHORDYCHE So called from Shorditch on the North of Bishops Gate in London whereof he was Owner as also of the Mannor of Hackney I say Shorditch so named here in the twelfth of King Henry the Sixth and some hundred years before quasi Shorditch or the Ditch that was the Sewer or publick Drain to the North-East part of the City Hereby appeareth the Vanity of their Conceits who will have it so called from Iane Shore the Minion of Edward the Fourth reported to dye here pitifully as much pitied though not relieved in the Reign of King Richard the Third Reader Be pleased to take notice that though Mr. Norden in his Survey of this County passeth over this Sirname in Silence yet the Progeny of this Iohn Shorditch hath still a confiderable estate at Icknam therein JOHANNIS e ELRYNGTON These had an house sometimes at Neusdon in this County but are since extinct and the last that I find of the name was Iohn Elryngton Filycer of the City of London and Keeper of the Records of the Common Pleas who dying 1504. is buryed with an Inscription in Hackney Church The Sheriffs Some perchance may expect that in conformity to other Counties I should here insert the Sheriffs of Middlesex reserving those of London to the Descr●…ption of that City These proceed on an old vulgar error that the Sheriffs aforesaid have their several Jurisdictions divided accordingly Whereas indeed both are jointly and equally Sheriffs of London and Middlesex having not only concurrent but united power in all places Nor know I any difference betwixt them save that he who is first chosen taketh place and he who liveth the neerest to the Tower hath the Poultrie the other VVood street-Counter assigned to his Service But more of them in London All I will add is this the Gentry in Middlesex have herein a priviledge above any County in England that they are not Eligible except also they be Freemen of London to be Sheriffes of this Shire which doth cut off from them the occasion of much expences The Battells Brandford Fight 1642. November the 12. It began on the South west side of the Town near Zion house some execution being done by Great Guns and a Boat on the Thames with many therein sunk and Capt. Quarles an active Citizen on the Parliament side drowned before he could recover the Shore Soon was the Scene of this Tragedy removed to the North of the Town near Acton and the Kings Forces fell fiercely on the Regiment of Collonel Denzil Hollis then present in Parliament and put them to the Worst Here the Welsh under Sir ....... Salisbury their Leader made true the Greek Proverb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he that Flyeth will fight again 〈◊〉 These who shewed swift heels at Edgehill ●…attle use as stout Arms as any in this Fight For formerly they were little better then Naked whereas since they had recovered armour to fence their bodies and Resolutions to arme their Minds Next day being Sunday marched out the Militia of London but both Armies may be said to have kept the Sabboth faceing each other without any considerable action It is incredible how many Cart Loads of Victuals were carried out from London enough to have feasted their Souldiers for some days and fed them for some Weeks In the Evening the Kings Forces drew off towards Kings Town The Number of the slain on both sides amounted not to a thousand and the Reputation of the Victory on the Kings Side was more then the effect thereof for then the Royalists did Nose and Beard the Populous City of London and did Triumphare though not In sub Hostico Indeed the accession of Citizens to the King answered not Rational expectation Wealth though Loyal being always Fearful and Loath to hazzard a certain Estate This is most sure that many Scores of Prisoners taken by the King were by him freely dismissed without other Ransome then a strict Oath to serve no more against him Now what Oath office is kept in London I know not nor what Pope therein had power to dispence with so sacred an Obligation But these met with such Confessors who seemingly satisfied them in the Violation of this Oath so that some Weeks after they appeared on the same side as fierce as before The Farewell This County is much infested with the Mildew That it is I know to my Cost but could not purchase the knowledge what it is much lesse how it might be prevented at the same Price though having diligently enquired into the Name and Nature thereof Some will have it called Mildew quasi Maldew or Illdew others Meldew or Hony-dew as being very sweet oh how lushious and noxious is Flattery with the Astringency thereof causing an Atrophy a Consumption in the Grain His
practice in shooting from their Infancy then to their strength and Stature so that it is rather Difuse then disability in our age that we cannot shoot the like and since the Invention of Guns the Light use we make of Arrows have made them the lighter in the making Mint Many of these anciently in most Cities and some Towns These afterwards as so many Spangles in one peice of Gold were united in the Tower Of late it was much imployed to coin the Plate of our Nation to make State-mony whence one said Caesaris Effigies nulla est sed imaginis Expers Crux duplex super est dira gemensque Lyra. And Another May their Successe like to their Coin appear Send double Crosses for their Single Chear Sure I am their Coin goeth under a general suspicion of being as bad as their Cause But I hope hereafter when the Question is asked of our Coiners Whose Image and Superscription is this it will be returned the Caesars of England Ward-robe This was not that for the Kings wearing apparel or live●…es of Servants kept elsewhere in an House so called in the Parish of St. Andrews Ward robe but for Vests or Robes of State with rich Carpets Canopies and Hangings to be used on great Solemnities Here lately was a rich peice of Arras presenting the Sea-fight in eighty eighth and having the living portractures of the chiefest Commanders wrought in the borders thereof On the same token that a Captain who highly prized his own service missing his picture therein complained of the injury to his friend professing of himself that he merited a place there as well as some therein remembred seeing he was ingaged in the middle of the Fight Be content quoth his friend thou hast been an old Pirate and art reserved for another hanging There were also kept in this place the ancient Cloaths of our English Kings which they wore on great Festivals so that this Ward robe was in effect a Library for Antiquaries therein to read the Mode and Fashion of Garments in all ages These King James in the beginning of his Reign gave to the Earl of Dunbar by whom they were sold resold and re-re-resold at as many hands almost as Briarius had some gaining vast Estates thereby The Unicorns-Horn Amongst the many precious rarities in the Tower this as another in Windsor-Castle was in my memory shown to people It belongs not to me to enquire what is become of them but rather to discuss 1. Whether there be such a creature as an Unicorn 2. What kind of Animal it is 3. What the fashion and colour of his Horn. 4. What the use effect of his Horn. For the first they produce a weak proof who alledge them to be the Supporters of the Scottish-arms and of the arms of some English Gentlemen particularly of the Family of Paris in Cambridge-shire seeing most Heralds wear the addition of Painters and the Fancy of Painters pretends to the priviledge of a lawlesse Liberty But besides that it is uncivil to give the lye to a common Tradition the former existence of such a creature and surely no Species is wholly lost is cleared from several places of Scripture God hath as it were the strength of an Unicorn Will the Unicorn be willing to serve thee My Horn shalt thou exalt like the Horn of an Unicorn c. True it is the Word in the Original importeth nothing of any Horn therein as doth the Latin Unicornis and the Greek Monoceros Yet I am confident it is right rendred because it is so rendred Such was the Learning and Piety of the persons imployed in that Translation Proceed we now to the second Quaere about the kind thereof Surely it is distinct from the Rhinoceros carrying a Horn not on his Forehead but on his Nose because the Exaltation of his Horn is not considerable as not bunching forth much above a Foot in the prominency thereof He is commonly pictured bodyed like a Buck with a Horn advanced out of his Forehead some two Yards in proportion and this his Picture confuteth his Picture seeing generally he is held to be no Beast of Prey but which feedeth on the grass and if so his Mouth cannot meet with the Ground the Interposition of his Horn so fancifully fixed making so great distance betwixt them The plain Truth is I who first questioned whether there were any Unicorns am since convin●…ed that there are so many sorts of them The Indian Oxe the Indian Asse the O●…yx c. famous for carrying one Horn but which is the prize in this Lottery I cannot decide seeing none alive in our Land have seen a four footed Beast of that kind and Julius Scaliger saith truly Ex libris colligere quae prodider unt Authores longe est periculosissimum Rerum ipsarum cognitio vera è rebus ipsis est OLAUS WORME One no lesse a curious Inquirer into the Mysteries then careful preserver of the Rarities of Nature Physician at this day to the King of Denmark in a Learned Work which he lately set forth endevoureth to prove all under a general mistake who fancy a Unicorn a four footed Beast proving the same to be a Fish in the Northern Seas of 22. Foot in Length a long horn in his Forehead no more cumbersome in the portage then Ears are to other Beasts with which Horn he tilteth at his prey and having pierced it through doth afterward feed upon it If it be objected to the contrary that in Scripture he is ranked amongst the Qua●… And the Unicorns shall come down with them and the Bullocks with the Bulls and their Land shall be soaked with blood and their Dust made Fat with Fatnesse It will be answered that Unicorns there are not real but metaphorical rendred appellatively Robusti in some Translations importing that strong Enemies both by Water and Land shall invade Idumaea to the utter destruction thereof Come we now to the fashion and colour of the Horn conceiving it no considerable controversie concerning the length and bignesse thereof quantity not varying the kind in such cases Some are plain as that in St. Marks in Venice others wreathed about as that at St. Dyonis neer Paris with anfractuous spires and cocleary turnings about it which probably is the effect of age those Wreaths being but the wrinkles of most vivacious Unicorns The same may be said of the colour white when newly taken from his Head Yellow like that lately in the Tower of some hundred years seniority but whether or no it will ever turn black as that of Aelians and Plinies Description let others decide The last Quaere remains of the virtue of this Horn which some exalt so high that it is not only antidotal to several Venomes and substances destructive by their qualities which we can command our selves to believe but also that it resisteth poysons which kill by second qualities that is by corrosion of parts wherein I concur with my
Fancy who will have it called Cockney by Transposition quasi Incoct raw and rude as forc'd and far fetch'd The Name is generally fix'd on such who are born within the Sound of Bow-Bell and are tender enough and sufficiently ignorant in Country businesses One merrily perswaded a She Citizen that seeing Malt did not grow the good Huswifes in the Countrey did spin it I knew as much said the Cockney for one may see the Threds hang out at the ends thereof However be it known unto all people that as there are delicate and silly Folk in the Countrey so are there as hardy men and skilful Huswives in the City no disparagement to any of what place soever Ane ill word meets another and it were at the Bridge of London This is a Scottish Proverb and indeed a Scottish Text needs a Scottish Comment thereon However I thus guesse at the meaning thereof London-Bridge is notoriously known for a narrow passe and numerous passengers so that people meeting thereon a Quarrel will quickly be engendred if one of them hath not the wit or patience to step into a Shop if on foot if on Horseback to stay in the void places Thus Words quickly enflame a difference except one of the parties have the Discretion of silence yeilding or departure Billings-gate Language Billings was formerly a Gate though now rather portus then porta being the prime Landing place and Market for some Sea Commodities Now although as fashionable people live there as elsewhere in the City yet much rude folk repair thither so that one may term this the Esculine Gate of London from the drosse and dregs of the baser people flocking thither Here one may hear Linguas jurgatrices yea shrewd words are sometimes improved into smart blows betwixt them I doubt not but that Rome Venice Paris and all populous Cities have their Billings-gate Language in those places where rude people make their Rendezvouz Kirbies Castle and Megses Glory Spinolas Pleasure and Fishers Folly These were four houses about the City built by Citizens large and sumptuous above their Estates whose Memories are likely longer to continue by this Rhime then by their own pompous buildings The fi●…st of these is so uncastelled the Glory of the second so obscured that very few know and it were needlesse to tell them where these houses were fixed As for Spinola a Genoan made Free-Denizon the Master and Fellows of a Colledge in Cambridge know too well what he was by their expensive Suit known to posterity by Magdalen Colledge Case If his own Countrey I mean the Italian curse did overtake him and if the Plague of Building did light upon him few I believe did pity him As for the last it was built by Jasper Fisher Free of the Goldsmiths one of the six Clerks in Chancery and a Justice of Peace who being a Man of no great Wealth as indebted to many built here a Beautiful house with Gardens of pleasure and Bouling Alleys about it called Devonshire House at this Day However it seems this was an ancient Vanity even in the Days of King David Their inward thought is that their Houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling places to all Generations They call their Lands after their own names He will follow him like a St. Anthonies pig St. Anthonie is notoriously know for the Patron of Hogs having a pig for his page in all pictur●…s though for what reason unknown except because being an Hermit and having a Cell or hole digged in the earth and having his generall repast on roots he and hogs did in some sort entercommon both in their diet and lodging There was a fair Hospital built to the honour of St. Anthony in Bennets Fink in this City The Protectors and Proctors whereof claimed a priviledge to themselves to garble the Live Pigs in the Markets of the City and such as they found starved or otherwise unwholsom for mans sustenance they would slit in the ear tie a Bell about their Necks and let them loose about the City None durst hurt or take them up having this Livery of St. Anthony upon them but many would give them bread and feed them in their passage whom they used to follow whining after them But if such Pigs proved fat and well liking as often they did the Officers of St. Anthonies Hospital would seize on them for their own use The Proverb is appliable to such who have servile saleable souls who for a small reward will lack-wey many Miles pressing their Patrons with their unwelcome importunity He was born within the Sound of Bow-Bell This is the Periphrasis of a Londoner at large born within the Suburbs thereof the Sound of this Bell exceeding the extent of the Lord Maiors Mace It is called Bow-bell because hanging in the Steeple of Bow-Church and Bow-Church because built on Bows or Arches John Dun Mercer gave 1472 two Tenements to maintain the ringing of this Bell nightly at Nine a clock which sounded to Servants a Retreat from their Work and a March to their Supper and Bed and therefore conceived by some Masters to ring too soon by most Apprentices too late William Copland the Kings Merchant about the Year 1520. gave a bigger Bell for the same purpose and had the hansel thereof himself being first rang as a Knell at his Burial St. Peters in the Poor Where no Tavern Alehouse or Sign at the Dore. Under Correction I conceive it called in the Poor because the Augustinian Friers professing wilful poverty for some hundred of years possessed more than a Moiety thereof But as one gave for his Motto Malim dives esse quam haberi this Parish may say Malim pauper vocari quam esse which ever was not to say is one of the richest in London which their Signlesse houses doe avouch being a Sign of the eminency of their Inhabitants ubi quisque sui ipsius index sufficiently notified and distinguished by themselves How ancient the use of Signs in this City on private houses is to me unknown sure I am it was generally used in the Reign of King Edward the Fourth Witnesse that dear jest of a well meaning Citizen who lost his life in those dangerous times for saying he would leave the Crown to his Son I suspect this Proverb is lately a little discomposed and that some publick houses for entertainment have stept or crept into this Parish To dine with Duke Humphrey This Proverb hath altered the original meaning thereof For first it signified aliena vivere quadra to eat by the bounty or feed by the favour of another man For Humphrey Duke of Gloucester commonly called the good Duke was so hospital that every man of Fashion otherwise unprovided was welcome to Dine with him It not being so proper for Strangers to sup in those dayes with the greatest House keepers The said Duke was so bountiful that his Alms-dish of Silver was very massie when empty what then when full
ready for hearing being finally determined Whereon a Rhythmer When More some years had Chancelor been ●…o more suits did remain The same shall never more be seen Till More be there again Falling into the Kings displeasure for not complying with him about the Queens divorce he seasonably resigned his Chancellours Place and retired to his House in Chelsey chiefly imploying himself in writing against those who were reputed Hereticks And yet it is observed to his Credit by his great friend Erasmus that whilest he was Lord Chancellor no Protestant was put to death and it appears by some passages in his Utopia that it was against his mind that any should lose their Lives for their Consciences He rather soyled his Fingers then dirtied his hands in the matter of the holy Maid of Kent and well wiped it off again But his refusing or rather not accepting the Oath of Supremacy stuck by him for which he was 16. Months imprisoned in the Tower bearing his afflictions with remarkable patience He was wont to say that his natural temper was so tender that he could not indure a philip But a supernatural Principle we see can countermand yea help natural imperfections In his time as till our Memory Tower Prisoners were not dyet●…d on their own but on the Kings charges The Lieutenant of the Tower providing their Fare for them And when the Lieutenant said that he was sorry that Commons were no better I like said Sir Thomas Your Dyet very well and if I dislike it I pray turn me out of Dores Not long after he was beheaded on Tower hill 153. He left not above one hundred pounds a year Estate perfectly hating Covetousnesse as may appear by his refusing of four or five thousand pounds offered him by the Clergy Among his Latin Books his Utopia beareth the Bell containing the Idea of a compleat Common-wealth in an Imaginary Island but pretended to be lately discovered in America and that so lively counterfeited that many at the reading thereof mistook it for a real truth Insomuch that many great Learned men as Budeus and Johannes Paludanus upon a fervent zeal wished that some excellent Divines might be sent thither to preach Christs Gospel yea there were here amongst us at home sundry good men and Learned Divines very desirous to undertake the Voyage to bring the People to the Faith of Christ whose manners they did so well like By his only Son Mr. John More he had five Grandchildren Thomas and Augustin born in his Life time who proved zealous Romanists Edward Thomas and Bartholomew born after his Death were firm Protestants and Thomas a married Minister of the Church of England MARGARET MORE Excuse me Reader for placing a Lady among Men and Learned Statesmen The Reason is because of her 〈◊〉 affection to her Father from whom she would not willingly be parted and for me shall not be either living or dead She was born in Bucklers-bury in London at her Fathers house therein and attained to that Skill in all Learning and Languages that she became the miracle of her age Forreigners took such notice hereof that Erasmus hath dedicated some Epistles unto her No Woman that could speak so well did speak so little Whose Secresie was such that her Father entrusted her with his most important Affairs Such was her skill in the Fathers that she corrected a depraved place in St. Cyprian for whereas it was corruptly writen she amended it Nisi vos sinceritatis Nervos sinceritatis Yea she translated Eusebius out of Greek but it was never printed because I. Christopherson had done it so exactly before She was married to William Roper of Eltham in Kent Esquire one of a bountiful heart and plentiful Estate When her Fathers head was set up on London Bridge it being suspected it would be cast into the Thames to make room for divers others then suffering for denying the Kings Supremacy she bought the head and kept it for a Relique which some called affection others religion others Superstition in her for which she was questioned before the Council and for some short time imprisoned until she had buryed it and how long she her self survived afterwards is to me unknown THOMAS WRIOTHESLEY Knight of the Garter was born in Barbican Son to William Wriothesley York Herauld and Grandchild to John VVriothesley descended from an heir general of the ancient Family of the Dunsterviles King of Arms. He was bred in the University of Cambridge and if any make a doubt thereof it is cleared by the passage of Mr. Ascams Letter unto him writing in the behalf of the University when he was Lord Chancellour Quamobrem Academia cum omni literarum ratione ad te unum conversa Cui uni quam universis aliis se chariorem intelligit partim tibi ut alumno suo cum authoritate imperat partim ut patrono summo demisse humiliter supplicat c. He afterwards effectually applyed his Studies in our municipal Law wherein he attained to great eminency He was by King Henry the Eighth created Baron of Titchborne at Hampton Court January the first 1543. and in the next year about the beginning of May by the said King made Chancelor of England But in the first of King Edward the Sixth he was removed from that place because a conscienciously Rigorous Romanist though in some reparation he was advanced to be Earl of Southampton He dyed at his House called Lincolns place in Holborn 1550. the 30. of Iuly and lyes buryed at St. Andrews in Holborn WILLIAM PAGET Knight was born in this City of honest Parents who gave him pious and learned education whereby he was enabled to work out his own advancement Privy-Councellour to 4 successive princes which though of different perswasions agreed all in this to make much of an able and trusty Minister of State 1. King Henry the Eighth made him his Secretary and imployed him Embassador to Ch. the Emperor and Francis King of France 2. King Edward the Sixth made him Chancellor of the Dutchy Comptroller of his Houshold and created him Baron of Beaudesert 3. Queen Mary made him ●…eeper of her privy Seal 4. Queen Elizabeth dispenced with his attendance at Court in favour to his great Age and highly respected him Indeed Duke Dudley in the dayes of King Edward ignominiously took from him the Garter of the Order quarrelling that by his extraction he was not qualified for the same Bur if all be true which is reported of this Dukes Parentage he of all men was most unfit to be active in such an imployment But no wonder if his Pride wrongfully snatched a Garter from a Subject whose Ambition endevoured to deprive two Princes of a Crown This was restored unto him by Queen Mary and that with Ceremony and all solemn accents of honour as to a person who by his prudence had merited much of the Nation He dyed very old anno 1563 and his Corps as
would work might get good wages at the dissolution of Abbyes Herein he was much employed being under the Lord Cromwell an instrument of the second magnitude and lost nothing by his activity therein however by all the Printed books of that age he appeareth one of a candid carriage and in this respect stands sole and single by himself That of the Abby Lands which he received he refounded a considerable proportion for the building and endowing of Trinity-colledge in Oxford He died as I collect about the beginning of the raign of Queen Elizabeth There are in Oxford shire many descendants from him continuing in a worshipful Estate on the same token that King James came in Progress to the house of Sir 〈◊〉 Pope Knight when his Lady was lately delivered of a daughter which Babe was presented to King James with this Paper of Verses in her hand which because they pleased the King I hope they will not displease the Reader See this little Mistress here Did never sit in Peters chair Or a triple Crown did wear And yet she is a Pope No Benefice she ever sold Nor did dispence with sins for Gold She hardly is a Sevenight Old And yet she is a Pope No King her feet did ever kiss Or had from her worse look then this Nor did she ever hope To saint one with a Rope And yet she is a Pope A female Pope you 'l say A second Joan No sure she is Pope Innocent or none I behold the Earl of Down in Ireland but living in Oxford shire the chief of the Family THOMAS CURSON born in Alhallows Lumbard street Armorour dwelt without Bishop-gate It happened that a Stage-player borrowed a rusty Musket which had lien long Leger in his Shop now though his part was Comical he therewith acted an unexpected Tragedy killing one of the standers by the Gun casually going off on the Stage which he suspected not to be Charged O the difference of divers mens in the tenderness of there Consciences some are scarse touch'd with a wound whilst others are wounded with a touch therein This poor Armourer was highly afflicted therewith though done against his will yea without his knowledge in his absence by another out of meer chance Hereupon he resolved to give all his Estate to pious uses no sooner had he gotten a round sum but presently he posted with it in his Apron to the Court of Aldermen and was in pain till by their direction he had setled it for the relief of poor in his own and other Parishes and disposed of some hundreds of pounds accordingly as I am credibly informed by the then Church-wardens of the said Parish Thus as he conceived himself casually though at great distance to have occasioned the death of one he was the immediate and direct cause of giving a comfortable living to many he dyed Anno Domini 16. EDWARD ALLIN was born in the aforesaid Parish near Devonshire-house where now is the sign of the Pie He was bred a Stage-player a Calling which many have condemned more have questioned some few have excused and far fewer consciencious people have commended He was the Roscius of our age so acting to the life that he made any part especially a Majestck one to become him He got a very great Estate and in his old age following Christs Councel on what forcible motive belongs not to me to enquire He made friends of his unrighteous Mammon Building therewith a fair Colledge at Dulwich in Kent for the relief of poor people Some I confess count it built on a foundred foundation seeing in a spiritual sense none is good and lawfull money save what is honestly and industrously gotten but perchance such who condemn Master Allin herein have as bad Shillings in the bottome of their own bags if search were made therein sure I am no Hospital is tyed with better or stricter laws that it may not Sagg from the intention of the Founder The poor of his native Parish Saint Buttolph ●…ishopgate have a priviledge to be provided for therein before others Thus he who out-acted others in his life out did himfelf before his death which happened Anno Domini 16. WILLIAM PLAT was born in this City as his Heir hath informed me son to Sir Hugh Plat grand-son to Richard Plat Alderman of London He was a FellowCommo●…er b●…ed in Saint Johns colledge in Cambridge and by his Will bequeathed thereunto Lands to maintain Fellows and Scholars Fellows at thirty Schollars at ten pounds per annum so many as the Estate would extend unto But this general and doubtful settlement was liable to long and great suits betwixt the Colledge and the Heirs of the said William until Anno 1656. the same were happily compoled betwixt the Colledge and John Plat Clerk Heir to the foresaid William when a settlement was made by mutual consent of four Scholars at ten and two Fellows at fifty pounds per annum Here I mention not thirty pounds yearly given by him to the poor of Hornsey and High-gate with a Lecture founded therein This William Plat died Anno 1637. ALEXANDER STRANGE son to a Doctor in Law was born in London bred in Peter-house in Cambridge where he commenced Bachelour of Divinity and afterwards for forty six years was Vicar of Layston and Prebend of Saint Pauls where his Prebenda submersa the Corps whereof were drowned in the Sea afforded him but a noble year Now because Layston Church stood alone in the fields and inconveniently for such who were to repair thereunto he built at Buntingford a thorow-road market mostly in his Parish a neat and strong Chappel è stipe collatitiâ from the bounty others gave and he gathered Wherefore having laid the foundation before well furnished for the finishing thereof he gave for his Motto Beg hard or beggard None could tax him with the Scribes and Pharisees for binding heavy burthens and grievous to be born and laying them on other mens shoulders whilst he himself would not move them with one of his fingers First because the burthens were not heavy being light in the particulars though weighty in the total summe Secondly he bound them on none but profest himself bound unto them if pleased to take them up for a publick good Thirdly he put his and that a bountiful hand unto them purchasing land out of his own purse to pay for the daily reparation thereof He also promoted the building of a Free-school in the said place to which some sisters worsh●…pfully born in the same Town wealthily and honourably married were the Foundresses yet so as it will still be thankful to contributors thereunto for better accommodation This Master Strange being no less prosperous then painful in compounding all differences among his neighbours being a man of peace went to eternal peace December 8. in the eightieth year of his age 1650. To the Readér Pauperis est numerare They have but few who have but a number It passeth my power
Week for ever He was when living a great Benefactor to the building of Alder-Mary-Church and by his Testament gave 1000. pounds towards the finishing thereof how barbarously he was afterwards requited and his body cast out of the grave we have formerly largely bemoaned and with just indignation HENRY the Eighth 1. GEORGE MONOX He re-edified the decayed Parish-Church of Waltamstow or Walthamstow in Essex he founded there a Free-school and Almes-houses for thirteen Almes-people he made also a Cawsey of Timber over the Marshes from Walthamstow to Lock-bridge The Farewell And now being to take my Farewell of this great City I cannot forget the verse which I find amongst others in Master Camden's commendation thereof Urbs pietate potens numeroso cive superba Potent in piety in her people proud But see the Romish charity who confine all piety to Popery The Index Expurgato●…ius Printed at Madrid by Lewes Sanchez 1612. commandeth the forepart of the verse concerning their piety to be expunged letting the latter moity of their pride to remain May I in this particular be the humble Remembrancer of the City without the least intrenching on his place who worthily dischargeth that office to cross and consute that peevish and partial Index Let it be their endeavours to delete out of their hearts all high conceits of their populousness and effectually to express grace and goodness in their conversations Nor let the City of London ever forget quantillum interfuit inter maximam Civitatem et nullam How little distance there lately was betwixt the greatest City and none at all if Gates and Barrs as it is generally received be the essential difference of a City But God who can produce light out of darkness can make the plucking d●…wn of the Gates to be the setting up of the City Wherefore though the Eleventh day of March be generally beheld as the first day of Spring London may date her Spring from the Eleventh day of February 1659. when she effectually felt the vernal heat after a long Winter of woe and misery I heartily wish this honourable City what ever may conduce to the continuance and increase of the happiness thereof Especially that the river of Thames the lif●… of London as which Easeth Adorneth Inricheth Feedeth and Fortifieth it may have its Channel constantly continued The Millers Riddle If I have Water I will drink Wine But if I have no Water I must drink Water is appliable to this City so long as Thames-water continues Londoners may Wine it but should it fail they must drink water indeed and some perchance brackish too as made of their tears I will not pry too nearly and narrowly into the fancy of our Poet speaking of the ruins of old Rome Ne ought save Tiber hasting to his fall O Worlds inconstancy Remains of all That which is firm doth flit and fall away And that is flitting doth abide and stay And yet by his leave greater rivers then Tiber have in process of time had their streams by casualties or neglect partly drained wholy dryed or otherwise diverted My humble request therefore to the Officers of the City is effectually to own their concernment in the river of Thames in clearing and cleansing it from Sholes Sands and other obstructing incroachments that they may leave it as well to posterity as they found it from their fathers WESTMINSTER WESTMINSTER is the greatest City in England next London not onely in Position but by the Dimensions thereof For let it be taken as truly it ought extensively with the Liberty of Lancaster from Temple-bar and it filleth as much ground not to say containeth more reasonable souls then any City in the Land But as a proper man seemeth a Dwarfe when placed next to a Giant such the infelicity of Westminster whose due greatness devoured by the vicinity of London is insensible in the eyes of the Beholders It was anciently called Thorney and afterwards Westminster for distinction from Saint Pauls called in ancient times Eastminster The Buildings The Abbey Church is beheld as a rare structure with so small and slender Pillars greatest legs argue not the strongest Man to support so weighty a fabrick built by King Henry the third and afterwards much enlarged and beautified by the Abbots thereof Adjoyning to it is the Chappel of King Henry the seventh which Leland calls the Miracle of the World Indeed let the Italians deride our English and condemn them for Gothish Buildings This they must admire and may here take notes of Architecture if their pride would permit them to perfect theirs accordingly In this Chappel the founder thereof with his Queen lieth interr'd under a Monument of solid Brass most richly gilded and Artificialy carved Some slight it for the cheapness because it cost but a thousand pounds in the making thereof Such do not consider it as the work of so thrifty a Prince who would make a little money go far besides that it was just at the turning of the Tide as one may term it of money which flowed after the finding out of the West-Indies though ebbing before Amongst the civil structures Westminster-Hall is eminent erected by King W. Rufus for the Hall to his own Court built with copwebless beams conceived of Irishwood Sure I am we then had no command in that Island as first subdued by King Henry the second It is one of the greatest rooms in Christendome and indeed it needeth to be of good capacity to receive so many Plantiffes and Defendants being at such mutual distance of affection Next is White-hall the Palace of ou●… English Kings which one term'd a good Hypocrite promising less then it performeth and more convenient within then comely without to which the Nursery of Saint James's was an appendant As for the houses of Noble-men all along the Strand I desire to be excused from commending some lest it should by caviling Spirits be implicitely interpreted a dispraise of the rest Besides I am ignorant under what name to commend them to posterity so many houses daily new-dipt assume to themselves new names according to the alteration of their Owners I conclude them therefore all best and best of all whilst they continue in the hands of their present possessors Proverbs As sure as Exchequer pay All know that the Exchequer was formerly the Treasury of the Kings of England kept in this City the pleading part on the one side and the paying part on the other side of Westminster-hall This Proverb was in the prime thereof in the raign of Queen Elizabeth who maintained her Exchequer to the heigth that her Ex●…hequer might ma●…tain her The pay thereof was sure inwards nothing being remitted which was due there to the Queen and sure outwards nothing being detained which was due thence from the Queen full and speedy payment being made thereof This Proverb began to be crost about the end of the raign of King James when the credit of the Exchequer began to decay and
no wonder if the streams issuing thence were shallow when the fountain to feed them was so low the revenues of the Crown being much abated There is no redemption from Hell There is a place partly under partly by the Exchequer Court commonly called Hell I could wish it had another name seeing it is ill jesting with edge tools especially with such as are sharpened by Scripture I am informed that formerly this place was appointed a prison for the Kings debtors who never were freed thence untill they had paid their uttermost due demanded of them If so it was no Hell but might be termed Purgatory according to the Popish erronious perswasion But since this Proverb is applyed to moneys paid into the Exchequer which thence are irrecoverable upon what plea or pretence whatsoever As long as Megg of Westminster This is applyed to persons very tall especially if they have Hop-pole-heighth wanting breadth proportionable thereunto That such a gyant woman ever was in Westminster cannot be proved by any good witness I pass not for a late lying Pamphlet though some in proof thereof produce her Grave-stone on the South-side of the Cloistures which I confess is as long an large and entire Marble as ever I beheld But be it known that no woman in that age was interred in the Cloistures appropriated to the Sepultures of the Abbot and his Monkes Besides I have read in the Records of that Abby of an infectious year wherein many Monkes dyed of the Plague and were all buried in one Grave probably in this place under this Marble Monument If there be any truth in the Proverb it rather relateth to a great Gun lying in the Tower commonly call'd long Megg and in troublesome times perchance upon ill May day in the raign of King Henry the eighth brought to Westminster where for a good time it continued But this Nut perchance de●…erves not the Cracking Princes EDWARD the first was born in Westminster being a Prince placed by the posture of his nativity betwixt a weak Father and a wilful Son Yet he needed no such advantage for foils to set forth his 〈◊〉 worth He was surnamed Longshanks his step being another mans stride and was very high in stature And though oftimes such who are built four stories high are observed to have little in their cock-loft yet was he a most judicious man in all his undertakings equally wise to plot as valiant to perform and which under Divine Providence was the result of both happy in success at Sea at Land at Home Abroad in VVar in Peace He was so fortunate with his Sword at the beginning of his raign that he awed all his enemies with his Scabbard before the end thereof In a word he was a Prince of so much merit that nothing under a Chronicle can make his compleat Character EDWARD sole ●…on to King Henry the sixth and Margaret his Queen was born at Westminster on the 13 day of Octo. 1453. Now when his Father's party was totally and finally routed in the battail at Teuks-bury this Prince being taken prisoner presented to King Edward the fourth and demanded by him on what design he came over into England returned this answer That he came to recover the Crown which his Ancestos for three desents had no less rightfully then peaceably possessed An answer for the truth befitting the Son of so holy a Father as King Henry the sixth and for the boldness thereof becoming the Son of so haughty a Mother as Queen Margaret But presently King Edward dashed him on the mouth with his 〈◊〉 and his Brother Richard Crook-back stab'd him to the heart with his dagger A barbarous murder without countenance of justice in a legal or valour in a military way And his blood then shed was punished not long after Here I am not ashamed to make this observation That England had successively three Edwards all Princes of Wales sole or eldest sons to actual Kings Two dying violent all untimely deaths in their minority before they were possessed of the Crown viz. 1 Edward Son to Henry 6. stab'd In the Seventeenth years of his age 2 Edward Edward 4. stifled Tenth 3 Edward Richard 3. pined away Eleventh The murder of the second may justly be conceived the punishment of the murder of the first and the untimely death of the last of whom more in Yorkshire a judgement for the murder of the two former EDWARD eldest son of Edward the fourth and Elizabeth his Queen was born in the Sanctuary of Westminster November 4. 1471. His tender years are too soft for a solid character to be fixed on him No hurt we find done by him but too much on him being murthered in the Tower by the procurement of his Unckle Protector Thus was he born in a spiritual and kill'd in a temporal Prison He is commonly called King Edward the fifth though his head was ask'd but never married to the English Crown and therefore in all the Pictures made of him a distance interposed forbiddeth the banes betwixt them ELIZABETH eldest daughter of King Edward the fourth and Elizabeth his Queen was born in Westminster on the eleventh of February 1466. She was afterwards married to King Henry the seventh and so the two Houses of York and Lancaster united first hopefully in their Bed and a●…terwards more happily in their Issue B●…sides her dutifulness to her husband and fruitfulness in her children little can be extracted of her personal character She dyed though not in Child bearing in Child-bed being safely delivered on Candlemas day Anno 1503 of the Lady Katharine and afterwards falling sick languished until the eleventh of February and then died in the thirty seventh year of her age on the day of her nativity She lieth buried with her husband in the Chappel of his erection and hath an equal share with him in the use and honour of that his most magnificent monument CECILY second daughter to King Edward the fourth by Elizabeth his Queen bearing the name of Cecily Dutchess of York her grand mother and god mother was born at Westminster In her Child-hood mention was made of a marriage betwixt her and James son to James the third Prince of Scotland But that Motion died with her father Heaven wherein marriages are made reserving that place for Margaret her eldest sisters eldest daughter She long led a single life but little respected of King Henry the seventh her brother in law That politick King knowing that if he had none or no surviving Issue by his Queen then the right of the Crown rested in this Cecily sought to suppress her from popularity or any publick appearance He neither preferred her to any 〈◊〉 Prince nor disposed of her to any prime Peer of England till at last this Lady wedded her self to a Linconshire Lord John Baron Wells whom King Henry advanced Viscount and no higher After his death my Author saith she was re-married not mentioning her husbands name
him renow'd throughout the Christian world Yet such the bafeness and ingratitude of the French that concluding a Peace with O. C. the Usurper of England they wholy forgot his former services and consented to the expulsion of this Prince and his royal brothers out of that Kingdome 〈◊〉 valour cannot long lye neglected soon was he courted by Don John de Austria into Flanders where in the action at Dunkirk he far surpassed his former deeds often forgetting that he was a Prince to shew himself a true souldier such his hazarding his person really worth ten thousand of them to the great molestation of his true friends Since God out of his infinite love to the English hath safely returned this Duke to his native Country where that he may long live to be the joy and delight of the whole Nation I shall constantly beg of God in my daily devotions ELIZABETH second daughter of King Charles the first and Queen Mary was born at Saint James's Anno 1635. on the 28. day of December She proved a Lady of parts above her age the quickness of her mind making recompence for the weakness of her body For the remainder of her life I will my hold peace and listen to my good friend Master John Buroughs thus expressing himself in a letter unto me The Princess Elizabeth with her Brother Henry Duke of Glocester being by order of parliament to be removed to Carisbroke-castle in the Isle of Wight where his Most Excellent Maiesty was lately a Prisoner were accordingly received by Mr. Anthony Mild may from the Earl and Countess of Leceister at Penshurst in Kent and began their unwilling journey on Friday 9. of August 1650. On the 16. of the same Month they were first lodged in Carisbroke-castle aforesaid The Princess being of a melancholy temper as affected above her age with the sad condition of her Family fell sick about the beginning of September following and continu●… 〈◊〉 for three or four days having onely the Advise of Doctor Bignall a worthy and able 〈◊〉 of Newport After very many rare ejaculatory expressions abundantly demonstrating her unparalelled Piety to the eternal honour of her own memory and the astonishment of those who waited on her she took leave of the world on Sunday the eighth of the same September Her body being embalmed was carefully disposed of in a Coffin of Lead and on the four 〈◊〉 twentieth of the said Month was brought in a Borrowed Coach from the Castle to the Town of Newport attended thither with her few late Servants At the end of the 〈◊〉 the Corps were met and waited on by the Mayor and Aldermen thereof in their formalities to the Church where about the middle of the East part of the Chancel in Saint Thomas 〈◊〉 Chappel her Highness was interr'd in a small Vault purposely made with an Inscription of the date of her death engraved on her Coffin The 〈◊〉 of Norway where a Winters day is hardly an hour of clear light are the 〈◊〉 of wing of any Foul under the firmament nature teaching them to bestir themselves to lengthen the shortness of the time with their swiftness Such the active piety of this Lady improving the little life alloted her in running the way of Gods Commande●… 〈◊〉 third daughter to King Charles the first and Queen Mary was born at 〈◊〉 James's March 17. Anno Domini 1637. She was a very pregnant Lady above 〈◊〉 and died in her infancy when not full four years old Being minded by those 〈◊〉 her to call upon God even when the pangs of death were upon her I am not able saith she to say my long prayer meaning the Lords-prayer but I will say my short one Lighten mine eyes O Lord lest I sleep the sleep of death this done the little lamb gave up the ghost KATHARINE fourth daughter to King Charles the first and Queen Mary was born at White hall the Queen-Mother then being at Saint James's and survived not above half an hour after her baptizing So that it is charity to mention her whose memory is likely to be lost so short her continuance in this life The rather because her name is not entred as it ought into the Register of Saint Martins in the fields as indeed none of the Kings children save Prince Charles though they were born in that Parish And hereupon a story depends I am credibly informed that at the birth of every child of the King born at Whitehall or Saint James's full five pounds were ever faithfully paid to some unfaithful receivers thereof to record the names of such children in the Register of Saint Martins But the money being emb●…iled we know by some God knows by whom no memorial is entred of them Sad that bounty should betray any to such baseness and that which was intended to make them the more solemnly remembred should occasion that they should be more silently forgotten Say not let the children of mean persons be written down in Registers Kings children are Registers to themselves or all England is a Register to them For sure I am this common confidence hath been the cause that we have been so often at a loss about the nativities and other properties of those of Royal extraction CHARLES STUART son to the Illustrious James Stuart Duke of York by Anne daughter to the Right Honourable Edward Hide Earl of Clarendon and Lord Chancellour of England and Frances his Lady descended of the Ancient Family of the Aylesburies High-sheriffs for many years together of Bedford and Buckinghamshire in the reign of King Edward the second and third was born at worcester-Worcester-house 22. day of October 1660. and christened by the Right Reverend Father in God Gilbert L. Bishop of London his Majesty and George Duke of Albemarle being his God-fathers and Mary the Queen-mother his God-mother He was declared Duke of Cambridge a title which to the great honour of that University for these four hundred years hath been onely conferred either on forraign Princes or persons of the Royal Bloud This Princely infant dyed May 5. 1661. Saints Saint WULSY being a man reputed when living and reported when dead of great vertue and innocency Was by Saint Dunstan created the first Abbot of Westminster where he lived many years very exemplary for his conversation untill his death which happened Anno Dom. 960. Then was his body buried in the same Monastery and the 26. day of September was kept by the Citizens of London with great Veneration of his miracle-working memory Martyrs I meet with none in this City and in my mean Judgment it is most observable that London having two Pages as I may term them attending it viz. Westminster and Southwark both joyned to it in buildings should be so different from it in condition in London we have no room to hold Martyrs in the other two no Martyrs to take up any room Inquiring the cause thereof we find these three places though contiguous not to say
five parts which were used in Cathedrals many years after his death the certain date whereof I cannot attain JOHN DOULAND was as I have most cause to believe born in this City sure I am he had his longest life and best livelyhood therein being Servant in the Chappel to Queen Elizabeth and King James He was the rarest Musician that his Age did behold Having travailed beyond the Seas and compounded English with Forreign Skill in that faculty it is questionable whether he excell'd in Vocal or Instrumental Musick A chearful Person he was passing his days in lawful meriment truly answering the Anagram made of him JOHANNES DOULANDUS ANNOS LUDENDO HAUSI Christian the fourth K. of Denmark coming over into England requested him of K. James who unwillingly willing parted with him Many years he lived as I am credibly informed in the Danish Court in great favour and plenty generally imployed to entertain such English Persons of quality as came thither I cannot confidently avouch his death at Denmark but believe it more probably then their assertion who report him returned and dying in England about the year 1615. Benefactors to the Publique JAMES PALMER B. D. was born in this City and bred in Magdalen-colledge in Cambridge The Company of Carpenters in London gave him an exhibition towards his maintenance there or lent it him rather For since his bounty hath repaid them the Principle with plentiful consideration He was afterwards for many years the constant Preacher of Saint Bridgets in Fleetstreet the onely Church preferment he enjoyed I perceive thus craft and cruelty may raise a quick and great but plain frugallity especially if vivacious will advance a better and surer estate Though sequestred in these times what he had formerly gained in his place he hath since bestowed in building and endowing over against the New Chappel in Westminster a fair Almes-house for twelve poor people besides this many and great have his gifts been to Ministers poor widdows and wonder not Reader if they be unknown to me which were unknown to his own left-hand all this he did in his life time O it giveth the best light when one carrieth his Lant-horn before him The surest way that ones Will shall be performed is to see it performed Yea I may say that his poor people in his Almes-house are in some sort provided for not onely from head to foot but also from body to soul he constantly preaching to them twice a week He dyed Anno 1659. Memorable Persons EDMOND DOUBLEDAY Esquire was of a tall and proper person and lived in this City Nor had this large case a little jewell this long body a lazy soul whose activity and valour was adequate to his strength and greatness whereof he gave this eminent testimony When Sir Thomas Knevet was sent November 4. 1605. by King James to search the Cellar beneath the parliament-Parliament-house with very few for the more privacy to attend him he took Master Doubleday with him Here they found Gui Faux with his dark-lant-horn in the dead of the night providing for the death of many the next morning He was newly come out of the Divels Closset so I may fitly term the inward room where the powder lay and the train was to be laid into the outward part of the Cellar Faux beginning to bussel Master Doubleday instantly ordered him at his pleasure up with his heels and there with the Traytor lay the Treason flat along the floor by Gods goodness detected defeated Faux vowed and though he was a false Traitor herein I do believe him that had he been in the inner room he would have blown up himself and all the company therein Thus it is pleasant musick to hear disarmed malice threaten when it cannot strike Master Doubleday lived many years after deservedly loved and respected and died about the year of our Lord 1618. The Farewell Seeing the well-being yea being of this City consisteth in the Kings Court and in the Courts of Justice I congratulate the happy return of the one praying for the long continuance of the other yea may the Lawyers in Westminster-hall never again plead in their Armour as they did in the time of Wyats rebellion but in their peaceable Gowns and Legal Formalities Nor doth this Wish onely extend to the Weal of Westminster but all England For no such dearth in a Land as what is caused from a drought of Justice therein For if judgement do not run down as Waters and righteousness as a mighty Stream Injustice like an Ocean will drown all with its inundation NOR FOLK hath the German Ocean on the North and East thereof Suffolk severed by the river Waveny on the South-side Cambridge-shire parted by the river Ouse and a small part of Lincoln shire on the West it extendeth full 50. miles from East to West but from North to South stretcheth not above thirty miles All England may be carved out of Norfolk represented therein not onely to the kind but degree thereof Here are Fens and Heaths and Light and Deep and Sand and Clay-ground and Meddows and Pasture and Arable and Woody and generally woodless land so gratefull is this Shire with the variety thereof Thus as in many men though perchance this or that part may justly be cavelled at yet all put together complete a proper person so Norfolk collectively taken hath a sufficient result of pleasure and profit that being supplied in one part which is defective in another This County hath the most Churches of any in England six hundred and sixty and though the poorest Livings yet by some occult quallity of their good husbandry and Gods blessing thereon the richest Clergy-men Nor can there be given a greater demonstration of the wealth and populousness of this County than that in the late Act for an Assessment upon England at the rate of sixty thousand pounds by the Month for three Months Norfolk with the City of Norwich is rated at three thousand two hundred sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence the highest proportion of any Shire in England And though Norfolk hath little cause to please and less to pride it self in so dear purchased pre-eminence yet it cannot but account it a credit to see it self not undervalued Natural Commodities It shareth plentifully in all English Commodities and aboundeth with the best and most Rabbits These are an Army of natural Pioners whence men have learned cuniculos agere the Art of undermining They thrive best on barren ground and grow fattest in the hardest frosts Their flesh is fine and wholesome If Scotish-men tax our language as improper and smile at our wing of a Rabbit let us laugh at their shoulder of a Capon Their skins were formerly much used when furs were in fashion till of late our Citizens of Romans are turned Grecians have laid down their grave gowns and took up their light cloaks men generally disliking all habits though emblemes of honour if also badges of age Their rich
Admirals and which Sir Clement used during his life on Festivals and at his death bequeathed them to his family for a monument He received divers wounds and was left for dead at Muscleburough-field in Scotland When Sir Thomas VVyat in the reign of Queen Mary was worsted at Ludgate and desired for the more civil usage to render himself to a Gentleman he submitted himself saith our Historian to Sir Clement Paston He served at New-haven having command of some ships of Queen Elizabeth and was pensioner to two Kings and two Queens successively So rare was his happiness that he spent his old age honourably quietly and in good house-keeping in this County where at Oxnit he built a goodly house for hospitality and a hospital hard by for six poor serving-men retainers to his name and family allowing them convenient maintenance He died Anno Domini 15. and lieth buried in a fair tombe in the Church at Oxnit Seamen No County in England doth carry a top and top gallant more high in Maritime performances then Norfolk Witness the proportion of Yarmouth alone in the ensuing Catalogue of Ships used by King Edward the third against Calis The South-fleet Ships 493. The North-fleet Ships 217. Ships of London 25. Ships of Yarmouth 43. The Mariners thereof 9630. The Mariners thereof 4521. Mariners of London 662. Mariners of Yarmouth 1950. or 1075. Know Reader I cannot with all my diligence and interest recover the Original of this Catalogue as extant not in the Tower where by my friends favour I could do something but in the Kings great VVardrobe in London out of which it is cited by our Author But our times I fear have brushed it away with the rest of the VVardrobe However give me leave to make some Annotations thereon 1. These Ships as by their great number appeareth were small vessels Yet as good as any in that age of England and better witness their victories then any in France 2. The Proportion may seem strange that Yarmouth should afford well nigh twice as many Ships and Mariners as London it self 3. Except it was that the King spared London at this time as the sure reserve for his Navy on all occasions 4. Or except there be a mistake in the numbers figures in Writing as well as figures in Rethorick may with a small dash have their Meiosis made an Hyperbole And the various Lections in the Mariners of Yarmouth doth something shake though not shatter the credit of the account 5. The numbers may be very true Yarmouth in that age being so populous a place that though but one Parish a lamentable Plague in one year did sweep thence 7000 men to the grave Thus though the Church and that very large could never hold their Living the Church yard could contain the Dead Seeing persons alive will not be pressed in their Pews so close as Corps may be crowded together in their Graves But let us proceed to the particular Sea men of this County and let none be offended if a Frier be put in the front before all the rest viz. NICHOLAS of LYNNE born in that Town bred in Oxford and is generally accounted a Franciscan Frier But my Author being a Carmelite himself makes him one of his own Order And all acknowledge him an excellent Musician Mathematician and Astrologer It is reported of him how in the year 1330. being the thirty year of the reign of King Edward the third he sailed with others to the most Northern Islands in the world Then leaving his company and taking his Astrolabe he by the help of Art-Magick so Mathematicians are nick-named by the ignorant went as far as the Pole it self where he discovered four In-draughts of the Ocean from the four opposite Quarters of the World from which many did conceive as well the flowing of the Sea as blasts of the Winds to have their Original Were these things true and had they been known to the Ancients as it would have spared Philosophers much pains in disputing the Moon the cause of the Motion of the Tide in the Sea so had it spoiled Virgil his fancy in making the Country of Aeolia the onely Magazene of the winds Sure I am Gerardus Mercator hath so graced the fancy of this Frier that he made his description of the Countries about the Artick Pole conformable to this his imaginary discovery preferring to fill that his Map with a Fiction then otherwise to leave it altogether empty But the other Parts of his book have more solid and substantial truths ór else weak were the Shoulders of his Atlas to support the world therewith But to return to Frier Nicholas One tells us he wrote a book of his discoveries and intituled it Inventio Fortunata Sure it is he was highly honoured by our learned * Chaucer witness his testimony of him styling Freere N. Linne A reverend Clerk But all his learning could not sence him from death which happened about the year 1360. and he was buried in Linne the Town of his nativity PETER READ what he was his ensuing Epitaph on his Monument in the South-Isle in Saint Peter's Church in Norwich will fully acquaint you Here under lieth the Corps of Peter Read Esquire who hath worthily served not onely his Prince and Country but also the Emperour Charles the fifth both at his Conquest of Barbary and his Siege at Tunis as also in other places Who had given him by the said Emperour for his valiant deeds the order of Barbary Who died the 29. day of December in the year of our Lord God 1566. We place him among Sea men because finding first his mention in Hakluit's voyages and Salt-water is the proper Element of the Pen of that Author Secondly because his service was performed at Tunis a Port-town in a Sea expedition Now although we confess it follows not that he was born in or about Norwich because buried therein Vast oftimes the distance betwixt the Cradles and Coffins of far-travaillers yet let none dislike his placing here but such who can disprove it and depose the negative that elsewhere he had his nativity It is observable that this Sir Peter Kinghted by the Emperour as appears in his Epitaph let me adde Anno 1538. is onely styled not less modestly then truly Esq. upon his Monument I confess some maintain that though higher honours Baron Count c. are onely local to be owned by the person receiving them in that place where they are given him Yet that Knighthood given by a Sovereign Prince is universal and passeth currant through all Christendome But others their equals as stifly deny it and one who is their superior I mean Queen Elizabeth who in the case of Count Arundle would not admit of any forreign honour conferred on her Subjects avowing that her sheep should onely be known by her own Mark Writers JOHN BACONTHORPE was born in a Village so called in this County bred a Carmelite in the
22 Tho. Barney ar ut prius   Queen ELIZABETH 18 DRUGO DRURY Arm. This Sir Dru being afterwards Knighted was joyned in Commission with Sir Amias Paulet to keep Mary Queen of Scots and discharged his dangerous trust therein It moveth me not that I find both these Knights branded for Puritans being confident that Nick-name in relation to them both was first pronounced through a Popish mouth causlesly offended at their Religion King CHARLES 5 ROGER TOWNSEND Baronet He was a religious Gentleman expending his soul in piety and charity a lover of God his Service and Servants A grave Divine saith most truly that incroachments on the Church are like breaches of the Seas a thousand to one if they ever return But this worthy Knight may be said to have turn'd the tide restoring Impropriations to the Church to some hundreds in yearly valuation He married Mary daughter and co-heir of Horatio Lord Vere of Tilbury by whom he had Sir Horace who for his worth was deservedly Created a Baron at the Coronation of King Charles the second The Farewell And now being to take my leave of this County I wish the inhabitants thereof may make good use of their so many Churches and cross that pestilent Proverb The nigher to the Church the farther from God substituting another which will be a happy change in the room thereof viz. The more the Churches the more sincere the Devotion NORWICH is as you please either a City in an Orchard or an Orchard in a City so equally are Houses and Trees blendid in it so that the pleasure of the Country and populousness of the City meet here together Yet in this mixture the inhabitants participate nothing of the rusticalness of the one but altogether of the urbanity and civility of the other Natural Commodities Flowers The Dutch brought hither with them not onely their profitable crafts but pleasurable cur●…osities They were the first who advanced the use and reputation of Flowers in this City A Flower is the best complexioned grass as a Pearl is the best coloured clay and daily it weareth Gods Livery for He cloatheth the Grass in the Field Solomon himself is out-braved therewith as whose gallantry onely was adopted and on him their 's innate and in them In the morning when it groweth up it is a Lecture of Divine Providence In the evening when it is cut down withered it is a Lecture of Humane Mortality Single flowers are observed much sweeter then the double ones poor may be more fragrant in Gods nostrils then the rich and let Florists assign the cause thereof whether because the Sun doth not so much dry the Intricacies of such flowers which are Duplicated Great the Art in meliorating of flowers and the Rose of Roses Rosa Mundi had its first being in this City As Jacob used an ingenious invention to make Laban's cattle speckled or ring-straked so much the skil in making Tulips feathered and variegated with stripes of divers colours In my judgement those flowers carry it clearly which acquit themselves to a double sense sight and smel for though in some thing it may be true Optime quae minime olent yet in flowers besides a negation of an ill the position of a good sent is justly required Manufactures Stuffs It is an ill wind which bloweth no man good even Storms bring VVrecks to the Admiral The cruelty of Duke D'Alva as it blew the Dutch out off their own brought them into this City and with them their Manufactures which the English quickly learned from them until Norwich became the Staple of such Commodities for the whole Land For the nimble wooffe its artificial dancing in several postures about the standing warpe produceth infinite varieties in this kind Expect not I should reckon up their several names because daily increasing and many of them are binominous as which when they begin to tire in sale are quickned with a new name In my child-hood there was one called Stand-far-of the embleme of Hypocrisie which seemed pretty at competent distance but discovered its coursness when nearer to the eye Also Perpetuano so called from the lasting thereof though but a counterfeit of the cloaths of the Israelites which endured in the VVillderness 40. years Satinisco Bombicino Italiano c. Comineus saith that a Favorite must have an handsome name which his Prince may easily call on all occasions so a pretty pleasing name complying with the Byers fancy much befriendeth a Stuffe in the sale thereof By these means Norwich hath beaten Sudbury out of distance in the race of Trading Indeed in the starting the South having the better of the North and Bury or City being before VVich or Vicus a Village Sudbury had the advantage but now Norwich is come first to their Mark The Buildings The Cathedral therein is large and spacious though the roof in the Cloysters be most commended When some twenty years since I was there the top of the Steeple was blown down and an Officer of the Churce told me That the wind had done them much wrong but they meant not to put it up whether the wrong or the steeple he did not declare Amongst private houses the Duke of Norfolks palace is the greatest I ever saw in a City out of London Here a covered Bowling-alley the first I believe of that kind in England on the same token that when Thomas last Duke of Norfolk was taxed for aspiring by marriage of the Q to the Crown of Scotland he protested to Queen Elizabeth that when he was in his Bowling-alley at Norwich he accounted himself as a King in Scotland As for the Bishops Palace it was formerly a very fair structure but lately unleaded and new covered with tyle by the purchasers thereof Whereon a wag not unwittily Thus Palaces are altered we saw John Leyden now Wat Tyler next Jack Straw Indeed there be many thatch'd houses in the City so that Luther if summoned by the Emperour to appear in this place would have altered his expression and said instead of Tyles of the house that if every Straw on the roof of the houses were a Divel notwithstanding he would make his appearance However such thatch is so artificially done even sometimes on their Chancels that it is no eye-sore at all to the City Physicians JOHN GOSLIN born in this City was first Fellow and afterwards Master of Caius-colledge in Cambridge Proctor of the University and twice Vice-chancellour thereof a general Scholar eloquent Latinist a rare Physician in which faculty he was Regius Professor A strict man in keeping and Magistrate in pressing the Statutes of Colledge and University and a severe punisher of the infringers thereof And here courteous Reader let me insert this pleasant passage seeing Cato himself may sometimes smile without offence I remember when this Doctor was last Vice-chancellour it was highly penal for any Scholar to appear in boots as having more of the Gallant then Civil Student therein
Now a Scholar undertook for a small wager much beneath the penalty to address himself ocreated unto the Vice-chancellour which was beheld by others as a desperate adventure Carrying his state in his Urinal he craved his advise for an hereditary numness in his legs and something of truth therein which made him in his habite to trespass on the Universities Statutes to keep them warme The Vicechancellour pitying instead of pun●…shing him prefcribed him his best receipts and so by this fraus honesta he effected his desires This Doctor was a worthy Benefactour to Katharine-hall to which he had no relalion save what his bounty created bestowing thereon the fair Bull-inn of considerable value If he who giveth a nights lodging to a servant of God shall not lose his reward certainly he that bestoweth Inn and all upon the sons of the Prophets shall find full compensation The rather because that Hall pent formerly for lack of ground and complaining with the sons of the Prophets the place where we dwell is too strait for us may now say with Isaac The Lord hath made room for us by this convenient addition He died in his Vice-chancellour ship Anno 1625. JOHN CAIUS born in this City son to Robert Caius was bred Fellow in Gonvile hall in Cambridge Hence he travailed into Italy where he studied much and wrote several learned Treatises Returned home became Physician to Queen Mary and improved Gunvile-hall into a Colledge He bestowed good land on erected fair buildings in bequeathed thrifty statutes to produced a proper Coat of Arms for and imposed a new name on this Foundation Gonvile and Caius Colledge He wrote an excellent book of the Antiquity of Cambridge When King James passed thorough this Colledge the Master thereof presented him A Caius de antiquate Cantabridgiae fairly bound to whom the King said What shall I do with this book give me rather Caius de Canibus a work of the same Author very highly praised but very hardly procured Few men might have had a longer none ever had a shorter Epitaph FUI CAIUS Writers since the Reformation ROBERT WATSON born in this City was excellently well skilled in the Laws and saith Bale à Dispensatione sive Administratione domesticâ English it as you please to Arcsh-bishop Cranmer Being imprisoned for his Religion he often disputed during his Restraint with several Papists concerning Transubstantiation and at length having gained his enlargement wrote a Treatise in elegant Latine dedicating the same to such who with him suffered banishment for their Religion wherein he relateth the accidents of his life I cannot attain to any certainty in the date of his death Benefactors to the Publique WILLIAM BAITMAN was born in this City bred in Cambridge and afterwards became first Arch-deacon and then by King Edward the third made Bishop of this his Native See One of an high spirit to maintain the profit and priviledges of his place and I charitably presume him watchful over his sheep souls subjected to his charge because he was so careful of his Deer for the stealing whereof he enjoyned penance to Robert Lord Morley and making him perform them in the Cathedral of Norwich notwithstanding the Kings threatning Letters to the contrary This Prelate in his travails beyond the Seas perceiving that our English Common-law was Out-lawed in those parts and apprehending the absolute necessity that the English should have skill in the Cannon and Civil-laws for the managing of foreign Negotiations erected a Colledge in Cambridge called Trinity-hall for the Study thereof As he was Father to Trinity he was Foster-father to Gonvil-hall in the same University removing it to a more convenient place building and setling the Revenues thereof according to the Will of the Founder King Edward the third resolving to follow his Title to the Crown of France sent this Bishop to the Pope to acquaint him with his intentions in which Embassage he died at Avenion 1354. Since the Reformation THOMAS LEGG was born in this City bred first Fellow in Trinity then Jesus-colledge in Cambridge until he was chosen by Doctor Caius then surviving the nineteenth Master of Gonvil-hall and the second of Gonvil and Caius-colledge He was Doctor of the Law and Arches one of the Masters of the Chancery twice Vice-chancellour of the University and thirty four years Master of his Colledge therein There needeth no other testimony for to avouch his great learning then the Character given him by J. Lipsius in his hitherto unprinted Epistle In Antiquitatis studio tam egregie versatus es ut id de Teipso potes quod de se Apollo Enni A me omnes Cantabrigienses consilium expetunt in literis incerti quos ego mea ope ex incertis certos compotesque consilii dimitto This Doctor though himself a serious man used to recreate himself with delightful studies observing gravity in his very pleasures He composed a Tragedy of the Destruction of Jerusalem and having at last refined it to the purity of the Publique Standard some Plageary filched it from him just as it was to be acted He formerly had made a Tragedy of the life of King Richard the third presented with great Applause Queen Elizabeth I suppose being a beholder thereof in Saint Johns-colledge-hall On the same token that John Palmer afterwards Dean of Peterburough who acted King Richard therein had his head so possest with a Princelike humor that ever after he did what then he acted in his Prodigal Expences so that the Cost of a Sovereign ill befiting the Purse of a Subject he died Poor in Prison notwithstanding his great preferment Great the bounty of Doctor Legg unto his Colledge bequeathing 600. pounds for the building the East-part thereof besides several lesser liberalities Yea be it remembred that after Thomas Bacon fifteenth Master of the Colledge had been a Malefactour thereunto leaving it much indebted the four succeeding Masters ill examples avoided do good Doctor Caius Legg Branthwaite Gosling all natives of Norwich were signall Benefactours though Masters of but Stewards for the House making it for the main their Heir at their decease Doctor Legg died July 12. 1607. in the 72. year of his age The Farewell I heartily wish that this City may long flourish in its full lustre In tendency whereunto may the Thatch of all their houses by Divine Providence be effectually secured from the merciless Element of fire as which knoweth not to be a King but must be a Tyrant whose furious raging is seldome bounded unless by the want of fewel to feed on Yea may their Straw in due time advance into Tyle that thereby their houses may for the future be better fenced against an other Element I mean the injury of Wind and Rain NORTHAMPTON-SHIRE being a long narrow Inland County is stretched from North-east to South-west and bordereth on more Counties then any other in England being nine in number viz. On the East On the West On the North.
lost his life for the house of Lancaster and Petitioned King Edward to take off the sequestration from her Joynter Beauty is a good solicitress of an equal sute especially where youth is to be the judge thereof The King fell much inamored with her feature whilst the Lady put her self into a chast posture and kept a discreet distance neither forward to accept nor froward to decline his favonr She confessed her self too worthless to be his wife yet pleaded too worthy to be his wanton till at last the King was content to take her upon her own terms though a widow and his Subject She got more greatness then joy height then happiness by her marriage her husband keeping company with others for his pleasure her for posterity Nor was it long before the tempest of his lust drave him to another Shore which had a greater share in his affections This Lady liv'd to see the death of her husdand murder of her two sons restraint of her self and rest of her children And though her condition was altered and bettered by the marriage of her eldest daughter to King Henry the seventh yet that cunning King who always weighed his love in the ballance of policy was not over dutiful to her nor over-loving to her daughter She dyed Anno Domini 14 ... But her memory is most remarkable to posterity for finishing Queens-colledge in Cambridge wherein I had my first breding and for it and all therein shall ever have an unfeigned affection begun by Queen Margaret wife to King Henry the sixth an implacable enemy to her husband so that the two houses of Lancaster and York had their first amity in that Foundation a comfortable presage that in process of time they should be publikely and effectually united RICHARD PLANTAGENET son to Richart Plantagenet Duke of York was born at Fothinghay castle in this County He was somewhat rumpled in his Mothers womb which caused his crooked back otherwise handsome enough for a Soldier Ajax and Ulysses Valour and Eloquence met in his person having as well a tongue to flatter as an arm to fight He compassed the Crown by cruelty and the killing of his Nephews the two Sons of King Edward the fourth When King he made good Laws which never procured him the peoples love as who beheld vice for his native colour and virtue for his painted complexion on design to make himself popular He lost the Crown and his life in the battle of Bosworth where it may be verified of him what Livy saith of Hannibal when beaten by Scipio that in that fight he performed all the offices of a wise General and valiant Souldier onely fortune did not befriend him If any except that King Richard in this battle was too prodigal of his own person engaging it too far for a General his condition did excuse him herein with whom it was all one to dye as too survive Success His memory hath since met with a Modern Pen who hath not onely purged but praised it to the height and pity it is that so able an Advocate had not a more meriting person to his Client He was slain Anno Domini 1435. KATHARINE PAR daughter to Sir Thomas Par and last wife to King Henry the eighth may probably be presumed a Native of this Shire However to prevent cavils we resign her over to Westmerland where God willing we shall meet with her character Saints WERBURGH was daughter to Wolpher Prince of Mercia who had his chief Palace of Residence at Wedon in the Street in this County which place her father bestowed on her for her Portion She was bred a Nun under Saint Audery her Aunt and Abbess at Ely untill such time that she was able of herself to go alone without leading in a Monastical life Returning to Wedon she turned that place which had been her fathers Palase into a Monastery Besides Wedon she had the inspection of two other Monasteries Trekingham in Lincolnshire and Hamburge noted by my Author neer Ely in Cambridgeshire though no such place appear in any modern Maps or Catalogue She parted herself whilst living successively betwixt these three places But on her death-bed commanded her body to be buried at Hamburge when contrary to her Will it was carried to the Monastery of Trekingham and the gates thereof fast locked and carefully watched to keep so great a Treasure Reader if the day be as long with thee when thou readest as it was with me when I wrote the ensuing story time may the better be afforded for the perusal thereof My Author proceeds Eut see a wonder It were well if we could see whereas now by his leave we do but hear it They which were appointed to watch the same fell into a deep sleep so as the people of Hamburge coming in the night for the Body the gates both of the Monastery and Church were opened themselves without mens hands and taking it away without any resistance they interred it at Hamburge as before her death she requested Wonder not they were so ambitious for her body for as Werburgh was her name which by a great Antiquary is interpreted the Keeper or Conserver of a Burgh or Town so all presumed she would prove a Tutelary Patroness to the place which possessed her body seeing some have reported that she hath miraculously driven away all Geese from Wedon that they shall destroy no grain th●…reabout If this be true then as a certain Jupiter amongst the Heathens was called Jupiter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jupiter the flie-flapper who drave away those offensive Insects let this Saint hereafter be termed Werburga 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the chaser away of noisome Geese which spoil grain grass and water where they come She died Anno Domini 675. her body was afterwards taken up and translated to Chester where Hugh Lupus somewhat after the Conquest built the fair Monastery of Saint Werburghs to her memory converted into a Cathedral by King Henry the eight Martyrs This County affordeth no Marian Martyrs thanks be to a good and Gracious God a meek and moderate man David Pool Bishop of Peterburough whom I here mention the more willingly not knowing where to fix his Nativity However Unus Homo nobis One Martyr we had not chargable on the Bishop but his bloudy Arch-Deacons account John Gurd of Syrsam a Shoo-maker burnt in Northampton As for Augustine Dudley Parson of Castor though some of his familly credibly informed me that he was Martyred yet on enquiry his fufferings amounted not to loss of life and therefore the less wonder that they escaped the drag-net of Master Fox's diligence Cardinals HENRY CHICHLEY was born at Higham Ferrers in this County and by the Author of Antiquitates Britanicae is avouched made Cardinal by the title of Saint Eusebius But because this appeareth not in his Epitaph on his Tombe wherein an exact inventory of all his dignities the truth thereof is
he was condemned for siding with Queen Jane but pardoned his life and restored to his lands as by Queen Elizabeth to his honour Much was he given to Musick and Poetry and wanted not personal valour not unskillful though unsuccessful in Military Conduct as in the imployment against Ket He died Anno Domini 1571. without Issue Queen MARY 1 THOMAS TRESSAM Mil. He was a person of great command in this County and was zealous against the Court Faction in proclaiming and promoting Q. Mary to the Crown She therefore in gratitude made him the first and last Lord Prior of the re-erected Order of Saint Johns of Jerusalem Dying without Issue and being buried in Rushton Church his large lands descended to his Kinsman and Heir Thomas Tressam of whom hereafter Queen ELIZABETH 6 EDMUND BRUDENELL Arm. This is that worthy person of whom afterwards Knighted Master Camden entereth this honorable memorial Equibus Edmundus Brudenel Eques auratus non ita pridem defunctus venerandae antiquitatis summis fuit cultor admirator He may seem to have entailed his learned and liberal inclinations and abilities on his though not son heir Thomas Lord Brudenell of Stoughton then whom none of our Nobility more able in the English Antiquities 15 THOMAS TRESSAM Arm. The Queen Knighted him in the 18. year of her reign at Kenelworth Hard to say whether greater his delight or skill in buildings though more forward in beginning then fortunate in finishing his fabricks Amongst which the Market-house at Rothwell adorned with the armes of the Gentry of the County was highly commendable Having many daughters and being a great house-keeper he matched most of them into Honorable the rest of them into Worshipful and Wealthy Families He was zealous in the Romish perswasion though as yet not convicted which afterwards cost him a long confinement in Wisbich-Castle 20 THOMAS CECILL Mil. He was eldest son to Sir William Cecill then Baron of Burghley who would not have him by favour excused from serving his Country He afterwards was Earl of Exeter and married Dorothy one of the Co-heirs of the Lord Latimer These joyntly bestowed one hundred and eight pounds per annum on Clare-hall in Cambridge 24 THOMAS ANDREWS Arm. He attended the Execution of the Queen of Scots at Fotheringhay-Castle demeaning himself with much gravity to his great commendation 34 ANTHONY MILEMAY Esq. He was son to Sir Walter Privy-Councellor and Founder of Emanuel-colledge this Anthony was by Queen Elizabeth Knighted and sent over into France on an Embassy upon the same token he was at Geneva the same time Reader I have it from uncontrolable intelligence when Theodore Beza their Minister was convented before their Consistory and publiquely checqu'd for peaching too eloquently He pleaded that what they called eloquence in him was not affected but natural and promised to endeavour more plainness for the future Sir Anthony by Grace Co-heir to Sir Henry Sherington had one daughter Mary married to Sir Francis Fane afterwards Earl of Westmerland 43 ROBERT SPENCER Mil. He was the fifth Knight of his Family in an immediate succession well allied and extracted being a branch descended from the Spencers Earls of Gloucester and Winchester By King James in the first of his reign he was Created Baron Spencer of VVormeleiton in the County of VVarwick He was a good Patriot of a quick and clear spirit as by one passage may appear Speaking in Parliament of the valour of their English ancestors in defending the liberties of the Nation Your ancestours said the Earl of Arundel were keeping of sheep that Lord and his predecessours being known for the greatest Sheep-masters in England when those liberties were defended If they were in keeping of sheep return'd the other Yours were then in plotting of Treason Whose animosities for the present cost both of them a confinement yet so that afterwards the Upper House Ordered reparations to this Lord Spencer as first and causelesly provoked This Lord was also he who in the first of King James was sent with Sir VVilliam Dethick principal King of Armes to Frederick Duke of VVirtenberge elected into the Order of the Garter to present and invest him with the robes and ornaments thereof which were accordingly with great solemnity performed in the Cathedral of Studgard King JAMES 2 ARTHUR THROGKMORTON Mil. He was son to that eminent Knight Sir Nicholas Throgkmorton of whom in VVarwick shire and his Sister was married to Sir VValter Raleigh This Sir Arthur was a most ingenious Gentleman and dying without Issue-male his large estate was parted amongst his four daughters married to the Lord Dacres the Lord VVotton Sir Peter Temple of Stow Baronet and Sir Edward Partridge 3 JOHN FREEMAN Arm. He died without Issue and was a most bountiful Benefactour to Clare hall in Cambridge giving two thousand pounds to the founding of Fellowships and Scholarships therein 12 WILLIAM WILLMER Arm. He was the first Pensioner as Doctor James Mountague the first Master and Sir John Brewerton first Scholar of the House in Sidney-colledge being all three of them but in several proportions Benefactours to that Foundation 22 WILLIAM CHAUNCY Mil. These have been very but I know not how antient in this County but far antienter in Yorkshire For I meet with this Inscriptiou on a Monument at Sabridgeworth in Hertfordshire Hic jacent Johannes Chancy Ar. filius heres Johannis Chancy Ar. filii heredis Willielmi Chancy Mil. quondam Baronis de Shorpenbek in Com. Ebor. Anna uxor ejus una filiarum Johannis Leventhorpe Ar. qui quidem Johannes obiit VII Maii MCCCCLXXIX Annaii Decemb. MCCCCLXXVII quorum animabus It appeareth to me by a well proved pedegree that Henry Chancy Esq. of Yardlebury in Hertfordshire is the direct descendant from the aforesaid John Chancy whose Epitaph we have inserted King CHARLES 7 JOHN HEWET Baronet He had not one foot of land nor house hiring Hemington of the Lord Mountague in the whole County though several Statutes have provided that the Sheriffe should have sufficient land in the same Shire to answer the King and his people The best is this Baronet had a very fair estate elsewhere And as our English proverb saith VVhat is lost in the Hundred will be found in the Shire so what was lost in the Shire would be found in the Land However this was generally beheld as an injury that because he had offended a great Courtier the Sherivalty was by power imposed upon him The Farewell The worst I wish this my Native County is that Nine a River which some will have so term'd from Nine Tributary Rivolets were Ten I mean made navigable from Peterburg to Northampton A design which hath always met with many back-friends as private profit is though a secret a Sworn enemy to the general good Sure I am the Hollanders the best copy of thrift in Christendome teach their little ditches to bear Boats Not that their waters are more docible
their Consciences As wise as a man of Gotham It passeth publickly for the Periphrasis of a Fool and an hundred Fopperies are feigned and fathered on the Town-folk of Gotham a Village in this County Here two things may be observed 1. Men in all Ages have made themselves merry with singling out some place and fixing the staple of stupidity and stolidity therein Thus the Phrygians were accounted the fools of all Asia and the Anvils of other mens wits to work upon serò sapiunt Phryges Phryx nisi ictus non sapit In Grecia take a single City and then Abdera in Thracia carried it away for Dull-heads Abderitanae pectora plebis habes But for a whole Countrey commend us to the Boetians for Block-heads and Baeotium ingcnium is notoriously known In Germany auris Baetava is taken by the Poet for a dull Ear which hath no skill in witty conceits 2. These places thus generally sleighted and scoffed at afforded some as witty and wise persons as the world produced Thus Plutarch himself saith Erasmus was a Baeotian and Erasmus a Batavian or Hollander and therefore his own copy-hold being touch'd in the Proverb he expoundeth auris Batava a grave and severe Ear. But to return to Gotham it doth breed as wise people as any which causelesly laugh at their simplicity Sure I am Mr. William de Gotham fifth Master of Michael-house in Cambridge Anno 1336. and twice Chancellor of the University was as grave a Governor as that Age did afford And Gotham is a goodly large Lordship where the ancient and right well respected Family of St. Andrews have flourished some hundreds of years till of late the name is extinct in and lands divided betwixt Female co-heirs matched unto very worshipful persons The little Smith of Nottingham Who doth the work that no man can England hath afforded many rare workmen in this kind whereof he may seem an Apprentice to Vulcan and inferiour onely to his Master in making the invisible Net who made a Lock and Key with a Chain of ten links which a Flea could draw But what this little Smith and great workman was and when he lived I know not and have cause to suspect that this of Nottingham is a periphrasis of Nemo Ou T is or a person who never was And the Proverb by way of Sarcasm is applied to such who being conceited of their own skill pretend to the atchieving of impossibilities Martyrs I meet with none within this County either before or in the Marian dayes imputing the later to the mild temper of Nicholas Heath Archbishop of York and Diocesan thereof Yet find we a Martyr though not in this yet of this County as a Native thereof here following THOMAS CRANMER was born at Arse lackton Speed calls it Astackton in this County and being bred in Jesus college in Cambridge became Archbishop of Canterbury and at last after some intermediate failings valiantly suffered for the Truth at Oxford An. Dom. 1556. March 22. Two hungry meals saith our English Proverb makes the third a glutt●…n This may also be inverted Two glutton meals require the third an hungry one fasting being then necessary lest Nature be surcharged If the Reader hath formerly perused Mr. Fox his Acts and Monuments and my Ecclesiastical History Cranmer his story is so largely related in those two books there is danger of his surfet if I should not now be short and sparing therein onely one memorable passage omitted by Mr. Fox and that 's a wonder I must here insert out of an excellent Author After his whole body was reduced into ashes his heart was found intire and untouch'd Which is justly alledged as an argument of his cordial integrity to the truth though fear too much and too often prevailed on his outward actions So that what the Holy Spirit recor●…eth of King Asa was true of him Nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his dayes though good man he was guilty of many and great imperfections The like to this of Cranmer is reported of Zuinglius Quòd cadavere flammis ab hostibus tradito cor exuri non potuerit His foes making this a sign of the obduration and hardness of his heart his friends of the sincerity thereof And thus saith my moderate and learned Author Adeo turbat is odio aut amore animis ut fit in religionis dissensionibus pro se quisque omnia superstitiosè interpretatur Their minds being so disturbed with hatred or love as it comes to pass in dissentions of Religion every one interprets all things superstitiously for his own advantage The best is our Religion wherein it differs from Romish Errors hath better demonstration for the truth thereof than those Topical and Osier accidents lyable to be bent on either side according to mens fancies and affections Prelates since the Reformation WILLIAM CHAPPELL was born at Lexington in this County and bred a Fellow in Christs college in Cambridge where he was remarkable for the strictness of his Conversation No one Tutor in our memory bred more and better Pupils so exact his care in their Education He was a most subtile Disputant equally excellent with the Sword and the Shield to reply or answer He was chosen Provost of Trinity college in Dublin and afterwards Bishop of Corke and Rosse Frighted with the Rebellion in Ireland he came over into England where he rather exchanged than eased his condition such the wofulness of our civil wars He dyed Anno 1649. and parted his Estate almost equally betwixt his own Kindred and distressed Ministers his charity not impairing his duty and his duty not prejudicing his charity Capital Judges Sir JOHN MARKHAM descended of an ancient Family was born at Markham in this County and brought up in the Municipal Law till being Knighted by Edward the Fourth he was made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench in the place of Sir John Fortescue These I may call the two Chief Justices of the Chief Justices for their signal integrity For though the one of them favoured the House of Lancaster the other of York in the Titles to the ●…rown both of them favoured the House of Justice in matters betwixt party and party It happened that Sir Thomas Cooke late Lord Mayor of London one of vast wealth was cast before hand at the Court where the Lord Rivers and the rest of the Queens Kindred had pre-devoured his Estate and was onely for Formalities sake to be condemned in Guild-hall by extraordinary Commissioners in Oyer and Terminer whereof Sir John Markham was not the meanest The Fact for which he was arraigned was for lending money to Margaret the Wife of King Henry the Sixth this he denyed and the single testimony of one Haukins tortured on the Rack was produced against him Judge Markham directed the jury as it was his place and no partiality in point of Law to do to find it onely Misprision of treason whereby Sir Thomas
here or Sea-cole brought hither This minds me of a passage wherein Oxford was much concerned When Shot-over Woods being bestowed by King Charles the First on a Person of Honour were likely to be cut down the University by Letters laboured their preservation wherein this among many other pathetical expressions That Oxford was one of the eyes of the Land and Shot-over Woods the hair of the Eye-lids the loss whereof must needs prejudice the sight with too much moisture flowing therein This retrenched that design'd for the present but in what case those Woods stand at this day is to me unknown Buildings The Colleges in Oxford advantaged by the vicinity of fair Free-stone do for the gen●…rality of their structure carry away the credit from all in Christendom and equal any for the largness of their endowments It is not the least part of Oxfords happiness that a moity of her Founders were Prelates whereas ●…bridge hath but three Episcopal Foundations Peter-house Trinity-hall and Jesus who had an experimental knowledge what belonged to the necessities and conveniences of Scholars and therefore have accommodated them accordingly principally in providing them the patronages of many good Benefices whereby the Fellows of those Colleges are plentifully maintained after their leaving of the University Of the Colleges University is the oldest Pembroke the youngest Christ-church the greatest Lincol●… by many reputed the least Magdalen the neatest Wadham the most uniform New-college the strongest and Jesus college no fault but its unhappiness the poorest and if I knew which was the richest I would not tell seeing concealment in this kind is the safest H●…-college is most proper for Southern Exeter for Western Queens for Northern Brazen-nose for North-western men St. Johns for Londoners Jesus for Wels●…men and at other Colleges almost indifferently for men of all Countries Merton hath been most famous for School-men Corpus Chresti formerly called 〈◊〉 Gollegium for Linguists Christ-church for Poets All-souls for Orators New-college for Civilians Brazen-nose for Disputants Queens college for Metaphysicians 〈◊〉 for a la●…e series of Regius Professor's Magdalen for ancient St. Johns for modern Prelates and all eminent in some one kind or other And if any of these Colleges were transported into forreign parts it would alter its kind or degree at least and presently of a College proceed an University as equal to most and superiour to many 〈◊〉 beyond the Seas Before I conclude with these Colleges I must confess how much I was posed with a passage which I met within the Epistles of Erasmus writing to his familiar friend Lud●…vicus Vives then residing in Oxford in collegio Apum in the College of Bees according to his direction of his Letter I knew all Colleges may metaphorically be rermed the Colleges of Bees wherein the industrious Scholers live under the rule of one Master In which respect St. Hierom advised Rusticus the Monk to busie himself in making Bee-●…ives that from thence he might learn Monasteriorum ordinem Regiam disciplinam the order of Monasteries and discipline of Kingly government But why any one College should be so signally called and which it was I was at a loss till at last seasonably satisfied that it was Corpus Christi whereon no unpleasant story doth depend In the year 1630. the Leads over Vives his Study being decayed were taken up and new cast by which occasion the Stall was taken and with it an incredible mass of Honey But the Bees as presaging their intended and imminent destruction whereas they were never known to have swarmed before did that Spring to preserve their famous kind send down a fair swarm into the Presidents Garden The which in the y●… 1633 yielded two Swarms one whereof pitched in the Garden for the President the other they 〈◊〉 up as a new Colony into their old Habitation there to continue the memory of this 〈◊〉 Doctor as the University styled him in a Letter to the ●…ardinal It seems the●… Bees were Aborigines from the first building of the Colledge being called Collegium Apum in the Founders Statutes and so is John Claym●…d the first President thereof saluted by Eras●… The Library If the Schools may be resembled to the Ring the Library may the better be compared to the Diamond therein not so much for the bunching forth beyond the rest as the preciousness thereof in some respects equalling any in Europe and in most kinds exceeding all in England yet our Land hath been ever 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 much given to the love of Books and let us Fleet the Cream of a few of the primest Libraries in all ages In the infancy of Christianity that at York bare away the Bell founded by Arch-Bishop Egbert and so highly praised by Alevinus in his Epistle to Charles the Great but long since abolished Before the dissolution of Abbies when all Cathedr●…s and Convents had their Libraries that at Ramsey was the greatest R●…bbin spake the most and best Hebrew abounding in Iewish and not defective in other Books In that age of Lay Libraries as I may term them as belonging to the City I behold that pertaining to Guild-Hall as a principal ●…ounded by Richard Wh●…ington whence three Cart loads of choice Manuscripts were carried in the raign of King Edward the sixth on the promise of never performed Restitution Since the Reformation that of Benet in Cambridge hath for Manuscripts exceeded any thank the cost and care of Mathew Parker Colleg●…ate Library in England Of late Cambridge Library augmented with the Arch-Episcopal Library of Lambeth is grown the second in the Land As for private Libraries of Subjects that of Treasurer Burlies was the best for the use of a States-man the Lord Lumlies for an Historian the late Earl of Arundels for an Herald Sir Robert Cottons for an Antiquary and Arch-Bishop Ushers for a Divine Many other excellent Libraries there were o●… particular persons Lord Brudnels Lord Hat tons c. routed by our Civil Wars and many Books which scaped the execution are fled transported into France Flanders and other forraign parts To return to Oxford Library which stands like Di●… amongst her Nymphs and surpasseth all the rest for rarity and multitude of Books so that if any be wanting on any Subject it is because the world doth not afford them This Library was ●…ounded by Humphrey the Good Duke of Glo●…ster confounded in the raign of Edward the sixth by those who I list not to name re-founded by worthy Sir Thomas Bodley and the bounty of daily Benefactors As for the Kings Houses in this County Woodstock is justly to be preferred where the Wood and Water Nymphs might equally be pleased in its ●…uation Queen Elizabeth had a great affection for this place as one of her best R●…membrancers of her condition when a prisoner here in none of the best lodgings in the raig●… of her Sister Here she escaped a dangerous fire but whether casual or intentional God knoweth Here hearing
Or over all a Cross ingrailed Ermin 4 Ioh. Corbet Barr. Stoake Or 2 Ravens in Pale proper a border ingrailed Gules 5 VValt Acton ar Aldenh●…m Gu. 2 Lions passant Arg. between 9 Crosses croslets Fitched Or. 6 Hum. VValcot ar VValcot Ar. a Chever inter 3 chess-Rooks Er. 7 Tho. I●…eland arm Abrington Gul. 6 fleur de Luces Argent 8 Phil. Eyton Mil. Eyton Or a Fret Azure 9 Tho. Thynne Mil. Caus Castle Barry of 10 Or and Sable 10 Ioh. Newton arm Heytleigh ut prius Arg. a Cross Sable fleury Or. 11 Rob. Co●…bet arm     12 Paulus Harris mil. ut prius   13 VVil. Pierpoint ar Tong-Castl●… Arg. a Lion Ramp Sab. in an Orbe of Cinquefoiles Gules   14 Rich. Lee   Gules a Fess Co●…ponee Or and Az. betwixt 8 Billels Argen 15 Rog. Kinnaston ar ut prius   16 Th. Nicholas arm Shrewsbury   17 Ioh. VVelde ar VVillye   18 Bellum nobis     19 hoc fecit     20 inane     21     22 Rob. Powel ar T●… Park Arg. 3 Boars-heads co●…pee Sable RICHARD the Second 9. NICHOLAS de SANDFORD This ancient Name is still extant at the same place in this County in a worshipful equipage Wellfare a dear token thereof For in the List of such as compounded for their reputed delinquency in our late Civil VVars I find Francis Sandford of Sandford Esq. paying four hundred fifty nine pounds for his composition Yet I believe the Gentleman begrudged not his mony in preservation of his own integrity acting according to the information of his conscience and the practice of all his Ancestors I understand that the said Francis Sandford was very well skill'd in making VVarlike Fortifications HENRY the IV. 1 JOHN CORNWALL Miles A Person remarkable on several accounts 1 For his high Extraction descended from Richard Earl of Cornwall and King of the Almains as his Arms do evidence 2 Prosperous Valour under King Henry the Fifth in France there gaining so great Treasure as that therewith he built his fair house at Amp-hi●… in Bedfordshire 3 Great Honour being created by King Henry the Sixth Baron Fanhop and Knight of the Garter 4 Constant Loyalty sticking faster to King Henry the Sixth than his own Crown did faithfully following after the other forsook him 5 Vigorous vivacity continuing till the reign of King Edward the Fourth who dispossessed him of his Lands in Bedford-shire 6 Chearful disposition pleasantly saying That not He but his fine House at Amp-hill was guilty of high Treason happy that he could make mirth at his misery and smile at the loosing of that which all his Frowns could keep no longer Know Reader that if this J. Cornwal shall which I suspect not prove a distinct person from this his Kinsman and Namesake none will blame me for taking here a just occasion of speaking of so eminent a Man who elsewhere came not so conveniently under my Pen. EDWARD the Fourth 2 ROGER KINASTON Ar. I cannot satisfie my self in the certain Arms of this ancient Family much augmented by match with HORD finding them giving sundry all good and rich Coats in several Ages but conceive they now fix on Ar. a Lion ramp Sa. RICHARD the Third 1 THOMAS MITTON He in obedience to King Richard's commands apprehended the Duke of Buckingham the Grand Engener to promote that Usurper in the house of Humphry Banaster who for the avaricious desire of a thousand pounds betrayed the Duke unto the Sherif 3 GILBERT TALBOT Mil. He was son to John Talbot second Earl of Shrewsbury of that name In the time of his Sherivalty Henry Earl of Richmond afterwards King Henry the Seventh marching with his men to bid battle to King Richard the Third was met at Shrewsbury by the same Sir Gilbert with two thousand men well appointed most of them Tenants and Retainers to his Nephew George fourth Earl of Shrewsbury then in minority whence forward and not before his Forces deserved the name of an Army For this and his other good service in Bosworth-field King Henry rewarded him with fair Lands at Grafton in VVorcester-shire made him Governour of Calis in France and Knight of the Garter and from him the present Earl of Shrewsbury is descended I conceive it was rather his son than himself to whom King Henry the Eight fearing a sudden surprise from the French wrote briefly and peremptorily That he should instantly fortifie the Castle of Calis To whom Governour Talbot unprovided of necessaries as briefly as bluntly replyed That he could neither fortifie nor fiftifie without money Queen ELIZABETH 45 ROGER OWEN Miles He was the son of Sir Thomas Owen the Learned and religious Justice of the Common Pleas who lieth buried on the South side of the Quire of Westminster Abbey This Sir Roger most eminent in his Generation deserved the Character given him by Mr. Camden Multiplici doctrinâ tanto Patre dignissimus He was a Member of Parliament Vndecimo Jacobi as I take it when a great Man therein who shall be nameless cast a grieveous and general Aspersion on the English Clergy This Sir Roger appeared a Zelot in their defence and not only removed the Bastard Calumny from their doores at which it was laid but also carried the Falshood home to the true Father thereof and urged it shrewdly against the Person who in that place first revived the Aspersion●… King JAMES 14 ROWLAND COTTON Miles Incredible are the most true relations which many eye-witnesses still alive do make of the Valour and Activity of this most accomplished Knight So strong as if he had been nothing but bones so nimble as if he had been nothing but sinewes CHARLES the First 2 RICHARD NEWPORT Miles Signal his Fidelity to the king even in his lowest condition by whom he was deservedly rewarded with the Title of Baron of High-Arcol in this County being created at Oxford the 14 of October 1642. His sonne Francis Lord Newport at this day honoureth his honour with his Learning and other natural accomplishments Farewell May this Shire by Divine Providence be secured from the return of the Sweating sicknesse which first began and twice raged in the Town of Shrewsbury The Cure was discovered too late to save many yet soon enough to preserve more thousands of Men viz. by keeping the Patient in the same posture wherein he was seized without Food or Physick and such who so weathered out the disease for twenty four hours did certainly escape SOMERSET-SHIRE hath the Severn-sea on the North Glocestershire on the North-east Wilts-shire on the East Dorcet-shire on the South and Devonshire on the West Some will have it so called from the Summerlinesse or temperate pleasantnesse thereof With whom we concurre whilst they confine their Etimologies to the Air dissent if they extend it to the Earth which in winter is as winterly deep and dirty as any in England The truth is it is so named from Sommerton the most ancient Town
else quite forgotten any other vocation Hard it was for peace to feed all the Idle mouthes which a former war did breed being too proud to begge too lazy to labour Those infected the Highwayes with their Felonies some presuming on their multitudes as the Robbers on the Northern Rode whose knot otherwise not to be untyed Sr. John cut asunder with the Sword of Justice He possessed King James how the frequent granting of pardons was prejudicial to Justice rendring the Judges to the contempt of insolent Malesactors which made his Majesty more sparing afterward in that kind In a word the deserved death of some scores preserved the lives and livelyhoods of more thousands Travellers owing their safety to this Judges severity many years after his death which happened Anno Dom. 16. Souldiers JOHN COURCY Baron of Stoke-Courcy in this County was the first Englishman who invaded and subdued Ulster in Ireland therefore deservedly created Earl thereof He was afterward surprised by Hugh Lacy corrival for his Title sent over into England and imprisoned by King John in the Tower of London A French-Castle being in controverfie was to have the Title thereof tried by Combate the Kings of England and France beholding it Courcy being a lean lank body with staring eyes prisoners with the wildnesse of their looks revenge the closenesse of their bodies is sent for out of the Tower to undertake the Frenchman and because enfcebled with long durance a large bill of fare was allowed him to recruit his strength The Monsieur hearing how much he had eat and drank and guessing his courage by his stomack o●… rather stomack by his appetite took him for a Canibal who would devoure him at the last course and so he declined the Combate Afterwards the two Kings desirous to see some proof of Courcy's strength caused a steel Helmet to be laid on a block before him ●…ourcy looking about him 〈◊〉 grimme countenance as if he intended to cut with his eyes as well as with his arms sundered the Helmet at one blow into two pieces striking the Sword so deep into the wood that none but himself could pull it out again Being demanded the cause why he looked so sternly Had I said he failed of my design I would have killed the Kings and all in the place words well-spoken because well taken all persons present being then highly in good humour Hence it is that the Lord Courcy Baron of Ringrom second Baron in Ireland claim a priviledge whether by Patent or Prescription Charter or Custome I know not after their first obeisance to be covered in the Kings presence if processe of time had not antiquated the practice His devotion was equal to his valour being a great Founder and endower of Religious Houses In one thing he fouly failed turning the Church of the Holy Trinity in Down into the Church of St. Patrick for which as the Story saith he was condemned never to return into Ireland though attempting it fifteen several times but repell'd with foul weather He afterwards went over and died in France about the year 1210. MATTHEW GOURNAY was born at Stoke-under-Hamden in this County where his Family had long flourished since the Conquest and there built both a Castle and a Colledge But our Matthew was the honour of the House renowned under the reign of King Edward the Third having fought in seven several signal set Battails viz. 1 At the siege of d'Algizer against the Sarazens 2 At the Battail of Benemazin against the same 3 Sluce a Sea-fight against the French 4 Cressy a Land-fight-against the same 5 Ingen Pitch'd fights against the French 6 Poictiers Pitch'd fights against the French 7 Nazaran under the Black Prince in Spain His Armour was beheld by Martial Men with much civil veneration with whom his faithful Buckler was a relique of esteem But it added to the wonder that our Matthew who did lie and watch so long on the bed of honour should die in the bed of peace aged ninety and six years about the beginning of King Richard the Second He lieth buried under a fair Monument in the Church of Stoke aforesaid whose Epitaph legible in the last age is since I suspect defaced Sea-men Sir AMIAS PRESTON Knight was descended of an Ancient Family who have an Habitationat Cricket nigh Creukern in this County He was a Valiant Souldier and Active Sea-man witnesse in 88. when he seized on the Admiral of the Galiasses wherein Hugh de Moncada the Governour making resistance with most of his Men were burnt or killed and Mr. Preston as yet not Knighted shared in a vast Treasure of Gold taken therein Afterwards Anno 1595 he performed a victorious Voyage to the West-Indies wherin he took by assault the I le of Puerto Santo invaded the I le of Coche surprised the Fort and Town of Coro sacked the stately City of St. Jago put the Town of Cumana to ransome entred Jamaica with little loss some profit and more honour safely returned within the space of six months to Milford Haven in Wales I have been informed from excellent hands that on some dis-tast he sent a Challenge to Sr. Walter Raleigh which Sr. Walter declined without any abatement to his Valour wherein he had abundantly satisfied all possibility of suspicion and great advancement of his Judgement For having a fair and fixed Estate with Wife and Children being a Privy Counsellor and Lord Warden of the Stannereys he thought it an uneven l●…y to stake himself against Sr. Amias a private and as I take it a single person though of good birth and courage yet of no considerable Estate This also is consonant to what he hath written so judiciously about Duels condemning those for ill Honours where the Hangman gives the Garland However these two Knights were afterwards reconciled and Sr. Amias as I collect died about the beginning of the reign of King James Learned Writers GILDAS sirnamed the WISE was born in the City of Bath and therefore it is that he is called Badonicus He was eight years junior to another Gildas called Albanius whose Nativity I cannot clear to belong to our Brittain He was also otherwise sur-stiled Querulus because the little we have of his Writing is only a Complaint Yet was he none of those whom the Apostle condemneth These are Murmur●…s Complainers c. taxing only such who either were impious against GOD or uncharitable against men complaining of them either without cause or without measure whilst our Gildas only inveigheth against the sins and bemoaneth the sufferings of that wicked and woful age wherein he lived calling the Clergy Montes Malitiae the Brittons generally Atramentum seculi He wrote many Books though we have none of them extant at this day some few fragments excepted inserted amongst the Manuscript Canons but his aforesaid History This makes me more to wonder that so Learned a Critick as Dr. Gerrard 〈◊〉 should attribute the Comedy of Aulularia
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 Palat●…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 Ita●…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 W●…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 Fl●…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 o●… 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 con●…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 ne●…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 bu●… 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 Wol●…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 Saint●…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 Geo●…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 Ex●…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
County hath been much greater and those of that Trade far richer I perswade my self heretofore than in these times or else the Heirs and Executors of the deceased were more careful that the Testators dead Corps should be interred in more decent manner than they are now a-dayes Otherwise I should not find so many Marbles richly inlaid with Brass to the memory of Cloathiers in fore-going Ages and not one in these later seasons All the Monuments in the Church of Neyland which bare any face of comliness and Antiquity are erected to the memory of Cloathiers and such as belong to that Mystery Some perchance would assign another reason viz. Because Monuments formerly were conceived to conduce much to the happiness of the deceased as bespeaking in their Epitaphs the Suffrages of the living in their behalf which errour is vanished away since the Reformation all which being fully beleeved weakneth not the observation but that Suff●…lk Clothiers were Wealthier in former than in our Age. Buildings This County hath no Cathedral therein and the Parochial Churches generally fair no one of transcendent eminency But formerly it had so magnificent an Abbey-Church in Bury the Sun shined not on a fairer with three lesser Churches waiting thereon in the same Church-yard Of these but two are extant at this day and those right stately structures And if the Servants we so much commend What was the Mistriss whom they did attend Here I meet with a passage affected me with wonder though I know not how the Reader will resent it It is avouuched by all Authors That Mary youngest sister to King Henry the Eighth Relict to Lewis the Twelfth King of France afterwards married to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk died on Mid-summer Eve 1533 and was buried in the Abbey Church in Bury But it seems her Corps could not protect that Church from demolishing which in few years after was levelled to the ground I read not that the Body of this Princess was removed to any other place nor doth any monument here remain to her memory though her King-Brother and second Husband survived the destruction of that Church A strange thing save that nothing was strange in those dayes of confusion As for the Town of Bury it is sweetly seated and fairely built especially since the year 1608. About which time it was lamentably defaced with a casual Fire though since God hath given them Beauty for Ashes And may the following Distich set up therein prove Prophetical unto the place Burgus ut antiquus violento corruit igne Hic stet dum flammis terra polusque flagrent Though furious fire the old Town did consume Stand This till all the World shall flaming fume Noris the School a small Ornament to this Town founded by King Edward the Sixth being itself a Corporation now as well as ever flourishing under Mr. Stephens the able Master thereof Amongst the many fair houses of the Gentry in this County Long Melford must not be forgotten late the house of the Countess Rivers and the FIRST FRUITS of PLUNDERING in England and Sommerley Hall nigh Yarmouth belonging to the Lady Wentworth well answering the Name thereof For here Sommer is to be seen in the depth of Winter in the pleasant walks beset on both sides with Firr-trees green all the year long besides other curiosities As for Merchants houses Ipswich Town corrival with some Cities for neatness and greatness affordeth many of equal handsomness Proverbs Suffolk Milk This was one of the Staple-Commodities of the Land of Canaan and certainly most wholesome for Mans Body because of Gods own chosing for his own People No County in England affords better and sweeter of this kind lying opposite to Holland in the Netherlands where is the best Dairy in Christendom which mindeth me of a passage betwixt Spinola and Grave Maurice The Spanish General being invited to an entertainment by the afore-said Prince at Breda as I take it when Lemons and Oranges were brought in for sauce at the first Cour●…e What a brave Country is my Masters quoth de Don affording this fair fruit all the year long But when Cream was brought up to close the Feast Grave Maurice returned What a brave Country is ours that yeildeth this fruit twice every day Suffolk fair Maids It seems the God of Nature hath been bountiful in giving them beautiful complexions which I am willing to believe so far forth as it fixeth not a comparative disparagement on the same Sex in other Counties I hope they will labour to joyn gracious hearts to fair faces otherwise I am sure there is a Divine Proverb of infallible truth As a Jewel of gold in a Swines snout so is a fair Woman which is without discretion Suffolk s●…iles It is a measuring cast whether this Proverb pertaineth to Essex or this County and I believe it belongeth to both which being inclosed Countries into petty quillets abound with high stiles troublesome to be clambred over But the owners grudge not the pains in climbing them sensible that such severals redound much to their own advantage You are in the high way to Needham Needham is a Market-Town in this County well stokt if I mistake not with poor People though I believe this in no degree did occasion the first denomination thereof They are said to be in the high way to Needham who do hasten to poverty However these fall under a distinction some go others are sent thither Such as go embrace several wayes some if Poor of Idleness if Rich of Carelesness or else of Prodigality Others are sent thither against their wills by the powerful oppression of such who either detain or devour their Estates And it is possible some may be sent thither by no Default of their own or visible cause from others but meerly from Divine Justice insensibly dwingling their Estates chiefly for trial of their Patience Wherefore so many wayes leading to Needham from divers quarters I mean from different causes It is unjust to condemn all persons meeting there under the Censure of the same guiltness Princes EDMUND MORTIMER son to Roger Mortimer Earl of March Grand-child of Edmund Mortimer Earl of March and of Philippa sole daughter of Lionel Duke of Clarence may passe with the charitable Reader for a Prince since he paid so dear for the same as will appear I confess it impossible to fix his Nativity with assurance having not hitherto read any record which reached it the rather because of the vastness of his patrimony and several habitations In England In the Marches of VVales whence he had his honour In Ireland Clare-Cas●…le with many other Mannors in Suffolk VVigmore in Hereford-shire Trim Conaught with large Lands in Ulsier   Ludlow in Shrop-shire   But most probable it is that he was born where he was buried at Clare After the death of King Richard the Second he was the next heir to the Crown Happy had he been if either nearer to it so as to
till sent to St. Johns then to Trinity Colledge in Cambridge whereof he was Fellow and there chosen Regius Profess●…r one of the most profound School-Divines of the English Nation Afterwards by the Queens absolute mandate to end a contention betwixt two Corrivals not much with his will he was made Master of Katharine-hall For when Archbishop Whitgift joyed him of the place he returned that it was Terminus diminuens taking no delight in his preferment But his Grace told him That if the injuries much more the less courtesies of Princes must be thankfully taken as the Ushers to make way for greater as indeed it came to passe For after the death of Dr. Nowel he was by the especial recommendation of Sr. Fulke Grevil made Dean of St. Pauls Being appointed to preach before the Queen he profess'd to my Father most intimate with him that he had spoken Latin so long it was troublesome to him to speak English in a continued Oration He frequently had those words of the Psalmist in his mouth VVhen thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth surely every man is vanity I cite it the rather out of the new Translation something different from the old because he was so eminent an Instrument employed therein King James made him Bishop of Norwich where he was a discreet presser of Conformity on which score he got the ill will of many dis-affected thereunto and died Anno 1618. LEONARD MAW was born at * Rendlesham in this Connty a remarkable place Iassure you which though now a Country Village was anciently the Residence of the Kings of the East-Angles Where King Redwald a Mongrel Christian kept at the same time Altare Arulam the Communion Table and Altars for Idols He was bred in Cambridge where he was Proctor of the University Fellow and Master of peter-Peter-house after of Trinity Colledge whereof he deserved well shewing what might be done in five years by good Husbandry to dis-ingage that Foundation from a great debt He was Chaplain to King Charles whilst he was a Prince and waited on him in Spain by whom he was preferred Bishop of Bath and Wells He had the Reputation of a good Scholar a grave Preacher a mild man and one of Gentil Deportment He died Anno Domini 163. RALPH BROUNRIG D. D. was born at Ipswich of Parents of Merchantly condition His Father died in his Infancy and his Mother did not carelesly cast away his youth as the first Broachings of a Vessel but improved it in his Education at School till he was sent to Pembroke-hall in Cambridge and afterwards became Scholar and Fellow thereof King James coming to Cambridge was amongst others entertained with a Philosophy Act and Mr. Brounrig was appointed to perform the Joco-serious part thereof who did both to the wonder of the Hearers Herein he was like himself that he could on a sudden be so unlike himself and instantly vary his words and matter from mirth to solidity No man had more ability or less inclination to be Satyrical in which kind posse nolle is a rarity indeed He had wit at will but so that he made it his Page not Privy Councellour to obey not direct his Judgement He carried Learning enough in numerato about him in his pockets for any Discourse and had much more at home in his chests for any serious Dispute It is hard to say whether his loyal memory quick fancy solid judgement or fluent utterance were most to be admired having not only flumen but fulmen eloquentiae being one who did teach with Authority When commencing Bachelour in Divinity he chose for his Text Vobis autem c. It is given to you not only to beleeve but suffer in the behalf of Christ. A Text somewhat Prophetical to him who in the Sequele of his life met with affronts to exercise his Prudence and Patience being afterwards defied by some who almost Deified him before in whose Eyes he seemed the blacker for wearing white sleeves when 1641 made Bishop of Exeter I was present at his Consecration Sermon made by his good Friend Doctor Younge taking for his Text The waters are risen O Lord the waters are risen c. wherein he very gravely complained of the many invasions which Popular violence made on the Priviledges of Church and State This Bishop himself was soon sadly sensible of such Inundations and yet by the Proc●…rity of his parts and piety he not only safely waded thorough them himself but also when Vice-Chancellour of Cambridge by his prudence raised such Banks that those overflowings were so not destructive as otherwise they would have been to the University He continued constant to the Church of England a Champion of the needful use of the Liturgie and for the Priviledges of Ordination to belong to Bishops alone Unmoveable he was in his principles of Loyalty witness this instance O. P. with some shew of respect unto him demanded the Bishops Judgement non plus't it seems himself in some business to whom he returned My Lord the best counsel I can give you is Give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are Gods with which free answer O. P. was rather silenced than satisfied About a year before his death he was invited by the Society of both Temples to be their Preacher admirably supplying that place till strong fits of the Stone with Hydropical Inclinations and other distempers incident to phletorick Bodies caused his death I know all Accidents are minuted and momented by Divine Providence and yet I hope I may say without sin his was an untimely death not to himself prepared thereunto but as to his longer life vvhich the prayers of pious people requested the need of the Church required the date of Nature could have permitted but the pleasure of God to which all must submit denied Otherwise he vvould have been most instrumental to the composure of Church differences the deserved opinion of whose goodness had peaceable possession in the hearts of the Presbyterian party I observed at his Funeral that the prime persons of all Perswasions were present whose Judgements going several wayes met all in a general grief for his decease He was buried on the cost of both Temples to his great but their greater honour The Reader is referred for the rest to the Memorials of his life written by the Learned Doctor John Gauden who preached his Funeral Sermon and since hath succeeded him both in the Temple and Bishoprick of Exeter His dissolution happened in the 67th year of his Age Decemb. 7 1659 and was buried the week following in the Temple Church States-men S ● NICHOLAS BACON Knight was born in this County not far from the famous Abbey of St. Edmunds Bury and I have read that his Father was an Officer belonging thereunto His name I assure you is of an Ancient Gentry in this Shire as any whatsoever He was
kind in England not to say Europe is digged up nigh Rygate in this County It is worth 4 d. a Bushel at the Pit 16 d. at the Wharfe in London 3 s. at Newbury and Westward twice as dear Double the use thereof in making Cloath to scoure out stains and to thicken it or to use the Trades-mans term to bring it to proof Though the transporting thereof be by Law forbidden yet private profit so prepondereth the publick that Ships ballasted therewith are sent over into Holland where they have such Magazins of this Earth that they are ready on their own rates to furnish us therewith if there should be any occasion And now we are mentioning of Earth near Non-such is a Vein of Potters-Earth much commended in its kind of which Crusibles are made for the melting of Gold and many other necessary Utensils Wall-Nuts As in this County and in Cash-Haulton especially there be excellent Trouts so are there plenty of the best Wall-nuts in the same place as if Nature had observed the Rule of Physick Post Pisces Nuces Some difficulty there is in cracking the Name thereof why Wall-Nuts having no affinity with a VVall whose substantial trees need to borrow nothing thence for their support Nor are they so called because walled with shels which is common to all other Nuts The truth is Gual or VVall to the old Dutch signifieth strange or exotick whence VVelsh that is Foreigners these Nuts being no natives of England or Europe and probably first fetch'd from Persia because called Nux Persique in the French tongue Surely some precious worth is in the Kernels thereof though charged to be somewhat obstructive and stopping of the stomack because provident nature hath wrapped them in so many coverts a thick green one ●…alling off when ripe an hard yellowish and a bitter blackish one As for the timber of the VVall-nut-tree it may be termed an English Shittim-wood for the fineness smoothness and durableness thereof whereof the best Tables with stocks of Guns and other manufactures are made Box. The best which England affords groweth about Darking in this County yet short in goodness of what is imported out of Turky Though the smel and shade thereof be accounted unwholesome not only pretty toys for children but useful tooles for men and especially Mathematical Instruments are made thereof But it is generally used for Combes as also by such as grave Pictures Arms in wood as better because harder than Pear-tree for that purpose For mine own part let me speak it with thankfulness to two good Lords and Patrons it hath not cost me so much in Wood and Timber of all kinds for the last ten years as for Box for one twelve-moneth Manufactures Gardening I mean not such which is only for pleasure whereof Surrey hath more than a share with other shires to feast the sight and smell with flowers and walks whilst the rest of the body is famished but such as is for profit which some seventy years since was first brought into this County before which time great deficiency thereof in England For we fetcht most of our Ch●…ries from Flanders Apples from France and hardly had a Messe of Rath-Ripe pease but from Holland which were dainties for Ladies they came so far and cost so dear Since Gardening hath crept out of Holland to Sandwich in Kent and thence into this County where though they have given six pounds an Aker and upward they have made their Rent lived comfortably and set many people on work Oh the incredible profit by digging of Ground For though it is confess'd that the Plough beats the Spade out of distance for speed almost as much as the Press beats the Pen Yet what the spade wants in the Quantity of the Ground it manureth It recompenceth with the plenty of the Fruit it yeildeth that which is set multiplying a hundred fold more than what is sown 'T is incredible how many poor people in London live thereon so t●…at in some seasons Gardens feed more poor people than the Field It may be hoped that in process of time Anis-seeds Cumin-seeds Caraway-seeds yea Rice it self with other Garden VVare now brought from beyond the seas may hereafter grow in our Land enough for it's use especially if some ingenious Gentlemen would encourage the Industrious Gardiners by letting Ground on reasonable rates unto them Tapestry Pass we from Gardening a kind of Tapestry in Earth to Tapestry a kind of Gardening in Cloath The making hereof was either unknown or un-used in England till about the end of the reign of King James when he gave two thousand pounds to Sir Francis Crane to build therewith an House at Morecleark for that purpose Here they only imitated Old Patterns until they had procured one Francis Klein a German to be their Designer This F. Klein was born at Rostock but bred in the Court of the King of Denmark at Coppenhagen To improve his skill he travelled into Italy and lived at Venice and became first known unto Sir Henry VVootton who was the English Lieger there Indeed there is a stiff contest betwixt the Dutch and Italians which should exceed in this Mystery and therefore Klein endeavoured to unite their perfections After his return to Denmark he was invited thence into England by Prince Charles a Virtuoso Judicious in all LiberalMechanical Arts which proceeded on due proportion And though Klein chanced to come over in his absence being then in Spain yet King James gave order for his entertainment allowing him liberal accommodations and sent him back to the King of Denmark with a Letter which for the form thereof I conceive not unworthy to be inserted trans-scribing it with my own hand as followeth out of a Copy compared with the Original Jacobus Dei Gratia magnae Britanniae Franciae Hiberniae Rex fidei Defensor Serenissimo Principi ac Domino Domino Christiano Quarto eadem gratia Daniae Norvegiae Vandalorum Gothorum Regi Duci Slesuici Holsatiae Stormariae Ditmarsiae Comiti in Oldenburg Delmenhorsh Fratri Compatri Consanguineo Affini nostro charissimo salutem felicitatem Serenissimus Princeps Frater Compater Consanguineus Affinis charissimus CUm Franciscus Klein Pictor qui litteras nostras fert in animo habere indicasset si Vestra modo Serenitate volente id fieret filio nostro Principi Walliae operam suam locare accepimus benevolè id a Vestra Serenitate fuisse concessum data non solum illi quamprimum videretur discedendi venia verùm etiam sumptibus erogatis ad iter quo nomine est quod Vestrae Serenitati gratias agamus Et nos quidem certiores facti de illius in Britanniam jam adventu quanquam absente filio nostro satis illi interim de rebus omnibus prospeximus Nunc vero negotiorum causâ in Daniam reversurus tenetur ex pacto quam primum id commode poterit ad nos revenire Quod ut ei per vestram
Serenitatem facere liceat peramanter rogamus Vestra interea omnia fortunas valetudinem Imperium Deo commendantes Optimo Maximo Datum è Regia nostra Albaula die Julii 8 Anno 1623. Serenitatis Vestrae Frater Amantissimus JACOBUS Rex I perceive that Princes when writing to Princes subscribe their names and generally superscribe them to subjects But the K. of Denmark detained him all that Summer none willingly part with a Jewel to perfect a piece which he had begun for him before This ended then over he comes and settled with his Family in London where he received a Gratuity of an hundred pounds per annum well paid him until the beginning of our Civil Wars And now Fervet opus of Tapestry at More-clark his designing being the soul as the working is the body of that Mystery Buildings There are two most beautiful Palaces in this County both built by Kings First Richmond by King Henry the Seventh most pleasantly seated on the Thames A building much beholding to Mr. Speed representing it in his Map of this County Otherwise being now plucked down the form and fashion thereof had for the future been forgotten None-such the other built by King Henry the Eighth whereof our English Antiquary hath given such large commendations Indeed what Sebastianus Cerlius most skilful in building spake of the Pantheon at Rome may be applyed to this Pile that it is Ultimum ex●…mplar consummatae Architecturae But grant it a Non-such for building on which account this and Windsor Castle are onely taken notice of in the description of Sebastian Braune yet in point of clean and neat situation it hath Some-such not to say some Above-such Witness Wimbleton in this County a daring Structure built by Sir Thomas Cecil in eighty eight when the Spanjards invaded and blessed be God were conquered by our Nation Medicinal Waters Ebsham They were found on this occasion some two and fourty years since which falleth out to be 1618. One Henry Wicker in a dry Summer and great want of water for Cattle discovered in the Concave of a Horse or Neats-footing some water standing His suspicion that it was the stale of some Beast was quickly confuted by the clearness thereof With his Pad-staffe he did dig a square hole about it and so departed Returning the next day with some difficulty he recovered the same place as not sufficiently particularized to his memory in so wide a Common and found the hole he had made filled and running over with most clear water Yet Cattle though tempted with thirst would not drink thereof as having a Mineral tast therein It is resolved that it runneth through some veins of Alume and at first was only used outwardly for the healing of Sores Indeed simple wounds have been soundly and suddenly cured therewith which is imputed to the Abstersiveness of this Water keeping a wound clean till the Balsome of Nature doth recover it Since it hath been inwardly taken and if the Inhabitants may be believed diseases have here met with their Cure though they came from contrary causes Their convenient distance from London addeth to the Reputation of these Waters and no wonder if Citizens comming thither from the worst of smoakes into the best of Airs find in th●…selves a perfective alteration The Wonders There is a River in this County which at a place called the Swallow sinketh unto the Earth and surgeth again some two miles off nigh Letherhead so that it runneth not in an intire stream but as it can find and force its own passage the interjacent distance under the Earth I listen not to the Country people telling it was experimented by a Goose which was put in and came out again with life though without feathers But hearken seriously to those who judiciously impute the sudden sub●…dency of the Earth in the interstice aforesaid to some underground hollowness made by that water in the passage thereof This River is more properly termed Mole then that in Spain is on the like occasion called Anas that is a Ducke or Drake For Moles as our Surrey-Riv er work under ground whilst Ducks which Anas doth not dive under water So that the River Alpheus may more properly be intituled Anas if it be true what is reported thereof that springing in Peloponesus it runneth under the Sea and riseth up again in Sicily Nor may we forget a Vault wherein the finest sand I ever saw nigh Rygate capable conveniently to receive five hundred Men which subterranean-Castle in ancient time was the Receptacle of some great Person having several Rooms therein If it be meerly Natural i●… doth curiously imitate Art if purely Artificial it doth most lively simulate Nature Proverbs The vale of Holms-dale Never won ne ever shall This proverbial Ryme hath one part of History the other of Prophecy therein and if on examination we find the first to be true we may believe the other the better Holms-dale lieth partly in this Shire and partly in Kent And indeed hath been happy in this respect that several battles being fought therein and thereabouts betwixt our Saxon Kings the true owners of the Land and the Danes the former proved victorious Thus was not Holms-dale won pro una altera tertia vice But I. hope I may humbly mind the men of Holms-dale that when King William the Conqueror had vanquished King Harold at Battail in Sussex he marched with his Army directly to London through the very middle and bowels of Holms-dale and was it not Won at that time However if this Vale hath not been Won hitherto I wish and hope it never may be hereafter by a Forreign-Nation invading it Princes HENRY eldest son of K. Henry the Eighth and Queen Kathari●…e Dowager was born at Richmond in this County Anno Domini 1509. on the first of January As his Parents were right glad for this Newyears-gift of Heavens sending so the greater their grief when within two moneths he was taken away again The untimely death of this Prince as also of another son by the same Queen which lived not to be Christ'ned was alleaged by King Henry the Eighth in the publick Court held in Black-Friars London about his Divorce as a punishment of God upon him for begetting them on the Body of his Brothers wife This short-liv'd Prince Henry was buried in Westminster the twenty-third of February HENRY of OATLANDS so I have heard him called in his Cradle fourth and youngest son of King Charles the First and Queen Mary was born at Oatlands in this County Anno 1640. This I thought fit to observe both because I find St. James's by some mistaken for the place of his Birth and because that house wherein he was born is buried in effect I mean taken down to the ground He was commonly called Duke of Glocester by a Court Prolepsis from the King manifesting his intentions in due time to make him so before any Solemn Creation Greatness being his only guilt that
this County bred first at Eaton then at Kings-Colledge in Cambridge where when a youth he was a Rakel in grain For something crossing him in the Colledge he could find no other way to work his Revenge than by secret setting on fire the Masters lodgings part whereof he burnt to the ground Immediately after this Incendiary and was it not high time for him left the Colledge and this little Heros●…ratus lived for a time in the Country debauched enough for his conversation But they go far who turn not again And in him the Proverb was verified Naughty Boyes sometimes make good Men he seasonably retrenched his wildness turn'd hard Student became an eminent Scholar and most able States-man and after smaller promotions was at last made Bishop of Ely and often employed in forreign Embassies And now hath it been possible he would have quenched the fire he kindled in the Colledge with his own tears and in expression of his penitence became a worthy Benefactor to the house and re-built the masters Lodgings firm and fair from the ground No Bishop of England was better attended with Menial Servants or kept a more bountiful house which made his death so much lamented Anno Dom. 1533. Since the Reformation JOHN PARK●…URST was born at Gilford in this County bred first in Magdalen then in Merton-Colledge in Oxford Here it was no small part of praise that he was Tutor yea Mecenas to John Jewel After his discontinuance returning to Oxford it was no small comfort unto him to hear his Pupil read his Learned humanity-Lectures to the Somato Christians Reader I coyn not the word my self but have took it in Payment from a good hand that is to those of Corpus Chris●…i Colledge to which house then J●…wel was removed Hereupon Mr. Parkhurst made this Distich Olim discipulus mihi chare Juelle fuisti Nunc ero discipulus te renuente tuus Dear Jewel Scholar once thou wast to me Now gainst thy will I Scholar turn to thee Indeed he was as good a Poet as any in that Age and delighted to be an AntiEpigrammatist to John VVhite Bishop of VVinchester whom in my opinion he far surpassed both in Phrase and fancy Mr. Parkhurst when leaving Oxford was presented Parson shall I say or Bishop of Cleve in Glocester-shire as which may seem rather a Diocess than a Parish for the rich Revenue thereof But let none envy Beneficium opimum beneficiario optimo A good living to an incumbent who will do good therewith He laid himself out in works of Charity and Hospitality He used to examine the Pockets of such Oxford Scholars as repaired unto him and alwayes recruited them with necessaries so that such who came to him with heavy hearts and light purses departed from him with light hearts and heavy purses But see a sudden alteration King Edward the Sixth dies and then he who formerly entertained others had not a house to hide himself in Parkhurst is forced to post speedily and secretly beyond the Seas where he remained all the reign of Queen Mary and providing for his return in the First of Queen Elizabeth was robbed of that little he had by some Searchers appointed for that purpose Were not these Thieves themselves robbed I mean of their expectation who hoped to enrich themselves by Pillaging an Exile and a Poet It grieved him most of all that he lost the fair Copy of his Epigrams though afterwards with much ado he recovered them from his foul papers These at last he put in print Et juvenilem 〈◊〉 senex edidit without any trespass on his gravity such his Poems being so witty that a young man so harmless that an old man need not be of them ashamed Being returned into England he was by Queen Elizabeth preferred to the Bishoprick of Norwich and was consecrated Sept. the 1 1560. 14 years he sate in that See and died 1574. THOMAS RAVIS was born of worthy Parentage at Maulden in this County bred in Christ-Church in Oxford whereof he was Dean and of which University he was twice Vice-Chancellor Afterwards when many suitors greedily sought the Bishoprick of Glocester then vacant the Lords of the Councel * requested Doct. Ravis to accept thereof As he was not very willing to go ●…hither so after his three years abode there those of Glocester were unwilling he should go thence who in so short a time had gained the good liking of all sorts that some who could scant brook the name of Bishop were content to give or rather to pay him a good Report Anno 1607 he was removed to London and there died on the 14th of December 1609. and lieth buried under a fair Tomb in the wall at the upper end of the North-part of his Cathedral ROBERT ABBOT D. D. was born at Guilford in this County bred in 〈◊〉 Colledge in Oxford whereof he became Principal and Kings Professor of Divinity in that University What is said of the French so graceful is their Garbe that they make any kind of Cloathes become themselves so general was his Learning he made any liberal imployment beseem him Reading VVriting Preaching Opposing Answering and Moderating who could dis-intangle Truth though complicated with errours on all sides He so routed the reasons of Bellarmin the Romish Champion that he never could rally them again Yet Preferment which is ordered in Heaven came down very slowly on this Doctor whereof several Reasons are assigned 1 His Humility affected no high Promotion 2 His Foes traduced him for a Puritan who indeed was a right godly Man and cordiat to the Discipline as Doctrine of the Church of England 3 His Friends were loath to adorn the Church with the spoil of the University and marre a Professor to make a Bishop However preferment at last found him out when he was consecrated B. of Salisbury Decemb. 3. 1615. Herein he equaled the felicity of Suffridus B. of Chichester that being himself a Bishop he saw his brother George at the same time Archbishop of Canterbury Of these two George was the more plausible Preacher Robert the greater Scholar George the abler States-man Robert the deeper Divine Gravity did frown in George and smile in Robert But alas he was hardly warm in his S●…e before cold in his Coffin being one of the ●…ive Bishops which Salisbury saw in six years His death happened Anno 1617. GEORGE ABBOT was born at Guilford in this County being one of that happy Ternion of Brothers whereof two eminent Prelats the third Lord Mayor of London He was bred in Oxford wherein he became Head of University-Colledge a pious man and most excellent Preacher as his Lectures on Jonah do declare He did first creep then run then fly into preferment or rather preferment did fly upon him without his expectation He was never incumbent on any Living with cure of soules but was mounted from a Lecturer to a Dignitary so that he knew well what belong'd to
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 Nor●…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
1. William 2. Guy 3. Thomas 4. Thomas 5. Richard 6. Henry Such a series there was of successive undauntedness in that noble Family But if a better may be allowed amongst the best and a bolder amongst the boldest I conceive that Thomas the first of that name gave the chief occasion to this Proverbe of whom we read it thus reported in our Chronicles At Hogges in Normandy in the year of our Lord 1346. being there in safety arrived with Edward the third this Thomas leaping over ship-board was the first man who went on land seconded by one Esquire and six Archers being mounted on a silly Palfray which the suddain accident of the business first offered to hand with this company he did fight against one hundred armed men and in hostile manner overthrew every one which withstood him and so at one shock with his seven assistants he slew sixty Normans removed all resistance and gave means to the whole fleet to land the Army in safety The Heirs-male off this name are long since extinct though some deriving themselves from the Heirs-generall are extant at this day The Bear wants a Tail and cannot be a Lion Nature hath cut off the Tail of the Bear close at the Rump which is very strong and long in a Lion for a great part of the Lions strength consists in his Tail wherewith when Angry he useth to Flap and Beat himself to raise his Rage therewith to the Height so to render himself more Fierce and Furious If any ask why this Proverbe is placed in Warwick-shire Let them take the Ensuing Story for their satisfaction Robert Dudley Earl of Leice●…er derived his Pedegree from the ancient Earls of Warwick on which Title he gave their Crest the Bear and Ragged Staffe and when he was Governour of the Low Countries with the high Title of his Excellency disusing his Own Coat of the Green-Lion with Two Tails he signed all Instruments with the Crest of the Bear and Ragged Staffe He was then suspected by many of his jealous adversaries to hatch an Ambitious design to make himself absolute Commander as the Lion is King of Beasts over the Low-Countries Whereupon some Foes to his faction and Friends to the Dutch-freedome wrote unde●… his Crest set up in Publick places Ursa caret cauda non queat esse Leo. The Bear he never can prevail To Lion it for lack of Tail Nor is U●…sa in the feminine meerly placed to make the Verse But because Naturalists observe in Bears that the Female is always the strongest This Proverb is applyed to such who not content with their Condition aspire to what is above their worth to deserve or Power to atchive He is true Coventry-blew It seems the best blews so well fixed as not to fade are died in Coventry It is applied to such an one who is fidus Achates a fast and faithfull friend to those that employ him Opposite hereunto is the Greek Proverb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ignavi vertitur color A Coward will change colour either for fear or falsehood when deserting those who placed confidence in him As for those who apply this Proverb to persons so habited in wickedness as past hope of amendment under favour I conceive it a secondary and but abusive sense thereof Princes ANNE NEVILL Daughter and Co heir to Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick was most prob●…bly born in Warwick-castle She was afterward married with a great portion and inheritance to Edward Prince of Wales sole Son to King Henry the sixth A Prince neither dying of Disease nor slain in Battle nor executed by Justice but barbarously butchered by Richard Duke of Gloucester Was it not then a daring piece of Court-ship in him who had murthered her husband to make love unto her in way of marriage and was not his success strange in obtaining her having no 〈◊〉 to commend his person to her affection O the Impotency of the weaker sex to resist the battery of a Princely Suitor who afterward became King by his own ambition however her life with him proved neither long nor fortunate It happened that there was the muttering of a marriage between Henry Earl of Richmond and Elizabeth eldest Daughter to Edward the fourth so to unite the houses of Lancaster and York To prevent this King Richard the third intended to marry the Lady himself so methodicall he was in breaking the Commandements of the second Table First Honour thy Father and Mother when he procured his Mother to be proclaimed a harlot by a Preacher at Pauls Cross. Secondly Thou shalt not kill when he murthered his Nephews Thirdly Thou shalt not Commit adultery being now in pursuit of an incestuous Copulation Say not that this match would nothing confirme his title seeing formerly he had pronunced all the Issue of King Edward the fourth as Illegitimate for first that designe was rather indevoured then effected most men remaining notwithstanding this bastardizing attempt well satisfied in the rightfulness of their extraction Secondly they should or should not be Bastards as it made for his present advantage Tyrants always driving that nail which will goe though it go cross to those which they have driven before Lastly if it did not help him it would hinder the Earl of Richmond which made that Usurper half wild till he was wedded But one thing withstood his desires this Anne his Queen was still alive though daily quarrelled at and complained of her son being lately dead for barren and O what a loss would it be to nature it self should her husband dye without an heir unto his vertues Well this Lady understanding that she was a burthen to her husband for grief soon became a burthen to herself and wasted away on a suddain Some think she went her own pace to the grave while others suspect a grain was given her to quicken her in her journy to her long home Which happened Anno Dom. 1484. EDWARD PLANTAG●…NET Son to George Duke of Clarence may passe for a Prince because the last Male-heir of that Royal Family Yea some of his Foes feared and more of his Friends desired that he might be King of England His Mother was Isabel Eldest Daughter to Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick And he was born in Warwick-castle As his Age increased so the Jealousie of the Kings of England on him did increase being kept Close Prisoner by King Edward the fourth Closer by King Richard the third and Closest by King Henry the seventh This last being of a New Linage and Sirname knew full well how this Nation hankered after the Name of Plantagenet which as it did out-syllable Tuthar in the Mouths so did it out-vie it in the Affections of the English Hence was it that the Earl was kept in so strict Restraint which made him very weak in his Intellectuals and no wonder being so sequestred from human converse It happened a marriage was now in debate betwixt Prince Arthur and Katherine Daughter to Ferdinand King of
Ioh. Walle de eadem Fishmonger Ioh. Leder de Coventrae Merchant Tho. Estop Magi●…ri Gildae Sanctae Trinitatis Warwick Nich. R●…dy de eadem Ioh. Mayell de eadem sentor Will. Hopkyns de eadem Ioh. Broune de eadem junior Iohan. Stokes de Henlen in Ardeon Gildae Villae Magistri predictae Iohan. Thorp de Kolle Sheriffs This Shire was in Conjunction under the same Sheriffs with Leicester-shire untill the year of Q. Elizabeth Since which time Warwick-shire hath these appropriat to it self N●…me Pl●…ce Armes ●…EG ELIZA     Anno     9 Rob. Midlemore Egbaston Par Chev. Arg. S. in chief 2 martlets of the second 10 Bas. Feelding ar Ne●…liā Pa. Ar●…on a F●…ss Az 3 Fusils Or. 〈◊〉 Sim. Ardern ar   Gul. 3 Cross C●…osselets Fitiche a chi●…f O●… 12 Fr. Willoughby a. Midleton O●… on 2 Bars Gul 3 Waterbudgets Arg. 13 He. Cump●…ō m. Du. Cumpton Cumpton Sab. a Lyon passant Or inter 3 Helmets Arg. 14 Ful. Grevile mil. BeuchampCourt Sa. a Bor●…r C●…oss engrailed Or thereon 5 pellets 15 Sam. Marow ar Berkswell Az. a Fess engrailed betwixt 3 womens-heads cooped Or. 16 Edw. Ardon ar     17 Wil. Boughton ●… Lauford S. 3 Crescents Or. 18 Hum. Ferrers ar   A M P. 9 Will. Catesby m.   Ar. 2 Lions ●…ass S. ●…0 Tho. Lucy mil. Charlcott Gal. Crusulee Or 3 Picks 〈◊〉 Lucies H●…uriant Ar. ●…1 Ed. Boughton ar ut pri●…s   22 Geo. Digby ar Coleshull Az. a Flower delu●…e Ar. ●…3 Tho. Leigh ar Stonleigh G. a Cross engrailed Arg. on the first quarter a I●…zen of the second 24 Io. Harington m. Comb. Abbey S. a Fret Ar. 5 Edw. Holt ar Aston Ar. 3 Flower deluces Az. 26 Ful. Grevill mil. ut prius   ●…7 An. Shuckburgh a. Shugbury S. a Chev. betwixt 3 Mullets Ar. ●…8 Th. Daubrigcourt Soli●…ul Ermin 3 B●…rs Humet G. ●…9 Hum. Ferrers ar ut priu●…   30 Will. Feelding ar ut prius   31 Will. Boughton a. ut prius   32 Rich. Verney ar Compton Az. on a Cross Arg. 3 Mullets G 33 Will. Leigh mil. Murdak   34 Rad. Hubaud ar     35 Ge. Devereux ar Cost ●…wich A g. a Fess G●…n chiefe 3 Torteauxes ●…6 Edw. Grevill ar ut prius   37 Tho. Le●…gh mil. ut prius   38 Rob. Burgoyn ar   on chief embatteled Ar. as many Martlets S. 39 Cle. Fisher ar Pack●…ng Ar. a Chev. varry between 3 Lions Rampent G. 40 Sam. Marowe ar ut prius   41 Tho. Hoult ar ut prius   42 Tho. Lucy mil. ut pri●…s   43 Rob. Burde●…t Bramcot Az. 2 Barrs Or. on each 3 Martlets G. 44 Will. Peyto ar Chesterton Barry of 6 Peeces Arg. G per ●…ale ind●…nted coun●… chang'd 45 Barth Hales   G. 3 Arrows Or fea●…red and Headed A●… REG. IAC     Anno     1 Barth Hale●… ●…r ut prius   2 Rich. Verney mi. ut prius   3 Tho. Beaufoe mil. Guise Clif. Erm. ●…n a 〈◊〉 3 Cin●…ue foiles Or. 4 Ed. Boughton ar ut prius   5 Will. Combe ar     6 And Arch●… a●… Tanwo●…th Azure●… A●…rows Or. 7 Wil. Somervile m.   Ar. on a sess bet●…een 3 A●…nuleis G. as many L●…opard-heeds of the firs●… 8 ●…as Feelding ar ut prius   9 Tho. Luc●… mil. ut priu●…   10 C●…e Th●…ogmortō Hasley G●… o●… a Ch●… Aug. 3 〈◊〉 Gemelles S. 11 Ioh. Reppingtō a.     12 Ioh. Fert●…s mil.     13 Will. Combe ar ut pr●…us   14 Wal. Devereux m. ut prius   15 Io. Sh●…ckburgh a. ut pri●…s   16 Fran. Leigh mil. 〈◊〉 Ut prius w●… du●… difference 17 Rob. Lee mil. Regis   18 ●…h Temple m. b. Dasset Arg. on 2 Ba●… S. 6 Martle●…s Or. 19 Will. Noell ar   Or Fret●… G. ●… Can●…n Ermine 20 Ioh. H●…ebaud ar     21 Tho. Puckering m. Warwick S. a B●…nd fus●…lly c●…ised Ar. 22 Her Unde●…hill m. Eatendon Arg. a Cheveron G. between 3 Tre●…s Ver●… CAR. REG.     Anno     1 Ioh. Newdigate a. Erdbury G. 3 Lions Gambes or Pawes erazed A●…g 2 S●…m Archer mil. ut prius   3 Rob. Fisher mil. ut pr●…us   4 Geo. Dever●…x a. ut prius   5 Rog Burgo●…n ar ut prius   6 Will. Purefoy ar   S. 3 Pair of Cantlets arming or clipping Arg. 7 Wil. Boughton ar ut prius   8 Tho. Lucy mil. ut prius erect proper 9 Sim. Clerke mil. S●…lford G. 3 Sword●… in fess the Points 10 Rich Murdon ar Morton E●…m on a C●…if S. a Talbot pass Argent 11 Gre. Verney mil. ut prius   12 Tho. Leigh mil. ut prius   13 Ed. Underhill mi. ut prius   14 Ioh. Lisle ar     15 Geo. Warner ar Wolston Arg. a Cheveron ●…w x●… 3 Boars●…eads S. cooped G. 16 Edw. Ferrars Badesly G. 7 Ma●…klees conjunct viz. 3 17 SPATTA   3 and 1 Or a Canton Erm. 18 HAeCMIHI     19 BELLA     20 DEDE     21 RUNT     22 Rich. Lucy at ut prius   Queen Elizabeth 27 AN. SHUGBURG Ar. Though the Records belonging to this family have been embezeled so that the Links of their Successions cannot be chained in a continued Pedegree from their Original yet is their Surname right ancient in the place of their Name and Habitation giving for their Armes the Stones Astroites in Heraldry reduced to Mullets which they most resemble found within their Mannor King James 2 RICHARD Verney Mil. In his Sheriffalty the Powder-Traitors met at Dunchurch at their appointed hunting-match when suspecting their plot discovered they entred on such designs as despair dictated unto them scattering of scandals breaking of houses stealing of horses c But such the care of this Sir Richard to keep the peace of this County that he hunted the Hunters out of this into the next Shire of Worcester 16 FRANCIS LEIGH Mil. He was c●…eated Baron of Dunsmore and afterwards Earl of Chichester by K. Gharles the first His Eldest daughter and Heir was married to Thomas Earl of Southampton his younger to George Villiers Viscount Grandison King Charles 2 SIMON ARCHFR Mil. This worthy Knight is a lover of Antiquity and of the Lovers thereof I should be much dishear●…ed at his great Age which promiseth to us no hope of his long continuance here were I ●…ot comfort●…d with the consideration of his worthy Son the Heir as well of his S●…udiousness as Estate 12 THOMAS ●…IGH Mil King Charles the first at Oxford created him for his fidelity in dangerous times Baron of Stoneleigh in this County and he is happy in his son Sir Thomas Leigh who undoutedly will dignify the honour which descendeth unto him The Battle on October 3. 1642. As for the fatall Fight at Edge-Hill called Keinton-field from the next Market-town thereunto the actings therein are variously related and ●… confess my self not to have received any particular intelligence thereof
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 〈◊〉 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 〈◊〉 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 Vi●…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 gr●…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 〈◊〉 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 ●…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
expressing her intention to confer it on Watson the foresaid Earl requested the contrary acquainting the Queen with the passage betwixt them how otherwise it would be two hundred pounds out of his way Nay then said the Queen Watson shall have it he being more worthy thereof who will give two hundred to decline then he who will give two thousand pounds to attain it I confess such who have read so much of the Corruption of the Earl of Leicester and heard so little of the Integrity of Watson will hardly credit this story which I am ready to believe and the rather because of this his Epitaph written on his Marble Monument in the Church of Saint Mary Overies D. Johannes Watson hujus Ecclesi●… Winton Praebendarius Decanus 〈◊〉 deinde Episcopus prudentissimus pater vir optimus praecipuè erga inopes misericors obiit in Domino January 23. anno ●…tatis 63. Episcopatus quarto 1583. Nothing else have I to observe save that there were three Watsons Bishops in the raign of Queen Elizabeth Thomas of Lincoln our John of Winchester and Anthony of Chichester though I believe little allied together States-men Sir THOMAS COVENTRY Knight was born at Croone in this County Eldest Son to Sir Thomas Coventry Knight one of the Justices of the Common Pleas. He was bred in the Inner Temple a student of the Laws and in the year 1618. was Treasurer of the said Temple and Atturney Generall to King James He was afterwards made Lord keeper of the Great Seal of England the first day of November in the first year of King Charles He was by the same King Created in the fourth of his raign April 10. Baron Coventry of Alesborough in this County An ingenious Gentleman in his History giveth him this Character in relation to his Keeper-ship that he injoyed that dignity fifteen years if it was not more proper to say that dignity enjoyed him This latter age affording none better qualified for the place Adding that he knew enough and acted conformable to his knowledge so that Captious Mali●…e ●…nds mute to blemish his fame To which we will only adde some few operative words taken out of his Patent when he was Created Baron Nos igitur in personâ Pr●…dilecti per quam fidelis 〈◊〉 ●…stri Thomae Coventry Militis custodis magni sigilli nostri Angliae gratissima dignissima serviti●… quae idem consiliarius noster tam Pr●…charissimo Patri 〈◊〉 Jacobo Regi 〈◊〉 Memoriae per multos an●…s quam nobis ab ipsis R●…gni nostri primis auspiciis fidelissimè prudentissimè praestitit impendit indiesque impendere non desistit nec non 〈◊〉 prudentiam strenuitatem dexteritatem integri●…tem industriam 〈◊〉 nos nostram coronam animo benigno regali intime recolentes constantiam fidelitatem ipsi●… Thomae Coventry Militis c. In cujus rei c. T. R. apud Westm. decimo di●… Aprilis Anno regni Regis Caroli 4. He died about the beginning of January 1639. before our Civill distempers began so that it is hard to say whether his Honourable Life or Seasonable Death was the greater favour which God bestow'd upon him I must not forget that it hath been observed that never Lord Keeper made fewer Orders which afterwards were Reversed then this Lord Coventry which some ascribe to his Discretion grounding most of his Orders on the Consent and Comprimise of the parties themselves interested therein whose hands so tyed up by their own Act were the more willing to be quiet for the future Writers on the Law Sir THOMAS LITLETON Knight Reader the Nimiety of my Cautiousness loath to prejudice the seeming right of any made me to bestow part of his Character on Staffordshire who since am convinced that he wholly and solely belongeth to this Shire as born at Frankley therein and I request the Reader to rectify some mistakes I formerly wrot by that which followeth He was a man remarkable in many respects First for his Extraction he was Son to Thomas Wescot Esquire and Elizabeth Litleton his wife who being a Double Inheritrix by her Father to the Litletons Mother to the Quatremains indented with Husband that her Heritable Issue should assume her Surname Say not her Husband might say Accepi dotem cognomen perdidi seeing it was done before his marriage by his free consent Besides we find even in Scripture it self Joab being constantly named the son of his Mother Zeruiah Secondly for his happiness that two great Kings had a great Sympathy to him who had an Antipathy each to other Henry the sixth whose Serjeant he was and rod Judge of the Northern circuit and Edward the fourth who made him a Judge and in his raign he rod the Northamptonshire Circuit Thirdly for his Exquisite skill in the Laws witness his Book of Tenures which though writ about two hundred years since yet at this day retaineth an Authentical reputation Insomuch that when in the raign of King James it came in question upon a Demu●…rer in Law whether the release to one Trespasser should be available or no to his Companion Sir Henry Hubbard and Judges Warberton Winch and Nicols his Companions gave Judgement according to the opinion of our Litleton and openly said that They would not have HIS CASE disputed or questioned Lastly for his happy posterity having left three families signally fixed and flourishing in this and the neighboring Counties of Stafford and Salop. And one saith very truely that these Quarter the Armes of many Matches after the best manner of quartering them other are scarce half-half-quartering them viz. they possess at this day good land on the same account Indeed the Lord Coke observeth that our Lawyers seldome dye either without Wills or Heirs For the first I believe it for our Common Lawyers will not have their Estates come under the Arbitrary dispose of a Civilian Judge of the Prerogative and therefore wisely prevent it For the second the Observation as qualified which Seldome may pass otherwise our Grand-fathers can remember Sir James Dier Lord Chief Justice and Periam Lord Chief Baron both dying without Issue His Book of Tenures hath since been Commented on by Sir Edward Coke his most Judicious Pen. Dic mihi num Textus vel Commentatio prestat Dicam ego tam Textus quam Commentatio prestat He died in the 21. year of King Edward the fourth and lyeth buried in the Cathedrall of Worcester having formerly constituted Doctor Alcock his faithfull friend and then Bishop of Worcestor Supervisor of his Will who saw it performed to all criticall particulars Souldiers RICHARD BEAUCHAMP Earl of Warwick was born at the ma●…or-Ma●…or-house of Salwape in this County January the 28. 1381. King Richard the second and Richard Scroope then Bishop of Coventry afterwards Arch-bishop of York were his Godfathers A person so redoubted for Marshall Atchievements that the poeticall fictions of Hercules his labours found in him a reall
Commodity in this County not ●…ormerly omitted by me but pretermited till this Occasion Sure it is that the finest though this may seem a word of Challenge Cloth of England is made at Worcester and such I believe was that which Erasmus that great Critick who knew fine Cloth as well as pure Latine is calleth Pannus Britannicus Lempster Wool in the neighboring County of Hereford being here made into Pardon the Prolepsis till it be died the purest Scarlet YORK-SHIRE YORK-SHIRE hath the Bishoprick of Durham and Westmer land on the North Lancashire and a snip of Cheshire on the West Derby Notingham and Lincolnshire divided by Humber on the South and the German Ocean on the East thereof It extendeth without any Angular advantages unto a square of fourscore and ten miles adequate in all Dimensions unto the Dukedome of Wirtenberg in Germany Yea on due consideration I am confident that all the seven United Provinces cannot present such a square of solid Continent without any Sea interposed One may call and justify this to be the best Shire of England and that not by the help of the generall Katachresis of Good for Great a good blow good piece c. but in the proper acception thereof If in Tullies Orations all being excellent that is adjudged optima quae longissima the best which is the longest then by the same proportion this Shire partaking in goodness alike with others must be allowed the best Seeing Devonshire it self the next in largeness wisely sensible of the visible inequality betwixt them quits all claimes of corrivality as a case desperate and acknowledgeth this as Paramont in greatness Indeed though other Counties have more of the Warm Sun this hath as much as any of God's temporall blessings So that let a Survayer set his Center at Pon●…fract or thereabouts and take thence the Circumference of twenty miles he there will meet with a tract of ground not exceeded for any nor equalled for the goodness and plenty of some Commodities I would term it the Garden of England save because it is so far from the Mansion House I mean the City of London Insomuch that such sullen dispositions who do not desire to go thither only because of the great distance the same if settled there would not desire to come thence such the delight and pleasure therein Most true it is that when King Henry the eight Anno 1548. made his Progress to York Doctor Tonstall Bishop of Durham then attending on him shewed the King a Valley being then some few miles North of Doncaster which the Bishop avowed to be the richest that ever he found in all his travails thorough Europe For within 10. miles of Hasselwood the seat of the Vavasors there were 165. Mannor houses of Lords Knights and Gentlemen of the best quality 275. Severall Woods whereof some of them contain five hundred Acres 32. Parks and two Chases of Dear 120. Rivers and Brooks whereof Five be Navigable well stored with Salmon and other Fish 76. Water-mills for the Grinding of Corn on the aforesaid Rivers 25. Cole-mines which yield abundance of Fuell for the whole County 3. Forges for the making of Iron and Stone enough for the same And within the same limits as much sport and pleasure for Hunting Hawking Fishing and Fowling as in any place of England besides Naturall Commodities Geat A word of the name colour vertues and usefulness thereof In Latine it is called Gagates as different in nature as alike in name to the precious stone called Gagites onely found in an Eagles nest whence our English word Geat is deduced But be it remembred that the Agate vastly distinct from Geat is also named Gagates It is found in this County towards the sea side in the clefts of the rocks whose gaping chaps are filled up therewith It is naturally of a reddish and rusty colour till it becomes black and bright by polishing Indeed the lustre consists in the blackness thereof Negroes have their beauties as well as fair folk and vulgar eyes confound the inlayings made of black Marble polished to the height with Touch Geat and Ebony though the three former be stones the last a kind of wood The vertues of Geat are hitherto conceal'd It is the lightest of all solid not porous stones and may pass for the Embleme of our memories attracting trifles thereto and letting slip matters of more moment Rings are made thereof fine foyles to fair fingers and bracelets with beads here used for Ornament beyond sea for Devotion also small utensills as Salt-cellars and the like But hear how a Poet describes it Nascitur in Lycia lapis a prope gemma Gagates Sed ge●…us eximium faecunda Britania mittit Lucidus niger est levis laevicssimusi idem Vicinas paleas trahit attritu calefactus Ardet aquâ lotus restinguitur unctus olivo Geat a stone and kind of gemm In Lycia grows but best of them Most fruitfull Britain sends 't is bright And black and smooth and very light If rubb'd to heat it easily draws Unto it self both chaffe and straws Water makes it fiercely flame Oyle doth quickly quench the same The two last qualities some conceive to agree better to our sea-coal then Geat whence it is that some stiffly maintain that those are the Brittish Gagates meant by forraign Authors and indeed if preciousness of stones be measured not from their price and rarity but usefulness they may be accounted precious But hereof formerly in the Bishoprick of Durham Alume This was first found out nigh Ge●…burgh in this County some sixty years since by that worthy and learned Knight Sir Thomas Chaloner Tutor to Prince Henry on this occasion He observed the leaves of trees there abouts more deeply green then elsewhere the Oakes broad-spreading but not deep-rooted with much strength but little sap the earth clayish variously coloured here White there Yellowish there Blew and the ways therein in a clear night glistering like glass symptoms which first suggested unto him the presumption of Minerals and of Alum most properly Yet some years interceded betwixt the discovery and perfecting thereof some of the Gentry of the Vicinage burying their estates here under earth before the Alum could be brought to its true consistency Yea all things could not fadge with them untill they had brought not to say stolń over three prime workmen in Hogsheads from Rochel in France whereof one Lambert Russell by name and a Walloon by birth not long since deceased But when the work was ended it was adjudged a Mine Royal and came at last to be rented by Sir Paul Pindar who paid yearly To The King 12500. The Earl of Moulgrave 01640. Sir William Penniman 00600. Besides large salaries to numerous Clarks and daily wages to Rubbish-men Rockmen Pit-men and House-men or Fire-men so that at one time when the Mines were in their Majesty I am credibly informed he had in pay no fewer then eight hundred by sea and land
One hundred thousand pounds towards maintaining the war then on foot against the Turks This vast donation makes some suspect this Sir George for a Knight who by this might have been Eques Auratus though indeed never more than Sir Priest and Canon of Bridlington Returning into his native Country and desiring to repose his old age no Philosophers Stone to quiet retirement he was dispensed with by the Pope to leave his Canons place as too full of employment and became a Carmelite-Anchorite at Boston in Lincolnshire where he wrote no fewer than 25. Books though his Compound of Alchimy carrieth away the credit of all the rest It presenteth the Reader with the twelve gates leading to the making of the Philosophers Stone which are thus reckoned up in order 1. Calcination 2. Solution 3. Separation 4. Conjunction 5. Putrefaction 6. Congelation 7. ●…ibation 8. Sublimation 9. Fermentation 10. Exaltation 11. Multiplication 12. Projection Oh for a Key saith the Common Reader to open these Gates and expound the meaning of these words which are familiar to the knowing in this mystery But such who are disaffected thereunto what Art hath not enemies demand whether these gates be to let in or let out the Philosophers Stone seeing Projection the last of all proves but a Project producing nothing in effect We must not forget how the said Sir George beseecheth all men wheresoever they shall meet with any of his Experiments written by him or that go under his name from the year 1450. to the year 1470. either to burn them or afford them no credit being written according to his esteem not proofe and which upon trial he afterwards found false and vaine For mine own part I believe his Philosophy truer than his Chimical Divinity for so may I call his Work wherein he endeavours to equal in merit for mankind the compassion of the Virgin Mary with the passion of Christ. He died about the year of our Lord 1492. and some of his Works are since exactly set forth by my worthy and accomplished Friend Elias Ashmole Esqire in his Theatrum Chimicum Britannicum THOMAS JOHNSON was born in this County not far from * Hull bred an Apothecary in London where he attained to be the best Herbalist of his age in England making Additions to the Edition of Gerard. A man of such modesty that knowing so Much he would own the knowledge of Nothing The University of Oxford bestowed on him the Honourary degree of Doctor in Physick and his loyalty engaged him on the Kings side in our late Civil Warre When in Basing House a dangerous piece of service was to be done this Doctor who publickly pretended not to Valour undertook and performed it Yet afterwards he lost his life in the siege of the same House and was to my knowledge generally lamented of those who were of an opposite judgement But let us bestow this Epitaph upon him Hic Johnsone jaces sed si mors cederet herbis Arte fugata tua cederet illa tuis Here Iohnson lies could Physick fence deaths dart Sure death had bin declined by his art His Death happened Anno Dom. 1644. W●…iters ALPHRED of Beverley born therein a Town termed Urbs or City by Bale or thereabouts and bred in the University of Cambridge Hence he returned to his native place where he was made Treasurer of the Convent ●…ence as some will have it commonly called Alphredus Thesaurarius others concei●…g this his Topical relation too narrow to give him so general a Name will have him s●… stiled from being so carefull a storer up God send more to succeed him in that Office of memorable Antiquities Indeed with the good Housholder he brought out of his Treasury things new and old writing a Chronicle from Brutus to the time of his own death which happened Anno 1136. GULIELMUS REHIEVAILENSIS or WILLIAM of RIEVAULX was so named from the place of his Nativity in this County being otherwise a Monk of Rushford His Learning was great according to that age and his genius enclined him most to History whereof he wrote a fair Volumne of the things done in his own age himself being an eye witnesse of a great part thereof For though generally Monks were confined to their Cloisters more liberty was allowed to such persons whose Pens were publickly employed And when Monks could not go out to the news news came home to them such was their intelligence from Clergy men who then alone were employed in State Offices It was no wonder that the writings of this William did but had been a miracle if they did not savour of the superstition of the times He dedicated his Book to Ealread Abbot of Rievaulx and died Anno Dom. 1146. EALREAD Abbot of Rievaulx lately named was one eminent in his generation for Piety and Learning He was most intimate with David King of Scotland and had the rare felicity to adventure on desperate differences betwixt great persons and yet above humane hope to compleat their agreement He had Saint Augustines Confessions both by heart and in his heart yet generally he is accounted the English Saint Bernard and wrote very many Books whereof one De Virginitate Mariae and another De Abusionibus Claustri shewing twelve abuses generally committed in that kind of life Yet as Saint Paul honoured widows that were widows indeed he had a high esteem for Monks who were Monks indeed so addicted to a solitary life that he refused all Honours and several Bishopricks proffered unto him He died in the 57. year of his age 1166. and after his death attained with many the reputation of a Saint WALTER DANIEL was Deacon to Ealread aforesaid and it is pity to part them Leland saith that he followed his Abbot Sanctâ Invidiâ Give me leave to english it with holy emulation and they who run in that race of Vertue neither supplant such who are before them nor justle those that are even with them nor hinder those who come behind them He trod in his Masters foot steps yet so that my Author saith Non modo aequavit sed superavit writing a Book on the same subject De Virginitate Mariae He flourished Anno 1170. under King Henry the second and was buried in his own Abby ROBERT the SCRIBE but no Pharisee such his Humility not Hypocrite such his Sincerity was the fourth Prefect of Canon Regulars at Bridlington in this County He had his surname from his dexterity in writing not a little beneficial in that age Erasmus ingeniously confessing that his Father Gerard got a handsome livelihood thereby But our Robert in fair and fast writing did reach a Note above others it being true of him what was said Nondum lingua suum dextra peregit opus The Tongue her task hath not yet done When that the Hand her race hath run And he may be said to have had the long Hand of short Hand such the swiftness of his Pen though I confesse
Chri. Hilliard ar   Az. a Cheveron betwixt 3 mullets Or. 13 Tho. Fairfax ar ut prius   14 Ioh. Dawney ar ut prius   15 Marm. Constable m. ut prius   16 Will. Bellasis mil. Newborogh Arg. a Cheveron Gu. betwixt 3 flower de luces Az. 17 Tho. Danby mil. ut prius   18 Tho. Boynton ar Barmstone Or. a Fess between 3 Cressents Gules 19 Will. Fairfax ar ut prius   20 Cl. Wondsworth ar Kirklington   21 Rich. Goodrich ar Ribton Arg. on a Fess G. twixt 2 Lions pas Gard. S. a flour de luce of the first between 2 Cressents O. Arg. a Lion Rampant Sable 22 Rad. Burcher ar     23 Rob. Stapleton mi.     24 Tho. Wentworth m. ut prius   25 Got. Gargrave mil. ut prius   26 Ioh. Hotham mil. ut prius   27 Bri. Stapleton ar ut prius   28 Hen. Constable m. ut prius   29 Rob. Aske   Or 3 Barralets Azure 30 Rich. Maleverer ut prius   31 Io. Dawney mil. ut prius   32 Phil. Constable ar ut prius   33 Rich. Goodrick ar ut prius   34 Will. Mallery Ripley Or a Lion Ramp queve forchee G. collard Ar. 35 Rad. Eure ar primogen Domini Eure ut prius   36 Fran. Vaughan ar ut prius   37 Chri. Hilliard ar ut prius   38 Fran. Boynton ar ut prius   39 Tho. Lassells ar   Sable a Cross Flurt Or. 40 Marm. G●…imston ar   Arg. on a Fess Sable 3 mullets of 6 points Or. 41 Rob. Swift ar * Doncaster   42 Fran. Clifford ar ut prius * Or a Cheveron Varry twixt 3 Roebucks coursant proper 43 Will Wentworth ar ut prius   44 Tho. Strickland ar     45 Hen. Bellasis mil. ut pri●…   JAC. REX     Anno     1 Hen. Bellasis mil. ut prius   2 Rich. Gargrave m. ut prius   3 Will Banburgh m Howson Arg. a Pheon on a Cheife Sab. a Lion Passant of the first 4 Hen. Griffeth mil. ut prius   5 Tim. Hutton mil. Mask   6 Hug. Bethell mil. Alne Ar. a Cheveron between 3 Boars-heads 〈◊〉 S. 7 Fran. Hildsley mil.     8 Tho. Dawney mil. ut prius   9 Hen. Sling●…by mil.   See our Notes 10 Chri. Hilliard mil. ut prius   11 Geo. Savill m. bar ut prius   12 Io. Armitage ar Kerkles Az. a Lions-head Erased between 3 Croslets Or. 13 Edw. Stanhop mil.   Quarterly Ermine and Gules 14 Mith. Warton m. Beverly Or on a Cheveron Az●… a Ma●…let betwixt 2 Pheons of the first 15 Rob. Swift m. ut prius   16 Will. Alford mil. Bilton Gules 6 Pears and a Cheif Or. 17 Arth. Ingram m.   Erm. on a Fess Gu. 3 Escallops Or. 18 Tho. Odwer m. b.     19 Rich. Tempest mil. ut prius   20 Guid. Palmes mil. Lindley G. 3 flour de luces Arg. a Cheif Varry 21 Hen. Ienkins mil.     22 Rich. Cholmeley m. ut prius   CAR. REX     Anno     1 Tho. Wentworth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut prius   2 Tho. Norcliff mil. Manythorp Azure 5 Mascles in Cross Or a Cheif Erm. 3 Tho. Fairfax mil. ut prius   4 Math. Boynton mil. bar ut prius   5 Art Ingram jun. m. ut prius   6 Io. Gibson mil.     7 Tho. Laton mil. Lat n A●… a Cheveron betwixt 3 Cross. Crosle●…s Fetchee Sable 8 Arth. Robinson m. Newby   9 Mar. Wyvell mil. bar Custable Burton G 3 Cheverons braced Varry a Cheif Or. 10 Ioh Hotham m b. ut prius   11 Will. Pennyman b. Maske G. a Cheveron Ermin●… bewixt 3 Spear-heads A●…g 12 Ioh. Ramsden mil Byram Ar. on a Cheu betwixt 3 flower de luces S. asmany Rames heads cooped of the first Henry IV. 8 THOMAS ROKEBY Mil. I may call him Sir Thomas junior in distinction from an Elder probably his Ancestor of his Name of whom in the 17. of King Edward the third This Sir Thomas in this year of his Sherivalty acquitted himself Loyall and Valiant against Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland and the Lord Bardolfe who returning out of Scotland with considerable Forces began a War against the King both which Sir Thomas at Bareham-more in this County overcame and took Prisoners A service the more remarkable because performed by the sole assistance of this Shire and quenching the fire in the first spark he presented the King with a Cheap Suddain and Seasonable Victory Henry V. 8 HALVATHEUS MAULEVER Mil. Or Mal levorer in Latine Malus Leporarius or the Bad Hare-●…unter A Gentleman of this County being to let slip a brace of Grey-hounds to run for a great wager Tradition is the Author so held them in the Swinge that they were more likely to strangle themselves then kill the Hare whereupon this Surname was fixed on his family I doubt not but many of this extraction are since as Dexterous in the Criticismes of hunting as any N●…mrod whatsoever Henry VI. 11 HENRY BROMFLEET Miles In the next year he was sent with other Embassadors both of the Clergy and Layety to the Councill of Basill and after his return was by the King Created Lord Vescy in the right of his Mother Anastatia Daughter and Heir to William Atton Lord Vescy Mr. Camden observeth this Passage inserted in his Pattent unusual in that age Volumus vos Haer●…des vestros Masculos de corpore vestro legitimè Exeuntes Barones de Vescy 〈◊〉 Now though hereby the Barony of Vescy was intailed onely on his Heirs Male yet was the Kings Favour more extensive then his Patent in this Particular For this Henry leaving no Male-iss●… but Margaret his Sole Daughter and Heir married to John Lord Clifford father to Henry first Earl of Cumberland of that Sur-name She notwithstanding the Premises derived the Barony of Vescy into that Family which at this day they enjoy 22 EDMOND TALBOT Mil. This family of Talbots is though unrelated to the house of Shrew●…bury of right antient extraction seated in this Country ever since the time of King Henry the second As for this Edmond Talbot our present Sheriff who dyed in the first of 〈◊〉 Edward the fourth he was father to Sir Thomas Talbot one very zealous for the house of York and a servant to King Richard the third who bestowed an Ańnuity of 40 pounds by the year on him and his heirs for his good service as by the following Patent will appear Richardus Dei Gratia Rex Angliae Franciae Dom. Hiberniae Omnibus ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint salutem sciatis quod de gratia nostra speciali ac pro bono gratuito servitio quod dilectus serviens noster Thomas Talbot Miles in ●…aptur a magni adversarii nostri Henrici nuper de facto sed non de jure Regis Angliae nobis ac bon●… Memoriae Regi Edwardi quarto
King James 9 HENRY SLINGSBY Mil. The Armes of this Antient and Numerous Family to large too be inserted in our List are as followeth Quarterly the First and Fourth Gules a Cheveron between two Leopards-heads and a Hutchet or Bugle Argent The Second and Third Argent a Griffon Surgeant Sable supprest by a Fess Gules 11 GEORGE SAVILL Mil. Bar. This is the last mention of this Numerous Wealthy and Antient Family which I find in this Catalogue and here Reader to confess my self unto thee my expectation is defeated hoping to find that vigorous Knight Sir John Savill in this Catalogue of Sheriffs But it seems that his constant Court-attendance being Privy-Councellour to King Charles priviledged him from that imployment untill by the same King he was Created Baron Savill of Pomfraict as his Son since was made Earl of Sussex I hear so high commendation of his house at Houley that it disdaineth to yield precedency to any in this Shire King Charles 12 JOHN RAMSDEN Mil. The Reader will pardon my Untimely and Abrupt breaking of this Catalogue for a reason formerly rendred Onely let me adde that the Renowned Knight Sir Marmaduke Langdale was Sheriff 1641. He without the least Self-attribution may say as to the Kings side of Northern Actions Pars Ego magna fui But as for his Raising the Siege of Pomfraict felt before seen by the Enemy it will sound Romanza-like to Posterity with whom it will find Plus famae quam fidei No wonder therefore if K. Charles the second Created him a Baron the Temple of Honour being of due open to him who hath passed through the Temple of Vertue The Battles Many Ingagements as much above Skirmshes as beneath Battles happened in this Shire But that at Marston-moor July 2. 1644. was our English Pharsalian Fight or rather the Fatall Battle of Cannae to the Loyal Cavaliers Indeed it is Difficult and Dangerous to present the Particulars thereof For one may easier doe right to the Memories of the Dead then save the Credits of some Living However things past may better be found fault with then amended and when God will have an Army Defeated Mistakes tending thereto will be multiplied in despite of the greatest care and diligence Know then that Prince Rupert having fortunately raised the Siege at York drew out his Men into the Moor with full intention to fight the Enemy Discreet Persons beholding the Countenance of the present affairs with an unpartiall Eye found out many Disswasives for the Prince to hazard a Battle 1. He had done his Work by relieving York let him Digest the Honour thereof and grasp at no more 2. His wearied Souldiers wanted refreshing 3. Considerable Recruits were daily expected out of the North under Colonel Clavering Adde to all these that such were the present Animosities in the Parliament Army and so great their Mutuall Disatisfactions when they drew off from York that as a prime Person since freely confest if let alone they would have fallen foul amongst themselves had not the Prince preparing to fight them Cemented their Differences to agree against a Generall Enemy But a Blot is no Blot if not hit and an Advantage no Advantage if unknown though this was true the Prince was not informed of the differences aforesaid However he did not so much run out of his own Ambition of Honour as answer the Spur of the Kings Command from whom he had lately received a Letter still safe in his Custody speedily to fight the Enemy if he had any Advantage that so he might spare and send back some Supplies to his Majesties perplexed occasions at Oxford Besides the Prince had received certain Intelligence that the Enemy had the Day before sent away seven thousand Men now so far distanced that they were past possibility of returning that day The former part hereof was true the latter false confuted by the great Shout given this day in the Parliaments Army at the return of such forces unto them But now it was too late to draw off the Parliament forces necessitating them to fight A Summers Evening is a Winters Day and about 4. a Clock the Battle began Some causelesly complain on the Marquess of New-castle that he drew not his men soon enough according to his Orders out of York to the Prince his seasonable succour Such consider not that Souldiers newly relieved from a Nine weeks Siege will a little Indulge themselves Nor is it in the power of a General to make them at such times to March at a Minutes warning but that such a Minute will be more then an Hour in the length thereof The Lord Generall Gor●…ng so valiantly charged the left Wing of the Enemy that they fairly forsooke the Field Generall L●…slie with his Scottish ran away more then an York-shire mile and a Wee-bit Fame with her Trumpet sounded their flight as far as Oxford the Royalists rejoycing with Bonfires for the Victory But within few days their Bays by a mournfull Metamorphosis were turned into Willow and they sunk the lower in true sorrow for being mounted so high in Causeless Gladness For Cromwell with his Curassires did the work of that Day Some suspected Colonel Hurry lately converted to the Kings party for foul play herein for he divided the Kings Old Horse so valiant and victorious in former fights into small Bodies alledging this was the best way to break the Scottish Lanciers But those Horse always used to charge together in whole Regiments or greater Bodies were much discomposed with this new Mode so that they could not find themselves in themselves Besides a right valiant Lord severed and in some sort secured with a Ditch from the Enemy did not attend till the foe forced their way unto him but gave his men the trouble to pass over that Ditch the occasion of much disorder The Van of the Kings foot being led up by the truely honorable Colonel John Russell impressed with unequall numbers and distanced from seasonable succour became a Prey to their Enemy The Marquess of New-castles White-coats who were said to bring their Winding sheet about them into the field after thrice firing ●…ell to it with the But ends of their Muskets and were invincible till mowed down by Cromwells Carassires with Jobs Servants they were all almost slain few escaping to bring the Tidings of their overthrow Great was the Execution on that Day Cromwell commanding his Men to give no quarter Various the numbering of the slain of both sides yet I meet with none mounting them above six or sinking them beneath three thousand I remember no Person of honour slain on the Kings side save the hopefull Lord Cary eldest Son to the E. of Monmouth But on the Parliaments side the Lord Didup a lately created Baron was slain on the same Token that when King Charles said that he hardly remembred that he had such a Lord in Scotland one returned that the Lord had wholly forgotten that he had such a King in England
for many years by past were of any Eminency but either immediately or mediately were Apprentices unto him He was bred in York school where he was School-fellow with Guy Faux which I note partly to shew that Loyalty and Treason may be educated under the same Roof partly to give a check to the received opinion that Faux was a Fleming no Native English-man He was bred in Saint Johns-colledge in Cambridge and chosen Fellow thereof to a Fellowship to which he had no more Propriety then his own Merit before Eight Comp●…titors for the place equally capable with himself and better befriended Commencing Doctor in Divinity he made his Position which though unusuall was Arbitrary and in his own power on his second Question which much defeated the expectatio●… of Doctor Playfere replying upon him with some passion Commos●…i mihi stomachum To whom Morton return'd Gratulor tibi Reverende professor de bono tuo stomacho caenabis apud me hac nocte He was successively preferr'd Dean of Gloucester Winchester Bishop of Chester Coventry and Lichfield and Durham The Foundation which he laid of Forraign corre spondency with eminent persons of different perswasions when he attended as Chaplain to the Lord Evers sent by King James Embassadour to the King of Denmark and many Princes of Germany he built upon unto the Day of his Death In the late Long Parliament the displeasure of the House of Commons fell heavy upon him partly for subscribing the Bishops Protestation for their Votes in Parliament partly for refusing to resign the seal of his Bishoprick and baptizing a Daughter of John Earl of Rutland with the sign of the Cross two faults which compounded together in the judgement of honest and wise-men amounted to a High Innocence Yet the Parliament allowed him eight hundred pounds a year a proportion above any of his Brethren for his maintenance But alass the Trumpet of their Charity gave an uncertain sound not assigning by whom or whence this summe should be paid Indeed the severe Votes of the Parliament ever took full effect according to his observation who did Anagram it VOTED OUTED But their mercifull Votes found not so free performance However this good Bishop got a thousand pounds out of Goldsmiths-hall which afforded him his support in his old Age. The Neb of his Pen was unpartially divided into two equall Moyeties the one writing against Faction in defence of three Innocent Ceremonies the other against Superstition witness the Grand Impostor and other worthy works He solemnly proffered unto me pardon me Reader if I desire politiquely to twist my own with his Memory that they may both survive together in these sad times to maintain me to live with him which Courteous Offer as I could not conveniently accept I did thankfully 〈◊〉 Many of the Nobility deservedly honoured him though none more then John Earl of Rutland to whose Kinsman Roger Earl of Rutland he formerly 〈◊〉 been Chaplain But let not two worthy Baronets be forgotten Sir George Savill who so civilly paid him his purchased Annuity of two hundred pounds withall Proffered advantages and Sir Henry Yelve●…ton at whose house he dyed aged 95. at Easton-Manduit in Northampton shire 1659. For the rest the Reader is remitted to his life written largely and learnedly by Doctor John Barwick Dean of Durham States-men Sir ROBERT CAR was born in this City on this occasion Thomas Car his father Laird of Furnihurst a man of great lands and power in the South of Scotland was very active for Mary Queen of Scots and on that accompt forced to fly his land came to York Now although he had been a great inroder of England yet for some secret reason of State here he was permitted safe shelter du●…ing which time Robert his son was born this was the reason why the said Robert refused to be Naturalized by Act of our Parliament as needless for him born in the English Dominions I have read how his first making at Court was by breaking of his leg at a Tilting in London whereby he came first to the Cognizance of King James Thus a fair starting with advantage in the notice of a Prince is more then half the way in the race to his favour King James reflected on him whose Father was a kind of Conf●…ssor for the cause of the Queen his Mother besides the Young Gentleman had a handsome person and a conveniency of desert Honors were crowded upon him made Baron Viscount Earl of Sommerset Knight of the Garter Warden of the Cinque-Ports c. He was a well natured man not mischievous with his might doing himself more hurt then any man else For abate one foul fact with the appendance and consequences thereof notoriously known and he will appear deserving no foul Character to posterity but for the same he was banished the Court lived and dyed very privately about the year of our Lord 1638. Writers JOHN WALBYE was born in this City of honest Parentage He was bred an Augustinian Provinciall of his Order and Doctor of Divinity in Oxford A Placentious Person gaining the good-will of all with whom he conversed being also Ingenious Industrious Learned Eloquent Pious and Prudent Pitz writeth that after Alexander Nevell he was Chosen but never Confirmed Arch bishop of York an Honour reserved for Robert his Younger Brother of whom before But Bishop Godwin maketh no mention hereof which rendreth it suspicious The said Pitz maketh him actuall Arch-bishop of Dublin whilst Bale who being an Irish Bishop had the advantage of exacter Intelligence hath no such thing whence we may conclude it a Mistake The rather because this John is allowed by all to have died in this place of his Nativity 1393. Also I will adde this that though sharp at first against the Wickliffites he soon abated his own Edge and though present at a Council kept at Stanford by the King against them was not well pleased with all things transacted therein JOHN ERGHOM was born in this City an Augustinian by his profession Leaving York he went to Oxford where passing thorough the Arts he fixed at last in Divinity proving an admirable Preacher My Author tells me that sometimes he would utter nova inaudita whereat one may well wonder seeing Solomon hath said There is no n●…w thing under the Sun The truth is he renewed the custome of expounding Scripture in a typicall way which crouded his Church with Auditors seeing such 〈◊〉 preaching break 's no bones much pleased their fancy and little cross'd or curb'd their corruptions Indeed some but not all Scripture is capable of such comments and because metalls are found in Mountains it is madness to Mine for them in every rich Meadow But in expounding of Scripture when mens inventions out-run the Spirits intentions their swiftness is not to be praised but sawcyness to be punished This Erghom wrote many books and dedicated them to the Earl of Hereford the same with Edward Duke of Buckingham and flourished
the Dolphin who sent him a Barrel of Paris Tennis-Balls sending such English Balls that they proved to their great loss He died at Boys S. Vincent in France the last day of August Anno 1422. and was brought over with great solemnity and interred in Westminster Abby Prelates ELIAS de RADNOR GUILIELMUS de RADNOR Ijoyn them together for three Reasons First because Natives of the same Town understand it Old Radnor the new town of that name being built probably since their decease Secondly because Bishops of the same See Landaff Thirdly because eminent being eminent for Nothing the names and dates of their deaths the one May 6. 1240. the other June the 30. 1256. being all that learned Antiquary and their Successour Bishop Godwin could recover of their memories which dishear●…eth me from ●…arther enquiry after them For let them never look for a crop who sow that ground which so skilful an husband-man thought fit to lie fallow The Farewell It much affected me and I believe all others whose hearts are of flesh and blood what I read in an Author concerning the rigorous laws imposed on the observation of the Welsh For when Owen Glyndower-dwy inveigled by some well-skilled in Merlins Prophesies that the time was come wherein the Britains through his assistance should recover their ancient freedom and liberty raised a Rebellion making war upon the Earl of March the Heir apparent both to the Crown of England and Principality of Wales King Henry the fourth inraged at his proceedings enacted these ensuing Laws First That no Welshman should purchase Lands or be chosen Citizen or Burgess of any City Borough or Market Town nor be received into any Office of Mayor Bayliff Chamberlaine c. or to be of the Councel of any Town or to bear Armour within any City Besides that if any Welsh-man should impeach or sue an Englishman It was ordained he should not be convicted unless by the judgment of English Justices verdict of English Burgesses or by the Inquest of the English Boroughs where the suits lay Yea that all English Burgesses who married Welsh Women should be disfranchised of their Liberties No congregation or Council was permitted to the Welsh-men but by licence of the chief Officers of the same Seig●…ory and in the presence of the same Officers That no Victuals should be brought into Walls unless by the especial licence of the King and his Council That no Welshmen shou●…d have any Castle Fortress or House of Defence of his own or any other m●…ns to keep That no Welsh-man should be made Justice Chamberla●… Chancellor c. of a Castle Receivor Eschetor c. nor other Officer or Keeper o●…W Records ●… nor of the Council of any English Lord. That no English man that in time to come should marry a Welsh-woman be put in any Office in Wales or in the Marches o●… the same Now as I am heartily sorry that ever the Welsh were bound to the observance of so rigorous Laws so am I truly glad that at this day they are to the happiness both of England and Wales freed from the same Yea I shall constantly pray that God would be pleased to grant us of the Loins of our Soveraign one who may be born Prince of the one and after the though late decease of his Majesty King of the other FINIS AN ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO FULLER'S Worthies of England A. NAMES SHIRE PAGE ST Aaron Monm 50 Robert Abbot Surr. 82 George Abbot Surr. 83 Sir Roger Achley Shrop. 10 John Acton Middl. 104 Ralph Acton ib. 178 Sir Thomas Adams Shrop. 10 William Adams ib. 10 William Adams Kent 77 Adam de Marisco Somer 27 St. Adelme Wilt. 147 Pope Adrian IV. Hertf. 20 Agelnoth Kent 68 William Alabaster Suff. 70 ●… Alan de Morton Berk. 104 Albericus de Veer Bedf. 121 b Alan of Lynne Norf. 256 Flaccus Albinus alias Alcuinus York 227 King Alfred Berk. 96 Alphred of Beverly York 205 Henry de Aldecheleia Staff 50 John Alcock York 214 Albricius of Lond. 216 Robert Aldricke Bucks 131 William Alley ib. 131 William Aldersea Ches 191 St. Alride Cumb. 217 St. Alkmund Derb. 231 James Altham Essex 347 William Alton Hant. 11 St. Alban Hertf. 19 St. Alnulphus Bedf. 115 c William Alan Lanc. 109 Edward Allin Lond. 223 Rose Allin Essex 323 Bertram Fitz-Allin Linc. 166 Thomas Allin Staff 42 John Amersham Buck. 135 St. Amphibalus Monm 50 Anderton Lanc. 119 Sir Edmund Anderson Linc. 161 Anderson Northumb. 310 Lancelot Andrewes Lond. 206 Thomas Andrewes Northamp 300 Richardus Anglicus Lond. 215 Laurentius Anglicus ib. 216 Anne D. to King Charles Westm. 229 Richard Angervile Suff. 29 Henry D'Anvers Wilt. 153 Sir Edmund Appleby Leicest 136 Thomas de Appleby Westmorl 137 Roger de Appleby ibid.   Sir Simon Archer Warw. 133 William Armyne Linc. 155 David Archidiaconus Bedf. 122 King Arthur Cornw. 201 Prince Arthue Hant. 4 John Arundle Cornw. 200     202 209 Thomas Arundell Suss. 103 St. Asaph Flint 38 Roger Ascham York 209 John Ashburnham Surrey 95 Thomas Askine Berk. 91 William Ascough Linc. 156 Anne Askewe ib. 155 Thomas Ashbourne Derby 236 Sir Thomas de Ashton Lanc. 122 John de Aston Staff 48 Sir Walter Aston ib. 50 Atwell Cornw. 202 Edmund Audley Staff 42 Sir Thomas Audley Essex 327 James Lord Audley Devon 258 John Aylmer Norf. 238 B. NAMES SHIRE PAGE Richard Badew Essex 335 John Badby Lond. 204 Sir Francis Bacon Westmin 241 Robert Bacon Oxf. 337 Sir Nicholas Bacon Suff. 62 75 Ralph Baines York 197 John Baconthorpe Norf. 255 William Baitman Norw 276 Sir Richard Baker Oxf. 338 John Bale Suff. 60 Thomas Bagnols Staff 44 Christopher Bambridge Westmorl 136 Bankinus Londin Lond. 217 Sir John Banks Cumb. 219 John Ball Oxf. 339 John Bancroft ib. 333 Richard Bancroft Lanc. 112 Ralph Baldock Her●…f 21 Sir Paul Bannyng Essex 347 Hugo de Balsham Camb. 160 Amias Bamfeild Devon 272 Richard Barnes Lanc. 110 William Barry Kent 94 Thomas Barrington Essex 340 John Barnston Chesh. 183 John Barkham Devon 276 Juliana Barnes Lond. 217 Richard de Barking Essex 325 Adam of Barking ib. 332 Thomas Barret ib. 340 a John Barret Norf. 258 John Barnet Hertf. 21 Edward Bash ib. 30 Richard de Baskervill Heref. 44 Sir James Baskervill ib. 46 John Barningham Suff. 69 Herbert de Basham Sussex 101 William Barlow ib. 103 Salephilax the Bard Wales 13 John of Basingsloke Hant. 10 b Valentine Barret Kent 94 John Basket Berk. 108 Thomas Basket Dorces 28●… John Basket Wilt. 163 Abbot of Battle Sussex 106 Walter de Baud Simon alii Essex 343 James Baynam Glocest. 354 Richard Basset Bedf. 121 John Basset Cornw. 210 Thomas Beckington Somers 23 Thomas Becket Lond. 203 Bede Durham 292 Sir Thomas Beigney Devon 265 Philip de la Beach Berk. 104 Margaret Beaufort Bedf. 115 Anne Beauchamp Ox●… 330 Richard Beauchamp Berk. 92   Worc. 171 Sir Edward Bellingham Westmorl 138 Thomas Bell Glocest. 362 Beavois Hant. 9
Colledge Register in an 1577. * Camd. Brit. in C●…nsh † Idem ibidem * Camb. Brit. in this County * Mr. Walton his Complete Angler pag. 245. * Camb. Brit. in Midlesex * Parkingson pag. 285. * Rab. Glouc. cited by Mr. Selden in his notes upon Polyolbion in his notes upon the 12. Song * Malmes lib. de Pnotific 2. * G●…dwin in his Catal. of Arch-Bishops of Canterbury * God in the Bishops of 〈◊〉 * At Bere Gam●… 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 * Bishop Hall in his ass●…rting Episcopacy * Driven amay in the dialect of the West * The inheritance whereof is still possessed by his Family * Pro 〈◊〉 indignante hanc gloriam sibi areptam ●…amb Eliz. Anno 1590. * Camb. Eliz. Anno 1598. * Hic 〈◊〉 English Voyages Vol. 3. pag. 163. * Idem pag. 164. * Psal. 107. 23 * The Register of New Colledge * Stow in his Survey of London continued by How pag. 97. * Idem pag. 347. * So was I informed by Mr. William Swettenham being himself●… born in 〈◊〉 eminently known an Under-teller in the Exchequer who for many years paid this pension * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gen●… pag. 〈◊〉 * Camb. Brit. in this Bisho●… Phil. 2. 15. * Camb. Brit. in this Bishoprick * Bale de scrip Brit. Cent. 6. Num. 1. * Master Fox would not put out the Feast of the Circumcision * All the remarkable passages of these four Lives are taken out of Bishop God●… in his respective Catalogue of Bishops * 1 Tim. 3. 6. * Bale de scrip A g. Cent. 9. Num. 95. * In his Eliz. 〈◊〉 1559. * Bishop Godwin in the Bishops of VVinchester 〈◊〉 in Au●…ria * J. Pits de A●…g scrip in Anno 1249. * Joh. Rouse of VVarwick * Ad Annum 1256. * S●…r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in his Arch-Bishops of Dublin * Reckoned up b●… ●… 〈◊〉 and J. Pits * Bishop Godwin in his Catalogue of Bishops * Dr. Thomas Goad in h●…s ●…dnsing his Sermon called Gratia dis●… * Out of his p●…vate pedigr●… communicated unto me * Acts 17. 11. * Num. 11. 28. * 1 King 3. 22. * Johannes Bauhinus h●…st plant univers Tom. 2. lib. 19 cap. 5. * Johannes Bodeus in Theophrastum * See the Statute 1. Jacobi cap. 18. * So am I informed by Capt. Farmer of Newgate-Market Copy-holder of the Island * Pro. 31. 19. * Camdens Brit. in Ess●… * It is generally conceived the body of King Harold * Festus lib. 9. see Mercators Atlas p. 298. * Weavers Fun. Mon. p. 641. * Alias Cogshall * In his Catal. of Religious houses in Essex * Now in the possession of the Earl of Warwick * J 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 703. * 〈◊〉 * Kilianus * Camden in Ess●…x * Ric. V●…tus Basing ad lib. 5. 〈◊〉 B●…t 〈◊〉 26. * See Nizolius in Obs. on Tully on the word abuti † Thus Saint ●…erome Apostolicis stolic●… testimoniis abu●… quae jam 〈◊〉 ia g●…ntibusdivulgata * EnglishMartyrolog on Octob. 7. pag. 272. * De script Brit. Cent. 2. Num. 23. † De Ang. script in Anno 883. * These as the following observables are taken out of Mr. Foxes Acts and Mon. in their respective Martyrdomes * F●…x Acts Mon. p. 〈◊〉 * Fox Acts and Mon. p. 2037. * Camdens Brit. in Essex * Godwin in his Catal. of Bishops * Idem in the Arch-bishops of Canterbury * Vit●… Abb. West M. S. * J. Philipot Cat. of Treasurers pag. 13. * Godwin in the Bishops of London * J. Phili●…ot Car. of Treasurers pag. 17. * Godwin in the Arch-bishops of Cant. in the life of Courtney * Tho. Walsingham in Anno 1395. * 〈◊〉 S●…elt 〈◊〉 M. S●… in the M●…sters of St. Johns * Godwin in the Bishops of Peterborogh * Parker ut prius * Proved June 8. 1631. S N. * Sto●…s survey of London p. 146. A M P. * Bale cript B●…t Cent. oct Num. 9 * Sir R. Baker in his Chronicl●… pag. 469. saith he was born ●…n Oxford-shire * Id●… ibidem * Camdens Eliz. Anno 1576. * Camdens Eliz. Anno 1577. * In my history of Cambridge S N. A M P. * Benefactors to the Publick in Cheshlre * Stows Annals in the raign of K. John * Of StandedMont-Fitchet in this County * Stow ut prius * Stow ut pr●…us † Camd. Brit. in Essex * Stow ut prius * Weavers Fun. Mon. p. 623. * In Bib. Cot. in Arch Tarris Lond. 1 Pars Pat. An. 8. H. 4. m. 20. * I received the ensuing intelligence from his near Kinsman Mr. William Gilbert of Brental-Ely in Suffolk * Bale de script Brit. Cent. 3. pag. 250. Pitz. de Ill●…str Ang. Aetat 13. pag. 274. * Pitz. de script Angl. Anno 1218. * De script Brit. Cent. 4. p. 302. * Bale de script Brit. Cent. 4. Num. 11. compared with Pitts in Anno 1250. S. N. * Bale Num. 13. Pitz. 1259. * Sir John Sucling his verses on the right honorable and learned Earl of Monmouth * Mills his Cat. of honour p. 677. * J. Bale J. Pitz. * Bale de script Brit. Cent. 7. Num. 84. * In lib●… de sacramentis cap. 17. * De Ang. script in Anno 1430 * In his hist. at the end of his Boo●… of Husbandry * Mark 15. 2. * R. Parker in Sceletos Cantabrigiensis in manuscript * See Suffolk in the title of Benefactours * 1 Kings 2. 25. * In the title of Souldiers * Abstract of the Chron of Dunm in Biblioth Cottón * Goodwin in his Catalogue of Bishops * Exemplefied in Weavers Funerall Monuments pa. 417. * Godwin in Ep Elien Anglicanae linguae omninoignarus * Mat. Paris Anno 〈◊〉 * Ad Annum 1245. * Verst●…gan in names of Contemp * Weavers Fun Mon. pag. 602. * Stows Survey of London in Faringdonward † Acts 19. 28. * Camdens Brit. in Middlesex * Acts 24. 27. * Stows Survey of London pag 90. * Idem Ibidem * In his book intitled Scriptores nostri tempores * Camdens Eliz. in Anno 1576. * Stow. Chro●… anno citat * 1 Sam 6. 11. * From whom Mr. C●…mbden in his Brit. doth dissent * Gen. 26. 12. * Ma h. 13. 8. * Hartlibs Legacy pag. 49. * Columella in bortulo * J. Minshew in his Dictionary in the word * Sir Francis Bacon in his Natural Hist. Cent. 2. Numb 148. * 1 Cor. 1. 15. * Mich. Drayton in his Po●… * Horatius * Carews Survey of Cornwall fol. 25. * William of Malm●…sbury in his Book of Bishops * Titu●… 1. 〈◊〉 * Act●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * In the 〈◊〉 of Prelates * Plautus in 〈◊〉 * Eccles. 10. 20 * Engl. Mar y●… in the 17 of July * Fox Act. and Mon. pag. 1027 * Heb. 9. 27. * 2 Cor. 11. 28 * Pag. 1030. * Sand. de Schism A●…g in his Diary Anno 1581. month of March. * Luke 24.
Lord. Thus those who when the house of the State is on fire politickly hope to save their own chamber are sometimes burned therein Treason was charged upon him for secret siding with King Edward who before and afterward de facto and always de jure was the lawfull King of England on this account he lost his life Then did the axe at one blow cut off more learning in England then was left in the heads of all the surviving nobility His death happened on Saint Lukes-day 1470. Edward Lord Tiptoft his son was restored by Edward the fourth Earl of Worcester But dying without Issue his large Inheritance fell to his three Aunts sisters to the learned Lord aforesaid viz. First Philip married to Thomas Lord Ross of Ham-lake Second Jo●…ne wife of Sir Edmund Ingoldsthorp of Borough-green in this County Third Joyce married unto Sir Edward Sutton son and heir of John Lord Dudley from whom came Edward Sutton Lord Dudley and Knight of the Garter JOHN CHEEKE Knight Tutor to King Edward the sixth and Secretary of State was born over against the Market-cross in Cambridge What Crosses afterwards befel him in his course of life and chiefly before his Pious death are largely related in our Church-History Souldiers The courage of the men in this County before the Conquest plainly appeareth by this authentick passage in a memorable author who reporteth that when the rest of the East Angles cowardly fled away in the field from the Danish army Homines comitatus Cantabrigiae viriliter obstiterunt The men of the County of Cambridge did manfully resist Our author addeth Unde Anglis regnantibus laus Cantabrigiensis Provinciae splendidè florebat Whence it was that whilst the English did rule the praise of the people of Cambridge shire did most eminently flourish Nor lost they their reputation for their manhood at the coming in of the Normans who partly by the valour of their persons partly by the advantage of their fens made so stout resistance that the Conqueror who did fly into England was glad to creep into Ely Yea I have been credibly informed that Cambridge-shire men commonly passed for a current proverb though now like old coine almost grown out of request Indeed the Common People have most Robustious Bodies insomuch that Quartersacks were here first used men commonly carrying on their backs for some short space eight bushels of Barly whereas four are found a sufficient load for those in other Counties Let none say that Active valour is ill inferred from Passive strength for I do not doubt but if just occasion were given they would find as good Hands and Arms as they do Backs and Shoulders Writers MATTHEW PARIS is acknowledged an English-man by all save such who mistake Parisius for Parisiensis and may probably be presumed born in this as bred in the next County where the name and family of Paris is right ancient even long before they were settled therein at Hildersham which accrued unto them by their marriage with the daughter and Heir of the Buslers Sure I am were he now alive the Parises would account themselves credited with his and he would not be ashamed of their affinity He was bred a Monke of Saint Albans skilled not only in Poetry Oratory and Divinity but also in such manual as lye in the suburbs of liberal Sciences Painting graving c. But his Genius chiefly disposed him for the writing of Histories wherein he wrote a large Chronicle from the Conquest unto the year of our Lord 1250. where he concludes with this distich Siste tui metas studii Matthaee quietas Nec ventura petas quae postera proferat aetas Matthew here cease thy pen in peace and study on no more Nor do thou rome at things to come what next age hath in store However he afterwards resuming that work continued it untill the year 1259. This I observe not to condemn him but excuse my self from inconstancy it being it seems a catching disease with Authors to obey the importunity of Others contrary to their own resolution His history is unpartially and judiciously written save where he ●…geth too much to Monkish Miracles and Visions and no writer so plainly discovereth the pride avarice and rapine of the Court of Rome so that he seldome kisseth the ●…opes to●… without biting it Nor have the Papists any way to wave his true jeeres but by suggesting haec non ab ipso scripta sed ab aliis falsò illi ascripta insinuating a suspicion of forgery in his last edition understand them in what ●…ome 80. years ●…ince was set forth by Mathew Parker whereas it was done with all integrity according to the best and most ancient Manuscripts wherein all those Anti-papal passages plainly appear as since in a latter and exacter Edition by the care and industry of Doctor William Wats This Mathew left off living and writing at the same time viz. anno 1259. I will only adde that though he had sharp nailes he had clean hands stri●…t in his own as well as striking at the loose conversations of others and for his eminent austerity was imployed by Pope Innocent the fourth not only to visit the Monkes in the Diocess of Norwich but also was sent by him into Norway to reform the discipline in Holui a fair Convent therein but much corrupted HELIAS RUBEUS was born at Triplow in this County bred D. D. in Cambridge Leland acquainteth us that he was a great Courtier and gracious with the King not informing us what King it was nor what time he lived in onely we learn from him that this Rubeus conceive his English Name Rouse or Red seeing many who were Nobilitatis Portenta so that as in a Tympany their very greatness was their Disease boasted if not causelesly immoderately of their high Extraction wrote a Book contra Nobilitatem inanem He is conjectured to have flourished about the year 1266. JOHN EVERSDEN was born at one of the Eversdens in this County bred a Monk in Bury-Abbey and the Cellerer thereof An Officer higher in sense then sound being by his place to provide diet ●…or the whole Convent assigning particular persons their portions thereof But our Eversdens mind mounted above such mean matters busied himself in Poetry Law History whereof he wrote a fair volume from the beginning of the world according to the humour of the Historians of that age starting all thence though they run to several marks Being a Monk he was not over fond of Fryers And observeth that when the Franciscans first entred Bury Anno 1336. there happened a hideous Hericano levelling trees and towers and whatsoever it met with The best was though they came in with a Tempest they went out with a Calme at the time of the dissolution This John flourished under King Edward the third and dyed about the year 1338. RICHARD WETHERSET commonly called of Cambridge saith Bale because he was Chancellour thereof But there
He proceeded Mr. of Arts in New Colledge in Oxford And afterwards being Arch-Deacon of Lincoln was a Zealous Promoter of the Protestant Religion In the first of Queen Mary being a member of the Convocation his heart was hot within And while he was musing the fire kindled and he spake with his tongue which afterwards occasioned his Martyrdome If Papists account him a Distracted Man none will wonder who consider how the prophane Captaines of Israel called the Son of the Prophet a mad fellow And if some vehement expressions fell from him during his imprisonment his enemies Cruelty was the Cause thereof Seing ill usage which once made a dumb beast to speak may make a Sober man Overspeak in his passion But all his sufferings are reported by Mr. Fox so perfectly Perfectum est cui nihil addi potest that it is presumption for any to hope to make an essential Addition thereunto He was Martyred Anno Dom. 1555. Decemb. 18. KATHARINE GOVVCHES GUILLEMINE GILBERT PEROTINE MASSEY whose husband a Minister of Gods word was for fear fled out of the Island The first of these was the Mother a poor widdow of St. Peters Port in the Isle of Guernsey the other two her Daughters but maried women These in the reign of Queen Mary were noted to be much absent from the Church for which they were presented before Jaques Amy then Dean of the Island who finding them to hold opinions against the real presence in the Sacrament of the Altar condemned them to be burnt for Hereticks which was done accordingly July 18. 1556. Add to these an Infant without a Christian name and no wonder it is never named seeing properly it was never born but by the force of the flame burst out of his mothers belly Perotine Massey aforesaid This Babe was taken up by W. House a by-stander and by the Command of Elier Gosselin the Bailiff supreme Officer in the then absence of the Governour of the Island cast again into the fire and therein consumed to Ashes It seems this bloody Bailiff was minded like the Cruel Tyrant Commanding Canis pessimi ne catulum esse relinquendum though this indeed was no Dogge but a Lamb and that of the first minute and therefore too young by the Levitical Law to be sacrificed Here was a Spectacle without precedent a Cruelty built three generations high that Grandmother Mother and Grandchild should all suffer in the same Flame And know Reader these Martyrs dying in the Isle of Guernsey are here reckoned in Hampshire because that Island with Jersey formerly subordinate to the Arch-Bishop of Constance in Normandy have since the reign of Queen Elizabeth been annexed to the Diocess of Winchester Prelates William Wickham was born at VVickham in this County being the Son of John Perot and Sibel his wife over whose graves he hath erected a Chappel at Titchfield in this County and bred in the University of Oxford He was otherwise called Long from the height of his stature as my Authour conceives though since it may be applied to the perpetuity of his memory which will last as long as the world endureth for his two fair Foundations at OXFORD WINCHESTER Begun 1379. Finished 1386. Begun 1387. Finished 1393. The Charter of the Foundation of St. Maries-Colledge in Oxford was dated the 26. of November 1379. in his Manour in Southwarke s●…nce called VVinchester-House The Scholars entred thereunto about nine a clock on the 14. day of April in the same year The first Stone was laid March 26. at nine a clock in the morning in the 69. year of the age of the Founder   He died in the 37th year of his Consecration and 80th of his Age in the 5th year of the Reign of King Henry the Fourth and his Benefaction to Learning is not to be paralleld by any English Subject in all particulars JOHN RUSSELL was born in this County in the Parish of Saint Peters in the Suburbs of VVinchester He was bred Fellow of New-Colledge and when Doctor of Canon-Law was chosen Chancellor of Oxford Yea that Office annual before was first fixed on him as in Cambridge on Bishop Fisher for term of life By King EDWARD the Fourth he was advanced Bishop of Lincolne and by Richard the Third Ld. Chancellor of England having ability enough to serve any and honesty too much to please so bad a King And because he could not bring him to his bent when the Lord Hastings was killed this Bishop saith my Author was for a time imprisoned He died January the 30. Anno 1490. Leaving this Character behind him Vir fuit summa pietate ex rerum usu oppidò quàm prudens doctrina etiam singulari WILLIAM WARHAM was born at Ockley of Worshipful Parentage in this County bred Fellow and Doctor of the Lawes in New-Colledge imployed by King Henry the Seventh who never sent sluggard or fool on his errand to Margaret Dutches of Burgundy and by him advanced Bishop of London then Archbishop of Canterbury living therein in great lustre till eclipsed in power and profit by Thomas VVolsey Archbishop of Yorke It may be said that England then had ten Arch-Bishops if a figure and cypher amount to so many or else if it had but two they were Arch-Bishop Thomas and Arch-Bishop VVolsey drawing all causes to his Court-legatine whilest all other Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions in England kept a constant vacation This VVarham bare with much moderation contenting himself that as he had less honour so he had less envy and kept himself coole whilst VVolsey his screene was often scorched with just and general hatred In the case of K. Henry His divorce he was the Prime Advocate for Queen Katherine and carried it so cautiously that he neither betrayed the cause of his Client nor incurr'd the Kings displeasure Nor will any wonder that an Arch-Bishop of Canterbury did then plead before an Arch-Bishop of York seeing the King at the same time was summoned before His Subject He survived VVolsey's ruine but never recovered his former greatness blasted with a PRAEMUNIR●… with the rest of the Clergy and the heavier because the higher in dignity He is said to have expended thirty thousand pounds in the repair of his Palaces the probable reason why he left no other publick Monuments though Arch-bishop twenty eight years dying Anno Domini 1533. ROBERT SHERBORN was born in this County and bred first in VVinchester and then in New Coll. was a great Schollar and prudent Man imployed in several Embassies by K. Henry the seventh and by him preferred Bishop first of St. Davids then Chichester Which Church he decored with many Ornaments and Edifices especially the South-side thereof Where On the one side On the other The History of the foundation of the Church with the Images of the Kings of England The Statues of all the Bishops of this See both those of Selcey and of Chichester He often inscribed
for his Motto Dilexi decorem domus tuae Domine I have loved the beauty of thy House ô Lord and sometimes Credite operibus Trust their works Now although some may like his Almes better then his Trumpet Charity will make the most favourable construction thereof Being 96. years of age he resigned his Bishoprick and died in the same year Anno Dom. 1536. JOHN WHITE was born in this County of a worshipful House began on the floor and mounted up to the roof of Spiritual Dignitie in this Diocess First Scholar in VVinchester then Fellow of New-colledge in Oxford then Master of VVinchester-School then VVarden of that Colledge and at last taking Lincoln Bishoprick in his passage Bishop of VVinchester all composed in this Distick Me puero Custos Ludi paulo ante Magister VITUS hac demum Praesul in Urbe fuit I may call the latter a Golden Verse for it cost this VVhite many an Angel to make it true entring into his Bishoprick on this condition to pay to Cardinal Pole a yearly Pension of a thousand pounds Now though this was no better then Simony yet the Prelats Pride was so far above his Covetousness and his Covetousness so farre above his Conscience that he swallowed it without any regreet He was a tolerable Poet and wrote an Elegy on the Eucharist to prove the corporal presence and confute Peter Martyr the first and last I believe who brought controversial Divinity into Verses He preached the Funeral Sermon of Queen Mary or if you will of publique Popery in England praising Her so beyond all measure and slighting Queen Elizabeth without any cause that he justly incurr'd Her displeasure This cost him deprivation and imprisonment straiter then others of his Order though freer than any Protestant had under Popish Persecutours until his death which hap'ned at London about the year 1560. Since the Reformation THOMAS BILSON was born in the City of Winchester bred first Scholar in Winchester-School then taking New-Colledge in his passage School-master thereof afterwards Warden of the Colledge and at last taking Worcester in his way Bishop of Winchester As reverend and learned a Prelate as England ever afforded witness his worthy Works Of the perpetual Government of Christs Church and of Christs Descent into Hell not Ad 1. Patiendum to Suffer which was concluded on the Cross with it is finished Nor 2. Praedicandum to Preach useless where his Auditory was all the forlorn hope Neither 3. Liberandum to Free any Pardon never coming after Execution But 4. Possidendum to take possession of Hell which he had conquered And 5. Triumphandum to Triumph which is most honourable in Hostico in the Enemies own Country The New Translation of the Bible was by King James his command ultimately committed to his and Dr. Smiths Bishop of Gloueester perusal who put the compleating hand thereunto His pious departure out of this life hapned 1618. HENRY COTTON was born at Warblington in this County being a younger son unto Sir Richard Cotton Knight and privy Councellor to King Edward the Sixth Queen whilest yet but Lady Elizabeth being then but twelve years of age was his God-mother He was bred in Magdalen Colledge in Oxford and was by the Queen preferred Bishop of Salisbury When she pleasantly said That formerly she had blessed many of her God-sons but now her God-son should bless her Reflecting on the Solemnity of Episcopal Benediction He was consecrated November the 12. 1598. at which time William Cotton of another Family was made Bishop of Exeter The Queen merrily saying alluding to the plenty of clothing in those parts that she hoped that now she had well Cottoned the West By his wife whose name was Patience he had nineteen children and died May the 7. 1615. ARTHUR LAKES was born in the Parish of Saint Michael in the Town of Southampton bred first in VVinchester-School then Fellow of New-Colledge In his own nature he preferred the fruitfulness of the Vine and fatness of the Olive painfulness in a private Parish before the government of the Trees had not immediate Providence without his suit and seeking preferred him successively Warden of New-Colledge Prefect of Saint Crosses nigh VVinchester Dean of VVorcester Bishop of Bath and VVells He continued the same in his Rochet what he was in his Scholars-gown and lived a real comment upon Saint Pauls character of a Bishop 1. Blameless Such as hated his Order could not cast any aspersion upon him 2. The Husband of one VVife He took not that lawful Liberty but led a single Life honouring Matrimony in his brethren who embraced it 3. Vigilant Examining Canonically in his own person all those whom he ordained 4 Sober of good behaviour Such his austerity in diet from his University-Commons to his dying day that he generally fed but on one and that no daintie dish and fasted four times a week from supper 5. Given to Hospitality When Master of Saint Crosses he encreased the allowance of the poor-Brethren in diet and otherwise When Bishop he kept 50. servants in his Family not so much for state or attendance on his Person but pure charity in regard of their private need 6. Apt to teach the Living with his pious Sermons in his Cathedral and neighbouring Parishes and Posterity with those learned Writings he hath left behinde him 7. Not given to VVine His abstemiousness herein was remarkable 8. No striker not given to filthy lucre He never fouled his fingers with the least touch of Gehazi's reward freely preferring desert 9. One that ruleth well his own House The rankness of House-keeping brake not out into any Riot and a Chapter was constantly read every Meal by one kept for that purpose Every night besides Cathedral and Chappel-Prayers he prayed in his own Person with his Family in his Dining-room In a word his Intellectuals had such predominancy of his Sensuals or rather Grace so ruled in both that the Man in him being subordinate to the Christian he lived a pattern of Piety I have read of one Arthur Faunt a Jesuite who entring into Orders renounced his Christian name because forsooth never Legendary Saint thereof and assumed that of Laurence This gracious Arthur was not so superstitiously scrupulous and if none before may pass for the first Saint of his name dying in the fifty ninth year of his age Anno Domini 1602. States-men RICHARD RICH Knight was in the words of my Author A Gentleman well descended and allied in this County Bred in the Temple in the study of our Common Law and afterwards became Sollicitor to King Henry the eighth His Deposition on Oath upon words spoken to him in the Tower was the sharpest evidence to cut off the head of Sir Thomas More He was under Cromwel a lesser hammerto knock down Abbeys most of the Grants of which Lands going through his hands no wonder if some stuck upon his fingers Under King Edward the Sixth he