in te transfudit Et propterea abs te non simpliciter petit Benesicium sed meritò repetit Ossicium nec unam aliquam causam tibi proponit sed sua omnia seipsam tibi committit Nec sua necesse habet aparire tibi consilia quorum recessus diverticula nósti universa Age igitur quod scis velis quod potes persice quod debes Sic Literis Academiae Reipublicae Religioni sic Christo Principi rem debitam Expectatam efficies IESUS te diutissmè servet incolumem And this Address had the Success it desired For the Colleges of the Universities and the other Colleges of Learning in the Nation were spared by a Proviso tho' the aforesaid Bills pass'd into an Act which we must attribute in good measure to Smith and his Party stirring in the House to bring it to pass The Lord Protector had set up an Office in his House of a Master of Requests for the better care-taking of poor Mens Sutes and for the more effectual speeding them without the Delays and Charges of Law In this Office was Dr. Smith placed and seems to have been the second Master of Requests to the Protector as Cecil was the first While he was in the Service of this Great Duke he obtained divers other considerable Places As to be Steward of the Stannaries Smith being an excellent Metallist and Chymist Provost of Eaton College wherewith he was very well pleased where whether he were present or absent there was always good Hospitality kept Dean of the Cathedral Church of Carlisle being at least in Deacons Orders And at last Secretary of State to the King with a Knighthood By this time he had purchased two Houses one in Channon-Row Which he bought for Two hundred Mark of Sir Ralph Sadleir sometime Secretary of State to King Henry which he Let to Mr. Comptroller for 30 l. per Ann. And here he lived himself in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth And this was the House where the Commissioners met in the first Year of that Queen to consult for the Reformation of Religion and preparing the Book of Common-Prayer His other House was in Philpot-lane London where his younger Brother a Merchant lived It was a large and fair House He bought it of certain Executors but the Title being doubtful whether the King had not a Right in it he procured of his Lord the Duke to speak to the King in his behalf To this House also another pretended But the Contest between Sir Thomas and that other was referred And so in the End Sir Thomas enjoyed it He also purchased the Mannor of Yarlington in Somersetshire worth 30 l. per Ann. of the Marquis of Northampton it being given to him at the Coronation of Queen Katharine his Sister This Cost Smith 300 l. or thereabouts being Money that he had gotten at Cambridge before he came into the Protectors Service and lent to his Brother the Merchant Of the Commissioners for the Chauntries he also bought the College of Darby which went at 33 l. per Ann. which Cost him a Thousand Marks Which was the Portion he had with his Wife For while he lived in the Dukes Family he Married his first Wife named Elizabeth Daughter of William Karkek or Carkyke of London Gentleman Whose Sister Anne after Married to Sir Thomas Chamberlayn long Embassador Resident in Flanders and Spain Smith's Lady was a little Woman and one that affected not fine gaudy Cloths for which she was taxed by some And by this one might rather judge her to have been a Woman of Prudence and Religion and that affected Retirement rather than the splendor of a Court. For Dr. Smith allowed her what she pleased And she was his Cash-keeper However he used to wear goodly Apparel and went like a Courtier himself For which he said that some might seem to have cause rather to accuse him to go too sumptuously than her of going too meanly This Wife he buried having no Issue by her And Married a second named Philippa the Relict of Sir Iohn Hambden who out-lived him Whose Joynture was Hill-Hall Of this Wife it was that Secretary Cecil spake when in the Year 1565. Smith having been Ambassador in France and earnestly desiring to come home the said Secretary wrote him word that his Wife should either speak or send to the Earl of Leicester that he would dispatch Mr. Thomas Hoby whom the Queen had determined to send Ambassador in his Room but delayed it But we are yet to look upon Smith as one of the Protector 's Family where he fluorished in Places and Honours as we heard before Yet he had his Share of Trouble and Sorrow as the Anger of his haughty Mistriss the Dutchess of Somerset and many unjust Imputations that were raised against him whereto she gave too much Credit Which was the Cause of a large Letter which he address'd unto her Wherein he vindicated himself against many Slanders which were told the Dutchess whereof she had twitted him in the Teeth as Things the World took notice of in him Namely I. Haughtiness and a disregardful proud Temper II. That he was Oppressive and had by Extortion and Griping got a great deal of Money III. Covetousness IV. That he bought and sold Benefices or Spiritual Promotions Add to these That he was a Chopper and Changer of Lands That his Wife went not in so Courtly a Garb as was sitting That he kept no House And That he was a Neuter in Religion But these were mere Aspersions and malicious Insinuations his generous Mind ever abhorring any thing that was base and unjust or unworthy of a Man and a Christian Philosopher And these Calumnies he wiped off assoiling one Particular after another in his said Letter to the Dutchess Indeed she was an Imperious and Ill-natur'd Woman and had taken some Occasion to fall out with him and in her Passion it seems had cast out these Reports before him But Smith was a true and faithful Servant of the Duke and in his Troubles suffer'd with him For he was taken up with him and among those that were sent with the Duke to the Tower Sir Thomas was one Tho' afterwards his Innocency appearing he was delivered and escaped those severe Handlings that some of the Duke's Friends and Retainers underwent In the Year 1548 Dr. Smith was advanced to be the Secretary of State as in September the same Year William Cecil Esq was preferred to the like Office both having been Servants to the Protector Smith was made use of for the Reformation of Religion which was now going in hand with in good earnest as he was afterwards in all the steps of it In the Month of Iuly the same Year 1548 he with Mr. Chamberlain went Ambassador to Brussels to the Emperor's Council there Which was I think the first Embassy he underwent The Business of the State in sending him at this time was the
introducing a Slavery among that free People and very apprehensive he was of the growing Power of that Nation that so threatned their Neighbours France as well as England Especially seeing withal how tender both Realms were to send Succors to those Parts to enable them to Vindicate their own Liberty and Safety from those inhumane and insufferable Practices there prevailing In the mean time the French accused the Sluggishness of the English and the English did the like of the French The Queen had sent some Forces to Flushing But there was a Report that she upon Duke D'Alva's Motion did revoke them But that was not so but he was gently answered with a dilatory and doubtful Answer But indeed more that would have gone from England thither were stayed The English on the other hand had knowledge that the French did Tergiversari hang off and wrought but timorously and under hand with open and outward Edicts and made Excuses at Rome and Venice by the Ambassadors importing their not meddling in Flanders or excusing themselves if they had done any thing there On which Occasion Smith in a Letter to the Ambassador in France gave both Princes a Lash reflecting upon the pretended Activity and warlike Qualities of the French King yet that he should thus waver and be afraid to engage and upon the Slowness and Security of the Queen of England You have saith he a King void of Leisure and that loves Fatigue whose warlike House hath been used to the shedding as well of their own as of foreign Blood What shall we a slothful Nation and accustomed to Peace do Whose supream Governor is a Queen and she a great Lover of Peace and Quietness But to see a little more of his Service and Counsel in the Quality and Place he served under the Queen When in this Year 1572. the Earl of Desmond was in England a Prisoner but reconciled unto the Queen and had promised to do her good Service in Ireland and soon to drive out the Rebels out of the Country the Queen and Court thought he would prove an honest and faithful Subject and so resolved to dismiss him into his Country And she told Sir Thomas that she would give him at his Departure the more to oblige him a piece of Silk for his Apparel and a reward in Money Upon which Sir Thomas's Judgment was That seeing the Queen would tye the Earl to her Service with a Benefit it would be done Amplè liberaliter ac prolixè non malignè parcè i. e. Nobly liberally and largely not grudgingly and meanly Which as he added did so disgrace the Benefit that for Love many times it left a Grudge behind in the Heart of him that received it that marred the whole Benefit A Quarrel happened this Year between the Earl of Clanrichard and Sir Edward Fitton Governor of Connaught who was somewhat rigorous in his Office which had caused the Rebellion of the Earl's Son The Case came before the Deputy and Council in Ireland and at last to the Queen and her Council in England Our Secretary drew up the Loâ—ds of the Councils Order about it to be sent to the Lord Deputy and the Council there to hear and decide it between them and withal was sent the Earl's Book and Sir Edward Fitton 's Answers given into the Council in England The Earl seemed desirous to have Matters sifted to the full Trial. And then each Party might say and prove the most and worst they could But Sir Thomas thought it the best way for the Deputy to perswade them both to wrap up as he exprest it all things by-past and to be Friends as they had promised it seems to be at a Reconciliation formerly made before the Lord Deputy and to joyn faithfully for the Furtherance of the Queen's Majesty's Service and the Quietness and good Order of the Country hereafter And it was in his Judgment as he added The best way to tread all under foot that had gone heretofore with a perpetual 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and to begin a new Line without grating upon old Sores Very wise and deliberate Council to avoid all ripping up former Grievances which is not the way to heal so much as to widen the old Differences There was this Year both Massing and Conjuring in great measure in the North especially and all to create Friends to the Scotch Queen and Enemies to Queen Elizabeth The one to keep the People in the Blindness of Popery and the other to hood-wink them to believe as it were by Prophesy the speedy approaching Death of the Queen The Earl of Shrewsbury was now Lord President of the Council in the North. He employed two sharp Persons to discover these Persons and their Doings Which they did so effectually that in the Month of February many of these Conjurers and Massmongers were seized and by the said Lord Presidents Order were brought up by them that seized them to Secretary Smith good store of their Books which Sir Thomas seeing called Pretty Books and Pamphlets of Conjuring They brought also to him an Account in Writing of their Travail and pains in this behalf There was apprehended danger in these Practices For the Papists earnestly longing for the Queen's Death had cast Figures and consulted with unlawful Arts which they mixt with their Masses to learn when she should die and who should succeed and probably to cause her Death if they could This piece of Service therefore the Queen and Counsel took very thankfully at the Earl of Shrewsbury's Hands Which together with the Course that was intended to be taken with these Criminals the Secretary signified to him in a Letter to this Tenor My very good Lord the Pain that the two to whom you gave Commission viz. Pain and Peg have taken to seek out the Conjurers and Mass-mongers is very well accepted of by my Lords of the Council and they willed me to give your Lordship therefore their most hearty thanks The Queen also not without great Contentation of her Highness hath heard of your careful ordering of those matters The matters be referred touching the Massing and such Disorders to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the rest of the great Commission Ecclesiastical That which shall appear by Examination to touch the State and the Prince to be referred again to my Lords of the Council c. This was dated from Greenwich Feb. 17. 1572. But it was thought highly needful that this dangerous Nest in the North should be searched more narrowly for and the Birds taken that they might no more Exercise these evil Practices or worse hereafter The care of which was therefore committed by the Council to the Justices of those parts out of some secret Favour as it seems in some of the Privy Counsellors to Papists For those Justices were known well enough to be generally Popishly affected Therefore it was the Judgment of the Secretary that these Justices would rather Cloak than Open
of Lyons their General being an Hart. First I do not see that every Prince maketh his War himself there in Presence nor that every one of them is that Lyon which they speak of And if it be in a Country where Peace may be had and the Realm so well Walled in as ours is by the Sea I cannot perceive but a good Prince may do more good in well-ordering this Câ—mmon-wealth at Home than seeking moâ—â— Conquests Abroad The Romans doubted whether Numa did less good to Rome with keeping it in Peace forty years than Romulus the first Founder did with maintaining so many VVars and Conquests And Augustus was rather a Father of the Country when the Civil VVars ended when he kept Peace with all Nations and Govern'd well the Empire than he himself was in his Proscriptions being Triumvir or in his Civil VVars against Antonius and did then more good to Rome in shutting of Ianus his Temple than did Iulius Caesar in his VVars against the old Pompey yea or else in his long Wars against France And have not Queens been Warriors What was Semiramis and Zenobia Maud the Empress and the late Queen Margaret Amula Suenta that we spake of before was reported to be the VVarrior in the Victory which her unkind Husband Theodotus got over Theobertus King of Mettes and the Burâ—undians and Almains For her VVisdom not their Manliness did it as appears by his vile Cowardliness after her Death But if Queens make Peace and keep the Realm flourishing in good Order and Quiet and overcome their own and their Under-governors Affections of Robbing and Oppressing the poor Subjects they make a Greater and more Commendable Conquest than ever Sylla or Marius Pompeius or Caesar did yea or Carolus the last Emperor of Rome in taking the French King or winning Tunis and Goleta And if VVars should happen to come why may not the Queen make and maintain her Wars as well by a General of her appointing sought out by her Wisdom as all other Princes commonly do And Plutarchus doth well note that Augustus himself had small advantage in all Wars wherein he had the Conduct himself as himself also was in great danger but those which he did manage by Legats and Generals all did prosper well and fortunately with him But of Wars we have spoken enough wherein it is no more need that the Prince should be in Presence than it is that all the Senate of Venice now or the Senate of Rome in times past should always have been in Presence and Person in their Wars For it is their Wit and Policy their Fore-seeing and VVisdom as well in maintaining of the War as in chusing of their Captain that obtaineth the Victory And I pray you did not th' one Conquer as much and doth not th' other keep as well their Conquest as ever Alexander and his Successors did Then it may appear it is not the Presence but the Wisdom of the Prince the Manly Look but the Sober Discretion the Beard but the Chearful Heart that bringeth the Victory and keepeth the Land conquested And this I say may as well be in a Queen as in a King in a Wise and Discreet Lady unmarried as in any Husband she shall take unto her One thing must I needs say if it be chargeable for a Realm to maintain one Prince or King it must needs be more chargeable for a Realm to maintain two If they cry out of the Takers for the taking for one House or Train for two they shall have more cause And do you think that whensoever the Queens Majesty shall take an Husband the Court can be unaugmented I am sure Reason Order and Experience sheweth the contrary Well if the greater Train bring the more Expences the more Officers do require the more Charge the greater Family doth consume the larger Provision of Victuals And if the Realm as Reason it is must bear all these and yet all things done as well now as it shall be then I cannot but conclude even of Husbanding but as good Husbands do that the Affairs of the Realm being as well done th' one way as th' other the best cheap must appear the best way Which is as ye see that the Queens Majesty should remain as she doth now still Sole and unmarried neither intangle her self with a Husband either strange or born in the Realm I have now passed over my three Parts not so fully as one of you would do who have their Tongues and Wits so ready so fine and so eloquent But after my rude and homely mâ—nner I have declared unto 〈◊〉 that simple sole Life and Virginity doth please God better and is better esteemed and an higher Vertue than Marriage And as it is more Heroical so more comely for a Queen which is a Monarch and a Soveraign Prince born I have also proved that for her Person it is most sure and less dangerous for her Mind more quiet and less doubtful and lastly you see I lack no Reasons to shew that it is better and more commodious for the Realm Why then should this Opinion be counted either wicked or strange or unreasonable And with this he held his Peace and none of the other were hasty to answer Whether it were because they did Meditate and Record with themselves what he had said or what and how they should confute him or no I know not but I perceive that they looked not for such an Oration At the last the Fourth brake Silence who save that he would gladly have the Queens Majesty marry for the rest he was indifferent And he as you know if I should tell you his Name hath not his Tongue ready for he stuttereth stammereth and if he be moved uneth he can bring forth a right Word And commonly those Men be of the greatest Heart and Courage and testy with it as the Greeks call them It appeared that he was moved with this Oration For with much ado he brought out his Words The effect whereof was this Mary quoth he this is a Tale indeed and Arguments well picked out You may well be called Mr. Agamus or Misogamos Surnamed in right English Wedspite or Spitewed For I never heard Man speak so despitefully against Wedding and Marriage of the Queens Majesty in my Life I think you be one of St. Frauncis or St. Benets Scholars I would to God my Tongue would serve me but half so well as yours I would ask no help to answer you But now seeing my Tongue will not follow I shall desire these Two to take my part Who altho' within themselves they be not of one Opinion yet with me against you they agree And seeing they can do it well enough my Stuttering and Stammering should be but superfluous Then quod the one of the other if you be so ready to Christen and Name the Child belike as soon as I have told the Tale you will be my Godfather and give me a Name Nay saith he I can
Roman Coins The Physicians tamper with him They leave him to Kitchin Physick Goes into the Country Dies Persons attending his Funerals Buried His Monument His Lady dies His Person described CHAP. XVI His last Will. Makes his Will For the finishing his House and Monument To his Lady For preserving good Housekeeping To his Brother His Library to Queen's College or Peter-House Books to his Friends A Cup to the Queen In case of Doubt arising in the Will His Executors The Date of his Will CHAP. XVII Observations upon Sir Thomas Smith His Learning A Platonick A Physician His Recipe for the Plague His Chymical Water sent to the Countess of Oxford His Matthiolus A Chymist A Mathematician An Arithmetician An Astronomer His Iudgment of the Star in Cassiopaeia A Politician A Linguist An Historian An Orator An Architect His Library Books by him written A great Iudge in Learning His Acquaintance The Vogue of his Learning Beneficial to Learning His Places His houses in Chanon-Row In London At Ankerwick Mounthaut His heir Sir William Smith CHAP. XVIII Sir Thomas Smith 's Vertuous Accomplishments His Religion His Principles by which he governed himself His Vertues Vices falsely charged on him His Spirit His Apparel Not oppressive Of an universal Charity His Apophthegms Leland's Copy of Verses to Smith Dr. Byng's Epitaph on him THE LIFE Of the Learned Sir THOMAS SMITH Kt. CHAP. I. Sir THOMAS SMITH's Birth Parentage and Education THE Learned Sir THOMAS SMITH sometimes Secretary of State to K. Edward VI. and afterward to Q. Elizabeth was born at Walden in the County of Essex distinguish'd by the Name of SAFFRON Walden the Lands of that Parish and the Parts adjacent being famous for the Growth of the useful Medicinal Plant whether first brought thither by this Knight's Industry being a great Planter I know not for it was first brought into England as we are told in the Reign of K. Edward III. According to Cambden who writes that Sir Thomas Smith died Anno 1577. in his Climacteric he must have been born in the Year 1514. According to Fox who in his Relation of an Evidence given by the said Knight in February Anno 1551 against Bishop Gardiner assigned his Age then to be Three and Thirty he must have been born in the Year 1518. But himself putteth his Age out of doubt in his Book of the English Commonwealth where he saith that March the 28th 1565 he was in the One and Fiftieth Year of his Age. By which Computation he must have come into the World in the Year 1512. a Year famous to England for building of a Ship the biggest that ever the Sea bore And by the Inscription on his Monument it appears he departed this Life in the 65th Year of his Age. So that Cambden made him Two Years younger than he was and Fox Five unless we should say the Figure 33 is mis-printed for 39 a Fault too common in his Books Our Knight's Father was Iohn Smith of Walden Gentleman a Person of good Rank Quality and Wealth Of which we may take some Measure from two Purchases he made of K. Edward in one Year viz. the Third of his Reign that is to say a Chauntry in the Church of Long Ashton in Somersetshire with other Lands Tenements and Hereditaments in the Counties of Somerset and Glocester which cost him 293 l. 16. s. 8 d. His other Purchase was all the Guild or Fraternity in Great Walden lately dissolved with divers other Lands and Tenements in Essex and London For which he with another Joint-Purchaser paid 531 l. 14 s. 11 d. Of which Fraternity of Walden this by the way must be remembered for the Honour of it that in a Grant made to it by K. Henry VIII as he willed there That he might evermore be remembred in their perpetual Prayers so he charitably desired that he might be admitted a Brother thereof and his dear Wife Q. Katherine to be a Sister And divers others are expressed there to be desirous to be admitted to the same as the Right Worshipful Dr. Wolsey Almoner to the King Richard Nix Bishop of Norwich Henry Earl of Essex and his Lady Lord Brook Chief Justice of England Sir Iohn Cutts Sir Tho. Semer and divers other Gentlemen and Ladies This Iohn Smith if we look further back was in the 30th of King Henry VIII High Sheriff of the Counties of Essex and Hertford For in those Times one Sheriff served both Counties In the year 1545. and the 35th of K. Henry aforesaid his Coat of Arms was granted him by the principal King of Arms or rather confirmed For the said King's Parent specifies That he was descended of honest Lineage and his Ancestors had long continued in Nobility and bearing of Arms and that it was Mr. Smith's Desire that the King of Arms would ratifie unto him his former Coat and Register it in the Records of his Office The Coat therefore granted annexed and attributed unto him was Sables a Fesse Dauncy between three Lionceux regardant Argent Languid Gules pawing with their Left Paws upon as many Altars flaming and burning thereon for that these were Anvils as some have thought alluding to the Name of Smith is a Fancy Upon the Fesse Nine Billets of his Field The Crest an Eagle rising Sable holding in his Right Claw a Pen Argent Flames of Fire issuing thereout This Crest Sir Thomas changed upon a notable Reason as we shall relate in due place Of this Coat of Arms I have laid a Copy of the Original Patent in the Appendix which is in Parchment very well adorned round about with Pictures of Rosâ—â— and Flowers de Lys and the Lively Efsigies of Garter arrayed in his rich Coat standing with a white Wand in his Hand and a Crown on his Head and the Coat of Smith blazonâ—d on the right side of him and pointâ—d to by the said white Wand I have but one thing more to say of this Gentleman and that is That he was an old Favourer of the Religion Reformed in which he brought up his Son Thomas from his Youth He lies buried in the Church of Walden where his Monument is yet remaining that is so much of it as contains his Coat of Arms but the Brass that bore the inscription torn off This for Sir Thomas's Father His Parentagâ— on his Mother's side was also Genule being derived from the ancient Name of the Châ—â—â—ecks of Lancashire his Mother Agnes being a Daughter and Co-heir of that Family By this Gentlewoman Iohn Smith had Issue divers Children of both Sexes viz. Four Daughters Agnes and Margery Alice and Iane which two last were married and three Sons Thomas Iohn and George The Posterity of which last flourish to this Day in Wealth and Honour and possess the Seat and Inheritance of Thomas the Subject of our ensuing History with great Improvements of the Estate Tho' no more Sons are express'd in the Roll
of the Pedigree as it is preserved in the Office of Arms yet there seems to have been another Son an elder Brother to Thomas For I have seen sometime a Crescent for distinction in his Seal which he used for the Sealing of his Letters engraven with his Arms. His Brother Iohn was the chief Instrument and Procurer of the new Erection of the Corporation of the Town of Walden in the Third Year of King Edward VI. after the Dissolution of the ancient Fraternity of the Holy Trinity of the said Town by Vertue of an Act of Parliament in the first of the said King mentioned before The Corporation then founded by that King's Letters Patents bore the Name as the old Fraternity or Guild had done of Treasurer and two Chamberlains who were Justices of Peace and Four and Twenty Aldermen which now by a later Charter is changed into a Mayor and Twelve Aldermen In those Letters Patents the said Iohn Smith junior was nominated the first Treasurer of the said Corporation In the Chamber where the Town-Writings of Walden are kept there is a Book containing their By-Laws which bears the Title of Ordinances and Statutes for the Corporation of the Town of Walden upon the new Erection of the same From thence is extracted what is above-said Another piece of good Service done by the said Iohn to the Town was That when an ancient Alms-house founded Anno 1400. the Lands of which were swallowed up and lost being given to the King by Act of Parliament as an Appendent perhaps of the Guild the Parishioners made Suit to him in behalf thereof by this Iohn Smith who by means of his Brother our Sir Tho. Smith then Secretary of State obtained Letters Patents from the King dated Feb. 18. in the Third of his Reign That he the said Iohn Smith being then Teasurer and William Strachy the younger and Thomas Williamson then Chamberlains and their Successors might found erect c. an alms-Alms-house with one Master and his Brother c. and that it should be called King Edward 's alms-Alms-house I can give no Account of this Branch of the Family unless perhaps it was that Stock of the Smiths that lived long in Little Walden upon a moderate Living there which now is gone out of the Name and possessed at present by the Reverend Dr. E. Norton to whom I am beholden for communicating what is here written of this Brother of Sir Thomas with some other things relating to the Town of Walden His younger Brother George followed the Calling of a Merchant of London living in a House of his Brother Thomas's in Philpot-lane while he remained at Cambridge And as his Money came in there he used to send it to his said Brother to mend his Stock without taking a Penny or Half-penny Advantage in consideration of his Loan the better to assist him in carrying on his Traffick as Sir Thomas wrote somewhere to justifie himself from an Imputation of Covetousness charged upon him once by the Dutchess of Somerset when he lived in her Family Where our Youth 's tender Years were formed I cannot assign but I conclude it to be at the old School in his Native Town of Walden which afterward by his Interest at the Court he got advanced unto a Royal Foundation with good Endowment from the King his Master in the Third Year of his Reign when he granted to the School there two Mills viz. a Corn-mill near the Town and a Malt-mill in it together with all the Emoluments Tolls and Benefits accrewing and an Annuity of Twelve Pounds issuing out of the Mannor of Willingale Spane in Essex for the Maintenance and Support of the said School This seems to be but a Grafting upon the ancient School here For I have received from the Reverend Person above-mentioned the present Vicar of Walden and he from the Inspection of the Town-Writings That there was anciently a School in this place and a Master and Usher over it and that it was governed by divers excellent Orders for its Six Forms and that in the 14th Year of King Henry VIII one Dame Iane Bradbury for why should these old Memorials be lost settled 10. l. per Annum upon it That there was also a Tripartite Indenture for the said School dated Aug. 24. betwixt Dame Iane Bradbury Widow Sister to Iohn Leche late Vicar of Walden and the Treasurer and Chamberlains of the Guild of the Holy Trinity in the Parish Church of Walden and the Abbot and Convent of the Monastery of the same Town And that one William Cawson had behaved himself so well in singing Mass and in teaching the School that he was elected when it was made a Free School and he was obliged to teach Grammar after the Form of Winchester and Eaton and to teach freely the Children that were born in Walden Little Chesterford Newport and Widdington and the Children and Kinsfolk of the said Dame Iane. We are in Obscurity concerning the Towardliness of Smith's young Years and those Sparks of Aptness Ingenuity and Vertue that then appeared in him which yet we may take for granted from his early remove to the University of Cambridge For according to the nearest Computation I can make he was transplanted thither at the Age of 14 or 15 Years at the most And having brought him thus far to enter now upon our Remarks of him and to unveil who and what this Man was whom I have raised as it were from the Shades now after an Hundred Years and more to set him before this present Age as a Pattern of true Honour Vertue and Generosity We shall take a four-fold View of him I. At the University where his Learning made him famed II. Under King Edward when he became a Courtier III. Under Queen Mary when he concealed himself and lived in a private Capacity IV. Under Queen Elizabeth when after she had much employed him in her Service both in her own and Foreign Courts he piously concluded his useful Life CHAP. II. Sent to Queen's College in Cambridge Chosen a King's Scholar Reads the Greek Lecture And rectifies the Pronunciation University Orator His Applause He was admitted in Queen's College in the aforesaid University a College then reckoned in the Rank of those Houses that Savoured Erasmus and Luther and harboured such as consorted privately together to confer about Religion purged from the Abuses of the Schools and the Superstitions of Popery Of this House was Foreman who hid Luther's Books when Search was made in the College for them and Heyns an ancient Friend of the Gospel and Sufferer for it afterwards Master of the College and Dean of Exeter and one of those who in King Edward's Reign was chosen to assist at the compiling of the English Communion Book And perhaps Erasmus and his Writings were more particularly favoured here that most Learned Man having not long before resided in this House These might have been some Advantages to ground young
he might well enjoy a Part especially with the Concurrence and Interest of some of the Powerful men about the King when they begged for themselves And never after could Sir William Smith nor any of his Posterity recover it For the Premises had been so long possest by others that neither Sir Thomas Smith who had suffered much for his unshaken Loyalty to King Charles I. had success in his Petition preferred to King Charles II. upon his Return nor yet Sir Edward Smith still surviving in his upon the late Revolution He that is minded to know more at large how this Case stood may in the Appendix find the Petition of the foresaid Sir Thomas Smith exemplified as it was humanely communicated to me by his Son together with the Kings order thereupon CHAP. XV. The Secretary Oppressed with business His Discourse with the Queen about Ireland and the Earl of Essex His Act in the behalf of Colleges of Learning His Sickness and Death THE Secretary could not want for Care and Toyl in these busie and most dangerous Days wherein the Nation was exposed to the Malice and Envy of the Pope and the mighty Kings of Spain and France the one more Covertly the other more professedly but both fatal Enemies to the Queen and the Religion established the Irish backed in their Rebellion by a Foreign Power and at home a great many Malecontents To trace him a little in his Pains and Diligence To them he devoted himself even to quite Tyring after he had been a year or two exercised therein For when once in the year 1574. he had a few Play-days and was ready to go home to his House in Essex he told his Friends that he was thorowly weary tam Animo quam Corpore and could scarce endure any longer And thaâ— which increas'd his Weariness was the Queens Wariness for she did not use to be hasty in Dispatch of Matters which was Smith's great Desire should not hang in hand This he would call among his intimate Friends the Queens Irresolution and in some Heat as he was somewhat hasty and quick in his Temper complained at this time to the Lord Treasurer That it was sometimes So and sometimes No and in all times uncertain and ready to Stays and Revocation And sometimes she would not be spoken with upon Business and Access to the Queen was clean shut up Which made him between jest and earnest say That he thought her Majesty supposed that he would chide as he dared But indeed he said that he could not but Lament and complain of this her Irresolution which did weary and kill her Ministers destroy her Actions and overthrew all good Designs and Counsels And again in this Discontent he cryed out I wait while I have neither Eyes to see nor Legs to stand upon And yet these Delays grieve me more and will not let me sleep in the Night The Occasion of this present Distaste of Smith was that the Queen had commanded the Earl of Leicester and Sir Christopher Hatton her chief Favourites to forbear moving suits to her And when the Secretary went to her with private Suits he could get neither Yea nor Nay And if these Two aforesaid Persons were forbidden to move Suits Then said he had we need within a while to have a Horse or an Ass to carry Bills after us encreasing daily and never dispatched as he angerly and wittily spake to one of his Friends Of these Practices of the Queen he would say These Resolutions and Revocations of Resolutions will be the undoing of any good Action Matters in Ireland being in an ill Condition the Lord Treasurer and the Secretary dealt earnestly with the Queen to supply the Earl of Essex an honest Gentleman and an excellent Commander in Ulster with Men and Money those Northern Parts of Ireland being now in great Disturbance and Essex forced by reason of secret Enemies in the Court to lie still and do but little to the purpose for want of both The Queen resolved and revoked her Resolutions again This created the Secretary a great deal of Vexation For she would say she would consult with the Lord Treasurer when he came to Court tho' she had done it and had his Opinion in that behalf before The Earl of Leicester privately hindred all having no Love for Essex Thus the Earl of Essex's Plat stuck with the Queen But about 10 or 12 days passing in March the Secretary comforted himself by the Perswasion that she was come to a full Resolution to go forward with it without any going back and that she would send for him and signifie the same to him And had it indeed been so to use the Secretaries Expression the Realm and she had past a great and troublesome Ague and especially the Lord Treasurer and himself and such others as they who had Doings in that Matter But the Queen took respite again until she heard again from the Lord Treasurer Whereat the Secretary was so bold as to tell her that she knew his Lordships Mind full many times told her before And this he signified unto that Lord and in Conclusion told him That Coming unsent for to have Resolution he was sent back again without Resolution He prayed God to send it that Night or to morrow And added that it was high time to resolve one Way or other Which done he would be bold to take a little rest and make some start home into Essex being thorowly weary he said am animo quam corpore and could scarce endure any longer But at last in the Month of March 1575. Anno incipiente Sir Thomas and the Lord Burghley got the Earl of Essex's Business to come to a Resolution Which was to send a good supply with a Plat how he was to manage himself The Queen had first entred into a discourse one night with her Secretary about Ireland and declared her dislike of the Enterprise of Ulster for default of them who should execute it asking him what Men of Counsel or Wisdom there were into whose Hands might be committed so great a Mass of Money and so great a Charge as should be sent The Secretary answered her Majesty That the Counsel what and how to do herein was already taken And that a Plat was laid down by my Lord of Essex and allowed of by the Lord Deputy and Council there and liked of by the Lords of her Council here as she her self had heard of the Lords and all their Reasons so that said he whereas it is said Priusquam incipias consulto that had been Maturely and Deliberately done And to which as he subjoyned her Highness by Letters to the Lord Deputy and the Earl of Essex had given her Consent And now there rested nothing but Ubi consulueris mature opus est facto To which her Majesty had set a good Beginning giving a Warrant for the half Years Charges Now said Sir Thomas Counsels be commonly of Old men
see him burie in his Astronomy Nay if we may believe his Poet and that he did not take too much Poetical Liberty Smith was arrived to the very Top of the Astronomical Skill and might be a companion for Ptolomy Alphonsus and Zacutus if they were alive Nec Polus aut Tillus mâ—gâ—â— ulli cognâ—ta cuiquam Quorsum â—go dâ—ssâ—mulâ—m Fuit unus unicus ille Fâ—lâ—us Uraniâ— Ptolomâ— major utroque Et centum Alphonsis plusquam mille Zacutis And perhaps the Love and Study of the Stars might be one Reason that he delighted so much in his high Seat at Mounthaut where he might have a more spacious Prospect of the Skies In State-Policy he was a great Master Which by long Experience in State matters at home in the Reigns of four Princes and Embassies abroad he had acquired Walsingham that most compleat and happy Secretary of State improved himself much by making his Observations of Smith how quick and sharp his Apprehension of things how grave and sound his Counsels and with what Dexterity and admirable Parts he managed publick Affairs and yet with clean and just hands So he sung that made his Funeral Verses Sâ—cius tâ—nâ—orum insignis Honorum Qui vigilanti oculo SMITHI observasset Acumen Sensissâ—tque acres sensus animumque virilem Consiliumque grave pectus moresque colendos Virtutes etiam raras Dotesque stupendas He was also an excellent Linguist and a Master in the knowledge of the Latin Greek French Italian and English Tongues A great Historian especially in the Roman History An Orator equal to the best and a perfect Ciceronian A Notable Specimen of whose Oratory and History as well as of his Polities appears in his Discursive Orations about Queen Elizabeth's Marriage He had also a very good Genius in Architecture which that Noble Pile of Building at Hilhal doth sufficiently demonstrate And in the Art of Gardening he was very curious and exact Employing his own Hands sometimes for his diversion in grafting and planting At which work I find him when he was making an Orchard for his new House about the latter end of 1572. having made an Escape from the Court tho' the Winds then were very unkind to him Of which complaining to the Lord Treasurer he said he should soon be weary of Mounthaut because he could not graft nor transplant any Trees the Winds that then brought over the Earl of Worcester from France who had been lately sent to Christen that Kings Child being as he said the worst Enemy to all Cutting Paring or breaking of Trees here in England that could be or for setting of Herbs And as he was an universal and thorow-paced Scholar so he had a most compleat Library and kept a Learned Correspondence and was of a very accurate Judgment in matters of Learning His Library consisted of a thousand Books of various Learning and Arts as we are told by the Learned man his Friend that made his Parentalia Which noble Treasure he bestowed upon his own College where at least the Remainders of them are to this day besides some Italian and French Books which he gave to the Queens Library Libros Monumentaque mille Graeca Latina omnis generis nova prisca profana Religiosa dedit Italicos praeter quosdam Francosque libellos Elizabeteae pius Heros Bibliothecae A Catalogue of the Books which he had at Hilhal in the Year 1566. may be seen in the Appendix And as he was Owner of many Books so he composed not a few himself Three whereof are Printed I. His Commonwealth of England both in Latin and English II. Of the right and correct Writing of the English Tongue This I suppose is the same Book with that which Fuller in his History of Cambridge mentions Of his more compendious way of Printing which would defalcate a fifth part of the Cost in Paper and Ink besides as much of the Pains in Composing and Printing only by discharging many superflous Letters and accommodating the Sounds of long and short Vowels with distinct Characters III. Of the right and correct Pronouncing of the Greek Language Both these last mentioned were published by himself in Latin when he was Ambassador in Paris There is a Fourth Book lately Printed viz. 1685. which some make him the Author of namely Of the Authority Form and Manner of holding Parliaments Other Tracts there be of his that have lain hitherto unpublished As his Orations about the Queens Marriage His discourse of Money and his Tables for the reducing the Roman Coins to the just English Standard I have also seen another large Writing which by the hand seems to be his shewing certain ways and means for the taking care of and for the maintaining the Poor of the Nation And many more whereof as yet neither the sight nor the particular Subjects have come unto me To which I add several excellent Letters of his when Ambassador in France to the Lord Burghley and being Secretary of State to Sr. Francis Walsingham Ambassador in the same Court which are Printed in the Compleat Ambassador And a Bundle of other Letters writ to the Court when he was Ambassador with the French King Ann. 1562. the Earl of Warwick going then in the famous Expedition to New-haven which are yet reserved in the Kings Paper House He was a great Judge of Learning and Applications were often made to him for his Judgment in Matters of that Nature So Dr. Haddon appealed once to him in a sharp Controversie between the French Ambassador and himself Whether Tully were a good Lawyer Which that Ambassador had denied And how learnedly this was decided by Sir Thomas Smith may be seen in this History And both Cecil and the said Haddon would not allow the Answer to Osorius to come abroad till it had past his accurate Perusal and Correction His Acquaintance was with the Learned men of his Age. As Ramus and other Professors in Paris while he was there and with Cheke Cecil Haddon Wilson Ascham men of the finest Wits and purest Learning Of this last in a Letter to Haddon from France he enquired diligently after and complained that for two years and Six Months he had heard nothing from him and then added merrily That his Cocks for he was a great Cock Master ita illum excantâ—sse i.e. had so enchanted him that he had quite forgotten his Friends And I find the Correspondence between him and Ascham continued after for in 1â—68 Ascham requested of Smith to borrow a Book of his own Writing To which Smith answered by a Letter that he had sent it to Walden to be Transcribed least the first Copy and the whole Invention should perish together And Haddon being lately dead Smith in the same Letter told Ascham that his Epistles were found but not all and that his own Epistles to Haddon were more uncertain For they reckoned it pity any thing of that most Humane and Learned
Friend of theirs should be lost And so there was a purpose to collect together his Epistles and to publish them And so they were afterwards by Hatcher of Cambridge This Ascham about the Year 1568. sent an Astronomical Figure to Smith drawn by some ingenious Astronomer of the said Ascham's Acquaintance Upon which he sent a Latin Letter from Mounthaut thanking Ascham for it and declaring how much he was pleased with it and that he would willingly be acquainted with the Person that described it He acknowledged he professed himself this Study And this Person seemed to him to write Ingeniously and Learnedly and not according to the vulgar manner of unlearned men who abused themselves and the opinion of their Learning for Gain Whose Friendship he declared he desired not and whose Familiarity he was averse to And the Diagram and Figure that Ascham sent he dispatched back to him with his own Judgment of the same as it was put or placed Sir Thomas Erected a Figure concerning the same Hour and Day according to the Ephemeris of Ioh. Stadius Of which he said the Diagram seemed a little a differ but the Judgment not so much Thus we see his Correspondence and withal his Disposition to that kind of Study of Judicial Astrology And in fine of the great Opinion that went of Sir Thomas Smith's Learning I shall mention this Passage When Dr. Wilson one of his Learned Friends Master of S. Katharine's and afterwards Secretary of State had for News wrote to Haddon then Ambassador at Bruges of the Queens going to Visit the University of Oxford Anno 1565. and of the Report of the great Learning in that Place and what learned Exercises were then expected to be performed there before her Majesty Haddon answered not to disparage that Noble University or the complete Scholars that were there but to take the Opportunity of commending one or two other Egregious men viz. That however magnificently it was talked of the learned men there Nec Smith ibi simile quicquam aut Checi occurret i.e. there would be nothing like to Smith or Cheke And as he was Learned himself so he was Beneficial to Learning which appeared in that most useful Act of Parliament which he procured for the Colleges of Students Which was that a third Part of the Rent upon Leases made by Colleges should be reserved in Corn the Tenant to pay it either in Kind or Money after the rate of the best Prizes in Oxford or Cambridge Markets the next Market days before Michaelmas or our Lady day The great Benefit whereof Scholars do find to this day and will so long as the Universities lâ—st To his own College of Queens he gave for ever 12 7 4. Being a Rent Charge out of the Manor of Overston in Northamptonshire Which he appointed to be thus disposed of according as the Reverend Doctor Iames the present worthy Master of the same College was pleased to impart to me that is to say Four pounds for a Lecture in Arithmetick Three pounds for a Lecture in Geometry Four pounds seven shillings and four pence for two Scholarships appointing his own Relations or the Scholars from Walden School â—â—teris parâ—bus to be made his Scholars before any others And the Twenty shillings remaining for a Yearly Commemoration And of Eâ—ton College where he was once Provost Cambdâ—n tells us he merited well but in what particular respects I cannot tell except in making his College Lâ—ases always with a Reserve of Rent-Corn divers Years before it became an Act for the Benefit of other Colleges And I find the Provost and College of S. Mary of Eaton purchased of King Edward VI. in the first of his Reign for the summ of 25 â— 3. and in performance of King Henry's last Will and in consideration of the Exchange of the Manor of Melbourn Beck Lutton and Ponyngton in the County of Dorsâ—t and diver other Lands and Tenements the Rectory of Great Compton in Warwickshire lately parcel of the Possession of Thâ— Cromwel Knight Earl of Essex Attainted of High Treason the Rectory of Bloxham in the County of Oxon lately parcel of the late Monastery of Godstow in the said County and divers other Lands and Tenements in the Counties of Oxford Bedford Lincoln Warwick to the value of 82 11 0. The Patent bare date the 30. Aug. 1547. In which whether Sir Tho. Smith was any ways serviceable to the College I know not but suppose he might be And this Learning of his raised him to Honour and Wealth Under King Edward VI. he was made Provost of Eaton where whether he were present or absent there was always a good House kept Dean of Carlile and Master of Requests in the Duke of Somerset's Family after Cicil had left that Place wherein he was most unjustly scandaliz'd by his enemies to have been a Bribe-taker For which he was fain to vindicate himself He became also Steward of the Stannaries Soon after his Abilities were so well known that he was advanced to be one of the Principal Secretaries of State and employed in great Commissions and matters of Trust. Under Queen Elizabeth he was divers times Ambassador in France and at last a Privy Councillor Chancellor of the Garter and Secretary of State His Wealth consisted in his Land and Houses He had the Manor of Yarlington in Somersetshire worth 30 l. per annum that he bought with the Money he had gotten at Cambridge before he came into the Lord Protectors Service And he purchased it at 300 l. or thereabouts of the Marquess of Northampton to whom it was given at the Coronation of Queen Katharine his Sister He purchased also the College of Dâ—rby whether a Religioâ—s House or a Fraternity I do not well know I find he had also these Houses to some of which were annexed Manors and large Demeans One was in Chanon Row in Westmâ—nster which he once let out to the Comptroller of King Edward's Household for 30 s. per annum but afterwards Lived in it himself when Secretary being a very fair House and there the Divines in the beginning of Q Elizabeth's Reign together with himself conferred about reforming of Religion He had another House in Philpot-lane in London which 〈◊〉 a large and fair Dwelling The Title whereof being dubious he had like to have lost his Money and Purchase too But he procured his Master and Friend the Duke of â—â—mâ—rset to obtain from the King the Confirmation of his Title The free dwelling in this House he gave to his younger Brother George a Merchant to whom he was very kind lending him also 300 l. for the carrying on of his Trade without Interest or Consideration Sir Thomas had another House in â—leet-Lane with several other Tenements which he held of the Clothworkers Company of London And here he would sometimes be as a Recesse from Court. In the Country he had Ankerwick his Country Retirement in King Edward's Reign
once a Religious House for Nuns in Buckinghamshire very large and spacious with a Chappel In Queen Elizabeth's Reign he frequented not this House so much then delighting more in Mounthal standing high as Ankerwick was low and Waterish which I suppose he therefore avoided thinking it not so wholesome for him being very subject to cold Rheums In the Year 1569. he took an Account of the Furniture in each Chamber Here he named his own Chamber the Chamberlains Chamber the great Guest Chamber the Matted Chamber the inner Chamber to the same on the South side the north inner Chamber his Fathers Chamber My Lords Chamber by which Lord I suppose he meant the Duke of Somerset the high Gallery called Colâ—s Chamber the Hall the Little Parlour the great Parlour the Chappel the Wardrobe the Lodge By which Rooms one may guess at the largeness of the House And by the Furniture one may also conclude upon his House-keeping Where besides abundance of Linnin Beds and Household-stuff in his Wife's Closet there was a Plate-chest containing these Pieces A little Bason and Ewer two standing French Bowls with a Cover all Gilt one Gilt Gallon Pot square two great Flaggons all Gilt Three Flemish Bowls with their Cover parcel Gilt Two Goblets all Gilt with their Covers Three French Salts all Gilt with a Cover A Bason and Vast all Gilt. Three French Bowls all Gilt with a Cover Twelve French Spoons with Hyena's Feet Two drinking Pots of Silver one all Gilt the other Wâ—ite â—or the Furniture in the Chappel was a Cupboard or Altar of Walnut Tree Vestment and Albe for the Priest a Bible and a Pair of Virginals instead of an Organ I suppose The Plate and Furniture of his other Houses where he dwelt was proportionable For he kept four Houses furnished two in the City besides his Lodgings at Whitehal and two in the Country But the House which he most delighted in and was his last Retirement was that at Mounthaut or Hilhal in the County of Essex Which was the Jointure of his Wife made her upon her Marriage with Sir Iohn Hamden Knight her first Husband the Reversion whereof after her Death Sir Thomas Smith purchased Here near the ancient Manor House he began a â—â—ately Structure tho' he lived not to finish it But he made careful Provision by his last Will for the bringing it to a Conclusion And that it might have the better Care taken of it he Willed Richard Kirby his chief Architect 20 l. to be paid him as soon as the New house was Tiled and all Carpentry Work done and also to his Marriage â—â—lverSalt Twelve SilverSpoons and one Silver Cup. And to Iohn Dighton Steward of his 〈◊〉 and Overseer oâ— the Works to encourage him to take pains to see the Workmen do their Work as they ought and see them paid weekly 10 l. The House standeth upon a great Assent or Hill whence it hath obtainâ—d its Name Hence is taken a very fair and delightful Prospect all ways especially South and West Before the House the Entrance to which is Northward is a very pleasant Avenue of a great Length and suitable Bredth Along which on each side are Rows of stately Elms advancing their Heads to a great Heighth And on the right hand are two Ranges oâ— Trees of the same kind standing very near together making a very close solitary Walk â—it for Study and Contemplation Which they call the New Walk And the Tradition goes they were planted by Sir â—omas himself as it is most likely they were This for the Scituation The House it self is built Quadrangular adorn â— with great Columns imitating Stone which look very gracefully The square Court is paved with Free Stone The Walls exceediâ—â— thick Tho' there have been great alteratiâ—â— and Improvements made of this House by thâ— present Owner Sir Edward Smith yet there be still some Remainders of Sir Thomas â—iâ— Fancy In the Dining Room above Stairs to large that it is now parted into several Rooms a Window Westward gives the Emblems oâ— Four of the Seven â—eadly Sins painted in the Glass with the Name of each Vice set down under the Emblem in Greek and Latin â—s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 under oâ—â—â—mblem and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 uâ—der another 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 under a Third and Hopâ—â—iâ—â— under the Fourth And under each the Name in Lâ—tin as Iâ—vidia Sâ—â—â—rdia Superbia and Fornâ—catiâ— The Emblem of Pride is the Story of Lucifer and his Angels cast down from Heaven Round which Picture are lessâ—r Emblems in smaller Pieces of Glass which are obscure now the Paint fading The smaller â—mblems set about that of Fornication are these The one is a Set of Fidlers under a Ladies Window Serenading her and a Woman nakâ—d appearing at the Window throwing Water out of a Chamberpot upon their Heads In another are represented two Persons Duelling with Swords and Bucklers fighting you may imagine for their Mistress and a man hanging upon a Gibbet that must be presumed to be executed for killing his Rival the fatal End of that Vice There be also writ in these pâ—inted Representations proper Motto's for each As under Pride God resteth the Proud Under that of Sloth Go to the Ant thou sluggard These Painted Windows were 〈◊〉 in 1569. The Rooms had much Paintings upon the Walls of them being Histories out of Scripture Some whereof in one Room still remain and very plainly to be discovered being the History of Senacherib's Army destroyed by the Angel A very fine Piece and the other Paintings there seem to be very good And there is a Tradition in the Family that some of these Paintings were done by Sir Thomas's own Hand And for the Convenience and Ornament of the House in the year 1568. in which year the shell of the House was finished he planted an Orchard adjoining to supply it with the choicest Fruits especially Pears and Apples both Winter and Summer which he procured from other Places Whereof many Table X   Shillings Groats Pence Halfpence Far â—lucia o 5 15 60 120  â—lemuncia ½ o 2 6 7 2 30 60  Didrachma â—aliquum ¼ gâ—o 1 3 3 3 15 30  Drachma â…› half gâ—o 0 1 30 b 70 b 15  â—â—squiscrupulus â…™ Unciae Half Drachma Sesquiscrupulus 30 bg 7 g  scrupulus â—aâ—â—a 1 24 Unciae The third part of a Drachme 1 g 2 g  Obolus 1 48 The half of a Scruple  1 g  Siliqua 1 144 The third part of Obolus  1 q. prick one p  Gallorum Drachma vocatus a Gallis Gressus continet Denarios Gallicos 3 Sterlines 2 ½ of his Pears he had from the Lord Rich and of his Apples from Walden and many of both Sorts came from Ankerwick And for the further Pleasure and Service of the House there were many Fish Ponds to the number of Ten or Dozen about it which he took especial care to store with Carp and Tench
they thought they might amend when they would by Adoption either of their own Bastards or other Folks lawful Children with the Consent of their Parents For al these Three this our Question doth not vary For either the Stranger or the English-man seemeth indifferent therunto and I make no Difference in them Then there be other Causes which be incident and as I might cal them Accidental as Honor Power and Riches Having first God and those three Causes which I called Essential of Matrimony principally in our Eyes these Things ought in this Consultation to have the highest Place And because I take al you here to be no Children and in this which I have said to be in the same Opinion that I am I wil make no further Proeme but go to and confer these together in the two Persons which you have brought in to be weighed here as in a Pair of Ballances that is the Stranger and the English-man And I say if the Queens Majesty have respect to Advancement and Honor can that be in Mariage of any within the Realm who being but her Subjects be they never so high shal be under her highnes a great Distance So for that purpose it shal not be Advancement but Disparagement Wherin I must commend the late Q. Mary who having more regard to her Honor than to her Age to th'advauncement therof than to any other Plesure which she could long have took to her Husband K. Philip Charles th' Emperours Son the greatest Prince of Birth and Possessions in al Christendom Wherby she gat the Sovereignty over so many Kingdoms Dukedoms Marchionates Earldoms Baronies Countries and so forth that it would be more than an Hours Work to reherse them and to be the greatest Estate of a Woman in al Christendom And if it be honorable to a Prince to Conquer one Kingdom with Dint of the Sword with making of War with Spoiling Burning Wasting Death Destruction Fire and Sword Man slaughter and Effusion of Christian Blood how much more honorable ought it to be accounted to obtain and get not one but a great fort of Kingdoms and Dominions not with Violence and Oppression but with Amity and Love and that most godly sweet and pleasant Knot of Mariage So Mary the Daughter and Heir of Charles the hardy Duke of Burgundy by Marying her self to Maximilian Son to Fredericus of Austriche then Emperor hath made her Progeny the House of Burgundy to enjoy so many Realms and Seignories in Boheme in Hungary in Spain in Sicily in Naples and Italy in the High and Low Country of Germany and neer it went to have enjoyed also England and Ireland So Mary the Scottish Queen that liveth now if the Enterprize had had Success and she had had by her Husband any Son She should have left a double King I mean in France a King as wel as of Scotland and 〈◊〉 them both the greater King by her Purchase than else he should have been by his Mothers Inheritance So Claudia the Daughter of the Duke of Britain by Mariage with the French King hath made her Sons and Off-Spring not only Dukes of Britain but Kings and Possessors of al France when her Auncesters heretofore had much ado always to keep their own being but only Dukes of Britain much less could conquer or adjoyne to their Dutchy any thing of the rest of the Realm of France Now if Honor is to be desired and if it be a Glory to be made from a Baroness a Countess and from a Countess a Marchioness or Dutchess and from a Dutchess a Queen why is it not also as wel to be from a Queen an Empress or from a Queen of one Kingdom a Queen of two or three and so the more Honorable and the more to be sought and desired To the Encrease of which Honor if Men do apply and study themselves sometimes by Sword and sometimes by Mariage to attain why should not a Queen desire to do as wel as they especially by the better more sure and more amiable way Which thing ye see can be don either by no ways or by no ways better than by Mariage And this I have to say of Honor. Now I come to Power or Strength Which standeth in two Things Either for a Prince to keep his own Realm quiet from Rebellion or to make that the foreign Prince being Ambitious or desirous of War neither may dare invade him or els if the Prince be so minded to conquer and recover such Things which of old by Titles and just Reasons remain to be claimed The which the Prince heretofore either for lack of Power or Mony for shortnes of Time Civil Dissension their own Sloth or any Cause whatsoever it be hath omitted or foreslowed For these remain stil as Causes unto Princes when they be weary of Ease or desirous of Honor or when other just Occasion is offered to exercise themselves and their Subjects For any of those if her Majesty mary within the Realm what hath She gained All her own Subjects were her own before all their Powers are Hers already Not one Man hath She for the Mariage more than She had before Wheras if She mary a foreign Prince if he be an Emperor al the Empire is hers to aid her and her Husband at al Events If she mary a King likewise al his Kingdom if she marry a Duke Earl or Prince al his Vassals Kinsfolks Allies and Friends are united to her Realm and be taken al for Brethren to allow Strength and Aid both Offensive and Defensive as Occasion and Necessity shal serve For who can offend the Wife but he must offend the Husband also So that her Majesties Power must needs be encreased by so much as the Power of her Husband doth extend either by Authority Title Blood Alliance Friendship or Affinity Then if Princes be glad whensoever they invade or be invaded to ally themselves with the Princes their Neighbours manytimes by costly Leagues and much Suite and Entreaty of Ambassadors if that may be don by one final Act as chusing such a puissant Prince to her Husband as we would most desire to be our Friend or Aid in Necessity either of Defence or Invasion why should not I think that it were better for the Queens Majesty to take such an one wherby she may be backed and strengthened and her Power as it were double and treble than to take one by whom she shal have no more Power Help Aid nor Succour brought unto her than she had before And it is to be feared that she shal rather have less For when Envy naturally kindleth amongst Equals if the Queen take one of her higher and stronger Nobility all the rest it wil be doubted wil envy his Felicity and tho in Words they speak him fair yet in Heart hardly wil they love him For they shal be as Rivals and Candidati for one Office where commonly he that hath obtained if of the inferior sort al the rest shal
Eliz. Smith employed in the Reformation And in one of the Committees for the State An. 1559 And in Swearing the Officers of Walden Sir Thomas This Service in the Commission of the Peace Subscription of the Iustices Ann. 1560. Smith's Dialogue concerning the Queen's Marriage 〈◊〉 III Aâ— 1562. Q. Eliz. 〈…〉 D. 〈◊〉 to France Stops at Calais and why Directions to him from the Council Smith 〈…〉 〈◊〉 with the Pope's Legate The Secretaries Aâ—viâ—e to the 〈…〉 The Queen's Orders to him Three Evils in France Smith's Behaviour in his Embassy Entertains a Subtil Spy His Complaint An. 1563. The Ambassadors Instructions concerning the Prince of Câ—nde The Ambassador sends News to the Council Ordered to speak only in Latin in his Negotiation Contention between Smith and Throgmorton Smith's Plainness pleaseth the Lord Robert Instruâ—â—â—ons â—â— Smith's â—â—inâ—ng with the Proâ—â—stanâ—â— Smith reateth for Peace Dr. Haddons Advice to Smith The Ambassador sâ—nds over Books to Cecil Smith o procure a Book to be Printed in France Osorius's Episâ—le to the Queen Answered by Haddon This Answer recommendâ—d to Smith o revise And Publâ—sh A Licence for which he labours to obtain from the Chancâ—â—lor Which he will not grant Smith presseâ—h it Argues with the Chancellor of France about it The Progress of this Controversy Difference between the two Ambassadors Some Character of Throgmorton Cecil's and Smith's Friendship An. 1564. Smith effects a Peace Solicits the Queen's Debt The Queen continues him Ambassador A Match for the Queen propounded to him An. 1565. Q. Eliz. Smith finisheth his Book of the Common-wealth His extraordinary Expenâ—es Smith 's Son with his Father He laâ—â—urâ— to come home He returns He is inquisitive how his Negotiation is accepted He follows the Court in France His Reflâ—ction upon his hearing of the Queen's going to Cambridge Hâ— composeth his Book of thâ— Common-wealth at Tholouse 〈…〉 〈…〉 He procures the printing of the Answer to Osorius His 〈…〉 Haddon 〈…〉 Plato e non siâ—it esse tuus nâ—â— meus me Cicero qui Patriae nos servire volunt illi read omnia unde universa pâ—ius accâ—pimus Smith's Opinion of Tullies Philosophy and Law His Reflection on the Troubles occasioned by Hales 's Book Ita homo sum vexari nolim quemquam quietus esse cuperem omnes mortales liberè Philosophari qui velint caeteros suam quemque rem agere Video periculosum esse in Rebus arcanis Principum Regnorum nimis velle sapere An. 1566. Smith now at home Tu patriam principem conjugem amicos otium praeclarissimam legationis laudem paeriter recuperavisti Mea singularis Infelicitas haec omnia mea â—itae solatia detraxit An. 1567. Sent again to demand Calais Cecil 's Letters to Sir Henry Norris Cabal p. 137. Takes his Son with him The manner of his demanding Calais Cam. Eliz. p. 98. c. An. 1568. Q. Eliz. Sues for the place of Chancellor of the Dutchy Ut inter glebas ille Ego inter mendicos consenescam An. 1570. Sir Thomas in the Country administring Iustice. Witches by him examined Malter 's Wife ' Anne Vicars ' Sir Thomas comitted into the Council An. 1571. Labours about transmuting Iron into Copper Hâ—s Progress thereâ—n Some Lords come into the Project The Projectâ—rs formed into a Society The Patent for it Signâ—d The Business finds Delays The Chymist a Bâ—ggar Smith examinâ—th the Duke of Norfolk's Secretary Goes Ambassador again to France To make a firm Amity against Spain An Article debated by Smith His Argument with the French Queen Smith perswades thâ— Queen She consents to the League He loved not many Words His Hardship in France Communication between the Queen-Mother and Smith concerning the Queen's Marriage Further Discourse on the same Argument His Thoughts of the Queen's Marrying His Concern for the Queen's Sickness And the Irresolutions of the Court. The Queen of Navarre sends to Sir Thomas The Queen gives him the Chancellorship of the Order Comes home Made Secretary Famed in the Court for his Learning Smith's Device for a View between Mounsieur and the Queen Hit Thoughts the Massâ—cre at Pâ—ris His Detestation of it His Reaâ—on of the manner of Anwering the Prench Ambassador His Observation of the Prejudice the French did themselve in Scotland The Secretary at Windsor 〈◊〉 Aâ—â—nts and Irish Matters His â—â—â—passion for Flanders Regem expertem otii laboris amantem cujus gens bellicosa jampridem assueta est caedibus tam exterioris quam vestri Sanguinis Quid faciemus Gens otiosa Pacis assueta quibus imperat Regina ipsa Pacis atque Quietis amantissima His Advice about the Earl of Desmond And the Quarrel between Clanrichard and Fitton Mass-mongers and Conjurers sent up to the Secretary His Letter to the Earl of Shrewsbury hereupon Ex Offic. Armorum Perswades the Queen to send aid into Scotland Which upon his Motion she condescends to Two Scotch men by him examined Thomas sends a Colony into Ardes Sir Thomas's son leads the Colony His Rules and Orders for it Mr. Smiths care in the Colony Draws up Iâ—structins for his Son Families of English found in the Ardes Mr. Smiths good service this Winter Mr. Smith slain â— The Arde neglected upon Sir Thomas's Death How lost from the Family N. W. An. 1574. Q. Eliz. The Secretary uneasie At the Queens Delays The Queen deliberates about supplies for the Earl of Essex The Queens backwardness thereunto troubles the Secretary An. 1575. Conference between the Queon and her Secretary about Ulster And tho Earl of Essex His Advice vice to the Queen concerning him The Secretary with the Queen in Progress The Queen speaks to the Secretary about dangerous beggars He precures an Act for Schools of Learning Hist of Cambr. p. 144. The Act. An. 1576. Q. Eliz. that the next Year ended his Life Overprest with continual Watchings Sir Thomas 's fatal Dâ—stemper seizes him It affected 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 and Throat The Orator now scaâ—â—â— can speak To divert 〈◊〉 sickness he looks over his former Writings His book of Roman Câ—â—ns 〈…〉 The Physicians tamper with him Hi Physicâ—â—â—s leave 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 Physick 〈◊〉 into th Country An. 1577. Q. Eliz. Dyes Persons attending his Funerals Buried His Monument His Lady diet His Person described Makes his Will For the finishing of his House and Monument To his Lady For preserving good housekeeping To his Brother His Library to Queens College Or Peter House Books to his Friends A Cup to the Queen In case of Doubt arising in the Will His Executors The Date of his Will His Learning A Platonick A Physician Hâ—â— Recipe for the Plaguâ— His Câ—â—mâ—cal Water sâ—â—t to tâ—â— Câ—mâ—ss of Oxford â—â— Mâ—thiolus A Chymist A Mathematician An Arithmeticâ—an An Astronomer His judâ—â—ment of the Star â—n Cassiopâ—ia A Polâ—cian A Linguist An Historian An Orator An Architect His Library N. VI. Books by him written Pa. 81. A great Iudge in Learning His Acquaintance The Vogue of his Learning Beneficial to Learning Hâ—s Places His Wealth His House In Chanon Row In London Ankerwicâ— Mounthaut 〈…〉 〈◊〉 William Smith His Pâ—â— gâ—on His Principles by which he governed himself His Vertues Vices falsely charged on him His Spirit great His Apparel Not Opressive Of an Universal Charity His Apophthegms Lelaud's Copy of verses to Smith Dr. Byng's Epitaphon him Ex Original Pat. penes D. Ed. Smith E. Mâ—S D. Richar. Gibbs Eque Aurat Et Rev. D. Johan Laughton a This Budaeus maketh the Roman Standard adding to it half an Oun. b This I take to be the Roman Stand. c The Standard 1568. Reg. Eliz. 9. a This is next to the Roman Supputation
Serpens oppresserit Ignem Qua tamen erumpendi sit data Copia lucet Under his Coat this Motto Quapote lucet The Inscription was as followeth Thomas SMITHUS Eques Auratus Hujus Manerii Dominus cum Regis EDWARDI Sexti tum ELIZABETH Ae Reginae Consiliarius ac primi Nominis Secretarius Eorundemque Principum ad maximos Reges Legatus Nobiliss Ordinis Garterii Cancellarius Ardae Australisque Claneboy in Hibernia Colonellus Iuris Civilis supremo Titulo etiamnum Adolescens insignitus Orator Mathematicus Philosophus excellentissimus Linguarum Latinae Graecae Hebraicae Gallicae etiam Italicae Callentissimus Proborum Ingeniosorum Hominum Fautor eximius Plurimis commodaus Nemini noceus Ab injuriis ulciscendis alienissimus Denique Sapientia Pietate Integritate insignis Et in omni Vita seu aeger seu valens â—ntrepidus mori Cum Aetatis suae 65 annum complevisset in Aedibus suis Montaulensibus 12 die Aug. Anno salutis 1577 piè suaviter in Domino obdormivit Next under the Essigies is this grave Sentence Gloria vitae auteactae Celebrem facit in Terrae Viseeribus sepultum Under that this Distich Innocuus vixi si me post Funera laedas Caelesti Domino facta Sceleste lues He left behind him his second Wife Philippa who dyed the Year after him that is the 20th day of Iune 1578. and was there buried by him as is exprest in the Base of the aforesaid Monument Sir Thomas Smith was of a fair Sanguin Complexion His Beard which was large and somewhat forked at the Age of Thirty three years was toward a yellow Colour He had a calm ingenious Countenance As appears by the Picture of him hanging up in the Parlour of Hilball done as they say by Hans Holben where he is represented with a round Cap on his Head and in a Gown as a Civilian A great Ruby Ring upon his fore Finger with a curious Seal Which Ring is still preseved in the Family and in the Possession of Sir Edward Smith laying one of his Hands upon a Globe that of his own making as you may suppose Underneath the Picture is written Love and Fear the two great Principles of Actions wherewith God and Princes are to be served CHAP. XVI His last Will. HE began to frame his Will in the first Threatnings of his last Sickness that is about Apr. 2. 1576. Wherein he piously bequeathed his Soul to God his Creator and Redeemer By whose Mercy he trusted to be one of his Elect I use the Words of his said Will And his Body to be buried at Theydon Mount or else where it should please his Executors and with such Ceremony as should please them and they should think convenient having rather regard to the Relief of the Poor than to any extream manner of Mourning not becoming Christians Knowing that as he trusted he should dye to a better Life and go to his God and his Hope which he had so longed for And whereas he was then in Building of his House and Sepulchral Monument for himself and his Lady by a Platform of his own for the perfecting them as also for mending of the Ways he left his ready Money and Debts owing him after his Funerals and Legacies discharged and all his Chains of Gold which seem to have been given him in his Embassies and a 1000 Ounces of Gilt Plate and more if need were together with all the Materials of Timber and other Stuff prepared and laid in for that Purpose To his Lady for her House keeping sutable to her and his Quality he gave all his Kine Oxen Sheep Plow Carthorses and all his Cattel at Theydon at Mount called his Stock which was a little before by the least Account valued at 430 l. or thereabouts and brought at that Time to 300 l. and odd by the Expences of Christmass so that his last Christmas keeping cost him it seems near 130 l. Besides Swine and the Corn sown upon the Ground and all his Wheat Malt and bargain of Malt Wine Hops and other such like Provision To help her to keep House But upon Condition she maintained until his Buildings were fully finished and the Ways about his House mended so many Teams as were then to be occupied about Carriages And upon Condition also that what should remain of the said Stock at the Time of her Decease and the Corn sown by her upon the Grounds should remain to his Brother George or such as by Sir Thomas's Device should succeed in Mounthal To his Wife he also gave all her Apparel Jewels Chains of Gold and all such Bedsteds and Bedding all Goblets Bowls and other Plate which she brought with her from Hampden to dispose at her Will and Pleasure And more to the Furniture of her House she might chuse out 700 Ounces of such of his Plate gilt or ungilt as she should think best to serve her Turn Which 700 Ounces of Plate he gave after her Death to his Brother George or who should succeed at his Manor of Theydon at Mount and all the Bedsteds Beds and Furniture there as were in his new Building and other Brass Pewter and Implements as well bought as made at his Charge These not to be sold nor alienated away but atleast two third Parts thereof to remain to him that should succeed his Brother George in Theydon at Mount Giving security to his Nephew Iohn Wood and his Heirs and so each Successor to his Successor And all this Caution Sir Thomas used for the better securing good Housekeeping at that which had been his Seat for times to come And because his Wife might take away and dispose of several Things then at his House which had been brought from Hampden to supply such Defects he gave his Brother George all his Household Linin Beds and Hangings that belonged to Ankerwic another House of his in Barkshire That so his House at Hilhal might not be disfurnished Nay and such care did he take for creditable Housekeeping there that if any Person to whom he had Willed the Premisses were suspected not to perform this Condition to his Successor it should be Lawful for him to whom it should descend after the Death of the suspected to require Sureties for the Performance of the Condition Which if it were refused then the two third parts left to the suspected should be immediately delivered to his Possession who should succeed him as his own given from Sir Thomas to him He gave his Brother George a Thousand Ounces of Plate for the furnishing of his Stock But upon Condition that he left three fourth Parts of that to him that should succeed him in Theydon Mount and his Successor to the next and his Successor again to the next and so each to other And all this was still for preserving and keeping up of the House at Hillhall Many Legacies besides he gave to his Relations Friends and Dependents And because he saw none of
those that should succeed him of a long time were like to take to Learning he gave all his Latin and Greek Books to Queens College in Cambridge where he had been brought up and his great Globe of his own making but so that the Master and Fellows having Warning so soon as he was dead or at the least so soon as he was Buried or before the which he willed they should have with a true Inventory carried to them of his said Books sent Carts to fetch them away within Tenor Twelve Days And these he gave also upon Condition that they chained them up in their Library or did distribute them among the Fellows such as would best Occupy them But so that they did it by Indenture and Condition that when they departed from the College they restored them to the College again But in case the Master and Fellows of the said College would not fetch them away sending some careful Man to see them well trussed and packed then he gave them to Peter House upon like Condition If neither of them would do it then he Willed his Executors to Sell or use them at their Discretion But yet of many of his Books he made gifts to his Learned Friends or Scholars at the University As to Mr. Shaw Parson of the Parish wherein he lived Chrysostoms Works in five Volumes Origen in two Volumes Luthers Works Bucer Galatinus Felvus super Psaltcrium Pet. Martyr in lib. Iudicum And as he gave these Divinity Books to a Divine so to one Tho. Crow a Physician whom he called his Servant he gave these Books of Galen de Compositione Medicamentâ—rum de Alimentorum Facultatibus Methodus Melendi Petrus Pena de Herbis Antidotarium speciale Turners Herbal Fallopii Opera Rendelâ—tius And besides these he gave him the Monument of Martyrs in two Volumnes and a Latin Bible in Quarto Gilded Also to Sir Clement Smith so called I suppose because he was in Priests Orders then a Resident of Queens College and the same I conjecture with him that was after Doctor of Divinity a Younger Son of his Brother George he gave or rather lent itus Livius Aristotle in Greek and Plato in Greek and Latin Tullies Works and Ten more of his Books which the said Clement would chuse on Condition that when he went away from the College he should restore them to the College again He gave a standing Massy Cup which had the Seven Planets in the Cover to the Queen as most worthy having all the good Gifts endued by God which he ascribed to the Seven Planets they be the Words of the Will Praying her Majesty to take that simple gift in good worth as coming from her Faithful and Loving Subject And in case of any Ambiguity or Doubt arising in any part of his Will he gave Authority to his Executors to add to it to make it more plain with good Advice so that they kept the true meaning and sense And then himself gave a general Explanation of one chief Part of his Will namely That he would have him that should enjoy the House and Mannor of Theydon at Mount to be able to keep House there to the Relief of the Poor and to set Neighbours at Work But if the Executors could not reconcile some Ambiguity that might happen in his Will that then they should stand to the Decision and Judgment of his Cosen Nicols a Lawyer Mr. Henry Archer a worthy Gentleman of the Parish of Theydon Garnons afterwards Living and Dying at Low Leyton and Parson Shaw aforementioned whom he made Supervisors of his Will Which he did in a great point of Wisdom to avoid Controversies of Law Which oftentimes break Friendship and swallow up an Estate so contended for He made his Youngest Brother George Smith who had several Children and his Nephew by his Sister Iohn Wood his Executors This Will is said to be reviewed and corrected by him after the Death of his Nephew William Smith of Walden the Son as it seems of his second Brother Iohn Smith Febr. 18. 1576. when he Signed with his Hand every Page All his Manors Lands and Tenements he had already given by Indenture made between him on the one part and Francis Walsingham Secretary to the Queen Iames Altham Henry Archer Esquires Humphrey Mitchel and his Nephew Iohn Wood on the other Part bearing date Febr. 4th in the 19th year of the Queen This Will was proved 15. Aug. 1577. before Tho Yale by Iohn Wood that is three days after Sir Thomas's Death And by George Smith not before May 14. 1578. I do not meet with many Bequests of Charity in this Will because those Acts he seemed to have done as the wisest and surest Course in his Life time when himself might see them truly and justly performed CHAP. XVII Observations upon Sir Thomas Smith NOW to make a few Observations upon this Wise and Learned Gentleman And first Of his Learning For he was one of the greatest Scholars of his Age and one of those many brave Shoots that the University of Cambridge then produced As Denny Châ—ke Haddon Ascham Ponet Cecil and some others that for their Merits and Parts were transplanted to the Court His Profession was the Civil Law and he was the first Regius Professor of it in the University placed therein by the Royal Founder King Henry VIII whose Scholar he was But tho' that were his Profession yet he was a Man of General Learning He was a great Platonist Which Noble and Useful Philosophy he and Cheke brought into Study in the University accustomed before to the crabbed barbarous useless Schoolmen Haddon speaking to him of Plato calleth him Plato tuus Your Plato who he told him called upon him to serve his Country and to be ready too to give it all that he had received from it He understood Physic well In his Oration for the Queens Marrying against him that had declaimed for her single Life and among other Reasons for it urged the Diseases and Infirmities that attended Child-bearing he asserted on the contrary how it preserved Women from Diseases and other Inconveniences and cleared their Bodies amended their Colour and prolonged their Health and undertook to bring the Authorities and Reasons of Physic for it And when in March 1574. the Lord Treasurer had a sit of an Ague Smith shewed his skill that Way by the Judgement that he made of it saying That he trusted it was but Diaria coming of a sudden Obstruction in the Pores of his Skin as he told him by Cold That which in a rare Body and tenderly kept must needs be till either by Evaporation or Sweat the same be opened again And so he hoped that now that Lord had but the weariness of that Accident and no formed Ague His Skill herein also appeared in his Discoursing so learnedly of his own Distemper as we heard before And here I will set down a Recipe I find in