State-Worthies OR THE STATES-MEN And FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND Since the Reformation Their PRUDENCE and POLICIES SUCCESSES and MISCARRIAGES ADVANCEMENTS and FALLS During the Reigns of King HENRY VIII King EDWARD VI Queen MARY Queen ELIZABETH King â—AMES King CHARLES â— The Second Edition with Additions LONDON Printed by Thomas Mâ—lbourâ— for Sâ—â— Speed in Thread-needle-street neer the Royal-Exchange 1670. TO The HOPE of ENGLAND It s Young Gentry Is most humbly Dedicated The HONONUR of it It s ANCIENT STATESMEN A Renowned Ancestry TO An Honourable Posterity Whitehall BY permission and License of the Right Honourable Mr. Secretary Morice This Book may be Printed and Published Jo Cook TO THE READER Courteous Reader FOr bestowing some vacant hours by that excellent Personages direction to whom I am equally obliged for my Employment and my Leasure in an attempt so agreeable to the Lord Verulam's judgment which may be seen in the next page and so pursuant of Sir Robert Naunton's designe which may be traced in the following Book Another person's abilities might have gained applause and my weakness may deserve an excuse notwithstanding my years if yet any man be too young to read and observe or my profession if yet a Divine should not as times go be as well read in Men as Books Especially since I gratifie no man's fondness writing not a Panegyrick but an History Nor pleasure any persons malice designing Observations rather than Invectives Nor tyre any man's patience setting down rather the remarkes of mens publick capacities than the minute passages of their private lives but innocently discourse the most choice instances our ENGLISH Histories afford for the three great Qualifications of men 1. Noblenesse in behaviour 2. Dexterity in business and 3. Wisdome in Government among which are twenty eight Secretaries of State eight Chancellours eighteen Lord Treasurers sixteen Chamberlains who entertain Gentlemen with Observations becoming their Extraction and their hopes touching 1. The rise of States-men 2. The beginning of Families 3. The method of Greatness 4. The conduct of Courtiers 5. The miscarriages of Favourites and what-ever may make them either wise or wary The Chancellour of France had a Picture that to a coâ—mon eye shewed many little heads and they were his Ancestorsâ— but to the more curious represented onely one great one and that was his own It 's inâ—ended that this Book should to the vulgar Reader express several particulars i. e. all this last Ages Heroes but to every Gentleman it should intimate onely one and that is himself It 's easily imaginable how unconcerned I am in the fate of this Book either in the History or the Observation since I have been so faithful in the â—irst that is not my own but the Historians and so careful in the second that they are not mine but the Histories DAVID LLOYD The Lord Bacon's Iudgment of a Work of this nature HIstory which may be called just and perfect History is of three kinds according to the object it propoundeth or pretendeth to represent for it either representeth a Time a Person or an Action The first we call Chronicles the second Lives and the third Narrations or Relations Of these although the first be the most compleat and absolute kind of History and hath most estimation and glory yet the second excelleth it in profit and use and the third in verity and sincerity For history of Times representeth the magnitude of Actions and the publick faces or deportments of persons and passeth over in silence the smaller passages and motions of Men and Matters But such being the workmanship of God as he doth hang the greatest weight upon the smallest wyars Maxima è minimis suspendens it comes therefore to pass that such Histories do rather set forth the pomp of business than the true and inward resorts thereof But Lives if they be well written propounding to themselves a person to represent in whom actions both greater and smaller publick and private have a commixture must of necessity contain a more true native and lively representation I do much admire that these times have so little esteemed the vertues of the Times as that the writing of Lives should be no more frequent For although there be not many Soveraign Princes or absolute Commanders and that States are most collected into Monarchies yet are there many worthy personages that deserve better than dispersed Report or barren Elogies For herein the invention of one of the late Poets is proper and doth well inrich the ancient fiction For he feigneth that at the end of the thread or web of every mans Life there was a little Medal containing the person's name and that Time waiteth upon the Sheers and as soon as the Thread was cut caught the Medials and carried them to the River Lethe and about the bank there were many Birds flying up and down that would get the Medials and carry them in their beak a little while and then let them fall into the River Onely there were a few Swans which if they got a Name would carry it to a Temple where it was consecrate THE TABLE A Pag. SIr Thomas Audly 72 Fiz-Allan Earl of Arundel 415 Master Roger Ashcam 613 Arch-Bishop Abbot 746 Sir Edmund Anderson 803 Bishop Andrews 1024 Sir Walter Aston 932 Sir Robert Armstroder 951 Philip Earl of Arundel 953. B. CHarles Brandon Duke of Suffolk 27 Sir Thomas Bollen 137 Edw. Stafford D. of Bucks 159 Sir Anthony Brown 164 Sir David Brook 386 Sir John Russel 1 E. of B. 442 Sir John Baker 460 Sir Will. Cecil L. Burleigh 473 Arch-Bishop Bancroft 704 Sir Nich. Bacon 470 Thomas Lord Burge 591 Sir Thomas Bromley 609 Sir Richard Bingham 612 Tho. Sackvil L. Buckhurst 677. Sir Fulke Grevil L. Brook 727 Sir Thomas Bodley 805 John L. Digby E. of Bristol 838 G. V. Duke of Buckingh 843 Sir Francis Bacon 828 Sir John Bramston 926 Lord Chief-Iustice Banks 960 C. ARch-Bishop Cranmer 35 T. Cromwel Earl of Esâ—ex 57 Sir William Compton 145 Sir Thomas Cheyney 466 Sir John Cheek 191 Sir William Cordel 369 Sir Anthony Cook 373 Sir W. Cecil L. Burleigh 473 Sir Thomas Challoner 534 Sir James Crofts 569 Cliffords Earls of Cumberland 721 Sir R. Cecil E. of Salisbury 730 Sir George Calvert 750 Sir Arthur Chichester 753 L. Cranfield E. of Mid. 778 Sir Robert Cary 794 Doctor Richard Cosin 817 Lord Chief Justice Cook 820 Lord Cottington 906 Sir Dudly Carleton 910 Lord Conway 919 Sir Julius Caesar 934 Earl of Carnarvan 1014 The Cary's Lords Viscounâ—s Faulklands 938 Lord Capel 1021 Sir John Culpepper 1042 Sir Georgâ— Crook 949 James Hay E. of Carlisle 774 Sir Thomas Coventry 978 Sir John Cook 944 L. Herbert of Cherbury 1017 D. SIr Thomas Darcy 130 T. Grey Marquess of Dorset 152 Dudly D. of Northumberland 420 W. Devereux E. of Essex 486 Edward Earl of Derby 547 Sir William Drury 558 Doctor Dale 564 Sir James Dier 595 Secretary Davison 624 Sir G. Hume E. of Dunb 740 Sir
allow a due commendation to his learned performance in that subject Although it startled them to hear King Iames was so affected with it insomuch that Sir Edward Coke undertook from thence to prophecy the decay of the Common-Law though in that prophecy of his others foresaw nothing but his fall Never book came out more seasonably for the Church than this never Comment came out more suitably than Mr. Gregories Notes upon it Hâ— writ well and advised better being good to give better to manage Counsel which he never offered till called and never urged longer than it pleased answering no question of consequence unless upon emergent occasion without deliberation observing the design of people that ask most commonly to try his sufficiency as well as improve their own However being sure that time is likelier to increase than abate the weight of a result discovering as well what may be returned suitably to the general temper as what may be answered fitly to the particular instance What alterations he designed for the Churches benefit were not sodain but leisurely To force men out of one extreamity into another is an attempt as dangerous as it is invidious as awakening most opposition and obnoxious to most hazard Wise Tacitus observeth that men have reformed inveterate habits more by yielding to them than engaging against them though a man must so yield as not to encourage while he doth so countermine as not to exasperate Although he was always able yet was he never willing to mend the Copy his Superiors had set him unless owned as from former instruction lest they grew jealous he valued his own experience before theirs who measure mens sufficiency from their caution and not from their parts from what they can forbear rather than from what they can do To conclude he was one of those able men that cannot be eminent unless they be great men of great merit behave themselves so negligently in small affairs as that you shall never understand their abilities unless you advance their persons Mens capacities sufficiencies have certain bounds prescribed them within the limits of which they are able to acquit themselves with credit and applause But if you advance them above or depress them below their spheres they shew nothing but debilities and miscarriages Onely this he was always commended for That having the management of Affairs intrusted to him he underwent all the miscarriages himself ascribing all the honour and sufficiency to his Patron carrying his hand in all actions so that his Master had the applause of whatever was either conceded or denyed in publick without any other interruption from Mr. Ridly than what became the bare instrument of his commands however he ordered the matter in private Observations on the Life of Sir Henry Martin HE would merrily say That if his Father had left him fourscore pounds a year where he left him but forty he would never have been a Scholar but have lived on his Lands whereas his Inheritance being a large encouragement but a small maintenance he made up in study what he wanted in Estate first at Winchester and then at New-Colledge where his inclination led him to Divinity but Bishop Andrews his advice perswaded him to the Civil Law wherein he attained that great proficiency he was eminent for thus He had weekly transmitted to him from some Proctors at Lambeth the brief heads of the most important Causes which were to be tryed in the High-Commission Then with some of his familiar friends in that faculty he privately pleaded those Causes acting in their Chamber what was done in the Court But Mr. Martin making it his work exceeded the rest in amplifying and aggravaâ—ing any fault to move anger and indignation against the guilt thereof or else in extenuating or excusing it to procure pity obtain pardon or at least prevail for a lighter punishment Whence no Cause came amiss to him in the High-Commission For saith my Author he was not to make new Armour but only to put it on and buckle it not to invent but apply arguments to his Clients As in decision of Controversies in his Courts he had a moderate and middle way so in managing of affairs in Parliament he had a healing Method Whence in most Debates with the Lords where Mr. Noy's Law and Reason could not convince Sir Henry Martin's Expedients could accommodate For which services and his other meriâ—s he was made Judge of the Prerogative-Court for probate of Wills and of the Admiralty for Foreign Trade Whence King IAMES would say merrily He was a mighty Monarch by Sea and Land over the Dead and the Living Observations on the Life of Sir John Bramstone SIr Iohn Bramstone Knight was born at Maldon in Essex bred up in the Middle-Temple in the study of the Common-Law wherein he attained to such eminency that he was by King Charls made Lord chief-Chief-Justice of the King 's Bench. One of deep Learning solid Judgement integrity of Life gravity of behaviour above the envy of his own age and the scandal of posterity One instance of his I must not forget writes the Historian effectually relating to the foundation wherein I was bred Sergeant Bruerton by Will bequeathed to Sidney-Colledge well-nigh three thousand pounds but for haâ—te or some other accident it was so imperfectly done that as Dr. Sam. Ward informed me the gift was invalid in the rigour of the Law Now Judge Bramstone who married the Sergeants Widow gave himself much trouble gave himâ—elf indeed doing all things gratis for the speedy payment of the money to a farthing and the legal setling thereof on the Colledge according to the true intention of the dead He deserved to live in better times The delivering his judgement on the King's side in the case of Ship-money cost him much trouble and brought him much honour as who understood the consequence of that Maxâ—me Salus populi suprema lex and that Ship-money was thought legal by the best Lawyers voted down arbitrarily by the worst Parliament they hearing no Counsel for it though the King heard all men willingly against it Yea that Parliament thought themselves not secure from it unless the King renounced his right to it by a new Act of his own Men have a touch-stone to try Gold and Gold is the touch-stone to try Men. Sir William Noy's gratuity shewed that this Judges Inclination was as much above corruption as his Fortune and that he would not as well as needed not be base Equally intent was he upon the Interest of the State and the Maximes of Law as which mutually supported each other He would never have a Witness interrupted or helped but have the patience to hear a naked though a tedious truth the best Gold lyeth in the most Ore and the clearest truth in the most simple discourse When he put on his Robes he put off Respects his private affections being swallowed up in the publick service This was the Judge whom Popularity could never
3. Constant correspondence and observation 4. A happy medley of Debonairness and Complacency Reservedness and Gravity with the first he had taken Princes and with the last Statesmen the one discovers others while the other conceals you 5. Resolution I made often said hâ— as if I would fight when they knew my calling allowed me onely to speak 6. Civility That man said the Prince of Orange is a great bargain who is bought with a bare salvation Fourthly To Privy-Counsellours That excellent caution Always to speak last and be Masters of other strength before they displayed their own This was that rare man that was made for all business so dexterous This was he that was made for all times so complying This was he who lived Doctor of both Laws and died Doctor of both Gospels the Protestant which had the States-mans part of this man and the Popish who had the Christian. Noah had two faces because he was a son of the old world before the flood and a father of the new one after Wotton sure had four faiths who was a Favourite in King Henry's days of the Counsel in King Edward's of the Juncto in Queen Mary's and the second Statesman in Queen Elizabeth's With these two things of this person I shall conclude 1. His refusal of the Archbishoprick of Canterbury which argued his extraordinary humility or wariness His admission of Doctor Parker as Dean of Canterbury to that See which argueth the legality of his calling there being no circumstance with any likelihood omitted by so exquisite a Civilian as Doctor Wotton or forgotten by so great an Anâ—iquary as Doctor Parker Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Wriothesly the first Earl of Southampton THomas Wriothesly Knight of the Garter was born in Barbican Son to William Wriothesly descended from an Heir general of the antient Family of the Dunsteâ—viles King of Arms. He was bred in the University of Cambridge as it appears by Mr. Ascam's 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 chariorâ—m intelligit partim tibi ut alumno suo cum authoritate imperat partim ut patrono summo demisse humiliter supplicat c. His University-Learning prepared him for the Law â—is indefaâ—igable study of the Law promoted him to the Court where for his Honour he was created Baron of Tichbourn Jan. 1. 1543. and â—or his Profit the next year May 3. Lord Chancellour a place he discharged with more Applause than any before him and with as much Integrity as any since him Force he said awed but Iustice governed the World It is given to that Family to be Generous and Resolute This incomparable Person was under a cloud in King Edward's time for being a rigidly-conscientious Papist and his great Grandchild suffered in King Charles his time for being a sincerely honest Protestant Yeâ— so reverenced was the first of this Family by his Adversaries that he was made Earl of Southampton and so honoured was the other by his Enemies that they courted him to their party Integrity hath a Majesty in its full and a Glory in its lowest Estate that is always feared though not always loved No Nobleman understood the Roman Religion better than the first Earl of Southampton and none the Protestant better then the last the Right Honourable and truly Excellent Thomas Earl of Southampton and Treasurer of England His Court he said gave Law to the Kingdom His constant and exact Rules to the Court and his Conscience guided by the Law of the Kingdom to his Rules Affable and acceptable he was as More quick and ready as Wolsey incorrupt as Egerton apprehensive and knowing as Bacon Twice were all Cases depending in Chancery dispatched in Sir Thomas Wriothesly's time 1538. and in Sir Thomas More 's 1532. Truly did he judge intra Cancellos deciding Cases with that Uprightness that he wished a Window to his Actions yea and his Heart too King Philip was not at leasure to hear a poor Womans Cause Then said she cease to be King My Lord over-hearing a servant putting off a Petitioner because his Master was not at leasure takes him up roundly and repliâ—s You had as good say I am not at leasure to be Lord Chancellour Two things he would not have his servants gain by his Livings and his Decrees The first he said weâ—e Gods the second the Kings whom every man he said sold that sold Justice To honest men your places said he are enough to Knaves too much Every Week he had a Schedule of his own Accounts and every Month of his Servants Cato's greatest Treasure was his Account-Book of Sicily and my Lord of Southampton's was his Table of the Chancellours place A great Estate was conferred upon him which he took not in his own name to avoid the odium of Sacriledge as great an Inheritance he bought but in others names to escape the malice of Envy He loved a bishop he said to satisfie his Conscience a Lawyer to guide his Judgment a good Family to keep up his Interest and an University to preserve his name Full of Years and Worth he died 1550. at Lincoln-place and was buried at St. Andrews Church in Holborn where his Posterity have a Diocess for their Parish and a Court for their Habitation Observations on the Life of Sir John Fitz-James JOhn Fiâ—z-Iames Knight was born at Redlinch in Somersetshire of Right Antient and Worthy Parentage bâ—ed in the study of our Municipal Laws wherein he proved so great a Proficient that by King Henry the Eighth he was advanced to be Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. There needs no more to be said of his Merit save that King Henry the Eighth preferred him who never used either Dunce or Drone in Church or State but Men of Ability and Activity He sat thirteen years in his place demeaning himself so that he lived and died in the Kings Favour He sat one of the Assistants when Sir Thomas More was arraigned for â—efusing the Oath of Supremacy and was shrewdly put to it to save his own Conscience and not incur the Kings Displeasure For Chancellour Audley supreme Judg in that plaâ—e being loath that the whole burthen of More 's condemnation should lie on his shoulders alone openly in the Court asked the Advice of the Lord Chief Justice Fitz Iames Whether the Indictment were sufficient or no To whom our Judge warily returned My Lords all by St. Gillian which was ever his Oath I must needs confess That if the Act of Parliament be not unlawful then the Indictment is not in my conscience sufficient He died in the Thirteeth Year of King Henry the Eighth and although now there be none left at Redlinch of his Name and Family they flourish still at Lewson in Dorsetshire descended from Alured Fitz-Iames brother to this Judge and
not my pardon but my favour too He is the man for a Princes service whose minde is present and prudence is ready to meet with suddain occasions and accommodate unexpected emergencies The first effect of that favour was his Nomination for one of the sixteen that answered the French challenge at the Lady Mary's Marriage at Paâ—â—s November 7 1513. which shewed his manhood and how valiant he was The second was that he was one of the Forty five that were to be about his Majesty at the instant of his Interview with the King of France at Guisnes â— which was an Argument of his presenceâ— and how goodly a man he was The third was that he was one of the Twenty two that with the Earl of Surrey Lord Admiral and Sir William Fitz-Williams Vice-Admiral proposed that secret and therefore successful Dâ—signe upon Britain under pretence of Scowring the Narrow Seas for now he is as good in the Sea as he had been in the Field for which he and eight more of his fellow-Captains Sir Ioh. Cornwallis c. are Knighted by the aforesaid Lord Admiral which speaks him a Sea-man and indeed one of a general capacity The fourth was the great Trust his Majesty reposed in him when he was sent in disguise to widen the difference that was newly broken out between the Duke of Bourbon the high Constable of France and the French King which he managed so well that the discontented Duke declares for the Emperour and the King of England to the great encouragement of the English the satisfaction of his Majesty and the success of his Designe upon Anchor Boungard Bray and oâ—her places where Sir Iohn shewed himself as active now as he was before cunning as much surpassing the French Spirit in action as he had over-reached their Prudence in Negotiation But in vain was it to serve that King unless a man obliged the Cardinal he that Courts the Virgin Mary must not neglect her little Saints him he attended in his second Journey to France first to honour and then to serve him And now after his decease when King Henry had done the work of mercy which was most proper for himself as being most popular upon the Lincolnshire Rebels he deputed the Duke of Suffolk Sir Francis Brians and Sir Iohn Russel to perform that of Justice which is most distastful wherein yet he behaves himself with that exactness that the Country was very well pleased and the King as well satisfied insomuch that we finde our Knight now called from a Commander in in the Field to be Controller at Court where he managed his Masters Expences thriftily reduced his Family discreetly reformed his followers effectually and filled up his place with the awe of his presence and the influence of his Authority that he was at once its support and its glory Indeed Courts being those Epitoms wherâ—through strangers look into Kingdomes should be Royally set of as with Utensils so with attendanceâ— that might possess all Comers with reverence there and fear elsewhere Hir Person graced his Imployment and therefore his Majesty honoured his Person with the Order of the Garter and the Title of Lord Râ—ssel and that his Preferment might keep pace with his Honour he is made Lord Privy Seal and his Nephew Sir Iohn Cage Controller His Honour flacked not his Activity but improved it neither was his Vertue onely violent in Ambition and dull in Authority Power to do good is the true and lawful end of aspiring therefore my Lord to his Staff added his Sword and to his Court-honour his Field service as Lieutenant-General before Muttrel and Marshal before Bulloign to the relief of the first whereof he drew Mounsieur Bies that his Majesty might take the second In the Camp he drew up the Designes in the Field he managed the Treasure and in Action to him was intrâ—sted the Conduct and manage In the Kings last Will and Testament he was the fifth person and in his Sons Council the fifth to whom he discovered a French Plot the first year of his Raign and for whom he broke the Devonshire Rebels what with delays what with stratagems to divide them according to their several Inclinations the second for which service he was made Earl of Bedford The third in the Faction at home between the Seymours and the Dudleys he was Neuter in the Treaties abroad between the French King and his Majesty of England he was Principal where he observed three Rules 1. That there should be a general Muster at home while this Treaty went on abroad 2. That there should be a blow given the Scots before there was a Peace made with the French 3. That we should first know the French Overtures before we made our own But while he was here he discovered a Plot that the Emperour had to transport the Lady Mary over to his Dominions and thereby bring her Brother to his terms whereupon he with 200 men watcheth one Port the Duke of Somerset with 200 more a second and Master St. Leiger with 400 men a third while the Lady was fetched by my Lord Chancellor to the King But while he was serving his Master the King abroad his Friend the Protector wanted his advice and assistance at home he being of purpose sent out of the way while that unfortunate Duke is first betrayed by his own folly and then ruined by his Enemies power I finde his hand among the rest of the Councellors in a Letter to Queen Mary but not in Arms against herâ— He was concluded by the major Vote to a Commission for Peace but not to Action for conscience sake Faithful he is therefore to her in Council and serviceable in Spain and France from the first of which places he brought her a Husband and from the second a Treasure He understood her Right and disputed not her Religion regarding not so much her Opinion as his own Duty not what she was but what he should be And thus he behaved himself until his dear Mistress Elizabeth took him for one of her Protestant Councellours to balance her Popish ones and not onely of her Council but of her Cabinet for as every man must have his Friend to ease his heart so Princes have their Favourites to partake of their cares and the Marquess of Northampton the Earl of Bedford and Sir William Cecil were the onely Persons to whom the Queen communicated her designe of Reformation and correcting the Common-prayer and they ordered affairs so that the Protestants should be in hope and yet the Papists should not be out of hope King Philip had a quarrel with the Queen for rejecting his suit the King of Sweden for slighting his Son the King of France in his Wives Right the Queen of Scots in her Own and the Pope for excluding his Supremacie her Subiects were as unsettled in their Loyalty as in their Religion What remained but that my Lord of Bedford and Sir William Cecil should make up a well-tempered House of
anno 1572 arraigned for Treason this Iudge was present thereat on the same toâ—en that when the Duke desired Council to be assigned him pleading that it was granted to Humphrey Stafford in the Reign of King Henry the seventh our Iudge returned unto him That Stafford had it allowed him only as to point of Law then in dispute viz. Whether he was legally taken out of the Sanctuary but as for matter of Fact neither he nor any ever had or could have Councel allowed him But let his own woâ—ks praise him in the Gatesâ— known for the place of publick Iustice amongst the Iews let his learned Writings called The Commentaries or Reports evidence his Abilities in his Profession He died in 2â— Eliz. thougâ— married without any issue and there is a House of a Baronet of his Name descended from an elder Son of Richard Father to our Iudge at great Stoughton in Huntingtonshire well improved I believe with the addition of the Judges Eâ—tâ—teâ— There is a Manuscript of this worthy Judgeâ— wherein are six and forty Rules for the preâ—ervation of the Commonwealth as worthy our Observation as they were his Collection 1. That the true Religion be established 2. To keep the parts of the Commonwealth equal 3. That the middle sort of people exceed both the extreams 4. That the Nobility be called to serve or at least to appear at the Court by themselves or by the hopes of their Families their Children 5. That the Court pay well 6. That Trade be free and Manufactures with all other Ingenuities encouraged 7. That there be no co-equal Powers nor any other vsurpations against the Foundation 8. That their be notice taken of wise and well-affected Persons to employ them 9. That Corruption be restrained 10. That the Prince shew himself absolute in his Authority first and then indulgent in his Nature 11. That the first ferment of sedition wâ—nt c. be considered 12. That Preferments be bestowed on merit and not faction 13. That troublesome persons be employed abroadâ— 14. That Emulations be over râ—led 15. That the ancient and most easie way of Contributions when necessary be followed 16. That the Youth be discipled 17. That Discourses and Writings of Government and its mysteries be restrained 18. That the Active and busie be taken to Employment 19. That the King shew himself often in Majesty tempered with familiarity easie access tenderness c. 20. That the Prince perform some expected actâ—ons at Court himself 21. That no one man be gratâ—fied with the grievance of many 22. That Acts of Grace pass in the chief Magiâ—trates Name and Actâ— of Severity in the Ministers 23. That the Prince borrow when he hath no need 24. That he be so well furnished with Warlike Provisions Citadels Ships as to be renowned for it 25. That the Neighbour-States be balanced 26. That the Prince maintain very knowing Agents Spies and Intelligencers 27. That none be suffered to raise a Quarrel between the Prerogative and the Law 28. That the People be awaked by Musters 29. That in câ—ses of Faâ—tion Colonies and Plantations be found out to receive ill humours 30. That the Seas the Sea-coast and Borders be secured 31. That the Prince be either resident himself or by a good natured and popular Favourite 32. To act things by degrees and check all the hasty importunate rash and turbulent though well-affected 33. That the Inhabitants have honour promiscuously but that Power be kept in the Well-affected's hands 34. That there be as far as can be plain dealing and the people never think they are deceived 35. That there be a strict eye kept upon Learning Arms and Mechanical Arts. 36. That there be frequent Wars 37. To observe the Divisions among Favourites though not to encourage them 38. That an account be given of the Publick Expences 39. That Inventions be encouraged 40. That the Country be kept in its due dependancâ— on the Crown against the times of War Elections c. and to that purpose that the Courtiers keep good houses c. 41. That no disobliging person be trusted 42. That Executions be few suddain and severe 43. To improve the benefit of a Kingdomes Situation 44. That the Lâ—berties and Priviledges of the subject bâ— so clearly stated that there may be no prâ—tences for worse purposes 45. That the Coyn be neither transported nor â—mbased 46. That luxury be supprâ—ssed Maximes these that spake our Judge so conversant with Books and men that that may be applyed to him which is attributed to as great a Divine as he was a Lawyer viz. That he never talked with himself Observations on the Life of Sir William Pelham SIr William Pelham was a Native of Sussex whose ancient and wealthy Family hath long flourished in Laughton therein His Prudence in Peace and Valour in War caused Queen Elizabeth to employ him in Ireland where he was by the privy-Council appointed Lord Chief Justice to govern that Land in the interim betwixt the death of Sir William Drury and the coming in of Arthur Gray Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Say not that he did but stop a gap for a twelve-month at the most seeing it was such a gap Destruction had entered in thereat to the final ruine of that Kingdome had not his providence prevented it For in this juncture of time Desmond began his Rebellion 1579 inviting Sir William to side with him who wisely gave him the hearing with a smile in to the Bargain And although our Knight for want of Force could not cure the wounds yet he may be said to have washed and kept it clean reâ—igning it in a recovering condition to the Lord Gray who succeeded him Afterwards he was sent over into the Low-Countries 1586 being Commander of the English Horse therein It is said of him â—rabautiam persultabat He leapt through Brabant importing celerity and success yea as much Conquest as so suddain an expedition was capable of He had a strong memory whereof he built his experience and a large experience whereon he grounded his actions There was no Town Fort Passage Hill or Dale either in Ireland or Holland but he retained by thaâ— strong faculty that was much his Nature more his Art which observed privately what it saw publickly recollected and fixed in the night when he observed by day trusting his head with solids but not burthening it with impertinencies Company is one of the greatest pleasuâ—es of Mankinde and the great delight of this man it 's unnatuâ—al to be solitary the world is linked together by love and men by friendship who observed three things in his converse that it should be 1. even 2. choice and 3. useful all his friends being either valiant ingenious or wise that is either Souldiers Scholars or States-men Four things he was very intent upon during his Government in Ireland 1. The Priests the Pulpits and the Press 2. The Nobility 3. The Ports 4. The Forreigners Which he pursued with that Activity the Earl of Ormond assisting
place and very observant of the Court happy in his potent friends happy in his able followers men of great faithfulness towards him and of great integrity and respectfulness towards any that made Addresses to him He never decided the â—quity of any Case before he had discoursed with the Judge that heard it of the Law of it He never disposed of a Living without the Bishop of the Diocess his consent where it layâ— nor ever engaged he in any State-business without dirâ—ction from my Lord Burleigh the Earl of Leicester my Lord Delaware Sir Ralph Sadler was to observe the policy Dr. Wilson the Civil law and Sir Thomas Bromley the English law in the Qâ—een of Scots answer to Queen Elizabeths last expostulation The Spanish Souldier never takes wages agâ—inst his King and Sir Thomas Bromley never took feâ—s against the Crown He would have the cause opened clearly by his Client in the Chamber befoâ—e ever he would declare it at the Bar He lost money for not admitting all causes promiscuously at first but he gained it at last when never fâ—iling in any cause saith my Author for five years during which space what he wanted in the retayl of advantage he made up in the gross of esteem being by that time the onely person that the people would employ and one of the three the Court would favour being excellent because industrious in a leading and an untrodden cafe Physitians they say are best like Beer when stale and Lawyers like Bread when young This person was eminent in all the periods of his Age each whereof he filled with its just and becoming accomplishment In that Lord of Nâ—rthumberland's case that pistolled himself none more subtle to argue his guilt in the Queen of Scots none more strict to keep to the law for when the Qâ—een of Scots would explain something in the Queens commission he answered We are subjects and not come hither to explain the Queens words but to perform them None more discreet and grave prefacing that great business with these wordsâ— The high and mighty Queen our Soveraign that she might not be wanting to her God her self her people or your honour sent us hither not so much to try as to clear you not so much to urge her Accusations as to hear your Defence And none more stedfast to his Soveraign for when that unfortunate Lady protested her unaccountableness to the English laws he replyed This protestation is vain for whosoever of what place soever offendeth against the Laws of England in England was subject to the same Laws and might be examined and tryed The sentence against her he declared had three things in it 1. Justice 2. Security 3. Nâ—cessity but added presently And that wisely too it should no ways prejudice King James his Title or Honour Observations on the Life of Sir Richard Bingham SIr Richard Bingham born in Binghamsâ—Melcolm in Dorsetshire of a very ancient Family in his youth travelled most parts of the world he was at the Siege of St. Quintin in France the sacking of Leith in Scotland served in Caâ—dia under the Venetians against the Turk then returned into the Netherlands being strong and fortunate in all his undertakings After all this he went into Ireland and was there President of Coâ—naught and conqueâ—ed the great and dangerous Rebel O-Rork A Gentleman this rather skilful in many mysteries than thriving in any of a fancy too high and wild too defultoâ—y and over-voluble yet Imagination hath often produced Realities and phancy done the work of Judgement as in this Gentleman whose daringness went for conduct whose spirit passed for resolution whose activity had the honour of skill and whose success the glory of prudence It 's a wonder of parts that Caesar could write read dictate and discourse at the same time it 's a miracle of fancy that this man should command a Regiment in the Netherlands preside in a province of Ireland manage a Trade in Russia carry on a plantation in America and husband a mannor in England But as the King of Spain is painted with a handful of sand running out between his fingers in reference to his many but unprofitable Dominions so might this grand Projector be described who attempted so many things that he did nothing Yet one thing his Quick-silver soul was good for and that is Stratagems Now you should have him surprize a Town by Butter-women another time by Workmen anon he would face the enemy and draw them with success upon a train of Gunpowder he would lay for them and Iron Pricksteds he would sow for them He would steal their hands and seales buy the very keys of their closets and so amuse them with letters and distract them with Jealousies while in the mean time the vigilant man alarmed them every hour of the day and each watch of the night so that he tamed those wild Irish as we do some wild beasts by watching Observations on the Life of Roger Ashcam FRom his cradle a Royal servant and to his grave a favourite a good man saith Cambden and if his ambition had been but as great as the occasion was fair a great one too Born he was honestly in Yorkshire and bred handsomely at Cambridge and both born and bred for that age which was to refine Greek and Latin to a politeness and raise them to an Eloquence He was the University-Orator at Cambridge and at Court there using his eloquence here his interest against that sacriledge that having Dined on the church as he writ came to Sup on the Universities Thence he was rather removed than advanced more suitably to his meâ—it than his expectation to be Queen Elizabeths Schoolmaster for the Latin tongue in her Sisters time and her Secretary for the same in her own What he got by his ingenuity he lost by his gaming viz. at Dice and Cock-fighting dying rich onely in those two books his estate and monument whereof the one is intituled Tâ—xophilus and the other Scholarcha He and his dear Smith were the happiest men in the nation their large and ingenious souls clasping together in an entire friendship made up of kindness and integrity apart from the little fears the jealousies the suspitions that vex mankinde What learned letters what loving expostulations what discreet intimations what faithful advertisements what indifferent community what common cares and pities how they loved how they child and how they loved again how plain how malleable how sweet What little observations upon one anothers inadvertencies neglects or miscarriages how they improved their Mollia tempora to the great end of friendship information and advice How secretly they vented their thoughts into each others breasts and there looked upon them by reflexion and the advantage of a second consideration And it 's a happiness to have another self to shew our selves to before we appear to the world that all men wish and the good men onely enjoy An honest man this that abhorred all artifice and
advice to my Lord of Essex was 1. Not to trust himself because they that stand by see more than they that play the game 2. To yield to Time and Fortune and not do that for his Enemies which they could never do for themselves 3. To have a careful eye upon those actions on which he knew there were many envious ones And for himself his supplication to King Iames was That since his conceit and sense was grown so heavy his Memory decay'd his Judgement weak his Hearing imperfect and his Voice faltering he might desinere potiùs quam deficere and retire from his Business to his Meditation as he did while living imparting many mysteries of the Chancery and when dying bequeathing as many choice Books and Directions to his then Chaplain and his after-Successor Doctor Williams Secretary Winwood having received the Seal and left this gracious Message with this good man that his Majesty would be his Under-keeper and not dispose of it while he lived to bear the name of Chancellor nor did any receive the Seal out of the Kings sight while he lived to bear the name of Chancellor A company of Citizens got a Cause passed by keeping a Witness away in this manner one of them gets him to the Tavern and there leaves him with a quart of Sack before him and the glass at his mouth and swears in open Court that he left him in a condition wherein if he continueth but two hours he is a dead man The other Party find out the cheat and have their remedy in Chancery Sir Edward Cook brings the matter to the Star-Chamber and threatneth the Chancellor with a Pâ—emuâ—nire The business is debated and sentence passed for my Lord Chancellor with the comfort whereof and the Kings and Princes Letter to him upon his Death-bed he went to his Grave Observations on the Life of the Lord Chief-Iustice Popham SIr Iohn Popham in his youthful days was a stout and skilful man at Sword and Buckler as any in that Age and wild enough in his Recreations But oh saith my Author if Quicksilver could be really fixed to what a treasure would it amount Such is wild youth seriously reduced to gravity as by this youngâ— man did appear who applyed himself to a more profitable Fencing the study of the Laws therein attaining to such eminency that he became the Queenâ— Attorney afterwards Lord Chief-Justice of Eâ—gland Being sent Anno 1600. by the Queen with some others to the Earl of Essex to know the cause of the confluence of so many Military men unto his house the Soldiers therein detained him for a time which some made tantamount to an Imprisonment This his violent detention Sir Iâ—hn deposed upon his Oath at the Earl's Tryal which I note the rather for the rarity thereof that a Lord Chief-Justice should be produced as Witness in open Court In the beginning of the Reign of King Iameâ— his justice was exemplary on Thieves and Robbers The Land then swarmed with people which had been Soldiers who had never gotten or eâ—se quite forgotten any other Vocation Hard it was for Peace to feed all the idle mouths which a former War did breed being too proud to beg too lazy to labour Those infested the High-wayes with their Fellonies some presuming on their multitudes as the Robber on the Northern Rode whose knot otherwise not to be untied Sir Iohn cut asunder with the Sword of Justice He possessed King Iames how the frequent granting of Pardons was prejudicial to Justice rendring the Judges to the contempt of insolent Malefactors which made his Majesty more sparing afterwards in that kind In a word the deserved death of some scores preserved the lives and livelihoods of some thousands Travellers owing their safety to this Judges severity many years after his death Neither did he onely punish Malefactors but provide for them for observing that so many suffered and died for none other reason but because they could not live in England now grown too populous for it's self and breeding more Inhabitants than it could keep he first set up the discovery of New-England to maintain and employ those that cou'd not live honestly in the old being of opinion that banishment thither would be as well a more lawful as a more effectual remedy against those extravagancies the Authors whereof judge it more eligible to hang than to work to end their dayes in a moment than to continue them in pains onely a great Judgment observes it is a shameful and an unblessed thing to take the scum of people and wicked condemned men to be the people with whom to plant And not onely so but it spoyleth the Plantation for they will ever live like Rogues and not fall to work and do mischief and spend Victuals and be quickly weary and then certifie over to the Countrey to the disgrace of the Common-wealth Observations on the Life of Sir Robert Dudley SIr Robert Dudley son to Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester by Douglas Shefield whether his Mistriss or his Wife God knows was born at Shene in Surrey and bred by his Mother out of his Fathers reach at Offington in Sussex where he became a most compleat Gentleman in all suitable Accomplishments endeavouring in the Reign of King Iames to prove his Legitimacy and meeting with much opposition from the Court in distaste he left his Land and went over into Italy But worth is ever at home and carrieth its own welcome along with it Therefore he became a Favourite to the Duke of Florence who highly reflected on his Abilities and used his Directions in all his Buildings At this time Legorn from a Child started to 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 procur'd him to be call'd home by a special Privy-Seal which he refused to obey and thereupon all his Lands in England were seised upon by the King by the Statute of Fugitives These losses doubled the love of the Duke of Florence unto him And indeed Sir Robert was a much-meriting person on many Accounts being an Excellent 1 Mathematician especially for the Practical part thereof in Architecture 2 Physician his Catholicâ—n at this day finding good Esteem amongst those of that Faculty 3 Navigator especially in the Western Seas Indeed long before his leaving of England whilest as yet he was Rectus in Curiâ— well esteemed in Queen Elizabeths Court he sailed with three small Ships to the Isle of Trinidad in which voyage he sunk and took nine Spanish Ships whereoâ— one an Armada of 600 Tun. He was so acceptable to Ferdinand the second Emperour of Germany that by his Letters Patents bearing date at Vienna March 9â— 1620. he conferred on him and his Heirs the Title of a Duke of the Sacred Empire Understand it a Title at large as that
Captain in the Military Wars of France and there Knighted for his good service under Henry the fourth the then French King He was employed as Lieutenant of the Horse and Serjeant-Major of his whole Army in Ireland under Robert Earl of Essex and Charles Baron of Mountjoy in the Reign of Qâ—een Eliz. By King Iames the firstâ— he was made Baron of Dantsey and Peer of this Realm as also Lord President of Munster and Governour of Guernsey By King Charles the first he was created Earl of Danby made one of his Privy-Councel and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter In his later time by reason oâ— impâ—â—fect health â—oâ—siderately declining more â—â—ive Employments full of honours wounds and days he died Anno Domini 1643. LAVS DEO For many years before St. George had not been more magnificently mounted I mean the solemnity of his Feast more sumptuously observed than when this Earl with the Earl of Morton were installed Knights of the Garter One might have there beheld the abridgment of England and Scotland in their Attendance The Scotish Earl like Xeuxes his picture adorned with all Art and costliness whilst our English Earl like the plain sheet of Apelles by the gravity of his Habit got the advantage of the gallantry of his Cortival with judicious beholders He died without Issue in the beginning of our Civil Wars and by his Will made 1639. seâ—led his large Estate on his hopeful Nephew Henry D' Anvers snatch'd away beâ—ore fully of age to the great grief of all good men Observations on the Life of Sir George Crook SIr George Crook son of Sir Iohn Crook and Elizabeth Unton his Wife was born at Chilton in Buckingham-shire in the second year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth bred first in Oxford then a double Reader in the Inner Temple Sergeant at Law and the King's Sergeant Justice first of the Common Bench 22. Iac. and then of the Upper Bench 4 Caroli His ability in his Profession is sufficiently attested by his own printed Reports Eight eminent Judges of the Law out of their knowledge of his great Wisdom Learning and Integrity approving and allowing them to be published for the common benefit His only defect was that he was against the ancient Naval-aid called Ship-money both publickly in Westminster-Hall and privately in his judgement demanded by the King even at that time when our Neighbours not only incroached upon our Trade but disputed our right in the Narrow-seas though concluded to subscribe according to the course of the Court by plurality of Voices The Country-mans wit levelled to his brain will not for many years be forgotten That Ship-money may be gotten by Hook and not by Crook though since they have paid Taxes Loyns to the little finger and Scorpions to the rod of Ship-money but whether by Hook or Crook let others enquire Hampden's share for which he went to Law being but eighteen shillings though it cost the Nation since eighteen millions Considering his declining and decaying age and desiring to examine his life and prepare an account to the supream Judge he petitioned King Charlâ—s for a Writ of Eâ—se which though in some sort denyed what wise Master would willingly part with a good Servant was in effect granted unto him For the good King exacting from his Subjects no services beyond their years and abilities and taking it better at his hands that he confessed his infirmities than if he had concealed them discharged him for the pains though he allowed him the fees and honour of Chief-Justice while he lived Wherefore in gratitude as well as conscience however he was misled in â—he foresaid matter of Syhip money he abhorâ—ed the Faction heartily for he would say of Hampden He is a dangerous person take heed of him and loved the Church as heartily for we are told by a person of great worth and credit Thâ—t having read over the Book of Canons 1640 when it first came out and was so much spoken against he lifted up his hands and gave hearty thanks to Almighty God that he had lived to see sâ—ch good effects of a Convocation In a word he was no less in his Life than he is in his Epitaph now dead which runs thus Georgius Crook Eques Auratus unus justiciariorum de Banco Regis Iudicio Linceato animo presenti insignis vâ—ritatis haeres quem nec mina nec bonos allexit Regis au horitatem populi libertatem aequâ lance Libravit Religione cordatus vitâ innocuus manu expansâ— Corde humili pauperes irrogavit mundum vicit deseruit Anno AErat Lxxxii Annoque R. C. I. xvii Anno Domini MDCXLI Observations on the Life of Sir Rob. Armstroder HE was a great Soldier a skilful Antiquary and a good Fellow In the first capacity I finde him bringing off five hundred English for three miles together without the loss of a man from six thousand Spaniards along a plain Champion where the Enemy might have surrounded them at pleasure Well he could handle bright armour in the Field better he understood that more rusty in the Tower therefore in his second capacity we have him picking up old Coyn valuing more a Dollar which he might study than a pound he might spend Yet though his mind was taken with the Curiosities of former Times his inclination was very compliant with the mode of his own for he was excellent company in which capacity none more prevalent than he in Germany where they talk much none more acceptable in Denmark where they drink hard none more taking in Sweden where they droll smartly His humble propâ—sition and submission in behalf of the Elector was accepted by the Emperour 1630. He went to Denmark and the first night he arrived he pleased the King so well in drinking healths that his Majesty ordered that his business should be dispatch'd that very night and he shipped when asleep as he was to his own amazement when awaked and the amazement of all England when returned he being here before some thought he had been there Humour is the Misterss of the world Neither was he more intenâ— upon the pleasing oâ— Foreign Princes than careful in the honour of his own especially in his faith word and impregnable honesty for he knew a faithless Prince is beloved of none but suspected by his friends not trusted of his enemies and forsaken of all men in his greaâ—est necessities Yet he was not so taken with antique Medals abroad but he promoted a new invention at home for to him Sir H. Wotton we owe it that F. Klein the German a very eminent Artist in working Tapestry came over to serve K. Charls the first a Virtuoso judicious in all Liberal mechanical Arts and for 100 pounds per ann pension so improved that Manufacture at this time very compleat at Mortlack in a house built by Sir Franciâ— Crane upon King Iames his motion who gave two thousand pounds towards it in that place General