Family in France which â—â— said to have flourished there 800 â—…ears Of this Family whose Arms is G. two Bars 〈◊〉 a younger Branch coming over at the Conquest â—â—xed it self at Staunton Hâ—…recourt in Oxford-shire In â—…he Reign of King Jo. Richard Harecourt of Staunton marrying Orabella Daughter of Saer de Quincy Earl of Winchester had the Mannor of Bosworth in Leicester-shire for his Wives Portion Robert Harecourt was made Knight of the Garter by E. 4. From him Lineally descended the Valiant Sir Simon Harecourt â—…ately slain in the Wars against the Rebels in Ireland whose Son a hopeful Gentleman enjoys the Mannor of Staunton to this day Jo. Basket an Esquire of Remark and Martial Actiâ—…ity in his younger days and after removed to Devnish im Dorsetshire to whom he going into France â—…ommitted the Care of that Country Will. Essex Ar. a worthy Man of great Command in this County whereof he was four times Sheriff â—…nd the first of his Family who fixed in Lambourn â—…herein for he married Elizabeth Daughter and sole Heir of Tho. Rogers of Benham whose Grand-father â—…o Rogers had married Elizabeth Daughter and Heir of Jo. Shotesbroke of Bercole in this County whose Ancestors had been Sheriffs in Bark-shire An. 4. 5. and 6. E. 3. by whom he received a large Inheritance This Will afterwards Sir Will. was Son to Th. Essex Esquire Remembrancer and Vice-Treasurer â—…o E. 4. who died Nov. 1. 1500 and lyeth buried in â—…he Church of Kensington Middlesex He derived himself from Henry de Essex Bar. of Rawley and Standard-bearer of England and his Posterity have â—…ately assumed his Coat viz. Arg. an Orle G. There was lately a Baron of this Family with Revenues oâ—… a Baron Humph. Foster Knight a Lover of Protestants iâ—… the most dangerous times and spake to the Quest in the behalf of Mr. Marbeck that good Confesser Yea he Confessed to Henry 8. that never any thing went so much against his Conscience as his attending by Command the Execution of three poor Meâ—… Martyred at Windsor Francis Inglefield Knight afterwards Privy-Councellour to Queen Mary and so zealous a Romanist that after heâ—… Death he left the Land with a most large Inheritance and lived for the most part in Spain He was a most industrious Agent to solicite the Cause of the Queen of Scots He was a great Promoter of and Benefactor to the English Colledge at Valladolid in Spain where he lyeth interred A Family of his Alliance is still Worshipful extant in this County Jo. Williams Knight was before the Expiration of the year of his Sherivalty made by Queen Mary Lord Williams of Tame in Oxford In which Town he built a small Hospital and a very fair School He with Sir Henry Bennyfield were Joynt-keepers of the Lady Elizabeth whilst under Restraint being as Civil as the other was cruel to her Bishop Ridley when Martyred requested this Lord to stand his Friend to the Queen that those Leases might be confirmed which he had made to poor Tenants which he promised and performed accordingly Henry Norrice Son-in-Law to the Lord Williams aforesaid was by Queen Elizabeth created Bar. of Norrice iâ—… Ricot in Oxford He was Son to Sir Henry Norrice who suffered in the Cause of Queen Anne Bullen Grand-Child to Sir Edward Norrice who married â—â—iswide Sister and co-heir to the last Lord Lovell â—…e was Father to the Martial Blood of the Norrices Elizabeth his Grand-Child sole Daughter and Heir â—…nto Francis Norrice Earl of Bark-shire and Baroness Norrice was married to Edward Wray Esquire whose â—â—ly Daughter Elizabeth Wray Baroness Norrice lateâ—â— deceased was married unto Montague Bartue Earl of Lindsey whose Son a Minor is Lord Norrice at â—…his day Edward Umpton Knight this ancient Name was â—…xtinct in the days of our Fathers for want of issue Male and a great part of their Lands devolved by â—…n Heir general to G. Puffen of Wadley Esquire whose Care is commendable in preserving the Monuments of the Umptons in Farrington Church and restoring â—…uch as were defaced in the Civil War Besilius Fetiplace The Seat of the Family was at â—…ee thence called Besiles Lee in this County until Elizabeth Daughter and Heir of Will. Bes last of the Name was married to Richard Fetiplace whose Great-grand-Child was named Besile to continue â—…he Remembrance of their Ancestors Richard Lovelace Knight a brisk Gentleman in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth making use of Letters of Mart â—…ad the Success to seize on a large Remnant of the King of Spains Fleet charged with Silver King Charles created him Lord Lovelace of Hurley Sir Jo. Darell Baronet Of which Order Note the Qualifications Service and Dignity For the first 1. They were to be Men of honest Reputation 2. Descended at least of a Grand-father that bare Arms. 3. Having Estate of 1000 pounds a year two Thirds thereof at â—…east in Possession the rest in Reversion expectant on one Life only holding in Dower or Joynture â— to the Second 1. Each of them was to advance towards the planting of the Province of Ulster in irâ—â—Irâ—â—land with Money enough to maintain 30 Foot foâ— three years after the Rate of eight pence a day foâ— each Man 2. The first years Wages was to be paiâ— down on the passing of their Patent the Remainde as they contracted with the Kings Commissioners Authorized to treat of and conclude the same Foâ— the last viz. their Dignity 1. They were to takâ— place with their Wives and Children respectively immediately after the Sons of Barons and before aâ— Knights-Batchelors of the Bath and Banneret save sucâ— Solemn ones as afterwards should be created in thâ— Field by the King there Present under the Standard Royal displayed 2. The Addition of Sir was tâ— be prefixed before their Names 3. The Honouâ— was to be Hereditary and Knight-hood not to be denied to their eldest Sons of full Age if desiring it 4. There was added to their Arms a Bloody hanâ— in a Canton or Escutcheon at their Pleasure Thâ— King did undertake that they should never exceeâ— 200 and none were to be substituted upon a Vacancy And that no other new Order should be superinduced Battles Newbury I. 1643. Sept. 20. Earl of Essex having raised the Siege of Glocester and returning towards London was followed by the Kings Army both sides might be traced by a Tract of bloody Foot-steps especially aâ— Auborn in Wilts where they had a smart Encounter Aâ— Newbury the Earl made a stand Here hap'ned a fierce Fight on the East side of the Town The Parliament was conceived to lose the most the King the moâ—â— considerable Persons amongst whom the Earl of Carâ—…von and Sunderland the Viscount Faulkland Colâ—…el Morgan Victory and Loss was equally shared on â—…th sides which were so filled with their Supper â—…at the next day they had no Stomach for Breakâ—â—st but keeping their Stations were rather contentâ—â— to Face then Fight one another Newbury II. Essex
4. Instructions received from the nearest Relations to those persons whose Lives we have presented The printed Books are cited in the Margin As for Records Mr. William Riley Master of those in the Tower had great care in securing dexterity in finding diligence in perusing them and courtesie in Communicating such Copies of them as my occasions required For the Records of the Exchequer I was assisted by Mr. High-more of the Pipe Office Mr. John Wit and Mr. Francis Boyton the learned Knight Sir Wink field Bodenham Besides I repaired to the Originals in the Exchequer for better information I have added Church Registers tho no Records in Law yet of great force in History but the Civil Wars have occasioned great loss of these Lastly the Instructions of the nearest Relations I have met with many who could not never with any who would not further me with Information 'T is observable that Men an hundred years since and upwards have their Nativities fixed with more assurance then those born some eighty years since To conclude my Pains Brains and Books are no more mine then theirs to command who Courteously have conduced to my instruction CHAP. XXIV Of a Two-fold English Gentry viz. by Nation and Profession I Begin with the Ancient Britains who Inhabited the South and were succeeded by the Saxons in the West As for the more Ancient Romans their Descendants are not by any Character discernable from the British The Off-spring of the Saxons are the main bulk and body not of the Gentry but of the English Nation These tho pitifully dispersed by the Conqueror yet by God's Goodness King Henry I. his favour their own patience and diligence â—…ut together the Planks of their Ship-wrackt Estates and afterwards recovered a Competent condition The Danes were rather Inroders here then Inhabitants of whose Extraction there are therefore few in our Age among whom the Denizes often Sheriffs in Devon and Glocestershire appear the principal As for Fitz-Harding the younger Son of the King of Denmark and direct Ancestor of the truly Honourable George Lord Berkley he came long since when â—…he accompanied the Conquerour They seem to â—…err who are of Opinion that those Names which end in son as Johnson Thomson c. are of Danish Origination since the Danes had no such Names in use among them as John or Thomas c. The Normans after the Conquest became the only visible Gentry of this Nation and still continue more then a moiety thereof There are some Surnames of the good Families in England now extant which tho French are not to be recovered in the Lists of such as came over with the Conqueror and therefore we suppose them to have remained of those Gentlemen which from Hanault attended Queen Isabel Wife to King Edward II. Of this sort was Deureux Mollineux Darcy Coniers Longchamp Henage Savage Danvers c. Of the British or Welsh after their Expulsion hence by the Saxons some signal persons have returned again and by the Kings Grant Matches Purchases c. have fixed themselves in fair Possessions in England especially since the beginning of the Reign of their Countrey-man King Henry 7th rewarding the Valour of many Contributing to his Victory at the Battle of Bosworth Of the Welsh now re-estated in England and often Sheriffs therein some retain their old Surnames as the Griffins in Northamptonshire the Griffiths and Vaughans in Yorkshire some have assumed New ones as the Caradocks now known by the Name of Newtons in Somersetshire Many Scotch long before the Union of the Two Kingdoms under King James seated themselves in this Land resorting hither for Succour from their Civil Wars Distress at Sea hath driven others in as the Stewards High-Sheriffs in Cambridgeshire As other Accidents have occasioned the coming in of the Scrimpshires an hundred years since High Sheriffs in Staffordshire more lately the Napers in Bedfordshire and before both the Scots-Hall in Kent As for the Irish of any Eminency their Religion and Inclination have drawn them to other Countries rather then England Of the Italian Nation very few have founded Families in England yet have we a Sprinkling of Italian Protestants Castilian a Valiant Gentleman of Barkshire the Baffanoes Excellent Painters and Musicians in Essex which came into England under King â—…enry 8 and since in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth â—…r Horatio Palavicine Receiver of the Popes Reâ—…enues Landed in Cambridgeshire And the Caesars â—…al Dalmarii still flourishing in Hartfordshire in Worâ—â—ipful Estates The High dutch of the Hans Towns anciently much â—…onversed in our Land known by the Name of Eaâ—…erlings invited hither by the large Priviledges our Kings conferred upon them so that the Steel-Yard was â—…he Gold-yard unto them But these Merchants moved â—…ound in their own Sphere matching among themselves without mingling with our Nation Only we may presume that the Easterlings commonly called the â—…tradlings formerly Sheriffs in Wiltshire and still famous in Glamorganshire with the Nestphalings lately Sheriffs of Oxfordshire were originally of German Extraction The Low Countrey-men frighted by Duke of Alva's â—…ong-Nose and longer Sword flocked hither under King Edward the VI. fixing themselves in London Norwich Canterbury and Sandwich But these confined themselves to their own Church-discipline and advanced not forward by Eminent Matches into our Nation Yet I behold the worthy Family of de la Fountain in Leicestershire as of Belgian original and have read how the Ancestors of Sir Simond D'us in Suffolk came hither under King Henry VIII from the Dunasti or D'us in Gelderland As for the Spaniards tho their King Philip matched with our Queen Mary yet few of any Eminence â—…now extant if I well remember derive their Pedigrees from them by reason of their short Reign and the ensuing Change of Religions Probable it is we might have had more Natives of that Kingdom to have setled and flourished in our Nation had he obtained a Marriage with Queen Elizabeth as he desired Of the Portuguese few have fixed their Habitations here yet is the want of the Number of these abundantly supplyed with the Transcendent Quality and most Noble Vertues of our gracious Queen who as Cynthia dispenses her Royal Influence to the lesser Stars and Strikes with Love and Veneration the Hearts of all The May's who have been Sheriffs in Sussex are of the Portugal Race Come we now to the second Division of our Gentry according to the Professions whereby they have been advanced And Note such Professions found most of them Gentlemen being the younger Sons of Wealthy Fathers able to give them liberal Education Their Blood lighted them and their Profession set them up in a higher Candlestick making a Conspicuous Accession of Wealth and Dignity Thus all behold Isis encreased in Name and Water after it's Conjunction with Thame at Dorcester whilst few take notice of the first Fountain thereof many Miles more Westward in Gloucestershire The Study of the Common-Law hath advanced very Ancient Families in England It
and was buried at Winehester An. 901. He loved Religion more then Superstition favoured Learned Meâ—… more then Lazie Manks which may be the cause he was not solemnly Sainted with other Saxon Kings who did not so much deserve Since the Reformation Pet. Chapman born at Cokeham bred an Iron-mongeâ—… in Lond. at his Death bequeathed five pounds a yeaâ—â— to two Scholars in Oxford as much to two in Caâ—â— and five Pounds a year to the poor of the Town of is Nativity besides sixty Pounds to the Prisons â—…f Lond. c. The time of his Death is unknown Jo. Kendrick born at Reading bred a Draper in Lond. His State may be compared to the Mustard-seed from a small encreasing â—â— a prodigious bigness If Benefators were digested as David's Worâ—…hies Mr. Kendrick would be if not â—…he last of the first the first of the second three His Charity began at his Kindred proceeded to his Friends and Servants to whom he left large Legaâ—…ies concluded with the Poor on whom he bestowâ—…d above 20000 Pounds Reading and Newbury sharâ—…ng the deepest therein as appears by his Printed Will He dyed 30 Sept. 1624. and is buried in St. Christophers Lond. to the Curate of which Parish he gave 20 Pounds a year for ever Rich. Wightwick Batchellor of Divinity was Rector of East-Isley in this County His Beâ—…esice not very great may appear a Bishoprick by his Bounty to Pembroke-Coll in Oxf. to which he gave 100 Pounds a year for 〈◊〉 Fellows and 4 Scholars When he dyed is unknown Memorable Persons Tho. Cole commonly called the Rich Clothier of Readâ—…ng He is reported a Man of vast Wealth mainâ—…aining 140 Menial Servants besides 300 poor People whom he set on Work insomuch that his Wains with Cloth filled the High-way from Readâ—…ng to Lond. to the stopping of King H. I. in his Progress which King gratified Cole with a Standardard the length of his Royal-Arm but the Truth â—…s was the Arm of E. I. which was the Adequation of a Yard This whole story is uncertain yet Cole may be accounted Eminent in this kind Jo. Winscombe commonly called Jack of Newbury was indeed the most considerable Clothier England ever beheld He kept 100 Looms in his House each of them managed by a Man and a Boy In the Expedition to Flodden-field against Ja. King of Scotland he marched with 100 of his own Men welâ—… Mounted to shew that the Painful in Peace could be Valiant in War He Feasted King Hen. 8 and his first Queen Kath. at his own House yet extant at Newbury the Church of which he built from the Pulpit to the Tower Inclusively He dyed about 1520 some of his Name and Kindred of great Wealth in this County As to the Gentry in this County Will. Fachel or Vachel was right Ancient having an Estate in and about Reading And the Family of the Pusays is sâ—… Ancient that they were Lords of Pusay a Village near Faringdon long before the Conquest in the time of King Canutus holding their Lands by the Tenure of Cornage viz. by Winding of a Horn who the Enemies made their Approach which that King gave their Family and which their Posterity stiâ—â— Extant at this day do produce But generally thâ—â— List of Sheriffs is the most Comprehensive Cataloguâ—… of the English Gentry Noted Sheriffs Will. Briewere of mean Extraction yeâ—… he was such a Minion to King Rich. â—â— that he created him Baron of Odcomb in Somersetshire One Fulk-paynel gave this William the Town of Bridgâ—… water that he might procure for him the King's favour which he had lost Seeing he left no Son partition was made of his Inheritance amongst his Daughters â—…arried into the Honourable Families of Breos Wake Mohun La-fert and Percy Phillip Son of Rob. and Alan de Marton joynt Sheâ—…iffs in this County Rog. Bishop of Covent Lich. Sher. in this County He was Surnamed de Molend â—…lià s Longespee and was Nephew to King Hen. III. Phil. de la Beach The Seat of this Family was at Aldworth where their Statues on their Tombs are yet extant They were most Valiant Men their Male issue was extinct in the next Kings Reign whose Heir General was marryed to the Ancient Family of Whitlock Th. Chaucer sole Son to Geffery Chaucer â—…he Famous Poet from whom he inherited fair Lands at Dunning-Castle in this County and at Ewelme in Oxf. He married Maud Daughter and Coheir of Sir Jo. Burwash by whom he had Alice married to Will. de â—…a Pole D. of Suffolk He lyeth buried under a fair Tomb in Ewelme Church with this Inscription Hic â—…acet Th. Chaucer Armiger quondam Dominus istius villae patronus istius Ecclesiae qui ob 13. Nov. An. Dom. 1434. Matilda uxor ejus quae ob 28. Apr. 1436. Th. Wickham Kinsman and next heir to Will. VVickham that famous Bishop of VVinchester who notwithstanding above 6000 pounds bequeath'd in Legacies left to Thomas 600 pound Lands a year As for his Arms viz. Arg. 2 Cheverons S. between 3 Rosâ—…es G. The most ingenious Sir Isaac VVake conceiveth those Cheverons or Couples in Architecture given him in Relation to the two Colledges he built in Oxford and VVinchester Jo. Gowfere or Golofre the first who is Styled Esquire as he was Sheriff This Addition grew afterwards more fashionable for after that Jack Straw one of the Grandfounders of the Levellers was defeated the English Gentry to appear above the Mobile did in all publick Instruments insert their Native or acquired Qualifications Sir Jo. Howard Knight Son to Sir Rob. Howard soon after was Created a Baron by Edw. IV. and Duke of Norfolk by King Rich. III. as Kinsman and one of the Heirs of Anne Dutchess of York and Norfolk whose Mother was one of the Daughters of Th. Mowbray Duke of Norfolk Soon after he lost his Life in Bosworthfield in the Quarrel of him who had given him his Honour From him descended the Noble and Numerous Family of the Howards of whom four Earls viz. Arundel Notingham Suffolk and Barkshire and two Barons viz. Mowbray and Estrick sat in the last Parliament of King Ch. I. Verstegan the great Antiquary will have their Name to be Holdward that is Keeper of a Castle or Trust and they have well answered unto their Name Did not Th. Howard Earl of Surrey well Hold his ward by Land when iâ—… the Reign of King H. 8. he Conquered the Scots iâ—… Floddon-field and took James IV their King Prisoner And did not Charles Howard afterward Earl of Nottingham hold his ward by Sea in 88. wheâ—… the Armado was defeated Humph. Foster Ar. Afterward Knighted lies Buried in St. Martins in the Fields Lond. with this Inscription Of your Charity pray for the Soul of Sir Humphrey Foster Knight whose body lies buried here in Earth under this Marble Stone who deceased 18 Sept. 1500. On whose Soul Jesu have mercy Amen Robert Harecourt Knight right Anâ—…ient is this
find it more profitable to Match within their County than to bring a Bride out of other Shires being more easily acquainted 〈◊〉 put to less Charge at home Cardinals Will. Makilsfield probably born in this County tho reputed a Conventrian because then Cheshire was in the Diocess of Coventry and Liech See his Character in Warwickshire Prelates Will. Booth first bred in Greys-Inn in London in the Study of Com. Law till upon proffer of a Chancellours place in St. Pauls he took orders Afterwards consecrated Bishop of Liechfield and six years after Translated to York and after twelve years dyed and was buried in St. Maries Chappel in Southwell 1464. Lawr. Booth half Brother to Will was bred and became Master of Pemb. Hall in Camb. and was Chancellour of that University He made the Composition between the University and the K. Coll. and was an Eminent Benefactor to his own bestowing thereon all the Tenements since Alienated betwixt it and St. Botolphs Church amongst which was St. Thomas Hostle He Exonerated the Colledge of â—… Pension of five Pounds which he redeemed and conferred thereon the mannor and Patronage of Overâ—…on Waterfield in Hunt He was preferred Chancelâ—…or to Marg. Queen to H. 6. and An. 13 E. 4. made Lord High Chancellor it seems his Publick Spirit was neither for York nor Lanc. but England having first been Bishop of Durham afterwards Arch-bishop of York and built in the first the Gate of Aukland-Colledge and bought for the latter the Mannor Baâ—…erfed nigh London He kept the Master-ship of Pemb. Hall till the day of his Death that place being Ambitious of his Patronage Jo. Booth Brother to Lawr. aforesaid Batchelor of Laws was consecrated Bishop of Exeter An. 6. E. 4. 1466. He built the Bishops Chair or Seat in â—…his Cathedral which hath not its equal in England but the softest Cushion belonging to it was taken away when Bishop Vescy Alienated the Lands thereof When the Bishop had finished this Chair he could not quietly sit down therein such were the troubles arising from the Wars between York and Lanc. Therefore retiring to his Private Habitation at Horsley in Hampshire he dyed 1478. and was buried in St. Clem. Danes in London These three Brothers had an eldest Brother Sir Roger Booth Knight of Barton in Lanc. Father of Margaret Wife of Ralph Nevil third Earl of Westâ—…erland Th. Savage born at Maklefield His Father a Knight bred a Doctor of Law in Camb. Hence aâ—… was preferred Bishop of Rochester and at last Arch-bishop of York A greater Courtier than Clerk deâ—…trous in managing secular Affairs a mighty 〈◊〉 man He was the first who was privately installâ—…d by his Vicar He maintained a Numerous Family and built much at Scroby and Cawood He dyed 〈◊〉 his Body being buried at York his heart at Maklefield in a Chappel of his own Erection Since the Reformation Will. Chaderton D. D. of worthy Extraction iâ—… this County bred a Fellow and Mr. of Queens Coll. iâ—… Camb. and chosen first the Lady Margarets then the Kings professor in Divinity to whom Doctor Whitaker succeeded Made Bishop of Chester An. 1579. then of Lincoln 1594. He dyed 1608. His Virtuous Grand-Daughter married to Mr. Jocelin Esquire writ The Mothers Legacy to her unborn Infant and dyed in Travel Will. James D. D. born in this County and bred in Christs-Church in Oxf. was President of the University Colledge and Dean and Bishop of Durham He had been Chaplain to Rob. Dudley Earl of Leicester and Ministred Comfort to him near the hour of Death He was a Principal means of recovering Durham-house to his See which House was granted by E. 6. to the Lady afterwards Queen Eliz. for Term of Life and lay neglected till Bishop Jaâ—…er regained it and repaired the Chappel to his great cost He once entertained Queen Eliz. very much to her Satisfaction Otherwise it was with a following Bishop of that See being reproved by King Ja. for some neglect of his Officers he Survived that reproof not a full Twelve-month Jo. Richardson born in this County of a most Worshipful and Ancient Family bred in the University of Dublin where he was Graduated Doctor in Divinity and afterwards was made Bishop of Ardagh in Ireland in the late Rebellion he came over into England A Grave Man and good Divine verifying the Rule Bonus Texturius bonus Theologus for he carried a Concordance in his Memory The Larger Annotations especially on Ezekiel an Elaborate Work Challenge him in a great measure for the Author Our Bishop who had been relieved had his bounty to bestow on others and by his Will bequeathed a considerable Legacy to the Colledge of Dublin He dyed An. 1658. Aet 74. Statesmen Sir Thomas Egerton Knight extracted from an Ancient Family in this County so Eminent a Lawyer that Queen Eliz. made him her Solicitor then Master of the Rolls then Keeper of the Great Seal An. 38 of of her Reign A man of great Wisdom and Gravity quick Wit solid Judgment ready Utterance and great integrity An. 1. Jac. he was made Lord Chancellor the same in effect with Lord Keeper and of Lord Elismer he was created Viscount Brackley 1616. Great was the Contention for many years together betwixt this Lord of Equity and Sir Edw. Coke the Oracle of Justice at Westminster-Hall His civil Death by Resignation hap'ned a few days before his Natural Death after which his Body was buried in Duddleston in this County He left a fair Estate to his Son who was afterwards Created Earl of Bridgewater When he observed King James to be profuse to the Scots he advised him to preserve his crown-Crown-lands seeing he or his Successors might meet with Parliaments which would not supply his occasions but on such Conditions as would not be very acceptable It was aâ— ordinary Speech with him Frost and Fraud end in Foâ— He dyed 1616. Capital Judges Sir Humph Starkey probably born in this County so skilled in the Law that he was preferred Bar. of the Exchequer about â—â— Hne 7. Whereas that Age was justly complaining of the Extortions of the Kings Officers as Empsâ—â— and Dudley c. nothing of that nature is laid in his charge He dyed An. ult H. 7. was buried in Leonard Shore-ditch Where his Epitaph begins Orate Sir Hen. Bradshaw Knight so noted a Lawyer that An. 6. E. 6. he was Ch. Bar. of the Exchequer demeaning himself therein to his great Commendation I have cause to conceive that this Judge was outed of his place 1. Ma. finding no more mention of him Sir Randel Crew so great a Lawyer that 22 Ja was made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. and therein served two Kings tho scarce two years 〈◊〉 his Office with great Integrity He declared his Judgment against the project of the LOAN and thereupon he was by Writ discharged from his place after which he lived long at Westm much praised for his Hospitality The Gown being put off he had a warm Suit remaining
little contribute thereunto when he headed a Company of disaffected Persons who with their Swords in their Hands required that Evil Councellors might be removed from the Queen under that Pretence affording their zealous tho too weak assistance to the distressed Essex But the Gun-powder of their zeal did no other Execution than blow their own Heads up into a vain expectation of the Conquest of Terra incognita their Designs into a final disappointment and the once beloved Earl into the final displeasure of the Queen 1600. He was valiant liberal to Scholars and Souldiers nothing distrustful if not too confident of Fidelity in others Revengefulness was not bred but put into his Disposition When one flattered him to his Face for Valour No said he my Sins ever made me a Coward In a Word his failings were neither so foul nor so many but that the Character of a right worthy Man belongs to his Memory Writers Roger of Hereford bred in Camb. wrote a Book of Judicial Astrology and was skilful in Metalls c. by which he was acceptible to the Nobility He Flourished 1170. under H. 2. William Lemster D. D. in Oxford was a Franciscan He wrote Collations on the Master of Sentences and Questions in Divinity Since the Reformation Richard Hackluit of Ancient Extract bred in Oxford was Prebend of Westminster He set forth a Collection of the English Sea Voyages a work of great Honour in England He died in the beginning of King James leaving a fair Estate to his Son a Spend-thrift who said he had cheated the covetous Usurer who had given him spick and span-new Money for the old Land of his Great Grand-Father Jo. Guillim of Welsh Extraction Born in this County was Pursuivant of Arms by the name of Portsmouth then Rougecroix He wrote that Learned Treatise called the Display of Heraldry of which one Writes But let me tell you this will be the harm In Arming others you your self disarm Sic vos non vobis c. He died about the end of King James Jo. Davies of Hereford was the great Master of the Pen in England for fast fair close and various Writing and could Flourish with his Fancy in Poetry as well as with his Pen. He died in the midst of the Reign of King James Romish Exile Writers Humphrey Ely Bred in Oxford was Professor of the Canon and Civil Laws at Pont-muss in Lorajn He Died and was Buried there 1604. with two Epitaphs viz. He eased others of Poverty being himself almost pinched therewith and Wonder not that England is clouded with Heresies here her Son lies Benefactors Jo. Walter Born in Hereford Bred in London was Clerk of Drapers-Hall Having vowed he would give the surplusage of his Estate to Pious uses Accordingly he built and endowed a fair Alms-house in Southwark another at Newington both in Surrey on which and other Pious Uses he expended well nigh 10000 l. whereof 20 l. per an he gave to Hereford he died and was Buried at London 1656. Memorable Persons Rosamund Daughter of Walter Lord Clifford was a Mistress-piece of Beauty and therefore Concubine to H. 2. and Mother to William Longespee Earl of Salisbury King Henry is said to have Built a Labyrinth at Woodstock to hide this his Mistress from Jealous Juno Queen Eleanor who yet getting access to her caused her death She was Buried at Godstow-Nunnery near Oxford with this Epitaph Hîc jacet in Tumbâ Rosa Mundi non Rosa munda Non redolet sed olet quae redolere solet Hugh Bishop of Lincoln caused her Bones to be scattered which afterwards were gathered by the Nuns and put into a perfumed Bag where they continued till the Reign of H. 8. An. 8. Rich. de Baskevil from a Town in Normandy so named Whose Ancestors immediately after the Conquest were Benefactors to the Abbey of Saint Peters in Glouc. Note This County had Sheriffs long before H. 2. 26. Walter Devereux Probably the same who Married Anne Daughter and Heir to William Lord Ferrers of Chartley and in her right was Created Lord Ferrers He was Father to John Lord Ferrers of Chartley who Married Cecily Sister to Henry Bourchier Earl of Essex and was Father to Walter Devereux Lord Ferrers Created Viscount Hereford by King Ed. 6. and was Father to Sir Richard Devereux Knight Father to Walter Devereux first Earl of Essex of that Family 14 Ja. Baskevile 18 Jo. Mortimer 19 Richard de la Bere a Leash of Valiant Knight Batchelors were by H. 7. an 1. made Knights Bannerets 11. Richard Cornwall Knight attended the Duke of Suffolk into France An. 15. H. 8. at what time they took the Town of Roy of which Sir Richard took possession Sir James Crofts was priviledged from being Sheriff by his attendance on the Court and Camp For his supposed complyance with Wyate he was convicted of High-Treason under Queen Mary but was restored by Queen Elizabeth and made Governor of the Town and Castle of Barwick He behaved himself Valiantly at the Siege of Lieth yet in the Second assault when the English were worsted the blame fell on him as if he favoured the French and maligned the Lord Grey then General so that he was outed of his Government of Barwick yet he continued Privy-Councellor and Controller of the Houshold to the Queen He was one of the Commissioners in 88 to Treat with the Spaniard in Flanders His inheritance is lately devolved to Hen. Crofts D. D. and Dean of Hereford 40 Thomas Conisby Founded a place in Hereford for poor People 43 Jacob Scudamore was Father to Sir Jo. Created by King Charles Viscount Slego in Ireland This Lord was employed Leiger Ambassadour in France and during the Tyranny of the Protectorian times kept his secret Loyalty to his Soveraign Hospitality to his Family and Charity to the distressed Clergy Huntington-shire HUntington-shire is surrounded with Nothampton Bedford and Cambridge-shires and is hardly 20 miles in length The goodness of the Land may be collected from the plenty of Convents erected therein the fourth part of the whole having been Abbey-Land All England can hardly shew in so short a distance so pleasant a Park as Waybridge so fair a Meadow as Portsholme and so fruitful a Town for Tillage as Godmanchester all three situated within 3 miles Of Buildings Kimbolton-Castle was the Joynture of Q. Katherine Dowager where she wept out the remainder of her Widowhood It came afterwards by Gift to the Wingfields from them by Sale to the Montagues Henry late E. of Manchester who spared no cost which might add to the Beauty thereof Hincing-Brooke once a Nunnery and which I am confident will ever be a Religious House whilst it relateth to the truly Noble Edward Montague Earl of Sandwich the owner thereof It sheweth one of the Magnificent Rooms which is to be beheld in our Nation The House and Chappel in Little-Goddin the inheritance of Mr. Ferrer where three numerous female Families lived all from one
sort of Clay for the making a choice sort of earthen ware The Manufactures are Worsteds so called from Worsted a Village in this County which first found a general repute in England towards the end of King Henry 6. Worsted Slockins were first made in England An. 1564. by William Rider Apprentice in London who made a pair by an Italian Pattern and presented them to William Earl of Pembrook Proverbs I. Norfolk Dumplings The fare they generally feed on II. Norf. Wiles Such the Skill of the Common People in the Common Law who are said to study Law as following the Plough tail and some would perswade us that they will enter an action for their neighbours horse but looking over their hedge III. A Yarmouth Capon That is a Red Herring IV. He is arrested by the Baily of Marshland That is an Ague caused by the unwholsomness of the Air in the Marshes Prelates Gilb. Berkeley descended from the ancient Barons of that Name as appeareth by his Arms was made Bishop of Bath and Wells An. 1 Eliz. He died 1581. and was buried in his own Cathedral Jo. Aylmer brother to Sir Rob. was born at Aylmer-hall and bred in Cambridg He became Chaplain to H. Gray D. of Suffolk and had the tuition of his Daughter the Lady Jane Gray Flying in the Reign of Queen Mary he was wonderfully saved from the Searchers of the Ship by a Merchant who put him in a great Wine-But which had a Partition in the middle so that Mr. Aylmer sat in the hinder part whilst the Searchers drank Wine which they saw drawn out of the head or other end thereof In the Reign of Queen Elizabeth he was made Arch-deacon of Linclon and at last Bishop of London He had a Son called Tob-el i. e. God is Good in memorial of a great deliverance bestowed on his mother when being big with child of him she was thrown out of a coach This Bishop was a great Scholar and Divine He was chosen a Disputant at Westminster against the Popish Bishops An. 1 Elizabeth He stoutly opposed the Non-conformists and was fouly be-libelled by them He died 1594. He left the main of his great Estate to Sam. his eldest Son High Sheriff of Suff. in the Reign of King Ch. of his youngest Sons Dr. Aylmer Rector of Haddam in Hartford was a very Learned Man and great Divine Jo. Towers bred in Cambridge became Chaplain to William Earl of Northampton who bestowed on him the Benefice of Castle-Ashby in Northampton He was preferred Dean and at last B. of Peterborough He was a good Actor when he was young and a great Sufferer when he was Old dying about 1650 rich only in Children and Patience Capital Judges and Writers on the Law Ralph de Hengham was made Lord Chief Justice of the K. Bench An. 2 E. 1. and fined in 7000 Marks for bribery and ejected out of his place 18 E. 1. He was afterwards made Chief Justice of the Common Pleas under the confidence generally conceived of his Amendment He died An. 19 E. 1. and lyes buried in the Church of St. Paul's William Paston Esquire born at Paston was Serj. to H. 6. and was by him preferred second Judge of the Common Pleas. The King allowed him besides the ordinary Salary 110 Marks with 2 Gowns yearly out of the Exchequer He had been also in Grace with two former Kings H. 4. H. 5. This William married Agnes Daughter and Heir of Sir Edmund Berrey by which Marriage the Pastons Quarter at this day the several Coats of Hetherest Wachesham Craven Gebredge Hemgrave and Kerdeston He died at London 1444 and lyes buried in Norwich Wolstan de Paston his Ancestor came into England 3 years after the Conquest from whom all the descendants except this Will were buried at Paston Jo. eldect Son to Will married Marg. the Daughter of Jo. Mautby and William his second Surviving Son married Anne Daughter to Edm. D. of Somerset Sir Ed. Coke Knight Son of Rob. Esquire and of Winefred his Wife was born at Milcham and bred in Trinity Colledge in Cambridge and in Cliffords-Inn London Afterwards in the Inner-Temple After 6 years he was called to the Barr and for 3 years he was Reader in Lyons-Inn He had 30000 l. with his incomparable Wife Bridget Daughter and Coheir of Jo. Paston Esquire By her he had 10 Children Then began Preferment to press upon him being made Recorder of the City of Norwich Knight of the Shire for the County of Norfolk Speaker in the House of Commons and successively the Queens Solicitor and Attorney King James honoured him with Knighthood and made him Chief Justice first of the Common Pleas then of the K. Bench. Thus beginning on a good Bottom left him by his Father Marrying a Wife of Extraordinary Wealth having at the first great and gainful Practice afterwards many and profitable Offices being provident to choose good Penny-worths in purchases leading a thrifty life living to a great Age during flourishing and peaceable times no wonder if he advanced a fair Estate Some falsly Character him a back-friend to the Church and Clergy being a Grand Benefactor to the Church of Norwich which he vigorously defended and that gratis against a Frye of busie Informers and Devourers of Churches who intended to swallow down the Church Lands of Norwich under the obscure Title of Concealments He freely gave the Benefices in his own Patronage to worthy Men and used to say That he would have Church-Livings pass by Livery and Seisin and not Bargain and Sale Five sorts of people he used to fore-design to Misery viz. Chymists Monopolizers Concealers Promoters and Rhyming Poets For three things he would give God solemn thanks that he never gave his Body to Physick nor his Heart to Cruelty nor his Hand to Corruption In three things he did much applaud his own success in his fair fortune with his Wife in his happy study of the Laws and in his free coming by all his Offices nec Prece nec Pretio neither begging nor bribing for preferment His parts were admirable he had a deep Judgment faithful Memory active Fancy and the Jewel of his Mind was put into a fair case a beautiful Body with a comly Countenance Being always neat he was wont to say That the out-ward neatness of our Bodies might be a Monitor of purity to our Souls He always declined Circumlocutions He commended Moderation saying if a River swell beyond its Banks it loseth its own Channel If any adverse party crossed him he would patiently reply If another Punish me I will not Punish my self He would never privately retract what he had publickly adjudged professing that he was Judge in a Court and not in a Chamber He was wont to say No Wise Man would do that in Prosperity whereof he should Repent in Adversity He gave for his Motto Prudens qui Patiens and his practice was accordingly especially after he fell into the disfavour of K. James See the Engl. Chron.
made him a Knight Batchelor Captain of Dampfront and great Constable of Bossevile le Ross in France and granted by Letters Patent 40 pounds in Land a year to him and his Heirs Hugh Stafford Lord Bourchier having on the same account conferred on him a yearly Pension of 40 pound during his life Sir John dyed about the middle of the Reign of Hen. 6. John Dudley Duke of Northumberland Son to Edward Dudley Esq and would willingly be reputed of this County a descendant from the Lord Dudley therein He was a proper wise and valiant Man and generally till his last project prosperous But he was also notoriously wanton intolerably ambitious a constant dissembler prodigiously profuse so that he had sunk his Estate had he not met with a seasonable support of abbey-Abbey-Land King Henry 8. first Knighted him then Created him Vise Lisle Earl of Warwick and Duke of Northumberland Under Queen Mary he contrived the setling of the Crown on Queen Jane his Daughter in Law for which Treason he was Executed an 1. Mary much bemoaned by Martial Men whom he had formerly endeared in his good service in the French and Scotish Wars He left two Sons who survived to great Honour Ambrose Earl of Warwick Heir to all that was good and Robert Earl of Leicester Heir to all that was great in his Father The Bagnols or Bagenhalts were formerly a Family of such remark in this County that before the Reign of Hen. 8. there scarce passed an ancient Evidence which is not attested by one of that Name And having for a time sunk into a low condition was afterwards restored to their genuine Lustre when Ralph and Nicholas Sons to John Bagnol of Newcastle in this County were both Knighted for their good service the one in Mussleborough Field the other in Ireland Their Sons Samuel and Henry were for their Martial merit advanced to the same degree Seamen William Minors Son to Richard Gent. of Hallenbury-Hall was born at Uttoxater who afterwards coming to London became so prosperous a Mariner that he hath safely returned eleven times from the East-Indies and now peaceably enjoyeth what he painfully hath gotten living in or near Hartford at this present year 1660. Writers John Stafford a Franciscan born in Stafford wrote a Latine History of England about 1380. W. de Lichfield D. D. and Rector of All-hallowes the Great in Thames-street London a Learned and Godly Man wrote many Books one Entituled The complaint of God unto sinful men There were found in his Study after his death 3083 Sermons of his own Writing He dyed an 1447. and was buried in the Quire of his own Church Robert Whittington born at Lichfield was an indifferent but conceited Grammarian He coped with W. Lillie and others in comparison of whom he was but a crackling Thorn Since the Reformation Henry Stafford Baron of Stafford was Son to Edw. Duke of Buckingham beheaded under K. Hen. 8. The Barony descended unforfeited to this Henry placed here not as a trans but a Cis-Reformation-man for translating the Book of Dr. Fox Bishop of Hereford a favourer of Luther into English Of the difference of the Power Ecclesiastical and Secular He dyed 1558 some Months before the beginning of Q. Elizabeth Sampson Erderswik Esq born at Sandon of Ancient and Worshipful Extraction was a Gentleman accomplished with all Noble Qualities Affability Devotion and Learning Being a great Antiquary he began a description Entituled a View of Stafford-shire an 1593. which hath directed me in matters of difficulty relating to this County He repaired and new glazed the Church of Sandon wherein he Erected a Monument for himself with his Statue in Stone and lyeth now Interred dying April 11 1603. Of him Mr. Cambden sayes Venerandae Antiquitatis fuit Cultor Maximus Thomas Allen descended from Allanus de Buckenhole Lord of Buckenhole in the Reign of Edw. 2. was bred in Glocester-Hall in Oxford a most excellent Mathematician where he succeeded to the skill and scandal of Frier Bacon as accounted a Conjurer He was much in favour with Robert Earl of Leicester His Writings are detained in some private hands He dyed towards the end of K. James Edward Leigh of Rushwel-Hall Esq alive wrote Critica Sacâ—…a with many other worthy Works which will make his judicious Industry known to Posterity Elias Ashmole Esq alive born in Litchfield a great Antiquary Chymist Herauld Mathematician John Lightfoot D. D. alive hath deserved well of the Churches of England for his exact insight in Hebrew and Rabbinical Learning Romish Exile Writers W. Gifford an extract of the Family of Chillington was a man of much motion Being bred in Oxford he went over to Lovain where he became B. D. whence going to Paris he was highly prized by H. Duke of Guise who made him Arch-Bishop of Rhemes and the Cardinal his Brother who gave him a Pension of 200 Crowns a year He became afterwards Dean of St. Pet. the Isle in Rome then Rector of the University of Rhemes and at last a Benedictine at Delaware in Lorain He founded a Convent for English Monks at St. Mallower in France and another at Paris for those of the same Profession He was alive 1611. Benefactors to the Publick Sir Stephen Jennings Lord Mayor of London built a fair School at Wolver-Hampton Another being erected by Mr. Tho. Allen at Utceter Martin Noel Esq born in Stafford bred Scrivener in London built and largely endowed an Hospital in the Town of his Nativity the first considerable Fabrick of that kind in this County Memorable Persons Tho. Tarlton born at Condover in Shropshire Here he was in the Field keeping his Fathers Swine when a Servant of Robert Earl of Leicester passing this way was so highly pleased with his odd Answers that he brought him to Court where he became the most famous Jester to Q. Eliz. When the Queen was out of humour he could undumpish her at his pleasure He prepared in some cases for the highest Favourits an advantagious access to her Majesty In a word he told the Queen more of her Faults then most of her Chaplains and cured her Melancholly better than all her Physicians Much of his Merriment say in his Looks and Actions according to his Epitaph Hic situs est cujus poterat vox actio vultus Ex Heraclito reddere democritum His Jests never were prophane scurrilous nor satyrical as in which plurimum Salis nihil veneni He dyed about the end of Q. Eliz. James Sands of Horborn lived 140 and his Wife 120 years He outlived 5 Leases of 21 years which were made to him after his Marriage Walt. Parsons first an Apprentice to a Smith grew so tall that a hole was made for him in the Ground to stand therein to make him adequate with his Fellow-Workmen He afterwards was Porter to K. James a proper place seeing he might serve both for Tower and Spy to give notice upon occasion of the approach of the Kings Enemies He would make
repute and dying without issue left his Honour to his Sisters Son by Sir Edward Villiers but the main of his Estate to his Brothers Son Sir Jo. St. John Knight and Barronet Sir James Ley Knight and Baronet a younger Son of Henry Esquire of great Ancestry who served King Henry 8. at the Seige of Bollen was born at Tafant and bred in Brazen-Nose-College and having studied the Laws was by King James made Lord Chief Justice in Ireland and practised the Charge the King gave him at his departure not to build his Estate on the Ruins of a miserable Nation making a good progress in civilizing that people by the unpartial execution of Justice After he was recalled King James made him Atturney of the Court of Wards Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench an 18. Reg. Lord Treasurer of England an 22. Baron Ley of Ley in Devonshire the same year King Charles I created him Earl of Marleburg in this County an 1. Reg. and Lord President of the Council in which place he dyed 1629. He was a person of great Gravity Ability and Integrity and as the Caspian Sea is observed neither to ebb nor flow so his Mind did not rise nor fall but continued the same constancy in all conditions Sir Francis Cottington Knight was born near Meer and bred when a Youth under Sir Stafford He lived so long in Spain till he made the garb and gravity of that Nation become him He raised himself by his natural strength without any artificial advantage having his Parts above his Learning his Experience above his Parts his Industry above his Experience and some will say his success above all so that at the last he became Chancellour of the Exchequer Baron Hanworth in Middlesex and Lord Treasurer of England gaining also a very great Estate but what he got in few years he lost in fewer dayes since the Civil Wars when the Parliament made him one of the examples of their severity excluding him pardon but permitting his departure beyond the Seas where he dyed about the year 1650. Capital Judges Sir Nicholas Hide Knight was born at Warder in this County where his Father in right of his Wife had a long Lease of that Castle from the Family of the Arundels His Father I say descended from an Ancient Family in Cheshire a fortunate Gentleman in all his Children and more in his Grandchildren his younger Children among whom Sir Nicholas in Wealth and Honour exceeding the Heir of the Family Having studied the Laws he was sworn Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench February the 9th 1626. discharging his Office with great integrity and dyed 1631. Souldiers Henry D'anvers second Son to Sir John and Dame Elizabeth Daughter and Co-heir to Nevil Lord Latimer was born at Dantsey 1573. being bred under the Prince of Orange he was made a Captain in the Wars of France and there Knighted for his good service under Henry 4. the then French King He was Lieutenant of the Horse and Serjeant Major of the Army in Ireland under Robert Earl of Essex and Charles Baron of Mountjoy in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth by King James he was made Baron of Dantsey and Peer of this Realm as also Lord President of Munster aâ—â— Governour of Guernsey By King Charles I. he was created Earl of Danby Privy Councellour and Knight of the Garter He dyed 1643. without Issue leaving his Estate to his Nephew Henry D'anvers Writers Oliver of Malmesbury a Benedictine being much addicted to Mathematicks and to judicial Astrology upon the appearing of a Comet foretold the destruction of the Inhabitants of this Land which fell out accordingly at the Norman Conquest 'T is said he essayed the famous experiment of flying and taking his rise from a Tower in Malmesbury made his way in the Air for one Furlong then fell down and brake both his Thighs Having written some Books of Astrology he dyed 1060 five years before the Norman Invasion W. Summerset of Malmesbury where he was Canter and Library Keeper wrote a History of the Saxon Kings and Bishops until his own time He dyed 1142. and was buried in Malmesbury Robert Canutus born at Cricklade or Greeklade where anciently Greek was professed became Chief of the Canons of St. Fridswith in Oxford Having made a Garland of the Flowers of Pliny's Natural History he Dedicated the Book to King Henry 2. He wrote also Comments on the greater part of the Old and New Testament and flourished 1170. Richard of the Devises antiently divided between the King and Bishop of Salisbury was a famous Benedictine in Winchester He wrote a History of the Reign of Richard 1. under whom he flourished and an Epitome of the British affairs He dyed about 1200. Godwin of Salisbury Chanter of that Church wrote a Book of Meditations flourishing about 1256. Jo. of Wilton Senior an Augustine Friar studied in Paris A subtle disputant wrote many Sermons on several occasions flourishing under Edward 2. 1310. Jo. of Wilton Junior a Benedictine Monk in Westminster was an Elegant Latinist He wrote Metrical Meditations in imitation of St. Bernard and a Book Entituled the Dial of Wisdom He flourished under King Edward 3. Jo. Chylmark born at Chylmark and bred in Oxford was a great Philosopher and Mathematician being the Archimedes of his Age. He wrote many Mathematical Tractates and flourished under King Richard 2. 1390. Thomas Wilton D. D. was first Chancellor then Dean of St. Pauls in London He sided with the Bishops whom the Poor Friars taxed for their pomp for he knew well enough that the Accusers opened the Coffers of all the Treasure in the Land by Feminine Confessions and abusing the Key of Absolution He wrote a smart Book on this subject Whether Friars in Health and Begging be in the State of Perfection Since the Reformation William Horeman bred in Kings-Colledge in Cambridge became Vice-Provost of Eaton The most general Scholar of his Age. Having written of Orthography the Quantities of Syllables a Chronicle a Comment on Gabriel Biel On the divorce of King Henry 8. A Comment on Cato Varro c. He dyed 1535. and lyeth buried in the Chappel Masters of Musick William Lawes bred in Salisbury was of the Private Musick to King Charles I. He made several sorts of Musick for Voices and Instruments He disclaimed the covert and priviledge of the Office of Commissary and valiantly venturing his person was casually shot at the Siege of Chester The King commonly called him the Father of Musick He and his Brother were the Authors of the Composures of the Psalms He dyed 164. Benefactors to the Publick Thomas Stumps of Malmesbury an Eminent Clothier entertained as is said King Henry 8. and his Court-train coming unexpected with the plentiful Provision which was prepared for his Workmen who were forced to fast in the mean time He preserved Malmesbury Minster at the time of the general dissolution buying the same with a great sum of Money for the Townsmen by whom it was converted into
this County abounding with Sheep was not a little beholding to Ludwal their Prince who King Edgar imposing on him a yearly Tribute the presenting him with 300 Wolves did free this County from Wolves MONTGOMERY-SHIRE MOntgomery-shire hath Cardigan and Radnor-shire on the South Shrop-shire on the East Denbigh-shire on the North and Merioneth-shire on the West in this County are many high Hills and many delightful fruitful Vallies Montgomery is the chief Town of the County of which there never was any Earl until the Reign of King James who created Philip Herbert second Son to Henry Earl of Pembrook Baron Herbert of Shurland and Earl of Montgomery There are excellent Horses bred in this County Proverbs I. Y Tair Chiwiorydd In English the 3 Sisters whereby are meant the 3 Rivers of Wye Severn and Rhiddial arising all 3 in this County The Tradition is that these 3 Sisters were to run a race which should be first Married to the Ocean Severn and Wye having a great Journey to go chose their way through soft Meadows and kept on a Travellers pace whilst Rhiddial presuming on her short Journey staid before she went out and then to recover her lost time runs furiously in a distracted manner with her mad stream over all opposition It is applyable to children of the same Parents but of different dispositions and courses of lives so that their Cradles were not so near but their Coffins are as far asunder II. Pywys Paradwys Cymry That is Powis is the Paradise of Wales This Proverb referreth to Teliessen the Author thereof at what time Powis contained all that pleasant Land lying betwixt Wye and Severn III. Gwan di Bawlyn Hafren Hafren fydd hifel cynt That is fix thy Pale with intent to sence out his water in Severn Severn will be as before applyable to such who undertake projects above their power to perform Writers George Herbert born at Montgomery-Castle was bred Fellow in Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge and Orator of the University where he made a Speech of the return of Prince Charles out of Spain Waving worldly preferment he served at Gods Altar So pious his Life that as he was a Copy of Primitive he might be a Pattern of Sanctity to Posterity He never mentioned the Name of Jesus but with this Addition my Master next God the Word he loved the Word of God being heard often to protest That he would not part with one leaf thereof for the whole World By his good Example he gained many to the Church He was Preacher at Bemmerton nigh Salisbury where he built a fair House for his Successor and Prebendary at Leighton founded in the Cathedral of Lincoln where he built a fair Church with the assistance of some Friends free Offerings When a Friend of his went about to comfort him with the remembrance thereof as a good work he returned it is a good work if sprinkled with the Blood of Christ He dyed 163. Whose Brother Edward Herbert Son to Sir Richard Herbert Esq and Susan Newport his Wife was born at Montgomery-Castle Knighted by King James who sent him over Ambassadour to France Afterwards King Charles I. created him Baron of Castle-Island in Ireland and some years after Baron Cherbury in this County He was a most excellent Artist and rare Linguist studied both in Books and Men. He wrote a Treatise of the Truth in French extant at this day with great Honour in the Pope's Vatican He Married the Daughter and sole Heir of Sir William Herbert of St. Julians in Monmouth-shire with whom he had a large inheritance both in England and Ireland He dyed in August 1648. and was buried in St. Giles in ths Fields London A fair Monument of his own invention was begun and almost finished in the Church of Montgomery Memorable Persons Hawis Gadarn a Lady of remark sole Daughter and Heir to Owen ap Gruffyth Prince of Powis Wenwinwin was justly Sirnamed Gadarn i. e. Hardy Her 4 Uncles Lhewelyn Jo. Griffith Vaughan and David detained her inheritance from her Give said they a Girl a little Gold and Marry her God and Nature made Land for men to manage Hereupon Hawis complained to King Edward 2. who commiserating her condition consigned his Servant John Charleton born at Apple in Shropshire a Vigorus Knight to Marry her creating him in her Right Baron of Powis Being assisted with the Kings Forces he took three of her Uncles Prisoners about 1320 brought the fourth to a Composition and finally recovered all his Wives Estate procuring also the Lands of her Uncles in default of their Issue Male to be setled on her Julines Herring was born at Flambere-Mayre 1582. His Ancestors for the space of almost 200 years had been in their course chief Officers of Coventry Julines was bred in Sidney-Colledge in Cambridge and became Preacher at Calk in Derby-shire Shrewsbury and Rendbury in Cheshire being one of a Pious Life but disaffected to Church Discipline he was prohibited his Preaching here and called over to Amsterdam where he continued Preacher to the English Congregation some years well respected and dyed 1644. MONMOUTH-SHIRE MOnmouth-shire may be called an English-Welsh County For whereas formerly all Welsh Counties sent but one Knight to Parliament this had the priviledge of two and it is not subject to the Welsh Jurisdiction but to the Governance of the itinerant Judges who ride Oxford Circuit As for Manufactures the best Caps were formerly made at Monmouth where the Cappers Chappel doth still remain The Statute of the 13th of Queen Elizabeth c. 19. Enacting that Caps should be worn by all persons was repealed an 39. Eliz. Princes Henry of Monmouth Son to King Henry 4. by Mary one of the Daughters and Heirs of Humfrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford and whom he succeeded on the Throne being the fifth of that Name and began his Reign March 20. an 1413. Being extravagant in his Youth he had been by the King his Father expelled his Council substituting his younger Brother the Duke of Clarence President in his stead for the same No sooner was his Father dead but he reclaimed himself and became a Glory to his Country and a constant Terror to his Enemies yea and banished all his idle Companions from Court allowing them a competency for their subsistence When the Lord Chief Justice who had secured him when Prince for striking him for the Commitment of some of his lewd Companions he not only forgave him but rewarded his Justice In his Reign a Supplication was preferred that the Temporal Lands given to pious uses but abusively spent might be siezed on by the King This was wisely awarded by Chichley Arch-Bishop of Canterbury by putting the King on the design of recovering France Yea this King by his Valour reduced Charles 6. King of France to such a condition that he resigned his Kingdom into his hand and our King Henry 5. was accordingly Crowned in Paris King of France There the French found him as good or rather worse as his