the Duke of Guise did appoint should remain Captives and be put to ransome After which in 15 Eliz. he was one of the Peers who sate in judgment upon Tryal of the Duke of Norf. also in 29 Eliz. upon Tryal of the Queen of Scots and departed this life in 33 Eliz. By Anne his Wife Daughter of Sir Iohn Wentworth of Gosfeild in Com. Essex Knight he had two Sons William who married Elizabeth the Daughter of William Lord Burleigh and died in his life time without Issue and Henry as also Elizabeth a Daughter married to William Son and Heir to Sir Francis Hynde Knight Which Henry succeeding him in his Honour departed this life in 36 Eliz. leaving Issue by Anne his Wife Daughter of Sir Owen Hopton Knight Widow of Sir William Pope Knight Thomas his Son and Heir Who having been made Knight of the Bath at the Creation of Henry Prince of Wales 4 Iunii an 1610. 8 Iac. was created Lord Wentworth of Nettlested in Com. Ebor. as also Earl of Cleveland 5 Febr. 1 Car. 1. And afterwards made Captain of the Guard In which place and other Commands of trust he manifested his Loyalty most exemplarily to that King of blessed memory throughout the time of his greatest distresses in divers Battails suffering imprisonment in the Tower of London and other places after the cruel Murther of his Sovereign during the greatest part of the late Usurpation yet lived to see the happy Restoration of King Charles the Second under whom he enjoy'd his former place of Command till his Death He Married two Wives Anne Daughter of Sir Iohn Crofts of Saxham in Com. Suff. Knight and by her had Issue two Sons Thomas and William And two Daughters Mary Married to Iohn Lord Lovelace and Anne who died Unmarried Secondly Catherine Daughter and Coheir to Sir Iohn Wentworth of Gosfeild in Com. Essex Baronet by whom he had Issue one Daughter called Catherine and departing this life ... was buried at ... Which Thomas his eldest Son commonly called Lord Wentworth Married 〈◊〉 Daughter to Sir Ferdinando Carye Knight and died in his Fathers life time leaving Issue one sole Daughter his Heir called Henrietta Maria. ¶ Thomas Lord Wentworth Son to Thomas late Earl of Cleveland sent by our present Sovereign King Charles the Second in an 1652. into Denmarke to seek assistance on his Majesties behalf Bray 21 H. 8. THE first notice I have taken of any thing memorable touching this Family is in 1 R. 3. Reginald Bray Son of Richard Bray being at that time a trusty Servant to Margaret Countess of Richmund and Derby and most happily instrumental in advancing Henry Earl of Richmund her Son to the Royal Throne by his faithful and sedulous transacting in that affair with Henry Duke of Buckingham Morton Bishop of Ely and divers of the Nobility as also with Sir Giles D'anbeny Sir Iohn Cheney and many other considerable persons This Reginald was a Knight Banneret and Knight of the Garter but had no Issue whereupon Margerie the only Child of Iohn his next Brother became his Heir Which Margerie Married to Sir William Sands Knight afterward Lord Sands Besides this Iohn there was also a younger Iohn Brother likewise to the said Reginald Which Iohn had Issue Sir Edmund Bray Knight who I presume enjoy'd the greatest part of that Estate whereof Reginald his Uncle died seised which qualified him the better for that Honour whereunto afterwards he attained For it appears that in 21 H. 8. he had Summons to the Parliament then sitting at Westminster which began 3 Nov. the same year and was admitted into the House 4 Dec. next ensuing And in 24 H. 8. attended King Henry to Boloin This Edmund by his Testament bearing date 18 Oct. an 1539. 31 H. 8. having bequeath'd his Body to be buried at Chelsey near the Grave of Iohn his Father departed this life within few months after for the Probate thereof bears date 12 Iunii then next ensuing leaving Issue by Iohn his Wife Daughter and Heir to Richard Haliwell by ... his Wife Daughter and Heir to Iohn Norbury Iohn his Son and Heir and seven Daughters Which Iohn being summon'd to Parliament in 37 H. 8. had his first admittance into the House 3 Nov. the same year And in 38 H. 8. was one of the Commanders of those Forces then sent into France under the conduct of the Earl of Hertford Also upon that Insurrection in Norfolk 2 E. 6. he accompanied the Marquess of Northampton with those Forces then sent for the suppressing thereof In 5 E. 6. he was likewise appointed to attend the same Marquess upon his Embassy into France at which time he carried with him the Ensigns of the most noble Order of the Garter to the King of that Realm In 4 Mariae he was at the Siege of St. Quintiâ—s in Picardy And by his Testament bearing date 17 Nov. an 1557. 5 4 Pâ— M. bequeath'd his Body to be buried in Christian Burial constituting Iane his Mother his sole Executrix and dying the very next day following without Issue was buried in the midst of the Chancel at Chelsey with his Father and Grandfather under an high Tomb Anne his Wife Daughter to Francis Earl of Shrewsâ—ury then surviving Whereupon his seven Sisters became his Heirs viz. Anne Married to George Brooke Lord Cobham Elizabeth first to Sir Rapbe Vernon Knight and afterwards to Sir Richard Catesby Knight Fridiswide to Sir Percival Hart Knight Mary to Robert Peckham Esq Dorothy first to Edmund Bruges Lord Chandos afterwards to William Lord Knolles Knight of the Garter Frances to Thomas Lifeild of ... in Com. Surr. Esq and Anne Mordant 24 H. 8. OF this Family that which I have in the first place observ'd to be most memoraable is that Iohn Mordant of Turvey in Com. Bedf. Esq was one of the King's Commanders in 2 H. 7. at the Battel of Stoke near Newark upon Trent against Iohn Earl of Lincoln and his Adherents then in Arms And that being a person learned in the Laws he was call'd to the state and degree of Serjeant 25 Nov. 11 H. 7. as also within a short time after made Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster And meriting much by reason of his great abilities had summons to Parliament amongst the Peers of this Realm in 24 H. 8. where he took his place accordingly upon the fourth of May. In which year also King Henry going with great state into France and landing at Calais 11 Oct. he attended him thither and so to Boloine where he had a magnificent reception by King Francis the First This Iohn by his Testament bearing date 1 Aug. an 1560. 2 Eliz. stiling himself Lord Mordant of Turvey bequeath'd his Body to be
Suff. as also of the Mannours of Dolyngham and Michell-Hall otherwise called Earles Swasham in Com. Cantabr then in the Crown by the attainder of Iohn Earl of Oxford And in 17 E. 4. was joined in Commission with the Earl of Arundel and others to treat with the French for prolongation of the Truce betwixt both Realms In 18 E. 4. he obtained a grant of the Office of Constable of the Tower of London in reversion after the death of Iohn Lord Dudley and in 19 E. 4. was by Indenture again retein'd to serve the King as Captain General of his Fleet against the Scots with three thousand Men at Arms. He was likewise installed Knight of the Garter in the time of that King And having been thus faithful to the House of York during the whole time of King Edward the fourths reign he continued no less stedfast to King Richard the third after he had got the Crown though I do not find that he had any hand in those evil contrivances and barbarous actions which were exercised by Richard in order thereto So that to oblige him the more he was upon the 28 of Iune in the first year of that Kings Reign made Earl Marshal of England and upon the same day advanced to the dignity of Duke of Norfolk Thomas his Son being about that time also created Earl of Surry and in order to the solemnity of King Richard's Coronation upon the thirtieth of that month was constituted high Steward of England for that day as also Lord Admiral of England Ireland and Aquitane for life upon the 25 of Iuly ensuing upon which day he likewise obtained a grant in special tail of the Mannours and Lordships of Lavenham in Com. Suff. Canfeild Stansted-Montfichet Crepping Langdon Crustwiche Eston Hall Vauce Fyngreton Dodynghurst Bumsted-Melyon Beamond and Bentley in Com. Essex Badlesmere in Com. Canc. Hinkeston in Com. Cantabr Rosteneythe Helston Deby Predannok Poledewe Etheron Dawneth Ratleton Tresaveron Hilleton Heyvenis Newland Harnatethy Park Trewigo Wycoteham Penhall Nausergh with the Hundreds of Trelyghen and Shrobhender in Com. Cornub. Bretford Wellelewe Rustishall Chepenham Teffount Bremilshawe Upton Skydmore Weston Park Wermynster and Winterborne-Stoke in Com. Wiltes Hungerford in Com. Berks. as also of the Castle Lordship and Mannour of Farlegh in Com. Somerset and Wilts And shortly after that obtained another grant in special tail of the Mannours and Lordships of Middelton Hillington Tilney Istelington Clenchwarton Raynham Shakleshewe Skales Hekelyng Wilton Hokkewod Berton Bendish Wigenhale with the Fishing there and Toll in Bishops Lenne also of the Hundred of Frebrigge with its appurtenances in Com. Norfolk Likewise of the Mannours and Lordships of Lavenham and Warde Huton in Com. Suff. Canfeild Stansted-Montfichet Bentley and Wodham Ferrers in Com. Essex Berkeway Rokeley and Newselles in Com. Hertf. Haselingfeild in Com. Cantabr Langham alias Langnam in Com. Dors. Keres and Retire in Com. Cornub. Exton South-Brent Chillington Stratton Yebelton and Spekington in Com. Somers Ber Lortye in Com. Dors. Foxhunt in Com. Suss. Frid in Boderesden in Com. Cantabr Petersfeldâ— and Vp Clatford in Com Southt and Knoke Bedwyn and Orcheston in Com. Wilts to hold by the same services as they had been held before they came to the Crown But long he enjoy'd not this great Honour nor these vast possessions For the next ensuing year being placed in the Front of the King's Army at Bosworth-field where he commanded the Archers he was with that King slain 22 Aug. an 1485. 3 R. 3. and buried in the Abby of Therâ—ord in Com. Norff. As also soon after attainted in the Parliament begun at Westminster 7 Nov. 1 H. 7. He Married two Wives First Katherine Daughter to William Lord Molins by whom he had Issue Thomas his Son and Heir and four Daughters Anne Married to Sir Edmund Gorge Knight Isabell to Sir Robert Mortimer of ... in Com. Essex Knight Iane to Iohn Timperley Esq and Margaret to Sir Iohn Windham of Crowherst in Com. Norff. Knight Secondly Margaret Daughter of Sir Iohn Chedworth Kt. by whom he had Issue Catherine Married to Iohn Bourchier Lord Berners Which Margaret surviving him by her Testament bearing date 13 Maii an 1490. 5 H. 7. bequeath'd her Body to be buried in the Quire of the Church of our Lady in Stoke before her Image on the side of the high Altar Appointing that immediately after her Decease besides the day of her Burying her Executors should find three hundred Priests secular and Religious to say CCC Masses and Diriges for her Soul within eight or ten days after her decease evry Priest having for his labour iv d. Likewise that her Executors with as much speed as might be should find two virtuous Priests to sing in the Church of Stoke by the space of three years for her Soul as also for the Souls of her Husband Iohn Noreys Esq and all other unto whom she was beholden And bequeathed to her Daughter the Lady Berners and to her then Husband all her Houshould stuff except plate and to her Daughter Marney a Chain of Water-Flowers Ordaining her Son in Law Thomas Earl of Surrey Suervisor of this her Testament to whom she gave a Cup of Gold and a Cross with the foot silver and gilt The Probate of which Testament bears date 3 Dec. an 1494. Which Thomas being Squire of the Body to King Edward the Fourth his Father then living was retain'd to serve him is his Wars in 15 E. 4. with six men at Arms and CC. Archers and the next ensuing year constituted Sheriff of the Counties of Norff. and Suff. He was also Created Earl of Surrey at such time as Iohn his Father was made Duke of Norfolk by King Richard the Third And though he took part with that King and fought valiantly on his behalf at Bosworth-field where he was taken Prisoner yet did King Henry the Seventh afterwards receive him into favour and made choice of him for one of his Privy-Council vir prudentiâ gravitate constantiâ summâ a person of great prudence gravity and constancy saith Polydore whom he ferv'd faithfully during the whole time of his reign In 4 H. 7. he was in Parliament restored to his Title of Earl of Surrey and to all those Lands which were of his Wives Inheritance And the same year upon that Insurrection in the North occasion'd by the Assessing of a Subsidy wherein the Earl of Northumberland was Murthered through the fury of the multitude he was sent with a strong power for the suppressing thereof And in 8 H. 7. was again imploy'd into the North to restrain the Incursions of the Scots In 13 H. 7. upon the Siege of Norham-Castle by those bold Invaders being then in Yorkeshire he marcht towards them but before he could reach to Norham they quitted their ground and retired
Salisbury and upon the Imprisonment of the same Sir Thomas in 38 H. 6. whose Lands and Goods were seised into the Kings hands for his rebellious actings found so much favor as that she had an assignation of two hundred pounds per annum out of those which were of her own Dowrie By her Testament bearing date 18 Iulii An. 1497. 12 H. 7. she bequeathed her Body to be buried in the Church of the Colledge of â—atshail before the high Altar on the right hand of her Uncle Raphe Lord Cromwell under a stone there ready provided by her for the same appointing that if she should dye in the Parish of Taâ—shal her Solemn Obsequies except Burial should be done in that Church and accordingly lyeth there with this Epitaph upon 〈◊〉 Tomb-stone 〈…〉 Matilda nuper domina 〈…〉 Roberti domini de 〈…〉 hares illustris domini Radulphi nuper domini Cromwell militis fundatoris hujus collegii quae obiit 30 die Augusti An. Dom. MCCCCXCVII cujus animae propitietur Deus Amen ¶ The Issue Male of the principal branch of this noble Family being thus extinct Sir Robert Willughby Knight Son of Thomas by Ioane his Wife Daughter of Sir Richard Arundell Knight a younger Brother to this last Robert Lord Willughby became the next Heir Male and died 30 Maii 5 E. 4. being then seised of the Mannor of â—raundon in Com. War Wichampton in Com. Dorset Bredfeld Sogenho Wodbrigg Wykes Vfford Combes Ufford Benge Parham Baudeseye Ketilberghe and Wyndervile as also of the Hundred of Staunford in Com. Suff. and of the Mannor of Ronghton in Com. Norff. leaving Sir Robert Willughby Knight his Son and Heir sixteen years of age which Sir Robert was also found Cousin and Heir to Alianore the other Daughter of Sir Richard Arundell Knight his Mothers Sister who died without Issue Cecilie his Wife Daughter of Leo Lord Welles surviving But this last mentioned Sir Robert Willughby enjoyed his Inheritance not long for upon the twenty fourth of March 7 E. 4. he departed this life being then within age leaving Christopher his Brother and Heir fourteen years old Which Christopher in 14 E. 4. making proof of his age had Livery of his Lands his Homage being respited and by his Testament bearing date 1 Nov. An. 1498. 14 H. 7. appointed that his Body should be buried in the Church of the Nuns at Campsey in Com. Suff. before the high Altar where his Father lay interred bequeathing to the Prioress there twenty pounds To every of the old Nuns six shillings and eight pence To each of the young Nuns three shillings and four pence To the Master of the Chantry there forty shillings To every Priest there to sing Mass of Requiem and Dirige in the Quire for his Soul ten shillings For the making another Tombe for Robert late Lord Willughby his Uncle at Metyngham ten Marks and to William Willughby his eldest Son or to him who after his death should be his Heir half his Plate and Jewels The Probate whereof bears date 13 Iulii An. 1499. This Chriâ—topher had also two other Sons Charles and Thomas Which Thomas being an industrious Student in the Common Laws of this Realm was advanced to the State and degree of a Serjeant at Law in Trin. Term. 13 H. 8. And to be the Kings Serjeant 28 Apr. 22 H. 8. Likewise one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas 9 Oct. 29 H. 8. from whom Sir Percinal Wilâ—ughby Knight late of Wollaton in Com. Nott. and Middleton in Com. Warr. by the Marriage of the eldest Daughter and Co-heir to Sir Francis Wilâ—ughby Knight did lineally descend But I return to William Son and Heir of Christopher This William in 19 H. 7. had a special Livery of his Fathers Lands And at length by the failer of of Issue Male of the Lord Welles came to be one of his Co-heirs Cecilie his Mother being one of the Daughters of Leo Lord Welles whose Grandson Robert Lord Welles dying without Issue left Ioane his Sister and Heir Married to Richard Hastings Esquire as I have elsewhere shewed Whereupon in 14 H. 7. the Lord Welles his Lands being then shared amongst those Co-heirs this William had Livery of the Mannors of Sayns-Park Hall and Hemâ—ales in Theydon Geâ—â—on as also of the Mannor of Madeley in Iâ—ping in Com. Essex for his purparty And in 3 H. 8. a War being then designed with France on the behalf of Ferdinand King of Arragon and Thomas Grey Marquess Dorset constituted General of the English Army he accompanying him in that Expedition arrived at 〈◊〉 a Port of 〈◊〉 with purpose to invade Guyen After this in 5 H. 8. after the taking of Therouene being with the King at the Siege of Tournay upon the yeilding thereof accompanyed with the Lords L'isle and Bergavenny and six hundred Men he entred that City by the Kings appointment By his Testament bearing date 4 Maii 18 H. 8. he appointed his Body to be buried in the Collegiate-Church of Spilesâ—y and to the Church of Parham for his Tithes and Offerings negligently forgotten bequeathed four pounds Appointing that the Lady Mary Salines his Wife a Spaniard who had been a Maid of Honor to Queen Catherine first Wife of King H. 8. should have and enjoy for term of her life his Mannors and Lordships of Hellow Abye Swabye UUelles Alforde Parteney and Thedâ—lthorpe in Com. Linc. UUalcote UUheatacre and UUheatacre Burrough in Com. Norff. Ufford Bredfelde Sogennowe UUinderfelde UUoodâ—ridge Oâ—ford UUykes Vfford and Cambys in Com. Suff. according to the Covenants of Marriage made betwixt her and him And as to the residue of all his other Mannors viz. Eresby 〈◊〉 Toynton Willoughby Steping the great Hanby Fulâ—â—stowe Beke Fullistowe Arsick Safâ—â—et Haven â—okerington Frisâ—eney Yngolmells Westerkele Stykford Ratheby Skyrbeâ—â— the Tâ—lle in Boston Dubledike in Gosberkirke otherwise called Gosberton and Pinchebeke in Com. Linc. Rowton in Com. Norff. and Parham in Com. Suff. Also the reversion of his Mannors of Egefelde in Com. Norff and Wesâ—ringe in Com. Linc. after the decease of his Brother Iohn Willughby and Cecilie his Wife with the reversion of his Mannor of Baâ—â—esâ—y in Com. Suff. after the decease of his Brother George Willughby and Anastace his Wife Likewise that his Mannors of Orby Brugh Hoggisthorp Skidbrok Beâ—cheforth and Folteby in Com. Linc. should go to the performance of his Will And after the decease of Thomas Willughby and Bridget his Wife and the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten that the Mannor of Brandon in Com. War should remain for performance of his Will and payment of his Debts Furthermore that a Tombe should be set up For himself and his Wife at Spillesby-Colledge and another at Meâ—ingham for the late Lord Willoughby Sir Robert his nigh Kinsman And that there should be bestowed upon his
daughter to Henry Earl of 〈◊〉 as also for ratifying his Marriage with the said Elizabeth and Legitimating the children which should be begotten betwixt them but the Earl of Derby with the Bishops of 〈◊〉 and Norwich as also the Lord Stourton dissented to the Bill Shortly after this he was sent Embassador to the King of France to Present him with the Order of the Garter and to Treat with him touching certain private Affairs being accompanyed with the Bishop of Ely and certain other persons of Note And before the end of that year sate with other of the Peers upon Tryal of the Duke of Somerset But upon the death of King Edward and Proclaiming of the Lady Iane Gray he accompanyed the Duke of Northumberland at his going out of London with Horse and Foot for the suppressing of those who were risen in Suffolk on the behalf of Q. Mary For which being first committed to the Tower of London 26 Iulii in the first year of that Queen he was Arraigned before the Duke of Norfolk then sitting as High Steward upon the eighteenth of 〈◊〉 following and had Judgment of death passed upon him Howbeit notwithstanding this sharp Sentence Execution was forborn and before the end of that year was restored in blood by Act of Parliament but not to his Honors so that he had no other Title than William Parr Esquire late Marquess of Northampton and stood in no higher a degree until Queen Elizabeth began to Reign But she graciously considering that through the Potency of his Adversaries he had been bereaved of those Titles by her Letters Patent bearing date at the Tower of London 13 Ian. 1 Eliz. advanced him again to the dignity of Marquess of Northampton restored him to his Lands and made him one of the Lords of her Privy-Council She likewise joyn'd him in Commission with some of the Bishops and other learned Divines for Reforming that Liturgie set forth by her Brother King Edward the Sixth and made him Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter Overliving Elizabeth Cobham his second wife he lastly married Helen daughter of Wolfangus Suavenburgh born in Sweden but had no issue by any of them and departing this life in An. 1571. 14 Eliz. was buried at the upper end of the Quire of the Collegiate Church at Warwick on the North-side where the Atchievements hung up at his Funeral did remain till of late years And where his Body about Fifty years since being dig'd up to make room for the Burial of an ordinary Gentlewoman was found perfect the skin intire dryed to the bones Rosemary and Bayes lying in the Coffin fresh and green All which were so preserv'd by the dryness of the ground wherein they lay it being above the Arches of that fair Vault which is under the Quire and of a sandy condition mixt with rubbish of Lime as hath been related to me by those who were eye-witnesses thereof Dying thus without issue Henry Earl of Pembroke his Nephew by one of his Sisters became his next heir Helen his last wife surviving him who married afterwards to Sir Thomas Gorge of Longford in Com. Wilts Knight and having many children by him dyed in April An. 1635. 11 Car. 1. Lord Parr of Horton I Now come to William Parre Uncle both to this VVilliam Marquess of Northampton and to Queen Catherine the sixth and last Wife of King Henry the Eighth This VVilliam residing at Horton in Com. Northampt. being Chamberlain to that Queen his Neice was shortly after her marriage with King Henry viz. 23 Decem. 35 H. 8. created Lord Parr of Horton And in 36 H. 8. the King designing a Royal Expedition into France and thereupon constituting his then Queen Catherine Parr General Regent of this Realme during his absence amongst other her Assistants as to matter of Council he appointed this VVilliam Lord Parr of Horton to be called upon some occasions By his Testament bearing date 20 Iunii An. 1546. 38 H. 8. he bequeath'd his Body to be buried in the Parish-Church of Horton Shortly after which he died as may seem by the Probate thereof leaving issue by Mary his wife the daughter of Sir VVilliam Salisbury Knight four daughters his heirs 1. Maud married k to Sir Raphe Lance Knight 2. Anne to Sir Iohn Digby of Ketilby in Com. Leic. Knight 3. Elizabeth to Sir Nicholas VVoodhall Knight 4. And Mary to Sir Thomas Tresham Knight Thomas Lord Audley of Walden 30 Hen. 8. OF what Extraction this Thomas was I have not seen for of the Family of the old Lords Audley I suppose he was not the Armes which he bore being totally different from theirs Nor have I observed any thing of him till 18 H. 8. that he became the Autumne-Reader in the Inner-Temple Whereby it appeares that having been a diligent Student of the Laws he arrived to a great proficiency in that commendable Learning in which within a short time after he grew so famous that in 21 H. 8. he was made choice of for Speaker in the House of Commons in that Long-Parliament which began upon the third of November the same year and continuing by Prorogation till 27 H. 8. proved fatal to the Religious Houses by the Dissolution of all those whose Revenues were not certified to exceed the value of Two hundred pounds per annum In which his service was so acceptable to the King as that the next ensuing year viz. 22 H. 8. he was constituted his Atturney for the Dutchy of Lancaster Also in Mich. Terme Graft Mart. advanced to the state and degree of a Serjeant at Law and upon the fourteenth of November following made the King's Serjeant Nor was any farther Promotion thought too great for him for in 24 H. 8. upon the Resignation of that worthy Lord Chancellor Sir Thomas Moore he was Knighted and made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal and before the end of that year Lord Chancellor of England Being therefore thus raised to that high place discerning the Pope's Supremacy newly abolish'd whereupon the Title of Supreme Head on Earth of the Church of England was vested in the King who consequently took upon him by his own absolute power to suppress the Priory of Canons of the Holy Trinity commonly called Christ-church near Algate in the City of London he obtain'd the Scite and Precinct of that Religious House and converted it to a fit Mansion for his own residence having likewise all the Plate and Lands thereto belonging bestowed on him And in 30 H. 8. sate High-Steward upon the Arraignment of Henry Courtney Marquess of Exeter then accused for Conspiring the advancement of Reginald Pole afterwards Cardinal to the Crown That this Thomas had been not a little instrumental in carrying on that great design for dissolving the lesser
against the Dutch on tuesday 28 Maii An. 1672 He hath also two daughters Diana married to the Baron of Mol in Flanders and Anne to Robert now Earl of Sunderland Francis Lord Verulam Vicount St. Alban 16 Iac. COnsidering that this person was so eminent for his Learning and other great abilities as his excellent works will sufficiently manifest though a short Narrative of his life is already set forth by Doctor William Raleigh his domestique Chaplain I am not willing to omit the taking notice of such particulars as are most memorable of him and therefore shall briefly recount partly from that Narrative and partly from other authorities what I have observed in order thereto As to his Parentage he was the youngest of those two male Children which Sir Nicholas Bacon of Redgrave in com Suff. Knight had by Anne his wife one of the six daughters of Sir Anthony Cooke of Giddy-Hall in com Essex Knight a person much honoured for his Learning and being Tutor to King Edward the Sixth all those Daughters being exquisitely skilled in the Greek and Latine Tongues Which Nicholas having been a diligent Student of the Laws in Grays Inn was made the Kings Attorney in the Court of Wards in 38 H. 8. and upâ—n the death of that King which soon after hapned had his Patent for the same trust renewed by his son and successor King Edward the Sixth In the sixth year of whose Reign he was constituted Treasurer for that Noble Society of Grays-Inn whereof he had been so long a Member And being grown famous for his knowledge was shortly after viz. in 1 Eliz. made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England and Knighted which Office in his time was by Act of Parliament made equal in authority with the Chancellours What I have otherwise observed of this Sir Nicholas Bacon is that being no friend to the Queen of Scots then Prisoner in England he was privy and assenting to what Hales had publisht in derogation to her title as next and lawful Successor to Queen Elizabeth asserting that of the House of Sufâ—olk before it for which Hales suffered imprisonment and had not Cecill stood his faithful friend so might he nothing being more distastful to Queen Elizabeth then a dispute upon that point Next that in 14 Eliz. upon those Proposals made by the Nobility of Scotland for her enlargement he opposed it alleadging that no security could ballance the danger thereof Lastly that upon his death which hapned in April An. 1579. 21 Eliz. this Character is given of him by the Learned Camden viz. that he was Vir praepingius ingenio acerrimo singulari prudentia summâ— eloquentia tenaci memoriâ— sacris consiliis alterum columen Of persons very corpulent most quick Wit singular Prudence admirable Eloquence special Memory and another pillar to the Privy-Council Whereupon being interred on the South side of the Quire in St. Pauls Cathedral within the City of London he had a noble Monument there erected to his memory with this â—pitaph Hîc Nicolaum ne Beconem conditum existima illum tam diu Britannici Regni seâ—undum columen exitium malis Bonis Asylum caâ—ca quem non extulit ad hunc honorem sors sed Aequitas Fides Doctrina Pietas unica prudentia Neu fortè raptum crede qui unica brevi vitâ perenni emerit duas agit vitam secundam caelites inter animas Fama implet orbem vita quâ—e illi tertia est Hac positum in arâ est corpus olim animi domus Ara dicata sempiternae memoriae Thus much touching the Parentage of this Francis his Birth being at York-House in the Strand upon the twenty second day of Ianuary An. 1560. 2 Eliz. It is observed that in his tender years his pregnancy was such as gave great indication of his future high accomplishments in so much as Queen Eliz. took notice of him and called him the young Lord Keeper also that asking him how old he was though but a Boy he answered that he was two years younger then her Majâ—sties most happy Reign As to his Education he was of Trinitie-Colledge in Cambridge under the tuition of Doctor Iohn Whitgift then Master there but afterwards the renowned Archbishop of Canterbury Where having with great proficiency spent some time he was sent into France with Sir Amias Paulet her Majesties Leiger Ambassador and thence intrusted with a message to the Queen which he performed with much approbation and so returned After this coming from Travail and applying himself to the study of the Common Law he was seated in â—rays-Inn Where in short time he became so highly esteemed for his abilities as that in 30 Eliz. being then but 28 years of age that honorable society chose him for their Lent Reader and in 32 Eliz. was made one of the Clerks of the Council In 42 Eliz. being double Reader in that House and affecting much the ornament thereof he caused that beautiful Grove of â—lmes to be planted in the Walks which yet remain And upon the 23 of Iuly 1 Iac. was Knighted at Whitehal Shortly after which viz. in 2 Iac. he was made one of the Kings Council learned having therewith a Grant of forty pounds per annum fee and in 5 Iac. constituted his Majesties Sollicitor General In 9 Iac. he was made joint Judge with Sir Thomas Vavasor then Knight Marshal of the Knight Marshal's Court then newly â—rected within the Verge of the Kings House and in 11 Iac. 27 Oct. being made Atturney General was sworn of the Privy Council In 14 Iac. he was constituted Lord Keeper of the great Seal 7 Martii being then fifty four years of age At which time the King admonisht him that he should Seal nothing rashly as also that he should judge uprightly and not extend the Royal Prerogative too high After which viz. upon the seventh day of May which was the first day of Easter Term next ensuing he made his solemn proceeding to Westminster hall in this order first the writing Clerks and inferiour Officers belonging to the Court of Chancery Next the Students of the Law Thâ—n the Gentlemen of his own Family After them the Sergeant at Arms and bearer of the Great Seal on foot Then himself on Horseback in a Gown of Purple Satin riding betwixt the Lord Treasurer and Lord Privy Seal Next divers Earls Barons and Privy Councillors Then the Judges of the Court at UUestminster whose place in that proceeding was assigned after the Privy Councellors And when he came into the Court the Lord Treasurer and Lord Privy Seal gave him his Oath the Clerk of the Crown reading it Upon the fourth of Ianuary 16 Iac. he was made Lord Chancellor of England On the eleventh of Iuly next ensuing created Lord Verulam and on the twenty seventh of Ianuary
some active Nonconformists with Antimonarchical Principles and so without much difficulty drawn in by those Fiery Spirits of the late Long-Parliament who under divers Specious Pretences raised several Armies against the King became the Commander in Chief of those Forces which were sent to assault the Close at Litchfeild then defended by a small Garrison which His late Majesty of blessed memory had most piously placed there for the preservation of that stately Church Against which there being a Battery planted he was unfortunately shot in the Eye as he stood in a dore whither he came to see the occasion of a sudden shout made by the Soldiers of which he instantly died But that which makes it most observable is that this hapned on the second day of March in An. 1642. which is noted in the Kaâ—endar for the Festival of St. Chad the Titulary-Saint of that antient and beautiful Church to the Memory of whom it had been originally dedicated A person he was who for the Nobleness of his extraction as is evident from what before I have shew'd however mistaken by others and many personal endowments deserv'd a better fate at least to have fallen in a better Cause Who had he liv'd 't is believ'd by his Friends would soon have seen through the Pretences of that Faction Dying thus he left issue by the Lady Catherine his wife daughter to Francis Earl of Bedford five sons Francis who next succeeded him in his Honor but died unmarried Robert successor to his Brother Edward and Algernon who died unmarried and Fowke now living Which Robert took to wise Anne one of the daughters and coheirs and at length sole heir to Sir William Dodington of Bremer in com South Knight by whom he hath issue now living two daughters Anne and Dodington Lord Mountagu of Boughton 19 Iac. TOuching that Branch of the antient Family of Mountagu whence those who were long since Earles of Salisbury did spring and which determin'd in one sole daughter and heir female having in the first Volume of this Work already spoke I come to Edward Mountagu of Hemyngton in com Northampt. Esquire a descendeâ—â— of another branch thereof for so 't is generally esteem'd to be This Edward being a person learned in the Lawes and thereupon call'd to the state and degree of Serjeant in Crast. S. Mart. 23 Hen. 8. was made choice of for one of the King's Serjeants 16 Oct. in 29 of his Reign And in 30 Hen. 8. being then a Knight was advanced to that great Office of Lord Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench. In which he continued till 37 Hen. 8. and then upon the sixth of November removed to the like place of Chief Justice in the Court of Common-Pleas Wherein continuing in 4 E. 6. he obtained a special License bearing date 12 Apr. to give Liveries and Badges to Forty persons over and above his own menial Servants and afterwards sate there till the first year of Q. Mary's Reign When he died I do not certainly find but that by Helen his wise daughter to Iohn Roper of Eltham in com Cancii Esquire he left issue Edward his son and heir Which Edward being also a Knight married Elizabeth daughter to Sir Iames Harington of Eâ—ton in com Rutl. Knight by whom he had issue six sons 1. Sir Edward made Knight of the Bathe at the Coronation of King Iames 2. Sir Walter 3. Sir Henry 4. Sir Charles all Knights 5. Iames Bishop of Winchester and 6. Sir Sidney Mountagu Knight Of which sons Sir Edward was by Letters-patent bearing date 29 Iunii 19 Iac. advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Mountagu of Boughton in com Northampt. and married three wives first Elizabeth daughter and heir to Sir Iohn Ieffrey Knight Lord Chief Baton of the Exchequer by whom he had issue one only daughter called Elizabeth married to Robert Lord Willoughby of Eâ—esby afterwards Earl of Lindsey He secondly married Frances daughter of Thomas Cotton of Conington in com Hant. â—squire Sister to the famous Sir Robert Cotton Knight and Baronet by whom he had issue three sons 1. Edward his successor in his honor William Attorney-General to the now Queen Catherine and Christopher And one daughter called Frances married to Iohn Earl of Rutland His third wife was Anne daughter to Iohn Crouch of Cornbury in com Hertf. Esquire but by her he had no issue This Edward Lord Mountagu living to be very aged and standing firm in his Loyalty to our late Soveraign King Charles the First in those times of the late unhappy troubles was for that respect seiz'd on by the command of those Predominant Members who sate at Westminster by the Name of a Parliament and made Prisoner in the Savoy near to the Strand in the Suburbs of London Where he departed this life 15 Iunii Anno 1664. To whom succeeded Edward his son and heir Which Edward married Anne the sole daughter of Sir Raph Winwood Principal Secretary of State to King Iames and by her hath had issue two sons Edward who died unmarried and Raphe as also one daughter called Elizabeth who married to Sir Daniel Harvye Knight lately Embassador to the Turke at Constantâ—â—ople ¶ The third Brother to Edward the first Lord Mountague was Henry who being a sâ—dulous Student of the Laws in the Middle-Temple London became the Autumn-Reader in that Honourable Society in 4 Iac. And shortly after that Recorder of the City of London being then a Knight Next scilicet Octab. Puâ—if 8 Iac. called to the State and degree of Serjeant at Law and upon the eleventh of February ensuing constituted the King's Serjeant Nor did his advancement here determine for upon the 18th of November An. 1616. 14 Iac. he was made Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Kings Bench and on the 14 th of December An. 1620. 18 Iac. Lord Treasurer of England the Staff having been delivered to him at New-Market some time before Whereupon he was by Letters-patent bearing date 19 Dec. next ensuing raised to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of L. 〈◊〉 of Kymbolton in com Hunâ— and Vicount Muâ—devile by reason that he did then possession of the Castle and Lordship of Kymbolton which had been many ages since belonging to the family of Maâ—devile And after this 5 Feb. 1 Car. 1. being created Earl of Manchester was made Lord Privy-Seale upon the Fourth of Iuly in the fourth year of that King's reign Which Henry married three wives first Catherine daughter to Sir William Spenser of Erdington in com Oxon. Knight by whom he had issue four sons Edward who succeeded him in his honors Walter now an Abbot in France Iames and Henry now Master of St. Katherines Hospital near the Tower of London As also two Daughters
derive themselves from Herbert Fitz Herbert called Finch who was in ward to the King in 28 E. 1. and lineally descended from Henry Fitz Herbert Chamberlain to King Henry the first was Sir Moyle Finch of Eastwell in com Cantii Knight which Sir Moyle being a person of an ample Fortune was the twenty fifth in number as to precedence of those whom King Iames raised to the degree and title of Baronet in the ninth year of his Reign his Patent bearing date 23 Iunii And not long afterwards by reason of his great prudence in the management of publick affairs should have been more highly dignified in case his death had not prevented it For that consideration therefore and by reason that Elizabeth his widdow was not only the sole daughter and heir to Sir Thomas Heneage Knight Treasurer of the Chamber Vice Chamberlain of the Houshold and Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster to Queen Elizabeth as also one of her Privy Council but a Lady of excellent endowments the same King by his Letters Patent bearing date 8 Iulii in the twenty first year of his Reign advanced her to the dignity of a Vicountess by the title of Vicountess of Maydâ—â—on in Kent with limitation of that honor to the heirs male of her body lawfully begotten After which sâ—il in 4 Car. 1. having obtained from that King the favor of an higher title upon the twelfth of Iuly the same year she was created Countess of Winchelsey in com Suss. with the like limitation and departing this life 13 Martii An. 1633. had burial at Eastwell under a noble Monument there erected for them both The issue which she had by her said Husband was seven sons and four daughters first Sir Theophilus Finch Knight who married Elizabeth daughter to Sir Christopher Hayden of Baconsthorpe in Com. Norff. Knight but died without issue in his life time secondly Sir Thomas Finche Knight thirdly Iohn a Student of the Law of whom there is not now any issue remaining fourthly Sir Heneage Finche Knight Sergeant at Law and Recorder of the City of London fifthly Francis Finche of the Inner Temple who died without any issue surviving sixthly William and seventhly Robert who died both unmarried The daughters were these Anne married to Sir William Twisden of East-Peckham in com Cantii Barronet Catherine to Sir Iohn Wentworth of Gosfeild in com Essex Knight and Barronet and two others bearing the name of Elizabeth who died young Which Sir Thomas succeeding her in those honors married Cecilie daughter to Iohn and sister to the before-specified Sir Iohn Wentworth and departing this life at his house in Charter House-yard in the Suburbs of London 4 November An. 1639. was buried at Eastwell leaving issue surviving three sons Heneage Iohn and William and five daughters Frances married to Sir William Strickland of Boynton in com Ebor. Knight Anne to Sir William Waller Knight Catherine died young Cecilie to Sir Erasmus Philips Knight Diana 〈◊〉 Nicholas Tooke of Gadington in com Cantii Eâ—quire and another Catherine to Ambrose Moore Esquire To whom succeeded Heneage the eldest of those three sons now Earl of Winchelsey who married thrice first Diana daughter to Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham by whom he hath no issue surviving secondly the Lady Mary second daughter to William then Marquess of Hertford afterwards Duke of Somerset and being descended from the antient Family of Herbert long since of Eastwell before mentioned by reason of his faithful services to our present Soveraign King Charles the second manifested in the time of his unparrall'd distresses not only with great hazard supplying his necessities in forreign parts but by preparing Auxiliaries Horse and Foot upon occasion for his best service in acknowledgment of this his signal Fidelity was by Letters Patents bearing date 26 Iunii in the twelfth year of his Keign advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Fitz Herbert of Eastwell before specified Shortly after which he was sent Embassador into Turkey where he continued about eight years By which Lady he had issue six sons first William commonly called Lord Maidston secondly Heneage thirdly Thomas fourthly Charles fifthly Leopald and sixthly Lashley the three last being born in Turkey he had also issue by her two daughters now surviving the rest dying young viz. the Lady Frances married to Thomas Thynne Esquire son to Sir Henry-Frederick Thynne of Caurse-Castle in com Salop. Knight and the Lady Iane. His third wife is Catherine daughter to Sir Thomas Northelyffe of Langton in com Ebor. Knight widdow of Sir Iohn Wentworth of of â—msald in the same County Knight by whom he hath issue Catherine a daughter Which William called Lord Maydstone married Elizabeth the daughter of Thomas Windâ—am of Felbragg-Hall in com Norf. Esquire but being in that great Fight at Sea against the Dutch in May An. 1672. 24 Car. 2. had the ill hap to be there slain by a Cannon Bullet leaving issue one daughter called Mariamna and his Lady then great with Child of a son whereof she was delivered upon the twenty sixth of September next following whose name is Charles and now called Lord 〈◊〉 Iohn Lord Finche of Fordwiche 16 Car. 1. A Branch of this Family viz. Son of Sir Henry Finch of Mote in com Cantii Knight second Brother to Sir Moyle Finch was Iohn Finch who having his education in Grays-Inne became so great a proficient in his Study of the Laws that in 16 Iac. he was made choice of for the Autumn Reader there as also shortly afterwards viz. in An. 1627. 3 Car. 1. Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament And in 2 Car. 1. 3 Nov. constituted Treasurer for that honorable Society of Grays Inne Likewise upon the 13 of December following made the Queens Atturney General After this 8 Sept. 10 Car. 1. he was called to the state and degree of Serjeant at Law and upon the fourteenth of October constituted one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas also upon the twenty first of Ianuary 11 Car. 1. Chief Justice in the same Court Moreover upon the death of Thomas Lord Coventry he had the office of Lord Keeper of the great Seal conferred upon him scil 23 Ian. 15 Car. 1. and lastly upon the seventh of April 16 Car. 1. was advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Kealm by the title of Lord Finche of Fordwiche But long he continued not in that high place of Lord Keeper the predominant party in the late Long Parliament being so fierce upon him as that in Ianuary the next ensuing year to preserve himself from their severity he fled into the Netherlands and there continued till the happy Restauration of our present Sovereign King Charles the second He married twice first Eleanore daughter to Sir George Wyat of Boxley in com Cantii Knight secondly Mabella daughter of Charles
Baronet and Anne to Samuel Grimston Son and Heir to Sir Herbotle Grimston Baronet Master of the Rolls This Iohn Earl of Thanet died upon the seventh of May an 1664. and was buried at Raynham To whom succeeded Nicholas his Son and Heir who Married Elizabeth Daughter to Richard Earl of Burlington William Earl of Craven 2 Car. 1. THis William being Son and Heir to Sir William Craven Knight Merchant-Taylor and Lord Mayor of London in an 1611. 9 Iac. in his youth much affecting Military exercises was sent to the Wars of Germany by King Charles the first where he served under that great Souldier Gustavus Adolphus then King of Sweden and afterwards in the Netherlands under Henry Prince of Orange In which valiant adventures he gained such Honour as that upon his return he was by the same King Charles worthily raised to the degree and dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Craven of Hampsted Marshall in Com. Berks. 12 Martii 2 Car. 1. with remainder for want of Issue Male of his own Body to Iohn Craven and Thomas Craven his Brothers successively and to the Heirs Male of their Bodies And since that having in the time of the late unhappy troubles in this Realm when his Majesty King Charles the first of blessed memory became distressed by that shameful defection of many of his own subjects manifested his Loyalty to him in divers considerable supplies as also to our present Soveraign King Charles the second in his greatest necessities was by other Letters Patents bearing date 16 Martii 16 Car. 2. advanced to certain higher degrees of Honour viz. to the title of Vicount Craven of Uâ—fington in the same County of Berks. and Earl of Craven of Craven in Com. Ebor. And by reason that both those his Brothers were then dead without Issue with remainder of that Title of Lord Craven of Hampsted Marshall for lack of Issue Male of his own Body lawfully Begotten to Sir William Craven of Lenchwike in Com. Wigorn. Knight and to the Heirs Male of his Body and for default of such Issue to Sir Anthony Craven Knight Brother to the same Sir William and to the Issue Male of his Body And afterwards by reason that the Issue Male of the said Sir William Graven of Lenchwike Knight was then extinct in case of failer of Issue Male from the before specified Sir Anthony Craven Knight by other Letters Patents bearing date 11 December 17 Car. 2. obtained a farther grant that the said title of Lord Craven of Hampâ—ted Marshall should remain unto Sir William Craven Knight Son of Sir Thomas Craven Brother to the said Sir Anthony and to the Heirs Male of his Body for ever Iohn Lord Craven of Ryton THis Iohn the next Brother in seniority to the before-specified William Earl of Craven having a great esteem from the late King Charles the First of blessed memory was by Letters Patents bearing date at Oxford 21 Martii in the eighteenth year of his reign advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Craven of Ryton in Com. Salop. he married Elizabeth Daughter to William Spenser but died without Issue Brudnell Earl of Cardigan 3 Car. 1. OF this Family whose chief seat hath for divers ages been at Dene in thâ— East part of Northampton-shire was Robert Brudâ—nel who being a person learned in the Laws was called to the state and degree of a Serjeant in the begining of Michaelmas Term 20 H. 7. and immediately thereupon viz. 25 Oct. made the Kings Serjeant Shortly after which in 1 H. 8. he was constituted one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas and in 12 H. 8. Chief Justice of that Court. This Robert by Margaret his Wife Cousin and Coheir to the valiant Sir Bertiâ—e Entwysel Knight Vicount of Brickbee in Normandy and slain in the Battel of St. Albans in the time of King Henry the sixth had Issue Sir Thomas Brudnel Knight and he Robert and he Thomas Brudnel of Dene Esq who upon the 29 th of Iune an 1611. 9 Iac. was one of that number whom King Iames then raised to the degree of Baronet at that time first instituted By reason whereof upon the 9 th of April an 1612. 10 Iac. he received the Honour of Knighthood at White-Hall And being a person generally learned and otherwise excellently qualified was by Leters Patent bearing date at Westminster 26 Apr. 3 Car. 1. advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Brudnell of Stanton Wivill in Com. Leic. unto which King of blessed memory in the time of the late troubles he did abundantly manifest his Loyalty by raising of Souldiers and contributing what else he could to his aid in his Garrisons of Newark Lincoln and Hereâ—ord for which afterwards upon the prevailing of his adversaries he suffered a tedious imprisonment In consideration therefore of these his great services and merits he was upon the happy restoration of our present Soveraign King Charles the Second by Letters Patents bearing date 20 Apr. in the 13 th year of his reign three days before his Royal Coronation advanced to the degree of an Earl by the title of Earl of Cardigan And departed this life upon the ... day of April an 1664. being then above 80 years of age Whereupon he was buried at Dene with his Ancestors leaving Issue by Mary his Wife Daughter of Sir Thomas Trâ—sham of Rushton in Com. Northt Knight two Sons Robert his Son and Heir and Edmund who died unmarried and one Daughter called Mary married to Iohn Constable of Buâ—ton Constable in Holderness Vicount Dunbar in Scotland Which Robert now Earl of Cardigan married two Wives First Mary Daughter of Henry Constable Vicount Dunbar by whom he had Issue Mary a Daughter married to the Earl of Kenowle in Scotland He secondly married Anne Daughter of Thomas Vicount Savage by whom he hath had Issue two Sons Francis called Lord Brudnell and Ioseph who died in his Inâ—ancy and three Daughters Anna Maria married to Francis Earl of Shrewsbury Catherine and Dorothy the Wife of Charles Earl of Westmorland Bellasyse Vicount Fauconbridge 3 Car. 1. OF this Family which hath been of great Antiquity in the Northern parts of this Realm specially in the Bishoprick of Durham was Sir Henry Belasyse of Newborough in Com. Ebor. Knight Son and Hâ—ir to Sir William Belasyse of Newborough Knight Which Sir Henry in 9 Iac. 29 Iunii was made a Baronet and by Vrsula his Wife Daughter to Sir Thomas Fairfax of Denton in Com. Ebor. Knight had Issue Thomas Which Thomas for his great merits having been by Letters Patents bearing date 25 Mâ—ii 3 Car. 1. advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Fâ—uconberge faithfully adhered to that King in the times of the late unhappy troubles In consideration
Devonshire of that Family by whom he left no Issue surviving Secondly Anne the sole Daughter and Heir to Sir Anthony Everard of Langleis in Com. Essex Knight by whom he left Issue one only surviving Son named William who succeeded him in his Honours and five Daughters viz. Susan Iane Anne Elizabeth and Mary whereof the two eldest died unmarried and of the rest Anne became the Wife of Sir Henry Wrothe of Durance in Com. Midd. Knight Elizabeth of Iohn Wroth of Longhton in Com. Essex Esq and Mary of Sir Rapâ—e Bovey of Caxton in Com. Cantabr Knight and departing this life upon the eighteenth day of December an 1639. was buried in the Vault of the Parish-Church at Little Estanes before mention'd Which William so succeeding him is now Comptroller of his Majesties Houshold and married two Wives First Dorothy sole Daughter and Heir to Sir Robert Banaster of Passenham in Com. Northampton Knight by whom he hath Issue two Sons Banaster Maynard and William Which William hath married the Lady Elizabeth Grey Daughter to Henry late Earl of Kent Surviving Dorothy his first Wife he hath since wedded the Lady Margaret Murray youngest Daughter to Iames Earl of Dyzert in Scotland and by her hath Issue one Son called Henry and Elizabeth a Daughter Lord Coventrie 4 Car. 1. THat the study and practise of our Common-Law hath raised many Men to great Wealth and Honour there is demonstration sufficient from sundry examples in all ages Amongst which these of Thomas Coventrie the Father and Thomas his Son are not the least For of Thomas the Father whose Birth was in Worcestershire and descent from Iohn Covenâ—rie Mercer Son of William Coventrie of the City of Coventrie Sheriff of London with Robert Whitington in an 1416. 4 H. 5. and Lord Mayor or of that City in an 1425. 4 H. 6. as also one of the Executors of Richard Whitington founder of Whitington Colledge I find that being a member of that honourable Society of the Inner-Temple London he became so happy a proficient in his Studies there as that in 38 Eliz. he was chosen Reader of that House for the Autumn Lecture though at that time hindred in performing the task by reason of a great Plague which then raged in London so that he Read not till Lent next following And ascending still higher in esteem in respect of his eminent knowledge was elected to the state and degree of a Serjeant at Law upon that Call in Easter-Term 1 Iac. As also in 3 Iac. to be the Kings Seâ—jeant and in Hillary Term before the end of that year being constituted one of the Justices for the Court of Common-Pleas sate on that Bench till xv Martini 4 Iac. inclusive but died shortly after as it seems leaving Thomas his Son and Heir whom he had entred of that Inne of Court Which Thomas pursuing his Fathers steps in those laudable Sâ—udies was made choice of for the Autumn-Reader in 14 Iac. being then Recorder of London Also shortly after that the Kings Sollicitor And upon the 16. of March before the end of that year was Knighted at â—heobalds In 15 Iac. being one of the Senior Benchers of that House he underwent the office of Treasurer there and in 18 Iac. was made the Kings Attorney General Rising by these gradations in 1 Car. 1 Nov. he was advanced to â—hat eminent Office of Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England and upon the tenth of April 4 Car. 1. dignified with the degree of a Baron of this Realm by the title of â—ord Coventrie of Ailesboroâ—gh in Com. Wigorn. Aftter which continuing in that Office with much Honour for the full term of fifteen years and upwards he departed this life at Durham-House in the Strand 14 Ian. an 1639. 15 Car. 1. and was buried in the Parish Church of Crome D'abitot in Com. Wigorn. leaving Issue by Sarah his first Wife Daughter to Edward Sebright of Blacksall in Com. Wigorn. Esq Thomas his Son and Heir and Elizabeth a Daughter married to Sir Iohn Hâ—re of Stow Bâ—rdolf in Com. Norfolk Knight And by Elizabeth his second Wife Daughter to Iohn Ardersey of Spursâ—ow in Com. Câ—ster Esq four Sons Iohn Francis Henry now one of his Majesties Principal Secreâ—aries of State and Sir William Coventrie Knight As also four Daughters Anne married to Sir William Savile of 〈◊〉 in Com. Ebor. Baronet Mary to Henry-Frederick â—hynne second Son to Sir Thomas Thynne of Loâ—g-Lete in Com. Wilts Knight Anne to Sir Anthâ—ny Ashley Cooper of Winburne St. Giles in Com. Dorset Baronet since advanced to the titles of Baron Ashley and Earl of Shaftsbuâ—y and Dorothy to Sir Iohn Pâ—ckington of Westwood in Com. Wigorn Baronet Which Thomas his Son and Heir succeeding him in his Honour married Mary Daughter to Sir William Crâ—ven Knight Lord Mayor of London in an 1611. 9 Iac. and departed this life ... Oct. an 1662. lâ—aving Issue two Sons Geoâ—ge and Thomas but no Daughter Which George now Lord Coventrie married Maâ—garâ—t Daughter to Iohn Earl of Thanâ—t and by her hath Issue Iohn his only Son and Margareâ— a Daughter Weston Earl of Portland 4 Car. 1. IN an 1619. 17 Iac. Sir Richard Weston Knight Son and Heir to Sir Hierome Weston of Roxwell in Com. Essex Knight Son of Richard Weston one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas from the first to the fourteenth year of Queen Eliz. reign and descended from the ancient Family of Weston sometimes of Weston subtus Liziard in Com. Staff being a person of great abilities was sent Embassador with Sir Edward Conway into Bohemia to close up the breach betwixt the Emperour and the Elector Palatine and the next ensuing vear was himself imployed to Bruxells in Flanders there to treat with the Embassadors of the Emperour and King of Spain touching the restitution of the Palaâ—inate Soon after which he was made choice of to be Chancellor and under-Treasurer of the Exchequer Which Office he underwent with such Wisdom and Integrity that upon the twenty fifth of May 22 Iac. he had a Commission to execute the Office of Treasurer of the Exchequer during the Kings pleasure Which trust he performed so well as that upon the thirteenth of April 4 Car. 1. he was advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Weston of Neyland and on the fifteenth of Iuly following constituted Lord Treasurer of England Also upon the ninth of April 6 Car. 1. elected Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter and on the 8 th of February next following made Captain of the Isle of Wight Lastly upon the 17 th of February 8 Car. 1. created Earl of Portland He married two Wives First Elizabeth Daughter to William Pinchion of Wriâ—â—le in Com. Essex Esq by whom he
is Somerhil the place of his residence To whom succeeded Vlick his Son and Heir who in the time of the late Rebellion in Ireland coming hither for refuge was by Letters Patents bearing date at Oxford 21 Febr. 21 Car. 1. created Marquess of Clâ—nrikard He married the Lady Anne Daughter to William Earl of Northampton and by her had Issue one only Daughter called Margaret married to the Lord Muskerry Son to the Earl of Clancartie in Ireland Which Lord Muskerry was slain in that great Sea-fight against the Dutch an 1672. This Vlick died in an 1659. and was buried at Tonbridge Leke Lord Deincourt and Earl of Scarsdale 22 Iac. UPon the 22 th of May an 1611. 9 Iac. the title of Baronet at that time commencing Sir Francis Leke of Sutton in Com. Derb. Knight being a person of a very ancient Family in those parts and of an ample fortune was advanced to that dignity being the sixth in precedence of those who then were honoured therewith and upon the 26 th of October 22 Iac. was created a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Deincourt of Sutton Moreover in the late turbulent times manifesting his Loyalty most exemplaâ—ily to our late Soveraign King Charles the first not only by yielding much supply to his wants but Cordial advice in Council whilst Newarke upon Trent remained one of his Garrisons as also by readily sending forth two of his Sons in his service whereof the one lost his life in the South and the other in the West was in consideration thereof raised to the degree and dignity of an Earl by the title of Earl of Scarsdale by Letters Patents bearing date at Oxford 11 Nov. 21 Car. 1. He married Anne Daughter to Sir Edward Carey of Berkhamstede in Com. Hertf. Knight Sister to Henry Vicount Falkland by whom he had Issue seven Sons and six Daughters viz. Francis slain in France Nicholas who succeeded him in his Honours Edward and Charles slain in his late Majesties service as abovesaid Henry died unmarried Raphe and Iohn who died Infants His Daughters were these Anne married to Henry Hillyard of Wysteade in Holdernesse Catherine to Cuthbert Morley of Normanâ—y in Com. Ebor. Esq Elizabeth and Muriel yet unmarried Frances Wedded to the Vicount Gormanston in Ireland and Penelope to Charles now Lord Lucas of Shenfeild Having suffered much for his loyalty in the times of the late unparalleled Usurpation in which King Charles the first of blessed memory lost his life by the hands of that Barbarous Generation then predominant he became so much mortified after that wosull Murther of his rightful Soveraign that he apparreled himself in Sack-cloth and causing his Grave to be dig'd some years before his death laid himself down in it every Friday exercising himself frequently in divine Meditations and Prayer And departing this life in his House at Sutton in Scarsâ—ale upon the ninth day of April an 1655. was buried in the Parish Church there To whom succeeded Nicholas his eldest Son then living who married the Lady Frances Daughter to Robert late Earl of Warwick by whom he hath Issue two Sons Robert commonly called Lord Deincourt and Richard and Mary a Daughter Which Robert hath married Mary one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Sir Iohn Lewes of Ledston in Com. Ebor. Knight and Baronet Fane Earl of Westmorland 22 Iac. FRancis Fane Esq Son and Heir to Sir Thomas Fane of Badsell in Com. Cant. Knight by Mary his Wife sole Daughter and Heir to Sir Henry Nevill Knight Lord Bergavenny afterwards created Baroness le Despenser being made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of King Iames and upon the 29 th of December 22 Iac. advanced to the titles of Baron Burghersh and Earl of Westmorland took to Wife Mary the sole Daughter and Heir to Sir Authony Mildmay of Apethorpe in Com. North. Knight by Grace his Wife Daughter and Coheir to Sir Henry Sherington of Lacock in Com. Wilts Knight which Sir Anthony was Son and heir to Sir Walter Mildmay Knight first Surveyor of the Court of Augmentation to King Henry the 8 th and afterwards Chancellour and Under-Treasurer of the Exchequer to Queen Elizabeth And he Son to Thomas Mildmay Gent. one of the Auditors to the Court of Augmentation temp H. 8. who upon the dissolution of the Monasteries obtained the Mannor of Mulsham in Essex parcel of the possessions of the Abby of Westminster This Earl Francis had Issue by her seven Sons 1. Mildmay Faâ—e made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of King Charles the first 2. Thomas who died in his Infancy 3. Francis made Knight of the Bath with his Brother 4. Anthony 5. George 6. William and 7. Robert And six Daughters Grace Married to Iames Earl of Humes in Scotland Mary to Dutton Lord Gerard Elizabeth to Sir Iohn Cope of Hanwell in Com. Oxon. Baronet Rachel First to Henry Earl of Bathe and afterwards to Lionel Earl of Middlesex also Frances and Catherine who died Unmarried And departing this life at Westmorland-House in great St. Bartholmews within the City of London 21 Martii an 1629. 5 Car. 1. was buried in the Vault of the Church at Apethorpe before-mentioned To him succeeded in his Honours Mildmay his Son and Heir who being made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of King Charles the First Married to his first Wife Grace Daughter to Sir William Thornhurst of ... in Kent Knight by Anne his Wife Daughter to Thomas Howard Vicount Bindon one of the Coheirs to Thomas her Brother and by her had Issue one Son called Charles and three Daughters Dians first Married to ... Pelham of Brokilsby in Com. Linc. and afterwards to Iohn Bill of Cane-Wood near High-Gate in Com. Midd. Esq Frances to Sir Erasmus Harby of Aldenham in Com. Hertf. Knight and Elizabeth And to his second Wife Mary Daughter to Horace Lord Vere of Tilbury Widdow of Sir Roger Townsend of Raynham in Com. Norff. Knight by whom he had Issue Vere made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of our present Sovereign King Charles the Second and three Daughters Mary first Married to Francis Palmes Son and Heir to Sir Bryan Palmes of Ashwell in Com. Rutl. Knight afterwards to Iohn now Earl of Exeter Rachel to Dr. Gregory Hesket a Prebend in the Kings Royal Chapel of St George in the Castle at Windsore Catherine and Susan Which Mildmay departing this life 12 Febr. an 1665. was buried at Aperhorpe in Com Northt To whom succeeded Charles his Son and Heir who first Married Elizabeth Daughter and Heir to ... Nodes of Shephall Bury in Com. Hertf. Esq by whom he had no Issue Secondly Dorothy Daughter to Robert now Earl of Cardigan Ley Earl of Marlborough 22 Iac. IN 44 Eliz. Iames Ley sixth Son to Henry Ley of Tesâ—ont Evias in Com. Wiltes Esq having at the Age
of sixteen years been placed in Brazen Nose Colledge Oxon. he thence removed to the Inns of Court and became so great a proficient in the Study of the Laws there as that in 44 Eliz. he was made choice of for the Lent Reader in Lincoln's-Inne After which his profound Learning and other great abilities deservedly rais'd him to â—undry degrees of Honour and eminent imployments For in 1 Iac. 22 Nov. he was call'd to the State and degree of Serjeant at Law afterwards constituted Chief Justice of the Kings Bâ—nch in Ireland And in 6 Iac. being then a Knight made the King's Attorney in the Court of Wards In 17 Iac. 20 Iulii residing at Westbury in Com. Wilts he was Created a Baronet In 18 Iac. 29 Ian. Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench and in 22 Iac. 20 Dec. Lord High Treasurer of England Being therefore thus preferr'd to that great Office both of Honour and Trust upon the 31 th of December the same year he was advanc'd to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Ley of Ley in Com. Devon As also upon the 5 th of Febr. 1 Car. 1. to the Title of Earl of Marlborough with limitation thereof to the Heirs Male of his Body by Iane at that time his Wife Daughter of Iohn Lord Butler of Bramfeild in Com. Hertf. by Elizabeth then his Wife Sister to George Duke of Buckingham and for lack of such Issue to the Heirs Male of his own Body and soon after that President of the Council He Married three Wives First Mary the Daughter of Iohn Pettey of Stoke Talmage in the County of Oxford Esq by whom he had Issue three Sons Henry Iames and William and eight Daughters Elizabeth Married to Morice Carant of Tooner in Com. Somers Esq Anne to Sir Walter Longe of Draycot Cerne in Com. Wilts Knight Mary to Richard Erisey of Erisey in Com. Cornub. Esq Dionysia to Iohn Harington of Kelneyâ—on in Com. Somers Esq Margaret to ... Hobson of ... in the Isle of Wiht Esq Hesther to Arthur Fuller of Bradfeild in Com. Hertf. Esq Martha died Unmarried and Phoebe to ... Biggs of Hurst in Com. Berks. Esq Surviving her he secondly took to Wife Mary the Widdow of Sir William Bower Knight And lastly the before-specified Iane Daughter to Iohn Lord Boteler by neither of which two last Wives he had any Issue And departing this life at Lincolns-Inn in the Suburbs of London upon the fourteenth day of March in an 1628. was buried on the South-side of the Parish Church of Westbury commonly called Westâ—ury under the plain before-mention'd where he hath a noble Monument erected to his Memory with this Epitaph D. O. M. S. HIC in pace requiescunt ossa cineres D. Iacobi Ley Equestris ordinis viri Baronetti filii Henrici Ley de Tessont-Evias armigeri natu sexti Qui Iuvenis Iurisprudentiaestudiis mancipatus virtute meruit ut per omnes gradus ad summum togatae laudis fastigium ascendereâ— Regii in Hiberniâ Banci Iusticiarius sufficitur Capitalis Et in Angliam revocatus fit Pupillorum Procurator Regius Dein primarius in Tribunali regio Iusticiarius Quae munia postquam magnâ cum integritatis laude administrasset illum Iacobus Rex Baronis Ley de Ley suae familiae in agro Devon antiquâ sede titulo ornavit in sanctius adscivit Concilium summumque Angliae Thesaurarium constituit Et Rex Carolus Marlebrigi Comitis aâ—ctario honoravit Regiique Concilii instituit Praesidem Vxorem dâ—xit Mariam Filiam Ioâ—annis Pettey de Stoke-Talmage Oxon. Com. Ar. cujus corpus juxta ponitur Ex quâ numerosam prolem procreavit Henricum nunc Marlebrigi Comitem Iacobum Gulielmum Elizabetham Annam Mariam Dionysiam Margaretam Hest â—eram Martham Phaeben Quâ conjuge fato functâ Mariam despondit Gul. Bower equitis aurati viduam Post cujus obitum Ianâ— Domini Boteler filiae enupâ—it ex quibus nullam prolem suscepit Ita vir iste quem ad gravem prudentiam finxit natura doctrina excoluit publicis usque ad declivem aetatem magistratibus bene functis senio confectus animam de patriâ optimè meritam placidâ morte Deo reddidit Londini in Hospicio Lincoln sibi ante omnia dilectissimo Marti xiv R. S. MDCXXviii Heâ—ricus Marlebrigi Comes optimis parentibus hoc pro munere extremo Monumentum uberibus lacrimis consecravit Since which his judicious Collections containing the Reports of divers Cases in Law triedin the time of King Iames and some part of the reign of King Charles the first have been publisht an 1659. as also a Treatise of Wards and Liveries To him succeeded in his Titles of Honour Henry his eldest Son who married Mary Daughter to Sir Arthur Capel of Hadham in Com. Hertf. Knight by whom he had Issue Iames his only Son and Elizabeth a Daughter which died unmarried Which Iames being a person excellently skilled in Navigation and other points of Mathematical learning was made Lord Admiral of all his Majesties Ships at Dartmouth and the parts adjacent and imployed to the American-Plantations in an 1662. But in an 1665. commanding that huge Ship called the Old Iames in that great fight at Sea with the Dutch upon the third of Iune was there slain by a Cannon-bullet without Issue Whereupon William his Uncle became Heir to his Honours Which William married ... the Daughter of Sir William Hewet of ... in Com. ... Knight but by her hath no Issue Lord Roberts of Truro 22 Iac. THat Wealth hath oft times been the chiefest stâ—p to Honour though by various means acquired there are not many I am sure that will gainsay Whence it came to pass that Richard Roberts of Truro in Com. Cornub. Esq had the honour of Knighthood conâ—erred upon him at Whiteâ—Hall 11 Nov. an 1616. 14 Iac. Likewise upon the third of Iuly 19 Iac. the dignity of Baronet and upon the 26 th of Ian. 22 Iac. was advanced to the degree of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Roberts of Truro But not through his own seâ—king if that be true which was afterwards by the House of Commons in Parliament in an 1626. 2 Car. 1. charged against the Dake of Buckingham in the ninth Article which is that knowing him to be rich â—e forced him to take that title of Honour and that in consideration thereof he paid ten thousand pounds to that Dukes use This Richard married Frances the Daughter and Coheir to Iohn Hender of Botreaux-Castle in Com Cornub. Esq and left Issue by her Iohn his Son and Heir and two Daughters Mary married to William Rouse of Hatton in Com. Cornub. Esq and Iane to Charles Lord Lambert an Irish Baron Which Iohn succeeding his Father in this Honour was by King Charles the Second our present Soveraign made Lord Privy-Seal and one of his Majesties