Gospell He was a Zacheus for his Stature and with him tall in Piety and Charity He moved King Alfred to found or restore the University of Oxford on which account his memory is sacred to all posterity He died Anno Dom. 883. whose body was buried by one Barry his Scholar in Eynsebury since St. Neots in Huntington-shire and some say was afterwards removed to the Abby of Crouland Martyrs Of the forty four Martyrs in this Shire Three were most Remarkable 1. JOHN LAURENCE who at the Stake was permitted a Posture peculiar to himself For being so infeebled with long durance and hard usage that he could not stand he had a Chair allowed him and had the painfull ease to sit therein Nor must we forget how little Children being about the fire Câ—…ied unto him God strengthen you God strengthen you which was beheld as a product of his providence who out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings ordained Strength as also it evidenced their Pious Education To say Hosanna is as soon learnt by children as go up thou Bald head if it be as surely taught unto them 2. THOMAS HAWKES Gentleman first brought into trouble for refusing to Christen his Child after the Popish fashion This man going to the Stake promised his friends to give them some solemn token of the clearness and comfort of his Conscience In performance where of whilst his body was burning he raised up himself and though having the sence having no fear of the Fire joyfully clapp'd his hands over his head to the admiration of all the beholders 3. ROSE ALLIN a Virgin who being in her Calling fetching Beer for her Bedrid Mother was intercepted by Justice or rather un-justice Tyrrell who with a Candle most cruelly burnt her wrists which her Fire-proof patience most constantly endured What was said of the Roman scaevola when he burnt his hand before Porcenna is more appliable to this Maid Manum amisit sed Palmam retinuit Tyrrell did this meerly by the Law of his List otherwise no statute except written on the back-side of the book did authorize him for so Tyrannicall an act Some days after the fire which here took Livery and seisin of her hand brought her whole body into the possession thereof Confessors RICHARD GEORGE Labourer of West-Barfold is most eminent amongst the many Confessors in this Shire For he had successively three wives whereof two were burnt and the third imprisoned for Religion viz. 1. Agnes George burnt at Stratford-Bow June 27. 1556. 2. Christian George burnt at Colchester May 26. 1558. 3. ........... George imprisoned in Colchester and escap'd by Queen Maries death Novemb. 17. 1558. Some who consult the dates of his wives deaths will condemn him for over-speedy marriage and the appetite to a new wife is not comely before the grief for the former be well digested Such consider not that their glorious death in so good a cause was the subject rather of his joy then grief and that being necessitated for his children sake to marry he was carefull as it appears to marry in the Lord. Nor did he thrust his wives into the fire and shrink back from the flames himself who being imprisoned in Colchester had followed his two first and gone along with his last to the Stake had not Divine Providence by Queen Maries death prevented it Cardinalls THOMAS BOURCHIER was son to Sir William Bourchier who though but an English Knight was a French Earl of Ewe in Normandy Created by King Henry the fifth and had a great estate in this County with many Mansion-houses Hawsted being the place of their principall residence where I presume this Prelate was born He was bred in the University of Oxford whereof he was Chancellour 1454. Dean of Saint Martins then successively Bishop of Worcester Ely Arch-bishop of Caâ—…terbury and Cardinall by the title of Saint Cyriacus in the Baths A Prelate besides his high birth aforesaid and brotherhood to Henry Bourchier first Earl of Essex of that Surname remarkable on many accounts First for his vivacity being an old man and proportionably an older Bishop 1. Being consecrated Bishop of Worcester 1435. the fourteenth of Henry the sixth 2. Dying Arch-bishop of Canterbury 1486. the second of K. Henry the seventh Whereby it appeareth that he wore a Mitre full fifty one years a term not to be paralleld in any other person Secondly he saw strange revolutions in State the Civil-wars between Lancaster and York begun continued and concluded For though Bishop Morton had the happiness to make the match Arch-bishop Bourchier had the honour to marry King Henry the seventh to the Daughter of King Edward the fourth so that his hand first solemnly held that sweet posie wherein the White and Red Roses were tied together Thirdly for his wary compliance that he lost not himself in the labyrinth of such intricate times applying himself politiquely to the present predominant power However it may be said of him Praestitit hic Praesul nil tanto sanguine munere tempore dignum He left no monument to posterity proportionable what was an hundred pounds and a chest given to Cambridge to his great blood rich place and long continuance therein But this my Author imputeth unto the troublesomeness of the times seeing peace was no sooner setled and the land began to live but he died March 30. 1486. I know not what generous planet had then influence on the Court of Rome this I know that England never saw such a concurrence of noble Prelates who as they were Peers by their places were little less by their descent I behold their birth a good buttress of Episcopacy in that age able in Parliament to check and crush any Antiprelaticall project by their own relations But let us count how many were contemporaries with Thomas Bourchier from his first consecration at Worcester till the day of his death John Stafford son to the Earl of Stafford Arch-bishop of Canterbury Robert Fitz-Hugh Bishop of London Henry Beauford son to John Duke of Lancaster Bishop of Winchester William Gray son to the Lord Gray of Codnor Bishop of Ely Marmaduke Lumley extracted from the Lord Lumley Bishop of Lincoln Richard Beauchamp brother to the L. Saint Amand Bishop of Sarum Lionel Woodvile son to the Earl of Rivers Bishop of Sarum Peter Courtney extracted from the Earls of Devon Bishop of Exeter Richard Courtnee of the same extraction Bishop of Norwich John Zouch descended of the Lord Zouch Bishop of Landaffe George Novile brother to the Make-King Earl of Warwick Arch-bishop of York William Dudley son to the Lord Dudley Bishop of Durham William Piercy son to the Earl of Northumberland Bishop of Carlile But after the death of Bourchier I meet with but three Bishops of noble extraction viz. James Stanley Edmond Audley and Cardinall Pole However they were though of lower image of no less learning and religion Prelates RICHARD de BARKING took his name according to the Clergy-mens
hoc breve Teste meipso apud Clypston quinto die Marâ—…it An Regni nostri Nono In obedience to the Kings command this Sheriff vigorously prosecuted the design and made his Return accordingly on the same token that it thus began Nulla est Civitas in Comitat. Gloucest There is no City in the County of Gloucester Whence we collect that Gloucester in that age though the seat of a miâ—…red Abby had not the reputation of a City untill it was made an Episcopal See by K. Hen. 8. The like Letters were sent to all other Sheriffs in England and their Returns made into the Exchequer where it is a kind of Dooms-day-Book junior but commonly passeth under the name of Nomina Villarum I have by me a Transcript of so much as concerneth Gloucester-shire the reason why this Letter is here exemplified communicated unto me with other rarities advancing this Subject by my worthy Friend Mr. Smith of Nibley It must not be omitted that though the aforesaid Catalogue of Nomina Villarum was begun in this year and a considerable progresse made therein yet some unexpressed obstacles retarding it was not in all particulars completed until 20 years after as by this passage therein may be demonstrated Bertona Regis juxta Gloucester ibidem Hundâ—…idum Hundr Margarettae Reginae Angliae Now this Margaret Queen of England Daughter to Philip the Hardy King of France and second Wife to this King Edward the First was not married unto him until the 27 of her Husbands reign Anno 1299. Edw. III. 5 THO. BERKELEY de COBBERLEY He is commended in our Histories for his civil usage of K. Edw. 2. when pâ—…isoner at Berkeley Castle at this day one of the seats of that right ancient Famiiy And right ancient it is indeed they being descended from Robert Fitz-Harding derived from the Kings of Denmark as appeareth by an Inscription on the Colledge-Gate at Bristol Rex Henricus secundus Dominus Robertus filius Hardingi filii Regis Daciae hujus Monasterii primi Fundatores extiterunt This Robert was entirely beloved of this King by whose means his Son Maurice married the Daughter of the Lord of Berkeley whereby his posterity retained the name of Berkeley Many were their Mansions in this County amongst which Cobberley accrued unto them by matching with the Heir of Chandos Their services in the Holy War alluded unto by the Crosses in their Arms and may seem to be their Benefactions whereof in my Church History signified by the Mitre in their Crest Of this Family was descended William Lord Berkeley who was honoured by King Edward the fourth with the Title of Viscount Berkeley created by K. Rich. 3. Earle of Nottingham and in the right of his Wife Daughter of Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk Henry the sâ—…venth made him Marquess Berkeley and Marshal of England He died without Issue At this day there flourisheth many Noble stems sprung thereof though George Lord Berkeley Baron Berkeley Lord Mowbray Segrave Bruce be the top Branch of this Family One who hath been so signally bountiful in promoting these and all other my weak endeavours that I deserve to be dumb if ever I forget to return him publick thanks for the same 43. JOHN POINTS Remarkable the Antiquity of this Name and Family still continuing in Knightly degree in this County for I read in Dooms-day-Book Drugo filius Ponz tenet de Rege Frantone Ibi decem Hide Geldant de hoc Manerio And again Walterus filius Ponz tenet de Rege Lete Ibi decem Hide Geldant I behold them as the Ancestors of their Family till I shall be informed to the contrary though I confess they were not seated at Acton in this County until the days of King Edward the second when Sir Nicholas Points married the Daughter and Heir of Acton transmitting the same to his posterity Sheriffs Name Place Armes RICH. II.   Anno   1 Tho. Bradwell   2 Johan Tracy TodingtoÌ„ Or a scallop Sab. betw two Bends Gules 3 Radulph Waleys * Sodbury  4 Tho. Bradewell  * Azure 6. Mullets Or. 5 Joh. de Thorp mil.  Argent a Fess Nebule Sable betw 3. Trefoiles Gules 6 Tho. Fitz Nichol.   7 Radus Waleys ut prius  8 Tho. Berkeley Cobberley Gules a Cheveron betwixt ten Crosses formee Argent 9 Tho. Burgg †  10 Tho. Bradewell ut prius †Azure three flower de lys Ermine 11 Tho. Berkeley ut prins  12 Laur. Seabrooke   13 Tho Burgg ut prius  14 Maur. de Russell Derham Argent on a Chief Gules 3. Bezants 15 Hen. de la River   16 Joh. de Berkeley ut prius  17 Gilbertus Denis  Gules a Bend ingrailed Az. betw 3. Leopards heads Or â—…essant flower de lis of the 2d 18 Will. Tracy ut prius  19 Maur. Russel ut prius  20 Rob. Poyns Acton Barry of eight Or and Gul. 21 Johan Berkeley ut prius  22 Johan Bronings   HEN. IV.   Anno   1 Hen de la River   2 Maur. Russel ut prius  2 Rob Sommerville   3 Rob Whittington  Gules a Fess checkee Or and Argent 4 Wil. Beauchamp m   5 Idem   6 Johan Grendore  Per pale Or and Vert 12. guttees or drops counterchanged 7 Maur. Russel ut prius  8 Rob. Whittington ut prius  9 Rich. Mawrdin   10 Alex. Clivedon   11 Will. Wallwine  Gules a Bend within a Bâ—…rder Ermine 12 Joh. Grendore mil. ut prius  HEN. V.   Anno   1 Will. Beauchamp Powkes  2 Joh. Berkley mil. ut prius  3 Joh. Grevel Campden Or on a Cross engrailed within the like border Sab. ten Annulets of the First with a Mullet of five poynts in the Dexter Quarter 4 Idem ut prius  5 Will. Tracy ut prius  6 Will. Bishopeston   7 Joh. Brugg arm ut prius  8 Joh. Willecots   9 Idem   HEN. VI.   Anno   1 Joh. Panfote  Gules 3 Lions Rampant Arg. 2 Joh. Blacket mil.   3 Steph. Hatfild mil.   4 Joh. Grevil arm ut prius  5 Joh. Panfote ut prius  6 Guido Whittington ut prius  7 Rob. Andrew  Sab. a Saltire engrailed Ermin on a Chief Or 3. flower de lys of the First 8 Egidius Brigge *   9 Maur. Berkeley mil ut prius  10 Steph. Hatfield  * Arg. on a Cross Sab. a Leopards head Or. 11 Joh. Towerton   12 Cuido Whittington ut prius  13 Joh Panfote ut prius  4 Maur. Berkeley mil ut prius  15 Idem ut prius  16 Joh. Beauchamp m.   17 Will. Stafford Thornb Or a Cheveron Gules 18 Joh. Stourton mil.  Sable a Bend Or between 3.
this Doctor Cosen's Life out of which most of our aforesaid Character hath been excerped Writers WILLIAM SHIRWOOD was born in this Bishoprick being otherwise called William of Durham bred first in University Colledge in Oxford then in Paris and afterwards was made Chancellor of Lincoln In his time the University of Oxford was Interdicted for some affronts offered to the Popes Legate and had lain longer under that burden had not the hands of this William helped to remove it shewing therein no less his love to his Mother than his power with the Pope In that age the English Clergy did drive a great Trade of preferment in France King Henry the third having large Dominions therein and amongst the rest this William was advanced Arch Bishop of Roan where he died Anno Dom. 1249. JOHN of DARLINGTON was born in this Bishoprick at a Town so called needing no other Indication than the Rode passing thorow it into Scotland He was bred a Dominican and a great Clerk Mat. Paris giveth him this Testimony that he was one qui literatura pollebat exellenter consilio King Henry the third made him his Confessor which argueth his Piety that so devout a Prince used him in so consciencious an Office and afterwards he became Arch-Bishop of Dublin in Ireland on this occasion The Prior and Covent of Trinity Church chose William de la Corner the Kings Chaplain whilest the Dean and Chapter of Saint Patricks elected Fâ—…omund le Brun the Popes Chaplain into that See Hence ensued an hot and high contest and Pope John 21. unwilling to engage therein caâ—…ted both their Elections and pitched on our Darlington as a good expedient A person in whom King and Pope met in some equal proportion seeing he was as we have said Confessor to the one and to the other his Collector of Peter-pence as also to his two Successors Nicholas the third and Martin the fourth thorow all Ireland Many Books he wrote to Posterity and returning into England sickned died and was buried in Preaching Friers in London 1284. WILLIAM SIVEYER was born at Shinkley in this Bishoprick where his Father was a Siveyer or Sive-maker and I commend his humility in retaining his Fathers Trade for his Surname to mind him of his mean extraction He was bred in Merton Colledge whereof he became Warden and Provost of Eaton and afterward Bishop of Carlile 1496. whence five years after he was traâ—…lated to Durham His Sur-name so contemptible in English sounds â—…erially and Episcopally when latinized In which language he is rendred Gulielmus Severus severity well agreeing with the gravity of his Function He died Anno Dom 1505. All I will ad is this that England neither before nor since saw two â—…ieve-makers Sons at the same juncture of time advanced to so high dignity this William in the Church Sir Richard Empson in the Common wealth 〈◊〉 the Reformation THOMAS JACKSON born of a good Family in this County was designed to be a Merchant in New-Castle till his Parents were diverted by Ralph Lord 〈◊〉 and perswaded to make him a Scholar He was admitted first in Queens Colledge in Oxford and then became Candidate of a Fellowship in Corpus Christi knowing of the election but the day before he answered to admiration and was chosen by general consâ—…nt Soon after in all likelihood he lost his life being drowned in the River and taken out rather for desire of decent burial than with hope of any recovery He was wrap'd in the Cowns of hâ—…s fellow Students the best shrowd which present love and need could provide him and being brought home to the Colledge was revived by Gods blessing on the care of Doctor Chenil equally to all peoples joy and admiration His gratitude to the Fisher-men who took him up extended to a revenue unto them â—…u ring his life Thus thankful to the Instrument he was more to the Principal striving to repay his life to that God who gave it him He was afterwards Vicar of New Castle a Factor for Heaven in the place where he was designed a Merchant a Town full of men and opinions wherein he endeavoured to rectifie their Errors and unite their Affections At this distance was he chosen President of Corpus Christi Colledge never knowing of the vacancy of the place till by those Letters which informed him it was refilled with his electâ—…on Here he lived piously ruled peaceably wrote profoundly preached painfully His Charity had no fault if not of the largest size oftentimes making the Receiver richer than it left him that was the Donor thereof Learn the rest of his praise from the Learned Writer of his Life in whom nothing wanting save the exact place of his birth and date of his death which hapned about the year 1640. SAMUEL WARD was born at Bishops Middleham in this County his Father being a Gentleman of more Ancientry than Estate He was first Scholar of Christs then Fellow oâ—… Emanuel and afterwards Master of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge and Margareâ—… Professor therein for above twenty years Now because the Pen of a Pupil may probably be suspected of partiality of an Historian I will turn a Translator and only endeavour to English that Character which one who knew him as well as most men and could judge of him as well as any man doth bestow upon him Age perge Cathedram ornare quod facis sacram Subtilitate non levi rapidâ vagâ Sed Orthodoxa quam coronat veritas Et justa firmat soliditas patiens librae Antiquâ—… at is crypta tu penetras frequens Scholasticorum tu profundos vortices Te'nulla fallit nulla te scium latet Distinctionum tela rationum stropha Tam perspicacem mente judicio gravem Linguis peritum tamque nervosum stylo His addo genium temperatum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Placidum modestum lite rixosâ procul Go to go on deck as thou doest the Chaire With subtilty not light slight vage ás air But such as Truth doth crown and standing sure Solidly fix'd will weighing well endure Antiquities hid depths thou oft doest sound And School-mens whirl-pools which are so profound Distinctions threads none can so finely weave Or Reason wrench thy Knowledge to deceive None thy quick sight grave judgement can beguile So skill'd in Tongues so sinewy in style Add to all these that peaceful Soul of thine Meek modest which all brawlings doth decline He turned with the Times as a Rock riseth with the Tide and for his uncomplying there with was imprisoned in Saint Johns Colledge in Cambridge In a word he was counted a Puritan before these times and Popish in these times and yet being alwayes the same was a true Protestant at all times He died Anno 1643. and was the first man buried in Sidney Colledge Chappel Memorable Persons ANTHONY Lord GRAY and eighth Earl of Kent of that Surname Son of George Gray 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Salvam his Wife Son to Anthony
own drink afterwards SIMON LYNCH Son of William Lynch Gentleman was born at Groves in the Parish of 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1562 bred a Student in Queens Colledge in Cambridge and afterwards Bishop Aylmere his kinsman bestowed on him a small living then not worth above 40 〈◊〉 per 〈◊〉 at North Weale nigh Epping 〈◊〉 this County and â—…ly said unto him Play Cousin with this a while till a better comes But Mr. Lynch continued therein the first and last place of his Ministry sixty four years The Bishop â—…terwards 〈◊〉 him Brent-Wood Weale three times better 〈◊〉 North 〈◊〉 to whom Mr. Lynch to use his own words return'd this answer That he 〈◊〉 the weal of his 〈◊〉 souls before any other weal whatsoever He lived sixty one years in wedlock with Elizabeth eane his wife He was an excellent house keeper 〈◊〉 yet provided well for his ten children He was buryed at North-Wale Annò 〈◊〉 1656 Lord Mayors Name 〈◊〉 Place Company Time 1 William Edwards William Edwards Hoton Grocer 1471 2 Robert Basset Robert Basset Billenkei Salter 1475 3 Iohn Shaa Iohn Shaa Rochford Goldsmith 1501 4 Laurence Aylmer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Draper 1507 5 William Baily Iohn 〈◊〉 Thackstead Draper 1524 6 〈◊〉 Allen Richard 〈◊〉 Thackstead Mercer 1525 7 Richard Martin Thomas Martin Saffron Walden Goldsmith 1593 8 Thomas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Skinner Walden Clothworker 1596 9 〈◊〉 Dean George Deane MuchdunMowe Skinner 1628 The Names of the Gentry of this County Returned by the Commissioners in the 〈◊〉 year of King Henry the sixth 1433. Ralph Bishop of London or his 〈◊〉 generall the Bishop being absent beyond the 〈◊〉 Commissioners to take the 〈◊〉 Iohn Earl of Oxford Henry 〈◊〉 Chivaler Knights for the Shire Iohn Tyrill Chivaler Knights for the Shire Ioh. Mongom chiv Nich. Thorle chiv 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chiv Edm. Benst chiv Ioh. Fitz-Sim chiv Will. Golingh chiv Ludov. Ioh. ar Ioh 〈◊〉 ar Rob. Darey ar Tho. 〈◊〉 ar Edvar Torell ar Will. 〈◊〉 ar Tho. Rolf. Ioh. Teye arm Tho. Knevet ar Hen. Langley ar Georgii Langham ar Ricardi Fox ar Ioh. Helyon ar Tho. Batyll ar Tho. Henenyngh ar Ioh. Godmanston ar Rob. Hunte ar Ioh. Leventhorp jun. arm Tho. Barington ar Tho. Pynthon ar Tho. Pykenham ar Galf. Robell ar Hen. Chaterâ—…on ar Tho. Storkedale ar Will. Senklere ar Ioh. Godeston ar Rogeri Spyce ar Tho. Bendysh ar Hug. Nayllingh ar Tho. Rigedon Ricardi Priour Ioh. Green Ioh. Basset Rogeri Deyncourt Ioh. Poynes Ioh. Santon Ioh Malton Tho. Basset Ioh. Walchif Edm. Prest on Rob. Sudbury Ioh. Baryngton Wâ—…ll Ardale Nich. Mortimer Hen. Aleyn Rob. Weston Ioh. Chamber Tho. Chittern Will. Aleyn Ioh. Beche Rob. Priâ—…ur Ballivi Burgi Colcesteri Rich. Beamond Will. Gorge Balivi Burgi de Maldon Rob. Simond de Hatfield Tho. Hardekyn Tho. Mullyng Ioh. Gale de Farnham Ioh. Stodehawe Tho. Aldres Egidii Lucas Ioh. Stanford Rob. Wade Tho. Blosme Will. Gaâ—…ton Rob. Wright de Thurrok Ioh. Barowe Rob. Brook de Dedham Ioh. Stephâ—…nede de Elmestede Tho. Andrew Rich. Dykeleygh Will. Cony Ioh. Rouchestre Ioh. Marlere Rob. de Bury Tho. Stanes Ioh. à Benham de Witham Rich. Jocep Ioh. Berdefeld Tho. Brentys Tho. Selers Ioh. Boreham Rob. Seburgh Hen. Maldon Ioh. Caweston Th. Mars de Dunmow Ioh. Hereward de Thapstede Ioh. Fil. Will. Atte Fan de eadem Reg. Bienge de eadem Walt. Goodmay Will. Spaldyng Hug. Dorsete Rich. Atte More Radul Bonyngdon Tho. Barete Radul de Uphavering Ioh. Gobyon Will. Scargoyll Ioh. Shyunyng VVill. Higham Ioh. Riche Ioh. Veyle senioris Ioh. Hicheman Edm. Botere Ioh. VVestle VVill. Admond Ioh. Campion Rich. Sewale VValt Tybenham Ioh. Marshant de Peldon Rich. Eylotte Ioh. Baderok Ioh. VVayte de Branketre Ioh. Parke de Gestmyngthorp Will. Manwode Hen. Hoberd Rog. Passelewe Will. Atte Cherche Will. Reynold Ioh. Sailler Rich. Billingburgh Allani Bushe Ioh. Wormele Ioh. Glyne Rob. Ferthyng Mart. Stainer Rob. Beterythe Rob. Smyth de Waltham Observations Some part of this County lyeth so near London that the sound of Bow-bell befriended with tâ—…e wind may be heard into it A Bell that ringeth the Funerall Knell to the ancient Gentry who are more healthfull and longer-liv'd in Counties at greater distance from the City R. Bishop of London being absent beyond the Seas was Robert Fitz-Hugh who was twice sent Embassadour into Germany and once unto the Pope John Earl of Oxford was John de Vere second of that name and eleventh Earl of Oxford beheaded afterwards Anno 1462. in the fifth of King Edward the fourth for his Loyalty to the House of Lancaster HENRY BOURCHIER Here additioned Chivaler appears by all proportion of time and place the self same person who marryed Elizabeth sister to â—…ichard Plantaganet Duke of York and who by his Nephew King Edward the fourth was created Earl of Essex He dyed an aged person 1483 I conceive that his Father William Lord Bourchier Earl of Ewe in Normandy was living when this Henry Bourchier was chosen Knight for the shire a place usually conferred on the Eldest Sons of Peers in the life-time of their Fathers JOHN TEâ—…RYLL Chivaler Was chief of that family rich andnumerous in this County of exemplary note and principall regard Great Thorndon was the place of their sepulture where their Monuments to the Church both ruinous This name if still alive lies gasping in this County but continuing healthâ—…ull in Buchingham shire JOHN MOUNTGOMERY Chivaler I find him Supervisor to the Will of Sir Robert Darcy Anno 1469. and conceive that Surname since utterly extinct MAURICE BRUYN Chivaler He had his seat at South-Okenton From the two heirs generall of this family often married Charles Branden Duke of Suffolk the Tirells Berners Harlestons Heveninghams and others are descended A branch of the Heir-male removed into Hant-shire since into Dorset-shire where they subsist in a right Worshipfull equipage WILLIAM GOLDINGHAM Chivaler Though the great tree be blasted a small sprig thereof still sprouteth in this County JOHN DOREWARD Esq. He lived at Bocking-Doreward in this County and was Patron of the rich Parsonage therein which no ingenious person will envy to the worthy Incumbent Doctor John Gauden This John Doreward lieth buried in the Church with this inscription Hic jacet Johannes Doreward Armiger qui obiit xxx die Januar. Anno Domini Mil. cccc lxv Blancha uxor ejus quae obiit ... die Mens ... Anno Dom. Mil. cccc lx quorum animabus propitietur Deus Amen Claviger Aethereus nobis sit janitor almus ROBERT DARCY Ar. An ancient name in this County having Danbury whilst living for their residence and the Church in Maldon when dead for their Sepulture where there be many of their shamefully defaced Monuments This Robert Darcy afterwards Knighted by his Will made the fifth of October 1469. bequeathed his body to be buried in Alhallows-church in Maldon before the Alter where his father lyed in a Tombe of Marble He willed that forty marks should be disposed for Two thousand Masses four pâ—…nce a Masse to be said
given to their stipend by William Cecil Lord Treasurer but it seems that since some Intervening accident hath hindered it from taking the true effect JANE CECIL Wife to Richard Cecil Esquire and co-heire to the worshipfull Families of Ekington and Wallcot was born in this County and lived the maine of her life therein Job speaking of parents deceased His Sons saith he come to honour and he knoweth it not but God gave this good woman so long a life abating but little of an hundred years that she knew the preferment of her Son William â—…ecil for many years in her life Lord Treasurer of England I say she knew it and saw it and joyed at it and was thankfull to God for it for well may we conclude her gratitude to God from her Charity to man At her own charges Anno 1561. She Leded and Paved the Friday Market Cross in Stamford Besides fifty pound given to the Poor and many other Benefactions Her last Will was made Anno Dom. 1588. But she survived some time after and lies buried in the same Vault with her Son in St. Martins in Stamford GEORGE TRIGG Gentleman was as I collect a Native of this County he gave Anno Dom. 1586 four hundred pounds to be lent out for ever upon good security without Interest to Poor young Trads-men and Artificers in Stamford He also bestowed a Tenement upon the Parson and Poor of St. Johns in the same Town RICHARD SUTTON Esquire was born at Knaith in this County bred a Souldier in his Youth and was somwhat of Pay-Master by his place much mony therefore passing through some did lawfully stick on his fingers which became the bottom of his future Estate He was afterward a Merchant in London and gained great Wealth therein Such who charge him with Purblindness in his soul looking too close on the earth do themselves acquit him from Oppression that though Tenax he was not Rapax not Guilty of Covetousness but Parcimony Indeed there was a Merchant his Comrage whose name I will Conceal except the great Estate he left doth discover it with whom he had Company in Common but their Charges were severall to themselves when his friend in Travell called for two Faggots Mr. Sutton called for one when his friend for half a pint of Wine Mr. Sutton for a Gill under-spending him a Moity at last Mr. Sutton hearing of his friends death and that he left but fifty thousand pounds Estate I thought said â—…e he would dye no Rich man who made such needless expences Indeed Mr. Suttons Estate doubled his and he bestowed it all on Charter-House or Suttons Hospitall This is the Master-peice of Protestant English Charity designed in his life Compleated after his death Begun Continued and finished with Buildings and Endowments Sinâ—… Causa Socia soly at his Charges Wherein Mr. Sutton appears peerless in all Christendom on an equall Standart and Valuation of Revenue As for the Canker of Popish Malice endeavouring to fret this fair Flower we have returned plentifull Answers to their Cavells in our Ecclesiasticall History Mr. Sutton died Anno Dom. 1611. ROBERT JOHNSON was born at Stamford whereof Maurice his Father had been chiefe Magistrate He was bred in Cambridge and entring into the Ministry he was beneficed at Luffenham in Rutland at what time that little County was at a great losse for the education of the Children therein and Mr. Johnson endeavoured a remedy thereof He had a rare faculty in requesting of others into his own desire and with his arguments could surprise a Miser into charity He effectually moved those of the Vicinage to contribute to the building and endowing of Schools Money or Money worth Stones Timber Carriage c. not flighting the smalest guift especially if proportionable to the Givers Estate Hereby finding none he left as many Free Schools in Rutland as there were Market Towns therein One at Oakeham another at Uppingham well faced with buildings and lined with endowments Hitherto he was only a Nurse to the Charity of others erecting the Schools aforesaid as my Author observeth who afterwards proved a fruitful parent in his own person becoming a considerable Benefactor to Emanuel and Sidney Colledges in Cambridge And though never dignified higher then Archdeacon of Leicester he left an Estate of one thousand pounds per Annum which descended to his posterity He dyed about the year of our Lord 1616. FRANCES WRAY Daughter to Sir Chichester Wray Lord chief Justice was born at Glentworth in this County and married first unto Sir George St. Paul of this County and afterwards to Robert Rich first Earl of Warwick of that Sirname She was a Pious Lady much devoted to charitable actions though I am not perfectly instructed in the particulars of her Benefactions Only I am sure Magdalen Colledge in Cambridge hath tasted largely of her Liberality who dyed in the beginning of the Reign of King Charles Memorable Persons JAMES YORKE a Blacksmith of Lincolne and an excellent Workman in his Profession Insomuch that if Pegasus himself would wear shoes this man alone is fit to make them contriving them so thin and light as that they would be no burthen to him But he is a Servant as well of Apollo as Vulcan turning his Stiddy into a Study having lately set forth a Book of Heraldry called the Union of Honour containing the Arms of the English Nobility and the Gentry of Lincolne-shire And although there be some mistakes no hand so steady as alwayes to hit the Nail on the head yet is it of singular use and industriously performed being set forth Anno 1640. Lord Maiors  Name Father Place Company Time 1 John Stockton Richard Stockton Bratoft Mercer 1470. 2 Nicholas Aldwin Richard Aldwin Spalding Mercer 1499. 3 William Rennington Robert Rennington Bostone Fishmonger 1500. 4 William Forman William Forman Gainsborough Haberdasher 1538. 5 Henry Hoberthorn Christ. Hoberthorn Waddingworth Merchant-Tay 1546. 6 Henry Amcoates William Amcoates Astrap Fishmonger 1548. 7 John Langley Robert Langley Althrope Goldsmith 1576. 8 Iohn Allot Richard Allot Limbergh Fishmonger 1590. 9 Nicholas Raynton Robert Raynton Highington Haberdasher 1632. The Names of the Gentrie of this County returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the sixth William Bishop of Lincoln Commissioners Lion de Welles Chivaler  Thomas Meres Knights of the Shire  Patricius Skipwith Knights of the Shire  Johannis Willoughby militis Roberti Ros militis Humfridi Littelbery armig Phillippi Tilney armigeri Johannis Copuldik armig Richardi Laund armigeri Willielmi Braunche armig Richardi Pynchebek Richardi Welby Richardi Benynington Willielmi Goding de Boston Gilberti Haltoft Will. Hughbert de Doning VVill. Quadring de Tofte Iohan. Pawlyn de Frampton VVill. VValcote de Spaldyng Thom. Overton de Swynshed Hug. Dandison de VVrangle Roberti Hughson de Boston Rich. Whiteb. de Gosberkirk Ioh. Docking de VVhaploade Will. Calowe de Holbetch Will. â—…awode de Whaploade Nich. Gyomer de
him renow'd throughout the Christian world Yet such the bafeness and ingratitude of the French that concluding a Peace with O. C. the Usurper of England they wholy forgot his former services and consented to the expulsion of this Prince and his royal brothers out of that Kingdome 〈◊〉 valour cannot long lye neglected soon was he courted by Don John de Austria into Flanders where in the action at Dunkirk he far surpassed his former deeds often forgetting that he was a Prince to shew himself a true souldier such his hazarding his person really worth ten thousand of them to the great molestation of his true friends Since God out of his infinite love to the English hath safely returned this Duke to his native Country where that he may long live to be the joy and delight of the whole Nation I shall constantly beg of God in my daily devotions ELIZABETH second daughter of King Charles the first and Queen Mary was born at Saint James's Anno 1635. on the 28. day of December She proved a Lady of parts above her age the quickness of her mind making recompence for the weakness of her body For the remainder of her life I will my hold peace and listen to my good friend Master John Buroughs thus expressing himself in a letter unto me The Princess Elizabeth with her Brother Henry Duke of Glocester being by order of parliament to be removed to Carisbroke-castle in the Isle of Wight where his Most Excellent Maiesty was lately a Prisoner were accordingly received by Mr. Anthony Mild may from the Earl and Countess of Leceister at Penshurst in Kent and began their unwilling journey on Friday 9. of August 1650. On the 16. of the same Month they were first lodged in Carisbroke-castle aforesaid The Princess being of a melancholy temper as affected above her age with the sad condition of her Family fell sick about the beginning of September following and continuâ—… 〈◊〉 for three or four days having onely the Advise of Doctor Bignall a worthy and able 〈◊〉 of Newport After very many rare ejaculatory expressions abundantly demonstrating her unparalelled Piety to the eternal honour of her own memory and the astonishment of those who waited on her she took leave of the world on Sunday the eighth of the same September Her body being embalmed was carefully disposed of in a Coffin of Lead and on the four 〈◊〉 twentieth of the said Month was brought in a Borrowed Coach from the Castle to the Town of Newport attended thither with her few late Servants At the end of the 〈◊〉 the Corps were met and waited on by the Mayor and Aldermen thereof in their formalities to the Church where about the middle of the East part of the Chancel in Saint Thomas 〈◊〉 Chappel her Highness was interr'd in a small Vault purposely made with an Inscription of the date of her death engraved on her Coffin The 〈◊〉 of Norway where a Winters day is hardly an hour of clear light are the 〈◊〉 of wing of any Foul under the firmament nature teaching them to bestir themselves to lengthen the shortness of the time with their swiftness Such the active piety of this Lady improving the little life alloted her in running the way of Gods Commandeâ—… 〈◊〉 third daughter to King Charles the first and Queen Mary was born at 〈◊〉 James's March 17. Anno Domini 1637. She was a very pregnant Lady above 〈◊〉 and died in her infancy when not full four years old Being minded by those 〈◊〉 her to call upon God even when the pangs of death were upon her I am not able saith she to say my long prayer meaning the Lords-prayer but I will say my short one Lighten mine eyes O Lord lest I sleep the sleep of death this done the little lamb gave up the ghost KATHARINE fourth daughter to King Charles the first and Queen Mary was born at White hall the Queen-Mother then being at Saint James's and survived not above half an hour after her baptizing So that it is charity to mention her whose memory is likely to be lost so short her continuance in this life The rather because her name is not entred as it ought into the Register of Saint Martins in the fields as indeed none of the Kings children save Prince Charles though they were born in that Parish And hereupon a story depends I am credibly informed that at the birth of every child of the King born at Whitehall or Saint James's full five pounds were ever faithfully paid to some unfaithful receivers thereof to record the names of such children in the Register of Saint Martins But the money being embâ—…iled we know by some God knows by whom no memorial is entred of them Sad that bounty should betray any to such baseness and that which was intended to make them the more solemnly remembred should occasion that they should be more silently forgotten Say not let the children of mean persons be written down in Registers Kings children are Registers to themselves or all England is a Register to them For sure I am this common confidence hath been the cause that we have been so often at a loss about the nativities and other properties of those of Royal extraction CHARLES STUART son to the Illustrious James Stuart Duke of York by Anne daughter to the Right Honourable Edward Hide Earl of Clarendon and Lord Chancellour of England and Frances his Lady descended of the Ancient Family of the Aylesburies High-sheriffs for many years together of Bedford and Buckinghamshire in the reign of King Edward the second and third was born at Worcester-house 22. day of October 1660. and christened by the Right Reverend Father in God Gilbert L. Bishop of London his Majesty and George Duke of Albemarle being his God-fathers and Mary the Queen-mother his God-mother He was declared Duke of Cambridge a title which to the great honour of that University for these four hundred years hath been onely conferred either on forraign Princes or persons of the Royal Bloud This Princely infant dyed May 5. 1661. Saints Saint WULSY being a man reputed when living and reported when dead of great vertue and innocency Was by Saint Dunstan created the first Abbot of Westminster where he lived many years very exemplary for his conversation untill his death which happened Anno Dom. 960. Then was his body buried in the same Monastery and the 26. day of September was kept by the Citizens of London with great Veneration of his miracle-working memory Martyrs I meet with none in this City and in my mean Judgment it is most observable that London having two Pages as I may term them attending it viz. Westminster and Southwark both joyned to it in buildings should be so different from it in condition in London we have no room to hold Martyrs in the other two no Martyrs to take up any room Inquiring the cause thereof we find these three places though contiguous not to say
then would appear in publick to converse with his Friends whereof Dr. Cowel and Mr. Camden were principal Some tax him to smack of the Old Cask as resenting of the Romish Religion but they have a quicker Palatâ—…than than I who can make any such discovery In his old Age he turn'd Husbandman and Rented a Farm in Wiltshire nigh the Devises I can give no account how he thrived thereupon For though he was well vers'd in Virgil his fellow Husbandman-Poet yet there is more required to make a rich Farmer than only to say his Georgicks by heart and I question whether his Itaâ—…ian will fit our English Husbandry Besides I suspect that Mr. Daniel his fancy was too fine and sublimated to be wrought down to his private profit However he had neither a Bank of wealth or lank of want living in a competent condition By Justina his wife he had no child and I am unsatisfied both in the Place and Time of death but collect the latter to be about the end of the reign of King James HUMPHRY SIDENHAM was born at Dalverton in this County of a most Ancient and Worshipful Family bred Fellow of Wadham Colledge so Eloquent a Preacher that he was commonly called Silver-tongued Sidenham But let his own printed Sermons and especially that called the Athenian Babler set forth his deserved praise who died since our Civil distempers about the year 1650. Romish-exile Writers JOHN GIBBON was undoubtedly born in this County though herein Pitts presents us with an untoward and left-handed direction Patrica Somersetensis Diocesis Wintoniensis Now either Wâ—…nchester is imprinted for Wells or he was born in this County in some peculiar belonging to Winchester which See hath large revenues about Taunton Leaving the Land for his Religion Pope Gregory XIII collated on him a Canons place in the Church of Bonn. This he soon quitted and became Rector of the Jesuits Colledge in Triers he wrote a Book against G. Schon Professor at Heydelberge in vindication that the Pope was not Antichrist Being indisposed in health his hearing of the defeat of the Spanish Armado was no cordial unto him and died Anno 1589. ROBERT PERSON was born in this County bred in Baliol-Colledge in Oxford till for his viciousness he was expelled thence with disgrace Running to Rome and there finishing the course of his studies he with Campian were the first brace of English Jesuits who returned hither 1589 to preserve this Nation Two years after he escaped hence and got beyond the Seas One of a troublesome spirit wherewith some moderate Romanists were so offended that during his abode here they once resolved to resign him up to the Queens Officers He had an ill natured Wit biassed to Satyricalnesse A great States-man and it was not the least part of his policy to provide for his own safety who would look on direct give ground abet on other mens hands but never plaid so as to adventure himself into England He wrote a shrewd Book of the Succession to the English-crown setting it forth under the false name of Dolman a dulsecular Priest guilty of little Learning and less policy dedicating the same to the Earl of Essex He had an authoritative influence on all English Catholicks nothing of importance being agitated by them but Person had a finger hand arm therein He was for 23 years Rector of the Colledge at Rome where he died Anno Dom. 1610. JOHN FEN was born at Montacute in this County bred in New-Colledge in Oxford where he proceeded Bachelour in Laws continuing there till Anno Dom. 1562 for his Popish activity he was ejected by the Queens Commissioners Then for a time he lived Schoolmaster at St. Edmunds-bury till outed there on the same account Hence he fled over into Flâ—…nders thence into Italy whence returning at last he was fixed at Lovain He wrote many and translated more Books living to finish his Jubile or Fiftieth year oâ—… exile beyond the Seas where he died about the years of our Lord 1613. Let me add that this John Fen mindeth me of another of the same surname and as violent on conâ—…rary principles viz. Humphrey Fen a non-conformist Minister living about Coventry who in the preface to his last Will Made such a Protestation against the Hierarchy and Ceremonies that when his Will was brought to be proved the Preface would not be suffered to be put amongst the Records of the Court as which indeed was no Limb but a Wen of his Testament JOHN COLLINGTON was born in this County bred in Lincoln-Colledge in Oxford Going beyond the Seas and there made Priest he returned into England and with Campian was taken cast into the Tower of London and condemned but afterwards reprieved enlarged and sent beyond the Seas Hence he returned and for 30 years together zelously advanced his own Religion being Assistant to the two Arch-Priests and he himself supplied the Place in the vacancy betwixt them He could not but be a very aged Man who though in restraint was alive 1611. Benefactors to the Publik The Lady MOHUN Reader know I can surround the Christian Names of her neâ—…rest Relations Her Husband was John the last Lord Mohun of Dunstor Her eldest daughter Philip married to Edward Duke of York her second Elizabeth to William Montacute Earl of Salisbury her youngest Maud matcht to the Lord Strange of Knockyn buâ—… her own Christian Name I cannot recover However she hath left a worthy memory behind her chiefly on this account that she obteined from her Husband so much good ground for the Commons of the Town of Dunstor as she could in one day believe it a Summer one for her ease and advantage compasse about going on her naked feet Surely no Ingenious Scholar beheld her in that her charitable perambulation but in effect vented his wishes in the Poets expression Ah! tibi nè teneras tellus secet aspera plantas The certain date of her death is unknown which by proportion is conjectured in the reign of King Henry the Fifth Since the Reformation NICHOLAS WADHAM of Merrifield in this County Esq. had great length in his extraction breadth in his Estate and depth in his liberality His Hospital house was an Inn at all times a Court at Cristmas He married Dorothy daughter to the Secretary sister to the first Lord Peters Absolom having no children reared up for himself a Pillar to perpetuate his name This Worthy pair being Issueless erected that which hath doth and will afford many Pillars to Church and State the uniform and regular nothing defective or superfluous therein Colledge of Wadham in Oxford Had this worthy Esquire being a great Patron of Church-Livings annexed some Benefices thereunto which may be presumed rather forgotten than neglected by him it had for compleatenesse of Fabrick and endowment equalled any English Foundation If he was which some suggest a Romanist in his Judgement his charity is the more commendable to build
the Baron of Kendal 〈◊〉 his singular deserts â—…oth in Peace and War This was that Richard 〈◊〉 who sâ—…w the wild Bore that raging in the Mountains 〈◊〉 as sometimes that of Erimanthus much indamaged the Country people whence it is that the Gilpins in their Coat Armes give the Bore I confess the story of this Westmerland-Hercules soundeth something Romanza like However I believe it partly because so reverend a pen hath recorded it and because the people in these parts need not feigne foes in the fancy Bears Bores and Wild beasts who in that age had real enemies the neighbouring Scots to encounter Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 Cuthbert Buckle Christopher Buckle Bourgh Vintner 1593 Sheriffs I find two or three Links but no continued chain os Sheriffs in this County untill the 10. of K. John who bestowed the Baily-week and Revenues of this County upon Robert Lord Vipont ROBERT de VIPONT the last of that Family about the raign of K. Edward the first left two daughters 1. Sibel married to Roger Lord Clifford 2. Idonea the first and last I meet with of that Christian-name though proper enough for women who are to be meet helps to their husbands married to Roger de Leburn Now because honor nescit dividi Honour cannot be divided betwixt Co-heirs and because in such cases it is in the Power and Pleasure of the King to assign it entire to which he pleased the King Conferred the Hereditary Sheriffalty of this County on the Lord Clifford who had Married the Eldest Sister Iâ—… hath ever since continued in that honorable family I find Elizabeth the Widdow of Thomas Lord Clifford probably in the Minority of her son Sheriffess as I may say in the sixteenth of Richard the second till the last of K. Henry the fourth Yet was it fashionable for these Lords to depute and present the most Principal Gentry of this Shire their Sub-Vicecomites Under-sheriffs in their Right to order the affairs of that County I find Sir Thomas Parr Sir William Parr Ancestors to Q. Katherin Parr as also Knights of the Families of the Bellingams Musgraves c. discharging that office so high ran the Credit and Reputation thereof Henry Lord Clifford was by K. Henry the eight Anno 1525. Created Earl of Cumberland and when Henry the fift Earl of that family died lately without Issue male the Honour of this Hereditary Sheriffalty with large Revenues Reverted unto Anne the sole daughter of George Clifford third Earl of Cumberland the Relict of Richard Earl of Dorset and since of Phillip Earl of Pembroke and Mountgomery by whom she had two daughters the Elder married to the Earl of Thanet and the younger married to James Earl of Northampton The Farewell Reader I must confess my self sorry and ashamed that I cannot do more right to the Natives of this County so far distanced North that I never had yet the opportunity to behold it O that I had but received some intelligence from my worthy friend Doctor Thomas Barlow Provost of Queens-colledge in Oxford who for his Religion and Learning is an especiall ornament of Westmerland But Time Tide and a PrintersPress are three unmannerly things that will stay for no man and therefore I request that my defective indeavours may be well accepted I learn out of Master Camden that in the River Cann in this County there be two Catadupae or Waterfalls whereof the Northern sounding Clear and Loud foretokeneth Fair Weather the Southern on the same Terms presageth Rain Now I wish that the former of thesemay be Vocall in Hay-time and Harvest the latter after Great Drought that so both of them may make welcome Musick to the Inhabitants VVILT-SHIRE WILT-SHIRE hath Gloucester-shire on the North Berk-shire and Hampshire on the East Dorset-shire on the South and Summerset-shire on the West From North to South it extendeth 39. Miles but abateth ten of that Number in the breadth thereof A pleasant County and of great Variety I have heard a Wise man say that an Oxe left to himself would of all England choose to live in the North a Sheep in the South part hereof and a Man in the Middle betwixt both as partaking of the pleasure of the plain and the wealth of the deep Country Nor is it unworthy the observing that of all Inland Shires no ways bordered on Salt-water this gathereth the most in the Circumference thereof as may appear by comparing them being in compass one Hundred Thirty and Nine Miles It is plentifull in all English especially in the ensuing Commodities Naturall Commodities Wooll The often repetition hereof though I confess against our rules premised may justly be excused Well might the French Embassadour return France France France reiterated to every petty title of the King of Spain And our English Wooll Wooll c. may counterpoize the numerous but inconsiderable Commodities of other Countries I confess a Lock thereof is most contemptible Non flocci te facio passing for an expression of the highest neglect but a quantity thereof quickly amounteth to a good valuation The Manufactures Clothing This Mystery is vigorously pursued in this County and I am informed that as MEDLEYS are most made in other Shires as good WHITES as any are woven in this County This mentioning of Whites to be vended beyond the Seas minds me of a memorable contest in the raign of King James betwixt the Merchants of London and Sir William Cockain once Lord Mayor of that City and as Prudent a Person as any in that Corporation He ably moved and vigorously prosecuted the design that all the Cloth which was made might be died in England alledging that the wealth of a Country consisteth in driving on the Naturall Commodities thereof through all Manufactures to the utmost as far as it can go or will be drawn And by the Dying of all English cloth in England Thousands of poor People would be imployed and thereby get a comfortable subsistence The Merchants returned that such home-dying of our cloth would prove prejudiciall to the sale thereof Forreigners being more expert then we are in the mysterie of fixing of Colours Besides they can afford them far cheaper then we can much of dyingstuff growing in their Countries and Forraigners bear a great affâ—…ction to White or Virgin cloth unwilling to have their Fancies prevented by the Dying thereof insomuch that they would like it better though done worse if done by themselves That Sir William Cockain had got a vast deal of Dying-stuff into his own possession and did drive on his own interest under the pretence of the Publick good These their Arguments were seconded with good store of good Gold on both sides till the Merchants prevailed at last A Shole of Herrings is able to beat the Whale it self and Clothing left in the same condition it was before Tobacco pipes The best for shape and colour as curiously sized are made at Amesbury in this County They may be
not know and dare not too curiously inquire left I turn their mirth among themselves into anger against me Sure it is seated in a fruitful soyl and cheap Country and where good chear and company are the Premisses mirth in common consequence will be the Conclusion Which if it doth not trespass in time cause and measure Heraclitus the sad Philosopher may perchance condemn but Saint Hilary the good Father will surely allow Princes HENRY youngest son to William Duke of Normandy but eldest to King William the Conquerour by whom he was begotten after he was Crowned King on which politick 〈◊〉 he claim'd and gain'd the Crown from Duke Robert his eldest brother was Anno Dom. 1070. born at Selbey in this County If any ask what made his Mother travail so far North from London know it was to enjoy Her Husbands company who to prevent insurrections and settle peace resided many months in these parts besides his peculiar affection to Selby where after he founded a MitredAbby This Henry was bred say some in Paris say others in Cambridge and I may safely say in both wherein he so profited that he attained the Surname of Beauclerke His learning may be presumed a great advantage to his long and prosperous raign for thirty five years and upwards wherein he remitted the Norman rigour and restored to His subjects a great part of the English Laws and Liberties Indeed his princely vertues being profitable to all did with their lustre so dazle the eyes of his subjects that they did not see his personall vices as chiefly prejudicial to himself For he was very wanton as appeareth by his numerous natural issue no fewer then fourteen all by him publickly owned the males highly advanced the females richly married which is justly reported to his praise it being lust to beget but love to bestow them His sobriery otherwise was admirable whose temperance was of proof against any meat objected to his appetite Lampreys alone excepted on a surfeit whereof he died Anno Domini 1135. He had onely two children William dying before and Maud surviving him both born in Normandy and therefore omitted in our Catalogue THOMAS Fifth son of King Edward the first and the first that he had by Margaret his second Wife was born at and surnamed from Brotherton a small Village in this County June 1. Anno Dom. 1300. He was created Earl of Norfolke and Earl Marshall of England He left no male-issue but from his females the Mowbrays Dukes of Norfolke and from them the Earls of Arundel and Lords Berkeley are descended RICHARD PLANTAGENET Duke of York commonly is called Richard of Conisborrow from the Castle in this Shire of his nativity The Reader will not grudge him a place amongst our Princes if considering him fixed in his Generation betwixt an Antiperistasis of Royal extraction being Son to a Son of a King Father to the Father of a King Edmund of Langley Duke of York Richard Duke of York Fifth son to K. Edward 3. Father to King Edward 4. Besides he had married Anne Daughter and sole Heir to Edward Mortimer the true Inheritrix of the Crown But tampering too soon and too openly to derive the Crown in his Wives right to himself by practising the death of the present King he was taken and beheaded for treason in the raign of K. Henry the fifth EDWARD sole son to King Richard the third and Anne his Queen was born in the Castle of Midleham near Richmond in this County and was by his father created Prince of Wales A Prince who himself was a child of as much hopes as his Father a man of hatred But he consumed away of a suddain dying within a month of his Mother King Richard little lamenting the loss of either and presently projecting to repair himself by a new Marriage The untimely death of this Prince in respect of the terme to which by Naturall possibility he might have attained in his innocent age is generally beheld as a punishment on him for the faults of his Father The Tongue foreswears the Ears are cut off the Hand steals the Feet are stocked and that justly because both consisting of the same body And because Proles est pars parentis it is agreeable with divine justice to inflict on Children temporal judgements for defaults of their Parents Yet this judgment was a mercy to this Prince that he might not behold the miserable end of his Father Let me adde and a mercy also to all England For had he survived to a mans estate he might possibly have proved a wall of partition to hinder the happy union of the two houses of York and Lancaster Saints HILDA was daughter unto Prince Hererick nephew to Edwin King of Northumberland and may justly be counted our English Huldah not so much for sameness of sex and name-sounding similitude as more concerning conformities Huldah lived in a Colledge Hilda in a Convent at Strenshalt in this County Huldah was the Oracle of those times as Hilda of her age being a kind of a Moderatresse in a Saxon Synod or conference rather called to compromise the controversie about the celebration of Easter I behold her as the most learned English Female before the Conquest and may call her the She-Gamaliel at whose feet many Learned men had their education She ended her holy life with an happy death about the year of our Lord 680. BENEDICT BISCOP was born saith Pitz amongst the East Saxons saith Hierome Porter in Yorkshire whom I rather believe First because writing his life ex professo he was more concerned to be curious therein Secondly because this Benedict had much familiarity with and favour from Oswy King of Northumberland in whose Dominions he fixed himself building two Monasteries the one at the influx of the river Were the other at the river Tine into the sea and stocking them in his life time with 600 Benedictine Moncks He made five Voyages to Rome and always returned full fraught with Reliques Pictures and Ceremonies In the former is driven on as great a Trade of Cheating as in any earthly Commodity in so much that I admire to meet with this passage in a Jesuite and admire more that he Met not with the Inquisition for writing it Addam * nonnunquam in Tem plis reliquias dubias profana corpora pro Sanctorum qui cum Christo in Coelo regnant exuviis sacris fuisse proposita He left Religion in England Braver but not better then he found it Indeed what Tully said of the Roman Lady That she danced better then became a modest woman was true of Gods Service as by him adorned the Gaudiness prejudicing the Gravity thereof He made all things according not to the Patern in the Mount with Mose's but the Precedent of Rome and his Convent being but the Romish Transcript became the English Original to which all Monasteries in the Land were suddenly conformed In a word I reverence his Memory
confess it was somewhat too soon for one with safety and truth to treat of such a Subject Indeed I could instance in some kind of course Venison not fit for food when first killed and therefore cunning Cooks bury it for some hours in the Earth till the rankness thereof being mortified thereby it makes most palatable meat So the memory of some Persons newly deceased are neither fit for a Writers or Readers repast untill some competent time after their Interment However I am Confident that unpartial Posterity on a serious review of all Passages will allow his Name to be reposed amongst the HEROES of our Nation seeing such as behold his expence on St. Pauls as but a Cypher will assign his other Benefactions a very valuable Signification viz. his erecting and endowing an Almes-house in Reading his increasing of Oxford Library with Books and St. Johns Colledg with beautifull buildings He was beheaded Jan. 10. 1644. States-men Sir JOHN MASON Knight was born at Abbington where he is remembred among the Benefactors to the beautifull Almes-house therein bred in All souls in Oxford King Hènry the eighth coming thither was so highly pleased with an oration Mr. Mason made unto Him that he instantly gave order for his education beyond the seas as confident he would prove an able Minister of State This was the politick discipline of those days to select the pregnancies of either Universities and breed them in forraign parts for publique employments He was Privy-Councellour to King Henry the eighth and K. Edward the sixth One maketh him His Secretary of State which some suspect too high another but Master of the Requests which I believe as much beneath him He continued Councellor to Q. Mary and Q. Elizabeth to whom he was Treasurer of the Household and Chancellor of the University of Oxford Mr. Camden gives him this true character Vir fuit gravis atque eruditus which I like much better then that which followeth so far as I can understand it Ecclesiasticorum Beneficiorum incubator maximus Surely he could be no Canonical Incumbent in any Benefice not being in Orders which leaveth him under the suspicion of being a great ingrosser of long leases in Church-livings which then used to be let for many years a pityful pension being reserved for the poor Curate Thought possibly in his younger time he might have Tonsuram primam or be a Deacon which improved by his great power might qualify at least countenance him for the holding of his spiritual promotions He died 1566. and lieth buried in the Quire of St. Pauls over against William Herbert first Earl of Pembroke and I remember this Distick of his Long Epitaph Tempore quinque suo regnantes ordine vidit Horum a Consiliis quatuor ille fuit He saw five Princes which the scepter bore Of them was Privy-Councellour to Four It appears by His Epitaph that he left no Child of his own Body but adopted his Nephew to be his Son an Heir Sir THOMAS SMITH Knight was born at Abbington bred in the University of Oxford God and himself raised him to the eminency he attained unto unbefriended with any extraction He may seem to have had an ingenuous emulation of Sir Tho. Smith senior Secretary of State whom he imitated in many good qualities and had no doubt equalled him in preferment if not prevented by death He attained only to be Master of the Requests and Secretary to K. James for His Latine Letters higher places expecting him when a period was put to his life Novemb. 28. 1609. He lieth buried in the Church of Fullkam in Middlesex under a monument erected by his Lady Frances daughter to William Lord Chandos and since Countess of Exeter Souldiers HENRY UMPTON Knight was born as by all Indications in the Heralds Office doth appear at Wadley in this County He was Son to Sir Edward Umpton by Anne the Relick of John Dudley Earl of Warwick and the Eldest Daughter of Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset He was imployed by Queen Elizabeth Embassadour into France where he so behaved himself right stoutly in her behalf as may appear by this particular In the Moneth of March Anno 1592. being sensible of some injury offered by the Duke of Gwise to the honour of the Queen of England he sent him this ensuing challenge For as much as lately in the Lodging of my Lord Du Mayne and in publick elsewhere Impudently Indiscreetly and over boldly you spoke badly of my Soveraign whose sacred Person here in this County I represent To maintain both by word and weapon her honour which never was called in question among people of Honesty and Vertue I say you have wickedly lyed in speaking so basely of my Soveraign and you shall do nothing else but lie whensoever you shall dare to taxe her honour Moreover that her sacred Person being one of the most complete and Vertuous Princess that lives in this world ought not to be evil spoken of by the Tongue of such a perfidious Traytor to her Law and Country as you are And hereupon I do defy you and challenge your Person to mine with such manner of Arms as you shall like or choose be it either on horse back or on foot Nor would I have you to think any inequality of Person between us I being issued of as great a Race and Noble house every way as your self So assigning me an indifferent place I will there maintain my words and the Lie which I gave you and which you should not endure if you have any Courage at all in you If you consent not meet me hereupon I will hold you and cause you to be generally held for the arrantest coward and most slanderous slave that lives in all France I expect your Answer I find not what answer was returned This Sir Henry dying in the French Kings Camp before Lofear had his Corps brought over to London and carryed in a Coach to Wadley thence to Farington where he was buryed in the Church on Tuesday the 8. of July 1596. He had allowed him a Barons Hearse because dying Ambassadour Leigier Writers HUGH of READING quitted his expectances of a fair Estate and sequestring himself from worldly delights embraced a Monastical life till at last he became Abbot of Reading Such who suspect his sufficiency will soon be satisfied when they read the high Commendation which Petrus Bloesensis Arch Deacon of Bath one of the greatest Scholars of that Age bestoweth upon him He wrote a Book of no Trival Questions fetcht out of the Scripture it self the reason why I. Bale generally a back-friend to Monks hath so good a Character for him who flourished Anno Dom. 1180. ROGER of WINDSOR was undoubtedly born in this Town otherwise he would have been called Roger of St. Albans being Chanter in that Convent Now in that Age Monks were reputed men of best Learning and most leasure The cause why our English Kings alwaies choose one of
cause valiantly fighting in the battle of Teuxbury It is charity to enter this memorial of him the rather because he died without issue and his fair estate forfeited to King Edward the fourth was quickly scattered amongst many Courtiers but from his Cousin and Heire-general the Lauleys in Shropshire are lineally descended Henry VII 17 Sir JOHN SAINT JOHN Mil. There were three Sir John Saint Johns successively in the same family since their fixing in this County 1. The father this year Sheriffe being son to Sir Oliver Saint John by Margaret daughter and sole heir to Sir John Beauchamp This Margaret was afterwards married to John Duke of Somerset to whom she bare Margaret Mother to King Henry the seventh 2. The son Sheriffe in the seventh year of King Henry the eighth 3. The grand-child Sheriffe in the third of Edward the sixth and father to Oliver the first Lord Saint John This we insert to avoid confusion it being the general complaint of Heraulds that such Homonymie causeth many mistakes in pedigrees 22 WILLIAM GASCOIGNE Much wondering with my self how this Northem Name stragled into the South I consulted one of his Family and a good Antiquary by whom I was informed that this William was a Younger Brother of Gauthorpe house in York-shire and was settled at Cardinton nigh Bedford in this County by Marrying the Inheritrix thereof He was afterwards twice Sheriffe under King Henry the eighth Knighted and Controler of the House of Cardinall Woolsey A rough Gentleman preferring rather to profit then please his Master And although the Pride of that Prelate was sar above his Covetousnesse yet his Wisedome well knowing Thrift to be the Fuell of Magnificence would usually disgest advice from this his Servant when it plainly tended to his own Emolument The Name and which is worse the Essate is now quite extinct in this County Henry VIII 1 JOHN MORDANT Ar. He was extracted of a very Ancient parent in this County and married one of the Daughters and Heirs of Henry Vere of Addington in Northampton-shire whereby he received a great Inheritance being by Aged persons in those parts remembred by the name of John of the Woods Reader I was born under the shadow and felt the warmth of them so great a Master he was of Oaks and Timber in that County besides large possessions he had in Essex and elswhere King Henry the eight owning him deservedly for a very wise man created him Baron Mordant of Turvey 29 WILLIAM WINDSOR Mil. He was descended from Walter Fitz Otho Castle-keeper of Windsor in the time of King William the Conqueror and was by King Henry the eighth created Baron Windsor of Bradenham in Buckingham-shire Ancestor to the present Lord Windsor descended from him by an Heir-general so that Hickman is his Surname Eâ—…ward VI. 1 FRANCIS RUSSEL Mil. He was Son to John Lord Russel afterward Earl of Bedford Succeeding his Father in his honour so great was his Hospitality that Queen Elizabeth was wont to say pleasantly of him That he made all the beggars He founded a small School at Wobourne and dying in great age and honour was buried at Cheneys 1585. 5 OLIVER SAINT JOHN Ar. He was by Queen Elizabeth made Lord Saint John of Bletso in this County and left two sons who succeeded to his honour First John whose onely daughter Anne was married to William Lord Effingham and was mother to Elizabeth now Countess Dowager of Peterborough His second son was Oliver blessed with a numerous issue and Ancestor to the present Earl of Bullinbrook Queen Mary 1 WILLIAM DORMER Mil. He was son to Sir Robert Dormer Sheriffe the 14. of K. Henry the 8. by Jane Newdigate his wife which Lady was so zealous a Papâ—…st that after the death of Q. Mary she left the land and lived beyond the Seas This Sir William by Mary Sidney his wife had a daughter married to the Count of Feria when he came over hither with King Philip. This Count under pretence to visit his sick Lady remaining here did very earnestly move a match betwixt King Philip his Master and Queen Elizabeth which in fine took no effect He theâ—… also mediated for Jane Dormer his Grand-mother and some other fugitives that they might live beyond the Seas and receive their revenues out of England which favour the Queen though not fit to indulge whereat the Count was so incensed â—…hat he moved Pope Pius the fourth to excommunicate Her though his wife did with all might and maine oppose it Sheriffs of this County alone Name Place Armes REG. ELIZA   Anno   17 〈◊〉 Rotheram Es. Farly Vert 3 Roe bucks tripping Or a Baston Gul. 18 Ioh 〈◊〉 â—…ewelbury G. a Salter engrailed Arg. 19 Ge. Kenesham Es. Temsford  20 Ioh. Spencer Esq Cople  21 Nich. Luke Esq. Woodend Ar. a Bugle-horn S. 22 Hen. Butler Esq. BiddenhaÌ„ G. a Fess Choâ—…kee Ar. S. betw 6 Cross 〈◊〉 Ar. 23 Ioh. Tompson Es. Crawley  24 Ric. Conquest Es. Houghton Q. Ar. S. a Labelw th 3 points 25 Lodo. Dive Esq. Brumham Parte per Pale Ar. et G. a Fess Az. 26 Ioh. Rowe Esq Ric. Charnock Es. Holeot Ar. on a Bend S. 3 Crosses Croslet of the field 27 Oliv. St. John Es.  Ar. on a Chief G. 2 Mullets Or. 28 Ric. Charnock Es. ut prius  29 Will. Butler Esq. ut prius  30 Rad. Astry Esq. Westning Barrâ—…wavee of six Ar. Az. on a Chief G. 3 Bezants 31 Oliv. St. John Es. ut prius  32 Ge Rotheram Es. ut prius  33 Exp. Hoddeson Es. ut prius  34 Will. Duncombe Batlesden Party per Chev. countâ—…r Flore G. Arg. 3 Talbots-heads Erazed countercharged 35 Nich. Luke Esq. ut prius  36 Ioh. Dive Esq ut prius  37 Wil. Gostwick Es. WillingtoÌ„ Arg. a Bend G. cotized S. twixt 6 Câ—…rnish chaughes proper on a chief Or 3 Mullets vert 38 Ric. Conquest Es. ut prius  39 Tho. Cheney Esq. Sundon  40 Edr. Rateliffe Kt. Elstow Arg. a Bend engrailed S. 41 Wâ—…ll Butler Esq ut prius  42 Ioh. Crost Kt.   43 Ric Charnocks Es. ut prins  44 Geo. Francklyn Malvern  45 Ioh. Dive Kt. ut prius  JAC. REX   Anno   1 Ioh. Dive Kt. ut prius  2 Ioh. Leigh Esq.   3 Edr. Sands Kt. Eaton  4 Fran. Anderson E. Eworth Arg. a Cheveron twixt 3 Cross-Croslets S. 5 Tho. Snagge Kt. Marson  6 Edw Mordâ—…nt Es. Ockley Aâ—…a a Chev. 〈◊〉 3 Estoyles S. 7 Tho. Ancell Esq. Barford G. on a Saltier Or betw 4 Bezants a Malcel of the first 8 Fran Ventres Kt. Campton Azu a lutie beewaot 2 Bendswavy Arg. 9 Rob. Sandy Esq.   10 Wil. Beecher Esq. Hooberry  11 Ric. Sanders Esq. Marson Parte per Ch. Ar. S. 3 Elephants heads Erazed ceunterchanged 12 Edw. Duncombe ut prius  13 Will. Plomer
place Master Augustine Vincent but out-went him as survivor And because Method is the mother of Memory he orderly digested all Records that they were to be found in an instant He abominated their course who by a water would refresh a Record to make it usefull for the present and useless ever after He detested under the pretence oâ—… mending it to practice with a pen on any old writing preserving it in the pure natuâ—…e thereof Indeed Master Selden and others in their Works have presented Posterity with a plentifull feast of English rarities but let me say that Collet may be called their Caterer who furnished them with provision on reasonable rates He died to the great grief of all Antiquaries Anno Dom. 1644. EDWARD NORGATE son to Robert Norgate D. D. Master of Bennet-colledge was born in Cambridge bred by his Father-in-law who married his Mother Nicholas Felton Bishop of Ely who finding him inclined to Limning and Heraldry permitted him to follow his fancy therein For parents who cross the current of their childrens genius if running in no vicious chanells tempt them to take worse courses to themselves He was very judicious in Pictures to which purpose he was imployed into Italy to purchase them for the Earl of Arundel Returniug by Marseilles he missed the money he expected and being there unknowing of and unknown to any he was observed by a French Gentleman so deservedly styled to walk in the Exchange as I may â—…ll it of that City many Hours every Morning and Evening with swift feet and sad face forwards and backwards To him the civil Monsieur addressed himself desiring to know the cause of his discontent and if it came within the compass of his power he promised to help him with his best advise Norgate communicated his condition to whom the other returned Take I pray my Counsel I have taken notice of your walking more then 20 miles a day in one furlong upwards and downwards and what is spent in needless going and returning if laid out in Progressive Motion would bring you into your own Country I will suit you if so pleased with a light habit and furnish you with competent money for a Footman Norgate very chearfully consented and footed it being accommodated accordingly through the body of France being more then five hundred English miles and so leasurely with ease safety and health returned into England He became the best Illuminer or Limner of our age employed generally to make the Initial letters in the Patents of Peers and Commissions of Embassadours having left few heirs to the kind none to the degree of his art therein He was an excellent Herald by the title of and which was the crown of all a right honest man Exemplary his patience in his sickness whereof I was an eye-witness though a complication of diseases Stone Ulcer in the bladder c. ceased on him He died at the Heralds Office Anno Dom. 1649. Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 Robert Clopton Thomas Clopton Clopton Draper 1441 2 William Horn Thomas Horn Snaylewell Salter 1487 3 William Purchase John Purchase Gamelinghey Mercer 1497 4 Thomas Kneisworth John Kneisworth Kneisworth Fish-monger 1505 5 Thomas Mirfine George Mirfine Ely Skinner 1518 6 William Bowyer William Bowyer Harstone 1543 7 Richard Mallory Anthony Mallory Papworthamus Mercer 1564 The Names of the Gentry of this County Returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the sixth 1433. John Bishop of Ely Commissioners to take the Oathes John de Tiptoft Chivaler William Allington Knights for the shire John Burgoin miles Knights for the shire Will. Pole Mil. Iohan. Colvyle Mil. Will. Hazenhull Mil. Will. Malory Mil. Iohan. Argenton Mil. Will. Alyngton Senioris de Horseth Laurencii Cheyne de Ditton Hen. Somer de Grancotre Iohan. Cheyne de Longstanton Thomae Dischalers de Whaddon Will. Frevill de Shelford Iohaâ—… Hore de Childerle Ioh. St. George de Haclee Will. St. George de Eadem Rob. Bernard de Iselham Rob. Alyngton de Horseth Walt. Clovile de Pampisworth Walt. Cotton de Ladevade Will. Burgoyne de Caxton Ioh. Moris de Trumpiton Ioh. Pigot de Aviton Tho. Cotton de Lanwade Simo. Brunne de Wenelingham Edm. Seyntlowe de Malketon Alexan. Child de Horton Iohan. Keterich de Beche Nicholai Caldâ—…cote de Melreth Walt. Hunty don de Trumpiton Radul Sanston de Sanston Will. Fulburne de Fulburn Rob. Kingston de Berklow Rich. Stotevil de Brinkelee Rich. Foster de Bodekisham Iohan. Ansty senioris de Ovye Iohan. Totehill de Swafham Iohan. Chirche de Bassingburn Edm. Bendisch de Barenton Iohan. Ansty junioris de Tanerisham Radul Hamelin de Sanston Iohan. Fulburn de Fulburn Iohan. Borlee de Iselham Iohan. Bury de Stretelee Magistri de Chepenham de Chepenham Nich. Hamond de Swofham Tho. Cantyes de Littillington Iohan. Walter de Cranden Iohan. West de Croxton Iohan. Knesworth de Knesworth Warini Ingrith de Melreth Iohan. Wilford sen. de Badbrurgham Iohan. Wilford junio de eadem Sim. Hokington de Hokington Iohan. Clopton de Clopton Iohan. Bungeye de Fulburn Ioh. Mars de Abiton Tho. Danseth de Conyton Tho. Haneheech de Shelford Hen. Calbech de Balsham Will. Sternede de Stapileford Iohan. Wizhton de Hokington Rob. Anfleys de Eltislee Will. Eremilond de Iselham Iohan. Vescey de Swanesey Galf. Clopton de Clopton Will. Baily de Saham Tho. Parker de Kertelenge Tho. Bulseham de Chenele Iohan. Bate de Reche Iohan. Taillour de Brinkle Iohan. Cotisford de Weston Rog. Hunte de Balseham Iohan. How de Sanston Tho. Paris de eadem Iohan Trope de Dokisworth Iacob Russil de Skelington Rich. Hoggepound de wrotting Iohan. Palgrave de eadem Tho. Cokeparker de Campis Iohan. Petzt de eadem Steph. Petiz de eadem Iohan. Lambard de eadem Iohan. Smith de eadem Iohan. Britsale de Berkelow Will. Fuller de Lintone Iohan. Plukerose de eadem Thomae Hamont de eadem Iohan. Person de eadem Iohan. Haberd de Onye Iohan. Orveye de Ditton Philip. Grome de Hinton Edm. Preston de Botisham Tho. Bunte de eadem Ioh. Wilkin de Wilburgham Will. Thornton Warnier de Saham Tho. Stapelton de Badburgham Iohan. Ray de Novo Mercato Hen. Attelane de Beche Iohan. Knith de eadem Walt. Fote de Middilton Ioh. Andrew de Waterbeche Rob. Bertelct de eadem Iohan. Tylly de eadem Hen. Clerke de eadem Ioh. Annfleys de Critton Iohan. Fox de eadem Richard Mably de Howis Iohan. Attechercke de eadem Iohan. Mably de eadem Will. Colyn de Maddyngle Iohan. Custance de eadem Tho. Mesynger de eadem Will. Reynolt de eadem Will. Knight de Chesterton Iohan. Bacon de eadem Ioh. Bernard de eadem Henrici Speed deHyston Will. Page de eadem Iohan. Smith sen. de eadem Walt. Spernd de Cotenham Hen. Mey de eadem Hugon Bernard de eadem Will. Burbage de Drayton Iohan. Gifford de eadem Rober. Salman de eadem Hen. Roys de Lolworth Iohan. Asplen
with him and was the first restorer of Learning in our Nation It is questionable whether he was a better Latinist or Grecian a better Grammarian or Physician a better Scholar or Man for his moral deportment By his endeavours Galen speaks better Latine in the Translation than he did Greek in the Original The last Volume whereof Linacer promised to dedicate to Arch-Bishop Warham and excuseth his failing therein by a Latine Letter which for several reasons I have here exemplified First for the quicknesse of conceit and purity of style therein Secondly because never formerly Printed Thirdly because there is but one Copy thereof writren with Linacers own hand prefixed to that numerical Book which he presented to the said Arch Bishop bestowed by my old Friend Doctor George Ent on the Colledge of Physicians Lastly because Doctor Christopher Merrick hath been pleased carefully to compare it with the Original Reverendissimo in Christo Patri ac Domino Domino Gulielmo Dei gratiâ Cantuariensi Archi-episcopo totius Angliae Primati Apostolicae sedis Legato Thomas Linacrus Medicus salutem cum debita dicit Observantia QUod tibi Archiepiscope Clarissime opus hoc sicuti promiseram non dedicavi sed ejus duntaxat exemplum ad Te misi nolis obsecro pro spectatâ humanitate Tuâ me magis aut promissi putare immemorem aut ejus levem habuisse curam quin id implere maximè cupientem facere tamen non potuisse Nam cùm in eâ sententiâ sic perstitissem ut ex ea me praeter unum nemo hominum dejicere potuisset is profectò nec alius eam mutavit Quippe Rex ipse cùm ex certorum hominum sermone qui nimio studio mei mea omnia nimio plus praedicant intellexisset è tribus partibus quibus tota Medicinae ars integratur hanc quae hoc codice continetur esse reliquam eam quoque veluti justam sibi nec à reliquis nuncupatione distrahendam vendicavit justitque Domino Iohanni Chambre observantissimo Paternitatis Tuae famulo tum praesenti atque audienti ut sibi eam inscriberem Itaque cùm Te perspicere non dubitem quantum apud me valere quamque legis instar haberi debeat ejus voluntas non difficulter ut spero à Te impetrabo id quod etiam magnis precibus contendo ut alio quopiam ex iis quae in manibus sunt opere studiosis ut opinor futuro non ingrato oppigneratam Tibi fidem reluere liceat Quod si concedes utrumque per Te simul fiet ut voluptate quam ex requisitis à tanto principe vigiliis meis concepi eâ fruar solicitudine quâ pro redimenda fide angebar eâ liberer Nec eò spectat Reverendissime Praesul haec tam sedula excusatio quasi ullas meas nugas sic censeam ut Tibi usquam expetitas expetendasve putem Sic eam potius intelligi postulo cum Tu mihi primus ad otium literarium beneficiis aditum aditum patefeceris justissimum existimâsse me Tibi ejus otii rationem aliquam esse reddendam ex qua me intelligeres non omnino id frustrà conterere Sed cùm id partim instituendis quibusdam partim his qualiacunque sunt ad usum studiosorum scribendis impendam hoc agere imprimis ut qui ex eo audientes legentésve fructum aliquem percipient Tibi quem non minimum ejus autorem ubique profiteor bonam ejus partem acceptam referant Quod utique tum in his quae jam edidimus velim faciant tum quae alias unquam scribam nedum quae Tibi nominatim modò vita supersit dicabuntur Diu valeas Pater Amplissime No Englishman in that age had so learned Masters viz. Demetrius Politian and Hermolaus Barbarus so noble Patrons viz. Laurence Medices Duke of Florence whilest he was beyond the Seas King Henry the Seventh and Eighth to whom he was chief Physician after his return into England so high born Scholars Prince Arthur with many Lords Sons his Contemporaries so learned Friends Erasmus Melancthon Vives c. This Linacer founded two publick Lectures in Oxford and one in Cambridge dutifully his respect to his Mother double above his Aunt for the study of Physick and that Students of that faculty of both Universities may meet the more conveniently together he founded the Colledge of Physicians in London I much wonder at what I find in good Authors that Linacer a little before his death turned Priest and began to study the Scripture with which he formerly was unacquainted in so much that reading the fifth sixth and seventh Chapters of Saint Matthew he vowed That either this was not the Gospel or We were not Christians which speech though much condemned by the Relater thereof is capable of a charitable sense as taxing mens Practice so much different from Gods Precepts He died Anno Dom. 1524. on the twelfth of October and lieth buried in Saint Pauls under a stately Monument built to his Memory by Doctor John Caius and a Phenix is erected on the top thereof Yea I may call these two Doctors the two Phenixes of their Profession in our Nation and justifie the expression seeing the later in some sort sprang of the Ashes of the former and Caius came not into general credit till after the decease of Linacer Writers THOMAS ASHBURNE was born at that well-known Market Town in this County and not in Stafford shire as both Bale and Pits mistake and became an Augustinian therein going afterwards to Oxford he was doctorated in Divinity He was a great Adversary to Wickliff and in that Synod wherein his Doctrines were condemned for Heresie by ten Bishops twenty Lawyers and four and forty Divines our Ashburne made up one of the last number Yet once he did some good or rather diverted much evil It happened that one Peter Pateshul an Augustinian preaching in London had some passages in favour of Wickliff which so displeased those of his own Order that they plucked him out of the Pulpit dragged him into the Covent of Augustines near Broadstreet intending more violence to his person This allarumed the Londoners amongst whom a considerable party of Wickliffites to rescue poor Pateshul who in their rage had burnt the Covent about the Friers ears had not our Ashburne with his prayers and tears seasonably interceded He flourished under King Richard the Second 1382. Benefactors to the Publick since the Reformation ELIZABETH HARDWICK was Daughter to John Hardwick of Hardwick in this County Esquire A Lady of an undaunted spirit and happy in her several Marriages to great persons First to Sir William Cavendish then to Sir William Saintloo and at last to George Earl of Shrewsbury She left two sacred besides civil Monuments of her Memory in this County one that I hope will not Her Tomb in All-Hallows the other that I am sure cannot be taken away as registred in the Court of Heaven Her
Richard Bingham who is sent over with more honour and power Marshal of Ireland and General of Lâ—…mster to undertake that service whereof no doubt he had given a good account had not death overtaken him at Dublin Wherever buried he hath a Monument of mention in the South side of Westminster Abbey Sea Men. RICHARD CLARK of VVeymouth in this County was a most knowing Pilot and Master of the Ship called the Delight which Anno 1583. went with Sir Humphrey Gilbert for the discovery of Norembege Now it happened without any neglect or default in the same Richard how that Ship struck on ground and was cast away in the year aforesaid on Thursday August 29. Yet wave followed not wâ—…ve faster than wonder wonder in the miraculous preservation of such as escaped this Shipwrack 1. Sixteen of them got into a small Boat of a Tun and half which had but one Oar to work withal 2. They were seventy leagues from Land and the weather so soul that it was not possible for a Ship to brook half a course of Sail. 3. The Boat being over-burdened one of them Mr. Hedly by name made a motion to cast Lots that those four which drew the shortest should be cast over-board provided if one of the Lots fell on the Master he notwithstanding should be preserved as in whom all their safety were concerned 4. Our Richard Clark their Master disavowed any acceptance of such priviledge replying they would live or die together 5. On the fifth day Mr. Hedly who first motioned Lot-drawing and another died whereby their Boat was somewhat allightned 6. For five days and nights they saw the Sun and Stars but once so that they onely kept up their Boat with their single Oar going as the Sea did drive it 7. They continued four days without any sustenance save what the Weeds which swam in the Sea and salt water did afford 8. On the seventh day about eleven a clock they had sight of and about three they came on the South part of New found land 9. All the time of their being at Sea the wind kept continually Soâ—…th which if it had shifted on any other Point they had never come to land but came contrary at the North within half an hour after their arrival 10. Being all come safe to Shore they kneeled down and gave God praise as they justly might for their miraculous deliverance 11. They remained there three days and nights having their plentiful repast upon Berries and wild Peason 12. After five days rowing along the shore they hapned on a Spanish Ship of Saint John de Luz which courteously brought them home to Biskay 13. The Visitors of the Inquisition coming aboard the Ship put them on examination but by the Masters favour and some general Answers they escaped for the present 14. Fearing a second search they shifted for themselves and going twelve miles by night got into France and so safely arrived in England Thus we may conclude with the Psalmist They which do go down into the Sea and occupy in the great waters These men see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep GEORGE SUMMERS Knight was born in or near Lyme though on my best enquiry living some years within seven miles of the place I could not attain the exactness thereof He afterwards was a successful Voyager into far distant Countries and first discovered the Bermuda's from and by him named the Summer Islands A Plantation though slighted of late whether for want of industry in the Planters or staple Commodities I hnow not yet were it in the hand of the Spaniard as by Gods blessing never shall it would be over-considerable unto us Yea that which now is quarrelled at for not feeding us with any provision might then stop the mouths yea knock out the teeth of such who now so undervalue it I say they were called the Summer Islands from this Knight which I conceive necessary to observe For I find that though the County of Somerset is undoubtedly so called from Sommerton once the principal Town therein yet because that Town at this day is mean and obscure some have strongly fancied and stifly defended it so named from the Summer the fruitfulnesse whereof so appeareth therein Possiâ—…ly in processe of time with a more probable cover for their mistake these Summer Islands may be conceived so named because there Winter doth never appear This Sir George Summers was a Lamb on the Land so patient that few could anger him and as if entring a ship he had assumed a new nature a Lion at Sea so passionate that few could please him He died modest conjectures are better than confident untruths about the year of our Lord 1610. Before we take our final farewell of the Seamen in this County I conceive fit that the following Note should not be forgotten Anno 1587. when Tho. Cavendish Esq was in the pursuit of his Voyage about the world some of his men August 1. went a shoar at Cape Quintero to fetch fresh water when two hundred Spanish Horsemen came poudring from the Hills upon them They being hard at work in no readiness to resist suddenly surprized and over-powered in number were slâ—…in to the number of twelve men a third of which losse fell on this county whose names ensue 1. William Kingman of Dorset-shire in the Admiral 2. William Biet of VVeymouth in the Vice Admiral 3. Henry Blacknals of Weymouth In the Hugh-Gallant 4. William Pit of Sherborne In the Hugh-Gallant But their surviving Country-men being but fifteen in number who had any weapons on the shoar soon revenged their death who coming from the works not only rescued the rest but also â—…orced the enemy to retire with the losse of 25. of his men and then watered there in despight of all opposition Civilians Sir THOMAS RYVES Doctor of the Laws was born at Little Langton in this County bred in New Colledge in Oxford A general Scholar in all polite learning a most pure Latinist no hair hanging at the neb of his Pen witness his most critical Book of Sea-Battels a Subject peculiar I think to his endeavours therein He was at last made the Kings Advocate indeed he formerly had been Advocate to the King of heaven in his poor Ministers in his Book entituled The Vicars Plea wherein much Law and Learning and Reason and Equity is shewen in their bâ—…half A grievance 〈◊〉 camplained of than heard oftner heard than pitied and oftner 〈◊〉 than redressd so unequal is the contest betwixt a poor Vicars Plea and a wealthy Impropriators Purse He was a man of valour as well as of much learning and gave good evidence therof though wel stricken in years in our late wars He died in his native County about the year 1652 Benefactors to the Publick since the Reformation ROBERT ROGERS born at Poole in this County was afterwards a Leather-seller in London and dying a rich Batchelor bequeathed a great part
He died Anno Domini 1631. and lieth buâ—…ied at Chigwell aforesaid AUGUSTINE LINSELL D. D. was born at Bumsted in this County bred Scholar and Fellow in Clare-hall in Cambridge He applyed himself chiefly to the Studies of Greek Hebrew and all Antiquity attaining to great exactness therein He was very knowing in the antient practices of the Jews and from him I learned that they had a Custome at the Circumcising of their Children that certain Undertakers should make a solemn stipulation for their pious education conformable to our God-fathers in Baptisme He was afterwards made Bishop of Peterborough where on the joint-cost of his Clergy he procured Theophilact on the Epistles never printed before to be fairly set forth in Greek and Latine Hence he was removeâ—… to Hereford where he died 163. States-men Sir THOMAL AUDLEY Knight where born my best Industry and Inquiry cannot attain He was bred in the Studie of the Laws till he became Atturney of the Dutchie of Lancaster and Sergeant at Law as most affirme then Speaker of the Parliament Knighted and made Keeper of the great Seal June 4. 1532. being the twenty fourth of King Henry the eight and not long after was made Lord Chancellor of England and Baron Audley of Audley End in this County In the feast of Abby Lands King Henry the eight carved unto him the first cut and that I assure you was a dainty morsell viz. the Priory of the Trinity in Eald-gate Ward London dissolved 1531. which as a Van Currier foreran other Abbeys by two years and foretold their dissolution This I may call afterwards called Dukes-Place the Covent Garden within London as the greatest empty space within the Walls though since filled not to say pestered with houses He had afterwards a large Partage in the Abby Lands in severall Counties He continued in his Office of Chancellour thirteen years and had one onely daughter Margaret who no doubt answered the Pearl in her name as well in her precious qualities as rich Inheritance which she brought to her husband Thomas last Duke of Norfolk This Lord Audley died April 30. 1544. and is buried in the fair Church of Saffron-walden with this lamentable Epitaph The stroak of deaths Inevitable Dart Hath now alas of Life berefâ—…t the Heart Of Sir Thomas Audley of the garter Knight Late Chancellor of England under our Prince of might Henry the eight worthy of high renown And made him Lord Audley of this Town This worthy Lord took care that better Poets should be after then were in his age and founded Magdalen-colledge in Cambridge giving good lands thereunto if they might have enjoyed them according to his Donation Sir RICNARD MORISIN Knight was born in this County as J. Bale his Fellowexile doth acquaint us yet so as that he qualifieth his intelligence with Ut fertâ—…r which I have commuted into our marginall note of dubitation Our foresaid Author addeth that per celebriora Anglorum gymnasia artes excoluit bred probably first in Eton or Winchester then in Cambridge or Oxford and at last in the Inns of Court In those he attained to great skill in Latine and Greek in the Common and Civil Law insomuch that he was often imployed Ambassadour by King Henry the eight and Edward the sixth unto Charles the fifth Emperor and others Princes of Germany acquitting himself both honest and able in those negotiations He began a beautifull house at Cashobery in Hertford-shire and had prepared materialls for the finishing thereof but alas this house proved like the life of his Master who began it I mean King Edward the sixth broken off not ended and that before it came to the middle thereof Yea he was forced to fly beyond the Seas and returning out of Italy died at Strasburgh on the 17. of March Anno Domini 1556. to the grief of all good men Yet his son Sir Charles finished his fathers house in more peaceable times whose great-grand daughter augmented by matches with much honour and wealth a right worthy and vertuous Lady lately deceased was wife to the first Lord Capel and Mother to the present Earl of Essex Sir ANTHONY COOK Knight great-grant child to Sir Thomas Cook Lord Mayor of London was born at Giddy hall in this County where he finished a fair house begun by his great-grand-father as appeareth by this inscription on the frontispiece thereof Aedibus his frontem Proavus Thomas dedit olim Addidit Antoni caetera sera manus He was one of the Governours to King Edward the sixth when Prince and is charactered by Master Camden vir antiquâ severitate He observeth him also to be happy in his daughters learned above their sex in Greek and Latine namely 1. Mildred marryed unto 1. William Cecil Lord Treasurer of England 2. Anne  2. Nicholas Bacon  Chancellor  3. Katherine  3. Henry Killigrew Knights  4. Elizabeth  4. Thomas Hobby   5.  5. Ralph Rowlet   Indeed they were all most eminent Scholars the honour of their own and the shame of our sex both in prose and poetry and we will give an instance of the later Sir Henry Killigrew was designed by the Queen Embassadour for France in troublesome times when the imployment always difficult was then apparently dangerous Now Katherine his Lady wrot these following verses to her sister Mildred Cecil to improve her power with the Lord Treasurer her husband that Sir Henry might be excused from that service Si mihi quem cupio cures Mildreda remitti Tu bona tu melior tu mihi sola Soror Sin malè cunctando retines vel trans mare mittes Tu mala tu pejor tu mihi nulla Soror It si Cornubiam tibi pax six omnia lâ—…ta Sin mare Cecili nuntio bella vale We will endeavour to translate them though I am afraid falling much short of their native elegancy If Mildred by thy care he be sent back whom I request A Sister good thou art to me yea better yea the best But if with stays thou keepst him still or sendst where seas may part Then unto me a Sister ill yea worse yea none thou art If go to Cornwall he shall please I peace to thee foretell But Cecil if he set to Seas I war denounce farewell This Sir Anthony Cook died in the year of our Lord 1576. leaving a fair estate unto his son in whose name it continued untill our time Sir THOMAS SMITH Kt. was born at Saffron Walden in this County and bred in Queens-colledge in Cambridge where such his proficiency in learning that he was chosen out by Henry the eight to be sent over and brought up beyond the Seas It was fashionable in that age that pregnant Students were maintained on the cost of the State to be Merchants for experience in forraign parts whence returning home with their gainfull adventures they were preferred according to the improvement of their time to offices in
their own Country Well it were if this good old custome were resumed for if where God hath given Talents men would give but Pounds I mean encourage hopefull Abilities with helpfull Maintenance able persons would never be wanting and poor men with great parts would not be excluded the Line of preferment This Sir Thomas was afterwards Secretary of State to Queen Elizabeth and a grand benefactor to both Universities as I have formerly declared at large He died Anno Domini 1577. THOMAS HOWARD wherever born is justly reputed of this County wherein he had his first honour and last habitation He was second son to Thomas last Duke of Norfolk but eldest by his wife Margaret sole heir to Thomas Lord Audley Queen Elizabeth made him Baron of Audley and Knight of the Garter and King James who beheld his father a State-Martyr for the Queen of â—…ots in the first of his raign advanced him Lord Chamberlain and Earl of Suffolk and in the twelfth of his raign July 12. Lord Treasurer of England He was also Chancellour of Cambridge loving and beloved of the University When at his first coming to Cambridge Master Francis Nethersole Orator of the University made a Latine Speech unto him this Lord returned though I understand not Latine I know the Sence of your Oration is to tell me that I am wellcome to you which I believe verily thank you for it heartily and will serve you faithfully in any thing within my power Doctor Hasnet the Vice-chancellour laying hold on the Handle of so fair a Proffer requested him to be pleased to Entertain the King at Cambridge a Favour which the University could never compass from their former great and wealthy Chancellours I will do it saith the Lord in the best manner I may with the speediest conveniency Nor was he worse then his word giving his Majesty not long after so Magnificent a Treatment in the University as cost him five thousands pounds and upwards Hence it was that after his death Thomas his second son Earl of Bark-shire not suing for it not knowing of it was chosen to succeed him losing the place as some suspected not for lack of voices but fair counting them He died at Audley end Anno Domini 1626. being Grand-father to the right Honourable James Earl of Suffolk RICHARD WESTON I behold him son to Sir Jerome Weston Sheriff of this County in the one and fourtieth of Queen Elizabeth and cannot meet with any of his relations to rectifie me if erronious In his youth he impaired his estate to improve himself with publique accomplishment but came off both a saver and a gainer at the last when made Chancellor of the Exchequer and afterwards upon the remove of the Earl of Marlburrough July 15. in the fourth of King Charles Lord Treasurer of England But I hear the Cocks crow proclaiming the dawning day being now come within the ken of many alive and when mens memories do arise it is time for History to haste to bed Let me onely be a Datary to tell the Reader that this Lord was Created Earl of Portland February 17. in the eight of King Charles and died Anno Domini 163. being father to the right Honorable Jerome now Earl of Portland Capitall Judges Sir JOHN BRAMSTONE Knight was born at Maldon in this County bred up in the Middle-Temple in the study of the Common-law wherein he attained to such eminency that he was by King Charles made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench One of deep learning solid judgement integrity of life gravity of behaviour in a word accomplished with all qualities requisite for a Person of his place and profession One instance of his integrity I must not forget effectually relating to the Foundation wherein I was bred Serjeant Bruerton of whom formerly bequeathed by Will to Sidney-colledge well nigh three thousand pounds but for haste or some other accident so imperfectly done that as Doctor Samuel Ward informed me the gife was invalid in the Rigour of the Law Now Judge Bramstone who married the Serjeants Widdow gave himself much trouble gave himself indeed doing all things gratis for the speedy payment of the money to a Farthing and the legal setling thereof on the Colledge according to the true intention of the dead He deserved to live in better times the delivering his judgement on the Kings side in the case of Ship â—…oney cost him much trouble The posting Press would not be perswaded to stay till I had received farther instructions from the most Hopefull sons of this worthy Judge who died about the year 1646. Souldiers ROBERT FITZ-WALTER It is observable what I read in my Author that in the raign of King John there were three most eminent Knights in the land 〈◊〉 for their prowess viz. Robert Fitz-Roger Richard Mont-Fâ—…chet and this Robert Fitz-Walter Two of which three a fair proportion fall to be natives of this County This Robert was born at Woodham-walters and behaved himself right 〈◊〉 on all occasions highly beloved by King Richard the first and King John untill the later banished him the land because he would not prostitute his daughter to his pleasure But worth will not long want a Master the French-King joyfully entertained him till King John recalled him back again on this occasion five-years truce being concluded betwixt the two Crowns of England and France an English-man challenged any of the French to just a course or two on horse-back with him whom Fitz-Walter then oâ—… the French party undertook and at the first course with his great spear fell'd horse and man to the ground Thus then and ever since English-men generally can be worsted by none but English-men Hereupon the King next day sent for him restored his lands with license for him to repair his Castles and particularly Bainards-castle in London which he did accordingly He was styled of the common-people The Marshall of Gods Army and Holy-Church He died Anno Domini 1234. and lieth buried in the Priory of Little-Dunmow Sir JOHN HAWKEWOOD Knight Son to Gilbert Hawkewood Tanner was born in Sible heningham This John was first bound an apprentice to a Taylor in the City of London but soon turned his needle into a sword and thimble into a shield being pressed in the service of King Edward the third for his French Wars who rewarded his valour with Knighthood Now that mean men bred in manuall and mechanick trades may arrive at great skill in Martiall performances this Hawkewood though an eminent is not the onely instance of our English nation The heat of the French Wars being much remitted he went into Italy and served the City of Florence which as yet was a Free State Such Republiques preferred forrainers rather then natives for their Generalls because when the service was ended it was but disbursing their pay and then disbanding their power by cashering their Commission such Forraigners having no advantage to continue their
clear evidence to the contrary this Henry Marny Esquire shall pass with me for him who was then Servant afterwards Executor to the Kings Mother the Lady Margaret Countess of Richmond The very same who afterwards was Knighted made Chancellor of the Dutchy and Created Lord Marny by King Henry the eighth and whose daughter and sole heir Elizabeth was with a fair inheritance married to Thomas Howard Viscount Bindon 14 JOHN CHRISTMAS Ar. Such will not wonder at his Surname who have read the Romans cognominated Jaâ—…arius Aprilis c. Yea Festus himself is well known in Scripture probably so called from being born on some solemn festivall the occasion no doubt of this Sheriffs Surname at the first If the name be extinct in Essex it remaineth in other Counties and the City of London where ...... Christmas Esquire a great promoter of my former and present endeavours must not by me be forgotten Henry VIII 6 WILLIAM FITZ-WILLIAMS Ar. I cannot exactly design his habitation but conceive it not far from Waltham Abby in the South west part of this County because he bequeathed 50. pounds to mend the High-ways betwixt Chigwell and Copers-hall He was afterwards Knighted by King Henry the eighth on a worthy occasion whereof hereafter in his Sheriffalty of North-hampton-shire in the 15. of King Henry the eight He bequeathed 100. pounds to poor Maids Marriages 40. pounds to the University c. and delivering a Catalogue of his Debtors into the hands of his Executors he freely forgave all those over whose names he had written Amore Dei remitto 25 BRIAN TUKE Knight He was Treasurer of the Chamber to King Henry the eight as appears by his Epitaph and dying Anno 1536. lyeth buried with Dame Grissel his wife deceasing two years after him under a fair Tombe in the North Isle of the Quire of Saint Margarets in Lothbury London Lealand giveth him this large commendation that he was Anglicae linguae eloquentiâ mirificus Bale saith that he wrot observations on Chaucer as also against Polidore Virgill for injuring the English of whom then still alive he justly and generously demanded reparations though since his unresponsable memory can make us no satisfaction Edward VI. 3 Sir JOHN GATES He was descended from Sir Geffry Gates Knight who as appears by his Epitaph in the Church of High-Eastern bought the Mannor of Garnets in that parish of one Koppenden Gentleman This Sir Geffry was six years captain of the Isle of Wight and Marshall of Callis and there kept with the Pikards worschipfull Warrys Reader it is the Language of his Epitaph And died Anno Dom. 1477. As for this Sir John Gates Knight descendant from the said Sir Jeffry he is heavily charged with Sacriledge in our Histories and ingaging with John Dudley Duke of Northumberland in the Title of Queen Jane he was beheaded the 22. of August the first of Queen Mary 1553. Queen Elizabeth 1 RALPH ROWLET Knight He married one of the learned daughters of Sir Anthony Cook Sister to the wives of the Lord Chancellour Bacon and Treasurer Cecill His family is now Extinct one of his daughters marrying into the then Worshipfull since honorable family of the Mainards and with her devolved a fair inheritance 12. JAMES ALTHAM Esq. His Armes casually omitted in our List were Pally of six Ermin and Azure on a Chief Gules a Lyon rampant Or. His Name-sake and direct Descendent now living at Markhall made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of King Charles the second addeth with his accomplished civility to the Honor of his Ancestors King James 1. HENRY MAINARD Kt. He was Father to William Maynard bred in Saint John's Colledge in Cambridge where he founded a Logick Professor created Baron of Wicklow in Ireland and Easton in this County whose Son William Lord Maynard hath been so noble an encourager of my Studies that my Hand deserveth to wither when my Heart passeth him by without a prayer for his good successe 15. PAUL BANNING Kt. and Bar. No doubt the same Person who afterwards was created Viscount Banning of Sudbury His Son was bred in Christ-Church of most hopeful parts descended from the Sackvils by the Mother-side and promising high Performance to his Country but alas cut off in the prime of the prime of his life He left two Daughters which though married left no Issue so that his large estate will be divided betwixt the children of his four Sisters Wives to the Marquess of Dorchester Viscount Grandison the Lord Dacres of the South and Henry Murrey Esq of the Bed-Chamber to King Charles King Charles 12. JOHN LUCAS Esq This worthy Person equalling his Extraction with his Vertues was at Oxford made Baron by King Charles the first I understand he hath one sole Daughter to whom I wish a meet Consort adequate to her Birth and Estate seeing the Barony began in this Lord is suspicious in him to determine The Battels Though none in this County the heart of the Eastern Association yet the siege Anno 1648. of Colchester must not be forgotten Know then that the Remnant of the Royalists routed in Kent with much difficulty recovered this County the Parliliaments Forces pursuing them March much farther they could not such their weariness and want of Accommodation bid Battel to their numerous Foes they durst not which was to run in the Jaws of ruine wherefore they resolved to shelter themselves for a time in Colchester Reader pardon a Digression Winchester Castle was by the Long-Parliament ordered to be made UNTENABLE but the over-officious malice of such who executed the Order wilfully mistaking the word made it UNTENANTABLE To apply the Distinction to 〈◊〉 All men beheld it as Tenantable full of faire Houses none as Tenable in an hostile way for any long time against a great Army But see what Diligence can do in few days they fortified it even above imagination Indeed the lining of the Wall was better than the faceing thereof whose Stone outside was ruinous but the in-side was well filled up with Earth which they valiantly maintained Nor was it General Fairfax they feared so much as General Famine that grand Conqueror of Cities having too much of the best Sauce and too little of the worst Meat Insomuch that they were fain to make Mutton of those Creatures which kill Sheâ—…p and Beefe of Cattel which never wore Horns till they were forced to submit to the worst but best they could get of Conditions Here those two worthy Knights Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle the one eminently a whole Troop of Horse the other a Company of Foot were cruelly sentenced and shot to Death whose bodies have since had a civil Resurrection restored to all possible outward Honour by publick Funerall Solemnities The Farewell I wish the sad casualties may never return which lately have happened in this County The one 1581. in the Hundred of Dengy the other 1648. in the Hundred of Rochford and Isle
was made Lord Chancellour of England dischargeing his place with Prudence and Equity for the terme of five years Foreseeing he should be outed of his Office being of the Anti-faction to Duke Dudley to prevent stripping he politickly put off his Robes of State resigning his Office Which done no danger of catching cold his own Under-suit was so well lined having gotten a fair Estate about Lees Abbey in Essex whereof he was created Baron He died in the beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth being direct Ancestour unto the right Honourable Charles Rich now Earl of VVarwick WILLIAM POWLET where ever born had his largest Estate and highest Honour Baron of Basing and Marquess of VVinchester in this County He was descended from a younger house of the Powlets of Hinton Saint George in Sommersetshire as by the Crescent in his Arms is acknowledged One telleth us that he being a younger brother and having wasted all that was left him came to Court on trust where upon the bare stock of his wit he traffick'd so wisely and prospered so well that he got spent and left more than any Subject since the Conquest Indeed he lived at the time of the dissolution of Abbeys which was the harvest of Estates and it argued idleness if any Courtier had his Barnes empty He was servant to K. Henry the seaventh and for Thirty years together Treasurer to K. Henry the eighth Edward the sixth Qu. Mary and Qu. Elizabeth The 〈◊〉 in some 〈◊〉 owed their Crowns to his Counsel his policy being the principal 〈◊〉 of Duke Dudleys Designe to disinherit them I behold this Lord 〈◊〉 like to aged Adoram so often mentioned in Scripture being over the Tribute in the dayes of K. David all the Reign of K. Solomon untill the first Year of 〈◊〉 And though our Lord Powlet enjoyed his place not so many years yet did he serve more Soveraigns in more mutable times being as he said of himself no 〈◊〉 but an 〈◊〉 Herein the Parallel holds not The honry hairs of Adâ—…m were sent to the Grave by a violent death slain by the people in a 〈◊〉 This Lord had the rare happiness of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 setting in his full splendour having lived 97 years and seen 103 out of his body he dyed anno Domini 1572. Sr. THOMAS LAKES was born in the Parish of St. Michael in the Town of South-Hampton and there bred in Grammer-Learning under Doctor Seravia By several under Offices he was at last deservedly preferred Secretary of Estate to K. James Incredible his dexterity in dispatch who at the same time would indite write discourse more exactly than most men could severally performe them Men resembled him to one of the hips-Royal of Qu. Elizabeth called the Swift-sure such his celerity and solidity in all Affairs No lesse his secresie in concealing and what was credited to his Counsel was alwayes found in the same posture it was left in Add to all these he was a good man and a good mans Brother Dr. Arthur Lakes Bishop of Bath-and Wells King James who allwayes loved what was facile and fluent was highly pleased with his Latine Pen who by practice had made Tullie's phrase his own He was one of the three noble hands who at the Court first led Mr. George Villers into the favour of King James At last he fell for the faults of others into the Kings displeasure being punished for the Offences of one of his nearest Relations and of all them fin'd in the star-chamber he was the only person generally pittied for his suffering yet even then K. James gave him this publick Eulogie in open Court That he was a Minister of State fit to serve the greatest Prince in Europe He was outed his Secretaries place which needed him more than he it having atchieved a fair fortune which he transmitted to posterity How long he lived afterwards in a private life is to me unknown Souldiers BEAVOIS an English man was Earle of South-Hampton in the time of the Conquerer and being unable to comport with his Oppression banded against him with the Fragments of the English men the strength of Hastings the Dane and all the assistance the VVelch could afford In whose Country a Battel was fought near Carcliffe against the Normans anno Domini 1070. wherein Three Nations were conquered by One Beavois being worsted Success depends not on Valour fled to Carlile a long step from Carcliffe And afterwards no mention what became of him This is that Beavois whom the Monks cryed up to be such a man that since it hath been questioned Whether ever such a man I mean whether ever his person was in rerum natura So injurious those are who in the Reports of any mans performances exceed the bounds of probability All I will add is this that the Sword preserved and shewed to be this Beavoises in Arundel Castle is lesser perchance worn with age than that of King Edward the third kept in Westminster-Church Seamen Sr. JOHN WALLOP born in this County of a most ancient and respected Family was directed by his Genius to Sea-service at what time our Coasts were much infested with French-Piracies For there was a Knight of Malta passing in our Chronicles by the name of Prior John more proper by his Profession to be employed against the Turks lately so victorious in Hungary who liv'd by pickeering and undoing many English Merchants But our Sr. John made the French pay more than treble Dammages who with Eight Hundredh Men landed in Normandy burnt One and Twenty Towns with divers Ships in the Havens of Traport Staples c. and safely returned with wealth and Victory Methinks the ancient Armes of the Wallhops appear propheticall herein viz. argent a Bend-unde Sable interpreted by my Authour a wave or sourge of the Sea raised by some turbulent flaw of wind and tempest prognosticating the activity of that Family in Marine Performances ROBERT TOMSON Merchant was born at Andover in this County bred much at Bristol in Sea-Imployments Hence anno 1553. he sailed into Spain and thence two Years after shipped himself for Nova Hispania to make a discovery thereof on the same token that in his passage thither in a Spanish Ship a light like a canâ—…le being nothing else but a Meteor frequent by Sea and Land sell on their main Mast which the Spaniards on their knees worshiped for St. Elmo the Advocate of Saylers He afterwards wrote the Description of New Spain with the City of Mexico giving a good and the first account thereof of any Englishman During his abode many Months in Mexico at dinner he let fall some Discourse against Saint-worship for which he was imprisoned in the holy-House and enjoyned solemn Penance by the Arch-Bishop of Mexico This Tomson being the first reputed Heretick which was ever seen in America on a penitential Scaffold Hence he was sent into Spain and after three Years durance in the Inquisition discharged
making I behold his as the second accounting the Lord Tiptoft the first noble hand which since the decay of Learning took a Pen therein to be Author of a Book He dyed on the 16. of March 1532. and is buryed in the great church in Calice And I have read that the estate of the Berners is by an Heir-general descended to the Knyvets of â—…shwelthorp in Norfolk Since the Reformation ROGER HUTCHINSON was born in this County and bred Fellow of St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge where he was very familiar with Mr. Roger Askam who disdained Intimacy with Dunces And as this is euough to speak him Scholar so it is a sufficient Evidence to an Intelligent Jury to prove him Protestant that being commended by Bale for writing a book in English of the Image of God he is wholly omitted by John Pits He flourished Anno Dom. 1550. and probably dyed in the happy Reign of Edward the sixth before the following persecution THOMAS CARTVVRIGHT was born in this County and was admitted in St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge Anno 1550. In the Reign of Queen Mary he left the University being probably one of those Scholars which as Mr. Fox observeth went alias were driven away from this Colledge all at one time and betook himself to the service of a Counsellour Here he got some skill in the Common-Law which inabled him afterwards to fence the better for himself by the advantage thereof In the Reign of Queen Elizabeth he returned to Cambridge was chosen Fellow first of St. Iohns then of Trinity How afterwards he was made Margaret Professour outed thereof for his Non-conformity travelled beyond Seas returned home became the Champion of the Presbyterian partie is largely related in our Ecclesiastical History Onely I will add that the Non conformists not a greeing which of them where there is much choice there is no choice should answer Dr. Whitgifts Reply I read that Mr. Cartwright at last was chosen by lot to undertake it It seems the Brethren concluded it of high and holy concernment otherwise I know what Mr. Cartwright hath written of the appeal to Lots Non nisi in rebus gravioribus alicâ—…jus magni momenti ad sortis judicium recurrendumm maxime cum per sortem Deus ipse in judicio sedeat One saith for riches he sought them not and another saith that he dyed rich and I beleive both â—…ay true God sometimes making Wealth to find them who seek not for it seeing many and great were his Benefactors He dyed and was buryed in Warwick where he was Master of the Hospital Anno. 1603. DANIEL DIKE was born at Hempstead in this County where his Father was a Minister silenced for his Non-conformity He was bred in ....... Colledge in Cambridge and became afterwards a profitable Labourer in Gods Vineyard Witness besides his Sermons his worthy books whereof that is the Master-peice which treateth of the deceitfulnesse of mans heart wherein he layes down directions for the Discovery thereof As also how in other Cases one may be acquainted with his own Condition seeing many men lose themselves in the Labyrinths of their own hearts so much is the Terra incognita therein This Book he designed for his pious Patron John Lord Harrington But alas when the Child was come to the Birth there was no strength to bring forth before the Book was fully finished the Author thereof followed his honourable Patron into a better World so that his Surviving brother of whom immediately set it forth And to the Lady Lucy Countesse of Bedford the Lords Sister the same was dedicated A Book which will be owned for a Truth whilst men have any badness and will be honoured for a Treasure wilst men have any goodnesse in them This Worthy man dyed about the Year 1614. JEREMIAH DIKE his Younger Brother was bred in Sidney Colledge in Cambridge beneficed at Epping in Essex one of a chearful Spirit And know Reader that an Ounce of Mirth with the same degree of Grace will serve God farther then a pound of Sadnesse He had also a gracious heart and was very profitable in his Ministry He was a Father to some good Books of his own and a Guardian to those of his Brother whose Posthume Works he set forth He was one peaceable in Israel And though no Zelot in the practice of Ceremonies quietly submitted to use them He lived and dyed piously being buryed in his own Parish-Church Anno Dom. 1620. ARTHUR CAPEL Esquire of Hadâ—…m in this County was by King Charls the first created a Baron 1641. He served the King with more Valour and Fidelity then Success during the Civil Wars in the Marches of Wales After the Surrender of Oxford he retired to his own house in this Shire and was in some sort well cured of the so then reputed Disease of Loyalty when he fell into a Relaps by going to Colcbester which cost him his life beheaded in the Palace Yard in Westminster 1648. In his Life time he wrote a book of Meditation published since his death wherein much judicious piety may be discovered His mortified mind was familiar with afflictions which made him to appear with such 〈◊〉 Resolution on the Scaffold where he seemed rather to fright Death then to be frighted with it Hence one not unhappily alluding to his Arms a Lyon Rampant in a Field Gules betwixt three Crosses thus expresseth himself Thus Lion-like Capel undaunted stood Beset with crosses in a Field of Blood A Learned Dr. in Physick present at the opening and embalming of him and Duke Hambleton delivered it at a publike Lecture that the Lord Capels was the least Heart whilst the Dukes wâ—…s the greatest he ever beheld Which alâ—…o is very proportionable to the Observation in Philosophy that the Spirits contracted in a lesser model are the cause of the greater courage God hath since been the Husband to His Widow who for her goodnesse may be a Pattern to her Sexe and Father to his Children whom not so much their Birth Beauty and Portions as Vertues married to the best Bloods and Estates in the Land even when the Royalists were at the lowest condition EDVVARD SYMONDS born at Cottered in this County was bred in Peter House in Cambridge where he commenced Master of Arts afterwards Minister of Little Rayne in Essex a man strict in his Life and profitable in his preaching wherein he had a plain and piercing faculty Being sequestred from his Living for siding with the King with David 1 Sam. 23. 13. He went wheresoever he could go to Worcester Exeter Barnstable France and lastly returned to London He wrote a Book in VINDICATION OF KING CHARLES and was Instrumental in setting forth his Majesties book called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pens were brondished betwixt him and Mr. Stephen Marshal though all was fair betwixt them before his Death For Mr. Symonds visited him lying in his bed at Westminster told him Had I taken you for a
founded a Free-school in Halstall and endowed it with competent Revenue for the maintenance of a Schoolmaster there for ever When this party lived I cannot as yet recover THOMAS WEST was younger Brother to the Lord De la Ware and Parson of Manchester On whom the Barony was devolved his Brother dying Issuelesse The Pope allowed him to marry for the Continuance of so honourable a Family upon condition that he would build a Colledge for such a number of preists fellows under a Warden as the Bishops of Durham and Lichfield should think fit which he did accordingly in Manchester The Endowment of this collegiate and parochiall church were the Gleabe and Tithes of the parsonage of that parish and besides them scarce any other considerable Revenue I say the Gleab esteemed about 800. Acres of that County half as much more as the statute Measure Besides a considerable part of the Town commonly called the Deans Gate corruptly for St Dionise Gate to whom with the Virgin Mary and St. George Manchester Church was dedicated built upon the Gleab-Land belonging to the Church As for the Tythes of the Parish they lye in two and thirty Hamblets wherewith the Collegiats were to be maintained which were one Warden and four Fellows The integrated and incorporate Rector unto whom the parsonage was appropriated There were also two Chaplains Singing-men Queristers and Organists This Colledge hath passed many Dissolutions and refoundations But was lately dissolved and the Lands thereof sold by the late Act for Sale of Dean and Chapters Lands Some skilful in the Gospel much bemoaning it and some learned in the Law conceiving That being but the Gleab of that Rectory it came not within the compasse of that Act but blessed be God it since hath reverted to its former Condition Since the Reformation JOHN SMITH was born at ......... in this County bred in Magdalen Câ—…ll in Cambridge Whereof he became Fellow and Proctor of the University when past Sixty years of age when the Prevaricators gave him this Homonyous Salute Ave Pater This man could not fidle could not Tune himself to be pleasant and plausible to all Companies but He could and did make that little Coll. great wherein he had his Education The Poets fain how Bachus by reason of his Mother Semyles her untimely death was taken out of his Mothers Womb and sewed into the thigh of Jupiter his Father where he was bred untill the full time of his Nativity A Fiction which finds a Morall in this Magdalen Coll. Whos 's Mother may be said to decease before the Infant was fit to be borne and that Mr. Smith performed the rest of the Parents part thereunto Indeed Ed. Stafford Duke of Buckingham the first founder thereof gave it little more than a Name The Lord Audley bestowed on it a new name with little buildings and lesse Indowment Magnificent Dr. Nevil for a Time was Mr. thereof but according to the fashion of the World the rich shall still have more his affections were all for Trinity Coll. to which he was after removed Onely Mr. Smith by his long life and thrifty living by what he gave to and what he saved for the Colledge so Improved the Condition thereof that though he left it Lateritium as he found it yet what he found poor and empty he left rich and full of Scholars Nor must we forget his painfulnesse when with Dr. Gouge he sollicited the Suit called Magdalen Colledge Case Nor yet his Patience when he lay so long in the Fleet for refusing to submit to an Order of Chancery fearing their cause would be prejudiced thereby so that he may be called the Confessor of the Colledge from inconsiderable Income He raised by his carefulnesse considerable profit to the Fellows of that house and by observing the Statutes brought the Colledge into such Reputation for Learning That yearly it afforded one or more Eminent scholars In a word he was a true servant to the Colledge all his life and at his Death to which he bequeathed all he had six hundred pounds at least and dyed Anno. Dom. 163. GEORGE CLARKE Haberdasher a plain honest man just temperate and â—…ugal And according to his understanding which in the Worlds esteem was not great devout a daily frequenter of the Prayers in the Colledge Church and the Hearer of Sermons there Not long before the breaking forth of our civil dissentions dying without issue he made the Poor his Heir and did give them one hundred pounds per annum in good lands lying in a place called Crompsall within a Mile from Manchester I have not yet attained the certain Date of his Death HUMPHREY CHETHAM third Son of Henry Chetham of Crompsall Gentleman is thought on just ground to descend from Sir Jeffrey Chetham of Chetham a man of much Remark in former dayes and some old Writings in the hands of Worshipful persons not far remote from the place do evidence as much but the said Sir Geffrey falling in troublesome times into the Kings Displeasure his Family in effect was long since ruinated But it seems his Posterity was unwilling to fly far from their old though destroyed Nest and got themselves a handsome habitation at Crompsall hard by where James elder Brother of this Humphrey Chetham did reside The younger Brethren George Humphrey and Ralph betook themselves to the Trading of this County dealing in Manchester commodities sent up to London And Humphrey signally improved himself in piety and outward prosperity He was a diligent Reader of the Scriptures and of the Works of sound Divines a Respecter of such Ministers which he accounted truely godly upright sober discreet and sincere He was High-Sheriffe of this County 1635. discharging the place with great Honour Insomuch that very good Gentlemen of Birth and Estate did wear his Cloth at the Assize to testifie their unfeigned affection to him and two of them of the same profession with himâ—…elf have since been Sheriffs of the County Grudge not Reader to go through so long a Porch for I assure thee it leads unto a fair Pallace to as great a Masterpiece of Bounty as our age hath afforded This Mr. Chetham by his Will bearing Date the 16. of January 1651. gave 7000. l. to buy a Fee-simple estate of 420. l. for ever for the Education of forty poor Children in Manchester at School from about 6. till 14. years of age when they are to be bound out Apprentizes They must be the Children of poor but honest Parents no bastards nor diseased at the time wherein they are chosen not lame or blind in regard the Town of Manchester hath ample means already if so employed for the maintenance of such Impotents Indeed he intended it for a Seminary of Religion and Ingenuity where the aforesaid Boyes were to have Diet Lodging Apparel and Instruction He gave a 1000. l. for Books to a Library and a 100. l. to prepare a place for them He bequeathed 200. l. to buy Books such
to inherit Happiness so severe her Education VVhilest a childe her Father's was to her an House of Correction nor did she write Woman sooner than she did subscribe Wife and in Obedience to her Parents was unfortunately matched to the L. Guilford Dudley yet he was a goodly and for ought I â—…ind to the contrary a Godly Gentleman whose worst fault was that he was Son to an ambitious Father She was proclaimed but never crowned Queen living in the Tower which Place though it hath a double capacity of a Palace and a Prison yet appeared to her chiefly in the later Relation For She was longer a Captive than a Queen therein taking no contentment all the time save what she found in God and a clear Conscience Her Family by snatching at a Crown which was not lost a Coronet which was their own much degraded in Degree and more in Estate I would give in an Inventory of the vast Wealth they then possessed but am loth to grieve her surviving Relations with a List of the Lands lost by her Fathers attainture She suffered on Tower-Hill 〈◊〉 on the twelfth of February KATHARINE GREY was second Daughter to Henry Duke of Suffolk T is pity to part the Sisters that their Memories may mutually condole and comfort one another She was born in the same place and when her Father was in height married to Henry Lord Herbert Son and Heir to the Earl of Pembroke buâ—… the politick old Earl perceiving the case altered and what was the high way to Honour turned into the ready road to Ruin got pardon from Queen Mary and brake the marriage quite off This Heraclita or Lady of Lamentation thus repudiated was seldome seen with dry eyes for some years together sighing out her sorrowful condition so that though the Roses in her Cheeks looked very wan and pale it was not for want of watering Afterward Edward Seymour Earl of Hertford married her privately without the Queens Licence and concealed till her pregnancy discovered it Indeed our English Proverb It is good to be near a kin to Land holdeth in private patrimonies not Titles to Crowns where such Aliances hath created to many much molestation Queen Elizabeth beheld her with a jealous Eye unwilling she should match either Forreign Prince or English Peer but follow the pattern she set her of constant Virginity For their Presumption this Earl was fined fifteen thousand pounds imprisoned with his Lady in the Tower and severely forbidden her company But Love and Money will find or force a passage By bribing the Keeper he bought what was his own his Wifes Embraces and had by her a surviving Son Edward Ancestor to the Right Honourable the Duke of Somerset She dyed January 26. a Prisoner in the Tower 1567. after nine years durance therein MARY GREY the youngest Daughter frighted with the Infelicity of her two Elder Sisters Jane and this Katharine forgot her Honour to remember her Safety and married one whom she could love and none need fear Martin Kayes of Kent Esq. who was a Judge at Court but only of Doubtful casts at Dice being Seâ—…jeant-Porter and died without Issue the 20. of April 1578. Martyrs HUGH LATIMER was born at Thurcaston in this County what his Father was and how qualified for his State take from his own mouth in his first Sermon before King Edward being confident the Reader will not repent his pains in perusing it My Father was a Yeoman and had no Lands of his own onely he had a Farme of three or four Pounds a Year at the uttermost and hereupon he tilled so much as kept halfe a dozen men he had walk for an Hundred Sheep and my Mother milked thiry Kine he was able and did finde the King an HARNESS with himself and his Horse whilest he came unto the Place that he should receive the Kings Wages I can remember I buckled his Harness when he went to Black Heath Field He kept me to School or else I had not been able to have Preached before the Kings Majestie now He married my Sisters with Five Pounds or twenty Nobles a piece so that he brought them up in Godliness and Fear of God He kept Hospitallity for his Poor Neighbours and some Almes He gave to the Poor and all this did he of the same Farme where he that now hath it payeth sixteen pounds by the Year and more and is not able to do any thing for his Prince for himself nor for his Children or give a Cup of Drink to the Poor He was bred in Christ's Colledg in Cambridg and converted under God by Mr. Bilney from a Violent Papist to a Zealous Protestant He was afterwards made Bishop of Worcester and four Years after outed for refusing to subscribe the six Articles How he was martyred at Oxford 1555. is notoriously known Let me add this Appendix to his Memory when the Contest was in the House of Lords in the Raign of K. Henry the Eighth about the giving all Abby Lands to the King There was a Division betwixt the Bishops of the Old and New Learning for by those Names they were distinguished Those of the Old Learning unwillingly willing were contented that the King should make a Resumption of all those Abbies which his Ancestors had founded leaving the rest to continue according to the Intention of their Founders The Bishops of the new Learning were more pliable to the Kings Desires Only Latimer was dissenting earnestly urging that two Abbies at the least in every Diocess of considerable Revenues might be preserved for the Maintenance of Learned men therein Thus swimming a good while against the stream he was at last carried away with the Current Eminent Prelates before the Reformation GILBERT SEGRAVE Born at Segrave in this County was bred in Oxford where he attained to great Learning as the Books written by him do declare The first Preferment I find conferred on him was The Provosts place of St. Sepulchers in York and the occasion how he obtained it is remakable The Pope had formerly bestowed it on his near Kinsman which argueth the good value thereof seeing neither Eagles nor Eagles Birds do feed on Flyes This Kinsman of the Popes lying on his death bed was troubled in Conscience which speakâ—…eth loudest when men begin to be speechlesse and all Sores pain most when nere night that he had undertaken such a Cure of Souls upon him who never was in England nor understood English and therefore requested the Pope his Kinsman that after his Death the Place might be bestowed on some Learned English-man that so his own absence and negligence might in some sort be repaired by the Residence and diligence of his Successor And this Segrave to his great Credit was found the fittest Person for that Performance He was afterwards preferred Bishop of London sitting in that See not full four years dying Anno Dom. 1317. WALTER DE LANGTON was born at VVest-langton in this County He was highly in favour
of Richmond afterwards King Henry the seventh in the Battel of Bosworth got the advantage of Ground Wind and Sun each singly considerable but little lesse then an Army in themselves when all put together Besides he assisted him with the service of many men and great horses He dyed One Thousand Five Hundred and Eleven leaving six Daughters and Coheirs and was buryed at Non-eaton in Warwick-shire IOHN POULTNEY born in Little Shepey was herein remarkable that in his sleep he did usually rise out of his bed dresse him open the Dores walk round about the Fields and return to his Bed not wakened sometimes he would rise in his sleep take a â—…taff Fork or any other kind of VVeapon that was next his hand and therewith lay about him now striking now defending himself as if he were then encountred or charged with an adversary not knowing being awaked what had passed He afterwards went to Sea with that famous but unfortunate Sir Hugh Willoughby Knight and was together with all the Fleet frozen to death in the North East passage about NOVA ZEMBLA HENRY NOEL Esq I will incur the Readers deserved displeasure if he appear not most memorable in his Generation He was younger Son to Sir Andrew Noel of Dalby in this County who for Person Parentage Grace Gesture Valour and many other excellent parts amongst which Skill in Musick was of the first rank in the Court. And though his Lands and Livclyhood were small having nothing known certain but his Annuity and Pension as Gentleman to Queen Elizabeth yet in state pomp magnificence and expences did ever equalize the Barons of great worth If any demand whence this proceeded the Spanish Proverb answers him That which cometh from above let no man question Being challenged by an Italian Gentleman to play at Baloun he so heat his blood that falling into a Feaver he dyed thereof and by Her Majesties appointment was buryed in the Abbey of Westminster and Chapel of St. Andrew anno 1596. Lord Maiors  Name Father Place Company Time 1 Geffrey Fielding William Fielding Lutterworth Mercer 1452 2 William Heriot Iohn Heriot Segrave Draper 1481 3 Robert Billesdon Alex Bilsesdon Queeningsborough Haberdasher 1483 4 Christoph. Draper Iohn Draper Melton-Mowbray Ironmonger 1566 5 George Bolles Thomas Bolles Newbold Grocer 1117 Sheriffs of Leicester and Warwick-Shire HEN. II. Anno 1 Geffrey Clinton Anno 2 Robert Fitz Hugh Anno 3 Robert Fitz Hugh Anno 4 William de Bello Campo Robert Fitz Hardulph Anno 5 â—…ertram de Bulmer Raph Basset Anno 6 Raph Basset Anno 7 W. Basset for Raph his Br. Anno 8 Robert Fitz Geffrey William Basset Anno 9 Willam Basset Anno 10 Rap. Glanvil W. Basset Anno 11 William Basset for 5 years Anno 16 Bert. de Verdun for 10. Anno 26 Raph de Glanvil Bertram de Berder Anno 27 Raph de Glanvil Bert. de Perdun Arn. de Burton Arn. de Barton Adam de Aldedelega Anno 28 Raph de Glanvil Adam de Aldedelega Bertram de Verdun A. de Barton Anno 29 Idem Anno 30 Raph de Glanvil Bertram de Verdun Anno 31 Raph de Glanvil Michael Belet Anno 32 Idem Anno 33 Idem RICH. I. Anno 1 Michael Belet Anno 2 Hugh Bishop of Coventry Anno 3 Hugh â—…ardolph Hugh Clarke Anno 4 Hugh Bp. Coventry Gilbert de Segrave Reginald Basset Anno 5 Reginald Basset Anno 6 Regin Basset Gilbert Segrave Anno 7 Regin Basset Williel Aubein Gilb. Segrave Anno 8 Regin Basset Anno 9 Regin Basset Williel Aubein Gilbert â—…egrave Anno 10 Rob. Harecourt King JOHN Anno 1 Regin Basset Anno 2 Robert Harecourt Anno 3 Rob. Harecourt Godfry de Lâ—…ege Anno 4 William de Cantelupe Robert de Poyer Anno 5 Robert Poyer Anno 6 Hugh Chaucomber for 4 years Anno 10 Robert Roppest Anno 11 Idem Anno 12 William de Cantelupe Rob. Poyer Anno 13 Rob. Poyer for 5 years HEN. III. Anno 2 Will. de Cantelupe Phil. Kniton Anno 3 Philip de Kniton Anno 4 Idem Anno 5 Will. de Cantelupe Will de Luditon Anno 6 Will. de Luditon Anno 7 Idem Anno 8 John Russell John Winterborne Anno 9 Rob. Lupus Anno 10 Idem Anno 11 Idem Anno 12 Will. Stutewill Will Ascellis Anno 13 Will. Ascellis Anno 14 Stephen de Segrave Will Edmonds Anno 15 Will. Edmonds Anno 16 Idem Anno 17 Steph. de Segrave Joh. de Riparas Anno 18 Raph Bray Anno 19 Raph. Fitz Nichol. Raph. Brewedon Anno 20 Raph. Will Erleg Anno 21 Will. de Lucy Anno 22 Idem Anno 23 Hugh Pollier Philip Ascett Anno 24 Hugh Pollier for 8 years Anno 32 Baldwin Paunton Anno 33 Idem Anno 34 Philip Murmuny Anno 35 Idem Anno 36 Idem Anno 37 Will. Maunsel for 4 y. Anno 41 Alan Swinford Anno 42 Anketill Martivaus Anno 43 Idem Anno 44 Will. Bagot for 12 years Anno 56 Will. Morteyn Will Bagot EDVV. I. Anno 1 William Mortimer Anno 2 Idem Anno 3 Idem Anno 4 William Hanelin Anno 5 Idem Anno 6 Idem Anno 7 Tho. de Hasele Robert Verdon Anno 8 Robert Verdon Osb. Bereford for 5 years Anno 13 Rob. Verdon Osbert Bereford Tho. Farendon Anno 14 Idem Anno 15 Tho. Farendon Foulk Lucy Anno 16 Foulk Lucy Anno 17 William Bonvill Anno 18 Idem Anno 19 Stephen Baber Anno 20 Idem Anno 21 Steph. Baber Will de Castello Anno 22 Will. de Castello for 5 years Anno 27 John Broughton Anno 28 Idem Anno 29 Philip Gayton Anno 30 Idem Anno 31 John Deane Richard Herehus Anno 32 Idem Anno 33 Idem Anno 34 Richard Whitnere Anno 35 Idem EDVV. II. Anno 1 John Deane Geffrey Segrave Anno 2 Richard Herthull Anno 3 Idem Anno 4 John Deane Anno 5 Idem Anno 6 John Olney Anno 7 Idem Anno 8 William Trussell Anno 9 Idem Anno 10 Walter Beauchamp Anno 11 Walt. Beauchamp Will Nevill Anno 12 Ralph Beler Anno 13 William Nevill Anno 14 Thomas le Rous. Anno 15 Idem Anno 16 Anno 17 Hen. Nottingham Rob. Morin Oliver Walleis Anno 18 Idem Anno 19 Idem EDVV. III. Anno 1 Roger Aylesbury Anno 2 Thomas Blancfront Anno 3 Robert Burdet Anno 4 Rob. Burdet Roger la Zouch Anno 5 Roger Aylesbury Anno 6 Idem Anno 7 Hen. Hockley Roger la Zouch Anno 8 Roger la Zouch for 7 years Anno 15 William Peito Anno 16 Robert Bereford Anno 17 John Wallis Anno 18 Idem Anno 19 Tho. Beauchamp Earl of Warwick for 25 years Anno 44 John Peach Anno 45 William Catesby Anno 46 Richard Harthull Anno 47 Roger Hillary Anno 4â—… John Boyvill Anno 49 John Burdet Anno 50 VVilliam Breton Anno 51 Richard Harthull Sheriffs of Leicester and Warwick
branch of the same honourable Family Henry Hastings second-Son to Henry second of that Christian Name Earl of Huntington who by his Virtues doth add to the dignity of his Extraction Queen ELIZABETH 5. JOHN FISHER Armiger His Father Thomas Fisher alias Hawkins being a Collonel under the Duke of Somerset in Musleborough Field behaved himself right valiantly and took a Scotch man Prisoner who gave a Griffin for his Arms Whereupon the said Duke conferred on him the Arms of his Captive to be born within a Border Varrey in relation to a prime Coat which the said Duke the Granter thereof quartered as descended from the Lord Beauchamps of Hatch Sheriffs of Leicester-Shire alone Name Place Arms. ELIZAB. Reginae   Anno   9 Geo. Sherard ar Stapleford Argent a Cheveron Gules betwixt three Torteauxes 10 Hen. Poole arm   11 Brian Cave arm  Azure Frettee Argent 12 Jac. Harington m Pâ—…leton Sable a Fret Argent 13 Geo. Hastings m.  Argent a Maunch Sable 14 Fr. Hastings ar  The same with due difference 15 Edw. Leigh arm  G. a Cross ingrailed Ar. in the first Quarter a Lozenge O. 16 Geoâ—… Turpin m. Knaptoft G. on a bend Argent 3. Lyons heads Erazed Sable 17 Rog. Villeâ—…s ar  Ar. on a Cross G. 5 Escalops O 18 Tho. Skevington Skevingt Arg. 3. Bulls heads erased S. 19 Nic. Beaumont a. Coleorton Az. seme de flewer de Liz A Lyon Rampant Or. 20 Tho. Ashby arm  A Chev. Erm. tw 3. Leop. heads 21 Tho. Cave arm ut prius  22 Fran. Hastings a. ut prius  23 Geor. Purefey a. Drayton  24 Brian Cave a. Engersby ut prius with due difference 25 Andr. Noell a. Dalby Or fretty Gules a Canton Ermin 26 Hen. Iurvile a. Aston Gules 3 Gheverons varry 27 Will. Turpin ar ut prius  28 Aâ—…h Faunt ar Foston Aâ—… Crus ule Fitche a L. Ramp G with due difference 29 Will. Cave arm Pikwell  30 Tho. Skeffington ut prius  Belgrave Belgrave G. a Chev. Er. twixt 3 Mascles A ut prius with due difference 31 Edw. Turvile a. Thurlston  32 Geor. 〈◊〉 a. ut prius  33 Geor. Villers ar Brokesby Arms ut prius 34 Thom. Cave ar ut prius  35 Will. Turpin ar ut prius  36 Hen. Beaumont ut prius  37 Williel Cave ar ut prius  38 Henri Cave ar ut prius  39 Will. Skipwith a Cotes Arg. 3 bars Gules in chief a Greyâ—…ound cursant Sable 40 Will. Digby ar Welby Azure a Fleur de Liz Argent 41 T. Skâ—…ffington a. ut prius  42 Rog. Smith arm Withcock Gules on a Gheveron Or betw 3 Bezaunts 3 Croslets formy Fitchee 43 Georg. Ashby ar Quenby  44 Tho. Humfreys Swepston  JACOB R.   Anno   1 Will. Faunt mil. Faufton Arms ut prius 2 Will. Noell arm Wellsbor Arms ut prius 3 Basil. Brook miles Lubbenham  4 Tho. Nevill mil. Holt Gules a Saltyre Ermin 5 Hen. Hastings m. Leicester Arms ut prius 6 Will. Villers aâ—… Brokesby  7 Joh. Plummer ar Marston Ermin a Bend Varry cotised S. 8 T. Beaumont mil. Coleorton  9 Brian Cave mil. Engersby  10 〈◊〉 Hasilrig m. Nowsley Argent a Cheveron betwixt 3. Hasel leaves vert 11 Tho. Stavely ar  Barry of 8 Ar. and Gules over all a Flower de Luce Sable 12 Wolstan Dixy m Bosworth Az. a Lyon Rampant cheif Or. 13 VVill. Faunt m. ut prius  14 VV. Holford m. Welham  15 Edw. Hartop ar Buckminster S. a cheveron twixt 3 Otters Ar. 16 VV. Gerveis a. Peatling  VVil. Roberts m. Sutton Per Pale Ar. G. a Lyon Ramp S. 17 Johan Cave arm Pikwell  18 Alex. Cave mil. Bagrave  19 Richard Holford Wistowe  20 Geo. 〈◊〉 ar   21 Johan Bale mil. Carleton Curley Per Pale Vert G. an Eagle displayed Arg beaked armed O 22 Hen. Shirley m. Stanton Paly of 6. Or Az. a canton Erm. K. CHARLES   Anno   1 Tho. Hartoppe m. ut prius  2 Nathan Lary ar   3 Georg. Aisby ar   4 Er. de la Fontain m  G. a Bend Or in the Sinister cheif a cinque foile Ermin 5 W. VVollaston a.  Sable 3 Mullets pierced Argent 6 Joh. Banbrigge a. Lockinton Arg. a cheveron Embateled betw 3 Battle-axes Sable 7 Johann Brokesby ut prius  8 Joh. St. John m.  Arg. on a cheif G. 2 Mullets Or. 9 Tho Buâ—…ton M. B. 〈◊〉 S. a Chev. betw 3 owles Argent 〈◊〉 Or. 10 Fran. Sanders a.  Partee p. Ch. Ar. S. 3 Eâ—…eph beads counterch 11 Joh. Poultney ar 〈◊〉 Arg. a Fess indented G. 3. Leop. heads in cheif Sable 12 Hen. Skipwith m ut prius  13 Rich. Roberts m.   14 Joh. Whaâ—…ton ar   15 Will. Holford ar   16 Johan Pate arm   17 Arch. Palmer ar   18   19   20   21 Johan Stafford a.   22 Will. Hewit arm  Sable a Chever counterbattellee betwixt 3 owles Argent Queen ELIZABETH 14. FRANCIS HASTINGS I believe him the same Person with Sir Francis Hastings fourth Son to Francis second Earl of Huntington of that Sirname to whose many children Mr. Cambden giveth this commendation that they agreed together in brotherly love though not in religion some Protestants others Papists all zealous in their perswafion Our Sir Francis wrote a Learned Book in the defence of our Religion rather carped at then confuted by Parsons in his three Conversions and was an Eminent Benefactor to Emmanuel Colledge But if I be mistaken in the Man and these prove two different persons the Reader will excuse me for taking occasion by this his Namesake and near Kinsman of entring here the Memorial of so worthy a Gentleman 28. ANTHONY FAUNT Esquire He was a Gentleman of a Comely person and great Valor Son unto William Faunt Apprentice of the Law of the Inner Temple one of great Learning and Wisdome And had in the low Countreys served under William Prince of Orange where he gained much martial experience Returning into his Countrey he underwent some Offices therein with good esteeme being this year chosen Sheriff of the Shire In the next year which was 1588. He was chosen Lieutenant General of all the Forces of this Shire to resist the Spanish Invasion But his Election being crost by Henry Earl of Huntington Lord Leiutenant of the County he fell into so deep a Fit of Melancholy that he dyed soon after 39. VVILLIAM SKIPVVITH Esq He was afterwards deservedly Knighted being a Person of much Valor judgment Learning and VVisdome dexterous at the making fit and acute Epigrams Poesies Mottoes and Devises but chiefly at Impresses neither so apparent that every Rustick might understand them nor so obscure that they needed an Oedipus
returned For your Masters sake I will stoop but not for the King of Spains This worthy Patriot departed this life in the seventy seventh year of his Age August the 4th 1598. Capitall Judges Sr. WILLIAM de SKIPVVITH was bred in the study of the Laws profiting so well therein that he was made in Trinity Terme Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer in the thirty fifth continuing therein untill the fortieth of the Reign of King Edward the third I meet not with any thing memorable of him in our English Histories except this may pass for a thing remarkable that at the importunity of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster this Sr. William condemned William Wichkam Bish. of Winchester of Crimes rather powerfully objected then plainly proved against him whereupon the Bishops Temporalls were taken from him and he denied access within twenty miles of the Kings Court. I confess there is a Village in the East riding of Yorkshire called SKIPWITH but I have no assurance of this Judge his Nativity therein though ready to remove him thither upon clearer information Sr. WILLIAM SKIPVVITH Junior He was inferior to the former in place whom I behold as a Puisne Judge but herein remarkable to all posterity That he would not complie neither for the importunity of King Richard the second nor the example of his fellow Judges in the 10th year of that Kings Reign to allow that the King by his own power might rescinde an Act of Parliament Solus inter impios mansit integer Gulielmus Skipwith * Miles Clarus ideo apud Posteros And * shined the brighter for living in the midst of a crooked Generation bowed with fear and favour into Corruption I know well that the Collar of S. S. S. or Esses worn about the necks of Judges and other persons of Honor is wreathed into that form whence it receiveth its name Chiefly from Sanctus Simon Simplicius an uncorrupted Judge in the Primitive Times May I move that every fourth link thereof when worn may mind them of this SKIPVVITH so upright in his judgment in a matter of the highest importance Having no certainty of his Nativity I place him in this County where his name at Ormesby hath flourished ever since his time in a very worshipfull equipage Sr. WILLIAM HUSEâ—… Knight was born as I have cause to believe in this County where his name and Familie flourish in a right worshipfull equipage He was bred in the study of our Municipall Law and attained to such eminencie therein that by King Edward the fourth in the one and twentieth of his Reign he was made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. King HENRY the seventh who in point of policy was onely directed by himself in point of Law was chiefly ruled by this Judge especially in this question of importance It hapned that in his first Parliament many Members thereof were returned who being formerly of this Kings partie were attainted and thereby not legal to sit in Parliament being disabled in the highest degree it being incongruous that they should make Laws for others who themselves were not Inlawed The King not a little troubled therewith remitted it as a case in Law to the Judges The Judges assembled in the Exchequer Chamber agreed all with Sr. VVilliam Husee their Speaker to the King upon this Grave and safe opinion mixed with Law and convenience that the Knights and Burgesses attainted by the course of Law should forbear to come into the House till a Law were passed for the reversall of their attainders which was done accordingly When at the same time it was incidently moved in their Consultation what should be done for the King himself who likewise was attainted the rest unanimously agreed with Sr. VVilliam Husee that the Crown takes away all defects and stops in blood and that by the Assumption thereof the fountain was cleared from all attainders and Corruptions He died in Trinity Term in the tenth year of King Henry the 7th Sr. EDMUND ANDERSON Knight was born a younger brother of a Gentile extract at Flixborough in this County and bred in the Inner Temple I have been informed that his Father left him 1000 l. for his portion which this our Sr. Edmund multiplyed into many by his great proficiency in the Common Law being made in the twenty fourth of Queen Elizabeth Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. When Secretary Davison was sentenced in the Star Chamber for the business of the Queen of Scots Judge Anderson said of him that therein he had done * justum non juste and so acquitting him of all malice censured him with the rest for his indiscretion When H. â—…uff was arraigned about the Rising of the Earl of Essex and when Sr. Edward Coke the Queens Solicitor opposed him and the other answered Syllogistically our Anderson sitting there as Judge of Law not Logick checked both Pleader and Prisoner ob stolidos Syllogismos for their foolish Syllogismes appointing the former to press the Statute of King Edward the third His stern countenance well became his place being a great promoter of the established Church-discipline and very severe against all Brownists when he met them in his Circuit He dyed in the third of King James leaving great Estates to several sons of whom I behold Sr. Francis Anderson of Euworth in Bedfordshire the eldest whose son Sr. John by a second Wife Audrey Butler Neece to the Duke of Buckingham and afterwards married to the Lord Dunsmore in VVarwickshire was according to some conditions in his Patent to succeed his Father in Law in that honour if surviving him This I thought fit to insert to vindicate his memory from oblâ—…vion who being an hopefull Gentleman my fellow Colleague in Sidney Colledge was taken away in the prime of his youth Souldiers Sr. FREDERICK TILNEY Knight had his chief Residence at Bostone in this County He was a man of mighty stature and strength above the Proportion of ordinary persons He attended King Richard the first Anno Dom. 1190. to the Seidge of Acon in the Holy Land where his Atcheivements were such that he struk terror into the Infidels Returning home in safety he lived and died at Terington nigh Tilney in Norfolk where the measure of his incredible stature was for many 〈◊〉 preserved Sixteen Knights flourished from him successively in the Male line till at last their Heir generall being married to the Duke of Norfolk put a period to the Lustre of that ancient family PEREGRINE BERTY Lord Willoughby Son of Richard Berty and Katharine Dutchess of Suffolk Reader I crave a dispensation that I may with thy good leave trespass on the Premised Laws of this Book his name speaking his foraign Nativity born nigh Hidleberg in the Palatinate Indeed I am loath to omit so worthy a Person Our Histories fully report his valiant Atcheivements in France and the Netherlands and how at last he was made Governour of
Navar called Mortileto de Vilenos who had accused him of Treason to the King and Realm In which combat the Navarois was overcome and afterwards hang'd for his false accusation HENRY the Fourth 2. JOHN ROCHFORD Miles The same no doubt with him who was Sheriff in the 15. of K. Richard the Second I confesse there was a Knightly Family of this Name at Rochford in Essex who gave for their Arms Argent a Lyon Rampant Sable langued armed and crowned Gules quartered at this day by the Lord Rochford Earl of Dover by the Butlers and Bollons descended from them But I behold this Lincolnshire Knight of another Family and different Arms quartered by the Earl of Moulgrave whence I collect his heir matched into that Family Consent of time and other circumstances argue him the same with Sir John Rochford whom Bale maketh to flourish under King Henry the Fourth commending him for his noble birth great learning large travail through France and Italy and worthy pains in translating Iosephus his Antiquities Polychronicon and other good Authors into English RICHARD the Third 2. ROâ—…ERT DIMOCK Miles This Sir Robert Dimock at the Coronation of King Henry the Seventh came on horse back into VVestminster Hall where the King dined and casting his Gauntlet on the Ground challenged any who durst Question the Kings right to the Crown King Henry being pleased to dissemble himself a stranger to that Ceremony demanded of a stander by what that Knight said to whom the party returned He challengeth any man to fight with him who dares deny your Highnesse to be the lawful K. of England If he will not fight with such a one said the King I will And so sate down to dinner HENRY the Seventh 9. JOHN HUSEE This was undoubtedly the same person whom King Henry the Eigth afterwards created the first and last Baron Husee of Sleford who ingaging himself against the King with the rebellious Commons anno 1537 was justly beheaded and saw that honour begun and ended in his own person HENRY the Eighth 16. THOMAS BURGE Miles He was honourably descended from the Heir General of the Lord Cobham of Sterbury in Surry and was few years after created Baron Burge or Burough by King Henry the Eigth His Grandchild Thomas Lord Burge Deputy of Ireland and Knight of the Garter of whom before left no Issue Male nor plentiful Estate only four Daughters Elizabeth married to Sir George Brook Frances to the ancient Family of Copinger in Suffolk Anna Wife to Sir Drue Drury and Katharine married to ..... Knivet of Norfolk Mother to Sir John Knivet Knight of the Bath at the last Installment so that the honour which could not conveniently be divided was here determined King CHARLES 9. JERVASIUS SCROOP Miles He ingaged with his Majesty in Edge-hill-fight where he received twenty six wounds and was left on the ground amongst the dead Next day his Son Adrian obtained leave from the King to find and fetch off his Fathers Corps and his hopes pretended no higher then to a decent Interment thereof Hearty seeking makes happy finding Indeed some more commendedthe affection than the judgement of the Young Gentleman conceiving such a search in vain amongst many naked bodies with wounds disguised from themselves and where pale Death had confounded all complexions together However he having some general hint of the place where his Father fell did light upon his body which had some heat left therein This heat was with rubbing within few Minutes improved into motion that motion within some hours into sense that sense within a day into speech that speech within certain Weeks into a perfect recovery living more then ten years after a Monument of Gods mercy and his Sons affection He always after carried his Arme in a Scarfe and loss of blood made him look very pale as a Messenger come from the Grave to advise the Living to prepare for Death The effect of his Story I received from his own mouth in Lincolne-colledge The Farewel It is vain to wish the same Successe to every Husband man in this Shire as he had who some seven score years since at Harlaxton in this County found an Helmet of Gold as he was Plowing in the Field Besides in Treasure Trove the least share falleth to him who first finds it But this I not only heartily wish but certainly promise to all such who industriously attend Tillage in this County or else where that thereby they shall find though not gold in specie yet what is gold worth and may quickly be commuted into it great plenty of good grain the same which Solomon foretold He that tilleth his Land shall have Plenty of Bread IT is in effect but the Suburbs at large of London replenished with the retyring houses of the Gentry and Citizens thereof besides many Pallaces of Noble-men and three lately Royal Mansions Wherefore much measure cannot be expected of so fine ware The cause why this County is so small scarce extending East and West to 18 miles in length and not exceeding North and South 12 in the bredth thereof It hath Hertford-shire on the North Buckingham-shire on the West Essex parted with Ley on the East Kent and Surrey severed by the Thames on the South The ayr generally is most healtful especially about High-Gate where the expert Inhabitants report that divers that have been long visited with sickness not curable by Physick have in short time recovered by that sweet salutary ayr Natural Commodities Wheate The best in England groweth in the Vale lying South of Harrow-the-Hill nigh Hessen where providence for the present hath fixed my habitation so that the Kings bread was formerly made of the fine flower thereof Hence it was that Queen Elizabeth received no Composition money from the Villages thereabouts but took her Wheat in kinde for her own Pastry and Bake-house There is an obscure Village hereabouts called Perivale which my Author will have more truly termed Purevale an Honour I assure you unknown to the Inhabitants thereof because of the cleerness of the Corn growing therein though the Purity thereof is much subject to be humbled with the Mildew whereof hereafter Tamarisk It hath not more affinity in sound with Tamarind then sympathy in extraction both originally Arabick general similitude in leaves and operation onely Tamarind in England is an annual dying at the approach of Winter whil'st Tamarisk lasteth many years It was first brought over by Bishop Grindal out of Switzerland where he was exile under Queen Mary and planted in his Garden at Fulham in this County where the soile being moist and Fenny well complied with the nature of this Plant which since is removed and thriveth well in many other places Yet it groweth not up to be Timber as in Arabia though often to that substance that Cups of great size are made thereof Dioscorides saith it is good for the Tooth-ach as what is not and yet indeed
which Alms-dish came afterwards into the possession of the Duke of Somerset who sent it to the Lord Rivers to sell the same to furnish himself for a Sea-voyage But after the Death of good Duke Humphrey when many of his former Alms-men were at a losse for a meals meat this Proverb did alter its Copy to Dine with Duke Humphrey importing to be Dinnerlesse A general mistake fixed this sense namely that Duke Humphrey was buryed in the Body of St. Pauls Church where many men chaw their meat with feet and walk away the want of a Dinner whereas indeed that noble person interred in St. Pauls was Sir John Beauchamp Constable of Dover Warden of the Cinque Ports Knight of the Garter Son to Guy Earl of Warwick and Brother to Thomas Earl of Warwick whilst Duke Humphrey was honourably buried in St. Albans I will use you as bad as a Jew I am sure I have carried the Child home and layed it at the Fathers House having traced this Proverb by the Tract from England in General to London thence to the Old Jury whence it had its first Original that poor Nation especially on Shrove-Tuesday being intollerably abused by the English whilst they lived in the Land I could wish that wheresoever the Jews live they may not find so much courtesie as to confirm them in their false yet not so much Cruelty as to discourage them from the true Religion till which time I can bemone their Misery condemn the Christians Cruelty and admire Gods justice in both See we it here now fulfilled which God long since frequently foretold and threatned namely that he would make the Jews become a Proverb if continuing Rebellious against him I passe not for the Flouts of prophane Pagans scoffing at the Jews Religion Credat Judaeus Apella but to behold them thus Proverbiascere for their Rebellions against God minds me of the performance of Gods Threatning unto them Good manners to except my Lord Maior of London This is a corrective for such whose expressions are of the largest size and too general in their extent parallel to the Logick Maxime Primum in unoquoque genere est excipiendum as too high to come under the Roof of comparison In some cases it is not civil to fill up all the room in our speeches of our selves but to leave an upper place voyd as a blank reserved for our betters I have dined as well as my Lord Maior of London That this Proverb may not crosse the former know that as well is not taken for as dubiously or daintily on Variety of Costly Dishes in which kinds the Lord Maior is Paramount for Magnificence For not to speak of his solemn Invitations as when Henry Pickard Lord Maior 1357. did in one day entertain a Messe of Kings Edward King of England John King of France David King of Scots and the King of Cyprus besides Edward Prince of Wales and many prime Noble-men of the Land his daily Dinners are Feasts both for Plenty Guests and Attendants But the Proverb hath its modest meaning I haue dined as well that is as comfortable as contentedly according to the Rule Satis est quod sufficit enough is as good as a Feast and better then a Surfeit and indeed Nature is contented with a little and Grace with lesse As old as Pauls Steeple Different are the Dates of the Age thereof because it had two births or beginnings For if we count it from the time wherein it was originally co-founded by K. Ethelbert with the Body of the Church Anno six hundred and ten then it is above a thousand and forty years of Age. But if we reckon it from the year 1087. when burnt with Lightning from Heaven and afterwards rebuilt by the Bishops of London it is not above five hundred years old And though this Proverb falls far short of the Latine ones Antiquius Arcadibus Antiquius Saturno yet serveth it sufficiently to be returned to such who pretend those things to be Novell which are known to be stale old and almost antiquated He is only fit for Ruffians-Hall A Ruffian is the same with a Swaggerer so called because endevouring to make that Side to swag or weigh down whereon he ingageth The same also with Swash-Buckler from swashing or making a noise on Bucklers West-Smith-field now the Horse-Market was formerly called Ruffians-Hall where such men met casually and otherwise to try Masteries with Sword and Buckler Moe were frighted then hurt hurt then killed therewith it being accounted unmanly to strike beneath the Knee because in effect it was as one armed against a naked man But since that desperate Traitor Rowland Yorke first used thrusting with Rapiers Swords and Bucklers are disused and the Proverb only appliable to quarrelsome people not tame but wild Barretters who delight in brawls and blows A Loyal heart may be landed under Traitors Bridge This is a Bridge under which is an Entrance into the Tower over against Pink Gate formerly fatal to those who landed there there being a muttering that such never came forth alive as dying to say no worse therein without any Legal Tryal The Proverb importeth that passive Innocence overpower'd with Adversaries may be accused without cause and disposed at the pleasure of others it being true of all Prisoners what our Saviour said to and of St. Peter Another shall carry thee whither thou wouldst not Queen Elizabeth may be a proofe hereof who in the Reign of Queen Mary her Sister first stayed and denyed to Land at those Stairs where all Traytors and Offenders customably used to Land till a Lord which my Author would not and I cannot name told her she should not choose and so she was forced accordingly To cast water into the Thames That is to give to them wâ—…o had plenty before which notwithstanding is the dole general of the World Yet let not Thames be proud of his full and fair stream seeing Water may be wanting therein as it was Anno 1158. the Fourth of William Rufus when men might walk over dryshod and again Anno 1582. a strong Wind lying West and by South which forced out the Fresh and kept back the Salt-water He must take him a House in Turn-again Lane This in old Records is called Wind-again Lane and lyeth in the Parish of St. Sepulchres going down to Fleet-Dike which men must turn again the same way they came for there it is stopped The Proverb is applied to those who sensible that they embrace destructive courses must seasonably alter their manners which they may do without any shame to themselves it is better to come back through Turn-again though a narrow and obscure Lane then to go on an ill account straight forwards in a fair street hard by whence Vestigia nulla retrorsum as leading Westward to Execution He may whet his Knife on the Threshold of the Fleet. The Fleet is a place notoriouslâ—… known for a
I remember are buryed in Lichfield and not in the Vault under the Church of Drayton in Middlesex where the rest of that Family I cannot say lye as whose Coffins are erected but are very compleatly reposed in a peculiar posture which I meet not with elsewhere the horrour of a Vault being much abated with the Lightnesse and Sweetnesse thereof THOMAS WENTVVORTH was born his Mother coming casually to London in Chancery Lane in the Parish of St. Dunstans in the West Yet no reason Yorkshire should be deprived of the honour of him whose Ancestors long flourished in great esteem at VVent-worth-VVoodhouse in that County He was bred in St. Iohns Colledge in Cambridge and afterwards became a Champion Patriot on all occasions He might seem to have a casting voice in the House of Commons for where he was pleased to dispose his Yea or Nay there went the affirmative or negative It was not long before the Court gained him from the Country and then Honours and Offices were heaped on him created Baron and Viscount Wentworth Earl of Strafford and Lord Deputy of Ireland When he went over into Ireland all will confesse he laid down to himself this noble foundation vigorously to endevour the Reduction of the Irish to perfect obedience to the King and profit to the Exchequer But many do deny the Superstructure which he built thereon was done by legal line and Plummet A Parliament was called in England and many Crimes were by prime persons of England Scotland and Ireland charged upon him He fenced skilfully for his Life and his Grand-guard was this that though confessing some Misdemeanors all proved against him amounted not to Treason And indeed Number cannot create a new kind so that many Trespasses cannot make a Riot many Riots one Treason no more then many Frogs can make one Toad But here the Dâ—…stinction of Acumulative and Constructive Treason was coyned and caused his Destruction Yet his Adversaries politickly brake off the Edge of the Axe which cut off his head by providing his Condemnation should not passe into Precedent to Posterity so that his Death was remarkable but not exemplary Happy had it been if as it made no Precedent on Earth so no Remembrance thereof had been kept in Heaven Some hours before his Suffering he fell fast asleep alledged by his friends as an Evidence of the Clearnesse of his Conscience and hardly to be parallel'd save in St. Peter in a dead sleep the Night before he was to dye condemned by Herod His death happened 1641. He hath an eternal Monument in the matchlesse Meditations of King Charles the First and an everlasting Epitaph in that weighty Character * there given him I looked upon my Lord of Strafford as a Gentleman whose abilites might make a Prince rather afraid than ashamed in the greatest Affairs of State c. God alone can revive the dead all that Princes can perform is to honour their Memory and Posterity as our Gracious Soveraign King Charles hath made his worthy Son Knight of the Garter LYONEL CRANFIELD Son to Randal Cranfield Citizen and Martha his Wife Daughter to the Lady Dennis of Gloucester-shire who by her will which I have perused bequeathed a fair estate unto her was born in Bassing-hall street and bred a Merchant much conversant in the Custome-House He may be said to have been his own Tutor and his own University King Iames being highly affected with the clear brief strong yea and profitable sense he spake preferred him Lord Treasurer 1621. Baron of Cranfield and Earl of Middlesex Under him it began to be young flood in the Exchequer wherein there was a very low Ebb when he entred on that Office and he possessed his Treasurers place some four years till he fell into the Duke of Bucks the best of Friends and worst of Foes displeasure Some say this Lord who rose cheifly by the Duke whose near Kinswoman he married endevoured to stand without yea in some cases for the Kings profit against him which Independency and opposition that Duke would not endure Flaws may soon be found and easily be made Breaches in great Officers who being active in many cannot be exact in all matters However this Lord by losing his Office saved himself departing from his Treasurers place which in that age was hard to keep Insomuch that one asking what was good to preserve Life was answered Get to be Lord Treasurer of England for they never do dye in their place which indeed was true for four Successions Retiring to his magnificent House at Copt-hall he there enjoyed himself contentedly entertained his friends bountifully neighbours hospitably poor charitably He was a proper person of comely presence chearful yet grave countenance and surely a solid and wise man And though their Soul be the fattest who only suck the sweet Milk they are the healthfullest who to use the Latine Phrase have tasted of both the Breasts of fortune He dyed as I collect anno 1644 and lyeth interred in a stately Monument in the Abby at Westminster Writers on the Law FLETA or FLEET We have spoken formerly of the Fleet as a Prison but here it importeth a person disguised under that name who it seems being committed to the Fleet therein wrote a Book of the Common Laws of England and other Antiquities There is some difference concerning the Time when this Learned Book of Fleta was set forth but it may be demonstrated done before the fourteenth of the Reign of King Edward the Third for he saith that it is no Murder except it be proved that the Party slain was English and no Stranger whereas this was altered in the fourteenth year of the said King when the killing of any though a Forreigner living under the Kings protection out of prepensed Malice was made Murder He seemeth to have lived about the End of King Edward the Second and beginning of King Edward the Third Seeing in that Juncture of Time two Kings in effect were in being the Father in right the Son in might a small contempt might cause a confinement to that place and as Loyal ubjects be within it as without it Sure it is that notwithstanding the confinement of the Author his Book hath had a good passage and is reputed Law to posterity CHRISTOPHER St. GERMAN Reader wipe thine eyes and let mine smart if thou readest not what richly deserves thine observation seeing he was a person remarkable for his Gentility Piety Chastity Charity Ability Industry and Vivacity 1. Gentility descended from a right ancient Family born as I have cause to believe in London and bred in the Inner Temple in the Study of our Laws 2. Piety he carried Saint in his nature as well as in his Surname constantly reading and expounding every night to his Family a Chapter in the Bible 3. Chastity living and dying unmarried without the least spot on his Reputation 4. Charity giving consilia and auxilia to all his People gratis
Convent of Blackney and afterwards studied first in Oxford then in Paris one remarkable on many accounts First for the Dwarfishness of his stature Scalpellum calami atramentum charta libellus His Pen-knife Pen Ink-horn one sheet of Paper and any of his books would amount to his full height As for all the books of his own making put together their burden were more then his body could bear Secondly for his high spirit in his low body Indeed his soul had but a small Diocess to visit and therefore might the better attend the effectual informing thereof I have heard it delivered by a learned Doctor in Physick at the Anatomy lecture in London who a little before had been present at the Emboweling and and Embalming of Duke Hamilton and the Lord Capel that the heart of the former was the largest the latter the least he had ever beheld inferring hence that contracted spirits act with the greatest vigorousness Thirdly for his high title wherewith he was generally termed the resolute Doctor Two sorts of people he equally disliked Scepticks who are of none and unconstant people who are successively of all opinions and whilst others turned about like the Wheel he was as fixed as the Axletree in his own judgement Yet this his resoluteness was not attended with censuring of such who were of another Opinion where equal probability on either side allowed a latitude to dissent He groaped after more light then he saw saw more than he durst speak of spake of more then he was thanked for by those of his superstitioâ—…s Order amongst whom saith Bale neither before nor after arose the like for learning and religion Most agree in the time of his death Anno 1346. though dissenting in the place of his burial assigning Blackney Norwich London the several places of his Interment JOHN GOLTON born at Tirington in this County was Chaplain to William Bateman Bishop of Norwich and first Master by the appointment of the Founder of Gonvil-hall in Cambridge Leland allows him a man plus quam mediocriter doctus bonus for which good qualities King Henry the fourth advanced him Arch-bishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland He was imployed to the Court of Rome in the heavy schisme betwixt Pope Urban the sixth and Clement the seventh which occasioned his writing of his learned treatise De causa Schismatis and because knowing the cause conduceth little to the cure without applying the remedy he wrote another book De Remediis ejusdem It seemeth he resigned his Arch-bishoprick somewhat before his death which happened in the year of our Lord 1404. ALAN of LYNNE was born in that famous Mart-town in this County and brought up in the University of Cambridge where he proceeded Doctor of Divinity and afterwards became a Carmelite in the Town of his nativity Great his diligence in reading many and voluminous Authors and no less his desire that others with him should reap the fruit of his industry to which end he made Indexes of the many Writers he perused An Index is a necessary implement and no impediment of a book except in the same sense wherein the Carriages of an Army are termed Impedimenta Without this a large Author is but a labyrinth without a clue to direct the Reader therein I confess there is a lazy kind of learning which is onely Indical when Scholars like adders which onely bite the horse heels nibble but at the Tables which are calces librorum neglecting the body of the book But though the idle deserve no Crutches let not a staff be used by them but on them pity it is the weary should be denied the benefit thereof and industrious Scholars prohibited the accommodation of an Index most used by those who most pretend to contemn it To return to our Alan his Herculean labour in this kind doth plainly appear to me who find it such a toil and trouble to make but an Index of the Indexes he had made of the Authors following 1 Aegidius 2 Alcuinus 3 Ambrosius 4 Anselmus 5 Aquinas 6 Augustinus 7 Baconthorpe 8 Basil 9 Bede 10 Belethus Bles. 11 Bernard 12 Berthorius 13 Cassianus 14 Cassiodorus 15 Chrysostome 16 Cyril 17 Damascen 18 Gerard. Laodic 19 Gilbert 20 Gorham 21 Gregory 22 Haymo 23 Hierome 24 Hilary 25 Hugo 26 Josephus 27 Neckam 28 Origen 29 Pamph. Eusebius 30 Phil. Ribot 31 Raban 32 Remigius 33 Richard All these I. Bale professeth himself to have seen in the Carmelites Library at Norwich acknowledging many more which he saw not Now although it be a just and general complaint that Indexes for the most part are Heteroclites I mean either redundant in what is needless or defective in what is needful yet the Collections of this Alan were allowed very complete He flourished Anno 1420. and was buried at Lynne in the Convent of Carmelites WILLIAM WELLS was born saith Pitz. at Wells the Cathedral See in Somerset-shire wherein no doubt he is mistaken For be it reported to any indifferent judgement that seeing this VVilliam had his constant converse in this County living and dying an Augustinian in his Covent at Lynne and seeing there is a VVells no mean Market-Town in this Shire with more probability he may be made to owe his nativity and name to Norfolk He was for twenty years Provincial of his Order in England Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge an industrious man and good writer abate only the Siboleth of Barbarisme the fault of the age he lived in He died and was buried at Lynne 1421. JOHN THORPE was born in a Village so called in this County bred a Carmelite at Norwich and Doctor at Cambridge Logick was his Master-piece and this Dedalus wrote a book intituled the Labyrinth of Sophismes and another called the Rule of Consequences for which he got the title of Doctor Ingeniosus This minds me of a Prognosticating Distick on the Physiognomies of two children Hic erit Ingenuus non Ingeniosus at ille Ingeniosus erit non erit Ingenuus The later of these characters agreeth with our Thorpe who had a pound of wit for a dram of good nature being of a cruel disposition and a violent persecutor of William White and other godly Wickliffites He died Anno Domini 1440. and lieth buried at Norwich His name causeth me to remember his Name-sake of modern times lately deceased even Mr. John Thorpe B. D. and Fellow of Queens-colledge in Cambridge my ever honored Tutor not so much beneath him in Logick as above him in the skill of Divinity and an Holy conversation JOHN SKELTON is placed in this County on a double probability First because an ancient family of his name is eminently known long fixed therein Secondly because he was beneficed at Dis a Market-town in Norfolk He usually styled himself and that Nemine contradicente for ought I find the Kings Orator and Poet Laureat We need go no further for a testimony of his learning than to Erasmus styling
on thee all spent in vain See this bright structure till that smart Blind thy blear-eyes and grieve thy heart Some Cottage-Schools are built so low The Muses there must groveling go Here whilst Apollo's sharp doth sound The Sisters Nine may dance around And Architects may take from hence The Pattern of magnificence Then grieve not Adams in thy mind 'Cause you have left no Child behind Unbred unborn is better rather If so you are a second Father To all bred in this School so fair And each of them thy Son and Heir Long may this Worthy person live to see his intentions finished and compleated to his own contentment Memorable Persons THOMAS PARRE son of John Parre born at Alberbury in the Parish of Winnington in this County lived to be above one hundred and fifty years of age verifying his Anagram Thomas Parre Most rare hap He was born in the reign of King Edward the Fourth one thousand four hundred eighty three and two moneths before his death was brought up by Thomas Earle of Arundel a great lover of Antiquities in all kinds to Westminster He slept away most of his time and is thus charactered by an eye witness of him From head to heel his body had all over A quick-set thick-set nat'ral hairy cover Change of Air and Diet better in it self but worse for him with the trouble of many Visitants or Spectators rather are conceived to have accelerated his death which happened Westminster November the 15 1634 and was buried in the Abbey-Church all present at his burial doing homage to this our aged Thomas de Temporibus Lords Majors Name Father Place Company Time 1 Roger Acheley Thomas Acheley Stanwardine Draper 1511 2 Rowland Hill Thomas Hill Hodnet Mercer 1549 3 Thomas Lee Roger Lee Wellington Mercer 1558 4 Thomas Lodge William Lodge Cresset Grocer 1562 5 Rowland Heyward George Heyward Bridg North Clothworker 1570 6 Robert Lee Humphry Lee Bridg North Merchant Tailor 1602 7 John Swinnerton Tho. Swinnerton Oswestry Merchant Tailor 1612 8 Francis Jones John Jones Glaverley Haberdasher 1620 9 Peter Probey Not Recorded White-church Grocer 1622 10 Allen Cotton Ralph Cotton White-church Draper 1625 11 George Whitmore Will. Whitmore Charley Haberdasher 1631 12 Thomas Adams Thomas Adams Wem Draper 164. See we here a Jury of Lords Majors born in this which I believe will hardly be paallel'd in a greater County All no doubt Honestmen and true The Names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of Henry the Sixth 1433. A VVilliam Bishop of Coven Leichf Commissioners to take the Oaths B John de Talbot Knight C Richard Laken Knights for the Shire VVilliam Boerley Willielmi Malory Militis Johannis Fitz-Piers Willielmi Lodelowe Thomae Hopton de Hopton Richardi Archer Johannis Wynnesbury Thomae Corbet de Ley Thomae Corbet de Morton Johannis Bruyn senioris Thomae Charleton Richardi Peshale Thomae Newport Georgii Hankeston Johannis Brugge Thomae Banastre Hugonis Harnage Leonardi Stepulton Hugonis Cresset Johannis Skryven Willielmi Poynour Richardi Neuport Richardi Horde Nicholai Sandford Griffin Kynaston Johanuis Bruyn junioris Hugonis Stepulton Simonis Hadington Alani Wetenhull Richardi Sonford Johannis Otley Edwardi Leighton de Mershe Edmundi Plowden Thomae Mardford Rogeri Bromley Richardi Lee Humfridi Cotes VVillielmi Leighton Richardi Horton Willielmi Welascote Richardi Husee Johannis Wenlok Willielmi Mersheton Walteri Codour Ricdardi Gerii VVillielmi Bourden A This VVilliam was VVilliam Hieworth Bishop of Coventry and Leichfield of whom here after B Sir John Talbot though here only additioned Knight was the Lord Talbot and eight years after created Earl of Shrewsbury of whom before C Richard Laken the same Family with Lacon whose Seat was at VVillily in this County augmented both in Bloud and Estate by the Matches with the Heirs of 1 Harley 2 Peshal 3 Passilew 4 Blunt of Kinlet My hopes are according to my desires that this Ancient Family is still extant in this County though I suspect shrewdly shattered in Estate The Commissioners of this Shire were neither altogether Idle nor very Industrious having made but a short and slender return only of 45 principal persons therein Sheriffes of Shropshire HEN. II. Anno 1 Anno 2 Will. filius Alani for 5 years together Anno 7 Guido Extraneus for 5 years together Anno 12 Gaufrid de Ver for 4 years together Anno 16 Gaufrid de Ver Will Clericus Anno 17 Guido Extraneus for 9 years together Anno 26 Hugo Pantulfe for 8 years together RICH. I. Anno 1 Will. filius Alani Reginal de Hesden Anno 2 Idem Anno 3 Will. filius Alani Will de Hadlega Anno 4 Will. filius Alani for 4 years together Anno 8 Will. filius Alani Reginald de Hedinge Anno 9 Will. filius Alani Wido filius Roberti Anno 10 Will. filius Alani Masculum JOHANNES Anno 1 Will. filius Alani VVarrus de VVililegh Anno 2 Idem Anno 3 VVill. filius Alani Reiner de Lea. Anno 4 G. filius Petri Richardus de Ambresleg Anno 5 Idem Anno 6 Thomas de Erolitto Robertus de Alta Ripa Anno 7 Idem Anno 8 Thomas de Erdington for 9 years together HEN. III. Anno 1 Anno 2 Ranul Com. Cestriae Hen. de Aldetheleg Anno 3 Idem Anno 4 Idem Anno 5 Ranul Com. Cestriae Philippus Kinton Anno 6 Idem Anno 7 Idem Anno 8 Ranul Com. Cestriae Anno 9 Johannes Bovet Anno 10 Idem Anno 11 Hen. de Aldithle Anno 12 Idem Anno 13 Idem Anno 14 Hen. de Aldithle VVill. de Bromley Anno 15 Idem Anno 16 Idem Anno 17 Petr. Rival Rob. de Haye for 4 years together Anno 21 Johannes Extraneus Robertus de Acton Anno 22 Johannes Extraneus for 11 years together Anno 33 Thomas Corbet Anno 34 Idem Anno 35 Robertus de Grendon for 5 years together Anno 40 Hugo Acover Anno 41 Idem Anno 42 VVillielmus Bagod Anno 43 Idem Anno 44 Idem Anno 45 Jacobus de Audeley for 7 years together Anno 52 VValterus de Hopton Anno 53 Idem EDW. I. Anno 1 Roger. de Mortuo Mari. Anno 2 Idem Anno 3 Idem Anno 4 Bago de Knovile Anno 5 Idem Anno 6 Idem Anno 7 Rogerus Sprengehuse for 8 years together Anno 15 Dominus de Ramesley Anno 16 Idem Anno 17 Robertus Corbet Anno 18 VVill. de Tickley â—…ive Tittle for 6 years together Anno 24 Radulphus de Schirle Anno 25 Idem Anno 26 Idem Anno 27 Tho. Corbet Anno 28 Idem Anno 29 Richardus de Harleigh Anno 30 Idem Anno 31 VValter de Beysin Anno 32 Idem Anno 33 Johannes de Acton Anno 34 Johannes de Dene Anno 35 Idem EDW. II. Anno 1 Rogerus Trumvine Anno 2 Johannes Extraneus Hugo de Crofts Hugo de Crofts Anno 4 Idem Anno 5 Hugo
a place for persons of a different perswasion Whilst we leave the invisible root to the Searcher of hearts let us thankfully gather the good fruit which grew from it He died before his Colledge was finished his Estate by Co-heirs descending to Strangwayes Windham White c. and he lyeth buried with his wife under a stately Monument in the fair Church of Illminster PHILIP BISS was extracted from a worshipful Family in this County who have had their habitation in Spargrave for some descents Being bred Fellow and Doctor in Divinity in Magdalen-Colledge in Oxford he was afterwards preferred Arch-Deacon of Taunton A Learned Man and great lover of Learning Now though it be most true what Reverend Bishop Hall was wont to say Of Friends and Books good and fâ—…w are best Yet this Doctor had good and many of both kinds And at his death bequeathed his Library consisting of so many Folio's as were valued at one thousand pounds to Wadham Colledge then newly founded This Epitaph was made upon him wherein nothing of wit save the Verbal-Allusion which made itself without any pains of the Author thereof Bis fuit hic natus puer Bis Bis juvenisque Bis vir Bisque senex Bis Doctor Bisque Sacerdos I collect by probable proportion that his death happened about the year 1614. Memorable Persons Sir JOHN CHAMPNEIS son of Robert Champneis was born at Chew in this County but bred a Skinner in London and Lord Major thereof 1535. Memorable he is on this account that whereas before his time there were no Turrets in London save what in Churches and publick structures he was the first private man who in his house next Cloth-workers Hall built one to oversee his neighbours in the City which delight of his eye was punished with blindness some years before his death But seeing prying into Gods secrets is a worse sin than over-looking mens houses I dare not concurre with so Censorious an Author because every consequent of a fact is not the punishment of a fault therein THOMAS CORIAT Though some will censure him as a person rather ridiculous than remarkable he must not be omitted For first few would be found to call him Fool might none do it save such who had as much Learning as himself Secondly if others have more Wisdom than he thankfulnesse and humility is the way to preserve and increase it He was born at Odcombe nigh Evil in this County bred at Oxford where he attained to admirable fluency in the Greek tongue He carried folly which the charitable called merriment in his very face The shape of his head had no promising form being like a Sugar-loaf inverted with the little end before as composed of fancy and memory without any common-sense Such as conceived him fool ad duo and something else ad decem were utterly mistaken For he drave on no design carrying for Coin and Counters alike so contented with what was present that he accounted those men guilty of superfluity who had more suits and shirts than bodies seldom putting off either till they were ready to go away from him Prince Henry allowed him a pension and kept him for his Servant Sweet-meats and Coriat made up the last course at all Court-entertainments Indeed he was the Courtiers Anvil to trie their Witts upon and sometimes this Anvil returned the Hammers as hard knocks as it received his bluntnesse repaying their abusinesse His Book known by the name of Coriat's Crudities nauceous to nice Readers for the rawnesse thereof is not altogether useless though the porch be more worth than the Palace I mean the Preface of other mens mock-commending verses thereon At last he undertook to travail unto the East-Indies by land mounted on an horse with ten toes being excellently qualified for such a journey For rare his dexterity so properly as consisting most in manual signs in interpreting and answering the dumb tokens of Nations whose language he did not understand Besides such his patience in all distresses that in some sort he might seem cool'd with heat fed with fasting and refresh'd vvith weariness All expecting his return with more knowledge though not more wisdom he ended his earthly pilgrimage in the midst of his Indian travail about as I collect the year of our Lord 1616. Lord Majors Name Father Place Company Time 1 John Champneis Robert Champneis Chew Skinner 1535 2 George Bond Robert Bond Trul Haberdasher 1588 Know Reader this is one of the Ten pretermitted Counties the Names of whose Gentry were not by the Commissioners returned into the Tower in the 12 of K. Henry the sixth Sheriffes This County had the same with Dorsetshire until the ninth year of Queen Elizabeth since which time these following have born the Office in this County alone Name Place Armes ELIZ. Reg.  Crosses Formee Argent 9 Maur. Berkley mil. Bruiton Gules a Cheveron between 10 10 Geo. Norton Mil.   11 Hen. Portman ar Orchard Or a flower de Luce Azure 12 Thâ—… Lutterel ar Dunst. Ca. Or a Bend betwixt 6 Martlets S. 13 Geo. Rogers arm Cannâ—…gton Arg. a Cheveron betwixt 3 Bucks currant Sa. attired Or. 14 Joh. Horner arm Melles Sable 3 Talbots passant Arg. 15 Io. Sydenham arm Broâ—…pton Argent 3 Rams Sable 16 Ioh. Stowel Miles Stawel Gules a Cross Lozengee Argent 17 Christop Kenne ar Conâ—…swick Ermin 3 half Moons Gules 18 Tho. Mallet arm Enmore Azure 3 Escallops Or. 19 Geo Sydenham ar ut prius  20 Joh. Colles arm   21 Ioh. Brett   22 Maur. Rodney ar Rodney Sâ—…ke Or 3 Eâ—…glets displayed Purpure 23 Hen. Newton arm  Arg. on a Cheveron Az 3 Garbs Or. 24 Ioh. Buller arm  Sa. on â—… plain Cross Arg. quarter pierced 4 Eaglets of the field 25 Ar. Hopton arm VVitham Argent 2 Barrs Sable each with 3 Mullets of six points Or. 26 Gaâ—…r Hawley ar †  27 Nic. Sidenham ar ut prius †Vert a Saltir ingrailed Or. 28 Ioh. Clifton miles Bâ—…rringtoÌ„ Sable Semee of Cinquefoils a Lion rampant Arg. 29 Hen. Berkley mil. ut prius  30 Edw. Sainthorp ar   31 Sam. Norton arm   32 Hugo 〈◊〉 ar ut prius  33 Ioh. Harington ar  Sable a Frâ—…t Argent 34 Geo. Speke aâ—…g 〈◊〉 Argent 2 Barrs Azure over all an Eagle displayed Gules 35 Geo. Lâ—…erel arm ut prius  36 Hen. Walrond  AMP. 37 Ioh. Francis arm Combe flouree Argent a Cheveron betwixt 3 Mullets Gules pierced 38 Ioh. Stowel mil. ut prius  39 Ioh. Colles arm   40 Ioh. Gennings ar â—…urron Azure a Châ—…veron Or betwixt 3 Bâ—…zants on a Chief Eâ—…min 3 Cinquesoils Gules 41 Gâ—…o Rodney arm ut prius  42 Hugo Portman mil. ut prius  43 Ioh. Mallet aâ—…mig ut prius  44 Joh. May aâ—…mig Charterhouse Hâ—…yden Sable a Câ—…everon Or betwixt 3 Roses Argâ—… a Chief of the second 45 Edw. Râ—…gers 〈◊〉 ut prius  IAC
a vain labour according to the Rule in Logick frustra fit per plura quod fieri potest per pauciora But seeing the owner of that House had his harmless humour therein and paid dear no doubt to his Workmen for the same There is no cause that I or any other should find fault therewith The Buildings I have presented the Portraicture of the Church of Lichfield in my Church-History with the due praise of the neatness thereof But now alas the Body thereof is become a very carcase ruined in our late Civil Wars The like Fate is likely to fall on the rest of our Cathedrals if care be not taken for their reparations I have read of Duke d'Alva that he promised Life to some Prisoners but when they petitioned Him for food he returned he would grant them life but no meat by which Criticism of courteous cruelty the poor people were starved If our Cathedrals have only a Bare Being and be not supplied with seasonable repairs the daily â—…ood of a Fabrick soon will they be famished to nothing As for the Close at Lichfield I have been credibly informed that the Plague which long had raged therein at the first shooting of Canon at the Siege thereof did abate imputed by Naturalists to the violent purging of the Air by the Bullets but by Divines to Gods goodness who graciously would not have two Miseries of War and Plague afflict one small Place at the same Time Pass we now to Civil Buildings in this Shire TUTBURY CASTLE is a stately place and I dare take it on the credit of an excellent Witness that it hath a brave and large Prospect to it in it and from it Northward it looks on pleasant Pastures Eastward on sweet Rivers and rich Meadowes Southward on a goodly Forest and many Parks lately no fewer than twelve belonging thereto or holden thereof It was formerly the Seat of the Lord Ferrars Earl of Derby and how it was forfeited to the Crown is worth our observing Robert de Ferrars Earl of Derby siding with Simon Mumford against King Henry the Third was fined at fifty thousand pounds to be paid Pridie Johan Baptist. next following I know not whether more to admire at the suddeness of payment or vastness of the Sum seeing an hundred thousand pounds was the Randsom set by the Emperour on our King Richard the First and it shaked all the Coâ—…ers of England in that Age without the help of Church-plate to make it up Well these Lords following were the security bound for the Earls true payment at the time appointed 1 Henry son to Rich. King of the Romans 2 Will. Valence Earl of Pembroke 3 John de Warren Earl of Surrey 4 Will. Beauchampe Earl of Warwick 5 Sir Roger de Summary 6 Sir Thomas de Clare 7 Sir Robert Waâ—…ond 8 Sir Roger Clifford 9 Sir Hamond le Strange 10 Sir Bartholomew de Sudeley 11 Sir Robert Bruse all being then Barons of the Land But Earl Robert unable to advance the money at the time appointed and unwilling to leave the Lords his Bail under the Kings lash surrendred his Lands and Tutbury Castle amongst the rest to the clear yearly value of three thousand pounds into the Kings hands redeemable when he or his Heirs should pay down on one day fifty thousand pounds which was never performed The English Clergie much pittied John the son of this Earl Robert who presented a petition to the Pope informing his Holiness that the English Clergie were willing to give him money by way of Contribution to redeem his Estate but durst not because commanded to the contrary under the pain of the Popes curse And therefore he craved his Apostolical Indulgence therein Something I find was restored unto him but Tutbury was too sweet a morsel to return being annexed to the Dutchy of Lancaster John of Gaunt built a fair Castle there walled on three sides by Art and the fourth by its natural steepness DUDLEY CASTLE must not be forgotten highly and pleasantly seated and in the reign of King Edward the Sixth well built and adorned by John Dudley Duke of Northumberland whereon a story worth the reporting doth depend The afore-said Duke deriving himself who truly not yet decided from a younger Branch of the Lord Dudley thirsted after this Castle in regard of the name and the honourableness of the House some having avouched that the Barony is annexed to the lawful possession thereof whether by purchase or descent Now finding John Sutton the Lord Dudley Grand-father to the last Baron a weak man exposed to some wants and intangled with many debts he by the help of those Money-Merchants wrought him out of his Castle So that the Poor Lord turned out of doores and left to the charity of his Friends for subsistance was commonly called the Lord Quondam But after the execution of that Duke Queen Mary sympathizing with Edward the son of this poor Lord which Edward had married Katharine Bruges her maid of Honour and sister to the Lord Shandois restored him to the Lands and Honour which justly belonged to his Father Proverbs In April Doves flood Is worth a Kings good DOVE a River parting this and Derby-shire when it overfloweth its Banks in April is the Nilus of Staffordshire much Battling the Meadowes thereof But this River of Dove as overflowing in April feeds the Meadowes with fruitfulness so in May and June choakes the sand grain'd with Grit and Gravel to the great detriment of the owners thereof Wotton under Weaâ—…er Where God came never It is time that this old prophane Proverb should die in mens mouths for ever I confess in common discourse God is said to come to what he doth approve to send to what he only permits and neither to go nor send to what he doth dislike and forbid But this distinction if granted will help nothing to the defending of this prophane Proverb which it seems took it's wicked original from the situation of Wotton so covered with Hills from the light of the Sun a dismal place as report representeth it But were there a place indeed where God came never how many years purchase would guilty consciences give for a small abode therein thereby to escape Divine Justice for their offences Saints Authors do as generally agree about a grand Massacre committed by the Pagans under Dioclesian on the Brittish Christians in the place where Litchfield now standeth I say they as generally agree in the fact as they disagree in the number some making them Two hundred others five others seven And one Author certainly he was no Millenary in his Judgement mounts them to just 999. Indeed many were martyred in those dayes both in Brittain and elsewhere whose names and numbers are utterly unknown so true is the expression of Gregory the Great Ipse sancti Martyres Deo numerabiles nobis arenam multiplicati sunt quia quot sint a nobis comprehendi non possunt novit enim
heirs the Patent whereof is extant in the Tower and exemplified in my Author He appears to me no more than a plain Knight or a Knight Batchelour But were it in the power of my Pen to create a Banneret he should for the Reason premised have that Honour affixed to his Memory who as we conjecture died about the middle of the reign of King Henry the Sixth JOHN DUDLEY Duke of Northumberland where born uncertain was son to Edward Dudley Esq. of whom hereafter and would willingly be reputed of this County a Descendent from the Lord Dudley therein whose memory we will gratifie so far as to believe it He lived long under King Henry the Eighth who much favoured him and the Servant much resembled his Master in the equal contemperament of Vertue and Vices so evenly matched that it is hard to say which got the Mastery in either of them This John was proper in person comely in carriage wise in advising valiant in adventuring and generally till his last project prosperous in success But he was also notoriously wanton intollerably ambitious a constant dissembler prodigeously profuse so that he had sunk his Estate had it not met with a seasonable support of Abbey Land he being one of those who well warmed himself with the chipps which fell from the felling of Monasteriâ—…s King Henry the 8th first Knighted then created him Vicount Lisle Earle of Warwick and Duke of Norâ—…humberland And under Queen Mary he made himself almost King of England though not in Title in power by contriving the settling of the Crown on Queen Jane his daughâ—…er in Law till successe failed him therein And no wonder if that design missed the mark which besides many rubbs it met with at hand was thrown against the general bias of English affection For this his treasonable practises he was executed in the First of Queen Mary much bemoaned by some Martial men whom he had formerly indeared 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 their Father The BAGNOLS Something must be premised of their Name and extraction The Bagenhalts commonly called Bagnols were formerly a Family of such remark in this County that before the reign of King Henry the Eighth there scarce passed an Ancient piece of evidence which is not attested by one of that Name But see the uncertainty of all humane things it afterwards sunck down to use my Authours language into a Plebean Condition But the sparks of their gentle Bloud though covered for a time under a mean estate have since blazed again with their own worth and valour when Ralph and Nicholas sons to John Bagnol of Newcastle in this County were both Knighted for their good service the one in Mustle-Borough fight the otherin Ireland Yea as if their courage had been hereditary Their sons Samuel and Henry were for their Martial merit advanced to the same degree Sea-men WILLIAM MINORS Reader I remember how in the Case of the Ship-money the Judges delivered it for Law that England being an Island the very Middle-land-Shires therein are all to be accounted as Maritime Sure I am the Genius even of Land-lock-Counties acteth the Natives with a Maritime dexterity The English generally may be resembled to Ducklings which though hatched under a Hen yet naturally delight to dabble in the Water I mean though born and bred in In-Land places where neither their Infancy nor Childhood ever beheld Ship or Boat yet have they a great Inclinatioâ—… and Aptnesse to Sea-service And the present subject of our Pen is a pregnant proof thereof This William son to Richard Minors Gent. of Hallenbury-Hall was born at Uttoxater in this County who afterwads coming to London became so prosperous a Mariner that he hath safely returned eleven times from the East-Iudies whereas in the dayes of our GrandFathers such as came thence twice were beheld as Rarities thrice as Wonders four times as Miracles Much herein under Divine Providence is to be attributed to the Make of our English Ships now built more advantageous for sailing than in former Ages Besides the oftner they go the nearer they shape their Course use being the mother of Perfectnesse Yet whilst others wonder at his happiness in returning so often I as much commend his moderation in going no oftner to the East-Indies More men know how to get enough than when they have gotten enough which causeth their Coveteousness to increase with their wealth Mr. Minors having advanced a competent Estate quitted the water to live on the land and now peaceably enjoyeth what he painfully hath gotten and is living in or near Hartford at this present year 1660. Writers JOHN STAFFORD born in the Shire-Town of this County was bred a Franciscan No contemptible Philosopher and Divine but considerable Historian who wrote a Latin History of Englands affaires Authors are at an absolute loss when he lived and are fain by degrees to screw themselves into a general notice thereof He must be since the year 1226 when the Franciscans first fixed themselves in our Land He must be before John Ross who flourished Anno 1480 under Edward the Fourth and maketh honourable mention of him Therefore with proportion and probability he is collected to have written about 1380. WILLIAM de LICHFIELD so termed from the place of his Nativity applied himself to a study of Divinity whereof he became Doctor and afterwards Rector of All-hallowes the Great in Thames-street London He was generally beloved for his great Learning and godly liâ—…e He wrote many Books both Moral and Divine in Prose and Verse one intituled The complaint of God unto sinful Men. There were found in his Study after his death Three thousand four score and three Sermons of his own writing He died Anno Dom. 1447. being buried under a defaced Monument in the Quire of his own Church ROBERT WHITTINGTON born at Lichfield was no mean Grammarian Indeed he might have been greater if he would have been less Pride prompting him to cope with his Conquerors whom he mistook for his Match The first of these was Will. Lillie though there was as great difference betwixt these two Grammarians as betwixta Verb defective and one perfect in all the Requisites thereof The two other were William Horman and Alderedge both eminent in the Latin Tongue But some will carp at the best who cannot mend the worst line in a Picture the humour of our Whittington who flourished 1530. Since the Reformation HENRY STAFFORD Baron of Stafford in this County was son unto Edward Duke of Buckingham attainted and beheaded under King Henry the Eighth This our Henry though loosing his Top and Top-Gallant his Earledom and Dukedome in the tempest of the Kings displeasure yet still he kept his Keel his Barony of Stafford The less he possessed of his
the stipend and benevolence of the one and the dividend of the other but was utterly unacquainted with the taking of Tithes with the many troubles attending it together with the causeless molestations which Persons Presented meet with in their respective Parishes And because it is hard for one to have a Fellow-suffering of that whereof he never had a suffering this say some was the cause that he was so harsh to Ministers when brought before him Being Chaplain to the Earl of Dunbar then Omni-prevalent with King James he was unexpectedly preferred Archbishop of Canterbury being of a more fatherly presence than those who might almost have been his Fathers for age in the Church of England I find two things much charg'd on his memory First that in his house he respected his Secretary above his Chaplains and out of it alwayes honoured Cloaks above Cassocks Lay above Clergie-men Secondly that he connived at the spreading of non-conformity in so much that I read in a modern Author Had Bishop Laud succeeded Bancroft and the project of Conformity been followed without interruption there is little question to be made but that our Jerusalem by this time might have been a City at unity in it self Yet are there some of Archbishop Abbot his relations who as I am informed will undertake to defend him that he was in no degree guilty of these crimes laid to his charge This Archbishop was much humbled with a casual homicide of a keeper of the Lord Zouch's in Bramzel-Park though soon after he was solemnly quitted from any irregularity thereby In the reign of King Charles he was sequestred from his Jurisdiction say some on the old account of that homicide though others say for refusing to Licence a Sermon of Dr. Sibthorps Yet there is not an Express of either in the Instrument of Sequestration the Commission only saying in the general That the said Archbishop could not at that present in his own person attend those services which were otherwise proper for his cognizance and Jurisdiction For my own part I have cause to believe that as Vulnus semel sanatum novo vulnere recrudescit so his former obnoxiousness for that casualty was renewed on the occasion of his refusal to Licence that Sermon with some other of his Court-un-compliances This Archbishop died Anno Dom. 1633. having erected a large Hospital with liberal maintenance at Guildford the place of his nativity RICHARD CORBET D. D. was born at Ewel in this County and from a Student in became Dean of Christ-Church then Bishop of Oxford An high VVit and most excellent Poet of a courteous carriage and no destructive nature to any who offended him counting himself plentifully repaired with a jest upon him He afterwards was advanced Bishop of Norwich where he died Anno Dom. 1635. States-men THOMAS CROMWEL was born at Putney in this County of whom I have given measure pressed down and running over in my Church-History WILLIAM HOWARD son to Thomas Howard second of that Surname Duke of Norâ—…hfolk was by Queen Mary created Baron of Effingham in this County and by her made Lord Admiral of England which place he discharged with credit I find he was one of the first Favourers and Furtherers with his purse and countenance of the strange and wonderful discovery of Russia He died Anno Domini 154. CHARLES HOWARD son to the Lord William aforesaid succeeded him though not immediately in the Admiralty An hearty Gentleman and cordial to his Sovereign of a most proper person one reason why Queen Elizabeth who though she did not value a Jewel by valued it the more for a fair Case reflected so much upon him The first evidence he gave of his prowes was when the Emperors sister the Spouse of Spain with a Fleer of 130 Sailes stoutly and proudly passed the narrow Seas his Lordship accompanied with ten ships onely of Her Majesties Navy Royal environed their Fleet in a most strange and warlike sort enforced them to stoop gallant and to vail their Bonnets for the Queen of England His service in the eighty eighth is notoriously known when at the first news of the Spaniards approach he towed at a cable with his own hands to draw out the harbourbound-ships into the Sea I dare boldly say he drew more though not by his person by his presence and example than any ten in the place True it is he was no deep Sea-man not to be expected from one of his Extraction but had skill enough to know those who had more skill than himself and to follow their instructions and would not sterve the Queens service by feeding his own sturdy wilfulness but was ruled by the experienced in Sea-matters the Queen having a Navy of Oak and an Admiral of Osier His last eminent service was when he was Commander of the Sea as Essex of the Land forces at the taking of Cadiz for which he was made Earl of Nottingham the last of the Queens creation His place was of great profit Prizes being so frequent in that age though great his necessary and vast his voluntary expences keeping as I have read seven standing Houses at the same time at London Rigate Effingham Blechenley c. so that the wonder is not great if he died not very wealthy He lived to be very aged who wrote Man if not married in the first of Q. Elizabeth being an invited guest at the solemn Consecration of Matthew Parker at Lambeth and many years after by his testimony confuted those lewd and loud lies which the Papists tell of the Naggs-head in Cheap-side He resigned his Admiralty in the reign of King James to the Duke of Buckingham and died towards the later end of the reign of the King afore-said Sea-men Sir ROBERT DUDLEY Knight son to Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester by Douglas Shefeld whether his Mistris or Wife God knoweth many men being inclinable charitably to believe the later was born at Shene in this County and bred by his mother out of his Fathers reach at Offington in Sussex He afterwards became a most compleat Gentleman in all suteable accomplishments endeavoring in the reign of King James to prove his legitimacy and meeting with much opposition from the Court in distast he left his Land and went over into Italy But Worth is ever at home and carrieth its own welcome along with it He became a Favorite to the Duke of Florence who highly reflected on his Abilities and used his directions in all his Buildings At this time Ligorn from a Child started a Man without ever being a Youth and of a small Town grew a great City on a sudden and is much beholding to this Sir Robert for its fairness and firmness as chief contriver of both But by this time his Adversaries in England had procured him to be call'd home by a special Privy Seal which he refused to obey and thereupon all his Lands in England was seised on by the King by the Statute
the vomit of Popery which my charity will not believe Indeed in the first of Queen Mary he was outed of his Bishoprick for being married and all that we can recover of his carriage aâ—…terwards is this passage at the examination of Master Thomas Hauke Martyr When John Bird then very old brought Boner a bottle of Wine and a dish of Apples probably a present unto him for a Ne noceat and therefore not enough to speak him a Papist in his perswasion Bishop Boner desired him to take Haukes into his Chamber and to try if he could convert him whereupon after Boners departure out of the room the quondam Bishop accosted Haukes as followeth I would to God I could do you some good you are a young man and I would not wish you to go to far but learn of the elders to bear somewhat He enforced him no further but being a thorough old man even fell fast asleep All this in my computation amounts but to a passive compliance and is not evidence enough to make him a thorough paced Papist the rather because John Pitts omitteth him in the Catalogue of English-writers which no doubt he would not have done had he any assurance that he had been a radicated Romanist Nothing else have I to observe of him but onely that he was a little man and had a pearl in his eyes and dying 1556. was buried in Chester States men Sir NICHOLAS THROCKMORTON Knight fourth Son of Sir George Throckmorton of Coughton in this County was bred beyond the Seas where he attained to great experience Under Queen Mary he was in Guild-Hall arraigned for Treason compliance with Wyat and by his own warie pleading and the Jurie's upright verdict hardly escaped Queen Elizabeth employed him Her Leiger a long time first in France then in Scotland finding him a most able Minister of State yet got he no great wealth and no wonder being ever of the opposite party to Burleigh Lord Treasurer Chamberlain of the Exchequer and Chief Butler of England were his highest preferments I say Chief Butler which office like an empty covered cup pretendeth to some state but affordeth no considerable profit He died at supper with eating of salates not without suspicion of poison the rather because hapning in the house of one no mean artist in that faculty R. Earl of Leicester His death as it was sudden was seasonable for him and his whose active others will call it turbulent spirit had brought him into such trouble as might have cost him at least the loss of his personal estate He died in the fifty seventh year of his age February the 12. 1570. and lyeth buryed in the South-side of the Chancel of St. Katharine Cree-Church London EDWARD CONWAY Knight Son to Sir John Conway Knight Lord and Owner of Ragleigh in this County This Sir John being a Person of Great skill in Military affaires was made by Robert Earl of Leicester Generall of the English Auxiliaries in the united Provinces Governour of Ostend His Son Sir Edward succeeded to his Fathers Martial skill and valour and twisted therewith peaceable policy in State-affaires so that the Gown and the Sword met in him in most Eminent Proportion and thereupon King James made Him one of the Principal Secretaries of State For these his good services he was by him created Lord Conway of Ragleigh in this County and afterwards by King Charles Viscount Killultagh in the County of Antrim And lastly in the third of King Charles Viscount Conway of Conway in Carnarvanshire England Ireland and Wales mutually embracing themselves in His Honours He dyed January the third Anno 1630. JOHN DIGBY Baron of Sherborn and Earl of Bristol was born in this County a younger Son of an ancient family long flourishâ—…ng at Coleshull therein To pass by his Infancy all Children being alike in their long Coats his Youth gave pregnant hopes of that Eminency which his mature age did produce He didken the Emhassador-Craft as well as any in his age employed by King James in several services to frreign Princes recited in his Patent which I have perused as the main motives of the Honors conferr'd upon him But his managing the Matchless Match with Spain was his Master-piece wherein a Good I mean a Great number of State-Traverses were used on both sides His contest with the Duke of Buckingham is fresh in many mens Memories charges of High Treason mutually flying about But this Lord fearing the Dukes Power as the Duke this Lorâ—…s policy it at last became a Drawn Battail betwixt them yet so that this Earl lost the love of King Charles living many years in his Dis-favour But such as are in a Court-Cloud have commonly the Countries Sun-shine and this Peer during his Eclyps was very Popular with most of the Nation It is seldom seen that a favorite once Broken at Court sets up again for himself the hap rather then happiness of this Lord the King graciously reflecting on him at the beginning of the Long-Parliament as one Best able to give him the safest Counsell in those dangerous Times But how he incensed the Parliament so far as to be excepted Pardon I neither do know nor dare enquire Sure I am after the surrender of Exeter he went over into France where he met with that due respect in forraign which he missed in his Native Country The worst I wish such who causelesly suspect him of Popish inclinations is that I may hear from them but half so many strong Arguments for the Protestant Religion as I have heard from him who was to his commendation a Cordial Champion for the Church of England He dyed in France about the year 1650. Writers WALTER of COVENTRIE was born and bred a Benedictine therein Bale saith he was Immortali vir dignus Memoria and much commended by Leland though not of set purpose but sparsim as occasion is offered He excelled in the two Essential Qualities of an Historian Faith and Method writing truly and orderly onely guilty of Coursness of style This may better be dispenced with in him because Historia est res veritatis non Eloquentiae because bad Latin was a catching disease in that age From the beginning of the Britons he wrote a Chronicle extant in Bennet Colledge Library to his own time He flourished Anno 1217. VINCENT of COVENTRIE was born in the chief City in this shire and bred a Franciscan though Learned Leland mistakes him a Carmelite in the University of Cambridg His order at their first entrance into England looked upon learning as a thing beneath them so totally were they taken up with their Devotion This Vincent was the first who brake the Ice and then others of his order drank of the same water first applyed himself to Academicall studies and became a publick Professor in Cambridge he set a Coppy for the Carmelites therein to imitate who not long after began their publick Lectures in the same place he
precious extraction to King James reputed a great preserver of health and prolonger of life He is conceived by such helps to have added to his vigorous vivacity though I think a merry heart whereof he had a great measure was his best Elixar to that purpose He died exceeding aged Anno Dom. 164. JOHN BUCKRIDGE was born at Dracot nigh Marleborough in this County and bred under Master Mullcaster in Merchant-Taylors school from whence he was sent to Saint Johns-colledge in Oxford where from a Fellow he became Doctor of Divinity and President thereof He afterwards succeeded Doctor Lancelot Andrews in the Vicaridge of Saint Giles Criplegate in which Cure they lived one and twenty years a piece and indeed great was the Intimacy betwixt these two learned Prelates On the ninth of June 1611. he was Consecrated Bishop of Rochester and afterwards set forth a learned Book in opposition of John Fisher De potestate papae in Temporalibus of which my Author doth affirm Johannem itaque Roffensem habemus quem Johanni Roffensi opponamus Fishero Buckerigium cujus argumentis si quid ego video ne à mille quidem Fisheris unquam respondebitur He was afterwards preferred Bishop of Ely and having Preached the Funerall Sermon of Bishop Andrews extant in Print at the end of his works survived him not a full year dying Anno Dom. 163. He was decently Interred by his own appointment in the Parish-church of Bromly in Kent the Manner thereof belonged to the Bishoprick of Rotchester States-men EDWARD SEIMOR and THOMAS SEIMOR both Sons of Sir John Seimor of Wolfull Knight in this County I joyn them together because whilst they were united in affection they were invinsible but when devided easily overthrown by their enemies Edward Seimor Duke of Sommerset Lord Protector and Treasurer of England being the Elder Brother succeeded to a fair Paternal inheritance He was a valiant Souldier for Land-service fortunate and generally beloved by Martiall men He was of an open nature free from jealousie and dissembling affable to all People He married Anne Daughter of Sir Edward Stanhop knight a Lady of a high mind and haughty undaunted spirit Thomas Seimor the Younger Brother was made Barron of Sudley by offices and the favours of his Nephew K. Edward the sixth obtained a great Estate He was well experienced in Sea affairs and made Lord Admirall of England He lay at a close posture being of a reserved Nature and was more cunning in his Carriage He married Queen Katharine Parr the Widdow of King Henry the eighth Very great the Animosities betwixt their Wives the Dutchess refusing to bear the Queens Train and in effect justled with her for Precedence so that what betwixt the Train of the Queen and long Gown of the Dutchess they raised so much dust at the Court as at last put out the eyes of both their husbands and occasioned their Executions as we have largely declared in our Ecclesiasticall History The Lord Thomas Anno 154. The Lord Edward Anno 154. Thus the two best Bullworks of the safety of King Edward the sixth being demolished to the ground Duke Dudley had the advantage the nearer to approach and assault the Kings Person and to practice his destruction as is vehemently suspected Sir OLIVER SAINT JOHN Knight Lord Grandison c. was born of an ancient and honourable family whose prime seat was at Lediard-Tregoze in this County He was bred in the warrs from his youth and at last by King James was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland and vigorously pursued the principles of his Predecessours for the civilizing thereof Indeed the Lord Mountjoy reduced that Country to obedience the Lord Chichester to some civility and this Lord Grandison first advanced it to considerable profit to his Master I confess T. Walsingham writeth that Ireland afforded unto Edward the third thirty thousand pound a year paid into His Exchequer but it appears by the Irish-records which are rather to be believed that it was rather a burden and the constant revenue thereof beneath the third part of that proportion But now the Kingdome being peaceably settled the income thereof turned to good account so that Ireland called by my Author the Land of Ire for the constant broiles therein for 400. years was now become the Land of Concord Being re-called into England he lived many years in great 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 John Saint John Knight and Baronet Sir JAMES LEY Knight and Baronet son of Henry Ley Esquire one of great Ancestry who on his own cost with his men valiantly served King Henry the eighth at the siedge of Bullen was born at Tafant in this County Being his fathers sixth son and so in probability barred of his inheritance he indeavoured to make himself an Heir by his Education applying his book in Brasen-nose-colledge and afterwards studying the Laws of the Land in Lincolns-Inn wherein such his proficiency King James made him Lord Chief Justice in Ireland Here he practised the charge King James gave him at his going over yea what his own tender Conscience gave himself namely Not to build his Estate on the ruines of a miserable Nation but aiming by the unpartial execution of Justice not to enrich himself but civilize the People he made a good Progress therein But the King would no longer lose him out of his own Land and therefore recalled him home about the time when his fathers inheritance by the death of his five elder brethren descended upon him It was not long before Offices and Honour flowed in fast upon him being made by King James King Charles 1. Aturney of the Court of Wards 2. Chief Justice of the Upper Bench 18. of his raign Jan. 29. 3. Lord Treasurer of England in the 22. of his raign Decemb. 22. 4. Baron Ley of Ley in Devonshire the last of the same Month. 1. Earl of Marleburg in this County immediately after the Kings Coronation 2. Lord President of the Councell in which place he died Anno Domini 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 or fall but continued the same constancy in all conditions Sir FRANCIS COTTINGTON Knight was born nigh Meer in this County and bred when a youth under Sir ........ Stafford He lived so long in Spain till he made the garbe and gravity of that Nation become his and become him He raised himself by his naturall 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 of Hanworth in Middlesex and upon the resignation of Doctor Juxon Lord Treasurer of England gaining also
fabulous and frivolous as her dreams witness that deadly passage in an excellent Author In Johannis de Bridlington vatis monastici vaticinales rythmos omnino ridiculos incidimus yet no doubt he was a holy man and could one light on his life unleavened before heaved up with the ferment of Monkish fiction it would afford many remarkables He died in the sixtieth year of his age 1379. and was reputed though I believe not solemnly canonized a Saint amongst his own Countrimen WILLIAM SLEIGHTHOLME It is pity to part him from his last named dear friend such the sympathy of amity and sanctity betwixt them Once this William demanded of his friend John what might be the reason that the Devil in their days afrighted few if any with his terrible appearance who in former ages was very frequent with formidable apparitions reflecting in this his question perchance on Saint Pauls messenger of Satan sent to buffet him but chiefly on those usuall reported personall combates of the Devil with Saint Dunstan Guthlake c. To whom his friend return'd We are grown so remiss in goodness that the Devil needs not put himself to such pains seeing less and lighter temptations will doe the deed It is recorded of this William that he was one of singular piety and after his death wrought many miracles at his Tombe in the Monastery of Bridlington where he was buried about the year 1380. I will adde no more but that I have a learned friend William Sleight holme Doctor of Physick living at Buntingford in Hartfordshire but born in this County whom I believe remotely related to this Saint Expect not here that I should adde to this Catalogue that Maiden who to secure her virginity from his unchast embraces that assaulted it was by him barbarously murdered whereby she got the reputation of a Saint and the Place the Scene of his Cruelty formerly called Horton the Name of Hali-fax or Holy-hair For the credulous People conceited that the Veins which in form of little threds spred themselves between the Bark and Body of that Yew-tree whereon the head of this Maid was hung up were the very hairs indeed of this Virgin head to whom they flock in Pilgrimage Oh! how sharp sighted and yet how blind is Superstition Yet these Country-folks fancies had the advantage of Daphnes being turned into a Laurell-tree In frondem criâ—…es in ramos brachia crescunt Into a bough her hair did spred And from her Armes two branches bred But here she is wholly omitted not so much because her Name and Time are unknown but because the judicious behold the whole Contrivance devoid of Historicall truth Martyrs The County and generally the Province of York escaped very well from Popish persecution which under Gods goodness may be justly imputed to the tempers of their four succeeding Arch-bishops 1. Thomas Wolsey whom all behold as a person more proud then cruell not so busying himself to maintain Popery as to gain the Popedome 2. Edward Lee more furious then the former persecuting many to imprisonment none to death save two of whom hereafter 3. Robert Hollgate who was as they say a parcell-Protestant imprisoned and deprived for being married 4. Nicholas Heath a meek and moderate man carrying a Court of Conscience in his bosome long before Queen Mary made him Chancellor of England Hereupon it came to pass that the Diocess of York was dry with Gedeon's fliece whilst others lying near unto it were wet in their own tears and blood Confessors Where no fish there no fry and seeing here no Martyrs which are Confessors full blown no wonder if here no Confessors which are Martyrs in the bud Cardinalls JOHN FISHER was born in the Town of Beverly in this County his father Robert Fisher was by condition a Merchant and lived in good reputation He was afterwards bred in Michaell-house in Cambridge whereof he was the first Chancellor pro termino vitae and Bishop of Rochester How this Fisher was caught afterwards in the net of Elizabeth Barton commonly called the holy Maid of Kent thereby made accessary to her dissembling How stiffe he was against King Henrys Divorce and Title of Supream head of the Church How the Pope sent him a Cardinalls Cap and the King Cut off his head hath been so largely related in my Ecclesiastical History and being I hope pardoned by the Reader for my former tediousness I will not now contract a new guilt by offending in Prolixity on the same person The rather because his Manuscript life written 80. years since by Richard Hall of Christs-colledge in Cambridge is lately set forth in Print under the name of Thomas Bâ—…ily D. D. in which book as I doe not repine at any passages though Hyperbolicall to the praise of this Prelate so I cannot but be both angry and grieved at the many false and scandalous reflections therein on the worthy Instruments of our Reformation This learned Bishop was beheaded in the year 1535. the Threescore and seventeenth year of his age Let me adde he was tryed by an Ordinary Jury and not by his Peers whereof severall reasons are rendred Some thought he forgot to demand his Priviledge herein disturb'd with grief and fear as Edward Duke of Somerset forgot to crave the Benâ—…fit of the Clergy or that he neglected it as surfetting of long life and 〈◊〉 of his Dissolution Others because he preferred death in a Direct Line before a Circumferential Passage thereunto as Certain though not so Compendious being assured that the Lords durst not displease the King in acquitting him But most imputâ—… it to his suspicion that if desiring to be tryed by his Peers it would have been denyed him as not due to a Bishop And yet that worthy Lawyer Judge Stamford in his Pleas of the Crown leaveth it doubtfull and seemeth inclined to the Affirmative Besides Sir Robert Brook in his Novell Cases affirmeth in Express Terms that a Bishop is Peer of the Realm and ought to be tryed by his Peers The best is our Charity may be Confident that our Bishops will so inoffensively behave themselves and God we hope so secure their innocence that there will not hereafter be need to decide this Question Prelates EUSTATHIUS de FAUCONBRIDGE was born in this County where his Surname appeareth among the Antient Sheriffs thereof He was chosen Bishop of London in the sixth of King Henry the third Anno 1222. carrying it clearly from a Company of able Competitors occasioning this Distick Omnes his Digni tu Dignior omnibus omnes Hic plene sapiunt plenius ipse sapis All here are Worthy thou the Worth est All fully Wise thou Wiser then the rest Others played on his Name Eustatius One that stood well both in Respect of his spirituall Estate yet let him that standeth take heed lest he fall and Temporall Condition well fixed in the Favour of Prince and People being Chief Justice then Chancellour of
find it out and justifie it which conformable to the Sea ebbeâ—…h and floweth twice in four and twenty hours But seeing this is a maritime Shire possibly there may be a more then ordinary communication betwixt it and the Ocean and then the wonder is not so great More credibly it is related that there are in this Shire strange subterranean Vaults conceived the Castles of routed people in the Civil Wars And no wonder seeing David first set up in a defensive posture for himself in the Cave of Adullam so that having no place where he could safely set the sole of his foot above ground all his present help was under the Earth and future hope was above the heavens Martyrs ROBERT FARRAR an English man by biâ—…th but where born unknown was a prime Martyr of this County A man not unlearned but somewhat indiscreet or rather uncomplying which procured him much trouble so that he may be said with Saint Laurence to be broyled on both sides being persecuted both by Protestants and Papists He was preferred to be Bishop of Saint Davids by the Duke of Sommerset then Lord Protector who was put to death not long after Some conceive that the Patrons fall was the Chaplains greatest guilt and encouraged his enemies against him Of these two were afterwards Bishops in the reign of Queen Elizabeth viz. Thomas Young Arch. Bishop of York and Rowland Merrick Bishop of Bangor Souldiers Sir RICE ap THOMAS was never more than a Knight yet little less than a Prince in this his Native County If the Author of Praelia Anglornm may not be believed Ricius Thomas flos Cambro-Britannum King Henry the seventh will himself witness his worth To him lately landed at Milford Haven with contemptible forces this Sir Rice repaired with a considerable accession of choice Souldiers marching with them to Bosworth field where he right valiantly behaved himself That thrifty King according to his cheap course of remuneration rewarding Gown-men in Orders by him most employed with Church Livings and Sword-men with Honour afterwards made Sir Rice Knight of the Order and well might he give him a Garter by whose effectual help he had recovered a Crown Elmelin in this County was one of his principal seats whose name and â—…ture he altered building and calling it New-Castle and I believe it one of the latest Castles in Wales seeing since that time it hath been fashionable to demolish not to erect fortified Houses As he appeared early so he continued long in military action for I find him in the fourth year of King Henry the eighth conductor of five hundred light horse at the pompous and expensive fiege of Therouene where I meet his last mention in our English Chronicles WALTER de DEVEREUX son of Devereâ—…x and Cicely his Wife sole sister to Thomas Bourchier last Earl of Essâ—…x was born in the town of Carmarthen and by Queen Elizabeth in his Maternall Right created Earl of Essex One Martially minded and naturally hating Idlenesse the Rust of the Soul Though time hath silenced the factions and only sounded the Facts of Queen Elizabeths Court no place had more heart-burnings therein and it was a great part of Gods goodness and her prudence that no more hurt was done thereby Many maligned our Earl Tantae ne Animis Aularibus Irae desirous to thrust him on dangerous designs Nor need we consult the Oracle of Apollo to discover his chief Adversary being he was a prime Favourite who loved the Earls nearest relation better than he loved the Earl himself whom he put on the project of Ireland Yet was not our Walter surprised into that service seeing Injuria non fit volenti and being sensible that his roome was more welcome to some than his company at Court he willingly embraced the employment Articles the first and last I believe in that kind are drawn up betwixt the Queen and him who was to maintain such a proportion of Souldiers on his own Cost and to have part of the fair Territory of ClandeBoy in Ulster for the conquering thereof So much for the Bears skin now all the craft will be to catch kill and fley the Bear himself Well to maintain an Army though a very little one is a Soveraigns and no Subjects work too heavy for the support of any private mans estate which cost this Earl first the Mortgaging then the selling out-right his fair Inheritance in Essex Over he goeth into Ireland with a noble company of Kindred and Friends supernumerary volunteers above the proportion of Souldiers agreed upon Sir William Fitz-VVilliams Lord Deputy of Ireland hearing of his coming and suspecting Court jealousie riseth very early or goeth not to bed at all to be ecclipsed by this great Earl sollicits the Queen to maintain him in the full power of his place without any diminution alledging this much to conduce to the Honour of her Majesty whom he represented Hereupon it was Ordered that the Earl should take his Commission from this Lord Deputy which with much importunity and long attendance he hardly obtained and that with no higher Title than Governour of Ulster After many impressions not over successfully made in Ulster he was by the Deputy remanded into the South of Ireland where he spent much time take much in little in my Authors words as to his general performance Nullius bono sed magno suo damno His Friends in the English Court grow few and cold his Foes many and active affronts were plentifully powred upon him on purpose either to drown him in grief or burn him in his own anger From Munster he was sent back into Ulster where he was forbidden to follow his blow and use a Victory he had gotten Yea on a sudden stript out of his Commission and reduced to be a Governour of three hundred men yet his stout Stomach as true tempered Steele bowed without breaking in all these afflictions embracing all changes with the same tenour of constâ—…cy Pâ—…y days in Ireland came very thick moneys out of England very slow his noble Associates began to withdraw common men to mutiny so that the Earl himself was at the last recalled home Not long after he was sent over the second time into Ireland with a loftier Title the length of the Feather makes not the Head the higher of Earl Marshall of Ireland where he fell into a strange looseness not without suspicion of Poyson and he died Anno 1576. His Soul he piously resigned to God his Lands much impaired descended to his Son Robert but ten years of age His Body was brought over and buried in Carmarthen the place of his Nativity and his Widow Lady to say no more was soon re-married to Robert Earl of Leicester Let me adde that he died in the 36 year of his age fatal to his Family his Father and grand-Father dying in the same which year Robert Earl of Essex his Son never attained to and whether it had not been as honourable for
Gray Esq and Briget Holland his Wife Son to Gâ—…orge Gray second Earl of Kent of that Family who died in the twentieth year of King Henry the seventh was born at Branspath in this Bishoprick If any ask what occasion drew his Ancestors into the North know that his GrandFather was invited thither to enjoy the company of his Friend and Kinsman the Earl of Westmerland This Gentleman being bred in the University of applyed himself to the study oâ—… Divinity and became Rector of Burbach in Leicester-shire where he preached conâ—…antly and kept an hospitable house for the poor according to his estate It hapned 〈◊〉 by the death of Henry Gray his Kinsman and the seventh Earl of Kent that Earldom descended upon him Anno Dom. 1639. We read of Sigismund the Emperour that when he had knighted a Doctor of the Laws the Knight Doctor sequested himself from the company of Doctors and associciâ—…ted wholly with Knights whereat the Emperor smiled and taxed his folly For 1 said he can make many Knights at my pleasure though indeed I cannot make one Doctor Not so this good Lord who after the accession of his Title did not in the least degrte disdain the society of his fellow Ministers to converse with the Nobility yea he â—…bated nothing in the constancy of his preaching so long as he was able to be led up into the Puâ—…pit He had read in Scripture this Character given to the Bereans These were more noble than these in Thessâ—…lonica in that they received the Word with all readiness and counted it most noble to labour in Gods Vineyard and to deliver his Word to others However a Diamond is best when set in Gold and Goodness is most Illustrious when supported with Greatness He was summoned as a Peer to Parliament but excused himself by reason of Indisposition and Age. Such his humility that Honours did not change Manners in him Thus a mortified mind is no more affected with additions of Titles than a Corps with a gay Coffin By Magdalene Purefoy his Wife he had besides other Children Henry ninth Earl of Kent He died Anno Dom 164 Sheriffs Expect not that to make this Bishoprick Uniform with other Counties I should present a Catalogue of the Sheriffs thereof For the Princely Prelate of this Bishoprick his Sâ—…l not Oval like others but round the more Princely proportion and as I remember gave a crowned Mitre for his Crest was himself always Paramount Sheriffe deputing one often his own Servant under him to execute the Office This Deputy never accâ—…unted at the Exchequer but made up his Audit to the Bishop to whom all perquisites and profits of this place did belong Since after a long discontinuance this County hath obtained its ancient Sheriff the Bishop thereof of whom formerly The Farewell I understand that there is an intention of erecting an University in Durham and that some hopeful progress is made in order thereunto which I cannot but congratulate For I listen not to their Objection alledging it monstrous for one Face to have three Eyes one Land three Universities seeing I could wish that Argus-like it had an hundred in it Would all men were Moses minded that all the people of God might prophesie the rather because I am sure that ignorance is no more the Mother of Devotion than the Lying Harlot which pleaded before Solomon was Mother to the living Child I confess I was always much affected with their fears who suspect that this Convenience for the North would be a Mischief for the South and this new one in process of time prove detrimental to the old Universities Nor were these jealousies when moved removed in my serious consideration not being well satisfied of the intentions and design of some prime persons undertaking the same But since this Fresh-man Colledge lived not to be matriculated much less not lasting seven years graduated God in his wisdom seeing the contrary fitter The worst I should have wished this new spring if continuing was pure water pious and orthodox Professors to have Principled and Elemented the Members therein with Learning and Religion ESSEX ESSEX hath Kent on the South divided by the River Thames Suffolk on the North severed by the River Stoure Cambridge Hertford shire and Middlesex on the West the two later generally parted by the River Ley and the German Ocean on the East A fair County bearing the full proportion of five and thirty miles square plentifully affording all things necessary to mans subsistance save that the Eastern part is not very healthfull in the Aire thereof These parts adjoyning to the Sea are commonly called the Hundreds of Essex and are very fruitfull in Cattle However the Vulgar wits of this County much astonish strangers with the stock of poor people in these parts five hundred Cows nine hundred Sheep wâ—…ch indeed are but five Cows and nine Sheep in this part of the County called the Hundreds Naturall Commodities Saffron Plenty hereof in this County growing about Walden a fair Market Town which Saffron may seem to have coloured with the name thereof It is called as Serapione affirmeth Sahafaran by the Arabians whence certainly our English word is derived In it self it is atmost admirable Cordiall and under God I owe my life when sick of the small pox to the efficacy thereof Now because our own writers may probably be challenged of partialty hear what forraigners speak in the praise of English Saffron Anglia Hibernia laudatissimum Crocum ferunt quo Belgium Germania aliique vicini cibos condiunt ac medicamentis miscent Propagatur inter alia loca etiam in Britanniae insulae meridionali parte quam Angliam vocant Natus ex altera vero septentrionali quam Picti Scoti tenent reprobus est No precious drug is more adulterated with Cartamus the inward pilling of Willow and generally all yellow flowers when it is bought in great parcells which ought to quick en the care of Chapmen herein In a word the Soveraign Power of genuine Saffron is plainly proved by the Antipathy of the Crocodiles thereunto For the Crocodiles tears are never true save when he is forced where Saffron groweth whence he hath his name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Saffron-fearer knowing himself to be all Poison and it all Antidote Oysters The best in England Fat Salt green-finn'd are bred near Colchester where they have an excellent art to feed them in Pits made for the purpose King James was wont to say he was a very valiant man who first adventured on eating of Oysters most probably meer hunger put men first on that tryal Thus Necessity hath often been the Purveyor to provide diet for delicacy it self famine making men to find out those things which afterwards proved not onely wholesome but delicious Oysters are the onely meat which men eat alive and yet account it no cruelty Sometimes Pearls conside rable both in bulk and brightness have
Fancy who will have it called Cockney by Transposition quasi Incoct raw and rude as forc'd and far fetch'd The Name is generally fix'd on such who are born within the Sound of Bow-Bell and are tender enough and sufficiently ignorant in Country businesses One merrily perswaded a She Citizen that seeing Malt did not grow the good Huswifes in the Countrey did spin it I knew as much said the Cockney for one may see the Threds hang out at the ends thereof However be it known unto all people that as there are delicate and silly Folk in the Countrey so are there as hardy men and skilful Huswives in the City no disparagement to any of what place soever Ane ill word meets another and it were at the Bridge of London This is a Scottish Proverb and indeed a Scottish Text needs a Scottish Comment thereon However I thus guesse at the meaning thereof London-Bridge is notoriously known for a narrow passe and numerous passengers so that people meeting thereon a Quarrel will quickly be engendred if one of them hath not the wit or patience to step into a Shop if on foot if on Horseback to stay in the void places Thus Words quickly enflame a difference except one of the parties have the Discretion of silence yeilding or departure Billings-gate Language Billings was formerly a Gate though now rather portus then porta being the prime Landing place and Market for some Sea Commodities Now although as fashionable people live there as elsewhere in the City yet much rude folk repair thither so that one may term this the Esculine Gate of London from the drosse and dregs of the baser people flocking thither Here one may hear Linguas jurgatrices yea shrewd words are sometimes improved into smart blows betwixt them I doubt not but that Rome Venice Paris and all populous Cities have their Billings-gate Language in those places where rude people make their Rendezvouz Kirbies Castle and Megses Glory Spinolas Pleasure and Fishers Folly These were four houses about the City built by Citizens large and sumptuous above their Estates whose Memories are likely longer to continue by this Rhime then by their own pompous buildings The fiâ—…st of these is so uncastelled the Glory of the second so obscured that very few know and it were needlesse to tell them where these houses were fixed As for Spinola a Genoan made Free-Denizon the Master and Fellows of a Colledge in Cambridge know too well what he was by their expensive Suit known to posterity by Magdalen Colledge Case If his own Countrey I mean the Italian curse did overtake him and if the Plague of Building did light upon him few I believe did pity him As for the last it was built by Jasper Fisher Free of the Goldsmiths one of the six Clerks in Chancery and a Justice of Peace who being a Man of no great Wealth as indebted to many built here a Beautiful house with Gardens of pleasure and Bouling Alleys about it called Devonshire House at this Day However it seems this was an ancient Vanity even in the Days of King David Their inward thought is that their Houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling places to all Generations They call their Lands after their own names He will follow him like a St. Anthonies pig St. Anthonie is notoriously know for the Patron of Hogs having a pig for his page in all picturâ—…s though for what reason unknown except because being an Hermit and having a Cell or hole digged in the earth and having his generall repast on roots he and hogs did in some sort entercommon both in their diet and lodging There was a fair Hospital built to the honour of St. Anthony in Bennets Fink in this City The Protectors and Proctors whereof claimed a priviledge to themselves to garble the Live Pigs in the Markets of the City and such as they found starved or otherwise unwholsom for mans sustenance they would slit in the ear tie a Bell about their Necks and let them loose about the City None durst hurt or take them up having this Livery of St. Anthony upon them but many would give them bread and feed them in their passage whom they used to follow whining after them But if such Pigs proved fat and well liking as often they did the Officers of St. Anthonies Hospital would seize on them for their own use The Proverb is appliable to such who have servile saleable souls who for a small reward will lack-wey many Miles pressing their Patrons with their unwelcome importunity He was born within the Sound of Bow-Bell This is the Periphrasis of a Londoner at large born within the Suburbs thereof the Sound of this Bell exceeding the extent of the Lord Maiors Mace It is called Bow-bell because hanging in the Steeple of Bow-Church and Bow-Church because built on Bows or Arches John Dun Mercer gave 1472 two Tenements to maintain the ringing of this Bell nightly at Nine a clock which sounded to Servants a Retreat from their Work and a March to their Supper and Bed and therefore conceived by some Masters to ring too soon by most Apprentices too late William Copland the Kings Merchant about the Year 1520. gave a bigger Bell for the same purpose and had the hansel thereof himself being first rang as a Knell at his Burial St. Peters in the Poor Where no Tavern Alehouse or Sign at the Dore. Under Correction I conceive it called in the Poor because the Augustinian Friers professing wilful poverty for some hundred of years possessed more than a Moiety thereof But as one gave for his Motto Malim dives esse quam haberi this Parish may say Malim pauper vocari quam esse which ever was not to say is one of the richest in London which their Signlesse houses doe avouch being a Sign of the eminency of their Inhabitants ubi quisque sui ipsius index sufficiently notified and distinguished by themselves How ancient the use of Signs in this City on private houses is to me unknown sure I am it was generally used in the Reign of King Edward the Fourth Witnesse that dear jest of a well meaning Citizen who lost his life in those dangerous times for saying he would leave the Crown to his Son I suspect this Proverb is lately a little discomposed and that some publick houses for entertainment have stept or crept into this Parish To dine with Duke Humphrey This Proverb hath altered the original meaning thereof For first it signified aliena vivere quadra to eat by the bounty or feed by the favour of another man For Humphrey Duke of Gloucester commonly called the good Duke was so hospital that every man of Fashion otherwise unprovided was welcome to Dine with him It not being so proper for Strangers to sup in those dayes with the greatest House keepers The said Duke was so bountiful that his Alms-dish of Silver was very massie when empty what then when full