English compound word call Grandfather they called Eald-fader whom we call Great Grandfather they called Thirdafader So Proavus which we call Great Great Grandfather they called Fortha-fader as Abavus Fiftha-fader An Eunuch for whome we have no name but from the Greekes they could aptly name Vnstana that is without stones as we vse Vnspotted for without spotte Vnlearned for without learning A Covetous man whome we so call of the French Convoitise they truely called Git-sor as a fore eagre Getter and Gatherer That which the Latines call Abortus and wee in many wordes Vntimely Birth or Borne before the full time they called Miss-borne A Porter which wee have received from the French they could in their own word as significatively call A Doreward I could particulate in many more but this woulde appeare most plentifully if the labours of the learned Gentlemen Maister Laurence Nowell of Lincolnes Inne who first in our time recalled the studie heereof Maister William Lambert Maister I Ioscelin Maister Fr Tate were once published Otherwise it is to bee feared that devouring Time in few yeeres will vtterly swallow it without hope of recoverie The alteration and innovation in our tongue as in all others hath beene brought in by entrance of Strangers as Danes Normans and others which have swarmed hither by trafficke for new words as well as for new wares have alwaies come in by the tyranne Time which altereth all vnder heaven by Vse which swayeth most and hath an absolute command in words and by Pregnant wits specially since that learning after long banishment was recalled in the time of King Henry the eight it hath beene beautified and enriched out of other good tongues partly by enfranchising and endenizing strange words partly by refining and mollifying olde words partly by implanting new wordes with artificiall composition happily containing themselves within the bounds prescribed by Horace So that our long is and I doubt not but hath beene as copious pithie and significative as any other tongue in Europe and I hope we are not yet and shall not heereafter come to that which Seneca saw in his time When mens mindes beginne once to iniure themselves to dislike whatsoever is vsuall is disdained They affect noveltie in speech they recall forworne and vncuth words they forge new phrases and that which is newest is best liked there is presumptuous and farre fetching of words And some there are which thinke it a grace if their speech doe hover and thereby hold the hearer in suspence you know what followeth Omitting this pardon me and thinke me not overballanced with affection if I thinke that our English tongue is I will not say as sacred as the Hebrew or as learned as the Greeke but as fluent as the Latine as courteous as the Spanish as courtlike as the French and as amorous as the Italian as some Italianated amorous have confessed Neither hath any thing detracted more from the dignitie of our tongue than our owne affection of forraine tongues by admiring praising and studying them above measure whereas the wise Romans thought no small part of their honour to consist in the honour of their language esteeming it a dishonour to answer any forraine in his owne language As for a long time the English placed in the Borrough townes of Ireland and Wales would admit neither Irish nor Welsh among them And not long since for the honour of our native tongue Henry Fitz-Allan Earle of Arundell in his travaile into Italie and the Lord William Howard of Effingham in his government of Calice albeit they were not ignorant of other forraine tongues would answer no strangers by word or writing but onely in English As in this consideration also before them Cardinall Wolsey in his ambassage into France commaunded all his servaunts to vse no French but meere English to the French in all communication whatsoever As for the Monosyllables so rife in our tongue which were not so originally although they are vnfitting for verses and measures yet are they most fit for expressing briefly the first conceipts of the minde or Intentionalia as they call them in schooles so that we can set downe more matter in fewer lines than any other language Neither do we or the Welsh so curtall Latine that we make all therein Monosyllables as Ioseph Scaliger chargeth vs who in the meane time forgetteth that his Frenchmen have put in their Proviso in the edict of Pacification in the Grammaticall warre that they might not pronounce Latine distinctly as the English common Lawyers obtained then a Reservation that they might write false Latine and the Irish not to observe quantitie of syllables I cannot yet but confesse that we have corruptly contracted most names both of men and places if they were of more then two sillables and thereby hath ensued no little obscuritie Whereas our tongue is mixed it is no disgrace wheâ—â—as all the tongues of Europe doe participate interchangeably the one of the other and in the learned tongues there hath been like borrowing one from another Yet is it false which Gesner affirmeth that our tongue is the most mixt and corrupt of all other For if it may please any to compare but the Lords Prayer in other languages he shall finde as few Latine and borrowed forraine words in ours as in any other whatsoever Notwithstanding the diversiue of Nations which have swarmed hither and the practise of the Normans who as a monument of their Conquest would have yoaked the English vnder their tongue as they did vnder their command by compelling them to teach their children in schooles nothing but French by setting downe their lawes in the Norman-French and enforcing them most rigorously to pleade and to be impleaded in that tongue onely for the space of three hundred yeares vntill K. Edward the third enlarged them first from that bondage Since which time our language hath risen by little and the proverbe proved vntrue which so long had beene vsed Iacke would be a gentleman if he could speake any French Heerein is a notable argument of our Ancestors stedfastnes in esteeming and retaining their owne tongue For as before the Conquest they misliked nothing more in K. Edward the Confessor than that he was Frenchified accounted the desire of forraine language then to be a foretoken of the bringing in of forraine powers which indeede happened In like manner after the Conquest notwithstanding those enforcements of the Normans in supplanting it and the nature of men which is most pliable with a curious iolitie to fashion frame themselves according to the manners attyre and language of the Conquerours Yet in all that long space of 300. yeares they intermingled very few French-Norman words except some termes of law hunting hawking and dicing whenas wee within these 60. yeares have incorporated so many Latine and French as the third part of our tongue consisteth now in them But like themselves continue still those old Englishmen which were
that is The devine dew of her Kingdome Likewise out of the Greeke was this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is A Goddesse Queene Her most milde government of her subiects and Lion-like courage against her Spanish enemies was thus declared out of Elizabetha Regina Anglia ANGLIS AGNA HIBERIAE LEA. Whereas she was as a Sweepnet for the Spanish ships which as the Athenians said of their fortunate Timothye happily fell into her net this was made by transposing of Elizabeth Regina Angliae GENTI HIBERAE ILLA SAGENA In respect of her great warres exploited against that mighty Monarch this was wrought out of Elizabetha Anglorum Regina MAGNA BELLA TV â—EROINA GERIS The good government of her Maiestie was thus noted vnder the name of the flourishing Muse Thalia Elizabetha Regina BENE THALIA REGIS In this following was comprised the wish then of all true English Elizabetha Regina Anglorum GLORIA REGNI SALVA MANEBiT Have now some framed vpon the names of divers honourable personages and others lovers I hope of good letters neither let any conceive offensively if they aâ—e not here remembred I have imparted all that came to my hands Out of the name of the late right reverend the Lorde Archebishoppe of Canterbury the mirrour of Praelats in our daies was found this in respect of his milde proceedings Ioannes Whitegiftius NON VI EGIT FAVIT â—â—ESVS For the Lord Chancelor Lord Ellesmer Thomas Egerton GEST AT HONOREM Oris honore viget Vt mentis gestat honorem Iuris Egertonus dignus honore colâ— For the late Lord Treasurer a most prudent and honourable Councellor to two mightie Princes Guilielmus Cecisius Baro Burglio VIGILI CVM LABORE ILLVCES REGIBVS Regibus illuces vigili Gulielme labore Nam clarè fulget lux tua luce Dei For the Earle of Nottingham Lord Admirall Carolus Howarde CHARVS ARDVO LEO. For the Earle of Northumberland Henricus Percius HIC PVRE SINCERVS Vpon which with a relation to the Crescent or silver Moone his Cognisance was framed thus Percius HIC PVRE SINCERVS Percia Luna Candida tota micat pallet at illa pâ—lo This was made as a wish to the Earle of Shrewsbury that his name and Talbot may be as terrible to the French as it was when the French so feared his progenitour Iohn Lord Talbot first Earle of Shrewsbury of that family Gilbertâ—â— Talbottius CALLOS TV TIBI TVRBES Vt proavi preavus sic GALLOS TV TIBI TVRBES Impreses AN Imprese as the Italians call it is a devise in picture with his Motte or Word borne by noble and learned personages to notifie some particular conceit of their owne as Emblemes that we may omitte other differences doe propound some generall instruction to all As for example Wheras Cosmi Medici Doke of Florence had in the ascendent at his nativitie the signe Capricorue vnder which also Augustus and Charles the fift two great and good Princes were borne hee vsed the celeshall signe Capricorne with this Mone FIDEM FATI VIRTVTE SE QVEMVR for his Imprese particularly concerning his good hope to proove like vnto them But a faire woman pictured with an Olive crowne representing Peace carrying in one hand the horne of Plenty leading a little golden boy for Plutus in the other with EX PACE RERVM OPVLENTIA is an Embleme and a generall document to all that Peace bringeth Plentie There is required in an Imprese that wee may reduce them to few heades a correspondencie of the picture which is as the bodie and the Motte which as the soule giveth it life That is the body must be of faire representation and the word in some different language wittie short and answerable thereunto neither too obscur◠〈◊〉 too plaine and most commâ—nded when it is an Hemislich or parcell of a verse According to these prescripts neither the starres with the Moone in Tideâ—s shield in Aeschilus neither Amphiaraus dragon in Pindare neither the stemme of a shippe vsed for a seale by Pompey can have heere place Much lesse the reverses in Roman coynes which were onely historicall memorialles of their actes as that of Claudius with a plowman at plow and this COL CAMALODVN was to signifie that he made Maldon in â—ssex a Colony and that of Hadrian with an Emperour three souldiers and EXERC BRITANNICVS was in memorie of some good service by the three Legions resiant in this Isle at Yorke Chester and Car-leon vpon Vske That also of Severus with a woman sitting vppon Cliffes holding an ensigne in one hand and as it were writing vppon a shield with VICTORIA BRITANN was onely to shew his victories here Such also as are set downe in Notitia Provinciarum as a Boore seiant for Iovij a circle party per Saltier for Britanniciani a carbuncle as Blazoners terme it for Britannici c. cannot be admitted into the number of Impreses for they were the severall ensignes of severall militarie companies whereof the two last seemed to be leavied out of this Isle Childish it is to referre hither the shieldes of King Arthurs round-table Knights when they were devised as it is probable for no other end but to teach yoong men the termes of Blazon Neither are Armes to be referred hither which were devised to distinguish families and were most vsuall among the nobilitie in warres tiltes and tournaments in their coates called Coate-armours Shields Standards Banners Pennors Guydons vntill about some hundred yeeres since when the French and Italian in the expedition of Naples vnder Charles the eight beganne to leave Armes happly for that many of them had none and to beare the curtaines of their mistresses beddes their mistresses colours or these Impreses in their banners shields and caparisons in which the English have 〈…〉 and albeit a few have borrowed somewhat from them yet many have matched them and no few surpassed them in wittie conceit as you shall perceive heereafter if you will first give me leave to remember some imperfect Devises in this kinde of some former Kings of England which you may well say to be livelesse bodies for that they have no word adioyned Of King William Conquerour I have heard none neither dare as Iovius taketh the Sphinx Augustus signet for an Imprese so set downe our Conquerours seale which had his owne picture on horsebacke with these verses to notifie his Dominions Hoc Normannorum Willelmum nosce patronum On the other side Hoc Anglis Regem signo fatearis eundem As a King of Sicile had about that time this Apulus Calaber Siculus mihi servit Afer Stephen of Bloys the Vsâ—â—per tooke the signe Sagutarius for that hee obtained this kingdome when the Sunne was in the saide signe King Henry the second grievously molested by the disobedience of his foure sonnes who entred into actuall rebellion against him caused to be painted in his great Chamber at his pallace in Winchester an Eagle with foure yong chickens whereof three pecked and scratched him the fourth picked
vvhen hee vvoulde have made him a Scholler vvas named Pertinax So the father of Valens the Emperour who was Camp-maister heere in Britaine for his fast holding a rope in his youth vvhich 〈◊〉 souldiers could not plucke from him vvas called 〈◊〉 About vvhich time also Paul a Spaniard a common Informer in Britaine vvas named Catena i. the Chaine for that he chained and fettered many good men heere vvith linking together false surmises to their vtter vndooing in the time of Constantinus who also that I may remember it in passage named his attendant scholler by no vnfitting name Musonius But what names the beastly monster rather than Emperour Commmodus gave to his attendants I dare not mention lest I should be immodestly offensive to chaste eares and modest mindes But hitherto with modesty may be referred this of the familie of Gephyri i. Bridges in Greece who tooke their name from a Bridge for vvhen their mother was delivered of nine children at a birth and in a foolish feare had privily sent seven of them to be drowned at a bridge the father sodainely comming to the bridge saved them and thereupon gave them that name Of these and the like we may say Propiâ—ra sunt honori quà m ignominiae Infinite are the occasions which in like manner have made names to persons I will onely reporte one or two French examples that thereby you may imagine of others in other places and former ages In the first broyles of Fraunce certaine companies ranging themselves into troupes one Captaine tooke newe names to himselfe and his company from the furniture of an horse Among these new named gallants you might have heard of Monsieur Saddle to english them Mounsieur Bridle Le Croupier Le Girte Horshâ—â—â— Bitte Trappiers Hoofe Stirrope Curbe Musrole Frontstall c. Most of the which had their pasport as my Author noteth by Seignâ—â—â— de la Halter Another Captaine there also gave names to his according to the places where he found theÌ„ as Hodge Hieway River Pond Vine Stable Street Corner Gallâ—ws Taverne Tree c. And I have heard of a consort in England who when they had served at Sea tooke names from the equipage of a shippe when they would serve themselves at land as 〈◊〉 Ballâ—st Planke Fâ—re-decke Decke Loope-hole Pumpe Rudder Gable Anchor Misen saile Capson Maste Bolt So that is true which Isidore saieth Names are not alwayes given according to Nature but some after our owne will and pleasure as we name our landes and servants according to our owne liking And the Dutchmans saying may be verified which when he heard of Englishmen called God and Divell saide that the English borrowed names from all things whatsoever good or bad It might be heere questioned whether these surnames were assumed and taken at the first by the persons themselves or imposed and given vnto them by others It may aswell seeme that the locall names of persons were partely taken vp by themselves if they were owners of the place as given by the people who have the soveraignty of words and names as they did in the Nicke-names before Surnames were in vse For who would have named himselfe Peaceable Vnready Without-land Beauclerke Strongbow Gagtooth Blanch-mayne Bossue i. Crook-backe but the concurrent voyce of the people as the women neighbours gave the name to Obed in the booke of Ruth and likewise in Surnames In these pretty names as I may terme them from floures fishes birdes habitudes c it may bee thought that they came from Nurses in former times heere as very many or rather most in Ireland and Wales doe at this present These Nicke-names of one sillable turned to surnames as Dickes Nickes Toms Hobbes c. may also seeme to proceed from Nurses to their Nurslings or from fathers and maisters to their boyes and servants For as according to the old proverb Omnis herus servâ— Monosyllabus in respect of their short commands so Omnis servus harâ— Monosyllabus in respect of the curtolling their names as Wil Sim Hodge c. Neither is it improbable but that many names that seeme vnfitting for men as of brutish beasts c. came froÌ„ the very signes of the houses where they inhabited for I have heard of them which said they spake of knowledge that some in late time dwelling at the signe of the Dolphin Dull White-horse â—â—â—ket Peacocke c. were commonly called 〈◊〉 at the Dolphin Will at the Bull George at the White horse Robin at the Racket which names as many other of like sort with omitting At became afterward herodâ—taâ—le to their children Heereby some insight may bee had in the originall of Surnames yet it is a matter of great difficultie to being them all to certain heads whenas our language is so greatly altered so many new names daily brought in by Aliens as French Scots Irish Welch Dutch c. and so many old words worne out of vse I meane not only in the old English but also the late Norman for who knoweth nowe what these names were Giffard Basset Gernon Mallet Howard Peverell Paganell or Paynell Taile boise Talbâ—t Lâ—vet Pancâ—volt Tirrell c. which are nothing lesse than locall and certainely significative for they are never noted as I said before in olde evidences with De as locall names 〈◊〉 alwayes absolutely as W. Giffard R. Basset as Christian names are when they are made Surnames and yet I will not affirme that all these heere mentioned were at anie time Christian names although doubtlesse some were For wee knowe the significations of some of them as Mallet an Hammer Bigot a Norman or superstitious Tailebois i. Cutwood Lovet Little Woolfe and Basset as some thinke Fatte Giffard is by some interpreted Liberall and Howard High Warden or Guardian as it seemeth an office now out of vsâ— whenas Heobeorg signified in olde English High defence and Heâ—h-faeder Patriarch or High father Certaine it is that the first of that right noble family who was knowne by the name of Hâ—ward was the sonne of William de Wigenhall as the honourable Lord William Howard of Naworth third sonne to Thomas late Duke of Norffolke an especial searcher of Antiquities who equalleth his high parentage with his vertues hath lately discovered To find out the true originall of Surnames is full of difficulty so it is not easie to search all the causes of alterations of Surnames which in former ages have beene verie common among vs and have so intricated or rather obscured the trueth of our Pedegrees that it will be no little hard labour to deduce many of them truly from the Conquest Somewhat neverthelesse shall be said thereof but more shall be left for them which will sound deeper into this matter To speake of alteration of names omitting them of Abraham and Sara Iacob and Israel in holy Scriptures I have observed that the change of names hath most commonly proceeded from a desire to avoyd the opinion of basenes So Câ—dâ—marus
to stumble with one foot that he almost kissed the ground but with the other legge he recovered himselfe and saved the wine whereat his father Godwyn Earle of Kent who then dined with the King smiling saâ—d Now one brother did helpe another At this word although spoken proverbially the Kings blood beganne to rise thinking how shamefully they had murdered his brother Alfrede and angerly answered And so might my brother have beene a helpe to me if it had pleased you VitaS Edwards The same king Edward passing out of this life commended his wise to the Nobilitie and said That she had carried her selfe as his wife abroad but as his sister or daughter at home Afterward seeing such as were present weeping and lamenting for him he said If you loved me you would for beare weeping and reioyce because I go to my father with whom I shall receive the ioyes promised to the faithfull not through my merits but by the free mercy of my Saviour which sheweth mercy on whom he pleaseth Eilredus Rivallensis Sywarde the martiall Earle of Northumberland feeling in his sicknes that he drew towards his end arose out of his bed and put on hiâ— Armour saying That it became not a valiant man to die lying like a beast and so he gave vp the Ghost standing As valiantly both spoken and performed as it was by Vespasian When the said Siward vnderstood that his sonne whom he had sent in service against the Scottishmen was staine he demaunded whether his wound were in fore part or hinder paâ—t of his body when it was answered in the fore part he replied I am right glad neither wish any other death to me or mine Hen. Huntâ—ngdon In this age when a Bishop living loosely was charged that his conversation was not according to the Apostles lives he made a mocke at it and excusâ—d himselfe with this verse which was after taken vp for a common excuse in that behalfe Nunc aliud tempus aâ—â—j pro tempere mâ—res Anonymus When the fatall period of the Saxon Empire was now complete and battells were marshalled betweene William Duke of Normandy and Harold King of England Girthe Haroldes yonger brother not holding it best to hazard the kingdome of England at one cast signified to the King that the succâ—sse of warre was doubtfull that victory was swayed rather by fortune than by valour that advised delay was most important in Martiall affaires and if so bee brother said he You have plighted your faith to the Duke retyre your selfe for no force can serve against a mans owne conscience God will revenge the violation of an â—the You may reserve your selfe to give them a new encounter which will be more to their terrour As for me if you will commit the charge to me I will performe both the part of a kinde brother and a couragious Leader For being cleare in conscience I shall sell my life or discomfit your enemy with more felicitie But the King not liking his speech answered I will never turne my backe with dishonour to the Norman neither can I in any sort disgest the reproach of a base minde Wel then be it so said some discontented of the company let him beare the brunt that hath given the occasion Anonymus VVIlliam Conquerour when he invaded this Iland chanced at his arrivall to be graveled and one of his feete stacke so fast in the sand that he fell to the ground Wherewithall one of his attendants caught him by the arme and helped him vp saying Stand vp my â—iege Lord and be of good cheare for now you have taken fast footing in England and then espying that he brought vp sand and earth in his hand added Yea and you have taken livery and seisin of the Country For you know that in delivering of livery and seisin a peece of the earth is taken Hist Normanica A Wizard or a Wise-man as they then called them had fore-told William that he should safely arrive an England with his whole Armie without any impeachment of Harold the which after it came it passe the King sent for the Wizard to conferre further with him But when it was told him that he was drowned in that ship which onely of all the whole fleete miscarried The Conquerour said He would never make account of that science that profited more the ignorant then the skilfull therein for he could fore-see my good fortune but not his owne mishap Idem That morning that he was to ioyne battell with Harold his atmorer put on his backe-peece before and his breast-plate behinde the which being espied by some that stood by was taken on them for an ill token and therefore advised him not to fight that day to whom the Duke answered I force not of such fooleries but if I have any skill 〈◊〉 South-saying as in sooth I have none it doth prognosticate that I shall change copie from a Duke to a King Idem Magike in the time of Nerâ— was discovered to be but a vanitie in the declining state of the Roman Empire accounted by the Gentiles a verity in the time of Hildebrand if we beleeve Authors so approoved that it was commonly practised For as in the time of Valeâ—s divers curious men as hath beene said by the falling of a ring Magically prepared vpon the letters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iudged that one Theodorus should succeede in the Empire when indeede Theodosius did So when Hildebrand was Pope by like curiosities it was found that Odo should succcede Wherevppon Odo Earle of Kent and Bishop of Bayeux brother to king William the Conquerour devoured the Papacy in hope sent mony his perswading messengers to Rome perchased a pallace there and prepared thitherward when king William for his presumption and other his misdemenours staied him and committed him saying Offensive foole-hardines must be timely restrained Liber Cadomensis When the same Odâ— who was both Bishop of Baiâ—ux in Normandy and Earle of Kent in former time had so disloyally carried himselfe against king William the Conquerour that he complained of him to his Lords Lanfranc Archbishop of Canterbury advised the King to commit him But what say youâ— quoth the King whenas he is a Clergyman You may not saide he commit the Bishop of Baieux but you may well 〈◊〉 the Earle of Kent W Malmsbur Like vnto this was that distinction of Piramus Secretary to Charles the fift in late yeares when Pope Iulius the second did combine with the French king against the Emperour of the Popes honesty and Iulius dishonesty This King William by reason of sickenes kept his chamber a long time whereat the French King scoffing saide The King of England heth long in childe-bed Which when it was reported vnto King William hee aunswered When I am churched there shal be a thousand lights in France alluding to the lights that women vsed to beare when they were churched and that hee performed within few dayes after wasting the French frontires with fire and sword The
backe vnto his flocke Whereuppon the King sent vnto the Pope the armour that he was taken in and willed his Ambassadour to vse the words of Iacobs sonnes vnto their father when they had solde away their brother Ioseph Hanc invenimus vide vtrum tunica filij tui sit an 〈◊〉 This wee found see whether it be the coate of thy sonne or no. Nay quoth the Pope it is not the coate of my sonne nor of my brother but some impe of Mars and let him procure his deliverie of he will for I wil be no meane for him When the French king and king Richard the first beganne to parlee of peace his brother Iohn who had falsely and vnnaturally revolted vnto the French king fearing himselfe came in of his owne accord and suppliantly besought Richard brotherly to pardon his manifolde offences that he had vnbrotherly committed against him hee rehersed the straight league of brotherly piety he recounted the many merits of his brother he bewailed with teares that hitherto he had beene vnmindefull of them as an vnnaturall and vnthankefull person Finally that hee dooth live and shall live hee dooth acknowledge that hee hath received it at his handes The king being mollified with this humble submission saide God graunt that I may as easily forget your offences as you may remember wherein you have offended IN the wofull warres with the Barons when king Iohn was viewing of the Castle of Rochester held against him by the Earle of Arundel he was espied by a very good Arcubalister who tolde the Earle thereof and saide that hee would soone dispatch the cruell tyrant if he would but say the word God forbid vile varlet quoth the Earle that we should procure the death of the holy one of God What saide the souldier he would not spare you if hee had you at the like advantage No matter for that quoth the Earle Gods good wil be done and be wil dispose and not the King Math Paris When one about him shewed him where a noble man that had rebelliously borne armes against him lay verie honourably intoombed and advised the king to deface the monument he said No no but I would al the rest of mine enemies were as honourably buried Idem When diverse Greekes came hither and offered to proove that there were cettaine â—rrours in the Church of England at that time hee reiected them saying I will not suffer our faith established to be called in question with doubtful disputations Fragm antiquum aeditum à P. Pithaeo Yet when the saide king Iohn sawe a fatie Bucke haunched he saide to the standers by See how faire and fatte this Buâ—ke is and yet hee never heard Masse all his life long But this may be forged to his disgrace by the envious Math. Paris IN a solemne conference betweene king Henry the third of England and Saint Lewes king of France the onely devout kings of that age when the French king saide He had rather heare Sermons than heare Masses Our king replied which some will smile at now but according to the learning of that time That he had rather see his loving friend meaning the reall presence in the Sacrament than to heare never so much good of him by others in sermons This I note because it was then thought facetious which I doubt not but some wil now condemne as superstitious Gâ—â—l Rishanger Pecham that Opticall Archbishop of Canterbury who writte Perspectiva Communis when Pope Gregorie the tenth who had created him Archbishop commaunded him to pay foure thousand markes within foure moneths vnder paine of excommunication hee that came vnto the See then deepely indebted saide Beholde you have created me and as a creature doth desire to be perfected by his creator so I doe in my oppressions flie vnto your Holmesse to be recreated Archiep. Cantuar. Sewall Archbishop of Yorke much agrieved with some practises of the Popes collectors in England tooke all patiently and saide I will not with Chaâ— discover the nakednes of my father but cover and conceale it with Sem. As Constantine the Great saide that hee would cover the faults of Bishops and Fathers of the Church with his Imperiall robe Mat. Paris Pope Innocentius the fourth when he offered the kingdome of Sicil and Naples to Richard Earle of Cornewall with many impossible conditions You might as well say de the Earles Agent at Rome say to my Lord and Maister I sell or give you the Moone climbe vp catch is and take it Anonymus qui incipit Rex Pictorum Alexander successor to Innocentius sent vnto the saide Earle Richard to borrow a great masse of money but the Earle answered I wil not lend to my superior uppon whome I cannot distraine for the debts This Richard is reported by the saide Author to have had so great treasure that hee was able to dispend for tenne yeeres an hundred markes a day which according to the Standard of that time was no small summe Idem In the raigne of king Henry a Bishop of London stoâ—â—ly withstoode the Popes Nunciâ— that would have levied exactions of the Cleargie Whereupon the Nâ—â—ciâ— complained vnto the king who shortly menaced the Bishop and tolde him he would cause the Pope to plucke his peacockes toile but the Bishop boldely answered the King that the Pope and he being too strong for him might bereave him of his bishoprick by might but never by right and that although they tooke away his Mitre yet they would leave him his Helmet Lib. Cantuar. Wicked rather than wittie is that of a Deane high treasurer of England that had demeaned himselfe so well in his office that when he died he made this wicked will I bequeathe all my goodes and possessions vnto my liege Lords the King my body to the earth and my soule to the divell Idem VVHen Edward the first heard of the death of his onely sonne hee tooke it grievously as a father but patiently as a wise man But when hee vnderstoode shortely after of the departure of his father king Henry the third he was wholy deiected and comfortlesses whereat when Charles king of Sicile with whome he then soiourned in his returne from the holy land greatly marvelled He satisfied him with this God may send more sonnes but the death of a father is irrecoverable Waâ—singham This is that king Edward the first who as in lineaments of body he surpassed all his people being like Saul higher than any of them so in prudence conioyned with valour and industry he excelled all our Princes giving ther by sure ankerholde to the governement of this realme waving vp and downe before most vncertainely Which hee effected not so much by establishing good lawes as by giving life vnto his lawes by due execution And as my Author saith Iudices potissimùm iudicans quos constituit indices aliorum Who addeth also this of him Nemâ— in consilijs illo argutior in eloquâ—â— torrentiâ—r in periculis socurior in prosperis â—â—utiâ—r in adversis
Burgundian that it wholy alienated his minde from the English to their great losse in all the French warres following Paulus Aemilius Lib. 10. Iohn Lorde Talbot first Earle of Shrewsbury of that familie supprised vppon the sodaine by the French army at Chastilion farre from cowardly fâ—are of death and fatherly affected to his sonne the Lorde â—isle who woulde not forsake him in that danger advised him to fâ—le saying My death in respect of my former exploites can not be but honourable and in respect of thy youth neither can it be honourable for thee to die nor dishonourable to fâ—ie But this yong Lord in height of courage nothing degenerating from so worthy a father lost his life with his father in the field and with them a base sonne and a sonne in lawe of the sayde Earles Paulus Aemilius Lib. 10. Commentarij Pij PP 2. Lib. 6. After this battell when the flames of inward warre beganne to flash out in England the martiall men of England were called home out of Fraunce to maintaine the factions heere at which time a French Captaine scoffingly asked an English-man when they woulde returne againe into Fraunce He answered feelingly and vpon a true ground When your sinnes shal be greater and more grievous in the sight of God than ours are now ¶ Vntill this time from the beginning of King Edward the first which was about an hundred and sixtie yeeres whosoever will with a marking eie consider the comportment of the English Nation the concurrent of martiall men their Councells military discipline designs actions and exploites not onely out of our owne Writers but also forraine Historians cannot but acknowledge that they were men of especiall worth and their prowesse both great and glorious Why afterward it should decay as all other professions which even like plants have their times of beginning or in-rooting their growing vp their flourishing their maturitie and than these fading were a disquisition for the learned Whether it proceedeth from celestiall influence or those Angelles which Plato makes or the Secundei which Trithâ—â—â—ius imagined to have the regiment of the world successively or from the degenerating of numbers into summes which I confesse I vnderstand not being an ignorant in abstruse learning Onely I have read in Paterculus that when either envie or admiration hath given mâ—n an edge to ascend to the highest and when they can ascend no higher after a while they must naturally descend Yet I relie vpon that of Eccclesiastes as I vnderstand it Cuncta fecit bona in tempore suâ— Deus mundum tradidit disputationi eorum vt non inveniat home quod operatus est Deus ab initio vsque ad finem But pardon mee I cannot tell how I have beene by admiration of our Progenitours diverted from my purpose In the yeere of our Lord 1416. when a fifteene hundred English vnder the coÌ„duct of I Beaufort erle of Derset were encompassed betweene the sea and fifteen thousand French The Erle of Arminac generall of the French sent to the Earle advising him to yeelde himselfe but hee answered It is not the manner of the English to yeelde without blowes neither am I so heartlesse that I will deliver my selfe into their handes whom God â—ay deliver into mine And accordingly God gave him the honour of the day to the great confusion of the enemy Walsingham in Ypodigmate VVHen Elizabeth the widow of sir Iohn Gray was a suter vnto King Edward the fourth against whome her husband lost his life for her ioynture the kinde King became also a suter to her vnto her for a nights lodging But she wisely answered him when hee became importunate That as she did account her selfe too base to be his wife so shee did thinke her selfe too good to be his 〈◊〉 When love grew so hote in this K. Edward the fourth that hee would needes marry the saide Elizabeth widow of sir Iohn Grey to the great discontent of his Counsell but especially of his mother who alleaging many reasons to the contrary saide That onely widowhood might be sufficient to restraine him for that it was high disparagement to a King to be dishonoured with bigamy in his first marriage The King merrily aunswered In that shee is a widdow and hath already children by Gods blessed Lady I am a batcheller and have some too and so each of vs hath a proofe that neither of vs are like to be barren And therefore Madam I pray you be content I trust in God she shal bring you forth a yong Prince that shall please you And as for the bigamy let the Bishop hardly lay it in my way when I come to take Orders for I vnderstand it is forbidden to a Priest but I never wist it yet that it was forbidden to a Prince His note love neverthelesse was partable among three other of his Mistresses of whome hee was woont to say The one was the fairest the other the merriest and the third the holiest for she had wholy devoted her selfe to his bedde and her beades When Lewes the eleaventh French King entertained diverse Councellors of king Edward the fourth with large pensions to steede him in England hee sent Peter Cleret one of the maisters of his housholde vnto the Lorde Hastings the Kings Chamberlaine to present him with twoo thousand crownes Which when he had received Petre Cleret did pray him that for his discharge he would make him an acquittance The Lorde Chamberlaine made a great difficultie thereat Then Cleret dooth request him againe that hee would give vnto him onely a letter of three lines for his discharge to the King signifying that hee had received them The Lord Chamberlaine answered Sir that which you say is very reasonable but the gift comes from the goodwill of the King your Maister and not at my request at all If it please you that I shall have it you shall put it within the pocket of my sleeve and you shall have no other acquittance of me For I will never it shal be saide for mee that the Lorde Chamberlaine of the King of England had beene Pentioner to the King of Fraunce Nor that my acquittances shal be found in the Chamber of accompts in Fraunce The aforesâ—id Cleret went away male-content but left his money with him and came to tell his message to his King who was very angry with him But thenceforth the Lord Chamberlaine of England was more esteemed with the French and alwayes payde without acquittance Philippe de Commines KIng Richard the third whose monstrous birth foreshewed his monstrous proceedings for he was born with all his teeth and haire to his shoulders albeit hee lived wickedly yet made good Lawes and when diverse shires of England offered him a benevolence hee refused it saying I know not in what sence I haa rather have your hearts than your money Ioannes Rossus Warwiceusis Iohn Morton then Bishoppe of Elie but afterward of Canterbury being solicited by the Duke of Buckingham then
honor of the name then the worth of the verse Hic iacet ingenui de Courtney gleba Roberti Militis egregij virtutum laude referti Quem genuit strenuus Reginal dus Courteniensis Qui procer eximius fuerat tunc deuoniensis A MoÌ„ke of Duresme busied his braine in nicking out these nice verses vpon the death of W. de La-march Chauncellor of England vnder king Iohn Culmina qui cupitis Laudes pompasque sititis Est sedata sitis Si me pensare velitis Qui populos regitis memores super omnia sitis Quod mors immitis non parcit honore potitis Vobis prapositis similis fucram benè scitis Quod sum vos eritis ad me currendo venitis William de valentia coÌ„monly called Valens Earle of Pembroke halfe brother to K. Henry the 3. from whom the Earles of Shrewsbury Kent and others are descended is intombed at Westminster with these ranke rimes Anglia tota doles moritur quia regia proles Qua slorere soles quam continet infima moles Guilelmus nomen insigne valentia praebet Celsum cognomen nam tale dari sibi debet Qui valuit validus vincens virtute valore Et placuit placido sensu morumque vigore Robert Grostest coÌ„monly called Robin Groshead bishop of Lincolne a most learned prelate reported by Mathew Paris to be a seuere reproouer of the Pope a fauourer of learning a searcher of scriptures a preacher of the word generally a man of great worth coÌ„manded this only to be engrauen ouer his Tombe Quis sim nosse cupis caro putrida nil nisi vermis Quisquis es hoc de me sit tibi scire satis But vpon his death this was written Rex dolet ac regnum gemit et flet Anglia tota Plebs plangit gemitus ingeminare iuuat Quippe Grosredus speculum virtutis asylum Iustâ—â—ciae Regis inchora morte iacet Non poterit tamen ille mori cui fama perorat Laus loquitur redolet fructus abundat honor Vnde 〈◊〉 tristatur homo canit Angelus inde Vnde serenantur sidera pallet humus Vpon the tombe of doctor Iohn Bekingale somtime bishop of Chichester this is engrauen which I set here for rare correspondency of the rime Tu modo qualis eris quid mundi quaeris honores Crimina deplores in me nunc te speculeris En mors ante fores quae clamitat omnibus adsum In paenis passum pro me te deprecor ores Which is the same in sence with that at Geneua VIXI VT VIVIS MORIERIS VT SVM MORTVVS SIC VITA TRVDITVR Lewes de Beaumont that learned bishop of Duresme who was preferred therunto for his affinity vnto the Queene although he could not with all his learning read this word Metropoliâ—ice at his coÌ„secration but passed it ouer with Soit pour dict and would sweare by S. Lewes that they were discourteous which set downe so many hard words in the ordering of priests had this vpon his tombe in Duresme Church where he was buried 1333. De Bello Monte iacet hic Lodouicus humatus Nobilis ex fonte regum Comitumque creatus c. King Edward the first a most worthy and mighty prince the first establisher of the kingdome of England had affixed at the Aulter of S. Edward neare his tombe at Westminster a large Epitaph in prose whereof I haue found onely this fragment Abauus autem triâ—vus eius dilatantes imperia subieâ—erunt sibi Ducatus Comitatus Edwardus vero paternarum magnificentiarum amplius aemulator existens Regaleque solium perornans in clypeo in hastà Principatum Walliae truncatis eius principibus Leclino Dauid potentissimè adquisiuit Quinimò dominium regni Scotiae primò magni industria consilij de inde virtute bellorum victoriosissimè est adeptus Nihilominus Comitatibus Cornubiae Northfolke disponente â—o cuius est orbis terrae plenitudo eius ad manus Edwardi mirabilitèr deuolutis suis successoribus amplissimam reliquit materiam gloriandi Vbicunque igitur Christus habet nomen inter praecellentissimos reges fidelium habeat Edwardus honorem The famous K. Edward the 3. which had so great victories ouer the French to the greater glory than good of England as some say is entombed at Westminster with this Hic decus Anglorum slos regum praeteritorum Fama futurorum rex clemens pax populorum Tertius Eduardus regni complens Iubilaum Robert Hawley a valiant Esquire was murthered in Westminster Church in seruice time where he had taken sanctuary and is there buried in the place where he was first assaulted with these verses Me dolus ira furor multorum militis atque in hoc gladiis celebri pietatis asylo Dum leuita Dei sermones legit ad aram Proh dolor ipse meo Monachorum sanguine vultus Aspersi moriens chorus est mihi testis in â—uum Et me nunc retinet sacer hic locus Hawle Robertum Hic quia pestiferos malè sensi primitùs hostes Famous is L. Siccinius Dentatus who serued in an hundred and twentie battailes And glorious is Henry the third Emperour who fought 62. battailes and likewise honourable should the memory be of Sir Mathew Gâ—urnay out Countriman of whose house Sir H. Newton is descended which commaunded in 6. battailes was buried at Stoke Hamden in Somersetshire with this French memoriall now defaced Icy gist le noble valient Cheualer Maheâ— de Gurnay iadis seneschall de Landes Capitayn du Chastell d'Aques pro nostre Signior le Roy en la Duche de Guien que in sa viâ— fu a la battaile de Benamazin a la pres a la siege de Algezir sur le Sarazines auxi a les battayles de Scluse de Cressy de Ingenesse de Poyters de Nazara c. Obijt 96. aetatis 26. Septemb. 146. Henry Chichely although he was founder of All Soules Colledge in Oxford and an especiall furtherer of learning was but little honoured by this vnlearned Epitaph 1443. Pauper eram natus post Primas his releuatus Iam sum prostratus vermibus esca paratus Ecce meum tumulum His next successour one Iohn Kempe happened vpon a better Poet who in one verse comprehended all his dignities which were great Thomas Kempe Bis Primas ter praesul erat bis cardine functus For he was Bishop of Rochester Chichester and London Archbishop of Yorke then of Canterbury and Cardinall first Deacon than Priest This that followeth is engrauen about a faire tombe in a goodly Chappell adioyning to the Quire of Saint Maries Church in Warwick being a worthy monument of so noble a person since whose time although but late you may obserue a great change both of the heyres of his house and the vse of words in this Epitaph Pray deuoutly for the soule whome God assoâ—le of one of the most worshipfull Knights in his dayes of manhood and cunning Richard Bâ—auchampe late Earle of Warwicke Lord dispenser
of Bergeuenny and of many other great Lordships whose body resteth here vnder this tombe in a full faire vaulte of stone set in the bare roche The which visited with long sicknesse in the castle of Rohan therein deceased full Christianly the last day of Aprill in the yeare of our Lord God 1439. he being at that time Lieutenant generall of France and of the Duchie of Normandie by sufficient authoritie of our Soueraigne Lord King Henry the sixt The which body by great deliberation and worshipfull conduct by sea and by land was brought to Warwicke the fourth of October the yeare abouâ—said and was laid with full solemne exequies in a faire Chest made of Stone in the West dore of this Chappell according to his last Will and Testament therein to rest till this Chappell by him deuised in his life were made the which Chappell founded on the Roche and all the members therof his executors did fully make apparail by the auctority of his said last Will Testament And therafter by the said auctoritie they did translate worshipfully the said body into the vaulte aforesaid Honoured be God therefore His sister the Countesse of Shrewsbury was buried in Saint Faithes vnder S. Paules at London with this Here before the image of Ihesu lyeth the Worshipfull and right noble Lady Margaret Countesse of Shrouseburie late wife of the true victorious Knight redoubted Warriour Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrousebury which worshipfully died in Gien for the right of this lond the first daughter and one of the heires of the right famous and renowned Knight Richard Beauchampe late Erle of Warwicke which died in Roane and of dame Elizabeth his wife the which Elizabeth was daughter and heire to Thomas late Lord Berkely on his syd and of 〈◊〉 moders side Lady Lisle and Ties which Countesse passed from this world the xiiii day of Iune the yeare of our Lord 1468. On whose soule the Lord haue mercy For that valerous Earle her husband the terror of France I found no Epitaph but insteed thereof I will giue you â—o vnderstand that not long since his sworde was found in the riuer of Dordon and solde by a pesant to an Armorour of Burdeaux with this inscription but pardon the Latin for it was not his but his Camping priests SVM TALBOTI M. IIII.C.XLIII PRO VINCERE INIMICO MEO This inscription following is in the Cathedrall Church at Roan in Normandie for Iohn Duke of Bedford and Gouernour of Normandie Sonne to King Henry the fourth buried in a faire plaine monument which when a French Gentleman aduised Charles the eight French King to deface as being a monument of the English victories he said Let him rest in peace now he is dead whom we feared while he liued Cy gist feu de noble memoire haut puissant prince Iean en son viuant regent du Royaume de France Duc de Bethfort pour lequel est fondè vne Messe estre par chacun iour perpetuellement celebrâ—e en cest autel par le college des Clementins incontineâ—â— apres prime trespassa le 13. Septembre 1435. Au quel 13. iour semblablement est fondè poâ—r luy vn obït en ceste eglise Dieu face pardon à soname Vpon an auncient Knight Sir Iernegan buried Crosse-legd in Somerly in Suffolke some hundred yeares since is written Iesus Christ both God and man Saue thy seruant Iernegan Happy prudent K. Henry the 7. who stopped the streames of ciuill bloud which so long ouer-flowed England left a most peaceable state to his posteritie hath his magnificall monument at Westminster inscribed thus Septimus hic situs est Henricus gloria regum Cunctorum illius qui tempestate fuerunt Ingenio atque opibus gestarum nomine rerum Accessere quibus naturae dona benignae Frontis honos facies augusta heroica forma Iunctaque ei suauis coniunx perpulchra pudica Et faecunda fuit foelices prole parentes Henricum quibus octauum terra Anglia debes Hic iacet Henricus huius nominis VII Angliae quondam rex Edmundi Richmundiae Comitis filius qui die 22. Aug. Rex creatus statim post apud Westmonasterium 30. Octob. coronatur anno Domini 1485. moritur deinde xxi April anno aetatis Liii Regnauit annos xxii mens viii minùs vno die This following I will note out of Hackney Church that you may see that the Clergie were not alwaies anticipating and griping many liuings by this worthy man which relinquished great dignities and refused greater Christopherus Vrswicus Regis Henrici Septimi Elemozinaerius vir sua aetate clarus summatibus atque infimatibus iuxtà charus Ad exteros reges vndecies pro patria legatus DecanatuÌ„ Eboracensem Archidiaconatum Richmundiae DecanatuÌ„ Windsoriae habitos viuens reliquit EpiscopatuÌ„ Norwicensem oblatum recusauit Magnos honores totâ vita spreuâ—t frugali vita contentus hic viuere hic mori voluit Plenus annoruÌ„ obiâ—â— ab omnibus desideratus Funeris pompam etiam testamento vetuit Hic sepultus carnis resurrectionem in aduentum Christi expectat Obijt anno Christi incarnati 1521. Die 23. Martij Anno aetatis suae 74. This testamentarie Epitaph I haue read in an ould Manuscript Terram terra tegit Daemon peccata resumat Res habeat Mundus spiritus alta petat The name of the defunct is as it were enigmatically expressed in this ould epitaph Bis fuit hic natus puer bis bis iuuenisque Bis vir bisque senex bis doctor bisque sacerdos In the Cathedrall church of S. Pauls in London a stone is inscribed thus without name Non hominem aspiciam vltra OBLIVIO This man yet would not willingly haue bene forgotten when he adioyned his Armes to continue his memorye not vnlike to Philosophers which prefixde their names before their Treatises of contemning glorie Another likewise suppressing his name for his Epitaph did set downe this goodly admonition Looke man before thee how thy death hasteth Looke man behind thee how thy life wasteth Looke on thy right side how death thee desireth Looke on thy left side how sinne thee beguileth Looke man aboue thee ioyes that euer shall last Looke man beneth thee the paines without rest The Abott of S. Albanes which lieth buried there in the high Quire suppressed his name as modestly as any other in this Hic quidam terra tegitur Peccato soluens debitum Cuius nomen non impositum In libro vitae sit inscriptum In the Cloister on the north side of S. Pauls now ruinated one had this inscription vpon his Graue without name VIXI PECCAVI PAENITVI NATVRAE CESSI Which is as Christian as that was prophane of the Romane AMICI DVM VIVIMVS Vâ—VAMVS Queene Iane who died in Child birth of King Edward the sixt and vsed for her deuice a Phaenix has this therevnto alluding for her Epitaph Phenix Iana iacet nato Phaenice doendum Secula Phaenices nulla tulisse duos The noble