the Returns do not answer to the extent of those Shires 4. Not done Which I sadly confess and cannot help being Twelve in number as hereafter will appear I dare not conjecture the cause of this Casualty whether in such Shires the Oaths were never Tendred or tendred and not taken or taken and not returned or returned and not recorded or recorded and not preserved or preserved but misplaced in some Roll which hitherto it hath not been my hap to lite upon It is possible that some disgusted the Kings Design as who under the pretence of keeping the peace indevoured to smother and suppress such who should appear for the Title of York whereof more in the Respective Countyes May the Reader be pleased to take notice that in the Reign of Henry the Sixth de such a place began then to be left off and the addition of Knight and Squire to be assumed Yet because no Fashion can be generally followed at first such additions are used in the Returns of some Shires and neglected in others In some Counties we have the Names of a few Mechanicks returned with their Trades Brasier Smith Ironmonger c. Who no doubt were considerable either in themselves as Robustious Persons or in their Servants as Numerous or in their popular and tumultuous Influence of others And grant these passing under the name of Valecti whereof formerly it appears by the penalty imposed on their Recusancy of the Oath that they were substantial 〈◊〉 which stood and propably could make others go on their own Account Some Clergymen not only Regular as Abbots and Priors but secular Parochial priests are inserted in some Returns These some will say might well be omitted as nothing Informative to the Gentry of the Land because dead Stakes in the Hedge then unconcerned in posterity because forbidden marriage However I have here presented as I found them intending neither to mingle nor mangle conceiving that if I were found guilty either of Omissions or Alterations it might justly shake the credit of the whole Catalogue Indeed if the word Superstition importeth not Trespassing on Religion and if the bare signification be adequate to the Etymology thereof a Super Stando for standing in his own opinion too curiously on a thing which in the Judgement of others may not Merit so much Exquisitenesse I here voluntarily confess my self Superstitious in observing every Punctillo according to the Original May the Reader be pleased to take notice that in mens proper names some letters of like sound are confounded in vulgar pronunciation as V for F. Fenner and Venner K. and C. Kary and Cary F. and Ph. as Purfrey and Purphrey though the name be the same in both Sometimes the name is spelled not truly according to Orthography but according to the common speaking thereof which melteth out some essential Letters as Becham for Beauchamp Again there is such an allusion betwixt the forms of some letters nothing symbolyzing in sound that as they are written though not in ordinary in Record-hand they may easily be mistaken by Writer or Reader through the similitude of their Character as m e n f n l g w o u s r t y This hath put us many times to a stand and sometimes to a loss what letter it hath been But we have in all particulars conformed our Transcript to the original in all possible exactness though afterwards taking the boldness to interpose our opinion in our observations A later List might be presented of the English Gentry towards the end of the Reign of King Henry the Eighth but such would be subject to just exception For as the Gibeonites though by their mouldy bread and clouted Shooes pretending to a long peregrination were but of the Vicinage So most of those Gentry notwithstanding their specious claim to Antiquity will be found to be but of one Descent low enough in themselves did they not stand on the vantage ground heightned on the Rubbish of the Ruines of Monasteries CHAP. XV. Of SHIRE-REEVES or SHIRIFFES REEVE which hath much Affinity with the Dutch Grave signifieth an Officer to oversee and order being chief in the Shire In Latin Vice-comes or Vicecount And seeing shadows in effect are as ancient as the bodies they may be beleived as old as Counts and Counts as Counties and Counties as King Alfred who first divided England into Shires about the year of our Lord 888. The late fashion was that the Clerk of the Peace for each County in Michaelmas-Term presented to the Lord Cheif Justice of the Kings Bench sixe or more names of able persons for that Office The Lord Chief Justice calling the other Judges into the Exchequer Chamber where the Attorney General and the Sollicitour attends presented three out of that number unto the King out of which the King pricks one who stands Sheriffe of the County His Power is sufficiently known to suppress Riots secure Prisoners distrain for Debts execute Writs return the choice of Knights and Burgesses for Parliament empannel Juries attend the Judâ—… 〈◊〉 the Execution of Malefactors c. Several Statutes have provided that no man should be Sheriffe in any County except he hath land sufficient in the same County to answer the King and his people And it is remarkable that since the beginning of that Office it appeareth not upon any Record that ever any Sheriffe pro tempore failed in his Estate but was responsible in his place Whereas it is too plain by sad Precedents that some Receivers being men of meaner estates have Sheriffes are bound to abide in their proper persons within the County that they may the more effectually attend their Office And in our Remembrance some great persons whose Activity in Parliament was suspected have been made Sheriffes to keep them out of harms way and confine them at home But later years have dispenced with such critical Niceties unreasonable that the Sheriffe himself should be a Prisoner in his own County allowing him more liberty on the providing of an able Deputy in his absence Though I will not avouch it true there may be somewhat of truth in their spiteful observation who maintain that the Shrevalty in ancient times was Honos sine Onere in the middle times Honos cum onere and in our days little better than Onus sine honore though â—… trust the Office will now be restored to its former honour Honos sine onere An honour without a burden As when Prince Edward the first was for many years together High-Sheriffe of Bedford and Buckingham-shire and many prime Peers of the Land were Honorary Sheriffes gracing the place with accepting it living where they pleased themselves and appointing their Substitutes to transact the businesse of the County Honos cum onere An Honour with a burden From King Edward the Third till within our Remembrance For the principal Gentry in every shire of most ancient extractions and best Estates were deputed for that place keeping great Attendance and Hospitality
Brigges ar ut prius  4 5 Ioh. Denton ar ut prius  5 6 Rich. Fines ar ut prius  REG. ELIZA   Anno   1 Edw. Ashfeld ar   2 Edw. Fabian ar   3 Ioh. Doyle ar  Or 2 Bendlets Az. 4 Hen. Norys ar ut prius  5 Ric. Wenman ar  Quarterly Gules Az. a Cross Patence Or. 6 Ioh. Croker ar Tame P. Ox. Argent on a Cheveron Engrailed Gules between 3 Crows as many Mullets Or pierced 7 Tho. Stafford ar ut prius  8 Christ. Brome   Henry IV. 2 THOMAS CHAUCER He was sole son to Geffery Chaucer that famous Poet from whom he inherited fair lands at Dunnington-Castle in this County and at Ewelme in Oxfordshire He married Maud daughter and coheir of Sir John Burwash by whom he had one only daughter named Alice married unto William de la Pole Duke of Suffolk He lyeth buried under a fair tomb in Ewelme Church with this inscription Hic jacet Thomas Chaucer Armiger quondam Dominus istius villae Patronus istius Ecclesiae qui obiit 18. die Mensis Novembris Anno Dom. 1434. Matilda uxor ejus quae obiit 28. mensis Aprilis Anno Domini 1436. Henry V. 1 THOMAS WIKHAM I behold him as kinsman and next heir to William Wykham that famous Bishop of Winchester to whom the Bishop left notwithstanding above six thousand pounds bequeathed by him in legacies for the discharge whereof he left ready mony one hundred pound lands a year As for his Arms viz. Argent two Cheverons Sable between three Roses Gules a most ingenious Oxfordian conceiveth those Cheverons alià s Couples in Architecture given him in relation to the two Colledges he built the one in Oxford the other in Winchester It will be no sin to suspect this no original of but a post-nate-allusion to his Armes who was whatever is told to the contrary though his parents were impoverished of a Knightly extraction But if it was his assigned and not hereditary Coat it will be long enough ere the Heraulds Office grant another to any upon the like occasion Henry VI. JOHANES GOWFRE Ar. No doubt the same with him who 2 do Hen. 5 nti was written John Golofre He is the first person who is styled Esquire though surely all who were before him were if not Knights Esquires at the least And afterwards this addition grew more and more fashionable in the Reign of King Henry the sixth For after that â—…ack Straw one of the grand founders of the Levellers was defeated the English Gentry to appear above the common sort of people did in all publick instruments insert theit Native or acquired Qualifications Edward IV. 8 JOHN HOWARD Miles He was son to Sir Robert Howard and soon after was created a Baron by this King and Duke of Northfolk by King Richard the third as Kinsman and one of the Heirs of Anne Dutchess of York and Northfolk whose Mother was one of the Daughters of Thomas Mowbray Duke of Northfolk Soon after he lost his life in his quarrell who gave him his honour in Bosworth field From him descended the Noble and Numerous family of the Howards of whom I told four Earls and two Barons sitting in the last Parliament of King Charles I have nothing else for the present to observe of this Name save that a great Antiquary will have it originally to be Holdward L. and D. being omitted for the easier pronunciation which signifieth the Keeper of any Castle Hold or Trust committed unto them wherein they have well answered unto their Name Did not Thomas Howard Earl of Surry well hold his ward by Land when in the reign of King Henry the eighth he conquered the Scots in Flodden-field and took James the fourth their King Prisoner And did not Charles Howard afterwards Earl of Nottingham hold his ward by Sea in 88. when the Armado was defeated But hereof God willing hereafter 15 HUMPHRY FOSTER Ar. This must be he consent of times avowing it who was afterwards Knighted and lyeth buried in Saint Martinâ—… in the Fields London with the following inscription Of your charity pray for the soul of Sir Humphery Foster Knight whose body lyeth buried here in earth under this Marble-stone which deceased the 18. day of the Month of September 1500. on whose Soul sesu have mercy Amen Henâ—…y VII 8 ROBERT HARECOURT Miles Right ancient is this family in France having read in a French Herauld who wrote in the reign of King Edward the sixth that it flourished therein eight hundred years as by a Genealogy drawn by him should appear Of this Family for both give the same Coat at this day viz. Gâ—…les two Barrs Or a younger branch coming over at the Conquest fixed it self in the Norman Infancy at Staunton Harecourt in Oxfordshire And I find that in the reign of King â—…ohn Richard de Harecourt of Staunton aforesaid marrying Orabella daughter of Saer de Quincy Earl of Winchester had the rich manor of Bosworth in Leicester-shire bestowed on him for his wifes portion I cannot exactly distinguish the several Harecourts contemporaries in this County and Sheriffs thereof so as to assign them their severall habitations but am confident that this Robert Harecourt Sheriffe in the reign of King Henry the seventh was the same person whom King Edward the fourth made Knight of the Garter From him lineally descended the valiant Knight Sir Simon Harecourt lately slain in the wars against the Rebells in Ireland whose Son a hopefull Gentleman enjoys the Manor of Staunton at this day 15 JOHN BASKET He was an Esquire of Remark and martiall activity in his younger days who in some years after removed to Devenish in Dorsetshire to whom King Henry the eighth going over into France committed the care of that County as by his following Letter will appear Henry VIII By the King Trusty and Well-beloved We greet you well And whereas we at this time have written as well to the Sheriff of that Our Shire as also to the Justices of Our Peace within Our said Shire Commanding and straightly Charging that as well the said Sheriffs as the said Justices endeavour them for the keeping of Our Peace and the entertainment of Our Subjects in good quiet and restfullness durying the time of Our journey into the parties of beyond the Sea to the which We entend to dispose us about the latter end of this present month of May And forasmuch also as We have for your great ease spared you of your aettendance upon Us in Our said journey and left you at home to doe Us service in keeping of Our Peace and good Rule amongst Our said Subjects We Will thereforâ—… and Command you that dureing the time of Our said absence out of this Our Realme ye have a speciall over-sight regard and respect as well to the Sheriff as to the said Justice how and in what diligence they do and execute
ingenious person would Print Mr. Parkers Book for the use of Posterity He was a melancholy man neglecting all Preferment to enjoy himself and died in the place of his Nativity as I conjecture about 1624. MICHAEL DALTON Esquire He was bred in the study of our Municipall-law in Lincolns Inn and attained great skill in his own profession His gravity graced the Bench of Justices in this County where his judgment deservedly passed for an Oracle in the Law having enriched the world with two excellent Treatises the one of the Office of the Sheriffs the other of the Justices of Peace Out of the Dedicatory Epistle of the later I learnt this which I knew not before that K. James was so highly affected with our English Government by Justices of Peace that he was the first who setled the same in his Native Country of Scotland Mr. Dalton dyed before the beginning of our Civil Distempers THOMAS GOAD D. D. was son to Dr. Roger Goad for more then fourty years Provost of Kings-colledge but whether born in the Provosts Lodgings in Cambridge or at Milton in this County I am not fully informed He was bred a Fellow under his Father afterwards Chaplain to Arch-bishop Abbot Rector of Hadly in Suffolk Prebendary of Canterbury c. A great and Generall Scholar exact Critick Historian Poet delighting in making of verses till the day of his death School-man Divine He was substituted by K. James in the place of Doctor Hall indisposed in health and sent over to the Synod of Dort He had a commanding presence an uncontrolable spirit impatient to be opposed and loving to steere the discourse being a good Pilot to that purpose of all the Company he came in I collect him to have died about the year 1635. ANDREW MARVAIL was born at Mildred in this County and bred a master of Arts in Trinity-colledge in Cambridge He afterwards became Minister in Hull where for his life time he was well beloved Most facetious in his discourse yet grave in his carriage a most excellent preacher who like a good husband never broached what he had new brewed but preached what he had preâ—…studied some competent time before Insomuch that he was wont to say that he would crosse the common proverb which called Saturday the working day and Munday the holy day of preachers It happened that Anno Dom. 1640. Jan. 23. crossing Humber in a Barrow-boat the same was sand-warpt and he drowned therein by the carelesness not to say drunkenness of the boat-men to the great grief of all good men His excellent comment upon Saint Peter is daily desired and expected if the envy and covetousness of private persons for their own use deprive not the publick of the benefit thereof Benefactors to the publick HUGO de BALSHAM for so is he truly written was born in this County as may easily be spelled out of the four following probabilities put together First it was fashionable for Clergy-men in that age to assume their Surnames from the place of their Nativity Secondly Balsham is an eminent village in this County whereof an ancient Author taketh notice naming thence the neighbouring ground Amaenissima Montana de Balsham Thirdly There is no other Village of that name throughout the Dominions of England Fourthly It is certaine this Hugh was bred in this County where he attained to be Sub-prior and afterwards Bishop of Ely This Hugh was he who founded Peter-house in the University of Cambridge the first built though not first endowed Colledge in England This Foundation he finished Anno 1284. bestowing some lands upon it since much augmented by Bountifull Benefactors He sat 28 years in his See and dyed June the 6. 1286. Sir WILLIAM HORN Salter son to Thomas Hoâ—…n was born at Snail-well in this County he was Knighted by King Hen. the seventh and Anno 1487. was L. Mayor of London He gave bountifully to the Preachers at Saint Pauls crosse and bestowed five hundred Marks to the mending of the high ways betwixt Cambridge the County Town where he had his first Life and London the City where he got his best livelihood Know in that Age Horn his five hundred Marks had in them the intrinsick value of our five hundred pounds which in those days would go very far in the wages of Laborers Sir WILLIAM son of JOHN PURCASE was born at Gamlinggay in this County bred a Mercer in London and Lord Mayor thereof Anno 1497. He caused Morefields under the walls to be made plain ground then to the great pleasure since to the greater profit of the City Sir THOMAS son of JOHN KNEISWORTH was born at Kneisworth in this County bred a Fishmonger in London whereof he was Lord Mayor Anno 1505. He appointed the Water-conduit at Bishop-gate to be built to the great convenience of the City formerly much wanting that usefull Element Be it here observed for the incouragement of the industry of Cambridg-shire Apprentices that by the premises it doth appear that this small County in the compass of eighteen years afforded three L. Mayors and Benefactors which no other Shire of equal or greater quantity ever produced Since the Reformation JOHN CRANE was born in Wishbeech in this County bred an Apothecary in Cambridg so diligent an youth that some judicious persons prognosticated that he would be a rich man Dr. Butler took so great a fancy unto him that he lived and died in his Family yea and left the main body of his rich Estate unto him This Mr. Crane had a large heart to entertain his friends and Annually very nobly treated all the Oxford men at the Commencement He gave at his death no less then three thousand pounds to charitable uses bestowing the house he lived in and that a very fair one aster his Wives death on the Publick Professor of Physick and in settlement of his other Benefactions discreetly reflected on Wishbeech where he was born to which he gave 100l to build a Town-hall Cambridge where he lived Lin where he was well acquainted Ipswich where Doctor Butler the first founder of his estate was born and Kingston where his lands lay He in some sort gives Preventing Physick to the Scholars now he is dead by giving 100l to be lent gratis to an honest man the better to enable him to buy good Fish and Fowl for the University having observed much sickness occasioned by unwholsome food in that kind He bequeathed to Dr. Wren Bishop of Ely and Doctor Brounrigg Bishop of Exeter one hundred pounds a piece by his Will and as much by a Codecil annexed thereunto Besides his concealed Charities his hand was always open to all the distressed Royalists He died in May 1650. Memorable Persons WILLIAM COLLET was born at Over in this County bred a Clerk in London till at last he attained to be Keeper of the Records in the Tower none equalling him in his dexterity in that office He went the same path with his predecessor in that
whole year without any renewing after the Inter-Regnum Objection Such persons had better been omitted whereof many were little better then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Though by good fortune they have loaded themselves with Thick clay and will be but a burden in your Book to the Readers thereof Answer All Wise men will behold them under a better Notion as the Pregnant proofs of the truth of 2. Proverbs not contradictory but confirmatory one to another Prov. 10. 22. Prov. 10. 4. The Blessing of the Lord maketh Rich. The hand of the Diligent maketh Rich. The one as the principal the other as the Instrumental cause and both meeting in the persons aforesaid For though some of them were the Younger Sons of Worshipful and Wealthy Parents and so had good Sums of Money left them Yet being generally of mean extraction They raised themselves by Gods Providence and their own Painfulness The City in this Respect being observed like unto a Court where Elder Brothers commonly spend and the younger gain an Estate But such Lord Maiors are here inserted to quicken the Industry of Youth whose Parents are only able to send them up to not to set them up in London For whaâ—… a comfort is it to a poor Apprentice of that City to see the Prime Magistrate thereof Riding in his Majoralibus with such Pomp and Attendance which another day may be his hap and happiness Objection It commeth not to the share of one in twenty thousand to attain to that Honour and it is as impossible for every poor Apprentice in process of time to prove Lord Maior as that a Minum with long living mould become a Whale Answer Not so the later is an utter Impossibility as debarred by nature being Fishes of several kinds Whereas there is a Capacity in the other to arive at it which puts hopes the only Tie which keeps the heart from breaking into the hearts of all of the attainablenesse of such preferment to themselves Doctor Hutton Arch-bishop of York when he came into any Great Grammar School which he did constantly visit in his visitations was wont to say to the young Scholars Ply your Books Boys ply your Books for Bishops are old men and surely the possibility of such dignity is a great Encouragement to the Endévours of Students Lord Maiors being generally aged and always but Annual soon make Room for Succession whereby the Indevours of all Freemen in Companies are incouraged But if they should chance to fall short as unable to reach the Home of Honour I mean the Majoralty it self yet if they take up their Lodgings at Sheriffe Alderman and Common-Councellour with a good Està tè they will have no cause to complain I confess some Counties in our ensuing Discourse will appear Lord-Maior-less as Cumberland Dorset-shire Hant-Shire c. However though hitherto they have not had hereafter they may have Natives advanced to that Honour and it may put a lawful Ambition into them to contend who shall be their Leader and who should first of those Shires attain to that Dignity As lately Sir Richard Cheverton Skinner descended I assure you of a right antient and worshipful Family was the first in Cornwall who opened the Dore for others no doubt to follow after him Nor must it be forgotten that many have been Lord-Maiors Mates though never rémembred in their Catalogues viz. Such who by Fine declined that Dignity and as I am glad that some will Fine that so the Stock of the Chamber of London may be increased so am I glad that some will not fine that so the State of the City of London may be maintained I begin the observing of their Nativities from Sir William Sevenoke Grocer Lord Maior 1418. For though there were Lord Maiors 200. years before yet their Birth-places generally are unknown It was I confess well for me in this particular that Mr. Stow was born before me being herein the Heir of Endevours without any pain of my own For knowing that Cuilibet Artifici in sua Arte est credendum I have followed him and who him continued till the year 1633. at what time their Labours do determine Since which Term to the present year I have made the Catalogue out by my own Inquiry and friends Intelligence To speak truth to their due praise one may be generally directed to their Cradles though by no other Candle then the Light of their good works and Benefactions to such places CHAP. XIV A Catalogue of all the Gentry in ENGLAND made in the Reign of King HENRY the Sixth why inserted in our Book AFter we have finished the Catalogue of the worthy Natives of every Shire We present the Reader with a List of the Gentry of the Land sollemnly returned by select Commissioners into the Chancery thence into the Records in the Tower on this occasion The Commons in Parliament complained that the Land then swarmed with Pilours â—…obbers Oppressers of the People Man-stealers Fellons Outlaws Ravishers of Women Unlawful Haunters of Forrests and Parks c. Whereupon it was ordered for the suppressing of present and preventing of future mischeifs that certain Commissioners should be impowered in every County to summon all persons of Quality before them and tender them an Oath for the better keeping of the Peace and observing the Kings Laws both in themselves and Retainers Excuse me Reader if I be bold to inâ—…pose my own Conjecture who conceive what ever was intended to palliate the Businesse The Principal Intent was to detect and suppress such who favoured the Title of York which then began to be set on foot and afterwards openly claimed and at last obtained the Crown 2. Even-done Of the method general used in this Catalogue The first amongst the Commissioners is the Bishop of their Diocesse put before any Earl partly because he was in his own Diocesse partly because giving of Oaths their proper work was conceived to be of Spiritual cognisance Besides the Bishop when there were three as generally Commissioners the first of them was either an Earl or at least though often intituled but Chivaler an Actual Baron as will hereafter appear And which will acquaint us partly with the Peerage of the Land in that Age. Next follow those who were Knights for the Shire in the Parliament foregoing and if with the addition of Chivaler or Miles were Knights by dubbing before of that their Relation All Commissioners expressed not equal Industry and Activity in prosecution of their trust For besides the natural Reasons that in all Affairs some will be more rigorous some more Remiss by their own Temper some more some less fancyed their Imployment insomuch as we find some Shires 1. Over done as Oxford and Cambridge-Shires whose Catalogues are too much allayed descending to persons of meaner quality 2. Even done as generally the most are where the Returns bear a competent proportion to the Populousness and numerousnesse of the Counties 3. Under done as Shropshire York-shire Northumberland c. where
passant of the first 4 Tho. Parker ar   5 Iacob Pedley ar   6 Tho. Terrell ar Fulborn C. Arg. two Cheverons Az. within a border engrailed G. 7 Rich. Covil ar  Az. a Lion ramp Arg. a File os 3 Lambeaux G. 8 Capel Bedell ar ut prius  9 Anth. Cage ar ut prius  10 Rob. Ballam ar   11 Ludo. Dyer Bar. Gr. Ston ton Hu. Oâ—… a chief indented Gules The Sheriffs of Cambridge-shire alone Name Place Armes 12 Ioh. Carleton ba. Chevely Arg. on a Bend Sa. 3 Mascats of the first 13 Tho. Chichesley ut prius  14 Tho. Wendy ar ut prius G. a Fess twixi 3 Scallops Or. 15 Tho. Pichard * TruÌ„pington Arg. a Fess betwixt 3 Crosses Fitchee G. 16 Ioh Crane †ar Kingston  17 Ioh. Cotton mil. Landwad S. a Cheveren betwixt 3 〈◊〉 â—…heads erazed Arg. The Sheriffs of Cambridge and Huntington-shires again Name â—…lace Armes 18 Tho. Martin mil. Barton Arg. an Eagle displayed G. 19 Idem ut prius  20 On slo Winch ar   21 Tris. Diumond Wel.  Edward IV. 16 THOMAS COTTON Ar. This Thomas Cotton different in Arms and descent from the Cottons of Hunt was of Cambridg-shire the same person who in the. Gentry of that County Henricâ—… 6. 12. was returned the twenty second in Order Henry the VIII 24 THOMAS ELIOT Mil. He was son to Sir Richard Eliot and born some say in Suffolk but his house and chief estate lay in this County After his long sailing into forraign parts he at last cast anchor at home and being well skilled in Greek and Latine was the Author of many excellent works Of these one in Latine was styled Defensorium bonarum mulierum or the defence of good women though some will say that such are hardly found and easily deâ—…ended He wrote also an excellent Dictionary of Latine and English if not the first the best of that kind in that age and England then abounding with so many learned Clergy-men I know not which more to wonder at that they mist or he hit on so necessary a subject let me adde Bishop Cooper grafted his Dictionary on the stocke of Sir Thomas Eliot which worthy Knight deceased 1546. and was buried at Carlton in this County 28 THOMAS CROMWELL Ar. Here Reader I am at a perfect losâ—… and do desire thy charitable hand to lead me No Cromwell Thomas can I find at this time in this County and can hardly suspect him to be the Cromwell of that Age because only additioned Armiger Indeed I find him this very year created Baron of Okeham but cannot believe that he was Un-knighted so long besides the improbability that he would condescend to such an Office having no Interest I ever met with in Cambridg-shire though which may signifie somewhat he was at this time Chancellor of the University of Cambridge Thus I have started the doubt which others may hunt down to their own satisfaction 34 EDWARD NORTH Mil. He was a prudent Person and in managing Matters of importance of great dispatch not unskilled in Law and eminently imployed in the Court of Augmentation A Court though short lived erected in the end of King Henry the eighth dissolved in the beginning of King Edward the sixth his reign yet very beneficial to the Officers therein This Sir Edward was made by Queen Mary Baron of Catlidge in this County and was a considerable Benefactor to Peter-house in Cambridge where he is remembred in their Parlour with this Distich under his Picture Nobilis Hic vere fuerat si Nobilis ullus Qui sibi 〈◊〉 Nobilitatis erat He was Father to Roger Lord North and Great-grand-father to Dudly Lord North now surviving Edward the VI. 2 JOHN HUDDLESTON Mil. He was highly honored afterwards by Queen Mary and deservedly Such the Tâ—…ust she reposed in him that when Jane Grey was proclaimed Queen she came privately to him to â—…alston and rid thence behind his servant the better to disguise herself from discovery to Framlingham castle She afterwards made him as I have heard her Privy-Councellor and besides other Great Boones bestowed the bigger part of Cambridgecastle then much ruined upon him with the stones whereof he built his fair house in this County I behold his Family as branched from the Huddlestones in Cumberland Queen Elizabeth 14 JOHN CUTS Mil. He was a most bountifull house-keeper as any of his estate insomuch that Queen Elizabeth in the beginning of her reign whilst as yet she had peace with Spain the sickness being at London consigned the Spanish Embassadour to this Knights house in this County The Embassadour coming thither and understanding his name to be John Cuts conceived himself disparaged to be sent to one of so short a name the Spanish Gentlemen generally having voluminous Surnames though not so long as the Deity in New-Spain called Yoca huvaovamaorocoti usually adding the place of their habitation for the elongation thereof But soon after the Don found that what the Knight lacked in length of name he made up in the largeness of his entertainment 34 HENRY CROMWELL Mil. This was the fourth time he was Sheriff in the reign of the Queen He was son to Richard Cromwell Esquire Sheriff in the 32. of King Henry the eighth to whom his Valour and Activity so endeared him that he bestowed on him so much Abby-land in this County as at that day at a reasonable rate is worth twenty thousand pounds a year and upwards He was no whit at all allyed to though intimately acquainted with Thomas Lord Cromwell the Mauler of Monasteries which I knowingly affirme though the contrary be generally believed For when Doctor Goodman late Bishop of Gloucester presented a Printed paper to Oliver Cromwell Grand child to this our Sheriff mentioning therein his near Affinity to the said Lord Cromwell the pretended Protectour desirous to confute a Vulgar Errour in some passion returned That Lord was not related to my Family in the least degree 39 JARVASIUS CLIFTON Mil. He had a fair Estate at Barrington in Somerset-shire whence he removed to Huntingtonshire on his Match with the sole Daughter and Heir of Sir Henry Darcy of Leighton-bromswold in that County This Sir Jarvase was by King James created Baron of Leighton aforesaid and there began a beautifull house which he lived not to finish His sole Daughter Katherine was married to Esme Steward Duke of Lenox to whom she bare the truly Illustrious by Virtues and high Extraction James Duke of Richmond King James 9 SIMON STEWARD Mil. I remember he lived after he was Knighted a Fellow-commoner in Trinity-hall where these his Armes are fairly depicted in his Chamber with this Distich over them FrancoruÌ„ Carolus voluit sic Stemmata ferri Singula cum valeant sunt meliora simul French Charls would have these Coats to be thus worn When singly good their better jointly born But how the Royal Name of Steward came
West-Langton in this County bred a Carmelite in London but first brought up in Oxford He wrote a Book of their own ordinary Acts another called The Tryal of Henry Crump Doctor in Divinity another Book against the Errors of the said Doctor Crump Reader We are beholden to my Author for retriving this Writers memory which otherwise appears not in Leland Bale or Pits He flourished under K. Henry the fourth anno Dom. 1400. ROBERT DE HARBY was born at Harby in this County bred a Carmelite in their Covent at Lincolne He seems to be a Doctor in Divinity and surely was a great Adorer of the Virgin Mary writing many Sermons of her Festivities He flourished 1450. RICHARD TURPIN was born at Knaptoft in this County very lately if not still in the possession of that antient Family and was one of the Gentlemen of the English Garrison of Calis in France in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth Such Soldiers generally in time of VVar had too much in time of Peace to little work to employ themselves therein Commendable therefore the Industry of this Richard who spent his spare hours in writing of a Chronicle of his time He dyed Anno Domini 1541. in the 〈◊〉 fifth year of the aforesaid Kings reign This I observe the rather that the Reader may not run with me on the rock of the same mistake who in my apprehension confounded him with Richard Turpin the Herauld first Blew-mantle and then created Winsor in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth Writers Since the Reformation HENRY SMITH Commonly called Silver-tongued Smith Preacher at St. Clemenâ—…s Danes But I refer the Reader to his Life writ by me at large and preposed to his Printed Sermons JOHN DUPORT D. D. Son to Tho. Duport Esquire was born at Shepshed in this County bred fellow then Master of Jesus Colledge in Cambridge once Proctour and thrice Vice-chancelour of that University He was one of the Translators of the Bible and a Reverend man in his Generation who bestowed the perpetual Advowsance of the Rectory of Harston on the Colledge Men generally in Scripture are notified by their Fathers seldome by their Sons as Simon of Cyrene father of Alexander and Rufus Persons no doubt of signal worth in that Age. Thus this Doctor is remarkable for his Son by Rachel Daughter to Richard Cox Bishop of Ely James Duport D.D. Fellow of Trinity Colledge and lately Greek Professor happy in the Education of many hopefull Pupils of Worship and Honour as they more happy in so able a Tutor His Father D. John Duport deceased 1617. WILLIAM BURTON Esquire son of Ralph Burton of Lindley in this County who had a more ancient Inheritance belonging to his name at Falde in Staffordshire a place remarkable because no Adder Snake or Lizard common in the Confines were ever seen therein as if it were a Land-Island and an Ireland in England This VVilliam was born at Lindley August 24. 1575. bred in Brazen-nose Colledge and wrote an Alphabetical Description of the Towns and Villages in this County with the Arms and Pedegrees of the most ancient Gentry therein The sparks of his Ingenuity herein have since set fire on Mr. Dugdale my worthy Friend to do the like to Warwickshire lately under one Sheriff with Leicester-shire and I hope in process of time they may inflame many others into imitation that so give me leave to match an English and Greek word together the County Graphy of our Land may be compleated ROBERT BURTON his younger Brother born Febr. 8. 1575. afterwards Student of Christs-Church Oxon and Batchellor of Divinity He wrote an excellent Book commonly called Democritus Junior of the Anatomy of Melancholy none to the Native to describe a Countrey wherein he hath piled up variety of much excellent Learning On whose Tomb is this Epitaph Paucis notus paucioribus `ignotus Hic jacet Democritus junior Cui vitam-pariter mortem Dedit Melancholia Scarce any Book of Philology in our Land hath in so short a time passed so many Impressions He died Rector of Segrave presented by his Patron George Lord Berkeley in this County about 1636. RICHARD VINES was born at Blazon in this County and bred in Magdalen Colledge in Cambridge where he commenced Master of Arts. Now although many healthfull souls in their age break out in their youth he was never given to any extravagancy Hence he was chosen School-master of Hinckley in this County a Profession wherein many a good Minister hath been and it is pity that any but a good man should be imployed Entring the Ministry after other intermediate places such as are his Censurers would be his Compurgators if privie to the weighty causes of his just removal he was fixed at last at S. Lawrence Jury in Lonâ—…on An excellent Preacher skilfull to cut out Doctrines in their true shape naturally raised to sew them up with strong stitches substantially proved and set them on with advantage on such backs who should wear them effectually applied He was one yea I may say one of sevenscore in the Assembly The Champion of their Party therefore called their Luther much imployed in their Treaties at Uxbridge and Isle of Wight His Majesty though of a different Judgement valued him for his Ingenuity seldome speaking unto him without touching if not moving his Hat Which by Master Vines was returned though otherwise blunt and unobservant with most respectfull Language and Gestures which I will not say was done by all his fellow Divines there present He was most charitably moderate to such as dissented from him though most constant to his own Principles witness his forsaking of his Mastership of Pembroke-Hall for refusing of the Engagement Such who charged him with covetuousness are confuted with the small Estate he left to his Wife and Children It seemeth that the sand in his hour-glass though sticking high on each side was but hollow in the middle for it sunk down on sudden Visible decays appeared in him a year before his death though rather in his Limbs than Parts Spirits than Spirit But alas the best Mind cannot make good Musick where the Instrument of the Body is out of tune his speech grew very low Not a week before his death preaching in S. Gregories a rude fellow cried out unto him Lift up your voice for I cannot hear you to whom Mr. Vines returned Lift you up your ears for I can speak no lowder Indeed his strength was much spent by his former pains so that some suppose had he wrought less he had lived longer He was buried Febr. the 7. 1655. in his own Parish Church where Mr Jacome modestly and learnedly performed his Funeral Sermon Much lamented as by many others so by his own Parish where he piously indeavoured to make them all of one piece who were of different colours and to unite their Judgements who dissented in Affections JOHN CLEVELAND was born in this County at Hinckley where his Father was Vicâ—…r
Scotland I lay at Alnwick in Northumberland one Sunday by the way and understanding from the Host of the house where I lodged that this Minister lived within three miles of that place I took my horse after dinner and rid thither to hear him preach for my own satisfaction I found him in the Desk where he read unto us some part of the Common-prayer some of Holy Davids Psalmes and two Chapters one out of the Old the other out of the New Testament without the use of Spectacles The Bible out of which he read the Chapters was a very small Printed Bible He went afterwards into his Pulpit where he prayed and preached to us about an hour and half His Text was Seek you the Kingdome of God and all things shall be added unto you In my poor judgement he made an excellent good Sermon and went cleaverly through without the help of any Notes After Sermon I went with him to his house where I proposed these several following Questions to him Whether it was true the book reported of him concerning his hair whether or no he had a new set of Teeth come whether or no his Eye-sight ever failed him and whether in any measure he found his strength renewed unto him He answered me distinctly to all these and told me he understood the News-book reported his hair to become a dark brown again but that is false he took his Cap off and shewed me it It is come again like a childs but rather flaxen then either brown or gray For his Teeth he hath three come within these two years not yet to their perfection while he bred them he was very ill Forty years since he could not read the biggest Print without Spectacles and now he blesseth God there is no Print so small no written hand so small but he can read it without them For his Strength he thinkes himself as strong now as he hath been these twenty years Not long since he walked to Alnwick to dinner and back again six North-country miles He is now an hundred and ten years of age and ever since last May a hearty body very chearful but stoops very much He had five children after he was eighty years of age four of them lusty lasses now living with him the other died lately his wife yet hardly fifty years of age He writes himself Machell Vivan he is a Scotish-man born near Aberdeen I forget the Towns name where he is now Pastor he hath been there fifty years Your assured loving friend Thomas Atkin. Windsor 28. Septem 1657. A most strange accident For waving the Poetical fiction of Aeson his Re-juvenescency in Medeas Bath it will hardly be paired To begin with Scripture Caleb or All-heart his professing himself as able for any action at eighty as forty years before speaketh no renovation but continuation of his strength And whereas David saith that his youth was renewed as an Eagles he is to be understood in a Metapborical yea Spiritual sense of the vigorousness and sprightfulness of grace in his heart seeing otherwise his great debilitation doth appear at seventy years scarce a moity of this mans a age As for the many miracles wrought by our Saviour though extending to the cleansings of Leapers Curing Diseases Casting out Divels yea Reviving the Dead yet they never countermanded nature in this kind by recruiting the strength of an aged person As for humane History I meet not with any to mate him in all particulars The nearest that treadeth on his heels is the Countess of Desmond married in the reign of King Edward the fourth and yet alive Anno 1589. and many years since when she was well known to Sir Walter Raleigh and to all the Nobles and Gentlemen in Mounster But chiefly to the Earls for there was a succession of them worn out by her vivacity of Desmond from whose expectation she detained her jointer The Lord Bacon casteth up her age to be an hundred and fourty at least adding withall Ter per vices dentisse That she recovered her Teeth after her casting them three several times All I will adde is this had this happened in foreign parts addicted to Popery near the shrine of some Saint superstition with her sickle might have reaped a great harvest thereby ........ ANDERSON a Townsman and Merchant of Newcastle talking with a friend on Newcastle-bridge and fingering his ring before he was aware let it fall into the river and was much troubled with the loss thereof untill the same was found in a fish caught in the river and restored unto him The same is reported by Herodotus in his third book of Polycrates a petty King and the Minion of fortune and may be an instance of the recurrency of remarkable accidents according to Solomons observation There is no new thing under the sun The names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the sixth 1433. Thomas Bishop of Durâ—…am Commissioners to take the Oaths Ralph Earl of VVestmerland  Thomas Lilborn Knights for the Shire  John Carington Knights for the Shire  Rob. Umfravile mil. Rad. Gray mil. Rob. Ogle senior mil. Rob. Ogle jun. mil. Johan Bertram mil. Will. Elmeden mil. Johan Midleton mil. Will. Svynbarn mil. Johan Maners mil. Math. Whitfeld mil. VVill. Carnaby Johan Fenwyk Johan Midelton Tho. Ilderton Rob. Raymes Tho. Haggerston Rob. Maners Laur. Acton Tho. Gray de Norton Tho. Blekensop Row Thirwall Ric. Fetherstanhalgh Gilb. Rotherford VVill. Muschaunce Gilb. Eryngton VVill. Clenell Johan Heron de Netherton Tho. Reed de Redesdale Roger. Ushere Tho. Midleton Joh. Ellerington Joh. Park Rich. Lilburne Tho. Elwick Joh. Eryngton Nic. Heron de Meldon Joh. Trewyk Joh. Chestre Lion Chestre Joh. Horsley de Horsley Jaco Buk de Morpath Observations The Fable is sufficiently known of the contest betwixt the Wind and the Sun which first should force the Travailer to put off his cloaths The Wind made him wrap them the closer about him whilst the heat of the Sun soon made him to part with them This is moralized in our English Gentry such who live South-ward near London which for the â—…stre thereof I may fitly call the Sun of our Nation in the warmth of wealth and pleanâ—…â—…f pleasures quickly strip and disrobe themselves of their Estates and Inheritance whilst the Gentry living in this County in the Confines of Scotland in the VVind of VVar daily Alarumed with their blustering enemies buckle their Estates as their armour the closer unto them and since have no less thriftily defended their patrimony in Peace then formerly they valiantly maintained it in War The Commissioners of this County did not over weary themselves in working when they returned these persons presenting no underwood yea no standels but only tymber-oaks men of great wealth and worship in this Shire as appears by the thinness of their number but one and twenty Sheriffs of Northumberland HEN. II. Anno 1 Odardus Anno
Henry the sixth and afterwards to King Richard the third 1. Her Husband being killed at Barnet fight all her land by Act of Parliament was setled on her two Daughters as if she had been dead in Nature 2. Being attainted on her Husbands score she was forced to flye to the Sanctuary at Beauly in Hant-shire 3. Hence she got her self privately into the North and there lived a long time in a mean condition 4. Her want was increased after the death of her two daughters who may be presumed formerly to have secretly supplyed her I am not certainly informed when a full period was put by death to these her sad calamities Saints St. FRIDESWIDE was born in the City of Oxford being daughter to Didan the Duke thereof It happened that one Algarus a noble young man sollicited her to yield to his lust from whom she miraculously escaped he being of a sudden struck blind If so she had better success than as good a Virgin the daughter to a greater and better father I mean Thamar daughter of King David not so strangely secured from the lust of her brother She was afterward made Abbess of a Monastery erected by her father in the same City which since is become part of Christ-church where her body lyeth buried It happened in the first of Queen Elizabeth that the Scholars of Oxford took up the body of the wife of Peter Martyr who formerly had been disgracefully buried in a dunghill and interred it in the Tomb with the dust of St. Frideswide Sanders addeth that they wrote this Inscription which he calleth Impium Epitaphium Hic requiescit Religio cum â—…uperstitione though the words being capable of a favourable sense on his side he need not have been so angry However we will rub up our old Poetry and bestow another upon them In tumulo fuerat Petri quae Martyris uxor Hic cum Frideswida virgine jure jacet Virginis intactae nihilum cum cedat honori Conjugis in thalamo non temerata fides Si facer Angligenis cultus mutetur at absit Ossa suum â—…ervent mutua tuta locum Intom'd with Frideswide deem'd a Sainted maid The Wife of Peter Martyr here is laid And reason good for Women chaste in mind The best of Virgins come no whit behind Should Popery return which God forefend Their blended dust each other would deâ—…end Yet was there more than eight hundred years betwixt their several deaths Saint Frideswide dying Anno 739. and is remembred in the Romish Calendar on the nineteenth day of October St. EDWOLD was younger Brother to St. Edmund King of the East-Angles so cruelly martyred by the Danes and after his death that Kingdom not onely descended to him by right but also by his Subjects importunity was pressed upon him But he declined both preferring rather a sollitary life and heavenly contemplation In pursuance whereof he retired to Dorcester in this County and to a Monastery called Corn-house therein where he was interred and had in great veneration for his reputed miracles after his death which happened Anno Dom. 871. St. EDWARD the CONFESSOR was born at I slip in this County and became afterwards King of England sitting on the Throne for many years with much peace and prosperity Famous for the first founding of Westminster Abby and many other worthy aâ—…hievements By Bale he is called Edvardus simplex which may signifie either shallow or single but in what sense soever he gave it we take it in the later Sole and single he lived and dyed never carnally conversing with St. Edith his Queen which is beheld by different persons according to their different judgments coloured eyes make coloured objects some pitying him for defect or natural Impotence others condemning him as affecting singelness for want of Conjugal affection others applauding it as an high pâ—…ece of 〈◊〉 and perfection Sure I am it opened a dore for forreign Competitors and occasioned the Conquest of this Nation He dyed Anno Dom. 1065. and lyeth buryed in Westminster Abby Cardinals ROBERT PULLEN or Pullain or Pulley or Puley or Bullen or Pully for thus variously is he found written Thus the same name passing many mouths seems in some sort to be declined into several Cases whereas indeed it still remaineth one and the same word though differently spelled and pronounced In his youth â—…e studied at Paris whence he came over into England in the reign of King Henry the Fiâ—…st when learning ran very low in Oxford the university there being first much afflâ—…cted by Herald the Dane afterwards almost extinguished by the cruelty of â—…he Conqueror Our Pullen improved his utmost power with the King and Prelates for the restoring thereof and by his praying preaching and publick reading gave a great advancement thereunto Remarkable is his character in the Chronicle of Osny Robertus Pulenius scriptur as divin as quae in Anglia obsolverant apud Oxoniam legere câ—…pit Robert Pullen began to read at Oxford the holy scriptures which were grown out of fashion in England The fame of his leâ—…rning commended him beyond the Seas and it is remarkable that whereas it is usual with Popes in policy to unravel what such weaved who were before them three successive Popes continued their love to and increased honours upon him 1. Innocent courteously sent for him to Rome 2. Celestine created him Cardinal of St. Eusebius Anno 1144. 3. Lucius the second made him Chancellor of the Church of Rome He lived at Rome in great respect and although the certain date of his death cannot be collected it happened about the year of our Lord 1150. THOMAS JOYCE or Jorce a Dominican proceeded Doctor of Divinity in Oxford and living there he became Provincial of his Order both of England and Wales From this place without ever having any other preferment Pope Clement the fifth created him Cardinal of St. Sabine though some conceive he wanted breadth proportionable to such an height of dignity having no other revenue to maintain it Cardinals being accounted Kings fellow in that Age. Others admire at the contradiction betwixt Fryers pâ—…ofession and practice that persons so low should be so high so poor so rich which makes the same men to 〈◊〉 that so chaste might be so wanton He is remarkable on this account that he had six brethren all Dominicans I will not listen to their compaâ—…ison who resemble them to the seven sons of Sceva which were Exorcists but may term them a week of brethren whereof this Rubricated Cardinal was the Dominical letter There want not those who conceive great vertue in the youngest son of these seven and that his Touch was able to cure the Popes Evil. This Thomas as he had for the most time lived in Oxford so his Corps by his own desire were buried in his Convent therein He flourished Anno Dom. 1310. Prelates HERBERT LOSING was born in Oxford his father being an Abbot
Rex   Anno   1 Edw. Rogers arm ut prius  2 Ioh. Windham mil. Orchard Azure a Cheveron betwixt 3 Lions â—…ds erased Or. 3 Tho. Horner arm ut prius  4 Ioh. Porâ—…man arm ut prius  5 Edw. Hext miles Ham Or a Castle betwixt 3 Pole-Axes Sable 6 Edw. Gorges mil. Wraxal Masculy Or and Azure 7 Geo. Lutterel arm ut prius  8 Francis Baber arm Chew Mag. Arg. on a Fess Gules 3 Falcons heads erased of the first 9 Io. Rodney mil. Hugo Smith miles ut prâ—…s   Asâ—…ton Gules on a Cheveron betwixt 3 Cinquefoilâ—…s Or pierced as many Leopaâ—…ds heads Sable 10 Rob. Hendley ar Leigh Azâ—…a Lion Ramp Arg. crowned Or within a border of the second Entoyâ—…e of 8 Torteauxes 11 Nat. Still arm   12 Ioh. Horner mil. ut prius  13 Barth Michel m. Ioh. Colls ar  Partee per Fess G. S. a Câ—…v Ar. betwixt 3 Swans proper 14 Ioh. Paulet arm Hinton S. Geor. Soble 3 Swords in pyâ—… Aâ—…gent 15 Rob. Hopton arm ut prius  16 Theod Newton m. ut prius  17 Io. Trevilian arm Neâ—…combe Guâ—…s a Demi-hoâ—…se Argâ—…nt illâ—…ing out of the â—…aves of the Sea 18 Hen. Hendley ar ut prius  16 Marmad GeÌ„nings a ut prius  20 Edw. Popham ar  Argent on a chief Gulâ—…s 2 Buâ—…ks heads Or. 21 VVill. â—…ancis ar ut prius  22 Th. VVindham ar ut prius  CAR. Rex   Anno   1 Rob. Philipâ—… mil. Montacute Arg. a Châ—…veron btween 3 〈◊〉 Gâ—…s 2 Ioh. Symmes arm Pounsford Azure 3 Scallops in Base Or. 3 Ioh. Latch aâ—…m Langford â—…r on a fess Wavy 3 〈◊〉 Or between as many 〈◊〉 G. 4 Ioh. Stowel miles ut prius  5 Tho. Thynne mil. WILT-Sh Barree of 10 Or and Sâ—…ble 6 Fr. Dodington m. Loxton Sable 3 Hunters horns Argâ—… 7 Th. Lutterâ—…l arm ut prius  8 VVill. VValrond ar ut prius  9 Ioh. Carew miles  Or 3 Lions passant Sable ar-med and Langâ—… Gul. 10 Hen. Hodges arm Hasilbeâ—…e Or 3 Cressants and in a Canton 11 Ioh. Baster arm AMP. Sa. a Dâ—…cal Crown of the first 12   13   14 VVill. Evvens ar  Sable a Fess between 2 flower de Luces Or. 15   16   17 Bellum nobis   18 haec Otia   19 fecit   20   21   22 Rich. Cole arm Nailsle Partee per Pale Ar. G a Bull pass countrechanged King JAMES 14 JOHN PAULET Armiger He was son to Sr. Anthony Paulet Governour of Jersey by the sole daughter of Henry Lord Norrice being the sole sister to the Brood of many Martial Brethren A very accomplisht Gentleman of quick and clear parts a bountiful housekeeper so that King Charles consigned Monsieur Soubize unto him who gave him and his retinue many months liberal entertainment The said King afterwards created him Baron Paulet of Hinton St. George in this County descended to him from the Denbaudes the ancient owners thereof He married Elizabeth the daughter and sole Heir of Christopher Ken of Ken-Castle in the same Shire Esquire whose right honourable son and heir John Lord Paulet now succeedeth in that Barony Modern Battles None have been fought in this County which come properly under this Notion Indeed the Skirmish at Martials Elm something military and ominous in the name thereof fought 1642 made much Noise in mens eares a Musket gave then a greater Report than a Canon since And is remembred the more because conceived first to break the Peace of this Nation long restive and rusty in ease and quiet As for the encounter at Lang-port where the Kings Forces under the Lord Goring were defeated by the Parliaments July 12 1645 It was rather a Flight than a Fight like the Battle of Spurres fought many years since the Horse by their speed well saving themselves whilst the poor Foot pawned in the place paid dearly for it And hence forward the Sun of the Kings cause declined verging more more Westward till at last it set in Cornwal and since after a long and dark night rose again by Gods goodness in the East when our Gracious Sovereign arrived at Dover The Farewel May he who bindeth the Sea in a girdle of sand confine it within the proper limits thereof that Somerset-shire may never see that sad accident return which hap'ned here 1607. When by the irruption of the Severn-Sea much mischief was more had been done if the West-wind had continued longer with the like violence The Country was overflown almost 20 mil. in length and 4 in breadth and yet but 80 persons drowned therein It was then observeable that creatures of contrary natures Dogs Hares Foxes Conies Cats Mice getting up to the tops of some hills dispensed at that time with their antipathies remaining peaceably together without sign of fear or violence one towards another To lesson men in publick dangers to depose private differences and prefer their safety before their revenge BRISTOL more truly Bright-Stow that is Illustrious or Bright dwelling answers its Name in many respects Bright in the situation thereof conspicuous on the rising of a Hill Bright in the Buildings fair and firm Bright in the Streets so cleanly kept as if scoured where no Carts but sledges are used but chiefly Bright for the Inhabitants thereof having bred so many eminent Persons It standeth both in Somerset and Glocestâ—…-shires and yet in neither it being a Liberty of it self divided into two parts by the River Avon conjoyned with a Bridge which being built on both sides counterfeiteth a continued street for which strangers at the first sight do mistake it The houses of the Merchants herein are generally very fair and their Entries though little and narrow lâ—…ad into high and spatious Halls which Form may mind the Inhabitants thereof of their passage to a better place Naturall Commodities Diamonds These are the Stars of the Earth though such but dimme ones which St. Vincents Rock near to this City doth produce Their Price is abated by their paleness and softnesse to which we may add their Number and Nearness For were they but few and far fetched their value would be advanced They are not those Unions Pearles so called because thrifty Nature only affordeth them by one and one seeing that not only Twins but Bunches and Clusters of these are found together Were this Rock of raw Diamonds removed into the East-Indies and placed where the Beams of the Sun might sufficiently concoct them probably in some hundreds of years they would be ripened into an Orient perfection All I will add is this a Lady in the reign of Queen Elizabeth would have as patiently digested the Lye as the wearing of False Stones or Pendants of counterfeit Pearl so common in our Age and I could wish it were the worst piece of hypocrisy in Fashion Manufactures Gray-Sope I
I have seen But take his worth as followeth King Richard the second in the beginning of his Reign was in Nonage and his Council some will say in Dotage leaving the Land and Sea to defend themselves whilst they indulged thir private Factions This invited the French to invade this County where they did much mischief Plundering the Thing was known in England before the Name the people thereof and carrying away captive the Prior of Lewes And no wonder if our Abbot was startled therewith seeing it may pass for a Proverb in these parts Ware the Abbot of Battle When the Prior of Lewes is taken Prisoner Wherefore though no Sheriff he got together as well as he might the Posse Comitatus and puting it in as good a posture of defence as the time would permit marched to Winchelsey and fortified it Some condemned him herein it being incongruous for a Clergy-man to turn Souldier They objected also that he ought to have expected Orders from Above doing Rectum but not Rectè for want of a Commission Others commended him to save and preserve being the most proper Performance of a Spirituall Person That in Hostes Publicos omnis Homo Miles That though it be high Treason for any to Fight a Foe in a Set field without Command from the Supreme power yet one may if he can repell a Rout of Armed Thieves invading a Land the first being the fittest Time for such a Purpose the Occasion it self giving though no express an Implicite Commission for the same This Abbot used rather the Shield then the Sword being only on the Defensive side Well the French followed the Abbot and besieged him in the Town of Winchelsey In Bravado they dared him to send out one two three four or more to try the Mastery in fight to be encountred with an equal number But the Abbot refused to retail his men out in such Parcels alledging that he was a spiritual person not to challenge but only defend Then the French let fly their great Guns and I take it to be the first and last time they were ever planted by a Forreign Enemy on the English Continent and then roared so â—…ud that they lost their voice and have been blessed be God silent ever since The Enemy perceiving that the Country came in fast upon them and suspecting they should be surrounded on all sides were fain to make for France as fast as they could leaving the Town of Winchelsey behind them in the same form and fashion wherein they found it I behold this Abbot as the Saver not onely of Suffex but England For as Dogs who have once gotten an Haunt to worry sheep do not leave it off till they meet with their reward So had not these French felt the smart as well as the sweet of the English Plunder our Land and this County especially had never been free from their incursions All this happened in the raign of King Richard the second Anno Domini 13 ... Sir WILLAM PELHAM Knight was a Native of this County whose ancient and wealthy Family hath long flourished at Laughton therein His Prudence in Peace and Valour in War caused Queen Elizabeth to imploy him in Ireland where he was by the Privy Council appointed Lord Chief Justice to govern that Land in the interim betwixt the death of Sir William Drury and the coming in of Arthur Gray Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Say not that he did but stop a Gap for a twelve-month at the most seeing it was such a GAP Destruction had entred in thereat to the final ruine of that Kingdome had not his Providence prevented it For in this juncture of time Desmund began his Rebellion 1579. inviting Sir William to side with him who wisely gave him the Hearing with a Smile into the Bargain And although our Knight for want of force could not cure the wound yet he may be said to have washed and kept it clean resigning it in a recovering condition to the Lord Gray who succeeded him Afterwards he was sent over into the Low-Countries 1586 being Commander of the English Horse therein and my Author saith of him Brabantiam persultabat He leaped-through Brabant Importing Celerity and Success yea as much Conquest as so sudden an expedition was capable of I suspect he survived not long after meeting no more mention of his Martial Activity The Shirleys Their ancient extraction in this County is sufficiently known The last age saw a leash of brethren of this family severally eminent This mindeth me of the Roman Horatii though these expressed themselves in a different kind for the honour of their Country pardon me if reckoning them up not according to their age Sir ANTHONY SHIRLEY second Son to Sir Thomas set forth from Plimouth May the 21. 1596. in a ship called the Bevis of Southampton attended with six lesser vessels His designe for Saint Thome was violently diverted by the contagion they found on the South coast of Africa where the rain did stink as it fell down from the heavens and within six hours did turn into magots This made him turn his course to America where he took and kept the City of Saint Jago two days and nights with two hundred and eighty men whereof eighty were wounded in the service against three thousand Portugalls Hence he made for the Isle of Fuego in the midst whereof a Mountaine Aetna-like always burning and the wind did drive such a shower of ashes upon them that one might have wrote his name with his finger on the upper deck However in this fiery Island they furnished themselves with good water which they much wanted Hence he sailed to the Island of Margarita which to him did not answer its name not finding here the Perl-Dredgers which he expected Nor was his gaine considerable in taking the town of Saint Martha the Isle and chief town of Jamaica whence he sailed more then thirty leagues up the river Rio-dolci where he met with great extremity At last being diseased in person distressed for victuals and deserted by all his other ships he made by New-found-Land to England where he arrived June 15. 1597. Now although some behold his voyage begun with more courage then counsel carried on with more valour then advice and coming off with more honour then profit to himself or the nation the Spaniard being rather frighted then harmed rather braved then frighted therewith yet unpartial judgments who measure not worth by success justly allow it a prime place amongst the probable though not prosperous English Adventures Sir ROBERT SHIRLEY youngest Son to Sir Thomas was by his Brother Anthony entred in the Persian Court. Here he performed great Service against the Turkes and shewed the difference betwixt Persian and English valour the latter having therein as much Courage and more Mercy giving Quarter to Captives who craved it and performing Life to those to whom he promised it These his Actions drew the Envie of the Persian Lords and Love
Good ar   9 Ioh. Keyt ar   10 Ioh. Savage ar ut prius  11 Will. Russell bar ut prius  12 Ioh. Rows mil ut prius  13 Edw. Dingley ar ut prius  14 Tho. Greaves ar   15 Ioh. Winford ar   16   18   19   1   20   21   22   Queen Elizabeth 19. JOHN RUSSELL Ar. The same Gentleman no doubt who was afterwards Knighted and betwixt whom and Sir Henry Berkeley was so deadly a quarrell as that great blood-shed was likely to have ensued at the Sessions in Worcester by reason of their many friends and followers ingaged therein But Doctor Whitgift then Bishop of Worcester and Vice-President of Wales in the absence of Sir Henry Sidney then in Ireland wisely prevented it by providing a strong watch at the gates and about the City and requiring them to bring both parties with their attendance well guarded to his Palace Here he caused them all to the number of four or five hundred to deliver their weapons into his own Servants custody and after two hours pains taken sometimes in perswading and otherwhiles in threatning them he made them so good friends that they both attended him hand in hand to the Town-hall where in amitie and love they performed the service of their Country 36. JOHN PACKINGTON Mil. It is now good manners for me to hold my peace and listen to a Privy-Councellor thus describing his character He was a Gentleman of no mean family of form and feature no ways disabled a very fine Courtier and for the time which he stayed there which was not lasting very high in the Queens grace But he came in and went out and though disassiduity drew the curtain between himself and the light of her favour and then death overwhelmed the remnant and utterly deprived him of recovery And they say of him that had he brought less to the Court then he did he might have carried away more then he brought for he had a time of it but was no good husband of opportunity King James 2. RICHARD WALSH Ar. I find him called in our Chronicles perchance by a Prolepsis Sir Richard Walsh Yea I find him stiled so by him who best might because he made him so Knighting him for his good service In his Sheriffalty the Powder-Traitors sereted out of Warwick-shire by Sir Richard Verney were as fiercely followed by Sir Richard Walsh out of the bounds of this County till they took covert in the house of Stephen Littleton at Hallbach in Stafford-shire This discreet Sheriff not standing on the punctilio of exceeding his Commission in a case wherein the peace of the Kingdome was so highly concern'd prosecuted his advantage and beset the house round about till both the Wrights were kill'd in the place Catesby and Percy slain with one bullet Rookwood and Winter wounded all the rest apprehended The Battles Worcester Fight Many smart Skirmishes have happened in this County and near this City We onely insist on that Fatall Fight September the third 1651. Know then as Introductory thereunto that His Majesty on the first of August foregoing began his March from Edenbrough into England not meeting with any considerable Opposition those at Warrington being soon put to flight by his Presence untill he came to Worcester His Army consisted of twelve thousand effectuall Fighting men whereof two thousand English the rest of the Scottish Nation but neither excellently Armed nor plentifully stored with Ammunition whilst the Parliament Forces under Cromwell more then doubled that Number wanting nothing but a Good Cause that an Army could wish or desire The Royalists Cheifest strength consisted in two Passes they possessed over the River of Severn which proved not advantagious according to expectation For the Enemy found the River Fordable elsewhere and the Bridge and Pass at Uptrn though valiantly defended by Major Generall Massey who received a shot in his hand was forced by Lambert powring in unequall Numbers on the Kings Forces Besides Cromwell finished a Bridge of Boards and Plancks over the main River with more Celerity and less Resistance then could have been expected in a matter of such importance Then began the Battle wherein His Majesty to remember his subjects Good forgot his own Safety and gave an incomparable example of Valour to the rest by Charging in his Own Person This was followed by few to the same degree of danger but imitated in the greatest measure by the Highlanders fighting with the But-ends of their Muskets when their Ammunition was spent But new supplies constantly Charging them and the Main Body of the Scotch Horse not coming up in due time from the City to His Majesties relief his Army was forced to retreat in at Sudbury-gate in much disorder If there were which some more then whisper false and foul Play in some Persons of Principall Trust as they have had a great space seasonably God grant them his Grace sincerely to repent for their Treacherous retarding the happiness prolonging and increasing the Miseries of a Gracious King and three great Nations Sure it is here were slain the Flower of the Scottish Loyal Gentry with the most Illustrious William formerly Earl of Lanerick Duke of Hamilton As for Common Souldiers some few who escaped had a longer life to have a sadder death wandring in the Country till other mens Charity and their own Strength failed them Since how God hath conducted His Majesty miraculously through Laberynths of many Difficulties to the Peaceable Possession of his Throne is notoriously known to the wonder of the world Here my Muse heartily craveth leave to make an Humble address to His Majesty depositing at his feet the ensuing PANEGYRICK 1. AT Wor'ster great Gods goodness to our Nation It was a Conquest Your bare Preservation When ' midst Your fiercest foes on every side For Your escape God did a LANE provide They saw You gonc but whether could not tell Star-staring though they ask'd both Heaven and Hell 2. Of forraign States You since have studied store And read whole Libraries of Princes o're To You all Forts Towns Towers and Ships are known But none like those which now become Your OWN And though Your Eyes were with all Objects fill'd Onely the Good into Your Heart distill'd 3. Garbling mens manners You did well divide To take the Spaniards wisdome not their pride With French activity You stor'd Your Mind Leaving to them their Ficklenesse behind And soon did learn Your Temperance was such A sober Industry even from the Dutch 4. But tell us Gracious Soveraign from whence Took You the pattern of Your Patience Learn't in Afflictions School under the Rod Which was both us'd and sanctifi'd by God From Him alone that Lesson did proceed Best Tutor with best Pupil best agreed 5. We Your dull Subjects must confess our crime Who learnt so little in as long a time And the same
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
Reader to his Life written at large by Bishop Carlton he was Rector of Houghton in the North consisting of fourteen Villages In his own house he boarded and kept full four and twenty scholars The greater number of his boarders were poor mens sons upon whom he bestowed meat drink and cloth and education in learning He was wont to entertain his Parishioners and strangers at his table not onely at the Christmas time as the custome is but because he had a large and wide Parish a great multitude of people he kept a table for them every Sunday from Michâ—…elmas to Easter He had the Gentlemen the Husbandmen and the Poorer sort set every degree by themselves and as it were ordered in ranks He was wont to commend the married estate in the Clergy howbeit himself lived and dyed a single man He bestowed in the building ordering and establishing of his School and in providing yearly stipends for a School-master and an Usher the full summe of five hundred pounds out of which School he supplied the Church of England with great store of learned men He was carefull to avoid not only all evil doing but even the lightest suspicions thereof And he was accounted a Saint in the judgements of his very enemies if he had any such Being full of faith unfained and of good works he was at the last put into his grave as a heap of wheat in due time swept into the garner He dyed the 4. of March 1583. and in the 66. year of his age RICHARD MULCASTER was born of an ancient extract in the North but whether in this County or Cumberland I find not decided From Eaton-school he went to Cambridge where he was admitted into Kings-colledge 1548. but before he was graduated removed to Oxford Here such his proficiency in learning that by general consent he was chosen the first Master of Merchant-Tailors-School in London which prospered well under his care as by the flourishing of Saint Johns in Oxford doth plainly appear The Merchant-Tailors finding his Scholars so to profit intended to fix Mr. Mulcaster as his Desk to their School till death should remove him This he perceiv'd and therefore gave for his Motto Fidelis servus perpetuus asinus But after twenty five years he procured his freedome or rather exchanged his service being made Master of Pauls-school His method in teaching was this In a morning he would exactly and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the lessons to his Scholars which done he slept his hour custome made him critical to proportion it in his desk in the School but wo be to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 slept the while Awaking he heard them 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉 to pity as soon as he to pardon where he found just fault The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Mothers prevailed with him as much as the requests of indulgent Fathers rather increasing then mitigating his severity on their offending child In a word he was Plagosus Orbilius though it may be truly said and safely for one out of his School that others have taught as much learning with fewer lashes Yet his sharpness was the better endured because unpartiall and many excellent Scholars were bred under him whereof Bishop Andrews was most remarkable Then quitting that place he was presented to the rich Parsoâ—…ge of Stanfórd-rivers in Essex I have heard from those who have heard him preach that his Sermons were not excellent which to me seems no wonder partly because there is a different discipline in teaching children and men partly because such who make Divinity not the choice of their youth but the refuge of their age seldome attain to eminency therein He died 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth CHRISTOPHER POTTER D. D. kinsman to Bishop Potter of whom before was born in this County 〈◊〉 Fellow of Queens-colledge in Oxford and at last was chosen Provost thereof Chapâ—…in in Ordinary to King Charles and Dean of 〈◊〉 One of a sweet nature â—…mely preâ—…ence courteous carriage devout life and deep learning he wrot an excellent book entituled Charity mistaken containing impregnable truth so that malice may sâ—…arl at but not bite it without breaking its own teeth Yet a railing Jesuit wrote a pretended 〈◊〉 thereof to which the Doctor mâ—…de no return partly because the industrious Bee would not meddle with a 〈◊〉 or Hornet rather partly because Mr. Chillingworth a great Master of defence in School-divinity took up the Cudgells against him This worthy Doctor died in the beginning of our civill distempers Benefactors to the Publique ROBERT LANGTON Doctors of Law MILES SPENCER Doctors of Law It is pity to part them being Natives of this County as I am credibly informed Doctors in the same faculâ—…y and Co-partners in the same Charity the building of a fair School at Appleby The Pregnant Mother of so many Eminent Scholars As for Robert Langton he was bred in and a Benefactor to Queens-â—…edge in Oxford owing the Glaseing of many Windows therein to his Beneficence Witness his Conceit to Communicate his Name to Posterity viz. a Ton the 〈◊〉 or Fancy Generall for all Sirnames in that Termination extended very long beyond an ordinary proportion Lang the Northern man pronounceth it whereby he conceived his Surname completed I shall be thankfull to him who shall enform me of the Dates of their severall deaths ANNE CLYFFORD sole Daughter heir to George Earl of Cumberland Wife first to Richard Earl of Dorset then to Phillip Earl of Pembrokâ—… and Montgomery though born and nursed in Hartfordshire yet because having her greatest Residence and Estate in the North is properly referrable to this County The Proverb is Homo non est ubi animat sed amat One is not to be reputed there where he lives but where he loves on which account this Lady is placed not where she first took life but where she hath left a most lasting Monument of her Love to the Publique This is that most beautifull Hospital Stately Built and Richly Endowed at her sole Cost at Appleby in this County It was conceived a bold and daring part of Thomas Cecill son to Treasurer Burghleigh to enjoyn his Masons and Carpenters not to omit a days Work at the building of Wimbleton house in Surrâ—…y though the Spanish Armado Anno 1588. all that while shot off their Guns whereof some might be heard to the Place But Christianly Valiant is the Charity of this Lady who in this Age wherein there is an Earthquake of Antient Hospitals and as for new ones they are hardly to be seen for New lights I say Couragious this Worthy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who dare found in this Confounding Age wherein so much was demolished and aâ—…ened which was given to God and his Church Long may she live in Wealth and 〈◊〉 exactly to Compleat whatâ—…oever her 〈◊〉 Intentions have 〈◊〉 Mâ—…morable Persons RICHARD GILPIN a Valiant Man in this County was 〈◊〉 offed in the Raign of K. John about the year 1208. in the Lordship of Kent-mire-â—…all by
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