before his death and we wanted since A King in whom it is one of the least things that he hath been a King The glory and amazement of Mankind for an Innocence that was most prudent and a Prudence that was most innocent A King that when most conquered was more than Conquerour over himself A King deriving more honour to than he received from his Brittish and Norman Auncestours H. 7. whose Great Great-Grand-child he was his Saxon Predecessors Edgar Aethaling c. from whom he descended and other the most Royal Families of Europe by Iames 6. of Scotland and Anne of Denmark to whom he was born Nov. 19. 1600. at Dunfermeling so weak that he was Christened privately Providence saith the excellent Writer seeming to consecrate him to sufferings from the Womb and to accustome him to exchange the strictures of greatness for clouds of tears Though yet of such hopes that an old Scotchman taking his leave of King Iames upon his departure for England waving Prince Henry after some sage advice to the King hugg'd our Martyr than three years old telling King Iames who thought he mistook him for the Prince That it was this Child who should convey his memory to succeeding Ages A King that under the tuition of Sir Robert Caryes Lady the first Messenger of Q. Elizabeths death when the Scots thought the Q. would never dye as long as there was a majestick and well-habited old Woman left in England And under the Paedagogy of Mr. Thomas Murray and the Lectures of King Iames himself when Bishop Andrewes addressed himself to that King being sick and shewed him the danger of the young Princes being under Scotch Tutors was such a Proficient that being created D. of York 1606. that to make up the weakness of his body by the abilities of his mind and to adorn the rough greatness of his fortune with the politeness of learning he was so studious that P. Henry took Arch-bishop Abbot's Cap one day and clapp'd it on his head saying That if he followed his book well he would make him Arch-bishop of Canterbury And 〈◊〉 â—eft a world of good Books marked with his own hand through 〈◊〉 and in some places made more expressive than the Authors had done and his learned Father said at his going to Spain That he was able to manage an Argument with the best studied Divine of them all That besides many other accurate Discourses he had he disputed one whole day alone with fifteen Commissioners and four Divines to all their admiration convincing them out of their own mouths insomuch that some thought him inspired or much improved in his afflictions and others that know him better averred that he never was less though he appeared so To say nothing of his great skill in the Law as much as any Gentleman as he said once in England that was not a professed Lawyer his skill in men and things in Meddals Antiquities Rarities Pictures Fortifications Gunnery Shipping Clocks Watches and any Mystery that it became him to know For he said once that if necessitated he could get his Living by any Trade but making of Hangings Nor to mention his 28. excellent Meditations equally majestick learned prudent and pious 59. incomparable Speeches besides several Declarations and Letters writ with his hand and to be indited only by his spirit A King that being made Knight of the Garter 1611. and D. of Cornwall 1607. P. of Wales and E. of Chester 1616. managed his fortune upon his Brother and Mothers death at whose Funerals being chief Mourner he expressed a just measure of grief without any affected sorrow with so much gallantry at his Sisters Wedding and other great Solemnities especially at Justs and Turnaments being the best Marks-man and the most graceful manager of the great Horse in England as taught the World that his privacy and retirements were not his necessity but his choice and with so much wariness and temper that he waved all affairs of State not so much out of conscience of the narrowness of his own spirit or fear of the jealousie of his Father to which they said his Brother was subject as out of the peacefulness of his soul and the prudence of his design to learn to command by obedience and to come free and untainted as he did notwithstanding the curiosity of people to observe Princes faults and their conspicuousness to be observed to his Fathers Throne And so admirable his conduct in such affairs as were imposed upon him especially the journey to Spain where how did he discover their Intrigues How commanded he his passion and concealed his discontents How he managed the Contracts of Olivarez Buckingham and Bristow that might have amazed an ordinary prudence especially in a young Statesman How caressed he his Mistress the Court the Country the Pope not disobliging the most Jesuited Clergy How kept he his Faith and secured his Person How enthralled he the Infanta by his Meine and the whole Country by his Carriage How he honoured our Religion there by a Spanish Liturgy and how he escaped theirs by a Spanish Reservedness How he brought his affairs there notwithstanding difficulties and oppositions to a closure and yet reserved a power to revoke all in case he had not the Paelatinate restored being resolved with his Father Not to marry himself with a portion of his only Sisters tears How he the Heir apparent of the Crown considering the fatal examples of those Princes that ventured out of their own to travel their Neighbour Dominions got through France in spight of the Posts that followed him to Spain and from Spain in spight of the malice that might have kept him there How friendly he parted with the K. and Court of Spain notwithstanding that the first observation that he made when he was on Shipboard was that he discovered two Errours in those Masters of Policy the one That they should use him so ill there and the other That after such usage they should let him come home What an Instrument of love he was between the King his Father and the Parliament and what a Mediator of service between them and the King He in the Kings name disposed them to seasonable supplyes of his Majesty and he in the Parliaments name disposed him to a necessary War with Spain How tender were they of his honour and how careful he of their Privileges In a word when but young he understood the Intrigues Reserves and Maximes that make up what we call Reason of State and when King he tempered them with Justice and Piety none seeing further into the Intrigues of Enemies none grasping more surely the difficulties and expedients for his own design none apprehending more clearly the events of things none dispatching more effectually any business insomuch that when his Council and Secretaries had done he would take the Pen and give more lustre and advantage to VVritings saying Come I am
Bed was born at London Iuly 7. 1572. bred when his Father was under a Cloud at Westminster near London and Trinity Colledge in Cambridge when he had so much moderation as to appear constantly at our Prayers and Sermons and so much insight into the Protestant Principles as to judge that the distance between the Catholick and Reformed Churches grew not from their Controversies but their Interests not from the Opinions themselves which might be compounded but from the passions of those that managed them which could not be reconciled Neither was he satisfied only to read what men thought but he travelled to see what they did either in Courts as at France and Rome or in Camps as in the Low Countries or in Universities as in St. Omers c. from whence he returned a very accomplished Gentleman fit 1. For a Kings Privy Council to which honor King Iames admitted him 1607. 2. For a Companion of the most honorable Order in the world such he was created by King Iames with Prince Charles and the Earl of Sommerset 1611. that King saying He was a very fit man for the first of those Honors because he could not flatter and for the second because he could not but obey 3. For the Judge of the Court of Honor being a great Master of it 4. For an Ambassador to the Emperor about the Restauration of the Palatinate as he was by King Charles the first 1636. where having proposed reason to the Emperor and disposed most of the Princes to hearken to that reason so far that the Lower Palatinate was granted when Bavaria who got the upper Palatinate into his possession answered at last like a Souldier what he had concealed all the time of the fruitless Treaty That what he had with so much hazzard of his Person and expence of Treasure won by the Sword in defence of the Empire against the Empire he would now maintain with the same Power in the possession The stout Earl to express his disdain of the insignificant answer returned home notwithstanding the interpositions of the Polish and Spanish Ambassadors sent after him to moderate his anger and promise better effects after some weeks patience without so much as taking his leave procuring the like flur for the Imperial Agent that came over hither to excuse their past carriage and to offer new conditions upon strong presumption of Marriage which he had driven very far between the Electors Sister Elizabeth and the King of Poland 5. For a Judge in several extraordinary Courts of Justice an employment befitting the dignity of his Person and the firmness impartiality and resolution of his Spirit 6. For General of the gallant Army that went against Scotland a place suitable to his skill experience and conduct 7. For a Commissioner to examine the Spanish Navy under D'Oquendo 1639. and the design of it upon our Coast which he did discreetly and narrowly discovering more than we could suspect And 8. For a Companion to the Queen Mother of France when she departed from England in which capacity he was to his dying day very serviceable to her and to his Majesty contributing towards his service abroad for Armes Ammunition Intelligence and a good Correspondence near upon 20000 l. and towards his relief at home above 14000 l. Insomuch that the honorable Henry Howard hath paid for debts since his death near upon an 100000 l. He subscribed with the rest of the Nobility 12000 l. and sent more over privately 8000. several ways which had cost him his whole estate or at least a very severe Composition had he not discreetly setled it in Sir Richard Onslow and other Trustees who had done as signal Services for that which they called a Parliament as he had done for his Majesty A Noble man this made up rather of that honesty that desires rather to be than to seem good than of that hypocrisie that desires rather to be than to seem good one that made his business more to deserve opinion than have it as more concerned what thoughts he himself than what others had of him He understood the Religion he professed and professed the Religion he understood he never thought himself so good as he should be unless he strived to be better than he was equal in all conditions under the worst patient because he deserved it and despaired not as long as he could pray under the best sober and thankful because he feared it and presumed not as long as he might offend Supporting himself and friends with this consideration that if things are not so good as he would they should have been yet they were not so bad as he knew they might have been what if I am not so happy as I desire its well I am not so wretched as I deserve They say Favourites are Court-dyals whereon all look when Majesty shines on them and none when it is night with them Our Nobleman was most conspicious in his Eclipses and like the Images of Brutus and Cassius Quod abesset co magius persulgebat Though always in favour because entertained for use not affection not only relying so much on his Masters favour as his Master did on his abilities Goodness consecrated his greatness and his greatness honored his goodness he managed his estate so as to support his honor and employed his honor so as both to support and credit his estate good husbandry may stand with great hâ—nor as well as breadth with heighth he saved his estate by ways thrifty and noble with no loss to his honor travelling to gain experience abroad and save expences at home He might with Francis Russel second Earl of Bedford of that Surname as Queen â—lizabeth merrily complained of him make many Beggars by his Liberality he made none by his Oppression or Injustice being as punctual as his Ancestor Thomas Duke of Norfolk who when he was carried to be buried in the Abbey of Thetford Anno 1524. had made so even with the world that no person could demand a groat of him for debt or restitution of any injury done by him As he was a compleat Gentleman himself so he took a particular care his Posterity should not be defective often with pleasure telling the Ran-counter between a Nobleman of Henry the eighths time and Mr. Pace one of his Secretaries The Nobleman expressing himself in contempt of Learning that it was enough for Noblemens Sons to Wind their Horn and carry their Hawk fair and to leave Study and Learning to the Children of mean Men. Mr. Pace replied That then you and other Noblemen must be content that your Children may Wind their Horns and keep their Hawks while the Children of mean Mâ—n do manage maâ—ter of State But we will make bold with the rest of his Character as we find it in a Book called Observations upon the Statesâ—men and Favourites of England p. 725. only correcting the misnomer there of Philip in stead of Thomas Earl of Arundel and adding that he married
Souldiers for his Majesties Sea Engagment and all this without any other design than the satisfaction of a great Spirit intent upon publick good ready since his Majesties return to beg for others scorning it for himself One motive urged to save his life 1649. was that he would be as quiet alive as dead if he once passed but his word Free above all in his Company never above himself or his Estate observing Mr. Herberts Rule Spend not on hopes set out so As all the day thou mayst hold out to go He dyed 1666. in the 63. year of his Age with whom it is sit to remember Mr. William Owen of Pontsbury Salop whose Loyalty cost him 150 l. Pontsbury Owen of Eâ—ton Mascal Salop Esq who paid 601 l. composition Roger Owen of Shrewsbery Esq who paid 700 l. Sir William Owen of Candore Salop who paid 314 l. Edward Owen of Candover Salop who paid 207 l. Morgan Owen Bishop of Landaffe 1000 l. Richard Owen of Shrewsbery 250 l. Sir Iohn Owens Eldest Son Mr. William Owen had all his Portion with Mrs. Anwill Sequestred and seized Sir Iohns Brother that wise and sober Gentleman Mr. William Owen of Porkington Salop the beloved Governor of Harlech in Merioneth-shire and the contriver of the General Insurrection 1648. in North-wales and South-wales at London besides several years banishment paid 414 l. 6 s. 8 d. composition And Dr. Iohn Owen Son of Mr. Iohn Owen the worthy and grave Minister of Burton Latimers in the County of Northampton where he was born bred Fellow of Iesus Colledge in Cambridge preferred beyond his expectation Chaplain to King Charles the I. whilst Prince and made without his knowledge Bishop of St. Asaph 1629. by him when much troubled with two Competitors as an expeâ—dient to end the Controversie when King well beloved by all because related to most of the Gentry of north-North-wales one whose Poetical studies sweetned his modest nature and that his Government besides Imprisonment in the Tower for the Protestation the loss of all his Spiritual preferments he patiently laid down 500 pound for his Temporal Estate To whom I may adde worthy Mr. Owen of Wrexham the Church whereof he had extraordinarily beautified a good Scholar and a holy man the Honour and Oracle of the Orthodox Clergy and the great disgrace and trouble of the Adversaries who could not in Interest suffer him to preach noâ— a great while till their guilts had hardened them beyond all regrets in Conscience silence him being so charitable a man to the poor so useful a man in that Country among the Rich and so well-beloved of all as a great example of his Doctrine the reason why with our Saviour who could say Who of you accuseth me of sin he preached with Authority giving strict measure to his people and yet making more strict and severe to all Clergy-men and himself having a great command over all his affections easie and bountiful moderate To avoid litigiousness which render so many Ministers useless in demanding his dues taking care not to make the name of the Church a pretence to covetousness never conditioning for before and seldom receiving wages after the Administration of any Ordinance very careful against the least appearance of Pride or any concernment in the Affairs of the world exact in the knowledge of himself that he might understand others more careful of duty than fame and therefore sweetly and temperately undergoing the Obloquies of those times which he would say could not speak worse of him than he thought of himself being a great Artist in patience Christian simplicity and ingenuity being none of those he said though he had a good one that trusted more to their Memory than to Truth Thomas Wentworth Earl of Cleveland and Lord Wentworth of Nettlestead 1 Car. 1. 1625. much in favor with King Iames because a young Noble man of a plain and practical temper more with the Duke of Buckingham who would never be without him he being the next man to him at his death at Portsmouth for his pleasant and frank way of debating things and most of all to King Charles I. and II. for his many Services and Sufferings having a special faculty of obliging the Souldiery which he learned from Prince Maurice in the Low-Countries and Count Mansfield in Germany 1. Leading the Kings Rear at Cropredy 1644. where he faced about against Waller charging him through and through so effectually the King of Swedens way that he was utterly routed 2. Drawing up with General Goring his Brigade at the East-side of Spiene in the second Newbery fight to secure the Kings Guards in much danger with such old English Valor telling his men they must now charge home that he scattered the enemy till too far engaged and over-powered he was taken Prisoner as the King himself was like to be 3. Assisting beyond his years in the rising in Kent and Essex and induring all the hardships at Colchester 4. After a tedious Imprisonment and a strange escape from the High Court of Justice of which he was as glad as Vlysses was of that out of Polyphemus Den by one mans absence who went out to make water for the Stone which Stone gave him as it did the Lord Mordant the casting Vote with the great Intercession of the Lady Lovelace his Daughter with banishment to his dear Soveraign hazading his life with him in his troublesome Voyage both into Scotland and England where at Worcester September 1651. he was taken and banished living with his Majesty all the Usurpation beyond Sea his brave Estate at Stepney and other places being all either spent in the Kings Service or Sequestred for it and returning upon the Restauration home where upon the 29 th of May 1660. he led 300. Noble-men and Gentlemen in his plain Gray-Suit before his Majesty to London with whom he continued being after the Earl of Norwich Captain of the Guard of Pensioners and dying 1666. in a good old Age to which much contributed the great habit he had got of taking much Tobacco His Son the Lord Wentworth a Gentleman of a very strong Constitution and admirable Parts for contrivance and especially for dispatch much addicted to the foresaid herb being though he took little notice of it sleeping very little and studying when others were a-bed very ready in our Neighbours and our own Affairs Interests Intrigues Strengths Weaknesses Ports Garrisons Trade c. continuing in his Majesties Service from the time he went when Prince to raise the West where he gave by his Addresses to the Country and Carriage in it great instances of his Abilities to his dying day for disbanding with my Lord Hopton those Forces left under his Command in the absence of the Earl of Norwich gone into France after a shrewd Plot like that at Lestithiel to have gained the King and Parliament Armies to joyn for an accommodation upon honourable terms being allowed himself twenty five
overcame not the Scots abroad and he spoke like a Souldier in the Parliament 1641. where whispering with the Lord Peirey and Colonel Ashburnham as they sate together upon the Vote of 300000 l. to be paid the Scots with 25000 l. advance out of the money designed the English Army he stepped up and told Mr. Speaker That if such Papers of the Scots could procure moneys he doubted not but the Officers of the English should soon do the like A wise and brave Speech that when the Army were informed by him how the Parliament slighted them they were ready to Rally them selves against the Parliament as soon that Rallied the multitude against the King he and some others putting themselves into a secret and sworn Juncto to declare with the Army against the rude at fronts offered his Majesty to the subversion of Government notwithstanding all the gracious Concessions made by his Majesty for the support of it but without success Because as his Lordship used to say Treachâ—ry got easily into the Bosome of that Prince that had nothing but Honesty in his heart And because some were admitted into their Counsels against Mr. Wilmots advice who never engaged in a secret design to which there were above four together privy that knew one anothâ—r He obstructed the Faction much in the House of Commons and more when called to the House of Lords stopping their Careere with those Propositions for Accommodation which he offered at Westminster 1641. and to shew he was the same man guided not by Interest but Conscience renewed at Oxford 1644. and making â—se of the sad News of the Irish Rebellion in which affairs having considerable concerns in that kingdome he was always of the Committee to prevent the English with as much dexterity as others did to promote it But when being Posted for a Straffordian he had no longer any power to moderate the Councils of the Faction in the City after he had seen so many injuries and indignities offered his Royal Person so many affronts and scorns put upon the Kingly Office so many scandalous seditious and traiterous Pamphlets against the Government together with the Combinations and Conspiracies which the implacable malice and insatiable ambition of some persons had contrived he went to suppress the Rebellion in the Field being Voted a Traytor by those he indeavoured should not be so At Edge-hill he advised that there should be a good Reserve of Horse to secure the Battel and that the other Horse should by no advantage be drawn out of it There being nothing he said more dangerous than too eager a pursuit before a battle was over He ordered the Horse at Newbery being Lieutenant-General under Prince Rupert in so convenient and spacious a place Downs have been pitched upon as the most commodious Scene of a Horse Engagement advising them by no means to be drawn into any uneven and streight places with so strict an eye upon all advantages and opportunities and in such Ranks that one Troop might be in Subsidiis assistant to another and no part stand naked or fall in the singleness of its own strength but that one may second another from first to last being aware of Livies charge upon Cajus Sempronius Pugnavit incaute inconsulteque non subsidiis firmata acic non equite apte locato the like he did at Cropredy-Bridge bringing off the Kings Rear there with three Charges through with so much execution as routed Sir William Wallers Horse and Foot took all his Ordnances and Gunners among whom one Weems a sworn Servant to his Majesty with the very Leather-guns his Majesty had paid for saying when brought before the King Good Faith his heart was always with his Majesty he being hurt and twice taken Prisoner and twice rescued by Sir Frederick Cornwallis and Sir Robert Howard And of the same nature was his Relief of Banbury when he surrounded the Besiegers in a Net of six miles compass full of snares and stratagems flanked on all hands by his well-ordered Horse His being punctual in his Promise careful in his Pay and Provision for his Souldiers tender of their Lives disposing of them in the easiest way for service and the safest from danger his condescension to satisfie every particular Person the reputation of his Integrity and Skill the moderation of his Principles rendred him as popular in the Army and Country as he was suspected at Oxford whence upon the breaking up of the Parliament there he went over to the Queen in France doing what he could by a generous carriage there to credit that Cause he was not suffered to sight for Often reflecting when he heard of the discontents afterwards in the Kings Army on that of Caesar in the first of his Commentaries Sâ—scire quibuscunque exercitus dicto audiens non fuerit aut male re gesta fortunam defuiste aut aliquo facinore comperto avaritiae esse convictum It s a remarkable passage that in her Majesties Letter to the Lord Digby Paris April 7. 1645. You think it strange that Willmot is so well entertained here which is done according to the orders which I have under the Kings hand and yours its true his good carriage here hath merited his good entertainment Indeed his negotiations in France Holland where he was formerly very well known by the Name of Willmot the English Gentleman were not less serviceable than his battels in England for by virtue of them and his correspondence with the Lord Willoughby there was a considerable Fleet of the Revolted Ships and his own to entertain the Prince of Wales 1648. as their Commander in Chief attended by my Lord the Lord Hopton c. And when for want of pay and other miscarriages that endeavour by Sea and Land to restore his Majesty failed he set on foot and by healing Propositions brought on the Scots Treaty so far as the admission of the King to the Government of that his ancient Kingdom whither after some services done in Ireland where he had great concerns and a considerable interest he went with his Majesty accommodating the several differences that arose among a people serupulous and capricious enough of themselves and distracted by the sad face of things at that time yet no way better to be ruled in such times than by an indulgence to them of an experiment and trial of the folly and vanity of their own ways and modelling and forming their Rough-hewn Armies and Designs And despairing of any good in that Country upon those mens principles he advised the Attempt 1651. into England to draw off the Force then lying within that Nation coming some months before in person under the name of Williams to pre-dispose his friend in 〈◊〉 kingâ—â—m and Oxfordshire where he had married the Lady â—â—igh of Ditchlâ—y and doing eminent service though in no Command by instructing them to secure the Passes to keep a 〈◊〉 Discâ—pline and offering to March towards London besides the great example of
his personal valor in six several desperate Engagementâ— especially in the latter end of the Worcester Fight to gain his 〈◊〉 time to retreat with whom he went by the conduct of a Scout he had made use of formerly to Boscobell where parting 〈◊〉 without 〈◊〉 unusual to so valiant a person my Lord 〈◊〉 to go towards London to meet his Majesty according to appointmentâ— at the Green-dragon at the â—intry in Thames-street but finding the ways strictly guarded retired to Mr. Whitegreaves Mr. Huâ—â—â—â—â— and Col. Lanes where after several consultations had for his Majeâ—ties safe transportation my Lord bethought himself of one Mr. Elden formerly Captain in the Kings Army and now a Merchant in lynn that had befriended the Lord â—erkley in the like care with whom he had contrived the Voyage but that the Ship-master they agreed with tailed them and then supporting and directing his Majesty in all emergencies with an invincible courage his Lord hâ—pâ—â— him up and down through inâ—inite windings and turniâ—gs till happening upon a Vessel in brighthelmâ—sted in Sussex the Master whereof was charmed by his Lordship under pretence of selling his Coals at the isle of wight to carry them that way and then my Lord pretending that his mind altered after a well acted quarrel with the honest Master of the Vessel to the Coast of France where he stayed not long with his Majesty but being Created Earl of Rochester undertook a successful 〈◊〉 to the Imperial Diet at the Ratisbone where he procured a considerable sum of money for the present and a very fair promise of the Emperors and the Princes assistance for the future and in his return settled a correspondency for the like purpose in England whither he ventured several times in person particularly 1655. at Hâ—ssamMoor near York where the appearance of Cavaleers at the day appointed not answering expectation my Lord and Sir Nicholas Armorer escaped from the midst of three thousand men that had as it were inclosed them to Ailesbury and from the very hands of the Usurpers Instruments thence into Flanders where he served the King of Spain very happily that he might be able to serve his Master till he died not long before his Majesties Restitution like Moses having after several years traversing a Wilderness only a Prospect of Caanan and the land of rest and settlement P. M. Baronis Willmot Caroli Secundi fidus Achates Vt imi servus Philanax Philo Cawlos Comes Regis Pariter Regni Adeo officii tenax ut ab Afflcta Sed justa regis causa eum dimoveant Nec amicorum injuriae nec inimicorum Prosperum scelus ultimi saeculi Aristides THE Life and Death OF Sir BEVILE GREENVILE Father of the Right Honorable the Earl of Bathe THere are two ancient Families in this Gentlemans name the Beviles that have flourished six hundred years in Cornwall at Gwarnack in his Christian Name and the Greenviles that have continued in great honor at Bediford in Devonshire above five hundred years in his Surname And there were the two eminent Virtues of those Families in his nature his names being to him not only significations of Honor but intimations of Virtue according to that admonition given by Alexander to one of his Followers Either quit your good name or leave your bad manners meekness wariness good nature and ingenuity the character of the one valor and prowess the known honor of the other His Ancestor Sir R. Greenvile assisted King William Rufus 1113. against the Welch Rebells successfully dedicating the Spoils of the war to the honor of Almighty God in maintaining a Religious House Sir Bevile Greenvile attended King Charles the First against the English 1641. consecrating his services to the Glory of God and the settlement of the Church usually saying That he counted it the greatest honor of his Family that one of it meaning Will. de Greenvile above three hundred years before under Edw. the First was Archbishop of York and in the Councel of Vienna next the Archbishop of Triers being for his publick spirit and activity especially in improving the Trade maintaining the Priviledges and keeping up the Discipline of his Country called to advise with his Majesty in Parliament about the great affairs of the kingdom he would not continue there without him But when he saw that he was more likely to be suppressed by his Majesties adversaries than his Majesty was to be supported by his friendship at Westminster he withdrew with many more Devonshire and Cornish Gentlemen that deserved Queen Elizabeths Character of these Countrymen That they were all born Courtiers with a becoming confidence to give their Country by rational Declarations the same satisfaction about the state of affairs that they had already in their own breast forcing not the Country till they had convinced and perswaded it asserting Authority the ligament of civil society against violence the publick interest against private designs liberty against licentiousness and oppression and this upon such moderate principles to widen rather than narrow their interest and in so civil terms as won those generous people that were not to be forced like compleat Orators making happy applications to the several humors and Genius of all persons with Alcibiades shifting disposition as they altered place yea so prudentially did they manage their expressions that the men at Westminster should not despair of their compliance with them until they were in a capacity to appear against them when they had secured the Port-towns the Fishing-trade for Herring and Pilchards the Mines the Markets for the Manufactures of that Country Kersies Bonelace c. and setled as good a correspondence between Devonshire and Cornwall by Sir Bevile Greenviles advice as was before by Sir Theo. Greenvile's device who built Baddiford-bridge as Sir Bevile secured it They appear in a great body near Pendennis whereof Sir Nicholas Slaning another excellent Patriot of Cornwall was Governor and Launston the County-town of Cornwall which Sir Bevile Greenvile possessed himself of The Body he trained to war he disciplined to piety piety not like the Cornish Diamond counterfeit and strictness least as Pilchards in this Country being persecuted by their fellow-fish the Tunny and Hake fall into the Fisher-mens Nets so the Country-people abused by the incivilities of their friends the Cavaleers might be taken in the Snares of their enemies the Faction As the Ambergreese found sometimes in this Country hath a more fragrant scent compounded with other things than when singly its self so this noble Gentleman gained a greater repute when joyning counsels and endeavors with others than when he acted alone The neighbor Counties were on fire these Counties look to themselves Sir Bevile wished that his Army were all of them as good as his Cause but it is not to be expected that all should be Fish that are caught in a Drag-net neither that all should be good and religious people who were adventurers in an action of so large a
8. 1644. The next news we hear of him after a Consultation about carrying on of the war between him the Lord Hopton and the Lord Gerard who left all he had sticking to his Majesty in all conditions since the Restauration at Bristol was the siege of Taunton the taking of Wellington-house by storm the clearing of the passage for the King from Oxford to Bristol to break into that Association interesting the States Ambassadors Borrel of Amsterdam and Reinsworth of Vlrecht both made Barons by his Majesty in the Kings Cause forming the Protestation in the Western Counties in opposition to the Covenant hampering the Forces of Glocester-shire with his horse and dragoons whither he brought his Majesty writing to him afterwards not to fight at Nazeby until he came to him with 4000. horse and pursuing the siege of Taunton where he fomented the tumult of the Clubmen lending them some Officers till the whole Parliament Forces coming upon him after a stout and cunning maintenance of several Passes that divided the Enemy and Lines and Hedges that secured the Men who retreated nobly to Bridge-water with 2000. in spight of 14000. men and thence to the North of Devon-shire where being able to do little good his Souldiers having no Pay observing no Discipline provoking the Country against them as much as they did the enemy and he in the Dutch way of good fellowship loosing opportunities which admit no after-games he slipped away under pretence of leading some French Forces that were promised into Holland with some contributions in his Pocket to assist the Prince of Wales for whom he gained all the civilities imaginable in the States Ports Counsels Treasuries Magazins and Armies and with whose Commission he returned to form the general design all over England 1648. for his Majesties Restauration particularly in Kent and Essex where by chance he met the Commissioners in his way to Sussex the loyal Inhabitants whereof in pursuance of the Petition for Peace which some of them had lost their lives in the delivery of he having given direction for seizing all the Armes and Ammunition of the Country modelled into an Army that moved up and down to incourage the Loyalty of the whole Country to an insurrection confining the factious as they went giving out Commissions to several Land-officers when upon Mr. Hales Sir William Brockham Mr. Matthew Carter Sir Anthony Aucher Sir Rich. Hardres Col. Hatton Mr. Arnold Brium Sir Iohn Mynce Sir Io. Roberts Colonel Hamond and the rest of the Country Gentlemens importunity he had accepted the charge of General which the Duke of Richmond had waved and dispatching Letters to the Sea-officers and Messages for Armes and Ammunition into France and Holland with a Copy of the Engagement taking in Deal and Sandwich together with Provisions securing the Passes and Rendezvouzing at Barham-downs three miles from Maidston where he was proclaimed General in the head of the Army in which capacity he would have quartered his Army close together but was fatally over-ruled by a Counsel of War of generous spirits rather than experienced Souldiers to whom always after the delivery of his own opinion he referred himself to let them lye at large whereby they were dispersed and made lyable on all sides to the enemy without any possibility of relief from one another the reason why such a number of them was cut off at Maidston after which Engagement leaving some to secure the Country about Rochester the General marched towards London for the Lord Mayor and Common-counsel promised assistance where finding all things against him and nothing for him after two or three nights absence in viewing the nature of the Essex Engagement in his own person for he would trust no body else and finding the disorders at his return of his Forces by continual alarms and want of rest disposed of them to the best posture for refreshment he himself having had no sleep in four days and three nights and then marched them to quicken the backward Levies at Chelmsford not far from which place to encourage them he drew them to a Rendezvouz and to regulate them divided the Volunteers that came in into Troops whence marching to Colchester not with any design to stay there but being surrounded he made such provisions of Victuals raised such Works made such Sallies kept such Guards and bore up the hearts of his men by such Orders Examples and Declarations that he maintained an unwalled old Town eleven months together against the Parliament General and Army till all hopes of Relief was cut off and all Provisions even the Horses Dogs and Cats were spent After which being Impeached before the High Court of Justice as it was called he so artificially pleaded the authority he acted under and the harmlesseness of the design he acted in that his case being put to the Juncto it was carried by one voice and that was the Speakers his life and banishment whereupon going beyond Sea was very instrumental in order to his Masters service in making the peace between Spain and Holland and the war between Holland and the Faction in England for all which service and sufferings being Created by Charles I. Baron of Hurst-Perpoint in Sussex and after the death of his Mothers Brother Edward Lord Denny Earl of Norwich 21. Car. I. he was made Captain of the Guard of Pensioners to his Majesty and Clerks of the Counsel upon the Marches of Wales the Motto of the Bohemian Nobility that sided with Frederick Prince Elector Palatine viz. Compassi conrâ—gnabimus being made good to him though not to them he partaking as well of the prosperities of his Majesties Restitution as he had done of his adversities and afflictions till he died suddainly at his Inne in Brenâ—ord Middlesex 1663. In his Company it is fit to mention 1. Sir Iohn Owen of Klinenney in Caernarvon-shire Vice-Admiral of North-Wales a Gentleman of a noble and an undaunted spirit and great interest in his Countrey which he led thrice to the assistance of his Majesty first 1642. continuing in the service with much respect from the greatest men pleased with the Integrity and generosity of his spirit in the Army much love from the meanest paying using and fighting his Souldiers well in 7. Battels 9. Seiges and 32. Actions leading to the most hazardous undertaking and bringing off from the most desperate onset till 1646. Secondly 1647. and 1648. making as considerable a party in North-Wales for his Majesties Restauration in spite of the Sheriffes and other Officers Of those Countries at Talerheer Caernarvon where after a smart fight he was taken Prisoner sentenced at London but for want of evidence at that distance against one so well beloved pardoned Thirdly 1659. raising Anglesea Caernarvon-shire and Merioneth-shire at the same time that Sir G. B. and Sir T. M. did Cheshire Denbigh-shire and Flint-shire c. besides what he did a little before he died 1665. with great pains and charge raysing 4. or 500. excellent
like Xeuxes his Picture being adorned with all Arts and Costliness while the English Peer like the plain sheet of Apelles got the advantage of him by the Rich Plainness and Gravity of his Habit was the greatest solemnity ever known in the Memory of Man the composition for his large Estate is the greatest in the whole Catalogue being one and twenty thousand five hundred and ninety seven pound six shillings not abating the odde two pence The Right Honorable Ierome and Charles Weston Earls of Portland son and Grand-child of Richard Weston Earl of Portland 8 Car. I. Lord High Treasurer of England the first a Person of a very able and searching judgment the first discoverer of the so artificially masked Intentions of the Faction well furnished as well as polished with various Learning which enabled him to speak pertinently and fully to all propositions signified by the gravity and modesty of his Aspect made up of quick and solid apprehensions set off with the dignity and dependance of his Port and Train supported by magnificence and frugality sweetned with courtesie without complement obligingness without slattery he being a great observer of solid respects and an Enemy of empty formalities died 1663 4. a great Statesman well seen in Sea Affairs under King Charles II. and the other a very hopeful Gentleman was slain at Sea Iune 1665. in his Voluntary attendance upon his Highness the Duke of York when fell the Rear-Admirall Sansum a private man of a publick spirit that aimed not so much to return wealthier as wiser not always to enrich himself but sometimes to inform Posterity by very useful Discoveries of Bayes Rivers Creeks Sands Autens whereof some were occasional others intentional The Honorable the Lord Muskerry and Mr. Boyle second son to the Right Honorable the Earl of Burlington The Right Honorable the Lord Francis Villiers Brother to his Grace the Duke of Buckingham the comeliest man to see to and the most hopeful to converse with in England slain for refusing Quarter at Comb-Park Iuly 7. Anno Dom. 1648. Aet suoe 19. the sweetness of his temper the vastness of his Parts and Abilities the happiness of his Education and his admirable Beauty which had charmed the most barbarous to a Civility being the occasion of the Enemies Beastly usage of him not fit to be mentioned The Right Honorable William Lord Widdrington President of the Councel of War under my Lord of Newcastle in the North and Commander in chief of Lincolnshire Nottinghamshire and Rutlandshire under Prince Rupert of as great affections towards his Majesty as the Country was towards him whom they desired to live and die under for his four excellent Qualities 1 Skill 2 Vigilance 3 Sobriety 4 Integrity and Moderation When he went over with the Duke of Newcastle to Hamborough Holland and France after the defeat of Marstoâ—moor he told a friend of his that he lost 35000l by the War and when after he had waited on his Highness the Prince of Wales in his Councels at Paris and the Hague in his Treaties with the Scots and English in the command of the Fleet 1648. and in the Conduct of the Northern Army that same year he lost his life in marching to his assistance into England with the Earl of Derby at Wiggan in Lancashire Aug. 3. 1650. Col. Thomas Blague hath at the coming in at the North-door of Westminster Abbey on the left hand this Elegant History drawn up as I am informed by Dr. Earls then Dean of that Church Tho. Blague Armiger in Agro Suffolciensi nobili Antiqua familia oriundus vir Egregiis animi Corporis Dotibus quibus artes honestas conjunxerat clarus militia duobus Regibus Carolo I. II. sidus Imprimis ac gratus Quibus ad utriusque Interioris Cubiculi honorislca ministeria ad lectus utilem operam navaverat praecipue in bello Arci Wallingfordiensi Impositus quam Caeteris paene omnibus expugnatis diu fortiter tenuit nec nisi rege Iubante praesidio excessit Nec minora foras pertulit pro regis Causa diu in exilio jactatus saepe in patria Captivus Fidem Integram singulari exemplo approbavit Et tandem sub Regis Faelicissimo reditu Cohortis stipatorum Tribunatu praefectura Iarmuthiae Praesidii Langurensis donatus Potuit majora sperare sed Immatura morte Interceptus Principem plane suum Cui in adversis constantissime adhaeserat jam muneratorem suturum in secundis desoruit Obiit Christiane ac pic 14. die Nov. Anno Salutis 1660. Aetatis suae 47. An History that Caeteris paribus will suit with 1. Sir W. Campian as famous for his services at Borstall House whereof he was Governor as Col. Blague was at Wallingford both restless men The latter accomplishments puts me in mind of the Maid presented to King Iames for a Rarity because she could speak and write pure Latine Greek and Hebrew the King returned But can she spin meaning was she as useful as this Knight was Learned as none more stern if occasion required so none more gentle in so much that he deserved the Honor and Title Sigismund the Emperor being here in England with King H. the 5 ths leave bestowed on the greatest Souldier of his time viz. true Courage and Courtesie are Individual Companions the Father of Courtesie He said he went to the Wars to fight with his Loyal-Countrymen but to Colchester to perish with them as he did in a brave salley Iuly 1648. 2. Sir Thomas Armestrong who having done as much as a man could do in England and Ireland offered to do more than a man in the Isle of Man that is maintain it against all the Parliaments Forces by Sea and Land 3. Sir Iohn Bois Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick being likely to be cast away in his passage to France desired that he should be tied to the Mast with his Arms about him that he might if any either Noble or Charitable found his body be Honorably buried Sir Iohn Bois need desire no more than one plain stone of Dennington Castle where he did the King faithful service refusing to surrender it either to Essex or Manchester or Horton or the Scots Army who plied him for six weeks night and day bidding them spare bloud as they pleased for he would venture his denying a Treaty with his own Brother to make him an honorable Monument Ancient his Family in Kent and well-deserving of the Church especially since Dr. Iohn Bois his time the best Postiller of England and therefore since the Restauration of the Church he was near the most eminent Person in it being Steward to the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury and his saving the Kings Army and Artillery in their coming off from the second Newberry fight with a pace faster than a Retreat and slower than a flight His Epitaph There was another Sir John Bois a Col. a Gentleman of great Expedition in dispatching Affairs in the Kings Army