the Regent of Flanders to that Duke bearing date 21 Oct. for his free passage And in 16 H. 8. was at the Battel of 〈◊〉 where King Francis of France had the fate to be overthrown and taken prisoner by the Duke of 〈◊〉 In 24 H. 8. he attended the King to Calaiâ— and so to Bâ—loine where King Francis gave great Entertainment to King Henry and he to him at Calais and Sandingfeild After this for divers years I have not seen any farther mention of him so that I presume during that time he was much employ'd beyond the Seas for so it seemes by divers Letters out of Italy and other parts being without any date as was the use in those dayes But in 29 H. 8. being made Comptroller of the Kings Houshold he was sworn of the Privy-Council 8 Nov. and upon the 29 of March following advanced to the title and dignity of a Baron of this Realm Standing therefore thus highly in the favour of that King in 31 H. 8. upon that wonderful dissolution of the greater Monasteries he obtain'd a Grant bearing date 4 Iulii to himself and Anne his wife and to the heirs of their two Bodies lawfully begotten of the whole Site and Circuit of the rich Abby of our Lady and St. Rumon of Tavestoke in Com. Devon As also of the Burrough and Town of Tavestoke and of the Mannors of Hundewyke Morwell and Morwell-Ham Mylton Abbot alias Mylton Legh Lamerton Hole Bren-â—orr UUyke Dabernon Peter-Stavye Ottrew alias Otterye UUhitchurch and Newton with the Hundred of Hurdewyke otherwise called the Hundred of Tavestoke As Also of the Rectory and Vicaridge of Tavestoke Likewise of the Mannor of Antony in Com. Cornub. And of the Burrough of Denbury with the Mannors of Denbury Plymstoke UUorington Cowyke Exwyke Barleigh Olderige Cave-Linch UUhymple Wood-Marston Christenstowe Borington and Cornewode all in Com. Devon and pertaining to the same dissolved Monastery of Tavestoke Also of the Mannor of Hawkewell in Com. Somerset with all the Mines of Tin and Lead in Denbury and Plymstoke the Advousons of the Rectories-Appropriate and not Appropriate and divers other Lands parcel of the dissolved Monastery of Donkiswell in Com. Devon Likewise of the House of the Friers-Preachers in Exeter with the Church c. paying Thirty six pounds per annum to the Court of Augmentation and Two hundred forty eight pounds more for all services And upon the fifteenth of October next ensuing of the Mannor of Cory Fitzpain with the moiety of the Advouson of the Church of Charlton Makerel in Com. Somerset in Fee Also of the Mannor of Abbots Aston in Com. Buck belonging to the dissolved Abby of St. Albans in Com. Hertf. About this time likewise he was made Warden of the Stannaries in Com. Devon and Cornwall And in 32 H. 8. being then Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter was constituted Lord Admiral of England and Ireland 28 Iulii Furthermore upon the establishing a Council in the Western parts of the Realm he was made President of the Counties of Devon Cornwall Dorset and Somerset And in the same thirty second year upon differences betwixt King Henry and King Francis of France was sent over into those parts accompanied with William E. of Southampton and a few Troopes of Northern Horse Monsieur de Vendosâ—â— having then command to raise Forces in Picardy Likewise not long after viz. in 34 H. 8. 3 Dec. he was made Lord Keeper of the King's privy-Seal and in 36 H. 8. Captain-General of the Vant-guard of his Army for that Expedition into France Boloin being then won But some say though by mistake I presume that he led the Reare-ward at that time Which Army was appariled in Blew-Coates guarded with Red with Caps and Hose party-coloured their Caps being fitted to their Head-pieces In 38 H. 8. he was by that King then lying on his Death-Bed appointed one of the Sixteen Councellors to his Son Prince Edward and in 1 E. 6. 17 Febr. constituted Lord High-Steward of England for the 20 th of February being the day of his Coronation Upon that Insurrection in 2 E. 6. occâ—sion'd by the pulling down of Images he was sent with Forces into Devonshire Where attempting to releive the City of Exeter then besieg'd by the Country people he had a sharp skirmish with them at Fennynton-Bridge in which with little loss he slew six hundred releiv'd that City and took to the number of Four thousand prisoners And meriting so highly for his many great services was advanc'd to the dignity of Earl of Bedford upon the nineteenth of Ianuary 3 E. 6. After which the next ensuing year he was one of the four Embassadors sent to Guisnes in France there to meet with the like number from the French to treat of Peace betwixt both Realms And in 5 E. 6. there 〈◊〉 a discovery of some Intentions to transport the Lady Mary the King's Sister from England to Antwerp divers persons being sent with Forces to the Sea-coasts for prevention thereof and some into Essex where she then lay amongst those he had the command of Two hundred men After this upon the death of that King and Coronation of Queen Mary he obtain'd a new Patent bearing date 3 Nov. for that great Office of Lord Privie-Seale and in 2 Mariae was sent into Spain to attend King Philip in order to his Nuptials with her By his Testament he assigned no particular place for his Sepulture appointing only that his Body should be interred in Christian-Burial and gave to the Lord Francis his eldest son his Collar and Robes of the Garter with his Parliament-Robes and departing this life 14 Martii the same year at his House situate betwixt the Hospital call'd the Savoy and Ivy-bridge in the Strand London sometime the Bishop of Carlisles Inne but since re-built by Sir Robert Cecill Principal Secretary of State to Q. Elizabeth and was buried at Cheneys in Com. Buck which Lordship he had in right of Anne his wife daughter and sole heir to Sir Guy Sapcotes Knight leaving issue Francis his son and heir Which Anne surviving him by her Testament bearing date 19 Aug. 5 6 Ph. M. bequeathed to the Lord Edward Russel her Grandson her Mannor of Thornhawe and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten I now come to Francis his son and successor in his Honors At the Coronation of King Edward the Sixth he was one of the Knight of the Bath then made and in 1 Mariae his Father then living with Sir Maurice Berkley Sir William Fitz Williams and Sir Henry Nevill Knight Proclaimed Q. Mary putting themselves in Arms on her behalf as appeareth by Letters from the Lords of the Council then at London who promised to joyn with them if opposition should be made she
daughter to Henry Earl of 〈◊〉 as also for ratifying his Marriage with the said Elizabeth and Legitimating the children which should be begotten betwixt them but the Earl of Derby with the Bishops of 〈◊〉 and Norwich as also the Lord Stourton dissented to the Bill Shortly after this he was sent Embassador to the King of France to Present him with the Order of the Garter and to Treat with him touching certain private Affairs being accompanyed with the Bishop of Ely and certain other persons of Note And before the end of that year sate with other of the Peers upon Tryal of the Duke of Somerset But upon the death of King Edward and Proclaiming of the Lady Iane Gray he accompanyed the Duke of Northumberland at his going out of London with Horse and Foot for the suppressing of those who were risen in Suffolk on the behalf of Q. Mary For which being first committed to the Tower of London 26 Iulii in the first year of that Queen he was Arraigned before the Duke of Norfolk then sitting as High Steward upon the eighteenth of 〈◊〉 following and had Judgment of death passed upon him Howbeit notwithstanding this sharp Sentence Execution was forborn and before the end of that year was restored in blood by Act of Parliament but not to his Honors so that he had no other Title than William Parr Esquire late Marquess of Northampton and stood in no higher a degree until Queen Elizabeth began to Reign But she graciously considering that through the Potency of his Adversaries he had been bereaved of those Titles by her Letters Patent bearing date at the Tower of London 13 Ian. 1 Eliz. advanced him again to the dignity of Marquess of Northampton restored him to his Lands and made him one of the Lords of her Privy-Council She likewise joyn'd him in Commission with some of the Bishops and other learned Divines for Reforming that Liturgie set forth by her Brother King Edward the Sixth and made him Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter Overliving Elizabeth Cobham his second wife he lastly married Helen daughter of Wolfangus Suavenburgh born in Sweden but had no issue by any of them and departing this life in An. 1571. 14 Eliz. was buried at the upper end of the Quire of the Collegiate Church at Warwick on the North-side where the Atchievements hung up at his Funeral did remain till of late years And where his Body about Fifty years since being dig'd up to make room for the Burial of an ordinary Gentlewoman was found perfect the skin intire dryed to the bones Rosemary and Bayes lying in the Coffin fresh and green All which were so preserv'd by the dryness of the ground wherein they lay it being above the Arches of that fair Vault which is under the Quire and of a sandy condition mixt with rubbish of Lime as hath been related to me by those who were eye-witnesses thereof Dying thus without issue Henry Earl of Pembroke his Nephew by one of his Sisters became his next heir Helen his last wife surviving him who married afterwards to Sir Thomas Gorge of Longford in Com. Wilts Knight and having many children by him dyed in April An. 1635. 11 Car. 1. Lord Parr of Horton I Now come to William Parre Uncle both to this VVilliam Marquess of Northampton and to Queen Catherine the sixth and last Wife of King Henry the Eighth This VVilliam residing at Horton in Com. Northampt. being Chamberlain to that Queen his Neice was shortly after her marriage with King Henry viz. 23 Decem. 35 H. 8. created Lord Parr of Horton And in 36 H. 8. the King designing a Royal Expedition into France and thereupon constituting his then Queen Catherine Parr General Regent of this Realme during his absence amongst other her Assistants as to matter of Council he appointed this VVilliam Lord Parr of Horton to be called upon some occasions By his Testament bearing date 20 Iunii An. 1546. 38 H. 8. he bequeath'd his Body to be buried in the Parish-Church of Horton Shortly after which he died as may seem by the Probate thereof leaving issue by Mary his wife the daughter of Sir VVilliam Salisbury Knight four daughters his heirs 1. Maud married k to Sir Raphe Lance Knight 2. Anne to Sir Iohn Digby of Ketilby in Com. Leic. Knight 3. Elizabeth to Sir Nicholas VVoodhall Knight 4. And Mary to Sir Thomas Tresham Knight Thomas Lord Audley of Walden 30 Hen. 8. OF what Extraction this Thomas was I have not seen for of the Family of the old Lords Audley I suppose he was not the Armes which he bore being totally different from theirs Nor have I observed any thing of him till 18 H. 8. that he became the Autumne-Reader in the Inner-Temple Whereby it appeares that having been a diligent Student of the Laws he arrived to a great proficiency in that commendable Learning in which within a short time after he grew so famous that in 21 H. 8. he was made choice of for Speaker in the House of Commons in that Long-Parliament which began upon the third of November the same year and continuing by Prorogation till 27 H. 8. proved fatal to the Religious Houses by the Dissolution of all those whose Revenues were not certified to exceed the value of Two hundred pounds per annum In which his service was so acceptable to the King as that the next ensuing year viz. 22 H. 8. he was constituted his Atturney for the Dutchy of Lancaster Also in Mich. Terme Graft Mart. advanced to the state and degree of a Serjeant at Law and upon the fourteenth of November following made the King's Serjeant Nor was any farther Promotion thought too great for him for in 24 H. 8. upon the Resignation of that worthy Lord Chancellor Sir Thomas Moore he was Knighted and made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal and before the end of that year Lord Chancellor of England Being therefore thus raised to that high place discerning the Pope's Supremacy newly abolish'd whereupon the Title of Supreme Head on Earth of the Church of England was vested in the King who consequently took upon him by his own absolute power to suppress the Priory of Canons of the Holy Trinity commonly called Christ-church near Algate in the City of London he obtain'd the Scite and Precinct of that Religious House and converted it to a fit Mansion for his own residence having likewise all the Plate and Lands thereto belonging bestowed on him And in 30 H. 8. sate High-Steward upon the Arraignment of Henry Courtney Marquess of Exeter then accused for Conspiring the advancement of Reginald Pole afterwards Cardinal to the Crown That this Thomas had been not a little instrumental in carrying on that great design for dissolving the lesser
Popes Supremacy and restoring it to the Crown of this Realm he was the only person who with the Earl of Shrewsbury then voted against it Again in 3 Eliz. being highly esteemed for his great Prudence though earnestly devoted to the Romish Religion as a person the more acceptable he was employed Ambassador into Spaine to satisfie the King of those Realms under his power what just cause Queen Elizabeth had to send an Army into Scotland where he laid open the necessity of the War and that the Religion than brought into England was no other then what was warranted by the Holy Scripture and agreeable to the four Oâ—cumenical Councils faintly also requiring that the antient Burgundian League made betwixt the English and that Kings Ancestors might be renewed But all that I have found farther memorable of him is that he was one of the Peers which sate upon Tryal of the Queen of Scots and having wedded two Wives first Iane daughter to Robert Earl of Sussex had issue by her Anthony his son and heir and a daughter called Mary first married to Henry Wriothâ—sley Earl of Southampton next to Sir Thomas Heneage Knight Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster and Vice-Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth lastly to Sir William Harvey Knight and Baronet created Lord Harvey of Rosse in Ireland And to his second Wife Magdalen Daughter to William Lord Dacres of Gillesland by whom he had Issue three sons viz. Sir George Brown Knight Thomas and Henry and three daughters Elizabeth wife of Sir Robert Dormer Knight afterwards Lord Dormer Mabel the second and Iane married to Sir Francis Lacon of Willey in com Salop. Knight and that departing this life at Horsley in com Sur. 19 Oct. An. 1592. 34 Eliz. he was buryed at Coudray Which Anthony his eldest son by Iane his first wife married Mary daughter to Sir William Dormer of Ethorp in com Buck. Knight and had Issue by her three sons Anthony Iohn and William and three daughters Dorothy Iane and Catherins but died in the life time of his Father scil ult Iunii An. 1592. 34 Eliz. she the said Mary surviving who afterwards married to Sir Edmund Vuedale Kâ— and lastly to Sir Thomas Gerard Knight To the before-specified Anthony Vicount Mountagu succeeded therefore in his Lands and Honor Anthony his Grandson viz. son of Anthony his eldest son so deceased in his life time by Mary his wife daughter of Sir William Dormer Knight Which Anthony took to wife Iane daughter to Thomas Sackvile Earl of Dorset Lord Treasurer of England and departing this life 23 Oct. An. 1629. 5 Car. 1. was buried at Midherst in Com. Suss. leaving Issue Francis his son and heir and six Daughters Mary first married to William Lord St. Iohn of Basing son and heir to William Marquess of UUinchester and afterwards to William second son to Thomas Lord Arundel of UUardour Catherine to William Tirwhit of Retilby in com Linc. Esquire Anne add Lucie both Nuns beyond sea Frances wedded to Iohn Blomer of Hethorp in Com. Glouc. Esquire and Mary to Robert Petre son and heir to the Lord Petre of UUrittle in Com. Essex afterwards Lord Petre. Which Francis now Vicount Mountague took to wife Elizabeth daughter to Henry late Marquess of UUorcester by whom he had issue two sons Francis and Henry and Elizabeth a daughter married to Christopher Lord Tenham Carey Lord Hunsdon 1 Eliz. OF this Family antiently seated at Cokkinton in Devonshire was the same William Carey who being in the Battel of Tewksbury in 10 E. 4. on the part of the Lancastrians upon the loss of that day was taken in the Church whereunto with others he fled for sanctuary and notwithstanding promise of pardon lost his Head This William had two wives viz. Anne the daughter of Sir William Paulet Knight from whom those of Eockington did descend and Alice the daughter of Sir Baldwin Fulford Ktby whom he had issue Thomas and he two sons Sir Iohn Carye Knight and William Which Sir Iohn by ... his wife sister of Sir Anthony Denny Knight left issue Sir Edward Carye Knight who by Catherine his wife daughter of Sir Henry Kâ—evet Knight and widdow of Henry Lord Paget had issue Henry afterwards created Vicount Falkland and made Deputy of Ireland Which Henry departing this life in An. 1633. 9 Car. 1. lest issue by Elizabeth his wife daughter and heir to Sir Laurence Tanfield Knight Lord chief Baron of the Exchequer Lucius his son and heir who married Letice the daughter of Richard Morison of Tooly-Park in Com Leâ—â— Esquire and being a person eminently learned and of exquisite parts was made choice of by the late King Charles of Blessed Memory for one of his Principal Secretaries of State Shortly after which out of the great zeal to his Majesties service in the rebellious times adventuring himself in the Battle of Newberie 20 Sept. An 1643. he there lost his life ¶ Having said thus much touching the descendents of Sir Iohn Carey the eldest son of Thomas I now come to William his second son This William being Esquire of the Body to King Henry the Eighth took to wife Mary daughter to Thomas â—ullen Earl of UUiltshire Sister to the Lady Anne second wife to King Henry the Eighth by whom he had Issue one son called Henry as also Catherine a daughter married to Sir Francis Knolles Knight of the Garter and dyed of the sweating sickness in An. 1528. 20 H. 8. being then of the Bed-chamber to that King Which Henry his Son in regard of his near Alliance to Queen Elizabeth being her Sisters son was knighted soon after her coming to the Crown and upon the thirteenth of Iannary next following advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the Title of Lord Hunsdon and took his place in Parliament upon the twenty fifth of the same month accordingly In 5 Eliz. he was sent with the Order of the Garter to the King of France then at Lyons And in 10 Eliz. being made Governor of the Town and Castle of Barwick upon that Insurrection of the Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland which hapned shortly after marcht thence and had a smart skirmish with them at the River Gelt being then General of the Horse nevertheless they got from him into Scotland whereupon he prevailed with the Queen to proclaim pardon to all those whom they had drawn in to them in that desperate adventure And the next ensuing year accompanied the Earl of Sussex Lieutenant-General of the North in making divers Inroads into that Realm Also about two years after being still Governor of Barwick having
17 H. 8. he had the Title of Burcifer Regis otherwise called the Keeper of the King 's usual Money and Jewells which is the same we now call the Privy Purse This Sir William Compton built a very noble House at that his Mannor of Compton the greatest part of the Brick used in the Structure thereof being brought from Fulbroke in the same County where there stood a ruinous Castle of which he had the custody by the Kings grant and Keepership of the Park there Which Castle he pull'd down making use of the materials for that building In the Chapel whereof he erected a costly window towards the East and therein represented with rare workmanship in Glass the Passion of our Blessed Saviour and in the lower part himself and his Lady kneeling in their Surcotes of Armes Which Lady viz. Werburge was daughter and heir to Sir Iohn Brereton Knight and widow of Sir Francis Cheney Knight By his Testament bearing date 8 Martii An. 1522. 14 H. 8. he bequeathed his body to be buried at Compton with his Ancestors appointing that his said Lady should be likewise there interred Also that a Tombe of Alablaster should be made by the direction of his Executors for his Father and set over his Grave with his Armes cut thereon and the Body of his Mother taken up where she lay buried and deposited by his father By which Testament he likewise bequeathed to the King from whom he acknowledged that he had received all his Preferment a little Chest of Ivory whereof the Lock was Gylt with a Chess-bord under the same and a paire of Tables upon it and all such Jewels and Treasure as were inclosed therein most humbly desiring his Highness to accept thereof as a remembrance of him He likewise thereby bequeathed to the King certain Specialties to the sum of a Thousand Marks being for Money lent to Sir Thomas Bullen K t to the intent that the King would be so gracious to his Lady and Children as to permit his Will to be performed as he there expresseth Moreover he appointed that his Executors should found in his name two Chantries at Compton And that every Priest therein should have yearly for his salary Ten Marks to do daylie Service in Praying for the Souls of the King the Queen and the Lady Anne Hastings Likewise for his own Soul and for the Soul of his wife his Ancestors and all Christian Souls Which Priests and every of them to be presented to the Ordinary of the Diocess and he to make Institution and Induction accordingly And if those Priests or any of them should die then the Abbot of UUinchcombe and his successors to present covenable Clerks within two moneths after the vacancy and in case of failing the Abbot of Evesham to do the same in form as abovesaid After which about six years he died of the Sweating Sickness viz. in 20 H. 8. being at that time of the Bedchamber to the King who was then also in great danger Touching the Probate of which Will it is not unworthy of observation that Cardinal Wolsey's power was then such that Sir Henry Guilford one of the Executors openly profess'd that he could not obtain it till he had paid a Thousand Marks That Elizabeth his wife surviv'd him is very manifest for it appears that the next ensuing year she obtain'd License to marry with Walter Walshe one of the Groomes of the Kings Privy-Chamber I come now to Peter his son and heir then in minority whose Wardship was committed to that great Cardinal This Peter took to wife Anne daughter to George Earl of Shrewsbury but died before he accomplisht his full age scilicet 30 Ian. 35 H. 8. leaving issue Henry at that time Forty nine weeks old and and five days Which Henry being Knighted in 8 Eliz. and summon'd to Parliament upon the 8 th of May 14 Eliz. was accordingly admitted and took his place in the House And in 29 Elliz. was one of the Peers assign'd for Tryal of the Queen of Scots But farther I have not seen of him than that by his Testament bearing date 17 Maii An. 1589. 31 Eliz. he bequeth'd his Body to be reverently and comely buried in the Church of Compton Vinyates Also that he married two Wives first Frances daughter to Francis Earl of Huntington Secondly Anne daughter to Sir Iohn Spenser of Althorpe in Com. Northampt. Knight and departed this life in December 32 Eliz. leaving issue by the Lady Frances his first wife two sons viz. William his son and heir and Sir Thomas Compton Knight as also Margaret a daughter married to Henry Lord Mordant And by Anne his second wife one son called Henry made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of King Iames. Which William being first summon'd to Parliament in 35 Eliz. was made Knight of the Bath at the Creation of Charles Duke of York and in 15 Iac. constituted the King's Lieutenant within the Principality of UUales Whereupon the next ensuing year 2 Aug. he became advanc'd to the title of Earl of Northampton He was also install'd Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter and departing this life at his Lodgings in the Savoy within the Suburbs of London 24 Iunii An. 1630. 6 Car. 1. was buried at Compton with his Ancestors leaving issue by Elizabeth his wife sole daughter and heir to Sir Iohn Supenser Alderman of London Spenser his son and heir and one only daughter called Anne married to Vlick Lord Dunkelly son and heir to Richard Earl of Clanrickard in Ireland and of St. Albans in England Which Spenser succeeding him in his Title of Earl and standing firm in his Loyalty to the late King Charles of Blessed Memory readily took up Armes on his behalf against those Forces raised by the Predominant Party in the late Long-Parliament In which service encountring with divers Companies of Foot and some Troops of Horse under the command of Sir Iohn Gell of Hopton in Derbyshire and Sir William Brereton of Hanford in Cheshire two active persons for that party who had made head in Staffordshire he lost his life at Hopton-heath near Stafford 19 Martii An. 1642. Whereupon his Body was carried to Derby and there laid in All Hallows-Church in the Vault with the old Countess of Shrewsbury leaving issue by Mary his Wife daughter of Sir Francis Beaumont Knight six sons viz. Iames his son and heir Sir Charles Sir William Sir Spenser and Sir Francis all Knights and Henry Dr. of Divinity first Bishop of Oxford now of London As also two daughters Anne married to Sir Hugh Cholmley of Whitby in Com. Ebor. Baronet and Penelope to Sir Iohn Nicholas Knight of the Bath eldest son to Sir Edward Nicholas one of the Secretaries of State to the lâ—te King Charles the First and to His Majesty that now is Which
Devonshire of that Family by whom he left no Issue surviving Secondly Anne the sole Daughter and Heir to Sir Anthony Everard of Langleis in Com. Essex Knight by whom he left Issue one only surviving Son named William who succeeded him in his Honours and five Daughters viz. Susan Iane Anne Elizabeth and Mary whereof the two eldest died unmarried and of the rest Anne became the Wife of Sir Henry Wrothe of Durance in Com. Midd. Knight Elizabeth of Iohn Wroth of Longhton in Com. Essex Esq and Mary of Sir Rapâ—e Bovey of Caxton in Com. Cantabr Knight and departing this life upon the eighteenth day of December an 1639. was buried in the Vault of the Parish-Church at Little Estanes before mention'd Which William so succeeding him is now Comptroller of his Majesties Houshold and married two Wives First Dorothy sole Daughter and Heir to Sir Robert Banaster of Passenham in Com. Northampton Knight by whom he hath Issue two Sons Banaster Maynard and William Which William hath married the Lady Elizabeth Grey Daughter to Henry late Earl of Kent Surviving Dorothy his first Wife he hath since wedded the Lady Margaret Murray youngest Daughter to Iames Earl of Dyzert in Scotland and by her hath Issue one Son called Henry and Elizabeth a Daughter Lord Coventrie 4 Car. 1. THat the study and practise of our Common-Law hath raised many Men to great Wealth and Honour there is demonstration sufficient from sundry examples in all ages Amongst which these of Thomas Coventrie the Father and Thomas his Son are not the least For of Thomas the Father whose Birth was in Worcestershire and descent from Iohn Covenâ—rie Mercer Son of William Coventrie of the City of Coventrie Sheriff of London with Robert Whitington in an 1416. 4 H. 5. and Lord Mayor or of that City in an 1425. 4 H. 6. as also one of the Executors of Richard Whitington founder of Whitington Colledge I find that being a member of that honourable Society of the Inner-Temple London he became so happy a proficient in his Studies there as that in 38 Eliz. he was chosen Reader of that House for the Autumn Lecture though at that time hindred in performing the task by reason of a great Plague which then raged in London so that he Read not till Lent next following And ascending still higher in esteem in respect of his eminent knowledge was elected to the state and degree of a Serjeant at Law upon that Call in Easter-Term 1 Iac. As also in 3 Iac. to be the Kings Seâ—jeant and in Hillary Term before the end of that year being constituted one of the Justices for the Court of Common-Pleas sate on that Bench till xv Martini 4 Iac. inclusive but died shortly after as it seems leaving Thomas his Son and Heir whom he had entred of that Inne of Court Which Thomas pursuing his Fathers steps in those laudable Sâ—udies was made choice of for the Autumn-Reader in 14 Iac. being then Recorder of London Also shortly after that the Kings Sollicitor And upon the 16. of March before the end of that year was Knighted at â—heobalds In 15 Iac. being one of the Senior Benchers of that House he underwent the office of Treasurer there and in 18 Iac. was made the Kings Attorney General Rising by these gradations in 1 Car. 1 Nov. he was advanced to â—hat eminent Office of Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England and upon the tenth of April 4 Car. 1. dignified with the degree of a Baron of this Realm by the title of â—ord Coventrie of Ailesboroâ—gh in Com. Wigorn. Aftter which continuing in that Office with much Honour for the full term of fifteen years and upwards he departed this life at Durham-House in the Strand 14 Ian. an 1639. 15 Car. 1. and was buried in the Parish Church of Crome D'abitot in Com. Wigorn. leaving Issue by Sarah his first Wife Daughter to Edward Sebright of Blacksall in Com. Wigorn. Esq Thomas his Son and Heir and Elizabeth a Daughter married to Sir Iohn Hâ—re of Stow Bâ—rdolf in Com. Norfolk Knight And by Elizabeth his second Wife Daughter to Iohn Ardersey of Spursâ—ow in Com. Câ—ster Esq four Sons Iohn Francis Henry now one of his Majesties Principal Secreâ—aries of State and Sir William Coventrie Knight As also four Daughters Anne married to Sir William Savile of 〈◊〉 in Com. Ebor. Baronet Mary to Henry-Frederick â—hynne second Son to Sir Thomas Thynne of Loâ—g-Lete in Com. Wilts Knight Anne to Sir Anthâ—ny Ashley Cooper of Winburne St. Giles in Com. Dorset Baronet since advanced to the titles of Baron Ashley and Earl of Shaftsbuâ—y and Dorothy to Sir Iohn Pâ—ckington of Westwood in Com. Wigorn Baronet Which Thomas his Son and Heir succeeding him in his Honour married Mary Daughter to Sir William Crâ—ven Knight Lord Mayor of London in an 1611. 9 Iac. and departed this life ... Oct. an 1662. lâ—aving Issue two Sons Geoâ—ge and Thomas but no Daughter Which George now Lord Coventrie married Maâ—garâ—t Daughter to Iohn Earl of Thanâ—t and by her hath Issue Iohn his only Son and Margareâ— a Daughter Weston Earl of Portland 4 Car. 1. IN an 1619. 17 Iac. Sir Richard Weston Knight Son and Heir to Sir Hierome Weston of Roxwell in Com. Essex Knight Son of Richard Weston one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas from the first to the fourteenth year of Queen Eliz. reign and descended from the ancient Family of Weston sometimes of Weston subtus Liziard in Com. Staff being a person of great abilities was sent Embassador with Sir Edward Conway into Bohemia to close up the breach betwixt the Emperour and the Elector Palatine and the next ensuing vear was himself imployed to Bruxells in Flanders there to treat with the Embassadors of the Emperour and King of Spain touching the restitution of the Palaâ—inate Soon after which he was made choice of to be Chancellor and under-Treasurer of the Exchequer Which Office he underwent with such Wisdom and Integrity that upon the twenty fifth of May 22 Iac. he had a Commission to execute the Office of Treasurer of the Exchequer during the Kings pleasure Which trust he performed so well as that upon the thirteenth of April 4 Car. 1. he was advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Weston of Neyland and on the fifteenth of Iuly following constituted Lord Treasurer of England Also upon the ninth of April 6 Car. 1. elected Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter and on the 8 th of February next following made Captain of the Isle of Wight Lastly upon the 17 th of February 8 Car. 1. created Earl of Portland He married two Wives First Elizabeth Daughter to William Pinchion of Wriâ—â—le in Com. Essex Esq by whom he
and two days following with Remainder to Iohn de Clavering in Fee In 5 Edw. 3. his Father then living he was retained by Indenture with the Lord Henry de Percy to serve him in Peace and War for term of life with twenty Men at Arms against all Men except the King whereof five to be Knights receiving a hundred pound sterling per annum out of his Lordships of Topcliffe and Pokelington as also Robes and ... for himself with those Knights and all the rest And in time of War to have diet for himself his Gentlemen and six Grooms likewise Hay Oats Shooes and Nails for fifty nine Horses and Wages for fifty three inferior servants with Harness for his own Body And when he should be required to come to a Tourneament then to have four Knights with himself and their attendants likewise diet in his Hall for them and for five Grooms with Hay Oats Horsshooes and Nails for thirty and six Horâ—es and Wages for thirty and two servants as also Harness for his own Body Moreover that if he should be required to attend him in time of Parliament or otherwise to come himself with six Gentlemen and nine Horses having diet for three men in his Hall with Hay Oats Horsshooes and Nails for the number of Horses last specified and Wages for six servants The same year he obtained another Charter for Free-Warren in all his Demesn Lands and Lordships of Middleham Carleton Crakhall Snape Well Raskelfe Sheriff-Hoton and Galtres in Com. Ebor. As also in his Lordships of Houton and Stokton in Com. Nors In this year likewise doing his Fealty to William Prior of Durham upon Lammas day for the Mannor of Raby he told him that he would offer the Stag as his Ancestors had done saving that whereas his Father required that the Priors servants should be set aside at that time and his own serve in their stead he would be content that his should attend together with those of the Priors And whereas his Father insisted that his servants should only be admitted at Dinner he stood upon it that his should be there entertained the whole day and likewise the morrow at Breakfast Whereunto the Prior made answer that none of his Ancestors were ever so admitted and that he would rather quit the Stag then suffer any new custome to the prejudice of their Church But to this Ralph replied That he would perform the whole service or none and put the tryal of his right upon the Countrey The Prior therefore knowing him to be so powerful and that the Countrey durst not displease him declined the offer Howbeit at length to gain his favor in regard he had no small interest at Court and might do him a kindness or a displeasure was content for that one time he should perform it as he pleased so that it might not be drawn into example afterwards And to that purpose proposed that Indentures should be made betwixt them Whereupon the Lord Nevill brought but few with him and those more for the honor of the Prior then a burthen and so shortly after Dinner took his leave but left one of his servants to lodge there all night and to take his Breakfast there on the next day Protesting that being both a Son and Tenant to the Church he would not be burthensom to it in respect it would be no advantage to himself but might much damnifie it if he should bring with him as great a Train as he would saying What doth a Breakfast signifie to me Nothing And likewise That if the Prior would shew that he had no right to what he so claimed he would freely recede therefrom And if he had a right he would accept of a composition for it rather then be burthensome to the Covent But if they should put him to get his right by Law then he would not abate any thing thereof Whereupon inquiry being made amongst the eldest Monks of that House they affirmed that being of eight years standing when his Father was before repulsed they had often seen the Stag offered and that he never staid Dinner but when the Prior invited him And some ancient Men of the Country testified as much As also that so soon as the Stag was brought they carried him to the Kitchin and those who brought him were taken into the Hall to Breakfast as they that bring their Rents used to be Moreover when it hapned any of the Lords Nevill to be desired to stay Dinner with the Prior his Cook was admitted into the Kitchin to prepare a Dish for him So likewise another servant in the Cellar to chuse his Drink and in like manner some other at the Gate who knew his servants and followers meerly to let them in and keep out others who under pretence of being his servants might then intrude But this was only done by the Prior as out of courtesie and respect and not at all out of right Hereupon Henry le Scrope one of the Justices affirmed That he had been of Counsel with Ranulph de Nevill Father of this Ralph when he brought his Writ of Novell Disseisin against the Prior and then told him that he had no right at all Whereupon Ranulph let fall his Sute Some said that making this Claim out of his own Fee he ought there viz. in the Priory to shew some special evidence to assert his Claim Others that as the Prior did challenge nothing of him but what was reserved by the Grant so could not be unless he shewed a Charter for it And besides claiming to be entertained with as many as he should bring and not specifying the number there could be no lawful reason for it because the Stag was always offered on Holy Rood day whereupon grew an old Song in â—ithme as a lamentation for Robert de Nevill his Great Grandfather Wel I wa sal ys Hornes blaw Holy Rode this day Nou es he dede and lies law Was wont to blaw thain ay Moreover it was farther said that it never had been the custom of the Prior to make a Feast on that day when the servants of so great a person were to offer And that the Prior usually on S. Cutbberts day had wont to dine with the Bishop at some of his own Mannor Houses therefore who should compel him to make a Feast at home Likewise that those Lands were given to the Ancestor of this Lord Nevill when they were not such great Men as to have a Marshal a Boteler and other servants of State for in those days they had no more then Raby with its Appurtenances which was not then of so much worth as now For Brancepath and Raskelfe came to them since by marriage as also other Lands in Yorkshire and Richmundshire Therefore it could not be thought that the Prior of Durham did give them Lands of such value and purchase the service to be done for them at so high a rate especially considering
And in the month of Iuly brought her over with a great power unto Portsmouth whence having carried her to Arundell Castle where she had honourable reception from Queen Adeliza her Mother-in-law Widow of King Henry the First and then Wife to William Earl of Arundell he rode with ten Knights and as many Archers on horse-back first to Walingford and thence to Gloucester divulging her arrival to Brien Fitz-Count at Walingford and Milo Constable of England at Gloucester Which news was so acceptable to them that they forthwith prepared to arm on her behalf Then he marched to Worcester and upon the seventh Ides of December took that City Likewise in Aprill following at the instance of Raphe Painell he entred Notingham and having Plundered the Inhabitants Burnt the whole Town And in Anno 1141. 5 Steph. sailing into Normandy carryed with him certain Hostages from divers Noblemen of England who were friends to the Empress desiring that the Earl of Anjou her Husband should there keep them and come over himself for recovery of this Kingdom as the right of his Wife and Son After which viz. the next ensuing year having advertisement that King Stephen had beleagur'd Lincoln which the Earl of Chester then held for the Empress he came with a great power of the Welch aâ—d joyning with others to raise the Siege commanded the Rear of that Army And when both sides were drawn out for Battel made an Oration to the Souldiers First telling the Earl of Chester his Son-in-law who offered to lead on the Army that Being a person noble of Birth and excelling in Valour the Honour to strike the first stroke was not unworthy of him but quoth he that which incites me to fight is the madness and perjury of the King who had sworn Fealty to the Empress in the time of King Henry the First wherefore there being no retreat we must either conquer or dye It is therefore necessary that he who hath no other refuge should have recourse to his Valour Behold said he against whom it is that you are to fight and what manner of men they are Here is against you the Earl of Mellent a most deceitful person having iniquity in his heart fraud in his lips and sloth in his actions Next there is the Earl of Albemarle a drunkard but no Souldier and then there is Simon Earl of Northampton a man of words only who never makes performance of his promise c. Soon after which the fight began and was fiercely maintained for a while on each part but at length the King seeing his Army routed yielded himself to this Earl and was sent Prisoner to Bristoll Upon which success the Empress being too much elated came first to Cirencester so to Winchester where she was solemnly received with Procession by Henry de Blois the King's Brother then Bishop there and afterwards to London with purpose to treat of the state of the Realm where she had very honourable reception by the Citizens but application being made to her by the Queen Wife of King Stephen that the King her Husband might be enlarged on condition that he should render the Kingdom to her and live retiredly in some Cell or perpetually to travel as a Pilgrim she would by no means yield thereto On the other side the Citizens Petitioning her that they might enjoy the Laws of S. Edward and not be obliged to those promulged by her Father which they said were grievous she utterly refused to hearken to them Whereupon the people growing enraged resolved to seise upon her of which having advertisement she forthwith sent away her Houshold-stuff and fled to Oxford where she expected a full Rendezvous of all dispersed Souldiers and commanded that the King then in Prison at Bristoll should be more strictly kept and put in Fetters and so after a few days with this Earl of Gloucester her Brother she marched to Winchester and besieged the Castle there in which the Bishop then was Who seeing his condition sent to the Queen and those of the Nobles that were friends to King Stephen to come speedily to his relief Which accordingly they did and after them the Londoners whereby a powerful Army was soon got together which blocking up all Avenues to the City kept Provisions from the Besiegers and so galled them by frequent skirmishes as that being thus distressed on the one side and allarm'd by divers bold sallies from those within the Castle on the other by whom likewise a great part of the City was fired she sent three hundred of her men to Werwell-Abbey six miles distant there to erect a Fort by which means the Royalists might be so disturbed as that some Provisions might with more security be brought to her But this attempt took no good effect for the Royalists being made aware of it came suddenly to Werwell and making great slaughter amongst those who had begun that work occasioned such a consternation upon the Empress and her party that they were forthwith necessitated for prevention of their ruine to break through the Enemy by flight Which that she her self might the more securely do she crept into a Coffin and caused it to be carried as a dead Corps to Gloucester But upon that her flight this Earl passing thence another way was pursued closely and at Stoubregge taken together with the Earl Warren and many others and thereupon brought to the Queen by the Bishop of Winchester she being then in that City whence she sent him by William de â—pre who then had the power of Kent to be imprisoned in Rochester-Castle After which though offer was soon made to release him in exchange for the King he would not hearken to it but at length about the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy-Cross yielding thereto they were both of them set at liberty Being thus again at large and the King endeavouring to Besiege Walingford where the Empress then was assisted by the Earl of Chester and Hugh Bigod he hindred that design Thence he followed the King to Winchester and beat him off the making a Castle which he intended there and shortly after that sailed into Normandy where finding that Earl Geffrey had reduced that Country and was preparing to march into Anjou to pursue those who were then in Rebellion he previled with him to come into England with all his power and rescue the Kingdom his Wife and Children's Inheritance out of an Usurpers hands Whereupon with Henry his Son and some of his choicest Souldiers they landed at Warham Howbeit when they came thither this our Earl of Gloucester receiving Advertisement that King Stephen had then
an obscure Creeke what through the treachery of some of his servants and the Master of the Ship he was apprehended and committed prisoner to the Tower And being thus imprisoned a Charge was brought against him into the Star-Chamber that he had supported Romish-Priests contrary to Law As also that he held Intelligence with Cardinal Alen and Parsons the Jesuit the Queens enemies Likewise that he had by a publick writing declin'd the Justice of the Realm with purpose to be gone Whereupon though he professed his Allegiance to the Queen and love to his Countrey excusing himself for his ignorance of the Laws through his Zeal to divine contemplations and submitted himself to the censure of that Court they fined him at ten thousand pounds and doom'd him to imprisonment during the Queens pleasure And as if all this had not been enough upon suspicion that he favoured the Spaniard in 32 Eliz. he was brought to his Tryal by his Peers in Westminster-Hall before Henry Earl of Derby Lord High Steward for that occasion The substance of his charge being that he had contracted a strict friendship with Cardinal Alen and Parsons the Jesuit and other trayterous people who had conspired the ruine of their Prince and Country by stirring up both Forreiners as well as Subjects for restoring the Romish-Religion Also that he had sent Letters to Cardinal Alen by Weston alias Burgesse the Priest for advancing the Catholick cause and upon that account resolved to quit the Realm That he was privy to the Bull of Sixtus Quintus the Pope whereby he had excommunicated the Queen and exposed this Realm to the Spaniard That being a prisoner in the Tower he had caused Mass to be celebrated for the good success of the Spanish Fleet and likewise for that purpose had conceived private prayers To which hepleaded Not guilty But being found guilty had Sentence of death pronounced against him being then but thirty three years of age Whence being carried back to the Tower and his Execution forborn he totally applied himself to his devotions and to an austere and strict course of life until the nineteenth of November An. 1595. 38 Eliz. that he there died leaving Issue by Anne his Wife Daughter of Thomas and Sister and Coheir to George Lord Dacres of Gillesland Thomas his only Child Which Thomas being restored in blood in the Parliament held at Westminster 1 Iac. and to all such Titles of Honour and Precedence as the before specified Philip Earl of Arundel his Father lost by his attainder As also to the Honour State and Dignity of Earl of Surrey and to such dignity of Baronies only as Thomas late Duke of Norfolk his Grandfather lost by his attainder was installed Knight of the most noble order of the Garter 13 Maii An. 1611. 9 Iac. After which he travelled with his Lady into Italy but in November An. 1614 12 Iac. returned And upon the 29 of Aug. 19 Iac. was constituted Earl Marshal of England for life with a pension of two thousand pounds per annum Whereupon reviving that honorable Court which had antiently been held by the Constable and Marshall jointly wherein remedy was given for such abusive provocations as might occasion no little bloodshed by Duels or other more mischievous ways of revenge and some scruple being made as to the Jurisdiction of the Earl-Marshal alone without the Constable the next ensuing year he obtained other Letters Patent bearing date 1 Aug. 20 Iac. whereby that King after mature advice had with the Lords of his Council upon the point did declare that in the vacancy of the Constable of England the Earl Marshal had the like jurisdiction in that Court as both Constable and Marshal jointly ever exercised commanding him to proceed accordingly Which he thereupon did with much Honour to himself and his authority and to the great satisfaction of the Nobility and Gentry of this Realm in cases where they received such affronts and injuries for which by the rule of the Common Law no redress could be had until by the Votes of a predominant party in the late Long-Parliament his jurisdiction in that Court was blasted This most noble Earl a little before the Coronation of King Charles the first was join'd in Commission with William Earl of Pembroke to make such persons Knights of the Bath as the King should then think fit to call to that dignity And in 9 Car. 1. constituted Chief Justice of all the Forests North of Trent Moreover in 16 Car. 1. he was made General of the Army then raised to march into the North the Scots at that time being in Arms with no small numbers And by reason of his special services and great merits as also in respect of his lineal descent from Thomas de Brotherton Earl of Norfolk a younger Son to King Edward the first was by Letters Patents bearing date at Oxford 6 Iunii in the 20. year of the same Kings reign advanced to the title of Earl of Norfolk Shortly after which discerning the flames of War occasion'd by the prevalent party in the late Long Parliament more and more to increase his age being also such as rendred him not fit for further military imployments he obtained leave from the King to travel Whereupon going to Padua in Italy he there departed this life upon the 4 day of October An. 1646. After which his Corps being brought over into England was buried at Arundel in Sussex Leaving Issue by the Lady Alathea his Wife one of the Daughters and Coheirs to Gilbert Earl of Shrewsbury two sons surviving 1 Henry called Lord Moubray and Maltravers and secondly Sir William Howard Knight of the Bath who by reason of his marriage with Mary Sister and sole Heir to Henry Lord Stafford was by Letters Patent bearing date 12 Sept. 16 Car. 1. advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Stafford and she the said Mary of a Baroness And by other Letters Patent bearing date 11 Nov. next ensuing to the dignity and title of Vicount Stafford the other Sons of the said Thomas Earl of Arundel viz. Iames Thomas Gilbert and Charles dying all in his life time Which William so created Vicount Stafford hath Issue by her three Sons Henry Iohn and Francis and five Daughters 1 Alathea 2 Isabella married to Iohn Marquess of Winchester 3 Vrsula 4 Mary and 5 Anastasia I now come to Henry Lord Moubray and Maltravers for by those Titles he was summon'd to Parliament in his Fathers life time This Henry succeeding his Father in his Honours took to Wife Elizabeth Daughter to Esme Steward Lord d'Aâ—gbignie and Earl of March afterwards Duke of Lenox and by her had Issue nine Sons viz. Thomas Henry Philip Charles Talbot Edward Francis Bernard and Esme And three Daughters viz. the Lady Anne who died young the Lady
derive themselves from Herbert Fitz Herbert called Finch who was in ward to the King in 28 E. 1. and lineally descended from Henry Fitz Herbert Chamberlain to King Henry the first was Sir Moyle Finch of Eastwell in com Cantii Knight which Sir Moyle being a person of an ample Fortune was the twenty fifth in number as to precedence of those whom King Iames raised to the degree and title of Baronet in the ninth year of his Reign his Patent bearing date 23 Iunii And not long afterwards by reason of his great prudence in the management of publick affairs should have been more highly dignified in case his death had not prevented it For that consideration therefore and by reason that Elizabeth his widdow was not only the sole daughter and heir to Sir Thomas Heneage Knight Treasurer of the Chamber Vice Chamberlain of the Houshold and Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster to Queen Elizabeth as also one of her Privy Council but a Lady of excellent endowments the same King by his Letters Patent bearing date 8 Iulii in the twenty first year of his Reign advanced her to the dignity of a Vicountess by the title of Vicountess of Maydâ—â—on in Kent with limitation of that honor to the heirs male of her body lawfully begotten After which sâ—il in 4 Car. 1. having obtained from that King the favor of an higher title upon the twelfth of Iuly the same year she was created Countess of Winchelsey in com Suss. with the like limitation and departing this life 13 Martii An. 1633. had burial at Eastwell under a noble Monument there erected for them both The issue which she had by her said Husband was seven sons and four daughters first Sir Theophilus Finch Knight who married Elizabeth daughter to Sir Christopher Hayden of Baconsthorpe in Com. Norff. Knight but died without issue in his life time secondly Sir Thomas Finche Knight thirdly Iohn a Student of the Law of whom there is not now any issue remaining fourthly Sir Heneage Finche Knight Sergeant at Law and Recorder of the City of London fifthly Francis Finche of the Inner Temple who died without any issue surviving sixthly William and seventhly Robert who died both unmarried The daughters were these Anne married to Sir William Twisden of East-Peckham in com Cantii Barronet Catherine to Sir Iohn Wentworth of Gosfeild in com Essex Knight and Barronet and two others bearing the name of Elizabeth who died young Which Sir Thomas succeeding her in those honors married Cecilie daughter to Iohn and sister to the before-specified Sir Iohn Wentworth and departing this life at his house in Charter House-yard in the Suburbs of London 4 November An. 1639. was buried at Eastwell leaving issue surviving three sons Heneage Iohn and William and five daughters Frances married to Sir William Strickland of Boynton in com Ebor. Knight Anne to Sir William Waller Knight Catherine died young Cecilie to Sir Erasmus Philips Knight Diana 〈◊〉 Nicholas Tooke of Gadington in com Cantii Eâ—quire and another Catherine to Ambrose Moore Esquire To whom succeeded Heneage the eldest of those three sons now Earl of Winchelsey who married thrice first Diana daughter to Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham by whom he hath no issue surviving secondly the Lady Mary second daughter to William then Marquess of Hertford afterwards Duke of Somerset and being descended from the antient Family of Herbert long since of Eastwell before mentioned by reason of his faithful services to our present Soveraign King Charles the second manifested in the time of his unparrall'd distresses not only with great hazard supplying his necessities in forreign parts but by preparing Auxiliaries Horse and Foot upon occasion for his best service in acknowledgment of this his signal Fidelity was by Letters Patents bearing date 26 Iunii in the twelfth year of his Keign advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Fitz Herbert of Eastwell before specified Shortly after which he was sent Embassador into Turkey where he continued about eight years By which Lady he had issue six sons first William commonly called Lord Maidston secondly Heneage thirdly Thomas fourthly Charles fifthly Leopald and sixthly Lashley the three last being born in Turkey he had also issue by her two daughters now surviving the rest dying young viz. the Lady Frances married to Thomas Thynne Esquire son to Sir Henry-Frederick Thynne of Caurse-Castle in com Salop. Knight and the Lady Iane. His third wife is Catherine daughter to Sir Thomas Northelyffe of Langton in com Ebor. Knight widdow of Sir Iohn Wentworth of of â—msald in the same County Knight by whom he hath issue Catherine a daughter Which William called Lord Maydstone married Elizabeth the daughter of Thomas Windâ—am of Felbragg-Hall in com Norf. Esquire but being in that great Fight at Sea against the Dutch in May An. 1672. 24 Car. 2. had the ill hap to be there slain by a Cannon Bullet leaving issue one daughter called Mariamna and his Lady then great with Child of a son whereof she was delivered upon the twenty sixth of September next following whose name is Charles and now called Lord 〈◊〉 Iohn Lord Finche of Fordwiche 16 Car. 1. A Branch of this Family viz. Son of Sir Henry Finch of Mote in com Cantii Knight second Brother to Sir Moyle Finch was Iohn Finch who having his education in Grays-Inne became so great a proficient in his Study of the Laws that in 16 Iac. he was made choice of for the Autumn Reader there as also shortly afterwards viz. in An. 1627. 3 Car. 1. Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament And in 2 Car. 1. 3 Nov. constituted Treasurer for that honorable Society of Grays Inne Likewise upon the 13 of December following made the Queens Atturney General After this 8 Sept. 10 Car. 1. he was called to the state and degree of Serjeant at Law and upon the fourteenth of October constituted one of the Justices of the Court of Common-Pleas also upon the twenty first of Ianuary 11 Car. 1. Chief Justice in the same Court Moreover upon the death of Thomas Lord Coventry he had the office of Lord Keeper of the great Seal conferred upon him scil 23 Ian. 15 Car. 1. and lastly upon the seventh of April 16 Car. 1. was advanced to the dignity of a Baron of this Kealm by the title of Lord Finche of Fordwiche But long he continued not in that high place of Lord Keeper the predominant party in the late Long Parliament being so fierce upon him as that in Ianuary the next ensuing year to preserve himself from their severity he fled into the Netherlands and there continued till the happy Restauration of our present Sovereign King Charles the second He married twice first Eleanore daughter to Sir George Wyat of Boxley in com Cantii Knight secondly Mabella daughter of Charles