with small successe to do good offices betwixt the two Kingdomes Coming into England to visit her Brother K. Edward the third she deceased here without issue Anno 1357. and lyeth buried in Gray-Friers London It will not be amiss in Reference to her Name here to observe that Joan which is Feminine to John was a frequent name in the Royal Family of England as also amongst Foreign Princes and no wonder seeing we find a worthy woman of that name Benefactresse to our Saviour himself However seeing in later times it hath been counted but a Course and homely name and some Proverbs of Contempt have been cast thereon it hath since been m ollified into Jane sounding finer it seemes to an English eare though this modern name will hardly be found in any English writer three hundred yeares ago KATHERINE youngest Daughter to K. Henry the 7. and Elizabeth his Queen was born in the Tower of London on the 2 day of February Anno Dom. 1503. deceasing few dayes after It is a sad and probably too true an account of an Antient man which is given in his Epitaph Here lies the man was born and cry'd Liv'd sixty yeares fell sick and dy'd What was a bad Character of his aged unprofitablenesse is a good one of this infant Ladies innocence of whom we know nothing save that she sucked fell sick and deceased Only let me adde she was the last Princesse born in the Tower our English Kings hereafter removing their residence to Bridewel and White-hall and using the Tower not so much as a Palace for the State as Prison for the strength thereof ANNA BOLLEN Daughter of the Lord Thomas Bollen Earl of Wiltshire was as some of her Honourable relations still surviving do conjecture born in London and became second Wife to K. Henry 8th Indeed he passionately affected her when but a Lords Daughter but did not marry her till she was a Princesse Created by him Marchionesse of Pembroke partly to make her the more proportionable Match and partly to try how she would become a â—…oronet before she wore a Crown The Papists much disparage her memory malice will lye or must be dumb making all her Wit to consist in Boldnesse her Beauty in a French garb and her Modesty in a Cunning â—…oynesse whereas indeed she was a Lady accomplished in Body was it likely K. Henry would love what was not lovely and Vertuous in Mind and whilst a Favourite of the Kings a Favourer of all good men and great Promoter of the Gospel The Inconstancy of her husbands affections is conceived by most moderate men what else soever was pretended her chiefest crime and cause of her death which happened Anno 1536. KATHERINE HOWARD Daughter to the Lord Edmond Howard son to Thomas Duke of Norfolk was though her father had large lands and houses in many places probably born in London and at last became fifth wife to K. Henry the eighth Such as desire to know the names number and successe of all six may conceive K. Henry thus speaking on his death bed Three Kates two Nans and one dear Jane I wedded One Spanish one Dutch and four English Wives From two I was divorc'd two I beheaded One died in childbed and one me survives Of this Katherine Howard little is reported and yet too much if all be true of her incontinency which cost her her life The greatest good the Land got by this match was a general leave to marry Cousin-Germans formerly prohibited by the Canon and hereafter permitted by the Common-law A door of lawful liberty left open by God in Scripture shut by the Pope for his private profit opened again by the King first for his own admittance this Katherine being Cousin-German to Anna Bollen his former Wife and then for the service of such Subjects as would follow him upon the like occasion This Lady was beheaded Anno Domini 1540. Saints Not to speak of St. Sedd born in this City and afterwards Bishop thereof of whom we find nothing reported save that he was very instrumental to the converting of the Mercians we begin with WULSINE who was born in this City of worthy Parents breeding him up in the Devotion of that age and became a Benedictine Monk till at last by his fast friend St. Dunstan he was preferred first Abbot of Westminster whence he was afterwards removed to be Bishop of Sherburne in Dorsetshire A mighty Champion he was for a Monastical life and therefore could not be quiet till he had driven all the secular priests out of Sherburne and substituted Monks in their room I read not of any Miracle done by him either whilst living or when dead save that in the juncture of both he is said with St. Stephen to have seen Heavens opened c. He had contracted great intimacy with one Egeline a virtuous Knight who died on the same day with him and he injoyned his Monks that they should both be buried in one Grave their joynt death happened January the 8th Anno 985. THOMAS BECKET son to Gilbert Becket Merchant and Maud his wife was born in this City in the place where now Mercers-Chappel is erected I have Reader been so prodigal in the large description of his life in my Ecclesiastical History that I have no new observable left to present you with Onely when I consider of the multitude of vows made by superstitious Pilgrims to his Sbrine where the stones were hallowed with their bended knees I much admire at their Will-worship no vowes appearing in Scripture but what were made to God alone And therefore most impudent is the attempt of those Papists tampering to corrupt Holy Writ in favour of such vowes reading in the Vulgar Latine Prov. 20. 25. Ruina est homini devotare Sanctos post vota retractare Instead of Ruina est homini devorare Sancta post vota retractare It is a snare to a man who often maketh vowes to Saints and after vowes retracteth them It is a snare to a man who devoureth that which is holy and after vowes to make enquiry This Becket was slain as is notoriously known on Innocents-day in his own Church of Canterbury 1170. Martyrs WILLIAM SAUTRE alià s Chatris Parish-Priest of the Church of St. Osiths London was the first Englishman that was put to death by fire for maintaining the opinions of Wicliffe In the Primitive times pardon Reader no impertinent digression such the lenity and tendernesse of the Fathers of the Church towards Hereticks that contenting themselves with condemning their blasphemous opinions they proceeded to no penalty on their persons Yea in after ages when the Christian Emperour would have punisht the furious Donatists with a pecunlary mulct the Holy men of those times so earnestly interceded as to procure the remission And St. Augustine himself who was most zealous in his writing against those Donatists professeth he had rather be himself slain by them than by detecting them be
Daughter Frances Countess of Warwick scatter her Benesactions the thicker in that place But I have been informed that his Ancestor by some accident came out of Cornwell where his Name is right Antient. He was bred in the study of our Municipall Law and such his proficiency therein that in the sixteenth of Queen Elizabeth in Michaelmas Term he was made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-bench He was not like that Judge who feared neither God nor man but onely one Widow lest her importunity should weary him but he heartily feared God in his Religious Conversation Each man he respected in his due distance off of the Bench and no man on it to biass his judgement He was pro tempore Lord Privy Seal and sate Chief in the Court when Secretary Davison was sentenced in the Star Chamber Sir Christopher collecting the censures of all the Commissioners concurred to Fine him but with this Comfortable conclusion that as it was in the Queens power to have him punished so Her Highness might be prevailed with for mitigating or remitting of the Fine and this our Judge may be presumed no ill instrument in the procuring thereof He bountifully reflected on Magdalen-colledge in Cambridge which infant Foundation had otherwise been starved at nurse for want of maintenance We know who saith * the righteous man leaveth an inheritance to his Childrens Children and the well thriving of his third Generation may be an evidence of his well-gotten goods This worthy Judge died May the eighth in the thirty fourth of Queen Elizabeth States Men. Pardon Reader my post poning this Topick of States-Men being necessitated to stay a while for further information Sir JOHN PUCKERING Kt. was born at Flamborough head in this County as I have learned out of the Notes of that industrious and judicious Antiquary Mr. Dodâ—…worth He was second Son to his Father a Gentleman who left him neither plentiful nor penurious estate his breeding was more beneficial to him than his portion gaining thereby such skill in the Common Law that he became Queens-Serjeant Speaker in the House of Commons and at last Lord Chancellor of England How he stood in his judgement in the point of Church-Discipline plainly appeareth by his following Speech delivered in the House of Lords 1588. the Original whereof was courteously communicated unto me And especially you are commanded by Her Majesty to take heed that no eare be given nor time afforded to the wearisome solicitations of those that commonly be called Puritans wherewithal the late Parliaments have been exceedingly importuned which sort of men whilest that in the giddiness of their Spirits they labour and strive to advance a new Eldership they do nothing else but disturb the good repose of the Church and Commonwealth which is as well grounded for the body of Religion it self and as well guided for the Discipline as any Realm that prosesseth the Truth and the same thing is already made good to the world by many the writings of Godly and Learned men neither answered nor answerable by any of these new fangled Refiners And as the present case standeth it may be doubted whether they or the Jesuits do offer more danger or be more speedily to be repressed For albeit the Jesuites do empoison the hearts of her Majesties Subjects under a pretext of Conscience to withdraw them from their obedience due to Her Majesty Yet do they the same but closely and only in privy corners But these men do both teach and publish in their printed Books â—…nd teach in all their Conventicles sundry opinions not only dangerous to the well-setled Estate and Policy of the Realm by putting a Pique between the Clergy and the Laâ—…ty But also much derogatory to Her Saâ—…red Majesty and Her Crown as well by the diminution of her ancient and lawfull Revenues and by denying her Highness Prerogative and Supremacy as by offâ—…ng peril to her Majesties safety in her own Kingdom In all which things however in other points they pretend to be at war with the Popish Jesuites yet by this separation of themselves from the unity of their Fellow-Subjects and by abasing the Sacred Authority and Majesty of their Prince they do both joyn and concur with the Jesuites in opening the door and preparing the way to the Spanish Invasion that is threatned against the Realm And thus having according to the weaknesse of my best understanding delivered Her Majesties Royal pleasure and wise direction I rest there with humble suit for Her Majesties most gracious pardon in supply of my defects and recommend you to the Author of all good counsel He died Anno Domini 1596. caractered by Mr. Cambden VIR INTEGER His estate is since descended according to the solemn settlement thereof the male-issue failing on Sir Henry Newton who according to the condition hath assumed the Surâ—…name of Puckering and I can never be sufficiently thankful to him and his Relations Sir GEORGE CALVERT Kt. was born at Kiplin near Richmond in this County had his education first in Trinity Colledge in Oxford then beyond the Seas His abilities commended him first to be Secretary to Robert Cecil Earl of Sarisbury Lord Treasurer of England Afterwards he was made Clerk of the Councel and at last principal Secretary of State to King James succeeding Sir Thomas Lakes in that office Anno 1619. Conceiving the Duke of Buckingham highly instrumental in his preferment he presented him with a Jewel of great value which the Duke returned him again not owning any activity in his advancement whom King James ex mero motu reflecting on his ability designed for the place This place he discharged above five years until he willingly resigned the same 1624. on this occasion He freely confessed himself to the King That he was then become a Roman Catholick so that he must either be wanting to his Trust on violate his Consolence in discharging his office This his ingenuity so highly affected King James that he continued him Privy Councellor all his raign as appeareth in the Councel-Book and soon after created him Lord Baltemore of Baltemore in Ireland During his being Secretary he had a Patent to him and his Heirs to be Absolutus Dominus Proprietarius with the Royalties of a Count Palatine of the Province of Avalon in New-found-Land A place so named by him in imitation of old Avalon in Somerset shire wherein Glassenbury stands the first fruits of Christianity in Britain as the other was in that part of America Here he built a fair House in Ferry Land and spent five and twenty thousand pounds in advancing the Plantation thereof Indeed his publick spirit consulted not his private profit but the enlargement of Christianity and the Kings Dominions After the death of King James he went twice in person to New found-Land Here when Mounsier de l'Arade with three Men of War sent from the King of France had reduced our English Fishermen to great extremity This Lord with two Ships manned at
King Iames Bishop of Salisbury He dyed in his calling having begun to put in print an excellent book against Atheists most useful for our age wherein their sin so aboundeth His Death happened March 11. 1619. not two full years after his Consecration Statesmen EDVVARD FINES Lord Clinton Knight of the Garter was Lord Admiral of England for more then thirty years a Wise Valiant and Fortunate Gentleman The Masterpeice of his service was in Mustleborough Field in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth and the Battail against the Scots Some will wonder what a Fish should do on dry Land what use of an Admiral in a Land fight But know the English kept themselves close to the shore under the shelter of their ships and whilst their Arrows could do little their spears lesse their swords nothing against the Scots who appeared like a hedge of Steel so well armed and closed together the great Ordnance from their ships at first did all making such destruction in the Scottish army that though some may call it a Land-fight it was first a Victory from the sea and then but an Execution on the Land By Queen Elizabeth who honoured her honours by bestowing them sparingly he was created Earl of Lincoln May 4. 1574. and indeed he had breadth to his height a proportionable estate chiefly in this County to support his Dignity being one of those who besides his paternal Inheritance had much increased his estate He dyed January the sixteenth 1585. and lyeth buryed at Windsor in a private chappel under a stately Monument which Elizabeth his third Wife Daughter to the Earl of Kildare erected in his Remembrance THOMAS WILSON Doctor of Laws was born in this County bred Fellow of Kings-Colledge in Cambridge and afterwards was Tutor in the same University to Henry and Charles Brandons successively Dukes of Suffolk Hard shift he made to conceal himself in the Reign of Queen Mary Under Queen Elizabeth he was made Master of the Hospital of St. Katharines nigh the Tower of London upon the same Token that he took down the Quire which my Author saith allow him a little Hyperbole was as great as the Quire at St. Pauls I am loth to believe it done out of Covetousnesse to gain by the materials thereof but would rather conceive it so run to Ruin that it was past repairing He at last became Secretary of State to Q. Elizabeth for four years together It argues his ability for the place because he was put into it Seeing in those active times under so judicious a Queen weaknesse might despair to be employed in such an office He dyed anno dom 15. THOMAS Lord BURGE or BOROUâ—…H Son to William Lord Burge Grandson to Thomas Lord Burge created Baron by King Henry the Eight was born in his Fathers Fair house at Gainsborough in this County His first publick appearing was when he was sent Embassador into Scotland anno 1593. to excuse Bothwell his lurking in England to advise the speedy suppressing of the Spanish Faction and to advance an effectual association of the Protestants in that Kingdome for their Kings defence which was done accordingly Now when Sir William Russel Lord Deputy of Ireland was recalled this Lord Tho. Burgh was substituted in his room anno 1597. Mr. Camden doth thus character him Vir acer animi plenus â—…ed nullis fere castrorum rudimentis But where there is the stock of Valour with an able brain Experience will soon be graffed upon it It was first thought fit to make a Months Truce with Tyrone which cessation like a Damm made their mutual animosities for the present swell higher and when removed for the future run the fiercer The Lord Deputy the Truce expired streightly besieged the Fort of Blackwater the only Receptacle of the Rebells in those parts I mean besides their Woods and Bogs the Key of the County of Tyrone This Fort he took by Force and presently followed a bloody Battle wherein the English paid dear for their Victory loosing many worthy men and amongst them two that were Foster brothers Fratres Collactanei to the Earl of Kildare who so layed this losse to his heart amongst the Irish Foster brethren are loved above the Sons of their fathers that he dyed soon after Tyrons credit now lay a bleeding when to stanch it he rebesieged Blackwater and the Lord Deputy whilst indevouring to relieve it was struck with untimely death before he had continued a whole year in his place All I will add is this that it brake the heart of Valiant Sir John Norris who had promised the Deputies place unto himself as due to his deserts when this Lord Burgh was superinduced into that Office His Relict Lady famous for her Charity and skill in Chirurgery lived long in Westminster and dyed very aged some twenty years since WILLIAM CECIL Know Reader before I go farther something must be premised concerning his position in this Topick Virgil was prophane in his flattery to Augustus Caesar profering him his free choice after his death to be â—…anked amongst what heathen Gods he pleased so that he might take his place either amongst those of the Land which had the oversight of Men and Cities or the Sea-Gods commanding in the Ocean or the Skye-Gods and become a new Constellation therein But without the least adulation we are bound to profer this worthy Peer his own election whether he will be pleased to repose himself under Benefactors to the Publick all England in that age being beholden to his bounty as well as the poor in Standford for whom he erected a fair Bead-house acknowledging under God and the Queen their prosperity the fruit of his prudence Or else he may rest himself under the title of Lawyers being long bred in the Inns of Court and more learned in our Municipal-Law then many who made it their sole profession However for the present we lodge this English Nestor for wisdome and vivacitie under the notion of States-men being Secretarie and Lord-Treasurer for above thirty years together Having formerly written his life at large it will be enough here to observe that he was born at Bourn in this County being son to Richard Cecil Esq of the Robes to King Henry the eighth and a Legatee in his Will and Jane his Wife of whom hereafter He was in his age Moderator Aulae steering the Court at his pleasure and whilst the Earl of Leichester would indure no equall and Sussex no superiour therein he by siding with neither served himself with both Incredible was the kindness which Queen Elizabeth had for him or rather for her self in him being sensible that he was so able a Minister of State Coming once to visit him being sick of the Goute at Burley house in the Strand and being much heightned with her Head Attire then in fashion the Lords Servant who conducted her thorow the door May your Highness said he be pleased to stoop the Queen
the Chequer and afterwards Treasurer of England and twice Embassadour to the King of France He deserved right well of his own Cathedrall and dying October 31. 1228. was buried under a Marble Tombe on the South-side of the Presbytery WILLIAM de MELTON was born in this County wherein are four villages so named and preferred therein Provost of Beverly and Canon then Arch-bishop of York He went to Avinion there to procure his Consecration I say to Avinion whither then the Court was removed from Rome and continued about threescore and ten years on the same token that those remaining at Rome almost starved for want of employment called this the seventy years captivity of Babilon Consecrated after two years tedious Attendance he returned into England and fell to finish the fair fabrick of his Cathedrall which John Roman had began expending seven hundred Marks therein His life was free from Scandall signall for his Chastity Charity Fasting and Praying He strained up his Tenants so as to make good Musick therewith but not break the string and surely Church-lands were intended though not equally yet mutually for the comfortable support both of Landlord and Tenants Being unwilling that the Infamy of Infidell should be fixed upon him according to the Apostles Doctrine for not providing for his family he bought three Mannors in this County from the Arch-bishop of Roan with the Popes Confirmation and setled them on his Brothers Son whose Descendant William Melton was High-sheriff of this County in the Fiftieth of King Edward the third There is a Place in York as well as in London called the Old-baly herein more remarkable then that in London that Arch-bishop Melton compassed it about with a great Wall He bestowed also much cost in adorning Feretrum English it the Bear or the Coffin of Saint William a Person purposely omitted by my Pen because no assurance of his English Extraction Arch-bishop Melton dyed after he had sate two and twenty years in his See Anno Domini 1340. Entombed in the Body of his Church nigh the Font whereby I collect him buried below in the Bottom of the Church that Instrument of Christian Initiation antiently advancing but a little above the Entrance into the Church HENRY WAKEFEILD is here placed with Assurance there being three Towns of that name in and none out of this County Indeed his is an Episcopall Name which might mind him of his Office the Diocess of Worcester to which he was preferred Anno 1375. by King Edward the third being his Field and he by his place to Wake or watch over it Nor hear I of any complaints to the contrary but that he was very vigilant in his Place He was also for one year Lord Treasurer of England Dying March 11. 1394. he lyeth covered in his own Church Ingenti marmore and let none grudge him the greatness of his Grave-stone if two foot larger then ordinary who made the Body of this his Church two Arches longer Westward then he found it besides a fair Porch added thereunto RICHARD SCROOPE son to the Lord Scroope of Bolton in this County brother to William Earl of Wilt-shire was bred a Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge attaining to be a man of great learning and unblamable life Nor was it so much his high extraction as his own Abilities causing him to be preferred Bishop first of Coventry and Lichfield then Arch-bishop of York Being netled with the news of his Earl-brothers Beheading he conjoyned with the Earl of Northumberland the Earl Marshall Lord Bardolph and others against King Henry the fourth as an Usurper and Invader of the Liberties of Church and State The Earl of Westmerland in outward deportment complied with him and seemed to approve a Writing wherein his main intentions were comprised so to Trepan him into his destruction Toling him on till it was too late for him either to advance or retreat the King with his Army being at Pontfract Bishop Godwin saith it doth not appear that he desired to be tried by his Peers and I believe it will appear that nothing was then Calmly or Judiciously transacted but all being done in an hurry of heat and by Martiall Authority The Executioner had five strokes at his Neck before he could sunder it from his Body Imputable not to his Cruelty but Ignorance it not being to be expected that one nigh York should be so dextrous in that trade as those at London His beheading happened Anno 1405. STEPHEN PATRINGTON was born in the Village so called in the East-riding of this County He was bred a Carmelite and Doctor of Divinity in Oxford and the three and twentieth Provinciall of his Order through out England for fifteen years It is incredible saith Leland what Multitudes of People crowded to his Sermons till his Fame preferred him Chaplain and Confessour to King Henry the fifth He was deputed of the King Commissioner at Oxford to enquire after and make Process against the Poor Wicklevites and as he was busyed in that employment he was advanced to the Bishoprick of Saint Davids Hence he was sent over to the Councill of Constance and therein saith Walsingham gave great Testimony of his ability Returning into England he was made Bishop of Chichester but dying before his Translation was finished 1417. was buried in White-fryars in Fleetstreet WILLIAM PEIRCY was Son to Henry Peircy second Earl of Northumberland of that Name and Eleanour Nevill his Wife Indeed the Son of a Publique Woman conversing with many men cannot have his Father certainly assigned and therefore is commonly called Filius Populi As a base child in the Point of his Father is subject to a shamâ—…full so is the Nativity of this Prelate as to the Place thereof attended with an Honorable Uncertainty whose Noble Father had so many houses in the Northern Parts that his Son may be termed a Native of North-England but placed in this County because Topliffe is the Principall and most Antient seat of this Family He was bred a Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge whereof he was Chancellour and had a younger Brother George Peircy a Clerk also though attaining no higher preferment then a Prebend in Beverly Our William was made Bishop of Carlile 1452. Master Mills erroneously maketh him afterwards Bishop of Wells and it is enough to detect the mistake without disgracing the Mistaker He died in his See of Carlile 1462. CUTHBERT TONSTALL was born at Hatchforth in Richmond-shire in this County of a most Worshipfull Family whose chief seat at Tonstall Thurland not far off and bred in the University of Cambridge to which he was in books a great Benefactor He was afterwards Bishop of London and at last of Durham A great Grecian Orator Mathematician Civilian Divine and to wrap up all in a word a fast friend to Erasmus In the raign of King Henry the eight he publiquely confuted the papall supremacy in a learned Sermon with various and solid arguments preached on
204. This hope of Comfort came to his Lord-ship thereby that if it pleased God to impart any mercy to him as his mercy endureth for ever it was by the especial Ministry of this Man who was the last of his Coat that was with him in his sickness He was a principal means of recovering Durham house unto his See This house was granted by King Edward the sixth to the Lady afterwards Queen Elizabeth only for term of life and lay long neglected during her Raign till Bishop James about the sixth of King James regained it and repaired the Chappel which he found not only Profaned but even defaced to his great cost and furnished it very decently He once made so compleat an Entertainment for Queen Elizabeth that Her Majesty commended the order and manner thereof for many years after This maketh me the more to admire at what I have heard reported that when King James in his progress to Scotland Anno 1617. passed through the Bishoprick of Durham some neglect was committed by this Bishops Officers for which the King secretly and sharply check'd this Bishop who layed it so to heart that he survived the same Reproof not a full twelvemonth JOHN RICHARDSON was as he told me born in this County of a Family of good worship and great antiquity therein After his hopeful education in Country Schools he was bred in the University of Dublin where he was Graduated Doctor in Divinity and afterwards was made Bishop of Ardagh in Ireland In the late Rebellion he came over into England continuing for many years therein Episcopal Gravity was written in his Countenance and he was a good Divine according to the Rule Bonus Textuarius bonus Theologus no man being more exact in Knowledge of Scripture carrying a Concordance in his Memory Great was his paines in the Larger Annotations especially on Ezechiel For let not the Cloaks carry away the credit from the Gowns and Rochet in that Work seeing this Bishop might say Pars Ego magna fui and Doctor Featly with others of the Episcopal Party bare a great share therein Our Saviour we know lived on the Charity of such good People as ministred unto him and yet it may be collected that it was his constant custome especially about the feast of the Passover to give some Almes to the poor So our Bishop who was relieved by some had his Bounty to bestow on others and by his Will as I am Informed he bequeathed no inconsiderable Legacy to the Colledge in Dublin He died Anno 1653. in the 74. year of his Age. States men Sir THOMAS EGERTON Knight was extracted from the Ancient Family of the Egertons of Ridley in this County bred in the Study of the Municipal Laws of our Land wherein he attained to such eminency that Queen Elizabeth made him her Solicitor then Master of the Rolls and at last Keeper of the Great Seal May 6. in the 38. year of her Raign 1596. Olaus Magnus reporteth that the Emperour of Muscovia at the Audience of Embassadours sendeth for the Gravest and Seemliest men in Musco and the Vicinage whom he apparelleth in Rich Vests and placing them in his presence pretendeth to Forraigners that these are of his Privy-council who cannot but be much affected with so many Reverend aspects But surely all Christendome afforded not a Person which carried more Gravity in his Countenance and Behaviour then Sir Thomas Egerton in so much that many have gone to the Chancery on purpose only to see his Venerable Garb happy they who had no other business and were highly pleased at so acceptable a Spectacle Yet was his Outward Case nothing in comparison of his Inward Abilities Quick Wit Solid Judgment Ready Utterance I confess Master Camden saith he entred his Office Magna expectatione Integritatis opinione With a great expectation and opinion of Integrity But no doubt had he revised his Work in a second Edition he would have afforded him a full-faced commendation when this Lord had turned his expectation into performance In the first of King James of Lord Keeper he was made Lord â—…hauncellour which is only another Name for the same Office and on Thursday the seventh of Novemb. 1616. of Lord Elismer he was created Viscount Brackley It is given to Courts whose Jurisdictions do border to fall out about their bounds and the Contest betwixt them is the hotter the higher the Spirits and Parts of the Respective Judges Great the Contention for many years together betwixt this Lord of Equity and Sir Edward Cook the Oracle of Justice at Westminster-hall I know not which of them got the better sure I am such another Victory would if this did not have undone the Conqueror He was attended on with Servants of most able parts and was the sole Chancellor since the Reformation who had a Chaplain which though not immediatly succeeded him in his place He gave over his Office which he held full twenty years some few days before his death and by his own appointment his body was brought down and buried at Duddleston in this County leaving a fair Estate to his Son who was afterwards Created Earl of Bridgwater When he saw King James so profuse to the Scots with the grave Fidelity of a States-man he sticked not often to tell him that as he held it necessary for his Majesty amply to remunerate those his Country-men so he desired him carefully to preserve his Crown-lands for his own support seeing he or his Successourâ—… might meet with Parliaments which would not supply his Occasions but on such Conditions as would not be very acceptable unto him It was an ordinary Speech in his Mouth to say Frost and Fraud both end in Foul. His death happened Anno Dom. 1616. Capitâ—…l Judges Sir HUMPHRY STARKEY was born with most Probability in this County where his Name is in good hath been in a better Esteem and Estate He in the Study of our Laws so profited that after some intermediate Dignities he was preferred Chief Baron of the Exchequer I cannot with certainty fix his admission into that Office Confused Times causing Confused Dates but with as much certainty as we can collect we conclude him preferred to that place 1. Henrici 7. We need enquire no farther into his ability finding him by so wise and frugal a King imployed in a place belonging to his Coffers who though he was sometimes pleased to be remiss in matters which concerned his Subjects was ever carefull in things wherein his own Emolument was interested Wonder not that we have so little left of this Judge his Actions because Empson and Dudly Loaders grinding more then the Chief Miller were such Instruments whose over-activity made all others seem Slugs in that Court It doth sound not a little to the praise of our Starkey that whereas that Age was justly complaining of the Extortions of the Kings Officers nothing of that nature no hearing best hearing in this kind is
their own Country Well it were if this good old custome were resumed for if where God hath given Talents men would give but Pounds I mean encourage hopefull Abilities with helpfull Maintenance able persons would never be wanting and poor men with great parts would not be excluded the Line of preferment This Sir Thomas was afterwards Secretary of State to Queen Elizabeth and a grand benefactor to both Universities as I have formerly declared at large He died Anno Domini 1577. THOMAS HOWARD wherever born is justly reputed of this County wherein he had his first honour and last habitation He was second son to Thomas last Duke of Norfolk but eldest by his wife Margaret sole heir to Thomas Lord Audley Queen Elizabeth made him Baron of Audley and Knight of the Garter and King James who beheld his father a State-Martyr for the Queen of â—…ots in the first of his raign advanced him Lord Chamberlain and Earl of Suffolk and in the twelfth of his raign July 12. Lord Treasurer of England He was also Chancellour of Cambridge loving and beloved of the University When at his first coming to Cambridge Master Francis Nethersole Orator of the University made a Latine Speech unto him this Lord returned though I understand not Latine I know the Sence of your Oration is to tell me that I am wellcome to you which I believe verily thank you for it heartily and will serve you faithfully in any thing within my power Doctor Hasnet the Vice-chancellour laying hold on the Handle of so fair a Proffer requested him to be pleased to Entertain the King at Cambridge a Favour which the University could never compass from their former great and wealthy Chancellours I will do it saith the Lord in the best manner I may with the speediest conveniency Nor was he worse then his word giving his Majesty not long after so Magnificent a Treatment in the University as cost him five thousands pounds and upwards Hence it was that after his death Thomas his second son Earl of Bark-shire not suing for it not knowing of it was chosen to succeed him losing the place as some suspected not for lack of voices but fair counting them He died at Audley end Anno Domini 1626. being Grand-father to the right Honourable James Earl of Suffolk RICHARD WESTON I behold him son to Sir Jerome Weston Sheriff of this County in the one and fourtieth of Queen Elizabeth and cannot meet with any of his relations to rectifie me if erronious In his youth he impaired his estate to improve himself with publique accomplishment but came off both a saver and a gainer at the last when made Chancellor of the Exchequer and afterwards upon the remove of the Earl of Marlburrough July 15. in the fourth of King Charles Lord Treasurer of England But I hear the Cocks crow proclaiming the dawning day being now come within the ken of many alive and when mens memories do arise it is time for History to haste to bed Let me onely be a Datary to tell the Reader that this Lord was Created Earl of Portland February 17. in the eight of King Charles and died Anno Domini 163. being father to the right Honorable Jerome now Earl of Portland Capitall Judges Sir JOHN BRAMSTONE Knight was born at Maldon in this County bred up in the Middle-Temple in the study of the Common-law wherein he attained to such eminency that he was by King Charles made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench One of deep learning solid judgement integrity of life gravity of behaviour in a word accomplished with all qualities requisite for a Person of his place and profession One instance of his integrity I must not forget effectually relating to the Foundation wherein I was bred Serjeant Bruerton of whom formerly bequeathed by Will to Sidney-colledge well nigh three thousand pounds but for haste or some other accident so imperfectly done that as Doctor Samuel Ward informed me the gife was invalid in the Rigour of the Law Now Judge Bramstone who married the Serjeants Widdow gave himself much trouble gave himself indeed doing all things gratis for the speedy payment of the money to a Farthing and the legal setling thereof on the Colledge according to the true intention of the dead He deserved to live in better times the delivering his judgement on the Kings side in the case of Ship â—…oney cost him much trouble The posting Press would not be perswaded to stay till I had received farther instructions from the most Hopefull sons of this worthy Judge who died about the year 1646. Souldiers ROBERT FITZ-WALTER It is observable what I read in my Author that in the raign of King John there were three most eminent Knights in the land 〈◊〉 for their prowess viz. Robert Fitz-Roger Richard Mont-Fâ—…chet and this Robert Fitz-Walter Two of which three a fair proportion fall to be natives of this County This Robert was born at Woodham-walters and behaved himself right 〈◊〉 on all occasions highly beloved by King Richard the first and King John untill the later banished him the land because he would not prostitute his daughter to his pleasure But worth will not long want a Master the French-King joyfully entertained him till King John recalled him back again on this occasion five-years truce being concluded betwixt the two Crowns of England and France an English-man challenged any of the French to just a course or two on horse-back with him whom Fitz-Walter then oâ—… the French party undertook and at the first course with his great spear fell'd horse and man to the ground Thus then and ever since English-men generally can be worsted by none but English-men Hereupon the King next day sent for him restored his lands with license for him to repair his Castles and particularly Bainards-castle in London which he did accordingly He was styled of the common-people The Marshall of Gods Army and Holy-Church He died Anno Domini 1234. and lieth buried in the Priory of Little-Dunmow Sir JOHN HAWKEWOOD Knight Son to Gilbert Hawkewood Tanner was born in Sible heningham This John was first bound an apprentice to a Taylor in the City of London but soon turned his needle into a sword and thimble into a shield being pressed in the service of King Edward the third for his French Wars who rewarded his valour with Knighthood Now that mean men bred in manuall and mechanick trades may arrive at great skill in Martiall performances this Hawkewood though an eminent is not the onely instance of our English nation The heat of the French Wars being much remitted he went into Italy and served the City of Florence which as yet was a Free State Such Republiques preferred forrainers rather then natives for their Generalls because when the service was ended it was but disbursing their pay and then disbanding their power by cashering their Commission such Forraigners having no advantage to continue their
may be said to have ushered him to the English Court whilest the Lady Lucy Countess of Bedford led him by the one hand and William Earl of Pembroke by the other supplying him with a support far above his patrimonial income The truth is Sommersets growing daily more wearisome made Villiers hourly more welcome to K. James Soon after he was knighted created successively Baron Viscount Villiers Earl Marquess Duke of Buckingham and to bind all his honours the better together the noble Garter was bestowed upon him And now Offices at Court not being already void were voided for him The Earl of Worcester was perswaded to part with his place of Master of the horse as the Earl of Nottingham with his Office of Admiral and both conferred on the Duke He had a numerous and beautiful female kindred so that there was hardly a noble Stock in England into which one of these his Cients was not grafted Most of his Neices were matched with little more portion then their Uncles smiles the forerunner of some good Office or Honour to follow on their Husbands Thus with the same act did he both gratifie his kindred and fortifie himself with noble alliance It is seldome seen that two Kings father and Son tread successively in the same Tract as to a Favourite but here King Charles had as high a kindness for the Duke as K. James Thenceforward he became the Plenipotentiary in the English Court some of the Scottish Nobility making room for him by their seasonable departure out of this Life The Earl of Bristoll was justled out the Bishop of Lincoln cast flat on the Floor the Earls of Pembroke and Carlisle content to shine beneath him Holland behind him none even with much lesse before him But it is generally given to him who is the little God at the Court to be the great Devil in the Countrey The Commonalty hated him with a perfect hatred and all miscarriages in Church and 〈◊〉 at Home Abroad at Sea and Land were 〈◊〉 on his want of Wisdom Valour or Loyalty John â—…elton a melancholy malecontented Gentleman and a sullen Souldier apprehending himself injured could find no other way to revenge his conceived wrongs then by writing them with a point of a Knife in the heart of the Duke whom he stabbed at Portsmouth Anno Dom. 1620. It is hard to say how many of this Nation were guilty of this murther either by publick praising or private approving thereof His person from head to foot could not be charged with any blemish save that some Hypercriticks conceived his Brows somewhat over pendulous a cloud which in the judgement of others was by the beams of his Eyes sufficiently dispelled The Reader is remitted for the rest of his Character to the exquisite Epitaph on his magnificent Monument in the Chappel of Henry the Seventh Capital Judges Sir ROBERT BELKNAP Being bred in the Study of the Laws he became Chief Justice of the Common Pleas October the 8. in the 48. of King Edward the third and so continued till the general Rout of the Judges in the wonder-working Parliament the eleventh of Richard the second when he was displaced on this occasion The King had a mind to make away certain Lords viz. His Unkle the Duke of Glocester the Earls of Arundel Warwick Darby Nottingham c. Who in the former Parliament had been appointed Governors of the Kingdome For this purpose he called all the Judges before him to Nottingham where the Kings many Questions in fine were resolved into this Whether he might by His Regal power revoke what was acted in Parliament To this all the Judges Sir VVilliam Skipwith alone excepted answered affirmatively and subscribed it This Belknap underwrote unwillingly as foreseeing the danger and putting to his seal said these words There wants nothing but an hurdle an horse and an halter to carry me where I may suffer the Death I deserve for if I had not done this I should have dyed for it and because I have done it I deserve death for betraying the Lords Yet it had been more for his credit and conscience to have adventured a Martyrdome in the defence of the Laws then to hazzard the death of a Malefactour in the breach therof But Judges are but men and most desire to decline that danger which they apprehend nearest unto them In the next Parliament all the Judges were arrested in VVestminster-hall of high treason when there was a Vacation in Term time till their places were resupplied Sir R. Tresilian Cheif Justice of the Kings Bench was executed The rest thus named and reckoned up in the printed Statutes Robert Belknap John Holt John Cray William Burgh Roger Fulthorp all Judges and Knights with J. Locktan Serjeant at Law had their lands save what were intailed with their goods and chattels forfeited to the King their persons being banished and they by the importunate intercession of the Queen hardly escaping with their lives Belknap is placed in this County only because I find a worshipful family of his name fixed therein whereof one was High Sheriff in the 17. of K. Henry the 7. Provided this be no prejudice to Sussex the same Name being very ancient therein Sir ROBERT CATELIN descended from the ancient Family of the Catelins of Raunds in Northampton shire as doth appear by the Heralds visitation was born at Biby in this County He was bred in the Study of the Municipal Laws profiting so well therein that in the first of Q. Elizabeth he was made Lord Cheif Justice of the Kings Bench. His Name hath some allusion to the Roman Senator who was the Incendiary of that State though in Nature far different as who by his Wisdom and Gravity was a great support to his Nation One point of Law I have learned from him at the Tryall of Thomas Duke of Norfolk who pleaded out of Bracton that the Testimonies of Forreigners the most pungent that were brought against him were of no Validity Here Sir Robert delivered it for Law that in case of Treason they might be given in for evidence and that it rested in the Brest of the Peers whether or no to afford credit unto them He had one as what man hath not many Fancy that he had a prejudice against all those who write their Names with an alias and took exceptions at one in this respect saying that no honest man had a double name or came in with an alias The party asked him what exceptions his Lordship could take at Jesus Christ alias Jesus of Nazareth He dyed in the Sixteenth year of Queen Elizabeth and his Coat of Arms viz. Party per Cheveron Azure and Or 3 Lions passant Guardant counterchanged a Cheif Pearl is quartered by the Right Honourable the Lord Spencer Earl of Sunderland this Judges Daughter and Sole Heir being married to his Ancestor Some forty years since a Gentleman of his name and kindred had a Cause in the Upper-Bench to
Comment on a Netling Text and so taxed the pride and lasiness of all Friers that his book was burnt by command from the Pope and the Writer thereof had been burnt also had he noâ—… seasonably secured himself by his flight beâ—…ond the Seas This mindeth me of a passage of a Frier who burned a book of Peter Ramus after the death of the Author thereof and then and there used this Distick in some imitation of Ovid Parve nec invideo sine me Liber ibis in Ignem Hei mihi quod Domino non licet ire tuo Small Book thy fate I envy not Without me feel the Flame O had it been thy Masters lot He might have felt the Same But our Pateshull was out of retch in Bohemia betwixt which and England a great intercourse in that age since King Richard the second had married a Sister of Wincelaus King of Bohemia We behold him as an advancer of Wicklivisme in that Country for which John Husse and Hierome of Prague were afterwards condemned He flourished in the year of our Lord 1390. Since the Reformation ROBERT CROWLEY was born in this County bred Master of Arts in Magdalen-colledge in Oxford It happ'ned that one Miles Hogheard whom Pitz maketh a learned Writer and intituleth him Virum doctum ptum in fide Catholica mirè zelosum though in Master Fox it appeareth by his own confession that he was but an Hosier in London wrote railing books against the poor Protestants Our Crowley took him to task and confuted him in several Treatises Under Queen Mary he fled over to Frankford and returning under Queen Elizabeth was made Vicar of Saint Giles without Cripple gate London where he lieth buried under a fair plated stone in the â—…hancel He died on the 18. of June 1588. EUSEBIUS PAGET was born at â—…ranford in this County â—…as Master Ephraim Paget â—…is aged son late Minister of St. Edmond the King Lombard street hath informed me He was admitted at twelve years of age into Oxford where when a boy he brake his right-arme with carrying the Pax though surely some casualty beside so light a weight concurred thereunto He was commonly called the golden Sophister and yet he proved no leaden Graduate Many years he was a painful Minister in London and was Author of that excellent book called the History of the Bible and Caâ—…echisme of The fourty short questions which hath done as much good to nn book learn'd people as any of that kind The certain date of his death I cannot attain JOHN PRESTON D. D. was born at Heyford in this County bred in Queens-colledge in Cambridge whose life interwoven much with Church and State matters is so well written by his Pupill Master Thomas Ball that all additions thereunto may seem carrying of Coals to New-castle However seeing he who carrieth Char-coal a different kind from the native Coal of that place may meet with a Chapman there on the same confidence a word or two of this Doctor Before he Commenced Master of Arts he was so far from Eminency as but a little above Contempt Thus the most generous Wines are the most muddy before they are fine Soon after his skill in Phylosophy rendred him to the general respect of the University He was the greatest Pupil-monger in England in mans memory having sixteen Fellow-Commoners most heirs to fair estates admitted in one year in Queens-colledge and provided convenient accommodations for them As VVilliam the Popular Earl of Nassaw was said to have won a Subject from the King of Spain to his own party every time he put off his Hat so was it commonly said in the Colledge that every time when Master Preston plucked off his Hat to Doctor Davenant the Colledge-Master he gained a Chamber or Study for one of his Pupils Amongst whom one Chambers a Londoner who dyed very young was very eminent for his learning Being chosen Master of Emanuell-colledge he removed thither with most of his Pupills and I remember when it was much admired where all these should find lodgings in that Colledge which was so full already Oh! said one Master Preston will carry Chambers along with him The Party called Puritan then being most active in Parliament and Doctor Preston most powerful with them the Duke rather used then loved him to work that Party to his complyance Some thought the Doctor was unwilling to do it and no wonder he effected not what he affected not others thought he was unable that Party being so diffusive and then in their designs as since in their practices divided However whilst any hope none but Doctor Preston with the Duke set by and extolled and afterwards set by and neglected when found useless to the intended purpose In a word my worthy friend fitly calls him the Court Coment blazing for a time and faiding soon afterwards He was a perfect Politician and used lapwing like to flutter most on that place which was furthest from his Eggs exact at the concealing of his intentions with that simulation which some make to lye in the Marches of things lawful and unlawfull He had perfect command of his passion with the Caspian Sea never ebbing nor flowing and would not alter his compos'd pase for all the whipping which Satyrical wâ—…ts bestowed upon him He never had wife or cure of souls and leaving a plentifull no invidious estate died Anno Domini 1628. July 20. Pass we now from one who was all judgement and gravity to an other place and time making the connexion who was all wit and festivity viz. THOMAS RANDOLPH born at Houghton in this County was first bred in Westminster-school then Fellow in Trinity-colledge in Cambridge The Muses may seem not onely to have smiled but to have been tickled at his nativity such the festivity of his Poems of all sorts But my declining age being superannuated to meddle with such ludicrous matters configneth the censure and commendation of his Poems as also of his Country-man Peter Haulsted born at Oundle in this County to younger Pens for whom it is most proper Master Randolph died Anno Dom. 163. NICHOLAS ESTWICK B. D. was born at Harowden the Baronny of the Lord Vaux in this County A solid Protestant to counterpoise Kellison a violent Papist and native of the same Village He was bred Fellow of Christs-colledge in Cambridge being there beheld as a pious and judicious Divine always cheerful without the least levity and grave without any morosness He was afterwards presented by the Lord Montague Parson of Warton where he lived a painful Preacher 40. years less then a Deacon in his humility and more then an Arch bishop in his own contentment Hence he was unwillingly willing preferred by the Earl of Rutland to Botsworth in Lecestershire where he had hardly inned one harvest before like a ripe Sheaf he was brought into the Barn of the grave Thus though young Trees are meliorated with transplanting yet old ones seldome live and never flourish
of the Garter Governour of the Isles of Jersey and Gernsey and Privy Counsellor to Queen Elizabeth who chiefly committed the keeping of Mary Queen of Scots to his fidelity who faithfully discharged his trust therein I know the Romanists rail on him as over-strickt in his Charge but indeed without cause for he is no unjust Steward who to those under him alloweth all his Masters allowance though the same be â—…ut of the scantest proportion Besides it is no news for Prisoners especially if accounting their restraint unjust to find fault with their Keepers meerely for keeping them And such who complain of him if in his place ought to have done the same themselves When Secretary Walsingham moved this Knight to suffer one of his Servants to be bribed by the Agents of the Queen of Scots so to compasse the better intelligence he would in no terms yield thereunto Such conniving at was consenting to and such consenting to in effect was commanding of such falshood Whereupon the Secretary was fain to go further about and make use of an Instrument at a greater distance who was no menial servant to Sir Amias He died Anno Dom. 15. And was buried in London in St. Martins in the fields where his Epitaph is all an allusion to the three Swords in his Arms and three words in his Motto Gardez la Foy Keep the Faith Which harping on that one string of his fidelity though perchance harsh musick to the ears of others was harmonioâ—…s to Queen Elizabeth Capital Judges JOHN FITZ-JAMES Knight was born at Redlinch in this County of right ancient and worthy Parentage bred in the Study of our Municipal Laws wherein he proved so great a Proficient that by King Henry the Eighth He was advanced Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. There needs no more be said of his merit save that King Henry the Eighth preferred him who never used either Dunce or Dâ—…one in Church or State but Men of Ability and Activity He sate above thirteen years in his Place demeaning himself so that he lived and died in the Kings favour He sate one of the Assistants when Sir Thomas More was arraigned for refusing the Oath of Supremacy and was shrewdly put to it to save his own Conscience and not incurre the Kings displeasure For Chancellor Audley Supream Judge in that place being loath that the whole burthen of Mores condemnation should lye on his shoulders alone openly in Court asked the advice of the Lord Chief Justice Fitz-James whether the Indictment were sufficient or no to whom our Judge warily returned My Lords all by St. Gillian which was ever his Oath I must needs confesse that if the Act of Parliament be not unlawful then the Indictment is not in my conscience insufficient He died in the thirtyeth year of King Henry the Eighth and although now there be none left at Redlinch of his Name and Family they flourish still at Lewson in Dorsetshire descended from Alured Fitz-James brother to this Judge and to Richard Bishop of London whose Heir in a direct line Sir John Fitz-James Knight I must acknowledge a strong encourager of my weak endeavours JOHN PORTMAN Knight was born of Wealthy and Worshipful Extraction at Portmâ—…ns Orchard in this County a fair Mannor which descended to him by Inheritance the Heir of the Orchards being matcht into his Family He was bred in the Study of the Common Law attaining to such eminency therein that June 11 the second of Queen Mary he was made Chief Justice of the Kings Bench continuing two years in the place and dying therein for ought I find to the contrary and a Baronet of his name and Linage flourisheth at this day with a great and plentiful Estate DAVID BROOKE Knight born at Glassenbury son to John Brook Esq. who as I read in Claréntiaux was Serjeant at Law to King Henry the Eighth Our David was also bred in the study of our Laws and in the First of Queen Mary was made Chief Baron of the Exchequer but whether dying in or quitting the place in the First of Queen Elizabeâ—…h I am not informed He married Katharine daugher of John Lord Shandois but died without Issue JAMES DIER Knight younger son to Richard Dier Esq. was born at Roundhill in this County as may appear to any by the Heralds Visitation thereof and doth also to me by particular information from his relations He was bred in the study of our Municipal Law and was made Lord Chief Justice of the 〈◊〉 Pleas Primo Eliz. continuing therein 24 years longer if my eye or Arithmetick faâ—…l me not than any in that place before or after him When Thomas Duke of Northfolk was Anno 1572 arraigned for Treason this Judge was present thereat on the same token that when the Duke desired Council to be assigned him pleading that it was granted to Humphry Stafford in the reign of King Henry the Seventh our Judge returned unto him That Stafford had it allowed him only as to Point of Law then in dispute viz. Whether he was legally taken out of the Sanctuary but as for matter of Fact neither he nor any ever had or could have any Councel allowed him a course observed in such Cases unto this day But let his own Works praise him in the Gaâ—…es is known for the place of publick Justice amongst the Jews Let his Learned Writings called his Commentaries or Reports evidence his Abilities in his Profession He died in 25 Eliz. though married without any Issue and there is a House of a Baronet of his name descended from an elder son of Richard father to our Judge at Great Stoughton in Huntington-shire well improved I believe with the addition of the Judges Estate Sr. JOHN POPHAM of most ancient descent was born at Huntworth in this County In his youthful dayes he was as stout and skilful a Man at Sword and Buckler as any in that age and wild enough in his recreations But Oh! if Quick-silver could be really fixed to what a treasure would it amount Such is wild Youth seriously reduced to Gravity as by this young man did appear He applied himself to a more profitable Fencing the study of the Laws therein atteining to such eminency that he became the Queens Attourny and afterwards Lord Chief Justice of England Being sent Anno 1600 by the Queen with some others to the Earl of Essex to know the cause of the confluence of so many Military Men unto his House the Souldiers therein detained him for a time which some did make to Tantamount to an imprisonment This his violent detention Sir John deposed upon his Oath at the Earls Trial which I note the rather for the rarity thereof that a Lord Chief Justice should be produced as witness in open Court In the Beginning of the reign of king James his Justice was exemplary on Theeves and Robbers The Land then swarmed with people which had been Souldiers who had never gotten or
hath done more good or more harm As for Guns it cannot be denied that though most behold them as Instruments of cruelty partly because subjecting valour to chance partly because Guns give no quarter which the sword sometimes doth yet it will appear that since their invention victory hath not stood so long a Neuter and hath been determined with the loss of fewer lives Yet do I not believe what Souldiers commonly say that he was curs'd in his Mothers belly who is kill'd with a Cannon seeing many prime persons have been slain thereby Such as desire to know the pedigree and progress of great Guns in England may be pleas'd to take notice 1. Anno 1535. John Oaven was the first English-man who in England cast brass Ordnance Cannons Culverings c. 2. Peter Baud a French-man in the first of King Edward the sixth was the first who in England cast Iron-Ordnance Falcons Falconers Minions c. 3. Thomas Johnson covenant-servant to Peter aforesaid succeeded and exceeded his Master casting them clearer and better He died about 1600. Some observe that God hath so equally divided the advantage of weapons between us and Spain that their steel makes the best swords our iron the most usefull Ordnance Glass Plenty hereof is made in this County though not so fine as what Tyre afforded fetch'd from the river Belus and the Cendevian Lake nor so pure as is wrought at Chiosa nigh Venice whereof the most refined falls but one degree short of Chrystall but the course glasses here serve well enough for the common sort for vessels to drink in The work-men in this mystery are much encreased since 1557. as may appear by what I read in an Author writing that very year As for Glass-makers they be scant in this land Yet one there is as I doe understand And in Sussex is now his habitation At Chiddingsfoldâ—…e â—…e works of his occupation These brittle commodities are subject to breaking upon any casualty and hereupon I must transmit a passage to posterity which I received from an Author beyond exceptions A noble man who shall be nameless living not many miles from Cambridge and highly in favour with the Earl of Leicester begg'd of Queen Elizabeth all the plate of that University as useless for Scholars and more for State then Service for Superfluity then Necessity The Queen granted his suit upon condition to find glasses for the Scholars The Lord considering this might amount to more then his Baronry would maintain except he could compass the Venetian Artist who as they say could make Vitra sine vitio fragilitatis pellucida yea could consolidate glass to make it malleable let his petition which was as charitable as discreet sink in silence By the way be it observed that though course glass-making was in this County of great antiquity yet The first making of Venice-glasses in England began at the Crochet Friers in London about the beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth by â—…ne Jacob Venaline an Italian The Buildings Chichester Cathedral is a fine fabrick built after it had been twice consumed with fire by Bishop 〈◊〉 the second of the Name about the year 1193. Country folk are confident in their tradition that the Master-workman built Sarisbury and his Man the Church of Chichester and if so sâ—…quitur Dominum non Passibus aequis But Pâ—…oportion of Time confuteth the conceit seeing Sâ—…ffride flourished under King John and Bishop Poor the Founder of Sarisbury lived much later undeâ—… King Henâ—…y the third Now though 〈◊〉 bestowed the Cloth and Making on the Church Bishop Sherborn gave the Trimming and best Lace thereto in the reign of King Henry the seventh I am sorry I can follow the Allegory so far being 〈◊〉 that now it is not only Seam ript but Torn in the whole-cloth having lately a great part thereof fallen down to the ground Arundel Castle is of great esteem the rather because a Local-Earldome is cemented to the wallâ—… thereof Some will have it so nâ—…med from Arundel the Horse of Beavoice the great Champion I confess it is not withont precedence in Antiquity for Places to take names from Horses meeting with the Promentory Bucephalus in Peleponesus where some report the Horse of Alâ—…xander buried and Bâ—…llonius will have it for the same cause called Cavalla at this day But this Castle was so called long before that Imaginary Horse was foled who cannot be fancied elder then his Master Beavoice flourishing after the Conquest long before which Arundel was so called from the river Arundâ—…unning â—…unning hard by it â—…etworth the house of the Earls of Northumberland is most famous for a stately Stable the best of any Subjects in Christendome Comparisons must move in ther own â—…pheres and Princes only are meet to measure with Princes tell me nâ—…t â—…herefore of the Duke of Saxony his Stable at Dresden wherein are â—…n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and eight horses of service with a Magazene out of which he can Arme thirty thousand Horse and Foot at a days warning that Elector being the most Potent Prince in the Empire But is not the proportion fair that â—…etworth Stable affordeth standing in state for threescore horse with all necessary accommodations Wonders Expect not here I should insert what William of Newbury writeth to be recounted rather amongst the Untruâ—…hs then Wonders viz. That in this County not far from Bâ—…ttail-Abby in the Place where so great a slaughter of the English-men was made after any shower presently sweateth forth very frâ—…sh blood out of the Earth as if the Evidence thereof did plainly declare the voice of Bloud there shed and crieth still from the Earth unto the Lord. This is as true as that in white chalky Countries about Baldock in Hartford shire after rain run rivolets of Milk Neither being any thing else then the water discoloured according to the Complexion of the Earth thereabouts Proverbs He is none of the Hastings This Proverb though extended all over England is properly reduceable to this County as Originated there for there is a Haven Town named Hastings therein which some erroneously conceive so called from hast or speed because William the afterwards Conqueror Landing there did as Mathew Paris saith with Hast or Speedily erect some small Fortification But sure it is that there is a Noble and Antient family of the Hastings in this Land I will not say first taking their Name from this Town who formerly were Earls of Pembroke and still are of Huntington Now men commonly say they are none of the Hastings who being slow and slack go about business with no agility Such they also call dull Dromedaries by a foul mistake meerly because of the affinity of that name to our English word Dreaming applied to such who go slowly and sleepily about their Employment Whereas indeed Dâ—…omedaries are Creatures of a Constant and Continuing Swiftness so called from the Greek word Dremo to Run and are the 〈◊〉 for travell for the Eastern
left some books to posterity and flourished Anno Dom. 1250. JOHN of KILLINGWORTH born in that Castelled-village in this County bred in Oxford an excellent Philosopher Astronomer and Physitian He studyed the Stars so long that at last he became A STAR himself in his own Sphere and out-shined all others of that Faculty He was Father and Founder to all the Astronomers in that Age. I never did spring such a Covye of Mathematicians all at once as I met with at this time Cervinus or Hart Cure John Stacy and Blach all bred in Merton Colledge Which Society in the former Century applyed themselves to School-Divinity in this to Mathematicks and attained to Eminency in both so good a Genius acted within the walls of that worthy foundation He flourished about the year 1360. WILLIAM of COVENTRY was born and bred a Carmelite in that City He in his Youth was afflicted with an unhealable Sprain in his Hip and was commonly called Claudus Conversus which I adventure to English the lame Converted Conversus properly is one who for lack of Learning or Deformity of Body is condemned to the servile work in the Monastery under a Despair ever to be made Priest termed it seems Conversus because not of voluntary choice Turning to that course of Life but Turned as Passively necessitated thereunto But hear how J. Pits clincheth in his Praise Claudicavit corporis gressu non virtutis progressu vitiatus corpore non viciosus animo being in his writings full of Sâ—…ntences Amongst which Bale takes especial notice of his Prodesset Hierosolymam petere alia invisere loca sacra sed multum praestaret eo precio pauperes alere domi wherein though I perceive no more sententiousness then common sense yet because it containeth a Bold Truth in those Blind Dayes it may be mentioned He never set his name to his Books but it may according to the Frierly-Fancy be collected out of the Capital Letters of his severall works Who flourished Anno 1360. JOHN ROUSE Son of Jeffery Rouse was born at Warwick but descended from the Rouses of Brinkloe in this County he was bred in Oxford where he attained to great Eminencie of Learning he afterwards retired himself to Guisâ—…cliffe within a Mile of Warwick A most delicious place so that a Man in many Miles Riding cannot meet so much variety as there one forlong doth afford A steep Rock full of Caves in the Bowels thereof wash'd at the Bottome with a Christall River besides many clear Springs on the side thereof all overshadowed with a stately grove so that an ordinary Fancy may here find to it self Helicon Parnassus and what not Many Hermites and Guy Earl of Warwick himself being sequestred from the world retreated hither Some will say it is too Gaudy a place for that purpose as having more of a Paradice then Wilderness therein so that mens thoughts would rather be Scattered then Collected with such various objects But seeing Hermits deny themselves the Company of Men let them be allowed to Converse with the Rarities of Nature and such are the fittest texts for a solitary devotion to comment upon To this place came our John Rouse and by leave obtained from King Edward the fourth immured himself therein that he might apply his Studies without distraction Here he wrote of the Antiquities of Warwick with a Catalogue of the Earls thereof a Chronicle of our English Kings and a History of our Universities He was as good with the Pensill as the Pen and could Draw Persons as well as Describe them as appears by lively Pictures Limmed with his own hand He died a very aged man Anno Domini 1491. Since the Reformation WILLIAM PERKINS was born at Marston in this County bred Fellow of Christ-colledge and then became Preacher of Saint Andrews in Cambridge The Athenians did nothing else but tell or hear some new thing Why tell before hear Because probably they themselves were the first Finders Founders and Fathers of many reports I should turn such an Athenian to fain and invent should I adde any thing concerning this worthy Person whose life I have formerly written at large in my holy-Holy-State He died Anno Dom. 1602. THOMAS DRAX D. D. was born at Stonely in this County his Father being a Younger Brother of a Worshipfull family which for many years had lived at Wood-hall in York-shire he was bred in Christs-colledge in Cambridge He was a Pious man and an excellent Preacher as by some of his Printed Sermons doth appear He translated all the Works of Master Perkinâ—… his Countryman and Collegiat into Latine which were Printed at Geneva Doctor King Bishop of London removed him from his Native Country and bestowed a Benefice on him nigh Harwich in Essex where the change of the Aire was conceived to hasten his Great change which happened about the year 1616. I cannot forget how this worthy name of Drax may be resembled to the river Anas in Spain which having run many miles under ground surgeth a greater channell then before They have flourished at Wood hall aâ—…oresaid in the Parish of Darfield ever since a Co-heir of the Noble Family of Fitz-williams brought that good Mannour with the alternate gift of the Mediety of the rich Parsonage therein in marriage into this Family as since by an Heir-general it hath been alienated But after many various changes this Name hath recovered and encreased its lustre in Sir James Drax a direct descendant from the Heirs-male who by Gods blessing on his Industry and Ingenuity hath merited much of the English nation in bringing the Sugars and other Commodities of the Barbadoes to their present perfection WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE was born at Stratford on Avon in this County in whom three eminent Poets may seem in some sort to be compounded 1. Martial in the Warlike sound of his Sur-name whence some may conjecture him of a Military extraction Hasti-vibrans or Shake-speare 2. Ovid the most naturall and witty of all Poets and hence it was that Queen Elizabeth coming into a Grammar-School made this extemporary verse Persius a Crab-staffe Bawdy Martial Ovid a fine Wag. 3. Plautus who was an exact Comaedian yet never any Scholar as our Shake-speare if alive would confess himself Adde to all these that though his Genius generally was jocular and inclining him to feâ—…ivity yet he could when so disposed be solemn and serious as appears by his Tragedies so that Heraclitus himself I mean if secret and unseen might afford to smile at his Comedies they were so merry and Democritus scarce forâ—…ear to sigh at his Tragedies they were so mournfull He was an eminent instance of the truth of that Rule Poeta non fit sed nascitur one is not made but born a Poet. Indeed his Learning was very little so that as Cornish diamonds are not polished by any Lapidary but are pointed and smoothed even as they are taken out of the Earth so nature it self was all the art which was used
parentage Veritati Dei tunc revelatae Auscultans and Pitz taxeth him that his Pen was too compliant to pleasure K. Henry the eight The truth is this he lived in these parts in that juncture of time when the two Northern Rebellions happened the one in Lincoln the other in Yorkshire and when the Popish party gave it out that the Reformation would ruine Church and State levell all dignities and degrees Wilfrid to Confute the Priests truthless Reports and the Peoples causless Jealousies stated the Controversie Truely Clearly and Wittily in the manner of a Dialogue He survived not many months after the setting forth of this book Anno 1536. THOMAS ROBERSON was born in this County and being Doctor of Divinity in Oxford was one of the best Grammarians for Greek and Latine in that age He had an admirable faculty in teaching of youth for every Boy can teach a Man whereas he must be a Man who can teach a Boy It is easie to inform them who are able to understand but it must be a Master piece of industry and discretion to descend to the capacity of Children He wrote notes upon the Grammar of Lilly and besides others one book De Nominibus Hetoroclitis and another De verbis Defectivis so that by his pains the hardest parts of Grammar are made the easiest and the most anomalous reduced to the greatest regularity by his endeavours What Robert Robinson under whose name Quae genus in the Grammar is Printed was to this Thomas Roberson I have no leisure to enquire and leave it to those to whom it is more proper suspecting they may be the same person and thâ—…t Pitzaeus our Author living mostly beyond the seas might be mistaken in the name However he flourished Anno Domini 1544. WILLIAM HUGH was born in this County and bred in Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford where he attained to great Eminency in Learning In his time the Consciences of many tender Parents were troubled about the Finall Estate of Infants dying unbaptized as posting from the Wombe to the Winding sheet in such speed that the Sacrament could not be fastened upon them To pacify persons herein concerned this William wrote and Dedicated a book to Q. Katherine Parr entituled The troubled mans Medicine He died of the breaking of a Vain Anno Dom. 1549. ROGER ASCHAM was born at Kirby-weik in this County and bred in Saint Johns-Colledge in Cambridge under Doctor Medcalfe that good Governour who whet-stonelike though dull in himself by his encouragement set an edge on most excellent wits in that foundation Indeed Ascham came to Cambridge just at the dawning of learning and staid therein till the bright-day thereof his own endeavours contributing much light thereunto He was Oratour and Greek-Professour in the University places of some sympathy which have often met in the same person and in the beginning of the raign of Queen Mary within three days wrote letters to fourty seven severall Princes whereof the meanest was a Cardinal He travailed into Germany and there contracted familiarity with John Sturmius and other learned men and after his return was a kind of teacher to the Lady Elizabeth to whom after she was Queen he became her Secretary for her Latine letters In a word he was an Honest man and a good Shooter Archery whereof he wrote a book called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being his onely exercise in his youth which in his old age he ex changed for a worse pastime neither so healthfull for his body nor profitable for his purse I mean Cock-fighting and thereby being neither greedy to get nor carefull to keep money he much impaired his estate He had a facile and fluent Latine-style not like those who counting obscurity to be elegancy weed out all the hard words they meet in Authors witness his Epistles which some say are the only Latine-ones extant of any English-man and if so the more the pity What loads have we of letters from forraign Pens as if no Author were compleat without those necessary appurtenances whilst surely our English-men write though not so many as good as any other Nation In a word his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is accounted a good book for Young-men his School-master for Old-men his Epistles for all men set out after his death which happened Anno Dom. 1568. December 30. in the 53. year of his Age and he was buried in Saint Sepulchers in London Sir HENRY SAVILL Knight was born at Bradley in the Parish of Hallifax in this County of antient and worshipfull extraction He was bred in Oxford and at last became Warden of Merton-colledge and also Provost of Eaton Thus this skilfull Gardiner had at the same time a Nurcery of young Plants and an Orchard of grown Trees both flourishing under his carefull inspection This worthy Knight carefully collected the best Copies of Saint Chrysostome and imployed Learned men to transcribe and make Annotations on them which done he fairly set it forth on his own cost in a most beautifull Edition a burden which he underwent without stooping under it though the weight thereof would have broken the back of an ordinary person But the Papists at Paris had their Emissaries in England who surreptitiously procured this Knights learned Labours and sent them over weekly by the Post into France Schedatim sheet by sheet as here they passed the Press Then Fronto Duceus a French Cardinall as I take it caused them to be Printed there with implicite faith and blind obedience letter for letter as he received them out of England onely joyning thereunto a Latine translation and some other inconsiderable Additions Thus two Editions of Saint Chrysostome did together run a race in the world which should get the speed of the other in publique sale and acceptance Sir Henry his Edition started first by the advantage of some Months But the Parisian Edition came up close to it and advantaged with the Latine Translation though dearer of pâ—…ice out-stript it in quickness of Sale but of late the Savilian Chrysostome hath much mended its pace so that very few are left of the whole Impression Sir Henry left one onely Daughter richly married to Sir William Sidley of Kent Baronet He dyed at Eaton where he lyeth buried under a Monument with this Inscription Hic jacent Ossa Cineres Henrici Savill sub spe certa resurrectionis natus apud Bradley juxta Halifax in Comitatu Ebor Anno Domini 1549. ultimo die mensis Novembris Obiit in Collegio Etonensi Anno Domini 1621. xix die mensis Februarii It must not be forgotten that he was a most excellent Mathematician witness his learned Lectures on Euclid Yet once casually happening into the Company of Master Briggs of Cambridge upon a learned encounter betwixt them Master Briggs demonstrated a truth besides if not against the judgment of Sir Henry wherewith that worthy Knight was so highly affected that he chose him one of his Mathematick