Lord. Thus those who when the house of the State is on fire politickly hope to save their own chamber are sometimes burned therein Treason was charged upon him for secret siding with King Edward who before and afterward de facto and always de jure was the lawfull King of England on this account he lost his life Then did the axe at one blow cut off more learning in England then was left in the heads of all the surviving nobility His death happened on Saint Lukes-day 1470. Edward Lord Tiptoft his son was restored by Edward the fourth Earl of Worcester But dying without Issue his large Inheritance fell to his three Aunts sisters to the learned Lord aforesaid viz. First Philip married to Thomas Lord Ross of Ham-lake Second Joâ—…ne wife of Sir Edmund Ingoldsthorp of Borough-green in this County Third Joyce married unto Sir Edward Sutton son and heir of John Lord Dudley from whom came Edward Sutton Lord Dudley and Knight of the Garter JOHN CHEEKE Knight Tutor to King Edward the sixth and Secretary of State was born over against the Market-cross in Cambridge What Crosses afterwards befel him in his course of life and chiefly before his Pious death are largely related in our Church-History Souldiers The courage of the men in this County before the Conquest plainly appeareth by this authentick passage in a memorable author who reporteth that when the rest of the East Angles cowardly fled away in the field from the Danish army Homines comitatus Cantabrigiae viriliter obstiterunt The men of the County of Cambridge did manfully resist Our author addeth Unde Anglis regnantibus laus Cantabrigiensis Provinciae splendidè florebat Whence it was that whilst the English did rule the praise of the people of Cambridge shire did most eminently flourish Nor lost they their reputation for their manhood at the coming in of the Normans who partly by the valour of their persons partly by the advantage of their fens made so stout resistance that the Conqueror who did fly into England was glad to creep into Ely Yea I have been credibly informed that Cambridge-shire men commonly passed for a current proverb though now like old coine almost grown out of request Indeed the Common People have most Robustious Bodies insomuch that Quartersacks were here first used men commonly carrying on their backs for some short space eight bushels of Barly whereas four are found a sufficient load for those in other Counties Let none say that Active valour is ill inferred from Passive strength for I do not doubt but if just occasion were given they would find as good Hands and Arms as they do Backs and Shoulders Writers MATTHEW PARIS is acknowledged an English-man by all save such who mistake Parisius for Parisiensis and may probably be presumed born in this as bred in the next County where the name and family of Paris is right ancient even long before they were settled therein at Hildersham which accrued unto them by their marriage with the daughter and Heir of the Buslers Sure I am were he now alive the Parises would account themselves credited with his and he would not be ashamed of their affinity He was bred a Monke of Saint Albans skilled not only in Poetry Oratory and Divinity but also in such manual as lye in the suburbs of liberal Sciences Painting graving c. But his Genius chiefly disposed him for the writing of Histories wherein he wrote a large Chronicle from the Conquest unto the year of our Lord 1250. where he concludes with this distich Siste tui metas studii Matthaee quietas Nec ventura petas quae postera proferat aetas Matthew here cease thy pen in peace and study on no more Nor do thou rome at things to come what next age hath in store However he afterwards resuming that work continued it untill the year 1259. This I observe not to condemn him but excuse my self from inconstancy it being it seems a catching disease with Authors to obey the importunity of Others contrary to their own resolution His history is unpartially and judiciously written save where he â—…geth too much to Monkish Miracles and Visions and no writer so plainly discovereth the pride avarice and rapine of the Court of Rome so that he seldome kisseth the â—…opes toâ—… without biting it Nor have the Papists any way to wave his true jeeres but by suggesting haec non ab ipso scripta sed ab aliis falsò illi ascripta insinuating a suspicion of forgery in his last edition understand them in what â—…ome 80. years â—…ince was set forth by Mathew Parker whereas it was done with all integrity according to the best and most ancient Manuscripts wherein all those Anti-papal passages plainly appear as since in a latter and exacter Edition by the care and industry of Doctor William Wats This Mathew left off living and writing at the same time viz. anno 1259. I will only adde that though he had sharp nailes he had clean hands striâ—…t in his own as well as striking at the loose conversations of others and for his eminent austerity was imployed by Pope Innocent the fourth not only to visit the Monkes in the Diocess of Norwich but also was sent by him into Norway to reform the discipline in Holui a fair Convent therein but much corrupted HELIAS RUBEUS was born at Triplow in this County bred D. D. in Cambridge Leland acquainteth us that he was a great Courtier and gracious with the King not informing us what King it was nor what time he lived in onely we learn from him that this Rubeus conceive his English Name Rouse or Red seeing many who were Nobilitatis Portenta so that as in a Tympany their very greatness was their Disease boasted if not causelesly immoderately of their high Extraction wrote a Book contra Nobilitatem inanem He is conjectured to have flourished about the year 1266. JOHN EVERSDEN was born at one of the Eversdens in this County bred a Monk in Bury-Abbey and the Cellerer thereof An Officer higher in sense then sound being by his place to provide diet â—…or the whole Convent assigning particular persons their portions thereof But our Eversdens mind mounted above such mean matters busied himself in Poetry Law History whereof he wrote a fair volume from the beginning of the world according to the humour of the Historians of that age starting all thence though they run to several marks Being a Monk he was not over fond of Fryers And observeth that when the Franciscans first entred Bury Anno 1336. there happened a hideous Hericano levelling trees and towers and whatsoever it met with The best was though they came in with a Tempest they went out with a Calme at the time of the dissolution This John flourished under King Edward the third and dyed about the year 1338. RICHARD WETHERSET commonly called of Cambridge saith Bale because he was Chancellour thereof But there
himself in the same garments till the Childs Cloaths become his Chains putting off his Feet by putting on his Shoos not able to run to any purpose and so is soon taken The same Humour otherwise persued betrayeth the Dotterells As the Fowler stretcheth forth his Arms and Legs going towards the Bird the Bird extendeth his Legs and Wings approaching the Fowler till surprised in the Net But it is observed that the Foolisher the Fowl or Fish Woodcocks Dotterels â—…odsheads c. the Finer the Flesh thereof Feathers It is Pity to part Lancashire Ticking lately spoken of and Lincoln-shire Feathers making so good Beds together I cannot find the first beginning of Feather-Beds the Latine word Pulvinar for a Cusheon Pillowe or Bolster sheweth that the Entrals of such Utensils amongst the Romans were made but of Dust and our English plain Proverb De Puerperis they are in the Straw shows Feather-Beds to be of no ancient use amongst the Common sort of our Nation and Beds of Down the Cream of Feathers are more Modern then they The Feathers of this County are very good though not so soft as such as are imported from Bardeaux in France and although a Feather passeth for the Emblem of Lightnesse it self they are heavy enough in their Prises to such as buy any Quantity and daily grow Dearer Pippins With these we will close the Stomach of the Reader being concluded most cordial by Physicians some conceive them to be of not above a hundred years seniority in England However they thrive best and prove biggest not Kentish excepted in this County particularly in Holland and about Kirton therein whence they have acquired addition of Kirton Pippins a wholsome and delicious Apple and I am informed that Pippins graffed on a Pippin stock are called Renates bettered in their generous Nature by such double extraction Fleet-Hounds In Latine called PETRONII or Petrunculi from Petra a Rock either because their Feet are sound and solid and therefore named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Xenophon or from the hard and rocky ground whereon they were accustomed to hunt These with much certainty of scent and quicknesse of feet will run down a Hare in a short time Janus Ulitius a Dutchman some 15 years since came into England though a man of the Gown employed in publick affairs for Diversion he went down into this County to spend one Winter where conversing with some young Gentlemen he hunted twice a Week with so great content that the season otherwise unpleasant was past before he perceived how it went Hear him expressing himself sed Petrunculi illi qui vestigiis eorum non minus celeriter quam sagaciter instant haud facile trihorio minus leporem aliquem defatigant ut in Lincolniensi montium aequijugi tractu aliquoties ipse vidi and yet I assure you the Hares in this County on Ancaster-Heath do though lesser far exceed in swiftnesse and subtilty of Doubling those of the Vallyes and Plains Such a Petronius or Fleet-hound is two Hounds in Effect Sed premit Inventas non inventura Latentes Illa feras quae Petroniis bene Gloria constat To the Petronian both the praise is due Quickly to find and nimbly to persue Grey-Hounds In Latin termed VELTRAGA or VERTRAGUS or VERTAGUS derived it seems from the Dutch Word VELT a Field and RACH or BRACH a Dog and of how high esteem the former and these were amongst the Ancients the Reader may infer from the old Burgundian Law Siquis Canem Veltraum aut Segutium vel Petrunculum praesumpserit involare jubemus ut convictus coram omni populo posteriora ipsius osculetur Martial speaking of these Greyhounds thus expresseth himself Non sibi sed Domino venatur Vertragus acer Illaesum Leporem qui tibi dente feret For 's Master not Himself doth Greyhound toyl Whose Teeth to thee return the unhurt spoyl I have no more to observe of these Greyhounds save that they are so called being otherwise of all Colours because originally imployed in the Hunting of Grays that is Brocks and Badgers Mas-Tiffes Known to the Romans by the name of Molossi from Molossia a County in Epirus whence the fiercest in that kind were fetched at first before better were brought out of Brittain Gratius an Ancient Poet Contemporary with Virgil writing his Cynegeticon or Poem of Hunting giveth great praise to our English Mastiffes highly commending their Valour only taxing them that they are not handsomly made Haec una est Catulis jactura Britannis The Brittish Whelps no blemish know But that they are not shap'd for show Which thing is nothing in my mind seeing beauty is no whit material to a Souldier This County breedeth choice Mastiffes for the Bull and Bear and the sport is much affected therein especially about Stamford whereof hereafter What remaineth concerning Mastiffes is referred to the same Topick in Somerset-shire Thus the three kinds of ancient hunting which distinctly require fleetnesse scent and strength are compleatly performed in this County by a Breed therein which are answerably qualified This I have inserted because as to my Native Country in general so to this here in particular I would not willingly do lesse right then what a Stranger hath done thereunto Before we come to Catalogue the Worthies of this County it is observable that as it equalled other Shires in all ages so it went beyond it self in one generation viz. in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth when it had Natives thereof 1. Edward Clinton Lord Admiral 2. William Cecil Lord Treasurer 3 Sir Edmund Anderson Lord Chief Justice 4. John Whitgift Arch-bishop of Canterbury 5. Peregrine Bartu Lord General in France 6. Tho. Wilson Dr. of Law and Secretary of State All Countrymen and Contemporaries Thus Sea and Land Church and Camp Sword and Mace Gospel and Law were stored with prime Officers out of this County Nor must it be forgotten though born in the same Shire they were utterly unrelated in Kindred and raised themselves independently as to any mutual assistance by Gods Blessing the Queens favour and their own deserts The Buildings Here the complaint of the Prophet taketh no place taxing men to live in Ceeled Pallaces whilst the Temple of God lay wast No County affording worse Houses or better Churches It addeth to the Wonder that seeing in this soft County a Diamond is as soon found as a Flint their Churches are built of Pollished Stones no Natives but Naturalized by importation from forreign parts I hope the Inhabitants of this Shire will endevour to disprove the old Proverb the nearer to the Church the further from God because they have substituted a better in the room thereof viz. The further from stone the better the Churches As for the Cathedral of Lincoln whose Floor is higher then the Roof of many Churches it is a magnificent Structure proportionable to the Amplitude of the Diocesse This I dare boldly say that no Diocesse in Christendome affordeth two such Rivers viz.
Heraldry in that age from that well noted Town in this County In process of time he became Abâ—…ot of Westminster for twenty four years He was so high in favour with King Hâ—…nry the third that he made him one ' of his speciall Councellours Chief Baron of the Exchequer â—…nd for a short time Lord Treasurer of England He died Anno. 1246. buried in Westminster-Church whose marble tombe before the middle of the Altar was afterwards pulled down probably because taking up too much room by Frier Combe Sacriâ—…t of the House who laid a plain marble stone over him with an Epitaph too tedious and barbarous to be transcribed JOHN de CHESILL There are two Villages so called in this County where the North-west corner thereof closeth with Cambridge-shire I will not define in which this John was born time having left us nothing of his actions saving the many preferments thorough which he passed being Dean of Saint Pauls successively Arch-Deacon and Bishop of London and twice Chancellor of England viz. Anno Domini 1264. in the 48. of King Henry the third viz. Anno Domini 1268. in the 53. of King Henry the third He was afterward also Lord Treasurer of England and died Anno Domini 1279. in the seventh year of the raign of King Edward the first JOHN of WALTHAM was so named from the place of his nativity and attained to be a prudent man and most expert in government of the State so that he became Master of the Rolls Keeper of the Privy Seal and Anno 1388. was consecrated Bishop of Salisbury But he miss'd his mark and met with one who both matched and mastered him when refusing to be visited by Courtney Arch-bishop of Canterbury on the criticisme that Pope Urbane the sixth who granted Courtney his Commission was lately dead till the Arch-bishop excommunicated him into more knowledge and humility teaching him that his Visitations had a self-support without assistance of Papal power cast in onely by the way of religious complement This John of Waltham was afterwards made Lord Treasurer and Richard the second had such an affection for him that dying in his Office he caused him to be buried though many muttered thereat amongst the Kings and next to King Edward the first in Westminster His death happened 1395. ROGER WALDEN taking his Name from his Birth in that Eminent Market-Town in this County was as considerable as any man in his Age for the alternation of his fortune First he was the son of a poor man yet by his Industry and Ability attained to be Dean of York Treasurer of Calis Secretary to the King and Treasurer of England Afterwards when Thomas Arundell Arch-bishop of Canterbury fell into the disfavour of King Richard the second and was banished the land this Roger was by the King made Arch-bishop of Canterbury and acted to all purposes and intents calling of Synods and discharging of all other offices However he is beheld as a Cypher in that See because holding it by Sequestration whilst Arandell the true Incumbent was alive who returning in the first of King Henry the fourth resumed his Arch-Bishoprick And now Roger Walden was reduced to Roger Walden and as poor as at his first beginning For though all maintained that the Character of a Bishop was indelable this Roger found that a Bishoprick was delable having nothing whereon to subsist untill Arch-bishop Arundell nobly reflecting upon his Worth or Want or Both procured him to be made Bishop of London But he enjoyed that place onely so long as to be a testimony to all posterity of Arundell his Civility unto him dying before the year was expired 1404. He may be compared to one so Jaw-fallen with over long â—…asting thaâ—…â—…e cannot eat meat when brought unto him and his spirits were so depressed with his former ill fortunes that he could not enjoy himself in his new unexpected happiness Why he was buried rather in Saint Bartholomews in Smithfiâ—…ld then his own Cathedrall Church is too hard for me to resolve Since the Reformation RICHARD HOWLAND was born at Newport-Pâ—…nds in this County first Hellow of Peterhouse then chosen 1575. Master of Magdalen and next year Master of Saint Johns-Colledge in Cambridge He was twice Vice-chancellor of the University in the year 1584. he was Consecrated Bishop of Peterborough in which place he continued sixteen years and died in June 1600. JOHN JEGON was born in this County at Coxhall Fellow first of Queens then Master of Bennet-colledge in Cambridge and three times Vice-chancellour of the University A most serious man and grave governour yet withall of a most faceâ—…ious disposition so that it was hard to say whether his counsel was more grateful for the soundness oâ—… his company more acceptable for the pleasâ—…ess thereof Take one eminent instance of his â—…genuity Whilst Master of the Colledge he chanced to punish all the Under-graduates therein for some generall offence and the penalty was put upon their Heads in the Buttery And because that he disdained to convert the money to any private use it was expended in new whiteing the Hall of the Colledge Whereupon a scholar hung up these verses on the Skreen Doctor Jegon Bennet-colledge Master Brake the Scholars head and gave the walls a plaister But the Doctor had not the readiness of his parts any whit impaired by his age for perusing the paper ex tempore he subscribed Knew I but the Wagg that writ these verses in a Bravery I would commend him for his Wit but whip him for his Knavery Queen Elizabeth designed him but King James confirmed him Bishop of Norwich where if some in his Diocess have since bestowed harsh language on his memory the wonder is not great seeing he was a somewhat severe presser of Conformity and dyed Anno Domini 1618. SAMUEL HARESNET was born at Colchester in the Parish of Saint Butolph bred first Scholar then Fellow then Master of Pembrock-hall in Cambridge A man of grâ—…t learning strong parts and stout spirit He was Bishop first of Chichester then of Norwich and at last Arch-bishop of York and one of the Privy Councill of King Charles the 2. last dignities being procured by Thomas Earl of Arundell who much favoured him and committed his younger son to his Education Dying unmarried he was the better enabled for Publick and Pious uses and at Chigwell in this County the place of his first Church-preferment he built and endowed a fair Grammer School He conditionally bequeathed his Library to Colchester where he was born as by this passage in his Will may appear Item I give to the Bayliffs and Corporation of the Town of Colchester all my Library of Books provided that they provide a decent room to set them up in that the Clergy of the Town of Colchester and other Divines may have free access for the reading and studying of them I presume the Town corresponding with his desire the Legacy took due effect
Minister bred Fellow of Trinity-colledge in Oxford afterwards an eminent Preacher in London and Dean of ............ Hence he was preferr'd Bishop of Bristol and afterwards of Oxford and is still and long may he be living States-men Sir CHRISTOPHER HATTON was born I collect at Holdenby in this County of a family rather ancient then wealthy yet of no mean estate He rather took a bate then made a meal at the Inns of Court whilst he studied the Laws therein He came afterwards to the Court in a mask where the Queen first took notice of him loving him well for his handsome dancing better for his proper person and best of all for his great abilities His parts were far above his learning which mutually so assisted each other that no manifest want did appear and the Queen at last preferred him Lord Chancellour of England The Gown-men grudging hereat conceived his advancement their injury that one not thoroughly bred in the Laws should be preferred to the place How could he cure diseases unacquainted with their causes who might easily mistake the Justice of the Common-law for Rigour not knowing the true reason thereof Hereupon it was that some sullen Serjeants at the first refused to plead before him until partly by his power but more by his prudence he had convinced them of their errors and his abilities Indeed he had one Sir Richard Swale Doctor of the Civil-laws and that Law some say is very sufficient to dictate equity his servant-friend whose advice he followed in all matters of moment A scandal is raised that he was popishly affected and I cannot blame the Romanists if desirous to countenanâ—…e their cause with so considerable a person Yet most â—…ue it is that his zeal for the discipline of the Church of England gave the first being and life to this report One saith that he was a meer Vegetable of the Court that sprung up at night and sunk again at his noon though indeed he was of longer continuance Yet it brake his heart that the Queen which seldome gave boons and never forgave due debts rigorously demanded the present payment of some arrears which Sir Christopher did not hope to have remitted but did onely desire to be forborn failing herein in his expectation it went to his heart and cast him into a mortal disease The Queen afterwards did endeavour what she could to recover him bringing as some say cordial broaths unto him with her own hands but all would not do Thus no Pullies can draw up a heart once cast down though a Queen her self should set her hand thereunto He dyed Anno Domini 1591. and is buried under a stately monument in the Qâ—…ire of Saint Pauls Sir WILLIAM FITZ-WILLIAMS born at Milton in this County married the sister of Sir Henry Sidney Lord Deputy of Ireland Yea he himself was five times Lord Deputy of that Kingdome a sufficient evidence of his honesty and ability seeing Queen Elizabeth never trusted twice where she was once deceiv'd in a Minister of State She so preserved him in the power of his place that sending over Walter Earl of Essex a person higher in honour to be Governour of Ulster it was ordered that the Earl should take his Commission from the Lord Deputy An intelligent pen alloweth him serviceable towards the reduction of that Kingdome in two eminent particulars First in raising a composition in Mounster then in setling the possessions of the Lords and Tenants in Monahan one of the last acts of State tending to the reformation of the civil government perform'd in the reign of Queen Elizabeth His vigilancy was most conspicuous in the Eighty-eight when the routed Armado in its return did look dared not to land in Ireland except against their wills driven by tempest when they found the shore worse then the sea unto them I confess some impute the Irish Rebellion which afterwards brake out to this Deputies severity in imprisoning suspected persons for concealing Spanish goods though this onely gave the Irish a mantle for their intended wickedness He died Anno Domini 15 ... Sir ISAAC WAKE was born in this County whose father Arthur Wake Clerk was Parson of Billing Master of the Hospital of Saint Johns in Northampton and Canon of Christs-church and son to John VVake of Sancy-forrest Esquire of a most ancient and honorable family He was bred Fellow of Merton-colledge in Oxford Proctour and Oratour of that University he was afterwards Secretary to Sir Dudley Carleton Secretary of State and from his was advanced into the Kings Service and imployed Embassadour to Venice where he neglected his own commodity to attend his Majesties imployment the reason that he died rich onely to his own Conscience Coming from Venice he was appointed Leiger for France and designed Secretary of State had not death prevented him at Paris He was accomplished with all qualifications requisite for publique Employment Learning Languages Experience Abilities and what not King Charles hearing of his death commanded his Corps to be decently brought from Paris into England allowing the expences for his Funeral and enjoyning his neerest relations to attend the performance thereof These accordingly met his body at Bulloin in France and saw it solemnly conveyed into England where it was interred in the Chappel of the Castle of Dover Anno Dom. 16 ... Capital Judges and Writers on the Law MARTIN de PATESHULL Let him remain here till any shall show me a Town called Pateshulle in any other County of England which village in this Shire gave the name and afforded the habitation to that ancient family Though a Clergy-man he was in the first of King Henry the third made Justice of the Lower-â—…ench or Common-Pleas wherein he continued for twelve years and upwards as appeareth by the date of his death out of an excellent Author Eodem anno obiit Martinus de Pateshulle Decanus St. Pauli London 18. Cal. Decem. vir mirae prudentiae Legum Regni peritissimus He was the fourth Dean of Saint Pauls as reckoned up in Bishop Godwin his Catalogue In that age we see Clergy men were not onely trusted with the spirit I mean the equity but also with the letter of the Law being Judges in those Courts wherein were the most strictest proceedings Sir THOMAS de BILLING was born in this County where two Villages his namesakes near Northampton and had his habitation in great state at Ashwell in this Shire He was made Chief-Justice of the Kings-Bench in the sixth and so continued till the one and twentieth of Edward the fourth whose lands and those very large have since by the Lovels descended to the Shirlies Nothing else have I to observe of him save that he married for his second wife Mary the daughter and heir of Robert Nesenham of Conington in Huntingtonshire the Relict of William Cotton whose issue possess her inheritance at this day and she lieth intomb'd in VVestminster Sir
the vomit of Popery which my charity will not believe Indeed in the first of Queen Mary he was outed of his Bishoprick for being married and all that we can recover of his carriage aâ—…terwards is this passage at the examination of Master Thomas Hauke Martyr When John Bird then very old brought Boner a bottle of Wine and a dish of Apples probably a present unto him for a Ne noceat and therefore not enough to speak him a Papist in his perswasion Bishop Boner desired him to take Haukes into his Chamber and to try if he could convert him whereupon after Boners departure out of the room the quondam Bishop accosted Haukes as followeth I would to God I could do you some good you are a young man and I would not wish you to go to far but learn of the elders to bear somewhat He enforced him no further but being a thorough old man even fell fast asleep All this in my computation amounts but to a passive compliance and is not evidence enough to make him a thorough paced Papist the rather because John Pitts omitteth him in the Catalogue of English-writers which no doubt he would not have done had he any assurance that he had been a radicated Romanist Nothing else have I to observe of him but onely that he was a little man and had a pearl in his eyes and dying 1556. was buried in Chester States men Sir NICHOLAS THROCKMORTON Knight fourth Son of Sir George Throckmorton of Coughton in this County was bred beyond the Seas where he attained to great experience Under Queen Mary he was in Guild-Hall arraigned for Treason compliance with Wyat and by his own warie pleading and the Jurie's upright verdict hardly escaped Queen Elizabeth employed him Her Leiger a long time first in France then in Scotland finding him a most able Minister of State yet got he no great wealth and no wonder being ever of the opposite party to Burleigh Lord Treasurer Chamberlain of the Exchequer and Chief Butler of England were his highest preferments I say Chief Butler which office like an empty covered cup pretendeth to some state but affordeth no considerable profit He died at supper with eating of salates not without suspicion of poison the rather because hapning in the house of one no mean artist in that faculty R. Earl of Leicester His death as it was sudden was seasonable for him and his whose active others will call it turbulent spirit had brought him into such trouble as might have cost him at least the loss of his personal estate He died in the fifty seventh year of his age February the 12. 1570. and lyeth buryed in the South-side of the Chancel of St. Katharine Cree-Church London EDWARD CONWAY Knight Son to Sir John Conway Knight Lord and Owner of Ragleigh in this County This Sir John being a Person of Great skill in Military affaires was made by Robert Earl of Leicester Generall of the English Auxiliaries in the united Provinces Governour of Ostend His Son Sir Edward succeeded to his Fathers Martial skill and valour and twisted therewith peaceable policy in State-affaires so that the Gown and the Sword met in him in most Eminent Proportion and thereupon King James made Him one of the Principal Secretaries of State For these his good services he was by him created Lord Conway of Ragleigh in this County and afterwards by King Charles Viscount Killultagh in the County of Antrim And lastly in the third of King Charles Viscount Conway of Conway in Carnarvanshire England Ireland and Wales mutually embracing themselves in His Honours He dyed January the third Anno 1630. JOHN DIGBY Baron of Sherborn and Earl of Bristol was born in this County a younger Son of an ancient family long flourishâ—…ng at Coleshull therein To pass by his Infancy all Children being alike in their long Coats his Youth gave pregnant hopes of that Eminency which his mature age did produce He didken the Emhassador-Craft as well as any in his age employed by King James in several services to frreign Princes recited in his Patent which I have perused as the main motives of the Honors conferr'd upon him But his managing the Matchless Match with Spain was his Master-piece wherein a Good I mean a Great number of State-Traverses were used on both sides His contest with the Duke of Buckingham is fresh in many mens Memories charges of High Treason mutually flying about But this Lord fearing the Dukes Power as the Duke this Lorâ—…s policy it at last became a Drawn Battail betwixt them yet so that this Earl lost the love of King Charles living many years in his Dis-favour But such as are in a Court-Cloud have commonly the Countries Sun-shine and this Peer during his Eclyps was very Popular with most of the Nation It is seldom seen that a favorite once Broken at Court sets up again for himself the hap rather then happiness of this Lord the King graciously reflecting on him at the beginning of the Long-Parliament as one Best able to give him the safest Counsell in those dangerous Times But how he incensed the Parliament so far as to be excepted Pardon I neither do know nor dare enquire Sure I am after the surrender of Exeter he went over into France where he met with that due respect in forraign which he missed in his Native Country The worst I wish such who causelesly suspect him of Popish inclinations is that I may hear from them but half so many strong Arguments for the Protestant Religion as I have heard from him who was to his commendation a Cordial Champion for the Church of England He dyed in France about the year 1650. Writers WALTER of COVENTRIE was born and bred a Benedictine therein Bale saith he was Immortali vir dignus Memoria and much commended by Leland though not of set purpose but sparsim as occasion is offered He excelled in the two Essential Qualities of an Historian Faith and Method writing truly and orderly onely guilty of Coursness of style This may better be dispenced with in him because Historia est res veritatis non Eloquentiae because bad Latin was a catching disease in that age From the beginning of the Britons he wrote a Chronicle extant in Bennet Colledge Library to his own time He flourished Anno 1217. VINCENT of COVENTRIE was born in the chief City in this shire and bred a Franciscan though Learned Leland mistakes him a Carmelite in the University of Cambridg His order at their first entrance into England looked upon learning as a thing beneath them so totally were they taken up with their Devotion This Vincent was the first who brake the Ice and then others of his order drank of the same water first applyed himself to Academicall studies and became a publick Professor in Cambridge he set a Coppy for the Carmelites therein to imitate who not long after began their publick Lectures in the same place he
the Chancellour by Act of Parliament We have begun our Catalogue of Chancellours at Sir Thomas More before whose time that place was generally discharged by Clergy men entered in our Book under the Title of Eminent Prelates If any demand why such Clergy-men who have been Lord Chancellours are not rather ranked under the Title of Statesmen than under the Topick of Prelates Let such know that seeing Episcopacy is challenged to be jure Divino and the Chancellours place confessed to be of Humane Institution I conceive them most properly placed and to their best advantage If any ask why the Lord Chancellours who meddle so much in matters of Law are not rather digested under the Title of Lawyers then under that of Statesmen Let such know it is done because some Chancellours were never Lawyers ex professo studying the Laws of the Land for their intended Function taking them only in order to their own private accomplishment Whereof Sir Christopher Hatton was an eminent instance As we begin our Catalogue with Sir Thomas More we close it with Sir Thomas Coventry it being hard toâ—…ay whether the Former were more Witty and Facetious or the Later more Wise and Judicious Lord Treasurers Kings without Treasure will not be suitably obeyed and Treasure without a Treasurer will not be safely preserved Hence it was that the Crowns and Scepters of Kings were made of gold not only because it is the most pure and precious of metalls but to show that wealth doth effectually evidence and maintain the strength and state of Majesty We may therefore observe not only in prophane but holy writ not only in Old but New Testnment signal notice taken of those who were over the Treasury in which great place of Trust the Eunuch served Candace Queen of Ethiopia The Office of Lord Treasurers was ever beheld as a Place of great charge and profit One well skilled in the Perquisits thereof being demanded what he conceived the yearly value of the place was worth made this Return That it might be worth some thousands of pounds to him who after death would go instantly to Heaven twice as much to him who would go to Purgatory and a Nemo Scit to him who would adventure to go to a worse place But the plain truth is He that is a Bad Husband for himself will never be a good one for his Soveraign and therefore no wonder if they have advanced fair Estates to themselves whose Office was so Advantagious and they so judicious and prudent persons without any prejudice to their Master and for ought I know Injury to his Subjects We have begun our Catalogue at William Lord Powlett Marquess of Winchester For although before him here and there Lay-Lords were Intrusted with that Office Yet generally they were Bishops and so anticipated under our Topick of Eminent Prelates and blame me not if in this particular I have made the Lustrè of the Lords Spiritual to Eclipse the Lords Temporal drowning their Civil Office in their Ecclesiastical Employment We close our Catalogue of Lord Treasurers with Francis Lord Cottington Secretaries of State There were but two of these at once in the Kings time whereof the one was styled the Principal Secretary the other the Secretary of Estate Some have said that the first in the Senioritie of Admition was accounted the Principall but the Exceptions in this kind being as many as the Regularities the Younger being often brought over the head of the elder to be Principal Their chiefnesse was Penes Regis Arbitrium Nor was the one confined to Forreign Negotiations the other to domestick businesse as some have believed but promiscuously ordered all affaires though the Genius of some Secretaries did incline them most to forreign Transactions Their Power was on the matter alike and Petitioners might make their Applications indifferently to either though most addressed themselves to him in whom they had the greatest Interest Their Salaries were some Two hundred pounds a piece and five hundred pounds a piece more for Intelligence and Secret Service Before the Reformation Clergy-men who almost were all things were generally Secretaries of Estate as Oliver King Secretary to Edward 4. Edward 5. and Henry the 7. and those came under our Pen in the Notion of Eminent Prelates We therefore begin our Catalogue of Secretaries from Sir Thomas Cromwell in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth because from him until our Time a continued Series of Lay-men haâ—…e discharged that Office We â—…onclude our Secretaries of State with Sir John Cook who perceiving his aged body not so fit for such Active times resigned his Place about the beginning of the Long Parliament though surviving some years after in a private condition We will for the more safety follow the Pattern of so wise a States-man and where he gave over his Office we will give over writing of those Officers for fear we tread too neere on the Toes of the Times and touch too much on our Modern distempers Amiralls or Admiralls Much difference there is about the Original of this word whilst most probable their Opinion who make it of Eastern Extraction borrowed by the Christians from the Saracens These derive it from Amir in Arabick a Prince and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Belonging to the Sea in the Greek Language such mixture being precedented in other words Besides seeing the Sultans Dominions in the Time of the Holy War extended from Sinus Arabius to the North Eastern part of the Midland-Sea where a barbarous kind of Greek was spoken by many Amirall thus compounded was significatively comprehensive of his Jurisdiction Admirall is but a Depraving of Amirall in vulgar mouths However it will never be beaten out of the Heads of the Common sort that seeing the Sea is Scene of Wonders something of Wonderment hath incorporated it self in this Word and that it hath a Glimps Cast or Eye of Admiration therein Our English Kings following the Precedent of the Politick Romans who very seldome entrusted places of great importance especially during life in a single person as also that they might gratifie more and trust less divided the Over-sight of sea-matters betwixt a Triumvirate of Amiralls and like wary Merchants ventured the charge in several bottoms for the more Safety 1. The North Amirall 2. The South Amirall 3. The West Amirall His jurisdiction reached from the Mouth of Thames to the outmost Orcades though often opposed by the Scots and had Yarmouth for his prime Residence His Bounds stretched from the Thames Mouth to the Lands end having his station generally at Portsmouth His power extended from the lands end to the Hebrides having Ireland under his Inspection Milford Haven the chief Stable for his Wooden Horses I find that Richard Fitz-alin Earl of Arundell was by King Richard the second made the first Amirall of all England yet so that if Three Co-Admiralls were restored as formerly his Charter expired John Vere Earl of Oxford was the sirst of Hen. the seventh
Catalogues begin and end at such times And I do believe that they will prove Satisfactory to such ingenuous Readers that come with no cavilling premeditation Exception 13. In your Catalogue of Learned Writers you have omitted many as may appear by Pitseus his Appendix Illustrium Angliae Scriptorum For of the four hundred by him mentioned not fifty appear in your List of them Answer Pitseus himself shall plead for me who in his Preface to his Appendix ingenuously confesseth Eos adhuc efficere non valeo dignos qui inter illustres Scriptores locum obtineant So that one may call them Obscuros illustres little being known of the books which they wrote less of the times when they lived nothing of the places where they were born However seeing some persons of eminence have stragled amongst them I have selected such with my best care and presented them in my Catalogue Exception 14 Of some men you have little save their Name Life and Death and yet you tearm such eminent persons Answer Surely they were so in themselves and deserve more should be then is left written of them through the injury of time All that I will plead in my own Defence is this There is an Officer in the Exchequer called Clericus nihilorum or the Clerk of the Nichils who maketh a Roll of all such sums as are nichill'd by the Sheriff upon their Estreats of the Green wax when such sums are set on persons either not found or not found solvible This Roll he delivereth into the Treasurers Remembrancers office to have execution done upon it for the King and thus the Clerk hath done his duty leaving it to them to see if they can make any thing of his Return I conceive in like manner I have performed my utmost in that I return such persons to have nothing more to be said of them findable by all my endevours However I consign them over to more able Historians whose pains I will neither prejudice nor discourage but if they be pleased to begin where I ended I wish them more happy success in their discoveries Exception 15. Your Book is surcharged with Scripture observations and reflections in Divinity even when no necessity leadeth you thereunto Answer The Reader hath Conâ—…itentem but I will never acknowledge Reum pleading Custome and Conscience in my just excuse Custome being habited by my profession therein The Learned observe of St. Luke that being a Physician by his function and describing the great difference between Paul and Barnabas he made use of an expression in his own faculty and there was betwixt them a Dissention in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is the height and heat of a burning Feaver So that the Spirit of God guiding his Pen permitted him to make use of the Language proper to his Vocation And I presume the same favour will be indulged to me by all ingenuous persons to have I will not say a partiality but an affection to the expressions of and excursions into my own Calling Secondly I plead Conscience that seeing some may Cavil this Work to be a Deviation from my function and I my self perchance sensible of some truth therein I will watch and catch all opportunity to make a fair Regresse to my profession Exception 15. You lay down certain Rules for the better regulating your work and directing the Reader promising to confine your self to the observation thereof and break them often your self For instance you restrain the Topick of Lawyers to Capital Judges and Writers of the Law yet under that head insert Judge Paston and others who were only puny Iudges in their respective Courts You limit Statesmen to Lord Chancelours Treasurers English Secretaries of State c. and put in Sir Edward Waterhouse who was Secretary but in Ireland In a word few heads are preserved pure according to their constitution without the mixture of improper persons amongst them Why did you break such Rules when knowing you made them why did you make such Rules when minding to break them And this is an Exception of Exceptions against you Answer I never intended to tye my self up so close without reserving lawful Liberty to my self upon just occasion Indeed we read of St. Egwin the third Bishop of Worcester that he made for himself a pair of Iron Shakels and locking them close unto his Leggs cast the Key thereof into the Severn desiring never to be loosed till he had made satisfaction for his Sins Returning from Rome a Fish leaped into the Ship in whose Belly was found the Key and so Egwin was miraculously restored to his Liberty Had I in like manner fettered my self to the Topicks propounded on presumption of so strange a release none would have pitied my restraint wilfully contracted on my self But the best is I resolved to keep the Key in my own hands to enlarge my self when I apprehended a just cause thereof However I have not made use of this Key to recede from my first Limitations save where I crave leave of and render a reason to the Reader such anomalous persons being men of high merit under those heads where they are inserted Exception 16. You have omitted many Memorable persons still surviving as meriting as any you have inserted Answer The return of Martial in a case not much unlike may much befriend me herein Miâ—…aris Veteres Vacerra solos Nec laudas nisi mortuos poet as Ignosâ—…as petimâ—…s Vacerra tanti Non est ut placeam tibi perire Deceased Authors thou admir'st aloâ—…e And only praisest Poets dead and gone Vacerra pardon me I will not buy Thy praise so dear as for the same to dye All men being like-minded with Martial herein none surviving will distaste their omission in a work for reasons afore-alledged save in some cases confined to the memories of the departed Exception 17. Speaking of the Commodities of several Counties you say the Wool of Hereford shire is best and yet Gloucester-Shire is best the VVheat of Hereford-shire is best and yet Middlesex best the Lead of Darby-shire best and yet Somerset-shire best the Iron of Sussex best and Stafford-shire best The same may be observed in your praising of persons making several men at the same time the best Poets Divines Schoolmen c. and this must be both falshood and flattery together Answer Impute it I pray to my peaceable disposition unwilling to occasion discord betwixt Eminencies the rather because things of the same kind may severally be the best in sundry Qualities Some Wool best for Cloath other for Hats some Wheat best for yeilding of most other finest flower some Lead best for Bullets other for Sheeting Houses some Iron best for Ordnance other for Nails Keys and smaler Uâ—…ensils Neither is it without precedent in Scripture to Character several men best in the same Profession both 〈◊〉 and Josiah being commended to have had none like unto them neither before nor after them Exception 18. During the
confess it was somewhat too soon for one with safety and truth to treat of such a Subject Indeed I could instance in some kind of course Venison not fit for food when first killed and therefore cunning Cooks bury it for some hours in the Earth till the rankness thereof being mortified thereby it makes most palatable meat So the memory of some Persons newly deceased are neither fit for a Writers or Readers repast untill some competent time after their Interment However I am Confident that unpartial Posterity on a serious review of all Passages will allow his Name to be reposed amongst the HEROES of our Nation seeing such as behold his expence on St. Pauls as but a Cypher will assign his other Benefactions a very valuable Signification viz. his erecting and endowing an Almes-house in Reading his increasing of Oxford Library with Books and St. Johns Colledg with beautifull buildings He was beheaded Jan. 10. 1644. States-men Sir JOHN MASON Knight was born at Abbington where he is remembred among the Benefactors to the beautifull Almes-house therein bred in All souls in Oxford King Hènry the eighth coming thither was so highly pleased with an oration Mr. Mason made unto Him that he instantly gave order for his education beyond the seas as confident he would prove an able Minister of State This was the politick discipline of those days to select the pregnancies of either Universities and breed them in forraign parts for publique employments He was Privy-Councellour to King Henry the eighth and K. Edward the sixth One maketh him His Secretary of State which some suspect too high another but Master of the Requests which I believe as much beneath him He continued Councellor to Q. Mary and Q. Elizabeth to whom he was Treasurer of the Household and Chancellor of the University of Oxford Mr. Camden gives him this true character Vir fuit gravis atque eruditus which I like much better then that which followeth so far as I can understand it Ecclesiasticorum Beneficiorum incubator maximus Surely he could be no Canonical Incumbent in any Benefice not being in Orders which leaveth him under the suspicion of being a great ingrosser of long leases in Church-livings which then used to be let for many years a pityful pension being reserved for the poor Curate Thought possibly in his younger time he might have Tonsuram primam or be a Deacon which improved by his great power might qualify at least countenance him for the holding of his spiritual promotions He died 1566. and lieth buried in the Quire of St. Pauls over against William Herbert first Earl of Pembroke and I remember this Distick of his Long Epitaph Tempore quinque suo regnantes ordine vidit Horum a Consiliis quatuor ille fuit He saw five Princes which the scepter bore Of them was Privy-Councellour to Four It appears by His Epitaph that he left no Child of his own Body but adopted his Nephew to be his Son an Heir Sir THOMAS SMITH Knight was born at Abbington bred in the University of Oxford God and himself raised him to the eminency he attained unto unbefriended with any extraction He may seem to have had an ingenuous emulation of Sir Tho. Smith senior Secretary of State whom he imitated in many good qualities and had no doubt equalled him in preferment if not prevented by death He attained only to be Master of the Requests and Secretary to K. James for His Latine Letters higher places expecting him when a period was put to his life Novemb. 28. 1609. He lieth buried in the Church of Fullkam in Middlesex under a monument erected by his Lady Frances daughter to William Lord Chandos and since Countess of Exeter Souldiers HENRY UMPTON Knight was born as by all Indications in the Heralds Office doth appear at Wadley in this County He was Son to Sir Edward Umpton by Anne the Relick of John Dudley Earl of Warwick and the Eldest Daughter of Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset He was imployed by Queen Elizabeth Embassadour into France where he so behaved himself right stoutly in her behalf as may appear by this particular In the Moneth of March Anno 1592. being sensible of some injury offered by the Duke of Gwise to the honour of the Queen of England he sent him this ensuing challenge For as much as lately in the Lodging of my Lord Du Mayne and in publick elsewhere Impudently Indiscreetly and over boldly you spoke badly of my Soveraign whose sacred Person here in this County I represent To maintain both by word and weapon her honour which never was called in question among people of Honesty and Vertue I say you have wickedly lyed in speaking so basely of my Soveraign and you shall do nothing else but lie whensoever you shall dare to taxe her honour Moreover that her sacred Person being one of the most complete and Vertuous Princess that lives in this world ought not to be evil spoken of by the Tongue of such a perfidious Traytor to her Law and Country as you are And hereupon I do defy you and challenge your Person to mine with such manner of Arms as you shall like or choose be it either on horse back or on foot Nor would I have you to think any inequality of Person between us I being issued of as great a Race and Noble house every way as your self So assigning me an indifferent place I will there maintain my words and the Lie which I gave you and which you should not endure if you have any Courage at all in you If you consent not meet me hereupon I will hold you and cause you to be generally held for the arrantest coward and most slanderous slave that lives in all France I expect your Answer I find not what answer was returned This Sir Henry dying in the French Kings Camp before Lofear had his Corps brought over to London and carryed in a Coach to Wadley thence to Farington where he was buryed in the Church on Tuesday the 8. of July 1596. He had allowed him a Barons Hearse because dying Ambassadour Leigier Writers HUGH of READING quitted his expectances of a fair Estate and sequestring himself from worldly delights embraced a Monastical life till at last he became Abbot of Reading Such who suspect his sufficiency will soon be satisfied when they read the high Commendation which Petrus Bloesensis Arch Deacon of Bath one of the greatest Scholars of that Age bestoweth upon him He wrote a Book of no Trival Questions fetcht out of the Scripture it self the reason why I. Bale generally a back-friend to Monks hath so good a Character for him who flourished Anno Dom. 1180. ROGER of WINDSOR was undoubtedly born in this Town otherwise he would have been called Roger of St. Albans being Chanter in that Convent Now in that Age Monks were reputed men of best Learning and most leasure The cause why our English Kings alwaies choose one of
past twelve years of age before he knew one letter in the Book and did not he run fast who starting so late came soon to the mark He was a Curious Poet excellent Musician a valiant and successeful Souldier who fought seven Battles against the Danes in one year and at last made them his Subjects by Conquest and Gods servants by Christianity He gave the first Institution or as others will have it the best 〈◊〉 to the University of Oxford A Prince who cannot be painted to the Life without his losse no words reaching his worth He Divided 1. Every natural day as to himself into three parts eight hours for his devotion eight hours for his imployment eight hours for his sleep and refection 2. His Revenues into three parts one for his expences in War a second for the maintenance of his Court and a third to be spended on Pious uses 3. His Land into Thirty two shires which number since is altered and increased 4. His Subjects into Hundreds and Tythings consisting of Ten persons mutually Pledges for their Good behaviour such being accounted suspitious for their Life and Loyalty that could not give such Security He left Learning where he found Ignorance Justice where he found Oppression Peace where he found Distraction And having Reigned about Four and thirty years He dyed and was buried at Winchester Anno 901. He loved Religion more then Superstition favoured Learned men more then Lasie Monks which perchance was the cause that his memory is not loaden with Miracles and He not solemnly Sainted with other Saxon Kings who far less deserved it Since the Reformation PETER CHAPMAN was born at Cokeham in this County bred an Iron-monger in London and at his death bequeathed five pounds a year to two Scholars in Oxford as much to two in Cambridge and five Pounds a year to the Poor in the town of his Nativity besides threescore pounds to the Prisons in London and other Benefactions The certain date of his death is to me unknown JOHN KENDRICK was born at Reading in this County and bred a Draper in the City of London His State may be compared to the Mustard-seed very little at the beginning but growing so great that the birds made nests therein or rather he therein made neâ—…ts for many birds which otherwise being either infledged or maimed must have been exposed to wind and weather The Worthiest of Davids WORTHIES were digested into Ternions and they again subdivided into two Ranks If this double Dichotomie were used to methodize our Protestant Benefactors since the Reformation sure I am that Mr. Kendrick will be if not the last of the first the first of the second Three His Charity began at his Kindred proceeded to his Friends and Servants to whom he left large Legacies concluded with the Poor on whom he bestowed above twenty thousand pounds Reading and Newbury sharing the deepest therein And if any envious and distrustfull Miser measuring other mens hearts by the narrowness of his own suspecteth the truth hereof and if he dare hazard the smarting of his bleered eyes to behold so bright a Sun of Bounty let him consult his Will publickly in Print He departed this life on the 30. day of September 1624. and lyes buried in St. Christophers London To the Curate of which Parish he gave twenty pounds per annum for ever RICHARD WIGHTWICK Bachelor of Divinity was Rector of East Isley in this County What the yearly value of his living was I know not and have cause to believe it not very great however one would conjecture his Benefice a Bishoprick by his bounty to Pembroke Colledge in Oxford to which he gave one hundred pounds per annum to the maintenance of three Fellows and four Scholars When he departed this life is to me unknown Memorable Persons THOMAS COLE commonly called the rich clothier of Reading Tradition and an authorless pamphlet make him a man of vast wealth maintaining an hundred and fourty meniall servants in his house besides three hundred poor people whom he set on work insomuch that his Wains with cloth filled the high-way betwixt Reading and London to the stopping of King Henry the first in his Progress Who notwithstanding for the incouraging of his Subjects industry gratified the said Cole and all of his profession with the set measure of a Yard the said King making his own Arme the standard thereof whereby Drapery was reduced in the meting thereof to a greater certainty The truth is this Monkes began to Lard the lives of their Saints with lies whence they proceeded in like manner to flourish out the facts of Famous Knights King Arthur Guy of Warwick c. in imitation whereof some meaner wits in the same sort made description of Mechanicks powdering their lives with improbable passages to the great prejudice of truth Seeing the making of Broad-cloath in England could not be so ancient and it was the arme not of King Henry but King Edward the first which is notoriously known to have been the adequation of a yard However because omnis fabula fundatur in Historia let this Cole be accounted eminent in this kind though I vehemently suspect very little of truth would remain in the midst of this story if the grosse falshoods were pared from both sides thereof JOHN WINSCOMBE called commonly Jack of Newberry was the most considerable clothier without fancy and fiction England ever beheld His Looms were his lands whereof he kept one hundred in his House each managed by a Man and a Boy In the expedition to Flodden-field against James King of Scotland he marched with an hundred of his own men as well armed and better clothed then any to shew that the painfull to use their hands in peace could be valiant and imploy their Armes in War He feasted King Henry the eighth and his first Queen Katharine at his own house extant at Newberry at this day but divided into many Tenements Well may his house now make sixteen Clothiers houses whose wealth would amount to six hundred of their estates He built the Church of Newberry from the Pulpit westward to the Tower inclusively and died about the year 1520. some of his name and kindred of great wealth still remaining in this County Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 John Parveis John Parveis Erlgeston Fishmonger 1432 2 Nicholas Wyfold Thomas Wyfold Hertley Grocer 1450 3 William Webbe John Webbe Reading Salter 1591 4 Thomas Bennet Thomas Bennet Wallingford Mercer 1603 The Names of the Gentry of this County returned by the Commissioners in the twelfth year of King Henry the Sixth 1433. Robert Bishop of Sarum Commissioners to take the Oaths William Lovel Chivaler  Robert Shotsbroke Knights for the Shires William Fyndern  Johan Prendegest Praeceptor Hospitalis St. Johan Jerus in Anglia de Grenham Johannis Golefre Armigeri Willielmi Warbelton Ar. Willielmi Danvers Ar. Johannis Shotesbrooke Ar. Thomae Foxle Ar. Phi. Inglefeld Ar. Thomae Rothewell
and fluent his expression and was knowing in all thâ—…ngs save in himself For profanely he advanced Aristotle above Moses and himself above both His pride had a great and sudden fall losing at the same instant both language and memory becoming compleatly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without reason or speech Yet was his dumness to all intelligent people a loud Sermon on Saint Pauls precept Not to think of themselves more highly then they ought to think but to think soberly Polydore Virgil saith of him Juvene nil acutius sene nihil obtusius whilest others adde he made an inarticulate sound like to lowing This great judgement befell him about the year of our Lord 1201. MICHAEL BLAUNPAYN born in Cornwall some so commonly call him Michael the Master that he had almost lost his native name was bred in Oxfordâ—…nd â—…nd 〈◊〉 and became as good a riming Poet as any in that Age. In happened one Henry of Normandy chief Poet to our Henry the third had traduced Cornwall as an inconsiderable Country cast out by nature in contempt into a corner of the land Our Michael could not enâ—…ure this affront but full of Poeticall fury falls upon the Libeller take a tast little thereof will go far of his strains Non opus est ut opes numereÌ„ quibus est opulenta Et pâ—… quas inopes sustentat non ope lenta Piscibus Stanno nusquam tam fertilis ora We need not number up her wealthy store Wherewith this helpful land relieves her poor No Sea so full of Fish of Tinn no Shore Then as a valiant Champion he concludeth all with this exhortation to his Country-men Quid nos deterret si firmiter in pede stemus Fraus ni nos superat nihil est quod non superemus What should us fright if firmly we do stand Bar Fraud and then no Force can us command His Pen so lushious in praising when so pleased was as bitter in railing when disposed witness this his Satirical character of his foresaid Antagonist Est tibi Gamba Capri crus passeris latus Apri Os leporis catuli nasus dens gena Muli Frons Vetulae tauri caput color undique Mauri His argumentis quibus est argutia Mentis Quod non à Monstro differs satis hic tibi Monstro Gamb'd like a Goat sparrow-thigh'd sides as Boar Hare-mouth'd Dog-nos'd like Mule thy teeth chin Brow'd as old wife bul-headed black as More If such without then what are you within By these my Signs the wise will easily conster How little thou didst differ from a Monster He flourished Anno 1350. though the certain time and place of his death is unknown GODFREY of CORNWALL was bred a Doctor in Paris and Oxford and afterwards became a Carmelite of no mean esteem amongst those of his own order It happened in his time that Gerardus Bononiensis a French-man Master Generall of the Carmelites made two Provincials formerly but one of that order in England alledging that two * are better then one and matters would be the more exactly regulated by their double inspection The plain truth was the French-man did it out of covetousness that so two loaders might bring double grists to his Mill. Our Godfrey appeared a Champion for the old way that matters might run in their ancient channell and wrote a Book to that purpose as many others on severall subjects John Baconthorpe his Contemporary much esteemed him and quoted him by the Title of Doctor Solennis I doubt not but this our Godfrey in mannerly requitall re-gave Baconthorpe the courtesie of Doctor Resolutus and here I would fain be satisfied how these received Epithetes Doctor Profundus Doctor Subtilis c. came first to be fixed on such and such Schoolmen Surely they asâ—…umed them not themselves which had argued too much pride and presumption Nor could I ever as yet meet with any Authentique record of Pope or University which setled it upon them Possibly one Eminent Writer gave it to another his Correspondent who in reciprocation of kindness title thou me and I will title thee returned as splendid a style to him again This our Solemn Doctor flourished Anno Domini 1310. JOHN TREVISA was born at Caradock in this County bred in Oxford afterwards Vicar of Berkeley in Gloucester-shire and Chaplain to Thomas Lord Berkeley at whose instance besides other Histories writ by him he translated the Bible into English a daring work for a private person in that age without particular Command from Pope or Publique Council Some much admire he would enter on this work so lately performed about fifty years before by John Wicklife What was this but actum agere to do what was done before Besides Wicklife and Trevisa agreeing so well in their judgements it was much he would make a Retranslation Such consider not that in that age it was almost the same pains for a Scholar to translate as transcribe the Bible Secondly the time betwixt Wicklife and Trevisa was the Chrisis of the English tongue which began to be improved in fifty more then in 300. years formerly Many course words to say no worse used before are refined by Trevisa whose translation is as much better then Wicklifes as worse then Tyndals Thus though the fountain of the Original hath always clearness alike therein channels of Translations will partake of more or less purity according to the translators age industry and ability This Trevisa died a through old man about the year 1400. Since the Reformation JOHN SKUISH was born in Cornwall a man of much experience and generall learning He was saith my Author à consiliis to â—…ardinal Woolsy whereby I collect him learned of the Laws and of his Counsell except that that great Prelate like a Prince had Counsell of State belonging unto him This Skuish wrote a Chronicle being collected out of many severall Authors I have some presumptions to conclude him inclined to the Protestant reformation He flourished Anno Dom. 1530. BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON The first syllable of his Name and what is added thereunto by my Author parentum stemmate clarus and the sameness of his name with an ancient Family in this County are a three-fold Cable to draw my belief that he was this Country-man He was bred in the University of Oxford and having attained to good learning therein twice travailed beyond the Seas Once for pleasure and curiosity into France and Italy whereby he much improved himself Returning home he became Library-keeper to King Edward the sixth and Dean of Chichester The second time for safety and necessity in the first of Q. Mary getting I believe his best subsistance being an Exile in Germany with making and translating of Books where he was living 1556. and may be rationally presumed to dye before Q. Elizabeth came to the Crown because being a man of merit and Ecclesiastically Dignified we hear no more of his preferment RICHARD CAREW Esquire son
by the waters thereof Princes I find no Prince since the Conquest who saw his first light in this County probably because our English Kings never made any long residence therein Saints St. ALKMUND son to Alred King of Northumberland slain in a Battel on the behalf of Ethelmund Vice-Roy of Worcester pretending to recover Lands against Duke Wolstan who detained them was therefore reputed Saint and Martyr It would pose a good Scholar to clear his Title to the later who lost his life in a quarrel of civil concernment On which account in all Battels betwixt Christians such as are slain on one side may lay claim to Martyr-ship However it befriendeth his Memory that his body translated to Derby was believed to do miracles being there with great veneration interred in a Church called Saint Alkmunds on the right hand as Passengers from the South go over the Bridge whither the Northern people made many Pilgrimages till discomposed by the Reformation What relation Alkmundsbury a Town in Hantingdonshire hath unto Him is to me unknown Martyrs JOAN WAST was a blind Woman in the Town of Derbey and on that account the object of any mans Alms rather than the Subject of his cruelty Besides she was seemingly a silly Soul and indeed an Innocent though no Fool. And what saith our Saviour For judgement am I come into this world that they which see not might see and that they which see might be made blind This poor Woman had a clear apprehension of Gods Truth for the testimony whereof she was condemned and burnt at the Stake by the command of Bishop Baines who as he began with the Extreams Mistress Joyce Lewis one of the best and this Joan Wast one of the basest birth in his Diocess So no doubt had not Queen Mary died he would have made his cruelty meet in persons of a middle condition Cardinals ROGER CURSON was born saith my Author ex nobili quodam Anglorum genere of Worshipful English extraction Now I find none of his sirname out of this County except some branches lately thence derived but in the same two right ancient Families one formerly at Croxton whose heir general in our age was married to the Earl of Dorset the other still flourisheth at in this County which moves me to make this Roger a Native thereof Bred he was first a Scholar in Oxford then a Doctor in Paris and lastly a Cardinal in Rome by the Title of Saint Stephen in Mount Celius When the City of Damiata in Egypt was taken under John Brenn King of Jerusalem our Cardinal Curson was there accompanying Pelagius the Popes Cardinal He wrote many Books and came over into England as the Popes Legate in the raign of King Henry the third The certain time of his death is unknown PHILIP de REPINGDON took no doubt his name and birth from Repingdon commonly contracted and called Repton in this County and I question whether any other in England of the same name He was bred and commenced first Batchelor then Doctor of Divinity in Oxford where he became a great Champion and Assertor of the Doctrine of John VVickliff which caused him much trouble and many strict examinations But alas he became like the seed on stony ground which not having root in it self endured but for a while and withered away in persecution for he solemnly recanted his opinions Novemb. 24. Anno 1383. And to give the better assurance that he was a true Anti-VVickliffite from a Professor he became a persâ—…cutor and afterwards was termed Rampington by those poor people whom he so much molested Then preferment flowed in thick and threefold upon him from a Canon he became Abbot of Leicester and Anno 1400. he was made Chancellor of Oxford 1405. Bishop of Lincoln 1408. by Pope Gregory the twelfth he was created Cardinal of Saint Nerius and Achilleius though that Pope had solemnly sworn he would make no more Cardinals till the Schisme in Rome were ended The best is the Pope being Master of the Oath-Office may give himself a Pardon for his own perjury What moved this Repington willingly to resign his Bishoprick 1420. is to me unknown Prelates WILLIAM GRAY was son to the Lord Gray of Codnor in this County He suffered not his Parts to be depressed by his Nobility but to make his mind the more proportionable he endeavoured to render himself as able as he was honourable He studied first in Baliol Colledge in Oxford then at Ferrara in Italy where he for a long time heard the Lectures of Guarinus of Verona that accomplished Scholar No man was better acquainted with the method of the Court of Rome which made our King appoint him his Procurator therein It is hard to say whether Pope Nicholas the fifth or our King Henry the sixth contributed most to his free Election to the Bishoprick of Eely whilest it 〈◊〉 out of doubt his own deserts concurred most effectually thereunto He sate in that See twenty four years and wrote many Books which the envy of time hath denied to posterity Bishop Godwin by mistake maketh him Chancellor of England whereas indeed he was Lord Treasurer in the ninth of King Edward the fourth Anno 1469. Let me adde he was the last Clergy-man that ever discharged that Office until Bishop Juxton in our days was preferred thereunto He died Aug. 4. 1478. and lies buried between two Marble Pillars in his Church having bestowed much cost in the reparation of the famous Bellfrie thereof Since the Reformation GEORGE COOKE D. D. Brother to Sir John Cooke Secretary of State was born at Trusley in this County bred in Pembroke Hall in Cambridge Afterwards he was beneficed at Bigrave in Hertford-shire where a lean Village consisting of but three Houses maketh a fat Living Hence he was successively made Bishop of Bristol and Hereford A meek grave and quiet man much beloved of such who were subjected to his jurisdiction He was in the same condemnation with the rest of his Brethren for subscribing the PROTEST in Parliament in preservation of their Priviledges The times trod so heavily upon him that though he ever was a thrifty person they not onely bruised the Foot but brake the Body of his Estate so that he had felt want if not relieved by his rich relations dying about the year 1650. States-Men Sir JOHN COOKE younger Brother to Sir Francis Cooke was born at Trusley in the Hundred of Appletree in this County of ancient and Worshipful Parentage allied to the best Family in this County He was bred Fellow of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge and being chosen Rhetorick Lecturer in the University grew eminent for his Ingenious and Critical Readings in that School on that Subject He then travailed beyond the Seas for some years returning thence rich in foraign Language Observations and Experience Being first related to Sir Fulk Grivell Lord Brook he was thence preferred to be Secretary of the Navy then Master of the
was made Lord Chancellour of England dischargeing his place with Prudence and Equity for the terme of five years Foreseeing he should be outed of his Office being of the Anti-faction to Duke Dudley to prevent stripping he politickly put off his Robes of State resigning his Office Which done no danger of catching cold his own Under-suit was so well lined having gotten a fair Estate about Lees Abbey in Essex whereof he was created Baron He died in the beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth being direct Ancestour unto the right Honourable Charles Rich now Earl of VVarwick WILLIAM POWLET where ever born had his largest Estate and highest Honour Baron of Basing and Marquess of VVinchester in this County He was descended from a younger house of the Powlets of Hinton Saint George in Sommersetshire as by the Crescent in his Arms is acknowledged One telleth us that he being a younger brother and having wasted all that was left him came to Court on trust where upon the bare stock of his wit he traffick'd so wisely and prospered so well that he got spent and left more than any Subject since the Conquest Indeed he lived at the time of the dissolution of Abbeys which was the harvest of Estates and it argued idleness if any Courtier had his Barnes empty He was servant to K. Henry the seaventh and for Thirty years together Treasurer to K. Henry the eighth Edward the sixth Qu. Mary and Qu. Elizabeth The 〈◊〉 in some 〈◊〉 owed their Crowns to his Counsel his policy being the principal 〈◊〉 of Duke Dudleys Designe to disinherit them I behold this Lord 〈◊〉 like to aged Adoram so often mentioned in Scripture being over the Tribute in the dayes of K. David all the Reign of K. Solomon untill the first Year of 〈◊〉 And though our Lord Powlet enjoyed his place not so many years yet did he serve more Soveraigns in more mutable times being as he said of himself no 〈◊〉 but an 〈◊〉 Herein the Parallel holds not The honry hairs of Adâ—…m were sent to the Grave by a violent death slain by the people in a 〈◊〉 This Lord had the rare happiness of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 setting in his full splendour having lived 97 years and seen 103 out of his body he dyed anno Domini 1572. Sr. THOMAS LAKES was born in the Parish of St. Michael in the Town of South-Hampton and there bred in Grammer-Learning under Doctor Seravia By several under Offices he was at last deservedly preferred Secretary of Estate to K. James Incredible his dexterity in dispatch who at the same time would indite write discourse more exactly than most men could severally performe them Men resembled him to one of the hips-Royal of Qu. Elizabeth called the Swift-sure such his celerity and solidity in all Affairs No lesse his secresie in concealing and what was credited to his Counsel was alwayes found in the same posture it was left in Add to all these he was a good man and a good mans Brother Dr. Arthur Lakes Bishop of Bath-and Wells King James who allwayes loved what was facile and fluent was highly pleased with his Latine Pen who by practice had made Tullie's phrase his own He was one of the three noble hands who at the Court first led Mr. George Villers into the favour of King James At last he fell for the faults of others into the Kings displeasure being punished for the Offences of one of his nearest Relations and of all them fin'd in the star-chamber he was the only person generally pittied for his suffering yet even then K. James gave him this publick Eulogie in open Court That he was a Minister of State fit to serve the greatest Prince in Europe He was outed his Secretaries place which needed him more than he it having atchieved a fair fortune which he transmitted to posterity How long he lived afterwards in a private life is to me unknown Souldiers BEAVOIS an English man was Earle of South-Hampton in the time of the Conquerer and being unable to comport with his Oppression banded against him with the Fragments of the English men the strength of Hastings the Dane and all the assistance the VVelch could afford In whose Country a Battel was fought near Carcliffe against the Normans anno Domini 1070. wherein Three Nations were conquered by One Beavois being worsted Success depends not on Valour fled to Carlile a long step from Carcliffe And afterwards no mention what became of him This is that Beavois whom the Monks cryed up to be such a man that since it hath been questioned Whether ever such a man I mean whether ever his person was in rerum natura So injurious those are who in the Reports of any mans performances exceed the bounds of probability All I will add is this that the Sword preserved and shewed to be this Beavoises in Arundel Castle is lesser perchance worn with age than that of King Edward the third kept in Westminster-Church Seamen Sr. JOHN WALLOP born in this County of a most ancient and respected Family was directed by his Genius to Sea-service at what time our Coasts were much infested with French-Piracies For there was a Knight of Malta passing in our Chronicles by the name of Prior John more proper by his Profession to be employed against the Turks lately so victorious in Hungary who liv'd by pickeering and undoing many English Merchants But our Sr. John made the French pay more than treble Dammages who with Eight Hundredh Men landed in Normandy burnt One and Twenty Towns with divers Ships in the Havens of Traport Staples c. and safely returned with wealth and Victory Methinks the ancient Armes of the Wallhops appear propheticall herein viz. argent a Bend-unde Sable interpreted by my Authour a wave or sourge of the Sea raised by some turbulent flaw of wind and tempest prognosticating the activity of that Family in Marine Performances ROBERT TOMSON Merchant was born at Andover in this County bred much at Bristol in Sea-Imployments Hence anno 1553. he sailed into Spain and thence two Years after shipped himself for Nova Hispania to make a discovery thereof on the same token that in his passage thither in a Spanish Ship a light like a canâ—…le being nothing else but a Meteor frequent by Sea and Land sell on their main Mast which the Spaniards on their knees worshiped for St. Elmo the Advocate of Saylers He afterwards wrote the Description of New Spain with the City of Mexico giving a good and the first account thereof of any Englishman During his abode many Months in Mexico at dinner he let fall some Discourse against Saint-worship for which he was imprisoned in the holy-House and enjoyned solemn Penance by the Arch-Bishop of Mexico This Tomson being the first reputed Heretick which was ever seen in America on a penitential Scaffold Hence he was sent into Spain and after three Years durance in the Inquisition discharged
with the English Congregation After his return Queen Elizabeth profered him great preferment And it seems in the first of her Reign the Archbishop of Canterbury went a wooing to accept thereof viz. to 1. JOHN FECKENHAM refusing it upon a Popish account because he would not subscribe to the Queens Supremacie 2. NICHOLAS WOTTON Doctor of Law and Dean of Canterbury refusing it on a politique account suspecting the Queens short life and fearing alterations in the State 3. This WHITEHEAD who declined it out of his desire of privacy though some causelesly suspected him for disaffection to Church Discipline For he was by Queen Elizabeth offered the Mastership of the Hospital of the Savoy which he might have accepted without any subscription but would not affirming he could live plentifully on the preaching of the Gospel a rare example of Moderation He was a deep Divine and was chosen one of the Disputants Primo Elizabethae against the Popish Bishops His many Books still extant testifie his Learning and Religion Queen Elizabeth highly valued his company the rather because of his consciencious bluntness wherin one Repartee may be remembred The Queen who ever was Iniquior in Sacerdotes Maritatos said unto him Whitehead I love thee the better because thou art unmarried In truth Madam said he I love you the worse because you are unmarried He died Anno Dom 1571. NICHOLAS FULLER was as I have cause to conceive born in this County and when a Youth was Amanuensis or Scribe to Dr. Horne Bishop of Winchester Afterwards he attended as Tutor servant on Sir Henry Wallop to Oxford and returning thence was made Minister of Allington nigh Salisbury in Wiltshire where he had a Benefice rather then a Living so small the Revenues thereof But a contented mind extendeth the smallest Parish into a Diocess and improveth the least Benefice into a Bishoprick Here a great Candle was put under a Bushel or peck rather so private his place and imployment here he applyed his studies in the Tongues and was happy in pitching on not difficult Trifles but useful Difficulties tending to the understanding of Scripture He became an excellent Linguist and his books found good regard beyond the Seas where they were reprinted DRUSIUS the Belgian Critick grown old angry and jealous that he should be outshined in his own sphear foully cast some drops of Ink upon him which the other as fairly wiped off again He charged Master Fuller for being his Plagiary taking his best Notes from him without any acknowledgement thereof Master Fuller confest himself alwayes desirous of Drusius his works but never able such his poverty to purchase them and therefore he could not steal out of those books which his eye never beheld And not to be partial to my name-sake let the world judge whether Fuller his Miscelane be not as good as Drusius his Wheat Bishop Andrewes came to him as the Queen of Sheba to Solomon to pose him with hard Questions bringing with him a heap of Knots for the other to Untie and departed from him with good satisfaction he afterwards bestowed on him a great Living in this County which Master Fuller did not long enjoy He was most eminent for that Grace which is most worth yet costeth the least to keep it I mean Humility who in his Writings doth as fairly dissent from as freely concur with any mans opinions He dyed about the year of our Lord 1626. THOMAS JAMES was born in the Isle of Wight bred first in Winchester then at New-Colledge in Oxford and afterwards proceeded Doctor in Divinity He was chosen by Sir Thomas Bodley the Keeper of his inestimable Library in Oxford And on serious consideration one will conclude the Library made for him and him for it like Tallies they so fitted one another Some men live like Mothes in Libraries not being better for the books but the books the worse for them which they only soile with their fingers Not so Dr. James who made use of Books for his own and the publique good He knew the age of a Manuscript by looking upon the face thereof and by the form of the Character could conclude the time wherein it was written He was a Member of the Convocation held with the Parliament of Oxford Primo Caroli where he made a Motion that some might be Commissioned to peruse the Manuscript Fathers in all publique and private English Libraries that thereby the Forgery of forreign Popish Editions might be detected I believe his design had formerly been by him pursued for many years as appears by this passage in Mr. Camden Tho. James Oxoniensis vir eruditus vere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qui se totum literis libris involvit jam publici boni studio in Angliae Bibliothecis excutiendis Deus opus secundet id molitur quod Reipublicae literariae imprimis erit usui He never attained higher preferment than the Subdeanary of Wells and dying 1628. was buried in the Chappel of New-Colledge in Oxford CHARLES BUTLER was bred Master of Arts in Magdalen-Colledge in Oxford and afterwards Beneficed in this County An excellent Musician who wrote a Book of the Principles of Musick in singing and setting with the twofold use thereof Ecclesiastical and Civil and a critical English man having composed a Grammar of our Language He also wrote a Book of Bees wherein as if he had been their Secretary he appears most knowing in the State-Mysteries of their Common-wealth whence one not unhandsomly on his Book Aut à consiliis Apibus Butlere fuisti Aut à consiliis est Apis ipsa tuis Butler he 'l say who these thy writings sees Bees counsel'd thee or els thou counselst Bees I behold these his Books as the Receptacle of the Leakage and Superfluities of his Study and it is no Trespass on Grace for one to walk and take a turn in the Field of Nature He was also a pious man a painful Preacher and a Solid Divine Witnesse his Excellent Book of the Marriage of Cousin Germans approved and commended by Doctor Prideaux as the best ever written on that Subject I conjecture he dyed about the year 1640. Romish Exile Writers RICHARD WHITE was born at Basing-Stoake in this County bred first in Winchester School then in New Colledge in Oxford In the beginning of Queen Elizabeth leaving the Land he lived first at Lovain then in Padua in Italy where he proceeded Doctor of the Laws Afterwards he became Regius Professor thereof at Doway for the space of thirty years and more He wrote many books and amongst the rest a Brittish and English History which hitherto I have not been so happy as to see save at the second hand as often cited by Mr. Selden which makes me believe much merit therein Surely he was better employed in the writing thereof then in the large Comment he hath made on the Aenigmatical Epitaph set up at Bononia Aelia Laelia Crispis
1266. and presented it to the young Earl conjuring him by the cogent arguments of example and rule to patrizate His other Patron was Sir Henry Sidney so often Lord Deputy of Ireland whereby he became incorporated into the familiarity of his Son Sir Philip Sidney between whom and Sir Edward there was so great freindlinesse that they were never better pleased then when in one anothers Companies or when they corresponded each with other And we find after the Death of that worthy Knight that he was a close-concerned Mourner at his Obsequies as appeareth at large in the printed Representation of his Funeral Solemnity His third Patron was Sir John Perot Deputy also of Ireland who so valued his Counsel that in state-affairs he would do nothing without him So great his employment betwixt state and state that he crossed the seas Thirty seven times until deservedly at last he came into a Port of Honour wherein â—…he sundry years anchored and found safe harbour For he received the Honour of Knighthood was sworn of her Majesties Privy Council for Ireland and Chancellour of the Exchequer therein Now his grateful soul coursing about how to answer the Queens Favour laid it self wholly out in Her service wherein two of his actions most remarkable First he was highly instrumental in modelling the Kingdome of Ireland into shires as now they are shewing himself so great a Lover of the Politie under which he was born that he advanced the Compliance therewith as commendable and necessary in the Dominions annexed thereunto His second service was when many in that Kingdome shrowded themselves from the Laws under the Target of power making force their Tutelary Saint he set himself vigorously to suppress them And when many of the Privy Council terrified with the greatness of the Earl of Desmond durst not subscribe the Instrument wherein he was proclaimed Traitor Sir Edward among some others boldly signed the same disavâ—…wing his and all treasons against his Prince and Country and the Council did the like commanding the publication thereof As to his private sphear God blessed him being but a third Brother above his other Brethren Now though he had three Wives the first a Viliers the second a Spilman the third the Widow of Herlakenden of VVood-church in Kent Esquire and though he had so strong a Brain and Body yet he lived and dyed Childlesse entercommoning therein with many Worthies who are according to Aelius Spartianus either improlifick or have Children in genitorum vituperium famarum laesuram God thus denying him the pleasure of posterity he craved leave of the Queen to retire himself and fixed the Residue of his life at VVood-church in Kent living there in great honour and repute as one who had no designe to be popular and not prudent rich and not honest great and not good He dyed in the fifty sixth year of his age the 13. of October 1591. and is buried at VVood church under a Table Marble-Monument erected to his memory by his sorrowful Lady surviving him Reader I doubt not but thou art sensible of the alteration and improvement of my Language in this Character owing both my Intelligence and expressions unto Edward VVaterhouse now of Syon Colledge Esquire who to revive the memory of his Namesake and great Uncle furnished me with these instructions HENRY CARY Viscount of Falkland in Scotland and Son to Sir Edw. Cary was born at Aldnam in this County He was a most accomplished Gentleman and compleat Courtier By King James he was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland and well discharged his Trust therein But an unruly Colt will fume and chafe though neither switcht nor spur'd merely because backt The rebellious Irish will complain only because kept in Subjection though with never so much lenity the occasion why some hard Speeches were passed on his Government Some beginning to counterfeit his hand he used to incorporate the year of his Age in a Knot flourished beneath his Name concealing the Day of his Birth to himself Thus by comparing the date of the Month with his own Birth-day unknown to such Forgers he not only discovered many false Writings which were past but also deterred dishonest Cheaters from attempting the like for the future Being recalled into England he lived honourably in this County until he by a sad casualty brake his Leg on a Stand in Theobalds Park aud soon after dyed thereof He married the sole Daughter and Heir of Sir Lawrence Tanfield Cheif Baron of the Exchequer by whom he had a fair estate in Oxfordshire His Death happened Anno Dom. 1620. being Father to the most accomplished Statesman Lucius Grandfather to the present Henry Lord Falkland whose pregnant parts now clarified from Juvenile Extravagancies perform much and promise more useful service to this Nation Souldiers Sir HENRY CARY Son to Sir William Cary and Mary Bollen his Wife was where-ever born made by Queen Elizabeth Lord Chamberlain Baron of Hunsdon in this County A Valiant man and Lover of Men of their hands very cholerick but not malicious Once one Mr. Colt chanced to meet him coming from Hunsdon to London in the Equipage of a Lord of those dayes The Lord on some former grudge gave him a Boxe on the Ear Colt presently returned the principle with Interest and thereupon his Servants drawing their Swords swarmed about him You Rogues said the Lord may not I and my Neighbour change a blow but you must interpose Thus the Quarrel was begun and ended in the same minute It was merrily said that his Latine and his Dissimulation were both alike and that his custome in swearing and obscenity in speech made him seem a worse Christian than he was and a better Knight of the Carpet then he could be He might have been with the Queen whatsoever he would himself but would be no more then what he was preferring enough above a Feast in that nature He hung at Court on no mans Sleve but stood on his own Botome till the time of his death having a competent estate of his own given him by the Queen Who bestowed on him in the first of her Reign Hunsdon house in this County with four thousand pounds a year according to the valuation in that age in fair Demesnes Parks and Lands lying about it Yet this was rather Restitution than Liberality in her Majesty Seeing He had spent as great an estate left him by his father in her Service or rather Releif during her persecution under Queen Mary â—… This Lord suppressed the first Northern Commotion the sole reason why we have ranked him under the Title of Soldier for which This Letter of Thanks was solemnly returned unto him By the QUEEN Right Trusty and Wellbeloved Cousin We greet you well And right glad we are that it hath pleased God to assist you in this your late Service against that cankred subtil Traytor Leonard Dacres whose force being far greater in Number than yours we perceive you have overthrown and how he
thereupon was the first that fled having as it seemeth a heart readier to shew his unloyal falshood and malice than to abide the fight And though the best we could have desired was to have him taken Yet we thank God that he is in this sort overthrown and forced to flye oâ—…r Realm to his like company of Rebells whom no doubt God of his favourable justice will confound with such ends as are meet for them We will not now by words express how inwardly glad we are that you have such success whereby both your courage in such an unequall match your faithfulnesse towards us and your Wisdome is seen to the World this your Act being the very first that ever was executed by fight in field in our time against any Rebell But We mean also in Deed by just Reward to let the world see How much we esteem and can consider such a service as this is And so we would have your self also thank God heartily as we doubt not but you do from whom all Victories do proceed and comfort your self with the assurance of our most favourable acceptation VVe have also herewith sent our Letter of Thanks to Sir John Foster and would have you namely thank our good faithful Soldiers of Barwick in whose worthy service we do repose no small trust 26. of February 1569. Thus far was written by the Secretary of State but the ensuing Postscript was all the Queens own hand The Original being preserved by the Right Honourable Henry Earl of Monmouth Grandchild to the Lord Hunsdon by whose noble favour I carefully copied it forth as followeth I doubt much my Harry whether that the Victory given me more joyed me or that you were by God appointed the Instrument of my Glory and I assure you for my Countries good the first might suffice but for my hearts contentation the second more pleaseth me It likes me not a little that with a good testimony of your faith there is seen a stout courage of your mind that more trusted to the goodnesse of your Quarrel thâ—…n to the weakness of your Number VVell I can say no more Beatus est ille servus quem cum Dominus venerit inveniet facientem sua Mandata And that you may not think that you have done nothing for your profit though you have done much for your Honour I intend to make this journey somewhat to increase your Livelyhood that you may not say to your self Perditur quod sactum est ingrato Your Loving Kinswoman ELIZABETH REGINA Three times was this Lord in Election to be Earl of VViltshire a Title which in some sort belonged unto him in the right of Mary his Mother but still some intervening Accident retarded it When he lay on his Death bed The Queen gave him a gracious visit causing his Patent for the said Earldom to be drawn his Robes to be made and both to be laid down upon his bed but this Lord who could dissemble neither well nor sick Madam said he Seeing you counted me not worthy of this honour whilst I was Living I count my self unworthy of it now I am Dying He departed this life Ann. Dom. 1596. and lyeth buryed in a most magnificent Monument in VVestminster Abbey being the direct Ancestor to the Earls of Dover and Monmouth Physicians JOHN GILES or of St. Giles was born at St. Albans probably in the Parish of St. Giles long since as some more in that Town demolished He was bred beyond the Seas where he became so great a Scholar that he not only was Physician in ordinary to Philip King of France but also Professour of that faculty in Paris and Montpelier Then waving the care of Bodies he took on him the cure of Souls and was made Doctor of Divinity He afterwards became a Dominican and was the first Englishman that ever entred into that order In his old age he was famous for his Divinity-Lectures read in Oxford But which most perswades me to a venerable reception of his memory is what I read of him in Matth. Paris how Robert Grosthead the pious and learned Bishop of Lincoln being sick on his Death-bed sent for this Mr. John Giles learned in Physick and Divinity that from him he might receive comfort both for body and soul. How long this Physician surviv'd his Patient dying in Octob. 1253. is to me unknown JOHN de GATESDEN was undoubtedly born in this County wherein two Villages the Greater and Lesse of that name Such who except that they are written Gadesden will soon be satisfied in their Sameness from those who know the Sympathy betwixt T. and D. He was bred in Merton Colledge in Oxford where he so profited in the Study of Physick That a Forraigner compiling a Catalogue of men eminent in that faculty acknowledgeth him a Writer of high esteem therein By one who hath made a List of Learned men he is styled Johannes Anglicus I am informed that lately his Books have been printed in Italy in a Folio No small Honour I assure you Seeing in Physick the Italians account all Tramountain Doctors but Apothecaries in comparison of themselves The first Treatise in his Book is termed Rosa Anglica The English Rose and I doubt not but as it is Sweet in the Title so it is Soveraign in the matter therein contained This John flourished in the year of our Lord 1320. Writers ALEXANDER NEQUAM or Bad in English was born in St. Albans Many conceived themselves wondrous Witty in making Jests which indeed made themselves on his Sirname Whereof one eminent instance Nequam had a mind to become a Monk in St. Albans the Town of his Nativity and thus Laconically wrote for leave to the Abbot thereof Si vis veniam Sin autem tu autem To whom the Abbot returned Si bonus sis venias Si Nequam nequaquam Whereupon Nequam to discompose such conceits for the future altered the Orthography of his Name into Neckam Another Pass of wit there was saith my Author betwixt him and Philip Repington Bishop of Lincoln the latâ—…r sending the Challenge Et niger nequam cum sis cognomine Nequam Both black and bad whilst Bad the Name to thee Nigrior esse potes Nequior esse Nequis Blacker thou may'st but worse thou can'st not be To whom Nequam rejoyned Phi nota foetoris lippus malus omnibus horis Stinks are branded with a Phi Lippus Latin for Blear-eye Phi malus Lippus totus malus ergo Philippus Phi and Lippus bad as either Then Philippus worse together But by the leave of my learned Author this Nequam must be much younger than our Alexander or that Philip much older than Bishop Repington all agreeing that Alexander Nequam dyed 1227. under King Henry the third whereas Philip Repington was made Bishop of Lincoln 1405. under King Henry the fourth But leaving Nequam his name he is known to posterity by the Title of Ingenii miraculum being an excellent
saved is a penny gained the preserver of books is a Mate for the Compiler of them Learned Leland looks on this ◅ong as a Benefactor to posterity in that he saved many Hebrew books of the Noble Library of Ramsey Say not such preserving was purloyning because those books belonged to the King seeing no conscience need to scruple such a nicety Books though so precious that nothing was worth them being in that juncture of time counted worth nothing Never such a Massacre of good Authours some few only escaping to bring tidings of the Destruction of the rest Seeing this Yong is inserted by Bale and omitted by Pits I collect him to savour of the Reformation As for such who confound him with Iohn Yong many years after Master of Pembrook-Hall they are confuted by the different dates assigned unto them this being his Senior 30 years as flourishing Anno Dom. 1520. JOHN WHITE brother to Francis White Bishop of Ely was born at Saint Neots in this County bred in Caius Colledge in Cambridge wherein he commenced Master of Arts. He did not continue long in the University but the University continued long in him so that he may be said to have carried Cambridge with him into Lancashire so hard and constant in his study when he was presented Vicar of Eccles therein Afterwards Sir Iohn Crofts a Suffolk Knight being informed of his abilities and pittying his remote living on no plentiful Benefice called him into the South and was the occasion that King Iames took cognizance of his worth making him his Chaplain in Ordinary It was now but the third moneth of his attendance at Court when he sickned at London in Lumbard-street dyed and was buried in the Church of S. Mary Woolnoth 1615. without any other Monuments save what his learned works have left to posterity which all whohave either learning piety or Ingenuity do yea must most highly cōmend Sir ROBERT COTTON Knight and Baronet son to Iohn Cotton Esquire was born at Cunnington in this County discended by the Bruces from the bloud Royall of Scotland He was bred in Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge where when a youth He discovered his inclination to the studie of Antiquity they must Spring early who would sprout high in that knowledge and afterwards attained to such eminency that sure I am he had no Superiour if any his equal in the skill thereof But that which rendred him deservedly to the praise of present and future times yea the wonder of our own and forreign Nations was his collection of his Library in Westminster equally famous for 1. Rarity having so many Manuscript Originals or else copies so exactly Transcribed th◅t Reader I must confesse he must have more skill then I have to distinguish them 2. Variety He that beholdeth their number would admire they should be rare and he that considereth their rarity will more admire at their number 3. Method Some Libraries are labyrinths not for the multitude but confusion of Volumes where a stranger seeking for a book may quickly loose himself whereas these are so exactly methodized under the heads of the twelve Roman Emperours that it is harder for one to misse then to hit any Author he desireth But what addeth a luster to all the rest is the favourable accesse thereunto for such as bring any competency of skill with them and leave thankfulness behind them Some Antiquaries are so jealous of their books as if every hand which toucheth wo◅ld ravish them whereas here no such suspition of ingenious persons And here give me leave to register my self amongst the meanest of those who through the favour of Sir Thomas Cotton inheriting as well the courtesie as estate of his Father Sir Robert have had admittance into that worthy treasury Yea most true it is what one saith That the grandest Antiquaries have here fetcht their materials Omnis ab illo Et Camdene tua Seldeni gloria crevit Camden to him to him doth Selden owe Their Glory what they got from him did grow I have heard that there was a design driven on in the Popes Conclave after the death of Sir Robert to compasse this Library to be added to that in Rome which if so what a Vatican had there been within the Vatican by the accession thereof But blessed be God the Project did miscarry to the honour of our Nation and advantage of the Protestant Religion For therein are contained many privaties of Princes and transactions of State insomuch that I have been informed that the Fountains have been fain to fetch water from the stream and the Secretaries of State and Clerks of the Council glad from hence to borrow back again many Originals which being lost by casualty or negligence of Officers have here been recovered and preserved He was a man of a publick spirit it being his principal endevour in all Parliaments wherein he served so often That the prerogative and priviledge might run in their due channel and in truth he did cleave the pin betwixt the Soveraign and the Subject He was wont to say That he himself had the least share in himself whilest his Country and Friends had the greatest interest in him He died at his house in Westminster May the 6. Anno Domini 1631. in the 61. year of his Age though one may truely say his age was adequate to the continuance of the ◅reation such was his exact skill in all antiquity By Elizabeth daughter and co-heire of William Brocas Esquire he had onely one son Sir Thomas now living who by Margaret daughter to the Lord William Howard Grandchild to Thomas Duke of Norfolke hath one son Iohn Cotton Esquire and two daughters Lucie and Francis The Opera posthuma of this worthy Knight are lately set forth in one Volume to the great profit of posterity STEPHEN MARSHALL was born at God-Manchester in this County and bred a Batchellour of Arts in Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge Thence he went very early a Reaper in Gods Harvest yet not before he had well sharpned his Sickle for that service He became Minister at Finchfield in Essex and after many years discontinuance came up to Cambridge to take the degree of Batchelour of Divinity where he performed his exercise with general applause In the late long lasting Parliament no man was more gracious with the principal Members thereof He was their Trumpet by whom they sounded their solemn Fasts preaching more publick Sermons on that occasion then any foure of his Function In their Sickness he was their Confessor in their Assembly their Councellour in their Treaties their Chaplain in their Disputations their Champion He was of so supple a soul that he brake not a joynt yea sprained not a Sinew in all the alteration of times and his friends put all on the account not of his unconstancy but prudence who in his own practice as they conceive Reconciled the various Lections of Saint Pauls precept serving the Lord and the Times And although some severely
the Abby Lands in Ireland for the Kings use a flower of the Crown which alone had made a Posey if continued thereunto But alas the Revenues of Abby Lands are as 〈◊〉 as their buildings nothing more than the rubbish thereof remaining in the Kings Exchequer He made a Law that no Children should be admitted to Church livings which importeth the frequency of that abuse in former times He perswaded O Neile O Brian c. to go over into England to surrender their lands into the Kings hands promising they should receive them again from him by Letters Patents with the Addition of Earls which was done accordingly At his desire the King conferred on them Houses nigh Dublin that residing there they might suck in Civility with the Court air These things thus setled he returned into England and died as I take it in the raign of King Edward the sixth Sir HENRY SIDNRY was son to Sir William Sidney of Pensherst in this County who by his own worth was advanced into the favour of Queen Elizabeth never a whit the lesse for marrying Mary Dudley sister to Robert Earl of Leicester he was by her made Knight of the Garter Lord President of Wales and for eleven years off and on Deputy of Ireland Now though generally the Irish are querelous of their Deputies what Patient for the present will praise his Chirurgion who soundly searcheth his sore yet Sir Henry left a good memory and the monuments of a good Governor behind him 1. He made Annaly a Territory in Loynsteresse by the Sept of Offerralles one entire Shire by it self called the County of Longford he likewise divided the Province of â—…onaght into six Counties 2. In a Parliament held the eleventh of Elizabeth he abolished the pretended and usurped Captain-ships and all extortions incident thereunto 3. He caused an Act to pass whereby the Lord Deputy was authorized to accept the surrenders of the Irish Seâ—…gniories and to re-grant estates unto them to hold of the Crown by English Tenures and Services 4. Because the inferiour sort of the Irish were poor and not Amesâ—…able by Law he provided that five of the best persons of every Sept should bring in all the persons of their surname to be justified by the Law 5. A Law was made that for the civil education of the youth there should be one Free Schoole at least in every Diocesse 6. To acquaint the people of Mounster and Conaght with the English Government again disused amongst them for two hundred years he instituted two Presidency Courts in those two Provinces 7. To augment the Revenues of the Crown he resumed and vested therein by the power of the same Parliament more than half the Province of Ulster upon the attainder of Shane O Neale 8. He raised Customs upon the principal Commodities of the Kingdom and reformed the abuses of the Exchequer by many good instructions from England 9. He established the Composition of the Pale in lieu of Purveyance and Sesse of Souldiers It must not be forgotten that he caused the Statutes of Ireland unto his own time to be printed and so saith my Author ex umbra in solem eduxit he brought them out of the shadow into the sun-shine Whereas formerly they were only in Manuscript a sad case that men should be obliged to the observation of those Laws scarce ever seen by one in an hundred subjected thereunto Being to leave Ireland Anno 1578. and now ready to go up into his Ship he took his leave thereof with the words of the Psalmist When Israel came out of Egypt and Jacob from a strange people rejoycing in heart that he came with a clear conscience from that dangerous employment He died at Worcester May the fifth 1586. and his Corps being brought to Pensherst were there solemnly interred amongst his Ancestors I will close his Life with this Encomium which I find in a Worthy Author His disposition was rather to seek after the Antiquities and the Weal-Publick of those Countries which he governed than to obtain lands and revenues within the same for I know not one foot of Land that he had either in Wales or Ireland Sir PHILIP SIDNEY Reader I am resolved not to part him from his Father such the Sympathy betwixt them living and dying both within the compass of the same year Otherwise this Knight in relation to my Book may be termed an Ubiquitary and appear amongst Statesmen Souldiers Lawyers Writers yea Princes themselves being though not elected in election to be King of Poland which place he declined preferring rather to be a Subject to Queen Elizabeth than a Soveraign beyond the Seas He was born at Pensherst in this County son to Sir Henry Sidney of whom before and Sisters Son to Robert Earl of Leicester bred in Christs Church in Oxford Such his appetite to Learning that he could never be fed fast enough therewith and so quick and strong his digestion that he soon turned it into wholsome nourishment and thrived healthfully thereon His homebred abilities travel perfected with forraign accomplishments and a sweet Nature set a glosse upon both He was so essential to the English Court that it seemed maimed without his company being a compleat Master of Matter and Language as his Arcadia doth evidence I confesse I have heard some of modern pretended Wits cavil thereat meerly because they made it not themselves such who say that his Book is the occasion that many pretious hours are otherwise spent no better must acknowledge it also the cause that many idle hours are otherwise spent no worse than in reading thereof At last leaving the Court he followed the Camp being made Governor of Flushing under his Uncle Earl of Leicester But the Walls of that City though high and strong could not confine the activity of his mind which must into the Field and before Zutphen was unfortunately slain with a shot in a small skirmish which we may sadly tearm a great battel considering our heavy losse therein His Corps being brought over into England was buried in the Quire of St. Pauls with general lamentation Sir FRANCIS WALSINGHAM Knight was born in this County wherein his Family long flourished at Chiselhurst though I read that originally they fetch their name from Walsingham in Norfolk He was bred in Kings Colledge in Cambridge and gave the King of â—…pain his Bible to the Library thereof As a traveller many years beyond the 〈◊〉 he learnt experience as an Agent he practised it there and after his return a Secretary of State he taught it to many Emisaries imployed under him None alive did better ken the Secretary Craft to get Counsels out of others and keep them in himself Mâ—…rvellous his â—…agacity in examining suspected persons either to make them confesse the truth or confound themselves by denying it to their detection Cunning his hands who could unpick the Cabinets in the Popes Conclave quick his ears who could hear at London what
ready for hearing being finally determined Whereon a Rhythmer When More some years had Chancelor been â—…o more suits did remain The same shall never more be seen Till More be there again Falling into the Kings displeasure for not complying with him about the Queens divorce he seasonably resigned his Chancellours Place and retired to his House in Chelsey chiefly imploying himself in writing against those who were reputed Hereticks And yet it is observed to his Credit by his great friend Erasmus that whilest he was Lord Chancellor no Protestant was put to death and it appears by some passages in his Utopia that it was against his mind that any should lose their Lives for their Consciences He rather soyled his Fingers then dirtied his hands in the matter of the holy Maid of Kent and well wiped it off again But his refusing or rather not accepting the Oath of Supremacy stuck by him for which he was 16. Months imprisoned in the Tower bearing his afflictions with remarkable patience He was wont to say that his natural temper was so tender that he could not indure a philip But a supernatural Principle we see can countermand yea help natural imperfections In his time as till our Memory Tower Prisoners were not dyetâ—…d on their own but on the Kings charges The Lieutenant of the Tower providing their Fare for them And when the Lieutenant said that he was sorry that Commons were no better I like said Sir Thomas Your Dyet very well and if I dislike it I pray turn me out of Dores Not long after he was beheaded on Tower hill 153. He left not above one hundred pounds a year Estate perfectly hating Covetousnesse as may appear by his refusing of four or five thousand pounds offered him by the Clergy Among his Latin Books his Utopia beareth the Bell containing the Idea of a compleat Common-wealth in an Imaginary Island but pretended to be lately discovered in America and that so lively counterfeited that many at the reading thereof mistook it for a real truth Insomuch that many great Learned men as Budeus and Johannes Paludanus upon a fervent zeal wished that some excellent Divines might be sent thither to preach Christs Gospel yea there were here amongst us at home sundry good men and Learned Divines very desirous to undertake the Voyage to bring the People to the Faith of Christ whose manners they did so well like By his only Son Mr. John More he had five Grandchildren Thomas and Augustin born in his Life time who proved zealous Romanists Edward Thomas and Bartholomew born after his Death were firm Protestants and Thomas a married Minister of the Church of England MARGARET MORE Excuse me Reader for placing a Lady among Men and Learned Statesmen The Reason is because of her 〈◊〉 affection to her Father from whom she would not willingly be parted and for me shall not be either living or dead She was born in Bucklers-bury in London at her Fathers house therein and attained to that Skill in all Learning and Languages that she became the miracle of her age Forreigners took such notice hereof that Erasmus hath dedicated some Epistles unto her No Woman that could speak so well did speak so little Whose Secresie was such that her Father entrusted her with his most important Affairs Such was her skill in the Fathers that she corrected a depraved place in St. Cyprian for whereas it was corruptly writen she amended it Nisi vos sinceritatis Nervos sinceritatis Yea she translated Eusebius out of Greek but it was never printed because I. Christopherson had done it so exactly before She was married to William Roper of Eltham in Kent Esquire one of a bountiful heart and plentiful Estate When her Fathers head was set up on London Bridge it being suspected it would be cast into the Thames to make room for divers others then suffering for denying the Kings Supremacy she bought the head and kept it for a Relique which some called affection others religion others Superstition in her for which she was questioned before the Council and for some short time imprisoned until she had buryed it and how long she her self survived afterwards is to me unknown THOMAS WRIOTHESLEY Knight of the Garter was born in Barbican Son to William Wriothesley York Herauld and Grandchild to John VVriothesley descended from an heir general of the ancient Family of the Dunsterviles King of Arms. He was bred in the University of Cambridge and if any make a doubt thereof it is cleared by the passage of Mr. Ascams Letter unto him writing in the behalf of the University when he was Lord Chancellour Quamobrem Academia cum omni literarum ratione ad te unum conversa Cui uni quam universis aliis se chariorem intelligit partim tibi ut alumno suo cum authoritate imperat partim ut patrono summo demisse humiliter supplicat c. He afterwards effectually applyed his Studies in our municipal Law wherein he attained to great eminency He was by King Henry the Eighth created Baron of Titchborne at Hampton Court January the first 1543. and in the next year about the beginning of May by the said King made Chancelor of England But in the first of King Edward the Sixth he was removed from that place because a conscienciously Rigorous Romanist though in some reparation he was advanced to be Earl of Southampton He dyed at his House called Lincolns place in Holborn 1550. the 30. of Iuly and lyes buryed at St. Andrews in Holborn WILLIAM PAGET Knight was born in this City of honest Parents who gave him pious and learned education whereby he was enabled to work out his own advancement Privy-Councellour to 4 successive princes which though of different perswasions agreed all in this to make much of an able and trusty Minister of State 1. King Henry the Eighth made him his Secretary and imployed him Embassador to Ch. the Emperor and Francis King of France 2. King Edward the Sixth made him Chancellor of the Dutchy Comptroller of his Houshold and created him Baron of Beaudesert 3. Queen Mary made him â—…eeper of her privy Seal 4. Queen Elizabeth dispenced with his attendance at Court in favour to his great Age and highly respected him Indeed Duke Dudley in the dayes of King Edward ignominiously took from him the Garter of the Order quarrelling that by his extraction he was not qualified for the same Bur if all be true which is reported of this Dukes Parentage he of all men was most unfit to be active in such an imployment But no wonder if his Pride wrongfully snatched a Garter from a Subject whose Ambition endevoured to deprive two Princes of a Crown This was restored unto him by Queen Mary and that with Ceremony and all solemn accents of honour as to a person who by his prudence had merited much of the Nation He dyed very old anno 1563 and his Corps as
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
seeing wives in that Age were not forbidden the Clergy though possibly his father turned Abbot of Winchester in his old age his son purchasing that preferment for him But this Herbert bought a better for himself giving nineteen hundred pounds to King William Rufus for the Bishoprick of Thetford Hence the Verse was made Filius est Praesul pater Abbas Simon uterque Meaning that both of them were guilty of Simony a fashionable sin in the reign of that King preferring more for their gifts than their endowments Reader pardon a digression I am confident there is one and but one sin frequent in the former Age both with Clergy and Laity which in our dayes our Land is not guilty of and may find many compurgators of her innocence therein I mean the sin of Simony seeing none in our Age will give any thing for Church livings partly because the persons presented thereunto have no assurance to keep them partly because of the uncertainty of Tithes for their maintenance But whether this our Age hath not added in saâ—…rilege what it wanteth in simony is above my place to discuss and more above my power to decide To return to our Herbert whose character hitherto cannot entitle him to any room in our Catalogue of Worthies but know that afterwards he went to Rome no such clean washâ—…ing as in the water of Tyber and thence returned as free from fault as when first born Thus cleansed from the Leprosie of simony he came back into England removed his Bishoprick from Thetford to Norwich laid the first stone and in effect finished the fair Cathedral therein and built five beautiful Parish Churches He dyed Anno Dom. 1119. See more of his character on just occasion in Suffolk under the title of Prelates OWEN OGLETHORP was saith my Author born of good parentage and I conjecture a Native of this County finding Owen Oglethorp his Kinsmâ—…n twice High-Sheriff thereof in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth He was President of Magaalen College in Oxford Dean of Windsor and at last made Bishop of Carlile by Queen Mary A good natur'd man and when single by himself very plyable to please Queen Elizabeth whom he crowned Queen which the rest of his Order refused to do but when in conjunction with other Popish Bishops such principles of stubbornness were distilled into him that it cost him his 〈◊〉 However an Author tells me that the Queen had still a favour for him intending his restitution either to his own or a better Bishoprick upon the promise of his general conformity had he not dyed suddenly of an Apoplexy 1559. Since the Reformation JOHN UNDERHILL was born in the City of Oxford sirst bred in New college and afterwards Rector of Lincoln-college in that University Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth and esteemed a good Preacher in those dayes The Bishoprick of Oxford had now been void 22. years and some suspected that so long a Vacancy would at last terminate in a Nullity and that See be dissolved The â—…ause that Church was so long a widow was the want of a competent Estate to prefer her At last the Queen 1589. appointed John underhill Bishop thereof An ingenious Pen but whose accusative suggestions are not alwayes to be believed hinteth a suspition as if he gave part of the 〈◊〉 portion this Church had to a great Courtier which made the match betwixt them He dyed 1592. and lyeth buried in the middle Quire of Christs Church JOHN BANCROFT was born at Ascot in this County and was advanced by Archbishop Bancroft his Uncle from a Student in Christ-church to be Master of universitycollege in Oxford Here it cost him much pains and expence in a long suit to recover and settle the ancient Lands of that Foundation Afterwards he was made Bishop of Oxford and during his sitting in that See he renewed no Leases but let them run out for the advantage of his successor He obtained the Royalty of Shot-over for and annexed the Vicariâ—…ge of Cudsden to his Bishoprick where he built a fair Palace and a Chappel expending on both about three thousand five hundred pounds Cujus munificentiae said the Oxford Orator of him to the King at Woodstock debemus quod incerti Laris Mitra surrexerit è pulvere in Palatium But now by a retrograde motion that fair building è Palatio recidit in pulverem being burnt down to the ground in the late wars but for what advantage as I do not know so I list not to enquire This Bishop dyed Anno Dom. 1640. States = Men. Sir DUDLEY CARLETON Knight was born in this County bred a Student in Christ-church in Oxford He afterwards was related as a Secretary to Sir Ralph Winwood Ambassador in the Low-Countries when K. James resigned the cautionary Towns to the States Here he added so great experience to his former learning that afterwards our King imployed him for twenty years together Ambassador in Venice Savoy and the united Provinces Anne Garrard his Lady co-heir to George Garrard Esq accompanying him in all his travels as is expressed in her Epitaph in Westminster Abby He was by King Charles the first created Baron of Imbercourt in Surrey and afterwards Viscount Dorchester marying for his second wife the daughter of Sir Henry Glenham the Relict of Paul Viscount Banning who survived him He succeeded the Lord Conway when preferred President of the Council in the Secretary-ship of State being sworn at White-hall Decemb. 14. 1628. He dyed without issue Anno Dom. 163. assigning his burial as appears on her Tomb with his first wife which no doubt was performed accordingly Souldiers Of the NORRISES and the KNOWLLS No County in England can present such a brace of Families contemporaries with such a bunch of Brethren on either for eminent atchievements So great their states and stomachs that they often justled together and no wonder if Oxford-shire wanted room for them when all England could not hold them together Let them be considered root and branch first severally then conjunctively Father Mother Father Mother Henry Lord Norris descended from the Viscounts Lovels whose father dyed in a manner Martyr for the Queens mother executed about the businesse of Anna Bullen Margaret one of the daughters and heirs of John Lord Williams of Tame Keeper of Queen Elizabeth whilest in restraint under her sister and civil unto her in those dangerous dayes Sir Francis Knowlls Treasurer to the Q. houshold Knight of the Garter who had been an exile in Germany under Q. Mary deriving himself from Sir Robert Knowlls that conquering Commander in France Cary sister to Henry Lord Hunsdon and Cousin-german to Queen Elizabeth having Mary Bullen for her mother Thus Queen Elizabeth beheld them both not onely with gracious but grateful eyes Ricot in this County was their chief habitation Thus the Husband was allied to the Queen in conscience Fellow-sufferers for the Protestant cause the Wife in kinred Grays in this County was their chief dwelling Their
would do very well on the shoulders of Sir Robert Naunton Secretary of State These words were complained of and Wiemark summoned to the Privy Councel where he pleaded for himself that he intended no dis-respect to Mr. Secretary whose known Worth was above all detraction Only he spake in reference to an old Proverb Two heads are better than one And so for the present he was dismissed Not long after when rich men were called on for a Contribution to St. Pauls Wiemark at the Councel-Table subscribed a hundred pounds but Mr. Secretary told him two hundred were better than one which betwixt fear and charity Wiemark was fain to subscribe He died Anno Domini 163. leaving one daughter who first was married to Paul Vicount Banning and after to the Lord Herbert eldest son to Philip Earl of Pembroke Capital Judges JOHN de METINGHAM was born in this County where Metingham is a Village in VVang ford Hundred not far from Bongey and was Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in the reign of King Edward the Third It is reported to his eternal praise that when the rest of the Judges 18 Edw. 3. were fined and outed for corruption this Metingham and Elias de Beckingham continued in their places whose innocence was of proof against all accusations and as Caleb and Joshâ—…a amongst the Jury of false Spies so these two amongst the Twelve Judges onely retained their integrity King Edward in the 20th of his reign directed a Writ unto him about the stinting of the number of the Apprentices and Attourneys at Law well worth the inserting D. Rex injunxit John de Metingham Sociis suis quod ipsi per discreâ—…ionem eorum provideant Ordinent numerum certum è quolibet Comitatu de melioribus legalioribus libentius add scentibus secundum quod intellexerint quod Curiae suae populo de regno melius valere poterit c. Et videtur Regi ejus Consilio quod Septies viginti sufficere poterint Apponant tamen praefati Justiciarii plures si viderint esse faciendum vel numerum anticipent The Lord the King hath enjoyned John de Metingham and his Assistants that they according to their discretion provide and ordain a certain number out of every County of such persons vvhich according to their understanding shall appear unto them of the better sort and most Legal and most vvillingly applying themselves to the learning of the Lavv vvhat may better avail for their Court and the good of the people of the Land c. And it seems likely to the King and his Councel that Sevenscore may suffice for that purpose However the afore-said Justices may add more if they see it ought to be done or else they may lessen the number Some conceive this number of sevenscore confined only to the Common Pleas whereof Metingham was Chief Justice But others behold it as extended to the whole Land this Judge his known integrity being intrusted in their choice and number which number is since much increased and no wonder our Land being grown more populous and the people in it more litigious He died Anno Domini .... Sir JOHN CAVENDISH Knight was born at Cavendish in this County where his name continued until the reign of King Henry the Eighth bred a Student of the Municipal-Law attaining to such learning therein that he was made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings or Upper Bench July 15 in the 46th of King Edward the Third discharging his place with due commendation untill his violent death on the fifth of King Richard the Second on this occasion John Raw a Priest contemporary with Jack Straw and Wat Tyler advanced Robert Westbroome a Clown to be King of the Commons in this County having no fewer than fifty thousand followers These for eighth dayes together in savage sport caused the heads of great persons to be cut off and set on Poles to kisse and whisper in one anothers ears Chief Justice Cavendish chanced then to be in the Country to whom they bare a double pique one because he was honest the other learned Besides they received fresh news from London that one John Cavendish his kinsman had lately kill'd their Idol Wat Tiler in Smithfield Whereupon they dragg'd the Reverend Judge with Sir John of Cambridge Prior of Bury into the Market-place there and beheaded them Whose innocent bloud remained not long unreveng'd by Spencer the Warlike Bishop of Norwich by whom this rascal rabble of Rebels was routed and ruined 1381. Reader be charitably pleased that this Note may till better information preserve the Right of this County unto Sir ROBERT BROKE a great Lawyer and Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in the reign of Queen Mary He wrote an Abridgment of the whole Law a Book of high account It insinuateth to me a probability of his birth herein because Lawyers generally purchase near the place of their Birth his Posterity still flourish in a Worshipful equipage at Nacton nigh Ipswich in this County Souldiers Sir THOMAS WENTWORTH of Nettlested in this County of a younger Family confessed by the Crescent in his Coat descended from the Wentworths of Wentworth-Woodhouse in York-shire was created Baron VVentworth by King Henry the Eighth He was a stout and valiant Gentleman a cordial Protestant and his Family a Sanctuary of such Professors John Bale comparing him to the good Centurion in the Gospel and gratefully acknowledging him the cause of his conversion from a Carmelite The memory of this good Lord is much but unjustly blemished because Calis was lost the Last of Queen Mary under his government The manner hereof was huddled up in our Chronicles least is best of a bad business whereof this the effect The English being secure by reason of the late conquest at St. Quintin and the Duke of Guise having notice thereof he sate down before the Town at the time not when Kings go forth to but return from battle of mid-Winter even on New-years-day Next day he took the two Forts of Rise-bank and Newnam-bridge wherein the strength of the City consisted but whether they were undermined or undermonied it is not decided and the last left most suspicious Within three dayes the Castle of Calis which commanded the City and was under the command of Sir Ralph Chamberlain was taken the French wading thorough the ditches made shallower by their artificial cut and then entering the Town were repulsed back by Sir Anthony Ager Marshal of Calis the only man saith Stow who was kill'd in the fight understand him of note †Others for the credit of the business accounting four score lost in that service The French re-entring the City the next being Twelfth-day the Lord Wentworth Deputy thereof made but vain resistance which alas was like the wriggling of a Wormstail after the head thereof is cut off so that he was forced to take what terms he could get viz. That the
Ireland in the 33 of King Hen. 8. * Sir John Davis in his discovery of Ireland pag. 251. * J. Wareus de script Hibern pag. 136. * Camb. Eliz Anno 1578. * Psal. 114. 1. * Doctor Powel in his Hist. of 〈◊〉 Epist to the Reader * Fragment regal in his Charact. * Camb. Brit. in Norfolk * In his Remains pag. 118. * In his Glossary Veâ—…bo Justiciarius * Will. Somner in his Antiq. of Cant. * Lambert in his perambulation of Kent pag. 131. * Sir Hen. Spelman in Gloss. Verbo Justiciarius * Camb. Brit. in Kent * Michael Cornubiensis see Cornwall title Souldiers * Camb. Brit. in Herefordshire * Joan. Sarisb de nugis curial 6. cap. 18. * Purchase his Pilgrims * Hollinsheads Chron. pag. 1403. * From the mouâ—…h of Mr. Râ—…msey Minister of Rougham in Norfolk who mâ—…rried the Widow of Mr. Giles Fletcher Son to this Doctor * In his Volumne of Engl sh Navigation pag. 473. * Camb. in his Eliz. Anno 1583. when he was Agent in Muscovy as afterward Embassador * J. Pits in Ang. Scrip. 1248. * Pitz. in Ang. script Anno 1260. * Bale de scrip Cent. 4 Num. 27. * Bale de sâ—…rip Brit. Cent. 4. Num. 7. 〈◊〉 in Anno 1265. * Luk. 2. 26. †Bale Ib. AMP. * De script Brit. Cent. 5 Num. 20. * Funeral Monvments pag. 206. * In our Description of Oxsordshire in in this Princes life * In Brit. in Kent * In suis Noe-uiis * Wevers Fun. Mon. pag. 853. * In his Breviary pag. 298 * Theatrum Chymicum Brit. pag 476. * In his Breviary of Philosophy cap. 4. * Out of his Epitaph on his Monument * Weavers Fun. Mon. * Ralph Brook York Augustine Vincent Windsor Herald * Brit. in his description of 〈◊〉 * Villare Cantianum pag. 25â—… * Stows Chro. pag. 281. * Stows Survey of London * Idem pag. 88. * Dr. willet in his Catalogue of good worâ—…s since the Reformation * 〈◊〉 Survey of London pag. 93. * On her Monument in Westminster Abbâ—… * Cambden in his Annoâ—…89 â—…89 Mills in his Catalogue of Honour pag. 10 6. * See Memoâ—…able Persons â—…n Buckinghamshire * Sands in his Nores on the eighth Book of Ovids Metamorph pag. 162. * Hartib his Legacy pag. 6. * Burozo is but our English Burrouâ—…h barbarously latinized and the same with Burgo * In the fifth of King Henry tâ—…e eight Villare â—…anum pag. 320 * Stows Chro. page 391. * Inter Bundel Indâ—…nt de Guerra a ud Pelles W. st * Stows Ann tis pag 480. * Mary Beaumont or Villers extraordinarily created Countess of Buckingham * Camb. Brit. de Cant. * By Mr. Somner in his Description of Canterbury pag. 37. * Lambert in his Perambulation of Kent pag. 37. S. N. * Bale de scrip Brit. Cent. 3. Num. 87. Math. Panker in the Life of Langton * In Glossario vâ—…rbo Heptateuchus * Gen. 4. 22. S. N. * Somner in his Catalogue of the Arch-Deacons of Cant. * Somner in his Survey of Cant. pag. 15. * Sir George Paul in the Life of Arch-Bishop Whitgift * Cambd. Brit. in Rutland * Idem in Lancashire Speed I think mistaken says but 28. * Stapleton in his Life * 2 Sam. 3. 1. * Cambd. Brit. in Lancashire * Stows Survey of London pag. 638. * Chaucer in his Prologue * In his Ilinerary * Camdens Br. in Lancâ—…shire a Gen. 12. 11. b Gen. 24. 16. c Gen. 29. 17. d 1 Sam. 25. 3. e 2 Sam. 13. 1. f 1 King 1. 4. g Ester 2. 7. h Luke 1. 6. i Luke 2. 19. k Mat. 15. 28. l John 12. 3. m Acts 16. 4. * Cam. Brit. in Lancashire * Acts 22. 3. * Acts 22. 27. * J. Bale descrip Brit. cent 8. n. 83. Fox Act. Monum * J. Bale ut pri * See my Church History 10th Book 17th Cenâ—… page 47. * Fox Acts and Mon. J. Bale Descr. Brit. cent 8. numb 87. * In his Exam. of J. Fox his Mareyrs * Fox Acts and Monum page 1561. * Idem ibid. * In his Exam. of â—…oxes Mart. * Pitz. p. 792. * Godwin in his Bishops of Ely and Cambdens Br. in the Description of Huntington * 2 King 9. 34. * Bale de script Brit. cent 9. num 3. * Bale Pitz. and Bish. Godwin in the Bishops of Chichester See Martyrs in Suffex * Parkers Scel Cant. M. S. in the Masters of S. Johns * Others make this of far later Date * Bale de script Brit. pagina penult * Cam. Eliz. in Anno 1569. * Cam. Brit. in Bi. of Durham * Ouâ—… of a Manuscript of the Great Antiquary Mr. Dodesworth * Bishop Carleton in the Life of Mr. Gilpâ—… * Item Ibidem * Godwin in his Catalogue of the Bishops of Exeter * So I find in the Manuscript of Mr. Dodsworth and so Mr. Richard Line this Arch-bishops servant lately deceased did inform me * Psal. 140. 3. * Sir James VVare de prâ—…sulibus Lageniae pag. 40. * The other Viscount Ely son to Archbishop Loâ—…ius * Mr. James Chaloner in his 〈◊〉 of the Isle of Man pag. 7. * Weavers Funeral Monuments Page 234. * Paulus Jovius * Soows Chro. page 495. * Pitz de scrip in anno 1294. * Bale de scri Brit. Cenâ—… 4. Num. 62. * Bale de scrip Brit. 1430. * Leland * Bale de scrip Brit. cent 8. Numb 47. * Ambrosius 〈◊〉 and Jocobus Bergomensis Speeds Chron. pag. 717. * Bale de scri Brit. Cent. 9. num 86. * Idem ut prius * Parker in his Skellet 〈◊〉 M.S. in the Masters of Sâ—… John * In my holy-Holy-State and Church History * See the Latine Life of his Nephew Dr. Whitaker near the beginning * In his Epitaph on his Mon. in Pauls * Luke 1. 4â—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Acts 18. 25â—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 S. N. * In his Advancement of Learning * Theatrum Chemicum pag. 480. * See Sir Edw. Kellys life in Worcester-shire * In his Brit. in Lancashire * Psal. 68. 20. * Gen. 48. 14. * See the Particulars justified in his life at large written by my worthy Friend Edw. Bagshaw Esq. * Job 42. 15. Pitz. de Ang. Scrip. pag. 787. Pitz. de Ang. scrip Etate 17. pag. 808. * See his one foot out of the Snare * In the life of Mr. Bolton Bish. Godwin in the Bishops of Lincoln * Both these Notes were taken out of a Manuscript of Mr. Roger Dâ—…worth * John Huntley H. Wrigley Esquires * Pat. 24. of Heb. 6. Me mb 14. * Mr. Clark in his Lives of modern divines p. 450. Mr. Stanly Gower Minist of Dorchester who penned his Life full of many observables * Idem Ibidem * By â—…ollonel Waite * Vide supra pag. 14. Titulo Writers * Bale de scrip Brit. cent 4. N. 62. Pitz. De Ang. Script Anno 1294.
Townsmen should depart though plundred to a groat with their lives and himself with fourty nine more such as the Duke of Guise should chose should remain prisoners to be put to ransome This was the best news brought to Paris and worst to London for many years before It not only abated the Queens cheer the remnant of Christmas but her mirth all the dayes of her life Yet might she thank her self for loosing this Key of France because hanging it by her side with so slender a string there being but five hundred Souldiers effectually in the Garrison too few to manage such a piece of importance The Lord Wentworth the second of June following was solemnly condemned for Treason though un-heard as absent in France which was not only against Christian charity but Roman Justice Festus confessing it was not fashionable amongst them To deliver any man to die before he which is accused have the accusers face to face and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him It was well for this Lord that he was detained in France till his ransome was paid and Queen Mary dead who otherwise probably had lost his life if he had had his liberty But Queen Elizabeth coming to the Crown he found the favour or rather had the Justice to be tried again and was acquitted by his Peers finding it no treachery cowardise or carelesness in him but in Sr. John Harlston and Sr. Ralph Chamberlain the one Governour of Rise-Bank the other of Calis-Castle for which they were both condemned to die though their judgment was remitted This Lord was the only person I have read of who thus in a manner played Rubbers when his head lay at stake and having lost the fore recovered the after-game He died a very aged man 1590. Sea-men THOMAS CAVENDISH of Trimley in this County Esq. in pursuance of his generous inclination to make foreign discoveries for the use and honour of his Nation on his own Cost victualled and furnished three Ships the least of Fleets as followeth Tunn 1 The Desire Admiral of 120 2 The Content Vice-Admiâ—…al of 40 3 The Hugh-Gallant Rere-Admiral of 40 All three managed by 123 persons with which he set sail from Plymouth the 21th of July 1586. So prosperous their winds that by the 26 of August they had gone nine hundred and thirty leagues to the South of Africa Then bending their course South-West January the 7th they entred the mouth of the Magellan-straits Straits indeed not only for the narrow passage but many miseries of hunger and cold which Mariners must encounter therein Here Mr. Cavendish named a Town Port-famine and may never distressed Seaman be necessitated to land there It seems the Spanjards had a design so to fortifie these Straits in places of advantage as to ingross the passage that none save themselves should enter the Southern Sea But God the promoter of the publick good destroyed their intended Monopoly sending such a mortality amongst their Men that scarce five of five hundred did survive On the 24 of February they entred the South-sea and frequently landed as they saw occasion Many their conflicts with the Natives more with the Spanjards coming off Gainers in most and Savers in all encounters that alone at Quintero excepted April 1 1587 when they lost twelve Men of account which was the cause that the June following they purposely sunk the Rere-Admiral for want of Men to manage her Amongst the many prizes he took in his passage the St. Anne was the most considerable being the Spanish Admiral of the Southern-sea of seven hundred Tuns However our Cavendish boarded her with his little Ship a Chicken of the game will adventure on a greater fowl and leap where he cannot reach and mastered her though an hundred and ninety persons therein There were in the Ship an hundred and two and twenty thousand Pezos each worth eight shillings of gold the rest of the lading being Silks Sattins Musks and other rich Commodities Mr. Cavendish his mercy after equaled his valour in the fight landing the Spaniards on the Shore and leaving them plentiful provisions Surrounding the East-Indies and returning for England the Ship called the Content did not answer her name whose Men took all occasions to be mutinous and stayed behind in a road with Stephen Hare their Master and Mr. Cavendish saw her not after But he who went forth with a Fleet came home with a Ship and safely landed in Plymouth Sept. 9 1588. Amongst his Men three most remarkable Mr. John Way their Preacher Mr. Thomas Fuller of Ipswich their Pilote and Mr. Francis Pretty of Eyke in this County who wrote the whole History of their Voyage Thus having circumnavigated the whole Earth let his Ship no longer be termed the Desire but the Performance He was the third Man and second English Man of such universal undertakings Not so successeful his next and last Voyage begun the 26th of August 1591 when he set sail with a Fleet from Plymouth and coming in the Magellan-straits neer a place by him formerly named Port-â—…esire he was the November following casually severed from his Company not seen or heard of aâ—…tervvard Pity so illustrious a life should have so obscure a death But all things must be as Being it self vvill have them to be Physicians WILLIAM BUTLER vvas born at Ipswich in this County vvhere he had one only brother who going beyond sea turned Papist for which cause this VVilliam was so offended with him that he left him none of his Estate I observe this the rather because this VVilliam Butler was causlesly suspected for Popish inclinations He was bred Fellow of Clare-Hall in Cambridge where he became the Aesculapius of our Age. He was the first English man who quick ' ned Galenical Physick with a touch of Paracelsus trading in Chymical Receits vvith great successe His eye vvas excellent at the instant discovery of a cadaverous face on which he vvould not lavish any Art this made him at the first sight of sick Prince Henry to get himself out of sight Knowing himself to be the Prince of Physicians he would be observ'd accordingly Complements would prevail nothing with him intreaties but little surly threatnings would do much and a witty jeere 〈◊〉 any thing He was better pleased with presents than money loved what was pretty rather than what was costly and preferred rarities before riches Neatness he neglected into slovinlyness and accounting cuffs to be manacles he may be said not to have made himself ready for some seven years together He made his humoursomnesse to become him wherein some of his Profession have rather aped than imitated him who had morositatem aequabilem and kept the tenor of the same surliness to all persons He was a good Benefactor to Clare-Hall and dying 1621 he was buried in the Chancel of St. Maries in Cambridge under a fair Monument Mr. John Crane that expert Apothecary and his Executour is since
buried by him and if some eminent Surgeon was interred on his other side I would say that Physick lay here in state with its two Pages attending it Writers HUMPHREY NECTON was born though Necton be in Northfolk in this County and quitting a fair fortune from his Father professed poverty and became a Carmelite in Norwich Two Firstships met in this Man for he Handselled the House-Convent which Philip Wat in of Cowgate a prime Citizen and almost I could beleeve him Mayor of the City did after the death of his Wife in a fit of sorrow give with his whole Estate to the Carmelites Secondly He was the first Carmelite who in Cambridge took the Degree of Doctor in Divinity â—…orsome boggled much thereat as false Heraldry in Devotion to super-induce a Doctoral hood over a Friers Coul till our Necton adventured on it For though Poverty might not affect Pride yet Humility may admit of Honour He flourished under King Henry the Third and Edward the First at Norwich and was buried with great solemnity by those of his Order Anno Dom. 1303. JOHN HORMINGER was born of good Parents in this County and became very accomplished in Learning It happened that travelling to Rome he came into the company of Italians the admirers only of themselves and the Slighters-General of all other Nations vilifying England as an inconsiderable Country ' whose Ground was as barren as the people Barbarous Our Horminger impatient to hear his Mother land traduced spake in her defence and fluently Epitomized the commodities thereof Returning home he wrote a Book De Divitiis Deliciis Angliae of the Profit and Pleasure of England which had it come to my hand O how advantageous had it been to my present design He flourished 1310. THOMAS of ELY was born in this County For though Cambridge-shire boasteth of Ely so famous for the Cathedral yet is there Monks-Ely in Suffolk the Native Town of this Thomas who followed the foot-steps of his Countryman Necton being a Carmelitâ—… but in Ipswich and afterwards Doctor in the University of Cambridge aith my Author of Both Divinities But the same hand which tieth untieth this knot giving us to understand that thereby are meant Scholastical and Interpretative Divinity seeming to import them in that Age to have been distinct Faculties till afterwards united as the Civil and Common Law in one profession Leaving his Native Land he travelled over the seas with others of his Order to Bruges in Flanders and there kept Lectures and Disputations as one Gobelike a formidable Author informeth my Informer till his death about 1320. RICHARD LANHAM was born at a Market-Town well known for Cloathing in this County and bred when young a Carmelite in Ipswich He made it his only request to the Trefect of his Convent to have leave to study in Oxford which was granted him and deservedly employing his time so well there that he proceeded Doctor with publick applause Lelands Pencil paints him Pious and Learned but Bale cometh with his spunge and in effect deletes both because of his great Antipathy to the VVicklevites However his Learning is beyond contradiction attested by the Books he left to Posterity Much difference about the manner and place of his death some making him to decease in his Bed at Bristol others to be beheaded in London with Sudbury Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Hales Master of St. 〈◊〉 of Jerusalem by the Rebellious Crew of VVat Tyler who being a Misogrammatist if a good Greek word may be given to so Barbarous a Rebel hated every man that could write or read and were the more incensed against Lanham for his eminent Literature He died Anno Dom. 1381. JOHN KINYNGHAM was born in this County bred a Carmelite first in Ipswich then in Oxford being the 25th Prefect of his Order in England and Ireland Confessor to John of Gant and his Lady He was the first who encountred VVickliffe in the Schools at Oxford disputing of Philosophical Subtilties and that with so much Ingenuity that VVickliffe much taken with the Mans modesty prayed heartily for him that his Judgement might be convinced But whether with so good successe wherewith Peter Martyr besought God on the same account for 〈◊〉 Gilpin I know not He died a very aged man Anno 1399 and was buried at York far I confesse from Ipswich his first fixation But it was usual for Prefects of Orders to travel much in their Visitations JOHN LYDGATE was born in this County at a Village so called bred a Benedictine Monk in St. Edmunds-Bury After some time spent in our English Universities he travelled over France and Italy improving his time to his great accomplishment Returning he became Tutor to many Noble-mens sons and both in Prose and Poetry was the best Author of his Age. If Chaucers Coin were of a greater weight for deeper learning Lydgates were of a more refined Standard for purer language so that one might mistake him for a modern Writer But because none can so well describe him as himself take an Essay of his Verses excusing himself for deviating in his Writings from his Vocation I am a Monk by my profession In Berry call'd John Lydgate by my name And wear a habit of perfection Although my life agrees not with the same That meddle should with things spiritual As I must needs confess unto you all But seeing that I did herein proceed At his command whom I could not refuse I humbly do beseech all those that read Or leasure have this story to peruse If any fault therein they find to be Or error that committed is by me That they will of their gentleness take pain The rather to correct and mend the same Than rashly to condemn it with disdain For well I wot it is not without blame Because I know the Verse therein is wrong As being some too short and some too long For Chaucer that my Master was and knew What did belong to writing Verse and Prose Ne're stumbled at small faults nor yet did view With scornful eye the Works and Books of those That in his time did write nor yet would taunt At any man to fear him or to daunt He lived to be 60 years of age and died about the year 1444 and was buried in his own Convent with this Epitaph Mortuus saeclo superis superstes Hic 〈◊〉 Lydgate tumulatus urna Qui fuit quondam celebris Britannae Fama Poesis Dead in this World living above the skie Intomb'd within this Urn doth Lydgate lie In former time fam'd for his Poetry All over England As for the numerous and various Books which he wrote of several subjects Bale presenteth us with their perfect Catalogue JOHN BARNYNGHAM born at a Village so named in this County was bred a Carmelite in Ipswich and afterwards proceeded Doctor in Oxford thence going to Serbon the Cock-pit of controversies was there admitted to the same Degree Trithemius takes