Schollers who were bigge men Which when the Emperour sawe hee smiling saide In good faith Maister Iohn you are no indifferent divider Yes if it like your Highnesse verie indifferent saide he for heere poynting to himselfe and the two great fishes be two great ones and a little one and so yonder reaching his hand towardes the Schollers are two great ones and a little one Idem Wenefridus borne at Kirton in Devonshire after furnamed Boniface who converted Freesel and to Christianitie was wont to say In olde time there were golden Prelats and woodden Chalices but in his time woodden Prelates and golden Chalices Beatus Rhenanus libr. 2. rerum Germenâ—arum Ethelwold the Bishop of Winchester in the time of king Edgar in a great famine solde away all the sacred golde and silver vessells of all his church to releeve the hunger-starved poore people saying That there was no reason that the senselesse temples of God should abound in riches and living temples of the holy-ghost starve for hunger Whenas Kinnad King of Scotâ— a vassall to King Eadgar of England had saide at his Table That it stoode not with the honour of the Princes of this Isle to be subiect to that Dandiprat Eadgar who was indeede but of small stature yet full of courage He vnderstanding thereof withdrew Kinnad privately into a wood as though hee had to conferre with him of some important secret where he offered him the choice of two swords prepared for that purpose with these wordes Now we are alone you may try your manhood now may it appeare who should be subiect to the other retire not one foote backe It standeth not with the honour of Princes to brave it at the Table and not to dare it in the field But Kinad heere-at dismaied desired pardon by excuse and obtained it Malmesburiensis pag. 33. The same king Eadgar having brought into his subiection the aforesaid Kinnad king of Scottes Malcolm king of Cumberland Mac cuis the arch pirate lord of the Isles with Dufnall Griffith Howell Iacob Iudethilâ— Princes of Wales was rowed by them in triumphant manner in his barge vpon the river of Dee at Chester at which time it is reported he saide Then may my successours the Kings of England glorie when they shall doe the like Marianus Scotus Anno 973. When Hinguar of Denmarke came so sodainely vppon Edmund the king of the East-Angles that hee was forced to seeke his safetie by flight hee happened vnhappily on a troupe of Danes who fell to examining of him whether hee knew where the king of the East-Angles was whome Edmund thus answered Even now when I was in the palace he was there and when I went from thence he departed thence and whether he shall escape your handes or no onely God knoweth But so soone as they once heard him name God the godlesse infidells pittifully martired him Vita Sancti Edmundi When Brithwold a noble Saxon marching against the Danes encamped neare Maldon was invited by the Abbot of Elie to take his dinner with him he refusing answered Hee would not dine from his companies because hee could not fight without his companies Liber Eliensis King Canutus commonly called Knute walking on the sea sands neare to Southampton was extolled by some of his flattering followers and tolde that hee was a king of kings the mightiest that raigned farre and neare that both sea and land were at his commaund But this speach did put the godly King in mind of the infinite power of God by whome Kings have and enioy their power and therevpon hee made this demonstration to refell their flatterie He tooke off his cloake and wrapping it round together sâ—te downe vpon it neare to the sea that then beganne to slowe saying Sea I commaund thee that thou touch not my feete 〈◊〉 he had not so soone spoken the worde but the surgâ—ng wave dashed him He then rising vp and going backe saide Ye see now my Lorde what good cause you have to call me a King that am not able by my commaundement to stay one wave no mortaâ—l man doubtlesse is woorthy of such an 〈◊〉 name no man hath such commaund but one King which ruleth all Let vs honour him let vs call him King of all kings and Lord of all nations Let vs not onely confesse bvt also prâ—fesse him to be ruler of the heavens sea anâ— land Polydorus and others When Edric the extorteâ— was deprived by King Câ—ute of the government of Mercia hee impatient of the disgrace tolde him he had deserved better for that to pleasure him hee had first revolted from his Soveraigne king Edmund and also dispatched him Whereat Câ—ute all appalled answered And thou shalt die for thy desert whenâ—â— thou arte a traitour to God and me in killing thy king and my confederate brother His bloud be vpon thy head which hast layed handes vpon the Lordes annoynted Some reporte that he saide For his deserts he should be advaunced above all the Nobilitie of England which hâ— câ—mmediately performed advauncing his head vpon the Tower of London Florilegus King Edward the Confessour one afternoone lying in his bedde with the curtaine drawne round about him a poore pilfering Courtier came into his chamber where finding the Kings Casket open which Hugoline his chamberlaine had forgotten to shut going foorth to pay money in haste hee tooke out so much money as hee couldâ— well carry and went away But insatiable desire brought him againe and so the third time when the King who lay still all this while and would not seeme to see beganne to speake to him and bade him speedily be packing For he was well if hee coulde see for if Hugoline came and tooke him there he were not onely like to loose all that he had gotten but also stretch an halter The fellow was no sooner gone but Hugoline came in and finding the Casket open and much money taken away was greatly mooved But the King willed him not to he grieved For saide he he that hath it had more neede of it then wee have This at that time was adiudged Christian lenitie but I thinke in our age it will be accounted simplicitie in the woorst sense Vita Sancti Edwardi This Edward hasted out of Normandie whither his expelled father king Ethelred had fled with him with a great power to recover the kingdome of England from the Danes neere vnto whose forces hee was encamped ready to give them battell But when his Captaines promised him assured victorie and that they would not leave one Dane alive God forbid quoth Edward that the kingdome should be recovered for me one man by the death of so many thousand men It is better that I do leade a private and vnbloody life then be a King by such but chery And therewithall brake vp Campe and retyred into Normandy where he staied vntill God sent oportunitie to obtaine the kingdome without blood Paulus Aemilius Harold as hee waited on the cup of the said king Edward chanced
little when I first read it But nothing can bee gathered thereby but that the Saxons our progenitours which planted themselves heere in the West did also to their glorie place Colonies likewise there in the east As in the Latine tongue the learned make in respect of time foure Idioms the Antient the Latine the Roman the Mixt so we in ours may make the Antient English-Saxon and the Mixt. But that you may seeme how powerable time is in altering tongues as all things else I will set downe the Lords prayer as it was translated in sundrie ages that you may see by what degrees our tongue is risen and thereby coniecture how in time it may alter and fall againe If we could set it downe in the antient Saxon I meane in the tongue which the English vsed at their first arrivall heere about 420. yeares after Christs birth it would seeme most strange and harsh Dutch or Gebrish as women call it or when they first embraced Christianitie about the yeare of Christ 600. But the antientst that I can finde was about 900. yeare since about the yeare of Christ 700. found in an antient Saxon glossed Evangelists in the hands of my good friend M. Robert Bowyer written by Eadfride the eight Bishop of Lindiffarâ—â— which after was translated to Durrham and divided according to the antient Canon of Eusebius not into chapters for Stephen Langton Archbishop of Canturburie first divided the holy Scriptures into chapters as Robert Stephan did lately into verse and thus it is Vren Our Fader Father thic which arth art in in heofnas heaven Sie be gehalgud hallowed thin thin noma name to cymeth come thin thy ric kingdom Sie Be thin thy willa will sue so is as in in heofnas heaven and and in in eortho earth Vren Oure hlaf lofe ofer Super wirtlic substantiall sel give vs vs to to daeg day and and forgâ—f forgive vs vs scylda debts urna euâ—es sue so we we for for gefan give scyldgum debts vrum oures and and no do inlead not led vsith vs in into custnung temptation Ah But gefrig deliver vrich every one from from ifle evill Amen Some two hundred yeeres after I finde this somewhat varied in two translations Thu vre fader the eart on heofenum Si thin nama gehalgod Cum thin ric Si thin willa on eorthan swa swa on heofo num Syle vs to daeg vrn daegthanlican dayly hlaf And forgif vs vre gyltas trespasses swa swa we for gifath tham the with against vs vs agyltath have trespassed And ne led the vs on costnung Ac alys vs from yfle Si Be it it swa so About an hundred and three score yeeres after in the time of king Henry the second I find this in time sent from Rome by Pope Adrian an Englishman to be taught to the people Vre fadyr in heaven rich Thy name be halyed everlich Thou bring vs thy michell blisse Al 's hit in heaveny-doe Evar in yearth beene it also That holy bread that lasteth ay Thou send it ouâ— this ilke day Forgive ous all that we havith don As wee forgivet vch other mon Ne let ous fall into no founding Ac sheild ous fro the fowle thing Amen Neither was there any great variation in the time of king Henry the third as appeereth in this of that age as I coniecture by the Character Fader that art in heavin blisse Thin helge nam it wurth the blisse Cumen mot thi kingdom Thin holy will it be all don In heaven and in erdh also So it shall bin full well Ic trâ— Gif vs all bread on this day And forgif vs vre sinnes Ai we do vre wider winnes Let vs not in fonding fall O ac fro evill thu syld vs all Amen In the time of king Richard the second about a hundred and odde yeeres after it was so mollified that it came to be thus as it is in the Translation of Wickliffe with some Latine wordes now inserted whereas there was not one before Our fadyr that art in heaven halloed be thy name thy kingdom com to be thy will done so in heaven and in erth gif to vs this day our bread over other substance and forgif to vs our dettis as we forgeven to our detterâ— and leed vs nott into temptation but deliver vs fro evill Amen Hitherto will our sparkefull Youth laugh at their great grandfathers English who had more care to do well than to speake minion-like and lâ—ft mâ—re glory to vs by thâ—ir exploiting of great actes than we shall do by our sonnetting Great verily was the glory of our tongue before the Norman Conquest in this that the olde English could expresse most aptly all the conceiptes of the minde in their owne tongue without borrowing from any As for example The holy service of God which the Latines called Religion because it knitted the mindes of men together and most people of Europe have borrowed the same from them they called most significantly Fan-fastnes as the one and onely assurance and fast anker-holde of our soules health The gladsome tidings of our salvation which the Greekes called Evangelion and other Nations in the same word they called Godspel that is God speech For our Saviour which wee borrowed from the French and they from the Latin Salvator they called in their owne word Haelend from Hael that is Salus safetie which we â—â—tame still in Al-hael and Was-hael that is Ave Salve Sis salvus They could call the disciples of Christ Leorning Cnibtas that is Learning Servitours For 〈◊〉 which is now a name of worship signified with them an Attendant or servitour They could name the Pharises according to the Hebrew Sunder-halgens as holy religious men which had sundred and severed themselves from other The Scribes they could call in their proper signification as Booke-men Bocer So they called parchment which wee have catcht from the Latine Pergamenum Boc-fell in respect of the vse So they could call the sacrament Haligdome as holy iudgement For so it is according as we receive it They could call Fortilitie and fruitfulnesse of land significatively Eordes-wela as wealth of the earth They could call a Comet a Faxed starre which is all one with Stella Crinita or Cometa So they did call the iudgement seate Domesettle That which we call the Parlament of the French Parier to speake they called a Witten mot as the meeting and assembly of wise men The certaine and inward knowledge of that which is in our minde be it good or bad which in the Latine word we call Conscience they called Inwit as that which they did inwardly wit and wote that is know certainely That in a river which the Latines call Alveus and Canaâ—is and from thence most nations of Europe name the Chanel Kanel Canale c. they properly called the Streame-race Neither in the degrees of kinred they were destitute of significative woordes for he whom we of a French
that is The devine dew of her Kingdome Likewise out of the Greeke was this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is A Goddesse Queene Her most milde government of her subiects and Lion-like courage against her Spanish enemies was thus declared out of Elizabetha Regina Anglia ANGLIS AGNA HIBERIAE LEA. Whereas she was as a Sweepnet for the Spanish ships which as the Athenians said of their fortunate Timothye happily fell into her net this was made by transposing of Elizabeth Regina Angliae GENTI HIBERAE ILLA SAGENA In respect of her great warres exploited against that mighty Monarch this was wrought out of Elizabetha Anglorum Regina MAGNA BELLA TV â—EROINA GERIS The good government of her Maiestie was thus noted vnder the name of the flourishing Muse Thalia Elizabetha Regina BENE THALIA REGIS In this following was comprised the wish then of all true English Elizabetha Regina Anglorum GLORIA REGNI SALVA MANEBiT Have now some framed vpon the names of divers honourable personages and others lovers I hope of good letters neither let any conceive offensively if they aâ—e not here remembred I have imparted all that came to my hands Out of the name of the late right reverend the Lorde Archebishoppe of Canterbury the mirrour of Praelats in our daies was found this in respect of his milde proceedings Ioannes Whitegiftius NON VI EGIT FAVIT â—â—ESVS For the Lord Chancelor Lord Ellesmer Thomas Egerton GEST AT HONOREM Oris honore viget Vt mentis gestat honorem Iuris Egertonus dignus honore colâ— For the late Lord Treasurer a most prudent and honourable Councellor to two mightie Princes Guilielmus Cecisius Baro Burglio VIGILI CVM LABORE ILLVCES REGIBVS Regibus illuces vigili Gulielme labore Nam clarè fulget lux tua luce Dei For the Earle of Nottingham Lord Admirall Carolus Howarde CHARVS ARDVO LEO. For the Earle of Northumberland Henricus Percius HIC PVRE SINCERVS Vpon which with a relation to the Crescent or silver Moone his Cognisance was framed thus Percius HIC PVRE SINCERVS Percia Luna Candida tota micat pallet at illa pâ—lo This was made as a wish to the Earle of Shrewsbury that his name and Talbot may be as terrible to the French as it was when the French so feared his progenitour Iohn Lord Talbot first Earle of Shrewsbury of that family Gilbertâ—â— Talbottius CALLOS TV TIBI TVRBES Vt proavi preavus sic GALLOS TV TIBI TVRBES Impreses AN Imprese as the Italians call it is a devise in picture with his Motte or Word borne by noble and learned personages to notifie some particular conceit of their owne as Emblemes that we may omitte other differences doe propound some generall instruction to all As for example Wheras Cosmi Medici Doke of Florence had in the ascendent at his nativitie the signe Capricorue vnder which also Augustus and Charles the fift two great and good Princes were borne hee vsed the celeshall signe Capricorne with this Mone FIDEM FATI VIRTVTE SE QVEMVR for his Imprese particularly concerning his good hope to proove like vnto them But a faire woman pictured with an Olive crowne representing Peace carrying in one hand the horne of Plenty leading a little golden boy for Plutus in the other with EX PACE RERVM OPVLENTIA is an Embleme and a generall document to all that Peace bringeth Plentie There is required in an Imprese that wee may reduce them to few heades a correspondencie of the picture which is as the bodie and the Motte which as the soule giveth it life That is the body must be of faire representation and the word in some different language wittie short and answerable thereunto neither too obscur◠〈◊〉 too plaine and most commâ—nded when it is an Hemislich or parcell of a verse According to these prescripts neither the starres with the Moone in Tideâ—s shield in Aeschilus neither Amphiaraus dragon in Pindare neither the stemme of a shippe vsed for a seale by Pompey can have heere place Much lesse the reverses in Roman coynes which were onely historicall memorialles of their actes as that of Claudius with a plowman at plow and this COL CAMALODVN was to signifie that he made Maldon in â—ssex a Colony and that of Hadrian with an Emperour three souldiers and EXERC BRITANNICVS was in memorie of some good service by the three Legions resiant in this Isle at Yorke Chester and Car-leon vpon Vske That also of Severus with a woman sitting vppon Cliffes holding an ensigne in one hand and as it were writing vppon a shield with VICTORIA BRITANN was onely to shew his victories here Such also as are set downe in Notitia Provinciarum as a Boore seiant for Iovij a circle party per Saltier for Britanniciani a carbuncle as Blazoners terme it for Britannici c. cannot be admitted into the number of Impreses for they were the severall ensignes of severall militarie companies whereof the two last seemed to be leavied out of this Isle Childish it is to referre hither the shieldes of King Arthurs round-table Knights when they were devised as it is probable for no other end but to teach yoong men the termes of Blazon Neither are Armes to be referred hither which were devised to distinguish families and were most vsuall among the nobilitie in warres tiltes and tournaments in their coates called Coate-armours Shields Standards Banners Pennors Guydons vntill about some hundred yeeres since when the French and Italian in the expedition of Naples vnder Charles the eight beganne to leave Armes happly for that many of them had none and to beare the curtaines of their mistresses beddes their mistresses colours or these Impreses in their banners shields and caparisons in which the English have 〈…〉 and albeit a few have borrowed somewhat from them yet many have matched them and no few surpassed them in wittie conceit as you shall perceive heereafter if you will first give me leave to remember some imperfect Devises in this kinde of some former Kings of England which you may well say to be livelesse bodies for that they have no word adioyned Of King William Conquerour I have heard none neither dare as Iovius taketh the Sphinx Augustus signet for an Imprese so set downe our Conquerours seale which had his owne picture on horsebacke with these verses to notifie his Dominions Hoc Normannorum Willelmum nosce patronum On the other side Hoc Anglis Regem signo fatearis eundem As a King of Sicile had about that time this Apulus Calaber Siculus mihi servit Afer Stephen of Bloys the Vsâ—â—per tooke the signe Sagutarius for that hee obtained this kingdome when the Sunne was in the saide signe King Henry the second grievously molested by the disobedience of his foure sonnes who entred into actuall rebellion against him caused to be painted in his great Chamber at his pallace in Winchester an Eagle with foure yong chickens whereof three pecked and scratched him the fourth picked
that she would goe to church barefoote and alwayes exercise herselfe in workes of charitie insomuch that when David her brother came out of Scotland to visite her he found her in her privie chamber with a towell about her middle washing wiping and kissing poore peoples feete which he disliking saide Verily if the King your husband knew this you should never kisse his lippes She replied That the feete of the King of heaven are to bee preferred before the lippes of a King in earth Guil Malmes Math. Paris Simon Deane of Lincolne who for his Courtlike carriage was called to Court and became a favourite of this king Henry the first was wont to say I am cast among courtiers as salt among quicke Eeles for that he salted powdred and made them stirre with his salt and sharpe quipping speeches But what saieth the Author who reporteth this of him The salt lost his season by the moysture of the Eeles and was cast out on the dunghill For hee incurring hatred in Court was disgraced committed and at last banished Henr. Huntingdon in Epistola VVHen the Scottes in the time of king Stephen with a great army invaded England the Northerne people brought to the field the Earle of Albemarle the only respective heire of those partes in his cradle and placed him by the Standard hoping thereby to animate the people But Ralph Bishop of Duresme animated them more with this saying Assure your selves that this multitude not trained by discipline wil be combersome to it selfe in good successe and in distresse easily discomforted Which proved accordingly for many Scottishmen left their carcases in the field Historiola de Standardo MAwd the Empresse daughter and heire of this king Henry the first which stiled her sâ—lfe Lady of the Englishmen would often say to her sonne king Henry the second Be hasty in nothing Hawkes are made more serviceable when yee make faire shewes of offering meate often and yet with-hold it the longer Cualterus Mapes Others Maximes of her In arte Reguands proceeding from a niggish olde wife I wittingly omitte as vnbefitting a Prince Robert Earle of Gloucester base sonne to king Henry the first the onely martiall man of England in his age vsed Stephen Beauchampe with all grace and countenaunce as his onely favorite and privado to the great dislike of all his followers Whereupon when he was distressed in a conflict he called to some of his companie for helpe but one bitterly bade him Call nowe to your Stephen Pardon mee pardon me replieth the Earle In matters of Venery I must vse my Stephen but in Martiall affaires I relie who he vppon you Gualter Mapes de Nugis Curialium HEnry the second caused his eldest sonne Henry to bee crowned kâ—ng and that day served him at the Table Whereuppon the Archebishop of Yorke said vnto the yoong king Your Maiestie may reioyce for there is never a Prince in the world that hath this day such a waiter aâ— his Table as you have Wonder you so much aâ— that my Lord saide the yong king and dooth my father thinke it an abasement for him being discended of royall bloud onely by his mother to serve me at the Table that have both a King to my father and a Queene to my mother Which prowde speech when the vnfortunate father heard hee rounded the Archbishop in the care and saide I repent mee I repent me of nothing more than of vntimely advauncements Anonymus Wimund Bishop of the Isle of Man in the time of King Stephen a martiall Prelate as many were in that age after he had with many an inrode annoyed the Scots some English procured by them sodainely apprehended him put out his eies and gelded him as my Author saieth for the peace of the kingdome not for the kingdome of heaven Who after retiring himselfe to the Abbey of Biland in Yorkeshire would often couragiously say Had I but a sparrowe eye my enemies should never carry it away scot-free Newbrigensis When king Plenry the second was at S. Davis in Wales and from the cliffes there in a cleere day discovered the coast of Ireland that most mighty Monark of this realme saide I with my shippes am able to make a bridge thither if it be no further which speach of his beeing related to Murchard king of Lemster in Ireland he demaunded if hee added not to his speech with the grace of God when it was answered that hee made no mention of God Then saide hee more cheerefully I feare him lesse which trusteth more to himselfe than to the helpe of God Giraldus Cambrensis Owen of Kevelsoc Prince of Powis admitted to the table of king Henry the second at Shrewsbury the king the more to grace him reached him one of his owne loaves which he cutting in small peeces and setting them as farre off as he could reach did eate very leasurely When the king demaunded what he meant thereby he aunswered I doe as you my Soveraigne meaning that the king in like manner tooke the fruition of offices and spirituall preferments as long as he might Giraldus The same king Henry returning out of Ireland arrived at saint Davis in Wales where it was signified vnto him that the Conqueror of Ireland returning that way should die vpon a stone called Lech-laver neere the churchyard whereupon in a great presence he pasted over it and then reprooving the Welsh-Britans credulity in Merlins Prophecies said Now who will heereafter credite that liar Merlin Giraldus Gilbert Foliot Bishop of London disliking Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury woulde say oftentimes Ad Zachaeum non divertisset Dominus nisi de sicomoro iam descendisset That Zachaeus had never entertained and lodged Christ vnlesse he had come downe from the figge tree As though Christ could never like the lofty vntill they should humiliate themselves and come downe Anonymus Ms. The same king would often say The whole world is 〈◊〉 enough for a great Prince Girald in Distinct In the time of this Henry the second the See of Lincolne was so long voyde as a certaine Convert of Tame prophecied that there should be no more Bishoppes of Lincolne But he prooved a truthlesse prophet for Geffrey the kings base sonne was preferred after sixteene yeeres vacancie thereunto but so fitte a man as one saide of him That he was skilfull in fleecing but vnskilfull in feeding Vitae Episcoporum Eboracensium This gallant base Bishoppe would in his protestations and othes alwayes protest By my faith and the King my father But Walter Mapes the kings Chaplan told him You might doe aswel to remember sometimes your mothers honesty as to mention so often your fathers royaltie Mapes de Nugis Curialium This Bishop Ceffrey in all his Instruments passing from him vsed the stile of G. Archiepiscopus Eborum but in the circumference of his Seale to notifie his royall parentage Sigillum Galfredi filij Regis Anglorum as I observed in his Seales SAvage a Gentleman which amongst the first English had
conioyned and beginne to close together into one in their most antient name of BRITAINE If any would vndertake the honour and precedence of Britaine before other Realmes in serious maner for heere I protest once for all I will passe over each thing lightly slightly a world of matter at the first view would present it selfe vnto him As that the true Christian Religion was planted heere most auntiently by Ioseph of Arimathia Simon Zelotes Aristobulus yea by saint Peter and saint Paul as may be prooved by Dorotheus Theodâ—â—â— Sophronius before the yere of Christ 200. it was propagated as Tertullian writes to places of Britaine â—accessa Roâ—anis whither the Romans never reached which can not be vnderstoode but of that parte which was afterward called Scotland The kingdomes also are most auntient helde of God alone acknowledging no superiours in no vassalage to Emperour or Pope The power of the Kings more absolute than in most other kingdomes their territories very large for the Kings of England beside Ireland have commaunded from the Isles of Orkenay to the Pyrene Mountaines and are de iure Kings of all France by descent The Kings of Scotland beside the ample realm of Scotland commands the 300 Westerne Isles the 30. of Orkney Schetland Also which was accounted a special note of maiesty in former ages the Kings of England with them of Fraunce Ierusalem Naples and afterward Scotland were antiently the onely annointed Kings of Christendome which manner beganne among the Iewes was recontinued at length by the Christian Emperors of Constantinople with this word at the annoynting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Be holy and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Be worthie and from thence was that sacred ceremonie brought to vs and the other kingdomes As for that admirable gift hereditary to the annoynted Princes of this Realme in curing the Kings Evil I referre you to the learned Discourse thereof lately written Neyther would it be forgotten that England in the opinion of the Popes when they swayd the world and their authoritie was held sacred was preferred because it contained in the Ecclesiasticall Division two large Provinces which had their severall Legatinati whereas Fraunce had scantly one That Scotland was by them accompted an exempt kingdome and a Peculiar properly appertaining to the Roman Chappell And which was accompted in that age a matter of honour when all Christianitie in the Counsell Constance was divided into Nations Anglicana Natio was one of the principall and no sub alterne As also that in times past the Emperour was accounted Maior filius Ecclesiae the King of France Filius Minor and the King of England Filius Tertius and Adoptivus And so in generall Councells as the King of Fraunce had place next the Emperour on the right hand so the King of England on the left and the Kings of Scotland as appeereth in an antient Roman Provinciall had next place before Castilâ— The Archbishops of Canterbury who were antiently stiled Archbishoppes of Britaine were adiudged by the Popes tanquam alterius orbis Pontifices Maximi and they had their place in all general Councells at the Popes right foote The Title also of Defensor fidei is as honourable and more iustly conferred vpon the Kings of England than either Christianissimus vpon the French or Catholicus vpon the Spaniard Neither is it to be omitted which is so often recorded in our Histories when Brithwald the Monke not long before the Conquest busied his brain much about the succession of the Crown because the blood Royall was almost extinguished he had a strange vision and heard a voyce which forbade him to be inquisitive of such matters resounding in his eares The kingdome of England is Gods owne kingdome and for it God himselfe will provide But these such like are more fit for a graver Treatise than this I will performe that I promised in handling nothing seriously and therfore I will bring you in some Poets to speake in this behalfe for mee and will beginne with olde Alfred of Beverlie who made this for Britaine in generall which you must not reade with a censorious eye for it is as the rest I will cite of the middle age having heeretofore vsed all of more auntient and better times in an other worke But thus saide he of Britaine Insula praedives quae toto vix eget orbe Et cuius totus indiget orbis ope Insula praedives cuius miretur optet Delicias Salomon Octavianus opes For Scotland one lately in a far higher straine and more Poetically sung these Quis tibi frugifera 〈…〉 Aut aris gravides 〈◊〉 pâ—â—dere 〈…〉 Et nitidos auro monces ferrâ—que rigentâ—â— Deque met allâ—feris manantia 〈…〉 Quaeque beaâ—t alias communia commoda gâ—â—tesâ— For England a very olde Epigrâ—â—â—tist made these with a Prosopopoeia of Nature the indulgent mother to England which doth comprise as much as the best wittes can nowe conceive in that behalfe Anglia terra ferax tibi pax secura quietem Multiplicem luxum merx opulenta dedit Tu nimio nec stricta gelu nec sydere fervens Clementi coelo temperieque places Cùm pareret Natura parens varioque favore Divideret dotes omnibus vna locis Seposuit potiora tibi matremque professa Insula fis â—oelix plenaque pacis â—â—t Quicquid amat luxus quicquid desiderat vsus Ex tâ— proveniet vel aliunde tibi Accordingly it is written in the Blacke booke of the Exchequer that our Auncestors termed England a Store-house of Treasure and a Paradise of Pleasure in this verse Divitijsque sinum delicijsque larem So that not without cause Pope Innocentius the fourth most willingly and especially desired to see Divitias Londini delicias Westmonasterij In these respects to conclude most truely our Lucan singeth of this our countrey The fairest Land that from her thrusts the rest As if she car'd not for the world beside A world within herselfe vvith vvonders blest The inhabitants of Britaine AS all the Regions with the whole worlds frame and all therein was created by the Almightie for his last and most perfect worke that goodly vpright provident subtile wittie and reasonable creature which the Greekes call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for his vpright looke the Latines Homo for that he was made of Molde and we with the Germains call Man of his principall part the mind being the verie image of God and a pettie world within himselfe so he assigned in his divine providence this so happy and worthy a region to men of answerable worth if not surpassing yet equalling the most excellent inhabitants of the earth both in the endowments of minde lineaments of bodie and their deportment both in peace and warre as if I would enter into discourse I could very easily shew But overpassing their naturall inclination by heauenly influence answerable to the disposition of Aries Leo and Sagittary Iupiter with Mars
this Isle somewhat answerable to the Greeke names Philippe Speusiprus Ctesippus his brother in like sort was called Horsa HARHOLD Sax. Luther interpreteth it Governour or Generall of an Armie and so would I if it were Harwold But being written Harhold Herold I rather turne it love of the Armie For Hold see Rheinhold For Hare and Here that they signifie both an Armie and a Lord it is taken for granted Yet I suspect this Here for a Lord to come from the Latine Herus See Ethelwold HERBERT Germ. Famous Lord bright Lord or Glorie of the Army HERVVIN ger Victorious Lord or Victor in the Armie HARMAN or Hermon ger Generall of an Army the same which Strato or Polemarchus in Greeke Caesar turned it into Arminius Tscudus Hence the German Dukes are called Hertogen as Leaders of Armies HERCVLES gr Glorie or illumination of the aire as it pleaseth Macrobius who affirmeth it to be proper to the Sunne but hath bin given to valiant men for their glorie HIEROME gr Holy name HILDEBERT germ Bright or famous Lord. See Maud. HILARY Lat. Merrie and pleasant HOVVEL A Brittish name the originall whereof some Britan may finde Goropius turneth it Sound or whole as wisely as he saith Englishmen were called Angli because they were good Anglers I rather would fetch Hoel from Haelius that is Sunne-bright as Coel from Caelius HVâ—H Aventinus deriveth it from the German word Hougen that is slasher or cutter But whereas the name Hugh was first in vse among the French and Oâ—frid in the yeare 900. vsed Hugh for Comfort I iudge this name to be borrowed thence and so it is correspondent to the Greeke names Elpidius and Elpis HVMFREY ger for Humfred House-peace a lovely and happie name if it could turne home-warres betweene man and wife into peace The Italians have made Onuphrius of it in Latine HVBERT Sax. Bright forme faire shape or faire hope HORATIO I know not the Etymologie vnlesse you will derive from the Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is wel sighted J IACOâ— Heb. A tripper or supplanter Whose name because he had power with God that he might also prevaile with men was changed into Israel by God See Genes ca. 32. Philo de nominibus mutatis IAMES Wrested from Iacob the same Iago in Spanish Iaques in French which some frenchified English to their disgrace have too much affected IASPER Iâ—EL See Ybel IOACHIM Heb. Preparation of the Lord. IEREMY Heb High of the Lord. IOAB Heb Fatherhood IOHN Heb Gratious yet though so vnfortunate in Kings for that Iohn of England well neare lost his Kingdome and Iohn of France was long captive in England and Iohn Balioll was lifted out of his Kingdome of Scotland that Iohn Steward when the Kingdome of Scotland came vnto him renouncing that name would be proclaimed King Robert See Iuon IOB Heb. Sighing or sorrowing IORDAN Heb The river of iudgement IOSVAH Heb As Iesuiah Saviour IOSCâ—LIN A diminitive from Iâ—st or Iustus as Iustulus according to Islebius but molefied from Iostelin in the old Netherland language from whence it came with Ioscelin of Lovan yonger sonne of Godfrey Duke of Brabant Progenitour of the honourable Percyes if not the first yet the most noble of that name in this Realme Nicotius maketh it a diminitive from Iost Iudocus IOSEPH Heb. Encreasing Philâ— or encrease of the Lord. IOSIAS Heb. Fire of the Lord. IOSVAH Heb The Lord Saviour INGEIBERT See Engelbert INGRAM Germ Engelramus in Latine deduced from Engell which signifieth an Angell as Angelo is common in Italy so Engelbert seemeth to signifie bright Angell ISAAC Heb Laughter the same which Gelasius among the Greekes ISRAEL Heb. Seeing the Lord or prevailing in the Lord See Iacob IVLIVS gr Soft haired or mossie bearded so doth Iulus signifie in Greeke It was the name of Aeneas sonne who was first called Ilus Ilus erat dum res stetit Ilia regno The old Englishmen in the North parts turned Iulius into Ioly and the vnlearned Scribes of that time may seeme to have turned Iulianus into Iolanus for that name doth often occurre in olde evidences IVON is the same with Iohn and vsed by the Welsh and Sclavâ—nians for Iohn and in this Realme about the Conquerours time Iohn was rarely found but Iuon as I have observed IONATHAN Heb. The same with Theodorus and Theodosius that is Gods gift K KENHELME Sax. Defence of his kinred Hâ—â—m Defence Luther so 〈◊〉 Happy defence Bright-helme Faire defence Sig-â—elme Victorious defence KENARD Sax. Kinde disposition and affection his kinred L LAMBERT Sax As some thinke Faire-lamb Luther turneth it Farre famous LANCELOT seemeth a Spanish name and may signifie a Launce as the militarie men vse the word now for an horseman Some think it to be no auntient name but forged by the writer of king Arthurs historie for one of his doubtie knights LAVRENCE Lat Flourishing like a Baie tree the same that Daphnis in Greeke LAZARVS Hebr Lords-help LEOFSTAN Sax most beloved LEOFVVIN Sax Winlove or to be loved as Agapetus and Erasmus with the Greekes and Amandus with the Latines LEONARD ger Lion-like disposition as Thymoleon with the Greekes or Popularis indoles as it pleaseth Lipsâ—â—s that is People pleasing disposition LEVVIS Wrenched from Lâ—dowike which Tilius interpreteth Refuge of the people LEVVLIN Brit. Lion-like the same with Leominus and Leontius LIONELL Lat Leonellus that is Little-lyon LVKE Hebr Rising or lifting vp LEODEGAR or LEGER geâ—m Gatherer of people Lipsius in Poliorceticis or Altogether popular LEODPOLD ger Defender of people corruptly Leopold In our auncient tongue Leod signified people of one Citie as Leodscip was to them Respublica The northerne Germans have yet Leud in the same sense So Luti Liâ—di Leuti and Leudi as the Dialect varieth signifies people In which sence the Normans in the life of Carolus Magnus were called Nortleud The names wherein Leod are found seeme translated from those Greeke names wherein you shall finde Dâ—mâ—s and Lâ—â—s as Demosthenes that is Strength of the people Dimochares that is Gratious to the people Demophilus that is Lover of the people Nicodemus that is Conqueror of people Lâ—â—medon that is Ruler of people Lâ—odâ—mas that is Tamer of people c. LIVIN germ The same with Amatus that is Beloved Kilianus M MADOC Brit from Mad that is Good in the Welsh as Caradoc from Câ—â—â— that is Beloved The same with Agathias in Greek Dict Walicum MALACHIAS hebr My messenger MANASâ—â— hebr not forgotten MARCâ—LLVâ— lat Plutarch out of Pâ—ssidoâ—ius doâ—â—vetâ— it from Mars as martiall and warlike other from Marculus that is an Hammer The latter times turned it to Martell and Mallet which diverse tooke for a surname because they valiantly didde hammer and beate downe their adversaries See Malmes pag. 54. MARMADVC germ Mermachtig as some coniecture which in olde Saxon signifieth More mightie being sweetened in sound by processe of time A name vsuall in the North but most in former times in the noble
and was but Herrâ—â— reversed Aventinus turneth it Treasure of the kingdome See Aubry ROBERT Germ. Famous in Councell for it is written most anciently Rodbert Rod Red and Rod do signifie councell See Conrad and Albert This name was given to Rollo first Duke of Normandy an originall Ancestour of the Kings of England who was called first by the Normans and French Rou wherevnto some without ground thinke that Bert was added so that it should signifie Rou the renowmed Others vntruly turne it Red-â—eard as thogh it were al one with Aenobarbus of the Latines or Barbarossa of the Italians Iohn Bodin or Pudding that I may give him his true English name maketh it full wisely Red-bara but I thinke no Robert which knoweth what Bardus meaneth will like of it ROGER Ger. Ruger Quiet the same with Tranquilles in Latine Frodoard writeth it alwaies Rottgarius or Rodgarus so it seemeth to signifie All councell or strong councell ROLLAND Ger. Whereas it was anciently written Rod land it may seem to signifie Councell for the Land And the first that I finde so named was land-wardeÌ„ in France vnder Carolus Magnâ—s against the Piracies of the Normans The Italians vse Orland for Rowland by Metathesis ROMANE Lat. Strong from the Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 answerable to Valens RVBEN Heb. The sonne of visions or a quick-seeing sonne Philo. REINFRED Sax. Pure peace S SALOMON hebr Peaceabiâ— SAMPSON hebr There the second 〈◊〉 SAMVâ—L hebr Place of God SAVLE Hebr Lent of the Lord or â—â— some will Fox Sâ—â—ASTIAN gre Honorable or 〈◊〉 as Augustus or Augustinus among the Romans SIGâ—SMVND germ Victoâ—â—â—â— peace 〈◊〉 victory with peace That Sig signifieth Victorie Aâ—frie Dasâ—podius and Luther do all agree yet Hadr 〈◊〉 turneth it Victorious or prevailing speech So Sigward now Seward victorious preserver Sighâ—m victorious defence Sighere Conqueror of an army or victorious Lord and Sigbert now Sebright victorious fame or fame by victory SILVESTER Iat Woodman SYLVANVS Lat Woodman or rather Wood-god See Walter SIMON Hebr Obedientlistening Philâ— STEPHEN gre A Crowne SVVITHIN Sax From the olde English Switheaâ—n that is Very high as Ceâ—â—â—s or Exâ—periuâ— with the Romans This name hath bin taken vp in honour of Saint Swithin the holie Bishop of Wâ—nchester about the yâ—â—re 860. and called the Weeping saint 〈◊〉 for that about his feast Praesepe and Aselli 〈◊〉 constellanons do 〈◊〉 Cosmicâ—â—y and commonly cause raine T THEOBALD â—â—mmonly Tibald and Thibald Gods power as B Rhenanius noteth But certaine it is that in our Saxon Psalter Gentes is alwayes translated by Theod and in the English-Saxon old Annales the English nation is often called Englâ—-thâ—â—d The same Lipsâ—â—â— in Poliâ—â—ceticis affirmeth to be in the auntient German Psalters So that Theobald seemeth in his opinion to signifie Powerfull or bolde over people It was the common name in the familie of the Gorges and of the Lord Verdons of whom the Earles of Shrâ—wsburie and Essex are descended THEODORE gre Gods gift now corruptly by the Welsh-Britans called Tydder THEODOSIVS gre the same with Theodore THEODERIC ger contractly Deric and Torry with the French Powerable or Rich in people according to Lipsius THEOPHILVS gre A lover of God THOMAS hebr Bottomles deepe or Twinne TIMOTHY gre from Timotheus Honouâ—ing God TOBIAS hebr The Lord is good TRISTRAM I knowe not whether the first of this name was christned by king Arthurs fablâ—r If it be the same which the French â—all Tristâ—â— it commeth from sorrow for P. Aemiâ—ius noteth that the sonne of Saint Lewes of Francâ— horne in the heavie sorrowfull time of his fathers imprisonment vnder the Saracens was named Tristan in the same respect TVRSTAN Sax for Trustan most true and trustie as it seemeth V VALENS Lat Puissant VALENTINE Lat The same VCHTRED ger High counsell vsed in the old family of Raby From whence the Nevilles VINCENT Lat Victorious VITAL Lat Hee that may live a long life like to Macrobius or Lively the same that Zosimus in Greeke VIVIAN Lat the same VRBANVS Lat Curteous civill VRIAN The same with George as I have heard of some learned Danes It hath beene a common name in the family of Saint Pier of Chesshire now extinguished W VVALTER ger from Waldher for so it is most auntiently written a Pilgrime according to Reneccius other make it a Wod-Lorde or a Wood-man aunswerable to the name of Silvius Silvanus or Sylvester The old English called a wood Wald and an hermite living in the woods a Waldbroâ—der But if I may cast in my conceit I take it to be Herwald inverted as Herric and Richer Winbald and Baldwin And so it signifieth Governour or Generall of an Armâ—e as Hegesistratus See Herman and Harold WALVVIN Some have interpreted out of the German tongue a Conquerour as Nicholaus and Nicodemus Victor in Latine but wee now vse Gawen insteede of Walwyn Architrenius maketh it Walganus in Latine But if Walwin was a Britan and king Arthurs nephew as W Malmesbury noteth where hee speaketh of his giant-like bones found in Wales I referre the signification to the Britans WARIN Iovianus libr. 1. de Aspiratione draweth it from â—â—rro But whereas it is written in all Records Guarinus It may seeme mollified from the Dutch Gerwm that is All-victorious See Gertrud WILLIAM ge For sweeter sound drawne from Wilhelm which is interpreted by Luther Much Defence or Defence to many as Wilwald Ruling many Wildred Much reverent feare or Awfull Wilfred Much peace Willibert Much brightnesse or Very bright Willibrod Much increase So the French that cannot pronounce W have turnd it into Philli as Phillibert for Willibert Much brightnes Many names wherein wee have Will seeme translated from the Greeke names composed of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Polydamas Polybius Polyxenus c. Helm yet remaineth with vs and Villi Willi and Bills yet with the Germans for Many Other turne William a Willing Defender and so it answereth the Roman Titus if it come from Tuendo as some will have it The Italians that liked the name but could not pronounce the W if wee may beleeve Gesner turned it into Galeazo retaining the sence in part for Helme But the Italians report that Galeazo the first Viscount of Millâ—â—â—â— was so called for that many Cockes crew lustily at his birth This name hath beene most common in England since king William the Conqueror insomuch that vppon a festivall day in the Court of king Henry the second when Sir William Saint-Iohn and Sir William Fitz-Hamon especiall Officers had commaunded that none but of the name of William should dâ—â—e in the great Chamber with them they were accompanied with an hundred and twentie Williams all Knights as Robert Moutensis recordeth Anno 1173. WILLFRED Sax Much peace WIMVND Sax Sacred peace or holy peace as Wibert Holy and Bright for Wi in Willeramus is translated Sacer. WISCHARD or GVIâ—CARD Norm Wilie and crafty shifter W Gemiticensis Falcandus the Italian interpreteth it
Fie fie for shame let me heare no more such vnseemely speeches but rather suppliantly pray vnto my Almightie Maker that in this life and in the life to come I may seeme worthy to be his servant When hee sought by severe edicts to abolish all heathenish superstition and laboured by godly lawes to establish the true religion and service of Christ yea and vncessantly endevoured to draw men vnto the faith perswading reproving praying intreating in time out of time publikely and privately he one day said merrily yet truly vnto the Bishop that he had bidden to a banquet As ye be Bishops within the Church so may I also seeme to be a Bishop out of the Church He disswading one from covetousnes did with his lance draw out the length and bredth of a mans grave saying This is all that thou shalt have when thou art dead if thou canst happily get so much He made a law that no Christian should be bondman to a Iew and if that any Iew did buy any Christian for his slave hee should bee fined therefore and the Christian enfranchised adding this reason That it stoode not with equitie that a Christian should be slave vnto the murderers of Christ Ethelbert King of Kent was hardly induced to imbrace Christian Religion at the perswasion of Augustine sent to convert the English Nation but at length being perswaded and desirous to be baptized said Let vs come also to the King of Kings and giver of Kingdomes it may redound to our shame that we which are first in authoritie should come list to Christianitie But I doe beseech that true King that he would not respect the precedence in time but devotion of my mâ—nde Ioscelinus When Paulinus brought vnto Edwin king of Northumberland the glad tidings of the salvation of mankinde by Christ and preached the Gospel vnto the king and his Nobilitie zealously and eloquently opening vnto them the mysteries of our faith and precepts of Christian Religion one of the Lords thus spake vnto the King but some now happily will smile at this speach We may â—â—ely compare mans state vnto this little Robbin-redbrest that is now in this cold weather heere in the waâ—me chamber chirpeng and singing merrily and as long as she shall remaine heere wee shall see and vnderstand how she doeth but anone when she shall be flowne hence abroad into the wide world and shall be forced to feele the bitter stormes of hard winter we shall not know what shall become of her So likewise we see how men fare as long as they live among vs but after they be dead neither wee nor our Religion have any knowledge what becomes of them Wherefore I do thinke it wisedome to give care vnto this man who seemeth to shew vs not onely what shall become of vs but also how we may obtaine overlasting life heereafter Beda When Rodoald king of the East Angles being wonne with rewards was shamefully minded to have delivered vnto Edelfride the king of Northumberland the innocent Prince Edwin who had fled vnto him to be saved from the bloodie hands of Edelfride who had vnlawfully bereaft him of his kingdome His wife turned his intent by telling him that It stoode not with the high and sacred state of a King to buy and sell the bodies of men as it were a petiâ—chapman or that which is more dishonourable slave-like to sell away his faith a thing which hee ought to hold more precious then all the gold and gemmes of the whole world yea and his owne life Beda Ina King of West-Saxons had three daughters of whom vpon a time he demanded whether they did love him and so would do during their lives above all others the two elder sware deepely they would the yongest but the wisest told her father flatly without flattery That albest she did love honour and reverence him and so would whilst she lived as much as nature and daughterly dutie at the vttermost could expect Yet she did thinke that one day it would come to passe that she should affect another more servently meaning her husband when she were married Who being made one flesh with her as God by commaundement had told and nature had taught hâ—r she was to cleave fast to forsaking father and mother kisse and kinne Anonymus One referreth this to the daughters of king Leir Imperious was that speech of Theodore the Grecian Archbishop of Canterbury in depriving a poore English Bishop Although we can charge you with nothing yet that we wâ—â—l we wiâ—l like to that Sie volo sic â—ubeo stat pro ratione voluntas But humble was the English Bishops reply Paul appealed from the Iewes to Caesar and I from you to Christ Vita S. Wilfredi The reverend Bede whome wee may more easily admire than sufficiently praise for his profound learning in a most barbarous age when he was in the pangs of death saide to the standers by I have so lived among you that I am not ashamed of my life neither feare I to die because I have a most gratious Redeemer Hee yeelded vp his life with this praier for the Church O King of glory Lorde of Hostes which hast triumphantly ascended into heaven leave vs not fatherlesse but send the promised spirit of thy trueth amongest vs. Some write that hee went to Rome and interpreted there S P Q R in derision of the Gothes swarming to Reme Stultus Populus Quaerit Roman and that in his returne hee died at Genoa where they shew his toombe But certaine it is that he was sent for to Rome by Sergius the Pope and more certaine that hee died at Weremouth and from thence was translated to Durham And that I may incidently note that which I have heard Not manie yeeres since a French Bishop returning out of Scotland comming to the Church of Durham and brought to the shrine of Saint Cuâ—hbert kneeled downe and after his devotions offered a Baubie saying Sancte Cuthberte si sanctus siâ— ora pro me But afterward being brought vnto the Toombe of Bedâ— saying likewise his Orisons offered there a French crowne with this alteration Sancte Beda quia sanctus es ora pro me Iohannes Erigena surnamed Scotus a man renowned for learning sitting at the Table in respect of his learning with Charles the bawld Emperour and King of Fraunce behaved himselfe as a slovenly Scholler nothing Courtly whereupon the Emperour asked him merrily Quid interest inter Scotum Sotum What is betweene a Scot and a Sot Hee merrily but yet malapertly aunswered Mensa The Table as though the Emperour were the Sot and hee the Scot. Rog Hovedeâ—us On an other time the Emperour did serte downe vnto him a dish with two faire great fishes and one little one willing him to be carver vnto two other Schollers that fate beneath him Then Maister Iohn who was but a little man layed the two great fishes vppon his owne trencher and set downe the one little fish vnto the other two
to stumble with one foot that he almost kissed the ground but with the other legge he recovered himselfe and saved the wine whereat his father Godwyn Earle of Kent who then dined with the King smiling saâ—d Now one brother did helpe another At this word although spoken proverbially the Kings blood beganne to rise thinking how shamefully they had murdered his brother Alfrede and angerly answered And so might my brother have beene a helpe to me if it had pleased you VitaS Edwards The same king Edward passing out of this life commended his wise to the Nobilitie and said That she had carried her selfe as his wife abroad but as his sister or daughter at home Afterward seeing such as were present weeping and lamenting for him he said If you loved me you would for beare weeping and reioyce because I go to my father with whom I shall receive the ioyes promised to the faithfull not through my merits but by the free mercy of my Saviour which sheweth mercy on whom he pleaseth Eilredus Rivallensis Sywarde the martiall Earle of Northumberland feeling in his sicknes that he drew towards his end arose out of his bed and put on hiâ— Armour saying That it became not a valiant man to die lying like a beast and so he gave vp the Ghost standing As valiantly both spoken and performed as it was by Vespasian When the said Siward vnderstood that his sonne whom he had sent in service against the Scottishmen was staine he demaunded whether his wound were in fore part or hinder paâ—t of his body when it was answered in the fore part he replied I am right glad neither wish any other death to me or mine Hen. Huntâ—ngdon In this age when a Bishop living loosely was charged that his conversation was not according to the Apostles lives he made a mocke at it and excusâ—d himselfe with this verse which was after taken vp for a common excuse in that behalfe Nunc aliud tempus aâ—â—j pro tempere mâ—res Anonymus When the fatall period of the Saxon Empire was now complete and battells were marshalled betweene William Duke of Normandy and Harold King of England Girthe Haroldes yonger brother not holding it best to hazard the kingdome of England at one cast signified to the King that the succâ—sse of warre was doubtfull that victory was swayed rather by fortune than by valour that advised delay was most important in Martiall affaires and if so bee brother said he You have plighted your faith to the Duke retyre your selfe for no force can serve against a mans owne conscience God will revenge the violation of an â—the You may reserve your selfe to give them a new encounter which will be more to their terrour As for me if you will commit the charge to me I will performe both the part of a kinde brother and a couragious Leader For being cleare in conscience I shall sell my life or discomfit your enemy with more felicitie But the King not liking his speech answered I will never turne my backe with dishonour to the Norman neither can I in any sort disgest the reproach of a base minde Wel then be it so said some discontented of the company let him beare the brunt that hath given the occasion Anonymus VVIlliam Conquerour when he invaded this Iland chanced at his arrivall to be graveled and one of his feete stacke so fast in the sand that he fell to the ground Wherewithall one of his attendants caught him by the arme and helped him vp saying Stand vp my â—iege Lord and be of good cheare for now you have taken fast footing in England and then espying that he brought vp sand and earth in his hand added Yea and you have taken livery and seisin of the Country For you know that in delivering of livery and seisin a peece of the earth is taken Hist Normanica A Wizard or a Wise-man as they then called them had fore-told William that he should safely arrive an England with his whole Armie without any impeachment of Harold the which after it came it passe the King sent for the Wizard to conferre further with him But when it was told him that he was drowned in that ship which onely of all the whole fleete miscarried The Conquerour said He would never make account of that science that profited more the ignorant then the skilfull therein for he could fore-see my good fortune but not his owne mishap Idem That morning that he was to ioyne battell with Harold his atmorer put on his backe-peece before and his breast-plate behinde the which being espied by some that stood by was taken on them for an ill token and therefore advised him not to fight that day to whom the Duke answered I force not of such fooleries but if I have any skill 〈◊〉 South-saying as in sooth I have none it doth prognosticate that I shall change copie from a Duke to a King Idem Magike in the time of Nerâ— was discovered to be but a vanitie in the declining state of the Roman Empire accounted by the Gentiles a verity in the time of Hildebrand if we beleeve Authors so approoved that it was commonly practised For as in the time of Valeâ—s divers curious men as hath beene said by the falling of a ring Magically prepared vpon the letters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iudged that one Theodorus should succeede in the Empire when indeede Theodosius did So when Hildebrand was Pope by like curiosities it was found that Odo should succcede Wherevppon Odo Earle of Kent and Bishop of Bayeux brother to king William the Conquerour devoured the Papacy in hope sent mony his perswading messengers to Rome perchased a pallace there and prepared thitherward when king William for his presumption and other his misdemenours staied him and committed him saying Offensive foole-hardines must be timely restrained Liber Cadomensis When the same Odâ— who was both Bishop of Baiâ—ux in Normandy and Earle of Kent in former time had so disloyally carried himselfe against king William the Conquerour that he complained of him to his Lords Lanfranc Archbishop of Canterbury advised the King to commit him But what say youâ— quoth the King whenas he is a Clergyman You may not saide he commit the Bishop of Baieux but you may well 〈◊〉 the Earle of Kent W Malmsbur Like vnto this was that distinction of Piramus Secretary to Charles the fift in late yeares when Pope Iulius the second did combine with the French king against the Emperour of the Popes honesty and Iulius dishonesty This King William by reason of sickenes kept his chamber a long time whereat the French King scoffing saide The King of England heth long in childe-bed Which when it was reported vnto King William hee aunswered When I am churched there shal be a thousand lights in France alluding to the lights that women vsed to beare when they were churched and that hee performed within few dayes after wasting the French frontires with fire and sword The
same King at the time of his death saide I appoint 〈◊〉 successour in the kingdome of England but I commend it to the eternall God whose I am and in whose handes all thinges are happly remembring that of the Monke before specified pag. 5. This king perceiving his owne defects in some poynts for want of learning did exhort his children oftentimes to learning with this saying An vnlearned Prince is a crowned Asse Which speech tooke so great impression in his sonne Henry that hee obtained by studie and learning the surname of Beauclearke or fine Scholler Annales Ecclesia Cant. Malmesburiensiâ— VVilliam Rufus loved wel to keep vacant Bishopriks and Abbies in his handes saying Christes bread is sweet dainty and most delicate for Kings But although this King made most commonly as it were port-sale of the Spirituall livings yet when twoo Monkes were at drop-vied Bezantines the currant golde of that age before him for an Abbey hee espied a third Monke of their company standing in a corner whom the King asked what hee would give to be Abbot Not one farthing saide he for I renounced the world and riches that I might serve God more sincerely Then said the King thou arte most woorthy to be made Abbot and thou shalt have it Liber Cantuar. When newes were brought him that the French King had besieged the cittie of Constances in Normandy â—e posted with a few to the sea coast to take ship But because the winde blew very strong from South the sailers signified that it was very dangerous for him to take Sea but the King replied Hoise vp sailes in Gods name for I have not heard of a King drowned by tempest You shall see both winde and weather serviceable to vs. Answerable to that of Iulius Caesar which inforced a poore Pilote in the like case to launch foorth and in the rage of the storme comforted him with saying Caesarem Caesaris fortunam vebis And as couragiously as that of Charles the fift who in the battel of Tunis when he was advised by the Marquise of Guâ—sto to retire his person when the great ordonance began to play saide Marquesse thou never heardst that an Emperour was slaine with a great shot I will heere present you with an other speech or call it what you will of the same King William Rufus out of the good and historicall Poet Robert of Glocester that you may compare a Princes pride in that age with our private pride and that our first finest Poets may smile at the verses of that time as succeeding ages after some hundred yeeres will happly smile at theirs As his Chamberlaine him brought as he rose on a day A morrow for to weare a paire of hose of Say He asked what they costned three shillings he seid Fie a dibles quoth the King who sey so vile a deede King to weare so vile a cloth but it costned more Buy a paire for a marke or thou shalt ha cory fâ—re A worse paire enough the other swith him brought And said they costned a marke vnneth he them so boght Aye bel-amy quoth the King these were well bought In this manner serve me other ne serve me not Hitherto also may be referred that of this king William who the morning before hee was slaine with an arrow in hunting tolde his company he dreamed the last night before that an extreame cold winde passed throgh his sides whereupon some disswaded him to hunt that day but hee resolved to the contrary answering They are no good Christians that regard dreames But he found the dreame too true being shot through the side by Walter Tirell Tragmentum antiquae historiae Franc. à P. Pâ—thâ—â— aditum OF Henry the first I have read no memorable speach but what I have read I will report He was by common voice of the people commended for his wisedome eloquence and victories dispraised for covetousnes cruelty and lechery Of which hee left proofe by his sixteene bastards But it seemeth that his iustice was deemed by the common people to be crueltie for the learned of that age surnamed him the Lion of Iustice Huntingd. Polycraticon Gemeticensis It was the custome of the Court in the time of King Henry the first that bookes billes and letters shoulde be drawne and signed for servitors in the Court concerning their owne matters without fee. But at this time Turstane the kings steward or Le Despencer as they then called him from whom the family of the L. Spencers came exhibited to the king a complaint against Adam of Yarmouth clarke of the Signet for that he refused to signe without fee a bill passed for him The king first heard Turstane commending the olde custome at large and charging the Clarke for exacting somewhat contrary thereunto for passing his booke Then the Clarke was heard who briefly saide I received the Booke and sent vnto your steward desiring him only to bestow of me two spice cakes made for your owne mouth who returned answer He would not and thereupon I denied to seale his Booke The King greatly disliked the steward for returning that negative and forthwith made Adam sit downe vppon the bench with the seale and Turstanes Booke before him but compelled the steward to put off his cloake to fetch two of the best spice cakes for the kings owne mouth to bring them in a faire white napkin and wiâ—h lowe curtsie to present them to Adam thâ— Câ—arke which being accordingly performed the Kiâ—g commaâ—ded Adam to seale and delive him his Booke and made them sâ—endes addâ—ng this speech Officers of the Court must gratifie anashew a cast of their office not onely one to another but also to all strangers whensoever neede shall require â—ualterus Mapes De nugis Curialium There was allowed a pottle of wine for livery everie night to be served vp to king Henry the first chamber but because the king did seldome or never vse to drinke in the night Paine Fitz-Iohn his Chamberlaine and the Pages of the Chamber did carowse the wine among them On a time it happened the King at midnight called for wine but none was to be found Paine and the Pages bestured themâ—elves in vaine seeking wine heere â—nd there Paine was called in to the King who asked him if there were not allowance for livery hee humbly answered that there was a pottle allowed everie night but for that hee never called for it to say the trueth in hope of pardon wee drunke it vp amongst vâ— Then quoth the King have you but one pottle every night that is too shorte for mee and you from hencefoorth there shall be a whole gallon allowed whereof the one pottle shall be for mee the other for you and yours This I note not for anie graviâ—e but that the King in that age was commended herein both for bountie and clemencie Cualterus Mapes Queene Mawd wife to King Henry the first of England and daughter to Malcolme Canmore King of Scotland was so devoutly religious
sung briefely Si quid de cùlmine Troiae Diminuit liuor virtus reparauit vt orbi Hic vrbem rapuit haec orbem reddidit vrbi Passionate are these verses vpon the death of K. Richard the first penned by one Gaulfrid Neustria sub clypeô Regis defensa Richardi Indefensa modò gestu testare dolorem Exundent oculi lachrimas exterminet ora Pallor connodet digitos tortura cruentet Interiora dolor verberet aera clamor Tota peris ex morte suâ mors non fuit eius Sed tua non vna sed publica mortis imago O Veneris lachrimosa dies ô sidus amarum Illa dies tua nox fuit Venus illa venenum Illa dedit vulnus sed pessimus ille dierum Primus ab vndecimo qui vitam victricus ipsam Clausit vterque dies homicida tyrannide mira Traiecit clausus inclusum tectus apertum Prouidus incautum miles munitus inermem Et proprium Regem And after a fewe verses he speaking to Death addeth in commendation of that prince Nihil addere nouerat vltrà Ipse fuit quicquid potuit natura sed istud Causa fuit quare rapuisti res pretiosas Eligis viles quasi dedignata relinquis These former verses were mentioned by Chaucer our English Homer in the description of the sodaine stirre and Panicall feare when Chanteclere the cocke was caried away by Reynold the Foxe with a relation to the said Galfride The silly widow and her daughters two Herd the hennes crie and make ado And out at the dore stert they anon And saw the fox toward the woodygon And bare vpon his back the cock away And cried out harow and well away Aha the fox and after him they ran And eke with staues many other man Ran Coll our dogge Talbot and eke Garland And Malkin with her distaffe in her hand Ran Cow and Calfe and eke the very hogges For they so sore affraid were of the dogges And showting of men and of women eake They ran so her hert thought to breaks They yellen as fends do in hell The Duckes cried as men would them quell The Geese for feare flew ouer the trees Out of the heues came swarmes of Bees So hideous was the noyse ah benedicite Certes Iack Strawe ne his meiney Ne made neuer shoutes halfe so shrill When that they would any Fleming kill As that day was made vpon the Fox Of brasse they blew the trumpes and of box Of horne and box i which they blew and pouped And therewith they shriked and shouted It seemed as though heauen should fall O Gaulfride dere maister soueraigne That whan the worthy King Richard was slaine With shot complainedst his death so sore Why ne had I now thie science and thy lore The Friday for to chide as did ye For on a Friday shortly slaine was he Then would I shew you how that I could plaine For Chauntecleercs dred and for his paine Certes such crie ne lamentation Was neuer of Ladyes made when that Ilion Was won an Pirrhus with his bright sword Whan he hent King Priam by the beard And slough him as saith Aeneidos As made all the hennes in the cloos Whan they lost of Chantecleere the sight But souerainly dame Pertâ—lott shright Well louder than did Hasdruballs wife Whan that her husband hath lost his life And that the Romans had brent Cartage She was so full of torment and of rage That wilfully into the fire she stert And brent her selfe with a stedfast hert O wofull Hennes right so cried ye As when that Nero brent the city Of Rome cried the Senators wives For that her husbonds should lose her lives These may suffice for some Poeticall descriptions of our auncient Poets if I would come to our time what a world could I present to you out of Sir Philipp Sidney Ed. Spencer Samuel Daniel Hugh Holland Ben Iohnson Th. Campion Mich. Drayton George Chapman Iohn Marston William Shakespeare other most pregnant witts of these our times whom succeeding ages may iustly admire Epigrammes IN short and sweete Poems framed to praise or dispraise or some other sharpe conceit which are called Epigrammes as our countrie men now surpasse other nations so in former times they were not inferior if you consider ages as the indifferent Reader may iudge by these In the praise of our natiue Countrie England Alfred of Beuerley made this Anglia plena iocis gens libera et apta iocari Libera gens cui libera mens libera lingua Sed lingu i melior liberiorque manus And in another olde Booke I finde this Anglia dulce solum quod non aliena recensque Sed tua dulcedo pristina dulce facit Quae nihil à Galliâ— sed Gallia suscipit à te Quicquid amoris habet quicquid honoris habet In the darke misle of all good learning about 800. yeares since in commendation of the godly King Saint Osâ—uald was made this Quis fuit Alcides quis Casar Iulius aut quis Magnus Alexander Alcides se superasse Fertur Alexander mundum sed Iulius hostem Se simul Osuualdus mundum vicit hostem To the honour of Elfleda noble Lady which repaired Darby Chester Warwicke c. I haue found this O Elfleda potens ô terror virgo virorum Victrix naturae nomine digna viri Te quo splendidior fieres natura puellam Te probitas fecit nomen habere viri Te mutare decet sed solum nomina sexus Tu Regina potens Rexque trophaea parans Iam nec Caesarei tantum meraeri triumphi Caesare splendidior virgo virago viges This also may here haue place which William Conquerours Poet made to him wheÌ„ he had obtained this Realme Caesariem Caesar tibi si natura negauit Hanc Wilielme tibi stella comata dedit It may seeme he alluded to the baldnesse of Iulius Caesar who for that cause vsed a Lawrell Garland to the Comete appearing before his conquest of this kingdome portending the same as it was thought and to the manner of the French in that time among whom long bushie haire was the signale marke of Maiestie as Agathias noteth when as all subiects were rounded and the Kings only long haired Which custome continued among the French Kings vntill Peter Lombard Bishop of Paris disswaded them from it and among ours as appeareth by their seales vntill King Henry the 5. The happy successe of English and Normans with the cowardly flight of the French at Nugent 1109 in the time of King Henry the first was thus expressed Henricus regum rex decus abstulit altos Francigenis animos Ludouicum namque Nugenti Rex regem campo magnum maior superauit Praeposuere fugam bellis calcaria telis Galli praecipites fama spolijsque potitos Laureâ Normanos laus aterna coronat Sic decus iste ducum sic corda tumentia pressit Oraque Francorum superba mutire coegit Maud daughter to Malcolm King of Scots a woman of rare pietie
Vale Vale Salue anima nos eo ordine quo natura iusserit sequemur With H. M. H. N. S for Hoc monumentum haeredes non sequitur When they would not haue their heires entombed therein with Rogo per Deos superos inferosque ossa nostra ne violes And most commonly with Sit tibi terra leuis in these notes S. T. T. L. And somtime with Quietem posteri non inuideant But omitting this discourse I will offer vnto your view a Century of choise Epitaphes of our nation for matter and conceit some good some bad that you may see how learning ebbed and flowed most of them recouered from the iniury of time by writers And will beginne with that at Rome as most auncient erected to the memory of a Britanne who after the maner of the time tooke a Romane name M. VLPIO IVSTO Q. SIG. AVG. MILITAVIT AN. XXV VIXIT XLV NATIONE BRITTO â—EC M. VLSIVS RESPECTVS VEH. AVG. AMICO OPTIMO DE SE BENE MERENTI Arthur the valerous vpholder of the ruinous state of Britaine against the Saxons about the yeare 500. was buried secretly at Glastenburie least the enimie should offer indignity to the dead body and about 700. yeares after when a graue was to be made in the Churchyard there a stone was found betweene two Pyramides deepe in the ground with a crosse of lead infixed into the lower part thereof and inscribed in the inner side of the crosse in rude Characters which the Italians now call Gotish letters HIC IACET SEPVLTVS INCLYTVS REX ARTVRIVS IN INSVLA AVALONIA Vnder which in a trough of Oke were found his bones which the Monkes translated into the church and honoured them with a tombe but dishonored him with these horne pipe verses Hic iacet â—rturus flos regum gloria regni Quem morum probitas commendat laude perenni Augustine the first Archbishop of Canterbury who first preached Christ to the English nation conuerted the Kentishmen reuiued Christianity in this Isle which flourished among the Britaines many years before his coÌ„ming was buried at Canterbury in S. Peters Porch with this Epitaph Hic requiescit dominus Augustinus Dorobernensis Archiepiscopus primus qui â—lim huc a beato Gregorio Remanae vrbis pontifice directus a Deo operatione miraculorum suffultus Aethelbertum regem ac gentem illius ab idolorum cultu ad Christi fidem perduxit completis in pace diebus officij sui defunctus est septimo Kalendas Iunias eodem rege regnante In the same place were interred the sixe succeeding Archbishops for whom and Augustin making the seauenth were these verses as coÌ„mon to them all written on the wall with this title as I finde them in Geruasius Dorobernensis Septem primae ecclesiae Anglorum columnae Augustinus Laurentius Mellitus Iustus Honorius Deus-dedit Theodorus Septem sunt Anglis primates protopatres Septem rectores caelo septemque triones Septem cisternae vitae septemque lucernae Et septem palmae regni septemque coronae Septem sunt stellae quas haec tenet area cellae But Theodore the last of the 7. which first taught Greeke in England and died in the yeare 713. had this seuerally inscribed vpon his tombe Scandens alma nouae foelix consortia vitae Ciuibus Angelicis iunctus in arce poli Cedwall King of the West Saxons went to Rome in the yeare 689. there being Baptized renounced the world ended his life and lieth buried with this Epitaph Culmen opes sobolem pollentia regna triumphos Exuuias proceres mania castra lares Quaeque patrum virtus quae congesserat ipse Caedwal armipotens liquit amore Dei With some more which you may see in Paulus Diaconus and Beda King Eadgar surnamed the Peaceable the great patron and fauourer of Monkes deserued well for his foundation of so many Abbayes this Epitaph Autor opum vindex scelerum largitor honorum Sceptriger Eadgarus regna superna petit Hic alter Salomon legum pater orbita pacis Quòd caruit bellis claruit inde magis Templa Deo templis monachos monachis dedit agros Nequitiae lapsum iustitiaeque locum Nouit enim regno verum perquirere falso Immensum modico perpetuumque breui To the honor of King Alfred a godly wise and warlike prince and an especiall aduancer of learning was made this better then that time commonly afforded Nobilitas innata tibi probitatis honorem Armipotens Alfrede dedit probitasque laborem Perpetuumque labor nomen cui mixta dolori Gaudia semper erant spes semper mixta timori Si modò victor eras ad crastina bella pauebas Si modó victus eras in crastina bella parabas Cui vestes sudore iugi cui sica cruore Tincta iugi quantum sit onus regnare probarunt Non fuit immensi quisquam per climata mundi Cui tot in aduersis vel respirare liceret Nec tamen aut ferro contritus ponere ferrum Aut gladio potuit vitae finisse labores Iam post transactos vitae regnique labores Christus ei sit vera quies et vita perennis It is meruailous how immediately after this time learning decayed in this Kingdome for Iohn Erigena alias Scotus fauoured of Charles the Bald King of France and the forsaid King Alfred for his learning when he was stabbed by his schollers at Malmesbury was buried with this rude rough and vnlearned verse Clauditur in tumulo Sanctus Sophista Iohannes Qui ditatus erat iam viuens dogmate miro Martyrio tandem Christi conscendere regnum Quo meritis regnant sancti per secula cuncti And from this time learning so lowe ebbed in England that betweene Thames Trent there was scant one found which could vnderstand Latin and that you may perceiue when as Hugolin Treasurer to King Edward the Confessor had these most sillie verses in grauen vpon his monument in the olde Chapter house of Westminster Qui ruis iniustè capit hic Hugoline locus te Laude pia clares qnia martyribus nece clares But shortly after the Conquest learning reuiued as appeareth by these that follow which were cast in a more learned mould than the former King William surnamed the Conqueror for his conquest of England was buried at Caen in Normandie with this Epitaph discouered in the late ciuill warres of France but mentioned in Gemeticensis Qui rexit rigidos Normannos atque Britannos Audacter vicit fortiter obtinuit Et Caenomanenses virtute contudit enses Imperijque sui legibus applicuit Rex magnus parua iacet his Gulielmus in vrna Sufficit magno paruae domus domino Ter septem gradibus se voluerat atque duobus Virginis in gremio Phoebus et hic obijt Vpon Stigand Archbishop of Canterbury degraded for his corruptioÌ„ I finde this most viperous Epitaph in an olde Manuscript Hic iacet Herodes Herode ferocior huius Inquinat infernum spiritus ossa solum William the Valiant Earle