Burgundian that it wholy alienated his minde from the English to their great losse in all the French warres following Paulus Aemilius Lib. 10. Iohn Lorde Talbot first Earle of Shrewsbury of that familie supprised vppon the sodaine by the French army at Chastilion farre from cowardly fâ—are of death and fatherly affected to his sonne the Lorde â—isle who woulde not forsake him in that danger advised him to fâ—le saying My death in respect of my former exploites can not be but honourable and in respect of thy youth neither can it be honourable for thee to die nor dishonourable to fâ—ie But this yong Lord in height of courage nothing degenerating from so worthy a father lost his life with his father in the field and with them a base sonne and a sonne in lawe of the sayde Earles Paulus Aemilius Lib. 10. Commentarij Pij PP 2. Lib. 6. After this battell when the flames of inward warre beganne to flash out in England the martiall men of England were called home out of Fraunce to maintaine the factions heere at which time a French Captaine scoffingly asked an English-man when they woulde returne againe into Fraunce He answered feelingly and vpon a true ground When your sinnes shal be greater and more grievous in the sight of God than ours are now ¶ Vntill this time from the beginning of King Edward the first which was about an hundred and sixtie yeeres whosoever will with a marking eie consider the comportment of the English Nation the concurrent of martiall men their Councells military discipline designs actions and exploites not onely out of our owne Writers but also forraine Historians cannot but acknowledge that they were men of especiall worth and their prowesse both great and glorious Why afterward it should decay as all other professions which even like plants have their times of beginning or in-rooting their growing vp their flourishing their maturitie and than these fading were a disquisition for the learned Whether it proceedeth from celestiall influence or those Angelles which Plato makes or the Secundei which Trithâ—â—â—ius imagined to have the regiment of the world successively or from the degenerating of numbers into summes which I confesse I vnderstand not being an ignorant in abstruse learning Onely I have read in Paterculus that when either envie or admiration hath given mâ—n an edge to ascend to the highest and when they can ascend no higher after a while they must naturally descend Yet I relie vpon that of Eccclesiastes as I vnderstand it Cuncta fecit bona in tempore suâ— Deus mundum tradidit disputationi eorum vt non inveniat home quod operatus est Deus ab initio vsque ad finem But pardon mee I cannot tell how I have beene by admiration of our Progenitours diverted from my purpose In the yeere of our Lord 1416. when a fifteene hundred English vnder the coÌ„duct of I Beaufort erle of Derset were encompassed betweene the sea and fifteen thousand French The Erle of Arminac generall of the French sent to the Earle advising him to yeelde himselfe but hee answered It is not the manner of the English to yeelde without blowes neither am I so heartlesse that I will deliver my selfe into their handes whom God â—ay deliver into mine And accordingly God gave him the honour of the day to the great confusion of the enemy Walsingham in Ypodigmate VVHen Elizabeth the widow of sir Iohn Gray was a suter vnto King Edward the fourth against whome her husband lost his life for her ioynture the kinde King became also a suter to her vnto her for a nights lodging But she wisely answered him when hee became importunate That as she did account her selfe too base to be his wife so shee did thinke her selfe too good to be his 〈◊〉 When love grew so hote in this K. Edward the fourth that hee would needes marry the saide Elizabeth widow of sir Iohn Grey to the great discontent of his Counsell but especially of his mother who alleaging many reasons to the contrary saide That onely widowhood might be sufficient to restraine him for that it was high disparagement to a King to be dishonoured with bigamy in his first marriage The King merrily aunswered In that shee is a widdow and hath already children by Gods blessed Lady I am a batcheller and have some too and so each of vs hath a proofe that neither of vs are like to be barren And therefore Madam I pray you be content I trust in God she shal bring you forth a yong Prince that shall please you And as for the bigamy let the Bishop hardly lay it in my way when I come to take Orders for I vnderstand it is forbidden to a Priest but I never wist it yet that it was forbidden to a Prince His note love neverthelesse was partable among three other of his Mistresses of whome hee was woont to say The one was the fairest the other the merriest and the third the holiest for she had wholy devoted her selfe to his bedde and her beades When Lewes the eleaventh French King entertained diverse Councellors of king Edward the fourth with large pensions to steede him in England hee sent Peter Cleret one of the maisters of his housholde vnto the Lorde Hastings the Kings Chamberlaine to present him with twoo thousand crownes Which when he had received Petre Cleret did pray him that for his discharge he would make him an acquittance The Lorde Chamberlaine made a great difficultie thereat Then Cleret dooth request him againe that hee would give vnto him onely a letter of three lines for his discharge to the King signifying that hee had received them The Lord Chamberlaine answered Sir that which you say is very reasonable but the gift comes from the goodwill of the King your Maister and not at my request at all If it please you that I shall have it you shall put it within the pocket of my sleeve and you shall have no other acquittance of me For I will never it shal be saide for mee that the Lorde Chamberlaine of the King of England had beene Pentioner to the King of Fraunce Nor that my acquittances shal be found in the Chamber of accompts in Fraunce The aforesâ—id Cleret went away male-content but left his money with him and came to tell his message to his King who was very angry with him But thenceforth the Lord Chamberlaine of England was more esteemed with the French and alwayes payde without acquittance Philippe de Commines KIng Richard the third whose monstrous birth foreshewed his monstrous proceedings for he was born with all his teeth and haire to his shoulders albeit hee lived wickedly yet made good Lawes and when diverse shires of England offered him a benevolence hee refused it saying I know not in what sence I haa rather have your hearts than your money Ioannes Rossus Warwiceusis Iohn Morton then Bishoppe of Elie but afterward of Canterbury being solicited by the Duke of Buckingham then
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
Geffrey the sonne of Robert Fitz-Maldred and Isabel his wife heire of the Norman house of the Nevilles tooke the name of Nevill and left it to his posteritie which was spread into very manie honourable families of England In like manner the sonne of Ioscelin of Lovan a yoonger sonne to the Duke of Brabant when he had married Agnes the onely daughter of William Lord Percy so named of Percy forrest in the county of Maen from whome they came and not of piercing the king of Sâ—â—ts through the 〈◊〉 as Hâ—ctâ—r Bâ—â—tius fableth his sonne and posteritie vppon a composition with the same Lady tooke her name of Percy but retained theyr olde coate armour to shew from whome they descended So Adam de Montgomery marrying the daughter and heire of Carew of Molesford her sonne relinquishing his owne left to his posteritie his mothers name Carew from whom the Barons Carew the Carews of Haccomb of Berry of Authony Beddington c. have had their names and originall Likewise Ralph Gernon marrying the daughter of Cavendish or Candish left that name to his issue as Th Talbot a learned Genealogist hath prooved So Robert Meg the great favourite of king Iohn took the name of Braybrooke whereof his mother was one of the heires So sir Iohn de Haudlow marrying the daughter and heire of the Lorde Burnell his posteritie tooke the name of Burnell So sir Tibauld Russell tooke the name of De Gorges to him and his issue for that his mother was sister and one of the heirs of Ralfe de Gorges as it appeareth in the controversie betweene Warbleton and the saide Tibauld de Corges for the coate of Armes Lozengy Or and Azure 21. of Edward the third before Henry Earle of Lancaster and others at the siege of Saint Margaret Not many years since when Iames Hâ—rsey had married the daughter of De-Le-vale of Northumberland his issue tooke the name of De-la-vale Heerevnto may they also bee referred who changed their names in remembrance of their Progenitours being more honourable as the sonnes of Geffrey Fitz-Petre tooke the name of Magnavilla or Mandevile when they came to be Earles of Essex because their grandmother Beatrix was of the house of Mandevile as appeareth by the Abby booke of Walden So Thomas de Molton tooke the name of Lucy and many other which I omit Others also have taken the name of them whose lands they had As when King Henry the first gave the lands of the attainted Robert Moubray Earle of Northumberland being 120. Knights fees in Normandy and 140. in England to Nigall or Nâ—â—le de 〈…〉 who in the battell at 〈◊〉 tooke Robert Duke of 〈◊〉 prisoner he commanded withall that his posteritie should take the Surname of Moâ—bray which they accordingly did and retained the same as long as the issue male continued which determined in Iohn Moâ—bray Duke of Norfolke in the time of King Edward the fourth whose heires were married into the families of Howard and Barkeley Remembrance of benefits made others to change their names as William Mortimer descended from those of Richards Castle tooke the name of La-Zouch and named his sonne Alan de la-Zouch for some favour received from the Lord Zouch of Ashby de la-Zouch as appeareth by Inquisition 11. 21. Ed. 3. In respect of adoption also very many in all ages have changed their names I neede not particulate it for all know it Some of their owne dislike of their names have altered them for as I have read in the booke of Fornesse William Fitz-Gilbert Baron of Kendall obtained licence of King Henry the second to change his name and call himselfe and his posteritie Lancaster from whom the Lancasters in Westmâ—rlaud c. are descended Heerevpon some thinke that without the Kings licence new names cannot be taken or old names given away to others Yet Tiraquell the great Civilian of France in Leg. quin. Conub Tit. 92. seemeth to incline that both name and Armes may be transferred by will and testament and produceth Augustus who by his Testament commanded Tiberius and Livia to beare his name How in former times Herevile Dunvile Clauwowe gave and granted away their Armes which are as silent names distinctions of families and the same was thought vnlawfull afterward when the Lord 〈◊〉 would have done the same shall be declared in more convenient place But the inconvenience of change of names hath beene discovered to be such in France that it hath beene prâ—pounded in 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉 that it should not be permitted but in these two respects eyther when one should bee made heire to any with especiall words to assume the name of the testatour or when any one should have a donation surmounting a thousand crownes vpon the same condition But to retyre to our purpose Not a few have assumed the names of their fathers Baronies as in former times the issue of Richard Fitz-Gilbert tooke the name of Clare which was their Barony and in late time since the Suttons came to the Barony of Dudley all their issue tooke the name of Dudleyes that I may omit others The dislike of others hath caused also a change of names for King Edward the first disliking the iteration of Fitz commanded the Lord Iohn Fitz-Robert a most ancient Baron whose Ancestours had continued their Surnames by their fathers Christian names to leave that manner and to be called Iohn Clavering which was the capitall seate of his Barony And in this time many that had followed that course of naming by Fitz tooke them one setled name and retained it as Fitz Walter and others Also at that time the names of Thomson Richardson Willson and other of that forme began to be setled which before had varied according to the name of the father Edward the fourth likewise as I have heard loving some whose name was Picard would often tell them that hee loved them well but not their names wherevpon some of them changed their names and I have heard that one of them which tooke the name of Ruddle being the place of his birth in that respect And in late yeares in the time of King Henry the eight an ancient worshipfull gentleman of Wales being called at the panniell of Iury by the name of Thomas Ap William Ap Thomas Ap Richard Ap Hoel Ap Evan Vaghan c. was advised by the Iudge to leave that old manner Wherevpon he after called himselfe Moston according to the name of his principall house and left that Surname to his posterity Offices have brought new names to divers families as when Edward Fitz-Thâ—â—bald of Ireland the Earles of Ormond and others descended from them tooke the name of Butler So the distinct families of the Constables in the County of Yorke are saide to have taken that name from some of their Ancestours which bare the office of Constables of some Castles In Like manner the Stewards Marshalls Spencers That I may say nothing of such as for well acting on the stage have carried
vvhen hee vvoulde have made him a Scholler vvas named Pertinax So the father of Valens the Emperour who was Camp-maister heere in Britaine for his fast holding a rope in his youth vvhich 〈◊〉 souldiers could not plucke from him vvas called 〈◊〉 About vvhich time also Paul a Spaniard a common Informer in Britaine vvas named Catena i. the Chaine for that he chained and fettered many good men heere vvith linking together false surmises to their vtter vndooing in the time of Constantinus who also that I may remember it in passage named his attendant scholler by no vnfitting name Musonius But what names the beastly monster rather than Emperour Commmodus gave to his attendants I dare not mention lest I should be immodestly offensive to chaste eares and modest mindes But hitherto with modesty may be referred this of the familie of Gephyri i. Bridges in Greece who tooke their name from a Bridge for vvhen their mother was delivered of nine children at a birth and in a foolish feare had privily sent seven of them to be drowned at a bridge the father sodainely comming to the bridge saved them and thereupon gave them that name Of these and the like we may say Propiâ—ra sunt honori quà m ignominiae Infinite are the occasions which in like manner have made names to persons I will onely reporte one or two French examples that thereby you may imagine of others in other places and former ages In the first broyles of Fraunce certaine companies ranging themselves into troupes one Captaine tooke newe names to himselfe and his company from the furniture of an horse Among these new named gallants you might have heard of Monsieur Saddle to english them Mounsieur Bridle Le Croupier Le Girte Horshâ—â—â— Bitte Trappiers Hoofe Stirrope Curbe Musrole Frontstall c. Most of the which had their pasport as my Author noteth by Seignâ—â—â— de la Halter Another Captaine there also gave names to his according to the places where he found theÌ„ as Hodge Hieway River Pond Vine Stable Street Corner Gallâ—ws Taverne Tree c. And I have heard of a consort in England who when they had served at Sea tooke names from the equipage of a shippe when they would serve themselves at land as 〈◊〉 Ballâ—st Planke Fâ—re-decke Decke Loope-hole Pumpe Rudder Gable Anchor Misen saile Capson Maste Bolt So that is true which Isidore saieth Names are not alwayes given according to Nature but some after our owne will and pleasure as we name our landes and servants according to our owne liking And the Dutchmans saying may be verified which when he heard of Englishmen called God and Divell saide that the English borrowed names from all things whatsoever good or bad It might be heere questioned whether these surnames were assumed and taken at the first by the persons themselves or imposed and given vnto them by others It may aswell seeme that the locall names of persons were partely taken vp by themselves if they were owners of the place as given by the people who have the soveraignty of words and names as they did in the Nicke-names before Surnames were in vse For who would have named himselfe Peaceable Vnready Without-land Beauclerke Strongbow Gagtooth Blanch-mayne Bossue i. Crook-backe but the concurrent voyce of the people as the women neighbours gave the name to Obed in the booke of Ruth and likewise in Surnames In these pretty names as I may terme them from floures fishes birdes habitudes c it may bee thought that they came from Nurses in former times heere as very many or rather most in Ireland and Wales doe at this present These Nicke-names of one sillable turned to surnames as Dickes Nickes Toms Hobbes c. may also seeme to proceed from Nurses to their Nurslings or from fathers and maisters to their boyes and servants For as according to the old proverb Omnis herus servâ— Monosyllabus in respect of their short commands so Omnis servus harâ— Monosyllabus in respect of the curtolling their names as Wil Sim Hodge c. Neither is it improbable but that many names that seeme vnfitting for men as of brutish beasts c. came froÌ„ the very signes of the houses where they inhabited for I have heard of them which said they spake of knowledge that some in late time dwelling at the signe of the Dolphin Dull White-horse â—â—â—ket Peacocke c. were commonly called 〈◊〉 at the Dolphin Will at the Bull George at the White horse Robin at the Racket which names as many other of like sort with omitting At became afterward herodâ—taâ—le to their children Heereby some insight may bee had in the originall of Surnames yet it is a matter of great difficultie to being them all to certain heads whenas our language is so greatly altered so many new names daily brought in by Aliens as French Scots Irish Welch Dutch c. and so many old words worne out of vse I meane not only in the old English but also the late Norman for who knoweth nowe what these names were Giffard Basset Gernon Mallet Howard Peverell Paganell or Paynell Taile boise Talbâ—t Lâ—vet Pancâ—volt Tirrell c. which are nothing lesse than locall and certainely significative for they are never noted as I said before in olde evidences with De as locall names 〈◊〉 alwayes absolutely as W. Giffard R. Basset as Christian names are when they are made Surnames and yet I will not affirme that all these heere mentioned were at anie time Christian names although doubtlesse some were For wee knowe the significations of some of them as Mallet an Hammer Bigot a Norman or superstitious Tailebois i. Cutwood Lovet Little Woolfe and Basset as some thinke Fatte Giffard is by some interpreted Liberall and Howard High Warden or Guardian as it seemeth an office now out of vsâ— whenas Heobeorg signified in olde English High defence and Heâ—h-faeder Patriarch or High father Certaine it is that the first of that right noble family who was knowne by the name of Hâ—ward was the sonne of William de Wigenhall as the honourable Lord William Howard of Naworth third sonne to Thomas late Duke of Norffolke an especial searcher of Antiquities who equalleth his high parentage with his vertues hath lately discovered To find out the true originall of Surnames is full of difficulty so it is not easie to search all the causes of alterations of Surnames which in former ages have beene verie common among vs and have so intricated or rather obscured the trueth of our Pedegrees that it will be no little hard labour to deduce many of them truly from the Conquest Somewhat neverthelesse shall be said thereof but more shall be left for them which will sound deeper into this matter To speake of alteration of names omitting them of Abraham and Sara Iacob and Israel in holy Scriptures I have observed that the change of names hath most commonly proceeded from a desire to avoyd the opinion of basenes So Câ—dâ—marus
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
am blind I haue espâ—ed his malicious vnthankfulnesse the which I could never before perceive when my eâ—e sight was at the best And let my lord Cardinall take heede that his ambition and covetousnesse bring him not into a worse blindnesse then I have and make him fall before he feare At sir Thomas Moore his first comming to the service of King Henrie the eight the King gave him this godly lesson First looke vnto God and after vnto me He would also wish as I have heard of an ancient man of that age that his Councellers would commit simulation dissimulation and partâ—â—litie to the Porters lodge when they came to sit in councell The same King Henrie the eight finding fault with the disagreement of Preachers would often say Some are too stiffe in their olde Mumpsimus and other to busie and curious in their new Sumpsimus Happly borrowing these phrases from that which Master Pace his Secretarie reporteth in his booke De Fructu doctrinae of an old Priest in that age which alwayes read in his Portasse Mumpsimus Domine for Sumsimus whereof when he was admonished he said that he now had vsed Mumplimus thirtie yeares and would not leave his olde Mumpsimus for their new Sumpsimus A noble man of this time in contempt of learning sayd that it was for noble mens sonnes enough to winde their horne and carrie their Hauke faire and to leave studie and learning to the children of mean men To whom the foresaide Richard Pace replied Then you and other noble men must be content that your children may wind their bornes and keepe their Haukes while the children of meane men do manage matters of estate R. Pacaeus De fructu doctrinae Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester when the King would have translated him from that poore Bishopricke to a better he refused saying He would not forsake his poore little olde wife with whom he had so long lived Happly thinking of the fifteenth canon of the Nicone Councell and that of the Canonistes Matrimonium inter Episcopum Ecclesiam esse contractum c. There was a Nobleman merry conceited aud â—iotously given that having lately sold a Mannor of an hundred tenements came ruffling into the Court in a new sute saying Am not I a mightie man that beare an hundred houses on my backe Which Cardinall Wolsey hearing said You might have better employed it in paying your debts Indeede my Lord quoth he you say wel for my Lord my father owde my maister your father three half pence for a Calfs head hold here is two pence for it As Skelton iested at the Cardinal that he was descended of Sanguilâ—er hee was cast out of a Butchers stall for his father was a Butcher of Ipswich When Stephen Cardiner was advaunced vnto the Bishopricke of Winchester and sent over as Ambassadour into Fraunce with great pompâ—â— hee saide vnto an old acquaintance of his that came to take his leave of him Nowe I am in 〈◊〉 Gloria Patri Yea saide his friend and I hope â—t nunc semper Or replied the Bishop if it please the king my maister Sicut erat in principio A poore Scholler of Cambridge againe When sir Thomas Moore was Speaker of the Parliament with his wisâ—dome and eloquence hee so crossed a purpose of Cardinall Wolsey that the Cardinall in a chafe sent for him 〈◊〉 White-Hall where when he had daunced attendaunce long at length the Cardinall comming out saide in the presence of many Maister Moore I woulde you had beene at Rome when you were made Speaker of the Parliament house Hee immediately replied And if it pleased your Grace so would I for then I should have seene a famous Cittie whereof I have heard much but never sawe Vita Tho Mori impressa The same cardinal at a ful Counsel table when sir Thâ— Moore was first made privie Counseller moved that there might be a Lievteuant generall of the Realme chosen for certaine considerations and the body of the Counsell inclined thereunto Sir Thomas Moore opposed himselfe Whereuppon the Cardinall in a chafe saide Are not you ashamed who are the meanest man heere to dissent from so many honourable and wise personages you proove your selfe a plaine foole Whereunto maister Moore foorthwith aunswered Thankes be to God that the Kings maiestie hath but one foole in his right honourable Counsell Idem When hee was Lorde Chauncellour hee inioyned a Gentleman to pay a good round summe of money vnto a poore widdowe whome he had oppressed and the Gentleman saide Then I doe hope your Lordeship will give mee a good long day to pay it You shall have your request saide sir Thomas Munday next is Saint Barnabas day the longest day in all the yeere pay her mee then or else you shall kisse the Fleete When hee had no lust to growe greatly vpward in the worlde neyther would labour for office of authoritie and over that forsake a right worshipfull roome when it was offered him his wife fell in hand with him and asked him What will you do that you list not to put foorth your selfe as others doe Will you sit still by the fire and make goselings in the ashes with a sticke as children doe Woulde God I were a man and looke what I would doe What By God goe forward with the best for as my mother was wont to say It is ever more better to rule than to be ruled and therefore I warrant you I would not be so foolish to be ruled where I might rule By my trueth wife quoth he I dare say you say trueth for I never found you willing to be ruled yet He vsed when hee was Lord Chauncellor vpon every Sonday when he was at home to sitte in the Quire in his surplice and sing the Service and being one day espied in that attire by the Duke of Norffolke The Duke beganne to chafe crying Fie fie my Lorde the Lord Chauncellour of England a parish priest and a paltrie singing man you dishonour the King you dishonour the King No my Lord quoth sir Thomas it is no shame for the King if his servant serve his Soveraigne and Saviour who is King of kings During the time of his Chancellourship of England he vsed to send his Gentleman-Vsher to his wifes pew after divine service was done to tell her that he was gone but the next Sonday after hee gave vp his Chancellourship of England he came himselfe to her pew and vsed the vsuall words of his Gentleman-Vsher Madame my Lorde is gone His latter wife was a widdow of whom Erasmus writeth that hee was wont to say that shee was nec bella nec puella who as shee was a good huswife so was shee not voyde of the fault that often followeth that vertue somewhat shrewd to her servants Vppon a time sir Thomas found fault with her continuall châ—ding saying if that nothing else would reclame her yet the consideration of the time for it was Lent should restraine her Tush tush my Lord saide