Tâ—…rtius Edwardus dilexit hunc ut amicus Fortia qui gessit Gallos Navaros que repressit Sic cum recessit morte feriente decessit Anno Milleno trecento septuageno Atque his junge duo sic perit omnis homoÌ„ His Monument is not extant at this day and it is pity that so good a Sword did not light on a better Pen and that Pallas so much honoured by him in her Military relation did not more assist in his Epitaph in her Poetical capacity Sr. WILLIAM MOLINEUX junior Knight descendant from the former flourished under K. Henry the eighth being a man of great command in this County bringing the considerable strength thereof to the seasonable succour of the Duke of Norfolk with whom he performed signal service in Flodden-Field It is confesâ—…ed on all sides that the Scots lost the Day by not keeping their Ranks but not agreed on the cause thereof Bucanan who commonly makes the too much Courage of his Countrymen the cause of their being conquered imputes it to their indiscreet pursuing of the English routed at the first Others say they did not break their Ranks but they were broken unable to endure the Lancashire Archers and so forced to sunder themselves In this Battail the Scotch King and chiefest Gentry were slain the English loosing scarce any of the Scâ—…ts scarce any but of prime note The King afterwards wrote his gratulatory Letter to Sr. William Molinâ—…ux in forme following Trusty and Welbeloved We greet you well and understand as well by the Report of Our Right Trusâ—…y Cousin and Counsellor the Duke of Norfolk as otherwise what acceptable serviâ—…e You amongst others lately did unto us by your valiant towardnesse in the assisting of Our said Cousin against our great Enemy the late King of Scots and how couragiously you as a very hearty loving Servant acquitted your self for the overthrow of the said late King and distressing of his malice and power to our great Honour and the advancing of your no little Fame and praise For which We have good cause to favour and thank you and so we full heartily do and assured may you be that VVe shall in such effectual wise remember your said service in any your Reasonable Pursuits as you shall have cause to think the same Rightwell imployed to your comfort and weal hereafter Given under our Signet at our Castle at Windsore the 27 of November It appears by our Authour that thâ—… like Letters mutatis mutandis were sent unto Sr. Edward Stanley and some other men of principal note in Lancashire and Cheshire I have nothing more to observe save that these two worthy Sr. VVilliams were Ancestors unto the truly Honourable the Lord Molineux Viscount Marybourgh in Ireland lately deceased Writers HUGH of MANCHESTER was saith my Authour when Adolescens a youth a Dominican but when Juvenis a young man he changed his Copy and turned a Franciscan Say not he degraded himself choosing a later order then he left for it seems that amongst them the last is counted the best as of a more refined perfection He was a great scholar and highly esteemed in that age for his severity and discretion An Imposter happened at this time pretending himself first blind then cured at the Tomb of King Henry the Third so to get coine to himself and credit to the dead King But our Hugh discovered the cheat and Writing a Book De 〈◊〉 Diliriis Dedicated it to King Edward the First who kindly accepted thereof preferring that his Fathers memory should appear to posterity with his true face 〈◊〉 painted with such false miracles This Hugh with another Franciscan was imployed by the same King to Philip King of France to demand such Lands as he detained from him in Aquitain Such who object that sitter men than Friers might have been found for that service consider not how in that Age such mortified men were presumed the most proper Persons peaceably to compremise differences between the greatest Princes This Embassie was undertaken Anno Dom. 1294. RICHARD ULVERSTON was born in this County at Ulverston a well-known Market in Loynsâ—…ay-Hundred A great Antiquary ambitious of all Learned Mens acquaintance complained that he knew him not so well as he desired He was bred in Oxford and wrote a Book intituled the Articles of Faith or the Creed of the Church this lay latent a good while till John Stanberry Bishop of Hereford rescued it from the Moaths some Thirty Years after the Authours death and bestowed a double Light upon it one in producing it into the Publick the other illustrating it with a Commentary he wrote thereon Say not this was false Herâ—…ldry but true Humility to see a Bishop commenting which is not usual on the Book of a Priest Bale concludeth all thus longum Non doctrina potest obscuro carcere claudi noâ—… will Worth Long be confin'd but make its own way forth The Time and Place of his Death are equally uncertain but by probability about 1434. under the Reign of King Henry the sixt THOMAS PENKETH so was his true name though wrested by some Latinists into Penâ—…hettus and miswritten Penthy and Penker by some English taken from a Village in this County He was bred an Augustinian in Warrington and a Doctor of Divinity in Oxford a deep Scotist and of so great a memory that Foreiners amongst whom he lived report of him that had all the Books of Scotus been lost he could easily have restored every word of them He was called to be Professor at Padua and returning into England became Provincial of his Order But his last act stained his former life who promoted the bastardizing of the Issue of K. Edward the 4th and as Dr. Shaw ushered his Flattery held up the train of the Usurper's Praises in a Sermon at St. Pauls in preaching whereof he who had formerly forfeited his Honesty lost his* Voice a proper punishment for a Parasite His Disgrace had some influence on his Order which then verticall and numerous â—…ayly 〈◊〉 in England to their Dissolution This Thomas dyed and was buryed in London 1487. JOHN STANDISH Short mention shall serve him who might have been left out wâ—…thout losse He was Nephew to Henry Standish Bishop of St. Asaph of no mean Family in this County One would suspect him â—…ot the same Man called by Pale a scurrillous Fool and admired by pitâ—… for piety and learning jealous lest another man should be more wise to Salvation than himself he wrote a Book against the Translation of Scripture into English and presented it to the Parliament His death happened seasonably for his own safety 1556. a little before the Death of Queen Mary Since the Reformation THOMAS LEAVER was born in this County where his Family and Name still remains at two Villages called Leaver at this day He was bred Fellow and Batchelour of Divinity oâ—… St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge whereof he was chosen Master
Gods grace may prove sober Christians and eminent in their generations The last Port to which I traffiqued for intelligence towards our insuing Work was by making my addresses by letters and otherwise to the nearest Relations of those whose Lifes I have written Such applications have sometimes proved chargable but if my weak pains shall find preferment that is acceptance from the judicious Reader my care and cost is forgotten and shall never come under computation Here I cannot but condemn the carelessness not to say ingratitude of those I am safe whilst containing my self in general terms who can give no better account of the Place where their fathers or grand-fathers were born then the child unborn so that sometimes we have been more beholden to strangers for our instructions herein then to their nearest Kindred And although some will say Sons are more comfortably concerned to know the time of their Fathers death then place of their birth yet I could almost wish that a moderate fine were imposed on such heirs whose Fathers were born before them and yet they know not where they were born However this I must gratefully confess I have met with many who could not never with any who would not furnish me with information herein It is observable that men born an hundred years since and upwards have their nativities fixed with more assurance then those born some eighty years since Mens eyes see worst in the Twilight in that intervale after the Sun is set and natural light ended and before candles are set up and artificial light begun In such a crepusculum oftime those Writers lived who fall short of the history of Bale and Leland yet go before the memory of any alive which unhappy insterstice hath often perplexed us and may easier be complained of then amended To conclude should I present all with Books who courteously have conduced to my instruction the whole Impression would not suffice But I remember the no less civil then politick invitation of Judah to the Tribe of Simeon Come up with me into my Lot to Conquer the Cananites and I likewise will go with thee into thy Lot if such who have lent me theirs shall have occasion to borrow mine assistance my Pains Brains and Books are no more mine then theirs to command which besides my prayers for them and thanks to them is all my ability in requital can perform CHAP. XXIII A double Division of the English Gentry 1. According to the Nation whence they were extracted 2. According to the Profession whereby they were advanced THis discourse I tender the Reader as a preparative to dispose him for the better observing and distinguishing of our English Gentry in our ensuing Lives and Catalogue of Sheriffs We begin with the Britains the Aborigines or Native Inhabitants of the South of this Island but long since expelled by the Saxons into the West thereof None then remaining in some since returning into our Land of whom hereafter We confess the Romans Conquered our Country planted Colonies and kept Garrisons therein but their descendants are not by any character discernable from the British Indeed if any be found able to speak Latine naturally without learning it we may safely conclude him of Roman Extraction Mean time it is rather a pretty conceit then a solid notion of that great Antiquary who from the allusion of the name collecteth the noble family of the Cecils more truly Sytsilts descended from the Cecilii a Senatorian Family in Rome The Saxons succeed whose Of-spring at this day are the main bulk and body of the English though not Gentry Nation I may call them the whole cloath thereof though it be garded here and there with some great ones of foreign Extraction These Saxons though pitifully depressed by the Conquerour by Gods goodness King Henry the first favour their own patience and diligence put together the plankes of their Shiprack'd Estates and aferwards recovered a competent condition The Danes never acquired in this Land a long and peaceable possession thereof living here rather as Inroders then Inhabitants the cause that so few families distinguishable by their Surnames are descended from them extant in our age Amongst which few the respected Stock of the Denizes often Sheriffs in Devon and Gloustershire appear the principal As for Fitz-Hardinge the younger son of the King of Denmark and direct ancestour of the Truly Honourable George Lord Berkeley he came in long since when he accompanied the Conquerour I must confess that at this day there passeth a Tradition among some of the Common People that such names which Terminate in Son as Johnson Tomson Nicolson Davison Saunderson are of Danish Origination But this fond opinion is long since conâ—…uted by Vestegan that ingenious and industrious Antiquary Yea he urgeth this as an argument which much prevaileth with me why those Surnames were not derived from the Danes because they had no such name in use amongst them as John Thomas Nicholas David Alexander from whence they should be deduced Yea he further addeth that it is more probable that they made the Childs name by adjecting the syllable Son to the Appellation of the Father a custome which is usual even at this time amongst the Vulgar sort of the Dutch Yet is there not remaining any sign thereof amongst the names of our Age which probably might have been Canutson Ericson Gormoson Heraldson Rofolson c. The Normans or French under the Conquerour swarmed in England so that then they became the only visible Gentry in this Nation and still continue more then a Moity thereof several Catalogues of their Names I have so largely exemplifyed in my Church-history that some have taxed me for tediousness therein and I will not adde an new obstinacy to my old error But besides these we have some Surnames of good Families in England now extant which though French are not by any diligence to be recovered in the lists of such as came over with the Conquerour and therefore we suppose them to have remained of those Gentlemen and others which from Henault attended Queen Isabel wife unto King Edward the second Of this sort was Deureux Mollineux Darcy Coniers Longchamp Henage Savage Danvers with many more Of the British or Welsh after their expulsion hence by the Saxons some signal persons have returned again and by the Kings Grant Matches Purchases c. have fixed themselves in fair possessions in England especially since the beginning of the reign of their Country-man King Henry the seventh rewarding the valour of many contributing to his Victory in the battle of Bosworth Of the Welsh now re-estated in England and often Sheriffs therein some retain their old Surnames as the Griffins in Northamptonshire the Griffiths and Vaughans in Yorkshire some have assumed New ones as the Caradocks now known by the new Name of the Newtons in Somersetshire Many Scotch long before the Union of the two Kingdomes under King James seated themselves
Judgment in his many Treatises King James 2 FRANCIS GODOLPHIN Mil. Master Carew confesseth in his Survey of this County that from him he gathered sticks to build that nest who was assistant unto him in that playing labour as he termeth it This ingenious Gentleman entertained a Dutch Mineral-man and taking light from his experience built thereon far more profitable conclusions from his own invention practicing a more saving way to make Tinn of what was rejected for refuse before And here the mention of his Ingenuity minds me how Hereditary Abilities are often intailed on Families seeing he was Ancestor unto Sidney Godolphin slain at ....... in Devonshire valiantly fighting for his Lord and Master His Christian and Sur-name divisim signifie much but how high do they amount in conjunction There fell wit and valour never sufficiently to be bemoaned 10 WILLIAM WREY Mil. He was direct Ancestor to Sir Chichester Wrey Knight and Baronet who though scarce a Youth in Age was more then a Man in Valour in his loyall service He married Anne one of the Daughters and Co-heirs of Will. Bourchier Earl of Bath whose son Bourchier Chichester shall ever have my prayers that he may answer the nobleness of his Extraction 12 RICHARD ROBERTS He was afterwards created a Baron and was Father unto the Right Honourable the Lord Roberts one of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Council lately designed Deputy of Ireland as a Person of singular ability and integrity The Battles I shall inlarge my self the rather on this subject because building my discourse therein not on the floting sands of uncertaine relations but the Rock of reall Intelligence Having gotten a Manuscript of Sir Ralph Hoptons courteously communicated unto me by his Secretary Master Tredui interpolated with his own hand being a Memoriall of the Remarkables in the West at which that Worthy Knight was present in person I begin with that which is called the Battle of Liskerd taking the name from the next Town of note thereunto otherwise Bradock-Downe was the particular place thereof Before the Fight began the Kings Side took it into their seasonable consideration that seeing by the Commission the Lord Mohun brought from Oxford four Persons viz. the said Lord Mohun Sir Ralph Hopton Sir John Berkeley and Colonel Ashburn ham were equally impowered in the managing of all Military matters and seeing such equality might prove inconvenient which hitherto had been prevented with the extraordinary moderation of all Parties in ordering a Battle it was fittest to fix the power in One Chief and generall consent setled it in Sir Ralph Hopton He first gave order that publick Prayers should be had in the Head of every Squadron and it was done accordingly and the Enemy observing it did stile it saying of Mass as some of their Prisoners afterwards did confess Then he caused the Foot to be drawn up in the best order they could placed a Forelorn of Musketiers in the little Inclosures winging them with the few Horse and Dragoons he had This done two small Mynion Drakes speedily and secretly fetched from the Lord Mohuns house were planted on a little Barrough within Randome-shot of the Enemy yet so that they were covered from their sight with small Parties of Horse about them These concealed Mynions were twice discharged with such success that the Enemy quickly quitted their ground and all their Army being put into a Rout the Kings Forces had the execution of them which they performed very sparingly They took Twelve Hundred and Fifty Prisoners most of their Colours all their Cannon being four Brass-guns upon Carriages whereof Two were Twelve-pounders and One Iron â—…aker all their Ammunition most of their Armes and marching that night to Liskard the Kings Forces first gave God Publick thanks and then took their own Private repose STRATTON fight succeeds on Tuesday 16. May 1643. But first let us take a true account of the two Armies respectively with the visible Inequality betwixt them The Kings Forces were in want of Ammunition and were to hew out their own way up a Steep-hill with their Valour exposed to all Disadvantages and Dangers Their Horse and Dragoons exceeded not five hun dred their â—…oot about two thousand four hundred in number The Parliament Army had plenty of all Provisions and had Advantagiously Barocadoed themselves on the top of a Hill Their Horse indeed were not many having lately sent away twelve hundred to surprizethe Sheriff and Commissioners at Bodmin but Foot were five thousand four hundred by Pole as their Major Generall did acknowledge As for the Kings Forces order was given that by four severall Avenues they should force their Passage to the top of the Hill which was very steep the Enemy as obstinately indeavouring to keep them down as the other did valiantly strive to ascend The fight continued doubtfull with many countenances of various events from 5. of the Clock in the Morning till 3. in the Afternoon amongst which most remarkable the smart Charge made by M. G. Chudeleigh with a Stand of Pikes on Sir Bevill Greenfield so that the Knight was in Person overthrown and his Party put into disorder which would have proved destructive unto it had not Sir John Berkeley who led up the Musketiers on each side of Sir Bevill Greenfield seasonably relieved it so re-inforcing the Charge that Major General Chudelegh was taken Prisoner Betwixt three and four of the Clock the Commanders of the Kings Forces who embraced those four severall ways of Ascent met to their mutuall joy almost at the top of the Hill which the routed Enemy confusedly forsook In this Service though they were Assaylants they lost very few men and no considerable Officer killing of the Enemy about three hundred and taking Seventeen hundred Prisoners all their Cannon being thirteen pieces of Brass-ordnance and Ammunition Seventy Barrels of pouder with a Magazin of Bisket and other provisions proportionable For this Victory Publick Prayer and Thanksgiving was made on the Hill and then the Army was disposed of to improve their success to their best advantage For this good Service Sir Ralph Hopton was afterwards at Oxford created Baron of Stratton in form as followeth CAROLUS Dei gratia Angliae c. Cum Nominis nostri Posteritatis interest ad clara exempla propaganda utilissimè compertum palam fieri omnibus premia apud nos vertuti sita nec perire fidelium Subditorum officia sed memori benevolo pectore fixissimè insidere his praesertim temporibus cum plurimorum quibus antehac nimium indulsimus temerata aut suspecta fides pretium aliorum constantiae addidit Cumque nobis certò constat Radulphum Hopton militem de Balneo Splendidis Antiquis Natalibus tum in caetera sua vita integritatis morum eximium tum in hac novissima tempestate fatalique Regni rebelli motu rari animi fideique exemplum edidisti Regiae dignitatis in eaque publice contra utriusque Adversarios
and Sollicitor to king Charles From these places he was preferred to be Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas when he was made Privy Counsellor thence advanced to be Lord Keeper and Baron of Mounslow the place of his Nativity He died in Oxford and was buried in Christ Church Anno 1645. Souldiers Sir JOHN TALBOT was born as all concurring indications do avouch at Black-Mere in this County the then flourishing now ruined House devolved to his Family by marying the Heir of the Lord Strange of Black-Mere Many Honourable Titles deservedly met in him who was 1 Lord Talbot and Strange by his Paternal extraction 2 Lord Furnival and Verdon by maryage with Joan the daughter of Thomas de Nevil 3 Earl of Shrewsbury in England and Weisford in Ireland by creation of King Henry the Sixth This is that terrible Talbot so famous for his Sword or rather whose Sword was so famous for his arm that used it A Sword with bad Latin upon it but good Steel within it which constantly conquered where it came insomuch that the bare fame of his approach frighted the French from the Siege of Burdeaux Being victorious for twenty four years together successe failed him at last charging the enemy neer Castilion on unequal termes where he with his Son the Lord Lisle were slain with a shot July 17. 1453. Hence forward we may say Good night to the English in France whose victories were buried with the body of this Earl and his body enterred at White-Church in this County Sir JOHN TALBOT son to Sir John Talbot aforesaid and Vicount Lisle in right of his Mother Though he was slain with his Father yet their ashes must not be so hudled together but that he must have a distinct commemoration of his valour The rather because a Noble Pen hath hinted a parallel betwixt him and Paulus Aemilius the Roman General which others may improve 1 Aemilius was overpowred by the forces of Hannibal and Asdrubal to the loss of the day 2 Corn. Lentulus intreated Aemilius sitting all bloodied upon a stone to rise and save himself offering him his horse and other assistance 3 Aemilius refused the proffer adding withall That he would not again come under the judgment of the people of Rome 1 The same sad success attended the two Talbots in fight against the French 2 The Father advised the son by escape to reserve himself for future fortune 3 His son crav'd to be excused and would not on any termes be perswaded to forsake his father In two considerables Talbot far surpass'd Aemilius for Aemilius was old grievously if not mortally wounded our Lord in the flower of his youth unhurt easily able to escape Aemilius accountable for the over-throw received the other no wayes answerable for that daye 's mis-fortune being as we have said the 17 of July 1453. Learned Writers ROBERT of SHREWSBURY Take Reader a tast of the different Spirits of Writers concerning his Character Leland's Text. Eadem opera religionem celebrabat literas With the same endeavour He plied both Religion and Learning Bale his Comment Per religionem fortassis Monachatum intelligit per literas Sophistica praestigia It may be he meaneth Monkery by Religion and by Learning Sophistical fallacies I confess he might have imployed his pains better But Bale proceeds de Consultis Ruthenis consulting not the Russians as the word sounds to all Criticks but the Men of Ruthin in Wales He wrote the Life and Miracles of S. Winfride flourished Anno 1140. DAVID of CHIRBURY a Carmelite was so named from his Native place in the West of this County bordering on Mountgomery-shire A small Village I confesse yet which formerly denominated a whole hundred and at this day is the Barony of the Lord Herbert He was saith Leland whom I take at the second hand on the trust of John Pits Theologiae cognitione clarus And going over into Ireland was there made Episcopus Dormorensis Bishop of Drummore as I take it He is said to have wrote some Books though not mentioned in Bale and which is to me a wonder no notice taken of him by that Judicious Knight Sr. James Ware So that it seems his Writings were either few or obscure Returning into England he died and was buried in his Native County at Ludlow in the Convent of the Carmelites Anno Dom. 1420. Since the Reformation ROBERT LANGELAND forgive me Reader though placing him who lived one hundred fifty years before since the Reformation For I conceive that the Morning-star belongs rather to the Day then to the Night On which account this Robert regulated in our Book not according to the Age he was in but Judgement he was of may by Prolepsis be termed a Protestant He was born at Mortimers-Clibery in this County eight miles from Malvern-Hills was bred a Priest and one of the first followers of J. Wickliffe wanting neither Wit nor Learning as appears by his Book called The vision of Pierce Plowgh-man and hear what Character a most Learned Antiquary giveth thereof It is written in a kind of English meeter which for discovery of the infecting corruptions of those times I preferre before many of the more seemingly serious Invectives as well for Invention as Judgement There is a Book first set forth by Tindal since exemplied by Mr. Fox called The Prayer and complaint of the Plowghman which though differing in title and written in prose yet be of the same subject at the same time in the same Language I must referre it to the same Authour and let us observe a few of his strange words with their significations 1 Behotef 1 Promiseth 2 Binemen 2 Take away 3 Blive 3 Quickly 4 Fulleden for 4 Baptized 5 Feile times 5 Oft times 6 Forward 6 Covenant 7 Heryeth 7 Worshipeth 8 Homelich 8 Household 9 Lesew 9 Pasture 10 Leude-men 10 Lay-men 11 Nele 11 Will not 12 Nemeth for 12 Taketh 13 Seggen 13 Do say 14 Swevens 14 Dreams 15 Syth 15 Afterwards 16 Thralles 16 Bond-men It 's observeable that Pitzaeus generally a perfect Plagiary out of Bale passeth this Langland over in silence and why because he wrote in oppositum to the Papal Interest Thus the most Light finger'd Thieves will let that alone which is too hot for them He flourished under King Edward the Third Anno Dom. 1369. THOMAS CHURCHYARD was born in the Town of Shrâ—…wesbury as himself doth affirm in his Book made in Verse of the Worthines of VVales taking Shropshire within the compass making to use his own expression Wales the Park and the Marches to be the Pale thereof Though some conceive him to be as much beneath a Poet as above a Rbimer in my opinion his Verses may go abreast with any of that age writing in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth It seems by this his Epitaph in Mr. Camdens Remains that he died not guilty of much Wealth Come Alecto lend me thy Torch To find a Church-yard in
precious extraction to King James reputed a great preserver of health and prolonger of life He is conceived by such helps to have added to his vigorous vivacity though I think a merry heart whereof he had a great measure was his best Elixar to that purpose He died exceeding aged Anno Dom. 164. JOHN BUCKRIDGE was born at Dracot nigh Marleborough in this County and bred under Master Mullcaster in Merchant-Taylors school from whence he was sent to Saint Johns-colledge in Oxford where from a Fellow he became Doctor of Divinity and President thereof He afterwards succeeded Doctor Lancelot Andrews in the Vicaridge of Saint Giles Criplegate in which Cure they lived one and twenty years a piece and indeed great was the Intimacy betwixt these two learned Prelates On the ninth of June 1611. he was Consecrated Bishop of Rochester and afterwards set forth a learned Book in opposition of John Fisher De potestate papae in Temporalibus of which my Author doth affirm Johannem itaque Roffensem habemus quem Johanni Roffensi opponamus Fishero Buckerigium cujus argumentis si quid ego video ne à mille quidem Fisheris unquam respondebitur He was afterwards preferred Bishop of Ely and having Preached the Funerall Sermon of Bishop Andrews extant in Print at the end of his works survived him not a full year dying Anno Dom. 163. He was decently Interred by his own appointment in the Parish-church of Bromly in Kent the Manner thereof belonged to the Bishoprick of Rotchester States-men EDWARD SEIMOR and THOMAS SEIMOR both Sons of Sir John Seimor of Wolfull Knight in this County I joyn them together because whilst they were united in affection they were invinsible but when devided easily overthrown by their enemies Edward Seimor Duke of Sommerset Lord Protector and Treasurer of England being the Elder Brother succeeded to a fair Paternal inheritance He was a valiant Souldier for Land-service fortunate and generally beloved by Martiall men He was of an open nature free from jealousie and dissembling affable to all People He married Anne Daughter of Sir Edward Stanhop knight a Lady of a high mind and haughty undaunted spirit Thomas Seimor the Younger Brother was made Barron of Sudley by offices and the favours of his Nephew K. Edward the sixth obtained a great Estate He was well experienced in Sea affairs and made Lord Admirall of England He lay at a close posture being of a reserved Nature and was more cunning in his Carriage He married Queen Katharine Parr the Widdow of King Henry the eighth Very great the Animosities betwixt their Wives the Dutchess refusing to bear the Queens Train and in effect justled with her for Precedence so that what betwixt the Train of the Queen and long Gown of the Dutchess they raised so much dust at the Court as at last put out the eyes of both their husbands and occasioned their Executions as we have largely declared in our Ecclesiasticall History The Lord Thomas Anno 154. The Lord Edward Anno 154. Thus the two best Bullworks of the safety of King Edward the sixth being demolished to the ground Duke Dudley had the advantage the nearer to approach and assault the Kings Person and to practice his destruction as is vehemently suspected Sir OLIVER SAINT JOHN Knight Lord Grandison c. was born of an ancient and honourable family whose prime seat was at Lediard-Tregoze in this County He was bred in the warrs from his youth and at last by King James was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland and vigorously pursued the principles of his Predecessours for the civilizing thereof Indeed the Lord Mountjoy reduced that Country to obedience the Lord Chichester to some civility and this Lord Grandison first advanced it to considerable profit to his Master I confess T. Walsingham writeth that Ireland afforded unto Edward the third thirty thousand pound a year paid into His Exchequer but it appears by the Irish-records which are rather to be believed that it was rather a burden and the constant revenue thereof beneath the third part of that proportion But now the Kingdome being peaceably settled the income thereof turned to good account so that Ireland called by my Author the Land of Ire for the constant broiles therein for 400. years was now become the Land of Concord Being re-called into England he lived many years in great repute and dying without issue left his Honour to his Sisters son by Sir Edward Villiers but the main of his estate to his Brothers son Sir John Saint John Knight and Baronet Sir JAMES LEY Knight and Baronet son of Henry Ley Esquire one of great Ancestry who on his own cost with his men valiantly served King Henry the eighth at the siedge of Bullen was born at Tafant in this County Being his fathers sixth son and so in probability barred of his inheritance he indeavoured to make himself an Heir by his Education applying his book in Brasen-nose-colledge and afterwards studying the Laws of the Land in Lincolns-Inn wherein such his proficiency King James made him Lord Chief Justice in Ireland Here he practised the charge King James gave him at his going over yea what his own tender Conscience gave himself namely Not to build his Estate on the ruines of a miserable Nation but aiming by the unpartial execution of Justice not to enrich himself but civilize the People he made a good Progress therein But the King would no longer lose him out of his own Land and therefore recalled him home about the time when his fathers inheritance by the death of his five elder brethren descended upon him It was not long before Offices and Honour flowed in fast upon him being made by King James King Charles 1. Aturney of the Court of Wards 2. Chief Justice of the Upper Bench 18. of his raign Jan. 29. 3. Lord Treasurer of England in the 22. of his raign Decemb. 22. 4. Baron Ley of Ley in Devonshire the last of the same Month. 1. Earl of Marleburg in this County immediately after the Kings Coronation 2. Lord President of the Councell in which place he died Anno Domini 1629. He was a person of great gravity ability and integrity and as the Caspian Sea is observed neither to ebb nor flow so his mind did not rise or fall but continued the same constancy in all conditions Sir FRANCIS COTTINGTON Knight was born nigh Meer in this County and bred when a youth under Sir ........ Stafford He lived so long in Spain till he made the garbe and gravity of that Nation become his and become him He raised himself by his naturall strength without any artificial advantage having his parts above his learning his experience above his parts his industry above his experience and some will say his success above all so that at the last he became Chancellour of the Exchequer Baron of Hanworth in Middlesex and upon the resignation of Doctor Juxon Lord Treasurer of England gaining also
whole year without any renewing after the Inter-Regnum Objection Such persons had better been omitted whereof many were little better then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Though by good fortune they have loaded themselves with Thick clay and will be but a burden in your Book to the Readers thereof Answer All Wise men will behold them under a better Notion as the Pregnant proofs of the truth of 2. Proverbs not contradictory but confirmatory one to another Prov. 10. 22. Prov. 10. 4. The Blessing of the Lord maketh Rich. The hand of the Diligent maketh Rich. The one as the principal the other as the Instrumental cause and both meeting in the persons aforesaid For though some of them were the Younger Sons of Worshipful and Wealthy Parents and so had good Sums of Money left them Yet being generally of mean extraction They raised themselves by Gods Providence and their own Painfulness The City in this Respect being observed like unto a Court where Elder Brothers commonly spend and the younger gain an Estate But such Lord Maiors are here inserted to quicken the Industry of Youth whose Parents are only able to send them up to not to set them up in London For whaâ—… a comfort is it to a poor Apprentice of that City to see the Prime Magistrate thereof Riding in his Majoralibus with such Pomp and Attendance which another day may be his hap and happiness Objection It commeth not to the share of one in twenty thousand to attain to that Honour and it is as impossible for every poor Apprentice in process of time to prove Lord Maior as that a Minum with long living mould become a Whale Answer Not so the later is an utter Impossibility as debarred by nature being Fishes of several kinds Whereas there is a Capacity in the other to arive at it which puts hopes the only Tie which keeps the heart from breaking into the hearts of all of the attainablenesse of such preferment to themselves Doctor Hutton Arch-bishop of York when he came into any Great Grammar School which he did constantly visit in his visitations was wont to say to the young Scholars Ply your Books Boys ply your Books for Bishops are old men and surely the possibility of such dignity is a great Encouragement to the Endévours of Students Lord Maiors being generally aged and always but Annual soon make Room for Succession whereby the Indevours of all Freemen in Companies are incouraged But if they should chance to fall short as unable to reach the Home of Honour I mean the Majoralty it self yet if they take up their Lodgings at Sheriffe Alderman and Common-Councellour with a good Està tè they will have no cause to complain I confess some Counties in our ensuing Discourse will appear Lord-Maior-less as Cumberland Dorset-shire Hant-Shire c. However though hitherto they have not had hereafter they may have Natives advanced to that Honour and it may put a lawful Ambition into them to contend who shall be their Leader and who should first of those Shires attain to that Dignity As lately Sir Richard Cheverton Skinner descended I assure you of a right antient and worshipful Family was the first in Cornwall who opened the Dore for others no doubt to follow after him Nor must it be forgotten that many have been Lord-Maiors Mates though never rémembred in their Catalogues viz. Such who by Fine declined that Dignity and as I am glad that some will Fine that so the Stock of the Chamber of London may be increased so am I glad that some will not fine that so the State of the City of London may be maintained I begin the observing of their Nativities from Sir William Sevenoke Grocer Lord Maior 1418. For though there were Lord Maiors 200. years before yet their Birth-places generally are unknown It was I confess well for me in this particular that Mr. Stow was born before me being herein the Heir of Endevours without any pain of my own For knowing that Cuilibet Artifici in sua Arte est credendum I have followed him and who him continued till the year 1633. at what time their Labours do determine Since which Term to the present year I have made the Catalogue out by my own Inquiry and friends Intelligence To speak truth to their due praise one may be generally directed to their Cradles though by no other Candle then the Light of their good works and Benefactions to such places CHAP. XIV A Catalogue of all the Gentry in ENGLAND made in the Reign of King HENRY the Sixth why inserted in our Book AFter we have finished the Catalogue of the worthy Natives of every Shire We present the Reader with a List of the Gentry of the Land sollemnly returned by select Commissioners into the Chancery thence into the Records in the Tower on this occasion The Commons in Parliament complained that the Land then swarmed with Pilours â—…obbers Oppressers of the People Man-stealers Fellons Outlaws Ravishers of Women Unlawful Haunters of Forrests and Parks c. Whereupon it was ordered for the suppressing of present and preventing of future mischeifs that certain Commissioners should be impowered in every County to summon all persons of Quality before them and tender them an Oath for the better keeping of the Peace and observing the Kings Laws both in themselves and Retainers Excuse me Reader if I be bold to inâ—…pose my own Conjecture who conceive what ever was intended to palliate the Businesse The Principal Intent was to detect and suppress such who favoured the Title of York which then began to be set on foot and afterwards openly claimed and at last obtained the Crown 2. Even-done Of the method general used in this Catalogue The first amongst the Commissioners is the Bishop of their Diocesse put before any Earl partly because he was in his own Diocesse partly because giving of Oaths their proper work was conceived to be of Spiritual cognisance Besides the Bishop when there were three as generally Commissioners the first of them was either an Earl or at least though often intituled but Chivaler an Actual Baron as will hereafter appear And which will acquaint us partly with the Peerage of the Land in that Age. Next follow those who were Knights for the Shire in the Parliament foregoing and if with the addition of Chivaler or Miles were Knights by dubbing before of that their Relation All Commissioners expressed not equal Industry and Activity in prosecution of their trust For besides the natural Reasons that in all Affairs some will be more rigorous some more Remiss by their own Temper some more some less fancyed their Imployment insomuch as we find some Shires 1. Over done as Oxford and Cambridge-Shires whose Catalogues are too much allayed descending to persons of meaner quality 2. Even done as generally the most are where the Returns bear a competent proportion to the Populousness and numerousnesse of the Counties 3. Under done as Shropshire York-shire Northumberland c. where
in his profession is sufficiently attested by his own Printed Reports Eight eminent Judges of the Law out of their knowledge of his great wisdome learning and integrity approving and allowing them to be published for the Common benefit He was against the Illegality of Ship-money both publickly in Westminster-hall and privately in his judgment demanded by the King though concluded to subscribe according to the Course of the Court by plurality of voices The Country-mans wit levelled to his brain will not for many years be forgotten That Ship-money may be gotten by Hâ—…ok but not by Crook though since they have paid taxes loins to the little finger and Scorpions to the Rod of Ship-money but whether by Hook or Crook let others inquire His piety in his equall and even walkings in the way of God through the several turnings and occasions of his Life is evidenced by his Charity to man founding a Chappel at Beachley in Buckingham-shire two miles at least distanced from the Mother-Church and an Hospitall in the same Parish with a liberall Revenue Considering his declining and decaying age and desiring to examine his Life and prepare an Account to the Supreme Judge he petitioned King Charles for a Writ of Ease which though in some sort denied what wise Mr. would willingly part with a good Servant was in effect granted unto him He dyed at Waterstock in Oxford shire in the eighty second year of his age Anno Dom. 1641. EDWARD BULTSTRODE Esq. born in this County bred in the studies of our municipall Laws in the Inner Temple and his Highness his Justice in North-wales hath written a book of divers Resolutions and Judgments with the reasons and causes thereof given in the Court of Kings-bench in the reigns of King James and King Charles and is lately deceased Souldiers Sir WILLIAM WINDSOR Knight I am confident herein is no mislocation beholding him an Ancestor to the right honourable Thomas Windsor Hickman Lord Windsor and fixed at Bradenham He was deputed by King Edward the third in the fourty seventh year of his reign Lord Lieutenant of Ireland which Country was then in a sad Condition For the King was so intent on the Conquest of France as a Land nearer fairer and due to him by descent that he neglected the effectuall reduction of Ireland This encouraged the Irish Grandees their O's and Mac's to Rant and Tyrant it in their respective seignieuries whilst such English who were planted there had nothing Native save their Surnames left degenerating by degrees to be Irish in their Habits Manners and Language Yea as the wild Irish are observed to love their Nurses or Fosters above their natural Mothers so these barbarizing English were more endeared to the interest of Ireland which fed then of England which bare and bred them To prevent more mischief this worthy Knight was sent over of whose valour and fidelity the King had great experience He contracted with the King to defray the whole charge of that Kingdome as appeareth by the instrument in the Tower for eleven thousand two hundred thirteen pounds six shillings and eight pence per annum Now Sir William undertook not the Conquest but Custody of the Land in a defen sive war He promised not with a daring Mountebank to Cure but with a discreet Physician to ease this Irish Gout Indeed I meet with a passage in Froissard relating how Sir William should report of himself that he was so far from subduing the Irish he could never have access to understand and know their Countries albeit he had spent more time in the service of Ireland then any Englishman then living Which to me seems no wonder the Irish vermin shrowding themselves under the Scabs of their Bogs and Hair of their Woods However he may truly be said to have left that land much improved because no whit more impaired during those dangerous distractions and safely resigned his office as I take it in the first of K. Richard the second ARTHUR GRAY Baron of Wilton is justly reckoned amongst the Natives of this Shire whose father had his Habitation not at Wilton a decayed Castle in Hereford-shire whence he took his Title but at Waddon a fair house of his Family not far from Buckingham He succeeded to a small Estate much diminished on this sad occasion His father William Lord Gray being taken Prisoner in France after long ineffectuall soliciting to be because captivated in the publick service redeemed on the publick charge at last was forced to ransom himself with the sale of the best part of his Patrimony Our Arthur endeavoured to advance his estate by his valour being entered in Feats of war under his Martial father at the siege of Lieth 1560. where he was shot in the shoulder which inspirited him with a constant antipathy against the Scotch He was afterwards sent over Lord Deputy into Ireland anno 1580. where before he had received the Sword or any Emblemes of Command ut acrioribus initiis terrorem incuteret to fright his foes with his fierce beginning he unfortunately fought the rebels at Glandilough to the great loss of English blood This made many commend his Courage above his Conduct till he recovered his credit and finally suppressed the rebellion of Desmund Returning into England the Queen chiefly relied on his counsel for ordering our Land-forces against the Spaniards in 88. and fortifying places of advantage The mention of that year critical in Church differences about discipline at home as well as with foreign foes abroad mindeth me that this Lord was but a Back-friend to Bishops in all divisions of Votes in Parliament or Council-table sided with the Anti-prelatical party When Secretary Davison that State-Pageant raised up on purpose to be put down was censured in the Star-chamber about the business of the Queen of Scots this Lord Gray onely defended him as doing nothing therein but what became an able and honest Minister of State An ear-witness saith Haec fuse oratoriè animosè Greium disserentem audivimus So that besides bluntness the common and becoming eloquence of Souldiers he had a real Rhetorick and could very emphatically express himself Indeed this warlike Lord would not wear two heads under one Helmet and may be said always to have born his Beaver open not dissembling in the least degree but owning his own judgment at all times what he was He deceased anno Dom. 1593. Writers ROGER de WENDOVER was born at that Market-town in this County bred a Benedictine in St. Albans where he became the Kings Historian Know Reader that our English Kings had always a Monck generally of St. Albans as near London the Staple of news and books to write the remarkables of their reigns One addeth I am sorry he is a forrainer and therefore of less credit at such distance that their Chronicles were lock'd up in the Kings Library so that neither in that Kings nor his Sons life they were ever opened If so
* S. a Falcon rising betweâ—…t 3 Mullets Oâ—… 21 Rich. Gedy ar   22 Io. Moyle ar vir * S. Germains †Or on a Bend G. 3 Millroinds Argent CAR. REG.  * G. a Moyle passant Arg. Anno   1 Tho. Wivell ar   2 Ioh. Trefuses ar  Arg. a Cheveron betw 3 wharrow Spindles S. 3 Io. Rashleigh ar ut prius  4 Geor. He le ar  G. a Bead Losengee Erm. 5   6 Io. Trelawney m. ut prius  7 Ioh. Prideaux ar ut prius  8 Nic. Loure mil. ut prius  9 Cha. Tâ—…evanio a. ut prius  10 Hu. Bosgawen ar  Vert a Bull passant Arg. Arâ—…ed Or in a Cheif Ermin a Rose Gules 11 Io. St. Albin a. ut prius  12 Rich. Buller mil. ut prius  13 Fran Godolpin a. ut prius  14   15 Rich. Trevill ar  Or a Cross engrailed Sa. in the first quarter a Mullâ—…t G. 16 Fran. Willear   17   18   19   20   21   22 Edw. Heile ar ut prius  Edward III. ROGER de PRIDDEAUX My eye cannot be entertained with a more welcome object then to behold an antient Name not onely still continuing to but eminently flourishing in our age On which account I cannot but congratulate the happiness of this Family expecting a daily Accession of Repute from the hopefull branches thereof Edward IV. 10 JOHN ARUNDLE Mil. This worthy Knight was forewarned by what Calker I wot not that he should be slain on the Sands This made him to shun his house at Efford alias Ebbing-ford as too Maritime and remove himself to Trerice his more Inland habitation in this County But he found it true fata viam inveniant for being this year Sheriff and the Earl of Oxford surprizing Mount Michael for the House of Lancaster he was concerned by his Office and Command from the King to endeavour the reducing thereof and lost his life in a skirmish on the sands thereabouts Thus it is just with Heaven to punish mens curiosity in enquiring after credulity in believing of and cowardise in fearing at such prognostications 21 THOMAS GRANVIL Be it entred by way of caveat that there is some difference in the blazoning of the coat of the Granvils or Greenvils What usually are termed therein Rests being the Handles of Spears most honorable in Tilting to break them nearest thereunto are called by some Criticks 〈◊〉 being the necessary appendants to Organs convaying wind unto them If as it seemeth their dubious Form as represented in the Scutcheon doth ex aequo answer to both with me they shall still pass for the Rests of Spears For though I dare not deny but the Greenvils might be good Musitians I am assured they were most valiant Souldiers in all their Generations But the merits of this ancient Family are so many and great that ingrossed they would make one County proud which divided would make two happy I am therefore resolved equally to part what I have to say thereof betwixt Cornwall and Devonshire Richard III. The Reader will take notice that as it is in our Catalogue Richard Duke of Gloucester was High-Sheriff of this County ad terminum vitae a strange Precedent if it may be said to go before which hath nothing to follow after seeing for the last two years he was both King of England and Sheriff of Cornwall We therefore behold all the following persons unto the first of King Henry the seventh but as so many Deputies under him and amongst these we take speciall notice of 2 JAMES TIRREL Mil. This is he so infamous in our English Histories for his activity in murdering the Innocent sons of King Edward the fourth keeping the Keyes of the Tower and standing himself at the foot of the Staires whilst Mr. Forest and J. Dighton stifled them in their Beds I behold this Sir James as an Essex-man though now the prime Officer of this County For King Richard accounted Cornwall the back dore of Rebellion and therefore made this Knight the Porter thereof Indeed it is remote from London and the long sides of this County afford many landing-places objected to Britain in France whence the Usurper always feared and at last felt an Invasion and therefore he appointed him Sheriff to secure the County as obliged unto him by gratitude for favours received and guilt for faults committed This Tirrel was afterwards executed for Treason in the Tower yard in the beginning of King Henry the seventh Henry VII 12 JOHN BASSET This was a busie year indeed in this County when the Cornish Commotion began headed by Flammock a Lawyer and Michael Joseph a Blacksmith at the Town of Bodmin Let none impute it to the neglect of this Sheriff that he suppressed them not seeing besides that they quickly quitted this County and went Eastward it was not the work of Posse Comitatus but Posse Regni to encounter them However after long-running for they marched the breadth of the land from Cornwall to Kent before battle was bid them they were overtaken and overcome at Black-heath 13 PETER EDGCOMBE Mil. The Names of pierce or Peter and Richard have been saith my Author successively varied in this family for six or seven Descents Such Chequering of Christian Names serve Heraulds instead of Stairs whereby they ascend with assurance into the Pedigrees of Gentlemen and I could wish the like alternation of Font-names fashionable in other families For where the Heirs of an House are of the same Name for many generations together it occasioneth much mistake and the most cautious and conscientious Heralds are guilty of making Incestuous Matches confounding the Father for the Son and so reciprocally Queen Elizabeth 4 RICHARD CHAMOND Esq. He received at Gods-hand an extraordinary favour of long life serving in the office of a Justice of Peace almost sixty years He saw above fifty several Judges of the Westerne Circuit was Uncle and Great-uncle to three hundred at least and saw his youngest child above fourty years of age 19 WILLIAN MOHUN He was descended from the ancient Lords of Dunster and Earls of Somerset of which one received a great Papall priviledge whereof largely in my Church History I behold him as Grand-father to John Lord Mohun of Oakehampton descended by a Coheir from the Courtneys Earls of Devonshire and Great-grand-father to the Right Honourable Warwick Lord Mohun 29 ANTHONY ROUSE Esq. Give me leave only to transcribe what I find written of him He employeth himself to a kind and uninterrupted entertainment of such as visit him upon his not sparing inviting or their own occasions who without the self-guilt of an ungrateful wrong must witness that his frankness confirmeth their welcome by whatsoever means provision the fewell of Hospitality can in the best manner supply He was Father to Francis Rouse late Provost of Eaton whose Industry is more commendable then his
daily out of the Nonage of their Years and Vassallâ—…ge of their Errours He died in Dublin Robert Usher soon after Bishop of Kildare preached his Funeral Sermon on that Text Behold a true Israelite wherein there is no guile shewing how he was truly a Nathaniel Gods Gift and a Carpenter a Wise Builder of Gods House until the Dissolution of his Own Tabernacle about the year 1636. Benefactors to the Publick PETER BLUNDELL of Tiverton in this County was a Clothier by his Profession and through Gods Blessing on his Endeavours therein raised unto himself a fair Estate Nor was he more painful and industrious in gaining then Pious aud Prudent in disposing thereof erecting a fair Free-School in the Town of his Nativity By his Will he bequeathed thereto a competent maintenance together with conveniency of Lodging for a Master and Usher And lest such whose Genius did encline and Parts furnish them for a further Progresse in Learning should through want of a Comfortable Subsistency be stopped or disheartned he bestowed two Scholarships and as many Fellowships on Sidney Colledge in Cambridge carefully providing that the Scholars bred in his School at Tiverton should be elected into the same I cannot attain to a certainty in the Time of his Death though it be thought to have happened about the year 1596. WILLIAM BURGOIN Esquire must not be forgotten finding this his Epitaph on his Marble Stone in the Church of Arlington Here lies Will. Burgoin a Squire by discent Whose death in this World many People lament The Rich for his love The Poor for his Almes The Wise for his Knowledge The Sick for his Balmes Grace he did love and Vice conroul Earth hath his body and Heaven his Soul He died on the Twelfth day of August in the Morning 1623. as the Inscription on his said Tomb doth inform us Memorable Persons HENRY de LA POMERAY lived at and was Lord of Berry-Pomeray in this County This Henry taking heart at the imprisonment of Richard the First by Leopaldus Duke of Austria surprized and expulsed the Monkes out of Michaels-Mount in Cornwal that there he might be a petty Prince by himself But being ascertained of his Soveraignes inlargement and fearing deserved death to prevent it he laid violent hands on himself as Roger Hoveden doth report But the Descendants from this Pomeray make a different relation of this accident affirming that a Serjeant at Armes of the Kings came to his Castle at Berry-Pomeray and there received kind entertainment for certain dayes together and at his departure was gratified with a liberal reward In counter-change whereof he then and no sooner revealing his long concealed errand flatly arrested his Host to make his immediate appearance before the King to answer a capital crime Which unexpected and ill carried Message the Gentleman took in such despight that with his Dagger he stabbed the Messenger to the heart Then despairing of pardon in so superlative an offence he abandoned his home and got himself to his Sister abiding in the Island of Mount-Michael in Cornwal Here he bequeathed a large portion of his land to the religious people dwelling there to pray for the redeeming of his soul and lastly that the remainder of his estate might descend to his heir he caused himself to be let blood unto death JOHN de BEIGNY Knight lived Lord of Ege-Lifford in this County who having been a great Travailer and Souldier in his youth retired home married and had three Sons in his reduced Age. Of these the third put himself on Forraign Action in the War against the Saracens in Spain whereof Fame made a large report to his Fathers great contentmâ—…nt which made him the more patiently dispence with his absence But after that death had bereft him of his two elder Sons he was often heard to say Oh that I might but once embrace my Son I would be contented to die presently His Son soon after returning unexpectedly the old man instantly expired with an extasie of Joy An English Father I see can be as passionate as the Italian Mother which died for Joy after the return of her Son from the Battail of 〈◊〉 Thus if all our randome desires should hit the Mark and if Heaven should alwayes take us at our word in our wishes we should be tamed with our Wild prayers granted unâ—…ous us and be drowned in the Deluge of our own Passions This Knight as I take it flourished under King Edward the Third CHILD Whose Christian Name is unknown was a Gentleman the last of his Family being of ancient extraction at Plimstock in this County and great Possessions It happened that he hunting in Dart-More lost both his Company and way in a bitter Snow Having killed his Horse he crept into his hot bowels for warmâ—…h and wrote this with his bloud He that findes and brings meto my Tombe The Land of Plimstock shall be his doom That nâ—…ght he was frozen to death and being first found by the Monkes of Tavâ—…stock they with all possible speed hasted to interre him in their own Abby His own 〈◊〉 of Plimstock hearing thereof stood at the Ford of the River to take his Body from them But they must rise early yea not sleep at all who over-reach Monkes in matter of profit For they cast a slight Bridge over the River whereby they carried over the Corps and interred it In avowance whereof the Bridge a more Premeditate Structure I believe in the place of the former Extempore Passage is called Guils Bridge to this day And know Reader all in the Vicinage will be highly offended with such who either deny or doubt the credit of this common Tradition And sure it is that the Abbot of Tavistock got that rich Manor into his Possession The exact Daâ—…e of this Childs Death I cannot attain NICHOLAS ANDREW TREMAINE were Twins and younger Sons to Thomas Tremaine of 〈◊〉 in this County Esquire Had they preceded Hypocrates in time posterity would have presumed them the sympathising Twins whereof he maketh so large mention Such their likenesse in all lineaments they could not be distinguished but by their several habits which when they were pleased on private confederacy to exchange for disport they occasioned more mirthful mistakes than ever were acted in the Amphitruo of Plautus They felt like pain though at distance and without any intelligence given they equally desired to walk travail sit sleep eat drink together as many credible Gentry of the Vicinage by relation from their Father will attest In this they differred that at New-haven in France the one was a Captain of a Troop the other but a private Souldier Here they were both slain 1564 death being pitiful to kill them together to prevent the lingering languishing of the Surviver Lord-Mayors Never one of this Office was a Devon-shire man by birth on my best enquiry Whereof some assigne these reasons 1 The Distance of the Place whose Western part is removed from London Two
their own Country Well it were if this good old custome were resumed for if where God hath given Talents men would give but Pounds I mean encourage hopefull Abilities with helpfull Maintenance able persons would never be wanting and poor men with great parts would not be excluded the Line of preferment This Sir Thomas was afterwards Secretary of State to Queen Elizabeth and a grand benefactor to both Universities as I have formerly declared at large He died Anno Domini 1577. THOMAS HOWARD wherever born is justly reputed of this County wherein he had his first honour and last habitation He was second son to Thomas last Duke of Norfolk but eldest by his wife Margaret sole heir to Thomas Lord Audley Queen Elizabeth made him Baron of Audley and Knight of the Garter and King James who beheld his father a State-Martyr for the Queen of â—…ots in the first of his raign advanced him Lord Chamberlain and Earl of Suffolk and in the twelfth of his raign July 12. Lord Treasurer of England He was also Chancellour of Cambridge loving and beloved of the University When at his first coming to Cambridge Master Francis Nethersole Orator of the University made a Latine Speech unto him this Lord returned though I understand not Latine I know the Sence of your Oration is to tell me that I am wellcome to you which I believe verily thank you for it heartily and will serve you faithfully in any thing within my power Doctor Hasnet the Vice-chancellour laying hold on the Handle of so fair a Proffer requested him to be pleased to Entertain the King at Cambridge a Favour which the University could never compass from their former great and wealthy Chancellours I will do it saith the Lord in the best manner I may with the speediest conveniency Nor was he worse then his word giving his Majesty not long after so Magnificent a Treatment in the University as cost him five thousands pounds and upwards Hence it was that after his death Thomas his second son Earl of Bark-shire not suing for it not knowing of it was chosen to succeed him losing the place as some suspected not for lack of voices but fair counting them He died at Audley end Anno Domini 1626. being Grand-father to the right Honourable James Earl of Suffolk RICHARD WESTON I behold him son to Sir Jerome Weston Sheriff of this County in the one and fourtieth of Queen Elizabeth and cannot meet with any of his relations to rectifie me if erronious In his youth he impaired his estate to improve himself with publique accomplishment but came off both a saver and a gainer at the last when made Chancellor of the Exchequer and afterwards upon the remove of the Earl of Marlburrough July 15. in the fourth of King Charles Lord Treasurer of England But I hear the Cocks crow proclaiming the dawning day being now come within the ken of many alive and when mens memories do arise it is time for History to haste to bed Let me onely be a Datary to tell the Reader that this Lord was Created Earl of Portland February 17. in the eight of King Charles and died Anno Domini 163. being father to the right Honorable Jerome now Earl of Portland Capitall Judges Sir JOHN BRAMSTONE Knight was born at Maldon in this County bred up in the Middle-Temple in the study of the Common-law wherein he attained to such eminency that he was by King Charles made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench One of deep learning solid judgement integrity of life gravity of behaviour in a word accomplished with all qualities requisite for a Person of his place and profession One instance of his integrity I must not forget effectually relating to the Foundation wherein I was bred Serjeant Bruerton of whom formerly bequeathed by Will to Sidney-colledge well nigh three thousand pounds but for haste or some other accident so imperfectly done that as Doctor Samuel Ward informed me the gife was invalid in the Rigour of the Law Now Judge Bramstone who married the Serjeants Widdow gave himself much trouble gave himself indeed doing all things gratis for the speedy payment of the money to a Farthing and the legal setling thereof on the Colledge according to the true intention of the dead He deserved to live in better times the delivering his judgement on the Kings side in the case of Ship â—…oney cost him much trouble The posting Press would not be perswaded to stay till I had received farther instructions from the most Hopefull sons of this worthy Judge who died about the year 1646. Souldiers ROBERT FITZ-WALTER It is observable what I read in my Author that in the raign of King John there were three most eminent Knights in the land 〈◊〉 for their prowess viz. Robert Fitz-Roger Richard Mont-Fâ—…chet and this Robert Fitz-Walter Two of which three a fair proportion fall to be natives of this County This Robert was born at Woodham-walters and behaved himself right 〈◊〉 on all occasions highly beloved by King Richard the first and King John untill the later banished him the land because he would not prostitute his daughter to his pleasure But worth will not long want a Master the French-King joyfully entertained him till King John recalled him back again on this occasion five-years truce being concluded betwixt the two Crowns of England and France an English-man challenged any of the French to just a course or two on horse-back with him whom Fitz-Walter then oâ—… the French party undertook and at the first course with his great spear fell'd horse and man to the ground Thus then and ever since English-men generally can be worsted by none but English-men Hereupon the King next day sent for him restored his lands with license for him to repair his Castles and particularly Bainards-castle in London which he did accordingly He was styled of the common-people The Marshall of Gods Army and Holy-Church He died Anno Domini 1234. and lieth buried in the Priory of Little-Dunmow Sir JOHN HAWKEWOOD Knight Son to Gilbert Hawkewood Tanner was born in Sible heningham This John was first bound an apprentice to a Taylor in the City of London but soon turned his needle into a sword and thimble into a shield being pressed in the service of King Edward the third for his French Wars who rewarded his valour with Knighthood Now that mean men bred in manuall and mechanick trades may arrive at great skill in Martiall performances this Hawkewood though an eminent is not the onely instance of our English nation The heat of the French Wars being much remitted he went into Italy and served the City of Florence which as yet was a Free State Such Republiques preferred forrainers rather then natives for their Generalls because when the service was ended it was but disbursing their pay and then disbanding their power by cashering their Commission such Forraigners having no advantage to continue their
thereupon was the first that fled having as it seemeth a heart readier to shew his unloyal falshood and malice than to abide the fight And though the best we could have desired was to have him taken Yet we thank God that he is in this sort overthrown and forced to flye oâ—…r Realm to his like company of Rebells whom no doubt God of his favourable justice will confound with such ends as are meet for them We will not now by words express how inwardly glad we are that you have such success whereby both your courage in such an unequall match your faithfulnesse towards us and your Wisdome is seen to the World this your Act being the very first that ever was executed by fight in field in our time against any Rebell But We mean also in Deed by just Reward to let the world see How much we esteem and can consider such a service as this is And so we would have your self also thank God heartily as we doubt not but you do from whom all Victories do proceed and comfort your self with the assurance of our most favourable acceptation VVe have also herewith sent our Letter of Thanks to Sir John Foster and would have you namely thank our good faithful Soldiers of Barwick in whose worthy service we do repose no small trust 26. of February 1569. Thus far was written by the Secretary of State but the ensuing Postscript was all the Queens own hand The Original being preserved by the Right Honourable Henry Earl of Monmouth Grandchild to the Lord Hunsdon by whose noble favour I carefully copied it forth as followeth I doubt much my Harry whether that the Victory given me more joyed me or that you were by God appointed the Instrument of my Glory and I assure you for my Countries good the first might suffice but for my hearts contentation the second more pleaseth me It likes me not a little that with a good testimony of your faith there is seen a stout courage of your mind that more trusted to the goodnesse of your Quarrel thâ—…n to the weakness of your Number VVell I can say no more Beatus est ille servus quem cum Dominus venerit inveniet facientem sua Mandata And that you may not think that you have done nothing for your profit though you have done much for your Honour I intend to make this journey somewhat to increase your Livelyhood that you may not say to your self Perditur quod sactum est ingrato Your Loving Kinswoman ELIZABETH REGINA Three times was this Lord in Election to be Earl of VViltshire a Title which in some sort belonged unto him in the right of Mary his Mother but still some intervening Accident retarded it When he lay on his Death bed The Queen gave him a gracious visit causing his Patent for the said Earldom to be drawn his Robes to be made and both to be laid down upon his bed but this Lord who could dissemble neither well nor sick Madam said he Seeing you counted me not worthy of this honour whilst I was Living I count my self unworthy of it now I am Dying He departed this life Ann. Dom. 1596. and lyeth buryed in a most magnificent Monument in VVestminster Abbey being the direct Ancestor to the Earls of Dover and Monmouth Physicians JOHN GILES or of St. Giles was born at St. Albans probably in the Parish of St. Giles long since as some more in that Town demolished He was bred beyond the Seas where he became so great a Scholar that he not only was Physician in ordinary to Philip King of France but also Professour of that faculty in Paris and Montpelier Then waving the care of Bodies he took on him the cure of Souls and was made Doctor of Divinity He afterwards became a Dominican and was the first Englishman that ever entred into that order In his old age he was famous for his Divinity-Lectures read in Oxford But which most perswades me to a venerable reception of his memory is what I read of him in Matth. Paris how Robert Grosthead the pious and learned Bishop of Lincoln being sick on his Death-bed sent for this Mr. John Giles learned in Physick and Divinity that from him he might receive comfort both for body and soul. How long this Physician surviv'd his Patient dying in Octob. 1253. is to me unknown JOHN de GATESDEN was undoubtedly born in this County wherein two Villages the Greater and Lesse of that name Such who except that they are written Gadesden will soon be satisfied in their Sameness from those who know the Sympathy betwixt T. and D. He was bred in Merton Colledge in Oxford where he so profited in the Study of Physick That a Forraigner compiling a Catalogue of men eminent in that faculty acknowledgeth him a Writer of high esteem therein By one who hath made a List of Learned men he is styled Johannes Anglicus I am informed that lately his Books have been printed in Italy in a Folio No small Honour I assure you Seeing in Physick the Italians account all Tramountain Doctors but Apothecaries in comparison of themselves The first Treatise in his Book is termed Rosa Anglica The English Rose and I doubt not but as it is Sweet in the Title so it is Soveraign in the matter therein contained This John flourished in the year of our Lord 1320. Writers ALEXANDER NEQUAM or Bad in English was born in St. Albans Many conceived themselves wondrous Witty in making Jests which indeed made themselves on his Sirname Whereof one eminent instance Nequam had a mind to become a Monk in St. Albans the Town of his Nativity and thus Laconically wrote for leave to the Abbot thereof Si vis veniam Sin autem tu autem To whom the Abbot returned Si bonus sis venias Si Nequam nequaquam Whereupon Nequam to discompose such conceits for the future altered the Orthography of his Name into Neckam Another Pass of wit there was saith my Author betwixt him and Philip Repington Bishop of Lincoln the latâ—…r sending the Challenge Et niger nequam cum sis cognomine Nequam Both black and bad whilst Bad the Name to thee Nigrior esse potes Nequior esse Nequis Blacker thou may'st but worse thou can'st not be To whom Nequam rejoyned Phi nota foetoris lippus malus omnibus horis Stinks are branded with a Phi Lippus Latin for Blear-eye Phi malus Lippus totus malus ergo Philippus Phi and Lippus bad as either Then Philippus worse together But by the leave of my learned Author this Nequam must be much younger than our Alexander or that Philip much older than Bishop Repington all agreeing that Alexander Nequam dyed 1227. under King Henry the third whereas Philip Repington was made Bishop of Lincoln 1405. under King Henry the fourth But leaving Nequam his name he is known to posterity by the Title of Ingenii miraculum being an excellent
making I behold his as the second accounting the Lord Tiptoft the first noble hand which since the decay of Learning took a Pen therein to be Author of a Book He dyed on the 16. of March 1532. and is buryed in the great church in Calice And I have read that the estate of the Berners is by an Heir-general descended to the Knyvets of â—…shwelthorp in Norfolk Since the Reformation ROGER HUTCHINSON was born in this County and bred Fellow of St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge where he was very familiar with Mr. Roger Askam who disdained Intimacy with Dunces And as this is euough to speak him Scholar so it is a sufficient Evidence to an Intelligent Jury to prove him Protestant that being commended by Bale for writing a book in English of the Image of God he is wholly omitted by John Pits He flourished Anno Dom. 1550. and probably dyed in the happy Reign of Edward the sixth before the following persecution THOMAS CARTVVRIGHT was born in this County and was admitted in St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge Anno 1550. In the Reign of Queen Mary he left the University being probably one of those Scholars which as Mr. Fox observeth went alias were driven away from this Colledge all at one time and betook himself to the service of a Counsellour Here he got some skill in the Common-Law which inabled him afterwards to fence the better for himself by the advantage thereof In the Reign of Queen Elizabeth he returned to Cambridge was chosen Fellow first of St. Iohns then of Trinity How afterwards he was made Margaret Professour outed thereof for his Non-conformity travelled beyond Seas returned home became the Champion of the Presbyterian partie is largely related in our Ecclesiastical History Onely I will add that the Non conformists not a greeing which of them where there is much choice there is no choice should answer Dr. Whitgifts Reply I read that Mr. Cartwright at last was chosen by lot to undertake it It seems the Brethren concluded it of high and holy concernment otherwise I know what Mr. Cartwright hath written of the appeal to Lots Non nisi in rebus gravioribus alicâ—…jus magni momenti ad sortis judicium recurrendumm maxime cum per sortem Deus ipse in judicio sedeat One saith for riches he sought them not and another saith that he dyed rich and I beleive both â—…ay true God sometimes making Wealth to find them who seek not for it seeing many and great were his Benefactors He dyed and was buryed in Warwick where he was Master of the Hospital Anno. 1603. DANIEL DIKE was born at Hempstead in this County where his Father was a Minister silenced for his Non-conformity He was bred in ....... Colledge in Cambridge and became afterwards a profitable Labourer in Gods Vineyard Witness besides his Sermons his worthy books whereof that is the Master-peice which treateth of the deceitfulnesse of mans heart wherein he layes down directions for the Discovery thereof As also how in other Cases one may be acquainted with his own Condition seeing many men lose themselves in the Labyrinths of their own hearts so much is the Terra incognita therein This Book he designed for his pious Patron John Lord Harrington But alas when the Child was come to the Birth there was no strength to bring forth before the Book was fully finished the Author thereof followed his honourable Patron into a better World so that his Surviving brother of whom immediately set it forth And to the Lady Lucy Countesse of Bedford the Lords Sister the same was dedicated A Book which will be owned for a Truth whilst men have any badness and will be honoured for a Treasure wilst men have any goodnesse in them This Worthy man dyed about the Year 1614. JEREMIAH DIKE his Younger Brother was bred in Sidney Colledge in Cambridge beneficed at Epping in Essex one of a chearful Spirit And know Reader that an Ounce of Mirth with the same degree of Grace will serve God farther then a pound of Sadnesse He had also a gracious heart and was very profitable in his Ministry He was a Father to some good Books of his own and a Guardian to those of his Brother whose Posthume Works he set forth He was one peaceable in Israel And though no Zelot in the practice of Ceremonies quietly submitted to use them He lived and dyed piously being buryed in his own Parish-Church Anno Dom. 1620. ARTHUR CAPEL Esquire of Hadâ—…m in this County was by King Charls the first created a Baron 1641. He served the King with more Valour and Fidelity then Success during the Civil Wars in the Marches of Wales After the Surrender of Oxford he retired to his own house in this Shire and was in some sort well cured of the so then reputed Disease of Loyalty when he fell into a Relaps by going to Colcbester which cost him his life beheaded in the Palace Yard in Westminster 1648. In his Life time he wrote a book of Meditation published since his death wherein much judicious piety may be discovered His mortified mind was familiar with afflictions which made him to appear with such 〈◊〉 Resolution on the Scaffold where he seemed rather to fright Death then to be frighted with it Hence one not unhappily alluding to his Arms a Lyon Rampant in a Field Gules betwixt three Crosses thus expresseth himself Thus Lion-like Capel undaunted stood Beset with crosses in a Field of Blood A Learned Dr. in Physick present at the opening and embalming of him and Duke Hambleton delivered it at a publike Lecture that the Lord Capels was the least Heart whilst the Dukes wâ—…s the greatest he ever beheld Which alâ—…o is very proportionable to the Observation in Philosophy that the Spirits contracted in a lesser model are the cause of the greater courage God hath since been the Husband to His Widow who for her goodnesse may be a Pattern to her Sexe and Father to his Children whom not so much their Birth Beauty and Portions as Vertues married to the best Bloods and Estates in the Land even when the Royalists were at the lowest condition EDVVARD SYMONDS born at Cottered in this County was bred in Peter House in Cambridge where he commenced Master of Arts afterwards Minister of Little Rayne in Essex a man strict in his Life and profitable in his preaching wherein he had a plain and piercing faculty Being sequestred from his Living for siding with the King with David 1 Sam. 23. 13. He went wheresoever he could go to Worcester Exeter Barnstable France and lastly returned to London He wrote a Book in VINDICATION OF KING CHARLES and was Instrumental in setting forth his Majesties book called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pens were brondished betwixt him and Mr. Stephen Marshal though all was fair betwixt them before his Death For Mr. Symonds visited him lying in his bed at Westminster told him Had I taken you for a
Civil War is a vagrant and will trace all corners except they be surrounded with Gyges his ring Surely some eyes in that place besides the Sweet Rivers of Severn and Wye running by them have had Salt Waters flowing from them since the beginning of our late Distractions Lemster bread and Weabley Ale It seems both these are best in their kinds though good in other places of the Land Thus though Palestine was universally termed a Land of Wheat yet the Spirit of God takes signal notice of the wheat of Minnith and Pannag as finer than the rest Yet is there Wheat in England which justleth for pureness with that of Weabley viz. What groweth about Heston in Middlesex yeilding so fine floure that for a long time the Manchet for the Kings of England was made thereof except any will say it is prized the more for the Vicinity to London Saints ETHELBERT was King of the East-Angles and went to Offa King of Mercia to treat of a marriage with his Daughter but Queen Quendred Wife to Offa more ambitious of her own unlawful then her Daughters lawful advancement practised his Death at a Village now called Sutton-Wallis four miles from Hereford His corps was afterwards removed by Milfred a petit Prince of that Country to Hereford where he obtained the reputation of a Saint and Martyr His suffering happened Anno Dom. 793. THOMAS CANTILUPE was of honourable extraction whose Father William Lord Cantilupe had two fair habitations Abergavenny Castle in Monmouth and Harringworth in Northampton-shire which by an Heir-general of that Family afterwards descended to the Lord Zouch He was bred in Oxford whereof at last he became Chancellour and was preferred Bishop of Hereford A charitable man may believe him a person of Holy Life and great Learning But no wise man will credit what Walsingham writes of him That he was never guilty of any mortal sin Going to others say returning from Rome to assert his Church from the encroachment of Peckam Arch-bishop of Canterbury he dyed at a City in Tuscany where his flesh was taken off his Corps and buryed whilst his bones were sent for Reliques into England and enshrined at Hereford Now though different dates be assigned of his death I adhere to Bishop Godwin noting his Dissolution 1282. He was afterwards canonized by Pope John the twenty second and no fewer then four hundred twenty five miracles are registred in that Church reported to be wrought at his Tomb. I say just four hundred twenty five which falls out sewer by five and twenty then the Prophets of Baal and more by five and twenty then the Prophets of the Groves in a middle number betwixt both and all of thâ—…m I beleive honest and true alike Yea it is recorded in his legend that by his Prayers were raised from death to life threescore several persons one and twenty Lepers healed and three and twenty blind and dumb men to have received their sight and speech No wonder then what Mr. Camden observeth that in process of time parum abfuit quin pietatis opinione Regio Martyri Ethelberto praeluxerit He lack'd but little to eclipse the Lustre of Ethelbert the Royal Saint and Martyr formerly buryed as is aforesaid in the same Cathedral Indeed it is given to Superstition alwayes to be fondest of the youngest Saint But long since King Henry the eighth hath put a period to all emulations betwixt their memories The Bishops of Hereford so highly honoured this Thomas that waving their ancient Arms they assumed the paternal Coate of Cantilupe viz. Gules 3 Leopards heads inverted each with a Flower de Luce in his Mouth Or to be successively the Arms of their See This Cantilupe lived the latest of any Englishman who was canonized so that blind zeal may even close her Stomack and make up her Mouth with the Sweet-meats of his memory Martyrs Sir JOHN Son to Sir Thomas OLDCASTLE was a Native of this County whereof he was Sheriff in the seventh of Henry the fourth Lord Cobham in the right of his Wife a right valiant man but great follower of VVickliffe so that he lost his life on that account As his body was hanged and burnt in an unusual posture at Tyburne so his memory hath ever since been in a strange suspense betwixt Malefactour and Martyr Papists charging him with Treason against King Henry the fifth and heading an Army of more then ten thousand men though it wanted nine thousand nine hundred ninety and nine thereof so far as it appears solidly proved But it hath ever been the Practice of the Devil and his instruments angry with Gods Servants for their Religion to accuse them for Sedition perceiving Princes generally more jealous of their own honour then Gods Glory and most careful to cut off such as oppose their power or persons Thus Christ was accused for Disloyalty to Caesar and St. Paul for raifing of Tumults though they as it is plain in the Text either raised themselves or were raised by the Pharisees and Saducees Pauls professed Enemies But I have so worne out the Neb of my Pen in my Church-History about clearing the Innocency of this worthy Knight that I have nothing to add new thereunto Marian Martyrs this Diocess affordeth none such the Moderation of Robert Parfew the Bishop thereof Cardinal ADAM de EASTON We were at a great losse had we but his bare Sirname to direct us to the place of his Nativity seeing scarcely one County in England which hath not one or more Eastons or Eatons the same in effect therein But thanks be to our Author who hath fixed his Birth though but with an ut videtur in this Shire Pretenders to Skill in Palmestry would perswade us that such the Table in whose hands is narrow beneath and broad above are marked out for Poverty in their youth and plenty in their old Age. I will not say such the Signature in the hands of our Adam but sure I am such his successe Mean his birth homely his breeding hard his fare till by his Industry he was advanced Dr. of Divinity in Oxford wherein he became a great Scholar skill'd in Greek and Hebrew rare accomplishments in that age and was very dexterous in all civil Negotiations He was afterwards made Cardinal with the Title of St. Cicilie by Pope Urban against whom Clement the seventh was elected and erected by others Fierce the Fight between Bears and Boars but far fiercer betwixt two Anti-Popes giving no Quarter to the opposite party if brought into their power Urban suspecting Treachery in some of his Cardinals imprisoned seven of them at once and puting five of them into Sacks sunk them into the Sea Oh most barbarous Urbanity Our Adam being the sixth hardly escaped with Life and may be said in some sort put into a Sack though of a larger size I mean a streight Dungeon where he remained half starved for five years together till the
may be said to have ushered him to the English Court whilest the Lady Lucy Countess of Bedford led him by the one hand and William Earl of Pembroke by the other supplying him with a support far above his patrimonial income The truth is Sommersets growing daily more wearisome made Villiers hourly more welcome to K. James Soon after he was knighted created successively Baron Viscount Villiers Earl Marquess Duke of Buckingham and to bind all his honours the better together the noble Garter was bestowed upon him And now Offices at Court not being already void were voided for him The Earl of Worcester was perswaded to part with his place of Master of the horse as the Earl of Nottingham with his Office of Admiral and both conferred on the Duke He had a numerous and beautiful female kindred so that there was hardly a noble Stock in England into which one of these his Cients was not grafted Most of his Neices were matched with little more portion then their Uncles smiles the forerunner of some good Office or Honour to follow on their Husbands Thus with the same act did he both gratifie his kindred and fortifie himself with noble alliance It is seldome seen that two Kings father and Son tread successively in the same Tract as to a Favourite but here King Charles had as high a kindness for the Duke as K. James Thenceforward he became the Plenipotentiary in the English Court some of the Scottish Nobility making room for him by their seasonable departure out of this Life The Earl of Bristoll was justled out the Bishop of Lincoln cast flat on the Floor the Earls of Pembroke and Carlisle content to shine beneath him Holland behind him none even with much lesse before him But it is generally given to him who is the little God at the Court to be the great Devil in the Countrey The Commonalty hated him with a perfect hatred and all miscarriages in Church and 〈◊〉 at Home Abroad at Sea and Land were 〈◊〉 on his want of Wisdom Valour or Loyalty John â—…elton a melancholy malecontented Gentleman and a sullen Souldier apprehending himself injured could find no other way to revenge his conceived wrongs then by writing them with a point of a Knife in the heart of the Duke whom he stabbed at Portsmouth Anno Dom. 1620. It is hard to say how many of this Nation were guilty of this murther either by publick praising or private approving thereof His person from head to foot could not be charged with any blemish save that some Hypercriticks conceived his Brows somewhat over pendulous a cloud which in the judgement of others was by the beams of his Eyes sufficiently dispelled The Reader is remitted for the rest of his Character to the exquisite Epitaph on his magnificent Monument in the Chappel of Henry the Seventh Capital Judges Sir ROBERT BELKNAP Being bred in the Study of the Laws he became Chief Justice of the Common Pleas October the 8. in the 48. of King Edward the third and so continued till the general Rout of the Judges in the wonder-working Parliament the eleventh of Richard the second when he was displaced on this occasion The King had a mind to make away certain Lords viz. His Unkle the Duke of Glocester the Earls of Arundel Warwick Darby Nottingham c. Who in the former Parliament had been appointed Governors of the Kingdome For this purpose he called all the Judges before him to Nottingham where the Kings many Questions in fine were resolved into this Whether he might by His Regal power revoke what was acted in Parliament To this all the Judges Sir VVilliam Skipwith alone excepted answered affirmatively and subscribed it This Belknap underwrote unwillingly as foreseeing the danger and putting to his seal said these words There wants nothing but an hurdle an horse and an halter to carry me where I may suffer the Death I deserve for if I had not done this I should have dyed for it and because I have done it I deserve death for betraying the Lords Yet it had been more for his credit and conscience to have adventured a Martyrdome in the defence of the Laws then to hazzard the death of a Malefactour in the breach therof But Judges are but men and most desire to decline that danger which they apprehend nearest unto them In the next Parliament all the Judges were arrested in VVestminster-hall of high treason when there was a Vacation in Term time till their places were resupplied Sir R. Tresilian Cheif Justice of the Kings Bench was executed The rest thus named and reckoned up in the printed Statutes Robert Belknap John Holt John Cray William Burgh Roger Fulthorp all Judges and Knights with J. Locktan Serjeant at Law had their lands save what were intailed with their goods and chattels forfeited to the King their persons being banished and they by the importunate intercession of the Queen hardly escaping with their lives Belknap is placed in this County only because I find a worshipful family of his name fixed therein whereof one was High Sheriff in the 17. of K. Henry the 7. Provided this be no prejudice to Sussex the same Name being very ancient therein Sir ROBERT CATELIN descended from the ancient Family of the Catelins of Raunds in Northampton shire as doth appear by the Heralds visitation was born at Biby in this County He was bred in the Study of the Municipal Laws profiting so well therein that in the first of Q. Elizabeth he was made Lord Cheif Justice of the Kings Bench. His Name hath some allusion to the Roman Senator who was the Incendiary of that State though in Nature far different as who by his Wisdom and Gravity was a great support to his Nation One point of Law I have learned from him at the Tryall of Thomas Duke of Norfolk who pleaded out of Bracton that the Testimonies of Forreigners the most pungent that were brought against him were of no Validity Here Sir Robert delivered it for Law that in case of Treason they might be given in for evidence and that it rested in the Brest of the Peers whether or no to afford credit unto them He had one as what man hath not many Fancy that he had a prejudice against all those who write their Names with an alias and took exceptions at one in this respect saying that no honest man had a double name or came in with an alias The party asked him what exceptions his Lordship could take at Jesus Christ alias Jesus of Nazareth He dyed in the Sixteenth year of Queen Elizabeth and his Coat of Arms viz. Party per Cheveron Azure and Or 3 Lions passant Guardant counterchanged a Cheif Pearl is quartered by the Right Honourable the Lord Spencer Earl of Sunderland this Judges Daughter and Sole Heir being married to his Ancestor Some forty years since a Gentleman of his name and kindred had a Cause in the Upper-Bench to
West-Langton in this County bred a Carmelite in London but first brought up in Oxford He wrote a Book of their own ordinary Acts another called The Tryal of Henry Crump Doctor in Divinity another Book against the Errors of the said Doctor Crump Reader We are beholden to my Author for retriving this Writers memory which otherwise appears not in Leland Bale or Pits He flourished under K. Henry the fourth anno Dom. 1400. ROBERT DE HARBY was born at Harby in this County bred a Carmelite in their Covent at Lincolne He seems to be a Doctor in Divinity and surely was a great Adorer of the Virgin Mary writing many Sermons of her Festivities He flourished 1450. RICHARD TURPIN was born at Knaptoft in this County very lately if not still in the possession of that antient Family and was one of the Gentlemen of the English Garrison of Calis in France in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth Such Soldiers generally in time of VVar had too much in time of Peace to little work to employ themselves therein Commendable therefore the Industry of this Richard who spent his spare hours in writing of a Chronicle of his time He dyed Anno Domini 1541. in the 〈◊〉 fifth year of the aforesaid Kings reign This I observe the rather that the Reader may not run with me on the rock of the same mistake who in my apprehension confounded him with Richard Turpin the Herauld first Blew-mantle and then created Winsor in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth Writers Since the Reformation HENRY SMITH Commonly called Silver-tongued Smith Preacher at St. Clemenâ—…s Danes But I refer the Reader to his Life writ by me at large and preposed to his Printed Sermons JOHN DUPORT D. D. Son to Tho. Duport Esquire was born at Shepshed in this County bred fellow then Master of Jesus Colledge in Cambridge once Proctour and thrice Vice-chancelour of that University He was one of the Translators of the Bible and a Reverend man in his Generation who bestowed the perpetual Advowsance of the Rectory of Harston on the Colledge Men generally in Scripture are notified by their Fathers seldome by their Sons as Simon of Cyrene father of Alexander and Rufus Persons no doubt of signal worth in that Age. Thus this Doctor is remarkable for his Son by Rachel Daughter to Richard Cox Bishop of Ely James Duport D.D. Fellow of Trinity Colledge and lately Greek Professor happy in the Education of many hopefull Pupils of Worship and Honour as they more happy in so able a Tutor His Father D. John Duport deceased 1617. WILLIAM BURTON Esquire son of Ralph Burton of Lindley in this County who had a more ancient Inheritance belonging to his name at Falde in Staffordshire a place remarkable because no Adder Snake or Lizard common in the Confines were ever seen therein as if it were a Land-Island and an Ireland in England This VVilliam was born at Lindley August 24. 1575. bred in Brazen-nose Colledge and wrote an Alphabetical Description of the Towns and Villages in this County with the Arms and Pedegrees of the most ancient Gentry therein The sparks of his Ingenuity herein have since set fire on Mr. Dugdale my worthy Friend to do the like to Warwickshire lately under one Sheriff with Leicester-shire and I hope in process of time they may inflame many others into imitation that so give me leave to match an English and Greek word together the County Graphy of our Land may be compleated ROBERT BURTON his younger Brother born Febr. 8. 1575. afterwards Student of Christs-Church Oxon and Batchellor of Divinity He wrote an excellent Book commonly called Democritus Junior of the Anatomy of Melancholy none to the Native to describe a Countrey wherein he hath piled up variety of much excellent Learning On whose Tomb is this Epitaph Paucis notus paucioribus `ignotus Hic jacet Democritus junior Cui vitam-pariter mortem Dedit Melancholia Scarce any Book of Philology in our Land hath in so short a time passed so many Impressions He died Rector of Segrave presented by his Patron George Lord Berkeley in this County about 1636. RICHARD VINES was born at Blazon in this County and bred in Magdalen Colledge in Cambridge where he commenced Master of Arts. Now although many healthfull souls in their age break out in their youth he was never given to any extravagancy Hence he was chosen School-master of Hinckley in this County a Profession wherein many a good Minister hath been and it is pity that any but a good man should be imployed Entring the Ministry after other intermediate places such as are his Censurers would be his Compurgators if privie to the weighty causes of his just removal he was fixed at last at S. Lawrence Jury in Lonâ—…on An excellent Preacher skilfull to cut out Doctrines in their true shape naturally raised to sew them up with strong stitches substantially proved and set them on with advantage on such backs who should wear them effectually applied He was one yea I may say one of sevenscore in the Assembly The Champion of their Party therefore called their Luther much imployed in their Treaties at Uxbridge and Isle of Wight His Majesty though of a different Judgement valued him for his Ingenuity seldome speaking unto him without touching if not moving his Hat Which by Master Vines was returned though otherwise blunt and unobservant with most respectfull Language and Gestures which I will not say was done by all his fellow Divines there present He was most charitably moderate to such as dissented from him though most constant to his own Principles witness his forsaking of his Mastership of Pembroke-Hall for refusing of the Engagement Such who charged him with covetuousness are confuted with the small Estate he left to his Wife and Children It seemeth that the sand in his hour-glass though sticking high on each side was but hollow in the middle for it sunk down on sudden Visible decays appeared in him a year before his death though rather in his Limbs than Parts Spirits than Spirit But alas the best Mind cannot make good Musick where the Instrument of the Body is out of tune his speech grew very low Not a week before his death preaching in S. Gregories a rude fellow cried out unto him Lift up your voice for I cannot hear you to whom Mr. Vines returned Lift you up your ears for I can speak no lowder Indeed his strength was much spent by his former pains so that some suppose had he wrought less he had lived longer He was buried Febr. the 7. 1655. in his own Parish Church where Mr Jacome modestly and learnedly performed his Funeral Sermon Much lamented as by many others so by his own Parish where he piously indeavoured to make them all of one piece who were of different colours and to unite their Judgements who dissented in Affections JOHN CLEVELAND was born in this County at Hinckley where his Father was Vicâ—…r
with small successe to do good offices betwixt the two Kingdomes Coming into England to visit her Brother K. Edward the third she deceased here without issue Anno 1357. and lyeth buried in Gray-Friers London It will not be amiss in Reference to her Name here to observe that Joan which is Feminine to John was a frequent name in the Royal Family of England as also amongst Foreign Princes and no wonder seeing we find a worthy woman of that name Benefactresse to our Saviour himself However seeing in later times it hath been counted but a Course and homely name and some Proverbs of Contempt have been cast thereon it hath since been m ollified into Jane sounding finer it seemes to an English eare though this modern name will hardly be found in any English writer three hundred yeares ago KATHERINE youngest Daughter to K. Henry the 7. and Elizabeth his Queen was born in the Tower of London on the 2 day of February Anno Dom. 1503. deceasing few dayes after It is a sad and probably too true an account of an Antient man which is given in his Epitaph Here lies the man was born and cry'd Liv'd sixty yeares fell sick and dy'd What was a bad Character of his aged unprofitablenesse is a good one of this infant Ladies innocence of whom we know nothing save that she sucked fell sick and deceased Only let me adde she was the last Princesse born in the Tower our English Kings hereafter removing their residence to Bridewel and White-hall and using the Tower not so much as a Palace for the State as Prison for the strength thereof ANNA BOLLEN Daughter of the Lord Thomas Bollen Earl of Wiltshire was as some of her Honourable relations still surviving do conjecture born in London and became second Wife to K. Henry 8th Indeed he passionately affected her when but a Lords Daughter but did not marry her till she was a Princesse Created by him Marchionesse of Pembroke partly to make her the more proportionable Match and partly to try how she would become a â—…oronet before she wore a Crown The Papists much disparage her memory malice will lye or must be dumb making all her Wit to consist in Boldnesse her Beauty in a French garb and her Modesty in a Cunning â—…oynesse whereas indeed she was a Lady accomplished in Body was it likely K. Henry would love what was not lovely and Vertuous in Mind and whilst a Favourite of the Kings a Favourer of all good men and great Promoter of the Gospel The Inconstancy of her husbands affections is conceived by most moderate men what else soever was pretended her chiefest crime and cause of her death which happened Anno 1536. KATHERINE HOWARD Daughter to the Lord Edmond Howard son to Thomas Duke of Norfolk was though her father had large lands and houses in many places probably born in London and at last became fifth wife to K. Henry the eighth Such as desire to know the names number and successe of all six may conceive K. Henry thus speaking on his death bed Three Kates two Nans and one dear Jane I wedded One Spanish one Dutch and four English Wives From two I was divorc'd two I beheaded One died in childbed and one me survives Of this Katherine Howard little is reported and yet too much if all be true of her incontinency which cost her her life The greatest good the Land got by this match was a general leave to marry Cousin-Germans formerly prohibited by the Canon and hereafter permitted by the Common-law A door of lawful liberty left open by God in Scripture shut by the Pope for his private profit opened again by the King first for his own admittance this Katherine being Cousin-German to Anna Bollen his former Wife and then for the service of such Subjects as would follow him upon the like occasion This Lady was beheaded Anno Domini 1540. Saints Not to speak of St. Sedd born in this City and afterwards Bishop thereof of whom we find nothing reported save that he was very instrumental to the converting of the Mercians we begin with WULSINE who was born in this City of worthy Parents breeding him up in the Devotion of that age and became a Benedictine Monk till at last by his fast friend St. Dunstan he was preferred first Abbot of Westminster whence he was afterwards removed to be Bishop of Sherburne in Dorsetshire A mighty Champion he was for a Monastical life and therefore could not be quiet till he had driven all the secular priests out of Sherburne and substituted Monks in their room I read not of any Miracle done by him either whilst living or when dead save that in the juncture of both he is said with St. Stephen to have seen Heavens opened c. He had contracted great intimacy with one Egeline a virtuous Knight who died on the same day with him and he injoyned his Monks that they should both be buried in one Grave their joynt death happened January the 8th Anno 985. THOMAS BECKET son to Gilbert Becket Merchant and Maud his wife was born in this City in the place where now Mercers-Chappel is erected I have Reader been so prodigal in the large description of his life in my Ecclesiastical History that I have no new observable left to present you with Onely when I consider of the multitude of vows made by superstitious Pilgrims to his Sbrine where the stones were hallowed with their bended knees I much admire at their Will-worship no vowes appearing in Scripture but what were made to God alone And therefore most impudent is the attempt of those Papists tampering to corrupt Holy Writ in favour of such vowes reading in the Vulgar Latine Prov. 20. 25. Ruina est homini devotare Sanctos post vota retractare Instead of Ruina est homini devorare Sancta post vota retractare It is a snare to a man who often maketh vowes to Saints and after vowes retracteth them It is a snare to a man who devoureth that which is holy and after vowes to make enquiry This Becket was slain as is notoriously known on Innocents-day in his own Church of Canterbury 1170. Martyrs WILLIAM SAUTRE alià s Chatris Parish-Priest of the Church of St. Osiths London was the first Englishman that was put to death by fire for maintaining the opinions of Wicliffe In the Primitive times pardon Reader no impertinent digression such the lenity and tendernesse of the Fathers of the Church towards Hereticks that contenting themselves with condemning their blasphemous opinions they proceeded to no penalty on their persons Yea in after ages when the Christian Emperour would have punisht the furious Donatists with a pecunlary mulct the Holy men of those times so earnestly interceded as to procure the remission And St. Augustine himself who was most zealous in his writing against those Donatists professeth he had rather be himself slain by them than by detecting them be
him renow'd throughout the Christian world Yet such the bafeness and ingratitude of the French that concluding a Peace with O. C. the Usurper of England they wholy forgot his former services and consented to the expulsion of this Prince and his royal brothers out of that Kingdome 〈◊〉 valour cannot long lye neglected soon was he courted by Don John de Austria into Flanders where in the action at Dunkirk he far surpassed his former deeds often forgetting that he was a Prince to shew himself a true souldier such his hazarding his person really worth ten thousand of them to the great molestation of his true friends Since God out of his infinite love to the English hath safely returned this Duke to his native Country where that he may long live to be the joy and delight of the whole Nation I shall constantly beg of God in my daily devotions ELIZABETH second daughter of King Charles the first and Queen Mary was born at Saint James's Anno 1635. on the 28. day of December She proved a Lady of parts above her age the quickness of her mind making recompence for the weakness of her body For the remainder of her life I will my hold peace and listen to my good friend Master John Buroughs thus expressing himself in a letter unto me The Princess Elizabeth with her Brother Henry Duke of Glocester being by order of parliament to be removed to Carisbroke-castle in the Isle of Wight where his Most Excellent Maiesty was lately a Prisoner were accordingly received by Mr. Anthony Mild may from the Earl and Countess of Leceister at Penshurst in Kent and began their unwilling journey on Friday 9. of August 1650. On the 16. of the same Month they were first lodged in Carisbroke-castle aforesaid The Princess being of a melancholy temper as affected above her age with the sad condition of her Family fell sick about the beginning of September following and continuâ—… 〈◊〉 for three or four days having onely the Advise of Doctor Bignall a worthy and able 〈◊〉 of Newport After very many rare ejaculatory expressions abundantly demonstrating her unparalelled Piety to the eternal honour of her own memory and the astonishment of those who waited on her she took leave of the world on Sunday the eighth of the same September Her body being embalmed was carefully disposed of in a Coffin of Lead and on the four 〈◊〉 twentieth of the said Month was brought in a Borrowed Coach from the Castle to the Town of Newport attended thither with her few late Servants At the end of the 〈◊〉 the Corps were met and waited on by the Mayor and Aldermen thereof in their formalities to the Church where about the middle of the East part of the Chancel in Saint Thomas 〈◊〉 Chappel her Highness was interr'd in a small Vault purposely made with an Inscription of the date of her death engraved on her Coffin The 〈◊〉 of Norway where a Winters day is hardly an hour of clear light are the 〈◊〉 of wing of any Foul under the firmament nature teaching them to bestir themselves to lengthen the shortness of the time with their swiftness Such the active piety of this Lady improving the little life alloted her in running the way of Gods Commandeâ—… 〈◊〉 third daughter to King Charles the first and Queen Mary was born at 〈◊〉 James's March 17. Anno Domini 1637. She was a very pregnant Lady above 〈◊〉 and died in her infancy when not full four years old Being minded by those 〈◊〉 her to call upon God even when the pangs of death were upon her I am not able saith she to say my long prayer meaning the Lords-prayer but I will say my short one Lighten mine eyes O Lord lest I sleep the sleep of death this done the little lamb gave up the ghost KATHARINE fourth daughter to King Charles the first and Queen Mary was born at White hall the Queen-Mother then being at Saint James's and survived not above half an hour after her baptizing So that it is charity to mention her whose memory is likely to be lost so short her continuance in this life The rather because her name is not entred as it ought into the Register of Saint Martins in the fields as indeed none of the Kings children save Prince Charles though they were born in that Parish And hereupon a story depends I am credibly informed that at the birth of every child of the King born at Whitehall or Saint James's full five pounds were ever faithfully paid to some unfaithful receivers thereof to record the names of such children in the Register of Saint Martins But the money being embâ—…iled we know by some God knows by whom no memorial is entred of them Sad that bounty should betray any to such baseness and that which was intended to make them the more solemnly remembred should occasion that they should be more silently forgotten Say not let the children of mean persons be written down in Registers Kings children are Registers to themselves or all England is a Register to them For sure I am this common confidence hath been the cause that we have been so often at a loss about the nativities and other properties of those of Royal extraction CHARLES STUART son to the Illustrious James Stuart Duke of York by Anne daughter to the Right Honourable Edward Hide Earl of Clarendon and Lord Chancellour of England and Frances his Lady descended of the Ancient Family of the Aylesburies High-sheriffs for many years together of Bedford and Buckinghamshire in the reign of King Edward the second and third was born at Worcester-house 22. day of October 1660. and christened by the Right Reverend Father in God Gilbert L. Bishop of London his Majesty and George Duke of Albemarle being his God-fathers and Mary the Queen-mother his God-mother He was declared Duke of Cambridge a title which to the great honour of that University for these four hundred years hath been onely conferred either on forraign Princes or persons of the Royal Bloud This Princely infant dyed May 5. 1661. Saints Saint WULSY being a man reputed when living and reported when dead of great vertue and innocency Was by Saint Dunstan created the first Abbot of Westminster where he lived many years very exemplary for his conversation untill his death which happened Anno Dom. 960. Then was his body buried in the same Monastery and the 26. day of September was kept by the Citizens of London with great Veneration of his miracle-working memory Martyrs I meet with none in this City and in my mean Judgment it is most observable that London having two Pages as I may term them attending it viz. Westminster and Southwark both joyned to it in buildings should be so different from it in condition in London we have no room to hold Martyrs in the other two no Martyrs to take up any room Inquiring the cause thereof we find these three places though contiguous not to say
the lands belonging to the Church of Norwich which formerly he had so industriously recovered and setled thereon were again called into question being begged by a Peer who shall pass nameless Sir Edward desired him to desist telling him that otherwise he would put on his Gown and Cap and come into Westminster-hall once again and plead there in any Court in Justification of what he had done He died at Stoke Poges in Buckingham-shire on Wednesday the 3. of September being the 83. year of his age whose last words were Thy Kingdome come Thy will be done Sir THOMAS RICHARDSON Knight was born at Mulbarton in this County his father being Minister thereof He was bred in the study of our Municipal-law and became the Kings Serjeant therein Afterwards on the 28. of November 1626. he was sworn Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas that place having been void ten months before But coming now to our own times it is safest for me to break off Virgil I remember put a period to his Eclogue with Et Hylax in limine latrat VVe 'l Verfifie no more For do but hark Hylax doth bark at th' entrance of the Dore. Seeing many will be ready to carp it is safest for me to be silent whilst his Brass Monument on the South-side of VVestminster Abby thus entertaineth the Reader Deo Om. Thomae Richardsoni Iceni Equitis Aurati Humanum Depositum Ille Juris Municip omnes gradus exantlavit Conventus tertii ordinis ann Jacobi Regis 21 22. Prolocutor extitit Fori civilis Communium Placitorum vocant Supremum Magistratum quinquennium gessit Ad summum tandem primarii per Angliam judicis Tribunal A Rege Carolo evectus expiravit Anno aetatis 66. salutis MDCXXXIIII Tho. Richardson fil unicus Eques Aur. Baro Scotiae designatus Patri incomparabili posuit This Judge married for his second Lady Elizabeth Beaumont the sister as I take it of Mary Countess of Buckingham and the Relict of ........ Ashburnham Knight She was by King Charles Created Baroness of Craumount in Scotland and though issueless by the Judge the Honour descended to his Grand-child Souldiers ROBERT VENILE Knight one I confess whose name I never heard of till meeting with this memorable Note in a Modern Historian And here must not be forgotten Robert Venile Knight a Norfolk man who when the Scots and English were ready to give battle a certain stout Champion of great stature commonly called Tournboll coming out of the Scots Army and challenging any English man to meet him in a single combate this Robert Venile accepteth the challenge and marching towards the Champion and meeting by the way a certain black Mastife dog which waited on the Champion he suddenly with his sword cut him off at the loyns and afterwards did more to the Champion himself cutting his head from off his shoulders This put me with blushing enough that one so eminent in himself should be altogether to me obscure upon the inquiry after this valiant Knight but all my industry could not retrive him in any author so that he seems to me a kin to those spirits who appear but once and finally vanish away Sir OLIVER HINGHAM was born richly landed and buried in Hingham an eminent Market-town in this County A right valiant man whom King Edward the third left Governour of Aquitain in France an honorable but difficult place being to make good a great Country with a few men against a fierce and numerous enemy Yet he gave a good account of his trust When the French lay before Burdeaux the Citizens thereof to abuse the enemies hopes set open their gates displaying the Golden-lilies the French-armes on their Towers as if they were theirs the French were no sooner securely entred but brave Oliver Captain of this City and Warden of the whole Country for King Edward gave them such an entertainment that they drank not so much Claret-wine in the City as they left Bloud behi nd them This happ'ned in the thirteenth year of the reign of King Edward the third This Sir Oliver liv'd many years after and was made Knight of the Garter and lies buried at Hingham under a fair tomb of free-stone curiously wrought with his resemblance in his Coat-Armour having a Crowned Owle out of an Ivy-bush for his Crest lying upon a Rock beholding Sun Moon and Stars because a great Travailer all lively set forth in metal with four and twenty mourners about his monument JOHN FASTOLFE Knight was a native of this County as I have just cause to believe though some have made him a French-man meerly because he was Baron of Sineginle in France on which account they may rob England of many other Worthies He was a Ward and that the last to John Duke of Bedford a sufficient evidence to such who understand time and place to prove him of English extraction To avouch him by many arguments valiant is to maintain that the sun is bright though since the Stage hath been over bold with his memory making him a Thrasonical Puff and emblem of Mock-valour True it is Sir John Oldcastle did first bear the brunt of the one being made the make-sport in all plays for a coward It is easily known out of what purse this black peny came The Papistsâ—…ailing â—…ailing on him for a Heretick and therefore he must also be a coward though indeed he was a man of arms every inch of him and as valiant as any in his age Now as I am glad that Sir John Oldcastle is put out so I am sorry that Sir John Fastolfe is put in to relieve his memory in this base service to be the anvil for every dull wit to strike upon Nor is our Comedian excusable by some alteration of his name writing him Sir John Falstafe and making him the property of pleasure for King Henry the fifth to abuse seeing the vicinity of sounds intrench on the memory of that worthy Knight and few do heed the inconsiderable difference in spelling of their name He was made Knight of the Garter by King Henry the sixth and died about the second year of his reign Sir CLEMENT PASTON Knight fourth son to Sir VVilliam Paston son to Sir John Paston a famous Soldier and favorite to King Edward the fourth sent by him with the Lord Scales to conduct the Lady Margaret the sister of the King to her husband Charles Duke of Burgundy son to VVilliam Paston the Judge was born at Paston in this County When a youth he was at the burning of Conquest in France and afterwards by King Henry the eight was made Captain of one of his ships of war and in a Sea-fight took a French Gally and therein the Admiral of France prisoner called the Baron of Blancard whom he brought into England and kept at Castor nigh rarmouth till he had payed 7000. crowns for his ransome besides the spoil of the Galley wherein he had a cup and two snakes of gold which were the
so the Cathedral dedicated unto him in this County challengeth the Precedency of all in England for a Majestick Western Front of Columel-work But alas This hath lately felt the misfortune of other Fabricks in this kind Yea as in a Gangrean one member is cut off to preserve the rest so I understand the Cloysters of this Cathedral were lately plucked down to repair the Body thereof and am heartily glad God in his mercy hath restored the onely remedy I mean its lands for the Cure thereof As for Civil Structures Holdenby-house lately carried away the credit built by Sir Christopher Hatton and accounted by him the last Monument of his Youth If Florence be said to be a City so fine that it ought not to be shown but on Holy-days Holdenby was a House which should not have been shown but on Christmas-day But alas Holedenby-house is taken away being the Embleme of human happiness both in the beauty and brittleness short flourishing and soon fading thereof Thus one demolishing Hammer can undoe more in a day then ten edifying Axes can advance in a Month. Next is Burleigh-house nigh Stamford built by William Lord Cecil Who so seriously compareth the late state of Holdenby and Burleigh will dispute wâ—…th himself whither the Offices of the Lord Chancellour or Treasurer of England be of greater Revenues seeing Holedenby may be said to show the Seal and Burleigh the Purse in their respective magnificence proportionable to the power and plenty of the two great Officers that built them Withorpe must not be forgot the least of Noble Houses and best of Lodges seeming but a dim reflection of Burleigh whence it is but a Mile distant It was built by Thomas Cecil Earl of Exeter to retire to as he pleasantly said out of the dust whilst his great House of Burleigh was a sweeping Castle Ashby the Noble Mansion of the Earl of Northampton succeeds most beautifull before a casual fire deformed part thereof But seeing fire is so furious a plunderer that it giveth whatsoever it taketh not away the condition of this house is not so much to be condoled as congratulated Besides these there be many others no County in England yeilding more Noble men no Noble men in England having fairer habitations And although the Freestone whereof they be built keepeth not so long the white innocence as Brick doth the blushing modesty thereof yet when the fresh luster is abated the full state thereof doth still remain The Wonders There is within the Demeasnes of Boughton the Barony of the Right Honorable Edward Lord Mountague a Spring which is conceived to turn wood into stone The truth is this the coldness of the water incrustateth wood or what else falleth into it on every side with a stony matter yet so that it doth not transubstantiate wood into stone For the wood remaineth entire within untill at last wholy consumed which giveth occasion to the former erroneous relation The like is reported of a Well in Candia with the same mistake that Quicquid incidit lapidescit But I have seen in Sidney-colledge in Cambridge a Skull brought thence which was candied over with stone within and without yet so as the bone remained intire in the middle as by a casual breach thereof did appear This Skull was sent for by King Charles and whilst I lived in the house by him safely again returned to the Colledge being a Prince as desirous in such cases to preserve others propriety as to satisfie his own curiosity Medicinal Waters Wellingborough-well Some may conceive it called Wellingborough from a sovereign Well therein anciently known afterwards obstructed with obscurity and re-discovered in our days But Master Camden doth marr their mart avouching the ancient name thereof Wedlingburough However thirty years since a water herein grew very famous insomuch that Queen Mary lay many weeks thereat What benefit her Majesty received by the Spring here I know not this I know that the Spring received benefit from her Majesty and the Town got credit and profit thereby But it seems all waters of this kind have though far from the Sea their ebbing and flowing I mean in esteem It was then full tide with Wellingburough-well which ever since hath abated and now I believe is at low water in its reputation Proverbs The Mayor of Northampton opens Oysters with his Dagger This Town being 80 miles from the Sea Sea fish may be presumed stale therein Yet have I heard that Oysters put up with care and carried in the cool were weekly brought fresh and good to Althrope the house of the Lord Spencer at equal distance Sweeter no doubt then those Oysters commonly carried over the Alpes well nigh 300. miles from Venice to Viena and there â—…eputed far fetch'd and deer bought daintes to great persons though sometimes very valiant their savour Nor is this a wonder seeing Plinny tell us that our English Oysters did Romanis culinis servire Serve the Kitchings of Rome Pickled as some suppose though others believe them preserved by an ingenious contrivance Epicures bear their brains in there bowels and some conceive them carried in their shells But seeing one of their own Emperours gave for his Motto Bonus odor hâ—…stis melior Civis occisi Good is the smell of an Enemy but better the smell of a Citizen of Rome killed I say unto such a Roman-Nose stinking may be better then sweet Oysters and to their Palates we 'll leave them He that must eat a buttered Fagot let him go to Northampton Because it is the dearest Town in England for fuel where no Coles can come by Water and little Wood doth grow on Land Camden saith of this County in general that it is Silvis nisi in ulteriori citeriori parte minùs laetus And if so when he wrote fifty years since surely it is less wooddy in our age What reformation of late hath been made in mens judgments and manners I know not sure I am that deformation hath been great in trees and timber who verily believe that the clearing of many dark places where formerly plenty of wood is all the new light this age produced Pity it is no better provision is made for the preservation of woods whose want will be soonest for our fire but will be saddest for our water when our naval walls shall be decayed Say not that want of wood will put posterity on witty inventions for that supply seeing he is neither pious nor prudent parent who spends his patrimony on design that the industry and ingenuity of his son may be quick'ned thereby Princes ELIZABETH daughter of Sir Richard Woodevill by the Lady Jaquet his wife formerly the relict of John Duke of Bedford was born at Grafton Honour in this County in proof whereof many stronge presumptions may be produced Sure I am if this Grafton saw her not first a child it beheld her first a Queen when married to King Edward the fourth This Elizabeth was widow to Sir John Grey who
justly suspected and I reserve his character to be ranked amongst the Benefactors to the Publique Prelates RICARD of NORTHAMPTON ADAM of NORTHAMPTON We compound them for several reasons First because natives of the same Town Secondly both going over into Ireland there became Bishops of the same See Thirdly because the history of them is single so slender it cannot subsist alone though twisted together it is posible that their memories may support one the other For we have nothing more of them then the dates of their Consecrations and Deaths The former Consecrated Bishop of Fernose October the 13. 1282. dyed Anno 1304. The later Consecrated 1322. died October the 29. 1346. having first seen his Cathedral Church burnt and destroyed by the Rebells WILLIAM le ZOUCH son to Lord Zouch was born at Haringworth in this County as a branch of thar Honorable Family still alive and Critical in their Pedigrees hath credably informed me From Dean he became Arch-bishop of York 1342. King Edward the third going over to France committed the North to the care of this Prelate Soon after David King of Scots with a great Army invaded it he promised himself Cesars success to Come and Conquer See and Subdue The rather because he believed that he floure of the English Chivalry being gone into France onely Priests and Peasants were left behind Our Arch-bishop with such forces as he could suddenly provide bid him Battle at Durham on Saint Lukes Eve whereon the Scotch King found such a fast he had little list to feast the day following being routed and taken Prisoner Hence a Poet of that age Est pater invictus sicco de stipite dictus Zouch in French signifying the dry stump of a stick However his honorable Family flourished as a Green Tree for many years till withered in our memory when Edward the last Lord Zouch dyed without Issue male in the beginning of King Charles To return to our Prelate he began a beautiful Chappel on the South-side of his Cathedral intending to be interred therein But dying before the finishing thereof was buried before the Altar of Saint Edmund 1352. ROBERT BRAYBROOKE was born at a Village in this County well known for the carkase of a Castle therein He was Consecrated Bishop of London January 5. 1381. â—…nd afterwards for six Months was Chancellour of England He dyed 1404. being buried under a Marble-stone in the Chappel of Saint Mary Which is all we can recover of this Prelate and if it be enough to satisfie the Readers hunger he need not leave any thing for manners in the dish LIONELL WYDEVILL or WOODVILL was born at Grafton since called Grafton honor in this County bred in the University of Oxford whereof for a time he was Chancellour then made Bishop of Sarisbury 1482. As he was at first preferred so his memory is still supported from sinking in Silence rather by the Buttresses of his great relations then the foundation of his own deserts For he was Son to Jaquet Dutchess of Bedford and Richard Wydevill E. of Rivers Brother to Elizabeth Q. of England Brother in-law to King Edward the fourth Uncle to King Edward the fiâ—…t and Father say some to Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester Heart-broken with grief with the Tragedies he beheld in his own family caused by the cruelty of King Richard the third he died about the year of our Lord 1484. Since the Reformation JAMES MONTAâ—…UE son to Sir Edward Montague Knight was born at Boughton in this County bred in Christs-colledge in Cambridge He was afterwards Master or rather Nursing father to Sidney-colledge For he found it in Bonds to pay 20. Marks per annum to Trinity-colledge for the ground whereon it is built and left it free assigning it a rent for the discharge thereof When the Kings Ditch in Cambridge made to defend it by its Strength did in his time offend it with its Stenche he expended a hundred marks to bring running water into it to the great conveniency of the University He was afterwards Bishop first of Bath and VVells then of VVinchester being highly in favour with King James who did ken a man of merrit as well as any Prince in Christendome He translated the works of King James into Latine and improved his greatness to do good offices therewith He died Anno Domini 1618. and lyeth buried within his fair Monument within his fairer Monument I mean a goodly Tombe in the Church of Bath which oweth its well being and beauty to his Munificence FRANCIS GODWIN son to Thomas Godwin Bishop of Bath and VVells was born at Hanningham in this County bred in Christs-church in Oxford Doctor of Divinity and Sub-Dean of Exeter He was born in the fourth year of the raign of Queen Elizabeth Anno 1561. and in the fortieth year of his age 1601. by her Majesty made Bishop of Landaffe A bishoprick better proportioned to his modesty then merits as which was much impaired by his predecessor so that one did tâ—…uly say A bad Kitching did for ever spoil the good Meat of the Bishops of Landaffe He was a good Man grave Divine skilful Mathematician pure Latinist and incomparable Historian The Church of Landaffe was much beholding to him yea the whole Church of England yea the whole Church Militant yea many now in the Church Triumphant had had their memories utterly lost on Earth if not preserved by his painfull endeavours in his Catalogue of English Bishops I am sorry to see that some have since made so bad use of his good labours who have lighted their Candles from his Torch thereby meerly to discover the faults of our Bishops that their Personal failings may be an argument against the Prelatical function He was translated by King James to the Bishoprick of Hereford and died very aged in the reign of King Charles Anno Domini 162. JOHN OWEN was born at Burton Latimers in this County his father being the worthy and grave Minister thereof He was bred a Fellow in Jesus-colledge in Cambridge where he commenced Doctor of Divinity and was Chaplain to King Charles whilst he was a Prince A modest man who would not own the worth he had in himself and therefore others are the more ingaged to give him his due esteem In the vacancy of the Bishop wrick of Saint Asaff King Charles being much troubled with two Competitours advanced Doctor Owen not thinking thereof as an expedient to end the Contest Indeed his Majesty was mistaken in his birth accounting him a Welch-man but not in his worth seeing he deserved a far better preferment Besides he was though not Ortus oriundus è Wallia and by his father being a Welchman he was related to all the best families in North-wales He out-lived his Vote in Parliament and survived to see all contempt cast on his Order which he bare with much moderation and dyed Anno Dom. 164. ROBERT SKINNER D. D. was born at Pisford in this County where his father was
he was condemned for siding with Queen Jane but pardoned his life and restored to his lands as by Queen Elizabeth to his honour Much was he given to Musick and Poetry and wanted not personal valour not unskillful though unsuccessful in Military Conduct as in the imployment against Ket He died Anno Domini 1571. without Issue Queen MARY 1 THOMAS TRESSAM Mil. He was a person of great command in this County and was zealous against the Court Faction in proclaiming and promoting Q. Mary to the Crown She therefore in gratitude made him the first and last Lord Prior of the re-erected Order of Saint Johns of Jerusalem Dying without Issue and being buried in Rushton Church his large lands descended to his Kinsman and Heir Thomas Tressam of whom hereafter Queen ELIZABETH 6 EDMUND BRUDENELL Arm. This is that worthy person of whom afterwards Knighted Master Camden entereth this honorable memorial Equibus Edmundus Brudenel Eques auratus non ita pridem defunctus venerandae antiquitatis summis fuit cultor admirator He may seem to have entailed his learned and liberal inclinations and abilities on his though not son heir Thomas Lord Brudenell of Stoughton then whom none of our Nobility more able in the English Antiquities 15 THOMAS TRESSAM Arm. The Queen Knighted him in the 18. year of her reign at Kenelworth Hard to say whether greater his delight or skill in buildings though more forward in beginning then fortunate in finishing his fabricks Amongst which the Market-house at Rothwell adorned with the armes of the Gentry of the County was highly commendable Having many daughters and being a great house-keeper he matched most of them into Honorable the rest of them into Worshipful and Wealthy Families He was zealous in the Romish perswasion though as yet not convicted which afterwards cost him a long confinement in Wisbich-Castle 20 THOMAS CECILL Mil. He was eldest son to Sir William Cecill then Baron of Burghley who would not have him by favour excused from serving his Country He afterwards was Earl of Exeter and married Dorothy one of the Co-heirs of the Lord Latimer These joyntly bestowed one hundred and eight pounds per annum on Clare-hall in Cambridge 24 THOMAS ANDREWS Arm. He attended the Execution of the Queen of Scots at Fotheringhay-Castle demeaning himself with much gravity to his great commendation 34 ANTHONY MILEMAY Esq. He was son to Sir Walter Privy-Councellor and Founder of Emanuel-colledge this Anthony was by Queen Elizabeth Knighted and sent over into France on an Embassy upon the same token he was at Geneva the same time Reader I have it from uncontrolable intelligence when Theodore Beza their Minister was convented before their Consistory and publiquely checqu'd for peaching too eloquently He pleaded that what they called eloquence in him was not affected but natural and promised to endeavour more plainness for the future Sir Anthony by Grace Co-heir to Sir Henry Sherington had one daughter Mary married to Sir Francis Fane afterwards Earl of Westmerland 43 ROBERT SPENCER Mil. He was the fifth Knight of his Family in an immediate succession well allied and extracted being a branch descended from the Spencers Earls of Gloucester and Winchester By King James in the first of his reign he was Created Baron Spencer of VVormeleiton in the County of VVarwick He was a good Patriot of a quick and clear spirit as by one passage may appear Speaking in Parliament of the valour of their English ancestors in defending the liberties of the Nation Your ancestours said the Earl of Arundel were keeping of sheep that Lord and his predecessours being known for the greatest Sheep-masters in England when those liberties were defended If they were in keeping of sheep return'd the other Yours were then in plotting of Treason Whose animosities for the present cost both of them a confinement yet so that afterwards the Upper House Ordered reparations to this Lord Spencer as first and causelesly provoked This Lord was also he who in the first of King James was sent with Sir VVilliam Dethick principal King of Armes to Frederick Duke of VVirtenberge elected into the Order of the Garter to present and invest him with the robes and ornaments thereof which were accordingly with great solemnity performed in the Cathedral of Studgard King JAMES 2 ARTHUR THROGKMORTON Mil. He was son to that eminent Knight Sir Nicholas Throgkmorton of whom in VVarwick shire and his Sister was married to Sir VValter Raleigh This Sir Arthur was a most ingenious Gentleman and dying without Issue-male his large estate was parted amongst his four daughters married to the Lord Dacres the Lord VVotton Sir Peter Temple of Stow Baronet and Sir Edward Partridge 3 JOHN FREEMAN Arm. He died without Issue and was a most bountiful Benefactour to Clare hall in Cambridge giving two thousand pounds to the founding of Fellowships and Scholarships therein 12 WILLIAM WILLMER Arm. He was the first Pensioner as Doctor James Mountague the first Master and Sir John Brewerton first Scholar of the House in Sidney-colledge being all three of them but in several proportions Benefactours to that Foundation 22 WILLIAM CHAUNCY Mil. These have been very but I know not how antient in this County but far antienter in Yorkshire For I meet with this Inscriptiou on a Monument at Sabridgeworth in Hertfordshire Hic jacent Johannes Chancy Ar. filius heres Johannis Chancy Ar. filii heredis Willielmi Chancy Mil. quondam Baronis de Shorpenbek in Com. Ebor. Anna uxor ejus una filiarum Johannis Leventhorpe Ar. qui quidem Johannes obiit VII Maii MCCCCLXXIX Annaii Decemb. MCCCCLXXVII quorum animabus It appeareth to me by a well proved pedegree that Henry Chancy Esq. of Yardlebury in Hertfordshire is the direct descendant from the aforesaid John Chancy whose Epitaph we have inserted King CHARLES 7 JOHN HEWET Baronet He had not one foot of land nor house hiring Hemington of the Lord Mountague in the whole County though several Statutes have provided that the Sheriffe should have sufficient land in the same Shire to answer the King and his people The best is this Baronet had a very fair estate elsewhere And as our English proverb saith VVhat is lost in the Hundred will be found in the Shire so what was lost in the Shire would be found in the Land However this was generally beheld as an injury that because he had offended a great Courtier the Sherivalty was by power imposed upon him The Farewell The worst I wish this my Native County is that Nine a River which some will have so term'd from Nine Tributary Rivolets were Ten I mean made navigable from Peterburg to Northampton A design which hath always met with many back-friends as private profit is though a secret a Sworn enemy to the general good Sure I am the Hollanders the best copy of thrift in Christendome teach their little ditches to bear Boats Not that their waters are more docible
de Sutton Roberti Doyle Rogeri Perponnt Thome Hercy Richardi Bevercotes Reberti Moresby Roberti Morewode Iohannis Clifton Roberti Dunham Iohannis Serlby Willielmi Wilbram Thome Genelâ—…y Thome Schâ—…feld Thome Anne Iohannis Rolley Iohannis atte Vikars Willielmi Boson Edm. Nornamuyle Richardi Gatford Iohannis Becard Willielmi Remston Richardi Strelly Thome Meryng Willielmi Lassels Iohannis Powerr Willielmi Powerr Ioh. Leâ—…k de Halom Thome Okere Philippi Barley Thome Warberton Iohannis Alferton Willielmi Alferton filius ejus Richardi Ranchestere de Wirssope Iohannis VVhite de Colyngam Iohannis Glouseter de Carcoston Richardi Walfeld de Newerk Roberti Kelom de Newerk Willielmi Skrynishire de Muskham Roberti Garnon de Muskham Ioh. Kelom de Kelom Rob. Darley de Thorp Thome Columboll de Thorp Riginaldi Shawe de Estwayte Gervasii Bampton de Beston Iohannis Mathewe de Sterroppe Willielmi Crecy de Markham Petri Creci de Markham Roberti Forsett de Grynley Will. Lord de Retford Roberti Wytham de Orston Radulphi â—…tuffin de Mansfeld Wodhous Iohannis Brannspath de Ragnell Ioh. Brannspath filius ejus de Ragnell Tho. Brannspath de Ragnell Rad. Barre de Ragnell Iohannis Crostes de Ragnell Iohannis Melton de Mormanton Willielmi Clerk de Gedlynge Radulphi Wilbram de VVestmerkham Galfridi Botelere de VVelhagh Rob. Norton de Kirton Iohannis Milnere de Allerton Will. Haley de Sutton Iohan. Morehagh de Mansfeld Ioh. Arnall de Arnall Iohan. Spondon de Newerk Iohan. Dennett de Newerk Hugonis Garnon de Muskham Iohan. Crumwell de Charleton Rob. Crumwell filius ejus de eadem Willielmi Daynell de Egmanton Edm. Berkyn de Allerton Henrici Payser de Clypston Simonis Caldewell de Laxton Roberti Bliton de Cannton Rob. Waryn deWanton Williel Drapour de Welhagh Iohannis Carleton de Blithe Tho. Bagley de Blithe Walteri Carleton de Carleton VVill. Hogekyngson de Misterton Ioh. Darnall de Misterton Williel Lyndrike de Stockwith Willielmi Browet de Walkryngham Richardi Caxton de Tuxford Iohannis Parlethorpe de Laxton Tho. Grengorge de Allerton Sheriffs This County had the same Sheriffs with Derby-shire untill the tenth year of Queen Elizabeth wherein they were divided and since which time these were the particular Sheriffs of this Shire Name Place Armes ELIZ. REG.   Anno   10 Tho. Cowper ar  Azure a Tortois erected Or. 11 Ioh. Biron ar  * Gules a Saltyr Erminâ—… 12 Ioh. Nevil ar Grove †Az. in a Chief Or a Lion issuant G. and 〈◊〉 Arg. 13 Rob. Markham ar †  14 Gerv. Clifton mil. Clifton Sable semi de cinque-soils a Lion ramp Arg. 15 Will. Hollis mil. b Houghton  16 Th. Stanhope mil. c Shelford b Ermine 2. Piles sable 17 Hen. Perpoynt ar d Holme c Quarterly Ermine and Gul. 18 Geo. Chaworth ar e Wiverton d Arg. a Lion ramp sable in an Orb of cinque-soils Gul. 19 Tho. Markham ar ut prius  20 Ioh. Biron ar  e Azure two cheverons Or. 21 Fra. Willoughby m.  Or on 2. bars Gul. 3. Waterbougets arg 22 Gâ—…o Nevil ar ut prius  23 Will. Sutton ar Arundel Arg. a quarter S. a crescent G. 24 Fran. Molineux ar Teversha Az. a cross moline quater pierceâ—… Or. 25 Rob. Markham ar ut prius  26 Brian Lasles ar  Argent 3. Chaplets Gules 27 Ioh. Sydenham ar Some shi Sab. 3. Rams argent 28 Geo. Chaworth m ut prius  29 Tho. Stanhope mil. ut prius  30 Fra. Willoughby m. ut prius  31 Ioh. Biron mil.   32 Th. Thornhough ar   33 Ioh. Hollis ar ut prius  34 Ioh. Basset ar  Or 3. Piles G. a Canton Erm 35 Fra. Willoughby ar ut prius  36 Will. Sutton ar ut prius  37 Rich Whalley ar   38 Ioh. Biron mâ—…l   39 Ioh. Thorold ar  Sable 3. Goats salient Gules 40 Hâ—…n Chaworth ar ut prius  41 Brian Lasâ—…els ar ut prius  42 Edw. Noâ—â—â— ar  Az. a Lion passant Or betwixt 3. Flower 〈◊〉 arg 43 Hen. Perpoint ar ut prius  44 Rog. Ascough mil.  Sable a Fess Or between 3. Asses passant arg JACOB   Anno   1 Will. Reyner mil.   2 Gab. Armstrong ar  G. 3. right hands coped and armed bar-wayes proper 3 Will. Sutton mil. ut prius  4 Will. Cowper ar ut prius  5 Io. Thornhough ar   6 Hen. Sachererell ar  Arg. on a Saltyre 5. Waterbougets of the first 7 Ioh. Molineux ar ut prius  8 Ger. Clifton mil. ut prius  9 Ioh. Molineux mil. ut prius  10 Ioh. Biron mil.   11 Geo. Perkins mil.   12 Ro. Williamson ar Eastmark Or a Cheveron Gules betwixt 3. Tresoils Sab. 13 Rob. Perpoynt ar ut prius  14 Geo. Lassels mil. ut prius  15 Io. Thornhough m.   16 Tho. Barton ar   17 Will. Reason ar   18 Tho. Hutchinson m   19 Ioh. White mil.   20 Ioh. Digby ar  Azure a Flower de luce Arg. 21 Math. Palmes ar  Gul. 3. flower de luces Arg. a Chieâ—… Varry 22 Edw. Goldinge †〈◊〉 Markham ar CAROL I. ut prius †Gules a Cheveron Or betwixt 3. Besants Anno   1 Tim. Pusey ar   2 Fran. Williamson ut prius  3 Tho. Hewet mil.  Sab. a Chev. counter-Battilee betwixt 3. Owles Arg. 4 Jer. Teresy ar   5 Ith. Perkins ar   6 Rob. Sutton ar ut prius  7 Tho. White ar   8 Tho. Bolles ar  Az. 3. Cups Arg. holding as many Boars heads erected Or 9 Ioh. Melish ar *   10 Ioh. Biron mil.  * Az. 2. Swans Arg. betwixt as many Flanches Ermine 11 Har. Wasteneys b. †Hendon  12 Geo. Lassels mil. ut prius †Sab. a Lion ramp Arg. collered Gules 13 Fra. Thorohaugh m   14 Ioh. Chaworth ar ut prius  15 Tho. Williamson ar ut prius  16 Gilb. Edw. Nevil ar ut prius  Q. Elizadeth 15. WILLIAM HOLLIS Mil. This was that steddy and constant House-keeper who for his hospitality and other eminent vertues was commonly called The good Sir William A most honourable title seeing of Gods two grand Epithets Optimus Maximus the former is imbraced by too few the later affected by too many This Sir William was son to Sir William Hollis Lord Mayor of the City of London father to John Hollis Lord Houghton of Houghton created Earl of Clare in the 22. of King Charles the First and Grand-father to the Right Honourable John the present Earl of Clare K. James 13. ROBERT PERPOINT Armig. He was afterwards created Baron Perpoint and Viscount Newark and afterwards in the fourth of King Charles the first Earl of Kingston upon Hull One descended of right ancient and noble extraction whose Ancestors coming over with the Conqueror first fixed at Hurst-â—…erpoint
Works left to posterity 1. De variis Annorum Formis 2. De natura Coeli conditione Elementorum 3. Praelectio Astronomica 4. De origine Fontium 5. Disquisitio Phisiologica 6. Explicatio additameutnm Arg. temp nat ministerii Christi In handling of these subjects it seems he crossed Scalliger who was highly offended thereat conceiving himself such a Prince of Learning it was high Treason for any to doubt of much more deny his opinion Yea he conceited his own Judgment so canonical that it was Heresie for any inferiour person to differ from the same Shall Scalliger write a book of the Emendation of Times and should any presume to write one of the Emendation of Scalliger especially one no publick Professor and so private a person as Lydyate However this great Bugbear Critick finding it more easie to contemn the person than confute the arguments of his Adversary sleighted Lydyate as inconsiderable jeering him for a Prophet who indeed somewhat traded in the Apocalyptical Divinity Learned men of unbiassed judgments will maintain that Lydyate had the best in that Contest but here it came to pass what Solomon had long before observed Nevertheless the poor mans wisdom is despised and his words are not heard He never attained higher Church-preferment than the Rectory of Alkerton the Town of his Nativity and deserted that as I have cause to suspect before his death Impute his low condition to these causes 1. The nature of his Studies which being Mathematical and Speculative brought not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grist to the mill 2. The nature of his Nature being ambitious of Privity and Concealment 3. The death of Prince Henry whose Library-keeper he was and in whose Grave Lydyates hopes were interred 4. His disaffection to Church-discipline and Ceremonies used therein though such wrong his memory who represent him an Anabaptist His modesty was as great as his want which he would not make known to any Sir William Boswell well understanding his worth was a great friend unto him and so was Bishop Williams He dyed about Westminster as I take it in the year of our Lord 1644. Happy had it been for posterity if on his death-bed he could have bequeathed his Learning to any surviving Relation Sir RICHARD BAKER Knight was a Native of this County and High-Sheriff thereof in the 18. of King James Anno Dom. 1621. His youth he spent in learning the benefit whereof he reaped in his old age when his Estate thorough Surety-ship as I have heard him complain was very much impair'd But God may smile on them on whom the World doth frown whereof his pious old age was a memorable instance when the storm on his Estate forced him to flye for shelter to his studies and devotions He wrote an Exposition on the Lords prayer which is corrival with the best Comments which professed Divines have written on that subject He wrote a Chronicle on our English Kings imbracing a method peculiar to himself digesting Observables under several heads very useful for the Reader This reverend Knight left this troublesome world about the beginning of our Civil wars WILLIAM WHATELEY was born in Banbury whereof his father was twice Mayor and bred in Christs-college in Cambridge He became afterwards Minister in the Town of his Nativity and though generally people do not respect a Prophet or Preacher when a Man whom they knew whilest a Child yet he met there with deserved reverence to his Person and Profession Indeed he was a good Linguist Philoso pher Mathematician Divine and though a Poetical Satyrical Pen is pleas'd to pass a jeer upon him free from Faction He first became known to the world by his book called the Bride-bushe which some say hath been more condemned than confuted as maintaining a Position rather odious than untrue But others hold that blows given from so near a Relation to so near a Relation cannot be given so lightly but they will be taken most heavily Other good Works of his have been set forth since his death which happened in the 56. year of his age Anno Dom. 1639. JOHN BALLE was born at Casfigton four miles North-west of Oxford in this County an obscure Village onely illustrated by his Nativity He proceeded Batchelor of Arts in Brazen-nose college in Oxford his Parents purse being not able to maintain him longer and went into Cheshire untill at last he was beneficed at Whitmore in the County of Stafford He was an excellent School man and School-master qualities seldom meeting in the same man a painful Preacher and a profitable Writer and his Treatise of Faith cannot sufficiently be commended Indeed he liv'd by faith having but small means to maintain him but 20 pounds yearly Salary besides what he got by teaching and boording his Scholers and yet was wont to say he had enough enough enough Thus contentment consisteth not in heaping on more fuell but in taking away some fire He had an holy facetiousness in his discourse when his friend having had a fall from his horse and said that he never had the like deliverance Yea said Mr. Balle and an hundred times when you never fell accounting Gods preserving us from equal to his rescuing us out of dangers He had an humble heart free from passion and though somewhat disaffected to Ceremonies and Church-discipline confuted such as conceived the corruptions therein ground enough for a separation He hated all New Lights and pretended Inspirations besides Scripture and when one asked him whether he at any time had experience thereof in his own heart No said he I bless God and if I should ever have such phantasies I hope God would give me grace to resist them Notwithstanding his small means he lived himself comfortably relieved others charitably left his children competently and dyed piously October the 20. Anno Dom. 1640. WILLIAM CHILLINGWORTH was born in the City of Oxford so that by the benefit of his birth he fell from the lap of his mother into the armes of the Muses He was bred in Trinity college in this University an acute and subtil Disputant but unsetled in judgment which made him go beyond the Seas and in some sort was conciled to the Church of Rome but whether because he found not the respect he expected which some shrewdly suggest or because his Conscience could not close with all the Romish corruptions which more charitably believe he returned into England and in testimony of his true conversion wrote a book entituled The Religion of Protestants a safe way to salvation against Mr. Knot the Jesuit I will not say Malo nodo malus quaerendus est cuneus but affirm no person better qualified than this Author with all necessary accomplishments to encounter a Jesuit It is commonly reported that Dr. Prideaux compared his book to a Lamprey fit for food if the venemous string were taken out of the back thereof a passage in my opinion inconsistent with the Doctors approbation prefixed in the beginning
15 Hen. Rainford ar   16 Will. Babington m.  Ar. ten Torteauxes 〈◊〉 -3. 2. 1. 17 Mich. Molyns ar   18 Rob. Doyle mil. Ioh. Coop ar ut infra ut infra  19 Will. Hawtry ar   20 Ric. Corbet ar  Or a Raven proper 21 Edm. Bray ar   22 Ric. Hudleston ar  Gul. Frettee Arg. 23 Tho. Denton ar   24 Anth. Cope ar Hanwell Arg. on a Chev. Az. betwixt 3. 25 Ric. Fines ar ut prius Roses G. slipped and leaved 26 On. Oglethoâ—…p ar a Newingt Vert 3. Flower de luces Or. 27 Ioh. Doyle ar b  a Arg. a Chev. varry Or and 28 Idem ut prius Vert betwixt 3. Boyes heads 29 Mich. Blount ar c Maph Du. sable cut of G. 30 Ioh. Danvers ar ut prius b Or two Bends Arg. 31 Will. Clarke ar  c Barry Formy Nebâ—…le of 6. 32 Will. Spencer ar d Yardingt Or and Sable 33 Anth. Cope mil. ut prius d Quarterly Ar. G. a Fret 34 Ro. Chamblayn a. e  Or. on a Bend sab 3. Escalops of the first 35 Fran. Stonard ar f Stonard  36 Ric. Fenys mil. ut prius e Gul. a Cheveron Arg. betwixt three Escalops Or. 37 Oni. Oglethorpe ar ut prius  38 Will. Freer ar g Water E. f Az. two Bars Dancettee Or a Chief Arg. 39 Gorg. Broome ar   40 Mich. Blount ar ut prius g Gul. two Flanches Or three VVheat-ears erect in Fess counterchanged 41 Fran. Curson ar   42 Will. Greene ar   43 Will. Pope ar Wiscot Per pale Or Az. on a chev betw 3. Griffins heads erazed 4. Flower de luces all counterchanged 44 Ric. Farmer mil. *  * Arg. a Fess sab twixt three Leopards heads erazed Gul. JACOB   Anno   1 Anth. Cope mil. ut prius  2 Gorg. Tipping ar   3 Iac. Harrington m.  Sable a Fret Arg. 4 Tho. Temple mil. Buckin Arg. on two Bars sab 6. 5 Roland Lacy mil.  Martlets Or. 6 Hen. Samborne ar   7 Mich. Dormer mil.  Az. ten billets 4. 3. 2. 1. 8 Bene. WinchcoÌ„be a  Or in a Chief of the second a Lion issuant sable 9 Tho. Moyle ar † †Gul. a Mule passant Arg. 10 Will. Clerke mil.   11 Hen. Lee bar Dichley Arg. a Fess betw 3. cressants S. 12 Edw. Dunch ar  S. a chev betw 3. Towers Arg. 13 Tho. Read ar  G. a saltire twixt 4. Garbs O. 14 Th. Spencer m. b. ut prius  15 Ioh. Curson mil.   16 Edw. Fenner ar   17 Will. Cope m. b. ut prius  18 Ric. Baker mil.   19 Fra. Stoner mil. ut prius  20 â—…owlan Lacy ar   21 Will. Aishcombe m   22 Walt. Dunch ar ut prius  CAROL I.   Anno   1 Ric. Blount mil. ut prius  2 Ric. Lovelace mil. modo dom Lovelace Cope Doyley mil. Berk-shire ut prius Gul. a Chief indented sable 3. Martlets Or. 3 Ric. Wenman mil. modo dom Wenman ut prius ut prius  4 Rob. Dormer mil. ut prius  5 Will. Cobb mil. Adderbury  6 Ioh. Lacy mil.   7 Ioh. Harborne ar   8 Tho. Coghill ar modo Miles Bleâ—…hing Gules on a Cheveron Arg. 3. Ogresses a Chief sable 9 Ioh. Mellor mil.   10 Pet. Wentworth Miles Baranit  Sable a Cheveron betwixt 3. Leopards heads Or. 11 Fran. Norris mil.  Quarterly Arg. Gâ—…a a Fret or with a Fess Az. 12 Will. Walter ar * Saresden * Az. 3. Eagles displayed Arg 13 T. Peniston m. b. † †Arg. 3. Cornish-choughs prop. 14 Ioh. Doyly ar ut prius  15 Rad. Warcoppe ar   16 Ric. Libb ar   17 Tho. Tippin ar   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   Q. Elizabeth 11. WILLIAM TAVERNER Arm. This was he who in the year of his Sherivalty came to Oxford and went up into the Pulpit at St. Maries with a sword by his side and a gold chain about his neck where he made a Sermon or an Oration rather to the University the stuff or rather bombace whereof we have set down in our Ecclesiastical History Now though this was an odde act wherein his zeal was conceived by most to trespass on his discretion yet was it born the better in those darker dayes from a person well-affected in Religion and abhorring to invade the Ministerial Function 18. ROBERT DOYLE Mil. This year if I mistake not were the black Assizes at Oxford wherein contrary to the common course the Prisoners caused the death of the Judge Chief-Baron Bell the Sheriff some of the Lawyers many of the Justices and most of the Jury besides other persons of Quality there present It was generally imputed to the stench of the prisoners clothes and bodies for whereas other offensive smells are open enemies and violently assaulting the brain warn men in some sort to avoid or resist them a Gaolstench trecherously pretendeth alliance as made of man-sweat and so insinuates it self with the less suspicion and more danger into the spirits 31. WILLIAM CLARKE Arm. He was son or if the same with Sir VVilliam Clarke Sheriff in the 10. of K. James grand-child to Sir John Clarke of Northampton-shire in the 21. of K. Henry the eight whose Armes with the honourable augmentation and the worthy cause thereof are there largely described 36. RICHARD PENYS Mil. He was a worthy Gentleman and bred Fellow being the Founders Kinsman of New-college in Oxford He was also lineally descended from James Lord Say and Seal Tresurer of England in the reign of K. Henry the sixth and in consideration thereof was 1. Jacobi created Lord Say and Seal He dyed Anno Dom. 1612. William Fenys his eldest son was since created Viscount Say and Seal and is still alive K. Charles I. 3. RICHARD WENMAN Mil. This worthy Knight was by K. Charles the first created first Baron Wenman of Chilmaynam in the County of Dublin and then Viscount Wenman of Tuant in the County of Galloway both in the Kingdom of Ireland by Letters Patents dated at Cambrey the 25. of July 1628. 4 Caroli The Farewell As for the poorer sort of Husbandmen in this County I wish there may be more Sir Henry Kebles for their sakes This Knight though a Native of London and Lord Mayor thereof had such an affection for this and Warwick-shire that he singled out an hundred and fifty of the poorest Husbandmen therein and gave each of them a new Plough-share and a new Coulter of Iron and in my mind that is the most charitable Charity which inableth decayed industry to follow its Vocation RUTLAND-SHIRE is by a double Diminutive called by Mr. Cambden Angliae Provinciola
Rex   Anno   1 Edw. Rogers arm ut prius  2 Ioh. Windham mil. Orchard Azure a Cheveron betwixt 3 Lions â—…ds erased Or. 3 Tho. Horner arm ut prius  4 Ioh. Porâ—…man arm ut prius  5 Edw. Hext miles Ham Or a Castle betwixt 3 Pole-Axes Sable 6 Edw. Gorges mil. Wraxal Masculy Or and Azure 7 Geo. Lutterel arm ut prius  8 Francis Baber arm Chew Mag. Arg. on a Fess Gules 3 Falcons heads erased of the first 9 Io. Rodney mil. Hugo Smith miles ut prâ—…s   Asâ—…ton Gules on a Cheveron betwixt 3 Cinquefoilâ—…s Or pierced as many Leopaâ—…ds heads Sable 10 Rob. Hendley ar Leigh Azâ—…a Lion Ramp Arg. crowned Or within a border of the second Entoyâ—…e of 8 Torteauxes 11 Nat. Still arm   12 Ioh. Horner mil. ut prius  13 Barth Michel m. Ioh. Colls ar  Partee per Fess G. S. a Câ—…v Ar. betwixt 3 Swans proper 14 Ioh. Paulet arm Hinton S. Geor. Soble 3 Swords in pyâ—… Aâ—…gent 15 Rob. Hopton arm ut prius  16 Theod Newton m. ut prius  17 Io. Trevilian arm Neâ—…combe Guâ—…s a Demi-hoâ—…se Argâ—…nt illâ—…ing out of the â—…aves of the Sea 18 Hen. Hendley ar ut prius  16 Marmad GeÌ„nings a ut prius  20 Edw. Popham ar  Argent on a chief Gulâ—…s 2 Buâ—…ks heads Or. 21 VVill. â—…ancis ar ut prius  22 Th. VVindham ar ut prius  CAR. Rex   Anno   1 Rob. Philipâ—… mil. Montacute Arg. a Châ—…veron btween 3 〈◊〉 Gâ—…s 2 Ioh. Symmes arm Pounsford Azure 3 Scallops in Base Or. 3 Ioh. Latch aâ—…m Langford â—…r on a fess Wavy 3 〈◊〉 Or between as many 〈◊〉 G. 4 Ioh. Stowel miles ut prius  5 Tho. Thynne mil. WILT-Sh Barree of 10 Or and Sâ—…ble 6 Fr. Dodington m. Loxton Sable 3 Hunters horns Argâ—… 7 Th. Lutterâ—…l arm ut prius  8 VVill. VValrond ar ut prius  9 Ioh. Carew miles  Or 3 Lions passant Sable ar-med and Langâ—… Gul. 10 Hen. Hodges arm Hasilbeâ—…e Or 3 Cressants and in a Canton 11 Ioh. Baster arm AMP. Sa. a Dâ—…cal Crown of the first 12   13   14 VVill. Evvens ar  Sable a Fess between 2 flower de Luces Or. 15   16   17 Bellum nobis   18 haec Otia   19 fecit   20   21   22 Rich. Cole arm Nailsle Partee per Pale Ar. G a Bull pass countrechanged King JAMES 14 JOHN PAULET Armiger He was son to Sr. Anthony Paulet Governour of Jersey by the sole daughter of Henry Lord Norrice being the sole sister to the Brood of many Martial Brethren A very accomplisht Gentleman of quick and clear parts a bountiful housekeeper so that King Charles consigned Monsieur Soubize unto him who gave him and his retinue many months liberal entertainment The said King afterwards created him Baron Paulet of Hinton St. George in this County descended to him from the Denbaudes the ancient owners thereof He married Elizabeth the daughter and sole Heir of Christopher Ken of Ken-Castle in the same Shire Esquire whose right honourable son and heir John Lord Paulet now succeedeth in that Barony Modern Battles None have been fought in this County which come properly under this Notion Indeed the Skirmish at Martials Elm something military and ominous in the name thereof fought 1642 made much Noise in mens eares a Musket gave then a greater Report than a Canon since And is remembred the more because conceived first to break the Peace of this Nation long restive and rusty in ease and quiet As for the encounter at Lang-port where the Kings Forces under the Lord Goring were defeated by the Parliaments July 12 1645 It was rather a Flight than a Fight like the Battle of Spurres fought many years since the Horse by their speed well saving themselves whilst the poor Foot pawned in the place paid dearly for it And hence forward the Sun of the Kings cause declined verging more more Westward till at last it set in Cornwal and since after a long and dark night rose again by Gods goodness in the East when our Gracious Sovereign arrived at Dover The Farewel May he who bindeth the Sea in a girdle of sand confine it within the proper limits thereof that Somerset-shire may never see that sad accident return which hap'ned here 1607. When by the irruption of the Severn-Sea much mischief was more had been done if the West-wind had continued longer with the like violence The Country was overflown almost 20 mil. in length and 4 in breadth and yet but 80 persons drowned therein It was then observeable that creatures of contrary natures Dogs Hares Foxes Conies Cats Mice getting up to the tops of some hills dispensed at that time with their antipathies remaining peaceably together without sign of fear or violence one towards another To lesson men in publick dangers to depose private differences and prefer their safety before their revenge BRISTOL more truly Bright-Stow that is Illustrious or Bright dwelling answers its Name in many respects Bright in the situation thereof conspicuous on the rising of a Hill Bright in the Buildings fair and firm Bright in the Streets so cleanly kept as if scoured where no Carts but sledges are used but chiefly Bright for the Inhabitants thereof having bred so many eminent Persons It standeth both in Somerset and Glocestâ—…-shires and yet in neither it being a Liberty of it self divided into two parts by the River Avon conjoyned with a Bridge which being built on both sides counterfeiteth a continued street for which strangers at the first sight do mistake it The houses of the Merchants herein are generally very fair and their Entries though little and narrow lâ—…ad into high and spatious Halls which Form may mind the Inhabitants thereof of their passage to a better place Naturall Commodities Diamonds These are the Stars of the Earth though such but dimme ones which St. Vincents Rock near to this City doth produce Their Price is abated by their paleness and softnesse to which we may add their Number and Nearness For were they but few and far fetched their value would be advanced They are not those Unions Pearles so called because thrifty Nature only affordeth them by one and one seeing that not only Twins but Bunches and Clusters of these are found together Were this Rock of raw Diamonds removed into the East-Indies and placed where the Beams of the Sun might sufficiently concoct them probably in some hundreds of years they would be ripened into an Orient perfection All I will add is this a Lady in the reign of Queen Elizabeth would have as patiently digested the Lye as the wearing of False Stones or Pendants of counterfeit Pearl so common in our Age and I could wish it were the worst piece of hypocrisy in Fashion Manufactures Gray-Sope I
departed this life a little before the beginning of our Civil Wars Memorable Persons JOHN CAVENDISH Esq. was born at Cavendish in this County bred at Court a Servant in ordinary attendance on King Richard the Second when Wat Tyler played Rex in London It happ'ned that Wat was woundly angry with Sir John Newton Knight Sword-Bearer to the King then in presence for devouring his distance and not making his approaches mannerly enough unto him Oh the pride of a self-promoting Pesant Much bussling a rising thereabout Sir William Walworth Lord Mayor of London arrested VVat and with his Dagger wounded him and being well stricken in years wanted not valour but vigour to dispatch him He is seconded by John Cavendish standing by who twice or thrice wounded him mortally my Author complaining That his death was too worthy from the hands of honourable persons for whom the Axe of the Hangman had been too good I would have said the Hâ—…lter of the Hangman But it matters not by whom a Traitor be kill'd so he be kill'd Hereupon the Arms of London were augmented with a Dagger and to divide the Honour equally betwixt them if the Heaft belonged to Walworth the Blade or point thereof at least may be adjudged to Cavendish Let me add that King Richard himself shewed much wisedome and courage in managing this matter so that in our Chronicles he appeareth wiser Youth than Man as if he had spent all the stock of his discretion in appeasing this tumult which happened Anno Dom. 1381. Sir THOMAS COOK Knight Sir WILLIAM CAPELL Knight I present these pair of Knights in parallels because I find many considerable occurrences betwixt them in the course of their lives 1 Both were natives of this County born not far asunder Sir Thomas at Lâ—…venham Sir William at Stoke-Neyland 2 Both were bred in London free of the fame Company of Drapers and were Lord-Mayors of the City 3 Both by Gods blessing on their industry attained great Estates and were Royal-Merchants indeed The later is reported by tradition since by continuance consolidated into Historical truth that after a large entertainment made for King Henry the Seventh he concluded all with a Fire wherein he burnt many Bonds in which the King a Borrower in the beginning of his Reign stood obliged unto him a sweet perfume no doubt to so thrifty a Prince not to speak of his expensive Frolick when at another time he drank a dissolved Pearl which cost him many hundreds in an health to the King 4 Both met with many molestations Sir Thomas being arraigned for lending money in the reign of King Edward the Fourth hardly escaped with his life thank a good God a just Judge and a stout Jury though griveously fined and long imprisoned As for Sir William Empson and Dudley fell with their bodies so heavy upon him that they squeased many thousand pounds out of his into the Kings Coffers 5 Both died peaceably in Age and Honour leaving great Estates to their Posterities The Cooks flourishing lately at Giddy-Hall in Essex in a Worshipful as the Capels at Hadham in Hartford-shire now in an Honourable condition Nor must it be forgotten that Elizabeth daughter to Sir William Capel was married to William Powlet Marquess of Winchester and Mildred descended from Sir Thomas Cook to William Cecil Lord Burleigh both their husbands being successively Lord Treasurers of England for above fifty years Sir Thomas Cook lieth buried in the Church of Augustineâ—… â—… London Sir William Capel in the South-side of the Parish Church of St. Bartholomews in a Chappel of his own addition behind the Exchange though the certain date of their deaths do not appear Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 John Michel John Michel Ekelingham Stock-Fishmonger 1422. 2 Henry Barton Henry Barton Myldenhal Skinner 1428. 3 Roger Oteley Will. Oteley Vfford Grocer 1434. 4 John Paddesley Simon Paddesley Bury St. Edmunds Gold-smith 1440. 5 Simon Eyre John Eyre Brandon Draper 1445. 6 William Gregory Roger Gregory Myldenhal Skinner 1451. 7 Thomas Cook Robert Cook Lavenham Draper 1462. 8 Richard Gardiner John Gardiner Exning Mercer 1478. 9 William Capel John Capel Stoke-Neyland Draper 1503. 10 William Coppinger Walter Coppinger Buckshal Fish-monger 1512. 11 John Milborn John Milbourn Long-Melford Draper 1521. 12 Roger Martin Lawrence Martin Long-Melford Mercer 1567. 13 John Spencer Richard Spencer Walding-Field Cloath-worker 1594. 14 Stephen Some Thomas Some Bradley Grocer 1598. Reader this is one of the twelve pretermitted Shires the Names of whose Gentry were not returned into the Tower in the reign of King Henry the Sixth Sheriffs Know that this County and Nâ—…hfolk had both one Sheriff until the seventeenth year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth a List of whose names we formerly have presented in the description of Northfolk 〈◊〉 Place Armes Reg. ELIZ   Anno   17 Rob. Ashfield ar Netherhall Sable 〈◊〉 Fesse â—…ngrailed betwixt 3 flower de Luces Arg. 18 Ioh. 〈◊〉 arm  Sable a Fesse checkee Or and Azure betwixt 3 Naggs heads erazed Argent 19 Will. Spring mil. Lanham Argent on a Cheveron between 3 Martlets Gules as many Cinquefoiles of the Field 20 Rob. Jermin mil. Rushbrook Sable a Cressant betwixt 〈◊〉 Mullets Argent 21 Philip. Parker mil. Arwerton Argent a Lion passant Gules betwixt 2 Barrs Setheron 3 Bezâ—…nts in Chief as many Bucks heads â—…abosed of the third 22 Th. Bernardiston m. Kedington Azure a Fesse Dauncette Ermin betwixt 6 Crosleâ—…s Argent 23 Nich. Bacon mil. Culfurth Gules on a Chief 〈◊〉 2 Mullets Sable 24 Will. Drury mil. Halsted Argent on a Chief Vert the letter Tau betwixt 2 Mullets pierced Or. 25 Carol. Framling ham miles   26 Ioh. Gurdon arm Assington S. 3 Leopards heads jessant flowers de Luce Or. 27 Will. Clopton aâ—…  Sable a Bend Argent betwixt 2 Cotises dauncette Or. 28 Geo Clopton ar ut prius  29 Franc. Jermy arm  Arg. a Lion ramp gardant Gules 30 Phil. Tilney arm Shelleigh Argent a Cheveron betwixt 3 Griffins-heads erazed Gules 31 Will. Walgrave m. 〈◊〉 Party per Pale Argent and Gu. 32 Tho. Rowse arm  Sable 2 Barrs engrailed Argent 33 â—…c Garnish arm  Ar. a chev engr Az. bet 3 scallops Sab. 34 Lionel Talmarsh 〈◊〉 HelminghaÌ„ Argent Fretty Sable 35 Rob. Forth arm  †Or 3 Buls-heads coupee Sable 36 Tho. †Croâ—… arm SaxmundhaÌ„ * Ar. on a fess Gu. 3. Garbs Or between 2 cheverons Az. charged with Escallops Arg. 37 Will. Spring mil. ut prius  38 Tho. * Eden arm   39 Antho. Wingfield Letheringham Argent a Bend Gules cotised able 3 Wings of the first 40 Hen. Warner ar   41 Antho. Felton ar Playford Gules 2 Lions passant Eâ—…in crowned Or. 42 Edw. Bacon arm ut prius  43 Edwin Withipol Christ Church in Ipswich Party per pale Or and Gules 3 Lions pâ—…ssant regardant armed Sable langued Argent a Bordure interchanged 44 Tho.
he was successively preferred by King Charles the first Bishop of Hereford and London and for some years Lord Treasurer of England A troublesome place in those times it being expected that he should make much Brick though not altogether without yet with very little Straw allowed unto him Large then the Expences Low the Revenues of the Exchequer Yet those Coffers which he found Empty he left Filling and had left Full had Peace been preserved in the Land and he continued in his Place Such the mildness of his temper that Petitioners for Money when it was not to be had departed well pleased with his denialls they were so civilly Languaged It may justly seem a wonder that whereas few spake well of Bishops at that time and Lord Treasurers at all times are liable to the Complaints of discontented people though both Offices met in this man yet with Demetrius he was well reported of all men and of the truth it self He lived to see much shame and contempt undeservedly poured on his Function and all the while possessed his own soul in patience He beheld those of his Order to lose their votes in Parliament and their insulting enemies hence concluded Loss of speech being a sad Symptom of approching Death that their Final extirpation would follow whose own experience at this day giveth the Lie to their malicious Collection Nor was it the least part of this Prelates Honour that amongst the many worthy Bishops of our Land King Charles the first selected him for his Confessor at his Martyrdome He formerly had had experience in the case of the Earl of Strafford that this Bishops Conscience was bottom'd on Piety not Policy the reason that from him he received the Sacrament good Comfort and Counsell just before he was Murdered I say just before that Royal Martyr was Murdered a Fact so foul that it alone may confute the errour of the Pelagians maintaining that all Sin cometh by imitaâ—…ion the Universe not formerly affording such a Precedent as if those Regicides had purposely designed to disprove the Observation of Solomon that there is No new thing under the Sun King Charles the second Anno Domini 1660. preferred him Arch-bishop of Canterbury which place he worthily graceth at the writing hereof Feb. 1. 1660. ACCEPTUS FRUIN D. D. was born at in this County bred Fellow of Magdalen-colledge in Oxford and afterwards became President thereof and after some mediate preferments was by King Charles the first advanced Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield and since by King Charles the second made Arch-bishop of York But the matter whereof Porcellane or China dishes are made must be ripened many years in the earth before it comes to full perfection The Living are not the proper objects of the Historians Pen who may be misinterpreted to flatter even when he falls short of their due Commendation the Reason why I adde no more in the praise of this worthy Prelate As to the Nativities of Arch-bishops one may say of this County many Shires have done worthily but SUSSEX surmounteth them all having bred Five Archbishops of Canterbury and at this instant claiming for her Natives the two Metropolitans of our Nation States-men THOMAS SACKVILL son and heir to Sir Richard Sackvill Chancellour and Sub-Treasurer of the Exchequer and Privy-Counsellour to Queen Elizabeth by Winifred his wife daughter to Sir John Bruges was bred in the University of Oxford where he became an excellent Poet leaving both Latine and English Poems of his composing to posterity Then studied he law in the Temple and took the degree of Barrister afterward he travelled into forraign parts detained for a time a prisoner in Rome whence his liberty was procured for his return into England to possess the vast Inheritance left him by his father whereof in short time by his magnificent prodigality he spent the greatest part till he seasonably began to spare growing neer to the bottom of his Estate The story goes that this young Gentleman coming to an Alderman of London who had gained great Pennyworths by his former purchases of him was made being now in the Wane of his Wealth to wait the coming down of the Alderman so long that his generous humour being sensible of the incivility of such attendance resolved to be no more beholding to Wealthy pride and presently turned a thrifty improver of the remainder of his Estate If this be true I could wish that all Aldermen would State it on the like occasion on condition their noble debtors would but make so good use thereof But others make him the Convert of Queen Elizabeth his Cosin german once removed who by her frequent admonitions diverted the torrent of his profusion Indeed she would not know him till he began to know himself and then heaped places of honour and trust upon him creating him 1. Baron of Buckhurst in this County the reason why we have placed him therein Anno Dom. 1566. 2. Sending him Ambassadour into France Anno 1571. into the Low-countries Anno 1586. 3. Making him Knight of the Order of the Garter Anno 1589. 4. Appointing him Treasurer of England 1599. He was Chancellour of the University of Oxford where he entertained Q. Elizabeth with a most sumptuous feast His elocution was good but inditing better and therefore no wonder if his Secretaries could not please him being a person of so quick dispatch faculties which yet run in the bloud He took a Roll of the names of all Suitors with the date of their first addresses and these in order had their hearing so that a fresh-man could not leap over the head of his senior except in urgent affairs of State Thus having made amends to his house for his mis-spent time both in increase of Estate and Honour being created Earl of Dorset by King James he died on the 19. of April 1608. Capitall Judges Sir JOHN JEFFRY Knight was born in this County as I have been informed It confirmeth me herein because he left a fair Estate in this Shire Judges genebuilding their Nest neer the place where they were Hatched which descended to his Daughter He so profited in the study of our Municipall-Law that he was preferred Secondary Judge of the Common-pleas and thence advanced by Queen Elizabeth in Michaelmas Terme the nineteenth of her Reign to be Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer which place he discharged for the Terme of two years to his great commendation He left one only Daughter and Heir married to Sir Edward Mountague since Baron of Boughton by whom he had but one Daughter Elizabeth married to Robert Barty Earl of Linsey Mother to the truly Honorable Mountague Earl of Linsey and Lord Great Chamberlain of England This worthy Judge died in the 21. of Queen Elizabâ—…h Souldiers The ABBOT of BATTLE He is a pregnant Proof that one may leave no Name and yet a good Memory behind him His Christian or Surname cannot be recovered out of our Chronicles which hitherto
good in Physick whose Keys are opening of obstructions arising from the Spleen Cole Much hereof is digged up at Bedworth which in my Measuring of all Cole-mines North of Thames is the most Southward adding much to their Price and Owners Profit The making such Mines destroyeth much but when made preserveth more Timâ—…er I am sorry to hear that those black Indies both in Quantity and Quality fall short of their former fruitfulness and I wish they may recover their lost Credit being confident the Earth there will bleed Profit as plentifully as any had the Miners but the good Hap to hit the right vein thereof As for Manufactures in this County some Broad cloths are made in Coventry and ten might be made for one if the mistery thereof were vigorously pursued The Buildings Coventry much beholding to the Lady Godiva who took Order that her Charity should not prejudice her Modesty when she purchased the Priviledges of this Place sheweth two fair Churches close together How clearly would they have shined if set at competent Distance whereas now such their Vicinity that the Arch-angel eclypseth the Trinity Saint Maâ—…ies in Warwick a Beautifull Structure owes its life to the Monuments of the dead therein most being Earls of Warwick Of these that in the Body of the Church is the Oldest that in the Chancell is the largest that in the Chapell of Guilt Brass the Richest that in the Chapter-House of Fulke Lord Brook the latest Greatness may seem in some fort to be buried in the Tomb of the Earl of Leicester and Goodness in that of the Earl of Warwick Women are most delighted with the Statue of the Infant Baron of Denby and Scholars most affected with the learned Epitaph of Sir Thomas Puckering In a word so numerous is the Church with its Appendences as I am enformed by my Worthy Friend the Minister that he can accommodate One Clergy-man of all Dignities and Degrees to repose them in severall Chapells or Veâ—…ries by themselves Kenelworth alias Kenilworth It had the Strength of a Castle and Beauty of a Princes Court Though most fair the Porch no danger of the Castles running out thereat like that of Mindus at the Gate as most Proportionable to the rest of the Fabrick I confess Handsome is an unproper Epithete of a Gyant yet Neatness agreeth with the Vastness of this structure Some Castles have been Demolished for security which I behold destroyed se defendendo without offence Others Demolished in the heat of the Wars which I look upon as Castle-slaughter But I cannot excuse the Destruction of this Caâ—…tle from Wilfull-murder being done in cold blood since the end of the Wars I am not stock'd enough with Charity to pitty the Ruiners thereof if the materialls of this Castle answered not their Expectation who destroyed it Pass we now from the Preterperfect to the Present Tense I mean from what was once to what now is most magnificent the Castle of Warwick It over-looketh the Town which is washed and swept by Nature so sweet on a Rising Hill is the situation thereof The Prospect of this Castle is Pleasant in its self and far more to the Present Owner thereof the Right Honourable Robert Lord Brooke seeing the Windows look into Lands mostly of his Possession We will conclude the Buildings of this County with the beautifull Cross of Coventry A Reformed Cross or Standard rather without any Cross thereon being a Master-piece all for Ornament nothing for Superstition so that the most curious hath just cause to commend the most conscientious to allow none to condemn it It was begun 1541. the 33. and finished 1544. the 36. of King Henry the eighth at the sole cost of Sir William Hollis Lord Mayor of London Great-grand-father to the Right Honorable the Earl of Clare The Wonders At Lemington within two Miles of Warwick there issue out within a stride of the womb of the Earth two Twin-springs as different in Tast and Operation as Esaâ—… and Jacob in disposition the one Salt the other Fresh Thus the meanest Country-man doth plainly see the Effects whilst it would pose a Consultaâ—…ion of Philosophers to assign the true cause thereof To this Permanent let me joyne a transâ—…ent Wonder which some was fifty years since The Situation of Coventry is well known on a rising Hill having no River near it save a small Brook over which generally one may make a Bridge with a Stride Now here happened such an Inundation on friday April the seventeenth 1607. attested under the Seal of the City in the Majoralty of Henry Sâ—…wel as was equally admirable In 1. Coming about eight a clock in the morning no considerable rain preceding which might suggest the least suspicion thereof In 2. Continuance for the Space of three Hours wherein it overflowed more then two hundred and fifty dwelling Houses to the great damage of the Inhabitants In 3. Departure or vanishing rather sinking as suddenly as it did rise Thus what the Scripture saith of wind was then true of the water One cannot tell whence it came nor whither it went Leaving others to enquire into the second and subordinate I will content my self with admiring the Supreme Cause observed by the Psalmist He turneth a wilderness into a standing water and dry-ground into water-Springs Medicinal waters At Newenham Regis there is a Spring the water whereof drunk with Salt loosneth with Sugar bindeth the Body It is also very Sovereigne against Ulcers Impostumes the Stone This last I commend to the Readers choise observation the same Author affirming that it turneth Sticks into Stone and that he himself was an Eye-witness thereof Now how it should dissolve the Stone in the Body of a Man and yet turn Wood into Stone I leave to such who are naturae à Sanctioribus Consiliis at their next meeting at their Counsel-table to discuss and decide Proverbs He is the black Bear of Arden Arden is a Forrest anciently occupying all the Wood-land part of this County By the Black Bear is meant Guy Beauchamp Earl of Warwick who besides the allusion to his Crest was Grim of Person and Surly of resolution for when this Bear had gotten Pierce Gavistone that Munkey and Minion of King Edward the second into his Chambers he caused his Death at a Hill within two miles of Warwick notwithstanding all opposition to the contrary The Proverb is appliable to those who are not Terricula menta bnt Terrores no fancy-formed Bug-bears but such as carry fear and fright to others about them As bold as Beauchamp Some will say the concurrence of these two B. B. did much help the Proverbe and I think as in others of the same kind they did nothing hinder it However this quality could not be fixed on any name with more truth If it be demanded what Beauchamp is chiefly meant amongst the many of that Surname Earls of Warwick The answer of mutinous people is true in this case One and all
upon him Many were the wit combates betwixt him and Ben Johnson which two I behold like a Spanish great Gallion and an English man of War Master Johnson like the former was built far higher in Learning Solid but Slow in his performances Shake-spear with the English-man of War lesser in bulk but lighter in sailing could turn with all tides tack about and take advantage of all winds by the quickness of his Wit and Invention He died Anno Domini 16 ... and was buried at Stratford upon Avon the Town of his Nativity MICHAEL DRAYTON born in this County at Athelston as appeareth in his poeticall address thereunto My native Country If there be vertue yet remaining in thy earth Or any good of thine thou breath'st into my birth Accept it as thine own whilst now I sing of thee Of all thy later Brood th' unworthiest though I be He was a pious Poet his conscience having always the command of his fancy very temperate in his life slow of speech and inoffensive in company He changed his laurel for a crown of glory Anno 1631. and is buried in Westminster-Abby near the South-door with this Epitaph Doe pious Marble let thy Readers know What they and what their children owe To Draitons name whose sacred dust We recommend unto thy trust Protect his memory and preserve his story Remain a lasting Monument of his glory And when thy ruins shall dâ—…aime To be the Treasurer of his name His name that cannot fade shall be An everlasting Monument to thee He was born within few miles of William Shake-speare his Countryman and fellow-Poet and buried within fewer paces of Jeffry Chaucer and Edmund Spencer Sir FULKE GREVIL Knight Son to Sir Fulke Grevil the Elder of Becham-Court in this County he was bred first in the University of Cambridge He came to the Court back'd with a full and fair Estate and Queen Elizabeth loved such substantiall Courtiers as could plentifully subsist of themselves He was a good Scholar loving much to employ and sometimes to advance learned men to whâ—…m worthy Bishop Overal chiefly owed his preferment and Mr. Cambden by his own Confession tasted largely of his liberality His Studies were most in Poetry and History as his works doe witness His Stile conceived by some to be swelling is allowed for lofty and full by others King James created him Baron Brook of Beachamp-Court as descended from the sole daughter and heir of Edward Willowby the last Lord Brook in the reign of King Henry the seventh His sad Death or Murther rather happened on this occasion His discontented servant conceiving his deserts not soon or well enough rewarded wounded him Mortally and then to save the law the labour killed himself verifying the observation that he may when he pleaseth be master of an other mans life who contemneth his own He lieth buried in Warwick Church under a Monument of black and white Marble whereon he is styled Servant to Q. Elizabeth Counsellor to K. James and friend to Sir Phillip Sidney Dying Anno 16 ... without Issue and unmarried his Barony by vertue of Entail in the patent descended on his kinsman Robert Grevill Lord Brook father to the Right Honorable Robert Lord Brook NICHOLAS BYFIELD was born in this County as his son hath informed me bred as I remember in Queens-colledge in Oxford After he had entred into the Ministry he was invited into Ireland to a place of good profit and eminency in pâ—…ssage whereunto staying wind-bound at Chester his Inn proved his home for a long time unto him preaching a Sermon there with such approbation that he was chosed Minister in the City Not without an especiall Providence seeing the place promised in Ireland would have failed him his going over had been a labour in vain The Cestrians can give the best account of his profitable preaching and pious life most strict in keeping the Lords day on which occasion pens were brandished betwixt him and Mr. Breerwood In his declining age he was presented to the Benefice of Isleworth in Middlesex where for fifteen years together he preached twice every Lords-day and expounded Scripture every Wednesday and Friday till five weeks before his death notwithstanding there was Mors in ollâ—… A stone in his bladder which being taken out weighed and measured after his death was found of these prodigious proportions In 1. Weight thirty three ounces and more In 2. Measure about the edge fifteen inches and an half In 3. Measure about the length thirteen inches and above In 4. Measure about the breadth almost thirteen inches It was of a solid substance to look upon like a flint Lo here is the patience of the Saints All I will adde is this the Pharisee said proudly I thank thee Lord I am not as this Publican Let Writer and Reader say humbly and thankfully to God We are not as this truly painfull Preacher and let us labour that as our bodies are more healthfull our souls may be as holy as his who died and was buried at Iâ—…leworth PHILEMON HOLLAND where born is to me unknown was bred in Trinity-colledge in Cambridge a Doctor in Physick and fixed himself in Coventry He was the Translator Generall in his Age so that those Books alone of his Turning into English will make a Country Gentleman a competent library for Historians in so much that one saith Holland with his Translations doth so fill us He will not let Suetonius be Tranquillus Indeed some decry all Translators as Interlopers spoiling the Trade of Learning which should be driven amongst Scholars alone Such also alledge that the best Translations are works rather of Industry then Judgement and in easy Authors of Faithfulness rather then Industry That many be but Bunglers forcing the meaning of the Authors they translate picking the lock when they cannot open it But their Opinion resents too much of Envy that such Gentlemen who cannot repair to the Fountain should be â—…ebard access to the Streame Besides it is unjust to charge All with the faults of some and a Distinction must be made amongst Translators betwixt Coblers and Workmen and our Holland had the true knack of Translating Many of these his Books he wrote with One Pen whereon he himself thus pleasantly versified With one sole pen I writ this Book Made of a Grey Goose Quill A Pen it was when it I took And a Pen I leave it still This Monumental Pen he solemnly kept and showed to my reverend Tutor Doctor Samuel â—…ard It seems he leaned very lightly on the Neb thereof though weightily enough in an other sense performing not slightly but solidly what he undertook But what commendeth him most to the Praise of Posterity is his Translating Camdens Britannia a Translation more then a Translation with many excellent Additions not found in the Latine done fifty years since in Master Camdens life time not onely with his knowledge and consent but also no doubt by his desire and help
the Baron of Kendal 〈◊〉 his singular deserts â—…oth in Peace and War This was that Richard 〈◊〉 who sâ—…w the wild Bore that raging in the Mountains 〈◊〉 as sometimes that of Erimanthus much indamaged the Country people whence it is that the Gilpins in their Coat Armes give the Bore I confess the story of this Westmerland-Hercules soundeth something Romanza like However I believe it partly because so reverend a pen hath recorded it and because the people in these parts need not feigne foes in the fancy Bears Bores and Wild beasts who in that age had real enemies the neighbouring Scots to encounter Lord Mayors Name Father Place Company Time 1 Cuthbert Buckle Christopher Buckle Bourgh Vintner 1593 Sheriffs I find two or three Links but no continued chain os Sheriffs in this County untill the 10. of K. John who bestowed the Baily-week and Revenues of this County upon Robert Lord Vipont ROBERT de VIPONT the last of that Family about the raign of K. Edward the first left two daughters 1. Sibel married to Roger Lord Clifford 2. Idonea the first and last I meet with of that Christian-name though proper enough for women who are to be meet helps to their husbands married to Roger de Leburn Now because honor nescit dividi Honour cannot be divided betwixt Co-heirs and because in such cases it is in the Power and Pleasure of the King to assign it entire to which he pleased the King Conferred the Hereditary Sheriffalty of this County on the Lord Clifford who had Married the Eldest Sister Iâ—… hath ever since continued in that honorable family I find Elizabeth the Widdow of Thomas Lord Clifford probably in the Minority of her son Sheriffess as I may say in the sixteenth of Richard the second till the last of K. Henry the fourth Yet was it fashionable for these Lords to depute and present the most Principal Gentry of this Shire their Sub-Vicecomites Under-sheriffs in their Right to order the affairs of that County I find Sir Thomas Parr Sir William Parr Ancestors to Q. Katherin Parr as also Knights of the Families of the Bellingams Musgraves c. discharging that office so high ran the Credit and Reputation thereof Henry Lord Clifford was by K. Henry the eight Anno 1525. Created Earl of Cumberland and when Henry the fift Earl of that family died lately without Issue male the Honour of this Hereditary Sheriffalty with large Revenues Reverted unto Anne the sole daughter of George Clifford third Earl of Cumberland the Relict of Richard Earl of Dorset and since of Phillip Earl of Pembroke and Mountgomery by whom she had two daughters the Elder married to the Earl of Thanet and the younger married to James Earl of Northampton The Farewell Reader I must confess my self sorry and ashamed that I cannot do more right to the Natives of this County so far distanced North that I never had yet the opportunity to behold it O that I had but received some intelligence from my worthy friend Doctor Thomas Barlow Provost of Queens-colledge in Oxford who for his Religion and Learning is an especiall ornament of Westmerland But Time Tide and a PrintersPress are three unmannerly things that will stay for no man and therefore I request that my defective indeavours may be well accepted I learn out of Master Camden that in the River Cann in this County there be two Catadupae or Waterfalls whereof the Northern sounding Clear and Loud foretokeneth Fair Weather the Southern on the same Terms presageth Rain Now I wish that the former of thesemay be Vocall in Hay-time and Harvest the latter after Great Drought that so both of them may make welcome Musick to the Inhabitants VVILT-SHIRE WILT-SHIRE hath Gloucester-shire on the North Berk-shire and Hampshire on the East Dorset-shire on the South and Summerset-shire on the West From North to South it extendeth 39. Miles but abateth ten of that Number in the breadth thereof A pleasant County and of great Variety I have heard a Wise man say that an Oxe left to himself would of all England choose to live in the North a Sheep in the South part hereof and a Man in the Middle betwixt both as partaking of the pleasure of the plain and the wealth of the deep Country Nor is it unworthy the observing that of all Inland Shires no ways bordered on Salt-water this gathereth the most in the Circumference thereof as may appear by comparing them being in compass one Hundred Thirty and Nine Miles It is plentifull in all English especially in the ensuing Commodities Naturall Commodities Wooll The often repetition hereof though I confess against our rules premised may justly be excused Well might the French Embassadour return France France France reiterated to every petty title of the King of Spain And our English Wooll Wooll c. may counterpoize the numerous but inconsiderable Commodities of other Countries I confess a Lock thereof is most contemptible Non flocci te facio passing for an expression of the highest neglect but a quantity thereof quickly amounteth to a good valuation The Manufactures Clothing This Mystery is vigorously pursued in this County and I am informed that as MEDLEYS are most made in other Shires as good WHITES as any are woven in this County This mentioning of Whites to be vended beyond the Seas minds me of a memorable contest in the raign of King James betwixt the Merchants of London and Sir William Cockain once Lord Mayor of that City and as Prudent a Person as any in that Corporation He ably moved and vigorously prosecuted the design that all the Cloth which was made might be died in England alledging that the wealth of a Country consisteth in driving on the Naturall Commodities thereof through all Manufactures to the utmost as far as it can go or will be drawn And by the Dying of all English cloth in England Thousands of poor People would be imployed and thereby get a comfortable subsistence The Merchants returned that such home-dying of our cloth would prove prejudiciall to the sale thereof Forreigners being more expert then we are in the mysterie of fixing of Colours Besides they can afford them far cheaper then we can much of dyingstuff growing in their Countries and Forraigners bear a great affâ—…ction to White or Virgin cloth unwilling to have their Fancies prevented by the Dying thereof insomuch that they would like it better though done worse if done by themselves That Sir William Cockain had got a vast deal of Dying-stuff into his own possession and did drive on his own interest under the pretence of the Publick good These their Arguments were seconded with good store of good Gold on both sides till the Merchants prevailed at last A Shole of Herrings is able to beat the Whale it self and Clothing left in the same condition it was before Tobacco pipes The best for shape and colour as curiously sized are made at Amesbury in this County They may be
expressing her intention to confer it on Watson the foresaid Earl requested the contrary acquainting the Queen with the passage betwixt them how otherwise it would be two hundred pounds out of his way Nay then said the Queen Watson shall have it he being more worthy thereof who will give two hundred to decline then he who will give two thousand pounds to attain it I confess such who have read so much of the Corruption of the Earl of Leicester and heard so little of the Integrity of Watson will hardly credit this story which I am ready to believe and the rather because of this his Epitaph written on his Marble Monument in the Church of Saint Mary Overies D. Johannes Watson hujus Ecclesiâ—… Winton Praebendarius Decanus 〈◊〉 deinde Episcopus prudentissimus pater vir optimus praecipuè erga inopes misericors obiit in Domino January 23. anno â—…tatis 63. Episcopatus quarto 1583. Nothing else have I to observe save that there were three Watsons Bishops in the raign of Queen Elizabeth Thomas of Lincoln our John of Winchester and Anthony of Chichester though I believe little allied together States-men Sir THOMAS COVENTRY Knight was born at Croone in this County Eldest Son to Sir Thomas Coventry Knight one of the Justices of the Common Pleas. He was bred in the Inner Temple a student of the Laws and in the year 1618. was Treasurer of the said Temple and Atturney Generall to King James He was afterwards made Lord keeper of the Great Seal of England the first day of November in the first year of King Charles He was by the same King Created in the fourth of his raign April 10. Baron Coventry of Alesborough in this County An ingenious Gentleman in his History giveth him this Character in relation to his Keeper-ship that he injoyed that dignity fifteen years if it was not more proper to say that dignity enjoyed him This latter age affording none better qualified for the place Adding that he knew enough and acted conformable to his knowledge so that Captious Maliâ—…e â—…nds mute to blemish his fame To which we will only adde some few operative words taken out of his Patent when he was Created Baron Nos igitur in personâ Prâ—…dilecti per quam fidelis 〈◊〉 â—…stri Thomae Coventry Militis custodis magni sigilli nostri Angliae gratissima dignissima servitiâ—… quae idem consiliarius noster tam Prâ—…charissimo Patri 〈◊〉 Jacobo Regi 〈◊〉 Memoriae per multos anâ—…s quam nobis ab ipsis Râ—…gni nostri primis auspiciis fidelissimè prudentissimè praestitit impendit indiesque impendere non desistit nec non 〈◊〉 prudentiam strenuitatem dexteritatem integriâ—…tem industriam 〈◊〉 nos nostram coronam animo benigno regali intime recolentes constantiam fidelitatem ipsiâ—… Thomae Coventry Militis c. In cujus rei c. T. R. apud Westm. decimo diâ—… Aprilis Anno regni Regis Caroli 4. He died about the beginning of January 1639. before our Civill distempers began so that it is hard to say whether his Honourable Life or Seasonable Death was the greater favour which God bestow'd upon him I must not forget that it hath been observed that never Lord Keeper made fewer Orders which afterwards were Reversed then this Lord Coventry which some ascribe to his Discretion grounding most of his Orders on the Consent and Comprimise of the parties themselves interested therein whose hands so tyed up by their own Act were the more willing to be quiet for the future Writers on the Law Sir THOMAS LITLETON Knight Reader the Nimiety of my Cautiousness loath to prejudice the seeming right of any made me to bestow part of his Character on Staffordshire who since am convinced that he wholly and solely belongeth to this Shire as born at Frankley therein and I request the Reader to rectify some mistakes I formerly wrot by that which followeth He was a man remarkable in many respects First for his Extraction he was Son to Thomas Wescot Esquire and Elizabeth Litleton his wife who being a Double Inheritrix by her Father to the Litletons Mother to the Quatremains indented with Husband that her Heritable Issue should assume her Surname Say not her Husband might say Accepi dotem cognomen perdidi seeing it was done before his marriage by his free consent Besides we find even in Scripture it self Joab being constantly named the son of his Mother Zeruiah Secondly for his happiness that two great Kings had a great Sympathy to him who had an Antipathy each to other Henry the sixth whose Serjeant he was and rod Judge of the Northern circuit and Edward the fourth who made him a Judge and in his raign he rod the Northamptonshire Circuit Thirdly for his Exquisite skill in the Laws witness his Book of Tenures which though writ about two hundred years since yet at this day retaineth an Authentical reputation Insomuch that when in the raign of King James it came in question upon a Demuâ—…rer in Law whether the release to one Trespasser should be available or no to his Companion Sir Henry Hubbard and Judges Warberton Winch and Nicols his Companions gave Judgement according to the opinion of our Litleton and openly said that They would not have HIS CASE disputed or questioned Lastly for his happy posterity having left three families signally fixed and flourishing in this and the neighboring Counties of Stafford and Salop. And one saith very truely that these Quarter the Armes of many Matches after the best manner of quartering them other are scarce half-half-quartering them viz. they possess at this day good land on the same account Indeed the Lord Coke observeth that our Lawyers seldome dye either without Wills or Heirs For the first I believe it for our Common Lawyers will not have their Estates come under the Arbitrary dispose of a Civilian Judge of the Prerogative and therefore wisely prevent it For the second the Observation as qualified which Seldome may pass otherwise our Grand-fathers can remember Sir James Dier Lord Chief Justice and Periam Lord Chief Baron both dying without Issue His Book of Tenures hath since been Commented on by Sir Edward Coke his most Judicious Pen. Dic mihi num Textus vel Commentatio prestat Dicam ego tam Textus quam Commentatio prestat He died in the 21. year of King Edward the fourth and lyeth buried in the Cathedrall of Worcester having formerly constituted Doctor Alcock his faithfull friend and then Bishop of Worcestor Supervisor of his Will who saw it performed to all criticall particulars Souldiers RICHARD BEAUCHAMP Earl of Warwick was born at the Maâ—…or-house of Salwape in this County January the 28. 1381. King Richard the second and Richard Scroope then Bishop of Coventry afterwards Arch-bishop of York were his Godfathers A person so redoubted for Marshall Atchievements that the poeticall fictions of Hercules his labours found in him a reall
not so much for his first bringing over Painted Glass into England as for his bringing up Pious Bead in his Monastery Being struck beneath the Girdle with the dead Palsey his soul retired into the Upper Rooms of his Clay Cottage much employed in meditation untill the day of his death which happened Anno 703. Saint JOHN of Beverley may be challenged by this County on a threefold title because therein he had his 1. Birth at Harpham in this County in the East-Riding 2. Life being three and thirty years and upwards Archbishop of York 3. Death at Beverley in this County in a Colledge of his own foundation I remember his Picture in a Window in the Library at Salisbury with an inscription under it whose character may challenge to it self three hundred years antiquity affirming him the first Master of Arts in Oxford and Alfredus Beverlacensis reporteth as much Arts indeed were and Oxford was though hardly an University in that age but seeing the solemnity of graduating was then unknown a judicious Oxonian rejecteth it as a fiction More true it is that he was bred at Strenshalt under Hilda aforesaid which soundeth something to her honour and nothing to his disgrace seeing eloquent Apollos himself learned the Primer of his Christianity partly from Priscilla He was afterwards educated under Theodorus the Grecian and Arch-bishop of Canterbury Yet was he not so famous for his Teacher as for his Scholar Venerable Bede who wrote this Johns life which he hath so spiced with Miracles that it is of the hottest for a discreet man to digest into his belief Being very aged he resigned his Arch-bishoprick that he might the more effectually apply his private devotions in his Colledge at Beverley for which he procured the Freedstool from King Athelston Yet such Sanctuaries though carrying something of holiness in their name had a profane abuse for their very use making Malefactours with their promise of impunity and then protecting them from justice Saint John died May 7. 722. and was buried in the Porch of his Collegiate Church A Synod held at London 1416. assigned the day of his death an Anniversary Solemnity to his Memory THOMAS PLANTAGENET Before I proceed I must confess my self formerly at a great loss to understand a passage in an Honourable Author speaking of the counterfeit Reliques detected and destroyed at the Reformation Lord Herbert in the life of King Henry the eighth pag. 431. The Bell of Saint Guthlac and the Felt of Saint Thomas of Lancaster both remedies for the Head ach But I could recover no Saint Thomas saving him of Canterbury in any English Martyrology till since on inquiry I find him to be this Thomas Plantagenet He was Earl of Derby Lancaster Leicester and in the right of Alice his Wife of Lincoln A popular person and great enemy to the two Spencers Minions to King Edward the second who being hated as Devils for their pride no wonder if this Thomas was honoured as a Saint and Martyr by the common sort Indeed he must be a good Chymist who can extract Martyr out of Malefactour and our Chronicles generally behold him put to death for Treason against K. Edward the 2d. But let him pass for a Saint in this Shire though never solemnly canonized it being true of such locall Saints what Servius Honoratus observeth of Topicall Gods Ad alias Regiones nunquam transibant They travailed not so far as to be honoured in other Countries His beheading alias his Martyrâ—…ome happened at Pontfret Anno Dom. 1322. RICHARD ROLE alias HAMPOLE had his first Name from his Father the other from the Place three Miles from Doncaster where living he was Honoured and dead was Buried and Sainted He was a Heremite led a strict life and wrot many Books of Piety which I prefer before his Propheticall Predictions as but a degree above Almanack Prognostications He threatned the Sins of the Nation with suture Famine Plague Inundations War and such generall Calamities from which no Land is long free but subject to them in some proportion Besides his Predictions if Hitting were Heeded if Missing not Marked However because it becomes me not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 let him pass for a Saint I will adde that Our Saviours Dilemma to the Jews may partly be pressed on the Papists his Contemporaries If Hampoles Doctrine was of Men why was he generally reputed a Saint if from God why did they not Obey him seeing he spake much against the vitiousness and covetousness of the Clergy of that Age He died Anno Domini 1349. JOHN of BIRLINGTON or BRIDLINGTOM was born hard by that Town bred two years in Oxford where he profited in piety and learning above his age and equals Returning home for a short time he was teacher to a Gentlemans Sons untill the twentieth year of his age he entred himself a Canon-Regular in the Covent of Bridlington where he grew eminent for his exemplary holiness It was his happiness that such offices always fell to his share as did not retard but quicken his devotion as Chaunter Almoner c. At last he was choâ—…en Prior but refus'd the place alledging his own unworthiness professing he had rather be beaten in pieces with blows then accept thereof so that another was put into the place This new elect dying soon after our John was chosen again in the vacancy and then took it fearing there might be as much peevishness in rejecting as pride in effecting it and hoping that Providence which fairly called him to would freely fit him for the discharge of that office He used to treat strangers at his table with good chear and seemingly kept pace with them in eating morsell for morsell whilst he had a secret contrivance wherein he conveyed his exceedings above his Monasticall pittance Being demanded of one why he did not enter into more strict and austere Order Surely said he A man may lead a sincere and acceptable life in any order and it were arrogancy in me to pretend to a severer discipline when I cannot observe as I ought this easier course of life My Author saith that Martha and Mary were both compounded in him being as pious so provident to husband the revenues of their house to their best advantage Going to view their lands in Richmond-shire he gave a visit to a woman lately turn'd an Ancorist and renowned for her holiness she told him that now her vision was out who the night before dreamed that an Eagle flew about her house with a label in his bill wherein was written Jesus is my love and you saith she are the person who so honour him in your heart that no earthly thing can distract you To whom our John returned I came hither to hear from you some saving and savoury discourse but seeing you begin with such idle talk farewell and so waved any farther converse However I must not dissemble that the prophesies fathered on this our John are as
his own charge chased away the French-man relieved the English and took sixâ—…y of the French Prisoners He removed afterwards to Virginia to view those parts and afterwards came into England and obtained from King Charles who had as great an esteem of and affection for him as King James a Patent to him and his Heirs for Mary-land on the North of Virginia with the same Title and Royalties conferred on him as in Avalon aforesaid now a hopeful Plantation peopled with eight thousand English souls which in processe of time may prove more advantagious to our Nation Being returned into England he died in London April 15. 1632. in the 53. year of his age lying buried in the Chancel of S. Dunstans in the West leaving his Son the Right Honourable Cecil Calvert now Lord Baltemore heir to his Honour Estate and Noble Disposition THOMAS WENTWORTH Earl of Strafford Deputy though Son to William Wentworth of Wentworth-Woodhouse in this County Esq at his Sons birth afterward Baronet yet because born in Chancery-Lane and Christned April 22. Anno 1593. in Saint Dunstans in the West hath his Character in London Seamen ARMIGELL WAAD born of an ancient Family in York-shire as I am informed from his Epitaph on his monument at Hampstead in Midlesex wherein he is termed Hen. 8. Edw. 6. Regum Secretiori consilio ab epistolis which I took the boldnesse to interpret not Secretary but Clerk of the Councel Take the rest as it followeth in his Funeral Inscription Qui in maximarum Artium disciplinis prudentiaque civili instructissimus plurimarum linguarum callentissimus legationibus honoratissimis perfunctus inter Britannos Indicarum Americarum explorator primus Indeed he was the first Englishman that discovered America and his several voyages are largely described in Mr. Hackluite his Travels This English COLUMBUS had by two Wives twenty Children whereof Sir William Waad was the eldest a very able Gentleman and Clerk of the Councel to Queen Elizabeth This Armigel died June 20. 1568. and was buried as is aforesaid MARTIN FROBISHER Kt. was born nigh Doncaster in this County I note this the rather because learned Mr. Carpenter in his Geography recounts him amongst the famous men of Devonshire But why should Devon-shire which hath a flock of Worthies of her own take a Lamb from another County because much conversing therein He was from his youth bred up in Navigation and was the first Englishman that discovered the North way to China and Cathai whence he brought great store of black soft Stone supposing it Silver or Gold Ore but which upon trial with great expence prov'd uselesse yet will no wise man laugh at his mistake because in such experiments they shall never hit the mark who are not content to 〈◊〉 it He was very valiant but withal harsh and violent faults which may be dispensed with in one of his profèssion and our Chronicles loudly resouâ—…d his signal service in Eighty Eight for which he was Knighted His last service was the defending of Brest-Haven in Britain with ten ships against a far greater power of Spaniards Here he was shot into the side the wound not being mortal in it self But Swords and Guâ—…s have not made more mortal wounds than Probes in the hands of carelesse and skillesse Chirurgeons as here it came to passe The Chirurgeon took out only the Bullet and left the bumbast about it behind wherewith the sore festered and the worthy Knight died at Plimoâ—…th Anno 1594. GEORGE CLIFFORD Lord Clifford Vescye c. Earl of Cumberland was son to Henry second Earl of that Family by his second Lady a person wholly composed of true Honour and Valour whereof he gave the world a clear and large demonstration It was resolved by the judicious in that age the way to humble the Spanish greatnesse was not by pinching and pricking him in the Low-Countries which only emptied his veins of such blood as was quickly re-filled But the way to make it a Cripple for ever was by cutting off the Spanish sinews of War his Money from the West Indies In order whereunto this Earl set forth a small Fleet at his own cost and adventured his own person therein being the best born Englishman that ever hazarded himselfe in that kind His Fleet may be said to be bound for no other Harbour but the Port of Honour though touching at the Port of Profit in passage thereunto I say touching whose design was not to enrich himself but impoverish the enemy He was as merciful as valiant the best metal bows best and left impressions of both in all places where he came Queen Elizabeth Anno 1592. honoured him with the dignity of the Garter When King James came first out of Scotland to York he attended him with such an equipage of Followers for number and habit that he seemed rather a King than Earl of Cumberland Here happened a contest between the Earl and the Lord President of the North about carrying the Sword before the King in York which office upon due search and enquiry was adjudged to the Earl as belonging unto him and whilest Cliffords Tower is standing in York that Family will never be therein forgotten His Anagram was as really as litterally true Georgius Cliffordius Cumberlandius Doridis regno clarus cum vi fâ—…lgebis He died 1605. leaving one Daughter and Heir the Lady Anne married to the Earl of Dorset of whom hereafter Physicians Sir GEORGE RIPLEY whether Knight or Priest not so soon decided was undoubtedly born at Ripley in this County though some have wrongfully entituled Surry to his Naâ—…vity That York-shire was the place of his birth will be evidenced by his relation of Kindred reckoned up by himself viz. 1. 〈◊〉 2. Ripleâ—… 3. Madlay 4. VVilloughby 5. Burham 6. VVaterton 7. Flemming 8. Talboyes Families found in York-shire and Lincoln-shire but if sought for in Surrey to be met with at Nonesuch Secondly it appeareth by his preferment being Canon of Bridlington in this County and to clear all In patria Eboracensi saith my Author But Philemon Holland hath not only erroniously misplaced but which is worse opprobriously miscalled him in his description of Surrey In the next Village of Ripley was born G. de Ripley a ringleader of our Alchimists and a mystical Impostor Words not appearing in the Latine Britannia and therefore Holland herein no Translator of Cambden but traducer of Ripley Leaving this Land he went over into Italy and there studied twenty years together in pursuance of the Philosophers Stone and â—…ound it in the year 1470. as some collect from those his words then written in his Book Juveni quem diligit anima mea spoken by the Spouse Cant. 3. 4. so bold is he with Scripture in that kind An English Gentleman of good credit reported that in his travels abroad he saw a Record in the Isle of Malta which declares that Sir George Ripley gave yearly to those Knights of Rhodes
fratri nostro defuncto impendit in futurum fideliter impendet dedimus Concedimus eidem Thomae heredibus suis Masculis quandam Annuitatem sive annualem reditum quadraginta libraram Habendum percipiendum annuatim eidem Thomae heredibus suis de-exitibus perficuis reventionibus Comitatus Palatini nostri Lancastriae in Com. Lanc. per manus Receptoris ibidem pro tempore existente ad Festum Sancti Michaelis Arch-angeli aliquo statuto actu sive Ordinatione in contrarium editis sive provisis in aliquo non Obstante In cujus rei testimonium has literas fieri fecimus Patentes Dat. apud Ebor. 2 do Aug. Anno regni 2 do A branch of these Talbots are removed into Lancashire and from those in Yorkshire Colonel Thomas Talbot is descended Edward IV. 10 HEN. VAVASOR Mil. It is observed of this family that they never married an Heir or buried their Wives The place of their habitation is called Hassell-wood from wood which there is not wanting though stone be far more plentifull there being a quarry within that Mannor out of which the stones were taken which built the Cathedrall and Saint Maries Abby in York the Monasteries of Holden-selby and Beverly with Thornton-colledge in Lincolnshire and many others So pleasant also the prospect of the said Hassel-wood that the Cathedralls of York and Lincoln being more then 60. miles asunder may thence be discovered Hâ—…nry VIII 2 RADULPHUS EURE Alias EVERS Mil. He was afterwards by the above named King Created a Baron and Lord Warden of the Marshes towards Scotland He gave frequent demonstration as our Chronicles do testify both of his Fidelity and Valour in receiving many smart Incursions from and returning as many deep Impressions on the Scots There is a Lord Evers at this day doubtless a Remoter Descendant from him but in what distance and degree it is to me unknown 5 WILLIAM PERCY Mil. I recommend the following Passage to the Readers choicest observation which I find in Camdens Brit. in Yorkshire More beneath hard by the River Rhidals side standeth Riton an antient Possession of the antient family of the Percy-hays commonly called Percys I will not be over confident but have just cause to believe this our Sheriffe was of that Family And if so he gave for his Armes Partie per fess Argent and Gules a Lion Rampant having Will. Percy-hay Sheriff in the last of Edw. the third for his Ancestor 23 NICHOLAS FAIRFAX Mil. They took their name of Fairfax à Pulchro Capillitio from the fair hair either bright in colour or comely for the plenty thereof their Motto in alusion to their Name is Fare fac say doe such the sympathy it seems betwixt their tongues and hearts This Sir Nicholas Fairfax mindeth me of his Name-sake and Kins-man Sir Nicholas Fairfax of Bullingbrooke Knight of the Rhodes in the raign of Edward the fourth Jacomo Bosio in his Italian History of Saint John of Jerusalem saith that Sir Nicholas Fairfax was sent out of Rhodes when it was in great distress to Candia for relief of Men and Provisions which he did so well perform as the Town held out for some time longer and he gives him this Character in his own Language Cavilero Nicholo Fairfax Inglich homo multo spiritoso è prudento Queen Mary 3 CHRISTOPHER METCALFE Mil. He attended on the Judges at York attended on with three hundred Horsemen all of his own name and kindred well mounted and suitably attired The Roman Fabii the most populous tribe in that City could hardly have made so fair an appearance in so much that Master Camden gives the Metcalfes this character Quae numerosissima totius Angliae familia his temporibus censetur Which at this time viz. Anno 1607. is counted the most numerous family of England Here I forbear the mentioning of another which perchance might vie numbers with them lest casually I minister matter of contest But this Sir Christopher is also memorable for stocking the river Yower in this County hard by his house with Crevishes which he brought out of the South where they thrive both in plenty and bigness For although Omnia non omnis terra nec unda feret All lands doe not bring Nor all waters every thing Yet most places are like trees which bear no fruit not because they are barren but are not grafted so that dumbe nature seemeth in some sort to make signes to Art for her assistance If some Gentleman in our parts will by way of ingenuous retaliation make proof to plant a Colonie of such Northern Fishes as we want in our Southern Rivers no doubt he would meet with suitable success Queen Elizabeth 4 GEORGE BOWES Mil. He had a great Estate in this County and greater in the Bishoprick of Durham A Man of Metall indeed and it had been never a whit the worse if the quickness thereof had been a little more allayed in him This was he who some seven years after viz. Anno 1569. was besieged by the Northern Rebells in Bernards Castle and streightned for Provision yielded the same on Condition they might depart with their Armour After the suppression of the Rebells their Execution was committed to his Care wherein he was severe unto Cruelty For many Well-meaning people were ingaged and others drawn in into that Rising who may truely be termed Loyall Traytors with those two hundred men who went after Absolon in their simplicity and knew not any thing solicited for the Queens service These Sir George hung up by scoars by the Office of his Marshallship and had hung more if Mr. Bernard Gilpin had not begged their lives by his importunate intercession 23 ROBERT STAPLETON Mil. He was descended from Sir Miles Stapleton one of the first founders of the Garter and Sheriâ—… in the 29. of Edward the third He met the Judges with sevenscore men in suitable liveries and was saith my Author in those days for a man well spoken properly seen in languages a comely and goodly personage had scant an equall except Sir Philip Sidney no superior in England He married one of the Co heirs of Sir Henry Sherington by whom he had a numerous posterity 42 FRANCIS CLIFFORD Ar. He afterwards succeeded his Brother George in his Honours and Earldome of Cumberland a worthy Gentleman made up of all Honorable accomplishments He was Father to Henry the fifth and last Earl of that Family whose sole Daughter and Heir was married to the right Honourable and well worthy of his Honour the then Lord Dungarvon since Earl of Cork 45 HENRY BELLASIS Mil. He was afterwards by King Charles Created Baron Fauconbridge of Yarum as since his Grandchild by his Eldest Son is made Vicount Fauconbridge John Bellasis Esquire his second Son who in the Garrison of Newarke and elsewhere hath given ample Testimony of his Valour and all Noble Qualities accomplishing a Person of Honour since is advanced to the dignity of a Baron