most delicious place within a mile of Warwick he wrote the Antiquities of Warwick a Chronicle of the English Kings and a History of the two Universities He was as good at his Pensil as Pen being an excellent Limner He dyed 1491. Since the Reformation W. Perkins born at Marston bred Fellow of Christs-Colledge became Preacher of St. Andrew in Cambridge See of him in my Holy State He dyed 1602. Tho. Drax D. D. born at Stonely and bred in Christs-Colledge in Cambridge was a pious Man and an excellent Preacher He Translated all the Works of Mr. Perkins into Latine He was beneficed nigh Harwich in Essex and dyed 1616. The Family of the Drax flourished a long time at Wood-hall in York-shire and after various Changes hath recovered and encreased its former lustre in Sir James Drax who hath merited much of the English Nation in bringing the Sugars and other Commodities of the Barbadoes to their perfection William Shakespeare born at Stratford was in some sort a Compound of three eminent Poets viz. Martial Ovid and Plautus the Comedian The two first were Charactered in a Verse made by Queen Elizabeth coming into a Grammar School Persius a Crab-staff Bawdy Martial Ovid a fine VVag. Though the Genius of this our Poet was jocular he could be solemn and serious when occasion required as appears by his Tragedies so that He aclitus himself might afford to smile at his Comedies and Democritus scarce forbear to sigh at his Tragedies His Learning being very little Nature seems to have practised her best Rules in his production Many were the witty Combates betwixt him and Benjamin Johnson who like a Spanish Gallion was built far higher in Learning solid but slow in his performances whilst Shakespeare like an English Man of War less 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 dyed 16. and was buried at Stratford Michael Drayton born at Athelston was a pious Poet a Temperate man and a good natured Companion He changed his Laurel for a Crown of Glory 1631. and was buried in Westminster-Abbey Sir Fulke Grevil Knight Son to Sir Fulke Senior of Becham Court was bred in Cambridge He came to Court back'd with a fair Estate in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth He was a good Scholar and a great Friend to Learned Men Bishop Overal chiefly owed his preferment to him and Mr. Cambden tasted largely of his Liberality His Studies were most in Poetry and History as his works do witness King James created him Baron Brook of Beauchamp-Court as descended from the sole Daughter and Heir of Edward VVilloughby the last Lord Brook He was murdered 16. by a discontented servant who conceiving himself not soon or well enough rewarded first wounded his Master mortally and afterwards dispatched himself He lyeth buried in Warwick Church under a fair Monument whereon he is styled Servant to Queen Elizabeth Councellour to King James and Friend to Sir Philip Sidney dying unmarried his Barony descended on his Kinsman Robert Grevil Lord Brook Father to the Right Honourable Robert Lord Brook Nich. Byfield bred in Queens Colledge in Oxford entring into the Ministery was invited into Ireland But being wind-bound at Chester and having preached there with great approbation he was chosen Minister in the City being afterwards informed that his going over to Ireland would have been labour in vain He maintained the strict observation of the Lords day against Mr. Breerwood He was afterwards Minister of Isleworth in Middlesex where he Preached for 15 years together twice every Lords day and expounded Scripture every Wednesday and Fryday He dyed of the Stone in his Bladder which being taken out after his death was weighed and measured being 33 ounces and more in length 13 inches and above in measure about the breadth almost 13 inches and about the edge 15 and ½ Being of solid substance to look upon like Flint He was buried at Isleworth Philemon Holland bred in Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge a Doctor in Physick and fixed himself in Coventry He was the Translator General of his Age of whom one saith Holland with his Translations doth so fill us He will not let Suetonius be Tranquillus Many of his Books he wrote with one Pen whereon he himself versifies With one sole Pen I writ this Book made of a Grey Goose Quill A Pen it was when I it took and a Pen I leave it still He Translated Cambden's Britannia with many excellent Additions and was himself Translated to a better Life 16 ... Francis Holyoake born at Whitacre was Minister of Southampton He set forth Rider's Dictionary and dyed 16 ... James Cranford born at Coventry and bred in Oxford was beneficed in Northampton-shire afterwards Minister of St. Christophers in London A learned and pious man and a painful Preacher of much Humility Moderation and Charity Having sadly sympathized with the Sufferings of Church and State he dyed 1657. Romish Exile Writers William Bishop Son probably to John a Protestant and Patron of Brails in this County went first to Rhemes then to Rome whence being sent back into England he was siezed on and committed by Secretary Walsingham to the Marshalsey After 3 years beâ—ng banished the Land he became a Doctor of Sorbon Afterwards he returned into England and for nine years laboured in the Popish Harvest And after another visit to his Holiness he returned to his Station till he was imprisoned at London At last being enlarged he went to Paris The Papists cry him up for a Glorious Confessor of the Popish Faith who if any goodness in him should also be a thankful Confessor of the Protestant Charity permitting him twice to depart Prison Benefactors to the Publick Hugh Clapton born at Stratford and bred a Mercer in London whereof he was Lord Mayor 1491. built at Stratford a stately and long Stone Bridge of many Arches over the â—von many other Charities he bestowed and deceased 1496. Since the Reformation Hales Esquire sounded and endowed a fair Grammar School in Coventry the Priory of which he had purchased from King Henry 8. Jo. Lord Harrington born at Combe-Abbey was no less Pious then Noble He began the Fashion of a diary wherein he registred his daily failings Being a wise Accomptant he used that method of Christian Arithmetick in numbering his dayes with such exactness that it seems he had but one day to account for and repent of before his death He was a most bountiful Benefactor to Sidney-Colledge He dyed in his prime and unmarried being the last Male of that Honourable Family as one complains by way of Anagram Johannes Dominus Harringtonius insignis erat Ah! Vnus Honor Domi. He left his two Sisters his Heirs Lucy Married to Edward Earl of Bedford and Anne who by Sir Robert Chichester had a Daughter Anne married to Thomas Earl of Elgin and Mother to Robert Lord Bruce who is at this day Heir apparent to no
all the World over for the largeness and workmanship thereof Appending to it is the Chapter-house such a Master-piece of Art that this Golden Verse is Engraved thereon Vt Rosa Flos Florum sic est Domus ista Domorum Proverbs I. Lincoln was London is and York shall be True it is that Lincoln is the greatest City in the Kingdom of Mercia that London is we know and if York shall be God knows It was indeed in a fair way of preferment when England and Scotland were first United into Great Britain But as for those who hope it shall be the English Metropolis they must wait until the River of Thames run under the great Arch of Ouse-Bridge However York shall be that is shall be York still as it was before Saints Flaccus Albinus alias Alcuinus born probably in York where he was advanced was bred under Ven. Bede and became a man of prodigious Learning He was Master to Charles I. Emperour who owed unto him the best part of his Title the Great being made Great in Arts and Learning by his Instructions He founded the University in Paris so that the Learning of the French was a Taper lighted at Our Torch His Name puts me in mind of their malitious and silly Anagram upon Calvin viz. Calvinus Lucianus who was an Atheist though there were many worthy persons of the same Name The same Anagram is found in Alcuinus He was first made Abbot of St. Augustines in Canterbury and afterwards of St. Martins in the City of Tours in France and dying 780 he was buried in a Convent appendant to his Monastery Many of the Modern Saints in the Church of Rome must modestly confess that on a due and true estimate Our Alcuinus was worth many scores of them so great his Learning and Holy his Conversation Sewal bred in Oxford was Scholar to St. Edmund who was wont to say to him Sewald Sewald thou wilt have many Afflictions and dye a Martyr Nor did he miss much of his Mark therein though he met with Peace and Plenty at first when Arch-Bishop of York But afterwards opposing the Pope who intruded one Jordan an Italian to be Dean of York he was for his contempt Excommunicated Note that at the same time there were 300 Benefices possessed by Italians who did not only teach in the Church but mis-teach by their lascivious and debauched Conversations Let us now return to Sewald who never returned in the Popes favour but dyed of grief in the state of Excommunication 1258. Yet was he reputed a Saint in Vulgar Estimation Martyrs Valentine Freese and his Wife both born in this City gave their Lives therein at one Stake for the Testimony of Jesus Christ an 1531. probably by order from Edward Lee the cruel Arch-Bishop Confessors Edward Freese Brother to Valentine aforesaid was Apprentice to a Painter afterwards a Novice-Monk and leaving his Convent came to Colchester in Essex where discovering his Heretical Inclinations by Painting Sentences of Scriptures in the Borders of Cloaths he was called to an account by Jo. Stoaksley Bishop of London Mr. Fox saith he was fed with Manchet made of saw-dust and kept so long in Prison manicled till the Flesh had overgrown his Irons and he not able to Kemb his own head became so distracted that being brought before the Bishop he could say nothing but my Lord is a good Man We must not forget how the Wife of this Edward being big with Child and pressing in to see her Husband the Porter at Fulham gave her such a kick on the Belly that the Child was destroyed with that stroak immediately and she dyed afterwards of the same Prelates Jo. Roman whose Father was born at Rome was probably born in York seeing he was very indulgent to that City For generally Outlandish Mules though lying down in English Pasture used to leave no hairs behind them But this Jo. being advanced Arch-Bishop began to build the Church and finished the North part of the Cross-Isle therein Pol. Virg. praiseth him for a man of great Learning and Sincerity He fell into the disfavour of King Edward 1. for Excommunicating Anthony Beck Bishop of Durham and it cost him 4000 Marks to regain his Prince's good Will He dyed 1295. and was buried in his own Church Robert Walbey an Augustinian Friar in York went over into France where he was chosen Professor of Divinity in the City of Tholouse He was Chaplain to the Black Prince and after his death to his Father King Edward 3. Now as his Master enjoyed three Crowns so under him his Chaplain did successively partake of three Mitres being first a Bishop in Gascoigne then Arch-Bishop of Dublin in Ireland and afterwards Bishop of Chichester in England At last he was Consecrated Arch-Bishop of York He dyed 1397. Since the Reformation Thomas Morton born 1564. was Son to a famous Mercer reputed the first in York and allied to Cardinal Morton Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He was bred in York School with that Arch-Traytor Guy Faux and afterwards in St. Johns-Colledge in Cambridge and for his Merit chosen Fellow thereof before 8 Competitors Commencing D. D. he made his Position on his second Question contrary to the expectation of Dr. Playfere replying upon him with some passion Commôsti mihi Stomachum to whom Morton returned Gratutor tibi Reverende Professor de bono tuo Stomacho canabis apud me hâc nocte He was successively preferred Dean of Glocester Winchester Bishop of Chester Coventry and Lichfield and Durham The Foundation which he laid of Forreign Correspondency with eminent persons of different perswasions when he attended as Chaplain to the Lord Evers sent by King James Ambassador to the King of Denmark c. he built upon unto the day of his death In the late Long Parliament the displeasure of the House of Commons fell heavy upon him partly for subscribing the Bishops Protestation for their Votes in Parliament partly for refusing to resign the Seal of his Bishoprick and Baptizing a Daughter of John Earl of Rutland with the Sign of the Cross two faults which compounded together in the judgment of honest and wise men amounted to an High Innocence Yet the Parliament allowed him 800 pounds a year a proportion above his Brethren for his Maintenance But the Trumpet of their Charity gave an uncertain sound not assigning by whom or whence this Sum should be paid Indeed the severe Votes of Parliament ever took full effect according to his observation who did Anagram it VOTED OVTED But their Merciful Votes found not so free performance however this good Bishop got 1000 pounds out of Goldsmiths Hall which afforded him support in his Old Age. He wrote against Faction in defence of three Innocent Ceremonies and against Superstition in his Treatise called The Grand Impostor He solemnly proffered unto me to maintain me to live with him which courteous proffer as I could not conveniently accept I did thankfully refuse Many of the Nobility deservedly honoured him
of his Estate and gave the King and others what remained thereof not regarding Sir H. Grey his Brother by a 2 d. Venter of Wrest in this County who therefore declined the Honour Thus the Earldom of Kent lay asleep in the Family of the Greys almost 50 years viz. from 15. H. 8 till 13 of Queen Eliz. when she advanced Reginald Grey Grandfather to Sir H. Grey aforesaid who had Recruited himself with Revenues to be Earl of Kent An. 1571. Reginald dying Childless within the year Hen. his Brother the Subject of our present description succeeded to this Honour A Person truly Noble expending the Income of his own Estate and his Ladies Joynture Mary the Relict of Edw. E. of Darby in Hospitality He was a Cordial Protestant on the same Token that being present at the Execution of Queen of Scots when she requested the Nobility there to stand by and see her Death he fearing something of Superstition hardly assented thereunto On the other side he was as far removed from Faction deserving the Character given him by Mr. Cambd. A Person highly Honoured with all the Ornaments of true Nobility He left no Issue except some will behold him in some sort Parent of Sidney-Coll in Camb. as one of the Executors to the Foundress thereof who both proved and improved her Will besides her Personal Benefaction thereunto And being the Surviving Executor he did Perpetuate the Fellowships formerly Temporary according to his Trust He dyed An. 1613. Fr. Cleark Knight born at Eaton-soton in the Lordship called the Paersonage A Noble Benefactor to Sidney-Coll augmenting all the Scholarships of the Foundation and erecting a fair Range of Buildings So skilful he was that he computed to a Brick what was necessary for the finishing thereof He founded four new Fellowships The Gift was felt before the Giver a meer Stranger was seen He dyed An. Dom. 163. Memorable Persons A Woman lived dyed and is buried at Dunstable where is her Epitaph who had 19 Children at 5 Births viz. 3.3.3.5 and 5. Noted Sheriffs The Family of the Blundells whereof Sir Edw. Blundel behaved himself right Valiantly in the Expedition to the Isle of Ree Rich. Basset and Albericus de Veer The last of whom was made monarch M. 2. by Maud the Emp. E. of Oxford And the first was his under-Sheriff in this County Hen. de Essex Bar. de Raleigh in Ess and Hereditary Standard-bearer of England He in the Battle at Coleshul in Flintsh between the English and the Welsh casting away his Courage and Banner together occasioned a great overthrow of the English and was therefore challenged in Combat by Rob. de Momford Knight and by him overcome in Duel His Inheritance was forfeited to the King and he himself made a Honourable Retreat into a Convent and under a Coul betwixt Shame and Sanctity blushed out the Remainder of his Life Dav. Archdeacon whose Ancestors probably having been Ecclesiasticks left him that Surname Rob. Braybrook and Hen. Fil. Hen. Br. and Rob. Pater monarch K. Jo. A loving Reciprocation of Sheriff and under Sheriff betwixt Father and Son Under-Sheriff to his Father that was his Duty Under-Sheriff to his Son that was his Courtesie Indeed I can Name one under-Sheriff to his own Father being a Gent. of right Worthy Extraction and Estate which Son afterwards became Lord Ch. Justice and Treasurer of England Edward Eldest Son to the King A great Honour to this Shire and Buck. where he was Sheriff for five years together monarch H. 3. Yea the Imperial Crown found him in that Office when it fell unto him Barthol de Fowen being under-Sheriff Th. Hoo. A famous Man whom King Hen. 6 made Knight of the Garter and Lord Hoo and Hastings monarch H. 6. He left four Daughters thus Married 1. Anne to Sir Jeffrey Bullen 2. Eleanor to Sir Rich. Carew 3. Jane to Rob. Cople Esquire 4. Eliz. to Sir Jo. Devenish From the first of these was Queen Eliz. descended Some of the issue Male were lately extant in Hartfordshire Jo. Wenlock was returned Knight of the Town of his Principal Residence to the Parl. 12. H. 6. and afterwards created Bar. of Wenlock and Knight of the Garter fought Valiantly and lost his Life in the Battle of Teuxbury He dyed without Issue and his Estate came to E. 4. From his Cousin and Heir-general the Lauleys in Shropshire are descended Sir Jo. St. John Knight Father Son and Grandson were of the same Name and Dignity The Father monarch H. 7. Sheriff in the time of H. 7. was Son to Sir Oliver St. John by Marg. Daughter and Sole Heir to Sir Jo. Beauchamp She was afterwards Married to Jo. D. of Somerset to whom she bare Margaret Mother to King Hen. 7. Will. Gascoine was a younger Brother of Ganthorp-house in Yorkshire and was setled at Cardington in this County by marrying the Inheretrix thereof He was afterwards twice Sheriff under H. 8. Knighted and Comptroller of the House of Cardinal Woolsey A rough-Man preferring rather to profit than please his Master The Prelates Wisdom knowing Thrift to be the Fuell of Magnificence often advised with this his Servant His Name and Estate are Extinct in this County Jo. Mordant Ar. of Ancient Extraction monarch H. 8. married one of the Daughters and Heirs of Hen. Vere of Addington in Northamptonshire By Aged Persons he was remembred by the Name of John of the Woods I was born under the shadow and felt the warmth of them So great a Master was he of Timber in that County besides large Possessions in Essex and elsewhere King Hen. 8. owning him deservedly for a Wise Man created him Bar. Mordant of Turvey Will. Windsor Knight descended from Walt. Fitz Otho Castle keeper of Windsor in the time of Will the Conquerour and was by King H. 8. created Bar. Windsor of Bradenham in Buckinghamshire Ancestor to the present Lord Windsor descended from him by an Heir general so that Hickman is his Surname Fr. Russel Knight Son to Jo. Lord Russel afterwards Earl of Bedford monarch E 6. Succeeding his Father in his Honour so great was his Hospitality that Queen Eliz. was wont to say of him That he made all the Beggars He founded a small School at Wobourn and dying in great Age and Honour was buried at Cheneys 1585. Oliver St. John Ar. By Queen Eliz. made Lord St. John of Bletso in this County and left two Sons who succeeded him to this Honour First John whose only Daughter Anne was married to Will Lord Esfingham was Mother to Eliz. now Count. Dowager of Peterborough his Second Son Oliver blessed with a Numerous Issue and Ancestor to the present Earl of Bullingbrook Will. Dormer Knight was Son to Rob. by Jane Newdigate his Wife monarch Q Ma. He had by Mary Sidney his Wife a Daughter married to the Count of Feria when he came over hither with King Phil. This Count under pretence to visit his Sick Lady remaining here did very earnestly move a Match
then of Botsworth a pious and judicious Divine His Works witness his great Worth He died 1657. Romish Exile Writers Math. Kellison born at Harowden was Kings Professor and Rector of the University in Rhemes He wrote a Book to King James another against Sutliff with many more and was living 1611. Benefactors to the Publick Hen. Chichley born at Higham Ferrers and bred in Oxford was sent by Henry 4. to the Council of Pisa 1409 and by the Popes own hand was consecrated Bishop of St. Davids at Vienna and thence was advanced Arch-Bishop of Canterbury by Henry 5. Which Wise King having a shrewd design against the Abbeys was diverted with vast sums of Mony paid by the Clergy to maintain his Wars in France He refused a Cardinals Cap proffered to him in the Reign of Henry 6. being loath as some think to be junior to Cardinal Beaufort of Winchester who had often disobliged him He was cruel against the Wicklevites but was a Zealous Asserter of the English Liberties in opposition to the Popes Vsurped Supremacy Great his Zeal to promote Learning as appears by 3 Collâ—ges erected and endowed at his expence and procurement One with an Hospital at Higham-Ferrers St. Bernards in Oxford afterwards bettered by Sir Th. White into St. John's Colledg and All-Souls in Oxford Having continued in his See 29 years He died 1443. William Laxton of Oundle was bred a Grocer in London whereof he was Lord Mayor 1544. He founded and endowed a fair School and Alms-house at Oundle in this County well maintained at this day by the Company of Grocers He died 1556. Since the Reformation Nic. Latham born at Bridgstock was Minister at Barn-Wells He founded several small Schools with Salaries in Country Villages and founded a most beautifull Almshouse at Oundle He died 1620. Edward Montague Baron of Baughton a pious peacable and hospitable Patriot was a Bountiful Benefactor to Sidney-Colledg and built and endowed an Alms-house at Weekley in this County He was Honourable at Court and beloved in the Country tho he never affected popularity being wont to say Do the common sort of people 19 Courtesies together and yet you may lose their love if you do but go over the stile before them He died in restraint in the Savoy on the account of his Loyalty to his Soveraign 164 ... Memorable Persons A Sexton of the Cathedral of Peterborough interred 2 Queens Kath. Dowager and Mary of Scotland more than 50 years interceding betwixt their 2 sepultures He buried also 2 generations of people that lived in the place Noted Sheriffs An. 16. Rich. Widevil al. Woodvil married Jaquet Dutchess of Bedford monarch H. 6. of most ancient extraction malicious therefore the Cavil of Rich. Duke of York That the Family was made Noble which was not worth a Noble Yea 't is very probable that all the ancient Nobility of England are derived from his Daughters 23. Hen. Green of another Family than those of Green Norton built Draiton House in this County He had one Daughter and Heir Constance married to Jo. Stafford E. of Wilt. to whom she bare Edward who died without Issue so that her Inheritance devolved unto the Family of the Veres An. 1. Hen. Vere Arm. a jolly Gentleman both for Court and Camp monarch H. 7. a great Reveller good as well at a March as Masques being Governour of Guines in Picardie was created by H. 8. Baron of Harouden Ancestor to Edw. Lord Vau. now living He was a great Courtier and appeared in costly Equipage wearing on the Marriage day of P. Arthur a Gown worth above 1000 l. and the day following a Collar of S S worth 800 l. The solemn occasion of this Gallantry was that which hindred Empson from taking this Gentleman by the Collar and picking a Hole in his Gown upon the breach of some rusty penal Sumptuary Statute An. Th. Par. removed from Kendal-Castle in Westmerland into this County monarch H. 8. upon his marrying Maud Daughter of Sir Th. Green of Green-Norton He was Father to Q. Kath. Par and to W. Marquiss of Northam 15. W. Fitz-Williams Sen. Mil. first a Merchant-Taylor and Servant to Cardinal Woolsey was Alderman in London 1506. Afterwards upon his entertainment of his Mr. Woolsey at Milton in Northamptonshire the King being displeased therewith demanded how he durst harbour so great an Enemy to the State his Answer was That he had done it because he had been his Master and partly the means of his greatest Fortunes The K. was so well pleased with his Answer that saying himself had few such Servants immediately Knighted him and afterwards made him a privy Councellor 17. W. Par Uncle to Queen Kath. Par was by H. 8. created Baron Par of Horton 21. Jo. Clarke Mil. Aâ— 5. H. 8. at the Siege of Terrowane took Prisoner Lewis de Orleans D. of Longevile for which service he got the Arms of that Duke viz. a Canton sinister Az. and thereupon a Demi-Ram mounting Ar. armed O. betwixt 2 Flower de Luces in Chief of the last over all a Batune dexter-ways Ar. 24. Dav. Cecil was Grandfather to W. Cecil Baron of Burleigh and Lord Treasurer of England 25. W. Par Mil. brother to Q. Kath. Par was made Lord Par of Kendâ—l and E. of Essex in the right of Anne Bourcher his Wife King Ed. 6. created him Marq. of Northampton under Queen Mary he was condemned for siding with Queen Jane but pardoned and restored by Q. Eliz. He was skilled in Musick and wanted not for Valour tho unsuccessful in his employment against Ket He died 1571 without issue An. 1. Th. Tressam Mil. for his activity in bringing Q. Mary to the Crown monarch Q. Mary was by her made Prior of St. Jo. in Jerusalem An. 6. Edm. Brudenell Arm. afterwards Knighted was a great Antiquary monarch Q. Eliz. and seems to have entailed his Abilities on Th. Lord Brud of Stoughton 15. Th. Tressam Arm. Knighted 18 Eliz. built the Market-House at Rothwell For his Zeal to the Popish Religion he was confined to Wisbich Castle 20. Th. Cecil Mil. Son to Sir Will. Bar. of Burleigh was created E. of Exeter and married Dorothy Daughter to the Lord Latimer These joyntly bestowed 108 l. per An. on Clare-hall in Cambridge 34. Anth. Milemay Esq was Knighted by Q. Eliz. and sent Ambassador into France 43. Rob. Spencer Knight descended from the Spencers Earls of Glocester and Winchester was An. 1. Jac. created Baron Spencer of Wormleiton in Warw. speaking in Parliament of the Valour of their English Ancestors in defending the Liberties of the Nation your Ancestors said the Earl of Arundel were keeping of Sheep when those Liberties were defended The other returned And yours were then in plotting of Treason He was sent by K. James to Frederick Duke of Wirtenberge to present him with the Garter An. 2. Arth. Throgmorton Knight whose Sister was married to Sir Walt. Raleigh an ingenious Gentleman monarch K. James left his Estate to his 4 Daughters married
Devotion with the pleasantness Wells to drive it with the solemnity thereof The West Front of Wells is a Master-piece of Art made of well proportioned imagery Vera Spirantia Signa As for the Civil Habitations in this County to pass by Dunstar Castle which hath a high Ascent and a goodly Prospect by Sea and Land Montague built by Sir Edward Philips Master of the Rolles is a most Magnificent Fabrick Hinton St. George the House of the Lord Paulet has every Stone in the Front shaped Doule-wayes in form of a Cart-nail and 't is said the owner thereof built it in a dear year on purpose to employ the more poor people thereupon The Wonder of this County is Wockey-hole in Mendip-Hills near Wells a Subterranean Concavity having spatious Vaults stony Walls creeping Labyrinths The water which incessantly dropped down from the Vault of the Rock was seen by some to turn to the Rock it self And the like transmutation is thought to be the Original of many Rocks As for Medicinal Waters Bath is well known the Waters whereof have much Bitumen soveraign against Obstructions Niter which strengthneth the operation of the former and Purgeth the Body of gross Humours and Sulphur which dries and is good for uterine effects Amongst the various Opinions concerning the heat of these Waters some do with great probability impute the same to the fermentation of several Minerals through which the Waters run The practice of taking the Waters inwardly in Broths c. beginneth to prevail The Right Honourable James Earl of Marleborough undertook to cover the Cross-Bath at his own cost and would others follow his Resolution it would effectually conduce to publick benefit and raise the credit of the place Proverbs I. Where should I be bore else then in Tanton deane A Peasant's bragg that place is indeed populous pleasant and so fruitful with the zun and zoil alone that it needs no manuring II. The Beggers of Bath Saints St. Dunstan born in and Abbot of Glassenbury was Bishop of London and Worcester Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and at last for his promoting of Monkery reputed a Saint He dyed 988. His skill in Smithery was so great that the Goldsmiths in London are Incorporated by the name of the Company of St. Dunstans See my Eccl. Hist Martyrs Jo. Hooper born in this County and bred in Oxford then beyond the Seas a great Scholar and Linguist was in the Reign of Edw. 6. Elected Bishop of Glocester but for a time scrupled the acceptance thereof as refusing the Oath of Supremacy which then enjoyned the receivers to a Conformity to the Kings Commands in what alterations soever he should afterwards make in Religion and also concluded with so help me God and all his Angels and Saints This was the occasion of the ensuing reforming of that Oath whilst the King dispensed with his present taking thereof He also scrupled the wearing of some Episcopal Habiliments but at last consented thereunto He held afterwards Worcester in Commendam with Glocester and having a double Dignity gave treble Diligence by Preaching Gods Word living piously and dying patiently being Martyred An. 1555. The only Native in this Shire who suffered for the Testimony of the Gospel Bishop Burn Bishop of Bath and Wells in the Reign of Q. Mary having persecuted no Protestants in his Diocess to death Prelates Joceline of Wells whereof he was Bishop He first changed the Stile of Bishop of Glaston used by his Predecessors into that of Bishop of Bath and Wells The Monks of Glassenbury purchased their exemption from his Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction by parting with 4 fair Mannors to the See of Wells After his return from Exile for his obstinacy against King John he Beautified and Enriched the Cathedral Erected some new Prebends and to the use of the Chapter appropriated many Churches and gave 3 Mannors of great value to the Episcopal See He with Hugo Bishop of London was the joynt Founder of St. Jo. in Wells and on his own cost built two fair Chappels one at Wokey the other at Wells The Church of Wells was rather rebuilt then repaired by him He was Bishop 37 Years and Dyed 1242. His Effigies in Brass which was on his Tomb is since defaced Fulk of Samford was Treasurer of St. Pauls London and then by Papal-Bull declared Arch-Bishop of Dublin 1256. He dyed in his Mannor of Finglas 1271. and was Buried in the Church of St. Pat. whose Brother Jo. of Samford Dean of St. Pat. in Dublin and for a time Escheator of all Ireland was afterward chosen and by Edw. the 1st Confirm'd Arch-Bishop of Dublin 1284. For a time he was Chief Justice of Ireland and thence was sent with Anth. Bishop of Durham Ambassador to the Emperour whence returning he dyed in London 1294. his Body being carried over into Ireland was buried in St. Pat. Thomas Beckington born at Beckington bred in New-Colledge Dr. of the Laws and Dean of the Arches till by King Hen. 6. he was advanced Bishop of Bath and Wells He gave for his Rebus in allusion to his Name a burning Beacon to which he answered in his Nature being a burning and shining light He wrote a Book to prove the K. of England's Title to the Crown of France He spent 6000 Marks in repairing and adorning of his Palaces He was a Loyal Subject kind Kinsman and a good Master bequeathing 5 pound a piece to his Chief and 5 Marks a piece to his meaner Servants and 40 Shillings a piece to his Boys He was a Benefactor to Wells Church Winch. New Merton but chiefly Lincoln-Colledge in Oxford being little less than a second Founder thereof His Will was Confirmed under the Broad Seal of England He dyed 1464. Richard Fitz-James Dr. of Law was born at Redlinch of Ancient and Worshipful Extraction and bred at Mert. Coll. in Oxford where he built most Beautiful Lodgings repairing also St. Ma. in Oxford He was preferred successively Bishop of Rochester Chichester and London An excellent Scholar and Author of some Books not now Extant He was over busie with Fire and Faggot persecuting the poor servants of God in his Diocess He dyed 1512 and was buried in his Cathedral having contributed to the adorning thereof in a Chappel like Tomb of Timber since burnt down 1561 He was Brother to Fitz-James Lord Chief Justice Statesmen Sir Amias Poulet whose Grandfather put Cardinal Woolsey then but a School-Master in the Stocks was born at Hinton St. George He was Chancellour of the Garter Governour of Jersey and Gersney and Privy-Councellour to Q. Elizabeth who chiefly committed the keeping of Mary Q. of Scots to his fidelity He would not yield to Secretary Walsingham who moved him to suffer one of his servants to be bribed by the Agents of the Queen of Scots so to compass the better Intelligence He dyed 15. and was Buried in St. Martins in the Fields in London His Motto was Gardez la Foy keep your Faith or Allegiance Capital Judges Jo. Fitz-James born