practice in shooting from their Infancy then to their strength and Stature so that it is rather Difuse then disability in our age that we cannot shoot the like and since the Invention of Guns the Light use we make of Arrows have made them the lighter in the making Mint Many of these anciently in most Cities and some Towns These afterwards as so many Spangles in one peice of Gold were united in the Tower Of late it was much imployed to coin the Plate of our Nation to make State-mony whence one said Caesaris Effigies nulla est sed imaginis Expers Crux duplex super est dira gemensque Lyra. And Another May their Successe like to their Coin appear Send double Crosses for their Single Chear Sure I am their Coin goeth under a general suspicion of being as bad as their Cause But I hope hereafter when the Question is asked of our Coiners Whose Image and Superscription is this it will be returned the Caesars of England Ward-robe This was not that for the Kings wearing apparel or liveâ—…es of Servants kept elsewhere in an House so called in the Parish of St. Andrews Ward robe but for Vests or Robes of State with rich Carpets Canopies and Hangings to be used on great Solemnities Here lately was a rich peice of Arras presenting the Sea-fight in eighty eighth and having the living portractures of the chiefest Commanders wrought in the borders thereof On the same token that a Captain who highly prized his own service missing his picture therein complained of the injury to his friend professing of himself that he merited a place there as well as some therein remembred seeing he was ingaged in the middle of the Fight Be content quoth his friend thou hast been an old Pirate and art reserved for another hanging There were also kept in this place the ancient Cloaths of our English Kings which they wore on great Festivals so that this Ward robe was in effect a Library for Antiquaries therein to read the Mode and Fashion of Garments in all ages These King James in the beginning of his Reign gave to the Earl of Dunbar by whom they were sold resold and re-re-resold at as many hands almost as Briarius had some gaining vast Estates thereby The Unicorns-Horn Amongst the many precious rarities in the Tower this as another in Windsor-Castle was in my memory shown to people It belongs not to me to enquire what is become of them but rather to discuss 1. Whether there be such a creature as an Unicorn 2. What kind of Animal it is 3. What the fashion and colour of his Horn. 4. What the use effect of his Horn. For the first they produce a weak proof who alledge them to be the Supporters of the Scottish-arms and of the arms of some English Gentlemen particularly of the Family of Paris in Cambridge-shire seeing most Heralds wear the addition of Painters and the Fancy of Painters pretends to the priviledge of a lawlesse Liberty But besides that it is uncivil to give the lye to a common Tradition the former existence of such a creature and surely no Species is wholly lost is cleared from several places of Scripture God hath as it were the strength of an Unicorn Will the Unicorn be willing to serve thee My Horn shalt thou exalt like the Horn of an Unicorn c. True it is the Word in the Original importeth nothing of any Horn therein as doth the Latin Unicornis and the Greek Monoceros Yet I am confident it is right rendred because it is so rendred Such was the Learning and Piety of the persons imployed in that Translation Proceed we now to the second Quaere about the kind thereof Surely it is distinct from the Rhinoceros carrying a Horn not on his Forehead but on his Nose because the Exaltation of his Horn is not considerable as not bunching forth much above a Foot in the prominency thereof He is commonly pictured bodyed like a Buck with a Horn advanced out of his Forehead some two Yards in proportion and this his Picture confuteth his Picture seeing generally he is held to be no Beast of Prey but which feedeth on the grass and if so his Mouth cannot meet with the Ground the Interposition of his Horn so fancifully fixed making so great distance betwixt them The plain Truth is I who first questioned whether there were any Unicorns am since convinâ—…ed that there are so many sorts of them The Indian Oxe the Indian Asse the Oâ—…yx c. famous for carrying one Horn but which is the prize in this Lottery I cannot decide seeing none alive in our Land have seen a four footed Beast of that kind and Julius Scaliger saith truly Ex libris colligere quae prodider unt Authores longe est periculosissimum Rerum ipsarum cognitio vera è rebus ipsis est OLAUS WORME One no lesse a curious Inquirer into the Mysteries then careful preserver of the Rarities of Nature Physician at this day to the King of Denmark in a Learned Work which he lately set forth endevoureth to prove all under a general mistake who fancy a Unicorn a four footed Beast proving the same to be a Fish in the Northern Seas of 22. Foot in Length a long horn in his Forehead no more cumbersome in the portage then Ears are to other Beasts with which Horn he tilteth at his prey and having pierced it through doth afterward feed upon it If it be objected to the contrary that in Scripture he is ranked amongst the Quaâ—… And the Unicorns shall come down with them and the Bullocks with the Bulls and their Land shall be soaked with blood and their Dust made Fat with Fatnesse It will be answered that Unicorns there are not real but metaphorical rendred appellatively Robusti in some Translations importing that strong Enemies both by Water and Land shall invade Idumaea to the utter destruction thereof Come we now to the fashion and colour of the Horn conceiving it no considerable controversie concerning the length and bignesse thereof quantity not varying the kind in such cases Some are plain as that in St. Marks in Venice others wreathed about as that at St. Dyonis neer Paris with anfractuous spires and cocleary turnings about it which probably is the effect of age those Wreaths being but the wrinkles of most vivacious Unicorns The same may be said of the colour white when newly taken from his Head Yellow like that lately in the Tower of some hundred years seniority but whether or no it will ever turn black as that of Aelians and Plinies Description let others decide The last Quaere remains of the virtue of this Horn which some exalt so high that it is not only antidotal to several Venomes and substances destructive by their qualities which we can command our selves to believe but also that it resisteth poysons which kill by second qualities that is by corrosion of parts wherein I concur with my
the Chancellour by Act of Parliament We have begun our Catalogue of Chancellours at Sir Thomas More before whose time that place was generally discharged by Clergy men entered in our Book under the Title of Eminent Prelates If any demand why such Clergy-men who have been Lord Chancellours are not rather ranked under the Title of Statesmen than under the Topick of Prelates Let such know that seeing Episcopacy is challenged to be jure Divino and the Chancellours place confessed to be of Humane Institution I conceive them most properly placed and to their best advantage If any ask why the Lord Chancellours who meddle so much in matters of Law are not rather digested under the Title of Lawyers then under that of Statesmen Let such know it is done because some Chancellours were never Lawyers ex professo studying the Laws of the Land for their intended Function taking them only in order to their own private accomplishment Whereof Sir Christopher Hatton was an eminent instance As we begin our Catalogue with Sir Thomas More we close it with Sir Thomas Coventry it being hard toâ—…ay whether the Former were more Witty and Facetious or the Later more Wise and Judicious Lord Treasurers Kings without Treasure will not be suitably obeyed and Treasure without a Treasurer will not be safely preserved Hence it was that the Crowns and Scepters of Kings were made of gold not only because it is the most pure and precious of metalls but to show that wealth doth effectually evidence and maintain the strength and state of Majesty We may therefore observe not only in prophane but holy writ not only in Old but New Testnment signal notice taken of those who were over the Treasury in which great place of Trust the Eunuch served Candace Queen of Ethiopia The Office of Lord Treasurers was ever beheld as a Place of great charge and profit One well skilled in the Perquisits thereof being demanded what he conceived the yearly value of the place was worth made this Return That it might be worth some thousands of pounds to him who after death would go instantly to Heaven twice as much to him who would go to Purgatory and a Nemo Scit to him who would adventure to go to a worse place But the plain truth is He that is a Bad Husband for himself will never be a good one for his Soveraign and therefore no wonder if they have advanced fair Estates to themselves whose Office was so Advantagious and they so judicious and prudent persons without any prejudice to their Master and for ought I know Injury to his Subjects We have begun our Catalogue at William Lord Powlett Marquess of Winchester For although before him here and there Lay-Lords were Intrusted with that Office Yet generally they were Bishops and so anticipated under our Topick of Eminent Prelates and blame me not if in this particular I have made the Lustrè of the Lords Spiritual to Eclipse the Lords Temporal drowning their Civil Office in their Ecclesiastical Employment We close our Catalogue of Lord Treasurers with Francis Lord Cottington Secretaries of State There were but two of these at once in the Kings time whereof the one was styled the Principal Secretary the other the Secretary of Estate Some have said that the first in the Senioritie of Admition was accounted the Principall but the Exceptions in this kind being as many as the Regularities the Younger being often brought over the head of the elder to be Principal Their chiefnesse was Penes Regis Arbitrium Nor was the one confined to Forreign Negotiations the other to domestick businesse as some have believed but promiscuously ordered all affaires though the Genius of some Secretaries did incline them most to forreign Transactions Their Power was on the matter alike and Petitioners might make their Applications indifferently to either though most addressed themselves to him in whom they had the greatest Interest Their Salaries were some Two hundred pounds a piece and five hundred pounds a piece more for Intelligence and Secret Service Before the Reformation Clergy-men who almost were all things were generally Secretaries of Estate as Oliver King Secretary to Edward 4. Edward 5. and Henry the 7. and those came under our Pen in the Notion of Eminent Prelates We therefore begin our Catalogue of Secretaries from Sir Thomas Cromwell in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth because from him until our Time a continued Series of Lay-men haâ—…e discharged that Office We â—…onclude our Secretaries of State with Sir John Cook who perceiving his aged body not so fit for such Active times resigned his Place about the beginning of the Long Parliament though surviving some years after in a private condition We will for the more safety follow the Pattern of so wise a States-man and where he gave over his Office we will give over writing of those Officers for fear we tread too neere on the Toes of the Times and touch too much on our Modern distempers Amiralls or Admiralls Much difference there is about the Original of this word whilst most probable their Opinion who make it of Eastern Extraction borrowed by the Christians from the Saracens These derive it from Amir in Arabick a Prince and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Belonging to the Sea in the Greek Language such mixture being precedented in other words Besides seeing the Sultans Dominions in the Time of the Holy War extended from Sinus Arabius to the North Eastern part of the Midland-Sea where a barbarous kind of Greek was spoken by many Amirall thus compounded was significatively comprehensive of his Jurisdiction Admirall is but a Depraving of Amirall in vulgar mouths However it will never be beaten out of the Heads of the Common sort that seeing the Sea is Scene of Wonders something of Wonderment hath incorporated it self in this Word and that it hath a Glimps Cast or Eye of Admiration therein Our English Kings following the Precedent of the Politick Romans who very seldome entrusted places of great importance especially during life in a single person as also that they might gratifie more and trust less divided the Over-sight of sea-matters betwixt a Triumvirate of Amiralls and like wary Merchants ventured the charge in several bottoms for the more Safety 1. The North Amirall 2. The South Amirall 3. The West Amirall His jurisdiction reached from the Mouth of Thames to the outmost Orcades though often opposed by the Scots and had Yarmouth for his prime Residence His Bounds stretched from the Thames Mouth to the Lands end having his station generally at Portsmouth His power extended from the lands end to the Hebrides having Ireland under his Inspection Milford Haven the chief Stable for his Wooden Horses I find that Richard Fitz-alin Earl of Arundell was by King Richard the second made the first Amirall of all England yet so that if Three Co-Admiralls were restored as formerly his Charter expired John Vere Earl of Oxford was the sirst of Hen. the seventh
was very wild and venturous witness his playing at Dice with Henry the second King of France from whom he won a Diamond of great worth at a Cast And being demanded by the King what shift he would have made to repair himself in case he had lost the cast I have said young Chency in an hyperbolical brave SHEEPS TAILS enough in Kent with their Wool to buy a better Diamond then this His reduced Age afforded the befitting fruits of Gravity and Wisdome and this Lord deceased without Issue As for Sir Francis Cheney Sheriff for this present year we formerly observed the distinct Armes of his Family This worthy Knight was father to Charles Cheney Esq. who by his exquisite Travelling hath Naturalized foreign perfections into himself and is exemplarily happy in a vertuous Lady Jane Daughter to the truly Noble William Marquis of New-castle and by her of hopefull Posterity The Farewell On serious consideration I was at a loss to wish to this County what it wanted God and the Kings of England have so favoured it with naturall perfections and civil priviledges In avowance of the latter it sheweth more Burrow-towns sending Burgesses no fewer then twelve to the Parliament then any Shire though thrice as big lying in the Kingdome of Mercia Now seeing at the instant writing hereof the generall News of the Nation is of a Parliament to be called after his Majesties Coronation my prayers shall be that the Freehoulders of this County shall amongst many therein so qualified chuse good Servants to God Subjects to the King Patriots to the County effectually to advance a happiness to the Church and Common-wealth CAMBRIDGE-SHIRE CAMBRIDGE-SHRE hath Lincoln shire on the North Northfolk and Suffold on the East Essex and Hartford-shire on the South Huntington and Bedford-shires on the West being in length thirty five in breadth not fully twenty miles The Tables therein as well furnished as any the South-part affording bread and beer and the North the Isle of Ely meat thereunto So good the grain growing here that it out-selleth others some pence in the Bushel The North-part of this County is lately much improved by drayning though the poorest sort of people will not be sensible thereof Tell them of the great benefit to the publick because where a Pike or Duck fed formerly now a Bullock or Sheep is fatted they will be ready to return that if they be taken in taking that Bullock or Sheep the rich Owner â—…indicteth them for Felons whereas that Pike or Duck were their own goods only for their pains of catching of them So impossible it is that the best project though perfectly performed should please all interests and affections It happened in the year 1657. upon the dissolution of the great Snow their banks were assaulted above their strength of resistance to the great loss of much Cattle Corn and some Christians But soon after the seasonable industry of the Undertakers did recover all by degrees and confute their jealousies who suspected the relapsing of these lands into their former condition This Northern part is called the Isle of Eelie which one will have so named from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fenny or Marish-ground But our Saxon Ancestors were not so good Grecians and it is plain that plenty of Eels gave it its denomination Here I hope I shall not trespass on gravity in mentioning a passage observed by the Reverend Professour of Oxford Doctor Prideaux referring the Reader to him for the Authours attesting the same When the Priests in this part of the County would still retain their wives in despight of whatever the Pope and Monks could doe to the contrary their wives and children were miraculously turned all into Eels surely the greater into Congers the less into Griggs whence it had the name of EELY I understand him a LIE of EELS No doubt the first founder of so damnable an untruth hath long since received his reward However for this cause we take first notice amongst this Counties Naturall Commodities Of Eels Which though they be found in all Shires in England yet are most properly treated of here as most first and best the Courts of the Kings of England being thence therewith anciently supplyed I will not ingage in the controversy whether they be bred by generation as other fish or aequivocally out of Putrefaction or both ways which is most probable Seeing some have adventured to know the distinguishing marks betwixt the one and other I know the Silver Eels are generally preferred and I could wish they loved men but as well as men love them that I my self might be comprised within the compass of that desire They are observed to be never out of season whilst other fishes have their set times and the biggest Eels are ever esteemed the best I know not whether the Italian proverb be here worth the remembring Give Eels without wine to your Enemies Hares Though these are found in all Counties yet because lately there was in this Shire an Hare-park nigh New-market preserved for the Kings game let them here be particularly mentioned Some prefer their sport in hunting before their flesh for eating as accounting it melancholick meat and hard to be digested though others think all the hardness is how to come by it All the might of this silly creature is in the flight thereof and remember the answer which a school-boy returned in a latine distick being demanded the reason why Hares where so fearfull Cur metuunt lepores Terrestris nempe marinus Aethereus quod sit tartareusque canis Whether or no they change their sex every year as some have reported let Huntsmen decide These late years of our civil wars have been very destructive unto them and no wonder if no law hath been given to hares when so little hath been observed toward men Saffron Though plenty hereof in this County yet because I conceive it first planted in Essex we thither refer our description thereof Willows A sad Tree whereof such who have lost their love make their mourning garlands and we know what Exiles hung up their Harps upon such dolefull Supporters The twiggs hereof are Physick to drive out the folly of children This Tree delighteth in moist places and is triumphant in the Isle of Ely where the roots strengthen their Banks and lop affords fuell for their fire It groweth incredibly fast it being a by-word in this County that the profit by Willows will buy the Owner a Horse before that by other Trees will pay for his Saddle Let me adde that if green Ash may burn before a Queen withered Willows may be allowed to burn before a Lady Manufactures Paper Expect not I should by way of Preface enumerate the several inventions whereby the ancients did communicate and continue their Notions to Posterity First by writing in Leaves of Trees still remembred when we call such a Scantling of Paper a Folio or Leafe Hence from Leaves men proceeded to the
his own at his own pleasure I find also two other of the same Sur-name not mutually more allyed in bloud then in charitable dispositions Master Hugh Offley Leather-seller Sheriff of London in the year 1588. buried also in Saint Andrews aforesaid Besides many other benefactions he gave six hundred pounds to this City to put forth youngmen Mr. Robert Offley bred in London and as I take it Brother to the aforesaid Hugh Offley did in year the of our Lord 1596. bestow six hundred pounds on twenty four youngmen in Chester whereof twelve were Apprentices I know not the exact date of his departure It is hard to instance in a Lease of kinsmen born so far from bred in London meeting together in such bountifull performances I believe it was the First of these three Offleys on whom the Rhythme was made Offley three dishes had of daily Roast An Egge an Apple and the third a Toast This I behold neither sin nor shame in him feeding himself on plain and wholesome repast that he might feast others by his bounty and thereby deserving rather praise then a jear from posterity JOHN TERER Gentleman and a Member of this City He erected a seemly waterwork built Steeplewise at the Bridgegate by his own ingenious industry and charge This since hath served for the conveying of River-water from the Cisterne in the top of that Work through Pipes of Lead and Wood to the Citizens houses to their great conveniences I could wish all designes in the like nature hopefully begun may as hâ—…ppily be compleated My industry cannot attain the exact time of his death only I find that his son of the same name indeavoured the like to bring water from a fine spring to the midst of this City which I believe was effected The Farewell And now being to take our leave of this Antient and Honorable City the worst that I wish it is that the distance betwixt Dee and the New-tower may be made up all Obstructions being removed which cause or occasion the same That the Rings on the New-tower now only for sight may be restored to the Service for which they were first intended to fasten Vessels thereunto That the Vessells on that River lately degenerated from Ships into Barks may grow up again to their former Strength and Stature CORNWALL CORNWALL it hath its name partly from the Form partly from the Inhabitants thereof from the former it is so called because narrow in fashion of a horn which by the way is a word of all others passing thorough both Learned and Modern Languages with the least variation 1 Keren Hebr. 2 Keras Gr. 3 Cornu Lat. 4 Corn Fr. 5 Cuerno Span. 6 Corno Ital. 7 Horn Eng. 8 Horne Dut. 9 Kerne Wel. The latter Wale signifies strangers for such were the Inhabitants of this County reputed by their Neighbours It hath Devonshire on the West divided from it generally with the River Tamer encompassed with the Sea on all other sides affording plenty of Harbours so that Forraigners in their passage to or from Spain Ireland the Levant East or West Indies sometimes touch herewith sometimes are driven hither against their will but never without the profit of the Inhabitants according to the Common Proverbe where the horse lieth down there some hairs will be found The Language of the Natives it is a different tongue from the English and dialect from the Welsh as more easie to be pronounced and is sufficiently copious to express the conceits of a good wit both in Prose and Verse Some have avouched it derived from the Greek producing for the proof thereof many words of one sense in both as Kentron A spur Schaphe A boat Ronchi Snoring c. But the judicious behold these as no regular congruities but casuall coincidencies the like to which may be found in languages of the greatest distance which never met together since they parted at the confusion of Babel Thus one would enforce a conformity between the Hebrew and English because one of the three giants sons of Anak was called Ahiman The Cornish-tongue affordeth but two natural oaths or three at most but whether each of them be according to the kinds of Oaths divided by the School-men one Assertory the other Promissory to which some add a third Comminatory is to me unknown The worst is the Common Cornish supply this I will not say defect not onely with swearing the same often over but also by borrowing other oaths of the English Naturall Commodities Diamonds These of themselves sound high till the Addition of Cornish substracteth from their Valuation In Blackness and Hardness they are far short of the Indian Yet Set with a good Foyle advantaged Hypocrisie passeth often for Sincerity may at the first sight deceive no unskilfull Lapidary as their Lustre is less then Orient Diamonds so herein they exceed them that Nature hath made both their Face and their Dressing by whom they are Pointed and Polished But enough hereof the rather because some from the Latine names of Jewells Jocalia things to be jested and played with and Baubellae things which are Trifles and Baubles spightfully collect that Stones accounted precious are more beholding to the Consent of Fancy then their own Intrinsick worth for their high valuation Ambergreese I confess this precious Commodity is fixed to no place in the world as too great a Treasure for any one Country to engross and therefore it is only fluctuating and casually found by small parcells sometimes in one place and sometimes in another yet because the last greatest and best quantity thereof that ever this Age did behold was found on the Coasts of this County we will here insert a little of the name nature and use thereof It is called Ambra-gresia That is gray Amber from the Colour thereof which modern name utterly unknown to the Antients doth speak it to be of later invention whereof a Learned Doctor of Physick hath assigned this probable reason because it was never found in the Midland-sea which in effect was all the Seas to the Antients but onely in the main Ocean which was not navigated on till within this last two hundred years since Seamen have gotten the use of the Card and Compass It is almost as hard to know what it is as where to find it Some will have it the sperme of a fish or some other unctuous matter arising from them others that it 's the foam of the Sea or some excrescency thence boiled to such a height by the heat of the Sun Others that it is a gum that grows on the shore In a word no certainty can be collected herein some Physitians holding one way and some another but this is most sure that Apothecaries hold it at five pounds an Ounce which some say is dearer then ever it was in the memory of man It is a rare Cordiall for the refreshing of the spirits and soveraign for the strengthning the head besides the most fragrant scent
and fluent his expression and was knowing in all thâ—…ngs save in himself For profanely he advanced Aristotle above Moses and himself above both His pride had a great and sudden fall losing at the same instant both language and memory becoming compleatly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without reason or speech Yet was his dumness to all intelligent people a loud Sermon on Saint Pauls precept Not to think of themselves more highly then they ought to think but to think soberly Polydore Virgil saith of him Juvene nil acutius sene nihil obtusius whilest others adde he made an inarticulate sound like to lowing This great judgement befell him about the year of our Lord 1201. MICHAEL BLAUNPAYN born in Cornwall some so commonly call him Michael the Master that he had almost lost his native name was bred in Oxfordâ—…nd â—…nd 〈◊〉 and became as good a riming Poet as any in that Age. In happened one Henry of Normandy chief Poet to our Henry the third had traduced Cornwall as an inconsiderable Country cast out by nature in contempt into a corner of the land Our Michael could not enâ—…ure this affront but full of Poeticall fury falls upon the Libeller take a tast little thereof will go far of his strains Non opus est ut opes numereÌ„ quibus est opulenta Et pâ—… quas inopes sustentat non ope lenta Piscibus Stanno nusquam tam fertilis ora We need not number up her wealthy store Wherewith this helpful land relieves her poor No Sea so full of Fish of Tinn no Shore Then as a valiant Champion he concludeth all with this exhortation to his Country-men Quid nos deterret si firmiter in pede stemus Fraus ni nos superat nihil est quod non superemus What should us fright if firmly we do stand Bar Fraud and then no Force can us command His Pen so lushious in praising when so pleased was as bitter in railing when disposed witness this his Satirical character of his foresaid Antagonist Est tibi Gamba Capri crus passeris latus Apri Os leporis catuli nasus dens gena Muli Frons Vetulae tauri caput color undique Mauri His argumentis quibus est argutia Mentis Quod non à Monstro differs satis hic tibi Monstro Gamb'd like a Goat sparrow-thigh'd sides as Boar Hare-mouth'd Dog-nos'd like Mule thy teeth chin Brow'd as old wife bul-headed black as More If such without then what are you within By these my Signs the wise will easily conster How little thou didst differ from a Monster He flourished Anno 1350. though the certain time and place of his death is unknown GODFREY of CORNWALL was bred a Doctor in Paris and Oxford and afterwards became a Carmelite of no mean esteem amongst those of his own order It happened in his time that Gerardus Bononiensis a French-man Master Generall of the Carmelites made two Provincials formerly but one of that order in England alledging that two * are better then one and matters would be the more exactly regulated by their double inspection The plain truth was the French-man did it out of covetousness that so two loaders might bring double grists to his Mill. Our Godfrey appeared a Champion for the old way that matters might run in their ancient channell and wrote a Book to that purpose as many others on severall subjects John Baconthorpe his Contemporary much esteemed him and quoted him by the Title of Doctor Solennis I doubt not but this our Godfrey in mannerly requitall re-gave Baconthorpe the courtesie of Doctor Resolutus and here I would fain be satisfied how these received Epithetes Doctor Profundus Doctor Subtilis c. came first to be fixed on such and such Schoolmen Surely they asâ—…umed them not themselves which had argued too much pride and presumption Nor could I ever as yet meet with any Authentique record of Pope or University which setled it upon them Possibly one Eminent Writer gave it to another his Correspondent who in reciprocation of kindness title thou me and I will title thee returned as splendid a style to him again This our Solemn Doctor flourished Anno Domini 1310. JOHN TREVISA was born at Caradock in this County bred in Oxford afterwards Vicar of Berkeley in Gloucester-shire and Chaplain to Thomas Lord Berkeley at whose instance besides other Histories writ by him he translated the Bible into English a daring work for a private person in that age without particular Command from Pope or Publique Council Some much admire he would enter on this work so lately performed about fifty years before by John Wicklife What was this but actum agere to do what was done before Besides Wicklife and Trevisa agreeing so well in their judgements it was much he would make a Retranslation Such consider not that in that age it was almost the same pains for a Scholar to translate as transcribe the Bible Secondly the time betwixt Wicklife and Trevisa was the Chrisis of the English tongue which began to be improved in fifty more then in 300. years formerly Many course words to say no worse used before are refined by Trevisa whose translation is as much better then Wicklifes as worse then Tyndals Thus though the fountain of the Original hath always clearness alike therein channels of Translations will partake of more or less purity according to the translators age industry and ability This Trevisa died a through old man about the year 1400. Since the Reformation JOHN SKUISH was born in Cornwall a man of much experience and generall learning He was saith my Author à consiliis to â—…ardinal Woolsy whereby I collect him learned of the Laws and of his Counsell except that that great Prelate like a Prince had Counsell of State belonging unto him This Skuish wrote a Chronicle being collected out of many severall Authors I have some presumptions to conclude him inclined to the Protestant reformation He flourished Anno Dom. 1530. BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON The first syllable of his Name and what is added thereunto by my Author parentum stemmate clarus and the sameness of his name with an ancient Family in this County are a three-fold Cable to draw my belief that he was this Country-man He was bred in the University of Oxford and having attained to good learning therein twice travailed beyond the Seas Once for pleasure and curiosity into France and Italy whereby he much improved himself Returning home he became Library-keeper to King Edward the sixth and Dean of Chichester The second time for safety and necessity in the first of Q. Mary getting I believe his best subsistance being an Exile in Germany with making and translating of Books where he was living 1556. and may be rationally presumed to dye before Q. Elizabeth came to the Crown because being a man of merit and Ecclesiastically Dignified we hear no more of his preferment RICHARD CAREW Esquire son
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
On the South 1. Cambridgeshire 3. Warwickshire 4. Lincolnshire 7. Bedfordshire 2. Huntingtonshire  5. Rutland 8. Buckinghamshire   6. Leicestershire 9. Oxfordshire It is as fruitful and populous as any in England insomuch that sixteen several Towns with their Churches have at one view been discovered therein by my eyes which I confess none of the best and God grant that those who are sharper sighted may hereafter never see fewer Sure I am there is as little wast ground in this as in any County in England no Mosses Mears Fells Heaths Whitering but a Beauty spot which elsewhere fill so many Shires with much emptiness Northamptonshire being an Apple without Core to be cut out or Rind to be pared away Northamptonshire challengeth that all the Rivers running through or by it are its Natives as bred in it which argueth the elevation and height of the ground thereof which I believe no other County in England can say Besides it lendeth two considerable Rivers Avon to Warwick and Cherwell to Oxfordshire The language of the common people is generally the best of any Shire in England A proof whereof when a Boy I received from a hand-labouring-man herein which since hath convinced my Judgement We speak I believe said he as good English any Shire in England because though in the singing Psalms some words are used to make the Meeter unknown to us yet the last translation of the Bible which no doubt was done by those learned men in the best English agreeth perfectly with the common speech of our Country Know Reader that Doctor Bowle my worthy friend and most skilful Botonographist hath taken notice of a Heath in this County nigh to Stamford whereof he giveth this commendation as fine a place for variety of rare Plants as ever I beheld Who I am sure hath seen in this kind as much both here and beyond the Seas as any of his age and profession Natural Commodities Now though this Shire shares as largely as any in those profits which are generall to England Grass Corn Cattle c. Yet it is most eminent for Salt-peter In latine Sal Petrae rather so called because exudat è petris it usually sweats out of rocks then because it is wrought up at the last to a rocky or a stony consistency Some conceive it utterly unknown to the ancients which learned Hoffman will not allow onely it was disguised unto them under the name of Sal nitrum though our modern use was unknown unto them that Pulvis nitrosus or Gun-powder might be made thereof It is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what will easily take fire the best Test of the goodness thereof But why is Salt-peter common to all Counties insisted on in Northamptonshire Because most thereof is found in Dove-houses and most Dove-houses in this great Corn County Yet are not those Emblemes of innocency guilty in any degree of those destructions which are made by that which is made thereof All that I will adde of Salt-peter is this I have read in a learned Writer that Salt-peter-men when they have extracted Salt-peter out of a floor of earth one year within three or four years after they find more generated there and do work it over again Pigeons These of all fowls live most sociably in a Common-wealth together seeing their government is not as Bees Monarchical They are generally reported without gall understand it their gall is not sequestred into a distinct vessel as in other creatures Otherwise we find the effects thereof in their animosities among themselves whose Bills can peck as well as kiss as also if their Crops be not clearly drawn in the bitterness of their flesh They are most swift in flight and the steerage of their Tails conduceth much to their steddy mounting upright An envious man having caught his neighbours Pigeons in a Net feeding on his Stack pluck'd off their Tails and let them go Which though they could fly forward home yet were soon after found dead in the Dove coat famished for want of food as unable to fly up perpendicularly and so out at the Lover Pigeons against their wills keep one Lent for seaven weeks in the year betwixt the going out of the old and growing up of the new grain Probably our English would be found as docible and ingenious as the Turkish Pigeons which carry letters from Aleppo to Babilon if trained up accordingly But such practices by these Wingposts would spoil many a Foot-post living honestly by that painful vocation I find a grievous Indictment drawn up against the poor Pigeons for felony as the grand plunderers of grain in this Land My Author computing six and twenty thousand Dove-houses in England and Wales and allowing five hundred pair in each House four bushels yearly for each pair hath mounted the annual wast they make to an incredible sum And if the moity of his proportions hold true Doves may be accounted the causers of dearth and justly answer their Etimology in Hebrew Jonah which is deduced from a root signifying to spoil or to destroy The Advocates for Pigeons plead that they pick up such loose corn which otherwise would be lost and uselesly troden into the earth that probably Divine Providence which feedeth the fowls by some natural instinct directeth them to such grain which would be barren and fruitless that their dung incredibly fruitful for the manuring of ground abundantly recompenseth the spoil done by them However if Pigeons be guilty of so great stealth they satisfie the law for the same being generally kill'd for mans meat and a corrected-pigeon let blood under both wings is both pleasant and wholesome nourishment The Manufactures This County can boast of none worth naming whereof this the reason sufficient the fruitfulness thereof in Corn Grass and what not necessary for nature for it 's plentiful subsistance The Elder Brother who hath the inheritance of his own to maintain him need not to be bound an Apprentice let the younger turn Trades-man and inlarge his narrow portion by his inaustry It is enough for Northamptonshire to sell their Wooll whilst that other Countrys make cloath thereof I speak not this though it be my Native â—…ountry to praise Northamptonshire men for not using but that Northamptonshire men may praise God for not needing Manufactures However the Town of Northampton may be said to stand chiefly on other mens Leggs where if not the best the most and cheapest boots and stockens are bought in England I am credibly informed by a good friend that the Manufacture of Cloathing hath by prudent and able persons been endeavoured effectually understand me in design not success in this County and yet though fine their Wool their Cloath ran so coarse it could not be sold without loss Thus God hath innated every Country with a Peculiar Genius and when Art crosseth Nature neither succeed but both exceed where both concurre Buildings As Saint Peter hath the Primacy of all the other Apostles
till sent to St. Johns then to Trinity Colledge in Cambridge whereof he was Fellow and there chosen Regius Professâ—…r one of the most profound School-Divines of the English Nation Afterwards by the Queens absolute mandate to end a contention betwixt two Corrivals not much with his will he was made Master of Katharine-hall For when Archbishop Whitgift joyed him of the place he returned that it was Terminus diminuens taking no delight in his preferment But his Grace told him That if the injuries much more the less courtesies of Princes must be thankfully taken as the Ushers to make way for greater as indeed it came to passe For after the death of Dr. Nowel he was by the especial recommendation of Sr. Fulke Grevil made Dean of St. Pauls Being appointed to preach before the Queen he profess'd to my Father most intimate with him that he had spoken Latin so long it was troublesome to him to speak English in a continued Oration He frequently had those words of the Psalmist in his mouth VVhen thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth surely every man is vanity I cite it the rather out of the new Translation something different from the old because he was so eminent an Instrument employed therein King James made him Bishop of Norwich where he was a discreet presser of Conformity on which score he got the ill will of many dis-affected thereunto and died Anno 1618. LEONARD MAW was born at * Rendlesham in this Connty a remarkable place Iassure you which though now a Country Village was anciently the Residence of the Kings of the East-Angles Where King Redwald a Mongrel Christian kept at the same time Altare Arulam the Communion Table and Altars for Idols He was bred in Cambridge where he was Proctor of the University Fellow and Master of Peter-house after of Trinity Colledge whereof he deserved well shewing what might be done in five years by good Husbandry to dis-ingage that Foundation from a great debt He was Chaplain to King Charles whilst he was a Prince and waited on him in Spain by whom he was preferred Bishop of Bath and Wells He had the Reputation of a good Scholar a grave Preacher a mild man and one of Gentil Deportment He died Anno Domini 163. RALPH BROUNRIG D. D. was born at Ipswich of Parents of Merchantly condition His Father died in his Infancy and his Mother did not carelesly cast away his youth as the first Broachings of a Vessel but improved it in his Education at School till he was sent to Pembroke-hall in Cambridge and afterwards became Scholar and Fellow thereof King James coming to Cambridge was amongst others entertained with a Philosophy Act and Mr. Brounrig was appointed to perform the Joco-serious part thereof who did both to the wonder of the Hearers Herein he was like himself that he could on a sudden be so unlike himself and instantly vary his words and matter from mirth to solidity No man had more ability or less inclination to be Satyrical in which kind posse nolle is a rarity indeed He had wit at will but so that he made it his Page not Privy Councellour to obey not direct his Judgement He carried Learning enough in numerato about him in his pockets for any Discourse and had much more at home in his chests for any serious Dispute It is hard to say whether his loyal memory quick fancy solid judgement or fluent utterance were most to be admired having not only flumen but fulmen eloquentiae being one who did teach with Authority When commencing Bachelour in Divinity he chose for his Text Vobis autem c. It is given to you not only to beleeve but suffer in the behalf of Christ. A Text somewhat Prophetical to him who in the Sequele of his life met with affronts to exercise his Prudence and Patience being afterwards defied by some who almost Deified him before in whose Eyes he seemed the blacker for wearing white sleeves when 1641 made Bishop of Exeter I was present at his Consecration Sermon made by his good Friend Doctor Younge taking for his Text The waters are risen O Lord the waters are risen c. wherein he very gravely complained of the many invasions which Popular violence made on the Priviledges of Church and State This Bishop himself was soon sadly sensible of such Inundations and yet by the Procâ—…rity of his parts and piety he not only safely waded thorough them himself but also when Vice-Chancellour of Cambridge by his prudence raised such Banks that those overflowings were so not destructive as otherwise they would have been to the University He continued constant to the Church of England a Champion of the needful use of the Liturgie and for the Priviledges of Ordination to belong to Bishops alone Unmoveable he was in his principles of Loyalty witness this instance O. P. with some shew of respect unto him demanded the Bishops Judgement non plus't it seems himself in some business to whom he returned My Lord the best counsel I can give you is Give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are Gods with which free answer O. P. was rather silenced than satisfied About a year before his death he was invited by the Society of both Temples to be their Preacher admirably supplying that place till strong fits of the Stone with Hydropical Inclinations and other distempers incident to phletorick Bodies caused his death I know all Accidents are minuted and momented by Divine Providence and yet I hope I may say without sin his was an untimely death not to himself prepared thereunto but as to his longer life vvhich the prayers of pious people requested the need of the Church required the date of Nature could have permitted but the pleasure of God to which all must submit denied Otherwise he vvould have been most instrumental to the composure of Church differences the deserved opinion of whose goodness had peaceable possession in the hearts of the Presbyterian party I observed at his Funeral that the prime persons of all Perswasions were present whose Judgements going several wayes met all in a general grief for his decease He was buried on the cost of both Temples to his great but their greater honour The Reader is referred for the rest to the Memorials of his life written by the Learned Doctor John Gauden who preached his Funeral Sermon and since hath succeeded him both in the Temple and Bishoprick of Exeter His dissolution happened in the 67th year of his Age Decemb. 7 1659 and was buried the week following in the Temple Church States-men S â— NICHOLAS BACON Knight was born in this County not far from the famous Abbey of St. Edmunds Bury and I have read that his Father was an Officer belonging thereunto His name I assure you is of an Ancient Gentry in this Shire as any whatsoever He was
buried by him and if some eminent Surgeon was interred on his other side I would say that Physick lay here in state with its two Pages attending it Writers HUMPHREY NECTON was born though Necton be in Northfolk in this County and quitting a fair fortune from his Father professed poverty and became a Carmelite in Norwich Two Firstships met in this Man for he Handselled the House-Convent which Philip Wat in of Cowgate a prime Citizen and almost I could beleeve him Mayor of the City did after the death of his Wife in a fit of sorrow give with his whole Estate to the Carmelites Secondly He was the first Carmelite who in Cambridge took the Degree of Doctor in Divinity â—…orsome boggled much thereat as false Heraldry in Devotion to super-induce a Doctoral hood over a Friers Coul till our Necton adventured on it For though Poverty might not affect Pride yet Humility may admit of Honour He flourished under King Henry the Third and Edward the First at Norwich and was buried with great solemnity by those of his Order Anno Dom. 1303. JOHN HORMINGER was born of good Parents in this County and became very accomplished in Learning It happened that travelling to Rome he came into the company of Italians the admirers only of themselves and the Slighters-General of all other Nations vilifying England as an inconsiderable Country ' whose Ground was as barren as the people Barbarous Our Horminger impatient to hear his Mother land traduced spake in her defence and fluently Epitomized the commodities thereof Returning home he wrote a Book De Divitiis Deliciis Angliae of the Profit and Pleasure of England which had it come to my hand O how advantageous had it been to my present design He flourished 1310. THOMAS of ELY was born in this County For though Cambridge-shire boasteth of Ely so famous for the Cathedral yet is there Monks-Ely in Suffolk the Native Town of this Thomas who followed the foot-steps of his Countryman Necton being a Carmelitâ—… but in Ipswich and afterwards Doctor in the University of Cambridge aith my Author of Both Divinities But the same hand which tieth untieth this knot giving us to understand that thereby are meant Scholastical and Interpretative Divinity seeming to import them in that Age to have been distinct Faculties till afterwards united as the Civil and Common Law in one profession Leaving his Native Land he travelled over the seas with others of his Order to Bruges in Flanders and there kept Lectures and Disputations as one Gobelike a formidable Author informeth my Informer till his death about 1320. RICHARD LANHAM was born at a Market-Town well known for Cloathing in this County and bred when young a Carmelite in Ipswich He made it his only request to the Trefect of his Convent to have leave to study in Oxford which was granted him and deservedly employing his time so well there that he proceeded Doctor with publick applause Lelands Pencil paints him Pious and Learned but Bale cometh with his spunge and in effect deletes both because of his great Antipathy to the VVicklevites However his Learning is beyond contradiction attested by the Books he left to Posterity Much difference about the manner and place of his death some making him to decease in his Bed at Bristol others to be beheaded in London with Sudbury Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Hales Master of St. 〈◊〉 of Jerusalem by the Rebellious Crew of VVat Tyler who being a Misogrammatist if a good Greek word may be given to so Barbarous a Rebel hated every man that could write or read and were the more incensed against Lanham for his eminent Literature He died Anno Dom. 1381. JOHN KINYNGHAM was born in this County bred a Carmelite first in Ipswich then in Oxford being the 25th Prefect of his Order in England and Ireland Confessor to John of Gant and his Lady He was the first who encountred VVickliffe in the Schools at Oxford disputing of Philosophical Subtilties and that with so much Ingenuity that VVickliffe much taken with the Mans modesty prayed heartily for him that his Judgement might be convinced But whether with so good successe wherewith Peter Martyr besought God on the same account for 〈◊〉 Gilpin I know not He died a very aged man Anno 1399 and was buried at York far I confesse from Ipswich his first fixation But it was usual for Prefects of Orders to travel much in their Visitations JOHN LYDGATE was born in this County at a Village so called bred a Benedictine Monk in St. Edmunds-Bury After some time spent in our English Universities he travelled over France and Italy improving his time to his great accomplishment Returning he became Tutor to many Noble-mens sons and both in Prose and Poetry was the best Author of his Age. If Chaucers Coin were of a greater weight for deeper learning Lydgates were of a more refined Standard for purer language so that one might mistake him for a modern Writer But because none can so well describe him as himself take an Essay of his Verses excusing himself for deviating in his Writings from his Vocation I am a Monk by my profession In Berry call'd John Lydgate by my name And wear a habit of perfection Although my life agrees not with the same That meddle should with things spiritual As I must needs confess unto you all But seeing that I did herein proceed At his command whom I could not refuse I humbly do beseech all those that read Or leasure have this story to peruse If any fault therein they find to be Or error that committed is by me That they will of their gentleness take pain The rather to correct and mend the same Than rashly to condemn it with disdain For well I wot it is not without blame Because I know the Verse therein is wrong As being some too short and some too long For Chaucer that my Master was and knew What did belong to writing Verse and Prose Ne're stumbled at small faults nor yet did view With scornful eye the Works and Books of those That in his time did write nor yet would taunt At any man to fear him or to daunt He lived to be 60 years of age and died about the year 1444 and was buried in his own Convent with this Epitaph Mortuus saeclo superis superstes Hic 〈◊〉 Lydgate tumulatus urna Qui fuit quondam celebris Britannae Fama Poesis Dead in this World living above the skie Intomb'd within this Urn doth Lydgate lie In former time fam'd for his Poetry All over England As for the numerous and various Books which he wrote of several subjects Bale presenteth us with their perfect Catalogue JOHN BARNYNGHAM born at a Village so named in this County was bred a Carmelite in Ipswich and afterwards proceeded Doctor in Oxford thence going to Serbon the Cock-pit of controversies was there admitted to the same Degree Trithemius takes
hath done more good or more harm As for Guns it cannot be denied that though most behold them as Instruments of cruelty partly because subjecting valour to chance partly because Guns give no quarter which the sword sometimes doth yet it will appear that since their invention victory hath not stood so long a Neuter and hath been determined with the loss of fewer lives Yet do I not believe what Souldiers commonly say that he was curs'd in his Mothers belly who is kill'd with a Cannon seeing many prime persons have been slain thereby Such as desire to know the pedigree and progress of great Guns in England may be pleas'd to take notice 1. Anno 1535. John Oaven was the first English-man who in England cast brass Ordnance Cannons Culverings c. 2. Peter Baud a French-man in the first of King Edward the sixth was the first who in England cast Iron-Ordnance Falcons Falconers Minions c. 3. Thomas Johnson covenant-servant to Peter aforesaid succeeded and exceeded his Master casting them clearer and better He died about 1600. Some observe that God hath so equally divided the advantage of weapons between us and Spain that their steel makes the best swords our iron the most usefull Ordnance Glass Plenty hereof is made in this County though not so fine as what Tyre afforded fetch'd from the river Belus and the Cendevian Lake nor so pure as is wrought at Chiosa nigh Venice whereof the most refined falls but one degree short of Chrystall but the course glasses here serve well enough for the common sort for vessels to drink in The work-men in this mystery are much encreased since 1557. as may appear by what I read in an Author writing that very year As for Glass-makers they be scant in this land Yet one there is as I doe understand And in Sussex is now his habitation At Chiddingsfoldâ—…e â—…e works of his occupation These brittle commodities are subject to breaking upon any casualty and hereupon I must transmit a passage to posterity which I received from an Author beyond exceptions A noble man who shall be nameless living not many miles from Cambridge and highly in favour with the Earl of Leicester begg'd of Queen Elizabeth all the plate of that University as useless for Scholars and more for State then Service for Superfluity then Necessity The Queen granted his suit upon condition to find glasses for the Scholars The Lord considering this might amount to more then his Baronry would maintain except he could compass the Venetian Artist who as they say could make Vitra sine vitio fragilitatis pellucida yea could consolidate glass to make it malleable let his petition which was as charitable as discreet sink in silence By the way be it observed that though course glass-making was in this County of great antiquity yet The first making of Venice-glasses in England began at the Crochet Friers in London about the beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth by â—…ne Jacob Venaline an Italian The Buildings Chichester Cathedral is a fine fabrick built after it had been twice consumed with fire by Bishop 〈◊〉 the second of the Name about the year 1193. Country folk are confident in their tradition that the Master-workman built Sarisbury and his Man the Church of Chichester and if so sâ—…quitur Dominum non Passibus aequis But Pâ—…oportion of Time confuteth the conceit seeing Sâ—…ffride flourished under King John and Bishop Poor the Founder of Sarisbury lived much later undeâ—… King Henâ—…y the third Now though 〈◊〉 bestowed the Cloth and Making on the Church Bishop Sherborn gave the Trimming and best Lace thereto in the reign of King Henry the seventh I am sorry I can follow the Allegory so far being 〈◊〉 that now it is not only Seam ript but Torn in the whole-cloth having lately a great part thereof fallen down to the ground Arundel Castle is of great esteem the rather because a Local-Earldome is cemented to the wallâ—… thereof Some will have it so nâ—…med from Arundel the Horse of Beavoice the great Champion I confess it is not withont precedence in Antiquity for Places to take names from Horses meeting with the Promentory Bucephalus in Peleponesus where some report the Horse of Alâ—…xander buried and Bâ—…llonius will have it for the same cause called Cavalla at this day But this Castle was so called long before that Imaginary Horse was foled who cannot be fancied elder then his Master Beavoice flourishing after the Conquest long before which Arundel was so called from the river Arundâ—…unning â—…unning hard by it â—…etworth the house of the Earls of Northumberland is most famous for a stately Stable the best of any Subjects in Christendome Comparisons must move in ther own â—…pheres and Princes only are meet to measure with Princes tell me nâ—…t â—…herefore of the Duke of Saxony his Stable at Dresden wherein are â—…n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and eight horses of service with a Magazene out of which he can Arme thirty thousand Horse and Foot at a days warning that Elector being the most Potent Prince in the Empire But is not the proportion fair that â—…etworth Stable affordeth standing in state for threescore horse with all necessary accommodations Wonders Expect not here I should insert what William of Newbury writeth to be recounted rather amongst the Untruâ—…hs then Wonders viz. That in this County not far from Bâ—…ttail-Abby in the Place where so great a slaughter of the English-men was made after any shower presently sweateth forth very frâ—…sh blood out of the Earth as if the Evidence thereof did plainly declare the voice of Bloud there shed and crieth still from the Earth unto the Lord. This is as true as that in white chalky Countries about Baldock in Hartford shire after rain run rivolets of Milk Neither being any thing else then the water discoloured according to the Complexion of the Earth thereabouts Proverbs He is none of the Hastings This Proverb though extended all over England is properly reduceable to this County as Originated there for there is a Haven Town named Hastings therein which some erroneously conceive so called from hast or speed because William the afterwards Conqueror Landing there did as Mathew Paris saith with Hast or Speedily erect some small Fortification But sure it is that there is a Noble and Antient family of the Hastings in this Land I will not say first taking their Name from this Town who formerly were Earls of Pembroke and still are of Huntington Now men commonly say they are none of the Hastings who being slow and slack go about business with no agility Such they also call dull Dromedaries by a foul mistake meerly because of the affinity of that name to our English word Dreaming applied to such who go slowly and sleepily about their Employment Whereas indeed Dâ—…omedaries are Creatures of a Constant and Continuing Swiftness so called from the Greek word Dremo to Run and are the 〈◊〉 for travell for the Eastern
a very great estate But what he got in few years he lost in fewer days since our Civil Warrs when the Parliament was pleased for reasons onely known to themselves to make him one of the examples of their severity excluding him pardon but permitting his departure beyond the seas where he dyed about the year 1650. Capitall Judges Sir NICHOLAS HYDE Knight was born at Warder in this County where his father in right of his wife had a long lease of that Castle from the family of the Arundels His father I say descended from an Antient Family in Cheshire a fortunate Gentleman in all his Children and more in his Grand-children some of his under-boughs out-growing the top-branch and younger children amongst whom Sir Nicholas in wealth and honour exceeding the heir of the family He was bred in the Middle-Temple and was made Sergeant at Law the first of February 1626. and on the eighth day following was sworn Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-bench succeeding in that Office next save one unto his Countryman Sir James Ley then alive and preferred Lord Treasurer born within two miles one of another and next of all unto Sir Randal Crew lately displaced Now though he entered on his place with some disadvantage Sir Randal being generally popular and though in those days it was hard for the same person to please Court and Country yet he discharged his office with laudable integrity and died 1631. Souldiers First for this County in general hear what an antient Author who wrot about the time of King Henry the second reporteth of it whose words are worthy of our translation and exposition Johannes Sarisburiensis de Nugis Curialium 6. cap. 18. Provincia Severiana quae moderno usu ac nomine ab incolis Wiltesira vocatur eodem jure sibi vendicat Cohortem Subsidiariam adjecta sibi Devonia Cornubia The Severian Province which by moderne use name is by the inhabitants called Wiltshire by the same right chalengeth to it self to have the Rere Devonshire and Cornwall being joyned unto it The Severian Province We thank our Author for expounding it Wiltshire otherwise we should have sought for it in the North near the Wall of Severus By the same right Viz. by which Kent claimeth to lead the Vanguard whereof formerly To have the Rere So translated by Mr. Selden from whom it is a sin to dissent in a Criticisme of Antiquity otherwise some would cavill it to be the Reserve Indeed the Rere is the basis and foundation of an Army and it is one of the chief of Divine promises The glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward We read how the Romans placed their Triarii which were Veteran souldiers behind and the service was very sharp indeed cum res rediit ad Triarios We may say that these three Counties Wiltshire Devonshire and Cornwall are the Triarii of England yet so that in our Author Wiltshire appears as principal the others being added for its assistance Here I dare interpose nothing why the two interjected Counties betwixt Wilts and Devon viz. Dorset and Summerset are not mentioned which giveth me cause to conjecture them included in Devonia in the large acception thereof Now amongst the many worthy Souldiers which this County hath produced give me leave to take speciall notice of HENRY D'ANVERS His ensuing Epitaph on his Monument in the Church of Dantsey in this Shire will better acquaint the Reader with his deserts then any character which my Pen can give of him Hâ—…re lyeth the body of Henry Danvers second son to Sir John Danvers Knight and Dame Elizabeth Daughter and Co-heir to Nevill Lord Latimer He was born at Dantsey in the County of Wilts Jan. Anno Dom. 1573. being bred up partly in the Low-Country-Wars under Maurice Earl of Nassaw afterward Prince of Orenge and in many other military Actions of those times both by Sea and by Land He was made a Captain in the Wars of France and there Knighted for his good Service under Henry the fourth the then French King He was imployed as Leiutenant of the Horse and Serjeant Major of the whole Army in Ireland under Robert Earl of Essex and Charles Baron of Mountjoy in the Raign of Queen Elizabeth By King James the first he was made Baron of Dansey and Peer of this Realm as also Lord President of Munster and Governour of Guernsey By King Charles the first he was Created Earl of Danby made of his Privy Councell and Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter In his latter time by reason of imperfect health considerately declining more active Imployments full of Honours Wounds and Days he died Anno Domini 1643. Laus Deo For many years before St. George had not been more magnificently Mounted I mean the solemnity of his feast more sumptuously observed then when this Earl with the Earl of Morton were installed Knights of the Garter One might have there beheld the abridgment of English and Scotish in their Attendance The Scotish Earl like Zeuxis his Picture adorned with all Art and Costliness whilst our English Earl like the plain sheet of Apelles by the Gravity of his habit got the advantage of the Gallantry of his Corrival with judicious beholders He died without Issue in the beginning of our Civil Wars and by his Will made 1639. setled his large Estate on his hopefull Nephew Henry D'Anvers snatch'd away before fully of age to the great grief of all good men Writers OLIVER of MALMESBURY was saith my Author iâ—… ipsius Monasterii terratorio natus so that there being but few paces betwixt his cradle and that Convent he quickly came thither and became a Benedictine therein He was much addicted to Mathematicks and to judicial Astrology A great Comet happened in his age which he entertained with these expressions Venisti Venisti multis matribus lugendum malum Dudum te vidi sed multò jam terribilius Angliae minans prorsus excidium Art thou come Art thou come thou evil to be lamented by many mothers I saw thee long since but now thou art much more terrible threatning the English with utter destruction Nor did he much miss his mark herein for soon after the coming in of the Norman Conqueror deprived many English of their lives more of their laws and liberties till after many years by Gods goodness they were restored This Oliver having a mind to try the truth of Poeticall reports an facta vel ficta is said to have tied Wings to his hands and feet and taking his rise from a Tower in Malmesbury flew as they say a â—…rlong till something failing him down he fell and brake both his Thighs Pity is it but that Icarus-like he had not fallen into the water and then OLIVER OL'VARIS nomina fecit aquis I find the like Recorded in the Ecclesiastical History of Simon Magus flying from the Capitol in Rome high in the Ayre till at last by the Prayers of Saint Peter he
soft supple and stretching whence the expression of Cheverelconsciences which will stretch any way for advantage Course Coverings are made of their shag God himself not despising the present of Goats-hair which made the outward case of the Tabernacle Their milk is accounted cordiall against consumptions yea their very stench is used for a perfume in Arabia the Happy where they might surfeit of the sweetness of spices if not hereby allayed In a word Goats are beâ—… for food where Sheep cannot be had Plenty of these are bred in Wales especially in Montgomery-shire which mindeth me of a pleasant passage during the restraint of the Lady Elizabeth When she was so strictly watched by Sir Henry Benefield that none were admitted access unto Her a Goat was espied by a merry Fellow one of the Warders walking along with her Whereupon taking the Goat on his Shoulders he in all hast hurried him to Sir Henry I pray Sir said he examine this fellow whom I found walking with her Grace but what talk they had I know not not understanding his Language He seems to me a stranger and I believe a Welsh-man by his frieze Coat To return to our subject I am not so knowing in Goats as either to confirme or confute what Plinie reports that Adhuc lactantes generant They 〈◊〉 young ones whilst they themselves as yet suck their Dams He addeth that they are great enemies to the Olive-trees which they embarren with licking it and therefore are never sacrificed to Minerva Sure I am a true Deity accepted them for his service as many kids well nigh as lambs being offered in the Old Testament The Manufactures The Brittish generally bearing themselves high on the account of their gentile extraction have spiriâ—… which can better comport with designes of suddain danger then long difficulty and are better pleased in the imploying of their valour then their labour Indeed some souls are over-lovers of liberty so that they mistake all industry to be degrees of slavery I doubt not but posterity may see the Welsh Commodities improved by art far more then the present Age doth behold the English as yet as far excelling the Welsh as the Dutch exceed the English in Manufactures But let us instance in such as this Country doth afford Frieze This is a course kind of Cloath then which none warmer to be worn in Winter and the finest sort thereof very fashionable and gentile Prince Henry had a frieze sute by which he was known many weeks together and when a bold Courtier checkt him for appearing so often in one Suit Would said he that the Cloath of my Country being Prince of Wales would last always Indeed it will daily grow more into use especially since the Gentry of the Land being generally much impoverisht abate much of their gallantry and lately resigned rich cloaths to be worn by those not whose persons may best become them but whose purses can best pay for the price thereof Cheese This is milk by Art so consolidated that it will keep uncorrupted for some years It was antiently and is still the Staple food for Armies in their marching witness when David was sent with Ten Cheeses to recruit the provisions of his Brethren and when Barzillai with Cheeses amongst other food victualled the Army of K. David Such as are made in this Country are very tender and palatable and once one merrily without offence I hope thus derived the Pedigree thereof Adams nawn Cusson was her by her birth Ap Curds ap Milk ap Cow ap Grasse ap Earth Foxes are said to be the best Tasters of the fineness of Flesh Flies of the sweetest Grapes and Mice of the tenderest Cheese and the last when they could Compass 〈◊〉 in that kind have given their Verdict for the goodness of the Welch What should be the reason that so many people should have such an Antipathie against Cheese more then any one manner of meat I leave to the skilfull in the Mysteries of Nature to decide Metheglen Some will have this word of Greek extraction from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 contracted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But the British will not so let go their none Countriman MATHEW GLIN but will have it purum potum Cambricum wholly of Welsh originall Whencesoever the word is made the liquor is compounded of water honey and other ingredients being most wholesome for mans body Pollio Romulus who was an hundred years old being asked of Augustus Cesar by what means especially he had so long preserved his vigour both of mind and body made answer Intus mulso foris oleo by taking Metheglen inward and oyle outward It differeth from Mede ut vinum à lora as wine from that weak stuffe which is the last running from the grapes pressed before It is a most generous liquor as it is made in this Country in so much that had Mercator who so highly praised the Mede of Egra for the best in the world I say had he tasted of this Welch Hydromel he would have confined his commendation to Germany alone and allowed ours the precedency Queen Elizabeth who by the Tudors was of Welch-descent much loved this Her native liquor recruiting an annual stock thereof for Her own use and here take if you please The Receit thereof First gather a Bushell of Sweet-briar leaves and a Bushell of Time half a Bushell of Rosemary and a Peck of Bay-leaves Seeth all these being well washed in a Furnace of fair water let them boil the space of half an Hour or better and then pour out all the water and herbs into a Vat and let it stand till it be but milk-warme then strain the water from the herbs and take to every six Gallons of water one Gallon of the finest Honey and put it into the Boorn and labour it together half an hour then let it stand two days stirring it well twice or thrice each day Then take the Liquor and boil it anew and when it doth seeth skim it as long as there remaineth any dross When it is clear put it into the Vat as before and there let it be cooled You must then have in readiness a kind of new Ale or Beer which as soon as you have emptied suddenly whelme it upside down and set it up again and presently put in the Metheglen and let it stand three days a working And then tun it up in Barrells tying at every Tap-hole by a Pack-thred a little bag of beaten Cloves and Mace to the value of an Ounce It must stand half a year before it be drunk The Buildings The Holy Spirit complaineth that great men build Desolate places for themselves therein taxing their Avarice Ambition or both Avarice they joyn House to House by Match Purchase or Oppression that they may be alone in the Land that their Covetousness may have Elbow-room to lye down at full length and wallow it self round about These love not