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DAJVMOmi ORIENT ALES ILLUSTRES:
OR,
THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
A WORK, WHEREIN THE LIVES AND FORTUNES
OF
THE MOST FAMOUS DIVINES, STATESMEN, SWORDSMEN, PHYSICIANS
WRITERS, AND OTHER EMINENT PERSONS,
il?attt)e0 of tDat inoft noble ^xmntt,
FROM BEFORE THE NORMAN CONQUEST, DOWN TO THE PRESENT AGE, ARE MEMORIZED,
IN AN ALPHABETICAL ORDER,
OUT OF THE
MOST APPROVED AUTHORS, BOTH IN PRINT AND MANUSCRIPT.
IN WHICH AN ACCOUNT IS GIVEN, NOT ONLY OF DIVERS VERY DESERVING PERSONS (MANY OF WHICH
WERE NEVER HITHERTO MADE PUBLICK) BUT OF SEVERAL ANTIENT AND NOBL^ FAMiLes ^HEIR
SEATS AND HABITATIONS. THE DISTANCE THEY BEAR AS TO THE NEXT GREAT TOWNS THEIR COAXS OP
ARMS FAIKLY CUT. WITH OTHER THINGS, NO LESS PROFITABLE, THAN PLEASANT AND DElTghtfT
BY JOHN PRINCE,
nCAR OF BERRY.POMEROY, IN THE SAME COUNTY.
.EMO UNeilAM, .E VAH„S HKBUS .OENS, TAM COMMODB OMNIA EXPUCARE POTtMT, O.U. SEVBU,
Pet. Bellon. Observat. Lie. hi. p. 204.
a Brtu eiiition, Moitff Bom,
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR REES AND CURTIS, PLYMOUTH^
EDWARD UPHAM, EXETER, AND LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND ORMe! LONDON.
1810.
3. M'CREERY, Printer,
Black-Horse-Court, llcet-SUect, London.
vX^'
TO
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
HUGH EARL FORTESCUE.
ERRATA.
In the Tcxt,
Having reference to the Notes : —
PiigellO,li]ie 1 dele (Note.)
ia« — -I'J after Cholditch hisert (Note.)
v07 — 32 dele (Note 3.)
666 — t4 after (Note.) insert J.
In tub Notes.
Page . 34, — 1 for A. Rees read Apreece.
144 — 7 for Buriiington read Burrington.
284 — T omit the full stop after arms.
337 — for Drvve read Drew, passim,
415 — 26 for Giffard read Gifford.
443 — 5!0 for inserted read inverted.
701 — 1 for confirmed read conferred.
716 — 5 dele little.
• 40 for sood read stood.
734 — 59 for Kekwick read Kekvvicli.
747 — 7 for John Yonge read John Vounge.
769 — 36 for 17— read 1713.
In the Catalogue of Arms.
Page 780, q/"i!iT BROWNE insert Gules a chevron between two
chevronets or, and three escalops argent.
782, line 31, for languid read langued.
— 35 for tripant read trippant.
VISCOUNT EBRINGTON,
IILL, LORD-LIEUTENANT AND GUSTOS ROTULORUM
COUNTY OF DEVON.
[S EDITION OF
HIES OF DEVON,
\MONG WHOM
IM A DISTINGUISHED PLACE,
CTFULLY INSCRIBED,
Y HIS LORDSHIP'S OBEDIENT SERVANTS,
THE EDITORS.
280011
a
J. m'creery, Printer,
Black-Hotse-Ccurt, Hcet-SUect, London.
vX^'
TO
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
HUGH EARL FORTESCUE,
VISCOUNT EBRINGTON,
AND BARON FORTESCUE OF CASTLE HILL, LORD- LIEUTENANT AND CUSTOS ROTULORUM
OF THE COUNTY OF DEVON,
THIS EDITION OF
THE WORTHIES OF DEVON,
AMONG WHOM
HIS ANCESTORS CLAIM A DISTINGUISHED PLACE,
IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED,
BY HIS LORDSHIP'S OBEDIENT SERVANTS,
THE EDITORS.
280011
PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION.
More than a century has elapsed since the publication of the work, of which a
new edition is now presented to the public. The estimation in which it has always
been held, and the high price at which it has for snn\f time past been sold, led the
Editors to presume that its republication would not be unacceptable ; and the liberal
patronage afforded to their proposals has fully evinced the justness of this presump-
tion.
Of the merits and defects of the original work, it is unnecessary at this time to ex-
patiate. Defects, as a biographical, and imperfections, as a genealogical work, it un-
doubtedly possesses ; but the preponderance of its merits has been established by the
attesting hand of time. Of the objections, to which it was liable, the greater part
its author foresaw, and in his preface endeavoured, and not unsuccessfully, to obviate.
That which continues to be most frequently urged, is the omission of any notice of
many of the most respectable families in the county. If the author's design had been
to exhibit a genealogical history of the principal families of Devonshire, the objection
would doubtless be well founded; but his intention avowedly was, to record the actions
and productions of those individuals in families who had particularly distinguished
themselves in their respective stations, either in active or contemplative life. His
fondness for genealogical details often led him, however, to expatiate more fully on the
family from which his hero sprung, than on the deeds of the hero himself. Hence it
happened that his work assumed so much the character of a genealogical work, as to
become chiefly considered in that light; and from this circumstance probably it has
in process of time attained its chief estimation.
With respect to the present edition, few observations are necessary. It was the
original design of the Editors to reprint the work without any alteration or addition.
On the eve of issuing their proposals to this effect, it was suggested that considerable
additional interest might be imparted, by subjoining to it notes of correction, expla-
nation, and continuation. Adopting this suggestion, the Editors presumed to add to
their proposals a request to be favoured with any information conducive to the attain-
ment of this object. Their solicitation of assistance was chiefly directed to the conti-
nuation of the genealogies, and in their expectation of this assistance, they have not
' been
viii PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION.
been disappointed. They have to acknowledge the readiness with which several gen-
tlemen have communicated accounts of their own families, as well as of others, con-
cerning whom they were in possession of correct knowledge. From these sources, as
well as from their own researches, they have endeavoured to derive information respect-
ing all the different families mentioned in the work. Unfortunately, their endeavours
have not in all instances been equally successful. Of families extinct in the male line
they have often been unable to discover the present representatives, and consequently to
solicit that aid, which, if asked, might have been readily granted. Where no such ob-
stacle occurred, they may have failed to receive assistance, not from disinclination,
but from inability. Many causes have conspired to render the preservation of family
records less attended to in later times than at former periods. The discontinuance of
the visitations of the college of arms, the last of which in this county took place iu
the year 1620, is not among the least considerable.
If in the genealogical notes any disproportion is observed in regard to different fami-
lies, it may justly be attributed to the different degrees of scarcity or abundance with
which information was imparted or discovered. Of the families, who enjoyed or have
attained hereditary honors, the additional account has in general been more briefly ex-
pressed, because the descents of those families are contained in books of easy access.
That in the continuation of the histories of families, errors have not been commit-
ted, the Editors are far from flattering themselves with the expectation, and, as accu-
racy in points of this nature is particularly desirable in the additions to a work of esta-
blished credit, they feel it incumbent on them to embrace every means of correction,
which may be placed within their power. They will, therefore, most thankfully re-
ceive any communications tending to so desirable an object, and the result of such
communications they will publish at a future time, and place at the service of the sub-
scribers. With equal thanks, they will receive a supply of information in the instan-
ces of omission to which they have alluded, without, however, absolutely pledging them-
selves to a precisely similar communication of the intelligence thus acquired, of the
extent of which no accurate judgment can be previou.sly formed.
In the original text, no variations have been made, with the exception of the cor-
rection of avowed typographical errors; but in the disposition of the work, some
changes have been made. The original alphabetical arrangement, as it regards the
succession of letters, has not been altered ; but the confusion arising from the total
disregard of alphabetical succession in the names comprehended under the same initial
letter, has been completely removed ; a confusion more sensibly felt by the want of an
index, and even of a table of contents. By the same means has been avoided the se-
paration of the accounts of individuals of the same family, which rendered reference
to the old edition often perplexing.
The arms have been detached from the situation Avhich they occupied at the heads
of each article, and placed together at the end of the volume. The numerous errors
in the engravings have been corrected. The blazonry of the arms, and of the few
crests mentioned in the original, is attached to the plates; but in this no alteration has
been
PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION. ix
been made, unless in the case of palpable mistakes, that the authority of the' work might
in doubtful cases remain unabated. To this has been subjoined a list of armorial bearings
incidentally mentioned in the course of the book. To the whole has been superadded
an entirely new and copious index. The participation of the genealogical with the
biographical character of this work, has been already noticed, and as far as we may be
allowed to deduce an inference from the liberal and extensive patronage of its republica-
tion, is not deemed an objection. To those, however, and such there are, to whom
the former part of this character is objectionable, the Editors would submit their own
sentiments in the familiar words of an author, who disdained not occasionally to em-
ploy in genealogical essays the pen which was engaged in erecting one of the noblest
monuments of historical composition.
" A lively desire (says Mr. Gibbon) of knowing and recording our ancestors so gene-
rally prevails, that it must depend on the influence of some common principle in the
minds of men. We seem to have lived in the persons of our forefathers; it is the
labour and reward of vanity to extend the term of this ideal longevity. Our imagina-
tion is always active to enlarge the narrow circle in which nature has confined us.
Fifty or an hundred years may be allotted to an individual, but we step forward beyond
death with such hopes as religion and philosophy will suggest; and we fill up the silent
vacancy that precedes our birth, by associating ourselves to the author of our existence.
Our calmer judgment will rather tend to moderate than to suppress the pride of an
ancient and worthy race. The satirist may laugh, the philosopher may preach ;
but reason herself will respect the prejudice and habits, which have been consecrated
by the experience of mankind. Whenever the distinction of birth is allowed to form
a superior order in the state, education and example should always, and will often, pro-
duce among them a dignity of sentiment, and propriety of conduct, which is guarded
from dishonour by their own and the public esteem. If we read of some illustrious
line so ancient that it has no beginning, so worthy that it ought to have no end, we
sympathize in its various fortunes ; nor can we blame the generous enthusiasm, or even
the harmless vanity, of those who are allied to the honour of its name. For my own
part, could I draw my pedigree from a general, a statesman, or a celebrated author,
I should study their lives with the diligence of filial love. In the investigation of past
events our curiosity is stimulated by the immediate or indirect reference to ourselves;
but in the estimate of honour we should learn to value the gifts of nature above those
of fortune; to esteem in our ancestors, the qualities that best promote the interests of
society; and to pronounce the descendant of a King less truly noble than the offspring
of a man of genius, whose writings will instruct and delight the latest posterity. The
family of Confucius is, in my opinion, the most illustrious in the world. After a pain-
ful ascent of eight or ten centuries, our barons and princes of Europe are lost in the
darkness of the middle ages; but, in the vast equality of the empire of China, the
posterity of Confucius have maintained, above two thousand two hundred years, their
peaceful honours of perpetual succession. The chief of the family is still revered by
the sovereign of the people, as the lively image of the wisest of mankind. The nobility
b of
X PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION.
of the Spencers has been illustrated and enriched by the trophies of Malborough , but
I exhort them to consider the Fairy Queen as the most precious jewel in their coronet.
"I have exposed my natural feelings as I shall always do, without scruple or reserve.
That these sentiments are just, or at least natural, I am inchned to believe, since I do
not feel myself interested in the cause; for I can derive from my ancestors neither
glory nor shame," Gibbon's Memohs by Lord Sheffield.
Of the author of this work, the following particulars are all that the Editors have
been able to collect, notwithstanding the most diligent search.
John Prince, author of the Worthies of Devon, was born in the year 1643 at
Newnham Abbey, in the parish of Axminster. He was the son of Bernard Prince;
and his mother, whose name was Mary, was allied to the ancient family of the Crockers
of Lynham, in the county of Devon. In 1660, when only seventeen years of age,
he was admitted a student of Brazen Nose College, Oxford; and in 1664 took his
degree of bachelor of arts, and entered into holy orders. He appears to have
entered upon the active duties of his profession at Bideford, as curate to Mr. Arthur
Gifford, at whose decease he removed to Exeter, and was chosen minister of St. Martin's
church. About that time he obtained the degree of master of arts from the university
of Cambridge, having become a member of Caius College. From Exeter he removed
to the vicarage of Totnes, which he held about six years; and in 1681 he was preferred
by Sir Edward Seymour to the vicarage of Berry-Pomeroy, which he held unto the time
of his death in 1 723, a period of forty-two years.
He appears to have been a popular preacher, and a very zealous defender of the
principles of the Church of England. Besides the Worthies of Devon, of which the
original edition was published in 1701, he was the author of the following tracts, and
of some controversial treatises, that were never published. (1) A Sermon preached at
the Cathedral in Exeter, at the Visitation of the Bishop in 1674: (2) Seasonable
Advice to Sober Christians, preached at Totnes 11th September 1687: (3) The best
Refuge in theAVorst of Times, Sermons preached at Berry-Pomeroy on Whit-Sunday,
and Trinit3'-Sunday, when King James the second's declaration for toleration was re-
quired to be published in parish churches : (4) A Defence of the Exeter Bill for uniting
the Parishes, and settling a Maintenance upon their Ministers: (5) A Letter to a
young Divine, containing some brief Directions for composing and delivering of Ser-
mons.
ALPHABETICAL
ALPHABETICAL LIST
LIVES IN THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Page
ACKLAND, Sir John, k'night 1
ACKLAND, Baldwin, B.D 7
ADAMS, William 9
ALPHRED, Bishop of Crediton u
ASH, SIMON 15
ASHLY, orASTLEY, Herbert, Dean of Nonvich 18
ATWELL, Hugh, M.D 19
AUDLEY, James, Lord 22
BABINGTON, Gervais, Lord Bishop of Wor-
cester 26
BALDWIN, Archbishop of Canterbury .... 29
BALL, Sir Peter, Knight 33
BAMPFEILD, Sir Copleston, Bart 35
DE BAMPTON, John, D.D 40
BARKHAM,John, D.D 42
BARRY, Robert 46
BASKERVILE, Sir Simon, Knight 49
BASSET, Colonel Arthur 51
BATH, Sir Henry, Knight, Justice of King's
Bench 55
BAWCEYN, Sir Stephen, Knight 59
BEAUMONT, Lord Richard Viscount Main . . 6l
BERRY, Sir John, Knight 68
BIDGOOD,John, M.D 74
BLONDY, Richard, Lord Bishop of Exeter . , 78
BLUET, Colonel Francis 84
BLUNDELL, Peter 89
BODLEY, Sir Thomas 92
BODLEY, Lawrence, D.D 101
BODLEY, Sir Josias, Knight 103
BOGAN, Zachary, M.A 106
BON VILL, Lord William 110
BRACTOX, Henry Lord, Chief Justice .... 114
BRENTINGHAM, Thomas Lord, Bishop of
Exeter 118
BREWER, Lord William 120
BREWER, William, Lord Bishop of Exeter . . 125
BRIAN, Lord Guy 130
BRIDGEMAN, John, Lord Bishop of Chester . 133
BRITTE, Walter 135
BRONSCOMBE, Waller, Lord Bishop of Exeter 137
BROWNE, William 140
BUDEOKSHED, Robert, Esquire 143
BURCHARD, Bishop of Wurtzburgh 145
BURGOIN, William, Esquire 148
BURLEGH, Cuptainjohn 150
BURY, Jolui, Canon of Exeter 152
CARDMAKER, alias Taylor, John ] 55
C ARE W, Sir John, Knight 158
CAREW, Thomas, Esquire 162
CAREW, Cieorge, Baron of Clopton 168
CARPENTER,^Natl,uuad,B.D 173
GARY, Sir John, Knight 176
GARY, John, Lord Bishop of Exeter 180
GARY, Sir George, Knight 182
Page
GARY, George, D.D 187
CHAMPERNON.Sir Arthur, Knight 192
CHARD, Thomas, D.D 195
GHARDON, or CHARLDON, John, Lord
Bishop of Down and Conor 200
GHAUNTOR, The, John, Lord Bishop of Exeter 202
CHICHESTER, Robert, Lord Bishop of Exeter 204
CHICHESTER, Sir Arthur, Knight 207
CHILCOT, Robert 213
CHILDE, 214
CHUDLEGH, Sir George, Baronet 216
CISTERTIAN, The, Roger 219
CLIFFORD, Lord Thomas, Baron ol Chudlegh 221
COCKE, Captain 225
COFFIN, Sir William, Knight 227
CONANT, John, D.D 230
COPLESTON, John, Esquire 235
COTTON, Edward, D.D 239
COURTENAY, William, Lord Archbishop of
Canterbury 243
COURTENAY, Sir Peter, Knight 252
COURTENAY,Richard,LordBishopof Norwich 25fl
COURTENAY, Peter, Lord Bishop of Winchester 258
COURTENAY, Lord Edward, Earl of Devon . 261
COWELL, John, Doctor 264
DE CREDITON, Frederick, Bishop of Utrecht . 267
CROCKER, Sir John, Knight 270
CRUWYS, Sir Robert, Knight 274
CUTCLIFFE, John 278
DAVIE, Edmund, M.D 281
DA VIES, Captain John 285
DAVILS, Captain Henry 287
DENNIS, Sir Thomas 289
DEVON, Richard 292
DEVONIUS, alias de Forda, Johannes, Chaplain
to King John ' 295
DINHAM, Lord John 298
DODDERIDGE, Sir John, Knight 301
DOWNE, John, B.D 307
DRAKE, Sir Francis, Knight 315
DRAKE, Sir Bernard, Knight 328
DRAKE, Robert 332
DREW, Edward, Serjeant at Law 334
DUCK, Nicholas 338
EADULPH, Bishop of Devon 342
EDGECOMBE, Sir Richard, Knight 344
EDMONDS, Sir Thomas, Knight 351
EXETER, Walter 354
EXETER, William, D.D 356
FISHACRE, Richard 358
FITZ, John, Bencher of Lincoln's-Inn . . . . 36l
FITZRALPH, Saint Richard, Archbishop of Ar-
magh 364
FL,\Y, Thomas, Alderman of the City of Exeter 368
FLOIER, William, Esquire 371
h'2
t
CONTENTS.
Page
FOLIOT, Gilbert, Lord Bishop of London ... 375
FORD, Sir Henry, Knight 379
FORTESCUE, Sir John, Knight 383
FULFORD, Sir William, Knight 3S'2
GALE, Theophilus 396
GANDV,John, D.D 398
GARLAND, John -100
GATES, Sir Thomas, Knight 403
GEE, John 406
GERVAIS, Walter 408
GIFFARD, Colonel John 411
GILBERT, Sir Humphry, Knight 4l6
GILES, Sir Edward, Knight 421
GLANVIL, Sir John 424
CLANVIL, Sir John, Knight 427
GLANVIL, Joseph 431
GOULD, James, Merchant 436
GREENWAY,John 438
GRENVIL, Sir Theobald, Knight 440
HAKEWIL, William, Esquire 449
HALSE, John, Lord Bishop of Coventry and
Lichfield 455
HANKFORD, Sir William, K.B 458
HARDING, Thomas, D.D 46'3
HARRIS, John, Serjeant at Law 468
HAWKINS, Sir John, Knight 472
HAWLEY,John 477
HAYDON, John, Bencher of Lincoln's-Inn . . . 480
HEALE, Sir John, Serjeant at Law 484
HERLE, Sir William, Knight 491
HILL, Sir John, Knight 494
HODY, Sir John, Knight 498
HOLLAND, Lord John, Duke of Exeter .... 500
HOOKER, alias Vowel, John 505
HOOKER, Richard, Master of the Temple . . . 507
HOPKINS, Ezekiel, Lord Bishop of Derry . . . 515
HUDDESFEILD, Sir William, Knight .... 522
ISC ANUS, Bartholomew, Lot d Bisiiop of Exeter 524
JEWEL, John, Lord Bishop of Salisbury .... 528
KARSWILL, Sir William, Knight 544
KEBIE, sirnamed Corinius 546
KEMPTHORN, Sir John, Knight 549
KIRKHAM, Sir John, Knight 554
LANGTON, Stephen, Archbishop of Canterbury 557
LEOFRICUS, Lord Chancellour of England . . 56l
LETHBRIDGE, Christopher 564
LIVINGUS, Bishop of Devon . 506
Page
LYDE, George 569
MARTIN, William, RecorderoftheCityofExon 574
MAYNE, Jasper, D.D. Archdeacon of Chichester 580
MOLLEjJohn 584
MONK, George, Duke of Albemarle 586
MOREMAN, John, D.D. Dean of Exeter .... 600
MORICE, Sir William, Knight 603
MORWEN, or Moorin, John, B.D 607
NEWTE, Richard, Rector of Tiverton 609
ORGAR, Duke of Devonshire 615
OXENHAM, John, Captain 621
PERYAM, Sir William, Knight 625
PETRE, Sir William, Knight 629
POLE, Sir William, Knight 636
POLLARD, Sir Lewis, Knight 640
POMERAI, Sir Henry, Lord of Biry 645
PRIDEAUX, Sir Edmond, Baronet 650
PRIDEAUX, John, D.D. Lord Bishop of Wor-
cester 654
RALEGH, William, Lord Bishop of Winchester 663
RALEGH, Sir Walter 666
RAINOLDS, John, D.D 684
REYNELL, Richard, Esquire 692
RIDGEWAY, Sir Thomas, Knight and Baronet 698
RISDON, Thomas, Bencher of the Inner Temple 702
ROLLE, Dennis, Esquire 706
ROW, John, Serjeant at Law 710
SLANNING, Sir Nicholas, Knight 713
SOUTHCOT, John, Justice of King's Bench . 717
STANBERRY, or STAMBERY, Bishop of Here-
ford 719
STAPLEDON, Walter, Lord Bishop of Exeter 722
STOWFORD, Sir John, Lord Chief Baron of
Exchequer 727
STRODE, William, D.D 730
TOOKER, alias Tucker, William, D.D. ... 735
TOZAR, Henry, B.D 737
TREMAIN, Thomas, Esquire 739
UPTON, Nicholas, L.C.D 743
WADHAM,SirJohn, Knight 748
WESTCOT, John 753
WHYDDON, Sir John, Knight, Justice of King's
Bench 759
ST. WINIFRED, Archbishop of Ments .... 762
WOLLOCOMBE, Robert 767
YARD, Richard 770
YOO, oral YEO,Willism ,.......,. 773
SUBSCRIBERS.
( xiii )
SUBSCRIBERS,
AcLAND, Sir Thomas Dyke, Bart, Kellerton,
roi/al paper
Archer, Addis, Esq. Leigham
Adams, Mrs. Mary, Tavistock
Amyatt, James, Esq. Sidmouth
Anthony, Mr. Yealmpton
Bedford, His Grace the Duke of, royal paper
Bute, The Most Noble the Marquis of, royal
paper
Boringdon, Right Hon. Lord, Saltram, royal
paper
Bastard, John PoUexfen, Esq. M. P. Kitley,
royal paper
Bewes, Thomas, Esq. Plymouth, royal paper
Bidlake, Rev. John, D.D. Plymouth
Bluett, Peter, Esq. Holcombe Court, royal paper
Barham, John Foster, Esq. Exeter
Barnstaple Book Society
Bampfylde, George, Esq. Poltimore
Birdwood, Rev. C. Plymouth, royal paper
Bulteel, Thomas Hillersdou, Esq. Belle Vue
royal paper '
Britton, John, Esq. F.S.A. London
Barker, Rev. VV. Silverton
Baker, Charles, Esq. Nowers, Wellington
Baker, N. Esq. Newton, roi/al paper
Burke, Capt. South Devon Militia
Baring, John, Esq. Mount Radford, Exeter
Bowden, Mr.
Bridgmaii, Doctor, Plymouth
Barbor, George, Esq. Fremington
Bremridge, Philip, Esq. Barnstaple
Bowen, George, Esq. Capt. Royal Navy, royal paper
Brown, Mrs. Tavistock ^ t f
Barrett, Mr. Bath, tico copies, one royal
Bowden, Henry, Esq. Bradninch
Bnckdale, John, Esq. Woodleigh
Baskerville, , Esq, Plymouth
Bassett, Mr. Exeter
Bagster, Mr. S. Bookseller, six copies, three royal
Bulteel, John, Esq. Fleet, royal paper
Brooking, Capt. Royal Navy, Hugh Meavy
Barry, Mr. Bartholomew, Bristol, three copies
Batt, Rev. William, Liskeard
Blewett, Rev. B. Church-Stanton, Devon
Beadon, R. Esq. Taunton
Bone, Robert, Esq. Plymouth Dock
Barton, John Cutts, Esq. Captain Royal Navy
Baron, W. Esq. Launceston, royal paptr
Blundell, Philip, Esq. Tiverton, royal paper
Bellamy, George, M.D. Plymouth
Bulgin, Mr. W. Bristol, royal paper
Browne, Mr. Bristol, tteo copies, one royal
Bedford, Rev. R. Bristol
Bartlett, N. Adam, Rev. Ludbrooke, :Modbury
Bentham, Mrs. Shanklin, Lsle of Wight
Beauchamp, Rev. B. Tiverton
Bradford, Mr. W. Exeter
Barton, Mr. Jacobstow
Back, Rev. Edward, B. D. Exeter
Budd, John, Esq. Welklv House, Barnstaple
Bussell, Mr. Exeter
Bally, Mr. Bath
Bryan, Rev. Guy, Fellow of St. Peter's College,
Cambridge, royal paper
Broadley, John, Esq. Hull, royal paper
CouRTENAY, Right Hon. Lord Viscount, royal
paper
Clifford, The Right Hon. Lord, Ugbrook,
royal paper
Carew, Sir Henry, Bart. Haccombe
Capell, Hon. J. F. roi/al paper
Gary, George, Esq. Tor Abbey, royal paper
Cooper, J. H. Col. of the 2d Regt, Somerset Militia
Crouch, Rev. Isaac, St. Edmumd Hall, Oxford
Cole, Thomas, Esq. Bristol
XIV
SUBSCRIBERS.
Cowan, Rev. J. C. Kenton
Cornish, Thomas, Esq. Cholwell House
Calmady, Cliailes, Esq. Langdon Hall, royal paper
Coryndon, George, Esq. Plymouth
Clarke, Rev. E. St. Dominick
Clarke, Richard Hall, Esq. Bridwell
Coates, Thomas, Esq. Plymouth, royal paper
Cleather, Thomas, Esq. Plymouth
Curtis, James, Esq.
Creswell, John, Esq. New Court
Coles, John, Esq. Stonehouse, royal paper
Carpenter, John Philip, Esq. Mount Tavy, royal
paper
Carlisle, Nicholas, Esq. Secretary and F.S. A. royal
paper
Chichester, Charles, Esq. Hall
Chalmers, Alexander, Esq. F.S. A. London
Champemowne, Arthur, Esq. Darlington House,
royal paper
Coleman, B. F.Esq. Holwell, Somerset, royal paper
Chapman, Col. B. Dawlish
Commins, Mr. Tavistock
Cornish, Robert, Esq. Exeter
Carter, Samuel, Tavistock
Cock, Wilham, Esq.
Carswell, Mr.
CarringtoD, Rev. R. Ide
Courtenay, William, Esq. Walreddon-Hoiise
Castle, Thomas, Esq. Bristol
Chichester, C. Esq. Calverleigh
Cosserat, James, Esq. Tor-Quay
Cross, Francis, Esq. Crediton, royal paper
Coleridge, James, Esq. Ottery
Carpenter, Charles, Esq. Moditontor, Cornwall,
royal paper
Crutterder, E. H. Esq.
Clarke, Mr. William, New Bond Street, four co-
pies, tzco riiyal
Cadell and Davies, Messrs. royal paper
Collett, Richard, Esq. Turnham Green, royal paper
Carey, Edward, Esq. Follatou, Totnes, royal paper
Crose, John, F.A.S. Hull
DeDunstanv ILL E,RightHon. Lord, rqya^pope/-
Duntze, Sir John, Bart, royal paper
Davie, Lady, Greedy, royal paper
Dent, John, Esq. M.P. royal paper
Daniel, M.D. Exeter
Drake, Francis, Esq. Wells, royal paper
Drake, George, Esq. Ipplepen
Drake, Henry, Esq. Barnstaple
Drake, Zachary Hammett, Esq. Pilton, near Barn-
staple
Davies, Bhys, Esq. Swansea, royal paper
Dealtry, Mrs. Lofthouse Hall, Yorkshire, royal
paper
Davy, Mr. Robert, Wear, near Topsham
Down, Mr. James, Plymouth Dock
Dansey, Frederick, Esq. Plymouth Dock
Dando, Mr. Bristol
Dawe, Mr. Exeter
Denner, Mr. George, Kingsbridge
D'Almaine, Mr. London
Drew, Samuel, Esq. royal paper
Dibdin, Rev. T. F. Kensington, royal paper
Dare, J.M.Grafton, Esq. Cranbrook House, Ilford
Davie, Humphrey, Esq. Creedy, royal paper
Darby, , Quarter Master, 1st Foot Guards
Eliot, Right Hon. Lord, royal paper
Elford, Sir William, Bart. Bickham
Elford, Jonathan, Esq. Plymouth Dock, royal paper
Elford, Colonel, Upper Clapton
Eastlake, George, Esq. Plymouth
Elphinstone, Capt. Thomas, Royal Navy, royal
paper
Exeter Book Society
Eastlake, George, jun. Esq.
Edgcombe, Arthur, Esq. North Buckland
Edgcombe, Edward, Esq. Tavistock
Ellecombe, H. M. Esq.
Eales, Thomas, Esq. Barncot, royal paper
Eales, Richard, Esq. Exeter, royal paper
Edgcombe, Pearce, Esq. Chatham
Evans, Mr. Pall Mall, three copies, one royal
FoRTEScuE, The Right Hon. Earl, royal paper
Fortescue, John Inglett, Esq. Buckland Filleigh
Fortescue, William, Esq. Lestwithiei
Fortescue, Edmund, Esq. Fallopit
Fortescue, Rev. George, St. Melion, Cornwall
Fellowes, Hon. Newton, M.P. Eggesford
Froud, Rev. R. H. Dartington
Fuge, Robert, Esq. Elford, royal paper
Fuge, Robert, jun. Esq. royal paper
Fulford, Baldwin, Esq. Great Fulford
Fox, Francis, Esq. Plymouth
F'ox, Robert, William, Esq. Falmouth
Fox, George, Esq. Grove Hill, Falmouth
Foote, John Pierson, Esq. Harewood
Fazakerley, J. N. Esq. royal paper
Fowell, Rev. John Digby, Black-Hall
Fuge, Samuel, Esq.
Fitz-Gerald, Gerald, Esq. Mount-Gerald, Ireland
Folke, Capt. Tiverton
Follett, Abraham, Esq. Sidmouth
Farwell, Licut.-Col. Totnes, royal paper
Fulford, William, Esq. London, royal paper
Flood, C. Esq. Honitoi), royal paper
Fisher, Mr. Totnes
Follett, A. Esq. Mark Lane
Frost, Mr. Charle.'s, Bristol
Foulkes, Mrs. Vcnbridge
Foulkes, J. D. l*]sq. Medland
Fold, Mr. AVilliam, Manchester, tiCQ copies, one
royal
SUBSCRIBERS.
XV
GLOUCESTER, His RoyalHighness The
Duke of, rotjal paper
Grenville, Right Hon. 'Lordt, royal paper
Grenville, Right Hon. Thomas, royal paper
Craves, The Right Hon. Lord, Bishops Court
Graves, Admiral, Hem^ury Fort, royal paper
Graham, Sir James, Bart. M.P. royal paper
Graham, James, Esq. No. 1, Portland Place
Gill, John, Esq. Tavistock, royal paper
Gilbert, Rev. Edmund, Bodmin
Granger, Edmund, Esq. Exeter
Gilbert, Walter Raleigh, Esq. Bodmin
Gandy, Henry, Esq.
Gregg, Mr. John
Gilbert, Charles, Esq. East-Bourne, Sussex
Godwin, Mr. H. Bath, three copies, txco royal
Gibbons, Mr. Bath
Gould, John, Esq. Plymouth, royal paper
Giftard, John, Esq. Accountant-General of tlie
Irish Customs, royal paper
Giffard, Harding, Esq. Barrister at Law, Dublin,
royal paper
Giffard, Stanley Lees, Esq. Middle Temple
Glanville, Francis, Esq. Catchfrench, royal paper
Gregory, Rev. George, Dunsford
Gilbert, Mr. C. S. Plymouth Dock
Graves, John, Esq. Penrice House, St. Austle
Gutch, Mr. Bristol, three copies, one royal
Goodden, Robert, Esq. Compton-House, Dorset
Gilchrist, Octavius, Esq.
Gwyu, John Francis, Esq. Ford-Abbey, royal
paper
Gibbs, Sir Vicary, Knight, Attorney-General, royal
paper
Grenfield, Rev. Thomas, Bristol
Gilbert, Rev. J. P. Menhcniot
Gale, Mr. John, Salisbury Square, London
Hardwicke, Right Hon. Tlie Earl of, K.G.
F.R. & A.S. royal paper
Hoare, Sir Richard Colt, Bart. Stourhead, royal
paper
Harris, John, Esq. Radford, royal paper
Harris, Isaac Donithorne, Esq. Hayne, royal paper
Harris, Henry, Esq. Beer-Ferrers
Harris, Mr. James, Plymouth
Hamlyn, Sir James, Bart. Clovelley-Court, royal
paper
Hesketh, Sir Thomas, Bart. Rufiord-hall, Lanca-
shire, royal paper
Holbecke, V. Esq. F]xminster
Hunt, Capt. N. A. Royal Marines
Hyne, Nicholas, Esq.
Hawker, John, Esq. Plymouth, royal paper
Havdon and Cobley, Plymouth, two copies
Hele, Mr.
Hele, Jacob Bickford, Esq.
Hibbert, George, Esq. M.P. royal paper
Hoblyu, Rev. R; Colchester
Hamand, Mr. S. B.
Hingston, Joseph, Esq. Kingsbridge
Holland, Rev. R. Spreyton
Heathcote, Robert, Esq. royal paper
Hamlyn, Calmady Pollexfen, Esq. Leawood
Hilley, Rev. John, Marldon
Hays, Treby Hele, Esq. Dallamore
Hobhouse, Henry, Esq. F.S. A. Hadspen, Somerset
Harding, Thomas, Esq. Impacombe
Hommey, M. F. Esq. Charlton, royal paper
Hill, Rev. Charles, Instow, near Barnstaple
Hawke, William, Esq. Camplehay
Hurst, Tliomas, Esq. Highgate, royal paper
Hole, Rev. William, Rector of Belston, Oakliampton
Herring, Mrs. Langston-House
Halse, Mr. Edward, Cripplegate
Horndon, Rev. Mr. Torrington
Hatsell, Major, Green Park Place, Batli
Hamilton, John, Esq. Capt. Coldstream Guards
Henry, Mr. T. Cheltenham
Hoare, Charles, Esq. Liscombe, royal paper
Hill, Peter, Esq. Cawythenock
Haydon, Mr. B. R.jun.
Heber, Richard, Esq. ttco copies, one royal
Holberton, Robert, Esq. Tor, Newton-Ferrers
Helyar, Weston, Esq. Newton Park, Cornwall
Hole, Henry, Esq. Ebberly
Holdsvvorlhy Book Society
Holmdon, Robert, Esq. Dartmoor
Hayne, Charles, Esq. Fuge
Hull Subscription Library
JoHNEs, Thomas, Esq. M.P. Matod, royal paj)er
James, Joseph, Esq. Ashley, near Tiverton
Johns, Henry Incledon, Esq. Plymouth Dock
Ilbert, Peter, Esq. Capt. North Devon Militia
James, J. Esq. Bath
Johnson, B. Esq. Exeter
Johns, Mr. Bookseller, Plymoutli Dock, royal
paper
Jacob, Mr. Phillip, Cripplegate
KiLWARDEN, Right Hon. Lord Viscount, loyal
paper
King, Richard, Esq. Fowelscombe, royal paper
Kitson, Rev. John, Ashbuiton
Kelly, Arthur, jun. Esq. Launceston, royal paper
Kingdon, Richard, Esq. Holdsworthy
Kendal, John, Esq. royal paper
Lopez, Sir Manasseh Masseh, Bart. Maristow,
rnyal paper
Lethbridge, Thomas, B. Esq. M.P.
Luttrell, John Fownes, Esq. M.P. Dunster Castle,
royal paper
XVI
SUBSCRIBERS.
Lane, Edmund, Esq. Coffleet, royal paper
Lane, Rev. Richard, Coffleet
Langmead, Phillip, Esq. Plymoutli
Langmead, Johii Clarke, Esq. Derryford House,
royal paper
Langniead, William, Esq. Plymouth
Luscombe, Matthew, jun. Esq. Stonehouse
Lewis, Mrs. F. Chepstow
Lempriere, Rev. Dr. Exeter
Lirius, Barham, Esq. Cambridge, roya/ paper
Lee, Edward, Esq. Orleigh
Leigh, William, Esq. Bardon
Lillingston, A. Esq. Lyme
Lockyer, Edmund, M.D. Plymouth, roijal paper
Lockyer, Thomas, Esq. Wembury, royal paper
Lockyer, William, Esq. Plymouth
Lyne, Edward, Esq. Plymouth, royal paper
Leigh, W. Esq. CuUumpton, royal paper
Ley, Henry, Esq. Trehill
Ley, Rev. T. H. Maker, Cornwall
Lyde, Rev. John AUar, Maiden-Newton, Dor-
chester
Longman, George, Esq. M.P. royal paper
Longman, Thomas Norton, Esq. Hampstead, royal
paper
Lansdowne, Mr. Bristol, tx€o copies
Lawrence, Humpluey, Esq. Whitleigh, near Laun-
ceston
Ley, George, Esq. Marvood, near Barnstaple
Lee, Thomas Huckle, Esq. Elford-House
Lethbridge, Rev. C. Stoke, Cornwall
Leigh, John Smith, Esq. Coombhay
Manley, Admiral, royal paper
Marshall, George, Esq. Plymouth
Marchant, Thomas, Esq. Surgeon, Royal Navy
Manning, J. E.Esq. Exeter
Merrifield, Mr. Williams, Exeter
Mangles, Rev. George, Vicar of Lewanick, Corn-
wall
May, John, Esq. North Devon ISIihtia
May, John, Esq. London
Meyler, Mr. Bath
Mallett, Mr. John, Dublin, royal paper
Mallet, Mr. John, Berry, near Torrington
Marines, Royal, The Library of, Plymouth
Mallack, Ranking, Esq. Axminster
Marten, Mr. R. J. Uffculme
Minerva Book Society, Plymouth Dock
Milford, S. Esq. Exeter
Melhuish, P. E'q. Bradnincli
Marker, Mr. Richard, lift'cnlnie
Massingberd, Peregrine, Esq. Gunbry Park, Lni-
colnshire, royal paper
Moore, Mr. Joseph, Poole
M'Creery, Mr. J. London
Medland, Mr. John, Ivy Bridge
Malkiu, Benjamin Heath, Esq. F.S.A. St. Edmunds
Bury, royal paper
Neville, Right Hon. Lord Viscount, royal paper
Nelson, Col. R. T. Plymouth Dock
Nesbitt, Major, Southampton
Nash, Capt. Coliton Crescent, Exeter, royal paper
Northcote, Sir Stafford Henry, Baronet, Pynes
Newport, Colonel, Hardley Court, Worcestershire,
royal paper
Nicholson, George, Esq. Stonehouse, royal paper
Newton, , Esq. Plymouth
Norton and Sons, Bristol, two copies, one royal
Norris, Mrs. Taunton
Orchard, Paul, Esq. Hartland Abbey
Osmond, C. O. Esq. Tiverton, royal paper
Orme, Cosmo, Esq. royal paper
PouLETT, Right Hon. Earl, royal paper
Palk, Sir Lawrence, Bart. M.P. for the County of
Devon, royal paper
Pole, Sir Charles Morice, Bart. M.P. royal pa-
per
Pole, Sir William Templar, Bart. Shute-House,
roi/al paper
Palk, VValter, Esq. M.P. Marley House, royal
paper
Pellew, Admiral Sir Edward, Bart, royal paper
Prideaux, William, Esq.
Pngh, William Owen, Esq. Denbigh
Prance, William, jun. Esq. Plymouth
Polwhele, Rev. R. Keimyn, four copies
Plymouth Third Reading Society
Pugh, John, Esq. Thorvertou
Payne, J. Esq. Dalton
Porcher, Josias Dupre, Esq. M.P.
Pell, Claus. Esq. Tiverton
Prideaux, Edmund, Esq. Hexworthy
Perring, Richard, Esq. Modbury
Poole, Mr. J. Taunton, three copies, one royal
PljTnouth Dock Reading Society
Peter, William, Esq. royal paper
Palmer, Admiral
Peyton, Richard, Esq. Warwick
Prust, Stephen, Esq. Bristol
Palmer, . , Esq. Beckford Row, Walworth,
royal paper
Pidsley, Rev. Simon, Crcditon
Pike, Mr. John, Appledore
Ptllew, Capt. P. Royal Navy, royal paper
Pode, \\ illiam, Esq. Westcott
Phillips, Sir Richard, Kt. royal paper
Pattison, Mr. Brazen Nose College, Oxford
I'eler, Henry, Esq. Harlyn, royal paper
Pearce, William, Ksq. Admiralty
Pyke, Mr. VV. Chulmleigh
Priest, ^liss, Clifton, Bristol
'J Pe Mavis, Jonathan, Esq. Wisbeach
SUBSCRIBERS.
xvu
RoLLB, The Right Hon. Lord, royal paper
Rose, The Right Hon. George, M.P. rot/al paper
Radchffe. Rev. Walter, Warlegh, royal paper
Roach, Capt. South Devon MiHtia, royal paper
Russell, Thomas, Esq. Exeter
Rees, Rev. Thomas, Loudon, royal paper
Rundle, William, Esq. Tavistock
Rodd, Richard, jun. Esq. Plymouth Dock
Rhodes, G. A. Esq. Bellair
Rees, Abraham, D.D. F.R.S.&c.
Reid, Robert, Esq. Pilton Cottage, Barnstaple
Rowe, Rev. John, Bristol
Rowe, Mr. Lawrence, Brentford
Roach, Mr. Dock
Rodd, Francis, Esq. Trebartha Hall, royal paper
Rodd, F. Hearle, Esq. Croan, near Bodmin, royal
paper
Rosdew, Richard, Esq. Beechwood, royal paper
Rowe, Joshua, Esq. Torpoint
Roe, Henry, Esq. Gnaton, Newton Ferrers
Rogers, John, Esq. Yarlington- Lodge, Somerset
Ruff, Mr. Humphrey, Cheltenham
Rees, Owen, Esq. London, royal paper
Rodd, Richard, Esq. Exeter
Rhodes, Rev. A. Beaminster
Reading Society, Plymouth Dock
Rivers, Henry, jun. Esq. Stowford, royal paper
Spencer, The Right Hon. Earl, royal paper
Shaftesbury, The Right Hon. Earl of, royal
paper
S I D M o UT 11 , Right Hon. Lord Viscount, royal paper
St. Aubyn, Sir John, Bart. M.P. Clowance, i-oyal
paper
Stanley, Colonel, yi.V . royal paper
Saville, Albany, Esq. M.P. Oakhampton Park
Shiells, Thomas Clinton, Esq. Stonehouse, royal
paper
Smith, H. P. Esq. Plymouth Dock
Sole, John, Esq. Saltash
Sole, VV. D. Esq. Plymouth Dock
Symons, W. Hale, Esq. Chaddlewood
Sleeman, Rev. Richard, Vicar of Tavistock
Southey, George, Esq. London
Scott, John, Esq.
Sillifant, John, Esq. Combe
Searle, John Henry, Esq. MountBoon, Dartmouth
Strode, Rev. Richard, Newnham, royal paper
Syle, Mr. William, Barnstaple
Sleeman, William, Esq. East Langston, Devon
Sandys, Rev. William, St. Minver, royal paper
Scobell, John, jun. Esq. Stonehouse
Spi7, Rev. J. T. Vicar of Maristow
Seaman, Mr. VV. Purser of the R. N. and Teacher
of Mathematics
Savage, Rev. Robert, Lukesland Grove
Symons, Peter, Esq. royal paper
Sheppard, Mr. Bristol, three copies, one royal
Savery, Christopher, Esq. South Efford
Sully, Henry, Esq. Wivelscombe
Sandys, Hannibal, Esq. royal paper
Shuttleworth, J. Esq. Dawlish
Square, Mr. John, Kingsbridge
Swete, Rev. John, Oxton House
Smith, John, Esq. Plymouth Dock
Small, Mr. Camberwell
Snare, Mr. R. Readmg, two copies, one royal
Scully, William, M.D. Totnes, royal paper
Templetown, Right Hon. Lord Viscount, royal
paper
Tremayne, John Hearle, Esq. M..V. royal paper
Trevanion, J. B. Esq. Carhays, royal paper
Treby, Paul Treby, Esq. Plympton House, royal
paper
Thomson, Archibald, M.D. Physician to the Royal
Hospital, Plymouth
Teed, John, Esq. Banker, Plymouth, royal pa-
per
Tomkins, William, Esq. St. David's Hill, Exeter,
royal paper
Tolcher, Henry, Esq.
Tink, Charles, Esq. Plymouth Dock
Tavistock Public Library Society
Torrington Book Society
Templar, Rev. John, Honiton, royal paper
Tonkin, John, Esq. Fancy, near Plymouth
Turdrun, William, Esq. royal paper
Toulmin, Mr. J. B. Birmingham
Tozer, A. Esq. Totnes, royal paper
Tippett, James Vivean, Esq. {"almouth
Tiverton Book Society
Templar, , Esq. Oakhampton
Townsend, James, Esq. Honiton
Trennick, Rev. Mr. Cornwall
Upham, Mr. John, Bath, tuo copies, one royal
Vyvyan, V. Esq. Trelowanen, royal paper
Vyvyan, Richard, Esq. Annery House, Bideford
Vidal, Robert, Studley, Esq. F.S.A.
Wrey, SirBourcher, Bart. Tawstock
White, James, Esq. E.xeter
Woollcombe, John Morth, Esq. Ashbury
Woollcombe, George, Esq. Hemerdon
Woollcombe, William, M.D. Plymouth, royal pa-
per
Woollcombe, Henry, Esq. Plymouth
Welsford, Mr. Peter
Williams, Reginald, Esq. Plympton
xvni
SUBSCRIBERS.
White, F. Esq. Wellington
Webber, Rev. S. Dodbrook
Wells, Rev. William, East AUington
Willand, Abraham, Esq.
Williams, Capt. Royal Navy
White, Major
Wills, Mr.
Warre, J. Tindall, Esq. Hestercombe, near Taun-
ton
Whiteford, Joseph, Esq. Plymouth, royal paper
Wills, Joseph, Esq. Tiverton
Wrey, Rev. WiUiam
Williams, Mr. John Casely, Bristol
Woolmer, Mr. Shirley, Exeter, tivo copies, royal
paper
Wilkinson, Richard, Esq. London
Wyse, Ashford, Esq. Totnes
Wyse, Thomas, Esq. Kingsbridge
Wrey, Rev. B. Tawstock
Wells, Rev. Samuel, Portlemouth
Whatman, S. Esq.
Williams, Mrs. Church Row, Limehouse
YoNGE, Rev. Duke, Cornwood
Yonge, John, Esq. Purslinch, royal paper
Yonge, Charles, Esq. Eton College, royal paper
THE
( xix )
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
TO THE
NOBILITY, GENTRY, AND CLERGY, NATIVES OF THE COUNTY OF
DEVON, ETERNAL GLORY AND RENOWN.
RIGHT NOBLE, WORTHY, AND REVEREND SIRS,
As in a mirror, I have here presented to your view, the memorable actions of your
glorious ancestors ; to be as well a pattern, as an encouragement, unto your growing
virtue. Such an illustrious troop of heroes, as no other county in the kingdom, no
other kingdom (in so small a tract) in Europe, in all respects is able to match, much
less excel.
Having, therefore, so fair a copy of glory and immortality laid before you, and that
by your own countrymen and progenitors too, should you tread short of their steps
herein, your supine neglect would be without apology.
There are they, gentlemen, who would be thought considerable, merely upon that
stock of honor and reputation which their ancestors acquired ; and hence neglect
those virtuous actions, and noble atchievements, by which alone they became so fa-
mous : But with how just a reason, that of the poet' might soon convince them, if" Ovid. Mc-
duly minded : *^- ''•'• ^^•
' Nam Genus & Proavos & qua? non fecimus ipsi
Vix ea nostra voco '
Those mighty glorious things
Our ancestors have done.
But han't performed ourselves
We hardly call our own.
Tliink not then, my noble countrymen, by your estates or pedigrees only, (though
for length and breadth they may vie with most others of your quality in the kingdom,)
you will be able to fill the trump of fame: For these being delineated on parchment-
rolls, and confined to your closets and the county, come to the notices of iew, but
yourselves and your heirs.
Whereas your personal actions, which are great and brave, carry your honor round
the universe; inscribe your names into the register of eternity ; and you thereby raise
trophies to your memory, which shall out-cast the mausolaean monument.
If in these my pious undertakings, for the glory of God in the first place, (to which
all our actions ought to tend) and the honor of our country next, I have performed
any thing, though not unto praise (which I do not deserve) yet to your favorable ac-
ceptation (which I greatly ambition) you will thereby highly honor, and very greatly
oblige, with profound devotion.
My noble and reverend countrymen,
Your most affectionate
and obedient servant,
X^lSot} JOHN PRINCE.
c 2
( XX )
AN
APOLOGETICAL EPISTLE
TO
THE READER.
" Pliilosophi
preecepta vir-
tutis tantuni
praescribunt.
Histoiia au-
tpni, quid cum
virtiitc sit ac-
tum depinijit,
.Ve. Pra-lat.
in vitar. PUi-
tar. Epit.
•> III hoc vita-
rum opere,
Plutarchus
plus docct,
quam liistorici
reliqui ; & sti-
mulos reliuquit
in animis Lee-
toruni q»iam
reliqui pliiloso-
phi acriores,
&c. Id. ibid.
Candid Reader,
For such only I desire, and such you will be, if temper and wisdom be predo-
minant, I must confess, I have attempted a very weighty subject, and yet withal,
such as may administer profit and delight, (if perused without prejudice or envy)
which whoso truly effects,
' Omne tulit punctum '
He's held to be the bravest Wight
That mixes profit with delight.
The argument of the ensuing Discourse is chiefly historical : And there is not
(that I know) a more useful and advantageous study, especially for gentlemen ; and
such as would be useful to their country, than that of history. It has great advan-
tages of philosophy," for that gives but the precepts of virtue, but this the examples;
and the one consisteth in abstruse speculation, but the other lays before us the lively
practice. History is what works wonders ; it recals past ages, and makes them pre-
sent to us ; and it opens us a way of conversing with the dead, without the danger of
being affrighted by marmos or spectres.
Now of all the kinds of history, there is no study that is more profitable than that
of our own country ; and therein than that of lives.*" In these, we find rare and emi-
nent examples of learning and valour, virtue and religion, laid before our eyes, without
the trouble or fatigue of going out of our closets, or stepping beyond our parlours.
Bio"-raphy, or the description of the lives of famous persons, hath been of that re-
putation througliout the learned world, that some of the most eminent men in all
countries, and among all professions, have eternized their own fame and memories, by
recording those of others; as did Diogenes Laertius, Plutarch, Philostratus, and Eu-
napius, among the Greeks : Cornelius Nepos, Emilius Probus, Spartianus, and Lam-
pridius, among the Latins; St. Hierom, among the Fathers; Usuardus Monachus,
Anastasius Bibliothccarius, Baptista Platina, and Onupiirius, among tlie Papists;
Johannes Bakeus, Georgius Major, Theodorus Beza, and Melchior Adams, among
the Reformed. All which, with divers others I might mention, have bestowed abun-
dant pains and labor this way, and that with no small honor to themselves, and no
mean advantage to the common wealth of learning.
But then when they are the lives of our countrymen, and of the same province with
our^elves, esj)ecially if thev arc of our kindred and families, of our particular friends
and acquaintance, they will be apter to attract a more ready perusal; and the ex-
amples, which such shall lay before us, will prove more than ordinarily influential and
impressive.
Now beliold here, gentlemen, a way of conversing with your deceased ancestors,
without
TO THE READER. ' xxi
without disturbing their ashes: And of becoming acquainted with tlie worthies of
some of your own famihes, though long since laid to sleep in their beds of dust. An
innocent way of raising the dead without going down to Endor, or applying your-
selves to necromantic spells.
Famous examples to this purpose we have of this last kind, in authors sacred and
profane; only one whereof I shall crave pardon here to mention for 3'our diversion ;"' "^>"'9°'^' "*'
" When the Emperor Maximilian," as a certain author tells us, " was desirous, if page im?*'
possible, to see Hector and Achilles in their true effigies, (having just before heard a
set oration in their commendation) a certain magician then about the court, for par*
don and a piece of money, undertook the matter.
" The Emperor and attendants all sate, and a iew confused words mumbled out
by him in his circle. Hector beats at the door, and in he comes, armed cap-a-pee, in
a helmet plumed, his target upon his arm, and in his right hand a long spear, headed
with brass.
" At another door, by-and-by, knocks and enter Achilles, in the like majestic man-
ner, shaking his spear against Hector. These having done honor unto Caesar, go
three times about the stage and vanish."
We here have used no such magic arts; we have found another way to raise our worthy
progenitors, and to converse with them without sin, and without danger too, that they
will resume their former inheritance: Who, although dead, yet are not silent; but do
loudly proclaim this advice to their posterity, Tliat if they would arrive at the palace
of honor, as themselves have done, they must go through the temple of virtue, as
they did.
And yet how useful or beneficial soever things of this nature are, or may be, to the
world, the authors of tiiem must not expect to avoid the snarls or censures of some
carping Momus or other. That I may not, therefore, leave this work too naked and
exposed, I shall, as I go along, endeavour to obviate and divert such cavils as, I sup-
pose, may be made against it.
Some, perhaps, will be ready to charge me with oscitancy and negligence, that I
have confined the worthies of our county to so scant a number. I must confess, that
many more might be added hereunto ; peradventure no less meritorious than the most
of these, I myself can produce the names of many famous lawyers, as Wood, Kirton,
Sydenham, and Basset, in K. Edw. 3d's days; WoodrofT, in the reign of K. Rich. 2d,
Lord Chief Justice MoyI, Newton, Cokey, Ashton, and Martin, in K. Hen. 6th's days ;
Grenfield, Pawlet, Basset,'' in the time of K. Hen. 7, and divers others, and so I" Aiiwiiichare
might the names of many more renowned soldiers, as Maundevil, Soleignio, Ruel, ai'nong thoTe^of
Fitzmatthevv, Monthermer, Rake, Vere,' and a multitude more. this county, by
But I must ingenuously aknowledge, That I can trace few or none of them back to Hook!"'choro.
the particular places of their nativity; and that I find recorded of them, very little gf-"'?''- ^''■
more than their names and qualities. vonr'amon^''
If some suppose, I have done injury to any by omitting many eminent and famous Lawyers, afs.
men now alive; I must answer once for all, that I industriously dechne the men- p^j^.^^i^'g ^^
tioning of those who are still amongst the living; the copy of their virtues may be Dev.under'the
best transcribed from the original of their visible exemplar. head soldiers.
But as for any other, let none think that I have maliciously passed them by ; or any
part of that just encomium, which is due unto their merit. Whatever I have found
memorable or praise wortliy of them, I have faithfully inserted.
Yes, may some say, that you have, and this too not without a spice of adulation,
magnifying the virtues of some, without the least perstringing of their vices.
Why, truly it must be acknowledged very certain, wliat one long since observed :^'S»<'V '" ^''ta
' Magnas virtutes, nee minora vitia,' may be the posy of the best natures. None are"'"''^'""'
perfect here below, I never said, nor must men expect it.
But
xxii . TO THE READER.
But then I plainly own, That this is a law to me, ' De mortius, nil nisi bene ; De
vivis, nil nisi vere.' And I profess, I delight not in that stinking employment of
weeding men's lives, and throwing the nauseous trash upon their tombs. And I hate
to treat the dead in that nasty scavenger-like manner, as to be raking up their ordure,
and to throw it in their faces.
There are none but have some defect or other to be found about them, if critically
examined ; which yet they would not care should be exposed to the view of all the
world. And it neither becomes a gentleman or, a Christian to expose that which
charity and civility require to be concealed.
Nor indeed have I any just occasion to expose the infirmities of my countrymen,
be they what they are; which charity bids us hope God Almighty hath pardoned.
For that would not well agree with my design, which is to lay before the world a co-
py of heroic virtue, fit for its example and imitation. Which I am sure their imper-
fections, could no way contribute to. But then I expect to meet it in my way,
That some of heterodox faith, others of scismatieal practise, and a third sort of
antimonarchichal principles, in respect to government, are brought into the catalogue
of our worthies.
As for this, should I have undertaken to give an account of those only who, in
every punctuality of doctrine, discipline, and modes of government, and Avorship,
had come up to the constitution of any one particular church or state, with the ex-
clusion of all others, the number of our virtuosi, I fear, would be crammed into a
lesser compass than ever Homer's Iliads were, and would hardly fill a nut-shell.
As for those I mention and represent as eminent, it is only for that in them, which
is, in the opinion of wise and good men, justly deserving praise and reputation. For,
however some, perhaps, may not be memorable for the orthodoxy of their {-Mth, yet
'tis possible they may be so for their skill in the arts, or languages, and other useful
learning. Or if learning has not been their talent, their piety, their zeal, their
valour, or their conduct ; or some other eminent qualification, may give them a just
t Worthies of title to a place herein. So that I shall only say, with Fuller,^ ' That, tho' neither
se"^'pa"e ^103. ethically, nor theologically, yet historically, they may be remarkable; affording
something for our information, tho' not for our imitation.'
Nor care I to be thought of that envious straight-lac'd humor, as to admit none to
applause or honour who do not in all things jump up to my opinion. Were this rea-
sonable, or prudent, how should I look if the adverse party should turn the tables
upon me, and scorn me as much for my dissenting from him, as I may do him, for
differing from me ?
I could heartily wish, (what I can never hope to see) that all Christians were of
one and the same mind, especially in the best things ; and that all would agree, as
they have abundant reason, to serve God, who is one in unity and uniformity. But
the truth is, while there is pride, ambition, and avarice in the world, we may as well
"expect, that all the people upon earth should be born exactly of the same features
and complexion of body, as be of the same sentiments and apprehensions of mind.
Notwithstanding which, we are not wont to hate or malice one another, because we
differ in outward lineaments; and why should we do so then, if we do not coaless
and meet in our inward sentiments? Let us be content, therefore, that others, though
they differ from us, may, however, find the reputation due to their other accom-
plishments.
Ay, but you bring into the list of your worthies mean and obscure persons, me-
morable for little else but the scribling of a book, or so.
For reply to this charge : I own I have inserted some chiefly upon the score of
,' 'writing, for the honour of arts and learning : Which are not so contemptible but will
stand
TO THE READER. xxiii
stand upon even ground at least, in any civiliz'd nation, if not take place of arms and
tacticks.
' Cedent Arma Togje, concessa est gloria Linguae.'
Arms yields to arts ; the sword unto the tongue ;
These give the glory to the learned throng.
Nor are we destitute of divine authority herein ; being assur'd. That wisdom is
better than weapons of war.'' "Eccies. 9, is.
I must acknowledge, therefore, that I have industriously taken notice of such who
have memoriz'd themselves by the press, and left behind them the surviving issues of
their brain.
Nor, had I design'd the honour of my country only this way, should I have been
without example among the learned. Trithemius, a worthy author, wrote a just
volume in quarto, De illustribus Ecclesiae Scriptoribus. The famous Leland wrote
the Lives and Characters of the most eminent Writers of England, in 354 pages, in
folio.* Johannes Balasus, an Englishman and a bishop, wrote De Scriptoribus Magna?' Ath Oxod
Brittania?, in a large folio. Johannes Pitseus, or Pitts, (an Englishman also) has ''°'- *' P*s- «3'
written a thick book, in quarto, De illustribus Angliae Scriptoribus. The famous Mr
Anthony Wood, with indefatigable pains and industry, hath written two large vo-
lumes in folio, and a third ready for the press, a great part whereof contains only the
lives of oiu- Oxford and other writers. So great value these excellent men had of
writers, that they thought them worthy, upon that sole inducement, to have their
names handed down to posterity. And I am sure there are none who are either learn-
ed themselves, or do love learning in others, that will envy such a place among our
worthies. Hence I have made it my business to insert our writers into this catalogue-
carefully giving an account, so far as I could acquire them, of the title of those par-
ticular works which have been published by them. Which is no unuseful undertaking
for the curious, who would willingly know what the performances of our countrymen
in this kind, have been. " '
But possibly it may be urg'd, as a great offence, for to sucii as have a mind to cavil
a small matter shall serve for an occasion," that I have made bold to concern my self- Facile est in-
in the arms and pedigrees of some families, and prtBtermitted others of eminent qua-''^"''' ^^'"''
lity and reputation. * ' '"""•
In answer to the former part of the charge, I have said nothing but what I had
authority for ; even that of the most reputable antiquaries of our county • whom I
generally quote in the margin. And it may be phiinlv seen, that what is 'spoken by
me, IS all along intended to the honour, and not the disparagement of any person or
family that I treat of. And it is not improbable but that I may have given light to
several gentlemen, to discover more of tiieir own families than they knew before
However, if in any thing I have been led into mistake; I only entreat that my euide
and not my self, may bare the blame. '
As to that part of the charge. That I have omitted others ; I desire all to observe
That I have insisted upon none, but where I have been led thereunto by the particu-
lar personal worth or exploit of some eminent person of the family. And for this
reason only I have passed by, in silence, many very reputable houses; For that the
person, I would have spoken with, was not to be found at home. I could indeed
have enlarged on some pedigrees much more than I have done; and have given the
several names of the descendants ; but partly to avoid tediousness, and partly for that
the glory of the ancestor is conspicuous in the name and worth of the surviving issue
1 have designedly declined it. '
Though it may be there are those, who now may make a figure, whose pedigrees
were
xxiv TO THE READER.
were not to be found in the herald's office, in my author's time : And a sight thereof
since, I could not be so happy as to obtain.
Farther ; I expect to hear it objected to me as a crime. That I have only tran-
scribed authors ; and that generally in their own words, without the least disguise or
variation.
If I have, it is never without due acknowledgment and deference to the worthy
persons whom I quoted. So that I have only borrow'd, not stol'n, what I have made
use of: And in the mean time, every one may know where to find his own
again ; and, as God shall enable me, I may re-pay him again with usury.
Moreover, what I have done in this matter is open and avow'd ; for I never de-
sign'd, at this distance, to invent lives for those who died many centuries of years
back ; but in relation to such, only to collect what I could find recorded to their
honour in single or various authors ; and so something paraphrastically to deliver them
to your view in one intire body.
Moreover, to quote the same words, why should that be a greater crime in me,
than it is reputed to be in most other authors, as well antient as modern ? Did not
■ Balasus borrow most of what he wrote from Leland ? And Pitsaius from Balaeus ?
And that in the same words, however he reviles him ? Have not our late authors,
who have written on the same subject with me, derived what they have said from
other books, and made use of their author's language ? I know they have almost ver-
• ni. Fuller, batim, without the civility, some of them, of owning whence they had it.' ' Sure
Kirg.'in''Ln- I am, says a certain author, ' Sir Francis Bacon, and Mr. Cambden, oiir most elegant
lion,' pag. 220, historians, though they mention not the name of Stow, make use of his endeavours:
And throwing away the basket, have taken the fruit, not mentioning his
name.'
And as for using the author's language, I must farther own : Where it is full and
expressive, I account it no greater trespass to borrow his words, than it is to borrow
his matter : Holding it much more honest, and ingenious, to convey his sense down
in his expressions, than to put them into worse of my own. For if the bare variation
of the phrase, or a new turn of the period, into as bad, or a worse dress be all, I
can't see why any should put himself to that pains, to so little purpose.
To conclude this ; If any shall charge me with the sin of plagiarism, in the truest
and worst sense of the word. The stealing into our catalogue of the Worthies of De-
vonshire, such as were never born therein, but owe their nativity to some other
county
All I have to say in answer is only this : That in me it is no voluntary transgres-
sion ; but I have been induced hereunto either by authority, or a strong presumption.
And farther, if any of them should be alarm'd by some other shires, we must not
tamely quit them, unless they bring a better authority for it than their own bare
word.
However, if tliey make out a juster and fairer title to them than here is done,
shewing the true mark of them, let them take them again. For this province is not
.so beggarly in this kind, as to need deck her self, with the jay in the fable, with the
borrowed plumes of other birds : She can drop several of her feathers, and yet her
native train, like that of Juno's bird, will remain matchless and unparallel'd. For,
when all is ended, it will be found : That there are many more of her worthies omit-
ted, though not voluntarily so, than can be pretended to be brought in here, which
really belong to any other county. However, I here profess, with Dr. Fuller on a
- Fullers like occasion,'" ' That I stand ready with a pencil in one hand, and a spunge in the
Woriii. p. <y. Qjj^pj,^ to add, alter, insert, expunge, enlarge, and delete, according to better infor-
mation.'
Having thus, I hope, to the satisfaction of all sober and ingenuous readers, fully
answer'd
TO THE READER.
answer'd the cavils of the idle and the envious, it may be expected, and with justice
too, that I should give some account of the authority, which in this undertakinj? I
have gone upon. This, I must acknowledge is but a just expectation
The authority, therefore, I have made use of herein, is of two sorts : partly print-
ed, and partly manuscript. * ^ ^
The printed authors, for the most part, are Balasus, De Scriptoribus Magiice Brit-
fT' Tv '1""'"'' P^^Scriptoribus Eccles. Bishop Godwin, De Pra^sulibus Anglic.
Fullers Worth^s of England. David Lloyd's Memoirs. Dugdal's Baronage of
England: His Orig.nes Juruhcales and Chronica Series. Wharton's Anglia Sacra
And above all other, the History and Antiquities of the University of Oxford, with
the two volumes of the Athena. Oxon : To the learned author whereof, his commu-
nicative disposition, I must here own my self much obliged. All which, with some
sdves' "^ "' margent, are of age, and will vouch for me and them-
fortltV\l"'^T'''''^''' ^'■'"" "'''?-^' ^ '^^""" ^°"^^^^d '"^"y things, in this my per-
in fT.rf;- -7 r"" ''"""'^"' ^"'^ ingenuous parents; gentlemen excellently skill'd
he T'^T"" *'^°"'; """"'L' ^';^^ ^•^'" ^'"^ ^''""^ «^ ^t^^^V' ^t l^^^^t, men famous in
the generations. Such was Mr^ John Hooker, alias Void, some/ime chamberlain
in tl ei. {. "' f "'^°'". ^^'- ^^"^'^^^" '^'"^^^1^' Bp. Godwin, and others, do
in their labours give an honourable testimony.
Another is Mr. Joseph Holland, a gentleman, sometime of the Inner Temple a
"^^rz^yTZ; coltT '^^"^^ ''"'' "^ '''^'''' ''''''-'' ''' ^^"^ '^^^^"^
nat!'"!""^ '' Sir William Pole, Kt. a gentleman, who (however perhaps less known) is
no less deserving honour and applause for his skill and good success therein, so for as
stu^yj " '''''' P"'"'' ''^"" '^'' ^'''' "''^" ^'^'^ y^' traveli'd in this kind of
A fourth is Mr. Risdon, a gentleman of approved credit, and ^reat fame and rnrr,
mendat.on for his labour and skill in the Antiquities of this orcom^t
Nor, m the last place, is Mr. Westcot without a due praise. For however in minv
things, he makes bold to borrow from, yet he improves upon what o^er have done
wLt""^r1 '"'' ^''^1 ^''^^" f'""S^^^ h'^ --^ t'^^^t -- «f good ^ma^
Mlmt ,s added more, in this work, than may be found in these, and such like iu
hors usually specified by name therein, is done upon mine own ki ow edtT o upon
the knowledge of such whose integrity and veracity I could confide in " ' ^
liuis good reader, I have given you an honest, and, I trust, a satisfactory ar
nous c.itcal, lipocritical age, I may, without the spirit of prophecy, easily divine •
fhat^fXp'oett """""^"''''^"' ''' '''''''''''' be.MvellLow L^Tue
' Pro Captu Lectoris, habent sua fata Libelli.*
Books have their doom, to live or die.
As readers have capacity.
Every one I wdl know, will be assuming to themsdves a liberty of judgino- their
uZ.?pr'l .7'^^'"' f"^ """ f""^'-^"' '^''""^ ^"<1 their sentence shall%e°as e
humour leads them ; and they undoubtedly will be the most captious, who hug them-
selves in heir beloved sloth and wont touch such a burden wilh one of their linger"
So hat, should It foil mto the hands of those ' Who sit in the chair of the scone " «;
ne k?"'' ' J''' ■■'"'';"? ^^ '•^'^ ^^"'■*^'' P'-^P^^^'^^^ed with prejudice and ill-will (which
speaks good of no one) I expect no mercy : Nor so much as fair dealing from U en
xxvi TO THE READER.
Let them, if they so please, gnaw on, and by their mahce, turn themselves into blats
and moths. Although they may do well to remember that of the poet :
' Rode Caper vites ; tamen hie cum stable ad Aras,
In tua quod fundi Cornua, possit Erit.'
Goat ! gnaw the vine ! Yet when
Thou here art offer'd up.
There will not want some wine
To fill thy horn, the cup.
What 1 have here undertaken is from a true zeal for my country's honour and re-
nown, the glorious mother of so many illustrious sons, and the encouragement of
virtue', in this degenerate age, in all the instances thereof, from a great variety of
excellent examples. If herein I have approved my self to the good liking of any can-
did, sober, and judicious reader, I shall not repent me of my pams. In the mean
time I take my leave of you in the poet's words, which I shall here add with great
sincerity.
' Et veniam pro laude peto ; laudatus abunde,
Non fastiditus si tibi. Lector, ero.'
Your pardon for my praise is all I ask :
I'm prais'd enough, shan't you disdain my task.
-' I am, friendly Reader,
Your very humble
And affectionate servant,
JOHN PRINCE.
( xxvii )
TO
THE REVEREND MR. PRINCE,
ON HIS
COUNTRY WORTHIES.
YOU'VE done the work, sir; but you can't be pay'd.
Until among those Worthies you are laid :
Then future ages will unjustly do,
To write of Worthies, and to leave out you.
The dead are ghastly : Hence 'twas Abraham said.
Let my dear Sarah from my sight be lay'd.
Mary and Martha thought 'twould be too late.
To raise the dead from death, of four dales date.
Here th' dead wont 'fright : and what more strange appears !
You've rais'd the dead back centuries of years.
Your book's a wondrous jewel then, beset
With orient pearls within an alphabet.
WILLIAM PEARSE, Vicar of Dean Prior.
IN LAUDEM AUTHORIS.
NON opus est Hederis, si gustu arridet lacchus,
Marte valet proprio : Sic satis iste Liber.
Pyramidum prius in prjeceps Capita alta ruent quam
JEtas tarn Solidum, longa vorabit opus.
Namq; tui Heroes tantag sunt Molis, ut absit
Structural metuas, quod, Reverende, tuae.
Improbe quid denies acuisti, Mome ; Sinistra
Improbe, quid torques Lumina? Pulsus abi.
EDMUND PEARSE, Vicar of Staverton.
d 2 TO
( xxviii )
TO
THE AUTHOR
OF
THE DEVONSHIRE WORTHIES.
To draw the circle of a dead man's face,
And make the picture shine with every grace
The Hving had, is a great master's skill,
Depending more on judgment than on qudl.
A common painter may, with ease of hand.
The features of a living Wight command.
But to form ashes, and delineate dust.
To add fresh charms and beauties to a ghost.
Requires more than what Apelles knew.
When he Adonis and his Venus drew.
Your pencil, reverend sir, doth time recal.
And from oblivion Worthies disenthral.
It makes the dead to speak ; to issue forth
Array'd in all the pomp of parts and worth :
It shews the steps by which they did advance
From a small point, to a large circumference.
How those, to honour born, did beautifie
Their orb with vertues, as the stars do th'sky.
How every one his country's fame did raise.
And whil'st he sought her honour got him praise.
BENJAMIN SPURWAY, LL.B.
In opus egregium Reverendi JOHANNIS PRINCE, De viris
DANMONII illustribus Carmen gratulatorium.
GRtECIA non Mendax, Quamvis de Cecrope Natos,
^ Nee, Proavosjactet, Roma superba suos.
Scilicet Heroum recidivus nascitur Ordo:
Qui sub Hyperboreo sedem habuere Polo.
Immortalis Honos manet usq; atq; usq; manebit,
(Majores Graiis Romulidisq; putas:)
Inter quos, vel tota fatebitur Albion Ipsa
Danmonium egregios progenuisse viros.
(Sou Martem Spectes) Hector, vel cedat Achilles:
(Sen Musas) Ubinam Major Apollo fuit ?
Quis celebrare qucat, quot Nomina, quantaq; nostro
Climate qui Bello, vel Meruere Toga ?
Rauleium
( xxix )
Rauleium insignem Doctrina, Armisq; Dracumq;
Ora satis centum non resonare valent.
Adjice Ridgweios, Courtneios Sanguine longo
Deductos, Clarum Nobilitate Genus.
Non te Pierides sileant Seymoure (Senatu
Praestiteras toties, qui Ciceronis opus)
Consulat hunc Librum, qui qua sis stirpe Creatus
Sciret: & Angliacam Consulat Historiam.
Ingenij Clifforde tui, quis nescit Acumen?
(O ! si Religio, Congrueretq; Fides !)
Omnia nam vel quae virtus Animiq; Venustas
Dicitur ; aut Morum Candor, Honosq; tenes ;
Inter & Heroas nostros Celebrabere, (& ipsa
Hoc Plebs, hoc Livor non negat ipse tibi)
Monkius illustris merito super Astra Locetur,
Dum Carolo & Templis reddidit IlleDiem.
Finitimas Hi Consilio & Virtute per Oras
Terror erant Patriae Praesidiumq; suae.
Rainoldum, Hookerum, Lucubrantemq; Juellum,
Ut cantet Clio caelitus Orta, de-est.
Horum si recites operosa volumina, Credas
Non Hominum, vere Dicta, sed esseDeum.
Ite Genevenses, pudefactiq; ite Papistae,
Coram Area, vester sternitur, Ecce ! Dagon.
Impietas omnis pertunditur, Hasresis Omnis,
Et plus quam Herculea Casditur Hydra manu.
Quid plures referam, Hos cum Fama loquendo fatiscit,
Et queritur vocem deficere Ipsa Suam ?
Saspius at veluti vasto fit in Agmine; Solos
Historici possunt enumerare Duces;
Sic si laudaret Dignos laudarierOmnes
Author; plus nimio Cresceret usq; Liber.
Haec igitur si forte quis ortus stemmate honesto
Perleget, & Nomen non leget lile suum :
Non indignetur, sed gaudeat, Arbore Magna
Se Gentis Ramum cum videt esse Suae
Scriptores Comitatum, Aliorum Facta renarrant;
Nemo parem faciat, vir Reverende tuo.
Nam quis cui tanto surrexit Gloria Curru ?
Q.uem prisci Reges tam petiere, quis est ?
His Brutus, (Totnes testabitur) appulit Oris
His victis mox se Ctetera Turba dedit.
Major at hue Bruto faelix Gulielmus adivit
Rem labefactatam qui bene Restituit,
Serins in czelum redeas, Fortissime Princeps,
Influxu careat nee Regio Ista tuo,
Tu primum Amplexu Cepisti Molliter Illam,
Illaq; Te : Semper Mutuus insit Amor.
Post quam nostra Tuis Cessit Torbaia Carinis
Mox licuit toto ponere Jura Mari.
De
( XXX )
De Jove dum Sceptrum Sortiris, dumq; Tridentem
Neptuno, Frameam Marte, Superstes Eris :
Tartarei pateant licet Ostia nigra Tyranni ;
Eumenidumq; fremant Agmina, Sospes eris.
JACOBUS SALTER, Vicarius Sanct^e Marle.
TO
THE REVEREND MR. PRINCE,
ON HIS
COUNTRY WORTHIES.
' How highly were the antient heros rais'd,
When learned priests, their mighty prowess prais'd :
Plutarch, (who serv'd at great Apollo's shrine,
■Plutarch, at once historian and divine)
When he the cheifs of Greece and Rome display'd,
How glorious were their names and triumphs made ?
So, reverend friend, you give renown to men.
Not by a human, but inspired pen.
You raise the dead, making them silence break,
And grand instructions to the living speak.
You lead the reader into Paradise,
Through flow'ry walks, and perfum'd beds of spice.
You give a prospect of the Elizian grove,
Where pompous shades, and august spirits rove.
What a vast scene, what a stupendous show
Of deeds they practis'd, bravely, here below ?
(Deeds so heroick, that the actors seem,
As if they Gods and not had mortals been).
Such were the spectrums which vEneas view'd,
' Virg. lib. 6. When old Anchyses" his bright off-spring shew'd :
If so majestick then, those did appear.
Before their airy shapes embodied were ;
How much more these, who on life's publick stage
Acted their parts, (the wonders of the age) ?
When rais'd, and represented once again
To the world's eye, clad in the pompous train
Of virtues, with what still, their houses shine?
With what a grace each hero seems to tread.
In a white robe, a lawrel on his head ?
And
( xxxi )
And as he walks along, the Galaxy,
Cherubs, and seraphims, before him flie.
And sing loud eulogies, with trumpets sound ;
The jocund orbs dance in a chorus round :
Whilst lesser spirits, and stars together throng.
Forsake their sphaeres, and listen to the song.
The lower regions joy at the new-birth.
And eccho's answer from the startled earth.
Ye, who from this coelestial race descend.
Your eyes with awful reverence upwards bend:
See what your fathers were, how good, how great?
May their example the like fruits beget ;
That, when you to their lofty mansions go.
From those rich ones, they left you here below,
Another herald, such as writes memoirs
Oftliem, may justly also, blazon yours.
Ita Vovet,
JAC. SALTER, St. M. C.
TO
THE AUTHOR
OP
THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Bold is the man, who in such times as these.
Ventures to write, with any hopes to please :
When to write well, less pardonable is.
Than not to write at all, or write amiss.
For criticks now, are so censorious grown.
That they'll vote nothing good, but what's their own.
But you're so happy, there's no cause to fear
The meeting any such pretender here :
Not one, that will so much as seem to grin.
And wisely done, for fear of being seen.
W^ho offers that, makes a sure sign that he
Despairs to keep your Worthy's company.
No, whoso walks like you, among these dead,
May with the greatest ease and safety tread :
No noisom vapours from their dust ascend,
Which may th' observers curious sense offend.
That':
( xxxii )
That's only fear'd, when men, like Tony Wood,
Do rake th' unwholsome ashes with the good.
But, grateful still's, the work, which only does.
Their useful virtues to the world expose.
This is your province, sir, while kindly you.
An act of justice to their memory shew.
Long while devouring time, and death laid wait
To make their ruines, like their actions, great.
But, fruitless the attempt, while thus you save.
No less their tombs, than actions from the grave.
Ages to come, when this your work they see.
And therein read your care and industry,
Will, doubtless, in requital, something do.
Which may repay the kindness done by you.
But vain these hopes, unless they also find
Men like your self, to publick-good inclin'd :
Who being led, to imitate your pen.
May the same way, oblige the world again ;
Recount the doings of the sons of fame,
And 'mongst, the foremost place, your worthy name.
JOHN LEGASSICK, Rector of Little-Hempston.
IN AUTHOREM.
FlLIUS Alcmence, Terrarum sede relicta
Infernas, fertur, Victor adire Domos.
Author & invisit noster penetralia Mortis :
Si quceris Cujus Gloria major erit ?
Ipsa Trophaea docent : Hie Lethes eripit Undis
lUustres: rabidum surripit ille Canem.
THO. LYE, Archidid. Totton.
TRANSLATED.
ALCMENA's son, who here on earth did dwell >
Is said to go a conqueror to hell.
Our author too, insults the shades below :
Would you know whom we greatest glory owe ?
Their trophies soon decide it ; this hath men
From Lethe brought : he but a dog again.
THE
( xxxiii )
THE
P R O E M I U M.
Before I proceed to my proposed enterprize, it may not be improper (by way of
introduction) to offer to your view, a brief account of that county, which has been
the hapy parent of such a noble offspring.
Devonshire is a fair province, situate in the most western parts of England ; having
Cornwall only (her dear neighbour, and sometime one with herself) interposed be-
tween her and the Belerium, or the Lands-end.
In form : It is well near the figure which geometricians call a parallelogramma,
being, to a few miles, so broad as long. For (according to Speed*) it is fifty-five miles 'Maps of Eogi.
one way, and fifty-four the other. But since our waies have been reduced to a post '" ^®""'*'''
rate, the dimensions hereof were found much larger. And from Thorncombe in the
east, to Stone-house in the south-west, or Hartland Point in the north-west, are no
less than seventy miles : And from Salcomb in the south, to Lymmouth in the north,
would be found, upon due mensuration, very few less or more.
For the confines hereof : This province is bounded on the north with the Severn
Sea, commonly called St. George's Channel ; on the south it is embraced by the Brit-
tish Ocean, or (as 'tis also stiled) the Narrow Seas. On the east, it abutts upon our
friendly neighbours the Durotriges and Belgians, as they are anciently called, now the
counties of Dorset and Somerset. The first parish towards the south-east of this
shire that way is Axminster, where, at the abby of Newenham, the author of this
discourse, through Divine mercy, breathed his first air. On the west, it is limitted
by the navigable river Tamer ; which well nigh cuts it from sea to sea, and is a meer
or bound, some few hamlets excepted on the other side, which belong unto this coun-
ty, between Devon and Cornwall. Both which shires she amorously smiles upon as
she glides along to her desired ocean ; into whose embraces she falls at Plymouth.
Of which the poet thus sung,
' Hinc Anglos, illic cernit Tamara Britannos,'
Which I find thus Englished to my hands." fcRUdou.
On this side Tamer th' English sees;
And thence the Brittains eke it eyes.
The occasion of which distinction of English and Brittains, the matter so nearly
relating to our county, it may not be unseasonable here to explain.
Devon and Cornvval,'^ until the days of K. Athelstan, (who reigned over England, « Hooker's
an. 930,) did from the beginning continue one province, under the common name of •^'■orog. De-
!-» • scrip, of De-
e Uanmonia. yod, p. i.
xxxiv
THE PROEMIUM.
■' Idem ibid,
pag. 3.
' Mr. Hook.
MS.ofDev.
quo prills.
' St. Luke, c.
xii. r. 4S.
' Fuller.
Danmonia. After this the Saxons, (when they obtained) and the Brittains in this
country, lived promiscuously together. But the Brittains repining to live under the
government of strangers, and to have a foreign yoak clapped upon their necks,
though the nation had now endured it several hundreds of years, began at first to
murmer ; from thence proceed to mutiny ; and at last to break out into open wars.
K. Athelstan, perceiving that no lenity, which he had long try'd, would at all re-
claim them, resolves to get by force, what he could not obtain by favour. And so
coming with a mighty army into this country, after sundry conflicts, at length drives
the Brittains over the Tamer into Cornwal; and appoints that river for the bound or
marches to both counties, which so remains, (a little excepted belonging unto Devon,
lying on the Cornish side,) unto this day. Upon which settlement, the inhabitants
of these two provinces, at first, obtained the distinction'' of the Eastern and "Western
Danmonii. And this has given occasion to the title of the present work Danmonii
Orientales.
Having thus fix'd the bounds, let us next proceed to a consideration of the condi-
tion and constitution of our county : Of which, to speak only in general, it must be
granted, that heretofore, more than now, it was, Aspera & Nemorosa, rough and
woody, hilly and mountainous, wild and rocky. Its plains were covered with heath
and coppice ; its valleys overgrown with woods and brakes. But now, by the match-
less labour and industry of its inhabitants, it is become, almost every where, so cul-
tivated and improv'd, as that it yields a great abundance of all things, which the air,
earth, or water can afford, for the use of man. And that not only as to necessaries,
but delicacies also ; and what might be desired by an Heliogabalus, or an Apicius
himself, may here be found.
Insomuch, (without envy be it spoken) what has been avouched of England in ge-
neral, may be applicable to this county in particular,' That ' She can live better of
herself, without being beholden to the rest of the kingdom, than that can subsist with-
out being obliged to her.'
I would not be thought to speak so bold a truth of my country, out of vanity or
ostentation: But let it be to the glory and praise of the great God, who has so signal-
ly blessed us, and laid the so much greater obligation upon us to gratitude and obe-
dience; there being a serious truth in that of our blessed Saviour,' which ought to be
considered, ' That to whom much is given, much will be required.'
Now, how hilly or mountainous soever this country be, (an argument of a serene
and wholesome air) yet its mountains themselves, barren as they seem, are not with-
out their peculiar advantages ; their very bowels being far richer than those countries
which may be able to shew much more painted faces. For whatever Tully said to the
contrary, That Brittany did not afford, ' ne micam quidem Auri vel Argenti,' so
much as a dram of silver or gold, yet 'tis known, that our hills are impregnated with
rich mines, of lead, tin, iron, copper, silver; and with some mixtures of gold; and
dia.i.onds.
For her mines of silver, (at present to pretermit the insisting upon any of the rest)
we have a parisii in this county, Combe-Martin by name, which lyes upon the North
Sea, near Ilfarcombe, that hath been famous for them : Which iieretofore, in the days
of K. Edw. 3,^ were of considerable emolument to that prince, towards his carrying-
on his wars against the French.
These mines, notwithstanding their profitableness, after this, lay long neglected ;
whether upon occasion of the barons wars, or whatever else, I shan't determine, un-
to the days of that most famous princess of blessed memory, Q.. Elizabeth : When a
new load was found out ; and first begun to be wrought by Adrian Gilbret, Esq;
After that, by a more famous artist. Sir Beavis Buhner, Kt. by whose e.xcellent skill
in minerals, a great quantity of silver was here gotten up, and refined. Out of
part
THE PROEMIUM. • * xxxv
part of which, he caused two rich cups to be made ; whereof, the one was presented
to that noble count, Wilham Bourchier, Earl of Bath, having this inscription engrav-
en on it : t-Westcottt
MS.
In Martin's-Combe long lay I hid
Obscure, depress'd with grossest soyl.
Debased much with mixed lead.
Till Bulmer came, whose skill and toyl '
Refined me so pure and clean.
As richer, no where else is seen.
And, adding yet a further grace.
By fashion he did enable
Me worthy for to take a place
To serve at any prince's table:
Combe-Martin gave the ore alone;
Bulmer fining, and fashion.
Anno-f ^*^^*''* Redemptionis, 1593.
( Reginas Virginis, 35.
Viro Nobilissimo Willihelmo Comiti
Bathon. Locum-tenenti, Devonise & Exon.
Kt^ Wd"mLo7nri? ^ T''VT' P''^^^"^^'^ t« th^ Honourable Sir Richard Martin.
* •■ u A ^o7 ""^ **V^ "^'^^ ""^ London; to continue to the said city for ever- It
IPi-eighed 137 ounces, fine, better than sterling ; on which these verses w4re to be seen :
When water-works in Broken-Wharff
At first erected were;
And Beavis Bulmer, by his art,
The waters 'gan to rear;
Dispersed I in earth did lye.
Since all beginning old.
In place call'd Combe, where Martin loag
Had hid me in his mold.
- ■ ■ I <lid no service on the earth j
Nor no man sate me free ;
Till Bulmer, by his skill and charge.
Did frame me. This to be.
Anno|^^*^^™P*'*'"'^ nostra;, 1593.
(Reginas Virginis, 35.
Richardo Martino Militi, iterum Majori
Sive vice secunda, civitatis London. "
t«l^"n.r""*T ^^''": ''^'"S somewhat mountainous and rocky, some perhans mav
take occasion hence to censure, or condemn the natives as less doril :1ST ^a
unto virtuous atchievements. Monsieur Bodin, a learned French fuSo" ake?o"cl
e 2
sion.
xxxvi , THE PROEMIUM.
' Carpenter's sion, as wc find,' to Condemn all mountainous people as blockish and barbarous. I
GMg lib. 2, need not fetch in, as Mr. Carpenter, that famous countryman of ours does, Helvetia,
''^^' ' Suevia, Silesia, ^Egypt, Scythia, or Cyrene, for the confutation of so gross a calumny. '
You may find that clearly done beyond denial, by consulting the noble accomplish-
ments, in all the arts and faculties of these our famous worthies.
' Let it not therefore be stiled our reproach, but glory,' (to borrow here the fore-quoted
" Idem ibid, author's words)" ' to draw our off-spring from such an air, which produceth wits as
p. 261. eminent as the mountains; approaching far nearer to heaven in excellency, than the
other in height do transcend the valleys ' ' ;i ''
'Hook, alias If we look back to our aborigines, we shall find, in antient days,' the natives of this
Derc!ofDev'. county Were represented bold, martial, haughty of heart, prodigal of life, constant in
in princip. affcctiou, courtcous to straugcrs, and greedy of glory and honour. Such was the
"' Risdon's Sur- character that Diodorns Siculus long since gave of them,"" ' That the Danmonii were
^'^^' a civil and courteous people in those barbarous times; a stout and puissant also; tak-
ing heart of the soyl, as if itself emboldened by the inlets of the sea, and the roughness
of the country.' Insomuch, they were not wholly subdued by the powerful Saxons
until 465 years, after their first landing in Brittain.
If we draw nearer home unto our grandsire and great grandsires' days, we shall
find our ancestors were bold, hardy, and brave, to the last degree. Our gentry were
generous and noble, as well in their hospitality at home, as in their equipage when
they went abroad. Persons of quality usually keeping their stables of brave horses,
and would always have one or two horses of state led by, when they travelled from
home.
Their houses were open to all comers ; where they might meet civil reception, and
a frank entertainment. And their families were academies of virtue, and schools of
education. And the inferior gentry were wont, instead of sending their children to
London, Hackney, Salisbury, &c. to send them thither to learn breeding and accom-
plishments. But this mode, and way of living, since coaching and London came
so much in vogue, must be acknowledged to be greatly alter'd from former days.
Though this I am bold to assert. That our gentry now, in this very degenerate age,
do not degenerate more than (perhaps not so much as) most others of their quality
do in England : They still maintain their post of honour and reputation in the world ;
and proceed to improve in arts and all ingenious literature, now, as well as in that
" Mr. Hales ^ge, when a learned person," though none of our country, was yet pleased to give
onsirxi^mls this high character of it: ' Devonia siquaj tamen sint apud erudites locorum privilegia,
Bodiej. jg profecto locus, reliquis longe prtelucet omnibus, qui votis academiae, felicissimo
"Laudabnnter-iiiugtciujn ingeuiorum provciitu responderit.' If there be any priviledges of places
amaMui. ' Pm'-' among the learned, Devon is that place, which excels all others, in answering best the
tonmi, La>tii ^ishcs of tlic uuivcrsity, in an happy production of most illustrious wits. Let others
syfvanim:'^"*'' therefore, (as he goes on)" praise their smiling meadows, their fertile fields, and their
hanc vero reii-jofty woods, whilc shc, abovc all others, can boast such a fruitfulness of learning, as
viiis omnibus •{ n i
i.iierata ferti- renders her more eternally liappy.
redet B'eati""" What cxcellcnt men hath she (and still doth)'' furnish'd the episcopal chair withal?
reJ, ibi<r '"" And the judicial bench'' and bar ? The field ? And the sea? Persons so every way
of Rochester.''' f?"''*^^'^ in all profcssions, that it may not be easie for any other county of the kingdom
■isir Gfo. Tie-to pi'oduce their superiors.
justiw 'o^''the And whereas Dr. Fuller,' speaking of the Worthies of England, in general, bids us
torn. PI. Sir to observe, " How each county is innated with a particular genius, inclining the
si'r*^Hej,!^H!.'t'- "Stives thereof to be dextrous, some in one profession, some in another ; one carrying
sell, one of the away the credit for souldiers, another for seamen, another for lawyers, another for
Exch'^qnerAc*! divines :" How might I bid you take notice, and without vanity too. That, such is the
' woreiiics of rrenius of Dcvon, it seems equally propense and inclinable unto all? • .^■>
Eug. Introduc.'-' } i j L sr
S3.
THE PROEMIUM. , xxxvn
All which will be, more than sufficiently, made to appear in the ensuing discourse ;
where you may find examples of all kinds of virtue, and that in the utmost measure
and degree poor mortals are capable to produce them.
I speak not this to upbraid or disparage any other county in England ; there is
none, among them all, but, more or less, can deservedly boast their several worthies.
I would not be thought, in magnifying our own, (which I trust it will be found I have
not done above desert) in the least, to vilifie or disrepute any other : But rather, to
raise in all, not an envious but a virtuous emulation ; and a commendable strife, who
shall most excel, in all honourable and brave atchievements.
But, that I be no farther tedious in detaining you in the porch, I shall open you
the door that leads into the work, with only this earnest obtestation to all my generous
countrymen, That they would labour to transcribe into their practises, as they are
severally capacitated, these noble examples of their ancestors, here laid before them.
And, in their stations earnestly endeavour by piety, learning, valour, and all other
praise-worthy actions, not only to continue, but encrease, the renown and glory of
our country.
DANMONII
DANMONII ORIENTALES ILLUSTRES:
OR,
THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
SIR JOHN ACKLAND, KNIGHT.
ACKLAND, Sir John, knight, was born, most likely, at Ackland-house, standing inFior. A. d.
the parish of Lankey, near adjoyning to the pleasant town of Barnstaple, in the north ^^"^.r.r. Ja.
parts of this county ; a family, that derives its name from its seat, " Aukeland, or Ack- .Mr. westc
land aforesaid: a denomination taken, as is supposed, from an oaken grove, near which pescr. ofDev.
it is situate, against the south, on the side of a hill. Thus Saron in Greece is said jq '° ^<^''»"''-
have done the same, " Sinus Saronicus olim, Ouerno nemore redimitus unde ei nomen.'"' '' Car. steph.
And as a confirmation hereof, I find in antient times, viz. so far back as K. Rich. 2. Hjstor^"*^^'
days, ''this family did bear on their seal three oak-leaves on a bend, between two lions c sir wiiiiam
rampant. Pole's Cat. of
This is a very ancient and gentile progeny, which hath flourished in this place, by
palpable evidence, from the days of K. Hen. 2, (whose reign commenced, A. D.
1154.) how long before that, I cannot say, even down unto this day. And God grant
it still long to flourish ; of which this deed may be a confirmation."'' pfi'e's^^.lfcar
" Sciant, &;c.qu6d ego Willielmus deSai, conces. Hugoni de Accalcia unam virgam '"'• ^^^- of
terre in Hetlumba," &c. Dat. tempore Hen. 2. aZ'^.'p.li
The christian name of this family, antiently, was (for the most part) Baldwin; ' the ^ Risdons
six first thereof, one excepted, were all so called. They have matched into divers La„tf "
honourable houses, as Crews, Monk, Prideaux, Malet, Ratcliff, &c. and witli several "" *'^'
considerable daughters and heirs, who jiroduced many very eminent persons. Such was
that John Ackland, of Ackland,^ who served in the wars of France, A. 9 K. Rich. 2. sii w. Pole
1385, as appeareth by his deed (a copy whereof I have) made unto Thomas AtTeton, ^",j;,'",;,',','5*'
John Staiford, and John Colj^n, his feoffees, dated the same year; in which is ex- Souid '""
pressed, a condition for the raising of monies towards his redemption (if it happened
that he was taken prisoner) without selling his lands ;5 at which time he was in pos- ^ Pro sua ddi-
sessionofan estate in Akelane, Reveton, Gratton, Barnstaple, Hawkeridge, Little- ''"f'""'? '"•'''•
Bray, Sotith-Moulton, and other places, vendiTionef s«
B Havinsj*'"^''^'^''-
uon s
in
ev.
0U5
'■U-yV::::A\'=}U :; THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Having given this account of this antient family, I now proceed to the gentleman
hf lorf lis
Sir John Ackland, knight, was second son of John Ackland, of Ackland Esq , by
.Sir William Margaret his wife, daughter, and co-heir of Hugh Ratchff, of Stepny, near London-
?-^rS'i'f«'" he was the darling of his mother, who made him her heir ^ though she had many more
Ackland MS. ^j^.j^,^^^^ j^^^ ^^^^^^^ husband, Brett, of AVhitstanton ; and settled upon him, her
lands in and about London, which, joyned to excellent parts and accomplishments
proved the ground of his future greatness ; there bemg an undoubted truth m that ot
Juven. Sat. 3. the pOCt. '
p. 40. ^
Hand facile emergunt quorum virtutibus obstat
Res angusta donii
They seldom come to high degree.
Whose virtue's check'd by poverty.
He had in his younger years all the education requisite to render him an accom-
phshed and useful gentleman, which having acquired abroad, retired home into his
native country, where he met with a younger brother's inheritance, a rich widow,
Elizabeth, the daughter of George Rolle, of Stephenston, in this county, Esq. and the
relict of Robert ISIalet, of Woolley, near Great Torrington, Esq., whom he married,
and on her joynture at Woolley, he settled himself, during her life.
After her decease, he married a second wife, viz. Margery, a daughter of the ho-
. nourable family of Portman, of Orchard-Portman, in the county of Somerset, but the
widow of Hawley, who was left vastly rich ; by all which, he became en-
abled to do such great things, as hereafter we shall find he did. Before I proceed to
which, it may not be improper to mention briefly the offices and honours he sustained.
He 'long served his king and country, in the capacity of a Justice of peace, a very
useful ancl honourable office, well discharged ; and was one of the knights of the shire
for this county in parliament. ?Ie had the honour of knighthood conferred upon him
vsir WiUiam in the Tower of London," on the loth of March, 1603, by K. James 1. of blessed
uev^TnVe' memory, in the first year of his reign. After which, about the space of five years, he
Fam'. Mem. of was prick'd by the same gracious prince to serve him in the high station of sheriff, of
ourCount.MS. ^j_^^ county of Devon, forUie year 1608, whereby, it appears, what honourable esteem
Sir John Ackland lived in, as well with the court as country.
Yet I must crave leave to say, that he was not more eminent for his greatness, than
he was for his goodness. And, indeed, 'tis goodness that adds a lustre to greatness ;
good is the much more honourable character than great, as a|ipears from a testimony
beyond exception, that of K Charles the Martyr, who told his son, the prince (our
late very gracious soveraign) that he had rather he should be Cliarles le Bon than
I'EixSv Batr. c. Charles le Grand. '
Now this gentleman was eminent for goodness, in St. Paul's sense and notion of it,
when he said, for a good man one would even dare to die ;" /. f. for one eminent for
acts of kindness, friendliness, and charity. Which, though we do not pretend they
merit in the sense of the church of Rome, yet we know they have i,a-i^'„, iv^iSiiii, an odor
Phil. 4.4.18. of a sweet smell in the nostrils of God." Which I shall the rather instance in, as a
confutation of that unjust aspersion, cast; by some of tlie church of Rome, upon the
reformation here in England, that our Solifidian doctrine hath destroyed all our good
works.
I shall begin therefore, with this gentleman's charity to the poor, besides his per-
sonal acts oi' that kind, whereof there is now left no memorial (I mean, as to what he
had delivered) by his deed, dated He settled on the mayor and chamber of
the city of Exeter, in trust for ever, the rectory and sheaf of Church-Stow and Kings-
bridge.
27.
i"Roin. 5.7
SIR JOHN ACKLAND, KNIGHT.
3
bridge, contiguous parishes, in tlie South-Hams of this county, now set for eighty-five
pounds per an. for tiiem to dispose of the profits thereof, as he had therein appointed,
Tlie greatest part whereof, is to be distributed, in bread, weekly, to the poor of divers
parishes in Exeter and Devon, as followeth : —
In the city of Exeter, thus : —
rSt. Sidwel's
To ]St. Mary the More
(Holy Trinity
To (lll-S'll"'':' "r n' ^>f' \ . l^ach per week .
(All-Hallow s. Goldsmith-street ) ^
1
each per week
00
s.
01
d.
00.
00 00 06.
In tlie county of Devon, thus : —
"St. Thomas the Apostle
Barnstaple
Silferton
Bradnidge
To <( South-Moultoii
Torrington
Cullompton
Lankey
^Churchstow
To Broad Clist, in which his dwelling-house stood, per week, 00 02
To Pilton, near Barnstaple, per week 00 00
►each per week
00 01 00.
00.
6.
If after all this, any overplus should remain, it is ordered to be divided (except what
is settled upon the minister that serves the cures) among these towns and parishes in
this county also; Plymouth, Totnes, Ashberton, Buckfastlegh, Chudleigh, Crediton,
Honiton, Tiverton, Halberton, Bampton, Tedburn, Kingsbridge, Dodbrooke.
So much as to the noble charity of this gentleman.
Next, let us consider his piety towards the church, and herein he was also consi-
derable. For, whereas before was reserved to the minister that is to officiate in both
the parish churches of Churchstow (the mother) and Kingsbridge (the daughter) but
twenty nobles a year, he was pleased to settle upon him twenty pounds; which being
duly and entirely paid by the chamber of the city of Exeter, is much better than a
greater sum, to be received only out of the small tythes as they become due.
Nor, let any say, that this gentleman should have done works of justice first, in
restoring to the church, the things of the church; and then works of mercy next ;
the laws of our country having made them entirely his own, (tho' by what equity, I
know not) how might he have silenced all cavils with these words of our Saviour, may
I not do what I will with mine own ? especially, seeing the poor also, according to
the primitive practice of the church, liad an interest in the tythes thereof.
To this may we farther add, that having erected a very fair chappel in his man-
sion-house at Cullome-John, for the better discharge of the weighty duties of religion
there, by his own family, to all futurity ; be generously endowed it with five and
twenty pounds a year, for ever, for the encouragement of a chaplain, to preach and
read prayers in it every Lord's day. A good argument, that he who was so piously
disposed to promote tlie decent service of God, and the religion of others, was very
holy and devout in his own person.
From this, let us proceed to a consideration of the noble encouragements which he
gave to learning. How learned he was himself, I cannot say, but that he was a lover
thereof,
4 . THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
thereof, may in part be inferred from his efiigies in Broad-Clist church; which, though
it represents his body clad with armour, it shews his hand holding a book. His bene-
factions this way, did consist partly in buildings, and partly in endowments, bestowed
upon Exeter college, in Oxford.
First, for his buildings. The refectory or common hall of that college, with the
large cellars underneath, owe themselves, almost, intirely to this gentleman's munifi-
cence, for he bestow'd no less than eight hundred pounds towards them, the fellows
thereof advancing about two hundred pounds more; as we have it from the testimony
Ad refecto- of onc," here quoted in the margent, in this matter, beyond exception : a work of that
lium quod spec- ijgjjijty and magnificence, that it will remain a lasting monument of his great worth
perior°iJ*'prrte and merit, so long as that structure stands, which God grant it may, to all future ge-
"ri'l:'' m'cei'ia "'^''"^'''°"^- Of which noblc work of Sir John Ackland, with some additional buildings,
e'i("ei»siibjecta made by another gentleman of this country. Sir John Peream, of Exeter, Kt., Dr.
i)oiu"'johiii- I'l'ideaux, the then rector,'' gave this testimony, that Exeter college, by their bounty,
iirs Ackland, got a ucw hall, and lodgings of more charge and worth than all the former buildings.
^u'i'''\i?Dccc Secondly, as to the endowments which he made, he was pleas'd to settle an annual
eodaiitium dii- stipend of pounds valuc, towards the maintenance of two scholars in that house
centas tantum f
libras impen- " cvei.
disse conipa- Having thus considered how good this gentleman was to the poor and to the
Antiq^'unW. publick ; let US go ou, and we shall find how good he was also to his own family.
Ox. 1.2. p. 101. For, though he left no children of his own, he left a considerable estate to the issue of
*■ his elder brother, who now enjoys it. (Note.) He it was, who bought, budded, and
to his' Conse- added to his name, that pleasant seat of Cullome-John, lying in the parish of Broad-
crat. Serm. ofQjgj. ^^g miles uorth of Exctcr : it was the antient habitation of the family of Cid-
Chappei. ' lome; divcrs of which race there, succeeded one the other.'' The last of which
1 Risd. Sur. name, who lived here, was John Culme, A. D. 12.3.'3. Though another branch thereof
Uim-JoUn. MS. flourished long after in this county, at Canon-Leigh, down to the present age ; when
it expired in a daughter and heir, married to Sir Edward Hvmgarford, knight of the
Bath.
After it had passed through the hands of no less than seven or eight lords, it came
to be the possession of William Rowswell, Esq. who alienated it unto this Sir John
f Sir w. p. Ackland. Who builded here upon a former foundation,' begun by the Earl of Devon-
i^roium-jobn' •'''^''"^' (whosc formerly it was) a very fair house, in which he spent the remainder of
MS. his days.
It is a large pile, nobly situate upon an advanced groimd, just over the river Culme,
' Hor. in his which glideth along by it ; of which we may say with Hor."
Labitur & labetur in omne volubilis aevum.
Altho' the present owner thereof. Sir Hugh Ackland, baronet, (whose great worth
adds a fartlier lustre to his own family, and to our county) is not pleased to make
this, but Killerton, another gentile seat in this same parish, the place of his present
residence.
After all this, that I may not say, a person of immortal vertues dies. Sir John Ack-
land laid aside what of mortality he had, at his house aforesaid, A. D. 1613, which
was honourably interred in the parish church of Broad-Clist, before-mentioned, unto
which living he belonged, where a very stately monument is erected to his memory
on the north-side wall, in an isle thereof, a lofty piece, handsomely set off, with
curious carvings and paintings.
AVhcreupon, a tomb about five foot high from the ground, lieth his portraiture, in
full proportion, lively cut out in stone, all in armour, except the head and hand.
His two ladies are placed by, kneeling each before a desk, the one at the head and
the other at the feet, with their faces looking towards him; all within two pillars, near
SIR JOHN ACKLAND, KNIGHT.
twenty foot in heighth, large, and finely wrought , on the top whereof are placed
several figures, which set them olF, and add a great ornament to the whole.
A little below are these inscriptions :— On the one, Anno Domini.— On the
other, 1613.
Under that, upon the first pillar, is this motto :— Mors janua vitap.
Under that, upon the second, this : — Mors mihi lucrum.
In the middle of the monument, above the efiigies, is a blank table of marble left,
as is supposed, for an epitaph, which hath not hitherto been supplied.
Above the arch that covers the figure of Sir John, on the one, are these words :—
Caro mea requiescit in spe.
On the other, these: — Post tenebras spero lucem.
On the top of all the monument is a large achievement, wherein are quartered
divers coats of arms, too tedious to be here emblazoned. Underneath which, is this
motto : — A Deo omhis victoria.
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
HUGH Acland, the elder brother of Sir John, to whose issue he left Cokimb-John, and a large part of his
property was grandfather to John Acland, who, on account of his attachment to Charles the First, was created
a baronet in lti44. His fortune was considerably impaired by his services to his sovereign, and by the penalties
inflicted upon him by the adverse party. At one period, he alone, as Lord Clarendon relates, sustained the
royal cause within the county of Devon, with a small party garrisoned in his own house of Coknnb-John. He
married the daughter of Sir Francis Vincent, and iiad issue three sons, Francis, John, and Hugh, all of whom
succeeded to the title, with the interposition of .\rtiiur, the son of John. Sir Hugh, the third son, was succeeded
by his grandson Sir Hugh, who was the fatlier of Sir Thomas, who married the daughter and heir of Thomas
Dyke, Esq., by whom he had two sons, Jolin Dyke, and Thomas Dyke. The eldest was a major in the array,
and colonel'of the first regiment of Devon militia. He married Lady Harriet Strangways, the daughter of the
Erst Earl of Ilchester, by whom he left a son and a daughter. The son succeeded his grandfather in the title,
but died shortly after him at tiie age of seven years, in 1785. The daughter, who inherited her grandfather's
estate of Pixton, in Somersetshire, married Henry Lord Porchester, eldest son of the first Earl of Carnarvon.
Upon the death of Sir John, the son of Colonel Acland, the title devolved on his uncle Tiioraas Dyke, the
father of the present Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, of KiUerlon, at this time (1809) high sheriff of the county, who
is the lentil baronet in succession, and the twenty-tliird in lineal descent from Hugo de .\cceleia, who lived in
the second year of Henry the Second.
The sufferings of Lady Harriet Acland, above mentioned, in the camjjaign in Canada, in 1777, are too mter-
esting to require any apology for inserting an account of them in tiiis place. So distinguished an example of
female excellence sheds a lustre <m the annals of the family. It is related by Lieutenant-General Burgoyne in
his State of the expedition to Canada.
" Lady Harriet Ackland had accompanied her husband to Canada in the beginning of the year 177G. In the
course of that campaign, she had traversed a vast space of country, in different extremities of seasons, and with
difficulties that an European traveller will not easily conceive, to attend her husband, in a poor hut at Charablte,
upon his sick bed. In the opening of the campaign of 1777, she was restrained from offering herself to a share of
the hazard expected before Ticonderoga, by the positive injunction of her husband. The day alter the conquest
of that place, he was badly wounded, and she crossed the lake Champlain to join him.
" As soon as he recovered. Lady Harriet proceeded to follow his fortunes tlirough the campaign, and at Fort
Edward, or at the next camp, .she acquired a two-wheel tumbril, which had been constructed by the artillery,
similar to the carriage used for the mail upon the great roads of England. Major Ackland commanded the
British grenadiers, which were attached to General Frazer's corps, and consequently were the most advanced post
of the army.
Their situations were often so alert, that no persons slept out of their clothes. In one ol tliese situations, a
tent, in which the Major and Lady Harriet were asleep, suddenly took fire. An orderly seijeant of grenadiers,
with great hazard of suflbcation, dragged out the first person he caught hold of. It proved to be the Major. It
happened, that in the same instant she had, unknowing what she did, and perhaps not perfectly awake, provi-
dentially made her escape by creeping under the walls of the back part of tlie tent. The first object she sawr
upon the recovery of her senses, was the Major on the other side, and in the same instant again in the fire in
THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
search of her. The Serjeant again saved him, but not without the Major being very severely burned in the face
and different parts of the body. Every tiling they had with them in the tent was consumed.
" This accident happened a little time before the army iiad passed the Hudson's river. It neither altered the
resolution nor the ciieerfulness of Lady Harriet; and she continued her progress, a partaker of the fatigues of the
advanced corps. The next call upon her fortitude was of a different nature, and more distressful, as of longer
suspence. On the marcli of the 19th, the grenadiers being liable to action at every step, she had been directed
by the Major to follow the route of the artillery and baggage, which was not exposed. At the time the action
began, she found herself near a small uninhabited hut, where she alighted. When it was found the action was
becoming general and bloody, the surgeons of the hospital took possession of the same place, as the most conve-
nient for the lirst care of the wounded. Thus was this lady in hearing of one continued hre of cannon and
musketry, for some hours together, witb the presumption, from the post of her husband, at the head of the grena-
diers, that he was in the most exposed part of the action. Sbe had three female companions, the Baroness of
Reidessel, and the wives of two Britisb olhcers. Major Harnage, and Lieutenant Reynell ; but in the event their
presence served but for little comfort. Major Harnage was soon brought to the surgeons, very badly wounded ;
and a little while after came intelligence tliat Lieutenant Reynell was shot dead. Imagination will want no helps
to figure the state of the whole group.
" From the date of that action to the 7th of October, Lady Harriet, with her usual serenity, stood prepared
for new trials! And it was her lot that their severity increased with their numbers. She was again exposed
to the hearing of the whole action, and at last received the shock of her individual misfortune, mixed witli the
intelligence of the general calamity ; the troops were defeated, and Major Ackland, desperately wounded, was a
prisoner.
" The day of the 8th was passed by Lady Harriet and her companions in common anxiety; not a teut, nor a
shed being standing, except what belonged to the hospital, their refuge was among the wounded and the dying.
" I soon received a message from Lady Harriet, submitting to my decision a proposal (and expressing an ear-
nest solicitude to execute it, if not interfering with my designs) of p.issing tu the cainp of the enemy, and re-
questing General Gates's permission to attend her husband. Though I was ready to believe (for I had experi-
enced] that patience and fortitude, in a supreme degree, were to be found, as well as every virtue, under the
most tender forms, I was astonished at this proposal. After so long an agitation ol the spirits, exhausted not
only for want of rest, but absolutely want of food, drenched in rains for twelve hours together, that a woman
should be capable of such an undertaking as delivering herself to the enemy, probably in the night, and uncertain
of what hands she might fall into, appeared an effort above human nature. The assistance I was enabled to give
was small indeed ; 1 had not even a cup of wine to offer her; but I was told she had found, from some kind and
fortunate hand, a little rum and dirty water. All I could furnish toiler, was an open boat and a few lines to
General Gates, recommending her to his protection.
" Mr. Brudenell, the chaplain to the artillery, readily undertook toaccorapany her, and with one female servant,
and theMajor's valet-de-chambre (who had a ball, which he had received in the late action, then in liis shoulder)
she rowed down the river to meet the enemy. But iier distresses were not yet to end. The night was advanced
before the boat reached the enemy's out-posts, and the centinel would not let it pass, nor even come on shore.
In vain M. Brudenell offered the flag of truce, and represented the state of the extraordinary passentrer. The
guard, apprehensive of treachery, and punctilious to their orders, threatened to fire into the boat if they stirred
beioie day-light. Her anxiety and sufferings were thus protracted through seven or eight dark and cold hours ;
and her reffections upon that lirst reception could not give her very encouraging ideas of the treatment she was
afterwards to expect. But it is due to justice, at the close of this adventure, to say, that she was received and
accommodated by General Gates with all the humanity and respect that her rank, her merits, and her fortunes
deserved.
Let such as are affected by these circumstances of alarm, hardship, and danger, recollect, that the subject of
them was a woman, of the most tender and delicate frame, of the gentlest manners, habituated to all the soft
elegances and refined enjoyments, that attend high birth and fortune; and far advanced in a state in which the
tender cares always due to the sex, become indispensably necessary. Her mind alone was formed for such
trials I"
( 7 )
ACKLAND, BALDWIN.
ACKLAND, Baldwin, treasurer of the cathedral church of St. Peter, at Exeter, Fior. a. d.
was born in or near that city, about the year of our Lord I6O8, of rich and gentile gf^'^' ^* ^" '^^
parentage. He was the eldest son of John Ackland, of Exeter, merchant, by Eliza-
beth his wife, the daughter of Duck, of Heavy-Tree, near adjoyning, who was
deservedly advanced to the highest seat of magistracy, in that antiently loyal city,
A.D. iG'i?-" When he maintained the honour of his place with great commendation, a izac Mem.
For when a huffing captain, in his way to Plymouth, where he was to take shipping "'^^"'^'•P'^'^^'
for the Isle of Ree, would presumptuously march his forces through the city with
drums beating, and colours flying, in defiance to the authority of the same, threaten-
ing to garter the Mayor's hose with his bowels, should he dare oppose. 'Tis said this
gentleman met him near the Guildhall, in the High-street, and throwing oft' his gown,
struck up his heels in the head of his company, and made them all march out of
town without rank or file.
John Ackland, the father of our Baldwin, was descended from the antient and gen-
tile family of the name, that long flourished at Hawkeridge, in the parish of Chittle-
hampton, whose church hath been notable for the interment there of a famous she
saint, Hieritha by name,'' lying about eight miles to the south of Barnstaple, in this'' Risd. dcsc.
county. Which originally was a branch of the antient stock of Ackland-house ; tidJam.'Si^'"*'
which liking the soyl well, flourished here in good repute unto the present age. Of
which Hawkeridge, I have heard it reported, that when any one descended of this
family first comes into the house, he is wont to fall into a swoun.
But omitting these things, proceed we on to Baldwin, who being a youth of jDro-
mising parts, and good disposition to learning, his parents kept him at school; and
being well grounded in grammar, he was sent to Exeter college in Oxford ; where be-
ing taken notice of for his industry and virtue, he was chosen fellow of that learned
society: after which, he became an eminent tutor, and among other western gentle-
men that were his scholars, the late Right Honourable the Lord Cliftbrd, Baron of
Chudlegh, in this county, became his pupil.
Being in good reputation with his college and the university, he was chosen senior
proctor for the year 1641," an ofilce of considerable honour and authority in that c Atii. Oxon.
place; which he discharged with so general satisfaction, and behaved himself other- P- 2- Fast. p.
wise so very well, that the university gave their consent in convocation, 1646." ri^i'dem ibid.
That Baldwin Ackland, together with Henry Tozar, and John Proctor, all born P'^s'^ ''39-
within this county, might have liberty when he or they pleased, to proceed Doctors of ^
Divinity, which indeed is the highest degree of honour the imiversity can bestow.
But such was his modesty, and of all the rest, that they refused then, and the next
year, and to their dying day, to accept the favour. To whom that of our Simon de
Fraxino, on his friend Giraldus Cambrensis, may be apply 'd.^ >• ApudWiiart.
■Kj , Ang. Sac. vol.
i^ on est 2. page 641.
Hunc meruisse miniis, quam tenuisse decus.
'Tis no less honour to deserve.
Than the title for to have.
Not long after this, the times proving troublesome to eminently loyal men, especially
at Oxford, Mr. Ackland retired into his native country; and being in orders, and at
that time batchelour of divinity, though not recorded in the Fast. Oxon. He was bv
an honourable hand, collonel Arthur Basset, of Heanton-court, presented to the
rectory of St. Mary Tidborn. Which, though unequal to his merit, yet being com-
modiously situated near his relations, it lying but about six miles to the west from the
city of Exeter, he accepted of, and settled himself there.
la
Citat.
8 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
In this retired place, finding at length that it was not good for him to be alone, he
took to wife, Mary, the sister of his quondam pupil, Thomas, Lord Clifford, of Chud-
legh. One too zealously affected towards Geneoa, though otherwise a virtuous, cour-
teous, and well accomplished gentlewoman. Here Mr. Ackland continued many
years in good esteem and credit, not only with his own parish, but with all the neigh-
bouring gentry of the first rank thereabout; who were frequently pleased to honour
him with their good company, as Sir George Chudlegh, Sir Francis Fulford, and
others.
At length this worthy person came deservedly to be advanced to an higher station
in the church. For Anno 1667, Dr. Robert Hall, eldest son of famous Bishop Hall,
a son worthy of such a father, dying, Mr. Ackland, more by his honourable rela-
tion's interest than his own ambition, was made treasurer of the church of Exeter, in
his room. Which dignity he rather suffered than enjoyed; taking no great felicity in
that which disturbed his beloved retirement : As if he had been wholly of the poet's
' Frax. Sym. mind.'
Loc. aup.
Sed quid honor prodest, cui cum sit nomen honoris,^
Non honor est sed onus. Re sine nomen habens.
This dignity he held about the space of five years ; that is, unto the day of his
death.
If any are desirous the character of his person should be continued, he was, for
stature of body, about the middle size; corpulent, and in his latter years, when I
became known unto him, somewhat unwieldy. His complexion was sanguine, which
gave him a chearful countenance, and lively aspect. His wit sharp, but innocently
pleasant. And his whole conversation grave, courteous, and obliging. He left no
issue, either of his body or his brain. And having been always an able, and a con-
stant, and a faithful steward of the mysteries of God, (while health and strength
permitted) an hospital neighbour, a pious and a sober liver, in great love and peace
M-ith all men. He surrendred up his soul into the hands of our blessed Saviour, with
great chearfulness, A.D. 1672. ^tat 64. He lieth interred in the chancel of his
church at St. Mary Tidborn, aforesaid, under a plain stone, with this inscription:
Here lieth the body of Baldwin Ackland,
Batchclour of Divinity, and Treasurer of
the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, in Exon;
who died the 27th day of Aug. A.D. 1672.
and in the 64th year of his age.
He having no better, the author hereof, under a double obligation of personal civi-
lities, and a near relation, (having married his sister's daughter) hath thought fit to
erect this slender monument to the memory of a good man, and a worthy divine.
He had two younger brothers, John, an eminent merchant, and Mayor of Exeter,
A.D. I(i66, whose two daughters and heirs married two brothers, Richard Duck, of
Mount-Radford, Esq. and Arthur Duck, of London, merchant.
His youngest brother was Arthur Ackland, who being bred a scholar, became Fel-
low of Oriel Colledge, in Oxford ; after diligent study, in whicii place, for many
years, he became a learned and well-practised physician. And returning to Exeter,
he exercised his faculty for some time in that city with good success. He was every
way much a gentleman, and of so obliging a deportment, that he was beloved of all
that knew him. He died, to the great surprise of his friends, of an Erysipelas in his
face, in the strength of his age, so true is the observation. That 'tis not common for
good men to be long lived; and lieth interred in St. Stephen's church, in Exon, with-
out any funeral monument.
ADAMS,
( 9 )
ADAMS, WILLIAM.
Adams, WilHam, was born at Paynton, in this county; an ancient village, lying rior. a. u.
in tlie bosom of Torbay, about the year of our Lord, 1612, of mean and obscure ^,664. R. R.
parentage. But in as much as he was one of those five men, who enterpriz'd and
compassed an exploit, of as high resolution, and difficult performance, as can be pa-
ralell'd in history ;* I hope it will be look'd upon as no disparagement to our famous • waniy's
Worthies to insert him liere. ^et^mf
William Adams aforesaid, with several others, took ship at Graves-End, A. D. 1639- worid, folio.
bound for the West-Indies ; within few days of their being at sea, they were taken by ^uf ^f's^en"
a Turk's man of war, and carried prisoners into Algiers : where they continued in ezer, pubiish-
miserable captivity for the space of about five years : which at last becoming so intol- i*ey)'onT'of t^he
lerable irksome and grievous to them, they began to cast about for a way to escape, persons thu»
At length they resolved to contrive the model of a boat, which being form'd in par- t^'lJ "htreirf,*
eels, and afterwards put together, might prove the instrument of their deliverance, i have heard
For the better effecting of this design, one of these poor captives, being allowed him ^Vdow o/thr
by his patroon, the conveniency of a cellar, for the disposing of some goods which he said w. Adams,
was permitted to trade upon to his master's advantage ; there they began their work.
They provided first a piece of timber twelve foot long to make the keil ; but because
it was impossible to convey a piece of that length out of the city but it must be seen
and suspected, they cut it in two, and fitted it for joynting, just in the middle; then
they provided ribs ; after which, to make the boat water-tite, because boards would
require much hammering, and that noise would be like to betray them, they bought
as much strong canvas as would cover their boat twice over. Upon the convex of
the carine; they provided also, so much pitch, and tar, and tallow, as would serve to
make a kind of tarpawling cerecloth, to swaddle the naked body of their infant boat.
Of two pipe staves saw'd across, from corner to corner, they made two things to serve
for oars. And for provision, they got a little bread, and two leather bottles full of
fresh water : and remembred also to buy so much canvas as would serve for a sail.
They carried out all these things in parts and parcels, fitted them together in the
valley, about half a mile from the sea; unto which, four of their company carried the
boat on their shoulders, and the rest followed them. At the sea-side they stripp'd,
put their cloths into the boat, and thrusting her so far into the sea as they could, they
all seven got into her, but finding she was over-loaden, two were content to stay on
the shore.
The names of the five persons that continued in her, were these; William Adams,
John Anthony, John Jephs, John the carpenter, and William Okeley. June 30,
1644, they launched out into the deep, where they saw the wonders of God. Four
of them wrought continually at the oars, the fifth was to free the boat of water, which
by degrees leaked thro' the canvas. Their bread was soon spoiled by the salt water ; ,
and their fresh water stunk. Three days, with good husbandry, their bread lasted
them ; but then pale famine stared them in the face. Water they might have, but it
must be salt out of the sea, or strain'd through their own bodies; and that they chose
of the two. And the misery was, this did not asswage their thirst, but encrease it:
the wind too, was somewhat against them ; but God rebuked it, and made it their
friend. Their labour now was without intermission ; and the heat of the season was
almost insupportable by day: only this help they had, that he who emptied the boat,
threw the water on the others backs to cool them. But their bodies thus scorched and
cooled, rose up in blisters all over; great pain they felt; great dangers they were in;
great miseries they endured; and had nothing little but hope, food, and strength.
^ C If
10 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
If any question by what directions they steered their course, and whether they de-
signed, it was to Mayork ; by the help of a pocket-dial, which by day supplied the
place of a compass; by night they took directions from the stars when they ap-
peared ; and when not, they guessed by the motion of the clouds. Four days and
nights they were in this woful plight; on the fifth, all hope that they should be saved,
perished : so they left off their labour, and only emptied the boat of water.
As they lay hulling up and down, God sent them some relief, viz. a tortois ; which
they discovered not far from them, asleep in the sea ; they took their oars, silently
rowed to their prey, and took it into their boat with great triumph : which done, they
cut off her head, and let her bleed into a pot; then drank the blood, eat the liver,
and sucked the flesh : It wonderfully refreshed their spirits, and they picked up some
crumbs of hope.
About noon they thought they discovered land ; they wrought hard, and after a
while, were fully satisfied that it was land; and indeed it was Mayork, in sight where-
of they kept all day. The sixth of July, about ten a clock at night, they came under
the island, and crept as near the shore as they durst, 'till they found a convenient
place, whereinto they might thrust their canvas boat.
When they were come to land, they were not insensible of their deliverance ; and
tho' they had escaped the sea, they might die at land if they could get no food ; having
had none since the blood and liver of the tortois. Some of the company scouting
abroad for water, came to a watch-tower of the Spaniards, where making their con-
dition known, they got a cake, and calling their companions to the repast, they sate
down by a stream of fresh water fast by : and now they have water and bread, it is
God that must give them also a throat to swallow. For our William Adams attempt-
ing to drink, after many essays, was not able to let it down, but still the water re-
turned ; so that he sunk to the ground, faintly saying, He was a dead man : but after
much striving, he took in a little; and they (so refreshed) lay by the well all night.
The next morning, having tied their boat fast to the shore, and left her to mercy,
they took the ready wa^' to the town. In their journey to which, a certain country-
man called them into his house, and gave them some relief. Thence they advanced to
the city of Mayork, about ten miles from the place of their landing ; where making
their condition known to the vice-roy, he treated them with great humanity. From
which place, they took passage on the king of Spain's gallies for Alicant ; and from
thence, they came safe into England, in the month of September, 1644.
A most bold adventure ; and for his share therein, this our country-man, William
Adams, ought to be recorded ; with which they of Mayork were so aft'ected, that they
fetched this canvas boat, and hung it up, as a monument of a most wonderful deliver-
ance, in their great church there. Mr. Robert Hales, who was there 1671, says, he
saw the naked ribs and skeliton of it, hanging still in the same place.
William Adams lived many years after this ; followed the sea still, became master of
a ship in divers voyages ; and was a very honest sensible man. He died in the year of
our Lord God, 1687, and his body so like to be buried in the sea and to feed fishes,
lies buried in Paynton church-yard, about four miles east of Totnes; where it feast-
eth worms.
ALPHRED,
( H )
ALPHRED, BISHOP OF CREDITON.
ALPHRED, Bishop of Crediton, in tliis county, is ranked, by that learned anti- ^^°■'•^•^•
quary of ours Mr. Hooker, alias Vowel, among the natives of Devon j' and upon Ethel,
that encouragement, I shall here, as such, insert him. ' Synops.
The name, I observe, is differently written among the learned ; which yet signifies Devon^umier
the same person, as Alphred, Alfric, ^Elfric, iElvric; and that there were no less the head stu-
than three eminent persons so called, who lived at the same time in England j as *° '
iElfric, Abbot of St. Alban's, (who was afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury) iElfric,
Abbot of Abendon, and ^Ifric, or Alphred, of whom we are discoursing.
They whose curiosity inclines them to enquire farther in this matter, may consult
Mr. Wharton's Anglia Sacra,*" where they will find enough, ad Saturitatem usque. *■ Vol. t. p.
Though unto me, it seemeth strange, that those persons should be so much confound- ^^*' '*^'
ed among writers, whose names are so differently recorded by them ; as are Alphredus
Monachus, Alfricus Grammaticus, and Elfricus Cantuariensis. But dismissing this
fruitless argument, at present, let us go on with the history of our Alphred.
What relation he might have, or whether he had any at all, unto our West Saxon
King of his name, (who first divided England into Shires,' A.D. 888.) we are not J^^^j;^'!**"'
able to determin. Although it is not improbable but that he had a very near onej itir.
being usual in those days, for persons of the first rank, to take upon them the habit
of the clergy, and the preferments of the church.
Omitting, therefore, his family, in respect to which we are in the clouds, let us
proceed to his education ; and we find that he was bred among the Monks, most pro-
bably, in the famous abby of Glastenbury, in the county of Somerset ; which at that
time was one of the most illustrious nursery's of learning, as well as religion, in Eng-
land. For here, we may well suppose, it was, that he contracted that very familiar
friendship," we find he had with St. Dunstan, the learned Abbot of that most noble
monastery, valued, at the dissolution, upward of 3500/. per an.* From the advan- <i"ni & Hie
tages of such excellent society, our Alphred became so eminent, for his great piety cl'^^.rBaV
and learning, that he was deservedly advanced from thence to be the Abbot of <=«"•• ^ pag.
Malmesbury, in the county of Wilts ; an abby which at the suppression of those ^*'', ^
houses, in the days of K. Hen. 8. was valued at 803/. I7s. Id. ob. q. per an.^ This Hi'st!''oTGr.B.
is greatly probable, if there be any certainty in the observation of the fore-quoted '"^•"•^•
author, Mr. Wharton,' that, " ab initio Edgari ad annum Circiter 1000. singuli fere ^n^"voi."?°
Angliaj Episcopi & Abbates, ex Monasteriis Abbendoniensi, Glastoniensi, & Win- p. 54.
toniensi delecti sunt," from the time of K. Edgar to the year of our Lord One Thou- ^ An?. Sac.
sand, almost all the bishops and abbots of England, were wont to be chosen out qJ- *"'•*•. p- ^'■^''■
Abendon, Glastenbury, and Winchester. In this station, high and honourable next
to a bishop, and by the favour of popes and princes in some respects his equal, con-
tinued Alphred for many years. But then at length, bein? erown very aged,'' he was ^'' ^"" J^""
JI--1 r r^ ^■. ■ , • O' oc J b ' Gianda-viis
made bishop ot Lrediton, in this county. esset in Epis-
Now, for that all persons, even of our own country, may not be well instructed in \°^ll™ aftatus
the history of this affair, it will not be altogether useless, or impertinent, in this w. Maimesb.
place, to give a brief account how, and when, the episcopal cliair of Devon came to "^"'l.up'j"''
be first fixed at Crediton, where it flourished upward of an hundred years, together paj;- i^s- '
with the names of those bishops, who sate therein unto the happy translation thereof,
to Exeter. When the Christian religion was first professed in these western parts,
Devon and Cornwal, were placed under the jurisdiction of the bishop of Dorchester, ^
not far from Oxford.' But that episcopal seat, beina: removed from thence to Win- , ' ^'"^'l' '^T
Chester about the year of our Lord 66o, these western provinces were subjected to the dt Epi*. Exuu.
C2 authority •'•^''"-
'' UimstaRo
familiarissinuKs
12 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
authority of that new see : and so they continued until the time that the monastery
of Shireburn, in Dorsetshire, was converted into a cathedral church. A.D. 705, and
then they came to be included in the compass of that diocess. In this state and con-
dition they remained about 200 years; to wit, unto the year 905. And then Pleg-
mundus. Archbishop of Canterbury, at the command of King Edward, sirnamed the
» Synops, of elder, erected three new cathedral churches; one at Wells, for the county of Somer-
Dev-inthebi-ggj. ^^g ^t Bodmin, for the county of Cornwal ; and one at Tawton, for the county
'"""dc PrasiU. of Devon. The bishops names of which last place, as also of Crediton, until the
^m u ■• see came to be removed to Exeter, are thus memorized by Hooker,'' Godwin,' and
&c. others."
r yrr . I. Wcrstanus was the first, who fixed the episcopal chair at Tawton, a small vil-
ers anus. ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^ ^.^^ ^^^ j^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^j^ ^^ Barnstaple in this province ; which from
thence retaineth the name of Bishops-Tawton, unto this day. At a provincial synod,
Pri^rcatai hol^en in West-Sex, Anno 905, he was consecrated bishop of Devon ;" and had his
o "the bisiTops see at Tawton, aforesaid, where having sate one year, he died; and was buried in his
of Exeter. own churcli there.
ii.Putta. II. His successor was Putta, who also resided at Tawton: But as he was on his
iourney towards Crediton, to pay his obeysance to the King ; or as others say, to visit
'Ufia, the king's lieutenant there, he was, by some of Uffa's servants, barbarously
slain in his way thither. This proved the occasion of removing the episcopal chair
from thence unto Crediton.
III. Eadui- III. The third in order, but the first of this place, was Eadulphus, who was conse-
phiis. crated bishop of Devon, but installed at Crediton, Anno 910, where he continued
upwards of twenty years ; as I trust more largely to declare hereafter.
iv.Etheiganis. IV. The fourth was Ethelgarus, who was consecrated bishop of this province.
Anno 932. In his time. King Athelstan subdued the Cornish; re-edefied the city of
Exeter ; and encompassed the same with a stone wall. Who, having sate there ten
years, died, and was interred in his own church at Crediton.
V. Aigarus. " V. The fifth was Algarus, whose consecration was in the year 942. He having,
likewise, presided in this church for the space of ten years, exchanged this life for a
better ; and was also buried in his own cathedral there.
VI. Aifwoidus. VI. The sixth was Alfwoldus, who, by St. Dunstan's endeavour and advice, was
consecrated bishop here, in the year of our redemption by Christ, 952. In his time.
King Edgar called home all the Monks of St Peter, in Exon, that were there dis-
persed, and made Sidemannus their abbot. But near about seventeen years, accord-
ing to Hooker, twenty according to bp. Godwin, after his consecration, he departed
this life, and was buried by his predecessors.
VII. AiwoKiis. VII. The seventh was Alvvolfus, who, as Dicetus affirmeth, saith Mr. Hooker,
was consecrated bishop of the church of Crediton, Anno 969; but according to God-
win it was Anno 972. After nine years prelacy in this place he died, and was also
here interred.
VIII. Side- VIII. The eighth was Sidemannus, abbot of the monastery of St. Peter, in Exeter.
mannus. j^^ j^j^ ^j^^^ ^.j^^ Danes made a fearful irruption into the counties of Devon and Corn-
wal, and cruelly wasted those countries, In particular they fell upon Bodmin, in the
county of Cornwal, burnt down the cathedral of St. Petrock there, and destroyed the
))ishop's palace : whicii proved the occasion of translating that seat to St. Germans,
where it continued until, at last, both the diocesses of Devon and Cornwal, came to
be incorporated and made one at Exeter. This bishop, in the 12th year after his con-
secration, died, and was buried at Crediton, in his own church, A. 990.
IX. Aiphredus. IX. Alphrcdus, whom Dicetus calleth Alfricus, was the ninth bishop of Crediton;
and is the person of whom we are about to speak more largely here, by-and-by.
X. Aifnoi.ius. X. Alwolfus, as Ilookcr calls him ; Alfwoldus, as Godwin; was the tenth bishop of
this
ALPHRED, BISHOP OF CREDITON. m
this place. In whose time it fell out, that Sweno, or Swain, King of Denmark, by
the inticement of one Hew, then Earl of Devon, came with a great host, and besieged
Exeter, took and burned it ; and with great cruelty used the people ; until, in the
end, Almarus, then Earl of Devon, and the gentlemen, submitted themselves, and so
obtained peace. About fifteen years after this instalment, this bishop died, A. 1014,
and was also buried in his own church. Dugdal tells us," That he died at Glaston- • Monast.
bury, on the Ides of February ; though what year is not mentioned. p I"""
XI. Eadnothus, as Godwin tells us out of Malmesbury and Florentius Wigorn,'' xi. Eadno-
was the next bishop of this place, wholly omitted by Hooker and others: Though, in^^'j'^^^
his room. Hooker, from Archidiaconus Londinensis, hath placed Alnoldus at Crediton, p Quo supra,
in the episcopal chair there. In this bishop's time, 'tis said, King Canutus gave to
Athelwode, abbot of St. Peter, Exon, great gifts, and sundry priviledges, in recom-
pence of the various injuries his father had done the monks in that place. He pre-
sided here the space of fifteen years, and died; and lieth interred in his own church
here. Though this is somewhat remarkable, that notwithstanding there were so many
eminent prelates buried in this church, I could not observe the least remains of any
funeral monument, they ever had therein.
XII. The twelfth was Levigus, or Levingus; who from being abbot of Tavistock xn, Levin-
in this county, was preferred to be bishop of Crediton, in the year of our Lord 1032. ^"
Of whom I shall speak the less here, in that I purpose, God willing, to treat more
largely hereafter.
Thus I have given you (with a pardonable digression, as I hope) a brief catalogue
of Alphredus his predecessors and successors, in the see of Crediton, before it came
to be translated (where it is now, and hath for about 6.50 years been fixed) to Exeter:
At which place, God grant it to remain throughout all future generations.
Where, ere I proceed further on, it may not be unacceptable, at least to strangers,
to give a brief account of this place. Crediton, now vulgarly Kirton, is a large
and populous town in this county, lying seven miles to the north-west of the
city of Exeter: Where the beautiful spacious church, of about two hundred foot in
length, retains to this day the form and majesty (for those times) of a stately
cathedral.
Here, home unto the last age, the bishop of this diocess had a fair pallace to dwell
in ; a pleasant park to sport in ; and a goodly demesne to thrive in; the whole signi-
ory and manner of the same, being lodged in him ; computed at no less than a thou-
sand marks per annum,'' a vast revenue for those days : but since " proh dolor!" irre- q Hook Sy-
coverably alienated from the church. rKirton^MS
Nor may it be less useful to know, that when the bishop's see was removed from '" " ""'
hence to Exeter, here yet remained a collegiate church, dedicated to the holy cross,
consisting of a dean and twelve prebendaries, till the general dissolution : Several of
whose houses, large and fair, are yet standing. It was at that time endowed with r Mr. Tan-
140/. 14.y. 5d. per annum.' Mo*^"''a^
Of this rich church did Alphredus come to be the bishop, about the year of Christ ^j,"'"'^'" P"^"
his incarnation 990, as our Hooker, and from him, bii>hop Godwin, observe,' but the , ^^^ g^p
most learned bishop Usher hath placed him here long before,' to wit, in the year 978, citat.
although afterwards his grace is pleased to tell ns. That Alphredus was bishop here ^j^^'JP"?'^
between the years of ninety and ninety-five: Which indeed is most consentaneous AngK Sa". vol.
with the former reckoning, and seems to be so likewise with the truth. ip- i^y.
It is not well agreed on, I find, among the historians of those times, how long this
venerable person presided here; only four years, scarcely that, if we may believe
William of Malmesbury ;" nine, if greater credit may be given to Hooker and Godwin.'' ^J^^^M^a^^^
In this bishop's time, King Etheldred endowed the bishoprick of St. Germans in pertuit.' id. '
Cornwal, with lands, liberties, and priviledges. And in his time, also, the barbarous ■'*'*'•
Danes "O-'oao'ea.
14 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Danes afresh invaded this whole country ; burned and spoiled the town and abby of
Tavestock; and laid siege to the city ot Exeter. But being manfully resisted by the
inhabitants thereof, they removed to Pinho, about three miles off, where the neigh-
bouring countries, meeting in a good body, gave the enemy battel, and a total over-
» Hook. Cat. iU-r,^ X
of the bishopt inrOW. , , , . , , . , . , ,
of Exon, in During which time, to his honour be it recorded, this good bishop is said to have
Aiph. Pnnt, continued the exercise of his function in that city. A most material and necessary
part whereof, especially at that time, did consist in prayer and devotion : Which,
how far it might then contribute towards the removal of that dreadful siege, we can-
. e , ^ not sav : Although this we know. That the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
' o. Jain* 9* •• 1 1
16. availeth much.'
And this may lead us to a consideration, in the first place, of his piety and religion :
and then next of his learning and abilities. i
As to his piety. He, who is never over-forward in his commendation of those, who
were zealous observers of the rites and ceremonies of the church of Rome, I mean
jc'a Rdf%le Bale,^ is yet so faithful as to acknowledge, that this person is very highly applauded
apud antiques' among the monastick writers for his zeal in religion: But then, as his wont is, he
iuim^^rrum dashcs all with this reflection on the good man. That his religion did chiefly consist in
seriptorcs opi- Moiikisli supcrstitions, and a strict observation of the ceremonies of those times,
Cem.aX!^'" whereof he was a great defender. As if the person that is neat and curious about his
pag. 140. dress and ornaments, could not also be truly tender of the body unto which they do
belong.
Nor was this prelate less eminent for his great skill and abilities in learning. He
•Id. ibid, was a good disputant, and a subtle sophister, according to the last quoted author.*
But the most reverend primate Usher, the most credible witness in this matter, informs
Et virum ^g^ That he was held to be a learned man, in those days wherein he lived.'' As a
bitum"fuisse, Confirmation hereof, he produceth the titles of two books, whereof this Alphredus
Uss. Bib. ^yas the author ; which are also recorded by Balteus in the place last mentioned ;
Ibeol. MS. , ■ 1 1
apud CI. Cave whosc titles are these :
de Scriptor.
Ecci. p. 588, De Naturis rerum. Lib. 1.
589.
De rebus sui Csenobii. Lib. 1.
Some other things, also, he is said to have written ; which what they were I do not
find: Only this is added of him, that in his Opuscula, (several little pieces of his put
together) he delivered many things of one Aldhelmus, a most learned man.
He flourished in the year of our Lord 990, under Ethelred, King of England ; so
Baleus. But others, it may be with less reason, affirm that he died many years before,
Defunctusest. viz. A.D. 981.' He, also, was buried in his own church at Crediton, aforesaid.
Wbart. Angl.
Sac. vol. 1. p.
1J9.
ASH,
( 15
ASH, SIMON,
Ash, Simon, commonly called, among the learned, Simon Fraxinus, (which sig-^^-^-R;
nifieth in latin, an ash-tree) was born in this county. He descended from a very an- Job-
tient and gentile stock of the name Ash, otherwise Esse; which was so denominated,
saith Mr. Hooker,^ from the river Esse; a more antient compellation thereof than Ex, • Synops. of
by which it is now called. As if this family was more antient in this shire than the sowtoo.' MS.
present name of that river, from which one famous city, and several hamlets, do fetch
their pedigree, as Exeter, Exminster, Exmouth, &c.
There were, many ages back, divers eminent knights, and persons of quality, of
this name and lineage in this county, whose antient seat was at Ash-Raph, or Esse-
Raph," now corruptly Rose- Ash, in the north parts of this province, near South-Mol- ^J^ s^j^'^l^'-
ton: Which was so called from the old lord thereof. Sir Raph de Esse, or Ash, who of ■Dev*'^in''"
had his habitation there, and at Thewborow, another seat of this family near Holds- Rose-Asb.MS.
worthy, in the days of K. Hen. 3. in whose reign, the said Sir Raph was High-Sheriff ^ ^^ ^^^^
of Devon, for seven years together.' izac.and
This Sir Raph descended from Wagerus de Esse, who had this inheritance, in the others,
beginning of K. Hen. 2. days,** whose ancestors flourished well in those parts, from "RisdSurr.
the first coming into England of William the conqueror, (how long before that we are^^„^j!^J,°]yis.
uncertain) as his posterity did, down to the time of K. Edw. 3, or, as the last author
tells us, to that of his grandson K. Rich. 2, which is upward of three hundred years.
And then Ingaret, one of the daughters and heirs of Sir Alan de Esse, Kt. brought
Thewborow, and several other lands, unto her husband, one of the antient and ho-
nourable progeny of the Giffards.
A younger branch of this name and family is yet living, in gentile degree, at Sow-
ton, formerly called Clist-Fomison, from the antient owners of it, the Fomisons,
about three miles to the east of the city of Exeter, near the road to London ; although
much short of the splendor of his ancestors. However, what is not a little re-
markable, out of this house at Sowton, hath issued several eminent families, of great
reputation in the eastern parts of England. Sir Joseph Ash, of Tittenham, in the
county of Middlesex, Baronet,' so created by K. Ch. 2. Sept. 19, 1660, descended ^^'^Sphear of ^^
from James Ash, third son of Nicholas Ash, or Esse, of Sowton aforesaid ; by Joan yl"°"\ioTl '
his wife, the daughter of Anthony Pollard, of Horwood, Esq. lying in the north parts j|b|- P-^«-
of this county. By which, we see that these Ashes, like trees planted by rivers of ' ' '''"
water, flourish and spread well where they like the soyl.
Of this family, says Mr. Westcot,^ besides many worthy knights and famous men, jj^^^^l^'';^''*^
there was in the days of K. Job. a very learned man, named Simon Fraxinus, \\hosowt. ms,
very probably received his first breath at Ash-Raph, or Thewborow aforesaid, about the
year of our Lord, 1 150. He was carefully educated in the principles of vertue and
religion; but where, or in what seminary, it appears not. However, he followed his
studies with such assiduous industry, that he became eminent and famous for his piety
and learning: Insomuch he was chosen canon of the church of Hereford; a famous
city, verging upon South-AVales, being part of the antient Silures :« who were known jje^canonl'*
at first to the Romans, for their excellent valour under their noble Captain Caracticus,'' cos non in-
unto whom they proved a nine years scourge ; putting the legion of Marius Valens to ,"J."™ * ^oc-
flisht; and that with such havock of his associates, that Asterius, the lieutenant oftrina-beneficio
Brittam, for very grief gave up the ghost. p. 5.39.
This our Simon, from the advantage of his education, grew into great acquaintance -speed's
and familiarity, even from his tender years, with the famous Sylvester Giraldus Cam- Maj« ioHere-
brensis.
16 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
brensis. an excellent scholar, and a great improver of learning : A Welsh man, by
' Bai.q»o nation; for stature tall; for person comely; and for learning famous^ AVho having
'"P"- travelled over Europe in search after knowledge, came at length to Pans ; where he
was chosen governour of the English colledge : And having continued there three
years he returned into England, and was had in great honour of K. Hen. 2. who
made' him secretary, and of council, to his son John, then in Ireland.
Between these two learned persons, partly from a sympathy of affection, and partly
from an agreeableness in their studies, (their genius disposing them alike to vertue and
letters) was so great a dearness contracted, that when asunder, they were wont to
hold a correspondency by epistles one with the other; which very often they did in
Hexamiter verse : Until at length Giraldus Cambrensis, having published a certain
excellent piece, under the title of
Speculum Ecclesiae.
(In which he severely taxed the manifest abuses of those times, not sparing the
Cistertians themselves) did thereby so highly provoke some of them, that Adamus
Dorensis or Adam the Abbot of Dore, a monastery not far from the city ot Here-
ford, confident in the opinion of his own learning and piety, sharply assaulted him
with contumelious verses. „.,.,,,, j . , ^ ,a
Our Simon, not brooking that his friend should be thus exposed, took up the cud-
gels in his defence, in a little tract, which he called.
Apologia Rythmica, sive Conquestio &
Compassio pro Amico Iseso.
The beginning whereof, as a specimen of the wit and fancy of our country-man,
and those times, I shall here lay before you ; as I find it recorded by Mr. Wharton in
g "^ Vol. 2. p. ijis Anglia Sacra.*
**^' <' Magistrorum Omnium flos Archilevita,
" Cui nullus hominum par est in hac vita,
" Qui famoso Carmine, te dampnavit ita,
" Precor ut letifera bibat aconita.
" Te perstrinxit Monachus oculo Liventi ;
" Nee ob hoc sis anxius: perflant alta venti.
" lUi precor accedat turpia Scribenti,
" Parvo quod juraverat rustica deflenti
" Pungitivam Monachus secum gerens acum,
" A quo nunquam exeat, incidat in Lacum ;
" Exul inops fugiat apud Eboracum,
" Ubi nunquam videat Cererem vel Bacchum, &c.
And that you may see his tallent, in another sort of poetry likewise, I shall here
« Idem ibid.subjoyn a few of his verses on the same occasion, (from the last quoted author) called
Hexameter and Pentameter.
" Est furor, est facinus, est fraus, est virus iniquum,
" Non aequum reprobum, te reprobare virum.
" Nescio quis Monachus furtivo Ifedere Morsu,
" Et te Mordaci Carpere dente studet.
" Hostis honestatis, sceleris fons, Criminis auctor
" Non poterit laudes, obtenebrare tuas.
" Nulla potest Labes, solem privare nitore;
" Invida nee poterit lingua nocere tibi.
" Vix
ASH, SIMON.
Vix referam Monachi Mores, est Ambitiosus,
" Est & Avarus, & est fictus & absq ; fide
Where we may observe. That by a witty man, any kind of poetry may be ma-
naged to a strain satyrical enough.
But these were not the only things our Simon wrote : Balasus hath given us this
more particular catalogue of his works;" which I shall here together present unto "Quo supra,
your view. Apologia Rhythmica, lib. 1. — Super Innocentia ejusdem, lib. 1. — Ad
Magistrum Giraldum, lib. 1. — Epistolae ad Diversos, lib. 1. — Carmina quoque, lib. 1.
Many other things, our author tells us, he wrote both in verse and prose ; the titles
whereof, did not, as I know, descend to posterity.
He flourished in the year of grace, 1200, and was very eminent in the reign of K.
John, for his learning ; as at that time were divers others ; no less than three and
thirty being memorized upon that account, by Sir Richard Baker." One whereof, I ' Chron. m
must not pretermit, Simon Thurvy by name ; a Cornish man by nation, and a priest ' "''■
by profession." An admirable scholar, and skilled in all arts and sciences; whose °Bal. cent,
auditors were his admirers; who growing proud of his learning, and preferring Aris-,^'^^" ''■
totle to the humility of the gospel, throwing out his blasphemies against Moses and
against Christ, became at last so utterly ignorant, that hardly he could read a letter in
the book. A sad warning to all proud Gnosticks.
When, or where, this our Simon Fraxinus died, we are imcertain : Though it is
probable enough, it was in, or near, Hereford aforesaid; and that somewhere there-
about, his remains found a decent repository.
As to the arms of this antient family, having blazoned them before, I have but little
more to add ; only the testimony of Mr. Westcot,'' in relation to them. That the well p Quo antea.
known ensigns of generosity belonging to it, are quartered by so many families of this
county and elsewhere, as none more. And they are found, not only in divers antient
houses, but in the windows of several churches, as Crediton, St. Mary-Ottery,'' Ber- , hoii. Catai.
ry-Pomeroy, and elsewhere. For, says he, it was a very fruitful stirpe, and trans- of '^""""^ '"
planted itself into several places, where it flourished in great state. ^^'^'
D ASHLY,
18 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
ASHLY, OR, ASTLEY.
Flo. A.D. 1660 ASHLY, or ASTLEY, Herbert, Doctor of Laws, and Dean of Norwich, we are
R. R. c. 2. expressly told, was the son of Herbert Ashley or Astley, of Plymouth in this county.^
voi.'2!*'Fasr.°p.' ^^ ^^^ '^'^ education at Cambridge ; where he also proceeded Doctor of Laws.
314. In the month of October, 1660, were the King's Letters (Char. 2.) Dated Septemb.
27th. read on his behalf, in the convocation at Oxford, That he might be admitted
Doctor of Divinity there. But whether he was, or no, it appears not.
Upon his accidental coming into Norfolk, he was taken into the patronage of Sir
Jacob and Sir Isaac Ashley, who took him to be their kindsman ; and preferred him
to several livings in those parts.
He married an Hobart ; and was, by the endeavours of that family, promoted to
the deanary of Norwich.
How he came to be born at Plymouth, I do not find ; luiless, perhaps, his father
might have been a merchant, or some officer in that port.
There was a noted family of this name, which sometime flourished at Ashlegh, ly-
ing in, or near the parish of Lyfton, not far from Tavistock, in this county. Nicho-
^ Sir w. las de Ashlegh, held Ashlegh, in the parish of Lifton, Anno 27 K. Hen. 3^ After
of Devon, ill him, Sir Johu, his son, then John; then Richard Ashlegh, son of John. And Anno
Litton. MS. \g i^ Edw. 3. JoanTirrell had it; whom I take to be the daughter and heir of Ash-
legh. Since which time, I have not met with any one of eminency of this name, an
inhabitant of this county.
'Ath. Oxen. But to rctum to Dr. Ashley ; he died, says my author,'^ in the month of May ; and
quo supra. ^^^^ buried in the cathedral church of Norwich, near the monument of Sir Henry Ho-
bart, in the year of our Lord God, 1681.
"Poieincat. The arms of Ashlegh, of Ashley, in the county of Devon,"* were; A. Pheon Or.
of Dev. geut.
ATWELL,
( 19 )
ATWELL, HUGH.
ATWELL, Hugh, both a divine and a physitian, was a native of this county, and J^"'- A- D.
born, either in the parish of Kenton, or in the city of Exon ; in both which places, eiiz.
the name and family hath flourished for divers descents;' but most antient[y at Exe- »^Mr. we^t,
ter ; for Roger Atwell was head steward of that honourable city, anno 25 K. Edw. 3. ^ '^^
1351.'' which is now near 350 years agone ; and several others of this name, we find, ^ Mr. Isaac
sustained very reputable offices therein, for divers generations following. John Atwill ter,"'. 53.
was mayor thereof five several times i'^ and, what is more, in the reigns of four sue- cviz.Aii.i476,
cessive kings of this realm, namely, in that of Edw. 4, Edw. 5, Rich. 3, and Hen. 7- |fg^,'^ i4«3'
On which unusal occurrence, a native of that city,"* thus poetizeth : ,^l' vi,^J„_
Tempore quinque suo regnantes ordine vidit:
Horum eirenarcha ad quatuor ille fuit.
in his Essays.
He saw five monarchs on the English throne.
And justice was of th' peace, to all but one.
Whether this gentleman was the father, or grandfather of this Hugh Atwell, we
cannot certainly say, it is likely enough that they were thus nearly related.
Dr. Fuller indeed,^ led into the mistake, from a propensity to believe, more than his '^'^-ji^Ffj^j
author asserted, reckons this Mr. Atwell among the natives of Cornwall, barely from Cornwall, p.
his living therein. I grant, that Mr. Carevv^ numbers him among the physicians (if f^^'^^^j^,, ^f
they may be deserving of that name) of that county; for, having, as he acknowledges, cornwau' p
a great scarcity of learned men in that faculty, he taketh up with the mention, besides ^o.
this gentleman only, of one John Williams, and Rawe Clyes, a black-smith, who, as
he says, could better vouch practice for their warrant, than warrant for their practice.
But with far higher commendation doth he mention Mr. Atwell, whom he also ac-
knowledgeth to have come out of Devonshire into that county, he being then but
barely mentioned among the Cornish men, 'tis no more evidence, that he was born
there, than, that Walter of Exon was so too; because he is placed, by the same
author, among the learned men of that country.^ p^jj*^* ''''• ^'
To proceed therefore to the history of Mr. Atwell : the first account that I find of ' '
him is, that he was, in the beginning of his time, parson of Calverly, formerly Cal-
woodlegh, that gave name to a knightly family,*" sometime inhabiting therein, "ear J.^^'^^^j,"*/'^
Tiverton, in this county; which we are told,' was much frequented by many, who heiditinK.'H.
resorted thither upon his account. For even in those days, he was a person of great ^^^'^,J,'^^'J,|j""'
fame, both for his learning and piety; insomuch, my author, long since gave this high followed muo,
character of him, " that besides his parts and learning, which were very eminent, he mIJ" K'awood-
was so religious, so conversant in goodness, so bountifully charitable, that he hath ley, &c. Pole
scarce left his fellow." And he farther adds, " that his integrity and name deserve to '" ^'''^"; f ^'
, , ,, u ./ 'Mr. Risd.Sur.
be perpetuated. ofOev.iuCaiv.
From hence he removed into Cornwall, and was settled in the very good benefice ms.
of St. Ewe, in that county, where he continued the remainder of his days, which were
many years, in mighty reputation. Insomuch, that learned and ingenuous gentleman,
Richard Carew, Esq. liatli raised in his Survey of Cornwall, such a monument of him,
as shall last as long as the book it self, which I shall here insert, mostly in his own
words." cLTv" itb. 1.
" Besides other parts of learning," saith he, " with which Mr. Atwell had been p. eo. a. b.'
seasoned, he was not unseen in the theoricks of physick, and could out of them readily
and probably discourse, touching the nature and accidents of all diseases."
' Besides,
<H) THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
' Besides, his practice was somewhat strange, and varying from ail otiiers ; for,
though now and then, he used blood-letting, and did ordinarily administer Manus
Christi, and such like cordials of his own compounding; yet mostly, for all diseases,
he prescribed milk, and very often milk and apples ; a course deeply subject to the
exception of the best learned practitioners; yet thereby, whether by the virtue of the
medicine, or the fortune of the physician, or the credulity of the patient, he recovered
sundry out of desperate and forlorn extremities.
' This his reputation was of many years standing, and maintained it self unim-
paired ; but his fame soard to an higher pitch, by the help of another wing, and that
was his liberality ; on the poor, he bestowed his pains and charges gratis ; of the rich,
he took moderately ; and would leave the one half behind, in gifts, among the
household, if called abroad to visit any. The rest, together with the profits of his
benefice (rather charitably accepted, than strictly exacted, from his parishioners,) he
poured out with both hands in pios usus, and would hardly sufier a penny to sleep,
but never to dwell with him.
' Few towns there were in Cornwall, or any other shire, between that and London,
which had not in some large measure tasted of his bounty ; none came in kindness
to see him, but departed gratified with somewhat, if his modesty would accept it.
Briefly, his sound affection in religion, was so waited on by honesty of life, and
pleasantness of conversation, that in Fabritius's voluntary poverty, he was an equal
partner of his honour, and possessed a large interest in the love of his neighbours.'
Thus the aforesaid author, who there professes, that 'twas his love to virtue, and no
particular obligation, which made him to expresss this testimony of him.
There are, as I have been informed, in the parish where Mr. Atwell spent his last
years, viz. St. Ewe aforesaid, some traditionary stories yet remaining, of wonderful
strange things which he did, attributed by some to magick and the assistance of evil
spirits. But taking these things for granted, charity and justice forbid us to suppose
a person of such extraordinary piety and goodness, should be guilty of any such evil
and abominable arts. If he did at any time, any thing above the ordinary operation
ofmeer nature (which is no more than what many pious persons have done) why
may we not rather ascribe it to the assistance of some holy angel, or good spirits,
M'hom we know, are appointed to minister to those who shall be the heirs of sal-
vation ?
'Miscei. by Besides, I have met, in a late author,' an exact parallel with this Mr. Atwell, a
•'»''" '^"''■^'j^' divine and |)hysician, as he was, and one likewise of singular piety, and virtue, and
p'^i'ss,' nil, ' charity, like himself, who did practice physick, and gave niost to the poor that he
'•'^- got by it, and that is Dr. Richard Nepier, rector of Lynford, in Bucks, nearly related,
if not brother, to the Lord Nepier, Baron of M in Scotland; a person said to be
of great abstinence, innocence, and piety, who spent every day two hours in family
prayer; when a patient or querent came to him, he presently went to his closet to
j)ray, and would tell to admiration the death or recovery of the patient, and answer
wonderfully to many strange questions proposed to him. Which is said to be done
by the help of the angel Raphael; for it appears by his papers, which came to the
hands of Elias Ashmole, Esq. now reposited in the library of the Musajum in Oxford,
that he did converse with that angel, and that he gave him the responses, for before
the responses in his papers stands this mark, viz. R. Ris. which Mr. Ashmode said,
was responsum Raphaelis, which is very likel_y.
In these papers are many excellent medicines or receipts for several diseases that
his patients had, and before some of them is the aforesaid mark, and the angel told
him if tlie patient were curable or incurable.
There are also several other queries to the angel, as to religion, transubstantiation,
&c. which my author says, he had forgotten; only this he remembered to this
question.
ATWELL, HUGH. 21
question, whether the good spirits, or the bad, be most in number? R. Ris, the
good. It is to be found there, that he told John Prideaux, D. D. an. 1621, that
twenty years hence (1641) he would be a bishop; and he was so, sc. bishop of
AV^orccstcr
R. Ris, did resolve him, that Mr. Booth, of , in Cheshire, should have a son
that should inherit three years hence, and he had so. Sir George Booth, the first Lord
Delamere, born Decern. 18th, an. 1622. It is impossible, says my author, this birth
should be predicted any other way but by angelical revelation. And 'tis certain, he
foretold his own death to a day and hour ; he died praying upon his knees (which
were become horny, by a frequent use of that duty) April 1st, 1634, being then of a
very great age. Thus far my author, which I have here inserted, to take oft' all evil
surmises which may arise in the minds of any, upon report of any strange thing Mr.
Atwell might be said to have done, for we cannot tell, but that holy spirits may be
pleased to converse with men of great piety, humility, and charity.
Mr. Atwell also lived to a very great age ; for, (as one tells us)" he heard the Lord ^ ";• ^^^^^
Robarts, the late Earl of Radnor's father, say, he knew him, and this much remem- ms."
bered of iiim, that he was a very old man in his time, and lived to a hundred years;
and that his maid-servant that attended him, lived to an hundred and twenty com-
pleat.
How that may be, I know not ; but a gentile and ingenuous hand of the same
parish, in Cornwal," where Mr. Atwell lived, hath informed me, that after he had " J. T. Esq.
attained to the age of ninety-one years, he died, and was buried the 4th of May,
1617, under a plain moorstone, in the church-yard of St. Ewe, aforesaid, without
any inscription ; and 'tis a received tradition there, that his body was inhumed
naked, and that his shroud, which contained thirty ells of linen, was distributed, by
his particular directions, among the poor at his grave, as if he could not be content
to be charitable to them while he lived, unless he did them some good, even after he
was dead.
AUDLEY,
22 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
AUDLEY, JAMES.
1350 r.'r. E. AUDLEY, James, Lord Audley, is reckoned by Fuller* among the natives of this
3. county ; but whether he was born at Dartington, near the south, or at Barnstaple
Dev^"'^""'s;58 near the north sea, which were both the mansion seats of his father here in Devon •
shire, we cannot positively determine.
= ibid. Nor shall it suffice us to take this upon truth, or the meer authority of Dr. Fuller,"
who tells us. That his author, well versed in the antiquities of this shire, clearly ad-
judo-eth his birth thereunto ; and that the castle of Barnstaple, was the place of his
principal mansion and inhabitance : Nor, what is much greater, on that of Sir William
" In his descr. Pole, who ranges him among the famous soldiers of tliis county.'' But since we are told,
ofDev. MS. ti^at several counties challenge him for theirs, viz. Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Dor-
setshire, &c. as several cities did Homer heretofore j it may not be improper in this
place, to clear up our right to this noble person, from some probable circumstances
relating to him (the best evidence herein, we can get at this distance) before we pro-
ceed to those heroic actions of his, which have rendered him so renowned in history.
William, Lord Martin, Baron of Dartington and Barnstaple, both in Devon, and of
Camois, in Wales, left issue at his death, one son and two daugiiters. William, Lord
Martin, his son, dies without issue, and leaves his sisters. Lienor and Joan, his heirs.
Lienor marries, first into the noble family of Hastings, next with Philip Lord Colum-
bers, or De Columbariis, and dies without issue. Joan was first married to Nicholas
' Sir William Lord Alditlilcy, or Audley, of Heiley, in the county of Staftbrd, so our antiquaries"'
w'^'cot"^' testifie; tho' Dugdal tells us otherwise,"' That she was the widow of Heiu-y Lacy,
^BTronage Earl of Liucohi. But let that be as it is; by Joan his wife, sister, and co-heir of
efEiigiand, William, Lord Martin, he had issue, James, Lord Audley, of whom we are now dis-
voi. i.p. coursing. And this noble Lord, the father, having so vast a fortune with this young
lady, and two very stately mansions, all in this county ; the matter seems more than
proljable, that the son was born here. Unto which ice may farther add, that the in-
quisition into his heirship unto the Lord Martin's lands, was taken at Exeter, in this
province; as appears by the record, bearing date May 26. Anno Regni R. Edw. fil.
t ApiidWcsic. Edw. 19- whose words are these."
MS. in Comb- ,c Et dicuut quod ^Elienora de Hastings, soror dicti Willielmi Martini ante nata
(after married to De Columbariis) & Jacobus Dominus Audley, filius Joannte alterius
sororis dicti Willielmi, sunt propinquiores Heredes dicti Willielmi Martini."
From all which circumstances, with the concurrent testimonies of the fore-quoted
authors, I think, we may justifie our title to this noble person, against all pretenders.
Let us therefore now proceed to a consideration of the heroic acts of this right
noble lord; which, however time has devoured the memorial of the greatest part of
them, yet it hath left enough to transmit his memory fragrant to posterity.
He was left very young and tender, by his father, scarcely three years of age, at
f Dugd. the time of his death.' Being at length come out of his minority, he grows into great
D*74a' '^°'' '" favour with that warlike prince, K. Edw. 3. who in the sixteenth year of his reign,
observing his blooming valour made him governour of Berwick upon Tweed, being
tiien l)Ut three and twenty years of age. After tliis, the King puts him upon several
military expeditions into France : which having discharged with honour and success,
he was elected into that illustrious society of knights, of the most noble order of the
garter, then first founded.
But omitting these things, let us proceed to that immortal action of his, at Poictiers
in France, which of itself, is sufficient to eternize his memory. And indeed 'twas
one of the most glorious actions was ever performed by the English, or by any other
p. 74S.
nation ;
AUDLEY, JAMES. 23-
nation; for the French had the advantage^ of six to one in number; insomuch, the Erig- t.sirRic.
lish were wilHng to have made an honourable composition ; and the prince, commonly Bak. chron.
known by the name of the Black Prince, was content to have done what he could towards
it, without prejudice to his honour, wherein he stood accountable, he said, to his father,
and to his country. But the French King supposing he had his enemy in his mercy,
would accept of no other conditions, but that the Prince, as vanquished and over-
come, should surrender himself and his army to his discretion. Now behold here, the
vanity of the greatest self-confidence; for the whole French army, by this unlikely
force, was utterly defeated and rounted, the K. of France" himself was taken pri- "k.JoUd.
soner, and afterwards brought into England ; one of his sons was taken with him,
abundance of his nobles, and common soldiers innumerable.
How instrumental towards the obtaining this resplendant victory, tins noble Lord
Audley was, is fully recorded in history : when he saw the enemy,' would needs fight, ' i>ugd.
he goes to the prince, and acquaints him with the vow he had made, to be the first inp''748;
the battel; and craves his licence that he may accomplish it. The Prince accorded
to his desire, and said. Sir James, God give you this day, that grace, to be the best
knight of all others.'' Then the knight departed, and with his four esquires, went to the " Quoted by
foremost front of all the battel, and there did marvels in arms ; and with great I'TOwess^."?*^^^"^' '^^
fought with Sir Arnold Dandraker, who was there sore handled by him ; he always
fought in the chief of the battel, and tho' sore hurt in the body and in the visage, as
long as his breath served him, he fought. And Walsingham' adds this farther of him, i ApudDugd.
" That, Potenti virtute confregit, & perforavit aciem Gallicoruni." By his ex traordi- loco quo supra,
nary valour, he brake through the French army, and caused much slaughter that day
to the enemy. [Note 1 .J
This his noble conduct and valour, so infinitely pleased the brave Prince, that, as a
testimony thereof, he settled five hundred marks in land upon him in England, of an-
nual revenue; a considerable estate in those days; which yet this noble lord did not
keep to his own private use, but presently, and as frankly, settled it all upon his four
esquires. The notice whereof, being soon brought to the Prince's ears, he demanded
of him, AVhether he liked not his bounty, or thought the gift beneath his acceptance?
To whom the lord modestly replied. These gentlemen, says he, have deserved the
same as well as myself; without whose assistance, I, a single man, could have done
but little. Moreover, they have more need to; I having a fair estate, derived unto
me from my ancestors, am enabled to serve your highness freely : only I crave your
pardon for giving away your present, without first obtaining your licence.
The generous Prince, highly pleased hereat, praised his bounty as much as his va-
lour; and so doubled his former pension to him, into a thousand marks a year. A
rare example (as the historian" well remarks) where desert in the subject, and reward m ga^er ibid,
in the prince, do strive which shall be the greater./'A'^o/e '2. J
This heroic action happened about the 37th year of his age ; after which, this no-
ble lord survived many years, was in many gallant exploits, and deservedly enjoyed
several great honours and preferments. About three years after this, viz. 33 Edw. 3." he " Dugd.
attended the King, the Prince, and three others of his sons into France again ; where he pXiT' "'"
joyned with Sir John Chandos, and the Lord Mucident, in taking the strong castle of
Dormoys, by assault. And the next year, peace being concluded between the two
crowns of England and France, he was one of those, who, on King Edward's part,
swore to the observance of the articles. After this, he was made constable of the
castle at Glocester for life; then engages again in the wars of France, is made gover-
nour of Aquitain; after that, Seneschal of Poictou ; when raising a powerful army,
he marched to Berry, and wasted the country. After that, he took the town of
Breuse by storm ; and having set it on fire, returned to Poictiers. He was with Sir
John
24 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
John Chandos also, at the siege of Dome, and the taking of the strong castle of
Roche siir Ion in Anjoy.
This noble lord was twice married, but left issue male only by his first wife Joan,
the daughter of Roger Mortimer, Earl of March ; and tho' he had several sons by her,
none survived him, but his son Nicholas, who succeeded him in his honours ; but he
dying without issue male, (Note 3) the lordships of Dartington and Barnstaple, escheat-
ed to the crown; and were given by K. Rich. 2. unto John Holland, Earl of Hun-
tingdon, and Duke of Exeter, his half-brother.
»Dugd. Ba- Being now arrived at a very great age, he made his testament at Helegh castle," An.
ron, vol. i.p. 9 K. Ri. 2. by which he bequeathed his body to be buried in the choir of his abby of
Hilton, in case he should depart this life in the marches ; but if in Devon or Somer-
setshire, then in the choir of the Friers Preachers in Exeter, before the high altar
there ; and appointed, that there should be about his corps, five great tapers, and
five mortars of wax, burning on the day of his funeral; as also 40/. sterling, then dis-
tributed to poor people, to pray for his soul. To Nicholas his son, he gave an hun-
dred pounds in money, and one dozen of silver vessels, with all the armour for his
own body. And to Margaret Hilary, his daughter, ten pounds in money; and to the
Monks of Hilton Abby, ten pounds, to pray for his soul.
He departed this life the first of April, Anno 9 K. Rich. 2. and of his age, near 70,
in the year of our Lord, 1386. Where this noble person lies interred we are not cer-
tain ; most probably in the choir of Hilton Abby, aforesaid.
750.
ADDITIONAL NOTES.
(1) THE prowess of Lord Audley on this glorious day is recounted by Froissart with iiuerestitig minuteness.
" The Lord James Audley, (he says) remained a considerable lime near the Prince of Wales; but when he
saw that they must certainly engage, he said, ' Sir, I have ever served most loyally my lord your father and
yourself, and shall continue so to do as long as i have life. Dear Sir, I must now acquaint you, that formerly I
made a vow, if ever I should be engaged in any battle, where the king your father, or any of his sons were,
that I would be the foremost in the attack, and the best combatant on his side, or die in the attempt. I beg
therefore, most earnestly, as a reward for any services I may have done, tltat you would grant me permission
lionourably to quit you, that I may post myself in such wise to accomplish my vow.' The Prince granted his
request, and holding out his hand to him said, ' Sir James, God grant that this day you may shine in valour above
all other knights.'
" The knight then set off, and posted himself at the front of the battalion, with only four squires, whom he had
detained with him to guard his person. This lord Jaiues was a prudent and valiant knight ; and by his advice the
army had thus been drawn up in order of battle. Lord Jaraes began to advance, in order toKght witii the battalion
of the marshals, attended by his four squires (Dutton of Dutton, Delves of Doddington, Fowlehurst of Crew,
Hawkestone of VVainehiU) he had placed himself, sword in hand, in front of his battalion, much before the
rest, and was performing wonders. He had advanced through his eagerness so far, that he engaged the lord
Arnold d'Andreghen, marshal of France, imder liis banner, where they fought a considerable time, and the lord
Arnold was roughly enough treated. He was made prisoner, but by others than the lord James Audley, or his
loiu' squires ; fur that knight never stopped to make any one his prisoner that day, but was the whole time era-
ployed in lighting, and following his enemies : The lord James Audley, with the assistance of his four squires,
was also engaged in the heat of the battle. He was severely wounded in the body, head, and face; and as long
as his strength antl breath pei milled him, he maintained the light, and advanced forward : he continued to do so
uiilll he was covered with blood ; then towards the close of the engagement, his four squires, who were as his
body guard, took him, and led Iulu out of the battle, very weak, and wounded, towards a hedge, that he
might rest and take breath. They disarmed him as gently as they could, in order to examine his wounds, dress
ihein, and sew u\> the most dangerous."
(J) In the lelalion of this anecdote there appear to be two errors ; one in attributing to llie Princea momentary
disi)leasure at Lord Audley's alienation of his bounty ; the other, in the amount of the subsequent grant.
As every incident in the character and conduct of the heroic Edward is highly interesting, no apology will be
necessary lor transcribing the whole transaction from the faithful Froissart. Scarcely was the battle ended, when
the Prince, having dispatched the Earl of Warwick and Lord Cobham to inquire the fate of the King of France,
turned
AUDLEY, JAMES. §5
lurried to the knights who were around him, and asked if any knew what was become of the Lord Audley?
" Yes Sir," replied some of tlie company ; he is very hadly wounded, and is lying in a litter hard by." ' I?y
my trolli,' replied the Prince, ' I am sore vexed that he is wounded. See, I beg of you, if he be able to
bear being carried hither: otherwise I will come and visit him.' Two kniglits directly left the Prince, and
coming to Lord James, told him how desirous the Prince was of seeing him. " A thousand thanks to the
Prince," answered lord James, " for condescending to remember so poor a knight as myself." He then called
eight of his servants, and had himself borne in his litter to where the Prince was. When he came into his pre-
sence, the prince bent down over him, and embraced him, saying; " My lord James, I am bound to honour
you very much; for, by your valour this day, you have acquired glory and renown above us all, and your prow-
ess has proved you the bravest knight." Lord James replied; " My lord, you have a right to say whatever you
please, but I wish it were as you have said If I have this day been forward to serve you, it has been to accom-
plish a vow that I had made. And it ought not to be thought so much of."' " Sir James," answered the
Prince," I and all the rest of us deem you the bravest knight on our side in this battle; and to increase your re-
nown, and furnish you withal to pursue your career of glory in war, I retain you henceforward, for ever, as my
knight, with five hundred marcs of yearly revenue, which I will secure to you from my estates in England."
" Sir," said lord James, " God make me deserving of the good fortune you bestow upon me," At these words
he took leave of the prince, as he was very weak, and his servants carried him back to his tent." When he was
carried thither, he did not remain long before he sent for his brother Sir Peter Audley, the lord Bartholomew
Burghersh, Sir Stephen Cossington, lord Willoughby of Eresby, and lord William Ferrers of Groby : they
were all his relations. He then sent for his four squires that had attended him that day, and, addressing
Jiimself to the knights, said; " Gentlemen, it has pleased my lord the prince to give me five hundred marcs as
a yearly inheritance ; for which gift I have done him very trifling bodily service. You see here these four squires,
who have always served me most loyally, and especially in this day's engagement. What glory I may have
gained has been through their means and by tfieir valour : on which account I vvish to reward them. I therefore
give and resign into their hands the gift of five hundred marcs, which ray lord the Prince has been pleased to
bestow on me, in the same form and manner that it has been presented to me. I disinherit myself of it, and
give it to them simply, and without a possibility of revoking it.
" The knights present looked at each other and said. It is becoming the noble mind of lord James to make such
a gift; and then they unjiiiuiuusly added ; ' May the lord God remember you for it '. We will bear witness of this
gift to them wheresoever and whensoever they may call onus.' Some days after, during his march toBourdeaux,
the Prince ot Wales was informed how Lord James Audley had made a present of his pension of five hundred marcs
10 his squires. He sent for him : Lord James was carried in his litter to the prince, who received him very gra-
ciously, and said to him, " Sir James, I have been informed that after you had taken leave of me, and were re-
turned to your tent, you made a present to your four squires of the gilt I presented to you. 1 should like to know
if this be true, why you did so, and if the gift were not agreeable to you?" " Yes my lord," answered Lord
James, " It was most agreeable to me, and I will tell you the reasons which induced roe to bestow it on my
squires. These four squires, who are here, have long and loyally served me, on many great and dangerous oc-
casions; and until the day that I made them this present, I had not any way rewarded them for all their ser-
vices; and never in this life were they of such help to me as on that day. I hold myself much bound to them
for what they did at the battle of Poitiers; for, dear Sir, I am but a single man and can do no more than my
powers admit, but through their aid and assistance I have accomplished my vow, which for a long time 1 Jiad
made, and by their means was the first combatant, and should have paid for it with ray life, if they had not been
near me. When, therefore, I consider courage, and the love they bear to me, I should not have been
courteous nor grateful, if I had not rewarded them. Thank God, my lord, I have a sufficiency for my life, lo
maintain my stale; and wealth has never yet failed me, nor do I believe it ever will. If therefore, I have in
this acted contrary lo your wishes, I beseech you dear Sir, to pardon me; for you will be ever as loyally served
by me and my squires, to whom I gave your present as heretofore." The prince answered, " Sir James, I do
not in the least blame you for what you have done, but, on the contrary, acknowledge your bounty to your squires
whom you praise so much. I readily confirm your gift to them, but I shall insist upon your accepting of six
hundred maics, upon the same terms and conditions as the former gift." — See j/o/ines's liaiislalion of l/ie Chro-
nicles oj Froissail, in lelaiion lo the second gianl, as esiublislied hy the records, in which mention is made of an
annuily of Jour hundred pounds to Ihe Lord Audlej/, charged on Ihe coinage in Cornwall, duiuig his life, and
one year thereafter.
(3) Nicholas Lord Audley, dying without isiue on the 22d of July, 1392, was succeeded in his gieat estate,
by his sister Margaret, wile of Sir Roger Hillarie, and his nephew John Touchet, the sou of Joan, his elder ,
sister. The Barony of Audley descended to the Touchets, and still subsists in the heir of that family, George
Thicknesse Touchet, the present Lord Audley of Hcleigh, in the county of Stafi'ord.
E BABINGTON,
26 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON
BABINGTON, GERVAIS.
'iz. Catai. of BaBINGTON, Gervais, Lord Bishop of AVorcester, is said, by a late author,'
rte^Bisiiops of jQ be a native of this county ; and, upon his authority, I relate him into the num-
ber of our worthies.
Doctor Fuller, in more places than one,*" (and some others from him,) tells us, he
i-ciiurcii Hist, ^vas born in the county of Nottingham, of the antient family of the Babing-
Abei ketiiv." tons, in the said county ; and ^^et in that very book, where it was most jiroper
pag. 456. for him to have done it, I mean in his Worthies of England, printed after those other
works of his, he doth not challenge him as such.
There was a family of this name, which long flourished in and about Ottery St,
Mary, in this county ; which, I suppose, was a younger branch of that of Notting-
' This is taken hamshire ; for Sir John Babington, Kt.,*^ by Benedicta his wife, daughter and heir of
I'll'.' "of 'tii'is'fe- ^^^''''' '^^^^ issue Sir William, Thomas, Normannus,'' (sheriff of Derby and Notting-
nifiy, hy Mi. hamshirc, anno 6 Hen. 6,) Arnold and John.
Westc.toi.MS. joh,^ Babington, the fifth son, came into Devonsh. and married Margaret, daughter
thies in Dei" aiid heir of Robert Knolle, of Knolle, in or near Ottery aforesaid, and had issue John:
bysii. p. 242. John Babington, of Knolle, in Devon, by the daughter and heir of Weynman, of
Devon, had issue John; who by Elizabeth, the daughter and co-heir of Walter
French, of Ottery St. Mary, had issue John; who by Elizaliptii, daughter of Hol-
combe, of Branscombe, had Nicholas, Sir John, and Sir Philip, which were Knights
'Risd. Siirv. of of Rhodes ; of which last, another author tclls US," that Philip Babington was one of
Devon, iii ot- j|-jg Kuiahts of St. Johu of Hierusalcm, (the same with Rhodes ;) and that at the disso-
lution of that order, he had ten pounds portion assigned him yearly tor his main-
tenance. Nicholas Babington, of Ottery St. Mary, by Joan his wife, one of the
daughters and heirs of Henry Why ting, of Ottery St. Mary, Gent., had issue AValter,
Avho consumed his estate ; but by Elizabeth his wife, daughter of Bryan Travers, of
Pill, near Barnstaple, left issue Thomas, whose name in these parts is now extinct.
Which of these afore-mentioned gentlemen Bishop Babington challenged as his
father, I do not find; tho' probably one of them might be so.
Having drawn in the first rudiments of good literature, in the country, by his
worthy parents care, he was sent to Cambridge, and was admitted into the society of
Trinity College there ; at what time Doctor Whitgift was master.
Having taken his degrees of arts in his own university, coming to the Act at Ox-
fAth. Oxon. ford, anno 1578,' he was there admitted ad eundem, /. e. to the same priviledges in
vol.1, p. 743. thj^t university, his degree did entitle him unto, at Cambridge. And having gotten
great fame for his other parts of learning, he gave himself to the study of divinity ;
e Fuller's Abel and bccamc a worthy preacher in the university^ where he resided.
Kitiiv. quo su- Being now doctor of divinity, he was made his domestick-chaplain by Henry Earl
of Pembroke, Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter, and president of the
council in the marches of Wales ; whose excellent Countess, Mary Sidney, made an
tery St. Mary.
pra,
exact translation of the Psalms of David into English meetre. In which great under-
taking, 'tis believed she had the assistance of this her chaplain. For it was more
"Ath. Oxon. than a woman's skill, as a certain author notes,'' to express the sense so right as
utantea. shehathdoneinherver.se; and more than the English and Latin translation could
give her.
Being thus related to this noble family, by the interest thereof, he was first made
treasurer of the church of Landaff", in Wales; after that, the bishop. He received his
Pr^siiL Lan- consecration, Aug. 'li), 1.591, tho' from whose hands it doth not ajipear.' Which
dav. p. 641. l)lace,
BABINGTON, GERVAIS. 87
place, his Lordsliip, in merriment, was wont to call Affe ; the land thereof being long
before alienated by his unworthy predecessor Kitchin, in the days of K. Hen. 8, and
Q. Mary.
From thence, after three years residence there, he was translated to the see of
Exeter, in his native country, February 1594, so Bishop Godwin i"' in May 1595, so''i<'- ibid,
our Hooker;' in May 1593, so Mr. Izaac."" u^""'';/ l''^
NVhich of these accounts is most consonant to the truth, 1 shall leave it to their „, jyj^,^, ^j-
disquisition who are curious in such nice matters. Exet. in the
He continued no long time at Exeter, tho' long enough to do that church an irre-^'"""'^'*'"''""
parable injury ; but, we hope, against his will, as being over-awed by avaritious
greatness rather than biassed by any private interest, which we can't fairly suppose
of so good a man. However it was, he is said to have consented to the alienating
from his church of Exeter, beyond the possibility of a retrieval, that rich and noble
manor of Crediton, in this county, a bough as big near as the rest of the tree. This
manor had been affixed to this bishoprick, from Eadulphus his time (who lived anno
907,) unto his own 1594, and computed worth a thousand marks per annum, rents
of assize.
'Tis true, that courtly profuse antecessor of his. Bishop Voysey, in his time, wasted
the bishoprick of Exeter as much as he could, for of two and twenty manors, which
belonged unto it, he scarcely left eight, and they none of the best ; among others,
this of Crediton was alienated also; but it not being done in due form of law, it was
afterwards recovered. But then another bishop, says Hooker," more unadvised than "Choiogr. sy-
careful for himself and successors, passed it by fine and recovery, unto Sir William ""jJ^'ji^ciTdit.
Kelligrew, an hungry courtier in Q. Elizabeth's days. And tho' there have been
strong endeavours since used to that purpose, it is now gone beyond recovery out of
the hands of the bishop, and long since out of the name of the Kelligrews also. So
true is that,
De male quaesitis
The thus passing away of this manor, might give occasion to a statute against
ecclesiasticks alienating the revenues of the church. Until which time, it seems,
spiritual lords, could as freely sell and dispose of their temporalities, as secular lords
could. Which power, the popish bishops, when they saw the times inclining to a
reformation, (envying the descent of those revenues on them they looked on as herc-
tick-successors,) abused, to the spoil of the church, as much as they could.
From Exeter, after three years continuance there, was Bishop Babington translated
to Worcester, anno 1597, where having remained about three years longer, (as if that
period were fatal to him) he was translated thence to heaven.
'Tis a good character which one gives of him," that, in the midst of all his prefer- "Fhii. Ahei
ments, he was neither tainted with idleness, pride, or covetousness ; but was not only ^*'''*' i^" ''^''"
diligent in preaching, the most honourable part of a bishop's office, if we may believe
the apostle,'' but in writing books, for the better understanding of God's word. He p iTim. 5. i7.
was an excellent pulpit-man, for having gotten up the affections of his auditory, he
would keep them up to the end of his sermon.
He wrote many things, viz.
A large Commentary on the five Books of Moses; on the Lord's Prayer; the
Creed ; the Ten Commandments : which was printed at first in quarto, after that,
with many additions, in folio, 1615, called Bishop Babington's works.
He died of the jaundice, May 17, 1610,'' and left his library to the church of''Tctericii3 dc-
Worcester, where he lieth buried. lelo. go'<1w!'
(liiosiip.p. .'J24.
For
28
THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
' Abel Rediv, Por an epitaph, we may take the epigram written on him by Dr. Fuller/ in his
Abel Redivivus
Renowned Babington spun out his days
In truth and peace : and had the ecchoing praise
Of every tongue: his worth was priz'd by all
That lov'd religion : nothing could recall
His heart from goodness : peace and love did rest
Within the closet of his serious breast.
Therefore let every tongue proclaim and cry.
The fame of Babington shall never die.
'o"^
I find nothing of him remarkable farther, but, what perhaps never happened be-
fore, that his paternal coat was exactly the same with that of his bishoprick of Wor-
cester, with which impaled.
Before his works in folio stands his picture, of venerable aspect ; under which are
these verses engraven: —
Non melior, non integrior, non cultior alter,
Vir, Prajsul, praeco, more, fide, arte, fuit.
Osq; probum, vultusq; gravis, pectusq; serenum :
Alme Deus, tales prefice ubiq; gregi.
Under these is the motto last quoted.
BALDWIN,
( 29 )
BALDWIN, ARCHBISHOP. f'o;- a d.
Hen. 2d.
Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, by Balaeus sirnamed Devonius,* from his> cent. 3. p.
country,was born at Exeter, of mean and obscure parents ;' yet so careful were they ff^^^^^ p^„.
of this son of theirs, that they kept him at school, and brought him up to the know- peris eiius Ex-
ledge of books and letters, unto which they observed him to be well disposed. Godwi'"'De
Having passed the discipline of the school, he went abroad into the world for Pra'sui. Cant.
farther education. And coming to the abby of Glastonbury, in the county of So- P"
merset, he studved for some time in that famous monastery," where he made very " Dmig. Mo-
.*'.,,. "^ nast Angl. vol.
great progress m Virtue and learnmg. i.inGiastou.
He was after this a school-master, which employment he followed a while in his
younger years. At length he was admitted into holy orders ; when, for his excellent
behaviour and eminent sanctity of life, he was made an arch-deacon ; though by
whom, or of what place, it doth not appear. Which venerable office, whether for
that he thought it too secular, and involved him too much in the aftairs of the world,
or else for some other reason, that he had, inducing him thereunto, he freely laid
aside; and with great devotion, and a mind above these inferiour things, he took
upon him the habit, and became a monk of the more strict Cistertian order, in the
abby of Ford, in this county. ■= Where being observed to exceed the other monks,'' p^j^j;^'°_*°'-
he was, within a year after his admission, chosen abbat of that noted convent. « Quoniam mo-
At this time, Henry the II. king of England, having been careless enough in the j^b'j^s^P|j'^y^ni
affairs of the church, advancing very unfit persons unto the episcopal throne, now in ,aid. chainbr.
his latter days sought to recover his credit, by preferring thereunto fit and worthy ^P|'^|^han^i
men. Among which this our Baldwin was one, who was consecrated bishop of 2. p.' 130.'
Worcester, in the year of our Lord 1181. Here he continued the space of three
years, and then was he translated thence to Canterbury, where he was installed arch-
bishop of that see, and primate of all England, with great solemnity,^ anno 1 185. yMaii 19,1185,
But we are not to suppose that this was done without some opposition, which was [° jf [|',','3'="-
thus occasioned. The suffragan bishops of the province of Canterbury, looked upon Cant. soieuitei
it as their right to elect their archbishop ; the which the monks of that church also Goj"^'^''qJ'g ,„.
challenged as their due. The controversy grew so high, that at lengtii they all ap-pra.
pealed to Rome. Here the cause depended at great charges for about nine months
space, and then came out the pope's mandate, requiring all persons concerned to
proceed to the election of a fit person for that most venerable chair. Time and place
was fixed for this purpose, but the monks not coming according to appointment, the
bishops proceeded to the choice of Baldwin for their archbishop.
The obstinate monks, discontented hereat, endeavoured all they could to null and
cassate the election ; not but they all agreed well enough in the fitness and due qua-
lifications of the person, but they disliked the manner thereof, as of very ill example'. ^ ^'^J^'ll'^"'
At length the king, who wonderfully favoured Baldwin, as a person of a mild and „on aiinm'po-
temperate spirit, interposed, and by his perswasion and authority, he brought them |.J'^* *sed'Tx."
all to consent and acquiesce in the choice of this most worthy person. empiurn non
However, the bu,sy monks of Canterbury could not long be quiet,^ nor would they JlJiJ}'^"^" ^'^'
suffer this good man, their archbishop, to be so, but administered very great distur- g^.,,;, f„„^^y.
bauces to him, especially from this occasion ; the king, being willing to get out of ■»« account is
the hands of the monks (who were a petulant sort of people) all power ot electinij Q„,'j|J,j,^"iijj[i'
the archbishop, fell upon this device; he was pleased to put Baldwin upon founding
a stately college, at Hackinton, now S. Stephens, about half a mile from the city of
Canterbury, ordering him to endow it with great revenues, for the reception of
twenty canons or prebendaries; one of which was to be nominated by the king, the
other
so
THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
other by the suffragan bishops. And so it was contrived, that the power of the election,
for the future, should be invested only in those. And, them the king supposed, that
he and his party should be able to manage better to his purpose, than he could the
ignorant and obstinate monks.
The work went on apace ; the church was built, and consecrated ; and some of
the prebends were installed. The thick-scented monks, at last, began to smell out the
design, and away they ran open-mouthed with their complaints to Rome; where
arrived, with bribes and cries, they obtained a decree from Pope Urban the Third,
to demolish the whole work, and lay it level with the ground. Dictum factum, no
^Difflare otu- soouer said than done, down fell all, flat to the earth, at one blast of this Roman-iEolus.''
erit yEoius'"iste So that the king and his party are at present forced to yield to the necessity of the
Romamis iini- .
dtssil^e'Tin But some time after this, Gregory the 8th, succeeding in the papal throne, the
"cre""Godw." archbisliop thouglit his interest so considerable with him, that he should now be well
De Prffisui.' enou"-h able to compass his design. AVhereupon he purchased from the church and
Cant. p. 116. gjgijQp of Rochester, some lands at Lambetli, where the principal palace, belonging
to the archiepiscopal see of Canterbury now is, and of a long time hath been fixed
(the oround whereof, we see, is owing to the care and providence of this our country-
man.') Hither did our Baldwin order the materials to be brought from Hackinton,
and a new colledge was begun, but before it could be finislied, envious death step'd
in, and interrupted the design, by taking off this excellent prelate; where, and when,
I shall anon declare.
In the mean while, it may not be amiss to present unto your view a few linea-
ments of this most reverend primate's person, as I find tliem drawn by the pencil
of some learned men, especially of Giraldus Cambrensis, who lived in his time, and
was personally acquainted with him, which I shall do as to body, temper, learning,
and piety. ^ , ■
First, as to his body, he is represented of a brown complexion ; of a plain and comely
countenance. For stature, he was of the middle size; of a good habit of body;
i Colore fuit slender, not very gross.'
llmphci "ac ve- Secondly, as to the frame and temper of his mind, as became a christian bishop,
misto; Statu- |-,g ^^^^ meek and peaceable, sober and modest ; insomuch, Fame herself, in her
fMbSe''' spotted coat, never durst say any thing to his prejudice. He was spare of speech,
corporis bon&, gj^^ ^o au^cr, scrious in his looks, mild and remiss, almost to a fault; through which
erasslf Ovrauroccasion, 'Us said, the pope thus accosted him in a letter, which he sent him on a
a,.ud Godw. ^jj^^g .
"'"" ''""'■ " Urbanus, servus servorum Dei, monacho ferventissimo, abbati calido, episcopo
tepido, archiepiscopo remisso salutem."
Thirdly, as for his learning, he descends unto us under an high character; that he
was a very wise and understanding prelate, (wisdom is learning concocted) and one
well versed in business; and said to be " vir utiq; literatissimus. Valde literatus ;
ac in sacris scripturis, affatim eruditus. Vh ore fa.cundus ; exactus philosophus ; &
i Id. ibid. & ad omne studiorum genus per illos dies aptissimus.'"''
uai. Cent. 3. j^g ^^,^^ ^ jj,;in gyeiy way learned, an excellent orator, an exact philosopher, and
s'k'f' '"'°' adapted unto all kinds of studies. But what was the crown of all his accomplish-
ments this way, he was abundantly skilled in the holy Scriptures ; although, had
those authors been silent in this matter, the v.'orks which he left behind him, suffi-
ciently declare his abilities in this kind; whereof I shall present you a catalogue by
and by. In the mean time let us proceed.
Lastly, to a consideration of his admiral)!c piety and devotion, he sate forth betimes
Mugnm domi-in the Way of virtue, and is said to have l)orn the yoak of the Lord in his youth;' so
ri ab adoies- ^j ^ for his houcst and pious conversation, lu- proved an eminent light unto tlie people;
ccntia portans, i .
he
BALDWIN, ARCHBISHOP. 31
be contentedly renounced the world, and betook himself to one of the strictest orders "^^bus^jha
of religion, which is the cistertian, as was said before. S^"'*'' a
So tliat, for piety, he is acknowledged to have excelled that reputed great saint and sac?'v'oi. 2.^'
martyr of the church of Rome, his immediate predecessor, but one, St. Thomas p. 439.
Becket himself. For Thomas, in a journey, when he came to any town or parish,
would go first into the hall ; but Baldwin would go first to the church. Thomas pre-
ferred religion in shew, he in deed. The one was for the outside and habit ; the ^
other for the inward marrow" and spirit of it. ^ Equitatu^ad^
He was moreover a vigilant pastor over his flock, sowing the word of God, so far as viiiam veniens
the iniquity of those times would bear it, where ever he came. He always carefully ^^tZ tr'BaTd.
avoided ostentation, and what good works he performed, he would ever endeavour to winus eociesi-
conceal, as if he had that of our blessed Saviour always before his eyes," " when thou ^"^^/^pY^'^^'J;
do'st alms, let not thy left-hand know v/hat thy right-hand doth." -129.
To this we may add, what renders him greatly renowned in history, that ardent ° s. Mat. 6. 3.
zeal he had for the cross of Christ, which is" manifest to all the world. For Baldwin,
after he had heard the wrong done to our Saviour by Saladine, sultan of Mgypt,
courageously performed his office of preaching obedience and duty to him ; as well
in far distant countries as at home. At this time it was that God had touched the
heart of Richard, the first of that name, king of England, an heroic and pious prince,
with a mighty zeal, also, to rescue the holy sepulchre of our blessed Saviour, and
the city Jerusalem, out of the hands of the infidels. So earnestly bent was that
king upon this glorious enterprize, that he raised a mighty army of 30000 foot, and
5000 horse," and vast heaps of treasure, aud went himself in person, for the better ° Bak. cinon.
rr ■ c -^ in K. Ricb. 1.
eliecting 01 it.
Our Baldwin promoted this noble undertaking to his utmost power; and by dili-
gent travel through England and Wales, in person, he stirred up, and perswaded all
christian people, so far as he could, to follow the Craesado, and attend their soveraign.
And although he was now of a very considerable age, he went himself, being none of
those who will bind heavy burthens on other men's shoulders, which they will not
touch with one of their fingers.
The king and his army were gone before, and the archbishop, having dispatched
the aftairs for which he stayed behind, followed speedily after. He travelled, it
seems, from hence to Marseilles by land, for there is he said to have embarqued
himself.'' And having at length passed the Levant sea, he arrived safely in the haven PGiiaid. Cam.
ofTyrus, from thence he went over to Aeon, or Ptolomais, a city of Phoenicia, to ^"^ ''""'•
our army, besieging the town, and as it were, besieged it self by the more dreadful
enemies of sickness and famine.
When this holy man came thither, among all the misfortunes that he found there,
the greatest was, a sad division and emulation, (the spoil and bane of the most glo-
rious designs) among the christian princes. So true is the observation,"* that emu- q sir n.Bakcr
lation, when it is in virtue, makes the strongest knot of love and affection ; but when ^""i"""-
it is in glory, it makes a separation, and turns into envy and malice. So it did at
this time with Philip, king of France, one of the prime undertakers in this glorious
action, in respect to our K. Richard, who pretending the air of the country did not
agree with his body, when indeed it was, because the air of K. Ricliard's glory did
not agree with his mind ; he obtained leave of K. Richard to return home, solemnlj^
swearing, first, that he would not molest his territories in his absence. This parting
fell out very unseasonable for the present undertaking ; for however K. Philip's de-
parture diminished but little of the forces, it did much of the reputation of the cause;
for Saladine, who was at that time upon terms of surrendering Jerusalem, when he
saw this, knowing there must be a conclusion, where was a beginning, doubted not
but the rest of the princes would soon follow after, as accordingly it fell out; although,
in
j2 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
in all probability, not before K. Richard had taken Jerusalem, upon vvhicii he was
very intent, had not the Duke of Burgundy withdrawn his forces, envying that king
the honour of it. Insomuch, after that time, all opportunity of taking it was utterly
lost, and they could never come to the like again.
But to return to Baldwin ; being arrived in the camp, he behaved himself as became
a christian bishop, and was especially careful of his country-men, by preaching to
■^ubi miiitos them, and comforting of them in the best manner that he could/ For when he came
^eni"nf&Ver°i thither, as was hinted before, what by reason of the divisions among the princes,
cuiictos, piin- j^j^d ^vi^at by reason of want, sickness, and famine, he found all in the deejjest distress
cipuin (lefectu
in suiiima de- and despau".
soiatioiie jam However, cvery one, according to his power, he embraced with the arms of love
Fpemtiont gI" and charity, and both by words "and deeds he awhile supported and strengthened
raid. de. vit. ^]^q^^ under all their pressures. So that by preaching and doctrine, by hand and
a.pra^''i'!'43'r purse, he did Avhat good among them he possibly could ; until, at length, at the siege
of Ptolemais, aforesaid, he himself was taken ill of a dangerous disease, which shortly
after issued in his death, to the encrease of the grief and sorrow of all good men there
that knew him, and observed his zeal in the cause of Christ. For there is this testi-
mony given of his behaviour, on this occasion, that, " nostrorum partes ibijuvavit
mao-nopere, concionando, consulendo, pecunias egenis erogando, 6c morum sanctis-
Godw. de simorum exemplo,'" he did greatly support our country-men there, not only by
Pia-sui Cant, preachinf' and counsel, but by his charity to the poor, and the example of a most
117. holy conversation.
How long he had continued in the archiepiscopal chair of Canterbury before he
' De vitis ar- Jjed, is variously delivered, Birchinton tells us,' it was but five years ; but Dicetus
Aii'^'''sac"vur. says'" it was six years, six months, and seventeen days ; and so Bishop Godwin tells
i."p. lu.' ' ^i^^ that he died after he had exercised the archiepiscopal function near seven years."
"In Aug. Sac. 'wj^^t riches this good man had by him, at the time of his death, he ordered them
Im. ^' '"'' to be distributed aniong the souldiers, and that according as Hubert, bishop of Salis-
"■Qnosui-ra. bury, the executor of his last will and testament, there present, (and his successor in
the see of Canterbury) should think fit. What year this holy prelate died, I do not
find, although it must be about 1191. But after his decease, his venerable remains
were decently interred at Tyre, in Syria.
What I have to add farther of him, is to give, according to my promise, a cata-
loifueofhis works; all which, such was the great dearness between them, he dedi-
cated to his friend and countryman Bartholomteus Iscanus, Bishop of Exeter ; as
Iscanus, in like manner, did his to him ; a catalogue whereof, as delivered by Baheus,
here follows. He wrote, De Corpore & Sanguine Domini, lib. 1 ; De Sacramentis
EcclesiiE, lib. 1 ; De Orthodoxis Dogniatibus, lib. 1 ; De Sectis Ilaereticorum, lib. 2;
Commendationem Fidei, lib. 1 ; De Unitate Charitatis, lib. 1 ; De Sacerdotio Jo-
hannis Hircani, lib. 1 ; Super Eruditione Giraldi, lib. 1 ; Sermones, 33, lib. 1 ; De
Amore, lib. 1 ; Super Historiis Regum, lib. 4; Contra llenricum ^\'intoniensem,
lib. 1 ; Commendationem Virginitatis, lib. 1 ; Carmen Devotionis, lib. 1 ; De Cruce,
lib. 1 ; De Angeli Nuntio, lib. 1 ; Mythologium, lib. 1 ; Epistolarum Suarum, lib. 1.
He is said to have written several other things, which, although they are not re-
corded by Bale, yet he tells us where they may be found upon occasion, to wit, in
.Johannes Hagustaldensis, Giraldus, and Bostonus.
What particular pieces of this famous prelate's works are still in being, their edi-
tions, and where to be found, they who would farther satisfy their curiosity herein,
may consult that elaborate work of the learned Doctor Cave, entituled, Histor.
1 iterat.
BALL.
( 33 )
BALL, SIR PETER.
Ball, sir Peter, Kt. was born at Mamhead, fNoteJ a very small parish, lying on Fior. a. d
the west side of the Exe, near the place where that river sheds itself into the British car!"i.^' ^
ocean. This was sometime the lands of Peverel, then of Carew, since of Ball;' and.Risd. Snrv.iu
lieth about ten miles to the south of the city of Exon, in this county. This name "'""head. ms.
antiently flourished in the parish of Axminster, near the way that leadeth to Mus-
bury, where it enjoyed a pleasant seat, and a fair demesne, called Ball's unto this
day.' Richard Ball," with some others, was a witness to a deed of WilHam Rosel dcsir vv.^Po^e»
la Gate, to William his son, of a certain place called the Castle of Axminster, an. 23 ^'^^^ * ^g "*
Edw. fd. R. Hen. 1295.
This gentleman's father was Giles Ball, gent. ; his mother was a Copleston of In-
stow ; his grandfather married the daughter and heir of Bridges ; and he himself the
daughter of Sir William Cooke, of Glocestershire, Kt. by whom he had a numerous
issue, most of which became eminent persons, as may be observed hereafter.
Sir Peter Ball having in his younger days laid a good foundation both of school
and university learning, went to the Inns of Court, and entered himself a student of
the Middle Temple, London, where he made so great proficiency in the laws of his
country, that being called to the bar, he was sworn Recorder of the city of Exeter,
A. D. 1632." After that, he was chosen Lent-reader of his own house, in the 16th' iz.^ Mem. ^^
of K. Char. I, 1640, which is an office of great reputation, for they are commonly the " •^■^'
eldest utter barresters among them, who are appointed thereunto by the benchers
(to whom is committed the government of the whole house); and also out of the
number of readers the Serjeants at law are usually chosen. Then was he made the
queen's soUiciter, (consort to K. Charles the First) and thence advanced, 1643, to be
her attorney ; near about which time he was honoured by that king with the degree
of knighthood. But the current of those times became so strong and rapid against
law and loyalty, that it put a stop to the farther preferments of this eminent rising
person : who, had he fallen into more calm and serene days, 'tis not improbable, but
his advancement would have been so high as merit and the law could mount him.
But instead of meeting the honour of higher preferment, he must look for honour of
another kind, and that is, the honour of suftering for the best cause, and for the best
of princes ; which he sustained chearfully, being no less eminent in those worst of
times, for his loyalty, than for his law ; which is not strange neither, for where is the
most knowledge of the law, that directs to the utmost loyalty. Which in this gentle-
man shewed itself, not only in doing, but, as is said, in suffering ; for his loyalty cost
him twelve hundred and fifty pounds composition in Goldsmiths hall,'' the loss of all '^Cat^aK of
his preferments, and a bitter sequesteration, during all that long time that anarchy ],o„d. Print,
was dominant here in England, and imprisonment into the bargain. i*^^-
Nor ought it to be esteemed the least of Sir Peter Ball's honours, that in the year
1643, as fTparticular mark of his loyalty, among several other eminent persons then
in Oxford, he was recommended by the king, and admitted by the university, to the
degree of Doctor of the Civil Law ;" but on the declining of the king's cause, he became = Fast. Oxon.
(as you have heard) a great sufferer, and though he was not a downright martyr, he"-^- v-'^'^^-
was no less than a confessor for the 13th chapter to the Romans. But, however, this
proved a very long night of gloominess and darkness to him, and other eminent, loyal,
and good men, even a night above twelve years long; yet, at length, joy came in the
morning. So true is that of the poet,
Nocte pluit tota, veniunt spectacula mane,
F Although
p. 31
34 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Although it chance all night to rain.
The morn will bring fair shews again.
For thus it pleased Almighty God, that at last, this stormy night of confusion was
over, and the restoration of the king and church, by a miracle of Providence, suc-
ceeded in the place thereof, and with them liberty and property came into their
proper channel again. Insomuch, this worthy night was re-invested with what he had
lost, I mean his offices and preferments, and that was all. Thus in the year IG60,
was he restored to his attorneyship to Q. Mary, IK.. Charles the First's dowager
royal) and to his Recordership of Exeter also ; whose successor in that honourable
office, during the inter regnum, Thomas Bamfield, Esq. (a descendant from Polti-
more-house) hath this memorable passage recorded of him, " that he made a volun-
tary restitution of the profits of the said office, during the time he had it, to the poor
fMr. Izac. of the city of Exeter.'"
Mem. Part. 1. jj^ which officc of Recorder of the city of Exeter doth Sir Peter Ball continue a
long while after this, until at length, oppressed by the infirmities of a great age, and
being much broken thereby, so that he could hardly attend the duties thereof, he
willingly surrendered his Recordership into the city's hands, I676, (in which, that
worthy, honest gentleman, Sir Thomas Carew, of Barly, Kt. succeeded him) and not
long after he surrendered up his pious soul into the hands of God that gave it, in his
house at Mamhead, which he had very fairly rebuiided ; and lieth interred in the
little church there, whereof he was the patron. Among other things, he was ex-
cellently well skilled in antirpiities, and wrote several volumes therein, but with so
ill an hand, that they are not legible.
His son, William Ball, Esq. the heir, no less to his virtues, than his lands, hath
erected a noble monument to his memory, with a large epitaph, which 1 shall here
insert, in tlie words and form found thereon.
Sir Peter Ball, Knight, son of Giles Ball, gent, buried at Dovvland, and Urith his
wife here: lived married to Ann, daughter of Sir William Cooke, of Glocestershire,
54 years: had by her, William, married to Mary-Posthunia Ilussey, of that honour-
able family in Lincolnshire. Redagund married Sir Miles Cooke, buried here; Peter
at Exeter; Lucy married Thomas Peck of Norfolk, Esq. buried at Norwich. Ann
married John Milner, of Middlesex, Esq., Goring, councellor at law; Peter, doctor
of physick, buried in the Temple; Dorothy at St. Andrew's Holborn: Elizabeth,
Robert, merchant at Leghorn, Giles, merchant at Genoa, Dorothy, Joyce ; John,
merchant at Aleppo, died at Jamaica, factor for the royal company ; Charles, mer-
chant at Messina, Amos, merchant at Cales, died at Naples; Henrietta Maria his
17th chilli.
His excellency in all learning, and great knowledge in the law, gave him early
l)referment :
Recorder of Exeter at 34, sollicitor, then attorney to Henrietta Maria, queen to
Charles the Martyr; and of his council at 37- Engaging in the troubles, 1641,
siiflered the fate of loyalty ; at the return of Charles the 'id (disobliging the great
f.ivourite) was only restored to his former places, serving his royal mistress all her
life, and her concerns 3 years after ; retired hither, and died in his 8'2 year, I68O.
This monument is adorned with divers coats of arms, being the matches of this
family.
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
UPON t!ie failme of iliis family, Mamhead became the property of Mr. A. Rees, tlie heir of the last Mr.
Ball; liom whom, by jjurchase, it passed into the family of Nightingale, and tlience into that of V^nighan, by
the marriage of Elizabeth, heir of Joseph Gascoyne Nightingale, of Mamhead, in Devon, and Enlield in Middle-
sex, with Wiluiot Vanghan, first Earl of Lisburne. Mamhead is still the seat of the Earl of Lisburne.
BAMPFEILD,
( 35
BAMPFEILD, SIR COPLESTOX, BARONET.
BaMPFEILD, Sir Copleston, Baronet, was born at Poltimore, in this county, i" j']';;"; ^^^
the year of our Lord God 16'36. He was the eldest son, among nineteen children, ca,'.';;.
of Sn- John Banijjfeild, of Poltimore, aforesaid, Baronet, and of — — his w'de, one
of the daughters and co-heirs of Copleston, of Copleston and Warlegh, Esq.
Which parish of Poltimore (antiently Clist-Moys) lieth about four miles to the
north-east of the city of Exon, and had iieretofore lords of the same name, who had
lands also, so called, in Glamorganshire, in Wales.' Four of this family successively re- "j/j'^Jf-j^^Jr*
sided in this place, as Stephen de Poltimore, Bartholomew, Sir Richard, and Sir Richard Detain 'poit.
de Poltimore, Kts., which last, having no issue of his own, granted Poltimore unto MS.
Simon Lord Montacute, who sold it unto William Pontington, canon of the church
of Exeter, for two hundred pounds, in the 26th year of K. Edw. L A. D. 1298, and
he gave it unto John Bampfeild, fNo/e \.J whom he had the care and tuition of,
for lie is stiled his alumnus, or pupil ; ever since which time, now four hundred years
ago, these lands have continued in the honourable family of Bampfeild ; which hath
matched into several noble families, as Beauchamp, Cobham, Saint Maur, Clitford,
and others; and greatly augmented his estate by marrying divers daughters and
heirs, as Hoxham, Pederton, Turvey, Merton, Saint Maur of North-Molton, Cople-
ston, &c.
By the daughter and heir of Pederton, John Bampfeild, of Poltimore, had Har-
dington, in Somersetshire, which he settled upon Peter, his younger son;'' at which " id. "bid.
place, the name of Bampfeild hath flourished ever since K. Hen. 6th's days, unto the
year 1694 (near upon two hundred and fifty years,) when the last issue male of that
family, Warwick Bampfeild, Esq. by his last will and testament, settled Hardington,
and his other lands, upon his kindsman and godson, the present Sir Copleston- Warwick
Bampfeild, of Poltimore, Baronet, eldest son of Collonel Hugh Bampfeild, the only
son of Sir Copleston Bampfeild, a young gentleman of about nine or ten years of
age, of great hopes and expectations.
Here I might take occasion to speak of the gentile and well accommodated seat of
Poltimore house, which stands in the middle of the parish (whose manor comprizeth
the w hole) unto which belongeth a park, warren, dove-coat, ponds, &,c. all fitted for
hospitality ; upon the account whereof, and its zeal in religion, this family hath been
\ery eminent.
Before I proceed to a more particular discourse of the honourable gentleman before
us, I ought not to pretermit a most memorable passage, of undoubted credit, which
happened to one of the heirs of this house, not many generations back. It was thus,
his father dying, the young gentleman fell award to some great person in the east-
country, who seized upon him while he was very young, carryed him away to his
own home. He being now possessed of his person and estate, some years after gave
it out, he was gone to travel (or the like pretence) ; insomuch, his relations and friends
believing it to be true, looked no farther after liim. So that concealing from him
his quahty, and condition, and preventing what he could any discovery thereof, his
guardian bred him up as his servant, and at last made him his huntsman. It hap-
ned, that one of Mr. Bampfeild's tenants, understanding something of this mistery,
made it his business, first to find him out, and next to discourse with him about it,
which in a little time he had an opportunity to do, when acquainting him with his
birth and fortunes, it was agreed on between them, that he should come at such a
time, and privately fetch him away. This he did accordingly, and so retrieved the
riaht '
36 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
right heir of the family, which hath here flourished in great honour ever since ; and
God grant it long to do.
From this I shall proceed to the history of this honourable gentleman, in whose
name are comprized tlie sirnames of two noble Devonshire famihes ; the one he de-
rived from his father, the other he took from his mother ; who, as is said before, was
the youngest of the two daughters and heirs of Copleston, of Copleston and
Warley (both in this county ;) which last and best estate, she brought with her into
this house, in which it still remains. (Note 2. J
Sir Copleston Bampfeild, having thus by nature all the advantages of a generous
birth, it was designed by his guardians (his father dying while he was young,) that he
should have those also of a liberal education. He was, therefore, when somewhat
qualified for it, by school-learning, sent to the university of Oxford, where he became
a member, in the quality of a nobleman, as they are there called, of Corpus Christi
College. How well he answered that title, appeared from his very generous and
splendid way of living there ; and that large and noble plate he left unto his college,
when he went thence, which remained a long while after a monument of his muni-
ficence, until at length, with some other pieces, it was stoln away.
Having, after this, stop'd at London some time. Sir Copleston returned into his
native country, which hapned to be in the dregs of anarchy and confusion ; but
having a vigorous soul, actuated even then, with principles of loyalty to his sove-
raign, though in exile, and of duty to the church, then under a cloud, he became
very industrious, witli several other persons of honour and quality in these parts, for
the happy restauration of both. But then his zeal this way, rendred him at length
suspected to the men in power; insomuch, messengers, or pursivants were sent abroad
to apprehend him; at which time, he was pleased to conceal himself a while at Trill,
one of the houses of his noble friend John Drake, Esq. afterward Sir John Drake,
Kt. and Baronet, by which means he escaped their hands.
Notwithstanding any threatning danger that might happen, his generous mind
could not be affrighted from following his duty and honour. And therefore, when
the commons of the city of Exeter began to rise, and to put themselves in arms, de-
claring for a free parliament, which happening at the general quarter-sessions for the
county of Devon, this gentleman, and several other ])crsons of quality, were there
present, they all agreed in a remonstrance to be forthwith <lra\^■n up, and sent to the
' iz. Mem. of parliament.' This was a matter of no small consequence, and by none more vigo-
Exct. p. 164, rously pursued than by this honourable person ; so that tlie remonstance was drawn
up, and presented to the house by this gentleman's uncle, Thomas Bampfeild, Esq.,
then recorder of that cit}^ in these following words:
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM LENTHALL, ESQ, SPEAKER OF THE
PARLIAMENT.
" WE the gentry of the county of Devon, finding our selves without a regular
government (after your last interruption,) designed a publick meeting to consult
remedies, which we could not so conveniently effect, till this week of our general
quarter-sessions at Exon, where we found divers of the inhabitants groaning under
high oppressions, and a general defect of trade, to the utter ruin of many, and fear of
the like to others, which is as visible to the whole county, that occasioned such
disorders, as were no small trouble and disturbance to us ; which, by God's blessing,
upon our endeavours, were soon suppressed and quiet, without blood. And though
we find, since our first purposes, an alteration in the state of allairs, by your re-esta-
blishment at the helm of government; yet, conceive that we are but in part redrest
of our grievances, and tliat the chief ingredient will be, the recalling of all those
members
m
BAMPFEILD, SIR COPLESTON, BARONET. ' S7
...embers that were secluded in 1648, and sate before the first force upon the parlia-
ment: and also by filling up vacant places, and all to be admitted without any oath
or engagement previous to their entrance. For which things if you please to take a .
speady course, we shall defend you against all opposers, and future interruption,
with our lives and fortunes : for the accomplishment whereof, we shall use all lawful
means, which we humbly conceive, may best conduce to the peace and safety of this
nation."
This remonstrance became a president to many other towns and cities in England
to do the like ; whereby the army in and about London, consisting of fourteen thou-
sand old foot soldiers, Avere dispersed throughout the kingdom (of which fifteen hun-
dred were sent to Exeter," to prevent the like insurrection as had hapned there, else- " Mr. iz. ibid,
where. Which dispersion, how much it facilitated General Monk's march into Lon-
don but with seven thousand old soldiers, and consequently, how greatly this bold
and brisk address of our country gentlemen, promoted the happy restauration of
church and state, which soon hapned hereupon, is very obvious to observe, if not so
easy for envy to acknowledge.
After this, again, (may we credit a late historian) when our most noble country-
man. General Monk, was come into England with his army, to restore the nation to
its right senses, the county of Devon, together with the city of Exon, joyn in a
petition of right to his excellency the said General, and it was agreed that it should
be presented to him by the hands of this great patriot. Sir Copleston Bampfeild, for
which, what entertainment he met withal from the Rump, you may take in my
. , > . J ' Dav. Lloyd?
author s' own words : .,., ,,., ■■ c Modem PoU-
" Sir Copleston Bampfeild presented to General Monk an humble petition tor cy, or the Ac-
right, in the name of the city and county of Exeter and Devon, without any respect ""jny^f^cie"*-
to the counties whence he came, the message he carryed, or the honourable person print, svo.
to whom employed, with another honourable gentleman that came on a like account, ^,^^"'3 p''" -•
was confined to the Tower by the Rump."
But his stay there could not be long, for there having been so many overturnings,
overturnings, overturnings among them, he at length came (by a miracle of Pro-
vidence) whose right it was, Charles the Second, of very gracious memory, and with
him our religion and property, laws and liberties. Which being thus acquired, it
required no less care and industry to secure them now gotten, than to get them : so
true is that of the poet,
Non minor est virtus quam quserere, parta tueri —
'Tis no less virtue to maintain.
Than 'tis a conquest for to gain.
Hence, this gentleman, having thus acted in conjunction with other worthy pa-
triots, for restoring the publick welfare, it may not be forgotten, what particular care
and pains he took for tlie conserving thereof, beyond a possibility of an interruption ;
and this he did, by disarming disaffected and suspicious persons, whose disloyalty was
now become not only their principle, but their interest, as being (some of them at
least) in profitable offices and places of trust; others in the possession of the king's,
or church's lands and houses, and they could now near as willingly have parted with
their lives, as with them.
This gentleman, together with another very honourable person of our county, the
honourable Sir William Courtenay, of Powderham-Castle, Bart, raising each a gallant
troop of about an hundred and twenty gentlemen (most of them persons of quality
and estates) in the head of which they rode themselves, securing some, and disarming
others, they brought all the disaffected in those parts into a due subjection to the
government, in a little time.
When
SS THE AVORTHIES OF DEVON.
Wlien these tlangers now were so happily over, and the nation once more settled
upon its antient bottom, this honourable person had the whole posse comitatus of
Devon put into his hands by King Charles the Second ; he being the first high-sheriff
of this county, whicli he made after his return to the throne, and this was in the year
of our Lord 1661. Which office, Sir Copleston executed with that splendor, in an
extraordinary^ nimd)er of liveries, and attendants, as gave occasion to the stinting
siieritfs for the future, not to exceed forty upon their own account.
Nor was this the only place of trust and honour he was concerned in, for the
service of his ))rince and country; but, besides his being constantly in commission of
llie peace, and deputy-lieutenant of the county (a little while only excepted in K.
James the Second's r'eign, when he, with a great many other loyal gentlemen, had
the honour to be turned out,) he was chosen (in despight of all the interest could be
made to tlie contrary) kuiglit of the shire, to serve as one of the representatives of
this honourable county in parliament, so generally was he beloved.
Nor was this gentleman concerned only in the menagery of the civil affairs of the
county, but engaged in the military also, as being (what of long time was in his
family) one of the coUonels of the county militia, which post he continued unto the
time of the Monmothian invasion, when somewhat declining in his health, and his
son being come of age, he was pleased to drop that honourable office into his hands.
Havin'g thus accompanied this eminent person to the last scene of his life, we can
do no less than observe, how lie performed that part thereof, and so quitted this stage
of mortality. .
When the Prince of Orange (our now gracious soveraign King \V dliam) first
landed in Devon, and had marched with his army so far as Exeter, Sir Copleston
being ill himself, was yet pleased that his son, the coUonel, should wait upon his
Highness, and congratidate his arrival, as one come to preserve our laws and religion,
and maintain the established government. But when, at length, he apprehended,
that matters were carryed beyond all imaginations, fearing a change would be made
in the fundamental consitution of the government, he so far declared against those
proceedings, as to refuse payment of any new made rates and taxes, and the collectors
were enforced to levy them by distress upon his goods.
We are now come to the last act in this gentleman's part of life, which we may
suppose was not a little hastened, by the doleful tidings of the untimely end of his
only son and child, Collonel Hugh Bampfeild, a young gentleman of the sweetest
temper, and tiie greatest hopes of any other in all those parts ; who returning out of
Cornwall (where he had been solemnizing the nuptials of some persons of quality) to
his own home at Warly, and riding swiftly out of sight of his servants, down a hill,
in a fair smooth place, his horse triped, and threw him off with that violence, that
pitching on his head, he rutld'ully broke abroad his skull ; insomuch, when the skin
afterward came to be dissected, by the chirurgeon, the cranium fell asunder.
Before whose fatal end, there were observed some unusual foreboding cu'cumstances,
which T shall not at present commemorate, lest I should be thought herein too super-
stitious in the censure of some, nor can I wholly pretermit the thing, that I may not
be accounted profane in the opinion of others : 'tis good advice,
Discite justitiam moniti & non temnerc divos
Being fairly warn'd, learn to be wise.
And not to scorn the destinies.
A very heavy stroak I What infiuence this tragedy of the son might be of, towards
the hastening on the father's exit, I am not able to say ; only this is certain, that Sir
Copleston, not long after, being disposed to visit his son's relict (a lady of great worth
and virtues, of the noble family of the Cliffords,) together with his two grandsons,
at their house at Warly; as soon as he came in, he said, " that he should never more
go
BAMPFEILD, SIR COPLESTON, BARONET. 39
go thence alive;" which accordingly fell out, for after lie had been there a very short
time, the gout (with which, in his latter years, he had been greatly afflicted) re-
turning upon him with violence, and like an armed man, surprizing the castle of
his heart, soon put a period to his days, in the five and fiftieth year of his life,
A. D. 1691. , ., , , , ,
Before his decease (what is very remarkable'l he called his family together, and Jeit
this in strict charge with them, " That they should always continue faithful to the
religion of the established church of England, and be sure to pay their allegiance to
the right heirs of the crown.
If now after all, any should be desirous to have a more particular character of this .
great man's person, that would require a much abler hand, and also the advantage of
a fairer light, than what I can pretend unto, to give a just and lively portraiture of him.
However,°I shall adventure at a few strokes, which may serve as a priming to such,
who with better skill and leisure may, in time, think fit to draw him to greater per-
fection.
Shall you respect his mein, and outward appearance, he was the goodliest person
that ever mine eyes beheld. Of stature much above the common standard of men,
exceeding, by some inches, six foot in height. For girth and bulk he was every way
proportionable, which was also compleatly filled out with a vigorous and lively soul,
of which we may say that it did, non tantum bene sed auguste & splendide habitare,
dwell, not in an easy and pleasant only, but in a very noble and stately mansion.
He was also of aVerv sweet aspect, of a manly and yet a charming countenance;
to whom that of Suetonius, in relation to Augustus,' may be truly applied, that he 'In vita ejus,
was forma eximia, & per omnes astatis gradus, venustissima, very comely and charm-
ing through all the periods of his age, so that he was the darling of his country; and
it may be still a question, whether he was more beloved or admired ?
Nor did his intellectual faculties fail short of his other perfections, for he had a
ready wit, and a good judgnieiit, and was of a truly large and generous soul. For
though he had a fair estate, and a very plentiful fortune, for many years together, he
did not only live up to it, but beyond it, always keeping about him a great retinue,
and a noble equipage.
He was farther (what is the badg of a true gentleman) of a courteous obliging
carriage to all, but very condescending to his inferiors, willing to befriend and gratify
'em, if in anv thing they applied themselves unto him. As if he had been of that
sweet Emperor Tit'iis's make and constitution, of whom the historian testifies,^ " nul- tw in ejus
lum unquam a se tristem dimississe, that he never loved to let any client depart from " ^■
him whh an heavy heart. In a word, he was every way a gallant gentleman, and was
the honour of his time, and our country.
For his religion, as he always lived in the profession, so he died in the communion
of that of the" church of England. His remains being brought from Warly thither,
lie intombed among his ancestors, in the parish church of Poltimorc, without any
funeral monument.
ADDITIONAL NOTES.
(1.) From this John Bampfield, the twelfth in lineal succession, was John, created a Baronet, July 14,
16'4I. He married Gertrude, tlie daughter of Amias, and sister and co-heir of John Copleston, ol Copleston and
Warlegh. Sir Copleston his son, of whom our author treats, was succeeded by his grandson Sir Copleston
WarwTck, son of Hugh, who died before his father. He married Gertrude, daughter of Sir John Carew, of
Antony, Darouet, and relict of Sir Godfrey Copley, Baronet, by whom he had issue. Sir Richard Warwick, the
father of the present Baronet Sir Charles Warwick Bampfylde, who is tlie seventeenth in lineal descent from
John Bampfield, the hrst possessor ol Poltimore.
(2.) Warlegh has been since alienated, as may be seen in the notes on Copleston, and is now the resi-
dence of the Rev. Walter RadclifTe. _,_ ^
DE BAMPTON,
40 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
DE BAMPTON, JOHN, D.D.
DE BAMPTON, John, Doctor of Divinity, was born at the town of Bampton,
lying on the skirts of Somersetshire, about five miles north of Tiverton, in this
county. This place heretofore, was variously written, as Bahantune, Baenton, Bauii-
- Diigd. Bar. tOH, Bahampton, Bampton, &c.' It is an antient town, privileged with a weekly
V. 1. p. 43-'. market on Saturdays, and two yearly fairs, the one in Whitsim-week, the other on St.
Luke's day. It giveth name to the hundred, which hath six other parishes within it.
Here, as Marianus and Florentius report, A.D. 620, was a great conflict between
' wesc.surv. Kencgcl the first Christian King of the AVest-Saxons, and the Britains,'' where the
ill Bauiit. MS.j^;pg py(- twenty thousand to the sword; the original names a larger number, by one
cipher.
These lands are given by William the Conqueror to a noble Norman, Walter de
Doway, who had his castle in this place : which yet did not long continue in his
name; for Robert his son, called himself de Bahantune or Baunton, whose daughter
and heir Julian, brought this inheritance to her husband, William Paganel, or Paynel,
Lord of Bridgwater, whose son's daughter. Christian, brought this estate to her hus-
' Sir w Pole's band," that great soldier and undertaker of the Irish conquest, Sir Milo Cogan, Kt. by
iiiTjaiint. **' which mcans it came into that name ; in which it flourished for divers descents in much
honour. Until at length Elizabeth, sister and co-heir of Sir John Cogan, the eighth
knight of that name in a direct line in this place, brought it to her husband. Sir Fulk
Fitz- Warren, Kt. Lord of Wanting : and by another heir of that honourable tribe, it
came to Sir Richard Hankford of Annery, in this county, Kt. by one of the co-heirs
of which family, it came to the most noble line of Bourchier, late Earls of Bath ; whose
dwelling was at Taustock near Barnstaple : in which having continued about six de-
scents, it fell, with many other noble estates, among three heirs female ; one married
to the Earl of Stampford, one to the Earl of Denbeigh, and one to Sir Christopher
Wray, of Cornwal, Baronet ; in whose posterity, for the most part, it still remains to
this day: and is the noble seat of the Lady Wray, Dowager of the honourable Sir
Bourchier Wray, Bart, lately deceased.
*Mr. Risd. At this place we are informed^ was this John de Baunton, or de Bampton bornj
of Dev. in whosc name is said to be local, and to be derived from thence. For according to
Bampt. MS. antient custom, clergymen of note were wont to be called from the town or village
where they were born. Which practice continued much in vogue unto the days of
King Henry the sixth, and then — de — such a place, began to be left off: began, sa^^s
' Wortii.p.43. puiigr,<^ but not quite finished, for some continued the use a long while after.
This John de Bampton, as to his profession, was a Monk of the order of the Car-
melites; so called, from having their habitation in caves and rocks in the hill Car-
fRoss. viewof ji^ei- famous for the prophets Elias and Elisha:^ They began about the year of Christ,
1160. Or as others say, 1121. They came into England, Anno 1240. Ralph Fres-
burn was their first governour here, and Humfrid Neckton, the first Carmelite that
read School-Divinity in Cambridg ; and was of that order, the first Doctor of Divi-
nity. Gregory the ninth, who was advanced to the popedom. Anno 1227, forbad
them to enjoy possessions or revenues; but were to beg from door to door. To be
of this order, was held meritorious in the church of Rome : and of this was John de
Bampton.
Cmu. ia^p.^6. ^^^ ^^^ ^ great lover of learning, and studied many years at Cambridg ;^ and is
h Risd. quo s^'^ to have been the first that read Aristotle publickly in the schools there.'' He ap-
supra. plyed himself also to nobler studies; and made so great progress in divinity, that he
at length commenced doctor of that sublime faculty.
He
DE BAMPTON, JOHN, D. D. 41
He was a person excellently learned for the times wherein he lived; had a very-
acute wit,' and was a great disputant. For he well knew how to urge and how to ' ^al. ibid,
evade all the subtilties of sophistical arguments.
He wrote divers books, some of which we find thus entituled in the centuries of
Balaeus.
Opusculum octo Quasstionum. Lib. 1. — De veritatc Propositionum, Lib. I. —
Lecturie Scholasticai in Theologia, Lib. 1.
Some other tilings he composed, but altogether sophistry, as that author tells us.
How long Doctor Bampton continued in the university after the taking that degree,
or whether he retired to any particular monastery of his order, I am not able to inform
myself or reader: nor can I learn where he died, or in what dormitory his corps doth
rest. He flourished under Edward King of England, the third of that name ; about
the year of our redemption, 1340.
There was another family of the name Baunton, that flourished in the parish of
Combe-Ragleghs, near Honiton in this county ;" which parish was first named Combe ' Sir w. Pole
singly, then Combe-baunton : for here was famous, in K. Henry 3. time. Sir Matthew i^" Comb-Rai.
de Baunton, Kt. and after him, John de Baunton.
Whether this stirp took its name from the parish and family aforesaid, or whether
our John de Baunton or Bampton, had any relation to it, I do not find. Afterward
this parish left the name of Combe-Baunton, and came to be called Combe-Matthew,
from Matthew the lord thereof: and so at last, Come-Ralegli, from the Raleghs,
which it still retaineth.' i la. ibid, in
The arms of Baunton of Comb-Bnunton, were, Gul. a bend between 3 Escalops ^"*- "' '^"""•
Or. one above, two below.
G BARKHAM,
42 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
BARKHAM, JOHN, D. D.
Fior. A. D. BARKHAM, John, Doctor of Divinity, and Dean of Bocking, was born in the
cS°'i^' ^' parish of Saint Mary the More, in the city of Exeter, about the year of our Lord,
» Atii. Oxon. 1572. He was the second son of Lawrence Barkham, of Saint Leonard's," a small
vol. i. p. 9. parish, about half a mile to the south-east of that city, and some time one of the
stewards thereof, viz. anno 1576, when Thomas Presthood, Esquire, was mayor
thereof; who died in the beginning of his mayoralty, So. December the 28th, that
' iz. Mem. p. year.*" His mother was Joan, daughter of Edward Bridgeman, of the said city of
Exon. By whicii it may appear, how very nearly related he was to the last mention-
ed pious and eminent prelate bishop Bridgeman : Unto whom he was not more nearly
allied by consanguinity, than by all good and pious accomplishments ; as if learning
and virtue did run in a blood.
Being fit for the university, he was entered a sojourner of Exeter college, in Ox-
^ Ath. Oxon. ford, in Michaslmas term, 1.587," aged 15 years. The year following he went to
Corpus Christi college in the same university ; and August the 24th, was admitted
scholar of that house. Several years after this, he was chosen probationer fellow
of the same, Sc. 21. of June, 1.596, being at that time Master of Arts, and in holy
orders.
Afterward he proceeded Batchelour of Divinity; and was taken into the quality of
his domestick chaplain, by Dr. Bancroft, Archbishop of Canterbury, a learned and
pious prelate.
After this, upon the death of Bancroft, he became domestick chaplain to his suc-
cessor in that see. Doctor George Abbot, a learned, pioTis, but an unfortunate Metra-
politane; for shooting at a deer, as he was hunting in Bramzel, my Lord Zouche's
park, (Ful. Worthies in Surry, page 83.) by mischance, his arrow glanced and killed
the keeper. Which ecclipsed the splendour of all his future life and days. Of whom
■1 Ath. Oxon. I find this character'' noway, I think, to his discommendation, That he was stiffly
outofx'sttan»eP'''"^'pl^*^ J" the doctriuc of St. Augnstin ; which they who understand not, call Cal-
hisHist. of K. vinism ; and therefore disrelished by them, who incline to the Massilian and Arminian
Ch. 1. p. loi. tg(jg,^tg How long he was chaplain to this archbishop, I do not find; only at that
time he was Rector and Dean of Bocking, in the couuty of Essex, and doctor of his
faculty.
Doctor Barkham was an extraordinary person, many ways very skilful in divers
' Id. vol. 3. tongues;' a curious critick; a noted antiquary, especially in the knowledg of coyns,
P-^- of which he had made a choice collection; an exact historian, herald, and an able
tlieologist.
He was also a strict man in his life and conversation ; he was charitable and modest ;
prudent and reserved, both in his behaviour and discourse. In a word, he was emi-
nently remarkable for those good qualities, which become one of his profession.
He was a fixed and steady man; not carryed about witii every wind of doctrine;
but well established both in the doctrine and discipline of that orthodox reformed
church, whereof he was both a member and an ornament.
'Lioyd'sMcm. He was, as one tells us,' as far from popery as from jjresbyterianism ; and knew the
p. 281. stiength of both parties, and was able to answer them both. And when both ex-
treams, as he called them, to the virtue of the church of England, the partizans of
Rome and Geneva, the men of the pretended old doctrine, and the new discipline,
met with any little remnant of antiquity that made fur them, they would- run to him
with
BARKHAM, JOHN, D.a 43
Ti. And he would please himself infinilcly with a story, which hath since his death
been printed : And for the appositeness thereof may be here inserted.
A nobleman, who had heard of the extream age of one dwelling not far off, made
a journey on purpose to see him: And finding an aged man in the ciiimney-corncr,
addressed himself to him, with admiration of his a^e ; until his mistake was rectified
thus. Oh, Sir, said the young-old man, I am not he whom you seek for, but his son;
my father is further off in the fiekl.
Thus would he shew them, how they mistook middle antiquity for primitive his-
tory ; in which he was so versed, that he had not the fathers books oidy, but their
hearts ; not only their history, but their piety : Yea, so very strict was he in his life,
that he went for a fether himself; being observed as much a rule to others, as the
fathers were to him.
Skilled he was in many tongues, (as was said before) yet always a man of a single
heart. AVhen God made him rich, he made not himself poor by covetousness : And if
God had made him poor, he could have made himself, by contentment, rich.
Archbishop Usher and he, are said to have had one useful quality above many
others, That they understood men better than they did themselves : And so employed
them, who could not tell what to do with themselves, upon what was most suitable to
them, and profitable to the publick: having Doctor James (that great Oxford libra-
rian) his notion much upon his spirits, That all the manuscripts of England should
be collected and compared.
A design, he thought, that would have proved very beneficial to the protestant in-
terest (considering how many manuscripts England hath still, notwithstanding the
great loss she sustained at the dissolution of monasteries, and all the care hath been
lately taken in the printed catalogue of them, not yet come to light) if prosecuted
with as great endeavour, as proposed with good intention.
Such was his charity also, and his universal obligation, that you would think your-
self at Saint Augustin's or St. Cyprian's house, when you saw the poor at the doctor's
doors ; the neighbours welcome at his table ; young scholars in his study ; bibles, and
other godly books, in each room in the house, not only to entertain, but to bring over
to piety and religion, all that entered therein. The servants, and all the houshold,
were so used to psalms and chapters, that they spake familiarly the holy language ;
the hours of devotion and instruction were constantly observed ; the people being at
all the returns of duty in God's service to forget their own business; though in their
own business they never forgot God's service.
He was one (contrary to the mode of the present age) who made the errors of men
(to which all are subject) the matter of his grief, not of his discourse. And would so
prudently reprove the sin as to spare the person: and yet so discreetly tender towards
the person, as not to countenance the sin.
He was a man that would not give his heart the lie with his tongue, by not intend-
ing what he spoke : Nor his tongue the lye with his actions, by not perfoniiing what
he promised. That had rather friendly insinuate men's errors to themselves, than de-
tractingly blaze them unto others.
A man he was that would not put off his devotion for want of leisure ; nor his cha-
rity for want of ability. That thought it better to deny a request, for that was only
discourtesy ; than not to perform a promise, for that is injury. That would not re-
buke, as the philosopher would not beat his servant, in anger. Angry reproofs being
like scalding potions, which exulcerate instead of healing: That work being to be
done with compassion, rather than passion.
Doctor Barkham, farther, was not only every way a good and pious divine, but an
txcellent scholar; and admirably skilled in all sorts of learning: but especially in he-
raldry, history, and matters of antiquity. Witness those excellent books he wrote,
G 2 though
44 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
tliough in his own name he printed none. What tliey were, we have thus registered
eQim supra, by that late laborious author Mr. A. Wood, in his Athene Oxon.*^
*"■ " i_ The History or Life of John, King of England : Which is the same that is in the
History of Great Brittain, published by John Speed. Which sheweth more learning
and judgment than any life besides in that History. And here to do that good old
historian right, he hath made a grateful and honourable mention of Doctor Barkham,
and the kindnesses he had received from him, in the summary conclusion of that
b"'_'j;,°[^^[,; elaborate work of his, in these words:'' The like most acceptable helps, both of
books and collections, especially in matters remoter from our times, I continually re-
ceived from that worthy divine, Mr. John Barkham ; a gentleman composed of learn-
ing, virtue, and courtesy, as being no less ingeniously willing, than learnedly able,
to advance and forward all virtuous endeavours. A very noble testimony.
II_ He wrote, or had a chief hand in composing, The History, or Life of Hcnrj^ the
2d. King of England. Remitted also by Mr. Speed, into his aforesaid History.
Which History, or Life, some suppose to have been written in opposition to one, (or
rather to suppress the same) written by one Bolton, a Roman Catholick ; who did
too much favour the haughty carriage of Thomas Becket, &c. The same Edmund
Bolton, as is supposed, who wrote. The Elements of Armory, printed at London,
1610. And the Carmen Gratulatorium de Traductione Corporis Mariee Regina?
Scotorum a Peterburgo ad Westmonasterium. Insomuch, 'tis very plain, that Doctor
Barkham had a great hand in composing of the book commonly called Speed's Chro-
nicle ; which is the best we have of that kind extant.
jlj_ He wrote also. The Display of Heraldry, print. Lond. 1610. in folio. Much used
in that gentile study, and is the best in that kind, for method, that ever before was
published. This book being mostly composed in his younger years, he deemed it too
light a subject for him to own : He being, when first made publick, a grave divine,
chaplain to an archbishop, and most likely a dean. Wherefore, being well ac-
quainted with John Guillam, an officer of arms, he gave him the copy: who adding
some trivial things of his own thereunto, published it, with leave from the author,
under his own name. Which goeth this day under the title of Guillam's Heraldry.
IV. ^^^ published also, Crackentiiorp's book against Marcus Antonius de Dominis, and
wrote a preface to it. Which de Dominis was Archbishop of Spalato, in the terri-
' Bakefs tory ot Venice ;' who leaving his country, as he said, for religion, came into Eng-
w"'.'" ^^' ^^]^^^ '■> """^^^ entertained by the Archbishop of Canterbury; and afterwards made Dean
of Windsor, and Master of the Savoy. During which time he preached publicklv
before the lords of the council, and printed his first four books of the common-
wealth of the church. AVherein, with great earnestness, he maintained the doctrine
and discipline of the protestants. But after all this, having stayed here five years, he
retracted all he had said or written before : which so incensed King James the first,
that he commanded him, within three days, at his peril, to depart the realm. Who
thereupon went to Rome, where he inveighed as bitterly against the protestants, as
he had done in England against the papists; hoping at least for pardon, if not for
preferment. But notwithstanding his recantation, according to the law of the inquisi-
tion, having once revolted, though now returned, he suffered the deatii of an heretick,
though not the shame; had the punishment of a martyr, though not the honour:
And was pubiickly burnt at Rome ; yet not burnt alive, but dying in prison, and
there buried, it is said his body was afterwards taken up and Ijurned. "
At the interment of that forementioned learned man Doctor Crackenthorp, Doctor
Barkham preached his funeral sermon at Black Notly, in Essex, (where he had been
rector) before several gentlemen, and ministers, of the neighbourliood, on November
the 15th, 1624.
V. He also wrote a book concerning coyns, which remains in manuscript ; but where
it
BARKHAM, JOHN, D.D. 45
it is now is uncertain. He was a great lover of coins, much more than of money :
and 'tis certain he had the best collection of them, of any clergyman in England.
Which being given by him to Doctor Laud, Archbishop of Canterlniry, who much
desired them, they came soon after, by his gift, to the Bodleian library in Oxford ;
and are at this day reposed in the gallery adjoyning thereunto.
And now this good man, having lived long under a good government, seeing the
anarchy and confusion that was then a breaking in upon the kingdom, was afraid to
live any longer, lest he should see none at all. He surrendered up, therefore, his
pious soul to Him that gave it, in the parsonage-house of Bockino-, aforesaid, on the
25th of March, 1642, and was buried in the chancel of the church there.
Over whose grave, though there be no memory put, yet is there an inscription in-
tended for him, printed in a book intituled AlTanite ; the sight whereof I could
not procure.
Doctor Barkham married Ann Rogers, of Sandwich, in Kent, by whom he had
issue George, Henry, and others: but whether ajiy of them, or their posterity, be
surviving this day, I cannot learn.
Many excellent books were dedicated to this worthy doctor : And 'tis pitty, says
my author, but there should be an intire book made of him.
But in that I cannot be furnished with the Aflani;e aforesaid, I cannot here insert
what is there written of him.
However, that may serve for his epitaph, written on him by another hand, which I
shall here subjoyn." " Lloyd's
" Vivere Deo incepit eodem quo credebat Deum vixisse hominibus ; nempe Martii '^'^"'- p- '-'^i-
25, 1642. Ne dignissimum virum, qui nil servari dignum, perire passus est, vel fuisse
Seri Nepotes nesciant, hoc monumentum leternitati sacrum esse voluit W. D. E. A.
Qui Cordicitus amavit, pristina:^ fulei virum & decoctum generosum pectus honesto,"
BARRY
4?6 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
BARRY, ROBERT.
Flor.
1168
K. k! -DARRY, Robert, one of the first conquerors of Ireland, was an Englishman, and as
kVa.' ' we are informed,^ a native of this county : altho' where he was born herein, I do not
Si'"/"7d"^" '''"*^'' ^°' ^'^^ family of this name, lately at Winscot, near Great Torrington, de-
in vvinscot. ' sccndcd from a younger branch of the Irish stock, whereof this gentleman was the
MS. original. One of which settled his lands in England upon his younger son; whereof
a great share lay in this county. For Hollocombe in Winklcgh, Azeton in Ash-
Reney, Combe in Roborough, North-Hele and Soutli-Hcle in Buckinton-Loges, East-
Legh in the parish of West-Legh, and Winscot in the parish of St. Giles, did an-
»■ Risd. and tieutly belong unto this name.'' For so far back as the three first Edwards, Kings of
otDcv.'i'biti" England, this family possessed a fair inheritance in this shire; and long before their
reigns too. For Mr. Risdon (who was heir to the heir-general of that branch thereof
at Winscot) assures us. That John Barry, of Winscot aforesaid, married the daughter
and heir of Jeffery Legh, (who lived at East-Legh, afore-mentioned, lying over
against Bytheford) in the days of K. John, which is pretty near the time wherein the
gentleman, of whom we are treating, lived. This seems a confirmation of his being
this countryman born : In which having a plentiful estate, one of his successors sent
hither a younger son of his to possess and enjoy it ; whose posterity continued here in
worshipful rank unto the last age.
Having spoken thus largelj^ of this family in general, we shall now proceed to that
eminent person in particular, who was the founder thereof, Robert Barry. Cambden
' ^"".^''vPj- tells us' That there were two of this name, who were very instrumental in the conquest
Aiig. "of Ireland, viz. Robert Barry, and Walter de Barry. Of the latter of these, I find no-
thing farther remarkable : But the former, by his noble exploits, hath transmitted his
name and memory down, with great honour, to posterity. He was an eminent soul-
dier, and wrote his fame so deep, in the chronicles of both kingdoms, with the point
of his sword, that time itself, for these several hundred years, hath not been able to
expunge or eraze it.
Ireland was the happy stage wherein he acted a noble part; into which he went
under the auspicious conduct of the famous Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke, in com-
pany of a near relation, his uncle, Fitz-Stephen, (as we may suppose) of Norton ;
from latter lords, called Norton-Dawney, near Dartmouth, in this county, of whom
I may give a fuller account hereafter. This happened in the days of K. Hen. 2. of
England ; and that upon this occasion ; vvhereof it may not be improper here to give
a brief relation.
All such sins, abounding in Ireland, as commonly forego the greatest changes, ac-
•^ Speeds Hist, cording to the observation of the historian,* such as the extream corruption of the
"* k'^h' ^"'' "'^""'-''"s of the nation, and the general decay of the Christian faith, (beware Oh !
495." " " England!) God the only disposer and translator of kingdoms, being highly provoked
thereby, was pleased to take the crown from off their heads, and to clap a foreign
yoak upon their necks : Who being often pleased to make use of the sins and wicked-
ness of men, in the bringing about his own wise and holy purposes, you will find did
so, in the present instance. For Dermic Mac Morrog, King of Leinster, to accele-
rate the fate of his country, having ravished away the wife of O'Rorke, a petty King
of Meath, and been guilty of other extravagant lusts, and tirannies, was, by the re-
= Cambd. veuging sword of his enemy, driven fi'om his country.' Upon this, coming into Eng-
Biit.p. 970. land, he applied himself to K. Hen. II. for succour; who, having before, Sc. A.
115.5, moved the conquest of that kingdom to his barons, for the use of his brother
William
BARRY, ROBERT.
47
A.D. 1167
William of Anjou, was glad of this occasion; and resolved to improve it, in effecting
that which he had before designe^l.
Mac Morro"- then, you may he sure, soon obtained what the King before-hand was
so willino- to grant. Richard,' Earl of Pembroke, sirnamed Strongbow, of the family
of Clare, having a commission from the King of England to that purpose; forthwith
raised a good army of Welsh and English for this expedition. Dermic Mac Morrog,
the better to assure to him the utmost assistance of the Earl herein, made this con-
tract with him. That he would secure to him the succession of his kingdom in Ireland,
if he should be restored ; and likewise give him his only daughter Eva to wife. All
which succeeded accordingly, by whom he had only one daughter, who brought to
William Mareschal her husband, the title of Earl of Pembroke, and a great estate in
Ireland.
The Earl, with those powers he brought with him out of England, not only restor-'
ed Dermic, according to agreement; but in few years, made such progress in the
conquest of the whole kingdom of Ireland, that K. Henry began to grow jealous of
him, and to suspect his power: So that he put forth his proclamations, requiring the
said Earl and his adherents, upon grievous penalties, to return into England.
This matter being comprized to general satisfaction, the King, some time after this,
raised another potent army; and sailing over into Ireland, in the year of our redemp-
tion, 1172, obtained the soveraignty of that whole island; which hath (by God's
gracious Providence) remained in the English hands ever since unto this day.
And here it may not be ungrateful to the reader, to interpose the names of those
who went out of England with Dermic Mac Morrog into Ireland; as I find them re-
corded bv the famous Cambden.^ among whom, 'tis possible, we may meet with some f Brittan in
„ •' . ^ ' Ireland, p. 975.
more of our countrymen.
Richard Strongbow, E. of Pembroke.
Robert Fitz-Stephens.''
Maurice Pendergest.
Robert Barry.'
Meiler Milerine.
Maurice Fitz-Gerald, and
Gaulter and Alexander his sons.
Redmund, nephew to Stephen.
William Ferrand.''
Miles or Sir Milo de Cogan.'
Richard de Cogan.
Gaulter de Ridensford.
William Notte.
Robert Fitz- Bernard."
Hugh de Lacy.
William Fitz-Aldelm.
William Macarell.
Humfrey Bohun.
Hugh de Gundevill,
Philip de Hasting.
Hugh Tirell.
David Walsh.
Robert Poer."
Osbert de Harloter.
ult. Edit. Aug.
" He is said to be a Wclsli man, and to have
done great service in Ireland. Vid. Speed's Hist,
of Brit, in K. H. '.'. But probably he was a De-
vonian.
' The gentleman before us
'' Ferrant-Haj's in Clist-Hidon, in this coiiiily,
hath a long time been in the name of I'errjiit.
Pole in Clist-Hidon. MS.
' Born very near, if not in this county ; wlio mar-
ried a Devonshire lady, Christian, the diiighter
and heir of Fulk Paganel, Lord of the honour of
Baunton, near Tiverton; by which means that
lordship came to his grandson, Sir John Cogan,
Kt. whose posteiity long enjoyed it. Pole's Surv,
in Uaun.
" This name flourished at their antient seat at
Holcomb-Burnel, formerly Holcomb-Bcrnard, for
eeveial generations from the Norman conquest.
Id, ibid, in Hole,
William du Bendenge.
Ailam de Gernez.
• Bartholomew de Poer, held Poers-Hays in the
parish of East Budley, in tliis county, in K. Hen.
•2d s time ; whom lineally succeeded Roger, Ro-
ger, John, and others. Id. in E. Budly,
Philip
4S
THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
" Tnnstal, near Dartmouth, was ttie inheritance
of William Fitz-Stophen, who dwelled at Norton,
in the said parish, in the days of K. Hen. the 2d.
Id. ibid, in Tnnstal. Canihd. tells ns, (in Com.
Core.) That Sir Geo. Carew, E. of Totnes, a na-
tive of this county, descended, in a direct line,
from Rob. Fitz-.Stephen ; which name flourished in
those days at Haccombe, which through several
daughters and heirs came to Carew, and is now
the seat of that honourable family. Vid. Camb.
in Devon.
Philip de Breos.
Griffin, nephew of Stephen.
Ralph Fitz-Stephen."
Waher de Barry.
Philip Walsh.
Adam de Hereford.
John de Curcy.
Huiih Contilon.
Redmond Cantimore.
Edmund Fitz-Hugh.
Miles of St. Davids.
And others : Though these are all which are nominated by my author. But to
return.
How instrumental this Mr. Barry was, in bringing Ireland under the English yoak,
' Brtt n ™^^ ^'^ inferred from a testimony beyond exception, I mean Mr. Cambden's ; who
edit. p. yso. tells us,*" That Robert de Barry was an Englishman, of great worth; one who was
rather ambitious' to be really eminent, than to seem so : He was, says he, the first
man that was wounded in the conquest of Ireland; and (as the late translator renders
it) that ever manned a Ilawke in that island. Whereas others more properly render
it thus. He was the first man that was wounded in the conquest of Ireland; and that
manned and brought that Hawke to hand.
His posterity, also, for their great loyalty and valour, have been honoured (first)
with the title of Baron Barry ; afterv\ ards, with that of Viscount Butiphant, by the
Kings of England ; and at this day with that of Earl of Barry-More : For so, from
their riches and estates, caine they to be called, by the people, Barry-More, or Bar-
ry the great.
This noble family hath its chief dwelling house in the county of Corke, somewhat
beneath the city so called ; where the chancl of the river, dividing into two branches,
by uniting again at some distance otf, makes a large and very pleasant island, commonly
called the Great-Island. Over-against which, stands that noble seat called Barry
Court.
When this honourable person died, and where he lieth interred, we are not able at
this distance to determine. Some of his posterity flourished in this county at their
1 Westc. Pedi-seat at Winscot, home to the last age. When Michael Barry, Esq.'' by Jone his
grees, MS. -^yif^^ daughter of George Pollard, of Langley, in this county, Esq. left issue Tho-
masin ; who married John Tripconey, of Gulvale, in Cornwal. Jone, the relict of
Barry, took to her second husband William Risdon; third son of Bablegh-House, in
Devon, by whom she had issue Tristram, and others. Thomasin, dying without issue,
left a fair demesne, and a good mannor to her brother by the same venter, Mr. Tristram
Risdon ; of whom (God willing) more hereafter: AVhose son now inherits and inhabits
there.
BASKERVILLE,
{ 49 )
BASKERVILE, SIR SIMON, KNIGHT.
IjASKERVILE, Sir Simon, Knight, (Notcjwa?, born at Exeter, (a county within the F'or. A ,
county of Devon) in the year of our Lord God, 1573. His father was Thomas S.'^-^'
Baskcrvile, an apothecary by profession, and sometime one of the stewards of that
honourable city ; who observing this his son well addicted unto books, kept him at
school, until he became ripe for the university. Unto which he was sent about the
eighteenth jear of his age; and planted into Exeter College in Oxford. He was
placed under the tTitelage of Mr. William Helm, the famous sub-rector of that house;
a man of rare piety as well as learning." He was matriculated in the university on » Lloyd's Mem
the 10th of March, 1591. p.o39.
Being thus fixed in his proper orb, he began soon to display the beams of virtue
and learning ; so that now near batchelour of arts stauiliiig-, lie was chosen fellow of
that college. AVhereby it fell out that he was some considerable time more than
standing, before he took that first degree ; which was in the year of our Saviour's
blessed incarnation, 1596." To this also having added that of master, he was taken » ah, Oxo„
notice of in my author's words, for his admirable knowledg in humanity and nhHo- vol. i.'p. 775.
sophy.^ •'I
. . ^ Id. ib. p.
After this, viz. A. I6O6, he waschosen the senior proctorofthe university; atwhat^"-
time he bended his studies wholly upon physick : In the knowledg of which useful
faculty, he became a most eminent proficient; and proceeded to the taking both de-
grees therein, sc. batchelours and doctors at once, as they call it, by accumulation.
Unto which he was admitted by the university, June 20th, 161 1. At Avhich time he
was in great esteem for his admirable knowledg in medicine, as he had been before for
other parts of learning.
Leaving the university, after many years industry and study there, he went for
London; where he became of great eminency upon the account of his profession.
He was a member of the College of Physicians there ; and, as is thought, president
thereof tor a time. He had not been long in London, before the fame of his skill and
learning brought him to court, where he was sworn physician to K. Jam. 1. of bles-
sed memory. So was he also afterward to that gracious"' Prince K. Ch. 1. of like pious
memory. One of which princes had Dr. Baskervile in that high esteem, for his
learning, and other accomplishments, that he w as pleased to confer upon him the ho-
nour of knighthood.
This gentleman is one of the famous men mentioned by Dr. Prideaux, as the great
ornaments of Exeter college, and the university in their time ■} and was held of" Epist. to the
highest reputation for his learning and good success in physick, of any in that ao-e ■;«■'"'• bctbrpiiis
None more sought after, nor perhaps so much, if that be true which is reported^of mon!'"' '"
him. That he had no less than an hundred patients a week. Which, if so, it can't
be strange he should amass so great an heap of wealth, as to acquire the title of Sir
Simon Baskervile the rich.'^ Whereby we may consent to that of the poet : .lio d-sMeni '
Dat Galenus opes, dat Justinianus honores : ^'^'^'^'
At genus &. species cogitur ire pede.
Physick gives wealth : Law, honours doth bestow :
But the poor logick-man must barefoot go.
This learned doctor, and worthy knight, had, it seems, a spirit as large as his
purse, if Fuller guessed true, when he said. He had a pleutilul purse, and a public
. H . ' spirit.
^^ THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
276.°'^ '^^' ^'spint.' Altho' he skives us no particular instances of it; so that what became of all
8 Lio d f ^'''^ great wealth at iiis death, I no where find.
Supra. '*'"' There is moreover something farther remarkable recorded of him,^ That he was a
great friend to the clergy, (God knows tlic}^ have but i'ew in this age) and the inferior
loyal gentry. Insomuch, He would never take a fee of an orthodox minister under a
"Uovd'sM ^'^^"- °'" o'^iiy suffering cavalier in the cause of K. Ch. 1. under a gentleman of an
p. c"! * ^"'* hundred a-year :" but would also, with physic to their bodies, generally give relief to
their necessities.
What family he left behind him, or who became his heir or executor, I can no way
be informed. All I am able to add farther of him is, that he died July 5, 1641, sixty-
eight years of age ; and was buried in the cathedral church of St. Paul, in the city of
London, (unto which probably he had been a liberal Iienefactor) where if he had any
monument erected to his memory, it fell under the ruines of that church, occasioned
by the dreadful conflagration, which happened in the year 1666,
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
IN Dugdale's History of St. Pauls, he is represented as being descended from tlie ancient family of the Basr
kerviles, in Herefordshire ; an excellent scholar and eminent physician, famous for his skill in anatomy. He
was so noted and eminent for his parts, knowledge of the arts and sciences, and quickness in arguing, that
upon the lirst coming of King James to see that flourishing university, (Oxford) lie was chosen as a prime per-
son to dispute before him in the philosophic art, which he performed with the great applause of his Majesty,
who was not only there as an hearer, but as an accurate judge. After this he had the honour to be one of the
proctors of that university, which gave him fartlier occasion for shewing himself publickly; and, liaving laid
liis grounds so firmly in natural pliilosophy, he went on happily in the study of physic, according to the known
method of ubidesinit philosophus, ibi incipit raedicus.
Prince seems not to have known of any monument having been erected to his memory — but in the catalogue of
tombs, inscriptions, &c. of memorable persons in London, destroyed by the fire, v»'e find tlie name of Sir Simon
Baskcrviie, Knight, M.D. as having one. But Dugdale goes still farther, giving the very figure of the marbl?
tablets, on which were the following inscriptions.
" Xear this jtlace li/elh buried the bodi/ of that woilhij and learned gentleman, Sir Sinion Baskervilc, ^nig/itj
and Vr, in phi sick, who departed this lijc the Ji/lh of Jalu, 1641, a^i^ed 68 i/ears.
BASSET.
( 51 )
BASSET, COLONEL ARTHUR.
Basset, Collonel Arthur, (Note) was born about the year of our Lord, 1597, at Hean- i^or^- a. »;
ton Court, in the parish of Heanton-Punchardon ; so called from its antient lords, the car. i.
Punchardons, (a knightly family, which flourislied there in K. H. the Second s tune,
and three generations after) lying \evy near (on the north side) to the river 1 au, as
it proudly flows along, to meet her beloved Turridge at Appledore ; where joynuig
hand in hand, tliey throw themselves into the Severn sea, over the bar of Barnstaple
This o-entleman descended from illustrious ancestors ; he was the eldest son of Su-
Robert Basset,^ by Elizabeth, second daughter and co-heir of Sir WilhaniPerream, ^sirw^Poie's
Kt Chief Baron of the Exchequer ; who was eldest son of Su- Arthur Basset, by ^yi,i,g ctap-
Elinora, daughter of Sir John Cbichester, of Ralegh ; who was eldest son of pie.
John Basset,''of Umburlegh and Ileanton-CoiHt, bv Frances his wife ; daughter and
co-heir of Arthur Plantagenet, Viscount of Lisle,'' natural son to King Edward tlie ^^ai... ^Wes^^^_
Fourth (by Elizabeth Lucy) and of Elizabeth his wife; daughter of Edward Gray, ^^j, ' •
Viscount Lisle; sister and heir to John her brother, and of Elizabeth his wife;
daughter of John Talbot, Viscount Lisle; sister and heir to Thomas her brother, and
of Jone his wife; daughter, and one of the co-heirs of Sir John Chedder, Kt., which
John Talbot, was fourth son to John Talbot, first Earl of Shrewsbury, of that name ;
but eldest by his second wife Margaret, eldest daughter and co-heir of Richard
Beachamp, Earl of Warwick, and of Elizabeth his wife, daughter and heir of Thomas
Lord Berkley ; and of Margery his wife, daughter and heir of Warren Lord Lisle
and Tyes, &c, . , r -,
I shall not undertake to trace back to the original of this antient and noble tamily.
There were very near the Norman conquest, several families of this name^; but whe-
ther they all sprang from one stock, Dugdal himself acknowledgeth, that he could
not tell.' Divers of them w^ere barons of the realm ; and very near the same time= Bar. of Engi.
too; as, Raph Lord Basset, of Drayton, in Staffordshire; William Lord Basset, of ^- • ?• ^ •
Sapcote, in Leicestershire ; Gilbert Lord Basset, of Hedendon, in Oxford-shire ; and
Alan Lord Basset, of Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire.
The first that I find of this name in England, was Osmund Basset, who came in
with William the Conqueror, and from this gentleman all these noble families seem to
be descended.
There were two of this appellation, who antiently held lands in this county, viz.
Thomas Lord Basset, brother and heir to Gilbert Lord Basset, of Hedendon, who
had the mannors of Coliton and Whitford, in the south-east part of this county, given
him by K. Richard the First ;'' who left three daughters his heirs, Philippa, wife of^idemibid.p.
Henry Earl of AVarwick; Joan, of Reginald Valetort; and Alice, of John Bisset.-"
Which Philippa, was afterwards, in the days of King Henry the Third, anno regni 21.
married to Richard Siward, &c. Then there was
Sir Alan Basset, who had given him, by Sir William Peverel, of Samford, in this
county, White-Chapple and La Heyne, in the parish of Bishops-Nymton, in the
north'part of this county, with Lucia his sister in marriage.^ Which Sir Alan wasesu- w. Pole
son of William, by Cicely his wife; daughter of Alan de Englefield ; who was son of "'^Bishops Ny-
John Basset; son of Osmond Basset, which held Ipisden and Stoke-Basset, in King
Henry the First's time.
Our noble Collonel was of this family, whose long-continued dwelling was at
White-Chapple, aforesaid. Until at length, in the days of King Henry the Eighth,
John, the son of Sir William Basset, married Joan, daughter of Sir Thomas Beau-
mont ;
./i2 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
mont, and sister and heir of Philip Beaumont, of Shirwel, in this county; who brought
into this family two noble seats in those parts, viz. Umberlegh and Heanton-Court.
Umberlcgh lieth in the parish of Adrington, seven miles to the south of Barnstaple;
and is so called, from the abundance of woods and groves, which heretofore were
fRis.1. Desc. roundabout it, and did over-shadow it. It sometime belonged to King Athelstan,'
dri ""■ "' ^' who is said to have had his palace here. After that, in King Henry the Second's
Isii^v. Poles days, to Soleigny,^ or De Solariis; then to Chambernon; then to Willington; (of
Descr.ofDev. ^yhich fiimily wcrc many noble persons;) then to Palton ; then to Beaumont; and
iu umbuiiegb. ^^^^ ^^ Basset. Here this family had its lirst residence after it became theirs; but it
being the more melancholy, and less healthful place, they removed hence to
Heanton-Court, which came from Punchardon to Beaumont : and from Beaumont
to Basset; whose habitation is now there. A sweet and pleasant seat it is; a very
handsom pile, well furnished with all variety of entertainment, which the earth, and
sea, and air, can afford. Here lived Sir Robert Basset, our Collonel's father; who
being by his grandmother, descended from the Plantagenets, and of the blood royal,
in tlie beginning of King James the First's reign, made some pretensions to the crown
of England ; but not being able to make them good, he was forced to fly into France
to save his head. -To compound for which, together with his high and generous way
of living. Sir Robert Basset greatly exhausted his estate ; selling off, wath White-
Chapple, the ancient house, no less than thirty mannors of land. Though there is
at this time, by the addition of the fortunes of two heiresses, a very fair estate, belong-
ing to the heir of the family, who is a minor of about eight or ten years of age.
Collonel Basset, having had in his younger years, the education suitable to his
birth and quality, viz. oi'the university, and the inns of court, and of travel, retired
into his native country ; where, resolving to settle himself in the world, he married
one of the daughters and co-heirs of Leigh, of Burrow, in the parish of Northam,
contiguous on the south side, with the parish of Bytheford, in this county, Esq.
»Risd. ibid in Which family of Leigh, held Burrow divers descents;" and did first derive it by mar-
Northam. ^,-^^„^ |-,.q,-,-, Burrow, whosc antiently it was. It was lately the commodious dwelling
of°a most courteous gentleman. Sir Thomas Berry, Kt., whose father married the
other co-heir of Leigh, bv whom he had a fair issue, both of sons and daughters;,
though his son (who' married one of the co-heirs of Mr. Martin, of Lindredge, as the
late Lord Clifford, Baron of Chudleigh, and lord high treasurer of England, did
another) hath none to succeed him ; the others died unmarried.
Before we proceed farther, it may not be unacceptable, by a pardonable digression,.
•Id. ibid. to insert here, a memorable accident, which hapned in the mannor of Burrow,"
an. 161G. There was an old well long neglected, which one had a purpose to cleanse^
and so caused a man to go down for the scowring thereof, who suddainly fell dead in
the pit ; whereupon a second person was employed to go down after him, and he also
presently died; a third adventuring himself, as he thought, to preserve his friend,
had likewise perished, if with all haste, he had not been drawn up again ; who almost
dead, was by rowling, and pouring oil and strong waters into his mouth, preserved 1
Divers were the conjectures, what the occasion of this miglit be; some supposing it
was a cockatrice, which lav hid in tliis pit ; others, some other thing, as their fancies
led them: but the man come to himself again, affirmed, there issued forth such a
strono- stench out of the caverns of the earth that deprived him of breath. So that the
"•eneral received opinion was, that it was what your rniutrs call a damp.
"^ Some few years after the Collonel's happy marriage, (as a just punishment of the
sins of the nation) it pleased God, that our civil wars brake out. Begun upon a
specious pretence, of establishing liberty, property, and religion, which were said to be
in danger : though that way, God knows, they all came to be invaded and subverted !
The principles of loyaltv, which this gentleman had imbibed, and the relation he had
BASSET, COLONEL ARTHUR. ^^ 53
to the blood royal, soon determined in him, which of the contending parties he should
adhere to. Accordingly he stuck to tlie cause of King Charles the Martyr, and
asserted it with the utmost hazard, both of his life and fortune : for he was not one of
those, who could only boast of loyalty in the parlour or dining room, where is no
danger, but he openly avowed it in the field.
Insomuch, he was clothed with the commission ofacollonel, and made governour of
Barnstaple for the King ; but that being a place of small strength, General Fairfax,
having taken Exeter upon articles, coming before it with his army, it surrendered to
him, anno 1646, upon the same terms with Exeter,^ which were honourable enough, |^i^^^^"''^^ ^^
some whereof were these ; Civil Wais, p.
' Tliat the churches should not be defaced : that the garrison should march out ^^- ^^'^' ^•
according to the most honourable custom of war, and not be compelled to march
above ten miles a day ; and with their arms : that the composition of persons
of quality should not exceed two years purchase : that all persons comprised
within these articles, should quietly and peaceably enjoy all their goods, debts, and
moveables ; and be free from all oaths, covenants, and protestations,' &c.
After this, when Almighty God, in a mystery of Providence, was pleased to suffer
a righteous King, and a righteous cause,' to fall to the ground ; and rebellion, and
disloyalty to become triumphant; this gentleman not being able at present to do
farther service, retired to his house at Heanton. Who having been so eminent for
his doings in his soveraign's behalf, must now be so also for his sufferings : in
witness whereof, he was compelled to compound for his own estate, at the rate of no
less than one thousand three hundred twenty-one pounds, six shillings, and six pence." ^'""'•BMset
XT ii • 11 ii r y ■ ■ 11 1 1 of Uinburlegh,
J\ or was this all ; tlie usurpers or those times, conscious to themselves, what they Dev. 13211. es.
had deserved, were jealous and suspicious; and knowing what interest this gentleman ^^^-^^^^^'^l^j"''
had in this country, they had always a careful eye upon him : so that the coUonel was
sure to be one of those truly honourable and loyal persons in those parts; who upon
the least noise or suspicion of a plot or rising, were wont to be taken up and com-
mitted to prison. To whom may be applied, what a certain author saith,"" in relation ""Fioyd'sMem.
to the Right Noble Montague, Earl of Lyndsey; ' That in this course CoUonel Basset ;^^'"j/;°>'||jp'^"'"-
continued, until it pleased God, by divers revolutions, to open a way for the Lord
General Monk (his kindsman and countryman) to settle the nation in a way of justice
and honour; with whom he entered into a strict alliance and friendship, as well as
blood : which, through the correspondency of their discreet and generous tempers,
continued to their death.'
Upon all occasions did the collonel demean himself, as became a very wise man,
(for so he was) as a true old English gentleman, a good patriot, and a hospitable and
charitable neighbour. And, as what ought most especially to be remarked, he was
no less dutiful to the church his mother, than loyal to the King his father: and as a
good testimony thereof, he was an asylum to her persecuted sons of the clergy in
those times ; who found a sanctuary oftentimes in his house. When that reverend
and loyal divine, Mr. Richard Newte, was ejected out of his rich rectory of Tiverton, '
this noble collonel was pleased to give him the very good one of Heanton-Punchardon,
wherein he himself lived.
At the happy restoration of his Majesty, King Charles the Second, the collonel
was restored to his former honours, of being one of the collonels of this county's
militia, a deputy lieutenant, and a justice of the peace; which is all the reparation
I ever heard he met with, of the losses he sustained for his loyalty; contenting him-
self, that he had discharged his duty as became a good christian and a loyal gentle-
man ; being ready to say, with good Mei)hibosheth : — ' Let Ziba take all, forasmuch
as my loidthe King is returned again in peace." "sSam. 1.
This gentleman, as to his stature, was somewhat short, but of an high crest, and
noble '
54 THE WORTPIIES OF DEVON.
noble mind. As to his religion, he did not boast great matters, but lived them: de-
•Floyd quo Serving this true character," ' That as the red rose, though outwardly not so fragrant,
supra jg ^.gj- iiiwardly more cordial than the damask : so the most excellent persons virtues
are more inwardly solid between God and their own souls, than outwardly vaunting
in the sight of men: he being as plain in his soul as he was in his garb; which he
resolved should be proud of him, rather than he of it.
He died in the 75th year of his age, and lieth interred in his parish church of
Heanton-Punchardon aforesaid ; where is a noble monument erected to his memory :
whereon is found this inscription :
Arthury Basset
De Heanton-Court, Armigeri
Claris Orti Natalibus, Cineribus
Sacrum.
Ecclesia; Anglicana?, ac Fidei Ortliodoxa,
Assertorem Strenuum,
Ilegi ipsis in Extremis baud minus Fidelem
Vitas deniq; integritate, & Innocentia
Charitate erga Pauperes, Eximia
Morum erga Omnes Suavitate
Insignem Typum ;
Ista omnia, Alarmor hoc, Unico
In Bassetto exhibet.
Dehinc Migravit, 7° die Januarii
Anno Dom. M.D.C.L.XXII.
Sub Anno .^tatis Suce, L.X.X.V.
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
THIS family continues at its seat of Heantoii. Descended from it, at a remote period, is the branch
which, before the reign of Henry the Eighth, settled at Tehidy, in Cornwall, which is still the residence of
Francis Basset Lord De Dunstanville, so created in 1796. Tlie harony of Dunstanville became extinct in the
family of that name in the reign of Henry the Third, previonsly to which, a daughter of that house had intermar-
ried with a Basset, whence a latent claim subsists in the elder branch of this family. The present possessor of
the title having no male issue, it will again become extinct, but his daughter will succeed to the barony of Basset,
ivith which he was invested a year after his elevation to the peerage.
BATH,
( 55 ) , • ^
BATH, SIR HENRY, KNIGHT.
Bath, sir Hemy, Kt. one of the Justices of the King's Bench, was born, most
probably, at that antient seat of the name, called Bathe-house, in the parish of fjog r' ^'
North-Tawton, lying in the heart of this county. There was sometime, a great Hen. 3d.
estate in these western parts belonging to this family; Heniton-siege, since called
AVear, near Topsham, was the habitation of Augustin de Bath;^ Sheepwash, Mer- • Westc. Desc
land, Buckland, and Alesland, were antiently in this name.'' And among the famous ^ear*^^' '"
men who flourished in this shire, in the days of K. Hen. 3. is memoriz'd. Sir Walter debHoi. quo sup.
Bath, or Bathon, of Colebrook,'' about three miles west of Crediton, so called, from ' sir w. Pole s
his dwelling in that place ; where he held two knights fees at that time.'' Desc. ofoev.
rr, . '^ '■ ' , ., .° iT.iT.iiT^,'n famous men
Inis name occurs among authors variously written, as, de Baa, de Bada, de Bathon, in k. h. 3.
de Bathe, and Bath ; which the family either took from, or left unto, this place of its ^''5'^' '^^^"
principal residence in North-Tawton aforesaid; by which it is known this day : Desc. of Dev!
whereof is a most remarkable passage recorded, and confirmed too, from so good '■> Coiebrook.
authority, that to let the world sec, our country also, can produce her wonders, and
rarities of nature, I shall crave leave here to relate, as I find it." = Ris'i. and
In the court before this house, was (I suppose still is) a certain pit, of a large cir- house!" '*'"''
cumference, so deep in the center, as the heighth of a man well mounted on horse- f i have heard
back, generally dry, unless after great rains, or in the winter time; where would ''".^""^''^
sometimes in the dryest season, a spring break out, which filled the pit so full, that hmrperson',
it would overflow its banks.^ And this was observed to be a forerunner of the death ^"''"' "";P'''
r 1 ^ r 1 11 A ...... vy council to
ot some great personage; or else of some sorrow that would ensue: And tis said, it q. Eiiz. Bour-
would thus continue, until the matter happened which it did prognosticate. And my ^^j",; ^-^^"^
author farther adds. That in those latter days, it had been seen to do so three times, at tiie place.
in a little more than thirty years. ?", ^'Vr-^^*^^*'!''
XT i-i 1 r> T^T r 1 1 • -1 -1 in Ins view 01
JNot unlike that JJur/i in llartiordshire,^ that is also said to presage some sad acoi- Utv. in Batu-
dent, when it brcaketh out of the earth ; from whence it is called Wo-mer. Of '"'"^^'^J^^g;.jj
which nature is that meer, belonging to my Lord Biereton in Cheshire, mentioned in Heref. p.' '
by Cambden also,*" and attested by many persons; Tliat before any heir of this family ^°'-.
dies, there are seen in a lake adjoyning, the bodies of trees swimming upon the water p.^,6.^ uit^'''
for several days together. Not much different, saith he, from vi hat Leonardus Vairus «'''''•
relates, ' That near the abby of St. Maurice in Burgundy, there is a fish-pond, into
which a number of fishes are put, equal to the number of the monks of that place; and
if any one of them happen to be sick, there is a fish seen floating upon the water sick
too; and in case the sickness proves fatal to the monk, the fish foretels it by its own
death some days before. In relation to which passages, I shall only add this learned
author's judgment, and proceed.
' If tiiey are true, saith he, they must be done, either by those blessed spirits
whom God has appointed guardians and keepers of us; or else, by the arts of tlie
Devil, whom God permits now and then to erect his power in this world ; for both of
them are intelligent beings, and will not produce such preternatural tilings, but upon
design, and to attain some end or other : Those ever pursuing the good and safety of
mankind; These ever attempting to delude us, to vex us, or to ruin us.' Thus he.
This family of Bath, was of great antiquity in this county ; and indeed it ran so
very far back, that I could not overtake the original thereof Nor was it of less ho-
Jiour and reputation in its time; for Sir "Walter de Bathon, Kt. was High-Sheriff of
the
56 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
i Sir w. Pole's the couiity of Devon; 1 Hen. 3, 1217- After that, in the 21st year of the same
hJ his'cIt^o7' reig", he was again advanced to the same honourable office, in which he continued
sheriffs. " about 14 years together. I know he is confounded in Mr. Isaac's catalogue of the
sherifls of Devon, who follows Fuller herein, into Bada and Bathond : but a much
more critical person in these matters, than either of them, hath given us the former
account; I mean Sir William Pole. In which also, Ave have the consent of Mr. Ris-
k Chor. Descr. don, in his catalogue of the sherifls of this county.'' Unto which Sir Waller de Bath,
«^^^''- I take Sir Henry, of whom we are treating, to be a younger brother; he being ex-
' Id. ibid, iu pressly said, to be a branch of this family.'
sheepvvasb, ^^^^ ^j^j^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^jj g^pp^gp^ prov'd the occasion of his applying liimself to the
study, and at length to the profession of the laws of his country : In the knowledge
whereof, he grew unto that eminency, that he was advanced, together with Hugh
Giftard, by K. H. 3. in the 22d year of his reign, 1238, to be one of the justices of
" In Crastino the commou-pleas."
Ai/°''i238!'' In the 24th of that King, he was constituted one of the justices itinerant, as they
Diigd. ciu-.' were then called, for the county of Hartford." In the 32d he was for Essex and Sur-
"7bid"i3 ^'^y'' in the 33d for Kent and Southampton ; and in the 34th for Lincoln: when he
' ' ''■ '" had allowed him out of the exchequer, by a peculiar favour, an hundred pounds a
• Hen. de a year for his sustentation, in the discharge of his said oiTice." But the year follow-
r'anilua'ti'm*^* i"»' ^^^ ^^'^ ^''^^i the King's grace and good will ; the occasion whereof, were certain
percip!"''de crimcs laid to his charge; which if true, he can't be justified : and true or false, I
M'^tentaudum shan't licrc couccal them ; although upon a due examination of the matter, we may
ii/ Officio Jus- observe such circumstances, as will greatly alleviate, if not wholly expung them, and
H 3"i4o.^b: blot them out.
p. 15. He was accused by no mean persons at that time in the government,!' ' Of being
" ^pffd^s Hist, gyilty of corruption "injustice; getting to himself in one circuit, two hundred pounds
k.h.'s.nIVs! per an. in lands; and of acquitting a malefactor for a bribe; and of stirring up the
P- ^i**- barons against the King, to the endangering of a general rebellion in the kingdom.
This accusation, as Avell it might, "highly provoked the King; insomuch, in the
parliament soon after holden at London, proclamation was made. That whosoever
had any action or complaint against Henry de Bath, should come in, and they should
be heard. A strange encouragement, this, for envy and malice to break in upon,
and confound the greatest innocence ; although we do not find that any one hereupon
urged any thing against him : which is no mean evidence, that he was not so guilty
as he is represented.
Unto this parliament. Sir Henry Bath is also summoned, to answer the matters
should be laid to his charge. And imto this parliament he boldly came, but so strong-
ly defended with knights and gentlemen, his own, and his ladies friends and allies, the
1 Risd. in Bassets and Samfords,' (great men in those days) as daimted the violence of his pro-
Sheepw. secutors. AVhereupon the King in a great rage mounted into an higher place than
sup'^'p gTi" before, cryed out in these words :'
Whosoever shall kill Henry de Bath, shall be quit of his death ; and I do hereby
acquit him. And presently departed.
Nov/ however, he left behind him many men, who would readily have executed
the King's terrible doom ; yet, by the wisdom of Sir John Mansel, one of the King's
privy council, they were restrained, with these words ; worthy to be remembred in
this place
Gentlemen, it is not necessary for us to put that presently in execution, which the
King in anger hath commanded. It may be, when his wrath is over-blown, he will
be sorry he hath said it, and moreover, if any outrage be done to Bath, his friends
are here, who will take all sorts of revenge.
Upon
BATH, SIR HENRY, KNIGHT. 57
Upon this, Sir Henry escaped the threatned danger for the present; and after-
wards, upon the promise of two thousand marks to tlie King, and the intercession of
the Earl of Cornwal, who was the King's brother; and the Bishop of London, at
that time Fulco Basset, he not only obtained his peace, but also his former places and
graces Avith the King.
Now, were this great person guilty of this charge, hardly any punishment were
adequate to his crime. The justice of Cambyses, a heathen prince, is admired and
commended unto this day;' who, when Sisamnes, one of his chiefest iudcres, had 1 '^^V^'^i' '•
given an unjust judgment, caused him to be flead alive, and his skin to be hung over teV.'p.ieg.
the judgment-seat. And having bestowed the office of the father, upon Otanes, the
son, he willed him to remember. That the same injustice would deserve the same pu-
nishment ; giving him this caveat,
Sede sedens ista judex inflexibilis esto.
Sit tibi lucerna, lux lex, pellisq ; paterna.
Which I find thus translated to my hands.'
'' ' W cstc. Sin V. ■
Thou judg that sittest in this seat, • ■;',^'«»'^'^-'si'-
Uprightly deal therein :
And for thy guide, take thou the light.
The law, and father's skin.
But that he was not guilty, or at least, not in so hainous a measure as is suggested
in our chronicles, may be well inferred ; partly from hence. That so great a number
of persons of the first rank and quality stood by him, and took his part ; powerfully
defending him from any intended mischief to his person. Nor is this a small circum-
stance in behalf of his innocence, that the King's own brother, Richard Earl of
Cornwal, (after\\ards chosen King of tlie Romans) was so zealous an intercessor for
him; knitting up his mediation with these words;" We must not forsake gentlemen >. speed que
in the r right, nor in preserving the peace of this tottering kingdom. And the Bi-''""^^-
shop of London, and several others, became mediators on his behalf with the King:
which we cannot well think they would, as we know in honour they could not, had
he been so notoriously criminal, as supposed.
And then it may partly be farther inferred from hence. That after this storm of his
enemies' rage and malice was abated, and blown over, the King took him again into
his grace and favour, and re-established him in the same seat of judicature he was in
before, or rather advanced him higher up ; for thus was he made chief justice of the
King's Bench, after about three years discontinuance from his office of a judg : in
which honourable station he continued for eight years after ; that is, unto the time of
his death : For in the 44th of K. Hen. 3. Henry de Bathonia and William de Wil-
tone, were justices itinerant, for the counties of "Huntingdon, Norfolk, Suffolk, and
Cambridg, which was the year before he died.™ » ciiron. ser.
And here, least any should imagin, that this gentleman's restoration to so weighty P' ^^•
a trust, should be the act of the King's mere arbitrary pleasure, we are informed.
It was done by the advice and provision of the lords and great men of his council ; as
appears irom this clause in the writ,' Hii omnes (speaking there of Sir Henry and his« j,„„j ^^^^.
associates) per provisionem magnatum Anglise, qui sunt de consilio Regis, ad meliora- sei. p!V'.». "'
tionem status totius regni, assignati erant ut supra. These all, by the providing of
the great men of the kingdom, who are of the King's council, were appointed to bet-
ter the state of the realm.
That this gentleman therefore should be readmitted to the dispensation of the pub-
lick justice is a manifest argument, That either he was not guilty of the corruption
he had been accused of; or that those great men who entrusted him again in this of-
I fice.
58 THE AVORTIIIES OF DEVON.
fice, were not innocent ; which the respect we owe to a crowned head and venerable
council; altho' long since laid in the dust, forbids us to imagin.
As lo his abilities for so high an undertaking, there is this testimony remaining of
'Speed quo him,' That he was a learned knight, and a special counsellor to the King. Where
''"'''''■ this honourable person's ashes lie, we cannot say ; but we are expressly told when
» Henric. de he died, viz. 4o H. 3. I2GI/' Whether this gentleman left any issue, 1 do not find ;
filnctns,'An?45. biit Margaret, the daughter and heir of Augustine, the son and heir of Sir Walter
Hen. 3. Chr. de Bath, brought Bath-house, Wear, Sheepwash, and other estates to her husband,
scr. p. 19. Sir Andrew Medstead, Kt. whose daughter and heir, Ellenor, brought them to her
husband, John Holland, of the same noble family, with the Duke of Exeter; whose
posterity is yet in being in this county, tho' much short of the splendor of their an-
' Hoi.Catal. cestors. I find this coat also belonging to Bath,' Quarterly Or. and Gul. 4 Escalops
counterchanged. And Isaac gives him this, Azur a Saltire engr. Or. and Azur 3
Chev. Arg. Cat. Sher.
HAWCEYN,
( 59 )
BAWCEYN, SIR STEPHEN, KNIGHT.
BAWCEYN, Sir Stephen Kt. was born in Devon, probably at Yardbiry, an antientF^ov. a. n.
gentile seat, in the parish of CulUton, lying in the south-east part of this county ; he}f;„;3/
was the son of Sir Guy Bawceyn of that place, Kt. whose name, as most antient ones
were, is found variously written, as Bauzan, Bauzein, Bauchein, Bawceyn, &c. a very
eminent family, which flourished in this place, if not from, at least soon after, the
conquest. In K. John's days, I find mention made of Sir Guy Bauzan of Yardbiry,
Kt." some of which name, in all probability, inhabited there long before. Dtsc^^oV^Dev'
Sir Guy Bauzan had two sons, as it seems, who were Kts. and famous men ; Sn- j^''^'^^^^ ,0^^;
Richard Bawceyn of Norton-bawceyn, and Sir Stephen Bawceyn of Dodbrook near
Kingsbridge.
sir Richard Bawceyn married Ellen, the daughter and heir of John de Shilveston,
by whom he had Shilveston, now commonly called Shilston, in the parish of Modbiry."'" id. ibid, in
Secondly, she was married unto Sir John Ashlegh, Kt. By Bawceyn, she had issue, '^i°<"'">' '^^*-
Jone, wife of Sir William Hiwis, or lliwish, of North-hiwish in this county, Kt.,' which c westc. view
had issue, Sir Richard Hiwis, Kt. Ann. 6. K. Edw. 1. which Richard Hiwis, and Jo'"-' ^,, °,!^';"3h,'°
his mother, brought a writ of right against Ashlegh and his wife; alledging, that Rich- ms. ''
ard Bawceyn, the first husband'of Ellen aforesaid, was seised in fee solely, of the said
land. The answer of John Ashlegh and Ellen was, that Richard and Ellen werejoyntly
seised, and that Ellen survived, and held the estate by survivorship; so Ashlegh reco-
vered it.
Sir Stephen Bawceyn being a younger brother, took up the sword, as the best part
of his portion ; and became an excellent and expert soldier :'* He served very valiantly d sir vv. Pole,
against the Welsh, and was a chief commander in that war, in the reign of K. Hen. ^|j{^Yi"s|^'"'""
3. over whom he is said to have obtained many victories. Though at last, (such is the
fate of war) about the 40th of that king, who refused to send sufiicient help to his son,
the prince, afterwards known by the name of K. Edw. 1. then generalissimo of that
army, this gentleman, among many other brave English commanders, was there slain.
For K. Henry having given Wales to his son the prince, left him to maintain it so well
as he could ; not being able to spare him any money. Insomuch, the soldiers being
very ill, or not at all paid, were resolved not to want, having swords by their sides.
This made them behave themselves violently everywhere ; taking without payment, or
paying nothing but blows.
These proceedings so far incensed the Welsh nation, that they would not by any
perswasions be drawn to lay down their weapons; but having about ten thousand of
their country horse-men, and many more on foot, took a solemn oath,^ of cr! Brit. Yn
That they Avould stand together for their liberties and antient laws; holding il; better k.h.s. p. eis.
to die with honour, than to live a wretched life in shame and servitude. ^■^^'
A resolution worthy of themselves, and their most noble Brittish progenitors. Being
thus unanimous in their mutual defence, they did great things under Prince Lewelyn
ap Griffith, by whose means they valiantly recovered all the inland country of North
Wales, with other places : and in one fight they slew above two thousand Englishmen,
and drove tlie rest out of the field. At this time, most probably, was Sir Stephen
Bawceyn slain; which is said to have been done by Rees Vachan, one of the Welsh
chief commanders, and a prince of that country.
After this time, I find no more mention of this knightly name in this county; SirSte-
phen, that I find, left no issue : Sir Richard Bawceyn had issue Jone, his daughter and
heir, married, as was said, unto Sir Richard de Aiwis ;' who by Matilda, daughter of Sir l,^i.''^^jj.^°^*'
Alan Bloihou, Kt. had issue, Sir Richard, and died, A. D. 1297. Sir Richard his son , st^„^'i-o°j ^H;.
1 2 married Lton. ms
(io THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
married Margaret, daughter of Sir Adam Crete, and had issue, Richard, who died in
liis father's life-time; but left issue, by Emelin his wife, daughter of Sir William Bo-
treaux, Sir Richard Hiwis, who died anno 1340, and his son Richard, ten years before
him : Sir Richard Hiwis the fourth, married Alice, daughter of Sir Ralph Blanchmon-
ster, and had issue, William Hiwis, who died without issue: and Emelin, wife of Su-
Robert Tresilian, a Cornish-man, the famous lord chief justice of England in K. Rich.
2. days ; by whom she had issue, Emelin, wife of John Hawley of Dartmouth ; of
whom, God willing, more hereafter.
Yardbiry, by Hiwis, descended unto the family of Coplestou; but immediately by
Hawley aforesaid ; who gave it to Nicholas Coplestou of Nash in Dorsetshire, his
jiJ.ibid.Yaid- ^^j^^g^ son:« whose grandson, John Coplestou of Nash, sold it unto Sir William Pole
of Shute, Kt. who sold it unto John Drake of Ash, Esq. who settled it upon a younger
son; whose posterity now flourishes there : and William Drake a chancellor at law is
the present possessor of it; who hath adorned his birth by a suitable education.
BEAUMONT,
( 61 )
BEAUMONT, RICHARD, LORD VISCOUNT MAIN, IN NORMANDY.
Beaumont, Richard, Lord Viscount Main, in Normandy, was born at Yolston, J^j^r^- ^-^^^^
an antient seat in the parish of Sherwel ; about three miles to the north-east of Barn- ^d.
staple, in this county : which was the possession and dwelling place of Rocelin de
Beaumont, (q. de Bello Monte, of the Fair-Mount, the name and family being of
French extraction) his father, who was also Viscount Main, in the days of K. Hen. l.^»Risdon.
which Rocelin married Constance, the natural daughter of that King ; and had given
him in marriage with her the chief mannor of South-Tawton,'' lying near about the " Sir w. Pole,
middle of this county ; by whom he had this noble Lord Richard ; who gave the same
with his daughter Constance unto the Lord Toni, Baron of Flamsted, in Hertfordshire ;
a descendent of that Roger de Toni, who was standard-bearer of Normandy;' andcD„gdaie'sBa-
assisted "William the Conqueror in that memorable battel, he had here in England, at'on-^o'- i- P-
Hastings, in Sussex, with K. Harald; which proved the decisive stroke, and determined
to the Norman Duke the English crown.
Sir William Dugdal, in that laborious work of his, the Baronage of England,** maketh '' Vol. ad, page
mention of another noble family of this name, whose descent, he tells us, is by some
deduced from Lewis, sou to Charles Earl of Anjou ; a younger son to Lewis the 8th,
King of France. By others, from Lewis de Brenne, second son to John de Brenne, the
last King of Jerusalem.
What relation might be between these two noble families, or if any at all, I cannot
say : although it is not unlikely but this latter might be a branch of tlie house of Yol-
ston, (one of which being stiled, in the first year of K. Edw. 2, consanguineus regis,
the King's chosen) which was so nearly related to the royal family. However, this
latter family settled in Lincolnshire, and the eastern parts of England ; some of which
still continue there in honourable degree. But to return.
This gentleman, Richard Viscount Main, was in his time, a great courtier ; and in
mighty credit and favour with K. Hen. 2. mito whom, in blood, he was so nearly allied.
Insomuch, that King was graciously pleased to provide a royal husband for his other
daughter Ermegard , and bestowed her in marriage upon William, King of Scots ;" for p^^^'^jif g^j'^^f
his singular justice, as one says, surnamed the Lyon.' The solemnity was celebrated wei, ms.
at K. Henry's charges, who was pleased to honour the same with his gracious presence, land'', iiv r.'^b^
Which King William had issue two sons and two daughters; but whether they were p- I'^'J-
all by this lady our countrywoman, I cannot affirm, for she is said to have been his
second wife.* His two daughters were Margaret and Isabel ; which by the articles of' id. ibid, p,
peace between the two crowns of England and Scotland in the reign of K. John, were, ^'
after nine years time, to be married to that King's two sons Henry and Richard. For
which K. William promised a considerable dowre with his daughters; though it doth
not appear that they ever proceeded to a consummation of marriage.
His two sons were Alexander and John. Alexander succeeded his father in the
Scottish crown, and was a brave prince. John, the younger,'' with his nurse audi. ibij. p. 134.
divers others, was drowned at Perth, by a sudden inundation of the two rivers Tay and
Almond; the King, his Queen, and part of his family, hardly escaping.
This right antient and noble family of Beaumont, or Bellemont, as Dugdal calls it,'' Ban vol. t
flourished a long while in great honour at Yolston, aforesaid ; even from the days of ''"^^
K. Hen. 1. unto the reign of K. Hen. 7th, near upon four hundred years. They were
lords of the mannor and hundred of Sherwel ; though I do not find they were ever
barons of parliament here in England ; and had a very noble estate by marrying divers
daughters
62 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
k R A flaiighters and Iieirs, by names of Punchardon, Crawthorn, Stockey, Potesford, Wil-
supra! "" ''"'* lington, Champernon, Palton, and others. '^
Now if the curiosity of any should lead them to enquire what, at length became both
of the families and the estate. The family abo\it the days of K. Hen 7, issued into
female heirs, in whom this antient name, in the direct line, expired.
But for the estate, after the death of Hugh Beaumont, the last heir male of this
house, there arose three potent competitors for it, viz. Basset, who had married Jone,
daughter of Sir Thomas Beaumont, the father. Chichester, who had taken to wife
Margaret, the daughter and heir of Hugh Beaumont, a younger son by a second venter;
and one John Bodrugan. But how Bodrugan came by his title, may be worth the
Pofe' ?no''aiT- '"elating.'
tea.Mr.westc. William, the eldest son of Sir Thomas Beaumont, having first passionately courted,
fn"'Gittisiianr' ^'' ^^ugth married a youug lady, of an honourable house in this county, for which reason
MS. I shall conceal her name. After a while, some other fancy possessing liim, he estranged
himself both a mensa & toro, as to her bed and board; and went away to London,
where he lived from her two years, and then died. His lady took this, at first, very
unkindly, and for a while lived very retiredly: until, at length, she began to admit
the visits of her friends; among which, one using more familiarity than became him,
she proved with child ; and in due time a son was born, and bred up secretly, and
without suspicion. After this, her husband Beaumont departed this life, and Philip
his brother succeeded in his lands, as next heir, and died quielty possessed thereof:
having first, for want of issue in himself, settled them on Thomas, his next brother by
a second wife. Thomas Beaumont also dying without issue, they came to Hugh, his
younger brother; whose daughter and heir, Margaret, married into the honourable
family of the Chichesters.
Hugh, the last male heir, being dead, John, the son of Jone, wife of William the
elder brother, being come of age, entered upon the estate of Beaumont, and claimed
his right therein, as heir to William his father; it being proved, that he was born in
wedlock. Much contention grew, and many suits commenced between these powerful
contenders; and in fine, it came to be a ))arliamentary case, in the days of K. Hen. 7.
The parliament possessed hereof, resolved, Nollumus legis Anglian mutari, that they
would not make a bastard of one born in wedlock. But this matter, it seems, was so
plain, that it was consented to, that proclamation should go throughout the kingdom,
that the pretending heir should be named John, the son of Jone Bodrugan, (her second
husband) and so be esteemed as a bastard. However, at length, an agreement was made
between all parties, and there was alloted unto John, the son of Jone Bodrugan, an
hundred pounds per an. rent of assize; amonc;st which, Gittisham, near Honiton, was
"^ This nassa"G. *■ ^ . -, . ^ . .
Sir w. Pole part;™ where he inhabited , and his son took to him again the name of Beaumont,
tells us is^wr^t- ^,j^jj,j^ Continued for three generations down, in great esteem.
a fair book, re- And then Heuiy Bcaumont, the last, having no issue of his own, passed over the
^^'dsof.si'r Rt' estate of Gittisham unto Sir Thomas Beaumont, of Leicestershire, of tlie house of Cole-
Basset. surv.oiOrton; whose son, Sir Henry, not liking so well this country, sold it to Mr. Nicliolas
^"^"^ MsP'"''Putt, whose great grand-son now inhabits there, at his house called Combe, in the
sham, MS. ,- r t /■xr <
quality oi a baronet. (JSote.)
Heanton, and some other estates, fell to the share of Basset, whose habitation there
is called Court.
Yolston, Sherwel, and other lands, to the value of 200 marks per an. old rent, fell to
the portion of Chichester; and the honourable Sir Arthur Chichester, haronct, is the
now lord thereof; and hath made a very noble dwelling of Yolston, where he lives in
great repute, worthy of that honourable stem from whence he is descended.
But we must not so slightly take our leave of so wortiiy a personage, as was this
Henry Beaumont, the last of this family in this place; he deserves to be recorded
among
BEAUMONT, RICHARD, LORD VISCOUNT MAIN. 63
among our conntiy worthies, especially for his great charity to the poor, of which he
left behind him very signal testimonies, one whereof was this," that by this deed in- ° ^^ *"♦''?'■•
dented, bearing date ^Gth Feb. an. 30. Q. Elizab. IdSS. He did give, grant, and
enfeoffee, unto the poor of the parish of Honiton, in this county, for ever, those four
closes or parcels of ground, containing, by estimation, 29 acres, or there-abouts, com-
monly called or known by the name of Rapshays, lying in the parish of Buckerel, in
this said county, which in that place can't be computed less, it may be more, than
20/. per an. as by the said deed at large, it doth, and may more fully appear.
In which deed also is this memorandum expressed, that it was the desire of the
above named Henry Beaumont, that all people should know and understand, that the
lands above given, were the inheritance of John Beaumont, of Combe, Esq. his elder
brother; and descended to the said Henry as heir to the said John Beaumont: and
that it was the intent of the said John, to have settled the premi.ses to the use of the
poor of Honiton ; and that the said Henry did make this conveyance to fulfil the intent
of his said brother, who by sudden death was hindered from doing it. This is required
to be constantly published when the quarter-mony is given among the poor; and at
the giving up of the receivers account.
The rents and profits of the premises are to be distributed to the poor of Honiton,
aforesaid, quarterly, within twenty days after the receipt thereof, as the ma,jor part of
the feofl'ee shall think fit. And to prevent all abuses herein, the feoifees shall not grant
any longer estate in the said land than for one and twenty years; but shall set it for
the most tliey can make of it, for the use and advantage of the poor aforesaid. And
'tis further provided, that when the number of the feoflees shall come to six, with what
convenient speed they can, they shall re-enfeoffee the said land, with its appurtenances,
unto twenty-four honest inhabitants of the parish of Honiton aforesaid; every surviv-
ing feoffee, naming four, if they cannot otherwise agree. Which persons, on the day
they are so enfeoffeed, shall swear on the holy evangelists, that every one of them will,
for his own part, to the utmost of his power, as nigh as God shall give him grace,
perform and fulfil the will of the donor herein declared.
A noble charity, hardly to be determined, whether more piously designed by the
elder; or, when no law obliged him thereunto, more generously confirmed by the
younger brother.
But least any should imagine, that this was rather the benefaction of another, than
his own, the said Henry Beaumont, by his last will and testament in writing, bearing
date the 17th of March, 1.590. Ordained and appointed" that eiglit iiundred pounds" Ex Aiitogi.
should be employed for the purchasing of so much land as might be purchased with
the said eight hundred pounds. Moreover, if it might be so, he willed and desired,
that the said money should be laid out towards the purchasing of lands and tenements
of twenty pounds rents of assize by the year; which he thus, by his said will, devised.
1. That lands and tenements of 31. rent of assize, per an. should be granted and
conveyed for the use of the poor people of Ottery Saint Mary.
2. That the lands and tenements of 4/. rent of assize by the year, should be for the
use of the poor people of Gittisham, where his mansion-house was, which, with what
his widow added, amounts now unto forty seven pounds a year.
3. That lands and tenements of 3/. rents of assize, by the year, should be settled on
the poor of Honiton for ever. And
4. That lands and tenements of 40^-. rents of assize, by the year, should be for the
poor people of Sydbery for ever. All which places are within the county of Devon.
Farther, the will of the said Henry was, that the surplusages of the said 20/. rents of
assize by the year, should be distributed to the use of five of the servants, therein
named, of him the said Henry. Of which his last will and testament he made and
ordained Elizabeth his wife, (the daughter of Sir Roger Bluet, of Holcombe-Rogus,
Kt.
64 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Kt.) his sole executrix : who (in execution of the said will of her deceased husband)
purchased, of Sir William Courtenay, Kt. to her and her heirs for ever, the mannor of
Stevely, in the county of Somerset ; with certain lands and tenements, with the ap-
purtenances. Out of which, the said Elizabeth, by her deed indented, bearing date
1 June, an. 36. of Q. Eliz. 1594, did grant, enfeofFee, and confirm unto twelve inhabi-
tants of the town and parish of Honiton, aforesaid, all those closes or parcels of lands,
meadow, and pasture, commonly called, or known by the name of Stevely Land,
containing, by estimation, forty acres, or thereabouts, l3nng within the parishes of
Abbots-Isle and Aishil, in Com. Somers. for the use and benefit of the poor of the
parish of Honiton for ever. Which feoffees are to employ or bestow the rents and
profits, arising out of the same, yearly, quarterly, monthly, or weekly, as need shall
require, among the most aged, impotent, and poor people of the parish of Honiton, in
such sort, and at such time and times, as the said feotVees, or the most part of them,
in their discretion shall think fit and convenient.
This settlement also is made with great care and caution, viz. that the said feoffees
shall not at any time alienate, sell, imploy, or convert the said land, or any part there-
of, to any other than the use afore-mentioned. That they shall not extinguish, release,
or make void any rents, &c. reserved; nor grant any longer estate than for two or
three lives at the most; and that none of the feoffees shall have, take, or occupy the
said land, or any part thereof, by lease for lives, years, or otherwise to themselves or
their children, or to the use of them or either of them, &c.
This generous and charitable gentleman, Henry Beaumont, aforesaid, died on the
1st of April, in the year of our Lord 1591, and lyeth interred in the south-isle, ad-
joyning to the chancel of the parish chinxh of Gittisham ; to whose memory is there
placed, in the wall, a fair pollished monument of white marble; where may be seen
his portraicture, armed cap-a-pee, kneeling on a cushion before an altar, with his
hands lifted up as in prayer, having a book lying open before him. Behind him is
Elizabeth his wife in the same posture ; near whose side lyeth a little infant, which
died in its swadling cloaths.
Over-head the monument is adorned with divers coats of arms; with a noble
atchievement of twelve escotcheons, belonging to the several daughters and heirs, with
which this antient and noble family had matched,
f These follow- Underneath is this epitaph.^
iafeiy^'received Interred here within this tomb doth Henry Beaumont rest,
vT i"\f^^" ^ f"^" of just and upright life, with many graces blest,
johnKost,'^the Who leam'd to know God's hol}^ will ; all wicked works defy'd ;
orthe'ciulr'cb ^^^^ ^^ '^^ learn'd, so did he live; and as he liv'd he dy'd.
of Gittisham. AVhat good he might, he gladly did, and never harmed any ;
Courteous he was in all his life, and friendly unto many :
But most of all his liberal gifts, abounded to the poor ;
A worthy practice of that word, which he had learn'd before.
Born of what honourable race, is needless for this verse.
Since French and English chronicles so oft his name rehearse.
Which antient blood within himself by want of issue spent.
The sinking line thereof he cork'd by one of that descent.
He liv'd thrice ten years and nine with his most godly wife,
Who yielded him his honour due, void of unkindly strife :
And for true witness of her love, which never was defac'd.
In duty last this monument she caused here be plac'd.
Obiit, April 1. A. D. 1591.
Now
BEAUMONT, RICHARD, LORD VISCOUNT MAIN. 65
Now while we are in this isle, we can't but take notice of two other monuments
here standing ; their gay aspect commanding our observation.
The one (which is very stately) is in memory of Sir Thomas Putt, late of Combe,
in this parish, baronet; and of Ursula his lady, daughter of Sir Richard Chomeley, Kt.
by his wife a Pawlet, of the noble family of Hinton St. George, and relict of the
famous Dennis Rolle, of Stevenston, in this county, Esq.
It is a tomb, iitanding on the floor, covered with a table of black marble, under a
large arch, all over crusted with the same. Upon which stand two very large urns of
pollished alabaster, with flambeaux on the top. On the outside are two columns,
finely turned, of white marble, with gilded capitals and pedestals ; on the middle
whereof are the following inscriptions.
That on the right-hand hath this :
'o'
Here lieth the Body of Sir Tho-
mas Putt, of Combe, Bart.
Who departed this Life June 25th,
1686. in the 43d. Year
of his Age.
Underneath is this motto :
Libenter Mortalis, quia futurus Immortalis.
That on the left is thus:
Ursula, Ladv Putt, Died
April the 22 d. 1674,
Possess'd
Of as much Beauty, Wit, Wisdom, Learn-
ing, and Piety, as Nature, Art,
and Grace, ever produced :
Excelling all, in a generous Aftection to her
Husband, Sir Tho. Putt, who dedicates
this to Her Memory.
Within the arch are these coats of arms : on the right-hand is this :
Argent a lion rampant within a mascle sab. and a hand sinister gul. in a canton.
Putt.
On the left is this :
Gules two helmets, arg. in chief; and in base a garb or. Chomeley.
The other monument in this isle is of marble also, well polished, and finely adorned.
It is in memory of a young gentleman John Fiennes, Esq. who coming to visit his
relations at Combe, died there, and was here buried. On a fair plank of marble is
engraven this epitaph ; which, for the floridness thereof, will not be unacceptable
to the ingenious reader.
Adeste Nivei, Candidiq ; Lectores ; cum Liliis, & Hyacinthis Libate Lachrymas :
Tales enim deposcit Exequias Mellitissimus ille Juvenis Johannes Fiennes, Hospitii
Graysensis Armiger; Filius Johannis Fiennes de Amwel in Agro Hertford. Armigeri
(secondaj Sobolis, a patre suo Gulielmo Vice-Comite Say and Seale) & ipsius Uxoris
K Susannas.
66 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Susann?e, filife & haeredis Thomas Hobbs Hospitii Grayensis Armigeri Foelix Filius,
Speratusq ; Pater, Qui per illustre Fiennoriim Genus perennaret Posteris.
Fuit nimirum
Adolescens ad Natura? normam perpoHtus: .-Eque Corporis ac Animi dotibus Ornatis-
simus. Quibus, vel a Pueritia, Prudentia Senilis Mores Maritavit amaenissimos ; ut
audiret, Secub Par Decus & Debcise. Sed raro Pragcoces diurnant Fructus, Dum
nimium festinans ille Surculus (futurum Famibfe Cobunen) in iEtatis vcrnantis Anno
vicessimo tertio.
MDCLXXI.
Caclebs immatura Morte pr^ereptus est. Lugete, Lachrymisq ; Cineres ejus irrorate,
Prtesto estote vos charites onines, & bigete Musae.
In the floor of the same isle before the monument, is a fair marble stone laid, having
this inscription on it in English.
Here lyeth the body of John Fiennes, Esquire, son and heir of John Fiennes, of
Amvvel, in the county of Hertford, Esquire; (second son of the' Right Honourable
William Viscount Say and Seal) and of Susannah, daughter and beir of Thomas Hobbs,
of Grays-Inn, Esq; who died Decemb. 1st. A. D. 1671. in the 2:3d. year of his age.
Where are also engraven his arms, viz. — Azure, three lions rampant, or.
In the chancel of the same church of Gittesham, we may behold on the north side
thereof, another very fair and beautiful monument, arched with marble, adorned with
pillars of the same, polished and gilded, in memory of Jone, the wife of Glid Beaumont,
rector of this church ; who was a branch, not of the family which sometime flourished
at Combe, but of Cole-Orton, as appears from bis arms.
The inscription on this monument here follows :
Dilectissimae sorori suae Epita-
E H
pbium hoc Amoris & Ho-
E P
noris Ergo.
This urn holds sacred dust : each pious eye
Here drop a tear, and weep that she should die.
■ , No one perfection of the female kind ■ ■ .
But lies with her, within the tomb enshrin'd.
Here wants no epitaph : I' th' hearts of men ^.
Writ are her praises ; tears are now the pen. ^
Only this proud stone needs would have it told
What precious dust it doth hereunder hold :
Hold it a while in peace, 'till it shall be
Rais'd to a better life, and glory see.
Underneath is this written :
Here lieth the body of Jone, the wife of Glid Beaumont, rector of this parish; and
(laughter of Edmund Green, of Exon, Gent, who died May 14. MDCXXVII.
Their arms are thus empaled : — 1. B. a lion rampant semide-Iis or. 2. Arg. a fess
^'ules between three bull's heads couped Sab.
ADDITIONAL
BEAUMONT, RICHARD, LORD VISCOUNT MAIN. , 67
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
COMBE has continued (o be the residence of the family of Putt, since it was purchased in 1614 by
Mr. Nicholas Putt of Smallridge in Somersetshire. By his second wife, the daughter of R. Duke, Esq. of Otter-
ton, he was the father of William Putt, who had, among otiiers, two sons, Thomas and Edmund ; Thomas was
created a baronet in 1666, and was sheriff of Devon in 1673. He married Ursula, daughter of Sir Richard
Cholmondeley, baronet ; and had issue three daughters and a son, Thomas, who succeeded him. He was twice
married, first to Margaret, daughter of Sir John Trevelyan, Baronet, and secondly to Juliana, daughter of
Prestwood of Boterford, Esquire, and relict of Roger Hele of Holwell, Esquire, but had no issue. Upon
the death of Sir Thomas Putt, in 1721, the baronetcy became extinct, and Combe devolved to his first cousin,
Reymundo Putt, son of Edmond abovementioned. He had three sons, Thomas, William, and Reymundo.
Thomas died in 1787 without issue ; William, who succeeded to the Combe estate, died in 1797, leaving issue,
by Mary, daughter of Samuel Walker, Esq. two sons, Reymundo hereafter mentioned, and Thomas, rector of
Gittesham, and six daughters. Reymundo, the third son, married Lucretia, the daughter of the Rev. John Bed-
ford of Plymouth, and dying in 1790, left issue Thomas Putt, rector of Trent in Somersetshire, and Caroline,
married to the Rev. Coryndon Luxmoore of Bridestowe.
Reymundo Putt, Esquire, the eldest son of William, who was sheriffof Devon in 1800, is the present respect-
able possessor of Combe.
BERRY,
mis<
68 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
BERRY, SIR JOHN, KNIGHT.
Fior. A.D. Berry, sir Jolm, Kt. Govemour of the Castle of Deal, and oue of the Com
Carfii!^^' sioners of the Royal Navy, was a native of this county, born in the vicarao-e-house
of Knowston, near South-Molton, in the north-east parts thereof, A. D. 1635. He
was the second of the seven sons of Mr. Daniel Berry, vicar of Molland and Know-
ston aforesaid (both within this county, and not far asunder) Batchelor of Divinity,
by Elizabeth his wife, daughter of John Moore, of Moorhays, Esq. which Daniel
Berry's father, was sometime vicar of both those parishes before him, and descended
from the gentile family of the name ; that hath long flourished at Berry-Nerber, near
Ilford-Combe in this province, even three descents before Adam (I mean) Biry, who
« Pole's smv. lived there, anno 19 King Edward the third.^ Which place, both gave unto, and
of Devon, 111 iqq]^ name from, its most antient inhabitants ; beins; sometimes the seat of Willihel-
"Westc.Descr.iTius Ncrbcrt dc Biry;'' then of Ralph Biry de Nerbert. Which inversion of names,
ofDev.iaBer. though it seemed somewhat strange at first, even to Cambden himself, yet have we
' '"^' several examples thereof in this count}'; as William Coffin, of Coffin's-Will, near
Newton-bushel; John Culm, of Culm-John, in Broad-Clist, &c. which still retain
those names unto this day; tho' Nerbert de Biry hath long since settled in Berry de
Nerber ; or, as the family is vulgarly known to this day, by the stile of Berry, of
Berry-Nerber. From which gentile stock, sprang, not only Sir John Berry, of whom
we are speaking, but that very courteous gentleman, the late Sir Thomas Berry, Kt.
for many generations back ; the antient residence of whose family, was at Eastley,
in the parish of Westley, lying over against Bytheford in this shire. But to return.
Mr. Daniel Berry, the father of our Sir John, being a very loyal, as well as learn-
ed divine, fell under the ruins of the church and state, in the grand rebellion, in the
days of King Charles the first, which he vigorously, tho' in vain, endeavoured, ac-
cording to his duty and conscience, to support. For which reason, the very zealous,
tender-conscioned reformers of those times, thought fit to turn him out of his bene-
fice (which was his freehold) contrary to all law and justice: and not only so, but
to strip him of all he had, even to the bed he lay upon. Which goods and moveables
of his thus seized upon, were sold by the sequestrators at a publick survey, (as it is
here called, a kind of auction, long practiced in these parts) all, except his books ; and
those being of good value, were liberally bestowed on that famous independent preacher,
Mr. Lewis Steukley, who sometime lorded it at Exeter, with more than prelatical
rigor; for which, this great zealot, as he had not the conscience at first to refuse
' My author them," SO had he never after the honesty to restore the value of one farthing for them ;
terireceWed*' tho' there were no less than nine horse loads of them, and the poor family reduced to
from a son of ycry great extremities. With the grief of which barbarous, or rather, inhuman
Divii^^a"'! a treatment, Mr. Berry contracted such distempers and diseases, as at length brought
brother of Sir iji,^^ to his GTave ; leavius; behind him, to the Divine protection, a poor widow, and
John Berry, . ii ^i 1 1 ' r
now living at nuic Small Children.
Stone, near yj^g good father thus gone, they having nothing left to trust to, such of the chil-
thf« ounty.'" dren as were grown up, resolved to dispose themselves abroad in the world, as Pro-
vidence should direct 'em. Hence, what they thought might turn to the best future
account, with the least present charge ; the eldest of them betook themselves to the
sea; John, the second son, went to Plymouth, where having an opportunity, he
bound himself an apprentice, to serve him in seafaring afi"airs, to one Mr. Robert
Mering, a merchant of that town ; but God was pleased so to cross his first begin-
nings, that the poor youth was taken, in two several voyages by the Spaniards, and
suffered
BERRY, SIR JOHN, KNIGHT. «9
suffered long imprisonment in Spain. His master Mering also, had his losses come so
thick and fast upon him, one on the neck of another, like Job's fatal messengers, that
he was no longer able to support his trade : whereupon, having no farther imploy for
a servant of this kind, he freely discharged Mr. Berry of his apprentice-hip.
The young man thus manumitted, betook himself to London, near about the time
of His Majesty, King Charles the second's happy restauration ; where, by means of
some friends, he got a warrant to be the boatswain of the King's ketch, the Swallow.
A while after this, the Swallow was ordered to the West-Indies, Captain Insam, com-
mander; after they had dispatched, the affair they were sent about, in those parts,
being homeward bound, in company of the Worster-gate and the Griffin (two other
of His Majesty's ships) in the Gulph of Florida, they met with a violent storm, so
that the Worster-gate and the Griffin were cast away on the Boliemian sands, and
all the men lost : But God so ordered the preservation of the Swallow, that by cutting
down their masts, throwing over board their guns, with most of their provisions, she
got cleer off those sands: So that for sixteen weeks time, driving up and down in the
bay of Mexico, they at last had no provision, either of meat or liquor, left them.
But Almighty God, who shews his wonders in the deep, supplyed the defect thereof,
by sending such abundance of fish by their vessel side, tliat they kill'd enough for
every day, and saved none for to-uiorrow ; as if amidst their utmost dangers, they re-
membred, and could confide in that advice of our blessed Saviour, Mat. 6, 34. Ne
sis solicitus in crastinum : Take no thought for the morrow, for tiie morrow shall take
thought for the things of itself. And for a supply of drink, they had such abun-
dance of rain-water, as was sufficient to quench their thirst, and served their occa-
sions all the time. Nor did their fish ever fail them, until they got into Campechy;
where, though the Spaniards (in whose hands then it was, but seized on by the Eng-
lish, being deserted by the inhabitants, anno 1662) would spare them no furniture
for their ship, they had provisions of them for tlieir money.
From Campechy to Jamaica, is aljout three hundred leagues ; the wind on those
coasts constantly bloweth one way, viz. between the north-east, and the south-east ;
and is commonly called a trade wind : But at that time God so changed the course
thereof, that in three weeks time they came to Jamaica. At which time, one Mr.
Peach, of Southampton, was bound thither also; but in his way to this place, he un-
fortunately met with a pyrate, formerly belonging to that island ; who having taken
him, would have put him and all his men to the sword ; but the doctor and mate of
the pyrate not consenting to so hainous a villany, they all, at length agreed, to put
Peach and liis com])any ashore, upon a certain desolate island not far from, where no
person inhabited. But such was the mercy and providence of Almighty God to tliose
distressed people; that, as he would have it, a sloop from Barbados did land on the
same island the next day to wood and water; who finding Mr. Peach and his men
there, very kindly took them aboard, and landed them at Jamaica, whether they
were bound.
At this time. Sir Thomas Muddiford, Kt. (a native also of this county, being born
at Exeter) was goveniour of that island : who being informed of what had passed,
caused the Swallow ketch to be refitted, and eight guns to be put on board her; and
being now well manned and provided, he ordered her to go in pursuit of tlie pyrate.
Accordingly she did so, with Mr. Peach on board her; in wliich expedition, this our
Mr. Berry was become the lieutenant, or next to the captain.
To sea they go, and after three weeks time, they found the pyrate riding in a bay,
at Hispaniola; who had on board lier eighty men, and seven guns: whereas the Swal-
low had eight guns, and but forty men. When captain Insam came near the pyrate,
his courage flagged ; insomuch, at length, he plainly told his company, That the
blades they were about to altaque, were men at arms, and had been bred Buchaneers,
and
1« THE WORTHIES OF DEVON".
and were abundantly superior to them, both in arms and men. Unto whom, lieute-
nant Berry, with undaunted courage, replyed. That they themselves likewise, were
men at arms; That they were come thither to serve their King and country ; and that
if the captain's courage failed him, he might go off the deck. To this brave propo-
sal, all the crew consented, and fully resolved to board the pyrate; though indeed at
great disadvantage, for the pyrate riding at anchor to the windward, the Swallow was
forced to make two trigs under her lee; upon whom the pyrate fired two broadsides,
with some vollies of small shot ; but they never fired a gun in answer, before they
boarded her on the bow, then firing in a broadside, they killed the pyrate twenty-two
of his men ; and withal, getting on board, they fought on the deck, until they came
on to the main-mast; at what tune they called to the doctor and the mate, to go over
board, and hang by the rudder, which they did accordingly : So fighting on with re-
solution and conduct, they took the pyrate, and put all to the s\vord, except seven of
his men which were wounded; who being brought into Jamaica by the Swallow,
they were tryed by a court-martial, and being found guilty of several piracies and de-
predations, were sentenced to death, and executed accordingly. In all which action,
what is a wonderful providence, the Swallow lost but one man, and that was the boat-
swain's mate.
However, matters must not rest t;o : Behig itturned to Jamaica, Captain Insam,
greatly disgusted at what had hapned, brought Mr. Berry upon his tryal, before a
court-marttal, for usurping, as he said, the captain's office ; but upon a full hearing
of the matter, the governour and the court were so fully satisfied of the business,
that they ordered the captain to take Mr. Berry on board him again, and live peace-
ably with him ; which accordingly he did, and so returned for England.
Soon after this return of his, the war with Holland break out ; at which time Mr.
Berry got a commission to be a captain of a small frigat, of fourteen guns, called the
Maria. In which he so well plyed his business, that he took with her thirty-two
prizes in four months time.
Not long after, having gotten reputation, both for conduct and courage, captam
Berry had a commission given him to be captain of the Coronation, an hired ship, of
fifty odd ?uns. Soon after which, the King (Charles II.) ordered him to go for the
West-Indies, with some other ships under his command. When he was come to the
' Barbados, the governour took up such merchant ships as were there, and made them
men of war; so that joyned to those that came from England, the whole amounted to
a squadron of about nine sail ; all of which were put under the command of captain
Berry. • • i i j •
Tliis little fleet, being very well equipped, the governour aforesaid, ordered captam
Berry forthwith to go for Mevis, or Nevis, one of the Leeward Islands, to secure that
island from the French ; who had already taken St. Christopher's, Aatego, and Mon-
serat, from us, and were making great preparations for the assault of this also ; for,
from St. Christopher's, which is not above four leagues, and the other islands, they
had gotten togetlier a fleet of about thirty-two sail of ships ; whereof, with the con-
juncrion of three or four of tlie Dutch, two and twenty were men of war, the rest
"transport ships for the soldiers. Thus appointed, they made towards Mevis, which
already, they had, in their hopes, devoured, looking upon it as an easy conquest.
Cap"tain Berrv seeing the approach of the enemy, weighed anchor, and came out
of the road to fight them; but as our fleet turned the point of the island, one ot our
ships, by misfortune, blew up, before they came to engage. However, Captain Ber-
ry, nothing daunted, goes on, and fought at once, both the French and Dutch; and
that with sucli happy success, as notwithstanding that vast advantage they had over
them, more than two to one odds, he made them run to St. Christopher's, under com-
mand of their cannon; thither Captain Berry pursued them; and sending in a fire-
ship,
. BERRY, SIR JOHN, KNIGHT. 71
sliip, burnt the French admiral inifler the shelter of their castle: and then he returned
to Mevis to refit his ships, with resolution to engage the enemy again the next morn-
ing. But having had, as they thought, fighting enough the d^y before, they got
away in the night, the French to Martineco, and the Dutch to Virginia. But a while
after this, Sir .John Harman coming thither from England, with a fresh squadron of
ships, understanding that the French lay still at Martineco, went thither and destroy-
ed them all.
Captain Berry having dispatched the aflairs he was sent about in the West-In-
dies, returned for England ; where he was ever after employed in the Royal Navy,
either abroad against the Turks, or at home against the Dutch; or upon some other
important occasions.
Not long after his return, there fell out a more than ordinary necessity for men of
Captain Berry's character. For in the year 1672, a second war with the Dutch, after
the King's restauration, broke out, wherein were engaged, the English and French on
the one party, against the seven provinces on the other. At this time. Captain Ber-
ry had the command given him of a very stout ship, of seventy gun's, called the Reso-
lution. On the eight and twentieth of May that jear, the fleets met in South wold
bay, upon the coast of Suffolk (though the French seemed to come rather to leara
the art of naval fighting, than to fight) and there began a bloody and doubtful engage-
ment. In which action, Captain Berry observing the general, viz. his Royal High-
ness the Duke of York, at that time Lord High Admiral of England, hardly beset by
the enemy, left his station, and came in to his relief; where the service proved so
very hot, that in less than two hours time, he had above an hundred men killed, and
as many wounded ; and being become very leaky also, he was forced to go out of the
line of battel, to stop and mend his leaks: which having done, in less than an hour's
time he fell into his place again. In which action. Captain Berry behaved himself so
very well, that his Majesty, King Charles the second, coming on board the Royal
Soveraign, at the boy of the Ore, to welcome his brother, was there pleased to con-
fer upon him the honour of knighthood ; as a perpetual badg of the royal favour, and
his own great merit.
Some years after this, the King apprehending some dangers might arise, from the
great prejudice, divers potent men, as well in the House of Lords, as Commons, had •
taken up against his royal brother, the Duke of York: to avoid the storm, he order-
ed his royal highness to withdraw into Scotland, under the character of Lord High
Commissioner of that kingdom. Sir John Berry was appointed to carry him thither
by sea, in the Glocester fiigat. But by the wilfulness of the pilot, and the obstinacy
of the duke, in adhering to the said pilot's advice, depending too much upon that
old adage — Periti in suis artibus sunt credendi — the ship was cast away, and near
three hundred men perished in the waters: but without the least imputation on Sir
John Berry's part ; for he plainly laid before his royal highness, the danger they would
incur, if they continued to steer the course they vvere then in. But all in vain, for
the Duke of York did so much depend upon the pilot's judgment, that no perswa-
sions could move liim to alter the course, or lie still until tJie morning. So that they
soon fell into that extream danger, which proved fatal lo most of them. In this ut-
most peril of their lives, Sir John Berry shewed a wonderful conduct and presence of
mind; and under God, was the main instrument of preserving his royal highness's
life, though with the hazard of his own. For when they had nothing left them to
trust to, but God and their long boat ; and every one was pressing into it to save his
life (wliich had they been permitted, would soon have sunk her) Sir John stood with his
drawn sword, and threatned death to any that should dare step in, until his royal
highness was safe on shore; by which means the duke, with some few others, escaped,
with his life : whilst divers eminent gentlemen, as well as others, vvere cast away.
When
72 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
When his Majesty, King Charles the second, found by a costly experience, that
the keeping of Tangier (one of the oldest cities of Africa, lying at the mouth of the
Straights of Gibralter, on the Barbary side) was abundantly more chargeable than
profitable; after our possessing of it for divers years, viz. from 1662, to 1683, he
came at length to a resolution of demolishing it. For which purpose, the King sent
thither a considerable fleet, under the command of the Lord Dartmouth, whose Vice-
Admiral in this expedition, was our Sir John Berry ; who, while my lord was on
shore ordering all the forts and works to be blown up, had the sole command of all
the fleet. In which affair, he behaved himself with much conduct ; whereby, in de-
spight of all the opposition of the Moors, they utterly destroyed the mole (that with
infinite charges for divers years had been making) and brought olf all the English
with their effects, without loss or damage. In which business Sir John Berry behaved
himself so well, that upon his return, he was made one of the commissioners for the
navy; in which honourable post he continued to his dying day.
In K. Jam. 2d's time. Sir John Berry was made rere-admiral of the whole royal
navy ; and after the landing of K. William, he had the sole command thereof for
some time after my Lord Dartmouth laid down his commission, and before the fleet
was called in.
His present Majesty, K. AVilliam 3d, had Sir John Berry in so great esteem like-
wise, that he held frequent consultations with him about naval affairs; and once, for
above a whole night together.
As for the preferments this worthy commander had, they were not many, nor be-
j^ond his merit. Besides his being commissioner of the navy, he was governour of
Deal castle in Kent, a place of honour and trust, and captain of a foot company :
All which he held to the time of his death, which now hasteneth on apace ; and hap-
ned after this manner.
Sir John Berry being ordered down to Portsmouth, to pay off some ships there,
was taken sick on shipboard, as he was discharging that affair; upon this, he was car-
ried on shore at Portsmouth, and about three or four days after, died (as was suppos-
ed, of a feaver. This hapned anno 1691, but after his death, when the physicians
had opened his body, they said. Sir John had no fair play shewed him for his life ;
so that 'twas thought he was made away; tho' by whom, or for what reason, I do not
find : nor may it be proper to surmise.
As for this gentleman's character, so far as it relates to courage and conduct in sea-
affairs, we have already had a full and fair description ; but there was something yet
more considerable in him, and of truer honour; that he was a good christian, and a
devout son of the church of England, by law established : One, who did not think
the least part of true valour lay in defying God, or blaspheming his name or his word,
but that the truest instance thereof, was to subdue those potent enemies of our souls,
the world, the flesh, and the Devil. Neither did he suffer his zeal to become eccen-
trick, and run a madding after every Ignis Fatuus of a new-light that was hung out,
but in the orthodox way of our established church, He chose to worship the God of
his fathers.
He was also a son of that ingenuous duty to his parents, that he caused a fair mo-
nument to be erected to 'em several years after their decease, in the parish church of
Molland, where they lie interred ; wherein he hath given ample testimony, not only
of a filial duty to his natural parents, but also to his civil father the King, and his spi-
ritual mother the church : openly professing an honour for all those, who in the late
times were sufferers for them ; as may appear from this epitaph thereon :
Under this monument, lielh the body of Daniel Berry, B. of D. sometime minister
of this church, and that of the parish of Knowston, wherein he was born : who for
his
BERRY, SIR JOHN, KNIGHT. 73
his zeal in the support of the church of England, and loyalty to that martyr'd
King, Charles I. was first sequestrated by the then rebels, and ever after persecuted,
'till he died; being the 18th day of Mar. A. D. 165|, and of his age 45; leaving
behind him 7 sons, Robert, John, Daniel, Nathaniel, Anthony, Philip, and Tho-
mas ; and two daughters, Elizabeth and Anne; by Elizabeth his wife, daughter
of John Moore, of Mooreliays, Esq. who died 13 Octol>. 1663, and lieth here like-
wise interred.
' The second of their sons, who received the honour of knighthood from
' his present Majesty K. Ch. 2. for his long and many good services at sea,
' honouring the memory of all orthodox and loyal men of the late times,
' and out of a pious regard of his father's sufferings, erected this monu-
' ment, 17 day of Jul. A. D. 1684.
Sir John Berry being thus deceased, as we have heard, at Portsmouth, his corps
was carried to London, and decently interred in the chancel of Stepny church, there-
to adjoyning; over whose grave a noble monument was ordered to be erected, of no
less cost than an hundred and fifty pounds ; which is now finished accordingly.
It is all of white marble, of about 10 foot in heighth, and 5 in breadth, finely po-
lished. In a nich in the middle, stands on a pedestal, the eftigies of Sir John, cut,
with a campaign wig and a cravat, in pure alabaster; over his head are the arms of
his family; underneath, on a table of white marble, is the following epitaph, in black
letters.
' Ne id nescias lector D. Johannes Berry Devoniensis, Dignitate Equestri Cla-
' rus, Mari tantum non Imperator, de Rege & Patria (quod & barbari norunt)
' bene meritus, Magnani ob Res fortiter gestas adeptus GloriamFamtesatus, post
' muitas reportatas victorias, cum ab aliis vinci non potuit Fatis cessit 14 Feb.
' 1691. Baptisatus 7 Jan. 1635.
He left a widow, but no issue to inherit his fortunes.
He bears, Gul. 3 Bars Or, with his difference.
E BIDGOOD,
74
THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Floi. A. D.
1680. R. K.
Car. a.
' He is not
mentioned to
have taken
any, in the
Fast. Ox. V. <i
^ Ath. Oxon.
V. 2. Fast. |i.
742.
• Idem ibid.
' Ath. Oxon.
V. 2. p. 806.
• Ath. Oxon.
quo prius.
BIDGOOD, JOHN.
BiDGOOD, John, doctor of physick, was born in the city of Exeter, in the year
of our Lord 162.'3. His father was Humphry Bidgood, by profession an apothecary ;
who came to an untimely end, being unhappily poisoned by his own servant Peter
Moor, tho' the mischief was intended, not to him, but, his wife; for which the villain
was deservedly executed on the Magdalen gibbet, belonging to that city.
This John Bidgood, being of early forward parts, was continued at school, until
he was thought fit to be sent to Oxford ; where he became a member of Exeter col-
lege : and not long after, was chosen one of the fellows of that house. However, it
seems, he was not over studious at first, (a vice most incident to the greatest wits)
which his tutor observing, endeavours to encourage hiin, by proposing the example
of one of his fellow-pupils, noted for a ploding, drudging student, to whom Bidgood
replied, " let him study if he will ; yet for all that, you may buy all his works twenty
years hence for a groat."
But being now become one of the foundation, he more diligently applied himself
to his books, and made a good proficiency in learning. And his genius and humour
so inclining him, he especially applied himself to the study of physick ; in the know-
ledge whereof, he became so eminent, that, without taking any degree^ in arts, he
was created Batchelor of Physick, in the year 1647;'' Juid that with this particular
circumstance of honour, " that the creations in most faculties this year, were mostly
of such, as either had born arms for, or were otherwise useful to, his majesty King
Charles I. ;"'^ and most likely it is, that Mr. Bidgood was of the former number.
For he was vir proVjata? fidei, of very approved loyalty to his soveraign ; and when he
could no longer do, was content to suifer for him : and this he did in an eminent
degree and measure, in that fatal year of 1648 ; when he was ejected out of his fel-
lowship in Exeter college by the parliamentarian visitors ; who assign a double reason
of this their proceeding against him."^ 1. For non-siibinission. And, 2. for drinking
of healtlis to the confusion of reformers. So is it worded in the register of the visitors
actions. Whereas, by his co-temporaries in the college, the health is said to have
b.cen, a cup of devils to reformers. And this, most likely, was the form which the
visitors themselves were pleased to qualify into those softer words.
Now strange it is indeed, what a learned author tells us,*" that when this passage
was about to be published, in that elaborate work, the History and Antiquity of the
University of Oxford, Doctor Bidgood having notice thereof, should make application
to the editor, Doctor Fell, to have it left out. Upon which, it was done accordingly,
and the sheet reprinted wherein it was, and an alteration made in the paragraph.
However, we may well wonder, as Dr. Fell is said to have done, that he should
scruple at a passage which made for the reputation of his loyalty; yet all that knew
Dr. Bidgood, will soon acknowledg, it was not upon the gromid or motive, which by
the same author is there suggested, in these words, " tliat Bidgood, a covetous per-
son, fearing that such a passage as that, might, when made publick, hinder his prac-
tice among the godly party at Exeter, and near it, he made application to Dr. Fell,
the publisher of the History, to have it taken out.
For answer. Altho' we should su})pose that Dr. Bidgood loved his fees well enough,
yet when that excellent book was published, he was above the temptation of any
such sneaking fears upon that score. And it is sufficiently known, that he might
have taken hundreds of fees more than he djd, if he had so pleased; for at this time,
he was in so great and general request, th.it it was esteemed, by many, as a peculiar
favour.
BIDGOOD, JOHN. 75
favour, that Dr. Biclgood would take their fees. And this is certain, in those days
he so little valued them, that he would often sacrifice them to his humour and
heighth of stomach ; and the favour and friendship of the greatest persons in the
country to boot also.
Nor needed he to have feared (on a much greater provocation, than the inserting
those words into that history was likely to have proved) the loss of his practice among
people in these parts, of whatsoever opinion or profession in religion ; for they sought
him, not as a divine, but a physician ; and it was always more for their own sakes,
than for his.
And for his depending on any of those, whom that laborious author calls the godly ,.
party in and about Exeter; 1 must needs say, he is greatly misinformed in this matter,
for the Doctor was never a favourer, or favourite, of any sort of people, who are nick'd
by that name.
Havmg thus cleered up (where I thought it most proper) in this place, the Doc-
tor's reputation from this reflection, proceed we now, in the farther narrative of his
life.
Mr. Bidgood (for so as yet he was) being, upon the account of his loyalty, thus turned
out of his fellowship and his college, betook himself to travel. And directing his
journy to Padua in Italy, (a famous university at that time, for the stud}' of physick)
he there commenced doctor in that notable faculty. From whence, after a few years
stay, returning into England, he reposed himself a while, and practiced in the town
of Chara, in the county of Somerset. After a few years continuance there also, he re-
turned unto his native city; where he got, and maintained, the honour, of being the
best practical physician in all those parts, unto the day of his death. But we cannot
so dismiss him.
In that year of wonders, 1660, when the nation returned to its wits, and right and
justice took place again. Dr. Bidgood returned to Oxford, to take possession of his
fellowship there, (for he was then, and always after, an unmarried man.) While there,
he was by the university, thought worthy to be admitted, ad eundem, /. e. to be in-
corporated into the same degree of Doctor of Physick, at Oxford, which before he
had taken at Padua : this hapned Sept. 20th, the same year.^ But the Doctor nofAth. Oxon.
caring to continue longer an accademical life, soon after resigns his fellowship ; into gg^^" ^^^ •*"
which, his kindsman, Mr. George Snell, the now reverend arch-deacon of Totnes,
was deservedly elected ; and then returned to Exeter.
Not long alter this time, having now acquired great fame and reputation, for his
skill and success in his faculty, he was admitted honorary fellow of the college of
physicians at London ; on which, as a testimony of his gratitude and respects, he be-
stowed a largess of an hundred pounds.
During his long and celebrated practice (what was very commendable in him) he
was observed to be very careful of the meanest patient he undertook, and frequent in
his visits of him : led to which, whether from a principle of charity, or of reputation,
I shan't undertake to determine.
If after this, any should be so curious to desire a more particular character of a
person so eminent in his way, they may please to know, that for his stature, he was
of a tall and proper size; of a robust and well compacted body; of meen, grave and
portly ; but of deportment, so morose and haughty, unless to some particular per-
sons of his acquaintance, as it forfeited him that love and affection, which a generally
sweet and courtly one, is apt to attract. Of which also, he is said to have repented
himself before his death: for (to give you the words of my author)^ having been aeAth. Oxon.
person of a surly and proud nature, and ofTensive in Avord and action, he did a little- ''• Fas'- P>
bclore his death, desire pardon and forgiveness of all the world ; especially of several
persons
76 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
persons with whom he had any anymosities. Which I mention, not to his dispa-
rao-ement, but honour; it being truly christian, and that comprizes the truest notion
ofgentihty.
And th[s hath led me to a brief view of his mind, which far excelled his outward
frame and structure, tho' that was manly and decent enough. As to learning, espe-
cially in his profession, he was very eminent; in all other parts thereof, he had very
competent skill ; but for success in his practice, it was extraordinary. His wit was
very readv, and when he so pleased, satyrical enough. His discourse was wont to be
judicious; and his phraise, terse and significant.
" Lactantiiis. As to his religion (which is what more discriminates a man from a brute," than his
reason doth) in his younger years; he was observed no less loose in the speculative,
than the practical part thereof; being supposed to verge much upon atheism.
He was rarely wont indeed, for many years, to frequent God's publick worship ;
tho' when he did so, it was always, as established in the church of England, and cele-
brated in the cathedral of the city, wherein he lived.
But in his latter years, when he came to retire into himself, and his country .house
at Rockbear, six miles to the east of Exeter, he was a constant, and an early attendant,
on the divine service, celebrated in the parochial assembly, to which he belonged.
And I well remember, when he was in attendance on a sick lady, in an honourable
■' The honour- family of this county,' he was wont to joyn in the solemn church devotion there per-
i\,'rt,na''n^at fomied, with great seeming reverence and attention.
Sir Eiiward Insomucli, we may charitably hope, that whatever liberty he might sometune
hou"ra?Ber.i"flii'ge himseU in, yet before his death, he was seriously affected (as most come to
«•"•• ' be) with the usefulness and importance of religion ; and had a better opinion thereof,
than he had of the efficacy of his own faculty. Of which, when he saw how unsuc-
cessful it proved, as to his own particular, he is reported to have fallen out of conceit
with it ; saying, " there is little or nothing in it ; 'tis meer trick and sham : sobriety
is the best pliysick ; and the kitchen and the garden afford the safest drugs, and the
most healthful compositions."
At length, this skilful and learned physician, after a long and happy practice to
the recovery of others, so far neglected himself, that his subtile disease became stub-
born and incurable. For taking his malady at first, to be only the hemorrhoids, he
slighted it so long, 'till it proved a fistula' in ano ; of that inveteracy, it would not
yield to all that art and care could do for its cure. So that thereof, at last, after
some months linguering pains, the Doctor died ; vastly rich, being worth between
five aud twenty and thirty thousand pounds, (all of his own getting) at his house
in St. Peter's Close, in the city of Exon, on the 13th of Jan. 1690, in the 68th year
of his age.
He was buried in our Lady Mary's Chappel, at the upper end of the north isle of
the cathedral there, (unto which he had been a benefactor at his death) just before
the door, at the entrance thereinto. Over whose remains, is a flat stone laid, having
this English inscription :
Here lieth the body of John Bidgood, doctor of physick; who was born the
13th of March, 1623; and died the 13th of Jan. 1690. Who by education,
study, and travel, rendred himself one of the most accomplished and bene-
ficial physicians of his age.
Underneath which, is engraven his coat of arms, as before.
Nor is this all the honour done to his memory. For in the wall of the same chap-
pel,
BIDGOOD, JOHN. 77
pel, on the right hand coming in, is fixed a very fair marble monument, by his near
kindsman, Mr. Humphry Bidgood, whom the doctor made his heir, who did not sur-
vive him above a year, having this inscription in letters of gold :
Memorine Johannis Bidgood, M. D. hac civitate iii. Id Martij nati i. i. xxiii. de-
nati vero idibus Januarii i. i. xc. S. quern si artis medical Anglicaniq; nominis decus
& ornamentum, si Hippocratem, Gallenum istiusve sseculi Esculapium dixeris vere-
cunde dixeris viator.
Under which, in the same black marble table, is this farther added : — Hum. Bid-
good consanguineus et in totum assem haeres institutus, gratitudinis aeternae ergo hoc
posuit. Accumulat divitias & nescit
BLONDY,
7S THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
BLONDY, RICHARD.
BLONDY, Richard, Lord Bishop of Exeter, was bom in this county, being a
'iz. Cat. of native of the said city. A late author, for what reason he best knew, tells us,' he was
Bps.ofExoB. of Bedfordshire, which lieth in the eastern parts of this kingdom. Wiiereas Dr. Ful-
ler, in his Worthies of that county, doth neither challenge him as such, among the
prelates thereof; nor so much as insert his name, either among the sherilTs, or the
gentlemen, that were returned into the chancery, by the commissioners appointed to
that purpose, in the 12th year of the reign of K. Hen. 6th.
That this prelate was born, as is said, in the city of Exeter, we have the testimony
\uciffiBfe"er "^^ ^'^ ^"^''^"*^ record, in the Monasticon Anglicanum ;'' where, speaking of the time
vol. I. ill Abl when, and the persons by whom, the Abby of Newenham, (vulgarly Newnham) in
eui?" '^'^ '^'^^ *'^'^ county, was founded, we are informed it was.
Anno gratiaj 1246, regnante in Anglia Henrico christianissimo rege, filio Johannis
regis, gubernante ecclesiam Exon. Mro. Richardo Albo, de eadem civitate Exoniensi
nato.
When the most Christian King (we see to whom that title was once ascribed) Henry,
son of King Joim, ruled this kingdom ; and when Mr. Richard White, born in the
city of Exeter, did govern the church of Exeter.
'Of Misceiia- A copy of the same record I find elsewhere, sc. in a large MS." of that learned anti-
""^^' quary. Sir W. Pole, of this county, Kt. who tells us, he extracted it out of tlie leiger-
book oftliatabb}^ belonging to Robert Rolle, of Heanton, Esq. an. 16()6, wherein
we have the same passage verbatim.
Now, that this Richardus Albus, or White, was at that time bishop of Exeter, is plain,
" De Prasui. both from Bishop Godwin,'' and Mr. Izaac also,*^ though under the name of Blondy,
f""''""^"""' (Blund, or Blont, signifieth, in old Saxon, M'hite, or bright yellow. Vesteg. Antiq.
of Exon. '"'p. 331. He being, as it seems, denominated with an alias; a thing common enough
in England, even from the time of the conquest; when William, of Normandy, was
sometime sirnamed the Conqueror, and sometime the Bastard. Nor was there any
other bishop of Exeter, called Richard, either before, or for some hundreds ofycar.s
after, but only this Richard White, alias Blondy.
But then, what is farther remarkable, I find, also, that the name Blondy did flourish
very well in the city of Exeter, both before and after this bishop's time ; William
fMr. iz.Mem. pi(j,^jy^f l^gij^g tljg third by name, (RilTord was the first, and Fitz-Robert was tlie
second) who executed the office of mayor in that ancient city.
Now, that Blondy, at this time, was also called White, we have probable grounds to
conclude, from a passage in Mr. Izaac himself; where the person, wiiom before he
called Hilarie Blondy, and was mayor of Exeter, an. 12.58, most likely is the same
£ Ibid. p. 15. ^vhom, in the same page,' he calls Hilarie White, and mentions as mayor there, an.
1261. All which circumstances being duely laid together, we have sufficient evidence
to conclude, tiiis prelate our own.
Richard Blondy, alias White, thus born, as is said, in Exeter, we may well suppose,
was the son of William Blondy, aforementioned, who began his mayoralty of that
city, 15th King John, A. D. 1213, and continued at for three years together, which
suits very well to the compulation of time, wherein they both flourished.
Where this eminent prelate had iiis education, or what the first preferments he had
" Rirh. Bimijin the churcli were, I find no mention ; nor any thing else recorded of him, (except
cibatQr.''Dnl;'! "^'''.y ^''''■t 1^*^ ^^'^^ ^^'^ to be an abbol'' until he was promoted to be bisiiop of Exeter,
Moil. Ansi. V. an. 1245. He was consecrated by Bonifacius, archbisho[) of Canterbury, (a man fa-
?nAb.*'dc*"^'"ious for being .son to the Earl of Savoy, and brothei to the Q. consort, and for no-
Newen. thin<r
BLONDY, RICHARD. ^ ■ 79
thing else)' in the 30th of K. Hen. 3. Near about which time, his lordship occurs ^Ver^Ueneris
a witness to the deed of Reojinaldus de Mohun ; whereby he granted the mannor ofSemasfrviri-
Axminster to the abby of Newenham, lying in the south part of that parish, about a |j^^,^^J,'"°^
mile from the parish church, under this character: T. venerabili viro, Domino Albo plane nulla re-
episcopo Exon ; where he was placed before Richard, Earl of Corn vval, the King's ^pJ^;'^';'^j;.'^p^^^
own brother. sni. Cant. p.
This bishop also, dedicated the site, or ground whereon the abby of Newenham "'•
aforesaid stood; as it is thus recorded:* Richardus Albus episc. Exon. natus Exoniae " sir w. Pole's
dedicavit situni Abbathiag de Newenham. Which he did upon the request of Jo- '^'''"'- "^^ •
hannes de Ponte-Roberti,' then prior of Beuly, or de Bello Loco Regis, a famous' Dngd. quo
monastery in Hampshire, (from which nursery the abby of Newenham was at first *"P'
supplyed with monks) who is said have been a very religious man. The bishop being
come thither, as a token of the dedication of the intended plot, caused crosses of
wood to be put, that all the holy places might be discerned, until he had blessed, and
encompassed round the whole abby with a ditch. At what time the bishop de-
nounced sentence upon all, who had committed any violence in the places aforesaid.
And here, out of particular respect to the place of my nativity, I shall crave leave
to digress so far, as to give no unpleasing account of that ancient monastery; as I
find it in the Monasticon Anglic, and the extract taken out of the leiger-book of that
abby, bv Sir William Pole, now to be seen among his manuscripts," and other^intiie hands
y "^ of the Honour-
authors. _ able Colonel
The place where this abby was founded, was anciently called Ny weham, and New- sir John Poie,
ham. In the charter of Pope Innocent 4th, wherein he consents to the building of° " '^'
this monastery, it is called de Novo Manso, of the New Manse, or dwelling ; and
New-ham is, from the site thereof, an home, in a low or falling ground ; the monks
being commonly so wise, as to found their abbies in the deepest and richest land : but
according to Verstegaii, Ham originally signifieth a coverture, or place of shelter,
and is thence grown to signify ones home or habitation." This stands, as was said," Antiquit. p.
in the parish of Axminster, in the county of Devon, and the diocess of Exeter. ^-'"
The principal founder hereof was Reginald de Mohun, son of Reginald de Mohun,
lord of the castle of Dunstar, in the county of Somerset; by Alice his wife, one of
the daughters and heirs of the Lord William Brewer, of Tor-Brewer, in this county.
With whom he had, among other estates, this mannor of Axminster, in which after-
ward this abby stood. In this undertaking he was so greatly assisted by his brother
William de Mohun, of Mohun's-Ottery, near Honiton, in this county, that he also is
called one of the founders thereof.
The time when this abby was first begun, was on the Ides of the month of Janu-
ary, upon the Lord's-day, in the year of grace 1246, in the 31st year of the reign of
K: Hen. 3.
The end wlierefore it was dedicated to God and the Virgin Mary, for an abbot
and twelve monks" of the Cistertian Order, (one of the strictest then in England) there" with s. Ben-
to serve God, and pray for the souls of William Brewer, senior, and William Brewer, "i'^|,;"^^^J^''gj'''
junior, and their wives; and for the souls of the said Reginald de Mohun, (the foun-Tiiat their mo'-
der) and of his father and mother; and of Hawise de Mohun, and Isabella de Basset, "jj*!.'['f bliro't-
liis wives ; and of William de Mohun his brother, and his heirs; and of all his an- twelve monks
cestors and successors, as is expressed in the deed Ross's'view°of
To this abby were many great benefactors; the chiefest was the founder, whoKeiig. p. 236.
gave hereunto the large mannor of Axminster, with the hundred thereunto belonging,
absq; ullo retinemento, as in the grant. Avid for every year during his life, he as-
signed unto it an 100 marks of silver, to be paid yearly towards the buildings. And
at his death he bequeathed his body to be there interred ; and seven hundred marks
in silver.
Sir
80 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Sir AVilliam De Molum his brother, gave to this abby, among many other rich
gifts, the mannor of Norton ; with the hundred and bailywick of Stratton, in Corn-
wal.
Sir Giles de Cancellis, or Chanceaux, had the mannor of Pleniut, in Cornwal ;
which his executors gave to this convent for the good of his soul ; together with the
advowson of that church.
Sir Nich. de Bolevile gave 26. v. of yearly rent, and his body to be buried in the
abby church there.
Walter de Stapildon, Bp. of Exon, was always a great friend to this house ; he gave
many gifts unto it.
Richard de Stammerlegh gave to the abbot and monks of Ne>venbam, his lands m
Stamnierlegh.
Ralph de Stedhay gave them his lands in Stedhay.
Richard de Wranghey gave his lands in Wranghey.
Robert de Bacaler gave them his lands in B. Bacaler, in that parish.
Robert Cotliey gave 14 acres of land in Cothey, in the same parish.
Robert de Lov gave his houses near the Barbican, in Exon.
David Anselm, chantor of Crediton, gave his houses in Exon.
William Toller gave all his lands in Tollershays, now Tolshays.
Adam Cock gave all his lands in the mannor of Axminster, called Cockshays j and
divers else.
All which, notwithstanding, with many others I might name, this abby amounted,
at the dissolution, in the days of K. Hen. 8, but to the sum of 231/. 14^. kd. per
k.h'.s. ■ About eight years after the founding of the abby, the foundation of a church, for
iEk lib. Ab-the better service of God there, was laid, an. gr. 1254,'' by that venerable man, as he
batb. praed. j^ called, Reginald de Moliun, the founder: he, on the Ides of Septem. that year, laid
the first stone of that church; which was dedicated to the blessed Virgin Mary. He
placed three large stones, signed witli a cross ; the fourth stone was laid by William
de Mohun his brother ; and^he fifth by Sir Wiinond de Ralegh, Kt. who, the second
'Etinan.tMo.year after, was lord of Smalridge,' in the same parish : these five stones were placed
postea Don,, j,^ honour of the H. Trinity, the Virgin Mary, and All-Saints, m presence of Henry,
ibid.'"' " °'' the then abbot, and all the convent. This building was carried on by the care of
Galfridus de Blanchvile, the fourth abbot of that convent, who caused so good a dis-
patch to be made therein, that he was the first who had mass celebrated there.
In this church were the bodies of many honourable and eminent persons buried;
some of which were these following :
Sir Reginald de Mohun, the founder, died at Tor-Brewer, on the 13th of the Ca-
lends of Feb. A. D. 1257, and was buried before the high alter here, an. 41, H. 3.
Isabella Basset, his wife, died 2. Cal. Nov. 1260, and most likely was buried here.
Sir Will, de Mohun, german brother (as he is called) of the said Reginald, and one
of the founders, died on St. Lambert's day, 1265, and was buried here, annoq; 50, of
Hen. 3. , r , <- -\ r i
Prid. Cal. Dec. or on the last day of Nov. 1280, died William Mohun, of Mohuns-
Ottery, son of Sir Reginald ; he turned this abbot and convent out ot the advowson
of the church of Luppil ; and v/as buried here 8 Edw. 1. ,■ t -f
Sir Giles de Cancellis, or Chanceaux, Kt. (whose was sometime the mannor of Lit-
•SirW. Pole's ton,' in this county) died, and was buried in this church.
^n.-jfMs' Sir Nicholas de Bolevila, or Bunvile, as 1 take it, who gave 26. v. 4f/. ot annual
rent to this house, died ; and was here buried ; with many oiners. t r ^ i
And here I shall insert the names of the abbots of this monastery, as 1 find tliem
in the Monust. Anglic, and proceed. „.
BLONDY, REGINALD. 81
The first was John Godard, born in Canterbury; a man of noble science, and ad- ^•
mirable eloquence, A. 1246.
The second was Henry de Spersholt, a Berkshire man born ; he obtained consider- ii.
able revenues to his house, and began his government there, an. 1247.
The third was John de Pont-Robert, prior of Beuly, in Hants. He gave the four Hi.
Evangelists to this church.
The fourth was JeflPery de Blanchvile, who was created abbot thereof, A. 12.52. He iv.
was a good benefactor to his house.
The fifth was Hugh de Cokeswel ; chosen an. 1262, but never received the episco- v,
pal benediction. He, by his crafty deahngs, changed the convent of that place, an.
1265, and retiring secretly to Beuly aforesaid, they there chose '
The sixth abbot, John, of Northampton, and twelve monks for his convent. vi.
The seventh was William de Cornwal, prior of Beulv ; he was created abbot of vii.
this place, an. 1272, who, after many labours, became blind and decripped.
The eighth that succeeded, was Richard de Chichestre, a monk of Beuly, an. 1288, vill.
who, with his own hands, in open court,' tore and cancelled the King's charter, of
the advowsan of the parish church of Axminster, which this abby claimed to them-
selves, even after it had been determine<l, on the King's behalf, before the judges that
then were, an. 5 Edw. 1. by the oaths of eight knights of the county of Devon, eight
of the county of Dorset, and eight of the county of Somerset, (for that Axminster
lieth in the confines of all these three counties) and after the abbot his predecessor,
who before him managed the suit, had been left, 'tis said, in the writ, in Miserecordia'- T.i. in Jiiscei.
Regis: but abbot Chichestre, returning to Beuly, was there lawfully deposed; and '^^*'-
the seals of his house taken from him, an. 1290.
The ninth was Richard de Pedirton, an. 1293, who quit-claimed the advowsan ix.
of the said church to the canons of the church of York, for a sum of money, who
hold it to this day ; with which he feasted and lived merrily ; and withdrew soon
after.
The tenth was William de Fria, who succeeded in that dignity, an. 1290. He x.
lived \eTy peaceably in his house; and dying an. 1.S03, was buried at the abby of
Ford.
The eleventh that succeeded, was Richard de Pedirton aforesaid; again created xi.
abbot here an. 1303. Who dying soon after, his body was buried at Waverly ; an
abby in Surrey.
The twelfth was Ralph de Shapwick, born in Somersetshire ; he was a good bene- Xli.
factor to his house; and dying at Nevvenham, was buried there before the church-
door, in a cloyster that he had raised.
The thirteenth was Robert de Pupplysvyrie, in Somersetshire born ; he withdrew, xiir.
an. 1321.
The fourteenth was John de Cokiswil, prior of Beuly ; who dying, was buried here '^^^^
an. 1324.
The fifteenth was John de Getyngtone, born in Northamptonsli. archdeacon of ^^
Lewis, and canon of Chichester. He got again possession of the church of Luppil;
and was many ways a good benefactor to his convent, both in lands and buildings.
For he it was who obtained to it the lands of Jolm de Shapwick and \\\\\. Tudder,
and the houses near Crakenpitt, in the city of E.xeter, and other priviledges. And
he raised three of the pillars in the cloysters ; and made that cloyster next to the
infirmary of the monks, and the lavatory. He began also a new refectory, or
common-hall, which he left to his successor to finish ; he made the grang at Bever,
and the dove-house at Furslegh. Who after much labour lost his si^ht ; and dying
anno 1331S, in his chair, his body was buried in the first arch of the cloyster, which
he had begun to build. In whose time thers were fruitful years, in blasdo et vino.
M The
82 • THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
xvr. Yhe sixteenth, and last mentioned in my author, was Walter de la Hous, born
in Devonshire, and porter of (which at that time was a considerable officer in) that
convent. He was created abbot thereof, anno 13.38. How long he continued is
uncertain.
There were many others who succeeded him in this (at that time esteemed great)
dignity; whose names and actions are buried in oblivion. The last who sustained
this post, was abbot Gill, who, after this abby had flourished near 300 years, on the
" Risd. Siirv. ytii of March, in 31 K. Hen. 8. 1539, surrendered it up into that King's" hands;
^Vxm.^*"" ' ^v'^o caused it soon after to be demolished : so that now there is hardly standing, of
the old buildings, one stone upon another.
But after this no unprofitable digression, let us return to Bishop Blondy (whom we
also do observe was sometime called Bland and White:) Bishop Godwin somewhat
«De PriEsui. severely reflects upon him," as if he were but a lazy sort of man: " Qui mitis ingenii
Exon. p. 460. gppgjg socordiam obtegens, ipse otiosus, desidere solitus. Who under a shew of great
meekness and mildness of spirit, did cover his slothfulness ;" and that he referred all
the labour and business of his episcopal function to the management of his officers,
viz. his chancellor Lodswell, his register Sutton, his official Fitz-Herbert, and to
Ermeston the keeper of his seal : and that hence they took occasion to abuse their
master and enrich themselves, disposing of places, and ordering matters at their plea-
y Hook. Print. su^e Thcsc, with Other cliief servants of the houshold, we are elsewhere informed,''
Catal. 01 the , , , , . > i • , i i i • i • i • i i
Bps. of Exou. compacted among themselves, whilst the bishop lay weak and sick in his bed, to
make unto themselves the conveyances of .such livings as then lay in the bishop's
disposal. Accordingly they made out advowsans, and other settlements, as to them
seemed best; which were forthwith sealed and delivered according to the orders among
themselves concluded and agreed on ; though all was reversed, or they punished by
the next bishop.
That his officers might impose upon the meekness of his disposition, and the weak-
ness of his bodily constitution at that time, is not unlikely : but that they did it by
any slothful connivance of his, is not so apparent ; for 'tis said, they took the ad-
vantage, whilst he lay sick and weak in his bed, without his privacy or consent, antl
when he was passed all hopes of recovery.
'Tis true, this reverend prelate, is represented, by our best writers, as a man of
a mild spirit, and of a good and gentle nature : which is so far from being any dis-
paragement to his memory, that it is sufficient to perfume it, and to render it fra-
grant to posterity. Was not the great Bishop of our souls meek and lowly in mind ?
Is not this that very lesson He would have all his disciples learn of him ? S. Matth.
11. 29. And when St. Paul reckons up those excellent ingredients, which constitute
the character of a Christian bishop; he mentions, among other, this as one, " not
given to wine," (which is thus explained : not ready to quarrel, and offer wrong, as
MTim. 3. 3. one in wine) " but patient."^ Solomon makes it a badge of wisdom to be of a " cool
• Prov. 17. «7.spirit ;"" and positively asserts it, that " he that is slow to anger, is better than the
c. 16. V. o'.'. i^^igijty . and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city."
That this reverend bishop was meek and tame, to the prejudice of his office, or his
» Hook. Piiut. church, we no where else do find : rather the contrary is testified of him,'' that how-
Exon*^ ^^^ "'ever he was a mild-spirited man, he was very stout against such as, in his time, did
offer any injury to the church. An argument, that as he had occasions enough for
the tryal of the temper of his mind herein ; so upon the push, he had approved it
true as steel, and quitted himself with the courage and resolution which became a
bishop.
He was also a worthy benefactor to his church ; contributing very liberally towards
Catof'B^rot'^^'^ buildings of his cathedral :' for that noble pile, (which, for the uniformity thereof,
Exon. may seem to have been built by one man in one age) was not, opus unius saeculi,
the
BLONDY, REGINALD. 8S
the work of an age ; but four hundred thirty and seven years in finishing." For from "^^^^ ^^^^-^
its first foundation, in the reign of K. Athelstan, A. D. 932, to the compleating
thereof by that noble prelate John Grandison, Bishop of Exeter, (descended from
the ancient house of the Grandisons, Dukes of Burgundy) an. 43 Ed. 3. 1369, is no
less space of time. What part or portion thereof fell to this bishop's share to carry
on, I no where find. But, however, the particulars of his good works may be for-
gotten on earth ; 'tis sufficient to his reward, which shall be hereafter, that a faithful
register of them all is kept in heaven.
He continued bishop of the church of Exeter about the space of twelve years ;
and then, having finished his course, he put off his garments of mortality, which were
decently deposited under the south tower of his own cathedral, in a tomb covered with
touch-stone, A. D. V257, which I take to be that mausolajum, adjoyning there to the
south-wall thereof.
As to his arms, a certain author hath bestowed upon him a different coat from that
before mentioned: but how well it fits him I cannot tell; most likely not at all. If
any one be disposed to try it on, 'tis thus emblazoned by him,' Lozengy Or and Sab. «i2.Cat.ofthe
If I should by any be thought tedious and impertinent, in my so full clearing up "P'- °^^''°°*
our title to this reverend prelate's birth in this county, the motto to his arms shall be
all my apology ; which i.s thus in English,
Truth will overcome.
BLUEi;
84 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
I'lor. A. D.
l,6w- R- K. BLUET, COLONEL FRANCIS.
Car. 1.
» Ex Regist. Bluet Collonel Francis, was bom in the year of our Lord 1582,^ at the antient
house belonging to his family, call'd Holcomb-Court, in the parish of Holcomb-Rogus,
lying about six miles to the north of Cullumpton, in this county, on the borders of
Somersetshire.
Some perhaps, from the name, may, at first hearing, take up a scandalous opinion
of this place, as if it fetched its original from rogues, or bond-men, that sometime lived
there. Others, with a modester probability, may imagine, it was so called from rogus,
a funeral-pile, much in use among the Romans (sometime in this country) in their
wars, who, to prevent the indignity might be offered them by their enemies, were wont
to burn the dead bodies of their generals, and chief captains, upon the level, near the
Via strata, or Militaris, the whole army congesting upon their ashes, pure grassy turfs,
i}„„,] Hist ^^^*' f''oi^i the surface of the ground, which became their tumulus.'^
of Warvvicksh. Nor is this the true account of the denomination of this parish, which is so called
''■^' from a very antient knightly family, wliich were lords thereof, so far back as the days
' Sir w. Poles of K. H. L" whosc name was Rogus, Rogon, or Roges. The first was Rogon Fitz
P<'J^''j"fpp^- Symon, whom succeeded Symon tilius Rogonis ; then William filius Symonis fdii Ro-
iMs. "" gonis ; then Rogon fdius Symonis. Next Sir Jordan Fitz-Rogan, Kt. After him, Sir
Symon Fitz-Rogus. And, last of all, succeeded Sir Symon Roges: in the whole about
seven generations.
But omitting this, I shall proceed to the honourable family from whence the gentle-
I man before us descended : He was the second son of Richard Bluet, of Holcomb-
Rogus, Esq ; by Mary his wife, the daughter of Sir John Chichester, of Ralegh, in this
county, Kt. sister to the Right Honourable the Lord Chichester, Lord Deputy of
Ireland; who by along line of noble ancestors, is said to be derived from William
'' Westc. in his Bluct, or Bloct, Earl of Sarum. So a certain author tells us,'* although I must acknow-
Pedigrecs.MS. j^,^]^.^ I can meet with no such Earl in all Dugdal's Baronage of England. Which
William Bluet, Earl of Sarum, is said to have had a younger son named Sir Rowland
Bluet; who, by one of the heirs of Ragland, Lord of Ragland, had issue Sir Edmond
Bluet, Lord of Ragland ; wlio, by the sister of Sir Humphry Bawen, had issue Sir Ro-
ger, and Robert Bluet, lord bishop of Lincoln, (of wliom God willing more hereafter)
which Sir Roger, by the daughter of Sir Lewis de Powis, Lord of Powis, had issue
Sir Thomas ; who had issue Sir Ralph; who, by Flawis his wife, the sister to Ralph
de Mounthermer, Earl of Hertford and Glocester, an. 129G, had issue Sir Walter;
who, by the co-heir of Symon de Greenham, of Greenham, in the parish of Ashbrittle,
in Somerset, bad issue Sir Walter Bluet, of Greenham, Kt. the first of his name, I find
resident in these parts; which Sir Walter had issue Sir John ; who bad issue John
Bluet, of Greenham ; who, b}^ the daughter and co-heir of Chiselden, (the other mar-
ried Wadham) became the Lord of Holcomb-Rogus ; as Chiselden did by mari-ying,
three generations before, the daughter and heir of Roges : which antient and pleasant
seat, continues in the honourable name of Bluet unto this day ; of which it hath been
possessed about eight generations following, matching, as it came along, into many of
the noblest families in those parts, as Mallet, Fitz-James, Saint Maur, Blunt Lord
Mounjoy, Chichester, Grenvile, Portman, and others; until at length, John Bluet,
this gentleman's elder brother's heir, of whom we are speaking, having no issue male,
conveighed away to his four daughters a considerable part of this large and fair estate,
who thereby brought a great addition to the fortunes of their husbands, Jones, Wallop,
Stonchouse, and Basset. But of this enough.
Collonel
BLUET, COLONEL FRANCIS. 85
Colonel Bluet being a younger brother, could expect no better fortune ; and if he
followed a lazy life at home, no better treatment, than what usually attend such a rela-
tion : He being, therefore, of a vigorous martial spirit, resolved not to let it rust in
sloath and idleness in his father's house (as too many cadets are wont to do) but rather
to cultivate, and improve it by travel, and brave adventures.
The Low-Countries, at that time, being the famous academy for war, where noble
young sparks might come to brighten and furbish up their courage and resolution, he
(as a great many gentlemen's sons of the first rank then did) betook himself thither ;
where the first thing he did, was to learn to obey, that thereby he might the better
know how afterward to command. Lie began with trayling a pike (some of the
greatest generals have done the like) ; but ended with trayling a regiment. What
particular post he arrived at in those countries, I cannot say ; but having served more
than one apprenticeship therein, he thought fit to return unto his own.
It was not long before the civil wars brake out in England, that this gentleman
retired home, when there fell out but too great occasion for the employment of men of
his profession ; his blood, honour, and conscience, soon taught him what side he ought
to adhere unto : He took up a commission in the service of King Charles the first, of
blessed memory, and was of that reputation, both for courage and conduct, that he
was deservedly preferred to be a collonel; and having thus put his hand to the plough,
he never looked back, but continued zealous and affectionate in supporting the best
cause and the best King had ever sate on the English throne, to the last drop of his
blood.
Sometime after this, it fell out, that the little obscure town of Lyme, in Dorsetshire
(lying just upon the borders of Devon), though surnamed Regis, shamefully turned
tail, and engarrisoned it self on behalf of the parliament ; it was hereupon thought fit,
by Prince Maurits, and other the great ofticers, that then commanded the King's army
in the West, to bring tlieir forces thither to reduce it unto duty. Accordingly, in the
month of April, anno, 1644, they sate down before it, with great assurance of carrying
it in a very few days ; and some were so very confitlcnt, as to say of it. It would be
but a breakfast work, and that they would not dine till they had took the town. And,
indeed, the King's party had reduced it to the last extremity, for, notwithstanding the
great assistance of their women, they were in so great want, they could not have held
it out three days longer, had not the Earl of Warwick (the parliament's admiral) very •
seasonably relieved them by sea.
But the royalists observing the distress of the place, thought to have carry ed it before
their relief came; this made them push on a general assault, with utmost vigor; at
what time Collonel Bluet, leading on his soldiers, with undaunted courage and resolu-
tion, even home to the enemies works, he was there slain, to the great loss of the royal
cause, and grief of all that knew him : He was soon stripped, and his scarlet coat fell
to the share of a common centinel, whom I knew.
Soon after this, Prince Maurits, the Lord Pawlet, and the other general oflicers,
when they had spent here about a montli's time, and lost near fifteen iiundred gallant
men, thought fit to raise the siege, re infecta. Though, indeed, the town being of no
great consequence, they had been better to have slighted it, and not beleaguered it at
all, as some believed.
The Collonel thus fal'n asleep in the bed of honour, liis body was no sooner de-
manded, than granted, by the governourof Lyme (or at least it was fetched ofl"), to be
decently and christianly interred, where his relations pleased; who accordingly took
care to have it conveyed back to Holcomb, aforesaid; and on May 10th, anno 1644,
it was decently deposited with military solemnity, i.e. mourning drums, pikes trayl'd
on the ground, vollies, and the like, among his ancestors, in the parish church there-
unto belonging.
He
86 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON. .
He lieth under a plain stone, without any inscription ; to prevent (as is supposed)
the indignities might be otYered his loyal ashes by the rebels ; some of which, in their
furious zeal, could not forbear violating the sepulchres of the dead.
However, there is as yet no monument erected to the memory of this worthy gentle-
man; yet in the same church are seen two belonging to this family.
Tiie one is raised in remembrance of the colloncl's father and mother, on the which
lie their efiigies, elegantly cut in black marble, finely polished ; in a table whereof
may be read this epitaph :
To the virtuous Me-
mory of Richard Bluet, Esq ; late of Hol-
Rog. who Deceased March the 3d,
MDCXHH.
Who lieth here Inter'd, together with his
Wife, which was the daughter of Sir John
Chichester, of Rawlegh, Kt. and sister to
the Right Honourable the Lord Chichester,
Lord Deputy of the Kingdom of Ireland.
The other is in memory of John Bluet, Esq. (the Collonel's elder brother's heir) and
his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Portman, of Orchard-Portman, in the county
of Somerset, knight and baronet.
This is a very noble monument, where the defunct lie in eOigy, curiously wrought,
in white marble; with eight daughters kneeling by their side. The inscription is thus:
Memorise Sacrum
Viri vere Nobilis & Generosi Johannes Bluet Armigeri
& Clarissimae illius Conjugis Elizabethte Johannes
Portman Militis & Barronctti
Filial,
Ille qiiidem Fato Cessit 29 die Novem.
Anno yEtatis Sua^ .'31. & Salutis
MDCXXXHII.
Ha?c vero Septimo Die Julii
. (JEvMh XXXII.
Anno. ^Salutis MDCXXXVIH.
I might farther mention another very worthy person, of this antient stock, Sir Roger
Bluet, Kt. who marry 'd the daughter of John Row, of Kingston, Serjeant at law, and
buildcd the great hall at Holcomb-Court, where his name is yet to be seen. But,
omitting him, and all others, I shall crave leave, according to my promise, to insist a
little on Robert Bluet, Lord High Chancellor of England, and Bishop of Lincoln ; who,
thougii I cannot say he was a native of this county, yet being so nearly related to this
family, I shall here record his history.
What the particular education, and accidents of his youth were, I no where find;
nor any thing else of iiim, until such time as, by King William Rufus, he was advanced
to be Lord Chancellor of England, a place of the first rank about the crown ; he, next
after the King, and Princes of the Blood, in civil affairs, being the highest person in
State of EiiKi. the kmgdom.'
Part i.pa. ij-.-. After this, by the same Kin<i;'s favour, was he preferred to be Lord Bishop of Lincoln;'
Hist. Maj. a diocess, at that time of larger extent, and greater revenues than now. Ihishap-
Whan TiM P^"^'^ '" the sixth year of that King, anno Dom. l()9'i, and that upon this occasion.
Sac. vol. 1. p! William Rufus, lying so dangerously sick at Gloccster, that he even despaired of
26*- " life.
BLUET, ROBERT, BISHOP OF LINCOLN. 87
life, becjati to be serious, and to repent of a conversation that had not been over
rehgious :' Among those terrors that did afflict him, was the conscience of his Simony, Pr^!,fi\i^p
and the oppressions of the church and clergy, which he had been guilty of. Thep-sio.'
dread of death, that King of Kings, being now upon him, he solemnly promiseth, if he
did recover, he would reform the laws, and establish peace in the House of God :
Whereupon, in this good mood, he began forthwith to fill up the vacant bishopricks ;
that of Canterbury, he bestowed upon Anselm (a \enerable person, and abbot of Bee,
in Normandy), and that of Lincoln, upon his Lord Chancellor Bluet.
But the King, recovering of his sickness, soon repented him of his repentance;'"' Scd ex qnn
grew worse than he was before, and was troubled he had not sold those bishopricks for estl'V^tlmiit'"
money; but being now not able to recover them back into his hands, he resolved to *''^'P5""l>'<'t'?'i■
t^y what he could effect by art and policy; what doth he do, therefore, but stir up qflodeosdemc"
Thomas, Lord Archbishop of York, against Robert, the new bishop of Lincoln ; pre- p'^copati's pr<^-
tending, that Lincoln lay within his province, and so was sidjject to his archiepiscopal d'erirRudboiii
authority. Accordingly, a prohibition was issued out against his consecration byV'osup-
Anselm, the Archbishop of Canterbury; in fine, the King so ordered his business,; RobertnsDe.
that the contention could not be appeased, until the Bishop had paid him down 3000'"<i- tf'" Miiia
marks' to exempt his bishoprick from the see of York, and had settled upon the gfdo'ifavii', &T.
Archbishop also, the two abbies of Seibi and St. Oswalds, in Glocestershire. ^p"^^- e'cci.
If we proceed to the accomplishments of this great prelate, especially for so sacred An'ghSa?." vol.
a function, we shall find that he did not pass without severe reflections from the writers ^ Pj"^^. .
~ of his own time, as being deficient both in his learning and morals:'' However headjedsse/ad-
passeth under a fair character for his many, as well natural as acquired qualifications,""','^"" *"'*?'^
ot whom one hath transmitted this testimony loposterit}^, Lo non alterum fuisse forma dinosnm,&fiii-
venustiorum, mente sereniorum, affatu dulciorum,' There was not a handsomer nian,]Jj"\|J,"J,^*'sjJj|g.
nor of more sweet and affable conversation, than this prelate. Yet this is but a weakncm nomine;
and faint stroke in the effigies of his worth, compared with what is by another hantl Ii|II""c,if,cX'i'i-
added of him. That he was, Pra3sul mitius Jx; humilis; multos erigens; nullum depri-"sessei. Quem
mens; pater orphanorum ; delici;e suorum, &c." a very mild and humble prelate; a s^ruitfLinco'in
raiser of many, an oppressor of none ; he was the father of orphans ; and the delight <^'"'''y- "•'' sn-
and comfort of his friends. And great was the state and splendour wherein he lived, Hun tingd"ap^d
being waited on by noble youths, fine gentlemen, and elegant knights ; served in Angi. Sic. vol,
vessels of gold, and rich gilded plate; had a stable of choice and valuable horses ; and' Math. 'paru
was himself cloathed in silk and purple." So that the observation is not true. That ?•'"'' ^'"^"'■
Cardinal Wolsy was the first clergj'man that wore silk in England. m n^ry^Hun-
Yet, to let us see the vanity and emptiness of all worldly splendor, many were the^'^''""' ^P"**
misfortunes of this great person ; which, we hope, God sent him as a blessing. And nit. p. 695. '
as greater miseries than ordinary, often happen unto men before their end, so did there p^""',?"'^'''''!
befall him: For he, who was Lord Chancellor of England, and sometime highly ho-sioHamconspi.
noured of all men, in the last year of his life, was twice impleaded, at the King's suit, q^,^^"g' j^''; ^"
by an ignoble justice, and as often aiTlicted with a great fine, in a disgraceful manner; •'ssimos, Ado-
so that he could not refrain the bursting into tears, when he reflected on the state and /j^s^^ "^*'""''*'"
splendor he before had lived in, and the mean condition he was now reduced unto. prctiosissimos
However the King had not yet quite thrown him out of favour, but was wont tOdenuratT") ^
speak much in his honour and commendation; yet all this was not able to raise a s[)irit, <^"'<"'"niiinnie-
dejected and forsaken of himself: For as he was riding in conference with his majesty, spiei'idoreni'v"!
near Woodstock park (where was appointed a royal hunt) he was suddenly seized by *'*^''.P!"P"reas
an apoplexy, and falling off his horse, he was taken up and carryed to his bed, where id. i'lMUp^ti'
he soon after expired, Jan, 10. 112^.° ° -i"-' Oodw.
This great prelate was a good benefactor to his church, founded by his predecessor, but h"" Humint***
abundantly adorned and enriched by himself; for to the twenty prebendaries, instituted*'^ "'"' "p'rat
by Remigius (the only bishop in that see before him) he added twenty more, and stoTk'nbiKex
endowed <:on-
88 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
convcntum iio-endowed them with lands, purchased by his own money. He presided in this church
ni'm'statiieratjot Lincohi about thirty years; as may be observed, by comparing his consecration
quiini episco- ^ith the time of his death,
cum "Kell^ "i He being thus t'al'n off the stage of this mortal life, his bowels were buried at Ensam,
EpiscopoSaiis-j^ monastery of his own raising, or at least repairing, in Oxfordshire : but his body was
luieraiit in rcg- conveyed to the city of Lincoln, and solemnly inhumed in his own cathedral. To
no) percnssus ^yj^Qsc mcmorv a tomb was there erected, with this encomium enirraved on it.^
est Apoplexia - o
vol^i. p!"695. Pontificum Robertus honor, quern fama superstes
f Godvy. Loc. Perpctuarc dabit, non obiturus obit,
upiatico. pjj^ humilis, dives, (res mira!) potens, pins, ultor,
Compatieas, mitis cum pateretur erat.
Noluit esse suis Dominus, studuit pater esse :
Semper in adversis, murus & arma suis.
In decima .Tani fallacis gaudia nnuidi
Liquit, et evigilans, vera perenne vidit.
Which may be thus put into English :
Robert, the miter's honour! whom live Fame
Perpetuates, dies with a deathless name.
Humble, yet rich, (strange !) potent, pious, just;
Patient and mild, when sore with evils thrust.
O'er his he would not lord it; but was rather.
In adverse times, their wall, their arms, their father.
Jan'rv the tenth, of these false joys bereaven.
Watchful, he sees true lasting ones in heaven.
BLUNDELL,
( 89
BLUNDELL, PETER. f^g'e, r.r!^e-
lizab.
BLUNDELL, Peter, (not George, as by mistake he is somewhere called)' was born • AVaniy's
in that fair and antient town of Tiverton, in this county, (so named, quasi Twiford-,^°i"'^o°^<j'L!
town, for that it stands between two rivers, Lowman on the east, and Ex on the west) 3. p. i90. from
about the year of our Lord 1520. He descended from very mean parentage, the which hisSynops!pa'
I mention, not to disparage the memory of the worthy person deceased ; nor to lessen P'S' p- 1229.
the reputation of any of his surviving relations: but upon this double account, viz.
For the greater glory of Almighty God, who hath in so signal an instance, given us to
see, how He can, when He pleases, propagate nothing into a vast encrease : As also
to lay an example of encouragement before such especially, who, tho' they are not
blessed with any illustrious birth, or fortunes by inheritance, may hereby see what
diligence and industry in time, by God's blessing, may advance them to.
I shall here, therefore, give some account of this eminent person's original, and way
of living in the world, before I come to relate how great an estate he acquired, and the
noble and pious benefactions which he made therewith.
Mr. Peter Blundell then'' was at first a' very poor lad, of Tiverton ; who, for a little " My Author,
support, went errands for the carriers that came to that town ; and was tractable in ^Vewt'. now
looking after their horses, and doing little services for them, as they gave him orders. By Rector of the
degrees, in such means, he got a little money, of which he was very provident and chorch''of''Ti-
careful ; and bought therewith a kersey, which a carrier was so kind as to carry to vertou.
London, gratis, and to make him the advantage of the return. Having done so for
some time, he at length got kersies enough to lade an horse, and went up to London
with it liimself: Where being fomid very diligent and industrious, he was received
into good imployment by those who managed there the kersey-trade, (for which Tiver-
ton then was very famous) and he continued therein, unill lie was rich enouo-h to set
up the calling of making kersies for himself. When employing several men, inakiu"-
still his return to London, he came at last to a vast and large estate; whereby he was
enabled to do such noble benefactions, and bestow such large legacies as he did : which,
to the admiration of all that read or hear them, I shall here relate, as they are collected
from his last will and testament, made June 9, 1599.
To Christ's Hospital, London, 500/. — to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, 250/.
— to St. Thomas's Hospital, London, 250/. — to Bridewel, yearly, 008/. — towards Ti-
verton church, 050/. — to amend the high-ways there, 100/. — to the twelve chief com-
panies in London, each, 150/. which makes the sum of 1800/. — towards the relieving
of poor prisoners and other charitable uses in toto, .1800/. — towards poor maidens'
marriages in Tiverton, 400/. — to the city of Exeter, to be lent to poor artificers, 900/.
— to place 4 boys apprentices to husbandry, yearly, 020/. — to maintain six scholars,
three in Oxford, and three in Cambridge, the sum of 2000/.
But what is farther considerable, is that magnificent School-Hou.-.e, which lie
caused to be erected, and richly endowed, at Tiverton, aforesaid : of which I sliall
crave leave to give a more particular description, with the privileges and revenues
thereunto belonging.
This house stands at the east end of the town, a very tall and spacious structure,
built something like the college-halls in the universities, with a fair cupulo in the
middle. The pile contains one school for the master, and another for the usher, only
an entry between them ; both, by his direction, one hundred foot long, and four and
twenty broad ; well wainscoted and boarded.
Close adjoyning to which, is a very large house for the master, and another conve-
nient one for the usher; wath very good orchards, gardens, and out-lets belonging to
N it.
90 ' THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
it. The yearly salary for the master, is fifty pounds : for the usher now twenty
pounds; at first but twenty marks.
Before the School-house is a large spacious green court, in figure a quadrangle, in
continent one acre of ground, at tlie entrance in from the street. All inclosed with
an liigh and stately wall, coped with yellow purbeck-stone, very handsome to behold
It hatii a fair gate at the entry into it ; over which is this inscription, cut in stone,
now rendered by time and weather, almost illegible.
This Free Grammar-School was founded at the only cost and charge of Mr. Peter
Bhindell, of this town, sometimes clothier.
And in a brass plate, over that again, are engraven these four Latin verses, yet
plainly to be read.
Hospita disquirens Pallas Tritonia sedem.
Est Bluudellina! percita amore Scholae.
Ascivit Sedem, Placuit : Cupiensq ; foveri
Hospes, ait, Petrus Qui mihi Fautor eris.
And because all worldly things in time decay, a good yearly revenue is appointed
for the constant repair thereof.
Mr. Blundell gave Hkewise two thousand pounds, for the purchasing of lands, to-
wards the maintenance of six scholars at Oxford and Cambridge, always to be sent
' 2O0O Libras tiiither from this his own school." But since, the number, by the fidelity of the ho-
oJlomt"caT-nourable trustees, is augmented unto eight, four in Baliol College, in Oxford ; and
tab. aiemiis, e fQi,,- ]„ the Sidney College, in Cambridge.' Besides which, to Sidney College, by the
Tw'eno''nensi''%aaie douor, is given an^Hebrew lecture of five pounds per annum."^ Moreover, five
accersendis po„nds morc are allowed yearly, by way of exhibition, above their fellowships and
Legavit Pet. ' , , . i r i /- ~ ' ■/ •>
Biiiud,!. Hist scoiarships, to earn ni the tour.
& Antiqii. Ox- Fjipther yet, since the revemie of tho school is augmented, 'tis common with the
""'wiiietsSy- trustees, to grant exhibitions to several other scholars, which goe from this school to
iiops. Papis. p. ^[-jg university: To some five, to others ten pounds per annum, for four, five, or more
years, as they are pleased to agree.
The names of the trustees, appointed by the founder, by his last will and testament,
for this school, are these following :
Sir Francis Popham, Lord Chief-Justice of England. Anthony Pollard, Esq. Rich-
ard Bluet, Esq. Charles Bere, Esq. Roger Ashford, Esq. Roger Ware, Esq. Roger
Giflard, Esq. James Clark, Esq. Henry Worth, Esq. These were gentlemen in
the neighbourhood of that town. To which were added these following tradesmen,
for the most part clothiers of that place.
John West, senior. Humphry Coleman. John Waldron. Edward Amey. Nicholas
Skinner. George Slee. Richard Hill, alias Sparway. Richard Prowse. John West,
junior. Peter West. Robert Chilcot, alias Cummyn. John Deyman. John Blundell,
Peter Blundell, William Tanner. Roger Slee. Wiliiam Cross, and Arthur Cross. Seven
and twenty in all. This trust was made to them, and to their heirs after them.
Besides "this, 'tis said, Mr. Blundell left a large legacy to Rol)ert Chilcot, alias Cum-
myn, of the town aforesaid, towards his erecting another school for teaching to read
English, write, and cipher: Of which (God willing) more hereafter.
insomuch his pul)lic liberality to the town of his nativity, is computed at more than
seven thousand [)Oiniils.
Moreover, he gave above ten thousand pounds to some relations and acquaintance
in Tiverton. About five thousand pounds more to his acquaintance and friends in
London. And abundance of good legacies to particular people, as carriers, inn-
\ keepers, tuckers, and such as had been assistent to him in the way of his trade. Who
■^ . not
BLUNDELL, PETER. . 91
not being thought beneath the grateful remembrance of this worthy ]ierson in his will,
I hope will not be held unworthy to be thus mentioned here ; when 'tis intended too,
to the greater honour of the donor.
Now (what is yet more) when all these legacies and benefactions were paid, and
discharged, there was a good estate remaining ; which he left to his executors, Mr.
AVilliam Craven, (ancestor to the present Rt. Hon. Earl of Craven) and Mr. William
Parker, merchants in London. Mr. George Slee, John West, sen. and John AVest, jun.
clothiers in Tiverton in trust for the good of his heir his brother James; whose posterity
still remains in good esteem, in those parts, as may be seen underneath. He was never
married, and so had no issue of his body to leave that vast estate unto, which by God's
blessing, and his own industry, he had acquired. His legacies and good works are
comi)uted to near forty thousand pounds of themselves : how much more then might
the whole bulk be supposed to amount unto ? If it be but a little beyond this, what
a prodigy of industrj^ or rather of a very benign Providence, might he justly be
reputed? But when we consider the pious and charitable methods he disposed all this
in, we can't but admire at his generous and noble mind as much as either.
Some years before his death, for the more convenient management of his affairs, he
settled himself in London, in the parish of St. Michael-Royal : for by his last will,
dated at London, June 9, A. D. 1599, he ordered that his burial should be in that
church. Within a very few years after which time, this truly great and generous
person stooped to fate, and was accordingly interred in the place of his appointment.
May 4, I601, aged eighty-one years.
Here it may not be amiss, to give a brief account of the progeny and issue of this
r 1 II r^- -^ r 1 • i il • 1 e I o J <= From the Pe-
lamily ; and whai, condition it stands m at tins day. di"ree in my
Peter Blundell left James his brother his heir, who by Margaret Howper, his wife, bauds,
had issue John ; who by Joan Reed, his wife, had issue Peter; who by Priscilla Colla-
niore, his wife, had issue John Blundell, Esq. who by Mary Crossing, of Exeter, his
wife, had issue Richard; who by Mary, daughter of Philip Gadd, of Taunton, mercer,
had issue 1. Richard, 2. John, (both died without issue) 3. Philip Blundell, of Brim-
ridge, near South-Moulton, Esq. a youth of about thirteen years of age, 1699.
N 2 HODLEY,
92 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON
.BODLEY, SIR THOMAS.
Fior. A. D, BODLEY, Sir Thomas, was born in the city of Exeter, as appears from that his-
Etob.^' ^ tory of his hfe, written by himself, which I shall here offer to your view, in his own
excellent words ; from a manuscript (on probable grounds) supposed to be his own
"Walter Bo- haud-writing, now in the custody of a neighbour-gentleman,^ nearly related to his
fombe &iq. family ; at the end whereof, I shall presume to carry on his history, home unto his
tomb, and there take my leave of his honourable ashes.
I was born at Exeter in Devon, the ^d of March, in the year 1544, descended by
father and mother, of worshipful parentage ; by my father, from an antient family of
>■ Eldest son of Bodley,'' of Bodleigh, of Dunscomb by Crediton ; and by my mother, from Robert
Exo'n!*"sm?oV^^on*?' Esq ; of Ottery St. Mary, nine miles from Exon.
jobnEodieyof My father, in the time of Q. Mary, being noted and known to be an enemy to po-
Jondlsmi'^of P^""}"' was KO cruclly threatned, and so narrowly observed, by those that maliced his
Will. Bodky religion, that for the safeguard of himself and my mother, (vvlio was wliolly affect-
Ath^na^'oxmi'. ed as my father) he knewno way so secure, as to fly into Germany ; where, after he
vol. i.p. 326. had been a while, he found means to call over my mother, with all his children and
familv; whom he settled for a time at Wesell in Clealand, (for there, as then, were
many English, which had left their country for their conscience, and with quietness
enjoyed their meetings and preachings) and from thence we removed to the town of
Frankfbrd, where was in like sort, another English congregation.
Howbeit, we made no long tarriance in either of these towns, for that my father'
had resolved to fix his abode in the city of Geneva; where, as far as I rememi)er, the
English church consisted of some hundred persons. I was at that time of twelve
years of age, but through my father's cost and care, sufficiently instructed to become
an auditor, of Chevalerius in Hebrew, of Beraldus in Greek, of Calvin and Beza in
Divinity, and of some other professors in that university, which was then newly erect-
ed : Besides my domestical teachers in the house of Philibertus Saracenus, a famous
physician in that city, with whom I was boarded, where Robertus Constantinus, that
made the Greek Lexicon, read Homer unto me.
Thus I remained there two years and more, until such time as our nation was ad-
vertised of the death of Q. Mary, and succession of Q. Elizabeth, with the change
of religion; which caused my father to hasten into England, where he came with my
mother, and all the family within the first of the Queen; and settled their dwelling in
the city of London.
It was not long after, that I was sent thence to the university of Oxford, recom-
mended to the reading and tuition of Dr. Humphrey, who was shortly after chosen
chief reader in divinity, and president of Magdalen college : There I followed my
studies, till I took the degree of Batchelour of Art, which was in the year 1563.
Within which year I was chosen probationer of Merton college; and the next year
ensuing, admitted fellow.
Afterward, viz. in the year 1565, by special perswasion of some of my fellows, and
for my private exercise, I undertook the publick reading of a Greek lecture in the
same college-hall, without requiring or expecting any stipend for it: Nevertheless, it
pleased the fellowship, of their own accord, to allow me, soon after, four marks by
the year; and ever since to continue that lecture to the college.
In the year of our Lord 1566, I proceeded Master of Arts, and read for that year, in
the school-streets, Natural Philosophy. After which, within less than three years
space, I was won, by entreaty of my best affected friends, to stand for the proctor-
ship,
BODLEY, SIR THOMAS. 93
ship/ to which I, and my colleague Mr. Bearblock, of Exeter-college, were quietly' ^i>'<J »*«
I > . , ' , ^^_ -^ • , * • ■ • p .1 he performed
elected in the year 15o9, without any competition, or countersuit oi any other. withsieatcom-
After this for a long time, I supplied the place of university orator: and bestowed ]^'^^"'^q°"^"
my time in the study of sundry faculties, without any inclination to profess any one quo prius.
above the rest : Insomuch, as at last, I waxed desirous to travel beyond the seas, for
the attaining to the knowledg of some special modern tongues; and for my increase
of experience in managing affairs, being wholly then addicted to employ myself, and
all my affairs, in the publick service of the state.
My resolution fully taken, I departed out of England,"* A. 157fi, and continued" witu leave
abroad very near four years, and that in sundry parts of Italy, France, and Germany. d™','',iKUocTeTy
A good while after my return, I was employed by the Queen to Frederick, father to of his Coii. he
the present King of Denmark, to Julius, Duke of Brunswick, to William Lantgravc |j3"wth the
of Hess, and other German Princes. The effect of my message was, to draw them allowance be-
to joy n their forces with hers, for giving assistance to the King of Navar, now Hen. jrafgUer.'" id.
4th, of France. My next employment was to Hen. .Sd., at such time as he was en- it-
forced by the Duke of Guise to fly out of Paris: Whicli I performed in such man-
ner as I had in charge, with extraordinary secresy ; not being accompanied with any
one servant, (for so much was I commanded) nor with any other letters than such as
were written with the Queen's own hand to the King, and some selected persons about
him : The effect of that message it is fit I should conceal ; but it tended to the good
not only of the King, but all the protestants in France, and the duke's apparent
overthrow, which also followed soon upon it.
It so befel after this, in the year' — 88, that for the better conduct of her majesty's '.""^'ng^""""'
rp ■ ■ .1 ■ •, 1 T I 1 /- • 1 • .1 1 that time inar-
aiiairs in the provinces united, 1 was thought a nt person to reside in those parts, and ried Ann, the
was sent hereupon to the Hague in Holland : where according to that contract, which <!!,a"g''ter of
had formerly passed between her highness and the States, I was admitted for one of cityofBiistow,
their council of estate; taking place in their assemblies next to the Count Maurice, jj}.*^ ""j^^^'' "'''ip
and y\e\(\ my suffrage in all that was proposed. id. ib.
During all that time, what approbation was given of my painful endeavours by the
Queen, Lords in England, by the States of the country there, and by all the English
soldiers, I refer to be notified by some others relation, since it was not unknown to
any of any calling, that tiien were acquainted with the state of that government :
For at my first coming thither, the people of that country stood in dangerous terms
of discontentment, partly for some courses held in England, as they thought to their
singular prejudice: but most of all, in respect of the insolent demeanour of some
of her highnesses ministers, which only respected their private emolument, little
weighing, in their dealings, what the Queen had contracted with the States of that
country.
AVhereupon was conceived a mighty fear on every side, and that both a present
dissolution of the contract would ensue, and a downright breach of amity betwixt us
and them. Now what means I set on foot for the redress of these perils, and by what
degrees the state of things was reduced into order, it would require a long treatise to
report it exactly : But this I may with modesty aver, and the country did alwaj^s ac-
knoAvledg it with gratitude. That had I not of myself, without any direction of my
superiors, proceeded in my charge with extreani circumspection, as well in all my
speeches and proposals to the States, as in the tenour of my letters I wrote into Eng-
land, some sudden alarm had been given, to the nttei subversion and mine of the state
of these provinces; which, in process of time, must have, in all probability, wrought
the same effect in the state of this realm.
Of which my diligence and care in managing my business, there was (as I have sig-
nified) very special notice taken by the Queen and state at home; for which I receiv-
ed from her majesty many comfortable letters, of her gracious acceptance ; as withal
from
94 THE AVORTHIES OF DEVON.
from that time forward, I did never almost receive any set instructions liow to govern
my proceedings in her majesty's occasions; but the carriage, in a manner, of all her
affairs was left to me and my discretion.
Through this my long absence out of England, which wanted very little of five
whole years, my private estate did greatly require my speedy return: Wliich when I
had obtained, by intercession of my friends, and a tedious suit, I could enjoy it but
awhile; being shortly after enjoyned to repair to the Hague again. Nevertheless,
upon a certain occasion, to deliver to her majesty some secret overtures, and of per-
forming thereupon an extraordinary service, I came again home within less than a
twelvemonth : And I was no sooner come, but her highness embracing the fruits of
my discoveries, I was presently commanded to return to the States, with chai<;;e to
pursue those affairs to performance, which I had secretly proposed. And accord-
ing to the project that 1 had conceived, and imparted unto her, all things were con-
cluded, and brought to that issue that was desired : Whereupon I procured my last
revocation.
Now here I cannot chose but, in making report of the principal accidents that have
fallen unto me in the course of my life, record amongst the rest, that from the very
first day I had none more my friend, among the lords of the council, than was the
lord treasurer Burleigh. For when any occasion had been offered to declare his con-
ceipt, as touching my service, he would always tell the Queen, (which I received
from herself, and some other ear-witnesses) that there was not any man in England so
meet as myself, to undergo the secretary's office. And since, his son, the present
lord treasurer, hath signified unto me, in private conference, that when his father first
intended to advance him to that place, his purpose was withal to make me his col-
league.
But the case stood thus on my behalf: Before such time as I returned fiom the Pro-
vinces United, which was in the year 1597, and likewise after my return, the Earl
then of Essex, did use me so kindly, both by messages and letters, and other great
tokens of his inward favour to me ; that although I had no meaning but to settle in
my mind my chief dependance on my Lord Burleigh, as one that I reputed best able,
and therewithal most willing, to work my advancement with tiie Queen : Yet 1 know
not how, the earl, who sought by all devices to divert her love and liking, both from
the father and the son, but from the son in special, to withdraw my affections from
the one and the other, and to win me to depend altogether upon himself, did so often
take occasion to entertain the Queen with some prodigal speeches of my sufficiency for
a secretary, which were ever accompanied with words of disgrace against the present
lord treasurer, as neither she, of whose favour before I was throughly assured, took
any great pleasure to prefer me the sooner, for she hated hi* ambition, and would give
little countenance to any of his followers, and both the lord treasurer and his son wax-
ed jealous of my courses; as if, underhand, I had been induced, by the cunning and
kindness of the Earl of Essex, to oppose myself against their dealings.
And tho' in truth they had no solid ground at all of the least alteration in my dispo-
sition, towards cither of them both, (fori did greatly respect their persons and places,
with a settled resolution to do them any service, as also I detested in my heart to be
held of any faction whatsoever) yet the now lord treasurer, upon occasion of some
talk I have since had with him, of the earl and his actions, hath freely confessed of
his own accord to me, that his daily provocations were so bitter and sharp, and his
comparisons so odious, when he put us in a ballancc, as he thought thereupon, he had
very good reason, to use his best means to put any man out of hope of raising his for-
tune, whom the earl, with such violence, to his extream prejudice, had endeavoured
to dignify: And this, as ne alfirmed, was all the motive he had to set iiimseif against
me.
BODLEY, SIR THOMAS. QS
me, in whatsoever might redound to the bettering of my estate, or encreasing my
credit and countenance with the Queen.
When I had throughly bethought myself, first in the earl, of the slender holdfast he
had in the Queen's favour, and of an endless opposition of the chiefest of our states-
men, like still to wait upon him; of his perilous, feeble, and uncertain advice, as
■well in his own, as in cases of all his friends; and moreover, when I had considered,
how very untowardly these two counsellors stood affected unto me, (upon whom, in
cogitation, I had framed all my future prosperity) how ill it did concur with my na-
ture, to become or be accounted a stickler or partaker in any public faction, how well
I was able (by God's blessing) to live of myself, if I could be content with a compe-
tent livelihood, how short a time of future life I was to expect, by common course of
nature ; when I had, I say, in this manner, represented to my thoughts my particu-
lar estate, together with the earls, I resolved thereupon to possess my soul in peace
all the residue of my days ; to take my full farewel of state employments ; to satisfy
my mind with that mediocrity of worldly living that I have of mine own, and so to
retire me from the court, which was the epilogue, and end of all my actions and en-
deavours, of any important note, till I came to the age of fifty three years.
Now although after this, by her Majesty's direction, I was often called to court
by the now lord treasurer, then secretary, and required by him, as also divers times
since by the King, to serve as embas.sador in France, to go a commis.sioner for his
highness, for concluding the truce betwixt Spain and the United Provinces, and to
negociate in other very honourable employments; yet I would not be removed from
my former final resolution.
Insomuch as at length, to induce me to return to the court, I had an ©O'er made me
by the present treasurer, (for in process of time he saw, and was pleased to confess,
that all my dealings were upright, faithful and direct) and that in case myself were
willing to it, he would make me his associate in the secretary's oflice : And to the in-
tent I might believe he intended it bona fide, he would get me out of hand to be
sworn of the council, for the better enabling my estate to maintain such a dignity,
whatsoever I would ask, that might be fit for him to deal in, and for me to enjoy, he
would presently solicite the King to give it passage.
All which perswasions notwithstanding (albeit I was often assaulted by him) In re-
gard of my years, and for that I felt myself subject to many indispositions, besides
some other private reasons, which I reserved unto myself, 1 have continued still at
home, my retired course of life, which is now methinks to me the greatest preferment
the court can atford.
Only this I must truly confess of myself, that though it did never repent me of
these and some other my often refusals ; yet somewhat more of late, I have blamed
myself, and my nicely that way, for the love I bear to my reverend mother, the uni-
versity of Oxford, and to the advancement of her good, by such kind of means as I
have since undertaken.
For thus I fell into discourse and debate in my mind, that although I might find it
fittest for me to keep out of the throng of court contentions, and address my thoughts
and deeds to such ends altogether as I myself best could affect ; yet withal, I was to
think. That my duty towards God, the expectation of the world, my natural inclina-
tion, and very morality, did require, that I should not wholly so hide thoselittle abi-
lities I had, but in some measure, in one kind or other, I should do the true part of a
profitable member in the state.
Examining exactly, for the rest of my life, what course I might take; and having,
as I thought, sought all the ways to the wood, I concluded, at the last, to set up my
staff at the library-door in Oxon, being throughly persuaded, in my solitude and sur-
cease from the common-wealth aifairs, I could not busy myself to better purpose, than
bv
96 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
by reducing that place (which then in every part lay ruinated and waste) to the pub-
lick use of students.
For the effecting whereof, I found myself furnished in a competent proportion of
such four kinds of aids, as, except I had them all, there was no hope of good suc-
cess : For without some kind of knowledg in the learned and modern tongues, as in
sundry other sorts of scholastic literature ; without some purse-abilities to go through
with the charge; without very great store of honourable friends to further the design ;
and without special good leisure to follow such work, it could but have proved a vain
attempt, and inconsiderate.
But with felicity of event, I have sped in all my endeavours : And how fall provi-
sion I have made for the ease and benefit of all the frequenters of the library, that
which I have already performed in sight, that besides which 1 have given for the main-
tenance of it, and that which hereafter I purpose to add, by way of enlargement of
that place (for the project is cast, and whether I live or dye, it shall be, God willing,
put in full execution) will testify so truly and abundantly for me, as I need not be the
publisher of the dignity and worth of mine own institution.
Laus Deo. T. B. Written with his own hand, anno, 16()9, Dec. 15.
This is that brief account which this great man has been pleased to give us of him-
self; I shall now crave leave (for his and our countrey's greater honour) to carry on
his history where he left off; and that in relation to his noble works, his funeral, and
the honour hath been done his memory.
For his works ; not to mention the two hundred marks given by him to Merton col-
<■ Hist, k Aii-lege,^ where he had his education, nor those many other lesser instances of his boun-
Oxon l/i)' ' ^y' P''oceed we to consider that most noble undertaking of his — etiam regibus inviden-
pag. is. ~' dum — in repairing, shall I say ? or rather re-edifying, the famous library of the
imiversity of Oxford.
E Ibid. Lib. 1. Tliis honourable person, taking into consideration the ruinous confused condition,^
pag. 308. jj^g qY([ library there (said to be founded by Humphry, the good Duke of Gloucester,
and other worthy Meca^nasses) then lay in, to the great hindrance and decay of learn-
ing, resolves to undertake the reformation thereof, at liis own cost and charges : In
" A copy order whereunto, he writes a letter'" to the then vice-chancellor, Dr. Ravis, dean of
whereof you Q\^ Q\^ jq j^g comuiunicated to the university. That if they pleased, he would restore
may seeibid. ,-,.,, ,- , • •;. , , "^ ■ • i i , i i i
that pile to its tormer figure, and antient usetulness ; adorn it witli desks and shelves ;
and settle an annual income upon it for the baying of books, and the encouragement
of such officers as should be necessary to look after it, and keep all things in good re-
pair. Which letter, we may well suppose, was received by the university with all the
joy and thankfulness that became them ; as containing in it one of the greatest bless-
ings heaven could bestow, or they receive : Presently after they return their answer,
That with most grateful acknowledgments they embrace his noble offer.
Hereupon, Sir Thomas Bodley sate presently about the work, and in two years
' Begim A. time,' brought it to some perfection : and then bestows abundance of choice books
A.°i399'."Hist. upo'^ it, which with great cost and care himself had collected in foreign countries, to
& Antii|. Ox. the value of about 10,000/. as Dr. Willet tells us, Synop. Pap. p. 1236. Which were
■= 'a ^ nr" so augmented by the generous benevolence of many noblemen, bishops, and others,k
ofHiiose'iiames who took the example, that in a little time, nor the shelves, nor the room, would
may bo founci si,fiice to coutaiu them.
Ill the place ... r- i t-> ii
above-cited. 1 o reuiovc this inconveiiiency also, viz. the streightness thereof; the great Bodley
once more proposes to the university. That with their liking, he would make an ad- •
dition to the structure, and enlarge it to a much greater capacity. Which motion
'"'ibid '') ip' ^Iso was most thankfully embi-aced by that venerable body:' Insomuch, Jul. 19- A.
1610,™ the vice-chancellor, doctors, proctors, with many masters of art, in their
proper robes and formalities, being present, with a speech beforehand made, the first
stone
BODLEY, SIR THOMAS. 97
stone was laid, and money offered thereupon, according to custom. But the great
good man did not live to see this part of his undertaking, with some other designs
he had for the advantage of the university, brought to full perfection ; though (ac-
cording as he had said) he left wherewithal to do it with some friends in trust.
While this was transacting, the university maturely considering," that if they <> Hist. & An-
should add three other sides to what was already built, there would thence arise a no- '2'.''p.^3°°' '''''
ble quadrangle, and spacious rooms for schools of arts ; but being unwilling to give
farther trouble to Sir Thomas Bodley herein, who had been at such vast charges al-
ready, they thought fit to apply themselves to the generous bounty of such noblemen,
bishops, and others, who had former]}^ been members thereof, for their assistance.
The knovvledg whereof coming to this worthy gentleman, he was not only serviceable
herein by his great interest with many eminent persons, but very liberally contributed
towards it, out of his own pocket, so that at last, his debts, legacies, and funeral
charges first defrayed, he conferred iiis whole estate upon those glorious enterprizes;
as by the copy of that part of his will, here quoted in the margent, to tliis purpose
may more fully appear." ° Caeterum ne
For the better improvement likewise of this his noble gift, and promoting the in- g[,';^'°I,'p"nsi,
terest of his library, as became a prudent founder, he composed and left behind him premeretur
very judicious statutes, for the better managing the affairs thereof; whereby he ap- ^^"'|.^^^^^^"'
pointed eight guardians, viz. the vice-chancellor, and the proctors, for the time be- sumptus quos
ing, the three faculty, and the two tongue (Hebrew and Greek) professors (who have ^'me*'rsu?os°°iQ
an honorarv stipend allowed them for their care and pains) to see all things well eam vero rem
^, 1 *' ^ ' ' Latifuudia sua
pertormed, omnia, ac tene-
And lest this his magnificent donation might in time, by repairations, or otherwise, menta, pensi-
become a rent charge to the university, this great man was pleased, further, to settle JJ,^" re'dditus
two hundred pounds per annum on the said library for ever : Out of which he appoint- Pf*^""'^^^^"^'
ed near forty pounds a year for the head librarian, ten pounds for the sub-librarian, reauiatq; mo-
( whose office is to keep the books in order) and eight for the janitor. biiia, testa-
•KT T , 1 1 r- r^- rr^i T^ 1 1 > • ■ "I r it, mciiti cufatori-
Nor did the zeal of Sir Thomas Bodley herein yet expire, until, tor the encrease bus dividen-
of his pubiick library, and the advancement of the commonwealth of learning, he dum m^^nd*^';!!;
had obtained a law,f That the company of stationers in London, should cause one c.t.'
copy of every new book which they printed, to be presented thereunto. By all p Quod lege ab
which it is now become (the famous Vatican not excepted) one of the most glorious "U^ 'le^nentui'
and magnificent librarys this day in the world.'' And there are so many various books —id. ib.p. 5i.
found therein, that the very catalogue of them amounts to a large volume in folio : \7,^^^J;i;,'|;|f'"
Which renders it the less strange, that that learned prince. King James the first, •„ Lycajo aut
of pious memory, should wish, if ever he were a prisoner, it might be in this library, P'^]^}'p''^*^;,,"l'no
among those fellow-prisoners the books, which are there enchained. So that in and Musaeo magpi-
toward the building, repairing, and finishing the university library, we are told,' Sir ^3bat'"paiias^
Thomas Bodley, in lands, goods, and money, gave about eighteen thousand pounds, id. quo prius.
Having thus considered the magnificent works of this our noble country-man, pro- f^3:.^'*'
ceed we next to his death and funeral. Though his illustrious deeds can render him p^g' icJq°^'
immortal, yet they could not bayl him from the arrest of death : For having brought
to so great perfection his truly generous designs, for the advancement of learning, God
was pleased to call him to himself, Ne post illiid immortale factum, mortale aliquid
faceret,'' least after that immortal exploit, he should be found in any mortal action, as » Hales. Orat.
the orator expressed it at his funeral. vftas seie'rUo-
Thus it pleased the great Almighty, the sole arbiter of all our lives and fortunes, to res, p. 431.
send sickness (death's harbinger) unto him, to make ready for the entertainment of
that King of terrors, whose approach was now near at hand : This happened in the
month of January, sixteen hundred and twelve. During the time of whose illness,
the vice-chancellor, aixl chief heads of the university of Oxford, testify by a con-
O doling
98, THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
doling letter to him, how very deeply aflhcted they were for his sickness ; the begin-
ning whereof ran in this tenour, What griefs the connate members of the body feel,
when their heart is ill affected ; the same, most noble Bodley, do we labour under,
now you, our dearest heart, may seejn to be in danger : But neither could the muses
or the graces, with all their wit, or oratory, or beauty, encharm inexorable death, to
delay the execution of his summons. So that on the eight and twentieth of the same
month this excellent person put off his garments of mortality, which were interred
with a solemnity answerable to his worth and quality; as by this brief account thereof
• Ex Hist. & will more fully appear.'
o"'"' I'b'^'i' The doleful tydings of iiis death, being now come so far as Oxford, the university,
p. 3v:o. in convocation, consulted what exequies might best honour the remains of this their
great Mecaenas : And it was therein at length agreed, that the nine and twentieth day
of March, 1613, should be the set time for the solemnity of his interment, which
was intended to be made in Merton college chap]jle.
A few days before which, tiie honourable corps was brought from his house in St.
Bartholomews the Less, London, where he died, accompanied for the greater honour,
with three heralds at arms, (of which number Cambden Clorenceanx was one) his
brother. Doctor Laurence Bodley, Sir John Bennet, judge of the prerogative court
of Canterbury, William Hakewell, Esq; counsellor at law. Doctor George Hake-
well, and many other persons of quality ; the herse was adorned with his arms and
ensigns of honour, suitable to his degree, and reposed in Merton college-hall.
The day for the solemnity being come, the \ ice-chancellor, doctors, j)roctors, and
heads of tlie university, with almost an innumeralde company of schollars, every one in
their distinct liabits, came thither to attend the funeral. Tlie vice-chancellor, the preach-
er, (Dr. William Goodwin, dean of Christ-Church) both the proctors, all the bedles,
with the fellows, chaplains, portionists, and servants of Merton college, together with
sixty-seven (the age of the defunct) of the poorer sort of the university, (all in mourn-
ing, besides his own servants, and many others) being ready about nine a clock in
the morning, they bring forth the corps; and that there might be the more space for
so great an assembly, they deduce it through Christ-Church college up to Cairfaix ;
thence to St. Marys; and then through School-street into the Divinity-school: where
a while are deposed the sacred relicts, until such time as Mr. Corbet (who then
ofliciated as the publick orator) iiad made an eloquent oration in praise of the illus-
trious Bodley.
At the end whereof the}' all retrxrn to St. Mary's church, where a cenotaphium, or
empty herse, was erected in honour to the dead ; and then the aforesaid Dr. Goodwin,
preached the funeral sermon.
All things being over here likewise, that could contribute to the glory of the solem-
nity, they return the corps to Merton college-church; where the fatuous Hales, then
fellow of the house, made an excellent oration in latin at the grave : Which ended,
the sacred remains of this great person were laid up, with profound reverence, under
the north-wall of the higher part of the choir there.
The interment thus finished, the vice-chancellor, and heads of houses, with the
mourners, return to the college-hall, where was prepared for them a most sumptuous
dinner of no less than an hundred pounds cost ; part of the thousand marks alotted by
himself for his funeral charges.
' - Thus have we brought our great Bodley to his grave, in peace and honour; where
we shall leave him to his rest, in expectation of a far more glorious resmnection.
You having thus beheld him, in his life and in his death, give me leave to lay be-
fore you the encomiums which have been liberally bestowed upon him ; and the ho-
nours done imto his memory : And here should I stay to enumerate those titles of
esteem and dignity, which private learned men of our own and foreign countries,
have
BODLEY, SIR THOMAS, 99
have in their writings endeavoured to adorn him with, they would amount to a vo- "^^ i'|f"b''a"ta
hime of themselves : I shall therefore choose to insist on those only, which are more s.ia de manu
eminent and illustrious. d'^biMiothecs
King Jam. 1. of blessed memory, was pleased to bestow upon him, not only the a. r. a. con-
honour of knighthood, but what is greater, the title of the Founder of the University ^'^,^f^^'';;J^;'!'J'
Library of Oxford." tnndatoiem
Not only his particular college of Merton, employed one of their most eminent fel-^-j"* HiTtTn-
lows," to make an oration in his praise at the grave, but the university also appointed tiq. Ac. Ox.
their orator at that time' (as was said before) to do the like at the schools: Both [) ^^^'P'^^^J
which very eloquent speeches may be found at large in Dr. Bates's select lives of emi- , ^r. Corbet
nent men.'' successively
It was ordered in convocation. That the whole body of the university of Oxford ^Pj''jJ^^^.|°'^'*
should, with verses in his praise, celebrate the obsequies of this most renowned man ;' y p. 415, &c.
which was done accordingly in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and English. -— Ordinatum
And that the name and memory of this excellent person might be consecrated to ^^N "' 'ptt^- .
immortality, Thomas Sackvile, Earl of Dorset, and Chancellor of the said Univcrsi- tatis coi-pu?,
ty, caused his statue to be sent to Oxford, while yet livinar. A. 1605 ; and ordered it viro,ciar.ssinio
•^ . . 1 ■ 1 r , ■< • I • 1 11 • • I -xi '"picediis varus
to be placed m a nitch 01 the wall within the library, in a conspicuous place, witli parentaret.
these words under-written : Lib!2V"3-''
Thomas Sackvillus Dorset com. summus Anglite Thesaurar. Hujus Acad. Cancel.
Thonife Bodleio Equiti Aurato Qui Biblioth. banc instituit Honoris causa P.P.
The university of Oxford also, in the wall of the east side of his library, caused to
be sate up in letters of gold, to the perpetual memory of the illustrious founder, this
inscription.
Quod feliciter vortat, academici Oxoniens. Bibliothecam hanc, vobis reipublicaeq;
Literatorum T. B. P.
Thus is he stiled the Ptolemy of the age he lived in. The most illustrious patron ;
and dignified with expressions of the highest honour and respect; and yet when this
is done, thev are all acknowledged to be short of his merit." Which is all the apo- ' \" *''a ^e'"
, r 1 I-/-- i-Ti 1 i-i-T J. lebusq ; gcstis
logy I need to make, 11 in any thing 1 iiave spoken 01 him, 1 may seem to some enairandis, ne-
too large and tedious, "'.° ""i"^™ "'-
To all this may we yet add the honour done his memory by Doctor John Morrice, tent. Hist,
cannon of Ch. Ch. Oxon, who in his last testament bequeathed to the university five j^j^'^J- <^;^»"-
pounds per annum,'' to be given to a master of art, that should make and speak ab Atbcna^
speech in praise of Sir Thomas Bodley every year, on the eighth of Nov. (on which O"""- vol. 1.
the visitation of the library commonly is) to be nominated by the dean of Christ-''"'" "
church, and confirmed by the vice-chancellor for the time being.
Which gift was not to take place until the death of his wife, which happened not
until the year one thousand, six hundred, eighty and one: And then in the year fol-
lowing, November one thousand, six hundred, eighty and two, the will of the donor
was accordingly executed; and the practise has ever since been laudably continued.
It now remains only that I should give some account also of his sepulchral monu-
ment and epitaph, and then, with due reverence, withdraw from his sacred urn.
""Sir Thomas Bodley lyes interred in the choir of the collegiate cliurch of Merton '" ^jj''^*" (f^'on'''
Oxford ; where in the side of the north wall, is fixed a monument of white and black lib. 2. p. 89. '
marble, having this device:
His effigies is there erected in a scholar's gown, drawn to the middle, encompassed
round with books; at the corners wliereof stand grammar, rhetorick, nuisick, and
arithmetick; he is placed between two angels, that on the left-hand holds him out a
crown; that on the right-hand ofiers him a book open, having these words written
therein, Non delebo nomen ejus de libro vitje.
Under
100 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Under all is this iugraven.
Memorise Thomse Bodley militis, publicae bibliothecae fundatoris sacrum. Obiit
28 Jan. anno, 1612.
Underneath is the figure of a woman sitting before the stairs of the old library}
holding in one hand a key, in the other a book, (wherein the greatest part of the al-
phabet may be seen) behind which appear three small books shut up ; on the outside
of whose leafs are inscribed their authors' names, viz. Priscianus, Diomedes, Do-
natus-
Thus have I finished what I intended, not what might be spoken of our immortal
"Apud. Bates. countryman; of whom I shall take my leave in Mr. Corbet's words,"* in his funeral
viz. select, p- oratiou on him. Quid non semper dicenti superesset, pro Bodleio ? Nee vita potuit
'■ "° Bodleius, nee morte indigere ; nee Coelo, nee sepulchro.
Ampliat aetatis spacium sibi vir bonus, hoc est
Vivere bis, vita posse priore frui.
BODLEY,
{ 101 )
BODLEY, LAWRENCE, D. D.
BODLEY, Lawrence, D. D. younger brother to the famous Sir Thomas Bodley,Fior. a. d.
(though, by mistake, he is said, in the History and Antiquity of the university ofg^?^,,^- ^•
Oxford,' to be the elder) was also born in the city of Exeter, near about the year ofaL-b.i, pg,
our Lord, so far as we may conjecture, 1546. He was the pious son of religious pa-320. ' ' °"
i-ents ; for the family was eminent as well for their piety as gentility, according to the
testimony of an excellent author,'' who says thus thereof, In familiag Bodleianae pree-' M-"- Joha
coniis, non tantum gentilitiam dignitatem, (quanquam fuit ilia perillustris) quam "raT 'oration'
quod fuerit pietatis laude florentissiuia, among the praises of the Bodleian family, nol <>" Sir Tho.
so much the dignity of their gentility ought to be regarded (though that was very il- iSsdecf
lustrious) as the honour they got for their piety; who early embraced the reformed ?• ^^s. '
religion, which not being permitted to profess openly, neither safe to practice private-
ly in England in the hot Marian days, they fled into Germany;' and from thence theyc sir The
came to the city Geneva, where they continued until that black cloud" of persecution, Bodieys ufe,
which hung then over the church of England, by the providence of God, blew away • ^'„'"e'i" ''^
And then Mr. Bodley returned with his family back into his own country, and settled " Nubecula est
in London. cito transitura.
From whence his son Lawrence was sent to Oxford, and placed into that noble se-
minary of virtue and learning there known by the name of Christ-Church; for so
much may we infer from that circumstance. That after the interment of his honour-
able brother, he was created'^ Doctor in Divinity, as a member of that college. In < Athens Ox-
this famous college he continued a studious and industrious scholar (though in what ""• '"'• ^- P-
capacity, whether as a commoner or student it appears not) until he had finished his^^'^'
degrees of arts : What the particular accidents of his life were, while he here resid-
ed, I no where find.
From hence he removed into his own country, at what time his merit was so con-
spicuous, that he was made one of the canons residentiary of the church of Exon,
and rector of Shobrooke, about seven miles from thence, a rich parsonage near adjoyn-
ing to the antient town of Crediton • AVhich was all the preferment (so far as 1 can
find) that this eminent person ever owned, who yet deserved more and better ; for he
was a person of extraordinary worth, and did much good in his generation.
Among other things, for which he deserves to be recorded, this is none of the least,
that he was of great use to his noble brother. Sir Thomas Bodley, in foundincr his fa-
mous library at Oxford.' At whose funeral, celebrated with great solemnity there, he r ,,r
was chief mourner: At what time, by the body of the university in convocation, he Devf "'
von in
was thought worthy the honour of the degree of Doctor of Divinity, and was so ere- ^'"''''
ated accordingly. May SO, 1613, a little after the interment was over."
As for the faithful discharge of the duties of his function, one who was his parish- 'of i.'p^'sTf
oner, and knew hnii well, hath left this honourable testimony of him upon the file of" M'estc. quo
time m these words, That for his pious zeal and continual labours in this vocation, he'^P"'
cannot be over-praised. A character of so high a strain as might justly raise, in
those of his profession, a pious emulation, to deserve and obtain the like.
Farther, 1 find Dr. Bodley was capable of obliging, and actually did so, by some
preferment he had the donation of (1 suppose in his ball at Exeter) the famous Dr.
Prideaux, while he was rector of Exeter-college in Oxford, and regius professor of
divinity there. The paiticular instance whereof I cannot learn; but the thing itself
fully appears from the dedication which that grateful doctor made him, of his Act- lijfaf "^Et"
sermon, preached at St. Mary's, Jul. lOth,' in which he calls him his worthy patron ; «"« backslid-"
and takes occasion to commend him as a pattern to patrons, for disposing the Lord's on^Re''v."2!T"
portion
102 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
portion in those his days. Wherein, he tells him, that buyers and sellers break into
the temple : And Judases what will ye give me ? And Simon Magus his offering make
most bargains for benefices. A severe charge against that age ; though 'tis feared the
present, upon this account, deserves not a milder one.
He was also of an hospitable disposition ; but very liberal and open-handed to the
poor; whose charity they were not obliged unto death for, as the manner of some is,
who give nothing so long as they can keep it : No, he freely bestowed it in his life-
jj, time, in a daily doing good to some or other; prudently making his eyes his overseers,
and his own hands the executors of his alms.
* Nor was his piety towards God less signal or sincere, which was not by lucid in-
tervals, but ran through his general conversation. A short evidence whereof we may
observe in that elegy he made on his and our famous countryman's death, Bishop Jewel,
" Ex. D. Hum- of pious memory; so much of which as is a confirmation of it, I shall here insert.'^
phredi vita
jueiiiin Caice. Interca, decor O I doctorum summe virorum,
& pater, & patriae gemma, Juelle, vale.
Chare, vale : Donee superorum sede recepti
Perpetuo juncti stabimus ante Deum,
Tu modo pniscedis, quia te prascedere dignum est :
Nos per idem lasti mox veniemus iter, &c.
How great an encourager this reverend divine was of the weighty ordinance of the
gospel preaching, (that great duty indeed of his high calling) may appear not only
from his assiduous practice thereof, in his own person while alive, but from that con-
' Ex. Regist. siderable summ of money, he gave to that purpose at his death.' For by his last will
Ecci. Exon. and testament, He bequeathed to the mayor and chamber of E.xeter, Four hundred
pounds in money, to purchase twenty pounds a year in lands, towards the mainte-
nance of a preacher in that city : Who is now wont to officiate as that honourable
body is pleased to direct.
Having lived to a considerable age, near 70 years, in this vale of misery, the good
man surrendered up his pious soul into the hands that gave it, (most probably) in the
same city where he first received it, on the 19th day of April, A. 1615; for he lieth
interred near the choir in St. Peter's church there, under a flat marble-stone, which
had this epitaph sometime legible thereon : but being now obliterated by the feet of
m Risd. Descr. m^n and time, I shall here insert it, as I find it quoted by an industrious author."
of Devon, in ^, . . . j v i
Mr. East- Clarissimo viro, nee non reverendo, ohm hu-
churchescopy jyg gcclesiae canouico residentiario Dno. Lau-
rentio Bodleo, Johes & Laurentius Bodle-
us nepotes hunc, dialogum, memorise sacrum
devotissime consecrarunt.
Laerentius Bodleius.
Anagramma. — Bonus Dives ille erat.
Johannes. J lie erat ! Hoc miserum non nunc Ubinam pia Facta,
Virtutis Corpus, Spiritus, Ossa, Caro ?
Laurentius. Ossa jacent terra & Corpus Pia Facta Supersunt
(Protypa virtutis) Spiritus Astra Colit.
Obiit Decimo nono Aprilis, A.D. U)15.
BODLEY,
( 103 )
BODLEY, SIR JOSIAS, KT.
BODLEY, Sir Josias, Kt. was born (as is probable) at Exeter, where his brothers pior. a. d
were; he was the fifth son of John Bodley, of that city, gentleman, by Joan his wife, l;''''^- R- K-
one of the six daughters and heirs of llobert Hone, of Ottery St. Mary, Esq. and so the
whole brother to the great Sir Thomas Bodley : Which five sons I find" ranged in thisi westc. pedi-
order, and thus named : 1. Sir Thomas, the founder of the library at Oxford, 2. John, g^ees in Bodley
a minister, 3. Lawrence, D. D. 4. Zachary, a minister, and 5. Sir Josias.
Two of these, John and Zachary, lived privately in the country ; though where
beneficed I do not find. The other three most worthy brothers of this family, (as one
that knew them stiles them)'' we may not pass, without a due remembrance. We t ^ ;„ pg
have already done right to the two former; the last comes next to be spoken of: Be- script, of De-
fore I proceed to which, it may not be unacceptable, to give some brief account of this lil\ '° ^"^=-
gentile family.'
John Bodley, aforesaid, the father of Sir Josias, was the son of John, by Alice, hisdigr'cesof, &c.
wife, daughter of Thomas Gale of Dartmouth, in Devon, gentleman ; which John, was
the second son of John Bodley, of Dunscombe, in the parish of Crediton, Esquire ; his
eldest was called John, also, who married the daughter of Copleston ; and had issue
George, which married the daughter and heir of Hurst, of Exeter, Esq. that
had issue William, who by a daughter of Dowrish, of Dovvrish, (a very ancient and
gentile tribe) had issue Thomas; who by a daughter of Arscot, of Tetcot, in this
county, Esquire, had issue John and others. One of which, in the last age, departed
with Dunscombe; and it is now the inheritance of Moses Gould, Esquire: Of which,
at present let this sufiice.
Sir Josias Bodley, whei'esoever he had his puerile education, at Exeter, London, or
elsewliere, was brought up to letters. And having made a good proficiency in school-
learning, he was sent to Oxford, and jjlaced in the same college there, of which his
eldest brother, Sir Thomas, was at that time fellow ; and that was Merton.'' How lone: . ., ^
, II , • ^ 1 1 •••IT. • 1 1 , " Ath. Oxon.
he contmued there is uncertain; though certain it is, he did not in that place make vol. i. p. 328.
any long court to those shie mistresses the muses. But being of an active martial
spirit, he devoted himself betime to the wars; so that throwing down the pen, he
took up the pike.
The Low-Countries, at that time, were the great cock-pit of Europe : Whither they,
who were of the true game kind, repaired; at once to improve and try tlieir valour;
and to karn that skill and experience, in military afi'airs, in another nation, which
might upon occasion, be useful in their own. Thither Mr. Bodley also betook him-
self, in his youthful years; whose highest honour, at first, was to trayl a pike. But,
in a little while, he so well improved himself in the art-military, that passing through
the several other interior degrees of office, he came to be advanced to that of a captain.
At this time it was, that the Irish, instigated thereunto, as well by their own disposi-
tion, as by their priests' and Jesuits' instigation, made a violent elTort in that kingdom,
for the recovery of their former liberty and religion, under the conduct of that wilely
subtile general, the Earl of Tyrone : who raising a formidable rebellion, in that
country, carried it on for several years with great success. Insomuch, having given
the English a great defeat at Blach-Water, in the year of our Lord 1598, all Ulster,
Munster, and Conaught, were in arms against them ; and Tyrone was celebrated as the
deliverer of his country.' Whereupon it was thought necessary by the English go- « Fines Moris.
vernraentJ.":,7'P''" •■'''•
p. *D^
104 - THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
vernment there, that more forces should be sent for over. Accordhigly several old
companies, (to the number of a thousand men, and upward) drawn out of the Low-
Countries, were dispatched out of the west of England thither : Of which regiment
'Id. ibid. ;^j. Bodley was one of the most eminent commanders ; and is mentioned* as the
second captain therein ; whose company, at that time, consisted of an hundred men.
Being now arrived in Ireland, Captain Bodley signalized himself, by many distin-
guishing actions of valour and conduct ; all which to relate would be too tedious, had
they been recorded. One of which, however, must not be pretermitted, and that is,
e III. ibid. p. his and Captain Blaney's taking of the island, called by my author^ Loghrorcan.
^^' ^^' Being come to the place, and having made what discovery thereof they were able.
Captain Bodley made ready thirty arrows with wild-fire. And some playing with an
hundred shot upon the island, while the others delivered their arrows, suddainly the
houses took fire, and burnt so vehemently, as the rebels, lodging there, forsook the
island, and swam to the other shoar.
In which action the rebels sustained great loss ; not in men so much as in butter,
corn, meal, powder, cows, sheep, and other provision, laid up there as a safe magazine:
the English had only two slain, and seven hurt.
This happened anno, 1601, at which time, I find Captain Bodley was overseer of
the trenches, when those of our nation laid siege to King-sale, Baltamore, Berehaven,
and Castlehaven, then in the Irish hands ; who were greatly assisted by the Spaniards,
come thither on purpose to their succour, though but few of them returned back to
give an account of their famous exploits.
For this, notwithstanding, out of all their strong-holds were these at length beaten,
by God's blessing, on tlie English conduct and valour: Towards which, this our Bodley
contributed not a little; for 'tis recorded to his praise, that he behaved himself bravely,
" AtiJ- Oxon. j^Qti^ \yy (-j^g works and in the battle.'' Which battle must have relation to that had
quo supra. ^^^^^^ ^^^^ great Oneal, wherein he was defeated, and all his army, but by a small hand-
ful of the English routed : So that the Earl confessed himself to be overthrown by a
sixth part of his number. Which he is said to have ascribed to God's great work,
i Morison ubi beyoud man's capacity.'
prius, p. 178. for all which his good services, he did in this country, (as he well deserved) was
Captain Bodley honoured with knighthood, by the Lord Deputy Blunt, Earl of
' Wcstc. Pe- Devon ; so one :'' Though I find him not mentioned under that title by Mr. Morison,
digree. j^ |^jg Itinerary, during the time of that noble Earl his prudent government of that
kingdom. It is therefore more probable he received that honour from the hands of
his most honourable country -man, Arthur, Lord Chichester, who succeeded my
Lord Blunt therein : for in his time I find the last quoted author gives him the title of
Sir Josias, but not before.
We may therefore, from what foregoes, acquiess in that, as a true character of him,
which was given by one that was no stranger to his person or fiime,' That Sir Josias
scH^t.'*o'f De- Bodley was a worthy commander : in relation to whom he says, he might enlarge,
von. ill Duns- and yet not stray from Albinus his counsel ^a valiant leader of the Britains) to the his-
combe, MS. j-Qj-jans of his time, offering to write his actions. Write, quoth he, of those that are
dead, whom you need neither fear nor flatter.
Nor did Sir Josias so addict himself to the sword, as wholly to neglect the pen; he
knew how to brandish both, to good advantage of himself and his country.
Thus CaBsar-like, the wise observations which he made upon the civil and military
affairs of the kingdom of Ireland, he committed to writing. Nor was he of so severe a
brow, but he could unbend sometimes to wit and railery : a specimen of both which
"' '^"•; Oxon. i^g \y^^\-^ igft yjjto posterity, in two manuscript treatises, thus entituled :""
''"^ "'"*''• * ^ ^ Observations
BODLEY, SIR JOSIAS, KT. 10^
Observations concerning the Fortresses of Ireland, and the Brittish Colonies of
Ulster. A MS. in folio; sometime in the library of Sir James Ware, now supposed
to be in that of Hen. Earl of Clarendon.
A Jocular Description of a Journey, by him taken to Lecale, in Vlster, anno, 1602.
A MS. sometime in the same library.
He continued many years in Ireland, into which he came anno 1598, and was
there living anno 1613, when he was Director-General, and Overseer of the Fortifi-
cations of that kingdom." ■ Morison nbi
How long after this he lived j when, or where he died, and lyeth interred, I no^"""'^*^'
where find. (Note.)
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
He died the 19th day of August, 1617, and was buried in Christ-Church, Dublin.
ROGAN,
106 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
BOGAN, ZACHARY, M. A.
1658*^ k" r' BoGAN, Zachary, M. A. was the third son of WilHam Bogan, of Gatcombe, gen-
Car. 2. " tleman, and Joan his wife, one of the daughters and heirs of Zachary Irish, of Chidlegh,
in this county, gentleman. He was born at Gatcombe, aforesaid, in the parish of
Little-Hempston, two miles east of the town of Totnes, in the road to Exeter, about
the feast of St. John the Baptist, in the year of our Lord, 1625.
The most antient residence, that I find, of this family, was in Totnes, aforesaid ;
where it flourished a while in that corporation. Thus John Bogan was Mayor thereof.
Anno Dom. 1550. William Bogan succeeded him in the same office, the year after,
1551. And from this place was the name and family transplanted to Gatcombe,
where it hath continued for three generations, and no more.
But omitting these things; Mr. Zachary Bogan was, even from his childhood, won-
derfully addicted to learning, insomuch, when at school, he was wont herein to surpass
his seniors : being then excellently grounded in grammar, and the classick authors,
by tliat eminent school-master of his time, Mr. Batten, of Marldon (a small parish
abont four miles distant from his father's house) he was sent early ripe to the university
' Ath. Oxon. of Oxford; where he was admitted commoner first, of St. Alban-Hall,' under the tuition
Vol. 2. p. 151. of Mr. Ralph Butten, fellow of Merton College, in Michaelmas term, anno, 1640, in
the fifteenth year of his age.
Here he continued about a year, and then was chosen on the 26th Novem. 1641,
scholar of Corpus Christi College there ; in which happy state the studious youth
coidd not long continue, for the civil-wars breaking out, the soft and charming voices
of the Muses (in whose melody he most delighted) began to be drowned at Oxford,
by the hideous noise of drums and trumpets : so that wiien that city was turned into
a garrison, he retired to his father's house, to pursue his beloved studies in the calmer
region of the country.
Here he continued with no mean proficiency in learning, until such time that
Oxford was surrendered into the handsof the parliament ; and then hoping for greater
leisure to carry on his passionate addresses to those fair dames, the Muses, in the year
1646, he returned again to his college; and in Michaelmas term, the same year, he
took his batchelour's degree: and in the following year (his excellent learning and
piety being taken notice of by that house), he was elected probationer-ffllow thereof.
Four years after this, and about eleven from his first entrance in the university, viz.
" Id. ibid. 1651,'' he proceeded master of arts : not that his degrees were retarded on the account
of any deficiency in learning or morals; but for that the constitution of the college is
such, that whosoever are chosen scholars or fellows thereof, are obliged to tarry so
many terms, from the time of their election (if they wanted but one term of standing)
before they are admitted to their degrees.
Mr. Bogan, now being a senior scholar in the university, though but a junior master
At). Oxon of arts, is abundantly fitted for the office, and at length obtained the character-^ of an
loi. L'p. 624?' excellent tutor. And, indeed, those two so necessary qualifications thereunto, learning
and piety, meeting in liim, must needs render him very accomplished for so weighty
a trust. And, by God's blessing, and his own industry, he became very happily suc-
cessful herein; for he had several persons his pupils, who afterward became eminent
men, as Mr. Fulhnan, Mr. Agas (unto whom at his death he bequeathed his library);
and several others.
Learning is of use to all; but in a tutor necessary : for how should he be able to
instruct otliers therein, who is himself illiterate? Nor is piety less so, which is, or
ouirht to be, the end of all our studies.
■^ * As
BOGAN, ZACHARY, M. A. m
As to the first of these ; the accomphshments of this excellent person that way, may
be abundantly infered from the sundry learned volumes he published ; and designed
for the publick, if it had pleased Almighty God to have lengthened out his days. As
First : Additions to Mr. Fran. Rouse's ArchaBologiae Atticae ; the four last of those I-
seven books of the Attick Antiquities, being written by him while he was very little
passed a fresh-man : as we may observe from his Address to the Reader, at the end of
tliat book, where he tells us. The most part thereof was finished in his tyrocinium.
Here he manifested abundance of reading, beyond what could be well imagined in so
young a man , and a judgment above his years. A book so well approved among the
learned, that it was printed no less than eight times in a few years.
Secondly: Another piece that he published, was his Homerus * ES^aifoii: sive Com- n.
paratio Homeri cum Scriptoribus sacris, quoad Norman loquendi. In the Preface to
■which elaborate work, the author declares. That 'tis not his intention, to make any
comparison between the authors and opinions of the sacred writers, and Homer : but
only of their idioms, and ways of speaking. To which is added.
Thirdly : Hesiodus 'o(*»!5ifa>. Wherein he shews (as in the former, not how Homer m.
did immitate the Hebrews, but how he did speak after the same manner with the He-
brews, so in this) how Hesiod expresses himself much after the same manner that
Homer does.'' This book was written in Latin, and printed at Oxford 1658. 8vo. braia."?.' 409.*
Fourthly : He wrote a large and learned epistle to Edmund Dickenson, at that time iv.
master of arts of Merton College, Oxon ; since a famous professor of physick in Lon-
don, not prefixed, but affixed to a book, published in that author's name, but said to
be written by Henry Jacob, of Merton' aforesaid (which if not so, 'tis strange that* Ath. Oxon,
that Doctor doth not purge himself of so foul a reflection), intituled — Delphi PhaBni-*^"'-'^- 1^-^*-
cizantes. Wherein he shews, that whatever was famous at Delphos, tlie Grecians
derived it from the history of Joshua, and the sacred writers ; in which epistle, having
shewn much reading and criticism in the tongues, Mr. Bogan concludes with a large
copy of verses, in praise of the supposed author. Dr. Dickenson. This book was first
printed at Oxford, anno 1655, then at Franckfort,* 1669, and lastly at Holland (with p'^^uonrad
several other tracts), by Thomas Crennius, anno 1691, under this title, Fasciculus Dis- Lectorem.
sertationum, Historico-Critico-Philologicarum. Printed at Rotterdam, by Peter
Vander Slaart. 8vo.
He had also designed, what he never accomplished, the publication of a discourse
about the Greek particles ;' and the giving an account of the best use of the Greek and foj^^Amr**
Latin poets ; and after that, matters of greater moment, if God should vouchsafe him. Lector, eden.
what he then greatly wanted, and ever after, his health ; but the want thereof, and a t""pus"^tracta!
longer life, obliged him to lay aside those brave designs for the advancement oftum de Paiti-
learning. '^"''' ^.~='^'-
All which elaborate works speak him to be a person of admirable learning, especially dio opere su-
for one of his age, he being, when he published most of these things, not above eight ft^adversa^lale'
or nine and twenty years old. We need not therefore question but he well deserved tudo. Epist. ad
the title given him by a late author,'' of, Vir studiosus & linguarum peritissimus, a very ^0^' "r ^Tbra!
studious per.son, and a most expert linguist. And 'tis no small honour to his memory, ^ Hist. & An-
that he is ranked among the most skilful in the Oriental languages of the age he lived on.'L."'.p.243i
in: Thus the author of Athenag Oxon,' speaking of a third person, tells us, He had'Voi. 2. p. yi.
conversed o)^enly with those most excellent in the Oriental tongues, Pocock, and
Bogan of C. ^ ."*C.
Proceed we next to a consideration of his piety, that other most necessary ingredient His piety.
to the making up of a good tutor, and we shall find he was no less eminent for that,
than the other. He was of the number of those who did truly fear God himself; and
they who do so, will endeavour to bring others also to the same Divine temper, especi-
ally them who are under their more immediate charge and inspection. They who
P 2 remember
10« THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
remember him well, are still ready to give him this testimony, that he was a person of
an extraordinary pious and holy conversation: although, should they be silent, we
might infer so much from that vein of piety and goodness, which runs through the
whole body of his works. The clearness of the streams, commends the purity of the
fountain from whence they flow ; and they are thus intituled.
V. Fiftiily : Of the Threats and Punishments recorded in Scripture, alphabetically com-
posed; with some brief observations on sundry texts. Printed at Oxford, 1653. 8vo.
Dedicated to his father.
VI. Sixthly : Meditations of the Mirth of a Christian Life, and the vain Mirth of a
AVicked Life. Printed at Oxford, 1653, Svo. Dedicated to his mother, in four books.
vii. Seventhly : Help to Prayer, both extempore, and by a set form ; as also to Medita-
tion. Printed at Oxford, 1660, in 12mo. Published by Dan.Agas, fellow of C.C. C.
after the author's death.
Whether this excellent person published any thing else, or left any MSS. behind
him fit for the press, I cannot say. What I have further to add, in relation to him,
shall be reduced to these three heads, His christian benefaction, his bodily constitution,
and his final dissolution.
I. _ First: For his benefaction. He was (for a younger brother) very competently
qualified hereunto, having a good portion left him by his father, of fifteen hundred
pounds : which we may be sure he was no waster of, though he was utterly averse to
the improvement thereof by usury. And undoubtedly he would have bestowed very
bountifully out of it, either upon his college in particular, or on the university, or
perhaps on both (in imitation of his very near kindsman the famous Bodley); but at
that time, the university being in very great danger of ruin and dissolution (the army
officers having in their greedy minds, divided some of the best colleges among them-
selves), this worthy man was utterly disheartened from settling any thing that way:
whereupon, he diverted his pious designs to another use, and, as what he thought
' Ath. Oxon, would prove of longer duration, by his last will and testament,'' he save five hundred
pounds to the city of Oxford, to be improved for the use of the poor thereof In
grateful acknowledgment whereof, that city has caused his picture to be hung up in
their council-chamber, adjoyning to the Guild-Hall, where it still continues.
The remainder of his fortune (some iew legacies excepted) he left to his elder bro-
ther, William Bogan of Gatcombe, Esq. now long since deceased; a most worthy,
loyal gentleman, [that did scorn to have eaves-drop'd, and sworn against an orthodox
clergyman, of the church of England, to the pleasuring of any one,] than whom, in
his time, the King had not a more faithful subject, nor the church a more affectionate
son. An hospitable, useful person in his country, unto which he was serviceable
many years, in the capacity of a justice of the peace, and a deputy-lieutenant. For
the many personal civilities I have received from him, gratitude obliges me to take
this opportunity (whereof I am glad) of making this publick recognition so long after
his death.
II. Secondly : As to the bodily frame and constitution of Mr. Zachary Bogan. He was
melancholy and sickly ; 'tis what he complains of in most, if not all his works. Thus
'Epi!-t. Dcd. toin his address to his mother' he says, He had spent whole years together in sadness.
afiiTt'i-in'iife.''^^"'^ ^°'' '"°'**' of his other pieces, which he published, he was under various distempers
when he wrote them. Thus in his Preface to his Horn. Hebr. he tells us, — per varios
morbos, quasi per saxa, per ignes, hunc quern cernis libellum, ad umbilicum deduxi.
And in the conclusion of his learned epistle, to Dr. Dickenson, he adds a copy of
verses in that author's praise, which thus begins:
Implicitam limo & morborum compede mentem.
Quid vetat innocuis excoluisse modis ?
Mitto tibi carmen medico, non mitto saluteni;
Non habeo; medicis plurima; niitte mihi. A mind
BOGAN, ZACHARY, M. A. 109
A mind oppressed with chains of sad disease,
Why may we not with harmless fancies please ?
Doctor, to you I verse, not health do send :
I han't ; doctors have much, pray some me lend, &c.
Whereby, with many other passages to the ^ame purpose, that might be collected
out of his writings, we may see that he was valetudinary, and much afflicted with
sickness all his days.
One great occasion hereof, it seems, was his excessive and immoderate studying; by
which, the author of the Ath. Oxon. tells,"" He had contracted an ill habit of body . ^ Q"o '"P-
His keen and eager mind after learning, did cut and fret through the thin scabbard of
his body, whereby he was become, as it were, a walking skeliton, long before his death ;
as may be inferred from his picture, drawn more to the death, than to the life (so wan
and pale it looks) now to be seen in the place before-mentioned.
Thirdly : His bodily frame and contexture. Being so very weak and shattered, no m.
wonder if an early dissolution came upon him. A\'hich hapned to him accordingly,
amidst all his studies and designs of promoting pious and useful learning, in his college
at Oxford, on the first day of September, anno Domini 1659, in the four and thirtieth
year of his age.
Soon after which, by the care and prudence of his eldest brother, William Boo-an,
aforesaid, he was interred with a gentile solemnity, and an elegant oration delivered at
the grave by one of the fellows of the house. He sleepeth in the north-cloyster, near
adjoyning to the chappie of that college, where this good man, this pious christian,
and this excellent scholar, hath only this short epitaph engraven on his tomb, whose
worth merited a very large one.
Zacharias Bogan hujus Collegii Socius:
Ob. 1° Sept. A. D. 1659. ^tatis Suje 34".
In the north isle of the parish church of Totnes, is a large marble grave-stone, on
which were sometime found, inlayed with brass, the effigies of this gentleman's grand-
father and grandmother; one of which is torn off: but underneath is still remaining a
label of brass, containing these words:
Here lyeth the Body of Walter Bougins,
of Totnes, merchant, who had to wife, Pro-
thasy" the eldest daughter of John Bodley « She was sis-
of London, merchant, by whom he had issue *«■■ "> "'« ?'«"
six sons, and five daughters ; and departed Bodky""""'
this life the fifteenth day of April,
A. D. 1591.
BONVILL,
110
THE ^VORTHIES OF DEVON.
Flor. A. D.
1430. R. R.
Hen. 6.
»Sir W. P.
Descr. of Dev.
in Shiite, MS.
* Britan. edit.
Lat. in 4to. A.
1600, p. 170.
in Wiscomb.
' Sir \V.
quo sup.
Pole
" Ibid in the
Catal. of fam.
Men. in K. R.
1.
' Id. in Wise.
fBar. vol. 3.
p. 236.
e lb. in Shute.
>> Id. ibid, in
Woodberry,
MS.
BONVILL, LORD WILLIAM.
BON^'^ILL, Lord William, (Note) we may well conclude, was born at Shute: which
we are informed was the principal dwelling of this family.' Cambden, by a mistake,
calls it Chuton,** when he tells us. Ejus primaria sedes erat Chuton in hoc comitatu;
speaking of Devonshire. Whereas it ought to have been Shute ; which is a chapel
of ease to the church of Culliton adjoining, lying two miles to the west of Axminster,
in this county.
This place was anciently called Schete, though now Shute, and gave name to a
noted tribe that lived there; whereof two were knights, Sir Lucas and Sir Robert de
Schete, in the days of King H. 3." From Schete this estate came to the ancient pro-
geny of Pine, of Combe-Pine, in the south-east part of this shire ; where flourished
Sir Simon de Pin, of Combe Pin, (as he is called) in the reign of K. Rich. 1.'' who
was, we suppose, of the same family with Sir Adrian du Pin, one of the knights of
the round-table, of King Arthur's institution, about the year of our Lord 520.
Sir Thomas Pine, of Schute, Knight, having no issue male, divided his inheritance
between his two daughters and heirs ; who brought their partitions to their husbands,
Bonvil of Wiscombe, in the parish of Southlegh, and Humphravil, of Down-Umphra-
vil, in Comb-Pine, both in this county.
Wiscombe, aforesaid, was the most antient habitation that I find of this name
(wliich is of a French original, de bon ville, of the fair village;) and did sometime
belong to the abby' of St. Michael in periculo Maris in Normandy ; and by the abbot
thereof, about the midst of the reign of K. Hen. 3, under the reservation of 20s.
yearly rent, it was granted to Sir Nicholas Bonvile, Kt. where he seated himself and
family.
Here, because Sir W. Dugd.' acknowledges he hath not seen any thing of the de-
scendents of this family (going no farther back than the 29th of K. Hen. 3.) from the
23 Edw. 1, to the 4 K. Rich. 2. I shall insert a fuller account hereof from Sir W.
Pole ;^ Sir Nicholas Bonvile, of Wiscombe, Kt. married Amesia, and had issue Sir
William Bonvile, Kt. which by Joan his wife had issue Nicholas ; which by Matilda
his wife, (Dugd. calls her Hawise) daughter and co-heir of Sir Thomas Pine, had issue
Sir Nicholas Bonvile, Kt., which by Margaret, daughter and one of the heirs of Sir
William Damarel, of Woodberry, in this county. Knight,'' (in which family were five
knights following) had issue John, and others.
John Bonvil died in the life time of his father; but by Elizabeth, lady of Chuton,
had issue William, Lord Bonvil, of whom we are speaking : who, by Margaret Me-
riet, had issue Sir William Bonvil, which died in the life time of his father; but left
issue, by Elizabeth his wife, the only daughter and heir of William Lord Harrington,
William Bonvil, Lord Harrington ; which also died in the life time of his grandfather:
but left issue by Catharine one of the daughters of Richard Nevil, Earl of Salisbury,
Cicely, his only child ; who afterwards brought a vast inheritance to her husband
Thomas Gray, Marquess of Dorset.
Upon this marriage with Sir Thomas Pine's daughter, and co-heir, the family of
Bonvil transplanted it self from Wiscombe to Shute, where it long flourished. A very
sweet and noble seat ; adorned in those days, (as still it is) with a fair park, and large
demesns. There was a great estate belonging to it, not only in Devonshire (too te-
dious to be particularized) but in Somerset, Dorset, and Cornwal. In which last
county, their seat was at Trelawn, near West- Loo ; the pleasant habitation of the
Right
BONVILL, LORD WILLIAM. Ill
Right Reverend Father in God Sir Jonathan Trelawny, Bart, the present Lord Bishop
of this diocess; whose undaunted zeal for the church of England, and the liberties of
his country, will be read in the records of the Tower of London (unto which, with
six others of his venerable order, he was committed by K. Jam. 2. for humble-peti-
tioning) to all generations. Insomuch, this Lord Bonvil, in the 14 K. Hen. 6, A.
1435, was no less than 920/. in the subsidy-book.
He was the son of John Bonvil, of Shute aforesaid, by Elizabeth his wife, the lady
of Chuton, in the county of Somerset, lying under the Mendip-hills ; and in his time
a great soldier : who making proof of his age, in 2 K. Hen. 5, had livery of his lands." Dudg. quo
In the 5 Hen. 5, being then a knight, he went in that expedition then made into^""*"
France, and was of the retinue with Thomas, Duke of Clarence, the King's brother.
In the 1 K. Hen. 6, he was made sheriff of Devonshire : and in the 4th, he had livery
of the mannor of Meryet, in Com. Somers. In the 21 K. Hen. 6, he was retained to
serve the King, for one whole year, in his wars of France, with twenty men at arms,
and six hundred archers; being at that time also made seneschal of the dutchy ot
Aquitane. And meriting so well for his services in those wars, and otherwise, A. 28
H. 6, he had summons to parliament, amongst the barons of this realm ; and ever
after to his death. And in 31 of that reign, in consideration of his further services,
he was constituted governor of the castle of Exeter, for life: his title was Lord Bonvil,
of Chuton ; which place descended to him from his mother, who brought it into this
family. And moreover, a learned author tells us,'' he was admitted companion of the » Cambd. bh-
, , •' 1 /. ^, ^ tan in Somers.
noble order oi the garter. uit. Edit.
In 32 K. Hen. 6, he was made lieutenant of Aquitane. And in the .S3 of that
King, there fell out a shrewd dispute between Thomas Courtenay, Earl of Devonshire,
and this Lord Bonvil, about a couple of hounds; which could by no mediation of
friends be qualified, or appeased ; until it was valiantly tryed by a single combat, on
Clist-Heath, near Exeter, wherein (as Dugd. tells us,' this lord prevailed. But another i Quo Prius.
writer saith," that after they had well tryed one the other's strength and valour with mwestc. view
their naked swords, they at last, as was said of the two Kings Edmond and Canutus, fj^'^s""'^"^'
in the Isle of Olney, near Gloucester, A. 1016, lovingly agreed, and embraced each
other, and ever after continued in great love and amity, which I can hardly believe,
for a reason, which hereafter may be observed in reference to this lord.
Not long after this, the civil wars breaking out in England, between the two famous
houses of York and Lancaster; notwithstanding the honour, and personal obligations,
this noble lord had received from K. Hen. 6, he was always found on the side of his
enemy, the Duke of York. But whether induced hereunto from a principle of meer
conscience, towards what he apprehended the right line, or by the subtile insinuations
of Nevil, Earl of Salisbury, whose daughter he had married up to his grandson "Wil-
liam Bonvil, Lord Harrington, I shall not take upon me to determine.
But in that battle, fought at Northampton, between the Yorkists and Lancastrians,
that unfortunate prince K. Hen. 6, was taken prisoner; and, among others, was com-
mitted to the care and custody of this Lord Bonvil. After which, 'tis observed," he wasocamb. Bri.
never prosperous : as if he liad been picked out as an example of the instability of'^"-'^^^*""*''''''
fortune: for all these mischiefs soon succeeded the neck of one on the neck of the
other, as if (saith Mr. Cambd.) a fury had haunted him for revenge. He was an
eye-witness of the vuitimely death of his only son, (nobly married to the Lord Har-
rington's daughter and heir) and of Bonvil, Lord Harrington's grandson, both slain
before his face, in the battle of Wakefield : and presently after, to make his old age
as miserable as could be, whilst he was in expectation of better fortune, himself was
taken prisoner, in the second battle of St. Albans: and though his own party had then
the better, and King Henry had promised him he should receive no bodily hurt; yet,
such
112 ' THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
such was the indignation of the Queen towards him, as also of the Duke of Exeter,
and the Earl of Devon, that being now in their power, however they had lost the day,
never rested till they had taken off his head ; which happened in the .'39th and last
year of the reign of K. Hen. 6, A. D. 146u. Notwithstanding, this lord's memory
was q. epostliminio — as it were restored to him by act of parliament, after his death,
» Id. ibid. 1 Ed. 4. declaring him innocent:" and in regard he had stood up so stoutly against
the Lancastrians, Elizabeth, his widow, that same year, had likewise an assignation
of a very large dowry out of his estate in Somerset, Dorset, Cornwal, and Devon; by
name, Combe-Pyne-Seton, Combe-Pyne, Down-Uniphravile, Charletone, Head and
Pole, Northcote, with divers lands in Birches, Sydeford, Axminster, and Toregge, all
'Dudg. quo in this county.''
''""^' Tlie author of the Memoirs of the city of Exeter, who should best have known,
1 Pag. 187. being at that time chamberlain thereof, tells us,"" that William Lord Bonvile founded
an alms-house in Rocks-Lane, alias Combe-Rew, within that city, for twelve poor
people; and endowed the same with lands, of the yearly value of one and twenty
'Quo Supra, pounds, eleven shillings and four pence: but Sir W. Dugdal,' with greater probability
of truth, attributes this charitable benefaction to another, viz. to Sir William Bonvil,
the grandfather of the present Lord Bonvil, who, by his testament bearing date upon
Saturday, preceding the feast of our Lady's assumption, A. 1407, 8 K. Hen. 4, be-
queathed his body to be buried before the high-cross in the abby-church of Nywen-
ham, in Com. Devon; and gave init.o it 40/. in money, for license of sepulture therein
to himself and his wives, and to pray for their souls. By this his testament he also
ordained, thai his executors should give 300 marks for leave to amortize lands of 50
marks per an. value, for the endowment of an hospital, situate in Combe-street, within
the city of Exeter, for twelve poor men and women, there to be maintained forever :
<► he, likewise, bequeathed thereunto, for tire honour of God, and the better support
thereof, all his rents within that city, excepting his own mansion-house there, which
he gave to Alice his wife, to hold during her life, (and afterwards to the heirs male of
his body) with 500 marks in money, and the one half of all his silver vessels: to Ann
his sister, a nun at Wherwel, in Hampshire, he gave 10 marks : and to William his
youngest son, 200 marks, towards his marriage. The probate of which testament
bears date 18 Apr. A. 1408.
Now upon the attainder of the Marquess of Dorset, (the heir-general to the Lord
Bonvil) the lands for the maintenance of this hospital (with others) fell to the crown;
•Isaac 1 . j^^jj^ jj^g poor were still paid by the King's receiver:' and upon their respective death,
the mayor and aldermen of the said city name others to succeed them, by vertue of
Queen Elizab. letters patent to them granted, on that behalf, dated 7 Nov. 4 regni,
A. 156'2. But to return.
The Lord Bonvil, thus falling by the hand of violence, his corps, it seems, was
• Canib. Brit, preserved to a decent sepulture ; for a certain author tells us,' upon what authority
in Addcndis he best kuows, that William Bonvil, (whom I take to be the present Lord Bonvil)
and his lady, lye interred in the chancel of the church of Chuton, in the county of
Somerset.
This noble family, in the male line, thus extinct, this vast estate fell to Cicely, this
Lord Bonvil his grandson's only daughter and heir, married (as was said before) unto
Tiiomas Gray, Lord Marquess of Dorset, half brother, by the mother, to K. Edw. 4.
which by the attainder of the Duke of Suffolk fell to the crown : part of which, in
this country, came afterward to be purchased of Q. Mary by Sir William Petre, her
principal secretary of state ; who exchanged the house at Shute, with the park and lands
about it, for other of like value, with one of the ancestors of the honourable Sir John
Pole, Bart, whose pleasant seat and habitation now it is.
This
Com. Souiers.
BONVILL, LORD AVILLIAM. 113
This Lord Bonvil, by Eliz. Kirkby,* left a natural son called John Bonvil, on
whom* he settled an 100 marks per an. rent, and his estate at Ivy-bridge; (^Ao/fj " Sir w Pole's
who by Harris his daughter and heir, of Comb Ralegh, had six daughters, married to ;„ combeKaV.
Moor, Kirkham, Fulford, Larder, Dinham, and Fortescue ; but having no issue male ^n<| ivy bridge,
by her, he left Ivy-bridge to John Bonvil, his natural son, whose name, after three « Di,gd. quo
generations, expired in a daughter and heir, married unto Hugh Croker, of Lineham, ^'"*^-
in this county, Esq.
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
THIS estate bscame afterwards the property of tlie Drakes, and was purchased fiom than by Sir John
Rogers, Baronet, of Blachford, in whose family it still continues.
Q BRACTON,
•414 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Fior. A.D. BRACTON, HENRY.
I'.MO. R. K.
Hen. 3.
"Cowers In- BRACTON, Heiiiy, Lord Chief Justice of England^ under K. Hen. 3, was a native
terp. in ^c-^j- ^l^j^ couuty : and reckoned as such, by our most judicious antiquary, Sir William
•■Desc.ofDcv. Pole.'' He was born, most likely, in the parish from whence he derived his name,
Conner State' ^'"^'^*^°"' "*^^^ Bratton-Clovclley, not far from Oakhampton. That this place was
MS. 'antiently called Bracton, clearly appears from the copy of a deed here ensuing, so
'Id. in mag. old, that it is saus date.*^
Sciant, &c. quod ego Mabilia quondam uxor, Baldw. Mallet militis, in pura vidui-
tate mea concessi Thomte de Tj'nworth, Sc Lucia? uxori suas, Maner. meum de
Bracton in Com Devon, &c.
How long before this time, the name Bracton might flourish in this place, is very
uncertain; but it continued in these parts many years after: for in the 23d of King
Edw. 3, John de Bracton was testis to a deed of Adam de Smith de Stringston, to
"W. ibid. p. Simon de Furneaux, of Rent in Stringston.''
As for Henry Bracton, of whom we are speaking, he was a gentleman born; and
' Pal. Cent. 3. as we are informed, cx illustri stemmate ortus," descended from an illustrious stock ;
P-'^^*^- which might yield him the priviledg of a more than ordinary education. For the
better improvement whereof, he betook himself very young to the university of Ox-
ford ; where he applyed his mind unto books, and was so indefatigable in his studies,
that he carried away the glory from all his co-temporaries. AVhat he chiefly delighted
in, and gave himself most to, was the study of laws, civil and common, canon and
' domestick ; insomuch, after several years thus exhausted, he became utriusq; juris
professor, doctor of both laws : how excellently skilled he was herein, and how highly
deserving of this honour, may appear to the learned, uj)on their perusal of his writings,
of which hereafter.
Having thus kindled his taper of light and knowledg, at the sun of this university.
Dr. Bracton did not tiiink fit to enclose it in the dark lanthorn of a useless retire-
• Loi.dMium (ic ment there; but as the manner' then was, with those that would be somebody, as
iirTbir'"'' '^^'^'1 ^'^ now, he went to London. And this he did, when he knew the parliament was
there assembled ; at what time he thought he might the better accomplish his de-
signs, in obtaining the preferment most suitable to his education.
Being thus come upon the public stage, he shewed himself so good an actor, that
he could not be long there unobserved. He was first taken notice of by the court ;
and being found a man very fit for business. King Hen. 3 was pleased to employ
him ; and that he might be the nearer to his royal person, he apj)ointed him the use
of William de Ferrers (late Earl of Derby) his house in London, during the minority
• Orig. jiirid. of his hcirs ; as appears from this grant, as recorded by Sir Will. Dugdal.'
f"®^' Rex, &c. Sciatis quod commissimus dilecto clerico nostro, Henrico de Bracton,
domos quas fuerunt Will, de Ferrariis, quondam Comitatis Derb. in London, in eus-
stodia nostra existentes ; ad hospitandem in eisdem, usque ad legitiman, astatem
hferedum ipsius Comitis. T. R. apud Winton '2.5 Maii, anno 38 H. 3.
Which King, finding him so excellently skilled in the laws of the land, was pleased
»id. ibid. to constitute him, anno 29 of his reign,'' one of the justitiarii itinerantes, as they were
» Id. ibid. p. called, justices itinerant; whose original commenced,' in the days of K. Hen. 2,
when he divided this realm into six parts, and into each of them sent three justices
» Id. ib. p, , 52. itinerant : so called, as my author quotes it, from our Bracton here before us,'' by
*• reason
BRACTON, HENRY. 115
reason of their joui-nying from place to place; sometime for the hearing of all causes
in general, sometimes only certain special matters. Those, saith he, who are ap-
pointed in their iters, to travail from one country to another, for the hearing all
causes in general, were to take an oath, for the better behaving themselves in that
employment; each of them having a particular writ, to warrant his proceedings
therein ; a copy whereof, being short, here follows.
" Rex dilecto & fideli suo A. N. salutem sciatis quod constituimus vos, justitia-
rium nostrum, una cum diJectis & fidelibus nostris A. B. C. ad itinerandum per
Comitatus D. S. R. de omnibus assisis & placitis tarn coronas nostrae, quam aliis,
secundum quod in brevi nostro de general! summonitione, inde vobis directo plenius
continetur. Et ideo vobis mandamus ; rogantes quod in fide qua nobis tenemini,
una cum pra^dictis sociis vestris, ad haec'expedienda fideliter & diligenter inten-
datis; ut tarn fidem vestram, quam diligentiam, ad hoc appositam debramus merito
commendare. Teste.
These justices continued their iters unto K. Edw. 3 time; and then those which
we now call justices of assize, served in tlieir stead.
Some there are, who tell us, that Mr. Bracton was not one of the ordinary justices
itmerant, but that he was chief justice. So Balaeus,' " Eoq; tandem majestatis per- ■ Quo supra,
venit, ut Hen. 3, R. beneficio totos viginti annos pruesidis justitite supremi munere
fungeretur." That he grew at length, so far in the favour of Hen 3, that he executed
the office of chiel justice for twenty years together.
But then it must be granted, that Sir W. Duij. mentions no such thino-, either
m his Orig. Jur or his Chron. Ser. only he says," that 29 R. H. 3, Henry Bracton, mcbron ,er
Kogerde lurkdby, and others, were incrastino Apostolorum Petri & Pauli, made P- ^5-
justices Itinerant for the counties of Netting, and Derby ; and in the 30th of the
same reign, for Northumberland, Westmoreland, Cumberland, and Lancashire-
which IS all the mention I there can find of him. Had he been advanced to .so high
a post as that of Lord Chief Justice of England, we may well think, so industrious
an author could hardly have missed him. But leaving those learned men to ac- '
commodate this matter so well as they can among themselves, we may undoubtedly
conclude, that Mr. Bracton was one of the honourable judges in the days of K
Henry 3, and a great man; but that is not all, he was more, he was a good man
too ; and studied to discliarge his office with integrity and honesty, in the main-
tenance and conservation of his country's laws. In which, how very learned he was,
may still appear, from that egregious work he wrote in Latin, since published under
this title,
' Hen. Bractoni de Consuetudinibus Angliae Libri 5. This was printed at Lon-
don, by R. \oung, anno 1640, and so it had been long before by others.'
A book famous unto this day; and ever will be so, with all those who love the
liberties, priviledges, and government of their country. A book whicli hath ren-
dred its author more known of late years, than he had been, perhaps, for several
ages beiore. But more especially for a few select expressions therein, which some
self-dcsigning men in the last reigns wretchedly abused, by endeavouring to make
them justify their proceeding in the attempts of subverting the government; some
whereof are these, " Lex facit Regem," Rex autem habet superiorem, Deum sc. - Bract de
Item Legem, per quam factus est Rex ; itcrum curiam suain viz. Comites, &c ^"^"et. Angi.
Qui si Rex tuerit sine fra?no, /. e. Lege, debent ei frenum ponere, &c." These, and L l s! c. o. 'f!
such like words of tins author, it can't be denied, were vehemently urged by i'"'- '• -• ''•i'^-
Bradshaw, in the popular harangue which he made at the tryal of King Charles i/^"''-^- *•^^•
when with cursed lips, he proceeded to pronounce sentence of death upon that blessed
martyr.
no THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
martyr, his own gracious soveraign ; which have been much insisted on too by the
repubhcan party ever since.
Not that we are to think, this loyal and learned author ever intended, or so
much as thought, that these expressions should have been perverted by any sub-
jects, to the dethroning of their lawful Kings; to the decollating, or taking off their
heads, or the utter subversion of the best constituted monarchy in the world.
Yet, we know they came to be urged in justification of the worst proceedings ever
were acted by the basest of people, upon the best of princes.
No! This was quite contrary to this great lawyer's meaning and design in them;
for he had, in divers places of that renowned work, expressly secured the just
rights of Kings, and vindicated the sacredness of their persons, as well as office ;
•Lib. I.e. 8. positively declaring," " Omnis quidem sub Rege, ipse sub nullo, nisi tantum sub
Sect 3 ^'f les! ^^°- Satis illi erit pro piiena quod Dominum expectet ultorem. De chartis Regiis
^'■. & factis Rcgum, non debent, nee possunt justitiarii, nee private personas disputare,
&c.
The substance whereof in English is thus : ' That the King is under none but
God : that all orders and degrees of men are subject to the King : that he hath no
equal, much less a superior, in his own kingdom : that no man should presume to
question his actions," &c. Tliey who are willing to see a loyal interpretation of the
Ibregoing sentences, " Lex facit Regem : Rex habet superiorem : debent ei frenum
ponere:" let them consult a pamphlet, some years since written, called the Royal
Apology; printed at London, in quarto, for Robert Clavel.
'Quo supra. Bcsidcs tliis volumc. Bale acknowledges,? he could never find in all the libraries of
England, that this Mr. Bracton published any other works. By which alone, he ob-
tained the character (transmitted to posterity) of being a famous lawyer, and renowned
for iiis knowledg in the common and civil laws.
He flourished in the days of King Henry the Third, anno Dom. 1240. On which
iQiio striia year, in the month of February, saith the last quoted author, a kind of a duskey star*"
''If.*!!' .,',"„.?.'.',';. appeared in tlie east, darting its rays towards the west. Why he should mention this.
[ii.ibid. unless for the rarity and strangeness thereof, I cannot imagine. But if that were all,
I wonder how he should pretermit things no less remarkable, which happened like-
wise the same year.
'Annals in H. Such was the earthquake mentioned by Stow,' which shook down the stone gate
fJii'^ •'■'*"•''• and bulwark, near the tower of London. And such also, were those strange and
great fishes, which the same author tells us, came a shoar; whereof eleven were sea-
bulls ; and one of huge bigness passed up the river of Thames, through London bridg,
till it came to Mortlake, where it was killed.
WMiat these sea-bulls were, or how they came hither, may be a question of some
difficulty to determin. I suppose they were not the ordinary sort of your vituli ma-
rini, sea-calfs, or seals; although these are a rarity in our seas: but either a different
species thereof; or else of a much larger sort than ordinary.
»Hi«t. N.it. Pliny gives us this account of the sea-calf,' that it brings forth her young on
1. ?. c. ]j. gi^ore ; that she gives suck ; that after twelve days she carries her young to the
sea ; that she is difficultly killed, unless hurted in the head : and that her finns which
she swims with in the sea, serve her instead of feet, to go with upon the land. But
■ E Sciioia sa *^^ *^'^^ ^°^ Mariuus, or Phoca, the sea-bull : another learned author gives us this
i(-r. Tract. <ic uccouut :' that 'tis a very strong creature, bold, and very angr}'^ ; especially with its
Piin'^in^atiifck ^'^^'^ females, whom in his wrath he often kills : and this, according to the Icon, or
foi. in Lat. figure givcu of it, is like an ox in all its shapes ; as head, horns, cloven feet, &c.
:1%X '''" B"t of this enough.
beasts, fishes,
&C. an. 1491. . r
Mr.
BRACTON, HENRY. ' II7
Mr. Bracton, as he lived in honour, so he died in great reputation ; leaving a name
so deeply perfumed with virtue and learning, thai it smells fragrant unto this day.
The precise time of his death I have no where met with, nor the particular place
of his interment; although, most likely, the one was about the year 1249, (when
Sir William Dugdal leaves off mentioning of him)" and the other in or about Lon- " In Chron. ser.
don.
What became of the family of this name in Devon, is not easy to define: although '■.
it is likely, a daughter and heir thereof, was married to one of the honourable famfly
of Gary; for that I find Bracton's coat of Devon, among the arms which adorn my
Lord Hunsdon's monument in the abby church of Westminster.* ' Keep's Mon.
Westmon. 387.
BRENTINGHAM,
lis THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
^347. r.r!' BRENTINGHAM, THOMAS, LORD BISHOP OF EXETER,
Edw. 3.
BrENTINGHAM, Thomas, Lord Bishop of Exeter, and Lord High-Treasurer of
Bps^ofETxet."*^ England, was born in this country;" though where I can't so much as guess, having
never met the name any where else, in all the records of his province: but, perhaps.
Bishop Godw. his alias Goad, afiixed to his name in the English edition of his Pre-
•■■ " ' lates, may give us some light in tiiis matter. And then we may suppose him a native
of the city of Exeter, wiiere Good or Goad flourished even before this time.
We can say nothing as to the education of this prelate ; the first notices we have of
>> Godw. (Ip him, are when he was quaestor, or treasurer, to K. Ed. 3, in Picardy;*" which was
p.TroV """' most likely, at the time that heroic prince took the town of Calais from the French,
Aug. 3, 1.347. An. 21 of his reign. Where this reverend person bestowed those many
intervening years, i. e. between his quicstorship and his bishoprick, we cannot tell;
nor, indeed, any thing else of him, until the time of the death of the two bishops of
Exeter and Hereford ; which happening both together, it so fell out, that the canons
of both these churches met, in the choice of Mr. Brentinghnm to be their bishop ; who
being left to himself herein, which he would accept, (whether induced by the larger
revenues of the one, at that time above, the other, or a natural inclination that might
biass him to his own country before the other, I shant determine) embraced the dioccss
of Exeter; and was consecrated accordingly by William AVittlesay, Lord Archbishop
of Canterbury, Mar. 31, 1370.
About nine years after this, viz. an. 2. Rich. 2, according to Godwin, but an. 1.
« ciuon. Ser. Ric. 2, Jul. 19, as Dugdal tells us," was Bishop Brentingham constituted Lord High-
page 50. I'reasurer of England. A place which for honour is the second, but for profit the first,
* Chamb. pres. about the crown ;'' the late salary, belonging thereunto, was eight thousand pounds
state of En|i. j^gj, ji,^,^^,,-,^. This high and honourable office, Godw. tells us," he enjoyed to the 12th
"^ Qiio''supra. year of K. Richard's reign; but Dngd. more truly informs us,^ that he possessed it not
f Ibid, p.i'j. j^i^Qyg 4 years, and then Robert de Hales, prior of St. John of Jerusalem, was made
Lord Treasurer in his place.
However, about seven years after this, sc. an. 12. Ric. 2, he was once more ad-
vanced to that high oflice ;^ in which he continued one year more, and was then
54. ' ' ''discharged again : What the ground hereof might be, it may not quit cost to enquire ;
but we may well suppose, it was without any dishonour to our bishop, as may
appear by what follows. The parliament, that then was, b^-ing exceedingly displeased
at K. Ri»;hard's menaging the atlairs of the kingdom, suffering himself to be led aside
by evil counselluurs, thirteen lords by their order, were chosen, to have the oversight,
'Sir R. Bak. jjnder the King, of the whole government of the realm.'' Of this number this Reverend
Ric.'.'. "" Prelate, for his great wisdom and experience, was appointe<l to be one. A passage of
that honourable and publick remark, that I admire how Bishop Godwin in his elabo-
rate history of the Bishoj)s of England, should come to leave it out of his life.
Yet, notwithstanding, all the honours and abilities of this great person, (to let us see
how vain and empty all worldly splendour is) could not defend him from tho e troubles
and disturbances which harrass the life of mortal man. Among others, as what is most
remarkable, was that bitter controversy he had with that most Reverend and Noble
Prelate, William Courtenay, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, (our countryman also) a
' Oat of Bp. brief account whereof it may not be irksome to the candid reader, here to relate.'
^.r'^Caut'''* The Archbishop being about to visit the dioccss of Exeter, by his metrapolitical
174. authority, sent out his inhibition pro more ; wherein he forbids the Bishop, and other
ordinaries, the exercise of their ecclesiastical power in that diocess, during his archie-
piscopal
BRENTINGHAM, THOMAS, LOKD BISHOP OF EXETER. 119
piscopal visitation. But the Archbishop delaj-ing the time of his session from day to
day, and that for a great while together, the Bishop, and the other ordinaries, began to
complain. That they were kept from the exercise of their authority, longer than the
canons did allow. Whereupon Bishop Brentingham forbids his diocess, under no less
penalty than that of excommunication, to yield any farther obedience to the Arch-
bishop's visitation : and so he immediately appeal'd to the Pope of Rome.
The Archbishop, on the other hand, persisted in his visitation; and proceeded to
excommunicate all, who would not yield him obedience ; not sparing the Bishop of
Exeter himself, though he had lately been Lord Treasurer of England. Matters now
went very high : and it seemed a measuring cast, which side was most likely to prevail.
Until, at length, there fell out an unlucky chance, which proved a great prejudice to
the Bishop, and embarrassed the whole business ; and that was the imprudent act of
some of his Lordship's own servants, who meeting the Archbishop's apparator, Tho-
mas Hill, at Topsham, (the port of Exeter) they u ould needs examine his boxes and
fardles; and fmding among other things a certain instrument, with the Archbishop's
seal affixed, wherein the Bishop was summoned to appear, and answer certain articles
before his Grace, they fell upon the poor Sumner, beat him very sore, and after that
caused him to eat the said instrument, wax and all.
Which barbarous action being brought to the notice of the King, though before he
seemed indifferent between both parties; yet now did his Majesty "begin altogether to
favour the Archbishop and his cause.
Whereupon Bishop Brentingham, seeing he could not stem so strong a current,
prudently yielded himself up to be carryed by it. And so witlidrawing his appeal from
Rome, humbly submitted himself to the Archbishop's Grace; who hereupon (as became
a Gentleman and a Bishop) generously passed by all former prejudices, and embraced
him again with respect and favour.
This Prelate, for tliose times, was a learned person, and of great prudence and dex-
terity in business." And iiad it not been for his misfortune, in having servants whose k vir
zeal Avent beyond their knowledg, we might have had, perhaps a for different account PnuientiT &^
of the issue of that contrast of his with the Archbishoi) Eruditione (ut
lie was very beneiicial to his church; adding much thereunto, as well in buildings tempoia) mm
as in ornaments. He was also a great benefactor to the Vicars-choral, who, we are t7s^"n.i'41,''''
told,' originally were the Bishop's Chapter, and that the Archdeacon of Exe'ter, was 'n'rc-bi'" g«^"en-
their president : for he budded their college, now called Kallander-Hay, or at'least ll''Godw'''lre'
finished it, and brought it to perfection. A neat and handsom pile it is, which P^a^^"'- '" "'»
they eniov unto this day. ' fj"'- i'- -^I.^-
Yi,, 11- Westo. Sun'.
What the particulars are ot his other benefactions, they do not now occur, and "'' d*^^- '" ^''^•
therefore can't be rehearsed at present.
All therefore, which I have farther to add of this great Prelate is, that, notwith-
standing his high honours, and his great virtues, having well governed his church the
space of four and twenty years, he was visited with sickness in his palace at Clist,
where he yielded up the ghost, Dec. 3, 4. D. 1394.
From Clist was his corps brought to Exeter, and interred on the north-side of his
church there, in a little chappel of his own building, between two pillars. On his
grave was a large marble stone laid, whereon was his portraicture in brass; which
long since was so worn out by time, or imbezeled by sacrilegious hands. That, nor
arms, nor effigies, nor inscription, do now remain."" » izac. Mem.
His motto, well becoming a Bishop, was ofExet. p. 65.
By suffering we overcome.
BREAVER.
120 / THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
BREWER, LORD WILLIAM.
1190. R. R. Brewer, Lord Wllliam, was born in this county, most likely at Tor- Brewer, so
^'•^•i- called of old from the torrs and rocks, which abound in these parts, and this noble
family. But of latter times, from the match of one of the daughters, and heirs of this
house, with Mohun, it is commonly stiled Tor-Mohun. For Alice, one of the young-
est daughters of the Lord William Brewer, having married Reginald de Mohun, left
scri't of D^^^'^^'' estate, which fell to her part, unto her youngest son, Sir William de Mohun, Kt.*
in Tor-moll. ' This is a small village, lying in the eastmost part of Tor- Bay; a bay, says Camb-
k^'Brittan in ^^"' of ^bout twelvc iiiilcs in compass i** But, of late years, it is become much more
Devon. famous than ever before ; especially, for that it yielded a landing-place, in the most
westerly creek thereof, named Brixham-Kay, unto the then Prince of Orang, our now
gracious sovereign K. William 3l\, on the otli of Novem. 1688. As also for being the
station, for several summers together, of the Ro^-al Navy of England, and the Dutch
fleet in confederacy with us in our late wars with France.
<: Engl. Worth. But to procccd. FuUcr, I find,"^ gives us a scurvy account of the birth and original
»68'" ^*^^ ^'^^ *^'"^ gentleman, whom, for the honour of truth, our country, and that antient family,
from which several of our nobility derive themselves, I shall endeavour to vindicate, so
far as I am able, from this groundless aspersion : '• That his mother, unable (to make
the most charitable construction) to maintain, cast him in Brewers, (whence he was
so named) or in a bed of brakes (an old English word, as it is said to be in the mar-
gent) in New-Forrest ; and that K. Hen. 2, riding that way, to rowse a stag, found
this child, caused him to be nursed, and well brought up, till he became a man,
I must confess I wondered, at first, from whence this credulous author derived this
•> Wettc. Snr. pleasant story : until, at length, consulting another,'* I found in him also a tale, much
Tm mob' Ms" ''° ^^^^ samc purposc; "That the Lord William Brewer had this name, for that his
father was taken up in a heath-field (which in the Norman French was called Briewer)
by K. Hen. 2, as he was a hunting in New-Forrest. Nay, Cambden himself favours
«niit:in in So- this relation," and seems to be the father of it: For, speaking of this Lord Brewer, he
mersetsh. p. jgjjg ^^^ . cc j^g ^^^ gQ called fiom his father's being born in a heath.' Brieur," saith
' In ericeto. hc, " is galHce, an heath."
eJiit. la" in'lto. Bcforc I shall procced to offer any thing by way of answer hereunto, it must be
p. 188. granted, that some of the greatest men in the world, whether for arts or arms, for
honour or authority, have sprung from mean originals. Not to make mention of
others, so did Maximin, Emperor of Rome, Agathocles, King of Syracuse, Tamber-
lain, that great scourge of the Turk, and many more.
But, omitting these, I shall crave leave to add two examples of this kind, as what
may best parallel the foregoing story, from very credible writers.
» Ex Exemp. The first shall be that of Lamusius,* the third King of the Lombards; his mother
"ug.'iiitT.'p. being a poor woman, that got her living by her work, having several others, threw
s^T^' this child into a pond, with a design to drown it, which, in the language of that
country, was called Lama. It happened that Agelmundus, the then King of Lom-
bardy, a rich country in the north of Italy, coming along that way, espied the infant;
who putting his hunting spear towards him he caught hold of it, and held it so fast,
that he drew him asiiore. The King being much moved with the vigour of the child,
caused him to be put to nurse; and from the pond, in that language, called Lama, as
was said, he bestowed upon him the name Lamusius. Which foundling, having had
princely education, did so excel in virtue, and all worthy accomplishments, that Agtl-
mundus, when he died, made him heir to his crown and kingdom, whose posterity
continued in that honour for several descents down unto Alboinus.
The
BREWER, LORD WILLIAM. 121
The other instance shall be taken out of the chronicles of our own kingdom.'' King'-Speed-s HUt.
Elfred, who reigned over England about the year of our Lord 880, as he was a hunting fn k. Edga^'p'
in a wood, heard something like the crying of a young infant. And causing an 333, num.21,
eagle's nest thereby to be searched, on the top of a tree, found therein a little child,
which he caused to be taken down, put to nurse, and afterwards bestowed upon him
liberal and princely breeding, and gave him the name of Nesting. He became a great
lord, and a gracious favourite of that King; and his posterity flourished in much ho-
nour a long time after.
There is no tamily, how antient or honourable soever, but had its beginning. And
some, if traced back to their original, may be found of such an one, as the descendants
would find very little reason to be proud of. So true is that of the poet:' i Juven. Sat.
•' ^ 6, vers. ult.
Majorum primus quisquis fuit ille tuorum,
Aut pastor fuit, aut illud quod dicere nolo.
Whoever was the original.
Of this thy princely train,
lie something was, I will not tell,
Or else some shepherd's swain.
Whereas in respect to the present gentleman, we are in no such danger; as may
appear from the follo^ving account.
To omit the antient mode of writing the name, which was Brigwere, Sir W. Dugdal
tells us,'' That this Lord Briv\cre (as he was sometime called also) was the son of Henry" Baron, v. 1,
Briwere, a gentleman of large possessions, in this country, in the times of K. Hen. l.P- '■''"■
and K. William : which was long before K. Hen. 2's reign, in which the forenamed
authors report, He should be taken up. And the same authentick writer says farther.
That to this William and his heirs, K. Hen. 2 confirmed all his lands, in as ample
manner as his father held them, in the times of the two first-mentioned Kings. Where-
by it is plain, beyond denial, he was no foundling, as some would make him be.
Nor was his father, who flourished in the days of K. Will. Rufus, taken up in a
heath, as Cambden asserts ; if any credit may be given to that testimony, I lately
received from a learned hand, especially in matters of antiquity, (an eminent professor
of physick in the city of Bath)' which he assures me, he had from an antient MS. of ' ^■"•^''J:'^".'-
all the creations in England, from Edward the Confessor to K. Jam. 1. taken from Let'. Dat. s. s.
originals themselves by an eminent person, which asserts: That Richard Bruer, a ^1^"^^"^^')^'^'*
Norman, came into England with William the Conqueror, who made him Earl of '
Devonshire. I confess, this is not mentioned in Dugdal, in his Baronage of England j
yet, it will appear strange, if tliis noble county, which had given title to so many
Dukes and Earls, before the Conquest, should give none now, until above thirty years
after ! For so long it was e're K. Hen. 1 bestowed this Ironour upon Richard de
Redvers; and made him Earl of Devon, and Lord of the Isle of Wight."" ■» Dngd. Baron.
Having thus adjusted this matter, let us go on in the history of this illustrious per- °^^"^' "'''•*•
son. The first account we have of him, is the purchase that he made of Ilesham,
(a small hamlet, in the parish of S. Mary-Church, near adjoyning to Tor-bay) from
Hawise de Ilesham, Raphe her husband, Roger her son and heir, and Auger his bro-
ther, in the open county-court of Devon, A. 20. K. Hen. 2, by whom he was
constituted High-Sheriff, of this shire, the same year wherein he made his purchase
of Ilesham 3 and so continued all the remainder of that King's reign, which was
eight years.
As to the place from which this Lord derived his honour, that is not mentioned in
Dugdal's Baronage of England : But Cambden tells us,* He was Baron of Odecombe, , Britannia in
in the county of Somerset. Wherea-^, if greater credit maybe given, in this case, Somersetib.
R to
122 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Desciipt. of to our "Westcot," (as I see no reason to the contrary) he tells us, That he was Baron
Sr's'of'Exini ^^ Tor-bay, (near adjoyning to his seat) and of Totnes, not far from.
MS. " Now, least any should imagine, that what I shall farther add, in relation to this
Lord, is only gratis dictum, and without sufficient ground, Dugdal shall be my war-
p Baron of rant and authority'' for all, or the most, of what I have to say of him.
70(f, &c. ^ ''' To this Lord William, and his heirs, K. Hen. 2. confirmed all the lands, whereof
he was then possessed, to hold as freely as he did in the time of K. Hen. I. As also
the forrestership of the Forrest of De la Bere, in Hampshire ; with power to take any
person, transgressing therein, betwixt the bars of Hampton, and the gates of Winches-
ter : And, likewise, betwixt the river of Romesey, and river of Winchester to the
sea; in as ample manner as his father held the same in the times of K. William and
of K. Hen. L
Moreover, after the death of K. Hen. 2. he stood in such high esteem with. K. Rich.
L That, upon the going of that King into the Holy- Land, in the first year of his
reign, he, and Hugh Bardulf, were associated with the Bishops of Durham and Ely
in the government of the realm. And, soon after, when K. Richard was on his
journey, he procured from him a special charter, dated at Chinun, upon the 24th of
June, the same year, for the mannor of Sumburne, in the county of Southampton ;
and to have a market once every week there, in a place called the Strait, with an
yearly rent of XL. s. payable out of the Forrest of Bere.
Furthermore, An. 3. K. Rich. I. the King, being then in the Holy-Land, and
doubting that the Bishop of Ely, one of the four commissioners, might not discharge
the trust reposed in him, according to expectation, this Lord William became one of
the three, unto whom the King by his special letters, gave command, That they should
assume the whole government into their hands.
After this, when that brave, but unfortunate. Prince, K. Rich. I. in the fifth year
of his reign, was brought prisoner to Worms, in Germany, (being unkindly intercepted
by the Emperor, as he passed through his country homeward from the Holy-Land)
this Lord Briwer came thither to him ; and was one of the principal persons in the
treaty, held there with the Emperor, for the liberty of the King. From thence was
the same Lord sent, with some other persons of note and quality, to make a league
with the then King of France : Which, by their prudent conduct, was also soon
effected .
Upon the King's and his own safe return into England, he was sent to York, to
compose a difference, depending there, between the Archbishop, and the Canons of
that church ; which he also happily ended.
Not long after this, that magnanimous Prince, K. Rich. L yielded up the ghost; of
1 Bak. ChioD. whom 'tis said :'' That in battles, he would sometimes act the part of a common soul-
inK. K. 1. (Jier; thougli with more than common valour.
After the death of this King, this Lord Briwer was in no less favour with King
John, when he assumed the English crown : who confirmed unto him several mannors ;
bestowed upon him divers wardships; and also gave him licence to inclose his woods
at Toare, (now Torr) Cadelegh, Raddon, Ailesberie (now Ailesbeer) in Devon ; and
Burgh-walter, now Bridg-water, in Somerset, with free liberty to hunt the hare, fox,
cat, and wolf, throughout all Devonshire. And further, granted him an ample charter
for his Lordship of Brugge-waiter, that it should thenceforth be a free burrough, and
to have a free market there every week, &c. Giving to this William license, also, to
build three castles, one in Hantshire, at Eslege, or Stoke ; another at Brugge-water,
in the county of Somerset ; and a third in Devon, wheresoever he should think fit,
upon his own lands. He moreover settled upon him ten knights' fees in Cornwal,
which Nicholas de Middleton formerly held ; with many other great revenues at Ax-
minster, in this county, and elsewhere.
Nor
BREWER, LORD WILLIAM. 123
^ Nor was this gentleman ever found ungrateful to this his royal benefactor; but stood
faithfulto the interest of K. John, in those times of his greatest trouble from the rebel-
lious barons. For having raised two great armies, the one to restrain the irruption of
those rebellious lords, who staid in London; the other to march into the North, for
the wasting of those countries: The King constituted this Lord William one of the
prmcipal commanders of that which staid near London. After which he was sent
down to the defence of the city of Exeter ; and had a precept from the King to Robert
de Courtenay, governour of the castle there, to be received into it, in case the town
couW not withstand the force of the rebels.
Neither did his favour at court expire with the last breath of this king ; but (which
may be an argument of his strange good fortune, or admirable accomplishments) it
rather encreased than diminished, when K. Hen. 3. came to the crown -^ For her n
granted hmi the wardship of the heir of Alan de Archis, in the county of York • madepag."ot
hnn Governour of the Castle of the Devises, and of New-Castle upon Tine, and Bole-
sover Castle ui the county of Derby, and the wardship of the heir of Reginald de
Mohun, whom he alterwards married up unto one of his daughters. To all which
we may subjoni (what is very remarkable; that, for divers years, he underwent the
great care and trust of the sheriffalty of divers counties of this realm, as Nottingham
and Derby, Dorset and Somerset, Hantshire, Wiltshire, Cornwal, Berkshire, Oxford-
shire, Devon, Sussex, and Glocester. All which honours, publick employments, civil
and military places of trust, and the high favour of no less than four Kings followin^r
du y considered, may speak him to have been one of the most extraordinary persons
either of his own, or any time since.
Nor shall it suffice to represent this eminently famous Lord in his greatness only •
iJut there are many things recorded as instances of his pietv and goodness also. For
Irirst, He founded the Abbey of 'iorr,' in this county, lying in the parish of Tor-' D..gd Mon
Mohun, very near the mouth of Tor-bay, for canons of the Premonstratensian order ^"^i-v. s, p.
to pray for the health of his soul, and the souls of K. Rich. I, and K. Hen. 2, and the ''^''
souls of some of his near relations. Which abby, at the dissolution, was valued at' ' Speed-,
390/. per an. Ihe greatest part whereof is standing to this day ; and is the pleasant E'T" '" ^•
seat of Edward Cary, Esquire. "■ ^•
Next He began the foundation of the Abby of Dunkiswel, in this county likewise
for monks of the Cistertian order :" Which was endowed, A. 26, K. Hen. 8. with 298/! » Dugd. ibid.
lis. 10a. of annual revenue. vol. i. p. 925.
After that, He built the Hospital of S. John, at Brug-walter, in Com. Somers for
thirteen poor people, besides religious and strangers, to pray for the souls of K. Hen
2, K. Rich. L and K. John.
He also founded the Priory of Motisfont, in the county of South-Hampton, valued
at 157/. I5s. at the time of its dissolution, for canons regular of Saint Augustin.
He moreover built the Castle, and made the Haven at Brugge-waiter; and began
the structure of that stone-bridge there, consisting of three arches; which was after-
wards hnished by one Trivet; A gentleman, saith Dugdal, of Devonshire." - Baron, v. ,,
Ihis William, Lord Briwere, took to his wife Beatrix de Vaile, very likelv the P' '°''
widow, (though my author makes her worse, the concubine) of Reginald, E'arl of
Cornvval, the natural son of K. Hen. 1. For in a grant, made by Ilenrv, son of the
same Reginald, unto this Lord William, of the Mannor of Karswel, and Land of Hak-
tord, he calls him his brother (which seems to imply, rather that she was the daughter
of Reginald, Earl of Cornwal.) o
By this lady he had two sons, Richard and W^illiam, ; and five daughters, Gra-cia,
Margaret, Isabel, Joan, and Alice : And departing this life, A. II, K. Hen. 3, 122(i,
was buried before the High-Altar in the Abby-Church of Dunkiswel, aforesaid.
Richard, his eldest son, died in his father's life time ; altho' not before he came
R '2 to
124 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
to man's estate : For in the 13th of K. John, he answered for fifteen knight's fees' of
the honour of Moreton: and A. 15, of K. John, he did his homage, and had possession
of the maiinor of Cestrefield, in the county of Derby, which his father held.
WiUiam, his second son, called William Briwere, junior, (for that he was eminent
also in his father's life-time) succeeded his father in his honours and his virtues; and
was Sheriff of Devon and Northumberland. He was also a great benefactor to the
canons of Tor, giving to them his lands at Ylsham and Coleton. As also all his mea-
dow, lying on the west side of thecawsey, which goeth from the Abby of Tor, towards
the sea ; and betwixt that cawsey and Cockinton meadow. And having married
Joan, the eldest daughter of William de Vernon, Earl of Devon, (in whose right had
he survived, he would have enjoyed that title) he departed this life without issue,
A. D. I'i32, being the l6of K.Hen. 3.
Whereupon those of his five sisters, who were living, and the heirs of those who
were dead, succeeded in this large inheritance. The sisters Avere all thus disposed of
in marriage, Gra^cia, to Reginald de Breos ; Isabella, to Dover, by whom she had Isa-
bel, married to Wake; Marjory, to La Fert ; Joan, to De Percy; (and these are all
' Britan in So- that are mentioned by Cam'bden)" and Alicia, to Reginald de Mohun,'' whose pro-
"sirw.'poie's genie, for the most part, I could likewise delineate; but that I fear, would be thought
great MS. oftedioUS.
charters, &c. The lordships and lands, belonging to this honourable family, were thus shared, as
I find, in respect to some of those daughters and heirs: Alice de Mohun, for her pur-
party, had the mannors of Thor, Waggeburgh, (now Wolburgh, near Newton-Bushel)
Kadele, Hulberton, Acford, Braworthy, and Axminster, in the county of Devon ; as
also the mannor of He, and 4^-. Id. ob. rent, issuing out of the manner of Trent, in
Com. Somerset. William de Percy, on behalf of his daughters, his wife being dead,
had the mannor of Langestoke and Rissel, in Com. Suth. Blithesworth, in Com.
'., ■ Northampt. Foston, in Com. Leic. '25s. Id. ob. rent, in Snainton, in Com. Nott. the
mannor of Raddon, in Com. Devon, and 39^". 2(/. ob. rent, issuing out of the mannor
of Trent, in Com. Somers. And Margaret, or Margery, de la Ferte, the mannors of
■ Sumburne, and Stockbrigg, in Com. Southampt. the mannor of Stoke, in Com.
Northam. and 20/. 4,y. ob. rent, in Snainton, in Com. Nott. What the particular
fortunes of the other sisters were, my author doth not declare ; nor is it very material
to enquire.
Thus ended this antient and noble family in this county ; which however it did not
continue long, (only about three generations) yet lived, for the time, in great splendour
and reputation : and so deeply intinged its name into several places of this shire, as
Tor-Bruer, Buckland-Bruer, &c. that time itself, which devoureth all things, hath not
been able, in 500 years, wholly to wash it out ; nor is it likely so to do in a much
longer space to come.
A certain author tells us of another family of this name Brewer, that came out of
=> Syiv. Morg. Gallia Belgica into England ; whose posterity took unto them the name of Batman.^
Sphere ofG^it ^^^ ^^ j^^^yg ^ny thing to say of these, is foreign to my purpose.
BREWER,
Fl..r.
A.
D.
1 ■iU.
R.
K.
Hen.
3.
( 12.5 )
BREWER, WILLIAM, LORD BISHOP OF EXETER.
Brewer, Willlam, Lord Bishop of Exeter, was born in this county, of noble
parentage ; but whose son he was, tis not so well agreed on among the antiquaries. '^De Pr^rsu .
Bishop Godwin," from Mr. Hooker, alias Vowel," says, That he was son of \\ illianib pri„t. Catai.
Brewer, Kt. who married the daughter, and one of the heirs, of William de Verona or^fji'e Bp. ot
Vernon, Earl of Devon : and the annals of the church of Worcester,'^ seem to confirm. Apmivvhart.
the same, with these words, Williehnus, nepos Willielmi Briwerre, consecratur in*;|- ''"'• ^•
Episcopum Exon, &c. William, the nephew or grandson of William Briwer, was
consecrated Bishop of Exon, &c. And Dugdal tells r.s," that this Bishop was cousin^ Bar. v. i. p..
(but of what degree he doth not mention) of William Briwer the elder; for which he
quotes the authority of Leland's Itinerarium.
But this cannot be, if Dugdal himself, and a no less curious author in this n^^^ter^ ^.^j^^.^^^^.
than he,'= may be credited, when they say, That William Briwer the younger, diedj„n. 'ob. sme
without issue. And Fuller, in his Worthies of England asserts^ That this Bishop wasexim^^^i'abmt
the brother, not the son, of Sir William Briwer, Kt. the younger, (being so distin-slr wm Pole,
guished in his father's life-time) for which he cites the authority of Bp. Godwin afore- «^]^';*.j!j;^J',';:
said ; but it must be the English edition of that elaborate work, that thus informs him, by, a ms. tVii.
for the Latin doth not: how'ever he doth not seem well satisfied herein. Because, saith^o^^^'^;;;;^!.' '^^
he, two surviving brethren, both of the same name, are seldom seen in a family. Mr. thii.ijs.
Westcot too, agrees in the opinion, that the Bishop was brother to Sir William Brewer, ^'^'' -•'^'-'•
junior, whom he stiles Lord of Totnes and Tor-bay. So doth Mr. Hooker also, in
his MS. catalogue of the Bishops of Exeter; where he says. That Bishop Brewer was
a nobleman born, and brother to the Lord Brewer, Earl of Devon ; which mu.st be
understood of Sir William Brewer, juu. who married the eldest daughter and co-heir of
the Earl of Devon ; by virtue whereof (if ever he had it) he came by that title.
These difliculties and disagreements herein, among those learned men, (not being
well able as yet to reconcile them) made me look farther abroad; and coming to an
antient house of the name, at Teing, about two miles to the north of Newton-bushel,
in this county, I made diligent enquiry after this honourable prelate there ; where I >
found another family of this name, that flourished in that place, so far back as K.
Henry the Second's days: Anthony de la Bruer had his dwelling there in that King's
reign, whom succeeded William de la Bruera, who married Angalesa, daughter of
William Briwer the elder, as I take it, of Tor-bruer, and sister to William Briwer the
younger;- and had issue, Sir Jetfery de Bruer, Kt. (a benefoctor to the Abby of Tor)"|^^^;|]i^^'^^"'^d«
who had issue. Sir AVMlliam de la Bruer, Kt. whose daughter and heir, Eva,' brought ig^ei sa (after-
that inheritance to her husband, Thomas Graas ; from whence the place formerly ^^^''^^'^^"Ij',',^'
called Teign-Bruer, (tho' it hath not yet lost that name) is now commonly called sororWiii.Bn-
Teign-Graas. But after my strictest enquiry here, I could not find any ground to build "^^'^^^"'Jj,!'!'^,
a conclusion upon, that this Bishop came from this house; which gave a ditferent amu, Ms.
coat of arms from his, viz. Silver four gemels B. over all a Cheveron ingrailed gul.'' , j^, 'j', ^^5^
I was forced therefore to go back again, and make a farther search after this Right of Devon, in
Reverend person, at Tor-bruer ; and here I find suflicient reason to fix his birth, and ]yjg= '
(as I think) to conclude him to be the younger son to the Lord William Briwer, the J|, sir w. Pole's
elder ; for if the having of two sons of one name in the same family at once, be all the ^y '
objection can be made against it, that weighs but little ; for this was no strange thing
in this countiy heretofore, as might be made appear, if it was needful, by many
examples.
In my farther confirmation whereof, I might here produce a copy of the charter,
granted by the Lord William Briwer, the elder, for settling the site of the Abby of
Tor,
126 • THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Tor, in the place of St. Saviour's Church there, which is attested by divers prelates,
and other great persons: among whom are two of the name of William Brivver ; both
which I take to be the sons of the founder: the last of which is thus distinguished, in
two several manuscripts I have by me, Will, de Brigwere filio meo, Subdiacono Dovera.
What tlie v/ords may import, I shan't undertake to determine ; although tliey seem to
' Monost. Ang. imply, that this son was a clergyman. But then I shall not conceal it, that Dugdal,'
in Ad. deToi. j,g^,jj^ji^g this Same deed, instead of Subdiacono Dovera, hath Fulberto de Dovera;
making it the name of a man, and a distinct witness. But leaving it to others, who
are better able, and more at leisure, to unty this knot, I shall proceed to the more
particular history of this honourable Prelate's life.
AVhere he had the education of his youth, whether in England, or any foreign
countries, we are not certain ; although, likely enough it is, he spent some time among
the Muses at Oxford. And in those days also, many of our English convents were
eminent nurseries of learning, as well as of religion ; insomuch, 'tis no strange thing
that he came to excel in both, as hereafter we shall find he did.
The first account we have of him is, when he was well advanced in years ; who
being of noble birth, and his father, as I take him to be, at that time, of the Privy
"•Speed's Hist. Council to K. Hen. 3," grew great also at court; where being in favour with Peter de
K.^H.^3!'p!"RiipilJus, Bishop of Winchester, (that after the death of Marshal the great Earl of
58i°,i5- Pembroke, governed all, in the minority of that King)" and of very ieminent accom-
plishments likewise, he was preferred to the Bishoprick of Exeter, and was consecrated
" Godwin deon the Feast of the Passover, anno 1224. So one author tells us,° on the 30th of
Mzac!Mem"of December, 1225. So another,P by Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, at
Exet.p. 7. what time, that King was about eighteen years of age.
In those days, Gregory the 9th, (as his predecessor also had been before him) was
very earnest in stirring up Christian princes, and others, to endeavour the recovery of
Jerusalem and the Holy Sepulchre, out of the hands of the infidels: to which end the
Croisado was published, /. e. the Pope's bull of great encouragement, to all that would
undertake the voyage; who were solemnly to be signed with, and to wear the badge of
^vid.Piat.Yit. the cross. In this pious and noble exploit, several Christian princes'' engage them-
^'^'^"' ^' selves, especially Fredric the Second, Emperor of Germany, who Avent in person ;
whether voluntarily, or by compulsion of the Pope, let others enquire.
Nor were the great men less zealous here in England, who raised a potent army, of
no less than 40000 men, which they put under the conduct of Peter de Rupibus, Kt.
'Isaac quo su. and Bishop of Winchester, and William Brewer, Bishop of Exeter;' so a late author
''"■ expressly tells us. Although I must confess, I find little or no mention of this expe-
dition in our English chronicles, written by Stow, Speed, and Baker.
Now if any would know how they could prevail with so many persons voluntarily to
undertake so long and dangerous a voyage, they may understand, tiiat this was done
in a time, when, although there might be less knowledg of, there was more zeal for,
religion, than in the present ostentatious age. And farther, what might most prevail,
'Speeds Hist, the Pope' kept much adoe, oft'ered great priviledges and encouragements, which were
K.^H.^''p!°every-where zealously preached by his fryers. That whosoever foUoweth the Croisado,
i84- though they were polluted with any ever so hainous offence, parricide, incest, sacri-
ledg, or the like, he was presently acquitted, both from the sin and punishment of it.
Now, however, we may not suppose, that this Christian army did consist of all, or
the greatest part, of such as those; yet if so great a blessing, as the pardon of all,
even the most hainous sins, might be obtained, on so easy a penance, as the taking on
them the sign of the cross, and fighting against the Saracens, to redeem the Holy
Sepulchre out of their profane hands, that must needs much increase their numbers.
Having thus gotten together so vast an army, our Bishop Brewer and the Bishop of
•Isaac quo an Winchester afovcsaid, were constituted the two general captains,' who undertook the
***• conduct
BREWER, WILLIAM, LORD BISHOP OF EXETER. 12?
conduct thereof accordingly. And setting out about the year of our Lord 1227, safely
arrived at the city of Aeon in Phoenicia, called also Ptolomais; where they met the
Emperor Frederic, before-mentioned. To which agree the annals of the church of
U mchester," sc. an. 1227, Petrus Episcopus Winton. & Willielmus Episcopus Exon. " i.. Whar,.
arnpuerunt iter, versus Terram Sanctam. Here these great Prelates of the church ^°^''- ^^''- "*'•
militant, continued about the space of five or six years; with what particular success ^'^'"^'"''
may be seen in Fuller's H. War;- and then returned with safety into their own - vid. Fui. h.
country, where with great joy they were received^ in the year 1233. }^'''' '• ^' '■'•
This Bishop so wisely and discreetly behaved himself,' that he was had in great ^"'mV- Isaac
reputation aniong all men, and in special favour with the King, who made him one ^'a™' "*" ^^■
ot his Privy Council; and as a farther manifestation of his ^Royal Grace towards 'H«ok. print.
him, K. Hen. having given his sister, the Lady Isabella (a beauteous youn- lady o^^Exe?" '^*"-
about twenty years of age) in marriage to Frederic of Germany, Avith a portion of
thirty thousand marks,' (hardly the fortune of a private gentleman's daughter in this' Speed ,uo
age) he commended her to Bishop Brewer's care, to be conducted to the Emperor • *"p- p- ^5«- n-
although he had sent hither tho.se great persons, the Archbishop of Collein and the"'"
Duke ot Lorrain to be his ambassadors.
The King brought them to Sandwich, with the noble train of about three thousand
horse, where taking ship in the month of May, Anno 1235, in a day and a night's ■n.id n 51
space, they arrived at Antwerp, a city of the Empire. And such was the fame and
good report spread of this bishop, saith my author," That, as he passed through the ^ Hook. i„ ,„e
countries, they were from place to place received with great honour: and bein- come ?""'• t'^""'- <"■
tothecty of Collein, the Archbishop there did not only very honourably entertain E^on.'^"^- "'
them, but also accompanied them unto the city of Worms, where the Emperor met
them, and the marriage was forthwith solemnized, with great magnificence ■ there
being present at it three Kings, eleven Dukes, thirty Marquesses and Earls, besides a
number of great Prelates.'
AVhen tins Bishop had seen the marriage celebrated, and all other things relatino- ^^ ''"''•""• '"'
his embassy worthily performed, he took his leave of their Imperial Majesties and
with many great and noble presents, was dismissed, and honourably accompanied
homewards by the Archbishop aforesaid, and many other persons of quality
At his return into England, he was joyfully received of all the noblemen about the
court, and most graciously by the King himself; whom his Majesty used as his snecial
and most trusty councellor, in all his weighty causes. How long he continued at
E^ter ""''^'^'"" ' """^ ""^ '^"^^'^ S'own aged, he retired to his diocess, and palace at
He being come home to his own house, and minding, as his predecessors had done
to leave some good memorial behind him, did erect and constitute a Dean, and four and
tujnty Prebendaries within his cathedral church. And upon the thii'd Sunday in
Advent, mstalled Serb (w nch shews the antiquity of the nameSerl in this count/- a
Robert berl, the enth Lord Mayor of London, an. 12l6;Mn which office he continied. Bak chro„
for SIX years doth elsewhere) the Archdeacon of Exeter, the first Dean thereof- unto-K^He'r!:T'
whom and his successors, for the maintenance of hospitality, he impropriated Braun-
ton which l.eth on the east side of the Bar of Barnstaple, near the north^ and Col I'on-
Ralegh, situated near the South-Sea, in this county, for ever
He also purchased so much land for his Prebendaries, as every one of them had
yearly four pounds some say three pounds and twelve shillings, de claro pro pane &
^le, towards their bread and salt, the greatest necessaries for the sustentation ^of hu
donuplVnr. "i ""^°"^'?^^"* afterwards, in Bishop Gauden's time, that constant and
eloquent preacher, was increased to twenty pounds a peice, anno 12 Car 2 I66O
nf thU ^P'i^Pj^' ^^^'^ Prelate is said to be the founder of the four principal dignities
.of the church of Exeter, sc. The Dean, the Chantor, the Chancellor, and the Trea!
- surer;
128 f THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
' Loc quo sup. surer; but the three latter are not taken notice of as such, either by Hooker or Godwin.*
They rather ascribe them to another, viz. Bishop Quivel wlio succeeded in this see,
anno 1'2S0. For he was the first, saith Mr. Hook, that instituted a Chanter and a
Sub-dean in his church; to the one he impropriated the rectories of Painton and
Chudleigh in this county ; and to the other the rectory of Egloshele in Cornwal. He
also is said by Bishop Godw. to have founded the chancellorsliip of the cluirch of
Exon; with injunction to him that should sustain that oflice. That he should conti-
nually read a lecture to the Canons of Divinity, or on the Decretals: For which
purpose he impropriated the parish of St. Newlin in Cornwal, and Stoke-Gabriel in
Devon : which, should he fail to do, it may and shall be lawful for the Bishop to
resume the said parsonages impropriated, and bestow them at his pleasure. As ap-
f Print. Cat. ofpcareth, saith Hooker,' by the said grant, under the seals of the said Bishop, Dean
in Q'ufvei?^^"" ^"'^ Chapter, dated the lith of the calends of May, 1283. But of that there is no
need nor danger, forasmuch as a pious lecture upon this account is duly preached
once a week, at si.K a clock prayers in the morning, in the choir of the cathedral
church of that city.
Bishop Brewer also, according to the devotion of those times, and the example of
one of his ancestors, founded a priory of nuns in the parish of Heavitree, at Polslo,
lying a little more than half a mile without the east gate of the city of Exeter, to the
e Monast. Ang. 'honour of St. Catherine. This was founded, saith Dugdal,^ by Bishop Brewer
vol. i.p. 545. Frater Guhelmi Bruer, avunculi Johannis Regis. The brother of William Brewer, the
uncle of King Joiui. Which the Bishop endowed with the manner of Polslo ; and at
the suppression of those religious houses here in England, it was found to be of the
yearly value of 164/. 8s. lid.
This, at the surrender that was made of these houses in K. Hen. 8's time, became
the possession of Sir Arthur Champernon, a younger son of Modberry-house in this
>• Sir w. Poles county.'" I supposed at first, it had been part of that, which one of this name and family,
iu'^Poisio. MS? then great at court, got by implicite faith; who seeing some courtiers on their knees
begging something of the King (Hen. 8) and believing they would not ask any thing
to their prejudice, kneeled down among them ; whose suite being soon granted, they
denied Champernon any share of the boon; saying he was none of their company:
He appealing to the King, whether or no, he was included in that royal bounty ? it
was declared that he was. Whereby I thought that Polslo had fallen to his share ;
■ Lib. 2. p. 109, but Mr. Carew, in his Survey of Cornwal, tells us,' it was the priory of St. Germans in
''■ that county, valued at 243/. 8s. yearly rent, which was thus gotten ; and afterwards
J sold to Mr. Eliot, from whom it took the name (which it still retains) of Port-Eliot.
However this was, Sir Arthur Champernon had it, and exchanged it with one Ail-
T>- . ■ T, ■ worth of London^ for the more noble seat of Darlington near Totnes in this county;
MS. where his posterity still flourishes in worshipful degree. Polslo at length became the
inheritance, and is now the residence of the gentile family of Isaac; Colonel Sebastian
Isaac inhabiting there: whose eldest sister, Frances, became the wife, and is now the
relict of William Cholditch, of Cholditch, in the parish of Cornwood, near Plymouth,
' Ex Autogr. Esq. whose coat armour is thus emblazoned.'
" Per pale or and arg. 3 chevrons sab. over all, a file of as many lambeauxes gul.
crest. On an helm a wreath of his coUours, a lion's paw crazed sab. supporting a
shield per pale or and arg. mantled gul. double arg.
His younger sister, Mary, became the wife of George Prestwood, of North-Huish,
Esq. who was Iligh-Sherifl' of this county, anno 1692, whose ancestor several gene-
rations back, transplanted himself from Worcestershire (where the present gentleman
still possesses a fair paternal estate) into this county. He bears sab. a lion ram-
pant, between two flasks or.
This Bishop also, was not only good to the church, but to the poor ; those of them
especially.
BREWER, WILLIAM, LORD BISHOP OF EXETER. 129
especially, which are the most worthy objects of our charity, the sick and infinn :
For he founded the Lazar-House of S. Mary Magdalen, without the south gate of
that city," for such poor people as were infected with that then spreading disease of"isa.Mera.p.
the leprosy; whose patron the Bishop was, and his successors were intended to have"*
been ; but that a permutation was made between the Bishop and Mayor, and
Chamber of Exeter, That the Bishop and his successors should from thenceforth be
patrons of St. John's Hospital in that city, and the Mayor and Citizens should be
patrons of that of St. Mary Magdalen ; which they continue to be this day.
This Right Reverend, and Honourable Prelate, having well governed his church
nineteen years and upwards, on the 24th of July died, anno 1244, and was buried
in the middle of the choir of his own church; on whom lieth a fair! marble stone,
having this inscription, still legible, engraven on it.
Hie jacet Willielmus Brewer quondam hujus Ecclesias Cathedralis Episcopus :
Fundator etiam quatuor principalium ejusdem ecclesiae dignitatum.
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
CHOLWICH, of Cholwich-town, in tlie parish of Coinwood. The representation of this antient fa-
mily, is vested in the present John Burridge Cholvvich, of Farringdon, Esq. the elder line, which was seated at
Oldstone, in tiiis county, having become extinct.
BRIAN,
130 .'' : THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
BRIAN, LORD GUY.
Fior. A. D. Brian, Lord Guy. That he had his birth at the place where his ancestors had
Edw.sd'. their residence, and that they had their residence at the place from which they
took, or to which they gave, their name, we may reasonably conclude ; and that
was Tor-Bryan, a small parish, lying about three miles to the south of Newton-
bushel in this county. Here were lately seen near the church, some remains of an
antient noble house, some time the seat and habitation of this honoural>!e family.
The place derivcth its name, partly from the rocks and torrs which there abound,
especially about the church ; and partly from its antient lords the Brians : for this
■ Id. ibid, in was the long continued inheritance of this noble progeny.* The heirs male whereof,
Tor-Bryan, ^g jg observed, Were always called Guy, from tlie beginning of K. Hen. '2 reign, unto
the latter end of K. Rich. 2, which is more than two hundred years.
>■ Vol.?. p. 151. Dugdal in his baronage of England,'' acknowledges, That be had not seen any
mention of this name, until the 29 K. Henry. 3, that Guy de Brien received command
to assist the Earl of Glocester against the Welsh ; Avhereas we find it flourished in these
parts long before, even so far back as the days of K. Hen. 2, when we meet with Sir
' Sir ^V- Pole's Guy de Bryan, of Torbryan in this county
Dcscr. ot Dcv. v v ■- -
ill his Cat. of The same learned antiquary farther says,"* That the chief seat of this family was
h."|''ms'" ^' 1'"^ ^^^^ marches of Wales, as he doth guess. If he hath no better authority for it than
" Dugd. quo a bare guess, then it may be lawful for us to guess also : And from the continual mar-
»"P- riages of this family for divers generations following, with gentry in these parts, we
may guess, it had its chief residence in this county. Thus Guy de Bryan, of Slap-
ton and Tor-bryan, married Eve, the sole daughter and heir of the Lord Henry de
<■ Dugd. ut an-
tes Tracy,^ whose dwelling was at Barnstaple, and sometimes at Taustock near adjoyn-
ing. Guy de Brian, in King Henry the third's time, married the lady .Tone de la
' Sir vv. Poles p^ig^ of Pole,' in Slapton aforesaid. Sir Guy, his son, married Sybella, daughter
I'n^'or-Biian' of Walter de SuUey, of Iddeslegh, (by whom he or his posterity came to be lord of
and Slap. MS. Q^cat Torringtou. Sir Guy, his son, Jonc de Carevv. The Lord Guy de Bryan mar-
ried Anne, the daughter and heir of William Ilolway, of Holway, by whom he had
issue, Anne, wife of Sir John Gary, the judge; all Devonshire families. Which may
^ preponderate, in the ballance of opinion. That this noble personage was also born
here.
That they had a great estate in Wales, and that the castle of Walvveyn in the
county of Pembroke\vas theirs, as Sir William Dugdal informs us, I readily grant :
So they had in Surrey, Middlesex, Dorset, and elsewhere, as well as there ; which
is no argument, but" this Lord Guy de Brian, might have been a native of thi.s
province.
He was a great man in the days of K. Edward the third, and a person of eminent
« Dncd. ibid. j-,Qf g .g ^f vvhom that learned antiquary quoted in the margent, gives the following ho-
nourable history.
Guy Lord Brian, was standard bearer to King Edward the third, in that notable
fight he had with the French at Calais, in the twenty-third year of his reign, anno
Dom. 1349. Where, behaving himself at that time with great courage and valour,
in recompeuce thereof, he had a grant of two hundred marks per an. out of the ex-
<;hequer, during life.
In the twenty-fourth of the same King, he obtained a charter for free-warren, in
all his demesn lands in Surrey, Middlesex, Dorset, Devon, and Wales.
After
BRIAN, LORD GUY. 131
After this, anno twenty-sixth of the same reign, he was constituted one of" the
commissioners for arraying of men, in the counties of York and Berkshire, for de-
fence of the realm, against the French, then threatning an invasion.
Two years after this, Sc. anno 28 Edward the third, 1354. He was one of the
ambassadors, with Henry, Duke of Lancaster, and others, then sent to Rome, to
procure a ratification of the league between England and France, from the pope ;
and attending the King the year after, in his expedition into France, he was made a
banneret; i. e. knighted in the field under the banner royal : Having license for the
better support of that dignity, to purchase lands of 200/. per an. value, to himself and
his heirs.
In the 33d Edw. 3d, he was again in the wars of France ; so likewise the year fol-
lowing, where continuing in the King's service, he had respite for the payment of
such debts as were due from him for the ferm of the mannor of Westcot.
After this, anno 35 Edward the third, he was again sent ambassador to the court of
Rome, upon important business : and the King engaged himself to indemnify him for
any loss or detriment he might receive in that journey.
In the thirty-seventh of that King, he obtained a grant of the mannor of Northam,
near Bytheford in this county ; which belonged to the abby of Caen in Normandy.
Then went he once more into the wars of France, anno 43 Edward the third, and
the same year was made admiral of the King's fleet against the French ; and in the
forty-fifth Edward the third, he was employed in the Scottish wars.
In all which honourable employments, he behaved himself with so great satis-
faction to his prince, that he was elected into the society of the knights of the
most noble Order of the Garter : An order first founded by this King in the 23rd
year of his reign, anno Dom. 1348, now of the greatest honour in Europe of that
kind.
Nor was this noble person in the service and favour of this prince only, but upon
his decease, he succeeded in that also of King Richard the second, his grandson; and
served him with good success by sea and land: In whose court and time, this Lord
Brian was of that reputation, that he was constituted one of the commissioners to
treat with John, Duke of Brittany and the Earl ofMontfort, for a league of friendship
with King Richard ; being the same year in that expedition made into Ireland, with
Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March.
Thus far of the military actions of this Lord Brian, whereby he approved himself
a great soldier.
Let us next consider him also in his religious deportment ; and according to the
devotion of those times, we shall find him to be a good christian. For he founded
a chauntrey for four priests, to sing service every day, in the chapel of our lady,
within the mannor of Slapton, lying about four miles from Kingsbridg in this county ;
which he endowed with lands of ten pounds per annum value ; as also with the
advowsan of the church of Slapton. After the dissolution, it was purchased by
Ameredeth ; whose grandson sold it unto Sir Richard Hawkins, Kt. the famous sea
captain.
This Lord Guy de Brian was a baron of parliament, unto which he was summoned,
from the twenty-fourth of Edward the third, until the thirteenth of King Richard the
second; soon after which he died. Dugdal tells us,'' That he married Elizabeth," Quo supra-
daughter to William Montacute, Earl of Salisbury : but it must be understood of his
second wife, for his first was Anne, daughter and heir of William Holway, of Hol-
way. Esq ; as was said before.
He departed this life, Wednesday next after the Feast of the Assumption of the
blessed Virgin, anno 14th of King Richard 2d, 1391, being then seised of the man-
nors of Northam, Slapton, and Tor-brian, in this county.
S2 ■ By
132 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
« InTor-bri. By his second wife, whom Sir William Pole' calls Margaret, he had issue two sons,
Guy and William. The younger, who was a knight, and captain of the castle of
Merk, in the marches of Calais, died anno 21st Richard 2d, without issue. Guy,
his eldest son, left two daughters, and heirs to their grandfather, (their father dying
before him) married to Devereux and Lovel.
The eldest, Philippa, (whose second husband was Sir Henry le Scrope, Kt.) for her
purperty, had in Devon, the mannor of Northam, two manners in Somerset, and one
in Dorset, called Pomknolle, with the advowsan of that church. Elizabeth, the
youngest, was the wife of Robert, the son of John Lovell, whose share was the man-
nor of Donhed, in the county of Somerset, the Isle of Londy, with the lordships of
Dartmouth, Clifton, and Hardness, in Devon.
Thus ended this noble family.
BRIDGEMAN,
( 133 )
BRIDGEMAN, JOHN, LORD BISHOP OF CHESTER.
JjRIDGEMAN, John, Lord Bishop of Chester, was born in the city of Exeter, Fior. a. d.
not far from the palace-gate there, of honest and gentile parentage. His father wascar^i. "
Edward Bridgeman, (Note \.) sometime high sheriff of that city and county, for the
year of our Lord 1578. ' Who his mother was I do not find. »lz. Cat. ofthe
Having very good natural parts, and being observed to be well disposed towards ^'""^' " ^'""''
books and learning, he was carefully kept at school, until he was thought fit to be
transplanted thence to the university, Avhich was done accordingly ; and he became a
member of Magdalen-College, in Cambridg ; after that a fellow, and lastly the master
thereof ' **• o^on.
Par 1 D 7R3
Having commenced master of arts at Cambridg, he was admitted ad eundem at
Oxford, Jul. 4, 1600. After this he proceeded doctor of divinity : which is the high-
est degree a scholar can receive, or the university bestow.
Being now of noted learning, a pious life, and courteous deportment, he was ad-
mitted, by K. Jam. 1, of blessed memory, into the number of his domestick chaplains;
by whose gracious favour he became rector of the church of Wigan, in Lancashire,
in the year of our Lord 1615, valued at SO/. \3s. Ad. per annum; the second best
benefice in that county, as Winwick is the first, which in the King's books is rated at
102/. 9.f. 8f/. a year.' 'ValorBene-
Afterwards he A\as, by the same his royal master. King James the first, preferred '
to the bishoprick of Chester, raised by King Henry the 8th, out of the ruines of the
abbies and monasteries here in England. He was consecrated at the same time at
Lambeth, with Doctor Hovvson, bishop of Oxford, and Doctor Searchfield, bishop of
Bristol, viz. on the 9th of May, 1619'^ Which see being of no great yearly value, "Atb. Oxon.
for so high a charge, but four hundred and twenty pounds per annum; he was made, '*'"'• P-^si-
A. 1621, rector of Bangor also, which he held in commendam.
For many years did this learned and pious divine continue the faithful and watch-
ful bishop of this church; though how long exactly I cannot learn. In that memo-
rable year 1641, when the unchristian rabble were encouraged, by no mean preten-
ders to Christianity, to bawl down, and mawl down, protestant bishops, as they came
in their barges to the parliament-house at Westminster, this reverend prelate was then
living: however, whether detained at home by age, or hindered by some other occa-
sion, he was not present in the house, to joyn in the protestation made by his right
reverend brethren, against the proceedings of that parliament." Hence he happily 'Fuiich. Hist,
escaped that long and tedious imprisonment, unto which most of them, notwithstand- '^'^■*'" P-'^^^'
ing their great years, and their greater piety and learning, who subscribed it, were
confined for eighteen weeks together.
Such was this prelate's merit, that there is this lionourable character of him, trans-
mitted to posterity, that he was as ingenious as grave; and a great patron of those
gifts in others, he was the happy owner of in himself^ He was thirty years bishop of'LiojdsMem.
Chester, and every year maintained, more or less, hopeful young men in the univer- •*■ *'''"
sity, and preferred good proficients out of it : by the same token, some, in those
times, turned him out of his livings, whom he had raised into theirs. He was a good
benefactor unto Chester (the particulars whereof are not come to hand) but a better,
under God, to England, in his son the late honourable
Sir Orlando Bridgeman, sometime Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas; after
that Master of the Rolls ; then lord-keeper of the great seal of England, under our
late gracious soveraign King Charles the 2d, who was a sufl'erer in his majesty's cause,
and a great honour to it. His moderation and equity being such, in dispensing the
King's
134 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
King's laws, that he seemed to cany a chancery in his Ijreast in the common pleas :
endearing, as well as opening the law to the people, as if he carryed about him the
King's conscience as well as his own.
A clear example, that the sons of married clergymen are successful and accom-
plished, as the children of those of other professions : contrary to the reflection of
some of the church of Rome, who, against nature, scripture, and primitive practise,
forbid the bans of clergymen within their own church, and bespatter them without.
Though by this, and divers other illustrious instances, they might easily observe, that
the sons of the English married priests, prove as good men, generally, as the nephews
of the Roman cardinals : although I must beg pardon for this digression.
This learned and holy prelate. Bishop Bridgeman, lived to enjoy the blessings of a
good old age ; for after the continuance of about thirty years (as was said before)
bishop of the church of Chester, he fell asleep in the Lord at his palace at Chester,
aforesaid, near the year 1649, (Note 2. J which was the next year after the fearful
perpetration of that horrible murther, by the worst of hypocrites, on the best of
Kings. He lieth inter'd in his own church there ; whether with or without any fu-
neral monument, I can't at this distance easily inform my self.
This holy prelate was famous in himself, but more famous in his son Sir Orlando
Bridgeman, before mentioned : a gentleman of great piety, as well as honour and
integrity ; and was the first Englishman King Charles the Second advanced to the
degree of a baronet, after his happy restoration : whom God so signally blessed, that
e Giandine of out of his loyns proceeded two honourable families,^ which flourish this day in the
Biidgm. north of England, viz. Sir John Bridgeman, of Great Leaver, in the county of Lan-
caster, and of Castle-Bromwich, in the county of Warwick, baronet; and Sir Orlando
Bridgeman, of Ridley, in the county of Chester, baronet. fNok' 3.)
One of this name, probably, was sometime abbot of Tavistock, in this county, who
(as we guess) builded the house in Exeter, now called the Bear-inn, for the use of that
abbot, when he came to this city. Which we may infer from the arms of Ordulf, the
founder of that abby, and of the abby itself, there yet to be seen in painted glass, in
the great window of the dining-room ; and between the two coats from a rebus of this
- name, a man standing on a bridge, q. Bridgeman. On the out side of the window is
an old inscription not legible.
ADDITIONAL NOTES.
(1.) Edward Biidgman, the first of this family, wlio settled in Devonshire, was a younger son of William
Bridgman, of Dean-magna, in Gloucestershire, where his ancestors had resided for some generations.
(2.) The date of the death, and the place of the burial, are stated erroneously. Bishop Bridgman died at
his son's house at Moreton, near Oswestre. in Shropshire, and was buried at Kinuersley church, adjacent ;
where, on a blue-stone, in the chancel, is this inscription, without a dale: " Hie jacet sepultus Johannes Bridg-
man, Episcopus Cestriensis." This plain and brief memorial being deemed insufficient, a handsome monument
was alterwards erected by his great grandson, on which is the following inscription ;
M. S.
Reverendi aduiodum viri, Johaniiis Bridgman, Episcopi Cestriensis : qui iniquitate teraporum, quibus factio et
usurpatio valebant, ab episcopal! sede depulsus, ad ajdes filii sui, apud Moreton, se contulit ; ubi latens pietati
precibusque vacabat, et tandem suaviter dormiebat in Christo ; cujus reliquiK mortales sub marmore juxta hunc
parietem locatE, in resurrectionem supremo die futuram, et omnibus Deo per Hdem inservientibus reconduntur.
In menioriam proavi sui optime meriti hoc monumcntum posuit Johannes Bridgman Baronetlus, 21 die Decem-
bris, an. Dora. 1719-
(3. J Sir Orlando Bridgman, of Ridley, was the eldest son of the Lord Keeper by a second marriage, and was
created a baronet in the 25tii year of Charles the Second. The title in tliis branch of the family is extinct. The
Lord Keeper's heir, his only son by his first marriage, was Sir John Bridgman, of Castle Bromwicii, Bart, who
dying in 1710, at the age of eighty, was succeeded by his son, Sir John, whose son and successor was Sir Or-
lando, who married Ann, tiiird daughter and co-heir of Itichard Newport, last Earl of Bradford, and had issue
Sir Henry, who oa the 13th of August 1794, was advanced to the peerage by lite title of Baron Bradford. He
was succeeded by his son Orlando, the present Lord Bradford.
BRITTE.
Flor. A. D.
( 135 )
BRITTE, WALTER.
BRITTE, Walter, a famous scholar, Avas born in that part of this kingdom which
verges towards the west, so Balfeiis tells us/ That indeed, is a very large county ; i^w. R. r.
though possibly the parish, and perhaps the house, wherein this gentleman was born, ^ex iUain.<iii«
may be pointed at by us this day. In great likelyhood, therefore, this eminent per- p^'te qua ad
son received his first breath at Stottescombe, in the parish of AVembiry, near Ply - v" sr'Xi
mouth, in this county : For, in that place, I find a family of this name, of great an- E'Ih. in 4to. p.
tiquity, and long continuance; supposed to have proceeded from the Brittish racc^'J""'.'*'
So far back as King Hen. 2d.'s time, I met with a knight of this name, in Devon, Sir ot^'oe'vl^ln"'
Richard Brito.'^ This family sometime took the name of Halgwell : which at length stoke-Dama-
they changed again into Britt, from a place so named, belonging to them. Guy delVir w. p„ies
Britt held Stottescomb, Halgwell, Walford, and Stoddon, anno 27 King Hen. 3, now <^''"'''- '<>( »"'-
above four hundred years ago. Four generations of the name Guy, followed one the i"!"h. T ms"
other ;^ after that succeeded three more, whereof Raph Britt was one, who was high- "t'Oiv.
sheriff of this county with Raph Beaupell, anno 21 King Edw. 3.' And then adaugh-' i^. iind. in
ter and heir of this name, brought this inheritance unto the knightly family of AVise, fs''i"!|v'^ p^^g-j
of Sydenham; whose issue male became lately extinct in that ingenious gent. Sir Cat! of tV^
Ediv. Wise, Kt. of tiie Bath. sj'^"-- "( Uev.
Having thus given a brief account of that antient house, in this county, from
which, in probability, this learned person did proceed, I shall now go on to a consi-
deration of his personal worth, and more particular accomplishments.
Being much addicted unto learning, for his better improvement therein, he went to
Oxford, and greatly admiring the most learned choir of Merton college, standing near
the banks of the river Isis, he was, at length, deservedly added to their number ;'( Martonei •
where following his beloved studies, he acquired a mighty fame for his terse and illus- um chorum*"
trious erudition. 5 doctissimum
Among other things, he diligently applyed himself to the study of the mathema- isiX, se7ox-
ticks; and made earnest court to those fair and coy mistresses : AVhose favour and in-und£ &°'i"se"
timate acquaintance he at last happily obtained. Being a joyful man at this his sue- '"<'"'" eo""»
cess, he did not imploy his time in lines, and numbers, and proportions, but with an numero!'BaT.
industry almost miraculous, he searched out the motion of the stars, and the courses ^ent. 6. page
of the heavenly bodies. ^°^"
Now at this time it so fell out, that WicklifTe, the phosphorus, or morning-star to in Zlml'nLnT
the day of reformation, began to shine forth at Oxford : Unto whom, for his christian [;;"tV^i\|,';'pr'',,d'.
and plainly apostolick spirit, this our Britt, as a faithful disciple, did adhere. AVhich tione.'teisaq;'
indeed is no small reputation to our country. That in those days of darkness, she ^^^''.'j'''"''"""^-
should produce one who did bare so early a testimony to the light.
AVickliiTe, in his sermons, and his exercises of the schools,'' took occasion of inveigh- » sir r. Bak.
ing bitterly against the abuses of the monks, and the religious orders of those tm^es:'"^-^^^-^-'
And by his doctrine won many disciples unto him ; professing poverty, going bare
foot, and poorly clad in russet.
Among other his doctrines, he taught, That neither King, nor secular lord, could
give any thing in perpetuity to church-men.
In this undertaking our Britt shews himself a very zealous champion. For when
his master AVicklifie, was either dead or banished, he knowing by what tricks andiArre tocaia
machins these monks endeavoured to overwhelm the truth, took up his pen, and, with >no vaLsimir
utmost power, bravely repelled their vain and weak efforts.' eoium conati-
Ihe pomt which he chiefly undertook to maintain, was that principle of his great ^•■■'"ci' '"sob-
^ ° , stitit. Bal. lit
master, sup.
13G THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
master, Tliat persons immerged in the possessions of worldly enjoyments, cannot but
oppose (as what is so contrary to their carnal love and interest) the eternal gospel of
God. Tiiis he endeavoured to make good from the authority of the Holy Scriptures j
and by very solid argument, in a Just discourse, written to that purpose, under this
title: De auferendis clero possessionibus. lib. 1.
" Fatuam iiiam Wherein he endeavours to shew,'' That the rich endowments of the church by the
lxc«claos''p7iu-^''"^! devotion of princes, doth prove the pestilent mother of Simony, and the nurse of
cipes dotatio- all vicCS.
Sniacsp™- He wrote also, Theoremata Planetarum, lib. 1. Tractatum Algorismalem, lib. 1.
tis atq; 0111- Dc Rebus Matliematicis, lib. 1.
aitricem""™™ With many other things, which he exquisitely composed : though through the neg-
Bai. utsupr. ligence and incuriousness of the times wherein he lived, the very titles of them perish-
ed before they descended to posterity.
What profession this learned person took upon him, and made his employment,
whether divinity or philosophy, or where he spent his latter days, whether in the uni-
versity or country, or what became of him, and where his ashes lye, we are wholly
at a loss, and cannot expect to be informed.
All the account which we have farther of him, is. That he was famous in the days
of King Rich. 2d, about the year of our Saviour Christ his incarnation, 1390.
There were two families of the name of Britt, as by their different armories may
' Sir w. Pole's appear' in this county.
iJThis'Descrip. Biitt of Stottcscombc, from which, I suppose, this gentleman descended, gave as
ofDev. before.
And Britt of Bathin, or Bachin's arms were — Argent 2 chevrons, paly of six or
and azure.
BRONSCOMBE,
( 137 )
BRONSCOMBE, WALTER.
BRONSCOMBE, Walter, Lord Bishop of Exeter, was a native of the same cityjfior- a. d
and born there of poor and mean parentage:" which I mention not in the least to dis-Hen.sd. '
parage the memory of this great prelate, but rather to his honour; That from the' Patre natus
disadvantage of so low a footing, he should be able to mount up so high. sed tenuissim*
Where, or under whom, he had his education, it doth not now appear; tho' plain sortis &^^^
_ ide praes.
cost of their friends: who keeping him to his book he being of a towardly and good inEpiscExou.
it is, he had a very liberal one; partly at the cost of his parents, and partly at the^^^^j
.461.
disposition, came to deserve at last, the character of a very well learned man.'' b u k rint
He was first arch-deacon of Surrey ; and from thence, on the death of Bishop Blon- cat?°of the
dy, he was advanced to the bishoprick of Exon, his native city. AVliat is not a little bishops of
remarkable, at the time of his election, 'tis said,*" He was no priest, and therefore not ^ '.^^.j
capable of any such dignity. But immediately he took that order upon him, and
forthwith he was consecrated bishop : all which being done within fifteen days space,
it was counted as for a miracle, for so many dignities to be cast upon one man in so
short a time, had not been lightly seen. He was elected bishop in February, and con-
secrated at Canterbury, by the hands of Boniface, archbishop thereof, March the
10th, 1257, says Godwin: March the 10th, 1258, says the register of the church of
Canterbury :'' which is a year odds. „ consecratus
And here it may not be concealed. That some have spoken less honourably of this a Bonjfac. in
reverend prelate, than became his character, or perhaps, upon a sober examination ot ^^J; jq^J^s.
things, than he deserved to have been; as if he got away several estates from the vvhrrt. ex re-
right owners by craft and guile ; unbecoming a churchman and a bishop. ^l^^^ .,puj'
Thus he is charged with tlie getting the mannor of Bishops-Clist, near Exeter, by a Angi. Sac. v.
trick ; the way thus. Sir Ralph Sachvile, lord of Clist-Sachvile, now from its latter ^' P" *'*°'
lords, called Bishops-Clist, being required to attend King Edward the first into
France,^ or as others will have it,' Prince Edward, in his voyage to the Holy Land, c poie of pev.
that he might put himself into an equipage suitable to his rank and quality, was forced '"**'*''• *^'.'**'
to mortgage these lands for a supply of moneys : which he did accordingly, to Dr. ciist-SadivUe.
Bi'onscombe, bishop of Exeter. The condition of which covenants ran, not only that
the bishop should be re-embursed his money, but that the knight at his return, should
satisfie him for all the expences and incidental charges his lordship should be out upon
the premises.
Sir Ralph being gone out of England, the bishop laid out so much money in stately
buildings, rich manurements of the land, strong fences, and the like, that at his return,
he found the charges to exceed the principal; and both together, the true value of
the thing. Whereupon the knight left it all at the bishop's disposal ; who made here
a very fair palace, which he left to his successors, bishops of Exeter; and in whose
hands it continued unto the days of bishop Voysey, who alienated it unto the Lord Rus-
sel; one of which right noble family about sixty years since, was pleased to part with
it : and sold the house and good part of the barten and mannor (the rest unto others)
to the ancestor of Richard Beavis, Esq ; whose pleasant and gentile habitation now it
is. A gentleman, who hath been much delighted in ringing, and most critically
skilled in tuning of bells, of any other in these parts. 'Tis a praise to be eminent in
any honest and ingenious faculty.
The bishop having thus secured Clist-Sachvile to his see, had a mind also to the
advowsan of the church of Sowton, then from its owner called Clist-Fomison ; and
there fell out a lucky occasion for the hitching in of that also; thus.
The bishop had a frier to his chaplain and confessor, which died in his house at
T Clist
138 . THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Clist aforesaid, and should have been buried at the parish-church of Farrindon, unto
which that house belonged : but because the parish-church was somewhat far off, the
ways foul, and the weather rainy, or the like, the bishop willed and commanded the
eHook. Print, corps to be carried to the parish-church of Sowton, near adjoyning.^ Mr. Fomison,
shopsV Exet.t'^6 1*5''^ and patron at that time of that parish, understanding the bishop was minded
inbp. Br. to make or claim a new way over his lands, without his leave or consent, calls
out several of his tenants and servants to preclude the passage. The bishop's
men being come with the corps, and finding their way stopped by the adverse party,
endeavour to open it by force; and meeting all on a narrow bridg over the Clist,
which parts the two parishes, they strive and contend so long, that in the end, my
lord's frier fell in the water. The which, the bishop took in so much indignation,
that a holy frier, a religious man, and his own chaplain, should be so irreverently
treated after he was dead, that he fell out with the gentleman ; and upon I know not
what pretences, proceeded to an excommunication against him ; until at length, he
was forced to purchase his peace and quiet, at the price of his advowsan aforesaid,
with a piece of land into the bargain, granted unto the bishop ; and which continues
in the hands of his successors unto this day.
These are the things, with I know not what story, of his wiping his dean and chap-
ter of Cornish- wood, for the enlargement of his barton at Clist, which do blur and ble-
mish the memory of this great man. 1 am no way willing (having suffered so severe-
ly under 'em) to become the advocate of oppression or injustice in any, though a fa-
ther. Nor yet can I consent, so reverend a person should have any stain stick to his
memory, whicli may fairly be wiped off.
We have here heard only one party, whose story is good until the others be told.
He in this time, luidoubtedly, could have made a just defence of himself herein. To
say nothing of Clist-Sachvile, which it seems was only answerable to the agreement
made between the bishop and the knight, the quarrel with Mr. Fomison was wholly
accidental, and undesigned of his lordship : the circumstances whereof, did we tho-
roughly understand 'em, would be found to make a great alteration in the case.
But shall we enquire farther into these things ? It will be no difficult matter to con-
jecture from whence all those stories and criminations came ; even from the malice of
those persons, who had deservedly participated of his lordship's justice : for he caused
the chancellor of his church, the register, the official, and the keeper of the seal to his
predecessor, to do open penance in St. Peter's church, at Exon, upon Palm-Sunday,
March 19, 1267, For false contriving and disposing of sundry spiritual livings of the
said church, under the former bishop's seal, without his privacv or consent, while he
Exe.T.5?' '^.y ^ ^y^'S"
Fruly, he who shall presume (be he bishop or other) so pnblickly to expose such
men as these, who might no more want for wit and parts to raise, than malice and re-
venge to spread and propagate such scandalous stories, must not expect to have his
• memory descend very fragrant to posterity. His mole-hill shall be bigger than
another's mountain; and a mote in his eye shall be held larger than a beam in their
own.
Shall we consider this prelate, not as represented by the malice of his adversaries,
but the impartial records of truth ; we shall find liim a person of great piety and
devotion, according to the times wiierein he lived. I shall therefore crave leave
,11. I . 1- to do that right and justice to his memory, as to insert some considerable instances
iims. joh. con-thereoi, as 1 find them recorded to his praise.
struxit intra pj . .j.j j, jj j g buildcd the hospital of St. John's within East-Gate, Exon;' or
portam on- ' ' i ,. riii 11/ i
entaiem Exon. rather, as I huiTibly conceive, repaired it; for it was founded by two brethren (whose
^"'^j^'^E^™' names were Long) before. However he was a considerable benefactor thereunto ;
Exon. settling upon it two estates at Clist and Rockesdon.
He
BRONSCOMBE, WALTER. 139
He also founded a noble college at Perin in Cornwal, consisting of a dean and
twelve prebends, to the honour of the blessed Virgin and S. Thomas of Canterbury.
And what is to be noted, it is said, He was admonished so to do by a vision in the night.
Nor did he raise the structure only, but endowed it also with good lands; insomuch,
that at the dissolution of monasteries in K. Hen. 8 time, the revenues thereof, with
some addition made thereunto, by Peter Quivel, his successor, in the see of Exeter,
amounted to the yearly value of '2.051. \Qs. 6d.
To his works of piety, let us farther add, the consideration of his devotion ; which,
according to the religion of those days, was very conspicuous. The holy angel Ga-
briel, being of so great interest in the court of heaven, S. Luke, 1, 19, I am Gabriel,
which stand in the presence of God, &c. he thought it a matter very useful, if not
meritorious, to institute in his church, a particular feastival to his name; and that
the people might not complain of the dearness of this super-added piece of devotion,
he appointed good lands to discharge the cost of the solemnity.
Farther, if credit may be given to his funeral monument and epitaph, (the best, and
all the record we have left us of many eminent persons) which we can't suppose him to
have contrived himself; we find there, he was willing all glory should be ascrib'd to
God alone, without the least conjunction therein, of saint or angel. And this hath
brought me to the consideration of his death.
This reverend prelate having well governed this church three and twenty years, de-
parted this life July 22, 1280, or as some will, 1281,'' and lieth interred under a very' Tz. Catai. of
noble alabaster tomb, which stands fair and undemolished this day, on the south-side^"''' "'^ ^'"'"•
of the Lad}^ Mary's chapel, in his own church at Exeter: the figure and device of
which monument is thus.
Against the side-wall of that chapel, is raised a bed of about three foot and half
high, whereon is laid the lively efligies of the deceased bishop, curiously cut out in po-
lished alabaster, in his episcopal robes, all at large, well painted.
Over which is a very stately arch, supported with marble pillars, and adorn 'd with
angels, neatly carved and painted in stone.
The first angel hath a label on his breast, with this inscription on it. Soli Deo ho-
nor & gloria.
The second angel hath this, Deum adora, omni die, omni hora,
His epitaph consisteth of twelve hexamiter verses ; six whereof are written in one
long continued line in fair characters, on the edge of the monument, which runs from
end to end; whereby we may guess at the length thereof, which, with the other six,
I shall subjoyn.
Olim sincerus pater, omni dignus amore Quot loca construxit.? Pietatis quot bona
Primus Walteius, magno jacet hie in honore. fecit ?
Edidit hie plura, dignissima laude statuta ; Quam sanctam du-xit vitam, vox dicere quae scit.'
Quae tauquam jura, servant hie omnia data. Laudibus immensis jubilet gens exoniensis,
Atq ; hoc collegium, quod Glasney plebs vocat Et chorus & turbae, quod natus in hac fuit urbe.
omnis, Plus si scire velis, festimi statuit Gabrielis :
Condidit egregium, pro voce datur sibi somnis. Gaudeat in caelis igitur, Pater iste fidelis.
Thus Englished :
This sincere father, worthy of love so high. What buildings he? What pious works did raise.?
Walter the first, doth iiere in honour lie. How holy too ? What tougue can speak his
He wholsome laws did for his church indite, praise ?
That all things safe might keep in peace and right. On this her high renown may Ex'ter glory.
Fair Glaseney college, as 'tis cail'd, he founded, In her was born the man so great in story.
Warn'd thereunto, b' a voice in's sleep, that Would you know more ? he made to Gabriel
sounded. (Heavens bless his pious soul !) a feastival.
The motto under his arms is suitable to, and well worthy of his function ; being
thus in English, Patience overcometh.
T 2 BROWNE,
140 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON
BROWNE, WILLIAM.
' Atii. Oxon. Browne, Wllliam, was bom at Tavistock, in this county, A. D. 1590.* His fa-
voi. 1. p. 419. tlier was Thomas Brown, of that place, gentleman; most likely a descendant from
the knightly family of Browne, of Brownes-Ilarsh, in the parish of Langtree, near
Great Torrington, in Devon : Where Sir Thomas Browne built a gentile house ; with
a park thereunto belonging, called Brown unto this day. This Sir Thomas was a
" Westc. ped. younger brother to the fantious Brute Brown,'' who was killed at sea, by the Spaniards,
MS. before Port-Rico : Of whose death Sir Francis Drake, the general, in the voyage,
said, I could grieve for thee, dear Brute ; but now 'tis no time to let down my spirits.
He had an elder brother called John, whose father was Thomas Brown, of Brownes-
Ilarsh, gent, his mother was Joan, daughter and heir of John Lene, of Cutmanslegh,
in Cornwal ; son and heir of John Lcnc, and Joan his wife ; sister and heir to Tho-
mas Wenwynnick, of Prust, in Cornwal. Tliis family, in the issue male, became
' Risii. Desc. cxtiuct in the last age, and the estate fell among distaffs." But to return,
of Dev. in William Brown, greatly addicted to books and learning, went to Oxford; where in
the beginning of K. Jam. 1 his reign, he spent some time among the muses ; into
whose favour he at length insinuated himself, and became one of their chiefest darlings.
From the university he went to the Inner Temple, at London, without any accade-
mical degree at this time conferred upon him. Several years after this he returned
unto Exeter college again, being then about four and thirty years of age : And be-
came tutor, or governour to Robert Dormer, of that house ; the same who was after-
Avards the stout Earl of Carnarvan ; and killed at Newberry, in the service of K. Char.
1, on the 20th of Septem. I64.j. At what time, though mortall}^ wounded, he was
more solicitous for the King's welfare than his own; breathing out his last with this
question. Whether the King was in safety ? dying with the same care of his Majesty
• Lloyd's Mem. that he lived.''
p-s^o. Ij-j lYiQ same year, to wit, 1624, was Mr. Browne actually created master of arts ;''
vrrl". i?*ii49. And that with a fair character, being stiled in tlie publick register, Vir omni humana
literatura, & bonarum artium cognitione instructus. One accomplished with all human
learning, and well instructed in the knowledg of all good arts.
A while after this did Mr. Browne leave the college with his pupil ; and became a
retainer to the Pembrochian family. He was beloved by that generous count, Wil-
liam, Earl of Pembroke ; so that he got wealth, and purchased an estate (which in a
- poet, is near as rare a sight as to see a black swan) ; but where it lay we are not told.
He had a great mind in a little body : a pregnant and flowing fancy, which addicted
him much to poetry. For which he became very famous ; especially after he had pub-
lished the poem, intituled,
I. Britannia's Pastorals, esteemed then, by judicious persons, to be written in a
sublime strain; and for subject, amorous and very pleasing. The first part of it was
printed at London, anno 161.3, folio. When it was ushered into the world, with seve-
ral copies of verses made by his learned acquaintance, (the most famous men of those
times; 'tis an honour to be seen in good company) such as were John Selden, Mi-
chael Drayton, Christopher Brooke, &c.
II. Tiie second part of Britannia's Pastorals, was printed at London, anno, 1616,
folio. And was likewise commended to the world, by various copies, made by John
Glanvile (our countryman), John Davies of Hereford, George Wither of Lincolns-Inn,
Ben. Johnson, Thomas Wenman of the Inner Temple, (some time publick orator of
the university) and others. These two books in folio, were re-printed in two volumes,
in octavo, A.D. 1625. He wrote also a poem thus intituled,
III. The
BROWNE, WILLIAM.
141
III. The Shepherd's Pipe, in seven eclogues, London, 1614, in octavo. The
fourth eclogue, is dedicated to Mr. Thomas Manwood, son of Sir Peter Manwood.
And the fiftii to his ingenious friend Mr. Christopher Brooke. He wrote also,
IV. An elegy on the never-enough bewailed death of Prince Henry, eldest son to
K. Jam. 1. A prince of more than the greatest hope ; for he was master of the great-
est virtues and rarest accomplishments of any other at that time in Europe. He wrote
also other poems, whose titles are not recorded.
As he had honoured his country with his elegant and sweet pastorals, so was it ex-
pected, and he also intreated' a little farther to grace it by his drawing out the line ot f^Carpent.
his poetick ancestors, beginning in Josephus Iscanus, and ending in himself. A noble ^^°f^
lib. 3.
design
if it had been effected; and what would have contributed much to the adorn-
ation of this work.
Nor shall I thus dismiss this ingenious person, without presenting you with a tast
of his poetick vein : which I shall do out of the first song, of the second book of his
Pastorals ; where speaking of a deformed woman, he thus paints her to the life -J u^frit,?.
" And is not she the queen of drabs ^"*'*' ^' " '
" Whose head is perriwig'd with scabs?
" Whose hair hangs down in curious flakes,
" All cuil'd and crisp 'd, like crawling snakes ?
" The breath of whose perfumed locks,
" Might choak the Devil with a p —
" Whose dainty twinings did entice
" The whole monopoly of lice, &.c.
But there's another poem ascrib'd unto this author, which, because it was never, as
I know, hitherto printed, is more historical, and no less facete and witty, I shall here
insert. It is the excursion of a luxuriant fancy, on the most antient town and bur-
rough of Lydford, lying in Dartmoor; the largest parish in the county or the king-
dom, the whole forest of Dart belonging to it : To whose parson or rector all the
tythes thereof are due. You must esteem this a satyrical description of what it was, (in
this poet's time, which was some scores of years since) rather than wliat it is at pre
sent; having met with some late improvements.
re-
I OFT have heard of Lydford law,
How iu the morn they hang and draw,
And sit in judgment after:
At first I wonder'd at it much ;
But since, I find the reason sucli,
As it deserves no laughter.
II.
They have a castle on a hill :
I took it for an old wind-mill,
The vanes blown off by weather :
To lye therein one night, 'tis guess'd,
Tuere better to be ston'd and press'd,
Or hang'd, now chose you whethei'.
III.
Ten men less room within this cave,
Than five mice in a lanthorn have,
The keepers they are sly ones.
If any could devise by art
To get it up into a cart,
'Twere fit to carry lyons,
IV,
When I beheld it, Lord! thought I,
What justice and what clemency
Hath Lydford, when I saw all !
I know none gladly there would stay ;
But rather hang out of the way,
Than tarry for a tryal.
V.
The prince an hundred pound hath sent,
To mend the leads, and planchens wrent,
Within this living tomb :
Some forty five pounds more had paid,
The debts of all that shall be laid
There till the day of doom.
VI.
One lyes there for a seam of malt ;
Another for a peck of salt ;
Two sureties for a noble.
If this be true, or else false news, ^
You may go ask of Master Crews, '
JohnVaughan, or John Doble.'
VII.
» The steward.
' Attorneys of
the court.
142
THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
VII.
More, to these men that lye in lurch,
There is a bridge, lliere is a church,
Seven ashes, and one oak:
Three houses standing, and ten down ;
They say the parson hath a gown.
But I saw ne'er a cloak.
VIII.
Whereby you may consider well,
That plain simplicity doth dwell
At Lydford, without bravery :
And in the town, both young and grave
Do love the naked truth to have ;
No cloak to hide their knavery.
IX.
The people all within this clime
Are frozen in the winter-time,
For sure I do not fain :
And when the summer is begun,
They lye like silk-worms in the sun,
And come to life again.
One told me in King Csesar's time,
Tlie town was built with stone and lime ;
But sure the walls were clay :
And they are fal'n for ought I see ;
And since the houses are got free.
The town is run away.
XI.
Oh ! Caesar, if thou there did'st reign.
While one house stands come there again.
Come quickly while there is one ;
If thou stay but a little fit.
But five years more, they will commit
The whole town to a prison.
XII.
To see it thus, much giiev'd was I :
The proverb saith. Sorrows be dij ;
So was I at the matter ;
Now by good luck, I know not how.
There thither came a strange stray cow,.
And we had milk and water.
XIII.
To nine good stomachs with our whigg,
At last we got a roasting pigg ;
This dyet was our bounds :
And this was just as if 'twere known,
A pound of butter had been thrown
Among a pack of hounds.
XIV.
One glass of drink I got by chance,
Twas claret when it was in France ;
But now from it much wider :
I think a man might make as good
With gi een crabs boyl'd, and Brazil wood.
And half a pint of syder.
XV.
I kiss'd the mayor's hand of the town.
Who, though he wears no scarlet gown.
Honours the rose and thistle :
A piece of coral to the mace.
Which there I saw to serve in place.
Would make a good child's whistle.
XVI.
At six a clock 1 came away.
And pray'd for those that were to stay
Within a place so arrant:
Wide nnd ope, thp winds so roar.
By God's grace I'll come there no more.
Unless by some Tyn Warrant.
" Westc. quo
supra.
'Tis said, that this town," in its best strength, was able to entertain Juhus Cassar,
at his second arrival here in Britain : But anno, 997, it was grievously spoil'd by the
inhuman Danes. Recovering again, it had, in the Conqueror's days, one hundred
two and twenty burgesses. This is still the principal town of the Stanneries, wherein
the court is held relating to those causes. But of this enough.
To return to Mr. Brown ; where or when he died I do not find : for I presume he is
a different person from him of the same name, who died at Ottery St. Mary, in this
county, in the year of our Lord 1645. Nor have 1 met any thing else memorable of
him.
BUDEOKSHED,
( 143 )
BUDEOKSHED, ROBERT, ESQ.
Flor. A. D.
1400. R. R.
CUDEOKSHED, Robert, Esq. was born in this county, about the year of our Lord"'"'^"
one thousand three hundred and sixty, at the antient mansion-house of the family,
called by the same name, lying in the parisli of St. Budeox, a daughter church to the
town of Plymouth, near three miles to the north thereof^ on the east side of the river
Tamer, over-against Salt- Ash, which standeth on the Cornish slioar.
This name, as most other antient ones were, was variously written, as Bodokshed,
Budokside, Budeokshed, and now vulgarly Budshed. A family this was of great note
and antiquity in those parts: For Alan de Budokside lived in this place in the days of
Knig Hen. 3' whom succeeded, in the male line, no less than thirteen generations. 'Sir w. Pole-j
They all matched into very honourable families of this and the neighbouring- P«^"-°'"D"-
counties, as Pomeroy, Halwel, Strode of Parnham, Prouz, Trencreek, ChampernonVMS.'
and divers others.
This gentleman, of whom we are speaking, married Ann, daughter of Sir Thomas
Pomeroy ; by whom he had issue Thomas Budokshed, high-sherilT of the county of
Devon, an. 26 King Hen. 6. They much advanced their patrimony by marrying the
daughters and heirs of Trevalloade, and Trencreek of Trenhall ; which last was the
mother of Robert, now before us.
He was a person of great worth, and deserves a place in tlie register of honour :
More especially for two qualifications, the best ornaments of a christian and a gentle-
man, his piety and his charity.
Such was his piety, that he was the sole founder of the now i)arish church of St.
Budeox, aforesaid ; a very neat and handsome pile. This he did for the better and
more decent solemnizing the worship and service of Almighty God. A work most
deserving honour and esteem, above other, in the just acknowledgment of all, who
have any veneration to religion. 'Twas the great argument which the Jews made
use of to our Saviour, why he should heal the centurion's servant, telling him plainly.
That the man was worthy, wherefore he should do this for him: For, say they,
he loveth our nation, and hath built us a synagogue, St. Luk. 7 c. 5 v. As if
this were the most evident instance of his love. To prepare them a proper place for
the publick service of God.
But then the charity of this good man was conspicuous in this. That in build-
mg the church in the place where it now standeth, he particularly consulted
(what is justly acknowledged the most valuable of all temporal blessings) the
health of his neighbours and parishoners. The parish had a church in it before
this time (such as it was): But it stood, 'tis said," in a remote and unhealthy » rm. Descr.
place, too near the water-side. Which great inconvenience this gentleman piously o*" ^ev. in St.
and christianly considering, at his own cost and charge, he pulled down the old, ^"''^'"''
and erected a new church, in a more healthy and convenient place, as may be
now seen.
But see his fate, or rather the inscrutable event of Providence ;*= this gentleman's c ij. ibij.
own daughter was the very first that handseld it, the place of her burial.
This antient family failed, in the issue male, upon the death of Philip Budokshed,
whose three sisters became his heirs j who thus disposed of themselves in marriage,
Winifred unto Sir William Gorges j Elizabeth unto John Amidas, of Ply mouth ;■*" Sir w. Poie
and Agnes nnto Oliver Hill, of Shilston. Winifred brought Budokshed unto the ''"'° ^'"''•
family
U4 ■ THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
family of Gorges, in which name it continued two or three generations ; and then
Sir Arthur Gorges sold it unto Trevill, and Lethbridge Trevill, Esq. is
now lord thereof. (Note.)
Mr. Budokshed lieth buried in his own church -, whose whole pile is his lasting and
visible monument.
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
FROM Trevill, Budshed passed into the family of Tielavviiy, by the marriage of the co-heir of Trevill,
and relict of Stawell, with Brigadier General Henry Trelawny, younger son of Sir John Trelawny of Trelawny,
baronet, and brother of Sir Jonathan Trelawny, baronet, one of the seven bishops sent to the tower in the reign of
James the second. His son, Sir Harry Trelawny, who succeeded to the baronetcy upon the death of his first
cousin, the son of the Bishop, resided at Budshed ; which estate was sold by his grandson, the present Sir Harry
Trelawny, to George Leach of Plymouth, Esq. by whom it has since been sold to Richard Hall Clark, Esq. of
Bridwell, and of Burnington in Devon.
BURCHARD,
( 14.5 )
BURCHARD, BISHOP OF WURTZBURGH.
BURCHARD Bishop of Wurtzburgh, in Germany, an apostle, and a saint, was, Fioi. a. d.
most probably, a native of this county. ^^^* ^"'''*
There were, heretofore, several eminent persons of this name ; as Burchardus, Bi-
shop of Wormes, an excellent scholar, who flourished, A. D. 1020;^ Burchardus An- » Trithem. de
vilensis, an Alsatian knight : Burchardus Mithobius, a famous astronomer ; Johannes ^'^"p*-, ^*^*^'-
Burchardus ; Petrus Burchardus ; who were all foreigners, and writers.*" k 'si,^'i. gibii.
We meet, also, with Burchardus Dorcestrius," (as he is called) an Englishman, and oth-
a Dorsetshire man born, as his name informs us: he wrote the life of Fremundus, one'^"'- Cent. si.
of the West-Saxon kings ; and lived in the year of our Lord 870.
But the person, whom we challenge for our countryman, the most eminent of them
all, is Burchardus Herbipolensis ; so stiled among the learned for his being Bishop of
Wurtzburgh ; which we do upon this probable evidence, for that he was, gente ac
patria Anglus, a Bonifacio Moguntinensi Archiepiscopo, suo consanguineo educa-
tust,"^ by country and nation, an Englishman, and very near kinsman to Boniface, « id. ibid. par.
Archbishop of Mentz; which Boniface, at first, called Winifred, is generally acknow- - '=^°'' ^^- P*
ledged to have been born at Crediton, now Kirton, in this county. In, or near unto,
which place, 'tis not unlikely but that this Burchard received his first breath.
His life hath been written at large by Egilward, a monk of his own monastery,
near Wurtzburgh, aforesaid ; which is related into the history, written by Laurentius
Suriusde Sanctis ; and from thence reduced into English by the pen of the famous
F. Serenus Cressy : from whom I shall lay the abstract thereof before you, mostly in
his own words.' « in tiie Cb.
Some aflirm, as this author tells us, that S. Burchard, and S. Svvithun, of whom, J^'*'* ?[ ^/i^'
upon the encouragement of this relation, I may speak more largely hereafter, were c. a.'page esf,
brethren ; born of noble parents in the kingdom of the West-Saxons, in Brittany : and ^'"'
that they were kinsmen to S. Boniface.
Certain it is, that S. Burchard was one of those who were called out of Brittany,
A. D. 725, to assist S. Boniface in his apostolick office in Germany, where being
arrived, he destined him in a prophetical manner to the flock of Christ, which had
been gathered by St. Kilian, an Irish saint, and his companions at Wurtzburgh, for
which they had suffered martyrdom. But to fit him for so high an employment, he
lived some years in the society of several devout and learned priests, under the con-
duct of S. Boniface. After which, S. Boniface, joyning to his own, letters also writ-
ten by K. Pepin to Pope Zacharie, requested that the city of Wurtzburgh might be
erected into an episcopal see. The request was easily condescended to, after his
holiness had been informed, that the said church was endowed, by S. Boniface him-
self, with sufficient revenues to sustain the necessities of the poor, as well as of the
clergy. And upon the testimony given by S. Boniface, S. Burchard, his disciple, was
consecrated the first bishop of that episcopal see.
These things being happily efiected, S. Boniface, conducting his now fellow-bishop
to Wurtzburgh, recommended him to his flock ; by whom he was most joyfully re-
ceived : where being left, he omitted no duty of a worthy prelate, being (according
to this high character given of him) " assiduous in reading, alTable in conversation,
powerful in preaching, exemplary in life, liberal in alms-giving, tenderly loving, and
beloved by his flock."
U In
146
THE AVORTHIES OF DEVON.
' Bohun's Ge-
ogr. Diction.
eBal.
piius.
quo
In the second year after he was consecrated bishop, by the advice, and with the
consent, of S. Boniface, he made diligent search for the sacred bodies of St. Kihan and
his companions, the holy apostolick martyrs of Christ; which having found, he with
great devotion took them out of the place, into which tliey had been ignominiously
cast by their murtherers, the idolatrous pagans. As soon as the earth was opened,
'tis said, a coelestial fragrancy was breathed from thence ; and thougli their flesh was
already resolved into dust, yet the vestments and the books, which had been cast with
them into the pits, were found intire, and nothing at all defaced.
They were carried to the church of Wurtzburgh, where the reputation of the mi-
racles wrought by them, so encreased men's devotion, that the church there became
enriched with great possessions. S. Burchard gave unto it a village, called Micheln-
stat, which Prince Caroloman had formerly bestowed on him. And K. Pepin, after-
wards, gave a certain castle, called Karelburg, with several other ample posses-
sions. Which have been, since, so well encreased, that now it has a large territory
belonging to it, extending, from north to south, fifteen German miles; insomuch,
the bishop thereof is this day a potent prince, as well as prelate ; and a duke of
Franconia.'
Near this place did S. Burchard build a magnificent monastery, unto which he did
often retire, whensoever he could obtain any vacancy from the solicitudes of his
charge and conversation of men ; and there did he attend to God and coelestial
things.
About this time, it so fell out, that the Saxons, being overcome in battle by Charles
the Great, were forced to give hostages to the conqueror, for their well-bearing for the
future:^ for security whereof, they delivered up twelve youths, of the best quality and
rank among them, into the Emperor's hands. The young gentlemen being thus
given into his custody, the gracious prince took great care of their education. And
not knowing how better to dispose of them to their advantage, he was pleased to
commit them to the care and conduct of this holy prelate Burchard : who discharged
his trust well, and brought thcni up in the knowledge of the liberal sciences; and
other useful learning; and instructed them also in the principles of virtue and re-
* Crpss. quo
ante.1.
Forty years'' did this holy bishop spend in the exercises of perfect charity ; either
to God in prayer and contemplation ; or to men, in advancing their souls in the same
divine charity. And oh ! what good might so able a workman do? what improve-
ments might he make? Or rather, might he not make in the Lord's vineyard, in so
long a tract of time ? But after such incessant labours tlierein, his corporal strength
diminishing, he called his clergy together, to whom he declared his desire to see his
episcopal see, provided of a person able to sustain the weighty employments of it.
For which purpose, he proposed unto them, his disciple and companion, Megingand,
well known to them for his eminent virtues and piety. Who was immediately, by.
common consent, elected to be, after his death, his successor ; and during his life, his
assistant. A confirmation whereof, he easily obtained, from his metropolitan, the
archbishop of Mentz; diaries the Great, King of France, consenting thereunto.
Having discharged his mind of so great a care, he took with him only six of his
disciples, and by boat descended to a certain castle, called Hohenburgh, where he
employed the remainder of his days in great austeritys, in watching, fasting, and in-
cessant prayer. He had a desire to have continued his journey to Michelnstat,
where his purpose was to build another monastery : but his infirmity encreasing
upon him, would not permit him to accomplisli his desire; for within a i'ew days
after his coming to Hohenburgh, on the river Main, he gave up his soul, after he had
received the holy rites, with admirable fervour, and spiritual joy, into the hands of
his Redeemer, about the year of our Lord 791-
His
BURCHARD, BISHOP OF WURTZBURGH. 147
His sacred body was, by the affectionate care of his disciple and successor Me-
gingand, transported to his cathedral church of Wurtzburgh ; where it was reposed
near to the sacred rehcts of S. Kilian ; all the nobility, and, in a manner, all the
inhabitants of the country, being assembled to honour the funerals of their beloved
pastor, who, as in his life time he had been an instrument of great benedictions to
them, so after his death, according to the devotion of those days they were made
believe they experienced many effects of his love by frequent deliverances and con-
solations. His feast is observed, in the Roman kalender, on the 14th of October, the
day of his translation.
This reverend person, Burcliard, was not only a very pious, but a learned prelate •
as the books he wrote would testify," if they might now be found. He left them all'Bai. quo
in the custody of Sigwius, whom Bala^us calls his brother i though it doth not appear ™P'-
that he had ever any so denominated. But what became of them after his death, or
whether any ot them are now extant I do not find; for not so much as the titles of
them are to be had, in any author I have met withal.
U 2 BURGOIN,
52,
148 1. THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
BURGOIN, WILLIAM, ESQUIRE.
Fior. A. D. BURGOIN, William, Esquire. Dr. Fuller hath thought fit to insert this gentleman
1620. R. R. among the Worthies of our county:^ And I shant presume to exclude him. Altho'
•In Devon, p. I niust acknowledg, that I can find very little memorable of him, more than what is
96S. summ'd up in his epitaph; which notwithstanding may be sufficient to speak him
great.
At what particular place in this county he was born, I do not find: The name and
family hath, for divers descents, flourished in the hamlet of Zeal, not far from South-
'Risd.inZeai. Tawton.** This Originally was a branch of an antient stock in Bedfordshire; which
^^^- being providentially planted here, he liked our soyl so well, that it hath flourished in
reputation for many ages, and spread itself into divers parts thereof, and doth flourish
still.
William Burgoin, Esquire, a lawyer by profession, and probably the first of the
name in these parts, was recorder of the city of Exeter, anno. H, of K. Hen. 7th,
' In ut^"a I'^QG," for two years ; which is now more than two hundred years ago. And William
50. ' Burgoin, (as I take it) his son, was the first high-sheriff of that city and county, an-
id. ibid. p. no 1540,"* being the 3'2d year of the reign of K. Hen. 8.
What relation the gentleman we are discoursing of, had to the recorder aforesaid,
we cannot say positively : probably he was his grandson ; who did no way degenerate
from the worth and honour of his ancestors: He being eminent for those four virtues,
which carry their own praises and recommendations along Avith them, viz. hospitality,
wisdom, charity, and religion.
He was taken notice of for an hospitable person : And, indeed, hospitality is one of
the best evidences of true gentility. For what is there that more distinguishes a right
gentleman from a sordid clown or miser, than a frank and hosfjitable disposition ?
He also did greatly excel for his wisdom and understanding in business. He could
advise and assist a friend in many diflicult and knotty cases; whereby he became, in
his voisenage, what good Job was among those with whom hesojourn'd. He was eyes
Job, 29,15. to the blind, and feet was he to the lame." He had (what is well-becoming a country
gentleman) some knowledg in the practical part of physick ; and was wont to keep by
hini such medicinal preparations, as did often conduce to the recovery of his sick
neighbours : A very gentile, as well as useful and obliging, quality.
Nor was his charity, in relief of the poor and needy, less conspicuous. And this
is more than a gentleman-like property ; for 'tis god-like to be good, and to do it.
Hereby mount we up to the honour of becoming, what we should endeavour to be.
Homo homini Deus, by kindness, love, and charity, to be instead of a God unto one
another. Though I know who hath sensibly found the truth of the alteration of the
proverb into Homo homini Daemon, man is a Devil to man ; there being no creature
more cruel to its kind, than he is to his.
And then for true piety towards God, (the crown of all other accomplishments) he
was exemplary for that also. He abominated and controuled vice, as the shame and
disgrace of our natures. He loved and embraced grace and virtue, as ovu' crown and
glory'in this world, as well as what will be our joy and great reward in that to come;
as if he had fully consented unto that of the Christian poet.
Si Christum discis nihil est si ca^tera nescis :
Si Christum nescis, nihil est si cietera discis.
If Christ you learn, what if nought else you know ?
If not, all learning else is but a show.
Insomuch,
BURGOIN, WILLIAM, ESQUIRE. 149
Insomuch, it may be said of this good man and worthy 'squire, (so he is called in
his epitaph) That having been a blessing to the place where he lived, the loss of him
administered the greater occasion of grief and sorrow when he died; which happen'd
upon the twelfth of August, A. D. 1623. His remains lye safely reposed in the
church of Arlington, (a little parish so called, lying about seven miles north-east of
Barnstaple in this county) under a marble stone, having this inscription :' (which you' We»tc. De-
may observe, avouches the foregoing character of the person, though not the excel- ^'o^fl; Ari!^^
lency of the poet) ms!
Here lies Will. Burgoin, a 'squire by descent;
Whose death in this world many people lament,
The rich for his love.
The poor for his alms.
The wise for his knowledg.
The sick for his balms,
Grace he did love, and vice controul,
Earth hath his body, and heaven his soul.
The twelfth day of August in the morn died he,
1 6 2 and 3.
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
THIS family leniiinated in an heir female, married to Jackson, of Exeter, merchant.
BURLEGH,
150 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
BURLEGH, CAPTAIN JOHN.
Fior. A. D. IjURLEGH, Captain John, was born in the parish of Modbiry, which hath within
Carf if*' ^' ^^ ^ sweet and pleasant market town, of the same name, lying in the South-Hams,
about ten miles to the west of Totnes, in this county ; which name flourished there (I
take it) at Clanacombe, in good repute, for several descents ; although now, it is ei-
ther extinct or become obscure.
Captain Burlegh, tlien, was a gentleman, by birth, and by education; but what
employment he followed, or how he lived, in his younger years, I do not understand :
The first tidings that we have of him, are, of his being a captain in the King's army,
Charles the first, in tiie times of the grand rebellion ; but his commission being either
• Heath's ciir. recalled, or laid down, he retired into the Isle of Wight," (lying in the British ocean.
Wars'* an"' "*^^ ^'^' from Portsmouth) where he lived quietly, until such time as those prodigious
p. 163. ' votes of that part of the parliament, who were then pleased, by a certain figure call-
ed a synecdoche, /. e. a part for the whole, to stile themselves the lords and commons
of England, had passed the house, which (perhaps to the astonishment of all that
never heard of them before) I shall here insert.
I. First, It was voted. That no farther addresses be made to the King.
IL Secondly, It was voted, That no address be made to the King without leave of both
houses.
III. Thirdly, It was voted. That the person who shall break this order, shall incur the
penalty of high treason.
IV. Fourthly, It was voted and declared. That the lords and commons will receive no
more any message from the King.
|>Id ib 162 "^'^ which were voted die sabbathi, being the 13th of January, IGA?."*
Upon these so disloyal and unreasonable votes, many were the discontents of the
good people of England, against them who called themselves. The parliament, and
their proceedings.
At this time it was, that the King, being informed that his royal person was in some
danger from the agitators, fled from Hampton-court, where then he was, (with some
'Bak. Chron. f^w Confidents) to Southampton, with a design to escape to the Isle of Jersey;" but the
continued by ship failing his expectation, the King, upon some confidence he should meet with bet-
Ch! iTcd'it. an- ter usagc at his hands, for his chaplain's sake, who was his brother, put himself under
no 1660. tiie protection of CoUonel Hammond, then governour, for the parliament, of the
Isle of Wight, upon promise only of safety, but not of liberty ; so that he was soon
confined a prisoner to Carisbrook-castle, in that island. Now it was that the deep
sighs of the King were imagin'd to be heard over that isle ; the which, with a deep
sense of the King's captivity, so affected Captain Burlegh, then an inhabitant there,
that he caused a drum to be beat up at Newport, for God and King Charles; intend-
ing to gather a force, suflicient, if possible, to rescue the captive King out of their
hands, who, had he been timely assisted herein, by those whose duty it was, as well
as his, to have done it, that pious prince might not have come to that untimely end
he did ; nor the nation have sustained that disgrace and mischief it hereupon fell into,
and hath been under ever since.
Now, however, this noble and loyal enterprize of Captain Burlegh, wanted the
hoped success (that not always lying in man's power, may not be his fault, if disap-
pointed) ; yet this must be acknowledged of him, in the words of the poet,
Magnis tam excidit ausis.
Altho' it prov'd not worth a doit.
He yet fell from a brave exploit.
And
BURLEGH, CAPTAIN JOHN. 151
And we see that God, in his inscrutable wisdom, had determined, that neither
should the time be now, nor should his deliverance come this way ; so that this stout
and honest gentleman, instead of delivering the King, was himself soon made a captive:
For being quickly suppressed, and seized by Hammond, he was sent over to Win-
chester, in order to his tryal, by a special commission of Oyer and Terminer.
This matter was delegated to Serjeant Wilde, and Sir Henry Mildmay, betwixt
whom, and a jury for their purpose. Captain Burlegh was found guilty of high trea-
son, for levying war against, because for, the King. At the same time, one Major
Rolf, accused by a servant of the King's, whose name was Osborn, of a design to have
assassinated his Majesty, was brought down thither, and tryed there, likewise, by the
same judges and jury; but he was acquitted by them of his wilfully intended parri-
cide, by ignoramus: For both which acts, sc. the shedding the blood of the one, a
loyal and worthy gentleman ; and saving the life of the other, a murderous bloody vil-
lain ; the author of the Athenae Oxon tells us,"* Wilde received a thousand pounds for^ voi i i,,
each, out of the privy-purse at Darby-house. As if 'twere the same thing to him, fast, p.sba.
to hang or to save, so he were well paid for both.
Captain Burlegh, being thus condemned for that then unpardonable crime of loyalty,
was soon after brought to execution; which happened on the 1 0th of February, the
same year, 1647, at what time he courageously sealed his cause with his blood, dying
a loyal martyr for his King and country; and' is worthily inscribed by the chronicler^ Heath quo
into that number. ' supra.
Some possibly, insensate and uncompassionate of their soveraign's miseries, may
be ready to censure Captain Burlegh, for being rash herein, and inconsiderate :
whereas, had there been more thus animated with a sense of their dut_y, and so loyal
a resolution, in great probability we had escaped many of those dreadful miseries,
which the nation hath since felt; and which, for want thereof, may seem to be still
entayl'd upon us for many generations yet to come. Had that pious protestant prince
been permitted to have lived out those many years, which in the course of nature he
might have arrived at, he had prevented the mischief of the royal prince's being sent
beyond seas, and falling under the temptations of having their religion alter'd, or their
manners corrupted ; whereby it is plain, that what change they fell into, in those
matters, is chiefly owing to those who, out of a pretended zeal to a stricter reforma-
tion of religion, cut oif their royal father's head : Of whom King James the first his
father, had long before given this true character, That Charles his son would manage
a point in divinity with the best divine of them all. And how excellent he was here^
in, both in respect of popery on the one hand, and presbyterianism on the other, may
be seen in the controversies he maintained with the marquess of Worcester, on the
one side, and Mr. Henderson on the other.
Captain Burlegh, died at Winchester, anno 1647.
BURY,
155
THE AVORTHIES OF DEVON.
Flor. A. D.
1643. R. R.
Car. 1.
» Mr. RisH.
MS. ofUev.
in Chimlegh.,
■■Ath Oxon.
T. 2. p. 27 9.
' My author
herein is his
son, Dr. Arth.
Bury, Kect. of
Ex. Col. in his
Letter from
Oxon, Oct. 19.
94.
" Ath. Oxon.
Loo. Citat.
« Wharton.
Ang. Sac. v. 2.
p. 641.
BURY, JOHN.
Bury, Jolm, canon residentiary of the cathedral of St. Peter E.xon, was born at the
famous town of Tiverton, in the county of Devon, an. 1580. Descended from the
antient and gentile family of his name, still flourishing at Coleton, in the parish of
Chimlegh, a noted market town in this province also; a seat, which heretofore did for
many generations belong unto a tribe, of the name of Cole,' whose heir general,
brought these lands, in King Rich, the second's days, into the possession of Bury ;
which name has flourished there in great reputation ever since, unto this day, which
is now above three hundred years. But omitting these things.
John Bury having had his birth, we may reasonably suppose, he had his breeding
also, in the town of his nativity, as to his first and tender years. Howsoever that
may be, this is certain, that he being a youth of very pregnant parts, made good
proficiency in school learning ; so that in the seventeenth year of his age, he was sent
to Oxford ; and was there, Feb. 9, 1597,'' admitted scholar of Corpus Christi College:
after this, a few years, being then batchelor of arts, he became (anno 1603) the first
fellow of Baliol College, that was put in there, to receive the benefaction of his noble
countryman, Peter Blundell, that famous encourager of learning; which was done by
the appointment of Sir John Popham, Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench; one
of the executors in trust to Mr. Blundell's will.
In this station, with no mean improvements, both in virtue and learning, doth this
worthy person continue for many years together; even to the time of his proceeding
batchelor in divinity : when considering with himself (what some superannuated per-
sons therein, little do) that the university was never designed to engross men's whole
time and parts, (the case of governors and eminent professors excepted) and there to
bury themselves alive in an useless obscurity ; but rather, as a nursery to bring them
up in knowledg and virtuous accomplishments, until they become fit to be transplanted
abroad, into the garden of the church or state, for their producing fruit to the ad-
vantage of both.
Upon which thoughts, Mr. Bury (now excellently accomplished for the ministerial
function) retires into his native country, where he soon became vicar of Heavytree,
and canon of the church of St. Peter, Exon. After some years continuance there, he
was pleased to resign his vicarage of Heavytree unto a relation ; and then accepted
of a presentation to the rectory of Widworthy,' about three miles to the east of Ho-
niton, in this county, nigh the London road, where he continued their pious and
vigilant pastor, unto the time of his death.
And that you may see what reputation this praise-worthy divine was of at this
time, and that with persons of the first rank; in December 1643, were the chancel-
lor's letters read in convocation on his behalf, that Mr. Bury, (then batchelor in di-
vinity) as in the said letters is expressed)'' might be actually created doctor of that
faculty. But he being then absent in the King's service, (on what particular occa-
sion is not mentioned) it was voted, " that he should have that degree conferred upon
him, whenever he should desire it." But the times becoming boisterous and turbu-
lent then, and a long while after, the modest man neglected the taking of it then, and
to his dying day ; contenting himself with this, that in the opinion of the most learned
imiversity of Europe, he had deserved, tho' he never wore, the title of D. D.
In relation to whom, that of Simon Fraxinus to his Cambrensis, with very little
variation, may be applyed."
— Tibi maxima laus est,
Hunc meruisse, nee est hoc caruisse pudor.
It
BURY, JOHN. 153
It must be granted, that the learning of this reverend person, may not be calcu-
lated from his published works; which indeed are not many, nor of any obstruse or
profound argument , he chosing rather to imploy his time in preaching (in which he
was another Apollos) than in printing. Tho' some few fruits of his labours this way,
1.1/- . •, 1 i-.i r n i 'Ath. Oxoa.
has he leit unto posterity, wliose titles tollow : ubiprius.
I. The School of Godly Fear; an Assize Sermon at Exeter, Mar. 20, 1614, on
1 Pet. 1. 17, " Pass the time of your sojourneying here in fear." Printed at London,
1615, 4to.
II. The Moderate Christian; a Sermon preach'd at Exeter, at a Triennial Visita-
tion, on 1 Cor. 10, ver. ult, " Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine
own profit, but the profit of many that they may be saved." London, print. A. 1631,
4to.
III. God's Method for Man's Salvation: or, a Guide to Heaven; leading between
Errors on both Hands. London, printed, 1661, in two sheets, Svn. It is a catechism
designed for the use of his parishioners, at Widworthy. These are all of this reverend
person's printed works, which are yet come to our knowledg.
But then there are works of his of another kind, which ought not to be passed over
in silence.
He was very eminent for his loyalty to the best of princes in the worst of times.
King Charles the first, of blessed memory. Which, notwithstanding he had a very
near relation at tiiat time, who was a great man among the other party, viz. CoUonel
John Bury, his son, cost him very dear, all the time of anarchy and confusion.
For his charity, he was most conspicuous, being of a very obliging tender sp'''it."'J^f*^""h°^
especially towards the sick and poor ; for whose relief, he had an express runner in son, Dr. Arth.
his Scriptorie, titled, Pixis Dei, whereinto he constantly put the tenth of his receipts ; e^^^he^^^^^
and if at any time he had need to borrow any of it for a present occasion, he left in of Exeter cot-
place of it, a note of the debt, which he discharged out of his next receipt. 'ege.
All the land which he had, he charged with annuities for pious uses ; and to pro-
voke others to add thereto, he so settled them, that they should otherwise be lost,
viz.
He granted to the dean and chapter of Exeter, an annuity of 25/. in trust for a
school in St. Sydwel's parish, Exon ; and for maintenance of thirteen poor in St.
Catherine's alms-house, (which stood near his door, within the close) so long as there
shall be settled and assured by the said dean and chapter, fourteen pence weekly, and
it be duly paid to each of the poor people ; and the residue to be paid to the master
of a work-house, as soon, and as long, as the young poor people of that parish of St.
Sidwel shall be kept at work.
And by his last will, he so added to a publick work-house, to be built in the parish
of St. Sidwel aforesaid, as to make up the annuity 40/. provided, that within twenty
years after his death, there be built an house sufficient to keep all the poor of that
parish at work ; then so long as they shall be so kept at work, it shall be paid to the
steward of the said work-house.
That so good a design might not miscarry, by the industry of an eminent citizen
of that place, alderman Butler, and the contribution of good people, au house was
accordingly built; over the outer gate whereof is the effigies of the canon placed, as
the chief founder thereof, or the most principal benefactor thereunto ; a very prudent
and charitable design : so that if any poor shall want work, or live idly in that parish,
this benefactor's good intentions will be greatly disappointed : for he designed no less
to remedy their idleness, than their poverty. What I have farther to add hereunto,
is only this hearty wish, that this good design of the deceased may have its due effisct ;
that there may be no just occasion for so sharp a reflection on any; that, as nothing
could have been bettf;r intended, so nothing can be worse performed.
X Nor
154 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Nor may I here pass over in silence, the admirable temper of this worthy divine :
of so excellent a frame, both of mind and body was he, that the greatest affronts (to
which good men are often exposed) could hardly discompose him, or put him into the
least passion.
He was of so strange, unusual abstemiousness, that he was rarely known to drink
wine, unless at the holy communion, all his time; and when he has been invited
thereunto, after he was past seventy years of age, he was wont to put it off with this
excuse. That he was not old enough as yet to drink wine.
As for his piety, the diamond in the gold ring of his virtuous accomplishments, it
was very sincere, though not ostentatious; more conspicuous in private than in
public ; not caring to make a great glare or noise in the world, like some glow-worm
zealots, but to live as he ought, in his own parish and family.
At length, this reverend, learned, pious person, sinks beneath the burthen of a vast
age; and on the .'^th of July, 1667, he yielded up the ghost, in the 87th year of his
life; and lieth interred in the middle area of the cathedral church of St. Peter in
Exon, a little below the pulpit : together with his wife Agnes, under a fair stone ;
having this inscription :
Hie juxta Agnetis, sic denuo conjugis cineres, suos deposuit Johannes Bury, hujus
ecqlesise canonicus residentiarius. Qui obiit July 5to. A. D. 1667, astat. suae 87.
CARDMAKER,
( 155 )
CARDMAKER, ALIAS TAYLOR JOHN.
CaRDMAKER, alias Taylor John, chancellor of the church of Wells, and a mar- Fj°^g- a. d.
tyr, was born in the city of Exeter, as we are informed by a cotemporary of his there, euw! 6.
that must have known him well:' he had his education in both the universities of this* id. ibid, in
land, spending sixteen years at Oxford and Canibridg, in the study of logic, philoso- ^^'^"J'jj.^^''"'"
phy, and divinity. "" He was very well learn'd, and of a sharp wit; a religious, of i> past. Oxon.
the order of Minorites, which is the strictest among the Franciscans / whose life is *• i-P- ^83.
most rigid, who were neither to have granaries, nor two coats; they were for con-„fRg^|„ p*;"
templation and action too, namely, preaching : at this day, their habit is a long coat 306, 307.
(with a large hood of grey) girded with a cord. Such vertue hath been held in a
Franciscan garment, that divers princes have desired to be buried in it, thinking
thereby to be safe from the devil; as did Francis the second. Marquess of Mantua,
Robert King of Sicily, and divers others.
Father John Cardmaker supplicated the university of Oxford, A. D. 1532, that he
might proceed batchelor of divinity; but whether admitted to it, appears not."* He " Fast. Oxou.
J03ai'd himself to, and accompany'd with the best learned men, and professors of the'""^"''"
gospel, in those days: and the older he grew, the more he loathed those popish doc-
trines, which before he had professed ; so that in the end he cast off his coule, and
the opinions he had learned in his cloyster, all at once. About the time of the disso-
lution of abbies, A. 1535, he preached freely against the power of the pope ; and was
in such favor with the then Bishop of Wells (whom I take to be Dr. John Gierke)
that he was made, by him, one of the canons of his cathedral church.
In the reign of K. Edvv. 6, he married a wife, and had by her a female child, near
which time, he became reader of a divinity lecture, in St. Paul's London; whose doc-
trine was so sweet, true, and plain, that it was greatly to the comfort aud edification
of all his auditory, who embraced the reformation: but his lectures were so offensive
to the popish party, that they bred in them an immortal hatred against him; so that
they abused him to his face, and with their knives they would cut and haggle his
gown behind his back. About that time also, he was made chancellor of the church
of Wells, by the name of John Taylor, alias Cardmaker; and was looked upon there,
and at London, as the most zealous minister in all those parts, to carry on the work
of reformation. But after the death of that pious hopeful young prince, K. Edw. 6,
when Q. Mary (a most zealous devotee to the church of Rome) came to the crown,
he was deprived of his spiritualities, and called before Dr. Gardener, Bishop of Win-
chester, (the Lord Chancellor of England) and Bonner, Bishop of London, and charged
with heresy, as they called it ; for which he had been committed, before, a close
prisoner to the Fleet, in London: to whom, both he, and Bishop Barlow of Bath and
Wells, who was examined with him, made such discreet answers, that the chancellor,
with the rest of the commissioners, allow'd them for catholicks.'' So that to those ^Foxs Acts &
that follow'd in the examination, they objected the example of Barlow and Card- ^°";^i''"3' p_
maker, commending their soberness, discretion, and learning: but tliis notwithstand- 201.
ing, Barlo.v was led back to the Fleet (from whence afterward being delivered, he fled
beyond sea) and Cardmaker was conveyed to the Counter, in Bread-street, and from
thence to the stake.
Now however, the papists would needs seem to have a certain hope, that Card-
maker was become theirs, yet the continual great conferences divers of them had with
him, with reasonings, perswadings, and threatnings, argued the contrary, though they
were all to none effect. At {his time, Dr. Martin, an eminent man of the church of
X 2 Rome,
156 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Rome, wrote against Mr. Cardmaker, in the point of transubstantiation. Which he
answered largely, learnedly, and substantially ; opening the falshood of his ar-
guments, and restoring the fathers to their true understanding : which tract (it seems)
perished in manuscript, Mr. Fox wishing it had come to hand.
The principal articles alledged against him by Bishop Bonner, were these :
!• I. I Edmund, Bishop of London, object against thee Sir John Taylor, alias Card-
maker, that thou, in times past, didst profess the rule of St. Francis, and didst, by
vow, promise to keep poverty, chastity, and obedience, according to the rule of St.
Francis.
To which he answered and confessed, that he, being under age, did profess the said
order; and afterward, by the authority of K. Hen. 8, he was dispensed with for the
same.
H. II. I object against thee, that thou in times past, did receive all the orders of the
church then used, Tam majores quam minores
To which he answered, and confessed the same in every part.
in. III. That thou, after thy said entry into religion and orders aforesaid, did'st take to
wife a widow, and did'st get on her a woman child, breaking thereby thy vow and
order, and the ordinance of the church.
To which he answered, and coaifessed the first part thereof to be true ; and to the
second part of the same article he saith, that in marriage he brake no vow, because
he was set at liberty to marry, both by the laws of this realm, and the laws and ordi-
nances of the church of the same.
IV. IV. That thou iiast believed and taught, and so do'st believe, that in the sacrament
of the altar, and the visible signs there, that is to say, under the forms of bread and
wine, there is really and truly the true and very natural body and blood of our Sa-
viour Jesus Christ.
To which he answered, that he confessed he did believe, that Christ is present spi-
ritually to, and in, all them, which worthily receive the sacrament; but that his de-
nial was still of the real, carnal, and corporal presence of Christ in the sacrament.
So that Mr. Cardmaker resolutely refusing to recant, what the Bishop was pleased
to call heresy, the Bishop gave judgment and sentence against him, that he should be
burnt in Smithfield.
Between which sentence, and the execution thereof, two or three days before he
'Id. ibid. p. suffer'd, one Beard, a promoter, came unto him' in Newgate, and said, " Sir, I am
^'^^' sent unto you, by the council, to know whether you will recant or no ?" To whom
he replyed, " From what council are you come ? I suppose, you are not come from the
Queen's council, but from the commissioners, to whom ye belong : but whereas you
would know, whether I would recant or no, thus I pray you report me to those that
sent you : I have been a preacher these twenty years, and ever since that, God, by
his great mercy, hath opened mine eyes to see his eternal truth, I have, by his grace,
endeavored to call upon him, to give me the true understanding of his holy word :
■ and, I thank him for his great mercy, I hope I have discharged my conscience in the
setting forth of the same, according to that little talent I have received." " Ay, but what
say you," says Beard, " to the blessed sacrament of the altar?" To whom he repiy'd,
by way of question, " Whether the sacrament, he spake of, had a beginning or no?"
Which when he granted, Mr. Cardmaker thus infer'd, " If the sacrament, as you
confess, had a beginning, and will have an ending, then it cannot be God, who hath
no beginning, nor ending." Upon which he departed from him.
At the time of execution, when he, and his fellow sufferer, John Warne, upholster,
of the city of London, were come to the stake, the sheriffs called Mr. Cardmaker aside,
and talked with him secretly, so long, that in the mean time Warne had made his
prayers.
CARDMAKER, ALIAS TAYLOR JOHN. 157
prayers, was chained to the stake, and had wood and reed set about him ; so that no-
thing wanted but the string.
This made the people fear, what they heard before, that Cardmaker would recant,
which put them in a marvelous dump and sadness. And departing from the sheriffs,
he came to the stake, and, in his garments as he Avas, kneeling down, he made a long
prayer, in silence to himself; which confirmed the people in their fancy of his recan-
tation, seeing him in his cloaths, and no semblance of his burning: but his prayers
being ended, he 'rose up, put off his garments to his shirt, went with bold courage to
the stake, andkiss'd it sweetly; took Warne by the hand, and comforted him heartily,
and so gave himself up to be bound to the stake, most gladly. The people seeing
this so suddainly done, contrary to their fearful expectation, as men delivered out of a
great doubt, cry'd out for joy, with a great shout, saying, God be praised : the Lord
strengthen thee Cardmaker, the Lord Jesus receive thy spirit. Which continued
while the executioner put fire to them, and they both passed through this purgatory,
to the blessed rest and peace of God's martyrs, to receive the crown of glory, laid up
for the righteous. This hapned in Smithfield, on the 30th of May, A. D. 1555.
CAREW,
158 - THE WORTHIES OF DEVON
Fior. A. D. CAREW, SIR JOHN, KT.
1350. R. K.
Edw. 3.
CAREW, Sir John, Kt. Baron of Carew and Mulsford, was born at Mohuns-Ottery,
an antient house hi this county : so called from its Lords, the Mohuns, who inhabited
»SiiW. Pole's there :^ but before that, it had the denomination of Ottery-Flemniing, from its more
Desci. of Dev. antient Lords, the Flemmings. Which name was sometime owner of a great estate in
in Li.ppit, MS. ^j^g^g parts, as the places to which it still adheres, viz. Stoke-Flemming, Bratton-Flem-
ming, &c. may declare. This house standeth in Luppit, quasi Low-pit, a small
parish, near the town of Honiton ; where some monks at first inhabiting in a low
ground or pit, gave occasion to the name : which monks were afterward removed
thence, by Sir William de Mohun, brother to the Lord Reginald de Mohun, unto the
Abby of Newham, or Newenhani, then lately erected by them, in the parish of Ax-
"InBp.Biond. minster ; of which before.''
Here, before I proceed to the person, I shall crave leave to speak something, as to
the antiquity and genealogy of this right noble family.
'VVestc.Descr. Some there are,'' who would fetch its original from the dukes or kings of Swevia, a
BicWegb MS. ^^'^'■t^'i^ region in Higher Germany; and that upon a double account.
First, From that brave and martial temper of mind, both those families observed to
be of: The Swevians are reported to have been a bold and warlike nation, surpassing
all the rest of the Germans ; Gens populosa, fortis, audax, & bellicosa ; & Germano-
* Id. ib. Ex. rum priestantissima.*^ So the most of this family have been in all ages, martial men,
Piutar. jj,^(j worthily deserving of their prince and country : as I hope hereafter, by some
particular instances, more fully to demonstrate.
Secondly, My author would infer this farther. From that agreement between them
in their coat-armour ; The Swevian dukes or kings giving, Sol three lions passant
Saturn ; which is the same with Carew's coat, save only, tliat the former hath the lions
gardant. And so it is supposed, that some younger brother of that royal house, com-
ing hither in quest of honour, either with the Saxons, Danes, or Normans, seated
himself in this kingdom ; in which his posterity hath flourished unto this day.
But I shall dismiss this, as little more than conjecture, and proceed to a more certain
and substantial account of the matter. A worthy gentleman of the name and family,
'Ijb.8,p.i03, Qyyj^g their original to have been from France, in his ingenious survey of Cornwal ;"
whose words are these,
Carew, of antient, Carru was;
And Carru is a plow :
Romans the trade. Frenchmen the word;
I do the name avow.
The name being thus owned to be French, we may conclude, the family came into
England with the Conqueror, William of Normandy. So that I shall trace it so far
back as that conquest ; authenticating what I have to say hereof, from the unques-
' Quo supra, tjonablc testimony of Sir William Pole ; who speaking of the same, assures us,' That
he goes no farther in these matters, than records and deeds will give him certain
warrant.
The first of this line in England, was Walter de Windsor, so called from his being
made Castellan de Windsor, or governour of the castle of Windsor, son of Otho ;
which Walter had issue two sons, W^illiam, from whom the Lords Windsors are de-
scended ; and Gerald, from whom the Carews and Fitzgirahls.
This
CAREW, SIR JOHN, KT. ]59
This Gerald, was Castellan, or steward of the castle of Pembroke in Wales ; and
was an expert man, both in war and peace; and in great favour with K. Hen. 1, who
bestowed upon him the Lordship of Mulsford, in the county of Berks. He married
Nesta, the daughter of Rees, Prince of South Wales, a fair lady; whose dowry was
the castle of Carew, in those parts : From whence a certain author tells us, notwith-
standing the forementioned derivation of it from Carru, this antient family derives its
name of Carew,^ A Carew castro in agro Pembrochiensi cognomen sortitus est : Tho' <■ Hist. & Ant.
he doth not say from whence that castle fetches its name. ,y^"'^- '^""g-
This Gerald de Windsor, by this lady Nesta his wife, had issue three sons,'' William, "TUe'sai'd Ne-
Maurice, and David. David, the youngest, was bishop of St. David's, in Wales, oi^^l^^^^^^f ^^l
whom nothing else is recorded remarkable. From Maurice Fitz-Gerald, the second aid, was marri-
son, are issued the noble families of Kildare and Desmond, in the kingdom ofpjJaircasttuan
Ireland. olAberteyvy;
William the eldest son of Gerald, T.ord of Canio, had issue Raymond, Otho, and ij^d^t^'Rob^
others : Raymond married Basilia, daughter of Gilbert, and sister of Richard Strong- f't^stephan,
bow. Earls of Pembroke, but died without issue. Otho de Carrio bad issue William, qterf/ofirel
unto whom K. John, in the I4th year of liis reign, made a grant of Mullesford, reciting '■'"<*• .s»- w.
the deed, formerly made unto Gerald, by K. Henry the first. This was the first vv ho to,'.pe'v"erd,""
took to him the name of de Carrio or Carru. This William had issue William ; which ^'^•
had issue Nicholas; which had issue William, Baron of Carru and Mullesford, for so
is he stiled ; who had issue Sir Nicholas, the father of Sir Nicholas, Baron of Carru
and Mullesford; so summoned to parliament by writ, in the days of K. Edw. 1, for
those baronages then, were not, as now, hereditary; but only during life. Nor did
they always give a place in parliament, without the King's special writ, by Mhich he
might advance thither whom he pleased; after the expiration Avhereof, they could
challenge no right of voting there.
This Sir Nicholas, Baron Carew and Mullesford, married the sister and heir of Sir
John Peverel of Weston-Peverel, near Plymouth, in this county, Kt. in the reign of
K. Edw. 1, by whom he had a great estate in these parts, as this Weston Peverel,
Ashford-Peverel, Mamhead, and other places.' At which time, this honourable stock' i«i. ibid, in
took such deep rooting in this county, and liked the soyl so well, that it hath flourished J'^'^mT^^''*"
well herein ever since, unto this day, now above four hundred years. By this his lady,
sister of Sir John Peverel, Sir Nicholas, Baron Carew, had issue four sons, viz. Sir
John, Thomas, Nicholas, and William. From Nicholas descended the honourable
family of CareAV, of Beddington in Surrey, in the eastern parts of England.
Sir John, the eldest son, successively married two wives, his first was Elenor, daughter
and heir of Sir William Mohun, of Mohuns-Ottery, Kt. a younger brother to the lord
Reginald de Mohun, of Dunstar, in Com. Somerset, by wlioni he had issue Nicholas :
His second wife was Joan, daughter of Gilbert Lord Talbot, by whom he had issue
Sir John Carew, the person of whom we are about to speak. Nicholas, the eldest
son, married the sister of his father's second wife, a daughter of the Lord Talbot's, and
died without issue. But before his death, being in right of his mother, seized of all
her inheritance, he convey 'd his lands unto the issue of his father ; by means whereof,
Mohuns-Ottery, and the rest descended in this honoui-able name, and the succeeding
family there, quarter'd the arms of Mohun with their own, altho' they issued not
from that blood. This they made the place of their residence, in which they flourished
in great honour for many succeeding generations, even down to the days of Q. Eliza-
beth, of never dying memory. When Cicely, sister and heir unto Sir Peter Carew,
the last of this line, married unto Thomas Kirkham, of Blagdon, Esq. left it to her
daughter Thomasin; who brought it to her husband, Thomas Southcot of Indeho, in
the parish of Bovey-Tracy, Esq. In which antient and gentile name it having con-
tinued
160 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
tinned about three descents, the heir thereof, was pleased to alienate it unto Sir Walter
Young, baronet, the father (if I mistake not) of the present honourable Sir Walter
Young of Eslcot, baronet, in whom it now remains.
Having thus given a large account of this noble family in general, I shall now pro-
ceed unto the most memorable occurrences in the life of Sir John Carew in particular;
the history whereof comes very short and imperfect to our hands; yet we have him
transmitted to us under a double very honourable character, of a soldier and a states-
man.
'• Sir vv. Pole, First: He was a great soldier; and is said,'' valiantly to have served K. Edw. 3
F."'s'oidTers!^'' against the rebels in Ireland ; and 'tis farther added, that his son Sir John Carew was
MS. slain there. But I fear, by some mishap or other, this will prove a mistake, for I find
not any contention that King had with the Irish all his reign : Tiiat account therefore
'Risd.Surv. of given by a later author, seems' more agreeable to the truth, who tells us. That it was
lm7s.Ottefj!'' i" his wars in France, that he served that puissant prince. And very probable it is,
that our Sir John Carew was present at the battle of Cressy there, fought between
Edw. 3 of England, and K. Philip of France; at what time the English, under the
auspicious conduct of that son of Mars, called the Black Prince (a wonderful general,
but of fifteen or sixteen years of age), got an entire victory, with the slaughter of no
" Speed aud less than thirty thousand of the enemy :" In which engagement, likely enough it is,
Bak. Cr. in K. gjj. John Carcw lost his valiant son, called by his own name ; whose courage and con-
duct had prefer'd him also to the honour of knighthood.
How great a statesman he was, we may best infer from hence, that K. Edw. 3, (as
well a wise as valiant prince) in the 24th year of his reign, was pleased to make him
"SirW. Poles Lord Deputy of Ireland ;" how long he continued in that most honourable post, and
Loc. uit. ^i^at the memorable actions were he did there, I no where find : Only this I do. That
he lived after this several years. So that likely enough it is, he came back into Eng-
land, and lieth inter'd, either in the church of Luppit aforesaid, or some other in this
county. He died anno 3Q of K. Edw. 3, and of our Lord 1363, on the l6th day of
o Id. ibid, in May."
Mohunsotte- ^,^jg gj^. j^^j^j^ Carcw, by Margaret his wife, daughter of John Lord Mohun of
Dunstar, had issue Sir John Carru, who (as was said) died in his father's life-time
without issue ; and Leonard, Leonard de Carru, married Alice, daughter of Sir Ed-
mund Fitz-Alan of Arondel, second son of Edmund Earl of Arondel, and had issue Sir
Thomas de Carru of Ottery-Mohun, Knight.
This Sir Thomas was also a great soldier ; he had the trust of the navy, and three
thousand English soldiers committed to him, for the securing of the Emperor Sigis-
» Riad.in Mcli. mxuid, during his stay and abode here in England,^ in the beginning of the reign of K.
otterj. Henry 5, he valiantly served also that heroic prince in his wars in France; and was,
undoubtedly, at the battle of Agincourt in that kingdom, when the victory was so
great, that the English had taken more prisoners, than there were soldiers in their
army.
Sir Thomas de Carru was appointed to keep and defend the passage over the river
isirw. Pole's Sein, anno 6 K. Hen. 5, and was made Captain of Harflevv." He died the 25th of
hJlmiufnt^s^oN January, in the ninth year of K. Hen. 6 ; and by Elizabeth his wife, daughter of Sir
diers. AVilliam Bonvile of Shute, Kt. left issue Sir Nicholas Baron Carew ; who by Joan his
wife, daughter of Sir Hugh Courtenay of Haccombe, Kt. by Philippa his wife, daugh-
ter and one of the heirs of Sir Warren Ercedecon, of that place, Kt, had issue Sir
Thomas, and many others.
Sir Thomas Carew, Kt. Baron of Carew and Mujjesford, and Lord of Mohuns-Ot-
tery, married Joan, daughter and one of the heirs of Thomas Carmino; and had issue
Sir Nicholas Carew, which married Margaret the eldest daughter of Sir John Dinham,
sister
CAREW, SIR JOHN, KT. 161
sister and one of the heirs of John Lord Dinham of Nutwel, in this county, Lord High-
Treasurer of England ; and left issue Sir Edmund Carew, Kt.
This Sir Nicholas Carew was a very eminent person, and great at court, where he
died on the I6th of Novemb. in the 1 1th year of K. Edw. 4. He and his lady lie in-
terred in the abby church of Westminster, among the Kings and Queens of England,
To whose memory an antient plain tomb of gray marble is there still seen erected,
with an inscription in brass round the ledg, and some coats of arms on the pedestal,
whereby may be gathered, saith my author,' that Nicholas Baron Carew, and his wife Keep's Mon.
the Lady Margaret, who was the daughter of Sir John Dinham, Kt. were here en- ^*'*™*P'''^^'
tombed. He died on the 6th day of December, (so the epitaph) in the year 1470, and
she on the 13th day of the same month, and year following.
The epitaph here follows:'
' '■ 'lb. p. 252.
" Orate pro animabus Nicolai Baronis. Quondam de Carew, & Dominae
" Margaritas uxoris ejus filiae Johannis Domini Dinham, Militis: Qui quidem
" Nicolaus obiit sexto die mensis Decembris, anno Dom. 1470. Et praedicta
•' Domina Margareta obiit 13 die mensis Decembris, anno 1471."
There was another Sir John Carew of Devonshire, as the historian calls him, who
was an eminent soldier, and served K. Hen. 8 at sea, against the French; what rela-
tion he had to either of the gentlemen aforementioned I cannot say; but probably he
was a younger brother to Sir Philip or Sir Edmund Carew. When the Lord Admiral
Howard had prepared a great fleet, the King, Hen. 8 went himself to Portsmouth to
see it, where he appointed captains,' for one of his chiefest ships called the Regent,' Bak. chron.
Sir Thomas Knevet, master of his horse, and Sir John Carew :" Who engaging with a^^*-^'^-^-
French carrick of great force, they entered her, which when her gunner saw, he des- Sir jo'hn^a-
perately sate fire to the powder, and blew them both up ; when Sir Thomas Knevet, y^'^^J^ g^^'
and Sir John Carew, with seven hundred men, were all drowned or burnt. Poles Catai. of
Of this noble family more hereafter. (Note.) Knights in the
•' ' / rcign of K. H.
8. MS.
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
THE following short statement may conduce to the more ready comprehension of the relation and con-
nexion of the principal branches of this ancient family, so loosely detailed in this and the ensuing articles.
Otho, who lived in the lime of Edward the Confessor, was the father of Walter, styled de Windsor, who had
two sons, William and Gerald. — From William descended the noble family of Windsor, Earl of Plymouth;
from Gerald sprang the families of Fitzgerald of Ireland, and Carew of Devonshire. The latter name was first
assumed in the reign of King John, by William de Carew, from whom the eighth in lineal descent was Sir
Nicholas Carew, who lived in the reign of Henry the sixth, and by Joan, daughter of Sir Hugh Courtenay, of
Haccombe, knight, was the father of five sons, four of whom, viz. Thomas, Nicholas, Alexander, and William,
were the founders of numerous families. Tlie family by the elder son failed in the male line after some descents,
having given origin to the Bickleigh branch, wliicli was by a female heir united to the Haccombe family, and to
the Totness branch of which was George Earl of Totness, treated of in a subsequent article. From Nicholas the
second son, who was tlie founder of the Haccombe line, the sixth in descent was created a baronet ia 1661 ; and
his descendants are mentioned in a subsequent note. Alexander, the fourth son, was the founder of the family,
seated at East-Antony, in Curnvvall, from wlioai the fifth in descent was created a baronet in 1641. This branch
failing in the male line after six descents, the baronetcy became extinct. It is now represented by the Right
Honourable Reginald Pole Carew of Antony, who is the grandson of Carolus Pole, fourth son of Sir John Pole of
Shute, the third baronet of that family. William, the fifth son of Nicholas Carew, was the progenitor of the
Carews of Crocum in Somersetshire.
CAREW,
16^ THE WORTHIES OF DEVON
Fior. A. D. CAREW, THOMAS, ESQ.
1513. R. R. > > ^
Hen. 8.
CAREAV, Thomas, Esquire, the first that settled this name at Bicklegh in this
Catew^."^ ''''''° county, was born at Mohuns-Ottery, near Honiton, of which before/ He was the
second son of Sir Edmund Baron Carew, by Katharine his wife, daughter and one of
the heirs of Sir WiUiam Huddesfeild, Kt. Attorny General to K. Hen. 7- Which
Sir Edmund being a brave soldier, and at the siege of Terwin in France, when K.
Hen. 8 sate down before it with a great army, was, in the fifth year of that King's
reign, as he sate in council there, unfortunately slain by a cannon-ball tliat came from
'' Bak. Chron. the town.'^ This Thomas proved a son worthy of such a father, being also of a martial
sK. H. 8. i;pi,.;t ; whereby he got great honor and renown in the wars, as in tlie sequel of this
discourse will appear.
But before we come to that, it may not be improper here to give a brief account of
a softer enterprize ; which, however in the issue it proved successful enough, yet for
the present it administred an occasion of trouble, that hastned him on into the wars,
sooner than he intended.
You may please to know then, tliat Bicklegh in this shire, was somtime the inheri-
' Sir w. Pole's tance of the honorable family of the Courtenays of Powderham Castle;'' which was
^"^R 'ii?' h*^'^°"* to be a portion for a younger son of that house. At length it came to be settled
ic eg . ^ j.^ Humphry, the youngest son of Sir Philip Courtenay ; who dying before his
father, left his only daughter and heir unto his care. Sir Philip entrusted her over
unto Sir William Carew (Thomas's eldest brother) who liad married his eldest son's
daughter, cousin-german to this lady. Mr. Thomas Carew living with his brother,
became very familiar with this young fortune, courted her, and won her good will ;
which having obtained, he secretly by night, carried her away and married her. This
he did, not only contrary to Sir Philip her grandfather, and Sir William his brother,
their likeing and approbation, but to the high displeasure of them both : For the
better pacifying whereof, after due time of consideration, concluded, nothing would
conduce more thereunto, than absence. Being young and lusty, of an active body,
and a courageous mind, having in him the inherent seeds of hereditary virtue, he
resolved for the wars; and soon found an occasion suitable to his inclination and reso-
lution ; which thus hapned :
The Scots taking the advantage of K. Hen. 8th's absence in France, invaded Eng-
land. Against whom, Tiiomas Earl of Surry (whom the King had made his lieutenant
in the north at his dei)arture) raised a potent army of five and twenty thousand men;
unto whom, his son, the Lord Howard, Lord Admirnl of England, having the King's
" Speed. Chr. navy at sea, brought a great supply of good soldiers, well appointed for the war;"*
inK. H. 3. P-jii^-iong whom was this Mr. Tliomas Carew. The Earl marciied his army from New-
Castle, and pitched his hoast beside a little town under FJodden-lIill, a mountain
lying in the north of Northumberland, on the borders of Scotland, betwixt the rivers
of Till and Tweed ; on the top whereof K. Jam. 4, with his Scottish forces, well near
' Bak. ciiion.an hundred thousand men,^ lay so strongly encamped, that 'twas impossible to come
iiiK. H. 8. j^,,j^p them without great disadvantage.
str Siuv Before the battle began,* a valorous Scottish knight made a challenge to any English
of Devon, iii o-entlemau, to fight with hiui for the iionor of his country ; I suppose 'twas the same,
Bicki. MS. ^^ii^ i^y ^/jj. Sp(^g(| ig called Andrew Barton ; unto whom, he tells us, the Lord Admiral
sent word, lie would in person justify his action against him, and abide to the last
drop of his blood in tiie van gard of the field. Mr. Carew begged the favor of the
Admiral,
CAREW, THOxMAS, ESQ. 163
Admiral, that he might be admitted to the honor of answering the challenge. It was
granted him ; they both met in the place appointed; where, to his high commendation
and great endearment with the Lord Admiral ever after, Mr. Carew got the victory ;
which was, it seems, only an earnest of that which ensued : For soon after this, fol-
lowed the famous battel, called the battel of Flodden- Field ; wherein the Scots were
totally routed, their King, with a multitude of noblemen and gentlemen, and thirteen
thousand of the common soldiers slain, (some say but eight) and near as many taken
prisoners, with the loss only of about a thousand English.
It is a memorable, but scarce credible thing, says the historian,'^ which Buchanan e Baker quo
relates, concerning this K. Jam. 4th, K. of Scotland: That intending to make this^"P-
war with England, a certain old man, of venerable aspect, and clad in a long blue
garment, came unto him; and leaning familiarly on the chair wherein the King sate,
said this to him : ' I am come to thee, O King ! to give thee warning, that thou pro-
ceed not in the war thou art about; for if thou dost, it will be thy ruinc.' Having so
said, he pressed through the company, and vanished out of sight; so that by no en-
quiry, it could be known what became of him. But the King was too resolute to be
atfrighted with phantoms, and no warning could divert his destiny ; which had not
been destiny, if it could have been diverted. Thus he.
To proceed with Mr. Carew. His courage and conduct had gotten him great fa-
vor, as was said, with the Lord Admiral; but after the battel was over there hapned
another occasion, which greatly encreased it, and fixed him deeper in his artection.
For my Lord taking Mr. Carew in company with him, as he rode forth upon service,
descryed a band of Scots coming towards them : the Admiral, at a very strait narrow
passage of a bridg, was in danger to be entrapped and taken : To prevent which, Mr.
Carew instantly entreated him to exchange his armor and martial attire with him, that
by such means, if need were, he might make the easier escape ; the which the Admi-
ral well considering of, soon consented to.
The enemy coming on to this narrow passage, Mr. Carew, in his rich habit, well
mounted, crossed the bridg with his horse ; and for a time, so valiantly defended the
same, that no man could pass; that way gaining time, the numbers between them
being very unequal, for the Lord Admiral's escape. However, Mr. Carew himself was
at last taken prisoner, to the no little joy of the enemy, who thought they had taken the
general himself; as indeed by the ricliness of his armor they had reason to imagin.
But in fine, finding themselves deceived, they courteously carried him to the castle of
Dunbar, lying twenty Scotch miles to the east of Edenburgh in Scotland; where he
was courteously entertained by the lady thereof: who having a brother then a pri-
soner in England, hoped, by the advantage of an exchange, to have him delivered to
her again.
This lady then was always affable and courteous to her prisoner; but the keeper of
the castle was of a malicious and churlish nature, and dealt most cruelly with him.
As an instance of which, on a time, as Mr. Carew was sitting by the fire-side in his
chamber, he came suddainly upon liim, with his sword drawn, and an intention to
murther him ; which he timely perceiving, took up the chair whereon he sate to de-
fend himself; which, using his best skill to defend his life, he managed so well, that he
gave his keeper a deadly wound ; whereupon, more help called in, he was presently
cast into a deep dungeon, and kept there in such hard and cruel manner, that he fell
dangerously sick ; and what did mo:?t afilict him, was a dysentery, or a long tedious
flux, which never quite left him to the time of his death. However, at lengtli he was
redeemed, and so returned to his manner at Bicklegh. After which, the Lord Ad-
miral never forgot the noble services Mr. Carew did him, but ever entertained him
with all courtesy and friendship ; made him his Vice-Admiral, and assisted him in all
his affairs.
Y2 After
164 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
After this, Mr. Carevv lived in his own country several years, and out-lived his first
wife, the heir of Courtenay, by some; who settled on him and his heirs for ever, all
her estate. By her he had issue, a son and a daughter; John their son, married Gil-
bert Saint Clere's daughter, but died without issue. His monument is in Bicklegh
church, having this inscription on it.
A
Remembrance of John
Carew, Esquire, who died,
A. D. 1588.
' Marmora, nee tumuli, grandesve ex apre colossi,
' Nee genus aut proavi, nobile nomen habent.
' Buccina nobiliimi virtus sit, claraque vitas
' Postera transactae gens canit acta bene.'
&"■
After the decease of this first lady, Mr. Carew aforesaid, took unto his second wife,
the daughter of one Smart, by whom he had issue Humphry Carew, Esq. unto him,
John, his half-brother, before his death, convej^ed his estate: He had issue Peter;
who by the daughter of George Cary of Clovelly, Esq. had issue Sir Henry Carew, late
of Bicklegh, Kt. the last heir male of this line : who marrying one of the daughters of
Sir Reginald Mohun of Cornwal, Kt. had issue two daughters and heirs ; the eldest of
which, was married unto Sir Thomas Carew of Haccombe, Baronet ; who left issue
Sir Henry Carew, late of Haccombe and Bicklegh, Baronet; who married, first Eli-
zabeth, one of the daughters of Thomas Lord Clifford, Baron of Chudlegh in this
county, without issue; secondly, Katharine, one of the daughters of John Fowns, of
Whitlegh in this county, Esq. without issue ; thirdly, he married Gratiana, one of
the daughters of Thomas Darrel of Cornwal, Esq. by whom he left issue, the pre-
sent Sir Henry-Darrel Carew, of Haccombe and Bicklegh, Baronet, (a minor, of
about ten years of age) Thomas, and Charles, and one daughter, whose name is
Frances.
As for Bicklegh-House, 'tis an antient pile ; built with turrets, and moated round
with water; which, whether it may conduce most to the health of the inhabitants, it
becomes them most, that must live there, to enquire after.
We know not when this Mr. Tnomas Carew died ; nor can we find in Bicklegh
church (where we suppose he lleth interred) any monument of him. But instead
thereof, 1 shall present you with that of Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Carew of
Bicklegh, Esq. who was married unto Richard Erizie of Cornwal, Esq. she died
in child-bed, as appears from her epitaph.
Carew's daughter, Erizie's wife, her name Elizabeth ;
By pleasure of Almighty God, in child-Vjed found her death.
Which suddain, unexpected chance, with grief did kill the joy
Of gladded parents, and her mate, in bringing forth a boy.
To God she liv'd, to God she di'd, young year'd, in virtues old;
And left, until it rise again, this tomb her corps to hold.
And here, seeing Bicklegh and Haccombe are now united in one and the same
lord, let us divert a little into Haccombe, where we are sure of a civil reception.
This came into this honorable family, by the daughter of Sir Hugh Courtenay ;
and Philippa his first wife, daughter, and one of the heirs of Sir Warren Lerch-
deckne. Banneret ; whose eldest son, Sir Thomas Carew of Mohuns-Ottery, diso-
bliging her in a high degree, she settled seventeen mannors of land on her younger
sons, which proved the occasion of three great families, which have florished ever
since.
CAREW, THOMAS, ESQ. 165
since. She settled Haccombe, with four mannors, on Nicholas her second son, to
whom fell, by entail, the third brother's inheritance. Unto Hugh, she gave Biry,
from whom is descended Carew of Stodelegh ; and to Alexander, she gave Anthony
in Cornwal. Her second husband was Sir Robert Vere, unto whom she brought John
deVere; whose son John was fifteenth Earl of Oxford.
Haccombe, as to number of dwellings, is the smallest parish in England; consisting
but of two dwellings, the mansion-house and the parsonage, about two miles south
from Newton-bushel in this county ; but it enjoys priviledges beyond the greatest :
For it is out of any hundred," and beyond the precincts of any officer, civil or military, » My Lady Ca-
to take cognizance of any proceedings therein. And by a royal grant from the crown, J^j'* q^.'" 31!'
it is exempted from all duties and taxes, for some noble services done by some of the leys.
ancestors of this family, towards the support thereof. And the rector of this church
(at present, the Reverend Francis Strode, descended from the antient house of Newn-
ham in this county) hath great priviledges belonging to it, viz. A sine-cure in Corn-
wal, of good value; and quatenus rector hereof, he is arch-priest ; and 'tis said, may
claim the priviledg of wearing lawn sleeves, and of sitting next the bishop ; and is
under the visitation only of the Archbishop of Canterbury : A kind of chorepiscopus." ' Vid. Dr. Feiid
From the house (whose form and figure pleads great antiquity) the present habita-°|^'^^ ''••'• ^•
tion, of that eminently pious lady, Gratiana Lady Carew, relict of Sir Henry aforesaid,
through a green court, under a canopy of laurel, we walk into the church ; on whose
door may be seen, two of the four shooes of a horse, which a gentleman of this family
swam a prodigious way into the sea, and back again, upon a wager of a mannor of
land, and won it : for which, the horse was deservedly manumitted from all future
services ever after, and his shooes fastened to the church-door ; where some of them
yet remain, in perpetuam rei memoriam.
Within the church (w hose face speaks it of as long standing as any in the county)
appear many monuments of antiquity; in the chancel, under an arch in the south-
wall, lieth Sir Stephen de Haccombe, Kt. cut in stone to full proportion, all in armor,
finely florished with black, cross-legged, and spurred, in token of his knighthood; and
that he had acutely been, or avowed himself a soldier in the Holy Land; having on
his breast, his sheild argent, charged with three bendlets sab. There were several
knights of this name, that successively florished here" unto K. Edw. 2d's reign. The'SirW^Pde^s
first of which, was Sir Jordan de Haccombe, in K. Hen. 3d's days; whose paternal inHac.and ttTe
name was Fitz-Stephen. which he changed to Haccombe, the place of his resi- Kts. in several
. , ^ - ° '■ Ks.' reigns.
dence. 'Camb.Brit.in
Which name of Fitz-Stephen, I find also very antient and honorable; whose original ^ev. p. 30.
habitation was at Norton (afterwards honored with the addition of its Lord's name,
Dauney) in the parish ofTounstal near Dartmouth. For here florished Sir Gilbert
Fitz-Stephen, R. R. Edw. '2. Sir Richard Fitz-Stephen, who died a. 17 Edw. 1. Sir
William Fitz-Stephen, in K. Hen. 3, and K.John's time, and Sir William Fitz-Stephen
ofTounstal, in the reign of K. Rich. L Of which family we may conclude, was^
Ralph FitZ'Stephen (and Robert Fitz-Stephen, tho' he is said to have been" a Welsh- and iref. by r."
man) one of the first Englishmen" that conquered Ireland, under that valiant com-B-P-^is-
mander, Strong-bow Earl of Pembrooke, in K. Hen. 2d's days; (of which before m i„ irei. p. 971!
Barry). Ralph Fitz-Stephens was possessed of lands at South-Huish in this county, Ed't- «i'.
at the time of the Conquest, which before belonged to Algarus the Saxon." oWesto.Deser.
In the upper part of the north-isle, under an arch in the wall, lies the portraicture g^mJH""^',, '°
of a woman, at lull length, cut in stone, on whose breast are the arms of Haccombe ;
which ma!;es me think she was the daughter and heir of that family, married to
Lerchdeckne.
In the same wall, lower down, under another arch, lieth a marble tomb, having a
small
166 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
small cross embossed thereon, that runs from head to feet, without an}' arms or
e^jitaph to signify unto whom it should belong.
Then under the arch that parts the chancel and the north-isle, is raised a bed, near
four foot in heighth, and as much in breadth ; on which are laid the portraictures of
Sir John Lerchdeckne, a Cornish Kt. and his lady, Cicely, the daughter and heir of
Haccombe, lively cut in stone ; lie in armor, with his helmet plumed under his head.
Near the transverse-wall, farther back, lieth a lady, cut out in grey marble, with a
book in her left hand, and her right on her breast ; whom I guess to be, either Lerch-
deckne's daughter and heir, married to Sir Hugh Courtenay, Kt. or rather. Sir Hugh
Courtenay's daughter, married to Sir Nicholas Baron Carew.
At her feet, lieth the eftigies of a youth, curiously cut in alabaster, and finely po-
lished, in a frame of the same, two angels supporting his pillow, and a dog at his feet;
who may be supposed to have been the brother of the last mentioned lady, and only
son (by his first lady) of Sir Hugh Coiu'tenay aforesaid. If he had lived, he had been,
not only Lord of Haccombe, but Earl of Devon.
On the north side of the communion table, is a fair marble stone, whereon is the
figure of Nicholas Carew, Esq. cut out in brass, armed cap-a-pee; the first of this
name that had Haccombe by the gift of his mother; under whose feet, on a brass
plate, are engraven these verses, in old letters.
^ ' Armiger insignis jacet hie Carew Nicholaus ;
' Prudens, egregius, de stirpe nobili natus.
' Vitam praisentem Septembris clausit enndo
' Ab isto mensis die decinio tertio mundo
' Edwardi nono regni quarti Regis anno
' Nee non mileno C. C. C. C. qusi pleno
' Cum sexageno nono Domini mei nato.
' Cujus solamen animae cito det Deus. Amen.'
On the south-side of the said table, is the figure, in brass, of Thomas Carew, Esq.
under which are these words ;
* Hie jacet corpus Thomae Carew, arm. qui obiit 28 die Mart. A. D. 1586.
JEtat. suae 68.
On a fair stone near by, is the effigies of his wife, in brass also, and under it are
these words :
♦ Hie jacet Maria Carew, uxor Thomas Carew de Haccombe, arm. & filia Will.
' Huddye de com. Dorset, arm. Quae obiit 19 die Nov. A. D. 1588.
In the middle of the north-isle, is the figure of a woman in brass, on a fair stone,
with this inscription :
Here lieth Elizabeth the wife of John Carew of Haccombe, Esq. and daughter of
Robert Hill of Shilston, Esq. who died on Assention-day, A. D. 1611.
In the chancel is another fair brass table, containing the effigies of Thomas Carew,
»ByFr. Moore his wife, five SOUS, and one daughter; with this epitaph :?
Tracy"' ^"^' ' Here lieth the bodies of Thomas Carew, Esq, and Ann his wife who departed
'the 6th and 8th day of December, 1656.
Two bodies lie beneath this stone,
Whom love and marriage long made one ;
One soul conjoyn'd them by a force.
Above the power of death's divorce ;
One
CAREW, THOMAS, ESQ. io7
One flame of love their lives did burn.
Even to ashes, in their urn.
They die, but not depart, who meet
In wedding, and in winding-sheet:
AVhom God hath knit so firm in one,
. - Admit no separation.
Therefore unto one marble-trust
We leave their now united dust :
As root, in earth, embrace, to rise
Most lovely flowers in Paradise.
For the honor of this family, I farther find,'' That John Carewf'AW(°.^ of Haccombe, , ^.^^ g^^^^
was a commander in the army, sent into Italy, under the leading of Monsieur Lautrec, of Dev. in Hac.
by Francis the French King, and Hen. 8 of England, a. 1527, to rescue Pope Clem. '^*'
7th, then prisoner in his castle of St. Angelo, so made by the Emperor, Charles 5th,
his general ; at what time Rome was ransacked with worse violence,' than by the ^ sir Paul Ri-
Goths and Vandals ; whose success was so fortunate, they soon set the Pope at ^,^"%opgg' ^
liberty. This army was stiled, Exercitus Anglite, & Gallorum Regum pro Pontifice ciem. 7, p. 57,
Romano liberando congregatus.
58.
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
THIS John Carew was the eldest son of Nicholas Carew of Haccombe beforementioned, the second son of
Sir Nicholas Carew by Joan Courtenay. He died at Pavia, in 1528. To him succeeded John, Thomas, John,
Thomas and Thomas, who was created a baronet in lb(il. He married the co-heir of Sir Henry Carew of Bick-
leigh, kniglit, and had issue Sir Henry, who was thrice married. By iiis third wife Gratiana, daughter of
Tiiomas Darell of Trewornan in Cornwall, Esq.» he had issue Sir Henry Darell, who died at the age of eighteen,
and Sir Thomas, who. by Dorothy, co-heir of Peter West, Esq. had issue Sir John, who married Elizabeth, only
daughter of the Rev. Henry Holdsworth, of Dartmouth, and had issue Sir Thomas, who, by Jane, daughter of the
Rev. Charles Smaluood, was the father of the present Sir Henry Carew of Haccombe, High Sheriff ol the county
of Devon, in 1808, who married Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Walter Palk of Marley, Esq. and has issue two
sons, Walter Palk, and Henry.
» Thomas Darell of Trewornan was descended from the ancient family of Darell, which was sealed inthe reign
of King John at Sessay, in the county of York ; whence issued numerous branches, which have flourished in seve-
ral counties in England, particularly in Wiltshire at Littlecot, at Collingborne, and at Hungerford : in Kent at
Calehill, where the family has resided more than four centuries ; in Sussex at Scotney and Pageham ; in Bucking-
hamshire at FuUamoor; in Berkshire at Westwoodley, of which place was Sir John Darell, created a baronet in
1622; in Hampshire at Chacrofl ; and in Cornwall at Trewornan. The latter place was inherited by tiie father
of Lady Carew, who was the grandson of Sir Thomas Darell of Pageham, kt. from his uncle John Roe, Esq. and
was the residence of his descendants during several generations. Upon the death ot Henry Si. George Darell of
Richmond in Surry, and of Coldrenick in Cornwall, which latter estate, together with the additional name of
Trelawny, he had derived from the will of Charles Trelawny, Esq. of Coldrenick, whose mother was a Darell,
Trewornan became the property of Darell Crabb Trelawny, and was devised by his will to its present possessor,
the Rev. Darell Stephens, younger brother of the late Edward Trelawny, Esq. of Coldrenick, whose son is the
representative of the Pageham, .Scotney, and Trewornan branches of the Darell family.
CAREW,
Flor.
A. D.
1608.
R. R.
Jac. 1
,
• Ath.
OxOD.
v.l.p
. 451.
168 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON
CAREW, GEORGE, BARON OF CLOPTON.
LiAREW, George, Baron of Clopton, and Earl of Totnes, was born in this coun-
ty;^ but whether at Upton-HiHon near Crediton, or at Exeter, in the house there,
belonging to the arch-deaconry of Totnes, or where else, I am not able to determin.
He was second son of George Carew, D.D. who was third son of Sir Edmund Carew,
of Mohuns-Ottery, Kt. by Katharine his wife, daughter of Sir William Huddesfeild
(of whom, God willing, more hereafter). Which Sir Edmund, was a brave soldier,
and knighted for the gallant service he did unto K. Hen. 7 at Bosworth-feild. He
" Sir w. Pole's had four sons, all famous men;*" as first. Sir William, who by Joan his wife, daughter
Derln'iwjfh- ^^ ^'' ^''ham Courtenay of Powderham, had issue George Carew, drown'd at sea in
ottery, MS.' the Mary Rose, a. 37 K. Hen. 8, Sir Philip, a knight of Malta; and Sir Peter, an
eminent soldier in the Irish wars ; who all died without issue : whereby Mohuns-Ot-
tery fell to their sister and heir; whose daughter and heir brought it to Southcot ; of
which already.
Second, Sir Edmund had issue, Thomas Carew of Bicklegh; of whom before. Third,
George Carew, D.D. and fourth. Sir Gavven Carew of Wood, in this county, Kt. a
great courtier, belonging to Q. Eliz.
George (however the genius of the family enclin'd the others generally to arms) ad-
dicted himself to the arts; and became a member of the university of Oxford, spending
' Primam ju- some time in the house'' then called K. Henry the eighth's hall, since swallow'd up of
ventutem in Christ-church. How long he continued is uncertain ; but certain it is, that having
posuit. Hist, been resident here a while, he betroth'd in marriage a noble young gentlewoman, of
g^^'ii'i-U"'''- excellent vertues;'' who being a little after snatch'd away from him by immature
254. ' death, he took the stroke so tenderly, that he resolv'd to leave his country, and travel
" ubi despon- beyond sea. After some time, returning into England, he took holy orders ; with
roicamaUquam^his cspecial aim. That he might be no more obnoxious to love, and the contingencies
id. ib. of matrimony." However, at length he chang'd his resolution, and married Anne,
tim con'^smrne '^^"ghtcr of Sir Anthony Harvy, Kt : by whom he had two famous sons. Sir Peter,
Matrimonio an excellent soldier, and Sir George, Earl of Totnes ; and one daughter, married to
noxlusesset Salter Dourish of Dourish, in the parish of Sanford, Esq; from whom, in a direct
id. ib. line, is descended the present heir of that antient name and family.
Before I proceed to the earl, I shall crave leave to speak somthing farther of his
father, Dr. George Carew. He was, first, arch-deacon of Totnes ; then dean of
Bristol ; next, chantor of the church of Salisbury; after that, chapplain and dean of
the chappel to Q. Eliz. then dean of Christ-church, in Oxford, anno 1559 ; after-
ward dean of Exeter ; and lastly, dean of AVindsor. From all which preferments,
growing ricli, he purchased a good estate, rebuilded the house at Upton-Hilion
aforesaid ; which he left unto his son. Sir Peter, (having bought the site and
demesns himself) ; who dying without issue, left it to his brother, the earl of Tot-
nes ; who sold it to the ancestor of Sir Walter Young, Baronet, whose now it is. But
to go on.
George Carew, the younger son of the dean, for his better education, went to Ox-
'Ath. Oxon. ford,' v\ here he became gentleman commoner of Broad-Gates-Hall, now Pembrook-
quo supra. college, an. 1572, and of his age 15. At the same time, two of his name are said to
have studied in University-college; which hath given occasion to some, to challenge
this person for theirs. However, This gentleman being more delighted in martial af-
fairs, than in the solitary shades of a study, left the university, without taking any
degree, and betook himself to travel.
The
CAREW, GEORGE, BARON OF CLOPTON. 169
The first place we find he went unto, was Ireland, at that time the scene of noble
actions j where he had soon a command given him in the wars, which he diligently
pursued against that noted rebel, the earl of Desmond, a subdolous man; who occa-
sioned great distiubance to the English government in that kingdom.
This gentleman having behaved himself very well in Ireland, his merits, at length,
were made known to Q. Elizabeth of gracious memory; upon which she made him
one of her council there, and master of the ordnance in that kingdom. In which last
employment he behaved himself with great renown in various expeditions ; as he did
likewise, some years after, in his voyage to Cadiz in Spain.
Somtime after this, he returned to England ; and coming to ^ Oxford, he was, ^ Fast. Oxod.
in company with other persons of quality, as Ferdinando earl of Derby, Sir John^- 'P'
Spencer, &c. in the year of our Lord, 1589, in the month of September, created
master of arts ; before which time he had been advanced to the degree of knight-
hood.
Somtime after this, he went back into Ireland again ; and when that unhappy king-
dom was, in a manner, over-run with a domestic rebellion, and a Spanish army, Sir
George Carew was made lord president of Munster for three years ; at what time,
joyning his forces with those of the earl of Thomond, he took in divers castles and
strongholds, in those parts; as Logher, Crome, Glane, Carigroile, Ruthmore, &c. ;'' "Dugd. Bar.
and at length brouglit the titular earl of Desmond, one of the most active rebels there, ™'- ^- P- '*-^-
to his tryal. How greatly this carriage and conduct of his, pleased his gracious mis-
tress, Q. Elizabeth, of glorious memory, may appear from that letter sent him by her
Majesty, an. 16()1, written with her own hand. A copy whereof here follows." 'Moris, itin.
part 2. p. 133.
" My faithful George,
" If ever more services of worth, were performed in shorter space, than you have
done, we are deceived among many eye-witnesses: We have received the fruit there-
of; and bid you faithfully credit, that whatso wit, courage, or care may do, we
truly find, they have all been thorowly acted in all your charge. And for the same,
believe, that it shall neither be imremembred, nor unrewarded: And, in the mean
while, believe, my help, nor prayers, shall never fail you.
" Your soveraign, that best regards you,
E. R."
After K. Jam. 1. of blessed memory, came to the crown of England, Sir George
Carew was called home; and in the first year of his reign, was constituted governor
of the Isle of Guernsy and Castle-Cornet. In the third year of that King, he was
advanced to the dignity of a baron of this realm, by the title of, the Lord Carew of
Clopton : He having married Joice, daughter and co-heir to AVilliam Clopton of Clop-
ton, in the county of Warwick, Esq ; Afterwards he became vice-chamberlain and
treasurer to Q,. Anne, consort-royal to K. Jam. 1, then master of the ordnance
throughout England, and of the privy-council to that prince.
Upon the death of K. James, when Charles the first succeeded in the English
throne, he was, by that gracious King, on the 5th of Febr. in the first year of his
reign, created earl of Totnes, in his own country ; the same place whereof, before,
his father had been the archdeacon. At what time he was under this most honorable
character,'' That he was a faithful subject, a valiant and prudent commander, an ho- n Atii. Oxob.
nest counsellor, a gentile scholar, a lover of antiquities, and a great patron of learn- q"o »"?"•
ing. For amid'st his busy employments there (what is not a little observable) as an
argument of his affection to that kind of study, he wrote an historical account of all
the memorable passages which hapned in Ireland, during the term of those three years
he continued there, under this title :
Z Pacata
170 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Pacata Hibernia: Or, The History of the late Wars in Ireland. Lend. Print, fo-
lio, 1633, with his eihgies before, and these verses under it :
' Talis erat vultu : sed lingua, mente, manuq :
' Qualis erat, qui vult dicere, scripta Icgat.
' Consulat aut famam, qui lingua, mente, manuve
* Vincere hunc, famajudice, rarus erat.
Which may thus be rendred into English :
Such was his face ; but's tongue, his mind, his hand,
Who best would know, from's works must understand.
Him who excels, in tongue, in hand, in mind.
Though fame herself be judg, 'tis rare to find.
Of which history, containing those three years transanctions in Munster, that he
was there, the said earl's own exploits are not the least part.
This work, while he lived, was first reserved for his own private satisfaction. Se-
condly, preserved for the furtherance of a general history of the kingdom of Irela 'd,
when some industrious writer should undertake a compleat description of those affairs.
And lastly, out of his own retired modesty.
It was by him held back from the stage of publication, lest himself, being a prin-
cipal actor in many of the particulars, he might be thought to give utterance to his.
private merit and services; however justly memorable.
After the earl's death, this book came into the hands of his faithful and trusty ser-
vant, if not his natural son, called Thomas Stafibrd, for his good services in Ireland
' III his Epit. also knighted,' by whom, being first offered to the view aud censure of divers learned
of- Wa^nvick"' ^^d judicious persons, it was at length published.
i>. 518. 1). Besides his Pacata Hibernia, this noble earl hath, in four large volumes, collected
several chronologies, charters, letters, muniments, and other materials belonging to
Ireland : which, as choice rarities, are at this day reserved in the Bodleian library.
He also made several collections, notes, and extracts, for writing the history of the
reign of K. Hen. 5, which were remitted into the History of Great Britain, publish-,
ed b}' John Speed; of which author, and his work, one hath given this remarkable
■" Atii. Oxon. character," ' For stile and industry (saith he) it is such, that for one who (as Martial
iitio sup. p. 452. speaks) had neither a Grascum x«'pe) nor an Ave Latinum. It is without many fel-
lows in Europe.'
This noble earl ended his days at the Savoy, in the Strand, near London, on the.
27th of March, 1629, being then of the age of seventy-three years, and near ten
months. Soon after his death, his body was conveyed to Stratford upon Avon, in
Warwickshire, in which stood Clopton-house, the seat of his lady's family; and was
interred at the upper end of an isle, on the north side of that parish church, among
her ancestors, and near the place where she herself was afterwards laid.
Over whose grave, and to whose memory, a very stately monument was soon after
erected, by the care and kindness of Joice his lady; adorned by Ursula, the wife of
Henry Nevil, of Holt, in Leicestershire, Esq; this lady's sister's daughter, as may
' Dngd. Ant. be Seen from this inscription :"
Warw.p.519. • ry- . ^ . .
* Georgio lotonesue Comiti &
' Comitissa; Jocosa? Guil. Clopton
' Arm. Cohaeredi, materterje suae
• Optime merenti
,,.... P.
' Ursula uxor Henr. Nevil de
' Holt Leiccs. Arm.
A very
CAREW, GEORGE, BARON OF CLOPTON. I71
A very lively draught of this noble monument, may be seen in Sir William Dug-
dal's antiquities of Warwickshire; where the earl and his countess are represented,
lying side by side, in their robes and coronets, under a noble arch, adorned with
their coats of arms, in the midst whereof is a fair marble table, containing this large
epitaph." "ibid, p. sis.
D. O. M.
Et
Memoriae Sacrum.
Qui in spem Immortalitatis, Mortales hie deposuit exuvias Georgius
Carew, antiquissima nobilissimaq ; Ortus Prosapia: eadem scilicet mascula
stirpe qua illustrissimas Giraldinorum in Hibernia & Windesoriensium in Anglia fa-
milisea Carew-Castro in agro Penbrochiensi Cognomen sortitus est. Ab in eunte M-
tate Bellicis Studiis innutritus, Ordines in Hibernia adhuc Juvenis contra rebellem
Desmonite Comitem primum duxit. Postea Elizabethfe foelicissimte memorise Re-
ginas in eodem Regno Consiliarius, & Tormentorum Bellicorum Pra?fectus fuit.
Quo etiam nninere in variis Expeditiouibus, in ilia priiesertim longe celeberrima
qua Cades Hispani<e expugnatte sunt anno MDXCV^I fa?liciter perfunctus est.
Demum cum Hibernia universa domesticje Rebcllionis &. Hispanic* Invasionisin-
cendio flagraret, Momoniae Pra^fectus per integrum Triennium, contra Hostes, tarn
internosquam externos multa fortiter, fideliterq; gessit. Tamdem in Angliani re-
vocatus a Jacobo Magnas Britannia? Rege, ad Baronis de Clopton dignitatem evec-
tus, Annai Reginag Procamerarius & Thesaurarius, Tormentorum Bellicorum per
totam Angliam Prasfectus, Garnseije Insulag Gubernator constitutus, & in Secreti-
oris Consilii Senatum Cooptatusest. Jacobo deinde ad Caslestem Patriam evocato,
Carolo filio usque adeo Charus fuit, ut inter alia non vulgaria Benevoli alTectus in-
dicia, ab eo Comitis de Totnes honore Solenni iuvestitura exornatus fuerit.
Tantus vir, Natalium Splendore illustris. Belli & Pacis artibus Ornatissimus,
magnos honores propria virtute consecutus, cum ad plenam & adultam Senectutem
perrenisset, Pie, Placideq ; Animam Deo Creatori reddidit Londini in ajdibus Sa-
baudiae.
Anno Dominica? Incarnationis juxta Anglicam Computationem
MDCXXIX die Martii xxvii.
Vixit annos Ixxiii Menses fere x.
Joisia Clopton, cujus Effigies hie cernitur, antiqua Cloptonorum
Familia, fdia, primogenita & Haeres ex Semisse, Gulielmi Clop-
ton de Clopton Armigeri, Conjux Masstissima viri charissimi &
optime Meriti cum quo vixit annos xlix, Memoria; pariter ac
suae, in Spem ffelicissimas Resurrectionis, Monumentum hoc, quo
Supremo Munere, non sine Lachrymis Consecravit ilia
vixit annos l.xxviii & xiiii die Januarii obiit anno
Dom. M.DC.XXX.VI.
Of which noble earl, I shall only add that honorable character given of him by Dr.
Fuller, in his England's Worthies,'' 'That for state-affairs, George Carew, privy- p jntroduct. p.
counsellor of England, Scotland, and Ireland, was as able a man, as the age he lived 57.
in, produced.'
This earl had an elder brother, as was said, whose name was Sir Peter Carew, a
very noble knight, as Cambden calls liim,i and of approv'd virtue. He was also, an <iHis(. otQ.
excellent soldier, and did great service to the crown of England, in the kingdom of Eij^- A- is. R.
Ireland, where he died, and was buried at Waterford, Dec. 15, 1575. ^''"'
Notwithstanding which, there is a noble memorial erected to him, and Sir Gawen
Z 2 Carew,
172 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Carew, his uncle; and another to Sir Peter Carew of Mohuns-Ottery, Kt. (a great
soldier likewise) at the upper end of the north ambulatory, in St. Peter's church, at
Exeter, in, or near, the Lady Mary's chappel; on one of which are found these
words :
Viro
Nobilissimo D. Petro Carew
Equiti Aurato,
Est hoc Structum Monumentum :
Qui obiit Rosa; in Laginia Hiberniae 27
Novem. Sepultus autem Waterfordiae
15 Decemb. 1575.
Terra Cadaver habet
CARPENTER,
( 173 )
CARPENTER, NATHANAEL, B. D.
Carpenter, Nathanael, B. D. and dean of , in the kingdom of Ireland, was Fior. A. d.
born in the parsonage-house of North- Lew (not Northlegh, as the author of the Ath. ctr^i.^' ^"
Oxon. tells us,*) near Hatherlegh, in this count}^ on the 7th of Febr. 1588. His.y.i. p. 4W.
father was John Carpenter, a Cornish man by birth ; and, at that time, rector of that
parish church ; a reverend and learned divine, as may appear from the works he pub-
lished ; a catalogue whereof may be seen in the book last quoted, pag. 385.
From the education of a country school, with his father's improvements, he went to
Oxford, and was first planted into St. Edmund's-hall there. How long he contiimed
a member of that hall, is not certain ; but in the year of grace, 1607, he was elected
fellow of Exeter college; at what time Michael Jermyn, a native of this country
likewise (of whom in his place) standing against him, had equal sufFerages with him.
The matter came to be referred to the vice-chancellor of Oxford, and he, to his great
honor, adjudged the election to Mr. Carpenter ; but with no dishonor to Mr. Jermyn,
who, the next year after, was sped into Corpus Christi College, in the same univer-
sity.
Mr. Carpenter, being thus fixed in the free-hold of his college, with great industry,
applied himself to his study; and by a virtuous emulation and diligence, became a
noted logician^ philosopher, mathematician, poet, geographer, and divine, as his
works sufficiently testify.
He took his batchelor of arts degree, Jul. 15, 1610; proceeded master, Apr. 28,
1613; and batchelor of divinity. May 11, 1620:" which are all the degrees he was " id. n,. in
advanced to in this university. 'Soon after he had compleated his master's degree, he ^'"'•
entered into holy orders, and became an eminent diviixe, being cryed up, by the gene-
rality of scholars, for a most excellent preacher. So that it may be a question, not
easily decided, this day, whether he was most to be prefer'd, as a divine, a geogra-
pher, or a philosopher ?
When he was about six years standing batchelor of divinity, he was introduced into
the acquaintance of the most learned and pious Archbishop Usher, primate of all
Ireland ; at what time his grace came to Oxford, and was incorporated doctor of di-
vinity there, July 24, 1626, while here he stayed, he lodged in Jesus College; the
occasion of his coming, was to peruse certain manuscripts in the public library, and
elsewhere in tJie university, in order to his pubhshing some Avork of his.
During his abode here, the incomparable prelate, understanding the worth of
Mr. Carpenter, took him into his service; and carrying him with him into Ireland,
made him one of his chaplains, and tutor to the King's wards in Dublin ; /. e. those
young gentlemen who (their fathers, of the Roman catholic religion, leaving them in
their minority) fell, wards unto the King : a place, as Dr. Fulier observes,' of good ^ Worthies in
profit, greater credit, and greatest trust, his work being to bring up many popish °*''-^^"'*"-
minors in the protestant religion; under whose education they grew daily out of the
non-age of their years, and vassalage of their errors, into the freedom of truth. " For
they that know the truth, the truth shall make them free,'"* " st. Joh. a.
Soon after he came into Ireland, he was advanced to a certain deanry in tliat^'--
church ; but of what place, is not mentioned. Nor, indeed, is there any thing else
remarkable (except the books he published) recorded of him, until the time of his
death; so that I shall forthwith proceed to that immortal monument, raised to his
memory by his own pen, I mean his works. He published,
I. Philosophia Libera, triplici Exercitationum Decade proposita. First printed at
Franckford, under the disguised name of Cosmopolitauus, a citizen of the world. A
year
174 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
year after this, came forth a second and more correct edition at London, anno 1622, in
8vo, with the addition, by the author himself, of another decade. Then at Oxford,
1636, and 1675. Tiiis was looked upon as an exquisitely learned and ingenuous
piece; wherein the author justifies an abcession from the gravest errors in philosophy,
under what great names soever delivered, and derides the philosophers of that age,
who could be content to lick up Aristotle's vomit, as Elian's painter drew the poets
of his time, licking up that of Homer. He professed he would be sworn to no mas-
ter's opinion, any farther than right reason, or the holy Scripture, did make it
' Qui in nulli- certain.*
iTa/noTnisTin H. He published. Geography, delineated forth in two books; containing the Sphe-
rationis, ants, rical and Topical Parts thereof. This was printed at Oxford first, 1625; and there
CrifS'sp'^c- again, more correct, an. 1635, in 4to. A treatise of extraordinary worth in its kind;
tarit oeititudi. j^ i\^q latter part whereof,' asserting that mountainous people are, for the most part,
"ITb «'*^' more stout, warlike, and generous, than those of plain countries, he demonstrates his
260, &c'. ''' hypothesis, in particular, among others, from the county of Devon, in which he was
born ; and confirms it by many examples in the natives thereof, who have been as
famous as any else, as well for arts as arms.
HI. He published a small volume, intituled, Achitophel ; or, the . Picture of a
wicked Politician, in three Parts. First printed at Dublin, 1627, 8vo. Then at
Oxon, 1628, 4to; there again 1640, in 12°. These three parts, are three sermons,
preached before the university of Oxford, on that text in 2, Sam. 17 ch. 23 ver. "When
Achitophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose and
gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his houshold in order, and hanged
himself," &c. These sermons were much applauded by all the scholars that heard
them; and therefore were, by most of them, most eagerly desired to be printed.
• Atii. Oxon. Soon after they came abroad, divers passages, 'tis said,^ were observed in them against
quo Mip. Arminianisni; averring it to be planted among us, by Jesuitical politicians, to under-
mine our religion by degrees, and covertly to introduce popery it self. But if credit
herein may be given to William Prynn, it was forthwith called in, and all the pas-
sages against Arminianism were expunged by Bishop Laud's agent. Whereupon, it
was reprinted at London, 1629, 4to, to the great injury both of the truth, and the
author. Thus he.
IV. There was printed, under his name, Chorazin and Bethsaida's Woe and Warn-
ing Piece; on that of our Saviour, Matth. 11. 21. " Woe unto thee Chorazin, woe
unto thee Bethsaida," &c. A sermon, or rather two days' work, preached before the
learned university of Oxford, at St. Mary's church. This was afterwards reviewed,
contracted, and intended for a Paul's Cross sermon; though, whether preached there,
or no, I cannot say. This posthumous discourse was published, after the author's death,
by one that calls himself his kindsman and ally, and subscribes himself N. H.; which
he dedicated to Dr. Winniff, and caused to be printed at Oxford, an. 1640: of which
"InEp. Ded. the publisher gives this account ;'' that disastrous occurrents, attempted often the
stifling hereof, before the birth ; for had not a kindsman, Jo. Ca. friendly hand given
it safe conduct over the surges of the ocean, in all likelyhood, it had perished on the
Netherland shoars.
V. This author wrote, a Treatise of Opticks; it had been a master-piece, in its
kind, if truly and perfectly printed. 'Tis said, that to his great grief, he fouud the
written preface thereof, underlaying Christmas-pies, in his printer's house (pearls are
' Fuller quo an- jjQ pearls, wlicu cocks and cockscombs find them);' and could never after, from his
k \'th Ox and ^*^'^^'-^''^*^^ uotcs, rccovcr the true original. Others say,"* that the original suffered ship-
Pnbiisiier of wrac in the Irish sea; the irrecoverable loss whereof, is much to be deplored, though
WoeTq'io snp. somc imperfect copies are saved in manuscript, because not to be repaired, but by hi^
quo snp.
own hand.
Mr,
CARPENTER, NATHANIEL, B.D. 175
Mr. Carpenter was then, as we may well infer from what foregoes, an extraordi-
nary person; of whom one, tha knew him well, hath E;iven us this character,' " That ' id. in Epist.
he was a microcosm, a little world within the hemisphere ot this greater ; that seemed, ^vinuift.
for his natural endowments of knowledg, reason, judgment, wisdom, and all superna-
tural gifts, to outstrip many of his superiors, both in age and place." He it was
whoni Oxford so much admired for industry, ingenuity, rationality, and judicious
solidity, in things pertaining to liberal sciences: and the church, at this day, in
Achitophel, the wicked politician stands stupified and amazed; wondering at the
subtilty and policy humane, together with the knowledg and speculations divine,
which the God of heaven exhibited unto him, in such an exuberant and abundant
measure. And Mr. Carpenter tells us of himself, he was of that temper, that he could
not flatter; and he could be poor, rather than ambitious." mfu"enorunt,
When he lay upon his death-bed, it did much repent him, that he had formerly sohominem me
much courted the maid, instead of the mistress ; meaning, that he had spent his chief g^^f^y^jP^^*^";
time in philosophy and mathematics, and had neglected divinity. gis quam am-
He died at Dublin, in Ireland, an. 1635; but in what place there buried, is uncer-J[,',^'yp°°]^
tain, so Fuller;" but the author of Ath. Oxon tells us, he died, an. 1628. Dr. Robert pist. ped. jac.
Usher, afterward bishop of Kildare, and brother to the archbishop, preached his fu-pr'^xa Deca-
neral sermon, on that text, " Behold a true Israelite, wherein there is no guile. ""d'bussms.
Shewing how he was truly a Nathanael, God's gift; and a carpenter, a wise builder" ^o^-^''^'-
4if God's house, until the dissolution of his own tabernacle. "St.Joh. i.4r.
GARY,
176 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
GARY, SIR JOHN, KNIGHT.
fior- A. D. Gary, sir John, Knight, (Note.) one of the barons of the Exchequer, was born
Edw.sd! " in this county, altho' at what house herein, is not so apparent; Dr. Fuller tells us,' it
^ Worthies in was at Cockinton ; which, since this gentleman's time, indeed, hath been, for the most
^^^- part, the continued seat of this honourable family, down to the present age : But at
the time that this gentleman was born, Cockinton was not in this name, for he him-
' Sir W.Pole's self was the first owner thereof, as he was also of Clovelly, in this county," which still
i^Loc.M.s!'^'^'^^"'''^'^^^ in a younger branch of his family.
That Sir John Gary, aforesaid, was a native of this county, and a person of con-
siderable quality herein, before he became a judg, is sufficiently apparent from hence,
that he, and his brother, William Carjs Kt. were chosen knights of the shire, to
serve in parliament, in the 37th and 4iid years of Edvv. 3, as appears from the fol-
' Sir w. Pole's lowing rccord :"
De'eds and Johanucs & GuHclmus Gary Milites, electi per totam Gom. Devon, essendi pro
Chart, p. 166. eadcm Gom. ad Parliament. Domini Regis apud Westmonast. \° Die Maii, &c.
Now that these two gentlemen thus served their country, in this capacity, is very
clear from the acquittance, which they gave the county for their wages, as 'twas call-
ed in those days ; which I look upon as an honester word than pension, how much
more soever that may have been in vogue in ours; a copy whereof I find in these
" Id. ib. & p. words :"
^^*- Noveritis per presentes nos Johannem de Gary & Willielmum de Gary Milites
electos per tot' Gom' Devon' &c. recepisse & habuisse de Thom' de AfTeton & Rich*
de Mervy GoUectoribus decimarum & quindecimarum 21 libras pro expensis nostris
assensu & consensu totius comitatus pntdict' de quibus quidem '21 1. fatemur nos esse
plenarie solutos per Prspsentis. Dat' Exon' anno regis Rex Edw. 3, 37.
Which to me is sufficient demonstration, that these gentlemen were born within
this county, which they had the honour to serve in this high capacity ; and very like-
ly it was, at the most antient seat of this family, called by the same name, in the
parish of St. Giles in the Heath, lying in the north-west part of this shire, on the
borders of Gornwal.
I shall not presume to set bounds to this noble name, by determining when it first
began, or from whence it came ; if any shall derive it from Garinus, son and Augustus
unto the emperor Garus (who was general of the Romans here in Britain, about the
' Weste. Ped. year of our Lord 284) I shall have nothing to oppose. Some' would fetch this fa-
in Gary, MS. ^ily from Adam Gary, of Gastle-Gary, in the county of Somerset; but the name
seems antienter than the place, and to give to, rather than take from it : That it was
in these parts before the Norman invasion, is probable, in that I can find no mention
of it in the several copies of Battle-Abby-Rolle, published from Hollingshead, Stow,
and others, by Dr. Fuller, in his Ghurch-History, and Mr. Fox in his Martyrology ;
'Boh. Geog. however it be acknowledged, that there is a small port* of this name in the kingdom
Diet, in Gary, of France.
The opinion therefore of those, seems to me most probable, who say. That this ho-
nourable family derive their name from Gary-Brook, a small river, which hems in on
one side, as the Tamar doth on the other, a little hamlet, called St. Giles in the
Heath ; of which before. Here, we are told, they possessed an antient dwelling,
e Risd. Desc. bearing their name.^
Gii^Til the*'" Having thus cleared up our title to this worthy gentleman, let us proceed to the
Heath, MS. memorable occurrences of his life : He was brought up in the study of the laws of his
country, altho' iu what particular hostel, as our inns of court were antiently called,
is
GARY, SIR JOHN, KNIGHT. . I77
is not now apparent ; the change and variation of which name, is thus given us bv
Dugdal," That these hostels being nurseries, or seminarips of the court (taking thefr- Orig. jurid.
denomination from the end wherefore they were so instituted) were called therefore P-^**-
the inns of court. However, we are ignorant of the particular place, we find he
made very good improvement of his time, and grew up to great skill and knowledg
m his profession : so that passing throu' other degrees in the university of the laws (as
our famous Lord Chief-Justice Fortescue calls the inns of court,' he was, in the sixth 'ibid
year of K. Richard II. 1383, called to that of a serjeant ; according to the record
here following :
Johannes Gary, Edmundus de Glay, Johannes Hill, Summoniti ad gradum servientis
ad legem suscipiendum, die hmse proximo ante festum Purificationis Marise, &c " kdu d Chr
About four years after this, sc. the fifth of November, 1387, he was by the kino-,Ser."|.53. "
Richard II. made one of the barons of the exchequer, and advanced to be a judo- Sf
the land ; who being now placed in an high and spacious orb, he scattered the" ray's of
justice about him, with great splendor. In this post he continued many years, ma-
nifesting, in all his actions, an inflexible virtue and honesty.
And, indeed, it fell out at last, that he had an extraordinary occasion laid before
him, for the proof and tryal thereof; upon which we find he prov'd as true as steel:
For the greatest dangers could not affright him from his duty and loyalty to his dis-
tressed master, King Richard II. unto whom he faithfully adhered, when most others
had forsaken him ; to his present loss indeed, but his future eternal renown.
For in the catastrophe' of that King's reign, this reverend judg, unable and unwil-.westc s
ling to bow, like a willow, with every blast of wind, did freely and confidently speak of Dev! in
his mind; like the noble bishop of Garlisle, Thnnias Merks, in the same time and ^°"'' ^^^•
cause : Who, when it was moved in K. Henry IV.'s parliament, what should be done
with K. Richard, whom they had unworthily depos'd, 'rose up, and thus boldly dis-
charg'd his conscience herein :""
" My Lords,
" The matter now propounded, is of marvelous weight and consequence, wherein
there are two points chiefly to be considered ; the first. Whether King Richard be
sufficiently put out of his throne ? The second. Whether the Duke of Lancaster be
lawfully taken in ? For the first, how can that be sufficiently done, when there is
no power sufficient to do it? The parliament cannot, for of the parliament the Kino-
IS the head ; and can the body put down the head ? You will say, But the head may
bow down itself: and so may the King resign. It is true, but of what force is that
which is done by force ? And who knows not that King Richard's resignation was no
other.? But suppose he be sufficiently out, yet how comes the Duke of Lancaster to
be lawfully in ? If you say. By conquest, you speak treason; for what conquest with-
out arms? and can a subject take arms against his lawful soveraign, and not be o-uilty
of treason ? If you say. By election of the state, you speak not reason ; for%vhat
power hath the state to elect, while any is living that hath right to succeed?"
Much to this purpose was the bishop's speech; and to the same was Judge Gary's
practise, who diflering from his brother. Justice Markham, in opinion, he opposed the
proceedings for procurators, in regard of his oath, to take K. Richard's resignation,
his true and undoubted soveraien."
Surv.
lev. in
"" Bak. ChroD.
in K. H. 4.
° Wcstc. Surv.
ill
1 ins cause he pursued with so much zeal and earnestness, that at the entrance of"'' ^"- ■
King Henry IV. into the English throne, about the vear of our Lord, 1400, he was ms"""'""'
by that prince, banish'd his country, and his goods and lands were confiscated • nor
do 1 find they were restored to him; but to his son, in part, they were, as l' shall
siiew more lully, when I come to speak more particularly of him, under the title of
'i A Sir
178 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Sir Robert Gary. Which son the judg had hy Margaret his wife, daughter and heir
of Robert Holloway, of HoHoway,' in this county, Esquire, the reUct of the Lord
o Pedigrees Gu^ de Bryan, of Tor-Bryan, in this county also; so Mr. Westcot." But more
Dev. Gentiem. j.|.^jj^^ it was by Anne, daughter and heir of the Lord Guy de Bryan, by his first wife,
who was daughter and heir of William Holway, of Holway, as Sir W. Pole informs
r Descrip. of US.P
Dev. iiiTor- Xhis loval and Venerable pcrson was bauish'd, it seems, into Ireland, for there, we
9 Ho^k.Pec. are expressly told, he died, and'' as Fuller tells us, it was about the year of our Lord,
of this" fami'iy 1404- which suggcsteth to us, that he v/as no less than four years in banishment:
ofw!cary'"!ffA long wliile, God knows! for an aged person, of a nice and tender way of living,
cioveiiy, Esq. jq jjg confined to the shades of misery and sorrow.
In what part of that kingdom his sacred remains do lie, I no where find ; nor any
thing else remarkable of him, more than what occurs in his posterity ; of whom I
may have frequent occasions to discourse hereafter, when I come to the several ages
and times wherein they lived.
But here, as in his most proper place, I shall take occasion, according to my pro-
mise, to add his most valiant son. Sir Robert Cary, of Cockinton, Kt. He was born,
most likely, at Holway, in the parish of North-Lew, in the north-west parts of this
county, and was the eldest son, among a numerous issue, of Sir John Gary, Kt. (at
first, one of the judges of the honorable court of King's-Bench, and from thence, pre-
■•iz. Mem. of fer'd and made lord chief baron of the Gourt of Exchequer)'' and his wife afore-mention-
Exet.p.7i. g(j He was the true image of his father, not only resembling him (as Virgd saul
• Wcstc. Desc. Ascanius did iEneas his father) in countenance and bodily deportment,"
of Dev. in
Cock. MS. Sic OCUlos, SIC llle uiaiius, sic oi a ferebat :
But rather in his virtues, especially of wisdom and fortitude ; altho' for skill in arms,
which was not his father's profession, he far excelled him ; by which means he got
into favour with that most puissant prince K. Henry V. conqueror of France.
In the beginning of whose reign, a certain knight-errand of Arragon, having pass-
ed thro' divers countries, and performed many feats of arms, to his high commenda-
tion, arrived here in England, where he challenged any man of his rank and quality,
to make tryal of his valor and skill in arms. Tiiis challenge Sir Robert Gary accept-
ed ; between whom a cruel encounter, and a long and doubtful combat was waged,
in Smith-field, London : But at length, this noble champion vanquished the presump-
tions Arragonoise ; for which K. Henry V. restored unto him good part of his father's
lands, which, for his loyalty to K. Richard II. he had been deprived of by K. Hen-
ry IV. ; and authoriz'd him to bear the arms of the knight of Arragon, viz. In a
feild silver, on a bend sable three white roses: Wiiich the noble posterity of this gen-
tleman continue to wear unto this day. For, according to the laws of heraldry, who-
t iz. quo sup. soever fairly in the field conquers his adversary, may justify the bearing of his arms.'
I'-J'si. Sir Robert Gary, aforesaid," married Margaret, daughter of Sir Pliilip Gourtenay,
tfiscr^of^De^of Powderham-castlo, by whom he had issue Philip ; who by Thomasin his wife, one
in Cockinton. ■ of the daughters and heirs of William Orchard, of Orchard, in Gom. Somerset, Esq;
had issue, Sir William Gary, Kt. who had two wives; first, Anne, daughter of Sir
William Powlet, by whom he had issue Robert Gary of Gockinton, who had three
wives, and issue bv them all ; by Margery, his third wife, daughter and heir of Wil-
liam Foukeroy, of Dartmouth, he had issue, Robert, unto whom he gave Glovelly,
in this county; which prospers greatly in this iionorable name unto this day. Sir
AVilliam Gary had to his second wife, Alice, daughter of Sir Baldwin Fulford, of Ful-
ford, in this county, Kt. from whom descended the noble families of Gary, in the east-
ern parts of England ; of which there were, at the same time, two earls, Monmouth
and Dover, one Viscount Faulkland, and one Baron Hunsdon. Which is an
honour
GARY, SIR JOHN, KNIGHT. 170
honour very few families in England can pretend unto : And this shall suffice for the
present.
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
THE descents of this distinguished family, contained in this and the three succeeding articles, it will be
expedient tu exhibii generally in a more connected point of view, so as to shew the relationship of the different
principal branches to the couauon stock.
In the reign of Edward the third we have seen that there existed John Gary, and William Gary, Knights of
the shire of Devon, From Sir John Gary, Baron of the Exchequer in the reign of Richard the second, wlio was
probably the son of one or the other of these, the descents may be collected in a great measure from what is
stated ia different parts of the four lives in the text. What is there deficient, has been supplied from other
sources. The sons of the judge were Sir Robert Gary, and John Gary, Bishop of Exeter. To Sir Robert suc-
ceeded Philip his son, and Sir William his grandson, who was one of the fourteen knights, who after the bat-
tle of Tewkesbury were, with the Duke of Somerset and Lord St. John, beheaded by order of the Duke of
Gloucester, although they had received a promise of their lives from Edward 4th, by whom they had been dis-
covered after that fatal battle, taking shelter in a church.
Sir William had two wives ; by the second marriage, from which sprung the noble families of Falkland,
Hunsdon, and Monmouth, he had a son, Thomas, who had two sous, Sir John, and William. Henry Gary,
created Viscount Falkland in 1020, was grandson of Sir John. He was the father of the celebrated Lucius
Lord Falkland, who fell at the battle of Newbury, and whose character is admirably delineated by the noble
historian of the civil war. This branch of the Gary family still subsists in the present Lord Falkland. 'William
the second son, by Mary, the daughter of Sir Thomas Bullen, had issue Henry, who was consequently first
cousin to Queen Elizabeth, and was by her created Baron Hunsdoii. He had four sons, of whom the youngest
was Robert, created Earl of Monmouth, in whose son this title became extinct ; the title of Hunsdon descended to
George and John, the two eldest sons ; and Henry, the son of the latter, was advanced to the dignity of Viscount
Rochlord, and Earl of Dover. These titles became extinct on the death of his son, but the Barony of Hunsdon
descended Co the heirs of the first Lord Hunsdon, by his third son, and finally became extinct in the year 1765.
Having thus pursued the noble, but younger branches of the family, we return to the issue of Sir William
Gary by his first wife, by whom he had Robert, wiio left issue by three wives. From the issue of the third
marriage is derived the Glovelly branch of the family, of which was George, Dean of Exeter, treated of in a
subsequent article, who was fourth in descent from this Robert. This branch of the family is now extinct, and
Glovelly is the residence of Sir James Hamlyn, Baronet, whose great grandfather, William Hamlyn, of .\lersh-
well, married Gertrude, daughter of Thomas Gary, M.A. By his second wife, Robert Gary had issue William
Gary of Ladford, from whom are no descendants. By his first wife he had issue John, whose issue failed aher
a few generations, and Thomas who had several sons. The eldest of these was Sir George Gary, lord deputy of
Ireland, who is treated of separately in this work, and who dying without issue, lelt Gockington to George
Gary, third son of his brother Robert, whose son Sir Henry Gary having suffered materially in his fortune from
his attachment to Gharles the first, was obliged to alienate Gockingion. The representation of the family rested,
however, upon the death of the Lord Deputy, in the eldest son of his brother Robert, who was Sir Edward
Gary of Stanton. His son. Sir George Gary, purchased in 1662, Tor Abbey, where his posterity has since
resided, and where the present representative of this antient family, George Gary, Esq. now resides.
2 A 2 GARY,
180 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
GARY, JOHN, LORD BISHOP OF EXETER.
Fior. A. D. CjARY, John, lord ])ishop of Exeter, was a native of this county. But before I
Hen.' ^' ^ pi'oceed farther, I cannot but observe, that he is generally called James, by Mr.
Hooker, and others. And Bp. Godwin himself, altho' he calls him John, in his Ca-
talogue of the Bishops of Exeter, p. 471, calls him James, in that of his Bishops of
Litchfield, p. 377, the ground whereof I do not pretend to know. But a late author
hath undertook to decide the matter, by assuring us. That his right name is John ;
» Whart. Ang. Id enim verius ei nomen, as his words are.'
Wop V 1 D
452*. * ' " He was the younger son of the forementioned Judg Gary,'' and so probably born at
"iz. Mem. ofHolway, his mother's inheritance; which was somtime the seat of this family, before
^^ -P- • it settled at Cockinton. The history of this bishop's life comes very imperfect to us ;
and is almost as short as his prelacy in the church. What the education of his youth
was, I no where find ; nor the first preferments which he had : Altho', as to the first,
he had undoubtedly a very good one, suitable to his birth and quality ; and for the
second, some to begin with, tho' we are ignorant what they were: a certain author
'Westc. Sury. of our owu secms to intimate," as if he had been somtime dean of St. Paul's, London;
Cat. of'bps. of when he tells us. That Dr. Valentine Gary, was the second of this illustrious family,
Exon. vvho enjoyed that dignity. The notice we have of him is very improbable. That
f Full. Wortu. he was at Rome made bishop of Litchfield, "^ but by whom, my author does not say.
For most likely the pope, Martin the fifth, in whom the schism, that had harrassed
the church of Rome almost forty years ended, was not resident there at that time.
To salve this matter a little, he might indeed be chosen bishop of that place at the
time he was at Rome; but going to the pope at Florence for his investiture, while he
was there, the news of the vacancy of the bishoprick of Exeter, by the death of John
Catherick (not mentioned by Hooker, in his catalogue of the Exeter bishops, having
presided there but two months) came thither also. Bishop Gary, being very gracious
with his Holyness at that time, had that see bestowed upon him ; which was the more
welcome, we need not question, because in his own country.
Bishop Godwin informs us, that Gary succeeded Gatherick, not only in Litchfield,
'In Episc.ex. but in Exeter; Ei successit'certe non solum Lichfeldias sed Exoniae etiam,^ whereas a
**' ' late author says, what Godwin tells us of the succession of James Gary in the diocess
f whart. quo of Litchfield, and his translation thence to the see of Exeter, ought to be rejected.* I
supra. suppose he intends it only, as to bishop Gary's holding those two bishopricks at once,
in that he says afterwards, the same day the pope removed John Gary, bishop of
Litchfeild, to the see of Exeter, he made William Heyworth, abbot of St. Albans,
bishop of Litchfeild.
E Quo Antea. Now let no one think (as Dr. Fuller gravely adviseth,)^ that for this bishop to be
translated from Litchfield to Exeter, was any degradation ; for though in our time,
Litchfield be almost twice as good as Exeter, Exeter then, was almost four times as
good as Litchfield, as appears by the valuation of their incomes into first-fruits, in
those days, Exeter paying the pope six thousand ducates, whilest Litchfield pay'd
only seventeen hundred at the most ; as Bishop Godwin hath inform 'd us in his excel-
» P. 381, & lent commentary, de praesulibus Anglia?.*"
*^^* Now however Bishop Gary had the grant of both these bishopricks, it pleased God,
that he should not live to enjoy either : So true is that trite and common saying :
Multa cadunt inter calicem, supremaq; labra-
Between the cup and th' upper lip.
Happen may many a slip.
Thus,
GARY, JOHN, LORD BISHOP OF EXETER. 18i
Thus, though one may have two cups in his hand, yet some intervening accident
may so hinder, that he may taste of neither : It so hapned in respect to this prelate,
for while he was at Florence in Italy, in his way into England, he sickned and dy'd
there; and there he lieth intomb'd. So that he did not survive his being made bishop
of Exeter, above six weeks ; nor did he sit a minute in his episcopal throne there.
Another gentleman there was of this name, sometime lord bishop of Exeter, Dr
Valentine Gary, who, we are told, was born in Northumberland ; what relation he
had to the Devonshire family of this name, I cannot say ; though undoubtedly (as
may appear from his arms) he was a descendant from it.
He was consecrated bishop of this diocess, Novemb. 20th, 1620; in whose time
the city of Exeter was heavily infested with the plague of pestilence ;' so that he lived
not much in the palace, but in the country.
Having well-governed this church about six years, on the 10th of June 1626 he
died ; and lies buried in the north-side of the choir of St. Paul's church, London
xviiereor he was dean. '
He hath a stately monument of marble, with his effigies pourtray'd in alabaster
erected in Ins memory; first placed in an isle at the upper end of his own church at
iLxetev; but since removed, and put up in the north-side of the wall of the choir op-
posite to the vestiary door ; where this epitaph may be seen. '
In memoriam
Valentini Gary olim hujus Ecclesije
Episcopi
Qui obiit x° die Junii, MDGXXVI.
Sanguis Jesu Ghristi, purgat me ab omni peccato.
GARY,
182 . JUE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
CARY, SIR GEORGE, KNIGHT.
fJoo R R ^A^Y, Sir George, Knight, fNote l.J and Lord Deputy of Ireland, was born at
Eiiza'b. ' " Cockinton Court-house; an antient, but pleasant seat, near adjoyning to Torbay,
which Heth from it a Httle mile, to the south, as doth Totnes, five miles from, to the
west, in this county.
He was the eldest of six sons, of Thomas Gary of that place, Esq. who was second
son of Robert Cary, of the same, by Jane his first wife, daughter of Sir Nicholas
Baron Carew, on whom his father settled Cockinton, in whose issue it descended home
to the present age. John Cary, the eldest son of Robert aforesaid, married Anne,
daughter and heir of Edmund Devick or Devyock, of Keckbear, in the parish of
Okehampton, Esq. and settled there. His posterity continued in that place several
» Id. in view of descents; of which race, Anthony (if it be not mistaken for Lancelot) Cary, Esq.*
^g^; '° ^*'''' gave a bountiful gift to tlie town of Okehampton, aforesaid, viz. the sum of sixty
pounds, to continue in stock, to be employed for the better education of poor chil-
dren, in trades and occupations. This family is extinct.
By Agnes, his second wife, Robert Cary, of Cockinton aforesaid, (she was the
daughter of Sir William Hodie, of Pilsden, in Dorsetshire, Lord Chief Baron of the
Exchequor) had issue William Car}^ of Ladford, in the parish of Shebear, near the
Turridge, in this county. This family, likewise, is gone.
B}' his third wife, Margery, daughter and heir of Foukroy, of Dartmouth, the said
Robert had issue Robert, unto whom he gave Clovelly, in the north-west part of this
county : whose posterity, as hath been already spoken, continues there this day in
great repute. But of this enough.
Sir George Cary aforesaid, upon what motive or encouragement I do not find,
went into Ireland, where he grew in great esteem with the government, and was pre-
ferred treasurer of wars, an high and honourable post in that kingdom ; whose sallary
" Fyn. Moris. ^^ as GJ8/. 15,v. per annum;'' besides which, he had the command of a band of foot, or
Jib"'i*""''»8 horse, or both, which amounted to many scores more : here we find him in this sta-
tion, an. 1599, at what time, he was also one of the lords of her majesty Q,. Eliza-
beth's privy council, for that kingdom. In this office and trust, doth Sir George
Cary continue several years, even to the death of that glorious princess of happy
memory. And then the Lord Mountjoy, Sir diaries Blount, (a very learned, wise,
and noble gentleman, afterwards created Earl of Devon) at that time lord deputy
there, being willing to go for England, to congratulate King James the first, upon his
coming to this crown, and to be nearer the beams of that new risen sun, in our hemis-
phere, in his instructions to Sir Henry Davers, whom he sent express to the said King,
recommended to his majesty Sir George Cary, treasurer at wars, as the fittest person
to succeed him in that high and honourable place ; urging this also as a reason, that
' III. iiiid. lib. Sir George Caiy had already been lord justice of that kingdom:'' of whom this is
1. f. '281. farther added, ' that howsoever he be no soldier, yet is well acquainted with the busi-
ness of the war, wherein he hath been ever very industrious to advance the service :'
which indeed is a very lionorable character.
The Lord Deputy Mountjoy, therefore, having, for the present, pretty well settled
the province of Munster, and, for the greater quiet of that kingdom, published an
act of oblivion, for all grievances, his lordship received letters from the king, signify-
ing, that he was chosen one of his majesty's privy council in England ; and was
licensed
GARY, SIR GEORGE, KNIGHT. 183
licensed to come over; and liad authority to leave Sir George Car\^ the King's de-
puty there, during his absence ; which was accordingly done.
Sir George Gary, took up his honorable sword, in a stormy tempestuous time,
when that kingdom was strangely actuated with the spirit of rebellion; which occa-
sioned him much trouble during that little space he held it. And the public treasure
of the kingdom being then reduced to a very low ebb, he was forced to make pay-
ments of brass and leather money, which brought great clamors and reproaches upon
him, even from his own friends and countrymen; so hard a matter is it for one to
please a multitude : and such unjust task masters are they, to exact brick without
s raw Sir George did not continue in this government much more than a year ; and
then Sir Arthur Ghicester, another of our noble countrymen, witii better fortune suc-
ceeded hini therem.
Not long after this, Sir George Gary returned into England, and retired to his seal
at Gockinton; where being grown somewhat aged, he resolved to live the r<^sidue of
his days to God and himself And knowing how pleasing a sacrifice to God, charity
and good deeds are, he purposed to do something for the poor; and accordingly he
set about the buildmg of seven alms-houses for their use and comfort; i e so nianv
several apartments, all under one roof, for seven poor people of that parish ■ everv one
having a ground-room and a chamber over; with a little distinct herb warden en-
closed with a stone wall: to each of which also, he allowed 1.. per week, with a new
fnze gown, and a nevv shirt or shift yearly, at Ghristmas ; as may more fully appear
from the deed, whereof here follows an abstract." ^ ^^ "ExAmojir
' Sir George Gary, of Gockinton, Kt. by his deed under hand and seal, bearing
date 11th day of Sept. in the bth year of the reign of K. James 1, did grant \o several
^offees m trust, an anuuity of 30/. peran. issuing out of his mannors of Gockinton and
Chilson by quarterly payments for ever ; for and towards the reparation of seven alms-
houses a Gockinton there newly erected by the said Sir George Gary: and for and
towards the relief and maintenance of seven poor people, tlien, and at all times after-
wards inhabiting therein, eveiy poor man and woman to be pai.l one shillin- everv '
week ; and a Ghnstmas, yearly, a new frize gown, and a new shirt or smock ; a'nd the
overplus of the 30/. per an., if any, shall be employed to the use of such of them as
shall be sick ; and for such other necessary occasions, as in the discretion of the feoffees
shal be thought iit. And the deed farther declares ; ' That the owners of Gockfn-
ton house shal for ever thereafter, nominate such poor people as shall be placed into
the said alms-houses ; so as such nomination be made within twenty-eigh days after
any of the houses be void, by death, or otherwise; and so as the choice be of the
poores sort of the inhabitants of the parish of Gockinton: and if there should be any
neglect or default therein, by the space of the twenty-eight days fully expired tla^
then the bishop of Exetei- or the time being, is to elect a^nd noif^inate^an^s ch poo
person as he shall think fit. Thus the deed. ^
These houses are commodiously situated, near the church, and near Gockinton
house aforesaid; which is a generous piece of charity, if the will of the founder be so
faithfully executed as it was piously intended ; as I question not for the future but it
will It being the best way that I know, to obtain God's blessing „pon the w ole
estate, out of which this annuity issues, and the possessors of it
Sir Ge^orge Gary, some eight years after this, yielded to fate ;' and lieth interred in a
vault in Gockinton church, being buried there an. 1615, Feb. 19. Although he was
twice married he had no issue tliat survived him : First, he married Wibnott daudite
and heir ot John G.flord, of Yeo the divorced wife of John Bury, of Gok;ton,=i,ear
Glumly, in tins county ; by whom he had issue one son. Sir George Gary, Kt. a bmve
soldier, married, but slam in the wars of Ireland without issuef before his father's
death ;
184 - THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
death; and one daughter, married to Sir Richard Edgecombe, of Mount-edgecombe,
sans-issue. Secondly, he married Lucy, daughter to Robert Lord Rich^ Earl of
Warwick; but having no issue by her, he adopted George, third son of his second
in Cock. "" brother. Robert, so one;' fifth son of his fourth brother, John Gary, so another tells
'West. Ped. US; whom he made his heir.' An elder brother to which George, was Sir Edward
Gary, sonitime of Stantor, near adjoyning, knighted in the Lish wars ; whose grand-
son, Edward Gary, Esq. now florishes at Tor-abby in great esteem, who was the
eldest son of Sir George Gary, of that place, Kt.
George Gary, of Gockinton, Esq. heir to Sir George Gary, lord deputy of Ireland,
married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Edward Seymour, of Berry Gastle, baronet; by
whom he had a fair issue, sons and daughters. His eldest son was Sir Henry Gary,
of Gockinton, Kt. who was undone, as many other honest gentlemen in those times
were, by the late civil wars here in England. He adhered to the interest of his gra-
cious soveraign. King Gharles the first, with his life and fortune; in whose service,
having exhausted a considerable estate, when the royal cause fell in this kingdom, he
was forced to travel beyond the seas, into foreign countries : who coming back into
England, (having at length sold" all he had) was reduced to great necessities ; inso-
much, before he died, which was near about the return of K. Char. 2, he was obliged
for his bread, to the charity of well-disposed gentlemen.
The youngest sons of the said George Gary, became soldiers of fortune, and died,
I think, beyond sea, without issue. His second son was Dr. Robert Gary, born also
at Gockinton house; who having been eminent for learning, and a writer, may chal-
lenge a place in these memoirs. As such, therefore, I shall crave leave to give a more
particular account of him, and of his works.
Being well entered in school learning, he went to Oxford, and was admitted so-
journer of Exeter college, on the 4th of Octob. 1631, in the sixteenth year of his
«Aih. Oxon. age -.^ having continued there about three years, he was in the month of Octob. 1634,
.p. b-o. cliosen scholar of Gorpus Christi Gollege, in that university. The year after, he
was admitted batchelor of arts; and in the year 1638, he proceeded master. "\\'he-
* Id. ibid. ther he was actual fellow of his college, my author"" professes he did not know;
altho' from his long residence there, it is more than probable that he was so. In
the year 1644, as a member of that house, he was actually created doctor of laws,
as he was a kindsman to the most noble William Lord Marquess of Hertford, at that
time chancellor of the university, by vertue of his letters then read in convocation on
his behalf.
Somtime after this, altho' whether at that time in holy orders, I do not know.
Dr. Gary in the company, as is probable, of his noble brother Sir Henry, travelled into
foreign parts, when he had the opportunity of seeing France, the Low Gountries,
and others places. Upon his return into England, by the favour of the most noble
Marquess of Winchester, he became rector of Portlemouth, (valued in the King's
',,^'^'J-jl^'^^^^'^- books,' 29/. ISs. 4(/. per an.) near Kingsbridg in this country. Here he settled him-
p. 58. " self, and lived in good repute; insomuch, being taken notice of (for his degrees and
learning) to be more than ordinarily accomplished, the presbyterian ministers of those
times, never left him, until they had drawn him over to their party. And for his
greater encouragement, they made him moderator among them, of that part of the
second division of the county of Devon, which was appointed to meet at Kingsbridg,
and as such, he signed the address, made to Mr. Francis Fulvvood, afterward doctor of
divinity, and archdeacon of Totnes, by the ministers thereabout, to make public his
labours of the visible church; as may be seen in the printed preface of that book,
'■ Printed at wherc wc havc these words ;''
o- . 11 (Robert Gary, moderator.
° ^ (John Buckley, scribe.
In
Coud. le.W.
4tu.
GARY, SIR GEORGE, KNIGHT. 185
In the name, and by the appointment, of the rest at Kingsbridg in Devon, Jan. 5,
1657.
However, this Dr. Gary was never very zealous in tliat intrest : for when the King
and church returned, he was one of the first that congratulated their arrival, and wel-
comed them home. For which he was soon after (by whose favour I am not cer-
tain) prefer'd to the archdeaconry of Exeter, out of which he was affrighted, and
ejected, in a little while, by some great men then in power: who taking advantage of
some infirmities, it may be, only of some imprudences, of his (and where is he that
at all times is without 'em ? so true is that, iSit^ a.e^owai/) resolved to throw him out. If
it had been out of pure conscience, and sincere detestation of vice only, it had been
excusable ; and not to have raised a favorite upon his ruins, who yet fell to the dust
long before him. But such devil gods there are in the world, whom nothing will
appease but the sacrifice of the preist himself.' The doctor thus deprived of his i yjj jig^^
archdeaconry, retired to his rectory at Portlemouth ; where he spent the remainder Traveb in in-
of his days, in a private cheerful condition, as much above contempt, as he was
below envy.
If any are desirous to have a fuller account of his person, he was for stature of the
middle size ; sanguine of complexion, and in his elder years, for body corpulant.
He was as much a gentleman in his carrage and behavior, as he was in liis birtli and
extraction : free and generous, courteous and obliging, and very critical in all the
arts of complaisance and address. To this we may add, that he was a scholar; and,
as a certain author tells us,™ " accounted very learned in curious and critical learn- "■Atu. Oxon.
ing. This, not only the learned men of his acquaintance, are able to witness, but hisl"oantea.
works will testify the same, (when they shall be dead and gone) which he published in
folio, under this title ;
Palaeologia Chronica. A Gronological Account of antient Time, in 3 parts, 1. Di-
dactical, 2. Apodeictical, 3. Ganonical. London, printed 1677.
Of which work a large account is given in the Philosophical Transactions ;" where " Num. i32.
it is called, an elaborate piece. The design whereof, as we are there informed, seems ^"^ *'
to be, " to determine the just interval of time, between the great epocha of the crea-
tion of the world, and that other, of the destruction of Jerusalem, by I'itus Vespatian ;
in order to the assignment of such particular time, wherein persons and actions of
old had their existence." For the performance of which, the learned author (as he is
there stiled) divides his book into three main parts, as aforementioned. Nor was the
doctor, especially in his younger years, meanly skilled in poetry, as well Latine as
English ; although he printed nothing in this kind, that I know, but only those hymns
of our church, appointed to be read after the lessons, together with the creed, &c.
These translated into Latine verse, were published by him, on the flat sides of two
sheets in folio ; one copy whereof, the reverend author was pleased to present me,
with his own hand, as a token of his kindness.
I find nothing else tliat the doctor published ; and therefore have only this to add
of him, that having lived cheerfully, contentedly, and in good repute, with his neigh-
bors, clergy, gentry, and others, to a good old age, of seventy-three years, he yielded
up the ghost, in the parsonage-house of Portlemouth aforesaid, and lieth buried in
his own ciiurch there, without any funeral monument. His interment hapned on the
19th day of Sept. 1688. He had issue several children; his eldest son, Robert, is a
reverend divine of the church of England, and vicar of Sydberry, near Autry St. Mary,
in the south-east part of this province.
As for the house and mannor of Gockinton, that became the purchase of Mr. Mal-
lack, a rich merchant of the city of Exon, whose son Rawlin Mallack, Esq. somtime
a justice of peace for this county, and a member of parliament, newbuilded the house,
2 IJ enclosed
186 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
enclosed the park, vvall'd round a warren and large gardens, fitted up the ponds, and
made it as gentile and commodious a dwelling as most in this county. And at his
death, which hapned near about the year 1690, he left this pleasant seat to Rawlin
Mallack, Esq. his son, by Elizabeth his second wife, (by his first he had only a
daughter) the daughter of Sir John Collins, of Hampshire, Kt. a very hopeful young
gentleman, of good improvements in learning, above his years, now residing at Cock-
inton house, aged near eighteen, 1699. (Note Q..J
ADDITIONAL NOTES.
(1.) Tor Abbey was pmcliased in 1662 by Sir George Gary, Knight, great nephew of the Lord Deputy of
Ireland, and is now the residence of George Gary, Esq. the representative of this family, as has been shown in
a preceding note.
{2.) Gockington continues in tiiis family, and is now the residence of the Reverend Richard Mallack, who
married Mary the daughter of Jolm Mudge, of Plymouth, M. D. by whom he has a numerous issue.
GARY,
( 187 )
GARY, GEORGE, D. D.
Gary, George, Doctor of Divinity, and Dean of Exeter, was born at Clovelly, infg^^/R.R.
this county, A. D. 1611, and baptized tliere, on the ISth of July that year. A gen- Car. '2.
tile iand pleasant summer seat it is, just on the banks of the Severn sea, over against
the Isle of Londy, which there rideth at anchor, about five leagues off. Londy, to
speak briefly thereof, is by inversion Ilond," Insula q. in salo posita, a tract of land, 'Risd.Surv.of
placed in the salt sea; and is about three miles in length, encircled with inaccessible °[|[- ■" Loud.
rocks; so that it can't be assaulted, but in one or two places ; so precipitious too, that
one man well armed, may repel and keep down many. It afforded horses, goats,
conies, and such abundance of sea-fowl, that, in the time of breeding, their eggs lie so
thick on the ground, a passenger must look well to his steps not to tread upon them.
In which also, as is said of Ireland, from which it is seperated only by sea, no venom-
ous worm or beast liveth.
In open view of this island, Clovelly stands, famous, at this day, for this honorable
family, here inhabiting, near the church ; and the herring-fishing, in the sea adjoyn-
ing; where, in the season, such abundance of that very good fish is taken, that they
are often sold at 2^. a meas, which is not a groat an hundred ; and above four hundred
horses are loadcn off with them in a day, to the value of 1500/. sterlin in a season ;
which continueth about three months in a year (beginning about July or August), to
the advantage of the lord, and profit of the inhabitants all thereabout. Here is also
taken, though not in so great quantity, the best cod in the world, much exceeding that
on the banks of Newfoundland. It lieth in an open bay, where, for the greater conve-
nience and safety of the ships that pass over it, as well as the fishing-boats that
belong to it, George Gary, of this place, Esq. in the last age, at his own charges, built
a pile or peer, to resist the inrushing of the sea, whose waves are often furious and
violent on this coast. The descent to the key here is steep and precipitate, beaten
out of the cliffs by winding retches, from the one side to the other.
These lands were antiently the Giffards' ; Sir Roger Gifi'ard held one knight's fee
here, in the days of K. Hen. 3 ; then passing through the hands of Stanton, Mandevile,
and Grewkern, they were purchased in the days of K. Rich. 2, by Sir John Gary the
judg.'' Altho' some there are, who say," they came unto this name from the gener- 1, p^i^.^ p^g^
ous family of Bozum ; the daughter and heir of which house, was married to Sir ofDcv. iu cio-
William Gary, Kt. However this be, Robert Gar}^ Esq. the fourth in descent from c westc. view
the judg, having had successively three wives, and issue male by each of them, left ofDev.mCiov.
Glovelly, as was said before,'' unto Robert, his eldest son, by his third wife, daughter '
and heir unto William Fulkroy of Dartmouth. He married, and had issue George ; " 1° J'"'- ^^■"■J-
who had issue William, who married first, Gertrude, daughter of Richard Garew of An-
thony, in Gornwal, Esq. of whom is reported a facete fancy : That her father the
morning after, after observing her a little sad, awiikncd her with this question, 'What !
melancholly, daughter, after the next day of your wedding?' 'Yes, sir,' said she, 'and
withgreat reason ; for yesterday 'twas care-you, now 'tis care-I' (which is much better
in pronouncing, than writing) alluding to the change of her name, from Garew to
Gary. Secondly, He married Dorothy, daughter of Sir Edward George of Wraxhal,
in Somersetshire, Kt. by wliom he left issue, Robert, George, and William.
George, second son of William aforesaid, was bred a scholar; and from the gram-
mar-school at Exeter, at which place his father resided, anno 162.5, he was sent to the
2 B 2 university'
188 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
university at Oxford ; where he became a member of Queens-College, in the year of
our Lord, 1628, as appears in a private register, kept by the provost thereof. A thing
sonnvbat rare, for those of the Avestern parts to be sent to that northern society j
yet this was done undoubtedly, with great prudence, either for the excellent discipline
therein observed, or for that he, being so far removed from the company of his coun-
trymen, might the better follow his studies. Here he continued with great industry
and diligence, until he had compleated his degrees in arts; and then, for what reason
I know not, he removed thence unto Exeter college. How long he resided there, I
cannot learn ; but from thence he retired into his own country ; and having taken
holy orders, he was, by his father William Gary, Esq. the undoubted patron thereof,
presented to the good rectory of Clovelly aforesaid. Here he continued a constant
preacher, and an exemplary pastor, for many years together ; always yielding irrefra-
gable duty to the King, and zealous conformity to the church, so far as was possible,
in those worst of times : Upon the restoration of both, he became chaplain in ordinary
to K. Char. 2, of gracious memory: and my Lord Chamberlain, that then was,
required him to preach one of the Lent-sermons before the King. Wliich he did
with so great satisfaction that my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury gave him particular
thanks. Near about which time also, the university of Oxford so highly honored his
worth, that by special diploma (as I take it), they conferred upon him'the degree of
Doctor in Divinity.
His preferments were short of his merit ; some he had, but more he refused, and
greater. Soon after the King's return, he was made one of the canons residentiary of
the church of Exeter; and upon Dr. Seth Ward's promotion to that bishopric, he was
preferred Dean of that church, by his royal master K. Cliar. 2, and was installed
accordingly, on the 10th of Sept. 1663. To this was added the rich parsonage of
Shobrook, near Kirton, in this county ; whither he would often retire to enjoy his
beloved privacy : So that age growing upon him, he resigned his parsonas^e of Clovelly
unto the Reverend Mr. Oliver Naylor, rector of Taustock, and canon of the church of
Exeter; who after some years enjoyment thereof, did the same unto Mr. William
Prince, son of the Reverend Mr. Leonard Prince, late rector of Instow, near Bytheford
(this author's uncle) whose now it is, 1699. As if this Reverend Dean, by great dis-
tance, was rendred unable to do them any more good, he was utterly unwilling to
receive any more of their goods.
Bishop Ward aforesaid, having well governed the church of Exeter, the space of five
years and upwards, was translated thence to Sarum, on the fifth of Septemb. 1666.
His majesty that then was, K. Char. 2, knowing the worth of Dr. Cary, afid the merit
of his family, was pleased to offer him the bishopric of Exeter; which this great man
modestly and humbly declined ; for what reason, at that time, I don't pretend to
know. After this again, when Dr. Sparrow was removed from Exeter to Norwich, an.
1676, was the King graciously pleased, a second time, to make an ofi'erof the bishop-
ric of Exeter, to Mr. Dean Cary : But he twice professed his nolo episcopari, in
too sincere a manner, to the great detriment of that church then, and, it may be,
ever since. The ground of this his second refusal, as I have been informed, was
his being aged and infirm, and not so able in person to attend the business of
parliament.
These were all the preferments which tliis eminent person enjoyed in the church ;
which we may truly say, were more benefited by him, than he by them : For com-
ing to the rector}"- of Shobrook, he found the house so dilapidated, that instead of
repairing, he did very littU less than new-build it ; and made it a commodious and
gentile dwelling. The dean.y at Exeter, in the time of anarchy and confusion, had
the unhappiness of falling into very evil hands: For the men of those times, set
it
CARY, GEORGE, D. D. ' 189
it out to tenants of mean and mechanical imployments; whereby it was become,
not only ruinous, but filthy and loathsome ; another Augaean stable, which required au
Hercules so to purge and cleanse it, as to make it a fit habitation for so great a dignitary
of the church. This Herculean labor did Dr. Gary undertake, and, in a short time, so
well repaired, so thoroughly cleansed, and so richly furnished this house, that it be-
came a fit receptacle for princes : So, indeed, it fell out to be, for K. Char. Q coming
down by sea, to visit the new cittadel at Plymouth, was pleased to return by land ;' • iz. Mem. f.
and coming thro' Exeter, July 23, 1670, his majesty took up the deanry for his resi-^^"*-
dence there, the little time he staid, where he lodged that night, and the next at
Wilton-House, near Salisbury, and the night after, at White-Hall.
Five years after this, the most noble Christopher Duke of Albemarl, Lord High-
Steward of that city, and Lord Lieutenant of the counties of Devon and Exeter, comuig
thither to settle the militia in these parts, made his abode at the deanry aforesaid ;
where he lodged, and kept open house, about three weeks together, for all comers and
goers.^ So did his Grace, likewise, in the time of the Monmothian invasion, when he'M-p-"8.
came down into this country, to jjrevent its running into rebellion, and by that to
ruine. Insomuch, this reverend divine might, in some measure, have said of this
house, as the Emperor sometime did of Rome, Lateritia inveni, reliqui marmorea, I
found it brick, but I have left it marble. So he found it ruines, but he left it a palace.
Nor was the generosity of this reverend person confined to the promoting of what
more peculiarly related to the intrest of the church, but of the common-wealth also:
For when the Chamber of Exeter, A. D. 1675, undertook that noble work, which
they could not then conquer; but hath since been done, very much by the incessant
care of John Burell of Burell, Esq. mayor of that city, 1699 ; to cut a new leat between
that key and Topsham, and to make a pool thereto, wherein an hundred sail of ships
might, at all times, safely ride, and boats and barges daily pass and re-pass, to load
and unload merchants' goods ; which required a vast sum of money to accomplish,
very little less than 20000/. as hath been since found by experience; Dr. George Gary,
Dean of this church (they are my author's words), became a liberal benefactor there-
unto.^ All which his benefactions are the more considerable, for that he had, at theeia.p. 179.
same time, a large family of children to provide for.
If any are desirous of a more particular character of this venerable person : He was
to the eye, of a grave and graceful presence of body ; of stature, above the middle size;
of complexion, fresh and sanguine ; and also somew hat corpulent. The humor and
disposition of his mind, answerable to his birth and quality, was free and generous,
courteous and obliging ; hospitable to all, especially to the clergy ; whose plentiful
table was always condited with, the best sauce, a civil heart}' welcom.
He was also a good scholar, and an excellent preacher ; few equalling him in that
talent, none exceeding him ; in the exercise whereof, in his younger days, he was
constant, and in his elder frequent. He always adhered to the intrest of the crown,
and of the church of England, in their lowest condition ; and might, in a much
greater measure than he did, have triumphed with them in their highest, had not his
moderation been greater than his ambition ; and he had not hid himself from those
.titles aiid dignities, which (tho' they shun others) so earnestly pursued him. In a
word. He was a credit and a defence to his profession, for, by the piety of his conver-
sation, as well as the dignity of his extraction, he kept up the reputation of the
ministry, in the church of England, in her lowest condition.
Nor ought we to forget the honor he did his father's memory, many years after his
death, by erecting a noble monument to him, in the chancel of the church of Clovelly ;
on which is found this inscription :
In Memory
of William Gary Esq. who served
his
THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
his King and country in the office
of a justice of peace, under 3 princes
Q. EHz. K. Jam. and K. Ch. 1.
And having served his generation, died
in the 76th year of his age,
A. D. 1652.
Omnis caro fosnum.
Nor was he a less loving brother ; Robert, the eldest son of his father, was a gentle-
man of extraordinary parts and merit; in great favour with K. Ch. 2, who made him
one of the gentlemen of his Privy-Chamber, and after that, conferred upon him the
honor of knighthood. To whose memory, also, the Dean was pleased to raise a
curious monument, in the chancel of the church aforesaid, with this epitaph, in
golden letters.
In Memory of Sir
Robert Gary Kt. son and heir of William,
Gentleman of the Privy-Chamber unto King-
Char. 2, who having served faithfully, that
glorious prince Char. 1, in the long civil
wars, against his rebellious subjects, and
both him, and his son, as a justice of
peace ; he died a batchelor in the 60th
year of his age, A. D. 167 —
Peritura perituris reliqui.
Sir Robert Caiy aforesaid, dying unmarried, Clovelly, with the other fair inheritance
belonging to the family, fell to the Dean; who, by Anne his wife, daughter of William
Hancock of Combe-Martin, Esq. a pious and discreet gentlewoman, had a numerous
offspring : First, Sir George Cary, knighted by K. Ch. 2, in his father's life-time ; he
married, first, Elizabeth, one of the daughters and heirs of Peter Jenking of Trekyning,
in the covmty of Cornwal, Esq. sans issue ; second, Martha, daughter and heir of
William Davie of Canon-Teign, Esq. without issue. Second, WiHiam Cary, now
possessor of Clovelly ; a most obliging, courteous gentleman , a constant member of
parliament for these many years, in which he had served liis country freely, with ut-
most zeal, if not always with that good success he could have wished : He married,
first, Joan, daughter of Sir William Windham of Orchard Windham, in com. Somers.
Baronet, without issue ; second, Mary, daughter of Thomas Maunsel of Britton-Ferry,
in Glamorganshire, Esq. by whom lie hath issue, which God prosper. Third, the
Dean had issue Nicholas ; he died young. Fourth, Edward, rector of Silferton, and
sub-dean of Exeter, at twenty six years of age ; he married the daughter of Thomas
Pointington of Penicot, Esq. and left issue a daughter. Fifth, Robert, a major in the
wars in Flanders, under K. William the third, in the regiment of Major-General Earl.
The Dean had issue also two daughters ; Dorothy married to Counsellor Harris of
Salisbury, and died before her father; and Judith, married to Richard Hele of Fleet-
Damarel, in this county, an orthodox clergyman of the church of England, and rector
of St. Helens, in Cornwal ; by whom he left issue the present Richard Hele of Fleet,
Esq. a young gentleman of great parts and accomplishments.
At length, this reverend divine, this good scholar, this excellent preacher, this well
respected gentleman. Dr. George Cary, yielded up his soul into the hands of God, in
the parsonage-house of Shobrook, in the 69th year of his age. His venerable remains
were brought thence, and interred in the church of Clovelly, among his ancestors: To
whose memory, his son, William Cary, Esq. hath piously erected a stately monument,
with this inscription :
Georgiiis
GARY, GEORGE, D. D. I9I
Georgius Gary S. T. P. Decanus B. Petri Exon. Vir omnibus dignitatibus major,
quern ipsa latebra, licet ei solum in deliciis, non potuit abscondere.
Nemo magis invitus cepit, Nemo magis adornavit cathedram : ut lux e tenebris, sic
illustravit ecclesiam.
In omnibus concionibus, hospitiis, conciliis antecelluit: Pectore, lingua calamo,
pragpotens.
In justa causa nemini cedens
In injusta abhorrens lites.
Fratribus in ecclesige negotiis nunquam sese opposuit, nisi rationibus, & in his
semper victor.
Erga regem iniquissimis temporibus infractae fidelitatis : post reditum erat ei a
sacris. Gaelestem vero non aulicam petiit gratiam, quae tamen nolentem sequebatur.
Nam bis vocante Car. 2, bis humilime respondit. Nolo Episcopari.
Obiit die Purificationis B. Virginis
A^^^/Dom, M.DC.LXXX.
^""°|iEtatis su£e LX.IX.
CHAMPERNON,
192
THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Flor. A, D.
1590. R. R.
Elizab.
" Pole's Des.
of Dev. in
Nortli. Tawt.
MS.
'Carew's Siirv.
of Cornw. 1. 2.
p. 101. b.
' Pole quo pri-
us in Modbiiy,
' Id. in Dartin,
= Id. ibid in
Modb.
fid. ibid, ill
Beer-Fer.
e Id. ibid, in
Cniberl.
" Id. ibid, in
St. Geoige's-
Clist
CHAMPERNON, SIR ARTHUR, KNIGHT.
CjHAMPERNON, Sir Arthur, knight, (^iVo/e.^ was born in Court-house, at the western
end of Modbiry town, in this county. He descended from a noble train of ancestors,
who had florished there about fourteen generations before his time; whereof the most
were knights, that had match'd into divers great houses, as Valletort, Astlegh, Dawb-
ney, Bonvil, Courtenay, Carew, Mountjoy, Popham, &c. out of which stock sprung
many noble cyons, which, planted abroad, prospered very well in several places of
this county ; as for example :
At North-Tawton," where lived Oliver Champernon, who married Eglina, daughter
and one of the heirs of Hugh de Valletort ; whose grandson Otho dying without issue,
this manner came to be divided between his three daughters and heirs married to At-
Wood, Gilbert, and Bickberry : out of this sprung also, Champernon of Inswork,*" an
antient house, somtime the seat of the Earls of Cornwal, at Milbrook towns end, not
far from Plymouth, in this county : Sir Richard Champernon, of Modbiry, gave this
to his second son, by a second venter, Katharine, the daughter of Sir Giles Dawbeny,
Kt." The three daughters and heirs of one of this family, invested their husbands
herewith, Monk, Fortescu, and Trevilian.
At Dartinton also, near Totnes, florishes this day, another very eminent branch of
this family. This was somtime the seat of the Lords Martins ; after that, of the
Lord Holland, Duke of Exeter ; after whose decease, tiiis land fell to the crown, in
which it was, until purchased by one Ailworth of London ;** who afterwards ex-
changed it for the Abby-site of Polsto, near Exeter, with Sir Arthur Champernon,
Kt. the first of this name who inhabited here, and which here continues this day in
great esteem ; he was the second son of Sir Philip Champernon, of Modbiry, Kt. by
a daughter of Sir Edmund Baron Carew, of Mohuns-Ottery, in this county.
Champernon of Beer- Ferrers, near Plymouth, was not a branch of this house, but
rather the old stock itself:" for Sir Richard Champernon, of Modbiry, had two wives,
first, Alice, daughter of Thomas Lord Astlegh, by whom he had issue Alexander, who
settled at Beer- Ferrers ; secondly, Katharine, the daughter of Sir Giles Dawbeny, by
whom he had issue Richard of Modbiry, and (as was said) John of Inswork. This
estate came vnito Sir Alexander Champernon, by his match with Joan, daughter and
heir unto Martin-Ferrers, the last of this name that was Lord of Beer- Ferrers. "^ And
his son's daughter
noble family of Willoughljy, Lord Brooke.
There was another great family of this name, which heretofore florished at Um-
berlegh,^ in the parish of Adrington, in the north part of this county, so far back as
the reign of K. John ; Avhich, we may suppose, from the more single bearing in their
coat armor, \\z. gules a saltire verrey, gave original to all the rest. This family was
swallowed up in Willington of Glocestershire, who married Joan, the daughter and
heir of AVilliam, the last of the name of Champernon, in this place. This lady, not-
withstanding her marriage, would not be called "Willington, but stiled her self, and
was stiled, the Lady Joan Chambernun; and all her sons, and their issue, left the
arms of Willington, and gave their mother's arms. From Willington, Lfmberlegh
came to Wroth ; from Wroth to Palton ; from Palton to Beaumont ; and from Beau-
mont to Basset; in Avhom it now remains.
As to the original settlement of this family at Modbiry, the first of this name there,
was Richard, a younger son of Sir Henry Chambernon, of Clist-Chambernon," now
St. George's-Clist, three miles to the south-east of Exeter; which Sir Henry was son
of
and heir Blanch Champernon, brought this inheritance into the
CHAMPERNON, SIR ARTHUR, KNIGHT. 193
of Sir Oliver, as he was the son of Henry Chambernon of Clist and Ilfarcombe, in K.
Hen. 2d's time: the last of which family was Sir William Chambernon; who left issue
Elizabeth, his only daughter and heir; a frolic lady, that married William Polglas,
within three days after her father's death ; and within two days after her husband
Polglass's death, she was married again, unto John Cergeaux.' By Polglass, she left M. ihid. iu
issue a son, that was an ideot, and died of the plague ; and a daughter, called Mar-
garet, who became his heir, and the wife of Judg Herl ; whose son. Sir John Herl,
dying without issue, conveyed this large inheritance to the Lord Bonvil of Shute ;
from whom it came to the Lord Gray, Duke of Suffolk, and from him, by attainder,
to the crown.
The occasion of this family's settlement at Modbiry, I find was thus : these lands
were antiently the Valletorts, barons of Hurberton, near Totnes ;'' from whom theytid. ibid, in
came to Sir Alexander de Gkeston, who married Joan, widow to Ralph Valletort ; '*^"'"'-
who (as is probable) had been concubine unto Richard Earl of Cornwal, and king of
the Romans, younger son to John King of England : by which Earl she had a natural
daughter, called Joan, married unto Richard, the younger son of Sir Henry Cham-
bernon, of Clist-Chambernon, as is aforementioned. Sir Alexander de Gkeston, and
Joan aforesaid, left issue Sir James de Gkeston ; who dying without issue, by com-
mandment of K. Edw. 1, conveyed Modbiry, and all other lauds formerly granted
unto his father, by Roger de Valletort, unto Sir Richard Champernon, the son of
Richard Champernon, and Joan, the daughter of Joan, the natural daughter of the
king of the Romans, aforementioned. This, we may suppose, was the ground upon
which Edmund Earl of Cornwal, son of Richard king of the Romans, in a grant made
by him to the said Richard and Joan, anno 12 Edw. 1, 1284, calleth her sister.
Where, by the way, we may observe-, that this family hath florished in this place,
upward of four hundred years : and from the match with Valletort's daughter, pro-
ceeded the occasion of those royal attributes, which Richard Champernon took unto
himself, in a certain deed, which my author' says he saw, running in this stile : ' Westc. Smv.
" Ego Richardus de Campo Arnulphi, Rex Romanorum semper Augustus." M^b!' '"
W^hich brings me to a consideration of that variety, wherewith this family antiently
wrote their name, as De Campo Arnulphi, from a certain champion country, where
one Arnulphus lived, or had his seat; and thence Campernulph, then Chambernon,
Champernoun, and Champernon; unto whom heretofore belonged a vast estate;
Willielmus de Campo Arnulphi, in K. Hen. 4th's days, had no less than twenty-four
knights' fees in Cornwal," besides what he had in Devon; where, in the 14th of K. -"Carew quo
Hen. 6th's reign, Champernon of Modbiry, was no less than three hundred pounds ^""^^' '" ^'
land in the subsidy book;" and in the 17th of Hen. 7, possessor of about seven and»Hoi coi. of
twenty mannors of land, the particulars whereof, although I might, for the present lArms, ms.
shall forbear to mention.
There have been many eminent persons of this name and family, the history of
whose actions and exploits, for the greatest part is devoured by time; although their
names occur in the chronicles of England, amongst those eminent worthies, who with
their lives and fortunes were ready to serve their king and country. Among them all,
I have met with none more memorable than was this gentleman, beforementioned. Sir
Arthur Ciiampernon, Kt. ; he was second son unto John Champernon, of Modbiry,
Esq. by Katharine his wife, daughter of Sir Richard Edgcombe, of Mount Edgcombe,
Kt. and younger brother of Sir Richard Champernon, of Modbiry, Kt. that married
Elizabeth, daughter of the Lord Chief Justice Popham ; who, by an high splended
vray of living, greatly exhausted the estate:" he, dying without issue, left the remain- ogi,- w. Poie
der tliereof to Sir Arthur: who, by an happy marriage with Amy, daughter and heir '" *''""'•
of John Cruckern, of Childhay, did, in some good measure, repair it again.
This gentleman was a good soldier, and an eminent commander, in the Irish wars;
2C .he
^^ THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
he served there, under that every way brave, but unfortunate general, the Earl of
Essex, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland ; whose father, Walter Devereux, (the first
carl of Essex, of this name) was somtime earl-marshal of that kingdom ; who, blasted
with envy, and oppressed with grief, fell into a bloody flux, which soon ended his life;
when he had first desired the standers-by, to admonish this son, scarce ten years old,
" To have always before his eyes, the six and thirtieth year of his age, as the utmost
term of his life; which neither himself, nor his father before him, could outgo;" nor
»Bak. chron. did thc SOU attain unto it."" A little before his death, this noble earl fell into this
mQ. El. A. R. pj^^jg prophetical strain of devotion, not unfit to be here recorded.^
< Out of a MS. " Oh! Lord, save that noble realm of England : but the miseries that shall shortly
►"y fJI^'m^'fall on it are many ; I know, I know them, this night hath God shewed them unto
ner'^ottiieg^-me. And great is the cause that it should be plagued; for the gospel of Jesus Christ
'it- uit*" E^'of is bountifully and truly preached unto them, but they are neither papists nor protes-
F'^'^ex. ' tants ; they are of no religion, but full of pride and iniquity : there is nothing but in-
fidelity, athiesm, athiesm ; no religion, no religion ! they lean, (said he) all to policy,
and let go religion; but I would to God they would lean to religion, and let go poli-
cy. O Lord ! bless England."
After which he soon exchanged this life for a better. His son Robert, Earl of
Essex after him, escaped not also, the dreadful effects of envy, which pursued him
likewise into Ireland, where he was Lord Lieutenant; after he had exhausted a great
treasure, and wasted a brave army, instead of returning with a noble conquest, he
' Bak. cinon. stoIe homc into England, after a suspicious treaty with tlie enemy,' before he was ex-
*^i'*"^K-'''"^-pected, or before he was welcom. But, before he went, this most noble Earl, con-
firmed the honor of knighthood upon some Devonshire gentlemen, that had signalized
themselves by their valor and conduct there; among which, Sir Arthur Champernon
was one, advanced to this honor by the Lord Lieutenant there, A. D. 1599.
Somtime after (most likely on the death of his elder brother,) Sir Arthur returned
into England, and retired to his seat at Modbiry, where he married, and left a fair
estate to his posterity ; which now florishes at Memland, in this county.
The present heir married, first, the eldest daughter of Richard Ilillersdon, late of
Memland, Esq. sans issue; second, Mary, the daughter of Mr. John Wise, of Totnes,
gent, and sole heir to her mother, the daughter and one of the heirs of Lewis Full, of
Stoke-Gabriel, gent.
Sir Arthur was not only skilled in affairs of war, but in many other ingenious arts ;
particularly in architecture, as may be inferred from that model of a pleasure-house,
-.Surv. of Mr. Carew tells us,' he had from him, of great curiosity: where that author was
*^."ISr ''''' ^* P't''*sc<l to bestow this character upon him, that he was a perfectly accomplished
gentleman.
He died at Modbiry, aforesaid, about the beginning of the reign of King James the
first, and lieth there interred, among his ancestors, without any funeral monument.
Chambernon, of Clist-Chambernon, gave, gules a saltire verrey between twelve
» Pole's Cat. of cross-croslets or."
Anns, MS. CHARD,
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
OF this ancient, and once numerously extended famii)', tlie Dartinglon branch alone remains. Sir Arthur
Champernon, the first who resided at Darlington, as mentioned above, married Mary, the daugiiter of Sir Henry
Norreys, and relict of Sir George Carew, of Mohuns Ottery, by wliom lie had issue Gawen, and others. Gawen
married the Lady Gabriell, daughter of the Earl of Montgomery in France, and had issue Sir Arthur, who was
living at Darlington in the beginning of the sevenleenlh century, having married the daughter of Tliomas Ful-
ford, of Fullord, Esq. His descendant (in ^^■hat degree wc do not precisely know) was .\rtlmr Champernovvne,
who,
( 195 ) ' ^'4
CHARD, THOMAS, DOCTOR OF DIVINITY. '
Chard, Thomas, Doctor of Divinity, and abbot of Ford, was born at Tracys- Fior. A. u.
Hays, in the parish of Awlescombe (heretofore Ovvlescombe) contiguous, on they^^'^^" ^'
east-side thereof, with that of Honiton, in this county. This house took its name
from its old lords the Tracys, whose antiently it was ; and was somtime parcel of the
manner of Ivedon, which, though it be in this parish, belongeth to the hundred of
Tiverton, near ten miles oft";' which place also, had antiently lords so called ; Wil- » sir w. Poies
liam Ivedon, the last, had issue three daughters, his heirs; married to Stanton, Mem-i^''*"^'^^^-
biry, (whose partitions came to Frances, and is now in the heirs-general of that fa-xiv. MS. '
mily) and Tracy.
Tracy called his part after his own name ; in which, after some generations, the
heir-female of that tribe, brought it to her husband, Mabbe : And Alice, the daugh-
ter of Roger Mabbe, being heir to her father, brought it to her husband,
Chard; from whom it descended unto Thomas Chard, their son; and in that name
it continueth this day. Which Thomas, we may suppose, was the father or the
grand-father of this abbot Chard, of whom we are speaking; who had his education
in the university of Oxford ; where he became a member of St. Bernard's,"' now St. ^ Ath. Oxon.
John the Baptist's college; in which he carefully followed his studies, and made a^-^-P*^'*^"
good improvement of his time; as appeared from his eminent virtue and learning,
which afterward made him famous.
Having taken the degrees of arts, in the university of Oxford, he retired into the
country; and being religiously disposed, he took upon him the habit, and became a
monk of the Cistertian Order, in the abby of Ford, in his own country: Of which
place, he not long after became the abbot ; and was the last that sate there of that
quality, before the dissolution thereof by K. Hen. 8.
This reverend person being thus advanced to the high dignity of an abbot, for the
greater honor of his place, thought it fit to proceed in the degrees of divinity. He
was admitted batchelor of that faculty, Jan. 18, 1.505, of which we have this testi-
mony given us by a late author ;" Jan. 18, The venerable father, Thomas Chard, a ' W- ib. Fast,
monk of the Cistertian Order, and abbot of the monastery of Ford in Devonshire, was'*'^*''*
2 C 2 then
who, by the daughter of Sir Edmond Fowel, had issue a son, who married the daughter of Sir William Courte-
liay, of Powderham, and had issue Arthur, who by Jane, daughter of John Hellings, M. D. physician to King
George the second, had issue an only daughter, who was married to the Rev. Richard Harington, younger son of
Sir James Harington, of Morton, in the county of Oxford. The issue of this marriage was Arthur, who in 1774
assumed the name and arms of Champernowne, pursuant to the will of his maternal grandfather, and is the pre-
sent possessor of Dartington. He married the daughter of John Buller, of Morval, in the county of Cornwall,
Esq. The family of Harington, from which Mr. Champernowne derives his paternal descent, was originally
seated at Havirington, in Cumberland, afterwards in the time of King Edward the first, at Aldinghaui, in
Lancashire, and in later times at Redlington, in Rutlandshire. From the reign of Edward the second to that of
Henry the sixth, the Haringtons sat in parliament, by writ of summons, as barons of the realm. In the first
year of King James the first, Sir John Harington was advanced to the peerage by creation, with the title of Lord
Harington, of Exton, which became extinct upon the death of his son without issue. A brother of the first Lord
Harington was created a Baronet in 1611. [The author of the Oceana was his grandson by a younger son.)
The title descended through his eldest son, and still subsists in the person of Sir Edward Harington, the present
Baronet.
Dartington, the beautiful seat of Mr. Champernowne, on the banks of the river Dart, is said in some accounts
of it, to have formerly belonged to the Knights Templars: but this we are enal)led by the present possessor to
state as erroneous. The ancient house, which is mentioned in a subsequent part of this work, as having belonged
to the Hollands, Dukes of Exeter, still remains. The hall is not so large as is there stated, but its real length of
seventy feet implies its appertaining to no inconsiderable mansion.
196 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
"lb. p. C45. tlien admitted. And two j-ears after, he proceeded doctor of the same faculty;'' viz.
Oct. 2, 1.507, fit which time he was a person of great eminency, being then stiled, as
'tis entred in the pubhc register of this name, vir magna doctrina & virtute clarus
a man of great learning and virtue.
"What particular sort of learning he was most eminent for, is to me unknown ; For
leaving no writings behind him, or none which became public, I am not able to give
any account of that : nor do I meet with any author that hath done it.
But for his virtue, that was signally diffusive, especially that kind thereof which
consisteth in works of piety and charity ; the memorial of which hath descended to
posterity, in many particular instances, (though some undoubtedly are buried in ob-
livion) with a fragrant odor, home to this day.
^ Id. ib. Thus is he recorded to have been a good benefactor to his college in Oxford,' either
by repairing the old, or by adding new buildings. As a token whereof, his memory
was preserved there, in several of the glass windows of that house: particularly in a
middle chamber window on the south-side of the tower, over the common gate of that
college, where was (if not still) his name contracted in golden letters, as the fashion
was lately on coaches, in an escotcheon sable: and hath behind it, paleways an ab-
bot's crosier : which seems to intimate, as if he were a mitred abbot ; /. e. as Dr.
Interpret, in Cowel notcs,^ exempted from the jurisdiction of the Diocesan, and had within his
'^I'bot. precincts, episcopal authority in himself For so it might be, altho' he were no ba-
ron of parliament ; this being a peculiar favour granted to some eminent abbots by
the pope himself
Nor was Dr. Cliard a less, he was rather a greater, benefactor to his abby, than
his college; which he is said much to have repaired, built and adorn'd. Altho' likely
it is, the good man had the mortification, to see it ruinated and defaced before his
death. His adornings thereof, what ever his buildings were, consisted in neat and
fair wainscot, curiously carved, where the two lirst letters of his name T. C. were in-
• Kisd. Siirv. termix'd ;' as if he had design'd to have made himself as immortal as the abby : For
of Dev. ia go, bcyond his expectation, he was very probably and more too : For to let us see that
""■ the most stately edifices, are no less frail and mortal than human bodies, he lived to
behold the dissolution of that before his own. But the buildings met with better fate
than most others of the same quaHty : for however the order went forth, not on-
ly to dissolve the convents, but to destroy the fabrics, this, by what lucky chance I
know not, esca])ed better than its fellows, and continueth, for the greatest part,
standing unto this day. Which coming into the hands of attorny-general Prideaux,
he, between forty and fifty years since, Avas pleased to repair it; and changing the
model of it, converted it into a noble house as most in tiiese parts, for the habitation
of his family : and his son, Edmund Prideaux, Esq ; now dwelleth there; whose only
surviving daughter is the now wife of Francis Gwin, Esq;.
Nor were these all the works of piety which this reverend father did ; for he found-
ed an hospital in the parish, near a quarter of a mile out of the town of Honiton, on
the east-side of the road to Exeter, commonly known by the name of St. Margaret's
"This follow- hospital:'' It consisteth of an house, with five apartments; one for the governor, and
in,' account is f^^p othcrs for four leprous people; with an handsom chappel annexed, for God's
the Ori'g. service. To the maintenance whereof, the abbot limitted, appointed, and assigned
Grants and q^^, divci's closcs, or parccls of lands, meadow and {)asture, lying in Honiton and
^'' "' Auliscombe aforesaid, for the maintenance and sustentation of the said governor, and
the four leprous people of the said hospital, for ever. That is to say, one close ly-
ing in Honiton, on the east-side of the way leading to Exeter, containing, by esti-
mation, two acres and three quarters, one other close thereunto adjoyning, in Ho-
niton aforesaid, containing, by estimation, three acres and one quarter, one other
close in Honiton, aforesaid, lying on fhe same side of the way aforesaid, containing
by
CHARD, THOMAS, DOCTOR OF DIVINITY. 197
by estimation, one acre; thechappel, messuage, orchard, and herb-garden, on the same
side also, containing, by estimation, one yard of land; which how much that may
be, is uncertain : moreover, he gave one piece of meadow-ground, lying in Ottery-
Moor, in the said parish of Honiton, containing, by estimation, half an acre ; two
other several pieces of ground in Honiton aforesaid, lying on the west-side of the
same way, containing, by estimation, four acres ; one meadow adjoyning to the said
messuage, containing, by estimation, two acres ; one other close in Honiton afore-
said, lying on the same west-side of the way, containing, by estimation, five acres ;
and one meadow, called Spittle-meadow, lying in Aulescombe aforesaid, containing,
by estimation, one acre and half : All which, besides the house, garden, and orchard,
amounts to about twenty acres of good land ; and, with the two closes given to the
said hospital by the lords of the mannor of Battishorn, in the parish of Honiton afore-
said, lying under Gobsworthy-hill, containing about two acres, the cleer yearly value
of five and twenty pounds and six shillings. This is over and besides the yearly head
rent reserved out of the same, viz. three pounds of wax, and one and twenty pence in
mony; for which, four shillings in mony was agreed to be paid yearly, to the heir
male of this family of Chard, living in Aulescombe aforesaid. To whom was like-
wise reserved, the nomination and appointment of the said governor's place, as oft as
the same should become void.; who, with the consent of such governor, for the time
being, had also the placing of all leprous persons into the said hospital, upon the
death or voidance of such, as were formerly therein ; for the nomination or admit-
tance of any such person, twelve pence only was to be taken, and no more. = - ■
But in ])rocess of time, some of the heirs of this family abusing their trust, taking
several sums of mony, for placing and admitting certain persons as governor and
members of the said hospital, leasing the lands at their pleasure, &c. a commission
of pious uses, upon the statute of the 43 Q. Eli;^. entituled, 'An act to redress the
misem ploy men t of lands,' &c. was directed to several eminent gentlemen in these parts.
Who finding, by the verdict of a sufficient jury upon tlieir oaths, that the said hos-
pital had been long misgoverned, and the profits of the lands misemployed to private
uses, contrary to the intent of the founder; ordered and decreed as followeth:
' That the said hospital, and the whole cleer issues and profits of all the said lands
' and premises, so charitably given, shall be for ever hereafter employed to, and for
' the habitation, relief, and maintenance, of one governor, and four leprous persons ;
' or of other poor people, instead of such leprous persons, in case no such persons
' shall sue to be admitted thereinto.'
They farther decreed. That the rector of the parish-church of Honiton aforesaid,
and the church-wardens and overseers of the poor of the same parish, for the time be-
ing, shall for ever have the gift, nomination, and disposition of the place of the go-
vernor, and every leprous, or other person in the said house, as oft as it shall become
void. And the said rector, Sec. shall from time to time for ever, by writing under
their hands, give and dispose the said place of governor of the said house, unto such
person, and under such conditions and limitations for the better ordering of the same
house, as unto them shall seem meet.
They did farther order and decree. That from thenceforth, no man shall be ap-
pointed governor of the said house, but such as shall be of a good report and fame:
and that shall not have, at the time of his admittance, in his own right, any lands,
tenements, or leases, of the clear value of five pounds. And that shall not waste, nor
suffer to be wasted or decayed, the said house or lands ; and shall from time to time,
render to the said rector, &c. a just account of all the rents, issues, and profits of the
said lauds, whensoevei-, and as often as he shall be thereunto required.
And the said commissioners did fartlier order and decree, That neither the rector,
church.
life THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
church-wardeus, or overseers aforesaid, or any of them, nor the governor for the time
being, shall receive or take, to or for their, or any of their own use or uses, any gift
or reward, directly or indirectly, for tlie placing or admitting of any leprous, or other
poor people into the said hospital, other than twelve pence for every such poor per-
son, under the forfeiture of ten times the value, to the use of the said hospital.
And they did farther ordain. That John Chard, of Aulescombe, gent, should re-
pay, &c.
In witness of which order and decree, the commissioners hereunto set their hands
and seals, 18th of June. an. 18 K. Ch. 1. 1G4'2. In memory of whose prudence and
justice herein, I shall subjoyn the names of the said commissioners.
-urn T> ^ en i V Peter Prideaux, Baronet.
Will. Put, of Combe Esq ; j^,^^^ p^,^,^ Baronet.
"• o '■^' n ' William Fry, of Yarty, Esquire.
Park, Lrent. Nicholas Put, of Combe, Esquire.
What else this venerable person did, worthy commendation and imitation, I do not
find, nor when nor where he died. Only this we may observe of him. That he was of
a generous temper : and not in every thing easily match'd by those, who perhaps
may take occasion to carpe at his memory, and at my self also, for recording these
things of him.
There was another (more eminent person than the former) of the same name, born,
'Fior. A.u. probably, at the same place, called also, Thomas Chard;' for we are told, he was a
Hen^'s^'^' Devonian:" which may induce us to conclude him a descendant from this family,
» Atii. Oxon. there being no other of the name, that 1 find in this county.
V. 1. p. 576. ' He was bred a Benedictine monk; and among those he had his education for a
while in Oxford : where he very well bestowed his time ; altho' how long he continued
there, or what degrees he took therein, doth not appear in the public registers, which
about that time were not very faithfully kept.
However, he must have been of considerable standing, in that he afterward became
so eminent in the church: For retiring into his own country, he was made suff'ragan
to Dr. Hugh Oldham, bishop of Exeter, under the title of bishop of Saliibrie; tho'
where that is, unless in Greece, or inter partes infidelium, I shall not undertake to
determin. Which bp. Oldham, altho' he were no great scholar himself, yet was a
great favourer of learning and learned men ; as appears from his joyning with bp. Fox,
in his founding and endowing that famous nursery of such, Corpus Christi college in
'Cat. Bps. of Oxford. In relation to which, 'tis memorable what Mr. Hooker tells us,' That when
Exet. print. ^^ ^qx would have had it made a house for monks, Oldham would have it a college
for scholars ; alleadging very prudently. That monks were but a sort of buzzing flies,
whose state could not long endure; whereas scholars brought up in learning, would
be profitable members to the common-wealth, good ornaments to the church of God,
and continue for ever : unto whose opinion in this matter, that wise and prudent pre-
late consented.
Mr. Chard then, as was said, became a suffragan bishop ; which what that was,
the practice having for many years been discontinued among ourselves, may not be
"Chorepiscopi generally known. A suffragan was ordained by the hands of three bishops," as any
were ordained others bc, and designed for the help and assistance of the particular bishop of the di-
like tiirsnflra' ocess, iu the cxccution of his episcopal function, or spiritual office.'" Which was
gan Bps. ofour ^j^Qjj^j-j^ ^Q l^g Qf gQ great use, that an. 26 Hen. 8, ch. 14, it came to bc enacted,
o'niie Ch. 1. 5. ' That it should be lawful to every Diocesan at his pleasure, to elect two suflicient men
'^■''^'^: within his diocess, and to present them to the King, that he might give the one of
in SuflVag. "^ them such title, stile, name, and dignity of sease, as in the same statute is specified.' He
was called suffragan, from his suffrage, voice, consent, and judgment, which he gave
with
chard; THOMAS, DOCTOR OF DIVINITY. 199
with the bishop ; something hke, the' not altogether the same, with the Chorepiscopi
of old.
By this title was Mr. Chard collated to the vicarage of Wellington, in Com. Somer-
set, on the resignation of Richard Gilbert, Doctor of Decrees, an. 1512. Three years
after this, or thereabouts, he was chosen prior of Montacute, a monastery of the
Cluniac or Benedictine order, in the same county, valued at 524/. 12.s-. per an.," upon >= Speed in k.
the death of John Water.!' After that, an. 1521, he was admitted to' the church of"-*^-
Tintenhul, in the diocess of Wells, a small vicarage in the deanery of Yevelchester ; q^o'si^T*
all little enough to support his honorable dignity. 577.
By his last will and testament, made Oct. 1, an. 1541, and proved Nov. 4, 1544,
he became a benefactor to the church of St. Mary Otterv and Holberton in Devon ;
and to the church of St. Mary Magd. in Wellington, &c. in Somerset. What the
particular sums were, I find not ; but from the whole we may infer, he was piously
and generously disposed: and so an ornament to our country, and fit to be here insert-
ed. He died about the year 1543 ; tho' where interred, I find not. Only this we
may observe. That being suffragan to bishop OkH]am, about the year 1510, he was
of a great age at 1543. \^
CHARDON,
vol
200 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
^if: R «• CHARDON, OR CHARLDON, JOHN, LORD BISHOP OF DOWN, &c.
Elizab.
CHARDON, or Charldon, John, Eord Bishop of Down and Conor, in the kingdom
Ath. Oxon, of Ireland, we are expressly informed,' was a Devonian born ; upon which authority,
.1, p. 271. J shall challenge him for our own, and relate him hither: although, I must acknow-
ledg, I can't so much as guess at the place where he was so, unless, perhaps, in the
city of Exeter ; whither we find him to retire, when he first left the university.
Cherleton, Charldon, and Charlton, I take to be originally all one name; the dif-
ferent way of writing making no difference in the person. Of which name was an
antient family, somtime tlorishing in this shire : which name still adheres to a parish,
called Charldon, nigh Kings-bridge, at this day.
Cicely, the daughter of Pagan de Cherleton, granted to Hugh her son, pro homa-
t Sir w. Pole's gio, one fardel land, in Cherleton, in the beginning of K. Hen. 3d's reign:'' Witness
diTt &c'ivis* "'^'^''^"^ ^^ Lomine, John Malherb, Richard de tribus minetis (or trimenet), John de
p. 536. " Cherleton, &c. Of which mannor was Sir Alanus Charlton, Kt. the possessor in K.'
If^DevoifTu' E*^'"'- ^"^'^ days; whose seat, we are told,"" was at North-Molton, in this county.
Chaiit. But what relation this reverend prelate had to this family, or whether he had any at
all (although it appears he was a gentleman, from the quality he was entred of in the
university) I am not able to say.
Omitting these things, therefore ; Mr. Chardon was a youth of ver^? pregnant parts,
that soon got the rudiments of learning, as we may infer from hence, that, Quamprimum
x Hist. & Ant. per getatem licuit,** as soon as his age would give leave, he was sent to the university
a, "'^96."*" ' of Oxford, where he was admitted sojourner of Exeter College, in the year of our
' Atii. Oxon, Lord 1562, or thereabouts." Of how towardly a disposition he was, may appear from
qnosnpra. j^.^ bciug choscn probationer fellow of his college. Mar. 3, 1564, when he was but two
years standing ; two years from which, he was admitted perpetual. Soon after he
had taken his batchelor of arts degree, he entered into holy orders, viz. in the month
of August 1567, when he must be very young : and on the sixth of April, the year
following, he resigned his fellowship, as having some preferment in his own country.
Leaving the university very early, he retired to his preferment in the city of Exeter:
Where after some years continuance, he returned to Oxford, and proceeded in arts.
Which done, he came back to Exeter ; where he so industriously attended the duties
nd. ibid. of his high calling, that he became a noted preacher, ' And,' says my author,^ ' was
wonderfully followed for his edifying sermons.'
In the year of our Lord 1581, he paid another visit to his mother, the university;
and received her blessing in the degree of batchelor of divinity; and was admitted
to the reading of the sentences, or (as some stile it) the Epistles of St. Paul. Five
years after this, he proceeded doctor of divinity. And in the year 1596, in the
month of May, ob egregia merita ad episcopatuni Dunensem & Connor, in Hibernia
«Hist. & Ant. promotus,* for his egregious worth and merits, he was promoted to the bishoprick of
^ii'oantea'""'' Down and Connor in the kingdom of Ireland; unto which he was consecrated in the
church of St. Patrick, in Dublin, the same year.
What particular occurrences in the life of this reverend prelate hapned, or what
eminent good services he did in the church of Ireland, not being able to get a sight of
Sir James Ware's useful book, intituled, ' De prtcsulibus Hibernia) commcntarius,' I
shall not undertake to relate: It shall sufiice us to add, what we have from good
* In Piiiioso- hands,'' that while he was in his college, he very happily bestowed his labor in the
a'feHMnrcoU study of philosophy and divinity; and became a famous disputant, and no mean
locavit opcram, orator.
"^'' ■ What particular works else he printed, I do not find ; but all that is extant of them,
are
, CHARDON, JOHN, LORD BISHOP OF DEVON, &c. 201
are only several sermons, preached in the churches of St. Peter's Exon, St. Alary's
Oxon, and at St. Paul's-Cross, London : A catalogue of which, we are obliged for, to
the laborious author of the Athena; Oxon,' and thus it is. 'lb. quo prius.
A Sermon of the World; on St. Luke xxi. 25. 'There shall be signs in the sun, and
in the moon, and in the stars,' &c. Print. 8vo. 1580.
A Sermon at St. Mary's Oxon, on Joh. ix. 1, 2, 3, ver. 'And as Jesus passed by,
he saw a man that was blind from his birth,' &c. Print, at Oxford, 8vo. 1586
A Sermon at St. Mary's-Oxon, on the lltliDecemb. 1586, upon the 9th of St. John,
^, 5, 6, 7, ver. ' I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day,' &c.
London, 8vo. 1587.
A Sermon at St. Paul's-Cross, May 29th, 1586, on St. Matt, vi, 19, 20, 21, ver.
' Lay not up for jour selves treasures upon earth,' &c. Lond. 8vo. 1586.
A Funeral Sermon on the 1 Thes. ch. 4, ver. 13, unto the 18. ' But I would not
have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep.' Oxon, 8vo. 1586.
A Sermon on the I Isaiah, 1, 2 ver. ' The vision of Isaiah, the son of Amos,' &c.
Print at Lond. 1595.
Some other sermons he is supposed to have printed, which, what they were, my
author declares he had not seen. Soon after the printing this last mentioned sermon,
this learned prelate went into Ireland ; where having continued in the pious execution
of his episcopal function, about the space of five years, he yielded up the ghost ; and
lieth inter'd, most likely, in his own cathedral churcli in that kingdom.
What the paternal coat of this pious bishop was, I cannot say ; but William de
Carleton Seneschallus, or steward to the Lord W^alter de Manny, of his manner of
South-Hiwish, in this county, in the days of K. Edw. 3, gave, in a feild — four
mullets ; in a canton dexter, a lion rampant gard :'' But whether it may fit this , „. ,
prelate, I do not know, i.S'l;,''"!,?
C|<illt. {<C,
2 D THE CHAUNTOK,
202 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Fior. A. D. THE CHAUNTOR, JOHN, LORD BISHOP OF EXETER,
1184. R. R.
Hen. «.
the'Bp^s!^''of '^ The Chauntor, John, Lord Bishop of Exeter, was a native of this county:' What
Exetr his paternal name was, we are not altogether certain ; but are expressly told'' he was
"^cMaL^o/the' SO call'd, not from his parents, but from his office, From his being the chauntor of
Bps. of Exon. the cathedral church of that city.
But what if there was no such office in that church in his time? Nor for near an
' Ibid, in Bp. hundred years after ? So the same author tells us elsewhere,*^ That Bishop Quivel
^""'*'" (who was consecrated A. D. 1281) was he, who first instituted a chauntor and a sub-
dean in this church.
This matter, therefore, must be accomodated by saying. Either that this was his sir-
name, as there are several of the name Cauntor, living in this county at this day; or
else, that he might be so called from his extraordinary sonorous or melodious voice,
in chaunting forth mattins, vespers, obits, and the like.
But after all other conjectures, I rather incline to believe, that there was such an
office in this church at that time ; tho' Bishop Quivel might be the first who endow'd
Ecciesiifi sua; it with revenues, which it had not before :'' For he it was, who appropriated to the
canceTari'aTum chauiitoiy of the church of ExoH, the rectories of Chudlegh and Paynton, in this
& subdeeona- coiuity ; the rich maiinors whereof were belonging to his bishoprick before.
fUnda^tr'par- ^^ ^^^^^ whcii Walter Lecklade is said to be the first chauntor of the church of Exon,
timabaiiistun- as frequently he is, Bishop Godwin interprets it very probably thus, 'That he was the
dotavitT^Ac^^ ^""'*'' ^^''*° enjoy 'd that chauntry, after it was thus endow'd ;'^ Of which chauntor
piajccntoria; depends a story, not unfit to be here related
pHavi" Recto- This Walter Lecklade, in his return from mattins (which was then usually said
lias (le Chid- about two of the clock in the morning), was barbarously murther'd in the cloyster,
Godw.dl'pr"! belonging to the cathedral ; and the murtherers made their escape out at the south-
sui. Exou. p. gate of the city. Great enquiry and much adoe was made about this matter ; and in
■= Id. ibid. p. the end, K. Edward 1, and his Q,. Eleonora, at the Bishop's request, came to Exeter,
463. Avhere they kept their Christmas at the palace ; and were very industrious in finding
out the murtherers. At length, Alphred Duport (who was mayor of the city the year
before, 1284), and the porter of South-Gate (with some others, says Bishop Godwin)
were apprehended, indicted, arraigned, found guilty, and executed accordingly; for
that the south-gate was that night left open, by which means the murtherers escaped.
Upon this occasion was a composition made (by the motion of the King) between the
mayor and commonalty of the city, and the bishop, dean, and chapter of that church,
for inclosing St. Peter's church-yard, by erecting and shutting the gates thereof at
night at the ringing the curfue-bell ; which was afterwards confirmed by the King,
and Edmund Earl of Cornwal. A copy of the grant, as well of the mayor and citizens,
to the bishop, dean, and chapter, as of the bishop, dean, and chapter, to the mayor
and citizens of Exeter, for enclosing the said church-yard, bearing date A. D. 1286,
attested by divers eminent persons of this county, ma3^be seen at large, by the curious
in this matter, in Mr. Izaac's Memorials of the City of Exeter, p. 22, 23, 24, 25, to
which I shall refer my reader, and proceed.
fid. ib. inhis John the Cliauntor, we are informed,^ was born in the city of Exeter ; who being
Exom ^^^ "' admitted into holy orders, was preferred to be sub-dean of the church of Salisbury, and
chauntor of the church of Exeter. Which last, though at that time 'twas a place but
of little profit, might be of great dignity ; and the next step to a bishoprick. For so
it proved to be to this John, who from thence was advanced to be Lord Bishop of
this diocess; unto which he received his consecration, A. D. 1184. So says our
'ul'supMio IIooker,8 anno 1186, as Bp. Godwin assures us."
This
THE CHAUNTOR, JOHN, LORD BISHOP OF EXETER. 303
This John, was a prelate well reputed of; especially for his munificence, in carrying
on the buildings of his cathedral. What part thereof fell to his province to finish, I
do not find; but he is said to have been nothing inferior therein to his predecessors.
Now while he was very intent upon this pious and noble undertaking, (Oh ! the un-
certainty of human life) he was suddainJy snatched away, by an immature death ;' so ' Dum Eccies.
that he could not perfect, what he had otherwise so nobly design'd, had God length- n!l^"^in^mbe-"
ened out his days. ret, morte im-
He continued bishop of this church, about the space of five or six years, and then ^s,°"d.X*''
yielded up the ghost, IDecemb. 15, anno 1190. Says Mr. Izaac, anno 1191, as Bp.
Godwin informs us.
Which last learned and reverend author professes, that he could find no mention
made by any, of the place of this prelate's death or burial. But Mr. Hooker is ex-
press,'' that he was buried in his own church, in the south wall, over against the door " Synops. of
that leadeth into the palace, of which there is now no monument remaining; an argu- ^.^ms.^'"" "'^
ment, that he died likewise in the same city.
2 D 2 CHICHESTER.
204: THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
CHICHESTER, ROBERT, LORD BISHOP OF EXETER.
Flor. A. D.
1128. R. R.
Hen. 1. Chichester, Robert, Lord Bishop of Exeter, was a Devonian born, as is by all
•Fuller in the agreed,^ descended from a noble family, which yet flourishes in this county ; altho' in
Worth. of Eng. what particular house he was so, we are yet to learn : For Ralegh, the long continued
"inr.*^ Lz. in his seat of this honourable tribe, did not belong thereunto, until many generations after
M'^m- "^^''•'f this bishop's nativity.
^^' ' ' We must therefore enquire out some other place of its residence, which we shall the
better do, by finding the most antient name by which it was first called, and that (I
* Westc. Ped.am informed) Avas Cirencester;'' altho' as to the ground of that denomination, whether
in [Chichester, ^g coming originally from the famous town of that name in Gloccstcrshire, or for some
^^' other reason, I must profess my ignorance. There was Sir Thomas de Cirencester,
Kt. lord of the mannor of St. Mary-Church (an eminent sea-mark, standing on the
east side of Torbay), in this county, in the days of K. Hen. 3, whose reign began A. D.
1216, which name several generations before this, flourished at South-Pool (sometime
the possession of De Pola, an eminent family in this tract), not far from Kings-bridg,
c Id. ibid. in this county, where their most antient liabitation herein was, as my author tells us.''
The first of this name, I meet with, is Walieran de Cirencester, said to be descended
from a brother of Robert de Chichester, Bishop of Exeter; he many'd, and had issue
John de Cirencester: who had issue Sir John ; who had issue Sir Thomas (of whom
before), who by his wife Alicia de Rotomago, had the mannor of St. Mary-Chnrch,
aforesaid ; where I met him under the stile of Sir Thomas de Cirencester, of St.
1 .Sir W.Pole's Mary-Church;'' he had issue William ; who had issue John de Cirencester; and he
Sof'J; °^jjP*jj had issue Richard, who took up (for what reason, unless Euphroniie gratia, I can't
in k! h. 3's determine) the name of Chichester, i. e. left off the alias formerly made use of.
reign, MS. Richard Chicliestcr had issue John ; whose son. Sir John, marry'd Thomasin, the
sole daughter and heir of Sir William Ralegh of Ralegh, near Barnstaple, in this pro-
vince. His posterity, as they descended down hitherto, match'd into many honourable
houses, as of Kains of Winkley-Kains, Powlet of Hinton St. George, Bourchier Earl
of Bath, Courtenay, and Dennis. Sir John Chichester of Ralegh, Kt. by the daughter
of Sir Robert Dennis, had issue Sir Robert Chichester of Ralegh, Kt. that marry'd to
his first wife, one of the co-heirs of the Lord Harrington of Exton, in Rutlandshire;
by whom he had issue Anne, who was heir to her mother, and became the wife of
Thomas Lord Bruce, ancestor to the Right Honourable and truly nol)le the now Earl
of Aylesbury ; Who being a lady of extraordinary accomplishments, for the honour of
her memory, and our country, I shall crave leave here to insert her epitaph : which is
found inscribed on a noble monument, raised to her name, in the parish church of Ex-
' wriahts An- ton aforesaid, of black and white marble.^
tiquities of r- t> • /-> t->
Rutlandshire, Anna uxor Tho. Dom. Bruce Bar. de Kinlosse filia Roberti Chichester Eq. Bain,
pag. .-,». familia illustri in agro Devonien. — Matrem liabuit Franciscam filiam, & ex semisse
h;ered. Johan, Dom. Harrington Bar. de Exton: Ipsa matris ha'res ex asse. — Faemi-
iia pudicitia?, tum recti scientia, tum amore in conjugem intenso, munitissima. No-
bilissimis moribus, serenitate perpetua, ingeniiq. admirabili elegantia, placentissima.
Convixit marito an. iv. mens ix. peperitq. ei filiuni Rob. Bruce superstitem, eo
partu cum es.set ab sumpta omnis vis corporis, sanctissimam animam, pia morte paucos
post dies, Deo reddidit, diexx Martii anno a^tat. suas xxii, human;i3 salut. MDCXXVH.
Dilcctissima conjugi, ob egregias virtutes & insignia in se merita monumentum hoc,
brevemq. titulum faciund, cur. moer. mar.
On
in
CHICHESTER, ROBERT, LORD BISHOP OF EXETER. 205
On the other side of the same monument is the like in English, which, for the grati-
fying of such as may not understand the former, I shall here subjoyn/ ' id. ibid, p,
Anne, wife of Thomas Lord Bruce, Baron of Kinlosse, daughter of Sir Robert Chi-
chester, Knight of the Bath, of an antient family in the county of Devon, and of
France, one of the two daughters and co-heirs of John Lord Harrington, Baron of
Exton, sole heir to her mother ; a lady endow'd with a natural disposition to virtue,
a true understanding of honour, most noble behaviour, per|jetual cheerfulness, most
elegant conversation, and a more than ordinary conjugal affection. Slie was married
iv years and ix months, and left one only child, named Robert Bruce : Weakned by
that birth, she died in child-bed the xx day of March, in the xxii year of her age, anno
Domini M.DC.XX.VH. Erected and inscrib'd to the memory of his most beloved
and most deserving wife, by Thomas Lord Bruce.
Sir Robert Chichester, by his second wife, a daughter of Hill of Shilston, in this
county (an antient and honourable family, as I may shew more largely hereafter), had
issue Sir John Chichester Baronet, the father of the present Sir Arthur Chichester of
Youlston, in the parish of Sherwel, Baronet.
Having thus deduced this honourable family from its original unto this time, let us
return unto the bishop : He was bred a scholar ; then first made dean of Salisbury ;^ « Godw. De
and from thence advanced to be bishop of Exeter, in his own country ; he received his p'^458'' ^"^''
consecration, anno 1128.
He is much celebrated among writers, for his zeal in religion; which yet is said to
have consisted most in that, wherein the devotion of those days greatly lay, viz. in
frequent pilgrimages, sometimes to Rome, sometimes to one place, sometimes to ano-
ther ; and ever at his return, was he wont to bring with him some holy relicts, which
he purchased at a great rate and for which he was held magnificent.'' " Quod leii-
This honourable prelate was also (to use the words of my author)' a liberal contributer njhji"e"cuni''re-
to the buildings of his church, the sumptuous cathedral of St. Peter in Exon : Al- portage consue-
though what particidar part thereof fell to his share, we do not find. However, nftlfo' ha'betur!
generous and noble he was, not only in carrying on the building, but in the beautifying i''- '•>'''•
and adorning thereof; so that the whole is now of that decent uniformity, altho' it of the Bps! 'of
was above four hundred years in finishing,'' as if it had been, what Lucius Florus p^*-
speaks of Rome,' Res unius a^tatis, built all in one and the same age. part i, p.s.'
Bishop Chichester, having well-govern'd his church the space of two and twenty ' "'*'• '■''• ^'
years, concluded his days, Feb. 4th, 1150, according to a late author:"" But according n,'iz. quo piins
to the annals of the church of Winchester, he sate here twenty-seven years, and died ^^J"^ Tot" ex-
1155." This is opposed by Hooker, with this reflection, That the monk never saw on.
the records of this church, which are to the contrary." An"i"'saT.''voi!
He was buried in his own cathedral at Exeter, on the south-side of the high-altari.pag. sno.
there, where is seen the tomb of a certain bishop -.p That is Bishop Chichester's, is°,[p|..J'f"''" ''""
hence collected, viz. from the monument near adjoyning, belonging to one of this" J^p-. C'«'iw.
honourable family, as by the arms thereof may appear, of which before. " ■pnus.
There was another eminent person of this name, and an extract of this antient family,
born likewise in this shire, Richard Chichester, a writer : In what parts he had his
more Juvenile education, it appears not; the first notice we have of him, is, that he
was a monk of Westminster, under the rule of St. Benedict; where, with the friers of
that society, he continued in that course of life to the end of his days.'' ;> Bai.de scrip.
He was a very learned man, vir ipse literatissimus, as Bale calls him; and a great'" '^"'' ''■^■^"'
improver of his time, seldom taking any of it away from serious affairs, to bestow it
upon his pleasure or his vanity. He was not like those, who, to the reproach of
their persons or professions, exhaust the best part thereof, to consume it in a
swinish
206 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
swinish lazy lifej but he carefully expended it in his study, either in reading the
holy scriptures, or in perusing history, the restorer of times, and the mistress of
" Vei. Historiis life, as Scncca somewhere calls it.' By which means he became no mean chrono-
te'mpor^T'gfapher, for having, with no vulgar diligence, search'd into the libraries of several
vitsE niagistrap, monasteries, and perused their manuscripts, he began to compose an excellent chro-
dit. ^id'tbid?' nicle, as a certain chronicler calls it,' which he deduces from Hengist the Saxon, who
• k' Ed ^^^' ^^'"^ i"to Britain, anno Dom. 449, unto the year 1348, containing the occurrences
'''of about nine hundred years. The title which he gave his works was this,
Anglo-Saxonum Chronicon in lib. 5.
Besides this, Bostonus Buriensis, though he mentions his name, records no other
works that he published.
He flourished in the year of grace 1348, and is supposed to have died about
the year 1355, and to be buried in the casmetery belonging to his convent at
Westminster. But of others of this right antient and honourable family more here-
after.
CHICHESTER,
( 207 )
CHICHESTER, SIR ARTHUR, KNIGHT.
Chichester, sir Arthur, Kt. Baron of Belfast, and Lord Deputy of Ireland, Fior. a. d.
ivas born at Ralegh, near Barnstaple, in this county. He was the second son of Sir V"^- ^- ^•
John Chichester, of that place, Kt. by Gertrude his wife, daughter of Sir William
Courtenay, of Powderham, Kt. They were wonderfully blessed in a noble issue, male
and female ; having five sons, (Note \.J four whereof, were knights ; of which, two also
were lords, viz. a baron, and a viscount; and eight daughters, all married to the chief-
est tamihcs in these parts := As fu-st, Elizabeth to Hugh Fortescue of Phillegh, Esq ; -id. ibid.
secondly Dorothy to Sir Hugh Pollard of Kings-Nimpton, Kt. thirdly, Elenor to Sir
Arthur Basset oUmberlegh, Kh fourthly, Mary, to Richard Bluet, of Holcomb-
Rogus, Esq; fifthly, Ciciha to Thomas Hatch, of AUer, Esq; sixthly, Susanna,
to John Fortescue, of Buck and-Phillegh, Esq; seventhly, Bridget, to Sir Edmund
Prideaux, ot Farway, Bar. all in Devon ; and eighthly, Urith, to Trevillian
of Nettlcconibe, in Somerset, Esq; '
The grandfather of this Sir John Chichester, had two wives successively first
Margaret, daughter and heir of Hugh Beaumont, of Youlston, Esq; from whom pro'
ceed.s the present honorable family, that now inhabits there. Secondly, Joan, dauo-h-
ter of Robert Brett, of Whitstaunton in Somerset, and of Pillond near Barnstaple "in
Devon, Esq; by whom he had issue, first, John, of Widworthy in the east aiid se-
condly Amias, of Arhnston in the north parts of this county ; whose posterities, in
botli places, tlonsh in worshipfull degree this day. (Note 2.)
As to the knightly family of this name, which resides at Hall, in Bishops-Tawton
whereofmyhonoredfriend Francis Chichester, Esq; and batchelor of laws, is now
the lord, that issued out of Ralegh-house, four generations before these last mention-
ed. The first that settled there was Richard, third son of Richard Chichester, of Ra-
legh, by Ahce his wife, daughter and heir of John Wotton, or Watton, of Widwor-
thy; with whom tjiat mhentance came into this family. Which Richard, was the
grandson of John Clnchester and Tliomasin Ralegh his wife, the first of this name
that possessed Ralegh Richard ChichPster aforP.aid, n.arried Thomasin, daughter
and heir of Simon Hall, ot Hall, by whom he had this fair inheritance Whose pos
terity match'd into many eminent houses, as Gough, of Aldercoinb in cJrnwal
Ackland of Ackland, Marwood, of Westcot, Basset, of Umberlegh, Strode, of Newn-
ham. Pollard, Carew, &c. and yet prospers well in this place (Yo'e 3 J
Having premised these things, for our better understanding of the fair spreadincr of
this noble family, I shall now proceed unto him, whom we ought chiefly to comme-
morate, Arthur Lord Chichester, of Belfast in the kingdom of Ireland ■ vvhom to pass
over in silence, were to drop one of the chiefest ornaments of our country '
This gentleman spent some part of his youth in the university, which being a too
sedentary sort of life for his active genius, he went into the ^vars; and at every place
where his sovereign s service required, there he was, by sea and land, in England and
in France: in the ast of winch, lor some notable exploit done by him, in the pre-
sence of the French King, Hen. 4, he was by that puissant prince, honored vVith
Knighthood." "-w t- n
While he followed feats of war in France, his next brother, being also of a martial °J ^r/'*"
spirit, sought glory and renown ,n Ireland; whose valor and puissance there, were ''
rewarded with knighthood. So that he came to be distinguished Irom his elder bro-
ther who was of the same name and degree, (but rarely fbund at once in the same fa-
mily) by the title of Sir John Chichester the younger. He being at length traiter-
ously murthered there. Sir Arthur, not so much to revenge his brother's tfeath as to
recover that kingdom, then in a desperate condition, put himself into that service
In which employment, he manifested to the world, valor and wisdom, so fairly and '
evenly
Ralegh
208 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
evenly tempered, that his generous actions expressed an extraordinary sufficiency. For
lie was effectually assistant, first to plough and break up that barbarous nation, by
conquest, and then to sow it with seeds of civility; when by K. Jam. 1, he was made
lord deputy of that kingdom, A.D. 1604. He managed his affairs with such pru-
dence and resolution, that all the swarms of brooding rebels were in a little time, ei-
ther vanquish'd and executed, or, upon submission, pardoned, and received to mer-
cy. For which his great services, he was, by K. James aforesaid, honored with the
title of baron of Belfast, in the kingdom of Ireland: Unto whom one applys these
verses," written, he says, by a learned poet, on Joseph in iEgypt, only with the trans-
id. ibid, iu mutation of tiie names :
With all these honors, and with wealth conferr'd.
With great apjilause, Chichester is preferr'd.
To rule all Ireland; which with great dexterity.
Wisdom and worth, care, courage and sincerity.
He executes
'Tis true, good laws and provisions had been made by his predecessors, to the same
purpose before ; but alas, they were like good lessons set for a lute out of tune, use-
less, until the lute was fitted for them.'' And therefore, in order to the civilizing of
"Fui.Woitb. the Irish, in the first year of his government, he established two circuits, after the
manner of the English nation, for justices of assize, the one in Connaugh, and the
other in Munster. And whereas the circuits in former times, only encompassed the
English pale, as the cynosura doth the pole, henceforward, like good planets in their
several spheres, they carried the influence of justice round about the kingdom. In-
somuch, in a short time Ireland was so cleered of thieves and capital offenders, that
so many malefactors have not been found in the two and thirty shires of Ireland, as
in six English shires in the western circuit.'
•^ Sir John D;i- TIlis noble lord during his lieutenancy in Ireland, reduced also the mountains and
gliiis on the south of Dublin (formerly thorns in the English pale) into the county of
Wicklow : and in conformity to the English fashion, many Irish began now to cut
1 heir mantles into cloaks. And so observant was the eye of tliis excellent governor,
over the actions of su.^j>prtpd persons, tliat tlie earl of Tyrone was heard to complain,
Tliat he could not drink a full carouse of sack, but the state in few hours after was
advertised thereof.
After that this noble person had continued there many years together, no less than
eleven, as a certain author tells us,' in this principality, the stile thereof being
TiHik's Lives Prorex Hibernian, K. James his master, called him home, out of no displeasure or
\.h. Usii. disaffection, but rather, as knowing his great abilities, to employ him elsewhere : for
soon after his return, he sent him liis ambassador to the emperor and the German
princes. In his Journy thither, or from thence (which is not very material) he touch'd
at Maiuchine, as my author calls it ;« or, as I suppose, Manheim, a city of the Low-
«F.ili.ul)ipii. er- Palatinate ; a ])la"ce much indebted to the prudence of my Lord Chichester, for the
seasonable victualling of it. While he was there, his lordship, with the rest of the
city, was besieged by Count Tilly, the emperor's general ; upon this, my lord sent
the count word, ' That it was against the law of nations to besiege an ambassador.'
Tilly return'd, ' He took no notice that he was an ambassador.' Upon which my lord
Chichester replied to the messenger, ' Had my master sent me with as many hundred
men, as he hath sent me on fruitless messages, your general should have known, that
1 iiad been a soldier as well as an ambassador.'
At his return into England, K. James entertain'd him with great commendation,
for having so well discharged his trust ; so that he died in favor with God and man,
" M. Westc. so one,*" in as great honor as any English-man of our age, so another author expresses
■''Fuiicrioc it,= about the year of our Lord God, 'l 620.
uit. cit. From
vie's Disc, of
Irfl. p. 'J70.
p. 'Mi
CHICHESTER, SIR ARTHUR, KNIGHT. 209
From which account, given by the historians, a late writer hath made these obser-
vations on him:^ That my Lord Chichester was stout in his nature, above any disor- !jj''"y?'s state
der upon emergencies ; resolv'd in his temper, above any impressions from other 75-1, 755!
princes; and high in his proposals, beyond the expectation of his own. There is a
memorable observation of Philip, K. of Spain, called El prudente, the prudent ;
That when he had design'd one for ambassador, the man came faintly and coldly to
him, to propose somthing for his accommodation ; of whom he said, * How can I ex-
pect that this man can promote and effectuate my business, when he is so faint and
fearful in the solicitation of his own ?'
Yet was not my Lord Chichester more resolute in Germany than Avary in Ireland ;
where his opinion was. That time must open and facilitate things for reformation of
religion, by the protestant plantations, by the care of good bishops and divines, by
the amplification of the college, the education of wards, an insensible seisure of po-
pish liberties, &c. In a word, this brave gentleman had an equal mind, that kept
up it self between the discourses of reason, and the examples of history, in the enjoy-
ment of a good fortune, and in conflict with a bad.
Where this noblest lord lieth interr'd, we are expressly told, that dying about the
time that K. James the first did, he was buried at Belfast, in Ireland, to the great
grief of his country ; because it was in such a time as most required his assistance,
courage, and wisdom ; which are often at odds, and seldom meet ; yet in him shook
hands as friends, and challenged an equal share in his perfections. Alex. Spicer, his
chaplain, and, I think, a native of Exeter, wrote elegies on his death.' Whether 1 Ath. Oson.
his brother and heir, the Lord Edward Chiche&ter, might afterwards bring over, and^' ^"P" '"^^^
lay his remains in the sepulchre belonging to his house at Eggesford, (Note 3.J I
know not ; only this is certain, that in a little oratory adjoyniiig to the very little
church of Eggesford, on the north side of the chancel, I saw this memoria' of him;
to wit,
A head cut out in coarse marble, where his face is represented to the life, yielding
a look, stern and terrible, like a soldier.
They who are skill'd in sculpture, aver it to be an excellent piece of art.
- This right noble lord, although once married,"" luito Letice, daughter of Sir John m Mr. Westc.
Perrot, lord deputy of Ireland, left no issue behind him ; he made, therefore, his P***- ^^•
youngest brother his heir, viz. Sir Edward Chichester, Kt. who succeeded him in his
estate and in his honor ; being created Baron of Belfast aforesaid, an. 16'24 ; but ex-
ceeded him in his title, being made Viscount of Carrickfergus, in the same kingdom ;
as his son Arthur did them both, who was advanced to the earldom of Donnegal ;
•which continues in his posterity unto this day, and may it still continue. (Note \.)
This right honorable lord, Edward Viscount Chichester, was also a very worthy
and eminent person ; well accomplish'd, as well for war as peace. He was very ser-
viceable in the wars of Ireland, and gave good proofs of his valor there ; for which he
was knighted, and made governor of Carrickfergus aforesaid. And he gave no less
demonstration of his wisdom and sagacity; on which account, he became one of his
Majesty's most honorable privy council for that kingdom.
In the parlour at Eggesford house, I lately saw the effigies of this noble lord, drawn
to the full proportion, having this motto nigh it ; which, for that it expresseth a mind
full of virtue and generosity, I shall here insert.
Tempori servire malum :
Mutare tempore pejus :
Pessimum autem malorum,
Temporis quam veritatis
Rationem habere.
2 E This
210 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
This noble viscount married Anne, sole daughter and heir of John Copleston, of
Eggesford, Esq ; a small parish so called, lying near Chimley, in this county, by
whom he had issue three sons and two daughters, and a large estate in those parts.
He surviv'd his lady two and thirty years; but at length dying, he was buried by her,
in the little oratory before-mentioned: where is erected a noble monument to their
memory, prepared by himself, but finished by his son, Arthur, Earl of Donnegal. It
is a lofty bed, on which do lie the portraictures of this noble lord and his lady aforesaid,
in their full jiroportion, in polished marble, having their five children kneeling by;
all under a stately canopy finely painted : On the top is this inscription.
In memory of Edward Lord Viscount Chichester, and dame Anne his wife; and in
humble acknowledgment of the good providence of God, in advancing their house,
A little under are these verses ;
Fam'd Arthur, Ireland's dread in arms, in peace
Her titular genius, Belfast's honor won :
Edward and Anne, blest pair ? begot encrease
Of lands and heirs, viscount was grafted on.
Next, Arthur, in God's cause, and King's stak'd all;
And had, to's honor, added Donnegal.
In the hollow underneath, on a fair table of marble, is this large remembrance to
be seen ;
Here lieth, in hope of the resurrection, the body of the Right Honorable Edward
Chichester, Kt. Lord Chichester, Baron of Belfast, Viscount Cliichester, of Carrick-
fergus, governor of the same, and one of his Majesty's most honorable privy council
for the kingdom of Ireland, son of Sir John Chichester, of Ralegh, Kt. and the body
of dame Anne his wife, sole daughter and heir of John Copleston, of Eggesford, Esq;
who had issue, — 1. Arthur, his eldest son, now Lord Viscount Chichester, Earl of
Donnegal (who first married Dorcas, daughter of John Hill, of Honneley in War-
wickshire, Esq ; and had issue by her one daughter ; afterward the Lady Mary, el-
dest daughter of John, Earl of Bristol ; and had issue by her six sons and two daugh-
ters). John, his second son, who married Mary, eldest daughter of Roger Viscount
Rannelagh. And Edward, his youngest son, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir
Edward Fisher, Kt. Elizabeth, his eldest daughter, who married Sir William Wrey,
Knight and Baronet ; Mary, his youngest daughter, who first married Thomas Wise,
of Sydenham, afterward John Harris, of Radford, Esquires. He departed this life
on the 8th, and was buried on the 13th of July, A. D. 1648. She departed this life
on the 8th, and was buried on the 11th day of March, 1616.
This monument was prepared by himself in his lifetime; but now erected and
finished by the said Arthur, Lord Viscount Chichester, Earl of Donnegal, 1648.
In the same oratory is another most sumptuous monument, erected to the memory
of the said Arthur, Earl of Donnegal, and his two ladies ; where he standeth in full
and just proportion, curiously cut out of pure alabaster, finely polished, between his
two ladies, lying in effigy by.
; On the right-hand lieth his first lady, in memory of Avhom is this written ;
M. S.
Here lieth interr'd, the body of Dorcas, daughter of John Hill of Honnely in
the county of Warwick, Esq; and first wife of the Rt. Honbl. Arthur, Lord Viscount
Chichester, Earl of Donnegal. She left issue one daughter, viz. the Lady Mary,
now living; and departed this life, April 10th, 16.'30. Aged 23.
Then
CHICHESTER, SIR ARTHUR, KNIGHT. 211
Then follow these verses,
Weep reader, weep, and let thine eyes
With tears embalm the obsequies
Of her blest shrine ; who was in all
Her full dimensions so angelical.
And rarely good, that vertue might repine.
In wanting stuff to make one more divine.
This lady's sole daughter, the Lady Mary, became the wife of John Saintleger of
Donorades, m the knigdom of Ireland, son of Sir William Saintleger, Kt Lord Pre-
sident of Munster; by whom he had issue, Arthur Saintleger, Esq; the present pos
sessor of, and mhabitant at Eggesford aforesaid ; a very ingenuous and oblicri„o- o-en-
tleman. On the left-hand lieth his second lady, who hath this memorial, ° * "
M. S.
Here lieth interr'd the La-
dy Mary,
Eldest daughter to the "Right Honorable
John, Earl of Bristol,
and second wife to Ar-
thur Earl of Donnegai.
By whom
He had issue, six sons, viz. 1. Arthur, 2. Arthur, 3. Edward, 4. Digby,
5. John, 6. James; and two daughters, viz. Beatrix, and the other born dead,'
and interr'd with the mother, who departed this Life, Nov. 5, 1648.
Under which is this epigram ;
Lo ! here the mirror of her sex, whose praise
Asks not a garland, but a grove of bays :
AVhose unexemplar'd virtue shined far
And neer ; the western wonder ! like some star
Of the first magnitude; which though it lies
Here in eclipse is only set to rise.
In the same oratory is another very handsom monument fixed in the wall to the
memory of John Copleston, Esquire, and Dorothy his wife ; where is also to be read
this epitaph.
Here lieth buried the body of John Copleston, Esq; and Dorothy his wife
Daughter to Sir George Biston, of Biston Castle in Cheshire, Kt. They had issue'
Anne, then- sole daughter and heir, who is now married to Edward Chichester'
Esq; one of the sons of Sir John Chichester, of Ralegh, Kt.
In whose memory,
the said Edward Chichester, their son-in-law, hath erected this monument
A. D. MDCXIV.
She departed the 24th July, in the year 1601. He departed the Uth of November
A. D. MDCVI.
They lived together XXX years, in much Peace with God, and loving Society
each with other.
This monument is adorn'd with divers coats of arms, viz. Copleston's, Biston's
Keyney's, Chichester s, and others. '
Unto \yhat hath been spoken, in relation to this antient family, I shall crave leave
only to add a remarkable instance of the strange fertility of that branch thereof which
2 E 2 ' y,t
212 . THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
° Mr. Wcst.'s yet florislicth at Arlington." Amias Chichester, of that place, Esq; by Joan his wife,
Ariuigton. Ms! tlaughtcr of Sir Roger Gifiard, of Brightly, Kt. had nineteen sons; every one of which
(what you may think much stranger) had no less than four sisters; fourteen of the
nineteen lived to be proper gentlemen ; though not above three of them had issue.
When they went all to church, the first would be in the church-porch, before the last
would be out of the house. Edward, the ninth son, was slain in a duel ; and Paul, the
eleventh, was a worthy captain, both in the Netherland wars, and elsewhere ; he was
slain in the Portugal action, A. D. 1589.
ADDITIONAL NOTES.
(1) or these sons, the eldest was Sir John Chichester, who was one of those, who with tlie Judge of Assize,
died in consequence of infection received from the prisoners tried at the Castle of Exeter, in 158.5. His grand-
son John was advanced to the dignity of a Baronet, in 1641. He was succeeded by his sons Sir John, and Sir
Arthur, to wliont in lineal succession were three Sir Johns. The last died in 1808, without issue, upon which
the Baronetcy devolved upon the present Sir Arthur Chichester.
(2) These brandies of tiie family still continue at Arlington and Hall.
(3J Eggesford, in tiie time of Henry 3d, belonged to the family of Reigny, and after many descents in that
name, became, by the marriage of tlie co-heir of Reigny, the property of Charles Copleston, of Bicton, whose
grand-daughter conv»yed it in marriage to Edward Viscount Cliichester. It was afterwards purchased by Mr.
Fellowes, and is now the residence of the honourable Newton Fellowes, second son of John, Earl of Ports-
mouth, by Urania, the daughter o( Coulson Fellowes, Esq.
(J-j Arthur, the fourth in descent from the hrst Earl of Donegal, was created a British Peer in 1790, by the
title of Baron Fisherwick, and in 17!"2, was advanced to tlie dignity of Earl of Belfast and Marquis of Donegal
in Ireland, whose son is the present Marquis.
CHILCOT
( 213 )
CHILCOT, ROBERT.
LiHILCOT, alias Comin, Robert, was bora in the town of Tiverton, where also hef^o""- ^- J"-
had his education. He was servant and nephew to that eminently great and good jac. i. '"
man, Mr. Peter Blundel (of whom before), being his sister's son.
Air. Chilcot, following the kersy trade, with other profitable ways of merchandising,
as his uncle did, got also a very fair estate, though much short of his. But to shew that
generosity runs in blood, (as the apostle intimates it may, in his ivycsri^ii, These were
better born than they of Thessalonica)' he did, as his said uncle had done before him, " Acts ir, ii.
lay out a very considerable share thereof, between two and three thousand pounds, in
works of piety and charity : The particulars are thus recorded, which I shall here
memorize, as well to the example of well-disposed persons, who are living, as to the
honor of the dead. He gave'' " wuiefs Syn.
Papismi. pag
^ . . . - 1229.
To Christ's-Hospital in London,
To poor prisoners, lying for 5/. debt.
To a free English-school in Tiverton, for 100 boys, to prepare
them for the Latin-school,
To the maintenance of this school, and certain poor of that place,
per an.
That is.
To the school-master, for whom is provided an handsom house
adjoyning, per an.
To the clerk, i>e\' annum
Towards the reparations thereof, per an.
For 1.5 poor men's gowns, and to each of them Qs. in mony, yearly.
To 15 poor artificers, per an.
To 15 poor people, each 6d. per week for ever
Towards repairing the church of Tiverton, yearly.
To other good uses, by the year.
For the due payment of which legacies, he settled his lands in Yorkshire, of good
value, upon thirteen trustees of the town of Tiverton aforesaid, chosen by him for that
purpose.
He was a considerable legatee in his uncle Mr. Blundel's will, and one of his exe-
cutors in trust, for the better performing thereof.
Mr. Chilcot, before he died, settled liis habitation in London, where very probably
he expired, and lieth inhumed; altho' in what particular church, by reason of that
grand conflagration, which hapned in the year 1666, and destroyed so many funeral
monuments, we can't certainly determine; nor what isgue he left behind him.
Pounds.
Shillings.
100
00
100
00
400
00
90
00
20
00
3
00
2
00
y, 16
10
15
00
19
10
10
00
4
00
CHn.DE,
21i THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
CHILDE,
Mor. A. D.
1340. R. R.
Edw. 3. CHILDE, ■ His christian name is unknown; nor can it be at this day reco-
inDev p^'aee^^'"^^' ^^^ ^^^^ ^ gentleman of antient extraction," and fair possessions, at Phmstock
in this county ; a small parish, lying on the east side of the river Plym, very near the
mouth thereof; over against the large and populous town of Plymouth. Of this per-
son, is a memorable passage left us by tradition; of which, whoso shall deny or doubt
'■Id.ib. the credit, we are told,'' all the vicinage will be highly offended with them.
Mr. Childe having no issue of his own, and being the last of his ftimily, is said to
have made his will and last testament; wherein he ordained. That where-ever he
should happen to be buried, to that church should his lands belong.
" .'^l?''- Descr. It so fortuned a while after, that riding to hunt, in the forest of Dartmore," being in
Piiinst ' liot pursuit of his game, tho' in a cold and sharp season, he casually lost his way and
his company, in a very bitter snow.
Being thus left in this wild and desolate place, the poor gentleman, exceedingly
benum'd with the cold, killed his horse, and having embowelled him, crept into his
warm belly for a little heat; which not being able to preserve him long, with some of
his blood, he thus farther confirmed his will
He that finds, and brings me to my tomb,
The land of Plimstock shall be his doom.
And soon after, the same night, he was frozen to death,
ford'''"'"'"''' Now something in confirmation hereof,'' I find. That there is a place in the forest
of Dartmore, near Crockern-Tor, which is still called Child of Plymstock's tomb;
whereon, we are informed, these verses were engraven, and heretofore seen, tho' not
now.
They first that find, and bring me to my grave.
My lands, which are at Plimstock, they shall have.
After this sad accident, the snows being at length abated, some passenger coming
that way, found Mr. Childe there, thus frozen to death. Now some notice of the
whole affair being brought to the friers of Tavistock, they come and fetch the corps ; and
with all possible speed, hasten to inter him, in the church belonging to their own abby.
This business was not so secretly carried, but the parishioners of Plimstock had
some intimation of it also : to prevent, therefore, the design of the monks of Tavistock,
they planted themselves at a certain bridg, which they conceived the corps must ne-
cessarily pass, with resolution to have wrested the body out of their hands by force.
But they must rise betime, or rather, not go to bed at all, that will over-reach monks
' Full, ut sup. in matters of profit.'
The monks then, apprehending themselves to be in such danger of losing the preci-
ous relict; what do they do, but circumvent the Plimstock men with a guile ? For
they presently' cast a slight bridge over the river at another place, and so carried over
the corps and interr'd it, without ever inviting their Plimstock friends to the funeral.
This thus done without resistance, these monks enjoyed the lands of Plimstock (which
is uell known to be true) a long while after. In memory whereof, the bridg, not
f Quo Slip. that extemporare one, but, as Dr. Fuller believed,^ a more premeditate structure, raised
in or near that place, bears the name of Guile-Bridg unto this day.
« Bp. Gndw. A story very strange ! yet a parallel hereof, in several cirucmstnnces, we may find
de P sEsui. m history ; which for a diversion, with the reader's pardon, I shall here briefly relate
ADgl. Ill C int. I- •' , ' *'
ex capt;r. vti. irom a gravc author.^
Malmes. p. 72. ElsinUS,
CHILDE, ^l^
Elsinus, Bishop of AVinchester, being desirous to succeed Ode in the see of Canter-
bury, about the year of our Lord 960, whom yet in his lifetime, he could never brook ;
coming to Canterbury after he was dead, and had gotten his place, contumelioush^ and
scornfully spurned at the tomb of this his predecessor; using these despightful words
after, ' Now at last thou art dead. Old Dotard;*' and tho' long first, hast left thy placet. Tandem siii-
to a better man. What therefore I have so long desired, I now possess, whether tho" ^""'"a"nini"m'
wilt or no : for which I con thee but little thanks.' eft'udisti; &
Our historian's report, That the night after this, Odo appeared unto Elsinus in bis ^;'^''™)'|* ,^^™;
sleep, threatening a speedy and fearful revenge, for so great an indignity to the dead, taciens, abUsti.
AVhich tho' he made no reckoning of it for the present, yet afterward it fell out ac- ^''- ' '
cordingly : For as Elsinus travelled to Rome for his pall, upon the Alps, he was so
oppressed with the cold, that having no other remedy,' he was constrained to rip up i Nihil aViad
the bowels, and to put those feet, wherewith so despightfully, he had spurned at bis f^.'J^Yscl' potHe-
predecessor's tomb, into his horse's belly, yet reaking hot; notwithstanding whichiit, qnam exeu-
ilevice, he yet there died of the cold. '^^omm'^Ji,
The Roman legend is full of such stories. Nor is that any better, which a late pedes immer-
popish author,'' has the front to relate, of Q. Anne Bullen, wife to K. Hen. 8. That IJ'j^'^j^ ''"„,„"„.
when Bishop Fisher was beheaded, she should desire to see the head before it was setinm concuica-
up ; at sight whereof, she should say contemptuously, ' Is this the head that so often "pr. 'riiomas
exclaimed against me? I trust it shall never do more harm :' And with that, striking BaiiysLifeami
it upon the mouth with the back of her hand, hurled one of her fmgars upon a tooth, pisher, p. wg,
that stuck somewhat more out than the rest did: which fingar afterwards grew sore, «i^>-
and putting lier to great pains many days after, was nevertheless cured at last with
much difficulty ; but the mark remained ever after. A story not worth the confutation.
As for Mr. Childe, we have nothing of him that is farther memorable ; he is sup-
posed to have lived in Ed. 3's reign.
CHUDLEGH,
->;.
216 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON
CHUDLEGH, SIR GEORGE, BARONET.
Flor. A. D.
jafi^' ^' CHUDLEGH, Sir George, Baronet, was born at Ashton, in this county ; a sweet
and pleasant seat, six miles south-west from Exeter. It is so called, as if one should
Bisdon. say, A town in a wood of ashes :' It's name, more antiently, was Asseriston, and
Asheriston ; but in the Saxons' time, Esseton ; as may be seen in Dooms-day.
The first possessor of these lands, after the Conquest, was that noble Kt. Sir Her-
vius de Hilion, who received them, as a gift from the Conqueror, William of Nor-
"Poie'sDeser. mandy ; whom followed, in this place, seven of the name Hilion, all knights,'' whose
oiUevon. names 'twould be thought too tedious to relate. From them they came to the dignous
family of Le Pruz, vulgarly Prous : and a daughter of Richard, second son of Sir
William Prous, Thomasin by name, brought them, with other lands, unto her husband
John, the son of John Chudlegh of Chudlegh, near adjoyning : Unto whom the said
Richard Prous (in the life time of John his son) made this conveyance, as by the deed
' Pole's great appeareth ; a brief whereof followeth.''
MS- of chart. <t Sciant, &c. quod nos Richardus Prous & Margarita uxor mea, concessimus, dedi-
^'^■P' - i( j^^jg^ ^^ Johanni Chuddclegh & h;eredibus suis, omnia, terras & tenementa nostra
" in Asseriston, Shaplegh-Hilion, &c. Testibus, Domino Nich. Kirkham, Johanne
" de Ferrariis, Rogero de Nonant, militibus; AVillielmode Fisacre, Johanne Tremenet
" & aliis. Dat apud Gidlegh an. 13 Ed. filii Ed. 1320."
By which it appeareth, that the seat and mannor of Ashton, hath been in the honor-
able family of Chudlegh, about three hundred and eighty years : Not that we are to
suppose, as if here it had its original ; no, it fetches that from a much more antient
seat, in the parish of Chudlegh, commonly called Chidley, lying under the Haldon
" Id. in Chid- Hills, towards the west, in this county ; wiiere they dwelt long before, in their own
ley, MS. land j"* which yet continueth in the direct heir, a studious and sober gentleman. Sir
George Chudlegh of Ashton, Baronet.
Having tlorished at this place, and at Broad-Clist, now about twelve descents, they
matched into divers noble houses, as they came along, as Beachamp, Pomeroy, Beau-
f Id. in great mont, Chauipernon, Pawlet, Sturton, and others. Of which last match, this is
MS. of chart. ,.gj^^^j.j.^,^j^,^ ^^^^^^ j f,^^ ^p^.-^ rccord.'
' That, by covenant of marriage, James Chudlegh shall marry Margaret, daughter
' to William Lord Sturton, who giveth him an hundred marcs, anno 15 King Edw. the
' 4th, 1476.'
A portion held so very small in this age, that a very ordinary farmer, or shopkeeper,
would be loath to give it with a daughter, or take it with a wife.
They have matched also with several daughters and heirs, as Prous, de la Pomeroy,
Beaumont, Merton, Stretchlegh, and others. With this last a very considerable
inheritance came into, and still remains in, this family, called by the name of Stretch-
legh, in the parish of Armington, in this county. In some part of which Barten,
there fell from the clouds, in the year of our Lord 1623, a stone of twenty three
pounds weight; which, in falling, made a fearful noise, like the rumbling of a piece
of ordnance, but the lower it came, the sound still lessned, and ended upon the
'Risd. Survey, ground, no louder than the report of a petronel ; so my author, who lived at that time.'
ofDev.inStret. rj-j^j^ family hath produced many eminent and worthy persons, besides the gentle-
man we are now treating of; in my way to whom, I shall crave leave to memorize
his father, John Chudlegh, son of Christopher, and of Christiana his wife, daughter
and heir of William Stretchlegh of Stretchlegh. He was of a right martial, bold, and
adventurous spirit; for living in those times that were .so, he had an honorable emu-
lation in him, to equal, if not excel, the bravest heroes, and their noblest exploits ^
not
CHUDLEGH, SIR GEORGE, BARONET. ^T
not at land so much, where is the least danger, but at sea : As if he had been of
Themistocles's temper, whom the trophies of Miltiades would not sufter to sleep;^' Eras. Apoph.
so the famous actions of Drake and Cavendish, ran so much in his thoughts, that ' ••''?••'-'■
he could not rest, without undertaking to shew himself the third Englishman that^
had encompassed the world, and performed some noble service for his country ;" ^,^^^^^*^-ju ^*^
but he did not live to accomplish his generous designs, dying young ; although he ton.
lived long enough to exhaust a vast estate, which if now together, it is supposed,
would amount to five or six thousand pounds per annum ; so true is the reflection one
hath left to him, That he hazarded all his great estate to ruine.' Among other things, '^^"l^^'" ■^*''"
the large and noble mannor of Broad-Clist, antiently named Clist-Nonant, from the
first lords thereof, he disposed of, one part he sold unto Sir Matthew Arrondel," ^^'^^i^h ^ W-^jbiU '«
became the inheritance of the Lord Arrondel of Warder ? and the other part he mort- ^8.^
gaged to John Davie, Mayor of Exeter, the ancestor of the honorable Collonel, Sir
William Davie of Greedy, Baronet, that now is. Of whom I shall only add, that by
Elizabeth his wife, daughter of George Speke of White- Lackinton, Esq. (whom I take
to be the same with Sir George Speke of White-Lackinton, in the county of Somerset,
and of Haywood, in the parish of Wemworlhy, in this county. Knight of the Bath,
at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth, of happy memory)' he left issue two very emi- j^J'',^^^J^J^-,.,"*
nent gentlemen. Sir George Chudlegh of Ashton, Baronet, and Sir John Chudlegh his in q. Eiuab.
brother, who was knighted for his worth, by K. Ch. 1, Sept. 22, 1625." L^'f^; i^id. i„
Sir George Chudlegh, unto whom we are now come, was left a minor, of three or k. cu. i.
four years of age ; but by his careful and prudent trustees, and his own virtuous dis-
position, liad his youth well educated, and his person excellently adorned, with all the
accomplishments requisite to a fine gentleman : So that, having been abroad for the
most exquisite breeding, that age could yield, he retired home, well improved, and
fixed his habitation at his seat at Ashton. Here his demeanor was so courteous and
obliging, and withal, so discreet and prudent, that he lived in great esteem and repu-
tation among his neighbors, and was looked upon as an ornament unto his country :
Of whom a judicious author," that knew him well, gave this testimony, when he must ■ Pole in Ash-
be in his younger years. That he was a grave, understanding, and hopeful gentleman. ""'•
How well he deserved this good character, not only in this country, but the king-
dom, came afterward to understand ; for being chosen a burgess (though I do not find
of what place) to serve in that parliament, which began at Westminster, anno 1G40.
He had occasion soon oiTered, for the trial both of his parts and principles: A.t fii'st,
indeed, it must be granted, that from a misinformed zeal, he was led aside, and became
very active in the west for the parliament, against the King. But both he and his son,
afterward (men of great reputation in their country)" redeemed their former luiscarri-oLioyd'sMem.
ages, by very eminent services to his majesty K. Charles 1, both in council and in P"*^^"
arms: For soon returning to his loyalty and duty, he published his declaration, in the
year of our Lord 1643 ; wherein he shewed his reasons for so doing; which are so very
solid and convincing, that, as they proved a great satisfaction to all unbiassed men, in
those times, so I shall here insert them, to the honor of his memory in succeeding ages.
' Petitions of right,' saith he, ' are commendable, and remonstrances may be lawful ;
but arms, though defensive, are ever doubtful. My lot fell to be cast on the parlia-
ment's side, by a strong opinion of the goodness of their cause, which, to ni}' judgment
then appeared to be so ; religion, and the subjects' liberty, seemed to me to be in
danger: but the destruction of a kingdom, cannot be the way to save it; nor can the
loss of christian subjects, nor the subjects' loss of their estates, by plunder and assess-
ments, consist with piety, nor yet with property. As for religion, his majesty, whom
God long preserve, hath given us unquestionable security ; I have cast myself at my
soveraign's feet, and implored his gracious pardon ; I will contend no more in words
2 F or
218 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
or deeds. And this my resolution, with the indisputable grounds thereof, I thought
good to declare to my friends and countrymen, that they may understand ray sitting
(he means at Oxford) to proceed from no compulsion.'
After this, according to his loyal and judicious declaration, he always adhered to
the royal cause ; and by the influence of his reasons and his example, both, he brought
over others to do the same. He did what he could to stem the tide of rebellion and
disloyalty, which at that time, like a mighty torrent, overflowed the nation. His son
Col. James Chudlegh, was slain at Dartmouth, in his majesty's service, when the town
and castle were yielded to Sir Thomas Fairfax, the Parliament's general ; at what time,
in the town, were twelve guns, and proportionable ammunition ; and in the castle, one
p Wars of Engl, hundred and twenty ordnance mounted :P But that being intended as a defence from
&c. p. 137. j^j^g g^^^ could be very little serviceable against any assault from land.
When the royal cause sunk, this family, as well as others, paid dear for their loyalty.
Thomas Chudlegh of Ashton, whom I take to be the major, so called (a younger bro-
ther of this house) was in the Sequestrators' books, at Haberdashers' and Goldsmiths'-
1 Lloyd quo Hall, London, four hundred and thirty pounds deep.''
sup. p. 474. Sir George Chudlegh, aforesaid, added an hereditary degree, or title of honour, to
his family, viz. a baronetship ; which his grandson, and namesake, now enjoys. And
Sir George Chudlegh of Ashton, is the third of that quality in Devon; and near about
the one hundred and seventeentli in England.
This honorable Baronet, in a good old age, yielded to fate ; and was interred among
his ancestors, in Ashton church; the year I do not find, their being no inscription on
his grave (tlie neglect whereof, almost every where, proves a great impediment to his-
tory) to preserve his memory.
This family had sometime its residence at Broad-Clist, in this parish; where died
William Chudlegh, ^9 Jan. 1515, and lieth interred in Clist church : which being sold,
as aforesaid, it returned to Ashton, where it now doth, and may it always, florish.
Amen.
THE CISTERTIAN,
( 219 ) --
THE CISTERTIAN, ROGER. „ ^ „
' Flor. A. D.
1180. R. R.
IHE CISTERTIAN, Roger, (in Latin, Rogerus Cisterciensis) is reckon'd, by Dr. Hen.a.
Fuller,* among the natives of this county; upon what encouragement, I shall shew ^WorUues^ in
hereafter. He took this name, not from his progenitors, who were, it seems, ' nuUius ^n,,
nominis,' i. e. had not at that time any sirname at all, nor from the place where he was
born (as was the practice of learned men in those days ;) but from that religious
order, of which he was in the church : for thus the orders and offices, which are in the
church, have given original to many illustrious names of very eminent families, as
well in England, as elsewhere ; such as Archivesque, or Archbishop, a noble house in
France, Bishop, Dean, L'Archdeacon, Priest, Monk, and others, in our own country.
He is, therefore, among the learned, distinguished by the profession of which he
was in religion, viz. a Cistertian ; so call'd from the place in which this order was first
instituted, sc. Cistertium in Burgundy;'' begun by one Robert, abbot of Mobsmen, » rosss View
about the year of our Lord 1098 : which Robert, taking offence at the loose lives of °^|^«''e- p-
the Benedictines, by the perswasion of Stephen Harding, an Englishman, forsook that
society ; and being accompanied with one and twenty other monks, came to Cister-
tium in Burgundy, where they erected their covent. Here they resolved to stick close
to the rule of St. Bennet, and to cut off all superfluities of apparel and diet, introduced
by the loose monks of that order. And because they did not find that St. Bennet ever
possessed churches, altars, oblations, tythes, and sepultures; or that he had mills and
farms ; or that ever he suffered woman to enter his covent ; therefore they meant to
abandon all these things, and to profess poverty with Christ. So that their monks
were not to meddle with husbandry, or any secular affairs; but must work with their
hands, and observe strictly their fasts.
Of this order in religion was this our Roger, who very early renoimced the world,
and took upon him this strict profession; of which St. Bernard himself, that eminent
father of the church, was. Who was made abbot of Charivallis, in France, anno
1098 ; and was a strict observer of this rule : so that all who conform'd themselves to
his example herein, came to be called Bernardines ; who were all one with the Cis-
tertians, saving that the Cistertians wear all white ; but the Bernardines, a black gown
over a white coat.
As for Roger, he made this profession near the place of his birth,'' in the abby of ' '^""«'' 1"»
T-- 1 • 1 r I • 1 ^ r 1 • supra, p. s;63,
rord, m the eastmost parts oi this county; a stately monastery heretofore, standmg
on the river Ax, at a place where it hath a ford or passage, which gives its name to an
healthy clean market-town, four miles distant towards the west; from which, and a
certain minster for four priests, it sometimes had, it is called Axmmster unto this
day. Here he continued a studious and pious life for many years ; of whom, notwith-
standing, (as it often happens by the best of men) I find a very different account given
by two eminent authors, Bale and Leland."^ The latter says thus of him : « Apud Bai.
' Doctis artibus & pietati, in solito quodam animi ardore, noctes atq; dies invigi-*^^"*-^- •'•"'•
lavit,' that with an unwonted ardor of mind, he gave himself up to the study of piety
and learning night and day.
The former thus, ' Invigilavit fallaciis, atq; imposturis diabolicis, ut Christi glo-
riam obscuraret — ,' that he diligently apply'd himself to fallacies, and devilish im-
postures, that he might obscure the glory of Christ.
Characters as wide and different the one from the other, as heaven and earth, or
rather as heaven and hell ; to accommodate which to the truth, at this distance off,
may be no easy undertaking : however, to salve the reputation of a worthy person,
long since in his grave, and so can't defend himself, may be no uncharitable under-
2 F 2 taking.
220 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
, taking. Know, therefore, (and I shall here own it, tho' I make use of his authority)
that Bale was a very cholerick and passionate author, especially where he had to do
with such, as had ever shewed themselves zealous, either for the doctrine or worship of
'Quoprius, the church of Rome. Which is also acknowledged by Dr. Fuller,* who, speaking of
this passage, expresseth himself thus, * That he did believe, that Bilious Bale would
have been sick of the yellow jaundice, if he could not have vented his choler in such
expressions.' Let the Judicious reader then, as he there advises, climb up those
mountains of extreams only with Ills eye, and then descend into the valley of truth,
which lieth between them.
Our Roger, according to the mode of those times, among learned and religious men
travelled, and lived much of his time in parts beyond the seas, but especially in Flan-
ders, commonly called the Low-Countries: here he was, wiien the mighty fame of
Elizabeth, abbess of Schonaugh tlew about the world. Which Elizabeth, was a nun
fjac. Fab. in of a Certain monastery in the borders of Trier,* iu which having lived eleven years, she
V^rg%fii9. ^vas of the age of three and twenty, anno 1152. At which time, 'tis said, the Lord
began to visit her in a wonderful manner ; and conmiunicated many visions and reve-
lations to her, which he was pleased to conceal from the rest of mankind. On the
Lord's day, and other festivals, she would fall into strange raptures of mind, and sud-
denly utter many divine expressions in the Latin tongue, though she had never
learn 'd it.
Which visions and revelations, not dictated by the Holy Ghost, but by some
monkish impostor or other, as Balasus tells us, were written by this Roger ; who, with
the assistance of AVilliam, abbot of Savign\^ in Normandy, digested tlieni into some
order, and reduced them to a volume ; which he dedicated to his abbot Baldwin, ab-
bot of Ford, under this title :
Revelationes Elizabethce, lib. 2.
Whether the}- are the same or no, I cannot say; but Jacobus Faber, published a
book in fol. at Paris, A. D. 1513, imder this title.
Liber trium Virorum & trium Spiritualium Virginum.
One of which three virgins is this Elizabeth of Schonaugh ; whose revelations are
e Ibid, in pia;- said by him (with other things) to be written by herself,^ and are there comprised in
Macha.tf'de six books.
Hatstein, &c. Roger published also a discourse,
De 11. Milibus Colonensium Virginum, lib. L
This book, also, Faber seems to ascribe to the 'foresaid Elizabeth, which he thus
» Id. ibid. ijitituleth in her name :'"
De glorioso Martyrio 11. Millium Virginium Colonens.
Roger wrote also :
Encomium D' Mariae, lib. 1.
' Hoc tanfiii.im Which last, in praise of the holy virgin, is written in rythming verse,' and added to
''■"."rvi)ns*' '^''^ former. Tliis also he sent by Sigismund the monk, unto Baldwin his abbot.
Sciii>tiim, Bai. As to these works of our countryman, I shall not conceal the modest censure of a
(luoantea. p. j.^j.^ j^ujijQp.k < ^Po speak impartially,' saith he, ' that concerning the Revelations of
"fuUci- in bis Elizabeth, abbess of Schonaugh, and the legend he wrote of St. Ursula, (a Cornish or
Worthies, Loc. Devonshire woman) and her ele\en thousand virgins killed at Colen, are full of many
fond falsities.'
Where this Roger dy'd, or was inter'd, whether at Ford aforesaid, or in Flanders, I
can make no certain discovery. All that 1 find farther of him is, that he flourished in
the year of our Lord one thousand one hundred and eighty, under the reign of King
Henry the second.
CLIFFORD,
( 221 )
CLIFFORD, LORD THOMAS, BARON OF CHUDLEGH.
Clifford, Lord Thomas, Baron of Cliiullegh, and Lord High Treasurer ofpior. a. d.
England, was born, August the iirst, 1630, at Ugbrook, nine miles to the south of J.^^^^g/'*' ^•
Exeter, in the parish of Chudlegh, aforesaid. A pleasant and noble seat now it is,
much enlarged, with the addition of a curious chappel, and very useful apartments ;
and accommodated with a flvir park, by the last Lord Clifford; beautify'd and adorned
with stately stables ; large walks, beset with horse-chesnut, lime, and other trees
(which, in their season, yield a pleasant and fragrant entertainment to the passenger,)
by the present right noble Lord, Hugh Lord Cliiford of Chudlegh. Thomas Lord Cliftbrd
was the son of Hugh Cliiford, of Ugbrook, Esquire, collonel of a regiment of foot, in
the first expedition against the Scots, in K. Char. Ist's time;" who was the son of^.^*- ^''°";
Thomas Clifford, a justice of peace for this county; an eminently pious and learned
person, as may appear, were it not too tedious, from that large elegant Latin epigram,
made, in his praise, by that celebrated poet, Charles Fitzgiffery ; a copy whereof I
have in MS, which thus begins :
Flosq; leposq; virnm, proavitsB nnbile germen
Stirpis, & heroas laudis non deneger hteres, &c.'
by Amy his wife, daughter and heir of Hugh Staplehill, of Bremble, in the adjoyning
parish of Ashton, Esq. ; which Thomas was a younger son of Anthony Clifford, of
Borscombe, in Wilts, and Kings-Teignton, in Devon, Esq. by Anne, daughter and
one of the heirs of Sir Piers or Peter Courtenay, of Ugbrook, Kt. upon whom his
father settled U^gbrook, which continueth in his noble posterity. The elder son,
whose name was William Clifford, Esq., possessed Borscombe and Kings-Teignton,
aforesaid ; but is wholly omitted, with his issue, by Sir Will. Dugdai, in his genea-
logy of this right honorable family,'' for what reason, I do not know. The last of" Bar. of Eng
which name, in that place, James Clifford, Esq. (a very honest and worthy gentleman) ^"'■^■''■"'^*'
left issue Mary, his only daughter and heir, married unto the honorable Collonel
Hugh Bampfeild, the only son of Sir Copleston Bampfeild, of Poltiniore, in this
couuly, baronet ; he died before his father, but left issue, by his lady, two sons, the
present Sir Copleston Warwick Bampfeild, and John Bampfeild.
Which Anthony Clifford, of Borscombe, was son of Henry, son of William, son of
Thomas Clifford, of Borscombe, by Tbomasin, daughter of John Thorpe, of Kings-
Teignton ;" the grandmother of which Tlioraasin, was Cicely, daughter and heir of '1*'^*'" ^''*''-
John Burdon, of Kings-Teignton (he died an. 8 K. Hen. 4,) an ar.tient and knightly Kinss-Teigo.
family, that had long florished in that place, even from the days of K. Hen. 2, home '^'*-
unto that time ; from whom the mannor of Kings-TLMgnton, aforesaid, and half the
hundred of Teign-Bridg, by these steps, came to this noble famil}' ; and by purchase,
from James Clifford, last mentioned, it is now the possession of the present Lord Clif-
ford, of Chudlegh.
Which Thomas Clifford was the son of John, by Florence his wife, daughter of
John Saint Leger, who was the son of William, by Elizabeth his wife, daughter and
heir of Sir Arnold Savage, Kt. son of Sir Lewis Clifibrd, knight of the most noble
order of the garter, in the days of K. H. 4,'^ who was son of Sir Roger de Clifford, by ■'Dugd. ibid.
Matilda, daughter of Thomas de Beuchamp, Earl of Warwick, the son of Robert, by
Isabel his wife, daughter of Maurice Lord Berkley, of Berkley Castle, the son of Ro-
bert, by Matilda, the aunt and heir of Thomas de Clare, the son of Roger, by Isabel,
daughter and co-heir of Robert de Vipont, son of Roger, the son of another Roger,
who was the son of Walter de Clifford, by his wife Agnes, the only daughter and heir
of
222 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
of Roger de Cundi, the son of Walter, who first took to him the name of Chfford, from
the place of his residence, in the county of Hereford; where Simon Fitz-Richard,
Fitz-Ponce, founded a priory of Cluniac monks, in the days of K. Hen. 1, of 65/. 1 Is.
Tan. Notit. yearly value.* Walter, the first of the name ClitTord, was the son of Richard, the son
MonastinHe. ^^ Ponce, or Ponsius, who came into England with William, sirnamed, the Conqueror.
I might farther shew how this noble family of Ugbrook stands allied to the late
right honorable Henry Lord Clifford, Earl of Cumberland, in whom the issue male,
of that line, expired, Decemb. 11th, 1643; but they whose occasions, or curiosity,
may lead them to enquire farther into this matter, may consult Dugdal's Baronage of
England, vol. 1, pag. 342, &c.
Only here I shall take occasion to observe, that the honorable name of Clifford,
florished in this county, many centuries of years, before this family came into it ;
which was not long before the reign of K. Hen. 8. Here was Sir Reginald de Clif-
ford, of Godeford, in' the parish of Awlescombe, near Honiton, Kt. in K. Edw. I's
days; and Sir John Clifford, of Godeford and Cullome-John, in the reign of K. Edw.
3, but what relation these families had unto one the other, I cannot say : though plain
it is, that originally they were all one ; so that Clifford of Godeford, very probably,
was a younger branch, that sprung early out of this antient and noble stock, and
planted itself (by what providence I know not) in these western parts, where it flo-
rished well, divers descents; initil at last it expired in Elizabeth, daughter and heir of
Sir John Clifford, of Cullome-John, Kt. married unto Sir Roger Prideaux, of Orchar-
ton, in this county, Kt. This allience with the east country family of this name, we
may infer from the coat-armor, which (as our best antiquary Sir Will. Pole tells) Clif-
fCatai. of ford of Cullome-John did bear,' checque or and b. a bend gules; which I find^ was
Arms, MS. j^jjg ^jj.gj. bearing of this noble name, before it changed the bend (for what reason, the
ciifforirs Pe- hcralds best know) into a fess, as now it is. But hereof enough.
dig. of LU Fa- This right honorable persoH, of whom we are discoursing, Thomas Lord Clifford,
''"^' had the happiness, in his youth, of an education suitable to his birth and quality.
From the school he went to the university; and on the 25th of May, 1647, was ad-
"Ath. Oxon. mitted fellow-commoner of Exeter college, in Oxford,"" under the care of an ingenuous
quo sup. tutor, Mr. Baldwin Ackland, B. D. and fellow of that house. After some consider-
able stay there, well furnished with academical learning, he went to the inns of court,
' Grand, of the and was of the society of the Middle Temple, London.' After he had continued a
Law. p. 27. vvhile there also, he went to travel into parts beyond the seas; where, by having an
excellent genius, highly improv'd by education, it might well be expected, he should
return into his native country, as he did, a most accomplished gentleman.
Inthatgreat crisis of the kingdom, which hapned in the year of our Lord 1660, when,
after a long and deplorable delirium of many years, it began to return to its wits, and
settle upon its antient bottom, in respect to the government, both of church and state,
this honorable gentleman, in the beginning of April, was elected one of the burgesses
of Totness, in his own country, to serve them in that parliament, which began at
Westminster on the 25th of the same month; and very loyally brought home the
King, to the throne of his ancestors. Car. 2, of gracious memory.
That parliament, having thus finished the greatest good they were capable of, were
dissolved ; and the King, being now restored in peace, according to the usual me-
thods, issued out his writs for the chosing of another, to meet at the same place, on
the 8tb of May, 1661. Mr. Clifford was chosen a second time by the town of Tot-
nes, aforesaid, to be one of their representatives in this parliament also.
Being thus become a member, once more, of that noble and august senate, Mr.
Clifford had room and scope enough for his excellent parts to expatiate in : for having
those very graceful qualifications of a great presence of mind and body, and a sound
judgment and ready elocution, he became a frequent and a celebrated speaker in the
house ;
CLIFFORD, LORD THOMAS, BARON OF CHUDLF.GH. 223
house; at first, against, but at length, in behalf of the royal prerogative: for which
he was taken notice of at court, and admitted into the royal favor. Being thus ad-
mitted, he knew well how to improve his opportunity to the best advantage, and to
grow therein : as a badg whereof, he soon after received the honor of knighthood
from that gracious prince King Charles the second.
Nor was Sir Thomas Clifford less qualified for the camp, than the court ; he could
as well sustain the fatigues of war, as enjoy the softs of peace." As a confirmation ^ Ath. Oxon.
whereof, he attended his then royal highness the Duke of York at sea, and was in that i"o sup.
victorious battel fought with the Dutch in the beginning of June 1665. He con-
tinued at sea the same year, when the English fleet was commanded by that noble,
but unfortunate general, Edward Earl of Sandwich. He was also in person at the
expedition of the English, at Bergen in Norway, when they made a bold attempt
upon the Dutch East India fleet, gotten into that port, on the second of August, the
same year. He was also sent envoy, not long after, to the two northern Kings of
Sweden and Denmark, with full power to conclude new treaties and alliences with
them.
In the year 1666, that year of wonders, so much spoken of before hand. Sir Thomas
Clifford attended his highness Prince Rupert, and his grace the Duke of Albemarl,
again at sea, in another expedition against the Dutch ; and was in that fight Avhich
continued on the 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th days of June. He was with the same generals
also, upon the 25th of July following, in another great fight with the Dutch.
On the 8th of Novemb. following, was his majesty, K. Ch. 2, pleased to give him
the white-staff of comptroler of his houshold, in the place of that honorable country-
man of ours. Sir Hugh Pollard, of Nimpton-Regis, knight and baronet, who died the
day before, and on the 5th of Decemb. followmg, he was sworn one of his majesty's
most honorable privy-council.
All which favors, as 'tis expressly said, were granted him, ' For his singular zeal,
by Avhich he had, on all occasions, so well merited in his majesty's service ; and more
eminently in the honorable dangers he had sustained in the then late wars against the
Dutch and French ; where he had been all along a constant actor, and (as it was ob-
served, to the honor of his valor) had made it his choice, to take his share in the
warmest part of those services.'
On the 12th of June, 1668, died Charles Viscount Fitz-Harding, treasurer of his
majesty's houshold, (K. Ch. 2) whereupon Sir Thomas Cliflbrd changed his white
staff for a better ; and by the King, was advanced to that honorable post the day
following : much about which time also, his majesty was pleased to make him one of
the lords commissioners of his treasury.
Upon the death of Sir John Trever, and in the absence of Henry Earl of Arlington,
Sir Thomas Clifford executed the office of secretary of state, in the year 1672, until the
return of the said Earl from his embassy into Holland, and of Mr. Henry Coventry,
from his embassy into Sweden.
On the 22d of April, 1672, did K. Ch. 2 create Sir Thomas Clifford, by his letters
patents to him, and his heirs-male. Baron Cliflbrd of Chudlegh, in his own country.
And on the 28th of Novemb. that year, his majesty, valuing his many eminent services,
and confiding in his great abilities, and experience in the aflairs of his treasury, was
pleased, farther, to advance him to the second most honorable, but the first most pro-
fitable, office in the kingdom, to wit, that of Lord High Treasurer of England.
Which place had remained void, being executed only by commissioners, from the
death of Thomas Lord Wriothsley, late Earl of Southampton, who had, with the
highest reputation of integrity, long filled it.
In this high and honorable station my Lord Clifford continued about the space of a
year, and then, finding himself to decline somthing in his health, he resigned his lord
treasurer's
224 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
treasurer's staff back into his majesty's hands, and retired into his own country.
Where arrived, his distemper, the stone, grew upon him, with that violence, that,
after a few weeks continuance, it put a period to his life, in little more than the mid'st
of the age of man : which hapned at his house at Ugbrook, in the month of Septemb.
A. D. M.DC.LXX.ni. astat. suie xliii ; where he lieth buried in a vault, underneath
his own chappel.
He was a gentleman, of a proper manly body, of a large and noble mind, of a
sound head, and a stout heart. He not only had, but had the command of, most ex-
cellent parts, and knew how to employ them to his best advantage. He had a vo-
luble flowing tongue, a ready wit, a firm judgment, and an undaunted courage and
resolution. (Note I. J
He married one of the daughters and heirs of Martin, of Lindrege, in the
parish of Bishops-Teignton, Esq. by whom he had a large issue, both of sons and
daughters. His eldest son died in his travels beyond sea, before his father ; his corps
was brought home, and honorably laid up in the vault of the chappel at Ugbrook.
His estate and honor, at his death, descended to his second son, the present right
honorable Hugh Lord Clifford, Baron of Chudlegh ; in whom seem to be epitomized
all the honor and virtues of his noble ancestors.
He married Anne, one of the daughters of Sir Thomas Preston, baronet 3 whom,
yet living, he hath made one of his heirs.
By this lady my Lord hath a fair and hopeful issue, three sons and as many daugh-
ters, whom God preserve. {Nule 2. J
COCKE,
ADDITIONAL NOTES.
(1.) THE devotion of our author to the house of Stewart, which obviously influenced him in tlie selection of
his Worthies, has led him every where to speak in terms of high encomium of those wlio adiiered to Charles the
first It cannot be doubled that in most of these instances the attachment to the unfortunate monarch arose
from the best and most honourable motives, and hence the language of panegyric will be excused by those whose
political sentiments might lead them to think differently of the propriety of that attachment. But no such excuse
can be allowed for the extravagant praises bestowed upon the ministers and favourites of Charles the second.
The character of CliflTord is here delineated, not falsely, but partially. The qualities ascribed to him, he pos-
sessed in an eminent degree, but they were made subservient to the worst purposes. He was a member of an
administration, of which, it has been said, that never was there a more dangerous ministry in England, nor one
more noted for pernicious counsels. Clifford possessed the talents of parliamentary eloquence and intrigue, and
his daring impetuous spirit gave him weight, as Mr. Hume observes, in the councils of the king, whose confi-
dence he possessed in an eminent degree. The staff of treasurer was obtained by the advice of a measure, by
wliich the wants of the monarch were to be supplied at the expence of the honour and credit of the government,
and by the ruin of many of his subjects. This was the expedient of shutting the exchequer, and retaining all the
payments made into it. " It liad been usual," says the historian above mentioned, " for the bankers to carry
their money to the exchequer, and to advance it upon security of the funds, by which they were afterwards re-
imbursed, when the money was levied on the public. The bankers by this traffic, got eight, sometimes ten,
per cent, for sums wliich either had been consigned to them without interest, or which they had borrowed at six
percent,: profits, which they dearly paid for by this egregious breach of public fjilli. The measure was so
suddenly taken, that none had warning of the danger. A general confusion prevailed in the city, followed by the
ruin of many. The bankers stopped payment; the merchants could answer no bills ; distrust took place every
where, with a stagnation of commerce, by which the public was universally affected. .\ud men, full ol dismal
apprehensions, asked each other, what must be the scope of tliose mysterious counsels, whence the parliament
and all men of honour were excluded, and wliich commenced by the forfeiture of public credit, and an open vio-
lation of the most solemn engagemenis, both foreign and domestic."
To Clifford also, is especially attributed the advice of the second rupture with Holland, than which a more
impolitic, or unjustifiable war was never entered into. The Test Act, one of the first measures of the parliament
which this war, and the consequently increased necessities of the King, compelled him at length to assemble, de-
prived Clifford of his staff, which his ill health must soon have compelled him to resign. The cause which
disabled Clifford from retaining his official situation, has continued to deprive tlie country of the services, in the
senate at least, of his noble descendants. But, while it has confined ilieir political influence within a narrow
limit,
( 225 )
COCKE, CAPTAIN,
Cocke, Captain, (his christian name I can't recover) (Note.) was born at Ply- Fior. A. D.
mouth, in this county, or very near it: He is mentioned by Dr. Fuller among our g^f/jb*^' "'
worthies ;* and it doth not become me, enviously to exclude him tliat number ; nay, he » worthies of
very well deserves a place among them, as one who valiantly sacrificed his life to the ^ngi- p- 26i-
honor and safety of his country, in time of its greatest danger.
He was, it seems, by profession, a navigator; and brought up in maritime affairs,
wherein he became so expert, that he arrived at the honor of commanding a ship of
some force ; which too, by the blessing of God, was all, or most, his own. And, in
time of danger, he thought he could not better employ it, than in the service of his
prince and country ; which being threatned by the foreign invasion of bloody enemies,
every good subject is in commission to defend them, as well as he is able.
Now was come that year of remark, which had been propliesied of for ' Annus mira-
bilis.'^a wonderful year, by an astronomer of Konningsberg, an hundred years before" CambH. An-
it came, I mean 1588, and so indeed it proved. For at this time, Philip the third, "^'^ '**^^' ^''^'
King of Spain, partly out of zeal to popery, to subdue England to the church of Rome,
and partly out of revenge for the many depredations the English had made upon him,
both in Spain and in the Indies, prepared a mighty fleet, christned, by the pope, with
the name of the Invincible Armado, consisting of 130 ships, Q5 galeons of a thousand
and eight hundred tun apiece, 19 pinnaces of one hundred and seventy tun, manned
with 8350 seamen, with 19290 soldiers, and 2080 gally-slaves, having aboard 2630
great ordnance. Over all which, was the Duke of Medina-Sidonia tlie general, at-
tended with many brave and experienced commanders. Thus equip'd, they put to sea.
May 29, 1588, out of the river Tayo in Gallicia; but a suddain tempest drove them
back again, with much damage. However, new rigged and supplied, they put out
again July 11th, and soon entred the English channel.
It was now high time for the English to hasten out their fleet, which they did
with all imaginable speed; consisting in all of about an hundred sail; whereof fif-
teen were victuallers, and nine gentlemen volunteers ; of which last number was
Captain Cocke.
July the 20th, the English discry the Spanish fleet in the Channel, like so many
moving castles, come floating slowly on, towards Plymouth, in form of an half moon;
the horns whereof extended above seven miles wide. The English being ready, the
battel soon began; and in a few days time, by God's blessing, and the English
valor, this mighty Armado, so long a preparing, and so well provided, was misera-
bly shattered and dispersed; so that of an 134 ships, that sailed out of the Groin,
only 53 returned into Spain. Captain Cocke, like a loyal subject, and a brave
Englishman, in his own ship, yielded what assistance he could, to the safety of
his country. And God was pleased to vouchsafe us a signal victory, though this
worthy man did not live to enjoy it, being slain in the fight. And, wliat is very
remarkable, while there was not a noble family in Spain, but, in that battel, lost either
son, brother, or nephew, Cocke was the only man of note, among the English, that
lost his life, to save his queen and country. Insomuch, that of the poet may, in some
measure, be applied unto him also :
limit, it has left ample scope for the exercise of their talents, and their virtues. The name of Clifford retains its
ancient respectability undiminished, and is reverenced and loved within the circle of its domestic influence and
example.
(2.) By this lady he had nine sons, and six daughters. He was succeeded in the title by Hugh, his seventh
son, whose great grandson is Charles, the present Lord Clifford, who succeeded his brother Htigh Henry Ed-
ward, being the seventh possessor of the title, and the fifth in lineal descent from the first Baron.
2 G Unus
-2G THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Unus homo nobis pereundo restituit rem
One man hath restor'd our state.
By his being unfortunate.
Which is the testimony the famous Cambden hath given of Iiim, in his annals of
■^ In a. 1588. Queen Ehzabeth," ' Sohis Cockus, in sua inter medios hostes navicula, cum laude periit,'
Cocke was the only Englishman of note who died honorably, fighting in his little ship
amidst his enemies ; and indeed, not above an hundred common soldiers besides.
" ^"" ^"P'''^- Pity it is (says Dr Fuller)'^ his memory should ever be forgotten : And in great
compliment he professes, ' That his pen is sensible of no higher preferment, than when
it may be permitted to draw the curtains about those who have died in the bed of
honor.'
Captain Cocke, being killed at sea, whether he was buried in the deep, or (not being
far from) whether he was brought ashore, and interred at land, is to me unknown.
But, instead of an epitaph, I shall here add an epigram, made on this engagement
between the English and Spaniards, at this time ; which may serve as a specimen of
the wit and fancy of those days.
The Latin original had for its author Theodorus Beza (who dedicated it to Queeo
» Hackiuifs Elizab, translated into our language by an unknown hand."
voyages, p. o tn J
Straverat innumeris Hispanus classibus aequor,
Regnis juncturus sceptra Britanna suis, &c.
I.
Spain's King with navies great the seas bestrew'd.
To joyn the English with the Spanish sway ;
Ask you, what caus'd this proud attempt? 'Twas lewd
Ambition drove, and Avarice led the way.
II.
'Tis well Ambition's windy puff lies drown'd.
By winds; and swelling hearts, by swelling waves:
'Tis well ! Those Spaniards, who the world's vast round
Devour'd, devouring sea most justly craves.
The coat armor, beforementioned, belonging to Cocke of Plymouth, as appears
from the Herald's Office, seems to speak Captain Cocke to have been a gentleman by
descent; but the canton intimates, as if that were an augmentation of honor granted
to his posterity, for the eminent service he did at this time against the Spaniard.
<06.
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
His name was William Cocke,
COFFIN,
> ■ . - { 227 )
COFFIN, SIR WILLIAM, KT.
Coffin, Sir William, Kt. was born in this county, at the most antient seat of llieFior. a. d.
name and family, called Portledge, in the parish of Alwington, bordering on the Severn Hcfu.'sf' ^'
sea, abont six leagues to the east of the isle of Londy, which stands therein ; a most
antient tribe, of no less antient inheritance. For I find* Sir Richard Coflin of Al wing- a sir w. Poio-s
ton, Kt. so far back as the days of K. Hen. 2, and that the mannor of Alwington hath ^J^•^ Ku/^'^'^t'
been in the name of Coffin, from the time of the Norman Conquest unto this day.'' .sev. Kings'
As farther evidence of the antiquity of this gentile family, there is a boundary-deed J'^^j'^'j ^'^^^-p^-
(a copy wliereof is in my custody) made near the Conquest," written in the Saxon of Dev. in Ai-
tongue, which giveth good confirmation thereof Which said deed, expresseth the "'°?- ^y p^,
bounds between the lands of Richard Caffin, Lord of the mannor of Alwington and ibid.
Cockemenlon, und the abbot of Tavistock, in relation to the lands belonging to that
abby, in the near adjoyning parish of Ablotsham.
Some of the terms and articles of which agreement, between them, are these. 'That
the abbot and convent of Tavistock, should give to the said Richard Coffin, and his
next heir, full fraternity in his church of Tavistock, to receive there the habit of reli-
gion, whensoever (God so inspiring) they would ; and that, in the mean time, he
should have the priviledg of one monk there,"* &c. " Hoc modo
This family very early spread itself into several branches, which florished so well in f°/,\''„^.^^'ij^"^"
divers places of this county, that they left their name and adjunct to them, as Combe- Conventus de-
Coffin, now Combe-Pyne, in the east part, Coffin's-AVill in the south part, and J^jTo^jnJo'Here-
Coffin's-Ingarly in the west part of this province; in which last place, the mansion- dimeo post me
house was near the church ;" to which was belonging a fair deer park, now wholly {^(.^"ps" s"j^^^j"
demolished. Ta^'^t- »''''«'•!•
Nor is it less observable, that some of those places yielded gentlemen with gilded uim'reiiijio'snm
spurs, as Sir Jeftery Coffin of Combe-Coffin, in the days of K. Hen. 3 ; and before <i"="'!'"<"""l ;
that. Sir Elias Coffin of Ingai'ly (called also. Sir Elias Coflin of Clist)^ in the days of oeo) voiuero,
King John, of England. '^ "^ ms^"guiT
As to the family of Alwington, I find three knights therein, before the present Sir poie.pag. 203.'
William of whom we are discoursimr : all which were called Richard, as for ex- 1,'^'*'!-^""-"''
ample, Sir Richard Coffin of Alwington, Kt. in the reign of K. Hen. 2, and Sir f Poles cat. of
Richard Coffin of Alwington, Kt. in the days of K. Hen. .3, and Sir Richard Coffin of'^'^^^^.l'■^l1„^■
Alwington, Kt. in the days of K. Edw. L And, as one notes, from the time of K. MS.
Hen. 1, unto the age of K. Edw. 2, (the space of above two hundred years) the heir
of this family was always called Richard.
Of which name, is the present heir and possessor of this antient seat Portledge, a
right worthy and worshipful gentleman, of great piety and virtue; and for his quality,
of excellent learning, especially in venerable antiquity, which hath been much his de-
hght and study. He hath a noble library, and knows well how to make use of it.
He was High-Sheriff" of this county, in the second year of K. Jam. 2, as his ancestor
and namesake was in the second year of K. Hen. 8, as appears by the quietus he had
out of the Exchequer, now in the present gentleman's custody ; however he came to
be omitted in those catalogues of the sheriffs of this county, published by Fuller^^ Worthies of
, T h ° ■''■•' England in De-
and Isaac. von.
They have match'd, as they came along, into several honorable families, as Chud- ^^*™°""^ °*"
legh, Gary, Prideaux, &c. and with divers daughters and heirs,' as Cockementon, ■• ^r vv. Pole's
Hatliey, Hingeston, &c. But, omitting these things, let us proceed to the gentleman ms. of Devon,
before us.
Sir William Coflin was the younger brother of Richard Coflni, Esq. that, as was
said before, was High-Sheriff" of this county, in the second year of K. Hen. 8, wliose
2 G 2 education
THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
education and accomplishments were such, that they introduced him, with advantage,
into the court of K. Hen. S, where he came to be highly prefer'd ; first, to the honor-
able post of master of the horse, at the coronation of Q,. Anne Bulloigne, (mother to
the glorious Q. Elizabeth) anno 25 of that king; and after that, to the honor of knight-
hood, in the '29th of the same reign.
He was also one of the gentlemen of the Privy-Chamber, to the same king : A place
" Dr. Chanib. of great rcputatiou and trust, whose office is to wait on the King,'' within doors and
Engl! ^pan ]J without, so long as his majesty is on foot; and when the King eats in his privy-cham-
pag. 165. ber, they wait at the table, and bring in the meat ; they wait also at the reception of
embassadors; and every night two of them lye in the King's priv^^-chamber; they are
forty eight in number, all knights, or esquires of note: Whose power is great, for a
gentleman of tiie privy-chamber, by the King's commandment only, without any
written commission, is sufficient to arrest any peer of England.
Of what courage this gentleman was, and how expert at feats of arms, may be
' My aiuiior in partly Collected from this,' that he was one of the eighteen assistants to K. Hen. 8, at
iiarraTive"i"°tiie '^'^^ J"^'' °'" tournamcnt held, between him and the French king, before Guisnes in
present Rich. France, A. D. 1519. Of which exercise, it may not be improper to give some brief
""camb.'Brit. ^*^^°'^"*' which I shall do in the words of one that is greater than all exception:™
in Herttordsh. " Thcsc toumaments," saith he " were public exercises of arms, practised by noblemen
895,""'"^^^' and gentlemen, and became more than nicer sports or diversions. They were first
instituted A. D. 934, and were always managed by their own particular laws. A long
time this practice was continued in all parts, to that degree of madness, and with so
great a slaughter of persons of the best quality, especially here in England, where it
was first brought in by K. Stephen ; that the church was forced, by severe canons,
expressly to forbid them, with this penalty annexed, ' That whosoever should happen
therein to be slain, should be denied christian burial.' And under K. Hen. 3, by ad-
vice of parliament, 'twas also enacted. That the offender's estate should be forfeited,
and their children disinherited ; yet in contempt of that good law, this evil and perni-
cious custom long prevailed." Thus Cambden. But to proceed.
Sir William Coffin married the Lady Mannors of Darbyshire; and residing, as is
likely, with her on her dowry, in those parts, he was chosen knight of that shire, in
the parliament which began an. 21 K. Hen. 8, 1529: In his way to which there hapned
a remarkable accident, not unworthy the relating, especially for the good law it occa-
sioned : Passing by a church-yard, he saw a multitude of people standing idle ; he
enquired into the cause thereof: who reply 'd, ' They had brought a corps thither
to be buried ; but the priest refused to do his office, unless they first delivered
him the poor man's cow, the only quick goods he left, for a mortuary.' Sir Wil-
liam sent for the priest, and required him to do his office to the dead : Who
peremptorily refused it, unless he had his mortuary first. Whereupon he caused the
priest to be put into the poor man's grave, and earth to be thrown in upon him ;
and he still persisting in his refusal, there was still more earth thrown in, until the
obstinate priest was either altogether, or well nigh suftbcated.
Now tims to handle a priest in those days, was a very bold adventure ; but Sir Wil-
liam Coffin, with the favor he had at court, and the intrest he liad in the house,
diverted the storm ; and so lively represented the mischievous consequencies of priests'
arbitrary demanding of mortuaries, that the tiien parliament, taking it into their seri-
ous considerations, were pleased to bound that matter ever alter, by a particular
' Pulton's Col. statute ; the preamble whereof, which runs thus, seems to intimate as much :" ' Foras-
of Statutes, rnuch as question, ambiguity, and doubt, is chanced and risen, upon the order, man-
21 K.'H."8','ch] ner, and form of demanding, receiving, and claiming of mortuaries, otherwise called
6, p. 481. Corps-Presents, as well for the greatness and value of the same, wliidTi, as hath lately
been taken, is thought over excessive to the poor people, and others of this realm, as
also
COFFIN, SIR WILLIAM, KT, 229
also for that, &c. Be it therefore enacted by, &c. First, That no mortuary shall be
taken of any movable goods, under the value of ten marcs. Secondly, That no par-
son, &c. shall take of any person that, dying, left in movable goods, clearly above his
debts paid, above ten marcs, and under thirty pounds, above three shillings and four
pence for a mortuary, in the whole. And for a person dying, or dead, having, at the
time of his death, of the value in movable goods, of thirty pounds or above, clearly
above his debts, and under the value of forty pounds, no more shall be taken, for a
mortuary than six shillings and eight pence, in the whole. And for any person having
at the time of his death, of the value, in movable goods, of forty pounds or above, to
any sum whatsoever it be, clearly above his debts paid, there shall be no more taken,
paid, or demanded, for a mortuary, than ten shillings in the whole.'
What herein is farther observable, 'twas also enacted, that such mortuaries shall be
paid, only in such a place where heretofore mortuaries have been used to be paid; and
that those mortuaries be paid only in the place of the deceased person's, most usual
habitation ; and that no parson, &c. shall take more than as limitted in this act, under
penalty of forfeiting every time so much in value, as they shall take above the sum,
limitted by this act, &c. So much for the occasion of this statute; which confirms
the observation, That evil manners are often the parent of good laws.
Sir William Coffin was also high-steward of the mannor and liberties of Standon, in
the coimty of Hertford ; which had some peculiar honor and priviledges belonging to
it, tho' I no where find what they were.
At his death, he humbly bequeathed to his great master the King, Hen. 8, with
whom he was in special grace and favor, his best horses, and a cast of his best hawks :
And leaving no issue of his own, he convey'd the mannor of East-Hagginton, in the
parish of Berry nerber, with all his other estate in the county of Devon, to his eldest
brother's son, Richard Coffin of Portledge, Esq.
He died at Standon, aforesaid, about the year of our Lord 15.38 ; and lyeth inter'd
in that parish church, under a flat stone, on which was somtime found this in-
scription ■° " Weav. Fun.
Tj 1- .1 c- A\rir Mon.page594.
Here lieth Sir William
Coffin, Knight,
Somtime of the Privy Chamber to King
Henry the Eighth, and Master of the Horse
to the Queen,
High Steward of the Liberty
and Mannor of Standon.
Who died viii of December,
M.CCCCCXXXVIH.
I have seen in the hands of the present heir of the family, a deed, dat. 22 Edw. 3,
unto which the forementioned coat of beasants and croslets was affix'd, as belonging
to this name ; yet more antiently than this, he shew'd me another coat given by it, viz.
Arg. a chevron between three mullets sab. The occasion of this variety, that worthy
gentleman could not inform me of.
CONANT,
230 •-.: THE WORTHIES OF DEVON
CONANT, JOHN, D.D
feRo R R Sonant, JOHN, D.D. Rector of Exeter College, and Regius Professor of Divini-
Car. I'. *y» i" the university of Oxford, was a native, and a great ornament, of this county.
He was born, about the year of God's Incarnation, 1607, at Yettington, in Bicton
parish, very near East-Bndlegh ; lying in the south-east part of this shire, about four
miles from Ottery St. Mary. He was not descended, indeed, from great, but from
good parentage ; more eminent for their piety, than gentility: which, in the estima-
tion of God, and good men, is the truest nobility. However, we are not to esteem
him as sprung, ex foece virum, from tiie dregs of the plebeians : No, his name hath
long tlorished, and his relations lived, in good estate and reputation in those parts;
and still do, at Yettington aforesaid.
As for the person of whom we are speaking, such was the pregnancy of his parts,
and the pains of his schoolmaster, that he was soon fitted for the university; and by
his careiiil parents, sent to Oxford, and planted, very young, into Exeter college,
among his comitry-men.
He had not been there long, before his piety and diligence rendred him distinguish-
ed, above all his cotemporaries ; insomuch, the learned rector. Dr. Prideaux, com-
ing into the hall, and hearing him dispute in logic, or philosophy, was mightily taken
with him; and at once, encouraged and applauded his industry, by this pretty witti-
cism upon his name (which was much the mode of those times), Conanti nihil difficile;
as if he had said, There is nothing too difficult for Conant (/. e. as the word importeth
in latin, one that labors and endeavors) to undertake and perform.
Those fair and early blossoms, that were soon observed upon tliis hopeful young
plant, promised so great an encrease of fruit, that the rector and fellows of the col-
lege, unanimously concurred in electing him into their society; in the doing whereof,
all parties were infinitely pleased and satisfied; they in making so worthy a choice;
and he, for being put into a condition of continuing in the university, longer than
otherwise he sliould, whereby he might, v>'ithout any avocations, follow his beloved
studies, and so better improve himself in virtue and learning.
In this station doth the modest man continue for many years ; proceeding, with
good applause, in the degrees of arts (the particular times of which, for what reason
I know not, are omitted in the Athenie O.xon.), which, in more than name and title,
he made himself master of And having acquainted himself with all kinds of learn-
ing, the better to qualify him for her favor, he made his most passionate addresses to
divinity ; as what was not only the most sublime stud}, but might best transform him
into the divine likeness (the happiness and perfections of our natures), whereby he
might be enabled, by the ministerial function (unto which he was at length called)
with the grace of God, to transform others also.
The first settled place I find, that he exercised his talent in, was Lymington, that
= In that ordi- considerable incorporate town (as I take it) in Hampshire; which hapned somtime
named 'joi'in l^cfore the year 1643 : For then his learning was so conspicuous, being at that time
CnnantotLy- also batchclor of divinity, that he was constituted one of the assembly of divines,^ ap-
Ea'cha'a Di- I'ointcd, by an ordinance of the lords and commons in parliament, to meet at West-
vinity. minster, for the settlement'' (as they pretended) of the government, and liturgy of the
'refi!fe?'to" church of England; of which assembly, more fully account may be seen in Dr. Ful-
their Confis- ler's Church History.' Air. Conant having now, for his great piety and learning,
sion oi laith, Qbt.^,j(^,fi ^ mighty reputation, as well in his own college in particular, as generally
' Lib. 11. p. throughout the university of Oxford, was, upon the death of that rare scholar and di-
198, &c. vine.
CONANT, JOHN, D. D. 231
vine. Dr. Hackwill, on the 7th of June, 1649, with one mind, chosen, by the fel-
lows thereof, rector of Exeter college.'^ And, indeed, a more proper head in all re- " H'st- & Ant.
spects, at that time, could not easily be fitted to that learned body : Whose wisdom ^."plg. 9°"'
and vigilancy influenced every part and member thereof, into an encrease of learning
and sobriety.
After this, in the year 1654, Mr. Conant was honored, by that university, with
the degree of doctor of divinity.'' At what time, there being a great scarcity of fit' AOi. Oxon.
and able men, left to undertake that weighty office (the parliament visitors having j;;^gy''^'"*'
thrown Dr. Sanderson, for the great crime of his loyalty, out of the chair, and other
the most learned men out of the university) Dr. Conant was pitched upon, as one best
able to sustain the regius professor's place. He succeeded Dr. Joshua Hoyle (who
had quitted it by death) in that honorable chair; as Hoyle did the most famous Dr.
Sanderson, turned out by the parliamentarians, as was said before.
This Dr. Hoyle, coming out of Ireland, (where he had been regius professor of di-
vinity, in the university of Dublin), upon the account of the grand rebellion there,
into England, being greatly addicted to the cause, was made, by the regulaters of the
university of Oxford at that time, master of University college : And after that,
regius professor of divinity there.' A person of great reading, industry, and memo- fu. p. 113.
ry; but of little judgment; as may appear from the dull oration he made, when he
assumed the chair; and his, as dull lectures in divinity:^ A specimen whereof, for aeHist. & Ant.
diversion to the learned, and that the world may see, what a blessed change those ['"J*'4[?f°prol
zealous reformers then made in that university, I shall here subjoyn,'' out of the Hist. fossorisRegii
of the Univ. of Oxford. ^ :;L;TD.Hovie
The professor Hoyle, undertaking to prove from the 1st chap, of St. John's Gosp. OrationepiauJ
and the 1st ver. That our Saviour Christ is eternal, thus argued. enldit'kuiis'om-
_ . . . . ^ . niniocliE pior-
I. A pnncipio luit, ergo est seternus. susexpeita.
II. ^oyo; est, ergo & agternus. " u. ib. ut-
III. Non tantum a patre sed de patre, ergo & aeternus. ti™ aetemum "
IV. Filius patris est, ergo ejusdem natura^, ergo & a;ternus. esse, imnc tan-
turn ineptus in
Bv which his ratiocination, together with the manv mistakes and barbarisms he "O''"'" t"'"'"'-
committed, the doctor lost that little reputation which he had gotten. 413.2.
And that we may see that the regent masters, at that time, were of the same seize
with the doctor's, they examined under graduates, and batchelors for their degrees, in
such bald and barbarous questions as these.' 1. Pro quo gradu tu stas ? 2. Rhetor > Idem. ibid.
& Orator (taking up the middle syllable very short) quoinodo differunt? 3. Quis fuit
mater Rcmuli? &c.
Insomuch, there greatly needed some to retrieve the reputation of the university,
in point of learning, and in particular, to restore the divinity chair to its former ho-
nor. A fitter person to which purpose, than Dr. Conant, either for universality
of learning, soundness of judgment, or orthodoxy, in all the fundamental points of
faith, could not be found out, among all the party. So that (what can't be deny'd)
he discharged this post, with great honor to himself, and to the general satisfaction of
the whole university. Should those learned lectures, and judicious determinations in
divinity, this reverend pi'ofessor then made, ever become public, they will not only
confirm what is spoken, but greatly oblige the world.
But then it may be urged, by some, as a blemish upon this worthy doctor's memo-
ry. That he did conform so much to the usurpers then in power; who had killed, and
also taken possession : That to get, or continue in, places of trust, he took the cove-
nant, engagement, and the like.
For reply hereunto; I will no more endeavor to justify all, tliat either this gentle-
man, or any other, did in those days, than the}' themselves would do, if now living;
Yet
232 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Yet this I say, that a good man may, nay ought to do, what justly he can, in order
to get into, or continue in, places of trust, in the government, under which, God, in
his providence, shall place him, as well to keep worse men out, as to right and succor
such good men. whose consciences will not permit them, in all things, to comply.
Had it not been for such men as Dr. Conant, Dr. Wilkins (afterwards bishop of Ches-
ter), Dr. Ward (lately bishop of Sarum), and others, not only learning would have
fared much worse than it did, in those days, but even the royal party also. We find,
in the Holy Scripture, that good Obadiah, that feared the Lord greatly, executed the
office of comptroler of the houshold, under Ahab; who though he might be no imme-
" 1 Kin. 18, 3. (^iatg usurper, was yet a very wicked and idolatrous King.'' And we know what
'Scotland. some in a neighboring kingdom' lately did, who by receding from their places,
left an ope for their adversaries to get in, to the ruine both of themselves, and their
cause.
Now with what caution and tenderness, this eminent doctor proceeded, in these
matters, as became (what he was) a truly conscientious person, we may very well ob-
serve, from those express conditions and limitations, he openly declared before hand,
he took the engagement upon.
Where, e're we proceed farther, it may be proper to propose to the reader's view,
the engagement itself, which, in those days, was enforced by ordinance of parliament
" Heaths ciir. (as it was then called), only at first, upon persons in office or trust ;'° though after-
Warsof Eng. Ward, all sorts of men, throughout the kingdom, above eighteen years of age, were
Sic. part'.'. p. obliged to take it in these words.
255. °
* You shall promise to be true and faithful to the common-wealth of England, as it
is now established, without King or house of lords.'
The doctor, indeed, did take this engagement ; but then it was with such restric-
tions and limitations, as another man, in his circumstances, with a good conscience,
might have done the same ; as may appear from the following declaration, thus in-
1 Out of an tituled :"
autlicntick CO-
Alr!D?G.''MS. DR. CONANT'S DECLARATION BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS, WHEN HE TOOK THE
Engagement.
" Being required to subscribe, I humbly premise :
*' I. That I be not hereby understood to approve of what hath been done, in order
unto, or under this present government, or the government it self, nor will I be
thought hereby to condemn it : They being things above my reach, and I not know-
ing the grounds of the proceedings.
" n. That I do not bind my self to do any thing, contrary to the word of God.
" HI. Tliat I do not hereby so bind my self, but that, if God shall remarkably call
me to submit to any other power, I may be at liberty to obey that call, notwithstand-
ing the present engagement.
" In this sense, and in this sense only, I do promise to be true and faithful to the
present government, as it is now established, without King, or house of lords."
" JOHN CONANT."
This may prove the doctor to be a man of prudence and conscience; and purge
him, in a great measure, from those dirty reflections, any censorious bigot might as-
perse his memory withal: Who yet, perhaps, in the same circumstances (how
squeamish soever he may now seem), would have swallowed all a whole, without
chewing.
The practise of so great and good a man herein, may become a pattern unto others,
in
CONANT, JOHN, D.D. 233
ra a like case; in all dubious, and especially, dangerous matters, to proceed with all
the precaution they may be allowed: And to take oaths and make subscriptions, in
all doubtful cases, expressly, with all the latitude that may be granted them : which
may suffice for his apology herein.
In the year of our Lord, 1657, was Dr. Conant chosen vice-chancellor of the uni-
versity of Oxford; at what time, his kindsman, Mr. Samuel Conant, of the same
college, was one of the proctors. In this honorable office did Dr. Conant continue,
by annual election of the university, for three years together : In all which time, he
shewed himself a prudent and vigilant governor. And though the times, that then
were, were very dangerous and ticklish, and the mouths of the men in power, began
to water upon the colleges, and the revenues thereunto belonging, yet the doctor
stoutly defended his post, maintained the rights and liberties of the university, and
kept all in peace and quiet.
Upon the 24th of Aug. 1662, Dr. Conant left his rectorship of Exeter college, and
the university, both at once ; and that upon the account of some insiiin ruble scru-
ples, at that time, which had invaded his conscience against conformity to the liturgy
and discipline of the established church of England. AVhat they were in particular,
I am not able to relate : but have heard, in those days. That it was chiefly out of a
tenderness of giving offence to others, grounded upon that passage of the apostle, in
his Epistle to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 8 chap. 10, 11, 12, and 13 ver. the short
whereof is this. If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the
world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Whether this alone, or some others joyn'd with this, was the true ground of the
doctor's nonconformity for a while, I cannot say : But under some invincible preju-
dices against conformity, he lay for some time ; which yet he managed Avith great .^
prudence and caution : For he retired to a kindsman's house of his own, Mr. Sam.
Conant, B. D. aforementioned, in the country, where he remained very peaceably
and orderly, neither keeping conventicles, nor frequenting any. And afterward, by
God's peculiar blessing (who hath promised, ' That if any one doth his will, he shall
be taught of God, and if in any thing one be otherwise minded, than the truth, if he be
willing and obedient, God shall reveal even this unto him.' Phil. iii. 15.) he overcame
all his scruples ; and rendred himself to the church of England, as by law established.
Of which, by his exemplary piety, and matchless learning, he became at once, an
ornament and a pillar.
Hereupon, he was soon preferred to be vicar of the great church in the town of
Northampton ; a town equal to some cities. This hapned a little before the time, that
that place was wholly consumed by a dreadful and resistless fire. How useful this
good man was, towards the relief of the poor, and the comfort of the distressed, and
the re-edifying the town, in a much more beautiful and uniform condition than before
it was, many, yet alive, may be able better to declare. Here he continued a vigilant,
peaceable, painful pastor, unto the time of his death.
As for his other preferments, all much short of his worth, they were these: On the
8th of June, 1676, he was installed arch-deacon of Norwich, in the ])lace of his
brother-in-law, Mr. John Reynolds, deceased;" which dignity was conferred upon °^A^tU.^Oxon.
him by Dr. Edward Reynolds, bishop thereof, whose daughter Elizabeth, the doctor ^; /gg"
had married.
Some four years after this, on the third of December, 1081, he was preferred
prebend of Worcester, in the place of Nathanael Tonikiiis deceased. These pre-
ferments the modest man never courted ; and many more his modesty made him
to refuse : Being equal to what he had, and superiour to greater too, if he had had
them.
But then there is one thing his modesty can't be approved of, that it would not per-
2 11 "'it
234 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
mit him to oblige the world with more of his learned labors : he not suffering himself
to be prevailed upon, to publish any thing; save only, a little before his death, one
volume of sermons under this title :
Sermons preached by John Conant, D.D. Lond. print. Svo.
There is another volume of his sermons now in the press, published by his son. Dr.
p Dr. Painter, John Conant, doctor of law. With a brief account of his life.P
Col?' hL^Let- Whether, hereafter, any other offspring of his learned brain, may be permitted to
ter to me, Jul', see the light, tliough much desired, I am not able to determine. (Note.)
29, 1696. jjg ^g^g ^ grave and solid preacher ; whose sermons were well studied ; and better
fitted to affect the hearts of good christians, than to tickle the ears of itching hearers.
He was but small in stature, though great in all things else, any opinion only of his
own greatness excepted.
He was of a meek and humble spirit, yet of zeal and courage enough, when they
came to be concerned, either for piety or justice.
He lived in a great town, a very private, but pious life. He neither loved to make,
nor to be in, much noise ; as knowing that ' Animae quiescendo fuint sapientiores.'
It pleased Almighty God, some years before his death, to visit him with blindness:
whereby he was rendred unfit for the administration of the public offices of his place
and calling. However, when God was pleased to visit him with blindness, that he
could not preach from the pulpit, his conversation was a visible sermon, laid open to
the eyes of all that saw him.
He lived to a vast age, and at length sunk beneath the burthen of no less than four-
score and six years ; dying at Northampton aforesaid, on the l^th of March, 1693.
He lieth interred in his own church there ; to whose memory, his disconsolate relict
'- raised a very sumptuous monument; on which is found this epitaph.
Hie juxta requiescit Johannes Conant, S. T. P. E Devonia ortus apud Oxonienses
enutritus; ibidem CoUegii Exoniensis Rector, AcademiEe Professor Regius, et tertio
Vice-Cancellarius: Quibus valedixit. Anno 1G6'2. — Postea Archidiaconus Norvicensis
Ecclesi* Vigorniensis Praebendarius, et hujus Ecclesiae Vicarius. Vir omnibus hisce
Muneribus (quorum nullum ambivit, plura refugit) par & superior. Doctrina, mo-
ribus, Pietate, non Aliniis quam Annis Consummatus obiit Anno .^^Ltatis suae
LXXXVI, Domini M.DC.XC.III. Mensis Martii die xii. Elizabetha Uxor Moes-
tissima viro Charissimo hoc Marmor Amoris & Observantias ergo posuit.
COPLESTON,
ADDITIONAL NOTE.
THERE weie altogether six volumes of his sermons published: the first in l693, in the author's life-
iime; the second in 1697, which is the volume alluded to by Prince as being in the press ; the third in 1698;
the fourth in 1703; the fifth in 1708, which last four volumes were edited by the Bishop of Chichester; and
the sixth and last volume was published in 1722, and edited by Digby Coates, M. A. principal of M.igdalen
Hall, Oxford, at the request of the author's sou, Joim Conant, L.L.D. but no account of the author's lile ac-
companied either of tliese voluines. A life, however, was afterwards written by his son, from which the fol-
lowing particulars are extracted.
Dr. Conant was born October 18, l608, and descended from a good family which had flourished for many
years in this county, but which was originally !• rendu His parents were persons of great integrity, and pos-
sessed a competent, though not a large fortune; so that he had no occasion to be ashamed ot his family. He
gave very early tokens of his inclination to learning, and was taken under the caie ol his uncle, the Rev. John
Conant, rector of Lymington, in Somersetshire, who charged himself in a particular manner with the care of
his education; and having sent him for some time to the free-school at Ilchester, placed him afterwards under
the tuition of Mr. Thomas Branker, a very laborious and learned school master, in the neighbourhood ; and dur-
ing
( 235 )
COPLESTON, JOHN, ESQUIRE.
COPLESTON, John, Esquire, sirnamed The great Copleston, was born at the an- F'or. a. d.
tient seat of the name and family, called Copleston, in the parish of Colebrook, about Hen.' r.'
four miles to the north-west of Crediton, in this county : From whence the name
should be derived, divers have diversly conjectured/ but most yield to this, at .^ g^^^tj^^'^j^^
quater foix, which we term a cross-way, where four ways meet, near the house is copYestf"" ""
erected a fair square moor-stone, about twelve foot high, from the surface of the
earth, and twenty inches broad, every square : which is now vulgarly termed Copston-
stone, heretofore Coplestone. Hence is the family supposed to take the name of Le-
Cop-ston, or Cop-le-stone, which florished here in high reputation for a longtime:
Which stone, altho' not very large, as you have heard, yet standeth ('tis said) in four
several parishes, viz. Colebrook, Crediton, Sandford, and St. Mary-Down, i. e. All
these parishes meet in that stone, q. in puncto. It is one intire stone, roughly carv-
ed, with various florishes, which some have taken for old Saxon characters, now not
legible ; and, as I suppose, never were. But more probable it is, from the hollowness
on the top like a mortice, it had sometime a cross placed thereon, according to the
mode of antient times.
When this family first grevr eminent, I do not find ; but if the common tradition
holds true, it florished in these parts before the Conquest, as was observed before in Sir
Robert Cruwys. However, if so, it was eclipsed, as most of the Saxon race were
along while, by the interposition of the Norman conqueror : For Sir William Pole
tells us,"^ He had not found, in all his search, any of this name, until the days of K. ^^f ?^^ i*;*^
Edw. 2, (Note \.) in which William de Coplestona was set down as a witness to aju""'"
deed of grant, betwixt Matthew de Wodeton or Wootton, of AVootton, in the same
parish of Colebrook, and Richard Copleston of Copleston: Which Richard stands
first in the genealogy, given us by that last mentioned antiquary of ours, who had
issue Adam; wholiad issue John; who by Katharine his wife, daughter and heir of
John Graas of Ting-Graas, in this county, had issue John Copleston of Copleston ;
who by Elizabeth his wife, daughter and heir of John Havvley of Dartmouth, and of
Emma his wife, daughter and heir of Sir Robert Tresilian, the famous, or rather in-
famous, lord chief-justice of England, in the days of K. Rich. 2, and Emmalin his
wife, daughter and heir of Sir Richard Huish of Chagford, in this county, Kt. had
issue, first Philip, second John of Exeter, and third Walter of Bowden, in Yalhamp- .
ton, whose posterity florishes there this day. (Note 2.J
Philip Copleston of Copleston and Warley, was high sheriff of the county of De-
von, anno 11 Edw. 4, 1470, and by Anne his wife, daughter and heir of John Bon-
vil of Shute, by Joan his wife, daughter and heir of John Wibbery of Trewollick,'p^J'^«g'_
(descended from several daughters and heirs, as Fitz-Walter, Flemming, Barkley, &c.)
had issue Ralph; who by Ellen, daughter of Sir John Arrundel of Lanhern, m Corn-
ing his continuance at both places, occasionally assisted him in las studies. His youth promised all that his
r;,>„. „».,..c .,v„^,,.»^ His disposition was always mild and modest, so that he contented hunsell with the satis-
wal.
%
236 ' ■ THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
wal, Kt. had issue John Copleston of Copleston, of whom we are speaking ; Nicho-
las of Nash, in Dorsetshire, and Richard of Otterham, and Woodland, in Little Tor-
rington in Devon, whose posterity yet survives in worshipful rank in that place. John
Copleston of Copleston, Esq; married Katherine, daughter of Ralph Bridges in De-
von, and had issue Christopher, high-sherifl' of this county, anno 3 Q.. Eliz. who by
Jane his wife, daughter of Sir Hugh Pawlet of Hinton St. George, in the county of
Somerset, had issue John, high-sheriff of this county, anno 39 Q. Eliz. who married
Susanna, daughter of Lewis Pollard of King's-Nimmet, in this county. Esq; and
had issue Amias; who by Gertrude his wife, second daughter of Sir John Chichester
of Ralegh, Kt. had issue John, who dying without issue, this great estate fell to his
two sisters, his heirs, of whom more hereafter.
From whence, we may observe, what honorable houses this antient family all along
match'd into, as Courtenay, Bonvil, Pawlet, Chichester, Pollard, Bridges, and
others: And how many daughters and heirs, as Graas, Hawley, Tresilian, Huish,
Bonvil, Wibbery, Fitz-Walter, Flemming, Barkley, &c.
Notwithstanding which, we find no knight belonging to it all along, down to the
present age: They rather contented themselves with an hereditary title of honor,
given them, 'tis said, only in this county ; and now long since worn out of date ; be-
ino- wont to be stiled Copleston the white-spur: Of which attribute of honor, it may
" Weav. Pnn. not be improper (in this place) to give this brief account.''
Mon.p. 595. There were five distinct sorts of esquires heretofore in England, as first, The prin-
cipal esquires are accounted those, who are elect for the prince's body; second,
knights' eldest sons ; third, younger sons of the eldest sons of barons, and other nobles
of higher estate; fourth, the white-spurs; and fifth. They who are so by office, and
by serving the prince in any worshipful calling.
Now the fourth sort of esquires (which was in this family of Copleston) was made
by creation of the King ; the ceremony whereof was thus : What gentleman the King
was pleased to bestow "this honor upon, he was wont to put about his neck a silver
collar of esses or S. S. S. and to confer upon him a pair of silver spurs : Whereupon
(says my author) in the west parts of the kingdom, they be called white-spurs ; by
which they are distinguished from knights who are wont to wear gilt-spurs, and to be
stiled, Equites Aurati, golden knights, from their spurs. This title of white-spur
was hereditary, and always belonged only to the heir male of the family.
There was but one tribe (Note 3.) more in all this country, that I can find, digni-
fied with this title, and that was Winslade of Winslade, in the parish of Buckland-
Brewer, in the north-west parts thereof, a generous and a long continued race ; who
had also a great estate in Cornwal, whose seat there was at Tregarrick : One where-
of, John by name, married Jane, a daughter of the antient and honorable family of
' Sir w. Poles Trelawny,"' by whom he had issue William, who made title unto the Earl of Devon-
DeflnWin.1 ^''''"e's lands ; but sold all his own, and came unto great poverty. Some say,' he lost
> Risd. ai,d them by attainder, as being concerned in the western rebellion, m the days of K.
Buck!' Bruer ^"^^^^^'- ^ ' ''"^ *'^^' ^ ^'^^^^ I'^'stored the barton of Winslade to his eldest son ; which
is long since gone out of the name, and the whole race in those parts extinct.
The gentleman of whom we are discoursing, was wont to be called The great Co-
pleston, not from the bigness of his stature, above other men ; altho' they are, and
have been, many very proper gentlemen of the name and family : But from the great
command he had from the great possession he enjoy'd, and that high port he lived in
here in these parts. His father, Ralph Copleston of Copleston, was an hundred
«H«ii. Col. ofPou"<^s in the subsidy book to the King, anno 13 K. Hen. 6,^ (a good estate) and a
Arms in Co- justice of peacc, auuo 30 of the same King, a great honor in those days,
pie. MS. rpj^j^ family had its residence somtimes at Warley, a pleasant and profitable seat,
near the river Tamer, in the parish of Tamerton-Foiiot, about four miles from Ply-
mouth,
COPLESTON, JOHN, ESQUIBR. 237
mouth, in this county, of which before in Bishop-Foliot; which came into it by
match with Bonvil's daughter and heir, in the days of K. Edw. 4. After several de-
scents here, and at Copleston (somtime residing at this, and somtime at that seat)
there fell out a most unfortunate occurrence in this place of Tamerton, which (in all
probability) hastned the extinction of the name and family here, and at Copleston
also. The history whereof, altho' I take no delight in reviving the infirmities of men,
now well nigh buried in oblivion ; yet, out of charity, it may be worth the relating,
to stand as a land-mark to posterity, that all may beware how they give themselves up
to the transports of a bloody malice and revenge, which in the end will hurry them
into the bottomless gulph of woe and misery.
Esquire Copleston of Warley,'' (I can't recover his christian name, altho' I suppose " Tbis relation
it was John) in the days of Q. Elizabeth, had a young man to his godson, that had gg[|^,g^™" \
been abroad for his education: Who at his return home, hearingof the extravagancies near neighbor
of his godfather's conversation, expressed in some company, his sorrowful resentment of *° **"* ^''*""
it ; which was not done .so privately, but the report thereof was soon brought [as there
be tale-bearers and whisperers, which separate very fiiends, enough every where] to
his godfather's ears. This exceedingly enkindled the indignation of the old gentle-
man against his godson, and (as 'twas supposed) his natural son also ; making him
break out, saying, ' Must boys observe and discant on the actions of men, and of
their betters ?' From henceforth he resolv'd, and sought all opportunities, to be re-
venged upon him ; at length they being both at Tamerton, their parish church, on a
Lord's day, the young man observing by his countenance, what he was partly in-
formed of before, that his godfather was highly displeased at him, prudently with-
drew betimes from the church, and resolved to keep himself away, out of his reach,
until his indignation should be overpass'd. The old gentleman seeing his revenge
likely to be disappointed, sent the young man word, that his anger towards him was
now over, and he might return to his church again : accordingly the young man came,
at the usual time; but cautiously eying his godfather, he found the expression of the
poet too true :
' Manet alta mente repostum.'
That his displeasure was not laid aside, but laid up in a deep revengeful mind :
Whereupon, as soon as the duties of religion were over, he again hastned out of the
church as soon as he could : upon this his godfather followed him, but not being able
to overtake him, he threw his dagger after him (the wearing whereof was the mode of
those times) and struck hira through the reins of the back, so that he fell, and died
on the spot.
Upon this Mr. Copleston fled, but his friends improved all the intrest they had at
court, to procure a pardon, which at length, at the cost of about thirteen mannors of
land in the county of Cornwal, they hardly obtained : which very pardon hath been
seen by my avithor; and still remains (unless lately lost) in the custody of the present
possessor of Warley-house.
However this gentleman escaped the just penalty due to so vile a crime, fi-om the
laws of man ; he did not, it seems, escape the revengeful hand of Providence, which
was pleased, either in his son or grandson's days (who is said to have been a hopeful
young gentleman' to blot his name quite out of that place ; and at his other place, toi Risd. Desc
leave nothing remaining but the name. For this estate came to two daughters and ^^i^^^"- '"
heirs ; the eldest was married to Elford, Esquire ; and the youngest unto Sir
John Bampfeild, of PoUimore, Baronet, fyole A.J
The eldest sister had Copleston-house and demesns, which is all in mines, and the
estate sold ; it is now in the possession of Sir Walter Young, of this county. Baronet.
The youngest sister, for her partition, had Warley, in whose posterity it still remains;
and
238-
THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
and is the inheritance of lier great grandson, Sir Copleston Warwick Bampfeild, Ba-
ronet; whom God long preserve, and make highly eminent and useful in his country.
ADDITIONAL NOTES.
(1) IN another part of his work, Sir William Pole observes, that William de Copleston, held Copleston in
the time of King Henry the second, but whether Henry is there written by mistake for Edward, or whether it
vyas the result of his farther inquiries, we cannot determine. Tlie continuation of the descents as they stand in
the text, and in Pole, correspond with the later date.
(2) This branch of the family is extinct, and Bowden is now the property of John Pollexfen Bastard, of
Kitley, Esq. representative in parliament for the county of Devon since the year 1784. The family of Bastard,
is found in the earliest annals of the county in possession of extensive property. Eflford, Stonehouse, Mevey,
Bickeston, Haraldeshore, and Blacheurde, were the inheritance of William le Bastard in the 20th year of William
the Conqueror. In the reign of Edward the second or the third, the great possessions of this family passed into
that of Beaudyn, and thence into that of Whitlegh ; but the name was continued, as Sir William Pole observes.
In latter times, Gerson, in this county, was the seat of the descendants of this family, of whom was Sir William
Bastard, sheriflf of Devon, in 1676. From Gerson, their residence was transferred to Kitley, by the mar-
riage of . Bastard with the heiress of Pollexfen of that place. His son, Pollexfen Bastard, married
Bridget, daughter of John, first Earl Poulett, K. G. by whom he had issue William Bastard, father of the pre-
sent possessor of Kitley. In 1779, the exertions of William Bastard, Esq. at a moment of alarm, from the
appearance of an hostile fleet in the channel, were distinguished by a patent of Baronetcy, the title of which,
however, was never assumed.
(3) Kent, in his abridgment of Gwillim, attributes this distinction to another family hereafter mentioned in
this work, namely Wollocombe of Wollocombe, " An ancient and gentile family, producing many while spurs
of estimation."
(-4) John Elford, of Shepstor, Esq. by his first wife, Elizabeth, the co-heir of Copleston, had issue four
daughters, Susanna, who died unmarried at the age of sixteen, in 1647: Gertrude, married to Roger Wollo-
combe, Esq. of Combe; Elizabeth, married to Edmund Fortescue, of London ; and Barbara, married to Arthur
Fortescue, of Wear, Esq. from which match Hugh, Earl Fortescue, is fourth in descent.
This John Elford had four wives; by his second wife, the sister of the first Sir John Northcote, Baronet, he
had male issue, from whom is descended Sir William Elford of Bickiiam, Baronet. The half of the Copleston
property, including the manor of Copleston, which came into the Elford family, passed, in consequence of the
failure of male issue, into the families of Fortescue and Wollocombe; the other half, in which was Warlegh,
passed into and continued in the Bampfylde family. Warlegh descended to John Bampfylde, of Hestercombe,
in Somersetshire, who was the second son of Hugh, eldest son of Sir Copleston Bampfylde, Baronet, and by
him was sold in 1741, to Walter Radclifle, son of Jasper Radcliffe, of Frankland, ia Devon, who was sheriffof
that county in 1696, and was descended from the Radcliffes of Chatterton in Chester. This Walter Radcliffe
married Admonition Bastard, grandaughter of Sir William Bastard, of Gerson, Knight, by Grace, daughter of
Sir John Bampfylde, Bart, and Gertrude Copleston.
His children, who were thus allied in blood to the family of Copleston, were twelve in number. Of these,
Walter and John were successively of Warlegh, and died unmarried. Copleston (vicar of Stoke Climsland)
married Sarah, daughter of Samuel Peter, of Percothan, Esq. and had issue three sons and three daughters.
Walter, the eldest son, upon the death of his uncle, John Radcliffe, in 1805, succeeded to the Warlegh estate,
where he now resides.
COTTON,
( 239 )
COTTON, EDWARD.
Cotton, Edward, doctor of divinity, and treasurer of the cathedral church of^ofA-R-
Exeter, was born in this county, about the year of our Lord I6O8, at the parsonage- csr.'s.
house of Whimple, or Silferton; at which, I am not certain, in that his father was
rector of both, at the same time. He was second son of the reverend Mr. William
Cotton (not Edward, as, by mistake, a late author tells us,* chauntor of the church of * ^^'h- Oxon.
Exon, and rector of the parishes aforesaid ; who was eldest son of Dr. AVilliam Cotton, gis.
Lord Bishop of Exeter, by one of the daughters and heirs of Hender, of Bos-
castle, antiently Botreaux Castle, so called from a noble family of that name, in Corn-
wal. The other daughter of the said Hender, became the wife of the first Lord Ro-
berts of Cornwal, and was mother to the late noble Earl of Radnor, lord deputy of
Ireland, and lord president of the council to King Charles the second.
Mr. Edward Cotton, having laid a good foundation of school learning, went to Ox-
ford, there to raise upon it a superstructure of more useful knowledg and wisdom.
He was admitted a member of Christ Church, where he led a sober, studious, and
cheerful life until he had finished his degrees in arts : after Avhich, he retired into his
own country, and having all along devoted himself to the work of the ministry, he was
ordained deacon. But the unhappy civil wars, near about this time, breaking out in
the nation, he proceeded no farther, for many years after. For sober learning and
piety, if mixed with true and eminent loyalty, found but slender encouragement in
those days : nay, 'twas crime enough to be found notoriously guilty thereof, inso-
much, they who would not renounce the one of them, loyalty, must neither expect
new preferments, nor long to enjoy their old, what right soever they had to the other,
I mean learning. That was sin enough to throw many out of what they had for the
present, and to bar them out for the future : whereupon, Mr. Cotton contented him-
self to share in the common lot of loyalty, and to take his portion in the sufferings of
the King and of the church ; living privately upon that competent fortune which
could accrue from a suffering clergyman, to a younger son, among his honorable
friends and relations in this country.
Now there was, at that time, in this county, a triumvirate of topping wits, gentle-
men of excellent parts and accomplishments, Thomas, afterwards, Lord Clifford of
Ugbrook, Henry, afterwards. Sir Henry Ford, of Nutvvel, and William Martin, of
Lindrege, Esquire, all great amico's : with these did Mr. Cotton much associate him-
self ; being all so well suited, as to their humors, parts, and education, that they could
not easily be then matched, in this, or any other county. And to signify the esteem
that Mr. Martin had for Mr. Cotton, and Mr. Ford, altho' he was of a different opi-
nion in point of religion, he bequeathed, by his last will and testament, his study of
books, to be divided between those two gentlemen, and the present lady dowager
Clitford, of Chudlegh, his near relation. AVhose two shares, Mr. Cotton, at length,
purchased, at a valuable consideration (the lady's with an organ for her chappel ;) all
which, at his death, he gave to the library, belonging to the cathedral of St. Peter's,
Exon, where now they are.
After some years thus exhausted, it pleased God, upon the restoration of the King,
Charles the second, to bring both learning and loyalty into vogue and esteem again ;
and both found countenance and reward, especially in tlie universities of this king-
dom : as to Oxford in particular, it was the pleasure of tliat most gracious prince,
and the most noble Marquess of Hartford, then chancellor, and of Sir Edward Hide
(afterwards Earl of Clarendon,) who succeeded him in that honorable office, the same
year, that there should be a creation,'' an. I66O, in all laculties, of such, who had ^ Fast. Oxon.
suffered "■ ^- ?• ^"^-
240 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
suffered for his majesty's cause, and had been ejected out of the university, aforesaid,
by the visitors, appointed by parliament, in the year 1648. Amon^ a great many
other learned and loyal sufferers, Edward Cotton, master of arts, of Christ Church,
'Id. p. 815. aforesaid, was, March 1, 1660, actually created doctor of divinity ."=
Having, also, received the order of priesthood, after he was fifty years of age, from
the hands of tliat venerable prelate (if I mistake not) Dr. Gauden, then bishop of this
diocess, he was deservedly advanced to the archdeaconry of Cornwal, which he en-
joyed, from this time, unto the death of the reverend Mr. Baldwin Ackland > and then
he succeeded him in the office of treasurer of the church of Exon, which he held unto
the time of his death. Unto this, he had added a canonry, in the same church,
which, with the rectory of the rich church of Silferton, were all the preferments he
possessed : though even these, he had not more to his own advantage, than to the
good of others.
And this hath brought me to consider, that excellent improvement, the good doc-
tor made of those dignities and incomes, which the providence of God had blessed
him with ; and we shall find it was much, every way : for he was a great ornament
to his profession, both as a christian man and a clergyman, strictly observing the apos-
tle's rule of ' living soberly, righteously, and godly, in the present world.' While
some derive all their honor tiience, he was an honor to his places ; imploying the pro-
fits and revenues of them, either in charity to the poor, or in hospitality to the rich :
to the one, his purse was always open, and to the other, his arms. He was none of
those, who thought the revenues of the cluirch were conferred upon them, to make
them rich, or to raise a family: he expended what he had, charitably and generously ;
hating stindginess, no less than prodigality, and that sordid humor of living poor, to
die rich. 'Tis the property of a swine to be useful only when dead, which renders his
life undesired, and his death unlamented. Whereas this eminent divine, as best be-
comes a christian, and a gentleman, did good with God's blessing here; and, in the
time of life, yielded a rich harvest of good works: insomuch, they are to be looked
upon no other than gleanings, which he left at the time of his death. A brief account
whereof follows, in relation to the poor, to the university, and to the church.
First, for the poor : by his last will and testament, proved in the consistory-court of
ExOffic.Re- Exon, A. D. 1676," he gave fifty pounds to the parish of Bampton in the Bush, in the
gist. Exen. county of Oxford, to this use, namely. That the interest thereof should go yearly to
such poor house-keepers there, as are not chargable to the parish, and do duly fre-
• quent their church, and receive, likewise, the holy sacrament of the Lord's supper.
He settled, also, by the same will, some houses and lands in Silferton, in Devon, on
the wardens and officers of that parish, upon this condition, that the profits and re-
venues of them, should go to such poor house-keepers there, as did also keep their
church, and receive the holy sacrament. Where the piety, as well as charity, of this
most worthy man is observable, that he did consult the good of their souls, as well as
their bodies ; and did so prudently settle his charity, that they, who would not regard
their souls should not reap the benefit thereof to the relief of their bodies.
Let us next consider his generous benefaction to the university: we find, that he
• In Regist. was pleased to settle, by the same will,' the sheafe of the parish of Thornmew, on the
pradict. Ex- j,^jiiggg of Christ Church, in Oxford; /. e. what remains over and above the fine, to
be paid for renewing the estate, every seven years, to the college of Windsor. Which
gift, notwithstanding, was not to take eftect until the expiration of eight years then
'Mr Wear ensuing; for which term, he had granted it unto a kindsman' of his, for his main-
one of his s'is- tenance in tlie university. At the end whereof, the whole profit of the sheafe (except,
ter'ssons. ^^ before excepted) were to come unto two batchelors of art, which had been servi-
tors, and should be esteemed most worthy thereof by the dean and chapter of Christ
Church, aforesaid; always preferring, in their choice (where indigency, parts, and
learning
COTTON, EDWARD. ' 24.1.
learning are equal) persons born in Exeter, Devon, Cornvval, or the c\ty, or county
of Oxford. But no one, by the same will, is to enjoy this bounty above four years ;
where is obvious, the great prudence, as well as charity, of this settlement, that the
income thereof, must go unto such batchelors of art who had been servitors for their
support, when to serve was become beneath them ; and they are to enjoy it four
years; at the expiration of which period, they may be at least twelve months stand-
ing master of arts : who are to enjoy it but four years neither, for it may justly be
supposed, by that time, if ever, they would become tollerably fit to be transplanted
thence, and so make room for others, to be implanted in their places.
As for his bounty towards the church, besides his library of books, already men-
tioned : he gave a very sweet organ to the choir, for the use of the choristers, for the
perfecting of the seniors of the church, before they performed in public ; which now
stands in the college hall, belonging to the cathedral church of Exeter, and is used
accordingly.
And yet, notwithstanding all these high endowments of grace, goodness, and learn-
ing (very eminent in him) they would not priviledg this worthy person from the arrest
of death, nor bail him from the prison of the grave: but, being much impa. d by the
acute disease of the stone, and the decays of nature, which a good old age had
brought upon him, he sickned at the treasury of Exeter, where he surrendred up his
pious soul into the hands of him who gave it, on the 1 1th of November, 1675. From
hence were his venerable remains carried to the cathedral church there ; and, on the
l(Jth of the same month, they were deposited near unto his grandfather Bishop Cot-
ton's grave, in the south side of the choir, behind the bishop's chair : in which place
is erected, to his memory, in the south side of the wall, that parts the choir and the
ambulatory, by the piety of his younger brother. Sir John Cotton, of Botrcaux-castle,
Kt. a very curious alabaster monument, containing the bust of the defunct: at once,
lively representing the innocency of his mind, and the figure of his body, which is
encircled with a laurel wreath, cut in the same stone; under which, in a fair table,
with black letters, is this epitaph written :
Edvardus Cotton, S. T. P.
Thesaurarius & unus e Canonicis
Residentariis, fiiius Gulielmi Cotton
Prascentoris, filii Gulielmi Episcopi
Hujus EcclesiiF. In argumento & ingenio subtilis;
Doctrina, Pietate, & Charitate Angelicus ;
Ad damnum Ecclesia^, & ad dolorem Amicorum,
Viz. Omnium obiit 1 1 Novembris Anno
Salutis 167-5.
Nor may I here omit this brief character of his person: that he was of body, tail
and comly ; of humor, universally sweet and obliging ; his deportment, like his
aspect, was grave and reverend, and yet, withal, very innocently chearful and plea-
sant. A certain gentleman," who knew him well, has left, upon record, this testimony Uz. Mem. of
of him (the truth whereof was never yet questioned;) ' That, in his lifetime, he was^"®*- P- "^*
much beloved ; and his death generally bewailed, by all ranks and conditions of men,
that knew him : for he was a right honest and worthy gentleman, a constant and ex-
cellent preacher, a great lover of hospitality, an universal scholar, and a daily liberal
benefactor to the poor.' Insomuch, when one asked a certain i)oor man,'' why he" Canon c—
wept so at this doctor's funeral ? he replied, ' We have all reason to weep lor so good witness iieVeof.
a man ; we have lost the best friend we had.' ^'^ p*!'^'.!,"
Neer unto this reverend doctor's grave, lies interred liis grandfather, Dr. William °6'94. '^ ' "'
Cotton (somtime canon of St. Paul's, London, and from thence, advanced to be
2 I bishop
242 ' THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
bishop of the diocess of Exon;) who, having well governed this church three and
twenty years, died on the 26th of Aug. A. D. 1620, and lieth buried near by.
In memory of whom, is a fair monument there erected, containing his portraicture,
at large, in his robes, cut in alabaster, curiously carved and painted ; which, in the
Mz.jb. p. 148. time of the late troubles, was preserved, by being removed into an isle," at the upper
end of the said church; but since the restoration, is brought back into its place ;
where, in a fair marble stone, may these verses be found :
Memoriae Reverend! Patris Dignissimi Prsesulis Domini Gulielmi Cotton olim
Exoniensis Episcopi Sacrum.
Venentur titulos alii, atq; encomia capteut :
Tu propria virtute nites, dignissime Praesul.
Corda virum tumuli, tibi sunt epitaphia linguae,
Virtutesq; tuae, tituli : qua3 dissita multis
Juncta tibi, zclus prudens, prudentia niista
Serpentem innocua caute moderata columba
Fa^ta operumq; fides, opera edita, & abdita, mundo
Abdita (si humilis pietas jubet) edita caslo !
Mite supercilium, facies Augusta, sereni
Vultus, majestas frontis veneranda serena,
Ira fugax, solcm raro visura cadentem.
Mensa benigna, domusq; patens, aditusq; paratus
Condivit tua dicta lepos, gravitasq; leporem
Pacificis placidus, tantum hostis seditiosis
Non tibi, sublimi mores in sede superbi
Vita nee in prima (ut multis) fuit ima cathedra
Praelatusq; gregi, sed non elatus honore es.
A Paulo ad Petrum piate Regina vocavit.
Cum Paulo & Petro, citli Deus arce locabit.
Sic Petrum Paulus, sic claves adjuvat ensis
Perge Petro plures mittere Paule tuos.
»Wortbiesof The two first of these four last verses, are thus translated by Dr. Fuller;'' the two
EnL'. Loud. , ^ , ... ,,
S06. '^st by this author :
V>Miom th' Queen from Paul to Peter did remove,
Him God, with Paul and Peter, plac'd above. .
So Paul helt)s Peter ; so the sword the keys :
To Peter, Paul, send more such men as these.
I have the rather added this, that the world may see, that between these two near
relations, the agreement was not nearer in blood, than in virtue, and pious dispo-
sition.
COURTENAY,
Bar.
( 243 )
COURTENAY, WILLIAM, LORD ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.
COURTENAY, William, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, (Note \.) and Cardinal, f!°;- a. h-
was a native of this county, and born about the year of our Lord, as we may guess, Edw! 3.
1334; his eldest brother Hugh, being born 1327.' \ ^"^''dsg
I should have thought, he had received his first breath at Colcombe, one of the
antient seats of this noble famil}^ standing in the parish of Culliton, in the soutii-east
parts of this province, about three miles from Axminster : For there, we are inform'd,'''' ^''" ''"^'
did his father, the Earl of Devonshire, reside; and his grandfather, who dejiarted
tliis life, anno 1291, before him, in the reign of K. Edvv. 1. But we are positively
assured,' that this noble prelate was born at Exminster, a little parish that S'^eth ^^^^''^^''"i^"',^^;
name to the hundred, about four miles below the city of Exeter, on the west side of didt, in ad-
the river Ex. f^^\ T'^\-c
He was, saith Sir W. Dugdal, the fourth, the fifth son, saith Sir W. Pole,'' of Hugh 795!
Courtenay, the third of that name, but the second of that house, who had the title of •,,"jf,p''Ha*^^.o,fy"
Earl of Devon, by Margaret his wife, daughter of Humphry de Bohun, Earl of Essex of piimton.
and Hereford, by Elizabeth his wife, who was daughter to K. Edw. 1. '^'^"
Some, indeed, of this name, came into England with William the Conqueror, as may
appear from Battle- Abby-Rolle ; but the first of this most noble family that came to
reside here, was Reginald de Courtenay, who, with his son William, accompanied
hither, out of France, Lienor, daughter and sole heir of William, the fifth Duke of
Aquitain, the wife of K. Hen. 2.
Which Reginald, was younger son of Florus, according to Dugdal, of Peter, ac-
cording to M^ons. de Bouchet," who was a younger son of Lewis le Gross, King of^'^j^^^^'j.^"^'^
France. The elder son of Florus, tlorishes in France to this day, under the high title du Roy louU
of Prince de Courtenay. Of which family, Alons. de Bouchet, afore-mentioned, hath [!j gg"y*g*\jgt
written in French, a large history in folio. The reign of Lewis le Gross aforesaid, be- lais, tut Piere
gan in the year of our Lord 1 109, which was long after the Conquest ; and therefore a^ Jrodnrt ''"1"
it is impossible for his posterity to come into England with the Norman Conqueror. branch royaie
This Florus, and his issue, were the first who assumed the name of Courtenay, from Histoire'^'gene-
their mother, an heir female of that family.' aide lamaison
Reginald de Courtenay, aforesaid, being in great favor with K. Hen. 2, had com- Jeiiay! cap!"i^j
mitted to his gardianship, by that king, Hawise and Matilda, two daughters and p- ?•.
heirs, by two several husbands, of Mawd or Matilda, daughter of Randolph Avenel,is taken tVom
and Adeliza, sole daughter and heir to Adeliza, daughter of Baldwin de Brioniis, sur- ''"^^ ''"^eai""
named Sap, a noble Norman knight, by Albreda his wife, neice to William the Con-
queror; which last Adeliza, was sister and heir to Richard her brother; on whom K.
Will. 1 bestow'd the honor of Okehampton, the castle of Exon, and the sheriffalty of
Devon.
Which daughters, by each husband being great heirs, and in minority, were by K.
Hen. 2, as was said before, conmnitted to the custody of this Reginald de Courtenay;
he therefore discerning the advantage he had, by thus being their guardian, by the
King's consent, took Hawise the elder for his own wife; and match'd Mawd or Ma-
tilda, the younger, to William de Courtenay his own son, by a former wife, \\ ho came
into England with him. Thus Ducfdal.
But there is a far difierent and truer account given of this matter, by a no less faith-
lul and skilful antiquary, in those affairs, than Dugdal himself, who acknowledges,^ he ' ibid. p. 637.
2 12 had
2^4r THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
had seen no more of this business, than what the monk of Ford, in his genealogy of
Quoprius. tj^j^ family, reports ; which Sir W. Pole expressly says, is altogether false.''
I shall therefore present before you the history of this affair, as it is found in the
iiPfhe' 'ba?o*n''y P'''^''S'"ec, taken out of the leiger-book of Okehampton, in that author's own words.'
of Okehamp- Baldwin de Brioniis or Sap, afore-mentioned, had, by his wife Albreda, neece to
"'°- AVilliam the Conqueror, issue Richard, Adela, and Emma. Adela, tho' married, died
without issue. Emma was married twice ; first, unto William Avenel, by whom she
had issue Ralph or Randulph Avenel ; and secondly, unto William Averinches or de
Abrincis, by whom she had issue Robert de Averinches.
Richard, the son and heir of Baldwin de Sap, lord of Okehampton, having no issue
of his own, loved Robert Averinches, his sister Emma's son, by her second husband ;
and caused him to take homage of the knights, of the honor of Okehampton, and
made the tenants of all the mannors belonging to his barony, to swear their feally to
him, as unto his licir and their lord. And shortly after this, the said Robert Averin-
ches departed out of England, and took unto wife the daughter of Godwin Dole,
beyond the seas; and begot on her Matilda his daughter; which was married to
the Lord of Ayncourt.
Richard being dead, Adela, though she had no issue of her own to succeed her, suc-
ceeded her brother in the inheritance, and made Ralph Avenel, the eldest son of her
sister Emma, her heir, to succeed in her inheritance, and the honor of Okehampton;
unto whom Reginald Earl of Cornwal, uncle to K. Hen. 2, did offer his daughter in
marriage ; upon his refusal whereof, and his marrying the sister of Richard de Redvers,
Earl of Devon, and William de Vernon the Earl of Cornwal, grew angry, and swore
he would cause him to lose his honor of Okehampton.
Whereupon, the Earl sent for Matilda, daughter of Robert de Averinches, remaining
beyond the seas; and brought an assize against tlie said Ralph Avenel ; that is to say,
a tryal. Whether Robert de Averinches were seized of the honor of Okehampton,
by the homage of the knights, and fealty of the tenants of the mannor to the day
he went beyond the seas? And whether the said Matilda be the next lieir of the
said Robert ? All which being found accordingly, Ralph Avenel lost the honor of
Okehampton to this day.
Which Matilda, daughter and heir of Robert de Averinches, was twice married,
first, as 'twas said, unto the Lord of Ayncourt, by whom she had issue Hawise of Ayn-
; court ; and secondly (being brought into England) she became the wife of Robert
Fitz-roy, natural son to K. Hen. 1, by whom she had issue Matilda.
Which Matilda, after the death of Robert Fitz-roy her father, was by K. Hen. 2
given in marriage unto Reginald de Courtenay, whom Q. Lienor brought with her into
England : And William de Courtenay, his son by a former wife, by the advice and
command of his father, took unto him Hawise, the eldest sister of ALatilda, his fatlier's
wife : who begot on her Robert Courtenay. The said Matilda continuing barren, the
honor of Okehampton came unto Robert Courtenay, son of Hawise of Avncourt.
Thus Sir W. Pole.
And to let us see, that this is not gratis dictum, the said knight confirms what he
says by several deeds ; some brief transcript whereof, so far as is necessary to my pre-
sent occasion, follows:
L^niversis, &c. Hadewisia de Courtenay salutem. Noveritis, &c. me concessisse,
&c. Testibus Roberto de Courtenay & Reginaldo fratre suo, filiis meis,' &c.
' Notum sit quod ego Reginaldus de Courtenay, consensu Matildas uxoris mete con-
cessi,' &c. But of this enough.
Which Robert Courtenay, son of William and Hawise his wife, son of Reginald
Courtenay, marry 'd Mary, daughter and, at length, sole heir to Wdiiam de Redvers,
sirnamed
COURIENAY, WILLIAM, LORD ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. 245
siniamed de Vernon, from the place in France, where he was born. Earl of Devon ;
which afterward brought that earldom into this noble family ; in which it florished for
at least ten generations in very great honor.
Whereby we see that this great prelate, William Courtenay, archbishop of Canter-
bury, was most nobly, nay, royally descended. Dr. Holland informs us,'' That another ' Camb. Brit,
branch of the family of Courtenay, in France, came to be Emperor of Constantinople, Jjum. is edit!
and enjoyed that dignity for three or four descents. So that had Horace lived in hisu"-
age, and had him for his patron, he might more probably have saluted him, than he
did his Mecienas, with a '
Hon L. 1.
Courtenaie atavis edite regibus —
Oh ! thou that springs
From race of kings.
Nor were his personal virtues and accomplishments, any way unworthy of the noble,
or rather the royal, stem, from which he sprang : A consideration whereof J shall pro-
ceed unto, and begin with the place where he had iiis education, and that was in the
famous university of Oxford ; where, from his tender years, he diligently applied him-
self to his studies; and, as what he most affected, especially to the study of the civil
and canon laws,*" which, at that time, did best qualify for the preferments of the "> Etiammim a-
church ; and that with such happy success, that he was deservedly honor'd with the ^a.^ani'," Pon'
title of, Doctor utriusq. juris, doctor of both the laws. titiciiq; studio
Being thus qualify 'd for, he entred into, holy orders ; soon after Avhich, the prefer- g"ft''."'o(,i"v."'
ments of the church flowed in amain upon him ; for he had one prebendship in the de Praesui.
church of Exeter, another in the church of Wells, a third, in the church of York; be- p .%"' ^'"'''
sides abundance of rich benefices.
Notwithstanding which, it seems, he did not quit his academical life; but continued
still in the university', where he grew into so great reputation, for his parts and learn-
ing, as well as his parentage(Qui quidem Regem ipsum cognatione attingebat, says the
historian)" that he was chosen, A. D. 1367, chancellor thereof; it being the free and u^'^'' o^o^"''
earnest desire of all the masters, regent and non-regent, that he would adorn that pro- lib..', p. 3w.
vince." Which, in those days, was not a meer honorary, but a residentiary office. „itrd°ni'a"i.'tn3
The great man undertook it accordingly, and continued therein about the space of regentibus &
three years ; at the period whereof, he left it, being very worthily promoted to the see°t"pf^^i"pi"^
of the church of Hereford; unto which he received his consecration, an. 43 K. Edw. 3,ii!ani omau-
in the year of our Lord 1369.'' A bishoprick of good value, rated in the pope's, eigli- ibra.'^'^ '"^
teen hundred florens, and in the King's books, 768/. lOs. lOd. ob. q. per annum.'' " Ooiiw. nbi.
In this cliair doth this honorable prelate contirtue lor the space ot live years and six HeieC. p. 540.
months; and then was he translated to an higher, viz. that of London, anno 1375, ^J^'- "''''• p^s-
valued yearly to the pope, in three thousand florens, and to the King, in 1119/. Sjr. Ad. ' id. ibid. p.
About three years after this, viz. 1378, a learned author tells us,' what I know some ^*-^' ^'^'^ [,°fj,
dispute,* That he was advanced to the purjjle, and became a cardinal of the church Cai.iiiiai. in
of Rome; the highest dignity therein, next to the tripple-crown. p.^75'.'""
Near about this time, tiiere arose' a secret grudg between his eminence the cardinal, ^ Dr. Heyiiu.
and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the King's uncle ; which at length brake out pra°su". Lond.
into an open feud, insomuch, the bishop was grievously traduced, and bespatter'd by p. 245.
the duke ; which the Londoners hearing of, took very ill, and in great numbers flew
to arms, beset the duke's house, and would have slain him outright, had he not con-
sulted his own safety by a very timely flight.
When the Londoners understood that, they began to fit materials wherewith to burn
his palace ; but the more charitable bishop interposed herein, and with many intreaties,
very
S46
THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
.717.
1 Godw. De
Pr^sul. Cant,
p. 225.
very hardlv prevail'd with them to spare it. The ground of which diflerence was som-
thing relating to the opinions of Wickhff; of which they who would see more, may
consult the ' Acts and Monuments of the Church,' written by that painful martyro-
v.i.p.487. logist, Mr. Fox.
This honorable prelate. Bishop Courtenay, having continued in the see of London
for the space of six years, upon the barbarous murder of Simon Sudbury, by the shame
Speeds Hist, and disgrace of rebels, Wat Tyler and Jack Straw." (the monks of that church electing,
"',^^' '''''^'"' and the King, Rich. 2, also consenting) was translated thence to the archiepiscopal
throne of Canterbury, A, D. 1381, the valuation whereof in the king's books, we are
informed, is, 2SlG/. I?.*'. 9(/. per an. which pay'd, before the Reformation, to the Pope
of Rome, ten thousand florens (every floren, in our mony, being worth Ks. 6(/.) for its
first-fu-uits, for the pall 5000.'
The ceremonies of the instalment being over, and the temporalties of that church,
upon paj^ment of the accustomed homage to the King, being restor'd, the archbishop
came to his palace at Lambeth, over-against "Westminster; where a certain monk,
sent by the prior and convent of Canterbury, presented him with the holy cross in
'Nimcius sum these words, ' Pater reverende,^ reverend father, I am come as the messenger of the
siimmi Regis, highest king, who beseecheth, requireth, and commandeth thee, that thou would'st
&c^ ibid. p. u,-j(jg,.tj^]^e tl^g government of his church ; and that thou would'st love and protect her:
In token of which message, I deliver into thy hands the banner of this great king, to
be born by thee.' And witii that he delivered the cross into his hands.
These things thus dispatched, the new arclibishop betook himself to the execution
of his place and office; first, he began, by his ecclesiastical authority, to restrain the
bailiffs of the city of Canterbury from punishing, by their lay-authority, the sin of
' adultry, and other crimes, which were wont to be corrected by the authority of the
church.
Next he summoned a synod at London ; wherein he condemned, as heritical, the
opinions of Wickliffe, which for the greatest part, are received for orthodox in the
reformed churches this day ; and even in those times were well embraced, not only
among the vulgar, but the learned themselves. Altho' indeed, but few men then had the
courage to vindicate them, it being of such dangerous consequence in respect to the
world, so to do : For Robert Rugg, our country-man, as I may shew hereafter, an
eminent person, a doctor of divinity, and chancellor, at that time, of the university of
Oxford ; and Thomas Brightwell, a doctor of divinity likewise, for favoring of those
tenets, were brought, by this archbishop, to a recantation. However Nicholas Here-
ford and Philip Repindon, doctors of divinity (the last of which, was afterwards Bishop
of Lincoln, and a cardinal) together with John Ashton, M. A. when they would not
be removed from their opinion, he proceeded against them, to the sentence of excom-
munication.
After this. Archbishop Courtenay celebrated another synod ; in which himself
preached a Latin sermon, on this text, " Super murum Jerusalem constitui custodes."
Is. Ixii. 6. I have set my watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem ! At which time,
the parliament met also; wherein, when some certain peers were to be impeached, for
raising sedition between the king and his nobles, the canons of the church forbidding
tlie presence of clergymen, in any matters wherein blood might be concerned, the arch
bishop, with his suffragans, were pleased to withdraw, according to their duty ; having
first entered their protest in these words, which, for that they do but rarely occur, I
shall here insert.
"''• ' Cum de jure et consuetudine Regni Anglia» ad Archicpiscopum Cant.'* &c. Where-
as by the laWs and constitution of the kingdom of England, it belongeth to the arch-
• Godw.
antea.
bishop of Canterbury, his suffragans, fellow-bishops, abbots, &.c. in
right
of their
baronies
COURTENAY, WILLIAM, LORD ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. 24?'
baronies which they hold from the King, as peers of the realm, to be personally pre- .
sent, with other the peers in parliament ; yet, forasmuch as in this parliament, there
came some things to be transacted, at which, by the holy canons, it is not lawful for
them to be there, they protest that they go out, reserving every one his right of peerage
safe unto himself , Protestant.
But how zealous soever this most reverend prelate shewed himself, in relation to the ?<"■!■» ■''^ »i*i'"-
church, he was not, it seems, over eager in his defence of the court of Rome. For in [iT'^'ciOirsUbet"
his time, an. 1388, another parliament being called at Cambridg, among other thino-s, «?™™' semper
it was enacted. That it should not be lawful for any one for the future, to accept of "aivo. 1T173,
any ecclesiastical promotion in England, by eolation from the pope. And if any one
thereafter should so do, he was by this law excluded the King's protection : and the
patron had power to present, as if the place were actually void. A bold stroke for
those times. • <.
However, this great prelate was a zealous defender of the revenues and pri\iledges
of the English chiuxh : For when the laity in parliament, a little before this, sc. an.
1385,'^ had attempted, under K. Rich. 2, to dispossess the clergy of their temporal ' Speed's Hist,
estates, William de Courtenay, Archbishop of Canterbury, 'tis said, most stiffly opposed K.K'iciT.'s" p"
it ; alledging, that the church ought to be free, and not in any wise to be taxed by the 726.
laity : and that himself would rather die than that the church of England should be
made a bond-maid. The King having heard both parties, commanded the Commons
to silence, and caused their petition to be razed out, saying, ' He would maintain the
English church in the quality of the same state, or better, in which himself had known
it to be, when he came to the crown.' AVhich indeed is a matter which highly re-
dounds to the honor of the archbishop, as well as of the King.
After this, Archbishop Courtenay, being well defended by the pope's bulls, set hhn-
self upon the visitation of his province; who having gone thro' Rocliester, Chichester,
Worcester, and Wells, came at last to Exeter ; where he found not, that ready obedi-
ence he expected, any more than Simon Mepham had done before, when he attempted
the like affair : For Thomas Rrentingham, then bishop, and late Lord High-Treasurer
of England, upon divers pretences, required his diocess not to submit to the archie-
piscopal visitation. But then at length, by the ill management of the business, among
some of his under officers, as was said before,'' the bishop was forced to submit him- ■'inBp.Breut.
self to his metrapolitan. Whereupon his grace, as became a good christian, and a
true gentleman, generously pass'd by all offences, and admitted him into his favor, as
formerly he had been.
While these things were thus transacting, John Waltham also. Bishop of Sarum,''God. ut sup.
taking example from Exeter, plucked up his spirits, and depending much on that favor, P' "'
he thought he had with the King, did refuse likewise to submit to the archbishop's
visitation ; pretending that Pope Urban the sixth, from whom he derived his diplomas,
was new deceased. But the archbishop being no less skilful in the law, than the
Bishop of Salisbury, very well knew that his power of visitation did not depend upon
the papal authority, however he might think, it might some way support it; he pro-
ceeded therefore in his visitation, with a Non obstante to Bishop AValtham's appeal to
Rome ; and did so toss him with ecclesiastical censures, that he thought it his wisest
course to let fall his appeal, and make trial of his grace's clemency; and this he found
so large and generous, that at length, upon his due submission also, by the intercession
of the Earl of Salisbury, he was received likewise into his favor. Insomuch, after this
time none of the suffragans would ever presume to question his power of visitation; for
no resistance was of proof against him : all his opposers that gave him any trouble,
gave the most disgrace to themselves; and were soon suppressed, as a certain author
tells
175.
.248 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
fF.iliei'3 Wor- tells US,' by his high bloofl, strong brains, full purse, skill in the law, and plenty of
ti.ies.p.ssi. powerful friends, both in the English and Roman court.
Not long before his death, he demanded of the clergy of his province, the sixtieth
part of the yearly rent of their revenues : How he succeeded herein generally is not
mentioned; but he was opposed in it by the Bishop of Lincoln, who would not suffer
it to be collected in his diocess. Whereupon an appeal was made to the pope, but
pendcntc-lite, the archbishop died.
The personal virtues of this high prelate were very eminent, especially these two,
his piety, and his great humility.
For the first, we have this confirmation; his raising a demolished college at Maid-
stone in Kent,' for secular priests; whose yearly rents, at the dissolution of abbies
in K. H. 8's time, amounted to an hundred and forty pounds.
E Piuia bona He was likewise very beneficial to his church of Canterbury,^ giving a thousand
'e°cd's\'=^cint! marks, and more, which was a vast sum in those days, towards the building of the
sc. a'dfabricambody of it, the cloysters, and the close.
obit'' Aichi™ He gave one rich cap, wrought with red, and adorned with precious stones; also
Cant, apud " one imao-c to the high altar, representing the Holy Trinity,'' and six of the apostles,
slc%''i p. «': consisting of an hundred and sixty pound weight in silver; which at three pounds per
•> Unam'Trini- pound valuc, amouuts to about four hundred and eighty pounds more. He gave also
tatem cum sex 1 . . i < ^ ., i_ . .^K ,K
Apostoiis Cen- very rich copes and vestments to the same church ^, -^
turn Sexagiuta Besides these things, he restored the church of Mepham to the use ot the uiin-m
Idl'ur'""' ^''' brothers, which was much fallen into decay ; and builded four new houses near ad-
joyning to it. He bestowed likewise abundance of money, in repairing and adorning
"the buddings belonging to his seat, especially the castle of Saltwod.
He gave^moreover, six choice books to his church of Canterbury, to wit,
S. Augustini Milleloquium.
A large Dictionary, in three volumes.
De Lira, in two volumes.
Which books, Richard Courtenay his kindsman, and somtime Bishop of Norwich,
was to possess during his life, who entred into a bond of three hundred pounds, that
they should be restored to the church aforesaid, by his executors after his death. He
gave farther, many things to tlie church of S. Martin at Exminster aforesaid, where,
'tis said he was born. For all which his liberalities, there was an anniversary ap-
• pointed'to be celebrated for him by two monks, to pray for his soul ; as there had
been before, for Simon Islepc, his predecessor.
Havino- thus beheld iiis munificence, let us ne.xt behold his humility, the most
'Id. ib. endearing ornament of a great man : and we find him' represented under this charac-
ter, 'That he was aftable, in particular to the monks of his church; he was pious, and
very merciful.' How great his modesty and humility were, may further appear from
that clause of one will, which runs thus, ' Voluit k ordinavit, quod quia non reputa-
vit se diunum [ut dixit) in sua mctropolitana, aut aliqua cathedrali aut collegiata ecclesia
sepeliri.^ Because he did not think himself worthy to be buried in his metrapolitan, or
in any cathedral or collegiate church, he therefore willed and ordained to be buried in
the church-yard of the parish church of Maidstone in Kent, in the place appointed for
succession. John Botelcrc his csquue. .,, ,
Arcbiep. Cant. Xhis high bom prelate at length, as all must, whether high or low, yielded to fate,
Ss™uo after he had well governed his province almost twelve years, so says Bp. Godwin:'
supia p. 121. p 11 fourteen • so the Obituarium Cantuariense,'" with the addition of ten months and
' De Aiciibp. ' tvventv
Cant, ubi sup. lV\tUty
"> Apnd Wliar.
quo autea.
COURTENAY, WILLIAM, LORD ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.
249
twenty three days, as Mr. Wharton tells us. This hapned to him at his palace, at
Maidstone aforesaid, the last day of July,' A. D. 1396.
By his last will, he appointed his interment at the place, where it should please
God that he died : and in a former, he had ordered it to be in the church of Exeter,
near the high cross there ; but where it was is not so apparent. For however he had
ordered that his interment should be at Maidstone, yet a late author tells us," That
the King, Rich. 2, being then at Canterbury, commanded his body to be brought
thither ; and that he lieth interr'd in the great church there, at Prince Edward's feet ;
on the south side of S. Thomas's shrine, under a noble alabaster tomb. But Mr,
Weaver seemeth to be of another opinion in this matter: For however this honorable
prelate may have an honorary tomb in his church of Canterbury (as it was the prac-
tice of old, as well as of later days, in relation to men of eminent rank and quality, to
have monuments in more places than one)" yet he positively concludes, that he lieth
buried at Maidstone in his own church, under a plain grave-stone, (a lowly tomb for
such an high-born prelate) upon which his portraicture is delineated ; and this large
epitaph inlaid with brass about the verge." (Note 1.)
Nomine AVillielmus, En ! Courtnaius, Reverendus,
Qui se post obitum legaverat hie tumulandum.
In presenti loco quemjam fundarat ab imo j
Omnibus & Sanctis titulo sacravit honoris.
Ultima lux Julii fit vitae terminus illi;
M. ter C. quinto decies nonoque sub anno.
Respice mortalis quis quondam, sed modo talis,
Quantus & iste fuit, dum membra calentia gessit.
Hie primas patrum, cleri dux & genus altum,
Corpore valde decens, sensus & acumine clarens.
Filius hie comitis generosi Devoniensis :
Legum Doctor erat, Celebris quem fama serenat.
Urbs Herefordensis, polis inclita Londoniensis,
Ac Dorobernensis sibi trinte gloria sedis.
Detur honor digno fit cancellarius^ ergo ;
Sanctus ubique pater, prudens fuit ille minister
Nam Jargus, lastus, castus, pius, atque pudicus
Magnanimus, Justus, & egenis totus amicus.
Et quia Rex, Christe, pastor bonus extitit iste,
Sumat solamen, nunc tecum quesumus. Amen.
' Weav. Fun.
Mon. p. 285.
"> Whart. in Ad-
dend. Ang.Sac,
V. 1, p. 795.
" Weav. ib. p,
225.
" Id. ibid. p.
285.
p Sure it is In
be understood
Cardinal, lor
lie was never
Chancellor.
Weav. il).
ADDITIONAL NOTES.
(1.) THE history of the illustrious, but unfortunate, family of Courtenay, has not been confined to genealogists,
but has seduced into a pardonable digression the historian of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Tlie
fortunes of the counts of Edessa, of the emperors of Constantinople, of the unsuccessful but unyielding claimants
of the honours of the blood-royal of France, and of the potent barons of England, have been rapidly sketched by
his elegant pen. But his object neither required nor admitted the minuteness of genealogical detail, and the
reader previously imacquainted with the subject, might find some difficulty in comprehending their connection. So
extensively diffused have been the female alliances of the English branch of the Courtenays, that there are few
families of distinction in the counties of Devon and Cornwall, that may not enumerate them, m various degrees
ol remoteness, in tlie listof tlieir progenitors. The interest which this connection is calculated to excite, may justify
a sketch of the principal descents of the family, which in this, as ia other instances, are disjoined by our author,
and narrated in different articles.
Atho,
2 K
250 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Atho, the founder of the castle of Courtenay in Fratice, in the eleventh century, had two grandsons, Milo
and Joscelin, the younger is enrolled among the leaders of the first crusade, and received the investiture of the
county of Edessa on either side of the Euphrates, vvhicii was inherited by his son, but abandoned by his infant
grandson, who retired with his mother to Jerusalem, where he afterwards attained the first office in the kingdom.
In him expired, in the male line, this younger branch. Milo, the elder son, was the father of Reginald, from
whom sprung the Constantinopolitan, the French, and perhaps the English branches ; the two former through his
female heir by his first marriage ; the latter by his male issue by a second marriage. The daughter of Reginald
married the seventh son of King Lewis the Fat, and the reputation in which the family was then held may be
estimated from their imposing their name on the son of their sovereign. Peter, the eldest son of this marriage,
was father and grandfather to Peter and Baldwin, successively emperors of Constantinople. In the maintenance
and loss of their empire was involved the ruin of their patrimonial estates, and this eldest line of the family soon
became extinct. From the younger sons of Peter was derived a long succession of Courtenays in France, who at
various times asserted their claim, and i)roved their right to the honours of the blood-royal, but succeeded not in
obtaining permission to enjoy them. The male line of this branch terminated in 1730.
Reginald de Courtenay, having united his daughter to the son of his sovereign, is believed, from reasons which
tradition has not preserved, to have abandoned his possessions in France, to have accompanied Eleanor, the con-
.sort of Henry the second, to England, and to have received from that monarch an establishment in Devonshire.
Whether he was really the person of his name, who then came into England, may admit o( some doubt ; and if
the supposition be correct, he must have been accompanied by a son of some age, since he and his son are proved
to have niaried two sisters, Matilda and Hawise, in whom was vested the barony of Oakhampton.
Reginald had no issue by this marriage, but his son William had issue Robert, who inherited the barony of
Oakhampton, and married Mary, the daughter of William de Rivers, sixth Earl of Devon of that name.
To him succeeded John, Hugh, and Hugh, who upon the death of Baldwin de Revers, the eighth Earl, suc-
ceeded to the earldom of Devon and the barony of Plympton. This son was Hugh Courtenay, Earl of Devon,
who married in 1325, the daughter of the Earl of Hereford and grandaughter of King Edward the first, by whom
he had many sons, and among these the subject of this article, and the progenitor of the Powderham branch, as
will be hereafter mentioned. The Earldom descended to Edward the son of his second son, who was sirnamed
the blind and the good Earl of Devon. To him succeeded Hugh his son, Thomas his grandson, and Thomas,
Henry, and John, his great grandsons, successively Earls of Devon, of whom the first was beheaded after the
battle of Tovvton ; the second beheaded at Salisbury; and the third slain in the battle of Tewkesbury. In the
first year of Henry the seventh, the title was restored in the person of Edward, grandson of Sir Hugh Courtenay
of Haccombe, younger son of Hugh, second Earl of Devon. This Edward was the ninth Earl of Devon, and the
father of Earl William, who married Katharine, daughter of King Edward the fourth. Henry, his son, was
created Marquis of Exeter, was attainted and executed in the reign of Henry the eighth. Edward his son restored
in blood, was tiie twelfth and last Earl of Devon. Upon his death, which happened at Padua in 1556, the de-
' scendants of the four sisters of his great grandfather, Edward Earl of Devon, were found by an inquisition to be
his heirs; and thus into the families of Trelhurfe, Arundel, Mohun, and Trelawny, passed the possessions of the
elder line, and the dormant claims to the baronies of O.ikhampton and Plympton. The representation of the
lamily devolved to the Powderham branch, which originated, as has been already observed, in Sir Philip
Courtenay, fifth son of Hugh the second Earl of Devon. It is unnecessary to pursue the individual succession
tinough a long series of distinguished names, to the present time. For this we refer the reader to Collins' s Peerdge.
It will be suflicient here to observe, that the fourteenth in lineal descent from Sir Philip, was in 1762 restored to
the peerage by the title of Viscount Courtenay, whose grandiion, llie present Viscount, is seventeenth in descent
from Hugh second Earl of Devon, twenty second from Reginald, who came into England in the reign of Henry
the second, and twenty-fifth from Atho, who built the Castle of Courtenay, in France, and gave that name to his
descendants. To this dry detail of genealogical succession, we may be allowed to add the observations with
which the historian already mentioned concludes his account of the English branch of the family. " The Earls
of Devonshire of the name of Courtenay were ranked among the chief of the barons of the realm, nor was it till
after a strenuous dispute that they yielded to the fief of Arundel, the first place in the parliament of England.
Their alliances were contracted with the noblest families, the Veres, Despensers, St. Johns, Talbots, Bohuns, and
even the Plantagenets themselves; in a contest with John of Lancaster, a Courtenay, Bishop of London, and
afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, might be accused of profane confidence in the strength and number of his
kindred. In peace, the Earls of Devon resided in their numerous manors and castles of the west: their ample
revenue was appropriated to devotion and hospitality; and the epitaph ol Edward, sirnamed, from his misfortune,
the Blind, from his virtues, the Good, Earl, inculcates with much mgenuity a moral sentence which may however
be abused by thoughtless generosity. .A.fter a grateful commemoration of the iilty-Iive years of union and happi-
ness which he enjoyed with Mabel his wife, the Good Earl thus speaks from the tomb :
What we gave, we have ;
What we spent, we had ;
What we left, we lost.
" But their losses, in this sense, were far superior to their gifts and expenses ; and their heirs, not less than the
poor, were the objects of their paternal care. The sums which thev paid for liverv and seisin, attest the greatness
of
COURTENAY, WILLIAM, LORD ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. 251
of their possessions, and several estates have remained in their family since the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
In war, the Courtenays of England fulfilled the duties, and deserved the honours of chivalry. They were often
intrusted to levy and command the militia of Devonshire and Cornwall ; they often attended their supreme lord
to the borders of Scotland ; and in foreign service, for a stipulated price they sometimes maintained fourscore
men alarms, and as many archers. By sea and land they fought under the standard of the Edwards and Henries:
their names are conspicuous in battles, in tournaments, and in the original list of the order of the garter ; three
brothers shared tiie Spanish victory of the Black Prince; and in the lapse of six generations the English Courte-
nays had learned to despise the nation and country from which they derived their origin. In the quarrel of the
two Roses, the Earls of Devon adhered to the house of Lancaster, and three brothers successively died either in
the field or on the scaffold. Their honours and estates were restored by Henry the seventh ; a daughter of Ed-
ward the fourth was not disgraced by the nuptials of a Courtenay; their son, who w'as created Marquis of Exeter,
enjoyed the favour of his cousin Henry the eightii ; and in the camp of cloth of gold, he broke a lance against the
French monarch. But the favour of Henry was the prelude of disgrace ; his disgrace was the signal of death;
and of the victims of tiie jealous tyrant, the Marquis of Exeter is one of the most noble and guiltless. His son
Edward lived a prisoner in the Tower, and died in exile at Padua; and the secret love of Queen Mary, whom he
slighted perhaps for the Princess Elizabeth, has shed a romantic colour on the story of this beautiful youth. The
relics of his patrimony were conveyed into strange families by the marriages of his four aunts; and his personal
honours, as if they had been legally extinct, were revived by the patents of succeeding princes. But there still
survived a lineal descendant of Hugh the first Earl of Devon, a younger branch of the Courtenays, who have been
seated at Powderham Castle above four hundred years, from the reign of Edward the third, to the present hour.
Their estates have been increased by the grant and improvement of lands in Ireland, and ihey have been recently
restored to the honours of the peerage. Yet the Courtenays still retain their plaintive motto,* which .isserts the
innocence, and deplores the fall, of their ancient house. While they sigh for past greatness, they are doubtless
sensible of present blessing; in the long series of the Courtenay annals, the most splendid era is likewise the most
unfortunate ; nor can an opulent peer of Britain be inclined to envy the emperors of Constantinople, who wan-
dered over Europe to solicit alms for the support of their dignity and the defence of their capital."
('J.j In 1794 it was ascertained that the burial place of Archbishop Courtenay was in Maidstone church. In
consequence of a search made by the late Reverend Samuel Deane, his skeleton was found in a grave between five
and six feet deep in the middle of the chancel. This discovery terminated the contention which had long been
carried on among antiquaries respecting his real burial place, and which, through the artifice of a monk of Christ-
church, in making a false entry in an ancient manuscript, had been frequently affirmed to have been in Canterbury
cathedral. SeeGough. Sepulchral Monuments, vol. 2. Int. p. cxxxvi — cxl. Beauties of England, viii. 1249.
» Ubi lapsus ! Quid feci ?
2 K ii , COURTENAY,
252
THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Flor. A. D.
1390. R. R.
Rich. 2.
• Baron, of
Engl. V. 1, p.
639.
"Speed. Chr.
inK. R. 2.
' Diigd. quo
antea.
' In Life and
Reign of K.
R. 2.
COURTENAY, SIR PETER, KNIGHT.
COURTENAY, Sir Peter, Knight of the Garter, called by Dugdal,* Sir Piers de
Courtenay, was the sixth son of Hugh, the second of that name. Earl of Devon. He
was younger brother to the archbishop, above mentioned, by the same parents ; and
so probably born at the same place.
This gentleman was a true son of Mars, and actuated with such heroic fire, that he
wholly addicted himself unto feats of arms. The first proof he gave of his valor, was
in a sea fight, against the Spaniard, in the expedition of the great Duke of Lancaster,
when he went to challenge the crown of that country in right of Constance his se-
cond wife, daughter and heir of Don Peter the Cruel,"" about the year of our Lord
1378 : at what time he was assisted by Sir Philip Courtenay, Kt. his valorous bro-
ther, who was the first founder of that truly honorable family of the name, which
this day florisheth, (and God grant it always so to do) at Powderham castle in this
county. In which fight. Sir Philip was sore wounded, but escaped the hands of his
enemies.'^ After which, in 7 K.. R. 2, he was constituted lord lieutenant of Ireland
for ten years.
Sir Peter Courtenay aforesaid, was also sore wounded in that fight, and taken pri-
soner : but for his enlargement, he had a grant from the King, of the benefit of the
marriage of Richard, the brother and heir of Thomas de Poinings.
His next scene of action, was the court of France ; in which he followed that manly
exercise of Justs and tournaments; now justled out of fashion by your carpet knights,
who regard no arms, but those which are for embraces; wherein he behaved himself
so bravely, that he was much honoured by the King of France himself Hence, in
the 7th of K. Ricli. 2, he had license to send into France, by Northampton Herald,
and by Anlet Pursevant, eight cloths of scarlet, black, and russet, to give to certain
noble men of that realm. As also, two horses, six saddles, six little bows, one sheaf
of large arrows, and another sheaf of cross-bow arrows, for the King of France's
keeper : likewise a grey-hound, and other dogs. All which were for presents to the
French, in respect to the great honor that King had done him, at such time as he
combated there, with a knight of that realm.
Here I shall crave leave to speak somthing, as to the manner and magnificence
wherewith these justs and tournaments were wont to be solemnized.
And this, from that particular one held iiere in England, an. 1390, of which we
have this account in Sir Richard Baker's Chronicle.'' " In the 13th year of K. Rich.
2, a royal justs was proclaimed, to be holden within Smithfield, in London, to begin
on Sunday next after the feast of S. Michael ; which being published, not only in
England, but in Scotland, in Almaigne, in Flanders, in Bridiant, and in France, many
strangers came hither. Amongst others. Valerian Earl of St. Paul, that had married
K. Richard's sister; and AVilliam, the young Earl of Ostervant, son to the Earl of
Holland and Heinault. At the day appointed there issued forth of the Tower, about
three a clock in the afternoon, sixty coursers apparelled for the justs; and upon every
one an esquire of honor riding a soft pace. After them came forth four and thirty
ladies of honor, Froisard saitli, three score, mounted on palferies, and every lady led a
knight with a chain of gold. These knights being on the King's part, had their
armor and apparel garnished with white hearts and crowns of gold about their necks."
Undoubtedly on the other part, whosoever undertook to perform it against the King,
they were but very little less glorious and magnificent. Tliey came riding through the
streets
COURTENAY, SIR PETER, KNIGHT. -^ ^^
streets of London unto Smithfield, at what time we need not question, but this our
valiant knight. Sir Peter, or Sir Piers Courtenay made one. The justs lasted divers
days, some say four and twenty; which were grac'd all the time with the king and
queen's roj'al presence; who lay at the bishop's palace by St. Paul's church, and kept
open house for all comers.
In the 1 1th of K. Rich. 2, was Sir Peter made chief chamberlain to the King, a
place of great honor and trust; whose fee is an hundred pound yearly, and sixteen
dishes each meal, with all the appurtenances.* But his martial mind was more intent 'Cham. Pre*,
upon glory in the feats of arms, than upon the soft dalliances of a court life. He ob-p_'\|o.'"''' *'
tained therefore the same year, license to go again to Calais, with John Hoboldod,
Esquire, to challenge the French for the performance of certain feats of arms, and be-
haved himself bravely there. Whereof the ensuing history, which I have met with
in a certain manuscript, contains a full demonstration ; which I shall here relate,
with very little variation, in the words of my author.' IfDew in'the
" In the reign of Charles the 6th, King of France, A. D. 1.S90, were divers noble Earis thereof,
knights in his court, men at arms, and of great prowess: three whereof were of great ^^'
name. Monsieur de Bauciquant, Monsieur Raynant de Roy, and Monsieur de St.
Pie, all gentlemen of the King's chamber; who had proclaimed a great tournament,
to be held the 20th of Novemb. J 389, and vahantly performed it accordingly; at
which were present an hundred gentlemen at arms of the English nation : if our Sir
Peter were not there at first, he came soon after to Pans ; and after he had rested a
few days, he challenged Monsieur Tremouly, a noble gentleman, who having obtained
leave of the King, accepted the same, and appointed the day and place.
" The time being come, the King, associated with the Duke of Burgundy, and
other high estates, were present to behold it; the first course was exceedingly well
performed by both parties, with high commendation ; but the King inhibited any
farther proceedings, seemingly offended with our knight, who had made sute to do his
utmost. Sir Peter herewith grieved, thought good to leave the court and country ;
at which the K. was very well pleased, and sent him an honourable gift at his de-
parture (the Duke of Burgundy did the like) and commanded Monsieur de Clary, a
great lord of his train, to accompany him to Calais, then in English hands.
" By the way thither, they visited Valerian, the third of that name. Earl of St.
Paul, who had married King Richard's half-sister, Maud, daughter of Sir Thomas
Holland, and widow to Hugh Courtenay, the younger son of Hugh Earl of Devon,
Sir Peter's eldest brother, where they had fair reception ; and sitting one night at
supper, communing of various arguments, among other things, the Earl asked Sir
Peter, ' How he liked the realm of France, and his opinion of the worth of the nobi-
lity thereof?' To whom Sir Peter, with a soniwhat sower countenance, replied;"
' That he found in France nothing to be compared to the magnificence there was
in England ; tho' for friendly entertainment, he had no cause to complain : but for
the chief cause that moved him to come into France, he returned unsatisfied. For I
protest,' says he, ' before this honourable company, that if Monsieur de Clary had come
into England and challenged any of our nation, he should have been fully answered.
Whereas other measure hath been tendered to ine in France ; for when Monsieur
Tremouly and I engaged our honor, after one launce broken, the King commanded
me to stay. I have therefore said it, and wherever I come will say. That in France I
was denied reason, and leave to do my utmost.'
" Monsieur de Clary especially, was much moved at these speeches; yet having it
in charge from the King, to conduct Sir Peter safe to Calais, for the present he for-
bore. But the Earl replied, ' Let me tell you Sir Peter, it appears to me, that you
depart from France with much honor, in regard, the King did vouchsafe to entreat
you to stay the fight ; wliom to obey, is both wise and commendable.'
" Sir
254 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
" Sir Peter having now taken his leave of the Earl, passeth on his journy with
Monsieur de Clary; and as soon as they were entred the English territories, he hear-
tily thanked him for his noble company : but Monsieur de Clary, having admitted a
deep impression to be made in his mind, by Sir Peter's eager speeches at the Earl of
St. Paul's, began thus to accost him :
• Now Sir, I have done my duty, in performing the King my master's commands, in
conducting you to your friends. However, before we part, I must remember you of
those inconsiderate speeches you have lately uttered, in contempt of the nobility of
France; and that you may have no cause to boast when you arrive in England, that
you were not fully answered, lo ! here 1 am, this day, or tomorrow, (tho' inferior to
many other of our country) to do you reason : not out of any malice to your person,
or vaingloriously to boast of mine own valor, but to preserve the fame and lustre due
to the French nation ; which never wanted, sure, gentlemen at arms, to answer any
English challenge whatsoever.'
♦You speak well and nobly,' quoth our knight, ' and with very good will I accept your
challenge : and tomorrow I will not fail to attend you, armed with three launces,
according to the French custom.'
" Upon this agreement and resolution, Sir Peter Courtenay went for Calais, there
to furnish himself with arms and accouU>^Mients proper tor the rnmbat. And the Lord
Warren then governor there, was made privy to the business.
" The next day he returned according to his promise, to meet Monsieur de Clary
between Calais and Bulloigne ; with whom went the lord governor and other gentle- ,
men, to behold the combat.
" At the first course, either party broke well ; but at the second, hy default of the
English knight's armor, he was hurt in the shoulder : which moved the Lord Warren
to tell Monsieur de Clary, ' You have done discourteously to hurt Courtenay, his
armor being broken.' To which he answered, ' I am sorry; but to govern fortune is
not in my power: it might have hapned to' me, what befel him; and so they parted."
tBar. V. p. Of which action, perhaps Sir William Dugdal« may be understood, when he said,
•*'• ' That Sir Piers de Courtenay did not ably manifest his military skill and valor, at a
tournament held in France, to his high renown.'
However de Clary came otT with Courtenay, his welcome to his king, upon his
return, was very sharp and severe; an argument he had not acquitted himself to ex-
pectation. Nor did Sir Peter's action better please the King of England; for there
was a message brought him from K. Rich. 2, ' That he the said Sir Peter Courtenay
now at Calais, should forbear to exercise any feats of arms with the French, without
the special leave of Henry de Percy, Earl of Northumberland.'
These things being well over, in the 14th of the same King, Sir Peter was made
con:,table of Windsor castle : and in his l6th year, when divers knights came out of
Scotland, to challenge the English to certain feats of arms, one Barrel challeng-
ino- Sir Peter, they ran at one another witli sharp spears. For all which his brave ex-
ploits, he was, by K. Rich. 2, made one of the knights of the most noble order of the
« Sir w. Poif's garter." , • u r
Uescr.ofDev. It was not long after this, when this noble chevalier had another combat with a tar
Fam. Sold. ^^^^^ mighty champion than any of those afore-mentioned, by whom he was soon
foil'd, ami that v\as his death; which took him off by an unhappy stroke in the flower
of his' age, in the 10th year of the reign of K. Hen. 4, A. D. 1409.
Where he died is not certain; but he lieth interr'd in the cathedral church of St.
Peter, Exon, about the middle of the body of it, near his father the Earl of Devon-
shire's tomb, where a fair grave-stone, richly inlaid with gilded brass ; containing the
portraicture of the said Sir Peter, arm'd cap-a-pe, might heretofore be seen : whose
iiz. Mem. of epitaph, so much of it as remaineth, here followeth."
Exct. p. 60. Devoniae
640,
COURTENAY, SIR PETER, KNIGHT. ^55
Devoniae natus comitis, Petrusque vocatus,
Reo;is cognatus, camerariiis intitulatus :
Calisias gratus, capitaneus ense probatus.
Vitae privatus, fuit hinc super astra relatus.
Et quia sublatus, de mundo transit amatus,
Casio lirmatus, maneat, sine fine beatus.
Wliich verses are thus translated in my last quoted author:
The Earl of Devonshire's son, Peter by name.
Kin to the King, Lord Chamberlain of fame.
Captain of Calais, for arms well approved}
Who dying, was above the stars removed.
And well beloved, went from the world away,
To lead a blessed life in heaven for aye.
COURTENAY,
'256 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
COURTENAY, RICHARD, LORD BISHOP OF NORWICH.
Fior. A. D. COURTENAY, Richard, Lord Bishop of Norwich, was born at Powderham-castle
Hen.' 5. ' '" this county. He was, we are expressly told,' second son of Sir Philip Courtenay,
» Sir w. Poles of that placc, Kt. by Anne his wife, daughter of Sir Thomas Wake, of Bisworth, Kt,
i^Powdert^" ^^'"'^^'^ ^^'^ Philip, was the fourth (so some),'' the fifth son (so others),' of Hugh
MS. 'Courtenay, the second of that name, Earl of Devon, and of Margaret his wife,
" Id. ib. daughter of Humphry de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex, by Elizabeth his wife,
'Diigd. Bar. daughter of that puissant prince, Edw. 1, K. of England ; by which we see how near-
' ' " " ly related this venerable prelate was to the blood-royal.
But omitting these, as things not properly his own, let us go on with the history of
his life. He had the education of his youth under his uncle AVilliam, Lord Arch-
bishop of Canterbury (of whom before) who it seems, took him as his own adopted
son; which is the title his grace bestowed upon him in that clause of his will, by
*Angi. Sac. p. which he gave him a legacy of an hundred marcs. The words are these;''
*^^'^'*" ' Item, Lego R. C. filio & alumno meo C. marcas.'
' I bestow upon Richard Courtenay, my son and foster-child, an hundred marcs.'
Being thus tender to him, the arch-bishop took very great care about his education;
•Id. ib. and had him well brought up in virtue and learning ; for so we are informed,' ' Cura
ipsius, bonis literis est institutus. By his oversight he was bred a scholar.' Having so
great a man for his foster-father, he had the university of Oxford to his nursing-mo-
ther : so that being under the nurture of such eminent parents, he could not miss of
very great improvements. What particular college had the honour of this gentle-
»Fui. wor. in man's residence therein, I do not find: But this I do,^ That he was a very successful
ev. p. 252. gtyjgj^t^ and became excellently learned ; and was especially skilled in the knowledg
of both laws, civil and canon, as his uncle the arch-bishop was.
His great uncle aforesaid, even froiu his youth, had devoted him to the service of
the church of God, and designed him for the clergy. And that he might the better
encourage him to undertake the holy function, he not only bestowed large sums of mo-
ny upon him to train him up in learning, but some particular gifts, leading and en-
• MuitosLi- dining him thereunto.' Thus he bequeathed unto him by his will, many books, in
quo'c"ericHs ^^^^ ^^^ would bc a clcrgy man; and his best mitre, if it hapned that he should be a
esse velit & bishop.
tra™X;mi' ^^^ ^^^ ^'^^ youi^g gentleman wanting to the good wishes of his most reverend
&c. whart.' uucle ; for soou after his decease, he was admitted into holy orders ; and not long af-
quo supra. ^^^, ^]^^^^ yjg i^ear the year of our Lord, 1402, was he made Dean of St. Asaph : and
on the first of June, 1403, he was chosen one of the canons of the church of York.
During all which time, we may conclude him a residentiary in the university of Ox-
ford ; for about the Feast of St. John the Baptist, 1406, he became chancellor there-
"Hist.&Ant. of:'' so again, an. 1408; and again, an. 1411, and an. 1412; an argument he was
Univ. Oxon. 1. j^p|j ^^ |jg ^^ excellent governor: this beinc; in those days more than an honorary of-
2 p. 402, -
fice, as was said before. During which time, so gracious was he with the King, Hen.
4, that his Majesty, at his desire, bestowed upon that university, a very large silver
iQuofiagitante cross, double gilded with gold.' Nor was he in less favor with K. Hen. 5, his son,
^a'nT"ra"^T *^^^^^ puissaut prince ; for at his earnest suit and endeavor, he was, by the monks of
demdeauratam the churcli of Norwich, choscu their bishop, in the year of our Lord, 1413, 1 Hen.
'^" 5, a bishoprick, whose yearly value in the King's books, is said to be 899/. S.v. ^d. q.
but in censu Romano, it was rated at 5000 ducates. He was consecrated by the
•■Godw. dc Arch-bishop of Canterbury, Thomas Arrundel, the same year, in the presence of the
Prasni. Norw. KiuET, and a ffrcat concourse of the nobility :'' but being hindred at that time bv the
p. 495. &' O JO ■'• Ui u
" weighty
COURTENAY, RICHARD, LORD BISHOP OF NORWICH. 257
weighty affairs of the King and kingdom, wherein he was employed, he did not live
to be installed. For in the second year after his consecration, K. Hen. 5, going into
France, with his victorious sword in hand, demanding the crown thereof, as his right
and just due, this honorable prelate attended him thither. Where, while that warlike
prince was carrying on the siege of Harflew in Normandy, the bishop was taken ill of
a dysentery or bloody-flux, whereof he soon after died, in the strength and vigor of
Jiis age ; on the 14th or 16th of Septemb. 1415.
. If any are so curious, as to be willing to know what he was, as to his person, he
descends unto us under a very honorable character,' That he was by his blood noble, 'Sanguine no-
for stature tall and proper, of comly countenance, an eloquent tongue, and every way pi.te™Tfeoie
a graceful presence of body. decoms Lingua
As to his benefactions, he had not time enough to do much, yet somthing he didJrcXrj"'"
to eternize his memory; for Thomas Cobham, Bishop of Worcester, having laid the ^'■""^'^•^ p«^-
foundation of a public library in the university of Oxford, died before he could bring rc^Nor^fqJo
It to perfection: And however there were several other benefactors thereunto, yet the'"i"'='-
work received its last hand in the time, and by the care of this honorable prelate; as
we are expressly told by the laborious author of the history and antiquities of the said
university." -Ant.aWood
He was a prelate of eminent learning, and great sanctity of life; which, with his '■'■'' P"*^'
erect presence of body, won him great love and favor among all men, but especially
with the King; ' Qui eum implicatissimis regni negotiis semper voluit interesse;' who
would always concern him in the most involved and intricate business of the realm.
All which notwithstanding, inexorable death took him off untimely, to the great loss
both of church and state in those days.
Being thus dead in Normandy, his venerable remains were brought from thence into
England, and with great state intomb'd at Westminster, on the north-side of St. Ed-
ward's tomb, behind the high altar," among the royal sepulchres of our Kings. AVHiere ° Monad.,
having none of his own, I shall subjoyn the epitaph which I find on his grandsire's ^Irt foe*"*
monument, the Lord Bohun, Earl of Hereford, in the south-isle of the cathedral q"" *»p- p-
church of St. Peter, Exon ; where that illustrious person lieth in effigy, all in armor, *'*'•
cross-legg'd, curiously cut in stone: over which, in a marble table, is this inscription.
Epitaphium Domini Bohunni illustrissimi
quondam Comitis Herefordiae,
O ! Bohunne Comes ! claro de sanguine Nate I
En I rapit vita; Stamina Parca tuae.
Dejicit ilia viros illustri stemmate Natos;
Insuper obscuros dejicit ilia viros.
Aspicite humanam Bohunni in imagine sortem .?
Cunctos mors panda Falce cruentA Secat. ■
2L COURTENAY,
258 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
COURTENAY, PETER, LORD BISHOP OF WINCHESTER.
Fior. A. D. COURTENAY, Peter, Lord Bishop of Winchester, we are expressly tokl,^ was
Edw;4."'^* born at Powderham, in this shire. He was a younger son of Sir Philip Courtenay,
^Fui. Wortii. of that place, Kt. by Elizabeth his wife, daughter of Walter Lord Hungarford," who
["^«^''- was, by Joan his wife, widow of Sir James Chudlegh, Kt. and daughter of Alexander
Prasu"' iu" Champernon of Beer-Ferrers, son of Sir John Courtenay of Powderham-castle, Kt ;*
Epis. Ex. j^j,(j j^g^ i^y Anne his wife, daughter of Sir Thomas Wake, Kt. was the son of Sir
Des'c^^oV'uo'v' Philip Courtenay, fourth son of Hugh, the second of this name. Earl of Devon, and
in Powderii. *^' Margaret his wife, who settled Powderham upon him, and his posterity, in the days
of k! Edw. .3, where, worthy of their noble ancestry, they have florished ever since,
now above three hundred years, and God grant them still to florish.
Before we proceed farther, it may not be ungrateful to the reader, to give some
' Id. ii). hvM account of this place : Powderham had antiently lords of the same name j"* in the
E^'t^p'^Ti "'^ days of K. Edw. 2, 'tis storied, that John Powderham" alias Powdras, a tanner's son,
gave out, that himself was the true Edward, eldest son of the late K. Edw. 1, and by
a false nurse was changed in his cradle ; and that the then K. Edw. 2, was a carter's
son, laid in his place: but being to be hang'd for his treason and forgery, he confess-
ed he was perswaded thus to say, by the instigation of a familiar-spirit, which he had
kept in his house, in the likeness of a cat, three years before; that assured him he
K^Edvf"''" shoidd be King of England.^
"■^" The castle of this name, stands near the confluence of the river Ex, and the riveret
Ken ; about six miles below the city of Exeter, on the west-side of the Ex, in a frnit-
ot'^Dei.^i'ir' ful and pleasant place, as a modern poet sings.^
I'o^vdel■h. MS. AVliere Ex meets curled Ken with kind embrace,
In chrystal arms they clip fair Powderham place.
'Riit. iuDev. jj ^yj^g built, saith Cambden,'' by Isabel de Ripariis, daughter of Baldwin de Ripa-
riis, or Rivers, Earl of Devon; and hath a fair prospect of that river.
This mannor, at first, William de Ow, a noble Norman, held by the Conqueror's
in"K*'w KiifiS'^'^' ^''^- William of Normandy; he is called in Speed,' William of Anco, who being
p.4i'i. ' 'accused of conspiring with Robert Mowbray, and other lords, to deprive K. William
Rufus both of crown and life, and of setting up Stephen de Albemarle, his aunt's son,
whil'st he dared combat with his accusars, had his eyes pluck'd out by the King's
command, and his virilities taken off. But hereof enough.
Mr. Peter Courtenay, of w honi we are treating, having spent some time in laying
a good foundation of learning in the university of Oxford, for his better improvement
in knowledg and science, went to travel; and going beyond sea, he came to Padua,
a famous university in Italy, where, an argument he had applied himself to that kind
" Goriw. De of study before, lie was created doctor of laws.'' How long he tarried in these parts,
p.'^SsI" " ""' is uncertain, but likely enough it is he visited Venice, being but twenty-four miles
from Rome ; and several other places, before his return.
Being come back into England, he went once more to Oxford, where he was in-
'id. ib, corporated, by that university, into tlie same degree he had taken at Padua.' Hav-
ing now on his doctor's degree, lie was made arch-deacon of Exeter (valued in the
■"Valor Bene-Kuio's books at 6()l. \5s\ Scl. per annum) ;"' after which he was advanced to the dean-
fic.jn Devon. ^^ J^ ^j^^ ^.^^^^ churcli ; if wc may credit a late author herein," who tells us, ' That
supt'p^s'J!"* a controversy hapning between the mayor and citizens of Exeter, and the company
of taylors, after great charges, it came to be determined by the King, Edw. 4, whose
final order therein, was sent to Dr. Peter Courtenay, then dean of that church, to
be
COURTENAY, PETER, LORD BISHOP OF WINCHESTER. 259
be delivered unto both parties; which deanry is vakied at 158/. per annum, in the
King's books.
About two years after this, viz. anno 1477, he was prefer'd to the episcopal throne
of Exeter; and consecrated in St. Stephen's chappel, at Westminster, where the com-
mons now use to sit in parliament, by Thomas Bourchier, Arch-bishop of Canterbury,
in the month of November, the same year. At his coming thither, he found the
north-tower of his cathedral church unfinished, for however now there be two towers,
distinguished by their site, the south, wherein is a cage often very sweet and tunable
bells; and the north, in which is the great Peter bell ; yet at the'time of this honor-
able prelate's instalment, the north tower was not far advanced ; whereupon, he forth-
with undertook, and sate about the work, and, in the short time he remained bishop
here, at his own charges and expenses, he brought the same to perfection ; and it is
now a very noble and stately piece of building. Which having thus finished, that it
might not remain an empty and useless steeple. Bishop Courtenay was pleas* d farther,
at his proper cost, to furnish with one bell, of an immense magnitude, weighing, as
we are told," twelve thousand and five hundred pounds. So that by reason of the" w.ib. p. 2.
weight and bigness of it, it can't be rung out, without the help of many men ; which
that it may be the better done, it hath a double wheel, and tvvo distinct ropes fasten'd
to them ; by help whereof, it may be done." It retains the founder's name, and frorn' J^'^*^Pi™P'*„'.
him it is call'd Peter's-bell, unto this day. sum, sine mui-
Here, by a profitable digression, give me leave to speak somthing of the first in-J"™"^^"",'"
vention, and inventor of bells in churches. non potest pnl-
As to the invention of them ; they were designed to congregate people, for thCq'J.o^rtu^s^"'"
worship and service of God. Upon the far and wide spreading of christian families,
bells became more serviceable to this ])urpoEe, than cither the silver trumpets among
the Jews, or the voices of men from the tops of steeples, in practice this day among
the Turks and Mahometans ; they being of a much deeper and louder sound : For
wliicii great conveniency, a certain author tells us, he thinks they were devised by
divine inspiration.'' " i Westc. De».
From this let us proceed to the first inventor of them, and we are informed it wa^tiLd-^otExoiK
Paulinus, Bishop of Nola, a city in Campania Fa^lix, fourteen miles from Naples to-
wards the east, an excellent and famous prelate of ccpial standing in time, with St. Hie-
rom and St. Augustin, who used them first in his church and diocess : hence Nola in
Latin is used to signify a bell. And 'tis not unworthy our observation, that no law,
sect, or profession of religion whatsoever, have the use of bells for divine service, in
their temples, but onl>' the Christians.
Unto this great and famous bell was Bishop Courtenay pleased to add a clock (the
city's time intelligencer to this day) and unto the clock a dial, of very curious inven-
tion, especially for that age ; for it shews the variable changes of the moon, the pass-
age of the days of the month, and the hours of the day, all running with the clock.
Now let it be considered, clocks will be found not only a very useful, but an admira-
ble invention, which speaking by the sound of a bell, at just intervals and periods of
time, do proclaim the hours of the day or night; by benefit whereof, blind-men that
can see no sun nor shadow, and sick-men confin'd to their beds, may know how the
time goes, and how lone; they have been there, tho' asleep all the wiiile.' Tiie mosf r Hist, of Man.
curious piece, in tiiis kind, is the famous clock of Strasburgh, in Germany; the in- Arts, p.7.
vention of Conradus Dasypodiiis, one of that nation : but this is a younger brother
to that at Exeter, almost by an hundred years. The use of clocks was first brought
into churches, in the time of Phoeas, the emperor, and Sabiiiianus tiie pope, who
lived about the year of our Lord, 600.
Bishop Courtenay having, with many great advantages, well govern'd the church
of Exeter, about the space of nine years, upon the death of Wainfleet, Bishop of
'^ L '2 Winchester,
260 THE WORTHIES OF DEVON.
Winchester, the famous founder of Magdalen college in Oxford (' Cui in toto Christ-
' Gndw. De iano orbc hand temere reperias aliud conferendum,' says the historian ;' another such
p. 294. can hardly be found in the whole Christian world) was from hence translated thither.
'iz. Mem. of This was done by the peculiar favor of K. Hen. 7,' unto whose cause and interest he
X. p. 94. j^jj^j shewn himself very faithful, against that bloody usurper, Richard the third.
Now Winchester was at that time, as still, not only of great revenues, double to
that of Exeter, that being valued but at six thousand ducats per annum, this at
twelve, but of higher honor ; for the Bishop of Winchester is prelate of the garter by
his place ; and indeed he is the only one of that quality in England. Hither was he
"Ibid, p. 295. translated anno I486, so Bishop Godwin;" ' Bulla innocentii'P. data, 1487,' So the
AnghSac. vol! continuator of the History of the Church of Winton tells us."
1, p. 319. In this honorable chair doth Bishop Courtenay continue about the space of six
years, during which time, what his particular benefactions were to this church there,"
or to the public, I am not informed : Altho' we need not question but there were ma-.
ny instances thereof, had the historians of those times been careful to record them.
He died on the 'iSd of September, 1492, and as Godwin from Hooker tells us,
MV^oith. of lieth buried in his church at Winchester; though wliere about Fuller tells us'' that
zjntheEiK'i. author confesses,^ he did not know. Much it is indeed, that a prelate of so illustrious
edit. a birth, should have so obscure a burial ; wbicli makes me think, that however he
died at Winchester, he was not inter'd there; but brought thence to Powderham, in
this county : In which church is a monument found, on which may be seen
somthing of the efligies of a prelate, in his pontificalilnis, as I have been inform-
ed ; which may well be thought to be this bishop's, and hath been so accounted.
That this piece of a page may not be wholly vacant, I shall here briefly consider,
the successor of Bishop Courtenay in both his sees, and that was Bishop Fox, in Ex-
v*?'"'^Vm' "t ^*^^' inimediately, and in the other mediately, Bishop Langton coming between them."
E.\. "^ This Bishop Rich. Fox, was a faithful counsellor, both at home and abroad, to K.
Hen. 7, who successively made him Bishop of Exeter, Bath and Wells, Durham, and
Winchester. He was lord privy seal, and of the privy-council to this King, and his
son K. Hen. 8. This noble prelate's memory shall be eternally blessed, for being the
cause (under God) of reducing Great Britain under one and the same crown ; for
from the union of Jam. 4, King of Scotland, and the Lady Margaret, K. Hen. 7's
eldest daughter, came the union of these two kingdoms ; and England and Scotland
are now but one Great Britain: When some English lords objected, ' That by this
means, the crown of England might happen to come to the Scottish nation,' The
|> Bak. ciiron. King wisely reply'd,'' ' If it should so happen, it would not be an accession of Eng-
263.' ^ '' '^""^ to Scotland; but of Scotland to England, as now it is. This lady's portion was
but ten thousand pounds, and her joynture but two thousand pounds a year: Not the
fortune of some of our private gentry. Bishop Fox was a great favorer of learning,
in testimony whereof, he founded C. C. C. in Oxford, and endowed it with above
400/. per annum. He builded a free-grammar school at Granthamj where he was
born, in Lincolnshire ; and another at Taunton, in Somerset. . .
COURTENAY,
( 261 )
COURTENAY, LORD EDAVARD, EARL OF DEVON.
COURTENAY, Lord Edward, Earl of Devon, was probably born in Devon, at the mosty^^g ^ g-
antient seat of the family, the castle of Tiverton : He was the only son of Henry, Earl Mar,
of Devon and Marquess of Exeter, by Gertude his wife, daughter of William Blount
Lord Mountjoy; who was son of the Lord William Courtenay, by Katharine his wife,
the seventh and youngest daugiiter of K. Edward 4, and sister to the royal consort of
K. Hen. 7, queen of England. Which Lady Katharine died the 15thof Novemb. an.
1527, at Tiverton, aforesaid, and was buried in the parish church there; for whom
was afterwards erected, by Henry her son, a fair chappel 
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