if
•.
DR. FULLER'S
WORTHIES OF ENGLAND,
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. I.
PRINTED BY NUTTALL AND HODGSON,
GOUGH SQUARE, LONDON.
"•
'£:.
THE
HISTORY
OF THE;
WORTHIES OF ENGLAND:
THOMAS FULLER, D.D.
AUTHOR OK " ABEL RKDIVIVUS," " THK CHURCH HISTORY OF BRITAIN'/' &C.
A NEW EDITION,
CONTAINING BRIEF NOTIfJF.S OF THK MOST CELEBRATED WORTHIES OF ENGLAND WHO
HAVE FLOURISHED SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER ;
WITH EXPLANATORY NOTES AND COPIOUS INDEXES.
BY P. AUSTIN NUTTALL, LL. D.
AUTHOR OF THK " CLASSICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL DICTIONARY ;"
TRANSLATOR OF HORACE, JUVENAL, &C.
IN THRE.E VOLUMES.
VOL. I.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR THOMAS TEGG, 73, CHEAPSIDE.
M.DCCC.XL. .
DB
£8
I&40
THE
HISTORY
OF THE
WORTHIES
ENGLAND.
Endeavoured by
Thomas Fuller, D.D.
LONDON,
Printed by J. G. W. L. and W. G. MDCLXII.
EDITOR'S PREFACE.
THE " History of the WORTHIES of ENGLAND" is a Work univer-
sally allowed to be the most worthy of all the productions of the witty
and learned Fuller. He wrote in an age when quaintness and humour
were appreciated as the peculiar characteristics of the scholar, the bio-
grapher, and the historian. None delighted more in puns, epigram, and
wit, whether worthy or unworthy, than the worthy Doctor ; and of all
the various works enumerated in the ensuing Memoir, his " WORTHIES,"
as being the last and most laboured effort of his pen, are not only
fuller in useful matter and varied interest, but (as a punster of his own
day would have said) fuller in spirit and fuller in wit ; in fact Fuller
throughout,
" Strong without rage, without o'erflowing/?/#,"
The first edition of Dr. Fuller's " Worthies " was published posthu-
mously, under the revision and superintendance of his son, by whom it
was especially dedicated to "the witty monarch" Charles the Second.
It appeared in 1662, in one folio volume ; and it certainly presents a
curious specimen, as compared with modern times, of the unsightly ty-
pography of the day, and of the difficulties attending the publication of
extensive works. The Editor appears to have been compelled to dis-
tribute the copy among different printers, commencing at every stage
with a new series of folios, and leaving at intervals most awful
gaps j the Work being thus considered of too vast a magnitude for
one establishment alone to undertake ! " The discounting of sheets, to
expedite the work at several presses (says the Editor) hath occasioned
the often mistake of the folios." At the same time, there being neither
a summary of Contents to the volume, nor a general Index, foe fulness
of worthy Fuller's worth was not fully developed.
In 1811, a new edition, in two volumes quarto, made its appearance,
under the editorial superintendance of Mr. John Nichols, proprietor of
the Gentleman's Magazine, with which the Editor was many years
connected. In this edition Mr. Nichols has occasionally introduced
some useful notes, contributed by Sir Egerton Brydges, Mr. J. Britton, Sir
Henry Ellis, Mr. Alexander Chalmers, Mr. Malone, Dr. Bliss, and
others, as well as by himself. Of these the Editor has generally availed
himself; but many of Mr. Nichols's notes appeared so jejune, and
at the present time so inapplicable, that editorial expurgation be-
came absolutely necessarv. For instance, there could be little interest in
informing the reader — aldermannic gastronomy being no longer appre-
ciated as a civic accomplishment — that Mr. Nichols perfectly coincided
viii EDITOR'S PREFACE.
in opinion with Dr. Fuller on the " important topic " that " Coiv-heele weU
dressed is good meat, that a cook when hungry may lick his fingers
after it !" (i. p. 288) ; or that " Suffolk is not the particular county which
a modern epicure would select for the finest cheese !" Nor did the
Editor consider it necessary to reprint the innumerable and useless re-
ferences to the History of Leicestershire, the Gentleman's Magazine,
and other works in which Mr. Nichols had a proprietary interest.
Neither has the Editor thought proper to preserve the antiquated
orthography, the vague punctuation, or the ridiculous system of
italicising, &c., so peculiar to the age in which Fuller wrote, and
which Mr. Nichols, in mere imitation of a semi-barbarous system
of typography, has " considered most advisable to preserve pure
and unmixed !" as if the splendid compositions of Shakspeare, of
Milton, and of Dryden, would be rendered more acceptable to
modern times by being clothed in the vague and unintelligible or-
thography of the age in which they wrote. Alas ! "tempora mutantur,
et mutamur in illis." But Mr. Nichols appears to have been so much
devoted to the very semblance of hoar antiquity as even to copy the ac-
knowledged or self- evident errors of Fuller's edition. Thus, although
the author expressly points out and apologizes for the mistake, the Duke
of Monmouth is again placed under the county of Radnor instead of
Monmouth ! the list of Errata contained in the .original edition is
literally reprinted, without the errors having been corrected ! the
reference to Hatcher's "MS. eight," instead of "MS. Catalogue,"
(i. p. 142) is repeated ! the typographical blunders occurring in Latin
inscriptions (as " in omni gradus," " conjugi sui/V &c. p. 143) are
faithfully copied ! the counties of Anglesea and Brecknock are headed
as belonging to England ! &c.
In producing this edition of a valuable standard work, the Editor
has not only presented it to the Public in a portable and modernized
form, but he has also appended to each county an alphabetical list of all
the celebrated Worthies connected therewith, who have flourished since
the time of Fuller, briefly stating for what they have been distin-
guished, with the respective periods of their births and deaths j and to
enable the reader to obtain further information relative to any parti-
cular individual, a brief summary of all the most important topographical
works connected with each county is uniformly annexed, which, it is
presumed, will be found extremely useful in directing and facilitating the
inquiries of the reader. In order, moreover, to present a synoptical
view of the various matters, &c. contained in the work, the Editor has
prefixed to each volume a minute table of Contents, which, though
given in a very condensed form, exhibits at one view all the differ-
ent heads comprehended under each county ; and the general Indexes,
which have been compiled with some labour, will afford great facility in
referring to any subject or name contained in the three volumes.
Sept. 1840. P. A. N.
MEMOIRS OF THE AUTHOR.
DR. THOMAS FULLER, son of the Rev. Thomas Fuller, rec-
tor of Aldwinkle St. Peter * in the county of Northampton, was
born there in 1608. The chief assistance he had in the rudi-
ments of learning was from his father, under whom he made so
extraordinary a progress, that he was sent at twelve years of
age to Queen's College in Cambridge ; Dr. Davenant, who was
his mother's brother, being then master of it, and soon after
bishop of Salisbury. He took his degrees in Arts, and would
have been fellow of the college ; but, there being no vacancy
for his county, he removed to Sidney in the same university.
He had not been long there, before he was chosen minister of
St. Bennet's in the town of Cambridge. In 1631, he obtained
a fellowship in Sidney College, and at the same time a prebend t
in the church of Salisbury. This year also he issued his first
publication, a work of the poetical kind, now but little known.
It was a divine poem, entitled, " David's Hainous Sin, Heartie
Repentances, and Heavie Punishment," in a thin octavo.
He was soon after ordained priest, and presented to the rec-
tory of Broad Windsor in Dorsetshire ; where he married, and
had one son, but lost his wife about 1641. During his retire-
ment at this rectory, he began to complete several works he
had planned at Cambridge ; but, growing weary of a country
parish, and uneasy at the unsettled state of public affairs, he
removed to London; and distinguished himself so much in the
pulpits there, that he was invited by the master and brother-
hood of the Savoy to be their lecturer.
* To which he had been presented by William Cecil earl of Exeter.
f He styles himself Prebendarius Prebendarides, in his " Appeal of injured In-
nocence," addressed to Dr. Heylin, folio, part iii. p. 47 ; a book recommended to
notice by Mr. Granger for its spirit and pleasantry.
b
X MEMOIRS OF THE AUTHOR.
In 1640, he published his « History of the Holy War ; » which
was printed at Cambridge in folio.
April 13, 1640, a Parliament was called 5 and then also a Con-
vocation began at Westminster, in Henry the Seventh's chapel,
of which our author was a member. He continued at the Savoy,
to the great satisfaction of his people, and the neighbouring
nobility and gentry, labouring all the while in private and in
public to serve the king. To this end, on the anniversary of his
inauguration, March 2J9 1642, he preached at Westminster Ab-
bey, on this text, 2 Sam. xix. 30, " Yea, let him take all, so
that my lord the king return in peace :" which sermon being
printed, gave great offence to those who were engaged in the
opposition, and brought the preacher into no small danger. He
soon found that he must expect to be silenced and ejected, as
others had been ; yet desisted not till he either was, or thought
himself, unsettled. This appears from what he says in the pre-
face to his " Holy State," which was printed in folio that same
year at Cambridge.
In April 1643, he conveyed himself to the king at Oxford,
who received him gladly. As his majesty had heard of his ex-
traordinary abilities in the pulpit, he was now desirous of know-
ing them personally ; and accordingly Fuller preached before
him at St. Mary's church. His fortune upon this occasion was
very singular. He had before preached and published a sermon
in London, upon "the new moulding Church reformation/'
which caused him to be censured as too hot a royalist : and now,
from his sermon at Oxford, he was thought to be too lukewarm :
which can only be ascribed to his moderation, which he would
sincerely have inculcated in each party, as the only means of
reconciling both. He resolved, however, to recover the opinion
of his fidelity to the royal cause, by openly trying his fortune
under the royal army ; and therefore, being well recommended
to Sir Ralph Hopton, in 1643, he was admitted by him in qua-
lity of chaplain. For this employment he was quite at liberty,
being deprived of all other preferment. And now, attending
the army from place to place, he constantly exercised his duty
as chaplain ; yet found proper intervals for his beloved. studies,
which he employed chiefly in making historical collections, and
especially in gathering materials for his "Worthies of England."
How assiduous he was in his researches, and extensive in his
MEMOIRS OF THE AUTHOR. XI
correspondence, for that purpose, may appear in his Memorial-
ist. This author informs us, that, " while he was in progress
with the king's army, his business and study then was a kind of
errantry ; having proposed to himself a more exact collection
of the Worthies General of England; in which others had waded
before, but he resolved to go through. In what place soever
therefore he came, of remark especially, he spent most of his
time in views and researches of their antiquities and church
monuments ; insinuating himself into the acquaintance, which
frequently ended in a lasting friendship, of the learnedest and
gravest persons residing within the place, thereby to inform
himself fully of those things he thought worthy the commenda-
tion of his labours. It is an incredible thing to think what a
numerous correspondence the Doctor maintained and enjoyed
by this means. Nor did the good Doctor ever refuse to light
his candle, in investigating truth, from the meanest person's
discovery. He would endure contentedly an hour or more im-
pertinence from any aged church officer, or other superannuated
people, for the gleaning of two lines to his purpose. And though
his spirit was quick and nimble, and all the faculties of his mind
ready and answerable to that activity of despatch ; yet, in these
inquests, he would stay and attend those circular rambles till
they came to a point ; so resolute was he bent to the sifting out
of abstruse antiquity. Nor did he ever dismiss such adjutators
or helpers, as he pleased to style them, without giving them
money and cheerful thanks besides.*
After the battle at Cheriton Down, March 29, 1644, lord
Hopton drew on his army to Basing House ; and Fuller, being
left there by him, animated the garrison to so vigorous a defence
of that place, that Sir William Waller was obliged to raise
the siege with considerable loss. But the war hasten-
ing to an end, and part of the king's army being driven into
Cornwall under Lord Hopton, Fuller, having leave of that
nobleman, took refuge at Exeter ; where he resumed his
studies, and preached constantly to the citizens. Du-
ring his residence here, he was appointed chaplain to the
.princess Henrietta Maria, who was born at Exeter in June 1643 ;
and the king soon after gave him a patent for his presentation
* Life of Dr. Fuller, p. 27.
b 2
xii MEMOIRS OF THE AUTHOR.
to the living of Dorchester in Dorsetshire. He continued his
attendance on the princess, till the surrender of Exeter to the
parliament, in April 1646 ; but did not accept the living, because
he determined to remove to London at the expiration of the
war. He relates an extraordinary circumstance which happened
during the siege of Exeter.* " When the city of Exeter/' says
he, " was besieged by the Parliamentary forces, so that only the
south side thereof towards the sea was open to it, incredible
numbers of larks were found in that open quarter, for multitude
like quails in the wilderness ; though, blessed be God, unlike
them in the cause and effect ; as not desired with man's destruc-
tion, nor sent with God's anger : as appeared by their safe di-
gestion into wholesome nourishment. Hereof I was an eye and
mouth witness. I will save my credit in not conjecturing any
number ; knowing that herein, though I should stoop beneath
the truth, I should mount above belief. They were as fat as
plentiful ; so that being sold for two-pence a dozen and under,
the poor who could have no cheaper, and the rich no better
meat, used to make pottage of them, boiling them down therein.
Several causes were assigned hereof, &c. ; but the cause of causes
was the Divine Providence, thereby providing a feast for many
poor people, who otherwise had been pinched for provision."
When he came to London, he met but a cold reception among
his former parishioners, and found his lecturer's place filled by
another. However, it was not long before he was chosen lec-
turer at St. Clement's Lane, near Lombard Street ; and shortly
after removed his lecture to St. Bride's in Fleet Street.
In 1647, he published, in 4to., " A Sermon of Assurance*
fourteen years ago preached at Cambridge ; since, in other places 5
now, by the importunity of his friends, exposed to public view."
He dedicated it to Sir John Danvers, who had been a royalist,
was then an Oliverian, and next year one of the king's judges ;
and in the dedication he says, that " it had been the pleasure
of the present authority to make him mute ; forbidding him till
further order the exercise of his public preaching."
About 1648, he was presented to the perpetual curacy of
West Waltham,t otherwise called Waltham Abbey, in Essex,
by James Hay earl of Carlisle, whose chaplain he was just be-
* See p. 443 of the present volume.
t Newcourt dates this preferment in 1640 Repertory, vol. II. p. 631.
MEMOIRS OF THE AUTHOR. Xlll
fore made. He spent that and the following year betwixt Lon-
don and Waltham, employing some engravers to adorn his copi-
ous prospect or view of the Holy Land, as from Mount Pisgah ;
therefore called his " Pisgah-sight of Palestine and the confines
thereof; with the history of the Old and New Testament acted
thereon/5 which he published in 1650. It is a handsome folio,
embellished with a frontispiece and many other copper plates,
and divided into five books.
As for his " Worthies of England/5 on which he had been la-
bouring so long, the death of the king for a time disheartened
him from the continuance of that work ; " For what shall I write/5
says he, " of the Worthies of England, when this horrid act will
bring such an infamy upon the whole nation, as will ever cloud
and darken all its former, and suppress its future, rising glories ?
He was therefore busy, till the year last mentioned, in prepar-
ing that book and others ; and the next year he rather employed
himself in publishing some particular lives of religious reformers,
martyrs, confessors, bishops, doctors, and other learned divines,
foreign and domestic, than in augmenting his book of English
Worthies in general. To this collection, which was executed
by several hands, as he tells us in the preface, he gave the title
of "Abel Redivivus/' and published it in 4to, 1651.
And now, having lived above twelve years a widower, he
married a sister of the viscount Baltinglasse about 1654; and
the next year she brought him a son, who, as well as the other
before mentioned, survived his father.
In 1656, he published, in folio, "The Church History of Bri-
tain, from the birth of Jesus Christ to the year 1648;" to
which work are subjoined, "The History of the University of
Cambridge since the Conquest/5 and " The History of Waltham
Abbey in Essex, founded by king Harold," His Church His-
tory was animadverted upon by Dr. Heylin in his " Examen
Historicum;55 and this drew from our author a reply; after
which they had no further controversy, but were very well re-
conciled.
A short time before the Restoration, Fuller was re-admitted
to his lecture in the Savoy, and on that event restored to his
prebend of Salisbury.
He was chosen chaplain extraordinary to the king ; created
Doctor of Divinity at Cambridge by a mandamus, dated August
2,1660; and, had he lived a twelvemonth longer, would pro-
xiv MEMOIRS OF THE AUTHOR.
bably have been raised to a bishopric. But, on his return from
Salisbury in August 1661, he was attacked by a fever, of which
he died the 16th of that month. His funeral was attended by
at least two hundred of his brethren ; and a sermon was preached
by Dr. Hardy, dean of Rochester, in which a great and noble
character was given of him.
In 1662, was published in folio, with an engraving of him *
prefixed, his "History of the Worthies of England." This
work, which was part of it printed before the author died, seems
not, in the lives or characters in some of the counties, especially
of Wales, so finished as it would probably have been, if he had
lived to see it completely published. It is entitled, " The His-
tory of the Worthies of England : Endeavoured by Thomas
Fuller, D.D. folio, 1662 :" with a sculpture of his effigies pre-
fixed, engraved by David Loggan, having this inscription round
it, "Tomas Fuller, S. T. D. set. 53, 1661 ;" this motto at top,
" Methodus Mater Memorise ;" and $iese verses at bottom :
" The Graver here hath well thy face designed :
But no hand, FULLER, can express thy mind ;
For that, a resurrection gives to those,
Whom silent monuments did long enclose."
Being a posthumous publication, it was dedicated to king
Charles the Second, by the author's son, Mr. John Fuller, a
young divine of Cambridge, in the following terms :
ee TO HIS SACRED MAJESTY.
" Most dread Sovereign :
" The tender of these ensuing collections is made with as much
fear and reverence, as it was intended with duty and devotion
by the author whilst living. The obligation that lieth upon me
to endeavour him all right, forced me unto this presumption.
It is the first voice I ever uttered in this kind ; and I hope it will
be neither displeasing to your Majesty, or blamed by the world ;
whilst (not unlike that of the son of Croesus) it sounds loyalty
to my sovereign, and duty to my father. The matter of this
work, for the most part, is the description of such native and
peculiar commodities as the several counties of your kingdom
afford, with a revival of the memories of such persons which
have in each county been eminent for parts or learning. If
this age abound with the like, it is their glory; if not, the pe-
riod? .is,^diffe.ren; Portrait of him in a small quarto size, taken at an earlier
period of his l.fe, his right hand on a book, prefixed to his " Abel Redivivus."
MEMOIRS OF THE AUTHOR. XV
rusal may perhaps beget in them a noble emulation of their
ancestors. May your Majesty's reign be happy and long, to
see your country's commodities improved, and your worthies
multiplied ! So prayeth,
Your Majesty's meanest subject,
The Author's orphan,
JOHN FULLER.
And in a preface the reader is thus addressed :
<e Reader, — thou hast here presented to thy viqw a Collection
of the Worthies of England ; which might have appeared larger,
had God spared (my dear father) the author life. At his death
there remained unprinted, the bishopric of Durham, the coun-
ties of Derby, Dorset, Gloucester, Norfolk, Northampton, Nor-
thumberland, Nottingham, Oxford, Rutland, with part of Kent,
Devonshire, and the cities of London and Westminster; which
now at length (according to the copy the author left behind him,
without the least addition,) are made public.
(( It is needless here to acquaint thee with the nature of the
work, it being already fully set down in the first sixteen sheets
thereof. Yet thou mayest be pleased to take notice, that (al-
though the title promiseth thee only the History of the Wor-
thies of England) in the end there is added a short description
of the Principality of Wales. The discounting of sheets (to ex-
pedite the work at several presses) hath occasioned the often
mistake of the folios.* Whatever faults else occur in this im-
pression, it is my request, that thou wouldest score them on my
want of care or skill in correcting the same, that they may not
in the least reflect on the credit of my dead father.
" JOHN FULLER/'
This book, though never wholly reprinted, has been partly
revived in epitomes of the whole ;t or dividedly, in a work, geo-
graphical, historical, and political, whereof the second part is
abstracted from these lives. J
Besides the works already mentioned in the course of this
memoir, Dr. Fuller was the author of several others of a smaller
nature; as, 1. « Good thoughts in Bad Times:" 2. "Good
* This apology of course applies only to the original edition.
t " England's Worthies, in Church and State, &c. 1684," 8vo.
+ " An Historical Dictionary of England and Wales, &c. 1692,'' 8vo.
xvi MEMOIRS OF THE AUTHOR.
Thoughts in Worse Times." These two pieces, printed separately,
the former in 1645, the latter in 1647, were published together
in 1652. He afterwards published, in 1660-3, " Mixed Con-
templations in Better Times." 4. "Andronicus: or The Unfor-
tunate Politician. Lond. 1649," Svo. 5. « The Triple Recon-
ciler; stating three controversies, viz. whether ministers have
an exclusive power of barring communicants from the sacra-
ment; whether any person unordained may lawfully preach;
and whether the Lord's Prayer ought not to be used by all
Christians, 1654," 8vo. 6. "The Speech of Birds; also of
Flowers ; partly moral, partly mystical, 1660," Svo.
He published also a great many sermons, separately and in
volumes.
Dr. Fuller was in his person tall and well made, but no way
inclining to corpulency; his complexion was florid; and his
hair of a light colour and curling. He was a kind husband to
both his wives, a tender father to both his children, a good
friend and neighbour, and a well-behaved civilized person in
every respect. He was a most agreeable companion, having a
great deal of wit ; too much, as it should seem, since he could
not forbear mixing it in his most serious compositions.
Of the powers of his memory, such wonders are related as
are not quite credible. He could repeat five hundred strange
words after twice hearing ; and could make use of a sermon
verbatim, if he once heard it. He undertook, in passing from
Temple Bar to the furthest part of Cheapside, to tell at his re-
turn every sign as it stood in order on both sides of the way,
repeating them either backwards or forwards ; and he did it ex-
actly. His manner of writing is also reported to have been
strange. He wrote, it is said, near the margin the first words
of every line down to the foot of the paper ; then, by beginning
at the head again, would so perfectly fill up every one of these
lines, and without spaces, interlineations, or contractions, would
so connect the ends and beginnings, that the sense would appear
as complete, as if he had written it in a continued series after
the ordinary manner.
It was sufficiently known, how steady he was in the Pro-
testant religion, against the innovations of the Presbyterians
and Independents ; but his zeal against these was allayed with
greater compassion than it was towards the Papists ; and this
raised him up many adversaries, who charged him with puritan-
MEMOIRS OF THE AUTHOR. XV11
ism. He used to call the controversies concerning Episcopacy,
and the new-fangled arguments against the Church of England,
"insects of a day;" and carefully avoided polemical disputes,
being altogether of Sir Henry Wotton's opinion, " disputandi
pruritus, ecclesise scabies." To conclude, whatever exceptions
may be made to him as a writer, he was a man of great good-
ness, and an ornament to the times in which he lived.
These memoirs shall be closed by an extract from his Life in
the ee Biographia Britannica ; " comprehending an analysis of
"The Worthies," and a vindication of the author.
" The subject matter of the book is distributed under the se-
veral counties of England and Wales ; each division beginning,
first, with the commodities, products, and other particulars most
eminent and remarkable in each county ; whether waters, mine-
rals, plants, animals, manufactures, buildings, battles, proverbs,
&c. ; — then the Worthies born or residing therein, marshalled
under their respective ranks or professions ; — the whole contents of
each county ending with tables of the Gentry that were therein
in the reign of king Henry the Sixth ; and a list of the Sheriffs,
for several kings' reigns, down to king James or king Charles
the First, with their arms described, and places of abode. Pre-
fixed to the whole, is a copious Introduction, in near twenty
sheets,* divided into many chapters ; distinctly treating of this
grand and comprehensive plan, the matter, order, and style,
&c., shewing how methodical and uniform he has been through-
out; also apologizing for any defects that may have escaped his
pen, and answering many objections which might be made to
any part thereof,. But, as the heads of those preliminary dis-
courses will best explain the contents of the book, and display
as well the variety as the grandeur of the undertaking ; and as a
recital of them will give the most ready command of the whole
scheme, to those who would only be informed or reminded
thereof ; or such as may be inclined to revive the author in a
more correct edition, or give us a continuation or any other im-
provement of his model; the said heads are therefore here
offered to their consideration, as follow :
CHAP. I. Contains the general design; wherein, as learned
Camden and painful Speed, with others, have described the
* In the present edition making 109 pages.
xviii MEMOIRS OF THE AUTHOR.
rooms in that convenient structure, to which he compares
this nation ; so he intends to describe the furniture of them,
in the most signal products and persons of distinction, adorn-
ing the same : to these five ends : 1. To gain some glory to
God : 2. To preserve the memory of the dead : 3. To pre-
sent examples to the living : 4. To entertain the reader with
delight : 5. And lastly, to procure some honest profit to
himself.
CHAP. II. Of the National Commodities ; as the manufactures,
wonders, buildings, local proverbs, medicinal herbs, waters,
&c.
III. The first Quaternion of Persons ; Princes, Saints,
Martyrs, and Confessors.
IV. Of Popes, Cardinals, and Prelates, before the Refor-
mation.
V. Of Popes, &c. since the Reformation.
*VI. Of our Statesmen ; as Chancellors, Treasurers, Se-
cretaries of State, Admirals, and Deputies of Ireland.
VII. Capital Judges, and Writers of the Common Law.
VIII. Soldiers and Seamen ; with the Necessity of en-
couraging our Fishery.
IX. Of Writers on the Canon and Civil Law ; Physic,
Chemistry, and Surgery, &c.
X. Other Writers ; in Divinity, Philology, and Philo-
sophy, History, Music, and Poetry ; also on Popery, £c. ; with
a complaint of the number of needless Books.
XI. Of Benefactors to the Public, with a recommen-
dation of choice charities; under the heads of Churches,
Free-schools, Colleges, and Alms-houses ; with a distinction
of Benefactors since, from those before, the Reformation.
XII. Of Memorable Persons ; or such as were extraor-
dinary for stature, strength, age, fertility, &c.
XIII. Lord Mayors of London.
— - XIV. Catalogues of the Gentry under Henry the Sixth ;
why inserted.
XV. Of the Sheriffs.
XVI. Of the Sheriffs' Arms.
XVII. Observations on Surnames being often altered,
and variously written.
XVIII. Of Modern Battles.
MEMOIRS OF THE AUTHOR. XIX
CHAP. XIX. Of the Shires, and why the Worthies are digested
under them.
XX. Of the Surnames of Clergymen, and that their sons
have been as successful as others ; with his expedient, where
several places claim the birth of one person.
XXI. Other general rules and distinctions for the author
and reader's ease ; as his use of the word Ampliendum, ex-
pressing a want of fuller intelligence ; and his use of S. N.
signifying second nativity : that is, when a Worthy whose na-
tive country is not known, he is historized under that which
was his place of residence ; and by the abbreviation REM.
which implies removeable, upon better information : also his
rule for ranking, under some one head, persons who have a
claim to several.
XXII. The Precedency of several Professions adjusted.
XXIII. Of the Authorities from whence the work is de-
rived.
XXIV. Concerning his double division of the English,
according to their nation and profession.
XXV. General exceptions against the style and matter
of the author prevented ; by his propositions of and answers
to them, being twenty-four in number.
XXVI. An apology for the involuntary omissions in
this book.
The whole volume, in the original edition, contains more
than a thousand pages; and seems to have been not quite finished
at the end.
Though our author was very diligent (as hath been attested
in p. xi.) in collecting his materials for this work ; yet, when
several parts of it were written, he had the disadvantage of being
unsettled, remote from proper libraries, and intelligent conver-
sation, being as it were a travelling writer, and forced to leave
blank spaces, especially for dates ; wherein he has sometimes
modestly left his reader rather uninformed than misinformed ;
and sometimes again filled them up conjecturally, and without
any supposed need of nice recollection, as he designed to be
more exact upon better opportunities of examination ; in several
whereof he was prevented by death. But though he looked
upon dates as so many little sparkling gems in history, that
would reflect the clearest and most sudden light a great way off,
XX MEMOIRS OF THE AUTHOR.
he still found or thought them very slippery ware, liable, by the
smallest and most imperceptible variations, to lead us greatly
astray from truth ; and speaks of Chronology, in one of his books,
as of a little surly animal, that was apt to bite the ringers of
those who handled it with greater familiarity than was absolutely
necessary; yet he knew there was no giving any satisfac-
tory intelligence without it, especially in the writing of lives.
But, indeed, an accurate regard to the directions thereof was
little in use with any writers in this particular branch of history
at those times ; as, among many others, may be observed, to go
no further, in the author of his own life, whose deficiencies
we have here been at much trouble to supply ; one instance
only whereof is, that though he gives us the titles of almost all
Fuller's books, and their sizes, he has not given us the date of
one. But it was a general or fashionable neglect, especially in
the more polite and ornate writers, as if they thought that arith-
metical figures would look like so many scars in the sleek face
of their rhetorical phrase. But what our author, in apology
for himself, has ingeniously observed further on this topic, we
refer to his own words, in one or two of the chapters, whereof
we have before given the heads. As to the historical particu-
lars of these lives, no man could pretend to be very circumstan-
tial, in a work that proposed to revive the famous men in a
whole nation ; such an undertaking can or should give but a
general and compendious view of them. Suppose here are
eighteen or twenty hundred eminent persons characterized, much
after the manner of those in his te Church History ; " to have
given a general satisfaction in all parts of the lives, actions, and
works, of one or two only in every hundred, might have required
more eyes, hands, and years, than nature allowed this author ; and
perhaps more abilities, knowledge, or information, than could
be justly pretended to, by any of his ungrateful cavillers. Then
for the errors that must unavoidably occur in the revival of such
multitudes in all ages, our author's own apology, as it will be
equally needful to any other compiler of a numerous collection
of lives, is here produced from his own words, upon some ob-
ec tions made to Mr. Fox the Martyrologist, as follow : " It is
impossible for an author of a voluminous book, consisting of
jseveral persons and circumstances, (reader, in pleading for Mas-
ter Fox I plead for myself,) to have such ubiquitary intelligence,
MEMOIRS OF THE AUTHOR.
as to apply the same infallibly to every particular."* But there
is no winning the favour of those who think they have a licence
for detraction, and may spoil an author with impunity," when
he is incapable of self-defence, both of his reputation and his
labours. Thus we may see some very rash censurers superfi-
cially read, who have often pronounced their anathemas upon
many other historians, from the titles only of their writings, and
sometimes without having ever seen so much as them, treating
him also like those who cannot be content with shearing the
inoffensive prey that is free-yielding of his wool, but they must
butcher him too : for surely few have been so much pillaged
who have been so much disparaged ; he has been reproached
for his ingenuity by those who have no wit ; and robbed of his
knowledge by those who have no gratitude. Bishop Nicolson,
who was too censorious upon Dr. Fuller's Church History, will
also run the hazard of recrimination upon this. Our author
began his " Worthies of England " when he was chaplain to
the Lord Hopton ; and it was his chief study, or mostly under
his consideration by intervals, for near seventeen years, as it
may be from this account computed ; but the bishop says it
was huddled up in haste. Our author mentions (as we have
quoted in p. xviii.) five reasons for publishing this book ; but, as
if he had nothing more than a mercenary motive therein, the
bishop has sunk four of them, and, quoting but the last, induced
you to believe it was only for the procurement of some mode-
rate profit to .the author : and yet not quoted this honestly.
The bishop says, it corrects many mistakes in his " Church His-
tory ; " but our author was acquainted with few mistakes till a
little time before he died, and then had little leisure or room
to correct many, when the greatest part of his " Worthies " was
printed off. The bishop says, that Fuller's chief author is Bale,
for the lives of his eminent writers ; and he must have been
his also, if he had wrote in Fuller's time of the writers Bale
has given account of, when Leland was not published ; unless
he would rather have followed Bale's Popish plagiary. But a
great part of the writers in Fuller lived and wrote since Bale,
therefore he had many other authorities for his writers, as may
be sufficiently seen in his work. And whether our author has
given more mis-shapen scraps, or lies, as they are called,f of his
* See the present volume, in Berkshire, p. 127.
t Nicolson's Historical Library, fol. 1736, p. 6.
xxii MEMOIRS OF THE AUTHOR.
heroes, than the bishop of his historians, those may best judge
who have read the one and the other : but if the bishop would
have undertaken to reform or rectify both, it might have been
more acceptable, as well as more discreet, than to revile an au-
thor so extravagantly as to vilify himself. In short, notwith-
standing these hasty and immoderate aspersions, the characters
or memorials here assembled of so many great men, will always
make the book necessary to be consulted; especially as there
are preserved therein abundance of lives then first or newly
written, and nowhere else to be had ; which have been of good
service to many grave writers of substantial credit, even in his-
tory, antiquities, and heraldry ; who, wanting neither the judg-
ment nor justice in themselves which they might covet in their
own readers, knew how to make proper uses of his work, and
acknowledgments for what they drew from it, without turning
executioners upon every trivial oversight, or expressing any
grievance at his humour or his wit. But, since his character
has been so much degraded by some, it will be but equitable to
shew that it has been no less exalted by others ; and as he has
bestowed a grateful remembrance upon many poets, we have
met with a retribution that has been attempted by one, in a
panegyric upon biography in general, and this biography in par-
ticular. It was freely communicated from the author's original
in the possession of a late nobleman, who was a signal patron
to some of the greatest poets and other ingenious men in his
time ; and since it has never been published ; since it is entirely
suitable in this, as it may be partly serviceable in any other, col-
lection of illustrious men ; or may in some part be no less ap-
plicable to any other compiler, than to every peruser of such
collections, we shall here present it as follows, faithfully in its
own language, without any apology for its length.
XX111
TO THE READER AND WRITER OF LIVES.
WRITTEN IN FULLER'S WORTHIES.
Here, from Fame's wardrobe, you may dress to please,
In suits adorned, and shaped to all degrees ;
Each genius hence may graceful habits take ;
No mind so warp'd, some mould won't straighter make.
Patterns that best become you still prefer,
Without some wearing, they to ruin wear ;
Some patterns yet, like tarnish'd lace, are worn,
And now disguise what once they did adorn ;
Then be not servilely a slave to those :
Reform their fashions, but refrain their clothes.
By the best chemic skill, their gifts combin'd
May so concocted be, and so refin'd;
May, through your works, so undistinguished wreathe,
As incense rich, from holy altars breathe ;
Till, so the blended aromatics rise,
In grateful gales, to greet the deities,
That we perceive no frankincense exhale,
No cassia here, or storax there prevail ;
Nor this, can myrrh, that ambergrise can call ;
But one strong, curling odour, spires from all ;
So when such sweets you from these flowers have hiv'd,
From each they differ, as from all deriv'd.
Choose then with prudence, in your choice proceed,
Till those you follow, you're improv'd to lead.
The object equal to the human mind,
And most instructive, must be human kind.
Read manly books then, books of men, and so,
That you proceed to do the best you know.
Peruse such lives, or parts, as you can live ;
It is the practice must perfection give.
Souls, in which samples great, no semblance breed,
Like cold and hungry soils, but rot the seed ;
Or, like weak stomachs, with strong food oppress'd,
By that ne'er nourished, which they ne'er digest.
For as your meals should suit, to thrive aright,
Your constitution and your appetite ;
So your examples should proportion' d be,
Both to your power, and your capacity.
Some seek their minds with marvels to replete,
And taste no objects they should emulate :
Of things incredible, experience saith,
The feeblest judgments have the firmest faith :
Such, in admiring, still those hours destroy,
They in excelling only should employ.
Some think, distemper' d times less heal'd may be,
By wise men's woes, than fools' felicity :
Think not that fortitude grows more unsound,
By vice's balsam, than by virtue's wound :
That, without deeds, words hold no lasting height,
Unbodied feathers wanting nerves for flight :
While airy sounds soon lose their empty name,
Surviving record is substantial fame,
To boundless forms, some, crude collections breed,
And write a life would waste a life to read !
With griping hands, some shrink up life's short span,
And to a mite epitomize a man !
Others add streams, to rivers swolu too high,
While drowned pastures unrecover'd lie ;
Prop those who boast superfluous aids to stand,
While crowds deserted most their aid demand !
The aim's more lofty, th' art in more esteem,
To save the sinking, than sink those who swim.
Thus, upon others' lives their own are lost,
Or least devoted, where deserved most.
But worse, desert in others there is known,
Where none from others, or themselves, is shown ;
Whose memory of the good, the learn'd, the brave,
Should be their monument, and is their grave.
But victories o'er death must be renown'd ;
Triumphs like those must through fame's clarion sound ;
His victors should her richest trophies wear,
To fame who rescue what the fates won't spare,
Garlands shall crown their works, that cannot fade ;
The lights they rend with lustre be repaid.
Who noblest do, most nobly must deserve ;
Great who perform, but greater who preserve •.
If virtue most directs, which most dilates,
The draught excels, that most communicates ;
Such copy spread thus durably to all,
Begets more virtue than th' original :
'Tis an original ; it's own outvied ;
Where life less copied is, than multiplied ;
And when they are deathless made, who long since died.
Thus, when a hero is compar'd to you,
Th' historian is the hero of the two ;
The brave, learn'd, good, more efficacious grown,
In your immortal lives, than in their own.
Your merit is, who labour'd hath so much,
Such to revive, to be revived as such :
Our shame is, in your WORTHIES to be read,
Till one at least each to their number add :
Till we, your WORTHIES reading, such shall turn,
As sacred relics sanctify the urn :
Till they, through you, dart influential worth,
As stars, though fixt in heaven, shine down on earth.
Phoebus, the sire of your resplendent wit,
Who blinds all brightness, must to yours submit :
He, only in th' horizon, gilds our day,
You here, though set, your glory still display.
CONTENTS.
GENERAL WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
CHAP. I. - Design of the Work 1
CHAP. II.— On the real topics insisted on in the respective Counties: Native
Commodities ; Manufactures ; Medicinal Waters ; the Wonders ; Buildings ;
Local Proverbs ; Medicinal Herbs 3 — 8
CHAP. Ill Of the first quaternion of Persons: Princes; Saints; Martyrs;
Confessors 9—14
CHAP. IV. — Of Popes, Cardinals, and Prelates before the Reformation . . 15—20
CHAP. V. — Of Popes, &c. since the Reformation 21
CHAP. VI. — Of Statesmen : Lord Chancellors ; Lord Treasurers ; Secretaries of
State ; Admirals ; Lord Deputies of Ireland 22 — 27
CHAP. VII — Of Capital Judges, and Writers on the Common Law 28
CHAP. VIII Of Soldiers and Seamen, with the necessity of encouraging the trade
of fishing 30
CHAP. IX. — Of Writers on the Civil and Canon Law, Physic, Chemistry, and
Chirurgery 34 — 36
CHAP. X. — Of Writers on Philology, Divinity, and History ; Musicians ; Romish
exile Writers ; number of needless Books 37 — 42
CHAP. XI — Of Benefactors to the Public : Builders of Churches ; Free Schools
and Colleges ; Bridges ; Alms-houses ; Choice Charities recommended ; Bene-
factors since and before the Reformation; on the word " Reformation " 43 — 54
CHAP. XII.— Of Memorable Persons 55
CHAP. XIII — Of Lord Mayors of London 56
CHAP. XIV — On the Catalogue of Gentry, and the general method pursued . . 58
CHAP. XV.— Of Shire-Reeves, or Sheriffs 60
CHAP. XVI — Of the Coats of Arms to those who have been Sheriffs . . 65
CHAP. XVII.— On the frequent alterations in the spelling of Surnames 70
CHAP. XVIII On Modern Battles 71
CHAP. XIX. — On the number of Shires or Counties in England, and why the
Worthies in this Work are arranged according to Counties 72
CHAP. XX — Why Clergymen formerly carried the register of their Birth-place in
their Surnames, &c. ; expedient when several persons claim the birth of the same
person ; success attending the Children of Clergymen 72 — 80
CHAP. XXL— General Rules for the convenience of the Author and Reader : of
Dates ; Apology for Qualifications used, and Blanks left in this History ; on the
signification of " AMPLIANDUM," or «* AMP. ;" of " S. N. ;" and of " REM."
or " REMOVE ;" method of ranking the respective Personages introduced into
this Work 81 86
CHAP. XXII. — On the Precedency of Persons and Professions 86
CHAP. XXIII — On the Authorities from which the Work has been derived . . 89
VOL. I. c
XXvi CONTENTS.
CHAP. XXIV On the Division of the English Gentry 92
CHAP. XXV On the Style and Matter of the Author 99
CHAP. XXVI. Apology for involuntary Omissions; a Corollary on the reciproca-
tion of " Alumnus " 107—109
BARKSHIRE, OR BERKSHIRE.
Boundaries, &c. 110.— Natural Commodities: Oaks, Bark, Trouts, 110, ill.—
Manufactures: Clothing, 111. —Buildings : Proverbs, 112. — Princes, 121.—
Saints: Margaret and Alice Rich, St. Edmund, 123, 124.— Martyrs : Anth.
Persons, Robt. Testwood, Henry Fillmer, Julius Palmer, 124-126 — Confessors:
John Marbeck, Robt. Benett, 126, 127. — Cardinals, 127 — Prelates : Wm. of Read-
ing, John de Bradfield, Rich. Beauchamp, Tho. Godwin, Tho. Ramme, Wm. Laud,
128, 129 — Statesmen : Sir J.Mason, Sir Tho. Smith, 130, 131 — Soldiers : Henry
Umpton, 131.— Writers : Hugh of Reading, Roger of Windsor, Robt. Rich, Rich,
of Wallingford, Henry Bullock, Wm. Lyford, Tho. Hyde, 132-135.— Benefactors :
Alfred the Great, Peter Chapman, John Kendrick, Rich, Wightwick, 135, 136 —
Memorable Persons: Tho. Cole, John Winscombe, 136, 137 — Lord Mayors,
137— Gentry, 138 — List of Sheriffs; with notices of Will. Briewere, Philip de
Marton, Fulco de Breantree, Rog. Episc. Covent. et Lich., Phil, de la Beach,
Tho. Chaucer, Tho. Wikham, Joh. Gowfre, John Howard, Humph. Foster,
Rob. Harecourt, John Basket, Wm. Essex, Francis Inglefield, John Williams,
Henry Norrice, Edw. Unton, Besilius Fettiplace, Rich. Lovelace, and Sir J.
Darell, 141-160. — Battles : Newbury, 161.— The Farewell, 162.— Worthies since
the time of Fuller, and topographical Works relative to the County, 162, 163.
BEDFORDSHIRE.
Boundaries, Soil, &c. 164.— Natural Commodities : Barley, Malt, Fuller's-earth,
Larks, 164, 165 Manufactures: Buildings : Wonders : Proverbs, 166.—
Princes: Margaret Beaufort, 167.— Saints: Arnulphus, 168 Martyrs: Thos.
Chase, ib — Prelates : Silvester de Everton, #.— Capital Judges, and Writers of
the Law: Sir John Cokeyn, Edm. Wingate, 169 Writers: John of Dunstable,
Geo. Joy, Francis Dillingham, Wm. Sclater, 169-171. — Benefactors to the
Public: Sir Wm. Harper, Henry Grey, Francis Cleark, 172, 173.— Memorable
Persons, 173 — Lord Mayors: Gentry, 174.— List of Sheriffs; with notices of
Rich. Basset, Henry de Essex, David Archidiaconus, Rob. de Braybrook, Hen.
Braybrook, Edvard. filius Hen. III., Tho. Hoo, John Wenlock, Sir John St.
John, Wm. Gascoigne, John Mordant, Wm. Windsor, Francis Russel, Oliver
St. John, Wm. Dormer, 176-190.— The Farewell, 190 Worthies since the time
of Fuller, and Works relative to the County, 191.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
Boundaries, &c. 192.— Natural Commodities: Beech, Sheep, Tame Pheasants,
192, l93._The Manufactures, 193.— Proverbs, 194,—Saints : St. Edburg, St. Ru-
ald, 194, 195 — Martyrs: John Scrivener, 196 Prelates : Rich, de Wendover,
John Buckingham, John Young, John Holyman, John Harley, Robt. Aldrich,
M m. Alley, Rich. Cox, Thos. Bickley, John King, Rich. Montague, Henry King,
lOl.-Writers on the Law: Sir Geo. Crook, Edw. Bulstrode, 202, 203.-
ir Wm. Windsor, Arthur Gray, 203, 204.— Writers : Roger de Wen-
dover, John Amersham, Matt. Stokes, Walter Haddon, Laur. Humphred, Roger
CONTENTS. XXVU
Goad, John Gregory, Sam. Collins, Wm. Oughtred, 205-209. — Romish Exile
Writers : Thos. Dorman, 209. — Memorable Persons : John Mathew, Daine
Hester Temple, 210 Lord Mayors: Gentry, 211 List of Sheriffs; with
notices of John Croke, Robt. Dormer, Edw. Bulstrod, Henry Longvile, Benedict
Winchcombe, Sir Edw. Coke, Francis Cheney, 213-218 — The Farewell, 218 —
Worthies since the time of Fuller, and Works relative to the County, 219, 220.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
Boundaries, &c. 221. — Natural Commodities : Eels, Hares, Saffron, Willows, 222.
— Manufactures : Paper, Baskets, 223, 224. -Buildings : Ely Minster, 224, 225. —
Wonders, 225.— Proverbs, 226, 227 — Martyrs: William Flower, 228.— Prelates:
Stephen de Fulborn, Nicholas of Ely, William, John, and Nicholas of Bottlesham,
Thomas of Newmarket, Thos. Thirtby, Dr. Godf. Goldsborough, Dr. Robt.
Townson, Dr. Thos. Westfield, 228-232. — Statesmen : John Tiptoft, Sir John
Cheeke, 233, 234. — Soldiers, 234 — Writers: Matt. Paris, Helias Rubeus, John
Eversden, Rich. Wetherset, Wm. Caxton, Rich. Huloet, John Richardson, Dr.
Andrew Willet, Sir Thos. Ridley, Arthur Hildersham, R. Parker, Mich. Dalton
Dr. Thos. Goad, Andrew Marvail, 235-240. — Benefactors: Hugo de Balsham,
Sir Wm. Horn, Sir Wm. Purcase, Sir Thos. Kneisworth, John Crane, 241, 242. —
Memorable Persons : Wm. Collet, Edw. Norgate, 242 — Lord Mayors, 243 —
Gentry, 244 — List of Sheriffs ; with notices of Thos. Cotton, Thos. Eliot, Thos.
Cromwell, Edw. North, John Huddleston, John Cuts, Henry Cromwell, Jarvasius
Clifton, Simon Steward, 247-259.— The Farewell, 260 Worthies since the time
. <3f Fuller, and Works relative to the County, 260, 261.
CHESHIRE.
Boundaries, Rivers, Gentry, &c. 262. — Natural Commodities : Salt, Cheese, Mill-
stones, 263, 264 Buildings, 264. — Wonders : Proverbs, 265, 266. — Cardinals :
Wm. Makilesfield, 267 — Prelates: Wm. Booth, Laurence Booth, John Booth,
Thos. Savage, Dr. Wm. Chaderton, Dr. Wm James, John Richardson, 267-270.
— Statesmen : Sir Thos. Egerton, 270 Capital Judges : Sir Humphrey Stark ey,
Sir Henry Bradshaw, Sir Randal Crew, Sir Humf. Davenport, 270-274. — Soldiers:
Sir Hugh Calvely, John Smith, 274, 275.— Physicians : 276 — Writers: Thos.
Eclestone, Ralph Radcliffe, John Speed, John Dod, 276-278. — Benefactors : Sir
Rich. Sutton, Robt. Brassy, Geo. Palin, Sir John Brewerton, Dr. John Barnston,
279-281 Memorable Persons : Wm. Smith, Wm. Webb, Randal Crew, 281,
282. — Lord Mayors, 282. — List of Sheriffs ; with notices of Hugh de Hatton
Sir Hugh Cholmly, or Cholmondeleigh, John Savage, 283-289 — Battles : Row-
ton-heath, 289 — The Farewell, ib.
CHESTER.
Boundaries, &c. : Buildings, 290 Proverbs : Martyrs, Geo. Marsh, 291. — Pre-
lates: Dr. Geo. Dounham, 291 Seamen-. David Middleton, Sir H. Middleton,
292. — Writers: Roger of Chester, Randal Hygden, Henry Bradshaw, Edw.
Brierwood, John Downham, 293-295 Benefactors : Wm. Aldersey, Sir Thos.
Offley, John Terer, 295, 296.— The Farewell, 297-
Worthies since the time of Fuller, and Works relative to the County, 297, 298.
xxviii CONTENTS,
CORNWALL.
Boundaries Dialect, &c. 299.— Natural Commodities: Diamonds, Ambergris,
Garlic Pilchards, Blue Slate, Tin, 300-302.— Buildings : Mount-Edgecombe, 303.
—Medicinal Waters, 304. - Wonders : the'Hurlers, Main Amber, 304, 305 — Pro-
verbs, 306.— Saints : St. Kiby, St.Ursula, St. Meliorus, 307,308.— Prelates : Win.
de Grenvil, Michael Tregury, John Arundel, 309, 310 — Capital Judges .and Writers
on the Law: Wm.Noy, 310, 311.— Soldiers : King Arthur, 311.— Seamen : John
Arundel, 312.— Civilians : John Tregonwell, 313 — Physicians: Rawe Hayes,
Atwell, ib. Writers : Hugarius the Levite, John of Cornwall, Simon Thur-
way, Michael Blaunpayn, Godfrey of Cornwall, John Trevisa, John Skuish,
Bartholomew Traheron, Rich. Carew, Chas. Herle, 314-318 — Memorable Persons :
Kiltor, John Bray, John Roman, Veal, Edw. Bone, 319. —Lord Mayors, 320 —
List of Sheriffs ; with notices of Roger de Priddeaux, John Arundel, Thos. Green-
vil, Jas. Tirrell, John Basset, Pet. Edgcombe, Rich, diamond, Wm. Mohun,
Ant. Rouse, Francis Godolphin, Wm. Wrey, Rich. Roberts, 320-330 — Battles :
Liskeard, Stratton, 331-334 — The Farewell, 334 — Worthies since the time of
Fuller, and Works relative to the County, 335, 336.
CUMBERLAND.
Boundaries, 337 — Natural Commodities : Pearls, Black-lead, Copper, 337, 338 —
Buildings, 338 Wonders : the Moss-troopers, 339. — Proverbs, 340 — Saints : St.
Herebert, St. Alrike, 341. — Martyrs: Eliz. Forster, ib — Prelates: Roger Whelp-
dale, Roger Layburn, Edm. Grindall, Dr. Henry Robinson, Dr. Rich. Senhouse,
342, 343.— Capital Judges, and Writers on the Law : Sir Rich. Hutton, Sir John
Banks, 344 — Civilians : Geo. Porter, 345. — Writers : John Canon, Wm. Egre-
mont, John Skelton, Dr. Rich. Crakenthorp, John Salkeld, Dr. Gerard Langbain,
345-347 — Benefactors: Robt. Eaglesfield, 348 Memorable Persons : Maud, ft.
— Lord Mayors: Gentry, 349 — List of Sheriffs; with notices of Robertus de
Vaus, Walt. Epis. Carliol. et Rob. filius Will, de Hampton, Andreas de Harcla,
Richard duke of Gloucester, Thos. Wharton, 350-362 — The Farewell, 362 —
Worthies since the time of Fuller, and Works relative to the County, 362-364.
DERBYSHIRE.
Boundaries, Soil, &c. 365 — Natural Commodities : Lead, ib Manufactures: Malt,
Ale, 366, 367. — Buildings : Chatsworth, 367 Wonders: Maim-tor, 368
Medicinal Waters: Princes, ib — Saints: St. Alkmund, ib — Martyrs: Joan
Wast, 369 — Cardinals : Rog. Curzon, Philip de Repingdon, ib Prelates : Wm.
Gray, Dr. Geo. Cooke, 370, 371 — Statesmen: Sir John Cooke, 371 Capital
Judges, and Writers of the Law : John Stathom, Sir Anth. Fitz-Herbert, 371,
372 — Seamen: Sir Hugh Wllloughby, 372 — Physicians: Thos. Linacer, 374
Writers : Thos. Ashburne, 376 — Benefactors : Eliz. Hardwick, ib. — Gentry,
377 — List of Sheriffs ; with notices of John Vernon, 381-390 The Farewell, ib.
—Worthies since the time of Fuller, and Works relative to the County, 391-393.
DEVONSHIRE.
Boundaries, &c. 394— Natural Commodities : Silver, Tin, Herrings, Strawberries,
:bernes, 394-396.— Manufactures : Bone-lace, 396 Buildings: Bediford-
CONTENTS. XXIX
bridge, 397. — Wonders: the Gubbings, 397,398. — Proverbs, 399 Saints: St.
Wenfride Boniface, St. Willibald, 400 — Martyrs: Agnes Pirest, 401 Confes-
sors: John Molle, ib — Cardinals: Wm. Courtney, 402 Prelates: Robt.
Chichester, Gilb. Foliot, Robt. Foliot, Wm. Brewer, William de Raleigh, Rich.
Courtney, Jas. Cary, John Stanbery, Pet. Courtney, John Jewel, John Prideaux,
403-408 — Statesmen : Sir Arthur Chichester, 409 Capital Judges : Sir Wm.
Herle, Sir John Cary, Sir Wm. Hankford, Sir John Fortescue, Sir Lewis Pollard,
Sir John Doderidg, 410-412. — Soldiers : Sir Rich. Greenvil, James Lord Audley,
Thos. Stuckley, Geo. Monck, 413-417 — Seamen: Wm. Wilford, Sir Humph.
Gilbert, Cock, Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walt. Raleigh, 417-419 Civilians: John
Cowel, Arthur Duck, 420. — Writers : Roger the Cistercian, John de Ford, Rich.
Fishaker, John Cut-clif, Rich. Chichester, Robt. Plympton, Nich. Upton, Rich.
Hooker, John Reinolds, Nath. Carpenter, 421-424.— Benefactors : Pet. BlundeU,
Wm. Burgoin, 424, 425. — Memorable Persons : Henry de la Pomeray, Sir John
de Beigny, Child, Nich. and Andrew Tremaine, 425-427 — Lord Mayors : Gentry,
427 List of Sheriffs; with notices of Richardus Comes, Willielmus Brewer,
Wm. Yoo, John Damerell, Rich. Edgcombe, Peter Carew, Robt. Dennis, Amias
Bampfield, Dennis Rolls, 428-441.— The Farewell, 441.
EXETER.
Boundaries : Manufactures, 442. — Buildings : Wonders. 443 — Princes : Prelates :
Bartholomeus Iscanus, Baldvinus Devonius, Walt. Bronscombe, 444 — Writers :
Josephus Iscanus, William of Exeter, Rich. Martin, Wm. Martin, Wm. Tucker,
John Barkham, 445-447 — Benefactors : John Tuckvile, 447 — The Farewell, 448.
Worthies since the time of Fuller, and Works relative to the County, 448-450.
DORSETSHIRE.
Boundaries, &c. 451. — Natural Commodities : Tenches, Tobacco-pipe Clay, Hemp,
451, 452. — Buildings: Proverbs, 453. — Saints: Edward, ib. — Cardinals: John
Morton, 454 — Prelates : John Stafford, Robt. Morton, Jas. Turbevil, Thos.Win-
niffe, 455, 456 — Soldiers : Thos. Basket, John Russel, Sir Rich. Bingham, 457 —
Seamen : Rich. Clark, Geo. Summers, 458, 459. — Civilians : Sir Thos. Ryves,
460. — Benefactors : Robt. Rogers, 461 — Memorable Persons : Thomas de la
Lynd, Arthur Gregory, Wm. Englebert, ib. — Gentry, 462. — List of Sheriffs ;
with notices of John Newburgh, Egidius Strangways, Thos. More, 463-474. —
The Farewell, 475 — Worthies since the time of Fuller, and Works relative to
the County, 475, 476.
DURHAM.
Boundaries, &c. 477 — Princes : Cicely Neville, ib — Saints : Bede, 478 — Confes-
sors : John Wickliffe, 479.— Prelates : Ralph, Alexander, Robert and Geo. Nevil,
Robt. Horn, Dr. John Cosen, 480-483. — Civilians : Rich. Cosin, 484 — Writers :
Wm. Shirwood, John of Darlington, Wm. Siveyer, Thos. Jackson, Sam. Ward,
485-487 — Memorable Persons : Anthony Lord Gray, 488 Sheriffs : the Fare-
well, 489. — Worthies since the time of Fuller, and Works relative to the
County, 490, 491.
ESSEX.
Boundaries, &c. 492 Natural Commodities: Saffron, Oysters, Hops, Puets,
492-494. Manufactures: Gunpowder, 494. — Buildings, 495 — Wonders, 496, —
xxx CONTEXTS.
Proverbs, 497, 498.-Princes: Henry Fitzroy, 499— Saints : St. Helen, St. Con-
stantine, St. Ethelburgh, Hildetha, Theorithoid, Edilburge, Wolfhild, St. Osith,
St. Neot's, 499-501 Martyrs: John Laurence, Thos. Hawkes, Rose Allin,
50*1, 502.— Confessors : Rich. George, 502.— Cardinals: Thos. Bourchier, 503 —
Prelates: Richard de Barking, John de Chesill, John of Waltham, Rog. Walden,
Rich. Howland, John Jegon, Sam. Haresnet, Dr. Augustine Linsell, 504-507 —
Statesmen: Sir Thos. Audley, Sir Rich. Morisin, Sir Anthony Cook, Sir Thos.
Smith, Thos. Howard, Rich. Weston, 507-511.— Capital Judges: Sir John
Bramstone, 511 Soldiers: Robt. Fitz-Walter, Sir John Hawkewood, Thos.
Ratcliff, Sir Francis and Sir Horace Vere, 512-514 — Physicians: Wni. Gilbert,
515 Writers: Gervase of Tilbury, Adam of Barking, Ralph of Cogshall, Roger
of Waltham, John Godard, Aubrey de Vere, Thos. Maldon, Thos. Waldensis,
Thos. Tusser, Francis Quarles, Jos. Mede, 516-519 Benefactors: Rich.
Bedew, Walt. Mildmey, Dorothy Petre, Dr. Thos. Eden, 520-522 — Memorable
Persons: Matilda Fitz-Walter, Simon Lynch, 523 Lord Mayors, 524. —
Gentry ; with notices of Henry Bourchier, John Tyrrell, John Mountgomery,
Maurice Bruyn, Win. Goldingham, John Doreward, Robt. Darcy, Henry Lang.
ley, Thos. Heveningham, Johannes Leventhorp, Thos. Barington, Thos. Ben-
dysh, Egidius Lucas, Thos. Barrett, 526-528 — List of Sheriffs; with notices
of Will, de Longo Campo, Cancellarius Dom. Regis, Hugo de Nevil, et Johan.
de Nevil, Walter de Baud, Philip Bottiller, Henry Marny, Wm. Fitz Williams,
John Christmas, Sir Brian Tuke, Sir John Gates, Sir Ralph Rowlet, Jas. Al-
tham, Sir Henry Maynard, Sir Paul Bayning, John Lucas, 529-544. — Battles,
544. — The Farewell, ib. — Worthies since the time of Fuller, and Works relative
to the County, 545.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
Boundaries, &c. 546 — Natural Commodities : Tobacco, Oak, Steel, 546, 547
Manufactures : Clothing, Mustard, Wine, Cider, 547, 548 Buildings, 549
Wonders : the Higre, 550. — Proverbs, 551, 552 — Princes, 553 — Saints : St. Ke-
nelme, ib — Martyrs : Jas. Baynam, ib. — Prelates : Ti.deman de Winchcombe,
JohnChedworth, John Carpenter, Thos. Ruthall, Edw. Fox, 554-556. — Statesmen :
Sir Ralph Butler, 557 — Capital Judges, and Writers on the Law : Anthony
Fitz-Herbert, Edw. Trotman, 557-558 Soldiers . Sir Wm. Tracy, 558.— Sea-
men : Sir Wm. Winter, ib — Writers : Osbernus Claudianus, Robert of Glouces-
ter, Alan of Tewkesbury, Alexander of Hales, Thomas de la More, Thos. of Hales,
Thos. Neale, Rich. Tracy, Sir Thos. Overbury, Rich. Capel, John Sprint, John
Workman, 559-564. —Benefactors : Kath. Clyvedon, Sir Wm. Hampton, Thos.
Bell, Edw. Palmer, Hugh Pirry, 565-567 Lord Mayors : Gentry, 567 List of
Sheriffs ; with notices of Walt, de Stuchesly, Thos. Berkeley de Cobberley, John
Points, Wm. Kingston, Anth. Kingston, 568-581 The Farewell, 581 Wor-
thies since the time of Fuller, and Works relative to the County, 581, 582.
THE
WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
CHAPTER I.
THE DESIGN OF THE ENSUINGMVORK.
ENGLAND may not unfitly be compared to a house, not very
great,, but convenient ; and the several Shires may properly be
resembled to the rooms thereof. Now, as learned Master Cam-
den and painful Master Speed, with others, have described the
rooms themselves, so it is our intention, God willing, to
describe the furniture of these rooms; such eminent commo-
dities which every county doth produce, with the persons of
quality bred therein, and some other observables coincident
with the same subject.
Cato, that great and grave philosopher, did commonly
demand, when any new project was propounded unto him,
" Cui bono 1" what good would ensue, in case the same was
effected ? A question more fit to be asked than facile to be
answered in all undertakings, especially in the setting forth of
new books, insomuch that they themselves, who complain that
they are too many already, help daily to make them more.
Know then, I propound five ends to myself in this Book :
first, to gain some glory to God : secondly, to preserve the
memories of the dead: thirdly, to present examples to the
living : fourthly, to entertain the reader with delight : and
lastly (which I am not ashamed publicly to profess), to procure
some honest profit to myself. If not so happy to obtain all, I
will be joyful to attain some ; yea, contented and thankful too,
if gaining any (especially the first) of these ends, the motives of
my endeavours.
First, glory to God, which ought to be the aim of all our
actions ; though too often our bow starts, our hand shakes, and
so our arrow misseth the mark. Yet I hope that our describing
so good a land, with the various fruits and fruitful varieties
therein, will engage both writer and reader in gratitude to that
God who hath been so bountiful to our nation. In order
whereunto, I have not only always taken, but often sought
VOL. I. B
2 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
occasions to exhort to thankfulness, hoping the same will be
interpreted no straggling from my subject, but a closing with
my calling.
Secondly, to preserve the memories of the dead. A good
name is an ointment poured out, smelt where it is not seen.
It hath been the lawful desire of men in all ages to perpetuate
their memories, thereby in some sort revenging themselves of
mortality, though few have found out effectual means to per-
form it. For monuments made of wood are subject to be
burnt ; of glass, to be broken ; of soft stone, to moulder ; of
marble and metal, (if escaping the teeth of time) to be demo-
lished by the hand of covetousness ; so that, in my apprehen-
sion, the safest way to secure a memory from oblivion is (next
his own virtues) by committing the same in writing to posterity.
Thirdly, to present examples to the living, having here
precedents of all sorts and sizes ; of men famous for valour,
wealth, wisdom, learning, religion, and bounty to the public,
on which last we most largely insist. The scholar, being taxed
by his writing master for idleness in his absence, made a fair
defence, when pleading that his master had neither left him
paper whereon or copy whereby to write. But rich men will
be without excuse, if not expressing their bounty in some
proportion, God having provided them paper enough ["the
poor you have always with you "*] and set them signal exam-
ples, as in our ensuing work will plainly appear.
Fourthly, to entertain the reader with delight. I confess, the
subject is but dull in itself, to tell the time and place of men's
birth, and deaths, their names, with the names and number of
their books ; and therefore this bare skeleton of time, place,
and person, must be fleshed with some pleasant passages. To
this intent I have purposely interlaced (not as meat, but as
condiment) many delightful stories, that so the reader, if he do
not arise (which I hope and desire) religiosior or doctior, with
more piety or learning, at least he may depart jucundior, with
more pleasure and lawful delight,
Lastly, to procure moderate profit to myself in compensation
of my pains. It was a proper question which plain-dealing
Jacob pertinently propounded to Laban his father-in-law :
" and now when shall I provide for mine house also ?" t
Hitherto no stationer hath lost by me ; hereafter it will be high
time for me (all things considered) to save fer myself.
The matter following may be divided into real and personal,
though not according to the legal acception of the words. By
real, I understand the commodities and observables of every
county : by personal, the characters of those worthy men who
were natives thereof. We begin with a catalogue of the parti-
cular heads whereof this Book doth consist, intending to shew
* John xii. 8. f Gen. xxx. 30.
NATIVE COMMODITIES MANUFACTURES. 3
how they are severally useful ; and then I hope, if good as
single instruments, they will be the better as tuned in a
consort.
CHAPTER II.
THE REAL TOPICS INSISTED ON IN THE RESPECTIVE COUNTIES.
THE NATIVE COMMODITIES.
No County hath cause to complain with the Grecian widows,
that they are neglected in the daily ministration,* God hath
not given all commodities to one, to elate it with pride, and
none to others to deject them with pensiveness ; but there is
some kind of equality betwixt the profits of counties, to con-
tinue commerce, and balance trading in some proportion.
We have therefore in this Work taken especial notice of the
several commodities which every Shire doth produce. And
indeed God himself enjoineth us to observe the variety of the
earth's productions in this kind. For speaking of the land of
Havilah, where, saith he, "there is gold, and the gold of that
land is good ; there is bdellium, and the onyx-stone :"t see
here how the Holy Spirit points at those places where God hath
scattered such treasure, and the best thereof in all kinds, that
man, if so disposed, may know whereto gather them up.
I confess, England cannot boast of gold, and precious stones,
with the land of Havilah ; yet affordeth it other things, both
above and beneath ground, more needful for man's being.
Indeed some Shires, Joseph-like, have a better coloured coat
than others ; and some, with Benjamin, have a more boxintiful
mess of meat belonging unto them. Yet every County hath a
child's proportion, as if God in some sort observed gavel-kind
in the distribution of his favours. " Oh that men would there-
fore praise the Lord for his goodness, and declare the wondrous
works which he doeth for the children of men.J"
Know, reader, when a commodity is general to all England,
then, to avoid repetition, it is entered in that county where
there was the first, or else the most and best of that kind.
And we have so contrived it, that, generally, three commodities
are treated of in every county.
THE MANUFACTURES.
Some Heathen have causelessly complained of Nature as a
step-mother to mankind, because other creatures come into the
world clothed with feathers, furs, or fleeces, &c., or armed with
paws, claws, beaks, tusks, horns, hoofs; whilst man is exposed
naked into the world: I say a causeless charge, because Provi-
* Acts vi 1. f Gen. ii. 12. J Psalms cvii. 8.
B 2
4 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
dence having given men hands, and reason to use them (two
blessings denied to other creatures), all clothing and fencing is
eminently and transcendantly bestowed upon him.
It is very remarkable to see the manufactures in England, not
knowing whether more to admire the rarity or variety thereof.
Undoubtedly the wealth of a nation consisteth in driving a na-
tive commodity through the most hands to the highest artificial
perfection, whereof we have taken especial cognizance in- the
respective counties, yet so as (though briefly naming) not
largely handling that manufacture whereon we have formerly
insisted.
It must not be forgotten that there be some things which
cannot properly be termed natural commodities, because of
their quality altered and disguised by men's industry; and yet
they attain not the reputation of manufactures. As salt, being
water boiled; malt, barley dried; cider, apples pressed. See-
ing therefore they have a mixed nature, they are promiscuously
placed as suiteth best with my own conveniency.
MEDICINAL WATERS.
The God of Nature hath not discovered himself so variously
wonderful in any thing, as in the waters of fountains, rivers, &c.
England hath as large a share herein as any country, and her
springs wonderful on several accounts.
1. Colour; black, red, yellow, &c. — 2. Taste; sweet, bitter,
salt, acid, corroding, astringing, &c. — 3. Odour ; stinking of
sulphur, like the scouring of a gun very foul. — 4. Sound ; beat-
ing sometimes like a march, sometimes like a retreat on several
occasions. — 5. Heat; lukewarm, and gradually hot even to
scalding. — 6. Weight; considerably heavier or lighter in pro-
portion to other waters. — 7. Motion; though many miles from
the sea, sympathizing therewith, ebbing and flowing accord-
ingly.— 8. Effects; some being surgeons to heal sores, others
physicians to cure diseases.
The last is proper for our pen, being the largess of Heaven
to poor people, who cannot go to the price of a costly cure.
Of these more have been discovered by casualty than industry,
to evidence that therein we are not so much beholden to man's
pains as God's providence. Many springs formerly sovereign,
have since lost their virtue, yet so that other springs have found
it ; so that their sanative qualities may seem not taken away,
but removed. And as there are many mean men of great ability
yet depressed in obscurity; so no doubt there are in our land aquae
incognita* of concealed worth and virtue ; in effect no whit infe-
rior to those which in fame are far above them. However, the
gift which Nature holdeth forth may be doubled in the goodness
thereof, if the hand of Art do but help to receive it. and the
patients be prepared with physic, in the using of such water ;
MEDICINAL WATERS— THE WONDERS. 5
otherwise fons vita may be fons mortis, if diet, due time-, and
quantity be not observed.
Some will say that our English waters must needs be raw,
because so far from the fire ; whilst those are better boiled,
which, lying more south, are nearer the sun. But experience
avows the contrary, that England affordeth most sanative
waters for English bodies, if men were as judicious in taking,
as Nature is bountiful in tendering them.
As for the proprietaries of such (or rather of the ground sur-
rounding such) medicinal waters, as I would not have them de-
trimented in the least degree by the conflux of people unto
them; so it is injurious in my judgment for them to set them
to sale, and make gain of God's -free gift therein. I confess,
water was commonly sold in the land of Canaan, proved by
that passage in the Prophet, "Oh, every one that thirsteth,
come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money/'* &c.
Yea, so churlish were the Edomites to the Israelites, that " they
would not give/' that is, "afford them water for money ."t
But it is considerable : well-water in those hot countries was
acquired with vast pains and expence, it being dearer to sink a
well than build an house, besides many frustrations in that kind,
before their endeavours found full effect; which made it the
more equal for the owners, by such sales, to make profit, or
rather to make up their reparations. But no such cost being
expended in the case in hand, it may be accounted a kind of
simony, in such as sell ease and help to poor people, though
they may lawfully buy it, as passive and necessitated thereunto.
THE WONDERS.
Of these England affordeth many, which by several authors
are variously reckoned up. One reckoneth four as most re-
markable;{ another accounted six;§ a third bringeth them up
to thirteen, 1 1 which since some have increased. Indeed if so
many men had all agreed in one number, that had been a
wonder indeed.
But under this title we comprehend all rarities, whish are out
of the ordinary road of nature, the illustration whereof may
minister unto us matter of profitable discourse. Of these
wonders, some were transient, lasting only for a time (like ex-
traordinary ambassadors employed on some great affair) ; others
liegers and permanent, the most proper for our pen to observe.
And to prevent vacuity in some counties (that this topic of
wonders might be invested with some matter), some artificial
rarities are (but very sparingly) inserted, such as transcend the
standard of ordinary performance : but these are cast in as over-
weight, the former being only our proper siibject.
* Isaiah, Iv. 1. f Deut. ii. 28. I H. Huntington. § Sir John Sidney.
SI Samuel Beaulaud on Nennius.
6 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
Our great design herein is, that men may pay the tribute of
their admiration, where the same is due, to God himself, who,
as David observeth, "only doth great wonders/5* Only, ex-
clusively of men and angels; doth, that is, really, solidly, and
substantially. Jugglers do shew, not do, whose pretty works are
not pr&stationes, but prastigice. Great wonders, called in
Scripture MAGNALIA; and, if the Latin alloweth the word, we
could grant the devil his Parvalia, doing, of petty feats, great-
ened into wonders by his cunning and our credulity.
Well, let our admiration be given to God, seeing deliberate
wondering (when the soul: is not suddenly surprised) being
raised up to an height is part of adoration, and cannot be given
to any creature without some sacrilege. Such wondering con-
sists of reverence and ignorance, which best becometh even the
wisest of men, in their searches after God his ways. As for
that unkind wondering, which melts not man's heart like wax
into the praising of God, but clay-like hardeneth it unto stupe-
faction, "Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish." t
God keep all good men from being guilty thereof !
A secondary end I have herein, to shew that England falls
not short of foreign countries in wonderful sights, the same in
kind, though not in degree. Italy hath her Grotta della Sibilla ;
we in Somersetshire our Wockley Hole. Spain her Anas; we
our Mole, &c. But wonders, like prophets, are not without
honour save in their own country, where constancy (or at least
commonness of converse) with them abateth their respect and
reputation.
THE BUILDINGS.
[Reader, in our following book we have inverted the method,
and more properly placed buildings next to manufactures.]
Next we take notice of the signal structures which each
County doth afford. Indeed the Italians do account all English
to be Gothic buildings, only vast * (and greatness must have
something of coarseness therein). However, abating for their
advantage above us in materials, marble, porphyry, &c. their
palaces may admire the art in some English fabrics, and in our
Churches especially.
Elisha, beholding Hasael, wept by way of prophecy, foresee-
ing that, amongst other many mischiefs, he would set fire on the
strong cities, J and, by consequence, on the fair houses in Israel.
But well may we weep, when looking back on our late civil wrar,
remembering how many beautiful buildings were ruined thereby,
though indeed we have cause to be thankful to God that so
many are left standing in the land.
But what said our Saviour to his disciples, when transported
with wonder at the goodly stones in the Temple ? " Are these
* Psalm cxxxvi. 4. f Acts xiii. 41. % 2 Kings viii. 12.
THE BUILDINGS LOCAL, PROVERBS. /
the things you look upon ? "* Such transitory buildings are
unworthy of a Christian's admiration. And let it be our
care, that when the fairest and firmest fabrics fall to the ground,
yea, when (C our earthly house be dissolved, we may have an
house not made with hands, but eternal in the heaven s."f
LOCAL PROVERBS.
A Proverb is much matter decocted into few words. Hear
what a learned critic saith of them :{ "Argutae hse brevesque
loquendi formulae, quamvis e trivio petitatee et plebi frequentatee,
suas habent veneres, et genium cujusque gentis penes quam ce-
lebrantur, atque acumen ostendunt."
Some will have a proverb so called from verbum a word,
and pro (as in proavus ) signifying before ; being a speech which
time out of mind hath had peaceable possession in the mouths
of many people. Others deduce it from verbum a word, and
pro for vice (as in proprases) in stead of, because it is not to
be taken in the literal sense; one thing being put for another.
Six essentials are required to the completing of a perfect
proverb; namely, that it be
1. Short. -\ /-I. Oration.
2. Plain. j ^2. Riddle.
3. Common. (^ Otherwise it is no j 3. Secret.
4. Figurative. ( proverb, but a ^4. Sentence.
5. Ancient. \ / 5. Upstart.
6. True. ^6. Libel.
I have only insisted on such local Proverbs in their respec-
tive counties, wherein some proper place or person is men-
tioned ; such as suggest unto us some historical hint, and the
interpretation thereof afford some considerable information, and
conduce to the illustration of those counties wherein they are
used.
Herein I have neglected such narrow and restrictive Pro-
verbs as never travelled beyond the smoke of the chimneys of
that town wherein they were made, and, though perchance sig-
nificant in themselves, are unknown to the neighbouring coun-
ties, so far they are from acquiring a national reception. Be-
sides, I have declined all such which are frivolous, scurrilous,
scandalous, confining ourselves only to such whose expounding
may contribute to the understanding of those shires wherein
they are in fashion.
Objection. — It is more proper for a person of your profession
to employ himself in reading of and commenting on the Pro-
verbs of Solomon,§ to "know wisdom and instruction, to per-
ceive the words of understanding/5 Whereas you now are
busied in what may be pleasant, not profitable ; yea, what may
inform the fleshly, not edify the inward man.
* Lukexxi. 6. f 2 Cor. v. 1. \ Salmasius e Levino Warnero.
Prov. i. 2.
8 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
Answer. Let not our fellow-servants be more harsh unto
us than our Master himself : we serve not so severe a Lord,
but that he alloweth us sauce with our meat, and recreation
with our vocation.
Secondly, God himself, besides such as I call supernatural
Proverbs (as Divinely inspired), taketh notice, and maketh use of,
the natural or native proverbs of the country, praising, approv-
ing, and applying some; "Physician, cure thyself ;"* f The
dog is returned to his vomit, and the swine which was washed
to her wallowing in the mire/' t Disliking and condemning
others, and commanding them to be abolished: " The fathers
have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on
edge.":f Now seeing antiquity without verity is no just plea
that any thing should be continued, on this warrant I have, in
these our country proverbs, alleged more than I allow; branding
some with a note of infamy, as fit to be banished out of our dis-
course.
Lastly, besides information much good may redound to the
reader hereby. It was the counsel which a wise gave to a great
man; fe Read histories, that thou dost not become a history."
So may we say, "Read Proverbs, that thou beest not made a
proverb/' as God threatened the sinful people of Israel. § Sure
I am that David, by minding of a country (no canonical) pro-
verb— viz. " Wickeiness proceedeth from the wicked," || was
thereby dissuaded from offering any violence to the person of
Saul, then placed in his power, whereby he procured much
tranquillity to his own conscience.
We have not confined ourselves to Proverbs in the strict
acception thereof; but sometimes insist on such which have
only a proverbial tendency, or lie, as one may say, in the
marches betwixt proverb and prophecy ; where they afford us a
fit occasion to sally forth into such discourse as may conduce to
the history of our nation.
THE MEDICINAL, HERBS.
Some maintain this position, " that every country cures the
diseases which it causes, and bringeth remedies for all the ma-
ladies bred therein." An opinion which, grant not true, yet
may have much truth therein, seeing every country, and Eng-
land especially, affordeth excellent plants : were it not partly
for men's laziness, that they will not seek them; partly for their
ignorance, that they know not when they have found them ; and
partly for their pride and peevishness, because, when found, they
disdain to use and apply them. Indeed, quod charum, charum ;
what is fetched far, and bought dear, that only is esteemed ;
otherwise, were many English plants as rare as they are useful,
we would hug in our hands what we now trample under our feet.
* Luke iv. 23. f 2 Peter ii. 22. J Ezek. xviii. 2.
§ 1 Kin^s ix. 7. || l Sam. xxiv. 1?.
MEDICINAL HERBS — PRINCES. 9
For proof hereof, let not the reader grudge to peruse these
words of a grand herbalist,* speaking of virga aurea, or golden
rod, growing plentifully, but discovered lately in Middlesex :
(f It is extolled above all other herbs for the stopping of blood in
sanguinolent ulcers and bleeding wounds ; and hath in time past
been had in greater estimation and regard than in these days.
For, in my remembrance, I have known the dry herb, which
came from beyond the seas, sold in Bucklersbury, in London,
for two shillings and sixpence the ounce ; but since it is found
in Hampstead Wood, even as it were at the town's end, no man
will give two shillings and sixpence for an hundred weight of
it ; which plainly sets forth our inconstancy and sudden muta-
bility, esteeming no longer of any thing, how precious soever it
be, than while it is strange and rare."
We may also observe, that many base and barren heaths and
hills, which afford the least food for beasts, yield the best phy-
sic for man. One may also take notice that such places that are
nearest to London, Cambridge, Oxford, Bath, or where some emi-
nent herbalist hath his habitation, afford us the greater variety
of medicinal herbs. Not that more have grown, but more are
known thereabouts, where the native plants are not better, but
more happy in their vicinity to such discoverers. And now, to
be always within the reach if not the touch of mine own calling,
we may observe in Scripture that God's Spirit directs men to
the gathering of such simples of his own planting : e( Is there
no balm in Gilead ?"f True in a literal sense, as well as mys-
tically of our Saviour.
Now the reason why I have been so sparing on this topic,
and so seldom insist thereon, is because these herbs grow
equally for goodness and plenty in all countries ; so that no
one shire can, without manifest usurpation, entitle itself
thereunto. Besides, they are so common and numerous, they
would jostle out matter of more concernment. However, we
have noted it where the herb is rare and very useful : and in our
following Book (though here the method be transposed) have
placed medicinal herbs next medicinal waters, conceiving that
order most natural.
CHAPTER III.
OF THE FIRST QUATERNION OF PERSONS.
I. PRINCES. — II6 SAINTS. III. MARTYRS. IV. CONFESSORS.
PRINCES.
WE take the word, as it is of the common gender, inclusive
of both sexes, and extend it only to kings with their wives and
* Gerard, in his Herbal, p. 430. f Jcr. viii. 22.
10 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
children. Of the second sort we have but few,, and those only
from the time of king Edward the Fourth, who first married
his subject, or native of his dominions.
We confine ourselves to such as were born since the Con-
quest ; otherwise we should be swallowed up, should we launch
out beyond that date into the Saxon government, especially into
the gulf of their Heptarchy, where a prince could not be seen for
princes. But, if a British or Saxon king comes under our pen,
we prefer to take cognizance of him in some other notion (as
of saint, martyr, soldier, &c.) so to preserve the topic of prince-
ship entire according to our design.
We have stinted ourselves only to the legitimate issue of
kings ; and after such who are properly princes, we have, as
occasion is offered, inserted some who in courtesy and equity
may be so accepted, as the heirs to the crown (in the Lancas-
trian difference) though not possessed thereof ; or else so near
a kin thereunto, that much of history doth necessarily depend
upon them.
We have observed these nativities of princes, because
such signal persons are not only oaks amongst under- woods, but
land-marks amongst oaks, and the directory for the methodical
regulation of history. Besides, in themselves they are of spe-
cial remark, as more or less remote from the crown ; not only
their own honour, but the happiness of thousands being con-
cerned in their extraction, and Divine providence most visible
in marshalling the order thereof. For, although " Nasci a prin-
cipibus fortuitum est " may pass for a true instance in gram-
mar, it is no right rule in divinity, which, though acknowledging
"rich and poor the work of God's hands,"* pronounceth
princes to be men " of his right hand, made strong for him-
self,"f that is, purposely advanced to employ their own great-
ness to his glory.
Let none object that the wives of kings need not to have
been inserted, as persons of no such consequence in govern-
ment, seeing it is the constant practice of the Spirit of God,
after the mention of a new king in Judah, to record the name
of his mother and her parentage: "His mother's name also
was Micaiah, the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah :"J "His
mother's name was Althaliah, the daughter of Omri :"§ "His
mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Lib-
nah :"|| and divines generally render this reason thereof, that if
such kings proved godly and gracious, then the memory of their
mothers should receive just praise for their good education ; if
otherwise, that they might be blamed for no better principling
them in their infancy.
* Jobxxxiv. 19. f Psalm Ixxx. 17. ± Chron. xiii. 2.
§ 2 Chron. xxii. 2. || 2 Kings xxiii. 31.
WORTHIES OF ENGLAND. ] 1
SAINTS.
This word accepts of several interpretations, or rather they
are injuriously obtruded upon it. 1. Saints of fiction, who
never were in rerum naturd, as St. Christopher, &c. 2. Saints
of faction, wherewith our age doth swarm, alleging two argu-
ments for their saintship : first, that they so call themselves ;
secondly, that those of their own party call them so. Neither
of these belong to our cognizance. 3. Saints of superstition,
reputed so by the court of Rome. 4. Saints indeed, parallel to
St. Paul's " Widows indeed,"* and both deserve to be honoured.
It is confessed, in this our book, we drive a great trade in the
third sort ; and I cannot therefore but sadly bemoan that the
lives of these saints are so darkened with popish illustrations,
and farced with faussetts to their dishonour, and the detriment
of church history ; for, as honest men, casually cast into the
company of cozeners, are themselves suspected to be cheats, by
those who are strangers unto them ; so the very true actions
of these saints, found in mixture with so many forgeries, have a
suspicion of falsehood cast upon them.
Inquiring into the causes of this grand abuse, I find them
reducible to five heads.
1. Want of honest hearts in the biographists of these saints,
which betrayed their pens to such abominable untruths.
2. Want of able heads, to distinguish rumours from reports,
reports from records; not choosing, but gathering; or rather
not gathering, but scraping what could come to their hands.
3. Want of true matter, to furnish out those lives in any pro-
portion. As cooks are sometimes fain to lard lean meat, not
for .fashion, but necessity, as which otherwise would hardly be
eatable for the dryness thereof ; so these, having little of these
saints more than their names, and dates of their deaths, and those
sometimes not certain, do plump up their emptiness with such ,
fictious additions. 4. Hope of gain ; so bringing in more cus-
tom of pilgrims to the shrines of their saints. 5. Lastly, for
the same reason for which Herod persecuted St. Peter (for I
count such lies a persecuting of the saints' memories) merely
because they saw it pleased the people.f
By these and other causes it is come to pass, that the obser-
vation of Vives is most true : (( Quee de sanctis scripta sunt,
preeter pauca qusedam, multis foe data sunt commentis, dum qui
scribit affectui suo indulget, et non quee egit divus, sed quae
ilium egisse vellet, exponit.^J (" What are written of the saints,
some few things excepted, are defiled with many fictions, whilst
the writer indulgeth his own affection, and declareth not what the
saint did do, but what he desired that he should have done/')
To this let me couple the just complaint of that honest Domi-
nican Melchior Canus : " Dolenter hoc dico, multo severius &
* l Tim. v. 3. f Acts xii. 3. J De Trad. Discrip. 1. v.
12 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
Laertio vitas Philosophorum scriptas, quam a Christianis vitas
Sanctorum, longeque incorruptius et integrius Suetonium res
Ceesarum exposuisse, quam exposuerint Catholici, non res dico
imperatorum, sed martyrum, virginum, et confessorum."* (" I
speak it to my grief," saith he, " that the lives of the Philoso-
phers are more gravely written by Laertius, than Saints are by
Christians ; and that Suetonius hath recorded the actions of the
Csesars with more truth and integrity, than Catholics have the
lives, I say not of princes, but even of martyrs, virgins, and con-
fessors.")
To return to our English saints. As our catalogue beginneth
with Alban, it endeth with Thomas bishop of Hereford, who
died anno Domini 1282, the last Englishman canonized by the
Pope : for though Anselm was canonized after him (in the
reign of king Henry the Seventh) he was no English but a
Frenchman, who died more than an hundred years before him.
Since which time, no English, and few foreigners, have attained
that honour; which the Pope is very sparing to confer : First,
because sensible that multitude of saints abateth veneration.
Secondly, the calendar is filled, not to say pestered, with them,
jostling one another for room, many holding the same day in
co-partnership of festivity. Thirdly, the charge of canonization
is great ; few so charitable as to buy it, the Pope too covetous
to give it to the memories of the deceased. Lastly, Protestants
daily grow more prying into the Pope's proceedings, and the
[suspected] perfections of such persons, who are to be sainted ;
which hath made his Holiness the more cautious, to canonize
none whilst their memories are on the must, immediately after
their deaths, before the same is fined in the cask, with some
competent continuance of time after their decease.
NOBLE MARTYRS.
St. Ambrose, in his Te Deum, doth justify the epithet ; and
by Martyrs, all know such only are imported who have lost
their lives for the testimony of a fundamental truth. However,
we find the word by one of the purest writers in the primitive
times attributed to such who were then alive : ee Cyprianus
Nemisiano Felici, Lucio, alteri Felici, Litteo, Coliano, Victori,
Faderi, Dativo, Coepiscopis ; item, Compresbyteris et Diacon-
ibus, et ceeteris fratribus in metallo constitutis, Martyribus Dei
Patris Omnipotentis et Jesu Christi Domini, et Dei Conser-
vatoris nostri, seternam salutem."f
See here how he bemartyreth such who as yet did survive ;
but in so servile a condition (condemned to the mines) that
they were almost hopeless, without miracle, to be released.
Yet dare we not presume on this precedent of St. Cyprian
(children must not do what their fathers may) to use the word
Lib. xi. c. 6. | Cyprianus, Epist. 77. as marshalled by Pamelian.
NOBLE MARTYRS. 13
so extensively ; but by martyrs understand persons (not in the
deepest durance and distress) but actually slain for the testi-
mony of Jesus Christ, which by an ingenious pen is thus not ill
expressed :
" What desperate challenger is he, > For all the way he goes he's none
Before he perish in the flame, Till he be gone.
What e'er his pain or patience be, It is not dying, but 'tis death
Who dares assume a MARTYR'S name ? Only gains a MARTYR'S wreath."
Now such martyrs as our land hath produced are reducible to
three different ranks :
1. Britons, suffering under Dioclesian, the persecuting
Roman emperor ; as Alban, Amphibalus, &c. 2. Saxons, mas-
sacred by the Pagan Danes ; as king Edmund, Ebba, &c.
3. English, murdered by the cruelty of papists, since the year
1400; as William Sawtree, John Badby, &c.
In the two former of these we are prevented, and they antici-
pated from us, by the Pope's canonizing them under the title
of Saints. The third and last only remain proper for our
pen, martyred by the Romish prelates for above an hundred and
fifty years together.
I confess I have formerly met with some men, who would not
allow them for martyrs who suffered in the reign of queen
Mary, making them little better than felons de se, wilfully draw-
ing their blood on themselves. Most of these, I hope, are
since convinced in their judgment, and have learned more cha-
rity in the school of affliction, who by their own losses have
learned better to value the lives of others, and now will willingly
allow martyrship to those from whom they wholly withheld or
grudgingly gave it before.
We have reckoned up these martyrs according to the places
of their nativity, where we could find them, which is my first
choice, in conformity to the rest of this work. But in case this
cannot be done, my second choice is (for know, reader, -'tis no
refuge) to rank them according to the place of their death,
which is their true birth-place in the language of antiquity.*
Hear how a right ancient author expresseth himself to this pur-
pose : ££ Apte consuetudinem tenet Ecclesia, ut solennes bea-
torum Martyrum vel Confessorum Christi dies, quibus ex hoc
mundo ad regionem migraverunt vivorum, nuncupentur Natales,
et eorum sollennia non funebria, tanquam morientium, sed
(utpote in ver£ vita nascentium) Natalitia vocitentur/"t Now
if the day of their death be justly entitled their birth-day, the
place of their death may be called their birth-place by the same
analogy of reason and language.
We have given in a list of martyrs' names in their respective
counties, but not their total number, only insisting on such
* Origen, lib. iii. Comment, in Job. Albinus Flac. de Divin. Offic cap. de
xta Feria, p. 60.
f Nichol. Papa in Epist. ad Consulta Bulgarorum, cap. 5. in fine.
14 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
who were most remarkable ; remitting the reader for the rest
to the voluminous pains of Mr. Fox, who hath written all, and
if malicious papists be believed, more than all, of this subject.
WORTHY CONFESSORS.
All good Christians are concluded within the compass of
Confessors in the large acception thereof. "With the mouth
confession is made unto salvation."* But here we restrain this
title to such who have adventured fair and far for martyrdom,
and at last not declined it by their own cowardice, but escaped
it by Divine Providence. Confessor is a name none can wear
whom it cost nothing. It must be purchased for the mainte-
nance of the faith, with the loss of their native land, liberty,
livelihood, limbs, any thing under life itself.
Yet in this confined sense of confessors, we may say with
Leah, at the birth of Gad, " Behold a troop cometh,"t too
many to be known, written, read, remembered ; we are forced
therefore to reconfine the word to such who were canditates
and probationers for martyrdom in proximo, potentia. There
was not a stride, "but (to use David's expression) a step
betwixt them and death ;"J their wedding clothes were made,
but not put on, for their marriage to the fire. In a word, they
were soft wax, ready chafed and prepared, but the signature of
a violent death was not stamped upon them.
Manifold is the use of our observing these confessors : First,
to show that God alone hath paramount power of life and
death ; preserving those who by men are " appointed to die."§
One whose son lay very sick, was told by the physician, " Your
son, sir, is a dead man." To whom the father (not disheartened
thereat) returned, "I had rather a physician should call him so an
hundred times, than a judge on the bench should do it once,
whose pronouncing him for a dead man makes him to be one."
But though both a physician in nature, and a judge in law,
give men for gone, the one passing the censure, the other sen-
tence of death upon them; God, "to whom belongeth the
issues from death/' || may preserve them Idng in the land of the
living. Hereof these confessors are eminent instances ; and
may God therefore have the glory of their so strange deli-
verances !
Secondly, it serveth to comfort God's servants in their great-
est distress. Let hand join in hand ; let tyrants piece the lion's
cruelty with the fox's craft; let them face their plots with
power, and line them with policy; all shall take no effect.
God's servants, if he seeth it for his glory and their good, shall
either be mercifully preserved from or mightily protected in
dangers, whereof these confessors are " a cloud of witnesses."
We have an English proverb, " Threatened folks live long ;"
* Rom. x. 10. f Gen. xxx. 11. J i Sam. xx. 3.
§ Psalmlxxix.il. || Psalm Ixviii. 20.
CONFESSORS — POPES. 15
but let me add, I know a threatened man who did never die at
all; namely, the prophet Elijah, threatened by cruel and crafty
Jezebel, " The gods do so to me, and more also, if I make not
thy life like one of their lives by to-morrow at this time."*
Yet did he never taste of mortality, being conveyed by a fiery
chariot into heaven. Now, although our ensuing history pre-
senteth not any miraculously preserved from death, yet affordeth
it plenty of strange preservations of persons to extreme old age,
though they wear the marks of many and mighty men's menaces,
who plotted and practised their destruction.
We have pursued the same course in confessors, which we
embraced in -martyrs; viz. we have ranked them according
to their nativities, where we could certainly observe them, to
make them herein uniform with the rest of our book. But
where this could not be attained, we have entered them in
those counties where they had the longest or sharpest sufferings.
And this we humbly conceive proper enough, seeing their con-
fessorship in a strict sense did bear true date from the place of
their greatest persecution.
CHAPTER IV.
OF POPES, CARDINALS, AND PRELATES, BEFORE THE
REFORMATION.
POPES.
I MEET with a mass of English natives advanced to that
honour. Pope John Joan is wholly omitted ; partly because
we need not charge that see with suspicious and doubtful crimes,
whose notorious faults are too apparent, partly because this
He- she, though allowed of English extraction, is generally be-
lieved born at Mentz in Germany.f
Wonder not that so few of our countrymen gained the triple
crown. For, first, great our distance from Rome, who, being
an island or little world by ourselves, had our Archbishop of
Canterbury, which formerly was accounted alterius orbis Papa.
Secondly, the Italians of late have engrossed the papacy to them-
selves : and much good may their monopoly do them ; seeing
our English may more safely repose themselves in some other
seat than the Papal chair, more fatal, it is to be feared, to such
as sit therein, than ever Eli's proved unto him-t
Yea, I assure you, four Popes was a very fair proportion for
England. For having perused the voluminous book of Panta-
leon, "De Viris illustribus Germanise," I find but six Popes,
* 1 Kings xix. 2. f Godwin, in Catal. Cardinal, p. 159.
: 1 Sam. iv. 18.
Ifi WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
Dutchmen by their nativity, viz. Stephen the Eighth, Gregory
the Fifth, Silvester the Second, Leo the Ninth, Victor the
Second, and Adrian the Sixth. Seeing therefore Germany, in
the latitude thereof, a continent five times bigger than England,
measured by the aforesaid Pantaleon with advantage ; I say,
seeing Germany, the Emperor whereof is, or ought to be, Pa-
tron to the Pope, produced by but six of that order, England s
four acquit themselves in a very good appearance.
I need not observe that our English word Pope came from
the Latin Papa, signifying a father, a title anciently given to
other bishops, but afterwards fixed on the see of Rome. One
would have him called Papa by abbreviation, quasi PAter
PAtriarcharum, flitting only the two first syllables ; — a pretty
conceit, which I dare no more avouch than his fancy who
affirmed the former syllable in Papa to be short in verse, for
the Popes personal, who indeed are short-lived ; whilst the same
syllable is long, the word being taken for the succession of
Popes, who have lasted above a thousand years.
CARDINALS.
A word of their names, numbers, degrees, dignities, titles, and
habit. Cardinals are not so called, because the hinges on which
the church of Rome doth move, but from cardo, which signi-
fieth the end of a tenon put into a mortise,* being accordingly
fixed and fastened to their respective churches. Anciently,
cardinalis imported no more than an ecclesiastical person, bene-
ficed and inducted into a cure of souls; and all bishops gene-
rally made cardinals as well as the Pope of Rome.
In proof whereof, there were anciently founded, in the church
of Saint Paul's, two cardinals chosen by the dean and chapter
out of the twelve petty canons ; whose office it was to take
notice of the absence and neglect of all in the choir, to give the
eucharist to the minister of that church and their servants, as
well in health as in sickness ; to hear confessions, appoint
penance, and to commit the dead to convenient sepulture. And
two of them lie buried in the church of Saint Faith, with these
epitaphs :
" Hie homo Catholicus "Willielmus West tumulatur,
Pauli Canonicus Minor Ecclesise vocitatur,
Qui fuerat Cardinalis bonus atque sodalis," &c.
" Perpetuis annis memores estote Johannis
Good, Succentoris, Cardinalisque minoris," &c.
Many other churches besides Saint Paul's retained this
custom of cardinal-making ; viz. Ravenna, Aquileia, Milan,
Piso, Beneventana in Italy, and Compostella in Spain.
But in process of time cardinal became appropriated to such
as officiated in Rome; and they are reckoned up variously by
* Vitruvius, lib. 10, c. 20.
CARDINALS. 17
authors,, fifty-one,, fifty-three, fifty-eight, sixty; I believe their
number arbitrary, to be increased or diminished ad libitum
Domini Papae. They are divided into three ranks: Cardinal
Bishops, assessors with the Pope ; Cardinal Priests, assistants
to the Pope; and Cardinal Deacons, attendants on the Pope.
The former of these have chairs allowed them, and may sit
down in presence of his Holiness; and these are seven in
number, whose sees are in the vicinage of Rome; and some
Englishmen have had the honour to be dignified by them.
1. Bishop of Hostia. 2. Bishop of Rorto, R. Kilwardby.
3. Bishop of Sabine. 4. Bishop of Alba, Nic. Breakspeare.
5. Bishop of Preneste, Bernar. Anglicus and Simon Langham.
6. Bishop of Rufine. ?• Bishop of Tusculane.
Cardinal Priests succeed, generally accounted twenty-eight,
divided into four septenaries, whose titles are here presented,
with such Englishmen* who attained to be honoured with such
churches in Rome.
1. St. Mary's beyond Tiber. 2. St. Chrysogon ; Stephen
Laughton, A. D. 1212. 3. St. Cecily beyond Tiber; Thomas
Wolsey, A. D. 1515. 4. St. Anastasia; John Morton, A. D.
1493. 5. St. Laurence in Damaso. 6. St. Mark. J. St. Mar-
tin in the Mount; William Alan, A. D. 1587- 8. St. Sabine;
John Stafford, A. D. 1434. 9. "St. Prisca; Reginald Pole, A. D.
1540. 10. St. Balbine. 11. St. Nereus and Achileus ; Phil.
Repington, A. D. 1408. 12. St. Sixtus. 13. St. Marcellus. 14.
St. Susan. 15. St. Praxis; Ancherus, A. D. 1261. 16. St. Pe-
ter ad vincula; Christopher Bambridge, A. D. 1511. 17. St.
Laurence in Lucina. 18. St. Crosses Jerusalem; Boso, A. D.
1156. 19. St. Stephen in Mount Celius ; Robert Curson, A. D.
1211. 20. St. John and St. Paul; Robert Summercote, A. D.
1234. 21. The four Crowned Saints. 22. The holy Apostles.
23. St. Cyriacus in the Baths ; Thomas Bourchier, A. D. 1464.
24. St. Eusebius; Robert Pullen, A. D.I 144. 25. St. Pun-
tiana; Boso, A. D. 1160. 26. St. Vitalis— St.' ; John Fish-
er, A.D. 1535. 27. St. Marceline and Peter. 28. St. Cle-
ment.
Observe, I pray you, this catalogue of titles (taken out of Sir
Henry Spelman his glossary) is imperfect, St. Pastor being
omitted therein, whereof Boso was at last made cardinal.f
For these cardinals were not so mortised to their churches, but
that they might be removed, especially if advanced a story higher
(from cardinal deacons to priests, from priests to bishops);
and sometimes, though remaining on the same floor, they were
removed (to make room for others) to some other title. Many
more Englishmen we had created cardinals, whose certain titles
are unknown,
* Sometimes there were several English Cardinals successively of the same title,
whose names and numbers will be exhibited in their respective counties.
t Bishop Godwin, in his Catalogue of Cardinals, p. 165.
VOL. I. C
jg WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
But let us proceed to the Cardinal Deacons, sixteen in num-
>ei." St. Mary in Dompusinica. 2. St. Lucy. 3. St. Mary
the New 4. St. Comus and St. Damian. 5. fc (jregory. 6.
St Mary in the Greek School. 7- St. Mary in the Porch. 8.
St. Nicholas by the Prison. 9. St. Angelus. 10. St. kusta-
chius. 11. St. Mary in the Water. 12. St. Mary in the broad
Way. 13. St. Agathe. 14. St. Lucia on the top of Sabme.
15. St. Quintin. 16. St. [The last lost by the Scribe in
Curia.]
I only find one Englishman, Boso by name, made cardinal
deacon of St. Cosmus and St. Damian 5 but it was not long
before he was advanced to be a cardinal bishop.
The habit of cardinals is all scarlet; whereof Theodore Beza
tartly enough thus expresseth himself :
Crede mees nullo saturantur murice vestes,
Divite nee cocco pallia tincta mihi.
Sed qua rubra vides Sanctorum ccede virorum,
Et mersa insonti sanguine cuncta incident,
Aut memor istorum qua celat crimina veslis,
Pro Domino justo tincta pudore rubet.
" My clothes in purple liquor ne'er were stew'd,
Nor garments (trust me) richly dyed in grain.
These robes you see so red I have imbru'd
In gore of guiltless saints, whom I have slain.
Or, mindful of the faults they hide, with shame
The bashful clothes do blush their wearer's blame."
They wore also a red hat of a peculiar fashion to themselves,
and rode abroad on horseback on scarlet foot-clothes ! and
Pope Paul the Second made it penal for any beneath their order
in Rome to use the same ;* yea, to such a height of pride did
they aspire, that we read this note in the Roman Pontifical :
"Notandum, quod Caesar antequam coronetur simplici diade-
mate sedet post primum episcopum cardirialem : et si quis rex
adest, sedet tune post primum omnium presbyterum cardina-
lem." Indeed, making their own canons, and being their own
heralds to marshal their own precedency, they had been much
to blame if not carving a good portion, of honour to themselves,
whilst devout princes, abused by bad instructors and their own
erroneous consciences, gave to the clergy what they were pleased
to demand.
None might elect the Pope save such as were cardinals ; yea,
none out of that order were eligible into the Papacy ; as in
England one must first be a serjeant before he be a judge.
Cardinal deacons were in equal capacity of being popes with car-
dinal priests, and oftentimes were preferred before them, as they
could strengthen their faction, which carried all in these, and I
could wish in no other, elections.
* Platina in ejus vita.
CARDINALS. 19
William Allen, who died anno 1594, was the last Englishman
advanced to this honour ; so that our country hath not had a
cardinal these sixty years, which from the former six '^hundred
years was never without one or two of that order. This may
seem a wonder ; our nation being as meriting as any for the
Romish cause, and having as good heads as any, why should
they not wear as gay hats as others ? Nor will the reasons
assigned for the contrary give satisfaction : viz.
1. That the Pope commonly makes Cardinals to gratify foreign
kings, whilst our English sovereigns have ever since been of a
different religion from his holiness. 2. That our English Ca-
tholics living beyond seas in the nature of exiles, and under
persecution, as they call it, so high an honour is inconsistent
with their suffering condition. 3. That our Englishmen want
preferment and estates to maintain the distance of so great a
dignity.
There are at the present two English natives in France of noble
extraction and Romish persuasion, much voiced in common
discourse for their probability to such preferment ; but on what
grounds I do not know, and list not to inquire.
Surely the matter is not great, seeing that dignity hath been
observed to be rather fatal than fortunate to the English, and
attended with some sad and sudden casualties. 1. Cardinal
Mackelsfield was four months buried before his cap was brought
him. 2. Cardinal Sertor died in Italy in the juncture of time
inter pileum datum et susceptum. 3. Cardinal Fisher, when his
cap was come to Calais, had his head struck off at Tower Hill.
4. Cardinal Somercot was poisoned in the very conclave, to
prevent his selection to the popedom. 5. Cardinal Evosham
was sent the same way on the same occasion. 6. Cardinal
Bambridge was poisoned at Rome by one of his servants, being
an Italian.
If such their success, I suppose it far easier for Englishmen
to have their caps (though coarser and cheaper) made of our
own country wool, which will be more warm, and may prove
more healthful for the wearers thereof. I have done with this
subject when I have observed that there is a cardinal bishop of
Sabine, a place near Rome ; and a cardinal priest of St. Sabine,
a church dedicated to her memory in the same city; the not
heeding whereof, I suspect, hath bred much confusion in our
English writers. The best is, our Englishmen, when they write
of places in Italy, cannot commit greater and grosser mistakes
than what Italians have done, when they have written of towns
and places in England ; though perchance, such is their pride,
that they will say it is our duty to be exact in Italy, and their
courtesy to take any notice of England.
Let not the reader wonder if cardinals inserted in others are
omitted in our catalogue ; viz. Ulricus, Ancherus, Theobaldus,
Bernadus de Anguiscello, &c. ; seeing I am unsatisfied in some
c 2
20 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
of them whether they were cardinals ; in others whether they
were Englishmen ; foreign countries laying more probable
claim unto them. Nor will it quit the cost of a contest,, nothing
more than their names being left in history, without any other
observables.
PRELATES BEFORE THE REFORMATION.
Next succeed such eminent clergymen who attained to the
honour of being archbishops and bishops in England, and
were famous in their generations.
Objection.— These popes, cardinals, and prelates, were su-
perstitious persons, and limbs of Antichrist, whose names are
better lost than kept. Yea, it mattered not much if some good
Josiah served their bones as those of the idolatrous priests of
Jeroboam ; even burn them to ashes, that so their bodies and
memories might perish together.*
Answer. — I am afraid our age affords those who, if they were
to manage that act, would, together with their bones, sans differ-
ence) notwithstanding the distinguishing epithet, burn the bodies
of the young and old prophet ; I mean, utterly extirpate the
ministerial function. But I answer, it must be confessed they
were deeply dyed with the errors and vices of the age they lived
in, yet so that some of them were for their devotion exemplary
to posterity ; and the very worst of them, though yielding no-
thing fit for our imitation, may afford what is well worth our
observation.
And here be it remembered, that the same epithet in several
places accepts sundry interpretations. He is called a Good
Man, in common discourse, who is not dignified with gentility :
a Good Man upon the exchange, who hath a responsible es-
tate ; a Good Man in a camp, who is a tall man of his arms ;
a Good Man in the church, who is pious and devout in his con-
versation. Thus, whatsoever is fixed therein in other relations,
that person is a Good Man in history, whose character affords
such matter as may please the palate of an ingenuous reader ;
and I humbly crave the honour to be his taster in this behalf.
Now of bishops before the Conquest, the most were merely
nuda nomina, naked names. As for such appearing clothed with
remarkable history, most of them move in an higher sphere of
saints, and so are anticipated. Since the Conquest, for the first
seven kings, many prelates were foreigners, generally French,
and so aliens from our subject. It will therefore be seasonable
to begin their catalogue about the time of king Henry the Third,
deducing it unto the popish bishops who were deprived in the
first of queen Elizabeth.
* 2 Kings xxiii. 10.
PRELATES SINCE THE REFORMATION. 21
CHAPTER V.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
NEXT those prelates before, follow such as were since the
Reformation ; much different, not in title but tenure, from the
former holding their places, not from the Pope but their prince,
and practising the principles of the Protestant religion, for the
term of a hundred and twenty years, since the latter end of the
reign of king Henry the Eighth. Amongst these, malice itself
meets with many, which it must allow, for their living, preach-
ing, and writing, to have been the main champions of truth
against error, learning against ignorance, piety against profane-
ness, religion against superstition, unity and order against faction
and confusion ; verifying the judicious observation of foreigners,
" Clerus Britannise, gloria mundi."
These prelates may be digested into five successive sets, or
companies, under their respective archbishops ; allowing each of
them somewhat more than twenty years, as large a proportion
for the life of a bishop as seventy years for the age of a man.
1. Archbishop Cranmer's; whereof four, besides himself,
were burnt at the stake, and the rest exiled in Germany. 2.
Archbishop Parker's ; in the beginning of queen Elizabeth
leading halcyon-days, without any considerable opposition
against the hierarchy. 3. Archbishop Whitgift's ; much pen-
persecuted, and pelted at with libellous pamphlets ; but sup-
ported by queen Elizabeth^ zeal to maintain the discipline
established. 4.. Archbishop Abbot's ; fortunate all the peace-
able reign of king James, and beginning of king Charles,
though the sky was red and lowering, foretelling foul weather to
follow, a little before their death. 5. Archbishop Juxton's ;
whose episcopal chairs were not only shrewdly shaken, but (as
to outward appearance) overturned in our late mutinous disr,
tempers.
I know the man full well, to whom Mr. Charles Herle, pre-
sident of the assembly, said somewhat insultingly, ee He tel
you news : last night I buryed a bishop, dashing more at his
profession then person, in Westminster Abbey." To whom
the other returned, with like latitude to both, " Sure you buried
him in hope of resurrection." This our eyes at this day see
performed ; and, it being " tlie work of the Lord, may justly
seem marvellous in our sight."
It is also very remarkable, that of this fifth and last company
[all bishops in 1642] nine are alive at this present; — viz. par-
don me if not enumerating them exactly according to their
consecration — London, Bath, Wells, Ely, Salisbury, Bangor,
Coventry and Lichfield, Oxford, Rochester, and Chichester ; a
vivacity hardly to be paralleled of so many bishops in any
other age, Providence purposely prolonging their lives, that as
22 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
they had seen the violent ruining, they might also behold the
legal restitution of their order.
Now although not the quick but (the) dead worthies properly
pertain to my pen, yet I crave leave of the reader in my follow-
ing work, to enter a brief memorial of the place of their nativi-
ties : partly because lately they were dead, though not in law,
in the list of a prevalent party ; partly because they are dead to
the world, having most attained, if not exceeded, the age of
man, three score and ten years.
To conclude : though the Apostle's words be most true, " that
the lesser are blessed of the greater," and that imperative and
indicative blessings always descend from the superior ; yet an
optative blessing, no more than a plain prayer, may properly
proceed from an inferior ; so that a plain priest and submissive
son of the Church of England may bless the bishops and
fathers thereof. God sanctify their former afflictions unto
them, that as the " fire in the furnace"* only burnt the bonds,
setting them free who went in fettered, not the clothes, much
less the bodies, of the children of the captivity ; so their suffer-
ings, without doing them any other prejudice, may only dis-
engage their souls from all servitude to this world.
And that, for the future, they may put together, not only the
parcels of their scattered revenues, but compose the minds of
the divided people in England, to the confusion of the factious,
and confirmation of the faithful in Israel.
CHAPTER VI.
OF SUCH WHO HAVE BEEN WORTHY STATESMEN IN OUR LAND.
THE word Statesmen is of great latitude, sometimes signify-
ing such who are able to manage offices of state, though never
actually called thereunto. Many of these men, concealing
themselves in a private condition, have never arrived at public
notice. But we confine the term to such who, by their prince's
favour, have been preferred to the prime places :
1. Of Lord Chancellors. 2. Of Lord Treasurers of England.
3. Of Secretaries of State. To whom we have added some
Lord Admirals of England, and some Lord Deputies of Ireland.
LORD CHANCELLORS.
The name is taken from cancelli, which signifies a kind of
wooden network, which admitteth the eyes of people to behold,
but forbids their feet to press on persons of quality, sequestered
to sit quietly by themselves for public employment. Hence
chancels have their denomination, which by such a fence were
* Dan. iii. 25.
LORD CHANCELLORS. 23
formerly divided from the body of the church ; and so the lord
chancellor had a seat several to himself, free from popular in-
trusion.
I find another notation of this office, some deducing his name
a cancellandOy from cancelling things amiss, and rectifying them
by the rules of equity and a good conscience ; and this relateth
to no meaner author then Johannes Sarisburiensis.*
Hie est qui leges Regni cancellat iniquas,
Et mnndata pii principis tequa facit*
Siquid obest populis, uut legibus est inimicum,
Quicquid obest, per eum desinit esse nocens.
" 'Tis he, who cancelleth all cruel laws,
And in kings' mandates equity doth cause.
If aught to land or laws doth hurtful prove,
His care that hurt doth speedily remove."
He is the highest officer of the land, whose principal employ-
ment is to mitigate the rigour of the common law with consci-
entious qualifications. For as the prophet complaineth that the
magistrates in Israel had " turned judgment into wormwood," f
the like would daily come to pass in England, where high jus-
tice would be high injustice, if the bitterness thereof were not
sometimes seasonably sweetened with a mixture of equity.
He also keepeth the great seal of the land, the affixing
whereof preferreth what formerly was but a piece of written
parchment to be a patent or charter. For though it be true
what Solomon says, <e Where the word of a king is, there is
power ;J yet that word doth not act effectually, until it be pro-
duced under the public seal.
Some difference there is between learned authors about the
antiquity of this office, when it first began in England. Polydore
Vergil, who, though an Italian, could (when he would) see well
into English antiquities, makes the office to begin at the Con-
queror. And bishop Godwin accounteth them sufficiently ridi-
culous, who make Swithin bishop of Winchester, chancellor of
England, under king Athelwolfe. Several persons are alleged
chancellors to our English kings before the Conquest, § and king
Ethelred appointed the abbot of Ely, " ut in regis curia can-
cellarii ageret dignitatem/' |j The controversy may easily be
compromised by this distinction. Chancellor before the Conquest
imported an office of credit in the king's court (not of judicature,
but) of residence, much in the nature of a secretary. Thus
lately he was called the chancellor (understand, not of the diocese,
b'ut) of the cathedral-church, whose place was to pen the letters
belonging thereunto; whereas the notion of the king's chan-
cellor, since the Conquest, is enlarged and advanced to signify
the supreme judge of the land.
* In his book called " Nugse Curialium," or Polycraticon. f Amos, v. 7.
J Eccles. viii. 4.
§ See Master Philpott's Catalogue of English Chancellors, pp. l, 2, 3.
J| History of Ely.
24 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
The lord keeper of the great seal is in effect the same with
the lord chancellor of England : save that some will have the
lord chancellor's place ad terminum vita, and the lord keeper's
adplacitum Regis. Sure it is, that because Nicholas Heath,, late
archbishop of York and chancellor of England, was still alive,
though ousted of his office, Sir Nicholas Bacon was made lord
keeper; and in his time the power of the keeper was made
equal with the authority of the chancellor by act of parliament.
We have begun our catalogue of chancellors at Sir Thomas
More, before whose time that place was generally discharged by
clergymen, entered in our book under the title of eminent pre-
lates. If any demand, why such clergymen, who have been lord
chancellors, are not rather ranked under tjie title of statesmen,
than under the topic of prelates; let such know, that seeing
episcopacy is challenged to be jure divino, and the chancellor's
place confessed to be of human institution, I conceive them
most properly placed, and to their best advantage.
If any ask, why the lord chancellors, who meddle so much in
matters of law, are not rather digested under the title of lawyers
than under that of statesmen: let such know, it is done because
some chancellors were never lawyers ex professo5 studying the
laws of the land for their intended function, taking them only in
order to their own private accomplishment; whereof Sir Chris-
topher Hatton was an eminent instance. As we begin our
catalogue with Sir Thomas More, we close it with Sir Thomas
Coventry; it being hard to say, whether the former were more
witty and facetious, or the latter more wise and judicious.
LORD TREASURERS.
Kings without treasure will not be suitably obeyed : and
treasure without a treasurer will not be safely preserved.
Hence it wras that the crowns and sceptres of kings were made
of gold, not only because it is the most pure and precious of
metals, but to shew that wealth doth effectually evidence and
maintain the strength and state of majesty. We may therefore
observe, not only in profane but holy writ; not only in old but
new testament, signal notice taken of those who were over the
treasury,* in which great place of trust the eunuch served Can-
dace queen of Ethiopia.f
The office of Lord Treasurer was ever beheld as a place of
great charge and profit. One well skilled in the perquisites
thereof, being demanded, what he conceived the yearly value of
the place was worth, made this return, (( That it might be worth
some thousands of pounds to him who, after death, would go
instantly to Heaven ; twice as much to him who would go to
Purgatory ; and a nemo scit to him who would adventure to go
tQ a worse place." But the plain truth is, he that is a
* Ezrai. e. Neh. xiii. 13. -f Apts viii. 27.
LORD TREASURERS SECRETARIES OF STATE. 25
bad husband for himself will never be a good one for
his sovereign ; and therefore no wonder if they have advanced
fair estates to themselves,, whose office was so advantageous, and
they so judicious and prudent persons, without any preju-
dice to their master-, and, for aught I know, injury to
his subjects.
We have begun our catalogue at William Lord Powlett
Marquess of Winchester. For although before him here and
there lay lords were entrusted with that office ; yet generally
they were bishops, and so anticipated under our topic of
eminent prelates. And blame me not if, in this particular,
I have made the lustre of the lords spiritual to eclipse the
lords temporal, drowning their civil office in their ecclesiastical
employment. We close our catalogue of lord treasurers
with Francis Lord Cottington.
SECRETARIES OF STATE.
There were but two of these at once in the king's time,
whereof the one was styled the Principal Secretary, the other
the Secretary of Estate. Some have said that the first in the
seniority of admission was accounted the principal ; but the ex-
ceptions in this kind being as many as the regularities, the
younger being often brought over the head of the elder to
be principal, their chiefness was penes Regis arbitrium. Nor
was the one confined to foreign negociations, the other to
domestic business, as some have believed ; but promiscuously
ordered all affairs, though the genius of some secretaries did
incline them most to foreign transactions. Their power was on
the matter alike ; and petitioners might make their applications
indifferently to either, though most addressed themselves to him
in whom they had the greatest interest. Their salaries were
some two hundred pounds a-piece ; and five hundred pounds
a-piece more for intelligence and secret service.
Before the reformation, clergymen, who almost were all
things, were generally secretaries of estate ; as Oliver King, se-
cretary to Edward IV., Edward V., and Henry VII. ; and those
come under our pen in the notion of eminent prelates. We
therefore begin our catalogue of secretaries from Sir Thomas
Cromwell, in the reign of king Henry the Eighth, because from
him until our time a continued series of laymen have discharged
that office.
We conclude our secretaries of state with Sir John Cook,
who, perceiving his aged body not so fit for such active times,
resigned his place about the beginning of the Long Parliament,
though surviving some years after in a private condition. We
will, for the more safety, follow the pattern of so wise a states-
man ; and where he gave over his office, we will give over
writing of those officers, for fear we tread too near on the
toes of the times, and touch too much on our modern dis-
tempers,
26 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND,
AMIRALS, OP ADMIRALS.
Much difference there is about the original of this word,
whilst most probable is their opinion who make it of eastern ex-
traction, borrowed by the Christians from the Saracens. These
derive it from Amir, in arabic a Prince, and AXtog belonging
to the sea, in the Greek language ; such mixture being prece-
dented in other words. Besides, seeing the Sultan's dominions,
in the time of the holy war, extended from Sinus Arabius to the
north-eastern part of the midland-sea, where a barbarous kind
of Greek was spoken by many, Amiral, thus compounded, was
significatively comprehensive of his jurisdiction. Admiral is but
a depraving of Amiral in vulgar mouths. However, it will never
be beaten out of the heads of common sort, that, seeing the
sea is scene of wonders, something of wonderment hath incor-
porated itself in this word, and that it hath a glimpse, cast, or
eye of admiration therein.
Our English kings (following the precedent of the politic
Romans, who very seldom entrusted places of great importance,
especially during life, in a single person, as also that they might
gratify more and trust less,) divided the over-sight of sea-matters
betwixt a triumvirate of amirals, and, like wary merchants,
ventured the charge in several bottoms for the more safety.
1. The North Amiral. — His jurisdiction reached from the
mouth of Thames to the outmost Orcades (though often opposed
by the Scots) and had Yarmouth for his prime residence.
2. The South Amiral. — His bounds stretched from the
Thames' mouth to the Lands-end, having his station generally
at Portsmouth.
3. Tne West Amiral. — His power extended from the Land's
end to the Hebrides, having Ireland under his inspection, Mil-
ford Haven the chief stable for his wooden horses.
I find that Richard Fitz-alen, earl of Arundel, was by king
Richard the Second made the first " Amirall of all England ;"
yet so, that if three co-admirals were restored as formerly, his
charter expired. John Vere, earl of Oxford, was, in 1 Henry
VII. " Amirall of England," and kept it until the day of his
death. Afterwards, men were checquered, at the pleasure of our
princes, and took their turns in that office. For this cause I
can make no certain catalogue of them, who can take with my
most fixed eye no steady aim at them, the same persons being
often alternately in and out of the place, whilst officers pro ter-
mino vita may be with some certainty recounted.
Yet have we sometime inserted some memorable amirals
under the title of statesmen ; and vice-amirals under the topic
of seamen, because the former had 110 great knowledge in navi-
gation (I say great, it being improper they should be sea-mas-
ters who in no degree were seamen) ; and were employed, rather
for their trust than skill, to see others do their duty, whilst the
latter were always persons well experienced in maritime affairs.
WORTHIES OF ENGLAND. 27
LORD DEPUTIES OF IRELAND.
Ever since king Henry the Second conquered Ireland, few of
our English princes went thither in person, and none continued
any long time there, save king John and king Richard the
Second, neither of them over-fortunate. But that land was
governed by a substitute, commissioned from our kings, with the
same power, though sometimes under several names.
Lord Lieutenants. — These were also of a double nature ; for
some staid in England, and appointed deputies under them, to
act all Irish affairs. Others went over into Ireland, transacting
all things by presence, not proxy.
Lord Deputies. — Immediately deputed by the king to reside
there. We insist on this title, as which is most constant and
current amongst them.
Lord Chief Justices. — Not of the King's Bench or Common-
Pleas, but of all Ireland. This power was sometimes sole in a
single person, and sometimes equally in two together.
Thus these three titles are in sense synonyma., to signify the
same power and place. Some erroneously term them presi-
dents of Ireland, a title belonging to the particular governors of
Munster and Connaught.
It is true of Ireland what was once said of Edom, "their
deputies were kings/5* No viceroy in Christendom (Naples
itself not excepted) is observed in more state. He chooseth
sheriffs, and generally all officers, save bishops and judges ; and
these also, though not made by his commanding, are usually by
his commending to the king. He conferreth knighthood ; hath
power of life and death, signified by the sword carried commonly
before him by a person of honour. His attendance and house-
keeping is magnificent, partly to set a copy of state to the bar-
barous Irish, by seeing the difference betwixt the rude rabble
routs running after their native lords, and the solemnity of a
regulated retinue ; partly to make in that rebellious nation a
reverential impression of majesty, that by the shadow they may
admire the substance, and proportionably collect the state of
the king himself, who therein is represented. Our English
kings were content with the title of " Lords of Ireland," until
king Henry the Eighth, who, partly to shew his own power to
assume what style he pleased, without leave or liberty from the
Pope, whose supremacy he had suppressed in his dominions,
partly the more to awe the Irish, wrote himself king thereof,
anno Dom. 1541, from which year we date our catalogue of
lord deputies, as then, and not before, viceroys indeed.
Indeed it was no more than needs for king Henry the Eighth
to assume that title ; seeing, " quod efficit tale magis est tale ;"
and the commission whereby king Henry the Second made
William Fitz-Adelme his lieutenant of Ireland hath this direc-
* 1 Kings, xxii. 47.
28 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
tion ; " Archiepiscopis, episcopis, regibus ; comitibus, baronibus,
et omnibus fidelibus suis in Hibernia, salutem."
Now,, though by the postponing of these kings to archbishops
and bishops, it plainly appears that they were no canonical
kings, as I may say,, I mean solemnly invested with the
emblems of sovereignty [the king of Connaught,* the king of
Thomond] ; yet were they more than kings, even tyrants in
the exercise of their dominions,! so that king Henry was in
some sort necessitated to set himself king paramount above
them all.
CHAPTER VII.
OF CAPITAL JUDGES, AND WRITERS ON THE COMMON LAW.
BY Capital Judges we undertand not those who have power
to condemn offenders for capital faults, as all the twelve judges
have, or any serjeant commissioned to ride the circuit ; but the
chief judges, who, as capital letters, stand in power and place
above the rest ; viz. 1. the Chief Justice of the King's Bench ;
2. of the Common Pleas ; 3. the Chief Baron of the Exchequer.
And the learned antiquary! Sir Henry Spelman avoweth the
title of ei Capital Justices properly applicable to these alone.
1. The Chief Justice of the King's or upper bench is commonly
called " the Lord Chief Justice of England," a title which the
lord chancellor (accounting himself chief in that kind) looks on
as an injurious usurpation. And many alive may remember
how Sir Edward Coke was accused to king James, for so styling
himself in the frontispiece of his Reports, (parts the tenth and
eleventh) ; insomuch that the judge was fain to plead for himself,
" Erravimus cum patribus," as who could have produced plenty
of precedents therein.
2. The Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, in place beneath,
is in profit above the former; so that some have, out of design,
quitted that, to accept of this. Amongst these was Sir Edward
Montague, in the reign of king Henry the Eighth, who being
demanded of his friends the reason of his self degradation, — " I
am now," said he, " an old man ; and love the kitchen above
the hall, the warmest place best suiting my age."
3. The Chief Baron is chiefly employed in the Exchequer, to
decide causes which relate to the king's revenue. Their brevia,
or writs, did commonly run with this clause, that the judge
should "have and hold his place quamdiH se bent gesserit (so
long as he well behaved himself ") ; on this token, that Sir John
Walter, lord chief baron of the exchequer, being to be outed
of his place, for adjudging the loan-money illegal, pleaded for
himself " that he was guilty of no misdemeanour, who had
only delivered his judgment according to his conscience."
* 6 Johannis Claus. raembrana 18. f 6 Hen. III. Chart, m. 2.
+ Glossary, v. Justiciarius.
JUDGES, AND WRITERS OX COMMON LAW. 29
Others are granted from the king, durante nostro beneplacito ;
to continue in their office " during his will and pleasure."
We begin the army of our judges, forborne few, like the for-
lorn hope, advance higher, about the time of king Edward the
First. It is impossible exactly to observe that inn of court
wherein each of them had his education, especially some of
them being so ancient, that, in their times, Lincolns Inn and
Greys Inn were Lincoln's Inn and Grey's Inn ; I mean, belonged
to those their owners, from whom they had their names, as
being, before they were appropriated to the students of our
municipal laws.
Here I will condemn myself, to prevent the condemning of
others, and confess our characters of these judges to be very
brief and defective. Indeed, were the subject we treat of over-
strewed with ashes, like the floor of BelPs temple, it were easy
to find out and follow the footsteps therein. But here is no
such help to trace the footings of truth, time having almost out-
worn all impressions thereof. I perceive, though judges leave
more land than bishops, they leave less memorials behind them,
of the time, place, and manner, when and where born and died,
and how they demeaned themselves.
In the same topic with judges, we have also placed such as
have been writers of our common law : and such conjunction,
we hope, is no disparagement, considering many of them were
capital judges, as Broke, Dyer, Coke, &c. ; and the rest learned
men, of great repute in their profession, insomuch that the
judges themselves, in several cases, have submitted to their
judgments.
And here I can but admire at the comparative paucity of
the books of our common law, in proportion to those written
of the civil and canon law. Oh how corpulent are the cor-
puses of both those laws ! besides, their shadows are far
bigger than their bodies ; their glosses larger than their text.
Insomuch, that one may bury two thousand pounds and up-
wards in the purchase, and yet hardly compass a moiety of
them : whereas all the writers of the common law, except they
be much multiplied very lately, with all the year-books belong-
ing thereunto, may be bought for threescore pounds, or there-
abouts ; which with some men is an argument, that the common
law embraceth the most compendious course to decide causes,
and, by the fewness of the books, is not guilty of so much
difficulty and tedious prolixity as the canon and civil laws.
Yet it is most true, that the common law books are dearer
than any of the same proportion. Quot libri, tot libra, holdeth
true in many, and is exceeded in some of them. Yea, should
now an old common law book be new printed, it would not quit
cost to the printer, nor turn to any considerable account. For
the profession of the law is narrow in itself, as confined to few
persons ; and those are already sufficiently furnished with all
30 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
authors on that subject, which, with careful keeping and good
using, will serve them and their sons' sons, unto the third gene-
ration : so that a whole age would not carry off a new impres-
sion of an ancient law book, and, quick return being the life of
trading, the tediousness of the sale would eat up the profit
thereof.
All I will add is this, that that tailor, who, being cunning in
his trade, and taking exact measure of a person, maketh a suit
purposely for him, may be presumed to fit him better than
those who, by a general aim, at random make clothes for him :
in like manner, seeing our municipal law was purposely com-
posed by the sages of this land, who best knew the genius of
our nation, it may be concluded more proper for our people,
and more applicable to all the emergencies in this half-island,
than the civil law, made for the general concernment of the
whole empire, by such who were unacquainted with the particu-
larities of our land and nation.
CHAPTER VIII.
OF SOLDIERS AND SEAMEN, WITH THE NECESSITY TO ENCOU-
RAGE THE TRADE OF FISHING.
SOLDIERS.
SOLDIERS succeed, though it almost affrighteth my pen to
meddle with such martial persons. It is reported of the God
of the Jews, that he would have no share of the Pantheon at
Rome, except he might have, and that justly too, the whole
temple to himself. So lately we have been so sadly sensible of
the boisterousness of soldiers, one may suspect they will,
though unjustly, jostle all others out of the book, to make room
for themselves.
But since their violence hath, blessed be God, been season-
ably retrenched, we have adventured to select some signal per-
sons of that profession, whose prowess made eminent impression
on foreign parts, so purposely to decline all meddling with the
doleful and dangerous distractions of our times, beginning our
list in the reign of king Edward the Third, and concluding in
the beginning of king Charles.
SEAMEN.
Surely Divine Providence did not make the vast body of the
sea for no other use than for fishes to disport themselves therein,
or, as some do conceit, only for to quench and qualify the
drought and heat of the sun with the moisture thereof : but it
was for higher intendments. Chiefly, that by sailing thereon,
there may be the continuing of commerce, the communicating
of learning and religion, the last from Palestine, the staple
SOLDIERS AND SEAMEN. 31
thereof, and the more speedy and convenient portage of bur-
thens ; seeing a laden ship doth fly, in comparison of the creep-
ing of an empty waggon.
Now to speak what envy cannot deny, our Englishmen, either
for fights for discoveries, whether for tame ships, merchantmen,
or wild ships, men-of-war, carry away the garland from all na-
tions in the Christian world.
Learned Keckerman, who, being a German by birth, was un-
biassed in his judgment, and living in Dantz, a port of great
trading, whither seamen repaired from all parts, and writing a
book, 6( De Re Nautica," may be presumed skilful therein,
alloweth the English the best seamen, and next to them the
Hollanders.* And if the latter dare deny the truth hereof, let
them remember the late peace they purchased of the English,
and thank God that they met with so conscientious chapmen,
who set no higher price thereof.
Yea, let the Dutch know, that they are the scholars to the
English in some of their discoveries : for I find the four first
circumnavigators of the world thus qualified for their nativities :
1. Magellanus, a Spaniard: 2. Sir Francis Drake, an English-
man: 3. Sir Thomas Candish, an Englishman : 4. Oliver Noort,
an Hollander. But be it known, that the last of these had an
Englishman, Captain Mellis by name, pilot, to conduct him.
Yet let not my commending of our English seamen be mis-
interpreted, as if I did not refer all success to the goodness of
God, the grand admiral of the world. The praising of instru-
ments, by way of subordination, is no more detrimental to the
honour of the principal, than the praising of the edge of the
axe is a disparagement to the strength of the arm which useth
it. God, I confess, by his providence, ordereth all by land and
by sea ; yea, he may be said to be the first shipwright ; for I
behold the ark as a bird, wholly hatched, but utterly unfledged ;
without any feathers of masts and tackling, it could only float,
and not sail ; yet so, that therein was left pattern enough for
human ingenuity to improve it to naval perfection.
Yea, God himself hath in Scripture taken signal notice of
the dexterous in this nature ; on which account we find the
Tyrians, or men of Hiram, praised, for that they " had know-
ledge of the sea," when sent with the servants of Solomon to
Ophir.
We begin our catalogue of seamen in the reign of king
Edward the Third, before which time there were many good
seamen in England, but few good English seamen, our king
using mariners of the Hanse towns. But it is no good house-
wifery to hire char-women to do that which may as well and
better be done by her own servants. In the time of Edward
* " Hoc certum est, omnibus hodie gentibus navigandi industria, et peritia,
superiores esse Anglos, et post Anglos Hollandos."
t 1 Kings ix. 27.
32 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
the Third, England grew famous for sea-fights with the French,
and increased in credit,, especially since the Navy Royal was
erected by queen Elizabeth.
Some conceive it would be a great advancement to the per-
fecting of English navigation,, if allowance were given to read a
lecture in London concerning that subject, in imitation of the
late emperor Charles the Fifth ; who, wisely considering the
rawness of his seamen, and the manifold shipwrecks which they
sustained in passing and repassing between Spain and the West
Indies, established not only a Pilot Major, for the examination
of such as were to take charge of ships in that voyage, but also
founded a lecture for the art of Navigation, which tto this day
is read in the Contraction House at Seville ; the readers of which
lecture have not only carefully taught and instructed the
Spanish mariners by word of mouth, but have also published
sundry exact and worthy treatises concerning marine causes,
for the direction and encouragement of posterity.
Here it were to be wished that more care were taken for, and
encouragement given to, the breeding of fishermen ; whom I
may call the spawn, or young fry, of seamen ; yea, such as hope
that mariners will hold up if fishermen be destroyed, may as
rationally expect plenty of honey and wax though only old
stocks of bees were kept, without either casts or swarms.
Nor can fishermen be kept up, except the public eating of
fish at set times be countenanced, yea, enjoined by the state.
Some suspect as if there were a pope in the belly of every
fish, and some bones of superstition in them which would choke
a conscientious person, especially if fasting days be observed.
But know, that such customs grew from a treble root of popery,
piety, and policy ; and though the first of these be plucked up,
the other must be watered and maintained; and statesmen may
be mortified and wise without being superstitious. Otherwise
the not keeping of fasting days will make us keep fasting days ;
I mean, the not forbearing of flesh for the feeding on fish, for
the good of the state will in process of time prove the ruin of
fishermen, they of seamen, and both of Englishmen.
We are sadly sensible of the truth hereof in part, God forbid
in whole, by the decay of so many towns on our north-east sea ;
Hartlepool, Whitebay, Bridlington, Scarborough, Wells, Cromer,
Lowstoft, Alborough,* Orford, and generally all from Newcastle
to Harwich, which formerly set out yearly (as I am informed)
two hundred ships and upwards employed in the fishery, but
chiefly for the taking of ling ; that noble fish, co-rival in his
joule with the surloin of beef at the tables of gentlemen.
These fishermen set forth formerly with all their male family ;
* In Fuller's time Aldborough consisted of three streets.-most of which have since
been swallowed up by the sea. At the neighbouring town of Dunwich, once so
flourishing, the destruction has been almost entire.
SOLDIERS AND SEAMEN. 33
sea-men, sea-youths, I had almost said sea-children too (seeing
some learned the language of larboard and starboard, with bread
and butter), graduates in navigation ,- and indeed the fishery did
breed the natural and best elemented seamen.
But since our late civil wars, not three ships are employed
yearly for that purpose ; fishermen preferring rather to let their
vessels lie and rot in their haven, than to undergo much pain
and peril for that which would not at their return quit cost in
any proportion.
So that it is suspicious, that in process of time we shall lose
(the masters being few and aged) the mystery of ling- catching,
and perchance the art of taking and handling some other kind
of sound and good fish ; no nation, without flattery to ourselves
be it spoken, using more care and skill in ordering of that com-
modity.
Yea, which is a greater mischief, it is to be feared that the
seminary of seamen will decay : for, under correction be it
spoken, it is not the long voyages to the East Indies, &c. which
do make, but mar, seamen ; they are not the womb, but rather
the grave of good mariners. It is the fishery which hath been
the nursery of them, though now much disheartened, because
their fish turn to no account ; they are brought to so bad mar-
kets. Nor is there any hope of redressing this, but by keeping
up fasting days, which our ancestors so solemnly observed. I
say our ancestors, who were not so weak in making, as we are
wilful in breaking them : and who, consulting the situation of
this island, with the conveniences appendant thereunto, suited
their laws and accommodated their customs to the best benefit
thereof.
Nor was it without good cause why Wednesdays and Fridays
were by them appointed for fish days : I confess some foreigners
render this reason, and father it upon Clemens Alexandrinus,
that because those days were dedicated by the heathen, the one
to Mercury the god of cheating, the other to Venus the goddess
of lust, therefore the Christians should macerate themselves on
that day with fasting, in sorrowful remembrance of their pronity
to the vices aforenamed. But waiving such fancies, our English
fish or fasting days are founded on a more serious considera-
tion ; for our English fishermen in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, &c.
set forth on Monday and catch their fish, which on Tuesday
they send up to London, where on Wednesday it is sold and
eaten. Such, therefore, who lately have propounded to ante-
date fish eating, and to remove it from Wednesday to Tuesday,
must thereby occasion the encroaching on the Lord's-day, to
furnish the markets with that commodity. Again : such fish-
ermen as returned on Tuesday set forth afresh on Wednesday
to take fish, which on Thursday they send up to London to
supply the remainder of the week ; it being observable that so
great is the goodness of God to our nation, that there is not
VOL. I. D
34 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
one week in the year wherein some wholesome fish., caught on
our own coast, is not in the prime season thereof.
As for staple or salt fish, there are those that are acquainted
in the criticisms thereof, and have exactly stated and cast up
the proportions, who will maintain that it will do the deed, and
set up the fishery as high as ever it was, if every one in England
able to dispend a hundred pounds per annum were enjoined to
lay out twenty shillings a year in staple fish ; a sum so inconsi-
derable in the particulars, that it will hurt none, and so con-
siderable in the total, it will help all of our nation. If any cen-
sure this for a tedious digression, let it be imputed to my zeal
for the good of the commonwealth.
CHAPTER IX.
OF WRITERS ON THE CANON AND CIVIL LAW, PHYSIC,
CHEMISTRY, AND CHIRURGERY.
LAWYERS.
I SOMETIMES wondered in myself at two things in the primi-
tive church during the time of the Apostles : First, that seeing
they " enjoined all things in common/'* what use they had of
lawyers ; seeing no propriety on pleading, and such a commu-
nion of all things gave a writ of ease to that profession. And
yet I find mention made of Zenas the lawyer ;t no scribe of the
law, as among the Jews, but Nop/co?, an advocate or barrister
therein.
Secondly, I wondered what use there was of physicians in the
church, seeing the Apostles miraculously cured all maladies, and
so, in my apprehension, gave a supersedeas to the practitioners
in that faculty ; and yet I find honourable mention made of
" Luke, the beloved physician ."t
But since I have wondered at my wondering thereat ; for that
communion of goods was but temporal, for a short continuance,
and topical, of a narrow compass practised only in Judea, or
thereabouts, whilst the churches amongst the Gentiles continued
their propriety, and particularly at Rome, where Zenas had his
habitation, and had work enough, no doubt, to exercise his pro-
fession, even amongst Christians themselves.
As for the Apostles, they had not always power at their own
pleasure to work miracles and cure diseases in all persons, no,
nor always in themselves, (witness sick St. Paul, receiving in
himself the sentence of death, §) but as they were directed, for
the glory of God, and other occasions ; and therefore, notwith-
* Acts iv. 32. f Titus iii. 13. t Coloss iv. 14.
§ 2 Cor. i. 8, 9.
WRITERS ON PHYSIC. 35
standing their miraculous power, St. Luke might have plenty of
practice in his profession. Nor was it probable that God, the
author of all ingenuity,, would, by the giving of the Gospel,
utterly extinguish any literal calling, which formerly had been
publicly, lawfully, and needfully professed.
We have, in our following book, given in the list of some
eminent lawyers, civilians, and canonists, who have written on
that subject ; though we confess them very few in number, their
profession being lately undeservedly disgraced, though now we
congratulate the probability of the restitution thereof to its
former dignity. Sure I am, in the days of queen Elizabeth,
when an ambassador was sent to foreign princes, if it were an
affair of grand importance, and more than a mere matter of
magnificent compliment, some able civilian, as doctor Haddon,
Dale, Fletcher, &c. was joined in commission with the noble-
man employed on that embassy. And as the iron dogs bear
the burthen of the fuel, while the brazen-andirons stand only
for state, to entertain the eyes ; so the negociating part was
loaded on the civil lawyers, whilst the pomp-pageantry was dis-
charged at the cost of the nobleman.
WRITERS ON PHYSIC.
The precept in the Apocrypha hath a canonical truth therein,
" Honour the physician for necessity sake ;" and although king
Asa justly received little benefit by them, because of his pre-
posterous addressing himself to them before he went to God,*
and the woman in the Gospel, troubled with the issue, f reaped
less ease by their endeavours, because God reserved her a sub-
ject for his own miraculous cure ; yet in all ages millions have
been cured by their practice.
The ancient Britons, who went without clothes, may well be
presumed to live without physic. Yet, seeing very beasts know
what is good for themselves, the deer, (the Cretan dictamum ;
and toad, his antidote of plantain ;) sure they had some experi-
mental receipts used amongst them, and left the rest to nature
and temperance to cure. The Saxons had those they termed
leeches, or blood-letters, but were little skilled in methodical
practice. Under the Normans, they began in England ; and
would we had fetched physicians only, and not diseases from
France ! Yet three hundred years since it was no distinct pro-
fession by itself, but practised by men in orders ;J witness
Nicholas de Fernham, the chief English physician and bishop
of Durham ; Hugh of Evesham, a physician and cardinal ; Gri-
sant, a physician and pope. Yea, the word physician appears
not in our statutes till the days of king Henry the Eighth, who
incorporated their college at London ; since which time they
* 2 Chron. xvi. 12. f Luke viii. 43.
J See their several characters under their names in the ensuing book.
D 2
36 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
have multiplied and flourished in our nation, but never more,
and more learned, than in our age, wherein that art, and espe-
cially the anatomical part thereof, is much improved, our civil
wars perchance occasioning the latter.
We begin our catalogue at Richardus Anglicus, our first phy-
sician, flourishing anno 1230; and continue to doctor Harvey,
whom I may term Gulielmus Anglicus, — such honour he hath
done England by his worthy writings. Thus wishing them all
happy success in their practice, I desire a custom in France, and
other foreign parts, naturalized in England, where a physician is
liable to excommunication, if visiting a patient thrice before he
acquainteth a priest of his sickness, that so the medicine for
soul and body may go hand in hand together.
CHEMISTRY.
Chemistry is an ingenious profession, as which by art will
force somewhat of worth and eminence from the dullest sub-
stance, yea, the most obdurate and hardest-hearted body can-
not but shed forth a tear of precious liquor, when urged there-
unto with its intreaties.
They may be termed parcel-physicians, every day producing
rare experiments, for the curing of many diseases.
I must confess there occurs but few, (and of those few, fewer
modern ones,) through the whole series of our books. Yet may
we be said to have extracted the spirits, (I mean such as were
eminent therein,) of this profession ; being confident the judi-
cious reader will value one gem before many barley-corns, and
one drop of a true extract before many bottles of worthless
water,
CHIRURGERY.
Necessary and ancient their profession, ever since man's body
was subject to enmity and casualty. For that promise, " A
bone of him shall not be broken,"* is peculiar to Christ. As
for the other, " To keep them in all their ways, that they dash
toot their foot against a stone," t though it be extended to all
Christians, yet it admitteth, as other temporal promises, of
many exceptions, according to God's will and pleasure.
It seemeth by the parable of the good Samaritan, who
"bound up" the passenger's "wounds, pouring in oil and
wine/'J that, in that age, ordinary persons had a general in-
sight in chirurgery, for their own and others' use. And it is
reported, to the just praise of the Scotch nobility, that anciently
they all were very dexterous thereat ; particularly it is written
of James, the fourth king of Scotland, quod vulnera scientissimZ
tractaret, « he was most skilful at the handling of wounds." §
But we speak of chirurgery, as it is a particular mystery, pro-
* Johnxix. 36. f Psalm xci. 12. J Luke x. 34.
§ Buchanan, Rerum Fcoticarum, lib. xiii. fol. 138, p. 1.
WRITERS. 37
fessed by such as make a vocation thereof. Of whom we have
inserted some (eminent for their writings or otherwise), amongst
physicians, and that, as we hope, without any offence, seeing
the healing of diseases and wounds were anciently one calling,
as still great the sympathy betwixt them ; many diseases caus-
ing wounds, as ulcers ; as wounds occasioning diseases, as
fevers ; till in process of time they were separated, and chirur-
geons only consigned to the manual operation. Thus, wishing
unto them the three requisites for their practice, an eagle's eye,
a lady's hand, and a lion's heart, I leave them, and proceed.
CHAPTER X.
WRITERS.
BEING to handle this subject, let not the reader expect that
I will begin their catalogue from fabulous antiquity, or rather
fanciful fables. For if the first century of J. Bale and J. Pits
their British writers were garbled, four parts of five would be
found to be trash ; such as — 1 . Samothes Gigas : 2. Magus Sa-
motheus: 3. Sarron Magius : 4, Druys Sarronius : 5. Bardus
Druydius : 6. Albion Mareoticus : 7- Brytus Julius : 8. Gerion
Augur: 9. Aquila Septonius : 10. Perdix Prsesagus : 11. Cam-
bra Formosa: 12. Plenidius Sagax, &c.
Of these some never were men; others, if men, never were
writers ; others, if writers, never left works continuing to our
age, though some manuscript mongers may make as if they'
perused them. It is well they had so much modesty, as not to
pretend inspection into the book of life, seeing all other books
have come under their omnividency.
We are content to begin our number at Gildas, commonly
surnamed the ivisey (flourishing about the year 5 80); and are
right glad to have so good a general to lead our army of wri-
ters, taking it for a token of good success.
Now these writers were either such who wrote before or since
the reformation of religion. The former again fall generally
under a treble division, as either historians, philologists, or
divines ; and we will insist a little on their several employments.
OF WRITERS ON PHILOLOGY AND DIVINITY.
Doctor Collens, King's Professor in Cambridge, and that
oracle of eloquence, once founded his speech (made to enter-
tain strangers at the Commencement) on the words of Saint
Paul, " Salute Philologus and Olympas."* Under the former,
he comprised all persons present, eminent in human learning;
under the latter all skilful in heavenly divinity.
* Rom. xvi. 15,
38
WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
Indeed philology properly is terse and polite learning, melior
litemtura (married long since by Martianus Capella to Mer-
cury) • being that florid skill, containing only the roses ot learn-
ing without the prickles thereof, in which narrow sense thorny
philosophy is discharged, as no part of philology. But we take
it in the larger notion, as inclusive of all human liberal studies,
and preposed to divinity, as the porch to the palace.
Havino- passed the porch of philology we proceed to the
palace of divinity. The writers in this faculty we distinguish
into two sorts. First, Positive Divines ; such I mean, whose
works are either comments on, or else expositions of, some por-
tion of Sacred Writ. Secondly, School-men, who have made it
their business to weave fine threads of nicer distinctions.
WRITERS ON HISTORY.
This is either Ecclesiastical or Civil. Of both these, England
presenteth many, but generally Monks before the Reformation,
who, too much indulging to holy fraud, have farced their books
with many feigned miracles, to the prejudice of truth. How-
ever, herein foreign historians have been as guilty as English-
men of the same age ; witness the complaint of Mariana the
Jesuit,* which one may justly wonder how it passed the Index
Expurgatorius : " Quis enim negare possit fastos ecclesiasticos,
aliquando adulatione temporum, aut potius incuria hominum,
multis maculis contaminatos, libris aliis, quibus preces eccle-
siastics ritusque sacrorum continentur, multas fuisse inspersas
eonfusasque fabulas et commenta : Addam nonnunquam in tern-
plis reliquias dubias, prophana corpora pro Sanctorum (qui cum
Christo in coelo regnant) exuviis sacris fuisse proposita. Est
enim miserum negare non posse, quid sit turpe confiteri ; at,
nescio quo pacto, fictis seepe fabulis, et preeposteris mendacio-
rum nugis, populus magis quam veritate ac sinceritate capitur :
ea est mentis nostrse inanitas, has sordes, ubi semel irrepserunt
in ecclesiam sacrorum ritus libros ecclesiasticos, nobis fortassis
dormientibus, attrectare nemo audet, mutire nemo, ne impieta-
tis suspicionem commoveat, scilicet et religioni adversarius esse
videatur."
Nor hath our land been altogether barren of historians since
the Reformation, having yielded some of as tall parts, and large
performances, as any nation in Christendom. Besides these,
we have adventured to add such as have been eminent in
poetry, which may not unfitly be termed the binding of prose to
its good behaviour, tying it to the strict observation of time and
measure.
Amongst these, some are additioned with the title of Laureat,
though I must confess I could never find the root whence their
bays did grow in England, as to any solemn institution thereof
* In his book of the coming of St. James the Apostle into Spains chap. I.
WRITERS MUSICIANS. 39
in our nation. Indeed,, I read of Petrarch (the pre-coetanean
of our Chaucer) that he was crowned with a laurel, in the Ca-
pitol ,,* by the senate of Rome, anno 1341 ; as also that Frederic
the third emperor of Germany gave the laurel to Conradus
Celtes,f and since the count palatines of the empire claim the
privilege solemnly to invest poets with the bays.
The branches hereof in all ages have been accounted honour-
able, insomuch that king James, in some sort, waived his crown
(in the two and twenty shilling pieces) to wear the laurel in his
new twenty shilling pieces. On the same token, that a wag
passed this jest thereon, that poets being always poor, bays
were rather the emblem of wit than wealth, since king James
no sooner began to wear them, but presently he fell two
shillings in the pound in public valuation.
As for our English poets, some have assumed that style unto
themselves, as John Kay, in his dedication of " The Siege of
Rhodes " to king Edward the Fourth, subscribing himself " his
humble poet laureat." Others have in compliment given the
title to such persons as were eminent in that faculty ; and
nothing more usual than to see their pictures before their books,
and statues on their tombs, ornamented accordingly. However,
all this is done by civil courtesy, or common custom, no cere-
monious creation in court or university. I write not this, as if
I grudged to poets a whole grove of laurel, much less a sprig to
encircle their heads, but because I would not have any specious
untruth imposed on the reader's belief.
Yet want there not those, who do confidently aver that there
is always a laureat poet in England, and but one at a time ; the
laurel importing conquest and sovereignty, and so by conse-
quence soleness in that faculty ; and that there hath been a
constant succession of them at court, who beside their salary
from the king, were yearly to*have a tun of wine, as very essen-
tial to the heightening of fancy : this last, I conceive, founded on
what we find given to Geoffrey Chaucer : " Vigesimo secundo
anno Richardi Secundi, concessimus Galfrido Chaucer unum
dolium vini per annum durante vita, in portu Civitatis London,
per manus capitalis pincernse iiostri." But Chaucer, besides
his poetical accomplishments, did the king service both in war
and peace, as soldier and embassador ; in reward whereof, this
and many other boons were bestowed upon him.
MUSICIANS.
Music is nothing else but wild sounds civilised into time and
tune. Such the extensiveness thereof, that it stoopeth as low
as brute beasts, yet mounteth as high as angels : for horses will
do more for a whistle than for a whip ; and, by hearing their
bells, gingle away their weariness.
* Vita Petrarc. f Holdastus, tom. iii. p. 482.
40 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
The angels in heaven employ themselves in music, and one
ingeniously expresseth it to this effect :
" We know no more what they do do above,
Save only that they sing, and that they love".*
And although we know not the notes of their music, we know
what their ditty is, namely Hallelujah.
Such as cavil at music, because Jubal,f a descendant from
wicked Cain, was the first founder thereof, may as well be con-
tent to lie out of doors, and refuse all cover to shelter them,
because Jabal, of the same extraction, being his own brother,
first invented to dwell in tents.
I confess there is a company of pretenders to music, who are
commonly called croivders, and that justly too, because they
crowd into the company of gentlemen both unsent for, and un-
welcome ; but these are no more a disgrace to the true profes-
sors of that faculty, than monkeys are a disparagement to man-
kind.
Now right ancient is the use of music in England, especially
if it be true what I read in a worthy Father ; J and I know not
which more to admire, either that so memorable a passage should
escape Master Camden's, or that it should fall under my obser-
vation.
Af-yovcTi os Kat 01 raq taropiac <Tuvra£a/i€voi, a^u^u r?jv
vrjdov avTpov TL vwoKtifjitvov opa" ETTI $£ Trie
. 'E^uTriVrovrog ovv TOV dvfp.ov ilq TO avrpov , /cot irpoa-
Tprjyvvp,evov roi£ KoXiroiQ TOV opvy/LiaTOQ, KV /L
(" They say, even those which compose histories, that in the
Island of Britanny, there is a certain cave, lying under a moun-
tain, in the top thereof gaping. The wind therefore falling
into the cave, and dashing into the bosom of a hollow place,
there is heard a tinkling of cymbals, beating in tune and
time.")
Where this musical place should be in Britain, I could never
find: yet have been informed that Dr. Miles Smith, bishop of
Herefprd,§ found something tending that way, by the help of
an active fancy, in Herefordshire. But, waiving this natural,
the antiquity of artificial music in this island is proved by the
practice of the Bards, thereby communicating religion, learning,
and civility, to the Britons,
* Dr. Fuller says, " The Conceit is Mr. Waller's, whose book is not by me at the
sent to transcribe the very words." —The couplet alluded to stands thus in the
verses on the death of Lady Rich :
" So, all we know of what they do above,
Is that they happy are, and that they love."
I ^en'™: 21- . I Clemens Alexand. Strom, lib. vi. p. 632.
§ L>r. Miles Smith, who had been a canon residentiary of Hereford, was bishop of
Gloucester from 16 12 till his death in 1624.
MUSICIANS. 41
Right glad I am, that when music was lately shut out of our
churches, on what default of hers I dare not to inquire, it hath
since been harboured and welcomed in the halls, parlours, and
chambers, of the primest persons of this nation. Sure I am, it
could not enter into my head, to surmise that music would have
been so much discouraged by such who turned our kingdom
into a Commonwealth, seeing they prided themselves in the
arms thereof, an impaled harp being moiety of the same. When
it was asked, " what made a good musician ? " one answered,
a good voice ; another, that it was skill. But he said the truth,
who said, it was encouragement. It was therefore my constant
wish, that seeing most of our musicians were men of maturity,
and arrived at their full age and skill, before these distracted
times began, and seeing what the historian wrote in another
sense is true here in our acceptation and application thereof,
" Res est unius seculi populus virorum ; " I say, I did con-
stantly wish, that there might have been some seminary of
youth set up, to be bred in the faculty of music, to supply suc-
cession, when this set of masters in that science had served
their generation.
Yet although I missed of what I did then desire ; yet, thanks
be to God, I have lived to see music come into request, since
our nation came into right tune, and begin to flourish in our
churches and elsewhere ; so that now no fear but we shall have
a new generation skilful in that science, to succeed such whose
age shall call upon them to pay their debt to nature.
If any who dislike music in churches object it as useless, if not
hurtful, in Divine service, let them hear what both a learned
and able divine* allegeth in defence thereof; " So that although
we lay altogether aside the consideration of ditty or matter, the
very harmony of sounds being framed in due sort, and carried
from the ear to the spiritual faculties of the soul, it is by a na-
tive puissance and efficacy greatly available to bring to a perfect
temper, whatsoever is there troubled ; apt, as well to quicken
the spirits, as to allay that which is too eager ; sovereign against
melancholy and despair, forcible to draw forth tears of devo-
tion, if the mind be such as can yield them, able both to move
and moderate all affections."
In recounting up of musicians, I have only insisted on such
who made it their profession ; and either have written books of
that faculty, and have attained to such an eminence therein as
is generally acknowledged. Otherwise the work would be end-
less, to recount all up who took it as a quality of accomplish-
ment ; amongst whom king Henry the Eighth must be account-
ed ; who, as Erasmus testifies to his knowledge, did not only
sing his part sure, but also compose services for his chapel, of
four, five, and six parts, though as good a professor as he was,
* Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity, p. 858, Sect. 38.
42 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND,
he was a great destroyer of music in this land ; surely not in-
tentionally, but accidentally, when he suppressed so many
choirs at the Dissolution.
ROMISH EXILE WRITERS.
After the writers before the Reformation, succeed those Ro-
mish banished writers since the same, all living since the reign
of queen Mary, which might have been distanced from the for-
mer with a black line interposed, as beheld under a far differ-
ent, yea worse, qualification : for the superstitions of the former
were the more pardonable, as living in a dark age, which are
less excusable in these since the light of the Gospel.
I confess the word exile carries much of commiseration
therein, and with charitably-minded men bespeaks pity to the
persons, until the cause of their banishment be well considered :
for some, in the first of queen Elizabeth, wilfully left the land,
and so in effect banished themselves ; others, having their lives
forfeited by the laws, had their deaths mercifully commuted by
our magistrates into banishment.
Objection.— These men might have been lost without loss ;
and been omitted in your book, as no limb, but a wen, yea, an
ulcer thereof.
Answer. — Grant them never so bad, being digested into a
classis by themselves, their mixture cannot be infectious to
others. Secondly, abate their errors, and otherwise many of
them were well meriting of the Commonwealth of learning.
Lastly, the passages of their lives conduce very much to the
clearing of ecclesiastical history.
In noting of their nativities, I have wholly observed the in-
structions of Pitzeus, where I knock off with his death, my light
ending with his life in that subject, since which time I have
neither list to inquire, nor conveniency to attain, of these Ro-
mish fugitives beyond the seas.
A JUST COMPLAINT OF THE NUMEROSITY OF NEEDLESS BOOKS.
Solomon was sensible of this vanity, even in his time, when
pronouncing " of books there is no end."* The heathen poet
took notice thereof :
Scribimus indocti doctiqne Poemata passim.
" Poems write amain we do,
Learned and unlearned too."
All this was before the invention of printing, when books
came but single into the public, which, since that mystery is
made common, come swimming into the world like shoals of
fashes, and one edition spawneth another. This made learned
Erasmus, for company sake, to jeer himself, that he might the
more freely jeer others: Multi mei similes hoc morbo . laborant,
* Eccl. xii. 12.
BOOKS — BUILDERS OF CHURCHES. 43
ut cum scribere nesciant, tamen a scribendo temper are non pos-
sunt.* (" Many men like myself are sick of this disease,, that when
they know not how to write, yet cannot forbear from writing.")
A worthy English baronet, in his book (incomparable on that
subject,) hath clearly and truly stated this point.
Here I expect, that the judicious reader will excuse me, if I
take no notice of many modern pamphleteers ; seeing unlearned
scribblers are not ranked with learned writers ; yea, it was, though
tartly, truly said, to the author of such a book :
Dum scateant alii erratis, daturunica Libro
Menda tuo, totum est integer error opus.
" Whilst others flow with faults, but one is past
In all thy book — .'tis fault from first to last.''
Indeed the Press, at first a virgin, then a chaste wife, is since
turned common, as to prostitute herself to all scurrilous pam-
phlets. When the author of an idle and imperfect book endeth
with a caetera desiderantur, one altered it non desiderantur, sed
desunt. Indeed they were not, though wanting, wanted; the
world having no need of them ; many books being like king
Joram, who lived not being desired : yea, the press beginneth
to be an oppression of the land, such the burden of needless
books therein.
Some will say, the charge may most justly be brought against
yourself, who have loaded the land with more books than any
of your age. To this I confess my fault, and promise amend-
ment, that, God willing, hereafter I will never print book in
the English tongue, but what shall tend directly to divinity.
CHAPTER XI.
OF BENEFACTORS TO THE PUBLIC, WHEREIN ALSO CHOICE
CHARITIES ARE RECOMMENDED TO MEN OF ESTATES.
THESE are reducible to several heads ; and we will begin with
them who have been
BUILDERS OF CHURCHES.
Such centurions who have erected us synagogues, places for
God's public worship, seem to me to have given good testimony
of their love to our nation. Bitter was the brave which railing
Rabsheca sent to holy Hezekiah, proffering him 2,OOO horses, on
condition that the other were but able to find riders for them.f
But it grieves me to see the superstition of the former
insult over the religion of this present age, bragging that
she left us ten thousand churches arid chapels, more or
less, ready built, if we can find but repairers to keep them up.
It is in my opinion both dishonourable to God and scandalous
* Iu Prefat. in tertiam seriem quart! Tomi Hierom. p. 408. f Isaiah xxxvi. 8.
44 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
to all good men, to see such houses daily decay : but there is a
generation of people who, to prevent the verifying of the
old proverb, "Pater nosier built churches, and Our Father
plucks them down •" endeavour to pluck down both churches
and our Father together, neglecting, yea despising the use
both of the one and the other. Be it here remembered, that
it is not only equal but just, that such as have been founders of
churches, or grand benefactors unto them, should have due re-
spect in preserving their monuments from violation or encroach-
ment of others. I urge this the rather, because abuses have
been frequent in this kind, even to those that have deserved
best. I cannot with patience remember the story of Henry
Keble, lord mayor of London 1511, who, besides other
benefactions in his life-time, rebuilded Alder-Mary church run
to very ruins, and bequeathed at his death a thousand pounds
for the finishing thereof.* Yet, within sixty years after, his
bones were unkindly, yea inhumanly, cast out of the vault
wherein they were buried, his monument plucked down for
some wealthy person of the present times to be buried therein.f
I could not but on this occasion rub up my old poetry :
Facit Indignatio Versus.
The Author to Alder-Mary Church. Alder- Mary Church's Answer.
' " Ungrateful Church, o'errun with rust, '* Alas ! my innocence excuse :
Lately buried in the dust ; My Wardens they did me abuse.
Utterly thou hadst been lost, Whose avarice his ashes sold,
If not preserv'd by Keble's cost : That goodness might give place to gold ;
A thousand pounds, might it not buy As for his reliques, all the town
Six foot in length for him to lie : They are scattered up and down ;
But, ousted of his quiet tomb, See'st a Church repaired well,
For later corpse he must make room : There a sprinkling of them fell :
Tell me where his dust is cast, See'st a new Church lately built,
Though t be late, yet now at last ; Thicker there his ashes spilt :
All his bones with scorn ejected, O that all the land throughout
I will see them re-coUected : Keble's dust were thrown about ;
Who tain myself would kinsman prove Places scattered with that seed
I o all that did God's temple love." Would a crop of Churches breed. "
I could wish this was the last barbarism in this kind 5 and am
sorry that, upon small inquiry, I could insist on later instances.
FREE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.
I place schools before colleges, because they are introductory
thereunto, intended for the breeding of children and youth, as
3 other for youth and men. And seeing much of truth is
contained in our English proverb, "It is as good to be unborn
unbred, such may in some sort seem their second parents,
who have provided for their education.
These schools are of two kinds. First, those wherein only a
lalary is given to the school-master to teach children gratis :
nnrn^ ' } C^ T' "? §Ood' Second1^ such wherein a select
scholars have competent maintenance allowed
* Stow's Survey of London, p. 89. f Idem, p. 267.
SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES BRIDGES. 45
towards their living in the university ; and these, all will
acknowledge, are better. Some do suspect a surfeit in our land
of the multitude of schools, because the nursery is bigger than
the orchard, the one breeding more plants than the other can
maintain trees ; and the land not affording sufficient preferment
for them, learning is forced to stoop to mean courses, to make
a livelihood. But I conceive that 6f store in this kind is no
sore '" and if we must not (e do evil that good may come
thereof," we must not forbear doing that which is good,
for fear of accidental evils which may arise from the same.
BRIDGES.
Builders of Bridges, which are high-ways over water,
and makers of caused-ways or causeways, which are bridges
over dirt, though last in order, are not least in benefit to the
commonwealth. Such conveniences save the lives of many,
ease the labour of more painful travellers, and may be said in
some sort to lengthen the day, and shorten the way to men in
their journeys ; yea, bridges make and keep this our island a
continent to itself. How great the care of the ancient
Romans to repair them, for the safety of passengers, appears
by the origination of Pontifex, having the inspection over
bridges by his primitive institution.
Indeed the word bridge appears not in all Scripture, whereof
this the reason. The rivers of Palestine were either so shallow,
that they were passable by fords, as of Jabbok,* Arnon,f and
Jordan,! before it grew navigable ; or else so deep, that
they were ferried over, as Jordan § when near his fall into the
Dead Sea : but most of ours in England are of a middle size ;
so deep, that they cannot be forded ; so narrow, that they
need not to be ferried over. Hence come our so eminent
bridges, insomuch that such structures are accounted amongst
our English excellences. ||
However, Palestine was subject with England to the same in-
conveniences of bad high-ways ; and therefore, in the list
of charitable actors reckoned up by the prophet, he is ac-
counted as a principal, (e the restorer of paths to dwell in ;"^[
for indeed some ways may be said not-habitable, being so deep
and dirty that they cut off all intercourse, the end general of all
men's dwelling together.
I will conclude this topic of bridges with this memorable acci-
dent. Maud, queen to king Henry the First, being to pass the
river Lea about Stratford, near the falling of the said river into
the Thames, was almost drowned in riding over it.** But this
proved the bad cause of a good effect ; for hereupon she built
the beautiful bridge there, for the benefit of travellers : and the
* Gen. xxxii. 22. f Isaiah xvi. 2. J Judges iii. 28. § 2 Sam. xix. 18.
J "Anglia, mons, pons," &c. If Isaiah Iviii. 1?.
** Camden's Britannia, in Essex.
46 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
village, probably from a fair arch or bow therein, received, as
some conceive, the addition of Stratford Bow. Far be it from
me to wish the least ill to any, who willingly would not have
their fingers to ache, or an hair of their heads lessened. Yet
this I could desire, that some covetous churls, who otherwise
will not be melted into works of charity, may, in their passing over
waters, be put into peril without peril— understand me, might
be endangered to fright, but not hurt— that others might fare
the better for their fears ; such misers being minded thereby to
make or repair bridges for public safety and convenience.
ALMS-HOUSES.
Because we live in an age wherein men begin to be out of
charity with charity itself; and there be many covetous
(not to say sacrilegious) people, whose fingers itch to be nim-
ming the patrimony of the poor ; we will here present the cavils
of this against the charity of former ages herein.
Cavil 1. — Shew us the foundation of such structures in Scrip-
ture, either in the Old or New Testament. As for the place
with five porches, wherein " the impotent poor lay,"* near the
Pool of Bethesda, it was of another nature. Alms-houses
therefore, not being jure divino, may lawfully be abolished.
Answer.— The constitution of the Jewish was far different
from our English commonwealth, wherein every one originally
was a freeholder of some proportion of land, which, though
alienated, reverted to the owner at the year of Jubilee. There
needs not an express or particular precept for all our actions ;
that general one, " He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto
the Lord,"f is bottom broad enough to build more alms-houses
on, than all ages will afford. Besides this precept, we have the
practice of the primitive Christians in the time of the apostles,
parting with the propriety J of all their estate ; and well then
may we appropriate a part of ours, for the relief of the poor.
Cavil 2. — The builders of them for the most part have been
people formerly guilty of oppression, who, having lived like
wolves, turn lambs on their death beds, and part with their
fleece to people in want. Having ground the faces of the poor,
they give the toll thereof to build an alms-house, though too
little to hold half the beggars which they have made.
Answer. — The aspersion cannot be fastened on many found-
ers ; so free from the same, that malice may sooner break her
own teeth and jaws too, than make impression on their reputa-
tion. But grant the charge true in this sense, beatum est fuisse,
" blessed arethey that have been bad ;" — " And such were some
of you."§ Let not envious man repine at that whereat the
blessed angels rejoice, the conversion of sinners, and their testi-
fying thereof by such public expressions.
* John v. 2. f Prov. xix. 17. J Actsiv. 34. $ 1 Cor. vi. 11.
ALMS-HOUSES. 47
CavilS. — Such builders generally have a pope in their belly,
puffed up with a proud opinion to merit by their performances.
Answer. — When did the caviller steal the touch- stone of
hearts ? (for God, I am sure, would not lend it him, who saith,
66 My glory will I not give to another)*" that he is so well
acquainted with men's thoughts and intentions. " Charity/'
saith the Apostle, f( thinketh no eviljf" whereas this caviller
thinks little good. We are bound to believe the best of such
founders, especially of such who lived since the Reformation,
whereby the dangerous error of merit was exploded.
Cavil 4. — Grant them guiltless of superstition, they are guilty
of vain-glory. Witness the building of such houses commonly
by highway sides ; when, as our Saviour saith, " Let not thy
left hand know what thy right hand doth.J"
Answer. — The objector shall have leave to build his alms-
house in what private place he please ; in the middle of a wood,
if he shall think fitting; but we know who saith, "Let your
light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven ."§ " That they
may see your good works/5 though not as finis operis, yet as
modus operandi, thereby to provoke others to imitation.
Cavil 5. — As some affirm of tobacco, that it causeth as much
rheum as it bringeth away, alms-houses do breed as many
poor as they relieve. People in such places presume to be idle,
beholding hospitals as their inheritance, wherein their old age
shall be provided for.
Answer. — What is good per se} ought not to be waved for
what is ill per accidens. This calleth aloud, to the care and
integrity of feoffees entrusted, to be wary in their elections.
Besides, I must stick to mine own maxim : it is better that ten
drones be fed than one bee famished.
Cavil 6. — Such places are generally abused, against the will
of the founders. Statutes are neglected. What is said of the
laws in Poland, that .they last but three days, is as true of the
short lived orders in alms-houses. Not the most indigent, or
who have been the most laborious, but the best-befriended, reap
the benefit thereof.
Answer. — I could wish that alms-houses were the only places
wherein laws were broken. But grant too much truth in the
cavil, all will say, " From the beginning it was not so ;" and I
will hope, " unto the end it shall not be so."
Cavil 7.— Hospitals generally have the rickets, whose heads,
their masters, grow over great and rich, whilst their poor bodies
pine away and consume.
Answer. — Surely there is some other cure for a ricketish
body, than to kill it ; viz, by opening obstructions, and deriving
the nutriment to all parts of the same. But enough of this
* Isaiah xlii. 8. f 1 Cor. xiii. 5. J Matth. vi. 3. § Matth. v. 16.
48 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
unwelcome subject, whereof what is spoken is not to put new
cavils into the heads of any, but to pluck old ones out of the
hearts of too many, who have entertained them. If these our
answers seem not satisfactory to any, know, that as a left-
handed man hath great odds in fencing against one that is right-
handed; so in controversies of this kind, cavillers, with their
sinister 'inferences from men's frailties, have a vast advantage
over those who are of candid and ingenuous dispositions.
Many faults must be confessed in such foundations, which
for the future may be amended.
But, grant corruptions should continue in such foundations,
it is not plea enough for their abolition. If the sentence of
condemnation was pronounced on those who saw Christ naked,
and would not clothe him ;* how heavy a doom would fall on
such who found Christ clothed, and stript him in his poor
members of endowments given to their maintenance !
HERE LET ME RECOMMEND SOME CHOICE CHARITY TO
BOUNTIFUL HEARTS AND PLENTIFUL ESTATES.
It were arrant presumption for any to imprison freedom itself,
and confine another's bounty by his own (pretended) discretion.
Let the charitably-minded do what, when, where, how, to whom,
and how much, God and their own goodness shall direct them.
However, it will not be amiss humbly to represent unto them
the following considerations; the rather, because many well
affected to the public good have lately been disheartened with
the frustrations of former charity.
First, for the time : it is best to do it whilst they are living, to
prevent all suspicions that their intentions should be misem-
ployed. Sem wiU not be angry with me for saying Cham was
a mocker of his father. Peter will not be offended if I call
Judas a betrayer of his Master. Honest executors will take no
exception if I justly bemoan that too many dishonest ones have
abused the good intents of the testators. How many legacies,
sound and whole in themselves, have proved, before they were
paid, as maimed as the cripples in the hospitals to whom they
were bequeathed ! Yea, as the blinded Syrians (desiring to go,
and believing they went to Damascus) f were led to their ene-
mies, and into the midst of Samaria ; so is it more than suspi-
cious, that many blind and concealed legacies, intended for the
temple of God, have been employed against the God of the
temple.
Next, for the objects of well doing. Surely a vigilant charity
must take the alarum from the groans of the prisoners.
The schoolmen reduce all corporal charity to seven principal
heads :
1. Visito, to visit men in misery; as Ebed-melech did to
* Matth. xxv. 43. f 2 Kings vi. 20.
ALMS-HOUSES. 49
Jeremiah.* 2. Poto, to give drink to the thirsty ; as Obadiah
did to the prophets.f 3. Cibo, meat to the hungry; as Nehe-
miah did to the Jews and Rulers. :f 4. Redimo, to rescue the
captive; as Abraham did Lot.§ 5. Tego, to cover the naked;
as Dorcas did the widows. || 6. Colligo,to dress the wounded;
as the good jailor did St. Paul.«[T 7- Condo, to bury the
dead ; as the devout men did St. Stephen,**
See here how these seven kinds of good works are placed like
the planets ; whilst to redeem captives stands like the sun in the
midst of all the rest.
Indeed^ it may be sadly presumed,, that such captives ft oft-
times want visiting, meat, drink, clothes, dressing, and all
things but burying (except any will say that they are buried
alive, liberty being the life of man's life) ; so that the redeem-
ing of captives is eminently comprehensive "of all these outward
acts of charity. Yea, this act may extend itself to a spiritual
concernment; to save many souls from damnation; seeing it
may be feared that many, despairing of ransom, may put their
souls in thraldom, to purchase the liberty of their bodies, and
renounce their religion.
I could therefore wish that there were in London a corpora-
tion of able and honest merchants, whereof that city affordeth a
plentiful choice, legally empowered to receive and employ the
charity of well-affected people, for a general jail delivery of all
English captives in Tunis, Tripoli, Algiers, Salli, &c. ; and, our
countrymen first discharged, if there were any surplusage run-
ning over, that it might be disposed for the ransoming of Chris-
tians of what country soever. This were an heroic act indeed,
whereby Christians endeavour to be like Christ himself, who
was the Grand Redeemer.
Oh, that I might be but instrumental, in the least degree, to
advance their enlargement, I should behold it as an advance-
ment to myself. Two reasons make me the more importunate
therein ; one, because the papists had a company of friars in
England, of the order of the Holy Trinity, de Redimendis Cap-
tivis ; which being now extinct, I humbly conceive that we are
bound in conscience, as to quench the superstition, so to con-
tinue the charity of so good a design. Secondly, because whilst
other beggars can tell their own tale, we must plead for them
who cannot plead for themselves ; there being so great a gulf
of distance betwixt us and them ; and God grant that we may
never pass over to theirs, but they return to our condition !
Objection 1. — It maketh mariners cowards, who, presuming
on good men's charity that they shall be ransomed, do not fight
* Jer. xxxviii. 11. f l Kings xviii. 13. J Neh. v. 17.
§ Gen. xiv. 16. || Acts ix. 39. H Acts xvi. 33.
** Acts viii. 2»
tf The redeeming of Christians from captivity was, at the time when Dr. Fuller
wrote, a very important branch of charity ; and briefs for that purpose were frequent
in our churches.
E
50 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
it out valiantly against the Turks, as they ought and might, but
surrender themselves on such expectations.
Answer. — I see not but the same objection lies with equal
force against the redeeming of soldiers taken in land fights, by
what foe soever, by exchange or otherwise. Secondly, acciden-
tal and sinister miscarriages ought not to discourage any sincere
intention. Lastly, let those who have given the best testimo-
nies of their valour be first redeemed ; and let them lie longer,
to suffer bad usage, till the freeing thereof shall convert them
into more valour, if, after their liberty procured, engaging again
on the same occasion.
Objection 2. — The late Long Parliament made an act, since
(after some intermission) renewed, charging a tax on merchants'
goods, known by the name of Algier duty, for the redemption of
captives in Turkey.
Answer. — The blessing of God light on the hearts of those,
if living, who first moved, and since revived it, as I doubt not
but those departed this life have found their reward. I could
heartily wish that yearly a catalogue were printed of the names
of such prisoners thereby redeemed, not knowing whether it
would be more honourable for, or satisfactory to this nation.
But, seeing such provisions fall short of doing the work, and
cannot strike home to break off the fetters of all prisoners, it
will not be amiss to implore the auxiliary charity of others.
Next I desire them to reflect upon aged sequestered minis-
ters, whom, with their charge, the (generally ill-paid) fifth part
will not maintain. Say not it will be interpreted an affront to
the state, to relieve them which it hath adjudged offenders. If
the Best of beings should observe this rule, all the world would
be starved. Secondly, some of them, abating only that their
conscience inclined them to the royal cause, were otherwise un-
blamable both in life and doctrine. Thirdly, the better divines
they were, the worse they are able to shift for themselves, having
formerly no excursion into secular affairs; so that applying
themselves only to, and now debarred the exercise of, the minis-
try, they are left in a sad condition. Lastly, allow them faulty,
yet quid teneri infantes ? &c. It is pity their wives and children
should be ruined for their offence. But enough hereof, seeing,
in motions of this nature, a word is enough to the wise, and half
a word too much for others. [Reader, this passage being written
some three years since, I could not command my own right
hand to cross it out, but it must stand as it did.]
Lastly, I recommend unto their charity, such servants who
have nothing save what they have gained by their industry, and
have lived seven years and upwards with the same master ; I
mean not apprentices, but such covenant servants which are
bound to their masters, their year being ended, with no other
indentures than their own discretion, and are sensible that they
must run a hazard, and may lose with their alteration ; especi-
ALMS-HOUSES. 51
ally such females, who prefer a good master in certain, before a
good husband in hopes, and had rather serve in plenty, than
wed and adventure poverty.
I confess, such is the. cruelty of some masters, no servant can,
and such the fickleness of others, no servant may stay long with
them. Such a master was he, who, being suitor to a gentle-
woman, came, every time he visited her, waited on by a new
man, though keeping but one at once ; such was his inconstancy
and delight in change. Whereupon, when taking leave of his
mistress, he proffered to salute her ; £i Spare your compliments/'
said she unto him, ft for probably I shall shortly see you again ;
but let me, I pray you, salute your servant, whom I shall never
behold any more/*
However, though sometimes the fault may be in the masters
or mistresses, yet generally servants are to be blamed in our age,
shifting their places so often without cause. The truth is, the
age that makes good soldiers, mars good servants, cancelling
their obedience, and allowing them too much liberty. What
Nabal applied falsely and spitefully to David, " There be many
servants now a days which break away every man from his mas-
ter/5* was never more true than now. Yea, what Tully said of
the Roman consul (chose in the morning, and put out before
night,) f some servants have been so vigilant, they never slept in
their masters' houses; so short their stay, so soon their de-
parture.
The fickleness and fugitiveness of such servants justly addeth
a valuation to their constancy who are standards in a family,
and know when they have met with a good master, as it appears
their masters know when they have met with a good servant.
It is pity but such properties of a household should be encou-
raged ; and bounty bestowed upon them may be an occasion to
fix other servants to stay the longer in their places, to the gene-
ral good of our nation.
I desire these my suggestions should be as inoffensively taken,
as they are innocently tendered. I know there was in the water
of Bethesda,J after the angel had troubled it, a medicinal power.
I know also that such impotent folk as lay in the five porches
were the proper subjects to be cured : but, alas ! they wanted
one, at the critical instant, to bring their wounds and the cure
together, and to put them seasonably into the water. I am as
confident that there be hundreds in England, really willing and
able to relieve, as that there are thousands that do desire, and in
some sort deserve, their charity. But there wanteth one, in the
proper juncture of time, to present such poor objects to their
liberality ; and if these my weak endeavours may be in any degree
* 1 Sam. xxv. 10.
f " Habemus vigilem consulem qui in consulate suo nunquam dorrnivit."
I John v. 2.
E 2
52 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
instrumental to promote the same, it will be a great comfort
unto me.
I will conclude this subject with a motive to charity, out of
the road of, besides, if not against the ordinary logic of men :
" Give a portion to seven and to eight, for thou knowest not
what evil shall be upon the earth/'*— "To seven and to eight;"
that is, extend thy bounty to as high a proportion of deserving
persons as can consist with thy estate ; " for thou knowest not
what evil will be upon the earth;" matters are mutable, and
thou mayest need the relief of others.
Ergo, saith the miser, "part with nothing, but keep all against
a wet day." Not so Solomon, advising to secure somewhat in
a safe bank — the backs and bowels of the poor. Never evil
more likely to, never people less known of the same, than our-
selves. And therefore the counsel never out of, is now most in
season.
WHY BENEFACTORS SINCE, ARE DISTCNGUISHED FROM THEM
BEFORE THE REFORMATION.
I conceive it not fit to mingle both together, for these two rea-
sons : first, because of the difference of their charity since the
Reformation, as not parched up by the fear of the fire of purga-
tory, but kindly ripened with the sun ; viz. a clear apprehension
by the light of the Scripture that they were bound to do good
works.
Secondly, because a Romish Goliah f hath defied our English
Israel, taxing our church since the Reformation, as able to shew
few considerable pieces of charity in comparison of those be-
yond the seas, who may hence be easily confuted.
Indeed when I read the emulations between Peninna and
Hannah, it mindeth me of the contests betwixt the church of
Rome and us ; such the conformity between them.
" Her adversary provoked Hannah sore, for to make her fret,
because the Lord hath shut up her womb."{
" But how did Hannah rejoice afterwards ? The barren hath
borne seven, and she that hath many children is waxed feeble." §
It is confessed, immediately after the Reformation, Protestant
religion stood for a while in amaze, scarcely recovered from the
Marian persecution, and was barren in good works. || But since
her beginning to bear fruit, she hath overtaken her Roman co-
rival, and left her fairly behind.
Let the extent of time and content of ground be proportion-
ally stated, and England cannot be matched for deeds of cha-
rity in any part of Spain, France, and Italy ; as by the ensuing
catalogue of benefactors to the public will appear.
* Eccles. xi. 2. f Mr. Knot the Jesuit.
J 1 Sam. i. 6. § i Sam. ii. 5.
II See the Life of Mr. William Lambert [Lambarde] in Kent.
OF BENEFACTORS. 53
Objection. — You had better omitted them, leaving them mo-
destly to multiply and increase in their own silence and secrecy.
You know how dear David paid for " numbering the people."*
Answer. — David did not offend in mere " numbering the
people/* but in not paying the poll money appointed by God
in such cases, t purposely to decline the plague, which omission
argued his pride of heart. It is lawful for Protestants, without
any just suspicion of vain glory and ostentation, to make a
list and take the number of benefactors in this kind, provided
the quit-rent of praise be principally paid to the Lord of heaven.
Besides, we are not challengers, but defenders of ourselves here-
in against the challenge of another; desiring to do it in all
humility, in confidence of our good cause.
And here I can hold no longer, but must break forth into a
deserved commendation of good works. Glorious things in Scrip-
ture are spoken of you ; yea, fruits of the Spirit. By them the
Gospel is graced, wicked men amazed, some of them converted,
the* rest of them confounded, weak Christians confirmed, poor
Christians relieved, our faith justified, our reward in heaven by
God's free grace amplified ; angels rejoice for them, devils re-
pine at them, God himself is glorified in them. Oh, therefore,
that it were in my power to exhort my countrymen to pursue
good works with all earnestness, which will add so much to
their account.
Some will say, if the English be so forward in deeds of charity
as appeareth by what you said before, any exhortation there-
unto is altogether superfluous.
I answer, the best disposed to bounty may need a remem-
brancer ; and I am sure that nightingale which would wake
will not be angry with the thorn which pricketh her breast when
she noddeth. Besides, it is a truth what the Poet saith,
Qui monet ut facias quod jam facis, ipse monendo
Laudat, el hortatu comprobat acta suo.
" Who, what thou dost, thee for to do doth move,
Doth praise thy practice, and thy deeds approve.''
Thus the exhortations of the Apostles at Jerusalem were
commendations of St. Paul, ee Only they would that we should
remember the poor, the same which I also was forward to
do."t
Lastly, though many of our nation be free in this kind, there
want not those who, instead of being zealous are jealous of good
works ; being so far from shining themselves, that they enviously
endeavour to extinguish the light of others, whose judgments I
have laboured to rectify herein.
* 2 Sam, xxiv. 15. f Exod. xxx. 12. $ Gal. ii. 10.
54 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
THE STATING OF THE WORD "REFORMATION/5 WITH THE
EXTENSIVENESS THEREOF.
No word occurs oftener in this our book than Reformation.
It is, as it were, the equator, or that remarkable line dividing
betwixt eminent prelates, learned writers, and benefactors to the
public who lived before or after it.
Know then that this word, in relation to the Church of Eng-
land, is of above twenty years' extent. For the Reformation was
not advanced here as in some foreign free states, suddenly, not
to say rapidly, with popular violence, but leisurely and treatably,
as became a matter of so great importance. Besides, the meet-
ing with much opposition retarded the proceedings of the Re-
formers.
We may observe, that the Jews returned from the captivity
of Babylon at three distinct times, under the conduct of several
persons. 1 . When the main body of the captives was brought
home by Zerubbabel,* by whom the second Temple was built.
2. When a considerable company returned with Ezra,f by whom
the church part, as I may term it, was settled in that nation.
3. When Nehemiah,J no doubt with suitable attendance, came
home, and ordered the state moiety, repairing the walls of Jeru-
salem.
In like manner we may take notice of three distinct dates and
different degrees of our English Reformation ; though, in rela-
tion to the Jewish, I confess the method was altogether inverted.
For, 1 . The civil part thereof, when the Pope's supremacy was
banished in the reign of king Henry the Eighth. 2. When the
Church Service was reformed, as far as that age would admit, in
the first year of king Edward the Sixth. 3. When the same,
after the Marian interruption, was resumed and more refined in
the reign of queen Elizabeth.
The first of these I may call the morning star ; the second,
the dawning of the day ; the third, the rising of the sun ; and I
deny not but that since that time his light and heat hath been
increased.
But now the question will be, what is to be thought of those
prelates, writers, and benefactors, which lived in the aforesaid
interval betwixt the beginning and perfecting of this Reforma-
tion. For these appear unto us like unto the bateable ground
lying betwixt England and Scotland, whilst as yet two distinct
kingdoms, in so dubious a posture it is hard to say to which side
they do belong.
It is answered, the only way to decide this difference is to
observe the inclinations of the said persons so far forth as they
are discovered in their writings and actions : such as appear in
. * Ezraii. 2. f Ezraviii. 1—14. J Nehem. ii. 6.
MEMORABLE PERSONS. 55
some good degree favourers of the Gospel are reputed to be
since, whilst those who are otherwise are adjudged to be before,
the Reformation.
CHAPTER XII.
OF MEMORABLE PERSONS.
THE former heads were like private houses, in which persons
accordingly qualified have their several habitations. But this
last topic is like a public inn, admitting all comers and goers,
having any extraordinary, not vicious, remark upon them, and
which are not clearly reducible to any of the former titles.
Such, therefore, who are over, under, or beside the standard of
common persons, for strength, stature, fruitfulness, vivacity,
or any other observable eminence, are lodged here under the
notion of memorable persons, presuming the pains will not be
to me so much in marking, as the pleasure to the reader in know-
ing them.
Under this title we also repose all such mechanics, who in
any manual trade have reached a clear note above others in
their vocation.
Objection. — It is deforme spectaculum, an uncouth sight, to
behold such handy craftsmen blended with eminencies in inge-
nious professions ; such a motley colour is no good wearing.
How would William Cecil, Lord Treasurer of England, and Ba-
ron of Burleigh, be offended, to behold James York the black-
smith set with him at the same table amongst the natives of
Lincolnshire ?
Answer. — I am confident, on the contrary, that he would be
highly pleased, being so great a statesman, that he would coun-
tenance and encourage his industrious countryman, accounting
nothing little, without the help whereof greater matters can ei-
ther not be attained, or not long subsist. Yea, we see what
signal notice the Spirit of God takes of the three sons of La-
mech,* the first founders of tent-making, organs, and iron-
works ; and it is observable, that whereas all their names are
forgotten which built the Tower of Babel, though done on de-
sign to get them a name,t these three mechanics, viz. Jabal,
Jubal, and Tubal-cain, are nominatim recorded to all posterity.
Thus is it better to bottom the perpetuity of one's memory on
honest industry and ingenuous diligence, than on stately struc-
tures and expensive magnificence.
I confess it is easier to add to any art, than first to invent
it ; yet, because there is a perfection of degrees, as well as kinds,
eminent improvers of an art may be allowed for the co-invent-
ors thereof being founders of that accession which they add
* Gen. iv. 2 22. 23. f Gen. xi. 4.
56 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
thereunto, for which they deserve to be both regarded and re-
warded.
I could name a worshipful family in the south of England,
which for sixteen several descents, and some hundreds of years,
have continued in the same stay of estate, not acquiring one
foot of land, either by match, purchase, gift, or otherwise, to
their ancient patrimony. The same may be said of some
handicrafts, wherein men move in the same compass, but make
no further progress to perfection, or any considerable improve-
ment; and this I impute generally to their want of competent
encouragement.
CHAPTER XIII.
OF LORD MAYORS OF LONDON.
I HAVE concluded this work with these chief officers in that
great city ; a place of so great honour and trust, that it hath
commonly been said, that, on the death of an English king,
the Lord Mayor is the subject of the greatest authority in Eng-
land 5 many other offices determining with the king's life, till
such time as their charters be renewed by his successor ; where-
as the Lord Mayor's trust continueth for a whole year, without
any renewing after the interregnum.
Objection. — Such persons had better been omitted, whereof
many were little better than ya«mjpcc apyol, though by good for-
tune they have loaded themselves with thick clay ; and will be
but a burden in your book to the readers thereof.
Answer. — All wise men will behold them under a better no-
tion, as the pregnant proofs of the truth of two proverbs, not
contradictory, but confirmatory one to another. Prov. x. 22 :
"The blessing of the Lord maketh rich." Prov. x. 4 :
(( The hand of the diligent maketh rich." The one as the prin-
cipal, the other as the instrumental cause ; and both meeting in
the persons aforesaid.
For though some of them were the younger sons of worship-
ful and wealthy parents, and so had good sums of money left
them ; yet being generally of mean extraction, they raised
themselves by God's providence, and their own painfulness ;
the city, in this respect, being observed like unto a court where
elder brothers commonly spend, and the younger gain, an es-
tate.
But such Lord Mayors are here inserted, to quicken the in-
dustry of youth, whose parents are only able to send them up
to, not to set them up in, London. For what a comfort is it
to a poor apprentice of that city, to see the prime magistrate
thereof, riding in his majoralibus, with such pomp and attend-
ance, which another day may be his hap and happiness !
LORD MAYORS OF LONDON. 5?
Objection. — It cometh not to the share of one in twenty
thousand,, to attain to that honour ; and it is as impossible for
every poor apprentice in process of time to prove Lord Mayor,
as that a minim with long living should become a whale.
Answer. — Not so ; the latter is an utter impossibility as de-
barred by nature, being fishes of several kinds : whereas there
is a capacity in the other to arrive at it, which puts hopes, the
only tie which keeps the heart from breaking, into the hearts
of all of the attainableness of such preferment to themselves.
Dr. Hutton, archbishop of York, when he came into any
great grammar school, which he did constantly visit in his vi-
sitations, was wont to say to the young scholars, "Ply your
books, boys, ply your books, for bishops are old men." And
surely the possibility of such dignity is a great encouragement
to the endeavours of students.
Lord Mayors being generally aged, and always but annual,
soon make room for succession, whereby the endeavours of all
freemen in companies are encouraged. But if they should
chance to fall short, as unable to reach the home of honour, I
mean the mayoralty itself, yet, if they take up their lodgings at
Sheriff, Alderman, and Common-Councillor, with a good estate,
they will have no cause to complain.
I confess some counties, in our ensuing discourse, will appear
Lord Mayor-less, as Cumberland, Dorsetshire, Hampshire, &c.
However, though hitherto they have not had, hereafter they
may have, natives advanced to that honour ; and it may put a
lawful ambition into them, to contend who shall be their leader,
and who should first of those shires attain to that dignity. As
lately Sir Richard Cheverton, skinner, descended, I assure you,
of a right ancient and worshipful family, was the first in Corn-
wall, who opened the door for others, no doubt, to follow after
him.
Nor must it be forgotten that many have been Lord Mayors'
mates, though never remembered in their catalogues ; viz. such
who by fine declined that dignity : and as I am glad that some
will fine, that so the stock of the chamber of London may be
increased, so I am glad that some will not fine, that so the state
of the city of London may be maintained.
I begin the observing of their nativities, from Sir William
Sevenoke, grocer, Lord Mayor 1418. For though there were
Lord Mayors 200 years before, yet their birth-places generally
are unknown. It was, I confess, well for me in this particular,
that Mr. Stow was born before me, being herein the heir of
endeavours, without any pain of my own ; for, knowing that
cuilibet artifici in sud arte est credendum, I have followed him,
and who him continued, till the year 1633, at what time their
labours do determine. Since which term, to the present year,
I have made the catalogue out by my own inquiry, and friends'
intelligence. To speak truth to their due praise, one may be
58 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
generally directed to their cradles, though by no other candle
than the light of their good works and benefactions to such
places.
CHAPTER XIV.
A CATALOGUE OF ALL THE GENTRY IN ENGLAND, MADE IN THE
REIGN OF KING HENRY THE SIXTH, WHY INSERTED IN OUR
BOOK.
AFTER we have finished the catalogue of the worthy natives of
every shire, we present the reader with a list of the Gentry of
the land, solemnly returned by select commissioners into the
chancery, thence into the records in the Tower, on this occasion.
The Commons in Parliament complained that the land then
swarmed with pilours, robbers, oppressors of the people, man-
stealers, felons, outlaws, ravishers of women, unlawful haunters
of forests and parks, &c. Whereupon it was ordered*, for the
suppressing of present and preventing of future mischiefs, that
certain commissioners should be empowered, in every county, to
summon all persons of quality before them, and tender them an
oath, for the better keeping of the peace, and observing the
king's laws both in themselves and retainers.
Excuse me, reader, if I be bold to interpose my own conjec-
ture, who conceive, whatever was intended to palliate the busi-
ness, the principal intent was, to detect and suppress such who
favoured the title of York : which then began to be set on foot,
and afterwards openly claimed, and at last obtained the crown.
OF THE METHOD GENERAL, USED IN THIS CATALOGUE.
The first amongst the commissioners is the Bishop of their
diocese, put before any Earl ; partly because he was in his own
diocese, partly because giving of oaths, their proper work, was
conceived to be of spiritual cognisance.
Besides the bishop, when they were three (as generally) com-
missioners, the first of them was either an Earl, or at least
(though often entituled but Chivaler) an actual Baron, as
will hereafter appear ; and which will acquaint us partly with the
peerage of the land in that age.
Next follow those who were Knights for the Shire in the par-
liament foregoing ; and if with the addition of Chivaler, or Miles,
were Knights by dubbing, before of that their relation.
All commissioners expressed not equal industry and activity
in prosecution of their trust ; for, besides the natural reasons,
that in all affairs some will be more rigorous, some more remiss,
by their own temper, some more, some less fancied their
employment, insomuch as we find some shires, 1 . Over done ;
as Oxford and Cambridge-shires, whose catalogues are too
GENERAL METHOD USED IN THIS CATALOGUE. 59
much allayed, descending to persons of meaner quality.
2. Even done ; as generally the most are, where the returns bear
a competent proportion to the populousness and numerousness
of the counties. 3. Underdone ; as Shropshire, Yorkshire, Nor-
thumberland, &c., where the returns do not answer to the extent
of those shires. 4. Not done ; which I sadly confess, and
cannot help ; being twelve in number, as hereafter will appear.
I dare not conjecture the cause of this casualty ; whether in
such shires the oaths were never tendered, or tendered and not
taken, or taken and not returned, or returned and not recorded,
or recorded and not preserved, or preserved but misplaced
in some roll which hitherto it hath not been my hap to light
upon.
It is possible that some disgusted the king's design, as who,
under the pretence of keeping the peace, endeavoured to
smother and suppress such who should appear for the title of
York ; whereof more in the respective counties.
May the reader be pleased to take notice that, in the reign of
Henry the Sixth, de such a place began then to be left off, and
the addition of Knight and Squire to be assumed. Yet, because
no fashion can be generally followed at first, such additions are
used in the returns of some shires, and neglected in others.
In some counties we have the names of a few mechanics re-
turned, with their trades, Brazier, Smith, Ironmonger, &c. ; who,
no doubt, were considerable, either in themselves, as robustious
persons ; or in their servants, as numerous ; or in their popular
and tumultuous influence of others. And grant these passing
under the name of Valecti (whereof formerly), it appears, by the
penalty imposed on their recusancy of the oath, that they were
substantial people, which stood (and probably could make others
go) on their own account.
Some clergymen, not only regular, as abbots and priors, but
secular parochial priests, are inserted in some returns. These,
some will say, might well be omitted, as nothing informative to
the gentry of the land, because dead stakes in the -hedge ; then
unconcerned in posterity, because forbidden marriage. How-
ever, I have here presented as I found them, intending neither
to mingle nor mangle ; conceiving that, if I were found guilty
either of omissions or alterations, it might justly shake the cre-
dit of the whole catalogue. Indeed if the word superstition im-
porteth not trespassing on religion, and if the bare signification
be adequate to the etymology thereof, a super stando, for stand-
ing in his own opinion too curiously, on a thing which in the
judgment of others may not merit so much exquisiteness, I here
voluntarily confess myself superstitious in observing every
punctilio according to the original.
May the reader be pleased to take notice, that in men's pro-
per names, some letters of like sound are confounded in vulgar
pronunciation, as V for F, Fenner and Venner, K and C, Kary
60 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
and Gary ; F and Ph, as Purfrey and Purphrey, though the
name be the same in both. Sometimes the name is spelt, not
truly, according to orthography, but according to the common
speaking thereof, which melteth out some essential letters, as
Becham for Beauchamp.
Again, there is such an allusion betwixt the forms of some let-
ters (nothing symbolizing in sound) that as they are written
(though not in ordinary) in record-hand, they may easily be mis-
taken by a writer or reader, through the similitude of their cha-
racter; as,
(m)e(n)f(n)l(g)
t * 5 -° { •*• • } r { r y t c y 3
This hath put us many times to a stand, and sometimes to a
loss, what letter it hath been. But we have in all particulars
conformed our transcript to the original in all possible exact-
ness, though afterwards taking the boldness to interpose our
opinion in our observations.
A later list might be presented of the English gentry, towards
the end of the reign of king Henry the Eighth ;* but such would
be subject to just exception. For, as the Gibeonites, though by
their mouldy bread, and clouted shoes, pretending to a long pe-
regrination, were but of the vicinage ; so most of those gentry,
notwithstanding their specious claim to antiquity, will be found
to be but of one descent, low enough in themselves, did they
not stand on the vantage ground, heightened on the rubbish of
the ruins of monasteries.
CHAPTER XV.
OF SHIRE-REEVES, OR SHERIFFS.
REEVE, which hath much affinity with the Dutch Gh*ave, sig-
nifieth an officer to oversee and order, being chief in the Shire ;
in Latin Vice-comes or Vice-count. And seeing shadows in
effect are as ancient as the bodies, they may be believed as old
as Counts, and Counts as Counties, and Counties as king Alfred,
who first divided England into Shires about the year of our
Lord 888.
The late fashion was, that the clerk of the peace for each
county, in Michaelmas term, presented to the lord chief justice
of the King's Bench six or more names of able persons for that
office. The lord chief justice calling the other judges into the
Exchequer Chamber, where the attorney-general and solicitor
attend, presented three out of that number unto the king, out
* This List, if it could be discovered, and it is probably in some of the Record
Jffices, would be a valuable article in continuation of «« The Worthies of
England."
SHERIFFS. 61
of which the king pricks one, who stands sheriff of the
county.
His power is sufficiently known; to suppress riots, secure
prisoners, distrain for debts, execute writs, return the choice of
knights and burgesses for parliament, empannel juries, attend
the judge, see the execution of malefactors, &c.
Several statutes have provided, that no man should be sheriff
in any county, except he hath land sufficient in the same county
to answer the king and his people.* And it is remarkable that,
since the beginning of that office, it appeareth not upon any
record, that ever any sheriff, pro tempore, failed in his estate,
but was responsible in his place ; whereas it is too plain by sad
precedents, that some receivers (being men of meaner estates)
have.
Sheriffs are bound to abide in their proper persons within the
county, that they may the more effectually attend their office, t
And in our remembrance, some great persons, whose activity in
parliament was suspected, have been made sheriffs, to keep
them out of harm's way, and confine them at home. But later
years have dispensed with such critical niceties ; unreasonable
that the sheriff himself should be a prisoner in his own county,
allowing him more liberty, on the providing of an able deputy
in his absence.
Though I will not avouch it true, there may be somewhat of
truth in their spiteful observation, who maintain, that the shriev-
alty in ancient times was honos sine onere, in the middle times
honos cum onere, and in our days little better than onus sine
honore ; though I trust the office will now be restored to its
former honour.
Honos sine onere, a an honour without a burden." As when
prince Edward the First was for many years together high-
sheriff of Bedford and Buckinghamshire ; and many prime peers
of the land were honorary sheriffs, gracing the place with ac-
cepting it ; living where they pleased themselves, and appoint-
ing their substitutes to transact the business of the county.
Honos cum onere, " an honour with a burden ;" from king
Edward the Third, till within our remembrance. For the prin-
cipal gentry in every shire, of most ancient extractions and best
estates, were deputed for that place, keeping great attendance
and hospitality : so that as some transcripts have, for the fair-
ness of their character, not only evened but exceeded the
original, the Vice-comites have, pro tempore, equalled the count
himself, and greatest lords in the land, for their magnificence.
Onus sine honore, " a burden without honour ;" when it was
obtruded on many as a punishment for the trouble and charge
thereof, and laid as a burden, not on the back of that horse
which was best able to carry it, but who was least able to cast it
* 9 Edward II. Lincoln. 4 Edward III. 9. 5 Edward III. 4.
| 4 Henry IV. 5.
62 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
off, great persons by friends and favour easily escaping it, whilst
it was charged on those of meaner estates : though I do believe
it found all them Esquires, and did not make any so, as some
will suggest.
Hence was it, that many sheriffs were forced to consult prin-
ciples of thrift, not being bound so to serve their country, as to
disserve themselves, and ruin their estates ; and instead of keep-
ing open houses, as formerly, at the assizes, began to latch,
though not lock, their doors, providently reducing it to an ordi-
nary expence ; and no wise man will conclude them to be the
less loyal subjects, for being the more provident fathers.
At the end of every shire, after the forenamed catalogue of
the gentry, in the reign of king Henry the Sixth, I have set
down a list of the sheriffs from the beginning of king Henry
the Second until the end of king Charles, carefully collected out
of the Records. For I hope that by the former, which I call
my broad (representing the gentry of one generation all over
England), and this which I term my long catalogue, extending
itself successively through many ages ; I hope, I say, both being
put together, may square out the most eminent of the ancient
gentry in some tolerable proportion. Most eminent ; seeing, I
confess, neither can reach all the gentry of the land : for as in
the catalogue of king Henry the Sixth, many ancient gentlemen
were omitted, who were minors in age, and so incapable of
taking an oath ; so doth not the list of sheriffs comprehend all
the gentry in the shire, finding three sorts of people excluded
out of the same: — such who were, 1. Above discharging the
office : 2. Besides discharging the office : 3. Beneath discharg-
ing the office.
Above. Such were all the Peerage in the land, which since
the reign of king Edward the Third were excused, I am sure, de
facto, not employed in that place, as inconsistent with their
attendance in parliament.
Secondly, such who were besides the place, privileged by their
profession from that office ; which may be subdivided into—
1. Swordmen, employed in wars beyond the seas. Thus Sir
Oliver Ingham, and Sir John Fastoffe, both great men, and
richly landed in Norfolk, were never sheriffs thereof, because
employed in the French wars, the one under king Edward the
Third, the other under king Henry the Fifth. 2. Gownmen ; as
judges, sergeants at law, barristers, auditors, and other officers
in the Exchequer, &c. 3. Cloakmen ;* such courtiers as were
the king's servants, and in ordinary attendance about his person.
Lastly, such as were beneath the place, as men of too narrow
estates to discharge that office, especially as it was formerly in
the magnificent expensiveness thereof, though such persons
might be esquires of right ancient extraction.
In relation to the present mode ; otherwise they also were gownmen anciently.
SHERIFFS. 63
\
And here under favour I conceive, that if a strict inquiry
should be made after the ancient gentry of England, most of
them would be found amongst such middle-sized persons as are
above two hundred, and beneath a thousand pounds of annual
revenue. It was the motto of wise Sir Nicholas Bacon, medio-
criafrma, " moderate things are most lasting/' Men of great
estates, in national broils, have smarted deeply for their visible
engagements, to the ruin of their families, whereof we have had
too many sad experiments, whilst such persons who are mode-
rately mounted above the level of common people into a com-
petency, above want and beneath envy, have, by God^s blessing
on their frugality, continued longest in their conditions, enter-
taining all alterations in the state with the less destructive
change unto themselves.
Let me add, that I conceive it impossible for any man, and
difficult for a corporation of men, to make a true catalogue of
the English gentry ; because, what mathematicians say of a line,
that it is divisibilis in semper divisibilia, is true hereof, if the
Latin were (which, for aught I know, if as usual is) as elegant,
addibilis in semper addibilia. Not only because new gentry will
every day be added, and that as I conceive justly too ; for why
should the fountain of honour be stopped, if the channel of
desert be running ? but because ancient gentry will daily be
newly discovered, though some of them perchance for the pre-
sent but in a poor and mean condition, as may appear by this
particular.
It happened in the reign of king James, when Henry Earl of
Huntingdon was lieutenant of Leicestershire, that a labourer's
son in that county was pressed into the wars, as I take it to go
over with count Mansfield. The old man at Leicester requested
his son might be discharged, as being the only staff of his age,
who by his industry maintained him and his mother. The earl
demanded his name, which the man for a long time was loath
to tell, as suspecting it a fault for so poor a man to confess a
truth. At last he told his name was Hastings. "Cousin Hast-
ings," said the earl, "we cannot all be top branches of the tree,
though we all spring from the same root : your son my kinsman
shall not be pressed." So good was the meeting of modesty in a
poor, with courtesy in an honourable person, and gentry I believe
in both. And I have reason to believe, that some who justly own
the surnames and blood of Bohuns, Mortimers, and Plantagenets,
though ignorant of their own extractions, are hid in the heap of
common people ; where they find that under a thatched cottage,
which some of their ancestors could not enjoy in a leaded castle,
contentment with quiet and security.
To return to our catalogue of sheriffs. I have been bold to
make some brief historical observations upon them, which I hope
will not be unpleasing to the reader, whom I request first to
64 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
peruse our notes on Berkshire, because of their public influence
on the rest, facilitating some difficulties which return in the
sheriffs of other counties.
After we have presented the sheriffs5 names, we have annexed
their addition, either of estate, as Esquire ; or degree, as Knight,
Baronet, &c. ; and this we have always done after, sometimes
before, king Henry the Sixth. For although the statute of Addi-
tions was made in the first of king Henry the Fifth, to indivi-
duify, as I may say, and separate persons from those of the
same name ; and although it took present effect in such suits
and actions where process of outlawry lieth, yet was it not
universally practised in other writings till the end of the reign
of king Henry the Sixth.
After their additions, we have, in a distinct columel, assigned
the places of their habitation, where we could proceed with any
certainty, leaving some blanks to employ the industry of others.
We have endeavoured, as near as we could, to observe propor-
tion of time in denoting their places, lest otherwise our there be
confuted by our then, the date of the king's reign which is pre-
fixed. If sometimes we have made a prolepsis with VirgiPs
Lavinia litora, (I mean if we have placed some sheriffs too
early in their possessions, a little before their families were
fixed there,) I hope the candid reader will either wink or smile
at the mistake.
It often cometh to pass that the same sheriff in the same
shire hath two or more fair seats. This should raise their grati-
tude to God, whose own Son was not so well provided, not having
"whereto lay his head." In this variety our catalogue pre-
senteth but one ; sometimes the oldest, sometimes the fairest,
and sometimes, freely to confess, what comes first to my me^
mory. The best is, truth doth not abate thereby ; knowing so
much law, that where a man hath an household in two places
he shall be said to dwell in both of them ; so that this addition
in one of them doth suffice.
Next to the place of sheriffs we set down their arms ; whereof
largely in the next chapter. We conclude the catalogue of
sheriffs with a comment upon them, presenting their most re-
markable actions. Our husbandmen in Middlesex make a dis-
tinction between dodding and threshing of wheat ; the former
being only the beating out of the fullest and fairest grain, leav-
ing what is lean and lank to be threshed out afterwards. Our
comment may be said to have dodded the sheriffs of several
counties, insisting only on their most memorable actions which
are extant in our printed histories; otherwise my eyes could
not look into locked chests — I mean, pierce into the private
records of families, carefully concealed and kept in their choicest
cabinet. Besides such unprinted records are infinite (under-
stand it in the same sense in which the strength of Tyre is
OF ARMS. G5
called " infinite,"*) too many for one author to manage, and
therefore are left to such as undertake the description of several
counties.
CHAPTER XVI."
OF THE COATS OF ARMS AFFIXED TO SUCH WHO HAVE BEEN
SHERIFFS OF COUNTIES.
SOMETHING must be premised of Arms in general. They
may seem in some sort to be jure divino to the Jews, having a
precept for the practice thereof : " Every man of the children
of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their
father's house."*
The use thereof is great, both in war and peace. I begin
with war, because Arms had their first rise from arms, and had
a military origin. Without these an army cannot be methodised,
and is but an heap of men. ef Like an army/5 saith the Scrip-
ture, " terrible with banners ;"J without which an army is not
terrible, but ridiculous, routing itself with its own confusion.
Now as no army without banners, so no banner without arms
therein. ee If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall
prepare himself to the battle ? w§ Now, as the trumpet tells
the time, so the banner proclaims the place of meeting ; and if
it have not distinguishable emblems therein, who shall know
whither to repair to his captain or company.
Arms are also useful in peace, to distinguish one man from
another. They Bbe termed nomina visibilia, (( visible names."
For as a name notifieth a man to the ear, so his arms do signify
him to the eye, though dead many years since ; so signal the
service of arms on tombs to preserve the memory of the de-
ceased.
Arms anciently were either assumed or assigned : for at first
men took what arms they pleased, directed by their own fancy ; a
custom still continuing in the Low Countries, where the burgers
choose their own arms with as great confidence as tradesmen make
their mark, or inn-keepers set up their signs in England. As-
signed arms were such as princes, or their officers under them,
appointed to particular persons, in reward of their service. And
whereas assumed arms were but personal, these generally were
hereditary, and descended to their families.
It is the rule general in arms, that the plainer the-ancienter ;
and so consequently more honourable : " Arma prim 6 nuda sine
ornatu." And when a memorable gentleman (understand me,
such an one the beginning of whose gentry might easily be re-
membered) was mocking at the plain coat of an ancient esquire,
* Nahum Hi. f Num. ii. 2. J Caiit. vi. 4. §1 Cor. xiv. 8.
VOL. I. F
66 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
the esquire returned,, " I must be fain to wear the coat which my
great great grandfather left me ; but had I had the happiness to
have bought one,, as you did, it should have been guarded after
the newest fashion." Two colours are necessary and most
highly honourable; though both may be blazoned with one
word, as Varrey (formerly borne by the Beauchamps, of Hatch
in Wiltshire, and still quartered by the duke of Somerset).
Three are very honourable ; four commendable ; five excusable ;
more, disgraceful. Yet I have seen a coat of arms (I mean
within the escutcheon) so piebald, that if both the mefals and all
the colours, seven in all, were lost elsewhere, they might have
been found therein.
Such coats were frequently given by the heralds, not out of
want of wit, but will to bestow better, to the new gentry in the
end of the reign of king Henry the Eighth. One said of a coat
that it was so well victualled, that it might endure a siege ; such
the plenty and variety of fowl, flesh, and fish therein : though
some done so small, one needed a magnifying glass to discover
them ; but such surfeited coats have since met with a good
physician,* who hath cured many of them.
I can not but smile at his fancy, who counting himself no
doubt wonderfully witty, would be a reformer of our heraldry,
and thought it fine, if it were thus ordered, that all, — 1. Descend-
ed of ancient nobility should give their field Or ; 2. Extracted
from undoubted gentry, Argent ; 3. Advancing themselves by
sea-adventures, Azure ; 4. Raised by their valour in war, Gules ;
5. Gownmen preferred for learning, Sable ; 6. Countrymen
raised by good husbandry, Vert.
Indeed, as these Metals and Colours are reckoned up in
order, so are they reputed in honour, save that the contest be-
twixt Azure and Gules is not so clearly decided,
Or and Azure in composition are conceived the richest, Ar-
gent and Sable the fairest coat ; because setting off each other
discernible at the greatest distance. The lion and eagle are
reputed the most honourable, the cross the most religious bear-
ing ; a bend is esteemed the best ordinary, being a belt borne
in its true posture athwart, as a fess is the same worn about the
middle. Things natural in the charge presented in their pro-
per colour are best; and herbs Vert far better than Or, as
flourishing better than fading; even stained are no stained
colours when natural. But, seeing the whole mystery of he-
raldry dwells more in the region of fancy than judgment, few
rules of assurance can be laid down therein.
We meet with some few coats which have reasons rendered
of their bearing. Thus, whereas the earls of Oxford anciently
gave their coat plain, Quarterly, Gules and Or; they took
afterward in the first a mullet, or star Argent, because the chief
* Mr. Camden.
OF ARMS. 67
of the house had a falling-star, as my author* saith, alighting on
his shield, as he was fighting in the Holy Land. But it were a
labour in vain for one to offer at an account for all things borne
in armoury.
This mindeth me of a passage in the north, where the ancient
and worthy family of the Gascoignes gave for their arms the
head of a lucie, or pike, cooped in pale ; whereon one merrily,
" The Lucy is the finest fish
That ever graced any dish ;
But why you give the head alone,
I leave to you to pick this bone."
A question which on the like occasion may be extended to
beasts and fowl, whose single heads are so generally borne in
several coats.
After the names and places of sheriffs, exemplified in their
respective counties, we have added their arms ever since the
first of king Richard the Second. And, though some may
think we begin too late (the fixing hereditary arms in England
being an hundred years ancienter), we find it sometimes too soon
to attain at any certainty therein.
In perusing these arms, the reader will meet with much ob-
servable variety : viz. That the same family sometimes gives
two paternal coats; as Spencer, in Northamptonshire, 1. Quar-
terly, Argent and Gules ; the second and third charged with a
fret Or : over all, on a bend Sable, three escallops of the first.
2. Azure, a fess Ermine betwixt six sea-mews5 heads erased
Argent.
Sometimes two distinct families and names give the self-
same coat ; as in Berkshire : Fettiplace and Hide, Gules, two
chevrons Argent.
The same name, but being distinct families, in several coun-
ties, give different arms : Grey, in Leicestershire, Barry of six,
Argent and Azure ; in chief three torteaux : in Northumber-
land, Gules, a lion rampant with a border engrailed Argent.
The same name, in the same shire, being distinct families,
gives different coats ; as in Northamptonshire : Green, of Greeks-
Norton, Azure, three bucks trippant Or : of Drayton, Argent,
a cross engrailed Gules.
The same name and family, in the same shire, gives the same
coat for essentials, but disguised in colours ; as in Northamp-
tonshire : Tresham, of Lifden and of Newton.
The same family giveth a coat this day, bearing some general
allusion to, but much altered and bettered, from' what they gave
some sixty years since ; and, forbearing to give an instance
hereof, for some reason, I refer to the reader's discovery.
Contented with the coat itself, I have not inserted the differ-
ences of younger houses, crescents, mullets, martlets, &c. ;
t Camden's Remains, in the Title of Armory.
F 2
68 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
chiefly because they are generally complained of, and confessed
as defective, subject to coincidence, and not adequate to the
effectual distinguishing of the branches from the same root.
As the affixing of Differences, if done, were imperfect ; so the
doing thereof is not only difficult, but also dangerous. Dan-
gerous, for it would bring many old houses (and new ones too)
on his head who undertakes it; so undistinguishable are the
seniorities of some families, parted so long since, that now it is
hard to decide, which the root and which the branch. I re-
member a contest in the court of honour, betwixt the two
houses of Constable, the one of Flamborough-head, the other
of Constable-Burton, both in Yorkshire, which should be the
eldest. The decision was, it was never decided; both sides
producing such ancient evidences, that in mounting up in anti-
quity, like hawks, they did not only lessen, but fly out of sight,
even beyond the ken and cognizance of any record. The case,
I conceive, occurs often betwixt many families in England.
-Some names we have left without arms. Physicians prescribe
it as a rule of health, " to rise with an appetite ;" and I am
loath the reader should fill himself with all which he might de-
sire. But, not to dissemble, I could not, with all mine own
and friends' skill and industry, attain their coats, as of families
either extinct in those counties before the first, or only extant
therein since the last visitation of heralds. Yet let not my
ignorance be any man's injury, who humbly desireth that such
vacuities may hereafter be filled up by the particular chorogra-
phers of those respective counties.
This I am sure, fe A needle may be sooner found in a bottle
of hay" (a task, though difficult, yet possible to be done,) than
the arms of some sheriffs of counties be found in the herald's
visitations of the said counties : for many were no natives of
that shire, but came in thither occasionally from far distant
places. Thus the arms of Sir Jervis Clifton (thrice high-sheriff
of Kent, in the reign of king Henry the Sixth), are invisible in
any Kentish herald's office, as not landed therein himself,
though living at Braburn, on the jointure of Isabel his wife,
the widow of William Scot, Esq.* And I doubt not but in-
stances of the same nature frequently are found in other
counties.
We will conclude this discourse of arms with this memorable
record, being as ancient as the reign of king Henry the Fifth.
Clam. 5, Henrici Quinti, membrana 15, in dor so, in Turre
Londinensi.
'f Rex Vicecomiti, salutem, &c. Quia, prout informamur,
diversi homines qui in viagiis nostris ante hsec tempora factis,
Arma et Tunicas armorum vocat. Coat-Armours in se susce-
* Villare Cantianum, p. 26.
OF ARMS. 69
perunt, ubi nee ipsi nee eorum antecessores hujusmodi armis
ac tunicis armorum temporibus retroactis usi fuerint, et ea in
present! viagio nostro in proximo, Deo dante, faciend' exercere
proponant; et quanquam Omnipotens suam gratiam disponat
prout vult in naturalibus, equaliter diviti et pauperi ; volentes
tamen quemlibet ligeorum nostrorum predictorum juxta status
sui exigentiam modo debito pertractari et haberi : Tibi preci-
pimus, quod, in singulis locis intra ballivam tuam, ubi per breve
nostrum nuper premonst. faciendis proclamari facias, quod
nullus cujuscunque status, gradus, seu conditionis fuerit, hujus-
modi arma sive tunicas armorum in se sumat, nisi ipse jure
antecessorio, vel ex donatione alicujus ad hoc sufficientem
potestatem habentis, ea possideat aut possidere debeat. Et
quod ipse arma sive tunicas illas ex cujus dono obtinet, die
monstrationis sue, personis ad hoc per nos assignatis seu
assignandis manifeste demonstret, exceptis illis qui nobiscum
apud bellum de Agincourt arma portabant, sub pcenis non ad-
missionis ad proficiendum in viagio predicto sub numero ipsius
cum quo retentus existit, ac perditionis vadiorum suorum ex
causa predicta preceptorum, necnon rasura et ruptura dictorum
armorum et tunicarum vocat. Coat-Armours, tempore mon-
strationis sue predicto, si ea super ilium monstrata fuerint seu
inventa. Et hoc nullatenus omittas. T. R. apud Civitatem
Nov. Sarum, secundo die Junii/-*
Per ipsum Regum.
" The King to the Sheriff, health, &c. Because there are
divers men, as we are informed, which before these times, in
the voyages made by us, have assumed to themselves Arms and
Coat- Armours, where neither they nor their ancestors in times
past used such arms or coat-armours, and propound with them-
selves to use and exercise the same in this present voyage,
which ( God willing) we shortly intend to make : and although
the Omnipotent disposeth his favours, in things natural, as he
pleaseth, equally to the rich and poor ; yet we willing that every
one of our liege subjects should be had and handled in due
manner, according to the exigence of his state and condition ;
we command thee, that in every place within thy bailiwick,
where by our writ we have lately shewn, you cause to be pro-
claimed, that no man, of what state, degree, or condition soever
he be, shall take upon him such arms, or coats of arms, save he
alone who doth possess, or ought to possess, the same" by the
right of his ancestors, or by donation and grant of some who
had sufficient power to assign him the same. And that he that
useth such arms or coats of arms shall, on the day of his mus-
ter, manifestly shew to such persons assigned, or to be assigned
by us for that purpose, by virtue of whose gift he enjoyeth the
same ; those only excepted who carried arms with us at the
battle of Agincourt ; under the penalties not to be admitted to
^0 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
go with us in our foresaid voyage under his command by whom
he is for the present retained,, and of the loss of his wages, as
also of the rasing out, and breaking off, the said arms called
Coat-armours, at the time of his muster aforesaid, if they shall
be shewed upon him, or found about him. And this you shall
in' no case omit. Witness the king, at the city of New Sarum,
June the second."
Consimilia brevia diriguntur Vicecomitibus Wilts., Sussex, Dorset,
sub eadem data.
I could wish a reviving of this instrument in our age ; many
up-starts in our late civil wars having injuriously invaded the
arms of ancient families.
CHAPTER XVII.
OF THE OFTEN ALTERING OF SURNAMES, AND THE VARIOUS
WRITING THEREOF.
HAVING dealt so largely in Surnames, it is necessary to
observe, that Surnames of families have been frequently altered ;
some families deposing their old and assuming new names on
several occasions ; but chiefly for,
1. Concealment, in time of civil wars. A name is a kind of
face whereby one is known ; wherefore taking a false name is a
visard, whereby men disguise themselves, and that lawfully
enough, when not fraudulently done to deceive others ; but dis-
creetly, in danger, to secure themselves. Thus, during the
contest betwixt York and Lancaster, Carington in Warwick-
shire took the name of Smith ; La Blunt the name of Croke in
Buckinghamshire ; with many others.
2. For Advancement, when adopted into an estate ; as New-
port, the name of Hatton, in ^Northamptonshire ; Throckmor-
ton, the name of Carew, at Beddington in Surrey ; as, long
before, Westcoat, the name of Littleton, in Staffordshire.
Besides, the same surname continued hath been variously
altered in writing. First, because time teacheth new orthogra-
phy ; altering spelling, as well as speaking. Secondly, the best
gentlemen anciently were not the best scholars, and, minding
matters of more moment, were somewhat too incurious in their
names. Besides, writers engrossing deeds were not over:critical
in spelling of names ; knowing well, where the person appeared
the same, the simplicity of that age would not fall out about
misnomer.
Lastly, ancient families have been often removed into several
counties, where several writings follow the several pronuncia-
tions. What scholar knoweth not that Zewc, their Greek name
for Jupiter, is, by their seven dialects, written ten several ways ;
and, though not so many dialects in England, there is a real
OF MODERN BATTLES. 71
difference bewixt our southern, western, and northern pronun-
ciations.
Hence it is that the same name hath been so often disguised
unto the staggering of many, who have mistook them for dif-
ferent.
Idem non idem, quaruntque in nomine nomen.
11 The same they thought was not the same ;
And in their name they sought their name."
Thus I am informed, that the honourable name of Villiers is
written in fourteen several ways in their own evidences ; and the
like, though not so many, variations may be observed in others.
And the name of Roper, in Derbyshire, changed from Musard
to Rubra-Spatha, Rospear, Rouspee, Rooper, Roper. I insist
the longer on this point, because in our catalogue of sheriffs the
same surname is variously written ; which some, without cause,
may impute to my carelessness, being the effect of my care, con-
forming the orthography exactly to the original, where such
variation doth plainly appear ; and however such diversity ap-
peareth in the eye of others, I dare profess that I am delighted
with the prospect thereof.
CHAPTER XVIII.
OF MODERN BATTLES.
IMMEDIATELY before our Farewell to the respective counties,
we have inserted a breviate of modern battles since our civil
distempers. I need here premise nothing of the difference be-
twixt a skirmish, being only the engagement of parties, and a
battle, being an encounter betwixt generals with their armies.
Nor yet of the difference betwixt prcdium a fight or battle,
and bellum a war ; the former being a fight in field ; the latter
the continuance of hostility, which may be for many years,
whilst the difference dependeth undecided. " Peracto preelio,
manet bellum." And though a truce may give a comma or
colon to the war, nothing under a peace can put a perfect
period thereunto.
In describing these battles, I am, for distinction sake, necessi-
tated to use the word Parliament improperly, according to the
abusive acception thereof for these latter years. Let us think
and judge with the wise ; but, if we do not speak with the vul-
gar, we shall be dumb to the vulgar. Otherwise I know a
parliament properly is a complete syllogism, the lords and
commons being the two propositions, the king the conclusion
thereof; and our English tongue wanteth one word to express
the dissenting part of a parliament ; and I trust in God, as our
language doth not afford the name, so our land shall not here-
after behold the nature thereof.
These battles are here inserted, not with any intent (God
knows my heart) to perpetuate the odious remembrance of our
72 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
mutual animosities; that heart-burnings may remain,, when
house-burnings are removed ; but chiefly to raise our gratitude
to God, that so many battles should be fought in the bosom of
so little a land,, and so few scars and signs thereof extant in
their visible impressions. Such who consider how many men
we have lost,, would wonder we have any left; and such who
see how many we have left,, that we had any lost. In a word,
as it is said of the best oil, that it hath no taste, that is, no tang,
but the pure natural gust of oil therein ; so I have endeavoured
to present these battles according to plain historical truth,
without any partial reflections.
CHAPTER XIX.
OF THE NUMBER OF MODERN SHIRES OR COUNTIES IN ENG-
LAND ; AND WHY THE WORTHIES IN THIS WORK ARE DIGESTED
COUNTY-WAYS.
I SAY modern, not meaning to meddle with those antiquated
ones, which long since have lost their names and bounds : as
Winchelcombshire united to Gloucestershire,* Howdonshire
annexed to Yorkshire, and Hexamshire to Northumberland. f
As little do we intend to touch on those small tracts of ground,
the County of Poole and the like, being but the extended limits
and liberties of some Incorporations.
We add Shires, or Counties, using the words promiscuously
as the same in sense. I confess, I have heard some critics
making this distinction betwixt them, that such are Shires
which take their denomination from some principal town : as
Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, &c. ; whilst the rest, not wearing
the name of any town, are to be reputed Counties, as Norfolk,
Suffolk, &c. But we need not go into Wales to confute their
curiosity, where we meet Merionethshire and Glamorganshire,
but no towns so termed, seeing Devonshire doth discompose
this their English conceit ; I say English Shires and Counties,
being both Comitatus in Latin.
Of these there be nine and thirty at this day, which by the
thirteen in Wales, J are made up" fifty two ; England largely
taken, having one for every week in the year.
Here let me tender this for a real truth, which may seem a
paradoxy, that there is a County in England, which, from the
Conquest till the year 1607 (when Mr. Camden's last Latin
Britannia was set forth) never had Count or Earl thereof, as
hereby may appear. In his conclusion of Berkshire, " Heec de
Barkshire, quse hactenus Comitis honore insignivit neminem/'
* Rob. de Gloucester, & Codex Wigomiensis. f Camden's Britannia.
J Monmouthshire being now considered as an English County, there are at
present 40 in England, and only 12 in Wales ED.
WORTHIES DIGESTED COUNTY-WAYS. 7^
Immediately it followeth, f( In hujus Comitatus complexu sunt
Parochise 140."
Now this may seem the more strange, because Comes and Co-
mitatus are relative. But, under favour, I humbly conceive,
that though Berkshire never had any titular, honorary, or here-
ditary Earl till the year 1620, (when Francis Lord Norris was
created first Earl thereof) ; yet had it in the Saxons5 time, when
it was first modelled into a Shire, an Officiary Count, whose
deputy was termed Vice-comes as unto this day.
WHY THE WORTHIES IN THIS WORK ARE DIGESTED
COUNTY-WAYS.
First, this method of marshalling them is new ; and there-
fore, I hope, nevertheless acceptable. Secondly, it is as infor-
mative to our judgments, to order them by Counties according
to their place, as by Centuries, so oft done before, according to
the time ; seeing where is as essential as when to a man's being.
Yea, both in some sort may be said to be jure divino, (under-
stand it ordered by God's immediate providence,) and therefore
are coupled together by the Apostle : ee And hath determined
the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation."*
If of their habitation in general, then more especially of the most
important place of their nativity.
The Spirit of God in Scripture taketh signal notice hereof :
"The Lord shall count when he writes up the people, that this
man was born there. "t (f Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of
Andrew and Peter."J And all know how St. Paul got his best
liberty, where he saw the first light, " in Tarsus, a city of Cilicia."§
When Augustus Caesar issued out a decree to tax the whole
world, it was ordered therein, that " every one should go into
his own city," || as the most compendious way to prevent con-
fusion, and effectually to advance the business. I find the same
to expedite this work, by methodizing the Worthies therein ac-
cording to the respective places of their nativities. If some
conceive it a pleasant sight, in the city of London, to behold
the natives of the several Shires, after the hearing of a sermon,
pass in a decent equipage to some Hall, there to dine together,
for the continuance and increase of love and amity amongst
them ; surely this spectacle will not seem unpleasant to ingenu-
ous eyes, to see the heroes of every particular county modelled
in a body together, and marching under the banners of their
several eminencies.
Here may you behold how each County is innated with a par-
ticular genius, inclining the natives thereof to be dexterous, some
in one profession, some in another ; one carrying away the cre-
dit for soldiers, another for seamen, another for lawyers, another
for divines, &c., as I could easily instance ; but that I will not
* Actsxvii. 26. f Psalm Ixxxvii. 6. J John i. 44, § Actsxxii. 3. || Luke ii. 3.
74 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
forestal the reader's observation ; seeing some love not a rose
of another's gathering, but delight to pluck it themselves.
Here also one may see how the same County was not always
equally fruitful in the production of worthy persons ; but, as
trees are observed to have their bearing and barren years, so
Shires have their rise and fall in affording famous persons : one
age being more fertile than another, as by annexing the dates to
their several worthies will appear.
In a word, my serious desire is, to set a noble emulation be-
tween the several Counties, which should acquit themselves
most eminent in their memorable offspring. Nor let a smaller
Shire be disheartened herein, to contest with another larger in
extent, and more populous in persons, seeing viri do not always
hold out in proportion to homines. Thus we find the Tribe of
Simeon more numerous than any in Israel (Judah and Dan only
excepted) as which, at their coming out of Egypt, afforded no
fewer than "fifty-nine thousand and three hundred."* Yet
that tribe did not yield prince, priest, prophet, or any remark-
able person : Apocrypha, Judith only excepted; " multi grega-
rii, pauci egregii ; " and multitude with amplitude is never the
true standard of eminency, as the judicious reader, by perusing
and comparing our County catalogues, will quickly perceive.
A CASE OP CONCERNMENT PROPOUNDED, AND SUBMITTED
TO THE EQUITY OF THE READER.
It is this. Many families, time out of mind, have been cer-
tainly fixed in eminent seats in their respective Counties, where
the ashes of their ancestors sleep in quiet, and their names are
known with honour. Now possibly it may happen, that the
chief mother of that family, travelling in her travail by the way-
side, or by some other casualty, as visit of a friend, &c., may
there be delivered of the heir of her family. The question is,
whether this child shall be reputed the native of that place where
his mother accidentally touched, or where his father and the
father of his fathers have landed for many generations.
On the one side, it seemeth unreasonable to any man, accord-
ing to his historical conscience, that such a casual case should
carry away the sole credit of his nativity. This allowed, et
• iota Anglia Londinizabit ; a moiety almost of the eminent per-
sons in this modern age will be found born in that city, as the
inn-general of the gentry and nobility of this nation ; whither
many come to prosecute law-suits, to see and to be seen, and on
a hundred other occasions, among which I will not name a sav-
ing of house-keeping in the country.
One instance of many. I find by the Register of St. Dun-
m s m the West, London, that Thomas Wentworth, after-
ts &arl of Strafford, was born in that parish, and christened
* Numb. i. 23.
THE CLERGY. J5
in the Church aforesaid : his mother, big with child, probably
coming thither for the conveniency of a midwife. Now what a
wrong is it to deprive Woodhouse Wentworth in Yorkshire,
where his family hath continued in a noble equipage for many
years, there possessed of a large revenue, of the honour of his
nativity !
On the other side, it is clear in the rigour of the law, (and I
question whether Chancery in this case will or can afford any
remedy) that the minute of the birth of any person at any place
truly entitles the same to his nativity. This is plain by the sta-
tutes of those colleges in either University, that confine fellow-
ships to Counties ; and it will be said, transit onus cum honore,
the burthen as well as the profit is to be conveyed on the same
occasion.
Reader, the case thus stated is remitted to thy own arbitra-
tion. However, thus far I have proceeded therein in this fol-
lowing work, that when such alterations (for I can give them no
better term) and accidental stragglings from the known place of
their family shall appear unto me, I am resolved to enter them
in those places accordingly. But, until I receive such intelli-
gence, I will confidently admit them in that place which is ge-
nerally known in persons of honour for the principal habitation
of their family.
CHAPTER XX.
THAT CLERGYMEN FORMERLY CARRIED THE REGISTER OF THEIR
BIRTH-PLACE IN THEIR SURNAMES, AND WHY ; AS ALSO THAT
(SINCE THE REFORM ATION) THE SONS OF THE MARRIED CLERGY
HAVE BEEN AS SUCCESSFUL AS OTHERS.
IT was fashionable for the clergy, especially if regulars,
monks, and friars, to have their surnames (for syr-names they
were not) or upper-names, because superadded to those given
at the font, from the places of their nativity ; and therefore they
are as good evidence to prove where they were born, as if we
had the deposition of the midwife, and all the gossips present at
their mother's labours. Hence it is that in such cases we sel-
dom charge our margin with other authors, their surname being
author enough to avow their births therein.
Some impute this custom to the pride of the clergy, whose
extraction generally was so obscure, that they did InaixyvtaOai
TOVQ TrarepaQ, were ashamed of their parentage : an uncharitable
opinion, to fix so foul a fault on so holy a function ; and most
false, many in orders appearing of most honourable descent.
Yet Richard bishop of London quitted Angervill, though his fa-
ther Sir Richard Angervil* was a knight of worth and worship,
* Burton in his Description of Leicestershire.
>JQ WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
to be called of Bury, where he was born ; and William bishop
of Winchester waived Pattin to wear Waynfleet, though he was
eldest son to Richard Pattin,* an esquire of great ancientry.
Others say, that the clergy herein affected to be Levi-like,
" who said to his father and to his mother, I have not seen him,"t
practising to be mimics of Melchisedech, 'And™?, djur/rwp,
iiytveaXoynrog, "without father, without mother, without de-
scent,"! so to render themselves independent in the world, with-
out any coherence to carnal relations. Surely some were well
minded herein, that as they might have no children, they would
have no fathers, beholding the place of their birth, as co-heir at
least to their estates, to which many did airolowai TO. rpo^cta,
plentifully pay for their nursing therein.
Question. — But oftentimes it comes to pass, that there be
many towns in England, the same to a tittle both in spelling
and calling ; so that, on such uncertain evidence, no true ver-
dict can be found for their nativity. One instance of many,
William of Wickham was the famous founder of New College
in Oxford. But how can his cradle be certainly fixed in any
place, when it is equally rocked betwixt twenty villages of the
same denomination ?
Shire. Hundred.
1. Wickham, Berks, Kentbury.
2. High Wickham, Bucks, Burnham.
3. West Wickham, Bucks, Disborough.
4. Wickham West, Camb. Chilforde.
5. Wickham, Essex, Thurstable.
6. Wickham, St. Paul, Essex, Hinckford.
7. Wickham Bonant, Essex, Uttlesford.
8. Wickham, Hants, Titchfield.
9. Wickham-brux, Kent, St. Austin's.
10. Wickham East, Kent, Sutton.
11. Wickham West, Kent, Ibidem.
12. Wickham, Line. Ellowe.
13. Wickham Brook, Suffolk, Risbridge.
14. Wickham, Suffolk, Wilforde.
15. Wickham Skeyth, Suffolk, Hartesmer.
16. Wickham, Oxford, Banbury.
17. Wickham, Sussex, Bramber.
18. Wickham, York, RidaU.
19. Wickham, York, Pickering.
20. Wickham Abbey, York, Ibidem§.
See here a lottery ; and who dare assure himself of the prize,
having nineteen blanks against him. Indeed if election should
be made by the eminency of the place, High Wickham in
Buckingham-shire would clearly carry it, as an "ancient borough
f Deut. xxxiii. 9.
Villare Anglican urn.1'
TKn.'. in his Catalogue of the Bishops of Winchester.
Heb. vii. 3. § Collected out of the useful Book of
ON SURNAMES. 77
town, sending burgesses to parliament. But all these being
Wickhams alike., bring in their claims to the aforesaid William ;
and how shall the right be decided ? The same question may;
be demanded of several other persons on the same occasion.
Answer. — I confess the case often occurs, though seldom
so many places be competitors ; wherefore herein we have our
recourse to the circumstances in the history of such a contro-
verted person, and consult the most important of them with our
greatest diligence and discretion.
Noscitur e socio gui non noscetur ab ipso.
1 f We by their company do own
Men by themselves to us unknown."
Such circumstances may be called the associates of a man's
life, as where they most conversed, had their kindred, got their
preferment, &c. And these, though not severally, jointly serve
as so many lights to expound the place of his birth, and clear-
ing the homonymy of many places, state that town justly where-
in he was born.
Thus are we not only in bivio or trivio, but, as I may say, in
vigentwio, being to find Wickhanr's birth amongst twenty of his
namesake villages. But discovering John Perrot's father
richly landed about Winchester, and the principal actions of his
life presented thereabouts, with some other remarks, all meeting
on the same scene ; one may safely conclude, that Wickham in
Hampshire (the eighth in the aforesaid catalogue) is that indi-
vidual Wickham therein this prelate took his first degree — I
mean proceeded into the light of this world, The like evidence
(though not always so clear) hath, upon diligent search, directed
us in differences of the same nature.
AN EXPEDIENT WHEN SEVERAL, PLACES CLAIM THE BIRTH
OF THE SAME PERSON.
It often cometh to pass that two or more places entitle them-
selves to the nativity of the same man. Here my endeavour is,
to keep the peace, as well as I may, betwixt them as in the in-
stance here inserted :
" Bradwardin Castrum, unde ortum et nomen T. Bradwardinus, Arch. Cant, ha-
buit.'' Camden, Brit, in Herefordshire «' T. Bradwardinus |Hartfeldiae natus in
Diocoesi Cicestriensi." J. Hale de Script. Brit. Cent. 5. page 435. — " Tho. Brad-
wardinus Patria Southsaxia, ex civitate Cicestria oriundus." Joh. Pitts, de Angl.
Scrip, anno 1350. _" Natus fertur Bradwardinus Hatfeldise, in comitatu Suffolci-
ensi." Godwin, in Catal. Episc. Londini impress, anno 1616.
See here four places challenge one man ; and I am as unwill-
ing to accuse any of falsehood, as I am unable to maintain all in
the truth.
However, the difference may thus be accommodated : Brad-
wardin's ancestors fetched their name from that place in Here-
fordshire, according to Camden ; though he himself was born
78 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
(as Bale saith) at Hartfield in Sussex; within the city (saith
Pitts) of Chichester, interpret him extensively not to the walls,
but diocese and jurisdiction thereof. As for Suffolk in Bishop
Godwin, I understand it an erratum in the printer for Sussex.
Our usual expedient in the like cases is this, to insert the cha-
racter at large of the controverted person in that county which
(according to our apprehension) produceth the best evidence
for him : yet so, that we also enter his name with a reference
in the other respective places, which with probability pretend
unto him.
If equal likelihood appear unto us on all sides, that county
clearly carries away his character, which first presenteth itself
to our pen in the alphabetical order. Thus lately, when the
same living was in the gift of the Lord Chancellor, Lord Trea-
surer, and Master of the Wards, that clerk commonly carried
it who was first presented to the bishop. However, though in the
disputable nativities of worthy men, i( first come, first served/'
a caveat is also entered in other counties, to preserve their titles
unprejudiced.
It must not be forgotten, that many, without just cause, by
mistake, multiply differences in the places of men's births. The
papists please themselves .with reporting a tale of their own in-
venting, how the men of two towns in Germany fell out, and
fought together, whilst one of them was for Martin, the other
for Luther, being but the several names of the same person. If
one author affirms Bishop Jewel born at Buden, another at Be-
rinerber, let none make strife betwixt these two writers ; the
former naming the house and village, the latter the parish wherein
he was born, a case which often occurs in the notation of nati-
vities.
THAT THE CHILDREN OF CLERGYMEN HAVE BEEN AS SUC-
CESSFUL AS THE SONS OF MEN OF OTHER PROFESSIONS.
There goeth a common report, no less uncharitable than un-
true, yet meeting with many believers thereof, as if clegymen's
sons were generally signally unfortunate, like the sons of Eli,
Hophni and Phinehas,* dissolute in their lives, and doleful in
their deaths ;f this I may call a libel indeed, according to Sir
Francis Bacon's description thereof : for first, it is a lie, a no-
torious untruth : and then a bell, some loud and lewd tongue
hath told, yea rung it out, and perchance was welcome music
to some hearers thereof.
It is first confessed, that the best saints and servants of God
have had bad as well as good children extracted from them. It
is the note of Illiricus on those words of St. John to the Elect
Lady : " I rejoiced greatly, when I found of thy children walk-
ing in the truth "J He saith not all thy, but of thy children ;
* l Sam. ii. 12. f i Sam. iv. 11. J 2 John 4.
CHILDREN OF THE CLERGY. /9
intimating that she had mingled ware, corn, and tares, in those
who were descended from her. Thus Aaron (for I desire to re-
strain myself in instances of the priests) had Nadab and Abihu,
two " strange fire offerers,,"* as well as his godly sons Eliazar
and Ithamar. Yea, I find one of the best fathers, having two
(and those I believe all he had) of the worst sons,f even Samuel
himself.
Nor do we deny but that our English clergy have been un-
happy in their offspring (though not above the proportion of
other professions) ; whereof some have not unprobably assigned
these causes. First, if fellows of colleges, they are ancient
before they marry. Secondly, their children then are all Ben-
jamins ; I mean, ee the children of their old age," and thereupon
by their fathers (to take off as much as we may the weight of
the fault from the weaker sex) cockered and indulged, which I
neither defend or excuse, but bemoan and condemn. Thirdly,
such children, after their father's death, are left, in their minority,
to the careless care of friends and executors, who too often dis-
charge not their due trust in their own education; whence it ig,
such orphans too often embrace wild courses to their own de-
struction.
But, all this being granted, we maintain that clergymen's
children have not been more unfortunate, but more observed,
than the children of the parents of other professions. There
is but one minister at one time in a whole parish ; and there-
fore, the fewer they are, the easier they are observed, both in
their persons and posterities. Secondly, the eminency of their,
place maketh them exposed and obvious to all discoveries.
Thirdly, possibly malice may be the eye-salve to quicken men's
sight, in prying after them. Lastly, one ill success in their
sons maketh (for the reasons aforesaid) more impression in the
ears and eyes of people, than many miscarriages of those chil-
dren whose fathers were of another function (I speak not this
out of intent to excuse or extenuate the badness of the one by
the badness of the other, but that both may be mutually pre-
voked to amendment). In a word, other men's children would
have as many eye-sores, if they had as many eyes seeing them.
Indeed, if happiness be confined unto outward pomp and
plenty, and if those must be accounted unfortunate, which I in
the true meaning of the word must interpret unprovidenced,
who swim not in equal plenty with others, then that epithet may
be fixed on the children of the clergy ; whose fathers coming
late to their livings, and surprised by death, not staying long on
them, which at the best afforded them but narrow maintenance,
leave them oft-times so ill provided, that they are forced, without
blame or shame to them, as I conceive, to take sometimes poor
and painful employments for their livelihood.
* Levit. x. l. f 1 Sam. viii. 3. ]
80 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
But, by our following endeavours it will plainly appear,, that
the sons of ministers have, by God's blessing, proved as eminent
as any who have raised themselves by their own endeavours.
For statesmen, George Carew, Privy Councillor of England,
Scotland, and Ireland, and as able a man (absit invidia) as the
age he lived in produced, was earl of Totnes, the same place
whereof his father was archdeacon. Sir Edward Sandys, son to
archbishop Sandys, will be acknowledged even by his enemies
a man of such merit, that England could not afford an office
which he could not manage. For lawyers, Sir Thomas Richard-
son,* lately, and the never sufficiently to be commended Sir
Orlando Bridgeman,t now Lord Chief Justice, with many
others. For seamen, Sir Francis Drake,J that great scourge
and terror to the Spanish pride.
If any say, these are but thin instances out of so thick a num-
ber, de tot modo millibus unus, "few of so many hundreds;"
know, we have onlji taken some eminent persons, leaving the
rest for fear to be counted forestallers to the collection of the
reader in our ensuing book.
But the sons of ministers have never been more successful
than when bred in the professions of their fathers, as if some
peculiar blessing attended them whilst they continue therein.
Thus, of the prelatical clergy, we have Francis Godwin, a bishop,
the son of a bishop ; and Doctor John King, son to his reverend
father the Bishop of London. And of other clergymen we have
three generations of the Wards in Suffolk ; as many of the
Shutes in Yorkshire, no less painful than pious and able in their
professions.
Let me add, that there were at one time three Fellows of
King's College, sons of eminent Divines, and afterwards Doc-
tors of Divinity: 1. Samuel Collings : 2. Thomas Goad: 3.
William Sclater. And I believe there were not severally, in
their generations, men more signal in their different eminen-
cies.
It is easy for any to guess out of what quiver this envenomed
arrow was first shot against the children of clergymen ; namely,
'from the Church of Rome ; who, in their jurisdiction, forbid
the banns of all clergymen, against the law of nature, scripture,
and the practice of the primitive church ; and in other places
unsubjected to their power, bespatter the posterity of the clergy
with their scandalous tongues. Yet be it known unto them, the
sons of English priests or presbyters may be as good as the ne-
phews of Roman cardinals. However, because antidotes may
be made of poisons, it is possible that good may be extracted
* Of whom see under Norfolk.
t Sir Orlando Bridgman, who had been a short time Lord Chief Baron of the
fcxehequer, was appointed Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, Oct. 22, 1660.
I Ssee under Devonshire.
RULES FOR AUTHOR AND READER DATES. 81
out of this false report ; namely, if it maketh clergymen more
careful to go before their children with good examples, to lead
them with good instructions, to drive and draw them (if need
so requireth) with moderate correction seasonably used, putting
up both dry and wet prayers to God for his blessing on their
children. As also, if it maketh the children of clergymen to fee
more careful, by their circumspect lives, to be no shame to the
memory and profession of their fathers.
CHAPTER XXI.
GENERAL RULES FOR THE AUTHOR'S AND READER'S EASE.
I HAVE ranked all persons under their respective titles, ac-
cording to their seniorities, of the ages they lived in. Good the
method of the sons of Jacob, sitting down at the table of their
[unknown] brother, Joseph, " the first according to his birth-
right, and the youngest according to his youth."* If, therefore,
on this account a mean man take place of a mighty lord, the
latter (as being dead) I am sure will not, and the living reader
should not, be offended thereat.
OF THE DATES OF TIME ANNEXED TO THE PERSONS AND
THEIR ACTIONS.
The sun, that glorious creature, doth serve mankind for a
double use; to lighten their eyes with his beams, and minds
with his motion. The latter is performed by him as appointed
S( for signs and for seasons ;"f as ne is the great regulator of
time, jointed into years and months, carved into weeks and days,
minced into hours and minutes.
At what a sad loss are such, who, living in lone houses, in a
gloomy winter day, when the sun doth not at all appear, have
neither the benefit of watches, silent clocks ; nor of clocks,
speaking watches ; being ready oft-times to mistake noon for
night, and night for noon ! Worse errors are committed by
those who, being wholly ignorant in chronology, set the grand-
children before their grandfathers, and have more Hysteron-
Proterons than of all other figures in their writings.
The maxim, " He who distinguished well instructeth well," is
most true in the observing of the distinction of time. It will
pose the best clerk to read (yea to spell) that deed, wherein sen-
tences, clauses, words, and letters, are without points or stops,
all continued together. The like confusion ariseth, when per-
sons and their actions are not distanced by years, nor pointed
with the periods of generations.
I have endeavoured, in my following work, to time eminent
* Gen. xliii. 33. f Gen' *• 14'
VOL I G
82 \VOBTIIIES OF ENGLAND.
persons by one of these notations ; first; that of their morning,
or nativity ; the second, that of their noon, or flourishing ; the
last, that of their night, or death. The first is very uncertain,
many illustrious men being of obscure extraction ; the second
more conspicuous, when men's lustre attracts many eyes to take
notice of them. Many see the oak when grown, (especially if a
standard of remark) ; whilst few, if any, remember the acorn
when it was set. The last is not the least direction, as which is
generally observed. It cometh to pass sometimes, that their
deaths acquaint us with their births, viz. when attended on their
tomb with intelligence of their age ; so that, by going backward
so many years from their coffins, we infallibly light on their cra-
dles.
Some persons in our work are notified by all of these indica-
tions, most with two, and all with one of them. When we find
a contest amongst chronologers, so that, with the mutinous
Ephesians, (e some cry one thing, and some another,"* being as
much dispersed in their opinions, as the Amonites in their per-
sons, when defeated by Saul, so " that two of them were not left
together ;"t in such a case, I have pitched on that date, iinder
correction of better judgments, which seemed to me of greatest
probability.
AN APOLOGY FOR QUALIFICATTVES USED, AND BLANKS LEFT
IN THIS HISTORY.
I approve the plain country by-word, as containing much in-
nocent simplicity therein :
" Almost and very nigh,
Have saved many a lie."
So have the Latins their prope, fere, juxta, rirciter, plus minus,
used in matters of fact by the most authentic historians. Yea,
we may observe, that the spirit of truth itself, where numbers
and measures are concerned, in times, places, and persons, useth
the aforesaid modificatives, save in such cases where some mys-
tery contained in the number requireth a particular specification
thereof.
In Times. — Dan. v. 31 : "Darius being about threescore and two years old."
Luke iii. 23 : " Jesus began to be about thirty years of age.''
In Places — Lukexxiv. 13: "From Jerusalem about sixty furlongs." Johnvi.
19 : " And rowed about five and twenty furlongs."
In Persons. — Exod. xii. 37 : " About six hundred thousand men on foot." Acts
ii. 41 : " Added to the church about three thousand souls."
None, therefore, can justly find fault with me, if on the like
occasion I have secured myself with the same qualificatives.
Indeed such historians who grind their intelligence to the
powder of fraction, pretending to cleave the pin, do sometimes
miss the but. Thus one reporteth how in the persecution un-
der Dioclesian there were neither under nor over, but just nine
* Acts xix. 32. f i Sam. xi. 11.
WHAT " AMPLIANDUM" DOTH IMPORT. 83
hundred ninety-nine martyrs. Yea, generally those that trade
in such retail- ware, and deal in such small parcels, may by the
ignorant be commended for their care, but condemned by the
judicious for their ridiculous curiosity.
But such who will forgive the use of our foresaid qualifica-
tives, as but limping and lameness, will perchance not pardon
the many blanks which occur in this book, accounting them no
better then our flat falling to the ground, in default of our in-
dustry for not seeking due information. But let such know,
that those officers, who by their place are to find out persons
inquired after, deserve neither to be blamed nor shamed, when,
having used their best diligence, they return to the court a " Non
est inventus."
For my own part, I had rather my reader should arise hungry
from my book, than surfeited therewith; rather uninformed
than misinformed thereby ; rather ignorant of what he desireth,
than having a falsehood, or, at the best, a conjecture for a truth,
obtruded upon him.
Indeed, I humbly conceive that vacuity, which is hateful in
nature, may be helpful in history : • for such an hiatus beggeth
of posterity, to take pains to fill it up with a truth, if possible
to be attained ; whereas, had our bold adventure farced it up
with a conjecture (intus exist ens prohibuerit extraneumj no room
had been left for the endeavours of others.
WHAT " AMPLIANDUM," SO OFTEN OCCURRING IN THIS BOOK,
DOTH IMPORT.
It is sufficiently known to all antiquaries, that causes brought
to be heard and determined before the Roman judges were re-
ducible to two kinds :
1. Liquets. When the case, as clear and plain, was presently
decided. 2. Ampliandums. When, being dark and difficult,
they were put off to farther debate, somewhat alluding to
our demurs. Hence it is, that we find the Roman orator com-
plaining of an unjust judge, "cum causam non audisset,
et potestas esset ampliandi, dixit sibi liquere"*
I should be loath to be found guilty of the like offence in rash
adjudging men's nativities to places on doubtful evidence : and
therefore, when our presumptions do rather incline than satisfy,
we have prefixed AMP. before the names of such persons. For,
when they appear undoubted English, and eminent in their re-
spective qualities, it would be in us a sin of omission not to in-
sert them ; and yet, being ignorant of the exact place of
their birth, it would be presumption peremptorily to design it
without this note of dubitation, though on the most tempting
probabilities. Know also that when AMP. is used in the arms
of sheriffs, it is only done in such an exigent, where there are
* Pro Csec. 290, a.
G 2
WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
different coats of very ancient families, and largely diffused, as
[Nevil, Ferrers, Basset, &c.] ; so that it is hazardous for me to £x
on one in such great variety.
WHAT "S. N." FREQUENTLY APPEARING PREFIXED TO MEN5S
NAMES DOTH SIGNIFY.
When we cannot by all our endeavours inform ourselves of
the nativities of some eminent persons, we are forced to this re-
fuge (so creditable, that I care not what eyes behold us entering
under the roof thereof) to insert such persons in those counties
where we find them either first or highest preferred : and this
we conceive proper enough, and done upon good consideration.
For the wild Irish love their nurses as well as (if not better
than) their own mother, and affect their foster-brothers, which
sucked the same breast, as much as their natural-brothers which
sprang from the same womb. If any say these are the wild
Irish, whose barbarous customs are not to be imitated, I defend
myself by the practice of more civilized people.
The Latins have a proverb, " non ubi nascor, sed ubi pascor;"
making that place their mother, not which bred but which fed
them. The Greeks have but one word, Bioe, both for life and live-
lihood. The Hebrews accounted that place was to give a man his
native denomination, where he had his longest and most visible
abode, from (though not sometimes in) his infancy ; by which
common mistake Jesus was intituled on the cross of Nazareth
instead of Bethlehem.
Yea, we may observe that though generally our English clergy
were denominated from their birth-places, yet some few quitted
them, to be named from those places where they found their
best preferment, especially if convents or dignities of signal note ;
as Henry of Huntingdon, not born, but archdeacon there ;
William of Malmsbury and Matthew of Westminster, no natives
of those towns, but monks of the monastries therein.
However, to prevent cavils and avoid confusion, and to dis-
tinguish those from the former, their names are marked with S.N.
for Second Nativity, to shew that whencesoever they fetch their
life, here they found their best livelihood. But when a person
plainly appears born beyond the seas, we take no notice of him,
though never so highly advanced in England, as without our
line of communication, and so not belonging to this subject.
WHAT "REM." FOR "REMOVE," WHEN AFFIXED IN THE
MARGIN, DOTH DENOTE.
We meet with some persons in this our work whose nativities
we cannot recover with any great probability, neither Iby help
of history, or heraldry, or tradition, or records, or registers, or
printed or written books, which hitherto have come to our hands.
Now if such persons be of no eminence, we intend not to trou-
ble ourselves and reader with them. Let obscurity even go to
PERSONS HOW RANKED. 85
obscurity : when we find no great note in them we take not any
notice of them. But in case they appear men of much merit,
whose nativities are concealed by some casualty, we are loath
that their memories, who whilst living were Worthies, now dead
should be vagrants, reposited in no certain place.
Wherefore we have disposed them in some shire or other,
not as dwellers, no, nor so much as sojourners therein, but only
as guests ; and we render some slight reasons why we invited
them to that place rather than another, seeing a small motive
will prevail with a charitable mind to give a worthy stranger a
night's lodging.
However, that these may not be confounded with those of
whose nativities we have either assurance or strong pre-
sumption, we have in the margin charactered them with a
<f RE M/' for " Remove ; " it being our desire that they
should be transplanted on the first convincing evidence which
shall appear unto us, to their proper place. And therefore I
behold them as standing here with a staff in their hands, ready
to pack up and go away whither any good guide shall give them
direction.
Always provided, that as they are set here with little, they
be not removed hence with less probability ; an unset bone is
better than a bone so ill set that it must be broken again, to
double the pain of the patient. And better it is these persons
should continue in this their loose and dislocated condition, than
to be falsely fixed in any place from whence they must again be
translated.
Now, reader (to recollect our marginal or prefixed characters),
know it is the best sign when no sign at all is added to a
name : for then we proceed on certainty, at leastwise on the
credit of good authors, for the place of his nativity. Thus the
best of the house giveth his coat plain, whilst the following
differences are but the diminutions of the younger brothers :
viz.
1. "AMP/3 Where our evidence of a person's birth is but
conjectural, and craveth further instruction.
2. " S. N." When, having no aim at the place of their birth,
we fix them according to their best livelihood.
3. ee REM." When, wholly unsatisfied of their position, we
remit their removal to the reader's discretion.
Now seeing order only makes the difference betwixt a wall
and a heap of stones ; and seeing " qui bene distinguit bene
docet ;" we conceive ourselves obliged to part, and not jumble
together, the several gradations.
HOW PERSONS BELONGING TO SEVERAL TOPICS ARE
RANKED.
It often cometh to pass that the same person may justly be
entituled to two or more topics, as by the ensuing nlay appear.
86 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
Two of bishops, writers ; as Arthur Lakes. Physicians,, bene-
factors ; as Jo. Caius. Three of bishops, writers,, benefactors ;
as Lancelot Andrews. Martyrs, bishops, writers; as Thomas
Cranmer. Four of saints, bishops, writers, statesmen ; as Tho-
mas Becket. Confessors, bishops, writers, benefactors; as
Edward Grindall. Two of seamen, soldiers; as Sir Francis
Drake. Statesmen, soldiers ; as Sir Ralph Sadler. Three of
statesmen, lawyers, benefactors ; as Sir Nicholas Bacon. States-
men, lawyers, writers ; as Sir Francis Bacon. Four of lawyers,
statesmen, writers, benefactors; as William Lord Cecil. Sol-
diers, seamen, statesmen, writers ; as Sir Walter Raleigh.
The question is now under what head they shall be properly
placed, seeing so many lay claim unto them.
Some will say, let them be ranked in that capacity wherein
they excelled. This I humbly conceive is an invidious work for
any to perform : seeing none have made me, I will not make
myself, a judge in this case, many appearing equally eminent in
their several capacities ; but have embraced the following order.
First, the titles of saints and martyrs carrieth it clearly from
all others : I behold them as heavenly honours ; and glory out-
shines gold. Next, I deny not I have an affection for benefac-
tors to the public, and much indulge that topic clean through
this work. David saith to God himself, " Thou art good ; there
is a clear spring, and thou doest good : there is a comfortable
stream ."* Benefaction, therefore, being a God-like act, blame
me not if under that title those have been ranked who other-
wise had more outwardly honourable relations. For the rest, I
am not ashamed to confess, that casualty in such who came first,
and conveniency in such who agreed best with my present oc-
casion, regulated them in their method ; and so be it they be
here, the placing of them is not so much material.
CHAPTER XXII.
AN ACCOMMODATION TO PREVENT EXCEPTIONS ABOUT THE
PRECEDENCY OF SEVERAL PROFESSIONS.
I AM sadly sensible that being to treat of the Worthies in
several professions, I shall incur many men's displeasure, in not
ranking them according to their own desires; the rather because
there always hath been a battle royal about precedency betwixt
1. Swordmen and Gownmen: 2. Swordmen and Swordmen :
3. Gownmen and Gownmen.
Concerning the first couple, the question, « An Doctor prse-
cedat Militem ? " hangeth as yet on the file, and I believe ever
* Psal. cxix.
OF PRECEDENCY. 8?
will, as which is often determined affirmatively in time of peace,
but always negatively in time of war.
Nor less is the contest betwixt swordmen and swordmen (I
mean of the same side arid interest) about priority, whether land
or sea-captains should take place. The former they plead, that
they fight ,on a fixed element, not so subject as the sea to casual
advantages, which being a settled theatre of valour, men may
indifferently try their courage upon it. The sea-captain
allegeth, that the greater danger the greater dignity ; and pre-
cedency therefore due to their profession, who encounter the
winds and the water, besides the fierceness and fury of their
enemies. Besides, it is very difficult, if possible, for a ship
engaged in fight to escape by flight, whereby many in land
battles easily preserve themselves.
I confess that custom, the best herald in controversies of this
kind, hath adjudged the precedency to land- cap tains, but not
without the great grudge and regret of seamen therein. We
may observe in nature, that, though the water and earth make
one globe, and though Providence preserveth the earth from
being overflown by the water; yet the water, as the lighter
element, challengeth the highest place to itself, and watcheth
all opportunities, especially when great rains meet with low
banks, to regain its superiority by inundations. Sea-captains,
in like manner, though depressed by practice and custom to
give place to land-captains, do it with that distaste and dislike,
that thereby, though they cannot recover their right, they con-
tinue their claim to precedency, watching their opportunity, and
now (in our so many naval expeditions) not altogether out of
hope to regain it.
Nor less the difference betwixt gownmen and gownmen, who
should take the upper hand. Witness the contest betwixt the
Doctors of Physic and of Canon Law, on that account : the for-
mer pleading the following instrument in their behalf :
" Memorandum quod anno Domini 1384, in vigilia Purifica-
tionis Beatae Mariee Virginis, in plena convocatione regentium
et non regentium, per fidem convocatorum declaratum. est, quod
Doctor in Medicina dextram partem cancellarii in congrega-
tionibus et convocationibus retineret, et non sinistram ; Doctor
vero in Jure Civili partem sinistram, et non dextram. Facta
est hsec declaratio ex prsecepto regis Ricardi Secundi post Con-
questum, anno regni sui octavo." * Add to this what a great
professor of philosophy, living in Padua anno 1482, concludeth
after a long debating of the question : 6£ Dicamus ergo cum
Sanct£ Romana Ecclesia, quod Medicina est nobilior Jure Civili,
quodque Medicinee professores Domini mereantur dici ; Juristee
vero prsecones." t
* Caius de Antiq. Cantab, p. 20.
f Nicholaus Vernias Theatinus, in preefatione in Burleum super Physicis Aris-
totelis.
88 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
But for all this, the doctors of the canon, since in England
united with the civil law, will not yield unto them ; pleading
for themselves, first, that professions are to take place accord-
ing to the dignity of the subject they are employed about.
Secondly, that the soul is more worth than the body, which
is the sphere of the physician. Thirdly, that canonists meddle
with many cases of soul concernment, and therefore ought to
have the precedency.
Wherefore, to prevent all exceptions about priority, may the
reader acquaint himself with this our method therein.
1. We place PRINCES ; and both loyalty and civility will
justify us therein.
2. SAINTS ; as our Saviour said, " My kingdom is not/5 so
their dignity " is not of this world ;" * and therefore none, I
hope, will repine thereat.
3. 4. MARTYRS and CONFESSORS. If any grudge them this
their high place, let them but give the same price they paid for
it, and they shall have the same superiority.
5. EMINENT PRELATES ; a distance which they might justly
claim in those days above others, as generally the Lord Chancel-
lors and Treasurers of the land.
6. STATESMEN ; whose eminent offices do warrant and avouch
this their station against all opposition.
7. CAPITAL JUDGES ; to whom this place doth of right
belong.
These premised, in the next four we have observed an order
without order. Some will maintain that sometimes a riot is as
good as a diet ; when at a feast all meats cast together help one
to digest another. " Qui vivit medice, vivit miser e." Sure I
am, ef scribit misere, qui scribit methodice ;" I mean, when tied
up to such strict terms of method, in such cases that every
misplacing is subject to exception.
I commend the no less politic than peaceable custom of the
Skinners' and Merchant Tailors5 of London, who, after many
long and costly suits betwixt their Companies for precedency, to
prevent future quarrels, agreed with themselves at last, to go
first by turns, or alternately. The same method I embrace in
ranking soldiers, seamen, civilians, physicians, sometimes one
first, sometimes another, ringing no artificial but a merely casual
change in the ordering their professions. These thus ranked,
next follow,
12. LEARNED WRITERS. Though many of these since the
Reformation, being Doctors of Divinity, may challenge pre-
cedency of some name before, yet they will not be discontented
to come last, having learned the Apostle's rule, " in honour
preferring one another ; "t and God make us as humble as we
are humbled.
* John xviii. 36. f Rom. xii. 10.
OF THE AUTHORITIES. 89
13. BENEFACTORS TO THE PUBLIC. It is good to conclude
and go out with a good savour ; on which account these worthy
persons are placed last, to leave the grateful perfume of their
memory behind them.
As for MEMORABLE PERSONS, they are last ; last placed,
because (as that title is taken by, us) they are cast in as super-
pondium, or overweight, our work being ended before.
CHAPTER XXIII.
OF THE AUTHORS FROM WHOM OUR INTELLIGENCE IN THE
FOLLOWING WORK HATH BEEN DERIVED.
THE plain English saying hath veiy much of downright truth
therein ; " I tell you my tale, and my tale-master ;" which is
essential to the begetting of credit to any relation. Indeed,
when one writeth with St. John, waving his infallible inspira-
tion, " that which we have heard, which we have seen with our
eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have han-
dled," * such clogging a book with authors were superfluous ;
which now is necessary in him that writeth what was done at
distance, far from, in time long before him.
First, to assert and vindicate the writer. When Adam com-
plained that he was naked, God demanded of him, " Who told
thee that thou wast naked ?"f Intimating thus much, that if he
could not produce the person who first so informed him, he
might justly be suspected, as indeed he was, the author as well
as utterer of that sad truth. Our Saviour said to Pilate,
" Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell thee ?" J
And all things reported are reducible to this dichotomy :
1. The Fountain of Invention ; 2. The Channel of Relation. If
one ignorantly buyeth stolen cattle, and hath them fairly
vouched unto him, and publicly in an open fair payeth toll for
them, he cannot be damnified thereby : the case I conceive of
him who writeth a falsehood, and chargeth his margin with the
author thereof.
Secondly, to edify and inform the reader ; " frustra creditur,
quod sine agnitione originis creditur." (" It is vainly believed,
which is believed without the knowledge of the original thereof.")
Yea, properly it is no rational belief, but an easy, lazy, supine
credulity.
Such as designingly conceal their authors, do it either out of
guiltiness or envy. Guiltiness, when conscious to themselves,
that, if inspection be made of such quotations, they will be
found defectively, redundantly, or injuriously cited, distorted
from their genuine intention.
* 1 John i. l. f Gen iii. 11. $ John xviii, 34.
90 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
Or else they do it out of envy. Tyrants commonly cut off
the stairs by which they climb up unto their thrones (witness
king Richard the Third beheading the duke of Buckingham) ;
for fear that, if still they be left standing, others will get up the
same way. Such the jealousy of some writers, that their readers
would be as, if not more, knowing than themselves, might they
be but directed to the original, which they purposely intercept.
Some, to avoid this rock of envy, run on as bad of ostenta-
tion ; and, in the end of their books, muster up an army of
authors (though, perchance, they themselves have not seriously
perused one regiment thereof) ; so that the goodness of their
library, not greatness of their learning, may thence be con-
cluded, that they have (if with the prophet's axe* some were
not borrowed), for I will not say have read, many books in their
possession.
I have endeavoured to steer my course betwixt both these
rocks ; and come now to give in the particulars whence I have
derived my information, knowing full well, quantus author tanta
fides. These may be referred to three heads ; first, Printed
Books; secondly, Records in Public Offices; thirdly, Manu-
scripts in the possession of private gentlemen. To which we
may add a fourth, viz., Instructions received from the nearest
Relations to those persons whose lives we have presented.
We pass by printed books, cited in the margin, and obvious
to all who are pleased to consult them, and first pitch on the
Records of the Tower. Master William Riley was then master
of those jewels ; for so they deserve to be accounted, seeing a
scholar would prefer that place before the keeping of all the
prisoners in the Tower. I know not whether more to com-
mend his care in securing, dexterity in finding, diligence in
perusing them, or courtesy in communicating such copies of
them as my occasions required, thanks being all the fees ex-
pected from me.
I place next the Records in the Exchequer ; for, although I
had a catalogue of the sheriffs of England lent me by Master
Highmore, of the Pipe-office, which I compared with another
of that learned knight Sir Winkefield Bodenham ; yet, being
frequently at a loss, I was forced to repair to the originals in
the Exchequer. Here let not my gratitude be buried in the
graves of Master John Witt, and Master Francis Boyton, both
since deceased ; but, whilst living, advantageous to my studies.
To these authentic records let me add the Church Registers
in several parishes, denied indeed by our commons-lawyers, but
stickled for by some canonists to be records-fellows at least,
and having, though not the formality in law, the force thereof
in history, very useful to help us in many nativities.
And here I cannot but bemoan the peya x^^y that great
* 2 Kings vi.
OF THE AUTHORITIES. 91
gulf, or broad blank, left in our registers during our civil wars,
after the laying aside of bishops, and before the restitution of
his most sacred majesty. Yea, hereafter this sad vacuum is
like to prove so thick, like the Egyptian darkness, that it will
be sensible in our English histories.
I dare maintain that the wars betwixt York and Lancaster,
lasting by intermission some sixty years, were not so destruc-
tive to church records, as our modern wars in six years : for
during the former, their differences agreed in the same religion,
impressing them with reverence of all sacred muniments ; whilst
our civil wars, founded in faction, and variety of pretended
religions, exposed all naked church records a prey to their
armed violence.
Let me add, that it conduced much to the exactness of
Jewish genealogies, that their children were solemnly circum-
cised and named on the eighth day. On the contrary, the
omitting the baptizing of infants till they be adult (which
causeth, that though the weekly births exceed the burials, the
burials exceed the christenings in London), will perplex those
who in the next age shall write the nativities of such persons.
Say not it matters not though their nativities be utterly for-
gotten : for though their fathers were factious fanatics, the sons,
by God's grace, may prove sober Christians, and eminent in
their generations.
The last port to which I trafficked for intelligence, towards
our issuing work, was by making my addresses, by letters and
otherwise, to the nearest relations of those whose lives I have
written. Such applications have sometimes proved chargeable ;
but, if my weak pains shall find preferment (that is, acceptance)
from the judicious reader, my care and cost is forgotten, and
shall never come under computation.
Here I cannot but condemn the carelessness, not to say in-
gratitude, of those (I am safe whilst containing myself in
general terms) who can give no better account of the place
where their fathers or grandfathers were born, than the child
unborn ; so that sometimes we have been more beholden to
strangers for our instructions herein, than to their nearest kin-
dred. And although some will say sons are more comfortably
concerned to know the time of their father's death than place
of their birth, yet I could almost wish that a moderstte fine
were imposed on such heirs, whose fathers were born before
them, and yet they know not where they were born. How-
ever, this I must gratefully confess, I have met with many who
could not, never with any who would not, furnish me with
information herein.
It is observable, that men born an hundred years since, and
upwards, have their nativities fixed with more assurance, than
those born some eighty years since. Men's eyes see worst in
the twilight, in that interval after the sun is set, and natural
92 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
light ended, and before candles are set up, and artificial light
beo-un. In such a crepusculum of time those writers lived, who
fall short of the history of Bale and Leland, yet go before the
memory of any alive, which unhappy insterstice hath often per-
plexed us, and may easier be complained of than amended.
To conclude, should I present all with books, who cour-
teously have conduced to my instruction, the whole impression
would not suffice. But I remember the no less civil than
politic invitation of Judah to the tribe of Simeon, " Come up
with me into my lot [to conquer the Canaanites], and I like-
wise will go with thee into thy lot." * If such who have lent
me theirs, shall have occasion to borrow mine assistance, my
pains, brains, and books, are no more mine than theirs to com-
mand ; which, besides my prayers for them, and thanks to them,
is all my ability in requital can perform.
CHAPTER XXIV.
A DOUBLE DIVISION OF THE ENGLISH GENTRY 1. ACCORD-
ING TO THE NATION WHENCE THEY WERE EXTRACTED.—
2. ACCORDING TO THE PROFESSION WHEREBY THEY WERE
ADVANCED.
THIS discourse I tender the reader, as a preparative to dis-
pose him for the better observing and distinguishing of our
English gentry, in our ensuing lives and catalogue of Sheriffs.
We begin with the Britons, the Aborigines, or native inha-
bitants of the south of this Island, but long since expelled by
the Saxons into the West thereof; none then remaining in,
some since returning into our land, of whom hereafter.
We confess, the Romans conquered our country, planted co-
lonies, and kept garrisons therein ; but their descendants are not
by any character discernible from the British. Indeed, if any
be found able to speak Latin naturally, without learning it, we
may safely conclude him of Roman extraction. Meantime, it is
rather a pretty conceit than a solid notion of thatf great anti-
quary, who, from the allusion of the name, collecteth the noble
family of the Cecils (more truly Sytsilts) descended from the
Cecilii, a Senatorian family in Rome.
The Saxons succeed, whose offspring at this day are the main
bulk and body of the English (though not gentry) nation ; I
may call them the whole cloth thereof, though it be guarded
here and there with some great ones of foreign extraction.
These Saxons, though pitifully depressed by the. Conqueror, by
God's goodness, king Henry the First's favour, their own
patience and diligence, put together the planks of their ship-
* Judges i. 3. f Verstegan, of Decayed Intelligence, p. 313.
ENGLISH GENTRY. 93
wrecked estates, and afterwards recovered a competent con-
dition.
The Danes never acquired in this land a long and peaceable
possession thereof, living here rather as inroaders than inhabi-
tants, the cause that so few families (distinguishable by their
surnames) are descended from them, extant in our age.
Amongst which few, the respected stock of the Denizes, (often
sheriffs in Devon * and Gloucestershire) appear the principal.
As for Fitz-Hardinge, the younger son of the king of Denmark,
and direct ancestor of the truly honourable George Lord
Berkeley, he came in long since, when he accompanied the
Conqueror.
I must confess that, at this day, there passeth a tradition among
some of the common people, that such names which terminate in
son, as Johnson, Tomson, Nicolson, Davison, Saunderson, are
of Danish origination. But this fond opinion is long since
confuted by Verstegan,t that ingenious and industrious anti-
quary. Yea, he urgeth this as an argument (which much pre-
vaileth with me) why those surnames were not derived from the
Danes, because they had no such name in use amongst them as
John, Thomas, Nicholas, David, Alexander, from whence they
should be deduced.
Yea, he further addeth, that it is more probable that they
made the child's name, by adjecting the syllable son to the
appellation of the father (a custom which is usual even at this
time amongst the vulgar sort of the Dutch). Yet is there not
remaining any sign thereof amongst the names of our age;
which probably might have been, Canutson, Ericson, Gormoson,
Heraldson, Rofolson, &c.
The Normans, or French, under the Conqueror, swarmed in
England ; so that then they became the only visible gentry in
this nation ; and still continue more than a moiety thereof.
Several catalogues of their names I have so largely exemplified
in my " Church History," that some have taxed me for tedious-
ness therein ; and I will not add a new obstinacy to iny old
error.
But, besides these, we have some surnames of good families
in England, now extant, which, though French, are not by any
diligence to be recovered in the lists of such as came over with
the Conqueror ; and therefore we suppose them to have remain-
ed of those gentlemen and others which from Renault attended
queen Isabel, wife unto king Edward the Second. Of this
sort was Devreux, Mollineux, Darcy, Coniers, Longchamp,
Henage, Savage, Danvers, with many more.
Of the British or Welsh, after their expulsion hence by the
Saxons, some signal persons have returned again ; and, by the
king's grant, matches, purchases, &c. have fixed themselves in
Camden's Britannia, in Devonshire. f Of Decayed Intelligence.
94 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
fair possessions in England,, especially since the beginning of
the reign of their countryman king Henry the Seventh, reward-
ing the valour of many contributing to his victory in the battle
of Bos worth. Of the Welsh, now re-estated in England, and
often sheriffs therein, some retain their old surnames, as the
Griffins in Northamptonshire, the Griffiths and Vaughans in
Yorkshire ; . some have assumed new ones, as the Caradocks,
now known by the new name of the Newtons* in Somersetshire.
Many Scotch (long before the union of the two kingdoms
under king James) seated themselves in this land, flying hither
for succour from their civil wars ; and surely it was against
their mind, if they all went back again. Distress at sea hath
driven others in, as the Stewards, high-sheriffs in Cambridge-
shire ; as other accidents have occasioned the coming in of the
Scrimpshires, an hundred years since high- sheriffs in Stafford-
shire ; more lately the Nappers in Bedfordshire ; and before
both, the Scots of Scots-hall in Kent.
I much admire, that never an eminent Irish native grew in
England to any greatness ; so many English have prospered in
that country. But, it seems, we love to live there, where we
may command ; and they care not to come where they must
obey.
Our great distance from Italy, always in position, and since
the reformation in religion, hath caused that few or none of that
nation have so incorporated with the English, as to have founded
families therein. Yet have we a sprinkling of Italian Protes-
tants ; Castilian, a valiant gentleman of Berkshire. The Bassa-
noes, excellent painters and musicians, in Essex, which came
over into England under king Henry the Eighth ; and since, in
the reign of queen Elizabeth, Sir Horatio Palavicine (receiver of
the Pope's revenues) landed in Cambridgeshire, and the Csesars
(alias Dalmarii) still flourishing in Hertfordshire, in worshipful
estates ; though I never find any of these performing the office
of sheriff.
The High-Dutch of the Hans Towns, antiently much conversed
in our land, (known by the name of Easterlings) invited hither
by the large privileges our kings conferred upon them, so that
the Steel-yard proved the Gold-yard unto them. But these
merchants moved round in their own sphere, matching amongst
themselves, without mingling with our nation. Only we may
presume, that the Easterlings (corruptly called Stradlings) for-
merly sheriffs in Wiltshire, and still famous in Glamorganshire,
with the Westphalings, lately sheriffs of Oxfordshire, were ori-
ginally of German extraction.
The Low Country-men, frighted by Duke d'Alva's tyranny,
flocked hither under king Edward the Sixth, fixing themselves
* Camden's Britannia, in Somersetshire.
ENGLISH GENTRY. 95
in London,, Norwich, Canterbury, and Sandwich. But these
confined themselves to their own church discipline, and, for
ought I can find, advanced not forward by eminent matches
into our nation. Yet I behold the worthy family of De la Fon-
taine in Leicestershire, as of Belgian original, and have read
how the ancestors of Sir Symonds d'Ewes in Suffolk came
hither under king Henry the Eighth, from the Dunasti or
D'us in Guelderland.
As for the Spaniards, though their king Philip matched with
our queen Mary, but few of any eminence now extant (if I well
remember) derive their pedigrees from them. This I impute to
the shortness of their reign, and the ensuing change of religions.
Probable it is, we might have had more natives of that king-
dom to have settled and flourished in our nation, had he
obtained a marriage with queen Elizabeth (of blessed memory),
which some relate he much endeavoured.
As for Portugal, few of that nation have as yet fixed their
habitations, and advanced families to any visible height in our
land. But it may please God hereafter we may have a happy
occasion to invite some of that nation to reside, and raise fami-
lies in England. Meantime the Mays (who have been sheriffs
in Sussex) are all whom I can call to mind of the Portugal
race, and they not without a mixture of Jewish extraction.
Come we now to the second division of our gentry, accord-
ing to the professions whereby they have been advanced. And
here, to prevent unjust misprision, be it premised, that such
professions found most of them gentlemen, being the (though
perchance younger) sons of wealthy fathers, able to give them
liberal education. They were lighted before as to their gentility,
but now set up in a higher candlestick, by such professions
which made a visible and conspicuous accession of wealth and
dignity, almost to the eclipsing their former condition. Thus
all behold Isis, increased in name and water, after its conjunc-
tion with Thame at Dorchester ; whilst few take notice of the
first fountain thereof, many miles more westward in Glouces-
tershire.
The study of the Common Law hath advanced most ancient ex-
tant families in our land. It seems they purchased good titles,
made sure settlements, and entailed thrift with their lands on
posterity. A prime person of that profession* hath prevented
my pains, and given in a list of such principal families ; I say
principal, many being omitted by him in so copious a subject.
Miraculous the mortality in Egypt " where there was not a
house wherein there was not one dead."f But I hope, it will
be allowed marvellous, that there is not a generous and nume-
rous house in England, wherein there is not one (though
generally 116 first-born, but a younger brother) anciently or at
* Sir Edward Coke. | Exod. xii. 30.
9G WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
this day living, thriving, and flourishing, by the study of the
law; especially if to them, what in justice ought, be added
those who have raised themselves in courts relating to the law.
The city hath produced more than the law in number ; and
some as broad in wealth, but not so high in honour, nor long
lasting in time, who like land-floods, soon come, and soon gone,
have been dried up before the third generation.
Yet many of these have continued in a certain channel, and
carried a constant stream, as will plainly appear in the sequel of
our Worthies.
The church, before the Reformation, advanced many fami-
lies : for, though bishops might not marry, they preferred their
brothers' sons to great estates ; as the Kemps in Kent, Peck-
hams in Sussex, Wickham in Hampshire, Meltons in Yorkshire.
Since the Reformation, some have raised families to a knightly
and worshipful estate ; Hutton, Bilson, Dove, Neil, &c. But
for sheriffs, I take notice of Sandys in Worcester and Cam-
bridgeshire, Westphaling in Herefordshire, Elmar in Suffolk,
Rud in Caermarthenshire, &c.
Sure I am, there was a generation of people of the last age,
which thought they would level all clergymen, or any descen-
dants from them, with the ground. Yea, had not God's arm
been stretched out in their preservation, they had become a prey
to their enemies' violence, and what they had designed to them-
selves, and in some manner effected, had ere this time been
perfectly completed.
As for the inferior clergy, it is well if their narrow main-
tenance will enable them to leave a livelihood to their little
ones. I find but one, Robert Johnson* by name, attaining such
an estate, that his grandson was pricked sheriff of a county, but
declined the place, by pleading himself a deacon, and by the
favour of Archbishop Laud.
The study of the Civil Law hath preferred but few ; the most
eminent in that faculty, before the Reformation, being persons
in orders, prohibited marriage. However, since the Reforma-
tion, there are some worshipful families which have been raised
by the study in this faculty.
Yet have our wars (which perhaps might have been advo-
cated for in Turks and Pagans, who bid defiance to all huma-
nity, but utterly misbeseeming Christians,) been a main cause of
the moulting of many eminent and worthy persons of this
profession. Nor could it be expected that the professors of
human laws should have been allowed favour during our un-
natural dissensions, the promoters thereof having a constant
pique at whatever bore but the resemblance of order and civi-
lity, when the true dispensers of God's laws, yea the law of
God, yea God himself, was vilified and contemned.
* See " Benefactours to the Publique " in Lincolnshire.
ENGLISH GENTRY. 9?
The best is, that, as Divine Providence hath in his mercy
been pleased to restore our sovereign, so with him we have
received both our ancient laws and liberties. And now it
begins to be fair weather again, as with this so with all other
necessary and useful avocations, which in due time may repair
their decayed fortunes.
Physic hath promoted many more, and that since the reign of
king Henry the Eighth. Indeed, before his time, I find a doc-
tor of physic, father to Reginald, first and last Lord Bray. But
this faculty hath flourished much the three last fifty years ; it
being true of physic, what is said of Sylla, ee suos divitiis exple-
vit." Sir William Butts, physician to king Henry the Eighth,
doctor Thomas Wendy and doctor Hatcher to queen Elizabeth,
raised worshipful and wealthy families in Norfolk, Cambridge,
and Lincolnshire, having borne the office of sheriff in their
respective counties.
Some have raised themselves by sea-service, and letters of
mart, especially in the reign of queen Elizabeth, when we had
war with the Spaniard. But such estates, as flowing so have
ebbed with the tide, seldom of long continuance. Such prizes
have been observed best to prosper, whose takers had least of
private revenge and most of public service therein. Amongst
these, most remarkable the baronet's family of Drakes in De-
vonshire, sometimes sheriffs of that county.
Some have raised themselves by their attendance at court,
rewarded by the king^s favour ; — court, where many have car-
ried away more, for bringing the less to it. Here some younger
brothers have found their lost birth-right, mending their pace
to wealth, though they started late by their nativity. But I
only generally point at, without touching them, that I may not
forestal the reader, whose pains may be pleasant unto him, in
his own discovery thereof.
Many have advanced themselves by their valour in foreign
wars, especially in France, as the Knolls, a noble family ; and
the Calveleys, often sheriffs in Cheshire ; so that Mars in this
sense may be said to be the father of Plutus, his steel weapons
procuring to his followers the more acceptable metals of gold
and silver. But the worst is, where foreign wars have raised
one, our late civil ones have ruined ten families.
Some may object, that as they have destroyed so they have
raised many families (which before in themselves were mean
and contemptible) to high titles and large possessions. All I
shall return in answer thereunto is, that as most alive saw them
rise, per saltum, by unwarrantable means to such a pitch of
preferment ; so there is but few alive, but may, if not willingly
and wilfully blind, see them deservedly thrown down with dis-
grace and contempt, to their former mean and despicable con-
dition.
VOL. I. H
98 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
Clothing, as it hath given garments to millions of people,
hath conferred coats of arms, and gentility therewith, on many
families in this land ; as on the Springs, high-sheriffs of Suf-
folk.
The country, with her two full breasts, Grazing and Tillage,
hath raised many families. Josephus rendereth a reason, as
weak in itself as wide from the truth, why Abel's sacrifice was
preferred before Cain's ; viz. because Abel fairly took what Na-
ture freely tendered in the increase of his cattle, whilst Cain
violently wounded the earth with his ploughing. But St. Paul
teacheth us better doctrine, that faith caused the Deception of
the one, and unbelief the rejection of the other.* Surely, both
callings are equally acceptable to God, who hath so blessed their
endeavours, that thereby many have gained estates, enabling
them to serve sheriffs of their county. But I forbear to instance
them, lest what was the honour of their ancestors to raise such
families, be counted in this captious age to be a dishonour to
their posterity, to be raised by so plain, though honest and
necessary, an employment.
Some, the surer to hit the mark of wealth, have had two
strings to their bow, a complication of professions concurring
to their advancement. Thus the Chichleys in Cambridgeshire
are descendants from a lord mayor ; allied also collaterally to an
archbishop of Canterbury.
On the main, we may observe, how happy a liberal (at least
lawful) vocation hath proved to younger brethren, whereby
Ephraim hath outgrown Manasseh, the younger outstript the
heir of the family. I knew a school-boy, not above twelve years
old, and utterly ignorant in all logical terms, who was com-
manded to English the following distich :
" Dat Galenus opes, dat Justinianus honores ;
Cum genus, et species, cogitur ire pedes."
Only they favoured the boy so far, to inform him, that Galenus
did signify the profession of physic, Justinianus of law ; on which
ground he thus proceeded :
Galenus, the study of physic, dat giveth, opes wealth ; Jus-
tinianus, the study of law, dat giveth, honores honours : cum
when, genus high birth, et species and beauty, [having no
other calling (saith the boy) to maintain them,] cogitur is com-
pelled, ire pedes to go on foot."
To prevent such foot-travelling, it is good to be mounted on
a gainful vocation, to carry one out of the mire, on all occasions.
* Hebrews xi. 4.
ON THE STYLE AND MATTER. 99
CHAPTER XXV.
SOME GENERAL EXCEPTIONS AGAINST THE STYLE AND
MATTER OF THE AUTHOR PREVENTED.
Exception 1. — You usurp the style of princes, speaking often
in the plural : 6e come we now ;" " pass we now ;" " proceed
we now/5 &c. ; which is false grammar from a single, ill ethics
from a private, person.
Answer. — First, I appeal to any exercised in reading of books,
whether the same be not used in other authors.
Secondly, we in such cases includeth the writer and reader ;
it being presumed that the eye of the one goeth along with the
pen of the other.
Thirdly, it also compriseth all other writers out of whom
anything is transcribed, and their names quoted in the margin.
Let me add, to God's glory, my friends' credit, and my own
comfort, that our we is comprehensive of all my worthy friends,
who, by their pains or purses, have been contributive to my
weak endeavours.
Exception 2. — The WORTHIES of ENGLAND being your
subject, you have mingled many Un worthies among them, ra-
ther notorious than notable, except in the same sense wherein
Barabbas is termed notable in the Gospel. *
Answer. — Such persons are so few, their number is not
considerable. Secondly, they are so eminent in their gene-
rations, that their omission would make a maim in history.
Thirdly, how bad soever their morals their naturals and artifi-
cials were transcendant, and the oracle-like wisdom of wicked
Achitophel found praise from the pen of the Holy Spirit, f
Lastly, the worst of such men have a black line (serving pro
nigro carbons) prefixed to their name, for distinction sake.
Exception 3. — You might better have omitted the mention
of some modern persons, reputed Malignants by the present
power, and blasted by these times in their estates.^
Answer. — All persons unhappy must not presently be ac-
counted unworthy, especially in distracted times. Have you not
heard of that humorous waterman on the Thames, who would
carry none in his boat save such who would go along with the
tide, till, by feeding his humour, he had almost starved himself
for want of employment. I should be as peevish as partial,
should I admit those only into my Catalogue of WORTHIES,
who of late years did swim in plenty, seeing many have been
great sufferers, deservedly commendable by the testimony of
their adversaries.
* Matthew xxvii. 16. f 2 Samuel xvi. 23.
f Reader, this being written in the midnight of our miseries, I could not com-
mand my hand to expunge it. — F.
H 2
100 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
Exception 4. — You only report the virtues, but conceal the
faults of many persons within our own memories:
Answer. — I conceive myself bound so to do, by the rules of
charity. When an orator was to praise a person deceased,
generally and justly hated for his viciousness, it was suspected
that he would, for his fee, force his conscience by flattery, to
commend him whose expectations he thus defeated. " This
dead person," saith he, " must in one respect be spoken well of
by all, because God made him ; and in another respect should
not be spoken ill of by any, because he is dead ; e et de
mortuis nil nisi bonum/" How much more, when men have
many good virtues, with some faults, ought the latter to be
buried in their graves with forgetfulness \
Exception 5. — You make many uncivil and unsatisfactory
references of your reader, to those books which you have for-
merly printed, remitting them to be there further informed ; as
if, when you had invited guests, you consigned them over
(coming to dine with you) to fetch a dinner at an house they do
not know ; it being probable that many may read this your
book, who never had your former works.
Answer. — Such references are very sparing, only to avoid
repetition in those lives which I have formerly written at large ;
as St. Dunstan's, Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas Lord Cromwell,
Sir John Cheke, Archbishop Whitgift, Mr. Perkins, &c. And
I appeal to all writers of many books (of which fault I myself
am guilty) whether such references be not usual in the like
cases. I will not add that I have passed my promise (and that
is an honest man's bond) to my former stationer, that I will
write nothing for the future, which was in my former books so
considerable as may make them interfere one with another to
his prejudice.
Exception J. — You often apply the word create to men ; as,
to create a cardinal, an earl, &c. ; whereas conscientious people
allow that word appropriable to God alone, as importing the
making of something out of nothing.
Answer. — I hope our common lawyers will plead for me in
this case, having the phrase so frequent in their mouths, to
create right, to create a title. Besides, I observe, that such who
scruple the using the single verb, boggle no whit at the com-
pound, to recreate and recreations. Now seeing to recreate is
to create twice, I understand not how the using this word once
should be a sin, whilst it is no sin in the repetition or reaction
thereof. In a word, in words of this nature, I conceive one may
conform himself to the custom of common language.
Exception 8. — You, out of flattery, conceal the mean extrac-
tion of many (especially modern) men, who have attained to
great preferment, pointing at the place of their birth, but sup-
pressing their parentage.
ON THE STYLE AND MATTER. 101
Answer. — I conceive myself to have done well in so doing,
If inquiry be made into all men's descents, it would be found
true what the poet doth observe :
Majorum primus guisquisfuit Hie tuorum,
Aut pastor fait, aut illud quod dicere nolo.
" The first of all thine ancestors of yore
Was but a shepherd, or — I say no more."
Besides, it plainly proveth the properness of their parts, and
tallness of their industry, who thereby, and by God's blessing
thereon, reached so high preferment, though disadvantaged by
standing on so low ground of their extraction.
Exception 9. — " Haste makes waste." You have huddled
your book too soon to the press, for a subject of such a nature.
You should have sent to the gentry of several counties, to have
furnished you with memorables out of their own pedigrees, and
should have taken a longer time to compose them.
— — Nonumque prematur in annum.
" Eight years digest what you have rudely hinted,
And in the ninth year let the same be printed."
Answer. — That ninth year might happen eight years after my
death, being sensible of the impression of age upon me ; and a
stranger to my method would hardly rally my scattered and
posthumed notes. By the difficulty to get some few, I conclude
the impossibility to procure all the observables out of gentle-
men's records ; and therefore leave the task to the industry of
others in their respective counties.
Exception 10. — Some instructions have lately been sent you,
concerning some persons which appear not in this your work.
Answer. — Lately, indeed, though neither many nor consider-
able, since such shires were put under the press. In Holland,
waggons go to and return from their stages at set hours, though
carrying but one passenger, and sometimes altogether empty.
Such the condition of the press, it stays for no man ; nor will
attend the leisure (not to say lagging) of any ; but proceedeth
on with what it hath in present, be it never so little.
Exception 11. — In your Protestant writers you promiscuously
mingle some very zealous for Episcopacy, others as active for
Presbytery. These ought to have been sorted severally by
themselves, seeing the great distance of judgment betwixt them.
Answer.— I hope such conjoining of them may happily pre-
sage a comfortable expedient betwixt them, who differ not in
fundamentals of religion. 2. I had rather privately bemoan
than publicly proclaim the difference betwixt them when alive ;
charitably believing that being dead,
Jam bene conveniunt, et inuna sede morantur.
" Now they are agreed well,
And in bliss together dwell."
However it is not without precedents in the best authors, to
conjoin those in history who dissent in opinion. Witness
102 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
Thuanus, when concluding every year with the funerals of emi-
nent persons, though fervent in opposite persuasions.
Exception 12. — There is great disproportion betwixt your ca-
talogue of statesmen ; beginning the lord treasurers under king
Henry the Seventh ; the lord chancellors under king Henry the
Eighth ; other statesmen at other epochs : whereas had you ob-
served the same era in all of them, it had added much to the
uniformity of your work. And as all start not from the same
place, they run not to the same mark ; some being continued to
this day, some concluded seven years since ; such imparity
making the list seem lame, like the legs of a badger.
Answer. — I hope that a more charitable fancy, with as good a
judgment, will compare it to the pipes of an organ, which though
of an uneven length, contribute to the better melody. A rea-
son is rendered in the respective places where these general
topics are premised, why such several catalogues begin and end
at such times. And I do believe that they will prove satisfac-
tory to such ingenuous readers that come with no cavilling pre-
meditation.
Exception 13. — In your catalogue of learned writers you have
omitted many, as may appear by Pitseus's K Appendix Illus-
trium Angliee Scriptorum." For of the four hundred by him
mentioned, not fifty appear in your. list of them.
Answer. — Pitseus himseif shall plead for me, who in his Pre-
face to his Appendix ingenuously confesseth : (e Eos adhuc
efficere non valeo dignos, qui inter illustres Scriptores locum ob-
tineant." So that one may call them obscuros illustres; little
being known of the books which they wrote, less of the times
when they lived, nothing of the places where they wrere born.
However, seeing some persons of eminence have straggled
amongst them, I have selected such with my best care, and pre-
sented them in my catalogue.
Exception 14. — Of some men you have little save their name,
life, and death : and yet you term such Eminent Persons.
Answer. — Surely they were so in themselves, and deserve
more should be than is left written of them, through the injury of
time. All that I will plead in my own defence is this : there is an
officer in the Exchequer called Clericus Nihilorum, or the Clerk
of the Nichils, who maketh a roll of all such sums as are nichilled
by the sheriff upon their estreats of the green wax, when such
sums are set on persons either not found, or not found solvable.
This roll he delivereth into the treasurer's Remembrancer's
Office, to have execution done upon it for the king ; and thus
the clerk hath done his duty, leaving it to them to see if they
can make any thing of his return.
I conceive in like manner I have performed my utmost, in
that I return such persons to have nothing more to be said of
them, findable by all my endeavours. However I consign them
over to more able historians, whose pains I will neither prejudice
ON THE STYLE AND MATTER. 103
nor discourage ; but if they be pleased to begin where I ended,
I wish them more happy success in their discoveries.
Exception 15. — Your book is surcharged with Scripture ob-
servations, and reflections in divinity, even when no necessity
leadeth you thereunto.
Answer. — The reader hath conjitentem ; but I will never ac-
knowledge reum, pleading custom and conscience in my just ex-
cuse : custom, being habited by my profession therein. The
learned observe of St. Luke, that, being a physician by his func-
tion, and describing the difference between Paul and Barnabas,
he made use of an expression in his own faculty, " and there was
betwixt them a dissension "* [in Greek trapofr tr^og] : that is,
" the height and heat of a burning fever ." So that the Spirit
of God, guiding his pen, permitted him to make use of the
language proper to his vocation. And I presume the same fa-
vour will be indulged to me by all ingenuous persons, to have
(I will not say a partiality, but) an affection to the expressions of,
and excursions into, my own calling. Secondly, I plead con-
science, that seeing some may cavil this work to be a deviation
from my function (and I myself perchance sensible of some
truth therein), I will watch and catch all opportunity to make
a fair regress to my profession.
Exception 16. — You lay down certain rules for the better re-
gulating your work, and directing the reader, promising to con-
fine yourself to the observation thereof, and break them often
yourself. For instance, you restrain the topic of lawyers to
capital judges and writers of the law ; yet under that head insert
judge Paston and others, who were only puny judges in their
respective courts. You limit statesmen to lord chancellors,
treasurers, English secretaries of state, &c., and put in Sir
Edward Waterhouse, who was secretary but in Ireland. In a
word, few heads are preserved pure according to their constitu-
tion, without the mixture of improper persons amongst them.
Why did you break such rules, when knowing you made them ?
Why did you make such rules, when minding to break them ?
And this is an exception of exceptions against you.
Answer. — I never intended to tie myself up so close, without
reserving lawful liberty to myself upon just occasion. Indeed
we read of St. Egwin the Third, bishop of Worcester, f that he
made for himself a pair of iron shackles, and locking them close
unto his legs, cast the key thereof into the Severn, desiring never
to be loosed till he had made satisfaction for his sins. Returning
from Rome, a fish leaped into the ship, in whose belly was
found the key ; and so Egwin was miraculously restored to his
liberty.
Had I in like manner fettered myself to the topics propound-
ed, on presumption of so strange a release, none would have
* Acts xv. 39. f Ranulphus Cestrensis, in ejus vita ; Matth. Westm. anno
712. Florent. Wigorn. anno 708.
104 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
pitied my restraint, wilfully contracted on myself. But the best
is, I resolved to keep the key in my own hands, to enlarge myself
when I apprehended a just cause thereof. However I have not
made use of this key to recede from my first limitations, save
where I crave leave of and render a reason to the reader ; such
anomalous persons being men of high merit, under those heads
where they are inserted.
Exception 17- — You have omitted many memorable persons
still surviving, as meriting as any you have inserted.
Answer. — The return of Martial,* in a case not much unlike,
may much befriend me herein :
Miraris veteres, Vacerra, solos,
Nee laudas nisi mortuos poetas.
Jgnoscas petimus, Vacerra ,• tanti '
Non est, ut placeam tibi, perire.
" Deceased authors thou admir'st alone,
And only praisest poets dead and gone.
Vacerra, pardon me, I will not buy
Thy praise so dear, as for the same to die."
All men being like-minded with Martial herein, none surviv-
ing will distaste their omission in a work, for reasons afore-
alleged (save in some cases) confined to the memories of the
departed.
Exception 18. — Speaking of the commodities of several
counties, you say the wool of Herefordshire is best, and yet
Gloucestershire is best : the wheat of Herefordshire is best, and
yet Middlesex best: the lead of Derbyshire best, and yet
Somersetshire best : the iron of Sussex best, and Stafford-
shire best. The same may be observed in your praising of
persons ; making several men at the same time the best poets,
divines, schoolmen, &c. ; and this must be both falsehood and
flattery together.
Answer. — Impute it (I pray) to my peaceable disposition, unwil-
ling to occasion discord betwixt eminencies, the rather because
things of the same kind may severally be the best in sundry
qualities. Some wool best for cloth, other for hats ; some
wheat best for yielding of most, other finest flower ; some lead
best for bullets, other for sheeting houses ; some iron best for
ordnance, other for nails, keys, and smaller utensils.
Neither is it without precedent in Scripture, to character seve-
ral men best in the same profession, both Hezekiahf and Josiahf
being commended to have had none like unto them, neither be-
fore nor after them.
Exception 19. — During the later years of king Charles of
blessed memory, you have for the most part omitted the sheriffs
in your catalogue.
Answer. — There was then (as I may say) a schism in that
office, betwixt the sheriffs and anti-sheriffs. As for the former,
* Lib. viii. Epig. 69. f 2 Kings xviii. 5. J Ibid, xxiii. 25.
OF THE STYLE AND MATTER. 105
made by the king's designation, and beheld as the only legal
ones,, I durst not name them,, as the times then stood when I
collected that catalogue, for fear lest thereby I might betray
some of them (till that time concealed) to a sequestration. I
therefore preferred to leave a void space in my list, and wish it
were the worst breach or desolation made by our late civil
wars.
Exception 20. — But, since the happy turn of the times, you
might have inserted them, not only without any danger, but with
great honour unto them.
Answer. — When the danger was removed, the difficulty did
deter me. For in those tumultuary times, the royal sheriffs did
not regularly (according to ancient custom) pass their accounts
in the Exchequer at London : so that I was at a loss to recover
certainty herein, Wherefore, according to my general motto,
" a blank is better than a blot/' I left a vacuity for them. For
which bald place, the reader (if so pleased) may provide a peri-
wig, and with his pen insert such sheriffs as come to his cogni-
zance.
Exception. 21 . — It was expected that you should have pre-
sented the maps of all shires, which would have added much
light and lustre to your work (which now is, as an house with-
out windows, very dark and uncomfortable) ; as also that you
should have cut the arms of all gentlemen in copper (at the
least in wood) which would have been more satisfactory to them,
and ornamental to your book.
Answer. — Cuts are cuts, as I have found by dear experience.
Besides, when they are done, they are not done, the working
them off at the rolling press being as expensive as the graving
them ; both which will mount our book to an unreasonable
price. Secondly, it would be disgraceful to cut those maps
worse, and difficult (if not impossible) to do them better, than
they are done already. Thirdly, such gentlemen (not formerly
furnished therewith) may procure them at a cheaper rate than I
could afford them. Lastly, such new re-graving them would
be injurious to the owners of the old maps : and I will not bot-
tom my profit on another man's prejudice.
Exception 22. — You betray unworthy partiality in omitting
and inserting of persons. For John of Gaunt, though son to a
king, and worthy warrior, can get no room in your book, whilst
Simon de Gaunt, a bishop of Salisbury (both of them by their
surnames equally appearing foreigners) hath a place found for
him therein. It seems a prelate finds more favour from you
than a prince.
Answer. — Is there not a cause, and that a satisfactory one ?
I prefer not a prelate before a prince, but truth before both ;
and the methodical regulation of my book, according to the
rules premised, without which all will fall to confusion. It is
106 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
as notoriously known, that John of Gaunt was born at Gaunt
in Flanders (and so an alien from our subject) ; as plainly it ap-
peareth, that Simon de Gaunt (though his father was a Fleming)
was born in London : " Magister Simon de Gaunt," saith Mat-
thew of Westminster, " editus Londini, vir in arte Theologiee
peritus."
Exception 23. — You discover much negligence in dating of
particular persons, instancing the time only when they flou-
rished, without observing when they were born or died ; and
this mindeth me of a passage in Tully, charging Verres, the de-
puty of Sicily, with notorious laziness, " quod nunquam solem
nee orientem nee occidentem viderat/'* (" that he never saw the
sun rising, being in bed after : nor setting, being in bed before
it.") Thus your pen is altogether a sluggard, only taking notice
of them when shining in the vertical height, without either
beholding them rising out of their cradle, or setting in their
coffin.
Answer.— Let Tully tell out his story : and it will befriend
and furnish me with a just defence. Sicily (saith he) enjoyeth
so clear a sky, that the sun is seen there every day in the year
rising or setting. Intolerable therefore the sloth of Verres
(noble at nothing but oppression) that he never saw the sun
either to rise or set, as roosted after or before. Were it so
that either the rising or setting of eminent persons (their birth
and death) were (with the Sicilian sun) ever visible, as always
recorded by authors, I would confess myself justly taxed with
inexcusable laziness; but seeing sometimes a panic silence
herein, not meeting either with the midwife or sexton, who de-
livered or buried such people, we conceive ourselves have
satisfied, if instancing only the time wherein such persons
flourished.
Exception 24. — It had been more proper and more satisfac-
tory for you to have placed your Exceptions and Answers ra-
ther at the end than beginning of your book, when the reader
had wholly perused it ; only premising, you will be responsible
to such objections as would be made against your endeavours
herein.
Answer. — I am of his opinion, who said, " premising is bet-
ter than promising." Sure it is a safer way to prevent a dis-
ease than to remove it. Besides, I hope that, clearing these ob-
structions in the front of my book, I shall smooth the reader's
way, and invite him the rather to peruse it. However, these an-
swers (wherever placed) are placed aright, if meeting (which I
desire) a candid acceptance thereof.
Exception 25.— It is easy for one to cast down a pillar of his
own erection ; but let another set it up, and then let him try
his strength thereat. None will pinch themselves so as to fetch
* Tully in Verrcra Orat.
APOLOGY FOR OMISSIONS. 107
blood^ though others may do it. Your exceptions are all of
your own making, to your own advantage.
Answer. — I have endeavoured to propound them without any
partiality. However, if my labours meet with greater and more
exception from others against them, I hope they shall also meet
with the general courtesy, and candour of course, which custom
hath in some sort made due to authors, to forgive their smaller
faults ; on which comfortable confidence I proceed.
CHAPTER XXVI
AN APOLOGY FOB THE INVOLUNTARY OMISSIONS IN THIS
BOOK,
WHEN I first communicated my design herein to a person of
honour,* he offered this grand objection against it ; that no in-
dustry could be so circumspect, or intelligence so comprehen-
sive, but that many memorable persons would escape his obser-
vation ; and then exception will be taken at such omissions.
This objection many since have renewed and enforced, alleging
that the omitting of one shall get me more anger, than the in-
serting of many gain me good will.
To this I answer first, in general. It is the privilege of Di-
vine Writ alone, to be so perfect that nothing may be taken
thence, or added thereunto. The best human authors have
had their failings in their best performances. Far be it from
me to pretend my dim eyes more quick sighted than St. Ber-
nard's, who notwithstanding non vidit omnia ; I trust therefore,
that favour will be indulged to my endeavours, for my many in-
firmities.
To come to particulars. Some seeming omissions will ap-
pear to be none, on better inquiry ; being only the leaving of
many persons, which belong not to our land, to their foreign
nativities. If any ask, why have you not written of John a
Gaunt ? I answer, because he was John of Gaunt, born in that
city in Flanders. Thus, whilst our kings possessed large do-
minions in France, from king William the Conqueror to king
Henry the Sixth, many eminent men had their birth beyond
the seas, without the bounds of our subject.
Secondly, I hope real omissions will neither be found many
nor material. I hope I shall not appear like unto him, who, under-
taking to make a description of the planets, quite forgot to make
mention of the sun. I believe most of those who have escaped
our pen, will be found stars of the lesser magnitude.
Thirdly, I protest in the presence of God, I have not wit-
tingly, willingly, or wilfully, shut the door against any worthy
* The truly Noble Robert Lord Bruce.
108 WORTHIES OF ENGLAND.
person which offered to enter into my knowledge ; nor was my
prejudice the porter in this kind, to exclude any (of what per-
suasion soever) out of my book who brought merit for their ad-
mission. Besides, I have gone, and rid, and wrote, and sought
and searched with my own and friends5 eyes, to make what dis-
coveries I could therein.
Lastly, I stand ready with a pencil in one hand, and a spunge
in the other, to add, alter, insert, expunge, enlarge, and dilate,
according to better information. And if these my pains shall
be found worthy to pass a second impression, my faults I will
confess with shame, and amend with thankfulness, to such
as will contribute clearer intelligence unto me.
These things premised, I do desire in my omissions the par-
don especially of two sorts, concerned in my History :
First, writers since the Reformation (having those before it
completely delivered unto us) who cannot be exactly listed :
1st, For their numerousness, and therefore I may make use
of the Latin distich, wherewith John Pitseus* closeth his book of
English writers :
Plum voluminibus jungenda volumina nostris.
Nee mild scribendi terminus ullus erit.
" More volumes to our volumes must we bind ;
And when that's done, a bound we cannot find."
2nd, For the scarceness of some books, which I may term
publici privati juris, because though publicly printed, their copies
were few, as intended only for friends, though it doth not follow
that the writers thereof had the less merit, because the more
modesty.
I crave pardon, in the second place, for my omissions in the
list of benefactors to the public ; for, if I would, I could not
complete that catalogue, because no man can make a fit garment
for a growing child, and their number is daily increasing.
Besides if I could, I would not. For I will never drain (in
print) the spring so low, but to leave a reserve ; and some whom
I may call breeders for posterity, who shall pass un-named ; in
which respect, I conceive such benefactors most perfectly
reckoned up, when they are imperfectly reckoned up.
All I will add is this. When St. Paul, writing to the Phi-
lippians, had saluted three by name, viz. Euodias, Syntyche, and
Clement, he passeth the rest over with a salutation general,
" whose names are in the book of life.^t Thus I have endea-
voured to give you the most exact catalogue of benefactors ; but
this I am sure, what is lost on earth by my want of industry,
instruction, &c. will be found in Heaven, and their names are
there recorded, in that register which will last to all eternity.
As for my omitting many rarities, and memorables in the re-
spective counties, I plead for myself, that, mine being a general
* Page 923. f Phil. iv. 3.
A COROLLARY ABOUT " ALUMNUS." 109
description, it is not to be expected that I should descend to
such particularities which properly belong to those who write the
topography of one county alone. He shewed as little ingenuity
as ingeniousness, who cavilled at the map of Grecia for imper-
fect, because his father's house in Athens was not represented
therein. And their expectation in effect is as unreasonable, who
look for every small observable in a general work. Know also,
that a mean person may be more knowing within the limits of his
private lands than any antiquary whatsoever. I remember a
merry challenge at court, which passed betwixt the king's porter
and the queen's dwarf ; the latter provoking him to fight with him,
on condition that he might but choose his own place, and be al-
lowed to come thither first, assigning the great oven in Hamp-
ton court for that purpose. Thus easily may the lowest domi-
neer over the highest skill, if having the advantage of the ground
within his own private concernments.
Give me leave to fill up the remaining vacuity with
A COROLLARY ABOUT THE RECIPROCATION OF " ALUMNUS."
The word Alumnus is effectually directive of us (as much as
any) to the nativities of eminent persons. However, we may
observe both a passive and active interpretation thereof. I put
passive first, because one must be bred before he can breed ;
and Alumnus signifieth both the nursed child and the nurse ;
both him that was educated, and the person or place which gave
him his education. Wherefore Laurentius Valla (though an ex-
cellent grammarian) is much deceived, when not admitting the
double sense thereof, as by the ensuing instances will appear.
PassivZ. Pro Educate. Cicero Dolabellae : " Mini vero glori-
osum, te juvenem Consulem florere laudibus, quasi Alumnum
discipline mece." De Finibus, 122. b: " Aristoteles, ceeterique
Platonis Alumni."
Active. Pro Educatore. Pliny, lib. 3. de Italia: "Terra om-
nium terrarum Alumna, eadem et parensnumine Deum electa."
Augustinus, lib. 70 : " Civit. Jovem Alumnum cognominaverunt,
quod omnia aleret."
The design which we drive on in this observation, and the use
which we desire should be made thereof, is this ; viz. that such
who are born in a place may be sensible of their engagement
thereunto : that, if God give them ability and opportunity, they
may express their thankfulness to the same.
Quisguis Alumnus erat, gralus Alumnus erit.
" A thankful man will feed
The place which did him breed."
And the truth hereof is eminently conspicuous in many per-
sons, but especially in great prelates before, and rich citizens
since, the Reformation.
BARKSHIRE, OR BERKSHIRE.
BERKSHIRE hath Wiltshire on the west, Hampshire on the
South, Surrey on the east, Oxford and Buckinghamshire
(parted first with the Isis, then with the flexuous river of
Thames) on the north thereof. It may be fancied in a form
like a lute lying along, whose belly is towards the west, whilst
the narrow neck or long handle is extended toward the east.
From Coleshull to Windsor, it may be allowed in length forty
miles. But it amounteth to little more than half so much in
the broadest part thereof. It partaketh as plentiful as any
county in England of the common commodities, grass, grain,
fish, fowl, wool, and wood, &c. ; and we will particularly
instance on one or two of them.
NATURAL COMMODITIES.
OAKS.
It was given in instruction to the spies sent to search the land
of Canaan, that, amongst other inquiries, they should take par-
ticular notice, "whether there be wood therein or not ?*" An
important question, the rather because at that time the Israelites
were in Arabia the Desert, where they saw not a tree in many
months5 travel, (insomuch that it is recorded for a wonder,
that in Elim were e( seventy Palm trees "f) an<l n°w knew the
worth of wood by wanting it.
But Berkshire affordeth abundance of trees of all kinds,
though her oaks in Windsor forest for the present come only
under our commendation.
First, for their firmness, whereof our ships are made. The
oak in other kingdoms may be called cowardly, as riving and
splitting round about the passage of the bullet, fearing as it
were the force thereof; whilst our English, as heart of oak
indeed, though entered with bullet, remain eth firm round
about it.
Secondly, for the convenience of portage. The wealth of a
covetous man (wanting an heart to make use thereof) may not
unfitly be compared to the oaks and fir-trees (good and plenti-
* Num. xiii. 20. f Exod. xv. 27.
NATURAL COMMODITIES MANUFACTURES. Ill
ful indeed) in the highlands in Scotland, but growing on such
inaccesible mountains, no strength or art can render them use-
ful, Nature in this kind having given them full coffers, but no
key to unlock them.
Whereas, so indulgent is Divine Providence to England, that
our four principal forests lie either on the sea, or navigable
rivers ; viz. New Forest on the sea, Shire Wood on the Trent,
Dean on the Severn, and this Windsor Forest on the Thames ;
and I could wish more care were taken for preserving the tim-
ber therein.
BARK.
The very name of this shire justly entitles us here to handle
this commodity (though common to other counties), because
Barkshire (as some will have it) was so called from a stripped
or bark-bared oaky* to which signal place the people repaired in
time of trouble to make their general defence. It is essential
for making good leather, though lately one hath propounded a
way to tann it solid and saleable without the help thereof, on
condition (and good reason too) he may be allowed reasonable
profit for so rare an invention. But many think that " he that
waits for dead men's shoes/' and he that stays for leather shoes
" made without bark/' may both of them " go a long time bare-
foot."
TROUTS.
This is a pleasant and wholesome fish, as whose feeding is pure
and cleanly, in the swiftest streams, and on the hardest gravel.
Good and great of this kind are found in the river of Kennet
nigh Hungerford, though not so big as that which Gesner
affirms taken in the Leman lake, being three cubits in length.
They are in their perfection in the month of May, and yearly
decline with the buck. Being come to his full growth, he
decays in goodness, not greatness, and thrives in his head till
his death. Note by the way, that an hog-back and little head
is a sign that any fish is in season.
Other commodities of this, return in other counties, where
they may be mentioned with more convenience.
THE MANUFACTURES.
CLOTHING.
It is plied therein ; and because we meet with the best of
our manufactures in the first of our shires, a word of the anti-
quity thereof.
1. Cloth sure is of the same date with civility in this land.
Indeed the ancient Britons are reported to go naked, clothed
* Camden , Britannia, in this county.
112 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
only with colours painted, custom making them insensible of
cold,, with the beggar, who being demanded how he could go
naked, returned, " All my body is face." But no sooner had
the Romans reduced this island, but cloth, though coarse, such
as would hide and heat, was here generally made and used.
2. Fine Cloth (though narrow) for persons of worth at home
to wear, and for foreign exportation, began in England about
the beginning of the reign of king Edward the Third ; before
which time our statutes take no cognizance of clothing, as
inconsiderable (wool being transported in specie), and needing
no rules to regulate it, save what prudence dictated to private
husbands with their own families.
3. Broad Cloth (wherein the wealth of our nation is folded
up) made with broad looms, two men attending each of them,
began here in the reign of king Herjry the Eighth. And I have
been informed that Jack of Newberry was the first that intro-
duced it into this county. Well may the poets feign Minerva
the goddess of wit and the foundress of weaving, so great is the
ingenuity thereof.
THE BUILDINGS.
Windsor Castle was a royal seat ever since the Conquest, but
brought to the modern beauty chiefly at the cost of king Edward
the Third. It is a castle for strength, a palace for state ; and
hath in it a college for learning, a chapel for devotion, and an
almshouse (of decayed gentlemen) for charity. In this palace
most remarkable, the hall for greatness, Winchester tower for
height, and the terrace on the north side for pleasure, where a
dull eye may travel twenty miles in a moment. Nor boasteth
so much, that it consisteth of two great courts, as that it con-
tained two great kings (John of France, and David of Scotland,)
prisoners therein together ; as also that it was the seat of the
honourable order of the Garter.
Many neat houses and pleasant seats there be in this county,
both on the Kennet and Thames, which seem dutifully to attend
at distance on Windsor Castle ; as Aldermaston, Inglefield, &c.
most sweet in their situations.
PROVERBS.
I meet with but one in this county, but either so narrow that
they stretch not beyond the bonds thereof, or else so broad,
that all other counties equally share in the cause and usage of
them. Wherefore seeing this is the first English shire in the
alphabetical order, to avoid a vacuity, we will here insert such
proverbs, wherein England or Englishmen are by express men-
tion concerned.
PROVERBS.
113
But first we will dispatch that sole proverb of this county —
viz.
" The Vicar of Bray will be Vicar of Bray still."]
Bray, a village well known in this county, so called from the
Bibroces, a kind of ancient Britons inhabiting thereabouts. The
vivacious vicar hereof living under king Henry the Eighth, king
Edward the Sixth, queen Mary, and queen Elizabeth, was first a
Papist, then a Protestant, then a Papist, then a Protestant again.
He had seen some martyrs burnt (two miles off) at Windsor,
and found this fire too hot for his tender temper. This vicar
being taxed by one for being a turncoat and an inconstant
changeling, — " Not so," said he ; " for I always kept my prin-
ciple, which is this, to live and die the vicar of Bray/5 Such
many now-a-days, who though they cannot turn the wind will
turn their mills, and set them so, that wheresoever it bloweth
their grist shall certainly be grinded.
Proceed we now to the proverbs general of England :
" When our lady falls in our lord's lap
Then let England beware a
alia*,
" Then let the clergyman look to his cap."]
I behold this proverbial prophecy, or this prophetical menace,
to be not above six score years old, and of Popish extraction
since the Reformation. It whispereth more than it dares speak
out, and points at more than it dares whisper ; and fain would
intimate to credulous persons as if the blessed Virgin, offended
with the English for abolishing her adoration, watcheth an op-
portunity of revenge on this nation. And when her day (being
the five and twentieth of March, and first of the Gregorian year)
chanceth to fall on the day of Christ's resurrection, then, being
as it were fortified by her Son's assistance, some signal judg-
ment is intended to our state, and churchmen especially. Such
coincidence hath happened just fifteen times since the Conquest,
as Elias Ashmole, Esquire, my worthy friend and learned mathe-
matician, hath exactly computed it ; and we will examine, by our
chronicles, whether on such years any signal fatalities befel
England.
G. N.
13
A. D.
1095
Anno RegnL
W. Rufus 8.
D. L.
G
1106 Henry I. 6.
1117 Henry I. 17. G
1190 Richard I. 2.
G
16
13
Signal Disasters.
King Rufus made a fruitless
invasion of Wales.
King Henry subdueth Nor-
mandy, and duke Robert
his brother.
He forbiddeth the Pope's
legate to enter England.
King Richard conquereth
Cyprus in his way to Pa-
lestine*
VOL. I.
114
WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE,
A.D.
1201
Anno Regni. D. L. G. N. Signal Disasters.
K. John 2. G 5 The French invade Nor-
mandy.
G 16 King John resigneth his
kingdom to the Pope.
13 Nothing remarkable but
peace and plenty.
5 War begun with Scotland,
which ended in victory.
The Scots do much harm to
us at Peryth Fair.
G 16 Lancastrians worsted by the
Yorkists in fight.
G 5 King Henry entered Scot-
land, and burnt Edin-
burgh.
Hitherto this proverb hath had but intermitting truth at
the most, seeing no constancy in sad casualties. But the sting,
will some say, is in the tail thereof ; and I behold this proverb
born in this following year.
16
1212 K. John 13.
1285 Edward I. 13. G
1296 Edward I. 24. AG 5
1380 Richard II. 4. AG 13
1459 Henry VI. 38.
1543 Henry.VIII. 34
1554 Q. Mary 2.
1627 Charles 3.
1638 Charles 14,
1649
Queen Mary setteth up Po-
pery, and martyreth Pro-
testants.
G 13 The unprosperous voyage to
the Isle of Rees.
G 5 The first cloud of trouble in
Scotland.
G 16 The first complete year of
the English common-
wealth (or tyranny ra-
ther) which since, bless-
ed be God, is returned
to a monarchy.
The concurrence of these two days doth not return till the
year 1722 ; and let the next generation look to the effects thereof.
I have done my part in shewing, remitting to the reader the cen-
suring of these occurrences. Sure I am so sinful a nation de-
serves that every year should be fatal unto it. But it matters
not though " our Lady falls in our Lord's lap," whilst " our
Lord" sits at " his Father's " right hand, if to him we make our
addresses by serious repentance.
" When HEMPE is spun,
England is done.'']
Though this proverb hath a different stamp, yet I look on it
as coined by the same mint-master with the former, and even of
the same age. It is faced with a literal, but would be lined
with a mystical, sense. " When Hempe is spun ;" that is, when
all that necessary commodity is employed, that there is no more
left for sails and cordage, England (whose strength consists in
shipping) would be reduced to a doleful condition. But know
PROVERBS. 115
under HEMPE are couched the initial letters of Henry the Eighth,
Edward the Sixth, Mary, Philip, and Elizabeth, as if with the
life of the last the happiness of England should expire, which
time hath confuted. Yet, to keep this proverb in countenance,
it may pretend to some truth, because then England, with the
addition of Scotland, lost its name in Great Britain by royal pro-
clamation.
" When the black fleet of Norway is come and gone,
England build houses of lime and stone,
For after wars you shall have none.'']
There is a larger edition hereof, though this be large enough
for us, and more than we can well understand. Some make it
fulfilled in the year eighty-eight, when the Spanish fleet was
beaten, the surname of whose king, as a learned author * doth
observe, was Norway. Others conceive it called the black fleet
of Norway, because it was never black (not dismal to others,
but woful to its own apprehension) till beaten by the English,
and forced into those coasts : according to the English historian :
" They betook themselves to flight, leaving Scotland on the
west, and bending towards Norway ill-advised (but that necessity
urged, and God had infatuated their councils) to put their shaken
and battered bottoms into those black and dangerous seas."t
I observe this the rather, because I believe Mr. Speed, in
this his writing, was so far from having a reflection on, that I
question whether ever he had heard of, this prophecy.
It is true that afterwards England built houses of lime and
stone ; and our most handsome and artificial buildings (though
formerly far greater and stronger) bear their date from the de-
feating of the Spanish fleet. As for the remainder, ee After wars
you shall have none ;" we find it false as to our civil wars, by
our woful experience.
And whether it be true or false as to foreign invasions here-
after we care not at all ; as beholding this prediction either made
by the wild fancy of one foolish man : and then why should the
many wise men attend thereunto ? Or else by him who always
either speaks what is false or what is true with an intent to de-
ceive ; so that we will not be elated with good, or dejected with
bad, success of his foretelling.
" England is the ringing island.'1]
Thus it is commonly called by foreigners, as having greater,
more, and more tunable bells than any one country in Christen-
dom, Italy itself not excepted ; though Nola be there, and bells
so called thence, because first founded therein. Yea, it seems
qur land is much affected with the love of them, and loath to
have them carried hence into foreign parts, whereof take this
eminent instance. When Arthur Bulkley, the covetous bishop
* The Lord Bacon, in his Essays, p. 215.
t J. Speed, in his History of Great Britain, in the year 1588.
i 2
116 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
of Bangor,* in the reign of king Henry the Eighth, had sacri-
legiously sold the five fair bells of his cathedral, to be transport-
ed beyond the seas, and went down himself to see them shipped,
they suddenly sank down with the vessel in the haven, and the
bishop fell instantly blind, and so continued to the day of his
death. Nought else have I to observe of our English bells, save
that in the memory of man they were never known so long free
from the sad sound of funerals of general infection ; God make
us sensible of and thankful for the same !
" When the sand feeds the clay, England cries Well-a-day :f
But when the clay feeds the sand, it is merry with England."]
As Nottinghamshire is divided into two parts,J the sand and
the clay, all England falls under the same dicotomy ; yet so as the
sand hardly amounteth to the fifth part thereof. Now a wet year,
which drowneth and chilleth the clay, makes the sandy ground
most fruitful with corn, and the general granary of the land,
which then is dearer in other counties ; and it is harder for one
to feed four, than four to feed one. It is furthermore observed,
that a drought never causeth a dearth in England, because (though
parching up the sandy ground) the clay, being the far greatest
moiety of the land, having more natural moisture therein, afford-
eth a competent increase.
England were but a fling,
Save for the crooked stick and the gray-goose wing."]
" But a fling," that is, a slight, light thing, not to be valued,
but rather to be cast away, as being but half an island. It is of
no great extent. Philip the Second, king of Spain, in the
reign of queen Elizabeth called our English ambassadors unto
him (whilst as yet there was peace betwixt the two crowns) ;
and, taking a small map of the world, laid his little finger upon
England (wonder not if he desired to finger so good a country) ;
and then demanded of our English ambassador, ef where Eng-
land was?" Indeed it is in greatness inconsiderable to the
Spanish dominions.
" But for the crooked stick," &c. That is, use of archery.
Never were the arrows of the Parthians more formidable to the
Romans than ours to the French horsemen. Yea, remarkable is
Divine Providence to England, that since arrows are grown out
of use, though the weapons of war be altered, the Englishman's
hand is still in use as much as ever before ; for no country
affords better materials of iron, saltpetre, and lead ; or better
workmen to make them into guns, powder, and bullets; or
better marksmen to make use of them being so made : so that
England is now as good with a straight iron, as ever it was with
a crooked stick.
" England is the paradise of women, hell of horses, purgatory of servants."
For the first, billa vera ; women, whether maids, wives, or
* Godwin, in his Bishops of Bangor. f An old interjection of lamentation.
J Lamden, Britannia, in Nottinghamshire.
PROVERBS. 117
widows, finding here the fairest respect and kindest usage.
Our common-law is a more courteous carver for them than the
civil law beyond the seas, allowing widows the thirds of their
husbands5 estates, with other privileges. The TrpoT-o/oXio-tcu, or
highest seats, are granted them at all feasts ; and the wall (in
crowding, most danger to the weakest ; in walking, most dig-
nity to the worthiest,) resigned unto them. The indentures of
maid-servants are cancelled by their marriage, though the term
be not expired ; which to young men in the same condition is
denied. In a word, betwixt law and (law's co-rival) custom,
they freely enjoy many favours ; and we men, so far from en-
vying them, wish them all happiness therewith.
For the next, " England's being a hell for horses ;" Igno-
ramus; as not sufficiently satisfied in the evidence alleged.
Indeed the Spaniard, who keeps his gennets rather for show
than use, makes wantons of them. However, if England be
faulty herein in their over-violent riding, racing, hunting, it is
high time the fault were amended ; the rather, because " the
good man regardeth the life of his beast/'*
For the last, " Purgatory for servants ;" we are so far from
finding the bill, we cast it forth as full of falsehood. We have
but two sorts, apprentices and covenant servants. The parents
of the former give large sums of money to have their children
bound for seven years, to learn some art or mystery ; which
argueth their good usage as to the generality in our nation :
otherwise it were madness for men to give so much money to
buy their children's misery. As for our covenant servants, they
make their own covenants ; and if they be bad, they may thank
themselves. Sure I am, their masters, if breaking them, and
abusing their servants with too little meat or sleep, too much
work or correction (which is true also of apprentices) are liable
by law to make them reparation.
Indeed, I have heard how, in the age of our fathers, servants
were in far greater subjection than now-a-days, especially since
our civil wars hath lately dislocated all relations ; so that now
servants will do whatsoever their masters enjoin them, so be it
they think fitting themselves. For my own part, I am neither
for the tyranny of the one, nor rebellion of the other, but the
mutual duty of both.
As for Verna, slaves or vassals, so frequent in Spain and
foreign parts, our land and laws (whatever former tenures have
been) acknowledge not any for the present.
To conclude, as purgatory is a thing feigned in itself; so in
this particular it is false in application to England.
" A famine in England begins first at the horse-manger."]
Indeed it seldom begins at the horse-rack ; for, though hay
may be excessive dear, caused by a dry summer, yet winter
grain (never impaired with a drought) is then to be had at rea-
* Prov, x. 12.
118 WORTHIES OF BERSHIRE.
sonable rates. Whereas, if peas or oats, our horse-grain (and
the latter man's grain also generally in the north for poor people)
be scarce, it will not be long ere wheat, rye, &c. mount in our
markets. Indeed, if 2ny grain be very dear, no grain will be
very cheap soon after.
«• The king of England is the king of devils."]
The German emperor is termed the " king of kings, " having
so many free princes under him. The king of Spain, " king of
men," because they willingly yield their sovereign rational
obedience. The king of France, "king of asses," patiently
bearing unconscionable burdens. But why the king of England
" king of devils," I either cannot, or do not, or will not under-
stand. Sure I am, St. Gregory gave us better language when
he said, " Angli velut Angeli" for our fair complexions ; and it
is sad we should be devils by our black conditions.
" The English are the Frenchmen's apes.'"] ^
This anciently hath been, and still is, charged on the English,
and that with too much truth, for ought I can find to the con-
trary.
dolebat,
Et did potuisse, et non potuisse refelli.
——— " It is to us a pain
This should be said, and not gain said again."
We ape the French chiefly in two particulars :
First, in their language (( ( which if Jack could speak, he would
be a gentleman,") which some get by travel, others gain at
home with Dame Eglinton in Chaucer : *
" Entewned in her voice full seemly,
And French she spake full feteously
After the scole of Stratford at Bovve,
For French of Paris was to her unknow."
Secondly, in their habits, accounting all our fineness in con-
formity to the French fashion, though following it at greater
distance than the field-pease in the country the rath-ripe pease
in the garden. Disgraceful in my opinion, that, seeing the
English victorious arms had twice charged through the bowels
of France, we should learn tfur fashions from them to whom we
taught obedience.
" The English glutton."]
Gluttony is a sin anciently charged on this nation, which we
are more willing to excuse than confess, more willing to confess
than amend. Some pretend the coldness of climate in excuse of
our sharp appetites ; and plead the plenty of the land (England
being in effect all a great cook's-shop, and no reason any should
starve therein) for our prodigious feasts. They allege also that
foreigners, even the Spaniards themselves, coming over hither,
acquit themselves as good trencher-men as any ; so that it seems
want, not temperance, makes them so abstemious at home.
* In his Prologue of the Prioress.
PROVERBS. 119
All amounts not to any just defence, excess being an ill-
expression of our thankfulness to God for his goodness. Nor
need we with the Egyptians to serve up at the last course " a
dead man's head " to mind us of our mortality, seeing a feast
well considered is but a charnel-house of fowl, fish, and flesh ;
and those few shell-fish that are not killed to our hands are
killed by our teeth. It is vain, therefore, to expect that dead
food should always preserve life in the feeders thereupon.
" Long beards heartless, painted hoods witless ;
Gay coats graceless, make England thriftless."*]
Though this hath more of libel than proverb therein, and is
stark false in itself, yet it will truly acquaint us with the habits
of the English in that age.
" Long beards heartless" Our English did use nutrire comam,
both on their head and beards, conceiving it made them more
amiable to their friends, and terrible to their foes.
ff Painted hoods witless." Their hoods were stained with a
kind of colour, in a middle way betwixt dying and painting
(whence Painters-stainers have their name), a mystery vehe-
mently suspected to be lost in our age. Hoods served that age
for caps.
" Gay coats graceless." Gallantry began then to be fashion-
able in England ; and perchance those who here taxed them
therewith would have been as gay themselves, had their land
been as rich and able to maintain them.
This sing-song was made on the English by the Scots, after
they were flushed with victory over us in the reign of king
Edward the Second. Never was the battle at Cannae so fatal to
the Romans as that at Sterling to the nobility of England ; and
the Scots, puffed up with their victory, fixed those opprobrious
epithets of heartless, witless, graceless, upon us. For the first,
we appeal to themselves, whether Englishmen have not good
hearts, and, with their long beards, long swords. For the
second, we appeal to the world, whether the wit of our nation
hath not appeared as considerable as theirs in their writings and
doings. For the third, we appeal to God, the only searcher of
hearts, and trier of true grace. As for the fourth, thriftless, I
omit it, because it sinks of itself, as a superstructure on a foun-
"dered and failing foundation.
All that I will add is this, that the grave, sage, and reduced
Scottish-men in this age, are not bound to take notice of such
expressions made by their ancestors ; seeing, when nations are.
at hostile defiance, they will mutually endeavour each other's
disgrace.
" He that England will win,
Must with Ireland first begin."]
This proverb importeth that great* designs must be managed
gradatim, not only by degrees, but due method. England, it
* Fox, Stow, Speed, all our English historians in the first year of king Edward
the Third.
120 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
seems, is too great a morsel for a foreign foe to be chopped up
at once ; and therefore it must orderly be attempted, and Ireland
be first assaulted. Some have conceived, but it is but a conceit
(all things being in the bosom of Divine Providence), that, had
the Spanish Armada in eighty-eight fallen upon Ireland, when
the well-affected therein were few and ill-provided, they would
have given a better account of their service to him who sent
them. To rectify which error, the king of Spain sent afterward
John de Aquila into Ireland, but with what success is sufficiently
known. And if any foreign enemy hath a desire to try the
truth of this proverb at his own peril, both England and Ireland
lie for climate in the same posture they were before.
" In England a bushel of March dust is worth a king's ransom."]
Not so in southern sandy counties, where a dry March is as
destructive as here it is beneficial. How much a king's ransom
amounteth unto, England knows by dear experience, when pay-
ing one hundred thousand pounds to redeem Richard the First,
which was shared between the German emperor and Leopoldus
duke of Austria. Indeed a general good redounds to our land
by a dry March ; for if our clay-grounds be over-drowned in
that month, they recover not their distemper that year.
However, this proverb presumeth seasonable showers in
April following ; or otherwise March dust will be turned into
May ashes, to the burning up of grass and grain ; so easily can
God blast the most probable fruitfulness.
" England a good land, and a bad people."]
This is a French proverb ; and we are glad that they, being
so much admirers and magnifiers of their own, will allow any
goodness to another country.
This maketh the wonder the less, that they have so much
endeavoured to get a share in this good country, by their former
frequent invasions thereof; though they could never, since the
Conquest, peaceably possess a hundred yards thereof for twenty
hours, whilst we for a long time have enjoyed large territories
in France.
But this proverb hath a design to raise up the land, to throw
down the people ; gracing it to disgrace them. We Englishmen
are, or should be, ready humbly to confess our faults before
God, and no less truly than sadly to say of ourselves, " Ah,
sinful nation ! " However, before men, we will not acknowledge
a visible badness above other nations. And the plain truth is,
both France and England have need to mend, seeing God
hath formerly justly made them by sharp wars alternately to
whip one another.
" The High-Dutch pilgrims, when they beg, do sing ; the Frenchmen whine
and cry ; the Spaniards cwse, swear, and blaspheme ; the Irish and Eng-
lish steal."]
This is a Spanish proverb ; and I suspect too much truth is
suggested therein; the rather because the Spaniards therein
PRINCES. 121
spare not themselves, but impartially report their own black
character. If any ask why the Italians are not here mentioned,
seeing surely their pilgrims have also their peculiar humours ;
know that Rome and Loretta, the staples of pilgrimages, being
both in Italy, the Italians very seldom (being frugal in their
superstition) go out of their own country.
Whereas stealing is charged on our English, it is confessed
that our poor people are observed light-fingered ; and therefore
our laws are so heavy, making low felony highly penal, to re-
strain that vice most, to which our peasantry is most addicted.
I wish my country more true piety than to take such tedious
and useless journeys ; but, if they will go, I wish them more
honesty than to steal ; and the people by whom they pass, more
charity than to tempt them to stealth, by denying them neces-
saries in their journey.
PRINCES.
JOHN, eldest son of king Edward the First and queen Elea-
nor, was born at Windsor before his father's voyage into Syria.
His short life will not bear a long character, dying in his in-
fancy,* 1273 (the last year of the reign of king Henry the
Third) ; and was buried August the 8th, in Westminster, under
a marble tomb, in-laid with his picture in an arch over it.
ELEANOR, eldest daughter to king Edward the First and
queen Eleanor, was born at Windsor, anno Dom. 1266.f She
was afterwards married by a proxy, a naked sword being in bed
interposed betwixt him and her body, to Alphonso king of Arra-
gon, with all ceremonies of state. And indeed they proved but
ceremonies, the substance soon miscarrying, the said king Al-
phonso dying anno Dom. 1292, before the consummation of the
marriage. But, soon after, this lady found that a living earl was
better than a dead king, when married to Henry the third earl
of Berry in France, from whom the dukes of Anjou and kings
of Sicily are descended. This lady deceased in the seven and
twentieth of her father's reign, anno Dom. 1298.
MARGARET, third daughter of king Edward the First and
queen Eleanor, was born at Windsor, in the third year of her
father's reign, 1275. J When fifteen years old she was married
at Westminster, July 9th, 1290, to John the second duke of
Brabant, by whom she had issue John the third duke of Bra-
bant, from whom the dukes of Burgundy are descended.
MARY, sixth daughter of king Edward the First and queen
Eleanor, was born at Windsor, April the 12th, 12?9. Being but
* Speed, History, page 563. f Ibid. p. 564.
J Speed's Chronicle, p. 564.
122 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
ten years of age, she was made a nun at Amesbury in Wiltshire
without her own, and at the first against her parents' consent,
merely to gratify queen Eleanor her grandmother.* Let us
pity her, who probably did not pity herself, as not knowing a
veil from a kerchief ; not understanding the requisites to, nor
her own fitness for, that profession ; having afterwards time too
much to bemoan, but none to amend, her condition.
As for the other children of this king, which he had by Elea-
nor his queen, probably born in this castle, viz. HENRY, AL-
PHONSE, BLANCHE, dying in their infancy immediately after
their baptism, it is enough to name them, and to bestow this
joint epitaph upon them.
" Cleansed at font we drew untainted breath,
Not yet made bad by life, made good by death."
The two former were buried with their brother John (of whom
before) at Westminster in the same tomb : but where Blanche
was interred is altogether unknown.
EDWARD the Third, son to Edward the Second and queen
Isabel, was born at Windsor, October 13, 1312, (and proved
afterwards a pious and fortunate prince). I behold him as
merely passive in the deposing of his father, practised on in his
minority by his mother and Mortimer. His French victories
speak both of his wisdom and valour ; and though the conquests
by king Henry the Fifth were thicker (achieved in a shorter
time), his were broader (in France and Scotland by sea and
land), though both of length alike, as lost by their immediate
successors.
He was the first English king which coined gold,t which with
me amounts to a wonder, that before his time all yellow pay-
ments in the land should be made in foreign coin. He first
stamped the rose-nobles, having on the one side,
IESVS AVTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIVM ILLORVM IBAT.
And on the reverse, his own image with sword and shield, sit-
ting in a ship waving on the sea. Hereupon an English rhymer,
in the reign of king Henry the Sixth,
" For four things our Noble sheweth to me
King, Ship, and Sword, and Power of the See. J
He had a numerous and happy issue by Philippa his queen ;
after whose death, being almost seventy years old, he cast his •
affection on Alice Pierce his paramour, much to his disgrace ;
it being true what Epictetus returned to Adrian the emperor,
asking of him what love was, ee In puero, pudor ; in virgine, ru-
bor ; in foemina, furor ; in juvene, ardor ; in sene, risus." (" In a
boy, bashfulness ; in a maid, blushing ; in a woman, fury ; in a
young man, fire ; in an old man, folly/3) However take this king
* Speed's Chronicle. f Camden's Remains, under the title of " Money."
J Manuscript in Bibl. Cotton.
PRINCES — SAINTS. 123
altogether, at home,, abroad, at church, in state, and he had few
equals, none superiors. He died anno Dom. 1378.
WILLIAM, sixth son of king Edward the Third and queen
Philippa, was born at Windsor.* Indeed his second son, born
at Hatfield, was of the same name, who died in his infancy, and
his mother had a fond affection for another William, because
her father's, brother's, and a conquering name, till his short life
also, dying in his cradle, weaned her from renewing her desire.
As for king Edward's female children, Isabel, Joan, Blanch,
Mary, and Margaret, there is much probability of their French,
and no assurance of their English nativity.
HENRY the Sixth, son to Henry the Fifth, was born in Wind-
sor Castle, against the will of his father, by the wilfulness of his
mother. He was fitter for a cowl than a crown ; of so easy a
nature, that he might well have exchanged a pound of patience
for an ounce of valour ; being so innocent to others, that he was
hurtful to himself. He was both over subjected and over- wived :
having married Margaret the daughter of Reinier king of Jeru-
salem, Sicily, and Arragon, a prince only puissant in titles,
otherwise little able to assist his son-in-law. Through home-
bred dissensions, he not only lost the foreign acquisitions of his
father in France, but also his own inheritance in England to the
house of York. His death, or murder rather, happened in 1471.
This Henry was twice crowned, twice deposed, and twice bu-
ried (first at Chertsey, then at Windsor), and once half sainted.
Our Henry the Seventh cheapened the price of his canonization
(one may see for his love, and buy for his money, in the court of
Rome), but would not come up to the sum demanded. How-
ever, this Henry was a saint (though not with the Pope) with
the people, repairing to this monument from the farthest part of
the land, and fancying that they received much benefit thereby.
' He was the last prince whom I find expressly born at Windsor.
It seems that afterwards our English queens grew out of conceit
with that place, as unfortunate for royal nativities.
SAINTS.
MARGARET and ALICE RICH were born at Abbington in this
county, and were successively prioresses of Catesby in North-
amptonshire.f They were sisters to St. Edmund, whose life
ensueth, and are placed before him by the courtesy of England,
which alloweth the weaker sex the upper hand. So great the
reputation of their holiness, that the former dying anno 1257,
the latter in 1270, both were honouredf for saints, and
* Speed's Hist. p. 602.
T The English Martyrology, in the 15th and 24th of August.
I Matthew Paris, in Hist. Majori. ad ann. Dora. 1217, et demceps.
124 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
many miracles reported by crafty, were believed by credulous,
people, done at their shrine by their reliques.
St. EDMUND, son to Edward Rich and Mabel his wife, was
born at Abbington in Berkshire,* and bred in Oxford. Some
will have Edmund's-hall in that university built by his means,
but others (more probably) named in his memory. He became
canon of Salisbury ; and from thence, by the joint consent of
pope, king, and monks (three cords seldom twisted in the same
cable), advanced archbishop of Canterbury, where he sate al-
most ten years, till he willingly deserted it ; partly because of-
fended at the power of the pope's legate, making him no more
than a mere cipher, signifying only in conjunction (when con-
curring with his pleasure) ; partly because, vexed at his polling
and peeling of the English people, so grievous, he could not en-
dure, so general, he could not avoid to behold it. For these
reasons he left the land, went (or, shall I say, fled ?) into France,
where he sighed out the remainder of his life, most at Ponti-
niac, but some at Soissons, where he died anno 1240.
Pope Innocent the Fourth canonized him six years after his
death, whereat many much wondered, that he should so much
honour one, a professed foe to papal extortions. Some con-
ceived he did it se defendendo, and for a ne noceat, that he might
not be tormented with his ghost.f But what hurt were it, if all
the enemies of his Holiness were sainted, on condition they took
death in their way thereunto ? Sure it is that Lewis king of
France a year after translated his corpse, and, three years after
that, bestowed a most sumptuous shrine of gold, silver, and
crystal upon it; and the 16th of November is the festival ap-
pointed for his memorial.
MARTYRS.
It appeareth, by the confession of Thomas Man (martyred in
the beginning of king Henry the Eighth) that there was at New-
berry, in this county, as glorious and sweet society of faithful
favourers, who had continued the space of fifteen years together,
till at last, by a certain lewd person whom they trusted and made
of their council, they were betrayed ; and then many of them, to
the number of six or seven score, were abjured, and three or
four of them burnt.} Now although we know not how to call
these martyrs who so suffered, " their names/' no doubt, " are
written in the Book of Life."
We see how the day of the Gospel dawned as soon in this
county as in any place in England. Surely seniority in
this kind ought to be respected, which made Paul a puisne in
* Antiq. Brit. p. 165.
t "Veritus, ne manes ipsius mortui Romanam sedem ob tot acceptas injurias
vindicarent." M. Parker, Antiq. Brit. p. 173.
J Fox, Acts and Monuments, p. 81 7.
MARTYRS. 125
piety to " Andronicus " and " Junia," his kinsman, to enter this
caveat for their spiritual precedency, "who were in Christ before
me."* On which account let other places give the honour to
the town of Newberry, because it started the first (and I hope
not tire for the earliness thereof) in the race of the Reformed re-
ligion. Yea, Doctor William Twiss, the painful preacher in that
parish, was wont to use this as a motive to his flock, to quicken
their pace, and strengthen their perseverance in piety, because
that town appears the first-fruits of the Gospel in England.
And Windsor, the next in the same county, had the honour of
martyrs5 ashes therein, as by the ensuing list will appear.
There was in Windsor a company of right godly persons, who
comfortably enjoyed themselves, until their enemies designed
their extirpation, though it cost them much to accomplish it, one
of them confessing that for his share he expended an hundred
marks, besides the killing of three geldings. These, suspecting
that the judges itinerant in their circuit would be too favourable
unto them, procured a special session, got four arraigned and
condemned by the commissioners, whereof the three following
were put to death on the statute of the Six Articles.
1. Anthony Persons, a priest and profitable preacher, so that
the great clerks of Windsor thought their idleness upbraided by
his industry. Being fastened to the stake, he laid a good deal
of straw on the top of his head, saying, " This is God's hat ; I
am now armed like a soldier of Christ,"f
2. Robert Test wood, a singing-man in the choir of Windsor.
There happened a contest betwixt him and another of that so-
ciety, singing an anthem together to the Virgin Mary : Robert
Philips on the one side of the choir, " O Redemtrix et Salvatrix 1"
Robert Testwood on the other side of the choir, ee Non Redemtrix,
nee Salvatrix."
I know not which sung the deepest base, or got the better for
the present. Sure I am that since by God's goodness the Nons
dave drowned the Ohs in England. Testwood was also accused
for dissuading people from pilgrimages, and for striking off the
nose of the image of our Lady.
3. Henry Fillmer, churchwarden of Windsor, who had arti-
cled against «their superstitious vicar for heretical doctrine.
These three were burnt together at Windsor, anno 1544 ;
and when account was given of their patient death to king
Henry the Eighth, sitting on horseback, the king turning the
horse's head, said, " Alas, poor innocents ! " — a better speech
from a private person than a prince, bound by his place not
only to pity but protect oppressed innocence. However, by
this occasion other persecuted people were pardoned and pre-
served, of whom hereafter, under the ensuing title of Confessors.
This storm of persecution thus happily blown over, Berkshire
* Rom. xvi. 7. f Fox, Acts and Monuments, p. 1211, &c.
126 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
enjoyed peace and tranquillity for full twelve years together,
viz. from the year of our Lord 1544 till 1556 ; when Dr. Jeffrey,
the cruel chancellor of Salisbury, renewed the troubles at New-
berry, and caused the death of
JULIUS PALMER, (see his character, being born in Coven-
try, in Warwickshire) : JOHN GWIN : THOMAS ASKINE. These
three, July 16, 1556, were burnt in a place nigh Newberry,
called the Sandpits, enduring the pain of the fire with such in-
credible constancy, that it confounded their foes, and confirmed
their friends in the truth.*
CONFESSORS.
JOHN MARBECK was an organist in the choir of Windsor?
and very skilful therein ; a man of admirable industry aud inge-
nuity, who not perfectly understanding the Latin tongue, did
out of the Latin, with the help of the English Bible, make an
English Concordance, which bishop Gardiner himself could not
but commend as a piece of singular industry : professing that
there were no fewer than twelve learned men to make the
first Latin Concordance. And king Henry the Eighth hearing
thereof, said that "he was better employed than those priests
which accused him." Let, therefore, our modern Concordances
of Cotton, Newman, Bernard, &c., as children and grand- chil-
dren, do their duty to Marbeck's Concordance, as their parent
at first endeavoured in our language.
This Marbeck was a very zealous Protestant, and of so sweet
and amiable nature, that all good men did love, and few bad
men did hate, him. Yet was he condemned, anno 1544, on the
statute of the Six Articles, to be burnt at Windsor, had not his
pardon been procured, divers assigning divers causes thereof:
1. That bishop Gardiner bare him a special affection for his skill
in the mystery of music. 2. That such who condemned him
procured his pardon out of remorse of conscience, because so
slender the evidence against him; it being questionable whether
his Concordance was made after the statute of the Six Articles
or before it ; and if before, he was freed by the king's general
pardon. 3. That it was done out of design to reserve him for
a discovery of the rest of his party. If so, their plot failed them :
for being as true as steel (whereof his fetters were made which
he wore in prison for a good time), he could not be frighted
or flattered to make any detection.
Here a mistake was committed by Mr. Fox in his first edition,
whereon the Papists much insult, making this Marbeck burnt
at Windsor for his religion, with Anthony Persons, Robert Test-
wood, and Henry Fillmer. No doubt Mr. Fox rejoiced at his
own mistake, thus far forth ; both for Marbeck^ s sake who es-
* Fox, Acts and Monuments, p. 1934.
CONFESSORS — CARDINALS.
caped with his life, and his enemies, who thereby drew the less
guilt of blood on their own consciences. But hear what he
pleads for his mistake :
1. Marbeck was dead in law, as condemned; whereon his
error was probably grounded. 2. He confessing that one of
the four condemned was pardoned his life, misnaming him, Fill-
mer instead of Marbeck. 3. Let Papists first purge their lying
legend from manifest and intentional untruths, before they cen-
sure others for casual slips and unmeant mistakes. 4. Recog-
nizing his book in the next edition, he with blushing amended
his error. And is not this penance enough, according to the
principles of his accusers, confession, contrition, and satisfac-
tion?
All this will not content some morose cavillers, whom I have
heard jeeringly say, " that many who were burnt in Fox in the
reign of queen Mary, drank sack in the days of queen Elizabeth.
But enough is said to any ingenuous person. And it is impos-
sible for any author of a voluminous book, consisting of several
persons and circumstances (Reader, in pleading for Master Fox,
I plead for myself) to have such ubiquitary intelligence, as to
apply the same infallibly to every particular. When this Mar-
beck died, is to me unknown ; he was alive at the second En-
glish edition of the Book of Martyrs, 1583 : thirty and nine
years after the time of his condemnation.
ROBERT BENET was a lawyer, living in Windsor, and a zea-
lous professor of the true religion. He drank as deep as any
of the cup of affliction, and no doubt had been condemned with
Testwood, Persons, and the rest, had he not at the same time
been sick of the plague sore, in the prison of the Bishop of
London, which proved the means of preservation.* Thus, ff it
is better to fall into the hands of God, than into the hands of
men." And thus, as " out of the devourer came food, out of
the destroyer came life ; " yea the plague sore proved a cordial
unto him ; for, by the time that he was recovered thereof, a
pardon was freely granted to him ; as also to Sir Thomas Car-
dine, Sir Philip Hobby, (both of the king's privy chamber) with
their ladies, and many more designed to death by crafty bishop
Gardner, had not his majesty's mercy thus miraculously inter-
posed.
CARDINALS.
I have read of many, who would have been Cardinals, but
might not. This county afforded one, who might have been
one, but would not, viz. William Laud ; the place being no
less freely proffered to than disdainfully refused by him, with
words to this effect : " That the church of Rome must be much
* Fox, Acts and Monuments, p. 1220.
128 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
mended, before he would accept any such dignity." An ex-
pression which in my mind amounted to the emphatical peri-
phrasis of Never. But we shall meet with him hereafter under
a more proper topic.
PRELATES.
WILLIAM of READING, a learned Benedictine, employed by
king Henry the Second in many embassies, and by him pre-
ferred Archbishop of Bourdeaux, where he died in the reign of
king Richard the First.*
[AMP.] JOHN DE BRADFIELD, sive de Lato-campo. Find-
ing fifteen villages of the name, I fixed his nativity at Bradfield
in Berks, as (in my measuring) the nearest to Rochester, where
he was chanter and bishop,t 1274. If mistaken, the matter is
not much, seeing his surname is controverted, and otherwise
written, JOHN DE HOE. However, being charactered " vir
conversationis honestse, decenter literatus, et in omnibus mori-
geratus," I was desirous to crowd him into our book where I
might with most probability.
RICHARD BEAUCHAMP was brother, saith Bishop Godwin,
to Walter Beauchamp (mistaken for William, as may appear
by Mr. Camden J) Baron of St. Amand, whose chief habitation
was at Wydehay in this county. He was bred Doctor in the
Laws, and became bishop first of Hereford, then of Salisbury.
He was Chancellor of the Garter, which office descended to his
successors ; Windsor Castle, the seat of that order, being in
the diocese of Salisbury. He built a most beautiful chapel (on
the south side of St. Mary's Chapel) in his own Cathedral,
wherein he lieth buried. His death happened anno Dom. 1482.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
THOMAS GODWIN was born at Oakingham in this county,
and first bred in the free school therein. § Hence he was sent
to Magdalen College in Oxford, maintained there for a time by
the bounty of Doctor Layton, Dean of York, till at last he was
chosen fellow of the college. This he exchanged on some terms
for the school-master's place of Berkley in Gloucestershire, where
he also studied physic, which afterwards proved beneficial unto
him, when forbidden to teach school, in the reign of queen
Mary. Yea, Bonner threatened him with fire and faggot, which
caused him often to obscure himself and remove his habitation.
He was an eloquent preacher, tall and comely in person ; quali-
ties which much endeared him to queen Elizabeth, who loved
* Matth. Westm. in Flor. Hist.
• Bishop Godwin, in his Bishops of Rochester.
: In his Britannia, in this county.
§ Francis Godwin, his son, in his catalogue of the Bishops of Bath and Wells.
PRELATES. 129
good parts well, but better when in a goodly person. For 18 years
together he never failed to be one of the select chaplains which
preached in the Lent before her Majesty. He was first dean
of Christ Church in Oxford,, then dean of Canterbury, and at
last bishop of Bath and Wells.
Being infirm with age, and diseased with the gout, he was
necessitated, for a nurse, to marry a second wife, a matron of
years proportionable to himself. But this was by his court ene-
mies (which no bishop wanted in that age) represented to the
queen, to his great disgrace. Yea, they traduced him to have
married a girl of twenty years of age, until the good earl of
Bedford, casually present at such discourse ; " Madam/' said he
to her Majesty, " I know not how much the woman is above
twenty ; but I know a son of hers is but little under forty/5*
Being afflicted with a quartern fever, he was advised by his
physicians to retire into this county, to Oakingham, the place
of his birth, seeing in such cases native air may prove cordial
to patients, as mothers' milk to (and old men are twice) children.
Here he died (breathing his first and last in the same place,)
November 19, 1590 ; and lieth buried under a monument in the
south side of the chancel.
THOMAS RAMME was born at Windsor in this county, and
admitted in King's College in Cambridge, anno Dom. 1588 :
whence he was made chaplain first to Robert earl of Essex,
then to Charles Lord Mountjoy, both lord lieutenants in Ire-
land. After many mediate preferments, he was made bishop
of Femes and Laghlin in that kingdom, both which he peace-
ably enjoyed in the year 1628.f
WILLIAM LAUD was born at Reading in this county, of ho-
nest parentage, bred in St. John's College in Oxford, whereof
he became president : successively bishop of St. David's, Bath
and Wells, London, and at last archbishop of Canterbury.
One of low stature, but high parts ; piercing eyes, cheerful coun-
tenance, wherein gravity and pleasantness were well compound-
ed ; admirable in his naturals, unblameable in his morals, be-
ing very strict in his conversation. Of him I have written in
my " Ecclesiastical History : " though I confess it was some-
what too soon for one with safety and truth to treat of such a
subject. Indeed I could instance in some kind of coarse veni-
son, not fit for food when first killed ; and therefore cunning
cooks bury it for some hours in the earth, till the rankness
thereof being mortified thereby, it makes most palatable meat.
So the memory of some persons newly deceased are neither fit
for a writer's or reader's repast, until some competent time
* Sir John Harrington, in his additional supply to Bishop Godwin, p. 115,
f Sir James Ware, de Prsesulibus Lageniae.
VOL. I. K
130 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
after their interment. However, I am confident that impartial
posterity, on a serious review of all passages, will allow his name
to be reposed amongst the heroes of our nation, seeing such as
behold his expense on St. PauPs as but a cipher, will assign
his other benefactions a very valuable signification ; viz. his
erecting and endowing an almshouse in Reading, his increasing
of Oxford library with books, and St. John's College with beau-
tiful buildings.* He was beheaded Jan. 10, 1644.
STATESMEN.
Sir JOHN MASON, knight, was born at Abingdon (where he
is remembered among the benefactors to the beautiful alms-
houses therein), bred in All-souls in Oxford. King Henry the
Eighth, coming thither, was so highly pleased with an oration
Mr. Mason made unto him, that he instantly gave order for his
education beyond the seas, as confident he would prove an able
minister of state. This was the politic discipline of those days,
to select the pregnancies of either universities, and breed them
in foreign parts for public employments. He was privy coun-
cillor to king Henry the Eighth and king Edward the Sixth.
One maketh him his secretary of state,t which some suspect too
high ; another, but master of the requests, J which I believe as
much beneath him. He continued councillor to queen Mary,
and queen Elizabeth, to whom he was treasurer of the house-
hold, and chancellor of the University of Oxford. Mr. Camden§
gives him this true character, " Vir fuit gravis, atque eruditus :"
which I like much better than that which followeth, so far as
I can understand it : ee Ecclesiasticorum || beneficiorum incuba-
tor maximus." Surely he could be no canonical incumbent in
any benefice, not being in orders, which leaveth him under the
suspicion of being a great engrosser of long leases in church-
livings, which then used to be let for many years, a pitiful pen-
sion being reserved for the poor curate : though possibly in his
younger time he might have tonsuram primam, or be a deacon,
which (improved by his great power) might qualify, at least
countenance, him for the holding of his spiritual promotions.
He died 1566, and lieth buried in the choir of St. Paul's (over
against William Herbert, first earl of Pembroke) ; and I re-
member this distich of his long epitaph :
Tempore quinque suo regnantes ordine vidit,
Horum a consiliis quatuor illejuit.
" He saw five princes, which the sceptre bore ;
Of them, was privy-councillor to four."
* Mr. Gutch, in his History of the Colleges in Oxford, mentions Laud's legacy to
this College of " 500/. to be laid out in lands ; besides what he had before laid out
in building, and other matters." — ED.
f Sir John Hay ward, in his Edward the Sixth, p. 105.
J Stow's Annals. Edward VI. p. 612.
§ Camden, Elizabeth, anno 1566, subfinem.
|| These words are absurdly rendered by Abraham Darcy (who understood not
SOLDIERS. 131
It appears by his epitaph, that he left no child of his own
body, but adopted his nephew to be his son and heir.
Sir THOMAS SMITH,, knight, was born at Abingdon, bred in
the university of Oxford. God and himself raised him to the
eminency he attained unto, unbefriended with any extraction.
He may seem to have had an ingenuous emulation of Sir Tho-
mas Smith, senior, secretary of state, whom he imitated in many
good qualities $ and had no doubt equalled him in preferment,
if not prevented by death. He attained only to be master of
the Requests, and secretary to king James for his Latin letters ;
higher places expecting him, when a period was put to his life,
November 28, 1609. He lieth buried in the church of Fulham,
in Middlesex, under a monument erected by his lady, Frances,
daughter to William Lord Chandos, and afterwards countess of
Exeter.
SOLDIERS.
HENRY UMPTON, knight, was born (as by all indications in
the Heralds5 Office doth appear) at Wadley, in this county. He
was son to Sir Edward Umpton, by Anne (the relic of John
Dudley, earl of Warwick, and) the eldest daughter of Edward
Seymour, duke of Somerset. He was employed by queen
Elizabeth ambassador into France, where he so behaved himself
right stoutly in her behalf, as may appear by this particular.
In the month of March, anno 1592, being sensible of some
injury offered by the duke of Guise to the honour of the queen
of England, he sent him this ensuing challenge.*
" Forasmuch as lately, in the lodging of my lord Du Mayne,
and in public elsewhere, impudently, indiscreetly, and over-
boldly, you spoke badly of my sovereign, whose sacred person
here in this country I represent : to maintain both by word and
weapon her honour (which never was called in question among
people of honesty and virtue) ; I say you have wickedly lied, in
speaking so basely of my sovereign ; and you shall do nothing
else but lie, whensoever you shall dare to tax her honour.
Moreover that her sacred person (being one of the most com-
plete and virtuous princesses that lives in this world) ought not
to be evil-spoken of by the tongue of such a perfidious traitor
to her law and country as you are. And hereupon I do defy
you, and challenge your person to mine, with such manner of
arms as you shall like or choose, be it either on horseback or oh
foot. Nor would I have you to think any inequality of person
between us, I being issued of as great a race and noble house
(every way) as yourself. So, assigning me an indifferent place,
I will there maintain my words, and the lie which I gave you,
Latin, and translated Camden out of the French translation), " He was diligent
and careful to the preservation of benefits."
* Exemplified in Mills's " Catalogue of Honour," in the edition of royal paper,
in the list of the Earls of Warwick.
K 2
132 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
and which you should not endure if you have any courage at all
in you. If you consent not to meet me hereupon, I will hold
you, and cause you to be generally held, for the arrantest coward
and most slanderous slave that lives in all France. I expect
your answer."
I find not what answer was returned. This Sir Henry, dying
in the French king's camp before Lofear, had his corpse brought
over to London, and carried in a coach to Wadley, thence to
Faringdon, where he was buried in the church on Tuesday the
8th of July, 1596. He had allowed him a baron's hearse, be-
cause dying ambassador leigier.*
WRITERS.
[S.N.] HUGH of READING quitted his expectancies of a
fair estate, and, sequestering himself from worldly delights, em-
braced a monastical life, till at last he became abbot of Reading.
Such who suspect his sufficiency will soon be satisfied, when
they read the high commendation which Petrus Blesensis, arch-
deacon of Bath (one of the greatest scholars of that age)
bestoweth upon him. He wrote a book (of " No Trivial Ques-
tions") fetched out of the Scripture itself; the reason why
J. Balef (generally a back-friend to monks) hath so good a cha-
racter for him, who flourished anno Dom. 1180.
ROGER of WINDSOR^ was undoubtedly born in this town ;
otherwise he would have been called Roger of St. Alban's, be-
ing chanter in that convent. Now in that age monks were
reputed men of best learning and most leisure ; the cause why
our English kings always chose one of their order (who passed
by the name of Historicus Regius, the king's historian) to write
the remarkable passages of his time. Our Roger was by king
Henry the Third selected for that service, and performed it to
his own great credit and the contentment of others. He flou-
rished in the year of our Lord 1235.
ROBERT RICH, son to Edward and Mabell his wife, brother
of St. Edmund, archbishop of Canterbury, was born at Abing-
don in this county. He 'followed his brother at very great
distance both in parts and learning (though accompanying
him in his travels beyond the seas), and wrote a book of the
Life, Death, and Miracles of his brother, being much to blame
if he did not do all right to so near a relation. He died about
the year of our Lord 1250.
RICHARD of WALLINGFORD was born in that market-town,
* Funerals by Lee, Clarencieux, marked fol. 45.
• De Script. Brit. Cent. 3. num. 20.
J I vehemently suspect this man, merely made by the mistake of Pitseus (anno
1235), for Roger Wendover.
WRITERS. 133
pleasantly seated on the river Thames, wherein his father was a
blacksmith. He went afterwards to Oxford, -and was bred in
Merton College ; then a monk ; and at last abbot of St. Alban's,
where he became a most expert mathematician, especially for
the mechanical part thereof, and (retaining somewhat of his
father's trade) was dexterous at making pretty engines and in-
struments.
His masterpiece was a most artificial clock, made (saith my
author*) magno laborey majore sumptu, arte vero maxima., (with
much pain, more cost, and most art.) It remained in that mo-
nastery in the time of John Bale (whom by his words I collect an
eye-witness thereof) ; affirming that Europe had not the like ;
so that it seemed as good as the famous clock at Strasburg in
Germany ; and in this respect better, because ancienter. It was
a calendar as well as a clock, shewing the fixed stars and pla-
nets; the ebbing and flowing of the sea, minutes of the hours
and what not?
I have heard that when monopolies began to grow common
in the court of France, the king's jester moved to have this
monopoly for himself, viz. a gardesque of every one who carried
a watch about him, and cared not how he employed his time.
Surely the monks of Saint Alban's were concerned to be careful
how they spent their hours, seeing no convent in England had
the like curiosity ; this their clock gathering up the least crumb
of time, presenting the minutary fractions thereof ; on which
account, I conceive Richard the maker thereof well prepared for
the time of his dissolution, when he died of the leprosy, anno
Dom. 1326.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
[AMP.] HENRY BULLOCK was most probably born in this
county, where his ancient name appears in a worshipful estate.
He wras bred fellow and doctor of divinity in Queen's College in
Cambridge, a good linguist, and general scholar, familiar with
Erasmus (an evidence of his learning, it being as hard to halt
before a cripple, as to deceive his judgment) calling him Bo-
villum in his epistles unto him.
By the way, our English writers, when rendering a surname in
Latin, which hath an appellative signification, content them to
retain the body of the name, and only disguise the termination ;
as Cross, Peacok, Crossus, Peacocus, &c. But the Germans,
in such a case, do use to mould the meaning of the name, either
into Latin ; as J. Fierce they translate J. Ferus ; Bullock, Bo-
villus; or into Greek, as Swarts they render Melancthon;
Peecklin, Capnio.
'Tis confessed our Bullock, compelled by Cardinal Wolsey,
wrote against Luther ;f but otherwise his affections were biassed
to the Protestant party. The date of his death is unknown.
* Bale, de Script. Brit. Cent. 5. num. 19. f Idem. 9. num. 7.
134 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
WILLIAM Twis was born at Spene in this county, which
was an ancient Roman city, mentioned by Antonine in his
Itinerary by the name of Spina.* This mindeth me of a passage
in Clemens Alexandrinus,t speaking of sanctified afflictions ;
" Nos quidem e spinis uvas colligimus." And here, in another
sense, God's church gathered grapes ; this good man out of this
thorny place. Hence he was sent by Winchester School to
New College in Oxford, and there became a general scholar.
His plain preaching was good, solid disputing better, pious living
best of all. He afterwards became preacher in the place of his
nativity (Spinham lands is part of Newberry) ; and though ge-
nerally our Saviour's observation is verified, " A prophet is not
without honour save in his own country " (chiefly because " mi-
nutiae omnes pueritite ejus ibi sunt cognitse,") yet here he met
with deserved respect. Here he laid a good foundation ; and
the more the pity, if since some of his fanciful auditors have
built hay and stubble thereupon. And no wonder if this good
doctor toward his death was slighted by secretaries, it being
usual for new-lights to neglect those who have borne the heat of
the day. His Latin works give great evidence of his abilities
in controversial matters. He was chosen prolocutor in the
late assembly of divines, wherein his moderation was very much
commended; and dying in Holborn, he was buried at West-
minster,, anno Dom, 164 — .
WILLIAM LYFORD was born at Peysmer in this county, and
bred in Magdalen College, in Oxford, where he proceeded bache-
lor of divinity 1631. He was also a fellow of that foundation,
on the same token that his conscience post factum was much
troubled about his resigning his place for money to his succes-
sor, but (as his friends have informed me) he before his death
took order for the restitution thereof.
The modesty of his mind was legible in the comeliness of his
countenance, arid the meekness of his spirit visible in his courteous
carriage. He was afterwards fixed at Shcrborne, in Dorset-
shire, where his large vineyard required such an able and pain-
ful vine dresser. Here he laid a good foundation (before the
beginning of our civil wars) with his learned preaching and
catechising; and indeed, though sermons give most sail to
men's souls, catechising layeth the best ballast in them, keeping
them steady from " being carried away with every wind of doc-
trine," Yet he drank a deep draught of the bitter cup with the
rest of his brethren, and had his share of obloquy from such
factious persons as could not abide the wholesome words of
sound doctrine. But their candle (without their repentance)
shall be put out in darkness, whilst his memory shall shine in
Britannia, in Berkshire.
f Lib. 2. Padagogi ; tiptff ^ ,'£
WRITERS BENEFACTORS. 135
his learned works he hath left behind him. He died about the
year of our Lord 1652.
ROMISH EXILE WRITERS.
THOMAS HYDE was born at Newberry, in this county, and
bred a Master of Arts in New College in Oxford :* he was after-
wards canon of Winchester, and chief master of the school
therein. He, with John Martial, the second master, about the
beginning of the reign of queen Elizabeth, left both their school
and their land, living long beyond the seas. This Hyde is
charactered by one of his own persuasion " to be a man of
upright life, of great gravity and severity ."f He wrote a book
of consolation to his fellow-exile ; and died anno Dom. 159/.
BENEFACTORS TO THE PUBLIC.
ALFRED, the fourth son to king Athelwolf, was born at
Wantage, a market-town in this county ;J an excellent scholar,
though he was past twelve years of age before he knew one
letter in the book.§ And did not he run fast, who starting so
late came soon to the mark ? He was a curious poet, excellent
musician, a valiant and successful soldier, who fought seven
battles against the Danes in one year, and at last made them
his subjects by conquest, and God's servants by Christianity.
He gave the first institution, or (as others will have it) the best
instauration, to the university of Oxford. A prince who can-
not be painted to the life without his loss, no words reaching
his worth.
He divided, 1. Every natural day (as to himself ) into three
parts ; eight hours for his devotion, eight hours for his employ-
ment, eight hours for his sleep and refection. 2. His revenues
into three parts ; one for his expences in war, a second for the
maintenance of his court, and a third to be spent on pious
uses. 3. His land into thirty-two shires, which number since
is altered and increased. 4. His subjects into hundreds and
tithings, consisting of ten persons, mutually pledges for their
good behaviour ; such being accounted suspicious for their life
and loyalty that could not give such security.
He left learning, where he found ignorance ; justice, where
he found oppression ; peace, where he found distraction. And,
having reigned about four and thirty years, he died, and was
buried at Winchester, anno 901. He loved religion more than
superstition, favoured learned men more than lazy monks ;
which, perchance, was the cause that his memory is not loaden
with miracles, and he not solemnly sainted with other Saxon
kings who far less deserved it.
* Register of New College, anno 1543. f Pits- de Script. Brit, anno 1597.
J Camden, Britannia, in Berkshire.
§»Mr. Selden, in his notes on Polyolbyon, page 192.
136 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
PETER CHAPMAN was born at Cokeham, in this county, bred
an ironmonger in London, and at his death bequeathed five
pounds a year to two scholars in Oxford ; as much to two in
Cambridge ; and five pounds a year to the poor in the town of
his nativity ; besides threescore pounds to the prisons in Lon-
don, and other benefactions.* The certain date of his death
is to me unknown.
JOHN KENDRICK was born at Reading in this county, and
bred a draper in the city of London. His state may.be com-
pared to the mustard-seed, very little at the beginning, but
f rowing so great, that the birds made nests therein ;t or rather
e therein made nests for many birds, which otherwise, being
either unfledged or maimed, must have been exposed to wind
and weather.
The worthiest of David's Worthies were digested* into ter-
nlonSy and they again subdivided into two ranks. J If this dou-
ble dichotomy were used to methodize our Protestant benefactors
since the Reformation, sure I am that Mr. Kendrick will be (if
not the last of the first) the first of the second three. His cha-
rity began at his kindred ; proceeded to his friends and servants
(to whom he left large legacies) ; concluded with the poor, on
whom he bestowed above twenty thousand pounds : Reading
and Newberry sharing the deepest therein. § And if any
envious and distrustful miser (measuring other men's hearts by
the narrowness of his own) suspecteth the truth hereof, and if he
dare hazard the smarting of his bleared eyes to behold so bright
a sun of bounty, let him consult his will publicly in print. He
departed this life on the 30th day of September, 1624 ; and
lies buried in St. Christopher's, London ; to the curate of which
parish he gave twenty pounds per annum for ever.
[S. N.] RICHARD WIGHTWICK, bachelor of divinity, was rec-
tor of East Ilsley in this county. What the yearly value of his
living was I know not, and have cause to believe it not very
great. However, one would conjecture his benefice a bishopric,
by his bounty to Pembroke College in Oxford, to which he gave
one hundred pounds per annum, to the maintenance of three
fellows and four scholars. When he departed this life, is to me
unknown.
MEMORABLE PERSONS.
THOMAS COLE, commonly called the rich clothier of Reading.
Tradition and an authorless pamphlet make him a man of vast
* Stow's Survey of London, page 98. f Matth. xiii. 32.
J 2 Sam. xxiii. 19. § Stow's Survey of London, p. 193.
MEMORABLE PERSONS — LORD MAYORS. 137
wealth, maintaining an hundred and forty menial servants in his
house, besides three hundred poor people whom he set on
work ; insomuch that his wains with cloth filled the highway
betwixt Reading and London, to the stopping of king Henry
the First in his progress ; who notwithstanding (for the encou-
raging of his subjects5 industry) gratified the said Cole, and all
of his profession, with the set measure of a yard, the said king
making his own arm the standard thereof, whereby drapery was
reduced in the meting thereof to a greater certainty.
The truth is this; monks began to lard the lives of their
saints with lies, whence they proceeded in like manner to
flourish out the facts of famous knights (king Arthur, Guy of
Warwick, &c.) ; in imitation whereof some meaner wits in the
same sort made description of mechanics, powdering their lives
with improbable passages, to the great prejudice of truth ; seeing
the making of broad-cloth in England could not be so ancient,
and it was the arm (not of king Henry) but king Edward the
First, which is notoriously known to have been the adequation
of a yard.
However, because omnis fabula fundatur in Historia, let this
Cole be accounted eminent in this kind ; though I vehemently
suspect very little of truth would remain in the midst of this
story, if the gross falsehoods were pared from both sides thereof.
JOHN WINSCOMBE, called commonly Jack of Newberry,
was the most considerable clothier (without fancy and fiction)
England ever beheld. His looms were his lands, • whereof he
kept one hundred in his house, each managed by a man and
a boy. In the expedition to Flodden-field, against James king
of Scotland, he marched with an hundred of his own men (as
well armed and better clothed than any), to shew that the pain-
ful to use their hands in peace, could be valiant, and employ
their arms in war. He feasted king Henry the Eighth and his
first queen Katharine at his own house, extant at Newberry at
this day, but divided into many tenements. Well may his
house now make sixteen clothiers5 houses, whose wealth would
amount to six hundred of their estates. He built the church of
Newberry from the pulpit westward to the tower inclusively ;
and died about the year 1520; some of his name and kindred
of great wealth still remaining in this county.
LORD MAYORS.
1. John Parveis, son of John Parveis, of Erlgeston, fish-
monger, 1432.
2. Nicholas Wyfold, son of Thomas Wyfold, of Hertley,
grocer, 1450.
3. William Webbe, son of John Webbe, of Reading, salter,
1591.
138
WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
4. Thomas Bennet, son of Thomas Bennet, of Wallingford,
mercer, 1603.
THE NAMES OF THE GENTRY OF THIS COUNTY,
RETURNED BY THE COMMISSIONERS IN THE TWELFTH YEAR OF KING HENRY
THE SIXTH, 1433.
LoveL, Chivaler, Corn-
Robert bishop of Sarum, and William
missioners to take the oaths.
Robert Shotsbroke, and William Fyndern,
shire.
knights for the
Johan. Prendegest, Prseceptor
Hospitalis St. Johan. Jerus.
in Anglia, de Grenham.
Johannis Golefre, armigeri.
Williemi Warbelton, arm.
Willielmi Danvers, arm.
Johannis Shotesbrooke, arm.
Thomse Foxle, arm.
Philippi Inglefeld, arm.
Thomse Rothewell, arm.
Willielmi Perkyns, arm.
Thomse Drewe, arm.
Richardi Ristwold, arm.
Richardi Makeney, arm.
Johannis Rogers, arm.
Willielmi Stanerton, arm.
Willielmi Floyer, arm.
Thomse Bullok, arm.
Richardi Bullok, arm.
Johannis Estbury, arm.
Johannis Kentwode, arm.
Richardi Hulcote, arm.
Johannis Gargrave, arm.
Johannis Chaumpe^ arm.
Willielmi Baron, arm.
Willielmi Fitzwaryn, arm.
Johannis Stowe.
Willielmi Hales.
Johannis Hyde.
Johan. Stokys de Brympton.
Willielmi Fachell.
Roberti Vobe.
Thomae Pynchepole.
Johannis Yorke.
Johannis Ildesle.
Thomse Ildesle.
Johannis Colle.
Richardi Wydeford.
Richardi Abberburv.
Thomse Lanyngton.
Thomse Denton.
Nicholai Whaddon.
Petri Delamare.
Johannis Martyn.
Thomse Frankeleyn.
Willielmi Felyce.
Richardi Haniwell.
Roberti Wodecok.
Johannis Warvyle.
Johannis Rokys.
Johannis Seward.
Willielmi Walrond.
Johannis Medeford.
Rogeri Merlawe.
Willielmi Latton.
Richardi Shayle.
Thomse Coterell. "
Johannis George.
Johannis Sewalle.
Johannis Sturmy.
Thomee Hammes.
Johannis Wering.
Roberti Beche.
Johannis Coventre.
Johannis Lokwode.
Johannis Fitzwarwin.
Henri ci Samon.
Thomse Plesance.
Edwardi Gybbes.
Will. Coke de Kingeston Lyle,
Johannis Firry.
Nicholai Hunt.
Hugonis Mayne.
Willielmi Newman senioris.
Davidis Gower.
Johannis Dienys.
Richardi Dancastre.
Willielmi Drew de Hungford.
GEN7 TRY.
139
Johannis Parker de Doington.
Willielmi Standard.
Richard! Collis.
Nicholai Long.
Robert! Chevayn.
Richard! Walker.
Walter! Canonn, de Crokeham
Parke.
Robert! Rove de Abendon.
Johannis Richby de Reding.
Johannis Stokes de Abendon.
Johannis Whitwey.
Willielmi Umfray.
Simonis Kent.
Johannis Hatter.
WTillielmi Brusele.
Richard! Irmonger.
Richard! Vayre.
Gilbert! Holeway.
Johannis London.
Willielmi Pleystow.
Johannis Bancbury.
Thomae Liford.
Henrici Ildesle.
Johannis Chebeyn.
Johannis Mortymer.
Johannis Spynache.
Johannis Moyn de Faryndon.
Johannis Ely.
Johannis Goddard.
Willielmi Ditton.
Walter! Sutton.
Nicholai Barbour.
Willielmi Jacob.
Johannis Benet de Newberry.
Johannis Magot.
Willielmi Croke de Newberry.
Willielmi Clement.
Johannis Moyn de Moryton.
Robert! Freman.
Johannis Lewes.
Thomae Steward.
Willielmi Sydmanton.
Richard! Waltham.
Johannis Babeham.
Johannis Clere.
Johannis Botele de Newberry.
Richard! Meryvale.
Willielmi Walevs.
Johannis Beneton.
Willielmi Croke de Welford.
Willielmi Charectour.
Willielmi Hertrugge.
Johannis Kybe.
Willielmi Wylton.
Richard! Coterell.
Lauren tii Alisandre.
Thomae Bevar.
Vincentii Bertilmewe.
Johannis Pynkeney.
Thomae Attevyne.
Johannis Crouchfeld.
Johannis Smewyn.
Johannis Sifrewast.
Johannis Batell.
Johannis Bythewode.
Thomae Bowell.
Thomae Hony.
Walteri Waryn.
Johannis Yernemouth.
Henrici Russell.
Roberti Ivenden.
Henrici Berkesdale.
Johannis Absolon.
Johannis Berkesdale.
Johannis Clerk de Inkpenny.
Richard! Bertlot.
Gilbert! Cohenhull.
Gilbert! Vyell.
Gilbert! Attewyke.
Richard! Attepitte.
Thomae Padbury.
Hugonis Rose.
Johannis Woderove.
Thomae Pert.
Johannis Merston.
Richard! Grove.
Rogeri Burymill.
Thomae Grece.,
Richard! Pekke.
Richard! Mullyng.
Johan. Parker de Wokingham.
Johannis Whitede.
Johan. Sherman de Wyndesor.
Willielmi Wodyngton.
Rogeri Felter.
Willielmi Felcle.
Johannis Billesby.
140 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
Johannis Gunter. Richard! Rissul.
Johannis Glover. Johannis Yatynderi.
Richardi Atteforde. Johannis Kete.
Johannis Stacy. Johannis Pernecote.
Johannis Baron de Wytenhara. Rogeri Gunter.
Johannis Horwode. Thomee Swyer.
Willielmi More. Richardi Bocher de Thacham.
Willielmi At-mille. Johannis Elys de Thacham.
Henrici de la River. Thomee Mepy.
Johannis Poting. Richardi Phelipp.
Henrici Brown. Johannis Thoursey, and
Johannis Brown. Johannis Bassemore.
Gardeners complain that some kind of flowers and fruits will
not grow prosperously and thrive kindly in the suburbs of Lon-
don. This they impute to the smoke of the City, offensive there-
unto. Sure I am that ancient gentry in this county, sown thick
in former, come up thin in our, age.
Anliqua e multis nomina pauca manent.
" Of names which were in days of yore,
Few remain here of a great store."
I behold the vicinity of London as the cause thereof: for though
Berkshire be conveniently distanced thence (the nearest place
sixteen, the farthest sixty miles from the same), yet the goodness
of the ways thither, and sweetness of the seats there (not to speak
of the river Thames, which uniteth both in commerce) setteth
Berkshire really nearer than it is locally to London ; the cause,
I believe, that so few families remain of the forenamed cata-
logue.
The paucity of them maketh such as are extant the more re-
markable ; amongst whom William Fachel, or Vachel (the 29th
in number), was right ancient, having an estate in and about
Reading, as by the ensuing deed will appear :
" Sciant presentes et futuri, quod ego Joannes Vachel dedi,
concessi, et hac presenti charta mea confirmavi Rogero le Dub-
bare, pro servicio suo, et pro quadam summa pecunie quam
mini dedit primo in manibus, totum et integrum illud tenemen-
tum/cum pertinentiis suis, quod habui in veteri vico Rading, inter
tenementum quod quondam fuit Thome Goum in parte Boreali,
et tenementum quod quondam fuit Jordani le Dubbar in parte
Australi, habend. et tenend. dicto Rogero, et heredibus suis vel
assignatis, libere, quiete, integre, in bona pace, in perpetuum,
de capitalibus dominis illius feodi, per servicium inde debitum
et consuetum; reddendo inde annuatim mihi, et heredibus vel
assignatis meis, duos solidos et sex denarios, ad festum Sancti
Michaelis, pro omni servicio seculari, exactione, et demanda.
Et ergo predictus Johannes, et heredes mei, vel mei assignati,
totum predictum tenementum, cum omnibus suis pertinentiis,
dicto Rogero, et heredibus vel assignatis suis, warrantizabimus,
et contra omnes gentes defendemus in perpetuum, per servitium
SHERIFFS.
141
predictum. In cujus rei testimonium, present! charte sigillum
meum apposui. Hiis testibus ; Radulpho de la Batili, Thoma
de Lecester, Nicholao Bastat, Waltero Gerard, Roberto le Taylur,
Johanne le Foghel, Bardolpho le Foghellar, Gilberto de Heg-
feiM, et aliis. Dat. apud Rading, duodecimo die Februarii, anno
regni regis Edwardi filii regis Henrici vicesimo nono."
The descendants of this name are still extant in this county,
at Coley, in a worshipful condition.
SHERIFFS.
Anciently this county had sometimes the same, sometimes a
distinct sheriff from Oxfordshire, as by the ensuing catalogue
will appear, so well as we can distinguish them.
HENRY
n.
Of Berkshire. Of both.
Of Oxfordshire.
ANNO
AMMO
1 Willielm. de Pontearch
1 Restoldus.
2 Richardus de Charvill.
2 Henr. de Oille.
3 Gilbertus de Pinchigen.
3 Henricus de Oille.
4
4
5 Gulielmus Pinchigen.
5 Henricus de Oile.
6
6
7 Richard. Lucv.
7 Manassar Arsic.
8 Adam, le Cadmus.
8 Idem.
9 Adam, de Catmer.
9 Idem.
10 Idem.
10 Thomas Basset.
11 Adam, de
Catmer.
12 Idem.
13 Idem.
14 Idem.
15 Idem.
16 Hugo de Bockland.
IG Adam. Banaster.
17 Idem.
I/ Idem.
18 Idem.
18 Idem.
19 Idem. & H. de Bockland.
19 Idem.
20 Hugo de Bockland.
20 Alard. Banaster.
21 Idem.
21 Idem.
22 Idem.
22 Rob. de Turvill.
23 Hugo.
23 Idem.
24 Idem.
24 Idem.
25 Hugo de Sto Germane.
25 Idem.
26 Idem.
26 Galf. Hose.
27 Idem.
27 Galf. Hosatts.
28 Idem.
28 Idem.
29 Idem.
29 Rob. Witefield.
30 Idem.
30 Idem.
142 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
Of Berkshire. Of both. Of Oxfordshire.
ANNO. ANNO.
31 Hugo de Sto Germano. 31 Alan, de Furnell.
32 32 Idem.
33 Rogerus films Renfr. 33 Idem.
RICHARD I.
1 Rob. fil. Renfr. 1 Rob. de la Mara.
2 Robertus de la Mara.
3 Willielmus Briewere.
4 Idem.
5 Idem.
6 Idem.
7 Willielmus filius Rad. 7 Henricus de Oille.
8 Philippus filius Rob. 8 Henr. de Oille,, and
Alan, de Marton. Pag. de Chaderington.
9 Philip, filius Rob. 9 Hugo de Nevill.
Alan, de Manton. Galf. de Savage.
10 Stephan. de Turnham. 10 Hugo, de Nevill.
Johannes de Ferles. Galfr. de Salvage.
JOHANNES.
1 Stephan. de Turnham. 1 Hugo de Nevill.
Johannes de Ferles. Galfr. Slavagius,
2 Gilbert. Basset. 2 Rob. de Cantelu.
Richard. Caverton. Fulk. de Contelu.
Nich. de Kent.
3 Will. Briewere. 3 Will. Briewere,, and
Rich, de Parco.
5 Hubert, de Burgo. 5 Jo. de Wickeneholt, jun.
6 6 Thorn. Banaster.
7 Rich, de Tus.
8 Tho. Basset.
9 Rob. de Amnari.
10 Richardus de Tus. 10 Tho. Basset.
11 Robert de Magre. 11 Idem.
12 Joan, de Wikenholton. 12 Idem, and Rob. de Magre.
13 Idem. 13 Idem.
14 Johan. de Wikenholton.
15 Johan. de Wikenholton. 15 Tho. Basset.
Rob. e Magre.
16 Idem. 16 Tho. Basset.
Rich. Letus.
17 Johan. de Wikenholton.
HENRY III.
1 1
2 Richardus filius Reg. 2 Fulco de Breantee.
Hen. de Saio. Rad. de Bray.
3 Idem. 3 Idem.
SHERIFFS. 143
Of Berkshire, Of both. Of Oxfordshire.
ANNO. ANNO.
4 Henry de Saio. 4 Rad. de Bray.
5 Idem, cum filiis Radulph. de Bray.
6 Hen. de Saio. 6 Rad. de Bray.
7 Idem. 7 Falkesius de Breantee.
Ric. de Brakele.
8 Fakesius de Breantee. 8 Ric. de Ripariis.
9 Hen. de Saio. 9 Ric. de Brakele.
10 Henricus de Saio.
11 Hugo de Batonia. 11 Galfr. de Craucombe.
Rob. de Haya.
12 Hugo de Bada.
12 Phillippus de Albrit
13 Rob. de Haya.
13 Galfr. de Craucomb
14 Hen. de Saio.
14 Idem.
Rob. de Haya.
15 Idem.
15 Idem.
16 Idem.
16 Idem.
17 Johan.
de Hulcot.
18 Rob. de Maplederham.
19 Engelard de Cicomaco,
19 Johan. Brims.
Nich. de Hedington.
20 Idem.
20 Idem.
21 Rob. Bren.
21 Johan. de Tiwe.
22 Simon de Lauchmore.
22 Idem.
23 Idem.
23 Idem.
24 Sim. de Lauchmore.
24 Johan. de Plesseto.
Will. Hay.
25 Idem.
25 Will. Hay.
26 Idem.
26 Idem.
27 Idem.
27 Idem.
28 Alanus de Farnham.
28 Will. Hay.
29 Idem.
29 Idem. "
SHERIFFS OF BERKSHIRE AND OXFORDSHIRE.
ANNO. HENRY III. ANNO.
30 Aland, de Farnham. 50 John de St° Walenco.
31 Idem. ^1 Idem.
32 Widom.' nlius Robert!. 52 Nich- de Wiffrewash.
33 Idem. 53 Tho. de S* Wigore.
34 Idem. 54 Idem- T
35 Nich. de Henred, for nine 55 Will, de Insula.
years together. R°g- EP1S- Cov- and Llch'
44 Walter, de la Knivere. 56 Idem-
45 Idem. EDWARD i.
46 Idem. 1 Gilb. Kirkby.
47 Fulco de Kucot. 2 Idem.
48 Idem. 3 Idem.
49 John de Sto Walerico. 4 Hen. de Shoctebroke.
144
WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
ANNO.
5 Hen. de Shoctebroke.
6 Jacob, de Patebery.
7 Hen. de Shoctebroke.
Alanus films Rol.
8 Idem.
9 Jac. Croke.
Joh. de Ciidemers.
10 Johan. de Cridemers.
11 Idem.
12 Idem.
13 Johan. de Tudemers.
Radul. de Beauyes.
14 Radul. de Beauyes.
15 Thorn, de Duners.
16 Idem.
17 Idem.
18 Willielmus de Gresmull.
19 Richar. de Wilniescote.
20 Will, de Bremchele, for
four years together.
24 Hen. de Thistelden, for
five years together.
29 Nich. de Spershete, for
seven years together.
EDWARD II .
1 Tho. Danvers.
2 Rich, de Ameray.
3 Idem.
4 Tho. Danvers.
5 Idem.
6 Idem. & Phil, de la Beach.
7 Phil, de la Beach,
8 Richar. de Windsor.
9 Richar. de Poltiampton.
10 Idem.
1 1 Otvelus Pursell, & Richar.
de la Bere.
12 Richar. de la Bere, & Joh.
de Brumpton.
13 Johan. de Brumpton.
14 Idem.
15 Drogo Barentine, for five
years together.
ANNO.
EDWARD III.
1 Johan. de Brumpton.
2 Idem.
3 Johan. de Bockland.
4 Philip, de la Beach.
5 Rich, de Colshul.
6 Idem.
7 Johan. de Brumpton.
8 Willielm. de Spershalt.
9 Johan. de Alveton.
10 Willielm. de Speshalt.
11 Johan. de Alveton, for four
years together.
15 Edward, de Morlins.
16 Robert. Fitz-Ellis.
17 Johan. de Alveton, for five
years together.
22 Johannes Laundeles, for six
years together.
28 Johan. de Alveton.
Richar. de Nowers.
29 Johan. de Willamscot.
30 Johan. Laundeles.
31 Idem.
32 Idem.
33 Robert, de Moreton,
34 Idem.
35 Roger, de Elmerugg.
36 Idem.
37 Roger, de Cottesford.
38 Idem.
39 Idem.
40 Roger, de Elmerugg,for three
years together.
43 Roger, de Cottesford.
44 Tho. de la Mare.
45 Idem.
46 Gilbert. Wace.
47 Roger de Elmerugg.
48 Johan. James.
49 Gilbert. Wace.
50 Regind. de Maliris.
51 Johan. de Roth well.
Reader, let me freely confess myself to thee, had I met with
equal difficulty in the sheriffs of other counties as in this the
first shire, it had utterly disheartened me from proceeding.
SHERIFFS. 145
The sheriffs of Berkshire and Oxfordshire are so indented, or
(pardon the metaphor) so entangled with elflocks, I cannot comb
them out.
I will not say that I have done always right in dividing the
sheriffs respectively; but have endeavoured my utmost; and
may be the better believed, who in such" a subject could meet
with nothing to bribe or bias my judgment to partiality.
Be it premised, that though the list of sheriffs be the most
comprehensive catalogue of the English gentry, yet it is not
exactly adequate thereunto : for I find in this county the family
of the Pusays so ancient, that they were lords of Pusay (a vil-
lage nigh Faringdon) long before the Conquest, in the time of
king Canutus, holding their lands by the tenure of cornage (as
I take it) ; viz. by winding the horn which the king aforesaid
gave their family, and which their posterity, still extant, at this
day do produce.* Yet none of their name (though persons of
regard in their respective generations) appear ever sheriffs of
this county.
I am glad of so pregnant an instance, and more glad that it
so seasonably presenteth itself in the front of our work, to con-
fute their false logic, who will be ready to conclude negatively,
for this our catalogue of sheriffs excluding them the lines of
ancient gentry whose ancestors never served in this office. On
the other side, no ingenuous gentleman can be offended with
me if he find not his name registered in this roll, seeing it can-
not be in me any omission whilst I follow my commission,
faithfully transcribing what I find in the Records.
RICHARD I.
3. WILLIELMUS BRIEWERE. — He was so called (saith my
author t) because his father was born upon an heath; though by
the similitude of the name, one would have suspected him born
among briers. But see what a poor man's child may come to.
He was such a minion to this king Richard the First, that he
created him Baron of Odcomb, in Somersetshire. Yea, when
one Fulk Paynell was fallen into the king's displeasure, he gave
this William Briewere the town of Bridgewater, to procure his
reingratiating. His large inheritance (his son dying without
issue) was divided amongst his daughters, married into the
honourable families of Breos, Wake, Mohun, Lafert, and Percy.
8. PHLLIPPUS films ROBERTI. ALAN.de MARTON. — It is
without precedent, that ever two persons held the shrievalty of
one county jointly, or in co-partnership, London and Middlesex
alone excepted, whereof hereafter. However, if two sheriffs
appear in one year, as at this time and frequently hereafter,
* Camden's Britannia, in this county. f Ibid, in Somersetshire.
VOL. I. L
146 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
such duplication cometh to pass by one of these accidents :—
1. Amotion of the first, put out or his place for misdemeanor
(whereof very rare precedents), and another placed in his room.
— 2. Promotion. When the first is advanced to be a baron in
the year of his shrievalty, and another substituted in his office. —
3. Mort. The former dying in his shrievalty, not privileged
from such arrests to pay his debt to Nature.
In these cases two, and sometimes three, are found in the
same year, who successively discharged the office. But, if no
such mutation happened, and yet two sheriffs be found in one
year, then the second must be understood Sub-vice-comes (whom
we commonly also call Mr. Sheriff, in courtesy), his deputy
acting the affairs of the county under his authority. However,
if he who is named in this our catalogue in the second place-
appear the far more eminent person, there the intelligent reader
will justly suspect a transposition, and that by some mistake
the deputy is made to precede him whom he only represented.
Be it here observed, that the place of under-sheriffs in this
age was very honourable, not hackneyed out for profit. And
although some uncharitable people (unjustly I hope) have now-
a-days fixed an ill character on those who twice together dis-
charged the place, yet anciently the office befitted the best
persons; little difference betwixt the high-sheriff and under-
sheriff, save that he was under him, being otherwise a man of
great credit and estate.
HENRY III.
2. FULCO de BREANTEE, Oxf. — This Fulco, or Falkerius,
or Falkesius de Breantee, or Breantel, or Brent, (so many seve-
ral ways is he written), was, for the first six years of this king,
high-sheriff of Oxford, Cambridge, Huntingdon, Bedford, Buck-
ingham, and Northampton shires (counties continued together) ;
as by perusing the catalogues will appear. What this Vir tot
locorum, fe man of so many places," was, will be cleared in Mid-
dlesex,* the place of his nativity.
56. ROG. EPIS. COVENT. et LICH. — That bishops in this
age were sheriffs of counties in their own dioceses, it was usual
and obvious. But Berkshire lying in the dioceses of Sarum,
Oxfordshire, and Lincoln, that the far distant bishop of Coven-
try and Lichfield should be their sheriff, may seem extraordinary
and irregular.
This first put us on the inquiry who this Roger should be ;
and, on search, we found him surnamed De Molerid, alias Long-
espe, who was nephew unto king Henry the Third, f though
how the kindred came in I cannot discover. No wonder then
if his royal relation promoted him to this place, contrary to the
* In the title SOLDIERS. f Godwin, on the Bishops of Coventry and Lichfield.
SHERIFFS. 147
common course ; the king,, in his own great age, and absence of
his son prince Edward in Palestine, desiring to place his confi-
dants in offices of so high trust.
EDWARD II.
6. PHIL, de la BEACH. — Their seat was at Aldworth in this
county, where their statues on their tombs are extant at this
day,* but of stature surely exceeding their due dimension. It
seems the Grecian officers have not been here, who had it in
their charge to order tombs, and proportion monuments to the
persons represented. I confess, corpse do stretch and extend
after their death ; but these figures extend beyond their corpse ;
and the people there living extend their fame beyond their
figures, fancying them giants, and fitting them with propor-
tionable performances. They were indeed most valiant men ;
and their male issue was extinct in the next king's reign, whose
heir general (as appeareth by the herald's visitation) was mar-
ried to the ancient family of Whitlock.
*
SHERIFFS OF BERKSHIRE ~AND OXFORDSHIRE.
RICHARD II*
Anno Name. Place.
1 Edmund Stoner.
Arms : Az. two bars dancettee O. a chief G,
2 Thomas Barentyn.
S. two eaglets displayed Arg. armed (X
3 Gilbertus Wace.
4 Johannes Jeanes.
5 Richardus Brines.
6 Thomas Barentyn . ut prius.
7 Johan. Hulcotts
Fusilee O. and G. a border Az.
8 Robertus Bullocke . Arborfield.
G. a chevron twixt three bulls' heads Arg. armed O,
9 Johannes Holgate.
10 Thomas Barentyn . ut prius.
11 Gilb. Wace, mil.
12 Thomas Pool.
13 Williel. Attwood,
14 Hugo Wolfes.
15 Robertus Bullock , ut prius.
16 Williel, Wilcote.
17 Thomas Farington.
S. three unicorns in pale, current, Arg. armed O.
18 Thomas Barentyn . ut prius.
19 Edrum. Spersholt.
* " Effigies justo majores irapositse." — Camden's Britannia, m Berkshire.
L 2
148 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
20 Williel. Attwood.
21 Johannes Golafre.
22 Idem.
HENRY IV.
1 Willielm. Wilcote.
2 Thomas Chaucer . Ewelme, Oxf.
Parted per pale Arg. and G. a bend counterchanged.
Johannes Wilcote.
3 Robertas James.
4 Idem.
5 Thomas Chaucer . ut prius.
6 Williel. Langford.
7 Rob. Corbet, mil.
O. a raven proper.
8 Johannes Wilcote.
9 Th. Harecourt, mil. . Stanton, Oxf.
G. two bars O.
10 Petrus Besiles . . Lee, Berkshire.
Arg. three torteauxes.
11 Rob. Corbet, mil. . ut prius.
12 Williel. Lisle/ mil.
O. a fess betwixt two chevrons S.
HENRY V.
1 Thomas Wykham
Arg. two chevrons S. betwixt three roses G.
2 Johannes Golofre.
3 Johannes Wilcote
4 Robertus Jeames.
5 Tho. Wilkham, mil. . ut prius.
6 Robertus Andrews.
7 Johannes Wilcote.
8 Willielmus^Lysle . ut prius.
9 Idem . . ut prius.
HENRY VI.
1 Willielmus Lisle . ut prius.
2 Thomas Stonore . ut prius.
3 Joh. Gowfre, at.
4 Ric. Walkested, mil.
5 Thomas Wykham . ut prius.
6 Thomas Stonar . . ut prius.
7 Robertus James.
8 Philip. Englefield . Inglefield.
Barry of six, G. and Arg. on a chief O. a lion passant Az,
9 Tho. Wikham, mil. . ut prius.
10 Williel. Finderne.
11 Willielmus Darrell.
Az. a lion rampant Arg. crowned O.
SHERIFFS. 149
Aimo Names. Place.
12 Steph. Haytfield.
13 Rich. Restwold.
Arg. three bends S.
14 Thomse Fetiplace . Childre.
G. two chevrons Arg.
15 Ric. Gtuatermayns . OXFORD.
G. a fess betwixt four hands O.
16 Johannes Norys.
Quarterly, Arg. and G. a fret O. with a fess Az.
17 Edwardus Rede.
G. a saltire twixt four garbs O.
18 Walter SkuU.
Arg. a bend between six lions'-head erased of the field.
19 Johan. Stokes.
20 Petrus Fetiplace . ut prius.
21 Johannes Norys . ut prius.
22 Johan. Charles.
23 Johan. Lidyard . Benham
Arg. on a chief O. a flower de luce G.
24 Joh. Roger, juri.
35 Edw. Langford.
26 Idem.
27 Johannes Penicock
28 Williel. Wikham . ut prius.
29 Edwardus Rede . ut prius.
30 Joha. dialers, mil.
31 Johan. Roger, arm. . ut prius.
32 Thomas Stonore . ut prius.
33 Ric. Quatermayns . ut prius.
34 Rob. Harecourte . ut prius.
35 Wai. Mantell.
36 Johannes Noris, arm. . ut prius.
37 Williel. Brocas, arm.
38 Tho. de la More, arm.
Arg. six martlets three two and one S.
EDWARD IV.
1 Rich. Harecourte . ut prius.
2 Ric. Restwood, arm. . ut prius.
3 Idem. . . . ut prius.
4 Thomas Roger, arm. . ut prius.
5 Jo. Barantyn, arm. . ut prius.
6 Tho. Stonore, arm. . ut prius.
7 Ric. Harecourt, arm. . ut prius.
8 JohAHoward, mil. . NORFOLK,
G. a bend inter six crosslets fitchee Arg.
9 Will. Norys, mil. . ut prius.
10 Thomas Prout, arm.
150 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
11 Edw. Langford, arm.
12 Williel. Staverton.
13 Will. Bekynham.
14 Johann. Langston.
15 Hump. Forster, arm. . Aldermaston.
S. a chevron between three arrows Arg,
16 Thomas de la Moremi ut prius.
J7 Thomas Restwold . ut prius.
18 James Vyall.
19 Johan. Norys, arm. . ut prius.
20 Hum. Talbot, mil.
G. a lion rampant, within a border engrailed Q,
21 Tho. de la More . ut prius.
22 Will. Norys, mil. . ut prius.
RICHARD III.
1 Thomas Kingeston.
2 Johannes Barantyn , ut prius.
3 Edwardus Franke, ^
ANNO HENRY VII. .,"
1 Edw. Mountford. . ^ "
2 Will. Norys, mil. . ut prius,
3 Thomas Say.
4 Willielm. Besilles . ut prius.
5 Th. Delamore, mi. . ut prius.
6 Johan. Home, mil.
7 Williel. Harecourt ". ut prius.
8 Ro. Harecourt, arm. . ut prius.
9 Geo. Gainford, arm.
JO Idem.
11 Joh. Ashfield, arm.
J2 Hugo Shirley, arm.
Paly of six, O. and Az. a canton Erin,
13 Ant. Fetiplace, arm . ut prius.
14 Ge. Gainsford, arm.
15 Johannes Basket.
Az, a chevron E. betwixt three leopards' heads O.
16 Willi. Besilles, arm. . ut prius.
17 Rich. Flower, mil.
18 Jo. Williams, mil. , Tame, Oxford.
Az. an organ-pipe in bend sinister saltirewise surmounted
of another dexter betwixt four crosses patee Arg.
19 Williel. Harecourt , ut prius.
20 Edw. Grevill, arm,
21 E. Chamberlain
G. a chevron Arg. betwixt three escallops O.
22 Jo, Home, arm.
SHERIFFS. 151
Anno Name. Place.
23 Jo. Home, arm.
24 Jo. Langford. mil.
HENRY VIII.
1 Williel. Es'sex, arm. . Lambom.
Az. a chevron Erm. betwixt three eagles displayed Arg.
2 Williel. Harecourt . utprius.
3 Will. Barantin, arm. . ut prius.
4 Thos. Hay dock, arm.
5 Wai. Raducy, mil.
6 Simon. Harecourt, mil. . ut prius.
7 Jo. Dauncy, mil.
Az. a dragon O. and lion combatant Arg.
8 Geor. Foster, mil. . ut prius.
9 Ed. Chamberlain, mil. . ut prius.
10 Williel. Essex, mil. . utprius.
11 Tho. Englefeld, arm. . ut prius.
12 Hen. Brugges, arm.
Arg. on a cross S. a leopard's head O.
13 Jo. Oswalston, arm.
14 Simon Harecourt . ut prius.
15 Jo. Fetiplace, arm. . ut prius.
16 Williel. Essex, mil. . ut prius.
17 Will. Barantin, mil. . utprius.
18 Thos. Den ton, arm.
G. a chevron betwixt three crescents Arg.
19 Thorn. Ellyot, arm.
20 Si. Harecourt, mil. . ut prius.
21 Will. Stafford, arm. . Bradfield.
O. a chevron G. and a canton Erm.
22 Hen. Brugges, arm. . ut prius.
23 Thomas Umpton, arm. Wadley.
Az. on a fess engrailed O. between three spear-heads Arg.
a greyhound cursant S,
24 Hum. Forster, mil.
25 Will. Farmar, arm.
Arg. a fess S. betwixt three leopards5 heads erased G.
26 Walt. Stoner, mil. . utprius.
27 Thomas Carter, arm.
28 Anth. Hungerford
S. two bars Arg. in chief three plates.
29 Si. Harecourt, mil. . ut prius.
30 Joh. Williams, mil. . utprius.
31 Rich. Brigges,arm. . utprius.
32 Williel. Essex, mil. . utprius.
33 Walt. Stoner, mil. . utprius.
34 Wil. Barantin, mil. . utprius.
35 Williel. Farmor, arm. . utprius,
152 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
36 Job. Williams, arm. . ut prius.
37 Hum. Foster, mil. . ut prius.
38 Le. Chamberlain . ut prius.
EDWARD VI.
1 Fra. Englefeld, mil. . ut prius.
2 Anth. Cope, mil. . Hanwel
Arg. on a chevron Az. between three roses G. slipp d
and leav'd V. three flowers de luce O.
3 Will. Rainsf. mil.
4 Richard Fines, arm. . Broughton
Az. three lions rampant O.
5 Willielm. Hide, arm. . S. Denchw.
G. two chevrons Arg.
6Le.Chamberl.mil. . ut prius.
REX PHILIP, Ct MAR. REGINA.
J Jo. Williams, mil. . ut prius.
let Jo. Brome, mil. . ut prius.
1. 2 Ric. Brigges, mil. . ut prius.
2. 3 Will. Rainsford.
3. 4 Thomas Brigges, arm. . ut prius.
4. 5 Johan. Denton, arm. . ut prius.
5. 6 Richard. Fines, arm. . ut prius.
ELIZABETH.
1 Edw. Ashfeld, arm.
2 Edw. Fabian, arm.
3 Johan. Doyle, arm.
O. two bendlets Az.
4 Henric. Norys, arm. . ut prius.
5 Ric. Wenman, arm.
Quarterly G. and Az. a cross patonce O.
6 Job. Croker, arm. . Tame P. Ox.
Arg. on a chevron engrailed G. between three crows, as
many mullets O. pierced.
7 Tho. Stafford, arm. . ut prius.
8 Christ. Brome.
HENRY IV.
2. THOMAS CHAUCER. — He was sole son to Geffery Chau-
cer, that famous poet, from whom he inherited fair lands at
Dunnington Castle in this county, and at Ewelme in Oxford-
shire. He married Maude, daughter and co-heir of Sir John
Burwash, by whom he had one only daughter named Alice, mar-
ried unto William de la Pole, duke of Suffolk. He lieth buried
under a fair tomb in Ewelme church, with this inscription :
ee Hie jacet Thomas Chaucer, Armiger, quondam dominus istius
SHERIFFS. 153
villse et Patronus istius Ecclesiae, qui obiit 18 die mensis Novem-
bris, anno Dom. 1434 ; et Matilda uxor ejus, quee obiit 28 men-
sis Aprilis, anno Domini 1436."
HENRY V.
1. THOMAS WIKHAM. — I behold him as kinsman and next
heir to William Wykham, that famous Bishop of Winchester,
to whom the Bishop left, notwithstanding above * six thousand
pounds bequeathed by him in legacies (for the discharge whereof
he left ready money), one hundred pound lands a year. As for
his arms, viz. Argent, two chevrons Sable between three roses
Gules, a most ingenious Oxfordian f conceiveth those che-
vrons (alias couples in architecture) given him in relation to the
two colleges he built, the one in Oxford, the other in Winches-
ter. It will be no sin to suspect this no original of but a post-
nate allusion to his arms, who was (whatever is told to the con-
trary) though his parents were impoverished, of a knightly ex-
traction. J But if it was his assigned and not hereditary coat,
it will be long enough ere the Herald's office grant another to
any upon the like occasion.
HENRY VI.
3. JOHANNES GOWFRE, Arm. — No doubt the same with him
who 2 Henry V. was written John Golofre. He is the first per-
son who is styled Esquire, though surely all who were before
him were (if not Knights) Esquires at the least, and
afterwards this addition grew more and more fashionable in
the reign of king Henry the Sixth : for, after that Jack Straw
(one of the grand founders of the Levellers) was defeated, the
English gentry, to appear above the common sort of people,
did, in all public instruments, insert their native or acquired qua-
lifications.
EDWARD IV.
8. JOHN HOWARD, Miles. — He was son to Sir Robert How-
ard, and soon after was created a Baron by this king, and Duke
of Norfolk by king Richard the Third, as kinsman and one of
the heirs of Anne, Duchess of York and Norfolk, whose mother
was one of the daughters of Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Nor-
folk. Soon after he lost his life in his quarrel who gave him
his honour, in Bosworth field.
From him descended the noble and numerous family of the
Howards, of whom I told four earls and two barons sitting in
the last parliament of king Charles. § I have nothing else for
the present to observe of this name, save that a great antiquary
* Bishop Godwin, in Bishops of Winchester.
f Sir Isaac Wake, in his Musse Regnantes.
j Harpfield, Ecclesiastical History, p. 550.
§ Earls Arundel, Nottingham, Suffolk, Berkshire. Barons Moubray, Estrick.
154 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
will have it originally to be Hold ward ; * (L and D being omit-
ted for the easier pronunciation) which signifieth the keeper of
any castle, hold, or trust committed unto them, wherein they
have well answered unto their name. Did not Thomas Howard
Earl of Surrey well hold his ward by land, when in the reign
of king Henry the Eighth he conquered the Scots in Flodden
field, and took James the Fourth their king prisoner ? And did
not Charles Howard (afterwards Earl of Nottingham) hold his
ward by sea in 88, when the armada was defeated ? But hereof
(God willing) hereafter.
5 15. HUMPHRY FOSTER, Arm. — This must be he (consent of
times avowing it) who was afterwards knighted, and lieth buried
in St. Martin's in the Fields, London, with the following in-
scription : t if Of your charity, pray for the soul of Sir Hum-
phrey Foster, knight, whose body lieth buried here in earth un-
der this marble stone: which deceased the 18th day of the
month of September, 1500; on whose soul Jesu have mercy."
Amen."
HENRY VII.
8. ROBERT HARECOURT, Miles. — Right ancient is this fa-
mily in France, having read in a French herald, J who wrote in
the reign of king Edward the Sixth, that it flourished therein
eight hundred years, as by a genealogy drawn by him should ap-
pear.
Of this family (for both give the same coat at this day, viz.
Gules two barrs Or,) a younger branch, coming over at the Con-
quest, fixed itself in the Norman infancy at Staunton Hare-
court in Oxfordshire. And I find that in the reign of king
John, Richard de Harecourt of Staunton aforesaid, marrying
Orabella daughter of Saer de Quincy Earl of Winchester, had
the rich manor of Bos worth in Leicestershire .bestowed on him
for his wife's portion.
I cannot exactly distinguish the several Harecourts contem-
poraries in this county, and sheriffs thereof, so as to assign them
their several habitations ; but am confident that this Robert
Harecourt (sheriff in the reign of king Henry the Seventh) was
the same person whom king Edward the Fourth made knight
of the Garter. From him lineally descended the valiant knight
Sir Simon Harecourt, lately slain in the wars against the rebels
in Ireland, whose son, a hopeful gentleman, enjoys the manor
of Staunton at this day.
15. JOHN BASKET. — He was an esquire of remark and mar-
tial activity in his younger days, who in some years after re-
* Verstegan, of Decayed Intelligence, p. 320.
t Weaver's Funeral Monuments, p. 447.
+ Jean Le Feron, en le Chapter des Mareschaviz, de France.
SHERIFFS. 155
moved to Devenish in Dorsetshire, to whom king Henry the
Eighth, going over into France, committed the care of that
county, as by his following letter will appear.
" By the King.
" Trusty and well-beloved, We greet you well. And whereas
we at this time have written as well to the sheriff of that our
shire, as also to the justices of our peace within our said shire,
commanding and straightly charging, that as well the said she-
riff as the said justices, endeavour them for the keeping of our
peace and the entertainment of our subjects, in good quiet and
restfulness, during the time of our journey into the parties of
beyond the sea ; to the which we entend to dispose us about
the latter end of this present month of May : and forasmuch
also as we have for your great ease spared you of your attend-
ance upon us in our said journey, and left you at home to do us
service in keeping of our peace, and good rule amongst our said
subjects : We will therefore and command you, that during the
time of our said absence out of this our realme, ye have a spe-
cial oversight, regard, and respect, as well to the sheriff as to the
said justices, how and in what diligence they do and execute
our commandement, comprised in our said letters. And that
ye also from time to time, as ye shall see meet, quickly and sharply
call upon them in our name, for the execution of our said com-
mandement ; and if you shall find any of them remiss or negli-
gent in that behalf, we will that ye lay it sharply to their charge ;
advertising, that in case they amend not their defaults, ye will
thereof advertise our councell remaining with our dearest daugh-
ter the princess, and so we charge you to do indeed. And if
our said sheriff or justice, or any other sheriff or justice of any
shire next to you, upon any side adjoining, shall need or require
your assistance, for the execution of our said commandements,
we will and desire you that what the best power ye can make of
our subjects in Harneys, ye be to them aiding and assisting from
time to time as the case shall require- Not failing hereof as
you intend to please us, and as we specially trust you. Given
under our signet, at our manor of Greenwich, the 18 day of
May."
HENRY VIII.
1. WILLIAM ESSEX, Arm. — He was a worthy man in his ge-
neration, of great command in this county (whereof he was four
times sheriff), and the first of his family who fixed at Lambourn
therein, on this welcome occasion. He had married Elizabeth,
daughter and sole heir of Thomas Rogers of Benham, whose
grandfather, John Rogers, had married Elizabeth, daughter and
heir of John Shotesbroke of Bercote in this county (whose an-
cestors had been sheriffs of Berkshire in the fourth, fifth, and
sixth of king Edward the third), by whom he received a large
inheritance.
156 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
•
Nor was the birth of this Sir William (for afterwards he was
knighted) beneath his estate,, being son unto Thomas Essex,
Esquire, Remembrancer and Vice-Treasurer unto king Edward
the Fourth; who died November 1, 1500; lieth buried with a
plain epitaph in the church of Kensington, Middlesex. He de-
rived himself from Henry de Essex, Baron of Rawley in Essex,
and standard-bearer of England (as I have seen in an exact
Eedigree attested by Master Camden) ; and his posterity have
itely assumed his coat, viz. Argent, an orle Gules. There was
lately a baronet of this family, with the revenues of a baron ;
but (( riches endure not for ever,"* if providence be not as well
used in preserving as attaining them,
24. HUMPHRY FORSTER, Knight. — He bare a good affection
to Protestants, even in the most dangerous times, and spake to the
quest in the behalf of Master Marbeck, that good confessor :f
yea, he confessed to king Henry the Third, that never any thing
went so much against his conscience, which under his Graced
authority he had done, as his attending the execution of three
poor men martyred at Windsor.}:
EDWARD VI.
1. FRANCIS INGLEFIELD, Mil. — He afterwards was Privy-
councillor unto queen Mary, and so zealous a Romanist, that after
her death he left the land, with a most large inheritance, and
lived for the most part in Spain. He was a most industrious
agent to solicit the cause of the queen of Scots, both to his Holi-
ness and the Catholic king ; as also he was a great promoter of
and benefactor to the English college at Valladolid in Spain,
where he lieth interred : and a family of his alliance is still
worshipfully extant in this county.
QUEEN MARY.
1. JOHN WILLIAMS, Miles. — Before the year of his shrievalty
was expired, queen Mary made him Lord Williams of Tame in
Oxfordshire ; in which town he built a small hospital and a very
fair school ;§ he with Sir Henry Bennyfield were joint keepers
of the lady Elizabeth, whilst under restraint, being as civil as the
other was cruel unto her. Bishop Ridley, when martyred, re-
quested this lord to stand his friend to the queen, that those
leases might be confirmed which he had made to poor tenants ;
which he promised, and performed accordingly. || His great
estate was divided betwixt his two daughters and co-heirs,
one married to Sir Henry Norrice, the other to Sir Richard
Wenman.
QUEEN ELIZABETH.
4. HENRY NORRICE, Arm. — Son-in-law to the Lord Williams
Prov. xxvii. 24. f Fox, Acts and Monuments, p. 1219.
I Idem. p. 1221. § Camden's Britannia, in Oxfordshire.
II See the picture of Bishop Ridley's burning, in Mr. Fox.
SHERIFFS. 157
aforesaid. He was by queen Elizabeth created Baron Norrice
of Ricot in Oxfordshire. It is hard to say whether this tree of
honour was more remarkable for the root from whence it sprang,
or for the branches that sprang from him. He was son to Sir
Henry Norrice, who ^uffered in the cause of queen Anne Bullen,
grandchild to Sir Edward Norrice, who married Fridswide, sister
and coheir to the last Lord Lovell. He was father (though him-
self of a meek and mild disposition) to the martial brood of the
Norrices, of whom hereafter.*
Elizabeth, his great grandchild, sole daughter and heir unto
Francis Norrice, Earl of Berkshire, and Baroness Norrice,
was married unto Edward Wray, Esquire, whose only daughter,
Elizabeth Wray, Baroness Norrice, lately deceased, was married
unto Montague Bertie, Earl of Lindsey ; whose son, a minor,
is Lord Norrice at this day.
SHERIFFS OF BERKSHIRE ALONE.
REG. ELIZ.
Anno Name. Place.
9 Edw. Unton, mil. . Wadley.
Arms : Az. on a fess eng. O. twixt three spear-heads Arg.
a hound cursant S. collared G.
10 Jo. Fetiplace, arm. . Chilrey.
G. two chev. Arg.
11 Will. Forster, arm. . Aldermerston.
Sable, a chev. betwixt three arrows Arg.
12 Will. Dunch, arm. . Litlewitham.
O. a chev. betwixt two towers in chief and a fleur-de-lis in
base Arg.
13 Joha. Winchcomb . Budebury.
14 Hen. Nevill, mil. . Billingber.
15 Tho. Essex, arm. . >Limborn.
Az. a chevron betwixt three eagles Arg.
16 Ric. Lovelace, arm. , Hurley.
G. on a chief indented S. three marvets O.
17 Anth. Bridges, arm. . Hemsted-Marshal.
18 Thorn. Parry, arm.
19 Jo. Fetiplace, mil. '. ut prius.
20 Tho. Stafford, arm. . Bradfield.
O. a chev. and canton E.
21 Tho. Stephans, arm.
22 Hum. Foster, arm. . ut prius.
23 Tho. Bullock, arm. . Arborfield.
G. a chev. twixt three bulls5 heads Ar. armed O.
24 Tho. Read, arm. . Abingdon.
G. a saltire twixt four garbs O.
25 Mich. Molens, arm. . Clapgate.
* In the description of Oxfordshire, title SOLDIERS.
158 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
26 Be. Fetiplace, arm. . ut prius.
27 Edw. Fetiplace, arm. . ut prius,
28 Chris. Lillcot, arm. . Rushcomb.
O. two bars vairy Arg. and S.
29 Edm. Dunch, arm. . ut prius.
30 Thomas Parry, arm. . ut prius.
31 Tho. Dolman, arm. . Shaw.
Az. a fess dancette inter six garbes Or.
32 Johan. Latton, arm.
33 Rich. Ward, arm.
34 Fr. Winchcombe . ut prius.
35 Hum. Forster, arm. . ut prius.
36 Ricar. Hide, arm. . S. Denchw.
G. two chevrons Arg.
37 Hen. Nevill, arm. . ut prius.
38 Edm. Wiseman, arm. . Stephenton.
S. a chev. twixt three bars of spears Arg..
39 Chri. Lidcotte, mil. . ut prius.
40 Hen. Pool, mil.
41 Tho. Reede, mil. . ut prius.
42 Sa. Backhouse, arm. . Swallofield,
43 Johan. Norris, mil.
44 Ed. Fettiplace, mil. . ut prius.
45 Ed. Dunch, arm. and 1 Ja. ut prius,
JAC. REX.
1 Edm. Dunch, arm.
S. a chev. betwixt three towers Arg.
2 Ant. Blagrave, arm.
O. on a bend S. three greaves erased at the ancle Ar.
3 Thomas Read, arm. . ut prius.
4 Will. Stonhou. arm. . Radley.
Arg. on a fess S. between three falcons volant Az. a leo-
pard's head and two mullets O.
5 Fr. Winchcombe. . ut prius.
6 Will. Foster, mil. . ut prius.
7 Anth. Barker, mil. . Suning.
8 Ric. Lovelace, mil. . ut prius.
9 Tho. Vachell, mil. . Colly.
Bendy of six pieces, Erm. and Az.
10 Tho. Hinton, arm.
11 Car. Wiseman, arm. . ut prius.
12 Jo. Ayshcombe, arm.
13 Will. Young, mil.
14 Will. Standin, arm. . Arborfield.
15 Val. Knightley, mil.
Quarterly, Erm, and O. three pales G.
16 Joh. Catcher, arm.
17 Hum. Foster, arm. . tit prius.
SHERIFFS. 159
Anno Name. Place.
18 Gabriel Pyle, mil. < Compton.
19 Jo. Winchcombe. . ut prius.
20 Jo. Marry cot, arm.
21 William Hide, arm.
22 Jo. Blagrave, mil.
23
24
CAR. I. REX.
1 Joh. Darrel, Bar. . W. Woodh.
Az. a lion rampant O. crowned Arg.
2 Edr. Clark, mil. . Ardigton.
3 Gor. Willmot, arm. . Charlton.
4 Edw. Yates, Barr. . Buckland.
5 Sam. Dunch, arm. . ut prius.
Per fess embattled Arg. and S. three yates counterchanged.
6 Jo. Fetiplace, arm. . ut prius.
7 Hen. Samborn, mil. . Moulsford.
8 Henry Powle, arm.
9 Edm. Dunch, arm. . ut prius.
10 Hum. Dolman, arm. . ut prius.
11 Will. Barker, arm. . ut prius.
12 Ric. Harrison, mil. . Hurst.
O. on a chief S. three eagles displayed of the first.
13 Geo. Stonhouse, bar. . ut prius.
14 Humph. Hide, arm. . ut prius.
15 Gea. Puresy, arm. . Wadley.
S. three pair of gauntlets dipping, Arg.
16 Peregrine Hobby. . Bisham.
Arg. three fusiles upon slippers G.
17 Tanfield Vachel. . ut prius.
18
19
20
21
22 Jo. Southleg, arm.
QUEEN ELIZABETH.
9. EDWARD UNTON, or UMPTON, Miles. — This ancient and
worshipful name was extinct in the days of our fathers for want
of 'issue male, and a great part of their lands devolved by an
heir-general to George Purfey, of Wadley, Esquire, whose care
is commendable in preserving the monuments of the Umptons
in Faringdon church, and restoring such as were defaced in the
war to a good degree of their former fairness.
26. BESILIUS FETIPLACE. — Some may colourably mistake
it for Basilius, or Basil, a Christian name frequent in some fami-
160 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
lies, whereas indeed it is Besil, a surname. These lived in
great regard at Lee, thence called Besiles-Lee, in this county,
until Elizabeth, daughter and heir of William Besiles, last of
that name, was married unto Richard Fetiplace, whose great-
freat-grandchild was named Besile, to continue the remem-
rance of their ancestors.
Reader, I am confident an instance can hardly be produced
of a surname made Christian in England, save since the Refor-
mation ; before which time the priests were scrupulous to admit
any at font, except they were baptized with the name of a
Scripture or legendary saint. Since, it hath been common ;
and although the Lord Coke was pleased to say he had noted
many of them prove unfortunate, yet the good success in others
confutes the general truth of the observation.
KING JAMES.
.8. RICHARD LOVELACE, Knight.— He was a gentleman of
metal; and in the reign of queen Elizabeth, making use of
letters of mart, had the success to light on a large remnant of
the king of Spain's cloth of silver, I mean his West-Indian
fleet ; wherewith he and his posterity are the warmer to this
day. King Charles created him Lord Lovelace, of Hurley.
KING CHARLES.
1. SIR JOHN DARELL, Baronet. — He being the first who,
in the catalogue of sheriffs, occurreth of that order, a word of
the institution thereof. We meddle not with ancient baronets,
finding that word formerly promiscuously blended with Ban-
nerets (Sir Ralph Fane, in a patent passed unto him, is expressly
termed a baronet) ; but insist on their new erection in the ninth
of king James.
Their Qualifications. — 1. They were to be persons morum
probitate spectati. 2. Descended at least of grandfather, by the
father's side, that bare arms. 3. Having a clear estate of one
thousand pounds per annum ; two-thirds thereof at least in
possesion, the rest in reversion expectant on one life only,
holding in dower or in jointure.
Their Service. — 1. Each of them was to advance, towards the
planting of the province of Ulster in Ireland, with colonies
and castles to defend them, money enough to maintain thirty
foot for three years, after the rate of eight-pence a day for every
one of them. 2. The first'year's wages was to be paid down on
the passing of their patent ; the remainder, as they contracted
with the king's commissioners authorized to treat and conclude
thereof.
Their Dignity. — 1. They were to take place, with their wives
and children respectively, immediately after the sons of barons ;
* Rot. Pat. quarto Edwardi Sexti.
BATTLES. 161
and before all Knights-bachelors of the Bath, and Bannerets ;
save such solemn ones as hereafter should be created in the
field by the king there present, under the standard royal dis-
played. 2. The addition of Sir was to be prefixed before theirs ;
of Madam, their wives' names. 3. The honour was to be here-
ditary ; and knighthood not to be denied to their eldest sons of
full age, if desiring it. 4. For an augmentation in their arms,
they might bear a bloody hand, in a canton or escutcheon, at
their pleasure.
The king did undertake that they should never exceed two
hundred ; which number completed, if any chanced to die with-
out issue male, none were to be substituted in their place ; that
so their number might daily diminish, and honour increase.
He did also promise, for himself and his heirs, that no new order
under another name should be superinduced.
THE BATTLES.
NEWBUBY; the first ,1643, Sept. 20.— The Earl of Essex,
having raised the siege of Gloucester, and returning towards Lon-
don, was rather followed than overtaken by the king's army.
Both sides might be traced by a track of bloody footsteps, espe-
cially at Auborn in Wilts, where they had a smart encounter.
At Newberry the earl made a stand. Here happened a fierce
fight on the east side of the town, wherein the Londoners did
shew that they could as well use a sword in the field as a met-
ward in a shop. The Parliament was conceived to lose the
most, the king the most considerable, persons : amongst whom
the Earls of Carnarvon and Sunderland, the Viscount Falkland,
colonel Morgan, &c. Both armies may be said to beat and
be beaten, neither winning the day, and both the twilight.
Hence it was that both sides were so sadly filled with their sup-
per over night, neither next morning had any stomach to break-
fast ; but, keeping their stations, were rather contented to face,
than willing to fight, one another.
NEWBURY ; the second, 1644, Oct. 27. — One would wonder
where the Earl of Essex, so lately stripped out of all his infan-
try in Cornwall, so soon reinvested himself with more foot, save
that London is the shop general of all commodities. Recruited
with fresh (but not fresh-water) soldiers, he gave the king battle.
This fight was as long and fierce as the former ; but the conquest
more clear on the Parliament's side. The Cornish (though be-
having themselves valiantly) were conceived not to do so well,
because expected to have done better.
The Royalists were at night fain to hang lighted matches on
the hedges (so to similate their abode thereabouts) ; whilst they
drew off, securing their cannon in Dunnington castle (the gover-
nor whereof, Sir J. Bois, did the king knight's service) ; and so,
in a pace slower than a flight and faster than a retreat, returned
in as good order as their condition was capable of. Many here
VOL. i. M
Ifi2 WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE.
lost their lives, as if Newbury were so named by a sad prolepsis,
fore-signifying that that town should afford a new burying place
to many slain in two bloody battles.
THE FAREWELL.
Being to take my leave of this shire, I seriously considered
what want there was therein, that so I might wish the supply
thereof. But I can discover no natural defect ; and I therefore
wish the inhabitants a thankful heart to that God who hath given
them a country so perfect in profit and pleasure. Withal it is
observed, that the lands in Berkshire are very skittish, and often
cast their owners; which yet I impute not so much to the un-
ruliness of the beasts, as to the unskilfulness of the riders. I
desire heartily that hereafter the Berkshire gentry may be better
settled in their saddles, so that the sweet places in this county
may not be subject to so many mutations.
WORTHIES OF BERKSHIRE WHO HAVE FLOURISHED SINCE
THE TIME OF FULLER.
Charles ABBOT, first Lord Colchester, Speaker of the House
of Commons : born at Abingdon 1757 ; died 1829.
James Pettit ANDREWS, .a learned miscellaneous writer ; born
at Newbury 1737; died 179?.
Dr. Phannel BACON, a dramatic poet; born at Reading 1737;
died 1783.
Sir John BARNARD, patriotic alderman of London ; born at
Reading 1685 ; died 1764.
Dr. Joseph BUTLER, Bishop of Durham, and author of " Ana-
logy of Religion ;" born at Wantage 1692 ; died 1752.
Charles COATES, historian of his native town of Reading ; died
1813.
Henry Edward DAVIS, author of the " Defender of Christianity/'
against the historian Gibbon; born at Windsor 1756.
William DOD WELL, a learned divine and author ; born at Shaftes-
broke 1710; died 1785.
John FELL, Bishop of Oxford; born at Langworth 1625; died
1686.
John FOSTER, Master of Eton, the great classical scholar ; born
at Windsor 1731 ; died 1773.
Thomas GODWIN, Bishop of Bath and Wells ; born at Woking-
ham 1517; died 1590.
James GRANGER, a divine, collector of engraved portraits, au-
thor of a " Biographical History of England/' and some ser-
mons ; died 1776, aged about 60.
Thomas HEARNE, an antiquary, historian, and classical editor;
born at Littleford Green in White Waltham ; died 1735.
SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER*
Sir Thomas HOLT, a lawyer, and recorder of his native town of
Reading.
Issac KIMBER, historian and biographer ; born at Wantage
1692; died 1758.
William LLOYD, Bishop of St. Asaph, one of the seven bishops
imprisoned by James II. ; born at Tilehurst 1627 ; died 1717*
James MERRICK, a divine, poet, and translator of the Psalms ;
born at Reading 1?19; died 1769.
Edward MOORE, a dramatic poet, author of "The World,"
" Gamester," and " Fables for the Female Sex ; " born at
Abingdon 1712 ; died 1757.
Henry NEVILL, a republican, and author of " Plato Redivivus ;"
born at Billingbeare 1620; died 1694.
WTilliam NEWCOME, Archbishop of Armagh, of great learning
and exemplary manners; born at Buxton-le-Clay 1729; died
1800.
Sir Constantine PHIPPS, Lord Chancellor of Ireland; born at
Reading; died 1723.
Henry James PYE, Poet-laureat ; born at Farringdon 1745;
died 1813.
George SEWELL, a physician, poet, and miscellaneous writer j
born at Windsor ; died 1726.
Sir John SOANE, F.R.S., S.A., &c. Professor of Architecture in
the Royal Academy, architect to the Bank of England, &c. ;
born at Reading 1752; died 1837.
Sir Thomas ST AMPLE, Lord Mayor of London in 1692 ; born
at Reading.
William Bagshaw STEVENS, a poet and divine ; born at Abing-
don about 1755 ; died 1800.
Sir John STONEHOUSE, a physician and divine; born 1716.
The Rev. Dr. VALPY, classical scholar and divine, master of*
Reading School; born 1774; died 1836.
John WORRAL, author of " Bibliotheca Legum ;" born at Read-
ing; died I77l»
Edward YOUNG, Dean of Salisbury, a theologian, and father of
the poet, born at Woodhay ; died 1705.
*„* The principal Works published since Dr. Fuller's time, relative to this county,
are the History of Berkshire, by Elias Ashmole (1736) ; History of Windsor Castle,
by J. Pote (1749); History of the Beauties of England (1801) ; Lyson's Britan-
nia (1813) ; Histories of Reading, by the Rev. C. Coates (1802), and by J. Maa
(1816) ; and the History of Windsor, by J. Hakewell (1813).— ED,
M
BEDFORDSHIRE.
BEDFORDSHIRE hath Northamptonshire on the north, Hun-
tingdon and Cambridgeshires on the east, Hertfordshire on the
south; Buckinghamshire on the west thereof. It lieth from
north to south in an oval form, and may be allowed two and
twenty miles in length, though the general breadth thereof ex-
tendeth not to full fifteen.
The soil consisteth of a deep clay, yet so that this county may
be said to wear a belt, or girdle of sand, about, or rather athwart
the body thereof (from Woburn to Potton), affording fair and
pleasant, as the other part doth fruitful and profitable, places for
habitation, which partakes plentifully in the partage of all Eng-
lish conveniences.
Here let this caveat be entered, to preserve its due [but
invaded] right to much grain growing in this county : for corn-
chandlers (the most avouchable authors in this point) will in-
form you, that when Hertfordshire wheat and barley carries the
credit in London, thereby much is meant (though miscalled)
which is immediately bought in and brought out of Hertfordshire,
but originally growing in Bedfordshire, about Dunstable and
elsewhere. But let not the dry nurse, which only carried the
child in her arms and dandled it in her lap, lay claim to that
babe which the true mother did breed and bear in her body.
NATURAL COMMODITIES.
BARLEY.
White, large, plump, and full of flower. The countryman will
tell you, that of all our grains this is most nice, and must be
most observed in the several seasons thereof. It doth not only
allay hunger, but also in a manner quencheth thirst, when or-
dered into malt. It is (though not so toothsome) as wholesome
as wheat itself, and was all the staff of bread, which Christ's
body leaned on in this life; eating, to attest his humanity,
barley loaves to evidence his humility.*
* John vi. 9.
NATURAL COMMODITIES. 165
MALT.
This is barley with the property thereof much altered, hav-
ing passed both water and fire, steeped and dried on a kiln. That
the use hereof was known to the Greeks, plainly appears by the
proper word wherewith they express it, Rvvij • and no maltster
of Bedford can better describe the manner thereof than is done
by Aetius ; " Est hordeum madefactum, quod germen emisit,
deinde cum ligulis enatis tostum est."* Besides, we read of
OIVOQ KptOivoz, and Athenseus maketh mention of such who were
Kpidtvov TTETTWKOTCC otj/oj',f " drinkers of barley wine," — a liquor
probably more wholesome for northern bodies than that which
groweth in grapes.
What great estates malsters got formerly in this county, may be
collected from the wealth of the ale-brewers therein, there being
so near a relation betwixt the two callings. For I read in the reign
of king Henry the Fifth, of William Murfley, an ale brewer of
Dunstable (accounted, I confess, a Lollard, and follower of the
Lord Cobham,) who when taken had two horses trapped with
gilt armour led after him, and had a pair of gilt spurs in his bo-
som, expecting (say they) knighthood from the Lord Cobham. J
And although I believe not the report in full habitude, it is
enough to intimate unto us that in that age it was a wealthy em-
ployment.
FULLERS-EARTH.
Great store of this is digged up not far from Woburn in this
county, whence it is commonly called Woburn earth. Such
the use thereof in drapery, that good cloth can hardly be made
without it, foreign parts affording neither so much, nor so good
of this kind.§ No wonder then if our statutes strictly forbid
the transportation thereof, to preserve the perfection of clothing
amongst ourselves. But were this fullers-earth like terra lemnia,
or sigillata, and all the parcels thereof locked up under a seal,
yet the Dutch (so long as they are so cunning, and we so care-
less) will stock themselves hence with plentiful proportions
thereof.
LARKS.
The most and best of these are caught and well dressed about
Dunstable in this shire. A harmless bird whilst living, not
trespassing on grain ; and wholesome when dead, then filling
the stomach with meat, as formerly the ear with music. In
winter they fly in flocks, probably the reason why Alauda signi-
fieth in Latin both a lark and a legion of soldiers ; except any
will say a legion is so called because helmeted on their heads
and crested like a lark, therefore also called in Latin Gakrita,
* Lib. x. c. 29. t Lib. i. et x.
i Harpfield, History of Wickliffe, p. 708 ; and Hollinshed, p. 544,
§ See more hereof in Surrey, title Natural Commodities.
1(30 WORTHIES OF BEDFORDSHIRE.
If men would imitate the early rising of this bird, it would con-
duce much unto their healthfulness.
THE MANUFACTURES.
Fat folk (whose collops stick to their sides) are generally lazy,
whilst leaner people are of more activity. Thus fruitful coun-
tries (as this is for the generality thereof) take to themselves a
writ of ease ; the principal cause why Bedfordshire affords not
any trades peculiar to itself.
THE BUILDINGS.
This county affordeth no cathedral, and the parochial churches
entitle not themselves to any eminency. Only I hear such high
commendations of a chapel and monument erected at Maldon
by Thomas Earl of Elgin to the memory of his deceased lady
Diana Cecil, that I am impatient till I have beheld it, to satisfy
myself whether it answereth that character of curiosity which
credible persons have given thereof.
Taddington, Amphtill, and Woburn carrv away the credit
amongst the houses of the nobility in this county.
WONDERS,
At Harleswood, commonly called Harold, in this county, the
river of Ouse, anno 1399, parted asunder ; the water from the
fountain standing still, and those towards the sea giving way, so
that it was passable over on foot for three miles together, not
without the astonishment of the beholders.* It was an ominous
presage of the sad civil wars betwixt the two houses of York and
Lancaster.
There js a rivulet in this county (though confining on Buck-
inghamshire) near a village called Aspeley ; and take the strange
operation thereof from his pen, who (though a poet) is a credi-
ble author :
• ' The Brook which on her bank doth boast that earth alone,
Which, noted of this isle, converteth wood to stone.
That little Aspeley's earth we anciently instyle,
'Mongst sundry other things, A Wonder of the Isle."|
But, by his leave, there is another of the same nature in North-
amptonshire ; which because less known I will there enlarge
myself on that subject.
PROVERBS.
"As plain as Dunstable road.'']
It is applied to things plain and simple, without either welt
or guard to adorn them, as also to matters easy and obvious to
be found without any difficulty or direction. Such this road ;
* Hypodagma, p. 163. f Drayton's Poly-olbion, the 22nd Song.
PROVERBS PRINCES. 167
being broad and beaten, as the confluence of many leading to
London from the north and north-west parts of this land.
" As crooked as Crawley brook."]
This is a nameless brook arising about Woburn, running by
Crawley, and falling immediately into the Ouse. But this pro^
verb may better be verified of Ouse itself in this shire, more
mceandrous than Mceander, which runneth above eighty miles in
eighteen by land. Blame it not, if, sensible of its sad condition,
and presaging its fall into the foggy fens in the next county, it
be loath to leave this pleasant place ; as who would not prolong
their own happiness ?
" The Bailiff of Bedford is coming."]
This proverb hath its original in this, but use in the next,
county of Cambridge. The river Ouse running by is called the
Bailiff of Bedford, who, swelling with rain, snow-water, and tri-
butary brooks in the winter, and coming down on a sudden, ar-
resteth the Isle of Ely with an inundation. But I am informed
that the drainers of the Fens have of late, with incredible care,
cost, art, and industry, wrested the mace out of this BailifFs
hand, and have secured the country against his power for the
future,
PRINCES.
MARGARET BEAUFORT, Countess Richmond and Derby.
No person of judgment or ingenuity will find fault with her
posture under this title, who was great-great-grandchild to king
Edward the Third, and mother to king Henry the Seventh,
besides her (almost incredible) alliance to so many foreign
princes.*
Thus, reader, I am confident I have pleased thee as well as
myself, in disposing her in this place. And yet I am well as-
sured that, were she alive, she would (half-offended hereat) be
more contented to be ranked under another and lower topic of
benefactors to the public ; yea, (if left to her own liberty) would
choose that reposing-place for her memory. This is not only most
consonant to her humility and charity (desiring rather to be
good than great) : but also conformable to her remarkable
expression (according to the devotion of those darker days)
" that, if the Christian princes would agree to march with an army
for the recovery of Palestine, she would be their landress."
This is she who, besides a professor of divinity placed in both
universities, founded the two fair colleges of Christ and Saint
John in Cambridge. By the way be it observed, that Cam-
bridge hath been much beholden to the strength of bounty in
the weaker sex. Of the four Halls therein, two, viz. Clare and
Pembroke, were (as I may say) feminine foundations ; and of
the twelve colleges, one third, Queen's, Christ's Saint John's,
* .See their number in her Funeral Sermon, preached by Bishop Fisher,
168 WORTHIES OF BEDFORDSHIRE.
and Sidney, owe their original to worthy women : whereas no
female ever founded college in Oxford (though bountiful bene-
factors to many) ; seeing queen's college therein, though com-
mended to the queens of England for its successive patronesses,
had Robert Eglesfield for the effectual founder thereof.
And Cambridge is so far from being ashamed of, she is joy-
ful at, and thankful for, such charity ; having read of our Saviour
himself, that " Mary Magdalen, and Joanna, and Susanna, and
many other women, ministered unto him of their substance/'*
But this worthy Lady Margaret, being too high for a mean man
to commend, is long since gone to the great God to reward, dy-
ing in the beginning of the reign of her grand-child king Henry
the Eighth.
SAINTS.
AINULPHUS, of royal British blood, was an holy hermit, who,
waving the vanities of this wicked world, betook himself in this
county to a solitary life, renowned for the sanctity (or rather
sanctimony) thereof. The age he lived in is not exactly
known ; but sure it is, that Ainulphsbury (a town in the con-
fines of this and Huntingdonshire), was erected in his memory,
pait whereof (corruptly called Ainsbury) is extant at this day,
and the rest is disguised under the new name of Saint Neot's.
MARTYRS.
THOMAS CHASE, an ancient and faithful labourer in GodV
vineyard, led his life most in Buckinghamshire, but found his
death in this county, long kept in durance, and hanged at last,
in the bishop's prison at Woburn. His executioners, to palli-
ate their murder, and asperse his memory, gave it out that he
had destroyed himself; a loud lie, seeing he was so loaden with
chains, that he. could not lift up his own body.f But the clear-
ing hereof must be remitted to that day wherein all things done
in secret shall be made manifest. His martyrdom happened in
the reign of king Henry the Seventh, anno Domini 1506.
PRELATES.
SILVESTER de EVERTON, for so is he written in the Records
of Carlisle £ (though Eversden and Everseen in other books)
which are most to be credited, as passing under the pens of the
best (and to his particular the most knowing) clerks, no doubt,
took his name from Everton, a village in this (but the confines
of Cambridge) shire. He was a man memorable for his pre-
ferment, and very able to discharge the lay part thereof, re-
ceiving the great seal, anno the 29th of king Henry the Third,
1 246, and is commended for one most cunning in customs of
Chancery. § The same year he was chosen bishop of Carlisle,
* Luke viii. 3. f Fox, Acts and Monuments, p. 775.
J Whence Bishop Godwin transcribed his Catalogue of Bishops.
§ John Philipot, in his Chancellors of England, p. 20.
L
RELATES JUDGES WRITERS. 169
though demurring on the acceptance thereof (conscious to him-
self, perchance, as unqualified) his consecration was deferred
until the next year.
He, with the rest of the English bishops, addressed them-
selves to king Henry the Third, and boldly enough requested-
required of him, that all foreigners and insufficient persons
might be put out of their bishoprics. Now, as to the point of
insufficiency, the king, singling out this Silvester, thus bespake
him:*
" Et tu, Silvester Carliolensis, qui dm lambens Cancellariam,
clericorum meorum clericulus extitisti, qualiter post-positis mul-
tis theologis, et personis reverendis te in episcopum sublimavi,
omnibus satis notum est." (( And thou, Silvester of Carlile,
who, so long licking the Chancery, was the little clerk of
my clergyman, it is sufficiently known to all, how I advanced
thee to be a bishop, before many reverend persons, and able
divines."
His expression " licking the Chancery " hath left posterity to
interpret it, whether taxing him for ambition, liquorishly longing
for that place ; or for adulation, by the soft smoothing of flat-
tery making his way thereunto ; or for avarice, licking it so,
that he gained great (if good) profit thereby. As for his ex-
pression " little clerk," it is plain it referred not to his stature,
but dwarfness in learning. However, all this would not per-
suade him into a resignation of his bishopric, though it was not
long before he lost both it and his life, by a fall from a skittish
horse, anno Domini 1254.
I find no bishop born in this county since the Reformation ;
and therefore we may go on in our propounded method.
CAPITAL JUDGES AND WRITERS OF THE LAW.
SIR JOHN COKEYN, Knight, Chief Baron of the Exchequer
in the reign of king Henry the Fourth, founded a worshipful
family at, and imparted his surname to, Cokeyn Hatley, in this
county. But, being convinced that he was born at Ashbourn,
in Derbyshire, I have reserved his character for that county.
EDMOND WINGATE, Esq. was a native of this county, whose
family flourisheth at Hartington therein. He was bred in Grey's
Inn in the study of our common law, whereof he wrote, besides
others, a book entitled, " The Reason of the Common Law ;" and
is lately deceased.
WRITERS.
JOHN of D UNSTABLE, so called from a market-town in this
county, wherein he was born. If hitherto the reader hath not,
it is high time for him now, to take notice of a person of such
perfection. Indeed at first my pen feared famishing, finding so
* Matthew Paris, anno 1253.
170 WORTHIES OF BEDFORDSHIRE.
little ; since surfeiting, meeting so much of this man. For this
John of Dunstable was John of all arts, as appeareth by his
double epitaph, one inscribed on his monument, the other writ-
ten on his memory. But be it premised of both, that we will
not avouch the truth of the Latin, or quantity in these verses ;
but present them here as we find them, with all their faults,
and his virtues on whom they were made.
On his tomb in St. Stephen's, Wallbrook, London.
" Clauditur hoc tumulo qui coelum pectore clausit,
Dunstable I., juris astrorum conscius ille,
. . . novit . . . abscondita pondere coeli ;
Hie vir erat tua laus, tua lux, tua musica princeps
Quique tuas fulces per mundum sparserat artes.
Suscipiant proprium civem coeli sibi cives."
The second, made by John IVheathamsted, Abbott of Saint Albant.*
" Musicus hie Michalus alter, novus et Ptolomseus,
Junior ac Atlas supportans robore ccelos.
Pausat sub cinere ; melior vir de muliere
Nunquam natus erat, vitii quia labe carebat.
Et virtutis opes possedit unicus omnes.
Perpetuis annis celebretur fama Johannis
Dunstable ; in pace requiescat et hie sine fine."
What is true of the bills of some unconscionable tradesmen,
" if ever paid, over paid ;'* may be said of this hyperbolical
epitaph, " if ever believed, over believed/5 Yea, one may safely
cut off a third in any part of it, and the remainder will amount
to make him a most admirable person. Let none say that these
might be two distinct persons, seeing (besides the concurrence
of time and place) it would bankrupt the exchequer of Nature
to afford two such persons, one phoenix at once being as much
as any will believe. This Dunstable died anno 1455.
SINCE THE REFORMATION,
GEORGE JOY was born in this county, though the exact
place be not expressed.! He was a great friend to Master
Tindall,{ and therefore perfectly hated by Wolsey, Fisher, and
Sir Thomas More. The particulars of his sufferings, if known,
would justly advance him into the reputation of a confessor.
He translated some parts of the Bible into English, and wrote
many books reckoned up by Bale ; notwithstanding many ma-
chinations against his life, he found his coffin where he fetched
his cradle, "in su£ patrid sepultus," being peaceably buried
in his native country 1553, the last year of king Edward the
Sixth.
FRANCIS DILLINGHAM was born at Dean in this county,
and bred fellow in Christ College in Cambridge. He was an
* Extant in Weaver's Funeral Monuments, p. 577.
Bale, de Script. Brit. Cent. 9.
$ Fox, Acts and Monument?, p. 1027.
WRITERS. 171
excellent linguist, and subtle disputant. My father was present
in the Bachelors5 schools, when a Greek Act was kept, between
him and William Alabaster, of Trinity College, to their mutual
commendation ; a disputation so famous that it served for an
era or epoch for the scholars in that age thence to date their
seniority.
He was afterwards chosen, anno 1607, to be one of the trans-
lators of the Bible ; and, being richly beneficed at Wilden in
this county, died a single man, leaving a fair estate to his bro-
ther Master Thomas Dillingham, who was chosen one of the
late assembly ; (though, for age, indisposition, and other rea-
sons, not appearing therein) ; and for many years was the hum-
ble, painful, and faithful pastor of Dean, the place of his nati-
vity.
WILLIAM Sc LATER was born at Lay ton-buzzard in this
county,* son to Anthony Sclater, the minister thereof for fifty
years together, who died well nigh an hundred years of age.
This William his son was bred in Eaton, then in King's Col-
lege in Cambridge, where he commenced Bachelor, and (after
many years' discontinuance) Poctor of Divinity. Hence he was
invited to be preacher at Wralsall in Staffordshire, where he be-
gan his sermons (afterwards printed) on the three first chapters
of the Romans. Afterwards, John Coles, Esquire, of Somerset-
shire, over-entreated him into the Western parts, where he pre-
sented him vicar of Pitmister. Here he met with manifold and
expensive vexations, even to the jeopardy of his life ; but, by
the goodness of God, his own innocency and courage, with the
favour of his diocesan, he came off with no less honour to him-
self, than confusion to his adversaries.
He was at first not well affected to the ceremonies of the
Church : but afterwards, on his profound studying of the point,
he was reconciled to them^ as for order and decency ; and, by
his example, others were persuaded to conform.
Constancy of studying contracted the stone upon him, which
he used to csiX\. flagellum studiosorum. Nor was his health im-
proved by being removed to a wealthier living, when John Lord
Paulet of Hinton (at the instance of Elizabeth his lady,, in whose
inheritance it was, a worthy favourer of piety and pious men)
preferred him to the rich parsonage of Limpsam in Somerset-
shire, where indeed there was scarce any element good, save
the earth therein. Whereupon, for his own preservation,
he was re-persuaded to return to Pitmister, there con-
tinuing till the day of his death, which happened in
the year of our Lord 1627, in the fifty-first year of his age,
leaving many learned works behind him ; as, his " Comment
* So was I informed by his son Doctor Sclater, late minister of Peter's Poor,
London. — F,
172 WORTHIES OF BEDFORDSHIRE.
on the Romans/' and on (e the Thessalonians," " Sermons at
PauPs Cross," and the Treatise of Tithes, styled " the Minister's
Portion/' with other posthume works,, some since set forth by,
more remaining in., the hand of his son, William Sclater, Doctor
of Divinity, and minister at London, lately deceased.
BENEFACTORS TO THE PUBLIC.
Sir WILLIAM, son to William HARPER, was born in the
town of Bedford, but bred a Merchant Tailor in the city of
London ; where God so blessed his endeavours, that, anno 1561,
he was chosen Lord Mayor thereof. In gratitude to God and
the place of his nativity, he erected and endowed a free school
in Bedford, in which town he lieth buried.*
HENRY GRKY, son to Henry Grey, was born at Wrest in
this county. Something must be premised of his extraction.
Richard Grey, third earl of Kent of that family, was so profuse
a person, that he wilfully wasted his estate ; giving away what
he could not spend, to the king and others ; so little he reflected
on Sir Henry Grey his brother (but by a second venter) of
Wrest in this county. Hereupon the said Sir Henry, though
heir to his brother Richard after his death, yet perceiving him-
self over-titled, or rather under-stated, for so high an honour
(the undoubted right whereof rested in him) declined the assum-
ing thereof. Thus the earldom of Kent lay (though not dead)
asleep in the family of the Greys almost 50 years : viz. from
the 15th of king Henry the Eighth till the 13th of queen Eliza-
beth, when she advanced Reginald Grey, grandchild to Sir
Henry Grey aforesaid (who had thriftily recruited himself with
competence of revenues) to be Earl of Kent, anno 1571.
This Reginald dying issueless within the year, Henry his
brother (the subject of our present description) succeeded to
his honour; a person truly noble, expending the income of his
own estate and of his lady's fair jointer (Mary the relic of Ed-
ward Earl of Derby) in hospitality,
He was a most cordial Protestant, on the same token that,
being present at the execution of the queen of Scots, when she
requested the nobility there to stand by and see her death, he
(fearing something of superstition) hardly assented thereunto.
Yet was he as far from the faction as superstition,f deserving
the character given unto him, e( Omnibus verse nobilitatis orna-
mentis vir longe honoratissimus/'J He left no issue, except
some will behold him in some sort parent of Sidney College in
Cambridge, as one of the executors to the foundress thereof,
who did both prove and improve her will, besides his personal
benefaction thereunto ; and being the surviving executor, he
Stow's Survey of London, p. 62. f Camden's Elizabeth, anno 1587.
I Idem, in his Britannia, in Kent.
BENEFACTORS MEMORABLE PERSONS. \^Z
did perpetuate the fellowships (formerly temporary) according
to the implicit trust deposited in him, to the advantages of that
foundation. He died anno Domini 1613.
FRANCIS CLEARK, Knight, was born at Eaton-socoii in this
shire, near to Saint Neot's, in the lordship there commonly
called The Parsonage. He was a noble benefactor to Sidney'
College, augmenting all the scholarships of the foundation, and
erecting a fair and firm range of building. Such his skill in
arithmetic and architecture, that, staying at home, he did pro-
vide to a brick what was necessary for the finishing thereof.
He founded four new fellowships : and, had he been pleased to
consult with the College, the settlement with the same expence
might have proved more advantageous : for though, in gifts to
private persons, it be improper that the receiver should be the
director thereof, a corporation may give the best advice to im-
prove the favours conferred upon it. But it is a general prac-
tice that men desire rather to be broad than thick benefactors.
However, seeing every one may do with his own as he pleas-
ethj blessed be the memory of this worthy knight, whose gift
in effect was felt by the College before the giver thereof was
seen, being himself a mere stranger unto it. Some say, that
because this was the youngest foundation in the University (ge-
nerally the last child hath the least left it), his charity pitched
upon it. But I have been informed, that Sir Francis coming
privately to Cambridge, to see unseen, took notice of Doctor
Ward's daily presence in the hall, with the scholars5 conformity
in caps, and diligent performance of exercises ; which endeared
this place unto him. Thus the observing of old statutes is the
best loadstone to attract new benefactors. His death happened
anno Domini 163. ..
MEMORABLE PERSONS.
A woman, whose name I cannot recover, lived, died, and is
buried at Dunstable in this county. It appeareth by her epitaph*
in the church, that she had nineteen children at five births :
viz. three several times three children at a birth, and five at
a birth two other times. How many of them survived
to man's estate is unknown.f Here I must dissent from
* Hakewill's Apology, p. 253.
t The Epitaph to which Dr. Fuller here alludes (first published by Hakewill,
and since by Brown Willis) is simply that of Mr. Mulso, who, by two wives, was
father of nineteen children. The words are these :
" Hie William Mulso sibi quern sociavit et Alice,
Marmore sub duro conclusit mors geiieralis.
Ter tres, bis quinos hie natos fertur habere
Per sponsas binas. Deus his clemens miserere."
This, Dr. Fuller by mistake ascribes to one woman having 19 children at five
births ; and the tradition of the place confirms the error. Bishop Gibson also, in
his Additions to Camden, repeats it implicitly, gravely adding " that after the co
ronation of King Charles IT. the wives of two blacksmiths were at the same time de-
174 WORTHIES OF BEDFORDSHIRE.
an author maintaining that more twins were born in the first age
of the world, than now-a-days ; * whereas we meet with none
but single births in the patriarchs before the flood ; and, more
than six hundred years after the Deluge, Esau and Jacob were
the first twins mentioned in Scripture.
LORD MAYORS.
1. Thomas Chalton, son of Thomas Chalton, of Dunstable, Mer-
cer, 1449.
2. William Stoker, son of Thomas Stoker, of Eaton, Draper,
1484.
3. William Butler, son of Rich. Butler, of Bidenham, Grocer,1515.
4. William Harper, son of William Harper, of Bedford, Mer-
chant Taylor, 1561.
THE NAMES OF THE GENTRY OF THIS COUNTY,
RETURNED BY THE COMMISSIONERS IX THE TWELFTH YEAR OF KING HENHT
THE SIXTH.
William Bishop of Lincoln, and John de Fanhope, chevalier,
Commissioners.
John Wenlock, arm., and John Gascoigne, arm., knights for the
shire, Commissioners.
Abbatis de Woborn, et sui ce- Johannis Fitzgeffrey.
lerarii Johannis Radwell.
Abbatis de Warden. Johannis Fyse.
Prioris de Dunstable. Johannis Coldington.
Prioris de Chekesond. Christophori Preston.
Prioris de Xunham. Stephani Cruker.
Prioris de Chaldwell. Thomae Roxston.
Prioris de Buschemede. Willielmi Lancelin.
Simonis Filbrigge, chevalier. Henrici de Lye.
Henrici Bronnflete, chevalier. Joh. Conquest de Houghton.
Thomse Wauton, chevalier. Thomce Lonnde.
Thomce Maningham. Walter! Lonnde.
Thomae Hoo. Johannis Lonnde.
Johannis Broughton. Richardi Merston.
Johannis Enderby. Johannis Peeke, j unioris.
Roberti Mordant. Thomse Peeke.
Johannis Hertusherne. Willielmi Peeke.
Henrici Godfrey. Johannis Glove, j unioris.
Johan. Boteler de Xorthzele. Johannis Turvey de Turvey.
Humphrei Acworth. Johannis Ferroiir de Bedford.
Johannis Ragon. Johannis Gerveys de Maldon.
Thomae Ragon. Henrici Etewelf.
livered of three children each, one of three boys, the other of three girl?.:< See tLe
"History of Dunstable," in Bibliotheca Tonoeraphica Britannic*, Xo. VIII. n.
173 ED.
t Huartes, in the " Trial of Wits."
GENTRY.
175
Robert! Bollock.
Willielmi Wale.
Nicholai Ravenhull.
Xicholai Low.
Valentin! Bailli de Luton.
Willielmi White de eadem.
Johannis Boughton.
Hugonis Hasselden.
Thomae Bailli de Houghton.
Willielmi Trought.
Henrici Manntell.
Roberti Valence.
Johannis Attehay.
Willielmi Ypping.
Johannis Petifer.
Thomae Purvey.
Willielmi Purvey.
Willielmi Shotfold.
Willielmi Wingate.
Willielmi Kene.
Thomae Stokker.
Ade Alford.
Johannis Morton.
Thomae Morton.
Thomae Stratton.
Thomae Chamberlain.
Radulphi Cleark.
Math. Stepeing.
Xicholai Harding.
Willielmi Marham.
Richardi Sampson.
Roberti Warner.
Johannis Coke de Crawley.
Willielmi Sileham.
Willielmi Purvey.
Willielmi Rede.'
Thomce Blondell.
Willielmi Milward.
Roberti Ratele.
Johannis Kiggill de Todinton.
Johannis Pesfell de Xunham.
Thomae Chopper de Turvey.
Hungry time hath made a glutton's meal on this catalogue of
gentry, and hath left but a very little morsel for manners remain-
ng ; so few of these are found extant in this shire, and fewer
continuing in a genteel equipage. Amongst whom I must not
forget the family of the Blundels, whereof Sir Edward Blundell
behaved himself right valiantly, in the unfortunate expedition
to the Isle of Ree.
Johannis Marram.
Thomae Jakes.
Johannis Pikot.
Willielmi Molso.
Johannis Sewell.
Henrici Sewell.
Radulphi Falwell.
Hugonis Billingdon.
Johannis Baldoe.
Willielmi Palmer.
Roberti Davy, junioris.
Johannis Stanlow.
Richardi Lincoln.
Walter! Taillard.
Thomae Spencer de Geton.
Johannis Spencer.
Johannis King de Harrowdon,
Johannis Wait.
Willielmi Bochell.
Thomae William.
Roberti Ratull.
Roberti Warner de la Hethe.
Johannis Potter.
Johannis Grecell.
Willielmi tocher de Henlow.
Will. Halle de Chitingdon.
Johannis Halle.
Willielmi Ludsopp.
Job. Conquest de Houghton.
Stephani Cruker.
Thomae Rokeston.
Willielmi Lancelein.
Henrici de Lye.
Thomae Ragon.
Johannis Mepurshale.
Johannis Eitz.
Johannis Pekke, junioris.
Hugonis Billingdon.
Thomee Pekke.
Willielmi Pekke.
Johannis Glove, junioris.
176
WORTHIES OF BEDFORDSHIRE,
SHERIFFS OF BEDFORD AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
ANNO HENRY II.
1 Rich. Basset and Albertus
de Veer, Rob. Carun.
2 Henric. de Essex consti-
tuit Simonem Fitz Petre
Vicecomitem, for four
years.
6 Gal. filius Radulph.
7 Rich, filius Osberti, for
three years.
10 Hug. de la Lega, et Rich,
filius Osberti, for six
years.
16 David. Archdea. and Will.
filius Rich.
17 Will, filius Rich, and Dav.
Arch, for three years.
20 Will, filius Rich, for six
years.
26 Williel. Rufus, for seven
years.
33 Will. Rufus, et Oger.
filius Ogeri, p(p dimid.
anni.
RICHARD i.
1 Will. Rufus, for six years.
7 Simon, de Belchampe, for
three years.
10 Will, de Albeny, et Rob.
Braybrook.
JOHANNIS R.
1 WiU. de Albeny.
2 Galf. filius Petri, et Rob.
de Braybrook, for four
years.
6 Rob. de Braybrook, et
Rob. filius Hemer.
7 Rob. et Rober.
8 Rob. filius Hemeri.
9. Idem.
10 Rob. de Braybrook, for
three years.
13 Rob. de Braybrook, et
Hen. filius ejus.
14 Hen. Braybrook, et Rob.
pater ejus.
15 Idem.
16 Hen. Braybrook.
17 Idem.
HENRY III.
1
2 Fulco de Breantel.
3 Idem.
4 Ful. de Breantel, et Rad.
de Bray, for four years.
8 Ful. de Breantel.
9 Walt, de Pateshull de Ac-
cestane, for four years.
13 Steph. de Wegrave, and
Will, de Martiwaste.
14 Steph. de Segne.
15 Steph. de Segne, et Rich.
de Atteneston, for three
years.
18 Steph. de Segne, and Joh.
Ulecot.
19 Radus. filius Reginald.
20 Will, de Bello Campo, and
Ric. de Porchhalt.
21 Will, de Bello Campo.
22 Reginald, de Albo Monas-
terio.
23 Rob. de Hega.
24 Paulus Penire.
25 Idem.
26 Joh. Grumband.
27 Will. Holdwell, for seven
years.
34 Alex, de Hammeden, for
three years.
37 Nul.Titl. Com. in Rotulo,
38 Simon de Glendon.
39 Idem.
40 Rov. le Savage, Rich, le
Savage, filius Johan.
41 Rob. de Tottenhall.
42 Idem.
43 Alex, de Hamden, for four
years.
SHERIFFS.
Anno
47 Alex, de Hamden, et
Simon de Pateshill, for
five years.
52 Edw. films Regis primo-
genitus.
53 Idem.
54 Edw. filius primo-genitus,
et Barthol. de Towen
Subvic. ejus, for three
years.
EDWARD I.
1 Thomas de Bray.
2 Idem.
3 Hugo de Stapleford, for
four years.
7 Johan. de Chedney, for
four years.
11 Radul. de Goldington, for
three years.
14 Will, de Boyvill, for three
years.
1? Will, de Tarrevill.
18 Joh. de Popham.
19 Idem.
20 Will, de Turrevill, for five
years.
25 Sim. de Bradenham.
26 Walter.de Molesworth, for
ten years.
EDWARD II.
1 Gil. de Holme, et Wai.
de Molesworth.
2 Will.Merre, for four years.
6 Walt, de Molesworth, et
Joh. de Pabenham, for
three years,
9 Joh. de la Hay.
10 Idem.
11 Joh. de la Hay, et Rog.
de Tirringham.
12 Phil, de Aylesbury, et
Rich, de Cave.
13 Rich, de Cave, et Ingil-
ran de Berenger.
14 Idem.
15 Ingelramus Berenger.
VOL. I,
Anno
17 Rog. de Tiringham.
18 Rog. de Tiringham, et
Joh. de la Hay.
19 Johan. de la Hay, et Phil.
de Aylesbury.
EDWARD III.
1 Johan. de la Mareschall,
et Phil, de Aylesbury.
2 Idem.
3 Joh. de Mareschall.
4 Phil, de Aylesbury, for
three years.
7 Nul. Titl. Com. in Rotulo.
8 Rad. de Wedon.
9 Idem.
10 Rich. Ward.
11 Rad. de Wedon.
12 Nich. de Passelow, et
Will. Aloton.
13 Idem.
14 Nich. Passelow.
15 Ger. de Bray brook.
16 Henric. Chalfhunt, et Ger-
rard. de Braybrook.
1? Joh. Aygnell, et Hen.
Chalfhunt.
18 Hen. Chalfhunt, et Joh.
Wignell.
19 Tho. de Swinford.
20 Idem.
21 Will. Croyser.
22 Idem.
23 Tho. Fernibrand.
24 Idem.
25 Joh. Chastilion, et Tho.
Fernibrand.
26 Joh. Chastilion.
27 Ger. de Braybrook.
28 Idem.
29 Pet. de Salford, et Ger.
Braybrook.
30 Pet. de Salford.
31 Joh. de Hampden, et Hug.
Chastilion.
32 Joh. de Hampden.
33 Idem.
34 Pet. de Salford.
N
178 WORTHIES OF BEDFORDSHIRE.
Anno Anno
16 35 Joh. de Hampden.
36 Pet. de Salford, for four 47 Johan. Ragoun.
years. 48 Johan. Aylesbury.
40 Joh. de Aylesbury, for six 49 Johan. cle Arden.
years. 50 Johan. de B rough ton.
46 Johan. Chyne. 51 Johan. de Ollueyge.
HENRY II.
1. RICHARDUS BASSET, ET ALBERICUS de VEER. — The
catalogue of the sheriffs of Cambridge and Huntington-shires, as
also of Essex and Hertfordshire, beginneth with the same
names ; so that six counties (but all lying together) were under
their inspection. None need to question, but that this Alberi-
cus de Veer was the very same with him who by Maud the em-
press was made the first earl of Oxford, of whom hereafter this
year in Cambridgeshire. Meantime we take notice of an Us-
terosis, beholding Richard Basset (though first named) as his
under-sheriff.
2. HENRY de ESSEX. — He is too well known in our English
chronicles, being Baron of Raleigh in Essex, and hereditary
standard-bearer of England. It happened in the reign of this
king there was a fierce battle fought in Flintshire, at Coleshull,
betwixt the English and Welch, wherein this Henry de Essex,
animum et signum simul abjecit, ((( betwixt traitor and coward
cast away both his courage and banner together,") occasioning a
great overthrow of English.*
But he that had the baseness to do, had the boldness to deny
the doing of, so foul a fact ; until he was challenged in combat
by Robert de Momford, a knight, eye-witness thereof, and by
him overcome in a duel ; whereupon his large inheritance was
confiscated to the king, and he himself, partly thrust, partly go-
ing into a convent, hid his head in a cowl, under which, betwixt
shame and sanctity, he blushed out the remainder of his life.
16. DAVID ARCHIDIACONUS, &c. — It may justly seem
strange, that an archdeacon should be sheriff of a shire : and one
would have sought for a person of his profession rather in a
pulpit, than in a shire-hall.
Some will answer, that in that age men in orders engrossed
not only places of judicature, but also such as had military and
martial relations, whereof this sheriff did in some sort partake.
Bufr, under correction, I conceive, that though bishops (who had
also temporal baronies) were sometimes sheriffs, yet no inferior
clergymen, being in orders, were ever advanced to that office,
neither in ancient nor in modern times. Sure I am that, in the
Compare Camden's Britannia in Essex with him in Flintshire.
SHERIFFS. 179
reign of king Charles, one being pricked sheriff of Rutland es-
caped, pleading that he was a deacon.
Yet we meet with many, whose surnames sound of churdh-
relation, both in the catalogue of ancient and modern sheriffs :
1. Abbot of London ; 2. Archdeacon of Cornwall ; 3. Bishop
of Sussex; 4. Chaplain of Norfolk; 5. Clerk of Northampton-
shire ; 6. Dean of Essex ; 7- Friar of Oxfordshire ; 8. Moigne
of Dorsetshire ; 9. Monk of Devonshire; 10. Parson of Buck-
inghamshire ; 11. Pope of Oxfordshire; 12. Prior of London.
It addeth to the difficulty, that whereas persons of their pro-
fession were formerly enjoined single lives, we find in this list
some of their sons in the next generation sheriffs also.
But take one answer to all. As these were laymen, so pro-
bably their ancestors were ecclesiastics, and did officiate accord-
ing to their respective orders and dignities. These afterwards,
having their patrimony devolved unto them by the death of their
elder brethren, were dispensed with by the Pope to marry, yet
so that they were always afterwards called by their former profes-
sion, which was fixed as a surname on their posterity. Thus we read
how in France Hugh de Lusignian, being an archbishop (and
the last of his family), when, by the death of his brethren, the
signiories of Partnay, Soubize, &c. fell unto him, he obtained
licence to marry, on condition that his posterity should bear the
name of Archeveque, and a mitre over their arms for ever.
As for the surname of Pope in England, it is such a tran-
scendant, I cannot reach it with mine own, and must leave it to
more judicious^ conjectures.
KING JOHN.
13. ROB. de BRAYBROOK, et HEN. filius ejus. 14. HEN.
BRAYBROOK, et ROB. pater ejus. — Here is a loving recipro-
cation. First, a son under-sheriff to his father; that was his
duty. Secondly, the father under-sheriff to his son ; that was
his courtesy. Indeed I can name one under-sheriff to his own
father, being a gentleman of right worthy extraction and estate,
which son afterwards (in my memory) became lord chief justice
and treasurer of England.
HENRY III.
52. EDVARD. filius REGIS primo-genitus. — It soundeth not
a little to the honour of these two shires, that prince Edward,
afterwards the most renowned king of England (first of his
Christian name since the Conquest) was their sheriff for five
years together. Yea, the imperial crown found him in that of-
fice^ when it fell unto him, though then absent in Palestine.
We may presume, that Bartholomew de Fowen, his under-she-
riff, was very sufficient to manage all matters under him.
N 2
180 WORTHIES OF BEDFORSHIRE.
SHERIFFS OF BEDFORD AND BUCKINGHAM-SHIRE.
RICHARD II.
Anno Names and Arms. Place.
1 Job. de Aylesbury . Aylesbury.
Arms ; Az. a cross Arg.
2 Thomas Peynere.
3 Egidius Daubeny . SOMERSETSHIRE.
G. four lozenges in fess Arg.
4 Thomas Sackwell . SUSSEX.
Quarterly O. and G. a bend vaire.
5 Job. de Aylesbury . ut prius.
6 Idem ut prius.
7 Job. Widevill . . Northam.
Arg. a fess and canton G.
8 Rob. DikesweU.
9 Thomas CovelL
Az. a lion ramp. Arg. a file of three lambeaux G.
10 Job. de Aylesbury . ut prius.
11 Rad. Fitz. Rich.
12 Thomas Peynere.
13 Thomas Sackvill . . ut prius.
14 Edm. Hampden . . Hampden, Buc.
Arg. a saltire G. between four eaglets displayed Az.
15 Will. Teringham . . Teringham, Buc.
Az. a cross engrailed Arg.
16 Thomas Peynere.
17 Phil. Walwane.
18 Johannes Longvile . Wolverton, Buc.
G. a fess indented betwixt six crosslets Arg.
19 Edm. Hampden . . ut prius.
20 Regin. Ragon.
21 Johannes Worship.
22 Idem.
HENRY IV.
1 Thomas Eston.
2 Edw. Hampden . . ut prius.
Ro. Beauchamp . . Eaton, Bed.
G, a fess between six martlets O.
3 Reg. Ragon.
4 Johannes Boys . . KENT.
O. a griffin segreant S. within two borders G.
5 Idem.
6 Edw. Hampden . . ut prim.
7 Thomas Peynere.
8 Richardus Hay.
9 Bald. Pigott ' . . Stratton, Bed.
S. three pick-axes Arg.
SHERIFFS. 181
Anno Name. Place.
10 Tho. Strickland . . YORKSHIRE.
G. a chev. O. between three crosses formee Arg. on a
canton Erm. a buck's head erased S.
1 1 Richardus Wyott.
12 Bald. Pigott . 4 ut prim.
HENRY V.
1 Tho. Strickland . . ut prius.
2 Edw. Hampden . . ut prius.
3 Thomas Wauton.
4 Richard Wyott.
5 Joh. Gifford.
6 Will. Massy.
7 Walt. Fitz. Rich,
S Johan. Radwell.
9 Joh. Radwellet.
10 Will. Massy.
11 Idem.
HENRY VI.
1 Johan. Wauton.
2 Joh. Cheney, mil. . . Cheneys, Buc.
Cheeky O. and Az. a fess G. fretty Erm.
3 Richardus Wyott.
4 Johan. Cheney. . . ut prius.
5 Will. Massy, arm.
6 Hum. Stafford, arm.
O. a chev. G. a quarter Erm.
7 Tho. Wauton, mil.
8 Thomas Hoo.
Quarterly S. and Arg.
9 Joh. Cheney . . ut prius.
10 Egid. Daubeny, mil. . ut prias.
11 Tho. Wauton, mil.
12 Johan. Glove.
13 Joh. Hampden, arm. . ut prius.
14 Joh. Broughton.
15 Rob. Manfeld.
16 Hum. Stafford, mil. . ut prius.
17 Joh. Hampden . . ut prius,
18 Walt. Strickland . . ut prius.
19 Joh. Brekenoll.
20 Edw. Campden . . ut prius.
21 Edw. Rede.
22 Tho. Singleton.
23 Joh. Wenlock.
Arg. a chev. between three blackmore heads couped proper.
24 Thomas Rokes.
182 WORTHIES OF BEDFORDSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
25 Thomas Gifford.
26 Gor. Longvile . . -tit prius.
27 Idem . . . ut pri«s.
28 Will. Gedney.
29 Joh. Hampden . . ut prius.
30 Ro. Whittingham.
31 Rob. Olney.
32 Edw. Rede, arm.
Joh. Poulter . . HERTFORDSHIRE.
Arg. a bend voided S.
33 Tho. Singleton.
34 Tho. Charlton, mil.
35 Joh. Hampden . . utpriuf.
36 Joh. Maningham.
37 Joh. Hey ton, arm.
38 Johan. Broughton.
Arg. a chev. betwixt three mullets G.
EDWARD IV.
1 Edw. Rede, arm.
2 Thomas Reynes.
3 Idem.
4 Pet. House, arm.
5 Joh. Broughton . . ut prius.
6 Joh. Bottiler, mil. . Biddenham, Bed.
G.a fess compone Arg. and S. betwixt six crosses crossletsO.
7 Tho. Hampden . ; ut prius.
8 Joh. Foster, arm. . BERKSHIRE.
S. a chev. engrailed between three arr. A.
9 Will. Lucy, arm.
G. crusuly O. three pikes hauriant Arg.
10 Rob. Dooth, arm. . CHESHIRE.
Arg. three boars* heads erased S. tusked O.
11 Regin. Grey . . . Wrestlingw. Bed.
Barry of six Ar. and Az. in chief three torteauxes.
12 Joh. Lanoston, arm.
13 John Botiler, mil. . ut prius.
14 Rich. Bulstrode.
(See our Notes in BUCKS.)
15 Hugo Brudenell . BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
Arg. a chevron G. between three chappews Az.
16 Edward Molinen.
17 Jo. Rotheram, arm. . Luton, Bed.
V. three roebucks tripping O. a baton G.
18 Thomas Rokes.
19 Thomas Fowler.
20 Rich. Enderby, arm.
Arg three bars dancette S. a pale in chief E.
SHERIFFS. 183
Anno Name. Place.
21 Joh. Verney.
Az. on a cross Arg. five mullets G.
22 Tho. Hampden . . ut prim.
RICHARD III.
1 Dru. Brudnell . . ut prius.
2 Thomas Fowler.
3 Joh. Boone, mil.
HENRY VII.
1 Gor. Ingledon.
2 Tho. Rokes.
3 Tho. Fowler.
4 Joh. Rotheram . . ut prius.
5 Rich. Godfrey.
6 Joh. Laneston, sen.
7 Rich. Restwood . . La Vache, Bed.
8 Edw. Cokaine, arm. . Hatley, Bed.
Arg. three cocks G.
9 Rich. Godfrey, arm.
10 Will. Rede.
11 Thomas Darell . . Lillingston, Bed.
Az. a lion rampant O. crowned Arg.
12 Thomas Langston.
13 Joh. Gefford, arm.
14 David Phillip, arm.
15 Rich. Restwood.
16 Hug. Conway, mil.
S. on a bend betwixt two cotises Arg. a rose G. betwixt
two annulets.
17 Joh. St. John, mil. . Bletso, Bed.
Arg. on a chief G. two mullets pierced O.
18 Rich. Blount, arm.
Barry formy nebulee of six O. and S.
19 Edw. Bulstrod, arm. . ut prius.
20 Tho. Darell, arm. . ut prius.
21 Joh. Cheyney, arm. . ut prius.
22 Will. Gascoigne . . Cardinton, Bed.
Arg. on a pale S. a lucie^s head erected O.
23 Joh. Longvile, mil. . ut prius.
24 Geor. Harvey, arm.
G. on a bend Arg. three trefoils V.
HENRY VIII.
1 Joh. Mordant, arm. . Turvey, Bed.
Arg. a chevron inter three estoiles S.
2 John Dive, arm. . . Brumham, Bed.
Parti per pale Arg. and G. a fess Az.
3 Rad. Verney, arm. . ut prius.
4 Tho. Dineham, arm.
184 WORTHIES OF BEDFORDSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
5 Will. Gascoigne . . ut prius.
6 Edw. Bray, arm.
Arg. a chev. between three eagles5 legs, erased S.
7 Job. St. John, mil. . ut prius.
S Gor. Harvey, mil. . ut prius.
9 Will. Gascoigne . . ut prius.
10 Mich. Fisher, arm.
11 Will: Rede, mil.
12 Joh. Cheney, arm. . ut prizes.
13 Rob. Lee, mil. . . Quatendon, Buc.
Arg. a fess between three crescents S.
14 Rob. Dormer, arm. . Winge, Buc.
Az. ten billets, four, three, two, and one O. in a chief of
the second, a lion issuant S.
15 Tho. Langston, arm.
16 Rad. Verney . . ut prius.
17 Tho. Rotheram . . ut prius.
18 Edw. Grevill, mil.
S. a bordure and cross engrailed O. therein five pellets.
19 Fran. Pigote, arm. . ut prius.
20 Joh. Hampden, mil. . ut prius.
21 Joh. St. John, mil. . ut prius.
22 Mich. Fisher.
23 Rob. Dormer, arm. . ut prius.
24 Edw. Dun, mil.
25 Rob. Lee, mil. . . ut prius.
26 Joh. St. John, mil. . ut prius.
27 Rog. Corbet, arm. . SHROPSHIRE.
O. a raven proper.
28 Tho. Longvile, arm. . ut prius.
29 Will. Windsor, mil. . Bradenham, Buc.
G. a saltier Arg. betwixt twelve cross crosslets O.
30 Rob. Dormer, mil. . ut prius.
31 Tho. Rotheram . . ut prius.
32 Rad. Verney, mil. . ut prius.
33 Joh. Gostwick, mil. . Wellington, Bed.
Arg. a bend G. cotised S. betwixt six Cornish choughs
proper ; on a chief O. three mullets V.
34 Idem . . . ut prius.
35 Thomas Giffard, arm.
36 Mich. Fisher, mil.
37 Lod. Dyve, arm. . . ut prius.
38 Rob. Drury, mil.
Arg. on a chief V. the letter Tau betwixt two mullets
pierced O.
EDWARD VI.
1 Fran. Russell, mil. . Cheneis, Buc.
A lion ramp, G, on a chief S. three escallops of the first.
SHERIFFS. 185
Anno Name. Place.
2 Fran. Pigott, arm. . nt prius.
3 Joh. St. John, mil. . ut prius.
4 Tho. Rotheram . . ut prius.
5 Oliv. St. John, arm. . ut prius.
6 Tho. Pigott, arm. . . ut prius.
MARIA REG.
1 Will. Dormer, mil. . ut prius.
REX PHIL. ET MA. REGINA.
1 Arth. Longvile, arm. . ut prius.
2 Rob. Drury, mil. . . ut prius.
3 Rob. Peckham, mil.
4 Tho. Pigott, arm. . . ut prius.
5 Hum. Rat cliff, mil.
Arg. a bend engrailed S.
REG. ELIZA.
1 Will. Hawtry, arm. . Checkers, Buc.
Arg. four lioncels passant S. betwixt two gemews in bend.
2 Tho. Teringham . . ut prius.
3 Rob. Drury, mil. . . ut prius.
4 Joh. Goodwin, arm.
5 Paul Damil, arm.
6 Tho. Fleetwood . . Vache, Buc.
Parti per pale nebule Az. and O. six martelets counter-
changed.
7 Hen. Cheyne, mil. . Tuddington, Bed.
8 AMP. Joh. Cheny, arm.
9 Joh. Burlacy, arm.
10 Will. Dormer, mil. . ut prius.
S. a fess engrailed between three flower-de-luce Arg.
11 Edw. Ashfeld, mil.
12 Lod. Mordant, mil. . ut prius.
13 Tho. Pigottj arm. . ut prius.
14 Lodo Dive, arm. . . ut prius.
15 Gor. Peckham, mil.
16 Rad. Astry, arm. . . Harlington, Bed.
Barry-wavy of six Arg. and Az. ; on a chief G. three
bezants.
HENRY VI.
8. THOMAS Hoo. — If any ask me the place of his residence
in these counties, I must return, Non sum informatus.* But
* Dr. Fuller's want of information in this instance may be supplied from the
History of Luton, in the " Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica," No. VIII.
pp. 27, 53; where it will be seen that Luton Hoo, the residence of the Mar-
quis of Bute, was possessed by Robert (the grandfather of Thomas), who took
the addition of de Hoo from this place. Thomas was created Lord Hastings and
186 WORTHIES OF BEDFORDSHIRE.
this is he who is charactered by Master Camden, " Vir egre-
gius,"* whom king Henry the Sixth made Knight of the Garter,
and Lord Hoo and Hastings. He left four daughters, thus
married: — 1. Anne to Sir Jeffery Bollen ; 2. Eleanor to Sir
Richard Carew ; 3. Jane to Robert Cople, esq. ; 4. Elizabeth
to Sir John Devenish. From the first of these was queen
Elizabeth descended. Some of the issue male of the same
family were very lately extant in Hertfordshire.
23. JOHN WENLOCK. — His surname seemeth to have something
in it of a Salopian reference to a market town therein so called ;
however his principal residence was (but where to me unknownt)
in this county, whereof he was returned knight to the Parlia-
ment, in the twelfth of this king's reign ; the very same whom
afterwards this king created Baron Wenlock, and Knight of the
Garter, and who afterwards lost his life in his cause, valiantly
fighting in the battle of Tewksbury. It is charity to enter this
memorial of him, the rather because he died without issue (and
his fair estate, forfeited to king Edward the Fourth, was quickly
scattered amongst many courtiers) ; but from his cousin and heir
general, the Lauleys in Shropshire are lineally descended.
HENRY VII.
17. Sir JOHN SAINT JOHN, Mil. — There were three Sir
John Saint Johns successively in the same family, since their
fixing in this county: 1. The father (this year sheriff) being son
to Sir Oliver Saint John, by Margaret daughter and sole heir
to Sir John Beauchamp. This Margaret was afterwards mar-
ried to John Duke of Somerset, to whom she bare Margaret,
mother to king Henry the Seventh. 2. The son (sheriff in the
seventh year of king Henry the Eighth.) 3. The grandchild,
sheriff in the third of Edward the Sixth, and father to Oliver (the
first Lord Saint John. This we insert to avoid confusion ; it
being the general complaint of heralds that such liomonymy
causeth many mistakes in pedigrees.
22. WILLIAM GASCOIGNE. — Much wondering with myself
how this northern name straggled into the south, I consulted one
of his family, and a good antiquary : by whom I was informed
Hoo in 1447 ; and settled ten parts of the tithes of the Hoo on the abbey of St.
Alban's, for the use of strangers ED. * Britannia, in Sussex.
"\" According to the Bibliotheca Topographica, pp. 25, 45, his mansion was at
Somerys, about two miles to the north-west of Luton, where, as Leland informs us,
Lord Wenlock had begun sumptuously a house, but never finished it. He was bu-
ried in a chapel of his own foundation, adjoining to the church of Luton; and on
his tomb is said to have been a native of Wenlocke, " et hujus ville dominus." — " At
Luton," says Mr. Camden, " I saw a fair church, but the choir then roofless and
overrun with weeds ; and adjoining to it an elegant chapel founded by Lord Wen-
locke, and well maintained by the family of Rotherham, planted here by Thomas
Rotherham, archbishop of York and chancellor of England in the time of king
Edward IV." &c._ ED.
SHERIFFS. 18?
that this William was a younger brother of Gauthorpe House in
Yorkshire, and was settled at Cardirigton nigh Bedford, in this
county, by marrying the inheritrix thereof. He was afterwards
twice sheriff under king Henry the Eighth, knighted, and con-
troller of the house of Cardinal Wolsey. A rough gentleman,
preferring rather to profit than please his master. And although
the pride of that prelate was far above his covetousness, yet his
wisdom, well knowing thrift to be the fuel of magnificence, would
usually digest advice from this his servant, when it plainly
tended to his own emolument. The name and (which is worse)
the estate, is now quite extinct in this county.
HENRY VIII.
1. JOHN MORDANT, Arm. — He was extracted of a very an-
cient parent in this county, and married one of the daughters and
heirs of Henry Vere, of Addington in Northamptonshire, whereby
he received a great inheritance, being by aged persons in those
parts remembered by the name John of the Woods (Reader, I
was born under the shadow, and felt the warmth of them) ; so
great a master he was of oaks and timber in that county, besides
large possessions he had in Essex and elsewhere. King Henry
the Eighth, owning him deservedly for a very wise man, created
him Baron Mordant of Turvey.
29. WILLIAM WINDSOR, Mil. — He was descended from
Walter Fitz Otho,* castle keeper of Windsor in the time of king
William the Conqueror, and was by king Henry the Eighth
created Baron Windsor of Bradenham in Buckinghamshire, an-
cestor to the present Lord Windsor, descended from him by an
heir-general ; so that Hickman is his surname.
EDWARD VI.
1. FRANCIS RUSSEL, Mil. — He was son to Lord John
Russel, afterward Earl of Bedford. Succeeding his father in his
honour, so great was his hospitality, that queen Elizabeth was
wont to say pleasantly of him, " That he made all the beggars/5
He founded a small school at Woburn ; and dying in great age
and honour, was buried at Cheneys, 1585.
5. OLIVER SAINT JOHN, Arm.— He was by queen Elizabeth
made Lord Saint John of Bletso in this county, and left two
sons, who succeeded to his honour. First, John, whose only
daughter Anne was married to William Lord Effingham, and was
mother to Elizabeth now Countess Dowager of Peterborough.
His second son was Oliver, blessed with a numerous issue, and
ancestor to the present Earl of Bullinbrook.
* Camden's Britannia, in Berkshire.
188 WORTHIES OF BEDFORDSHIRE,
QUEEN MARY.
1. WILLIAM DORMER, Mil. — He was son to Sir Robert
Dormer (sheriff the 14th of king Henry the Eighth) by Jane
Newdigate his wife ; which lady was so zealous a Papist, that
after the death of queen Mary she left the land, and lived be-
yond the seas. This Sir William, by Mary Sidney his wife, had
a daughter, married to the Count of Feria, when he came over
hither with king Philip.
This Count, under pretence to visit his sick lady, remaining
here, did very earnestly move a match betwixt king Philip, his
master, and queen Elizabeth, which in fine took no effect.* He
then also mediated for Jane Dormer, his grandmother, and some
other fugitives, that they might live beyond the seas, and receive
their revenues out of England ; which favour the queen thought
not fit to indulge : whereat the Count was so incensed, that he
moved Pope Pius the Fourth to excommunicate her, though his
wife did with all might and main oppose it.f
SHERIFFS OF THIS COUNTY ALONE.
REG. ELIZ.
Anno Name and Arms. Place.
17 Ge. Rotheram, esq. . Farly.
Arms : V. three roe-bucks tripping Or, a baton Gules.
18 John Barnardeston . Jewelbury.
G. a saltire engrailed Arg.
19 Ge. Kenesham, esq. . Temesford.
20 John Spencer, esq. . Cople.
21 Nicholas Luke, esq. . Woodend.
Arg. a bugle horn S.
22 Henry Butler, esq. . Biddenham.
G. a fess cheeky Ar. and S. bewixt six cross crosslets Arg.
23 John Tompson, esq. . Crawley.
24 Ric. Conquest, esq. . Houghton.
Quarterly, Arg. and S. a label with three points.
25 Lodo. Dive, esq. . . Brumham.
Parti per pale Arg. and G. a fess Az.
26 Joh. Rowe, esq. and
Ric. Charnock, esq. . Holcot.
Arg. on a bend S. three crosses crosslet of the field.
27 Oliver St. John, esq.
Arg. on a chief G. two mullets O.
28 Ric. Charnock, esq. . ut prius.
29 Will. Butler, esq. . . ut prius.
* Camden's Elizabeth, anno 1558.
t " Uxore frustra obnitente," Idem, anno 1560.
SHERIFFS. 189
Anno Name. Place.
30 Rad. Astry, esq. . . Westning.
Barry wavy of six Arg. and Az. on a chief G. three be-
zants.
31 Oliver St. John, esq. . ut prius.
32 Ge. Rotheram, esq. . ut prius.
33 Ex. Hoddeson, esq. . ut prius.
34 Will. Buncombe . Batlesden.
Parti per chevron counterflore G. and Arg. three talbots'
heads erazed counterchanged.
35 Nicholas Luke, esq. . ut prius.
36 John Dive, esq. . . ut prius.
37 Will Gostwick, esq. . Willington.
Arg. a bend G. cotised S. betwixt six Cornish choughs
proper ; on a chief O. three mullets V.
38 Ric. Conquest, esq. . ut prius.
39 Tho. Cheney, esq. . Sundon.
40 Edr. Ratcliffe, knt. . Elstow.
Arg. a bend engrailed S.
41 Will. Butler, esq. . ut prius.
42 John Croft, knt.
43 Ri. Charnocks, esq. . ut prius.
44 George Franklin . . Malvern.
45 John Dive, knt. . . ut prius.
JACOBUS REX.
1 John Dive, knt. . . ut prius.
2 John Leigh, esq.
3 Edr. Sands, knt. . . Eaton.
4 Fra. Anderson, esq. . E worth.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three cross crosslets S.
5 Tho. Snagge, knt. . Marson.
6 Edw. Mordant, esq. . Ockley.
Arg. a chevron between three etoiles S.
7 Tho. Ancell, esq. . Barford.
G. on a saltire O. between four bezants a mascle of the
first.
8 Fran. Ventres, knt. . Campton.
Az. a lucie between two bends wavy Arg.
9 Robert Sandy, esq.
10 Will. Beecher, esq. . Hooberry.
11 Ric. Sanders, esq. . Marson.
Parti per chevron Arg. and S. three elephants' heads
erazed counterchanged.
12 Edw. Duncombe . ut prius.
13 Will. Plomer, esq. . Holms.
V. a chevron between three lions' heads erazed O. bil-
leted G.
190 WORTHIES OP BEDFORDSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
14 Roger Burgoyne . . Sutton.
G. a chevron O. between three talbots; on chief embat-
tled Arg. as many martlets S.
15 Oliver Luke, knt. . . ut prius.
16 Ed. Conquest, knt. . tit prius.
17 Ge. Keynsham, esq.
18 Fran. Stan ton, esq. . Birchmore.
19 Will. Bryers, esq. . Woodbery.
20 Wil. Hawkins, esq. . Tilbrook.
21 Fran, Clerke, knt.
22 Math. Denton, esq. . Barton.
CAROLUS I. REX.
1 John Wingate, esq. . Harlington.
S. a bend E. cotised O. between six martlets Arg.
2 Ed. Gostwick, knt. . ut prius.
3 John Moore, esq.
4 Anth. Chester, bart.
Per pale, Arg. and S. a chevron between three rams5 heads
erased, armed O. within a border engrailed roundly, all
counterchanged.
5 Michael Grigg, esq.
6 William Cater, esq. . Kempston.
E. on a pile G. a lion passant gardant O.
7 Edmund Anderson . ut prius.
8 Ja. Beverley, esq. . Clapwell.
E. a rose G.
9 Oufl. Winch, esq. . Everton.
10 Hum. Monoux, esq. . Wootton.
11 Richard Gery, esq. . Bushmede.
12 Henry Chester, esq. . lit prius.
13 Will. Boteler, esq. . ut prius.
14 Will. Plomer, esq. . ut prius.
15 Richard Child, esq. . Puddington.
G. a chevron engrailed E. betwixt three doves Arg.
16 Joh. Burgogne, esq. . ut prius.
17 Tho. Alston, knt. bart. . Wodhill.
Az. ten stars O.
18
19
20 Nich. Denton, esq.
21
22 Math. Taylor, esq. . Eaton.
THE FAREWELL.
Being to take my farewell of this county, I am minded of the
mistake (what writer is free from them ?) in Mr. Stowe, telling
WORTHIES SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER. 191
us of tide-boats, till-boats, and barges, which come from Bed-
fordshire down the Thames to London,* which surely must
row over many miles of dry-land in their passage thereunto.
But, if there be a possibility of such a conveyance by art
and industry to be effected, may his words prove true by way of
prediction, seeing certainly such a conveniehcy must needs be
advantageous to this county !
* Stowe, in Survey of London, p. 18, writing of the river Thames.
WORTHIES OF BEDFORDSHIRE WHO HAVE FLOURISHED
SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER.
John BUNYAN, Anabaptist preacher, author of " The Pilgrim's
Progress f born at Elstow 1628 ; died 1688.
Hon. John BYNG, admiral ; born at Southhill 1704 ; shot 1757*
Edmund CHISHULL, divine, antiquary, and Latin poet ; born
at Ey worth ; died 1733.
Samuel PALMER, nonconformist ; born at Bedford 1740.
John POM FRET, poet and classical scholar ; born at Luton
1677; died 1?03.
William RICHARDSON, divine and ecclesiastical antiquary,
editor of Godwin " De Prsesulibus ;" bom at Wilhamstead
1698; died 1775.
Nicholas ROWE, dramatic poet ; born at Little Bockford 1673 ;
died 1718.
Nathaniel SALMON, divine, topographer, and antiquary ; born at
Meppershall; died 1742.
Thomas SALMON, historian and geographer ; born at Mepper-
shall; died 1743.
Elkanah SETTLE, poet, author of the " City Triumphs on Lord
Mayor's Day/' &c. ; born at Dunstable 1647-8 ; died 1?24.
Sir Christopher TURNOR, judge, born at Milton Ernest; died
1675.
Samuel WHITBREAD, eminent brewer, public benefactor, and
father of the distinguished statesman ; born at Cardington ;
died 1?96, aged 76.
* * The Works which have been published relative to this county, since Ful-
ler's time, consist chiefly of Parry's History of Bedfordshire (1828), and of Woburn
Abbey (1831), besides notices given in the Beauties of England, and Ly-
sons' Magna Britannia. There have also been published Accounts of Wimmington,
by the Rev. O. St. John Cooper (1785), and of Odell, by the same author (1787).
—In 1812, Mr.Thos. Fisher likewise published Collections for Bedfordshire.— &D.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
IT is a long narrow county (the miles therein proportioned
accordingly) stretching forty-four miles from North to South,
whilst the breadth is content with fourteen at the most. A
fruitful country, especially in the vale of Aylesbury, where one
[lately] entire pasture, called Beryfield (now part of the inherit-
ance of Sir Robert Lee, baronet), in the manor of Quarendon,
is let yearly for eight hundred pounds, the tenant not complain-
ing of his bargain.
This county takes its name from Buckingham, the chief town
therein ; as that from beeches (called in the Saxon tongue buc-
cen) growing plentifully thereabouts, as in other places in this
county, and therefore placed first amongst its
NATURAL COMMODITIES.
BEECH.
This was esteemed sacred amongst the Romans : " Manius
Curius juravit se ex praeda nihil attigisse, praeter guttum faginum
quo sacrificaret : " (ff protested, that he touched nothing of the
prey besides a beech-cup, wherewith he should sacrifice."*) It
is also medicinal ; though we would wish none sore lips or eyes
to try the truth of Pliny's report, whether beech-leaves cure
the one, or the ashes of beech-mast heal the other.f Our ordi-
nary use thereof (besides making of many utensils) is for build-
ing of houses. One asked, when beech would make the best
timber ? meaning what season of the year wasVbest to cut it down
for that purpose. It was answered, " that beech would make
the best timber when no oak was to be had;'' a time, I assure
you, which daily approacheth in our land.J
Hence it was, that such care was taken in the reign of king
Henry the Eighth (when woods were in a far better condition
than now-a-days) for the preserving of the standels of beech. §
As also it was provided in the first of queen Elizabeth, that no
timber trees of oak, beech, and ash (where beech deservedly is
Plin. lib. decimo sexto, p. 287. cap. 38. ver. 44.
Plin.lib. vigesimo quarto, p. 442. cap. 5, ver. 37.
I Stat. 35 Hen. VIII. cap. 17. § Stat. 1 Eliz. cap. 15.
NATURAL COMMODITIES MANUFACTURES. 193
made second), being one foot square at the stub, and growing
within fourteen miles of the sea, or any navigable river, should
be converted to coal or fuel,* as the debasing of that which,
if nature did not first intend, necessity^must employ for better
service.
SHEEP.
The best and biggest bodied in England are the'.Vale of Ayles-
bury in this county, where it is nothing to give ten pounds or
more for a breed-ram. So that, should a foreigner hear of the
price thereof, he would guess that ram rather to be some Roman
engine of battery, than the creature commonly so called.
I know not whether his observation, with the reason thereof,
be worth the inserting, who first took notice, that our cattle
for food are English when feeding in the field, but French when
fed on in a family.
English. 1. Sheep. 2. Ox. 3. Calf. 4. Hog. 5. Pig.
French. 1. Mutton. 2. Beef. ; 3. Veal. 4. Bacon. 5. Pork.
Whereof he assigned this reason, that, after the Norman Con-
quest, the French so tyrannized over the English tenants, that
they forced them to keep and feed their cattle ; but the Mon-
sieurs ate all their good meat after it was slaughtered.
Foreigners much admire at our English sheep, because they
do not (as those beyond the seas) follow their shepherds like to
a pack of dogs, but wander wide abroad ; and the popish priests
tell their simple flocks, that this disobedience of our sheep hap-
peneth unto us, because (risum teneatis, amid ?) we have left
the great shepherd, the Pope ;* whereas they did so long before
our separation from Rome, because, freed from the fear of
wolves (infesting them in foreign parts), they feed safely in the
fields, needing neither guide to direct, nor guard to defend
them.
TAME PHEASANTS.
They first took their name from Phasis, a river in Asia ; and
long their flight thence into England : a fowl fair in the feathers,
a cock especially (males by nature, though female by art, the
finest of both sexes), and dainty in the flesh. Abundance of
these are kept about Wycombe ; the care being more than the
cost, seeing their general repast is on pismires. Whether these
tame be as good as wild pheasants, I leave to palate-men to de-
cide.
' THE MANUFACTURES.
It is true of this county, that it liveth more by its lands than
by its hands. Such the fruitfulness, venting the native commo-
dities thereof at great rates (thank the vicinity of London, the
* Stat. 1. Eliz. c. 15. f Sam. Hartlib's Legacie, p. 84.
VOL. I. O
194 WORTHIES OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
best chapman), that no handicrafts of note, save what common
to other countries,, are used therein, except any will instance in
bone-lace, much thereof being made about Owldney in this
county ; though more, I believe, in Devonshire, where we shall
meet more properly therewith.
PROVERBS.
" Buckinghamshire bread and beef.''*]
The former is as fine, the latter as fat, in this as in any other
county. If, therefore, the inhabitants thereof come with hearty
grace and hungry appetites, no doubt both strength and health
will follow on their repast.
" Here if you beat a bush, it's odds you'lcl start a thief."f]
No doubt there was just occasion for this proverb at the ori-
ginal thereof, which then contained satirical truth, proportioned
to the place before it was reformed ; whereof thus our great an-
tiquary:{
" It was altogether unpassable in times past by reason of
trees, until that Leofstane abbot of St. Albany's did cut them
down, because they yielded £ place of refuge for thieves."
But this proverb is now antiquated as to the truth thereof,
Buckinghamshire affording as many maiden assizes as any
county of equal populousness. Yea, hear how she pleadeth
for herself, that such highwaymen were never her natives, but
fled thither for their shelter out of neighbouring counties.
SAINTS.
St. EDBURG, daughter unto Redwald, king of the East
Angles, embraced a monastical life at Aylesbury in this county,
where her body was deposited, and removed afterwards to
Edburgton (now Edburton), in Suffolk, her native country. It
seems her person would make one county proud, which made
two happy: Aylesbury observing her memory on the day of
, whilst Edburton was renowned for her miracles. By the
way, it seems wonderful that in Scripture we only meet with
one posthume miracle, viz. the grave-fellow of Elisha raised
with the touch of his bones ; whilst most of popish miracles
are [reported] born after the saints5 death, merely to mould
men's minds to the adoration of their relics.
St. RUMALD was the same with St. Rumbald (commonly
called by country people St. Grumbald), and St. Rumwald, as
others spell him ; but distinct from another St. Rumwald of
Irish extraction, a bishop and martyr, whose passion is cele-
brated at Mechlin, in Brabant. This criticism, reader, I request
thee to take on my credit for thy own ease, and not to buy the
truth of so difficult a trifle with the trouble I paid for it.
* Michael Dray ton, in his Polyolbion. f Idem.
J Camden's Britannia, in Buckinghamshire,
SAINTS. 395
Entering now on the legend of his life, I write neither what
I believe, nor what I expect should be believed, but what I find
written by others. Some make him son of a British king,*
which is sufficiently confuted by his own Saxon name. More
probable their tale who relate him son to a king of Northum-
berland, by a Christian daughter of Penda, king of Mercia.
Being born at King's Sutton, in this county, as soon as he came
out of his mother's womb, he cried three times, " I am a Chris-
tian ;f" then, making a plain confession of his faith, he desired
to be baptized, chose his godfathers, and his own name Rum-
wald.
He also, by his fingers, directed the standers by to fetch him
a great hollow stone for a font, which sundry of his father's
servants essayed in vain, as much above their strength ; till the
two priests (his designed godfathers) did go and fetch it easily
at his appointment. J Being baptized, he for three days dis-
coursed of all the common-places of popery; and, having
confirmed their truth, he bequeathed his body to remain at
Sutton one year, at Brackly two, and at Buckingham ever after.
This done, he expired.
Reader, I partly guess by my own temper how thine is affected
with the reading hereof, whose soul is much divided betwixt
several actions at once: — 1. To frown at the impudency of the
first inventors of such improbable untruths. — 2. To smile at the
simplicity of the believers of them. 3. To sigh at that well-
intended devotion abused with them. 4. To thank God that
we live in times of better and brighter knowledge.
Now, although St. Rumwald was born in this county, he
was most honoured at Boxley in Kent; and thereon a story
depends.
There was in the church of Boxley a short statue of St. Rum-
wald (as of a boy-saint), small, hollow, and light ; so that a child
of seven years of age might easily lift it. The moving hereof
was made the criterion of women's chastity. Such who paid the
priest well might easily remove it, whilst others might tug at it
to no purpose ; for this was the contrivance of the cheat — that
it was fastened with a pin of wood by an invisible stander
behind. § Now when such offered to take it who had been
bountiful to the priest before, they bare it away with ease, which
was impossible for their hands to remove who had been close-
fisted in their confessions. " Thus," saith my author, ^ it
moved more laughter than devotion ; and many chaste virgins
and wives went away with blushing faces, leaving (without
cause) the suspicion of their wantonness in the eyes of the
beholders; whilst others came off with more credit (because
* The English Martyrology, on the 28th of August,
t Camden's Britannia, in Buckinghamshire,
j Nova Legenda Anglica, in the Life of Saint Rumwald.
I Lambarde, in his Perambulation of Kent, p. 187.
o
196 WORTHIES OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
with more coin), though with less chastity/5* The certain time
of his life is unknown, but may be guessed about the year 680.
MARTYRS.
JOHN SCRIVENER was martyred at Amersham, anno Domini
1521 ; on whom an extraordinary piece of cruelty was used, his
own children being forced to set the first fire upon him ;f for
which the law (Deut. xiii. 6) was most erroneously pretended,
as will appear by the perusing thereof :
" If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy
daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend which is as
thy own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve
other gods, — thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto
him : — but thou shalt surely kill him ; thine hand shall be first
upon him to put him to death/'
See we here how in the case of idolatry one is to spare none
related unto them, either as equals or inferiors. But this law
enjoins not children to accuse or execute their own parents, as
Scrivener's children were compelled to do ; a barbarous cruelty,
especially seeing the civil law among the heathen Romans did pro-
vide, that " filius non torquetur in caput parentis," (" a son shall
not be examined on the rack to accuse his father, in such cases
wherein his life is concerned/') Others, besides Scrivener, were
martyred, and more confessors molested in this small county,
anno 1521, than in all England elsewhere for twenty years
together.!
PRELATES.
RICHARD de WENDOVER (a place well known in this shire)
was rector of Bromley, in Kent, where the Bishop of Rochester
hath a palace ; and, that see being vacant, he was lawfully
chosen the bishop thereof. But Edmund, archbishop of Canter-
bury (afterwards sainted) refused to give him consecration,
because he was rude and unlearned. § Hereupon Wendover
appealed to the Pope, whom he found his better friend, because
Edmund (a bitter inveigher against papal extortions) was a foe
unto him, and so was consecrated. Now none will grudge him
his place amongst our WORTHIES, seeing what he lacked in
learning he had in holiness ; and such his signal sanctity, || that,
after his death, he was, by special mandate of king Henry the
Third, buried in the church of Westminster (as another Jehoi-
adah, for his public goodness,!) anno 1250.
JOHN BUCKINGHAM (for so his name is truly written), alias
Bokingham and Bukingham, took his name and nativity, no
* Lambarde, in his Perambulation of Kent, p. 187.
Fox's Acts and Monuments, p. 838.
1 See Fox's Acts and Monuments, in that year.
§ Godwin, in the Bishops of Rochester. || Idem.
If 2 Chron. xxiv, 16.
I'llKLATES. 197
doubt, from Buckingham, in this county, d-la-mode of that age.
He was bred at the university of Oxford ; and, although since
by some causelessly slandered for want of learning, was a great
disputant, and well-studied scholar, as his works do declare.*
He was afterwards preferred Bishop of Lincoln, where several
contests happened betwixt him and Pope Boniface the Ninth,
who, in revenge, ex plenitudine potestatis, removed him from
Lincoln to Lichfield ; that is, from the hall into the kitchen ; a
bishopric of less credit and profit. Buckingham grew sullen
hereat, and would rather shut himself out than play at a less
game ; and so, quitting^episcopacy, 1397* lived and died a private
monk at Canterbury, where he lies buried the lowermost in the
body of Christchurch, under a very fair grave-stone, as my
industrious friend hath well retrieved his memory,t though the
brass on his monument be worn or rather torn away. He
indented with the prior and convent at Canterbury to build
him a chantry-chapel near his sepulchre, which I find not
performed.
JOHN YOUNG was born at Newton-longville, in this county,!
and bred in New College in Oxford, on the same token that
there are no fewer than ten Youngs in their register, reckoned
fellows of that foundation; and one said, that "seeing the
college was always new, well may many fellows be young
therein." This John Young became warden thereof, and after-
wards was made bishop of the fair city of Callipoli, in Greece ;
an excellent place to fat a — neither camel nor lion but — came-
lion in ; and seeing the great Turk was his tenant, little the
rent he paid to this his landlord. However, this titular bish-
opric gave him precedency, a vote in general councils, and
power of ordination. But some English earth doth not well
with such Grecian air; and, for his better support, he was
made Master of the Rolls, Jan. 12, in the first of king Henry the
Eighth, and either died or resigned his office some eight years
after. § As I remember, he lieth buried, with a brass inscription,
in New College chapel.
JOHN HOLYMAN was born at Codington, in this county,
bred in New College in Oxford, || and afterwards became a
Benedictine in Reading, until that monastery was dissolved.
Queen Mary, in the first of her reign, preferred him Bishop of
Bristol, whilst his predecessor, Paul Bush (deprived for being
married) was yet alive. He lived peaceably, not embruing
* J. Bale and J. Pits, de Scriptoribus Britannicis.
f William Sommers, in his Antiquities of Canterbury, p. 181.
J New College Register, anno 1482.
§ J. Philpot, in bis Catalogue of the Masters of the Rolls.
II New College Register., anno Domini 1512.
198 WORTHIES OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
his hands in Protestants5 blood ; and died, seasonably for him-
self, a little before the death of queen Mary, 1558.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
JOHN HARLEY was born in the parish of Newport- Pagnel
in this county, as a learned antiquary* (a native of the same
place) hath informed me,, where some of his kindred were lately
(if not still) in being. He was bred first fellow, then school-
master in Magdalen College in Oxford. In the dangerous days
of king Henry the Eighth, he was an hearty but concealed Pro-
testant.
In the first week of the reign of king Edward the Sixth,
whilst most men's minds stood at a gaze (it being dead water
with them which way the tide would turn,) Master Harley, in
the parish church of Saint Peter's in Oxford, in a solemn Lent
sermon, publicly preached anti-papal doctrine, and powerfully
pressed justification by faith alone; whereupon the over-offi-
cious vice-chancellor hurried him up to London for an heretic,
there to answer for his contempt.f
But the case was soon altered : Harley was acquitted, com-
mended, preferred to be tutor to the sons of John Earl of
Warwick, afterwards Duke of Northumberland. He was thence
made Bishop of Hereford.
It is said of Abraham, (e he was buried in a good old age/' J It
cannot be said of our Harley, he died in an old age (finding him
not above fifty ;) though expiring in a good age, in two respects
— in relation to the piety of his life past, and in reference to the
future troubles which immediately followed. Surely, had he
survived a little longer, he had lost his life, as he did his bishop-
ric, for being married, in the first of queen Mary0 §
Doctor Laurence Humphred, Harley;s scholar in Magdalen
College, hath consecrated this distich to the memory of his
master, though the Muses in my mind looked very solemnly,
without the least smile at the making thereof,
" Flos domui Harlseus, socius ludique magister,
Celsus deinde throno, celsior inde polo."
He died anno Domini 1554, shifting from place to place, — the
cause why there is no certain intelligence where he was interred.
ROBERT ALDRICH, although he lived but in the twilight of
religion, he is justly to be placed not on the dark but light side
of Reformation; for, though his actions were but weak, his
affections were sincere therein. Born he was at Burnham in
this county, bred in King's College, in Cambridge, proctor of that
* Mr. Martin, beneficed near Northampton.
t Laurence Humphred, in the Latin Life of Bishop Jewell.
J Gen. xv. 15.
§ Bishop Godwin, in his Catalogue of the Bishops of Hereford.
PRELATES. 199
university, anno 1525 ;* about which time many letters passed
betwixt him and his familiar friend Erasmus,, who styleth him,
"blandee eloquentise juvenem." He was afterwards school-
master, then fellow and provoster of Eaton, and at last made
bishop of Carlile, anno 1537, by king Henry the Eighth. He
was never a thorough-paced Papist (much less a persecutor of
Protestants,) though a complier with some superstitions. He
died at Horncastle, in Lincolnshire (a house belonging to his
see), in the reign of queen Mary, 1555.f
WILLIAM ALLEY was born at Wickham,in this county, bred
first at Eton, . then in King's College, where he was admitted
anno Domini 1528. J Hence he went away being bachelor of arts,
and afterwards became lecturer in Saint Paul's ; I say lecturer,
which name, though since it hath sounded ill in some jealous
ears as infected with faction, was an ancient office founded
in some cathedrals, to read divinity there ; and this Master
Alley's learned lectures (according to that age) are extant in
print. He was consecrated Bishop of Exeter, July 14, 1560 ;
and dying 1576, lieth buried under a fair marble in his own
cathedral.
RICHARD Cox was born at Whaddon, in this county, and
bred for some years in King's College, in Cambridge ; § even
when Cardinal Wolsey was erecting Christ Church, in Oxford.
This great prelate, desiring that this his college should be as fair
within as without, and have learning answerable to the building
thereof, employed his emissaries to remove thither the most
hopeful plants of Cambridge, and this Richard Cox amongst
the rest. He became afterwards schoolmaster of Eton, which
was happy with many flourishing wits under his endeavours,
and Haddon amongst the rest, whom he loved with filial affec-
tion ; nor will it be amiss to insert the poetical pass betwixt
them.
Walter Haddon to Doctor Cox, his schoolmaster.
" Vix caput attollens e lecto scribere carmen
Qui velit, is voluit, scribere plura, Vale."
Doctor Cox to Walter Haddon, his scholar.
" Te magis optarem salvum sine carmine, fili,
Quam sine te salvo, carmina rnulta, Vale.''
Hence he was sent for to be instructor to prince Edward,
which, with good conscience, to his great credit he discharged.
Here, reader, forgive me in hazarding thy censure, in making
and translating a distich upon them.
Prceceptor doctus, docilis magis an puer itte ?
Ille puer docilis, praceptor tu quoque doctus.
* Mr. Hatcher, in his Manuscript Catalogue of the Fellows of King's College,
t Godwin, in his Catalogue of Bishops,
j Mr. Hatcher, ul prius. § Ibid.
200 WORTHIES OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
" Master more able; child of more docility ?
Docile the child, master of great ability. "
At last he was preferred Bishop of Ely, 1559, comrnendably
continuing therein, whatever causeless malice hath reported to
the contrary, twenty-one years, and dying anno Domini 1580.
THOMAS BICKLEY was born at Stow, in this county, bred
first chorister, then scholar, then fellow in Magdalen College
in Oxford.* In the first of Edward the Sixth, his detestation
of superstition may rather be commended, than his discretion in
expressing it, when (before the public abolishing of Popery) at
evening-prayer, he brake the consecrated Host with his hands,
and stamped it under his feet, in the college chapel.f After-
wards he fled over into France, living an exile at Paris and Or-
leans all the reign of queen Mary. Returning into England, he
became chaplain to Archbishop Parker, who preferred him
warden of Merton College, wherein he continued twenty years.
When passed the age of a man (eighty years old) he began the
life of a bishop, and was rather contented than willing to accept
the bishopric of Chichester, freely offered unto him :J yet lived
he eleven years therein, and died ninety- years of age, April 30,
1596, and had a most sumptuous funeral ; all the gentry of the
vicinage doing their homage to " the crown of his old age,
which was found in the way of truth." He led a single life, left
an hundred pound to Merton College, and other moneys to
pious uses.
JOHN KING was born at Warnhall, nigh Tame, in this county ;
Robert King, the last abbot of Osney, and first bishop of Ox-
ford, being his great uncle. He was first dean of Christchurch,
then bishop of London, being full fraught with all episcopal
qualities ; so that he who endeavoureth to give a perfect account
thereof will rather discover his own defects, than describe this
prelate's perfections. He died anno Domini 1618, being buried
in the choir of Saint Paul's, with the plain epitaph of " Resur-
gam ;" and I cannot conceal this elegant elegy made upon him :
" Sad Relique of a blessed soul whose trust
We sealed up in this religious dust ;
O do not thy low exequies suspect,
As the cheap arguments of our neglect.
'T\vas a commanded duty that thy grave
As little pride as thou thyself should have.
Therefore thy covering is an humble stone,
And but a word§ for thy inscription ;
When those that in the same earth neighbour thee,
Have each his chronicle and pedigree,
They have their waving penons and their flags
Of matches and alliance, formal brags ;
* Godwin, in his Catalogue of Bishops of Chichester.
t Dr. Humphred, in his Latin Life of Bishop Jewell, p. 73.
" Episeopatum oblatum ultro, non nimis cupide accepit." (Godwin, ui priiis.)
§ " Resurgam."'
PRELATES. 201
When thou (although from ancestors thou came
Old as the Heptarchy, great as thy name)
Sleep'st there enshrin'd in thy admired parts,
And hast no heraldry but thy deserts.
Yet let not them their prouder marbles boast ;
For they rest with less honour, though more cost.
Go search the world, and with your mattock wound
The groaning bosom of the patient ground ;
Dig from the hidden veins of her dark womb
All that is rare and precious for a tomb :
Yet when such treasure, and more time is spent,
You must grant his the nobler monument,
Whose faith stands o'er him for a hearse, and hath
The Resurrection for his Epitaph."
See more of the character of this most worthy prelate, in our
"Ecclesiastical History/" anno 1620, wherein he died.
RICHARD MONTAGUE was born at Dorney (where his father
was vicar of the parish), within three miles of Eaton, and so
(though not within the reach) within the sight of that staple
place for grammar-learning, wherein he was bred :* thence was
he chosen successively fellow of kingVcollege in Cambridge,
fellow of Eaton, parson of Stanford Rivers in Essex, canon
of Windsor, parson of Petworth, elected bishop of Chichester,
and at last of Norwich. He spent very much in repairing his
parsonage-house at Petworth, as also on his episcopal house at
Allingbourn near Chichester.
He was most exact in the Latin and Greek ; and, in the vin-
dication of tithes, wrestled with the grand antiquary of England,
and gave him a fair flat fall in the point of a Greek criticism,
taxing him justly for mistaking a god (amongst the Egyptians)
more than there was, by making a man amongst the gramma-
rians fewer than they 'should be.
He hath many learned works extant against the Papists, some
in English, some in Latin ; and one, called his " Appello Cee-
sarem," which (without his intent and against his will) gave oc-
casion of much trouble in the land. He began an Ecclesiastical
History, and set forth his apparatus, and, alas ! it was but an ap-
paratus ; though, through no default of his, but defect of his
health ; sickness, troublesome times, and then death, surprising
him. Had it been finished, we had had church-annals to put
into the balance with those of Baronius ; and which would have
swayed with them for learning, and weighed them down for
truth. He died anno Domini 1641.
HENRY KING, D.D., son to John King (lately mentioned),
bishop of London, and his wife (of the ancient family of the
Conquests), was born in this county, in the same town, house,
and chamber, with his father; a local coincidence, which
in all considerable particulars cannot be paralleled.
We know the scripture proverb, used in exprobration, "As is the
* So am I informed by his son-in-law. Doctor David Stokes.
202 WORTHIES OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
mother, so is the daughter ;"* both wicked, both woeful. But
here it may be said, by way of thankfulness to God and honour
to the persons, " As was the father, so is the son ;" both pious,
both prosperous, till the calamity of the times involved the
latter.
Episcopacy, anno 1641, was beheld by many in a deep con-
sumption, which many hoped would prove mortal. To cure this
it was conceived the most probable cordial, to prefer persons
into that order, not only unblameable for their life, and eminent
for their learning, but also generally beloved by all disengaged
people; and amongst these, king Charles advanced this our
doctor bishop of Chichester.
But all would not do. Their innocency was so far from stop-
ping the mouth of malice, that malice almost had swallowed
them down her throat; since God hath rewarded his patience,
giving him to live to see the restitution of his order.
David saith, that " the good tree [man] shall bring forth his
fruit in due season ;"t so our doctor varied his fruits, according
to the diversity of his age. Being brought up in Christ-church
in Oxford, he delighted in the studies of music and poetry : more
elder, he applied himself to oratory and philosophy ; and in his
reduced age fixed on divinity, which his printed sermons on the
Lord's-prayer, and others which he preached, remaining fresh in
the minds of his auditors, will report him to all posterity. He
is still living, anno Domini 1660.
WRITERS ON THE LAW.
Sir GEORGE CROOK, knight, son of Sir John Crook and
Elizabeth Unton his wife, was born at Chilton in this county, J
in the second year of the reign of queen Elizabeth, bred first in
Oxford, then a double reader in the Inner Temple, serjeant at
law, and the king's serjeant, justice first of the Common-bench,
22 Jacobi, and then of the Upper-bench, 4 Caroli.
His ability in his profession is sufficiently attested by his own
printed " Reports ;" eight eminent judges of the law, out of their
knowledge of his great wisdom, learning, and integrity, approv-
ing and allowing them to be published for the common benefit.
He was against the illegality of ship-money, both publicly in
Westminster-hall, and privately in his judgment demanded by
the king, though concluded to subscribe (according to the course
of the court) by plurality of voices. The country-man's wit (le-
velled to his brain) will not for many years be forgotten — " that
ship-money may be gotten by Hook, but not by Crook ;" though
since they have paid taxes (loins to the little finger, and
scorpions to the rod of ship-money) ; but whether by Hook or
Crook, let others inquire.
His piety, in his equal and even walkings in the way of God
* Ezek. xvi. 44. f Psalm i. J In his Life, prefixed to his Reports.
WRITERS ON THE LAW SOLDIERS. 203
through the several turnings and occasions of his life, is
evidenced by his charity to man, founding a chapel at Beachley
in Buckinghamshire, two miles at least distanced from the mo-
ther-church, and an hospital in the same parish, with a liberal
revenue.
Considering his declining and decaying age, and desiring to
examine his life, and prepare an account to the Supreme Judge,
he petitioned king Charles for a writ of ease ; which, though °iii
some sort denied (what wise master would willingly part with a
good servant?) was in effect granted unto him. He died at
Waterstock in Oxfordshire, in the eighty-second year of his age,
anno Domini 1641.
EDWARD BULTSTRODE, Esq. (born in this county, bred in the
studies of our municipal laws in the Inner Temple, and his High-
ness's justice in^North Wales,) hath written a book of divers re-
solutions and judgments, with the reasons and causes thereof,
given in the court of King's Bench, in the reigns of king James
and king Charles ; and is lately deceased.
SOLDIERS.
SIR WILLIAM WINDSOR, Knight. — I am confident herein
is no mislocation, beholding him an ancestor to the Right
Honourable Thomas Windsor Hickman, Lord Windsor, and
fixed at Bradenham. He was deputed by king Edward the
Third, in the forty- seventh year of his reign, Lord Lieutenant
of Ireland, which country was then in a sad condition : for the
king was so intent on the conquest of France (as a land
nearer, fairer, and due to him by descent), that he neglected the
effectual reduction of Ireland.
This encouraged the Irish grandees (their O's and Mac's) to
rant and tyrant it in their respective seigniories, whilst such
English who were planted there had nothing native (save their
surnames) left; degenerating by degrees to be Irish in their
habits, manners, and language. Yea, as the wild Irish are ob-
served to love their nurses or fosters above their natural
mothers, so these barbarizing English were more endeared to
the interest of Ireland which fed, than of England which bare
and bred them.
To prevent more mischief, this worthy knight was sent over,
of whose valour and fidelity the king had great experience. He
contracted with the king to defray the whole charge of that
kingdom (as appeareth by the instrument in the Tower) for
eleven thousand two hundred and thirteen pounds, six shillings,
and eight pence, per annum.*
Now Sir William undertook not the Conquest, but custody of
the land in a defensive war. He promised not with a daring
* 47 Edward III, Claus. pars 2, m. 24 and 26.
204 WORTHIES OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
mountebank to cure, but with a discreet physician to ease, this
Irish gout.
Indeed I meet with a passage in Froissart, relating how Sir
William should report of himself, " that he was so far from sub-
duing the Irish, he could never have access to understand arid
know their countries, albeit he had spent more time in the ser-
vice of Ireland than any Englishman then living ;" * which to
me seems no wonder, the Irish vermin shrouding themselves
under the scabs of their bogs, and hair of their woods. How-
ever, he may truly be said to have left that land much improved,
because no whit more impaired during those dangerous distrac-
tions, and safely resigned his office (as I take it) in the first of
king Richard the Second.
ARTHUR GRAY, Baron of Wilton, is justly reckoned amongst
the natives of this shire, whose father had his habitation (not at
Wilton, a decayed castle in Herefordshire, whence he took his
title, but) at Waddon, a fair house of his family, not far from
Buckingham.
He succeeded to a small estate, much diminished on this sad
occasion. His father William Lord Gray being taken prisoner
in France, after long ineffectual soliciting to be (because capti-
vated in the public service) redeemed on the public charge, at
last was forced to ransom himself with the sale of the best part
of his patrimony.
Our Arthur endeavoured to advance his estate by his valour,
being entered in feats of war under his martial father, at the
siege of Leith, 1560, where he was shot in the shoulder, which
inspirited him with a constant antipathy against the Scotch.f
He was afterwards sent over lord deputy into Ireland, anno
1580 : where, before he had received the sword, or any emblems
of command,^ acrioribus initiis terrorem incut eret,% (" to fright
his foes with his fierce beginning/5) he unfortunately fought the
rebels at Glandilough, to the great loss of English blood. This
made many commend his courage above his conduct, till he re-
covered his credit, and finally suppressed the rebellion of
Desmund.
Returning into England, the queen chiefly relied on his -coun-
sel for ordering our land forces against the Spaniards in 88, and
fortifying places of advantage. The mention of that year (criti-
cal in Church differences about discipline at home, as well as
with foreign foes abroad) mindeth me that this lord was but a
back friend to bishops, and in all divisions of votes in parlia-
ment, or council-table, sided with the anti-prelatical party.
When secretary Davison, that state-pageant (raised up on
purpose to be put down), was censured in the star-chamber
* The same also in effect is found in Stow, in Richard the Second,
f Camden's Elizabeth, anno notato. + Ibid, anno 1580.
SOLDIERS — WRITERS. 205
about the business of the queen of Scots, this Lord Grey only
defended him, as doing nothing therein but what became an able
and honest minister of state. An ear- witness saith, " Heec
fuse, oratorie, et animose, Greium disserentem audivimus."*
So that besides bluntness (the common and becoming eloquence
of soldiers) he had a real rhetoric, and could very emphatically
express himself. Indeed this warlike lord would not wear " two
heads under one helmet," and may be said always to have borne
his beaver open, not dissembling in the least degree, but own-
ing his own judgment at all times what he was. He deceased
anno Domini 1593.
WRITERS.
ROGER de WENDOVER was born at that market-town in this
county, bred a benedictine in St. Alban's, where he became the
king's historian.
Know, reader, that our English kings had always a monk,
generally of St. Alban's (as near London, the staple of news
and books), to write the remarkables of their reigns.f One
addeth (I am sorry he is a foreigner, and therefore of less credit
at such distance), that their chronicles were locked up in the
king's library ; so that neither in that king's nor his son's life
they were ever opened. If so, they had a great encouragement
to be impartial, not fearing a blow on their teeth, though com-
ing near to the heels of truth, which in some sort were tied up
from doing them any hurt.
This Roger began his chronicle at the Conquest, and con-
tinued it to the year 1235, being the 19th year of king Henry
the Third. Indeed Matthew Paris doth quarter too heavily on
the pains of Wendover, who only continuing his chronicle for
some years, and inserting some small alterations, J is entitled
to the whole work. As a few drops of blood, because of the
deep hue thereof, discoloureth a whole bason of water into
redness ; so the few and short interpolations of Paris, as the
more noted author, give a denomination to the whole history,
though a fabric built three stories high, whereof our Roger laid
the foundation, finished the ground-room and second loft, to
which by M. Paris was added the garret, as since the roof by
W. Rishanger. This Wendover died about the year of our
Lord 1236.
JOHN AMERSHAM was born in that small corporation in this
county, bred a monk in St. Alban's, where he contracted not
only intimacy, but in some sort identity of affection, with John
Weathamsted, abbot thereof; insomuch that what was said of
* Camden's Elizabeth, anno 1587.
f Ponticus Virunius, cited by J. Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. 4,
num. 94.
I See^Dr. Watts's Prefatory Notes to Matthew Paris.
206 WORTHIES OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
two other friends was true of them (ethics making good the
grammar thereof;) "duo amici vixit in eodem conventu."
Now there was a great faction in that convent against their
abbot, which to me seemeth no wonder ; for the generality of
monks being lewd, lazy, and unlearned, they bare an antipathy
to their abbot, who was pious, painful, and a profound scholar.
Nor did they only rail on his person whilst living, but also revile
his memory when dead. Our Amersham, surviving his dear
friend, wrote a book (besides other of his works), intituled,
ff The shield of Weathamsted," therein defending him from the
undeserved darts of his enemies' obloquy.* He flourished anno
Domini 1450.
MATTHEW STOKES was born in the town and bred in the
school of Eton,t until he was admitted in King's College in
Cambridge, anno Domini 1531. He afterwards became fellow
of that house, and at last esquire beadle, and register of the
university.
A register indeed, both by his place and painful performance
therein ; for he (as the poets feign of Janus with two faces) saw
two worlds, that before and after the Reformation ; in which
juncture of time, so great the confusion and embezzling of
records, that, had not Master Stokes been the more careful, I
believe, that though Cambridge would not be so oblivious as
Massala Corvinus, who forgot his own name, yet would she
have forgotten the names of all her ancient officers.
To secure whose succession to posterity, Mr. Stokes, with
great industry and fidelity, collected a catalogue of the chancel-
lors, vice-chancellors, and proctors. He was a zealous papist
(even unto persecution of others) ; which I note, not to disgrace
his memory, but defend myself, for placing him before the
Reformation, though he lived many years in the reign of queen
Elizabeth.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
WALTER H ADDON was born of a knightly family in this
county, bred at Eton,{ afterwards fellow in King's College,
where he proceeded Doctor of Law, and was the King's pro-
fessor in that faculty, chosen Vice-chancellor of Cambridge 1550 :
soon after he was made President of Magdalen College in Ox-
ford, which place he waived in the reign of queen Mary, and
sheltered himself in obscurity. Queen Elizabeth made him one
of the Masters of her Requests, and employed him m several
embassies beyond the seas. Her Majesty, being demanded whe-
ther she preferred him or Buchanan for learning, wittily and
warily returned, " Buchananum omnibus antepono, Haddonum
* Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis ; and Pitsseus, aetat. 14, num. 843.
f Hatcher's MS. Catalogue of the Fellows of King's College.
J Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent, nono, num. 87.
WRITERS. 207
nemini postpone." Indeed he was a most eloquent man, and
a pure Ciceronian in his style, as appeareth by his writings, and
especially in his book against Osorius. The rest may be learned
out of his epitaph :
" S. MEMORISE.
" GUALTERO HADDONO, Equestri loco nato, Jurisconsulto,
Oratori, Poetce celeberrimo, Graecee Latineeque eloquentise sui
tempons facile principi; sapientia. et sanctitate vitse, in id
invecto, ut reginse Elizabethan a supplicum libellis magister
esset, destinareturquejnajoribus nisi facto immaturius cessisset:
interim in omni gradu viro longe eminentissimo. Conjugi suo
optimo meritissimoque ANNA SUTTONA, uxor ejus secunda,
flens, moerens, desiderii sui signum posuit. Obiit anno Salut.
hum. 1572, sotatis 56."
This his fair monument is extant in the wall at the upper end
of the chancel of Christ's Church in London ; where so many
ancient inscriptions have been barbarously defaced.
LAURENCE HUMPHRED was born in this county,* bred in
Magdalen College, in Oxford, a great and general scholar, able lin-
guist, deep divine, pious to God, humble in himself, charitable
to others. In the reign of queen Mary he fled into Germany,
and there was fellow- commoner with Mr. Jewell (whose Life he
wrote at large in Latin) in all his sufferings. Here he trans-
lated Origen « de Recta Fide," and Philo " de Nobilitate," out
of Greek.
Returning into England in the reign of queen Elizabeth, he
was made President of. Magdalen College in Oxford, and Dean
of Winchester. Higher preferment he never attained, because
he never desired it ; though a learned author seems to put it on
another account, fe fortasse eo quod de adiaphoris non juxta cum
Ecclesia Anglicana senserit."f I deny not but he might scruple
some ceremonies ; but sure I am he was much molested in his
college with a party of fierce (not to say furious) Nonconformists
from whom he much dissented in judgment. He died anno
Domini 1589.
Here I must confess a ^mistake in my " Ecclesiastical His-
tory" (misguided therein with many others by general tradition),
when I reported the gold lately found and shared amongst the
president and fellows of Magdalen College in Oxford, to have
been the gift of this Doctor Humphred, which since appeareth
a legacy left by William Wainfleet, their founder. Would I had
been mistaken in the matter as well as the person, that so un-
worthy an act had never been performed. But what said Jacob
to his sons : " Carry back the money again ; peradventure it was
an oversight."^ Seasonable restitution will make reparation.
* " Humfredus patriot Buchingamensi." Baleus, de Scriptoribus Britannicis,
Cent. xi. num. 93.
f Camden's Elizabeth, in anno 1589. J Gen- xliii.12.
208 WORTHIES OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
ROGER GOAD was born at Houton in this county, and was
admitted sholar in King's College in Cambridge 1555.* Leaving
the college,, he became a schoolmaster at Guilford in Surrey.
But pity it is that a great candle should be burning in the
kitchen, whilst light is lacking in the hall, and his public parts
pent in so private a profession. He was made not to guide boys
but govern men. Hence, by an unexpected election, he was
surprised into the Provostship of King's College, wherein he
remained forty years. He was thrice Vice-chancellor of Cam-
bridge ; a grave, sage, and learned man. He had many contests
with the young fry in this college, chiefly because he loved their
good better than they themselves. Very little there is of his in
print, save what he did in conjunction with other doctors of the
university. By his testament he gave the rectory of Milton to
the college ; and dying on St. Mark's day, 1610, lieth buried in
a vestry on the north side of the chapel.
- JOHN GREGORY was born November 10, 1607;, at Amersham
in this county, of honest though mean parents, yet rich enough
to derive unto him the hereditary infirmity of the gout, which
afflicted him the last twenty years of his life. He was bred in
Christ Church in Oxford, where he so applied his book, that he
studied sixteen hours of the four-and-twenty for many years to-
gether.f He attained to be an exquisite linguist and general scho-
lar ; his modesty setting the greater lustre on his learning. His
notes on Dr. Ridley's book of Civil Law gave the first testimony
of his pregnancy to the world, and never did text and comment
Better meet -together.
He was first chaplain of Christ Church, and thence preferred
by Bishop Duppa, Prebendary of Chichester and Sarum ; and
indeed no church preferment compatible with his age was above
his deserts. He died at Kidlington in Oxfordshire, 1646, and
was buried at Christ Church in Oxford. I find a smart epitaph,
made by a friend, on his memory ; and it was, in my mind, as
well valiantly (consider the times) as truly indited :
" Ne premas cineres ho see, viator,
Nescis quot sub hoc jacet lapillo ;
Greeculus, Hebreeus, Syrus,
Et qui te quovis vincet idiomate.
At ne molestus sis
Ausculta, et causam auribus tuis imbibe :
Templo exclusus,
Et avita Religione
Jam senescente (ne dicam sublata),
Mutavit chorum, altiorem ut capesceret.
Vade nunc, si libet, et imitare. R. W."
* Mr. Hatcher, in his MS. Catalogue of the Fellows of King's College,
t In his Life, prefixed to his book.
WRITERS. 209
His " Opera Posthuma " are faithfully set forth by his good
friend John Gurgain, and deservedly dedicated to Edward Bish,
Esquire ; one so able that he could (charitable that he would, and va-
liant that he durst) relieve Master Gregory in his greatest distress.
SAMUEL COLLINS, son to Baldwin Collins (born in Coventry,
a pious and painful preacher, prodigiously bountiful to the poor,
whom queen Elizabeth constantly called Father Collins) was
born and bred at Eton ; so that he breathed learned air from the
place of his nativity .* Hence coming to King's College in Cam-
bridge, he was chosen successively Fellow, Provost, and Regius
Professor ; one of an admirable wit and memory, the most fluent
Latinist of our age ; so that, as Caligula is said to have sent his
soldiers vainly to fight against the tide, with the same success
have any encountered the torrent of his tongue in disputation.
He constantly read his lectures twice a week for above forty
years, giving notice of the time to his auditors in a ticket on the
school doors, wherein never any two alike, without some consi-
derable difference in the critical language thereof. When some
displeased courtier did him the injurious courtesy to prefer him
downwards (in point of profit) to the Bishopric of Bristol, he
improved all his friends to decline his election. In these trou-
blesome times (affording more preachers than professors), he
lost his church, but kept his chair ; wherein he died about the
year 1651.
WILLIAM OUGIITRED was (though branched from a right
ancient family in the North) born in the town, bred in the
school of Eton, became Fellow of King's College ; and at last
was beneficed by Thomas Earl of Arundel at Albury in Surrey.
All his contemporaries unanimously acknowledged him the
prince of mathematicians in our age and nation. This aged
Simeon had (though no revelation) a strong persuasion that
before his death he should behold Christ's anointed restored to
his throne : which he did accordingly, to his incredible joy ;
and then had his Dimittis out of this mortal life, June 30, 1660.
ROMISH EXILE WRITERS.
THOMAS DORMAN was born at Ammersham in this county,
being nephew unto Thomas Dorman of the same town, a con-
fessor in the reign of king Hemy the Eighth. True it is, this
his uncle, through weakness, did abjure (let us pity his, who de-
sire God should pardon our failings) ; but was ever a cordial
Protestant. He bred this Thomas Dorman, junior, at Berkham-
sted school ( founded by Dr. Incent) in Hertfordshire, under
Mr. Reeve, a Protestant school-master.f
* Hence he styleth himself, in his books, Etonensis.
f Fox's Acts and Monuments, p. 338.
VOL. I. P
210 WORTHIES OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
But this Dorman turned tail afterwards, and became a great
Romanist; running over beyond the seas, where he wrote a
book, intituled, " Against Alexander Nowel, the English Calvin-
ist." J. Pits doth repent that he affordeth him no room in the
body of his book, referring him to his Appendix.* He flourished
anno 1560.
MEMORABLE PERSONS.
JOHN MATHEW, Mercer, son to Thomas Mathew, was born
at Sherington in this county ; Lord Mayor of London, anno
Domini 1490. He is eminent on this account, that he was the
first bachelor that ever was chosen into that office, f Yea, it
was above a hundred and twenty years before he was seconded
by a single person succeeding him in that place, viz. Sir John
Leman,t Lord Mayor 1616. It seemeth that a Lady Mayoress
is something more than ornamental to a Lord Mayor ; their
wives great portions, or good providence, much advantaging
their estates, to be capable of so high a dignity.
Dame HESTER TEMPLE, daughter to Miles Sands, Esquire,
was born at Latmos in this county, and was married to Sir
Thomas Temple, of Stow, Baronet. She had four sons and nine
daughters, which lived to be married, and so exceedingly mul-
tiplied, that this lady saw seven hundred extracted from her
body. Reader, I speak within compass, and have left myself a
reserve, having bought the truth hereof by a wager I lost. Be-
sides, there was a new generation of marriageable females just
at her death ; so that this aged vine may be said to wither, even
when it had many young boughs ready to knit.
Had I been one of her relations, and as well enabled as most
of them be, I would have erected a monument for her — thus de-
signed. A fair tree should have been erected, the said lady and
her husband lying at the bottom or root thereof ; the heir of the
family should have ascended both the middle and top bough
thereof. On the right hand hereof her younger sons, on the
left her daughters should, as so many boughs, be spread forth.
Her grandchildren should have their names inscribed on the
branches of those boughs; the great grandchildren on the twigs
of those branches ; the great great grandchildren on the leaves
of those twigs. Such as survived her death should be done in
a lively green, the rest (as blasted) in a pale and yellow fading
colour.
Pliny§ (who reports it as a wonder worthy the chronicle,
that Chrispinus Hilarus, prcelata pompd, " with open ostenta-
tion/5 sacrificed in the Capitol seventy-four of his children
* Pagina 914. f Stow's Survey of London, p. 573.
t " This Mayor was the second batchlor," saith How, continuing Stow in his
Survey of London, p. 195. Sed quaere ?— F. § Lib. vii. cap. 13.
L.ORD MAYORS GENTRY. 211
and children's children attending on him,) would more admire,
if admitted to this spectacle.
Vives telleth us of a village in Spain, of about an hundred
houses, whereof all the inhabitants were issued from one cer-
tain old man who then lived, when as that village was so peo-
pled, so as the name of propinquity, how the youngest of the
children should call him, could not be given.* te Lingua enim
nostra supra abavum non ascendit ;" (" Our language/' saith
he, meaning the Spanish, ee affords not a name above the great
grandfather's father.") But, had the offspring of this lady been
contracted into one place, they were enough to have peopled
a city of a competent proportion, though her issue was not so
long in succession, as broad in extent.
I confess very many of her descendants died before her
death ; in which respect she was far surpassed by a Roman ma-
tron, on whom the poet thus epitapheth it, in her own person. f
" Viginti atque novem, genitrici Callicratece,
Nuttius sexus mors mihi visafuit.
Sed centum et quinque ei-plevi bene messibus annos,
In tremulam baculo non subeunte manum."
" Twenty-nine births Callicrate I told,
And of both sexes saw none sent to grave,
I was an hundred and five winters old,
Yet stay from staff my hand did never crave."
Thus, in all ages, God bestoweth personal felicities on some
far above the proportion of others. The Lady Temple died anno
Domini 1656.
LORD MAYORS.
1. John Brokle, son of William Brokle, of Newport Pagnel,
Draper, 1433.
2 Thomas Scot, son of Robert Scot, of Dorney, Draper, 1458.
3* Henry Collet, son of Rob. Collet, of Wendover, Mercer, 1486.
4*. John Mathew, son of Thomas Mathew, of Sherington, Mer-
cer, 1490.
5. John Mundy, son of William Mundy, of Wycombe, Gold-
smith, 1522.
6. John Coates, son of Thomas Coates, of Bearton, Salter, 1542.
THE NAMES OF THE GENTRY OF THIS COUNTY,
RETURNED BV THE COMMISSIONERS IN THE TWELFTH YEAR OF KINO
HENRY THE SIXTH, 1433.
William bishop of Lincoln, and Reginald de Gray de Ruthyan,
Chivaler, Commissioners to take the oaths.
Thomas Sakevile, Miles, and William Wapload, knights for the
shire, Commissioners.
* In Comment upon the 8th chapter of Lib. xv. de Civitate Dei.
fAusonius, Epitaph. Heroum, num. 34.
212
WORTHIES OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
Reginald! Lucy, chiv.
Walteri Lucy, chiv.
Johannis Cheyne, chiv.
Thomse Chetewode, chiv.
Johannis Cheyne, arm.
Johan. Hampden de Hampden
arm.
Andrese Sperling.
Thomse Rokes, arm.
Johannis Langeston, arm.
Johannis Iwardby, arm.
David Breknook, arm.
Thomse Stokes, arm.
Johan. Hampden de Kimbell.
Walteri Fitz Richard, arm.
Johannis Stretlee, arm.
Thomse Shyngelton, arm.
Thomse Cheyne, arm.
Johannis Stokes, arm.
Thomae Gifford, arm.
Johan. Gifford de Whaddon,
senioris, arm.
Thomee Boteler, arm.
Roberti Puttenham, arm.
Rob. Olney de Weston, arm;
Johannis Tyringham, arm.
Johannis Brekenock, arm.
Thomse RufFord, arm.
Johannis Dayrell, arm.
Nicolai Clopton.
Edmundi Brutenell.
Johannis Sewell.
.Johannis Watkins.
Willielmi Brook de Chesham.
Bernard! Sanderdon.
Thomse More.
Willielmi Fouler.
Johannis Arches.
Johannis Skydmore.
Johannis Kimbell.
Willielmi Joyntour.
Rogeri More.
Johannis Horewode.
Johannis Baldewin.
Thomse Atte Welle.
Will. Chapman de Aylesbury.
ThomsB Tumour.
Johan. Knight de Hampslape.
Willielmi Watford.
Thomse Oliver.
Will. Colingryg de Toursey.
Thomse Malins.
Willielmi Parker de Eton.
Willielmi Burton, persone Ec-
clesise de Crowle,
, Johannis Clerke de Olney.
Richardi Hawtreve.
Johan. Giffard de Hardmede.
Johan. Tapelo de Hampslape.
Thomse Knight de eadem.
Johannis Giffard de Whad-
don, junioris.
Johannis Sapcote de Olney.
Richardi Arnecok,
Willielmi Edy.
Nicholai Brackwell.
Willielmi Sambroke. _
Johannis Edy, junioris.
Thomee Edy.
Johannis Puchas.
Willielmi Berewell.
Ade Asshinden.
David. Whitchirche.
Johannis Sweft.
Will. Britwell de Cherdesle.
Johannis Verney.
Eustachii Grenvile.
Johannis Fitz John.
Willielmi Gerebray.
Thomse Maudeleyn.
Johannis Vesy.
Thomse Wodewarde.
Richardi Enershawe.
Johan. Harewold de Weston.
Henrici Loveden.
Johannis Thorp.
Johannis Parker de Fenny
Stratford.
Nicholai Baker de Crowle.
Nicholai Hobbesson.
Thomee Malette.
Johannis Kerye.
Thomas Tappe.
Richardi Hoo de Snenstone
Johannis Manchestre.
Johannis Phelip.
Henrici Hunkes.
Richardi Miches.
Willielmi Meridale,
Thomas Edward.
SHERIFFS. 213
Johannis Vaux. Richard! Yaloude.
Willielmi Dun. Johannis Gold de Ailesbury.
Henrici Toursey. Willielmi Clarke de eadem.
Henrici Dicon. Willielmi Clarke de Culver-
Willielmi Winslowe. don.
Johannis Bilindon. Thomee Kene de Horsendon.
Henrici Porter. Willielmi Symeon.
Thomae Turgens. Willielmi Fether.
Roberti Dalafeld. Johannis Caradons.
Math. Colett. Willielmi Combe de Ayles-
Johannis Hampden de Wy- bury.
combe. Willielmi Gill.
Johannis Wellesburn. Richardi Lamburn.
Thomee Merston. Willielmi Hide.
Willielmi Attegate. Thomse Bristow.
Thomas Mery. Nicholai Baron.
Richardi Milly. Willielmi Cook de Fertwell.
Willielmi Wodeward. Johannis Glover de Kimbell.
Thomee Pusey. Johannis Balke de Aylesbury.
Roberti Broun de Beknesfeld. Johannis Lucy, et
Johannis Jourdeley. Richardi Lucy,
Thomee Houghton,
SHERIFFS.
This county had the same with Bedfordshire, until they
were parted in the seventeenth year of queen Elizabeth. Since
which time these have been the sheriffs of this county alone.
REG. ELIZA.
Anno Name and Arms. Place.
17 Joh. Croke, arm. . . Chilton.
Arms : G. a fess between six martlets Arg,
18 Griff. Hampden, arm. . Hampden.
Arg. a saltire G. betwixt four eaglets Az.
19 Mich. Blount, arm.
Barry nebule of six O. and S.
20 Rob. Drury, arm. . SUFFOLK.
Arg. on a chief V. the letter Tau betwixt two mullets
pierced O.
21 Rich. Crafford, arm.
22 Paul Darell, arm. . . Lillingstone.
Az. a lion rampant O. crowned Arg.
23 Th. Tasborough, arm.
Az. on a cross Arg. five mullets G.
24 Edm. Verney, arm.
Arg. four lions passant S. betwixt two gemewes in bend..
25 Will. Hawtrey, arm. . Checkers.
* Az. ten billets, four, three, two, and one, O. ; in a chief
of the second a lion issuant S.
26 Rob. Dormer, arm. . Wing.
214 WORTHIES OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
27 Edw. Bulstrod, arm. . (See our Notes.)
28 Joh. Temple, arm. . Stow.
Arg. on two bars S, six martlets O.
29 Joh. Goodwin, arm. . (See 21 of king James.)
30 Joh. Burlace, arm.
Arg. on a bend S. two cubit arms issuant out of two
petit clouds rayonated all proper, rending of a horse-
shoe O.
31 Fran. Cheney, arm. . Chesham.
Cheeky O. and Az. a fess G. fretty Erm.
32 Geo. Fleetwood, arm. . the Vache.
Partie per pale nebulee Az. and O. six martelets counter-
changed.
33 Ale. Hampden, arm. . ut prius.
34 Hen. Longvile, arm. . Wolverton.
G. a fess indented betwixt six crosses crosslets Arg.
35 Thomas Pigot, arm. . Doddershal.
S. three pick-axes Arg.
36 Mic. Harecourt, arm.
O. two bars G.
37 Edw. Tirrell, arm. . Thornton.
Arg. two chev. Az. within a border engrailed G.
38 An. Tirringham, arm. . Tirringham.
Az. a cross engrailed Arg.
39 Joh. Dormer . ut prius.
40 Will. Garrend, arm.
(See our Notes in Northamptonshire.)
41 Will. Clarke, mil.
42 Tho. Denton, arm.
G. a chevron between three crescents Arg.
43 Will. Burlace, arm. . ut prius.
44 Anth. Chester, arm. . Chichely.
Per pale Arg. and S. a chev. between three rams' heads
erased armed O. within a border engrailed, roundelly,
all counterchanged.
45 Fran.Cheney.mil. . ut prius.
REG. JAC.
1 Fra. Cheney, mil. . ut prius.
2 [AMP.] W. Willoughby, mil.
3 Ri. Ingoldesby, mil. . Lethenborough.
Erm. a saltire engrailed S.
4 Hen. Longvile, mil. . ut prius.
5 Will. Andrews, mil.
G. a saltire O. charged with another V.
6 Fran. Fortescu, mil.
Az. a bend engrailed Arg. cotised O.
7 Anth. Greenway, arm.
SHERIFFS. 215
Anno Name. Place.
8 Rob. Lovet, mil. . Liscomb.
Arg. three wolves passant in pale S.
9 lero. Horsey, mil.
Az. three horses' heads couped O. bridled Arg.
10 Edw. Tirrell, mil. . ut prius.
11 Sim. Mayne, arm.
Arg. on a bend engr. S. three dexter hands of the first.
12 Bri. Johnson, arm. . Beaconfield.
Quarterly, Az. and G. a cross patoncee, and a chief O.
13 Edm. Wheeler, mil. . Riding Co.
O. a chevron between three leopards' heads S.
14 Th. Temple, mil. et bar. ut prius.
15 Joh. Laurence, mil. . Iver.
Arg. a cross-knotted G. on a chief Az. three leopards'
heads O.
16 Fra. Duncombe, arm.
Partie per chev. counter-flory, G. and Arg. three talbots'
heads erazed counterchanged.
17 Be. Winchcombe, arm. (See our Notes.)
18 Hen. Lee, mil. et ba. . Quarrendon.
Arg. a fess betwixt, three crescents S.
19 Joh. Denham. mil.
G. three fusils Erm.
20 Will. Fleetwood . . ut prius.
21 Fra. Goodwin, mil.
Per pale O. and G. a lion rampant, between three flower-
de-luces counterchanged.
22 Will. Pen, arm. . Pen.
Arg. on a fess S. three plates.
REG. CARD.
1 Edw. Coke, mil. . . Stoke.
Partie per pale G. and Az. three eagles Arg.
2 Gil' Gerrard, bar.
Quarterly, the 1 and 4 Arg. a saltire G. 2 and 3 Az. a
lion rampant Erm. crowned O.
3 Tho. Darel, arm. . . ut prius.
Fr. Catesby, arm.
Arg. two lions passant S. crowned O.
4 Tho. Lee, arm. . . ut prius.
5 Will. Andrews, mil. . ut prius.
6 Tho. Hide, bar.
O. a chev. betwixt three lozenges Az. ; in chief an eagle
of the first.
7 Jaco. Dupper, arm.
8 Rob. Dormer, arm. . ut prius.
9 Fran. Cheney, mil. . ut prius.
WORTHIES OK BUCKING 11 AMSHIKK.
Anno Name. Pl:uv.
10 Pet. Temple, mil. . lit prius.
11 H encage Proby, arm.
Erin, on a fess G. a lion passant, the tail extended O.
I-. Anth. Chester, bar. . itt priug.
13
14
15 Thomas Archdale, arm.
16
1 7 Rich. Grevile, mil.
S. a border and cross engrailed O. thereon live pellets.
IS
19
£0 Hen. Beak, arm.
i?l
22 Will. Collier, arm.
QUEEN ELIZABETH.
17. JOHN CROKE, Arm. — Being afterwards knighted. He
was the son of Sir John Crook, a six-clerk in Chancery, and
therefore restrained marriage until enabled by a statute of the
14th of Henry the Eighth. His ancestors, in the civil wars
between York and Lancaster, concealed their proper name Le
Blount under the assumed one of Croke.*
As for this Sir John Croke, first sheriff of Buckingham after
the division of Bedfordshire, he was most fortunate in an issue
happy in the knowledge of our municipal law ; of whom Sir
John Croke, his eldest son, Speaker of the parliament in the
43rd of queen Elizabeth, received this eulogium from her
majesty : " That he had proceeded therein with such wisdom
and discretion, that none before him had deserved better.*5 As
for Sir George, his second son, we have spoken of him before.t
26. ROBERT DORMER, Arm. — He was, on the 10th of June,
1615, made baronet by king James, and on the 30th day of the
same month was by him created Baron Dormer of Wing, in
this county.
His grandchild, Robert Dormer, was by king Charles, in the
4th of his reign, created Viscount Ascot and Earl of Carnarvon.
He lost his life, fighting for him who gave him his honour, at
the first battle of Newbury. Being sore wounded, he was de-
sired by a lord to know of him what suit he would have to his
majesty in his behalf; the said lord promising to discharge his
trust in presenting his request, and assuring him that his ma-
jesty would be willing to gratify him to the utmost of his
power. To whom the Earl replied, " I will not die with a suit
in my mouth to any king, save to the King of heaven." By
* Pretace to Croke's Reports. f In Law m this County.
SHERIFFS. 217
Anne, daughter to Philip, Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery,
he had Charles, now Earl of Carnarvon.*
27. EDWARD BULSTROD, Arm. — I have not met with so
ancient a coat (for such it appeareth beyond all exception), so
voluminous in the blazon thereof; viz". Sable, a buck's head
-nt, attired O. shot the nose with an arrow of the third,
headed and feathered of the second; a cross patee fitchee
betwixt the attire O.
34. HENRY LOXGVILE, Arm. — He had to his fourth son
Sir Michael Longvile, who married Susan, sole daughter to
Henry Earl of Kent. Now, when the issue in a direct line of
that earldom failed in our memory, Mr. Selden was no less
active than able to prove that the barony of Ruthyn was
dividable from the earldom, and descended to the son of the
said Sir Michael ; and thereupon he sat as Baron Ruthyn in
our late Long Parliament.
Since his death, his sole daughter and heir hath been mar-
ried unto Sir Henry Yelverton, of Easton, in the county of
Northampton, Baronet, a worthy gentleman of fair estate ; so
that that honour is likely to continue in an equipage of breadth
proportionable to the height thereof.
KING JAMES.
17. BENEDICT WINCHCOMBE, Arm. — His arms (too large
for the little space allotted them) I here fully represent, in
gratitude to the memory of his ancestor, so well deserving of
Newbury ;f viz. Azure, on a chevron engrailed between three
birds O. as many cinquefoils of the first ; on a chief of the
second a flower-de-luce between two spears* heads of the first.
KING CHARLES.
1. EDWARD COKE, Knight. — This was our English Trebo-
?iianus, so famous for his comments on our Common Law. This
year a parliament was called, and the court party was jealous of
Sir Edward's activity against them, as who had not digested his
discontentments. Hereupon, to prevent his election as a mem-
ber, and confine him to this county, he was pricked sheriff thereof.
He scrupled to take the oath, pretending many things against
it, and particularly " that the sheriff is bound thereby to prose-
cute Lollards, wherein the best Christians may be included."
It was answered, " that he had often seen the oath given to
others without any regret; and knew full well that Lollard,
in the modern sense, imported the opposers of the present
religion, as established by law in the land. " J
* Who lived till 1709, when he died without male issue. — ED.
f See " Memorable Persons " in Berkshire.
t Sir Henry Spelman, in his Glossary, verbo Lollard.
218 WORTHIES OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
No excuses would serve his turn, but he must undertake this
office. However, his friends beheld it as an injurious degra-
dation of him, who had been Lord Chief Justice, to attend on
the judges at the assises.
FRANCIS CHENEY, Mil. — It is an epidemical disease, to
which many ancient names are subject, to be variously disguised
in writing. How many names is it, Chesney, Chedney, Cheyne,
Chyne, Cheney, &c. ? and all but one, de Casineto. A name
so noble, and so diffused in the catalogue of sheriffs, it is harder
to miss than find it in any county.
Here, reader, let me amend and insert what I omitted in the
last county. There was a fair family of the Cheneys flourishing
in Kent (but landed also in other counties), giving for their
arms, Azure, six lions rampant Argent, a canton Ermine. Of
this house was Henry Cheney, high sheriff of this county and
Bedfordshire, in the 7th of queen Elizabeth, and not long after
by her created baron of Tuddington in Bedfordshire. In his
youth he was very wild and venturous ; witness his playing at
dice with Henry the Second, king of France, from whom he
won a diamond of great worth at a cast. And being demanded
by the king what shift he would have made to repair himself,
in case he had lost the cast ; " I have, " said young Cheney, in
an hyperbolical brave, e£ sheeps* tails enough in Kent, with
their wool, to buy a better diamond than this. " His reduced
age afforded the befitting fruits of gravity and wisdom; and
this lord deceased without issue.
As for Sir Francis Cheney, sheriff for this present year,* we
formerly observed the distinct arms of his family. This worthy
knight was father to Charles Cheney, Esq., who, by his exquisite
travelling, hath naturalized foreign perfections unto himself, and
is exemplarily happy in a virtuous lady, Jane, daughter to the
truly noble William, Marquis of Newcastle, and by her of hope-
ful posterity.
THE FAREWELL.
On serious consideration, I was at a loss to wish to this
county what it wanted ; God and the kings of England have so
favoured it with natural perfections and civil privileges. In
avowance of the latter, it showeth more borough towns (sending
burgesses no fewer than twelve to the parliament) than any
shire (though thrice as big) lying in the kingdom of Mercia.
Now seeing, at the instant writing hereof, the general news of
the nation is, of a parliament to be called after his majesty's
coronation, my prayers shall be, that the freeholders of this
county shall (amongst many therein so qualified) choose good
servants to God, subjects to the king, patriots to the county, effec-
tually to advance a happiness to the Church and Commonwealth.
* Viz., in the 31st year of queen Elizabeth.
WORTHIES SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER. 219
WORTHIES OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE WHO HAVE FLOURISHED
SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER.
George ANDERSON, a poor peasant, mathematician and ac-
countant-general; born at Weston 1760; died 1796.
Francis ATTERBURY, Bishop of Rochester, a restless and as-
piring politician; born at Milton Keynes 1662; died 1731.
Dr. Lewis ATTERBURY, elder brother, an amiable divine ; born
at Caldecot 1656 ; died 1731.
Giles AYRE, Dean of Winchester ; born at Burnham.
John BISCOE, a nonconformist divine and author; born at
Wycombe; died 1679.
Owen BUCKINGHAM, Lord Mayor of London in 1705, bene-
factor to Reading in Berkshire ; born at Colebrooke.
Knightley CHETWOOD, Dean of Gloucester, author; born at
Chetwode 1650; died 1?20.
Euseby CLEAVER, Archbishop of Dublin; died 1819.
William CLEAVER, brother of Euseby, Bishop of St. Asaph,
critic ; born at Twyford 1742 ; died 1815.
John CROWDER, printer, Lord Mayor of London ; died 1830.
Sir Kenelm DIGBY, an alchymist and philosophical writer ;
born at Gothurst 1603 ; died 1665,
Charles DUNCOMBE, Lord Mayor of London in 1709, an
eminent banker ; born at Drayton Beauchamp.
Phillip ELLIS, Bishop of Pavia, author of some sermons pub-
lished about 1686; born at Waddesdon.
Welbore ELLIS, Bishop of Meath ; born at Waddesdon ; died
1733.
Heneage FINCH, Earl of Nottingham, Lord Chancellor of Eng-
land; born at Ravenstone 1621 ; died 1682.
George GRENVILLE, statesman; born at Wotton 1712; died
1770.
Richard GRENVILLE-TEMPLE, Earl Temple, a statesman;
born at Wotton 1?!! ; died 1779.
Josiah HOWE, an accomplished scholar, author of a sermon
preached before Charles I. at Oxford, in 1644; born at
Grendon Underwood; died 1701.
Martin LISTER, physician, naturalist, and author ; born about
1638; died 1712.
Thomas MORELL, a divine, and writer on philology and
criticism; born at Eton 1703; died 1784.
Dr. William NICHOLS, a learned divine and polemical author ;
born at Donnington 1664; died 1712.
Thomas ODELL, a dramatic writer, about 1700.
Thomas PHILLIPS, a Roman Catholic divine, biographer of
Cardinal Pole ; born at Ickford 1708; died 1774.
Joseph RAWSON, a divine and author; born at Aylesbury ;
died 1?19.
220 WORTHIES OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.
John THROCKMORTON, patron of Cowper, author; born at
Weston Underwood ; d(ed 1819.
William WAGSTAFFE, a physician, and ingenious and humour-
ous writer; born at Cublington 1685 ; died 1725.
Edward WESTON, statesman and author of " Sermons," 1700.
Edward YOUNG, Bishop of Dromore ; born at Eton ; died 1772.
%* The principal Works appertaining to Buckinghamshire, besides the Magna
Britannia and the Beauties of England, are the History of Buckingham, by Browne
Willis, LL.D. (1755); the History of Desborough, Wycombe, &c., by Thomas
Langley, M.A. (1797) ; and the History of the County of Buckingham, by G. Lips-
comb, M.D. [Hundred of Ashendon], which, we apprehend, is never likely to be
completed . — ED.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE hath Lincolnshire on the north, Norfolk
•nnd Suffolk on the east, Essex and Hertfordshire on the
south, Huntingdon and Bedford-shires on the west, being in
length thirty-five, in breadth not fully twenty miles. The tables
therein as well furnished as any ; the south part affording bread
and beer, and the north (the Isle of Ely) meat thereunto. So
good the grain growing here, that it out-selleth others some
pence in the bushel.
The north part of this county is lately much improved by
draining, though the poorest sort of people will not be sensible
thereof. Tell them of the great benefit to the public, because
where a pike or duck fed formerly, now a bullock or sheep
is fatted ; they will be ready to return, that if they be taken
in taking that bullock or sheep, the rich owner inditeth them
for felons ; whereas that pike or duck were their own goods
only for their pains of catching them. So impossible it is that
the best project, though perfectly performed, should please all
interests and affections.
It happened in the year 1657, upon the dissolution of the great
snow, their banks were assaulted above their strength of resist-
ance, to the great loss of much cattle, corn, and some Christians.
But, soon after, the seasonable industry of the undertakers did
recover all by degrees, and confute their jealousies who sus-
pected the relapsing of these lands into their former condition.
This northern part is called the Isle of Ely, which one will
have so named from the Greek word "EXetoc, fenny or marshy
ground.* But our Saxon ancestors were not so good Grecians ;
and it is plain that plenty of eels gave it its denomination. Here,
I hope, I shall not trespass on gravity, in mentioning a passage
observed by the reverend professor of Oxford, Doctor Prideaux,
referring the reader to him for the author's attesting the same.f
When the priests in this part of the county would still retain
their wives, in despite of whatever the Pope and monks could
do to the contrary, their wives and children were miraculously
turned all into eels (surely the greater into congers, the less into
* Doctor Smith, in the Life of his father-in-law, Doctor Willet.
f In his Comitiate Oration " De duobus Testibus," page 15.
222 WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
griggs) whence it had the name of Eely. I understand him a
lie of Eels. No doubt the first founder of so damnable an
untruth hath long since received his reward. However, for this
cause, we take first notice, amongst this county's
NATURAL COMMODITIES.
OF EELS.
Which, though they be found in all shires in England, yet
are most properly treated of here, as most, first, and best;
the courts of the kings of England being thence therewith
anciently supplied. I will not engage in the controversy whe-
ther they be bred by generation as other fish ; or equivocally,
out of putrefaction ; or both ways, which is most probable ;
seeing some have adventured to know the distinguishing marks
betwixt the one and other. I know the silver eels are gene-
rally preferred, and I could wish they loved men but as well
as men love them, that I myself might be comprised within the
compass of that desire. Th'ey are observed to be never out of
season (whilst other fishes have their set times) ; and the biggest
eels are ever esteemed the best. I know not whether the
Italian proverb be here worth the remembering, " Give eels
without wine to your enemies. "
HARES.
Though these are found in all counties, yet because lately
there was in this shire an hare-park nigh Newmarket, preserved
for the king's game, let them here be particularly mentioned.
Some prefer their sport in hunting before their flesh for eating,
as accounting it melancholic meat, and hard to be digested ;
though others think all the hardness is how to come by it. All
the might of this silly creature is in the flight thereof ; and I
remember the answer which a school-boy returned in a Latin
distich, being demanded the reason why hares were so fearful :
" Cur metuunt lepores ? Terrestris, nempe, marinus,
JEthereus quod sit, tartareusque canis."
Whether or no they change their sex every year (as some have
reported), let huntsmen decide. These late years of our civil
wars have been very destructive unto them ; and no wonder if
no law hath been given to hares, when so little hath been
observed toward men.
SAFFRON.
Though plenty hereof in this county ; yet, because I conceive
it first planted in Essex, we thither refer our description thereof.
WILLOWS.
A sad tree, whereof such who have lost their love make their
mourning garlands ; and we know what exiles hung up their
MANUFACTURES. 223
harps* upon such doleful supporters. The twigs hereof are
physic, to drive out the folly of children. This tree delighteth
in moist places, and is triumphant in the Isle of Ely, where the
roots strengthen their banks, and lop affords fuel for their fire.
It groweth incredibly fast ; it being a by- word in this county,
" that the profit by willows will buy the owner a horse, before that
by other trees will pay for his saddle." Let me add, that if
green ash may buVn before a queen, withered willows may be
allowed to burn before a lady.
MANUFACTURES.
PAPER.
Expect not I should, by way of preface, enumerate the seve-
ral inventions, whereby the ancients did communicate and con-
tinue their notions to posterity. First, by writing in leaves of
trees, still remembered when we call such a scantling of paper a
folio or leaf. Hence from leaves men proceeded to the bark
of trees, as more solid, still countenanced in the notation of the
word liber. Next they wrote in labels or sheets of lead, where-
in the letters were deeply engraven, being a kind of printing
before printing ; and to this I refer the words of Job (an author
allowed contemporary with if not senior to Moses himself) ;
" Oh that my words were now written, oh that they were print-
ed in a book \f
To omit many other devices in after-ages to signify their con-
ceptions, paper was first made of a broad flag (not unlike our
great dock) growing in and nigh Canopus in Egypt, which it
seems was a staple commodity of that country, and substantial
enough to bear the solemn curse of the prophet : " The paper-
reeds by the brooks shall wither, be driven away, and be no
more.J"
Our modern paper is made of grinded rags, and yet this new
artificial doth still thankfully retain the name of the old natural
paper. It may pass for the emblem of men of mean extraction,
who by art and industry, with God's blessing thereon, come to
high preferment. ef He raiseth the poor out of the dust, and
lifteth the needy out of the dunghill, that he may set him with
his princes, even with the princes of his people.§" One may
find, if searching into the pedigree of paper, it cometh into the
world at the doungate, raked thence in rags, which, refined by
art (especially after precious secrets are written therein), is
found fit to be choicely kept in the cabinets of the greatest
potentates. Pity it is that the first author of so useful an
invention cannot with any assurance be assigned. ||
There are almost as many several kinds of paper as condi-
tions of persons betwixt the emperor and beggar: imperial,
royal, cardinal ; and so downwards to that coarse paper called
* Psalm cxxxvii. 2. f Job. xix. 23. J Isaiah xix. 7.
§ Psalm cxiii. 7. j| P. Vergil, de Rerum Inventionibus, lib. ii. cap. 8.
224 WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
emporetica, useful only for chapmen to wrap their wares therein.
Paper participates in some sort of the characters of the country-
men which make it: the Venetian being neat, subtile, and
courtlike ; the French, light, slight, and slender ; the Dutch,
thick, corpulent, and gross ; not to say sometimes also charta
bibula, sucking up the ink with the sponginess thereof.
Paper is entered as a manufacture of this county, because
there are mills nigh Sturbridge-fair, where paper was made in
the memory of our fathers. And it seemeth to me a proper
conjunction, that seeing Cambridge ["yieldeth so many good
writers, Cambridgeshire should afford paper unto them. Pity
the making thereof is disused ; considering the vast sums yearly
expended in our land for paper out of Italy, France, and Ger-
many, which might be lessened were it made in our nation. To
such who object that we can never equal the perfection of Venice
paper, I return, neither can we match the purity of Venice
glasses ; and yet many green ones are blown in Sussex, profit-
able to the makers, and convenient for the users thereof, as no
doubt such coarser (home-spun paper) would be found very
beneficial for the Commonwealth.
BASKETS.
These are made of the osiers plentifully growing in the moist
parts of this county, an acre whereof turns to more profit than
one of wheat ; a necessary utensil in an house, whereby many
things are kept, which otherwise would be lost. Yea, in some
sort it saved the life of St. Paul, when " let down by the wall of
Damascus in a basket ;* whence some (not improbably) conjec-
ture him hominem tricubitalem, " a man of low stature." Mar-
tial confesseth baskets to have been a British invention, though
Rome afterwards laid claim thereunto :
Barbara tie pictis veni Bascauda Britannis,
Sed me jam mavult dicere Roma suam.
" I, foreign basket, first in Britain known,
And now by Rome accounted for her own."
Their making is daily improved with much descant of art,
splitting their wickers as small as threads, and dying them into
several colours ; which daily grow a greater commodity.
5 THE BUILDINGS.
Cambridge is the chief credit of the county, as the University
is of Cambridge. It is confessed, that Oxford far exceeds it for
sweetness of situation ; and yet it may be maintained, that
though there be better air in Oxford, yet there is more in the
colleges of Cambridges ; for Oxford is an university in a town ;
Cambridge a town in an university ; where the colleges are not
surrounded with the offensive embraces of streets, but generally
situated on the outside, affording the better conveniency of pri-
* 2 Cor. xi. 3.3.
BUILDINGS WONDERS. 225
vate walks and gardens about them. But, having formerly writ-
ten of the fabrics of Cambridge,* I forbear any further enlarge-
ment.
ELY MINSTER.
This presenteth itself afar off to the eye of the traveller, and
on all sides, at great distance, not only maketh a promise, but
giveth earnest of the beauty thereof. The lanthorn therein,
built by Bishop Hotham, (wherein the labour of twenty years,
and five thousand ninety-four pounds eighteen shillings ten
pence half-penny farthing was expended), is a master-
piece of architecture. When the bells ring, the wood-work
thereof shaketh and gapeth (no defect, but perfection of struc-
ture), and exactly chocketh into the joints again; so that it may
pass for the lively emblem of the sincere Christian, who, though
he hath motum trepidationis, of fear and trembling,! stands
firmly fixed on the basis of a true faith. Rare also is the art in
the chapel of Saint Mary's, the pattern or parent of that in King's
College in Cambridge, though here (as often elsewhere) it hath
happened, the child hath out-grown the father. Nor must the
chapel of Bishop West be forgotten, seeing the master-masons
of king James, on serious inspection, found finer stone-work
herein, than in king Henry the Seventh's chapel at Westmin-
ster.
It grieved me lately to see so many new lights in this church
(supernumerary windows more than were in the first fabric), and
the whole structure in a falling condition, except some good
men's charity seasonably support it. Yet was I glad to hear a
great antiquary employed to transcribe and preserve the monu-
ments in that church, as all others in the late-drowned land.
And it is hard to say, which was the better office, whether
of those who newly have dried them from the inundation
of water, or of those who shall drain them from the deluge of
oblivion, by perpetuating their antiquities to posterity.
WONDERS.
Let me here insert an artificial wonder, of what is commonly
called Devil's-ditch ; countryfolk conceiting that it was made by
the devil, when the devil he made it, being the work of some
king or kings of the East Angles. See the laziness of posterity ;
so far from imitating the industry of their ancestors, that they
belibel the pure effects of their pains as hellish achievements.
But, if the aforesaid kings merely made this ditch to get them-
selves a name, divine justice hath met with them, their names
being quite forgotten. More probably it was made to divide
and defend their dominions .from the kingdom of Mercia,
* In my History of that University — F. t Phil. ii. 12.
VOL. I. Q
226 WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
or possibly to keep the people in employment, for diversion of
mutinous thoughts ; laziness being the mother of disloyalty, in-
dustry of obedience.
PROVERBS.
Cantabrigia petit ^Equales — ^Equalia. " Cambridge requires all to be equal."
Some interpret this of their commons, wherein all of the same
mess go share and share alike. Others understand it of the ex-
penses out of the hall, all being 'lo-oo-v'/>t/3oXoi in their collations,
all paying alike ; which parity is the best preservative of com-
pany, according to the apophthegm of Solon, which Plutarch
so commends* for the wisdom thereof, "laa TroXe^ov ov 7rote7,
" Equality breeds no battles." Otherwise it is a murthering
shot, where one pays all the reckoning, as recoiling on him that
dischargeth it : yea, such inequality is a certain symptom of an
expiring society.
Some expound the words, that graduates of the same degree
(either within or without the university) are to be fellows well
met one with another. Dido had a piece of state in her court
peculiar to herself (which may be called an equipage indeed) ;
where she had a hundred servants in ordinary attendance, ge all
of the same age."f Thus the same degree in effect levels all
scholars ; so that seniority of years ought not to make any dis-
tance betwixt them, to hinder their familiarity. I have nothing
else to add of this proverb, saving that it is used also in Oxford.
" Cambridgeshire Camels.'']
I cannot reconcile this common saying to any considerable
sense : I know a camel passeth in the Latin proverb either for
gibbous and distorted, or for one that undertaketh a thing awk-
ly or ungeenly ((f Camelus sal tat" J) ; or else for one of extraor-
dinary bulk or bigness : all inappliable in any peculiar manner
to the people of this county, as straight and dexterous as any
other, nor of any exorbitant proportions.
All that I can recover of probability is this ; the fen-men
dwelling in the northern part of this county, when stalking on
their stilts, are little giants indeed, as master Camden hath well
observed. § However, that mathematician who measured the
height of Hercules by the bigness of his foot, would here be
much mistaken in his dimensions, if proportionably collecting
the bulk of their bodies from the length of their legs.
" A Boistea horse and a Cambridge Master of Art, are a couple of creatures that
will give way to nobody."]
This Proverb we find in the letter of William Zoon written to
George Bruin, in his " Theatre of Cities ;" and it is objected
* In vita Solonis.
f " Centumque pares aetate ministri.'' (Virgil's ^Eneid, lib. i. juxtafinem.)
J Hieronimus in Helvidium. § Camden, in Cambridgeshire.
PROVERBS. 227
against us by an Oxford antiquary ;* as if our masters wanted
manners to give place to their betters ; though, all things con-
sidered, it soundeth more to their honour than disgrace.
For mark what immediately went before in the same author :t
(C In plateis ambulantes, decedi sibi de via, non a civibus solum,
sed etiam a peregrino quovis nisi dignitate excellat, postulant :"
("Walking in the streets, they require, not only of the town's-
men, but also of every stranger, except they excel in dignity,
that they go out of the way unto them.") Herein two things
are observable in the scholars: — 1. Their manners, or civility.
If the party, whatever he be, appear dignified above them, they
willingly allow him superiority. What is this but to give what
is due to another? — 2. Their manhood, or courage. If he seem
beneath them, then they do uti jure suo, and take what is their
own to themselves.
What reason is it he should give place to a townVman ; ut
quid cedat plenum vacuo, scientia ignorantia ? ' This mindeth
me of a passage in Plutarch concerning Themistocles : when a
boy, going home from school, he met one of the Athenian Ty-
rants in the city, and the people cried out unto him to go out
of the way ; u What," said Themistocles, " is not all the street
broad enough for him, but I must be put out of my path and
pace to make room for him ?" This was interpreted, by such
as heard him, as a presage of his future magnanimity. And
surely it shews not want of breeding, but store of spirit, when a
a man will not be put out of his way for every swelling empti-
ness that meets him therein.
"An Henry-Sophister."]
So are they called, who, after four years5 standing in the uni-
versity, stay themselves from commencing Bachelors of Art, to
render them (in some colleges) more capable of preferment.
Several reasons are assigned of their name.
That tradition is senseless (and inconsistent with his princely
magnificence) of such who fancy, that king Henry the Eighth,
coming to Cambridge, staid all the Sophisters a year, who ex-
pected a year of grace should have been given unto them.
More probable it is, because that king is commonly conceived
of great strength and stature, that these Sophista Henriciani
were elder and bigger than others. The truth is this : in the
reign of king Henry the Eighth, after the destruction of monas-
teries, learning was at a loss, and the university (thanks be unto
God ! more scared than hurt) stood at a gaze what would be-
come of her. Hereupon many students staid themselves, two,
three, some four years, as who would see, how their degrees
(before they took them) should be rewarded and maintained.
* Br. Twin. Ant. Acad. Oxon. p. 333. f Gulielmus Zcon.
Q 2
228 WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
MARTYRS.
— — — — WILLIAM FLOWER was born at Snowhill* in
this county bred first a monk in Ely, till, relinquishing his ha-
bit, he became a secular priest and a Protestant ; and, after
many removals, fixed at last at Lambeth.
Wonder not, reader, to see a long black line prefixed before
his name, which he well deserved, to distinguish him from such
men who had an unquestionable title of martyrdom ; whereas
this Flower dangerously wounded a Popish priest with a wood-
knife (a mischievous weapon) in Saint Margaret's, Westminster,
just at the ministration of the mass ; so that the blood of the
priest spurted into the chalice ; a fact so foul, that the greatest
charity would blush to whisper a syllable in the excuse thereof.
As for such who, in his defence, plead the precedent of Elijah's
killing of Baal's priests, they lay a foundation for all impiety in
a Christian commonwealth. If in the old world giants were the
product of those marriages, when the sons of God took to wives
the daughters of men f (a copulation not unlawful because they
were too near akin, but because they were too far off), what
monsters will be generated from such mixtures, when extraor-
dinary actions by immediate commissions from God shall be
matched unto ordinary persons of mere men, and heaven un-
justly alleged and urged for the defence of hell itself ?
However, it plainly appears that Flower afterwards solemnly
repented of this abominable act, and was put to death for the
testimony of the truth. Grudge not, reader, to peruse this
following parallel, as concerning the hands of the martyrs in the
reign of queen Mary.
The right hand of Thomas Tomkins was burnt off in effect
(so as to render it useless^) by Bishop Bonner, some days before
he was martyred.
Archbishop Cranmer, at the stake, first thrust his right hand
into the flame to be burnt, in penance for his subscription to a
recantation.
The right hand of William Flower, before he went to the
stake, was cut off by order of the judges for his barbarous fact.
Yet, though his right hand suffered as a malefactor, there
want not those who maintained that martyr belongs to the rest of
his body. There were but three more martyred in this county,
wrhereof John Hullier, fellow of King's College, was most re-
markable.
PRELATES.
STEPHEN de FULBORN was born at Fulborn (no other of
that name in England) in this county. Going over into Ire-
land to seek his providence (commonly nick-named his fortune),
So Mr. Fox spells it, in his Acts and Monuments, page 1573 ; called Snaile
Well at this day. f Gen. vi. 2.
PRELATES. 229
therein he became, anno 1274, bishop of Waterford, and lord
treasurer of Ireland.* Hence he was preferred archbishop of
Tuam, and once and again was chief justice of that (allow me a
profepsis) kingdom.t He is reported to have given to the
church of Glassenbury in England " indulgences of an hundred
days ; " J which I cannot understand, except he promised par-
don of so many days to all in his province who went a pilgrim-
age to that place : and this also seems an over-papal act of a
plain archbishop. He died 1288, and was buried in Trinity
Church in Dublin.
NICHOLAS of Ely was so called (say some) from being arch-
deacon thereof; which dignity so dyed his denomination in
grain, that it kept colour till his death, not fading, for his future
higher preferments, though others conjecture his birth also at
Ely. When the bold barons obtruded a chancellor (a king's
tongue and hands by whom he publicly speaks and acts) anno
1260, they forced this Nicholas on king Henry the Third for
that office, § till the king some months after displaced him ; yet
(knowing him a man of much merit) voluntarily chose him lord
treasurer, 1 1 when ousted of his chancellor's place; so that (it
seems) he would trust him with his coffers, but not with his
conscience ; yea, he afterwards preferredjiim bishop of Worces-
ter, then of Winchester. Here he sat twelve years ; and that
cathedral may (by a synecdoche of a novel part for the whole)
challenge his interment, having his heart enclosed in a wall,
though his body be buried at Waverley in Surrey
WILLIAM of BOTLESHAM was born at Botlesham (contractly
Botsam) in this county. This is a small village, which never
amounted to a market town, some five miles east of Cambridge,
pleasantly seated in pure air, having rich arable on the one and
the fair heath of Newmarket on the other side thereof. It hath
been the nursery of refined wits, affording a 'triumvirate of
learned men, taking their lives there, and names thence : and to
prevent mistakes (to which learned pens in this point have been
too prone), we present them in the ensuing parallels.
WILLIAM** of Bottlesham, made by the Pope first bishop of
Bethlehem in Syria; afterwards, anno 13 85, bishop of Llandaff,
and thence removed to Rochester : — a famous preacher, con-
fessor to king Richard the Second, and learned writer ; but by
* Sir James Ware, in the Archbishops of Tuam.
f Ireland properly was no kingdom till the time of king Henry the Eighth.
j Sir James Ware, ut prius.
§ John Philipot, in his Catalogue of Chancellors, p. 23.
|| Idem, in his Catalogue of Treasurers, p. 16.
^ Bishop Godwin, in the Bishops of Winchester.
** Idem, in the Catalogue of Llandaff and Rochester.
230 WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
Walsingham and Bale called John by mistake. He died in
February, anno 1399. Nor must we forget that he was once
Fellow of Pembroke hall.
JOHN of Bottlesham was bred in Peter-house in Cambridge,
whereunto he was a benefactor, as also to the whole university,
chaplain to Thomas Arundel, archbishop of Canterbury; by
whose recommendation he was preferred to succeed his towns-
man in the see of Rochester ; which he never saw (saith my au-
thor*), as dying in the beginning of the year 1401.
NICHOLAS of Bottlesham was a Carmelite, bred in Cambridge,
afterwards removed to Paris, where in Sorbonne he commenced
Doctor of Divinity. Returning to Cambridge, he became Prior
of the Carmelites (since Queen's College), where he wrote many
books, and lies buried in his own convent, anno Domini 1435.f
Let all England shew me the like of three eminent men (all
contemporaries at large) which one petty village did produce.
Let Botlesham hereafter be no more famed for its single beacon,
but for these three lights it afforded.
THOMAS of NEWMARKET was born therein; and though
that town lieth some part in Suffolk, my author assures his na-
tivity in this county. He was bred in Cambridge, an excellent
humanist and divine (having left some learned books to poste-
rity), and at last was advanced to be bishop of Carlisle. {
Surely then he must be the same with Thomas Merks, con-
secrated anno 1397 ; consent of time most truly befriending the
conjecture ;§ Merks also and Market being the same in effect.
Neither doth the omission of New in the least degree discom-
pose their identity, it being usual to leave out the prsenomen of
a town for brevity sake, by those of the vicinage (amongst whom
there is no danger of mistake), commonly calling Westchester
Chester, Southampton Hampton. If the same, he is famous in
our English histories, because his devotion (in a transposed pos-
ture to public practice) worshipped the sun-setting king Richard
the Second ; for which his memory will meet with more to com-
mend than imitate it.|| Yet was his loyalty shent, but not
shamed; and king Henry the Fourth being sick of him, not
daring to let him live, nor put him to death (because a prelate)
found an expedient for him of a living death, confining him to a
titular Grecian bishopric.^ He died about 1405,
THOMAS THIRLBY, Doctor of Laws, was (as I am assured by
an excellent antiquary)** born in the town, and bred in the uni-
* Bishop Godwin, in the Bishops of Rochester. f Bale, p. 576. Pits, p. 625.
J Bale, de Scriptoribus Anglise, Cent. 7, num. 60.
§ Bale maketh him to flourish under king Henry the Fourth-
II See his speech in Parliament, in Speed.
If Godwin, in the Bishops of Carlisle.
'* Mr, Martin, beneficed near Northampton.
PRELATES. 231
versity of Cambridge, most probably in Trinity-hall. He was
very able in his own faculty, and more than once employed in
embassies by king Henry the Eighth, who preferred him oishop
of Westminster. Here, had Thirlby lived long, and continued
the course he began, he had prevented queen Mary from dis-
solving that bishopric, as which would have dissolved itself for
lack of land, sold and wasted by him. And though probably
he did this to] raise and enrich his own family, yet such the
success of his sacrilege, his name and alliance is extinct.
From Westminster he was removed to Norwich, thence to
Ely. He cannot be followed (as some other of his order) by
the light of the faggots kindled by him to burn poor martyrs,
seeing he was given rather to prodigality than cruelty ; it being
signally observed that he wept at archbishop Cranmer's degra-
dation. After the death of queen Mary, he was as violent in
his opinions, but not so virulent in his expressions ; always
devoted to queen Mary, but never invective against queen Eli-
zabeth. He lived in free custody ; died, and is buried at Lam-
beth, 1570.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
GODFREY GOLDSBOROUGH, D. D. was born in the town of
Cambridge, where some of his sirname and relation remained
since my memory. He was bred in Trinity College (pupil to
archbishop Whitgift) ; and became afterwards fellow thereof.
At last he was consecrated bishop of Gloucester anno Domini
1598. He was one of the second set of Protestant bishops,
which were after those so famous for their sufferings in the
Marian days, and before those who fall under the cognizance of
our generation ; the true reason that so little can be recovered
of their character. He gave a hundred marks to Trinity Col-
lege, and died anno Domini 1604.
ROBERT TOWNSON, D. D. was born in Saint Botolph's parish
in Cambridge, and bred a fellow in Queen's College, being
admitted very young therein, but 12 years of age. He was
blessed with an happy memory, insomuch that when D. D. he
could say by art the second book of the JEneid, which he
.earnt at School, without missing a verse. He was an excellent
preacher, and becoming a pulpit with his gravity. He attended
king James his chaplain into Scotland ; and after his return,
was preferred dean of Westminster, then bishop of Salisbury.
Hear what the author of a pamphlet, who inscribeth himself
A. W., saith in a book which is rather a satire than a history, a
libel than a character, of the " Court of King James ;" for, after
he had slanderously inveighed against the bribery of those days
in church and state, hear how he seeks to make amends for all:
" Some worthy men were preferred gratis to blow up their
232 WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
[Buckingham and his party] fames (as Token, a worthy man,
paid nothing in fine or pension, and so after him Davenant in
the same bishopric). Yet these were but as music before every
hound.*'*
Now although both these persons here praised were my God-
fathers and uncles (the one marrying the sister of, the other
being brother to, my mother), and although such good words
seem a rarity from so railing a mouth ; yet shall not these con-
siderations tempt me to accept his praises on such invidious
terms as the author doth proffer them.
Oh were these worthy bishops now alive, how highly would
they disdain to be praised by such a pen, by which king James,
their lord and master, is causelessly traduced ! How would they
condemn such uncharitable commendations, which are (if not
founded on) accompanied with the disgrace of others of their
order ! Wherefore I their nephew, in behalf of their memories,
protest against this passage, so far forth as it casteth lustre on
them, by eclipsing the credit of other prelates their contempo-
raries. And grant corruption too common in " that kind, yet
were there besides them at that time many worthy bishops
raised to their dignity by their deserts, without any simoniacal
compliances.
Doctor Townson had a hospitable heart, a generous disposi-
tion, free from covetousness, and was always confident in God's
providence, that, if he should die, his children (and those were
many) would be provided for ; wherein he was not mistaken.
He lived in his bishopric but a year ; and being appointed at
very short warning to preach before the parliament, by unsea-
sonable sitting up to study, contracted a fever, whereof he died,
and was buried in Westminster abbey, anno Domini 1622.
THOMAS (son to William) WESTFIELD, D. D. was born anno
Domini 1573, in the parish of Saint Mary's in Ely, and there
bred at the Free-school under Master Spight, till he was sent
to Jesus College in Cambridge, being first scholar, then fellow
thereof. He was curate or assistant rather, to bishop Felton,
whilst minister of Saint Mary-le-Bow in Cheapside, afterward
rector of Hornsey, nigh, and Great Saint Bartholomew's in,
London, where in his preaching he went through the four Evan-
gelists. He was afterwards made archdeacon of Saint Alban's,
and at last bishop of Bristol, a place proffered to and refused
by him twenty-five years before : for then the bishopric was
offered to him to maintain him ; which this contented meek
man, having a self-subsistence, did then decline ; though accept-
ing of it afterwards, when proffered to him to maintain the
bishopric, and support the episcopal dignity by his signal devo-
tion. What good opinion the parliament (though not over-fond
* King James's Court, pp. 129, 130.
PRELATES. 233
of bishops) conceived of him, appears by their order ensuing :*
" The thirteenth of May, 1643, From the Committee of Lords
and Commons for Sequestration of Delinquents' estates.
" Upon information in the behalf of the bishop of Bristol, that
his tenants refuse to pay him his rents ; it is ordered by this
committee, that all profits of his bishopric be restored to him,
and a safe conduct be granted him to pass with his family to
Bristol, being himself of great age, and a person of great learn-
ing and merit. Jo. WYLDE."
About the midst of his life he had a terrible sickness, so that
he thought (to use his own expression in his diary) that " God
would put out the candle of his life, though he was pleased only
to snuff it." By his will (the true copy whereof I have) he
desired to be buried in his cathedral church, near the tomb of
Paul Bush, the first bishop thereof. " And as for my worldly
goods," (Reader, they are his own words in his will) " which (as
the times now are) I know not well where they be, nor what
they are, I give and bequeath them all to my dear wife Eliza-
beth, &c." He protested himself on his death-bed " a true
Pretestant of the Church of England ;" and dying Junii 28,
1644, lieth buried according to his own desire above men-
tioned, with this inscription :
" Hie jacet THOMAS WESTFIELD, S. T. D.
Episcoporum intimus, peccatorum primus.
Obitt 25 Junii, anno MDCXLIV, senio et moerore confectus.
Tu Lector (quisquis es) vale, et resipisce.
Epitaphium ipse sibi dictavit vivus.
Monumentum uxor mcestissima ELIZABETHA WESTFIELD
Marito desideratissimo posuit superstes."
Thus leaving such as survived him to see more sorrow, and
feel more misery, he was seasonably taken away from the evil
to come: and according to the anagram made on him by his
daughter, "Thomas Westfield, c I dwel the most safe ;"> enjoying
all happiness, and possessing the reward of his pains, who con-
verted many, and confirmed more, by his constancy in his calling.
STATESMEN.
JOHN TIPTOFT, son and heir of John Lord Tiptoft and
Joyce his wife (daughter and co-heir of Edward Charlton Lord
Powis, by his wife Eleanor, sister and co-heir of Edmund
Holland, Earl of Kent)t was born at Everton,| in this (but in
the confines of Bedford) shire. He was bred in Baliol College
in Oxford, where he attained to great learning; and by king
Henry the Sixth was afterwards created first Viscount, then
* The particulars of this were procured for me by my worthy friend Mathew
Gilly. Esquire, from Elizabeth the bishop's sole surviving daughter — F.
f Milles's Catalogue of Honour, p. 1010. J Bale de Script. Brit. c. 8, n. «
234 WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
Earl of Worcester, and Lord High Constable of England, and
by king Edward the Fourth Knight of the Garter.
The skies began now to lower, and threaten civil wars ; and
the house of York fell sick of a relapse. Meantime this earl
could not be discourteous to Henry the Sixth, who had so much
advanced him, nor disloyal to Edward the Fourth, in whom the
right of the crown lay. Consulting his own safety, he resolved
on this expedient ; for a time to quit his own, and visit the
Holy Land. In his passage thither, or thence, he came to
Rome, where he made a Latin speech before the Pope, Pius the
Second, and converted the Italians into a better opinion than
they had formerly of the Englishmen's learning ; insomuch that
his Holiness wept at the elegancy of the oration.
He returned from Christ's sepulchre to his own grave in
England, coming home in a most unhappy juncture of time. If
sooner, or later, he had found king Edward on that throne, to
which now Henry the Sixth was restored, and whose restitution
was only remarkable for the death of this worthy lord. Thus
those who, when the house of the state is on fire, politicly hope
to save their own chamber, are sometimes burned therein.
Treason was charged upon him for secret siding with king
Edward, who before and afterward de facto, and always de jure,
was the lawful king of England. On this account he lost his
life. Then did the axe at one blow cut off more learning in
England that was left in the heads of all the surviving nobi-
lity. His death happened on Saint Luke's-day 1470.
Edward Lord Tiptoft, his son, was restored, by Edward
the Fourth, Earl of Worcester. But, dying without issue, his
large inheritance fell to his three aunts, sisters to the learned
lord aforesaid; viz. first, Phillippa, married to Thomas Lord
Ross, of Hamlake. Second, Joan, wife of Sir Edmund Ingolds-
thorp, of Borough-green, in this county. Third, Joyce, married
unto Sir Edward Sutton, son and heir of John Lord Dudley,
from whom came Edward Sutton, Lord Dudley, and Knight of
the Garter.*
JOHN CHEEKE, Knight, tutor to king Edward the Sixth,
and Secretary of State, was born over against the Market-cross,
in Cambridge. What crosses afterwards befel him in his course
of life, and chiefly before his pious death, are largely related in
our " Church History. "
SOLDIERS.
The courage of the men in this county before the Conquest
plainly appeareth by this authentic passage in a memorable
author, who reporteth that, when the rest of the East Angles
cowardly fled away in the field from the Danish army, " homines
* Milles, ut supra.
WRITERS. 235
comitatus Cantabrigise viriliter obstiterunt ;" (" the men of the
county of Cambridge did manfully resist.") Our author addeth
" unde Anglis regnantibus laus Cantabrigiensis Provincise splen-
dide florebat ;" (ic whence it was that, whilst the English did rule,
the praise of the people of Cambridgeshire did most eminently
flourish")*
Nor lost they their reputation for their manhood, at the
coming in of the Normans ; who, partly by the valour of their
persons, partly by the advantage of their fens, made so stout
resistance, that the conqueror, who did fly into England, was
glad to creep into. Ely. Yea, I have been credibly informed
that Cambridgeshire men commonly passed for a current pro-
verb, though now, like old coin, almost grown out of request.
Indeed the common people have most robustious bodies;
insomuch that quarter- sacks were here first used, men com-
monly carrying on their backs (for some short space) eight
bushels of barley ; whereas four are found a sufficient load for
those in other counties. Let none say that active valour is ill
inferred from passive strength ; for I do not doubt but (if just
occasion were given) they would find as good hands and arms as
they do backs and shoulders.
WRITERS.
[AMP.] MATTHEW PARIS is acknowledged an Englishman
by all (save such who mistake Parisius for Parisiensis), and may
probably be presumed born in this (as bred in the next) county,
where the name and family of Paris is right ancient, even long
before they were settled therein at Hildersham, which accrued
unto them by their marriage with the daughter and heir of the
Buslers.f Sure I am, were he now alive, the Parises would
account themselves credited with his, and he would not be
ashamed of their affinity.
He was bred a monk of Saint Alban^s, skilled not only in
poetry, oratory, and divinity, but also in such manual as lie in
the suburbs of liberal sciences, painting, graving, &c. But his
genius chiefly disposed him for the writing of histories, wherein
he wrote a large Chronicle, from the Conquest unto the year of
our Lord 1250, where he concludes with this distich :
Sisle tui metas studii, Matth&e, quietas :
Nee Ventura petas, quce postera prqferat (Bias.
" Matthew, here cease thy pen in peace, and study on no more ;
Nor do thou roam at things to come, what next age hath in store."
However, he, afterwards resuming that work, continued it
until the year 1259. This I observe, not to condemn him, but
excuse myself from inconstancy ; it being, it seems, a catching
disease with authors, to obey the importunity of others, con-
trary to their own resolution.
* Chronicon Jo. Brompton, p. 887.
f Camdens Britannia, in Cambridgeshire.
236 WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
His history is impartially and judiciously written (save where
he indulgeth too much to monkish miracles and visions) ; and
no writer so plainly discovereth the pride, avarice, and rapine of
the court of Rome ; so that he seldom " kisseth the pope's toe
without biting it.3' Nor have the Papists any way to waive his
true jeers, but by suggesting, hac non ab ipso script a, sed ab
aliis falso illi ascripta ;* insinuating a suspicion of forgery, in
his last edition : understand them in what some eighty years
since was set forth by Matthew Parker ; whereas it was done
with all integrity, according to the best and most ancient
manuscripts ; wherein all those anti-papal passages plainly ap-
pear, as since in a latter and exacter edition, by the care
and industry of Doctor William Watts. This Matthew left off
living and writing at the same time, viz. anno 1259. I will only
add, that though he had sharp nails, he had clean hands ; strict
in his' own as well as striking at the loose conversations of
others ; and, for his eminent austerity, was employed by Pope
Innocent the Fourth, not only to visit the monks in the diocese
of Norwich, but also was sent by him into Norway, to reform
the discipline in Holui, a fair convent therein, but much cor-
rupted.
H ELI AS RUBEUS was born at Triplowf in this county, bred
D.D. in Cambridge. Leland acquainteth us that he was a
great courtier, and gracious with the king; not informing us
what king it was, nor what time he lived in ; only we learn
from him, that this Rubeus (conceive his English name Rouse,
or Red), seeing many who were nobilitatis portenta (so that as
in a tympany their very greatness was their disease) boasted (if
not causelessly) immoderately of their high extraction, wrote a
book contra nobilitatem inanem. He is conjectured to have
flourished about the year 1266.
JOHN EVERSDEN was born at one of the Eversdens, in this
county, bred a monk in Bury Abbey, and the cellerar thereof;
an officer higher in sense than sound, being by his place to
provide diet for the whole convent, assigning particular persons
their portions thereof. But our Eversden's mind, mounted
above such mean matters, busied himself in poetry, law, his-
tory, whereof he wrote a fair volume from the beginning of the
world, according to the humour of the historians of that age ;
starting all thence, though they run to several marks. J Being
a monk, he was not over-fond of friars ; and observeth that
when the Franciscans first entered Bury, anno 1336, there hap-
pened a hideous hurricane, levelling trees and towers, and
whatsoever it met with. The best was, though they came in
* Pits, de illustribus Angliae Scriptoribus, p. 338.
• Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. 4, num. 48.
J Idem, Cent. 5, num. 40.
WRITERS. 237
with a tempest, they went out with a calm, at the time of the
dissolution. This John nourished under king Edward the
Third, and died about the year 1338.
[S. N.] RICHARD WETHERSET, commonly called of Cam-
bridge (saith Bale), because he was Chancellor thereof. But
there must be more in it to give him that denomination, seeing
many had that office besides himself. He was a great scholar
and deep divine ; it being reported to his no small praise, " that
he conformed his divinity to Scripture, and not to the rules of
philosophy."* He flourished under king Edward the Third,
anno 1350.
WILLIAM CAXTON, born in that town (a noted stage betwixt
Royston and Huntingdon). Bale beginneth very coldly in his
commendation, by whom he is charactered, ff vir non omnino
stupidus, aut ignavia torpens;"f but we understand the lan-
guage of his liptotey the rather because he proceedeth to praise
his diligence and learning. He had most of his education be-
yond the seas, living thirty years in the court of Margaret,
duchess of Burgundy, sister to king Edward the Fourth, whence
I conclude him an anti-Lancastrian in his affection. He con-
tinued " Polychronicon " (beginning where Trevisa ended) unto
the end of king Edward the Fourth, with good judgment and
fidelity. And yet, when he writeth that king Richard the
Second left in his treasury money and jewels to the value of
seven hundred thousand pounds, J I cannot credit him ; it is so
contrary to the received character of that king's riotous pro-
digality. Caxton carefully collected and printed all Chaucer's
works ; and on many accounts deserved well of posterity when
he died, about the year I486.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
RICHARD HULOET was born at Wisbeach, in this county,
and brought up in good learning. § He wrote a book called
" The English and Latin ABC;" and dedicated the same to
Thomas Goodrich, Bishop of Ely, and Chancellor of England.
Some will condemn him of indiscretion, in presenting so low a
subject to so high a person, 'as if he would teach the greatest
statesman in the land to spell aright. Others will excuse him,
his book being, though of low, of general use for the common
people, who then began to betake themselves to reading (long
neglected in the land), so that many who had one foot in their
grave, had their hand on their primer. But I believe that his
book (whereof I could never recover a sight), though entitled
an A B C, related not to literal reading, but rather to some
* Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. 5, num. 88.
f Idem, Cent. 8, num. 43. t Polychronicon, lib. ult. cap. 10.
§ Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. 9, num. 67.
238 WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
elemental grounds of religion. He flourished anno Domini
1552.
JOHN RICHARDSON was born of honest parentage, at Linton,
in this county ; bred first fellow of Emanuel, then master of
Saint Peter's, and at last of Trinity College in Cambridge,, and
was Regius Professor in that university. Such who represent
him a dull and heavy man in his parts, may be confuted with
this instance :
An extraordinary act in divinity was kept at Cambridge be-
fore king James, wherein doctor John Davenant was answerer,
and doctor Richardson amongst others the opposers. The
question was maintained in the negative, concerning " the excom-
municating of kings." Doctor Richardson vigorously pressed
the practice of Saint Ambrose excommunicating of the em-
peror Theodosius ; insomuch that the king, in some passion,
returned, " Profecto fuit hoc ab Ambrosio insolentissime fac-
tum." To whom Doctor Richardson rejoined, " Responsum
vere Regium, et Alexandro dignum. Hoc non est argumenta
dissolvere, sed desecare." And so, sitting down, he desisted
from any further dispute.
He was employed one of the translators of the Bible ; and
was a most excellent linguist; whose death happened anno
Domini 1621.
ANDREW WILLET, D.D. was born at Ely, in this county,
bred fellow of Christ's College in Cambridge. He afterwards
succeeded his father in the parsonage of Barley, in Hertfordshire,
and became prebendary of Ely. He confuted their cavil who
make children the cause of covetousness in clergymen, being
bountiful above his ability, notwithstanding his numerous
issue. No less admirable his industry, appearing in his " Sy-
nopsis," " Comments/' and " Commentaries ;" insomuch that
one, considering his polygraphy, said merrily, ee that he must
write whilst he slept, it being impossible that he should do so
much when waking." Sure I am, he wrote not sleepily nor
oscitanter, but what was solid in itself, and profitable for others.
A casual fall from his horse in the highway near Hodsden,
breaking his leg, accelerated his de'ath. It seems that God's pro-
mise to his children, " to keep them in all their ways, that they
dash not their foot against the stone,"* is (as other temporal
promises) to be taken with a tacit cause of revocation, viz. if
God's wisdom doth not discover the contrary more for his
glory and his children's good. This doctor died anno Domini
1621.
Sir THOMAS RIDLEY, Knight, Doctor of the Laws, was born
* Psalm xci. 11, 12.
WRITERS. 239
at Ely, in this county, bred first a scholar in Eton, then fellow
of King's College in Cambridge. He was a general scholar in
all kind of learning, especially in that which we call melior lite-
rat ur a. He afterwards was Chancellor of Winchester, and the
Vicar-general to the Archbishop of Canterbury. His memory will
never die whilst his book called the " View of the Ecclesiastical
Laws " is living ; a book of so much merit, that the common
lawyers (notwithstanding the difference betwixt the professions)
will ingeniously allow a due commendation to his learned per-
formance in that subject. He died anno Domini 1629, on the
two and twentieth day of January.
ARTHUR HILDERSHAM was born at Strechworth in this
county, descended by his mother's side from the blood- royal,
being great-great-grandchild to George Duke of Clarence, bro-
ther to Edward the Fourth. Yet was he not like the proud
nobles of Tecoa, who counted themselves "too good to put
their hands to God's work.'7 But, being bred in Christ's Col-
lege, in Cambridge, he entered into the ministry. How this
worthy divine was first run aground with poverty, and after-
wards set afloat by God's providence ; how he often alternately
lost and recovered his voice, being silenced and restored by the
bishops ; how, after many intermediate afflictions, this just and
upright man had peace at the last ; is largely reported in my
" Ecclesiastical History," to which (except I add to the truth) I
can add nothing on my knowledge remarkable. He died anno
Domini 1631.
R. PARKER, for so is his Christian name defectively written
in my book, born in Ely, (therefore place-naming himself Eli-
ensis), was son (as I am confident) to Master Parker, Arch-
deacon of Ely, to whom that bishopric in the long vacancy
(after the death of Bishop Cox) was proffered, and by him re-
fused, (i tantum opurn usuram iniquis conditionibus sibi oblatam
respuens." Our Parker was bred in, and became a fellow of,
Caius College, an excellent herald, historian, and antiquary,
author of a short, plain, true, and brief manuscript, called
" Sceletos Cantabrigiensis ;" and yet the bare bones thereof are
fleshed with much matter, and hath furnished me with the na-
tivities of several bishops who were masters of colleges.
I am not of the mind of the Italian (from whose envy God
deliver us !) Polidore Vergil, who, having first served his own
turn with them, burnt all the rare English manuscripts of his-
tory he could procure, so to raise the valuation of his own
works. But from my heart I wish some ingenious person
would print Mr. Parker's book, for the use of posterity. He
was a melancholy man, neglecting all preferment to enjoy him-
self; and died in the place of his nativity, as I conjecture,
about 1624.
240 WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
MICHAEL DALTON, Esquire. — He was bred in the study of
our municipal law in Lincoln's Inn, and attained great skill in
his own profession. His gravity graced the bench of justices
in this county, where his judgment deservedly passed for an
oracle in the law : having enriched the world with two excellent
treatises, the one of the office of the sheriffs, the other of the
justices of peace. Out of the dedicatory epistle of the latter I
learnt this (which I knew not before), that king James was so
highly affected with our English government by justices of peace,
that he was the first who settled the same in his native country
of Scotland. Mr. Dalton died before the beginning of our civil
distempers.
THOMAS GOAD, D.D. was son to Dr. Roger Goad (for more
than forty years Provost of King's College) ; but whether born
in the Provost's lodgings in Cambridge, or at Milton in this
county, I am not fully informed. He was bred a Fellow under
his father; afterwards chaplain to archbishop Abbot, rector of
Hadley in Suffolk, prebendary of Canterbury, &c. ; a great and
general scholar, exact critic, historian, poet, (delighting in making
of verses till the day of his death) school-man, divine. He was
substituted by king James in the place of Doctor Hall (indis-
posed in health), and sent'over to the synod of Dort. f He had
a commanding presence, an uncontrollable spirit, impatient to
be opposed, and loving to steer the discourse (being a good pi-
lot to that purpose) of all the company he came in. I collect
him to have died about the year 1635.
ANDREW MARVAIL, was born at Mildred in this county,* and
bred a Master of Arts in Trinity College in Cambridge.
He afterwards became minister in Hull, where for his life-time
he was well beloved : most facetious in his discourse, yet grave
in his carriage ; a most excellent preacher, who, like a good hus-
band, never broached what he had new brewed, but preached
what he had pre-studied some competent time before; inso-
much that he was wont to say, that he would cross the common
proverb, which called " Saturday the working day, and Monday
the holiday of preachers." It happened that, anno Domini
1640, Jan. 23, crossing Humber in_a barrow-boat, the same was
sand-warped, and he drowned therein, by the carelesness, not
to say drunkenness, of the boatmen, to^ the great grief of all
good men.f His excellent " Comment upon Saint Peter " is
daily desired and expected, if the envy and covetousness of pri-
vate persons for their own use, deprive not the publie of the
benefit thereof.
* So his son-in-law informed me. — F.
t With Mrs. Skinner (daughter to Sir Edward Coke), a very religious gentle-
woman F.
BENEFACTORS TO THE PUBLIC. 421
BENEFACTORS TO THE PUBLIC.
HUGO de BALSHAM (for so is he truly written) was born in
this county, as may easily be spelled out of the four following
probabilities put together : first, it was fashionable for clergy-
men in that age to assume their surnames from the place of their
nativity : secondly, Balsham is an eminent village in this county,
whereof an ancient author taketh notice, naming thence the
neighbouring around " fcmcenissima Montana de Balsham:5'*
thirdly, there is no other village of that name throughout the
dominions of England : fourthly, it is certain this Hugh was
bred in this county, where he attained to be sub-prior, and after-
wards bishop, of Ely.
This Hugh was he who founded Peter-house in the university
of Cambridge, the first built (though not first endowed) college
in England. This foundation he finished anno 1284, bestowing
some lands upon it, since much augmented by bountiful bene-
factors. He sat 28 years in his see, and died June the 6th, 1286.
Sir WILLIAM HORN, Salter, son to Thomas Horn, was born
at Snailwell in this county. He was knighted by king Henry
the Seventh ; and, anno 148 7> was Lord Mayor of London.
He gave bountifully to the preachers at Saint Paul's Cross, and
bestowed five hundred marks to the mending of the highways
betwixt Cambridge, the county town where he had his first life,
and London, the city where he got his best livelihood.f
Know, in that age, Horn's five hundred marks had in them
the intrinsic value of our five hundred pounds, which in those
days would go very far in the wages of labourers.
Sir WILLIAM (son of John) PURCASE was born at Gamling-
gay in this county, bred a mercer in London, and Lord Mayor
thereof anno 1497. He caused Moorfields, under the walls,
to be made plain ground, then to the great pleasure, since to
the greater profit, of the city.
Sir THOMAS (son of John) KNEISWORTH was born at Kneis-
worth in this county, bred a fishmonger in London, whereof
he was Lord Mayor anno 1505. He appointed the water-con-
duit at Bishopsgate to be built, to the great convenience of the
city, formerly much wanting that useful element. Be it here
observed, for the encouragement of the industry of Cambridge-
shire apprentices, that by the premises it doth appear that this
small county, in the compass of eighteen years, afforded three
Lord Mayors and benefactors, which no other shire of equal or
greater quantity ever produced,
* Henry of Huntingdon. f Stow's Survey of London, p. 575.
VOL. I. R
242 WORTHIES OP CAMBBTDGESHIRE,
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
JOHN CRANE was born in Wisbeach in this county, bred an
apothecary in Cambridge, so diligent a youth, that some judi-
cious persons prognosticated that he would be a rich man. Dr.
Butler took so great a fancy unto him, that he lived and died
in his family ; yea, and left the main body of his rich estate
unto him.
This Mr. Crane had a large heart to entertain his friends, and
annually very nobly treated all the Oxford men at the Com-
mencement. He gave at his death no less than three thousand
pounds to charitable uses, bestowing the house he lived in (and
that a very fair one), after his wife's death, on the public profes-
sor of physic ; and, in settlement of his other benefactions, dis-
creetly reflected on Wisbeach, where he was born (to which he
gave 1001. to build a town hall) ; Cambridge, where he lived ;
Lynn, where he was well acquainted ; Ipswich, where Dr. Butler
(the first founder of his estate) was born : and Kingston, where
his lands lay. He in some sort gives preventing physic to the
scholars now he is dead, by giving 1001. to be lent gratis to an
honest man, the better to enable him to buy good fish and fowl
for the University, having observed much sickness occasioned
by unwholesome food in that kind. He bequeathed to Dr.
Wren bishop of Ely, and Dr. Brounrigg bishop of Exeter, one
hundred pounds a-piece by his will, and as much by a codicil
annexed thereunto. Besides his concealed charities, his hand
was always open to all the distressed Royalists. He died in
May 1650.
MEMORABLE PERSONS.
WILLIAM COLLET was born at Over in this county, bred a
clerk in London, till at last he attained to be Keeper of the Re-
cords in the Tower, none equalling him in his dexterity in that
office. He went the same path with his predecessor in that
place, Master Augustine Vincent ; but out-went him as survivor.
And because method is the mother of memory, he orderly di-
gested all Records, that they were to be found in an instant.
He abominated their course, who by a water would refresh a
record, to make it useful for the present, and useless ever after.
He detested, under the pretence of mending it, to practise with
a pen on any old writing, preserving it in the pure nature there-
of. Indeed Master Selden and others, in their works, have pre-
sented posterity with a plentiful feast of English rarities ; but
let me say that Collet may be called their caterer, who furnished
them with provision on reasonable rates. He died, to the great
grief of all antiquaries, anno Domini 1644.
EDWARD NORGATE, son to Robert Norgate, D.D., master of
Bene't College, was born in Cambridge, bred by his father-in-
law (who married his mother) Nicholas Felton bishop of Ely,
MEMORABLE PERSONS — LORD MAYORS. 24.3
who, finding him inclined to limning and heraldry, permitted
him to follow his fancy therein ; for parents who cross the cur-
rent of their children's genius (if running in no vicious channels)
tempt them to take worse courses to themselves.
He was very judicious in pictures, to which purpose he was
employed into Italy to purchase them for the Earl of Arundel.
Returning by Marseilles, he missed the money he expected ; and
being there unknowing of and unknown to any, he was observed
by a French gentleman (so deservedly styled) to walk in the
Exchange (as I may call it) of that city, many hours every
morning and evening, with swift feet and sad face, forwards and
backwards. To him the civil Monsieur addressed himself,
desiring to know the cause of his discontent ; and if it came
within the compass of his power, he promised to help him with
his best advice. Norgate communicated his condition ; to
whom the other returned, fe Take, I pray, my counsel ; I have
taken notice of your walking more than twenty miles a- day in
one furlong, upwards and downwards ; and what is spent in
needless going and returning, if laid out in progressive motion,
would bring you into your own country. I will suit you (if so
pleased) with a light habit, and furnish you with competent
money for a footman/' Norgate very cheerfully consented,
and footed it (being accommodated accordingly) through the
body of France (being more than five hundred English miles) ;
and so, leisurely, with ease, safety, and health, returned into
England.*
He became the best illuminer or limner of our age, employed
generally to make the initial letters in the patents of peers,
and commissions of ambassadors, having left few heirs to the
kind, none to the degree, of his art therein. He was an excel-
lent herald, by the title of ,t and, which was the crown
of all, a right honest man. Exemplary his patience in his
sickness (whereof I was an eye-witness), though a complication
of diseases, stone, ulcer in the bladder, &c., seized on him. He
died at the Herald's office, anno Domini 1649.
LORD MAYORS.
1. Robert Clopton, son of Thomas Clopton, of Clopton, Draper,
1441.
2. William Horn, son of Thomas Horn, of Snaylewell, Salter,
1487.
3. William Purchase, son of John Purchase, of Gamelinghey,
Mercer, 1497-
4. Thomas Kneisworth, son of John Kneisworth, of Kneis-
worth, Fishmonger, 1505.
5. Thomas Mirfine, son of George Mirfine, of Ely, Skinner, 1518.
* This story is of his own relation. — F. f Windsor Herald — ED.
R 2
244
WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
(>. William Bowyer, son of William Bowyer, of Harstone, 1543.
7. Richard Mallory, son of Anthony Mallory, of Papworthamus,
Mercer, 1564,
THE NAMES OF THE GENTRY OF THIS COUNTY,
RETURNED BY THE COMMISSIONERS IN THE TWELFTH YEAR OF KING HENRY
THE SIXTH, 1433.
John bishop of Ely, and John de Tiptoft, Chivaler ; — William
Allington, and John Burgoin, Miles, Knights for the Shire ; —
Commissioners to take the oaths.
Willielmi Pole, mil.
Johannis Colvyle, mil.
Willielmi Hazenhull, mil.
Willielmi Malory, mil.
Johannis Argenton, mil.
Willielmi Alyngton, senioris,
de Horseth.
Laurencii Cheyne de Ditton.
Henrici Somer de Grancotre.
Joh. Cheyne de Longstanton.
Tho. Dischalers de Whaddon.
Willielmi Frevill de Shelford.
Johannis Hore de Childerle.
Johannis St. George de Haclee.
Williel. St. George de eadem.
Robertus Bernard de Iselham.
Robertas Alyngton de Horseth .
Walt. Clovile de Pampisworth.
Walteri Cotton de Ladevade.
Williel. Burgoyne de Caxton.
Johannis Moris de Trumpiton.
Johannis Pigot de Aviton.
Thomee Cotton de Lanwade.
Sim. Brunne de Wenelingham.
Edm. Seyntlowe de Malketon.
Alexandri Child de Horton0
Johannis Keterich de Beche.
Nicholai Caldecote de Melreth.
Walteri Huntydon de Trum-
piton.
Radulph. Sanston de Sanston.
Williel. Fulburne de Fulburn.
Robert. Kingston de Berklow.
Richard. Stotevil de Brinkelee.
Rich. Foster de Bodekisham.
Johan. Ansty, senioris ,de Ovye.
Johan. Totehill de Swafham.
Joh. Chirche de Bassingburn.
Edm. Bendisch de Barenton.
Johannis Ansty, junioris, de
Tanerisham.
Radul. Hamelin de Sanston.
Johannis Fulburn de Fulburn.
Johannis Borlee de Iselham.
Johannis Bury de Stretelee.
Magistri de Chepenham de
Chepenham.
Nich. Hamond de Swofham.
Tho, Cantyes de Littillington.
Johannis Walter de Cranden.
Johannis West de Croxton.
Joh.Knesworthde Knesworth.
Warini Ingrith de Melreth.
Johannis Wilford, senioris, de
Badbrurgham.
Johannis Wilford, junioris, de
eadem.
Sim. Hokington de Hokington.
Johannis Clopton de Clop ton.
Johannis Bungeye de Fulburn.
Johannis Mars de Abiton.
Thomse Danseth de Conyton.
Tho. Haneheech de Shelford.
Henrici Calbech de Balsham.
Will. Sternede de Stapileford.
Joh. Wizhton de Hokington.
Roberti Anfleys de Eltislee.
Will. Eremilond de Iselham.
Johannis Vescey de Swanesey,
Galf. Clopton de Clopton.
Willielmi Baily de Saham.
Thomse Parker de Kertelenge.
Thomas Bulseham de Chenele.
Johannis Bate de Reche.
Johannis Taillour de Brinkle.
Johannis Cotisford de Weston.
GENTRY,
245
Roger! Hunte de Balseham.
Johannis How de Sanston.
Thomee Paris de eadem.
Johan. Trope de Dokisworth.
Jacob! Russil de Skelington.
Ric. Hoggepound de Wrotting.
Johannis Palgrave de eadem.
Tho. Cokeparker de Campis.
Johannis Petzt. de eadem.
Stephani Petiz de eadem.
Johannis Lambard de eadem.
Johannis Smith de eadem.
Johan. Britsale de Berkelow.
Willielmi Fuller de Lintone.
Johannis Plukerose de eadem.
Thomee Hamont de eadem.
Johannis Person de eadem.
Johannis Haberd de Onye.
Johannis Orveye de Ditton.
Philippus Grome de Hinton.
Edm. Preston de Botisham.
Thomae Bunte de eadem.
Joh. Wilkin de Wilburgham.
Willielmi Thornton Warnier
de Saham.
Th. Stapleton de Badburgham.
Johan. Ray de Novo Mercato.
Henrici Attelane de Beche.
Johannis Knith de eadem.
Walteri Fote de Middilton.
Joh. Andrew de Waterbeche.
Roberti Bertelot de eadem.
Johannis Tylly de eadem.
Henrici Clerke de eadem.
Johannis Annfleys de Critton.
Johannis Fox de eadem.
Richardi Mably de Howis.
Johan. Attechercke de eadem.
Johannis Mably de eadem.
Will. Colyn de Maddyngle.
Johannis Custance de eadem.
Thomae Mesynger de eadem.
Willielmi Reynolt de eadem.
Will. Knight de Chesterton.
Johannis Bacon de eadem.
Johannis Bernard de eadem.
Henrici Speed de Hyston.
Willielmi Page de eadem.
Johannis Smith, sen. de eadem.
Walter. Spernd de Cotenham.
Henrici Mey de eadem.
Hugonis Bernard de eadem.
Williel. Burbage de Dray ton.
Johannis Gifford de eadem.
Roberti Salman de eadem.
Henrici Roys de Lolworth.
Johannis Asplen de eadem.
Johannis Ganelock de Over.
Jo. Sampson Bocher de eadem.
Johannis Barby de eadem.
Henrici Okeham de eadem.
Wil. Shetere de Wenelingham.
Johannis de Botre de eadem.
Johannis Shetere de eadem.
Willielmi Bakere de Swansey.
Simonis Hurlpeny de eadem.
Richardi Wright de eadem.
Johannis Halton de eadem.
Joh. Howesson de Ellysworth.
Johannis Bole de eadem.
Willielmi Fermour de eadem.
Johannis Wareyan de eadem.
Johannis Annfleys de Pap-
worth Everard.
Jo. Kent de Papworth Anneys.
Johannis Dantre de Granele.
Johannis Annfleys de Cony ton.
Thomse Crispe de eadem.
Williel. Beton de Fendraytone
Willielmi Pecard de eadem.
Johanni Grewere de eadem.
Richardi Remington de Long-
stanton.
Henrici Rede de eadem.
Johannis Page, jun. de eadem.
Willielmi Driffeld de eadem.
Johannis Hawkyn de eadem.
Willielmi Attelow de eadem.
Thomae Pelle de Hokington,
Johannis Fulham de eadem.
Johan. Williem. de Westwyk.
Thomee Herward de eadem.
Henrici Page de Rampton.
WiUielmi Page de eadem.
Johannis Watesson de eadem.
Johannis Bette de Herdewyk.
Thomae Newman de Toft.
Thomec Basely de eadem,
246
WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
Thomse Crispe de Caldecote.
Johannis Faceby de eadem.
Thomse Adam de Everisdon
Magna.
Henrici Bocher de eadem.
Tho. Tant de Everisdon Parva.
Willielmi Baron de eadem.
Williel. Parnell de Kingston.
Richardi Madingle de eadem.
Johannis Couper de eadem
Simonis Lavenham de Brunne.
Galfridi Norman de eadem.
Simon Wareyn de Stowe.
Willielmi Semer de eadem.
Thomse Bette de eadem.
Johan. Freman de Esthatbee.
Johannis Bradfeld de eadem.
Tho. Fysher de Gamelingey.
Jonannis Brampston de eadem.
Walteri Aydrok de eadem.
Johannis Smith de eadem.
Johannis Draper de eadem.
Johannis Goneld de Croxton.
Willielmi Redford de eadem.
Johannis Michell de Eltislee.
Johannis Gylmyri de eadem.
Thomee Bernard de eadem.
Thomse Burgoyne de Caxton.
Johannis Noris de eadem.
Johannis Pachat de eadem.
Willielmi Mold de Whaddon.
Richardi Lylye de eadem.
Johannis Oradle de eadem.
Willielmi Adam de Melreth.
Thomse Cosyn de eadem.
Willielmi Lylye de eadem.
Johannis Gentyng de eadem.
Joh. Zokesle de Meldeburn.
Johannis Turnere de eadem.
Thomse Gentyng de eadem.
Johannis Bayly de eadem.
Nicholai Pulter de eadem.
Will. Turpin de Knesworth.
Johannis Street de eadem.
Williel. Willwys de Royston.
Thomee Mellman de eadem.
Wai. King, jun, de Hungrihatle.
Guidonis Moyn de eadem.
Johannis Pynk de eadem.
Joh Malbern de Stepilmorden.
Johan. Crystmasse de eadem.
Johannis Busshe de eadem.
Will. Frost de Gyldemyorden.
Johannis Lyly de eadem.
Richardi Pern de eadem.
Rich. Wolleys de Bassingburn.
Johannis Parlet de eadem.
Johannis Reymond de eadem.
Johannis Bettele de eadem.
Richardi Batte de Abiton.
Thomse Lorkin de eadem.
Johan. Gibbe de Litillington.
Johannis Benizch de eadem.
Willielmi Baker de Tadlow.
Thomse Pelle de eadem.
Johannis Goslin de Cranden.
Willielmi Ward de eadem.
Johan. Derby, sen. de Copton.
Richardi Derby de eadem.
Thomse Sherlee de Shengey.
Johannis Smith de eadem.
Willielmi Pink de Wendy.
Prioris de Bernwell.
Prioris de Angleseye.
Prioris de Speneye.
Prioris de Fordham.
Willielmi Lasselys persone
Ecclesiee de Over.
Thomse Attewode persone Ec-
clesiee de Ellisworth.
Johannis Terinton persone Ec-
clesise de Lolworth.
Johannis Deping persone Ec-
clesise de Critton.
Nicholai Holey persone Ec-
clesise de Swansey.
Johannis Garaway persone Ec-
clesise de Fulburn.
Radulphi Wathe persone Ec-
clesiee deWillburghamparva.
Willielmi Lavender persone
Ecclesiee de Middilton.
Richardi Drayton persone Ec-
clesiee de Kingston,
Thomee Lawngham persone
Ecclesiee de Eltyslee.
Roberti Dixon persone Eccle-
sise de Shelford Magna.
GENTRY SHERIFFS.
247
Adami persone Ecclesise de
Dokisworth.
Willielmi Midleton persone
Ecclesiee de Clopton.
Johannis Blak persone Eccle-
sise de Hungrihatlee.
Willielmi Mows vicarii Eccle-
siae de Brunne.
Johannis Camisby persone Ec-
clesiae de Sneyleswell.
Johannis Smith persone Ec-
clesiae de Brynkle.
Johannis Bocher vicarii Eccle-
siee de Longstanton.
Johannis Gotobed vicarii Ec-
clesiee de Swafham.
Rectoris de Chenele vicarii de
Dittons Valens.
Persone Ecclesiae de Fiditton.
SHERIFFS
OF CAMBRIDGE AND HUNTINGDON-SHIRES.
Anno
HENRY II.
1 Richardus Basset, Alberi-
cus de Veer.
2 Paganus, vie. et Rob.
Grimball.
3 Idem.
4
5 Idem.
6
7 Idem.
8 Idem.
9 Nicholai de Chenet.
10 Hamo Petom, vie.
11 Hamo Petom, vie.
12 Hamo Petom, et Phil, de
Daventre.
13 Phil, de Daventre, for
three years.
16 Ebrar. de Beach,, et War.
de Basingborn.
17 Idem.
18 Ebrardus de Beach, for
six years.
24 Walt, films Hugonis, for
three years.
27 Walt, filius Hugonis, et
Will, filius Stephani.
28 Walt, filius Hugonis.
29 Rad. de Bardulff.
30 Idem.
31 Nich. filius Roberti, for
three years.
RICHARD- I.
1 Nich. filius Roberti.
2 Will. Muschet.
3 Idem.
Anno
4 Rich. Anglicus.
5 Richard. Anglicus.
6 Reginaldus de Argentuen.
7 Idem.
8 Tho. de Huntsdon.
9 Merric. de Marignes.
10 Rob. de Insula.
JOHANNES R.
1 Rob. de Insula.
2 Idem.
3 Hamo de Valoignes, et
Rail, de Valoigne.
4 Walt, de Stuieclea.
5 Idem.
6 Rob. de TateshalL, et
Magister Aristoteles.
7 Idem.
8 Josteli. de Stuieclea.
9 Idem.
10 Fulco filius Theobald
for six years,
16 Will. Comes Sarisb. et
Wer. de Marigny.
17 Will. Comes Sarisb.
HENRY III.
1
2 Fulco de Breante, et
Radul. de Bray.
3 Idem.
4 Idem.
5 Fulkesius de Breante, et
Joh. de Ulicot, for four
years.
9 Galf. de Hacfield sive
248
WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE,
Anno
Hadfield, for eight
years.
17 Geremias de Caxton, for
four years.
21 Henri, de Colvel, for six
years.
27 Hugo de Hodeng.
28 Rad. de Hereford, for
three years.
31 Phil, de Staunton, for
three years.
34 Henr. Colvile.
35 Idem.
36 Simon de Horton.
37 Idem.
38 Joh. de Moyne.
39 Joh. de Moyne, et
Joh. de Marines.
40 Idem.
41 Will, de la Stow.
42 Idem.
43 Will, le Moyne.
44 Joh. de Scalarus.
45 Joh. de Scalarus, et
Joh. Lovell.
46 Saer de Frivile.
47 Johan. Lovell, for five
years.
52 Almaricus Pech.
53 Saerus de Frivile.
54 Idem.
55 Rob. del Estre.
56 Idem.
EDWARD. I.
1 Rob. del Estre.
2 Rob. del Estre.
3 Walt. Shelfhanger.
4 Will, le Moyne, for three
years.
7 Bal. de Sto Georgio.
8 Will, de Rothing.
9 Idem.
10 Tho. de Belhus, for seven
years.
17 Hugo de Babington, for
eight years.
25 Will, de Mortuo Mari.
26 Will, de Sutton.
Anno
27 Tho. de Gardinor.
28 Idem.
29 Rob. Hereward.
30 Rob. de Bajose, for five
years.
EDWARD II.
1 Joh. Crekes, et
Rob. de Hoo. for three
years.
4 Joh. de Crekes, for three
years.
7 Tho. do Stolarus.
8 Idem.
9 Radul. Gifiard, for three
years.
12 Math, de Bassingborne.
13 Joh. de Crekes.
14 Almaricus de Zouch, for
five years.
EDWARD III.
. 1 Math, de Bassingborne.
2 Idem.
3 Almar. la Zouch.
4 Idem.
5 Will, de Moyne.
6 Will, filius Joh. Muchett.
7 Rich, de Bajocis, et
Warr. de Bassing.
8
9 Joh. de Lymbery, et
Will. Muschetts.
10 Tho. de Lacy.
11 Will, de Muschett.
12 Idem.
13 Warrin. de Basingborn.
14 Idem.
15 Joh. de Papworth, et
Joh. de Lacy.
16 Warr. de Bassingborn,
for four years.
20 Rob. de Engane.
21 Idem.
22 Guido de Sto Cler, for
four years.
26 Johan. Lisle de Rubeo.
Monts.
27 Gui. de St. Clere.
SHERIFFS. 249
Anno Anno
28 Gui. de St. Clerc. 46 Will, de Pappeworth.
29 Tho. de Scalar. 47 Rog. Harlaston.
30 Joh. de Harewdon. 48 Tho. Sewalle.
31 Nich. Stanell, for four years. 49 Tho. Torell.
35 Joh. Furneux, et 50 Bald. St. George.
Tho. Cheyne. 51 Joh. Deugayne.
36 N. Suyvecle, for ten years.
SHERIFFS OF CAMBRIDGE AND HUNTINGDON-SHIRES.
RICHARD II.
Anno Name and Arms. Place.
1 Joh. Avenel .... Gamlinggay.
Arms ; Arg. a fess between six annulets G.
2 Will. Moygne.
Az. cresuly, a fess dansette Arg.
3 Radu. Wykes.
4 Hen. English.
5 Tho. Sewale.
6 Will. Moygne . . . ut prius.
7 Phil. TiUney.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three griffins' heads erased G.
8 Hen. English.
9 Joh. Heningford.
G. three unicorns' heads cooped Or.
10 Rob. Paris .... Hildersham.
11 Will. Pappeworth.
12 Will. Chenye.
Az. a fess inter three leopards' faces Or.
13 Edw. de la Pole.
14 Rob. de Paris . . . ut prius.
15 Nice. Steucle .... Stivele, H.
16 Joh. Kinost.
17 Will. Chenye, mil.
18 Nich. Paris .... ut prius.
19 Joh. Lakynghech.
20 Joh. Harlington.
21 Andr. Newport.
Arg. a chevron G. betwixt three leopards' heads S.
22 Idem ...... ut prius.
HENRY IV.
1 Tho. Hasdden.
2 Will. Rees and
Jo. Howard.
G. a bend betwixt six cross crosslets fitchee Arg.
3 Idem.
4 Joh. Hobildon . . . ut prius.
5 Idem.
250 WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
6 Rob. Scotte.
7 Joh. Bernakes.
8 Joh. Hobildon.
9 Joh. Paniel.
10 Bald. St. George . . . Hatley, C.
Arg. a chief Az. ; over all a lion rampart G. crown-
ed O.
11 Will. Allein.
12 Rob. Scotte.
HENRY V.
1 Rob. Hockshecho.
2 Will. Alington \. . . Horsheath.
S. a bend betwixt six billets Arg.
3 Tho. Reviles.
4 RoB. Scott.
5 Walt. Pole, mil. . . ut prius.
6 Will. AsconhaU.
7 Tho. Reviles.
8 Rob. Scott.
9 Idem ut prius.
10 Idem ut prius.
HENRY VI.
1 Rob. Scott, and
Will. Alington . . . ut prius.
2 Wai. de la Pole, mil. . ut prius.
3 Nich. Slyvebley.
4 Joh. Hore .... Childerley.
5 Tho. Dischalers . . . Whaddon.
G. six scallops, 3, 2, 1, Arg.
6 Nich. Alington . . . ut prius.
7 Walt, de la Pole . . . ut prius.
8 [AMP.] Lavi. Cheyney Ditton, C.
9 Jo. Austey.
10 Jo. Shardelow, mil.
Joh. Clopton.
S. a bend Arg. between two cotisses dancette O.
11 Rob. Stonham.
Arg. on a cross S. five escallops O.
12 Rog. Hunt.
13 Idem.
14 Rob. Stonham . . . ut prius.
15 Idem.
16 Will. Alington . . . ut prius.
17 Gilb. Hore .... ut prius.
18 Hen. Langley.
19 Idem.
20 Will. Lee.
SHERIFFS. 251
Anno Name. Place.
21 Tho. Peyton .... Isleham.
S. a cross engrailed O. in the first quarter a mullet Arg.
22 WiL St. George, mil. . ut prius.
23 Idem ut prius,
24 Joh. dialers .... ut prius.
25 Idem.
26 Tho. Bernard.
Arg. a bear rampant, and border engrailed S.
27 Wai. Trumpington . . Trumpington.
Az. cresulee two trumpets O.
28 Joh. Harlaston.
Arg. a fess E. erased S.
29 Will. Alington . . . ut prius.
30 Tho. Tresham . . . Northampton.
Partie per saltire, S. and O. six trefoils of the first.
31 Tho. Peyton .... ut prius.
32 Will, Hasdden.
33 Hen Paris, arm. . . . ut prius.
34
35
36 Tho. Tresham, arm. . ut prius,
37 Joh. Colvill, mil.
Az. a lion rampant Arg. ; over all a label G.
38 Tho. Findefn, mil.
EDWARD IV.
1 Joh. Alington, arm. . ut prius.
2 Joh. Stuke, arm.
3 Idem.
4 Joh. Cheyne.
5 Joh. Boughton, jun.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three mullets G.
6 Joh. Berleley, mil.
G. a chevron betwixt ten crosses, form six and four, Arg.
7 Joh. Forster, arm.
S. a chevron betwixt three arrows Arg.
8 Will. St. George . . . ut prius.
9 Rich. Sapcote, mil. . . Elton.
S. three dove-coats Arg.
10 Tho. Gray, arm.
Barry of six Arg. and Az. ; three torteaux in chief.
11 Tho. Gray, mil. . . . ut prius.
12 Joh. Austy.
13 Tho. Pigott .... Abingdon, C.
S. three pickaxes Arg.
14 Jo. Broughton, mil. . ut prius.
15 Joh. Cheyne, mil.
16 Tho. Cotton, arm. . . Ladwade, C.
S. a chevron betwixt three griffins' heads erased Arg.
252 WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
17 Will. Alington, jun. . ut prius.
18 Will. Frevill, arm. . . Sheford, Camb.
G. three crescents Erm.
19 Rob. Paris, arm. . . . ut prius.
20 Tho. Huntingdon.
21 Gal. Bloodwell.
22 Rob. Tilney . . . . ut prius.
RICHARD III.
1 Rob. Tanfield.
2 Job. Wake, arm. . . . Salston, C.
O. two bars G. three torteaux in chief.
3 Jo. Hudleston, mil.
G. fretty Arg.
HENRY VII.
1 Will. Finden.
2 Tho. Oxenburgg.
G. a lion rampant queuee forche Arg. within a border V.
charged en entour of eight escallops O.
3 Will. Taillard.
Quarterly, Arg. and S. a cross patonce quarterly pierced
counterchanged.
4 Joh. Hafilden.
5 Will. Wentworth.
S. a chevron, betwixt three leopards' heads O.
6 Tho. Cheyney, mil,
7 Will. Cheyney, arm.
8 Joh. Burgoyne . . . Caxton, Camb.
Az. a talbot passant Arg.
9 Tho. Cotton, arm. . . ut prius.
10 Gerrard Steukly.
11 Tho. Cheney, mil.
12 Chri. Peyton, arm. . . ut prius.
13 Rich. Stutvill, arm. . . Brynklo, Camb.
Barruly Arg. and G. a lion rampant S.
14 Rob. Peiton, mil. . . . ut prius.
15 Tho. Cotton, arm. . . ut prius.
16 Jo. Clarevax
17 Edw. Lucy, arm.
G. crusuly O. three lucies (or pkes) hauriant Arg.
18 Tho. Cheyne, mil.
19 Chri. Druell, arm.
20 Joh. Frevile, arm . . . ut prius.
21 Anth. Mallory, arm.
O. a lion rampant G. collared of the first.
22 Idem ut prius.
23 Will. Findern, mil.
24 Tho. Gery.
SHERIFFS. 253
HENRY VIII.
Anno Name. Place.
1 Fra Halisden, arm.
2 Joh. Paris, arm.
3 Egid. Alington, mil. . . it t prius.
4 Tho. Cotton, arm. . . Connington.
Az. an eagle displayed Arg.
5 Tho. Throsby.
6 Ra. Chamberlein.
O. fretty S. on a chief of second three bezants.
7 Joh. Paris, arm. . . . ut prius.
8 Joh. Cutte, mil. . . . Childerley, Camb.
Arg. on a bend engrailed S. three plates
9 Will. Tanfeld, arm.
10 Anth. Malory, arm. . ut prius.
11 Egid. Alenton, mil. . . ut prius.
12 Fran. Alisdon, arm.
13 Joh. Moor, arm.
14 Joh. Huddleston . . . ut prius.
15 Anth. Hansard,
G. three mullets Arg.
16 Joh. Huddleston . . . ut prius.
17 Rob. Payton, arm. . . ut prius.
18 Tho. Piggot, arm. . . ut prius.
19 Rob. Aprice, arm. . . Washingly, Ha.
S. three spears' heads Arg.
20 Joh. Paris, arm. . . . ut prius.
21 Anth. Hansard, arm. . ut prius.
22 Egi. Alington, mil. . . ut prius.
23 Anth. Malory, arm. . , ut prius.
24 Tho. Eliot, mil. . . . Carlton, Camb.
25 Rich. Sapcotte, mil. . . ut prius.
26 Tho. Chichele, arm.
O. a chevron betwixt three cinqfoils G.
27 Rob. Peyton, mil. . . ut prius.
28 Tho. Crumwell, arm.
[See our Notes in this year. — F.]
29 Tho. Megges, arm.
30 Tho. Hutton, arm.
31 Phu. Paris, arm. . . . ut prius.
32 Rich. Crumwell . . . Hinchinbrook, H.
S. a lion rampant Arg.
33 Oliv. Leder, arm.
34 Edw. North, mil. . . Catlidge.
Az. a lion passant O. between three flowers-de-luce Arg.
35 Rob. Aprice, arm. . . ut prius.
36 Tho. Eliot, mil. ut prius.
37 Egid. Alington, mil. . . ut prius.
254 WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
38 Law. Tailard, mil. . . utprius.
EDWARD VI.
1 Tho. Cotton, arm. . . ut prius.
2 Joh. Hudleston . . . ut prius.
3 Joh. Cotton, arm. . . ut prius.
4 Tho. Bolles, arm.
Arg. on a chevron betwixt three boars' heads couped S.
as many scallops O. a border V. bezantee.
5 Joh. Cutte, mil.
6 Egi. Alington, mil. . . ut prius.
MARIA REG.
1 Rob. Peyton, arm. . . ut prius.
REX PHIL, et MA. REGINA.
2 Oliv. Leaden, mil.
3 Law. Taylard, mil. . . ut prius.
4 Joh. Cotton, mil. . . ut prius.
5 Rob. Tirwhite, mil. . . LINCOLNSHIRE.
G. three pewets O.
6 Will. Laurence, arm. . St. Ives.
Arg. a cross ragule G. on a chief of the second a lion pas-
sant gardant O.
REG. ELIZA.
1 Joh. Hutton, arm.
Arg. a chief V. charged with an eagle displayed, within a
border engrailed G.
2 Tho. Cotton, mil. . . ut prius.
3 Fran. Hynde, arm. . . Madenly, C.
Arg. on a chev. G. three lozenges O. betwixt as many
goats' heads grazed Az. armed and collared of the third ;
on a chief S. a lion passant guardant Erm.
4 Hen. Darcy, arm. . . Leighton, H.
Az. three cinq-foils betwixt nine crosses crosslets Arg.
5 Cle. Chichiley, arm. . . ut prius.
6 Will. Mallpry, arm. . .
7 Hen. Williams, alias
Cromwell, mil. . . .
8 Wil. Worthington.
9 Rob. Peyton, arm. . . ut prius.
10 Tho. Revell, arm.
11 Hen. Longe, arm. . . Shengey, C.
S. a lion ramp, betwixt eight crosses crossed Arg.
12 Fran. Hynde, arm. . . ut prius.
13 Hen. Crumwell . . ut prius.
14 Joh. Cutts, mil. . . utprius.
SHERIFFS. 255
Anno Name. Place.
15 Tho. Wendy . . Hastinfield, Cam.
Az. a chevron betwixt three lions5 heads erased within a
border engrailed O.
16 Joh Hutton, arm. . . ut prius.
17 Will. Mallory, arm. . ut prius.
18 Rob. Bevill, arm. . . Chasterton.
G. a chevron O. betwixt three bezants.
19 Tho. Reu, arm.
20 Fitz Rad Chamberlaine ut prius.
21 Tho. Holmes, arm.
22 Henry Crumwell, mil. . ut prius.
23 Rob. Taylor.
24 Tho. Cotton, arm. . . ut prius.
25 Hen. Darcy, mil. . . ut prius.
26 Anth. Cage, mil.
Partie per Pale Az. and G. ; over all a saltire O.
27 Tho. Wendy, arm. . . ut prius.
28 Rob. Peiton, arm. . . ut prius.
29 Fran. Crumwell . . ut prius.
30 Rad. Bevill, arm. . . ut prius.
31 Fran. Hynde, mil. . . ut prius.
32 Thomas Chichley, arm. ut prius.
33 Joh. Cotton, arm. . . ut prius.
34 Hen. Crumwell . . ut prius.
35 Joh. Peyton, arm. . . ut prius.
36 Tho. March, arm. . . Waresley, H.
O. three pales A. ; on a chief G. three talbots' heads erazed
of the first.
37 Rob. Brudenell . . Diddington, H.
Arg. a chevron G. betwixt three caps Az.
38 Anth. Cage, arm. . . ut prius.
39 Jar. Clifton, mil. . . Leigh ton, H.
S. semee de cinqfoils, a lion rampant Arg.
40 Oli. Crumwell, mil. . ut prius.
41 Egi. Allington, arm. . ut prius.
42 Will. Hind, arm. . ut prius.
43 Joh. Cutts, mil. . . ut prius.
44 Tho. Wendy, arm. . . ut prius.
45 Joh' Bedell, mil. pri.
Jaco Hamarton, Hunt.
G. a chev. engrailed betwixt three scollops Arg.
REG* JAC.
1 Joh. Bedell, mil. . . ut prius.
2 Joh. Peyton, mil. . . ut prius.
3 Rob. Bevill, mil. . . ut prius.
4 Tho. Jermy, mil. . . Teversham, C.
Arg. a lion rampant guardant G.
256 WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
5 Rob. Payne, mil. . . Medlow, H.
Az. a bend trunked ragulee betwixt six etoiles O.
6 Joh. Cage, arm. . . ut prius.
7 Oliv. Cheney, mil. . . Steukley, H.
8 Reg. Millicent, mil.
9 Sim. Steward, mil. . . Sturney, C.
Quarterly : first, France on a border G., eight fer malauxes
O. ; the second, O. a fess cheeky Arg. and Az. a border
engrailed G.
10 Edw. Hind, arm. . . ut prius.
11 Tho. Baldwyn, arm.
12 Edw. Aldred, arm.
13 Mi. Sands, mil. et bar. Wilburham.
O. a fess indented betwixt three crosses-crosslets fitche G.
14 Fran. Brown, arm.
15 Will. Wendy, arm. . ut prius.
16 Tho. Steward, mil. . . ut prius.
17 Joh. Cutts, mil. . . ut prius.
IS Tho. Maples, arm. . . Stow.
Az. a chevron quarterly O. and Arg. between three
flowers-de-luce, of the second.
19 Rob. Symonds . . Wichford, C.
20 Ed. Peiton, mil. etbar. ut prius.
21 Rob. Audley, arm. . . St. Ives.
22 Jac. Reynold, mil.
CAR. REG.
1 Mart. Peirce, arm. . . CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
G. a chevron Erm. betwixt three dragons5 heads erased
Arg.
2 Joh. Goldsburgh . . Godmanchester A.
3 Rob. Hagar, arm. . . Buyne-cast, Ca.
Arg. on a bend S. three lions passant on the first.
4 Tho. Parker, arm.
5 Jacob Pedley, arm.
6 Tho. Terrell, arm. . . Fulborn C.
Arg. two chevrons Az. within a border engrailed G.
7 Rich. Covil, arm.
Az. a lion rampant Arg. a file of three lambeaux G.
8 Capel. Bedell, arm. . ut prius.
9 An th. Cage, arm. . . ut prius.
10 Rob. Ballam, arm.
11 Ludo. Dyer, bar. . . Gr. Stourton, Hu.
O. a chief indented G.
THE SHERIFFS OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE ALONE.
12 Joh. Carleton, bar. . . Chevely.
Arg. on a bend S. three mascats of the first.
SHERIFFS. 257
Anno Name. Place.
13 Tho. Chichesley . . ut f/riits.
14 Tho. Wendy, arm. . . ut prius.
G. a fess betwixt three escallops O.
15 Tho. Pichard . . Trumpington.
Arg. a fess betwixt three crosses fitchee G.
16 Joh. Crane, arm. . . Kingston.
S. a chevron betwixt three griffins5 heads crazed Arg.
1? Joh. Cotton, mil. Landwad.
THE SHERIFFS OF CAMBRIDGE AND HUNTINGDON-SHIRES
AGAIN.
18 Tho. Martin, mil. . . Barton.
Arg. an eagle displayed G.
19 Idem .... ut prius.
20 Onslo. Winch, arm.
21 Tris. Diumond .... Wei.
EDWARD IV.
16. THOMAS COTTON, Arm. — This Thomas Cotton (different
in arms and descent from the Cottons of Huntingdonshire) was
of Cambridgeshire, the same person who in the gentry of that
county [Henrici VI. 12.] was returned the twenty-second in
order.
HENRY VIII.
24. THOMAS ELIOT, Mil. — He was son to Sir Richard
Eliot, and born (some say) in Suffolk ; but his house and chief
estate lay in this county.* After his long sailing into foreign
parts, he at last cast anchor at home ; and being well skilled in
Greek and Latin, was the author of many excellent works. Of
these, one in Latin was styled, " Defensorium bonarum mulie-
rum," or " The defence of good women ;f " though some will
say that such are hardly found, and easily defended.
He wrote also an excellent dictionary of Latin and English,
if not the first, the best of that kind in that age ; and England
then abounding with so many learned clergymen, I know not
which more to wonder at, that they missed, or he hit on so
necessary a subject. Let me add, Bishop Cooper grafted his
dictionary on the stock of Sir Thomas Eliot ; which worthy
knight deceased 1546, and was buried at Carlton in this
county.
28. THOMAS CROMWELL, Arm. — Here, reader, I am at a
perfect loss, and do desire thy charitable hand to lead me. No
Cromwell Thomas can I find at this time in this county, and
can hardly suspect him to be the Cromwell of that age, because
only additioned Armiger. Indeed, I find him this very year
* Bale, Descript. Brit. Cent. 8. num. 77.
f Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. 8. num. 77.
VOL. I. S
258 WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
created Baron of Okeham ; but cannot believe that he was un-
knighted so long, besides the improbability that he would con-
descend to such an office, having no interest I ever met with in
Cambridgeshire, though (which may signify somewhat) he was
at this time chancellor of the university of Cambridge. Thus
I have started the doubt, which others may hunt down to their
own satisfaction.
34. EDWARD NORTH, Mil. — He was a prudent person, and
in. managing matters of importance of great despatch ; not un-
skilled in the law, and eminently employed in the Court of
Augmentation ; a court though short-lived (erected in the end
of king Henry the Eighth, dissolved in the beginning of king
Edward the Sixth's reign ), yet very beneficial to the officers
therein. This Sir Edward was made, by queen Mary, Baron of
Catlidge, in this county ; and was a considerable benefactor to
Peter-house, in Cambridge, where he is remembered in their
parlour, with this distich under his picture :
" Nobilis hie ver£ fuerat si nobilis ullus,
Qui sibi principium nobilitatis erat."
He was father to Roger Lord North, and great-grandfather to
Dudley Lord North, now surviving.*
EDWARD VI.
2. JOHN HuDDLESTON.f- — He was highly honoured after-
wards by queen Mary, and deservedly. Such the trust she re-
posed in him, that (when Jane Grey was proclaimed queen) she
came privately to him to Salston, and rid thence behind his ser-
vant (the better to disguise herself from discovery) to Framling-
ham Castle. She afterwards made him (as I have heard) her
privy- councillor, and (besides other great boons) bestowed the
bigger part of Cambridge castle (then much ruined) upon him,
with the stones whereof he built his fair house in this county.
I behold his family as branched from the Huddlestones in
Cumberland.
QUEEN ELIZABETH.
14. JOHN CUTS, Mil. — He was a most bountiful house-
keeper, as any of his estate ; insomuch that queen Elizabeth, in
the beginning of her reign (whilst as yet she had peace with
Spain), the sickness being at London, consigned the Spanish
ambassador to this knight's house in this county. The ambas-
sador coming thither, and understanding his name to be John
Cuts, conceived himself disparaged to be sent to one of so short
a name ; the Spanish gentleman generally having voluminous
surnames (though not so long as the deity in New Spain, called
Yoca huvaovamaorocoti) , usually adding the place of their habi-
Who died June 4, 1677 ; and was the immediate ancestor of the present Earl
of Guildford ED.
f Misprinted Sir Robert, in my " Ecclesiastical History." — F.
SHERIFFS. 259
tation for the elongation thereof.* But soon after the Don
found that what the knight lacked in length of name, he made
up in the largeness of his entertainment.
34. HENRY CROMWELL,, Mil. — This was the fourth time he
was sheriff in the reign of the queen. He was son to Richard
Cromwell., Esquire, sheriff in the thirty-second of king Henry
the Eighth ; to whom his valour and activity so endeared him,
that he bestowed on him so much abbey-land in this county,
as at that day, at a reasonable rate, was worth twenty thousand
pounds a year, and upwards. He was no whit at all allied to
(though intimately acquainted with) Thomas Lord Cromwell
(the mauler of monasteries ) ; which I knowingly affirm, though
the contrary be generally believed : for, when Doctor Goodman,
late Bishop of Gloucester, presented a printed paper to Oliver
Cromwell (grandchild to this our sheriff), mentioning therein
his near affinity to the said Lord Cromwell, the pretended pro-
tector, desirous to confute a vulgar error, in some passion
returned, " that lord was not related to my family in the least
degree."
39. JARVASIUS CLIFTON, Mil. — He had a fair estate at
Barrington, in Somersetshire, whence he removed to Hunting-
donshire, on his match with the sole daughter and heir of Sir
Henry Darcy of Leightonbromswold, in that county. This Sir
Jarvase was by king James created Baron of Leighton aforesaid ;
and there began a beautiful house, which he lived not to finish.
His sole daughter Katherine was married to Esme Steward, Duke
of Lenox, to whom she bare the truly illustrious (by virtues and
high extraction) James Duke of Richmond.
KING JAMES.
9. SIMON STEWARD, Mil.— I remember he lived (after he
was knighted) a fellow- commoner in Trinity-hall, where these
his arms are fairly depicted in his chamber with this distich
over them :
Francorum Carohis voluit sic Stemmata ferri,
Singula cum valeant sunt meliora simid.
11 French Charles would have these Coats to be thus worn ;
When singly good, they're better jointly borne."
But how the royal name of Steward came first into this county,
consult, I pray, the ensuing epitaph in Ely Minster (as my son
hath informed me) by himself, exactly from his monument :
" Premendo sustulit : Ferendo vicit.
" Secundum Redemptoris mundi adventum expectat hie Mar-
cus Steward, miles, films hseresque Simionis Steward, armig.
* Lord Herbert, in the Life of king Henry the Eighth, p. 181.
s 2
260 WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
Nicholao Steward, armig. geniti, qui patrem habuit Richardum
Steward, armig. quern genuit Thomas Steward, armig. Johannis
Steward, militis, films, cujus pater erat Johannes Steward, miles,
ejus nominis in Anglia primus, qui cum Jacobo Roberti Scotise
regis filio in Franciam transfretans (regnante tune Henrico
quarto) vento eorum propositis opposite, in Anglicano littore
applicuerunt, ubi diu post pro obsidibus custodiebantur : Sed
hie Johannes in amorem cujusdam virginis Anglicanae, nomine
Talmach, incidens, obtentaque Johannae Reginae venia, cui
ancilla inserviebat, earn in conjugem cepit, infidemque regis Hen-
rici dum vixisset solenniter est juratus. Hujus pater erat Alex-
ander, quern genuit Andreas Steward, miles, Alexandri cogno-
minati Ferocis filiorum natu minimus, cujus pater erat Wal-
terus Steward, a Dundevale in Scotia dictus. Sed primus in
genealogia hac summonitus, et hie sepultus, ex Anna una fili-
arum et haeredum Roberti Huicke, armig. reginse Elizabethan
medici primarii, varies habuit liberos, quos omnes inadultos
Fata rapuere, praeter duos, Mariam scilicet Gulielmo Forster in
corn. Berke. militi nuptam, et Simionem Steward, militem,
haeredem filiumque suum moestissimum, qui pii officii, singula—
risque erga patrem amoris gratia, hoc posuit monumentum, ubi
inscriptum legas, quod cum multos annos, et bello et pace, pro
patria feliciter egisset, aetate tandem confectus militari singulo,
et auratis calcaribus a Jacobo Rege Serinissimo ornatus, senex
pene octogenarius fatali necessitati concessit, 28° Februarii,
anno Salutis 1603."
THE FAREWELL.
It is hard for a physician to prescribe proper physic to such
a patient, who hath a hot liver and a cold stomach, because
what is good for the one is bad for the other. As hard it is, for
weather to please the concernments of this county, whose
northern part, being moist and fenny, desires fair weather ;
south and south-eastern, dry and heathy, delighteth so much
rain, that it can well digest (save in harvest-time) one shower
every day, and two every Sunday. But the God of heaven,
(i who can make it rain on one place, and not on another,"* can
fit the necessity of both ; and I remit them both to his provi-
dence.
* Amos iv. 7.
WORTHIES OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE WHO HAVE FLOURISHED
SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER.
Edward BENTHAM, professor of divinity at Oxford; born at
Ely 1707; died 1776.
WORTHIES SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER. 261
James BENTHAM, divine and architectural historian of Ely Ca-
thedral; born at Ely 1708; died 1794.
Edmund CASTE LL, orientalist, author of ee Lexicon Heptaglot-
ton," or dictionary of seven tongues; born at Hatley 1606;
died 1685.
William COLE, antiquarian collector; born at Little Abington
1714; died 1782.
Richard CUMBERLAND, dramatic and miscellaneous writer, the
Terence of England; born at Cambridge 1?32 ; died 1811.
James DRAKE, physician, political writer, and translator of He-
rodotus; born at Cambridge 1667; died 1707-
James DUPORT, Master of Magdalen College, Dean of Peterbo-
rough, Greek professor, and critic ; bom at Cambridge ; died
1679.
William GODWIN, author of " Political Justice," and numerous
other works ; bom at Wisbeach 1756; died 183G .
Israel LYONS, son of a Polish Jew, mathematician and botanist ;
born at Cambridge 1739; died 1784.
Lady Damaris MASHAM, amiable and learned ; born at Cam-
bridge 1658; died 1708.
Catherine PEPYS, foundress of Cottenham School ; born at Cot-
tenham ; died 1707.
Thomas RUTHERFORTH, divine and philosopher ; born at Pap-
worth St. Everard 1?12.
Robert SHERRINGHAM, antiquary and Hebrew scholar ; born at
Cambridge; died 1677-
Sir Robert TABOR, physician, the first who used bark with
success in fevers ; died 1681.
Thomas TENISON, learned and pious Archbishop of Canterbury;
born at Cottenham 1636; died 1715.
William WHITEHEAD, poet laureat and dramatist; born at
Cambridge 1715; died 1785.
%* Cambridgeshire is comparatively without a county historian, — Carter's His-
tory being contained in a single volume ; and Blomefield's Collectanea Cantabri-
giensia consisting of mere church notes. Several accounts and descriptions, how-
ever, of the University have been given to the world by different authors ; viz.
Masters, Parker, Carter, Wall, Kilner, Dyer, &c. ; and the Magna Britannia and
Beauties of England treat of the county generally.
CHESHIRE.
CHESHIRE lieth in form of an axe, Wirral being the handle
thereof, having Lancashire (parted with the river Mersey) on
the north ; a corner of Yorkshire on the north-east ; Derby and
Stafford-shires (severed with mountains) on the east ; Shropshire
on the south ; Denbigh, Flintshire, and the Irish Ocean, on the
west thereof. The longest part (advantaged with excursions) is
four and forty, the broadest twenty-five miles.
This county was reputed a Palatinate before the Conquest, and
since continued in the same dignity. It is much senior to Lan-
cashire in that honour, which relateth to Cheshire as the copy
to the original, being Palatinated but by king Edward the Third,
referring the duke of Lancaster to have his regal jurisdiction,
"adeo integre et libere sicut comes Cestriee," &c. And
whereas records are written in the common law, "contra coro-
nam et dignitatem Regis," in this county they run thus, " con-
tra dignitatem gladii Cestrifle."
It aboundeth with all things necessary to man's life ; and it is
observable that all the rivers and rivulets therein rise in, or run
through, some meer or pool, as Cumber-meer, Bag-meer, Pick-
meer, Ridley-pool, Petty-pool, &c. ; so that Cheshire hath more
lakes in this kind, than all the neighbouring counties, affording
plenty of carps, tenches, trouts, eels, &c. therein.
The gentry of this county are remarkable upon a four-fold
account: 1. For their numerousness, not to be paralelled in
England in the like extent of ground. 2. Their antiquity, many
of their ancestors being fixed here before the Norman Conquest.
3. Their loyalty, especially against a northern enemy, heartily
hating a Scot ;* understand it before the union of the two king-
doms. 4. Hospitality, no county keeping better houses, which,
because all grows on their own, may be the better afforded.
One said pleasantly, " that it appeared to all people that the
Cheshire gentry were good house-keepers, because they gave so
many wheat sheaves, bread being the staff of hospitality,
wheaten the best of bread in their coats of arms." Indeed, I
have told no fewer than six and twenty, called garbs in heraldry,
* Vale Royal of England, page 19.
NATURAL COMMODITIES. 263
which are borne in the several coat-armours of the gentry of this
county ; the original whereof is sufficiently known to be out of
conformity to Hugh Kivelioc, the fifth Earl-Palatine of Chester,
who gave Azure, six garbs Or. And many of the gentry of the
county, being his dependants, had assigned them, or did assume
in their shields, something in allusion thereunto.
NATURAL COMMODITIES.
SALT.
This is most essential to man's livelihood, without which nei-
ther sacrifice was acceptable to God, nor meat is savory to man.
It is placed on the board with bread, to shew that they are
equally necessary to man's sustenance.
A general in our late wars soundly chid a captain for his so
soon surrendering of a castle, seeing he had store of powder
therein. " I had/' returned the captain, e( plenty of black but
no white powder at all."
And here it is remarkable to observe the defects which sun-
dry places have herein :
1. Some countries have salt without flesh within many miles;
as in the south part of Africa.
2. Some have plenty of flesh, but no salt to make use thereof;
as in many parts of Tartary.
3. Some have flesh and salt, but the flesh utterly incapable
of seasoning ; as about Nombre de Dios and other places near
the meridian in America.
4. Some have flesh, salt, and flesh capable thereof, but so
unconscionably dear, that common people have little comfort
therein ; as in France, no country having salt more plentiful,
and (for reason of State) most excessive in the rate thereof.
These things considered, we, who have flesh, salt, salt at rea-
sonable prices, and flesh capable thereof, have cause to profess,
" O fortunati nimium bona si sua norint
Angligenae!"
The manner of making of salt in this county is so largely and
exactly described by Mr. Camden, that nothing can be added
thereunto.
CHEESE.
Poor men do eat it for hunger, rich for digestion. It seems
that the ancient British had no skill in the making thereof, till
taught by the Romans, and now the Romans may even learn
of us more exactness therein .* This county doth afford the
best for quantity and quality; and yet their cows are not (as in
other shires) housed in the winter; so that it may seem strange
* Camden's Britannia, in Cheshire.
264 WORTHIES OF CHESHIRE.
that the hardiest kine should yield the tenderest cheese.* Some
essayed in vain to make the like in other places, though hence
they fetched both their kine and dairy-maids. It seems they
should have fetched their ground too (wherein surely some
occult excellency in this kind), or else so good cheese will not
be made. I hear not the like commendation of the butter in
this county : and perchance these two commodities are like
stars of a different horizon, so that the elevatiou of the one to
emmency is the depression of the other.
MILL-STONES.
Stones, they are natural; as fitted for that purpose, artificial.
Very great and good are digged up at Mowcop-hill in this
county, though one moiety thereof be in Staffordshire, out of
which the river Trent doth arise. How necessary these are for
man's sustenance, is proved by the painful experience of such
aged persons, who wanting their molare teeth must make use
of their gums for grinders ; and such bad shifts should men be
put to, if wanting mills where stones turn corn into bread.
Manufactures considerable I meet with none in this county,
and therefore proceed.
THE BUILDINGS.
Beestone Castle, situated on a steep hill, carried away the
credit of this county for building ; it was erected by Raynulf
the third earl of Chester, when he returned victorious from the
Holy Land. I am much taken with the neatness of the struc-
ture, though, I confess, my eye never did, and now never shall,
behold it.
When some justly quarrel at VirgiFs fiction, making Dido fall
in love with Eneas, who indeed was dead many years before
her cradle was made ; others have sought ingeniously to salve
the anticronism in history, by the plea that she fell in love
with his picture, which she saw in tapestry : yet I may truly
allege for myself, that I was affected with the delight of this
castle, though by me never seen, and now levelled to the ground
(since the late wars), beholding the delineation thereof cut by
the charge of John Savage, Esquire.
Veraque cum desunt momia pictajuvant.
" When real walls are vanish' d quite,
Painted ones do us delight/'
I confess, learned Leland is very confident that this castle
shall see better times, deriving his intelligence from ancient
predictions :
Tempus erit quando rursus caput exeret attum,
Vutibus antiquis si vas mihi credere vati.
" Beestone in time its head aloft shall heave,
If I, a prophet, prophets may believe. ''
* William Smith, in his Vale Royal, page 18.
WONDERS PROVERBS. 265
But I give credit to Leland's history, when he tells what is
past, more than to his prophecy when he foretels what is to
come.
THE WONDERS.
It is reported by credible and believed by discreet persons,
that there is a pool adjoining to Brereton, the seat of the ho-
nourable family of the Breretons, wherein bodies of trees are
seen to swim for certain days together before the death of any
heir of that house. If so, let not all men look for so solemn
summons to pay their debts to Nature. God grant us that
grey hairs, dimness of sight, dulness of other senses, decay in
general of strength, death of our dearest relations (especially
when far younger than ourselves) before our eyes, &c. may
serve us (instead of swimming logs), and be sanctified unto us,
for sufficient and effectual monitors of our mortality !
We must not forget the many fir trees found here buried
under ground, whereof largely hereafter in a more proper place.*
The people of this county cut such pieces of wood very small,
and use them instead of candles, which give a good light. My
author adds, that " such wooden candles have long snuffs ; and
yet," saith he, which to me amounts to a wonder, "in faUing
do no harm, though they light into tow, flax, or the like.f"
Strange that the least fire should be so dead as not to be reviv-
ed with such cordials. Let not this encourage careless servants
to tempt Providence with such combustible conjunctions : no
county being more sadly sensible of casualties by fire; Nant-
wich, a fair market therein, being twice burnt down to the
ground within the compass of one hundred and fifty years. J
PROVERBS.
'< Cheshire chief of men."]
Say not that this proverb carries a challenge in it, and our
men of Kent § will undertake these chief of men, for engrossing
manhood to themselves. And some will oppose to this nar-
row county-proverb, an English one of greater latitude, viz.
" No man so good, but another may be as good as he/' For,
rather than any difference shall arise, by wise and peaceable
men, many chiefs will be allowed.
Indeed, the Cestrians have always demeaned themselves
right valiantly in their undertakings. This was well known
to king Richard the Second, who in dangerous times sent for
two thousand Cheshire men, all archers, to attend him;||
which number, in time of a suspicious parliament, was doubled
* In the Wonders of Anglesea.
| W. Smith, in his Vale Royal of England, p. 17.
J Once anno 14..., and again anno 1583.
§ See our Proverbs in Kent. II Holinshed's Chronicle, p. 489.
266 WORTHIES OF CHESHIRE.
by him, all having bouche of court, (bread and beer) and six-
pence a day,* large wages in that age.
Pity it was that the valour of these Cheshire men was once
wasted against themselves, in a terrible battle betwixt king
Henry the Fourth, and Henry Percy surnamed Hotspur, not
ill described by our author:
" There Dutton, Button kills ; a Done doth kill a Done ;
A Booth, a Booth ; and Leigh by Leigh is overthrown ;
A Venables against a Venables doth stand ;
And Troutbeck fighteth with a Troutbeck hand to hand ;
There Molineux doth make a Molineux to die ;
And Egerton the strength of Egerton doth try ;
O Cheshire, wert thou mad, of thine own native gore,
So much until this day thou never shedst before !"f
Nor doth this abate our former commendation of their loyalty,
the cause they maintained being so intricate and perplexed;
one side fighting for Mortimer, who should be king by right ;
the other for Henry the Fourth, who actually was so ; and po-
' litic men, who know the one were loyal, will be loth to say that
the other were traitors.
Let no ill-natured wit urge, in opposition to the manhood of
Cheshire men, their late miscarriage under a worthy knight,
whom I forbear to name; partly because he nameth himself
(though I say nothing of him) ; partly because, before my pains
pass the press, he will probably be honourably additioned. For,
had other counties seasonably contributed their promised assist-
ance, what now proved an abortive birth would have been a
vital infant. Besides, better things were provided for our gra-
cious sovereign, that he the copy, as God the original, might not
come in the tempestuous wind of war, fire of fury, or earthquake
of open enmity, but in the still voice J of a peaceable composi-
tion. And, to shew that this should not be man's work, God
suffered both the men of Kent, and Cheshire chief of men, to
fail in their loyal endeavours, that it might only be God's work,
and justly marvellous in our eyes.
" Better wed over the Mixon than over the Moor."]
Over the Mixon ; that is, hard by or at home, Mixon being
that heap of compost which lieth in the yards of good husbands.
Than over the Moor : that is, far off or from London ; the
road from Chester leading to London over some part of the
moor-lands in Staffordshire. The meaning is, the gentry in
Cheshire find it more profitable to match within their county,
than to bring a bride out of other shires. 1. Because better
acquainted with her birth and breeding. 2. Because (though
her portion perchance may be less) the expense will be less to
maintain her.
Such intermarriages in this county have been observed, both
* Stowe's Survey of London, p. 522.
f Drayton's Polyolbion, Song 22. J Kings xix. 12.
CARDINALS PRELATES. 267
a prolonger of worshipful families., and the preserver of amity
betwixt them; seeing what Mr. Camden reported of the citi-
zens of Cork* is verified of the Cheshire gentry — they are all of
an alliance.
CARDINALS.
WILLIAM MAKILESPIELD was, saith my author,t patria Co-
ventriemis. Bishop Godwin goeth a little further, natus [fer-
tur] in civitate Coventriensi.% However, I conceive him born in
this county, finding a fair market-town and forest therein so
named ; though he was reputed a Coventrian, because Cheshire
in that age was in the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield. But,
because I dare not swim against the stream, I remit the reader
to his character in Warwickshire.
PRELATES.
WILLIAM BOOTH was first bred in Gray's Inn in London, in
the study of our Municipal Laws, till he quitted that profession
on the proffer of a chancellor's place in Saint Paul's, and took
orders upon him. It was not long before he was consecrated
bishop of Lichfield, and six years after translated to York.
He expended much money in repairing and enlarging his palace
at York ; and, after twelve years, died, and was buried in Saint
Mary's Chapel in Southwell 1464.
LAURENCE BOOTH, brother (but by another mother) to Wil-
liam aforesaid, was bred and became master of Pembroke-hall in
Cambridge, and was chancellor of that university. He made
the composition betwixt the university and King's College to
their mutual advantage ; and was an eminent benefactor to his
own college, bestowing thereon all the tenements (since alienat-
ed) betwixt it and St. Botolph's Church, amongst which was St.
Thomas Hostle. He exonerated the college of a pension of five
pounds which he redeemed, and conferred thereon the manor
and patronage of Overton Waterfield in Huntingdonshire.
As it is God's, so it is all good men's method> in advancing
their servants, " Be faithful in a little, and thou shalt rule over
much." Doctor Booth, well performing his chanceUor's place
in Cambridge, was thence preferred chancellor to Margaret
queen to Henry the Sixth. Well discharging that office, he was,
in the 13th of king Edward the Fourth, made lord high chancel-
lor (it seems his public spirit was neither for York nor Lan-
caster, but England), having first been bishop of Durham, after-
wards archbishop of York, and deserving well of both sees ; for
he built in the first the gate of Aukland-college, and bought for
the latter the manor of Battersea nigh London.
It must not be forgotten that this archbishop kept the master-
ship of Pembroke-hall till the day of his death, and so did his
* In his Britannia, in Ireland. f Pits, de Ang. Script, p. 388.
J In his Catalogue of Cardinals.
268 WORTHIES OF CHESHIRE.
successors in the same college, Bishop Fox, and Bishop Ridley ;
not that they were covetous (what is a molehill to those that
have mountains ?) of the place, but the place ambitious of them,
to be guarded and graced with them, as it is this day by the
right reverend father in God Benjamin Lany lord bishop of Pe-
terborough. This archbishop died anno Domini 1480.
JOHN BOOTH, brother to Laurence aforesaid, bachelor of laws,
was consecrated bishop of Exeter in the sixth of king Edward
the Fourth, 1466. He built the bishop's chair, or seat, in his
cathedral, which, in the judicious eye of Bishop Godwin, hath
not his equal in England.* Let me add, that though this be
the fairest chair, the soft cushion thereof was taken away, when
Bishop Vescy alienated the lands thereof. The worst was, when
Bishop Booth had finished this chair, he could not quietly sit
down therein, so troublesome the times of the civil wars betwixt
York and Lancaster ; so that, preferring his privacy, he retired
to a little place of his own purchasing at Horsley in Hampshire,
where he died April the first, 1478 ; and was buried in Saint
Clement Danes, London.
We must remember that these three prelates had a fourth and
eldest brother, Sir Roger Booth, knight, of Barton in Lanca-
shire, father of Margaret, wife of Ralph Nevili third Earl of
Westmoreland. And may the reader take notice, that though
we have entered these bishops (according to our best inform-
ation) in Cheshire, yet is it done with due reservation of the
right of Lancashire, in case that county shall produce better
evidence for their nativities.
THOMAS SAVAGE was born at Macclesfield in this county.f
His father, being a knight, bred him a doctor of the law in the
university of Cambridge. Hence was he preferred bishop
of Rochester, and at last archbishop of York. He was a greater
courtier than clerk, and most dexterous in managing secular mat-
ters, a mighty Nimrod, and more given to hunting than
did consist with the gravity of his profession. J
No doubt, there wanted not those § which taxed him
with that passage in Saint Jerome, " Penitus non invenimus in
scripturis sanctis sanctum aliquem Venatorem, Piscatores inve-
nimus sanctos."|| But all would not wean him from that sport,
to which he was so much addicted.
His provident precedent spared his successors in that see
many pounds of needless expenses, by declining a costly installa-
tion, being the first who privately was installed by his vicar.
Yet was he not covetous in the least degree, maintaining a most
* In his Catalogue of Bishops of Exeter.
f Bishop Godwin, in the Archbishops of York.
t " Venationibus immodice delectatus est." § Idem, ibidem,
II In his Comment on the 90th Psalm.
PRELATES* 269
numerous family, and building much, both at Scroby and Ca-
wood. Having sate seven years in his see, he died, 1508,
his body being buried at York," his heart at Macclesfield, where he
was born, in a chapel of his own erection, intending to have add-
ed a college thereunto, had not death prevented him.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
WILLIAM CHADERTON, D. D. — Here I solemnly tender
deserved thanks to my manuscript author, charitably guiding
me in the dark, assuring that this doctor was " ex preeclaro
Chadertonorum Cestrensis comitatus stemmate prognatus."*
And although this doubtful direction doth not cleave the pin,
it doth not hit the white ; so that his nativity may with most
probability (not prejudicing the right to Lancashire when pro-
duced) here be fixed. He was bred first fellow, then master of
Queen's, and never of Magdalen College, in Cambridge (as the
Reverend Bishop Godwinf mistaketh), and chosen first the
Lady Margaret's, then King's, professor in divinity ; and doctor
Whitacre succeeded him immediately in the chair. He was,
anno 15 79, made bishop of Chester, then of Lincoln 1594 ;
demeaning himself in both to his great commendation. He
departed this life in April 1608.
His grandchild, a virtuous gentlewoman of rare accomplish-
ments,, married to — Joceline, Esquire, being big with child,
wrote a book of advice, since printed, and entitled, " The
Mother's Legacy to her unborn Infant ;" of whom she died in
travail.
WILLIAM JAMES, D. D., was born in this county, bred a
scholar in Christchurch, in Oxford, and afterwards president of
the university college. He succeeded Bishop Mathews in the
deanery and bishopric of Durham. J
He had been chaplain to Robert Dudly, earl of Leicester;
and (I hope) I may lawfully transcribe what I read : " This
hope of comfort came to his lordship thereby, that if it pleased
God to impart any mercy to him (as ' his mercy endureth for
ever'), it was by the especial ministry of this man, who was the
last of his coat that was with him in his sickness."§
He was a principal means of recovering Durham-house unto
his see. This house was granted by king Edward the Sixth to
the lady (afterwards queen) Elizabeth (only for term of life) ;
and lay long neglected during her reign, till Bishop James,
about the sixth of king James, regained it, and repaired the
* R. Parker, in Seel. Cant, in the Masters of Queen's College,
f In his Catalogue of the Bishop of Lincoln, printed 1616.
j " In Comitatu Cestriensi natus." Bishop Godwin, in the Bishops
Durham.
§ Sir J. Harrington, View of the Church of England, p. 204.
270 WORTHIES OF CHESHIRE.
chapel (which he found not only profaned,, but even defaced),
to his great cost, and furnished it very decently.
He once made so complete an entertainment for queen Eliza-
beth., that her majesty commended the order and manner
thereof for many years after.* This maketh me the more to
admire at what I have heard reported,, that, when king James,
in his progress to Scotland, anno 1617, passed through the
bishopric of Durham, some neglect was committed by this
bishop's officers, for which the king secretly and sharply
checked this bishop, who laid it so to heart, that he survived
the same reproof not a full twelvemonth.
JOHN RICHARDSON, of a family of good worship and great
antiquity therein, was (as he told me) born in this county.
After his hopeful education in countiy schools, he was bred in
the university of Dublin, where he was graduated Doctor in
Divinity, and afterwards was made bishop of Ardagh, in Ire-
land. In the late rebellion he came over into England, con-
tinuing for many years therein. Episcopal gravity was written
in his countenance, and he was a good divine according to the
rule, " Bonus Textuarius, bonus Theologus," no man being
more exact in knowledge of Scripture, carrying a Concordance
in his memory. Great was his pains in the larger annotations,
especially on Ezekiel. For let not the cloaks carry away the
credit from the gowns and rochet in that work, seeing this
bishop might say, " Pars ego magna fui ;" and Doctor Featley,
with others of the episcopal party, bare a great share therein.
Our Saviour, we know, lived on the charity of such good people
as " ministered " unto him ;t and yet it may be collected that
it was his constant custom (especially about the feast of " the
Passover ")J to give some alms to the poor. So our bishop,
who was relieved by some, had his bounty to bestow on others ;
and by his will (as I am informed) he bequeathed no inconsider-
able legacy to the college in Dublin. He died anno 1653, in
the 74th year of his age.
STATESMEN.
Sir THOMAS EGERTON, knight, was extracted from the
ancient family of the Egertons, of Ridley, in this county ; bred
in the study of the Municipal Laws of our land, wherein he
attained to such eminency, that queen Elizabeth made him her
Solicitor, then Master of the Rolls, and at last Keeper of the
Great Seal, May 6, in the thirty-eighth year of the reign, 1596.
Olaus Magnus reporteth, that the emperor of Muscovia, at
the audience of ambassadors, sendeth for the gravest and seem-
liest men in Musco and the vicinage, whom he apparelleth in
* Sir J. Harrington, View of the Church of England, p. 206.
f Luke viiL 3. :t John xiii. 19.
STATESMEN. 2?1
rich vests, and, placing them in his presence, pretendeth to
foreigners, that these are of his privy council, who cannot hut
be much affected with so many reverend aspects. But surely
all Christendom afforded not a person which carried more gra-
vity in his countenance and behaviour, than Sir Thomas Eger-
ton, insomuch that many have gone to the chancery on purpose
only to see his venerable garb (happy they who had no other
business !) and were highly pleased at so acceptable a spectacle.
Yet was his outward case nothing in comparison of his in-
ward abilities, quick wit, solid judgment, ready utterance. I
confess Master Camden saith he entered his office " magna
expectatione et integritatis opinione," (" with a great expecta-
tion and opinion of integrity/3)* But, no doubt, had he revised
his work in a second edition, he would have afforded him a full-
faced commendation, when this lord had turned his expectation
into performance.
In the first of king "James, of lord keeper he was made lord
chancellor, which is only another name for the same office ; and
on Thursday the 7th of November, 1616, of Lord Ellesmere he
was created Viscount Brackley.
It is given to courts whose jurisdictions do border, to fall out
about their bounds ; and the contest betwixt them is the hotter,
the higher the spirits and parts of the respective judges. Great
the contention for many years together betwixt this Lord of
Equity and Sir Edward Coke, the oracle of Justice, at West-
minster-hall. I know not which of them got the better : sure
I am such another victory would (if this did not) have undone
the conqueror.
He was attended on with servants of most able parts, and
was the sole chancellor since the Reformation who had a chap-
lain,t which (though not immediately) succeeded him in his
place. He gave over his office, which he held full twenty years,
some few days before his death ; and, by his own appointment,
his body was brought down and buried at Duddleston in this
county, leaving a fair estate to his son, who was afterwards
created Earl of Bridgwater.
When he saw king James so profuse to the Scots, with the
grave fidelity of a statesman, he sticked not often to tell him,
that as he held it necessary for his majesty amply to remu-
nerate those his countrymen, so he desired him carefully to pre-
serve his crown lands for his own support, seeing he or his suc-
cessors might meet with parliaments which would not supply
his occasions but on such conditions as would not be very ac-
ceptable unto him.
It was an ordinary speech in his mouth to say, "frost and
fraud both end in fM."% His death happened anno Domini
1616.
* In his Elizabeth, anno 1596. f Bishop Williams.
J Alleged by Sir Francis Bacon, in his censure on the Earl of Somerset.
272 WORTHIES OP CHESHIRE.
CAPITAL JUDGES.
[AMP.] Sir HUMPHREY STARKEY was born, with most pro-
bability, in this county, where his name is in good, hath been
in a better, esteem and estate. He in the study of our laws so
profited, that (after some intermediate dignities) he was pre-
ferred chief baron of the Exchequer. I cannot with certainty
fix his admission into that office (confused times causing con-
fused dates) ; but with as much certainty as we can collect, we
conclude him preferred to that place 1 Henrici VII.*
We need inquire no farther into his ability, finding him, by
so wise and frugal a king, employed in a place belonging to his
coffers ; who, though he was sometimes pleased to be remiss in
matters which concerned his subjects, was ever careful in things
wherein his own emolument was interested. Wonder not that
we have so little left of this judge's actions, because Empsom
and Dudley (loaders grinding more than the chief miller) were
such instruments whose over-activity made all others seem
slugs in that court. It doth sound not a little to the praise of
our Starkey, that, whereas that age was justly complaining of
the extortions of the king's officers, nothing of that nature (no
/tearing, best hearing in this kind) is laid to his charge. He
was buried in Leonard, Shoreditch, where this remains of his
epitaph : " Orate pro animabus Humphredi Starkey, militis,
nuper Capitalis Baronis de Scaccario domini regis Henrici
Septimi, et Isabellse uxoris ejus, et omnium amicorum suorum,
&c."
The date of his death, defaced on his tomb, appeareth elsewhere f
to be at the end of the reign of king Henry the Seventh ; so that
his on the bench was parallel with his sovereign's sitting on the
throne, begun in the first and ended in the last of his reign.
Sir HENRY BRADSHAW, knight. — This surname being dif-
fused in Derbyshire and Lancashire, as well as in this county,
his nativity, advantaged by the alphabet (first come first served)
is fixed herein. He became so noted for his skill in our Com-
mon Law, that in the sixth of king Edward the Sixth, in Hilary
Term, he was made chief baron of the Exchequer, demeaning
himself therein to his great commendation.
Pity it is that Demetrius, who is " well reported of all men J "
should suffer for his namesake Demetrius' the silversmith, who
made the shrines for Diana,§ and raised persecution against
Saint Paul. And as unjust it is, that this good judge, of whom
nothing ill is reported, should fare the worse for one of the
same surname of execrable memory, of whom nothing good is
* Sir Henry Spelman, in his Glossary, under the article " Justiciarius," seems to
assign him 1 Edward V. 1 Richard III. and 1 Henry VII F. Sir H. Starkey
was appointed chief baron June 26, 1484, and resigned Oct. 29, 1487 ED
f In Sir Henry Spelman, ut prius. J 3 John xii. § Acts xix. 24.
JUDGES. 273
remembered. I have cause to conceive, that this judge was
ousted of his place, for Protestant inclination, 1 Marite, finding
no more mention of him.
Sir RANDAL CREW was born in this county, bred in the
study of our Municipal Law ; wherein such his proficiency, that
(after some steps in his way thereunto), in the twenty-second of
king James, he was made Lord Chief Justice of the Upper
Bench, and therein served two kings (though scarce two years
in his office) with great integrity.
King Charles's occasions calling for speedy supplies of money,
some great-ones adjudged it unsafe to adventure on a parlia-
ment (for fear, in those distempered times, the physic would
side with the disease), and put the king to furnish his neces-
sities by way of loan. Sir Randal being demanded his judg-
ment of that design, and the consequence thereof (the impri-
soning of recusants to pay it), openly manifested his dislike of
such preter-legal courses; and thereupon, November 9, 1626,
was commanded to forbear his sitting in the court, and the
next day was by writ discharged from his office ; whereat he
discovered no more discontentment than the weary traveller is
offended when told that he is arrived at his journey's end.
The country hath constantly a smile for him for whom the
court hath a frown. This knight was out of his office, not out
of honour, living long after at his house in Westminster, much
praised for his hospitality.
Indeed, he may the better put off his gown (though before he
goeth to bed) who hath a warm suit under it ; and this learned
judge, by God's blessing on his endeavours, had purchased a fair
estate, and particularly Crew-hall in Cheshire (for some ages for-
merly the possession of the Falshursts), but which probably was
the inheritance of his ancestors. , Nor must it be forgotten, that
Sir Randal first brought the model of excellent building into
these remoter parts ; yea, brought London into Cheshire, in the
loftiness, sightliness, and pleasantness of their structures.
One word of his lady ; a virtuous wife being very essential to
the integrity of a married judge, lest, what Westminster Hall
doth conclude, Westminster Bed-chamber doth revoke. He
married Julian, daughter and co-heir of John Clipsby, of
Clipsby, in Norfolk, Esq. with whom he had a fair inheritance.
She died at Kew, in Surrey, 1623; and lieth buried in the
chancel of Richmond, with this epitaph :
" Antiqua fuit orta domo, pia vixit, inivit
Virgo pudiea thorum, sponsa pudica polum."
I saw this worthy judge in health 1642 ; but he survived not
long after. And be it remembered he had a younger brother,
Sir Thomas Crew, a most honest and learned sergeant in the
same profession ; whose son, John Crew, esquire (of his Ma-
jesty's privy council), having been so instrumental to the happy
VOL. I. T
274 WORTHIES OF CHESHIRE.
change in our nation, is in general report (which no doubt will
be effected before these my pains be public) designed for some
title of honour.*
Sir HUMFREY DAVENPORT. — His surname is sufficient to
entitle this county unto him ; but I will not be peremptory till
better information. He was bred in the Temple, had the repu-
tation of a studied lawyer, and upright person ; qualities which
commended him to be chosen chief baron of the Exchequer.
How he behaved himself in the case of the ship-money, is fresh
in many men's memories. The reader cannot be more angry
with me, than I am grieved in myself, that, for want of intel-
ligence, I cannot do the right which I would and ought, to this
worthy judge's memory, who died about the beginning of our
civil distempers.
SOLDIERS.
Sir HUGH CALVELY, born at Calvely, in this county. Tra-
dition makes him a man of teeth and hands, who would" feed as
much as two, and fight as much as ten men.t His quick and
strong appetite could digest any thing but an injury ; so that
killing a man is reported the cause of his quitting this county,
making hence for London, then for France. Here he became
a most eminent soldier, answering the character our great anti-
quary hath given him, (( Arte militari ita in Galli£ inclaruit, ut
vividae ejus virtuti ninil fuit impervium/'J
I find five of his principal achievements: 1. When he was
one of the thirty English in France, who in a duel encountered
as many Britons. 2. When, in the last of king Edward the
Third, being governor of Calais, he looked on (his hands being
tied behind him by a truce yet in force for a month), and saw
the English slain before his eyes ; whose blood he soon after
revenged. 3. When, in the first of king Richard the Second,
after an unfortunate voyage of our English nobility, beaten
home with a tempest, he took Bark-bulloigne, and five-and-
twenty other French ships, besides the castle of Mark, lately
lost by negligence, which he recovered. 4. When, in the next
year, he spoiled Estaples, at a fair-time, bringing thence so
much plunder as enriched the Calicians for many years after.
5. When he married the queen of Arragon ; which is most
certain, her arms being quartered on his tomb, though I cannot
satisfy the reader in the particularities thereof.
The certain date of his death is unknown, which by propor-
tion may be collected about the year 1388 ; after which time,
no mention of him : and it was as impossible for such a spirit
not to be, as not to be active.
Sir ROBERT KNOWLES, Knight, was born of mean paren-
* He was created Baron Crew, of Stene, co. Northampton, in 1661. — ED.
f Camden's Britannia, in Cheshire. % Camden, ibidem.
SOLDIERS. 275
, in this count}- ;* yet did not the weight of his low extrac-
tion depress the wings of his martial mind, who by his valour
wrought his own advancement. He was another of the thirty
English, who, for the honour of the nation, undertook to duel
with as many Britons,f and came off with great reputation.
He was afterwards a commander in the French war under
king Edward the Third, where, in despite of their power, he
drove the people before him like sheep, destroying towns, cas-
tles, and cities, in such manner and number, that, many years
after, the sharp points and gable-ends of overthrown houses
(cloven asunder with instruments of war) were commonly called
Knowles's Mitres. J
The last piece of his service was performed in suppressing
Wat Tyler and his rebels. Then I behold aged Sir Robert,
buckling on his armour, as old Priam at the taking of Troy, but
with far better success, as proving very victorious; and the
citizens of London enfranchised him a member thereof, in
expression of their thankfulness.
His charity was as great as his valour ; and he rendered him-
self no less loved by the English, than feared of the French.
He gave bountifully to the building of Rochester bridge, found-
ing a chapel and chantry at the east end thereof, with a college
at Pontefract in Yorkshire, where Constance, his lady, was born,
endowing it with one hundred and eighty pounds per annum.
He died at his manor of Scone-Thorp in Norfolk, in peace
and honour, whereas martialists generally set in a cloud, being
at least ninety years of age (for he must be allowed no less than
thirty years old when, anno 1352, he was a general under king
Edward the Third, and he survived until the 15th of August
1407), being buried in Whitefriars in London, to which he had
been a great benefactor.
JOHN SMITH, Captain, was born in this county, as Master
Arthur Smith, his kinsman and my school-master, did inform
me. But whether or no related unto the worshipful family of
the Smiths at Hatherton,§ I know not.
He spent the most of his life in foreign parts. First in Hun-
gary, under the emperor, fighting against the Turks ; three of
which he himself killed in single duels ; and therefore was
authorized by Sigismund king of Hungary to bear three Turks'
heads, as an augmentation to his arms.|| Here he gave intel-
ligence to a besieged city in the night, by significant fire-works
formed in the air, in legible characters, with many strange per-
* Weever's Funeral Monuments, p. 436.
f Sir Walter Raleigh, History of the World, lib. v. p. 545.
J Lambarde's Perambulation of Kent.
§ Camden's Britannia, in this county.
|| So it is writ in the table over his tomb.
T 2
276 WORTHIES OF CHESHIRE.
formances, the scene whereof is laid at such a distance, they are
cheaper credited than confuted.
From the Turks in Europe he passed to the pagans in Ame-
rica, where, towards the latter end of the reign of queen Eliza-
beth, such his perils, preservations, dangers, deliverances, they
seem to most men above belief, to some beyond truth. Yet have
we two witnesses to attest them, the prose and the pictures,
both in his own book ; and it soundeth much to the diminution
of his deeds, that he alone is the herald to publish and pro-
claim them.
Two captains being at dinner, one of them fell into a large
relation of his own achievements, concluding his discourse with
this question to his fellow, e( And pray, Sir/5 said he, " what
service have you done ?" To whom he answered, ee Other men
can tell that/5 And surely such reports from strangers carry
with them the greater reputation. However, moderate men
must allow Captain Smith to have been very instrumental in
settling the plantation in Virginia, whereof he was governor,
as also admiral, of New England.
He led his old age in London, where his having a prince's
mind imprisoned in a poor man's purse rendered him to the
contempt of such who were not ingenuous. Yet he efforted his
spirits with the remembrance and relation of what formerly he
had been, and what he had done. He was buried in Sepul-
chre's Church choir, on the south side thereof, having a rant-
ing epitaph inscribed in a table over him, too long to transcribe.
Only we will insert the first and last verses, the rather because
the one may fit Alexander's life for his valour, the other his
death for his religion ;
" Here lies one conquer'd that hath conquer'd kings !"
" Oh, may his soul in sweet Elysium sleep."
The orthography, poetry, history, and divinity in this epi-
taph, are much alike. He died on the 21st of June 1 631.
PHYSICIANS.
If this county hath bred no writers in that faculty, the won-
der is the less, if it be true what I read, that if any here be
sick, " they make him a posset, and tie a kerchief on his head ;
and if that will not mend him, then God be merciful to him !';
But be this understood of the common people, the gentry hav-
ing the help (no doubt) of the learned in that profession.
WRITERS.
THOMAS ECLESTONE (a village in Broxton hundred) was
born in this county, bred a Franciscan in Oxford. Leland saith
of him, that, under the conduct of prudence and experience, he
contended with many paces to pierce into the penetrales of
* William Smith, Vale Royal, p. 16.
WRITERS. 277
learning; He wrote a book of the succession of Franciscans in
England, with their works and wonders, from their first coming-
in to his own time, dedicating the same to (not G. Notingham,
the provincial of his order, but to) his friend and fellow-friar ;
his mortified mind (it seems) not aiming at honour therein. He
wrote another book, intituled, " De Impugnatione Ordinis sui
per Dominicanos," ("Of the assaults which the Dominicans
made on his order;")* these two sorts of friars whipping each
other with their cords or knotted girdles, to the mutual wound-
ing of their reputations. He died anno Domini 1340.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
RALPH RADCLIFFE was born in this county, who, travelling
southward, fixed himself at Hitching in Hertfordshire, where he
converted a demolished house of the Carmelites into a public
grammar-school.t He here erected a fair stage, whereon, partly
to entertain his neighbours, and partly to embolden his scholars
in pronunciation, many interludes were acted by them. Pits
praiseth him, being a school-master, that he confined himself
to his own profession, not meddling with divinity ; J and yet,
amongst his books, he reckoned up a treatise of " The Burning
of Sodome ;" and another of "The Afflictions of Job."
Nor must we forget his book entitled " De triplici Memoria,"
(Of the threefold Memory,) which (though I never met with any
that saw it) may probably be presumed, of the
He flourished under the reign of king Edward the Sixth, anno
Domini 1552 ; and it is likely he died before the reign of queen
Mary.
JOHN SPEED was born at Farrington in this county, as his
own daughter § hath informed me. He was first bred to a han-
dicraft, and as I take it to a tailor. I write not this for his but
my own disgrace, when I consider how far his industry hath
outstript my ingenious education. Sir Fulk Grevill, a great
favourer of learning, perceiving how his wide soul was stuffed
with two narrow an occupation, first wrought his enlargement,
as the said author doth ingenuously confess :
" Whose merits to me-ward I do acknowledge, in setting this
hand free from the daily employments of a manual trade,
and giving it his liberty thus to express the inclination of
my mind, himself being the procurer of my present
estate." ||
This is he who afterwards designed the maps and composed
* Pits, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, anno 1340.
t Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. 8, n. 98.
I Anglise Scriptores, num. 992.
§ Mrs. Blackmore, a stationer's wife in Paul's Church-yard.
|| In his description of Warwickshire.
278 WORTHIES OF CHESHIRE.
the history of England,, though much helped in both (no shame
to crave aid in a work too weighty for any one's back to bear)
by Sir Robert Cotton, Master Camden, Master Barkham, and
others. He also made the useful genealogies preposed formerly
to English Bibles in all volumes, having a patent granted him
from king James, in reward of his great labours, to receive the
benefit thereof to him and his. This was very beneficial unto
them, by composition .with the Company of Stationers, until
this licentious age, neglecting all such ingenious helps to under-
stand Scripture, and almost levelling (if not prevented) the pro-
priety of all authors of books. He died in London, anno 1629 :
and was buried in Saint Giles without Cripplegate, in the same
parish with Master John Fox ; so that no one church in Eng-
land containeth the corpse of two such useful and voluminous
historians. Master Josias Shute preached his funeral sermon :
and thus we take our leaves of Father Speed, truly answering
his name, in both the acceptions thereof, for celerity and
success.
JOHN DOD was born at Shottliege, in this county (where his
parents had a competent estate) ; bred in Jesus College in
Cambridge, by nature a witty, by industry a learned, by grace a
godly divine ; successively minister of Hanwell in Oxford,
Fenny-Compton in Warwick, Canpns-Ashby and Fawsley in
Northamptonshire, though for a time silenced in each of them.
A father (who shall pass nameless) is censured by some for his
over-curiosity in his conceit, rather than comment, Matt. v. 2.
" And he opened his mouth, and taught them." — " For Christ/5
saith he, (e taught them often, when he opened not his mouth, by
his example, miracles, &c." Here I am sure, accordingly, Master
Dod, when "his mouth was shut" (prohibiting preaching), in-
structed almost as much as before, by his holy demeanor and
pious discourse ; a good chemist, who could extract gold out of
other men's lead ; and how loose soever the premises of other
men's discourse, piety was always his natural and unforced con-
clusion inferred thereupon.
For the rest, I refer the reader to Master Samuel Clark, by
whom his life is written, wherein are many remarkable pas-
sages : I say Master Samuel Clark, with- whose pen mine never
did or shall interfere. Indeed, as the flocks of Jacob were
distanced "three days' journeys" from those of Laban,* so
(to prevent voluntary or casual commixtures) our styles are set
more than a month's journey asunder.
The Jewish Rabbins have a fond and a false conceit, that
Methusalem, who indeed died in the very year (and his death a
sad prognostic) of the deluge, had a cabin built him in the out-
side of Noah's ark, where he was preserved by himself, t But
most true it is, that good Father Dod, though he lived to see
* Genesis xxx. 36. f See Archbishop Usher's Chronicle.
BENEFACTORS. 279
the flood of our late civil wars, made to himself a cabin in his
own contented conscience ; and though his clothes were wetted
with the waves (when plundered) he was dry in the deluge, such
his self-solace in his holy meditations. He died, being eighty-
six years of age, anno 1645.
When thieves break in a house and steal, the owner thereof
knows for the present that he is robbed, but not of what or how
much, till some days after he finds out by the want of such
things which were taken from him. The vicinage of Fawsley,
where Mr. Dod died, knew then they were bereft of a worthy
treasure, though ignorant in the particulars of their losses, till
daily discovery hath by this time made them sensible thereof.
BENEFACTORS TO THE PUBLIC.
Sir RICHARD SUTTON was born at Presbury, in this county;*
he is generally believed a knight, though some have suspected
the same, but suppose him but esquire. He was one of a
plentiful estate and bountiful hand.
It happened that William Smith, bishop of Lincoln, began
Brasen-nose College, but died before he had finished one nos-
tril thereof, leaving this Sutton his executor, who over-per-
formed the bishop's will, and completed the foundation with his
own liberal additions thereunto. When the following verses
were composed, in the person of Brasen-nose College, the Mu-
ses seemed neither to smile nor frown, but kept their wonted
countenance. But take them as they are :
" Begun by one, but nnish'd by anpther,
Sutton he was my nurse, but Smith my mother :
Or, if the phrase more proper seem, say rather,
That Sutton was my guardian, Smith my father ;
'Cause equal kindness they to me exprest,
Better I neither love, love both the best ;
If both they may be call'd, who had one will,
What one design'd, the other did fulfil.
May such testators live who good intend ;
But, if they die, heaven such exec' tors send ! "
This worthy knight, being born in this county, deservedly
reflected upon his own countrymen, making them (and those of
Lancashire) most capable of preferment. I collect his death to
have happened about the middle of the reign of king Henry the
Eighth.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
ROBERT BRASSY was born at Bunbury (contracted for Boni-
face-Bury) in this county ; bred D. D. in King's College in
Cambridge, whereof he was elected the thirteenth provost.f
He, being a learned and stout man, publicly protested against
the visitors of the university in the reign of queen Mary, as to
* So my good friend Dr. Yates, principal of Brasen-nose, hath informed me — F.
t Mr. Hatcher, in hia Manuscript Catalogue of the Fellows of King's College.
280 WORTHIES OF CHESHIRE.
his own college.* Say not he only opposed superstition with
superstition, pleading popish exemptions : for, considering the
times, he " drove the nail which would best go ;" and thereby
took off the edge of those persecuting commissioners.
But let none envy him a place under this title, who deserved
so well of Cambridge : for, when many doctors therein, whose
purblind souls saw only what was next them for the present,
and either could not or would not look far forward to posterity,
had resolved to sell their rights in Sturbridge-fair for a trifle to
the towns-men (which if done, the vice-chancellor might even
have held the stirrup to the mayor), he only opposed it, and
dashed the designs.f He died anno Domini 1558 ; and lies
buried on the south side of the chapel.
GEORGE PALIN was (as I have cogent presumptions) born at
Wrenbury, in this county ; bred a merchant in London, free of
the company of Girdlers. Indeed, we may call his benefactions
aureum cingulum charitatis, "the golden girdle of charity."
With our Saviour he (e went about doing good/' J completing
the circuit of his bounty, continuing till he ended where he
began :
1. To Wrenbury (where we believe him born), two hundred
pounds to purchase lands for the relief of the poor. 2. Nine
hundred pounds for the building of alms-houses in or about
London. 3. To Trinity College in Cambridge, three hundred
pounds. 4. To the college of Saint John the Evangelist in
Cambridge, three hundred pounds. 5. To the hospital of Saint
Thomas in Southwark, fifty pounds. 6. To the preachers at
Paul's Cross, towards the bearing of their charges, two hundred
pounds. 7- Toward the making of a sweet chime in Bow
Church, one hundred pounds. 8. To six prisons in and about
London, sixty pounds. 9. To Brasen-nose College in Oxford,
two scholarships, to each yearly four pounds. 10. To the col-
lege of Saint John Baptist in Oxford, two scholarships of the
same value. 11. To Christchurch hospital, three hundred
pounds. 12. To the church and poor (to buy them gowns) of
Wrenbury, seventy pounds. With other benefactions.
Verily, I say unto you, I have not met a more universal and
impartial charity to all objects of want and worth. He died
about the beginning of the reign of king James.
JOHN BREWERTON, Knight, a branch of that well-spread
tree in this county, was bred one of the first scholars of the
foundation in Sidney College; and afterwards, being brought
up in the study of the Common Law, he went over into Ireland,
and at last became the king's Serjeant therein. I say at last,
for at his coming thither (in the tumults of Tyrone) neither rex
* Fox, Acts and Monuments, page 1958. f Mr. Hatcher, ut prius.
1 Acts x. 38.
BENEFACTORS. 281
nor lex, neither king nor serjeant, were acknowledged, till
loyalty and civility were by degrees distilled into that nation.
He obtained a plentiful estate, and thereof gave well nigh
three thousand pounds to Sidney College. Now as it is re-
ported of Ulysses, returning from his long travel in foreign
lands, that all his family had forgot him ; so when the news of
this legacy first arrived at the college, none then extant therein
ever heard of his name (so much may the sponge of forty years
blot out in this kind) ; only the written register of the college
faithfully retained his name therein.
This his gift was a gift indeed, purely bestowed on the college,
as loaded with no detrimental conditions in the acceptance
thereof. We read in the Prophet, " Thou hast increased the
nation, and not multiplied their joy." * In proportion where-
unto, we knowr it is possible that the comfortable condition of
a college may not be increased, though the number of the fel-
lows and scholars therein be augmented, superadded branches
sucking out the sap of the root ; whereas the legacy of this wor-
thy knight ponebatur in lucro, being pure gain and improve-
ment to the college. His death happened about the year 1633.
JOHN BARXSTOX, D.D. was born of an ancient family in
this county ; bred fellow of Brasen-nose College, in Oxford ;
afterwards chaplain to Chancellor Egerton, and residentiary of
Salisbury ; a bountiful housekeeper, of a cheerful spirit and
peaceable disposition, whereof take this eminent instance : He
sat judge in the Consistory, when a church-warden, out of
whose house a chalice was stolen, was sued by the parish to
make it good to them, because not taken out of the church-
chest (where it ought to have been reposited), but out of
his private house. The church-warden pleaded that he took
it home only to scour it ; which proving ineffectual, he retained
it till next morning, to boil out the in-laid rust thereof.
"Well/5 said the doctor, "I am sorry that the cup of union
and communion should be the cause of difference and discord
between you. Go home, and live lovingly together; and I
doubt not but that either the thief out of remorse will restore
the same ; or some other as good will be sent unto you f9 which,
by the doctor's secret charity, came to pass accordingly. He
founded an Hebrew lecture in Brasen-nose College ; and de-
parted in peace, in the beginning of our wars, about the year
1642,
MEMORABLE PERSONS.
WILLIAM SMITH was born in this county, wherein his sur-
name hath been of signal note for many ages. His genius in-
clined him to the study of heraldry, wherein he so profited,
that anno .... he was made Pursuivant of Anns, by the name
• Isaiah ix. 3.
282 WORTHIES OF CHESHIRE.
of Rouge-dragon. He wrote a description, geographical and his-
torical, of this county, left (it seems) in the hands of Raynulph
Crew, knight, sometime lord chief justice of the King's
Bench, and lately set forth by the favour of Mr. Raynulph
Crew, grand-child to that worthy knight. The time of his
death is to me unknown.
WILLIAM WEBB, a native of this county, was bred a mas-
ter in arts, and afterwards betook himself to be a clerk of the
Mayor's court in Chester. It appeareth also he was under-
sheriff to Sir Richard Lee, high-sheriff of this county, in the
thirteenth year of king James. He compiled a description of
Cheshire and Chester, lately printed by procurement of that no
less communicative than judicious antiquary Sir Simon Archer,
of Tamworth in Warwickshire. I cannot attain the certain date
of his death.
RANDAL CREW, Esquire, second son to Sir Clipsby, grand-
child to Judge Crew. He drew a map of Cheshire so exactly
with his pen, that a judicious eye would mistake it for printing,
and the graver's skill and industry could little improve it.
This map I have seen ; and, reader, when my eye directs my
hand, I may write with confidence. This hopeful gentleman
went beyond the seas, out of design to render himself by his
travels, more useful for his country ; where he was barbarously
assassinated by some Frenchmen, and honourably buried, with
general lamentation of the English, at Paris, 1656.
LORD MAYORS.
1. Hugh Witch, son of Richard Witch, of Nantwich, Mercer,
1461.
2. Thomas Oldgrave, son of William Oldgrave, of Knotysford,
Skinner, 1467.
3. Edmund Shaw, son of John Shaw, of Donkenfield, Gold-
smith, 1482.
4. James Spencer, son of Robert Spencer, of Congleton, Vint-
ner, 1527.
5. Thomas Offley, son of William Offley, of Chester, Merchant
Tailor, 1556.
6. Humfrey Weld, son of John Weld, of Eton, Grocer, 1608.
7. Thomas Moulson, 1634.
I am certainly informed that this Thomas Moulson founded a
fair school in the town where he was born ; but am not in-
structed where this is, or what salary is settled thereon.*
Reader, know this, that I must confess myself advantaged in
the description of this county by Daniel King, a native of this
county, whence it seems he travelled beyond the seas, where he
* He founded a chapel at Hargrave-Stubbs, and endowed it with 40/. a-year.
He also endowed a school adjoining, with 20/. Lysons's Cheshire, p. 798. — ED.
SHERIFFS.
283
got the mystery both of surveying and engraving ; so that he
hath both drawn and graven the portraiture of many ancient
structures now decayed.
I hope in process of time this Daniel King will outstrip king
Edgar, erecting more abbeys in brass, than he did in stone,
though he be said to have built one for every day in the year.
But Cheshire is chiefly beholding to his pains, seeing he hath
not only set forth two descriptions thereof (named " The Vale
Royal of England ") with the praise to the dead persons the
authors thereof duly acknowledged, but also hath enlivened the
same with several cuts of heraldry and topography, on whom we
will bestow this distich :
Kingus Cestrensi, Cestrensis Patria Kingo,
Lucem alternatim debet uterque suam,
' ' Cheshire to King, and King to Cheshire owes
His light; each doth receive what each bestows."
What is amiss in my poetry, shall be amended in my prayers
for a blessing on his and all ingenious men's undertakings.
CHESHIRE is one of the twelve pretermitted counties, the
names of whose gentry were not returned into the Tower, in the
twelfth of king Henry the Sixth.
SHERIFFS.
Anno HENRY II.
30 Gilbert. Pipehard.
35 Rich, de Pierpoint.
RICHARD I.
1 (Recorda manca.J
JOHAN.
1 Liulphus.
Ric. de Burham.
(anni incerti.)
HENRY III.
15 Rich, de Sonbach.
23 Rich, de Wrenbury.
52 Jordan, de Peulesdon,
56 Hugh de Hatton.
EDWARD. I.
4 Patrick de Heselwall.
9 Will, de Spurstow.
Anno
15 Rich, de Wilbraham.
26 Will, de Prayers.
33 Robert, de Bressey.
EDWARD II.
2 Philip, de Egerton.
5 David, de Egerton.
13 Will, de Mobberley.
16 Rich. Filhurst.
EDWARD III.
1 Joh. de Wrenbury.
10 Adam, de Parker.
19 Rich, de Oulton.
22 Jacob. Audley, mil.
24 Tho. Daniers.
33 Tho. le Young.
41 Johan. Scolehall.
44 Lauren, de Dutton, mil.
284 WORTHIES OF CHESHIRE.
SHERIFFS.
RICHARD II.
Anno Name and Arms. Place.
1 Hu. de Venables . . . Kinderton.
Arms : Az. two bars Arg.
8 Tho. del. Wood.
9 Hu. E. of Stafford.
O. a chevron G.
10 Idem ut prius.
1 1 Job. Massy, mil.
Quarterly, counterchanged G. and O. in the first a lion
passant.
12 Rob. Gravenour . . . Eton.
Az. a garb O.
17 Rob. Leigh .... High-leigh.
Arg. five fusils bend-wise S.
HENRY IV.
1 Joh. Massy .... Puddington.
ut prius, save that in the first quarter three flower-de-luces
Arg.
2 Idem.
3 Hen. Ravenscroft.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three ravens' heads crazed S.
10 Will. Bruerton, mil. . Bruerton.
Arg. two bars S.
HENRY V.
3 Tho. Leigh .... Adlington.
Az. two bars Arg. a bend componee O. and G.
10 Hugh Button .... Dutton.
Quarterly, counterchanged Arg. and G. in the 2d and 3d
quarters a fret O.
HENRY VI.
5 Rich. Warberton . . . Arley.
Arg. two chevrons and a canton G. ; a mullet O.
8 Ran. Bruerton, mil. . . ut prius.
16 Joh. Troutbeck *
Az. three trouts fretted in triangle, tete a la queue Arg.
17 Rob. Booth, mil. . . Dunham.
Arg. three boars' heads erased and erected S.
18 Rob. Booth, mil.
(prioris filius.) . . . ut prius.
EDWARD IV.
2 Will. Stanly .... Howton.
Arg. on a bend Az. three stags' heads cabossed O.
SHERIFFS. 285
RICHARD III.
Anno Name, Place.
1 Will. Stanly .... ut prim.
HENRY VII.
1 Idem ut prim.
10 Job. Warberton . . . ut prius.
21 Ralp. Birkenhead.
S. three garbs O. within a border engrailed Arg.
HENRY VIII.
1 Idem ut prius.
17 Will. Stanly, mil. . . ut prius.
18 Geo. Holford .... Holford.
Arg. a grey-hound passant S.
19 Tho, Venables . . . ut prius.
20 Idem ut prius.
21 Job. Done.
Az. two bars Arg. on a bend G. three arrows.
22 Idem ut prius.
23 Edw. Fitton .... Gowsworth.
Arg. on a bend Az. three garbs O.
33 Job. Holford . . ... ut prius.
EDWARD VI.
1 Idem ut prius.
REG. MARI.
1 Wil, Brereton, knt. . . ut prius.
PHIL, et MAR.
2. 1 Pet. Leigh, knt. . . . ut prius.
3. 2 Hu. Cholmley, esq.
G. in chief two helmets Arg. ; in base a garb O.
4,3Ri. Wilbraham, esq. . Wodey.
Az. two bars Arg. on a canton S. a wolfs* head erased of
the second.
5, 4 Tho. Venables, esq. . . ut prius.
6, 5 Phil. Egerton, esq. . . Ridley.
Arg. a lion rampant G. betwixt three pheons S.
REG. ELIZA.
•fcjhw. mtiMLMiA*
1 Will. Cholmley, esq. . ut prius.
2 Job. Savage, esq. . . Rocksavage.
Arg. six lions rampant S.
3 Ral. Egerton, esq. . . ut prius.
4 Jo. Warberton, esq. . ut prius.
5 Rich. Brook, esq.
Checquee O. and S.
6 Will. Massey, esq. . . ut prius.
286 WORTHIES OF CHESHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
7 Joh. Savage, esq. . . itt prius.
8 Hu. Cholmly, esq. . . ut prius.
9 Lau. Smith, esq. . . . Hough.
Az. two bars wavee E. on a chief O. a demi-lion issuant S.
10 Ral. Done, esq.
Az. two bars Arg. on a bend G. three arrows of the second.
11 Geo. Calveley, esq.
Arg. a fess G. betwixt three calves S.
12 Joh. Savage, esq. . . ut prius.
13 Will. Booth, knt. . . Dunham Massey.
Arg. three boars' heads erected S.
14 Tho. Stanley, esq.
Arg. on a bend Az. three . . .
15 Joh. Savage, knt. . . ut prius.
16 Joh. Savage, mil. . . ut prius.
17 Hen. Manwaring.
Arg. two bars G.
18 Row. Stanley, esq. . . ut prius.
19 Joh. Warren, esq.
Checquee Az. and O. on a canton G. a lion rampant Arg.
20 Tho. Brook, esq. . . . ut prius.
21 Joh. Savage, knt. . . ut prius.
22 Ral. Egerton, esq. . . ut prius.
23 Geo. Calveley, knt. . . ut prius.
24 Will. Brereton, knt. . ut prius.
25 Pet. Warberton, esq. . ut prius.
26 Will. Leversage, esq. . Whelock.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three plow-shares S.
27 Tho. Wilbraham . . . ut prius.
28 Hug. Calveley, esq. . . ut prius.
29 Ran. Davenport, esq. . Damport.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three cross crosslets fitchee S.
30 Tho. Leigh, esq. . . . ut prius.
31 Hu. Cholmley, knt. . . ut prius.
32 Wil. Brereton, knt. . . ut prius.
33 Joh. Savage, knt. . . ut prius.
34 Tho. Brook, esq. . . ut priu».
35 Tho. Venables, esq. . . ut prius.
36 Pet. Warberton, esq. . ut prius.
37 Per. Leigh, esq. . . . ut prius.
38 Joh. Done, esq. . . . ut prius.
39 Geo. Booth, knt. . . ut prius.
40 Edw. Warren, knt. . . ut prius.
41 Tho. Holcroft, knt.
Arg. a cross and border engrailed S.
42 Tho. Smith, knt. . . ut prius.
43 Tho. Ashton, knt. . . Ashton.
Per chevron S. and Arg.
44 Ric. Gravenor, knt. . . ut prius.
SHERIFFS. 287
Mk
JAC. REX.
Anno Name. Place.
1 Geo. Leicester . . Toft.
Az. a fess Arg. frettee G. betwixt three flower-de-luces O.
2 Wil. Davenport, knt. . ut prius.
3 Ra. Man-waring, knt. . ut prius.
4 Tho. Vernon, knt. . Hasting.
O. on a fret Az. three garbs of the first.
5 Joh. Savage, knt. . ut prius.
6 Hen. Bunbury, knt. . Staney.
Arg. on a bend S. three chest-rooks of the first.
7 Will. Brereton, esq. . . ut prius.
8 Geff. Shakerly, esq.
Arg. three molehills V.
9 Tho. Button, esq. . . ut prius.
10 Will. Brereton, knt. . ut prius.
11 Urian. Leigh, knt. . . ut prius.
12 Geo. Calveley, knt. . ut prius.
13 Rich. Lea, knt. . . . Lea.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three leopards' heads S.
14 Ric. Wilbraham, knt. ut prius.
15 Joh. Davenport . . ut prius.
16 Ralp. Calveley, esq. . ut prius.
17 Ran. Manwaring . . ut prius.
18 Rob. Cholmondely . ut prius.
19 Tho. Marbury, esq. . Marbury.
O. on a fess engrailed Az. three garbs of the first.
20 Geo. Booth, bart. . ut prius.
21 Tho. Smith, knt. . ut prius.
22 Ric. Gravenor, bart. . ut prius.
CAR. REG.
1 Tho. Brereton, knt. . ut prius.
2 Joh. Done, knt. . . ut prius.
3 Joh. Calveley, esq. . ut prius.
4 Edw. Stanley, bart. . ut prius.
5 Tho. Leigh, esq. . . ut prius.
6 Pet. Dutton, esq. . . ut prius.
7 Tho. Stanley, esq. . . ut prius.
8 Rich. Brereton, esq, . ut prius.
9 Edw. Fitton, esq. . . ut prius.
10 Pet. Venables . . . ut prius.
11 Tho. Ashton, bart. . . ut prius.
12 Will. Leigh, esq. . . ut prius.
13 Tho. Delves, bart. . . Duddington.
Arg. a chevron G. frettee O. betwixt three gadds ot steel H,
14 Tho. Cholmley. . . . ut prius.
15 Phil. Manwaring. . . ut prius.
16 Tho. Powell, bart. . . Berkenhead.
288 WORTHIES 'OF CHESHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
17 Joh. Billot, esq.
Arg. on a chief G. three cinquefoils of the field.
18 Hug. Calvely, knt. . . ut prius.
19 Tho. Leigh, esq. . . ut prius.
20 Ri. Gravenor, bart. . ut prius.
21 Rob. Totton, esq. . . Winthaw.
Quarterly Arg. and G. four crescents counterchanged.
22 Hen. Brood, esq.
Reader, if thou discoverest any difference in the method be-
twixt this and the other catalogue of sheriffs, impute it to this
cause ; that whilst I fetched the rest from the fountain in the
Exchequer, I took these out of the cistern-, I mean, the
printed book of " Vale Royal/' I presume that the sheriff who
is last named continued in that office all that interval of years,
till his successor here nominated entered thereon.
The reader may with the more confidence rely on their arms,
imparted unto me by Mr. Daniel King, who to me really veri-
fieth his own anagram, DANIEL KING, "i KIND ANGEL." And
indeed he hath been a tutelar one to me, gratifying me with
whatsoever I had need to use, and he had ability to bestow.
HENRY III.
56. HUGH de HATTON. — King William the Conqueror be-
stowed lands on one of his name and ancestors at Hatton in
this county. From him is lineally descended that learned and
religious (witness his pious meditations on the Psalms) Sir
Christopher Hatton, Knight of the Bath, created, by king Charles
the First, Baron Hatton of Kerby in Northamptonshire. The
original of this grant of the Conqueror is still in this lord's pos-
session, preserved in our civil wars, with great care and diffi-
culty, by his virtuous lady ; on the same token that her lord
patiently digested the plundering of his library and other rari-
ties, when hearing the welcome tidings from his lady that the
said record was safely secured.
QUEEN MARY.
3. Sir HUGH CHOLMLY, or CHOLMONDELEIGH. — This wor-
thy person bought his knighthood in the field at Leigh in Scot-
land. He was five times high sheriff of this county (and some-
times of Flintshire), and for many years one of the two sole de-
puties lieutenants thereof. For a good space he was vice-pre-
sident of the marches of Wales under the Right Honourable
Sir Henry Sidney, knight ; conceive it during his absence in
Ireland. For fifty years together he was esteemed a father of
his country; and, dying anno 157 . . *, was buried in the church
* He died 1596, set. 83. Lysons's Cheshire, p. 451.- ED.
BATTLES. 289
of Malpasse, under a tomb of alabaster, with great lamen-
tation of all sorts of people, had it not mitigated their mourn-
ing, that he left a son of his own name, heir to his virtues and
estate.
2. JOHN SAVAGE, Arm. — I behold him as the direct ancestor
unto Sir Thomas Savage, knight and baronet, created by king
Charles the first Baron Savage, of Rock- savage in this county.
This lord (a very prudent statesman) married Elizabeth, eldest
daughter and co-heir of Thomas Lord Darcy of Chich, Viscount
Colchester, and Earl of Rivers, honours entailed on his poste-
rity, and now enjoyed by the Right Honourable Thomas Savage
Earl Rivers.
THE BATTLES.
ROWTON HEATH, 1645, Sept. 24.— His Majesty, being in-
formed that colonel Jones had seized the suburbs and strong
church of St. John's in Chester, advanced north ward for the re-
lief thereof. Poins, one of the parliament's generals, pursued
his majesty. At Rowton-heath, within three miles of Chester,
the king's army made an halt, whilst his majesty, with some
prime persons, marched into the city.
Next day a fierce fight happened on the heath, betwixt the
king's and Poins's forces, the latter going off with the greater
loss. Judicious persons conceive that, had the royalists pur-
sued this single enemy, as yet unrecruited with additional
strength, they had finally worsted him ; which fatal omission
(opportunities admit of no after-games) proved their overthrow.
For next day colonel Jones drew out his men into the field ;
so that the royalists, being charged on the heath in front and
rear, were put to the worst, the whole hody of whose army had
wings without legs, horse without foot, whilst the parliament
was powerful in both.
Immediately after, a considerable party of horse (the Lord
Byron governor of the city being loth to part with any foot, as
kept to secure the king's person,) came out of Chester, too late
to succour their defeated friends, and too soon to engage them-
selves. Here fell the youngest of the three noble brethren, who
lost their lives in the king^s service, Bernard Stuart Earl of
Lichfield, never sufficiently to be lamented.
THE FAREWELL.
To take my leave of Cheshire, I could wish that some of their
hospitality were planted in the south, that it might bring forth
fruit therein ; and in exchange I could desire, that some of ou*
southern delicacies might prosperously grow in their gardens,
and quinces particularly, being not more pleasant to the palate
than restorative of the health, as accounted a great cordial ; the
VOL. i. u
290 WORTHIES OF CHESTER.
rather, because a native of this county, in his description thereof,
could not remember he ever saw a quince growing therein.*
CHESTER.
CHESTER is a fair city on the north-east side of the river
Dee, so ancient that the first founder thereof is forgotten ; much
beholding to the Earls of Chester and others for increase and
ornaments. The walls thereof were lately in good repair, espe-
cially betwixt the New-tower and the Water-gate : for I find how
(anno 1569) there was a personal fight in this city betwixt the
two sheriffs thereof, viz. Richard Massey and Peter Lycher-
band (who shall keep peace, if aged officers break it ?) ; who
deservedly were fined, for the forfeiting of their gravity, to re-
pair that part of the wall.t It seems it is more honour to be
keeper of a gate in Chester, than a whole city elsewhere, seeing
East-gate therein was committed to the custody formerly of the
Earl of Oxford, Bridge-gate to the Earl of Shrewsbury, Water-
gate to the Earl of Derby, and North-gate to the mayor of the
city.
It is built in the form of a quadrant, and is almost a just
square, the four cardinal streets thereof (as I may call them)
meeting in the middle of the city, at a place called The Pentise,
which affordeth a pleasant prospect at once into all four. Here
is a property of building peculiar to the city, called the Rows,
being galleries, wherein passengers go dry without coming into
the streets, having shops on both sides and underneath ; the
fashion whereof is somewhat hard to conceive. It is therefore
worth their pains, who have money and leisure, to make their
own eyes the expounders of the manner thereof; the like being
said not to be seen in all England ; no, nor in all Europe again.
THE BUILDINGS.
Saint Werburg's church is a fair structure, and had been
more beautiful if the tower thereof (intended some say for a
steeple, the first stone whereof was laid 1508) had been finished.
It was built long before the Conquest ; and, being much ruined,
was afterward repaired by Hugh Lupus, first 'Earl of Chester.
It was afterwards made by king Henry the Eighth one of his
five royal bishoprics ; Oxford, Gloucester, Bristol, and Peter-
borough, being the other four. I say royal bishoprics, as whose
ecclesiastical jurisdictions were never confirmed by the Pope,
nor baronies by the parliament-
The first is plain ; king Henry the Eighth erecting them after
he had disclaimed the Pope's supremacy ; and in the days of
* William Smith, in his Vale Royal, p. 18.
| The Yale Royal of England, pp. 86. 199.
PROVERBS MARTYRS — PRELATES. 291
queen Mary, when England was in some sort reconciled to
Rome, the Pope thought not fit to contest with the queen about
that criticism, because these five bishoprics were erected with-
out his consent, but suffered them to be even as he found them.
Their baronies also were not (though their bishoprics were)
ever confirmed by act of parliament ; so that they owed their
beings solely to the king's prerogative, who might as well create
spiritual as temporal peers by his own authority ; and therefore,
when some anti-prelatists, in the late Long Parliament, 1641,
endeavoured to overthrow their baronies (as an essay and pre-
ludium to the rest of the bishoprics) for want of parliamentary
confirmation, they desisted from that design, as fond and un-
feasable, on better consideration.
PROVERBS.
*' When the daughter is stolen, shut Pepper-gate." *]
Pepper-gate was a postern of this city, on the east side (as I
take it) thereof; but in times past closed up and shut upon this
occasion. The mayor of the city had his daughter (as she was
playing at ball with other maidens in Pepper- street) stolen away
by a young man, through the same gate ; whereupon, in revenge,
he caused it to be shut up, though I see not why the city should
suffer in her conveniences, for the mayor's want of care, or his
daughter's lack of obedience. But what shall we say ? love will
make the whole wall a gate, to procure its own escape. Pa-
rallel to this proverb is the Latin, Sero sapiunt Phryges, when
men, instead of preventing, postvide against dangers.
MARTYRS.
GEORGE MARSH was condemned by Bishop Coats, and cru-
elly burnt without this city, near unto Spittle Boughton ; but,
because he was born elsewhere, see his character in Lancashire.
PRELATES.
GEORGE DOUNHAM, D.D. son to John Dounham bishop of
Chester, was born in this city, as by proportion of time may
jmost probably be collected. He was bred in Christ's College in
Cambridge, elected fellow thereof 1585, and chosen Logic pro-
fessor in the university .f No man was then and there better
skilled in Aristotle, or a greater follower of Ramus, so that he
may be termed the top-twig of that branch.
It is seldom seen, that the clunch-fist of logic (good to knock
down a man at a blow) can so open itself as to smooth and
stroke one with the palm thereof. Our Dounham could do
both ; witness the oration made by him at Cambridge (preposed
to his book of Logic) full of flowers of the choicest eloquence.
He preached the sermon, April 17, 1608, at the consecration
* Vale Royal of England, written by William Webb, p. 22.
f Christ's College Register.
u 2
292 WORTHIES OF CHESTER.
of James Montague, bishop of Bath and Wells, irrefragably
proving therein episcopacy jure divino.
i( He that receiveth a bishop in the name of a bishop, shall
receive a bishop's reward." * It was not long before Doctor
Dounham was made bishop of Deny, in Ireland, then newly
augmented with the addition of Londonderry ; because so
planted with English, it was easy to find London in Derry, but
not Derry in Derry, so much disguised from itself with new
buildings. But this learned bishop was the greatest beauty
thereof, endeavouring by gentleness to cicurate and civilize the
wild Irish, and proved very successful therein. The certain date
of his death I cannot attain.
SEAMEN.
DAVID MIDDLETON was born in this city, as his kinsmanf
and my friend hath informed me. He was one of those who
effectually contributed his assistance to the making of through
lights in the world ; I mean, new discoveries in the East and West
Indies, as we may read at large in his own printed relation. J
The tender-hearted reader, whose affections go along with his
eye, will sadly sympathize with his sufferings, so many and great
his dangers, with cannibals and Portuguese, crocodiles and Hol-
landers, till at last he accomplished his intentions, and settled
the English trade at Bantam : I meet with no mention of him
after 1610.
Sir HENRY MIDDLETON, Knight, was younger brother (as I
take it) to the former, deservedly knighted for his great pains
and perils in advancing the English trade. Amongst many,
most remarkable is his voyage into the Red Sea, which had like
to have proved the Dead Sea unto him ; I mean, cost him his
life. Here he was told to land at Moha, by the treacherous
Aga, and then had eight of his men barbarously slain, himself
and seven more chained up by the necks. The pretence was,
because that port was the door of the holy city, which (though
it be Jerusalem§ in the language of the Scripture) is Mecca in
the phrase of the Alcoran, and it is capital for any Christian to
come so near thereunto. Then was he sent eight-score miles and
upwards to the bashaw at Zenan in Arabia, in the month
of January 1611. This city of Zenan lieth but sixteen degrees
and fifteen minutes of northern latitude from the equator ; and
yet was so cold, that there was ice of a finger's thickness in one
night, as the said Sir Henry did relate. || This confuteth the
character of these countries, misapprehended by antiquity not to
be habitable for the excess of heat therein.
At last the Turkish bashaw gave him leave to depart ; and,
* Matt. x. 41. f Master John Spencer, library keeper of Zion College.
J Purchas's Pilgrims, part I. p. 226, et seq. § Matthew iv. 5.
|| Purchas's Pilgrims, lib. iii. p. 255.
WRITERS. 293
sailing eastwards, he repaired himself, by a gainful composition
with the Indians, for the losses he had sustained by the Turks.
His ship., called "The Trade's Increase/5 well answered the
name thereof, until it pleased God to visit his men therein with
a strange disease, whereof one hundred English deceased ; the
grief whereat was conceived the cause of this worthy knight's
death, May 24, 1613, whose name will ever survive whilst Mid-
dleton's Bay (from him so called) appeareth in the Dutch cards.
WRITERS.
ROGER of CHESTER was born and bred therein, a Bene-
dictine monk in Saint Werburg's. In obedience to the bishop
of Chester, he wrote " A British Chronicle from the beginning
of the world/' This was the fashion of all historians of that
age, running to take a long rise [from the creation itself],
that so (it seems) they might leap the further with the greater
force. Our Roger's Chronicle was like a ship with double
decks ; first only continuing it to the year 1314 ; and then, re-
suming his subject, he superadded five and twenty years more
thereunto, entitling it " Polycratica Temporum."
Both Bale and Pitts praise him for pure Latin (a rarity
in that age) ; and assign 1339 the time of his death, Chester the
place of his burial.
RANDAL or RANULPH HYGDEN (commonly called Ranulph
of Chester) was bred a Benedictine in Saint Werburg. He not
only vamped the history of Roger aforesaid ; but made a large
one of his own, from the beginning of the world, commendable
for his method and modesty therein.
Method ; assigning in the margent the date of each action.
We read, Genesis i. that light was made on the first and
the sun on the fourth day of the creation; when the light
(formerly diffused and dispersed in the heavens) was contracted,
united, and fixed in one full body thereof. Thus the notation of
times confusedly scattered in many ancient authors (as to
our English actions) are by our Ranulphus reduced into
an entire bulk of chronology.
.Modesty ; who, to his great commendation, " unicuique su-
orum authorum honorem integrum servans,"* confesseth him-
self (to use his own expression), with Ruth the Moabite, " to
have gleaned after other reapers." He calleth his book " Poly-
cronicon."
He continued sixty-four years a monk, and, dying very aged,
1363, was buried in Chester.
HENRY BRADSHAW was born in this city, and lived a Bene-
dictine therein; a diligent historian, having written no bad
* Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. 6. n. 11.
294 WORTHIES OF CHESTER.
chronicle, and another book of the life of Saint Werburg
in verse. Take a taste at once, both of his poetry and the
original building of the city, both for beauty alike :
" The founder of this city, as saith Polychronicon,
Was Leon Gawer, a mighty strong giant,
Which builded caves and dungeons many a one,
No goodly building, ne proper, ne pleasant."
These his verses might have passed with praise, had he lived
(as Arnoldus Vion doth erroneously insinuate*) anno 1346 ; but,
flourishing more than a century since [viz. 1513], they are hardly
to be excused. However, Balef informeth us that he was (the
diamond in the ring) " pro ea ipsa setate, admodum pius ;" and
so we dismiss his memory with commendation.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
EDWARD BRIERWOOD was, as I am informed, born in this
city, bred in Brazen-nose College in Oxford. Being candidate
for a fellowship, he lost it without loss of credit ; for, where pre-
ferment goes more by favour than merit, the rejected have more
honour than the elected.
This ill success did him no more hurt than a rub doth to an
over-thrown bowl, bringing it the nearer to the mark. He was
not the more sullen, but the more serious in his studies, retiring
himself to Saint Mary Hall, till he became a most accomplished
scholar in logic ; witness his worthy work thereof, Mathematics ;
being afterwards a lecturer thereof in Gresham College ; all
learned and many modern languages, hereof he wrote a learned
book, called his "Enquiries." No sacrilegious inquiries,
whereof our age doth surfeit ; " it is a snare after vows to make
inquiries ;WJ but judicious disquisitions of the original and ex-
tent of languages.
A little before his death, pens were brandished betwixt
Master Byfield and him, about the keeping of the sabbath;
Master Brierwood learnedly maintaining that the other exacted
more strictness therein than God enjoined. Let me contribute
my symbol on this subject. Our Saviour is said to be made
" under the law,"§ and yet he saith of himself, "The Son of
man is Lord even of the sabbath." || Indeed he was
made under the Fourth commandment, as under the rest of the
law, to observe the dominion, not tyranny thereof usurped,
partly by the misinterpretation of the priests, partly by the mis-
apprehension of the people ; and therefore, both by his life and
doctrine, did manumiss men from that vassalage, that the day
instituted for rest and repose should not be abused for self af-
fliction and torment.
To return to our brierwood. I have heard a great scholar in
* Pits, de Angliae Scriptoribus, p. 690.
t De Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. 9. n. 17. | Prov. xx. 25.
§ Gal. iv. 4. || Matth. xii. 8.
BENEFACTORS. 295
England say, " That he was the fittest man whom he knew in
England, to sit at the elbow of a professor to prompt him."
But, in my opinion, he was a very proper person to discharge
the place himself. I conjecture his death about 1613.
JOHN DOWNHAM, younger son of William Downham bishop
of Chester, was, as far as my best inquiry can recover, born in
this city ; bred in Cambridge, B. D. and afterwards became a
painful and profitable preacher in London. He was the first
who commendably discharged that eminent lecture, plentifully
endowed by Master Jones of Monmouth ;* and is memorable
to posterity for his worthy work of " The Christian Warfare."
Well had it been for England, had no other war been used
therein for this last twenty years, all pious persons being com-
fortably concerned in the prosecution thereof; seriously consi-
dering that their armour is of proof, their quarrel is lawful, their
fight is long, their foes are fierce, their company are saints, their
captain is Christ, their conquest is certain, their crown is
Heaven. This grave divine died, very aged, about the year
1644.
BENEFACTORS TO THE PUBLIC.
WILLIAM ALDERSEY, a pious and godly man, was mayor of
the city 1560, demeaning himself in his place with much gravity
and discretion. He caused, with much cost and industry, the
catalogue of the mayors of Chester to be completed ; and that on
this occasion. He found by authentic evidences, that one Alan
de Whetly had been four times mayor of Chester, and yet his
name was never mentioned in the ordinary Book of Mayors.
This put this good magistrate on the employment (detection of
faults informs little without correction of them) to amend and
complete that lame list out of their records. Thus imperfections
may occasion perfection ; which makes me to hope that here-
after the defects of this my book (without prejudice to my pro-
fit or credit) will be judiciously discovered, and industriously
amended by others. This William died the twelfth of October,
anno 1577 j and lieth buried in the chancel of Saint Oswald's,
under a fair stone of alabaster.
SIR THOMAS OFFLEY, son to William Oifley, was born in the
city of Chester ;f and bred a merchant-tailor in London,
whereof he became lord mayor anno 1556. The useful custom
of the night-bellman (preventing many fires and more felonies)
began in his mayoralty. He was the Zacchaeus of London, not
for his low stature, but his high charity, bequeathing the half of
his estate (computed by a reverend divine to amount to five
* In the church behind the Exchange. f Stow's Survey of London, p. 585.
21)6 WORTHIES OF CHESTER.
thousand pounds*) unto the poor, although he had children of
his own. Yea, he appointed that two hundred pounds should
be taken out of the other half (left to his son Henry), and em-
ployed to charitable uses. He died 1560 : and was buried in
the church of Saint Andrew's Undershaft. I am heartily sorry
to meet with this passage in my author : t
" Sir Thomas Offley bequeatheth one half of all his goods to
charitable actions. But the parish (meaning St. Andrew's
Undershaft) received little benefit thereby.5'
If the testator's will were not justly performed, it soundeth
to the shame and blame of his executors. But if the charity of
Sir Thomas acted eminiis not comminiis, I mean at some dis-
tance, and not at his own habitation, it was no injury for any
to dispose of his own at his own pleasure. I find also two other
of the same surname, not mutually more allied in blood, than in
charitable dispositions :
Master Hugh Offley, leather-seller, sheriff of London in the
year 1588, buried also in Saint Andrew's aforesaid. Besides
many other benefactions, J he gave six hundred pounds to this
city, to put forth young men.§
Mr. Robert Offley, bred in London, and (as I take it) brother
to the aforesaid Hugh Offley, did, in the year of our Lord 1596,
bestow six hundred pounds on twenty-four young men in Ches-
ter, whereof twelve were apprentices. || I know not the exact
date of his departure.
It is hard to instance, in a lease, of kinsmen, born so far/rom,
bred in London, meeting together in such bountiful perform-
ances.
I believe it was the first of these three Offleys on whom the
rhythm was made,
" Offley three dishes had of daily roast ;
An egg, an apple, and (the third) a toast."
This I behold neither sin nor shame in him, feeding himself
on plain and wholesome repast, that he might feast others by
his bounty, and thereby deserving rather praise than a jeer from
posterity.
JOHN TERER, Gentleman, and a member of this city. He
erected a seemly water-work, built steeple-wise, at the Bridge-
gate, by his own ingenious industry and charge. This since
hath served for the conveying of river water from the cistern, in
the top of that work, through pipes of lead and wood, to the
citizens' houses, to their great conveniences. I could wish all
designs in the like nature hopefully begun may as happily be
completed. My industry cannot attain the exact time of his
* Dr. Willett, in his " Catalogue of Good Works since the Reformation," p. 1226.
f Stow's Survey of London, p, 152. I Ibidem, p. 154.-
§ Vale Royal of England, p. 207. II Ibid.
WORTHIES SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER. 297
death ; only I find that his son of the same name endeavoured
the like, to bring water from a fine spring to the midst of this
city, which, I believe, was effected.
THE FAREWELL.
And now being to take our leave of this ancient and honour-
able city, the worst that I wish it is, that the distance betwixt
Dee and the New-tower may be made up; all obstructions
being removed, which cause or occasion the same. That the
rings on the New-tower (now only for sight) may be restor-
ed to the service for which they were first intended, to fasten
vessels thereunto. That the vessels on that river (lately dege-
nerated from ships into barks) may grow up again to their
former strength and stature.
WORTHIES OF CHESHIRE WHO HAVE FLOURISHED SINCE
THE TIME OF FULLER.
Sir John BIRKENHEAD, M. P., loyal poet; born at Rudheath
1615 ; died 1679.
Thomas BRERETON, dramatic writer; died about 1721.
William BROOME, poet, translator of Homer, associate of
Pope ; died 1745.
William BURGAYNIE, author; born at Pulford 1620 ; died 1689.
Hugh CHOLMONDELEY, dean of Chester, antiquary and gene-
alogist ; born at Vale Royal 1772; died 1815.
William COWPER, physician and antiquary ; born at Chester ;
died 176?.
Randle HOLMES, four antiquaries and collectors of the same
name, father, son, grandson, and great grandson; born at
Chester; the eldest died 1655, his son 1659, grandson 1699,
and great grandson 1707-
Samuel JOHNSON, dancing master, dramatist, and author of
" Hurlothrumbo ;" died about 1773.
Daniel KING, author of " Vale Royal ;" l?th century.
Nathaniel LANCASTER, divine, author of an " Essay on Deli-
cacy; 1700.
Theophilus LINDSEY, Unitarian divine, born at Middlewich
1723; died 1803.
Samuel MOLYNEUX, astronomer, born at Chester, 1689.
William SHIPPEN, " honest Shippen," leader of the Tories,
born at Stockport; died 1741.
John SWLNTON, learned antiquary; born at Bexton 1703 ; died
1774.
James UPTON, divine and critic; born 1670.
Sir John VANBURGH, architect and dramatist ; born at Chester
1672; died 1?26.
298 WORTHIES OF CHESHIRE.
John WATSON, historian of Halifax in Yorkshire ; born at
Lyme-cum-Hanley 1 724.
John WHITEHURST, watchmaker, engineer, and philosopher ;
born at Congleton 1713 ; died 1788.
Thomas WILSON, learned bishop of Sodor and Man; born at
Burton-in-Wirral 1663; died 1755.
%* The county of Chester has been fortunate in its historians. Even so early as
the year 1656, a work entitled the " Vale Royal of England, or the County Pala-
tine of Chester illustrated, &c." was published in a folio volume by Messrs. Smith
and Webb ; and in 1673, Sir Peter Leycester produced his " Historical Antiquities."
In 1817, Mr. J. H. Hanshall brought out a history of the county in one
volume 4to ; but the history of the county and city of Chester, by Mr. Geo. Orme-
rod, in 3 vols. folio (1819), is one of the most splendid topographical works of
modern times, and contains all the information that could be desired. Numerous
local histories have also been published, at different times ; viz. of Lyme, by the
Rev. W. Marriott (1810) ; of Macclesfield (1817) ; of Nantwich, by J. W. Platt
(1818) ; of Congleton, by S. Yates (1819) ; of Chester (l830), &c — ED.
CORNWALL.
IT hath its name partly from the form, partly from the inha-
bitants thereof. From the former it is so called, because narrow
in fashion of a horn., which (by the way) is a word of all others
passing through both^ learned and modern languages with the
least variation : 1. Keren, Hebrew; 2. Keras, Greek; 3. Cornu,
Latin; 4. Corn, French; 5. Cuerno, Spanish ; 6. Corno, Italian ;
7. Horn, English ; 8. Home, Dutch ; 9. Kerne, Welsh.
The latter, Wale, signifies strangers, for such were the inhabi-
tants of this county reputed by their neighbours.
It hath Devonshire on the west, divided from it generally with
the river Tamer, encompassed with the sea on all other sides,
affording plenty of harbours ; so that foreigners, in their passage
to or from Spain, Ireland, the Levant, East or West Indies,
sometimes touch herewith ; sometimes are driven hither against
their will, but never without the profit of the inhabitants, ac-
cording to the common proverb, " Where the horse lieth down,
there some hairs will be found."
The language of the natives is a different tongue from the
English, and dialect from the Welsh, as more easy to be pro-
nounced ; and is sufficiently copious to express the conceits of
a good wit, both in prose and verse. Some have avouched it
derived from the Greek, producing for the proof thereof many
words of one sense in both : as kentron, a spur ; schaphe, a boat ;
ronchi, snoring, &c. But the judicious behold these as no re-
gular congruities, but casual coincidences, the like to which may
be found in languages of the greatest distance, which never met
together since they parted at the confusion of Babel. Thus one
would enforce a conformity between the Hebrew and English,
because one of the three giant's sons of Anak was called Ahiman.
The Cornish tongue affordeth but two natural oaths, or three
at most ;* but whether each of them be according to the kinds of
oaths divided by the schoolmen, one assertory, the other^romw?-
sory, to which some add a third, comminatory, is to me unknown.
The worst is, the common Cornish supply this (I will not say
defect) not only with swearing the same often over, but also by
borrowing other oaths of the English.
* Carew's Survey of Cornwall, page 55.
300 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
NATURAL COMMODITIES.
DIAMONDS.
These of themselves sound high, till the addition of Cornish
subtracteth from their valuation. In blackness and hardness
they are far short of the Indian : yet, set with a good foil
(advantaged hypocrisy passeth often for sincerity) may at the first
sight deceive no unskilful lapidary. As their lustre is less than
Orient diamonds, so herein they exceed them, that nature hath
made both their face and their dressing, by whom they are
pointed and polished. But enough hereof, the rather because
some, from the Latin names of jewels, Jocalia, "things to be
jested and played with," and Baubelke, " things which are trifles
and baubles," spitefully collect that stones, accounted precious,
are more beholding to the consent of fancy, than their own in-
trinsic worth, for their high valuation.
AMBERGRIS.
I confess this precious commodity is fixed to no place in the
world, as too great a treasure for any one country to engross ;
and therefore it is only fluctuating, and casually found by small
parcels, sometimes in one place, and sometimes in another ; yet
because the last, greatest, and best quantity thereof, that
ever this age did behold, was found on the coasts of this county,
we will here insert a little of the name, nature, and use thereof.
It is called Ambra-gresia, that is, grey amber, from the co-
lour thereof; which modern name, utterly unknown to the
ancients, doth speak it to be of later invention ; whereof a
learned Doctor of Physic hath assigned this probable reason,
because it was never found in the Midland sea (which was in
effect all the seas to the ancients), but only in the main ocean,
which was not navigated on till within this last two hundred
years, since seamen have gotten the use of the chart and com-
pass.
It is almost as hard to know what it is, as where to find it.
Some will have it the sperm of a fish, or some other unctious
matter arising from them ; others, that it is the foam of the sea,
or some excrescency thence, boiled to such a height by the
heat of the sun ; others, that it is a gum that grows on the
shore. In a word, no certainty can be collected herein, some
physicians holding one way, and some another. But this is
most sure, that apothecaries hold it at five pounds an ounce,
which some say is dearer than ever it was in the memory of
man.
It is a rare cordial for the refreshing of the spirits, and sove-
reign for the strengthening the head, besides the most fragrant
scent, far stronger in consort when compounded with other
things than when singly itself.
NATURAL COMMODITIES. SOI
A mass of this ambergris was, about the third year of king
Charles, found in this county, at low water, close to the shore
of the manor of Anthony, then belonging to Richard Carew,
Esquire.
GARLIC.
Here is a great and sudden fall indeed, from the sweetest of
gums to the most stinking of roots. Yet is not the distance
so great, if the worth of the garlic be such as some have avouched
it. Not to speak of the murmuring Israelites,* who prized it
before manna itself : some avow it sovereign for men and beasts
in most maladies. Indeed the scent thereof is somewhat va-
liant and offensive ; but wise men will be contented to hold their
noses, on condition they may thereby hold or recover their
health. Indeed a large book is written de usu allii ; which if it
hold proportion with truth, one would wonder any man should
be sick and die, who hath garlic growing in his garden. Sure
I am our palate people are much pleased therewith, as giving a
delicious haut-gout to most meats they eat, as tasted and smelt
in their sauce, though not seen therein. The best garlic is about
Stratton in this county.f
PILCHARDS.
Plenty hereof are taken in these parts, persecuted to the
shore by their enemies the tunny and hake, till, in pursuance of
their private revenge, they all become a prey to the fisherman.
The pilchard may seem contemptible in itself, being so small,
though the wit of the vulgar here will tell you they have seen
many pilchards an ell long, understand it laid at length, head
and tail together. Their numbers are incredible, employing a
power of poor people in polling (that is, beheading), gutting,
splitting, powdering, and drying them ; and then (by the name of
fumadoes), with oil and a lemon they are meat for the mightiest
Don in Spain. I wish not only their nets, but fish, may hold,
suspecting their daily decay, their shoals usually shifting coasts,
and verging more westward to Ireland. Other fish here be,
which turn to good account ; all welcome to fishermen's hooks,
save the star-fish, esteemed contagious.
BLUE SLATE.
These are commonly found under the walling-slate, when the
depth hath brought the workmen to the water. They are thin
in substance, clear in colour, light in weight, and lasting in con-
tinuance. Generally they carry so good a regard, that (besides
the supply of home-provisions) great store of them are imported
into other parts of the land, and transported into France and
the Low Countries. All that I have to say of slate is, that
* Numbers xi. 5. f Camden's Britannia, in Cornwall.
302 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
Cinyra, the son of Agriopse, is said first to have found them in
Cyprus, for the covering of houses.*
TIN.
The most and best in Christendom this county doth produce.
Yea, it was the only tin in Europe, until a fugitive miner, run-
ning hence, discovered tin in Voiteland, in the confines of
Bohemia. God may be said in this county " to rain meat "
(such the plenty thereof), "and give dishes too/5 made of pew-
ter, which hath tin for the father, and lead for the mother
thereof, and in our age doth matrizare too much. Vast their
expense in making their adits (understand them addresses and
accesses to the mine) with dressing, breaking, stamping, drying,
grazing, washing, and melting, all plentifully repaid in the sell-
ing of it.
The discovery of many of these mines has been very re-
markable ; for some have gained more sleeping than others
waking, having dreamt that in such (improbable) places, tin was
to be found, and, pursuing such directions, have found it accord-
ingly.
The poet, we know, feigneth two ports of dreams :
Sunt gemineE somni portee : quorum alterafertur
Corned, quci verisfacilis datur exitus umbris :
Altera^ candenti perfecla nitens elephanlo,
Sed falsa ad cesium mittunt insomnia manes.lr
" Dreams have two gates : one made (they say) of horn ;
By this port pass true and prophetic dreams :
White ivory the other doth adorn ;
By this false shades and lying fancy's streams."
Strange that the best gate for matter (ivory) should present
the worst (false) dreams. It seems these Cornish dreams
passed through the Horny-gate, which fell out so happily, that
thereby many have been enriched, and left great estates to their
posterity.
I cannot take my leave of these tinners, until I have ob-
served a strange practice of them, that once in seven or eight
years they burn down (and that to their great profit) their own
melting-houses. I remember a merry epigram in Martial on
one Tongilian, who had his house in Rome casually (reputed)
burnt, and gained ten times as much by his friends' contribution
to his loss :
Collatum est decies ; rogo non poles ip&e videri
Incendisse tuam, Tongiliane, domum.+
" Gaining tenfold, tell truly, I desire,
Tongilian, didst not set thy house on fire ? "
But here the tinners avow themselves incendiaries of their
own houses, on a profitable account : for, during the tin's melt-
* Polydore Vergil, de Inventione Rerum, in lib. iii. cap. 8. p. 251.
t Virgil, ^Eneid. vi. ver. 893. J Lib. iii. Epig. 51.
BUILDINGS. 303
ing in the blowing-house, " diverse light sparkles thereof are,
by the forcible wind which the bellows sendeth forth, driven up
to the thatched roof, on the burning whereof they find so much
of this light tin in the ashes, as payeth for the new building,
with a gainful overplus."
THE BUILDINGS.
Master Attorney Noy was wont pleasantly to say, that his
house had no fault in it, save only that " it was too near unto
London," though indeed distanced thence full three hundred
miles, in the remoter part of this county. But seriously one
may say, and defend it, that the distance of Cornwall from that
metropolis is a convenient inconveniency. As for the structure
of their houses, they are generally but mean, though the nobi-
lity and gentry have handsome habitations, and amongst them
none excelleth.
MOUNT-EDGECOMBE.
It was built by Sir Richard Edgecombe, Knight. Take his
character from one who very well knew him, "mildness and
stoutness, diffidence and wisdom, deliberateness of undertakings,
and sufficiency of effecting, made in him a more commendable
than blazing mixture of virtue/' * In the reign of queen Mary
(about the year 1555) he gave entertainment at one time, for
some good space, to the admirals of the English, Spanish, and
Netherland, and many noblemen besides. A passage the more
remarkable, because I am confident that the admirals of those
nations never met since (if ever before) amicably at the same
table. Mount Edgecombe was the scene of this hospitality ; a
house new built and named by the aforesaid knight, a square
structure with a round turret at each end, garreted on the top.
The hall (rising above the rest) yieldeth a stately sound as one
entereth it ; the parlour and dining-room afford a large and di-
versified prospect both of sea and land. The high situation
(cool in summer, yet not cold in winter) giveth health : the
neighbour river wealth : two block-houses great safety : and the
town of Plymouth good company unto it. Nor must I forget
the fruitful ground about it (pleasure without profit is but a
flower without a root) ; stored with wood, timber, fruit, deer,
and connies, a sufficiency of pasture, arable, and meadow, with
stone, lime, marl, and what not.
I write not this to tempt the reader to the breach of the
tenth commandment, "to covet his neighbour's house;" and
one line in the prevention thereof. I have been credibly in-
formed that the duke of Medina Sidonia, admiral of the Spanish
fleet in the year eighty-eight, was so affected at the sight of this
house (though but beholding it at a distance, from the sea) that
* Carew, in his Survey of Cornwall, p. 100.
304 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
he resolved it for his own possession in the partage of this king-
dom (blame him not if choosing best for himself), which they
pre-conquered in their hopes and expectation. But he had
catched a great cold, had he had no other clothes to wear than
those which were to be made of a skin of a bear not yet killed.
MEDICINAL WATERS.
I know none in this county which are reported to be sovereign
constantly for any diseases. Yet I meet with one so remarkable
a recovery, that it must not be omitted. However, I remember
his good counsel, "he that telleth a miraculous truth must
always carry his author at his back/' I will only transcribe his
words, speaking of the good offices which angels do to God's
servants : — fe Of this kind was that (no less than miraculous) cure,
which at Saint Madern's in Cornwall, was wrought upon a poor
cripple, whereof (besides the attestation of many hundred of the
neighbours) I took a strict and impartial examination in my last
visitation. This man, for sixteen years together, was fain to
walk upon his hands, by reason the sinews of his legs were so
contracted ; and, upon monitions in his dream to wash in that
well, was suddenly so restored to his limbs, that I saw him able
both to walk and get his own maintenance. I found here was
neither art nor collusion. The thing done (the author invisible)
of God."*
So authentical an author (without any other assistance ad
corroborandum) is enough to get belief in any, save such surly
souls who are resolved on infidelity of what their own eyes have
not beheld.
THE WONDERS.
If the word be strained up to the height, I confess Cornwall
affordeth none at all ; but if it be slackened, and let down a
little, there are those things which this Duchy doth tender, and
we all willing to take for WONDERS, for discourse sake, at the
least ; viz.
THE HURLERS.
These are stones competently distanced, whom tradition re-
porteth to be formerly men metamorphosed into stones, for
hurling (a sport peculiar to Cornwall) on, and so profaning of,
the Lord's-day. Thus, unequally yoking Scripture and Ovid
together, the tale is made up betwixt them. But, seeing such
devotion is not durable which is founded on deceit, we protest
against and reject this fiction ; the rather, because the same
lawgiver, who enjoined us, " Remember thou keepest holy the
Sabbath-day," gave us also in command, " Thou shalt not bear
false witness against thy neighbour ; and we will not accept a
false doctrine, to make a true use thereof. Yet surely conform-
* Doctor Joseph Hall, then bishop of Exeter, since of Norwich, in his book
called " The Great Mystery of Godliness," p. 169.
THE WONDERS. 305
able to the judgment of those times was this tradition made ;
and thence one may collect that boisterous exercises (or labours
rather)^ so far from refreshing the weary, that they weary the
refreshed, are utterly inconsistent with the conscientious keep-
ing of that day, and deserve heavy punishments, for profaning
thereof.
Otherwise we really believe, these stones were originally set
up for limits and bounds; or else a monument erected in
memory of some victory here achieved.
MAIN AMBER.
Main is in Cornish the stone ; and Amber, as some conceive,
of Ambrosius that valiant Briton, erected probably by him on
some victory achieved against the Romans, or some other
enemies.* This is a master-piece of mathematics and critical
proportions, being a great stone of so exact position on the top
of a rock, that any weakness by touching it may move it, and
yet no force can remove it, so justly it is poised. I have heard
in common discourse, when this Main Amber hath been made
the emblem of such men's dispositions, who would listen to all
counsel, and seem inclined thereunto, but are so fixed, that
no reason can alter them from their first resolution.
But know, reader, that this wonder is now unwondered ; for
I am credibly informed, that some soldiers of late have utterly
destroyed it. Oh, how dangerous is it for art to stand in the
way where ignorance is to pass ! Surely covetousness could
not tempt them thereunto, though it did make one to deface
a fair monument in Turkey, on this occasion :
A tomb was erected near the highway (according to the
fashion of that country) on some person of quality, consisting
of a pillar ; and on the top thereof a chapiter, or great globe
of stone, whereon was written, in the Turkish tongue,
" The brains are in the Head."
This passed many years undemolished, it being piaculum there
to violate the concernment of the dead, until one, not of more
conscience, but cunning, than others, who had passed by it,
resolved to unriddle the meaning of this inscription. Breaking
the hollow globe open, he found it full of gold • departed the
richer, not the honester, for his discovery. Sure I am, if any
such temptation invited the soldiers to this act, they missed
their mark therein.
Their pretence, as I understand, to this destructive design,
was reformation; some people, as they say, making an idol
thereof: which if true, I pity the destroying of Main Amber,
no more than the stamping and pulverizing of the brazen ser-
pent by king Hezekiah. But I cannot believe so much stu-
* Camden's English Britannia, in Cornwall.
VOL. I. X
306 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
pidity in Christians. They took much pains, by cutting off the
stone, to dislodge it from its centre, (in how few minutes may
envy ruin what art hath raised in more hours) ; and now Corn-
wall hath one artificial wonder fewer than it had before ; except
any will say that, to keep up the number, the unexampled envy
of these soldiers may be substituted in the room thereof. And
let them sink into obscurity, that hope to swim in credit by
such mis-achievements.
PROVERBS.
" By Tre, Pol, and Pen,
You shall know the Cornish men."]
These three words are the dictionary of such surnames which
are originally Cornish ; and though nouns in sense, I may fitly
term them prepositions.
1. Tre signifieth a town ; hence Tre-fry, Tre-lawny, Tre-va-
nion, &c. 2. Pol signifieth an head ; hence Pol- whele. 3. Pen
signifieth a top ; hence Pen-tire, Pen-rose, Pen-kevil, &c.
Some add to these a fourth inchoation, viz. Car (which I
guess to signify a rock) ; as Car-mino, Car-zew, &c. But I dare
not make additions, but present it as I find it in my author.
" To give one a Cornish hug."]
The Cornish are masters of the art of wrestling ; so that if
the Olympian games were now in fashion, they would come
away with the victory. Their hug is a cunning close with their
fellow-combatant ; the fruit whereof is his fair fall, or foil at the
least. It is figuratively applicable to the deceitful dealing of
such, who secretly design their overthrow whom they openly
embrace.
" Hengsten Down, well ywrought,
Is worth London town, dear ybought.'1 *J
The truth hereof none can confirm, or confute : seeing under-
ground wealth is a nemo scit, and vast may the treasure be of
tin in this down. Sure I am, that the gainful plenty of metal
formerly afforded in this place is now fallen to a scant-saving
scarcity. But, to make the proverb true, it is possible that the
Cornish diamonds found therein may be pure and orient (as
better concocted) in the bowels thereof; for,- though crafty (not
to say dishonest) chapmen put the best grain in the top, and
worst in the bottom, of their sack; such is the integrity of
Nature, that the coarsest in this kind are higher, and the purest
still the lowrest.
" Tru-ru, Triveth-eu, Ombdina geveth 7Vj/-rw."f]
Which is to say, " Truru consisteth of three streets ; and it
shall in time be said, Here Tru-ru stood." I trust the men
of this town are too wise, to give credit to such predictions,
which may justly prove true to the superstitious believers
* Carew's Survey of Cornwall, fol. 115. f Idem, fol. 141.
PROVERBS — SAINTS. 30?
thereof. Let them serve God, and defy the devil with all his
pseudo-prophecies. Like to this is another fond observation,
presaging some sad success to this town, because ru, ru, which
in English is woe, woe, is twice in the Cornish name thereof.
But, let the men of Truru but practise the first syllable in the
name of their town, and they may be safe and secure from any
danger in the second. %
" He^doth sail into Cornwall without a bark."]
This is an Italian proverb, where it passeth for a description
(or derision rather) of such a man who is wronged by his wife's
disloyalty.
I wonder the Italians should take such pains to travel so far
to fetch this expression, having both the name and matter
nearer home. Name ; having the field " Cornetus Campus in
agro Falisco "* (called Corneto at this day) ; and a people called
Corni f in Latium, with the Cornicti monies near Tiber, not to
speak of its two promontories, termed by good authors " Cor-
nua duo Italiae," J the two horns of Italy. Matter ; keeping
their wives under restraint, as generally full of jealousy ; which,
if just, I much bemoan the jailors ; if not, I more pity their
prisoners.
Whereas in our Cornwall the wives5 liberty is the due reward
of their chastity, and the cause of their husbands' comfortable
confidence therein.
" He is to be summoned before the Mayor of Halgaver.''§]
This is a jocular and imaginary court, wherewith men make
merriment to themselves, presenting such persons as go slovenly
in their attire, untrussed, wanting a spur, &c. ; where judgment
in formal terms is given against them, and executed more to the
scorn than hurt of the persons. But enough hereof, lest I be
summoned thither myself.
"When Dudman and Ramehead meet."]
These are two Forelands, well known to sailors, well nigh
twenty miles asunder; and the proverb passeth for the peri-
phrasis of an impossibility. However, these two points have
since met together (though not in position) in possession of the
same owner ; Sir Pierce Edgecombe enjoying one in his own,
the other in right of his wife.||
SAINTS.
SAINT KIBY was son to Solomon duke of Cornwall, whom
several inducements moved to travel. First, because " a Pro-
phet hath the least honour in his own country." Secondly,
because Britain at that time was infected with Arianisme.
Thirdly, because he had read so much of the works, and heard
more of the worth, of Saint Hilary, bishop of Poictiers in
* Vitruvius, lib. viii. cap. 3. f Halicarnassus.
J Plin. lib. iii. cap. 5. Mela, lib. ii. cap. 4.
§ Carew's Survey of Cornwall, fol. 126. || Ibid. fol. 141.
x 2
308 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
France. This main motive made him address himself to that
worthy father, with whom he lived fifty years ; and afterwards,
saith learned Leland, was by him made bishop of the Isle of
Anglesey.
Pardon me., reader, if, suspending my belief herein, seeing
surely that holy and humble French saint would not pretend to
any metropolitical power, in appointing a bishop in Britain,
More probable it is that St. Hilary made him a bishop at large,
sine titulo, whereof there are some precedents in antiquity.
However into Wales he went, and there converted the northern
parts thereof to, and confirmed the rest in, Christianity.
A three-fold memorial is in the Isle of Anglesea, extant at
this day. One of his master, in Point Hilary ; another of him-
self, in Caer-Guiby ; and a third of both, in Holyhead. He
flourished about the year of our lord 380.
URSULA, daughter to Dinoth duke of Cornwall, was born in
this county. This is she whose life is loaden with such anticro-
nisms and improbabilities, that it is questionable whether this
fable was ever founded in a truth, or hath any thing in history
for its original.
This Ursula is said to have carried over out of Britain eleven
thousand maids of prime quality, besides threescore thousand of
meaner rank (seventy-one thousand in all, a prodigious number)
to be married to so many in little Britain in France.* Prepos-
terous, in my mind, to proffer themselves ; and it had argued
more modesty if their husbands had fetched them hence.
But blame them not, who paid so dear for their adventures.
All shipped from London, some of them were drowned in their
passage, the rest slain by the Huns of Colen, say some; at
Rome, say others, by king Attila under Gratian the emperor :
mendacium cequabile, observing equal temper of untruth, in time,
place, and person. However, there is a church at Colen dedi-
cated to their memories, where the Virgin Earth (let the
reporter f have the whetstone) will digest no other body, no not
the corpse of an infant newly baptised (as good a maid, I believe,
as the best of them) but will vomit it up in the night time again
as if they had never been buried. This massacre is reported to
have happened in the year of our Lord 383.
SAINT MELIORUS was only son of Melianus, Duke of this
county, who, being secretly made a Christian, was so maliced by
Rinaldus, his Pagan brother-in-law, that he first cut off his right
hand, and then his left-leg (no reason of this transposed method
of cruelty, save cruelty), and at last his head, about the year 411 ;
whose body being buried in some old church in this county, by
* See Master Selden's Notes on Polyolbion, p. 181.
t Richard White of Basingstoke, in History of British Martyrs ; and English Mar-
tyrology, on October 21.
PRELATES. 309
the miracles reported to be done thereat, procured the reputation
of a Saint to his memory.*
PRELATES.
WILLIAM DE GBEN-VIL was born of a worshipful family in
this county ; and became canon of York, dean of Chichester,
chancellor of England under king Edward the First, and arch-
bishop of York.f But the worst was, two years his confirma-
tion was deferred, until he had paid nine thousand five hundred
marks. Let him thank the Pope, who gave him the odd five
hundred, not mounting it to even ten thousand. Besides, he
had this favour, not as many others to be consecrated by a
proxy, but the very hands of Pope Clement the Fifth. This
payment reduced him to such poverty, he was relieved by the
clergy of his province, by way of benevolence. This not doing
the deed, to make him a saver, he was fain to crave another help
of the same hand, under the new name of a subsidy. J Indeed
it was pity that the father of the diocese should want anything
which his sons could contribute unto him. He highly favoured
the Templars, though more pitying than profiting them, as per-
sons so stiffly opposed by the Pope and Philip king of France ;
that there was more fear of his being suppressed by their foes,
than hope of their being supported by his friendship. He was
present in the council of Vienna, on the same token, that
therein he had his place assigned next the archbishop of Triers ;
and that, I assure you, was very high, as beneath the lowest
-elector, and above Wortzbury or Herbipolis, and other German
prelates, who also were temporal princes. But now he is gone,
and his pomp with him, dying at Cawood 1315, and buried in
the chapel of Saint Nicholas, leaving the reputation of an able
statesman and no ill scholar behind him.
MICHAEL TREGURY was born in this county, and bred in
the university of Oxford, § where he attained to such eminency,
that he was commended to king Henry the Fifth, fit to be a
foreign professor. This king Henry, desiring to conquer
France as well by arts as arms (knowing that learning made
civil persons and loyal subjects) reflected on the city of Caen
(honoured with the ashes of his ancestors) in Normandy, and
resolved to advance it an university, which he did anno 1418,
placing this Michael the first professor in the college of his
royal erection. Hence king Henry the Sixth preferred him
archbishop of Dublin in Ireland, wherein he continued 22 years,
deceasing December 21, 1471 ; and is buried in the church of
* Jo. Capgrave, in Catal. Sanct. Brit, anno Domini 411.
t Carew's Survey of Cornwall, fol. 59. % Godwin, in the Archbishops of York.
§ Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. viii. num. 13.
310 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
Saint Patrick in Dublin.* I am sorry to see the author of so
many learned books disgraced on his monument with so bar-
barous an epitaph :
" Prsesul Metropolis Michael hie Dubliniensis,
Marmore tumbatus: pro me Christum flagitetis.''f
Allowing him thirty years old when professor at Caen, he
must be extremely aged at his departure.
JOHN ARUNDEL was born of right ancient parentage of Lan-
hearn in this county, bred in the university of Oxford ; and was
by king Henry the* Seventh preferred bishop of Coventry and
Lichfield, anno 1496 ; thence translated to his native Diocese
of Exeter, 1501.J
Impute it to the shortness of his continuance in that see, that
so little is left of his memory (not enough to feed, much less
feast, the pen of an historian). He died at London, anno 1503 ;
and lieth buried, saith my author, in St. Clemen t's,§ not ac-
quainting us whether Clements East-cheap, or Clement's
Danes ; but I conclude it is the latter, because the bishops of
Exeter had their inn or city house, now converted into Essex-
house, within that parish. ||
CAPITAL JUDGES, AND WRITERS ON THE LAW.
There passeth a pleasant tradition in this county, how there
standeth a man of great strength and stature with a black bill
in his hand, at Polston-bridge, the first entrance into Cornwall,
as you pass towards Launceston, where the assizes are holden,
ready to knock down all the lawyers that should offer to plant
themselves in that county .^[ But, in earnest, few of that profes-
sion have here grown up to any supereminent height of learning,
livelihood, or authority ; whether because of the far distance of
this county from the supremer courts, or because of the multi-
plicity of petty ones nearer hand, pertaining to the Duchy, Stan-
"neries,** and other Franchises, enabling attorneys and the like
of small reading to serve the people's turn, and so cutting the
profit from better studied councillors.
Some conceive that Sir Robert Tresillian, chief justice of
the King's Bench in the fifth of king Richard the Second, to
be this countryman, though producing no other evidence save
Tre, the initial syllable of his surname, as a badge of Cornish
extraction. However, we have purposely omitted him in this
* Sir James Ware, de Scriptoribus Hibernicis, lib. ii. p. 132.
f Idem, de Archiepiscopis Dublin, p. 30.
J Carew's Survey of Cornwall, fol. 59 ; and Bishop Godwin in the Bishops of
Exeter.
§ Bishop Godwin, ut prius. || Stow' s Survey.
1[ Carew's Survey of Cornwall, fol. 59.
* These cannot now be pretended an hinderarice, being put down by the long-
lasting Parliament. — F.
WRITERS ON LAW SOLDIERS. 311
our catalogue ; partly, because not claimed by Mr. Carew, in his
survey, and for their countryman, partly because no worthy, as
justly executed by act of Parliament for pronouncing their acts
revocable at the king's pleasure.
As for one Cornish man (though neither writer nor actual
judge) his worth commands us to remember him : namely,
WILLIAM NOY, born in this county, was bred in Lincoln's
Inn; a most sedulous student, constantly conversant with
ancient records, verifying his anagram, WILLIAM NOY, " i MOYL
IN LAW."
He was for many years the stoutest champion for the sub-
ject's liberty, until king Charles entertained him to be his
attorney ; after which time, I read this character of him in an
history written by an ingenious gentleman:* "He became
so servilely addicted to the prerogative, as by ferreting old penal
statutes, and devising new exactions, he became, for the small
time he enjoyed that power, the most pestilent vexation to the
subjects that this latter age produced."
However, others behold his actions with a more favourable
eye, as done in the pursuance of the place he had undertaken,
who by his oath and office was to improve his utmost power to
advance the profit of his master. Thus I see that, after their
deaths, the memories of the best lawyers may turn clients, yea
and sue too in forma pauperis, needing the good word of the
charitable survivors to plead in their behalf. He died anno
Domini 163 .. Let me add this passage from his mouth, that
was present thereat. The goldsmiths of London had (and in
due time may have) a custom once a year to weigh gold in the
Star-chamber, in the presence of the privy council and the
king's attorney. This solemn weighing, by a word of art, they
call the pix ; and make use of so exact scales therein, that the
master of the company affirmed, that they would turn with the
two hundredth part of a grain. " I should be loath," said the
attorney Noy f standing by, ee that all my actions should be
weighed in those scales." With whom I concur in relation of
the same to myself. And therefore, seeing the balance of the
sanctuary held in God's hand are far more exact, what need
have we of his mercy, and Christ's merits, to make us passable
in God's presence !
SOLDIERS.
KING ARTHUR, son of Uther Pendragon, was born in Tin-
tagel castle in this county ; and proved afterwards monarch of
Great Britain. He may fitly be termed the British Hercules in
three respects :
* Hammond L'Estrange, Esq. in his Life of King Charles.
f Reader, I affirmed above, that Mr. Noy was no writer ; but since I am inform-
ed, that there is a posthume book of his — F.
312 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
1 . For his illegitimate birth, both being bastards, begotten on
other men's wives,* and yet their mothers honest women ; de-
luded, the one by miracle, the other by art magic of Merlin, in
others personating their husbands.
2. Painful life ; one famous for his twelve labours, the other
for his twelve victories against the Saxons ; and both of them
had been greater, had they been made less, and the reports of
them reduced within compass of probability.
3. Violent and woeful death; our Arthur's being as lamenta-
ble, and more honourable ; not caused by feminine jealousy,
but masculine treachery, being murdered by Mordred, near the
place where he was born :
" As though no other place on Britain's spacious earth
Were worthy of his end, but where he had his birth. "f
As for his Round Table, with his knights about it, the tale
whereof hath trundled so smoothly along for many ages, it never
met with much belief amongst the judicious. He died about the
year 542.
And now to speak of the Cornish in general. They ever have
been beheld men of valour. It seemeth in the reign of the
aforesaid king Arthur they ever made up his van-guard, if I
can rightly understand the barbarous verses of a Cornish poet :f
Nobilis Arclurus nos primos Cornubienses
Helium facturus vocat fut puta Ctesaris ensesj.
Nobis ( non aliis reliquisj dot jn-imitus ictiim.
• ' Brave Arthur, when he meant a field to fight,
Us Cornish men did first of all invite.
Only to Cornish (count them Csesar's swords)
He the first blow in battle still affords."
But afterwards, in the time of king Canutus, the Cornish
were appointed to make up the rear of our armies. § Say not
they were much degraded by this transposition from head to
foot, seeing the judicious, in marshalling of an army, count the
strength (and therefore the credit) to consist in the rear thereof.
But it must be pitied, that this people, misguided by their
leaders, have so often abused their valour in rebellions, and
particularly in the reign of king Henry the Seventh, at Black-
heath, where they did the greatest execution with their arrows,
reported to be the length of a tailor's yard, the last of that pro-
portion which ever were seen in England, || However, the
Cornish have since plentifully repaired their credit, by their
exemplary valour and loyalty in our late civil wars.
SEAMEN.
JOHN ARUNDEL, of Trerice, Esquire, in the fourteenth of
king Henry the Eighth, took prisoner Duncan Campbell, a
* Alcmena, wife to Amphitryo ; and Tgern, wife to Gorloise, prince of Cornwall.
| Drayton's Polyolbion, page 5. X Michael Cornubiensis.
§ Joannes Sarisburiensis, de Nugis Curial. v. cap. 18.
II Lord Verulam, in King Henry the Seventh, p. l/l.
CIVILIANS — PHYSICIAN'S. 313
Scot, (accounted their admiral by his own countrymen, a pirate
by the English, and a valiant man by all,) in a fight at sea.*
This his goodly, valiant, and jeopardous enterprise (as it is
termed) was represented with advantage by the duke of Nor-
folk to the king, who highly praised and rewarded him for the
same.
CIVILIANS.
JOHN TREGONWELL was born in this county ; bred in Oxford,
where he proceeded Doctor of the Laws, both Canon and Civil ;
and, attaining to great perfection in the theoretic and practical
parts of those professions, he was employed to be proctor for
king Henry the Eighth, in the long and costly cause of his
divorce from queen Katherine dowager.f Now, as it was said
of the Roman dictator Sylla, ee suos divitiis explevit ;" so king
Henry full fraught all those with wealth and rewards, whom he
retained in that employment. This doctor he knighted; and
because so dexterous and diligent in his service, gave him a
pension of forty pounds per annum ; and upon the resignation
thereof (with the paying down of a thousand pounds^) he con-
ferred on him and his heirs the rich demesne and site of Mid-
dleton, a mitred abbey in Dorsetshire, possessed at this day by
his posterity. This Sir John died about the year of our Lord
one thousand five hundred and forty ;§ and is buried under a
fair monument in the church of Middleton aforesaid.
PHYSICIANS.
Although this county can boast of no writer graduated in that
faculty in the university, and that generally they can better
vouch practice for their warrant than warrant for their practice,
yet Cornish men would be offended if I should omit
RAWE HAYES,|| a blacksmith by his occupation, and fur-
nished with more learning than is suitable to such a calling :
who yet ministered physic for many years, with so often success
and general applause, that not only the home-bred multitude
believed so mainly in him, but even persons of the better calling
resorted to him from the remote parts of the realm, to make
trial of his cunning by the hazard of their lives ; and sundry,
either upon just cause, or to cloak their folly, reported that they
have reaped their errand's ends at his hands. He flourished
anno Domini 1602.
ATWELL, born in this county, and parson of St. Tue
* Carew's Survey of Cornwall,
t Ibid, fol.61. Speed's Chronicle, p. 780.
j Prima parte Rot. 95, in the Remembrancer's (formerly called Osborno s)
office. § According to Hutchins's Dorset, vol. ii. 431, he died in 1565.— ED.
t| Carew, in his Survey of Cornwall, fol. 66.
314 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
therein, was well seen in the theories of physic, and happy in
the practice thereof, beyond the belief of most, and the reason
that any can assign for the same ; for although now and then
he used blood-letting, he mostly for all diseases prescribed milk,
and often milk and apples, which (although contrary to the
judgments of the best esteemed practitioners) either by virtue
of the medicine, or fortune of the physician, or fancy of the pa-
tient, recovered many out of desperate extremities. This his
reputation for many years maintained itself unimpaired, the ra-
ther because he bestowed his pains and charge gratis on the
poor ; and, taking moderately of the rich, left one half of what
he received in the households he visited. As for the profits of
his benefice, he poured it out with both hands in pious uses.
But for the truth of the whole, " sit fides penes authorem." *
This Atwell was living in 1602.
WRITERS.
HUGARIUS the Levite was born in this county, and lived at
St. German's therein.! All-eating time hath left us but a little
morsel for manners of his memory. This we know, he was a
pious and learned man (after the rate of that age) ; and it ap-
peareth that he was eminent in his function of Divine service,
because Levite was KO.T c&x^V fixed upon him, In his time (as
in the days of Ely) " the word of God was precious ;" J which
raised the repute of his pains, who wrote an hundred and ten
Homilies, besides other books. He flourished 1040.
JOHN of CORNWALL (so called from the county of his na-
tivity §) leaving his native soil, studied in foreign universities,
chiefly in Rome, where his abilities commended him to the cog-
nizance]of Pope Alexander the third. It argueth his learning, that
he durst cope with that giant Peter Lumbard himself, commonly
called The Master of the Sentences ; and who on that account
expected that all should rather obey than any oppose his judg-
ment. Yea, it appeareth that the judgment of this Peter bishop of
Paris was not so sound in all points, by a passage I meet with
in Matthew Paris, || of Pope Alexander the Third writing a letter
to an archbishop of France, ee to abrogate the ill doctrine of Peter,
sometime bishop of Paris, about Christ's Incarnation/5 But
our John wrote against him, in his life-time, a book "de Homine
assumpto ;" and put Peter's pen to some pains to write his own
vindication. He wrote also a book of Philosophy and Heresies.
Wonder not at their conjunction, philosophy being in divinity
as fire and water in a family — a good servant, but bad master ;
so sad it is, when the Articles of our creed must be tried by the
* Carew, in his Survey of Cornwall, fol. 60.
f Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. ii. num. 47 ; and Pits, anno 1040.
$ 1 Sam. iii. 1.
§ Bale, de Scriptoribus Anglise, Cent. iii. num. 6. || Anno 1179.
WRITERS. 315
touchstone of Aristotle. This John flourished under king Henry
the seconfl, anno 1170.
SIMON THURWAY was born in this county,* bred in our
English universities, until he went over into Paris, where he be-
came so eminent a logician, that all his auditors were his
admirers. Most firm his memory, and fluent his expression ;
and was knowing in all things, save in himself : for profanely he
advanced Aristotle above Moses, and himself above both. His
pride had a great and sudden fall, losing at the same instant both
language and memory,becoming completely aXoyog,without reason
or speech. Yet was his dumbness, to all intelligent people, a loud
sermon on St. Paul's precept, " Not to think of themselves more
highly than they ought to think, but to think soberly ."f Poly-
dore Vergil saith of him, " Juvene nil acutius, sene nihil obtu-
sius,wj whilst others add, he made an inarticulate sound like to
lowing. § This great judgment befell about the year of our Lord
1201.
MICHAEL, BLAUNPAYN, born in Cornwall || (some so com-
monly call him Michael the Master, that he had almost lost his
native name), was bred in Oxford and Paris, and became as good
a rhyming poet as any in that age. It happened, one Henry of
Normandy, chief poet to our Henry the Third, had traduced
Cornwall as an inconsiderable county, cast out by nature in con-
tempt into a corner of the land. Our Michael could not endure
this affront ; but, full of poetical fury, falls upon the libeller.
Take a taste (little thereof will go far) of his strains :
opus est ut opes numerare quibus est opulenla,
Et per quasinopes sustentat non ope lent&,
Piscibus el stanno nusquamtamfertilis ora.
" We need not number up her wealthy store,
f < Wherewith this helpful hand relieves her poor,
No sea so full of fish, of tin no shore."
Then, as a valiant champion, he concludeth all with this ex-
hortation to his countrymen :
Quid nos deterret 9 si firmiter in pede stemus,
Fraus ni nos superat, nihil est quod non superemus.
" What should us fright, if firmly we do stand?
Bar fraud, and then no force can us command."
His pen, so luscious in praising when so pleased, was as bitter
in railing when disposed : witness this his satirical character of
his aforesaid antagonist :
* Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. iii. num. 47. f Rom. xii. 3.
J Lib. xv. Angl. Hist. § Bale, ut prius.
|| Bale,de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. iv. num. 10.
316 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
Est tibi gambcB * capri, cms passeris, et latus apri,
Os leporis, catuli nasus, dens et gena muli,
Frons vetulee, tauri caput, et color undique Mauri,
His argumentis quibus est argutia mentis,
Quod non a monstro differs, satis hie tibi monstro.
" Gamb'd like a goat, sparrow-thigh'd, sides as boar,
Hare mouth'd, dog-nosed, like mule thy teeth and chin,
Brow'd as old wife, bull-headed, black as Moor.
If such without, then what are you within ?
By these my signs, the wise will easily conster,
How little thou didst differ from a monster."
He flourished anno 1350, though the certain time and place
of his death is unknown.
GODFREY of CORNWALL was bred a Doctor in Paris and
Oxford^ and afterwards became a Carmelite of no mean esteem
amongst those of his own order. It happened in his time that
Gerardus Bononiensis, a Frenchman, master general of the
Carmelites, made two provincials (formerly but one) of that
order in England, alleging that "two are better than one,"f
and matters would be more exactly regulated by their double
inspection. The plain truth was, the Frenchman did it out of
covetousness, that so two loaders might bring double grists to
his mill. Our Godfrey appeared a champion for the old way,
that matters might run on in their ancient channel, and wrote
a book to that purpose, as many others on several subjects.!
John Baconthorpe, his contemporary, much esteemed him,
and quoted him by the title of Doctor Solennis.^
I doubt not but this our Godfrey, in mannerly requital, re-
gave Baconthorpe the courtesy of Doctor Resolutus. And here
I would fain be satisfied how these received epithets [Doctor
ProfunduSy Doctor Subtilis, &c,] came first to be fixed on such
and such schoolmen. Surely they assumed them not themselves,
which had argued too much pride and presumption. Nor could
I ever, as yet, meet with any authentic record of Pope, or uni-
versity, which settled it upon them. Possibly one eminent
writer gave it to another, his correspondent, who in reciproca-
tion of kindness (" title thou me, and I will title thee ") returned
as splendid a style to him again. This our solemn Doctor flou-
rished anno Domini 1310.
JOHN TREVISA was born at Caradoc in this county; bred in
Oxford; afterwards vicar of Berkeley in Gloucestershire, and
chaplain to Thomas Lord Berkeley, at whose instance, besides
other histories writ by him, he translated the Bible into Eng-
lish ; a daring work for a private person in that age, without
particular command from Pope or public council.
* Hence a gammon. f Eccles. iv. 9.
J Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. v. num. 6.
§ Distinct. 29. Qusestiones Sententiarum.
WRITERS. SI?
Some much admire he would enter on this work, so lately
performed (about fifty years before) by John Wickliffe. What
was this, but actum agere, to do what was done before ? Be-
sides, Wickliffe and Trevisa agreeing so well in their judgments,
it was much he would make a re-translation. Such consider
not, that in that age it was almost the same pains for a scholar
to translate as transcribe the Bible.
Secondly, the time betwixt Wickliffe and Trevisa was the
crisis of the English tongue, which began to be improved in
fifty, more than in three hundred years formerly. Many coarse
words (to say no worse) used before are refined by Trevisa,
whose translation is as much better than WicklifiVs, as worse
than TyndaFs. Thus, though the fountain of the original hath
always clearness alike therein, channels of translations will par-
take of more or less purity, according to the translator's age,
industry, and ability. This Trevisa died, a thorough old man,
about the year 1400.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
JOHN SKUISH was born in Cornwall, a man of much expe-
rience and general learning, He was, saith my author, a const-
His to Cardinal Wolsey,* whereby I collect him learned of the
laws, and of his counsel, except that that great prelate, like a
prince, had council of state belonging unto him. This Skuish
wrote a chronicle, being collected out of many several authors.
I have some presumptions to conclude him inclined to the Pro-
testant Reformation. He flourished anno Domini 1530.
BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON. The first syllable of his name,
and what is added thereunto by my author, " parentum stem-
mate clarus,"t and the sameness of his name with an ancient
family in this county, are a three-fold cable to draw my belief,
that he was this countryman. He was bred in the university
of Oxford : and, having attained to good learning therein, twice
travelled beyond the seas.
Once, for pleasure and curiosity, into France and Italy,
'Whereby he much improved himself. Returning home, he be-
came library-keeper to king Edward the Sixth, and dean of Chi-
chester. The second time, for safety and necessity, in the first of
queen Mary, getting (I believe) his best subsistence (being an
exile in Germany) with making and translating of books, where
he was living 1556, and may be rationally presumed to die be-
fore queen Elizabeth came to the crown, because, being a man
of merit, and ecclesiastically dignified, we hear no more of his
preferment.
RICHARD CAREW, Esquire, son to Thomas Carew and Eliza-
* Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent ix. num. 19. t Ibid. p. 696.
318 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
beth Edgecomb, was born at Anthony in this county, of right
worshipful parentage, who honoured his extraction with his learn-
ing. He was bred a gentleman commoner in Oxford, where,
being but fourteen years old, and yet three years' standing, he
was called out to dispute extempore, before the earls of Leices-
ter and Warwick, with the matchless Sir Philip Sidney.
si quteritis hnjus
Fortunam pugna, non est snjieratus ab illo.
" Ask you the end of this content ?
They neither had the better, both the best.''
He afterwards wrote the pleasant and faithful " Description of
Cornwall ; '* and I will not wrong his memory with my bar-
barous praise, after so eloquent a pen.
(( Sed ha?c planius et plenius docuit Richardus Carew de An-
thonie, non minus generis splendore, quam virtute et doctrina
nobilis, qui hujus regionis descriptionem latiore specie, et non
ad tenue elimavit, quemque mihi prseluxisse non possum non
agnoscere."*
This his book he dedicated to Sir Walter Raleigh, with
this modest compliment, f£ that he appealed to his direction,
whether it should pass ; to his correction, if it might pass ; and
to his protection, if it did pass ; " adding moreover, that duty,
not presumption, drawing him to that offering, it must be fa-
vour, not desert, must move the other to the acceptance
thereof. "f This survey was set forth 1602 ; and I collect the
author thereof died about the middle of the reign of king James.
I know not whether he or his son first brought up the use of
gambadoes, much worn in the west, whereby, whilst one rides
on horseback, his legs are in a coach, clean and warm, in those
dirty countries.
CHARLES HERLE was born in this county, of an ancient and
worshipful family, bred (though never fellow J) in Exeter Col-
lege, and at last richly beneficed in Lancashire.
We read how Pharaoh removed all the Egyptians (the priests
alone excepted) from one end of the borders of the land to the
other end thereof :§ but we, the ministers in England, are of
all men most and farthest removeable — three hundred miles and
more being interposed betwixt the place of Mr. Herle's birth
and benefice.
He was a good scholar, and esteemed by his party a deep di-
vine, and, after the death of Doctor Twiss". president of the as-
sembly. As I dare not defend all the doctrine delivered in his
printed books ; so I will not inveigh against him, lest in me it
be interpreted a revenge on his memory for licensing a book
written against me,|| wherein I was taxed for popish compli-
* Camden's Britannia, in Cornwall. f In bis Dedicatory Epistle,
t A mistake in my " Church History."— F. § Gen. xlvii. 21, 22.
II By Mr. John Saltmarsh.
MEMORABLE PERSONS. 319
ance, though since, in myself still the same man, I groan under
a contrary representation. The best is, innocence doth turn
such groans into songs of gladness. Mr. Herle departed this
life about 1655.
Having received no instructions of any eminent benefactors
in this county, either before or since the Reformation, we may
proceed to
MEMORABLE PERSONS.
KILTOR, in the last Cornish commotion,* (which was
in the reign of king Edward the Sixth, anno Domini 1546) was
committed to Launceston gaol, for his activity therein. This
man lying there, in the Castle-green, upon his back, threw a
stone of some pounds' weight over the tower's top (and that I
assure you is no low one) which leadeth into the park.
JOHN BRAY, tenant to Master Richard Carew (who wrote
the Survey of this county) carried upon his back, about the year
1608, at one time by the space well near of a butt length, six
bushels of wheaten meal, reckoning fifteen gallons to the
bushel ; and upon them all the miller, a lubber of four and
twenty years of age.f
JOHN ROMAN, his contemporary, a short clownish grub,
may well be joined with him. He may be called the Cornish
Milo, so using himself to burdens in his childhood, that when a
man he would bear the whole carcass of an ox, and (to use my
author's words) yet never tugged thereat.f
VEAL, an old man of Bodmin in this county,§ was so
beholden to Mercury's predominant strength in his nativity,
that, without a teacher, he became very skilful, in well-near all
manner of handicrafts — a carpenter, a joiner, a millwright, a
freemason, a clockmaker, a carver, a metal-founder,Parchitect, et
quid non ? yea, a chirurgeon, physician, alchymist, &c. So as
that which Georgias of Leontium || vaunted of the liberal
sciences, he may profess of the mechanical, viz. to be ignorant
in none. He was in his eminency anno 1602.
EDWARD BONE,^ of Ladock in this county, was servant to
Mr. Courtney therein. He was deaf from his cradle, and con-
sequently dumb (Nature cannot give out where it hath not
received) ; yet could learn, and express to his master, any
news that was stirring in the country ; especially if there went
speech of a sermon within some some miles distance, he would
repair to the place with the soonest, and setting himself directly
* Carew, in his Survey of Cornwall, fol. 63. f Idem, fol. 63.
J Idem, fol. 62. § Idem, fol. 63. || Cicero de Oratore.
^[ Carew, in his Survey of Cornwall, p, 139.
320 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
against the preacher, look him stedfastly in the face, while his
sermon lasted ; to which religious zeal, his honest life was also
answerable. Assisted with a firm memory, he would not only
know any party whom he had once seen, for ever after ; but also
make him known to any other, by some special observation and
difference. There was one Kempe, not living far off, defected
accordingly, on whose meetings there were such embracements,
such strange, often, and earnest tokenings, and such hearty
laughters, and other passionate gestures, that their want of a
tongue seemed rather an hindrance to others conceiving them,
than to their conceiving one another.
LORD MAYORS.
I meet with but this one, and that very lately (Sir Richard
Cheverton, Skinner), born in this county ; imputing it chiefly
to their great distance from London ; insomuch that anciently
when Cornish men went (or rather were driven up by the vio-
lence of their occasions) to that city, it was usual with them to
make their wills, as if they took their voyage into a foreign
country.
Besides, the children of the Cornish gentry counted them-
selves above, and those of the poorer sort counted themselves
beneath, a trade in London, as unable to attain it, by reason of
the difference of their language, whose feet must travel far to
come to London, whilst their tongues must travel further to get
to be understood when arrived there.
This is one of the twelve pretermitted counties, the names
of whose gentry were not returned into the Tower in the twelfth
of king Henry the Sixth.
SHERIFFS.
Anno HENRY II. Anno
, /„ , 3 Rich. Flandry.
1 (Recorda manca.) J
22 Eustachius fil. Stephani,
9* A1forfi^e^ars- , . 6 Will/de Botterel, for five
27 Alanus de Furnee, for four years
9i tr^( TO* A i i, T» •£ 11 J°h» filius Richard, for six
31 Hug. Bardulph, Dapifer.
32 Idem.
33 Idem. HENRY in.
1
RICHARD I. 2
1 Will, de Bachland. 3 Gkdiel. Lunet.
2 Rich. Revel, for nine years. 4 Idem.
5 Idem.
JOHAN. R. g GuL de pucot<
1 Joh. de Torrington. 7 Reg. de Valle Torta.
2 Hug. Bardolph. Walt, de Treverden.
SHERIFFS.
319
Anno
8 Reg. de Valle Torta.
9 Gul. Bregnen, junior.
Rog. de Langford.
Reg. de Valle Torta.
[A blank in the records to the
end of this king's reign
(being forty-four years),
except any suppose
(which is not very pro-
bable) that the three
fore-mentioned persons,
all, two, or one of them,
continued so long in
their office.]
EDWARD I.
1
2
3 Joh. Wigger.
4 Idem.
5 Rob. de Chini.
6
7 Will, de Munckton, for
five years.
12 Alex, de Sabridsworth.
13 Idem.
14 Idem.
15 Simon, de Berkeley.
16 Idem.
17 Edw. Comes Cornubise, for
twelve years.
29 Thorn, de la Hide, for
seven years.
EDWARD II.
1
2
3 Pet. de Gaviston, Com.
Cornubiae.
4 Idem.
5 Idem.
6 Tho. de la Hide.
Anno
7 Tho. de Excedekney.
8 Rich, de Polhampton.
9 Rich, de Hewish.
10 Hen. de Willington.
11
12
13 I sab. Regina Angliae.
141
15 [ (Nullus Titulus in Rotulo.)
16\
17 Isab. Reg. Anglise, Regis
Censors.
18 Idem.
EDWARD III.
1 Eliz. Regina, Regis mater,
for five years.
6 Will, de Botreaux.
7 Idem.
8 John Petit.
9 Idem.
10 Joh. de Chudeleigh.
11 Joh. Hamly.
Joh. Petit,
12 Idem,
13
14 Edw. Dux Cornubiae,
15 Hen. Terrill.
Rog. de Prideaux.
16 Edw. Dux Cornubiae.
17 Idem.
18 Guliel. Pipehard.
19 Edw. Dux Cornubiae, for
nine years. .
28 Joh. Northcot.
Will. Auncell.
29 Idem.
30 Idem.
31 Guliel. Auncell.
32 Edward. Dux Cornubiee,
to the end of this king's
reign.
RICHARD II.
Anno Name and Arms.
1 Nich. Wampford.
VOi. I,
SHERIFFS.
Place.
320 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
Anno Name. Place.
2 Rad. Carmino.
Arms : Az. a bend O. a label of three points G.
3 Oto. de Bodrigay.
4 Will. Talbot [AMP.]
5 Job. Bevill .... Gwarnack.
Arg. a bull passant G. armed and tripped O.
6 Wai. Archdeacon, mil. . Anthony.
Arg. three chevrons S.
7 Wil. Witzwanter, mil.
8 Rich, de Kendall.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three dolphins S.
9 Job. Bevill .... ut prius.
10 Nich. Wamford.
11 Job. Colyn.
12 Rich. Sergeaux.
13 Tho. Peverell.
14 Will. Talbot .... ut prius.
15 Job. Colyn.
16 Job. Colshall.
17 Job. Herle.
Arg. a fess G. betwixt three sheldrakes proper.
18 Ja. Chuddelegh.
Erm. three lions rampant G.
19 Will. Talbot .... utprius.
20 Job. Bevill ut prius.
21 Job. Colshull.
22 Gal. Seyntalbyn.
Or, on a cross G. five bezants.
HENRY IV.
1 Hen. films regis Hen. IV. primogenitus, et Job. Keynes.
The Arms of England, with the difference of the heir ap-
parent.
2 Idem ut prius.
3 Idem ut prius.
4 Idem ut prius.
5 Pr. Henricus . . . . ut prius.
6 Job. Cole.
7 Pr. Henricus . . . . ut prius.
8 Idem ut prius.
9 Idem ut prius.
10 Idem ut prius.
11 Idem utprius.
12 Idem utprius.
HENRY V.
1 Job. Kederow.
2 Idem.
SHERIFFS. 321
Anno Name. Place.
3 Will Talbot . . . . ut prius.
4 Otc Trevarthan, mil.
5 Hdi. Fullford.
G. a chevron Arg.
6 ,7oh. Arundel, mil. . . Lanhern.
S. six swallows in pile Arg.
7 Steph. Derneford.
8 Joh. Arundel, mil. . . ut prius.
$ Joh. Arundel, mil. . . Trerice.
Ut prius, with due difference.
\
HENRY VI.
1 Joh. Arundel, mil. . . ut prius.
2 Tho. Carmyno . . . ut prius.
3 Will. Talbot ..... ut prius.
4 Joh. Herle, mil. . . . ut prius.
5 Joh. Arundel, mil. . . ut prius.
6
7 Joh. Namson.
8 Tho. Carmino ....«/ prius.
9 Ro. Chambleyn.
10 Ja. Chuddeleigh . . . ut prius.
11
12 Joh. Herle, mil. . . . ut prius.
13 Tho Bonevill.
S. six mullets, three, two, and one, Arg.
14 Joh. Yerd.
15 Tho. Whalesbrew . . ut prius.
16 Ren. Arundel .... ut prius.
17 Joh. Collshull.
18 Joh. Nanson.
19 Joh. Mansdy.
20 Tho. Whalesbrough.
21 Joh. Blewet.
O. a chevron betwixt three eagles displayed V.
22 Joh. Arundel .... ut prius.
23 Ni. vel Mic. Power.
24 Joh. Champernoun.
G. a saltire vairee betwixt three billets O.
25 Joh. Austill.
26 Hen. Fortescu.
Az. a bend engrailed Arg. cotised O.
27 Joh. Trevilyan.
G. a demi-horse Arg. issuing out of the waves of the sea.
28 Joh. Basset.
29 Joh. Nanson.
30 Tho. Butside.
Y 2
322
WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
Anno
Name.
Place.
ut prius.
ut prius.
31 Will. Dawbeney.
Arg. a fess lozengee G.
32 Tho. Walesbrough.
33- Job. Petyt.
34 Job. Conkworth.
35 Job. Nanson, arm.
36 Job. Arundel ....
37 Job. Walesbrough.
38 Job. Trevillian, arm. .
EDWARD IV.
1 Rob. Champernon . . ut prius.
2 Ren. Arundel .... ut prius.
3 Ren. Arundel .... ut prius.
4 Tho. Bere.
5 Alver. Cordburgh.
6 Will. Bere.
7 Job. CollshulL, mil.
8 Job. Sturgeon, arm.
9 Alver. Cornburgh. m
10 Job. Arundel, mil. . . ut prius.
1 1 Job. Fortescu, arm. . . ut prius.
12 Idem ...... ut prius.
13 Idem ...... ut prius.
14 Idem ...... ut prius.
15 Rich. Dux Glouc. vir, ad terminum vie. suae.
France and England, on a label of three Erin, as many
cantons G.
16 Job. Fortescu, arm.
17 Egid. Dawbeney . . . ut prius.
18 Will. Cornsnyowe.
19 Rob. Willoughby.
20 Rich. Nanson.
21 Tho. Greenvil.
G. three rests O,
22 Tho. Fullford.
G. a chevron Arg.
RICHARD III.
1 Job. Treffey .... Foy.
S. a chevron betwixt three hawthorns Arg.
2 Ja. Tirrell, mil. . . . ESSEX.
Arg. two chevrons Az. within a border engrailed G.
3 Will. Houghton.
HENRY VII.
1 Tho. Grenevil. . . . ut prius.
SHERIFFS. 323
Anno Namt Place.
2 Joh. Tremayi.
G. three irms in circle, joined at the tronks O. with
hands poper.
3 Alex. Care\\ .... Anthony.
O. three ions passant gardant S. armed and langued G.
4 Rich. Nansm.
5 Joh, Treffey, mil. . . ut prius.
6 Joh, Roscsrrock . . . Roscarrock.
A-g. a chevron betwixt two roses G. a sea-tench naiant
proper.
7 Th. Vregarthen, arm.
Walt Enderby, arm. . LINCOLN.
Arr. three bars dancette S. ; a pale in chief Erm.
8 Rich. Vivian.
Arj. a lion rampant G. mounted on two bars wavy in
lase Az.
9 Wai. Snderby, arm.
10 PetrusBevell .... ut prius.
11 Edw. Aiundel, arm. , ut prius.
12 Joh. Basset.
13 Pe. Edgcombe, mil. . . Edgcombe.
G. on a bend Erm. between two cotises O. three boars'
heads eouped Arg.
14 Idem ut prius.
15 Joh. Treftey, mil. . . ut prius.
16 Will. Treffey, arm. . . ut prius.
17 Pet. Bevil .... ut prius.
18 Wit. Trevinyon . . . Gary-hays.
Arg. on fcfessB. three escallops O. between two chevrons G.
19 Jon. Godolphin . . . Godolghan.
G. an etgle displayed with two heads, betwixt three
flower- oe-luces Arg.
20 Rich. Vivian, arm. . . ut prius.
21 Pet. Edgcombe, mil. . ut prius.
22 Mich. Vivian, arm. . . ut prius.
23 Will. Trevanion, arm. . ut prius.
24 Th. Trevanion, mil. . . ut prius.
HENRY VIII.
1 Joh. Arundel, mil. . . Talvern.
2 Ro. Graynfield, arm. . ut prius.
3 Will. Carsew, arm. . . Bokelly.
S. a goat passant Arg. attired and tripped O.
4 Jac. Eryse, arm.
S. a chevron betwixt three griffins segreant O.
5 Joh. Carmyno . . . ut prius.
6 Joh. Carew, arm. . . ut prius.
7 Wit. Trevanion, mil. . ut prius.
324 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL,
Auno Name. Place.
8 Pe. Edgcombe, mil. . ut prius.
9 Jo. Basset^ mil.
10 Ro. Greenfield^ arm. . ut prius.
11 Jo. Arundell de
Trevise; arm. . . . ut prius.
12 Job. SkewyS; arm.
13 Job. Basset, mil. . . ut prius.
14 Ro. Greenfield^ arm. . ut prius.
15 Jo. Arundell de
Trevise; arm. . . . ut prius.
Az. a chevron engrailed O. between three roses Arg.
16 Will. Lour, arm.
Arg. three bends S. charged with nine rest of tht field.
17 Rich. Penrose; arm.
18 Ri. Greenfield, arm. . ut prius.
19 Hu. Trevanyon, arm. . ut prius.
20 Jo. Chamond; arm. . . Launcels.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three flower-de-luces G.
21 Will. Godolphni; arm.
22 Chri. Trednoke; arm.
23 Jo. Arundell de
Trevise; arm. . . . ut prius.
24 Hu. Trevanion; mil. . ut prius.
25 Wi. Godolphhi; mil.
26 Pe. Edgcombe; mil. . . ut prius.
27 Job. Reshymar; mil. * . Hailford.
Az. three bars Arg. in chief a wolf passant cf the first.
28 Job. Chamond; mil. . ut prius.
29 Hu. Trevanyon; mil.
30 Wi. Godolphin; mil.
31 Job. Reskymer; arm. . ut prius.
32 Job. Arundell; arm. . . ut prius.
33 Job. Arundell; mil. . . ut prius.
34 Hu. Trevanyon; arm. . ut prius.
35 Ric. diamond; arm. . ut prius.
33 Ric. Greenfield; arm. . ut prius.
3; Tho. St. Albine; arm. . ut prius.
38 Job. Trelawney; arm. . Pool.
Arg. a chevron S. betwixt three oak-leaves V.
EDWARD VI.
1 Job. Milaton; arm.
2 Pet. Chamond; arm. . ut prius.
3 Wil. Godolphin; mil. . ut prius.
4 Ric. Roscorrek; arm. . ut prius.
5 Hu. Trevanyon; mil. . ut prius.
6 Reg. Mohun, arm.
O. a cross engrailed S.
SHERIFFS. 325
REG. MARIA.
Anno Name. Place.
1 Joh. Arundell de
Trevise, mil. . . . ut prius.
REX PHIL. ET MA. REGINA.
1, 2 Joh. Arundell de
Lanhern, mil. . . . ut prius.
2, 3 Eic. Edgcombe, arm. . ut prius.
3, 4 Jo. Reskymer, arm. . ut prius.
4, 5 Joh. Bevil, arm. . . ut prius.
5, 6 Jo. Carminoe, arm. . ut prius.
REG. ELIZA.
1 Reg. Mohun, arm. . . ut prius.
2 Joh. Trelawney, arm. . ut prius.
3 Ric. Roscarrake, arm. . ut prius.
4 Ric. Chamond, arm. . ut prius.
^5 Hen. Chiverton, arm.
Arg. a castle S. on a hill V.
6 Hu. Trevanyon, arm. . ut prius.
7 Will. Milliot, arm.
8 Joh. Trelawny, arm. . ut prius.
9 Joh. St. Albyen, arm. . ut prius.
10 Wi. Godolphin, mil. . ut prius.
11 Pet. Edgcombe, arm. . ut prius.
12 Hen. Curwen, mil. . . CUMBERLAND.
Arg. frette G. a chief Az.
13 Will. Mohun, arm. . . ut prius.
14 Pet. Courtney, arm. . Ladock.
O. three torteaux and a file with as many lambeaux Az.
15 Joh. Arundel de
Trevise, arm. . . . ut prius.
16 Joh. Bevil ut prius.
17 Geo. Kerkwickj arm. . Catch-French.
Arg. two lions in bend passant S. cotised G.
18 Rich. Grevill, arm.
19 Will. Mohun, arm.
20 Will. Louer, arm. . . ut prius.
21 Fr. Godplphin, arm. . ut prius.
22 Joh. Arundel, arm. . . ut prius.
23 Joh.
24 Rich. Carew, arm. . . ut prius.
25 Ge. Greenvill, arm. . . ut prius.
26 Tho. Cosworth, arm. . Cosworth.
Arg. on a chevron betwixt three wings Az. five bezants.
27 Joh. Roscarroke, arm. . ut prius.
326 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
Anno Name. Place.
28 Job. Wray, arm. . . . Trebigh.
S. a fess betwixt three battle-axes Arg.
29 Ant. Rouse,, arm. . . Halton.
O. an eagle displayed B. pruning her wing, armed and
langued G.
30 Tho. St. Albin, arm. . ut prius.
31 Will. Bevill, arm. . . ut prius.
32 Walt. Kendall, arm.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three dolphins S.
33 Geo. Kegwhich, arm. . ut prius.
34 Ri. Champernown . . ut prius.
35 Tho. Lower, arm. . . ut prius.
36 Job. Trelawne, arm. . ut prius.
37 Car. Trevanion, arm. . ut prius.
38 Ber. Grenvill, arm. . . ut prius.
39 Pet. Courtney, arm. . . ut prius.
40 Will. Bevill, arm. . . ut prius.
41 Will. Wray, arm. . . ut prius.
42 Fran. Buller, arm. . . Tregarrids.
S. on a plain cross Arg. quarter-pierced four eagles of
the field.
43 Hanibal Vivian . . . ut prius.
44 Anth. Rouse, arm. . . ut prius.
45 Arth. Harris, arm. et primo Jac.
S. three croissants within a border Arg.
JAC. REG.
1 Arth. Harris, arm. . . ut prius.
2 Fr. Godolphin, mil. . . ut prius.
3 Nic. Predeaux, arm. . Padstow.
A chevron S. ; in chief a file with three lambeaux G.
4 Deg. diamond, arm. . ut prius.
5 Job. Arundell, arm. . ut prius.
6 Jo. Rashly, arm. mo.
S. a cross betwixt two croissants Arg.
Job. Acland, mil.
Cheeky Arg. and S. a fess G.
7 Chri. Harris, mil. . . ut prius.
8 Rich. Edgcombe, mil. . ut prius.
9 Rich. Buflar, arm. . . ut prius.
10 Will. Wrey, mil. . . . ut prius.
11 Will. Coriton, arm.
Arg. a saltire S.
12 Rich. Roberts, arm. . . Truro.
Az. three etoiles, and a chief wavy O.
13 Jo. Chamond, arm. . . ut prius.
14 Will. Dode, arm.
SHERIFFS. 327
Anno Name. Place.
15 Fran. Vivian, arm.
Arg. a lion rampant G.
16 Rich. Carsew, arm. . . ut prius.
17 Reskmim. Boniton . . Cardew.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three flower-de-luces S.
18 Nich. Glyn, arm. . . Glynfford.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three salmon-spears S.
19 Sa. Pendervis, arm.
S. a falcon rising between three mullets O.
20 Joh. Speccot, arm.
O. on a bend G. three millroinds Arg.
21 Rich. Gedy, arm.
22 Jo. Moyle, arm. vir. St. Germains.
G. a moyle passant Arg,
CAR. REG.
1 Tho. Wivell, arm.
2 Joh. Trefuses, arm.
Arg. a chevron between three wharrow spindles S.
3 Jo. Rashleigh, arm. . . ut prius.
4 Geo. Hele, arm.
G. a bend lozengee Erm.
5
6 Jo. Trelawney, mil. . ut prius.
7 Jo. Prideaux, arm. . . ut prius.
8 Nic. Loure, mil. . . . ut prius.
9 Cha. Trevanion, arm. . ut prius.
10 Hu. Bosgawen, arm.
V. a bull passant Arg. armed O. ; in a chief Erm. a rose G,
11 Jo. St. Albin, arm. . . ut prius.
12 Rich. Buller, mil. . . ut prius.
13 Fran. Godolphin, arm. . ut prius.
14
15 Rich. Trevill, arm.
O. a cross engrailed S. in the first quarter a mullet G.
16 Fran. Willear.
17
18
19
20
21
22 Edw. Heile, arm. . . ut prius.
EDWARD III.
15. ROGER de PRIDEAUX. — My eye cannot be entertained
with a more welcome object, than to behold an ancient name,
not only still continuing to, but eminently flourishing in, our
age; on which account, I cannot but congratulate the hap-
328 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
piness of this family, expecting a daily accession of repute from
the hopeful branches thereof.
EDWARD IV.
10. JOHN ARUNDEL, Mil. — This worthy knight was fore-
warned (by what Calker I wot not) that " he should be slain
on the sands." * This made him to shun his house at Eiford
(alias Ebbing-ford) as too maritime, and remove himself to
Trerice, his more inland habitation in this county. But he
found it true, " Fata viam inveniant ;" for, being this year
sheriff, and the earl of Oxford surprising Mount Michael (for
the House of Lancaster), he was concerned by his office, and
command from the king, to endeavour the reducing thereof,
and lost his life in a skirmish on the sands thereabouts. Thus
it is just with Heaven, to punish men's curiosity in inquiring
after, credulity in believing of, and cowardice in fearing at, such
prognostications.
21. THOMAS GREEN VIL. — Be it entered (by way of caveat]
that there is some difference in the blazoning of the coat of the
Granvils, or Greenvils. What usually are termed therein rests,
being the handles of spears (most honourable in tilting to break
them nearest thereunto) are called by some critics surfluesy
being the necessary appendants to organs, conveying wind unto
them. If (as it seemeth) their dubious form, as represented
in the scutcheon, doth ex aequo answer to both, with me they
shall still pass for the rests to spears : for, though I dare not
deny but the Greenvils may be good musicians, I am assured
they were most valiant soldiers in all their generations.
But the merits of this ancient family are so many and great,
that ingrossed they would make one county proud, which
divided would make two happy. I am therefore resolved
equally to part what I have to say thereof betwixt Cornwall
and Devonshire.
RICHARD III.
The reader will take notice that (as it is in our catalogue)
Richard duke of Gloucester was high- sheriff of this county ad
terminum vitce ; a strange precedent (if it may be said to go be-
fore, which hath nothing to follow after), seeing for the last two
years he was both king of England and sheriff of Cornwall.
We therefore behold afl the following persons, unto the first
of king Henry the Seventh, but as so many deputies under him ;
and amongst these we take special notice of —
2. JAMES TIRRELL, Mil. — This is he, so infamous in our
English histories, for his activity in murdering the innocent sons
of king Edward the Fourth, keeping the keys of the Tower, and
* Carew's Survey of Cornwall, p. 119,
SHERIFFS. 329
standing himself at the foot of the stairs, whilst Mr. Forest and
J. Dighton stifled them in their beds. I behold this Sir James
as an Essex man, though now the prime officer of this county :
for king Richard accounted Cornwall the back door of rebellion,
and therefore made this knight the porter thereof. Indeed it
is remote from London, and the long sides of this county afford
many landing places, objected to Britain in France, whence the
usurper always feared (and at last felt) an invasion ; and there-
fore he appointed him sheriff, to secure the county, as obliged
unto him, by gratitude for favours received, and guilt for faults
committed. This Tirrell was afterwards executed for treason,
in the Tower-yard, in the beginning of king Henry the Seventh.
HENRY VII.
12. JOHN BASSET. — This was a busy year indeed in this
county, when the Cornish commotion began (headed by Flam-
mock a lawyer, and Michael Joseph a blacksmith) at the town
of Bodmin. Let none impute it to the neglect of this sheriff,
that he suppressed them not, seeing (besides that they quickly
quitted this county, and went eastward) it was not the work of
posse comitatus, but posse regniy to encounter them. However,
after long running (for they marched the breadth of the land,
from Cornwall to Kent, before battle was bid them), they were
overtaken and overcome at Blackheath.
13. PETER EDGCOMBE, Mil. — The names of Pierce (or Peter)
and Richard have been (saith my author) successively varied in
this family for six or seven descents.* Such chequering of
Christian names serve heralds instead of stairs, whereby they
ascend with assurance into the pedigrees of gentlemen ; and I
could wish the like alternation of font-names fashionable in
other families ; for, where the heirs of an house are of the same
name for many generations together, it occasioneth much mis-
take; and the most cautious and conscientious heralds are
guilty of making incestuous matches, confounding the father for
the son, and so reciprocally.
QUEEN ELIZABETH.
4. RICHARD CHAMOND, Esq. — He received at God's hand
an extraordinary favour of long life, serving in the office of a
justice of peace almost sixty years.f He saw above fifty seve-
ral judges of the Western Circuit ; was uncle and great-uncle to
three hundred at least ; and saw his youngest child above forty
years of age.
19. WILLIAM MOHUN. — He was descended from the ancient
lords of Dunster and earls of Somerset, of which one received a
* Carew's Survey of Cornwall, fol. 101. f Idem, p. 118.
330 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
f
reat papal privilege, whereof largely in my " Church History."
behold him as grandfather to John Lord Mohun of Oakhamp-
ton (descended by a coheir from the Courtneys earls of Devon-
shire) and great-grandfather to the Right Honourable Warwick
Lord Mohun.
29. ANTHONY ROUSE, Esq. — Give me leave only to transcribe
what I find written of him ;* ee He employeth himself to a kind
and uninterrupted entertainment of such as visit him, upon his
not sparing inviting, or their own occasions ; who (without the
self-guilt of an ungrateful wrong) must witness, that his frank-
ness confirmeth their welcome, by whatsoever means provision,
the fuel of hospitality, can in the best manner supply." He was
father to Francis Rouse, late provost of Eton, whose industry
is more commendable than his judgment in his many treatises.
KING JAMES.
2. FRANCIS GODOLPHIN, Mil. — Master Carew confesseth, in
his " Survey " of this county, that " from him he gathered sticks
to build that nest," who was assistant unto him in that playing
labour, as he termeth it.f This ingenious gentleman entertain-
ed a Dutch mineral man ; and, taking light from his experience,
built thereon far more profitable conclusions from his own in-
vention, practising a more saving way, to make tin of what was
rejected for refuse before.
And here the mention of his ingenuity minds me how heredi-
tary abilities are often entailed on families, seeing he was ances-
tor unto Sidney Godolphin, slain at in Devonshire,
valiantly fighting for his lord and master. His Christian and
surname divisim signify much ; but how high do they amount
in conjunction ! There fell wit and valour never sufficiently to
be bemoaned.
10. WILLIAM WREY, Mil.— He was direct ancestor to Sir
Chichester Wrey, knight and baronet, who, though scarce a
youth in age, was more than a man in valour, in his loyal service.
He married Anne, one of the daughters and co-heirs of Bour-
chier Earl of Bath, whose son Bourchier Chichester shall ever
have my prayers, that he may answer the nobleness of his ex-
traction.
12. RICHARD ROBERTS. — He was afterwards created a ba-
ron ; and was father unto the Right Honourable the Lord Ro-
berts, one of his Majesty's most honourable privy council, lately
designed deputy of Ireland, as a person of singular ability and
integrity.
* Carew, ut prius, p. 114. J P. 13.
BATTLES. 331
THE BATTLES.
I shall enlarge myself the rather on this subject, because
building my discourse therein, not on the floating sands of un-
certain relations, but the rock of real intelligence ; having got-
ten a manuscript of Sir Ralph Hopton's (courteously communi-
cated unto me by his secretary Master Tredui) interpolated with
his own hand, being a memorial of the remarkables in the West,
at which that worthy knight was present in person.
I begin with that which is called the Battle of Liskeard, tak-
ing the name from the next town of note thereunto ; otherwise
Bradock-Down was the particular place thereof. Before the
fight began, the king's side took it into their seasonable consi-
deration, that, seeing by the commission the Lord Mohun
brought from Oxford four persons, viz. the said Lord Mohun,
Sir Ralph Hopton, Sir John Berkeley, and colonel Ashburnham,
were equally empowered in the managing of all military matters,
and seeing such equality might prove inconvenient (which
hitherto had been prevented with the extraordinary moderation
of all parties) in ordering a battle, it was fittest to fix the power
in one chief; and general consent settled it in Sir Ralph Hopton.
He first gave order that public prayers should be had in the
head of every squadron ; and it was done accordingly ; and the
enemy, observing it, did style it saying of mass, as some of their
prisoners afterwards did confess. Then he caused the foot to
be drawn up in the best order they could : placed a forlorn of
musketeers in the little inclosures, winging them with the few
horse and dragoons he had.
This done, two small minion drakes, speedily and secretly
fetched from the Lord Mohun's house, were planted on a little
barrow within random-shot of the enemy ; yet so that they
were covered from their sight, with small parties of horse about
them. These concealed minions were twice discharged with
such success, that the enemy quickly quitted their ground ; and
all their army being put into a rout, the king's forces had the
execution of them, which they performed very sparingly. They
took twelve hundred and fifty prisoners, most of their colours,
all their cannon, being four brass guns upon carriages, whereof
two were twelve-pounders, and one iron saker, all their ammuni-
tion, most of their arms : and, marching that night to Liskeard,
the king's forces first gave God public thanks, and then took
their own private repose.
STBATTON fight succeeds, on Tuesday, May 16, 1643. But
first let us take a true account of the two armies respectively,
with the visible inequality betwixt them.
The king's forces were in want of ammunition, and were to
hew out their own way up a steep hill with their valour, exposed
to all disadvantages and dangers. Their horse and dragoons ex-
332 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
ceeded not five hundred ; their foot about two thousand four
hundred in number.
The Parliament army had plenty of all provisions, and had
advantageously barricaded themselves on the top of a hill.
Their horse indeed were not many (having lately sent away
twelve hundred to surprise the sheriff and commissioners at Bod-
min) ; but foot were five thousand four hundred by poll, as
their major-general did acknowledge.
As for the king^s forces, order was given that by four several
avenues they should force their passage to the top of the hill,
which was very steep ; the enemy as obstinately endeavour-
ing to keep them down, as the other did valiantly strive to as-
cend.
The fight continued doubtful, with many countenances of va-
rious events, from five of the clock in the morning till three in
the afternoon; amongst which most remarkable the smart
charge made by major-general Chudeleigh, with a stand of pikes,
on Sir Bevill Greenfield, so that the knight was in person over-
thrown, and his party put into disorder: which would have
proved destructive unto it, had not Sir John Berkeley (who led
up the musqueteers on each side of Sir Bevill Greenfield) sea-
sonably relieved it, so re-inforcing the charge that major-gene-
ral Chudeleigh was taken prisoner.
Betwixt three and four of the clock the commanders of the
king's forces, who embraced those four several ways of ascent,
met, to their mutual joy, almost at the top of the hill, which the
routed enemy confusedly forsook. In this service, though they
wereassailants, they lost very few men, and no considerable officer;
killing of the enemy about three hundred, and taking seven-
teen hundred prisoners, all their cannon (being thirteen pieces
of brass ordnance) and ammunition (seventy barrels of powder),
with a magazine of biscuit, and other provisions proportionable.
For this victory public prayer and thanksgiving was made on
the hill ; and then the army was disposed of, to improve their
success to the best advantage. For this good service, Sir Ralph
Horton was afterwards, at Oxford, created Baron of Stratton, in
form as followeth : *
" Carolus, Dei gratia, Angliae, &c. Cum et nominis nostri et
posteritatis interest, et ad clara exempla propaganda, utilissime
compertum, palam fieri omnibus premia apud nos virtuti sita,
ruec perire fidelium subditorum officia, sed memori et benevolo
pectore fixissime insidere; his prcesertim temporibus, cum plu-
rimorum (quibus antehac nimium indulsimus) temerata aut
suspecta fides pretium aliorum constantiae addidit : ciimque
nobis certo constat Radulphum Hopton, Militem de Balneo,
splendidis et antiquis natalibus, turn in ceetera sua vita inte-
* Reader, being chaplain to this worthy lord, I could do no less than (in grati-
tude to his memory) make this exemplification.— F.
BATTLES. 333
gritatis et morum eximium, turn in Me novissima tempestate
fatalique regni et rebelli motu, rari animi fideique exemplum
edidisci, regiee dignitatis in eaque publice contra utriusque ad-
versaries assertorem et vindicem acerrimum :
" Quippe, quia non solum nascenti huic furori (necdum omni-
bus manifesto) optimis consiliis fortis in curia senator restiteret ;
sed, insinuante se latius veneno et crescente ferocia, domum ad
suos reversus, fortior miles in agro suo Somersetensi et vicmis
partibus, omni ope et manu iniquissimam causam oppugnaverit ;
in arce prsesertim Sherborniana, sub auspiciis Marchionis Here-
fordise, egregiam operam navaverit. Mox ulterius progressus,
pollenti in Devonia factionis tyrannide, et munitissim£ civitate
in foedus illecta, et jam undique bonis subditis perniciem
minante, ipse pene in ilia regione hospes, contracto e Cornubia
milite, et primoribus statim impetum eorum repressit, jacen-
tesque et afflictas nostras partes mirifica virtute recreavit : et,
licet summis necessitatibus conflictanti exigua pars negocii
hostes erant, tantum abfuit ut vel illis vel istis succumberet, ut,
contra copias auctiores et bellico apparatu instructissimos,
ssepius signis collatis in acie dimicans, semper superior exces-
serit.
" Testis Lanestonia, Saltash, Bradock, aliaque obscura olim
nomina et loca, nunc victoriis illius et perduellium cladibus no-
bilitata,, Vix etiam ab his respiraverat, cum novus belli furor,
lassas jam fere et continuis prseliis luxatas vires numerosissimo
exercitu adortus, uberiorem triumphandi dedit materiam. Cum
ille in campis Strattonise, in difficillimas licet angustias redactus,
inops militaris instrumenti, et consumpto jam pulvere tormen-
tario, armatos inermis, vallo munitos intectus, sola causa et
virtute animatus, ita retudit, concidit, castris exuit, ut totum
belli molem cum ipsis authoribus profligavit: quicquid fugae
illius residuum erat, inter urbis unius moenia eaque arcta ob-
sidione astricta concluso. Qua quidem pugna memorabili,
prseter quod miserum popellum jugo intollerabili levaverat,
sedes suas expulsis, ecclesias pastoribus, pacem omnibus, et
firmamentum pacis obsequium pristinum restituerit. Et jam
sequenti armorum nostrorum felicitati, qua partes regni occiden-
tales maturius ad officium et verum dominum redierunt, et viam
aperuisse et momentum ingens extitisse, libentissime profitemur :
in hac opera laudabili cum preefatus Radulphus perstet adhuc
invicto animo et industria indefessa, nullo arduo quantumvis
labore et periculo excusatus ; cumque mille argumentis testatum
fecerit, honorem salutemque nostram sibi omni fortuna et ca-
pite potiorem, nos virum fortissimum optimeque aftectum
animum benigno studio prosequi, et amplius demereri volentes,
hunc et praeconio merito : ornandum, et propriori ad nos gradu
extollendum censuimus: Sciatis igitur nos, de gratia nostra
special] ac ex certa scientia et mero motu, praefatum Radulphum
Hopton ad statum, gradum, stilum, dignitatem, titulum, et ho-
334 WORTHIES OF CORNWALL.
norem Baronis Hopton, de Stratton, in comitatu nostra Cor-
nubise, &c. In cujus rei testimonium, has literas nostras fieri
fecimus patentes.
" Teste meipso, apud Oxon. quarto die Septembris, anno
regni nostri decimo nono."
This honour determined in this lord dying issueless at Bruges
in Flanders ; since which time king Charles the Second hath
conferred the title of Baron of Stratton on Sir John Berkeley,
younger son to Sir Maurice Berkeley, of Bruton in Somerset-
shire. This was he who was one of the first four Tetrarehs, or
joint-managers in chief of Marshal matters in Cornwall ; this is
he who was so highly instrumental in the reducing of Exeter,
being afterwards deservedly appointed the governor. How
since he hath shared in his Majesty's sufferings beyond the seas,
is sufficiently known.
As for the general disarming and disbanding of the Parlia-
ment army in this county, anno 1644, it was a conquest without
a battle on this occasion. I have seen the head bow down, to
take a thorn out of the foot. Such the proportion of Corn-
wall to England, and such was the condescension of the king to
come into this county. Essex followed him with all his forces,
till he penned himself in a narrow place (or rather large pound),
so that he was surrounded on all sides with the sea and the
king's soldiers.
Hereupon Essex (with some prime commanders) shipped
himself for Plymouth, thence for London ; whither also their
horse forced their passage (without considerable loss) under the
conduct of Sir William Belfore, whom the king's horse did
"sequi, non assequi," (follow, but not overtake). The foot,
left behind, submitted to the king, on such conditions as are
generally known.
His Majesty earnestly endeavouring (by the enemy's own
confession) the exact observing of articles, which if some unruly
royalist did violate (soldiers will hardly wear bad clothes whilst
their foes, being in their power, have better on their backs),
it was not so much an offering as returning of an injury ; some
of them having formerly felt the same usage on the like occasion.
The Parliament foot did not depose their disaffection s with
their arms, soon resuming (or rather retaining) their former
principles, which made them add new arms to their old incli-
nations in the second battle at Newbury.
THE FAREWELL.
Being now to part with this county, I wish it all happiness,
and particularly that flaw, or flaws, may either never come
thither, or quickly depart thence; which, being a kind of
English hericanoy hath little civility therein, as throwing down
some houses, more trees, and making more waste with the blast
thereof. And may the same Divine Providence which is their
WORTHIES SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER. 335
./Eolus, be also Neptune unto it, to secure this county from the
fury of water, as well as from the fierceness of the wind, that their
Lioness may never get a Lion unto it, so to propagate inun-
dations betwixt them.
And now, to wish an honour to this duchy, and therewith
a happiness both to it and all England, the strength of my weak
prayers (twisted with many millions more proceeding from loyal
hearts in this land) shall never be wanting, that God would be
pleased to bestow a duke of Cornwall of the loins of our gracious
sovereign, to be possessed of the virtues, and to be heir apparent
to the lands, of his father ; a duke, presumed in law to be of full
age to all purposes and intents, the first minute of his birth ;
which happy minute God in due time send, for the comfort of
our nation !
WORTHIES OF CORNWALL WHO HAVE FLOURISHED SINCE THE
TIME OF FULLER.
John ANSTIS, Garter King-at-arms, historian of the order of
the Garter; born at St. Neot's 1669.
Thomas Tregenna BIDDULPH, divine and theological writer ;
born at Padstow 1763; died 1838.
William BORLASE, divine, and historian of his native county;
born at Pendeen 1695-6.
Edward BOSCAWEN, admiral ; born at Tregothnan 17ll> or 1712.
Sir Francis BULLER, judge of the Common Pleas; born at
Morval about 1750.
William BULLER, bishop of Exeter ; born at Morval 1735.
Sir Humphrey DAVY, Pres. Royal Soc., inventor of the safety
lamp, &c. ; born at Penzance 1779; died 1829.
Samuel DREW, Wesleyan minister and metaphysical writer;
born at St. Austell 1765 ; died 1833.
Samuel FOOTE, comedian and wit , born at Truro 1721.
Robert GLYNN, afterwards CLOBERY, physician and poet ; born
at Broads 1719.
Thomas GRAVES, first Lord Graves, admiral ; born at Thancks ;
died 1802.
Richard LANDER, African traveller, and discoverer of the course
of the Niger; born at Truro 1804; died 1834.
Edward LONG, historian of Jamaica ; born at Rosilian in St.
Blaze 1734.
Sir William LOWER, dramatist and loyalist ; born at Tremare ;
died 1662.
Stephen LUKE, physician; born at Penzance; died 1829.
Jeremiah MILLES, dean of Exeter, and president of the Society
of Antiquaries ; bornatDuloe; 1713.
Walter MOYLE, ingenious miscellaneous writer ; born at Bake ;
1672.
VOL. i. z
336 WORTHIES OP CORNWALL.
Wm. OLIVER, physician and author ; born at Ludgvan; died
1764.
John OPIE, painter; born at St. Agnes 1761.
Charles PETERS, divine, opponent of Warburton ; died 1775.
William PITT, great Earl of Chatham ; born at Boconnoc 1708.
Theophilus POLWHELE, non-conformist divine and author ;
died 1689.
Richard POLWHELE, divine, historian of Devon and Cornwall,
poet, &c. ; born at Truro 1760; died 1838.
Sir John ST. AUBYN, patriotic member of parliament ; born
at Camborne ; died 1744.
Cuthbert SYDENHAM, divine and cosmologist; born at Ken-
wyn 1721.
Thomas TONKIN, collector of Cornish topography ; born at
Trevannaner in St. Agnes; died 1742.
Jonathan TOUP, classical critic; born at St. Ives 1713.
Sir Jonathan TRELAWNEY, bishop of Winchester ; born at
Trelawn-house ; died 1721.
Thomas VIVIAN, divine and cosmologist ; born at Kenwyn 1721.
Sir Charles WAGER, admiral; bom at Talland 1687-
General WILLES, victorious over the Pretender's forces, at Pres-
ton in Lancashire, in 1?15 ; born at Polgarran.
%* Since the time of Fuller, Cornwall has been fortunate in her historians and
topographers. Among the most important Works are those published by Norden
(1728); by Carew, and Borlase (1769); by the Rev. R. Polwhele (1816); by
Samuel Drew (1824) ; and by Gilbert Da vies, late President of the Royal Society
(4 vols. 8vo. 1838). Several Tours, Excursions, and Descriptions have also ap-
peared from the respective pens of Lipscomb, Warner, Stockdale, Wbitaker. Bond,
Gorham, Forster, and Hedgeland.
CUMBERLAND.
CUMBERLAND hath Scotland on the north, Northumberland
and Westmoreland on the east, Lancashire on the south, and
the Irish sea on the west. It is not unlike a half moon in the
form thereof ; which, from its tips north and south, may be
allowed to be somewhat more than forty miles, though east
and west it spreadeth not above twenty-six miles. The soil,
though generally hard, and exacting much toil to improve it, is
pleasant with the varieties, and profitable with these
NATURAL COMMODITIES.
PEARLS.
These are found commonly by the river Irt, where muscles
(as also oysters and other shell-fish) gaping for the dew, are in
a manner impregnated therewith ; so that some conceive that
as dew is a liquid pearl, so a pearl is dew consolidated in these
fishes. Here poor people, getting them at low water, sell to
jewellers for pence what they sell again for pounds. Indeed
there is a Spanish proverb, that a lapidary who would grow rich
must buy of those who go to be executed (as not caring how
cheap they sell) ; and sell to those that go to be married, as not
caring how dear they buy. But, waving these advantages, such
of that mystery which trade with country-people herein, gain
much by buying their pearls, though far short of the Indian in
Orientness. But whether not as useful in physic, is not as yet
decided.
BLACK-LEAD.
Plenty hereof is digged up about Keswick, the only place (as
I am informed) where it is found in Europe ; and various is the
use thereof : 1. For painters (besides some mixture thereof in
making lead colours), to draw the pictures of their pictures ;
viz. those shadowy lines made only to be unmade again.
2. For pens, so useful for scholars to note the remarkables they
read, with an impression easily delible without prejudice to
the book. 3. For feltmakers, for, colouring of hats. 4. To
scour leaden cisterns, and to brighten things made of iron.
5. In Flanders and Germany they use it for glazing of stuffs.
Besides these visible, surely there are other concealed uses
z 2
338 . WORTHIES OF CUMBERLAND.
thereof, which causeth it daily to grow the dearer, being so
much transported beyond the seas.
COPPER.
These mines lay long neglected (choked in their own rub-
bish) till renewed about the beginning of queen Elizabeth,
when plenty of copper was here afforded, both for home use
and foreign transportation. But copper itself was too soft for
several military services, and could not alone (no single person
can prove a parent) produce brass, most useful for that
purpose. Here taste and see Divine Providence, which never
doth its work by halves, and generally doubleth gifts by sea-
sonable giving them : Lapis calaminaris (whereof hereafter in
due place) was then first found in England,* the mother of
brass, as copper the father hereof. Hence came it to pass that
queen Elizabeth left more brass than she found iron-ordnance
in the kingdom ; and our wooden walls (so our ships are
commonly called) were rough-casted over with a coat of a
firmer constitution.
We must not forget the names of the two Dutchmen (good
frogs by sea, but better moles by land,) who re-found out these
copper-mines, wherein also some silver (no new milk without
some cream therein) ; viz. Thomas Shurland and Daniel
Hotchstabter of Auspurge in Germany ; whose nephews, turn-
ing purchasers of lands hereabouts, prefer easily to take what
the earth tenders in her hands above ground, then painfully to
pierce into her heart for greater treasure.
I am sorry to hear, and loath to believe, what some credible
persons have told me, that within these twenty years the copper
within this county hath been wholly discontinued, and that not
for want of metal, but mining for it. Sad, that the industry of
our age could not keep what the ingenuity of the former found
out. And I would willingly put it on another account, that
the burying of so much steel in the bowels of men, during our
civil wars, hath hindered their digging of copper out of the
entrails of the earth ; hoping that these peaceable times will
encourage to the resuming thereof.
THE BUILDINGS.
This county pretendeth not to the mode of reformed archi-
tecture, the vicinity of the Scots causing them to build rather
for strength than state. The cathedral of Carlile may pass for
the emblem of the militant-church, black but comely, still
bearing in the complexion thereof the remaining signs of its
former burning. Rose-castle, the bishop's best seat, hath lately
the rose therein withered ; and the prickles, in the ruins thereof,
only remain.
* Bishop Carleton's Thankful Remembrancer, cap. i. p. 4.
WONDERS. 339
The houses of the nobility and gentry are generally built
castle-wise ; and in the time of the Romans this county
(because a limitary) did abound with fortifications ; Mr. Cam-
den taking notice of more antiquities in Cumberland and
Northumberland than in all England besides.
THE WONDERS.
Although, if the word Wonders be strained up high and hard,
this county affordeth none ; yet, if the sense thereof be some-
what let down, the compass thereof fetcheth in
THE MOSS-TROOPERS;
so strange the condition of their living, if considered in their
original, increase, height, decay, and ruin.
1. Original. — I conceive them the same called Borderers in
Mr. Camden, and charactered by him to be a wild and warlike
people. They are called Moss-troopers, because dwelling in
the Mosses, and riding in troops together. They dwell in the
bounds or meeting of two kingdoms, but obey the laws of nei-
ther. They come to church as seldom as the twenty-ninth of
February comes into the Calendar.
2. Increase. — When England and Scotland were united in
Great Britain, they that formerly lived by hostile incursions
betook themselves to the robbing of their neighbours. Their
sons are free of the trade by their fathers5 copy ; they are like
unto Job (not in piety and patience, but) in sudden plenty and
poverty, sometimes having flocks and herds in the morning,
none at night, and perchance many again next day. They may
give for their motto, Vivitur ex rapto, stealing from their honest
neighbours what sometimes they regain. They are a nest of
hornets; strike one, and stir all of them about your ears.
Indeed, if they promise safely to conduct a traveller, they will
perform it with the fidelity of a Turkish janizary ; otherwise
woe be to him that falleth into their quarters.
3. Height. — Amounting forty years since to some thousands.
These compelled the vicinage to purchase their security, by
jpaying a constant rent unto them. When in their greatest
height, they had two great enemies, the laws of the fand, and
the Lord William Howard, of Naworth. He sent many of them
to Carlisle ; to that place where " the officer always doth his work
by daylight." Yet these Moss-troopers, if possibly they could
procure the pardon for a condemned person of their company,
would advance great sums out of their common stock, who, in
such a case, " cast in their lots amongst themselves, and all have
one purse."*
4. Decay ; caused by the wisdom, valour, and diligence of
the right honourable Charles Lord Howard, earl of Carlisle,
* Proverbs i. 14.
340 WORTHIES OF CUMBERLAND.
who routed these English Tories with his regiment. His seve-
rity unto them will not only be excused but commended by
the judicious, who consider how our great lawyer doth describe
such persons who are solemnly outlawed :
(e Ex tune gerunt caput lupinum, ita quod sine judiciali
inquisitione rite pereant, et secum suum judicium portent, et
merito sine lege pereunt, quia secundum legem vivere recusa-
rent :"* — (thenceforward [after they are outlawed] they wear a
wolfs head ;f so that they lawfully may be destroyed, without
any judicial inquisition, as who carry their own condemnation
about them, and deservedly die without law, because they re-
fused to live according to law.)
5. Ruin. — Such the success of this worthy lord's severity, that
he made a thorough reformation amongst them ; and, the ring-
leaders being destroyed, the rest are reduced to legal obedience,
and so I trust will continue,
PROVERBS.
" If Skiddaw hath a cap,
Scruffell wots full well of that." J]
These are two neighbour hills, the one in this county, the
other in Annandale in Scotland. If the former be capped with
clouds and foggy mists, it will not be long before rain falls on
the other. It is spoken of such who must expect to sympathise
in their sufferings, by reason of the vicinity of their habitation.
Turn tua res agitur, panes cum proximus ardet.
•" When thy neighbour's house doth bum,
Take heed the next be not thy turn."]
The Cumberlanders have found the truth hereof by their
sad experience in our civil wars, paying dear for their vicinity
with Scotland.
" Skiddaw, Lauvellin, and Casticand,
Are the highest hills in all England.'' §]
I know not how to reconcile this rhyme with another which
J meet with in the same author : ||
" Ingleborrow, Pendle, and Penigent,
Are the highest hills between Scotland and Trent.''
But, in order of an expedient betwixt them, we may observe ;
first, that every county is given to magnify (not to say altify) their
own things therein. Secondly, that the survey goes according
to the guess of men's eyes (as never exactly measured) variable
according to several apprehensions. Thirdly, some hills are
higher in view, rising almost perpendicularly of a sudden by
themselves ; whilst the invisible greatness of others is not
heeded so much, which mount with the country about them,
* Bracton, lib. tertio, tract. 2, cap. 11.
f In the laws of king Edward, an out-lawed person is called " Woolfohefod."
Lambarde, fol. 127, b. num. •/.
J Camden's Britannia, in Cumberland. § Ibidem.
|j Idem, in Lancashire.
SAINTS — MARTYRS. 341
creeping up insensibly by degrees. Meantime no mention of
Plynillymon-hill, as being in Wales, and without compare, the
monarch of all mountains south of Scotland.
SAINTS.
Saint HEREBERT, priest and confessor, may justly be referred
to this county ; for there is a lake therein (Bede* calleth it prce-
grande stagnum) nigh Keswick, made by the river Darwent,
wherein three islands are found, in the least of which this Here-
bert led an eremitical life. If he travelled hence, it was to visit
his friend Saint Cuthbert, betwixt whom such intimacy, that,
Cuthbert telling him how his own death approached, Herebert,
falling down at his feet,t importunately requested him, that
they might both pass out of this world together ; which, by
Saint Cuthbert's prayers, is said to be obtained. Thus, ee as
they were loving in their lives, so in their death they were not
divided;" departing this world the same day and hour, anno
Domini 688.
Saint ALRTKE, born and bred in this county, led an eremi-
tical life in a forest near to Carlisle. This man did not more
macerate himself with constant fasting, than time since hath
consumed his memory, which hath reduced it to nothing more
than the skeleton of his name, without any historical passages
to flesh and fill up the same ; for I account the report of Saint
Goderick,{ another hermit (and present at this man's death),
not worth the remembering ; viz. that he saw the soul of Alrike
ascend to heaven, " as it were in a spherical form of a burning
wind ; " but we listen unto it but as unto wind. He died anno
1107.
MARTYRS.
This county affordeth none in the reign of queen Mary;
whereof accept a double reason. First, the people thereof were
nuzzled in ignorance and superstition. Secondly, such as
favoured the Reformation were connived at by Owen Oglethorp,
the courteous bishop of Carlisle, who crowned queen Elizabeth,
and who in requital had a favour for him, had he lived any
longer. However, Cumberland had one native, who, going up
to London, first found a husband, and then met with mar-
tyrdom therein ; viz.
ELIZABETH FORSTER was born at Graystock in this county,
though her maiden surname be unknown. § Travelling to Lon-
don, she was there married to one John Forster, cutler, of the
parish of Saint Bride's in Fleet-street; and, being summoned
before Boiiner for not coming to church, was imprisoned, and
strictly examined. Being moved by the bishop to desert her
answers, " I will not," said she, " go from them, by God's
* Lib. iv. cap. 9. Hist. Ang. f Idem, ibid.
[ J Matthew Paris, in anno 1170. § Fox, Acts and Monuments, p. 1857-
342 WORTHIES OF CUMBERLAND.
grace." Hereupon she was condemned ; and, being fifty-five
years of age, accordingly suffered, with six other martyrs, all in
one fire, in Smithfield, Jan. 27, 1556.
PRELATES.
ROGER WHELPDALE was born in the borders of this county
(so that Westmoreland pretends to a share of him) ; bred in
Balliol College in Oxford, and afterwards became provost of
Queen's College in that university.
1. A good logician ; } witnp«w M« ^ *' Summulae Logicales ;
2. A good mathematician j V v!~u« f 1 2- De Quanto et Continue ;
3. A good divine ; ) ' ( 3. De Deo Invocando.
Bale ingeuously confesseth,* that he cannot find where this
learned man, after his long labours in Oxford, led the rest of
his life ; and Pits (who seeing with Bale's eyes, both are blind
or sighted together) is at the same loss. But herein we are able
to guide our guides, and light a candle to direct them ; for he
was by king Henry the Fifth preferred bishop of Carlisle, 1419.
He sat three years in that see ; and, dying at London, Feb. 4,
1422, was buried in Saint Paul's.
ROGER LAYBURN was born of a noble family, not living far
from Carlisle.t A noble family indeed, expiring in the days of
our grandfathers, when Elizabeth, sole daughter and heir of
Sir Francis Layburn, was married to1 Thomas Dacre, last Baron
of Gilsland and Graystock. This Roger was bred fellow of
Pembroke-hall, doctor of divinity ; and at last wras consecrated
bishop of Carlisle, 1503. Two years after, he solemnly
accepted of the mastership of Pembroke-hall in Cambridge ;
which I have heard called Episcopate Collegium, not only because
it hath bred so many bishops (for the proportion thereof), but
chiefly because many prelates have held the mastership thereof,
even until their death. Doctor Layburn died soon after, 1509,
before he could express his good intentions to his college or
cathedral.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
EDMUND GRINDALL was born at Saint Bees J in this county ;
bred scholar, fellow and master of Pembroke-hall in Cambridge,
and proctor of the university. In the reign of queen Mary he
fled beyond the seas, and was no Violento in the troubles of
Francfort ; but, with all meekness, to his might, endeavoured a
pacification. Returning home, he was made successively bishop
of London, archbishop of York and Canterbury, by queen
Elizabeth, highly favouring him for his learning, piety, modesty,
and single life ; till at last he lost her love, by the mischievous
practices of his enemie s. His fault was, for keeping others from
breaking two of God's commandments, " Thou shalt not steal,"
* Cent. vi. num. 29. f Godwin, in the bishops of Carlisle.
J Or rather at Hempingham, about three miles from St. Bees. — ED.
PRELATES. 343
when he would not let the lord of Leicester have Lambeth-
house ; and " Thou shalt not commit adultery/5 when he would
not permit Julio, the earl's Italian physician, to marry another
man's wife.
But it was objected against him to the queen, that he was
a fierce defender of factious prophesying, which in process of
time would undermine the hierarchy ; though moderate men
were of the opinion they might prove profitable, as by arch-
bishop Grindall limited and regulated.
Being really blind, more with grief than age (dying at sixty-
four), he was willing to put off his clothes before he went to
bed, and in his lifetime to resign his place to doctor Whitgift,
who refused such acceptance thereof.* And the queen, com-
miserating his condition, was graciously pleased to say, that,
" as she had made him, so he should die an archbishop ;" as
he did, July 6, 1583.
Worldly wealth he cared not for, desiring only to make both
ends meet; and as for that little that lapped over, he gave
it to pious uses in both universities, and the founding of a
fair free-school at Saint Bees, the place of his nativity.
HENRY ROBINSON, D.D., was born in Carlisle ;t bred fellow,
and at last provost of Queen's College in Oxford ; and after-
wards, 1598, was consecrated bishop of the place of his nativity.
When queen Elizabeth received his homage, she gave him
many gracious words, of the good opinion which she conceived
of his learning, integrity, and sufficiency for that place ; more-
over adding, " that she must ever have a care to furnish that
see with a worthy man, for his sake who first set the crown on
her head ;" J and many words to the like purpose.
He was a prelate of great gravity and temperance, very mild
in speech, § but not of so strong a constitution of body as his
countenance did promise ; and yet he lived to be a very old
man. He died anno Domini 1616.
RICHARD SENHOUSE, D.D. was born of worshipful parent-
age, at Netherhall in this county ; a valiant man in his younger
days ; and I have heard that in his old age he felt the admo-
nitions of his youthful over-violent exercises. He was bred
fellow of Saint John's College in Cambridge, and became an
excellent preacher, his sermons losing no lustre by his good
utterance and graceful delivering of them. He was chaplain
to king Charles whilst prince, and preached his sermon at his
coronation. He was preferred bishop of Carlisle, enjoying the
place but a short time. He died anno J)omini 1626.
* Sir George Paul, in Whitgift's Life, p. 27.
f So Mr. Robinson, stationer, and his countryman, informed me. — F.
t Sir John Harrington, in his View of the Church of England, p. 208.
$ O. Oglethorp.
344 WORTHIES OF CUMBERLAND.
CAPITAL JUDGES, AND WRITERS ON THE LAW.
Sir RICHARD HUTTON was born at Penrith, of a worshipful
family (his elder brother was a knight) ; and bred in Jesus Col-
lege in Cambridge.* He intended his studies for divinity ; till,
dissuaded by the importunity of his friends (amongst whom
George Earl of Cumberland most eminent) he became barrister
in Gray's Inn. But, in expression of his former affection to
divinity, he seldom (if ever) took fee of a clergyman. After-
wards, being recorder of York, he was knighted, and made judge
of the Common Pleas. In the case of ship money, though he
was against the king, or rather for the Commons, yet his Majesty
manifested not the least distaste, continuing to call him 6( the
honest judge."
This person, so pious to God, and charitable to his poor
members, was dissolved about the beginning of our national
misery. Thus God, before he new plougheth up a land with the
furrows of a civil war, first cutteth down his old crop, and ga-
thereth them like ripe sheaves into his barn. He died at Ser-
jeant's Inn ; and was buried, at his earnest desire, without any
funeral sermon, save what his own virtues preached to posterity,
at St. Dunstan's in the West, on the 27th day of February, anno
Domini 1638.
Sir JOHN BANKS was born at Keswick, of honest parents,
who, perceiving him judicious and industrious, bestowed good
breeding on him in Graves Inn ; in hope he should attain to
preferment; wherein they were not deceived. After he was
called to the bar, for some years he solicited suits for others,
thereby attaining great practical experience. He afterwards
might laugh at them who then did smile at him, leaving many
behind him in learning whom he found before him in time, un-
til at last he was knighted by king Charles, made first his attor-
ney, then chief justice of the Common Pleas, dying in the midst
and heat of our civil dissensions.
He ordered by his will (the copy whereof I have received from
my good friend Mr. John Myriel, minister at Lamplugh) that
his body should be buried under some plain monument, at the
discretion of his executors ; and after an epitaph mentioning the
several places he had held, this motto to be added. "Non
nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed Nomini tuo da gloriam."
It must not be forgotten that by his said will he gave to the
value of thirty pounds per annum, with other emoluments, to be
bestowed in pious uses, and chiefly to set up a manufacture of
coarse cottons in the town of Keswick ; which, I understand,
hath good, and is in hopes of better, success.
* It is pity his Manuscripts on the Law should be smotheied in private hands,
which I hope will hereafter become jmblici juris — F.
CIVILIANS— WRITERS. 345
CIVILIANS.
GEORGE PORTER was born at Weery Hall, in the parish of
Bolton in this county, of gentle extraction. He was afterward
fellow of Queen's College in Cambridge,, doctor and professor of
civil law therein for above thirty years ; so that he might have
been made Comes imperil primi ordinis, according to the consti-
tution of Theodosius the emperor, allowing that honour to pro-
fessors in that faculty, " cum ad viginti annos observatione jugi,
ac sedulo docendi labore pervenerint/"*
He was of a pitiful nature ; and we commonly called him (for
I had oft the honour to be in his mess) ee the patron of infirmi-
ties/5 whose discourse was always defensive and charitable,
either to excuse men^s failings, or mitigate their punishments.
He was valiant as well as learned ; and, with his stern looks and
long sword, frighted three thieves from setting upon him. He
died anno Domini 163 ..; and Doctor Collins, who with Saint
Chrysostom was in laudatoriis hyperbolicus, preaching his fune-
ral sermon, endeavoured to heighten his memory to his soul,
mounting it above the skies for his modesty and learning.
WRITERS.
JOHN CANON. — Some will have him so called, because canon
of some cathedral church; and if so, there were hundreds of
John Canons besides himself : others, because he was doctor of
canon law, which leaves as great a latitude as the former for
hundreds, with equal right, to jostle with him for the same sur-
name. I have cause to conceive, until I shall be clearly con-
vinced to the contrary, that he was born at Canonsby in this
county, by being set by for brevity's sake.
Bilious Bale bespattereth him more than any of his order.
Hear how he ranteth : "He turned a Minotaurf (I should say
Minorite) ; and, with his thrasonical boasting," &c. But I am
not bound to believe him, the rather because Trithemius, a fo-
reign, judicious, and moderate writer, givethhim great commen-
dation ; whence I collect that his worth was not, like a candle
in the house, only burning at home in England ; but a torch,
blazing abroad beyond the seas, the university of Paris and
other places taking signal notice of his learning. He flourished
under king Edward the Second, 1320.
WILLIAM EGREMONT. — He hath almost lost his true sur-
name amongst the various writing thereof. Bale calleth him
Egumonde,t though no such place in all England ; Pits reduc-
eth it to a Saxon name, and calleth him Egmund ;§ Leland, for
a reason immediately following, nameth him William of Stam-
* Codex Theod. lib. vi. tit. 21. f Cent. v. num. 3.
J De Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. vii. num. 12.
§ De Angliae Scriptoribus, 1390.
346 WORTHIES OF CUMBERLAND.
ford. But Egremont is the orthography of his name, from a
small market-town (yet a barony of the late earls of Sussex) in
this shire, where he was born.
Quitting this cold country, he took his progress into the south,
and, fixing himself at Stamford, became an Augustinian eremite,
and proceeded doctor of Divinity. Going beyond the seas, he
was by the Pope made Episcopus Pissinensis (some poor pitiful
bishopric, so that one would scarce trouble himself to find it out
to have the profit thereof), and therewith held the Suffragan-
ship under Henry Beaufort bishop of Lincoln. Indeed that
voluminous diocese (a full fourth part of England, before Ely,
Peterborough, and Oxford were cantoned out of it) required a
co-adjutor. Many are the learned works written by him, and,
seeing he is doubly qualified, I thought fitter to repose him
under the topic of " writers" than of " prelates/' being confident
that he got more credit by his books, than profit by his bishop-
ric. He flourished under king Richard the Second, anno 1 390.
JOHN SKELTON was a younger branch of the Skeltons, of
Skelton in this county. I crave leave of the reader, hitherto
not having full instructions, and preserving the undoubted title
of this county unto him, to defer his character to Norfolk, where
he was beneficed at Diss therein.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
RICHARD CRAKENTHORP, D. D. was descended of an ancient
family in this county, as appeareth by their frequently being
sheriffs thereof. He was bred fellow of Queen's College in Ox-
ford ; and afterwards, in the first of king James, went over
chaplain to the Lord Evers, sent ambassador to the king
of Denmark, and other prime princes of Germany. Here by use
he got an easiness in the Latin tongue, and correspondency with
several persons of eminent learning.
He was an excellent logician, witness his work in that kind ;
and became chaplain in ordinary to king James, rector of Black
Notley in Essex ; greater preferments expecting him, had not
his death prevented it.
Pliny observeth, that posthume children, born after the death
of their father, and Casars (understand such who are cut out of
the womb of their mother), prove very happy in success. What
reason soever naturalists assign hereof, divines justly impute it
to God's goodness, graciously remembering those orphans
which cannot remember their own parents.
The observation may be applied to the books of this worthy
doctor, set forth after his death ; one called, " Vigilius Dormi-
tans," in defence of the emperor Justinian, and a general coun-
cil held by him anno 553, set forth by his brother George Cra-
kenthorp ; the other being an answer to the manifesto of the
archbishop of Spalato, set forth by that learned antiquary Dr.
WRITERS. 347
John Barkham ; and both of these books finding an universal
and grateful reception among the learned and religious. I can-
not certainly fix the date of his death ; and be it here solemnly
entered, that Westmoreland shall be unprejudiced, if he were
born (as a most credible person hath informed me) at New Big-
gin in that county.
JOHN SALKELD was a branch of a right worshipful family in
this county ; bred a divine beyond the seas ; but whether Jesuit
or secular priest I know not. Coming over into England to
angle for proselytes, it seems his line broke, and he was cast
into prison. Hence he was brought out, and presented to king
James ; by whose arguments, (and a benefice bestowed on him
in Somersetshire) he became a Protestant.
This he used in all companies to boast of, " that he was a
royal convert."
Nobisque dedit solatia victor.
" And was it not a noble thing,
Thus to be conquer'dby a king ?"
Indeed his majesty, in some of his works, styleth him " the
learned Salkeld ;" which the other much vaunted of, often tell-
ing it to such who well knew it before, for fear they might for-
get it. His preaching was none of the best; and he retained
some popish (though not opinions) fancies to the day of his
death. I have heard much of his discourse, more of his own
praise, than to his own praise in my judgment. But his true
character may be taken out of the book he wrote " of Angels."
He died about the year 1638.
GERARD LANGBAIN, D. D. was born at Kirk-Banton in this
county ; bred first fellow in, then provost of, Queen's College in
Oxford; a skilful antiquary, ingenious, industrious, and judi-
cious in his writings, as by his works will appear.
Whoso shall read over the f( History of the Council of
Trent," translated out of Italian by Sir Nathaniel Brent, will
conceive it so complete a narration of all the concernments in
that council, that nothing of consequence can be added there-
unto. Yet this his mistake will be confuted, by perusing the
works set forth by Doctor Langbain, of the dissent of the Galil-
ean churches, from several conclusions in that council.
As his brain was the mother of some, so was it the midwife
to other, good books, which he procured to be- published ; espe-
cially a book made by Sir John Cheeke, concerning " Rebellion
and Loyalty," seasonably reprinted in the beginning of our
civil wars. But alas ! such then was the noise of men's animo-
sities, that the still voice of truth could not be heard amongst
them. More excellent tracts were expected from him (parti-
cularly an edition of Brian Twine, with additions concerning
348 WORTHIES OF CUMBERLAND.
the antiquity of Oxford,) when God was pleased, almost in the
midst of his days, to put an end to his life, anno 1657.
BENEFACTORS TO THE PUBLIC.
ROBERT EAGLESFIELD, born in this county, was a pious and
learned man, according to the rate of that age ; chaplain and
confessor to Philippa, queen to Edward the Third. He founded
a fair college in Oxford, by the name of Queen's College, for a
provost and twelve fellows, whom he ordered to sit in the hall
in purpura, and that they should be attended on more curiali.
He appointed that those of Cumberland and Westmoreland
should be proper for preferment in his foundation ; rendering
this reason why he reflected most on those Northern counties,
" propter insolltam vastitatem, et melioris literature infrequen-
tiam."
But, prevented by death, he finished not his intentions ; leav-
ing only to the college the manor of Renwick in this county,
with the impropriation of burgh under Stanmore, and which I
assure you was considerable ; most excellent statutes.
To shew himself both courtier and scholar, he ordered that in
the hall they should speak either Latin or French. He
bequeathed his college to the honorary patronage of the queens
of England ; and his surname is still extant in this county in
persons of quality, but how to him related to me unknown. He
died about the year of our Lord 1370.
MEMORABLE PERSONS.
MAUD, the daughter of Thomas Lord Lucy, sister and heir
of Anthony Lord Lucy, and baron of Cockermouth, the widow
of Gilbert Humfrevile, Earl of Angus, was the second wife of
Henry Percy, earl of Northumberland ; who, when she saw that
she should die without issue, gave to earl Henry her husband
the castle and honour of Cockermouth, with many other manors
in Cumberland and Westmoreland, with condition that his issue
should bear her arms of the Lucies [viz. Gules, three lucies (or
pikes) hauriant Argent,] quartered, with their own arms of the
Percies ; and for it levied a fine in the court of king Richard the
Second.
Hitherto verbatim out of Master Mills.* But, by his favour,
his words are not sufficiently expressive of the agreement
betwixt them. The earl conditioned, not only to quarter the
Arms of the Lucies, (as the Percies now quarter many more
besides, viz. Poynings, Fitz-Pain, Brians, &c.) ; but he also
covenanted (as in the words of the instrument) deferre quateria-
tim (to bear them quarterly) with his own Arms, incorporated
into one coat in effect. This promise the Percies have bonafide
* Catalogue of Honour, p. 719;
SHERIFFS. 349
performed, preserving so near a relation between the two coats,
that, in a manner, mutub se ponunt et auferunt ; so that, if
either, both always appear together.
This lady is entered amongst " Memorable Persons -" partly
because of her harmless device to perpetuate her memory ;
partly because of her great affection to her husband ; she but a
second, and no wife of his youth, bringing him no children ; and
having (no doubt) heirs of her own name and blood, though she
were barren, would be bountiful to endow that family with pos-
sessions, which she could not enrich with posterity. Say not
the Percy's profit was the Lucy's loss ; for, what saith the
Scripture, " Is it not lawful for me to do what I. will with mine
own ?"* She died about the year of our Lord 1382.
LORD MAYORS.
I find none of this county ; nor is the wonder great, if it be
true what credible persons have informed me, that there are no
carriers (the post from Carlisle is excepted) which immediately
come from this county to London. It seems Cumberland is
terra suis contenta bonis, neither proud of the gaiety nor cove-
tous of the money of London.
THE NAMES OF THE GENTRY OF THIS COUNTY,
RETURNED BY THE COMMISSIONERS IN THE TWELFTH YEAR OF KING HENRY
THE SIXTH, 1433.
Marmaduke bishop of Carlisle, and Thomas de Dacre de Gils-
land; William Legh, chivaler, and William Laton, armiger,
(knights for the shire) ; Commissioners.
Tho. Barnby Prioris Carlioli. Joh. Broughton.
Will. Reddekar Abbatis de Tho. Culwen.
Holm. Tho. Delamore.
Tho. Stanley Abbatis de Wed- Geor. Warthwyk.
, erhill. Will. Twates.
Rog. Kirkeby Prioris de Seynt Joh. Eglisfeld, sen.
Beys. Will. Martindale, sen.
Alex. Walton Prioris de Lane- Joh. Hoton.
cost. Hug. Forster.
Rich. Hodleston. Joh. de Skelton.
Christ. Culwan, sheriff. Will. Thirskeld.
Pet. Tilioll. Will. Louther de Rosa.
Joh. Penyngton. Joh. de Denton.
Joh. Skelton. Will. Arlosch.
Joh. Lamplewe. Rich, de Kirkebride.
Nich. Radclyff, mil. Will. Dykes.
Hen. Fenwyk. Tho. de Stanewikes.
Hug. de Louther. Joh. Blanerhasset.
Will. Stapleton. Tho. Aglaonbly.
* Matthew xx. 15.
350 WORTHIES OF CUMBERLAND.
Tho. Appulby. Joli. Louther de Alwardby.
Tho. Salkeld. Nich. Stanle.
Tho. Beuchamp. Tho. Wodhall.
Rol. Vaux. Will. Hodliston de Copland.
Ade de Denton. Rob. Scot de Caldebeke.
Tho. Grane. Will. Denton, Majoris Karlioli.
Tho. Hethryngton. Will. Cardoile.
Tho. de Sandes. Tho. Frankyssh, Ballivi ibid.
Joh. Swynburn. Tho. Delmore.
Joh. Eglisfeld, junioris. Will. Kelet.
Rich. Eglisfeld. Joh. Graneson.
Will. Martyndail, junioris. Galf. Barre.
Joh. Culwen. Joh. Middilham.
Tho. Senenhans. Joh. Person de Lowswater.
Will. Osmonderlawe. Pet. Jakson de eadem.
Will. Lowther de Crokdaile. Rich. Bristow.
Nich. Irton. Leo. Howehonson.
Alex. Heighmore. Will. Redman.
Joh. Rybton, Tho. Rickman de Cokyrmouth,
Rob. Bristow. Baker.
Will. Aglanby.
This is a comfortable catalogue for one delighting in ancient
families to practise upon. It is the observation of Vitruvius
(alleged and approved by Master Camden*) that northern men
advancing southward., " non possunt durare sed dissolvuntur ; "
(cannot endure the heat, but their strength melteth away and
is dissolved ;) whilst southern people removing northward, " non
modo non laborant immutatione loci valetudinibus, sed etiam
confirmantur •" (are not only not subject to sickness through the
change of place, but are the more confirmed in their strength
and health.)
Sure I am, that northern gentry transplanted into the south
by marriage, purchase, or otherwise, do languish and fade away
within few generations ; whereas southern men on the like oc-
casions removing northward acquire a settlement in their estates
with long continuance. Some peevish natures (delighting to
comment all things into the worst sense) impute this to the
position of their country, as secured from sale by their distance
from London (the staple place of pleasure) ; whilst I would
willingly behold it as the effect and reward of their discreet
thrift and moderate expence ; two thirds of this catalogue of
Cumberland being still extant ; and the third extinct, for lack
of issue and not estate.
SHERIFFS.
Anno HENRY II. Anno
1 Hildretas. 2 (Recorda manca.)
* In his Elizabeth, anno 1589.
SHERIFFS.
351
Anno
3
4
5 Rob. Fitz. Troit, for four-
teen years.
19 Idem, et Adam films ejus.
20 Adam films Rob. Trutts.
21 Rob. de Vaus.
22
23 Rob. Trutt, Adam filius
ejus pro eo.
24 Rob. de Vallibus.
25 Idem.
26 Rob. de Vallibus and Rog.
de Legeire.
27 Rob. de Vallibus, for four
years.
31 Hug. de Morwich.
32 Idem.
33 Idem, et Nich. frater ejus.
RICHARD I.
1 Will, de Aldelin, for nine
years.
JOH. REX.
1 Will, de Stuteivill et Jo-
han. Laleman.
2 Idem.
3 Will, de Stutevill et Phus.
Escrar.
4 Idem.
5 Idem.
6 Rog. de Lasy, Constabul.
Cestrie.
7 Idem.
8 Rog. de Lasy, Constabul.
Cestrie, et Walt. Ma-
rescallus, for four years.
12 Hug. de Nevill, for four
years.
16 Rob. de Ros, et Alanus
Candebec.
HEN III.
1 Walt. Mauclere, for seven
years.
8 Walt. Episc. Carliol. et
Rob. filius Will, de
VOL. I.
Anno
Hampton, for seven
years.
15 Walt. Episc. Carliol. et
Tho. filius Johannis.
16 Idem.
1 7 Tho. de Muleton, for four
years.
21 Will, de Dacre, for twelve
years.
33 Joh. Daylock, for eight
years.
41 Will. Com. Albemarl. et
Remigius de Todington,
for five years.
46 Eustachius de Bayloel, for
five years.
51 Eustachius de Baylloel et
Mathe. de Ebor. for
four years.
55 Rad. de Dacre.
EDW. I.
1 Rob. Carliol. Episc. Math.
Cordil. et Rogeri de Pock-
lington.
2 Idem.
3 Rob. de Hampton.
4 Idem.
5 Idem.
6 Joh. de Windeburne et
Mich, de Neilbigging.
7 Ad. Newbegin, Gil. Cure-
weune.
Idem.
9 Idem.
10 Rob. de Brus, for four
years.
14 Mich, de Arcla (Harcla),
for twelve years.
26 Will, de Mulecaster, for
five years.
31 Joh. de Lucy.
32 Idem.
33 Will, de Mulcaster.
34 Idem.
EDW. II.
1 Alex, de Wastwenthoyte.
2 A
352
WORTHIES OF CUMBERLAND.
Anno Anno
2 Andreas de Harcla, for 20
four years. 21
6 Andr. de Harcla et Alex. 22
de Bastenthwayt, Mi. for 23
seven years. 24
13 Nul. Titulus Comitis in 25
hoc Rotulo. 26
14 2?
15 28
16 29
17 Hen. de Malton et Rob. le
Brun. 30
18 Hen. de Malton. 31
32
EDW. III. 33
1 Pet. Tillollet Rob. le Brun. 34
2 35
3 Pet. Tilloll. 36
4 Rad. de Dacre (Ranulphus) , 37
for six years. 38
10 Ric.de Denton. 39
11 Anth. de Lucy et Roul. 40
Vaux. 41
12 Idem. 42
13 Anth- deLucy. 43
14 Idem. 44
1 5 Hug. de Moriceby, et Anth . 45
de Lucy. 46
16 Idem. 4?
17 Hug. de Moriceby. 48
18 Idem. 49
19 Tho. de Lucy, et Hug. de 50
Moriceby. 51
Idem.
Tho. de Lucy.
Idem.
Idem.
Rich, de Denton.
Idem.
Hug. de Louthre.
Idem.
Idem.
Nul. Titulus Comitis
Rotulo.
Will, de Thirkeld.
Rob.Tillioll.
Idem.
Will, de Lancaster.
Chri. de Moriceby.
Rob. de Tillioll.
Idem.
Chri. de Moriceby.
Idem.
Idem.
Idem.
Will, de Windesor.
Idem.
Adam. Puinges.
Idem.
Idem.
Joh. de Denton.
Rob. de Moubray.
Joh. de Derwent water.
Joh. de Denton.
Joh. de Derwentwater.
Joh. Bruyn.
in
KING HENRY II.
21. ROBERTUS de VAUS; alias, de Vaux, or de Vallibus ; a
right ancient name (still extant) in this county. There is a
cross in the church-yard of Beu-castle, about twenty foot in
height, all of one square stone, carved with the arms of Vaux ;
whence Master Camden concludeth it (though otherwise the
inscription thereon not legible) of their .erection. I behold this
Robert as father to John de Vallibus, of whom Matthew Paris*
saith, that he was one of those that, " muneribus excsecati, a fi-
delitate, quam baronibus in commune juraverant, recesserunt ; "
(blinded with bribes, they went back from the [some will say
such breach no breach of] fidelity which they had jointly sworn
* In his Histoiy, anno 1263.
SHERIFFS. 358
to the barons.)* Indeed the same author reckoneth him amongst
those whom he termeth clarissimos milites, on whose loyalty and
valour king Henry the Third relied. The Lord Vaux of Har-
rowden in Northamptonshire doth hence fetch his extraction .
KING HENRY III.
8. WALT. Epis. CARLIOL. et ROB. films WILL, de HAMP-
TON.— This Walter bishop of Carlisle was he who commonly
was called Male-clerk, English it as you please, Bad -scholar, or
Clergy-man. It seems to me a strange 'transposition, that
Henry the First, king of England, should be termed Beau-clerk, a
good scholar, and our Walter a bad one, who was a bishop in
orders.
However, though Male-clerk, had he been bon-homme, a good
man, the matter had been much mended. But I find little
praise of his manners. Indeed he was lord treasurer of England,
and found false both in word and deed ; avowing his accounts
even, when he was justly charged with an hundred pound (a
sum in that age in the purse of a poor king) debt to the Exche-
quer. This cost him much molestation ; so that at last he
resigned his bishopric ; which by my author is beheld as no
kindly act of mortification,t but that he came unjustly by his
place, and was afraid to lose, though ashamed to keep it any
longer. He afterwards became a friar at Oxford, as if, lacking
learning in his youth, he would recover it in his old age ; where
he died, October 28th, 1248.
EDWARD II.
2. ANDREAS de HARCLA. — Had his latter end answered
his beginning, he might deservedly have been ranked amongst
the worthies of Westmoreland (where he was born, at Harcla) ;
whereas now it shall suffice to make this oblique mention of him
in this place.
He behaved himself right handsomely in the service of king
Edward the Second many years together, especially at the bat-
tle of Boroughbridge, where he killed Humphrey Bohun earl of
Hereford, and took Thomas Plantagenet earl of Lancaster, with
many others of the nobility, prisoners ; and delivered them to the
king; in reward whereof, he was created, in the 19th year of
that king, earl of Carlisle, and had the Isle of Man bestowed
upon him. Next year, I know not upon what discontentment,
he fell into private confederacy with the king's foes the Scots, for
which he was taken and condemned. Now, lest the nobility of
others should by secret sympathy suffer in his disgraceful death,
the earl was first parted from the man, and his honour severed
from his person, by a solemn degradation ; having his knightly
* In his History, anno 1263. f Godwin, in the Bishops of Carlisle.
2 A 2
354
WORTHIES OF CUMBERLAND.
spurs hewed off from his heels ; which done, he was hanged,
drawn, and quartered.
SHERIFFS.
Anno
RICHARD II.
Name and Arms.
Jo. Derwentwater.
Arms : Ar. two bars G.
cinquefoil of the first.
Will, de Stapleton.
Arg. a lion rampant S.
Place,
on a canton of the second a
3 Gilb. de Culwen
Warkinton.
4
5
5
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Arg. fretty G. a chief Az.
ut prius.
J. de Derwentwater
Ama. Mounceaux.
Robert Parning.
Ama. Mounceaux.
Joh. Therlwall.
Ama. Mounceaux.
Joh. Therlwall.
Pet. Tillioll.
Joh. Ireby.
Arg. fretty a canton S.
Rich. Redman.
G. three cushions Erm
Chri. Moriceby.
Joh. de Ireby . . .
16 Tho. de Musgrave.
Az. six annulets O.
17 Rich. Redman . . .
18 Pet. Tiliol.
19 Joh. de Ireby . . .
20 Rich. Redman . . .
2 iWil. Culwen ....
22 Rich. Redman . . .
HENRY IV.
1 Will. Leigh.
2 Will. Louther.
O. six annulets S.
3 Rich. Redman, et . .
Will. Osmunderlaw.
Arg. a fess between three martlets S.
4 Pet. Tillioll.
5 Idem.
6 Rich. Skelton.
Vert, a fess betwixt three flower-de-luces O.
buttoned and tasselled O.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius j
SHERIFFS. 355
Anno Name. Place.
7 Will. Louther . . . ut prius.
8
9
10 Joh. Delamore.
11 Rob. Rodington.
12 Rich. Redman, mil. . . ut prius.
HENRY V.
1 Ja. Harington, mil.
S. fretty Arg.
2 Will. Stapelton . . . ut prius.
3 Chri. Culwen, mil. . . ut prius.
4 Joh. Lancaster.
Arg. two bars G. ; on a canton of the same a lion passant O.
5 Wil. Osmunderlaw . . ut prius.
6 Rob. Louther, mil. . . ut prius.
7 Joh. Lamplough.
O. two crosses floury S.
8 Will. Stapilton . . . ut prius.
9 Will. Stapleton et . . ut prius.
Rich. Ratcliffe . . . Darwentwater.
Arg. a bend engrailed S.
HENRY VI.
1 Will. Leigh, mil.
2 Chri. Culwen, mil. . . ut prius.
3 Chri. Moresby, mil.
Arg. a cross S. ; in the first quarter a cinquefoil of the second.
4 Nich. Ratcliffe, mil. . . ut prius.
5 Jo. Penington, mil.
O. five fusils in fess Az.
6 Chri. Culwen .... ut prius.
7 Chri. Moresby . . . ut prius.
8 Tho. Delamore
Arg. six martlets, three, two, and one, S.
9 Joh. Penington . . . ut prius.
10 Joh. Skelton.
11 Joh. Lamplow, mil. . . ut prius.
12 Chri. Culwen .... ut prius.
13 Jo. Penington, mil. . . ut prius.
14 Joh. Broughton.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three mullets G.
15 Hen. Fenwick, mil.
Per fess G. et Arg. six martlets counterchanged.
16 Chri. Culwen, mil. . . ut prius.
17 Chri Moresby . . . ut prius.
18 Hug. Louther . . . ut prius.
19 Joh. Skelton, arm.
20 Will. Stapilton . . . ut prius.
356 WORTHIES OF CUMBERLAND.
Anno Name. Place.
21 [AMP.] Tho. Beauchamp.
22 Tho. Delamore . . . ut prius.
23 Chri. Curwen .... ut prius.
24 Job. Skelton, arm. . . ut prius.
25 Joh. Broughton . . . ut prius.
26 Tho. Delamore . . . ut prius.
27 Tho. Crakenthorp.
O. a chev. betwixt three mullets pierced Az.
28 Tho. Curwen, mil. . . ut prius.
29 Joh. Skelton, arm. . . ut prius.
30 Roul. Vaux, arm. . . ut prius.
Cheeky, O. and G.
31 Tho. Delamore . . ; ut prius.
32
33 Joh. Hodilston, arm. . ut prius.
G, fretty Arg.
34 Hug, Louther, arm. . . ut prius.
35 Tho. Curwen . . . . ut prius.
36 Rich. Salkeld.
Vert, fretty Arg.
37 Hen. Fenwick, mil. . . ut prius.
EDWARD IV.
1 Rich. Salkeld, arm. . . ut prius.
2 Roul. Vaux, arm. . . ut prius.
3 Idem ut prius.
4 Joh. Hudleston, mil. . ut prius.
5 Th. Lamplough, arm. . ut prius.
6 Rich. Salkeld, arm. . . ut prius.
7 Roul. Vaux, arm. . ; ut prius.
8 Joh. Hodilston, mil. . ut prius.
9 Idem ut prius,
10 Will. Leigh, mil.
11 Chri. Moresby, mil, . ut prius.
12 Will. Parr, mil. . . . WESTMORELAND,
Arg. two bars Az. a border engrailed S.
13 Joh. Hodilston, mil. . . ut prius.
14 Will. Leigh, mil.
15
16 Ric. Dux Glouc.
France and England, on a label of three Erin, as many
cantons G.
J. Hodilston, mil. sub. . ut prius.
17 Idem.
18 Rich. Dux Glouc. . . ut prius.
19 Nul. Titulus Comitis in Rotulo.
20 Rich. Dux Glouc. . . ut prius.
21 Idem ut prius,
22 Idem ut prius.
SHERIFFS. 357
Anno Name. Place.
RICHARD III.
1 Rich. Salkeld . . . . ut prius.
2
3
HENRY VII.
1 Chri. Moresby, mil. . . ut prius.
2 Nul. Titulus Comitis in Rotulo.
3 Chri. Moresby, mil. . . ut prius.
4 Tho. Beauchamp, arm. . ut prius.
5
6 Nul. Titulus Comitis in Rotulo.
7 Joh. Musgrave, mil. . ut prius.
8 Nul. Titulus Comitis in Rotulo.
9 Edw. Redman . . . ut prius.
10 Rich. Salkeld, mil. . . ut prius.
11 Chri. Moresby, mil. . ut prius.
12 Tho. Beachamp . . . ut prius.
13 Chri. Dacre, arm.
G. three escallop shells Arg.
14 Idem ut prius.
15 Idem ut prius.
16 Idem ut prius.
17 Idem ut prius.
18 T^dem ut prius.
19 Idem ut prius.
20 [AMP.] Hug. Hutton, arm.
21 Chri. Dacre, arm. . . ut prius.
22 Jo. Hudleston, mil. . . ut prius.
23 Joh. Ratcliffe, arm. . . ut prius.
24 Idem ut prius.
HENRY VIII.
1 Joh. Curwen, mil. . . ut prius.
2 Joh. Penington, mil. . ut prius.
3 Joh. Shelton, mil. . . ut prius.
4 Joh. Crakenthorp, arm. ut prius.
5 Idem, et Edw. Musgrave ut prius.
6 Joh. Radcliffe, mil. . . ut prius.
7 Joh. Louther, mil. . . ut prius.
8 Tho. Curwen, mil. . . ut prius.
9 Gawin. Eglesfeld.
O. three eaglets displayed G.
10 Joh. Radcliffe, mil. . . ut prius.
1 1 Edw. Musgrave . . . ut prius.
12
13 Christ. Dacre . . . ut prius ;
358 WORTHIES OF CUMBERLAND.
Anno Name. Place.
14
15 Joh. Ratcliffe, mil. . . ut prius.
16 Chri. Curwen, mil. . . ut prius.
17 Chri, Dacre, mil. . : ut prius.
18 Joh. Ratcliffe, mil. . . ut prius.
19 Edw. Musgrave, mil. . ut prius.
20 Will. Penington . . . ut prius.
21 Tho. Wharton, mil.
S. a manche Arg.
22 Rich. Ireton.
Arg. a fess S. ; three mullets in chief G .
23 Christ. Dacre,mil. . . ut prius.
24 Will. Musgrave, mil. . ut prius.
25 Christ. Curwen . . . ut prius.
26 Cut. Hutton, arm. . . ut prius.
27 Tho. Wharton, mil. . . ut prius.
28 Tho. Curwen, mil. , . ut prius.
29 Joh. Lamplo, mil.
30 Tho. Thwaits, arm.
Arg. a cross S. fretty O.
31 Tho. Wharton, mil. . ut prius.
32 Tho. Dalston, arm. . . Dalston.
Arg. a chevron between three ravens5 heads S. billed O.
33 Will. Musgrave, mil. . ut prius.
34 Joh. Louther, mil. . ut prius.
35 Tho. Salkeld, arm. . ut prius,
36 Edw. Aglyonby, arm.
Az. two bars ; and three martlets in chief S.
37 Rob. Lamplo, arm. , ut prius.
38 Tho. Sandford.
Per chevron S. and Erm. two boars' heads in chief
couped O.
EDWARD VI.
1 Tho. Wharton, mil. . ut prius.
2 Joh. Leigh, arm.
3 Joh. Lamplow, arm. . ut prius.
4 Joh. Louther, mil. . ut prius.
5 Ric. Eglesfeld, arm. . ut prius.
6 Will. Penington . . ut prius.
REG. MARI.
1 Tho. Leigh,j arm
PHIL. AND MAR.
1. 2 Rich. Musgrave . . ut prius.
2.3 Tho. Sandford, arm.
3. 4 Rob. Lamplow, arm. . ut privs.
SHERIFFS. 359
Anno Name. Place.
4. 5 Job. Leigh, arm. . . ut prius.
5. 6 Will. Penington . . ut prius.
ELIZ. REG.
1 Th. Dacre, sen. mil. . ut prius.
2 Th. Lamplough, arm. • ut prius.
3 Hug. Ascough, mil.
S. a fess O. betwixt three asses passant Ar. maned and
unguled of the second.
Hen. Curwen, arm. . . ut prius.
4 Will. Musgrave . . ut prius.
5 Ant. Hudleston, arm. . ut prius.
6 Chri. Dacre, arm. . . ut prius.
7 Wil. Penington, arm. . ut prius.
8 Rich. Louther, arm. . ut prius.
9 Job. Dalston, arm. . ut prius.
10 Cut. Musgrave, arm. . ut prius.
11 Sim. Musgrave, arm. . ut prius.
12 Hen, Curwen . . . ut prius.
13 Geo. Lamplough . . ut prius.
14 Job. Lamplough . . ut prius.
15 Will. Musgrave . . ut prius.
16 Anth. Hudleston . . ut prius.
17 Rich. Salkeld, arm. et . ut prius.
Hen. Tolston, arm.
Vert, on a chief Az. three martlets O.
18 Job. Dalston, arm. . ut prius.
19 Geo. Balkeld, arm. . ut prius.
20 Fr. Lamplough, arm. . ut prius.
21 Job. Lamplough . . ut prius.
22 Hen. Curwen, arm. . ut prius.
23 Chri. Dacre, arm. . . ut prius.
24 Wilfr. Lawson, arm.
Per pale, Arg. and S. a chev. counterchanged.
25 Job. Dalston, arm. . ut prius.
26 Job. Midleton, arm.
27 Geo. Salkeld, arm. . ut prius.
28 Job. Dalston, arm. . . ut prius.
29
30 Rich, Louther, arm. . ut prius.
31 Hen. Curwen, mil. . ut prius.
32 Chr. Pickering, arm.
Ermine, a lion rampant Az. crowned O.
33 John Southwike, arm.
34 Will. Musgrave, arm. . ut prius.
35 Ger. Louther, arm. . . ut prius.
36 Job. Dalston, arm. . . ut prius.
37 Lau. Salkeld, arm. . . ut prius.
360 WORTHIES OF CUMBERLAND.
Anno Name. Place.
38 Chri. Dalston, arm. . ut prius.
39 Wilfri. Lawson . . . ut prius.
40 Tho. Salkeld, arm. . . ut prius.
41 Jos. Penington, arm. . ut prius.
42 Nich. Curwen, arm. . ut prius.
43 Will. Orfener, arm.
44 Edm. Dudley, arm.
O. a lion rampant double queue Vert.
45 Will Hutton, arm. et
prim. Jac. ut prius.
JAC. REG.
1 Will. Hutton, arm. . ut prius.
2 Joh. Dalston, arm. . ut prius.
3 Chri. Pickering, arm. . ut prius.
4 Wilf. Lauson, mil. . ut prius.
5 Chri. Pickering, mil. . ut prius.
6 Hen. Blencow, arm.
S. on a bend three chaplets G.
7 Will. Hutton, mil. . . ut prius.
8 Jos. Penington, arm. . ut prius.
9 Chr. Pickering, mil. . ut prius.
10 Wilf. Lawson, mil. . ut prius.
11 Th. Lamplough, arm. . ut prius.
12 Edw. Musgrave, mil. . ut prius.
13 Rich. Flecher, arm. . Hutton.
Arg. a saltire engrailed betwixt four roundlets, each
charged with a peon of the field.
14 Will. Musgrave, mil. . ut prius.
15 Will. Hudleston, arm. . ut prius.
16 Geo. Dalston, arm. . ut prius.
17 Hen, Curwen, mil. . ut prius.
18 Jo. Lamplough, arm. . ut prius.
19 Hen. Fetherston.
G. a chev. betwixt three ostridge's feathers.
20 Fran. Dudley, vid. . . ut prius.
Admi. Tho. Dudley, . ut prius.
arm. et Edw. Dudley, . ut prius.
ar. defun. et Tho. Lamp-
lough, mil.
21 Rich. Samford, mil. . ut prius.
22 Rich. Fletcher, mil. . ut prius.
CAR. REG.
1 Hen. Blencowe, mil. . ut prius.
2 Pet. Senhouse, arm. . Scascall.
Arg. a popinjay proper.
3 Chri. Dalston, arm. . . ut prius.
SHERIFFS.
361
Place.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
Anno Name-
4 Will. Lay ton, arm.
5 Will. Musgrave, mil.
6 Chr. Richmond, arm.
7 Leon. Dykes, arm.
O. three cinquefoils S.
8 Joh. Skelton, arm. . .
9 Will. Orfener, arm.
10 Rich. Barvis, arm. . .
11 Will. Lawson, arm.
12 Patri. Curwen, arm. . .
13 Tho. Dacre, mil. . . .
14 Ti. Fetherston, mil.
15
16 Chri. Louther, arm. . .
17 Hen. Fletcher, bar. . .
18
19
20
21
22 Hen. Tolson, arm. . -.
EDWARD IV.
16. RICHARD DUKE OF GLOUCESTER. — He is notoriously
known to posterity, without any comment or character to de-
scribe him. In his Arms, it is observable, that the younger
sons of kings did not use our common modern manner of dif-
ferences, by Crescents, Mullets, Martelets, &c. ; but assumed
unto themselves some other differencing devices.
Wonder not that his difference, being a label (disguised with
some additions), hath some allusion to eldership therein, whilst
this Richard was but the third son ; seeing, in his own ambition,
he was not only the eldest but only child of his father, as
appeareth by his project, not long after, to bastardize both his
brethren. And now did he begin to cast an eye on, and fore-
cast a way to the crown, by securing himself of this county,
which is the back (as Northumberland the fore) door of Scot-
land. In the meantime, Cumberland may count it no mean
credit, that this duke was for six years together, and at that
very time, her high-sheriff, when he was made (or rather made
himself) king of England.
HENRY VIII.
21. THOMAS WHARTON. — This must needs be that worthy
person whom king Henry the Eighth afterwards created first lord
Wharton, of Wharton in Westmoreland, and who gave so great
a defeat to the Scots, at Solemn Moss, that their king James
the Fifth soon after died for sorrow thereof.
362 WORTHIES OF CUMBERLAND.
Indeed the Scottish writers, conceiving it more creditable to
put their defeat on the account of anger than of fear, make it
rather a surrender than a battle ; as if their countrymen were in
effect unwilling to conquer, because unwilling to fight; such
their disgust taken at Oliver Sentclear, a man of low birth and
high pride, obtruded on them that day by the king for their
general ; and, to humour their own discontentment, they pre-
ferred rather to be taken prisoners by an enemy, than to fight
under so distasted a commander.
As for the lord Wharton, I have read (though not able pre-
sently to produce my author ) that, for this his service, his arms
were augmented with an Orle of Lions5 paws in saltire Gules,
on a border Or.
THE FAREWELL.
I understand two small manufactories are lately set up
therein ; the one of coarse broad-cloth at Cockermouth (vended
at home) ; the other of fustians some two years since at Carlisle ;
and I wish that the undertakers may not be disheartened with
their small encouragement. Such who are ashamed of con-
temptible beginnings will never arrive at considerable endings.
Yea, the greatest giant was (though never a dwarf) once
an infant ; and the longest line commenced from a little point
at the first.
1 ^WORTHIES OF CUMBERLAND WHO HAVE FLOURISHED SINCE
THE TIME OF FULLER.
Richard BATY, divine and author; born at Arthuret; died
1758.
John BELL, divine and author; born at Dovenby 1?15; died
1793.
William BENN, nonconformist divine and author ; born at
Egremont 1600; died 1680.
James Bo ADEN, dramatic author; born at Whitehaven 1?62;
died 1839.
Jonathan BOUCHER, divine, Saxon scholar, and philologist ;
born at Blencogo 1738; died 1804.
Dr. Joseph BROWN, biographer and editor of Cardinal Barbe-
rini ; born at Water Millock 1?00 ; died 1-767.
Joseph Dacre CARLYLE, divine, traveller in the East, Arabic
scholar, and poet; born at Carlisle 1759; died 1804.
Dr. John DALTON, divine and poet ; born at Deane 1 709 ;
died 1763.
WORTHIES SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER. 363
Richard DALTON, Eastern traveller; died 1791.
Thomas DENTON, divine and author; born at Sebergham ;
died 1777.
Clement ELLIS,, divine, poet, and author of " Scripture Cate-
chist," &c. 1630; died 1700.
John FELL, dissenting divine, author of " Demoniacs/5 &c. ;
born at Cockermouth 1735 ; died 1797.
William GILPIN, divine and tourist, author on divinity, biogra-
phy, and picturesque scenery; bom at Scaleby Castle 1?24 ;
died 1804.
Dr. Anthony HALL, editor of Trivet's ce Annales " and Le-
land's " Scriptores;" born at Kirkbride 1679; died 1723.
Thomas HARVEY, a learned divine and stenographist ; born at
Dovenby 1740; died 1806.
Captain Joseph HUDDART, hydrographer and navigator ; born
at Allenby 1741 ; died 1816.
John HUDSON, a learned divine and philologist, editor of Jose-
phus; born at Widehope 1662 ; died 1719.
Edward LAW, lord chief justice Ellenborough ; born at Great
Salkeld 1750; died 1818.
John LEAKE, physician, founder of the Westminster Lying-in
Hospital; born at Ainstable 1729; died 1792.
Sir William MUSGRAVE, sixth baronet, antiquary and collector;
born at Hayton Castle 1?35.
William NICOLSON, bishop of Carlisle, afterwards archbishop
of Cashel, a scholar and antiquary ; born at Orton 1655 ; died
1727.
Rev. Josiah RELPH, Cf Cumberland poet ;" born at Sebergham
1712; died 1743.
Isaac RITSON, poet and miscellaneous writer, translator of
Homer's Hymn to Venus; born near Penrith 1761; died
1789.
Jeremiah SEED, a divine, able scholar, and ingenious writer ;
born at Clifton near Penrith 1605 ; died 1?47.
Humphrey SENHOUSE, founder of Maryport ; born at Nether-
hall; died 1770.
Dr. Bolton SIMPSON, editor of Xenophon; born at Redmain
1717.
Dr. Joseph SIMPSON, editor of Epictetus and Theophrastus ;
born at Redmain 17 10.
Thomas TICKELL, a friend of Addison, writer in prose and
verse; born at Bridekirk 1686 ; died 1740.
Dr. Hugh TODD, a learned divine, antiquary, and miscellaneous
writer; born at Blencowe about 1658; died 1728.
Roger WHELPDALE, bishop of Carlisle, logician and mathema-
tician; died 1822.
Joseph WISE, a divine and poet ; born at Holm Cultram ; died
1810.
364 WORTHIES OF CUMBERLAND.
%* The principal Works, illustrative of this county, published since Fuller's
time, are the History of the Counties of Westmoreland and Cumberland, by J.
Nicholson and Dr. R. Burn (1777) ; the History of Cumberland, by Wm. Hutchin-
son (1794) ; Topographical Description of Cumberland, by J. Houseman (1800) ;
Jollie's Cumberland Guide (1811); Directory and Gazetteer of Cumberland and
Westmoreland, by Wm. Parson and Wm. White (1829); besides various Guides,
Tours, &c., by West, Hutchinson, Clarke, T ravers, Budworth, and others. The
Beauties of England, and Lysons' Magna Britannia, have also entered upon the
subject ; and a splendidly illustrative Work has recently been published, in num-
bers, by Mr. T. Rose.— ED.
DERBYSHIRE.
DERBYSHIRE hath Yorkshire on the north, Nottinghamshire
on the east, Leicestershire on the south, Stafford and Cheshire
on the west. The river South Darwent, falling into Trent, run-
neth through the middle thereof: — I say South Darwent, for I
find three more north thereof; Darwent, which divideth the
west from the east riding in Yorkshire ; Darwent, which sepa-
rateth the bishopric of Durham from Northumberland ; Dar-
went in Cumberland, which falleth into the Irish ocean.
These I have seen by critical authors written all alike;
enough to persuade me that dower, the British word for water,
had some share in their denomination.
The two extremes of this shire, from north to south, extend
to thirty-eight miles, though not fully twenty-nine in the broad-
est part thereof. The south and east thereof are very fruitful,
whilst the north part (called the Peak) is poor above, and rich
beneath the ground. Yet are there some exceptions therein.
Witness the fair pasture nigh H addon (belonging to the earl of
Rutland,) so incredibly battling of cattle, that one proffered to
surround it with shillings to purchase it; which^ because to be
set side-ways (not edgeways), were refused.
NATURAL COMMODITIES.
LEAD.
The best in England (not to say Europe) is found in this
county. It is not churlish but good-natured metal, not curd-
ling into knots and knobs, but all equally fusile ; and therefore
most useful for pipes and sheets ; yea, the softness thereof will
receive any artificial impressions. The miners thereof may be
called a commonwealth within our commonwealth, governed by
laws peculiar to themselves, often confirmed by act of parlia-
ment. And take a few of them.
1. If any of this nation find a rake, or sione, or leading to the
same, he may set in any ground to get lead ore.*
2. But churches, houses, and gardens, are free from this cus-
tom of the minery.
* 3 and 4 Philip and Mary, Act 4.
366 WORTHIES OP DERBYSHIRE.
3. All miners ought to commence their suit for ore-debt in
the Barge-moot court ; otherwise they must lose their debt, and
pay cost too.*
4. The barge master keeps his two great courts twice a year
in Barge-moot hall ; the steward under him once in three weeks,
to decide controversies, and punish offences betwixt miners.
5. Plaintiffs or defendants, having three verdicts passed
against them, are bound up for ever.
6. He that stealeth ore twice, is fined; and the third time
struck through his hand with a knife unto the haft into the
Stow, and is there to stand until death, or loose himself by cut-
ting off his hand.f
7. The lord, for lot, hath the thirteenth dish of ore, within
their mine, and six-pence a load for cope.
This manual (as other liberal) art hath terms peculiar to
itself, which will not be understood without an interpreter of
their own profession :
" Bunnings, polings, stemples, forks, andslydder,
Stoprice, yokings, soletrees, roach and rider,
Water holes, wind holes, veyns, coe-shafts, and woughs,
Maine rakes, cross rakes, brown henns, buddies, and soughs,
Break-offs, and buckers, randum of the rake,
Freeings, and chasing of the stole to th' stake,
Starting of ore, smelting, and driving drifts,
Prim-gaps, roof works, flat-works, pipe-works, shifts,
Cauke, spar, lid-stones, twitches, daulings, and pees,
Fell, bous, and knock-bark, forstid-oar and tees,
Bing place, barmoot court, barge master and stowes,
Crosses, holes, hange-benches, turntree and coes,
Founder-meers, taker-meers, lot, cope, and sumps.
Stickings, and stringes of oar, wash-oar, and pumps,
Corfe, clivies, deads, meers, groves, rake-soil the gange,
Binge-oar, a spindle, a lampturne, a fange,
Fleaks, knockings, coestid, trunks, and sparks of oar,
Sole of the rake, smitham, and many more."J
Let me add, that whereas miners complain that lead in So-
mersetshire (as the tin in Cornwall) doth daily decay, here it doth
improve and increase : for, as if Phoebus himself had been their
Vulcan, massy pieces of lead are frequently found (whereof
lately I had one in my hand) so well ripened in the bowels of
the earth, that they seemed refined, such the original purity
thereof. §
THE MANUFACTURES.
MALT.
Though commonness causeth contempt, excellent the art of
the first inventing thereof. I confess it facile to make barley-
* 3 Edw. VI. Act. 5. \ \& Edw. I. c. 2.
J Composed by Edward Manlove, Esq. heretofore steward of the Barge-moot
court for the lead mines within the said Wapentake.
§ Even in the time of the Romans, the lead of Derbyshire was celebrated ; seve-
ral pigs of lead, marked with their stamps, having been found here.— ED.
MANUFACTURES — BUILDINGS. 36?
water, an invention which found out itself, with little more than
the bare joining the ingredients together. But to make malt
for drink, was a master piece indeed. How much of philoso-
phy concurred to the first kill of malt ! and before it was turned
on the floor,- how often was it tossed in the brain of the first
inventor thereof.
First, to give it a new growth more than the earth had
bestowed thereon. Swelling it in the water, to make it last the
longer by breaking it, and taste the sweeter by corrupting it.
Secondly, by making it to pass the fire, the grain (by art fer-
mented) acquiring a lusciousness (which by nature it had not),
whereby it doth both strengthen and sweeten the water wherein
it is boiled.
ALE.
Ceres being our English Bacchus, this was our ancestors'
common drink, many imputing the strength of their infantry (in
drawing so stiff a bow) to their constant (but moderate) drink-
ing thereof. Yea, now the English begin to turn to ale (may
they in due time regain their former vigorousness !) ; and
whereas, in our remembrance, ale went out when swallows came
in, seldom appearing after Easter; it now hopeth (having
climbed up May hill) to continue its course all the year. Yet
have we lost the preservative, whatever it was, which (before
hops were found out) made it last so long in our land some two
hundred years since, for half a year at the least after the brew-
ing thereof ; otherwise of necessity they must brew every day,
yea pour it out of the kive into the cup, if the prodigious
English hospitality in former ages be considered, with the mul-
titude of menial servants and strangers entertained. Now never
was the wine of Sarepta better known to the Syrians, that of
Chios to the Grecians, of Falernum to the Latins, than the
Canary of Derby is to the English thereabout.
THE BUILDINGS.
Chatsworth, erected by the magnificent Lady Elizabeth Ca-
vendish, countess of Shrewsbury, is a stately structure, thus de-
scribed by the poet :*
Slat Chatsworth, prteclara domus, turn mole superba,
Turn Domino magno, celerem Der'oentis ad undam.
Mirnnti similis porttim prcelerfluit Amnis
Hie tacitus, saxis infra supraque sonorus.
'* Chatsworth, which in its bulk itself doth pride
And lord (both great), stands Derwent bank beside ;
Which slides still by the gate, as full of wonder,
Though loud with stones above the house and under."
The garden on the back side, with an artificial rock and wil-
derness, accomplisheth the place with all pleasure.
* Hobbes, " Be Mirabilibus Pecci."
VOL. I. 2 B
368 WORTHIES OF DERBYSHIRE.
WONDERS.
God, who is truly Qavparovpyog, the only worker of wonders,
hath more manifested his might in this than in any other
county in England; such the heaps of wonders therein,
amongst which we take special notice of
MAIM TOR, OR MAM-TOR.
Tor is a hill ascending steep, as Glassenbury Tor. Maim,
saith one,* because maimed or broken in the top thereof.
Others, following the vulgar pronunciation, will have it Mam-
tor ; that is, the Mother-hill ; because it is always delivered, and
presently with child again ; for incredible heaps of sandy earth
constantly fall thence, yet is it not visibly diminished, having,
it seems, (as a constant stream) such a spring of matter whence
it is recruited. It may pass for the emblem of the liberal man,
never impoverished by his well-bounded and grounded charity,
his expences being re-supplied by a secret Providence.
MEDICINAL WATERS.
Buxton Well, dedicated to St. Anne, sending forth both cold
and warm water, is little less than miraculous in the effects,
thus described by our author :f
Hecc resoluta senum con/irmat membra trementum,
Et refovet nervos lotrix heec bjmpha gelatos.
Hue inftrma regunt baculis vestigia claudiy
Ingrati referunt baculis vestigia spretis.
Hue, mater fieri cupiens, accedit inanis,
Plenaque discedit, puto, nee veniente marito.
" Old men's numb'd joints new vigour here acquire,
In frozen nerves this water kindleth fire.
Hither the cripples halt, some help to find,
Run hence, their crutches unthanked left behind.
The barren wife here meets her husband's love J
With such success she straight doth mother prove."
This well is also famous for the abode of Mary queen of
Scots thereby, who found much refreshing by the waters
thereof.
PRINCES.
I find no prince, since the Conquest, who saw his first light in
this county, probably because our English kings never made
any long residence therein.
SAINTS.
St. ALKMUND, son to Aired king of Northumberland, slain
in a battle on the behalf of Ethelmund viceroy of Worcester,
pretending to recover lands against Duke Wolstan, who detain-
ed them, was therefore reputed saint and martyr. It would
* Hobbes. f Ibid.
J The Translator durst not be so bold as the author. —F.
MARTYRS CARDINALS. 369
pose a good scholar to clear his title to the latter, who lost his
life in a quarrel of civil concernment ; on which account, in all
battles betwixt Christians, such as are slain on one side may
lay claim to martyrship. However, it befriendeth his memory,
that his body, translated to Derby, was believed to do miracles,
being there with great veneration interred in a church called
Saint Alkmund's, on the right hand, as passengers, from the
south, go over the bridge, whither the Northern people made
many pilgrimages, till discomposed by the Reformation. What
relation Alkmundsbury, a town in Huntingdonshire, hath unto
him, is to me unknown.
MARTYRS.
JOAN WAST was a blind woman in the town of Derby, and
on that account the object of any man's alms, rather than the
subject of his cruelty. Besides, she was seemingly a silly soul,
and indeed an innocent, though no fool. And what saith our
Saviour, e( For judgment am I come into this world ; that they
which see not might see, and that they which see might be
made blind/5* This poor woman had a clear apprehension of
God's truth ; for the testimony whereof she was condemned,
and burnt at the stake, by the command of Bishop Baines, who,
as he began with the extremes, Mistress Joyce Lewis, one of
the best, and this Joan Wast, one of the basest, birth in his
diocese ; so no doubt (had not queen Mary died) he would
have made his cruelty meet in persons of a middle condition.
CARDINALS.
ROGER CURSON was born, saith my author, "ex nobili quo-
dam Anglorum gen ere," (of worshipful English extraction ).f
Now I find none of his surname out of this county (except some
branches lately thence derived) ; but in the same, two right an-
cient families, one formerly at Croxton, whose heir general in
our age was married to the earl of Dorset, the other still flou-
risheth at in this county; which moves me to make this
Roger a native thereof. Bred he was, first a scholar in Oxford,
then a doctor in Paris, and lastly a cardinal in Rome, by the
title of Saint Stephen in Mount Celius. When the city of Da-
mietta in Egypt was taken under John Brenn king of Jerusalem,
our Cardinal Curson was there, accompanying Pelagius the
pope's cardinal. He wrote many books, and came over into
England as the pope's legate in the reign of kind Henry
the Third. J The certain time of his death is unknown.
PHILIP de REPINGDON took, no doubt, his name and birth
from Repingdon, commonly contracted and called Repton,
in this county ; and I question whether any other in England of
* John ix. 39. f John Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis.
I Matthew Paris, anno 1228.
2 B 2
WORTHIES OF DERBYSHIRE.
the same name. He was bred, and commenced first bachelor,
then doctor of divinity, in Oxford, where he became a great
champion and assertor of the doctrine of John Wickliffe, which
caused him much trouble and many strict examinations. But
alas ! he became like the seed on stony ground, " which, not
having root in itself, endured but for a while,"* and withered
away in persecution: for he solemnly recanted his opinions,
November 24, anno 1383. And, to give the better assurance
that he was a true Anti-Wickliffite, from a professor he became
a persecutor, and afterwards was termed Rampington by those
poor people whom he so much molested.f
Then preferment flowed in thick and threefold upon him.
From a canon he became abbot of Leicester ; and, anno 1400,
he was made chancellor of Oxford ; 1405, bishop of Lincoln ;
1408, by Pope Gregory the Twelfth, he was created cardinal
of Saint Nerius and Achilleius ; though the Pope had solemnly
sworn he would make no more cardinals till the schism in Rome
were ended. The best is, the Pope, being master of the oath-
office, may give himself a pardon for his own perjury. What
moved this Repington willingly to resign his bishopric, 1420, is
to me unknown.
PRELATES.
WILLIAM GRAY| was son to the lord Gray of Codnor in
fliis county. He suffered not his parts to be depressed by his
nobility ; but, to make his mind the more proportionable, he
endeavoured to render himself as able as he was honourable.
He studied first in Balliol College in Oxford, then at Ferrara in
Italy, where he for a long time heard the lectures of Guarinus
of Verona, that accomplished scholar. No man was better ac-
quainted with the method of the court of Rome, which made
our king appoint him his Procurator therein. It is hard to say
whether Pope Nicholas the Fifth, or our king Henry the Sixth,
contributed most to his free election to the bishopric of Ely ;
whilst it is out of doubt his own deserts concurred most effec-
tually thereunto. He sat in that see twenty-four years, and
wrote many books,§ which the envy of time hath denied to
posterity. Bishop Godwin, by mistake, maketh him chancellor
of England; || whereas indeed he was lord treasurer in the
ninth of king Edward the Fourth, anno 1469. Let me add, he
was the last clergyman that ever discharged that office ; until
bishop Juxton in our days was preferred thereunto. He died
August 4, 1478 ; and lies buried between two marble pillars in
his church, having bestowed much cost in the reparation of the
famous belfry thereof.
* Mark iv. 17. t Fox, Acts and Monuments, p. 444.
J Godwin, in his Bishops of Ely, out of Bale and Pits.
§ Pits, in Appen. Viror. Illustrium. '
| See Sir Henry Spelman's Catalogue, in his Glossary ; and John Philpot, p. 75.
STATESMEN — JUDGES WRITERS. 371
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
GEORGE COOKE, D.D., brother to Sir John Cooke, Secretary
of State, was born at Trusley in this county ; bred in Pembroke
Hall in Cambridge. Afterwards he was beneficed at Bigrave in
Hertfordshire, where a lean village (consisting of but three
houses) maketh a fat living. Hence he was successively made
bishop of Bristol and Hereford. A meek, grave, and quiet man,
much beloved of such who were subjected to his jurisdiction.
He was in the same condemnation with the rest of his brethren,
for subscribing the Protest in Parliament in preservation of
their privileges. The times trod so heavily upon him, that
(though he ever was a thrifty person) they not only bruised the
foot, but brake the body of his estate : so that he had felt want,
if not relieved by his rich relations, dying about the year 1650.
STATESMEN.
Sir JOHN COOKE, younger brother to Sir Francis Cooke,
was born at Trusley (in the hundred of Appletree) in this
county, of ancient and worshipful parentage, allied to the best
families in this county. He was bred fellow of Trinity College
in Cambridge ; and being chosen rhetoric lecturer in the uni-
versity, grew eminent for his ingenious and critical readings in
that school on that subject : he then travelled beyond the seas
for some years ; returning thence rich in foreign language, ob-
servations, and experience.
Being first related to Sir Fulk Greville Lord Brook, he was
thence preferred to be secretary of the navy, then master of
the requests, and at last secretary of state for twenty years
together. He was a very zealous Protestant, and did all good
offices for the advancement of true religion ; and died the 8th
of September 1644,
CAPITAL JUDGES, AND WRITERS OF THE LAW.
JOHN STATHOM. — He was born in this county, in the reign
of king Henry the Sixth ; and was a learned man in the laws,
whereof he wrote an "Abridgment," much esteemed at this day
for the antiquity thereof: for otherwise lawyers behold him (as
soldiers do bows and arrows since the invention of guns) rather
for sight than service. Yea, a grandee in that profession hath
informed me that little of Stathom (if any at all) is law at this
day ; so much is the practice thereof altered : whereof the
learned in that faculty will give a satisfactory account ; though
otherwise it may seem strange, that, reason continuing always,
the same law grounded thereon should be capable of so great
alteration. The first and last time that I opened this author I
lighted on this passage :
" Molendinarius de Matlock "tollavit bis, eo quod ipse audivit
372 WORTHIES OF DERBYSHIRE.
rectorem de eadem villa dicere in Dominica Ram. Palm. Tolle,
tolle ; " * (the miller of Matlock took toll twice, because he
heard the rector of the parish read on Palm Sunday, Tolle,
tolle : i. e. ( Crucify him, crucify him/)t
But if this be the fruit of Latin service, to encourage men
in felony, let ours be read in plain English.
Sir ANTHONY FITZ-HERBERT, son of Ralph Fitz-Herbert,
Esquire, was born at Norbury, in this county. He was first
the king's serjeant-at-law; and was afterwards, in the four-
teenth of king Henry the Eighth, made one of the justices of
the Common Pleas; so cotitinuing until the thirtieth year of
the said king, when he died. He wrote the excellent book
" De Natura Brevium," with a great and laborious (( Abridge-
ment of the Laws," and a Calendar and Index thereunto ;
monuments which will longer continue his memory, than the
flat blue marble stone in Norbury church, under which he lieth
interred.
SEAMEN.
Sir HUGH WILLOUGHBY was extracted from a right worthy
and ancient stock, at Risley, in this county.J He was in the
last year of the reign of king Edward the Sixth, employed for the
north-east passage ; and, by the king and merchants of London,
made captain general of a fleet for discovery of regions and
places unknown.
Their fleet consisted of three ships, the Bona Esperanza
(Admiral), of one hundred and twenty tons ; the Edward Bona-
venture (whereof Richard Chancellor pilot-major) of one
hundred and sixty tons ; and the Good Confidence, of ninety
tons. A large commission was granted unto them, which com-
mission did not bear date from the year of our Lord, but from
the year of the world, 5515, because in their long voyage they
might have occasion to present it to Pagan princes. §
They departed from Deptford, May 10, 1553, and, after
much foul weather, steered up north-north-east. But, on the
second day of August, a tempest arose ; and their ships with
the violence of the wind were much shattered, and the Bona-
venture scattered from the other two ships, which never saw it
again.
Sir Hugh, holding on his course, descried a land (which for
ice he could not approach) lying from Synam (an island belong-
ing to the king of Denmark) one hundred and sixty leagues,
being in latitude seventy-two degrees. This was then called
Willoughby-land, as well it might, seeing it had neither then or
* Stathom, Tit. Toll, last case of the title.
f It is the Gospel appointed for the day.
J Camden's Britannia, in Derbyshire, v
§ Exemplified in Hackluit's Voyages, vol. i. p. 231.
SEAMEN. 373
since any owner or inhabitant pretending to the' propriety
thereof.
It appeareth by a will found in the ship which was the
Admiral, in the pocket of a person of quality, how, in January
1554, Sir Hugh and most of his company were then in health,
though all soon after frozen to death in a river, or haven, called
Arzina in Lapland. We are bound in charity to believe them
well prepared for death, the ^rather because they had with them
a minister, Mr. Richard Stafford by name * (one of the twelve
councillors to manage the design), who read constantly every
morning and evening the English service to those who were in
the Admiral, with the Bible and paraphrases thereon ; so that
this may be termed the first Reformed Fleet, which had the
English prayers and preaching therein.
However, seeing nocumenta, documenta ; and that the ship-
wrecks of some are sea-marks to others; even this knight's
miscarriage proved a direction to others. As for the Bonaven-
ture, which, answering its name, was only found by losing itself,
it returned safe, and performed afterwards most excellent ser-
vice, in opening the traffic to Muscovy.
Thus, as the last dog most commonly catcheth the hare
which other dogs have turned and tired before ; so such who
succeed in dangerous and difficult enterprises, generally reap
the benefit of the adventures of those who went before them.
As for Sir Hugh and his company, their discoveries'did thaw,
though their bodies were frozen to death ; the English, the
summer following, finding a particular account of all passages of
their voyages remaining entire in the ship wherein they pe-
rished.
Lapland hath since been often surrounded (so much as
accosts the sea) by the English ; the west part whereof belong-
eth to the king of Sweden, but the east moiety to the Mus-
covite. They were generally heathen, as poor in knowledge as
estate, paying their tribute in furs, whose little houses are but
great holes, wherein generally they live in the ignorance of
money.
Here let me insert a passage (to refresh the reader after this
long and sad story) of a custom in this barbarous country, from
the mouths of creditable merchants, whose eyes have beheld it.
It is death in Lapland to marry a maid without her parents' or
friends' consent. Wherefore, if one bear affection to a young
maid, upon the breaking thereof to her friends, the fashion is,
that a day is appointed for their friends to meet, to behold the
two young parties to run a race together. The maid is allowed,
in starting, the advantage of a third part of the race ; so that it
is impossible, except willing of herself, that she should ever be
overtaken. If the maid overrun her suitor, the matter is ended ;
* Hackluit's Voyages, vol. i. p. 230.
374 WORTHIES OF DERBYSHIRE.
he must never have her, it being penal for the man again to
renew the motion of marriage. But if the virgin hath an affec-
tion for him, though at the first running hard, to try the truth
of his love, she will (without Atalanta's golden balls to retard
her speed) pretend some casualty, and make a voluntary halt
before she cometh to the mark, or end of the race. Thus none
are compelled to marry against their own wills ; and this is the
cause that in this poor country the married people are richer in
their own contentment, than in other lands, where so many
forced matches make feigned love, and cause real unhappi-
ness.
PHYSICIANS.
THOMAS LINACER, doctor of physic, was born in the town of
Derby,* bred in Oxford, whence he afterwards travelled be-
yond the seas, residing chiefly at Rome and Florence. Return-
ing into England, he brought languages along with him, and was
the first restorer of learning in our nation. It is questionable
whether he was a better Latinist or Grecian, a better gram-
marian or physician, a better scholar or man for his moral
deportment. By his endeavours, Galen speaks better Latin in
the translation, than he did Greek in the original; the last
volume whereof Linacer promised to dedicate to archbishop
Warham, and excuseth his failing therein by a Latin letter,
which, for several reasons, I have here exemplified : first, for
the quickness of conceit and purity of style therein : secondly,
because never formerly printed : thirdly, because there is but
one copy thereof written with Linacer's own hand, prefixed to
that numerical book which he presented to the said archbishop,
bestowed by my old friend doctor George Ent on the college
of physicians : lastly, because doctor Christopher Merrick hath
been pleased carefully to compare it with the original.
" Reverendissimo in Christo Patri ac Domino, Domino Gu-
lielmo, Dei gratia Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, totius
Angliee Primati, et Apostolicse Sedis Legato, Thomas
Linacrus, Medicus, salutem cum debita dicit observantia.
ef Quod tibi (Archiepiscope clarissime !) opus hoc, sicuti
promiseram, non dedicavi, sed ejus duntaxat exemplum ad te
misi, nolis, obsecro, pro spectata humanitate tua, me magis aut
promissi putare immemorem, aut ejus levem habuisse curam,
quin id implere maxime cupientem, facere tamen non potuisse.
Nam cum in ea sentential sic perstitissem, ut ex ea me, praeter
unum, nemo hominum dejicere potuisset, is profecto, nee alius,
earn mutavit. Quippe Rex ipse, cum ex certorum hominum
sermone, qui nimio studio mei, mea omnia nimio plus predi-
cant, intellexisset, e tribus partibus, quibus tota medicines ars
* Weever's Funeral Monuments, p. 370.
PHYSICIANS. 375
integratur, hanc, quee hoc codice continetur, esse reliquam;
earn quoque, veluti justam sibi, nee a reliquis nuncupatione dis-
trahendam, vendicavit: jussitque Domino Johanni Chambre,
observantissimo paternitatis tuee famulo, turn prsesenti atque
audienti, ut sibi earn inscriberem. Itaque cum te perspicere
non dubitem, quantum apud me valere, quamque legis instar
haberi debeat ejus voluntas ; non difficulter, ut spero, £ te im-
petrabo (id quod etiam magnis precibus contendo) ut alio
quopiam, ex iis quee in manibus sunt, opere, et studiosis (ut
opinor) futuro non ingrato, oppigrieratam tibi fidem reluere
liceat. Quod si concedes, utrumque per te simul fiet, ut et
voluptate, quam ex requisitis a tanto principe vigiliis meis con-
cepi, ea fruar ; et solicitudine, qua pro redimenda fide angebar,
ea liberer. Nee eo spectat (reverendissime prsesul!) heec tarn
sedula excusatio, quasi ullas meas nugas sic censeam, ut tibi
usquam expetitas, expetendasve putem. Sic earn potius intel-
ligi postulo, cum tu mini primus ad otium literarium beneficiis
tuis aditum patefeceris, justissimum existimasse me, tibi ejus
otii rationem aliquam esse reddendam, ex qua me intelligeres
non omnino id frustra conterere : sed cum id, partimj instituen-
dis quibusdam, partim his, qualiacunque sunt, ad usum studio-
sorum scribendis impendam, hoc agere imprimis, ut qui ex eo
audientes legentesve fructum aliquem percipient, tibi, quern non
minimum ejus autorem ubique profiteer, bonam ejus partem
acceptam referant. Quod utique turn in his, quse jam edidimus,
velim faciant, turn quee alias unquam scribam ; nedum quse tibi
nominatim (modo vita supersit) dicabuntur. Diu valeas, pater
amplissime."
No Englishman in that age had so learned masters, viz.
Demetrius, Politian, and Hermolaus Barbarus ; so noble
patrons, viz. Laurence de Medicis, duke of Florence, whilst he
was beyond the seas, king Henry the Seventh and Eighth (to
whom he was chief physician) after his return into England ;
so high-born scholars, prince Arthur, with many lords' sons his
contemporaries; so learned friends, Erasmus, Melancthon,
Vives, &c.*
This Linacer founded two public lectures in Oxford, and one
in Cambridge (dutifully his respect to his mother, double above
his aunt), for the study of physic ; and, that students of that
faculty of both universities may meet the more conveniently
together, he founded the college of physicians in London.
I much wonder at what I find in good authors,t that Linacer,
a little before his death, turned priest, and began to study the
Scripture, with which he formerly was unacquainted, insomuch
that, reading the fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters of Saint Mat-
thew, he vowed, " that either this was not the gospel, or we were
* Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. viii. n. 65 ; and J. Pits, in anno 1524.
f Idem, ut prius.
376 WORTHIES OF DERBYSHIRE.
not Christians/5 which speech (though much condemned by the
relater* thereof) is capable of a charitable sense, as taxing men's
practice so much different from God's precepts.
He died anno Domini 1524,, on the twelfth of October; and
lieth buried in Saint Paul's., under a stately monument built to
his memory by doctor John Caius, and a phoenix is erected on
the top thereof. Yea, I may call these two doctors the two
phoenixes of their profession in our nation,, and justify the ex-
pression, seeing the latter in some sort sprang of the ashes
of the former, and Caius came not into general credit till after
the decease of Linacer.
WRITERS.
THOMAS ASHBURNE was born at that well-known market-
town in this county (and not in Staffordshire, as both Bale and
Pits mistake), and became an Augustinian therein. Going
afterwards to Oxford, he was doctorated in divinity. He was
a great adversary to Wickliffe, and in that Synod wherein his
doctrines were condemned for heresy, by ten bishops, twenty
lawyers, and four-and-forty divines, our Ashburne made up one
of the last number.
Yet once he did some good, or rather diverted much evil. It
happened that one Peter Pateshul, an Augustinian, preaching
in London, had some passages in favour of Wickliffe, which so
displeased those of his own order, that they plucked him out of
the pulpit, dragged him into the convent of Augustines (near
Broad-street), intending more violence to his person.
This alarmed the Londoners (amongst whom a considerable
party of Wickliffites) to rescue poor Pateshul, who in their rage
had burnt the convent about the friars' ears, had not our Ash-
burne, with his prayers and tears, seasonably interceded.t He
flourished under king Richard the Second, 1382.
BENEFACTORS TO THE PUBLIC SINCE THE REFORMATION.
ELIZABETH HARDWICK was daughter to John Hardwick, of
Hardwick in this county, Esquire ; a lady of an undaunted spirit,
and happy in her several marriages to great persons ; first, to
Sir William Cavendish, then to Sir William Saintloo, and at
last to George earl of Shrewsbury. She left two sacred (be-
sides civil) monuments of her memory in this county ; one that
I hope will not [her tomb in All-Hallows], the other that I am
sure cannot, be taken away, as registered in the court of Hea-
ven— her stately alms-house for twelve poor people in Derby.
It will not be amiss here to relate a passage which is report-
ed of this countess. Mary queen of Scots being committed to
the keeping of her husband George earl of Shrewsbury, the
custody of so great a princess on the earl's cost, was found not
* Johan. Cheek, de Pronunciatione Grseca.
t Thomas Walsingham ; et ex illo Bale, Cent. vi. n. 77.
BENEFACTORS — GENTRY. 377
only chargeable but dangerous ; the popish party daily prac-
tising her enlargement. Now it happened that this countess
coming to court,, queen Elizabeth demanded of her how the
queen of Scots did. " Madam," said she, " she cannot do ill
while she is with my husband ; and I begin to grow jealous,
they are so great together." The queen, who disliked any
familiarity of that royal prisoner with so great a peer, presently
ordered her removal thence into the custody of others. * This
countess died anno Domini [1607, in extreme old age].
There is a free school in the town of Derby, built, as I un-
derstand, by that corporation, and endowed with threescore
pounds a year ; and I conjecture Mr. R. Fletcher, thrice bailiff
of the town, (I say, by his laudatory epitaph, I conjecture him)
very instrumental to this work. I understand also that the
said town hath large privileges, insomuch that Londoners in
some cases pay toll at Derby, but Derby men in no case toll at
London. I grudge them not their great privileges, so long
as they employ their public stock to pious uses.
To conclude this topic, I meet with this memorable passage
in one who continueth the work of an industrious author, f
which I will not, yea must not, omit :
(i Divers well-disposed citizens of London, desirous (as yet)
not to be named, being born in or near to Ashburne in
the Peak, in the county.'of Derby, combining their loving
benevolence together, have built there a fair school-
house, with convenient lodgings for a master, and liberal
maintenance allowed thereto."
I hope that their forwardness hath since provoked many ;
and that their charity (to allude to their staple commodity of
this county), but in the oar in the times of our fathers, hath
since been refined to perfection.
THE NAMES OF THE GENTRY OF THIS COUNTY,
RETURNED BY THE COMMISSIONERS IN THE TWELFTH YEAR OF KING
HENRY THE SIXTH, 1433.
William bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, and Henry de Grey
de Codnore ; — Richard Vernon, and John Cokayne, (knights
for the shire) ; — Commissioners to take the oaths.
Roberti Carrington. Johannis Strelley.
Nicolai Maysham. Johannis Allibon.
Thomee Stokkes. Johannis Chester.
Johannis Wyther. Johannis Wandell.
Thomee Henster. Johannis Houghton.
Rogeri Wolley. Willielmi Orme.
* In my computation of time, this is more proportionable that some ascribe this
passage to Gertrude, the first wife of George earl of Shrewsbury. — F.
•f Stow's Survey of London, p. 67.
WORTHIES OF DERBYSHIRE.
Willielmi Burton.
Willielmi Rossel.
Henrici Sanky.
Thomas Hye.
Willielmi Peek.
Thomse Peek.
Thornse Roberd, brazier.
Roberti Warpeley.
Johannis Fassakirley.
Henrici Bancroft.
Johannis Hegge.
Roberti Shore.
Henrici Crabbe.
Johannis Cooke.
Richardi Peek.
Roberti Hewster.
Johannis Tykhull.
Edmundi Johnson.
Johannis Stretton.
Henrici Shepherd.
Thomee Draper.
Willielmi Thorstell.
Johannis Burton.
Willielmi Maskyr.
Willielmi Satteby.
Roberti Stanley, smith.
Thornse Stanley, ironmonger.
Henrici Cook.
-Edmundi Lacy.
Johannis Pesall.
Johannis Peek, currier.
Johannis Benet, brazier.
Nicholai Lacy.
Johannis By Watyr.
Johannis Spicer.
Johannis Lockyer, sen.
Johannis Lockyer, jun.
Richardi Baker.
Johannis Dunston.
Thomse Stanley, smith.
Willielmi Smith, tailor.
Johannis Wodecok.
Roberti Clerk, smith.
Johannis Manyashe, glover.
Nicholai Cust.
Roberti Hudgray.
Johannis Greaterler.
Richardi Walker.
Johannis Butler.
Johannis Chestirshire.
Johannis Bower, sen.
Johannis Bower, jun.
Johannis Halom.
Nicholai Baxter.
Willielmi Cartwright.
Richardi Brown, skinner.
Henrici Derley.
Roberti Potter.
Hankeston.
Johannis Potter.
Richardi Whitehalls.
Johannis Wode, plasterer.
Johannis Persal, tailor.
Johannis Hoke.
Richardi Wright.
Johannis Somer.
Radulphi Batesson.
Johannis Litlechirch.
Willielmi Johnson.
Richardi Talliour.
Richardi Colleman.
Roberti Nundi.
Johannis Hegge.
Johannis Hatton.
Willielmi Goldsmith.
Willielmi Bullock.
Rogeri Spicer.
Richardi Mody.
Willielmi Seler.
Johannis Stone.
Henrici Shore.
Willielmi Walker.
Johannis West.
Johannis Pen.
Willielmi Cutteler.
Richardi Keye.
Willielmi Shepherd.
Johannis Deye, cooper.
Roberti Euyngton.
Henrici Perpoint, chevalier.
Thomee Folliambe, armigeri.
Nicholai Johnsill, armigeri.
Johannis Leek, armigeri.
Willielmi Ulkerthorpe, arm.
Johannis Lynacre, armigeri.
Simonis Ulgerthorpe, gent.
Thomee Caus, gentleman.
Roberti Newbolt, gent.
GENTRY.
379
Radulphi Clappewell.
Willielmi Hardwick, gent.
Willielmi Lynacre, gent.
Willielmi Ulgerthorp, gent.
Joh. Halmworth de Stanley.
Johannis Whitington, gent.
Joh. Bothe de Elmeton, gent.
Joh. Barker de Dore, gent.
Richardi Seliok, gent.
Roherti Wennesley, gent.
Joh. Marshal de Egynton, ge.
Th. Marshal de Onlecotes, ge.
Wil. Smith de Egynton, gent.
Roberti Parker de Norton.
Thomae Fox de Aston.
Joh. Noble de Holmeffeld.
Johannis Parker de Norton.
Thomae Cook de eadem.
Will. Del More de Grenhul.
Willielmi Botonne.
Will. Parker de Shirlond.
Ric. Stykland de Ashover.
Rad. Huchonson de eadem.
Rob. Seriount de Dronfield.
Will. Outrem de Holmefeld.
Johannis Fox de Barleylees.
Radulphi Atte Wode.
Joh. Shanghe de Somersale.
Johannis Shagheuoc.
Willielmi Roudolf.
Willielmi Budde.
Johannis Capronn.
Johannis Brailesforth.
Roberti Shoter.
Ric. Callcroft de Chesterfeld.
Richardi Delkere de eadem.
Ely Dikkesson de eadem.
Thomae Callcroft de eadem.
Hen. de Brythrechefold, arm.
Tho Hugate de Ghesterfeld.
Johannis H arisen de Egynton.
Johannis Spynkhull.
Roberti Hasellherst.
W. Grene de Ken Walmersho.
Sannyer Atkin de eadem.
Thomae Walshe de Stanley.
Roberti Bishangh de Sutton.
Joh. Webster de Bellesouer.
Thomae Mariori de eadem.
Johannis Wodeword.
Thomae Withwyth.
Willielmi Aleyn de Norton.
Williemi Bullok de eadem.
Rogeri Pynder de Pilleslay.
Willielmi Pynder de eadem.
Johannis Amori.
Thomae Gresley, chevalier.
Roberti Francys, armigeri.
Johannis Curson de Croxhale.
Henrici Holland de Caldwale.
Johannis Abbeny.
Thomae Stokes.
Johan. Franceys de Tykenall.
Willielmi Lymster.
Johannis Waren.
Johannis Perfy.
Richardi Eyton.
Thomae Tronche.
Nicholai Chaloner.
Johannis Elton.
Johannis Godhale, sen.
Johannis Elton, jun.
Willielmi Pont.
Richardi Twigg.
Thomae Paynter.
Johannis Moseley.
Johannis Smith, ferrour.
Johannis Smith, baker.
Johannis Elyson.
Johannis Sharp.
Richardi Madley.
Johannis Baker.
Radulphi Gyles.
Rogeri Wilkinson.
Johannis Bate.
Johannis Pees.
Roberti Vernonn.
Rogeri Cowhope.
Richardi Smalley.
Roberti Twyforth.
Walteri Twyforth.
Johannis Stathum.
Thomae Makworth.
Johannis Lathebury.
Johannis Welbek.
Johannis Leymestyr.
Richardi Keys.
Ingram Frannceys.
380
WORTHIES OF DERBYSHIRE.
Jerardi Moynell.
Henrici Makworth.
Robert! Smalley.
Rich. Frannceys de Stanton.
Robert! Cokfeld.
Gilbert! Keys de Spondon.
Johannis Grandon de eadem.
Johannis Grandon de Denby.
Henrici Slack de Stanley.
Roberti Winter.
Thomse Babyngton.
Johannis Sancheverell.
Willielmi Lemestre.
Roberti Kneton.
Johannis Roleston de Lee.
Walter! WoUey.
Johannis Gretray de Elton.
Joh. Richardeson de Alsop.
Roger! Hawe de Elton.
Nicholai Mountgomery^ chev.
Henrici Kneton^ armigeri.
Radulphi Shirley,, armigeri.
Henrici Bradbourne.
Henrici Bothe^ armigeri.
Johannis Curson^ armigeri.
Tho. Kneton de Mircaston.
Will. Dethyh de Braidesall.
Nicholai Fitz-Herbert.
Johannis Fitz-Herbert.
"JVillielmi Mountgomere.
Roberti Shanghe.
Johannis Ronyngton.
Joh. Roleston de Swarston.
Willielmi Lemestyr.
Johannis Crewker.
Henrici de Sale.
Galfridi de Sale.
Rob. Miller de Roddesley.
Rob. Millner de Roddesley.
Thomse Prynce de Trusseley.
Thomse Saperton.
Johannis Dantre de Hatton.
Will, de Crosse de Hilton.
Roberti Weyke de Hatton.
Rich. Slater de Brailesforth.
Rob. Bradshaugh de Wyneley.
Thomse Prince de eadem.
Richard! Millner de Hagge.
Petri de la Pole,
Radulphi de la Pole.
Henrici de la Pole.
Johannis Mountgomery.
Henrici Rolleston.
Johannis Rollesley^ sen.
Johannis Rollesley^ jun.
Johannis Northwode.
Johannis Cooke de Edensore.
Rogeri Caltoii de eadem.
Willielmi Hikedonne, sen.
de eadem.
Willielmi Hikedonne^ jun.
Rogeri North de Babynhall.
Willielmi Jackson de Hassop.
Rogeri Cok de Edensore.
Joh. Stafford de Midleton.
Joh. Stafford de Eyham.
Richardi Cobyn de Eyham.
Johannis Shakerley de par.
Longesdon.
Oliveri Halley de Aston.
Johannis Balgy de Aston.
Roberti Hayr de Padley.
Radulphi Leche de Padley.
Willielmi Hayr de eadem.
Thurstani de Hall.
Thomse Woderoffe.
Nicholai Scaley.
Nicholai del Eyre de Hope.
Willielmi Kingesson.
Roberti Ratcliff de Mellehour.
Johannis Hide de Longlee.
Nicholai Hollond de Lyes.
Tho. Wolley de Chalesworth.
Willielmi Wolley de eadem.
Johannis del Bothe de Chales-
worth.
Tho. Wagstaffe de Glossop.
Nich. Wagstaffe de eadem.
Rad. Bradbury de Oldresset.
Rogeri Bradbury de eadem.
Jacobi de Lye de Fernley.
Joh. Shaleros de Shaleros.
Willielmi Ragge de Bondon.
Edw. Bradshaugh de eadem.
Nicholai Bronn de Mershe.
Egidii Claybrook, Vicarii Ec-
clesise de Castelton.
Thomse Claybrook de eadem.
GENTRY SHERIFFS.
381
Radulphi Newham de eadem.
Thomas Newham de eadem.
Thomse Newham de Flixton.
Rich. Newham de Castelton.
Thomse Nedham de Foxlowe.
Rob. Woderof de Wormhill.
Johannis Tunsted de eadem.
Johannis Nedham de eadem.
Hug. Willesson de Lytton.
Richard! Ropere de eadem.
Willielmi Bradshaugh de Tid-
deswall.
Hugonis Strelley de Burg.
Will. Manyashe de Manyashe.
Thomse Fletcher de eadem.
Johannis Delmere de eadem.
Richardi None de Hurdelow.
Nicholai Bradshaugh de Tid-
deswall.
Hen. Bradshaugh de eadem.
Rogeri Massy de Highlowe.
Richardi Stafford de eadem.
Henrici Stafford de Derley.
Thomse Fox de Banford.
Rad. Bagshaugh de Cunbes.
Willielmi Bagshaugh de ca-
pella supra le Fryth.
Thomse Bagshaugh de Rigge.
Radulphi Stanley personse de
Kirke-Ireton.
Johannis Stepyngstones Ca-
pellani, et Vicarii Ecclesise
de Penteryche.
SHERIFFS
OF DERBY AND NOTTINGHAM-SHIRES.
Anno
HENRY II.
1 Osbertus Silvan.
2 Radul. films Engelrami.
3 Idem.
4
5 Idem.
6
7 Radius films Engelrami, for
five years.
12 Rob. filius Radulphi, for
four years,
16 Will, filius Radulphi, for
eight years.
24 Will, filius Rad. et Serlo
de Grendon.
25 Serlo de Grendon.
26 Will, filius Rad. et Serlo
de Grandon.
26 Radulphus Mordach, for
seven years.
RICHARD I.
1 Rad. Murdach.
2 Null. Tit. Com. in Rotulo.
3
4
5
Anno
6 Willielm. Breewerre,
five years.
for
JOHAN.
1 Willielmus Bryewerr.
2
3 Hugo Bardulph, et Wil-
lielmus de Lech.
4 Idem.
5 Hugo Bardul. et Regin.
de Carduill.
6 Rob. de Veteri ponte et
Rich de Bello Campo.
7 Idem.
8 Idem.
9 Idem. Ut Gustos.
10
11 Idem.
12 Ph. Marc, et Pet. Markes,
for four years.
12 Ph. de Marc, et Eustach.
de Ludenham.
17 Phc de Marc.
HENRY III.
382
WORTHIES OF DERBYSHIRE.
Anno
2 Ph. Marc, for six years.
8 Radulph. films Nicholai.
9 Idem.
10 Idem.
11 Rad. filius Nicolai, et
Hugo le Bell, for eight
years.
19 Rad. filius Nicholai, et
Will, de Derley.
20 Idem.
21 Hugo filius Radulphi, et
Rob. le Vavesor.
22 Idem.
23 Idem.
24 Williel. de Cantilupo, et
Bald, de Pannton.
25 Idem.
26 Baldwin, de Pannton, for
five years.
31 Roberti de Vavesor, for
eight years.
39 Roger de Lunetal.
40 Idem.
41 Idem.
42 Simon de Heydon.
43 Idem.
44 Simon de Aslacton.
45 Johannes de Baylloel et
Simon de Heidon.
46 Idem.
47 Will, filius Herberti, ut cus-
tos Hen. fil. ejus.
Hugo de Stapilford, cleri-
cus ejus.
48 Idem.
49 Regin. Grey, et Hugo de
Stapelford, for five years.
54 Hugo de Stapilford, cleri-
cus.
Walterus Eborac. Archi-
episcopus.
55 Idem.
EDWARD I.
1 Walt. Eborac. Archiep.
2 Walt, de Stirchesley, for
five years.
Anno
7 Gervasius de Clifton, for
seven years.
14 Johan. de Arasle, for five
years.
19 Will. Chetworth.
20 Idem.
21 Ph. de Pannton.
22 Walt. Goufle, for four years.
26 Johannes de Harington.
27 Radulphus de Shirle.
28 Idem.
29 Rich, de Turneaus.
30 Rad. de Shirle.
31 Petrus Pico t, for four years.
35 Williel. de Chelardeston.
EDWARD. II.
1 Petrus Picot et Williel. de
Chelaston.
2 Johan. de Strichesley.
3 Rad. de Crophul.
4 Idem.
5 Idem, et Johan. de la Beach.
6
7 Idem.
8 Johan. de Bellaside, for
four years.
12 Idem, et Hugo de Stokes.
13 Johan. Darcy.
14 Idem.
15 Idem.
16
1 7 Hen. de Taucombye.
18 Idem.
EDWARD III.
1 Rob. Ingram.
2 Idem.
3 Johan. Greet, et Mundus
Cressey.
Tho. Languilers.
4 Idem.
5 Rob. de Jorce.
6 Idem.
7
8 Johan. de Oxon.
9 Tho. de Bickeringe, et
SHERIFFS. 383
Anno Anno
Job. de Oxon, Johan. Walleys.
10 Idem. 30 Rog. Michal.
11 Tho. de Beckeringe. 31 Rich, de Grey, et
12 Egidius de Meyguil, et Jo- Rogerus Michael.
ban. de Oxon. 32 Johan. de Gresley.
13 Idem. 33 Hen. de Bralesford.
14 Egidius de Meyguil. 34 Rob. de Morton.
15 Hugo de Hercy. 35 Rog. Beler.
16 Nich. de Langforde. 36 Idem.
17 Idem. 37 Rich, de Bingham.
18 Johannes de Musters et 38 Simon de Leykes.
Nich. de Langford. 39 Rob. de Twiford.
19 Gervasius de Clifton. 40 Idem.
20 Tho. de Bickeringe. 41 Idem.
21 Johan. de Vaux. 42 Sampson de Strelley.
22 Idem. 43 Roger. Belor, for five years.
23 Idem. 48 Johan. Francis.
24 Johan. Walleys, for five 49 Samp, de Strelley.
years. 50
29 Walt, de Monte Gomeri,et 51
SHERIFFS OF DERBY AND NOTTINGHAM-SHIRES.
RICHARD II.
All the reign of this king (Recorda mancaj.
HEN. IV.
From the first to the last year of this king ( Recorda mane a.)
HEN v.
This king's whole reign (Recorda manca).
HEN. VI.
Anno Name and Arms. Place.
1 Job. Cokain, mil. . . Ashdown.
Arg. three cocks G.
2- Tho. Chaworth, mil. . Wiverton.
Az. two chevrons O.
3 Rich. Vernon, mil. . . Haddon.
Arg. fretty S. a canton G.
4 Job. la Zouchj mil. . . Haringwortb.
G. ten bezants^ a quarter E.
5 Tho. Greisly, mil. . . Greisly C.
Vairy E. and G.
6 Norm Babington, arm. . Dethick.
Arg. ten torteaux, 4, 3, 2, and 1.
7 Job. Cokain, mil. . . ut prius.
8 Job. Cakfeld, ar.
VOL. I, 2 C
384 WORTHIES OP DERBYSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
9 Hu. Willoughby, mil. . Risley.
O. on two bars G. three water-bougets Arg.
10 Nic. Montgom. mil.
G. a chevron between three flower-de-luces Or.
11 Will. Meringe.
12 Rob. Markham, mil.
Az. in a chief O. a lion issuant G. and border Arg.
13 Joh. Kokain, mil. . . ut prius.
14 Tho. Darcy.
15 Joh. Curson Kedliston.
Arg. on a bend S. three popingays O. collared V.
16 Joh. Hikeling.
17 Will. Meringe.
18 Joh. Cockfeld.
19 Tho. Stannton.
Vairee Arg. and S. a canton G.
20 Jo. Walbyes.
21 Jo. Pole Radburne.
Per Pale O. and S. a saltire engrailed counterchanged.
22 Tho. Nevil.
G. a saltire Erm.
23 Jo. Stathum.
24 Rob. Strelley.
25 Tho. Blount.
Barry, nebulee of six O. and S.
26 Nich. Fitz-Herbert . Norbury.
Arg. a chief vairee O. and G. a bend S.
27 Tho. Stannton . . . ut prius.
28 Rich. Willoughby . . ut prius.
29 Rob. Clifton . . . Clifton, Nottinghamshire.
S. semee de cinquefoils, a lion rampant Arg.
30 Rob. StreUey.
31 Will. Plumpton, mil.
32 Joh. Grisley, mil. . . ut prius.
33 Joh. Stanop . . . Shelford.
Quarterly, E. and G.
34 Will. Babington . . ut prius.
35 Joh. Wastneis. . . . Hendon.
S. a lion rampant Arg. collared G.
36 Will. Chaworth, arm. . ut prius.
37 Will. Fitz-Herbert . ut prius.
38 Rob. Clifton, ar. . . ut prius.
EDW. IV.
1 Rich. Willoughby. . . ut prius.
2 Joh. Stanhop, arm. . ut prius.
3 Idem
4 Rob. Strelley, mil.
SHERIFFS. S85
Anno Name. Place.
5 Ph. Okere, mil.
6 Nic. Fitz-Herbert, arm. ut prius.
7 Nic. Kniveton, arm. . Mercaston.
G. a chevron vairee Arg. and S.
8 Rob. Clifton, mil. . . ut prius.
9 Hen. Perpoint, mil. . Holme Perpoint.
Arg. a lion rampant S. in an orle of cinquefoils G,
10 Will. Blount, ar. . . ut prius.
11 Hen. Perpoint, mil. . ut prius.
12 Ger. Clifton, arm. . . ut prius.
13 Joh. Curson, arm. . . ut prius.
14 Ph. Oker.
15 Hen. Stathum, arm.
16 Will. Basset, arm. . . Brailesford.
O. three piles G. a canton Erm.
17 Rad. Pole, arm. . . . ut prius.
18 Gerv. Clifton, arm. . ut prius.
19 Joh. Babington, arm. . ut prius.
20 Rob. Markham, mil. . ut prius.
21 Rob. Eyre.
22 Car. Pilkinton.
RICHARD III.
1 Gerv. Clifton, mil. . . ut prius.
2 Joh. Curson, arm. . . ut prius.
3 Nich. Montgomery . . ut prius.
HENRY VII.
1 Joh. Byron, mil.
2 Joh. Curson, arm. . . ut prius.
3 Gerv. Clifton .... ut prius.
4 Joh. Leeke, arm. . . Sutton, D.
Arg. on a saltire engrailed S. nine annulets O.
5 Nich. Knifton, sen. . . ut prius.
6
7 Jacobus Savage, arm.
8 Nich. Byron, arm.
9 Nich. Knifton, jun. . . ut prius.
10 Bri. Stamford, arm.
11 H. Willoughby, mil. • ut prius.
12 Rad. Shirley, mil. . . Shirley, D.
Paly of six, O. and Az. a canton Erm.
13 Tho. Babington . . . ut prius.
14 Will. Bothe, arm.
15 Humf. Hercy, arm.
16 Rad. Longford, mil.
17 Gerv. Clifton, mil. . . ut prius.
18 Will. Perpoint, arm. . ut prius.
2 c 2
386
WORTHIES OF DERBYSHIRE,
Anno Name. Place.
19 Hen. Vernam, mil. . . ut prim*
20 Simon. Digby, arm.
Az. a flower-de-luce Arg.
21 Will. Mering, mil.
22 Idem.
23 Edw. Stanhope, mil. . ut prius.
24 Idem ut prius \
HENRY VIII.
1 Br. Stapulon, mil.
2 Will. Zouch, arm. .
3 Rich. Basset, arm. .
4 Geo. Chaworth, arm.
5 Roger Minars.
6 Will. Mering, mil.
7 Joh. Zouch, mil. . .
8 Rob. Browne, arm.
9 Br. Stapulton, mil.
10 Joh. Markham, mil. .
11 God. Fuliamb, mil. .
12 Joh. Cokain, mil.
13 Wil. Perpoint, mil. .
14 Joh. Vernon, arm. .
15 Joh. Byron, mil.
16 Godf. Fuliamb, mil.
17 Joh. Markham, mil.
18 Joh. Vernon, arm.
19 Joh. Byron, mil.
20 Nich. Strelley, arm.
21 Tho. Cokain, mil. .
22 Hen. Sacheverel, mil.
Arg. a saltire Az. five
23 Will. Coffin, arm.
24 Joh. Hercy, arm.
25 Anth. Babington, mil.
26
27 Rad. Langford, mil.
28 Godf. Fuliamb, mil.
29 Nich. Strelley, mil.
30 Joh. Markham, mil.
31 Will. Basset, mil. .
32 Gerv. Clifton, mil. .
33 Hen. Sacheverel, mil.
34 Joh. Byron, mil.
35 Joh. Hercy, arm.
36 Joh. Zouch, arm.
37 Joh. Markham, mil.
38 Gerv. Clifton, mil. .
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
. ut prius.
water-bougets Arg.
. ut prius.
. ut prius.
. ut prius.
. ut prius.
. ut prius.
. ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
SHERIFFS.
387
Anno
EDWARD VI.
Name.
1 Fran. Leeke . .
2 Job. Hercy, mil.
3 Tho. Cokain, mil.
4 Hen. Sotton, mil.
5 Joh. Byron, mil.
6 Anth. Nevil, mil.
Place.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
PHIL. AND MARY.
M. 1 Joh. Port, mil.
1, 2 Geo. Clifton, mil. . . ut prius.
2, 3 Ja. Fuliamb, mil. . . ut prius.
3j 4 Jo. Chaworth, mil. . ut prius.
4, 5 Will. Hollis, mil. . . Houghton.
Erm. two piles S.
5, 6 Gerv. Perpoint, mil. . ut prius.
ELIZ. REG.
1 Tho. Kockeyne, mil. . ut prius.
2 Will. Mering, mil.
3 Joh. Zouch, mil. . . . ut prius.
4 Tho. Stanhop, mil. . . ut prius.
5 Humf. Bradborn, arm.
6 Fr. Molineux, arm.
Az. a cross moline quarter pierced O.
7 Tho. Gerard, mil.
8 Godf. Fuliamb, mil. . . ut prius.
9 Fr. Curzon, arm. et . . ut prius.
Anth. Strelly.
SHERIFFS OF DERBYSHIRE ALONE.
ELIZ. REG.
10 Nich. Langford.
11 Tho. Dokayn, mil. . . Ashburne.
Arg. three cocks G.
12 Pet. Frechvile, arm.
Az. six scallops Arg.
13 Joh. Zouch, mil.
G. ten bezants, a quarter Erm.
14 Fra. Leke, arm. . . . Sutton.
Arg. on a saltire engrailed S. nine annulets O.
15 Humf. Bradborn.
16 Germ. Pole, arm.
17 Joh. Manners, arm. . H addon.
O. two bars Az. ; on a chief quarterly two flower-de-luces
of France, and a lion of England.
388 WORTHIES OF DERBYSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
18 Fran. Wortley, arm. . Yorkshire.
Arg. a bend with three besants betwixt six martlets G.
19 Will. Basset, arm.
O. three piles G. a canton Erm.
20 Godf. Fuliamb, arm. . Walton.
S. a bend between six scallops O.
21 Tho. Cockain, mil. . . ut prius.
22 Joh. Zouch, mil. . . . ut prius.
23 Joh. Harper, arm. . . Calke.
Arg. a lion rampant within a border engrailed S.
24 Hen. Cavendish, arm. . Chatsworth.
S. three bucks5 heads cabossed Arg. attired O.
25 Fran. Curson, arm. . . Kedliston.
Arg. on a bend S. three popinjays O. collared V.
26 Joh. Vernon, arm.
Arg. fretty S. a canton G.
27 Tho. Cockayn, mil. . . ut prius.
28 Fran. Leake, arm. . . ut prius.
29 Will. Kniveton, arm. . Mircaston.
30 Joh. Manners, arm. . ut prius.
31 Godf. Fuliamb, arm. . ut prius.
32 Humf. Dethick, arm.
Arg. a fesse vairy O. and G. between three water-bougets S.
33 Tho. Gresley, arm. . . Greisley, C.
Vairy Erm. and G.
34 Will. Basset, arm. . . ut prius.
35 Fr. Cockain, arm. . . ut prius.
36 Joh. Rodes, arm. . . Balbrough.
Arg. a lion passant bend-ways, G. dot-fessed Erm. be-
tween three acorns Az.
37 Will. Cavendish, arm. . ut prius.
38 Geo. Curson, arm. . . ut prius.
59 Joh. Manners, arm. . . ut prius.
40 Hen. Sacheverel, arm.
Arg. a saltire Az. five water-bougets Arg.
41 Jo. Willoughby, arm. . Risley.
O. on two bars G. three water-bougets Arg.
42 Edw. Cockain, arm. . . ut prius.
43 Pet. Frechvile, arm. . ut prius.
44 Fran. Fitz-Herbert . . Norbury.
Arg. a chief vairy O. and G. a bend S.
45 Tho. Gresley, mil. . . ut prius.
JACOBUS.
1 Tho. Gresley, mil. . . ut prius.
2 Fran. Leake, mil. . . ut prius.
3 Joh. Harper, mil. . . ut prim.
SHERIFFS. 389
Amio Name. Place.
4 Hen. Willoughby, arm. ut prim.
5 Rich. Harper, arm. . . ut prius.
6 Hen. Cavendish, arm. . ut prius.
7 Joh. Curson, arm. . . ut prius.
8 Tho. Burdet, arm.
Az. on two bars O. six martlets G.
9 Geo. Fulwood, mil.
10 Hen. Leigh, mil.
G. a cross engrailed, in the first quarter a lozenge Arg.
11 Tho. Reresby, mil.
G. on a bend Arg. three crosses patee S.
12 Will. Kniveton, bar. . ut prius.
13 Joh. Bullock, arm.
14 Hen. Agard, arm.
15 Fran. Munday, arm.
16 Rog. Manners, mil. . . ut prius.
17 Godf. Tacker, arm.
18 Joh. Mil ward, arm.
Erm. on a fess G. three plates.
19 Tho. Eyre, arm.
20 Jacinth. Sacheverel.
Arg. on a saltire Az. five water-bougets of the field.
21 Gilf. Kniveton, mil. . . ut prius.
22 Joh. Fitz-Herbert . . ut prius.
CAROLUS I.
1 Hen. Harper, arm. . . ut prius.
2 Joh. Fitz-Herbert, mil. . ut prius.
3 Edw. Vernon, mil. . . ut prius.
4 Tho. Burton, arm.
5 Joh. Stanhope, mil. . . ut prius.
6 Fra. Bradshaw, arm.
7 Humf. Oakeover, arm.
8 Joh. Manners, arm. . . ut prius.
9 Fran. Foliamb, bar. . ut prius.
10 Joh. Gell, arm.
11 Joh. Millward, arm. . ut prius.
12 Joh. Harpur, mil. . . ut prius.
13 Joh. Harpur, bart. . . ut prius.
14 Joh. Curson, bart. . . ut prius.
15 Joh. Agard, arm.
16
17 Joh. Harpur, bart. . . ut prius.
18
19
20 Edw. Cooke, bart.
Party per pale G. and Az. three eagles Arg.
21
22 Mich. Bartonar.
3JK) WORTHIES OF DERBYSHIRE.
HENRY VIII.
18. JOHN VERNON, Arm. — Indeed I meet with many Ver-
nons in this catalogue of sheriffs, Henry, John, &c. ; but cannot
find him I seek for, viz. Sir George' Vernon of Haddon in this
county. I assign myself this reason, that he never executed
that office, because it was beneath a prince to be a sheriff; and
such his vast revenues and retinue, that, in the beginning of
queen Elizabeth, he was called the King of the Peak. This Sir
George left two daughters, coheirs ; Elizabeth, married to Sir
John Manners, ancestor to the present earl of Rutland, and
Margaret, to Sir Thomas Stanley, younger son of the house of
Derby, deriving a vast inheritance to their husbands.
How this Sir John, this year sheriff, stood to him related, is
to me unknown : sure I am, some of his surname and alliance
still flourish in this and the neighbouring counties, where they
have a fair estate. Yet will they remember their motto, " Ver
non semper floret ;' so ill it is to trust in the fading spring of
human felicity,
THE FAREWELL.
I understand that it is fashionable in this county for adven-
turers to begin a mine with this solemn expression :
" For the grace of God, and what I there can find."*
By the grace of God understanding good success ; otherwise
saving grace is not to be sought for by mining of earth, but
mounting up to heaven by faith and repentance. This their ex-
pression I approve ; ee The earth being the Lord's, and the ful-
ness thereof, both beneath and above ground, belongeth unto
him."t
I have read that the vicars in that country do receive every
tenth dish of ore for their due, being obliged thereby to pray
heartily for the miners. Now though no such place or profit
belongeth unto me, yet, treating of this subject, I conceive my-
self bound, if not in conscience, in courtesy, to wish these work-
men a good-speed in their lawful endeavours, whilst they only
undermine the earth, and not their neighbours5 right by fraudu-
lent practices. May their lot prove a prize unto them, that
they may gain, at the least, no blank to lose thereby. Particu-
larly, may Divine Providence secure the persons of their labour-
ers from damps and other casualties, which have happened to
many, when the earth, though cruel to kill, was courteous to
bury, them by the same mischance.
* Edward Manlove, Esq. in his Customs of the Barge-moot Court.
| Psalm xxiv. 1.
WORTHIES SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER. 391
WORTHIES OF DERBYSHIRE WHO HAVE FLOURISHED SINCE THE
TIME OF FULLER.
Sir Thomas ABNEY, Lord Mayor of London, one of the found-
ers of the Bank of England ; born at Willesley 1639 ; died
1722.
Sir Richard ARKWRIGHT, mechanic; died 1792.
John ASHBRIDGE, divine ; born at Heath 1788; died 1820.
John ASHBRIDGE, dissenting divine, biographer of Bagshaw;
born at Malcalf 1671 ; died 1?35.
Dr. Charles ASHTON, master of Jesus College, Cambridge,
divine and critical scholar ; died 1752.
Robert BAGE, novelist ; born at Darley 1728 ; died 1801.
William BAGSHAW, "Apostle of the Peak," nonconformist
divine, and author, born at Litton 1628; died 1702.
Robert BARKER, divine and author ; born at Darley 1741 ; died
1822.
Robert BARKER, divine and antiquary; born at Bakewell 1736;
died 1796.
Francis BASSANO, herald painter and antiquary ; born at Derby
1675; died 1746.
Sir Hugh BATEMAN, political writer; born at Derby 1?56;
died 1824.
William BENNET, dissenting divine and polemic ; born at Chin-
ley 1752; died 1821.
John BILLINGSLEY, presbyterian divine, author on popery and
schism; born at Chesterfield 1657 ; died 1722.
Anthony BLACKWALL, divine, schoolmaster; born at Kirk Ire-
ton 1674; died 1730.
Thomas BLORE, topographer; born at Ashbourn 1764; died
1818.
Mrs. Dorothy BLORE, poetess; born at Chesterfield 1?58 ; died
1808.
Abraham BOOTH, dissenting divine and author ; born at Black-
well 1734; died 1806.
Miss Hill BOOTHBY, correspondent of Dr. Johnson; born at
Ashbourn 1708; died 1756.
Sir Brook BOOTHBY, poet and political writer ; born at Ash-
bourn 1747; died 1824.
William BOTT, topographer of Buxton ; born at Ch'elmorton
1735 ; died 1804.
Thomas BOTT, divine and author; born at Derby 1688; died
1754.
Samuel BOURNE, dissenting divine and author; born at Derby
1647; died 1719.
Dr. Nicholas BURTOX, president of St. John's College ; born at
Cambridge; died 1759.
392 WORTHIES OF DERBYSHIRE.
Jedediah BUXTON, day labourer, extraordinary calculator; born
at Elmeton 1707 ; died 1777.
William CARSON, poetical woolcomber; born at Youlgrave
1744; died 1822.
Sir Aston COCKAIN, poet; born at Ashbourn 1608; died 1683.
Sir William COKE, justice of Ceylon ; born at South Norman-
ton 1775; died 1818.
Jonathan COTES, mineralogical editor ; born at South Norman-
ton; died 1826.
Daniel DAKEYNE, poet; born at Darley 1?63 ; died 1806.
Joseph DENMAN, physician and author ; born at Bakewell
1731; died 1812.
Dr. Thomas DENMAN, physician, and author; born at Bake-
well 1733; died 1815.
John DRINKWATER, divine and poet; born at Ashford 1?89;
died 1824.
George EYRE, "The Derbyshire Hudibras," mathematician,
astronomer, and musician; born at Castletoh : died 1787>
aged 83.
Ellis FARNEWORTH, divine and translator ; born at Bonteshall
about 1710; died 1763.
Sir William FITZHERBERT, first baronet, author on revenue
laws; born at Tissington ; died 1791.
John FLAMSTEED, astronomer-royal; born at Derby 1646 ; died
1719.
John GELL, admiral; born at Hopton; died 1806.
John GRATTON, poetical and suffering quaker, born at Tides-
well 1642 ; died 1?12.
Thomas GREATOREX, organist to Westminster Abbey, musical
composer; died 1831.
Samuel HALIFAX, bishop of .St. Asaph, professor of Arabic and
Civil Law at Cambridge, erudite prelate, born at Mansfield
1733; died 1?90.
Ralph HARRISON, author of " Sacred Harmony," born at Chin-
ley 1748; died 1810.
Francis HUTCHINSON, bishop of Down and Connor; born at
Carsington 1659 ; died 1?39.
William HUTTON, bookseller, antiquarian tourist, and self-edu-
cated writer; born at Derby 1723 ; died 1815.
Thomas INCE, poet; born at Chesterfield 1768 ; died 1815.
Michael JOHNSON, bookseller, father of Dr. Samuel Johnson,
born at Cubley 1656; died 1731.
Thomas Wickham KENT, sculptor and musician ; born at Brad-
well 1744; died 1817.
James MANDER, mineralogical writer; born at Bakewell 1758 ;
died 1829.
John MAWE, mineralogical writer, born at Derby 1 766 ; ob.
1829.
WORTHIES SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER. 393
Thomas Fanshawe MIDDLETON, bishop of Calcutta; born at
Kedleston 1769 ; died 1822.
Joshua OLDFIELD, presbyterian divine and author; born at
Carsington 1656; died 1729.
Thomas OLDFIELD, historian ; born 1755 ; died 1822.
Dr. Samuel PEGGED divine, and erudite and industrious anti-
quary, born at Chesterfield 1704; died 1796.
John REYNOLDS, topographer and antiquary, born at Plaistow
^1724; died 1780.
Samuel RICHARDSON, printer, novelist, author of " Pamela,"
« Clarissa," &c. born 1689 ; died 1761.
Samuel SANDERS, topographer ; born at Ireton or Caldwell
1641 ; died 1688.
Anna SEWARD, poetess and anecdotist; born at Eyam 1747;
died 1809.
George STANHOPE, dean of Canterbury, theologian; born at
Hartshorn 1660; died 1728.
Samuel STURGES, divine and polemist; born at Sudbury
165 7-8; died 1?36.
Sir Hugh WILLOUGHBY, naval discoverer; born at Risley;
died 1554.
Sir John Eardley WILMOT, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas ;
born at Osmaston 1709 ; died 1792.
John WRIGHT, mineralogist and poet, born at Wirksworth:
died 1828.
%* The County of Derby may be said to be without a general historian ; though
many works connected with its local history have made their appearance since the
time of Fuller, viz. Bray's Tour (1783) ; Views of Derbyshire by James Pilkington
(1789), and by the Rev. D. P. Davies (1811) ; History of Derby by W. Hutton,
F.S.A. (1817) ; a Picturesque Tour by E. Days (1825) ; and a history and gazetteer
of the county, by Glover and Noble, recently published in numbers. All these will
materially aid the future historian of the county. — ED.
DEVONSHIRE.
DEVONSHIRE hath the narrow sea on the south, the Severn
on the north, Cornwall on the west, Dorset and Somerset-shires
on the east : a goodly province, the second in England for .
greatness, clear in view without measuring, as bearing a square
of fifty miles. Some part thereof, as the South-Hams, is so fruit-
ful it needs no art ; some so barren, as Dartmoor, it will hardly
be bettered by art ; but generally (though not running of itself)
it answers to the spur of industry. No shire shows more
industrious, or so many, husbandmen, who by marl (blue and
white), chalk, lime, sea-sand, compost, soap-ashes, rags, and
what not ? make the ground both to take and keep a moderate
fruitfulness ; so that Virgil, if now alive, might make additions
to his " Georgics," from the plough-practice in this county. As
for the natives thereof, generally, they are dexterous in any em-
ployment ; and queen Elizabeth was wont to say of their gentry,
" They were all born courtiers with a becoming confidence."
NATURAL COMMODITIES.
SILVER.
This formerly was found in great plenty in the parish of Comb-
Martin (miners being fetched out of Derbyshire for the digging
thereof) in the reign of king Edward I. (which, as appeareth by
record on the account of those trusted therein)* turned to a con-
siderable profit.
In the two and twentieth year of the reign of king Edward the
First, William Wymondham accounted for two hundred and se-
venty pounds weight of silver. It was forged for the lady Eleanor
duchess of Barr, and daughter to the said king, married the year
before.
In the twenty-third year of the said king, were fined five hun-
dred and twenty-one pounds ten shillings weight.
In the four and twentieth year of his reign, there were brought
to London, in fined silver in wedges, seven hundred and four
pounds, three shillings, and one penny weight.
* Extant in the Tower, in the years here noted.
NATURAL COMMODITIES. 395
In the twenty-fifth year of his reign, though three hundred
and sixty miners were impressed out of the Peak and Wales,
great was that year's clear profit in silver and lead.
In the reign of Edward the Third, it appeareth by the record
of particular accountants, that the profits of the silver were very
considerable towards the maintainance of the king's great ex-
pences in the French war.
These mines long neglected (as I conjecture, by reason of the
civil wars betwixt York and Lancaster) were re-entered on by
an artist in the reign of queen Elizabeth, who presented a silver
cup made thereof to the earl of Bath, with this inscription :
"•In Martin's-Comb long lay I hid, obscure, deprest with grossest soil ;
Debased much with mixed lead, till Bullmer came, whose skill and toil
Reformed me so pure and clean, as richer no where else is seen."
These mines have not as yet recovered their former credit ;
though I understand that some are still pursuing this design,
and I do wish well to their endeavours : not that private men
should lose by their lead, but the public gain by their silver.
TIN.
God said to Israel, by the mouth of his prophet, " And I will
take away all thy tin/'* Sad the case of this county, if so
served. But what went before ? " Thy silver is become
dross."f It seemeth, the kings of Israel, being reduced! to
poverty, debased their coin (the last refuge of princes), adulte-
rating it with tin; and herein God promised that their
coin should be refined to the true standard. This, the literal
meaning of the promise, mystically importeth, that God would
restore the primitive purity of his service, purged from errors
and vices.
In this mystical sense, it will not be amiss to wish that God
would take away the tin from Devonshire, seeing such taking it
away may consist with the continuance and advance of the
metal therein.
As for their literal tin, so plentiful herein, I wish some arti-
fice might be found out (hitherto unknown) to sever the gold
and silver from the tin without wasting. Till this be done, I
desire some invention might prepare sea coals for the melting
thereof; hereby much wood would be saved, and the product of
the tin not diminished, and not so much wasted in the blast,
which now they are fain to run over three or four times : I am
encouraged in the feasibility thereof, because a learned che-
mist J (no empiric, but well experimented) affirmed that it may
be done, on his own knowledge, by many trials which he hath
made upon it.
HERRINGS.
These still are taken in great, and were formerly in greater,
* Isaiah i. 25. f Ibid. ver. 21.
J Doctor Jordan, in his History of Baths, page 60.
396 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
plenty in this county : for I read of great quantities of them for
six or seven years together taken at Limmouth, until the proctor
(as it is said), not contented with reasonable and indifferent tithes,
vexed the poor fishermen with unusual and extraordinary pay-
ment.* Whether since the God of nature, to condemn such
covetousness, hath withdrawn such store of fish, or whether the
fishermen, disheartened with such exactions, withdrew their own
industry, I know not. This I know, that light gains, as in all
other commodities, so especially in tithes of this nature, make the
heaviest purses. But we shall speak more conveniently of her-
rings in Norfolk.
STRAWBERRIES.
In Latin fraga, most toothsome to the palate (I mean if with
claret wine or sweet cream), and so plentiful in this county, that
a traveller may gather them, sitting on horseback, in their hol-
low highways. They delight to grow on the north side of a
bank, and are great coolers. These, small and sour, as grow-
ing wild (having no other gardener than nature) quickly acquire
greatness and sweetness if transplanted into gardens, and
become as good as those at Porbery in Somersetshire, where
twenty pounds per annum (thank the vicinity of Bristol) have
been paid for the tithe thereof. I would not wish this county
the increase of these berries, according to the proverb ; " Cut
down an oak, and set up a strawberry/5
HURTBERRIES.
In Latin vaccinia, most wholesome to the stomach, but of a
very astringent nature ; so plentiful in this shire, that it is a
kind of harvest to poor people, whose children, nigh Axminster,
will earn eight-pence a day for a month together in gathering
them. First, they are green, then red, and at last a dark blue.
The whitest hands amongst the Romans did not disdain their
blackness ; witness the poet,
<c Vaccinia nigra leguntur."f
Nothing more have I to observe of these berries, save that
the ancient and martial family of the Baskervills in Hereford-
shire give a chevron betwixt three hurts proper for their arms.
THE MANUFACTURES.
BONE-LACE. %
Much of this is made in and about Honiton, and weekly
returned to London. Some will have it called lace, a lancinia,
used as a fringe on the borders of cloths. Bone-lace it is
named, because first made with bone (since wooden) bobbins.
Thus it is usual for such utensils, both in the Latin and English
* Manuscript of Baronet Northcott. f Virgil, Eclog. ii.
BUILDINGS — WONDERS. 39?
names, gratefully to retain the memory of the first matter they
were made of; as cochleare, a spoon (whether made of wood or
metal,) because cockle-shells were first used to that purpose.
Modern the use thereof in England, not exceeding the middle
of the reign of queen Elizabeth : let it not be condemned for a
superfluous wearing, because it doth neither hide nor heat,
seeing it doth adorn. Besides, though private persons pay for
it, it stands the State in nothing ; not expensive of bullion, like
other lace, costing nothing save a little thread descanted on by
art and industry. Hereby many children, who otherwise would
be burthensome to the parish, prove beneficial to their parents.
Yea, many lame in their limbs, and impotent in their arms, if
able in their fingers, gain a livelihood thereby ; not to say that
it saveth some thousands of pounds yearly, formerly sent over
seas to fetch lace from Flanders.
THE BUILDINGS.
BEDIFORD BRIDGE
Is a stately structure, and remarkable in many respects.
1 . It standeth out of, and far from, any public road, in a cor-
ner of the county ; so that Bediford bridge is truly Bediford
bridge, intended solely for the convenience of that town. 2. It
is very long, consisting of twenty-four piers ; and yet one Wil-
liam Alford (another Milo) of Bediford, carried on his back, for
a wager, four bushels,* salt-water measure, all the length
thereof. 3. It is very high, so that a barge of sixty tons may
pass and repass (if taking down her masts) betwixt the piers
thereof. 4. The foundation is very firmly fixed ; and yet it
doth (or seems to) shake at the slightest step of a horse. 5. The
builder of so worthy a work is not (the more the pity) punc-
tually known.
Yet tradition (the best author where no better is to be had)
maketh that finished by the assistance of Sir Theobold Green-
vill, the Goldneyes and Oketenets (persons of great power in
those parts) ; Peter Quivill, bishop of Exeter, granting indul-
gences to all such as contributed to the forwarding thereof.
As for the houses of the gentry in this county, some may
attract, none ravish the beholder ; except it be Wenbury, the
house of the Heales, near Plymouth, almost co-rival with
Greenwich itself, for the pleasant prospect thereof.
THE WONDERS.
Not to speak of a river about Lidford, whose stream sinketh
so deep that it is altogether invisible, but supplying to the ear
that it denies to the eye, so great the noise thereof.
There is in the parish of North Taunton (near an house called
* A bushel is two strikes in this county. — F.
398 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
Bath) a pit, but in the winter a pool, not maintained by any
spring, but the fall of rain water (in summer commonly dry.)
Of this pool it hath been observed, that, before the death or
change of any prince, or some other strange accident of great
importance, or any invasion or insurrection (though in an hot
and dry season), it will, without any rain, overflow its banks,
and so continue till it be past that is prognosticated. Be the
truth hereof reported to the vicinage (the most competent
judges thereof) seeing my author, (who finished his book 1648)
reporteth that it overflowed four times within these last thirty
years.*
Some will be offended at me, if I should omit the Hanging
Stone, being one of the bound stones which parteth Comb-Mar-
tin from the next parish. It got the name from a thief, who,
having stolen a sheep and tied it about his own neck to carry it
on his back, rested himself for a while upon this stone, which is
about a foot high, until the sheep, struggling, slid over the stone
on the other side, and so strangled the man.f Let the lawyers
dispute whether the sheep in this case was forfeited to the king's
almoner as a deodand. It appeareth rather a providence than a
casualty, in the just execution of a malefactor. To these won-
ders I will add, and hazard the reader's displeasure for the same,
THE CUBBINGS.
So now I dare call them (secured by distance), which one of
more valour durst not do to their face, for fear their fury fall
upon him. Yet hitherto have I met with none who could ren-
der a reason of their name. We call the shavings of fish (which
are little worth) gubbings ; and sure it is they are sensible that
the word importeth shame and disgrace. As for the suggestion
of my worthy and learned friend Mr. Joseph Maynard, bor-
rowed from Buxtorfius, J that such who did " inhabitare montes
gibberosos" were called Gubbings, such will smile at the inge-
nuity, who dissent from the truth, of the etymology.
I have read of an England beyond Wales ;§ but the Gubbings-
land is a Scythia within England, and they pure heathens
therein. It lieth nigh Brent-Tor, in the edge of Dartmoor. It
is reported, that some two hundred years since, two strumpets
being with child, fled hither to hide themselves, to whom cer-
tain lewd fellows resorted, and this was their first origi-
nal. They are a peculiar of their own making, exempt from
bishop, archdeacon, and all authority either ecclesiastical or civil.
They live in cots (rather holes than houses) like swine, having
all in common, multiplied without marriage into many hundreds.
Their language is the dross of the dregs of the vulgar Devonian ;
and the more learned a man is, the worse he can understand
* Manuscript of Baronet Northcott. * From the same Author.
J In his Talmudical Rabbinical Dictionary, upon the word 333.
. § See Camden's Britannia, in Pembrokeshire.
PROVERBS. 399
them. During our civil wars, no soldiers were quartered
amongst them, for fear of being quartered amongst them. Their
wealth consisteth in other men's goods, and they live by steal-
ing the sheep on the moor ; and vain it is for any to search their
houses, being a work beneath the pains of a sheriff, and above
the power of any constable. Such their fleetness, they will out-
run many horses ; vivaciousness, they outlive most men ; living
in the ignorance of luxury, the extinguisher of life. They hold
together like burs ; offend one, and all will revenge his quarrel.
But now I am informed, that they begin to be civilized, and
tender their children to baptism, and return to be men, yea
Christians again. I hope no civil people amongst us will turn
barbarians, now these barbarians begin to be civilized.
PROVERBS.
" To Devonshire ground-1']
It is sad when one is made a proverb by way of derision ; but
honourable to become proverbial by way of imitation ; as here
Devonshire hath set a copy of industry and ingenuity to all
England. To Devonshire land is to pare off the surface or top
turf thereof, then lay it together in heaps and burn it, which
ashes are a marvellous improvement to battle barren ground.
Thus they may be said " to stew the land in its own liquor," to
make the same ground to find compost to fatten itself; an hus-
bandry, which, wherever used, retains the name of the place
where it was first invented^ it being usual to Devonshire land in
Dorsetshire and in other counties.
" A Plymouth Cloak."]
That is, a cane> or a staff, whereof this the occasion. Many
a man of good extraction, coming home from far voyages, may
chance to land here, and being out of sorts, is unable, for the
present time and place, to recruit himself with clothes. Here
(if not friendly provided) they make the next wood their dra-
per's shop, where a staff cut out serves them for a covering.
" He may remove Mort-stone."]
There is a bay in this county called Mort-bay; but the har-
bour in the entrance thereof is stopped with a huge rock, called
Mort-stone ; and the people merrily say that none can remove
it, save such who are masters of their wives. If so, wise So-
crates himself (with all men who are yvraiKo-KpaTovfjievoiy under
covert-feme, as I may say) will never attempt the removal
thereof.
" First hang and draw,
Then hear the cause by Lidford law.'']
Lidford is a little and poor but ancient corporation in this
county, with very large privileges, where a court of the Stan-
neries was formerly kept. This libellous proverb would suggest
unto us, as if the townsmen thereof, generally mean persons, were
VOL. i. 2 i>
400 WORTHIES OP DEVONSHIRE.
unable to manage their own liberties with necessary discretion,
administering preposterous and preproperous justice.
I charitably believe, that some tinners, justly obnoxious to
censure, and deservedly punished, by fine or otherwise, for their
misdemeanors, have causelessly traduced the proceedings of that
court, when they could not maintain their own innocence.
SAINTS.
WENFRIDE BONIFACE was born at Crediton (corruptly Kir-
ton) once an episcopal see in this county ; bred a monk under
Abbot Woolfhard in Exeter. Hence he went to Rome, where
Pope Gregory the Second (perceiving the ability of his parts)
sent him to Germany, for the converting of that stiff-necked na-
tion. This service he commendably performed, baptising not
fewer than a hundred thousand, in Bavaria, Thuringia, Hassia,
Friesland, Saxony, &c.
But here I must depart from Bale,* because he departeth (I
am sure) from charity, and I suspect from verity itself. Cha-
rity, who (according to his bold and bald apocalyptical conjec-
tures) maketh him ee the other beast ascending out of the earth
with two horns.^t And why so ? Because, forsooth, he was
made by the Pope Metropolitan of Mentz, and kept the church
of Colen in commemdam therewith.
Secondly, Verity, when saying that he converted men " terrore
magis quam doctrina ;" it being utterly incredible that a single
man should terrify so many out of their opinions. And if his
words relate to his ecclesiastical censures (with which weapons
Boniface was well provided), such were in themselves, without
God's wonderful improving them on men's consciences, rather
ridiculous than formidable, to force Pagans from their former
persuasions. But if Bale (which is very suspicious) had been
better pleased with the Germans continuing in their Pagan prin-
ciples than their conversion to corrupted Christianity, he will
find few wise and godly men to join with his judgment therein.
Yet do I not advocate for all the doctrines delivered and cere-
monies imposed by Boniface ; beholding him as laying the true
foundation, " Jesus Christ/3 which would last and remain ; but
building much hay and stubble of superstition thereon. But he
himself afterwards passed a purging fire in this life ; killed at
Borne in Friesland, with fifty-four of his companions, anno Do-
mini 755, in the sixtieth year of his age, after he had spent
thirty-six years, six months, and six days, in his German em-
ployment.
WILLIBALD, descended of high parentage, was born in this
county, J nephew to St. Boniface aforesaid, whom he followed in
* De Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. ii. num. 13. f Revel, xiii. 11.
% Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. ii. num. 16.
SAINTS. 401
all respects ; later in time, lower in parts, less in pains ; but pro-
fitable in the German conversion ; wherein he may be termed
his uncle's armour-bearer, attending him many a mile, though
absent from him at his death. Herein he was more happy than
his uncle, that, being made bishop of Eystet in Germany, as he
lived in honour, so he died in peace, anno Domini 781.
MARTYRS.
AGNES Pi REST, or PREST, was the sole martyr under the
reign of queen Mary ; wherefore, as those parents which have
but one child may afford it the better attendance, as more at
leisure ; so seeing, by God's goodness, we have but this single
native of this county, yea of this diocese, we will enlarge our-
selves on the time, place, and cause of her suffering.
1. Her Christian name, which Mr. Fox could not learn, we
have recovered from another excellent author.* 2. I am in-
formed by the inhabitants thereabouts, that she lived at North-
cott, in the parish of Boynton^ in the county of Cornwall ; but
where born is unknown. 3. She was a simple woman to
behold, thick, but little and short in stature ; about fifty-four
years of age. 4. She was indicted on Monday, the fourth week
in Lent, an. Philip and Mary 2 and 3, before W. Stanford,
justice of the assizef (the same, as I conceive, who wrote on the
Pleas of the Crown) : so that, we may observe, more legal form-
ality was used about the condemnation of this poor woman, than
any martyr of far greater degree. 5. Her own husband and
children were her greatest persecutors; from whom she fled,
because they would force her to be present at mass.J 6. She
was presented to James Troublefield, bishop of Exeter, and by
him condemned for denying the sacrament of the Altar. 7*
After her condemnation, she refused to receive any money from
well affected people ; saying, " she was to go to that city where
money had no mastery/' § 8. She was burnt without the walls
of Exeter, in a place called Sothenhay, in the month of Novem-
ber 1558.
She was the only person in whose persecution bishop Trou-
blefield did appear ; and it is justly conceived that Blackstone,
his chancellor, was more active than the bishop, in procuring
her death.
CONFESSORS.
This county afforded none either in or before the reign of
queen Mary ; but in our age it hath produced a most eminent
one, on an account peculiar to himself.
JOHN MOLLE was born in or nigh South Molton,|| in this
* Mr. Vovell, in Holinshed, p. 1309. t *dem» ibid-
J Fox's Acts and Monuments, p. 2050. | Idem, p. 2052.
|| The ensuing relation I had from his son, Mr. Henry Molle, late orator of
Cambridge. — F.
2 D 2
402 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
county ; bred in France, where he attained to such perfection in
that tongue, that he made a dictionary thereof for his own use.
After his youth spent in some military employments of good
trust, he was, in his reduced age, made, by Thomas lord Burgh-
ley and president of the north, one of the examiners in that
court.
Going afterwards governor to the lord Ross, he passed -the
Alps (contrary to his own resolution), prising his fidelity to his
charge above his own security. No sooner were they arrived at
Rome, but the young lord was courted and feasted, Mr. Molle
arrested and imprisoned in the Inquisition. Thus at once
did he lose the comfort of his wife, children, friends, own land,
and liberty, being kept in most strict restraint. Add to all these
vexations, visits of importunate priests and Jesuits, daily hack-
ing at the root of his constancy with their objections ; till,
finding their tools to turn edge, at last they left him to his own
conscience.
What saith the Holy Spirit ? Revel, xviii. 4. " Come out of
Babylon, my people." But here, alas ! was he who would, but
could not, come thence, detained there in durance for thirty
years together. How great his sufferings were, is only known
to God, who permitted ; his foes, who inflicted ; and himself,
who endured them ; seeing no friend was allowed to speak with
him alone. He died, in the eighty- first year of his age, about
the year of our Lord 1638.
CARDINALS.
WILLIAM COURTNEY was born (probably at Okehampton)
in this county ; son to Hugh Courtney, earl of Devonshire ;
successively bishop of Hereford, Winchester, and Canterbury.*
The credit of T. Walsingham, an exact historian (and born
before Courtney was buried) maketh me confident, that the
Pope made him a cardinal ; and Ciaconius and Onuphrius, two
Italians, confirm the same ; that a bishop of London, (though
mistaking his name, Adam for William) was at this time re-
warded with a red hat.
How stoutly he then opposed John of Gaunt (WicklifiVs
patron) in his church of St. Paul is largely related in my
te Church History ; " and I can add nothing thereunto. For if
the men of Laconia (whose work was to study conciseness)
punished him severely for speaking in three what might have
been said in two words, critics will severely censure me for
such tedious repetition.
Only we may observe, that, when archbishop of Canterbury,
his metropolitical visitation charged through and through every
diocese in his own province, no resistance being of proof against
* Godwin, in the Archbishops of Canterbury.
PRELATES. 403
him, all opposers giving some trouble to him., but disgrace to
themselves ; soon suppressed by his high blood, strong brains,
full purse, skill in law, and plenty of powerful friends in the
English and Romish court. The difficulty which he underwent
herein made the work easy to his successors ever after. He
deceased July 31, anno Domini 1396.
PRELATES.
ROBERT CHICHESTER. — Here I had been at a perfect loss,
had I not met with a good guide to direct me : for I had cer-
tainly, from his surname, concluded him born at Chichester in
Sussex, according to the custom of other clergymen. But this
single swallow (which makes no summer) had a flight by him-
self, retaining his paternal name, descended from a noble and
ancient family (saith my author) ;* still flourishing [at Raw-
leigh] in this county. He was first dean of Salisbury , then,
anno 1128, consecrated bishop of Exeter; highly commended
by many writers for his piety, though the principal thereof
consisted in his pilgrimages to Rome, and procuring relics
thence. He bestowed much money in building and adorning his
cathedral ; and, having sat therein two and twenty years, died,
and was buried, 1150, on the south side of the high altar, nigh
a gentleman of his own surname, whose inscribed arms are the
best directory to this bishop's monument.
GILBERT FOLIOT was born at Tamerton-Foliot, in this
county ;f abbot of Gloucester (Bale saith Exeter) ; then suc-
cessively bishop of Hereford and London.
He was observed, when a common brother of his convent, to
inveigh against the prior ; when prior, against the abbot ; when
abbot, against the pride and laziness of bishops: but when
he himself was bishop, all was well, and Foliot' s mouth, when
full, was silent ;J whether because all things do rest quiet in
their centre, or because age had abated his juvenile animosity,
or because he found it more facile to find faults in others than
mend them in himself. Indeed, oft-times mere moroseness of
nature usurps the reputation of zeal ; and what is but a bare
disgust of men's persons, passeth for dislike of their vices.
However, our Foliot, the less he had in Satires, the more he
had of Elegies afterwards, secretly bemoaning the badness of the
age he lived in. Hear a pass betwixt him and a strange voice :
SATAN'S CHALLENGE. § FOLIOT'S ANSWER.
" O Gilberte Foliot, '•' Mentiris, daemon ; qui est Deus
Dum revolvis tot et tot, Sabaoth, est ille meus."
Deus tuus est Ashtarot." ||
* Godwin, in the Bishops of Exeter. f Manuscript of Baronet Northcott.
J Johannes Sarisburiensis, in Polycraticon, cap. 7.
§ Godwin, in the Bishops of London.
|| The goddess of the Sidonians, l Kings xi. 5,
404 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
He finds little favour from our historians of his age, because
they do generally Becketize ; whilst Foliot was all for the king,
being a professed enemy to the (not person, but) pride of that
prelate.* This wise and learned bishop died Feb. 18, 1187.
ROBERT FOLIOT, archdeacon of Oxford, was near cousinf
(and therefore is placed countryman) to Gilbert aforesaid. He
was bred first in England, then in France, where he got the
surname of Robertus Melundinensis, probably from the place of
his longest abode. He was first tutor to Becket, and Becket
afterwards was patron to him, by whose procurement he suc-
ceeded his kinsman in the see of Hereford. He wrote several
books, whereof one of " the sacraments of the old law " is most
remarkable.
Hitherto we have followed Bale with blind obedience,
until bishop Godwin, whom we rather believe hath open-
ed our eyes in two particulars : 1 . That Robert de Melune (bi-
shop also of Hereford) was a distinct person from our Robert.
2. That our Foliot was advanced bishop after the death of
Becket,t probably for the affection he bore unto him, not the
assistance he received from him. His death happened anno
1186. Nor must we forget, there was also one Hugh Foliot,
archdeacon of Shrewsbury, afterwards bishop of Hereford ; of
whom nothing remains but his name, and the date of his death,
1234.
WILLIAM BREWER was born in this county (or in Somerset-
shire), whereof William his father was several years sheriff un-
der king Henry the Second, where we shall insist on the occa-
sion of his surname. §
Bishop Godwin informeth us, that he was brother to Sir Wil-
liam Brewer, knight, if there be not an error therein ; seeing
two brethren surviving their parents together, both of a name,
are seldom seen in the same family. He was preferred bishop
of Exeter, anno 1224,
A great courtier, and employed in such embassies proper for
a person of prime quality ;|| as when he was sent to conduct
Isabel, sister to king Henry the Third, to be married to Frede-
ric the emperor; whom he afterwards attended to the Holy
Land. Returning to his see, he set himself wholly to the adorn-
ing and enriching thereof; founding a dean and twenty-four
prebendaries, allowing the latter the annual stipend of four
pounds, which they receive at this day. But I am lately in-
formed that the dean and residenciaries of Exeter have since
augmented the salary of all the prebendaries at large to twenty
* Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. iii. num. 8. f Ibid.
J Godwin, in the Bishops of Hereford.
§ See our Catalogues of Sheriffs in Henry the Second.
|| Godwin, in the Bishops of Exeter.
PRELATES. 405
pounds a year; which intelligence if false, they are not injured;
if true, they are courteously used. This bishop died anno Do-
mini 1244.
WILLIAM de RALEIGH was born at that well known town in
this county ; preferred first canon of St. Paul's, then successively
bishop of Norwich and Winchester ;* the last of which cost him
much trouble, his election being stiffly opposed by king Henry
the Third, intending a Valentinian (uncle to the queen) for that
bishopric, whom the monks of Winchester refused; terming
him vir sanguinum, (a man of blood.) Whether in that sense
wherein David is so termed (and on that account prohibited the
building of the temple) because a martial man ; or whether only
because descended of high blood, whose descent was all his de-
sert ; so that they rigidly adhered to the election of Raleigh.
King Henry, who seldom used to be angry, and more seldom
to swear, sware in his anger, <e that he would have his will at
last, or they should never have bishop ; " and how his consci-
ence came off without perjury herein, his own confessor was
best able to satisfy him.
Raleigh had (besides his own merits) two good friends, his
purse and the Pope, the former procuring the latter. He pre-
sented his Holiness with six thousand marks, which effected
his work. Here two persons were at once deceived ; the Pope
not expecting so great a sum should be tendered him, and R,a-
leigh not suspecting he would take all, but leave at least a mor-
sel for manners. But his hands will take whatever is tendered
him, if not too hot or too heavy.
Raleig;h thus run in debt, could never creep out thereof,
though living very privately, and dying very penitently ; for,
when the priest brought the eucharist unto him, lying on his
death-bed, Raleigh, expressing himself in language like to that
of John Baptist, " I have need to come to thee, and comest
thou to me ? "f would rise out of his bed to meet him. His
death happened anno Domini 1249.
RICHARD COURTNEY was one of great lineage t (allied to
the earl of Devonshire) and no less learning (excellently skilled
in the knowledge of both laws) : so that, at the instant suit of
king Henry the Fifth, he was preferred bishop of Norwich, anno
1413. His person (the inn of his soul had a fair sign) was
highly favoured by his prince, and beloved by the people ; yet
all this could not prolong his life, so that he died of a flux, at
the siege of Harflew in Normandy, in the second year of his
consecration; and his corpse, brought over, was honourably
entombed in Westminster.
* The effect of what followeth is taken out of Bishop Godwin, in his Bishops of
Winchester F.
t Matth. iii. 14. % Bishop Godwin, in the Bishops of Norwich.
406 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
JAMES GARY was born in this county, his name still flourish-
ing at Cockington therein. He was at Rome made bishop of
Lichfield ; and, travelling thence homewards towards England,
did again light on the Pope at Florence^ just at the news of the
vacancy of Exeter ; and the same see was bestowed on him, the
more welcome because in his native county. Say not this was
a degradation ; for, though in our time Lichfield is almost twice
as good as Exeter, Exeter then was almost four times as good
as Lichfield. This appeareth by their valuations of their in-
come into first-fruits ; Exeter paying the Pope six thousand du-
cats, whilst Lichfield paid only seventeen hundred at the most.*
But, whatever the value of either or both was, Gary enjoyed
neither of them ; dying and being buried in Florence. Thus,
though one may have two cups in his hand, yet some intervening
accident may so hinder, that he may taste of neither. He died
1419.
JOHN STANBERY was (saith Bale t out of Leland) " in oc-
cidentali Regni parte natus." But, the western parts being a
wide parish, thanks to our author, he hath particularized the
place of his nativity, viz. the farm of Churchill, within the pa-
rish of Bratton or Broad-Town in this county,! where some of
his name and kindred remain at this day. He was bred a Car-
melite in Oxford, and became generally as learned as any of
his order, deserving all the dignity which the university did or
could confer upon him. King Henry the Sixth highly favoured
and made him the first provost of Eton, being much ruled by
his advice in ordering that, his new foundation. He was by the
king designed bishop of Norwich; but William de la Pole,
duke of Suffolk (see the presumption of a proud favourite, or
minion rather) got it from him for his own chaplain ; and Stan-
bery was forced to stay his stomach on the poor bishopric of
Bangor, till, anno 1453, he was advanced bishop of Hereford.
Leland doth condemn him for his over-compliance with the
Pope in all his intolerable taxes ; and others commend him as
much for his fidelity to his master king Henry, whom he desert-
ed not in all his adversity ; so that this bishop was taken pri-
soner in the battle of Northampton. Say not to this prelate as
Eliab to David, " Why earnest thou down hither ? with whom
hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness ? I know the
pride and the malice of thy heart, for thou art come down to see
the battle."§ For Stanbery being confessor to king Henry,
he was tied by his oath to such personal attendance. After long
durance in Warwick castle, he was set at liberty ; and, dying
anno 1474, was buried in the convent of Carmelites, at Ludlow;
where his barbarous and tedious epitaph (ill suiting with the
* Compare Bishop Godwin, p. 331 with p. 415.
t De Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. viii. num. 34.
I Manuscript of Baronet Northcott. § 1 Sam. xvii. 28.
PRELATES. 407
author of such learned and pithy books,) is not worth the in-
serting.
PETER COURTNEY, son to Sir Philip Courtney, was born
at Powderham, in this shire.* He was first preferred arch-
deacon, then bishop of Exeter ; expending very much money
in finishing the north tower, giving a great (called Peter) bell
thereunto. He was afterwards, anno 1486, translated to Win-
chester; where he sat five years. It is much one of so
illustrious birth should have so obscure a burial ; bishop God-
win confessing that he knew not whereabouts in his church he
lieth interred.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
JOHN JEWEL, bearing the Christian name of his father,
grandfather, and great grandfather, was born at Buden (a farm
possessed more than two hundred years by his ancestors) in the
parish of Berynbert, nigh Ilfracombe, in this county, on the
24th of May 1552. His mother's surname was Bellamy, who
with her husband John Jewel lived happily fifty years together
in holy wedlock, and at their death left ten children behind
them.
It may be said of his surname, nomen, omen ; Jewel his name
and precious his virtues ; so that, if the like ambition led us
Englishmen, which doth foreigners, speciously to render our
surnames in Greek or Latin, he may be termed Johannes Gem-
ma, on better account than Gemma Frisius entitleth himself
thereunto.
He was chiefly bred in the school of Barnstable; where
John Harding, afterwards his antagonist, was his school-fellow ;
and at fifteen years of age was admitted in Merton College,
under the tuition of John Parkhurst, afterwards bishop of Nor-
wich. Such his sedulity, rising always at four of the clock, and
not going to bed till ten, that he was never punished for any
exercise, and but once for absence from chapel. Hence he was
removed to Corpus Christi College, where he proved an excel-
lent poet (having all Horace by heart), linguist, and orator.
Thus having touched at all human arts, he landed at divi-
nity ; being much assisted by Peter Martyr, the king's professor
therein. St. Jeromef telleth us, that so great was the intimacy
betwixt Pamphilius that worthy martyr, a priest, and Eusebius
the bishop of Csesarea, "ut ab uno alter nomen acceperet,"
(that they mutually were surnamed the one from the other),
Pamphilius Eusebii, and Eusebius Pamphilii. No less the
unity of affections betwixt these two, who accordingly might
be called martyr's Jewel, and Jewel's martyr ; as seldom in body
and never in mind asunder.
* Godwin, in the Bishops of Winchester,
f In his " Apologia adversus Ruffinum."
408 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
What eminent changes afterwards befel him in the course of
his life,, how he fled into Germany, lived at Zurich, returned
into England, was preferred bishop of Salisbury, wrote learnedly,
preached painfully, lived piously, died peaceably, anno Domini
1572, are largely related in my " Ecclesiastical History ;" and
I will trouble the reader with no repetitions.
JOHN PRIDEAUX was born at Hartford, in the west part of
this county ; bred scholar, fellow, and rector of Exeter College,
in Oxford, canon of Christ- Church, and above thirty years
king's professor in that university. An excellent linguist ; but
so that he would make words wait on his matter, chiefly aiming
at expressiveness therein ; he had a becoming festivity, which
was Aristotle's, not St. Paul's, EvYpaTreXm.
Admirable his memory, retaining whatever he had read.
The Welch have a proverb (in my mind somewhat uncharitable)
" He that hath a good memory, giveth few alms ; " because he
keepeth in mind what and to whom he had given before. But
this doctor crossed this proverb, with his constant charity to all
in want.
His learning was admired by foreigners, Sextinus Amma,
Rivet, &c. He was not vindictive in the least degree; one
intimate with him* having assured me, that he would forgive
the greatest injury, upon the least show of the party's sorrow,
and restore him to the degree of his former favour ; and though
politicians will thence collect him no prudent man, divines will
conclude him a good Christian.
Episcopacy in England being grievously wounded by male-
volent persons, king Charles the First conceived that the best
wine and oil that could be poured into these wounds was, to
select persons of known learning and unblameable lives, to
supply the vacant bishoprics; amongst whom Dr. Prideaux
was made bishop of Worcester. But, alas ! all in vain, such
the present fury of the times.
He died of a fever, 1650 ; and I have perused a manuscript
book (but alas ! not made by Oxford, but Worcestershire Muses)
of verses on his funeral ; amongst which I take notice of these :
" Desine mirari csecos errasse tot ignes ;
In promptu causa est, lux Prideauxus obit."
" Mortuus est Prideaux ? scrip tis post funera vivit ;
Aufertur letho mitra, corona datur."
To these we may add the chronogram, which I meet with
amongst the same verses.
" lohannes PrIDeaVXVs EpIsCopVs). R.n „
VVIgornlaj MortWs est. j1
He was buried at Bredon in Worcestershire, August the 16th.
Such as deny bishops to be peers, would have conceived this
* Mr. Joseph Maynard, fellow of Exeter College.
STATESMEN. 409
bishop a prince, if present at his interment, such the number
and quality of persons attending his funeral.
STATESMEN.
Sir ARTHUR CHICHESTER, Knight, was descended of a right
ancient family, dwelling at Rawley, in this county. He spent
his youth first in the university, then in the French and Irish
wars ; where, by his valour, he 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 king James made
lord deputy of Ireland.
Indeed good laws and provisions had been made by his pre-
decessors to that purpose ; but, alas ! they were like good
lessons set for a lute out of tune, useless until the instrument
was fitted for them. Wherefore, in order to the civilizing of
the Irishry, in the first year of his government he established
two new circuits for justices of assize, the one in Connaught,
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. Yea, in short time, Ireland was so cleared 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. *
He reduced the mountains and glens on the south of Dublin
(formerly thorns in the sides of the English Pale) into the
county of Wicklow ; and, in conformity to the English custom,
many Irish began to cut their mantles into cloaks. So observant
his eye over the actions of suspected persons, that Tyrone
was heard to complain, (( that he could not drink a full carouse of
sack, but the state was within a few hours advertised thereof.f
After he had been continued many years in his deputyship,
and deservedly made a lord, king James recalled him home, and
(loath to leave his abilities unemployed) sent him ambassador
to the emperor, and other German princes. Being besieged in
the city of Mainchine (a place much indebted to his prudence,
for seasonably victualling it) by count Tilley, he sent him word,
<e that it was against the law of nations to besiege an ambas-
sador." Tilly returned, that he took no notice that he was an
ambassador, The 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 I had been a soldier, as well as an ambassador."
King James, at his return, entertained him with great
commendation, for so well discharging his trust ; and he died,
* Sir John Davis, in his discourse of Ireland, p. 270. f Idem, p. 271.
410 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
in as great honour as any Englishman of our age, anno Do-
mini 162...
CAPITAL JUDGES.
Sir WILLIAM HERLE, Knight, was made, by king Edward
the Third, chief justice of the King's Bench, in Hilary Term,
the first year of his reign ; and before the term ended (viz. Ja-
nuary the 29th) was .made chief judge of the Common Pleas, by
his own free consent, as I have cause to conceive ; he standing
fair in the king's favour : for, whereas sixty marks were in that
age the annual salary of that place, the king granted him an
augmentation of two hundred and forty marks a year, so long
as he kept that office.* This was some four years ; for I find
Sir John Stoner put into his place,f in the fourth of the king's
reign ; yet so, that this Sir William was his successor the year
after, such alterations being usual in that age. I collect him to
die in the ninth of king Edward the Third (the mention of him
sinking in that year) ; and is placed here, because, if not born
at (which is most probable) he was owner of Ilfracombe, in this
county, the manor whereof was held by his issue till the reign
of king Henry the Seventh ; and I understand that a family of
his name, and I believe of his lineage, hath still a worshipful
existence in Cornwall.
Sir JOHN GARY, Knight, was born at Cockington, in this
county ; and, applying himself to the study of the laws, was
made chief baron of the Exchequer in the tenth year of king
Richard the Second. The greatest fault I find charged on him
was, loyalty to his lord and master ; which if any dare call a
disease, I assure you it is a catching one, among conscientious
people. On this honourable account, this judge lost his office,
goods, and lands, in the first of king Henry the Fourth ; whose
losses, not long after, Providence plentifully repaid to his
posterity, on this occasion : a knight-errant of Arragon, coming
into England, and challenging any to tilt with him, was under-
taken by Sir Robert Gary, son to Sir John aforesaid ; who van-
quished the vain-glorious Don ; so that king Henry the Fifth, out
of a sympathy of valour, restored all his estate unto him. This
judge died about the year of our Lord 1404.
Sir WILLIAM HANKPORD was born at Amerie in this
county (a manor, which, from owners of the same name, by
their daughter and heir, descended to the Hankfords) ; bred in
the study of the laws, till he became chief justice of the King's
Bench, in the first of king Henry the Fifth; which place he
adorned with great learning and integrity, though doleful the
manner of his death, on this occasion : coming home discon-
* 1 Edward III. Pat. iv. pars i. memb. 35.
t Sir Henry Spelman's Glossary, tit. " Justiciarius ;" p. 417.
CAPCTAL JUDGES. 411
tented from London, he expressed extreme anger (somewhat
trespassing on his judicial gravity) against his keeper ; for that
(as he said) his deer were stolen, and charged him to shoot any
man in the park whom he should find there, and stood not,
being spoken unto, and he would discharge him. The next
night, being dark, he presents himself; and, refusing to stand,
the keeper, according to his injunction, shot and killed him.
rhe stump of the oak, nigh which this sad accident happened,
hath been shewn to some eminent lawyers riding that circuit,
which are yet alive.
However, no violent impression is intimated in this his peace-
able epitaph on his monument in Amerie church :
" Hie jacet Will. Hankford, Miles, quondam Capitalis
Justiciarius Domini R. de Banco, qui obiit duodecimo
die Decembris, anno Domini 1422 : cujus, &c."
His figure is portrayed kneeling ; and out of his mouth, in a
label, these two sentences do proceed: 1. " Miserere mei deus,
secundum magnam misericordiam tuam." 2. " Beati qui cus-
todiant judicium, et faciunt justitiam omni tempore."
No charitable reader, for one unadvised act, will condemn his
memory, who, when living, was habited with all requisites for a
person of his place.
Sir JOHN FORTES CUE was born of a right ancient and wor-
thy family in this county; first fixed at Wimpstone in this
shire, but since prosperously planted in every part thereof.
They give for their motto, " Forte scutum salus ducum ; " and
it is observable that they attained eminency in what profession
soever they applied themselves.
In the field : Sir HENRY FORTESCUE, a valiant and for-
tunate commander under king Henry the Fifth in the French
wars, by whom he was made governor of Meux in Berry.
Sir ADRIAN FORTESCUE, porter of the town of Calais,
came over with king Henry the Seventh ; and, effectually assist-
ing him to regain the crown, was by him deservedly created
knight-banneret.
In Westminster Hall : Sir HENRY FORTESCUE was lord chief
justice of Ireland, and justly of great esteem for his many vir-
tues ; especially for his sincerity in so tempting a place.
Sir JOHN FORTESCUE, our present subject, lord chief justice
and chancellor of England in the reign of king Henry the Sixth,
whose learned " Commentaries on the Law " make him famous
to all posterity.
In the Court : Sir JOHN FORTESCUE, that wise privy council-
ler, overseer of queen Elizabeth her liberal studies ; and chan-
cellor of the Exchequer and Duchy of Lancaster.
Sir LEWIS POLLARD, of King's Nimet in this county,
sergeant of the law, and one of the justices of the King's Bench
412 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
in the time of king Henry the Eighth, was a man of singular
knowledge and worth ; who, by his lady Elizabeth, had eleven
sons ; whereof four attained the honour of knighthood : Sir
Hugh ; Sir John, of Ford ; Sir Richard ; Sir George, who got
his honour in the defence of Boulogne.
Eleven daughters, married to the most potent families in this
county, and most of them knights ; so that (what is said of
Cork in Ireland, that all the inhabitants therein are kin) by
this match almost all the ancient gentry in this county are
allied.
All the rest, especially John, archdeacon of Sarum, and canon
of Exeter, were very well advanced.
The portraiture of Sir Lewis and his lady, with their two and
twenty children, are set up in a glass window at Nimet-Bishop.
There is a tradition continued in this family, that the lady,
glassing the window in her husband's absence at the term in
London, caused one child more than she then had to be set up,
presuming (having had one and twenty already, and usually con-
ceiving at her husband's coming home) she should have another
child ; which, inserted in expectance, came to pass accordingly.
This memorable knight died anno 1540.
Sir JOHN DODERIDG, Knight, was born at in this
county ; bred in Exeter College in Oxford ; where he became
so general a scholar, that it is hard to say whether he was better
artist, divine, civil, or common lawyer, though he fixed on the
last for his public profession ; and became second justice of the
King's Bench. His soul consisted of two essentials, ability and
integrity, holding the scale of Justice with so steady an hand,
that neither love nor lucre, fear or flattery, could bow him on
either side.
It was vehemently suspected that, in his time, some gave
large sums of money to purchase places of judicature ; and Sir
John is famous for the expression, " That, as old and infirm as
he was, he would go to Tyburn on foot to see such a man
hanged, that should proffer money for a place of that nature :"
for certainly those who buy such offices by wholesale, must sell
justice by retail, to make themselves savers. He was com-
monly called the sleeping judge, because he would sit on the
bench with his eyes shut, which was only a posture of atten-
tion, to sequester his sight from distracting objects, the better
to listen to what was alleged and proved. Though he had
three wives successively, out of the respectful families of Ger-
min, Bamfield, and Culme, yet he left no issue behind him.
He kept a hospital house at Mount-Radford near Exeter ; and,
dying anno Domini 1628, the thirteenth day of September
(after he had been seventeen years a judge) in the seventy-third
year of his age, was interred under a stately tomb in our Lady's
Chapel in Exeter.
SOLDIERS. 413
To take my leave of the Devonian lawyers, they in this
county seem innated with a genius to study law ; none in Eng-
land (Northfolk alone excepted) affording so many. Cornwall
indeed hath a famine, but Devonshire makes a feast of such,
who by the practice thereof have raised great estates. Three
sergeants were all made at one call; sergeant Glanvil [the
elder], Dew, and Harris, of whom it was commonly said (though
I can nor care not to appropriate it respectively) :
( Gained ^
One j Spent [• as much as the other two gave.
One town in this shire, Tavistock by name, furnisheth the
bar at this present with a constellation of pleaders, wherein the
biggest stars, sergeant Glanvil, who shineth the brighter for
being so long eclipsed ; and sergeant Maynard, the bench seem-
ing sick with long longing for his sitting thereon. As it is the
honour of this county to breed such able lawyers ; so is it its
happiness that they have most of their clients from other shires ;
and the many suits tried of this county proceed not so much
from the litigiousness as populousness of her inhabitants.
SOLDIERS.
SIR RICHARD GREENVIL, Knight, lived and was richly landed
at Bediford in this county. He was one of the twelve peers
which accompanied Robert Fitz-Haimon in his expedition
against the Welsh ; when he overthrew Rhese ap Theodore,
prince of South Wales, and Justine, lord of Glamorgan ; and
divided the conquered country betwixt those his assistants.
This Sir Richard, in my apprehension, appears somewhat like
the patriarch Abraham ;* for he would have none " make him
rich, but God alone ;" though, in his partage, good land was at
Neath (Nidum, a city in Antoninus) in Glamorganshire allotted
unto him. Indeed Abraham gave the tenth to God in Melchis-
edec, and restored the rest to the king of Sodom, the former
proprietary thereof. This knight (according to the devotion of
those darker days) gave all to God, erecting and endowing a
monastery (dedicated to the Virgin Mary) at Neath, for Cister-
cians, bestowing all his military acquests on them for their
maintenance, so that this convent was valued at £150. per
annum at the Dissolution. Thus having finished and settled
this foundation, he returned to his own patrimony at Bediford
in this county, where he lived in great repute, 1100, under the
reign of king William Rufus ; and may seem to have entailed
hereditary valour on his name and still flourishing posterity.
JAMES LORD AUDLEY is challenged by several counties
(Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Dorsetshire, &c.), and that with
* Gen. xiv.
414 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
almost equal probability, to be their native : but my author,
well versed in the antiquities of this shire, clearly adjudgeth his
birth thereunto ; avouching the castle of Barnstaple the place
of his principal mansion and inhabitance.
This is that Lord Audley, so famous for his valiant service in
France, at the battle of Poictiers, where the Black Prince re-
warded him with a yearly pension of 500 marks, which presently
the Lord Audley gave as freely to his four esquires ; having (as
he said) received this honour by their means. The news of this
largess being quickly brought to the prince's ears, he questioned
the lord, whether he conceived his gift not worthy his esteem ;
as beneath his acceptance ? To whom the lord replied, " These
squires have done me long and faithful service, and now espe-
cially in this battle, without whose assistance I, being a single
man, could have done little. Besides, the fair estate left me by
my ancestors enableth me freely to serve your highness ;
whereas these my men may stand in need of some support.
Only, I crave your pardon for giving it away without your
licence." The prince, highly pleased thereat, praised his bounty
as much as his valour, and doubled his former pension into a
thousand marks. This noble lord, by my computation, died
about the beginning of the reign of king Richard the Second !
THOMAS STUCKLEY. — Were he alive, he would be highly
offended to be ranked under any other topic than that of
princes ; whose memory must now be content, and thankful too,
that he will afford it a place amongst our soldiers.
He was a younger brother, of an ancient, wealthy, and wor-
shipful family, nigh Ilfracombe in this county, being one of
good parts ; but valued the less by others, because over-prized
by himself. Having prodigally mis-spent his patrimony, he
entered on several projects (the issue-general of all decayed
estates) ; and first pitched on the peopling of Florida, then
newly found out in the West Indies. So confident his ambi-
tion, that he blushed not to tell queen Elizabeth, ce that he pre-
ferred rather to be sovereign of a mole-hill, than the highest
subject to the greatest kingjn Chistendom ;" adding, moreover,
" that he was assured he should be a prince before his death/'
" I hope," said queen Elizabeth, " I shall hear from you, when
you are stated in your principality." " I will write unto you,"
quoth Stuckley. " In what language ?" said the queen. He
returned, " In the style of princes ; To our dear Sister."
His fair project of Florida being blasted for lack of money to
pursue it, he went over into Ireland, where he was frustrated of
the preferment he expected, and met such physic that turned
his fever into frenzy ; for hereafter resolving treacherously to
attempt what he could not loyally achieve, he went over into
Italy.
It is incredible how quickly he wrought himself through the
SOLDIERS. 415
notice into the favour, through the court into the chamber, yea
closet, yea bosom of pope Pius Quintus ; so that some wise
men thought his holiness did forfeit a parcel of his infallibility,
in giving credit to such a ylorioso, vaunting that with three
thousand soldiers he would beat all the English out of Ireland.
The Pope, finding it cheaper to fill Stuckley's swelling sails
with airy titles than real gifts, created him baron of Ross, vis-
count Murrough, earl of Wexford, marquis of Leinster ; and
then furnished this title-top-heavy general with eight hundred
soldiers, paid by the king of Spain, for the Irish expedition.
In passage thereunto, Stuckley lands at Portugal, just when
Sebastian the king thereof, with two Moorish kings, were under-
taking a voyage into Africa. Stuckley, scorning to attend, is
persuaded to accompany them. Some thought he wholly
quitted his Irish design, partly because loath to be pent up in
an island (the continent of Africa affording more elbow-room
for his achievements); partly because so mutable his mind, he
ever loved the last project (as mothers the youngest child) best.
Others conceive he took this African in order to his Irish
design ; such his confidence of conquest, that his breakfast on
the Turks would the better enable him to dine on the English
in Ireland.
Landing in Africa, Stuckley gave council, which was safe,
seasonable, and necessary ; namely, that for two or three days
they should refresh their land soldiers ; whereof some were sick,
and some were weak, by reason of their tempestuous passage.
This would not be heard; so furious was Don Sebastian to
engage ; as if he would pluck up the bays of victory out of the
ground, before they were grown up ; and so, in the battle of
Alcaser, their army was wholly defeated : where Stuckley lost
his life.
" A fatal fight, where in one day was slain,
Three kings that were, and one that would be fain."
This battle was fought anno 1578, where Stuckley, with his
eight hundred men, behaved himself most valiantly, till over-
powered with multitude.
I hope it will be no offence, next to this bubble of emptiness,
and meteor of ostentation, to place a precious pearl, and maga-
zine of secret merit, whom we come to describe.
GEORGE MONCK. — Some will say he being (and long may
he be) alive, belongs not to your pen, according to your premised
rules. But, know, he is too high to come under the roof of my
regulations, whose merit may make laws for me to observe.
Besides, it is better that I should be censured, than he not com-
mended. Pass we by his high birth (whereof hereafter) and
hard breeding in the Low Countries, not commencing a captain
VOL. i. 2 E
416 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
per saltum (as many in our civil wars), but proceeding by degrees
from a private soldier, in that martial university. Pass we also
by his employment in Ireland, and imprisonment in England,
for the king ; his sea service against the Dutch ; posting to
speak of his last performance ; which, should I be silent, would
speak of itself.
Being made governor of Scotland, no power or policy of Oli-
ver Cromwell could fright or flatter him thence. Scotland was
his castle, from the top whereof he took the true prospect of
our English affairs. He perceived that, since the martyrdom
of king Charles, several sorts of government (like the sons of
Jesse before Samuel) passed before the English people ; but
" neither God nor our nation had chosen them." He resolved,
therefore, to send for despised David out of a foreign field ; as
well assured that the English loyalty would never be at rest till
fixed in the centre thereof. He secured Scotland in faithful
hands, to have all his foes before his face, and leave none behind
his back.
He entered England with excellent foot ; but his horse so
lean, that they seemed tired at their first setting forth. The
chiefest strength of his army consisted in the reputation of the
strength thereof, and wise conduct of their general. The loyal
English did rather gaze on, than pray for him, as ignorant of
his intentions ; and the apostle observeth, " that the private
man knoweth not how to say Amen to what is spoken in an un-
known language."
Now the scales began to fall down from the eyes of the Eng-
lish nation (as from Saul, when his sight was received,) sensible
that they were deluded, with the pretences of religion and liberty,
into atheism and vassalage. They had learnt also from the sol-
diers (whom they so long had quartered) to cry out " one and
all ; " each shire setting forth a remonstrance of their grievances,
and refusing further payment of taxes.
Lambert cometh forth of London, abounding with more out-
ward advantages than general Monck wanted ; dragon-like, he
breathed out nought but fire and fury, chiefly against the church
and clergy. But he met with a Saint George, who struck him
neither with sword nor spear; but gave his army a mortal
wound, without wounding it. His soldiers dwindled away ; and
indeed a private person (Lambert at last was little more) must
have a strong and long hand on his own account, to hold a
whole army together.
The hinder part of the Parliament sitting still at Westminster,
plied him with many messengers and addresses. He returned
an answer, neither granting nor denying their desires ; giving
them hope, too little to trust, yet too much to distrust, him. He
was an absolute riddle ; and no ploughing with his heifer to ex-
pound him. Indeed, had he appeared what he was, he had ne-
SEAMEN.
ver been what he is, a deliverer of his country. But such must
be as dark a midnight, who mean to achieve actions as bright as
noon-day.
Then he was put on the unwelcome office to pluck down the
gates of London, though it pleased God that the odium did not
light on him that acted, but those who employed him. Hence-
forward he sided effectually with the City ; I say the City, which,
if well or ill affected, was then able to make us a happy or un-
happy nation.
Immediately followed that turn of our times, which all the
world with wonder doth behold. But let us not look so long on
second causes, as to lose the sight of the principal, Divine Pro-
vidence. Christ, on the cross, said to his beloved disciple,
"Behold thy mother;" and said to her, "Behold thy son:"
Thus was he pleased effectually to speak to the hearts of the
English, " Behold your sovereign ; " which inspirited them
with loyalty, and a longing desire of his presence ; saying like-
wise to our gracious sovereign, " Behold thy subjects ; " which
increased his ardent affection to return ; and now, blessed be
God, both are met together, to their mutual comfort.
Since the honours which he first deserved have been con-
ferred upon him, completed with the title of " the Duke of Albe-
marle, and Master of his majesty's horse," &c. Nor must it be
forgotten that he carried the sceptre with the dove thereupon
(the emblem of peace) at the king's coronation. But abler pens
will improve these short memoirs into a large history.
SEAMEN.
WILLIAM WILFORD was a native nigh Plymouth in this
county, a valiant and successful seaman. It happened, in the
reign of king Henry the Fourth, that the French out of Britain,
by a sudden invasion, burnt sixteen hundred houses in Plymouth,
if there be not a mistake in the figures, which I vehemently sus-
pect. Sure it was a most sad desolation, remembered at this
day in the division of Plymouth, whereof the one part is called
"The Briton's side," the other "The Old Town."
But let the French boast their gain when the game is ended,
which now was but begun. This fire inflamed all the English,
and especially our Wilford, with desire of revepge. Within a
short time he made them to pay, besides costs and charges,
more than sixfold damages, by taking forty ships on the coast
of Britain, and burning as many at Penarch ; besides many towns
and villages for six leagues together. I collect the death of
this William Wilford to be about the beginning of the reign of
king Henry the Fifth.
Sir HUMPHREY GILBERT, or Jilbert, or Gislibert, was born
at Greenway in this county, the pleasant seat of his family for
2 E 2
418 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
a long continuance. He was famous for his knowledge both by
sea and land. In the year 1569 he valiantly and fortunately
served in Ireland. Afterwards he led nine companies to the
assistance of the Hollanders. In the year 1583 he set forth
with five ships to make discoveries in the North of America,
where he took seisin and possession of Newfoundland (according
to the ancient solemn ceremony of cutting a turf) for the crown
of England.
He resolved to adventure himself in his return in a vessel of
forty tons ; and with two ships (the only remains of five) did
make for England. In the instant of their winding about (I
may confidently report what is generally in this county averred
and believed ), a very great lion, not swimming after the manner
of a beast with the motion of his feet, nor yet diving sometimes
under water and rising again (as porpoises and dolphins do), but
rather gliding on the water with his whole body except legs in
sight, shunned not the ship, nor the mariners, who presented
themselves in view ; but, turning his head to and fro, yawning
and gaping wide, made a horrible roaring. It is conceived no
spectrum or apparition, but a real fish ; seeing we read that
such like a lion in all lineaments was taken at sea, anno 1282,
^ind presented to Pope Martyn the Fourth.
Instantly a terrible tempest did arise ; and Sir Humphrey
said cheerfully to his companions, ef We are as near heaven here
at sea as at land." Nor was it long before his ship sank into
the sea with all therein, though the other recovered home, like
Job's messengers, to bring the tidings of the destruction of their
companions. This sad accident happened 158 ...
[AMP.] COCK. I am sorry I cannot add his
Christian name, and more sorry that I cannot certainly avouch
his nativity in this county (though inclined with many motives
to believe it) being a cock of the game indeed : for in the eighty-
eight, " Solus cockus Anglus in suu inter medios hostes navicula,
cum laude periit."* And whereas there was not a noble family
in Spain but lost either son, brother, or nephew, in that fight ;
this cock was the only man of note of the English, who, fighting
a volunteer in his own ship, lost his life, to save his queen and
country :f
" Unus homo nobis pereundo restituit rem."
Pity it is his memory should ever be forgotten ; and my pen
is sensible of no higher preferment, than when it may be per-
mitted to draw the curtains about those who have died in the
bed of honour.
Sir FRANCIS DRAKE. — Having formerly, in my "Holy
* Camden's Elizabeth, hoc anno. f Meteran, in Historia Belgica.
SEAMEN. 419
State/' written his life at large, I will forbear any addition ; and
only present this tetrastic, made on his corpse when cast out of
the ship (wherein he died) into the sea :
Religio quamvis Romdna resurgeret olim,
EJfoderet tumulum non puto Drake tuum.
Non est quod metuaf, ne te combusseril ulla
PosteritaSy in aqua tutus ab igne manes.*
" Though Rome's religion should in time return,
Drake, none thy body will ungrave again :
There is no fear posterity should burn
Those bones which free from fire in sea remain."
He died (as I am informed) unmarried ; but there is of his
alliance a worshipful family extant in this county, in the con-
dition of a baronet.
Sir WALTER RALEIGH. — " The sons of Heth said unto
Abraham, Thou art a great prince amongst us ; in the choice of
our sepulchres bury thy dead ; none shall withhold them from
thee."f So may we say to the memory of this worthy knight,
" Repose yourself in this our catalogue under what topic you
please, of statesman, seaman, soldier, learned writer, and what
not ? " His worth unlocks our closest cabinets ; and provides
both room and welcome to entertain him.
He was born at Budley in this county,{ of an ancient family,
but decayed in estate, and he the youngest brother thereof.
He was bred in Oriel College in Oxford ; and thence coming
to court, found some hopes of the queen's favours reflecting
upon him. This made him write in a glass window, obvious to
the queen's eye,
" Fain would I climb, yet fear I to fall."
Her majesty, either espying or being shown it, did under-
write,
" If thy heart fails thee, climb not at all."
However he at last climbed up by the stairs of his own desert.
But his introduction into the court bare an elder date from this
occasion : this captain Raleigh coming out of Ireland to the
English court in good habit (his clothes being then a consider-
able part of his estate) found the queen walking, till, meeting
with a plashy place, she seemed to scruple going thereon. Pre-
sently Raleigh cast and spread his new plush cloak on the
ground ; whereon the queen trod gently, rewarding him after-
wards with many suits, for his so free and seasonable tender of
so fair a foot cloth. Thus an advantageous admission into the
first notice of a prince is more than half a degree to preferment.
It is reported of the women in the Balearic Islands, that, to
make their sons expert archers, they will not, when children,
give them their breakfast before they had hit the mark. Such
the dealing of the queen with this knight, making him to earn
* H. Holland, Herwologia Anglica, p. no.
f Gen, xxiii. 6. J The house was called Hayes.
420 ''WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
,/iis honour, and, by pain and peril, to purchase what places of
credit or profit were bestowed upon him. Indeed it was true
of him, what was said of Cato Uticensis, " that he seemed to
be born to that only which he went about ;" so dexterous was
he in all his undertakings, in court, in camp, by sea, by land,
with sword, with pen ; witness in the last his " History of the
World," wherein the only default (or defect rather) that it
wanted one half thereof. Yet had he many enemies (which
worth never wanteth) at court, his cowardly detractors, of whom
Sir Walter was wont to say, " If any man accuseth me to my
face, I will answer him with my mouth ; but my tail is good
enough to return an answer to such who traduceth me behind
my back."
CIVILIANS.
JOHN COWEL was born at Yarnesborough in this county ;
bred first at Eton, then in King's College in Cambridge. He
was proctor thereof 1586, doctor of the law, master of Trinity-
hall, vice-chancellor in the years 1603 and 1614, doctor of the
Arches, and vicar-general to archbishop Bancroft. Though civil
was his profession, such his skill in common law, he was as well
able to practise in Westminster-hall as Doctors' Commons.
In his time the contest was heightened betwixt , the civilians
and common lawyers, Cowel being the champion of -the former,
whom king James countenanced as far as he could with con-
veniency. Indeed, great were his abilities, though a grand
oracle of the common law was pleased in derision to call him
Doctor Cow-heel ; and a cow-heel (I assure you) well dressed,
is good meat, that a cook (when hungry) may lick his fingers
after it.
Two chief monuments he hath left to posterity ; his book
intituled " Institutionis Juris Anglicani," and his " Interpre-
ter" of the hard words in the common law. Indeed he had
both the essentials of an interpreter, who was both gnarus and
fidus. Many slighted his book, who used it ; it being question-
able whether it gave more information or offence. Common-
lawyers beheld it as a double trespass against them ; first,
pedibus ambulando, that a civilian should walk in a profession
several to themselves ; secondly, that he should pluck up the
pales of the hard terms wherewith it was enclosed, and lay it
open and obvious to common capacities.
But a higher offence was charged upon him ; that he made
the king to have a double prerogative, the one limited by law,
the other unlimited ; which being complained of in parliament,
his book was called in, and condemned. Some other advantages
they got against him, the grief whereof (hearts sunk down are
not to be buoyed up) hastened his death anno Domini 1611 ;
and he lieth buried in Trinity-hall chapel.
ARTHUR DUCK was born of wealthy parentage at Heavy-
WRITERS. 421
tree in this county. He was bred in Oxford, fellow of All-souls
College, and wrote the life of archbishop Chicheley, the founder
thereof, in most elegant Latin. Proceeding doctor of law, he
became chancellor of Wells and London, and master of the
Requests; designed also master of the Rolls, had not an inter-
vening accident diverted it. One of most smooth language, but
rough speech ; so that what the comedian saith of a fair maid in
mean apparel was true of him :
ni vis boni
In ipsa inesset forma, vestes formam extinguerent."*
Had there not been a masculine strength in his matter, it
had been marred with the disadvantage of his utterance. He
died on the Lord's-day, and, in effect, in the church, f about
1648; leaving a great estate to two daughters, since married to
two of his name and kindred.
WRITERS.
ROGER the CISTERCIAN lived (near the place of his birth) at
Ford Abbey in this county. Here the judicious reader will
please himself to climb up the two following mountains of ex-
tremes (only with his eye), and then descend into the vale of
truth, which lieth betwixt them.
Leland :• — " Doctis artibus et pietati, insolito quodam animi
ardore, noctes atque dies invigilavit."
Bale, (Cent. iii. num. 23) : — u Invigilavit fallaciis atque im-
posturis diabolicis, ut Christi gloriam obscuraret."
I believe that bilious Bale would have been sick of the yellow
jaundice, if not venting his choler in such expressions. But to
speak impartially: the works of this Roger concerning the
revelations of Elizabeth, abbess of Schonaugh, and the legend
that he wrote of St. Ursula, with her thousands of maids killed
at Colen, are full (to say no worse) of many fond falsities. He
lived mostly in the Low Countries ; and flourished, 1180, under
king Henry the Second.
JOHN de FORD was probably born at, certainly abbot of,
Ford in this county ; esteemed insignis theologus in his age ;
following in the footsteps of his friend and patron Baldwin
archbishop of Canterbury. He travelled into foreign parts,
which he did not, as too many, weed, but gathered the flowers ;
returning stored with good manners, and stocked with good
learning. He endeavoured that all in his convent should be like
himself; and Ford Abbey in his time had more learning therein
than three convents of the same bigness. He was confessor to
king John ; wrote many pious works ; and, dying, was buried
in his own convent, without any funeral pomp, about the
year 1215.
* Terentius, in Phormione, I. ii. 58. f At Chiswick, in Middlesex.
422 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRR.
RICHARD FISHAKER, or FIZACRE, (Matthew Paris* termeth
him FISHACLE) was, saith Bale,t born in Exoniensi patrid,
which I English, in Devonshire. He was bred first in Oxford,
then in Paris, and became a Dominican friar, for his learning and
preaching as highly esteemed as any of that age. He was (saith
learned Leland) as fast linked in friendship to Robert Bacon
(of wrhom hereafter J ) as ever Brithus to Bacchius, or Theseus
to Perithous ; so that one may say of them, " there were two
friends." This Richard, disdaining to survive Robert aforesaid,
hearing of his death, expired in the same year, 1248 ; and was
buried at Oxford.
JOHN CUT-CLIF was born at the manor of Gammage, in this
county, where his name and family do continue owners thereof.
Now, because that which is pretty is pleasing, and what is little
may be presumed pretty ; we will insert the short (and indeed
all the) information we have of him :
" In the time of king Edward the Third, Johannes Rupe-
Scissanus, or de Rupe scissa [Cutclif] being a very
sincere and learned man, opposed himself against the
doctrine and manners of the clergy, and wrote against
the Pope himself." §
I see Baleus non vidit omnia. For Pitzeus, it is no wonder if
he be pleased to take no notice of a writer of an opposite judg-
ment to himself. When we receive, then will we return more
intelligence of this author.
RICHARD CHICHESTER was not born at Chichester in Sus-
sex, as his name doth import, but was an extract of that ancient
family still flourishing at Raleigh in this county. || He became
a monk in Westminster ; seldom spending any spare time in
vanity, but laying it out in reading Scripture and good history.
He wrote a chronicle from Hengistus the Saxon to the year of
our Lord 1348, done indeed fide historicd. His death happened
about the year 1355,
ROBERT PLYMPTON was born at Plympton in this county,
and bred an Augustinian in the town of his nativity. He was
afterwards preferred archdeacon of Totness, conscientiously dis-
charging his place ; for, perceiving people extremely vicious, he
was another John Baptist in his painful preaching repentance
unto them, which sermons he caused to be written ; and it is
conceived they wrought a very good effect on the Devonians.
The time wherein he flourished is not certainly known.
* In anno Domini 1248, p. 747.
f De Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. iv. num. 6.
j In the *' WRITERS " of Oxfordshh'e.
§ Manuscript of Baronet Northcott. || Ibidem.
WRITERS. 423
NICHOLAS UPTON was born in this county, of an ancient
family, still nourishing therein at He was bred
doctor in the canon law ; and became canon of Salisbury, Wells,
and St. Paul's. Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, the Maecenas-
general of goodness and learning, had him in high esteem, and
gave him great rewards. Hereupon Upton, in expression of his
gratitude, presented his patron with a book (the first of that
kind) of heraldry, and the rules thereof; a book since set forth
in a fair impression by Edward Bish, Esquire, a person com-
posed of all worthy accomplishments. He flourished under
king Henry the Sixth, 1440.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
RICHARD HOOKER was bom at Heavitree nigh Exeter;*
bred in Corpus Christi College in Oxford ; and afterwards was
preferred by archbishop Whitgift, master of the Temple, whilst
at the same time Mr. Walter Travers was the lecturer thereof.
Here the pulpit spake pure Canterbury in the morning, and
Geneva in the afternoon, until Travers was silenced.
Hooker's style was prolix, but not tedious ; and such who
would patiently attend and give him credit all the reading or
hearing of his sentences, had their expectations over-paid at the
closer thereof. He may be said to have made good music with
his fiddle and stick alone, without any resin ; having neither
pronunciation nor gesture to grace his matter.
His book of " Ecclesiastical Politic " is prized by all gene-
rally, save such who out of ignorance cannot, or envy will not,
understand it. But there is a kind of people who have a pique
at him, and therefore read his book with a prejudice ; that, as
Jeptha vowed to sacrifice the first living thing which met him,
these are resolved to quarrel with the first word which occur-
reth therein.
Hereupon it is, that they take exception at the very title
thereof, " Ecclesiastical Politic/' as if unequally yoked : church
with some mixture of citiness ; that the dicipline, jure divino,
may bow to human inventions. But be it reported to the
judicious, whether, when all is done, a reserve must not be left
for prudential supplies in church government.
True it is, his book in our late times was beheld as an old
almanack grown out of date ; but, blessed be God, there is now
a revolution, which may bring his works again into reputation.
Mr. Hooker leaving London (no inclination of his own, but
obedience to others, put him on so public a place) retired to a
small benefice in Kent, where he put off his mortality, anno
1599, leaving the memory of an humble, holy, and learned
divine. Here I must retract (after a fatherf no shame for a
child) two passages in my " Church History." For, whereas I
* Manuscript of Baronet Northcott. t st- Augustine.
424 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
reported him to die a bachelor, he had wife and children,
though indeed such as were neither to his comfort when living,
nor credit when dead.* But parents cannot stamp their chil-
dren from their heads or hearts.
Secondly, his monument was not erected by Sir Edwin Sandys
a person as probable as any man alive for such a perform-
ance) ; but by Sir William Cooper, now living in the castle of
Hertford ; and let the good knight have the due commendation
thereof.
JOHN REINOLDS was born in this county; bred in Corpus-
Christi College, in Oxford, of whom I have spoken plentifully
in my fe Church History."
NATHANIEL CARPENTER, son to a minister, was born in this
county ; bred fellow of Exeter College in Oxford. He was
right-handed in the Cyclopaedia of all arts ; logic, witness his
Decades ; mathematics, expressed in the book of his Geography ;
and divinity, appearing in his excellent sermons called if Achi-
tophel." As for his optics, it had been a master-piece in that
kind, if truly and perfectly printed.
I have been informed, that, to his great grief, he found the
written preface thereof casing Christmas pies in his printer's
house (pearls are no pearls when cocks or coxcombs find them) ;
and could never after, from his scattered notes, recover an origi-
nal thereof.
He went over into Ireland, where he became chaplain to
James Usher archbishop of Armagh, and schoolmaster of the
King's Wards in Dublin; a place of good profit, greater credit,
greatest trust ; being to bring up many Popish minors in the
Protestant religion, who, under his education, grew daily out of
the nonage of their years, and vassalage of their errors.
He died in Dublin. Robert Usher (soon after bishop of Kil-
dare) preached his funeral sermon, on that text, ee Behold a true
Israelite, wherein there is no guile ; " showing how he was truly
a Nathaniel, God's gift; and a carpenter, a wise builder of
God's house, until the dissolution of his own tabernacle, about
the year 1636.
BENEFACTORS TO THE PUBLIC.
PETER BLUNDELL,, of Tiverton, in this county, was a clothier
by his profession ; and, through God's blessing on his endea-
vours therein, raised unto himself a fair estate. Nor was he
more painful and industrious in gaining, than pious and prudent
in disposing thereof; erecting a fair free-school in the town of
his nativity. By his will he bequeathed thereto a competent
maintenance (together with conveniency of lodging) for a mas-
* From the mouth of -his sister, lately living at Hogsden, nigh London — F.
MEMORABLE PERSONS. 425
ter and usher. And, lest such whose genius did incline, and
parts furnish them for a further progress in learning should,
through want of a comfortable subsistency, be stopped or dis-
heartened, he bestowed two scholarships and as many fellow-
ships on Sidney College in Cambridge ; carefully providing that
the scholars bred in his school at Tiverton should be elected into
the same. I cannot attain to a certainty in the time of his
death, though it be thought to have happened about the year
1596.
WILLIAM BURGOIN, Esquire, must not be forgotten ; find-
ing this his epitaph on his marble stone in the church of
Arlington :
" 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 knowledge ; the sick for his balms.
Grace he did love, and vice controul :
Earth hath his body, and heaven his soul."
He died on the twelfth day of August, in the morning, 1623 ^
as the inscription on his said tomb doth inform us.
MEMORABLE PERSONS.
HENRY DE LA POMERAY lived at, and was lord of, Berry-
Pomeray, in this county. This Henry, taking heart at the im-
prisonment of Richard the First by Leopaldus duke of Austria,
surprised and expulsed the monks out of Michael's Mount in
Cornwall, that there he might be a petty prince by himself.
But, being ascertained of his sovereign's enlargement, and fear-
ing deserved death, to prevent it, he laid violent hands on him-
self, as Roger Hoveden doth report.
But the descendants from this Pomeray make a different rela-
tion of this accident ;* affirming, that a sergeant at arms of the
king's came to his castle at Berry-Pom eray, and there received
kind entertainment for certain days together ; and, at his depar-
ture, was gratified with a liberal reward. In counterchange
whereof, he then, and no sooner, revealing his long concealed
errand, flatly arrested his host, to make his immediate appear-
ance before the king, to answer a capital crime. Which unex-
pected and ill-carried message the gentleman took in such
despite, that, with his dagger, he stabbed the messenger to the
heart.
Then, despairing of pardon in so superlative an offence, he
abandoned his home, and got himself to his sister, abiding in
the island of Mount-Michael in Cornwall. Here he bequeathed
a large portion of his land to the religious people dwelling there,
to pray for the redeeming of his soul ; and lastly (that the re-
Carew's Survey of Cornwall, p. 155.
426 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
mainder of his estate might descend to this heir) he caused
himself to be let blood unto death.
JOHN de BEIGNY, Knight, lived lord of Ege-Lifford in this
county ; who, having been a great traveller and soldier in his
youth, retired home, married, and had three sons in his reduced
age. Of these, the third put himself on foreign action, in the
war against the Saracens in Spain ; whereof fame made a large
report, to his father's great contentment ; which made him the
more patiently dispense with his absence. But, after that
death had bereft him of his two elder sons, he was often heard
to say, <e Oh that I might but once embrace my son, I would be
contented to die presently !*" His son soon after returning
unexpectedly, the old man instantly expired with an extasy of
joy. An English father, I see, can be as passionate as the
Italian mother, who died for joy after the return of her son
from the battle of Cannae.f Thus, if all our random desires
should hit the mark, arid if heaven should always take us at
our word, in our wishes ; we should be tamed with our wild
prayers granted unto us, and be drowned in the deluge of our
own passions. This knight, as I take it, flourished under king
Edward the Third.
CHILD (whose Christian name is unknown) was
a gentleman, the last of his family, being of ancient extraction
at Plimstock in this county, and great possessions. It happen-
ed that he, hunting in Dartmoor, lost both his company and
way in a bitter snow. Having killed his horse, he crept into
his hot bowels for warmth ; and wrote this with his blood :
" He that finds and brings me to my tomb,
The land of Plimstock shall be his doom."
That night he was frozen to death ; and being first found by
the monks of Tavistock, they with all possible speed hasted to
inter him in their own abbey. His own parishioners of Plim-
stock, hearing thereof, stood at the ford of the river to take his
body from them. But they must rise early, yea not sleep at
all, who over-reach monks in matter of profit. For they cast
a slight bridge over the river, whereby they carried over the
corpse, and interred it. In avowance whereof, the bridge (a
more premeditate structure, I believe, in the place of the former
extempore passage) is called Guils Bridge to this day. And
know, reader, all in the vicinage will be highly offended with
such who either deny or doubt the credit of this common tradi-
tion. And sure it is, that the abbot of Tavistock got that rich
manor into his possession. The exact date of this Child's death
I cannot attain.
* Manuscript of Baronet Northcott. f Livius, in Bello Punico.
LORD MAYORS — GENTRY. 42?
NICHOLAS and ANDREW TREMAINE were twins, and
younger sons to Thomas Tremaine, of Colacombe in this
county, Esquire. Had they preceded Hippocrates in time, pos-
terity would have presumed them the sympathising twins,
whereof he maketh so large mention. Such their likeness in
all lineaments, they could not be distinguished but by their seve-
ral habits ; which, when they were pleased on private confede-
racy to exchange for disport, they occasioned more mirth-
ful mistakes than ever were acted in the Amphitryo of Plautus.
They felt like pain though at distance ; and, without any intel-
ligence given, they equally desired to walk, travel, sit, sleep, eat,
drink together, as many credible gentry of the vicinage (by
relation from their father) will attest. In this they differed,
that at Newhaven in France, the one was a captain of a troop,
the other but a private soldier. Here they were both slain,
1564 ; death being pitiful to kill them together, to prevent the
lingering languishing of the survivor.
LORD MAYORS.
Never one of this office was a Devonshire man by birth, on
my best inquiry ; whereof some assign these reasons :
1. The distance of the place, whose western part is removed
from London two hundred miles.
2. Because the Devonians have a little London (understand
it Exeter) in their own county (besides other haven towns),
wherein wealth is gained near at hand.
But, whatever be the cause this county hath made so little
use of the exchange in London, no English shiremen have ap-
plied themselves more profitably to the king's court, and inns
of court therein, or hath attained greater wealth and honour by
living in those places.
THE NAMES OF THE GENTRY OF THIS COUNTY,
RETURNED BY THE COMMISSIONERS IN THE TWELFTH YEAR OF KING HENRT
THE SIXTH, 1433.
Edrmmd bishop of Exeter; — Roger Champernoune, knight,
and Philip Gary, knight, (knights for the shire) ;— Commis-
sioners to take the oaths.
Philip. Courtney, chiv. Baldewini Foleford, arm.
Nicholai Carru, chiv. Johannis Speake, arm.
Thomse Brook, chiv. Johannis Wise, arm.
Johannis Dynham, chiv. Johannis Crokker, arm.
Roberti Chalonns, chiv. Ricardi Fortescu, arm.
Johannis Herle, chiv. Andree Hille, arm.
Thomse Carmynowe, arm. Walteri Reynell, arm.
Roberti Hille, arm. Ricardi Holand, arm.
Johannis Chichester, arm. Johannis Bamfield, arm.
Jacobi Chuddelegh, arm. Nicholai Keynes, arm.
Roberti Cornn, arm.
428
WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
Johannis Prideaux cle Orcher-
ton, arm.
Johannis Prideaux de Ades-
ton, arm.
Johannis Gorges, arm.
Thomoe Denys, arm.
Philip Lacy, arm.
Ricardi Yard, arm.
Walteri Polard, arm.
Johannis Holand, arm.
Johannis Cay lie way, arm.
Thomoe Werthe, arm.
Willielmi Malerbe, arm.
Johannis Malerbe, arm.
Johannis Yeo, arm.
Edwardi Saint John, arm.
Thomae Boneville, arm.
Willielmi Wanard.
Johannis Copleston.
Nicholai Radeford.
Johannis Mulys.
Henrici Fortescu.
Henrice Drewe.
Johannis Lauerance.
Willielmi Mey.
Henrici Whiting.
Ricardi Piperoll.
Johannis Marshal.
llogeri Baron.
Stephani Giffard.
Willielmi Byshop.
Nicholai Coterell.
Willielmi Blenche.
Johannis Bolter.
Nicholai Trebarth, arm.
Petri Frie.
Ricardi Yeo.
Nicholai Tyrant.
Johannis Gambon, sen.
Walteri Whitelegh, arm.
Willielmi Holeway.
Thomae Kyngeslond.
Thomse Perot.
Petri Eggecombe, arm,
Johannis Harry.
Thomoe Prons.
Thomae Latom.
Willielmi Colyn.
Johannis Cokeworthy.
Henrici Merwoode, arm.
Walteri Elyot.
Johannis Chapwyk, arm.
Henrici Beard.
Edwardi Pomeray, arm.
Roberti Kirkharn.
SHERIFFS.
Anno
HEN. II.
1 Galfridus de Furnell.
2 Richardus Com.
3 Richardus de Ridner, et
Williel. Boterell.
4
5 Williel. de Botterell.
6
7 Hugo de Ralega, for four
years.
11 Robertus films Bernardi.
Hugo de Ralega.
12 Robertus films Bernardi.
13 Hugo Ralega.
14 Robertus films Bernardi,
for four years.
18 Comes Reginaldus.
Anno
19 Idem.
20 Idem.
21 Comes Regin. Paganus,
Capels et Alan de Fur-
nell.
22 Williel. Ruffus.
23 Idem.
24 Hugo de Guilds.
25 Idem.
26
27 Willielmus Bruer, for seven
years.
RICHARD I.
1 Willielmus de Brewcre.
6 Idem, et Mathew Fer-
years.
SHERIFFS.
429
Anno
JOH. REX.
1 Willielmus de Wratham.
2 Osb't. filius Willielmi.
3 Radulp. Morin.
4 Idem.
5 Willielmus Brieuere, et
Radus de Mora.
6 Willielmus Brieuere.
7 Idem.
8 Williel. Brieuere, et Ra-
dus de Mora, for four
years.
12 Robertus de Vetere Ponte.
Guido de Bello-campo.
13
14 Robertus de Vetere Ponte.
Guido de Bello-campo.
15 Idem.
16 Idem.
17
HEN. III.
2 Robertus de Curteney.
3 Idem.
4 Robertus de Courtney.
5 Rob'tus de Courtne.
Waler de Pohier.
6
7
8 Walterus de Trererd.
Walterus de Pohier.
9 Regin. de Villa torta.
10 Williel. Raleg.
11 Williel. de Boleia.
12 Idem.
13 Rogerus la Zouch.
14 Tho. de Cicencester, et
Tho. de Lawill.
15 Idem.
16 Idem.
17 Tho. de la Wile.
18 Robertus de Valibus, et
Ric. de Langford.
19 Nic'us de Molis, et
Walterus de Bada.
20 Idem.
21 Walterus de Bada, for
thirteen years.
Ajmo
34 Walterus de Bathond.
35 Idem.
39 Williel. de Englefeurd.
37 Idem.
38 Idem.
36 Radius de Wilton.
40 Ger. de Horton, et
Hen. de Horton, filius.
41 Idem.
42 Willielmus de Curcensay.
43 Idem.
44 Rad'us Lodescomb.
45 Idem, et Johan. de Mus-
cegros.
46 Rad'us de Esse, for seven
years.
53 Williel. de Bikels.
EDW. I.
1 Thomas Delpin.
2 Idem.
3
4
5 Matthew de Egglesheill.
6 Thomas Delpin.
7 Warinus de Sechevile.
8 Idem.
9 Thomas Delpin, for six
years.
15 Williel. de Munketon, et
Rog. de Ingepen.
16 Robertus de Wodton.
17 Mathew filius Johannis.
IS Idem.
19 Idem, et Tho. de ScobhuU.
20 Mathew et Tho.
21 Gilber. de Knovill, for
eight years.
29 Thomas de Ralegh, for six
years.
35
EDW. II.
1 Thomas de Ralegh.
2 Nich. de Kirkham.
3 Nich. de Tukesbury, for
three years.
6 Idem, et Mathew Fer-
neaux.
430
WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
Anno
7 Mathew de Furneaux.
8 Math, de Furneaux, et
Rob. de Horton.
9
10 Mathew de Cliveden.
11 Math, de Clivedon, et
Rob. de Bendon.
12 Rob. de Bendon.
Joh. de Bikkebur.
13 Idem.
14 Rob. Bendon, et
Nic. Cheigne.
Nul. Tit. Com. in Rotulo.
Anno
17
18
15
16
17
18
Matheus de Crowthorne.
Math, de Crowthorne, et
Jacob, de Cokington.
EDW. III.
1 James de Cokington.
2 Williel. de Chiverston.
3
4 Williel. de Fawconb'ge.
5 Mathew de Crowthorne.
6 Idem.
7 Regin. de Moveforti.
8 Willielmus de Alba Maria.
9 Idem.
10
11 Johannes de Ralegh de
Grandeport.
12 Johan. Ralegh de Grand-
port.
13 Idem.
14
15 Johan. Ralegh de Charles.
16 Williel. Pupard.
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
Edward. Dux Cornubise, et
Walt. Horton.
Hen. TirelL
Johan. Childston.
Idem.
Rad'us Brit. Rad. Peaupell.
Almaricus Fitz Warren.
Idem.
Robertus Atte Haach.
Williel. Auncel.
Idem.
Ric'us Chambeuon.
Idem.
Idem.
Johan. Daubernonn.
Williel. Too.
Ric'us de Brankescomb,
for three years.
Almaricus Fitz Warren.
Martin. Fitzacre.
Williel. de Brighele.
Johannes Boyes.
Williel. de Servington.
Ric'us de Brankescomb, et
Ric. Channbuon.
Tho. Chavubuon.
Ric'us Beaumond.
Nich'us Whitting.
Ric'us Chusden.
Johannes Damuarle.
Rich'us de Brandescomb*
Nich'us la Pomeray.
Johan. de Ralege.
I cannot deny but I have a catalogue of the sheriffs of this
county (beginning but anno 1349, the 24th of king Edward the
Third) whence and by whom collected to me unknown, some-
what differing from this list now by us exemplified ; though I
shall forbear the nominating of them, as sticking to the cata-
logue communicated unto me out of the Pipe-office.
HENRY II.
2. RICHARDUS COMES. — This is but a blind and lame indi-
cation ; Richard the Earl, not telling us whereof, as if there had
•SHERIFFS. 43 L
been but one English Earl Richard in tfeat age. Whereas there
ivas Richard Fitz-Gilbert earl of Clare, and Richard de Ripariis
[or Rivers], both flourishing at this time. But here, the latter of
these must be meant, who was earl of this county, the self-same
who married Avis, daughter and heir of Reginald earl of Corn-
wall, the base son of king Henry the First*
27. WILLIELMUS BREWER. — His mother, unable (to make
the most charitable constructions) to maintain, cast him in
brewers t (whence he was so named), or in a bed of brakes, in
New Forest. In him the words of David found performance,
" When my father and mother forsake me, the Lord taketh me
up." King Henry the Second, riding to rouse a stag, found
this child, and caused him to be nursed and well brought up
till he became a man, .arid (the honour of all foundlings) a prime
favourite to king Henry and Richard the First ; made baron of
Odcomb ; and his issue male failing, his large inheritance was
by daughters derived to Breos, Wake, La Fort, and Percy.
EDWARD III.
32. — WILLIAM Yoo. — His family is still extant in this county
in a worshipful condition, on the same token that they give for
their arms, Argent, a chevron sable, between three turkey-cocks
in their pride proper. J
Let no over-critic causelessly cavil at this coat, as but a mo-
dern bearing, because turkey-cocks came not into England till
about the tenth year of the reign of king Henry the Eighth ;§
being here formerly shewn as rarities, though not fed on as table-
foul till that time. Besides, heralds have ever assumed that
privilege to themselves, to assign for Arms both those creatures
which are found only in foreign countries (leopards, tigers, &c.),
and those whose sole existence is in the fancy of poets and
painters, as a pho3nix,|| harpy, and the like.
SHERIFFS.
RICHARD II.
Anno Name and Arms. « Place.
1 Joh. Damerell .... Throwley.
2 Joh. Fitzpayn.
Arms : O. three piles Az.
3 Joh. Strech.
4 Wai. Corn.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three bugle-horns, garnished S.
5 Ric. Champernoun . . Modberie.
G. a saltire vairee, betwixt twelve billets Arg.
* Camden's Britannia, in Somerset.
t An old English word. J Gemini's Display of Heraldry, p. 161.
§ Stow's Chronicle, p. 1038. || The Crest of the Marquis .of Hertford.— F.
VOL I. 2 F
432 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
»
Anno Name. Place.
6 Ric. Kendall.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three dolphins S.
7 Will, de Hasthorpt.
8 Ja. Chudleygh.
Erm. three lions rampant G.
9 Ric. Whitiley.
Az. on a bend O. three torteaux.
10 Ric. Champernoun . . ut prius.
11 John Pawlet.
S. three swords in pile Arg;
12 Nic. Kerckham.
Erm. three lions rampant G. within a border engrailed S.
alias Arg.
13 Will. Bone vile . . . Wiscombe.
S. six mullets Arg. pierced G.
14 Will. Carminow.
Az. a bend O. ; a label of three points G.
15 Joh. Greenvile . . . Bediford.
G. three rests O.
16 Tho. Rawleigh . . . Rawleigh.
G. a bend lozengee Arg.
17 Tho. Brook.
18 Will. Ferers.
Arg. abend G. on a chief V.rect. two cinquefoils of the field.
19 Will, Maleherb.
O. a chevron G. between three nettle leaves proper.
20 Tho, Peverell.
G. a fess Arg. betwixt six crosses patee O.
21 Will. Beaumont.
Az. semee O. flower-de-luce ; a lion rampant O.
22
23
HEN. IV.
1 Joh. Keynes.
2 Tho. Pomeroy . . . Bery Pom.
O. a lion rampant G.
3 John Herlej mil. . . Ilfrtlcombe.
Arg. a fess G. betwixt three sheldrakes proper.
4 John Keneys.
5 John Wike .... North wick.
6 John Bevil .... CORNWALL.
Arg. a bull passant G., armed and tripped O.
7 John Cheseldon.
8 Phil. Cole.
Arg. a bull passant S. armed O. within a border of the se-
cond bezantee.
9 Joh. Herle, mil. . . ut prius.
10 Edw. Pine.
G. a chevron Erm. between three pine-apples O.
SHERIFFS. 433
Anno Natus. Place,
11 Will. Cheney . . . Pfoeho.
G. on a fess of four lozenges Arg. as many escalops S.
12 Robert
13 Ric. Pomeroy . . . ut prius.
14 Ric. Peveril .... ut prius.
HEN. v.
1 Tho. Beaumond . . , ut prius.
2 Tho. Pomeroy . . : ut prius.
3 Joh. Arundell . . . CORNWALL.
S. six swallows in pile Arg.
4 Joh. Bevill . . . . ut prius.
5 Will Talbot .... Talbotswick.
6 Ste. Dumeford.
7 Hug, Courtnay . . . Powderham.
O. three torteaux.
8 Tho. Beaumont . . . ut prius.
9 Rob. Challons.
10 Tho. Beaumond . . . ut prius.
HEN VI.
1 Tho. Beaumond, et . . ut prius.
Sir. Wil. Bonvile . . ut prius.
2 Ric. Hanckford.
3 Tho. Brook.
4 Wil. Palton de . . . UmberL
5 Joh. Bampfyld . . . Polmore.
O. on a bend G. three mullets Arg.
6 Tho. Beaumond . . . ut prius.
7 Rob. Hill.
8 Ja. Chudleigh . . . ut prius.
9 Joh. Bozome.
Arg. three bolts G.
10 Edw. Pomeroy . . . ut prius.
11 Edw. Pine . .... ut prius.
12 Joh. Cheynede . . . ut prius.
13 Tho. Stowell.
G. a cross lozengee Arg.
14 Rog. Champernoun . ut prius.
15 Tho. Beaumont . . . ut prius.
16 Tho. Arundell . . . ut prius.
17 Ja. Chudleigh . . . ut prius.
18 Will. Beauchamp.
G. a fess betwixt six martlets O.
19 Rob. Burton.
Arg. three palmer-staves in fess Az.
20 Will. Wadham . . . SOMERSET.
G. a chevron betwixt three roses Arg.
2 F 2
434 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
21 Rich. Yeard .... Yeard Col.
Arg. a chevron G. betwixt three water bougets of the first
22 Joh. Cheny .... ut prim.
23 Joh. Bluet.
O. a chevron betwixt three eagles displayed G.
24 Nic. Broughton,
Arg. a chevron between three mullets G.
25 Hen. Fortescue.
Az. a bend engrailed Arg. cotised O.
26 Tho. Budcokshed . . St. Budcox.
S. three lozenges in afess between three bucks5 heads
cabossed Arg.
27 Hugh Stukley .... Affeton.
Az. three pears O.
28 Jer. Chudleigh . . . ut prius.
29
30 Edw. Hall.
31 Hen. Fortescue . . . ut prius.
32 John Cheney .... ut prius.
33 Rich. Hales.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three griffin's heads erased S.
34 And. Hillingdon.
35 Edw. Landford.
36 John Nanfan.
37 Rich. Hales .... ut prius.
38 Bald. Sutford, mil.
39 John Dinham.
G. three fusils in fess^ within a border Erm.
40 Walt. Dennis .... Holcombe.
Erm. three battle-axes G.
EDWARD IV.
1 John Cheney .... ut prius.
2 Idem . . . . . . ut prius.
3 John Chichester.
Cheeky O. and G. a chief vairy.
4 John Arundle . . . ut prius.
5 Christop. Wolsey.
6 Will. Dynis, arm. . , ut prius.
7 Phil, Beaumont . . . ut prius.
8 Rich. Chichester . . ut prius.
9 Nich. Carew, arm.
O. three lions passant S. armed and langued G.
10 Phil. Courtnay . . . ut prius.
11 Phil. Copleston . . . Warley.
Arg. a chevron engrailed G. between three leopards' heads
Az.
32 John Cheney .... ut prius.
Anno
Name.
SHERIFFS.
Place.
435
ut prius.
ut prius.
13 Rich. Pomeray . .
14 Rich. Chichester . .
15 Otho. Gilbert.
Arg. on a chevron S. three roses of the field.
16 Cha. Dinham .... ut prius.
If John Sapcote
S. three dovecots Arg.
18 Edw» Courtnay . . , ut prius.
19
20 Rob. Willoughby.
21 Giles Daubeney.
G. four lozenges in fess Arg.
22 Will. Courtnay . . . ut prius.
RICHARD III.
Will. Courtney
ut prius.
Hamath. Malevorer . YORKSHIRE.
S. three hounds cursant, in pale Arg.
3 Tho. Malevorer . . . ut prius.
Joh. Maheel.
HENRY VII.
1 John Hawell, mil.
O. on a bend S. three goats passant Arg. armed of the
field.
2 Rich. Edgcombe . . M. Edgcomb.
G. on a bend Erm. betwixt two cotises O. three boars'
heads coupedArg.
4 Roger Holand.
Az. five fleurs-de-lis, a lion rampant gardant Arg.
5 John H ally well . . . ut prius.
6 WilL Stonor, mil.
7 Walter Enderby.
8 Rich. Pomeray, mil. . ut prius.
9 Roger Holand, arm. . ut prius.
10 Pet. Edgcombe, mil. . ut prius.
11 Jo. Fortescue, arm. . . ut prius.
12 Will. Carew, mil. . . ut prius.
13 Pet. Edgcomb, mil. . . ut prius.
14 Roger Holand, arm. . ut prius.
15 Jas. Chudleigh, arm. . ut prius.
16 Rich. Whytley, arm. . ut prius.
17 Rich. Wadham, arm. . ut prius.
18 Rich. Hallywell, arm. . ut prius.
19 John Fortescue . . . ut prius.
20 Will. Norwood, arm.
21 John Kyrcham . . . ut prius.
22 John Fortescue . . . ut prius.
436 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
23 Thorn. Denys, arm. . . ut prius.
HENRY VIII.
1 Tho. Denys, arm. . . ut prius.
2 John Crocker, arm. . . Linam.
Arg. a chevron engrailed betwixt three crows proper.
3 Thorn. Goodman.
4 Thorn. Denys, mil. . . ut prius.
5 Will. Carew, arm. . . ut prius.
6 Nich. Wadham, arm. . ut prius.
7 John Clifton, mil.
S. semee of cinquefoils, a lion rampant Arg,
8 John Speak, mil.
Arg. two bars Az. over all an eagle displayed G.
9 Peter Edgcombe . ut prius.
10 Thomas Dennys . . . ut prius.
11 Ralph Paxsal.
12 Tho. Stukley, arm. . . ut prius.
13 William Courtney . . ut prius.
14 Thomas Dennis . . . ut prius.
15 John Kirckham, mil. . ut prius.
16 John Basset, mil.
Arg. three bars wavy G.
17 W. Courtney, mil. . . ut prius.
18 Phi. Champernoun . . ut prius.
19 Tho. Dennys, mil. . . ut prius.
20 Peter Edgcomb, mil. . ut prius.
21 Joh. Chamond, arm. . CORNWALL.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three flower-de-luces G.
22 George St. Leoger.
Az. frettee Arg. a chief G.
23 Tho. Dennys, mil. . . ut prius.
24 Rich. Grenvile . . . ut prius.
25 Will. Courtney . . . ut prius.
26 John Fulford.
G. a chevron Arg.
27 Hugh Pollard . . . ut prius.
Arg. a chevron S. between three escalop-shells G.
-28 Geo. Carew, arm. . . ut prius.
29 Rich. Pollard .... ut prius.
30 Hugh Chamond . . . ut prius.
3 1 Hugh Pollard . . . . ut prius.
32 John Fulford, mil. . . ut prius.
33 Hugh Paulet, mil. . . nt prius.
34 George Carew . . . ut prius.
35 Rich. Edgcombe . . . ut prius.
36 Hugh Stukeley . . . ut prius.
37 Hugh Pollard . . . ut prius.
SHERIFFS.
437
EDWARD VI.
Anno Name. Place.
1 Peter Carew, mil. . . ut prius.
2 Gwin. Carew, mil. . . ut prius.
3 Peter Courtney . . . ut prius'.
4 Tho. Dennys, mil. . .
5 John Chichester . ...
6 Rich. Chudleigh, arm. . ut prius.
PHIL. AND MAR.
1 Rich. Edgcombe . . ut prius.
1, 2 Tho. Dennys, mil. . . ut prius.
2, 3 James Cortenay, arm. ut prius.
3, 4 Rob. Gary, arm. . . Cockington.
Arms, ut prius.
4, 5 John Fullford, mil. . ut prius.
ELIZ. REG.
1 Rob. Dennys, mil. . . ut prius.
2 Tho. Southcoat, arm.
Arg. a chevron G. betwixt three coots S.
3 Arth. Champernoun
4 John St. Leger, mil.
5 Chr. Coppleston, arm.
6 Rich. Fortescue, arm.
7
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
Otterton.
and Az. three
chaplets counter-
Richard Duke, arm.
Partie per fess Arg.
changed.
8 Thos. Mounck, arm.
G. a chevron betwixt three lions5 heads erased Arg.
9 Pet. Edgcombe, arm. . ut prius.
10 Lewis Stukeley, arm. . ut prius.
11 Robert Dennys, arm. . ut prius.
12 Will. Stroade, arm.
Arg. three conies S.
13 John Mallet, arm.
Az. three escalops O.
14 Tho. Southcote, arm, . ut prius.
15 John Parker, arm. . . Burrington.
16 John Gilbert, mil. . . ut prius.
17 Tho. Carew, arm. . . ut prius.
18 Arthur Basset . .
19
20 Richard Bamfield
21 John Chichester, arm.
22 Rog. Prideaux, arm.
Arg. a chevron S. a label G.
23 Will. Cortenay, mil. . ut prius
24 John Clifton, mil. . . ut prius
ut prius.
ut prius.
438 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
25 John Fitz, arm.
Arg. a cross G. gutte de sang.
26 Hugh Fortescne . ut prius.
27 Ed. Seimour, mil. . . Bury-Castle.
G. two angels* wings pale-ways inverted O,
28 Richard Reynell.
Masonry Arg. a chief indented.
29 Humph- Specote.
O. on a bend G. three mill-roinds Arg.
30 Will. Kyrcham, arm. . ut prius-.
31
32
33
34 Ric. Champernoun . . ut prius:
35 Will: Strowd, arm. . . ut prius.
36 Tho. Dennis, mil. . . ut prius.
37 Ed. Seimour, arm. . . ut prius.
38 Will. Walrond, arm.
Arg. three bulls' heads cabossed S. armed O.
39 Joh. Coplestone, mil.
40 Will. Fortescue, arm. . ut prius.
41 Henry Roll .... ut prius.
42 Tho. Rugway, arm. . . Torre.
43 Edm. Parker, arm.
S. three bucks* heads cabossed, between two flanches O,
44 Thorn. Heal, arm.
G. a bend lozengee Erm. alias Arg. five lozenges in pale.
45 William Pool, arm. . . Shute.
G. on the middlemost a leopard's head O.
46 Ami. Bamfield, arm. . ut prius..
JACOB.
J. Ami. Bamfield, arm. , ut prius.
2 John Drake, arm. . . Ash.
Arms, ut infra.
3 Edward Semour, arm. . ut prius.
4 John Abbot, arm.
G. a chevron betwixt three pears O.
5 Robert Rolles, arm. . . ut prius.
6 John Acland, mil.
Cheeky Arg. and S. a fess G.
7 Will. Grymes, arm.
8 Hugh Acland, arm. . . ut prius.
9 Thomas Wise, mil. . . Mountwise.
S. three chevrons Erm.
10 Edw. Gyles, mil.
Per. chevron, Arg. and P. a lion rampant counter-
changed.
1 1 George Smith, mil.
SHERIFFS. 439
Anno Name. Place.
12 John Specot, mil. . . ut prius.
13 John Gefford, arm.
S. three lozenges in fess Erm.
14 George Southcoate . . ut prius.
15 Thomas Hearle, arm. . ut prius.
16 Wari.Heale.mil. . . ut prius.
17 Christ. Savory, mil.
18 Samp. Heale, arm. . . ut prius.
19 Edmond Parker, arm. . ut prius.
20 Edm. Fortescue, arm. . ut prius.
21 Henry Tottle, arm.
Az. on a bend Arg. cotised O. a lion passant S.
22 Simon Leach.
CAB I.
1 Michael Fry, arm. . . Yarty.
V. three horses in pale courant Arg.
2 John Northcoate, arm.
Arg. three crosslets bend-wise S.
3 Walter Young, arm.
4 Henry Rouswel, mil. . Ford-abbey,
5 John Davy, arm.
Arg. a chevron S. betwixt three mullets G. pierced.
6 Henry Ashford, arm. . Ashford.
Arg. three pine-apples V. betwixt two chevronels S.
7 Edward Arscot, arm. . Anery.
Partie per chevrons Az. and Erm. two stags5 heads cabossedO.
8 Francis Drake, bar. ... . Buckland.
S. a fess wavy between the two pole-stars Arg. alias a
wivern's wings elevated G.
10 Thomas Drew, mil.
Erm. a lion passant G.
11 Thomas Heale, bar. . . Fleet.
Arms, ut prius.
12 Dennys Roll, arm. . . ut prius.
13 Thomas Wise, arm. . . ut prius.
14 Joh. Poole, bar. . . . ut prius.
15 Nichol. Martyn, mil. . Oxon.
O. two bars G.
16 Nicholas Putt . . . Gitsham.
Arg. a lion rampant, impounded within a mascle S.
17 Richard Collums, arm.
Az. a chevron Erm. betwixt three pelicans vulning them-
selves O.
Edmond Fortescue , . ut prius.
18 Henry Careye . . . ut prius.
19 John Acland, arm. . . ut prius.
440 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
20 Richard Greenvile . . ut prius.
21 Francis Drake, mil. . . ut prius.
22
RICHARD II.
1. JOHN DAMEREL,. — Throwley, in Dartmoor, his chief ma-
nor, came to his family by match with the eldest daughter and
coheir of Moeles (who married Avis, sole heir to Sir William
le Prowze, in the reign of king Edward the Second) ; her two
younger sisters being married to Northcoat and Wibery, amongst
whom a great inheritance was divided. And by writ of partition
(sued out in the 14th of king Edward the Third) Throwley fell
to the share of Damerel.
HENRY VII.
2. RICHARD EDGCOMBE. — He was a knight, and memorable
in his generation ; for, being zealous in the cause of Henry earl
of Richmond (afterwards king Henry the Seventh) he was in the
time of king Richard the Third so hotly pursued, and narrowly
searched for, that he was forced to hide himself in his thick
woods, at his house at Cuttail in Cornwall. Here extremity
taught him a sudden policy, to put a stone in his cap, and tum-
ble the same into the water, whilst these rangers were fast at his
heels ; who, looking down after the noise, and seeing his cap
swimming thereon, supposed that he had desperately drowned
himself; and, deluded by this honest fraud, gave over their far-
ther pursuit, leaving him at liberty to shift over into Britain.*
Nor was his gratitude less than his ingenuity, who, in remem-
brance of his delivery, after his return, built a chapel (lately ex-
tant) in the place where he lurked, and lived in great repute
with prince aud people. King Henry the Seventh rewarded his
loyalty, by bestowing the castle of Totness in this county upon
him.f
EDWARD VI.
1. PETER CAREW, Miles. — This active gentleman had much
ado to expedite himself, and save his life, being imprisoned for
his compliance with Sir Thomas Wyate. Afterwards he did
signal service in the Irish wars. This memorial remaineth for
him:
"Viro
Nobilissimo D. PETRO
CAREW, Equiti Aurato
Est hoc structum Monumentum :
Qui obiit Rosae in Laginia Hybernise, 27 Novembris,
* Carew's Survey of Cornwall, fol. 114.
t Camden's Britannia, in Devonshire.
SHERIFFS. 441
Sepultus autem Waterfordiee, 15 Decembris, 1575.
Terra cadaver habet."
The rest of the epitaph is not legible.
QUEEN ELIZABETH.
11. ROBERT DENNIS, Miles. — This worthy knight, anno
1592, erected a fair alms-house, in the suburbs of Exeter, for
twelve poor aged men, allowing to each a plot of ground for an
herber, and twelve-pence weekly. This family, so ancient in
this county (deriving its name and original from the Danes), is
now extinct ; the heir-general being married into the house of
the Holies.
45. AMIAS BAMPFIELD, Arm. — Right ancient and worthy
his extraction, especially since one of his ancestors married one
of the daughters and co-heirs of the Lord Semaur, or de Sancto
MaurOy whereby a fair inheritance at South Molton in this county
accrued into this family, in which church this Amias, with his
father, lieth interred ; and their joint epitaph will acquaint us
with the numerosity of their issue then living or dead :
" Twelve of seventeen are not, of fifteen are eleven
Proceeding from this stock, praise be to God in heaven."
However, Pottimore near Exeter is their prime habitation, and
hath been ever since the time of king Edward the First ; witness
this inscription on a monument in that church : " Hicjacet Joh.
Bampfield et Agnes uxor ejus, pater et mater Will. Bampfield,
qui hujus ecclesise maximam campanam fieri fecerunt, 1310."
As for Sir Coplestone Bampfield (now sheriff of this county)
and so cordial to the king's cause in the worst of times, he doth
by his virtues add new lustre to his ancient extraction.
KING CHARLES.
12. DENNIS ROLLS, Arm. — His mother was co-heir to Sir
Thomas Dennis, knight, of right ancient extraction. As for this
worthy esquire,;! remember the old sentence, "Prestat nullaquam
pauca dicere de Carthagine;" on which account I forbear fur-
ther praise of him. He was the last of his house,. not in the
sense wherein Sallust is called ultimus su<s domus, because he
lavished away all his lands in luxury, but God denied his male
issue to attain to man's estate.
THE FAREWELL.
I am most credibly informed, that a rock, lately (so lately that
as yet it is not named) hath been discovered by an Hamburger,
being master of a ship, who made the first report thereof, on his
own oath, and the oaths of all in his company, to the corpora-
tion of seamen at the Trinity-house nigh London. It lieth one
league off from the start in Devonshire. It is more than suspi-
cious, that many hundreds have here had their silent deaths,
442 WORTHIES OF EXETER.
never landing to relate the cause of their destruction ; for it is
very dangerous for a ship that draweth above eleven for twelve
foot water, if it should chance to strike upon it at a low water,
with an indifferent sea. It is the more dangerous, because
picked the form thereof; so that, if you chance to heave one
cast upon it, the next cast shall be no less than fourteen or fif-
teen fathom water.
I am sorry if the discoverer hereof met not with a proportion-
able reward ; understanding that he had made a better bargain
if he had addressed himself first to the Dutch (most bountiful
in such cases) ; though our nation be most concerned therein.
Let all ships passing thereby be fore-armed because forewarned
thereof, seeing this rock can no otherwise be resisted than by
avoiding.
EXETER.
IT is of a circular (and therefore most capable) form, sited on
the top of a hill, having an easy ascent on every side thereunto.
This conduceth much to the cleanness of this city; Nature being
the chief scavenger thereof, so that the rain that falleth there
falleth thence by the declivity of the place. The houses stand
sideways backward into their yards, and only endways with
their gables towards the street. The city therefore is greater in
content than appearance, being bigger than it presenteth itself
to passengers through the same.
MANUFACTURES.
Clothing is plied in this city with great industry and judg-
ment. It is hardly to be believed, what credible persons attest
for truth, that the return for serges alone in this city amounteth
weekly (even now, when trading, though not dead, is sick) to
three thousand pounds, not to ascend to a higher proportion.
But the highest commendation of this city is for the loyalty
thereof; presenting us with a pair-royal of services herein,
when besieged by — 1. Perkin Warbeck, in the reign of king
Henry the Seventh: 2. The western rebels, in the reign of
king Edward the Sixth : 3. The Parliament forces, in the reign
of king Charles the First.
Their valour was invincible in the two first, and their loyalty
unstained in the last, rewarded by their enemies with the best
made and best kept articles ; yea, in the very worst of times,
a depressed party therein were so true to their principles, that
I meet with this epithaph in the chancel of St. SidwelPs :
" Hie jacet Hugo Grove, in comitatu Wilts, armiger, in
restituendo Ecclesiam, in asserendo Regem, in propugnando
BUILDINGS. 443
legem ac libertatem Anglicanam, captus et decollatus 6 Mali.
1655."
THE BUILDINGS.
The cathedral, dedicated to St. Peter, is most beautiful, having
the west end thereof adorned with so lively statues of stone,
that they plainly speak the art of those who erected them.
There is in this city a castle, whitherto king Richard the
usurper repaired, and for some days reposed himself therein.
He demanded of the inhabitants, how they called their castle :
who returned the name thereof was Rugemont, though I confess
it a rarity that the castle in a city should be called by any
other name than a castle. Hereat the usurper was much
abashed, having been informed by wizards, that he should
never prosper after he had met a thing called Rugemont. It
seems Satan either spoke this oracle low or lisping, desirous to
palliate his fallacy and ignorance ; or that king Richard (a guilty
conscience will be frighted with little) mistook the word, see-
ing not Rugemont, but Richmond (the title of king Henry the
Seventh) proved so formidable to this usurper.
As for parish churches in this city, at my return thither this
year I found them fewer than I left them at my departure
thence fifteen years ago. But the demolishers of them can give
the clearest account, how the plucking down of churches con-
duceth to the setting up of religion. Besides, I understand that
thirteen churches were exposed to sale by the public crier, and
bought by well-affected persons, who preserved them from
destruction.
THE WONDERS.
When the city of Exeter was besieged by the Parliament's
forces, so that only the south side thereof towards the sea was
open unto it, incredible number of larks were found in that
open quarter, for multitude like quails in the wilderness, though
(blessed be God) unlike them both in cause and effect, as not
desired with man's destruction, nor sent with God's anger, as
appeared by their safe digestion into wholesome nourishment :
hereof I was an eye and mouth witness. I will save my credit
in not conjecturing any number; knowing, that herein though
I should stoop beneath the truth, I should mount above belief.
They were as fat as plentiful ; so that, being sold for two-pence
a dozen, and under, the poor (who could have no cheaper, as
the rich no better meat) used to make pottage of them, boiling
them down therein. Several natural causes were assigned
hereof: 1. That these fowl, frighted with much shooting on the
land, retreated to the sea-side for their refuge : 2. That it is
familiar with them in cold winters (as that was) to shelter them-
selves in the most southern parts : 3. That some sorts of seed
were lately sown in those parts, which invited them thither for
their own repast. However, the Cause of causes was Divine
444 WORTHIES OF EXETER.
Providence, thereby providing a feast for many poor people,
who otherwise had been pinched for provision.
PRINCES.
HENRIETTA, youngest child of king Charles and queen Mary,
was born at BedfordJiouse in this city, anno 1644, on the six-
teenth day of June. After her long and sad night of affliction,
the day dawned with her, in her brother's happy return. Since,
she is married to the duke of Orleans. I hope that I, once
related unto her as a chaplain, may ever pray for her, that her
soul may be sanctified with true grace, and she enjoy both the
blessings of this and a better life.
PRELATES.
BARTHOLOMEUS ISCANUS, born in this city, was accounted
in that age the oracle of learning and religion, so that in all
conventions to that purpose his suffrage clearly carried it.* He
became afterwards bishop in the place of his nativity, being in-
timate with his cityman, whose character next followeth, Bald-
win of Devonshire, then but abbot of Ford, afterwards ad-
vanced to higher preferment. These mutually dedicated books
to each other's commendation, so that neither wanted praise,
nor praised himself. This, Leland calleth pulcherrimum certa-
men. Indeed, this alternation of reciprocal encomiums became
them the better, because it was merit in both, flattery in nei-
ther. This Bartholomew was an opposer of Becket's insolence :
and, having sat bishop fourteen years, ended his life anno 1185.
BALDVINUS DEVONIUS was born in this city, of poor parent-
age, save that in some sort a worthy man may be said to be
father to himself. His preferment increased with his learning
and deserts, being first a schoolmaster, then an archdeacon, then
abbot of Ford; afterwards bishop of Worcester, and lastly
archbishop of Canterbury; — an eloquent man, and a pious
preacher, according to the devotion of those days ; so that the
errors which he maintained may justly be accounted the faults
of the times, and in him but infirmities. When king Richard
the First went to Palestine, he conceived himself bound, both
in conscience and credit, to partake of the pains and perils of
his sovereign < whom he attended thither, but not thence ; dying
there, and being buried at Tyre anno Domini 1190.
WALTER BRONSCOMBE was son to a very mean man in this
city, and therefore the more remarkable, that, taking no rise
from his extraction, he raised himself by his own industry to
be bishop of Exeter.f Here he built and endowed an hospital
for poor people, and also founded a fair college at Perin in
* Godwin, in his Catalogue of Bishops.
f Hooker, alias Vowel, in his Catalogue of the Bishops of Exeter.
WRITERS. 445
Cornwall. The angel Gabriel was very much beholden to him,
for instituting an annual festival unto him (observed, as I hum-
bly conceive, only in his own cathedral, or own diocese at the
most) ; and, lest people should complain of the dearness of their
devotion, he left good land to defray the cost of that solemnity.
He is much blamed for compassing the manor of Bishop's-
Clift to his church by indirect means ; to which I can say
nothing, but only observe, that this small city, within eighty
years, did afford three eminent prelates (whereof two Episcopi
in Patria) the natives thereof, which will scarcely be paralleled
in any place of the same proportion. He died anno 1280.
WRITERS.
JOSEPHUS ISCANUS was born at this city, anciently called
Isca, from the river Isc (now named Eske) running thereby. A
golden poet in a leaden age ; so terse and elegant were his con-
ceits and expressions. This our English Maro had for his Mae-
cenas Baldwin archbishop of Canterbury. But I revoke my
words, and desire to turn Maro into Cornelius Nepos, under
whose name the Dutchmen have lately printed a poem, made
by this Josephus, " De Bello Trojano." It soundeth much to a
man's honour, even to be mistaken for another man of eminency ;
for, though there may be much of error in the mistake, there must
be something of truth in the error, especially with the judicious ;
yea, in such case, a general conformity betwixt the persons is
not enough to build the mistake on, without some particular
assimilation ; as here the affinity of phrase and fancy betwixt
these two poets.
This Cornelius Nepos, under whose name the poems of this
Josephus were printed, flourished in the time of Tully. Indeed
I find not any poems made by him, though having to that pur-
pose perused all Scaliger, (e De Arte Poetica," as a most pro-
bable author. But most sure it is, that this Cornelius was most
judicious in that art, because Valerius Catullus dedicated his
poem unto him, as best able to pass a learned censure thereon.
This Josephus Iscanus flourished under king John, anno 1210,
being archbishop of Bourdeaux.
I have nothing more to observe of him, save what, with the
reader's pardon, I cannot omit ; viz. that this Josephus always
minded me of another Josephus Iscanus ; I mean Joseph Hall,
lately bishop of Exetet; a witty poet, when young, a painful
E readier and solid divine, in his middle, a patient sufferer in
is old age ; of whom, God willing, more in due place.*
WILLIAM of Exeter was born in this city ; bred a doctor of
divinity in Oxford, and afterwards became canon of the cathe-
• See WRITERS, in Leicestershire,
446 WORTHIES OF EXETER.
dral in the place of his nativity.* Now in his age, some Fran-
ciscan friars so praised the perfection of poverty, that they
touched the Pope's copyhold of inheritance ; for, if poverty was
so essential to piety, papal pomp and plenty must needs argue
profaneness. In confutation hereof, this William of Exeter
undertook William of Ockam, though indeed impar congressus
betwixt them ; for Exeter, a fair city, did not more exceed
Ockam, a small village in Surrey, in beauty and building, than
that Ockam William excelled this Exeter William in parts and
learning. However, what he wanted in brains, he had in a good
back to assist him; and Wrilliam of Exeter, with John thethree-
and-twentieth Pope of Rome, was able to undertake any author
of that age. He flourished in the year of our Lord 1330, under
the reign of king Edward the Third.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
RICHARD MARTIN was born in this city ; and bred partly
in the court, partly in the inns of court ; and at last betook him-
self to the study of the law. He was accounted one of the high-
est wits of our age and his nation ; king James being much de-
lighted with his facetiousness : a quality which (with other of
his abilities) commended him to be chosen Recorder of London.
He is eminent, as for many speeches, so especially for that he
made in parliament in the tenth year of king James, when ac-
count was taken of forty gentlemen in the house which were not
twenty, and some of them not sixteen, years of age. <e Formerly/'
said this Recorder Martyn, " it was the custom of old men to
make laws for young ones; but now nature is invaded and in-
verted, seeing young men enact laws to govern their fathers."
He had an excellent pen, and wrote very much ; and the more
the pity that they are suppressed from public use. His death
happened about the year 1616.
WILLIAM MARTIN, kinsman to the aforesaid Recorder, was
born in this city, and bred a student in the laws of the land.
He wrote a short and clear " History of the Kings of England
since the Conquest/' I have been credibly informed, that king
James took some exceptions at a passage therein, sounding ei-
ther to the derogation of his own family or of the Scotch nation,
which he took so tenderly, that Mr. Martin was brought into
trouble for the same ; and though he weathered out the king's
displeasure, and was reconciled to his majesty, yet he never re-
covered his former cheerfulness. It seems that a prince's anger
is a disease which though cured is not cured, grief for the same
being conceived to hasten his death, which happened about the
year 1616.
* Bale, de Scriptoribus Britamricis, Cent. v. p. 405 ; and Pits, anno 1330.
WRITERS — BENEFACTORS. 44?
WILLIAM TUCKER was born in this city; bred fellow of
New College in Oxford ;* and after became doctor in divinity,
canon of Salisbury, archdeacon of Barnstable, and dean of Lich-
field. The purity of his Latin pen procured his preferment,
writing and dedicating a book to queen Elizabeth, " De Charis-
mate," (Of our kings of England their gracious healing the evil,)
being the best that I have seen on that subject, vindicating such
cures from all imposture, unlawful magic, and from some French
writers, bold usurpations, who lay claim to it as originally be-
longing to their kings alone : whereas, under correction, I con-
ceive that the word sovereign, which properly importeth the
supreme majesty, doth also in our English tongue, in a secon-
dary sense, signify what is cordial to cure and heal diseases or
sores, ever since such sanative power hath been annexed to the
crown of England. This doctor may be said to have worn half
a mitre, seeing his conge d'elire was signed (if not sent) to elect
him bishop of Gloucester ; but afterwards, by order from king
James, it was revoked, on what occasion I list not to inquire.
I conjecture the date of his death was much about the year
1617.
JOHN BARKHAM, born in this county, was bred in Corpus
Christi College in Oxford, whereof he was fellow ; chaplain after-
wards to Archbishop Bancroft, and parson of Bocking in Essex.
Much his modesty, and no less his learning ; who (though ne-
ver the public parent of any) was the careful nurse of many
books, which otherwise had expired in their infancy, had not
his care preserved them. He set forth D . . . . Crackenthorp'st
posthume book against Spalato ; and was helpful to John Speed
in the composing of his " English History ; " yea, he wrote the
whole life of the reign of king John (which is the king of all the
reigns in that book, for profound penning) discoverable from
the rest on account of the different style, and much Scripture
cited therein. Mr. Guillim, in his " Heraldry," was much be-
holden to this doctor's emendations.
He was a greater lover of coins than of money ; rather curi-
ous in the stamps than covetous for the metal thereof. That
excellent collection in Oxford library was his gift to the arch-
bishop, before the archbishop gave it to the university. He
died March 25, 1641.
BENEFACTORS TO THE PUBLIC.
JOAN TUCKVILE, a merchant's widow in this city, first pro-
cured the possession, then the consecration, of a parcel of
ground, which she had fairly compassed about, for the inter-
ment of such as were executed at Heavi-tree hard by, allowing
land to buy a shrine for every one of them ; that such as died
* New College Register, in anno 1577.
t Dr. Richard Crakenthoi-p, a distinguished writer — ED.
VOL. I. 2 G
448 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
malefactors might be buried as men, yea, as Christians ; who,
having passed under the hand of justice, received a boon from
her hand, who was merciful to the dead. This I may call exem-
plary charity indeed, as which set a copy for others, but such
as hitherto hath not (to my knowledge) by any been transcribed.
She died about the beginning of the reign of queen Elizabeth.
THE FAREWELL.
Malice knoweth no other heaven than to do mischief to others,
though thereby no good to itself. Such the spite of the Cor-
nish rebels besieging Exeter, who, to damnify the city, dammed
and stopped up the channel of the river Ex (near to a village
thence called Weare at this day)* to such a degree, that thereby
the access of lesser vessels is much hindered, and of the greater
ships wholly debarred.
Some, knowing Sir Simon Baskervile (a physician and native
of this place) to have a plentiful purse and public spirit, wished
he would have taken the work in hand, to cure this obstruction :
but it was no physician's work to meddle therewith ; nor is it
either powder of steel, or gilded pills, which can do the deed ;
but only pills of massy gold and silver ; so expensive is the per-
formance.
Indeed several Acts of Parliament have ordered the removal
of these stoppages ;t but nothing is effected in this kind, these
real remortes remaining as before.
It is urged as an argument of Aristotle, against the conceit of
Plato's having all women in common, and their children to be
brought up on the public charge, that then the education of
such children will be neglected ; because what is every man's
work is no man's work. The truth hereof appeareth in the
slow avoiding of these steam-suffocations.
I could heartily wish, that one Act of Parliament more (an
eunuch, yet not barren) may be made; eunuch, that it may beget
no more acts to cause the retarding and elongation of this work;
yet not barren, that it may effectually remedy this grievance,
and that a general good be no longer postponed to men's pri-
vate profit.
WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE WHO HAVE FLOURISHED SINCE THE
TIME OF FULLER.
Samuel BADCOCK, divine and critic; born at South Molton
1747; died 1788.
John BIDLAKE, divine and poet, author of "Virginia," a
tragedy; born at Plymouth 1755 ; died 1814.
* Camden's Britannia, in Devonshire. f Idem.
WORTHIES SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER. 449
Jacob BRYANT, learned mythologist ; born at Plymouth about
1725; died 1804.
John BURTON, divine, author of "Opuscula Miscellanea;"
born at Wembworthy 1696; died 1771.
Bamfylde Moore CAREW, celebrated " king of the beggars •"
born at Bickleigh ; died about 177^, aged 77-
N. T. CARRINGTON, the Devonian bard; born at Plymouth
1777; died 1831.
John CHURCHILL, duke of Marlborough, and prince of Milden-
heim, soldier and statesman, born at Ashe near Colyton
1650; died 1?22.
S. T. COLERIDGE, poet; born at Ottery St. Mary 1773 ; died
1834.
John CONYBEARE, bishop of Bristol, defender of Revelation ;
born at Pinhoe 1692 ; died 1755.
Mrs. Hannah COWLEY, dramatic writer, author of " The Belle
Stratagem;" born at Tiverton in 1743 ; died there in 1809.
John DUNNING, Lord Ashburton, advocate ; born at Ashbur-
ton 1732; died 1783.
John GAY, poet and dramatist, author of the " Beggar's
Opera f born at Barnstaple, 1688 ; died 1732.
Lord Robert GIFFORD, master of the Rolls, born at Exeter
1779; died 1826.
William GIFFORD, originally a shoemaker, poet, translator of
Juvenal, and editor of the Quarterly Review; born at Ashbur-
ton 1756; died 1826.
Sir Vicary GIBBS, chief justice of the Common Pleas; born at
Exeter 1752; died 1820.
Joseph GLANVIL, divine, philosophical writer, and defender of
the belief in witchcraft; born at Plymouth, 1636; died 1680.
George GRANVILLE, viscount Lansdowne, poet; born 1667;
died 1785.
Robert HAWKER, eloquent divine and author ; born at Exeter
1753.
Charles HOPKINS, poet and tragic writer; born at Exeter
1664; died 1699.
Benjamin KENNICOTT, orientalist, editor of the Hebrew Bible;
born at Totnes, 1718; died 1783.
Peter KING, lord chancellor, and theological writer, born at
Exeter 1669; died 1734.
Edward LYE, author of the Saxon dictionary; born at Totnes 1 704.
Sir John MAYNARD, lawyer and statesman ; born at Tavistock ;
died in 1690.
John MUDGE, physician and ingenious philosopher; born at
Plymouth; died 1793.
James NORTHCOTE, painter and author; born at Plymouth
1746; died in 1831.
Simon OCKLEY, divine and orientalist ; born at Exeter 1678 ;
died 1720.
2 G 2
450 WORTHIES OF DEVONSHIRE.
James PARSONS, physician and antiquary ; born at Barnstaple
1705 ; died 17.70.
Major John RENNEEL, F.R.S. engineer and antiquary ; born at
Chudleigh 1743 ; died 1830.
Sir Joshua REYNOLDS, painter, author, and president of the
Royal Academy; born at Plympton EarFs 1723 ; died 1792.
John ROWE, non-conformist divine and author ; born at Tiver-
ton; died 1677.
Richard SAUNDERS, non-conformist divine and author ; born
at Peyhambury; died 1692.
Dr. John SHEBBEARE, physician, political writer, author of
"Chrysal;" born at Bideford 1709; died 1788.
Sir Barthol. SHOWER, lawyer and reporter ; born at Exeter ;
died 1701.
Joanna SOUTHCOTE, fanatical religious impostor; born at Exe-
ter about 1?50; died 1814.
Thomas SPRAT, bishop of Rochester, poet ; born at Tallaton
1636; died 1713.
Sir Richard John STRACHAN, admiral; born 1760.
Edward UPHAM, antiquary and historian; died 1834.
Stephen WESTON, scholar and antiquarian author; born at
Exeter 1?47.
Dr. John WOLCOT, known by the name of " Peter Pindar,"
satirical political poet; bom at Dodbroke; died 1819.
*„* So early as 1714, a Chorographical or Descriptive Survey of Devonshire was
published by Tristam Risdon. In 1791, Sir William Pole brought out his collec-
tions towards a description of the county; and in 1797, the Rev. Richard Polwhele
published his history of Devonshire, which may be considered as the .topographical
vade-mecum of the county. Antiquarian notices and descriptions of Exeter have
also been published by Rich. Izacke (1677) ; by John Vowell (1765); by Alex.
Jenkins (1806) ; and by the Society of Antiquaries. — ED.
DORSETSHIRE.
IT hath Devonshire on the west, Somerset and Wiltshire on
the north, Hampshire on the east, and the narrow sea on the
south, extending from east to west about forty miles, though
not past six-and-twenty the broadest part thereof.
It hath a self-sufficiency of all commodities necessary for
man's temporal well-being ; and needs not be beholding to any
neighbouring county; for it can — 1. Feed itself with fine
wheat, fat flesh, dainty fowl, wild and tame, fresh fish from sea
and rivers. To this meat it yieldeth that sauce, without which
all the rest is little worth ; I mean, salt made here in some mea-
sure, but which hath been, and may be, in more abundance.
2. Clothe itself with its own wool, and broad-cloth made there-
of; and it is believed that no place in England affordeth more
sheep in so small a compass as this county about Dorchester.
And as they are provided for warmth in their woollen, so for
cleanliness with their linen cloth, great store of good flax and
hemp growing therein. 3. Build its own houses with good tim-
ber out of Blackmoor Forest, and with (if not better, I am sure
more) free-stone out of Portland, most approaching that of
Normandy (as in position, so) in the purity thereof. Nor want-
eth it veins of marble in the Isles of Purbeck. And to ah1 this
an excellent air, and the conveniency of a sea, to export for
their profit, and import for their pleasure, as whose necessities
were provided for before.
NATURAL COMMODITIES.
TENCHES.
Plenty hereof are bred in the river Stour;* which is so much
the more observable, because generally this fish loveth ponds
better than rivers, and pits better than either.f It is very plea-
sant in taste, and is called by some the physician of fishes :
though in my opinion may better be styled the surgeon ; for it
is not so much a disease as a wound that he cureth ; nor is it
* Camden's Britannia, in this county.
f Mr. Walton, in his Complete Angler, p. 245.
~>- WORTHIES OF DORSETSHIRE.
any potion but a plaster which he affordeth ; viz. his natural
unctuous glutinousness, which quickly consolidated! any green
gash in any fish.
But the pike is principally beholding unto him for cures in
that kind ;* and some have observed, that that tyrant, though
never so hungry, forbeareth to eat this fish, which is his physi-
cian ; not that pikes are capable (which many men are not) of
gratitude ; but that they are endued with a natural policy, not
to destroy that which they know not how soon they may stand
in need of.
TOBACCO-PIPE-CLAY.
This is a fine clay, which will burn white (while others turn
red), found in several parts of England ; but so far from the
sea, it will not quit cost of portage to London, save from two
places :
1 . Poole, in this county. — This, wrought alone, makes a
hard pipe ; but so shrunk and shrivelled, it is unhandsome to
the eye.
2. Isle of Wight. — This wrought alone, makes a fair and full
pipe ; but so brittle, that it is unserviceable for use.
Both compounded together make these utensils both hard
and handsome. This clay brought to London by ship for bal-
last, is there worth about thirty shillings the ton.
HEMP.
England hath no better than what groweth here betwixt Be-
mister and Bridport, the use whereof is of absolute necessity for
cordage, clothing, &c. ; so that a man may admire that, the seed
being so profitable, and our land affording so much strong and
deep ground proper for the same, so little is sown thereof.
The rather, because hemp in effect secureth itself, first
against cattle, against which it is its own fence, seeing none
(deer only excepted) will offer to eat thereof. Secondly, from
thieves, not because it is ominous for them to steal that which
is the instrument of their execution, but because much pains
(which idle persons hate at their hearts) is required to reduce
hemp to profit : whilst wheat and barley, left in the field, are
more subject to felony, as which, when threshed, will render a
present profit. But see more of this commodity in Lincolnshire.
To these we may add wbia silvestris, wild madder, which
groweth at Hodhill in this county, on the next side of the river
at Stour-Paine (two miles from Blandford), at Warham likewise,
and at other places, and at a place called Somervill, near to
Chappel, which, by the landing place, as ye come from Altferry
to Chesil, is in great abundance.f It is an assumed remedy
for the yellow jaundice, openeth the obstructions of the spleen, &c.
* Camden's Britannia, in Middlesex. f Parkinson, p. 285.
BUILDINGS PROVERBS SAINTS. 453
BUILDINGS.
The houses of the gentry herein are built rather to be lived
in, than to be looked on ; very low in their situation (for
warmth and other conveniences). Indeed the rhyme holds
generally true of the English structures,
" The north for greatness, the east for health ;
The south for neatness, the west for wealth."
However, amongst the houses in this county, Lulworth cas-
tle and Sherburn lodge are most eminent, escaping pretty
well in the late war, so that they have cause neither to brag nor
complain.
PROVERBS.
" As much a-kin as Lenson-hill to Pilsen-pen."]
That is no kin at all. It is spoken of such who have vicinity
of habitation or neighbourhood, without the least degree of con-
sanguinity or affinity betwixt them : for these are two high hills,
the first wholly, the other partly, in the parish of Broad Wind-
sor, whereof once I was minister.*
Yet, reader, I assure thee, that seamen make the nearest rela-
tion betwixt them, calling the one the cow, the other the calf ;
in which forms, it seems, they appear first to their fancies,
being eminent sea-marks to such as sail along these coasts.
And although there be many hills interposing betwixt these and
the sea, which seem higher to a land traveller ; yet these sur-
mount them all : so incompetent a judge, and so untrue a sur-
veyor, is an ordinary eye of the altitude of such places.
" Stabb'd with a Bridport dagger."]
That is, hanged, or executed at the gallows ; the best, if not
the most hemp (for the quantity of ground) growing about
Bridport, a market town in this county. And hence it is, that
there is an ancient statute (though now disused and neglected)
that the cable ropes for the navy royal were to be made there-
abouts, as affording the best tackling for that purpose.
" Dorsetshire dorsers."~]
Dorsers are peds, or panniers, carried on the backs of horses,
on which hagglers used to ride and carry their commodities. It
seems this homely but most useful implement was either first
found out, or is most generally used, in this county, where fish-
jobbers bring up their fish in such contrivances above a hundred
miles, from Lime to London.
SAINTS.
EDWARD, son to Edgar king of England, was in his child-
* Dr. Fuller was presented to Broad Windsor in 1634; and was ousted at the
grand rebellion : he seems to have come in again at the Restoration, and held it to
his death, in 1661 ED.
454 WORTHIES OF DORSETSHIRE.
hood bred under the cruel correction of Elfrida his mother-in-
law, who used for small faults to whip him with wax candles ;
insomuch that, it is reported, it made such an impression in this
young prince's memory, that, when a man, he could not endure
the sight of wax candles.*
But Edward afterwards outgrew his mother's tuition, and
succeeded his father in his throne. However, such her ambition,
that, advantaged with the other's easiness of nature, she ma-
naged most matters of state, leaving her son-in-law little more
than the bare title of sovereign. Not contented herewith, and
to derive the sceptre to her own son Ethelred, she caused him
to be stabbed at Corfe Castle, in this county, coming in a civil
visit unto her. His hidden body, being miraculously discovered,
was first buried at Wareham, and thence removed to Shaftsbury,
which town for a time was termed Saint Edward's, from his
intermfcnt.t His murder happened about the year of our
Lord 978.
CARDINALS.
JOHN MORTOX was born at Saint Andrew's, Milborne, in
this county, of a right worshipful family still extant therein.
He was bred in Oxford ; and after many mediate preferments,
made bishop of Ely, anno 1578. Not long after, when many
groaned under the tyranny of king Richard the Third, this
prelate first found out the design of marrying Elizabeth eldest
daughter to Edward the Fourth, of the house of York, to Henry
earl of Richmond, the last who was left of the line of Lancaster.
Indeed the earl's title to the crown was not enough to make a
countenance therewith, much less a claim thereto ; but, as the
lady had a title, and wanted a man to manage it, the earl was
man enough to manage any design^ but wanted a title ; and,
pursuing this advice, by God's blessing, he gained the crown,
by the name of Henry the Seventh. In expression of his
gratitude, he made this bishop chancellor of England, and after-
wards archbishop of Canterbury. He was a great instrument in
advancing a voluntary contribution to the king through the
land ; persuading prodigals to part with their money, because
they did spend it most ; and the covetous, because they might
spare it best ; so making both extremes to meet in one medium,
to supply the king's necessities ; who, though prodigiously rich,
may be said always, to need, because never satisfied. This
bishop, with vast cost, cut a new channel in the fens, for the
public good ; but it neither answered his expectation nor ex-
pence. He was magnificent in his buildings, and bountiful to
poor scholars, enjoining his executors to maintain twenty poor
scholars in Oxford, and ten in Cambridge, twenty years after
his death, which happened in October 1500.
* Robert of Gloucester, cited by Mr. Selden in his notes upon Polyolbion, Song 12.
t Malmsbury, lib. de Pontific. 2.
WORTHIES OF DORSETSHIRE. 455
PRELATES.
JOHN STAFFORD, son to Humphrey Stafford, sixth earl of
Stafford, was born at Hooke,* in this county (then a most
stately house belonging to this family), and bred a doctor of the
laws in Oxford. He was afterwards dean of the Arches, and
dean of Saint Martin's. This was a fair college near Alders-
gate in London, founded anno 1056 by Ingelricus and Edvar-
dus his brother; privileged by our kings of England with
great immunities ; the cause of many and high contests betwixt
this college and the city of London. Afterwards he was made
bishop of Wells, and for eighteen years (a continuance hardly
to be paralleled) was chancellor of England. At last he was
advanced archbishop of Canterbury ; and no prelate (his peer in
birth and preferment) hath either less good or less evil recorded
of him. He died at Maidstone, 1452 ; and lies buried in
Canterbury.
ROBERT MORTON was brother's sonf to cardinal Morton
(of whom before) ; whose father had a fair habitation at Saint
Andrew's Milborn, in this county. His relation to so good
an uncle, mixed with his own merits, preferred him to the
bishopric of Worcester. Of whom we have little more than
the date of his consecration, 1486 ; and of his death, 1497.
He lieth buried in the body of Saint Paul's church in London.
JAMES TURBEVIL, or De turbida villa, was born of a wor-
shipful family, who long have lived in great account in this
county. J First a monk, but afterwards brought up in New
College in Oxford. He was consecrated bishop of Exeter 1556,
and deserved right well of that see. When he entered thereon,
it was most true what his successor therein since said, "that
the bishop of Exeter was a baron, but a bare one : "§ so mise-
rably that cathedral, had been pilled and polled. But Bishop
Turbervil recovered some lost lands, which Bishop Yoysey had
vezed ;\\ and particularly obtained of queen Mary the restitution
of the fair manor of Crediton. But who can stay what will
away r It was afterwards alienated again in the reign of queen
Elizabeth.
This Bishop Turbervil carried something of trouble in his
name, though nothing but mildness and meekness in his nature.
Hence it was, that he staved off persecution from those in his
jurisdiction, so that not so many as properly may be called some
suffered in his diocese. He, being deprived in the beginning of
* Godwin, in his Catalogue of Archbishops of Canterbury.
f Godwin, in the Bishops of Worcester.
+ At Bere. Camden's Britannia, in Gloucestershire.
§ Bishop Hall, in his asserting Episcopacy.
|| •* Driven away," in the dialect of the West.
456 WORTHIES OF DORSETSHIRE.
queen Elizabeth, lived peaceably for many years in great liberty;
the privacy of whose life caused the obscurity of his death, and
the uncertainty of the date thereof.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
THOMAS WINNIFFE was born at Sherborne, in this county,
and was bred contemporary with Doctor Hackwell in Exeter
College in Oxford ; and we may observe a three-fold parallel
betwixt these two eminent persons. First, they were fellows
of the same foundation. Secondly, chaplains to the same
illustrious master, prince Henry. Thirdly, both, out of (indis-
cretion at the worst) no ill intent, ran on the same rock, though
not to the same degree of damage. Dr. Hackwell, for opposing
the Spanish match, was unchaplained, and banished the court ;
Doctor Winniffe, for a passage in his sermon (not against, but)
about Gondomer, was committed close prisoner to the Tower,
and there for some days remained.
During which time, a great lord (who shall pass nameless)
with preat importunity endeavoured to beg away all his church-
preferment, to dispose of it at his pleasure. " No," said king
James, " I mean not thus to part with the man." The lord,
perceiving his suit hopeless, vowed most solemnly that he did
it only to try his royal resolution, protesting that his majesty
had not one of more merit amongst all his chaplains. Indeed he
was observed to run (with emulation without envy) in the race
of virtue even with any of his order, striving to exceed them by
fair industry, without offering proudly to justle their credit,
much less falsely to supplant their reputation.
He was first dean of Gloucester, afterwards of Saint Paul's ;
and lastly was chosen bishop of Lincoln, 1642 ; being one of
those six choice persons elected, "ut nutantis Episcopates
molem pietatis ac probitatis suee fulcimine sustentarent." All
in vain, being borne down under the ruins thereof. Since, that
government hath been happily resumed ; and long may it nou-
rish in its full lustre ! He died anno Domini 1654 ; and was
buried at Lamborne in Essex, having formerly been the painful
minister thereof. He was seventy-eight years of age, and hath
a handsome monument erected to his memory, the epitaph
whereof, being too long to transcribe, thus beginneth :
" Effare, marmor silens,
Quid et quern luges ;
" Funus non privatum, sed publicum, Anglicanae Ecclesise (nisi Deus antevertat)
pene cadaver, Thomam Wynnyffum," &c.
I would add more in his just commendation ; but because I
am prohibited by his epitaph, whereof this the conclusion :
" Anima haec in ccelos recepta non laudationem quaerit sed imitationera."
Nor will we forget that, for some years before, his aged father
was buried in the same grave.
WORTHIES OF DORSETSHIRE. 45?
SOLDIERS.
THOMAS BASKET, Esquire, of Divelish in this county. How
much king Henry the Eighth confided in his wisdom and valour,
will plainly appear by the letter he wrote unto him, exemplified
by us in our observations of the sheriffs of this county in the
twelth year of the reign of the king afores.aid. He was com-
monly called little Mr. Basket, the great soldier. He died
about the year of our Lord 1530.
JOHN RUSSEL,, son of Russel, Esq. was born at
Kingston-Russel in this county ;* and, being bred beyond the
seas, arrived at great accomplishments, and returned home
about the time when Philip king of Castile (father to Charles
the Fifth emperor) was forced by foul weather into the haven of
Weymouth. But, ee it is an ill wind that blows no body profit ;"
this accident proving the foundation of Mr. RussePs prefer-
ment.
For, when Sir Thomas Trenchard bountifully received this
royal guest, Mr. Russel was sent for, to complete the entertain-
ment ; king Philip taking such delight in his company, that, at
his departure, he recommended him to king Henry the Seventh,
as a person of abilities, ee fit to stand before princes, and not
before mean men." Indeed he was a man of spirit, carrying a
badge of valour (no blemish, but a beauty) in his face, the loss
of an eye at the siege of Montreuil.
King Henry the Eighth much favoured him, making him
controller of the household, and privy councillor; and, anno
1538, created him Lord Russel, and made him keeper of the
privy seal. A good share of the golden shower of abbey lands
fell into his lap ; two mitred ones, viz. Tavistock in Devonshire,
and Thorney in Cambridgeshire, being conferred upon him, and
at this day possessed by his posterity. King Edward the Sixth
(who made him earl of Bedford) sent him down to suppress the
western commotion, and relieve the besieged city of Exeter,
which difficult service he performed with no less wisdom than
valour, success than either. This worthy lord died in the
month of March 1554 ; and lieth interred at Cheineys in Buck-
inghamshire.
Sir RICHARD BINGHAM was born at Bingham's-Melcolm in
this county, of as ancient a family as any therein, having myself
seen an inquisition of lands, taken out of the Tower Rolls, which
William de Bingham his ancestor held in Dorsetshire in the
reign of king Henry the Third. In his youth he traced most
parts of the world, to search for service, and find fit objects for
his valour. He was at the siege of Saint Quintin in France,
* The inheritance whereof is still possessed, by his family — F.
458 WORTHIES OF DORSETSHIRE.
the sacking of Leith in Scotland, served in Candia under the
Venetian against the Turk ; then returned into the Netherlands,
being observed to be fortis et felix in all his undertakings.
His judgment was much relied on in eighty-eight, about
ordering the land army in Tilbury camp.
After long travelling, his feet were fixed in Ireland, where he
was not bebogg'd (as some, otherwise his equals) with ill
success; but, being president of Connaught, conquered and
drove away O'Rorke, that most dangerous rebel.
Sir William Fitz- Williams, lord Deputy of Ireland, was
offended at that service, though he could find no fault therewith,
save that it was not done by himself.* Indeed Bingham met
with that which all men of merit must expect (except they will
be surprised unawares), envy from others, suspecting that their
own bays did wither, because his did seem so verdant. Here-
upon they accused him of cruelty to the queen and her council,
who, being employed in Connaught (the very Ireland of Ireland
in that age), was necessitated into severity for his own security.
For this cause he was brought over into England, ousted his of-
fices, and kept for some time in restraint ;t all which he, being
inured to hardship, as who had not eat his bread, nor fasted
neither, all in a place, bare with invincible courage.
But neglected worth will come into fashion once in seven
years. Tyrone begins to trouble Munster ; and none found fit
for to order him but Sir Richard Bingham, who is sent over
with more honour and power, marshal of Ireland, and general of
Leinster ; to undertake that service, whereof no doubt he had
given a good account, had not death overtaken him at Dublin.
Wherever buried, he hath a monument of mention in the south
side of Westminster Abbey.
SEAMEN.
RICHARD CLARK, of Weymouth in this county, was a most
knowing pilot, and master of the ship called the Delight, which,
anno 1583, went with Sir Humphrey Gilbert for the discovery
of Norembege.J Now it happened (without any neglect or de-
fault in the same Richard) how that ship struck on ground, and
was cast away, in the year aforesaid, on Thursday August 29.
Yet wave followed not wave faster than wonder wonder, in the
miraculous preservation of such as escaped this shipwreck :
l.§ Sixteen of them got into a small boat, of a ton and half,
which had but one oar to work withal. 2. They were seventy
leagues from land ; and the weather so foul, that it was not pos-
sible for a ship to brook half a course of sail. 3. The boat
being over-burdened, one of them, Mr. Hedly by name, made a
motion to cast lots, that those four which drew the shortest
* Pro rege indignante hanc gloriam sibi areptam. Camden's Elizabeth, anno 1590.
Camden's Elizabeth, anno 1598.
Hackluit's English Voyages, vol. III. p. 163. § Idem, p. 164.
SEAMEN. 459
should be cast overboard ; provided, if one of the lots fell on
the master, he notwithstanding should be preserved, as in whom
all their safety were concerned. 4. Our Richard Clark their
master disavowed any acceptance of such privilege ; replying,
"they would live or die together." 5. On the fifth day Mr.
Hedly (who first motioned lot-drawing) and another died,
whereby their boat was somewhat alightened. 6. For five days
and nights they saw the sun and stars but once ; so that they
only kept up their boat with their single oar, going as the sea
did drive it. J. They continued four days without any suste-
nance, save what the weeds which swam in the sea, and salt
water, did afford. 8. On the seventh day, about eleven a clock,
they had sight of, and about three they came on the south part
of, Newfoundland. 9. All the time of their being at sea, the
wind kept continually south (which if it had shifted on any
other point, they had never come to land) ; but came contrary
at the north within half an hour after their arrival. 10. Being
all come safe to shore, they kneeled down, and gave God praise
(as they justly might) for their miraculous deliverance.
11. They remained there three days and nights, having their
plentiful repast upon berries and wild peason. 12. After five
days rowing along the shore, they happened on a Spanish ship of
Saint John de Lus, which courteously brought them home to
Biscay. 13. The visitors of the Inquisition, coming aboard the
ship, put them on examination ; but, by the master's favour,
and some general answer, they escaped for the present.
14. Fearing a second search, they shifted for themselves ; and,
going twelve miles by night, got into France, and so safely ar-
rived in England.
Thus we may conclude with the Psalmist, ce They which go
down into the sea, and occupy in the great waters ; these men
see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep."*
GEORGE SUMMERS, Knight, was born in or near Lyme, though
on my best inquiry (living some years within seven miles of
the place) I could not attain the exactness thereof. He after-
wards was a successful voyager into far distant countries, and
first discovered the Bermudas, from and by him named The
Summer Islands ; a plantation, though slighted of late (whether
for want of industry in the planters, or stapled commodities, I
know not), yet were it in the hand of the Spaniard (as by God's
blessing never shall) it would be over-considerable unto us. Yea,
that which now is quarrelled at for not feeding us with any pro-
vision, might then stop the mouths, yea knock out the teeth,
of such who now so undervalue it. I say, they were called The
Summer Islands from this knight ; which I conceive necessary
to observe.
* Psalm cvii. 3.
460 WORTHIES OF DORSETSHIRE.
For I find, that though the county of Somerset is undoubtedly
so called from Sommerton, once the principal town therein ;
yet, because that town at this day is mean and obscure, some
have strongly . fancied, and stiffly defended, it so named from
the summer, the fruitfulness whereof so appeareth therein.
Possibly in process of time (with a more probable cover for their
mistake) these Summer Islands may be conceived so named be-
cause there winter doth never appear.
This Sir George Summers was a lamb on the land, so patient
that few could anger him ; and (as if entering a ship he had
assumed a new nature) a lion at sea, so passionate, that few
could please him. He died (modest conjectures are better than
confident untruths) about the year of our Lord 1610.
Before we take our final farewell of the seamen in this county,
I conceive fit, that the following note should not be forgotten.
Anno 1587> when Thomas Cavendish, Esq. was in the pursuit
of his voyage about the world, some of his men, August 1, went
ashore at Cape Quintero to fetch fresh water, when two hundred
Spanish horsemen came pouring from the hills upon them.
They being hard at work, in no readiness to resist, suddenly
surprised, and overpowered in number, were slain, to the num-
ber of twelve men, a third of which loss fell on this county,
whose names ensue : 1. William Kingman, of Dorsetshire, in
the Admiral. 2. William Bret, of Wey mouth, in the Vice- Ad-
miral. 3. Henry Blacknals, of Weymouth. 4. William Pit,
of Sherborne, both in the Hugh-Gallant. But their surviving
countrymen (being but fifteen in number who had any weapons
on the shore) soon revenged their death ; who, coming from
the works, not only rescued the rest, but also forced the enemy
to retire with the loss of twenty-five of his men, and then wa-
tered there in despite of all opposition.
CIVILIANS.
Sir THOMAS RYVES, doctor of the laws, was born at Little
Langton in this county ; bred in New College in Oxford ;* a
general scholar in all polite learning, a most pure Latinist (no
hair hanging at the nib of his pen) ; witness his most critical
book of " Sea Battles ; " a subject peculiar, I think, to his en-
deavours therein. He was at last made the king's advocate ;
and indeed he formerly had been advocate to the King of hea-
ven, in his poor ministers, in his book entitled, " The Vicar's
Plea/' wherein much law, learning, and reason, and equity, is
shewn in their behalf; a grievance oftener complained of than
heard, oftener heard than pitied, and oftener pitied than redressed ;
so unequal is the contest betwixt a poor vicar's plea, and a
wealthy impropriator's purse. He was a man of valour as well
as of much learning ; and gave good evidence thereof (though
* The Register of New College.
BENEFACTORS— MEMORABLE PERSONS. 461
well stricken in years) in our late wars. He died in his native
county, about the year 1652.
BENEFACTORS TO THE PUBLIC SINCE THE REFORMATION.
ROBERT ROGERS, born at Poole in this county, was after-
wards a leather-seller in London,* and, dying a rich bachelor,
bequeathed a great part of his estate to pious uses, viz.
For the building of almshouses in Pool, 333 /.
For the relief of poor prisoners (neither atheists nor papists)
each man at the sum of twenty nobles, 1507.
For poor preachers (allowing to each man ten pound), 100^
To decayed artificers, charged with wife and children, 100/.
To the merchant adventurers, for the relief of old, and support
of young freemen, 4007.
To Christ's Hospital, 500/.
To erect alms-houses in and about London, 600/.
For a weekly dole of bread to the poor, 200/.
For the maintaining of two scholars in each university, in-
trusting the Leather-sellers with the managing thereof, 400/.
I have only gathered the greatest clusters of his charity which
the top boughs thereof did produce, purposely concealing the
smaller bunches of his bounty, growing on the under branches.
He died anno Domini 1601,tandlieth buried in Christ's Church
in London.
MEMORABLE PERSONS.
THOMAS de la LYND, a gentleman of a fair estate in this
county, killed a white hart in Blackmoor Forest, which king
Henry the Third, by express will, had reserved for his own chase.
Hereupon a mulct was imposed upon him and the whole county
(as accessory for not opposing him), which is paid, called White-
Hart-Silver, to this day into the Exchequer. Myself hath paid
a share for the sauce, who never tasted any of the meat ; so that
it seems king's venison is sooner eaten than digested. Let the
Latin proverb, "Albo gallo," &c. in Dorsetshire, be turned into
" Albo cervo ne manum admoliaris."
ARTHUR GREGORY, of Lyme in this county, had the admi-
rable art of forcing the seal of a letter ; yet so invisibly, that it
still appeared a virgin to the exactest beholder. Secretary Wal-
singham made great use of him about the packets which passed
from foreign parts to Mary queen of Scotland. He had a pen-
sion paid unto him for his good service out of the Exchequer :
and died at Lyme, about the beginning of the reign of king
James.
WILLIAM ENGLEBERT, born at Sherborne,{ was an incom-
* Stow in his Survey of London (continued by How) p. 97. + Idem, p. 347.
J So was I informed by Mr. William Swettenham (being himself born in Sher-
borne) eminently known as an Under-teller in the Exchequer, who for many years
paid this pension. — F.
4G2
WORTHIES OF DORSETSHIRE,
parable engineer, and much used in the eighty -eight. Queen
Elizabeth (an excellent housewife of her treasure) allowed him
a pension of one hundred marks per annum,, which was paid him
until the day of his death. He requested of king James's Privy
Council leave to serve foreign princes and states (long peace
rendering him useless in England) proffering to wave his pen-
sion on that condition ; but they utterly denied him licence to
depart, who lived and died in Westminster, about the year 1634.
THE NAMES OF THE GENTRY OF THIS COUNTY,
RETURNED BY THE COMMISSIONERS IN THE TWELFTH YEAR OF KING
HENRY THE SIXTH.
William bishop of Bath and Wells, chancellor of England ;—
William de Botreaux, chevelier ; — John Chedyok, knight, and
William Turbervill, (knights for the shire) ;— Commission-
ers to take the oaths.
Humf. Stafford, chev.
Johannis Newburgh, sen.
Radulphi Bush.
Johannis Latymer.
Johannis Neburgh, jun.
Willielmi Bronning.
Roberti Frampton.
Nicholai Latymer.
Walteri Gonis.
Thomae Manston.
Johannis Camniel.
Johannis Frantleroy.
Henrici Sherard.
Willielmi Anketill.
Johannis Hering.
Johannis Carent.
Roberti Turbervile.
Richardi Fitton.
Johannis Mone.
Johannis Peterel.
Richardi Strode.
Johannis de la Lyride.
Roberti Rempston.
Willielmi Gerrard.
Willielmi Godwyn,
Willielmi Dakcombe.
Roberti Savage.
Roberti Bannet.
Edwardi Stone.
Roberti Larkestoke.
Johannis Frampton de Dor-
chester.
Rogeri Rochford.
Johannis Stamford.
Roberti Hymerford.
Stephani Russel.
Henrici Russel.
Roberti Tredosa.
Willielmi Chetil.
Walteri Hayngstrigge.
Johannis Talbot.
Simonis Talbot.
Richardi Byle.
Willielmi Hornsbow.
Radulphi Belton.
Johannis Phillippe.
Thomse Anketill.
Willielmi Clavil de Feme.
Willielmi Morton de Ches-
tesbury.
Willielmi Cole.
Willielmi Bontley.
Johannis Butt.
Rogeri Grogge de Lyme.
Willielmi Warner de Pole.
Roberti Bertram de Dor-
chester.
Thomee Tinam de Lyme.
Roberti Abbot de Melcombe
Regis.
Richardi Kaynell.
Johannis Hillary de Shirborn.
Joh. Scryveyn de Shirborn.
WORTHIES OF DORSETSHIRE.
463
SIIEPvIFFS
OF DORSET AND SOMERSET-SHIRE£.
Anno
HENRY II.
Warinus,
Rich, de Raddona.
Warinus de Lisoris.
Rich, de Raddona.
Rich, de Raddona.
Warinus de Lisoris.
7 Warinus de Lisoris.
8 Idem.
9 Robertas de Bello Campo.
10 Gilbertus Percy.
11 Rich, de Raddon.
Gilb. de Percy.
12 Rob. de Pucherel^ for four
years.
16 Alud. de Lincolne, for six
years.
22 Rob. de Bello Campo, for
seven years.
29 Will, de Bendenger.
30 Idem.
31 Rob. films Pag.
32 Idem.
33 Idem.
RICHARD I.
1 Hugo Bardulph.
2 Rob.
3 Williel. de Chahaignes.
Rad. de Chahaignes, for
four years.
7 Will. Chahaignes.
SHERIFFS OF DORSETSHIRE,
7 Radus Germein.
Ermegundus de Wenham.
8 Rad'us Germin.
Rich. Episcopus Saresb.
Gilbert, de Staplebigg.
9 Ric'us Episcopus Saresb.
Gilbert, de Staplebig.
10 Rich. Episcopus Saresb.
Gilbert, de Staplebigg.
VOL. I.
Anno
Walt, de Giftardus.
8
9 Will, de Chaignes.
Pet. de Schidemore.
1.0 Will, de Cahaignes.
JOHAN.
1 Pet. de Schidemore.
2 Rob. Belet.
Hen. de Stokes.
3 Hubert, de Burge,
Alanus de Wigton.
4 Idem.
5 Idem.
6 Will, de Monte Acuto, for
four years.
10 Will. Briewre.
Rad. de Brey.
11 Idem.
12 Will. Mallet, sive Malet,
for four years.
16 Rich, de Marisco.
Rog. de Pealton.
HENRY III.
1
2 Pet. de Malo Lacu.
3 et 4. Idem.
5 Rog. de Forda.
Ralph. Clericus.
6 Rog. de Forda.
Ralph. Clericus.
SHERIFFS OF SOMERSETSH.
7 Rob. de Ford.
Rich. Abbas de Michelem.
8 Johan. Russel, et Rad'us
Russel.
Joscel. Bathon. Episcopus.
Lucas Russel.
9 Joscel. Bathon. Episcopus.
Lucas Russel.
10 Joscel. Bathon. Episcopus.
Will, de SchorewelL
2 H
464
WORTHIES OF DORSETSHIRE.
SHERIFFS OF DORSET AND SOMERSET-SHIRES.
Anno
11 Will, filius Henrici.
12 Idem.
13 Tho. de Cirencester.
14 Idem.
15 Idem; et Hen. de Campo
Florido.
16 Tho. de Cirencester.
Hen. de Campo Florido.
17 Tho. de Cirencester.
18 Idem.
19 Idem, et Hen. de Campo
Florido.
20 Tho. de Cirencester.
Hen. de Campo Florido,
21 Tho. de Cirencester.
22 Idem.
23 Idem.
24 Jordan Oliver.
25 Hugo de Vinon, for six
years.
31 Hugo de Vinon.
Barth. Peach, for four
years.
35 Hen. de Derleg.
36 Elias de Cabian.
37 Idem.
38 Idem.
39 Idem, et Walterus de
Burges.
40 Steph. de Hasseton.
41 Idem.
42 Walt, de Burges.
43 Williel. Everard.
Humf. Chaehet.
Will. Lecombe Clericus.
44 Phil, de Cerve.
45 Idem.
46 Johan. Basset.
46 Johan. Basset.
Hen. Aultun.
47 Phil. Basset.
Hen. Aulton, for five years.
53 Tho. de Sancto Vigor.
54 Idem.
55 Joh. de Sancto Waller.
Tho. de Sancto Vigore.
EDWARD I.
Anno
1 Joh. de Sancto Valerno.
2 Rich, de Coleshul, for five
years.
7 Joh. de Cormailess.
8 Idem.
9 Idem.
10 Joh. de Cormailes.
Pet. de Bolemer.
11 Joh. de Cormailes.
12 Joh. de Sancto Laudo, for
six years.
18 Rich, de Burghunt.
19 Idem.
20 Walt, de Lovene.
21 Idem.
22 Walt, de Glouc. for five
years.
27 Nich. de Chednoy.
28 Joh. Gerbert.
29 Idem.
30 Joh. de la Lee.
31 Joh, Gerberte.
32 Idem.
33 Math. Fornius.
Johan. de Monte Acuto.
34 Idem.
35 Nich. de Langland.
EDWARD II.
1 Nich. de Cheney.
Walt, de Easthidmore.
2 Rich, de Chiseldon.
3 Idem.
4 Idem.
5 Walt. Esquidemor.
Tho. de Marleberge.
6 Walt, de Esquidemore.
7 Joh. de Chidiokes.
8 Joh. de Earle.
9 Math, de Furneaux.
10 Joh. de Kingston.
11 Idem.
12 Tho. de Marleberge.
Nich. de Cheigney.
SHERIFFS.
465
Anno
13 Tho. de Marleberge.
Nich. de Cheigney.
14 Joh. Tichburne.
15 Tho. de Marleberge.
16
17 Idem.
18 Idem.
19 Idem.
EDWARD III.
1 Will, de Whitfeld, for four
years.
2 Will, de Whitfeld.
Hugo de Langland.
6 Joh. de Wraxhale.
7 Idem.
8 Hildebrand. de London.
Joh. de Wroxhall.
9 Hildebrand. de London.
Joh. de London.
10 Walt, de Rodney.
Hildebrand. de London.
Walt, de Rodney.
12 Walter, et Hildebrand.
Walterus.
13 Walter, et Hildebrand.
Walterus.
14 Walter, et Hildebrand.
Walterus.
15 Joh. de Durburgh.
Anno
16 HugoTirell.
17 Edw. de Stradlinge.
18 Tho. de Gary, for
years.
26 Johan. de Palton.
27 Idem.
28 Idem.
29 Joh. de Sancto Laudo.
Joh. de Palton.
30 Joh. de Sancto Laudo.
31 Rich, de Turbuil.
32 Idem.
33 Joh. de Raleigh.
34 Idem.
35 Theobald, de Gorges.
Edrius de Chivedon.
36 Tho. de Bridport.
37 Joh. Atte Hall.
38 Idem.
39 Joh. Langland, for
years.
43 Edw. Cheyne.
44 Idem.
45 Will, de Winterborne,
46 Roger. Mamugford.
47 Joh. Hameley.
48 Hugo de Durburgh.
49 Will. Latymer.
50 Edw. Fitz-Herbert.
51 Hugo Burburgh.
eight
four
SHERIFFS OF DORSET AND SOMERSET-SHIRES,
Anno
RICHARD II.
Name and Arms.
Place.
1 Johs de la Mare . . . Nunny, C.
Arms : G. two lions passant gardant Arg.
2 Will. Cogan.
G. three oak leaves Arg.
3 Joh. Burgherst.
G. a lion rampant with two tails O.
4 Will. Latymer.
G. a cross potence O.
5 Will. Bonevile . . . Chuton.
S. six mullets Arg. pierced G.
6 Edw. Fitz-Herbert.
Per pale Az. and G. three lions rampant Arg.
Joh. Streche.
7
8 Joh. Burgherst
ut prius.
2 H 2
466 WORTHIES OF DORSETSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
9 Job. Copleston . . . Devon.
Arg. a chevron engrailed G. betwixt three leopards'
heads Az.
10 Humf. de Stafford . . Hoke, D.
O. a chevron G. on a cant. Erm.
11 Joh. Rodney .... Rodney.
O. three eaglets displayed Purp.
12 Joh. Moygne.
Arg. two bars and three mullets in chief S.
13 Tho. Brooke.
G. on a chevron Arg. a lion ramp. S. crowned O.
14 Joh. Berkeley.
G. a chevron betwixt ten crosses forrnee Arg.
15 Humf. de Stafford . . ut prius.
16 Joh. Beach.
17 Theob. Wickham.
18 Tho. Berkeley . . , . ut prius.
19 Joh. Moygne . . . . ut prius.
20 Joh. Rodney .... ut prius. ,
21 Tho. Dacombe . . . Steepleton.
V. a griffin surgeant Arg.
22
HENRY IV.
1 Tho. Arthur, mil.
2 Rich. Boyton, et
Joh. Lutterel, mil. . . Dunster, C.
O. a bend between six martlets S.
3 Joh. Frome.
4 Will. Worth.
5 Idem, ut prius.
6 Rich. Boyton.
7 Walt. Rodney . . . ut prius.
8 Joh. Horsey .... Clifton, D.
Az. three horses5 heads couped O. bridled Arg.
9 Math. Coker .... Coker.
Arg. on a bend G. three leopards' heads O.
10 Rich. Boyton.
11 Humf. Stafford, mil. . ut prius.
12 Joh. Horsey . . , . ut prius.
HENRY V.
1 Walt. Hungerford.
S. two bars and three plates Arg.
2 Joh. Warre.
3 Humf. Stafford, mil. . ut prius,
4 Rich. Boyton.
5 Math. Coker .... ut prius.
SHERIFFS. 467
Anno Name. Place.
6 Joh. Flory Comb Flory.
7 Rob. Hill.
G. a chevron engrailed E. betwixt three garbs O.
8 Joh. Neuburgh.
9 Rob. Hill ut prius.
HENRY VI.
1 Rob. Hill, et . . . . ut prius.
Rob. Coker .... ut prius.
2 Humf. Stafford . . . ut prius.
3 Edw. Stradling.
Paleways of six Arg. and Az. ; on a bend G. three
cinquefoils O.
4 Egid. Daubeny . . . S. Pederton.
G. four lozenges in fess Arg.
5 Will. Fynderne.
Arg. chevron betwixt three crosses patee fitchee S.
6 Will. Carrant.
Arg. three round chevrony of six G. and Az.
7 Joh. Stourton, mil. . . Candel.
S. a bend O. betwixt three fountains proper.
8 Joh. Warre.
9 Joh, Pawlet .... Nonny, C.
S. three swords in pile Arg. hilts and pomels O.
10 Joh. Stourton . . . ut prius.
11 Joh. Seyndowe.
12 Joh. Seymor .... Haahbech.
G. two angels* wings paleways inverted O.
13 Will. Carrant .... ut prius.
14 Tho. Thame.
15 Joh. Sentelo.
16 Will. Stafford . . . ut prius.
17 Edw. Hall, or Hull.
Arg. a chevron engrailed between three talbots' heads
erased S.
18 Walt. Rodney . . . ut prius.
19 Will. Carrant .... ut prius.
20 Will. Stafford . . . ut prius.
21 Joh. Saint Lowe.
22 Edw. Hall, mil. . . . ut prius.
23 Rob. Capps.
24 Joh. Norys.
Quarterly, Arg. and G. a fret O. with a fess Az.
25 Will. Carrant . . . . ut prius.
26* Tho. Chidiokes . . . Chidiok, D.
G. an inescutcheon between an orle of martilets Arg.
468
WORTHIES OF DORSETSHIRE.
Anno
Name.
Place.
ut prius.
27 Edw. Hall, mil. . .
28 Job. Austil.
Arg. a saltire ragule V.
29 Will. Carrant, arm. . . ut prius.
30 Tho. Tame.
31 Rich. Warre.
32 Nich. Latymer . . . ut prius.
33 Job. Cheney, arm. . . Plume.
Cheeky O. and Az. a fess G. frettee Erin.
34 Jo. Willoughby, arm.
S. a cross engrailed O.
35 Nich. Saint Low, arm.
36 Rob. Warre, arm.
37 Job. Seintbarbe.
38 Job. Carrant, jun. arm. ut prius.
EDW. IV.
1 Humf. Stafford . . . ut prius.
2 Tho. Herbert, arm. . . ut prius.
3 Idem ....*. ut prius.
4 Will. Browinge, arm.
5. Christoph. Worsley.
Arg. a chevron S. between three Cornish choughs proper.
6 Jo. Sydenham, sen. . . Brimpton.
S. three ravens Arg.
7 Geo. Darrel, mil.
Az. a lion rampant O. crowned Arg.
8 Rob. Stowel, arm. . . Stowel.
G. a cross lozenge Arg.
9 Rog. Stourton, mil. . . ut prius.
10 Christ. Worsly, mil. . ut prius.
11 Nich. Latimer, mil. .
12 Job. Cheverel, arm.
Arg. on a saltire Az, five water-bougets O. a chief G.
13 Job. Baconell.
14 Rob. Palmer, arm.
15 Egid. Daubeney . . . ut prius.
16 Will. Colingborne.
17 Tho. Norton, arm.
V. a lion rampant O. ; alibi Arg,
18 Will, Beckley.
19 Will. Say, arm.
20 Edw. Hardgile.
21 Egid. Daubney, arm. . ut prius.
22 Rich. Moreton . . . S. Andr. Milborne.
Quarterly, G. and Erm. a goat's head erased Arg. on the
first and last quarter.
SHERIFFS. 469
RICHARD III.
Anno Name. Place.
1 Nich. Crowmer.
2 Edw. Redwaine.
G. three cushions Erm. buttoned and tasselled O.
3 Tho. Fulford.
G. a chevron Arg.
HENRY VII.
1 Amic. Paulet ut prius.
2 Edw. Turbervile . . . Bere, Dorset.
Erm. a lion rampant G. crowned O.
3 Jam. Daubney . . . ut prius.
4
5 Will. Marueti .... Pertword.
6 Amic. Paulet, mil. . . ut prius.
Arg. a demi-lion rampant couped S. charged on the
shoulder with a flower-de-luce O.
7 Will. Knole, arm.
8 Walt* Enderby.
9 Edw. Carew .... Devonshire.
O. three lions passant gardant S. armed and langued G.
10 Samp. Norton, arm. . ut prius.
11 Edw. Gorges, mil.
Masculy O. and Az.
12 Rog. Newbourgh . . . ut prius.
13 Ric. Pudsey, mil.
14 Nich. Wadham, arm. . Merifeld.
G. a chevron betwixt three roses Arg.
15 Amic. Paulet, mil. . . ut prius.
16 Will. Marrin, arm. . . ut prius.
Will. Carew, mil. . . ut prius.
1? Joh. Trevilion, mil. . . Nettle, C.
G. a demi-horse Arg. issuing out of the waves of the sea.
18 Edw. Wadham, arm. . ut prius.
19 Hen. Uvedale, arm.
Arg. a cross moline G.
20 Joh. Horsey, arm. . . ut prius.
21 Joh. Sidenham, arm. . ut prius.
22 Joh. Carew, mil. . . . ut prius.
23 Joh. Williams, mil. . . Oxfordshire.
Az. an organ-pipe in bend sinister saltire-wise, surmounted
of another dexter, between four crosses patee Arg.
24 Rich. Weston, arm.
HEN. VIII.
1 Tho. Trenchard, mil. . Wotton, Dors.
Per pale Arg. and Az. three palets S.
470 WORTHIES OF DORSETSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
2 Joh. Speake, mil. . . Whitlack.
Arg. two bars Az. ; over all an eagle displayed G.
3 Walt. Rodney .... ut prius.
4 Egid. Strangways . . Melbury.
S. two lions passant Arg,
5 Will. Compton, mil.
S. a lion passant O. inter three helmets Arg.
6 Edw. Gorges, mil. . . ut prius.
7 Joh. Seymor, mil. . . ut prius.
8 Tho. de la Lynd, mil.
G. three bucks5 heads couped Arg.
9 Egid. Stangways . . . ut prius.
10 Edw. Hungerford . . ut prius.
1 1 Joh. Bourchier, arm.
Arg. a cross engrailed G. between four water-bougets S.
12 Will. Wadham, arm. . ut prius.
13 Joh. Rogers, mil.
14 Will. Carrant, arm. . . ut prius.
15 Tho. Trenchard, mil. . ut prius.
16 Egid. Strangways . . ut prius.
17 Geo. Speke, arm. . . ut prius.
18 Joh. Seymor, mil. . . ut prius.
19 Joh. Russel, mil. . . Kingston.
Arg, a lion rampant G. ; on a chief S. three escalops of the
first.
20 Andr. Lutterel, mil.
Arg. a fess between three otters S.
21 Edw. Gorges, mil. . . ut prius.
22 Tho. Arundel, arm. . . Wiltshire.
S. six swallows, three, two, and one, Arg.
23 Edw. Seymor, mil. . . ut prius.
24 Tho. More, mil. . . . Melplash.
Erm. on a chevron betwixt three Moors' heads proper,
two swords Arg.
25 Egid. Strangways, mil. . ut priu*.
26 Nich. Wadham, mil. . ut prius.
27 Fran. Dawrel, arm. . . ut prius.
28 Hugo Pawlet, mil. . . ut prius.
29 Tho. Horsey, mil. . , ut prius.
30 Hen. Long, mil. . . . Wiltshire.
S. a lion rampant betwixt eight crosses crossed Arg.
31 Tho. Speke, mil. . . . ut prius.
32 Thp. Arundel, mil. . . ut prius.
33 Egid. Strangways, mil. • ut prius,
34 Hugo Pawlet, mil. . . . ut prius,
35 Joh, Pawlet, mil. . . . ut prius.
36 Joh. Horsey, mil. . . ut prius.
37 Nic. Fitz- James, arm, . Redlinch.
Az. a dolphin naiant
SHERIFFS.
471
Anno Name.
Place.
38 Job. Sidenham, arm. .
ut prius.
EDW. VI.
1 Hugo Pawlet, mil. . .
ut prius.
2 Joh. Thinn, mil. . . .
Wiltshire.
Barry of ten O. and S.
3 Tho. Sjieke, mil. . . .
ut prius.
4 Gor. de la Lynd, arm. .
ut prius.
5
6 Joh. Rogers, mil. . . .
ut prius.
PHIL, et MAR.
. 1 Joh. Tregonwel, mil. . Middleton.
Arg. three ogresses between two cotises in fess S. as
many Cornish choughs proper.
2 Joh. Sidenham, mil. . ut prius.
3 Hen. Ashley, mil. . . S. G. Win.
Az. a cinquefoil Erm. a border engrailed O.
4 Joh. Wadham, arm. . ut prius.
5 Humf. Colles, arm.
6 Joh. Horssey, mil. . . ut prius.
ELIZ. REG.
1 Tho. Dyer, mil.
O. a chief indented G.
2 Ja. Fitz- James, mil. . ut prius.
3 Joh. Wadham, mil. . ut prius.
4 Geo. Speke, mil. . . utprius.
5 Joh. Homer, arm. . . Melles. i
S. three talbots passant Arg.
6 Hen. Ashley, mil. . . ut prius.
7 Hen. Uvedall, arm. . . ut prius.
8 Tho. Morton, arm. . . ut prius.
SHERIFFS OF DORSETSHIRE ALONE.
ELIZ. REG.
9 Rob. Coker, arm. . . Maypouder.
Arg. on a bend G. three leopards5 heads O.
10 Rob. Williams, arm. . Herringston.
Arg. a grey-hound currant between three birds within
border engrailed S.
1 1 Joh. Young, arm.
12 Will. Hadeley, arm.
Arg. a cross moline G.
13 Hen. Uvdall, arm.
14 Joh. Strode, arm. . . Parnham.
Erm. on a canton S. a crescent Arg.
472 WORTHIES OF DORSETSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
15 Rich. Rogers, arm. . . Brianstone.
Arg. a mullet S. on a chief G. a flower-de-luce O.
16 Joh. Horsey, mil. . . Clifton.
Az. three horses' heads couped O. bridled Arg.
17 Math. Arundel, mil. . Wiltshire.
S. six swallows, three, two, and one, Arg.
18 Will. Web, arm. . . Motcomb.
G. a cross between four eaglets close O.
19 Nich. Turbervil, arm. . Bere.
Erm. a lion rampant G. crowned O.
20 Tho. Mullins, arm.
21 Tho. Chafin, arm. . . • Chettle.
Per pale Arg. and Az. in the first three palets S.
22 Geo. Trenchard, arm. . Woolton.
23 Nich. Martin, arm.
Az. three bendlets Arg. a chief Erm.
24 Joh. Williams, arm. . ut prius.
25 Tho. Strangways, arm. . ut prius.
26 Hen. Coker, arm. . . ut prius.
27 Joh. Horsey, arm. . . ut prius.
28 Christ. Percy, arm.
O. a lion rampant Az. quartered with G. three lucies
hauriant Arg.
29 Rich. Rogers, arm. . . ut prius.
30 Rob. Frampton, arm.
S. two lions' paws issuing out of the dexter and sinister
base points erected in form of a chevron Arg. armed G.
31 Joh. Brown, arm. . . Frampton.
32 Tho. Chaffin, arm.
33 Rad'us Horsey, arm. . ut prius.
34 Joh. Williams, arm. . ut prius.
35 Geo. Morton. . . . ut infra.
36 Rob. Strod, arm. . . ut prius.
37 Tho. Hussy, arm. . . Shopwick.
Barry of six, Erm. and G.
38 Geo. Trenchard, mil. . ut prius.
39 Tho. Freke, arm: . . Shrowton.
40 Gor. Morton, arm. . • Clenston.
Quarterly, G. and Erm. a goat's head erased Arg. in the
first and last quarter.
41 Rob. Miller, arm. . . Briddie.
Az. four mascles O.
42 Tho. Uvdall, arm. . . ut prius.
43 Joh. Stoker, arm.
44 Joh. Rogers, arm. . . ut prius.
JACOB.
1 Joh. Fitz- James, arm. . Lewston.
Az. a dolphin naiant embowed Arg.
SHERIFFS. 473
Anno Name. Place
2 Joh. Tregonwel, arm. . Milton.
3 Joh. Ryves, arm. . . . "Blanford.
4 Rob. Napper, mil. . . Middle-M.
Arg. a saltire S. between four roses G.
5 Will. Web, mil. . . . ut prius.
6 Christ. Auketil, arm.
Arg. a saltire ragule V.
7 Edr. Uvedall, mil. . . ut prius.
8 Joh. Hening, arm. . . Pokeswell.
Barry wavy of six pieces ; on chief G. three plates.
9 Tho. Freke, mil.
10 Joh. Strangways, mil. . ut prius.
11 Rob. Coker, arm. . . ut prius.
12 Joh. Hanham, mil. . . Wimborn.
13 Joh. Brewyne, arm. . Addle-M.
Az. a cross moline O.
14 Joh. Tregonwel, arm. ; ut prius.
15 Joh. Browne, mil.
16 Walt. Earl, mil. . . . Charborough.
G. three escalops and a border engrailed Arg.
17 Anth. Ashly, mil. . . St. Giles Wim.
Az. a cinquefoil Erm. a border engrailed O.
18 Nath. Napper, mil, . . ut prius.
19 Edw. Lawrence, mil. .
Erm. a cross ragulee G. a canton Erminois.
20 Joh. Harbyn, arm.
21 Wil. Francis, arm. . . Comb Flory.
Arg. a chevron between three mullets G. pierced.
22 Bam. Chafm, arm.
CAB. I.
1 Fran. Chaldecot, arm.
„ 2 Will. Uvedell, mil. . . ut prius.
3 ... Fitz- James, arm. . ut prius.
4 Tho. Still, arm. . . . Redlinch.
Az. a dolphin naiant embowed Arg.
5 Angel. Grey, arm. . . Stinsford.
6 Joh. Mellet, mil. . . ut prius.
7 Bria. Williams, mil. . ut prius.
8 Joh. Brown, arm.
9 Will. Colyer, arm. . . Pidle.
10 Tho. Trenchard.
Per pale Arg. and Az. three palets S.
11 Joh. Feele, arm.
12 Rich. Rogers, arm. . . ut prius.
13
14 Rich. Bingham, arm. . Melcombe.
Az. a bend cotised between six crosses patee O»
474 WORTHIES OF DORSETSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
15 Will. Churchil, arm.
S. a lion rampant Arg. debruised with a bend G.
16
1 7 Ed. Lawrence, mil. . ut prius.
18")
19f
2Q>Belktm nobis hcec otia fecit.
21 V
22'
HENRY V.
8. JOHN NEWBURGH. — This family of the Newburghs, or
De Novo Burgo, is right ancient, as which derive their pedigree
from a younger son of Henry the First, earl of Warwick, of the
Norman line. Yea, Master Camden saith, that they held
Winfrot, with the whole hundred, by the gift of king Henry the
First, " per servitium Camerarii in capite de Domino Rege ;"
that is, in service of chamberlain in chief from the king ;
though afterwards, under the reign of king Edward the First it
was held by sergeanty, namely, by holding the laver or ewer for
the king to wash in, upon his coronation-day.
HENRY VIII.
4. EGIDIUS STRANGWAYS. — Thomas Strangways was the
first advancer of this family in this county, who, though born in
Lancashire, was brought into these parts by the first marquis of
Dorset, and here raised a very great inheritance. Nor was it a
little augmented through his marriage with one of the daughters
and inheritances of Hugh Stafford, of Suthwich, by whom there
accrued unto him Woodford, where Guy Brent, a baron and
renowned warrior, once had a castle. The heirs of this Thomas
built a fair seat at Milbery.
24. THOMAS MORE, Mil. — He dwelt at Melplash, in the
parish of Netherbury, and by tradition is represented a very
humorous person. Aged folks have informed me (whilst I
lived in those parts) by report from their fathers, that this Sir
Thomas, whilst sheriff, did, in a wild frolic, set open the prison,
and let loose many malefactors. Afterwards, considering his
own obnoxiousness for so rash an act, he seasonably procured
his pardon at court, by the mediation of William Pawlet, lord
treasurer (and afterwards marquis of Winchester) ; and a match
was made up betwixt Mary, this sheriff's daughter and co-heir,
and Sir Thomas Pawlet, second son to the said lord, by whom
he had a numerous issue.
WORTHIES SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER. 475
THE FAREWELL.
And now being to take our leave of this county, I should,
according to our usual manner, wish it somewhat for the com-
pleting of its happiness. But it affording in itself all neces-
saries for man's subsistence; and being, through the conve-
niency of the sea, supplied with foreign commodities ; I am at
a loss what to beg any way additional thereunto. Yet, seeing
great possessions may be diminished by robbery, may the hemp
(the instrument of common execution) growing herein be a
constant monitor unto such who are thievishly given, whither
their destructive ways tend; and mind them. of that end which
is due unto them, that they, leaving so bad, may embrace a
better (some industrious) course of living !
WORTHIES OF DORSETSHIRE WHO HAVE FLOURISHED SINCE
THE TIME OF FULLER.
George BINGHAM, divine, and answerer of Lindsay ; born at
Melcomb Bingham 1715.
William CHAFIX, divine, anecdotist of Cranbourn Chase ; born
at Chettle 1733; died 1818.
John CHAPMAN, divine and critic ; born at Wareham 1 704 ;
died 1784.
Sir Winston CHURCHILL, loyalist, author of " Divi Britannici,"
and father of the great duke of Marlborough, and of Arabella,
mistress of James II.; born at Wootton Glanville 1620;
died 1688.
Anthony Ashley COOPER, first earl of Shaftesbury, statesman ;
born at Wimborne St. Giles 1621 ; died 1683.
Thomas CREECH, translator of " Lucretius," &c. ; born at
Blandford 1659; destroyed himself in 1700.
George Bubb DODDINGTON, Lord Melcombe, a poet, patron
of learned men, and author of the celebrated "Diary/* 1691 ;
died 1762.
John HUTCHIXS, divine, and historian of the county ; born at
Bradford Peverel 1698 ; died 1773.
James MILLER, divine, dramatic poet, and political writer;
born 1703; died 1?44.
Christopher PITT, poet, translator of Virgil's ^Eneid, and the
friend of the poet Young ; born at Blandford 1699 ; died 1748.
Thomas PITT, governor of Madras, possessor of the Pitt Dia-
mond, and grandfather of the great earl of Chatham ; born at
Blandford St. Mary 1653 ; died 1?26.
Matthew PRIOR, statesman and poet; born at Wimborne Min-
ster 1664; died 1721.
Thomas RUSSEL, poet and divine; born at Beminster 1762.
^ urn IKS OK »n
Bru - dsor, author of the " Mereurius
Rusticus," a periodical against the Parliament : born at
Blandtord 1M>6: died i€)
Edward > . bishop of Worcester, author of " Ori-
gines Sacra;" bom at Cnmbourn 1G35 : died It':
Thomas >^ .ueal writer; born at
^ >.ford Eagle 16-J4 : died 1689.
Peter TKMPLBMAN, pupil of Boerhaave, physician and author;
bom at Dorchester 1711: du
Sir Peter THOMPSON, antiquary and collector; born at Poole
1698.
Sir James THORXHILL, painter, Hogarth's father-in-law ; born
at Wevniouth or Melcombe Regis : died 1 734.
William WAKE, archbishop of Canterbury, a learned polemical
writer; born at Blandfbrd 165? ; died 17
Horace WALPOLK, earl of Orford, miscellaneous and polite
writer; born at Wareham 1717 or IS; died 1?97.
Samuel WKSLKY, divine and poet, father of the founder of the
sect of Wesleyans; born at Winterborn Whitchuroh 1666;
died 1735.
Maurice WHKLKR, divine, and first publisher of the Oxford
Almanac in 1673 ; born at Wimbonte St. Giles.
Browne WILLIS, MJP., voluminous antiquarian author; born
at Blandford St. Mary, 1688 ; died 1760.
&Mgk
U !T9e,ktW oolys*«Kbrd edition of tbccowity; and is b«W inkokestw* by
topognpft^r^ ThV Rer. Mr. Coker. in 1739, «ko fmlOi^ed » S«TWT of tt«
Cowitr ; aW m tJ* 6«*«ties of Eagbunt nd Waks will be fixunl sone genend
DURHAM.
THIS bishopric hath Northumberland on the north (divided
by the rivers Derwent and Tyne), Yorkshire on the south, the
German sea on the east ; and on the west (saith Mr. Speed) it
is touched by Cumberland (touched he may well say, for it is
but one mile) and Westmoreland. The form thereof is trian-
gular, the sides not much differing, though that along the sea
coasts is the shortest, as not exceeding twenty-three miles.
However, this may be ranked amongst the middling shires of
England. And yet I can remember the time when the people
therein were for some years altogether unrepresented in the
parliament ; namely, in the interval after their bishop was de-
prived of his vote in the House of Lords, and before any in the
House of Commons were appointed to appear for them.
PRINCES.
CICELY NEVIL. — Though her nativity cannot be fixed with
any assurance (whose father's vast estate afforded him a man-
sion-house for every week in the year) ; yet is she here placed
with most probability, Raby being the prime place of the Nevil's
residence. She may pass for the clearest instance of human
frail felicity.
Her happiness.— She was youngest daughter and child to Ralph
earl of Westmorland (who had one and twenty) ; and exceed-
ed her sisters in honour, being married to Richard duke of York.
She was blessed with three sons (who lived to have issue),
each born in a several kingdom ; Edward, at Bordeaux, in
France ; George, at Dublin in Ireland ; Richard, at Fothering-
hay in England.
She beheld her eldest son Edward king of England, and
enriched with a numerous posterity.
Her miseries. — She saw her husband killed in battle ; George
duke of Clarence, her second son, cruelly murdered ; Edward,
her eldest son, cut off by his own intemperance, in the prime
of his years ; his two sons butchered by their uncle Richard,
who himself, not long after, was slain at the battle of Bosworth.
She saw her own reputation murdered publicly at PauPs-
Cross, by the procurement of her youngest son Richard taxing
his eldest brother for illegitimate.
478 WORTHIES OF DURHAM.
Yet our chronicles do not charge her with elation in her good,
or dejection in her ill success ; an argument of an even and
steady soul in all alterations. Indeed she survived to see Eliza-
beth her grand-child married to king Henry the Seventh ; but
little comfort accrued to her by that conjunction, the party of
Yorkists were so depressed by him.
She lived five and thirty years a widow; and died, in the
tenth year of king Henry the Seventh, 1495 ; and was buried
by her husband in the choir of the collegiate church of Fo-
theringhay, in Northamptonshire ; which choir being demolished
in days of king Henry the Eighth, their bodies lay in the
church-yard without any monument, until queen Elizabeth,
coming thither in progress, gave order that they should be inter-
red in the church, and two tombs to be erected over them.*
Hereupon, their bodies, lapped in lead, were removed from
their plain graves, anjl their coffins opened. The duchess
Cicely had about her neck, hanging in a silver ribband, a par-
don from Rome, which, penned in a very fine Roman hand, was
as fair and fresh to be read as if it had been written but yester-
day .f But, alas ! most mean are their monuments, made of
plaister, wrought with a trowel ; and no doubt there was much
daubing therein, the queen paying for a tomb proportionable to
their personages. The best is, the memory of this Cicely hath
a better and more lasting monument, who was a bountiful
benefactress to Queen's College in Cambridge.
SAINTS.
BEDE, and (because some nations measure the worth of the
person by the length of the name) take his addition, Venerable.
He was born at Girwy, now called Yarrow) in this bishopric ;£
bred under Saint John of Beverley, and afterwards a monk in
the town of his nativity. He was the most general scholar of
that age. Let a sophister begin with his axioms, a bachelor of
art proceed to his metaphysics, a master to his mathematics,
and a divine conclude with his controversies and comments on
Scripture ; and they shall find him better in all, than any Chris-
tian writer in that age, in any of those arts and sciences. He
expounded almost all the Bible ; translated the Psalms and New
Testament into English ; and lived a comment on those words
of the apostle, f( shining as a light in the world, in the midst of
a crooked and perverse generation ."§ He was no gadder-
abroad, credible authors avouching that he never went out of
his cell ; though both Cambridge and Rome pretend to his
habitation. Yet his corpse, after his death, which happened
anno 734, took a journey, or rather was removed, to Durham,
and there enshrined.
fc * Camden's Britannia, in Northamptonshire,
f Peacham's " Complete Gentleman," p. 169.
j Camden's Britannia, in this Bishopric. § Phil. ii. 15.
WORTHIES OF DURHAM
CONFESSORS.
JOHN WICKLIFFE. — It is a great honour to this small
county, that it produced the last maintainer of religion (before
the general decay thereof), understand me, learned Bede ; and
the firm restorer thereof, I mean this Wickliffe, the subject of
our present discourse.
True it is, his nativity cannot be demonstrated in this bishop-
ric ; but, if such a scientia media might be allowed to man,
which is beneath certainty and above conjecture, such should I
call our persuasion, that Wickliffe was born therein.
First, all confess him a northern man by extraction. Second-
ly, the antiquary allows an ancient family of the Wickliffes in
this county, whose heir-general, by her match, brought much
wealth and honour to the Brakenburies of Celaby.* Thirdly,
there are at this day in these parts of the name and alliance,
who continue a just claim of their kindred unto him.
Now he was bred in Oxford; some say in Baliol; others more
truly in Merton College ;f and afterwards published opinions
distasteful to the church of Rome, writing no fewer than two
hundred volumes (of all which largely in our " Ecclesiastical
History"), besides his translating of the whole Bible into
English.
He suffered much persecution from the popish clergy. Yet,
after long exile, he, by the favour of God and good friends, re-
turned in safety, and died in quietness at his living at Lutter-
worth in Leicestershire, anno 1387, the last of December;
whose bones were taken up and burnt forty-two years after his
death.J
Disdain not, reader, to learn something by my mistake. I
conceive that Mr. Fox, in his Acts and Monuments, had enter-
ed ?he names of our English martyrs and confessors, in his Ca-
lendar, on that very day whereon they died. Since, I observe,
he observeth a method of his own fancy, concealing the reasons
thereof to himself ; as on the perusing of his catalogue will
appear. Thus WickliiFe, dying December the last, is by him
placed January the second,§ probably out of a design to grace
the new year with a good beginning ; though it had been more
true, and (in my weak judgment) as honourable, for Wickliffe to
have brought up the rear of the old as to lead the front of the
new year to his Calendar.
* Camden's Britannia, in this Bishopric.
f Wickliffe was first of Queen's College ; afterwards scholar of Merton ; but
before he was admitted fellow became master of Baliol College. He died, not in
1387, but in 1384.— ED.
J Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. vi. num. l.
§ Master Fox would not put out the Feast of the Circumcision.
VOL. i. 2 i
480 WORTHIES OF DURHAM.
PRELATES:
THE NEVILS.
We will begin with a quaternion of Nevils, presenting them
in parallels,* and giving them their precedency before other
prelates (some their seniors in time) because of their honourable
extraction. All four were born in this bishopric, as I am in-
formed by my worthy friend Mr. Charles Nevil, vice-provost of
King's in Cambridge, one as knowing in universal heraldry
as in his own college ; in our English nobility, as in his own
chamber ; in the ancient, fair, and far-branched family of the
Nevils, as in his own study.
RALPH NEVIL t was born at Raby in this bishopric; was
lord chancellor under king Henry the Third (none discharging
that office with greater integrity and more general commenda-
tion), and bishop of Chichester 1223. He built a fair house
from the ground in Chancery Lane, for himself and successors,
for an inn, where they may repose themselves when their occa-
sions brought them up to London.
How this house was afterwards aliened, and came into the
possession of Henry Lacy, earl of Lincoln (from whom it is
called Lincoln's inn at this day) I know not. Sure I am, that
Mr. Montague (late bishop of Chichester) intended to lay claim
thereunto, in right of his see. But alas, he was likely to follow
a cold scent (after so many years' distance) and a colder suit,
being to encounter a corporation of learned lawyers, so long in
the peaceable possession thereof.
Bishop Nevil was afterwards canonically chosen by the monks
(and confirmed by king Henry the Third) archbishop of Can-
terbury ; being so far from rejoicing thereat, that he never gave
any EvayysXiov (or reward for their good news) to the two monks
which brought him tidings, nor would allow anything toward
the discharging their costly journey to Rome ; foreseeing, per-
chance, that the Pope would stop his consecration. For
some informed his Holiness, that this Ralph was a prelate
of high birth, haughty stomach, great courtship, gracious with
the king, and a person probable to dissuade him from paying
the pension (promised by his father king John) to the court of
Rome ; and then no wonder if his consecration was stopped
thereon. But was it not both an honour and happiness to our
Nevil thus to be crost with the hands of his Holiness himself?
Yea, it seems that no crosier (save only that of Chichester)
* Here printed in paragraphs ; the parallels being thus presented horizontally
instead of perpendicularly \ — ED.
f All the remarkable passages of these four lives are taken out of Bishop Godwin,
in his respective Catalogue of Bishops. — F.
PRELATES. 481
would fit his hand ; being afterwards elected bishop of Win-
chester, and then obstructed by the king, who formerly so
highly favoured him. He built a chapel without the East-gate-
of Chichester, dedicated to St. Michael; and, having merited
much of his own cathedral, died at London, 1244.
ALEXANDER NEVIL, third son of Ralph lord Nevil, was
born at Raby ; became first canon, then archbishop, of York,
where he beautified and fortified the castle of Cawood with many
turrets. He was .highly in honour with king Richard the
Second, as much in hatred with the party opposing him.
These designed to imprison him (putting prelates to death
not yet in fashion) in the castle of Rochester, had not our
Alexander prevented them by his flight to Pope Urban to
Rome, who, partly out of pity (that he might have something
for his support), and more out of policy (that York might be
in his own disposal upon the removal of this archbishop)
translated him to Saint Andrew's in Scotland, and so dismissed
him with his benediction.
Wonder not that this Nevil was loath to go out of the Pope's
blessing into a cold sun, who could not accept this his new
archbishopric, in point of credit, profit, or safety.
1 . Credit. For this his translation was a post-ferment, seeing
the archbishopric of Saint Andrew's was subjected in that age
unto York.
2. Profit. The revenues being far worse than those of York.
3. Safety. Scotland then bearing an antipathy to all English
(and especially to the Nevils, redoubted for their victorious
valour in those northern parts), and being in open hostility
against them.
Indeed half a loaf is better than no bread ; but this his new
translation was rather a stone than half a loaf, not filling his
belly, yet breaking his teeth, if feeding thereon. This made
him prefer the pastoral charge of a parish church in Lovaine
before his Arch-no-bishopric, where he died in the fifth year of
his exile, and was buried there in the convent of the Carmelites.
ROBERT NEVIL, sixth son of Ralph, first earl of Westmor-
land, by Joane his second wife, daughter of John of Gaunt,
bred in the university of Oxford, and provost of Beverley, was
preferred bishop of Salisbury in the sixth of king Henry the
Sixth, 1427-
During his continuance therein, he was principal founder of a
convent at Sunning in Berkshire (anciently the bishops' see of
that diocese) valued at the Dissolution (saith bishop Godwin) at
£682. 14s. *Jd. ob., which I rather observe, because the estima-
tion thereof is omitted in my (and I suspect all other) Speed's
Catalogue of Religious Houses.
From Salisbury he was translated to Durham, where he built
2 i 2
482 WORTHIES OF DURHAM.
a place called the Exchequer, at the Castle-gate, and gave (in
allusion to his two bishoprics, which he successively enjoyed)
two annulets innected in his paternal coat. He died anno
Domini 1457.
GEORGE NEVIL,, fourth son of Richard Nevil earl of Salis-
bury, was born at Middleham in this bishopric ; bred in Baliol
College in Oxford ; consecrated bishop of Exeter, when he was
not as yet twenty years of age ; so that in the race, not of age,
but youth, he clearly beat Thomas Arundel, who at twenty-two
was made bishop of Ely. Some say this was contrary not only
to the canon law but canonical scripture ; Saint Paul * forbid-
ing such a neophyte, or novice, admission into that office ; as if,
because Richard, the make-king earl of Warwick, was in a man-
ner above law, this his brother also must be above canons.
His friends do plead that nobility and ability supplied age in
him ; seeing five years after, at twenty-five, he was made lord
chancellor of England, and discharged it to his great commen-
dation.
He was afterwards made archbishop of York ; famous for the
prodigious feast at his installing ; wherein, besides flesh, fish,
and fowl, so many strange dishes of jellies. And yet, amongst
all this service, I meet not with these two.
But the inverted proverb found truth in him, " one glutton
meal makes many hungry ones :" for, some years after, falling
into the displeasure of king Edward the Fourth, he was slen-
derly dieted, not to say famished, in the castle of Calais ; and,
being at last restored, by the intercession of his friends, died
heart-broken at Blyth, and was buried in the cathedral of
York, 1476.
Besides these, there was another Nevil (brother to Alexander
aforesaid), chosen bishop of Ely ; but death, or some other in-
tervening accident, hindered his consecration.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
ROBERT HORN was born in this bishopric,t bred in Saint
John's College in Cambridge. Going thence, under the reign of
king Edward the Sixth, he was advanced dean of Durham. In
the Marian days he fled into Germany ; and fixing at Frankfort,
became the head of the episcopal party, as in my " Ecclesiastical
History " at large doth appear.
Returning into England, he was made bishop of Winchester,
Feb. 16, 1560. A worthy man, but constantly ground betwixt two
opposite parties, papists and sectaries. Both of these, in their
pamphlets, sported with his name, as hard in nature, and crook-
ed in conditions ; not being pleased to take notice, how horn in
* 1 Tim. iii. 6. f Bale de Scriptoribus Anglise, Cent. ix. num. 95.
PRELATES. .483
Scripture importeth power, preferment, and safety, both twitted
his person, as dwarfish and deformed ; to which I can say no-
thing (none alive remembering him) save that such taunts,
though commonly called ad hominem, are indeed ad Deum ; and,
though shot at man, does glance at " Him who made us, and
not we ourselves." Besides, it shews their malice runs low for
might (though high for spite) who carp at the case when [they
cannot find fault with the jewel. For my part, I mind not the
mould wherein, but the metal whereof, he was made, and listen
to Mr. Camden's character of him,* "Validoet foecundo ingenio,"
(of a sprightful and fruitful wit.) He died in Southwark, June
1, 1589; and lieth buried in his own cathedral, near to the
pulpit.f
And now, reader, I crave leave to present thee with the cha-
racter of one who (I confess) falls not under my pen according
to the strictness of the rules which we proposed to follow, as
not being of the number of those bishops who may not unfitly
be termed (with Noah) righteous in their generations, having
seen two sets (if I may so speak) of their order, but preferred
to that dignity since our late happy revolution. He is here
fixed (though no native of this county) because the fittest place,
I conceive (it is happy when the antidote meets the poison
where it was first sucked in) ; seeing formerly, treating (in my
" Church History ") of this cathedral, I delivered his character
(to his disadvantage) very defectively.
JOHN COSEN, D.D. was born in the city of Norwich ; bred
in Caius College in Cambridge, whereof he was FeUow. Hence
was he removed to the mastership of Peter House in the same
university. One whose abilities, quick apprehension, solid
judgment, variety of reading, &c. are sufficiently made known
to the world in his learned books, whereby he hath perpetuated
his name to posterity.
I must not pass over his constancy in his religion, which
rendereth him amiable in the eyes not of good men only but of
that God with whom there is no variableness, nor shadow of
changing. It must be confessed that a sort of fond people sur-
mised as if he had once been declining to the popish persuasion.
Thus the dim-sighted complain of the darkness of the room,
when, alas, the fault is in their own eyes ; and the lame, of the
unevenness of the floor, when indeed it lieth in their unsound
legs. Such were the silly folk (their understandings, the eyes
of their minds, being darkened, and their affections, the feet
of their soul, made lame by prejudice), who have thus falsely
conceited of this worthy doctor.
However, if any thing that I delivered in my " Church His-
* In his Elizabeth, anno 1559.
f Bishop Godwin, in the Bishops of Winchester.
484 WORTHIES OF DURHAM.
tory " (relating therein a charge drawn up against him for urg-
ing of some ceremonies, without inserting his purgation, which
he effectually made, clearing himself from the least imputation
of any fault,) hath any way augmented this opinion, I humbly
crave pardon of him for the same.
Sure I am, were his enemies now his judges (had they the
least spark of ingenuity), they must acquit him, if proceding
according to the evidence of his writing, living, disputing. Yea,
whilst he remained in France, he was the Atlas of the Protestant
religion, supporting the same with his piety and learning, con-
firming the wavering therein, yea, daily adding proselytes (not
of the meanest rank) thereunto.
Since the return of our gracious sovereign, and the reviving of
swooning episcopacy, he was deservedly preferred bishop of
Durham. And here the reader must pardon me, if willing to make
known my acquaintance with so eminent a prelate. When o ne in his
presence was pleased with some propositions, wherein the Pope
condescended somewhat to the Protestants, he most discreetly
returned (in my hearing), " We thank him not at all for that
which God hath always allowed us in his word ;" adding withal,
ee He would allow it us so long as it stood with his policy, and
take it away so soon as it stood with his power." And thus we
take our leave of this worthy prelate, praying for his long life,
that he may be effectual in advancing the settlement of our yet
distracted Church.
CIVILIANS,
RICHARD COSIN, Doctor of Law, was born at Hartlepool
(a well known harbour for the safety) : and some observe a Pro-
vidence, that he, who afterwards was to prove the grand cham-
pion of episcopacy, should (amongst all the counties of England)
be born in this bishopric. His father was a person of quality,
a captain of a company at Musselburgh field, whence his va-
lour returned with victory and wealth ; when, crossing the river
Tweed (oh, the uncertainty of all earthly happiness !) he was drown-
ed therein, to the great loss of his son Richard ; and greater, be-
cause he was not sensible thereof, as left an infant in the cradle.
His mother afterwards married one Mr. Meddow, a Yorkshire
gentleman, who bred this his son-in-law at a school at Skipton
in the Craven : wherein such his proficiency, that before he was
twelve years old (little less than a wonder to me in that age
from so far a country) he was admitted in Trinity College in
Cambridge. Some of his friends in Queen's College in that
university had a design to fetch him thence, had not Doctor
Beamont prevented the plot, in making him scholar and fellow
as soon as by his age, degree, and the statutes, he was capable
thereof.
He was a general scholar, geometrician, musician, physician,
divine, but chiefly civil and canon lawyer. By archbishop
Whitgift he was preferred to be first chancellor of Worcester
CIVILIANS WRITERS. 485
(in that age a place " non tarn gratiosus quam negotiosus"), and
afterwards dean of the Arches, wherein he carried himself without
giving (though many took) offence at him.
Of these one wrote a book against him called, " The Abstract "
(abstracted, saith my author, from all wit, learning, and charity) ;
to whom he returned such an answer, in the defence of the high
commission, and oath ex officio, that he put his adversary to si-
lence.
Others lay to his charge, that he gave many blank licences,
the common occasions of unlawful marriages ; and the procurer
herein is as bad as the thief, robbing many a parent of his dear
child thereby. But always malice looks through a multiplying
glass. Euclio complained, " Intromisisti sexcentos coquos/5*
(Thou hast let in six hundred cooks), when there were but two
truly told (Anthrax and Congrio) ; so here was there but one
which a fugitive servant stole from the Register, to make his
private profit thereby.
God, in his sickness, granted him his desire which he made
in his health, that he might be freed from torture, which his
corpulency did much suspect, bestowing evOavacria upon him,
a sweet and quiet departure. Pious his dying expressions ; " I
desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ/5 Phil. i. ; " The
wages of sin is death/5 Rom. vi. ; " Come, Lord Jesus, come
quickly/' Revel, xii. ; and his last words were these, " Farewell,
my surviving friends ; remember your mortality and eternal life/5
He gave forty pounds to the building of a chamber in Trinity
College, and fifteen pounds per annum for the maintenance of
two scholarships therein: a good gift out of his estate, who left
not above fifty pounds a year clear to his heir ; a great argument
of his integrity, that he got no more in so gainful a place. Dy-
ing at Doctors Commons, he was buried, by his own appoint-
ment, in Lambeth church ; and Doctor Andrews preached his
funeral sermon. Amongst the many verses made by the uni-
versity of Cambridge, this (with the allowance of poetical licence)
came from no bad fancy :
" Magna Deos inter lis est exorta : creatas
Horum qui lites dirimit, ille deest.
Cosinum petiere Dii componere tantas
Lites, quod vero jure peritus erat.
It must not be forgotten that Dr. Barlow (afterwards bishop
of Lincoln) was bred by Dr. Cosin at his charge, in his own fa-
mily, who, in expression of his thankfulness, wrote this Dr. Co-
sin's life, out of which most of our aforesaid character hath been
excerpted.
WRITERS.
WILLIAM SHIRWOOD was born in this bishopric (being
otherwise called William of Durham) ; bred first in University
* Plautus, in Aularia.
486 WORTHIES OF DURHAM.
College in Oxford, then in Paris, and afterwards was made
Chancellor of Lincoln.* In his time the university of Oxford
was interdicted, for some affronts offered to the Pope's legate ;
and had lain longer under that burden, had not the hands of
this William helped to remove it, shewing therein no less his
love to his mother, than his power with the Pope.f
In that age the English clergy did drive a great trade of pre-
ferment in France (king Henry the Third having large domi-
nions therein) ; and amongst the rest this William was advanced
archbishop of Rouen, where he died anno Domini 1249,
JOHN of DARLINGTON was born in this bishopric, at a town
so called, needing no other indication, than the road passing
through it into Scotland. He was bred a Dominican, and a
great clerk. Matthew Paris J giveth him this testimony, that
he was one, "qui literatura pollebat excellenter et consilio."
King Henry the Third made him his confessor (which argueth
his piety, that so devout a prince used him in so conscientious
an office) : and afterwards he became archbishop of Dublin in
Ireland on this occasion.
The prior and convent of Trinity church chose William de
la Corner, the king's chaplain, whilst the dean and chapter of
Saint Patrick's elected Fromund le Brun, the Pope's chaplain,
into that see.§
Hence ensued a hot and high contest ; and Pope John XXI.
(unwilling to engage therein) cassated both their elections, and
pitched on our Darlington as a good expedient.
A person in whom king and Pope met in some equal propor-
tion, seeing he was (as we have said) confessor to the one, and
to the other his collector of Peter-pence (as also to his two suc-
cessors, Nicholas the Third and Martin the Fourth) through all
Ireland. Many books he wrote to posterity ;|| and, returning
into England, sickened, died, and was buried in Preaching Fri-
ars in London, 1284.
WILLIAM SIVEYER was born at Shincliffe in this bishopric,
where his father was a siveyer or sieve-maker ;^[ and I'commend
his humility in retaining his father's trade for his surname, to
mind him of his mean extraction. He was bred in Merton Col-
lege, whereof he became warden, and provost of Eton, and af-
terwards bishop of Carlisle, 1496, whence five years after he
was translated to Durham. His surname, so contemptible in
English, sounds imperially, and episcopally when Latinized; in
which language he is rendered Gulielmus Severus, severity well
* J. Pits, de Anglise Scriptoribus, in anno 1249.
f John Rouse of Warwick. J Ad annum 1256.
§ Sir James Ware, in his Archbishops of Dublin.
|| Reckoned up by J. Bale and J. Pits.
^[ Bishop Godwin, in his Catalogue of Bishops.
WRITERS. 487
agreeing with the gravity of his function. He died anno Domini
1505.
All I will add is this, that England neither before nor since
saw two sieve-maker's sons at the same juncture of time advanced
to so high a dignity ; this William in the Church, Sir Richard
Empson in the Commonwealth.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
THOMAS JACKSON, born of a good family in this county, was
designed to be a merchant in Newcastle, till his parents were
diverted by Ralph Lord Eure, and persuaded to make him a
scholar. He was admitted first in Queen's College in Oxford,
and then became candidate of a fellowship in Corpus Christi ;
knowing of the election but the day before, he answered to ad-
miration, and was chosen by general consent.
Soon after, in all likelihood, he lost his life, being drowned in
the river, and taken out rather for desire of decent burial, than
with hope of any recovery. He was wrapped in the gowns of his
fellow-students (the best shroud which present love and need
could provide him) ; and, being brought home to the college,
was revived, by God's blessing on the care of Doctor Chenil,
equally to all people's joy and admiration. His gratitude to the
fishermen, who took him up, extended to a revenue unto them
during his life. Thus thankful to the instrument, he was more
to the principal, striving to repay his life to that God who gave
it him.
He was afterwards vicar of Newcastle, a factor for heaven in
the place where he was designed a merchant, a town full of men
and opinions ; wherein he endeavoured to rectify their errors,
and unite their affections. At this distance was he chosen pre-
sident of Corpus Christi College, never knowing of the vacancy
of the place, till by those letteps which informed him it was re-
filled with his election.
Here he lived piously, ruled peaceably, wrote profoundly,
preached painfully. His charity had no fault ; if not of the
largest size, oftentimes making the receiver richer than it left
him that was the donor thereof. Learn the rest of his praise
from the learned writer of his life, in whom nothing wanting,
save the exact place of his birth, and date of his death, which
happened about the year 1640.
SAMUEL WARD was born at Bishop's Middleham in this
county, his father being a gentleman of more ancientry than
estate. He was first scholar of Christ's, then fellow of Ema-
nuel, and afterwards master of Sidney College in Cambridge,
and Margaret Professor therein for above twenty years. Now,
because the pen of a pupil may probably be suspected of par-
tiality, of an historian I will turn a translator, and only endea-
488 WORTHIES OF DURHAM.
vour to English that character, which one* who knew him as
well as most men, and could judge of him as well as any man,,
doth bestow upon him :
Age, perge Cathedram ornare (quodjacisj sacram
Subtilitate non levi, rapidA, vagA ;
Sed orthodoxa quam coronat veritas,
Etjustajirmat soliditas,patiens libra :
Antiquitatis crypto, tu penetrasfrequens,
Scholasticorum tu profundos vortices,
Te nullafallit, nulla te srium latet
Distinctionum tela, rationum stropha
Tarn perspicacem mente,judicio gravem,
Lingitis peritwn, tamque nervosum stylo :
His addo genium temperatum, flpwwiv,
Placidum, modestum, lite rixosA procul.
" Go to, go on, deck (as thou doest) the chair,
With subtilty not light, slight, vague as air ;
But such as Truth doth crown, and, standing sure,
Solidly fix'd will weighing well endure.
Antiquities' hid depths thou oft doest sound,
And school-men's whirl-pools which are so profound.
Distinction's threads none can so finely weave,
Or reason wrench, thy knowledge to deceive ;
None thy quick sight, grave judgment, can beguile,
So skill'd in tongues, so sinewy in style ;
Add to all these that peaceful soul of thine,
Meek, modest, which all brawlings doth decline.
He turned with the times, as a rock riseth with the tide ; and,
for his uncomplying therewith, was imprisoned in Saint John's
College in Cambridge. In a word, he was counted a Puritan
before these times, and popish in these times ; and yet, being
always the same, was a true Protestant at all times. He died
anno 1643, and was the first man buried in Sidney College
chapel.
MEMORABLE PERSONS.
ANTHONY Lord GRAY, and eighth earl of Kent of that sir-
name, son of George Gray, esq. -and Margery Salvam his wife,
son to Anthony Gray, esq. and Bridget Holland his wife, son to
George Gray second earl of Kent of that family (who died in
the twentieth year of king Henry the Seventh) was born at
Brancepeth in this bishopric.f If any ask what occasion drew
his ancestors into the north, know that his grandfather was in-
vited thither to enjoy the company of his friend and kinsman,
the earl of Westmorland.
This gentleman being bred in the university of
applied himself to the study of divinity, and became rector of
Burbach in Leicestershire, where he preached constantly, and
kept an hospitable house for the poor according to his estate.
It happened that, by the death of Henry Gray his kinsman, and
the seventh earl of Kent, that earldom descended upon him,
anno Domini 1639.
Dr. Thomas Goad, in his licensing his sermon called " Gratia discriminans."
f Out of his private pedigree, communicated unto me. — F.
MEMORABLE PERSONS SHERIFFS. 489
We read of Sigismund the emperor, that when he had
knighted a doctor of the laws, the knight-doctor sequestered
himself from the company of doctors, and associated wholly
with knights ; whereat the emperor smiled, and taxed his folly,
"For I," said he, "can make many knights at my pleasure,
though indeed I cannot make one doctor " Not so" this good
lord, who, after the accession of his title, did not in the least de-
gree disdain the society of his fellow ministers, to converse with
the nobility ; yea, he abated nothing in the constancy of his
preaching, so long as he was able to be led up into the pulpit.
He had read in Scripture this character given to the Bereans,
" These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that
they received the word with all readiness,* and counted it most
noble to labour in God's vineyard, and to deliver his word to
others/' However, a diamond is best when set in gold ; and
goodness is most illustrious when supported with greatness.
He was summoned as a peer to parliament, but excused him-
self by reason of indisposition and age. Such his humility, that
honours did not change manners in him. Thus a mortified
mind is no more affected with additions of titles, than a corpse
with a gay coffin. By Magdalene Purefoy his wife, he had
(besides other children) Henry ninth earl of Kent. He died
anno Domini 1643.
SHERIFFS.
Expect not that, to make this bishopric uniform with other
counties, I should present a catalogue of the sheriffs thereof:
for the princely prelate of this bishopric (his seal not oval like
others, but round, the more princely proportion ; and as I re-
member, gave a crowned mitre for his crest) was himself always
paramount sheriff, deputing one, often his own servant, under
him to execute the office. This deputy never accounted at the
Exchequer ; but made up his audit to the bishop, to whom all
perquisites and profits of this place did belong.
Since, after a long discontinuance, this county hath obtained
its ancient sheriff, the bishop thereof, of whom formerly.
THE FAREWELL.
I understand that there is an intention of erecting an univer-
sity in Durham,f and that some hopeful progress is made in
order thereunto, which I cannot but congratulate ; for I listen
not to their objection, alleging it monstrous for one face to
have three eyes [one land three universities] ; seeing I could
wish that, Argus-like, it had an hundred in it. Would all men
were Moses-minded, " that all the people of God might pro-
phesy ;" J the rather, because I am sure that ignorance is no more
* Acts xvii. 1 1 .
f This object has been accomplished within the last few years. — ED.
J Num. xi. 28.
490 WORTHIES OF DURHAM.
the mother"of devotion, than the lying harlot, which pleaded
before Solomon, was mother to the living child.*
I confess I was always much affected with their fears, who
suspect that this convenience for the north would be a mischief
for the south ; and this new one in process of time prove detri-
mental to the old universities. Nor were these jealousies, when
moved, removed in my serious consideration, not being well
satisfied of the intentions and design of some prime persons
undertaking the same.
But, since this fresh-man college lived not to be matriculated,
much less (not lasting seven years) graduated, God in his wis-
dom seeing the contrary fitter ; the worst I should have wished
this new spring (if continuing) was pure water, pious and or-
thodox professors, to have principled and elemented the mem-
bers therein with learning and religion.
WORTHIES OF DURHAM WHO HAVE FLOURISHED SINCE THE
TIME OF FULLER.
Thomas BAKER, antiquary, author of the history of St. John's,
Cambridge; born at Crook orLanchester 1656; died 1740.
James CRAGGS, secretary of state and postmaster-general temp.
George I. ; born at Holbeck.
Brass CROSBY, lawyer, patriotic lord mayor of London ; born
at Stockton-upon-Tees 1725-6; died 1793.
William EDEN, first Lord Auckland, statesman ; born at Dur-
ham ; died 1814.
George EDWARDS, physician, writer on political economy;
born at Barnard Castle 1751 ; died 1823.
William EMERSON, mathematician; born at Hurworth, 1701;
died 1782.
Sir Samuel GARTH, poet and physician; born at Bolam in
Gainsforth; died 1718.
Richard GREY, divine and scholar, author of " Memoria Tech-
nica;" born at Durham 1693; died 1771-
Sir John HULLOCK, baron of the Exchequer, and author ; born
at Barnard Castle 1?64; died 1829.
Christopher HUNTER, physician and antiquary ; born at Me-
domsley 16?5; died 1757-
William HUTCHINSON, author of the History and Antiquities
of Durham; born at Barnard Castle 1732 ; died 1814.
Robert LAM BE, divine, historian of the game of Chess, &c. ;
born at Durham 1711 ; died 1?95.
Joseph REED, dramatic writer; born at Stockton-upon-Tees
1723; died 1787.
* 1 Kings iii. 22.
WORTHIES SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER. 491
Joseph RITSON, lawyer, poetical antiquary, and critic ; born at
Stockton-upon-Tees 1752 ; died 1803.
William ROMAINE, Calvinistic divine and author ; born at Har-
tlepool 1714; died 1?95.
Robert SANDERSON, antiquary ; born at Eggleston Hall 1660 ;
died 1741.
Granville SHARP, philanthropist; born at Durham 1 735 ; died
1813.
William SHIELD, musical composer; born at Swalwell or
Whickham 1?49; died 1829.
Elizabeth SMITH, linguist, and translator of the book of Job ;
born at Burnhall 1?76; died 1806.
George SMITH, Saxon scholar, editor of Bede; born at Dur-
ham 1603.
Lord STOWELL, civil law judge; born at Heworth in 1745;
died 1836.
Robert SURTEES, antiquary and topographer, author of the
history of the county; born at Durham 1??9 ; died 1834.
%* The County of Durham has been fortunate in her topographical historians ;
most of whom have been men of deep research and literary discrimination. In
1785, a History of the County of Durham was published by Wm. Hutchinson,
in three vols. quarto; and in 1816, Mr. Robert Surtees, F.S.A., brought out the
first volume, in folio, of his County History ; two other volumes appearing succes-
sively in 1816 and 1820 ; but the author's lamented death prevented the completion
of the concluding volume, which has since, however, been given to the world, it is
to be feared, in an imperfect state, by Messrs. Nichols the publishers. In 1833, the
Rev. James Raine published an elaborate Account of Durham Cathedral ; and for the
last twenty years he has been assiduously engaged in compiling a History of North
Durham ; of the greatest portion of which the Editor has had the revision, while
passing through the press, and can vouch for the industry, taste, and judgment of
its author. Several local histories have also been published, viz. the History of
Ashton-upon-Tees, by the Rev. John Brewster (1796) ; the History of Hartlepool,
by Sir C. Sharp (1816); an Historical View of Monkwearmouth, &c., by George
Garbutt (1819); Local Records, by John Sykes (1833); a Collection of Tracts
relating to Durham, by George Allan, &c. — ED.
ESSEX.
ESSEX hath Kent on the south, divided by the river Thames;
Suffolk on the north, severed by the river Stour ; Cambridge,
Hertfordshire, and Middlesex on the west ; the two latter gene-
rally parted by the river Lea ; and the German Ocean on the
east.
A fair county, bearing the full proportion of five and thirty
miles square, plentifully affording all things necessary to man's
subsistence, save that the eastern part is not very healthful in
the air thereof.
Those parts adjoining to the sea are commonly called "The
hundreds of Essex," and are very fruitful in cattle. However, the
vulgar wits of this county much astonish strangers with the stock
of poor people in these parts, five hundred cows, nine hundred
sheep, which indeed are but five cows, and nine sheep, in this
part of the county called The Hundreds.
NATURAL COMMODITIES.
SAFFRON.
Plenty hereof in this county, growing about Walden, a fair
market town, which saffron may seem to have coloured with the
name thereof. It is called (as Serapione affirmeth) sahafaran
by the Arabians, whence certainly our English word is derived.
In itself, it is a most admirable cordial ; and, under God, I owe
my life, when sick of the small-pox, to the efficacy thereof.
Now because our own writers may probably be challenged of
partiality, hear what foreigners speak in the praise of English
saffron :
(e Anglia et Hibernia laudatissimum crocum ferunt, quo Bel-
gium, Germania, aliique vicini, cibos condiunt, ac medicamentis
miscent." *
ef Propagatur (inter alia loca) etiam in Brittanniae insulse me-
ridionali parte, quam Angliam vocant. Natus ex altera vero et
septentrionali, quam Picti et Scoti tenent, reprobus est."f
No precious drug is more adulterated with cartamus, the
inward pilling of willow, and generally all yellow flowers, when
it is bought in great parcels, which ought to quicken the care of
* Johannes Bauhinus, Hist. Plant. Univers. torn. II. lib. xix. cap. 5.
f Johannes Bodeus, in Theophrastum.
NATURAL COMMODITIES. 493
chapmen herein. In a word, the sovereign power of genuine
saffron is plainly proved by the antipathy of the crocodiles
thereunto : for the crocodile's tears are never true, save when
he is forced where saffron groweth (whence he hath his name of
XpoKo-()ei\o<;,or the saffron-fearer), knowing himself to be all poi-
son, and it all antidote.
OYSTERS.
The best in England, fat, salt, green-finned, are bred near
Colchester, where they have an excellent art to feed them in
pits made for the purpose. King James was wont to say, " he
was a very valiant man who first adventured on eating of oys-
ters." Most probably mere hunger put men first on that trial.
Thus necessity hath often been the purveyor to provide diet for
delicacy itself; famine making men to find out those things
which afterwards proved not only wholesome, but delicious.
Oysters are the only meat which men eat alive, and yet account
it no cruelty. Sometimes pearls, considerable both in bulk
and brightness, have been found within them.
HOPS.
In Latin, lupulus, or the little wolf; which made a merry
man complain, that this wolf did too often devour the innocent
malt in beer. Gerard observes, they grow best in those coun-
tries where vines will not grow ; intimating, that Nature point-
eth at their use therein.
They are not so bitter in themselves, as others have been
against them, accusing hops for noxious ; preserving beer, but
destroying those who drink it. These plead the petition pre-
sented in parliament in the reign of king Henry the Sixth,
against the wicked weed called hops. Their back-friends also
affirm, the stone never so epidemical in England, as since the
general reception and use of hops in the beginning of king
Henry the Eighth.
But hops have since out-grown and over-topped all these
accusations, being adjudged wholesome, if statutable and " un-
mixed with any powder, dust, dross, sand, or other soil what-
soever/'* which made up two parts of three in foreign hops
formerly imported hither.
They delight most in moist grounds. No commodity starteth
so soon and sinketh so suddenly in the price ; whence some will
have them so named from hopping in a little time betwixt a
great distance in valuation. In a word, as elephants, if orderly,
were themselves enough alone to gain, if disorderly, to lose a
victory ; so great parcels of this commodity, well or ill bought,
in the crisis of their price, are enough to raise or ruin an estate.
* See the statute, 1 Jacobi cap. 18.
494 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
PUETS.
There is an island of some two hundred acres, near Harwich,
in the parish of Little Oakley, in the manor of Matthew Gilly,
esquire, called the Puet Island, from puets, in effect the sole
inhabitants thereof. Some affirm them called in Latin upupce,
whilst others maintain that the Roman language doth not reach
the name, nor land afford the bird. On Saint George's day
precisely they pitch on the island,* seldom laying fewer than
four, or more than six, eggs.
Great their love to their young ones : for, though against foul
weather they make to the main land (a certain prognostic of
tempests), yet they always weather it out in the island when
hatching their young ones, seldom sleeping whilst they sit on
their eggs (afraid, it seems, of spring-tides), which signifieth
nothing as to securing their eggs from the inundation, but is an
argument of their great affection.
Being young, they consist only of bones, feathers, and lean-
flesh, which hath a raw gust of the sea. But poulterers take
them then, and feed them with gravel and curds (that is, physic
and food) ; the one to scour, the other to fat them in a fort-
night ; and their flesh, thus recruited, is most delicious.
Here I say nothing of eringo roots, growing in this county,
the candying of them being become a staple commodity at Col-
chester. These are sovereign to strengthen the nerves; and
pity it is, that any vigour acquired by them should be otherwise
employed than to the glory of God !
MANUFACTURES.
This county is charactered like the good wife described by
Bathsheba, " She layeth her hand to the spindle, and her hands
hold the distaff."f Bays, and says, and serges, and several
sorts of stuffs, which I neither can nor do desire to name, are
made in and about Colchester, Coggeshall, Dedham, &c. I say,
desire not to name, because hoping that new kinds will daily be
invented (as good reason), and by their inventors intituled. I
know not whether it be better to wish them good wares to vent,
or good vent for their wares ; but I am sure that both together
are the best. It will not be amiss to pray that the plough may
go along, and wheel around ; that so, being fed by the one and
clothed by the other, there may be, by God's blessing, no dan-
ger of starving in our nation.
GUNPOWDER.
Why hereof in this, rather than in other counties ? Because
more made by mills of late erected on the river Lea, betwixt
* So am I informed by Captain Farmer, of Newgate-market, copyholder of the
island, — F. f Prov. xxxi. 19.
MANUFACTURES — BUILDINGS. 495
Waltham and London, than in all England besides. Though
some suppose it as ancient as Archimedes in Europe (and anci-
enter in India) ; yet generally men behold the friar of Mentz
the first founder thereof, some three hundred years since. It
consisteth of three essential ingredients : 1 . Brimstone, whose
office is to catch fire and flame of a sudden, and convey it to the
other two : 2. Charcoal, pulverized, which continue th the fire,
and quencheth the flame, which otherwise would consume the
strength thereof : 3. Saltpetre, which causeth a windy exhala-
tion, and driveth forth the bullet.
This gunpower is the emblem of politic revenge ; for it biteth
first, and barketh afterwards, the bullet being at the mark befoie
the report is heard ; so that it maketh a noise, not by way of
warning, but triumph. As for white powder, which is reported to
make no report at all, I never could meet with artist who would
seriously avouch it ; for, though perchance the noise may be less
and lower, yet no sound at all is inconsistent with the nature of
saltpetre, and the ventosity thereof, causing the violent explo-
sion of the bullet. It is questionable, whether the making of
gunpowder be more profitable or more dangerous ; the mills in
my parish having been five times blown up within seven years,
but, blessed be God ! without the loss of any one man's life.
THE BUILDINGS.
This county hath no cathedral ; and the churches therein
cannot challenge to themselves any eminent commendation.
But as for private houses, Essex will own no shire her superior ;
whereof three most remarkable : 1. Audley-End ; built by Tho-
mas Howard, earl of Suffolk, and treasurer of England, as with-
out compare the best subject's house in this island. Yet is the
structure better than the standing thereof; as low on one side,
so that it may pass for the emblem of modest merit, or con-
cealed worth; meaner houses boasting more, and making
greater show afar off in the eyes of passengers. 2. New-Hall ;
uilt by the Ratcliffs earls of Sussex, but bought from them by
George Villiers duke of Buckingham ; surpassing for the plea-
sant shady approach thereunto, and for the appurtenances of
parks round about it. 3. Copt-Hall (in records Coppice-Hall,
from the woods thereabouts) ; highly seated on a hill in the
midst of a park, built by the abbot of Waltham, enlarged by Sir
Thomas Heneage and others ; and it is much that multiform
fancies should all meet in so uniform a fabric. Herein a gallery,
as well furnished as most, more proportionable than any in
England ; and on this a story doth depend.
In the year of our Lord 1639, in November, here happened
an hirecano, or wild-wind, which, entering in at the great east-
window, blew that down, and carried some part thereof, with
the picture of lord Coventry (singled from many more which
hung on both sides untouched), all the length of the gallery
VOL. i, 2 K
496 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
(being about fifty-six yards) out of the west-window, which it
threw down to the ground. It seems the wind, finding this
room in form of a trunk, and coarctated therein, forced the
stones of the first window, like pellets, clean through it. I
mention this the rather, because pious Doctor Jackson, head of
Corpus Christi College, in Oxford, observed the like wind about
the same time, as ominous, and presaging our civil dissensions.
THE WONDERS.
This shire affordeth none properly so called, unless some
conceive the bones reducible thereunto digged out of this county
at the Ness, near Harwich,* which with their bigness and length
amazed the beholders. I cannot see how such can maintain
them to be the bones of men, who must confess that, according
to the proportion of the doors and roofs of ancient buildings
(either as extant or read of ), they must ingredi et incedere proni,
(go in stooping, not to say lie along ;) except the avouchers be as
incurious of their credit as the traveller was, who, affirming that
he saw bees as big as dogs, and yet their hives of our ordinary
size ; and being demanded what shift they made to get in, " Let
them," said he, " look to that."
More probable it is that they were bones of elephants, store
whereof were brought over into England by the emperor Clau-
dius. Indeed, some sciolists will boast to distinguish bones of
beasts from men by their porosity, which the learned deride as
an undifferencing difference. Indeed, when a scull may be pro-
duced of such magnitude (which, by its form, is secured from
mistake, as appropriate to man alone), then the Wonder will
begin indeed : till which time, I behold these shanks and thigh-
bones, pretended to men, to be of elephants.
To these Wonders it will not be amiss to add the ensuing
relation, written by the pen of Master Thomas Smith, of Se-
wardstone, in the parish of Waltham Abbey, a discreet person,
not long since deceased :
" It so fell out that I served Sir Edward Denny (towards the
latter end of the reign of queen Elizabeth, of blessed memory,)
who lived in the abbey of Waltham-cross, in the county of
Essex, which at that time lay in ruinous heaps, and then Sir
Edward began slowly now and then to make even and re-edify
some of that chaos : in doing whereof, Tomkins, his gardener,
came to discover (among other things) a fair marble stone, the
cover of a tomb hewed out in hard stone ; this cover, with some
help, he removed from off the tomb, which having done, there
appeared to the view of the gardener, and Master Baker, mini-
ster of the town (who died long since), and to myself and Mas-
ter Henry Knagg (Sir Edward's bailiff) the anatomy of a man
lying in the tomb abovesaid, only the bones remaining, bone to
* Camden's Britannia,' in Essex.
WONDERS PROVERBS. 49?
his bone, not one bone dislocated ; in observation whereof, we
wondered to see the bones still remaining in such due order, and
no dust or other filth besides them to be seen in the tomb : we
could not conceive that it had been an anatomy of bones only
laid at first into the tomb ; yet, if it had been the whole carcass
of a man,* what became of his flesh and entrails ? for (as I have
said above) the tomb was clean from all filth and dust be-
sides the bones.
" This when we had all well observed, I told them, that if
they did but touch any part thereof, that all would fall asunder,
for I had only heard somewhat formerly of the like accident.
Trial was made, and so it came to pass. For my own part, I
am persuaded, that as the flesh of this anatomy to us became
invisible, so likewise would the bones have been in some longer
continuance of time. Oh ! what is man then, which vanisheth
thus away like unto smoke or vapour, and is no more seen ?
Whosoever thou art that shalt read this] passage, thou mayest
find cause of humility sufficient.
PROVERBS.
" Essex miles."]
These are cried up for very long, understand it comparatively
to those in the neighbouring county of Middlesex ; otherwise
the northern parts will give Essex odds, and measure miles
therewith. The truth is this : good way and a good horse
shorten miles, and the want of either (but both especially) pro-
long them, in any country whatsoever.
" Essex styles."]
See the PROVERBS in Suffolk.
" Essex calves."]
A learned authorf telleth us that Italy was so calleth, quasi
vitul&y because the best calves were bred therein. Sure this
will be condemned as a far-fetched and forced deduction ; but,
if true, Essex may better pretend to the name of Italy, pro-
ducing calves of the fattest, fairest, and finest flesh in England
(and consequently in all Europe) ; and let the butchers in East-
cheap be appealed unto as the most competent judges therein.
Sure it is, a Cumberland cow may be bought for the price of an
Essex calf in the beginning of the year. Let me add, that it
argueth the goodness of flesh in this county, and that great gain
was got formerly by the sale thereof, because that so many
stately monuments were erected anciently therein for butchers
(inscribed carnifices in their epitaphs) in Coggeshall, Chelms-
ford church, and elsewhere, made of marble, inlaid with brass
(befitting, saith my author,! a more eminent man), whereby it
* It is generally conceived the body of king Harold — F.
f Festus, lib. ix. See Mercator's Atlas, p. 298.
j Weever's Funeral Monuments, p. 641.
2 K 2
498 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
appears that these of that trade have in this county been richer
or at least prouder) than in other places.
11 The weavers' beef of Colchester."]
These are sprats, caught hereabouts, and brought hither in
incredible abundance, whereon the poor weavers (numerous in
this city) make much of their repast, cutting rands, rumps, sir-
loins, chines, and all joints of beef out of them, as lasting in
season well nigh a quarter of a year. They are the minims of
the sea ; and their cheapness is the worst thing (well considered
the best) which can be said of them. Were they as dear, they
would be as toothsome (being altogether as wholesome) as an-
chovies ; for then their price would give a high gust unto them
in the judgment of palate-men. True it is, that, within these
last sixteen years, better men than weavers have been glad of
worse meat than sprats (and thankful to God if they could get
it), in the city of Colchester.
" Jeering Coxhall."*]
How much truth herein, I am as unable to tell, as loth to be-
lieve. Sure I am, that no town in England, of its bigness,
afforded more martyrs in the reign of queen Mary, who did not
jeer or jest with the fire, but seriously suffered themselves to be
sacrificed for the testimony of a good conscience. If since they
have acquired a jeering quality, it is time to leave it, seeing it is
better to stand in pain till our legs be weary, than sit with ease
in the chair of the scorners.
" He may fetch a flitch of bacon from Dunmow."]
This proverb dependeth on a custom practised in the priory
of Dunmow, which, was founded, saith Speed, f by Juga, a noble
lady, anno 1111, for Black Nuns. But, it seems, afterwards the
property thereof was altered into a Male monastery ; the mor-
tified men wherein were mirthful sometimes, as hereby may
appear.
Any person, from any part of England, coming hither, and
humbly kneeling on two stones at the church- door (which are
yet to be seen), before the prior or convent, might demand, at
his own pleasure, a gammon or flitch of bacon, upon the solemn
taking of the ensuing oath :
" You shall swear by the custom of our confession,
That you never made any nuptial transgression,
Since you were married man and wife,
By household brawls, or contentious strife ;
Or otherwise, in bed or at board,
Offended each other in deed or word :
Or since the parish-clerk said Amen,
Wished yourselves unmarried again ;
Or, in a twelve-month and a day,
llepented not in thought any way ;
* Alias Cogshall, or Coggeshall.— ED,
t In his Catalogue of Religious Houses in Essex.
PRINCES — SAINTS. 499
But continued true and in desire,
As when you join'd hands in holy quire.
If to these conditions, without all fear,
Of your own accord you will freely swear ;
A gammon of bacon you shall receive,
And bear it hence with love and good leave.
For this is our custom at Dunmow well known,
Though the sport be ours, the bacon is your own.'*
It appeareth, in an old book on record,* that Richard Wright
of Badesnorth in Norfolk, in the twenty-third of Henry the
Sixth, when John Canon was prior ; that Stephen Samuel, of
Little-Easton in Essex, the seventh of Edward the Fourth,
when Roger Rullcot was prior ; and that Thomas Lee, of Cox-
hall in Essex, the second of Henry the Eighth, when John Tay-
lor was prior, demanded their bacon on the premises, and re-
ceived it accordingly.
PRINCES.
HENRY FITZROY, natural son to king Henry the Eighth.
Here we confess our trespass against our own rules, who con-
fined ourselves to the legitimate issue of kings ; presuming that
the worth of this Henry will make amends for our breach of
order herein. He was begotten on the body of the Lady Tal !
bois, and born at Blackmore-Manor in this county, anno 1519 ;f
being afterwards created earl of Nottingham and duke of Rich-
mond. He confuted their etymology who deduced bastard from
the Dutch words boes and art,% that is, an abject nature ; and
verified their deduction, deriving it from besteaerd^ that is, the
best disposition : such was his forwardness in all martial activi-
ties, with his knowledge in all arts and sciences ; learned Le~
land dedicating a book unto him. He married Mary, daughter
to Thomas duke of Norfolk ; and, dying anno 1536 (in the
seventeenth year of his age), was buried at Framlingham in
Suffolk with great lamentation.
SAINTS.
Saint HELEN was born at Colchester in this county, daughter
to Coel king thereof, as all our British authors unanimously do
report. She was mother of Constantine the first Christian em-
peror ; and is famous to all ages for finding out Christ's cross
on Mount Calvary. Hence it is that, in memorial hereof, the
city of Colchester giveth for its arms a cross engrailed between
four crowns. || A scandal is raised on her name, that she was
stabularia (stableress) ; whereof one rendereth this witty
reason, because her father was comes stabuli (a high office,
equivalent to the Constable in France) unto the emperor.^f
Others, more truly, make her so nick-named by pagan malice,
* Now in the possession of the Earl of Warwick. — F.
t J. Speed, History, p. 708. * Cujacius. § Kilianus.
j| Camden, in Essex. fl Ric. Vitus Basing, ad lib. 5. Antiq. Brit. not. 26.
500 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
for her officious devotion in finding out the stable of Christ's
Nativity.
Heathen pens have much aspersed her, calling her ywalKa
4>av\rjv Kai affrjfjioyy whose tongues are no slander, seeing the dis-
ciple is not above his master. More was I moved, when first
finding this passage in Paulinus, the pious bishop of Nola, (Pau-
lin. Epist. xi. ad Severum) ; " Prompto filii Imperatoris ad-
sensu mater Augusta, patefactis ad opera sancta thesauris, toto
abusa fisco est." — This Englished ad verbum : " She being
mother empress, the treasuries being set open to pious works,
by the ready consent of her son the emperor, she wholly abused
the exchequer."
I wondered to see Paulinus charging such abuses upon her,
being a person so prodigiously charitable, that he is said to have
sold himself to redeem a widow's son from captivity ; but, con-
sulting the best of orators,* I find abuti sometimes fixing no
fault, and importing no more than uti ;t so that abusing the ex-
chequer signifieth no more than a full and free usage thereof.
She died at Rome, being eighty years of age, anno Domini 337.
Saint CONSTANTINE, son to the aforesaid Saint Helen, was
born also at Colchester ; one sufficiently known to all posterity
by the mere mentioning of him. My pen shall now do penance
with its silence, to expiate its tediousness in describing his cha-
racter in our " Ecclesiastical History." He died anno Domini
339.
Saint ETHELBUBGH, sister to Erkenwald bishop of London,
was by him appointed first abbess of the nunnery of Barking in
this county, by him built and endowed. Here she led a very
austere life ; and obtained the veneration of a Saint after her
death, which happened 676.
HILDETHA, sister to Saint Ethelburgh aforesaid, succeeded
her in the government of the said nunnery for the term of four
and twenty years ; so that she died very aged, with the reputa-
tion of a Saint, anno 700.
THEOBITHOID (the first of whose name soundeth Greek, the
second Saxon) was in this respect inferior to the two former,
because no abbess, but only a nun of Barking. Yet did she
equal them in some sort in the holiness of her life, and her me-
mory may accompany them in the classes of Saints. She died
678.
EDILBURGE, wife to Ina king of the West-Saxons, by the
* See Nizolius, in observations on Tully, on the word abuti.
f Thus St. Jerome, " Apostolicis plerumque testimoiiiis abutuntur quae jam fue-
rani in gentibus divulgata. ''
SAINTS MARTYRS. 501
consent of her husband, who went a pilgrim to Rome, became a
nun at Barking ; and after her death, anno 740, room was made
for her memory amongst the rank of Saints. Afterwards Bark-
ing-nunnery, destroyed by the Danes, was rebuilt by king
Edgar.
WOLFHILD, daughter to Wulfhelme earl of the West- Saxons
(born after the eighteenth year of her mother's barrenness), was
by king Edgar made abbess of Barking, which was the first nun-
nery of England, the richest, valued at above ,£1,000 a year
rent at the Dissolution, and the fruitfullest of Saints, as by this
parallel doth appear. St. Wolfhild died anno 989.
Saint OSITH. She was daughter to the king of the East- An-
gles, and wife to Suthred last king of East-Saxons ; by whose
consent forsaking the world, she was veiled, and at last became
abbess of a monastery of her own founding at Chich in this
county ; until the Danes, infesting these sea coasts, cut off her
head in hatred of religion.
Yet this her head, after it was cut off, was carried by Saint
Osith [oh wonder ! oh lie !] three furlongs ; and then she fell
down, and died. The same, mutatis mutandis,* is told of Saint
Dionys in France, Saint Winefride in Wales, and others ; such
being the barrenness of monkish invention, that, unable to fur-
nish their several Saints with variety of fictions, their tired
fancy is fain to make the same miracle serve many Saints. She
was martyred about the year of our Lord 870.
Saint NEOT'S (why surnamed Adulphus I know not) was born
(saith Bale)f either in Essex or Kent; but Pits,{ who wrote
sixty years after him, saith positively he was born in Essex. It
seemeth he met with some evidence to sway down the even
beam to preponderate on the side of this county. Waving the
pleasures of the world, he lived long an eremite in Cornwall ;
and then, leaving his solitary life, he became a painful and pro-
fitable preacher of the gospel. He was a Zaccheus for his sta-
ture, and with him, tall in piety and charity. He moved king
Alfred to found, or restore, the university of Oxford, on which
account his memory is sacred to all posterity. He died anno
Domini 883, whose body was buried by one Barry, his scholar, in
Eynesbury, since St. Neot's, in Huntingdonshire, and, some say,
was afterwards removed to the abbey of Crowland,
MARTYRS.
Of the forty-four martyrs in this shire, three were most
remarkable :
* English Martyrology, on October 7, p. 272.
f De Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. ii. num. 23.
| De Anglise Scriptoribus, in anno 883.
502 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
1. JOHN LAURENCE, who at the stake was permitted a pos-
ture peculiar to himself ; for, being so enfeebled with long du-
rance and hard usage, that he could not stand, he had a chair
allowed him, and had the painful ease to sit therein.* Nor
must we forget, how little children, being about the fire, cried
unto him, " God strengthen you ! God strengthen you ! " which
was beheld as a product of his providence, who " out of the
mouth of babes and sucklings ordained strength ; *' as also it
evidenced their pious education. To say " Hosanna," is as soon
learnt by children, as " Go up, thou bald-head," if it be as surely
taught unto them.
2. THOMAS HAWKES, gentleman, first brought into trouble
for refusing to christen his child after the popish fashion. This
man, going to the stake, promised his friends to give them some
solemn token of the clearness and comfort of his conscience ;
in performance whereof, whilst his body was burning, he raised
up himself; and though having the sense, having no fear of the
fire, joyfully clapped his hands over his head, to the admiration
of all the beholders.
3. ROSE ALLIN, a virgin, who, being in her calling (fetching
beer for her bed-rid mother), was intercepted by justice (or
rather un-justice) Tyrrell, who, with a candle, most cruelly burnt
her wrists, which her fire-proof patience most constantly en-
dured. What was said of the Roman Scaevola, when he burnt
his hand before Porsenna, is more appliable to this maid, " Ma-
num amisit, sed palmam retinuit." Tyrrell did this merely by the
law of his list ; otherwise no statute (except written on the back-
side of the book) did authorize him for so tyrannical an act.
Some days after, the fire, which here took livery and seisin of
her hand, brought her whole body into the possession thereof.
CONFESSORS.
RICHARD GEORGE, labourer, of West-Barfold, is most emi-
nent amongst the many confessors in this shire ; for he had
successively three wives, whereof two were burnt, and the third
imprisoned for religion ;f viz. 1. Agnes George, burnt at
Stratford-Bow, June 27, 1556. 2. Christian George, burnt at
Colchester, May 26, 1558. 3 George, imprisoned in
Colchester, and escaped by queen Mary's death, November 17,
1558.
Some, who consult the dates of his wives5 deaths, will con-
demn him for over-speedy marriage ; and the appetite to a new
wife is. not comely, before the grief for the former be well di-
gested. Such consider not that their glorious death in so good
* These, as the following observables. are taken out of Mr. Fox's Acts and
Monuments, in their respective Martyrdoms. — F.
* Fox's Acts and Monuments, p. 2037.
CONFESSORS CARDINALS. 503
a cause was the subject rather of his joy than grief, and that,
being necessitated (for his childrens' sake) to marry, he was care-
ful, as it appears, to " marry in the Lord." Nor did he thrust
his wives into the fire, and shrink back from the flames himself,
who, being imprisoned in Colchester,* had followed his two
first, and gone along with his last, to the stake, had not Divine
Providence, by queen Mary's death, prevented it.
CARDINALS.
THOMAS BOURCHIER was son to Sir William Bourchier, who
(though but an English knight) was a French earl, of Ewe in
Normandy, created by king Henry the Fifth, and had a great
estate in this county, with many mansion-houses ; Hawsted
being the place of their principal residence, f where, I presume,
this prelate was born.
He was bred in the university of Oxford, whereof he was
chancellor 1454 ; dean of Saint Martin's ; then successively
bishop of Worcester, Ely, archbishop of Canterbury, and car-
dinal, by the title of " Saint Cyriacus in the Baths. " A pre-
late, besides his high birth aforesaid, and brotherhood to Henry
Bourchier, first earl of Essex of that surname, remarkable on
many accounts :
First, for his vivacity, being an old man, and proportionably
an older bishop. 1. Being consecrated bishop of Worcester J
1435, the fourteenth of Henry the Sixth. 2. Dying archbishop
of Canterbury 1486, the second of king Henry the Seventh.
Whereby it appeareth, that he wore a mitre full fifty-one years,
a term not to be paralleled in any other person.
Secondly, he saw strange revolutions in state ; the civil wars
between Lancaster and York begun, continued, and concluded :
for though Bishop Morton had the happiness to make the
match, archbishop Bourchier had the honour to marry king
Henry the Seventh to the daughter of king Edward the Fourth :
so that his hand first solemnly held that sweet posy, wherein
the white and red roses were tied together.
Thirdly, for his wary compliance, that he lost not himself in
the labyrinth of such intricate times, applying himself politicly
to the present predominant power. However, it may be said
of him,
f sanguine 1
" Prsestitit hie Preesul nil tanto 1 munere > dignum."
C tempore 3
He left no monument to posterity proportionable (what was
a hundred pounds, and a chest, given to Cambridge?) to his
great blood, rich place, and long continuance therein, But this
my author imputeth unto the troublesomeness of the times, §
* Fox's Acts and Monuments, p. 2037. f Camden's Britannia, in Essex.
£ Godwin, in his Catalogue of Bishops.
§ Idem, in the Archbishops of Canterbury.
5O4 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
seeing peace was no sooner settled,, and the land began to live,
but he died, March 30, 1486.
I know not what generous planet had then influence on the
court of Rome. This I know, that England never saw such a
concurrence of noble prelates ; who as they were peers by their
places, were little less by their descent. I behold their birth a
good buttress of episcopacy in that age, able in Parliament to
check and crush any anti-prelatical project by their own rela-
tions. But let us count how many were contemporaries with
Thomas Bourchier, from his first consecration at Worcester till
the day of his death : John Stafford, son to the earl of Stafford,
archbishop of Canterbury : Robert Fitz-hugh, bishop of Lon-
don : Henry Beauford, son to John duke of Lancaster, bishop
of Winchester : William Gray, son to the lord Gray, of Codnor,
bishop of Ely : Marmaduke Lumley, extracted from the lord
Lumley, bishop of Lincoln: Richard Beauchamp, brother to
lord Saint Amand, bishop of Sarum : Lionel Woodvile, son to
the earl of Rivers, bishop of Sarum : Peter Courtney, extracted
from the earls of Devon, bishop of Exeter : Richard Courtney,
of the same extraction, bishop of Norwich : John Zouch, de-
scended of the lord Zouch, bishop of Llandaff : George Nevile,
brother to the make-king earl of Warwick, archbishop of York :
William Dudley, son to the lord Dudley, bishop of Durham :
William Piercy, son to the earl of Northumberland, bishop of
Carlisle.
But, after the death of Bourchier, T. meet with but three
bishops of noble extraction ; viz. James Stanley, Edmond Aud-
ley, and Cardinal Pole. However, they were, though of lower
lineage, of no less learning and religion.
PRELATES.
RICHARD de BARKING took his name (according to the
clergymen's heraldry in that age) from that well-noted town in
this county. In process of time he became abbot of Westmin-
ster for twenty-four years.* He was so high in favour with
king Henry the Third, that he made him one of his special
councillors, chief baron of the Exchequer, and for a short time
lord treasurer of England.f He died anno 1246 ; buried in
Westminster church, whose marble tomb, before the middle of
the altar, was afterwards pulled down (probably because taking
up too much room) by friar Combe, sacrist of the house, who
laid a plain marble-stone over him, with an epitaph too tedious
and barbarous to be transcribed.
JOHN de CHESILL. — There are two villages so called in this
county, where the north-west corner thereof closeth with Cam-
bridgeshire. I will not define in which this John was born,
* Vitae Abb. Westm. MS. f J. Philipot, Catalogue of Treasurers, p. 13.
PRELATES. 505
time having left us nothing of his actions, saving the many pre-
ferments through which he passed, being dean of St. Paul's,
successively archdeacon and bishop of London,* and twice
chancellor of England; viz. anno Domini, 1264, in the 48th of
king Henry the Third ; anno Domini in the 53rd of king
Henry the Third.
He was afterwards also lord treasurer of England : and died
anno Domini, 1279, in the seventh year of the reign of king
Edward the First, t
JOHN of WALTHAM was so named from the place of his
nativity ; and attained to be a prudent man, and most expert in
government of the state, so that he became master of the rolls,
keeper of the privy seal, and, anno 1388, was consecrated bishop
of Salisbury.
But he missed his mark, and met with one who both matched
and mastered him, when refusing to be visited by Courtney,
archbishop of Canterbury, on the criticism that Pope Urban
the Sixth, who granted Courtney his commission, was lately
dead, till the archbishop excommunicated him into more know-
ledge and humility, teaching him that his visitations had a self-
support, without assistance of papal power, cast in only by the
way of religious compliment.J This John of Waltham was
afterwards made lord treasurer; and Richard the Second had
such an affection for him, that, dying in his office, he caused
him to be buried (though many muttered thereat) amongst
the kings, and next to king Edward the First, in Westminster. §
His death happened 1395.
ROGER WALDEN, taking his name from his birth, in that
eminent market-town in this county, was as considerable as any
man in his age, for the alternation of his fortune. First, he was
the son of a poor man ; yet, by his industry and ability, attained
to be dean of York, treasurer of Calais, secretary to the king,
and treasurer of England.
Afterwards, when Thomas Arundell, archbishop of Canter-
bury, fell into the disfavour of king Richard the Second, and
was banished the land, this Roger was, by the king, made arch-
bishop of Canterbury, and acted to all purposes and intents,
calling of synods, and discharging of all other offices. How-
ever, he is beheld as a cipher in that see, because holding it by
sequestration, whilst Arundell, the true incumbent, was alive,
who, returning in the first of king Henry the Fourth, resumed
his archbishopric.
And now Roger Walden was reduced to Roger Walden, and
* Godwin, in the Bishops of London.
f J. Philipot, Catalogue of Treasurers, p. 17.
j Godwin, in the Archbishops of Canterbury, in the Life of Courtney.
§ Tho. Walsingham, in anno 1395.
506 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
as poor as at his first beginning : for, though all maintained that
" the character of a bishop was indelible" this Roger found
that " a bishopric was dealable" having nothing whereon to
subsist, until archbishop Arundell, nobly reflecting upon his
worth, or want, or both, procured him to be made bishop of
London. But he enjoyed that place only so long as to be a
testimony to all posterity of Arundell' s civility unto him, dying
before the year was expired, 1404.
He may be compared to one so jaw-fallen with over-long
fasting, that he cannot eat meat when brought unto him ; and
his spirits were so depressed with his former ill fortunes, that
he could not enjoy himself in his new unexpected happiness.
Why he was' buried rather in Saint Bartholomew's in Smith-
field, than his own cathedral church, is too hard for me to
resolve.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
RICHARD ROWLAND was born at Newport-Ponds in this
county;* first fellow of Peter-house, then chosen, 1575, master
of Magdalen, and next year master of Saint John's College, in
Cambridge. He was twice vice-chancellor of the university ;
in the year 1584 he was consecrated bishop of Peterborough,
in which place he continued sixteen years,f and died in
June 1600.
JOHN JEGON was born in this county, at Coxhall;J fellow
first of Queen's, then master of Bennet College, in Cambridge,
and three times vice-chancellor of the university. A most
serious man, and grave governor ; yet withal of a most face-
tious disposition; so that it was hard to say whether his counsel
was more grateful for the soundness, or his company more ac-
ceptable for the pleasantness, thereof. Take one eminent
instance of his ingenuity.
Whilst master of the college, he chanced to punish all the
under-graduates therein for some general offence; and the
penalty was put upon their heads in the buttery. And because
that he disdained to convert the money to any private use, it
was expended in new whiting the hall of the college. Where-
upon a scholar hung up these verses on the screen :
" Doctor Jegon, Bennet College master,
Brake the scholars' head, and gave the walls a plaister."
But the doctor had not the readiness of his parts any whit im-
paired by his age ; for, perusing the paper, extempore he sub-
scribed,
" Knew I but the wag that writ these verses in a bravery,
I would commend him for his wit, but whip him for his knavery."
Queen Elizabeth designed him, but king James confirmed
him, bishop of Norwich ; where, if some in his diocese have
* Parker, Scelet. Cant. MS. in the Masters of St. John's.
t Godwin, in the Bishops of Peterborough. % Parker, ut prius.
PRELATES STATESMEN. 507
since bestowed harsh language on his memory, the wonder is
not great, seeing he was a somewhat severe presser of confor-
mity; and died anno Domini 1618.
SAMUEL HARESNET was born at Colchester, in the parish
of Saint Butolph ; bred first scholar, then fellow, then master,
of Pembroke-hall in Cambridge. A man of great learning,
strong parts, and stout spirit. He was bishop, first of Chichester,
then of Norwich, and at last archbishop of York, and one of
the privy council of king Charles ; the two last dignities being
procured by Thomas earl of Arundell, who much favoured him,
and committed his younger son to his education.
Dying unmarried, he was the better enabled for public
and pious uses; and at Chigwell in this county (the place
of his first church preferment) he built and endowed a fair
grammar school. He conditionally bequeathed his library to
Colchester, where he was born, as by this passage in his will*
may appear :
" Item, I give to the bailiffs and corporation of the town of
Colchester all my library of books, provided that they
provide a decent room to set them up in, that the clergy
of the town of Colchester, and other divines, may have
free access for the reading and studying of them."
I presume, the town corresponding with his desire, the legacy
took due effect. He died anno Domini 1631, and lieth buried
at Chigwell aforesaid.
AUGUSTINE LINSELL, D.D., was born at Bumpsteed, in this
county ; bred scholar and fellow in Clare-Hall in Cambridge.
He applied himself chiefly to the studies of Greek, Hebrew,
and all antiquity, attaining to great exactness therein. He was
very knowing in the ancient practices of the Jews ; and from
him I learned, that they had a custom, at the circumcising of
their children, that certain undertakers should make a solemn
stipulation for their pious education, conformable to our god-
fathers in baptism.
He was afterwards made bishop of Peterborough, where (on
the joint cost of his clergy) he procured " Theophylact on the
Epistles " (never printed before) to be fairly set forth in Greek
and Latin. Hence he was removed to Hereford, where he
died 1634.
STATESMEN.
[S. N.] Sir THOMAS AUDLEY, knight; where born, my best
industry and inquiry cannot attain. He was bred in the study
of the laws till he became attorney of the Duchy of Lancaster,
and serieant at law (as most affirm) ; then speaker of the parlia-
ment : knighted, and made keeper of the Great Seal, June 4,
• * Proved, June 8, 1631.
508 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
1532, being the twenty-fourth of king Henry the Eighth ; and
not long after was made Lord Chancellor of England, and ba-
ron Audley ; of Audley End in this county.
In the feast of Abbey lands, king Henry the Eighth carved
unto him the first cut (and that, I assure you, was a dainty mor-
sel) ; viz. the priory of the Trinity * in Aldgate ward London,
dissolved 1531, which, as a van-courier, foreran other abbeys by
two years, and foretold their dissolution. This I may call (after-
wards called Duke's Place) the Covent Garden within London,
as the greatest empty space within the walls, though since filled,
not to say pestered, with houses. He had afterwards a large
partage in the Abbey lands in several counties.
He continued in his office of Chancellor thirteen years ; and
had one only daughter, Margaret, who, no doubt, answered the
pearl in her name, as well in her precious qualities as rich in-
heritance which she brought to her husband, Thomas, last duke
of Norfolk. This Lord Audley died April 30, 1544; and is bu-
ried in the fair church of Saffron-Walden, with this lamentable
epitaph :
" The stroke of death's inevitable dart
Hath now, alas ! of life bereft the heart
Of Sir Thomas Audley, of the Garter knight,
Late Chancellor of England under our prince of might
Henry the Eighth, worthy of high renown,
And made him Lord Audley of this town.''
This worthy lord took care, that better poets should be after
than were in his age ; and founded Magdalen College in Cam-
bridge, giving good lands thereunto, if they might have enjoyed
them according to his donation.
[AMP.} Sir RICHARD MORISIN, knight, was born in this
county, as J. Bale, his fellow exile, doth acquaint us :f yet so, as
that he qualifieth his intelligence with ut fertur, which I have
commuted into our marginal note of dubitation.J Our foresaid
author addeth, that ef per celebriora Anglorum gymnasia artes
excoluit •" bred probably first in Eton or Winchester, then in
Cambridge or Oxford, and at last in the inns of court. In those
he attained to great skill in Latin and Greek, in the common
and civil law ; insomuch that he was often employed ambassa-
dor, by king Henry the Eighth and Edward the Sixth, unto
Charles the fifth Emperor, and other princes of Germany, ac-
quitting himself both honest and able in those negociations.
He began a beautiful house at Cashiobury in Hertfordshire,
and had prepared materials for the finishing thereof ; but, alas,
this house proved like the life of his master who began it, I
mean king Edward the Sixth, broken off, not ended, and that
before it came to the middle thereof. Yea, he was forced to fly
* Stow's Survey of London, p. 146.
' Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. viii. num. 9.
J Sir R. Baker, in his Chronicle, p. 469, saith he was bora in Oxfordshire.
STATESMEN. 509
beyond the seas ; and,, returning out of Italy, died at Strasburgh,
on the 17th of March,, anno Domini 1556, to the grief of all good
men.* Yet his son Sir Charles finished his father's house in
more peaceable times, whose great grand- daughter (augmented
by matches with much honour and wealth), a right worthy and
virtuous lady, lately deceased, was wife to the first Lord Capel,
and mother to the present earl of Essex.
Sir ANTHONY COOK, knight, great grandchild to Sir Thomas
Cook, Lord Mayor of London, was born at Giddy Hall in this
county, where he finished a fair house, begun by his great grand-
father, as appeareth by this inscription on the frontispiece
thereof :
** ^dibus his frontem proavus Thomas dedit olim,
Addidit Antoni csetera sera manus."
He was one of the governors to king Edward the Sixth, when
prince ; and is charactered by Master Camden, " vir antiqua
severitate.^f He observeth him also to be happy in his daugh-
ters, learned above their sex in Greek and Latin : namely,
1. Mildred, married unto William Cecil, lord treasurer of
England ; 2. Anne, married unto Nicholas Bacon, lord chan-
cellor of England ; 3. Katherine, married unto Henry Killi-
frew, knight; 4. Elizabeth, married unto Thomas Hobby,
night ; 5. , married unto Ralph Rowlet, knight.
Indeed they were all most eminent scholars, (the honour of
their own, and the shame of our sex) both in prose and poetry ;
and we will give an instance of the latter.
Sir Henry Killigrew was designed by the queen ambassa-
dor for France, in troublesome times, when the employment,
always difficult, was then apparently dangerous. Now Kathe-
rine his lady wrote these following verses to her sister Mildred
Cecil, to improve her power with the lord treasurer her husband,
that Sir Henry might be excused from that service :
*' Si mihi quem cupio cures, Mildreda, remitti,
Tu bona, tu melior, tu mihi sola soror.
Sin male ctmctando retines, vel trans mare mittes,
Tu mala, tu pejor, tu mihi nulla soror.
It si Cornubiam, tibi pax sit, et omnia Iseta ;
Sin mare, Cecil!, nuntio bella. Vale."
We will endeavour to translate them, though I am afraid
falling much short of their native elegance :
" If, Mildred, by thy care, he be sent back whom I request,
A sister good thou art to me, yea better, yea the best.
But if with stays thou keep'st him still, or send'st where seas may part,
Then unto me a sister ill, yea worse, yea none thou art.
If go to Cornwall he shall please, I peace to thee foretell^
But, Cecil, if he set to seas, I war denounce. Farewell.'*
This Sir Anthony Cook died in the year of our Lord 15 76,
* Sir R. Baker, ibidem. f Camden's Elizabeth, anno 1576.
510 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
leaving a fair estate unto his son, in whose name it continued
until our time.
Sir THOMAS SMITH, knight, was born at Saffron Walden in
this county ;* and bred in Queen's College in Cambridge, where
such his proficiency in learning, that he was chosen out by Henry
the Eighth to be sent over and brought up beyond the seas. It
was fashionable in that age, that pregnant students were main-
tained on the cost of the state, to be merchants for experience
in foreign parts ; whence, returning home with their gainful ad-
ventures, they were preferred (according to the improvement of
their time) to offices in their own country. Well it were if
this good old custom were resumed ; for if, where God hath
given talents, men would give but pounds — I mean encourage
hopeful abilities with helpful maintenance — able persons would
never be wanting, and poor men with great parts would not be
excluded the line of preferment.
This Sir Thomas was afterwards secretary of state to queen
Elizabeth, and a grand benefactor to both universities, as I have
formerly declared at large.f He died anno Domini 1577-
[S. N.] THOMAS HOWARD, wherever born, is justly reputed
of this county, wherein he had his first honour, and last habita-
tion. He was second son to Thomas last duke of Norfolk, but
eldest, by his wife Margaret, sole heir to Thomas Lord Audley.
Queen Elizabeth made him baron of Audley, and knight of
the Garter ; and king James (who beheld his father a state-mar-
tyr for the queen of Scots), in the first of his reign, advanced
him lord chamberlain and earl of Suffolk ; and in the twelfth
of his reign, July 12, lord treasurer of England.
He was also chancellor of Cambridge, loving and beloved of
the university. When, at his first coming to Cambridge, Mas-
ter Francis Nethersole, orator of the university, made a Latin
speech unto him, this lord returned, " Though I understand not
Latin, I know the sense of your oration is, to tell me that I am
welcome to you ; which I believe verily, thank you for it hear-
tily, and will serve you faithfully in anything within my power."
Doctor Hasnet, the vice-chancellor, laying hold on the han-
dle of so fair a proffer, requested him to be pleased to entertain
the king at Cambridge ; a favour which the university could
never compass from their former great and wealthy chancellors.
(f I will do it," saith the Lord, (e in the best manner I may,
with the speediest conveniency." Nor was he worse than his
word ; giving his majesty not long after so magnificent a treat-
ment in the university, as cost him five thousand pounds and
upwards.
Hence it was, that, after his death, Thomas, his second son,
* Camden's Elizabeth, 1577. f In my " History of Cambridge."
STATESMEN. 511
earl of Berkshire, not suing for it (not knowing of it) was cho-
sen to succeed him, losing the place (as some suspected) not for
lack of voices, but fair counting them. He died at Audley-End,
anno Domini 1626, being grandfather to the right honourable
James earl of Suffolk.
[AMP.] RICHARD WESTON. I behold him son to Sir
Jerome Weston, sheriff of this county in the one and fortieth
of queen Elizabeth ; and cannot meet with any of his relations,
to rectify me if erroneous. In his youth he impaired his estate,
to improve himself with public accomplishment ; but came off
both a safer and a gainer at the last, when made chancellor of
the Exchequer, and afterwards (upon the remove of the earl of
Marlborough), July 15, in the fourth of king Charles, lord
treasurer of England.
But I hear the cock's crow proclaiming the dawning day,
being now come within the ken of many alive ; and when men's
memories do arise, it is time for history to haste to bed. Let me
only be a datary, to tell the reader, that this lord was created
earl of Portland, February 1 7, in the eighth of king Charles ; and
died March 12, anno Domini 1634, being father to the right
honourable Jerome, now earl of Portland.*
CAPITAL JUDGES.
SIR JOHN BRAMSTONE, knight, was born at Maldon in this
county ; bred up in the Middle Temple, in the study of the
common law, wherein he attained to such eminency, that he
was by king Charles made lord chief justice of the King's Bench.
One of deep learning, solid judgment, integrity of life, gravity
of behaviour ; in a word, accomplished with all qualities requi-
site for a person of his place and profession.
One instance of his integrity I must not forget, effectually
relating to the foundation wherein I was bred. Serjeant Bruer-
ton (of whom formerly*) bequeathed by will to Sidney college
well nigh three thousand pounds ; but (for haste or some other
accident) so imperfectly done, that (as doctor Samuel Ward
informed me) the gift was invalid in the rigour of the law. Now
judge Bramstone, who married the Serjeant's widow, gave him-
self much trouble (gave himself indeed, doing all things gratis)
for the speedy payment of the money to a farthing, and the legal
settling thereof on the college, according to the true intention
of the dead. He deserved to live in better times; the deliver-
ing his judgment on the king's side in the case of ship-money
cost him much trouble. The posting press would not be per-
suaded to stay till I had received farther instructions from the
most hopeful sons of this worthy judge, who died about the
year 1646.
* Who died in March 1662. f Benefactors to the Public, in Cheshire.
VOL. I. 2 L
512 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
SOLDIERS.
ROBERT FITZ-WALTER. It is observable what I read in my
author,* that in the reign of king John there were three most
eminent knights in the land, famous for their prowess ; viz.
Robert Fitz-Roger, -Richard Mont-Fitchet,f and this Robert
Fitz- Walter ; two of which three (a fair proportion) fall to be
natives of this county.
This Robert was born at Woodham- Walters ; and behaved
himself right valiantly on all occasions, highly beloved by king
Richard the First and king John, until the latter banished him
the land, because he would not prostitute his daughter to his
pleasure. But worth will not long want a master. The French
king joyfully entertained him, till king John recalled him back
again, on this occasion : five years' truce being concluded
betwixt the two crowns of England and France, an English-
man challenged any of the French, to joust a course or two on
horseback with him, whom Fitz-Walter (then on the French
party) undertook, and, at the first course,J with his great spear,
felled horse and man to the ground. Thus then and ever since
Englishmen generally can be worsted by none but Englishmen.
Hereupon, the king next day sent for him, restored his lands,
with licence for him to repair his castles (and particularly Bay-
nard's castle in London), which he did accordingly. He was
styled of the common people, " The marshal of God's army and
holy church." He died anno Domini 1234, and lieth buried
in the priory of Little Dunmow.
SIR JOHN HAWKEWOOD, knight, son to Gilbert Hawke-
wood, tanner,§ was born in Sible Heningham.|| This John was
first bound an apprentice to a tailor in the city of London ;^[
but soon turned his needle into a sword, and thimble into a
shield, being pressed in the service of king Edward the Third
for his French wars, who rewarded his valour with knighthood.
Now that mean men, bred in manual and mechanic trades, may
arrive at great skill in martial performances, this Hawkewood,
though an eminent, is not the only, instance of our English
nation.
The heat of the French wars being much remitted, he went
into Italy, and served the city of Florence, which as yet was a
free state. Such republics preferred foreigners rather than
natives for their generals, because, when the service was ended,
it was but disbursing their pay, and then disbanding their
power, by cashiering their commission ; such foreigners having
no advantage to continue their command, and render them-
selves absolute, because wanting an interest in alliances and
I
Stow's Annals in the reign of King John.
Of Stanstead-Mont-Fitchet, in this county. J Stow, ut prius.
Stow, ut prius. || Camden's Britannia, in Essex. ^[ Stow, ut prius.
SOLDIERS. 513
relations. Thus a single stake,, if occasion serves, is sooner
plucked up than a tree fastened to the earth, with the many
librae appendant to the root thereof.
Great the gratitude of the State of Florence to this their
general Hawkewood, who in testimony of his surpassing valour
and singular faithful service to their state, adorned him with the
statue of a man of arms, and sumptuous monument, wherein
his ashes remain honoured at this present day. Well it is that
monument doth remain; seeing his cenotaph, or honorary
tomb, which sometimes stood in the parish church of Sible-
Heningham (arched over, and, in allusion to his name, berebussed
with hawks flying into a wood),* is now quite flown away and
abolished.
This Sir John Hawkewood married Domina, daughter of Bar-
naby the warlike brother of Galeasius lord of Milan (father to
John the first duke of Milan), by whom he had a son named
John, born in Italy, made knight and naturalized in the seventh
year of king Henry the Fourth, as appeareth by the record :
e( Johannes, films Johannis Haukewood, Miles, natus in parti-
bus Italise, factus indigena anno 8<> Hen. IV. ; mater ejus nata in
partibus transmarinis."*
This valiant knight died very aged, anno 1394, in the eigh-
teenth of king Richard the Second; his friends founding two
chantries, to pray for his and the souls of John Oliver and
Thomas Newenton, esquires, his military companions, and,
which probably may be presumed, born in the same county.
THOMAS RATCLIFF, Lord Fitz Walter, second earl of Sus-
sex of that surname, twice lord deputy of Ireland, was a most
valiant gentleman. By his prudence he caused that actual re-
bellion brake not out in Ireland ; and no wonder if in his time
it rained not war there, seeing his diligence dispersed the clouds
before they could gather together. Thus he who cures a disease
may be the skilfullest, but he that prevents it is the safest, phy-
sician.
Queen Elizabeth called him home to be her lord chamber-
lain, and a constant court faction was maintained betwixt him
and Robert earl of Leicester; so that the Sussexians and the
Leicesterians divided the court, whilst the Cecilians, as neuters,
did look upon them. Sussex had a great estate left him by his
ancestors, Leicester as great given or restored him by the queen :
Sussex was the honester man and greater soldier, Leicester the
more faceit courtier and deep politician ; not for the general
good, but his particular profit. Great the animosity betwixt
them ; and what in vain the queen endeavoured, death perform-
ed, taking this earl away ; and so the competition was ended.
New Hall in this county was the place, if not (as I believe) of
* Weever's Funeral Monuments, p. 623.
f In Bibl. Cotton, and in Archivis Turris Lend. 1 par?, Pat. 8. Hen. IV, m. 10.
2 L 2
514 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
liis birth, of his principal habitation. He died anno Domini
1583 ; and lieth buried in the church of Saint Olaves, Hart Street,
London.
Sir FRANCIS and Sir HORACE VERB, sons of Geffrey Vere,
esquire, who was son of John Vere, the fifteenth earl of Oxford,
were both born in this county, though several places (Hening-
ham castle, Colchester, Tilbury juxta Clare) be by sundry men
assigned for their nativity. We will first consider them seve-
rally, and then compare them together.
Sir Francis was of a fiery spirit and rigid nature, undaunted
in all dangers, not over- valuing the price of men's lives, to pur-
chase a victory therewith. He served on the scene of all Chris-
tendom where war was acted. One master-piece of his valour
was at the battle of Newport, when his Ragged Regiment (so
were the English then called from their ragged clothes) helped
to make all whole, or else all had been lost. Another was, when
for three years he defended Ostend against a strong and nume-
rous army, surrendering it at last a bare skeleton to the king of
Spain, who paid more years' purchase for it than probably the
world will endure. He died in the beginning of the reign of
king James, about the year of our Lord 16 ... *
Sir Horace had more meekness, and as much valour as his
brother ; so pious, that he first made his peace with God before
he went out to war with man. One of an excellent temper, it
being true of him what is said of the Caspian Sea, " that it doth
never ebb nor flow ; " observing a constant tenor, neither elated
nor depressed with success. Had one seen him returning from
a victory, he would, by his silence, have suspected that he had
lost the day : and had he beheld him in a retreat, he would have
collected him a conqueror, by the cheerfulness of his spirit. He
was the first baron of king Charles's creation.f Some years
after, coming to court, he fell suddenly sick and speechless, so
that he died before night, anno Domini 163 . . No doubt he
was well prepared for death, seeing such his vigilancy that ne-
ver any enemy surprised him in his quarters.
Now to compare them together (such their eminency, that
they would hardly be paralleled by any but themselves). Sir
Francis was the elder brother, Sir Horace lived to be the older
man. Sir Francis was more feared, Sir Horace more loved, by
the soldiery. The former in martial discipline was oft-times
" rigidus ad ruin am ; " the latter seldom exceeded ee ad terrorem."
Sir Francis left none. Sir Horace no male, issue, whose four co-
heirs are since matched into honourable families. Both lived
in war, much honoured ; died in peace, much lamented.
* Sir Francis Vere died in 1603, set. 54 ED.
f He was created, in 1625, Baron Vere of Tilbury ; a title which became extinct
at his death. — ED.
PHYSICIANS. 515
HENRY VERB was son of Edward Vere, the seventeenth ear
of Oxford, and Anne Trentham his [second] lady, whose prin-
cipal habitation (the rest of his patrimony being then wasted)
was at Heningham Castle in this county. A vigorous gentle-
man, full of courage and resolution, and the last lord chamber-
lain of England of this family. His sturdy nature would not
bow to court-compliants, who would maintain what he spake,
spake what he thought, think what he apprehended true and just,
though sometimes dangerous and distasteful.
Once he came into court with a great milk-white feather about
his hat, which then was somewhat unusual, save that a person
of his merit might make a fashion. The reader may guess the
lord who said unto him in some jeer, " My lord, you wear a very
fair feather." " It is true," said the earl ; " and, if you mark
it, there's ne'er a taint in it." Indeed his family was ever loyal
to the crown, deserving their motto, fe VERO NIL, VERIUS."
Going over one of the four English colonies into the Low
Countries, and endeavouring to raise the siege of Breda, he so
over-heated himself with marching, fighting, and vexing (the de-
sign not succeeding), that he died a few days after, anno Domini
1625. He married Diana, one of the co-heirs of William earl
of Exeter (afterwards married to Edward earl of Elgin), by whom
he left no issue.
PHYSICIANS.
WILLIAM GILBERT was born in Trinity Parish in Colches-
ter ;* his father being a councillor of great esteem in his pro-
fession, who first removed his family thither from Clare in Suf-
folk, where they had resided in a genteel equipage some centu-
ries of years.
He had (saith my informer) the clearness of Venice glass,
without the brittleness thereof; soon ripe, and long lasting, in
his perfections. He commenced doctor in physic, and was phy-
sician to queen Elizabeth, who stamped on him many marks of
her favour, besides an annual pension to encourage his studies,
He addicted himself to chemistry, attaining to great exactness
therein. One saith of him, " that he was stoical, but not cyni-
cal ;" which I understand reserved but not morose ; never mar-
ried, purposely to be more beneficial to his brethren. Such his
loyalty to the queen, that, as if unwilling to survive, he died in
the same year with her, 1603. His stature was tall, complexion
cheerful ; an happiness not ordinary in so hard a student and
retired a person. He lieth buried in Trinity church in Col-
chester, under a plain monument.
Mahomet's tomb at Mecca is said strangely to hang up, at-
tracted by some invisible load-stone ; but the memory of this
doctor will never fall to the ground, which his incomparable
book " De Magnete " will support to eternity.
* I received the ensuing intelligence from his near kinsman Mr. William Gil-
bert, of Brental-Ely in Suffolk— F.
516 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
WRITERS.
GERVASE of TILBURY, born at that village in this county
(since famous for a camp against the Spaniards in 88), is re-
ported nephew to king Henry the Second.* But, though Ne-
pos be taken in the latitude thereof (to signify son to brother,
sister, or child,) I cannot make it out by the door, and am loth
to suspect his coming in by the window. This Gervase may be
said, by his nativity, to stand but on one foot (and that on tip-
toes) in England, being born on the sea side, at the mouth of
Thames ; and therefore no wonder if he quickly conveyed him-
self over into foreign parts. He became courtier and favourite
to his kinsman Otho the fourth emperor, who conferred on him
the marshalship of the archbishopric of Aries (which proveth the
imperial power in this age over some parts of Provence) ; an
office which he excellently discharged. Though his person was
wholly conversant in foreign air, his pen was chiefly resident
on English earth, writing a chronicle of our land, and also add •
ing illustrations to Geffrey Monmouth. He flourished, anno
1210, under king John.
ADAM of BARKING (no mean market in this county) was so
termed from the town of his nativity. Wonder not, that being
born in the east of England, he went westward as far as Sher-
borne (where he was a Benedictine) for his education ; it being
as usual in that age for monks, as in ours for husbandmen, to
change their soil for the seed, that the grain may give the greater
increase. He was a good preacher and learned writer; and
surely would have soared higher, if not weighed down with the
ignorance of the age he lived in, whose death happened anno
1216.
RALPH of COGSHALL in this county was first canon of Barn-
well nigh Cambridge, and afterwards turned a Cistercian monk.
He was a man " incredibilis frugalitatis et parsimoniee ;"* but
withal of great learning and abilities. These qualities com-
mended him to be abbot of Cogshall (the sixth in order after the
first foundation thereof), where he spent all his spare hours in
writing of chronicles, and especially of additions to Radulphus
Niger. Afflicted in health, he resigned his place, and died a
private person about the year 1230.
ROGER of WALTHAM was so called from the place of his na-
tivity. I confess there be many Walthams in England, and
three in Essex : but as in heraldry the plain coat speaks the
bearer thereof to be the best of the house, whiles the younger
brethren give their arms with differences ; so I presume that
* Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. iii. p. 250 ; and Pits, de Illustr. Ang.
JEA&t. xiii. p. 274. f Pits, de Scriptoribus Anglise, anno 1218.
WRITERS. 517
Waltham here,, without any other addition (of Much- Waltham,
Wood- Waltham, &c.) is the chief in that kind; viz. Waltham
in this county, within twelve miles of London, eminent in that
age for a wealthy abbey'. The merit of this Roger being, saith
Bale, " terse, nitide, et eleganter eruditus,"* endeared him to
Fulke Basset bishop of London, who preferred him canon of
Saint PauPs. He wrote many worthy works, flourishing under
king Henry the Third, anno Domini 1250.
[S. N.] JOHN GODARD, wherever born, had his best being at
Cogshall in this county, where he became a Cistercian monk.f
Great was his skill in arithmetic and mathematics, a science
which had lain long asleep in the world, and now first began to
open its eyes again. He wrote many certain treatises thereof,
and dedicated them unto Ralph abbot of Cogshall. He flou-
rished anno Domini 1250,
AUBREY DE VERB, extracted from the right honourable earls
of Oxford, was born, saith my authors,! in Bonacled villa Tre-
novantum, three miles from Saint Osith, by which direction we
find it to be Great Bentley in this county. Now, although a witty
gentleman§ saith, that " Noblemen have seldom any thing in
print, save their clothes ;" yet this Aubrey so applied his studies,
that he wrote a learned book of the eucharist. In his old age
he became an Augustinian of Saint Osith's, preferring that be-
fore other places, both because of the pleasant retireness thereof,
and because his kindred were great benefactors to that convent ;
witness their donation de septem libratis terra thereunto. ||
This Aubrey, the most learned of all honourable persons in that
age, flourished anno Domini 1250.
THOMAS MALDON was born at Maldon, no mean market
town in this county, anciently a city of the Romans, called Ca-
mulodunum.^[ He was afterwards bred in the university of
Cambridge, where he commenced doctor of divinity, and got
great reputation for his learning, being a quick disputant, elo-
quent preacher, solid in defining, subtle in distinguishing, clear
in expressing. Hence he was chosen prior of his own monas-
tery in Maldon, where he commendably discharged his place
till the day of his death, which happened 1404.
THOMAS WALDENSIS was son to John and Maud Netter,
who, declining the surname of his parents, took it from Walden,
the noted place in this county of his nativity ;** so much are
* De Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. iv. p. 302.
f Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. iv. num. 11. compared with Pits, in
anno 1550. J Bale, num. 13 and Pits, 1259.
§ Sir John Suckling's verses on the right honourable and learned earl of Mon-
month.
|| Mills's Catalogue of Honour, p. 677. U J. Bale, Pits.
"* Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. vii. num. 84.
518 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
they mistaken, that maintain that this Waldensis's name was
Vuedale, and that he was born in Hantshire.
In some sort he may be termed Anti-Waldensis, being the
most professed enemy to the Wicklevites, who for the main re-
vived and maintained the doctrine of the Waldenses. Being
bred a Carmelite in London, and doctor of divinity in Oxford,
he became a great champion of, yet vassal to, the Pope ; witness
his sordid compliment, consisting of a conjunction, or rather
confusion and misapplication, of the words of Ruth to Naomi,
and David to Goliah : " Perge, Domine Papa, perge quo cupis :
et ego tecum ubicunque volueris, nee deseram, in authoritate
Dominorum meorum incedam, et in armis eorum pugnabo."*
He was in high esteem with three succeeding kings of Eng-
land ; and might have changed his cowl into what English mitre
he pleased, but refused it. Under king Henry the Fourth, he
was sent a solemn ambassador, 1410, about taking away the
schism, and advancing an union in the church; and pleaded
most eloquently before the Pope, and Sigismund the emperor.
He was confessor and privy councillor to king Henry the Fifth,
who died in his bosom, and whom he taxed for too much lenity
to the Wicklevites ; so that we behold the breath of Waldensis
as the bellows which blew up the coals, for the burning of those
poor Christians in England under king Henry the Sixth. He
was employed to provide at Paris all necessaries for his solemn
coronation ; and, dying in his journey thither, anno 1430, was
buried at Rouen. He was sixteen years Provincial of his order
throughout all England, and wrote many books against the
Wicklevites.
Bale citeth four (all foreign) authors, which make him so-
lemnly sainted ; whilst Pits,t more truly and modestly, only
affirmeth, that he died unon sine sanctitatis opinione." Indeed,
as the Pagans had their Lares and Penates, Dii minorum gentium :
so possibly this Thomas, though not publicly canonized, might
pass for a Saint of the lesser size in some particular places.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
THOMAS TUSSER was born at Rivenhall in this county, of an
ancient family, since extinct, if his own pen may be believed. J
"Whilst as yet a boy, he lived in many schools, Wallingford,
Saint PauPs, Eton, whence he went to Trinity-hall in Cam-
bridge < when a man, in Staffordshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cam-
bridgeshire, London, and where not ? so that this stone of Sisy-
phus could gather no moss. He was successively a musician,
schoolmaster, serving-man, husbandman, grazier, poet; more
skilful in all than thriving in any vocation. He traded at large
in oxen, sheep, dairies, grain of all kinds, to no profit. Whe-
ther he bought or sold, he lost ; and, when a renter, impove-
rished himself, and never enriched his landlord. Yet hath he
* In libro de Sacramentis, cap. 17. f De Angliae Scriptoribus, in anno 1430'
J In, his History, at the end of his Book of Husbandry.
WRITERS. 519
laid down excellent rules in his fe Book of Husbandry and House-
wifery5' (so that the observer thereof must be rich) in his own
defence. He spread his bread with all sorts of butter; yet
none would stick thereon. Yet I hear no man to charge him
with any vicious extravagancy, or visible carelessness, imputing
his ill success to some occult cause in God's counsel. Thus
our English Columella might say with the poet,
" Monitis sum minor ipse meis — "
none being better at the theory, or worse at the practice,
of husbandry. I match him with Thomas Churchyard ; they
being marked alike in their poetical parts, living in the same
time, and statured alike in their estates ; both low enough, I as-
sure you. I cannot find the certain date of his death, but col-
lect it to be about 1580.
FRANCIS QUARLES, esquire, son to James Quarles, esquire,
was born at Stewards, in the parish of Romford, in this county,
where his son, as I am informed, hath an estate in expectancy.
He was bred in Cambridge ; and going over into Ireland, became
secretary to the Reverend James Usher, archbishop of Armagh.
He was a most excellent poet, and had a mind biased to devo-
tion. Had he been contemporary with Plato (that great back-
friend to poets), he would not only have allowed him to live,
but advanced him to an office in his commonwealth.
Some poets, if debarred profaneness, wantonness, and satiri-
calness (that they may neither abuse God, themselves, nor their
neighbours,) have their tongues cut out in effect. Others only
trade in wit at the second hand, being all for translations, no-
thing for invention. Our Quarles was free from the faults of
the first, as if he had drank of Jordan instead of Helicon, and
slept on Mount Olivet for his Parnassus ; and was happy in his
own invention. His visible poetry (I mean his emblems) is
excellent, catching therein the eye and fancy at one draught, so
that he hath out-Alciated * therein, in some men's judgment.
His verses on Job are done to the life, so that the reader may
see his sores, and through them the anguish of his soul.
The troubles of Ireland, where his losses were great, forced
his return hither, bearing his crosses with great patience ; so
that (according to the advice of Saint Hierome) " verba vertebat
in opera;" and practised the Job he had described, dying
about the year 1643.
JOSEPH MEDE was born in this county, a little east of Bishop-
Stortford. Men in Scripture generally are notified by their fa-
thers ; as Johnadab the son of Rechab, Simon the son of Jonas.
Some few are described by their sons, as Simon of Cyrene, the
father of Alexander and Rufus,f wherein it is presumed that
* Alciati was a celebrated delineator of emblems. — ED.
f Mark xv. 2.
520 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
their sons were most eminent, and their branches not known
by the root, but the root by the branches. Such the case here,
where the parents, obscure in themselves, may hereafter be
known for having Joseph Mede to their son.
He was bred in Christ's College in Cambridge, where he at-
tained to great learning by his own industry. R, was Shiboleth
unto him, which he could not easily pronounce ; so that a set
speech cost him the double pains to another man, being to fit
words as well to his mouth as his matter. Yet, by his in-
dustry and observation, he so conquered his imperfection, that,
though in private discourse he often smiled out his stammering
into silence, yet, choosing his words, he made many an excellent
sermon without any considerable hesitation.
The first-fruits of his eminent studies was a written treatise,
"De Sanctitate Relativa," which he presented to bishop An-
drews, who besteaded him with the king's favour, when his elec-
tion into his fellowship met with some opposition. He after-
wards became an excellent linguist, curious mathematician, ex-
act textman ; happy in making Scripture to expound itself by
parallel places. He was charitable to poor people with his
alms, and to all people with his candid censure.
Of one who constantly kept his cell, (so he called his chamber)
none travelled oftener and farther over all Christendom. For
things past he was a perfect historian ; for things present, a ju-
dicious novilant ; and for things to come, a prudential (not to
say prophetical) conjecturer.
To his private friends he would often insist on the place of
Scripture, Judges iii. 30, " and the land had a rest fourscore
years ; " which was the longest term of peace which he ever
observed the church of God to enjoy ; after which many troubles
did ensue. And seeing the same lease of halcyon days was ex-
pired in England since the first of queen Elizabeth, he griev-
ously suspected some strange concussion in Church and State,
which came to pass accordingly. I confess, his memory hath
suffered much in many men's judgments, for being so great a
fauter of the fanciful opinion of the Millenaries. Yet none can
deny but that much is found in the ancient Fathers tending that
way. Besides, I dare boldly say, that the furious factors for
the fifth monarchy hath driven that nail which Master Mede
did first enter, farther than he ever intended it, and doing it with
such violence, that they split the truths round about it. Thus,
when ignorance begins to build on that foundation which learn-
ing hath laid, no wonder if there be no uniformity in such a
mongrel fabric. He died in the fifty-third year of his age, anno
Domini 1638, leaving the main of his estate to the college, about
the value of £300 ; a large sum to issue out of the purse of a
scholar.
BENEFACTORS TO THE PUBLIC.
RICHARD BADEW, born of a knightly family at Great Badew
BENEFACTORS TO THE PUBLIC. 521
(commonly called Great Baddow, nigh Chelmsford), was bred
in the university of Cambridge.* He so profited in literature,
that by general consent, anno 1326, the scholars therein chose
him their chancellor : in which year this Richard purchased two
tenements in Milne street, and in their place erected a small
college, by the name of University Hall, wherein scholars living
under a Principal had their chambers gratis (a great favour in
that age), though otherwise maintaining themselves on their own
expences.
Sixteen years after, by a sad accident, this college was casually
burnt down to the ground ; whereupon Doctor Badew, with the con-
sent of the university, resigned all his interest therein into the
hands of Elizabeth countess of Clare, who fairly refounded this
college ; as in due place hereafter, God willing, shall he related.t
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
WALTER MILDMEY, knight, was born at Chelmsford in this
county, where he was a younger son to Thomas Mildmey, es-
quire. He was bred in Christ's College in Cambridge, where he
did not (as many young gentlemen) study only in compliment,
but seriously applied himself to his book.
Under king Henry the Eighth and king Edward the Sixth,
he had a gainful office in the Court of Augmentations. During
the reign of queen Mary, he practised the politic precept, " Bene
vixit qui bene latuit." No sooner came queen Elizabeth to
the crown, but he was called to state employment ; and it was
not long before he was made chancellor of the Exchequer.
It is observed, "that the Exchequer never fareth ill, but
under a good prince ; " such who out of conscience will not
oppress their people; whilst tyrants pass not for what they
squeeze out of their subjects.
Indeed queen Elizabeth was very careful not to have her
coffer swelled with the consumption of her kingdom, and had
conscientious officers under her, amongst whom Sir Walter was
a principal.
This knight, sensible of God's blessing on his estate, and
knowing that " omne beneficium requirit officium," cast about
to make his return to God. He began with his benefaction to
Christ's College in Cambridge, only to put his hand into prac-
tice ; then his bounty embraced the generous resolution (which
the painful piety of St. Paul propounds to himself, viz.) " not
to build on another man's foundation ; " but, on his own cost,
he erected a new college in Cambridge, by the name of Ema-
nuel.
A right godly gentleman he was, though some of his back-
friends suggested to the queen, that he was a better patriot
than subject ; and that he was over popular in parliaments, in-
* R. Parker, in Sceletos Cantabrigiensis, in MS.
f See Suffolk, in the title of BENEFACTORS.
522 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
somuch that his life did set sub nubeculd, under a cloud of the
royal displeasure. Yet was not the cloud so great, but that the
beams of his innocence, meeting those of the queen's candour,
had easily dispelled it, had he survived longer, as appeared by
the great grief the queen professed for the loss of so grave a
councillor; who, leaving two sons and three daughters, died
anno Domini 1589.
DOROTHY PETRE, daughter to Sir William Petre, Secretary
of State, and sister to John Lord Petre, was certainly born in
this county ; but uncertain whether at Thorndon, Writtle, or
Engerstone, three fair houses in Essex of that wealthy family.
Thus variety of habitations render the nativities of great persons
doubtful, whilst we are led with more assurance to the cradles of
meaner people.
She was married to Nicholas Wadham, of Merrifield, in So-
mersetshire, esquire. We read of Ahab, that (t he sold himself
to work wickedness, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up :* but
this worthy man gave himself over to all actions of bounty and
charity, whom his wife, answering her name (" a gift of God "
indeed) encouraged therein. He founded, she finished, both
richly endowed, Wadham College in Oxford ; by whose joint
bounty it is become as rich as most, more uniform than any col-
lege in England.
THOMAS EDEN, D. L. was born in the south part of Sud-
bury, within this county, where his name and family are
continued in a worshipful degree in Ballington Hall. He was
bred fellow, and then master, of Trinity Hall, in Cambridge ; a
singular good advocate, chancellor of Ely, commissary of Sud-
bury and Westminster, professor of law in Gresham Col-
lege, &c.
But, leaving his ability in his own profession to be praised by
others, his charity here comes under our cognizance; who
bestowed one thousand pounds on Trinity Hall, therewith
purchasing lands to maintain wax candles in the chapel, an
annual commemoration with a Latin speech, and other excellent
benefactions. He died anno Domini 164 .. leaving a consider-
able estate, and making Mr. James Bunce, alderman of Lon-
don, his executor (though an utter stranger unto him), on this
occasion. The alderman repaired to him for his advice on a
will, wherein he was executor, desiring from him the true mean-
ing of a clause therein. The doctor returned, <e that the passage
in question was equally capable of two several senses/' ee But
tell me/5 said Mr. Bunce, " what do you believe in your con-
science was the very mind of the testator, being my resolution
to perform it whatever it cost me/5 A speech which stayed
* 1 Kings ii. 25.
MEMORABLE PERSONS. 523
with the doctor after the speaker thereof was departed, making
such impression in his spirit, that hence he concluded the
alderman a conscientious person ; and deputed him the
executor to his own will. I am informed that, since the doc-
tor's death, a match hath been made between their nearest
relations.
MEMORABLE PERSONS.
MATILDA FITZ-WALTER, by some surnamed the fair, by
others, the chaste, (qualities admirable when united), was
daughter to that strenuous knight, Sir Robert Fitz- Walter, of
Woodham Fitz- Walter, in this county, of whom before.*
Some would persuade us, that as the Trojan war was occa-
sioned by Helena in revenge of her wantonness ; so the Barons'
war, in the reign of king John, by this Matilda, in reward of
her chastity, which the king in vain did assault ; though surely
the same was too private and personal to cause a national
engagement; especially the fact being only attempted, not
effected.
The king banishing her father beyond the seas (in hope by
his absence the easier to compass his desires) renewed his suit
with more earnestness, and the same success. For Matilda
still answered her anagram, <f Tal Maid," both in stature and
stoutness of her virtuous resolution ; till at last the king, " quia
noluit consentire, toxicavit eam,"t procuring one to poison her
in a poached egg ; meat which in the shell may safely be eaten
after a sluttish (out of it) not after a malicious hand.
I much admire she was not made a saint (a dignity in those
days conferred on some of less desert) ; and conceive she had
surely been sainted if veiled, and found the less favour for
being no votary, but a virgin at large. She was murdered
1213, and lieth buried betwixt two pillars in the choir of Little
Dunmow church. I have nothing to add to this story, save to
observe, that he who procured her poisoning in her meat, was
poisoned in his own drink afterwards.
SIMON LYNCH, son of William Lynch, gentleman, was born
at Groves, in the parish of Staple, in Kent, Deoentber 1562 ;
bred a student in Queen's College, in Cambridge ; and after-
wards bishop Aylmere his kinsman bestowed on him a small living
(then not worth above £40. per annum) at North Weale, nigh
Epping, in*this county ; and pleasantly said unto him, " Play,
cousin, with this awhile, till a better comes." But Mr. Lynch
continued therein (the first and last place of his ministry) sixty-
four years. The bishop afterwards preferred him to Brent-
Wood- Weale, three times better than North- Weale, to whom
Mr. Lynch (to use his own words) returned this answer, " that
he preferred the weal of his parishioners' souls before any other
* In the title of SOLDIERS.
t Abstract of the Chronicle of Dunmow, in Biblioth. Cotton.
524 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
Weal whatsoever." He lived sixty-one years in wedlock with
Elizabeth Seane his wife. He was an excellent house-keeper,
and yet provided well for his ten children. He was buried at
North Weale, anno Domini 1656.
LORD MAYORS.
1. William Edwards, son of William Edwards, of Hoton, Gro-
cer, 1471.
2. Robert Basset, son of Robert Basset, of Billerikei, Salter,
1475.
3. John Shaa, son of John Shaa, of Rochford, Goldsmith, 1501.
4. Laurence Aylmer, son of Thomas Aylmer, of Allesham,
Draper, 150?.
5. William Baily, son of John Baily, of Thackstead, Draper,
1524.
6. John Allen, son of Richard Allen, of Thackstead, Mercer,
1525.
7. Richard Martin, son of Thomas Martin, of Saffron Walden,
Goldsmith, 1593.
8. Thomas Skinner, son of John Skinner, of Walden, Cloth-
worker, 1596.
9. Richard Deane, son of George Deane, of Much Dunmow,
Skinner, 1628.
THE NAMES OF THE GENTRY OF THIS COUNTY,
RETURNED BY THE COMMISSIONERS IN THE TWELFTH YEAR OF KING HENRY
THE SIXTH, 1433.
Ralph bishop of London, or his vicar-general (the bishop being-
absent beyond the seas), and John Earl of Oxford ; — Henry
Bourchier, chevalier, and John Tyrill, chevalier, (knights for
the shire) ; — Commissioners to take the oaths.
Johannis Montgomery, chev. Johannis Helyon, arm.
Nicholai Thorle, chev. Thomse Batyll, arm.
Maur. Bruyn, chev. Thomas Hevenyngham, arm.
Edmundi Benst, chev. Johannis Godmanston, arm.
Johannis Fitz-Sim. chev. Roberti Hunte, arm.
Willielmi Goldingham, chev. Johannis Leventhorp,jun. arm.
Ludovici Joh. arm. Thomae Barington, arm.
Johannis Doreward, arm. Thomae Pynthon, arm.
Roberti Darcy, arm. Thomae Pykenham, arm.
Thomae Terell, arm. Galf. R-obell, arm.
Edvardi Torell, arm. Henrici Chaterton, arm.
Willielmi Loveney, arm. Thomae Storkedale, arm.
Thomae Rolf. Willielmi Senklere, arm.
Johannis Teye, arm. Johannis Godeston, arm.
Thomae Knevet, arm. Rogeri Spyce, arm.
Henrici Langley, arm. Thomae Bendy sh, arm.
Georgii Langham, arm. Hugo Nayllingh, arm.
Richardi Fox, arm. Thomae Rigedon.
GENTRY.
525
Ricardi Priour.
Johannis Green.
Johannis Basset.
Roger! Deyncourt.
Johannis Poynes.
Johannis Santon.
Johannis Malton.
Thomas Basset.
Johannis Walchif.
Edmund. Preston.
Roberti Sudbury.
Johannis Baryngton.
Willielmi Ardale.
Nicholai Mortimer.
Henrici Aleyn.
Roberti Weston.
Johannis Chamber.
Thomas Chittern.
Willielmi Aleyn.
Johannis Beche.
Roberti Priour, Ballivi Burgi
Colcesteri.
Richardi Beamond.
Williel. Gorge, Balivi Burgi
de Maldon.
Roberti Simond de Hatfield.
Thomse Hardekyn.
Thomas Mullyng.
Johannis Gale de Farnham.
Johannis Stodehawe.
Thomas Aldres.
Egidii Lucas.
Johannis Stanford.
Roberti Wade.
Thomee Blosme.
Willielmi Gatton.
Roberti Wright de Thurrok.
Johannis Barowe.
Roberti Brook de Dedham.
Johannis Stephenede de El-
mestede.
Thomas Andrew.
Richardi Dykeleygh.
Willielmi Cony.
Johannis Rouchestre.
Johannis Marlere.
Roberti de Bury.
Thomee Stanes.
Joh. a Benham de Witham.
Richardi Jocep.
Johannis Berdefeld.
Thomas Brentys.
Thomas Selers.
Johannis Boreham. •
Roberti Seburgh.
Henrici Maldon.
Johannis Caweston.
Thomas Mars, de Dunmow.
Johannis Hereward de Thap-
stede.
Johannis fil. Will. Attee Fan,
de eadem.
Reg. Bienge de eadem.
Walteri Goodmay.
Willielmi Spaldyng.
Hugonis Dorsete.
Richardi Atte More.
Radulphi Bonyngdon.
Thomas Barete.
Radulphi de Uphavering.
Johannis Gobyon.
Willielmi Scargoyll.
Johannis Shynnyng.
Willielmi Higham.
Johannis Riche.
Johannis Veyle, senioris.
Johannis Hicheman.
Edmundi Botere.
Johannis Westle.
Willielmi Admond.
Johannis Compion.
Richardi Sewale.
Walteri Tybenham.
Joh. Marshant de Peldon.
Richardi Eylotte.
Johannis Baderok.
Joh. Wayte de Branketre.
Joh. Parke de Gestmyngthorp.
Willielmi Manwode.
Henrici Hoberd.
Rogeri Passelwe.
Willielmi Atte Cherche.
Willielmi Reynold.
Johannis Sailler.
Richardi Billingburgh.
Allani Bushe.
526 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
Johannis Wormele. Martini Stainer.
Johannis Glyne. Roberti Beterythe.
Roberti Ferthyng. Roberti Smyth de Waltham.
OBSERVATIONS.
Some part of this county lieth so near London, that the
sound of Bow-bell (befriended with the wind) may be heard into
it ; a bell that ringeth the funeral knell to the ancient gentry,
who are more healthful and longer lived in counties at greater
distance from the city.
R. Bishop of London being absent beyond the seas, was
Robert Fitz-Hugh, who was twice sent ambassador into Ger-
many, and once unto the Pope.*
John earl of Oxford was John de Vere, second of that name,
and eleventh earl of Oxford; beheaded afterwards, anno 1462,
in the fifth of king Edward the Fourth, for his loyalty to the
house of Lancaster.
HENRY BOURCHIER. — Here additioned chevalier, appears
by all proportion of time and place the self-same person who
married Elizabeth, sister to Richard Plantagenet, duke of York,
and who, by his nephew king Edward the Fourth, was created
earl of Essex. He died, an aged person, 1483. I conceive
that his father William Lord Bourchier (earl of Ewe in Nor-
mandy), was living when this Henry Bourchier was chosen
knight for the shire ; a place usually conferred on the eldest
sons of peers in the life-time of their fathers.
JOHN TYRRELL, chevalier, — Was chief of that family, rich
and numerous in this county, of exemplary note and principal
regard. Great Thorndon was the place of their sepulture,
where their monuments to the church, both ruinous. This
name (if still alive) lies gasping in this county, but continuing
healthful in Buckinghamshire.
JOHN MOUNTGOMERY, chevalier. — I find him supervisor to
the will of Sir Robert Darcy, anno 1469 ; and conceive that
surname since utterly extinct.
MAURICE BRUYN, chevalier.— He had his seat at South
Okenton. From the two heirs-general of this family often mar-
ried, Charles Brandon duke of Suffolk, the Tirrels, Berners,
Harleston, Heveninghams, and others, are descended. A
branch of the heir-male removed into Hantshire, since into
Dorsetshire, where they subsist in a right worshipful equipage.
WILLIAM GOLDINGHAM, chevalier. — Though the great
* Godwin, in his Catalogue of Bishops.
GENTRY. 527
tree be blasted, a small sprig thereof still sprouteth in this
county.
JOHN DOREWARD, Esq.— He lived at Booking Dorewards
in this county ; and was patron of the rich parsonage therein,
which no ingenious person will envy to the worthy incumbent,
Doctor John Gauden. This John Doreward lieth buried in the
church, with this inscription :
u Hie jacet Johannes Doreward, Armiger, qui obiit xxx die
Januarii, anno Domini Mil. cccc. Ixv. et Blancha uxor ejus, quse
obiit .... die mens anno Domini Mil. cccc. Ix. quorum
animabus propitietur Deus. Amen.
" Claviger ^Ethereus nobis sit Janitor almus."
ROBERT DARCY, Arm. — An ancient name in this county,
having Danbury (whilst living) for their residence ; and the
church in Maldon (when dead) for their sepulture, where there
be many of their shamefully defaced monuments.
This Robert Darcy, afterwards knighted, by his will, made
the fifth of October 1469, bequeathed his body to be buried in
Allhallows- church in Maldon, before the altar, where his father
lay in a tomb of marble. He willed that forty marks should
be disposed for two thousand masses (four-pence a mass) to be
said for his soul, and the souls of his relations, within six weeks
after his decease ; willing also that every priest in Pembroke
Hall, in Cambridge, should have a share of that money, &c.
He made Elizabeth his wife and others his executors ; the earl
of Essex, the lord Dinham, Thomas Mountgomery, Thomas
Terryll, supervisors of his will ; beseeching them to help his son
Thomas and all his children. He willed the earl of Essex and
the lord Dinham should have a butt of malmsey, Sir Thomas
Mountgomery and Sir Thomas Terryll, a pipe of red wine, for
their pains. Thomas Darcy his son, esquire of the body to
king Henry the Sixth and Edward the Fourth, married Mar-
garet, one of the daughters and heirs of John Harleton of Suf-
folk, esquire. He died 25th of September 1485, as appears by
his epitaph on his tomb in the church aforesaid.
HENRY LANGLEY, Esq.— He lived at Langley-Wilebores, in
the parish of Rickling, in the church whereof he lieth buried,
with this inscription :
" Hie jacet Henricus Langley, Armiger, qui obiit xx Septemb.
M. cccc. Iviii. ; et Margareta uxor ejus, una filiarum et haeredum
Johannis Waldene, Armigeri, quae obiit v. Martii, M. cccc. liii."
There is in the same church a monument for his son, the
more remarkable, because the last of his family :
" Here lyeth Henry Langley, Esq. and Dame Catherine his
wife, which Henry departed this life ii. April, M. cccc. Ixxxviii.
and Dame Catherine died .... the year of our Lord God M. . "
VOL. 2 M
528 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
It is not usual for the wife of an esquire to be styled Dame,
except she was daughter to an earl, or relict to a knight. This
Henry left three daughters (portraited on his marble tomb),
betwixt whom his inheritance was divided.
THOMAS HEVENINGHAM. — His family flourisheth in Norfolk.
JOHANNES LEVENTHORP, jun. Arm. — His posterity flou-
risheth in Hertfordshire.
THOMAS BARINGTON, Arm. — He lived at Barington Hall in
the parish of Hatfield-Broad-Oak, and lieth buried in the
church, with this inscription :
" Hie jacet Thomas Barington, Armig, et Anna uxor ejus, qui
quidem Thomas obiit v. Aprilis M. cccc. Ixxii, et Anna proximo
die sequenti, quorum animabus propitietur Altissimus."
See here a sympathizing wife, dying the next day after
her husband, of whom it may be said,
" He first deceased ; she for few hours tried
To live without him, liked it not, and died/'
The family is of signal nativity ; enriched with large posses-
sions, in the reign of king Stephen, by the barons of Montfit-
chet ; and since received an accession of honour and estate, by
marrying with Winifred, daughter and coheir of Henry Pole
Lord Montague, son of Margaret Plantagenet countess of Salis-
bury, descended of the blood royal. At this day there is a ba-
ronet thereof, with other branches of good account.
THOMAS BENDYSH, Arm. — Bomsted in this county was, and
is, the habitation of his family.
EGIDIUS LUCAS. — The name is honourable at this day, and
hath a seat with fair possessions near Colchester ; but how re-
lated to this Giles I know not. Sure I am, that it appeareth
on a window, in the north side of the church of Saxham Parva
in Suffolk, that, anno Domini 1428, five years before this return
of gentry, one Thomas Lucas, kneeling there with his wife in
their coat-armours, was servant, secretary, and one of the coun-
cil, to Jasper duke of Bedford and earl of Pembroke.
THOMAS BARRET was an esquire of signal note ; and the en-
suing nameless manuscript* will acquaint us with the time of
his death :
" Thomas Barryt, squyr to kyng Harry the Sixt, oftentimes
employed in the French warrs, under the command of John due
of Bedford, as also John due of Norfolk; being alway trew
leigeman to his soveraign lord the king ; having taking sanctu-
* Exemplified in Weever's Funeral Monuments, p. 417.
GENTRY. 529
ary at Westminstre to shon tlie fury of his and the king's ene-
myes, was from thense hayled forth, and lamentably hewyri
a-peces : about whilke tym, or a lityl before, the Lord Skales,
late in an evening, entrying a wherry-bott with three persons,
and rawghing toowards Westminstre, there likewise to have
taken sanctuary, was descride by a woman, where anon the
wherryman fell on him, murthered him, and cast his mangled
corpes alond by Saint Marie Overys."
As for the date of his death, we may learn it out of his epi-
taph on his tomb in the church of Saint Martin's in the Fields,
London :
" Hie jacet Thomas Barret, prenobilis Armiger ; qui quidem
Thomas erat abstractus de sanctuario Beati Petri Westmonas-
terii, et crudeliter interfectus per manus impiorum, contra le-
ges Angliee, et totius universalis Ecclesie privilegia et jura, anno
Domini 1461, et anno illustrissimi Regis Edwardi Quarti post
Conquestum primo. Sub eodem quoque jnarmoreo lapide Jo-
hannes Barret ejusdem Thome primogenitus sepelitur, qui qui-
dem Johannes obiit die anno . . . ."
This family of the Barrets received much wealth by the
daughter and heir of Bellhouse, of Bellhouse (an ancient and
fair seat in the parish of Averly in this county) ; and some few
years since determined in Sir Edward Barret, knight, lord baron
of Newburg in Scotland, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster ;
a hospital housekeeper, and founder of an alms-house in Avely
aforesaid. He adopted Lennard, esquire (son to the
Lord Dacres by the daughter of the Lord North) heir to his es-
tate, on condition he should assume the surname of Barret.
SHERIFFS
OF ESSEX AND HERTFORDSHIRE.
Anno HEN. II. Anno
1 Rich. Basset, et Albericus 28 Oto films Willielm. for
de Verr. six years.
2 Rich, de Lucy.
3 Mauricus. RICH. i.
4 1 Oto films Willielm.
5 Mauricus de Tireter, for 2 Idem.
five years. 3 Galf. filius Petri.
10 Tullus Bovilla. 4 Galf. filius Petri, et
11 Nich. Decanus, for four Rich. Heriett.
years. 5
15 Nich. Decanus et Steph. 6 Galf. filius Petri, et
de Bell. Campo dimid. Simon Pateshalla.
anno. 7 Will, de Long. Campo,
16 Rob. Mantellus, for twelve Cane. Dom. Regis.
years. 8 Reginall, de Argento.
2 2
530
WORTHIES OF ESSEX,
Anno
9 Regind. de Argent, et
Hug. de Nevil, et
Hum. de Barton.
10 Hugo de Nevill, et
Johan de Nevill.
JOHAN.
1 Hugo de Nevill, et
Johan de Nevill.
2 Idem.
3 Rich de Montfitchet, et
Joh. de Cornheard.
4 Rich, de Montfichet.
5 Rich, de Montfitchet, et
Joh. de Cornheard.
6 Math. Mantell Com. for
four years.
10 Joh. Mantell.
11 Albic. Willielm. films Ful-
conis.
12 Comes Aibericus, et
Idem Willielm. for four
years.
16 Math. Mantell, et
Galf. Roinges.
17 Rob. Mantell fr. et
H. Matheus Mantell.
HEN. III.
1
2 Will. Marescallus, et
Joh. de Cornerd.
3 Walt, de Udon.
4 Rob. Mantell.
5 Steph. de Segne, et
Rad. filius Reginal.
6 Idem.
7 Steph. de Segne, et
Petr. de Sto Edward.
8 Rich, de Argentoem, et
Will, de Culcword, for
nine years.
17 Rob. de Walsh.
18 Will, de Hollewell.
19 Will de Coleworth.
20 Petr. de Tany, for four
years.
24 Bartr. de Crioll.
Anno
25 Joh. de Walton.
26 Idem.
27 Rich, de Munfichet, for
four years.
31 Will, filius Regind. for four
years.
35 Rich, de Whitsand.
36 Hen. de Helegton.
37
38 Idem.
39 Rad. de Ardene.
40 Idem.
41 Tho. de Dameden.
42 Hub. de Monte Cam.
43 Idem.
44 Rich, de Taney.
45 Rich, de Taney, et
Math, de la Mare.
46 Math, de la Mare.
47 Idem.
48 Idem.
49 Nich. le Epigornell.
50 Nich. de Sathrich.
51 Idem.
52 Idem.
53 Joh. de Kammell, et
Walt, de Essex.
54 Will, de Blunvill.
55 Idem.
56 Walt de Essex.
EDW. I.
1 Walt, de Essex.
2 Idem.
3 Tho. de Sandivic.
4 Laur. de Scio.
5 Idem.
6 Idem.
7 Will, de San. Caro.
8 Regin. de Ginges, for five
years.
13 Idem, et
Will, de Lamburne.
14 Idem.
15 Hugo de Blound.
16 Idem.
17 Rad. de Boxstede.
18. Idem.
SHERIFFS.
531
Anno
19 Hen. Grapnill.
20 Idem.
21 Will, le Grose.
22 Will, de Sutton.
23 Idem.
24 Idem.
25 Simon de Bradenham.
26 Idem.
27 Idem.
28 Joh. de Le.
29 Idem.
30 Will, de Harpden.
31 Joh. de Bassenburne.
32 Idem.
33 Joh. de la Le.
34 Idem.
35 Joh. de Harpessend.
EDW. II.
1 Wall, de Bauds.
2 Alanus de Goldingham.
3 Idem.
3 Gafr. de la Le, et
Joh. de la Hay.
5 Idem.
6 Joh. Aignell.
7 Joh. Ward de Hoo.
8 Rich. Perers, for four
years.
12 Johan. de Vouret, et
Rad. Giffard.
13 Idem.
14 Nich. Engayn.
15 Idem.
16 Adam Frances.
17 Tho. Gobium.
18 Rich, de Perers.
19 Idem.
EDWARD III.
1 Rich. Perers.
2 Will. Baud.
3 Rich, de Perers.
4 Idem.
Anno
5 Joh. de Wanton.
6 Joh. de la Hay, et
Joh. de Wanton.
7 Joh. de la Hay, et
Adam de Bloy.
8 Will. Baud et Adam Bloy.
9 Joh. de Coggeshall, for five
years.
14 Idem et Will, de Wanton.
15 Will. Atte Moore.
16 Hen. Gernet.
17 Idem.
18 Joh. de Cogeshall.
19 Idem.
20 Joh. de Cogeshall, for four
years.
24 Pet. de Boxstede.
25 Tho. Lacy.
26 Joh. de Cogeshall.
27 Idem.
28 Idem.
29 Hugo Fitz-Simond.
30 Will, de Enefeld.
31 Tho. de Chabham.
32 Idem.
33 Roger le Louth.
34 Idem.
35 Hugo Blount.
36 Will, de Leyre.
37 Guido de Boys.
38 Tho. Fittling.
39 Joh. Jernoun.
40 Tho. de Helpeston.
41 Joh. Oliver.
42 Tho. Chardlowe.
43 Joh. Heuxteworth.
44 Idem.
45 Tho. Basingborn.
46 Will. Baud.
47 Joh. de Broumpton.
48 Joh. Filiol.
49 Edw. Fitz Simond.
50 Joh. Battail.
51 Rob. Fitz Williams,
RICHARD I.
7. WILL, de LONGO CAMPO, CANCELLARIUS DOM. REGIS. —
This is that insolent bishop of Ely, our chroniclers having so
much anger at his pride, and no pity at his downfall. He seems
532 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
a riddle to me, who was lord chancellor of England (a Norman
by birth), and could not speak a word of English.* It seems
chancery-suits in that age were penned and pleaded in French.
KING JOHN.
1. HUGO de NEVIL, et JOHAN. de NEVIL. — Hugh was he
who attended king Richard the First, and slew a lion in the
Holy Land ; a great benefactor to Waltham Abbey, in which
church he was buried, f John was his son, to whom Matthew
Paris J giveth this testimony, " Non ultimus inter Angliae no-
biles patris sui pedententim sequens vestigia." These worthy
persons in my " Ecclesiastical History" I mistook for the ances-
tors of (who were but the allies to) the honourable family of the
Nevills ; being since informed, that the issue-male of this Hugh
and John is long since extinct.
EDWARD II.
1. WALTER de BAUD, — This ill-sounding surname is both
ancient and honourable. Some§ do deduce it from Baden, a
marquisate in Germany ; and most sure it is, that they here
have flourished twelve generations, as followeth : 1. Sir Si-
mon Baud, or Bauld, knight, died in the Holy Laud, 1174.||
2. Sir Nicholas Baud, knight, died at Galicia in Spain, 1189.
3. Sir Walter Baud, knight, died at Coringham (in this county)
1216. 4. Sir William Baud, knight, died at Coringham, 1270.
5. Sir Walter de Baud, sheriff this year, died at Coringham,
1310. 6. Sir. William de Baud, died at Coringham, 1343.
7. Sir John de Baud, knight, died in Gascoigne, 1346. 8. Sir
William de Baud, knight, died at Hadham Parva, 1375, thrice
sheriff under king Edward the Third. 9. Thomas Baud (the
first esquire of his line) died at Hadham aforesaid, 1420. 10.
Thomas Baud, the second esquire, died at Hadham, 1449; he
was sheriff in the 25th of king Henry the Sixth. 11. Sir Tho-
mas Baud, knight, died in London, 1500. 12. John Baud,
esq. died at Coringham, 1550.
The Bauds held land in this county of the dean and chapter
of Saint Paul's, by paying a fee-buck and doe in their seasons.
They were brought (alive, as I take it) in procession to the
high altar in the church, where the dean and chapter met
them, apparelled in copes (embroidered with bucks and does,
the gift of the Bauds to their church) with garlands of roses
on their heads ; and then the keeper who brought them
blowed their deaths, which was answered by the company
of Homers in London resounding the same.^1" Other cere-
monies were used," better befitting their mouths who cried out
* Godwin, in Ep. Elien. Anglicanse Hngiue omnino ignarus.
f Matthew Paris, anno 1222. + Ad annum 1245.
§ Verstegan, in names of Contempt.
II Weever's Funeral Monuments, p. 602.
1 Stow's Survey of London, in Farringdon- ward.
SHERIFFS. 533
" Great is Diana of the Ephesians," * than the ministers of
the Gospel. Some seemed to excuse it, as done in comme-
moration of the property of that place, altered to a Chris-
tian church, from a temple of Diana.f I suspect the Bauds
extinct in Essex, and understand them extant in Northamp-
amptonshire.
SHERIFFS OF ESSEX AND HERTFORDSHIRE.
RICHARD II.
Anno Name and Arms. Place.
1 Rob. Goldington.
Arg. two lions passant Az<
2 Joh. Fitz-Simonds.
Arg. three escutcheons G.
3 Edw. Bensted.
4 Joh. Seawale.
S. a chevron betwixt three gad-bees Arg.
5 Will. Godmanston.
6 Galf. de Dersham.
7 Tho. Battaile.
G. a griffin segreant within a border engrailed O.
8 Joh. Walton.
Arg. a flower-de-luce G.
9 Galf. Brockhole.
10 Joh. Bigwin.
11 Idem.
12 Hen. English.
13 Walt, atte Lee.
14 Galf. MichelL
15 Will. CogeshaU, mil. . Cogg<3shall.
Arg. a cross between four escalops S.
16 Adam Frances.
17 Tho. CogeshaU . . . ut prim.
18 Tho. Sampkin.
19 Will. Bateman.
S. three lions dormant Arg.
20 Idem ut prius.
•21 Idem ut prius.
22 Idem ut prius*
HENRY IV.
1 Edw. Bensted.
2 Joh. Heward, et
Will. Marvy.
S Helmingus Legett.
Erm. a lion rampant G.
* Acts xix. 28. f Camden's Britannia, in Middlesex.
534 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
Anno Name. Place.
4 Tho. Swinborn.
G. three boars' heads couped, and crusyle of crosses Arg.
5 Idem ut prius.
6 Edw, Bensted.
7 Gerar. Braibrooke,
Arg. six mascles conjoined, 3, 2, and 1., G.
8 Elming. Legett . . . ut prius.
9 Will. Loveney.
10 Joh. Walden.
11 Tho. Aston.
Per fess Arg. and • S. in fess two flower-de-luces, lying
each to other between three mullets counterchanged.
12 Will. Cogeshall . . . ut prius.
HENRY V.
1 Joh. Tirrel .... Heron.
Arg. two chevrons Az. within a border engrailed G.
2 Joh. Hayward, mil.
3 Tho. Barre, mil.
4 Lodovi. Johan.
5 Regin. Malyns.
6 Joh. Haward, mil.
7 Rob. Darcy .... Danbury.
Arg. three cinquefoils G.
8 Lodov. Johan.
9 Idem, et
Will. Loveny.
HENRY VI.
1 Joh. Tirrell . . . . ut prius.
2 Maur. Bruyn, mil. . . S. Okenton.
Az. a cross moline O.
3 Joh. Barley.
Erm. three bars wavy S.
4 Joh. Doreward . . . Bocking.
5 Conandus Aske.
6 Tho. Tirrell .... ut prius.
7 Joh. Hotoft. ,
8 Nich. Rikhall.
9 Hen. Langley ... Rickling.
10 Nich. Thorley, mil.
11 Joh. Durward.
12 Rob. Whittington.
13 Galf. Rokhill.
14 Maur. Bruyn, mil. . . ut prius.
15 Edw. TirrelL .... ut prius.
16 Rich. Alread.
17 Rob. Whittington.
SHERIFFS.
535
Anno
Name.
Place.
ut prius.
21
22
23
28
29
35
36
37
38
Coringham.
18 Rich. Whitherton.
19 Job. Tirrell ...
20 Rad. Astley.
Nich. Morley.
Arg. a lion rampant S, crowned O.
Joh. Hende.
Tho. Tirrell .... ut prius.
24 Tho. Pigot.
25 Tho. Baud ....
G. three chevrons Arg.
26 Joh. Hende, jun.
27 Geo. Langham.
Arg. a fess G. and a label of three points Az.
Galf. Rockhill.
Phil. Bottiller . . . Wood-hall.
G. a fess compone Arg. and S. betwixt
crosslets O.
30 Tho. Barington, arm. . Barrington-hall.
Arg. three chevrons G. a label of three points Az.
31 Joh. Godmanston.
32 Tho. Cobham, mil.
33 Hum. Bahun.
34 Rich. Bothe.
Joh. Hende, jun.
Lodovi. John.
Rad. Darcy ...
Tho. Tirrell mil. .
sx crosses
ut prius.
ut prius.
EDWARD IV.
1 Tho. Juce.
2 Tho. Langley, arm.
3 Idem.
4 Joh. Clay, mil.
5 Rog. Ree, arm.
6 Lau. Rainford, mil.
7 Hen. Barley, arm. . . ut prius.
8 Will. Firlon, mil.
9 Walt. Writell, arm.
10 Rad. Bamde, arm.
11 Walt. Writell, arm.
12 Rog. Ree, mil.
13 Alur. Cornbrugh, arm.
14 Joh. Sturgion, arm.
15 Rich. Hant, arm.
16. Hen. Langley, arm.
17 Will. Green, arm.
Arg. a cross engrailed G.
536 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
Anno Name. Place.
18 Alur. Cornburgh.
19 Job. Wode.
20 Job. Sturgion.
21 Tho. Tirrell .... ut prius.
22 Job. Fortescue, arm.
Az. a bend engrailed Arg. cotised O.
RICHARD III.
1 Will. Say.
Quarterly, O and G.
2 Job. Sturgeon.
3 Rob, Percy, mil. et
Job. Fortescu, mil. . ut prius.
HENRY VII.
1 Job. Fortescue, mil. . ut prius.
2 Hen. Marny, arm.
G. a lion rampant gardant Arg.
3 Will. Pirton, mil.
Erm, on a chevron engrailed Az. three leopards' heads O.
4 Hen. Teye, arm.
Arg. a fess between three martlets in chief, and a chevron
in base Az.
5 Job. Bottiler, arm. . ut prius.
6 Rob. Turbervile . . . DORSET.
Erm. a lion rampant G. crowned O.
7 Job. Berdefeild, arm.
8 Hen. Marny . . . . ut prius.
9 Ri. Fitz-Lewis, mil. . Thorndon, E.
S. a chevron betwixt three trefoils Arg.
10 Rob. Plummer.
11 Will. Pulter .... Hitching.
Arg. a bend voided S.
12 Rob. Newport, arm. . Petha' Furnis.
13 Tho. Perient, arm. . . Diggeswell.
G. three crescents Arg.
14 Job. Verney, mil.
Az. on a cross Arg. five mullets G.
15 Rog. Wentworth, mil.
S. a chevron betwixt three leopards' heads O.
16 Hen. Teye, mil. . . . ut prius.
17 Will. Pirton, arm. . . ut prius.
18 Hum. Torrell, arm.
G. three bulls' heads couped O.
19 Will. Skipwith, arm. . LINCOLNSHIRE.
Arg. three bars G. ; in chief a greyhound coursant S.
20 Idem ut prius.
SHERIFFS. 537
Anno Name. % Place.
21 Rob. Darcy, arm. . . ut prius.
22 Joh. Broket, arm. . . Broket-hall.
O. a cross patonce S.
23 Idem ut prius.
24 Hum. Torell, arm. . . ut prius.
HENRY VIII.
1 Joh. Levinthorpe, arm.
Arg. a bend gobonated G. and S. between two cotises of
the second.
2 Will. Litton, arm. . . Kebworth.
Erm. on a chief indented Az. three crowns ducal O.
3 Anth. Darcy, arm. . . ut prius.
4 Edw. Tirrell, arm. . . ut prius.
5 Joh. Seintler, arm,
6 Will. Fitz Williams.
Lozengee, Arg. and G.
7 Joh. Veer, arm.
Quarterly, G. and O. ; in the first a mullet Arg.
8 Wist. Browne, mil.
9 Tho. Tirrell, mil. . . ut prius.
10 Joh. Cut, mil.
Arg. on a bend engrailed S. three plates.
11 Joh. Veer, mil. . . . ut prius.
12 Tho. Bonham, arm.
13 Tho. Teve, mil. . : . ut prius.
14 Joh. Christmas, arm.
15 Hen. Barley, arm. . . ut prius.
16 Joh. Veer, mil. . . . ut prius.
17 Tho. Leventhorp, arm. . ut prius.
18 Tho. Bonham, arm.
19 Edw. Tirrell, arm. . . ut prius.
20 Egid. Capell, mil. . . Hadham.
G. aTion rampant betwixt three crosses botonne fitche Q.
21 Joh. Bollis, arm. . . . Wallington, H.
Arg. on a chevron betwixt three boars5 heads couped S.
as many scallops O. within a border V. bezantee.
22 Joh. Broket, arm. . . ut prius.
23 Joh. Smith, arm.
24 Phil. Butler, mil. . . ut prius.
25 Bri. Tuke, mil.
Partie per fess indented Az. and G. three lions passant in
pale O.
26 Will. West, mil.
27 Tho. Perient, sen. arm. ut prius.
28 Hen. Parker, mil.
Arg. a lion passant G. between two bars S. thereon three
538 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
Anno Name. ,-Place.
besants ; in chief as many bucks' heads cabossed of the
third.
29 Joh. Rainsford, mil.
30 Joh. Smith, arm.
31 Phil. Butler, mil. . . ut prius.
32 Joh. Mordant, mil. . . BEDFORDSHIRE.
Arg. a chevron inter three etoiles S.
33 Rad. Rowlet, arm. . . St. Alban's, H.
34 Joh. Bowles, et . . . ut prius.
Joh. Sewstes.
35 Joh. Wentwarth, arm. . ut prius.
36 Anth. Cook, arm. . . Gidy-hall, E.
O. a chevron cheeky G. and Az. betwixt three cinque-,
foils of the last.
37 Rob. Litton, arm. . . ut prius.
38 Joh. Coningsby ... South Mims.
G. three conies seiant within a border engrailed Arg.
Edw. Broket .... ut prius.
EDWARD VI.
1 Edw. Broket, arm. . . ut prius.
2 Joh. Cook, arm. . . . ut prius.
3 Joh. Gates, mil. . . . High Easter.
4 Geo. Norton, mil.
5 Hen. Tirrell, mil. . . . ut prius.
6 Tho. Pope, mil.
Partie per pale O. and Az. ; on a chevron between three
griffins' heads erased, four flower-de-luces all counter-
changed.
PHIL. ET MARY.
1 Jo. Wentworth, mil. . ut prius.
2 Edw. Broket, arm. . . ut prius.
3 Will. Harris, arm. et
Tho. Sylesden, arm.
O. on a bend Az. three cinquefoils of the field.
4 Joh. Botler, mil. . . . ut prius.
5 Tho. Pope, mil. . . . ut prius.
6 Tho. Mildmay, arm. . Chehnsford.
Arg. three lions rampant Az.
ELIZ. REG.
1 Rad. Rowlet, mil.
2 Edw. Capell, mil. . . ut prius.
3 Tho. Golding, mil.
G. a chevron O. inter three besants.
4 Tho. Barington, arm. . ut prius.
SHERIFFS. 539
Anno Name. Place.
5 Hen. Fortescu, arm. . ut prius.
6 Will. Aylifle, arm.
S. a lion rampant O. collared G. between four crosses
patee of the second.
7 Rob. Chisler, arm.
8 Joh. Buket, arm.
SHERIFFS OF THIS SHIRE ALONE.
ELIZ. REG.
9 Geo. Tuke, esq. . . . ut prius.
10 Tho. Lucas, esq. . . . Colchester.
Arg. a fess betwixt six annulets G.
11 Tho. Golding, knt. . . ut prius.
12 Jam. Altham, esq. . . Mark-hall.
[See his Arms, p. 371.]
13 Edw. Barret, esq. . . Bell-house.
14 Tho. Mildmay, knt. . . ut prius.
15 Arth. Harris, esq. . . ut prius.
16 Edw. Pirton, esq. . . ut prius.
17 Joh. Peter, knt. . . . Writtle.
G. a bend between two escalops Arg.
18 Wistan Brown, esq.
19 Gab. Pointz, esq.
Barry of eight, O. and G.
20 Ed. Huddleston, esq. . CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
G. frettee Arg.
21 Henry Capell, esq. . . ut prius.
22 Tho. Barington, knt. et . ut prius,
Tho. Darcy, esq. . . ut prius.
23 Joh. Wentworth . . . ut prius.
24 Thomas Tay, esq. . . ut prius,
25 Tho. Lucas, knt. . . . ut prius.
26 Hen. Apleton, esq.
Arg. a fess engrailed betwixt three apples G. slipped V.
27 Bria. Darcy, esq. . . . ut prius.
28 Arth. Harris, esq. . . ut prius.
29 Rob. Wroth, esq. . . Loughton.
Arg. on a bend S. three leopards' heads erased of the first,
crowned O.
30 Edm. Hudleston, knt. . ut prius.
31 Gabr. Poyns, esq. . . ut prius.
32 Rad. Wiseman, esq.
S. a chevron Erm. betwixt three cronels of spears Arg.
33 Rich. Warren, esq.
34 Joh. Wentworth, esq. . ut prius.
35 Hum. Mildmay, esq. . ut prius.
36 Will. Ayloffe, esq. . . Braxted.
Arms, ut prius.
540 WORTHIES OP ESSEX.
Anno Name. Place.
37 Edw. Saliard, esq.
38 Geo. Harvey, esq.
39 Tho, Mildmay, esq. . . ut prius.
40 Will. Harris, esq. . . ut prius.
41 Jer. Weston, esq.
O. an eagle displayed S. the head regardant.
42 Tho. Meade, knt.
G. a chevron Erm. betwixt three trefoils Arg.
43 Hen. Smith, esq.
44 Rich. Franke, esq.
45 Hen. Maynard, knt.
et 1 Jac. . . . Easton.
Arg. a chevron Az. betwixt three hands G.
JAC. REX
1 Hen. Maynard, knt. . ut prius.
2 Tho. Rawlins, esq.
S. three swords bar- ways, blades Arg. hilts O.
3 Joh. Sammes, knt.
O. a lion rampant S. vulnerated in the mouth.
4 Gam. Capel, knt. * . ut prius.
5 Hen. Maxey, knt.
G. a fess betwixt three talbots' heads erased Arg.
6 Rog. Apleton, esq. . . ut prius.
7 Tho. Mildmay, knt. . . lit prius.
8 Joh. Dean, knt.
S. a fess Erm. betwixt three chaplets Arg.
9 Tho. Wiseman, knt. . ut prius.
10 Hen. Leigh, knt.
11 Ro. Worth, mort. et
Edr. Elrington, esq. . ut prius.
Arg. a fess dancette S. bezanty, between five Cornish
choughs, three above, two below.
12 Har. Grimston, knt. . Bradfield.
Arg. on a fess S. three spur-rowels O.
13 Will. Smith, esq.
14 Tho. Lucas, esq. . . ut prius.
15 Pau. Bayning, k. et b. . Bentley.
16 Tho. Bendish, bar. . . Bumsted.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three rams' heads erased Az.
17 Will. Smith, knt.
18 Will. Pert, esq.
Arg. on a bend Az. three mascles O.
19 Ste. Soame, knt.
20 Tho. Gourney,knt.
21 Caro. Prat, esq.
22 Edr. Botelar, esq. . ut prius.
SHERIFFS. 541
CAR. REX.
Anno Name. Place.
1 Arth. Harris, knt. . . ut prius.
2 Hug. Everard, esq. . . Much-Waltham.
Arg. a fess wavy between three stars G.
3 Tho. Nightingale, esq. k Newport-P.
Erm. a rose G.
4 Hen. Mildmay, knt. . Graces.
Arms, ut prius.
5 Edr. Allen, bar. . . . Hatfeld Pri.
S. a cross potent O.
6 Tho. Bendish, bar.
Arms, ut prius.
7 Joh. Meade, knt. . . ut prius.
8 Hen. Smith, esq.
9 Ric. Saltonstalt, knt.
10 Cran. Harris, knt. . . Woodham-Mortimere.
Arms, ut prius.
11 Hum. Mildmay, knt. . Danbury.
Arms, ut prius.
12 Joh. Lucas, esq. . . . ut prius.
13 Will. Lucking, bar. . . Waltham.
S. a fess indented betwixt two leopards' heads O.
14 Will. Wiseman, bar. . Canfield-hall.
Arms, ut prius.
15 Marl. Lumley, esq. . Bardfield M.
16 Rob. Luckin, esq. . . ut prius.
17 Rob. Smith, esq.
18
19 Tim. Middleton, esq.
20 Rich. Everard, bar. . ,. ut prius.
21 Ri. Harlakenden, esq.
Az. a fess Erm. betwixt 3 lions' heads erased O.
22 Joh. Pyot, esq.
Az. on a fess O, a lion passant G. ; in chief three bezants.
HENRY VI.
29. PHILIP BOTTILLER. — He was son to Philip Bottiller,
knight, who lieth buried in Walton church in Hertfordshire,
with the following inscription :
ee Hie jacet corpus Domini Philippi Butler, Militis, quondam
Domini de Woodhall, et hujus Ecclesie Patroni, qui obiit in
Festo Sancti Leonardi, anno Domini M.CCCC.XXI. et Regis Hen-
rici Quinti post Conquestum ultimo. Cujus anime propitietur
Deus. Amen/'
These Butlers are branched from Sir Ralph Butler, baron of
Wem in Shropshire, and his wife, heir to William Pantulfe, lord
of Wem, soon after the entry of the Normans ; and still flourish
in deserved esteem, at Woodhall in Hertfordshire.
542 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
HENRY VII.
2. HENRY MA RNY5 Arm. — Till disproved with clear evidence
to the contrary, this Henry Marny, esquire, shall pass with me
for him who was then servant, afterwards executor, to the king's
mother, the Lady Margaret, countess of Richmond ; the very
same who afterwards was knighted, made chancellor of the du-
chy, and created Lord Marny, by king Henry the Eighth ; and
whose daughter and sole heir, Elizabeth, was, with a fair inherit-
ance, married to Thomas Howard, Viscount Bindon.
HENRY VIII.
6. WILLIAM FITZ WILLIAMS, Arm. — I cannot exactly design
his habitation ; but conceive it not far from Waltham Abbey,
in the south-west part of this county ; because he bequeathed
fifty pounds to mend the highways betwixt Chigwell and Co-
pers-hall.* He was afterwards knighted by king Henry the
Eighth, on a worthy occasion ; whereof hereafter, in his Sheriff-
alty of Northamptonshire, in the fifteenth of king Henry the
Eighth. He bequeathed one hundred pounds to poor maids'
marriages ; forty pounds to the university, &c. ; and delivering
a catalogue of his debtors into the hands of his executors, he
freely forgave all those over whose names he had written " Amore
Dei remitto."t
14. JOHN CHRISTMAS, Arm.— Such will not wonder at his
surname, who have read the Romans cognominated Januarius,
Aprilis, &c. Yea, Festus himself is well known in Scripture, J
probably so called from being born on some solemn festival ;
the occasion, no doubt, of this sheriff's surname at the first.
If the name be extinct in Essex, it remaineth in other coun-
ties ; and the city of London, where - - Christmas, esquire
(a great promoter of my former and present endeavours) must
not by me be forgotten.
25. BRIAN TUKE, Knight. — He was treasurer of the chamber
to king Henry the Eighth (as appears by his epitaph) ; and dy-
ing anno 1536, lieth buried with Dame Grissel his wife (deceas-
ing two years after him) under a fair tomb in the north aisle of
the choir of St. Margaret's in Lothbury, London. Leland giv-
eth him this large commendation, that he was " Anglicse linguae
eloquentia mirincus." Bale § saith, that he wrote observations
on Chaucer : as also against Polidore Vergil, for injuring the
English; of whom, then still alive, he justly and generously de-
manded reparations ; though since, his unresponsible memory
can make us no satisfaction.
* Stem's Survey of London, p. 90. f Idem, ibidem. J Acts xxiv. 27.
§ In his book entitled " Scriptores nostri temporis."
SHERIFFS. 543
EDWARD VI.
3. Sir JOHN GATES. — He was descended from Sir Geffry
Gates, knight, who, as appears by his epitaph in the church of
High Eastern, bought the Manor of Garnets, in that parish, of
one Koppenden, gentleman. This Sir Geffry was six years
captain of the Isle of Wight, and marshal of Calais; "and
there kept with the Pikards worshipful Warrys " (reader, it is
the language of his epitaph) ; and died anno Domini 1477-
As for this Sir John Gates, knight, descendant from the
said Sir Geffry, he is heavily charged with sacrilege in our
histories ; and, engaging with John Dudley duke of Northum-
berland in the title of queen Jane, he was beheaded the 22nd of
August, the first of queen Mary, 1553.
QUEEN ELIZABETH.
1. RALPH ROWLET, Knight.— He married one of the learned
daughters of Sir Anthony Cook, sister to the wives of the lord
chancellor Bacon and treasurer Cecil.* His family is now
extinct ; one of his daughters marrying into the then worshipful
(since honourable) family of the Maynards, and with her de-
volved a fair inheritance.
12. JAMES ALTHAM, Esq. — His arms (casually omitted in
our list) were, Paly of six, Erm. and Az. ; on a chief G. a lion
rampant O. His namesake, and direct descendant, now living
at Mark-hall, made Knight of the Bath at the coronation of
king Charles the Second, addeth with his accomplished civility
to the honour of his ancestors.
KING JAMES.
1. HENRY MAYNARD, Knight. — He was father to William
Maynard, bred at Saint John's College in Cambridge (where he
founded a logic professor) ; created baron of Wicklow in Ire-
land, and Easton in this county ; whose son William lord May-
nard hath been so noble an encourager of my studies, that my
hand deserveth to wither, when my heart passeth him by with-
out a prayer for his good success.
15. PAUL BAYNING, Knt. and Bar. — No doubt the same
person who afterwards was created viscount Bayning of Sud-
bury.f His son was bred in Christ-church, of most hopeful
parts (descended from the Sackvils by the mother's side) and
promising high performance to his country ; but, alas ! cut off
in the prime of the prime of his life. He left two daughters,
which (though married) left no issue ; J so that his large estate
* Camden's Elizabeth, in anno 1576. f In 1627 — ED.
J Sir Paul Bayning died in 1640. His widow was the only daughter and heiress
of Sir Robert Naunton. — ED.
VOL I. 2 N
544 WORTHIES OF ESSEX.
will be divided betwixt the children of his four sisters, wives to
the marquis of Dorchester, viscount Grandison, the lord Dacres
of the south, and Henry Murray, esquire of the bedchamber
to king Charles.
KING CHARLES.
12. JOHN LUCAS, Esq. — This worthy person, equalling his
extraction with his virtues, was at Oxford made baron by king
Charles the First. I understand he hath one sole daughter (to
whom I wish a meet consort, adequate to her birth and estate) ;
seeing the barony, begun in this lord, is suspicious in him
to determine.
THE BATTLES.
Though none in this county (the heart of the eastern asso-
ciation), yet the siege (anno 1648) of Colchester must not be
forgotten. Know then that the remnant of the royalists, routed
in Kent, with much difficulty recovered this county, the parlia-
ment's forces pursuing them. March much farther they could
not, such their weariness and want of accommodation : bid
battle to their numerous foes they durst not, which was to run in
the jaws of ruin ; wherefore they resolved to shelter themselves
for a time in Colchester.
Reader, pardon a digression. Winchester castle was by the
Long Parliament ordered to be made untenable ; but the over-
officious malice of such who executed the order (wilfully mis-
taking the word) made it untenantable. To apply the distinction
to Colchester ; all men beheld it as tenantable, full of fair
houses ; none as tenable in an hostile way for any long time,
against a great army.
But see what diligence can do. In a few days they fortified
it even above imagination. Indeed the lining of the wall was
better than the facing thereof, whose stone outside was ruinous,
but the inside was well filled up with earth, which they valiantly
maintained. Nor was it general Fairfax they feared so much,
as general famine (that grand conqueror of cities) ; having too
much of the best sauce, and too little of the worst meat ; inso-
much that they were fain to make mutton of those creatures
which kill sheep, and beef of cattle which never wore horns, till
they were forced to submit to the worst (but best they could get)
of conditions.
Here these two worthy knights, Sir Charles Lucas and Sir
George Lisle (the one eminently a whole troop of horse, the
other a company of foot) were cruelly sentenced, and shot to
death ; whose bodies have since had a civil resurrection, re-
stored to all possible outward honour, by public funeral solem-
nities.
THE FAREWELL.
I wish the sad casualties may never return, which lately
have happened in this county ; the one, 1581, in the hundred
WORTHIES SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER. 545
of Dengy,* the other, 1648, in the hundred of Rochford and
Isle of Foulness (rented in part by two of my credible
parishioners, who attested it, having paid dear for the truth
thereof) ; when an army of mice, nesting in ant-hills, as conies
in burroughs, shaved off the grass at the bare roots, which
withering to dung was infectious to cattle. The March follow-
ing, numberless flocks of owls from all parts flew thither, and
destroyed them, which otherwise had ruined the- country, if
continuing another year. Thus, though great the distance
betwixt a man and a mouse, the meanest may become for-
midable to the mightiest creature by their multitudes ; and this
may render the punishment of the Philistines more clearly to
our apprehensions, at the same time pestered with mice in their
barns, and pained with emerods in their bodies.f
* Stow's Chronicle, anno cifcat. f l Sam. vi- n-
WORTHIES OF ESSEX WHO HAVE FLOURISHED SINCE THE
TIME OF FULLER.
Thomas COOKE, miscellaneous writer; born at Braintree
Sir William DA WES, archbishop of York; born at Lyons 1670.
Mary Wollstonecraft GODWIN, author of "Rights of Women ;"
born 1759; died 1798.
John HARRIOTT, agricultural author and experimentalist ; born
at Great Stanbridge 1?45.
Sir Richard JEBB, physician; born at Stratford 1729.
Smart LETHIEULLIER, antiquary ; born at Aldersbroke 1701;
died 1760.
John MASON, author of " Self Knowledge/' dissenting divine ;
born at Dunmow 1706 ; died 1763.
Margaret duchess of NEWCASTLE, voluminous writer ; born at
St. John's near Colchester; died 1673.
Henry WINSTANLEY, architect (destroyed with his light-house
at Eddystone 1703).
* * Since the time of Fuller, this county has been fertile in historians. We have
Histories of Essex, by the Rev. N. Tindal, the Rev. P. Morant (1768), P. Muil-
man (1770), and Eliz. Ogborne (1814). There have also been published Dale's
History of Harwich and .Dover-court, &c. (1730) ; Farmer's History of Walthani
Abbey (1735) ; Strutt's History of Colchester (1789); and Cough's History of
Fleshy (1803) — ED.
2 N 2
GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE hath Worcester and Warwick-shire on the
north, Oxford and Wilt-shire on the east, Somersetshire on the
south, Herefordshire, with the river Wye, on the west ; extend-
ing from her South to North Avon 48 miles ; but lessened in
her broadest part, from east to west, to twenty eight. The Se-
vern runneth through it, entering this county as a river, in-
creasing in it to an estuary, and becometh little less than a sea
before it departs out of it.
Some affirm that this county was anciently like the land of
Gerar,* wherein Isaac sowed and reaped an hundred fold t (the
greatest proportion of increase which the good ground in the
parable brought forth. J) But the same men seem to insinuate
that this shire, tired out with its over-fruitfulness, hath become
barren in these later times. True it is, as lions are said to be
tamed by watching, not suffering them to take any sleep, so the
most generous and vigorous land will in time be embarrened,
when always pinched with the plough, and not permitted to
slumber at all, and lie fallow some competent time ; otherwise,
with moderate respite and manuring, some tillage in this county
is as fruitful as in any other place. As for pasturage, I have
heard it reported from credible persons, that such the fruitful-
ness of the land nigh Slimbridge, that in spring time, let it be
bit bare to the roots, a wand laid along therein over night will
be covered with new grown grass by the next morning.
NATURAL COMMODITIES.
TOBACCO.
This lately grew in this county, but now may not. It was
first planted about Winchcomb, and many got great estates
thereby, notwithstanding the great care and cost in planting,
replanting, transplanting, watering, snailing, suckering, topping,
cropping, sweating, drying, making, and rolling it. But it hath
been prohibited of late by Act of Parliament, as hindering our
English plantation in the West Indies, abating the revenues of
* From whom Mr. Camden, in his Britannia, doth dissent,
f Genesis xxvi. 12. Matthew xiii. 8.
NATURAL COMMODITIES — MANUFACTURES. 54?
the state in customs and impost, and spoiling much of our good
ground, which might be employed for corn or cattle. As for
the praise of tobacco, with the virtues thereof, they may better
be performed by the pens of such writers whose palates have
tasted of the same.
OAK.
England hath the best in the world, not for fineness, but
firmness. Indeed outlandish oaks have a smaller grain, and
therefore fitter for wainscot; and whilst they make the best
linings, our English oak is the substantial outside.
The best in England is in Dean Forest in this county, and most
serviceable for shipping ; so tough that, when it is dry, it is
said to be as hard as iron. I have read,* that, in the reign of
queen Elizabeth, the Spaniard sent an ambassador over pur-
posely to get this wood destroyed (by private practices and cun-
ning contrivances) : who, had he effected his embassy, deserved
a good reward at his return. It is suspicious, if not timely pre-
vented, carelessness and waste will gratify the Spaniard with
what then he could not accomplish.
STEEL.
It is eldest brother of iron, extracted from the same ore,
differing from it not in kind, but degree of purity, as being the
first running thereof. It is more hard and brittle (whilst iron
is softer and tougher), useful for the making of English knives,
sithes, scissars, shears, &c. ; but fine edges cannot be made
thereof, as lancets for letting of blood, incision knives, dissect-
ing knives, razors, &c. I have been informed that Sir Basil
Brooke (the great steel maker in this county) his patent to pro-
hibit the importing of foreign steel was revoked on this account,
because that no artist could make the aforesaid instruments of
English steel, but must have it from Damascus, Spain, Flan-
ders," &c. As for iron, though plentiful in this, it may be treat-
ed of in another county with more conveniency.
MANUFACTURES.
CLOTHING.
As good as any in England, for fineness and colour, is wrought
in this county, where the clothiers have a double advantage.
First, plenty of the best wool growing therein on Cotswold hills ;
so that whereas clothiers in some counties fetch their wool far
off, with great cost, it is here but the removing it from the
backs of the sheep into their workshouses. Secondly, they have
the benefit of an excellent water for colouring their cloth, being
* Hartlib's Legacy, p. 4 9.
548 WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
the sweet rivulet of Stroud, which, arising about Branfield,
runneth across this shire into the Severn.
Now no rational man will deny occult qualities of perfection
in some above other waters (whereby Spanish steel, non natura
sed tinctura, becomes more tough than ours in England), as the
best reds (a colour which always carried somewhat of magis-
tracy therein) are dyed in Stroud-water. Hence it is that this
shire hath afforded many wealthy clothiers, whereof some may
seem in their looms to have interwoven their own names into
the clothes, called Webb's cloth and Clutterbuck's, after the
names of the first makers of them, for many years after.
MUSTARD.
The best in England (to take no larger compass) is made at
Tewkesbury in this county. It is very wholesome for the clear-
ing of the head, moderately taken ; and I believe very few have
ever surfeited thereof, because not granted time, but demanded
present payment for the penalty of excess, turning Democritus
himself presently to Heraclitus, as the husbandman poet doth
observe,
" Seque lacessenti fletum factura sinapis."*
It is generally used in England ; and the jest is well known,
of two serving men contesting about superiority, " My master,"
saith the one, " spends more in mustard than thine does in
beef." Whereunto the other returned, " The more saucy men
his followers."
But seriously, this should raise our gratitude to God for the
plentiful provisions of flesh and fish spent in this land ; when
mustard, a mere compliment to both, amounteth to more thou-
sands of pounds by the year than will be believed.
WINE.
This formerly grew in this county, but now doth not; witness
the many places therein still called vineyards, whereof one most
eminent nigh Gloucester, the palace of the bishop. And it ap-
pears by ancient records, that some towns in this shire paid
rent-wines in great proportions ; so that England, though it
doth \\Qtferre mnwn^ is ferdx vim, capable (especially in a hot
summer) to produce it to good perfection. But, in later ages,
this commodity hath been disused ; partly because better and
cheaper may be procured from beyond the seas, and partly be-
cause experience proveth other native liquors more healthful for
our English bodies.
CIDER.
We must not forget cider, anciently a native of this, since a
* Columella, in Hortulo.
BUILDINGS. 549
free denizen of all other counties, made of apples, here grown in
hedge-rows (which both fence and feed) in great abundance.
Such who deduce cider* from the Latin sicera, as that from the
Hebrew "Qt# (signifying any liquor which immoderately taken
doth intoxicate), make a more proper allusion therein, than true
deduction thereof. The Portuguese call it Vinho contrafeyto ;
and surely much claret and white is vended in England, which
grew in no other grapes than what apple trees afford. Some
maintain, that the coldness and windiness, easily correctable
with spice, is recompensed by temperate looseness, caused by
the moderate drinking thereof. But the staple use of cider is at
sea, where it quencheth thirst better than other liquor ; and, if
subject to corrupt in hot countries, quickly purgeth itself to a
pure constitution.
THE BUILDINGS.
The abbey (since cathedral) church of Gloucester is a beauti-
ful building, advanced by several successive abbots. It consist-
eth of a continued window work ; but hath the loudest praises
from the whispering-place therein. Take its manner from that
learned author, who, though it seems never seeing it, hath, by
his steady aim in philosophy, better guessed and described it
than I, who have been an ear and eye witness thereof:
" There is a church at Gloucester (and, as I have heard, the
like is in some other places) where, if you speak against a wall
softly, another shall hear your voice better a good way off, than
near hand. Enquire more particular of the fame of that place.
I suppose there is some vault, or hollow, or isle behind the
wall, and some passage to it, towards the farther end of that
wall, against which you speak; so as the voice of him that
speaketh slideth along the wall, and then entereth at some pas-
sage, and communicateth with the air of the hollow ; for it is
preserved somewhat by the plain wrall, but that is too weak to
give a sound audible, till it hath communicated with the back
air."f
The church, in all the siege of the city, and our civil wars,
was decently preserved ; which I observe to his commendation,
who was the governor thereof. Since, I have read that, by act
of parliament, it was settled on the city to maintain and repair,
and hope their practice hath proved precedential to other places
in the same nature.
As for civil structures in this county, our late wars laid a fin-
ger on Berkley, their arm on Sudley Castle (seated where the
vales and wolds meet), and the fair clasp to join them together
being in part plucked down. But their loins have been laid on
Cambden-house, one of the newest and neatest in England, built
* J. Minshew, in his Dictionary, on the word.
t Sir Francis Bacon, in his Natural History, Cent. ii. num. 148.
550 WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
by Baptist Hickes Viscount Cambden, pressed down to the very
foundation.
THE WONDERS.
There are frequently found, at Alderley in this county, oysters,
cockles, and periwinkles of stone. Such who conceive these
were formerly real shell-fish, brought so far by some accident
into the land, engage themselves in a sea of inextricable diffi-
culties. Others more probably account them to be lusus na-
turce : and know, that as "the foolishness of God is wiser than
men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men :"* so the
disportings of the God of nature are more grave than the most
serious employment of men : for such riddles are propounded
on purpose to pose those profound shallow Rabbies, counting
themselves of the cabinet, when they are scarcely of the com-
mon council, of Nature ; so unable to read such riddles, that they
cannot put the letters thereof together with any probability.
THE HIGRE.
Men as little know the cause of the name, as the thing
thereby signified. Some pronounce it the Eagre, as so called
from the keenness and fierceness thereof. It is the confluence
or encounter, as supposed, of the salt and fresh water in Severn,
equally terrible \vith its flashings and noise to the seers and
hearers ; and oh, how much more than to the feelers thereof !
If any demand why the Thames hath not an Higre as well as
the Severn, where we find the same cause, and. therefore why
meet we not with the same effects ? I re-demand of them why
is there not an Euripus with the same reciprocation of tides, as
well about the other Cyclides, as Eubcea alone ? Thus, in cases
of this kind, it is easier to ask ten than answer one question
with satisfaction. But hear how the poet describeth this
Higre :f
Until they be imbrac't
In Sabrin's sovereign arms : with whose tumultuous waves,
Shut up in narrower bounds, the Higre wildly raves ;
And frights the stragling flocks, the neighbouring shores to fly,
Afar as from the main it comes with hideous cry.
And on the angry front, the curled foam doth bring
The billows 'gainst the banks, when fiercely it doth fling,
Hurls up the slimy ooze, and makes the scaly brood
Leap madding to the land, affrighted from the flood ;
O'erturns the toiling barge, whose steersman doth not launch,
And thrusts the furrowing beak into Her ireful paunch.
As when we haply see a sickly woman fall
Into a fit of that which we the mother call ;
When from the grieved womb she feels the pain arise,
Breaks into grievous sighs, with intermixed cries,
Bereaved of her sense ; and struggling still with those
That 'gainst her rising pain their utmost strength oppose,
Starts, tosses, tumbles, strikes, turns, touses, spurns, and sprawls,
Casting with furious limbs her holders to the walls :
1 Cor, i 25. | Michael Drayton, in his Polyolbion.
WONDERS — PROVERBS. 551
But that the horrid pangs torments the grieved so,
One well might muse from whence this sudden strength should grow."
All that I will add is,, that, had this been known to the Roman
poet,* when he thus envied against his she-friend,
Tu levior cortice, et improbo
Jracundior Adrid
" Thou art more light, more angry than
The cork, and uncouth Adrian ;"
I say, had it been known, he would have changed Adria into
Higrea, the former being a very calm in comparison of the latter.
We will conclude all with that, which at first was a wonderV
fellow, until the strangeness thereof abated by degrees. There
is a kind of bird, as yet not known by any proper name, which
cometh in great companies, but seldom in this county, yet
oftener than welcome ; in bulk not much bigger than a sparrow,
which may seem to carry a saw, or rather a sithe, on his mouth ;
for, with his bill, which is thwarted crosswise at the end, he will
shave or cut an apple in two at one snap, eating only the kernels
thereof, spoiling more than he doth devour. They come about
harvest-time, when apples begin to be ripe ; so that these birds
may be said to drink up many hogsheads of cider, as destroying
them in their causes, and preventing the making thereof. The
like have been seen in Cornwall, where at first they were taken
(saith my author) f for a forboden token ; understand him for a
presage of ill success.
PROVERBS.
" As sure as God's in Gloucestershire."]
This proverb is no more fit to be used than a toad can be
wholesome to be eaten, which can never by mountebanks be so
dieted and corrected, but that still it remains rank poison.
Some, I know, seek to qualify this proverb, making God emi-
nently in this, but not exclusively out of other counties ; where
such the former fruitfulness thereof, that it is said to return the
seed with increase of an hundred fold. J Others find a super-
stitious sense therein, supposing God, by his gracious presence,
more peculiarly fixed in this county, wherein there were more
and richer mitred abbeys than in any two shires of England
besides. But, when all is done, the best use of this proverb is,
totally and finally to banish it out of the mouths and minds of
all mankind.
" You are a man of Duresley."]
It is taken for one that breaks his word, and faileth in per-
formance of his promises; parallel to Fides Graca, or Fides
Punica. Duresley is a market and clothing town in this
county, the inhabitants whereof will endeavour to confute and
* Horace. f Carew, Survey of Cornwall, fol. 25.
t William of Malmesbury, in his Book of Bishops.
552 WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
disprove this proverb ; to make it false now, whatsoever it was
at the first original thereof.
Besides, the worst places, in the midst of epidemical vicious-
ness, have afforded some exceptions from the wicked rule
therein. (f The Cretans are always liars,"* was the observa-
tions of a poet, and application of the apostle ; yet we find
some Cretans whom the Holy Spirit alloweth for "devout
men."f Thus, sure I am, there was a man of Duresley, who
was a man of men, Edward Fox by name, a right godly and
gracious prelate, of whom hereafter.J However, the men of
Duresley have no cause to be offended with my inserting this
proverb ; which if false, let them be angry with the author, the
first man that made it ; if true, let them be angry with the
subject, even themselves who deserve it.
" It is long in coming as Cotswold barley."]
It is applied to such things as are slow but sure. The corn
in this cold county on the Wolds, exposed to the winds, bleak
and shelterless, is very backward at the first ; but afterwards
overtakes the forwardest in the county, if not in the barn, in
the bushel, both for the quantity and goodness thereof.
" He looks as if he had lived on Tewksbury mustard."]
It is spoken partly of such who always have a sad, severe, and
tetric countenance;
" Si, ecastor, hie homo sinapi victitet,
Non censeam tarn tristem esse posse."§
Partly on such as are snappish, captious, and prone to take
exceptions, where they are not given, such as will crispare
nasum, in derision of what they slight or neglect.
" The Tracies have always the wind in their faces."]
This is founded on fond and false tradition ; which reporteth,
that, ever since Sir William Tracy was most active amongst the
four knights which killed Thomas Becket, it is imposed on
Tracies for miraculous penance, that whether they go by land
or by water, the wind is ever in their faces. If this were so, it
was a favour in a hot summer to the females of that family, and
would spare them the use of a fan. But it is disproved by
daily experience, there being extant at this day in this county
two houses, the one honourable, the other worshipful, growing
from the same root ; so that we see it is not now, and there-
fore believe that it was never, true. If any say that, after so many
generations, this curse at last is antiquated ; know that, accord-
ing to popish principles, it deserved rather to be doubted of
late, seeing no gentile family in England, since the Reformation,
have more manifested their cordial disaffection to Popery by
their sufferings and writings, as hereafter will appear.
* Titus i. 12. f Acts ii. 5-1 1. J In the title of PRELATES.
§ Plautus, in Truculento.
PRINCES — SAINTS MARTYRS. 553
PRINCES.
I cannot discover any prince who took his first hansel of life
in this county. Let not my unhappiness discourage the indus-
try of others in their inquiry herein.
SAINTS.
KENELME, son of Kenwolfe king of Mercia, succeeded his
father therein, being a child but of seven years old ; so that his
harmless years had not attained to any worldly guile, and his
virtuous inclination promised great hopes, when Quenrid, his
ambitious sister, caused him to be killed, as standing in her
way to the crown.
Solomon saith, " Curse not the king," (much less kill him)
ts no not in thy thought ; for a bird in the air shall carry the
voice, and that which hath wing shall tell the matter ; "* that
is, a discovery shall surely and swiftly be made, by remote,
unsuspected, and improbable means ; whereby it is thought the
murder of this infant king was revealed.
But I cannot believe what the Golden Legend relates, how
a white dove (which, belike, had seen the deed done) got it
engrossed in parchment, and, posting to St. Peter's in Rome,
laid it on the high altar to be read, where, in the Saxon cha-
racter, it was thus found.
" At Clenc, in cow-pasture, Kenelme the king's child lieth beheaded under a
thorn."
Others say (agreeing in all other particulars) the discovery
was made by an angel ;f and for fear they should fall out, it may
be thus accommodated, that the angel was in a dove-like appa-
rition. As for his sister Quenrid, she was so far from getting
the crown, that she is said to have lost her eyes, which fell out
of her head, and bloodied her primer (a woman's book, as it
seems in that age), whilst her brother's corpse was solemnly
buried at Winchcomb, and had in holy veneration.
MARTYRS.
JAMES BAYNAM, Esquire, son to Sir Alexander Baynam,
Knight, was born at in this county, J bred in
learning and knowledge of the Latin and Greek tongues. He
afterwards became a student of the law in the Middle Temple ;
and, when a pleader, was charitable to the poor in giving, to the
rich in moderating, his fees ; and, what was the crown of all
the rest, a true lover of the Gospel, in the dawning of Refor-
mation.
Saint Paul saith, " It is appointed for all men once to die ; "§
and yet the same apostle saith of himself, "in deaths often," ||
* Eccles. x. 20. f English Martyrology, in the 17th of July.
, J Fox, Acts and Monuments, p. 1027. § Heb. ix. 27.
II 2 Cor. xi. 23.
VOL. I. 2 N 6
554 WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
so many and great his pains and perils. And truly our Baynam
encountered often with death, so that a little Book of Martyrs
might be made of his sufferings.
. First, Sir Thomas More sent for him to Chelsea ; and, tying
him to a tree in his garden (called by him the Tree of Truth),
caused him to be most cruelly scourged, to make him renounce
his opinion. This not succeeding, Sir Thomas himself saw him
cruelly racked in the Tower, till at last he was persuaded to
abjure, and solemnly carried a torch and a faggot in the church
of St. Paul's.
Hereby he rather exchanged than escaped the fire ; finding
such a fire in his own conscience, he could not be at quiet, till,
in the church of St. Augustine's, the next parochial church to
St. Paul's (that the antidote might be brought as near as he
could conveniently to the place of the poison), he publicly re-
canted his recantation : for which he was afterwards kept a fort-
night in stocks in the bishop of London's coal-house, with irons
upon him, chained again by Sir Thomas More to a post two
nights, cruelly handled for a seven-night at Fulham, scourged for
a fortnight in the Tower, and at last sent to a second tree of
truth — I mean, to the stake ; whereat he was burned in Smith-
field, April 30, 1532.
Here Mr. Fox* reports a passage, which I cannot with credit
insert or omit ; but take it as I find it. When his arms and
legs were half consumed in the fire, he spake these words :
" O ye Papists, behold ye look for miracles, and here now
you may see a miracle ; for in this fire I feel no more pain, than
if I were in a bed of down ; but it is to me as sweet as a bed of
roses."
Soft and sweet both, to please the touch and smell ; a double
wonder. I believe it might be a falsehood, but no lie, in the
author reporting it, who possibly might be abused in his intel-
ligence. Secondly, it is possible that this good man, feeling so
much pain before/ might, through God's goodness, have none at
his death. Thirdly, this story may be kept on the deck, to
counterpoise the scales, against that of father Briant, a popish
priest, who reported himself cruelly racked in the Tower, and
yet " se nihil quicquam doloris sensisse," (that he felt not any
pain at all.)t Lastly, though our Saviour justly taxeth those
who were flpadelg rrf /cap^ig TOV TnaTf.vs.iv% (slow in heart to
believe) such things as were revealed in the Scripture, yet
neither God nor man will be offended with the incredulous in
such reports, attested only with human suspicious authority.
PRELATES.
TIDEMAN de WINCHCOMBE was born in this county, at the
* Page 1030.
T Sanders, de Schismate Anglican^, in his Diary, anno 1581, month of March.
J Luke xxiv. 25.
PRELATES. 555
market-town formerly famous for a rich abbey, now for plenty
of poor therein. He was preferred first abbot of Beule,* then
bishop of LlandafT, and lastly of Worcester, by king Richard the
Second's importunity to the Pope, notwithstanding one John
Green was fairly elected thereunto. This Tideman was the
king's physician, and very well skilled in that faculty.
Be it observed by the way, that I am daily more confirmed in
my opinion, that, till the last two hundred years, physic in Eng-
land was not a distinct profession from divinity, and the same
persons physicians and confessors to princes. Say not these
functions were inconsistent, the former usually departing, the
latter commonly coming to dying men : for the several profes-
sions did not jostle, but succeed one another ; so that, when
potion did end, unction did begin; a practice continued by
Popish priests in England at this day, gaining commodity and
concealment by being such pluralists in their profession, having
the most, best, and last privacy with their patients. This Tide-
man died anno Domino 1 400.
JOHN CHEDWORTH was born in this county,f and bred in
King's College in Cambridge, being the third scholarj that
came thereinto by election from Eton school, though some (I
confess) for a short time make him admitted into Merton Col-
lege in Oxford. He afterwards was the third provost of King's
College, possessing the place six years, till at last he was elected
bishop of Lincoln, He was joined in commission, by king
Henry the Sixth, with bishop Wainfleet of Winchester, to revise
and regulate the statutes of Eton and King's colleges. He sat
bishop about eighteen years; and, dying 147 1, lies buried in
his own cathedral, under a marble monument.
JOHN CARPENTER was (as my author§ rationally collecteth)
born at Westbury in this county; bred in Oriel College in
Oxford, whereof he became provost, and chancellor of the
university; thence preferred prefect of Saint Anthony's in
London, and at last bishop of Worcester. He was so indulgent
to Westbury, the place of his nativity, that of a mean he made
it a magnificent convent, more like a castle than a college ;
walling it about with turrets ; and making a stately gate-house
thereunto. He had a humorous intent to style himself and
successors (in imitation of Bath and Wells) bishops of Worces-
ter and Westbury ; which title (though running cleverly on the
tongue's end) never came in request, because therein impar con-
junctio, the matching of a collegiate and cathedral church toge-
ther. He died anno Domini 1475 ; and was buried in his native
town of Westbury. His tomb since his death (I will use my
* Beaulieu. — ED. f Godwin, in the Bishops of Lincoln.
% Hatcher's MS. in anno 1444. § Godwin, in his Bishops of Worcester.
556 WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
author's words,* hoping their ignorance, if alive, understands no
Latin) ; " a stolidis quibusdam nebulonibus pudendum in morem
mutulatur." As for the college of Westbury, it is the inherit-
ance of the right worshipful and hospital housekeeper, Ralph
Sadler, esquire ; and was, in these civil broils, unhappily burnt
down ; though those, who esteemed themselves judicious in
war, apprehended neither necessity thereof, nor advantage
thereby.
THOMAS RUTHALL, born at Cicester in this county ; bred in
Cambridge, where he commenced doctor of the laws, was by
king Henry the Seventh, for his great abilities, preferred to be
bishop of Durham. King Henry the Eighth made him of his
privy council, notwithstanding the hatred which cardinal Wolsey
bare unto him.
It happened king Henry employed him as a politic per-
son to draw up a breviate of the state of the land, which he
did, and got it fairly transcribed. But it fell out that, instead
thereof, he, deceived with the likeness of the cover and binding,
presented the king with a book containing an inventory of his
own estate, amounting to an invidious and almost incredible
sum of one hundred thousand pounds. t Wolsey, glad of this
mistake, told the king, f( he knew now where a mass of money
was, in case he needed it/' This broke RuthalPs heart, who
had paid the third part of the cost of making the bridge of
Newcastle-over-Tyne, and intended many more benefactions,
had not death (1523) on this vmexpected occasion surprised him.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
EDWARD Fox was born in Duresley in this county ; J bred
first in Eton, then in King's College in Cambridge, whereof
he was chosen provost, which place he kept until his deatli.
He was afterwards almoner to king Henry the Eighth. He first
brought doctor Cranmer to the knowledge of the king ; which
doctor first brought the king to the knowledge of himself, how
he stood in matter of marriage with the widow of his brother.
This doctor Fox was after bishop of Hereford, and was
(saith my author) " Reformationis ecclesiasticee illius tempore
coeptae clanculum fautor." § Let me add, he was the principal
pillar of the Reformation, as to the managery of the politic
and prudential part thereof; being of more activity, and no less
ability, than Cranmer himself. Martin Bucer dedicated unto
him his " Comment on the Gospels ;" yea, this bishop wrote
many books, whereof that f6 De differentia utriusque Potestatis "
was his master-piece. He was employed by the king on seve-
* Godwin, in the Bishops of Worcester.
f Godwin, in his Catalogue of the Bishops of Durham.
t Dr. Hatcher's MS. Catalogue of the Masters and Fellows of King's College.
§ Godwin, in his Catalogue of tne Bishops of Hereford.
STATESMEN — JUDGES WRITERS ON THE LAW. 55?
ral embassies into France and Germany ; and died, to the great
loss of God's church, May 8, 1538.
STATESMEN.
Sir RALPH BUTLER, Knight of the Garter, and Lord Sudeley
in this county, was lord treasurer of England about three years ;
viz. from the seventh of July in the 22nd year of king Henry
the Sixth, being the year of our Lord 1544, until the 25th year
of that king's reign. This lord built Sudeley castle in this
county, which of subjects5 castles was the most handsome habi-
tation, and of subjects' habitations the strongest castle. King
Edward the Fourth sent for him with such summons, that this
lord conjectured, and that truly enough, that it was but a pre-
face to his imprisonment : whereupon, going to London, and
resting himself on a hill, whence he did behold his own castle ;
" It is thou, Sudeley, it is thou," said he, " and not I, that am a
traitor ;" and so resigned the same at last into the hand of the
king, to procure his own liberty. So true it is, what Solomon
saith, ff The ransom of a man's life are his riches, but the poor
heareth not rebuke."* I find not the certain date of his death.
CAPITAL JUDGES, AND WRITERS ON THE LAW.
ANTHONY FITZ-HERBERT, for a long time justice of the
Common Pleas, was, as a good antiquaryt will have it, born
about Dean Forest in this county ; but is by another J (no whit
his inferior) on better evidence referred to Derbyshire, where
formerly we have placed his nativity.
Yea, I have been informed from excellent hands, the natives
of this county, that no capital judge of the three great courts
(though many of the Marches) was ever born in this county :
yet are they here as litigious as in other places. Sure I am,
that Gloucestershire did breed, if no judge, yet a plaintiff and
defendant of the primest quality, which betwixt them, with
many alternations, traversed the longest suit that ever I read in
England; for a suit was commenced betwixt the heirs of Sir
Thomas Talbot, Viscount Lisle, on the one party, and the heirs
of Lord Barkley, on the other, about certain possessions
lying in this county, not far from Wotton-under-Edge ; which
suit, begun in the end of king Edward the Fourth, was depend-
ing until the beginning of king James, when (and was it not
high time ?) it was finally determined.§
But the long barrenness of this county in judges may be re-
compensed with fruitfulness at last, the rather because Glouces-
tershire at this day sheweth two eminent ones, Mr. Justice At-
kins and Mr. Justice Hale, which grace the court of the Com-
mon Pleas || with their known ability and integrity.
* Prov. xiii. 8. f David Powel, in his History of Wales.
J Camden's Britannia, in Derbyshire.
§ Camden's Britannia, in Gloucestershire.
|| Sir Matthew Hale aud Sir Edward Atkins were both made Barons of the Exche-
quer in 1660, — ED.
WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
EDWARD TROTM AX. son of Edward Trotmau, esquire,
born at Cam nigh Duresley in this county; bred a student of
the law tin he became a bencher in the "inner Temple. He
wrote an abridgment of Sir Edwad Coke's eleven volumes of
had not roonev to
to peruse diem at large. Yea, such as have both
be profited thereby: for in my own profession, and in the
Book of books, even those who are best acquainted with the
in his
might not
prove oispendium to the reader thereof . And I verfty believe
-.-:: ^--.Ti.-.r.: -.--.• ::.r '.-—:.-. :'::. -..:.-" : - . Hv .* : :.rl
in die Temple church,* May 29. anno Domini
SOLDIERS.
Sir WILLIAM TRACT, of Toddington in this county, was a
of nigh both,
with king Henry the Second, on whom be
the first and fanrodest of
their hands in He blood of1
In his old age he went into Devonshire, where he had large
possessions, as may appear by so many IAMIIU bearing las sur-
name: 1. WoDooomb-TFacy. 2. Bori-Tracy. 3. Mmet-Trary.
4. Bradfoid-Tracy, &c.
It is reported that he intended a penitential pDgrimagr to Je-
i; but, AfjUiiig to sea, was eief crost with adverse winds.
He is conceived to fie boned in the parish church of Mort in
1190.
This is scarcely a maritime shire; rather bordering on the
an on the sea, having therein no cnmadrrahlff
Severn than
(Bristol being beheld as m city entire of itself) ; and therein emi-
nent seamen cannot he expected: yet one family herein hath
been most fortunate in such voyages, having their chief seat at
Lydney, in the forest of Dean; which hath afforded,
WILLIAM WINTER, Knight, and Vice-admiral of England,
1559, being then hot Mmdkimurmm i frmii •! •• JH «/i irfni (Eng-
fish it as yon please), he frighted the French in Edinbur^i
Frith, assaulting their fort in the Island of Inchkeith. 2. Anno
156/, he was sent with Sir Thomas South, with die sound of
the trumpet, and shooting of some canons, to
SEAMEN WRITERS. 559
tution of Calais of the French king. 3. Anno 1568, he con-
ducted a great treasure of the Genoan merchants safely into the
Netherlands, in despite of the French opposing him. 4. Anno
1576, he, with Robert Beale, clerk of the council, was employed
into Zealand, to demand the restitution of our ships, which they
had either taken, or did detain. 5. Anno 1588, he did signal
service in the station appointed him, coming in, though not in
the heat, in the cool of the day, when the Spanish fleet was
fallen towards the shore of Zealand, and were sadly sensible of
his valour.
I conceive him not to survive long after, because, if in life, he
would have been in action ; and, if in action, I should have
found him in Camdan's Elizabeth : and therefore, from no
mention, I conclude no motion, that about this time he
departed ; besides others of this family unknown to me, and
justly referred to this county, as their chief habitation. And
were the phrase as proper of men sailing, as fishes swimming in
the sea, I should say that Lydney house hath brought forth a shoal
of mariners ; so happy have they been in sea- voyages. One won-
dering how the English durst be so bold as to put to sea in all
weathers, it was returned, " that they were provided to sail in
all seasons, having both Winters and Summers on their side."*
The more the pity, that this worthy family of the Winters did
ever leave the element of water, to tamper with fire, especially
in a destructive way to their king and country .f
WRITERS.
OSBERNUS CLAUDIANUS, or Osbern of Gloucester, was bred
a Benedictine monk in the famous convent in that city. He
was learned, saith Lelahd, prater illius atatis sortem, (above
the standard of that age.) He was a good linguist, philosopher,
divine ; he used to give clearness to what was obscure, facility
to what was difficult, politeness to what was barbarous. Nor
wanted he a becoming facetiousness in his dialogues. He wrote
many books, dedicating them to Gilbert Foliot bishop of He-
reford ; as " A comment on the Pentateuch, dialogue-wise ;" as
also " On the incarnation, nativity, passion, and resurrection of
our Saviour." He wrote also a book called " Pan-Ormia," de-
dicating the same to Hamelin abbot of Gloucester. J
The title of this book minds me of a pretty passage in Tully. §
At a public Plea in Rome, Sisenna, an orator who defended his
client, affirmed, " that the crimes laid to his charge were but
crimina sputatilica :" to whom Rufius (the orator who managed
* Sir George Summers, of whom in Dorsetshire.
| This remark probably alludes to Thomas Winter, who was concerned in the
Popish plot, in the reign of James the First.— ED.
| Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. ii. num. 78. et Pits, in anno 1140.
§ In his book De Claris Oratoribus, otherwise called Brutus, towards the latter end,
VOL. I. 2 O
560 WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
the accusation) rejoined,, that he feared some treachery in so
hard a word — " quid Sputa sit scio, quid Tilica nescio.''
But I am at a worse loss in this uncouth word, though know-
ing both the parts thereof. I know what pan is, (all) ; what
ormia is, (a line or hook) ; but of what subject Pan-ormia should
treat, is to me unknown. But well fare the heart of J. Bale,
who (I believe out of Leland) rendereth it a Dictionary, orVoca-
bulary, hooking all words, it seems, within the compass thereof.
This Osbern flourished, under king Stephen, anno 1140.
ROBERT of GLOUCESTER, so called because a monk thereof.
He is omitted (whereat I wonder) both by Bale and Pits,
except disguised under another name, and what I cannot con-
jecture. They speak truly, who term him a rhymer; whilst
such speak courteously who call him a poet. Indeed such his
language, that he is dumb in effect to the readers of our age,
without an interpreter, and such a one will hardly be procured.
Antiquaries (amongst whom Mr. Selden) more value him for
his history than poetry ; his lines being neither strong nor
smooth, but sometimes sharp, as may appear by this tetrastic,
closing with a pinch at the paunch of the monks, which coming
from the pen of a monk is the more remarkable ;
" In the citie of Bangor a great hous tho was,
And ther vndyr vij cellens* and ther of ther nas,f
That C. C. C. moncks hadde othur mo
And alle by hure travayle lyvede ; loke now if they do so."
He flourished some four hundred years since, under king Henry
the Second ; and may be presumed to have continued till the
beginning of king John, 1200.
ALAN of TEWKESBURY, probably born in this country, though
bred at Canterbury, where he became first a monk of Saint
Saviour's, and afterwards prior thereof. Very intimate he was
with Thomas Becket, having some reputation for his learning.
In his old age, it seems, he was sent back with honour into his
native country ; and for certain was made abbot of Tewkesbury,
when Stephen Langton so much endeavoured, and at last
accomplished, 'the canonizing of Thomas Becket. Four au-
thorsj were employed (Beckers Evangelists) to write the his-
tory of his mock-passion and miracles ; and our Allan made
up the quaternion. He flourished, under king John, anno 1200.
ALEXANDER of HALES was bred up in the famous monastery
of Hales, founded by Richard king of the Romans. After his
living some time at Oxford, he went over to Paris, it being
fashionable for the clergy in that (as for the gentry in our) age,
* Cells, or portions. f Ruler, or governor; sedqusere?
J Bale, de Scriptoribus Britannicis, Cent. iii. num. 46. and Pits, in anno 1200,
WRITERS. 501
to travel into France ; that clerk being accounted but half-
learned, who had not studied some time in a foreign university.
But let Paris know, that generally our Englishmen brought
with them more learning thither, and lent it there, than they
borrowed thence.
As for this our Alexander, as he had the name of that great
conqueror of the world, so was he a grand captain and comman-
der in his kind : for, as he did follow Peter Lombard, so he did
lead Thomas Aquinas, and all the rest of the schoolmen. He
was the first that wrote a comment on the sentences, in a great
volume, called " The Sum me of Divinity," at the instance of
Pope Innocent the Fourth, to whom he dedicated the same.
For this, and other of his good services to the church of Rome,
he received the splendid title of Doctor Irrefragabilis. He died
anno Domini 12^5; and was buried in the Franciscan church
in Paris.
THOMAS de la MORE was, saith my author,* born of a
knightly family, " patria Gloucestrenci/' (a Gloucestershire-
man by his country) ; for which his observation I heartily thank
him, who otherwise had been at an utter loss for his nativity.
He thus further commendeth him :
Pacis et armorum vir artibus undique darns.
" A man whose fame extended far
For arts in peace, and feats in war.''
Indeed he was no carpet knight ; as who brought his honour
with him out of Scotland on his sword's point, being knighted
by king Edward the First for his no less fortunate than valiant
service therein. Nor less was his fidelity to his son Edward
the Second, though unable to help him against his numerous
enemies. But, though he could not keep him from being de-
posed, he did him the service faithfully to write the manner of
his deposition, being a most rare manuscript extant in Oxford
library. This worthy knight flourished anno Domini 1326.
THOMAS of HALES came just a hundred years after Alex-
ander of Hales in time; but more than a thousand degrees
behind him in ability, and yet following his footsteps at
distance. First, they were born both in this county, bred
Minorites in Hales monastery ; whence for a time they went to
Oxford, thence to Paris, where they both proceeded doctors of
divinity, and applied themselves to controversial studies, till
this Thomas, finding himself not so fit for that employment,
fell to the promoting positive or rather fabulous points of Po-
pery, for the maintenance of purgatory. He flourished under
king Edward the Third, anno Domini 1340.
* Pits, Je Illustribus Angliae Scriptoribus, anno 1326.
2 o 2
562 WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
THOMAS NEALE was born at Yate, in this county ;* bred
first in Winchester, then New College in Oxford ; where he
became a great Grecian, Hebritian, and public professor of the
latter in the university. He translated some Rabbins into Latin,
and dedicated them to cardinal Pole. He is charactered a man
" naturse mirum in modum timidse/'t (of a very fearful nature) ;
yet always continuing constant to the Roman persuasion. He
was chaplain (but not domestic, as not mentioned by Mr. Fox)
to Bishop Bonner, and resided in Oxford. In the first of queen
Elizabeth, fearing his professor's place would quit him, for pre-
vention he quitted it, and built himself a house over against
Hart-hall, retaining the name of Neal's House many years after.
Papists admire him for his rare judgment, and Protestants for
his strange invention, in first feigning the improbable lie of
Matthew Parker's consecration at the NagVhead in' Cheapside,
since so substantially confuted. { He was living in Oxford 1576;
but when and where (here or beyond the seas) he died, is to me
unknown.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
RICHARD TRACY, Esquire, born at Todington in this county,
was son to Sir William Tracy, confessor, of whom before. He
succeeded to his father's zeal ; in the defence whereof he wrote
several treatises in the English tongue ; and that most remark-
able, which is entitled, " Preparations to the Cross." § This he
wrote experimentally, having suffered much himself in his estate
for his father's reputed heretical will: as also he wrote pro-
phetically, anno 1550, few years before the beginning of queen
Mary ; many being fore -warned, and so fore-armed, by his use-
ful endeavours.
It must not be forgotten, how, during my abode in Cambridge,
on Midsummer-eve, 1626, a book was found in the belly of a
cod (brought into the market to be sold), containing therein
three treatises ; whereof the first and largest was entitled, " A
Preparation to the Cross." It was wrapped about with canvass,
and probably that voracious fish plundered both out of the
pocket of some shipwrecked seamen. The wits of the university
made themselves merry thereat, one making a long copy of
verses thereon, whereof this distich I remember :
" If fishes thus do bring us books, then we
May hope to equal Bodlyes library. "(I
But, whilst the youngsters disported themselves herewith,
the graver sort beheld it as a sad presage : and some, who then
little looked for the cross, have since found it in that place.
This book was thereupon reprinted ; and the prefacer If there-
unto entitleth John Frith the author thereof. But no such book
* New College Register, anno 1540. f Pits, de Anglise Scriptoribus, p. 770.
J Mason, de Monasteriis Anglise. § Bale, de Scrip. Brit. Cent. ix. num. 58.
H Thomas Randolph. H Page 18.
WRITERS. 563
appears in Bale (though very accurate to give us a catalogue of
his writings.*). Whereby we conclude,, it was the same made
by this Richard Tracy, to which another treatise was annexed,
" To teach one to die," made likewise by our Tracy, who him-
self died about a hundred years since.
Sir THOMAS OVERBURY, Knight, son to Sir Nicholas Over-
bury, one of the judges of the Marches, was born at Bourton on
the Hill in this county ; bred in Oxford, and attained to be a
most accomplished gentleman, which the happiness of his pen,
both in poetry and prose, doth declare. In the latter he was the
first writer of characters of our nation, so far as I have observed.
But, if the great parts of this gentlemen were guilty of inso-
lency and petulancy, which some since have charged on his
memory, we may charitably presume that his reduced age would
have corrected such juvenile extravagancies.
It is questionable, whether Robert Carre, earl of Somerset,
were more in the favour of king James, or this Sir Thomas
Overbury in the favour of the earl of Somerset, until he lost it
by dissuading that lord from keeping company with a lady (the
wife of another person of honour), as neither for his credit here,
or comfort hereafter.
Soon after, Sir Thomas was by king James designed ambas-
sador for Russia. His false friends persuaded him to decline
the employment, as no better than an honourable grave. Bet-
ter lie some days in the Tower, than more months in a worse
prison — a ship by sea, and a barbarous cold country by land.
Besides, they possessed him, that, within a small time, the king
should be wrought to a good opinion of him. But he who wil-
lingly goes into a prison out of hope to come easily out of it,
may stay therein so long till he be too late convinced of another
judgment.
Whilst Sir Thomas was in the Tower, his refusal was repre-
sented to the king as an act of high contempt ; as if he valued
himself more than the king's service. His strict restraint gave
the greater liberty to his enemies to practise his death, which
was by poison performed.
Yet was his blood legally revenged, which cost some a violent,
and others a civil death, as deprived of their offices. The earl
was soon abated in king James's affection (oh, the short dis-
tance betwixt the cooling and quenching of a favourite !) ; being
condemned and banished the court. The death of this worthy
knight did happen anno Domini 1615.
RICHARD CAPEL was born, as I am informed, in the city of
Gloucester, whereof his father was alderman, and left him a
good temporal estate. He was bred fellow of Magdalen Col-
* Cent. viii. num. 71.
564 WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
lege in Oxford, where he had many pupils of good quality ; and
among the rest Mr. William Pemble, whose books he set forth,,
and, as I remember, finished his imperfect es Comment on Za-
chary."
Leaving the college, he was presented by Mr. Stephens to a
good benefice in this county, where he made his excellent book,
" Of Temptations ; " full fraught with practical piety : so that
what judicious person soever readeth it, will experimentally say
unto him, as once the lawyer to our Saviour, " Master, thou hast
well spoken : " it carrieth in it such a truth by the confession
of his conscience.
One thing he hath irrefragably proved, that there is no temp-
tation which a man is subject to, but what might be suggested
by our own corruption, without any injection of Satan. We
have an English expression, " The devil he doth it, the devil he
hath it ; }) where the addition of devil amounteth only to a strong
denial, equivalent to " he doth it not, he hath it not." My
opinion is, if the phrase took not the original from, yet is it ap-
pliable to, our common and causeless accusing of Satan with
our own faults, charging him with those temptations, wherein
we ourselves are always chiefly, and sometimes solely, guilty.
When the reading of the Book of Sports on the LordVday
was pressed upon him, he refused the same, as not comporting
with his conscience : and willingly resigned his benefice, living
afterwards on his temporal means, and preaching gratis in neigh-
bouring congregations. He died anno Domini 165 ..
JOHN SPRINT was bred a student in Christ Church in Oxford ;
and was afterward beneficed at Thornbury in this county ; a
grave and godly divine, but for a long time much disaffected to
the ceremonies of the Church. It happened that Mr. Burton,
archdeacon of Gloucester, his collegiate and contemporary, took
him to task, persuading him seriously to study the point; which
he promised, and performed accordingly. He put in the one
scale the woe pronounced to such who preach not the gospel ;
and desert their flocks on pretended scrupulosity : in the other
the nature of ceremonies, when things indifferent are enjoined
by lawful authority.
Weighing both exactly in the balance of his judgment, he
found the former to preponderate, concluding it unlawful for
any on such account to leave or lose the exercise of his minis-
terial function.
Hereupon he not only conformed for the future, but also
wrote a book (dedicated to archdeacon Burton) called (e Cas-
sander and Anglicanus," to persuade others to conformity. He
died, as I am informed, about thirty years ago.
JOHN WORKMAN was born about Lasbury in this county,
where his father was a servant to Sir Thomas Escourt. He was
BENEFACTORS. 565
bred in Oxford, and afterwards became for many years the
pious and painful preacher at Gloucester, being conformable to
church discipline, both in judgment and practice, and in very
deed. It happened that some pressed super-canonical ceremo-
nies, and such sesqui- conformists made Mr. Workman turn first
but a semi-conformist, and then by degrees to renounce all con-
formity.
He was prosecuted by G. G. * his diocesan, for preaching
to the disparagement of the blessed Virgin Mary, though he
pleaded his words were only these : "That the papists painted
her more like a courtesan than a modest maid." Hereupon he
was silenced, and not suffered to teach school ; seeing slreep
and lambs differ not in kind, but age. At last (his good friend
Dr. Baud furnishing him with instructions) he turned physician :
and, if unable to preserve his patients in life, he could well pre-
pare them for death. He died about tne year 1636.
We have put them in parallels,t not so much because living
at the same time in the same county, as because the one from
disliking came to approve, the other from approving to dislike,
conformity ; though both, no doubt, did follow the dictates of
their consciences.
BENEFACTORS TO THE PUBLIC.
KATHARINE CLYVEDON, better known by the name of Dame
KATHARINE BERKLEY, was daughter unto Sir John Clyvedon,
richly landed in this county. She was first married to Sir Pe-
ter le Veale, and after to Thomas, third of that Christian name,
baron of Berkley, whom she survived, living a constant widow
for four and twenty years ; great her inheritance, augmented
with a large jointure, and yet she expended the profits thereof
in hospitality and pious uses ; amongst which, the founding of
the fair school of Wootton-under-Edge was most remarkable.!
I have sometimes wondered with myself, to see the vast
donations which the family of the Berkleys bestowed on monas-
teries : so that there was no religious house within twenty miles
of their castle (besides others at greater distance) which did
not plentifully partake of their liberality. All these now are lost
and extinct, whilst the endowment of Wootton school doth still
continue; whereof I render this private reason to my own
thoughts, because monks were not of God's planting, whilst
teaching of youth is jure divino, by a positive precept, " teach a
child in the trade of his youth, and he will remember it when he
is old." I behold Wootton school as of great seniority; after
Winchester, but before Eton, in standing. John Smith, late of
* Godfrey Goodman, prebendary of Westminster, and canon of Windsor, who
obtained the deanery of Rochester in 1620; became bishop of Gloucester 1 624 5
and died a Papist in 1655. — ED.
f Viz. JOHN SPRINT and JOHN WORKMAN : the notices of vrhom are here
printed in common paragraphs.— ED.
J Patent. 7 Rich. If. part 2. memb. 2.
')(JG WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
Nibley, esquire, was effectually instrumental in recovering the
lands to this school, which since hath been happy in good
schoolmasters, as they in pregnant scholars. This lady died
March 13, 1385 ; and is buried by her husband in Berkley
church, in a monument grated about with iron bars.
Sir WILLIAM HAMPTON, son to John Hampton, was born
at Minchen-Hampton in this county; bred a fishmonger in
London, where he thrived so well, that he became lord mayor
thereof, anno 1472. He was the first that set up stocks in
every ward, for the punishment of vagabonds and strumpets :
on which account I enter him a public benefactor ; for a house
of correction is a kind of alms-house, it being as charitable a
work to reclaim the wicked, as to relieve the wanting; and,
were it not for prisons, all the land would be but a prison.
SINCE THE REFORMATION.
THOMAS BELL, born in this county, was twice mayor of the
rity of Gloucester, and raised his estate by God's blessing on
his industry and ingenuity, being one of the first that brought
the trade of capping into the city. Hereby he got great wealth,
sufficient to maintain the degree of knighthood, which king
Henry the Eighth (as I take it) bestowed on him. He bought,
from the crown, Blackfriars, by the south gate in this city, and
reformed the ruins thereof into a beautiful house for himself ;
and hard by it erected an alms-house, and endowed it with com-
petent revenues. His daughter and sole heir brought a fair
estate into the families of Dennis. This Sir Thomas died in
the beginning of the reign of queen Elizabeth.
EDWARD PALMER, Esquire, (uncle to Sir Thomas Overbury)
was born at Leamington in this county, where his ancestry had
continued ever since the Conquest. Of his breeding I can give
no exact account; for, as the growing of vegetables towards
perfection is insensible ; so (for want of particular information)
I cannot trace his gradual motions, but find him at last, answer-
ing the character given by Mr. Camden,* "a curious and a
diligent antiquary/5
Great his store of coins, Greek and Roman, in gold, silver,
and brass ; -and greater his skill in them.
His plentiful estate afforded him opportunity to put forward
the ingenuity impressed in him by nature for the public good ;
resolving to erect an academy in Virginia ; in order whereunto
he purchased an island, called Palmer's Island unto this day ;
but, in pursuance thereof, was at many thousand pounds ex-
pence (some instruments employed therein not discharging their
trust reposed in them with corresponding fidelity). He was
* In his Description of Gloucestershire.
BENEFACTORS — LORD MAYORS GENTRY. 567
transplanted to another world, leaving to posterity the memo-
rial of his worthy but unfinished intentions.
He married one of his own name and neighbourhood, the
daughter of Palmers of Compton Schorfin, esquire.
" Palmero Palmera nubit : sic nubilis amnis
Auctior adjunctis nobilitatis aquis."
By her he had many children, but most of them deceased ;
amongst whom, Muriel married to Michael Rutter of this
county, esquire, inheriting her father's parts and piety, left a
perfumed memory to all the neighbourhood. This Edward
Palmer died at London about the year 1625.
HUGH PIRRY was born in Wootton-under-Edge, a known
market-town in this county; bred a merchant in London,
whereof he was sheriff anno Domini 1632. He brought the
best servant that ever hath or will come to the town of Woot-
ton ; I mean, the water, which in his lifetime, on his own cost,
he derived thither, to the great benefit of the inhabitants.
He had read how " Job had warmed the poor with the fleece
of his sheep ; "* and observed what sheep Job had left, he lost ;
and what he had laid out, was left him; that wool only remain-
ing his, which he had expended on the poor. Master Pirry,
therefore, resolved on pious uses ; but, prevented by death, be-
queathed a thousand pounds and upwards for the building and
endowing of a fair alms-house in Wootton aforesaid ; which is
performed accordingly. God hath since visibly blessed him in
his fair posterity, four daughters ; the eldest married to the lord
Fitz- Williams of Northampton ; the second to Sir
of Glamorgan ; the third to Sir Robert Benlowes of Lancaster ;
and the youngest (the relict of viscount Camden's second son) to
Sir William Fermoure of Northamptonshire. He died anno
Domini 163 ...
LORD MAYORS.
1. Will. Hampton, son of John Hampton, of Minchen Hamp-
ton, Fishmonger, 1472.
2. John Brug, or Bruges, son of Tho. Brug, or Bruges, of
Dymmock, Draper, 1520.
3. Leon. Holliday, son of William Holliday, of Redborough,
Merchant-Taylor, 1605.
4. Richard Ven, of Wootton-under-Edge.
5. Thomas Viner, son of Thomas Viner, Goldsmith, 1653.
THE NAMES OF THE GENTRY OF THIS COUNTY,
RETURNED BY THE COMMISSIONERS IN THE TWELFTH YEAR OF KINU
HENRY THE SIXTH.
The Keeper of the Spiritualities of the Bishopric of Worcester,
sede vacante ; — James de Berkeley, James Greyndore, and
Robert Stanshaw (knights for the shire); — Commissioners
for taking the oaths.
* Job. xxxi. 19.
568
WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
Guidonis Whitington.
Richard! Norman.
Johannis Hurtesley.
Thomee Hoke.
Johannis Joce.
Johannis Anne.
Johannis Panncefote, cheva-
lier.
Johannis Cassy.
Edwardi Brugge.
Rob. Whitington.
Willielmi Boteler.
Willielmi Moryn.
Johannis Stoughton.
Roberti Vobe.
Johannis Morvan.
Clementis de Mitton.
Johannis Moryn.
Johannis Sewell.
Willielmi Pendock.
Johan. Gifford, chevalier.
Reginald! Machyn.
Walter! Frennsh.
Thome Sloughter.
Nicholai Eynesham.
Radulphi Bottiller, chevalier.
Johannis Grennell.
Baldewini Rouse.
Willielmi Somervile.
Johannis Harewel.
Walter! Eode.
Rob. Bushel.
Willielmi Ashton.
Richard! Grevell.
Willielmi Tracy, jun.
Mauricii Berkeley de Bever-
stonr chev.
Johannis Langley.
Egidii Brugge.
Johannis de la Mare.
Will. Prelat.
Johannis Lymeck.
Galfred. Hide.
Johan. Solers.
Johan. Hampton.
Thome Leyney.
Joh. Kendale.
Henrici Clifford.
Johan. Trye.
Thome Harsefeld.
Edmund! Rodebergh.
Thome Stan ton.
Thome Sky.
Richard! Venables.
Johan. Poleyn.
Roberti Volpenne.
Joh. Lingescote.
Joh. Stanre.
Thome Ocle.
Thome Bamvile.
Roberti Clavile.
Thome Skey.
Johan. Roddely.
Thome Berkeley de Glouces-
tria.
Roberti Frompton.
Roberti Stronge.
Richardi Richards.
Mauricii Berkeley de Uley,
chevalier.
Nicholai Poyntz.
Joh. Kemmys.
Joh. Coderington.
Nicholai Stanshaw.
Nicholai Alderley.
Johan. Blunt.
Thome Bradston.
Johan. Westow.
Johan. Burnel, junioris.
Willielmi Fourde.
Thome Tanner de Dorfoleye.
Johannis Basset de Nayles-
worth.
SHERIFFS.
Anno HENRY II.
1 Milo de Gloucester.
2 Walter de Hereford.
3 Will, de Bello Campo.
4
5 Idem.
Anno
6
7 Idem.
8 Idem.
9 Idem.
10 Will.Pypard for four years,
SHERIFFS.
569
Anno
14 Gilb. Pypard,for four years.
18 Radius films Stephan.
Will.frater ejus.
19 Idem, for fifteen years.
RICHARD I.
1 Will, filius Stephani.
2 Will. Marescallus.
Rich, de Muegros.
3 Idem.
4 Will. Marescallus.
Nich. de Avenel.
5 Idem.
6 Idem.
7 Herbertus filius Herberti.
8 Idem.
9 Idem, et Will.- de la Po-
meray.
10 Herbertus filius Herberti.
REX JOHAN.
1 Comes Will. Marescallus.
Johan. Avenell.
2 Idem.
3 Will. Marescallus, et
Tho. de Rochford.
4 Idem.
5 Idem.
6 Will. Marescallus, et
Rich, de Haseburn.
7 Idem.
8 Rich, de Muegros.
Reginald Pintevolt.
9 Idem.
10 Gerard. Atia.
Rich. Burgies.
11 Engelard. de Cicomato.
Rich. Burgies.
12 Idem, for five years.
HENRY III.
1
2 Radius Musard, for four
years.
6 Rad'us Musard.
Petrus Egeword.
7 RacPus Musard.
8 Idem.
Anno
9 Idem.
10 Will. Putot, for seven years.
17 Hen. de Bada.
18 Idem.
19 Will. Talbot.
Petrus de Egeword.
Tho. de Sancto Martino.
20 Idem.
21 Will. Talbot.
22 Thurstan. de Despenser.
23 Idem.
24 Johan. filius Galfri.
Galfri de Derhurst.
25 Johan. filius Galfri.
Marsdatus Canoni.
26 Johan. filius Galfri, for
five years.
31 Rob. de Valeram,.
Galf. de Derherst.
32 Rob. de Valeram.
Nic'us de Monte Acuto.
33 Rob. Valeram.
Reginald de Eide.
34 Rob. Valeram.
35 Johan. de Fleminge.
36 Idem.
37 Adam de Hittested, for
four years.
41 Will, de Lesseberowe.
42 Idem.
43 Rob. de Maysy.
44 Johan. de Brun.
45 Idem.
46 Idem.
47 Matheus Werill.
48 Idem.
49 Idem.
50 Regin. de Acle et Roger.
de Chedney, Pet. de
Chavent.
51 Idem, for five years.
EDWARD I.
1 Petrus de Chavent.
Walt. Bockking, cFicus.
2 Reginald, de Acle.
3 Adam de Buttiller, for
five years.
570
WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
Anno Anno
8 Rich, de Ripariis.
9 Walter de Stuchesley, for
four years.
13 Rogerus de Lakington.
14 Idem.
15 Idem.
16 Galfrid. de Mandriacre.
17 Idem.
18 Fulco de Locy.
19 Idem.
20 Fulco de Locy.
Tho. de Gardinis.
21 Idem, for six years.
27 Johan. de Langley.
28 Rich. Talebot.
29 Idem.
30 Johan. de Novo Burgo.
31 Tho. de Gardinis, for five
years.
EDWARD II.
1 Johan. Langley.
2 Nich. de Kingston, et
Johan. de Aunesley.
3 Idem.
4 Johan. Aunesley, et
Johan. de Acton.
5 Idem.
6 Will. Mannsel, et
Rob. Darcy.
7 Idem.
8 Rich, de la River, for four
years.
12 Johan. de Hampton, for
four years.
16
17 Johan. Besmaunsel, et
WiU. Tracy.
18 Idem.
19 Idem.
EDWARD III.
1 Tho. de Rodberg.
2 Idem.
3 Idem.
4 Will. Gamage, et
Tho. Rodberg.
5 Tho. Berkeley de Cob-
berly.
6 Idem.
7 Rich, de Foxcot, for five
years.
12 Tho. Berkeley de Cuberley.
Rich, de Foxcot.
13 Tho. de Berkeley.
14 Idem.
15 Walter Dastin.
16 Simon Basset, for nine
years.
25 Walt. Dastin, et
Ph. Mareschall.
26 Johan. de Weston.
2? Idem.
28 Will, de Ledene.
29 Tho. de Berkeley, de Cob-
berly, et
Will. Ledene.
30 Tho. de Berkeley, de Cob-
berly.
31 Rob. de Herdesle, for four
years.
35 Thomas Moygne.
36 Idem.
3? Idem.
38 Johan. Tracy, for five
years.
43 Johan. Points.
44 Idem.
45 Johan. Tracy,
46 Johan. Clifford.
47 Tho. de Ocle.
48 Johan. Joce.
49 Nich. de Berkeley.
50 Petrus de Veel.
51 Johan. Joce.
Petrus de Chavent.
EDWARD I.
9. WALT, de STUCHESLY. — The king directed his letters to
this sheriff, enjoining him to take an exact account of the num-
ber and names of all the villages, within the several hundreds of
SHERIFFS. 571
the county, with the persons, the present possessors thereof, and
return his collection with speed and safety into the Exchequer,
according to this tenor :
" Edwardus, Dei gratia. Rex Anglie, Dominus Hibernie, et
Dux Aquitanie, Vicecomiti Glouc. salutem. Quia, quibus-
dam certis de causis certiorari volumus, qui et quot hundredi
sunt in balliva tua, et quorum sunt ; et que et quot civitates,
burgi et ville sunt in quolibet hundredorum illorum, et qui sunt
Domini eorundem : Tibi precipimus, firmiter injungentes, quod,
modis et viis omnibus quibus plenius ac diligentius poteris, te
informes de premissis. Ita quod super proxim. fafr. tentum
apud scaccarium nostrum, thesaurarium et barones nostros de
eodem scaccario possis plenius informare ; et tu ipse, in propria
persona tua, sis ad dictum scaccarium, super prox. fafr. tentum
ex hac causa, nisi tune licentiam a nobis habueris absens esse ;
et tune per ilium quern super perfr. tuum per te mittes ad
scaccarium predictum, thesaurarium et barones predictos de
premissis plenius facias informare. Ita quod in te, vel in ipso
quern pro te ad dictum scaccarium sic mittes, defectus aliquis
non inveniatur, per quod ad te graviter capiamus. Et habeas
ibi tune hoc breve. Teste meipso, apud Clypston, quinto die
Martii, anno Regni nostri nono."
In obedience to the king's command, this sheriff vigorously
prosecuted the design, and made his return accordingly, on the
same token that it thus began : " Nulla est civitas in comitatu
Gloucestrie," (there is no city in the county of Gloucester.)
Whence we collect, that Gloucester in that age (though the seat
of a mitred abbey) had not the reputation of a city, until it was
made an episcopal see by Henry the Eighth. The like letters were
sent to all other sheriffs in England ; and their returns made
into the exchequer, where it is a kind of Domesday-book junior,
but commonly passeth under the name of Nomina Villarum. I
have by me a transcript of so much as concerneth Gloucester-
shire (the reason why this letter is here exemplified), communi-
cated unto me with other rarities, advancing this subject, by my
worthy friend Mr. Smith of Nibley.
It must not be omitted, that though the aforesaid catalogue of
Nomina Villarum was begun in this year, and a considerable
progress made therein; yet, some unexpressed obstacles re-
tarding, it was not in all particulars completed until 20 years
after, as by this passage therein may be demonstrated ; " Ber-
tona Regis juxta Gloucester, et ibidem Hundredum, et Hundr.
Margarette Regine Anglie." Now this Margaret queen of Eng-
land, daughter to Philip the Hardy, king of France, and second
wife to this king Edward the First, was not married unto him
until the 2 7th of her husband's reign, anno 1299.
572 WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
EDWARD III.
5. Tuo. BERKELEY de COBBERLEY. — He is commended in
our histories* for his civil usage of king Edward the Second,
when prisoner at Berkeley Castle, at this day one of the soats of
that right ancient family.
And right ancient it is indeed, they being descended from Ro-
bert Fitz-Harding, derived from the kings of Denmark, as ap-
peareth by an inscription on the college gate at Bristol :f " Rex
Henricus secundus et Dominus Robertus filius Hardingi filii
Regis Dacie, hujus Monasterii primi fundatores extiterunt."
This Robert was entirely beloved of this king, by whose
means his son Maurice married the daughter of the* lord of
Berkley, whereby his posterity retained the name of Berkley.
Many were their mansions in this county, amongst which Cob-
berley accrued unto them by matching with the heir of Chan-
dos. Their services in the Holy War, alluded unto by the
crosses in their arms, were many ; and many their benefactions
(whereof in my " Church History") as signified by the mitre in
their crest.
Of this family was descended William Lord Berkley, who was
honoured by king Edward the Fourth with the title of Viscount
Berkley, created by king Richard III. earl of Nottingham, and,
in the right of his wife, daughter of Thomas Mowbray, duke of
Norfolk. Henry the Seventh made him Marquis Berkley, and
marshal of England. He died without issue.
At this day there flourisheth many noble stems sprung
thereof; though George Lord Berkley, Baron Berkley, Lord
Mowbray, Segrave, Bruce, be the top branch of this family ;
one who hath been so signally bountiful in promoting these,
and all other, my weak endeavours, that I deserve to be dumb,
if ever I forget to return him public thanks for the same.
43. JOHN POINTS. — Remarkable the antiquity of this name
and family, still continuing in knightly degree in this county ;
for I read in Domes-day-book, (f Drugo filius Ponz tenet de
rege Fran tone. Ibi decem hide geldant de hoc manerio."
And again, " Walterus filius Ponz tenet de rege Lete. Ibi de-
cem hide geldant."
I behold them as the ancestors of their family, till I shall be
informed to the contrary ; though I confess they were not
seated at Acton in this county until the days of king Edward
the Second, when Sir Nicholas Points married the daughter
and heir of Acton, transmitting the same to his posterity.
* Stow's Annals, pag. 327. f Camden, in Somersetshire.
WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 5?3
SHERIFFS.
RICHARD II.
Anno Name and Arms. Place.
1 Tho. BradwelL
2 Johan. Tracy .... Toddington.
O. a scallop S. between two bends G.
3 Radulph. Waleys . . Sodbury.
Az. six mullets O.
4 Tho. Bradewell.
5 Job. de Thorp, mil.
Arg. a fess nebule S. between three trefoils G.
6 Tho. Fitz Nichol.
7 Radius Waleys . . . ut prius.
8 Tho. Berkeley . . . Cobberley.
G. a chevron betwixt ten crosses formee Arg.
9 Tho. Burgg.
Az. three flowers-de-luce Erm.
10 Tho. Bradewell . . . ut prius.
11 Tho. Berkeley . . . ut prius.
12 Laur. Seabrooke.
13 Tho. Burgg .... ut prius.
14 Maur. de Russell . . Derham.
Arg. on a chief G. three bezants.
15 Hen. de la River.
16 Job. de Berkeley . . ut prius.
17 Gilbertus Denis.
G. a bend engrailed Az. between three leopards' heads
O. jessant flower-de-luces of the second.
18 Will. Tracy .... ut prius.
19 Maur. Russel .... ut prius.
20 Rob. Poyns .... Acton.
Barry of eight, O. and G.
21 Johan. Berkeley . . . ut prius.
22 Johan. Bronings.
HENRY IV.
1 Hen. de la River.
2 Maur. Russel, et
Rob. Sommerville . . ut prius.
3 Rob. Whittington.
G. a fess cheeky O. and Arg.
4 Will. Beauchamp, mil.
5 Idem.
9 Johan. Grendore.
Per pale O. and V. twelve guttees or drops counterchanged.
7 Maur. Russel .... ut prius.
8 Rob. Whittington . . ut prius.
574 WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
9 Rich. Mawrdin.
10 Alex. Cliveden.
11 Will. Wallwine.
G. a bend within a border Erm.
12 Joh. Grendore, mil. . ut prius.
HENRY V.
1 Will. Beauchamp . . Powkes.
2 Joh. Berkley, mil. . . ut prius.
3 Joh. Grevel .... ut prius.
O. on a cross engrailed within the like border S. ten annu-
lets of the first, with a mullet of five points in the dex-
ter quarter.
4 Idem ut prius.
5 Will. Tracy .... ut prius.
6 Will. Bishopeston.
7 Joh. Brugg, arm. . . ut prius.
8 Joh. Willecotts.
9 Idem.
HENRY VI.
1 Joh. Panfote.
G. three lions rampant Arg.
2 Joh. Blacket, mil.
3 Steph. Hatfild, mil.
4 Joh. Grevil, arm. . . ut prius.
5 Joh. Panfote .... ut prius.
6 Guido Whittington . . ut prius.
7 Rob. Andrew.
S. a saltire engrailed Erm. on a chief O. three flower-de-
luces of the first.
8 Egidius Brigge.
Arg. on a cross S. a leopard's head O.
9 Maur. Berkeley, mil. . ut prius.
10 Steph. Hatfield.
11 Joh. Towerton.
12 Guido Whittington . . ut prius.
13 Joh. Panfote .... ut prius.
14 Maur. Berkeley, mil. . ut prius.
15 Idem ut prius.
16 Joh. Beauchamp, mil.
17 Will. Stafford . . . Thornbury.
O. a chevron G.
18 Joh. Stourton, mil.
S. a bend O. between three fountains proper.
19 Idem ut prius.
20 Joh. Botiller.
21 Rob. Lever sey.
SHKKIFKS. r>>
Anno Name. Place.
22 Will. Tracy .... ut print.
23 Idem /// prim*.
24 Will. Gifford.
25 Joh. Botiller.
26 Hen. Clifford .... Frampton on Severn.
Cheeky O. and Az. on a bend G. three lioncels rampant
of the first.
27 Joh.Trye.
Arg. a buck's head G. ; O. a bend Az.
28 Joh. Gise Elmor.
Lozengy Vairy and G. on a canton O. a mullet of si\
points S.
29 Will. Tracy .... ut prius.
30 Jac. Clifford .... ut prius.
31 Joh. Vele.
Arg. on a bend S. three calves O.
32 Egidius Brigge . . . ut prius.
33 Joh. Gise ut prius.
34 Wai. Devereux, mil.
Arg. a fess G. ; in chief three torteaux.
35 Joh. Barre, mil.
36 Edw. Hungerford, mil.
S. two bars Arg. ; three plates in chief.
3? Nich. Latymer.
G. a cross patonce O.
38 Tho. Hungerford . . ut prius.
EDW. IV.
1 Joh. Grivel, arm. . . ut prius.
2 Maur. Denis . . . . ut prius.
3 Idem ut prius.
4 Maur. Berkley, arm. . ut prius.
5 Ed. Hungerford, mil. . ut prius.
6 Joh. Huggford, arm.
7 Joh. Newton, arm.
8 Joh. Grivel, mil. . . ut prius.
9 Rob. Poynts, mil. . . ut prius.
10 Joh. Cassy, arm.
Arg. a chevron betwixt three griffins' heads erased G.
11 Ri. Beauchamp, mil.
12 Idem.
13 Humph. Forster.
14 Joh. Botiller, mil.
15 Tho. Whittington, arm. ut prius.
16 Tho. Norton, arm.
17 Rob. Poines .... ut prius.
18 Tho. Baynam, arm.
O. a chevron betwixt three bulls' heads Arg.
VOL. i. 2 P
WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
19 Edw. Langley.
O. a cross saltire G.
20 Walt. Denis .... ut prius.
21 Jo. St. Lowe, mil.
22 Rob. Poyntz, arm. . . ut prius.
RICHARD III.
1 Alex. Baynam . . . ut prius.
2 Joh. Hudleston, arm.
3 Will. Berkley, mil. et . ut prius.
Rob. Poynts ....
HEN. VII.
1 Rob. Poyntz, mil. . . ut prius.
2 Joh. St. Low, mil.
Joh. Welsh, arm. . . ut prius.
3
4 Tho. Moreton . . . ut prius.
5 Chri. Throgmorton . . Tortworth.
G. on a chevron Arg. three bars gemelle S.
6 Tho. Hungerford, mil. . ut prius.
7 Rich. Pole, arm.
Az. semee de flower-de-luces O. a lion rampant
8 Rob. Miles.
9 Walt. Denis, mil. . . ut prius.
10 Edw. Berkley, mil. . . ut prius.
11 Joh. Whitington, arm. . ut prius.
12 Rob. Poynts, mil. . . ut prius.
13 Rich. Pole, arm. . . . ut prius.
14 Alex. Baynam, mil. . . ut prius.
15 Egidius Brugge, mil. . ut prius.
16 Joh. Huddleston, mil.
I? Rob. Poynts, mil. . . ut prius.
18 Alex. Baynam, mil. . ut prius.
19 Idem ut prius.
20 Egidius Genel.
21 Joh. Butiller, arm.
22 Edw. Tame, arm.
23 Joh. Panneffot . . . ut prius.
24 Anth. Poyntz, arm. . . ut prius.
HEN VIII.
1 Maur. Berkley, mil. . ut prius.
2 Tho. Poyntz, arm. . . ut prius.
3 Christ. Baynam, arm. . ut prius.
4 Rob. Morton, mil.
5 Will. Tracy, mil. . . ut prius.
• 6 Will. Kingston, mil. . Misterden.
Az. a plain cross between four leopards5 heads O.
SHERIFFS. 577
Anno Name. Place.
7 Maur. Berkley, mil. . ut prius.
8 Alex. Baynam, mil. . . ut prius.
9 Chris. Baynam, mil. . ut prius.
10 Job. Whittington, arm. ut prius,
1 1 Will. Denis, mil. . . ut prius.
12 Egidius Tame, mil.
13 Tho. Poyntz, arm. . . ut prius.
14 Tho. Berkley, mil. . . ut prius.
15 Anth. Poyntz, mil. . . ut prius.
16 Edw. Tame, mil.
17 Edw. Wadham, mil.
G. a chevron betwixt three roses Arg.
18 Joh. Walsh, mil. . . ut prius.
19 Will. Denis, mil. . . ut prius.
20 Anth. Poyntz, mil. . . ut prius.
21 Will. Throgmorton, arm. ut prius.
22 Joh. Walsh, mil. . . . ut prius.
23 Edw. Wadham, mil. . ut prius.
24 Walter Denis, mil. . . ut prius.
25 Anth. Kingston, arm. . ut prius.
26 Rich. Legon, mil.
Arg. two lions passant G.
27 Joh. Walsh, mil. . . ut prius.
28 Joh. St. Lo, mil.
29 Edw. Tame, mil.
30 Walt. Denis, mil. . . ut prius.
31 Nich. Poyntz, mil. . . ut prius.
32 Joh. Walsh, mil. . . . ut prius.
33 Edw. Wadham, mil. . ut prius.
34 Edw. Tame, mil.
35 Walt. Denis, mil. * . ut prius.
36 Geo. Baynham, mil. . ut prius.
37 Nich. Poyntz, mil. . . ut prius.
38 Nich. Wikes, arm.
Az. a lion rampant cheeky Arg. and G.
EDWARD VI.
1 Milo Petrich, mil.
Cheeky Arg. and S. on a bend G. three escalops O.
2 Arth. Porter, arm. . . Newark.
G. five marlions' wings in saltire Arg.
3 Tho. Briges, mil. . . . ut prius.
4 Anth. Kingston, mil. . ut prius.
5 Walt. Denis, mil. . . ut prius.
6 Hugo Denis, arm. . . ut prius*
PHIL, et MAR.
M. 1 An. Hungerford, mil. ut prius.
578
WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
Anno Name.
1, 2 Nich. Wikes, arm.
2, 3 Walt. Denis, mil.
3, 4 Nich. Pannefort
4, 5 Nich. Brayne, arm.
Place.
utprius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
Little De.
Az. a boar's head G. on a fess betwixt three hunters'
horns Arg,
5, 6 Th. Throgmorton, mil. ut prius.
ELIZ. REG.
1 Rich. Arnold, mil.
2 Rich. Tracy, arm. . . ut prius.
3 Nich. Walsh, arm. . . ut prius.
4 Geo. Huntley, arm. . Frowcester.
Arg. on a chevron between three stags' heads couped
S. as many bugles stringed of the first.
5 Will. Read, arm.
Az. a griffin rampant O.
6 Rich. Berkley, arm.
7 Egidius Pole, mil.
8 Will. Palmer, arm.
9 Will. Hungerford, arm.
10 Rob. Brane, arm.
11 Nich. Poynts, mil. .
12 Rich. Baynam, arm.
13 Tho. Smith, arm.
14 Joh. Bigford, arm.
15 Rob, Strange, arm.
16 Tho. Porter, mil.
17 Tho. Wye, arm.
1 8 Walt. Camp ton, arm.
19 Tho. Chester . . .
20 Joh. Tracy, mil. . .
21 Will. Read, arm. . .
22 Rich. Pate, arm.
23 Tho. Porter, mil. . .
24 Tho. Baynham, arm.
25 Tho. Smith, arm.
utprius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
Harthry.
Almondsbury.
ut prius.
ut prius.
ut prius.
Nibley.
S. on a chevron engrailed betwixt six crosses patee
fitch^e O. three flowers-de-luce Az. each charged on the
top with a plate.
ut prius.
Dixton.
Stanway.
ut prius.
26 An. Hungerford, arm.
27 Joh. Higford, arm. .
28 Paul. Tracy, arm.
29 Th. Throgmorton, mil,
30 Hen. Pole, mil. . .
31 Tho. Lucy, arm.
32 Will. Button, arm.
Quarterly Arg. and G. ; in the second and third quarter a fret O.
33 Joh. Poyntz, mil. . . ut prius.
SHERIFFS. 579
Anno Name. Place.
34 Will. Chester, arm.
35 Joh. Davers, mil. . . Cirencester.
G. a chevron inter three mullets O.
36 Joseph Benham, arm.
37 Hen. Winston, mil.
38 Joh. Chamberlain, arm, Prestbury.
G. an inescutcheon Arg. ; an orle of mullets O.
39 Joh. Hungerford, mil. . ut prius.
40 Edw. Winter, mil. . . Lidney.
Cheeky O. and S. a fess G.
41 Geo. Huntley.
42 Th. Throgmorton, mil. . ut prius.
43 Will. Button, arm. . . ut prius.
44 Tho. Baynham, arm.
JACOB.
1 Hen. Pole, mil. . . . ut prius.
2 Egid. Read, arm. . . ut prius.
3 Tho. Seymer, mil. . . Button.
G. two wings conjoined O. within a border gobo-
nated Arg.
4 Will. Norwood . . . Leckhampton.
Erm. a cross engrailed G.
5 Tho. Estcourt, mil. . . Lasbury.
Erm. on a chief indented G. three stars.
6 Rob. Woodroff, mil.
Will. Guyes, arm. . . ut prius.
7 Joh. Tracy, mil. . . . ut prius.
8 Paul. Tracy, arm. . . ut prius.
9 Rob. Bathurst, arm. . Lechlade.
10 Joh. Carter, arm. . . Charlton.
11 Will. Kingston, arm. . ut prius.
12 Rich. Brent, arm.
13 Hen. Finch, arm.
14 Radius Cotton, arm.
Az. a chevron between three cotton-wicks Arg.
15 Tho. Chester, arm. . . Knolle.
16 Rich. Hill, mil.
17 Ph. Langley, arm. . . Mangotsfield.
Arms, ut prius.
18 Tho. Baker, mil.
19 Tho. Thynn, mil. . . WILTSHIRE.
Barry of ten, O. and S.
20 Tho. Hodges, arm. . . Shipton.
21 Rich. Rogers, mil. . . Eastwood.
22 Joh. Dowle, arm.
CAROL. I.
1 Will. Sandys, mil. . . Misterden.
580 WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
Anno Name. Place.
2 Tho. Nicholas, arm. . Prestbury.
3 Will. Masters, mil. . . Grencester.
4 Rich. Tracy, mil. et bar. ut prim.
5 Hen. Dennis, arm. . . Paule Ch.
Arms, ut prius.
6 Radius Dutton, mil. . Standish.
Arms, ut prius.
7 Geo. Winter, mil.
8 Hen. Poole, arm. . . ut prius.
9 Egid. Fetiplace, mil. . Coin Alin.
G. two chevrons Arg.
10 Edw. Stephens, arm. . L. Sodburv.
11 Will. Leigh, arm,
12 Rich. Ducy, bar. . . Frowcester.
O. two lions passant G.
13 Joh. Poyntz, mil. . . ut prius.
14 Rob. Codrington, arm. . Coderington.
Arg. a fess embattled S. between three lions passant G.
15
16
17 Fr. Creswick, arm. . . Bristol.
18
19
20
21
22 Will. Brown, arm. . . Hasfield.
O. on a fess G. three chess-rooks of the first ; as many
martlets in chief S.
HENRY VIII.
6. WILLIAM KINGSTON, Mil. — I read, in an industrious au-
thor,* that Sir William Kingston was created by king Henry
the Eighth knight of the Garter, which I humbly conceive to be
a mistake, having several exact catalogues of all admitted into
that order, amongst whom he doth not appear ; yet was he lieu-
tenant of the Tower, and captain of the guard to king Henry the
Eighth, by whom he was much trusted and employed. Car-
dinal Wolsey had it given him in advice, to beware of Kingston ;f
which he mistook for the market town in Surrey well known,
and therefore declined going thither, though many miles his
nearer way, in passage to the court. But at last he found this
our Sir Anthony's formidable and fatal Kingston, when sent to
fetch him out of the north, with some of the guard. And,
though he treated the cardinal most courteously, saluting him on
his knees,J yet the sight of him went to his heart, dying within
few days after.
* Burton, in his Description of Leicestershire, p. 320.
• Lord Howard, in his Defensative against Prophesies, fol. 130.
J Lord Herbert, ut prius.
SHERIFFS THE FAREWELL. 581
EDWARD VI.
4. ANTHONY KINGSTON, Mil. — This was that terrible provost
marshal of the king's army in the execution of the western
rebels, whose memory I find accused by Sir John Heywood*
for his cruelty, and defended by Mr. Carew.t This Sir An-
thony, so frightful to all guilty persons, fell himself into the
same fear, in the reign of queen Mary, on this occasion. Some
were said to have a design to raise war against the queen ; and
resolved to provide the sinews before the bones of war, money
before men. In order whereunto, their design was, to rob the
Exchequer, then furnished with £50,000. This being disco-
vered, many were accused as plotters, more as privy ; amongst
whom Sir Anthony Kingston, being sent for to come up, he
died, for fear of death, some suppose, in his way to London. {
THE FAREWELL.
I congratulate the felicity of this county in the return of the
episcopal see to the chief city thereof; the rather, seeing some
questioned its charter, and would have had it uncitied, because
unbishoped in our civil wars ; though, with their leave, by the
courtesy of England, once a city and ever a city. May the
same hereafter ever remain there, to take away all suspicion in
that kind for the future !
WORTHIES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE WHO HAVE FLOURISHED
SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER.
Right Hon. C. B. BATHURST, statesman; born at Cleve Hall;
died 1831.
Sir Robert ATKYNS, historian of the county ; born at Saperton
1646 ; died 1711.
Clement BARKSDALE, author of " Nympha Libethris ;" born at
Winchcomb 1609 ; died 168?.
James BRADLEY, astronomer royal; born at Sherborne 1692 ;
died 1762.
Edward CHAMBERLAYNE, author of "Angliee Notitia;" born
at Oddington 1616; died 1703.
Thomas CHATTERTON, poet of superior talents, but brief and
melancholy career; born at Bristol 1?52; died 1??0.
Edward COLSTON, distinguished philanthropist ; born at Bristol
1636; died 1721.
John CORBET, historian; born at Gloucester 1620; died 1671.
Sir William DRAPER, antagonist of Junius ; born at Bristol
1721 ; died 1?8?.
Richard GRAVES, author of " The Spiritual Quixote/5 born at
Mickleton 1?15 ; died 180?.
* In his Life of King Edward the Sixth. f In his Survey of Cornwall,
t Holinshed, in the fourth of Queen Mary, p. 1132
582 WORTHIES SINCE THE TIME OF FULLER.
Sir Mathew HALE,, upright chief justice ; born at Alderley 1609 ;
died 1676.
Edward JENNER, physician, and discoverer of vaccination ; born
at Berkeley 1749; died 1823.
John KYRLE, Pope's "Man of Ross/' Whitehouse; born at
Dymock 163? ; died 1?54.
John LEWIS, divine, biographer, antiquary, and topographer;
born at Bristol 1675 ; died 1746.
Rev. D. LYSONS, author of the "Environs of London/' &c. ;
born at Hempsted Court; died 1834.
Samuel LYSONS, author of the " Magna Britannia ;" born at
Rodmarton 1?63 ; died 1819.
John MOORE, Abp. of Canterbury ; born at Gloucester ; died
1804.
Mrs. Hannah MORE, dramatic and moral writer; born at
Stapleton 1?44 ; died 1836.
Robert RAIKES, establisher of Sunday schools ; born at Glou-
cester 1735; died 1811.
Samuel SEYER, divine, and historian of his native place ; born
at Bristol; died 1831.
Robert STEPHENS, historiographer royal, born at Eastington ;
died 1?32.
Joseph TRAPP, divine, poet, translator of Virgil ; born at Che-
rington 1679; died 1747.
George WHITFIELD, founder of the Calvinistic Methodists ;
born at Gloucester 1714; died 17 70.
Sir Nath. W. WRAXALL, politician, and miscellaneous author;
born at Bristol 1751 ; died 1831.
%* Various topographical "Works relative to the county of Gloucester have made
their appearance since the time of Fuller, the productions of different authors, viz.
by Sir Robert Atkyns (1712) ; by S. Rudder (1779) ; by Ralph Bigland (1792) ; by
the Rev. J. Rudge (1803) ; and by S. Lysons. The Rev. T. D. Fosbroke has also
produced Histories of the city of Gloucester (1819) ; of Berkley (1821) ; and of Chel-
tenham (1826). Among the principal local histories may be enumerated the Bibli-
otheca Gloucestriensis ; Histories of Bristol, by W. Barrett (1789), and J. Cory
(1816) ; Griffith's Cheltenham (1826) ; History of Cirencester (1800) ; Account of
Fairford (1791); Histories of Tewkesbury by W. Dyde (1798) ; and J. Bennet
(1830), &c.— ED.
END OF VOL. I.
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