The History of the Worthies of England

Henry VI.

29 PHILIP BOTTILLER.]

He was son to Sir Philip Bottiller Knight, who lieth buried in Walton-church in Hertfordshire, with the following inscription,

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 Wood-hall in Hertford- •… hire.

Henry VII.

2 HENRY MARNY, Ar.]

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 Kings Mother, the Lady Margaret Countess of Richmond. The very same, who afterwards was Knighted, made Chancellor of the Duchy, and Created Lord Marny by King Henry the eighth, and whose daughter and sole heir Elizabeth, was with a fair inheritance married to Thomas Howard Viscount Bindon.

14 JOHN CHRISTMAS, Ar.]

Such will not wonder at his Surname, who have read the Romans cognominated Ja •… arius, Aprilis, &c. Yea, Festus himself is well known in Scripture, probably so called from being born on some solemn festival, the occasion, no doubt, of this Sheriffs Surname at the first.

If the name be extinct in Essex, it remaineth in other Counties, and the City of London, where...... Christmas Esquire (a great promoter of my former and present endeavors) must not by me be forgotten.

Henry VIII.

6 WILLIAM FITZ-WILLIAMS, Ar.]

I cannot exactly design his habitation, but conceive it not far from Waltham Abby, in the South west part of this County; because, he bequeathed 50. pounds to mend the Highways, betwixt Chigwell and Copers-hall. He was afterwards Knighted by King Henry the eighth, on a worthy occasion, whereof hereafter, in his Sheriffalty of Northhampton-shire in the 15. of King Henry the eight. He bequeathed 100. pounds to poor Maids Marriages, 40. 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.

25 BRIAN TUKE, Knight.]

He was Treasurer of the Chamber to King Henry the eight, (as appears by his Epitaph) and dying Anno 1536. lieth buried with Dame Grissel his wife (deceasing two years after him) under a fair Tomb in the North Isle of the Choir of Saint Margaret's in Lothbury, London. Lealand giveth him this large commendation, that he was Anglicae linguae eloquentiâ mirificus. Bale saith, that he wrote observations on Chaucer; as also against Polidore Virgil, for injuring the English, of whom then still alive, he justly and generously demanded reparations, though since his unresponsable memory can make us no satisfaction.

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 Marshall of Calais, and there kept with the Pikards worschipfull Warrys: (Reader it is the Language of his Epitaph ) And died Anno Dom. 1477.

As for this Sir John Gates Knight, descendant from the said Sir Jeffry, he is heavily charged with Sacrilege in our Histories, and engaging with John Dudley Duke of Northumberland in the Title of Queen Jane, he was beheaded the 22. 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 honorable) family of the Mainards, and with her devolved a fair inheritance.

12. JAMES ALTHAM, Esq.]

His Arms (casually omitted in our List ) were, Pally of six, Ermin and Azure, on a Chief Gules, a Lyon rampant, Or. His Name-sake, and direct Descendent, now living at Markhall, made Knight of the Bath at the Coronation of King Charles the second, addeth with his accomplished civility to the Honor of his Ancestors.

King James.

1. HENRY MAINARD, Kt.]

He was Father to William Maynard, bred in Saint John 's College in Cambridge, (where he founded a Logic Professor ) created Baron of Wicklow in Ireland, and Easton in this County, whose Son William Lord Maynard hath been so noble an encourager of my Studies, that my Hand deserveth to wither, when my Heart passeth him by without a prayer for his good success.

15. PAUL BANNING, Kt. and Bar.]

No doubt the same Person, who afterwards was created Viscount Banning of Sudbury. His Son was bred in Christ-Church, of most hopeful parts (descended from the Sackvils by the Mother-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; so that his large estate will be divided betwixt the children of his four Sisters, Wives to the Marquess of Dorchester, Viscount Grandison, the Lord Dacres of the South, and Henry Murrey, Esq of the Bed-Chamber 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, began in this Lord, is suspicious in him to determine.

Natural Commodities.

Manufactures.

Buildings.

The Abbey (since Cathedral) Church of Gloncester, is a beautiful building, advanced by several successive Abbots. It consisteth 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 Frame 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 passage, and communicateth with the Air of the Hollow; for it is preserved somewhat by the plain wall, but that is too weak to give a sound Audible, till it hath communicated with the back Air.

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 finger on Barkley, their arm on Sudeley Castle (seated where the Vailes and Woulds 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 by Baptist Hicks Viscount Cambden ) pressed down to the very foundation.

Wonders.

There are frequently found (at Alderley in this County) Oysters, Cockles, and Periwincles 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 difficulties. Others more probably account them to be Lusus Naturae; 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 profoundshallow Rabbies, counting themselves of the Cabinet, when they are scarcely of the Common Council of Nature; so unable to read such Riddles, that they cannot put the letters thereof together, with any probability.

Proverbs.

As sure as God's in Gloucester-shire. ]

This Proverb is no more fit to be used than à Toad can be wholesome to be eaten, which can never by Mountebancks be so dieted and corrected, but that still it remains rank poison. Some I know seek to qualify this Proverb, making God eminently 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. Others find a superstitious sense therein, supposing God by his gracious presence more peculiarly fixed in this Country, 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 performance of his promises, •… llel to Fides Graeca, or Fides Punica. Duresly is a Market and clothing Town in 〈◊〉 •… ounty, the inhabitants whereof will endeavor to confute and disprove this 〈◊〉 , to make it false now, whatsoever it was at the first original thereof.

〈◊〉 , the worst places, in the midst of epidemical viciousness, have afforded some exceptions from the wickled rule therein, The Cretans are always liars, was the observation of a Poet, and application of the Apostle; yet we find some Cretans whom the Holy Spirit alloweth for Devout men. Thus sure I am, there was a man of Dur •… sley, who was a man of men, Edward Fox by name, a right godly and gracious Prelate, of whom hereafter. However the men of Duresly 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 Wowlds 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 tetrick countenance.

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 Traces 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 Favor 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 Honorable, the other Worshipful, growing from the same root; so that we see it is not now, and therefore believe that it was never true. If any say that after so many Generations this curse at last is Antiquated, know, that according 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.

Princes.

I cannot discover any Prince who took his first •… andsel of life in this County. Let not my unhappiness discourage the industry of others in their enquiry 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) no not in thy thought, for a Bird in the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings 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 reve •… led.

But I cannot belive what the Golden Legend relates, how a white Dove (which belike had seen the deed done) got it engrossed in Parchment, and posting to S. Peters in Rome, laid it on the high Altar to be read, where in the Saxon Character it was thus found,

At Clenc in a Cow-pasture Kenelme the Kings child lieth beheaded under a Thorn. Others say (agreeing in all other particulars) the discovery was made by an Angel, and for fear they should fall out, it may be thus accommodated, that the Angel was in a Dove-like apparition. 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 Brothers Corps was solemny buried at Winchcomb, and had in holy veneration.

Martyrs.

JAMES BAYNAM, Esquire, Son to Sir Alexander Baynam, Knight, was born at—in this County, bred in learning and knowledge of the Latin and Greek Tongues. He afterward 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 Reformation.

Saint Paul saith, It is appointed for all men once to die, and yet the same Apostle saith of himself, in deaths often, 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 Moore sent for him to Chelsey, 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 recanted his Recantation: For which he was afterwards kept a fortnight in stocks in the Bishop of London's Cole 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 Smithfield, 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;

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 intelligence. 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. Lastly, though our Savior ju •… lie taxeth those, who were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , slow in heart to believe such things as were revealed in the Scripture, yet neither God nor Man w •… ll 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 Market Town formerly famous for a rich Abbey, now for plenty of Poor therein. He was preferred first Abbot of Benle, then Bishop of Landaffe, and lastly of Worcester by King Richard the second his importunity to the Pope, notwithstanding one John Green was fairly elected thereunto. This Tideman was the Kings 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 England was not a distinct profession from Divinity, and the same persons Physicians and Confessors to Princes. Say not these Functions were inconsistent, the former u •… ually departing, the later commonly coming to dying men; for the several Professions did not justle, 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 Tideman died Anno Dom. 1400.

JOHN CHEDWORTH, was born in this County, and bred in Kings College in Cambridge, being the third Scholar that came thereinto, by election from Eaton School, though some (I confess) for a short time, make him admitted into Merton College in Oxford. He afterwards was the third Provost of Kings 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 Wainfliet of Winchester to revise and regulate the Statutes of Eaton and Kings Colleges. He sat Bishop about eighteen years, and dying 1471. 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 Oriall 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 an humorous intent to style Himself and Successors (in imitation of Bath and Wells) Bishops of Worcester and Westbury, which Title (though running cleverly on the tongues end) never came in request, because therein Impar conjunctio, the matching of a Collegiate and Cathedral Church together. He died Anno Dom. 1475 and was buried in his Native Town of Westbury. His Tomb since his Death (I will use my Authors 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 inheritance of the Right Worshipful and Hospital House-keeper, Ralph Sadler, Esq▪ and was in these Civil Broils, unhappily burnt down, though those, who esteemed themselves judicious in war, apprehended neither necessity thereof, no •… advantage thereby.

THOMAS RUTHAL 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 politick person, 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 inviduous, and almost incredible sum of One hundred thousand pounds. Wolsey, glad of this mistake, told the King, he knew now where a mass of money was, in case he needed it. This broke Ruthall his heart, who had paid the third part of the cost of making the Bridge of New-Castle, over Tyne, and intended many more Benefactions, had not death (1523.) on this unexpected occasion surprised him.

States-men.

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 22. year of King Henry the Sixth, being the year of our Lord 1544. until the 25. year of that Kings reign.

This Lord built Sudeley Castle in this County, which of Subjects Castles was the most handsome Habitation, and of Subjects Habitations the strongest Castle. King Edward the Fourth •… ent for him with such summons, that this Lord conjectured (and that truly enough) that it was but a Preface 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, 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 Antiquary will have it, born about Dean Forest in this County; but is by another (no whit his inferior) on better evidence referred to Derby-shire, 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 Gloucester-shire 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, Viscout 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 depending 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 recompensed with fruitfulness at last, the rather because Gloucestershire at this day showeth two eminent ones, Mr. Justice Adkins, and Mr. Justice Hales, which grace the Court of the Common Pleas with their known ability and integrity.

EDWARD TROTMAN, Son of Edward Trotman, Esquire, was born at Cam nigh Duresly in this County, bred a Student of the Law till he became a Bencher in the Inner Temple. He wrote an Abridgement of Sir Edward Coke his eleven Volumes of Reports, for the benefit of those who had not money to purchase, or leisure to peruse them at large. Yea, such as have both may be profitted thereby: for in my own profession, and in the Book of Books, even those who are best acquainted with the Chapters, make also use of the Contents. This Gentleman in his Title page ingeniously wisheth that his Compendium might not prove Dispendium to the Reader thereof. And I verily believe he hath had his desire: being informed that his endeavors are well esteemed by the Learned in that profession. He was buried in the Temple Church, May 29. Anno Dom. 1643.

Soldiers.

Sir WILLIAM TRACY of Todington in this County, was a Gentleman of high Birth, State, and Stomach, much in favor with King Henry the second, on whom he was a daily attendant. One fact hath made his Memory, call it famous or infamous, because he was the first and forwardest of the four Knights, who (at the encouragement if not command, at leastwise, at the connivance, if not encouragement of the aforesaid King) Imbrewed their hands in the blood of Thomas Becket.

In his old age he went into Devon-shire, where he had large possessions, as may appear by so many Towns bearing his surname.

1. Wollocomb-Tracy. 2. Bovi-Tracy. 3. Nimet-Tracy. 4. Bradford-Tracy, &c.

It is reported that he intended a penitential Pilgrimage to Jerusalem; but setting to Sea, was ever crossed with adverse Winds. He is conceived to lie buried in the Parish Church of Mort in Devonshire, dying about the year of our Lord, 1180.

Seamen.

This is scarcely a Maritine-shire, rather bordering on the Severn than on the Sea, having therein no considerable Haven, ( Bristol being beheld as a City entire of itself) and therein eminent Seamen cannot be 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, famous in his Generation for several performances.

• 1. Anno 1559. being then but Machinarum classicarum praefectus (English it as you please) he frighted the French in Edinburgh Frith, assaulting their Fort in the Island of Inchkeith.
• 2. Anno 1567. he was sent with Sir Thomas Smith, with the sound of the Trumpet, and shooting of some Cannons, to demand the restitution of Calais of the French King.
• 3. Anno 1568. he conducted 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 valor.

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 Cambden'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 shole of Mariners, So happy have they been in Sea voyages. One wondering how the English durst be so bold, as to put to Sea in all weathers, it was returned, that they were provided to sails 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.

Writers.

OSBERNUS CLAUDIANUS, or Osbern of Gloucester, was bred a Benedictine Monk in the famous Convent in that City. He was learned, saith Leland, Praeter iliius aetatis 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 Hereford, as a Comment on the Pentateuch Dialogue-wise, as also on the Incarnation, Nativity, Passion, and Resurrection of our Savior. He wrote also a Book called Pan-Ormia, dedicating the same to Hamelin Abbot of Gloucester.

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 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 knowing both the parts thereof. I know what Pan is, All, what Ormia is, a Line or Hook, but of what subject PanOrmia should treat, is to me unknown. But well fare the heart of J. Bale, who (I believe out of Leland ) rendereth it a Dictionary, or Vocabulary, •… ooking 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 conjecture; they speak truly, who term him a Rhimer, 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 Tetrastick, closing with a pinch at the panch of the Monk •… , which coming from the Pen of a Monk is the more remarkable.

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 TEUXBURY, probably born in this Country, though bred at Canterbury, where he became first a Monk of Saint Savior'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 honor into his Native Country, and for certain was made Abbot of Teuxbury, when Stephen Langton so much endeavored, and at last accomplished the canonizing of Thomas Becket. Four Authors were employed ( Becket his Evangelists) to write the History 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, to travail 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 English men 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 Commander in his kind. For as he did follow Peter Lombard, so he did lead Thomas Aquinas, and all the rest of the School-men. He was the first that wrote a Comment on the Sentences, in a great Volume, called the Sum 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 Dom. 1245. and was buried in the Franciscan Church in Paris.

THOMAS de la MORE, was, saith my Author, born of a Knightly Family, Patria Gloucestrencis, a Gloucester-shire-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.

Indeed he was no Carpet Knight, as who brought his honor with him out of Scotland on his swords point, being knighted by King Edward the first, for his no less fortunate than 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 deposed, he did him the service •… aithfully to write the manner of his deposition, being a most rare Manuscript extant in Oxford Library. This worthy Knight flourished Anno Dom. 1326.

THOMAS of HALES came just an hundred years after Alexander of Hales in time; but more than a thousand degrees behind him in ability, and yet following his Foot steps at distance. First they were born both in this County, bred Minorites in Hales Mona stery; whence for a time they went to Oxford, thence to Paris, where they both proceeded Doctors of Divinity, and applied themselves to Contravertial Studies, till this Thomas finding himself not so 〈◊〉 for that Employment, fell to the promoting positive, or rather fabulous points of Popery, for the maintenance of Purgatory. He flourished under King Edward the third, Anno Dom. 1340.

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 later in the University. He translated some Rabins into Latin, and dedicated them to Cardin •… l Pole. He is charactered a man Naturae mirum in modum tim •… dae, 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 Professors place, would quit him, for prevention he quitted it, and built himself an House over against Hart hall, retaining the name of Neals House many years after. Papists admire him for his rare judgment, and Protestants for his strange invention, in first 〈◊〉 the improbable lie of Matthew Parker •… is Consecration at the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 , since so substantially confuted. He was living in Oxford 1576. but when and where (here o •… beyond the Seas) he died, is to me unknown.

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 Peter 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 In •… eritance, augmented with a large Jointure, and yet she expended the profits thereof in Hospitality and prous •… es; 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 Mona •… eries: So that there was no Religious House with in 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 Iure Divino by a positive precept, Teach a Child in the Trade of his Youth, and he will remember 〈◊〉 when •… e is old: I behold Wootton School as of great Seniority, after Winchester, but before Eaton in standing. John Smith late of Nibley, Esquire, was ef •… ctually instrumental in recovering the Lands to this School •… , which since hath been happy in good School. Masters, 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 after a Fish-m •… nger in London, where he •… ved so well, that he became Lord Mayor thereof, Anno 1472. He was the first that set up Stocks in every Ward, for the punishment o •… Vaga •… s and S •… mpets; on which account I enter him a public Benefactor. For, an House of Correction is a kind of Alms-House, it being as charitable a work to reclaim the wicked, as to re •… ieve the wanting; and, were it not for Prisons, all the Land would be but a Prison.