The History of the Worthies of England

Natural Commodities.

The Buildings.

The Cathedral in Winchester yieldeth to none in England for venerable magnificence. It could not be Opus unius saeculi, perfected by the contributive endeavors of several successive Bishops, whereof some lie most sumptuously interred in their Chapel-like-Monuments.

On the walls of the Choir on each side, the dust of the Saxon-Kings, and ancient Bishops of this Church were decently Intombed (many hundred years after) by Richard Fox Bishop of this See, till in the beginning of our Civil Wars, they were barbarously thrown down by the Soldiers.

Josephus reports (what some hardly believe) how Herod took many talents of Treasure out of the Sepulcher of David; sure I am they met with no such wealth here in this Mine of Mortality amongst the ashes, which did none any injury, and therefore why Malice should scratch out that, which did not bite it, is to me unknown.

As for Civil Structures, Basing, built by the first Marquess of Winchester, was the greatest of any Subjects House in England, yea larger than most (Eagles have not the biggest Nests of all Birds) of the Kings Palaces. The Motto Love Loyaltie, was often written in every window thereof, and was well practiced in it, when for resistance on that account, it was lately levelled to the Ground.

Next Basing, Bramsell, built by the last Lord Zouch in a bleak and barren place, was a stately Structure, especially before part thereof was defaced with a casual fire.

The Wonders.

There is an Oak in this County, which by most credible people is generally reported to put forth green leaves yearly on, or about, Christ-mas day. It groweth nigh Lindhurst in the New Forest, and perchance I could point more exactly at the position thereof, but am loath to direct some ignorant Zealot, lest he cut it down under the notion of superstition, and make Timber of this Oak, as some lately have made Fuel of the Hawthorn at Glassenburie.

Proverbs.

Manners makes a Man, Quoth William Wickham.

This generally was his Motto inscribed frequently on the places of his Founding, so that it hath since acquired a Proverbial Reputation. We commonly say

Grant the two middle Expressions, the extravagancy of our Pride and Covetousness, the first and last must be allowed proportionable to Piety and Truth. Without manners one is but a Man-beast or Centaure.

Now seeing no man without Manners, no Manners without some Learning, no Learning without Teaching, no teaching of Youth to that in a Grammar Free-school; of men to that in a College, in an University; How much thanks doth Posterity owe to this Wickham's memory.

Canterbury is the higher Rack, but Winchester is the better Manger, ]

W. Edington, Bishop of Winchester, was the Author of this Expression, rendering this the reason of his refusal to be removed to Canterbury, though chosen thereunto. Indeed though Canterbury be Graced with an higher Honor, the Revenues of Winchester lying entirely, are more advantageous to gather riches thereon. The Proverb is appliable to such, who prefer a wealthy Privacy, before a less profitable Dignity.

Yet know that that Manger did once partly maintain that Rack, viz. When John White Bishop of Winchester was enjoined by Queen Mary, to pay a thousand pound a year to Cardinal Poole, Archbishop of Canterbury, for the better support of his Estate.

The Isle of Wight hath no Monks, Lawyers, nor Foxes. ]

This Speech hath more mirth, than Truth in it. That they had Monks I know, Black ones, at Carisbrook; White ones, at Quarter in this Island. That they have Lawyers they know, when they pay them their Fees; and that they have Foxes their Lambs know. However, because perchance they have fewer in proportion to places of the like extent, (and few or none are often coupled in common discourse) let not that which was pleasantly spoken be frowardly taken, but pass as we found it to Posterity.

Princes.

HENRY Eldest Son of King John and his Wife ISABEL, born at Winchester Anno 1208. was one (besides the account of Longaevity) Eminent in his Generation. He was a most pious King, Son to a profane Father [King John ] A very poor King, brother to a most wealthy [ Richard King of the Romans. ] A very weak King, Father to a most wise Son, Edward the First. The Tragi-Comedy of his life was Eminent in many particulars.

• 1. He had scarce half a Kingdom in the beginning of his Reign, Lewis of France, being brought in to be King by the English in their hot, and cast out in their cold Blood.
• 2. He had no part of a Kingdom in the middle of his Reign, Imbroyled with War with his Barons, Beaten in Battle, Imprisoned, and no King in effect.
• 3. He had all the Kingdom in the end of his Reign. For as soon as Prince Edward began to Man it, This His Son may be accounted his Father, by whom he attained a comfortable Old Age.

He was not so weak, but that he knew who were wiser then himself, and would be governed by them, One main cause which procured his Death in Peace, and Burial in Pomp, In the Abbey of Westminster of his own foundation, Anno Dom. 1273.

ELEANOR tenth Daughter, sixteenth and youngest Child of King Edward the First, was born at Winchester the 6. of May 1306. and died in her Infancy, So that the Epitaph which I find elsewhere of an Infant of meaner birth may be applied unto her. (She lieth buried at Saint Peters Westminster, having her Picture upon her Monument with three of her Brothers.)

ARTHUR, Eldest son to King Henry the Seaventh, and Queen Elizabeth, was born, (being partus octomestris, yet vital and vigorous, contrary to the rules of Physicians) at Winchester the 20. day of September 1486. Some will wonder at his name, whereof no Alliance, nor English Prince, since the unhappy Arthur Duke of Britain, supposed to be made away by King John, his cruel Uncle. But because this Prince by his Fathers side, was, with King Arthur of British extraction, and because born at Winchester where King Arthur kept his Court, and His [pretended] Round Table still to be seen, that name was bestowed upon him. He died at Ludlow, in the sixteenth year of his Age, Anno 1502. and is buried in the Cathedral of Worcester, more known to Posterity by the Widow he left, the Lady Katherine Dowager, (and the effects ensuing thereon) then by any of his own personal performances.

Saints.

EDBURGH eight Daughter of King Edward the Elder and his first by Queen Edgiva gave when but three years of Age a great Augury of her future Piety, Her Father presenting before her, and leaving to her choice,

On the one hand the New Testament and a Challice.

On the other, Jewels, Rings and Bracelets.

She took the New Testament and the Challice (conceive it not because of Massy Silver, but) acted with the Principal of Infant Piety; Hereupon her Parents left her to her own disposal, who became a Nun at Winchester after the Order of Saint Benedict under-going the Austeritic of that Order. It is reported of her, (Forgive me Reader, though I would not write these things they are so Absurd, I cannot but write them they are so Absurd; ) That she would by night play the part of a Pious Thief and steal the Socks of all the other Nuns, and having carefully washed and anointed them, restore them to their beds sides.

This Saint EDBURG died on the 15. of June 920. Some of her bones being kept at Winchester, others say at Wilton, (So facile the mistakes in Latin betwixt WILTONIA and WINTONIA) and the rest were translated to Pershore, an Abbey in the Diocese of WORCESTER.

Martyrs.

This County being in the Diocese of Winchester, escaped very well in the MARIAN DAYES from any visible persecution. Under God it might thank Stephen Gardener, or rather Gardners policy. This Bishop like a Cunning Hunter preserved the GAME fair at home, and Killed it in the WALKES of other Keepers: It was not he, but bloody Bonner, who procured the death of,

JOHN PHILPOT Son of Sir Peter Philpot Knight, was born in this County, whose Family had an Ancient habitation at therein. He proceeded Mr. of Arts in New College in Oxford; And afterwards being Arch-Deacon of Lincoln, was a Zealous Promoter of the Protestant Religion. In the first of Queen Mary, being a member of the Convocation, his heart was hot within: And while he was musing, the fire kindled, and he spake with his tongue, which afterwards occasioned his Martyrdom.

If Papists account him a Distracted Man, none will wonder, who consider how the profane Captains of Israel, called the Son of the Prophet, a mad fellow: And if some vehement expressions fell from him during his imprisonment, his enemies Cruelty was the Cause thereof. Seeing ill usage, which once made a dumb beast to speak, may make a Sober man Overspeak in his passion. But all his sufferings are reported by Mr. Fox so perfectly, ( Perfectum est cui nihil addi potest ) that it is presumption for any to hope to make an essential Addition thereunto. He was Martyred Anno Dom. 1555. Decemb. 18.

KATHARINE GOWCHES.

GUILLEMINE GILBERT.

PEROTINE MASSEY whose husband, a Minister of God's word, was for fear fled out of the Island.

The first of these was the Mother, a poor widow of St. Peters Port, in the Isle of Guernsey; the other two her Daughters (but married women) These in the reign of Queen Mary, were noted to be much absent from the Church; for which they were presented before Jaques Amy then Dean of the Island, who finding them to hold opinions against the real presence in the Sacrament of the Altar, condemned them to be burnt for Heretics, which was done accordingly, July 18. 1556.

Add to these an Infant without a Christian name, and no wonder it is never named, seeing properly it was never born; but by the force of the flame burst out of his mothers belly, Perotine Massey aforesaid. This Babe was taken up by W. House a by-stander, and by the Command of Elier Gosselin the Bailiff (supreme Officer in the then absence of the Governor of the Island) cast again into the fire, and therein consumed to Ashes. It seems this bloody Bailiff, was minded like the Cruel Tyrant, Commanding, Canis pessimi ne catulum esse relinquendum, though this indeed was no Dog but a Lamb, and that of the first minute, and therefore too young by the Levitical Law to be sacrificed.

Here was a Spectacle without precedent, a Cruelty built three generations high, that Grandmother, Mother, and Grandchild, should all suffer in the same Flame. And know Reader, these Martyrs dying in the Isle of Guernsey, are here reckoned in Hampshire, because that Island with Jersey (formerly subordinate to the Arch-Bishop of Constance in Normandy ) have since the reign of Queen Elizabeth, been annexed to the Diocese of Winchester.

Prelates.

William Wickham was born at Wickham in this County, being the Son of John Perot, and Sibel his wife, (over whose graves he hath erected a Chapel at Titchfield in this County) and bred in the University of Oxford. He was otherwise called Long, from the height of his stature (as my Author conceives) though since it may be applied to the perpetuity of his memory, which will last as long as the world endureth, for his two fair Foundations at

He died in the 37 ^th . year of his Consecration, and 80 ^th . of his Age, in the 5 ^th . year of the Reign of King Henry the Fourth, and his Benefaction to Learning is not to be paralleled by any English Subject, in all particulars.

JOHN RUSSELL was born in this County, in the Parish of Saint Peters in the Suburbs of Winchester. He was bred Fellow of New-College, and when Doctor of Canon-Law, was chosen Chancellor of Oxford. Yea, that Office annual before, was first fixed on him (as in Cambridge on Bishop Fisher ) for term of life.

By King EDWARD the Fourth, he was advanced Bishop of Lincoln, and by Richard the Third Ld. Chancellor of England, having ability enough to serve any, and honesty too much to please so bad a King. And because he could not bring him to his bent, when the Lord Hastings was killed, this Bishop (saith my Author) was for a time imprisoned. He died January the 30. Anno 1490. Leaving this Character behind him, Vir fuit summa pietate, & ex rerum usu oppido quàm prudens, doctrina etiam singulari.

WILLIAM WARHAM was born at Ockley of Worshipful Parentage in this County, bred Fellow and Doctor of the Laws in New-College, employed by King Henry the Seventh (who never sent sluggard or fool on his errand) to Margaret Dutches of Burgundy, and by him advanced Bishop of London, then Archbishop of Canterbury, living therein in great luster, till eclipsed in power and profit by Thomas Wolsey, Archbishop of York.

It may be said, that England then had ten Arch-Bishops, if a figure and cypher amount to so many, or else, if it had but two, they were Arch-Bishop Thomas, and Arch-Bishop Wolsey, drawing all causes to his Court-legatine, whilst all other Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions in England kept a constant vacation. This, Warham bare with much moderation, contenting himself, that, as he had less honor, so he had less envy, and kept himself cool, whilst Wolsey his screene, was often scorched with just and general hatred.

In the case of K. Henry His divorce, he was the Prime Advocate for Queen Katherine, and carried it so cautiously, that he neither betrayed the cause of his Client, nor incur'd the Kings displeasure. Nor will any wonder, that an Arch-Bishop of Canterbury did then plead before an Arch-Bishop of York, seeing the King at the same time was summoned before His Subject.

He survived Wolsey 's ruin, but never recovered his former greatness, blasted with a PRAEMUNIR •… with the rest of the Clergy, and the heavier, because the higher in dignity. He is said to have expended thirty thousand pounds in the repair of his Palaces, the probable reason, why he left no other public Monuments, though Arch-bishop twenty eight years, dying Anno Domini 1533.

ROBERT SHERBORN was born in this County, and bred first in Winchester, and then in New Coll. was a great Scholar, and prudent Man, employed in several Embassies by K. Henry the seventh, and by him preferred Bishop first of St. David's, then Chichester: Which Church he decored with many Ornaments and Edifices, especially the South-side thereof, Where

He often inscribed for his Motto, Dilexi decorem domus tuae Domine; I have loved the beauty of thy House, ô Lord: and sometimes Credite operibus, Trust their works. Now although some may like his Alms better then his Trumpet, Charity will make the most favorable construction thereof. Being 96. years of age he resigned his Bishopric, and died in the same year, Anno Dom. 1536.

JOHN WHITE was born in this County of a worshipful House, began on the floor, and mounted up to the roof of Spiritual Dignity in this Diocese. First Scholar in Winchester, then Fellow of New-college in Oxford, then Master of WinchesterSchool; then Warden of that College, and at last, (taking Lincoln Bishopric in his passage) Bishop of Winchester, all composed in this Distich.

I may call the latter a Golden Verse, for it cost this White many an Angel to make it true, entering into his Bishopric on this condition, to pay to Cardinal Pole, a yearly Pension of a thousand pounds. Now though this was no better then Simony, yet the Prelates Pride was so far above his Covetousness, and his Covetousness so far above his Conscience, that he swallowed it without any regreet.

He was a tolerable Poet, and wrote an Elegy on the Eucharist to prove the corporal presence, and confute Peter Martyr; the first and last I believe, who brought controversial Divinity into Verses. He preached the Funeral Sermon of Queen Mary (or if you will of public Popery in England ) praising Her so beyond all measure, and slighting Queen Elizabeth without any cause, that he justly incur'd Her displeasure. This cost him deprivation and imprisonment, straiter then others of his Order (though freer than any Protestant had under Popish Persecutours) until his death, which hap'ned at London about the year 1560.

States-men.

RICHARD RICH Knight, was in the words of my Author A Gentleman well descended and allied in this County: Bred in the Temple in the study of our Common Law, and afterwards became Solicitor to King Henry the eighth. His Deposition on Oath upon words spoken to him in the Tower, was the sharpest evidence to cut off the head of Sir Thomas More. He was under Cromwell a lesser hammerto knock down Abbeys, most of the Grants of which Lands going through his hands, no wonder, if some stuck upon his fingers.

Under King Edward the Sixth, he was made Lord Chancellor of England, dischargeing his place with Prudence and Equity for the term of five years. Foreseeing he should be outed of his Office, (being of the Anti-faction to Duke Dudley ) to prevent stripping, he politically put off his Robes of State, (resigning his Office:) Which done, no danger of catching cold his own Under-suit was so well lined, having gotten a fair Estate about Lees Abbey in Essex, whereof he was created Baron. He died in the beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, being direct Ancestour unto the right Honorable Charles Rich, now Earl of Warwick.

WILLIAM POWLET (where ever born) had his largest Estate, and highest Honor, (Baron of Basing, and Marquess of Winchester ) in this County. He was descended from a younger house of the Powlets of Hinton Saint George in Sommersetshire, as by the Crescent in his Arms is acknowledged. One telleth us, that he being a younger brother, and having wasted all that was left him, came to Court on trust, where, upon the bare stock of his wit, he traffick'd so wisely, and prospered so well, that he got, spent, and left, more than any Subject since the Conquest.

Indeed he lived at the time of the dissolution (of Abbeys, which was the harvest of Estates; and it argued idleness, if any Courtier had his Barns empty. He was servant to K. Henry the seventh, and for Thirty years together Treasurer to K. Henry the eighth, Edward the sixth, Qu. Mary, and Qu. Elizabeth. The 〈◊〉 , in some 〈◊〉 , owed their Crowns to his Counsel: his policy being the principal 〈◊〉 of Duke Dudleys Design, to disinherit them.

I behold this Lord 〈◊〉 like to aged Adoram, so often mentioned in Scripture, being over the Tribute in the days of K. David, all the Reign of K. Solomon, until the first Year of 〈◊〉 . And though our Lord Powlet enjoyed his place not so many years, yet did he serve more Sovereigns, in more mutable times, being (as he said of himself) no 〈◊〉 , but an 〈◊〉 .

Herein the Parallel holds not, The honry hairs of Ad •… m were sent to the Grave, by a violent death, slain by the people in a 〈◊〉 : This Lord had the rare happiness of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , setting in his full splendor, having lived 97 years, and seen 103 out of his body: he died, anno Domini 1572.

Sr. THOMAS LAKES was born in the Parish of St. Michael, in the Town of SouthHampton, and there bred in Grammar -Learning, under Doctor Seravia. By several under Offices he was at last deservedly preferred Secretary of Estate to K. James: Incredible his dexterity in dispatch, who at the same time would indite, write, discourse, more exactly than most men could severally perform them. Men resembled him to one of the hips-Royal of Qu. Elizabeth, called the Swift-sure, such his celerity and solidity in all Affairs. No less his secrecy in concealing, and what was credited to his Counsel was always found in the same posture it was left in. Add to all these, he was a good man, and a good man's Brother, Dr. Arthur Lakes, Bishop of Bath -and- Wells. King James (who always loved what was facile and fluent) was highly pleased with his Latin Pen, who by practice had made Tully 's phrase his own. He was one of the three noble hands, who at the Court first led Mr. George Villers into the favor of King James.

At last he fell, for the faults of others, into the Kings displeasure, being punished for the Offences of one of his nearest Relations, and of all them fin'd in the starchamber, he was the only person generally pitied for his suffering: yet even then K. James gave him this public Eulogie in open Court, That he was a Minister of State fit to serve the greatest Prince in Europe. He was outed his Secretaries place, which needed him more than he it, having achieved a fair fortune, which he transmitted to posterity. How long he lived afterwards in a private life, is to me unknown.

Soldiers.

BEAVOIS an English man was Earl of South-Hampton, in the time of the Conquerer, and being unable to comport with his Oppression, banded against him with the Fragments of the English men, the strength of Hastings the Dane, and all the assistance the Welch could afford. In whose Country a Battle was fought, near Carcliffe, against the Normans, anno Domini 1070. wherein Three Nations were conquered by One. Beavois being worsted ( Success depends not on Valour ) fled to Carlisle, (a long step from Carcliffe: ) And afterwards no mention what became of him.

This is that Beavois whom the Monks cried up to be such a man, that since it hath been questioned, Whether ever such a man, I mean, whether ever his person was in rerum natura: So injurious those are, who in the Reports of any man's performances exceed the bounds of probability.

All I will add is this, that the Sword preserved and shown to be this Beavoises in Arundel. Castle, is lesser (perchance worn with age) than that of King Edward the third, kept in Westminster-Church.

Seamen.

Sr. JOHN WALLOP, born in this County, of a most ancient and respected Family, was directed by his Genius to Sea-service, at what time our Coasts were much infested with French -Piracies. For, there was a Knight of Malta, passing in our Chronicles, by the name of Prior John (more proper by his Profession, to be employed against the Turks, lately so victorious in Hungary ) who lived by pickeering, and undoing many English Merchants.

But our Sr. John made the French pay more than treble Dammages, who with Eight Hundredh Men landed in Normandy, burnt One and Twenty Towns, with divers Ships in the Havens of Traport, Staples, &c. and safely returned with wealth and Victory.

Methinks the ancient Arms of the Wallhops appear prophetical herein, viz. argent a Bend-unde Sable, interpreted by my Author, a wave, or sourge of the Sea, raised by some turbulent flaw of wind and tempest, prognosticating the activity of that Family, in Marine Performances.

ROBERT TOMSON, Merchant, was born at Andover in this County, bred much at Bristol in Sea-Employments. Hence anno 1553. he sailed into Spain, and thence two Years after shipped himself for Nova Hispania, to make a discovery thereof, on the same token, that in his passage thither, in a Spanish Ship, a light like a can •… le (being nothing else but a Meteor frequent by Sea and Land) sell on their main Mast, which the Spaniards on their knees worshiped for St. Elmo, the Advocate of Sailors. He afterwards wrote the Description of New Spain, with the City of Mexico, giving a good, and the first account thereof, of any Englishman.

During his abode many Months in Mexico, at dinner he let fall some Discourse against Saint-worship, for which he was imprisoned in the holy-House, and enjoined solemn Penance by the Arch -Bishop of Mexico, This Tomson, being the first (reputed) Heretic, which was ever seen in America on a penitential Scaffold. Hence he was sent into Spain, and after three Years durance in the Inquisition, discharged. Here a Spanish Merchants Daughter, Mary de la Barrera by name, fell in love with him, and became his Wife, worth to him in Barrs of Gold and Silver two Thousand five hundred Pounds, besides Jewels of great price. Returning into England, he lived with great comfort, and credit therein, so that it may truly be said of him, He had been un •… one, if (by the cruelty of his Enemies) he had not been undone.

Writers.

LAMFRID of Winchester was bred a Benedictine therein, Congregationis Giribenne, saith my Author, wherein I am not ashamed to confess my ignorance. Such his Learning in those Days, that he got the general name of Doctor Eximius, though his few works still extant answer not the proportion of so high a Title. He flourished anno 980.

WOLSTANUS of Winchester, bred a Benedictine, therein attained to the reputation of a great Scholar. I listen attentively to the words of W. Malmesbury, (who could ken a Learned man ) giving him this Caracter, Vir fuit eruditus, homo etiam bonae vitae & castigatae eloquentiae. But it seemeth, his Eloquence was confined to Poetry, my Author observing, that Oratione soluta nunquam polite scripsit. He flourished anno 1000.

JOHN of HIDE, was a Monk in the famous ABBY of Hide, in the Suburbs of Winchester, and became a competent Historian, according to the rate of those times, writing certain Homilies, a Book of the Patience of Job, and the Story of his own Convent: He flourished anno 1284.

JOHN of Basingstoak, so called from a fair Market Town in this Co •… nty, where he was born. We have a double Demonstration of his signal worth, first, because Robert Grosthead that pious and learned Bishop, (who would not advance anything which was under eminency) preferred him Arch-deacon of Leicester: secondly, The Pens of Bale and Pitz diametrically opposite one to the other, meet both in his commendation. Being bred first in Oxford, then in Paris, thence he travailed into Athens, (Athens as yet was Athens, not routed by Turkish Tyranny) where he heard the Learned Lecturs of one Constantina a Noble Woman, (not fully Twenty Years old) of the abstruse Mysteries of Nature. Coming home, he brought back many precious Books, and had good skill in the Greek Tongue, (whereof he wrote a GRAMMAR, and is justly reputed the first restorer thereof in England. He was the Author of many worthy works, and died, Anno 1252. on whom M. Paris bestoweth this Eulogy, Vir in trivio & quatrivio ad plenum eruditus.

JOHN of HIDE, was a Monk in the Famous Abby of Hide in the Suburbs of Winchester, and became a competent Historian according to the rate of those times, writing certain Homilies, a book of the Patience of Job, and the Story of his own Covent. He flourished, Anno 1284.

WILLIAM ALTON, a Native of a known Market-Town in this County was a Dominican or Preaching Frier, famous even amongst Forreiners for his Sermons and sound judgment, avouching the Virgin Mary tainted with Original Corruption. He flourished, Anno 1330.

WILLIAM LILLI •… , was born at Odiam a Market-Town in this County and travelled in his youth as far as Jerusalem. In his return he stayed at Rhodes and studied Greek, which will seem strange to some, Rhodes not being Rhodes in that Age (except casually some great Critick was there) seeing otherwise to find Elegant in Modern Greek (soured with long continuance) is as impossible, as to draw good Wine out of a vessel of Vinegar.

Hence he went to Rome, where he heard John Sulpitius and Pomponius Sabinus great Masters of Latin in those days. After his Return Dean Collet made him the first Master of St. Paul's School, which place he commendably discharged for 15. years. Here he made his Latin Grammar, which this great School-Master modestly submitted to the correction of Erasmus, and therefore such, who will not take it on the single bond of Lily, may trust on the security of Erasmus.

Some charge it for surfeiting with variety of examples, who would have had him only to set down the bare Rules, as best for Children's remembrance. But they may know that such, who learnt Grammar in Lilies time, were not School-boys, but School-men; I mean arrived at men's Estate. Many since have altered and bettered his Grammar, and amongst them my worthy Friend Dr. Charles Scarborough, calculating his short, clear and true Rules for the Meridian of his own son; which in due time may serve for general use. Our Lily died of the plague, and was buried in the Porch of Saint Paul's, Anno Dom. 1522.

Romish Exile Writers.

RICHARD WHITE was born at Basing-Stoake in this County, bred first in Winchester School, then in New College in Oxford. In the beginning of Queen Elizabeth leaving the Land, he lived first at Lovain, then in Padua in Italy, where he proceeded Doctor of the Laws. Afterwards he became Regius Professor thereof at Douay, for the space of thirty years and more. He wrote many books, and amongst the rest, a British and English History, which hitherto I have not been so happy as to see, save at the second hand, as often cited by Mr. Selden, which makes me believe much merit therein.

Surely he was better employed in the writing thereof, then in the large Comment he hath made on the Aenigmatical Epitaph set up at Bononia.

Which many think merely made by a conceited Brain on design to puzzle Intellects, to create sense by their Ingenuity and Industry which was never intended therein. For I am clearly of his opinion, who said, Qui ea scribit legi, quae non vult intelligi, debet negligi.

I have nothing else to observe of this Richard White, save that after he had successively married two Wives, He was made a Priest by the special dispensation of Pope Clement the eight, and that he was alive at Douay, 1611.

JOHN PITS was born in this County, nigh the Market Town of Aulton, witness his words in Vicinio cujus Oppidi natus sum ego. Son he was to Henry Pits and Elizabeth his Wife, Sister to Nicholas Sanders. It is hard to say whether his hands took more pains in writing, or feet in travelling, if the List of his Laborious Life be perused, whereby he will appear a very aged person.

Here he wrote many Volumes of several Subjects, one of the Apostolical men, another of the Kings and Bishops in England, but because he survived not to see them set forth, He was as good as his word, mecum morientur & sepelientur, with him they died and were buried. Only that his book is brought to light, which is Intituled, de Illustribus Angliae Scriptoribus, a Subject formerly handled by many, so that some stick not to say,

For my part I have made much use of his endeavors to help me with many Writers, especially with such English Papists, as have been since the Reformation. Nor will I pay him with railing, from whose pen I have borrowed much information. Some wonder at his invectiveness: I wonder more, that he inveigheth so little; and seeing he was sisters son to blackmouth'd Sanders, it is much that he doth not more Avunculize in his bitterness against Protestants.

After the death of Anthonia Dutches of Cleve, he returned the third time into Lorraine, where the Bishop of Toul, (who formerly had been his Scholar) gave him the Deanery of Liverdune, a place of good credit and revenue, where quietly he reposed himself for the remainder of his life for many years, and dying Anno 1616. was there buried.

Benefactors to the Public.

Besides Bishop Wickham (of whom before) who alone may pass for Ten, I meet with none of grand remark before the Reformation; since it, besides many of meaner note, I find Two of signal Charity.

Sir WILLIAM DODDINGTON Knight, High Sheriff of this County in the Third of King James, kept a bountiful House at Bremer therein. Succeeding to an unexpected Estate, he had the words of David frequent in his mouth; What am I? or what is my Fathers House? that thou hast brought me hitherto. Having a godly jealousy, that some former Dysasters in his Family had been caused by God's displeasure on his Ancestors for holding so many Impropriations, he freely and fully restored them to the Church, settling them as firmly as Law could devise to a greater yearly value, than many will believe, or any imitate. Yet was he a man of Mourning, or son of Affliction all the days of his life. No sooner had he seen Herbert his eldest son, a most hopeful Gentleman, married to a considerable Co-heir in Somer set-shire, but he beheld him snatched away by an untimely death. What Tragedies have since happened in his household, is generally known. All these he bare with Saint-like Patience, hearing the Rod, (that is, understanding and obeying it) and him who appointed it. In a word, God the skillful Lapidary polished him with sharp Instruments, that he then did glister as a Pearl here, who now shineth as a Star in Heaven. He died about the year of our Lord, 1638.

JOSEPH DIGGONS Esquire, was of Dutch extraction (whose Father was a Seaman of Trinity-House ) but had his longest Habitation in this County in a house of his own building at Whetham in the Parish of Lisse. He was bred a Fellow-Commoner of Clare-hall in Cambridge, and afterwards became a Barrister in the Temple. By his Will he gave to Clare hall (where none knew his Face, nor remembered his Name, save the Worthy Master Dr. Pask ) all his Estate in Land, of very improvable Rents, to the Value of One Hundred and Thirty Pounds per annum; for the founding of Fellowships and Scholarships, at the discretion of the Master and Fellows. He made Mr. Pickering an Attorney of Clements-Inn (living at Oldham in this County) an Overseer of his Will, who faithfully gave the College notice thereof, and was very useful and assistant to them in the settling of the Lands aforesaid. Mr. Diggons died, anno 1658.

Memorable Persons.

We must not forget ONE (better known to me by his Invention than his Name ) who, dwelling at Stockbridge, in this County, made so artificial a Plough, that by the help of Engines, and some Contrivances, it might be drawn by Doggs, and managed by one Man, who would plough in one day, well nigh an Acre of the Light Ground in this County. This Plough I saw (some thirty Years since) at Stockbridge aforesaid.

But the •… roject was not taking, beheld rather as pretty than profitable, though in the judgment of Wise Men this Groundwork might have been built upon, and Invention much improved by the skillful in Mathematics: For I have heard, that some Politicians are back Friends (how justly I know not) to such Projects, which (if accomplished) invite the Land to a Loss, the fewer Poor being thereby set awork, that being the best way of Tillage, which employeth most about it, to keep them from stealing and starving. So that it would not be beneficial to State, might a Plough be drawn by Butterflies, as which would draw the greater Burden on the Common wealth, to devise other ways for the Maintenance of the Poor.

The mentioning of these plow 〈◊〉 Doggs mindeth me (one Rarity attracteth another) of other Doggs in this County, more useful for the Common-wealth, meeting with this Passage in a * Modern Author.

It is reported, that about Portsmouth is a Race of small Doggs, like Beagles, that they use their to hunt Moles which they hunt as their proper natural Game.

If this be true, I wish the continuance and Encrease of the breed of this kind of Canes Venatici. And though the pleasure be not so much as in hunting of Hares, the profit is more in destroying those Malignant Pioneers, mischievous to Grass, more to Grain, most to Gardens.

The Farewell.

When some five years since I visited Winchester, it grieved me at the heart to be hold that stately structure so far run to ruin, yea my thoughts then interpreted those sad Schisms and Gaping Chincks the Heralds of its downfall, deeming with myself that I discovered (as Physicians in our Bodies do cadaverosam) faciem ruinosam therein. But it rejoiced me when coming there this last year to find it so well amended, by the sovereign medicine of Gold or Silver, charitably applied by ▪its good Bishop. I wish all Cathedrals in England, sick of the same distemper, as quick and happy a recovery.

The Buildings.

THEOBALDS, did carry away the credit, built by Sir William, beautified by Sir Robert Cecil his Son, both Lord Treasurers of England. The last exchanged it (too wise to do it to his Loss) with King James for Hatfield-house, which King deceased therein, March 27. 1625. Yea, This House may be said to decease about its grand Climacterical, some sixty three years from the finishing thereof, taken down to the ground (for the better partage among the Soldiery) Anno 1651. and from the seat of a Monarch is now become a little Common-wealth; so many entire Tenements, like Splinters have flown out of the Materials thereof; Thus our Fathers saw it built, we behold it unbuilt,