The History of the Worthies of England

Natural Commodities.

The Manufactures.

It is true of this County, that it liveth more by its Lands then by its Hands. Such the fruitfulness, venting the native Commodities thereof at great rates, (thank the vicinity of London, the best Chapman) that no handy-crafts of note, (save what common to other countries) are used therein. Except any will instance in Bonelace, much thereof being made about Owldney in this County, though more I believe in Devonshire, where we shall meet more properly therewith.

Proverbs.

Buckingham-shire 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 youl'd start a Thief. ]

No doubt there was just occasion for this Proverb at the Original thereof, which then contained Satirical truth, proportioned to the place before it was Reformed, whereof thus our great Antiquary.

It was altogether unpassable in times past by reason of Trees, until that Leofstane Abbot of St. Albans did cut them down, because they yielded a place of refuge for thieves.

But this Proverb is now Antiquated, as to the truth thereof, Buckingham-shire affording as many maiden Assizes as any County of equal populousness. Yea, hear how she pleadeth for herself, that such Highway-men 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 Alesbury in this Coun •… y, 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. Alesbury 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 PosthumeMiracle, viz. the Grave-f •… llow of Elisha, raised with the touch of his Bones; whilst most of Popish miracles are [reported] born after the Saints death, merely to mold 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 ext •… action, a Bishop and Martyr, whose Passion is Celebrated at M •… chlyn in Braband. This Criticisme, Reader, I request thee to take on my credit for thy own ease, and not to buy the truth of so difficult a tris •… e with the trouble I paid for it.

Entring now on the Legend of his life, I writ 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 Northumberland, by a Christian daughter of Penda King of Mercia. Being born at Kings Sutton in this County, as soon as he came out of his Mothers womb, he cried three times, I am a Christian. Then making a plain Consession of his faith, He desired to be baptized, chose his Godfathers and his own name Rumwald.

He also by his fingers directed the standers by to fetch him a great hollow-stone for a font, which sundry of his fathers 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. Being Baptized, He for three days discoursed 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 such improbable untruths.
• 3. To sigh at that well-intended devotion abused with such improbable untruths.
• 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 honored at Boxley in Kent, and thereon a story depends.

There was in the Church of Boxley a short Statue of St. Rumwald (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 tugg 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 then 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 with more coin, ) though with less chastity. The certain time of his life is unknown, but may be guessed about the year 680.

Martyrs.

JOHN SCRIVENER was Martyred at Amersham Anno Dom. 1521. on whom an extraordinary piece of cruelty was used, his own children being forced to set the first fire upon him, for which the law Deut. 13. 6. was most erroneously pretended, as will appear by the perusing thereof,

See we here how in the case of Idolatry one is to spare none related unto them, either as Equalls or Inferiors. But this Law injoines not children to accuse or execute their own parents, as Scrivener his children were compelled to do. A barbarous cruelty, especially seeing the Civil law among the heathen Romans did provide, 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 〈◊〉 in this small County, Anno 1521. then in all England elsewhere for twenty years together.

P •… elates.

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 Edmond Arch-bishop of Canterbury (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 Edmond (a bitter inveigher against Papal extorsions ) was a Foe unto him, and so was consecrated. Now none will gr •… dge him his Place amongst our Worthies, seeing what he lack'd 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 Jehoiadah ) for his public goodness, Anno 1250.

JOHN BUCKINGHAM (for so his Name is truly written) aliàs Bokingham and Bukingham, took his Name and Nativity no doubt from Buckingham in this County, ala-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 Litchfield, 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, then 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 Christ-Church, under a very fair Grave-stone, as my industrious friend hath well retrived his memory, though the brass on his Monument be worn or rather torn away. He indented with the Prior and Covent at Canterbury, to build him a Chantry-Chapel near his Sepulcher, which I find not performed.

JOHN YOUNG was born at Newton-longvile in this County, and bred in Newcolledge in Oxford, on the same token that there are no fewer then 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 afterwards was made Bishop of the fair City of Callipoli in Greece. An excellent place to fat a (neither Camel nor Lion but) Chameleon in, and seeing the great Turk was his Tenant, little the rent he paid to this his Landlord. However this titular Bishopric 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 Rowles 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 embrewing his hands in Protestants blood, and died seasonably for himself, a little before the death of Queen Mary, 1558.

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, 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 Kings 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, approving 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 (levelled to his brain) will not for many years be forgotten. That Ship-money may be gotten by H •… ok, 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 through the several turnings and occasions of his Life, is evidenced by his Charity to man, founding a Chapel at Beachley in Buckingham-shire, two miles at least distanced from the Mother-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 in some sort denied, (what wise Mr. would willingly part with a good Servant?) was in effect granted unto him. He died at Waterstock in Oxford shire, in the eighty second year of his age, Anno Dom. 1641.

EDWARD BULTSTRODE Esq. born in this County, bred in the studies of our municipal Laws in the Inner Temple, and his Highness his Justice in North-wales, hath written a book of divers Resolutions and Judgments, with the reasons and causes thereof, given in the Court of Kings-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 honorable 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 seignieuries, 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 observed to love their Nurses or Fosters, above their natural Mothers, so these barbarizing English were more endeared to the interest of Ireland which fed, then of England which bare and bred them.

To prevent more mischief this worthy Knight was sent over, of whose valor 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 thirteen pounds, six shillings and eight pence per annum.

Now Sir William undertook not the Conquest, but Custody of the Land in a defen sive war. He promised not with a daring Mountebank to Cure, but with a discreet Physician to ease this Irish Gout.

Indeed I meet with a passage in Froissard relating how Sir William should report of himself, that he was so far from subduing the Irish, he could never have access to understand and know their Countries, albeit he had spent more time in the service of Ireland, then any Englishman then living. Which to me seems no wonder, the Irish vermin shrowding themselves under the Scabs of their Bogs, and Hair of their Woods. However he may truly be said to have left that land much improved, because no whit more impaired during those dangerous distractions, and safely resigned his office (as I take it) in the first of K. 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 Hereford-shire 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 captivated 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 endeavored to advance his estate by his valor being entered in Feats of war, under his Martial father at the siege of Lieth, 1560. where he was shot in the shoulder, which inspirited him with a constant antipathy against the Scotch. He was afterwards sent over Lord Deputy into Ireland anno 1580. where before he had received the Sword or any Emblemes of Command ut acrioribus initiis terrorem incuteret, to fright his foes with his fierce beginning, 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 recovered his credit, and finally suppressed the rebellion of Desmund.

Returning into England, the Queen chiefly relied on his counsel for ordering our Land-forces against the Spaniards in 88. and fortifying places of advantage. The mention of that year (critical 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, & in all divisions of Votes in Parliament 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 about the business of the Queen of Scots, this Lord Gray only defended him, as doing nothing therein but what became an able and honest Minister of State. An ear-witness saith, Haec fuse oratory & 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 born his Beaver open, not dissembling in the least degree, but owning his own judgment at all times what he was. He deceased anno Dom. 1593.

Writers.

ROGER de WENDOVER was born at that Market-town in this County, bred a Benedictine in St. Albans, where he became the Kings Historian.

Know, Reader, that our English Kings had always a Monk, generally of St. Albans (as near London, the Staple of news and books) to write the remarkables of their reigns. One addeth (I am sorry he is a forrainer, and therefore of less credit at such distance,) that their ▪Chronicles were locked up in the Kings Library, so that neither in that Kings, nor his Sons life they were ever opened. If so, they had a great encouragement to be impartial, not fearing a blow on their teeth, though coming 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 continued it to the year 1235. being the 19. 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, is entitled to the whole work. As a few drops of blood, because of the deep hiew 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 Mr. 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. Albans, where he contracted not only Intimacy, but in some sort Identity of Affection, with John Wheathamsted Abbot thereof; insomuch that what was said of 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 Moncks 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) entitled the Shield of Wheathamsted, therein defending him from the undeserved Darts of his Enemies Obloquy. He flourished Anno Dom. 1450.

MATHEW STOKES was born in the Town, and bred in the School of Eaton, until he was admitted in Kings-college in Cambridge, Anno Domini 1531. He afterwards became Fellow of that house, and at last Esquire Bedle, and Register of the University.

A Register indeed both by his place and painful performance therein; for he (as the Poets fain of Janus with two faces ) saw two worlds, that before and after the Reformation. In which juncture of time so great the confusion and embezeling 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 Chancellors, 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 Q. Elizabeth.

Memorable Persons.

JOHN MATHEW Mercer, son to Thomas Matthew was born at Sherington in this County, Lord Mayor of London, Anno Dom. 1490. He is eminent on this account that he was the first Bachelor that ever was chosen into that office. 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 Lord Mayor 1616. It seemeth that a Lady Mayoresse is something more then ornamentall 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 multiplied, 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. Besides there was a new generation of marrigable 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 designed. 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 grand-children should have their names inscribed on the branches of those boughs, the great-grand-children on the twiggs of those branches, the great-great-grand-children on the leaves of those twiggs. Such as surviv'd her death should be done in a lively green, the rest (as blasted) in a pale and yellow fading-color.

Pliny, who reports it as a wonder worthy the Chronicle, that Chrispinus Hilarus, Praelata pompa, with open ostentation, sacrificed in the Capitol, seventy four of his children 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 certain old man who then lived, when as that Village was so peopled, so as the name of propinquity how the youngest of the children should call him, could not be given. Lingua enim nostra supra abavum non ascendit, Our language (saith he, meaning the Spanish) affords not a name above the great-grandfathers 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 Matron, on whom the Poet thus Epitapheth it, in her own person.

Thus in all ages God bestoweth personal felicities on some, far above the proportion of others. The Lady Temple died Anno Dom. 1656.

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 favored it with natural perfections, and civil privileges. In avowance of the latter it showeth more Burrow-towns (sending Burgesses no fewer then twelve to the Parliament) then 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 Freehoulders of this County shall (amongst many therein so qualified) choose good Servants to God, Subjects to the King, Patriots to the County, effectually to advance a happiness to the Church and Common-wealth.

Natural Commodities,

Manufactures.

The Buildings.

Cambridge is the chief credit of this County, as the University is of Cambridge. It is confessed, that Oxford far exceeds it forsweetness of situation; and yet it may be maintained, that though there be better air in Oxford, yet there is more in the Colleges of Cambridge. 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 private Walks and Gardens about them. But having formerly written of the fabrics of Cambridge, I forbear any further enlargement.

Wonders.

Let me here insert an artificial wonder of what is commonly called Devils-ditch; Country-folk 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 belibell the pure effects of their pains as hellish atchivements. But if the aforesaid Kings merely made this ditch to get themselves 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, or possibly to keep the people in employment, for diversion of mutinous thoughts, laziness being the mother of disloyalty, industry of obedience.

Proverbs.

Cantabrigia petit Aequales Aequalia. 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 expenses out of the Hall, all being 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in their Collations, all paying alike. Which Parity is the best Preservative of Company, according to the Apothegme of Solon, which Plutarch so commends for the wisdom thereof, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Equality breeds no Battles. Otherwise it is a Murthering- •… hot 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 all of the same age. Thus the same Degree in effect levells all Scholars, so that seniority of years ought not to make any distance betwixt them, to hinder their familiarity. I have nothing else to add of this Proverb, saving that it is used also in Oxford.

Cambridge-shire 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 awkely or ungeenly. Camelus saltat, or else for one of extraordinary bulk or bigness, all unappliable 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 Her •… ules 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 Boisten 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 against us by an Oxford Antiquary, as if our Masters wanted manners to give place to their betters, though all things considered it soundeth more to their honor then disgrace.

For mark what immediately went before in the same Author, In plateis ambulantes, decedi sibi de via, non à civibus solùm, sed etiam à peregrino quovis nisi dignitate excellat, postulant: Walking in the Streets, they require, not only of the Towns-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,

What rea •… on is it he should give place to a Towns-man? ut quid cedat Plenum vacuo, scientia ignorantiae? This mindeth me of a passage in Plutarch concerning Themistocles, when a Boy going home from School, he met one of the Athenian Tyrants in the City, and the people cried out unto him to go out of the way, 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 shows not want of breeding, but store of spirit, when a man will not be put out of his way, for every swelling emptiness that meets him therein.

An Henry-Sophister ]

So are they called, who after four years standing in the University, 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 K. Henry the eighth coming to Cambridge, staid all the Sophisters a year, who expected a year of grace should have been given unto them. More probable it is, because that King is commonly conceived of great strength and sta •… ure, that these Sophistae Henriciani were elder and bigger then others. The truth is this, in the reign of King Henry the eighth, after the destruction of Monasteries, •… earning was at a loss, and the University (thanks be unto God more scared then hurt) stood at a gaze what would become 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.

Martyrs.

WILLIAM FLOWER was born at Snow-hill in this County, bred first a Monk in Eli, till relinquishing his habit 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 Woodknife, (a mischievous weapon) in Saint Margaret's Westminster, just at the Ministration of the Mass, so that the blood of the Priest Spirted into the Challice.

A fact so foul, that the greatest charity would blush to whisper a syllable in the excuse thereof. As for such who in his defense, plead the precedent of Elia his killing of Baals Priests, they lay a foundation for all impiety in a Christian Common-wealth. If in the Old World Giants were the Product of those Marriages, when the sons of God took to Wives the daughters of Men, (a Copulation not unlawful, because they were too near a kin, but because they were too far off; ) what Monsters will be generated from such mixtures, when Extraordinary actions by immediate Commissions from God shall be matched unto Ordinary Persons of mere men, and Heaven unjustly alleged and urged for the defense 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.

Yet though his right hand suffered as a Malefactour, there want not those who maintained that Martyr belongs to the rest of his Body.

Prelates.

STEPHEN de FULBORN was born at Fulborn (no other of that name in England ) in this County. Going over into Ireland to seek his Providence (commonly nicknamed his fortune ) therein, he became anno 1274▪ Bishop of Waterford, and Lord Treasurer of Ireland. Hence he was preferred Arch-bishop of Tuam, and once, and again was Chief Justice of that (allow me a Prolepsis ) Kingdom. He is reported to have given to the Church of Glassenbury in England, Indulg •… nces of an hundred days which I cannot understand, except he promised pardon of so many days, to all in his Province who went a Pilgrimage to that place; and this also seems an over-papal Act of a plain Arch-bishop. 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 died his Denomination in grain, that it kept color till his death, not fading, for his future higher preferments, though others conjecture his birth also at Eli. When the bold Barons obtrued a Chancellor (A Kings 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 L. Treasurer when outed of his Chancellors place, so that (it seems) he would trust him with his Coffers, but not with his Conscience; yea he afterwards preferred him Bishop of Worcester, then of Winchester. Here he sat 12. years, and that Cathedral may (by a Synedoche of a novel part for the whole) challenge his interment, having his Heart enclosed in a Wall, though his body be buried at Waverly in •… urry 1280.

WILLIAM of BOTLESHAM was born at Bottlesham (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 health of New-market 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.

Let all England show me the like of three eminent men, (all contemporaries at large) which one petty village did produce. Let Bottlesham hereafter be no more famed for its single Becon, but for these three lights it afforded.

THOMAS of NEW MARKET was born therein, and though that Town lieth some part in Suffolk, my Author assures his Nativity in this County. He was bred in Cambridge, an excellent Humanist and Divine, (having left some learned Books to Posterity) and at last was advanced to be Bishop of Carlisle.

Surely then he must be the same with Thomas Merks, consecrated 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 discompose their Identity, it being usual to leave out the Prenomen of a Town for brevity sake, by those of the Vicenage, (amongst whom there is no danger of mistake,) commonly calling West-chester, Chester, South-hampton, Hampton. If the same, he is famous in our English Histories, because his devotion (in a Transposed Posture to public practice) worshiped the Sun-setting, King Richard the second, for which his memory will meet with more to commend then imitate it. Yet was his Loyalty shent, but not shamed: and King Henry the fourth being sick of him, not daring to let him to live, nor put him to death, (because 〈◊〉 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 University of Cambridge, most probably in Trinity hall. He was very able in his own faculty, and more then once employed in Embasseys by King Henry the eighth, who preferred him Bishop of Westminster. Here, had Thirlby lived long, and continued the course he began, he had prevented Queen Mary from dissolving 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 Eli. He cannot be followed (as some other of his order) by the light of the Fagots kindled by him to burn poor Martyrs, seeing he was given rather to Prodigality then cruelty, it being signally observed that he wept at Arch-bishop Cranmer's degradation. 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 Elizabeth. He lived in free custody, died, and is buried at Lambeth 1570.