Church History of Britain
5. That Tithes be paid to the Church, of Sheep, Pigs, Bees, and the like.
6. How the Ordall was to be ordered for the Trial of Guilty persons by Fire and Water.
7. That Peter-pence, or Romescot, be faithfully paid to the Pope.
But I loose time, and refer the Reader to read these Constitutions at large, being three and twenty in number, in the worthy Work of that no less Learned then Religious Knight Sir Henry Spelman.
30. And now the full time was come, wherein good King Edward exchanged this life for a better. Who, as he was famous for many personal Miracles, so he is reported to have entailed (by Heavens Consort) an hereditary Virtue on his Successors the Kings of England, (only with this Condition, that they continue constant in Christianity) to cure the Kings Evil. This Disease, known to the Greeks by the name of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , termed by La • ines Struma, and Sorophulae, hath it's Cause from Phlegm, it's chief and common outward Residence, in or near the Neck & Throat, where it expresseth itself in Knobs and Kernells, pregnant often times with corrupted Blood, & other putrefied matter, which on the breaking of those Bunches, floweth forth, equally offensive to Sight, Smell and Touch. And yet this noisome Disease is happily healed by the Hands of the Kings of England stroking the Soar: & if any doubt of the Truth thereof, they may be remitted to their own Eyes for farther Confirmation. But there is a sort of men, who to avoid the Censure of over-easy Credulity, and purchase the Repute of prudent Austerity, justly incur the Censure of affected Frowardness. It being neither Manners nor Discretion in them, in matters notoriously known to give daily Experience the Lye, by the Backwardnesse of their Belief.
31 But whence this Cure proceeds, is much controverted amongst the Learned. Some recount it in the Number of those 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , whose Reason cannot be demonstrated. For as in vicious Common-wealths Bastards are frequent, who being reputed Filii Populi, have no particular Father: so man's Ignorance increaseth the number of Occult Qualities, (which I might call Chances in Nature,) where the Effect is beheld, but cannot be certainly referred to any immediate and proper Cause thereof. Others impute it to the power of Fancie, and an exalted Imagination. For when the poor Patient (who perchance seldom heard of, and never saw a King before) shall behold his Royal Hand dabling in a Puddle of Putrefaction, & with a charitable Confidence rubbing, smoothing, chafing those loathsome Kernells, (which I may call Clouds of Corruption, dissolved ofttimes into a feculent Shower;) I say, when the Sick-man shall see an Hand so humble of an Arm so high, such Condescention in a King, to stroke that Soar, at which meaner Persons would stop their Nostrills, shut their Eyes, or turn their Faces; this raiseth, erecteth, enthroneth the Patients▪ Fancie, summoning his spirits to assist Nature with their utmost Might, to encounter the Disease with greater Advantage. And who will look into the Legend of the Miracles of Imagination, shall find many strange, and almost incredible, things thereby really effected.
32. Other Learned men, and particularly Gaspar Peucenus, though acquitting this Cure from Diabolical Conjuration, yet tax it as guilty of Superstition. With him all such do side, as quarrel at the Ceremonies and Circumstances used at the Healing of this Maladie. Either displeased at the Collect read, (consisting of the first nine verses of the Gospel of S t . John) as wholly improper, and nothing relating to the Occasion; or unresolved of the Efficacy of the Gold pendent about the Patients Neck, (whether partly completing, or a bare Complement of the Cure;) or secretly unsatisfied, what manner and measure of Belief is required (according to the Model whereof Health is observed to come sooner or later;) or openly offended with the Sign of the Cross, which was used to be made by the Royal Hands on the Place infected. All which Exceptions fall to the ground, when it shall be avowed, that notwithstanding the Omission of such Ceremonies (as requisite rather to the Solemnity, then Substance of the Cure) the bare Hands of our Kings (without the Gloves, as I may term it, of the aforesaid Circumstances) have effected the healing of this Disease.
33. Hereupon some make it a clear Miracle, and immediately own God's Finger in the Kings Hand. That when the Art of the Physician is posed, the Industry of the Surgeon tired out, the Experience of both at a Loss, when all human Means cry craven; then that Wound made by the Hand of God, is cured by the hand of his Vice-gerent. Hath Heaven endued Vegetables (the worst and weak est of living Creatures) with cordial Qualities? yea, hath it bestowed precious Properties on dull and inanimate Waters, Stones and Mineralls, insomuch that such are condemned for Silly or Sullen, for Stupid or Stubborn, as doubt thereof? And shall we be so narrow-hearted, as not to conceive it possible, that Christian men, the nobiest of corporeal Creatures; Kings, the most eminent of all Christian men; Kings of Britain, the First-Fruits of all Christian Kings, should receive that peculiar Privilege, and sanative Power, whereof daily Instances are presented unto us? See here the vast Difference betwixt Papists and Protestants. How do the former court those Miracles, which fly from them; and often, in default of Real ones, are glad and greedy to hug and embrace empty Shadows of things falsely reported to be done, or fondly reputed to be Miracles? Whereas many Protestants, on the contrary, (as in the matter in hand) are scrupulous in accepting Miracles truly tendered unto them. But although our Religion, firmly founded on, and safely senced with the Scriptures, need no Miracles to confirm or countenance the truth thereof: yet when they are by the hand of Heaven cast into our Scales (not to make our Doctrine Weight, but) as superpondium, or an Over-plus freely bestowed; sure they may safely without Sin be received; not to say, can scarce be refused, without (at least) some suspicion of Neglect & Ingratitude to the Goodness of God.
34. Nor will it be amiss here to relate a Passage which happened about the midst of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, after Pope Pius did let fly his Excommunication against her. There was a stiff Roman Catholic (as they delight to term themselves) otherwise a man well accomplished, and of an ingenuous Disposition, who being cast into Prison, (I conceive for his Religion,) was there visited in an high degree, with the Kings Evil. And having with great Pain and Expence, but no Success, long used the advice of Physicians, at last he humbly addressed himself unto the Queens Majesty; by whom, with God's help, he was compleately cured. And being demanded, What news; I perceive, said he, now at last by plain experience, that the Excommunication denounced by the Pope against her Majesty is in very deed of none effect, seeing God hath blessed her with so great and miraculous a Virtue.
35. This mention of Queen Elizabeth (there is a magnetick Virtue in Stories, for one to attract another) minds me of a Passage in the beginning ofher Reign. Making her Progress into Glocestershire, people affected with this Discase did in uncivil Crowds press in upon her. Insomuch that her Majesty, betwixt Anger, Grief, and Compassion, let fall words to this effect: Alas, poor people, I cannot, I cannot cure you; it is God alone that can do it. Which words some interpreted, (contrary to her Intent and Practice, continuing such Cures till the day of her Death) an utter renouncing and disclaiming of any Instrumental Efficacy in herself. Whereas she only removed her Subjects Eyes from gazing on her, to look up to Heaven. For men's Minds naturally are so dull and heavy, that instead of traveling with their Thanks to God, the Cause of all Cures, they lazily take up their Lodging more then half-way on this side, mistaking the Dealer for the Giver of their Recovery. It follows not therefore, that the Queen refused to heal their Bodies, because careful in the first place to cure their Souls of this dangerous Mistake. A Princesse, who as she was a most exact Demander of her Due, (observed seldom or never to forgive her greatest Favorites what they owed her) so did she most punctually pay her Engagements to others, as to all men, so most especially to God, loath that he should lose any Honor due unto him, by her unjust Detaining thereof.
36. The Kings of France share also with those of England in this miraculous Cure. And Laurentius reports, that when Francis the first, King of France, was kept Prisoner in Spain, he, notwithstanding his Exile and Restraint, daily cured infinite Multitudes of people of that Disease; according to this Epigram:
37. Thus far we patiently hear, and sufficiently credit this Author; but can no longer afford him either Belief or Attention; when he presumeth to tell us, that the Kings of England never cured the Kings Evil, a Virtue appropriated only to his Majesty of France. Only he confesseth, that long ago some of our English Kings of the Anjouan Race (descended from Ieffery Plantagenet) did heal the Falling Sickness, with certain Consecrated Annulets, a Custom long since difused. Thus he seeks to deprive our Princes of their Patrimoniall Virtue, and to make them Reparations (instead of their sanative Power, whereof they are peaceably possessed to them and their Heirs, holding it of God in chief) with assigning them an old Lea • e, where the Title at the best was litigious, and the Term long ago expired. But the Reader may be pleased to take notice, that this Laurentius was Physician in ordinary to King Henry the fourth of France, and so had his Judgment herein bowed awry with so weighty a Relation; Flattery being so catching a Disease, wherewith the best Doctors of Physic may sometimes be infected. To cry quits with him, Doctor Tucker, Chaplain to Queen Elizabeth, in a Treatise he wrote of this Subject, denieth the Kings of France ever originally cured this Evil, but per aliquam Propaginem, by a Sprig of Right derived from the primitive Power of our English Kings, under whose Jurisdiction most of the French Provinces were once subjected.
38. Between these two Authors, violent in Opposition, haply we may find the Truth, whose constant Dwelling-place is pleasantly seated in a moderate Vale, betwixt two swelling Extremes. For it plainly appeareth by uncontrollable Arguments and Evidences, that both the Crowns, of England and France, have for many years been invested with this miraculous Gift; yet so, that our English Kings are the elder Brothers in the Possession thereof. For if S t . Louis, King of France (who was contemporary with our King Henry the third) was the first of that Royal Race, which healed this Evil, his Cradle was more then 160, years after the Cossin of our Edward the Confessor, from whom, as is aforesaid, our Kings derive this sovereign Power by constant Succession. But methinks my Book in this Discourse, begins to bunch or swell out, and some will censure this Digression for a Struma, or tedious Exuberancy, beyond the just Proportion of our History; wherefore no more hereof: only I will conclude with two Prayers; extending the first to all Good people, That Divine Providence would be pleased to preserve them from this painful and loathsome Disease. The second I shall confine to myself alone (not knowing how it will suit with the Consciences and Judgments of others,) yet so as not excluding any who are disposed to join with me in my Petition; namely, That if it be the Will of God to visit me (whose Body hath the Seeds of all Sickness, and Soul of all Sins) with the aforesaid Malady, I may have the Favor to be touched of his Majesty, the Happiness to be healed by him, and the Thankfulness to be grateful to God the Author, and God's Image the Instrument of my Recovery. I will only add this short Story and then proceed. A little before these Wars began, a Minister (not over-loyally affected,) was accused, and was like to have been troubled for this Passage in his Sermon, that Oppression was the Kings Evil. But being called to answer it before the Commissioners, he expounded his own words, that he meant Oppression was the Kings Evil, not that the King caused it, but only cured it, and alone in this Land could remedy and redress the same.
39. King Edward dying Childlesse, caused by his affected Chastity, left the Land at a Loss for an Heir in a direct Line, & opened a Door to the Ambition of Collateral Pretenders. Indeed the undoubted Right lay in Edgar Atheling, Son to Edward the Out-law, Grand-child to Edmond Iron-side King of England: But he being tender in Age, and (as it seems) soft in Temper, and of a foreign Garb, because of his Education in Hungary, (his most potent Alliance in Germany, out of Distance to send him seasonable Assistance,) was passed by by the English Nobility. These chose Harold to be King, whose Title to the Crown is not worth our deriving of it, much less his relying on it. But having endeared Martiallists by his Valour, engaged Courtiers by his Bounty, and obliged all sorts of People by his Affability, he was advanced to the Crown by those, who more considered his Ability to defend, then his Right to deserve it.
40. William Duke of Normandy was Competitour with Harold, who supplying in Number what he wanted in Strength of his Titles, claimed the Crown by Alliance, Adoption, and Donation from Edward the Confessor; though he was as unable to give and bequeath, as William, being a Bastard, in the Strictnesse of Saxon Laws, was uncapable to receive it. But his Sword was stronger then his Titles, and the Sins of the English more forceable then either, to deliver that Nation (now grown, as Authors observe, intolerably vicious) into his Subjection. So that in a pitched Field, he overcame and killed King Harold, with the prime of the English Nobility, (a just Punishment on their Perjury, for their deserting their Lawfull Prince;) and such as survived, were forced either to hold the Stirrup, or Lackey by the Side of many a mean-born Norman, mounted to Places of Profit and Honor. This was the fifth time wherein the South of this Island was conquered; first by Romans, secondly by Picts and Scots, thirdly by Saxons, fourthly by the Danes, and fifthly by the Normans. This mindeth me of the Prophet Elisha 's speech to Joash King of Israel; Thou shouldest have smitten Syria 5. or 6. times, then hadst thou smitten Syria, till thou hadst consumed it. (It seemeth five may, but six must dispatch a People.) God hath already smitten this Island five times with a Rod of Forrein Invasion; let us beware the sixth time (that final, fatal Number) for fear it prove the last, and utter Confusion and Destruction of our Nation.
41. Thus King William came in by Conquest, though in the later part of his Reign, growing more mild and moderate, he twisted his Right of Victory with Composition: as such who have ravished a Woman against her will, endeavor afterwards to make her Reparation by Wooing and Wedding her, whom formerly they had wronged; so with Love to cover their Lust, by the most excusable way of Marriage. So King William, though he had forced this Land, yet afterwards, not so much out of Remorse as Policy, (to suppress frequent Tumults, and procure Security to himself and Successors) is said to have closed with the Commons in a fair way of Agreement, restoring many ancient Privileges unto them. Thus, though Conquest was more honorable for his Credit, Composition was comfortable for his Conscience, and accounted most safe for his Posterity. Witness that judicial Sentence, which King William in open Court pronounced against himself, adjudging the Lord of Sharnborn in Norfolk, being an English -man, true owner of that Manor; contrary to that Grant, wherein he had formerly bestowed it on one Warren a Norman. Herein the Conqueror confessed himself conquered, submitting his Arbitrary Power and Pleasure to be regulated by Justice, and the ancient Rights of English -men.
42. But what Impression the Norman Victories made on the State, let Politicians observe; what Change it produced in the Laws, we leave to the Learned of that Faculty to prosecute: whilst that which renders the Conquest to Consideration in our Church-Story is, the manifest Change of Religion, from what formerly was publicly professed in England. To make this Mutation in it's due time more conspicuous, we will here conclude this Book with a brief Character of the principal Doctrines generally taught and believed by the English, in these four last Centuries, before tainted with any Norman Infection. For though we must confess and bemoan, that Corruptions crept into the Church by Degrees, and Divine Worship began to be clogged with superstitious Ceremonies; yet that the Doctrine remained still sound and entire, in most material Points, will appear by an Induction of the dominative Controversies, wherein we differ from the Church of Rome.
1. Scripture generally read.
For such as were with the Holy Bishop Aidan, sive Attonsi, sive Laici, either Clergy or Laity, were tied to exercise themselves in reading the Holy Word, and learning of Psalms.
The Original preferred.
For Ricemarch a Britain, a right Learned and Godly Clerk, Son to Sulgen Bishop of Saint David's, flourishing in this Age, made this Epigram on those who translated the Psalter out of the Greek, so taking it at the Second hand, and not drawing it immediately out of the first Vessel.
No Prayers for the Dead, in the modern notion of Papists.
For, though we find Prayers for the Dead, yet they were not in the nature of Propitiation for their Sins, or to procure Relaxation from their Sufferings: but were only an honorable Commemoration of their Memories, and a Sacrifice of Thanksgiving for their Salvation. Thus S t . Cuthbert, after he had seen the Soul of one Hadwaldus carried by Angels into Heaven, did celebrate Obsequies of Prayers in his behalf.
Purgatory, though newly hatched, not yet fledged.
For, although there are frequent Visions and Revelations in this Age pretended, thereon to build Purgatory (which had no Foundation in Scripture) yet the Architects of that fancy-full Fabric had not so handsomely contrived it, as it stands at this day in the Romish Belief. For Bede, out of the Vision of Furseus, relateth certain great Fires above the Air, appointed to examine everyone according to the merits of his Work, differing from the Papists Purgatory; which Bellarmine, by the common Consent of the School-men, determineth to be within the Bowels of the Earth. Thus nothing can be invented, and perfected at once.
Communion under both kinds.
For, Bede relateth, that one Hildmer, an Officer of Egfride King of Northumberland, entreated our Cuthbert to send a Priest that might minister the Sacrament of the Lord's Body and Blood unto his Wife, that then lay a dying. And Cuthbert himself, immediately before his own Departure out of this Life, received the Communion of the Lord's Body and Blood. And, lest any should fondly hope to decline so pregnant an Instance, by the novel conceit of Concomitancy (a Distinction that could not speak, because it was not born in that Age) it is punctually noted, that he distinctly received the Cup.
So that the Eucharist was then administered entire, and not maimed (as it is by Papists at this day) serving it, as Hanun the Ammonite did the Cloaths and Beards of David 's Ambassadors, cutting it off at the Middle. And, though the word Mass was frequent in that Age (generally expressing all Divine Service;) yet was it not known to be offered as a propitiatory-Sacrifice for the quick and dead.
43. But if any desire farther Information herein, let him repair to the worthy Work, which James, the right learned and pious Arch-bishop of Armagh, hath written of the Religion professed by the ancient Irish and British. From whom I have borrowed many a Note (though not always thanking him in the Margin, by citing his Name) and therefore now must make one general Acknowledgement of my Engagement. In Cities we see, that such as sell by Retaile (though of less Credit) are of great Use, especially to poor people, in parcelling out Penny-worths of Commodities to them, whose Purses cannot extend to buy by Whole-sale from the Merchant. Conceive I in like manner, my Pains will not be altogether unprofitable, who in this History have fetched my Wares from the Store-house of that Reverend Prelate (the Cape-Merchant of all Learning) and here in little Remnants, deliver them out to petty-country-Chapmen, who hitherto have not had the Hap, or Happiness to understand the original Treasuries, whence they are taken. And clean through this Work in point of Chronology, I have with implicit Faith followed his Computation, setting my Watch by his Dial, knowing his Dial to be set by the Sun, and Account most exactly calculated, according to the critical truth of Time. Long may he live for the Glory of God, and Good of his Church. For whereas many learned men, though they be deep Abysses of Knowledge, yet (like the Caspian Sea, receiving all, and having no Out-let) are loath to impart ought to others; this bright Sun is as bountiful to deal abroad his Beams, as such dark Dales as myself, are glad, and delighted to receive them.
SEVERALL COPIES OF BATTEL-ABBEY ROLL.
To the right worshipful S r . Simon Archer, of Tanworth in Warwickshire.
SOme report, that the Toad, before her death, sucks up (if not prevented with sudden surprisal) the precious Stone (as yet but a Jelly) in her Head, grudging Mankind the Good thereof. Such generally the Envy of Antiquaries, preferring that their Rarities should die with them, and be buried in their Graves, rather then others receive any Benefit thereby.
You cross the current of common Corruption; it being questionable whether you be more skillful in knowing, careful in keeping, or courteous in communicating your curious Collections in that kind.
Justly therefore have I dedicated these several Copies of Battle-Abbey Roll unto you: first, because I have received one of the most authentic of them from your own Hand: secondly, because your ancient Name chargeth through and through most of these Catalogues. Yea, as the Archers came over with the Conqueror, so the Conqueror may be said to come over with the Archers, (therefore placed in a List by themselves,) because their Valour achieved the greatest part of his Victory.
PErusing the worthy Pains of grave and godly M r . Fox, in his Book of Martyrs; I find him in the Reign of William the first, exemplifying a double Catalogue of such eminent Persons as came over at the Conquest. Now, seeing so Reverend a Writer accounted the inserting thereof no Deviation from his Church-History, we presume accordingly, by way of Recreation of the Reader, to present him with a larger List of those Names, with some brief Notes thereupon.
Here will I premise nothing about the ancient Original of Names, which argued the undoubted Dominion of him who first gave them, over those on whom they were imposed. Thus Eve named Cain; to show the command, even of the Mother, over the eldest (and therefore over all her) Children. Adam named Eve, She shall be called Woman; to signify the Husbands Sovereignty over his Wife. God named Adam, Let us make Adam, or Man; to denote his Power and Authority over Man. And God named himself, I am hath sent me unto you; importing his absolute and independent being in, and from himself. But, waving what may be said of the beginning of Names, we shall digest what we conceive necessary for our present Purpose, into the following Propositions.
The first is; Surnames were fixed in Families in England, at, or about the Conquest. I say, fixed. Formerly, though men had Surnames, yet their Sons did not, as I may say, follow suit with their Fathers, the Name descended not hereditarily on the Family. At, or about. Fourty years under or over will break no squares. It began somewhat sooner, in the Confessors time, fetched out of France, but not universally settled till some hundred years after. When men therefore tell us, how their Surnames have been fastened on their Families, some Centuries of years before the Conquest, we hear them say so. His Chronology was no better then his Herauldry, who boasted that his Auncestours had given the three Gun-holes (which indeed were the three Annulets) for their Arms these thousand years, when Guns themselves have not been extant three hundred years in Europe. The same soloecisme in effect is committed by such, who pretend to the Antiquity of Surnames, before the same were settled in rerum natura.
The second; Kings had fixed Surnames later then Common people. Our four first Norman Kings had no Surnames, Henry the second being the first of the Plantagenists. Wonder not that a gentile Fashion should come later into the Court, then into the Country, and last to the Crown itself. For Names being made to distinguish men, they were more necessary for common people, whose Obscurities would be lost in a Multitude, were they not found out by the sign of their Surnames, having no other Eminency whereby they might be differenced. But Princes (being comparatively few in respect of private persons) are sufficiently discovered by their own Luster, and Sovereignty may be said to be a Surname to itself; and therefore Kings, not of Necessity, but mere Pleasure have accepted additions to their Christian-names.
The third; Many who cameover out of Normandy, were Noble in their native Country. Especially such who are styled from their Places, as le Sire de Soteville, le Sire de Margneville, le Sire de Tancarville, &c. whereby we understand them Lord's and Owners of such Mannours, Towns, and Castles from whence they took their Denomination. However this particle de such a place (when without le Sire going before it) doth not always give Livery and Seisin, and presently put the person so named into Possession of the Place; sometimes barely importing that he was born there, and not Owner thereof.
The fourth; All that came over with the Conqueror were not Gentlemen until they came over with the Conqueror. For, instantly upon their Victory, their Flesh was refined, Blood clarified, Spirits elevated to a • higher Purity and Perfection. Many a Peasant in Normandy commenced Monsieur by coming over into England, where they quickly got Goods to their Gentry, Lands to their Goods, and those of the most honorable Tenure in Capite it self. What Richard the third said, no less spitefully then falsely, of the Woodviles (Brethren to the Wife of his Brother King Edward the fourth, by whom they were advanced) that Many were made noble who formerly were not worth a Noble, was most true of some of the Norman Soldiery, suddenly starting up honorable from mean Originalls. These cruelly insulted over the Saxon ancient Gentry, whom they found in England. Thus on the new casting of a Die, when Ace is on the Top, Sise musts needs be at the Bottom.
The fifth; Besides native Normans, many of the neighbouring Countries engaged in England' s Invasion. As Flemings, which Baldwin Earl of Flanders, and Father in law unto the Conqueror, sent to aide him: Walloons, with many from Picardy, Britain, Anjou, and the very Heart of France. Thus when a Fair of Honor and Profit is proclaimed, Chapmen will flock from all parts unto it. Some will wonder, that any would be such willful Losers, as to exchange France for England, a Garden for a Field. Was not this degrading of their Souls in point of Pleasure, going backward from Wine to Ale, from Wheat to Oats, then the general Bread-corn of England? Besides, coming Northward they left the Sun on their Backs; the Sun, who is a comfortable Usher to go before, but bad Train-bearer to come behind one. But let such know, that England in itself is an excellent Country (too good for the unthankful people which live therein) and such Forreiners, who seemingly slight, secretly love, and like the Plenty and Profit thereof. But, grant England far short of France in Goodness, yet such Adventurers hoped to achieve to themselves a better Condition in a worse Country. Many a younger Brother came over hither, in hope here to find an elder Brothership, and accordingly procured an Inheritance to him, and his Posterity. As for the great French Nobility, Store was no sore unto them: such Pluralists retained still their old Patrimonies in France, with the additions of their new Possessions in England.
The sixth; Names coming over with the Conquest, beginning with W. were not out of France, but the Vicinage thereof. As the Britons disclaim X. the Latins Y. (save when the badge of a Greek word Latinized:) so the French disown W. When we find it therefore the initial letter of a Name (whereof many occur in the ensuing Catalogue) it argueth the same Walloon, or Almain. Yea, I am credibly informed, that some of the English here, wearied with Harold 's Usurpation, fled over into Normandy to fetch in the Conqueror; so that, when King William entered, they returned into England. And this particularly hath been avouched of the noble Family of the Wakes, who were here before the Conquest, yet found among the Norman Invaders.
The seventh; Battle-Abbey Roll is the best extant Catalogue of Norman Gentry, if a true Copy thereof could be procured.
- 1. Battle-Abbey Roll. Because hung up in that Abbey, as fixed to the Freehold thereof, where the Names of such as came over with the Conquest were recorded.
- 2. Best extant. Otherwise Industry, with Honesty, Leisure, and Liberty to peruse Dooms-day-book, might collect one more perfect, out of impartial Records, which neither fear, nor flatter. Such a Catalogue were to be believed on it's Word, before Battle Roll on it's Oath.
- 3. Yet that Abbey Roll deserved Credit, if a true Copy might be procured. One asked, which was the best S t . Augustine? To whom this Answer was given (generally true of all ancient Authors) even that Augustine which is least corrected. For Corrections commonly are corruptive, as following the Fancy and Humour of the Corrector.
Battle-Abbey Roll hath been practiced upon with all the Figures of Diction, Prothesis, Aphaeresis, &c. some names therein being augmented, subtracted, extended, contracted, lengthened, curtailed. The same Scruple therefore which troubleth Sophisters, Whether Jason' s weather-beaten Ship, so often clouted and patched with new Boards, were the same numerically with the first; may be propounded of Battle-Abbey Roll, whether that extant with us, after so many Alterations, be individually the same with the Original? See what a deadly Gash our great Antiquary gives to the Credit thereof; Whosoever considereth it well, shall find it to be forged, and those Names to be inserted, which the Time in every Age favored, and were never mentioned in that Authentical Record.
Obj. If such be the depraving of Battle-Abbey Roll, then no Credit at all is due unto it. Let it be pilloried for a mere Cheat, and be suffered no longer to go about, to deceive the honest Reader thereof: seeing we cannot hear the true Tone of Names therein, Monks have so set them to the Tune of their present Benefactours, and Minions of the Age they lived in.
Ans. Though there be much Adulteration therein, yet I conceive, the main Bulk and Body thereof uncorrupted. As they therefore overvalue this Roll, who make it the Grammar of French-Gentry, the Heralds Institutes, and of Canonical Credit amongst them: so such too much decry the same, who deny all trust thereunto. Yea, we may confidently rely on this Roll, where we find a Concurrence of ancient English Historians therewith: and this will appear in the generality of Names which that Roll presenteth unto us.
We find in our English Chroniclers two printed Copies (a Manuscript thereof worth mentioning, I have not met with) of Battle-Abbey Roll. Wherein such various Lections, they agree neither in Number, Order, nor Spelling of the Names; which, though generally digested in an Alphabetical way, are neither of them exactly ordered according to the same. But behold both.
| Holinshead, pag. 3. | Stow, pag. 105. |
| Aumarle | Aumeic |
| Aincourt | Audley |
| Audeley | Angilliam |
| Angilliam | Argentoun |
| Argentoun | Arundell |
| Arundell | Avenant |
| Abel | Abel |
| Auverne | Awgers |
| Aunwers | Angenoun |
| Angiers | Archer |
| Angenoun | Aspervile |
| Archere | Amonerduil |
| Anvay | Arey |
| Aspervile | Albeny |
| Albevile | Akeny |
| Andevile | Asperemound. |
| Amoverduile | 16 |
| Arcy | |
| Akeny | |
| Albeny | |
| Aybevare | |
| Amay | |
| Aspermound | |
| Amerenges. | |
| 24 | |
| Bertram | Bertram |
| Buttecourt | Butrecourt |
| Brehus | Braehus |
| Byseg | Byseg |
| Bardolfe | Bardolf |
| Basset | Basset |
| Bigot | Bohun |
| Bohun | Baylife |
| Bailif | Bondevile |
| Bondevile | Barbason |
| Brabason | Beer |
| Baskervile | Bures |
| Bures | Bonylayne |
| Bounilayne | Barbayon |
| Bois | Berners |
| Botelere | Braybuf |
| Bourcher | Brand |
| Brabaion | Bonvile |
| Berners | Burgh |
| Braibuf | Busshy |
| Brande | Blundell |
| Bronce | Breton |
| Burgh | Belasyse |
| Bushy | Bowser |
| Banet | Bayons |
| Blondell | Bulmere |
| Breton | Broune |
| Bluet | Beke |
| Baious | Bowlers |
| Brown | Banistre |
| Beke | Belomy |
| Bickard | Belknape |
| Banastre | Beachamp |
| Baloun | Bandy |
| Beauchamp | Broyleby |
| Bray | Burnell |
| Bandy | Belot |
| Bracy | Beufort |
| Boundes | Baudewine |
| Bascoun | Burdon |
| Broilem | Bertevyley |
| Brolevy | Barre |
| Burnell | Bussevile |
| Bellet | Blunt |
| Baudewin | Beawper |
| Beaumont | Bret |
| Burdon | Barret |
| Bertevilay | Barnevale |
| Barre | Barry |
| Bussevile | Bodyt |
| Blunt | Bertevile |
| Beaupere | Bertine |
| Bevill | Belew |
| Bardvedor | Bushel |
| Brette | Beleneers |
| Barrett | Buffard |
| Bonret | Boteler |
| Bainard | Botvile |
| Barnivale | Brasard |
| Bonett | Belhelme |
| Barry | Braunch |
| Bryan | Bolesur |
| Bodin | Blundel |
| Bertevile | Burdet |
| Bertin | Bagot |
| Berenevile | Beaupount |
| Bellewe | Bools |
| Bevery | Belefroun |
| Busshell | Barchampe. |
| Boranvile | 69 |
| Browe | |
| Belevers | |
| Buffard | |
| Botelere | |
| Bonveier | |
| Botevile | |
| Bellire | |
| Bastard | |
| Bainard | |
| Brasard | |
| Beelhelm | |
| Brain | |
| Brent | |
| Braunch | |
| Belesuz | |
| Blundell | |
| Burdet | |
| Bagot | |
| Beauvise | |
| Belemis | |
| Bisin | |
| Bernon | |
| Boels | |
| Belefroun | |
| Brutz | |
| Barchamp. | |
| 96 | |
| Camois | Camos |
| Camvile | Canville |
| Chawent | Chawent |
| Chauncy | Chancy |
| Conderay | Couderay |
| Colvile | Colvile |
| Chamberlain | Chamberlain |
| Chamburnoun | Chambernoune |
| Comin | Cribet |
| Columber | Corbine |
| Cribet | Corbet |
| Creuquere | Coniers |
| Corbin | Chaundos |
| Corbett | Coucy |
| Chaundos | Chaworth |
| Chaworth | Claremaus |
| Cleremaus | Clarel |
| Clarell | Camuine |
| Chopis | Chaunduyt |
| Chaunduit | Clarevays |
| Chantelow | Chantilowe |
| Chamberay | Colet |
| Cressy | Cressy |
| Curtenay | Courtenay |
| Conestable | Constable |
| Cholmely | Chaucer |
| Champney | Cholmelay |
| Chawnos | Cornevile |
| Comivile | Champeney |
| Champaine | Carew |
| Carevile | Chawnos |
| Carbonelle | Clarvaile |
| Charles | Champaine |
| Cherberge | Carbonel |
| Chawnes | Charles |
| Chaumont | Chareberge |
| Caperoun | Chawnes |
| Cheine | Chawmont |
| Curson | Cheyn |
| Coville pag. 4. | Cursen |
| Chaiters | Conell |
| Cheines | Chayters |
| Cateray | Cheynes |
| Cherecourt | Cateray |
| Cammile | Cherecourt |
| Clerenay | Chaunvile |
| Curly | Clereney |
| Cuily | Curley |
| Clinels | Clifford. |
| Chaundos | 49 |
| Courteney | |
| Clifford. | |
| 52 | |
| Denaville | Deanvile |
| Dercy | Dercy |
| Dive | Dine |
| Dispencere | Dispencer |
| Daubeny | Daniel |
| Daniel | Denyse |
| Denise & Druell | Druel |
| Devaus | Devause |
| Davers | Davers |
| Dodingsels | Doningsels |
| Darell | Darel |
| Delaber | De la bere |
| Delapole | De la pole |
| Delalinde | De la lind |
| Delahill | De la Hill |
| Delaware | De la ware |
| Delavache | De la watch |
| Dakeny | Dakeny |
| Dauntre | Dauntry |
| Desny | Desny |
| Dabernoune | Dabernoun |
| Damry | Damry |
| Daveros | Daveros |
| Davonge | De la Vere |
| Duilby | De liele |
| Delavere | De la ward |
| Delahoid | De la plance |
| Durange | Danway |
| Delee | De Hewse |
| Delaund | Disard |
| Delaward | Durant |
| Delaplanch | Drury |
| Damnot | 32 |
| Holinshead, pag. 4. | Stow, pag. 105. |
| Danway | |
| Dehense | |
| Devile | |
| Disard | |
| Doiville | |
| Durant | |
| Drury | |
| Dabitot | |
| Dunsterville | |
| Dunchampe | |
| Dambelton | |
| 44 | |
| Estrange | Estrange |
| Estutevile | Escutavile |
| Engaine | Escriols |
| Estriels | Engain |
| Esturney | Evers |
| 5 | Esturney |
| Ferrerers | 6 |
| Folville | Folvile |
| Fitz Water | Fitzwatter |
| Fitz Marmaduke | Fitz-Marmaduke |
| Flevez | Fibert |
| Filberd | Fitz-Roger |
| Fitz Roger | Fitz-Robert |
| Favecourt | Fanecourt |
| Ferrers | Fitz-Philip |
| Fitz Philip | Fitz-William |
| Filiot | Fitz-Pain |
| Furniveus | Fitz-Alyne |
| Furnivaus | Fitz-Ralfe |
| Fitz Otes | Fitz-Broun |
| Fitz William | Foke |
| Fitz Roand | Frevile |
| Fitz Pain | Faconbridge |
| Fitz Auger | Frissel |
| Fitz Aleyn | Filioll |
| Fitz Kauff | Fitz-Thomas |
| Fitz Brown | Fitz-Morice |
| Fouke | Fitz-Hugh |
| Frevil | Fitz-Warren |
| Front de Boef | Faunvile |
| Facunberge | Formay |
| Fort | Formiband |
| Frisell | Frison |
| Fitz Simon | Finer |
| Fitz Fouk | Fitz-Vrey |
| Filioll | Furnivall |
| Fitz Thomas | Fitz-Herbert |
| Fitz Morice | Fitz-John |
| Fitz Hugh | 31 |
| Fitz Henry |
| Holinshead, pag. 4. | Stow, pag. 106. |
| Fitz Waren | |
| Fitz Reynold | |
| Flamvile | |
| Formay | |
| Fitz Eustach | |
| Fitz Laurence | |
| Formibaud | |
| Frisound | |
| Finere and | |
| Fitz Robert | |
| Furnivale | |
| Fitz Geoffrey | |
| Fitz Herbert | |
| Fitz Peres | |
| Fichet | |
| Fitz Rewes | |
| Fitz Fitz | |
| Fitz John | |
| Fleschampe | |
| 53 | |
| Gurnay | Gargrave |
| Gressy | Granson |
| Graunson | Gracy |
| Gracy | Glaunvile |
| Georges | Gouer |
| Gower | Gascoyne |
| Gaugy | Gray |
| Goband | Golofer |
| Gray | Grauns |
| Gaunson | Gurly |
| Golofre | Gurdon |
| Gobion | Gamages |
| Grensy | Gaunt |
| Grant | 13 |
| Greile | |
| Grevet | |
| Gurry | |
| Gurley | |
| Grammori | |
| Gernoun | |
| Grendon | |
| Gurdon | |
| Gines | |
| Grivel | |
| Grenevile | |
| Glatevile | |
| Gurney | |
| Giffard | |
| Goverges | |
| Gamages | |
| 30 | |
| Haunteney | Hansard |
| Haunsard | Hastinges |
| Hastings | Haulay |
| Hanlay | Husie |
| Haurell | Herne |
| Husee | Hamelyn |
| Hercy | Harewell |
| Herioun | Hardell |
| Herne | Hecket |
| Harecourt | Hamound |
| Henoure | Harcourd |
| Hovell | 11 |
| Hamelin | |
| Harewell | |
| Hardell | |
| Haket | |
| Hamound | |
| Harcord | |
| 18 | |
| Iarden | Iarden |
| Iay | Iay |
| Ieniels | Ianvile |
| Ierconvise | Iaspervile |
| Ianvile | 4 |
| Iaspervile | |
| 6 | |
| Kaunt | Karre |
| Karre | Karron |
| Karrowe | Kyriell |
| Koine | 3 |
| Kimaronne | |
| Kiriell | |
| Kancey | |
| Kenelre | |
| 8 | |
| Loveny | Lestrange |
| Lacy | Levony |
| Linneby | Latomere |
| Latomer | Loveday |
| Loveday | Logenton |
| Lovell | Levell |
| Lemare | Le Scrope |
| Levetot | Lemare |
| Lucy | Litterile |
| Luny | Lucy |
| Logevile | Lislay, or Liele |
| Longespes | Longspes |
| Loverace | Longschampe |
| Longechampe | Lastels |
| Lascales | Lind-Sey |
| Lacy | Loterell |
| Lovan | Lindsey |
| Leded | Longvaile |
| Luse | Le Vawse |
| Loterell | Loy |
| Loruge | Lave |
| Longevale | Le Dispenser |
| Loy | 22 |
| Lorancourt | |
| Loians | |
| Limers | |
| Longepay | |
| Laumale | |
| Lane | |
| Lovetot | |
| 30 | |
| Mohant | Marmilou |
| Mowne | Moribray |
| Maundevile | Morvile |
| Marmilon | Manley |
| Moribray | Malebranch |
| Morvile | Malemaine |
| Miriell | Muschampe |
| Manlay | Musgrave |
| Malebraunch | Menilebillers |
| Malemaine | Mortmain |
| Mortimere | Muse |
| Mortimaine | Mountbocher |
| Muse | Malevile |
| Marteine | Marteine |
| Mountbother | Mountney |
| Mountsoler | Maleherbe |
| Malevile | Musegross |
| Malet | Musard |
| Mounteney | Mautravers |
| Monfichet | Merke |
| Maleherbe | Murres |
| Mare | Montague |
| Musegros | Mantalent |
| Musard | Mandute |
| Moine | Manle |
| Montravers | Malory |
| Merke | Merny |
| Murres | Muffet |
| Mortivale | Menpincoy |
| Monchenesy | Mainard |
| Mallory | Morell |
| Marny | Morley |
| Montague | Mountmartin |
| Mountfort | Myners |
| Maule | Mauley |
| Monhermon | Mainwaring |
| Musett | Mantell |
| Menevile | Mayel |
| Mantevenat | Morton |
| Manfe | 39 |
| Menpincoy | |
| Maine | |
| Mainard | |
| Morell | |
| Mainell | |
| Maleluse | |
| Memorous | |
| Morreis | |
| Morleian | |
| Maine | |
| Malevere | |
| Mandut | |
| Mountmarten | |
| Mantelet | |
| Miners | |
| Mauclerke | |
| Maunchenel | |
| Movet | |
| Meintenore | |
| Meletak | |
| Manvile | |
| Manlay | |
| Maulard | |
| Mainard | |
| Menere | |
| Martinast | |
| Mare | |
| Mainwaring | |
| Matelay | |
| Malemis | |
| Maleheire | |
| Moren | |
| Melun | |
| Marceans | |
| Maiell | |
| Morton | |
| 76 | |
| Noers | Nevile |
| Nevile | Neumarch |
| Newmarch | Norton |
| Norbet | Norbet |
| Norice | Norece |
| Newborough | Newborough |
| Neiremet | Neele |
| Neile | Normanvile |
| Normavile | 8 |
| Neofmarch | |
| Nermitz | |
| Nembrutz | |
| 12 | |
| Otevel | Otenel |
| Olibet | Olibet |
| Olifant | Olifaunt |
| Osenel | Oysel |
| Oisel | Oliford |
| Olifard | Oryol |
| Orinal | 6 |
| Oriol | |
| 8 | |
| Pigot | Pigot |
| Pery | Percy |
| Perepount | Perecount |
| Pershale | Pershale |
| Power | Power |
| Painel | Paynel |
| Perche | Peche |
| Pavey | Peverel |
| Peurell | Perot |
| Perot | Picard |
| Picard | Pudsey |
| Pinkenie | Pimeray |
| Pomeray | Pounsey |
| Pounce | Punchardon |
| Pavely | Pynchard |
| Paifrere | Placy |
| Plukenet | Patine |
| Phuars | Pampilion |
| Punchardoun | Poterel |
| Pinchard | Pekeney |
| Placy | Pervinke |
| Pugoy | Penicord |
| Patefinc | 22 |
| Place | |
| Pampilioun | |
| Percelay | |
| Perere | |
| Pekeny | |
| Poterell • | |
| Peukeny | |
| Peccel | |
| Pinel | |
| Putril | |
| Petivol | |
| Preaus | |
| Pantolf | |
| Peito | |
| Penecord | |
| Prendirlegast | |
| Percivale | |
| 39 | |
| Quincy | Quincy |
| Quintiny | Quintine |
| 2 | 2 |
| Ros | Rose |
| Holinshead, pag. 5. | Stow, pag. 107. |
| Ridell | Ridle |
| Rivers | Rynel |
| Rivell | Rous |
| Rous | Russel |
| Rushell | Rond |
| Raband | Richmond |
| Ronde | Rochford |
| Rie | Reymond |
| Rokell | 9 |
| Risers | |
| Randvile | |
| Roselin | |
| Rastoke | |
| Rinvill | |
| Rougere | |
| Rait | |
| Ripere | |
| Rigny | |
| Richemound | |
| Rochford | |
| Raimond | |
| 22 | |
| Souch | Seuche |
| Shevile | Seint Quintine |
| Seucheus | Seint Omer |
| Senclere | Seint Amond |
| Sent Quintin | Seint Leger |
| Sent Omere | Sovervile |
| Sent Amond | Sanford |
| Sent Legere | Somery |
| Somervile | Seint George |
| Siward | Seint Les |
| Saunsovere | Savine |
| Sanford | Seint Glo |
| Sanctes | Seint Albine |
| Savay | Seint Barbe |
| Saulay | Sandevile |
| Sules | Seint More |
| Sorell | Seint Scudemore |
| Somerey | 17 |
| Sent John | |
| Sent George | |
| Sent Les | |
| Sesse | |
| Salvin | |
| Say | |
| Solers | |
| Saulay | |
| Sent Albin | |
| Sent Martin | |
| Sourdemale | |
| Seguin | |
| Sent Barbe | |
| Sent Vile | |
| Souremount | |
| Soreglise | |
| Sandvile | |
| Sauncey | |
| Sirewast | |
| Sent Cheverol | |
| Sent More | |
| Sent Scudemore | |
| 40 | |
| Toget | Towrs |
| Tercy | Toget |
| Tuchet | Talybois |
| Tracy | Tuchet |
| Trousbut | Truslot |
| Trainel | Trusbut |
| Taket | Traynel |
| Trussel | Taket |
| Trison | Talbot |
| Talbot | Tanny |
| Touny | Tibtote |
| Traies | Trussel |
| Tollemach | Turbevile |
| Tolous | Turvile |
| Tanny | Totet |
| Touke | Tavers |
| Tibtote | Torel |
| Turbevile | Tirel |
| Turvile | Totels |
| Tomy | Taverner |
| Taverner | 20 |
| Trenchevile | |
| Trenchelion | |
| Tankervile | |
| Tirel | |
| Trivet | |
| Tolet | |
| Travers | |
| Tardevile | |
| Turbarvile | |
| Tinevile | |
| Torel | |
| Tortechappel | |
| Tr • sbote | |
| Treverel | |
| Tenwis | |
| Totelles | |
| 37 | |
| Vere | Valence |
| Vernoun | Vancord |
| Vescy | Vavasour |
| Verdoune | Vender |
| Valence | Verder |
| Verdeire | Verdon |
| Vavasour | Vere |
| Vendore | Vernoune |
| Verlay | Venables |
| Valenger | Venoure |
| Venables | Verland |
| Venoure | Verlay |
| Vilan | Vernois |
| Verland | Verny |
| Valers | Vilan |
| Veirny | Umframvile |
| Vavurvile | Unket |
| Veniels | Urnall |
| Verrere | 18 |
| Uschere | |
| Veffay | |
| Vanay | |
| Vian | |
| Vernays | |
| Urnal | |
| Unket | |
| Urnaful | |
| Vasderol | |
| Vaberon | |
| Valinford | |
| Venicorde | |
| Valive | |
| Viville | |
| Vancorde | |
| Valenges | |
| 35 | |
| Wardebois | Wake |
| Ward | Walenger |
| Wafre | Warde |
| Wake | Wardebus |
| Wareine | Waren |
| Wate | Wate |
| Watelin | Wateline |
| Watevile | Watevile |
| Wely | Woly |
| Werdonel | Wyvel |
| Wespaile | 10 |
| Wivell | |
| 12 | |
| The total sum of all in Ralph Holinshed, 629 | The total sum of all in John Stow, 407 |
Besides this Roll of Battle Abbey, there is another extant, not (as this) Alphabetically modelled, (the work of some Monk well at Leisure) but loose, without any literal Order. An argument, in my opinion, of the more native Purity thereof, (less soiled with partial Fingers) as not so much tampered with by Art and Industry. It is reputed by many to be the Muster-roll of such principal Soldiers, as embargued with Duke William at S t . Valeries: and it is said that after the Fight ended; this List was called over, and all persons solemnly summoned, to answer to their Names therein; though many made no vous-avez, as either sick of their Wounds, or slain out-right amongst the six thousand and odd, which lost their Lives on the place. Were we assured hereof, we would prefer this before the former Roll, believing a French Muster-master, rather then any English Monk, (though the Abbot of Battle himself) as not so subject to the suspicion of Flattery herein. This Catalogue is taken out of Guilliam Tayleur a Norman Chronicler of good Credit: but the worst is, we want Tayleur 's French Original, and I fear it hath passed through some Botchers hands, before it came to us. For there be three Editions thereof in our English Historians, which (like the feet of a Badger) fall out of unequal Length, (if the Reader be pleased to measure them) so different the Number of names therein. However, because this Catalogue may conduce to the supplying of Defects, clearing of Doubts, and amending of Faults in that former, we here present the several Copies thereof.
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|
There is still another Catalogue, late in the possession of Thomas Scriven Esquire. I confess, Quantus Author, tanta fides, and the Gentleman, long since dead, being generally unknown, some will question the Authority thereof. But know he was a good Promus-condus of ancient Records. Condus, in keeping them faithfully himself; and Promus, in imparting them freely to others. This his Catalogue is exemplified by John Stow in his Chronicle. Of whom though a Cambridge Comedian was pleased pleasantly to say, that Mendacio now and then jogg'd on the Elbow; yet indeed he deserveth Camden 's commendation of a famous Chronicler, lacking Learning rather then Truth, seldom omitting what is, sometimes recording what is not observable. But see the Catalogue.
- Achard
- Averenges
- Aielard
- Alard
- Aubeney
- Avenel
- Asprevil
- Audeny
- Ak • in
- Arcy
- Amile
- Aunmidvile
- Abbevile
- Andvile
- Albemarke
- Aubrey
- Archer
- Bastarde
- Baignard
- Barvile
- Brassard
- Berad
- Boygnard
- Barkarvile
- Bares
- Basset
- Bars
- Belet
- Beil
- Breit
- Boneit
- Bluet
- Brachet
- Buket
- Biset
- Blundet
- Burdet
- Blete.
- Barry
- B • rri
- Bracy
- Brenenile
- Bounttuile
- Butenile
- Beamchampe
- Burnel
- Bussel
- Bele • ce
- Bonere
- Bodler
- Botiler
- Bogod
- Burle
- Baul
- Brenbe
- Brus
- Butelem
- Bricourt
- Brian
- Boch
- Bozim
- Bion
- Bailoil
- Brocheris
- Bardulfe
- Bancan
- Bussey
- Beamvis
- Bleis
- Baventre
- Camule
- Carenile
- Cardevile
- Condrey
- Cursey
- Caution
- Caily
- Corbet
- Clare
- Curtais
- Curthose
- Chamlin
- Costentin
- Comthense
- Cozmit
- Chalenges
- Chastlem
- Courtueis
- Chawers
- Curty
- Conun
- Crioile
- Charles
- Chen
- Chaucer
- Chandos
- Cunly
- Curly
- Crely
- Colcuile
- Cabot
- Charnel
- Chamel
- Charel
- Cheinie
- Darcy
- Dunstervile
- Douchampe
- Despenser
- Duredent
- Drivall
- Duket
- Dreward
- Delamare
- Drunall
- Dela
- Deincourt
- Eurous
- Estotkirke
- Faberburt
- Fossard
- Fresel
- Frevile
- Fressenile
- Folenile
- Firmunde
- Fizgessray
- Firpers
- Fitzwaters
- Feskampe
- Fizhu
- Fizurs
- Ferrer
- Fornitall
- Fineit
- Fitzbrian
- Frison
- Ferers
- Fohamble
- Frignes
- Fitzgariz
- Formentin
- Gangy
- Greminle
- Gieunile
- Gornumile
- Gemule
- Gerard
- Giffard
- Gondrel
- Gorger
- Goner
- Gigod
- Gaibit
- Giptot
- Garin
- Gunter
- Gras
- Grauntson
- Gournay
- Greis
- Gamage
- Gautere
- Gorge
- Hainule
- Hantvile
- Humchampe
- Herebrace
- Henile
- Herenile
- Havel
- Hachet
- Haket
- Harvy
- Hanesy
- Hersy
- Hai
- Hasard
- Hausard
- Hasser
- Hubert
- Hamelin
- Harecurte
- Hus
- Hense
- Iardin
- Kemes
- Keines
- Kusac
- Kosin
- Kamais
- Laci
- Liar
- Lunecy
- Luret
- Lucy
- Lidet
- Linguenile
- Levener
- Licot
- Lonecot
- Lovell
- Lescei
- Lambert
- Lenn
- Limare
- Lisle
- La.
- Maignard
- Maureward
- Mountford
- Montague
- Mountbray
- Maundevile
- Mortmer
- Mansel
- Maschy
- Mungomer
- Morvile
- Meisy
- Munty
- Mounteni
- Mulet
- Mumfitchet
- Martell
- Morell
- Musard
- Maleit
- Milere
- Molevorer
- Manturners
- Moreiis
- Muelent
- Meigne
- Menul
- Manne
- Maceis
- Mabuom
- Mortem
- Mansey
- Maresthall
- Morley
- Martinas
- Murdacke
- Metun
- Mameisin
- Morin
- Mire
- Morim
- Neemarch
- Nepunt
- Orniall
- Osevile
- Orware
- Passemer
- Passenaunt
- Picot
- Poorvanger
- Pers
- Purcel
- Pichard
- Pypard
- Pamel
- Panel
- Piterel
- Penerel
- Pleisy
- Paveli
- Pilet
- Parly
- Palet
- Piket
- Percy
- Punchet
- Pachet
- Punis
- Pandulfe
- Pulem
- Penir
- Pen
- Phanecourt
- Pales
- Prouz
- Pirim
- Peisim
- Parteben
- Punifrait.
- Quinsi
- Quatramart
- Russel
- Rydel
- Roter
- Rochell
- Rooz
- Richmount
- Semtenile
- Somery
- Say
- Suneli
- Sorel
- Seteplace
- Spivenile
- Saundernile
- Sonule
- Soler
- Sourrile
- Stutenile
- Soleny
- Spigurnel
- Seintbrenel
- Soylard
- Swywar
- Saucer
- Sausaver
- Seniler
- Saintcler
- Senittomer
- Seintleger
- Saundenal
- Savage
- Seintion
- Saint-mareis
- Saucei
- Sal
- Seignes
- Seintlis
- Seintmoris
- Seintgorge
- Seintiore
- Seint-quintin
- Seintmore
- Sauntzire
- Saintchy
- Setuans
- Seinte-royiz
- Seinteleme
- Toret
- Tavit
- Turpet
- Tramel
- Torchapel
- Tonny
- Trussel
- Tuchet
- Torevile
- Trevet
- Tirel
- Trans
- Talebot
- Turbenile
- Tracy
- Trussebut
- Toc
- Tailpas
- Truan
- Tener
- Tisiure
- Tayleboys
- Verer
- Vilers
- Vesty
- Vinframile
- Veily
- Vaieus
- Veisin
- Vorill
- Venur
- Vavasue
- Vaus.
- Widenile
- Wimle
- Wilby
- Wadel
- Ward
- Wyschard
- Waldeboef
- Wastueis
- Warem
- Weirim
- Tuoire,
To these six Catalogues let me add one more; not that I am an affecter of a Septenarie Number, but because confident it is the best and most authentic of all the rest. I find it in M r . Fox; but surely collected by some (more skillful then himself in this kind) out of several ancient Chronicles. It containeth such Persons who after the Battle were advanced to Seignories in this Land. It presenteth us only with the initial Letters of their Christian Names, save for the first seven therein. And although hereby we are left at an Uncertainty, as whether G. signifieth George or Gilbert, I. James or John; yet more then a Conjecture may be made by observing what Christian Name was predominant in their Posterity.
- John de Maunde vile
- Adam Vndevile
- Bernard de Frevile
- Rich. de Rochvile
- Gilbert de Frankvile
- Hugo de Dovile
- Symond de Rotevile
- R. de Evile
- B. de Kneuvile
- Hugo de Morvile
- R. de Colevile
- A. de Warvile
- C. de Karvile
- R. de Rotevile
- S. de Stotevile
- H. Bonum
- I. Monum
- W. de Vignoum
- K. de Vispount
- W. Bailbeof
- S. de Baleyn
- H. de Matreys
- I. Aguleyne
- G. Agilon
- R. Chamburlayn
- N. de Vendres
- H. de Verdon
- H. de Verto
- C. de Vernon
- H. Hardul
- C. Cappan
- W. de Camvile
- I. de Cameres
- R. de Rotes
- R. de Boys
- W. de Waren
- T. de Wardboys
- R. de Boys
- W. de Audely
- K. Dynham
- R. de Vaures
- G. de Vargenteen
- I. de Hastings
- G. de Hastank
- L. de Burgee
- R. de Butvileyn
- H. de Malebranch
- S. de Malemain
- G. de Hautevile
- H. Hauteyn
- R. de Mor • eyn
- R. de Mortimer
- G. de Ranovile
- E. de Columb
- W. Paynel
- C. Panner
- H. Pontrel
- I. de Rivers
- T. de Revile
- W. de Beauchamp
- R. de Beaupale
- E. de Ou
- F. Lovel
- S. de Troys
- I. de Artel
- I. de Montebrugge
- H. de Mounteserel
- W. Trussebut
- W. Trussell
- H. Byset
- R. Basset
- R. Molet
- H. Malovile
- G. Bonet
- P. de Bonvile
- S. de Rovile
- N. de Norbeck
- I. de Corneux
- P. de Corbet
- W. de Montague
- S. de Mountfychet
- I. de Genevyle
- H. Gyffard
- I. de Say
- T. Gilbard
- R. de Chalons
- S. de Chauward
- H. Ferret
- Hugo Pepard
- I. de Harecourt
- H. de Haunsard
- I. de Lamare
- P. de Mautrevers
- G. de Ferron
- R. de Ferrers
- I. de D'esly
- W. de Werders
- H. de Bornevile
- I. de Saintenys
- S. de Syncler
- R. de Gorges
- E. de Gemere
- W. de Feus
- S. de Filberd
- H. de Turbervile
- R. Troblenuer
- R. de Angon
- T. de Morer
- T. de Rotelet
- H. de Spencer
- R. de S t . Quentin
- I. de Saint Martin
- G. de Custan
- Saint Constantine
- Saint Leger & Sains Med.
- M. de Cronu & de S. Viger
- S. de Crayel
- R. de Crenker
- N. Meyvel
- I. de Berners
- S. de Chumly
- E. de Charers
- I. de Grey
- W. de Grangers
- S. de Grangers
- S. Baubenyn
- H. Vamgers
- E. Bertram
- R. Bygot
- S. Tre • lie
- I. Trigos
- G. de Feues
- H. Filiot
- R. Taperyn
- S. Talbot
- H. Santsaver
- T. de Samford
- G. de Vandien
- C. de Vautort
- G. de Montague
- Tho. de Chambernon
- S. de Montfort
- R. de Fernevaulx
- W. de Valence
- T. Clarel
- S. de Clervaus
- P. de Aubermale
- H. de Saint Arvant
- E. de Auganuteys
- S. de Gant
- G. de Malearbe
- H. Mandut
- W. de Chesun
- L. de Chandut
- R. Filzurz
- B. Viscount de Low
- G. de Cantemere
- T. de Cantlow
- R. Breaunce
- T. de Broxeboof
- S. de Bolebec
- B. Mol de Boef
- I. de Muelis
- R. de Brus
- S. de Brewes
- I. de Lille
- T. de Bellile
- I. de Watervile
- G. de Nevile
- R. de Neuburgh
- H. de Burgoyne
- G. de Bourgh
- S. de Lymoges
- L. de Lyben
- W. de Helyoun
- W. de Hildrebron
- R. de Loges
- S. de Saint Low
- I. de Maubank
- P. de Saint Malow
- R. de Leofern
- I. de Lovotot
- G. de Dabbevile
- H. de Appelot
- W. de Percy
- H. de Lacy
- G. de Quincy
- E. Tracy
- R. de la Souche
- V. de Somery
- I. de Saint John
- T. de Saint Gory
- P. de Boyly
- R. de Saint Valery
- P. de Pinkeny
- S. de Pavely
- G. de Monthaut
- T. de Mountchesy
- R. de Lymozy
- G. de Lucy
- I. de Artois
- N. de Arty
- P. de Grenvile
- I. de Greys
- V. de Cresty
- F. de Courcy
- T. de Lamar
- H. de Lymastz
- I. de Moubray
- G. de Morley
- S. de Gorney
- R. de Courtenay
- P. de Gourney
- R. de Cony
- I. de la Huse
- R. de la Huse
- V. de Longevile
- P. Longesly
- I. Pouchardon
- R. de la Pomercy
- I. de Pountz
- R. de Pontlarge
- R. Estraunge
- Tho. Savage.
I presume the Reader sufficiently wearied with so many dull Prose-Catalogues; and now we will refresh him a little with an Old Song, as I find their Names metrically composed in the Chronicle of John Brompton the Abbot. Indeed the Rythms may be said to make themselves; such is the like Cadency of many Norman-names; and if the Verses do but chime and tinck in the Close, it is enough to the purpose.
- Vous que desyrez assaver
- Les Nons de grauntz de la la mer
- Que vindrent Od le conqueror
- William Bastard de grant vigoure,
- Lours surnons issi nous denys,
- Com je les trova en escris.
- Car des propres nons force ny a,
- Purce qillis sont changes sa & la;
- Come de Edmond en Edward,
- De Baldwyn en Barnard.
- De Godwyn en Godard.
- De Elys en Edwin:
- Et issint de toutz autrez nons,
- Come ils sont levez dufons.
- Purce lour surnons que sont usez,
- Et ne sont pas sovent chaungez,
- Vous ay escript; ore escotez.
- Si vous oier les voylletz.
- Maundevyle & Daundevyle
- Ounfravyle & Downefrevyle
- Bolvyle & Baskarvyle
- Evyle & Clevyle
- Morevyle & Colevyle
- Warbevyle & Carvyle
- Botevyle & Sotevyle
- Deverous & Cavervyle
- Mooun & Bo ••
- Vipoun & Vinoun
- Baylon & Baylaun
- Maris & Marmyoun
- Agulis & Aguloun
- Chaumberleyn & Chaumber soun
- Vere & Vernoun
- Verdyers & Verdoun
- Cryel & Caroun
- Dummer & Dammoun
- Hastyng & Cammois
- Bardelse, Botes & Boys
- Warenne & Wardeboys
- Rodes & Dev • rois
- Auris & Argenten
- Botetour & Botevelyn
- Malebouch & Malemeyn
- Hautevyle & Hauteyn
- Danvey & Dyveyn
- Malure & Malvesyn
- Morten & Mortimer
- Braunz & Columber
- Seynt Denis & Seynt Cler
- Seint A • been & Seynt omer
- Seynt Fylbert, Fyens & Gomer
- Turbevyle & Turbemer
- Gorges & Spenser
- Brus & Boteler
- Crevequel & Seynt Quinreyn
- Deverouge & Seynt Martin
- Seynt Mor & Seynt Leger
- Seynt Vigor & Seynt Per
- Avynel & Paynell
- Peyvere & Perverell
- Rivers & Rivel
- Beauchamp & Beaupel
- Lou & Lovell
- Ros & Druell
- Mountabours & Mountsorell
- Trussebot & Trussell
- Bergos & Burnell
- Bra & Boterell
- Biset & Basset
- Malevyle & Malet
- Bonevyle & Bonet
- Nervyle & Narbet
- Coynale & Corbet
- Mountayn & Mounsychet
- Geynevyle & Gyssard
- Say & Seward
- Chary & Chaward
- Pyryton & Pypard
- Harecourt & Haunsard
- Musegrave & Musard
- Mare & Mautravers
- Frenz & Ferters
- Bernevyle & Berners
- Cheyne & Chalers
- Daundon & Daungers
- Vessi, Gray & Graungers
- Bertram & Bygod
- Traylliz & Tragod
- Penbri & Pypotte
- Freyn & Folyot
- Dapisoun & Talbote
- Sanzaver & Saunford
- Vadu & Vatorte
- Montague & Mounford
- Forneus & Fornyvaus
- Valens, Yle & Vaus
- Clarel & Claraus
- Aubevyle & Seint Amauns
- Agantez & Dragans
- Malerbe & Maudut
- Brewes & Chaudut
- Fizowres & Fizde Lou
- Cantemor & Cantelou
- Braybuffe & Huldbynse
- Bolebeke & Molyns
- Moleton & Besyle
- Richford & Desevyle
- Watervyle & Dayvyle
- Nebors & Nevyle
- Hynoys, Burs, Burgenon
- Ylebon, Hyldebrond, Holyon
- Loges & Seint Lou
- Maubank & Seint Malou
- Wake & Wakevyle
- Condree & Knevyle
- Scales & Clermount
- Beauvys & Beamount
- Mouns & Mountchampe
- Nowers & Nowchampe
- Percy, Crus & Lacy
- Quincy & Tracy
- Stokes & Somery
- Seynt Johan & Seynt Iay
- Greyle & Seynt Walry
- Pynkeney & Panely
- Mohant & Mountchensy
- Loveyn & Lucy
- Artoys & Arcy
- Grevyle & Courcy
- Arras & Cressy
- Merle & Moubray
- Gornay & Courtnay
- Haustlayng & Tornay
- Husee & Husay
- Pounchardon & Pomeray
- Longevyle & Longespay
- Peyns & Pountlarge
- Straunge and Sauvage.
Passe we now from Poetry to Painting, seeing great the affinity betwixt them, Fancy being predominant in both. Present we here the Reader with the Names and Arms of forty Soldiers of King William the Conqueror, matched with as many Monks; but how, and on what occasion, the ensuing Writing will acquaint us.
In the time of Thurston, our Abbot of Eli, born of worshipful Parentage in the Village of Wichford near Eli, King Harold, Son of Godwin, and together with him all the States of England almost, were slain by the Soldiers of William Duke of Normandy, Nephew to Saint Edward the King, upon the Feast of S t . Calixt the Pope, in the year of our Lord God one thousand sixty and six.
Whereupon Egelwine Bishop of Durham, Egfride Abbot of S t . Albans, the Earl of Margary, and Edward Byarn, with sundry other chief of the Land, together with their Friends, laden with great Treasures, fled unto us, desirous to withstand, so far as lay in them, the enterprise of the Bastard: by whose Aide we withstood the tempestuous Threats of the Normans seven years; until such time as Belase, who at that time was General of the Kings Army, and from whom the circuit of certain Hills at the South end of Alderhithe -Causey, which at this day are corruptly called Belsar 's- Hills, took their name, being cast up on purpose, that the Army in the Night time might lodge there safely, astonied us by the means of an huge number of Boats gathered together upon a sudden. Á Council then being called, it seemed good to our Captains in convenient time to crave the Kings Mercy. Whereupon certain were sent to the Kings Court, being then at Warwick, carrying with them to the King a mighty Treasure, a competent Price & Satisfaction to pacify him concerning an unadvised Attempt. Where with the Honorable King was appeased, yet with this Covenant and Condition, that so long as it pleased him, forty of the Kings Soldiers should be maintained at the charge of the Monastery. For the King feared, lest that whilst he bent his forces against the Scots not yet subdued, the Isle of Eli (being indeed a dreadful Strength) should again revolt to his great Danger. The Soldiers with their Retinue are sent, they come and here abide. Whereof each one is delivered to some principal Monk, as a Captain to his Lieutenant, or a Guest to his Host. Now the King decreed that Bertwolde, the Butler, should minister Food to the Soldiers and Monks jointly together, one with another, in the common Hall of the Monastery. What need many words? These Captains to their Lieutenants, these Guests to their Hosts, these Soldiers to their Monks were most welcome: for all of them entertained each one, each one entertained all, and everyone mutually one another, with all duties of Humanity. At the length the Fire of the civil War being quenched, and the King established according to his Hearts desire, five years after, his Severity in punishing being in godly manner pacified, it pleased the King to withdraw this Yoke, wherewith the Pride of the Monks was now sufficiently abated. And the Conqueror reclaimed his Soldiers, to punish the ungodly Insolency of his Son Robert, who at that time in outrageous manner kept Riot in Normandy. But our Monks (which is a wonder to report) did not only with Tears bewail the departure of their dearest Mates, the heroical Soldiers, and welcome Guests; but howled out most fearfully, and beat their Breast as destitute of Hope, after the manner of a new-married Wife, whose Husband is violently taken away, at an unseasonable time, out of her sweet Arms unto the Wars. For they doubted lest that, being thus forsaken, they should be subject to the Spoil; whereas they had lived securely at ease, with their armed Guests, to whose trust they had committed themselves and their Goods. They being now all ready for their Journey, everyone of our Monks, many in number, investured in their Copes, in dutiful manner accompanied these Gentlemen departing, unto Hadenham, with Songs, Crosses, Censers, Processions, and all Solemnity that might be used. And returning home, took order that the Arms of each Soldier should be lively depainted upon the Wall of the common Hall, where they took their Repast together, to the perpetual memory of the customed Kindness of their Soldier-like Guests, the which from time to time, from the Predecessors to the Successors, and from obscure Antiquity to our Posterity at this day, are curiously set forth to be viewed of all men, not without a pleasant Delight, in such manner as they glitter and shine honorable in the Margent of this Table.
This Writing was composed about the Reign of King Henry the seventh, but the Arms set up in Eli -Hall (as may appear by inserting the Coat of Robert Orford, the fourteenth Bishop of Eli) about the year 1306. Which Hall was destroyed at the Dissolution; but another Transcript of the Arms of these Knights being depicted on the Wall of the Deans Dining-room, was lately extant, whence our Draught here presented was taken (rather truly then neatly done, out of desire to conform to the Original) and communicated to me by that worthy Knight, and able Antiquary, S t . Simon Archer of Warwickshire.
Some will wonder that M r . Camden maketh no mention hereof, whose Omnisciencie in these things may be presumed of. Yea, which is more, there is (saith he) a Rampire of mean Height, but of very large Compass, which they call Belsar' s-Hills, of one Bellisar, I wot not who; taking no notice of Belasis, the Norman General, who subdued Eli, and from whom our late-produced Writing attesteth those Hills to be so named. But, besides that Camdenus non videt omnia, great Antiquaries are sometimes subject to fits of Sullennesse, & will not see what they do see, when resolved to take no Notice thereof.
And now we have presented the Reader with eight several Catalogues, two of Holinshead 's, two of Stow 's, two of M r . Fox, one of Scriven 's, one of Frier Brompton 's, besides the List of Eli Knights, I could wish a good Herald would make a Mono-ogdoon, that is, one out of eight, and Alphabetically digest the same; also note what Names are extant, and which, how, and when extinct.
By names which I call extinct, understand, not existent in any signal and remarkable luster proportionable to their former greatness, though possibly some obscure under-boughs, truly derived thence, may still be in being. That worthy Doctor hath made many Converts in Physic to his seeming Paradox, maintaining the Circulation of Blood running round about the Body of man. Nor is it less true, that gentile Blood fetcheth a Circuit in the body of a Nation, running from Yeomanrie, through Gentry to Nobility, and so retrograde, returning through Gentry to Yeomanrie again. My Father hath told me from the mouth of S r . Robert Cotton, that that worthy Knight met in a Morning a true and undoubted Plantagenet holding the Plough in the Country.
He might add Arms to ancient names, where he could recover any Certainty therein; for I am confident that hereditary Arms are not so ancient as the Conquest, but fixed in Families about the beginning of Henry the third, finding before that time the warlike Devises of the Sons, not the same with the Fancies of their Fathers, and their Grand-children differing from both.
If any say that I have already gone too far in this Subject, who am no Herald by Profession, but only K 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Praeco, a Crier in the spiritual acception of the Office: yea, that this favors of Revenge, as if, because so many in this Age invade my Calling, I in requital have made Incursion into other men's Professions; like men that take Letters of Mart, not caring whom they wrong, so they repair themselves for their former sustained, or pretended Losses: Let such know that I adventure on Herauldry, not as a Calling, but as an accessory quality for Recreation. And, in evidence of my Loyalty to the Kings of Arms, I submit what here I have written to their Censure and Correction, who have obliged me unto them with their many and great Civilities.
Only I will add some Corollaries to this Roll, and so conclude.
First Coroll. When any Name begins with a Vowel, or an H, the prefixing of D ' createth a (seeimg) new Name: as Arcy, D' Arcy; Aunvers, D' Aunvers; Haurel or Hairel, D' Hairel.
Second Coroll. French Surnames are generally discernible by their Terminations
-
In
- Age
- Ard
- Champe
- Court
- Cy
- Ell
- Er
-
As
- Savage
- Giffard
- Beauchampe
- Harcourt
- Darcy
- Terrell
- Archer
-
In
- Ers
- Eux
- Et
- Lay
- Nay
- Ot
- Vile
-
As
- Danvers
- Devereux
- Barret
- Cholmelay
- Courtnay
- Talbot
- Nevile
Some few Names whose Endings are exceptions from these Rules, are easily observed by reading, and known to be of French Extraction.
Third Coroll. Wivil is the last name in most Catalogues. First fixed at Stanton Wivil in Leicestershire, where they continued in the twenty fourth year of the Reign of King Henry the sixth, on this Token, that William Wivill (being sworn and examined) did depose that he could expend twenty pounds a year of old Rents besides all Charges. Of this House was Robert de Wivil Bishop of Salisbury, one neither Handsome, nor Learned, but eminent for his long Life, (forty five years Bishop there) and high Spirit, that he would not suffer the Castle of Sarum to be parted from his See, challenged by William Mountacute Earl of Salisbury, without putting it upon Trial of Battle. Long since the Wivils here are extinct, bearing Gules, Frettey Vary, a Chief Or. But there is extant an ancient Family of that name in the North (though different in Arms) augmented in State and Honor by Matches with the Heirs of Pigot, Scroope of Vpsall, and Bointon: whereof S r . Marmaduke Wivil of Constable-Burton in Richmondshire was created Baronet by King James, whose Grand-child Marmaduke Baronet Wivil married the Daughter of Coniers Lord Darcy. And I am glad that I may auspiciously close, and conclude my Catalogue with so worthy a Gentleman; bearing Gules, three Cheveronels braced in Base, Gobonee Argent and Azure, a Chief Or.
Fourth Coroll. All names of Gentry which by authentical Records came over at the Conquest, are not expressed in any of these Catalogues; as Saukvil, or Sackvil, and Walgrave, we finding two of that Surname.
One John Walgrave a Saxon, living at Walgrave in Northamptonshire, and possessed of that Manor before the Conquest.
The other a Walloon of that name, coming over with the Conqueror, and employed by him in many Services.
The later of these, on the former his consent that he should marry his only Daughter, procured from the Conqueror a Pardon for his Father in Law, that he might quietly enjoy his Lands and Livings, descending on this Walloon Walgrave after the other his Death. Which Pardon, legible in French, was Anno 1612. in the possession of the Walgraves, still flourishing in Suffolk.
Fifth Coroll. Let none wonder, if some names of Worshipful and Honorable Families, undoubtedly of French Original (but since the Conquest) have not appeared in the aforesaid Catalogues. For know that after the Conquest, sundry French -men of signal Worth entered England at several times, chiefly
-
At the
Marriage
- First of King Henry the second to Queen Eleanor, who brought the Dukedom of Aquitain & Earldom of Poitiers for her Dowrie.
- Secondly of Edward the second to Isabella Daughter to Philip the Fair King of France, when three thousand French came over with her (complained of as a great Grievance) and many settled here.
Sixth Coroll. Many will admire no mention of Tradesmen in all these Catalogues, being of absolute necessity both in War and Peace. For soon would the Head of the best Monsieur ache without a Capper, Hands be tanned without a Glover, Feet be foundered without a Tanner, Currier, Shoemaker, whole Body be straved, cold, without Weaver, Fuller, Tailor, hungry, without Baker, Brewer, Cook, harborless, without Mason, Smith and Carpenter. Say not, it was beneath the French Gallantry to stoup to such mean Employments, who found all these Trades here amongst the English their Vassall • . For (besides that nothing is base which is honest, and necessary for human Society) such as are acquainted with the French, both ancient & modern, finicall humor, know they account our Tailours Botchers, Shoemakers Cobblers, Cooks Slovens, compared to the exactness of their Fancy and Palate; so that certainly such Trades came over with them.
Seventh Coroll. But hear what our great Antiquary faith herein. In that most authentical Register, Doomesday Book in the Exchequer, ye shall have Cocus, Aurifaber, Pictor, Pistor, Accipitrarius, Camerarius, Venator, Piscator, Medicus; Cook, Goldsmith, Painter, Baker, Falconer, Chamberlain, Huntsman, Fisher, Leach, Marshall, Porter, and others, which then held land in capite, and without doubt left these Names to their Posterity; albeit haply they are not mentioned in those Tables of Battle Abbey of such as came in at the Conquest.
Eighth Coroll. Now let me bespeak the Readers Pity (though possibly his ingenuous Sympathie hath given it before it was requested) for those poor English -men who were to find Free-quarter for all these French. Where could their Land-lords lodge them? or rather how could they long continue Landlords, when such potent Guests came to their Houses? O the several ways which their Necessities dictated unto them! Some fought, as the Kentish; who capitulated for their Liberty: some fled, as those in the North into Scotland: some hid themselves, as many in middle England in the Isle of Eli: some, as those of Norfolk, traversed their Title by Law, and that with good Success in the Old age of King William the Conqueror. Most betook themselves to Patience, which taught many a Noble Hand to work, Foot to travel, Tongue to entreat; even thanking them for their Courtesie, who were pleased to restore a Shiver of their own Loaf which they violently took from them.
THE SEVENTH CENTURY.
AMICO SVO GR. B.
SOcrates interrogatus, quo Philtro Natura Sympathias conciliaret, quidve esset in causa, ut alii hominum primo occursu ament medullitus, alii sibi mutuo sint infensi; hanc rationem reddidit.
Deus, inquit, ab aeterno quicquid futurum esset animarum creavit; creatas, per immensum temporis spatium in uno cumulo collocavit; collocatas, corporibus, prout indies generantur, infundit. Hinc est, si contingat vel fortuitum consortium inter eos homines, quorum animae in hoc acervo propinquiores, quod primo visu (quasi veteris vicinitatis memores) se invicem diligant; dum isti, primo intuitu, antipathiae stimulis urgeantur, quorum animae adversantes diametrice opponebantur.
Fateor commentum hoc Socraticum à Theologia abhorrere; & in Philosophia plurimis asystatis laborare. Quod si ei subesset tantum veritatis, quantum ingenii, sanct▪ ssime voverem, in hoc animarum cumulo Tuam & Meam contiguas olim jacuisse; cum Te primum conspectum & animitus amarem, & à Te redamarer.
1. MUch about this time Pope Gregory sent two Arch-Bishops Palls into England; the one for London, the other for York. The former of these Cities had been honored with an Arch-bishop 's See some hundred years since King Lucius. But at the instance of Augustine, and by a new Order of the foresaid Gregory, this Pall sent to London, was removed thence to Canterbury, (whereof Augustine was made Arch-Bishop) and there, for the future, fixed and confirmed for several Reasons. First, London already had Luster enough, being the biggest City in Britain; and it was needless to add new Spiritual to her old Temporal Greatness; which conjoined, might cause Pride in any one place, whilst divided▪ they might give Honor to two Cities. Secondly, London, by reason of the Receit thereof, was likely to prove the residing place for the English Monarch; and it was probable that the Archiepiscopall Dignity would there be eclipst and out-shined by the Regal Diadem. Thirdly, had Augustine been Arch-Bishop of London, he might have seemed to succeed the British Arch-Bishops, and to have derived some Right from them, contrary to his Humour, who would Lead All, but Follow None; and therefore would not wear an Old Title, but have a span-New Arch-Bishops Chair carved out for himself. Lastly, Canterbury was the place, wherein Christianity was first received by the Saxons, and therefore deserved to be honored, to perpetuate the Memory thereof. Thus London hereafter must be contented with the plain Seat of a Bishop, the Mother being made a Daughter, and must come behind Canterbury, which did much wrong, and perchance something trouble her. But Churches have more Discretion and Humility, then to break their Hearts about earthly Precedency: and the matter is not much, which See went first, when living; seeing our Age hath laid them both alike level in their Graves.
2. Augustine thus armed with Archiepiscopall Authority, to show a Cast of his Office, by the Aid of Ethelbert King of Kent, called a Council, for the Saxon and British Bishops to come together, in the Confines of the Wiccians and West-Saxons. An indifferent Place, for mutual Ease, in mid-way betwixt both; haply presaging, that as their distant Persons met on equal terms, so their opposite Opinions might agree in some Moderation. The particular Place was called AUGUSTINES AKE (that is his Oak, in our modern Dialect) which Stapleton (mistaken by the affinity of Wiccii or Veccii, with Vectis, the Latin name for the Isle of Wight) seeketh near Southampton; where, indeed, he may find many Oaks in the New Forest, and yet miss the right one. For this Oak stood in the Confines of Worcester and Herefordshire (though at this day Time hath confounded it Root and Branch) and therefore this Meeting is in Latin called Synodus Vigorniensis. Many solemn Entertainments, we know, were anciently made under Trees: and a Palm-tree served Deborah for her Westminster-Hall, wherein she judged Israel. But several reasons are assigned, why Augustine kept this Council under an Oak. First, so public a place was free from Exceptions; whereunto none were debarred Access. Secondly, being congregated under the view of Heaven, and not pent within the Walls of a private House, they were minded of clear, fair, and open Proceedings, without secret Ends, or sinister Intents. Thirdly, perchance some Pagan Saxons (allured with Novelty) would repair to the Council, whose Icalousy was such, as in no case they would come under a Roof, for fear of Fascination, as hath been formerly observed. Lastly, Augustine knowing that the Pagan Britons performed their Superstitions under an Oak, celebrated his Synod under the same, in some Imitation, and yet a Correction of their Idolatry: As in a religious Parallel, Pagan Temples had formerly by him been converted into Churches of Saints. But when all is done, the matter is not so clear, but that the place called Augustine 's Oak, may as well be a Town as a Tree, so called from some eminent Oak in, at, or near it: as the Vine in Hampshire, so named from Vines anciently growing there, is a beautiful House, and principal Seat, where the Barons Sandes have their Habitation. And, what is most apposite for our purpose, Sozomen calleth the Place where Theophilus kept a Synod against S t . Chrysostom, the Oak; which, notwithstanding, is notoriously known to have been a populous Suburb of the City of Chalcedon.
3. At the first Sessions of this Synod there was a very thin Appearance of the Britons: of whom Augustine demanded, that they should mutually contribute with him their Paines to convert the Heathen in Britain, and that they should submit to the Pope, and embrace an Uniformity with the Romish Rites, especially in the Celebration of Easter. What their Answer was, it is pity it should be delivered in any other Words, then what the Abbot of Ranchor, being the Mouth for the rest, represented, as followeth; and let it shift, as well as it can, for its own authenticalness.
BId ispis a diogel i, chwi ynbod ni holl vn ac arral, yn vuidd ac ynn ostingedig i Eglwys Duw, ac ir Paab o Ruvam, ac i Boob Kyar grisdic n dwyuel, y garu pawb yn i radd mewn kariad parfaich, ac ihelpio pawb o honaunt ar air a guecthred i vod ynn blant yDaw, ac amgenach wyddod nc hwn nidadwen i vod ir neb yr yddeck chwi y henwi yn Paab ne in Daad o Daad, yw glemio ac ywo ovunn: ar uvyddod hivn idden in yn varod yw rod ac yw dalu iddo ef ac i pob Krisdion yn dragwiddol. He uid yry dym ni dan lywodrath Esoob Kaerllion ar Wysc, yr hien ysidd yn oligwr dan Duw ar nom ni, y wuenthud i ni gadwr fordd ysbrydol.
BE it known and without doubt unto you, that we all are, and everyone of us, obedient and subjects to the Church of God, and to the Pope of