wanting both in their courteous and conscientious addresses unto them.
54. Amongst the ancient plate of this Hall, two peeces are most remark∣able:
one silver and gilt, of the Foundresses (produced on Festivals) who be∣ing
of French extraction, was much devoted to their tutelar Saint, witness
this inscription, as I remember it:
Saint Dionyse is my deer,
Wherefore be merry and make good cheer.
The other, very like the former, weighing 67 ounces, the gift of Thomas
Langton,
Bishop of Winton.
with this insculption. Thomas Langton Winton.
Episcopus Aulae Pembrochianae olim socius, dedit hanctassiam coopertam eidem Aulae
1497. Qui alienaret, Anathema sit.
55. King Henry the sixth was so great a favorer of this House, that it was
termed his adopted Daughter (Kings Coll. onely, being accounted his naturall
sonne) and great were his benefactions bestowed thereon. But above all we
take notice of that passage in his Charter granting (repeated in another of
King Edwards confirming) lands to this House.
Notabile & insigne, & quàm pretiosum Collegium, quod inter omniae loca
Universitatis (prout certitudinaliter informamur) mirabiliter splendit &
sempter resplenduit.
Now although it is frequent for inferiors to flatter their superiors, it is seldome
seen, that Subjects are praised by their Soveraigns without due cause, as this
doth appear true to such who seriously peruse our foregoing Catalogue.
And though the commendation in the Kings Charter, be confined to Cam∣bridge;
yet may it be extended to any Colledge in Christendom of the same
proportion, for Students therein. I say (as the Apostle in another kinde) that
there may be an equality, let Prembroke Hall be compared with any foundation
in Europe, not exceeding it in bigness, time, and number of Members, and it
will acquit it self not conquered in all learned and liberal capacities.
56. Amongst the Masters of this Hall, Robert de Thorp, the second in num∣ber,
was, in the thirtieth year of King Edward the third, Lord chief Justice
of the Common-Pleas, which place he held thirteen years, till 1371, when he
was made Lord Chancellor of England. His Executors anno 1375, gave fourty
marks apiece to every Colledge in Cambridge (then eight in number) out of
his own estate; who in his life time began the publique-Schools, as we shall
shew hereafter.
57. Amidst the Benefactors, Thomas Watts, Doctor of Divinity, and Arch∣deacon
of Middlesex, gave certain Farmes in Ashwell and Sauston, for the main∣tenance
of 7 Scholars, by the name of Greek-Scholars, Lancelot Andrews was
one of his foundation: Who at this day is neither indebted to this House in
general, to which he gave (besides plate, three hundred folio-books, &c.)
one thousand pounds for two Fellowships: Nor to the memorie of Dr. Watts
in particular, whose poor kindred he afterward sought after, found out, and
relieved (shall I say?) or rewarded.
58. Nor must Reynere de Aubeney and Robert de Stanton, both first fellows
of this Colledge, be forgotten amongst the Benefactors, being employed
as Procurators at Rome, to Pope Innocent the sixth, to obtain the Appropria∣tion
of some Rectorles, the Patronage whereof, the Foundress had conferred
on the Colledge. In which service (well forwarded, but not finished by
them) they there ended their lives; and in gratitude to their memories, a
Statute was made in the Colledge, that their obsequies should yearly be
kept in the moneth of July.
And now we take our farewell of this Hall, when we have remembred
how Queen Elizabeth, passing by the same in her progress to Cambridge 1566,
saluted it with this expression, O Domus antiqu•• & religios••! O ancient and re∣ligious
House!