The history of the worthies of England who for parts and learning have been eminent in the several counties : together with an historical narrative of the native commodities and rarities in each county / endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

Prelats.

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 nick∣named his fortune) therein, he became anno 1274▪* 1.1 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)* 1.2 Kingdome. He is reported to have given to the Church of Glassenbury in England,* 1.3 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 colour till his death, not fading, for his future higher preferments, though others conjecture his birth also at Ely. When the bold Barons obtrued a Chancellour* 1.4 (A Kings Tongue and Hands by whom he publickly 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* 1.5 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 sate 12. years, and that Cathedrall may (by a Synedoche of a novel part for the whole) challenge his interment, having his Heart* 1.6 inclosed in a Wall, though his body be buryed 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 aire, having rich arable on the one, and the fair health of New-market on the other side thereof. It hath been the nur∣sery 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.

William a 1.7 of Bottlesham,	John of Bottlesham,	Nicholas of Bottlesham,
Made by the Pope, first Bishop of Bethlehem in Sy∣ria, afterwards Anno 1385. Bishop of Landaffe, and thence removed to Roche∣ster. A famous Preacher, Confessor to King Richard the second, and learned Writer, but by Walsingham and Bale, called John by mis∣take. He dyed in Febru. Anno 1399. Nor must we forget that he was once Fellow of Pembroke-hall.	Was bred in Peter-house in Cambridge, whereunto he was a Benefactor, as also to the whole University, Chap∣lain to T. Arundel, Arch∣bishop of Canterbury; by whose recommendation he was preferred to succeed his Towns-man in the See of Rochester; which he never saw (saith myb 1.8 Authour) as dying in the beginning of the year 1401.	Was a Carmelite bred in Cambridge, afterwards re∣moved to Paris, where in Sorbone he commenced Doctor of Divinity. Re∣turning to Cambridge he became Prior of the Car∣melites (since Queens-col∣ledge) where he wrote many books, and lies bu∣ried in his own c 1.9 Covent Anno Domini 1435.

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

THOMAS of NEW MARKET was born therein, and though that Town lyeth some part in Suffolk, my * 1.10 Author assures his Nativity in this County. He was bred in Cambridge, an excellent Humanist and Divine, (having left some learned Books to Po∣sterity) and at last was advanced to be * 1.11 Bishop of Carlile.

Surely then he must be the same with Thomas Merks, consecrated Anno 1397. * 1.12 con∣sent 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 usuall 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 publick practise) * 1.13 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 sham'd: 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 * 1.14 Grecian Bishoprick. He dyed about 1405.

THOMAS THIRLBY Doctor of Laws, was (as I am assured by an excellent * 1.15 An∣tiquary) 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 Bishoprick, as which would have dissolved it self 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 sacriledge, his name and alliance is extinct.

From Westminster he was removed to Norwich, thence to Ely. He cannot be fol∣lowed (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 Cranmers degradation. After the death of Queen Mary, he was as violent in his opinions, but not so virulent in his ex∣pressions; always devoted to Queen Mary, but never invective against Queen Eliza∣beth. He lived in free custody, dyed, and is buried at Lambeth 1570.

Since the Reformation.

GODFREY GOLDSBOROUGH D. D. was born in the Town of Cambridge, where some of his Sur-name and Relation remained since my memory. He was bred in Trinity-colledge, (Pupil to Arch-bishop Whitgiff) and became afterwards Fellow thereof, at last he was consecrated Bishop of Gloucester Anno Dom. 1598. He was one of the second set of Protestant Bishops, which were after those so famous for their sufferings in the Marian days, and before those who fall under the cognizance of our generation; the true reason that so little can be recovered of their character. He gave a hundred mark to Trinity▪colledge, and died Anno Dom. 1604.

ROBERT TOWNSON D. D. was born in Saint Botolphs parish in Cambridge, and bred a Fellow in Queens-colledge, being admitted very young therein, but 12. years of age. He was blessed with an happy memory, insomuch that when D. D. he could say by heart the second Book of the Aeneads which he learnt at School, without missing a Verse. He was an excellent Preacher, and becoming a Pulpit with his gravity. He at∣tended King James his Chaplaine into Scotland, and after his return was preferred Dean of Westminster, then Bishop of Salisbury.

Hear what the Author of a Pamphlet, who inscribeth himself A. W. saith in a Book which is rather a Satyre then a History, a Libell then a Character, of the Court of King James, for after he had slanderously inveighed against the bribery of those days in Church and State, hear how he seeks to make amends for all.

King James's Court, pag. 129, 130.

Some worthy men were preferred gratis to blow up their [Buckingham and his party] Fames, (as Tolson a worthy man paid nothing in fine or Pension, and so after him Davenant in the same Bishoprick.) Yet these were but as Musick before every hound.

Now although both these persons here praised were my God-fathers and Uncles, (the one marrying the sister of, the other being Brother to my Mother) and although such good words seem a Rarity from so railing a mouth, yet shall not these considera∣tions tempt me to accept his praises on such invidious terms as the Author doth proffer them.

O! Were these worthy Bishops now alive, how highly would they disdain to be praised by such a pen, by which King James their Lord and Master is causelesly traduced! How would they condemn such uncharitable commendations, which are (if not founded on) accompanied with the disgrace of others of their order? Wherefore, I their Nephew in behalf of their Memories, protest against this passage, so far forth as it casteth Lustre on them, by Eclipsing the credit of other Prelates their contemporaries. And grant corruption too common in that kind, yet were there besides them at that time, many worthy Bishops raised to their dignity by their Deserts, without any Simonicall com∣plyances.

Doctor Townson had a hospitall heart, a generous disposition, free from covetous∣ness, and was always confident in Gods Providence, that, if he should dye, his children (and those were many) would be provided for, wherein he was not mistaken. He lived in his Bishoprick but a year, and being appointed at very short warning to preach before the Parliament, by unseasonable •…•…tting up to study, contracted a Fever, whereof he died, and was buried in Westminster Abbey, Anno Dom. 1622.

THOMAS (son to William) WESTFIELD D. D. was born Anno Dom. 1573. in the Parish of Saint Maries in Ely, and there bred at the Free-school under Master Spight, till he was sent to Jesus-colledge in Cambridge, being first Scholar, then Fellow thereof. He was Curate, or Assistant rather, to Bishop Felton, whilst Minister of Saint Mary le Bow in Cheapside, afterward Rector of Hornsey, nigh, and Great Saint Bar∣tholomews in London, where in his preaching he went thorow the four Evangelists. He was afterwards made Arch-Deacon of Saint Albans, and at last Bishop of Bristol, a place proffered to, and refused by him twenty five years before. For then the Bishoprick was offered to him to maintain him; which this contented meek man, having a self∣subsistence, did then decline, though accepting of it afterwards, when proffered to him to maintain the Bishoprick, and support the Episcopall dignity by his signall devotion. What good * 1.16 opinion the Parliament (though not over-fond of Bishops) conceived of him, appears by their Order ensuing,

The thirteenth of May 1643. From the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestration of Delinquents Estates.

Upon information in the behalf of the Bishop of Bristoll, that his Tenants refuse to pay him his Rents, it is Ordered by this Committee, that all profits of his Bishoprick be restored to him, and a safe conduct be granted him to pass with his family to Bristoll, being himself of great age, and a person of great learning and merit. Jo. Wylde.

About the midst of his life he had a terrible sickness, so that he thought (to use his own expression in his Diary) that God would put out the candle of his life, though he was pleased onely to snuff it. By his will (the true Copy whereof I have) he desired to be buried in his Cathedral Church neer the tombe of Paul Bush, the first Bishop thereof. And as for my worldly goods, (Reader, they are his own words in his Will) which (as the times now are) I know not well where they be, nor what they are, I give and bequeath them all to my dear wife Elizabeth, &c. He protested himself on his death-bed a true Prote∣stant

of the Church of England, and dying Junii 28. 1644. lyeth buried according to his own desire above mentioned, with this inscription;

Hic jacet Thomas Westfield, S. T. D. Episcoporum intimus, peccatorum primus. Obiit 25. Junii, anno MDCXLIV. Senio & moerore confectus. Tu Lector (quisquis es) vale & resipisce.

Epitaphium ipse sibi dictavit vivus. Monumentum uxor moestissima Elizabetha Westfield Marito desideratissimo posuit superstes.

Thus leaving such as survived him to see more sorrow, and feel more misery, he was seasonably taken away from the evil to come. And according to the Anagram made on him by his Daughter,

Thomas Westfield, I dwel the most safe.

Enjoying all happiness and possessing the reward of his pains, who converted many, and confirmed more by his constancy in his Calling.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sir James Ware in the Arch-bishops of Tuam.
• * 1.2

  Ireland pro∣perly was no Kingdome till the time of K. Henry the eighth.
• * 1.3

  Sir James ut prius.
• * 1.4

  John Philipot in his Catal. of Chancellors pag. 23.
• * 1.5

  Idem in his Catalogue of Treasurers pag. 16.
• * 1.6

  Bishop God∣win in the Bi∣shops of Win∣chester.
• a 1.7

  Godwin in the Catal. of Landaffe and Rochester.
• b 1.8

  Idem in the Biposhs of R•…•…∣chester.
• c 1.9

  Bale pag. 576. and Pits. pag. 625.
• * 1.10

  Bale de Script. Ang. Cent. 7. Num. 60.
• * 1.11

  Idem i bidem.
• * 1.12

  Bale maketh him to flourish under K. Henry the fourth.
• * 1.13

  See his speech in Parliament Speed pag.
• * 1.14

  Godwin in the Bishop of Carlile.
• * 1.15

  Mr. Martin beneficed neer Northampton.
• * 1.16

  The particu∣lars of this were procured for me by my worthy friend Mathew Gilly Esquire, from Elizabeth the Bishops sole surviving daughter.