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.

Capit•…•…l Judges.

Sir HUMPHRY STARKEY was born with most Probability in this County, where* 1.1 his Name is in good, hath been in a better Esteem and Estate. He in the Study of our Laws so profited, that (after some intermediate Dignities) he was preferred Chief Ba∣ron of the Exchequer. I cannot with certainty fix his admission into that Office (Con∣fused* 1.2 Times causing Confused Dates) but with as much certainty as we can collect, we conclude him preferred to that place 1. Henrici 7.

We need enquire no farther into his ability, finding him by so wise and frugal a King, imployed in a place belonging to his Coffers, who though he was sometimes pleased to be remiss in matters which concerned his Subjects, was ever carefull in things wherein his own Emolument was interested. Wonder not that we have so little left of this Judge his Actions, because Empson and Dudly (Loaders grinding more then the Chief Miller) were such Instruments, whose over-activity made all others seem Slugs in that Court. It doth sound not a little to the praise of our Starkey, that where∣as that Age was justly complaining of the Extortions of the Kings Officers, nothing of that nature (no hearing, best hearing in this kind) is laid to his charge. He was bu∣ried in Leonard Shorditch, where this remains of his Epitaph.

Orate pro Animabus Humphredi Starkey, Militis, nuper Capitalis Baronis de Scaccario Domini Regis Henrici septimi, & Isabellae Uxoris ejus, & omnium amicorum suo•…•…um, &c.

The date of his death, defaced on his Tombe, appeareth * 1.3 elsewhere to be at the end of K. Henry the seventh, so that his on the Bench was parallel with his Soveraigns sitting on the Throne, begun in the first, and ended in the last of his raign.

Sir HENRY BRADSHAW Knight. This Surname being diffused in Darbyshire and Lancashire, aswell as in this County, his Nativity advantaged by the Alphabet, (first come first served) is fixed herein. He became so noted for his skill in our Common Law, that in the sixth of K. Edward the sixth in Hillary terme, he was made Chief Ba∣ron of the Exchequer, demeaning himself therein to his great commendation.

Pity it is that Demetrius who is well reported of all* men, should suffer for his name* 1.4 sake Demetrius the Silver Smith, who made the Shrines for* 1.5 Diana, and raised per∣secution against Saint Paul. And as unjust it is, that this good Judge of whom nothing ill is reported, should fare the worse for one of the same Surname of Execrable Me∣mory, of whom nothing good is remembred. I have cause to conceive, that this Judge was outed of his place for Protestant inclination 1. Mariae finding no more mention of him.

Sir RANDAL CREW was born in this County, bred in the study of our Municipal Law, wherein such his proficiency, that (after some steps in his way thereunto) in the 22. of K. James he was made Lord Chief Justice of the Upper Bench, and therein served two Kings, (though scarce two years in his Office) with great integrity.

King Charles his occasions calling for speedy supplies of Money, some Great-Ones adjudged it unsafe to adventure on a Parliament, (for fear in those distempered Times, the Physick would side with the Disease,) and put the King to furnish his necessities by way of Loan. Sir Randal being demanded his Judgement of that Design, and the Consequence thereof, (the imprisoning of R•…•…usants to pay it) openly manifested his dislike of such Preter-legal Courses, and thereupon, November 9. 1626. was command∣ed to forbear his sitting in the Court, and the next day was by Writ discharged from his Office, whereat he discovered no more Discontentment, then the weary Travailer is offended, when told that he is arrived at his journies end.

The Country hath constantly a Smile for him for whom the Court hath a Frown, this Knight was out of Office, not out of Honour, living long after at his house in Westminster, much praised for his Hospitality.

Indeed he may the better put off his Gown, (though before he goeth to bed) who hath a warm Suit under it, and this learned Judge, by Gods blessing on his endeavours, had purchased a fair Estate, and particularly Crew-hall in Cheshire, (for some ages for∣merly the possession of the Falshursts) but which probably was the Inheritance of his▪ Ancestors. Nor must it be forgotten, that Sir Randal first brought the Model of ex∣cellent Building into these remorter parts, yea, brought London into Cheshire, in the Loftiness, Sightliness and Pleasantness of their Stuctures.

One word of his Lady, a virtuous wife being very essential to the integrity of a Married Judge, lest what Westminster-hall doth conclude, Westminster Bed-chamber doth revoke. He married Julian Daughter and Co-heir of John Clipsby of Clipsby in North∣folk, Esq. with whom he had a fair Inheritance. She died at Que in Surry, 1623. and lieth buried in the Chancell of Richmond with this Epitaph.

Antiquâ fuit orta Domo, pia vixit, inivit Virgo pudica thorum, sponsa pudica polum.

I saw this worthy Judge in health 1642. but he survived not long after, and be it re∣membred he had a Younger Brother Sir Thomas Crew, a most honest and learned Ser∣•…•…eant in the same Profession. Whose Son John Crew Esquire, (of his Majesties Privy∣Councel,) having been so instrumental to the happy change in our Nation, is in Gene∣rall report, (which no doubt will be effected before these my paines be publick) de∣signed for some Title of Honour.

Sir HUMFREY DAVENPORT. His Surname is sufficient to intitle this County un∣to him, but I will not be peremtory till better information. He was bred in the Temple, had the reputation of a Studied Lawyer, and upright person, qualities which commended him to be chosen Chief Baron of the Exchequer. How he behaved himself in the case of the Ship-money, is fresh in many mens memories. The Rea∣der cannot be more angry with me, then I am grieved in my self, that, for want of in∣telligence, I cannot doe the right which I would and ought, to this worthy Judges Me∣mory, who died about the beginning of our Civil distempers.

Notes

• * 1.1

  AMP.
• * 1.2

  Sir Hen. Sp. G•…•…oss. verbo justiciarius, seems to assign him,

  • 1 Edw. 5.
  • 1 Rich. 3.
  • 1 Hen. 7.
• * 1.3

  In Sir Henry Spelm. ut prius.
• * 1.4

  John 12.
• * 1.5

  Acts 19. 24