curiosity in enquiring after, credulity in believing of, and cowardise in fearing at such prognostications.
21 THOMAS GRANVIL.]
Be it entred (by way of caveat) that there is some difference in the blazoning of the coat of the Granvils or Greenvils. What usually are termed therein Rests, being the Handles of Spears; (most honorable in Tilting to break them nearest thereunto,) are called by some Criticks, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, being the necessary appendants to Organs, convaying wind unto them. If, (as it seemeth) their dubious Form, as represented in the Scut∣cheon, doth ex aequo answer to both, with me they shall still pass for the Rests of Spears. For though I dare not deny, but the Greenvils might be good Musitians, I am assured they were most valiant Souldiers in all their Generations.
But the merits of this ancient Family are so many and great, that ingrossed they would make one County proud, which divided would make two happy. I am therefore re∣solved equally to part what I have to say thereof, betwixt Cornwall and Devonshire.
Richard III.
The Reader will take notice, that, (as it is in our Catalogue) Richard Duke of Glou∣cester was High-Sheriff of this County, ad terminum vitae, a strange Precedent, (if it may be said to go before, which hath nothing to follow after,) seeing for the last two years, he was both King of England and Sheriff of Cornwall. We therefore behold all the follow∣ing persons unto the first of King Henry the seventh, but as so many Deputies under him, and amongst these we take speciall notice of
2 JAMES TIRREL, Mil.]
This is he, so infamous in our English Histories, for his activity in murdering the In∣nocent sons of King Edward the fourth, keeping the Keyes of the Tower, and standing himself at the foot of the Staires, whilst Mr. Forest and J. Dighton, stifled them in their Beds. I behold this Sir James as an Essex-man, though now the prime Officer of this County. For King Richard accounted Cornwall the back dore of Rebellion, and therefore made this Knight the Porter thereof. Indeed it is remote from London, and the long sides of this County afford many landing-places, objected to Britain in France, whence the Usurper always feared (and at last felt) an Invasion, and therefore he appointed him Sheriff to secure the County, as obliged unto him, by gratitude for favours received, and guilt for faults committed. This Tirrel was afterwards executed for Treason, in the Tower yard in the beginning of King Henry the seventh.
Henry VII.
12 JOHN BASSET.]
This was a busie year indeed in this County, when the Cornish Commotion began (headed by Flammock a Lawyer, and Michael Joseph a Blacksmith,) at the Town of Bodmin. Let none impute it to the neglect of this Sheriff, that he suppressed them not, seeing (besides that they quickly quitted this County, and went Eastward) it was not the work of Posse Comitatus, but Posse Regni, to encounter them. However, after long-running, (for they marched the breadth of the land, from Cornwall to Kent, be∣fore battle was bid them,) they were overtaken, and overcome at Black-heath.
13 PETER EDGCOMBE, Mil.]
The Names of pierce [or Peter] and Richard, have been (saith my Author) succes∣sively varied in this family, for six or seven Descents. Such Chequering of Christian Names serve Heraulds instead of Stairs, whereby they ascend with assurance into the Pedigrees of Gentlemen, and I could wish the like alternation of Font-names fashiona∣ble in other families. For where the Heirs of an House, are of the same Name, for many generations together, it occasioneth much mistake, and the most cautious, and conscientious Heralds, are guilty of making Incestuous Matches, confounding the Fa∣ther for the Son, and so reciprocally.