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.

Writers.

WILLIAM SHIRWOOD was born in this * 1.1 Bishoprick (being otherwise called William of Durham) bred first in University Colledge in Oxford, then in Paris, and after∣wards was made Chancellor of Lincoln. In his time the University of Oxford was Inter∣dicted for some affronts offered to the Popes Legate, and had lain longer under that burden, had not the hands of this * 1.2 William helped to remove it, shewing therein no less his love to his Mother, than his power with the Pope.

In that age the English Clergy did drive a great Trade of preferment in France (King Henry the third having large Dominions therein) and amongst the rest this William was advanced Arch Bishop of Roan, where he died Anno Dom. 1249.

JOHN of DARLINGTON was born in this Bishoprick, at a Town so called, nee∣ding no other Indication, than the Rode passing thorow it into Scotland. He was bred a Dominican, and a great Clerk. * 1.3 Mat. Paris giveth him this Testimony, that he was one, qui literatura pollebat exellenter & consilio. King Henry the third made him his Confessor (which argueth his Piety, that so devout a Prince used him in so consci∣encious an Office) and afterwards he became Arch-Bishop of Dublin in Ireland on this occasion.

The Prior and * 1.4 Covent of Trinity Church, chose William de la Corner the Kings Chaplain, whilest the Dean and Chapter of Saint Patricks elected F•…•…omund le Brun, the Popes Chaplain into that See.

Hence ensued an hot and high contest, and Pope John 21. unwilling to engage therein ca•…•…ted both their Elections, and pitched on our Darlington as a good ex∣pedient.

A person in whom King and Pope met in some equal proportion, seeing he was (as we have said) Confessor to the one, and to the other his Collector of Peter-pence, (as also to his two Successors Nicholas the third, and Martin the fourth) thorow all Ireland. Many Books he wrote to * 1.5 Posterity, and returning into England, sickned, died and was buried in Preaching Friers in London, 1284.

WILLIAM SIVEYER was born at Shinkley in this Bishoprick, where his Father was a * 1.6 Siveyer or Sive-maker; and I commend his humility in retaining his Fathers Trade for his Surname, to mind him of his mean extraction. He was bred in Merton Colledge, whereof he became Warden, and Provost of Eaton, and afterward Bishop of Carlile, 1496. whence five years after he was tra•…•…lated to Durham. His Sur-name so contemptible in English, sounds •…•…erially, and Episcopally when latinized. In which language he is rendred, Gulielmus Severus, severity well agreeing with the gravity of his Function. He died Anno Dom 1505.

All I will ad is this, that England neither before nor since saw two •…•…ieve-makers Sons at the same juncture of time advanced to so high dignity, this William in the Church, Sir Richard Empson in the Common wealth.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Reformation.

THOMAS JACKSON, born of a good Family in this County was designed to be a Merchant in New-Castle, till his Parents were diverted by Ralph Lord 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and per∣swaded

to make him a Scholar. He was admitted first in Queens Colledge in Oxford, and then became Candidate of a Fellowship in Corpus Christi; knowing of the election but the day before, he answered to admiration, and was chosen by general con∣s•…•…nt.

Soon after, in all likelihood, he lost his life, being drowned in the River, and taken out rather for desire of decent burial, than with hope of any recovery: He was wrap'd in the Cowns of h•…•…s fellow Students (the best shrowd which present love and need could provide him) and being brought home to the Colledge, was revived by Gods bles∣sing on the care of Doctor Chenil, equally to all peoples joy and admiration. His gratitude to the Fisher-men (who took him up) extended to a revenue unto them •…•…u ring his life. Thus thankful to the Instrument, he was more to the Principal, striving to repay his life to that God who gave it him.

He was afterwards Vicar of New Castle (a Factor for Heaven, in the place where he was designed a Merchant) a Town full of men and opinions wherein he endeavoured to rectifie their Errors, and unite their Affections. At this distance was he chosen President of Corpus Christi Colledge, never knowing of the vacancy of the place, till by those Letters (which informed him) it was refilled with his elect•…•…on.

Here he lived piously, ruled peaceably, wrote profoundly, preached painfully. His Charity had no fault, if not of the largest size, oftentimes making the Receiver richer, than it left him that was the Donor thereof. Learn the rest of his praise from the Learned Writer of his Life, in whom nothing wanting, save the exact place of his birth, and date of his death, which hapned about the year, 1640.

SAMUEL WARD was born at Bishops Middleham in this County, his Father being a Gentleman of more Ancientry than Estate. He was first Scholar of Christs, then Fel∣low o•…•… Emanuel, and afterwards Master of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge, and Margare•…•… Professor therein for above twenty years. Now, because the Pen of a Pupil may pro∣bably be suspected of partiality; of an Historian I will turn a Translator, and only en∣deavour to English that Character, which, * 1.7 one who knew him as well as most men, and could judge of him as well as any man, doth bestow upon him.

Age, perge Cathedram ornare (quod facis) sacram Subtilitate non levi, rapidâ, vagâ, Sed Orthodoxa quam coronat veritas, Et justa firmat soliditas, patiens librae: Antiqu•…•… at is, crypta tu penetras frequens, Scholasticorum tu profundos vortices, Te'nulla fallit, nulla te scium latet Distinctionum tela, rationum stropha Tam perspicacem mente, judicio gravem; Linguis peritum, tamque nervosum stylo, His addo genium temperatum, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Placidum, modestum, lite rixosâ, procul.

Go to, go on, deck (as thou doest) the Chaire, With subtilty not light, slight, vage ás air, But such as Truth doth crown, and standing sure, Solidly fix'd will weighing well endure. Antiquities hid depths thou oft doest sound, And School-mens whirl-pools which are so profound. Distinctions threads none can so finely weave, Or Reason wrench, thy Knowledge to deceive, None thy quick sight, grave judgement can beguile, So skill'd in Tongues, so sinewy in style; Add to all these that peaceful Soul of thine, Meek, modest, which all brawlings doth decline.

He turned with the Times as a Rock riseth with the Tide; and for his uncomply∣ing there with, was imprisoned in Saint Johns Colledge in Cambridge. In a word, he was counted a Puritan before these times, and Popish in these times, and yet being al∣wayes the same, was a true Protestant at all times. He died Anno 1643. and was the first man buried in Sidney Colledge Chappel.

Notes

• * 1.1

  J. Pits de A•…•…g. scrip. in Anno 1249.
• * 1.2

  Joh. Rouse of VVarwick.
• * 1.3

  Ad Annum 1256.
• * 1.4

  S•…•…r 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in his Arch-Bishops of Dublin.
• * 1.5

  Reckoned up b•…•… •…•…. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and J. Pits.
• * 1.6

  Bishop God∣win in his Ca∣talogue of Bishops.
• * 1.7

  Dr. Thomas Goad in h•…•…s •…•…dnsing his Sermon cal∣led Gratia dis∣•…•….