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.

ALEXANDER NEQUAM, or Bad in English, was born in St. Albans. Many conceived themselves wondrous Witty in making Jests (which indeed made themselves) on his Sirname. Whereof one eminent instance, Nequam had a mind to become a Monk in St. Albans, the Town of his Nativity, and thus Laconically wrote for leave to the Abbot thereof.

Si vis, veniam. Sin autem, tu autem.

To whom the Abbot returned.

Si bonus sis, venias; Si Nequam, nequaquam.

Whereupon Nequam (to discompose such conceits for the future) altered the Or∣thography of his Name into Neckam.

Another Pass of wit there was (saith my * 1.1 Author) betwixt him, and Philip Reping∣ton Bishop of Lincoln, the lat•…•…r sending the Challenge.

Et niger & nequam cum sis cognomine Nequam,	Both black and bad, whilst Bad the Name to thee.
Nigrior esse potes, Nequior esse Ne∣quis.	Blacker thou may'st, but worse thou can'st not be.

To whom Nequam rejoyned.

Phi nota foetoris, lippus malus omnibus horis.	Stinks are branded with a Phi, Lippus Latin for Blear-eye.
Phi malus & Lippus, totus malus ergo Philippus.	Phi and Lippus bad as either, Then Philippus worse together.

But by the leave of my learned Author, this Nequam must be much younger than* 1.2 our Alexander, or that Philip much older than Bishop Repington, all agreeing that Alexander Nequam dyed 1227. under King Henry the third, whereas Philip Repington was made Bishop of Lincoln 1405. under King Henry the fourth.

But leaving Nequam his name, he is known to posterity by the Title of Ingenii miraculum, being an excellent Philosopher, Rhetorician and Poet, so true it is what Tully observeth, Omnes artes, quae ad humanitatem pertinent, habent quoddam commune vinculum, & quasi cognatione quadam inter se continentur: Besides he was a deep Di∣vine, as his Books do evidence. He was Canon of Exeter, and (upon what occa∣sion I know not) came to be buryed at Worcester, with this Epitaph,

Eclipsim patitur sapientia sol sepelitur: Cui si par unus, minus esset flebile funus. Vir bene discretus, & in omni more facetus, Dictus erat Nequam, vitam duxit tamen aequam.

Wisdom's eclips'd, Sky of the Sun bereft, Yet less the loss if like alive were left. A man discreet, in manners debonair, Bad name, black face, but carriage good and fair.

Others * 1.3 say he was buryed at St. Albans, where he found repulse when living, but repose when dead.

WILLIAM of WARE born in that thorough fair Town twenty miles from London, was a Franciscan bred first in Oxford, then in Paris. Now because some may slight the praise of Bale or Pits (as testes domesticos, Englishmen commending Englishmen) know that John * 1.4 pious Mirandula, highly extolleth this de Ware, though miscalling him John, as ambitious to have him his Name-sake. He was Instructor to John * 1.5 Duns Scotus.

And if the Scholar to such height did reach, Then what was he who did that Scholar teach?

He flourished under King Henry the third, Anno 1270. and is supposed to be buryed in Paris.

JOHN MANDEVILE Knight, born at St. Albans in this * 1.6 County, Heir to a fair estate, he applied himself first to the reading of the Scriptures, then to the study of Physick (wherein he attained to great perfection) afterwards to travel for thir∣ty four years together, and at last like another Ulysses returning home, was quite grown out of Knowledge of all his friends. He wrote a Book of his own Itinerary tho∣rough Africa, the East and North part of Asia, containing variety of Wonders. Now though far Travellers are suspected in their relations to wander from the Truth, yet all things improbable are not impossible, and the Readers ignorance is sometimes all the Writers falshood. He used to complain of the Church corruptions in his Age, being wont to say, * 1.7 Virtus cessat, Ecclesia calcatur, Clerus errat, Daemon regnat, Simonia Domi∣natur.

He dyed Anno Dom. 1372. buryed say some in the Convent of the Williamites, at Leige in Germany, which St. Albans will not allow, claiming his Burial, as well as his Birth, where a Ryming Epitaph is appendant on a Pillar neer the supposed place of his Enterment.

NICHOLAS GORHAM a Dominican. We cannot blame the Frenchmen, if desirous to gain so great a Scholar to be their Countryman; nor must the French blame us, if loath to lose what is duly and truly our own.

Three things are pretended to countenance his French Nativity, 1. His Long living (and dying at last) in that Land. 2. The preferment •…•…e got there, being Confessor to the King of France, which may seem a Place of too much Privacy to be conferred on a Forraigner. 3. The great credit and esteem which his Writings have gained in France, where his Manuscript-works, are extant in many Libraries.

These Pleas are over-ballanced with a like Number to attest his English Extraction. Ham in Gorham, is notoriously known for no French, but a Saxon ordinary termination of a Town. 2. Gorham was a Village nigh St. Albans in this County; where Gorham∣berry (the Mannor-house thereof) is extant at this day. The Register of Merton Col∣ledge in Oxford mentioneth the admission of this Nicholas Gorham a student in their Foundation. Add to all these, that Learned Leland and other English Antiquaries have always challenged him for their Countryman.

Indeed He was an English-man Francised, who going over into France a young man, spent the rest of his life there. Many and Learned are his Books, having Commented almost on all the Scriptures; and give me leave to say, no Hands have fewer spots of pitch upon them who touched the superstition of that Age he lived in. He dyed, and was buryed at Paris, about the year of our Lord 1400. I will only add that since we have had another Nicholas of Gorham (though not by his birth, by his habitation) as fa∣mous for a States-man as the former for a Divine. I mean Sir Nicholas Bacon, whose dwelling was at Gorham-berry aforesaid.

HUGH LEGAT born in this * 1.8 County, bred in Oxford, at last became a Benedictine in the Abbey of St. Albans. Being much delighted in Meditation, he wholly employed himself in commentary on,

• 1. John of * 1.9 Hanwell his Books of Lamentation.
• 2. Boetius of Consolation.

Thus his Soul may be presumed well poized betwixt plumbum & plumam, a Weight and a Wing to supresse and support it. He flourished Anno 1400.

JOHN WHETAMSTEAD was born at Wheatamstead in this County, not so famous for the production of the best Wheat, whence the place hath its Name, as for this John VVhetamsted, who hath his Name from that place. He was bred at the Priory at Tinmouth in Northumberland (a long stride I assure you from the place of his Birth) to which * 1.10 he bequeathed a Challice of Gold. He was afterwards Abbot of St. Albans, and the sixth of that Christian name.

Vast were his expences in adorning of that Church, exceeding six thousand pounds.

* Two Criticismes in his Buildings I cannot omit, one, that on the North-side of his* 1.11 Church (which he enlightned with new VVindowes) he set up the statues of those

Heathen Philosophers, which had testified of the Incarnation of Christ. 2. That in a little Chappel he set up the similitudes of all the Saints whose Christian names were John, with his own picture, and this Prayer in a Distick, that though unworthy he might have a place with his Namesakes in Heaven.

Besides he procured from Humfrey the good Duke of Glocester, his great Mecenas who was buried at St. Albans, a suite of Vestments worth 3000. Marks and the Man∣nor of Pembroke in South-wales. Many are the Books which he left to posterity, being counted no fewer then fourscore and odd several Treatises, and dyed about the year 1440.

JOHN BOURCHIER Baron Berners, was Son of John Bourchier Baron Berners* 1.12 in the Right of Margery his Wife Daughter of Sir Richard Berners of * 1.13 VVesthorsley in Surrey. Yet had that Honourablo Family of the Berners, an ancient Habitation at * 1.14 Tharfield in this County, which with some probability insinuateth the Birth of this noble Gentleman therein.

He was a martial man well seen in all Military Discipline, and when Michael Joseph the Black-Smith lead the Cornish Rebells against King Henry the seventh, Anno 1496. no man did better service then this Lord in their suppression, for which he was made cheif Governour of Calice.

Having there gotten a repose, who formerly had been a far Traveller, and great Linguist, He * translated many Books out of French, Spanish, and Italian, besides* 1.15 some of his own making. I behold his as the second (accounting the Lord Tiptoft the first) noble hand which since the decay of Learning took a Pen therein, to be Author of a Book. He dyed on the 16. of March 1532. and is buryed in the great church in Calice. And I have * 1.16 read that the estate of the Berners is by an Heir-general descen∣ded to the Knyvets of •…•…shwelthorp in Norfolk.

Since the Reformation.

ROGER HUTCHINSON was born in this * 1.17 County, and bred Fellow of St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge, where he was very familiar with Mr. Roger Askam, who disdained Intimacy with Dunces. And as this is euough to speak him Scholar, so it is a sufficient Evidence to an Intelligent Jury, to prove him Protestant, that being commended by Bale for writing a book in English of the Image of God; he is wholly omitted, by John Pits. He flourished Anno Dom. 1550. and probably dyed in the hap∣py Reign of Edward the sixth, before the following persecution.

THOMAS CARTVVRIGHT was born in this * 1.18 County, and was admitted in St. Johns Colledge in Cambridge Anno 1550. In the Reign of Queen Mary he left the University (being probably one of those Scholars, which as Mr. Fox observeth went (alias were driven) away from this Colledge all at one time) and betook him∣self to the service of a Counsellour. Here he got some skill in the Common-Law, which inabled him afterwards to fence the better for himself by the advantage thereof.

In the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, he returned to Cambridge, was chosen Fellow first of St. Iohns, then of Trinity: How afterwards he was made Margaret Professour, outed thereof for his Non-conformity, travelled beyond Seas, returned home, became the Champion of the Presbyterian partie, is largely related in our Eccle∣siastical History.

Onely I will add that the Non conformists not a greeing which of them (where there is much choice, there is no choice) should answer Dr. Whitgifts Reply, I read that Mr. Cartwright at last was chosen * 1.19 by lot to undertake it. It seems the Brethren con∣cluded it of high and holy concernment, otherwise I know what Mr. Cartwright hath * 1.20 written of the appeal to Lots, Non nisi in rebus gravioribus, & alic•…•…jus magni mo∣menti ad sortis judicium recurrendumm, maxime, cum per sortem Deus ipse in judicio sedeat.

One * 1.21 saith for riches he sought them not, and * 1.22 another saith, that he dyed rich, and I beleive both •…•…ay true, God sometimes making Wealth to find them, who seek not for it, seeing many, and great were his Benefactors. He dyed and was buryed in Warwick, where he was Master of the Hospital. Anno. 1603.

DANIEL DIKE was born at Hempstead in this County, where his Father was a Minister silenced for his Non-conformity. He was bred in....... Colledge in

Cambridge, and became afterwards a profitable Labourer in Gods Vineyard. Witness (besides his Sermons) his worthy books, whereof that is the Master-peice which treateth of the deceitfulnesse of mans heart, wherein he layes down directions for the Discovery thereof. As also how in other Cases one may be acquainted with his own Condition, seeing many men lose themselves in the Labyrinths of their own hearts: so much is the Terra incognita therein. This Book he designed for his pious Patron John Lord Harrington: But alas when the Child was come to the Birth, there was no strength to bring forth! before the Book was fully finished, the Author thereof fol∣lowed his honourable Patron into a better World; so that his Surviving brother (of whom immediately) set it forth. And to the Lady Lucy, Countesse of Bedford, the Lords Sister, the same was dedicated. A Book which will be owned for a Truth, whilst men have any badness, and will be honoured for a Treasure, wilst men have any goodnesse in them. This Worthy man dyed about the Year 1614.

JEREMIAH DIKE his Younger Brother was bred in Sidney Colledge in Cam∣bridge, beneficed at Epping in Essex, one of a chearful Spirit. And know Reader, that an Ounce of Mirth, with the same degree of Grace, will serve God farther then a pound of Sadnesse. He had also a gracious heart, and was very profitable in his Ministry. He was a Father to some good Books of his own; and a Guardian to those of his Brother, whose Posthume Works he set forth. He was one peaceable in Israel. And though no Zelot in the practice of Ceremonies, quietly submitted to use them. He lived and dyed piously, being buryed in his own Parish-Church. Anno Dom. 1620.

ARTHUR CAPEL Esquire, of Had•…•…m in this County, was by King Charls the first created a Baron. 1641. He served the King with more Valour and Fidelity then Success, during the Civil Wars, in the Marches of Wales. After the Surrender of Ox∣ford, he retired to his own house in this Shire, and was in some sort well cured of the [so then reputed] Disease of Loyalty, when he fell into a Relaps by going to Col∣cbester, which cost him his life, beheaded in the Palace Yard in Westminster 1648.

In his Life time he wrote a book of Meditation (published since his death) where∣in much judicious piety may be discovered. His mortified mind was familiar with afflictions, which made him to appear with such 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Resolution on the Scaffold, where he seemed rather to fright Death, then to be frighted with it. Hence one not un∣happily alluding to his Arms (a Lyon Rampant in a Field Gules betwixt three Crosses) thus expresseth himself.

Thus Lion-like Capel undaunted stood: Beset with crosses in a Field of Blood.

A Learned Dr. in Physick (present at the opening and embalming of him and Duke Hambleton) delivered it at a publike Lecture, that the Lord Capels was the least Heart (whilst the Dukes w•…•…s the greatest) he ever beheld. Which al•…•…o is very pro∣portionable to the Observation in Philosophy, that the Spirits contracted in a lesser model, are the cause of the greater courage.

God hath since been the Husband to His Widow, (who for her goodnesse may be a Pattern to her Sexe) and Father to his Children, whom not so much their Birth, Beauty, and Portions, as Vertues married to the best Bloods, and Estates in the Land, even when the Royalists were at the lowest condition.

EDVVARD SYMONDS born at Cottered in this County, was bred in Peter House in Cambridge, where he commenced Master of Arts, afterwards Minister of Little Rayne in Essex, a man strict in his Life and profitable in his preaching, wherein he had a plain and piercing faculty. Being sequestred from his Living for siding with the King, with David 1 Sam. 23. 13. He went wheresoever he could go, to Worcester, Exeter, Barnstable, France, and lastly returned to London. He wrote a Book in VINDICATION OF KING CHARLES and was Instrumental in setting forth his Majesties book, called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Pens were brondished betwixt him and Mr. Stephen Marshal, though all was fair betwixt them before his Death. For Mr. Symonds visited him, lying in his bed at Westminster, told him, Had I taken you for a Wild Beast, I would not have rouzed you in your Den. He was very conscientious in dis∣charging his calling. Being once requested by me, to preach for me, he excused himself for want of competent warning, and when I pleaded, that mine being a

Country Parish would be well pleased with his performance; I can (saith he) content them, but not mine own conscience to preach with so little preparation, he dyed ahout Anno Dom. 1649. and was buryed in St. Peters Pauls Wharf in London.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Bish. Godw. in Cat. of the Bish. of Lincoln
• * 1.2

  * Bale & Pits. de script. Angl.
• * 1.3

  Weavers Fun. Mon. in Hart∣ford-shire.
• * 1.4

  In suo heptu∣•…•…lo.
• * 1.5

  Bale de scrip. Brit. cent. 4. p. 323. & Pits. p. 349.
• * 1.6

  Weavers Fun. Mon. in this County.
• * 1.7

  Bale de scrip. Brit.
• * 1.8

  Pit. de Illust. Ang. Scrlp. an. 1400.
• * 1.9

  See Writers in Middlesex.
• * 1.10

  W•…•…aver Fun. Monum. p. 569
• * 1.11

  Manusc. Sir R. Cottons Libra∣ry.
• * 1.12

  AMP.
• * 1.13

  Mills in hls Catal. of Ho∣nour Pag. 855.
• * 1.14

  Cambd. Brit. in Hartford sh.
• * 1.15

  Bale de Script. Brit. Cent. 7. n. 1. & Pits. in Anno 532.
• * 1.16

  Mills Catal. Pag. 256.
• * 1.17

  Bale de scrip. Brit. Cent. 9. n. 95.
• * 1.18

  Sam. Clerk in his Lives of English Di∣vines. p. 367.
• * 1.19

  Sam. Cleark pag. 399.
• * 1.20

  In his Com∣ment on Prov. 1633.
• * 1.21

  Sam. Cleark pag. 272.
• * 1.22

  ▪Sr. G. Paul in his Life of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 p. 54.