Souldiers.
Sr. WILLIAM MOLINEUX, Kt. of Sefton in this County: He was at the Battel of Navarret, in Spain, made Knight Banneret by Edward the Black Prince, Anno 1367. under whose command he served in those Warrs, as also for a long time, in the Warrs of France. From whence returning homewards, he dyed at * 1.1 Canterbury, Anno 1372. on whom was written this Epitaph.
His Monument is not extant at this day, and it is pity that so good a Sword did not light on a better Pen; and that Pallas (so much honoured by him in her Military relation) did not more assist in his Epitaph in her Poetical capacity.
Sr. WILLIAM MOLINEUX, junior, Knight, descendant from the former, flourished under K. Henry the eighth, being a man of great command in this County, bringing the considerable strength thereof to the seasonable succour of the Duke of Norfolk, with whom he performed signal service in Flodden-Field.
It is confes•…•…ed on all sides, that the Scots lost the Day, by not keeping their Ranks, but not agreed on the cause thereof. Bucanan (who commonly makes the too much* 1.2 Courage of his Countrymen the cause of their being conquered) imputes it to their indiscreet pursuing of the English, routed at the first. Others say, they did not break their Ranks, but they were broken, unable to endure the Lancashire Archers, and so forced to sunder themselves. In this Battail the Scotch King, and chiefest Gentry were slain; the English loosing scarce any, of the Sc•…•…ts scarce any but of prime note. The King afterwards wrote his gratulatory Letter, to Sr. * 1.3 William Molin•…•…ux, in forme following:
Trusty and Welbeloved, We greet you well, and understand as well by the Report of Our Right Trus•…•…y Cousin and Counsellor, the Duke of Norfolk, as otherwise, what acceptable servi•…•…e You amongst others lately did unto us, by your valiant towardnesse in the assisting of Our said Cousin, against our great Enemy, the late King of Scots; and how couragiously you as a very hearty loving Servant, acquitted your self for the overthrow of the said late King, and distressing of his malice and power, to our great Honour, and the advancing of your no little Fame and praise: For which We have good cause to favour and thank you, and so we full heartily do; and assured may you be, that VVe shall in such effectual wise remember your said service in any your Reasonable Pursuits, as you shall have cause to think the same Rightwell imployed to your comfort and weal hereafter. Given under our Signet, at our Castle at Windsore, the 27 of November.
It appears by our Authour, that th•…•… like Letters, mutatis mutandis, were sent unto Sr. Edward Stanley, and some other men of principal note, in Lancashire and Cheshire. I have nothing more to observe, save that these two worthy Sr. VVilliams were Ancestors unto the truly Honourable the Lord Molineux, Viscount Marybourgh in Ireland, lately deceased.