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.

Souldiers.

JOHN BROMLEY, Esq. branched from the Bromleys in Shrop-shire, but born and * 1.1 living in this County at Bromley, followed the fortunate Arms of King Henry the Fifth in France. It happened, that in a Battle near Corby the French (according to their fashion▪ furious at first) fell so fiercely on the English, that they got away the Kings Standard of GUIEN to the great dismay of our Army. But Bromley's heart had no room for fear or grief, anger had so wholely possessed it: Insomuch, that valiantly he recovered the Captive Standard, and by his exemplary Prowess largely contributed to that dayes Vi∣ctory. Hereupon Hugh Stafford Lord Bourchier conferred on him a yearly pension of * 1.2 fourty pounds during his life. Afterwards in the sixth of King Henry the Fifth Anno 1418 he was not only Knighted by the King for his venturous Activity, but also made Captain of Dampfront, and Great Constable of Bossevile le Ross in France: Yea, and rewarded by the King with fourty pounds in Land a year to him and his heirs the Patent whereof is ex∣tant in the Tower, and exemplified in my * 1.3 Author. He appears to me no more than a plain Knight, or a Knight Batchelour: But were it in the power of my Pen to create a Banneret, he should, for the Reason premised, have that Honour affixed to his Memory, who, as we conjecture, died about the middle of the reign of King Henry the Sixth.

JOHN DUDLEY Duke of Northumberland (where born uncertain) was son to Ed∣ward Dudley, Esq. (of whom* 1.4 hereafter) and would willingly be reputed of this County, a Descendent from the Lord Dudley therein, whose memory we will gratifie so far as to believe it.

He lived long under King Henry the Eighth who much favoured him, and the Servant much resembled his Master, in the equal contemperament of Vertue and Vices, so evenly matched, that it is hard to say, which got the Mastery in either of them. This John was proper in person, comely in carriage, wise in advising, valiant in adventuring, and gene∣rally (till his last project) prosperous in success. But he was also notoriously wanton, intollerably ambitious, a constant dissembler, prodigeously profuse, so that he had sunk his Estate, had it not met with a seasonable support of Abbey Land, he being one of those who well warmed himself with the chipps, which fell from the felling of Mo∣nasteri•…•…s.

King Henry the 8th. first Knighted, then created him Vicount Lisle, Earle of Warwick, and Duke of Nor•…•…humberland. And under Queen Mary he made himself almost King of England, though not in Title, in power, by contriving the settling of the Crown on Queen Jane his daugh•…•…er in Law, till successe failed him therein. And no wonder if that design missed the mark, which besides many rubbs it met with at hand, was thrown against the general bias of English affection. For this his treasonable practises he was ex∣ecuted in the First of Queen Mary, much bemoaned by some Martial men, whom he had formerly indeared in his good service in the French and Scotish Wars. He left two sons who survived to great Honour. Ambrose Earl of Warwick heir to all that was good, and Robert Earl of Leicester heir to all that was great in their Father.

The BAGNOLS. Something must be premised of their Name and extraction. The Bagenhalts (commonly called Bagnols) were formerly a Family of such remark in this County, that before the reign of King Henry the Eighth, there scarce passed an Ancient piece of evidence which is not attested by* 1.5 one of that Name. But (see the uncertainty of all humane things) it afterwards sunck down (to use my Authours language) into a* 1.6 Plebean Condition. But the sparks of their gentle Bloud (though covered for a time under a mean estate) have since blazed again with their own worth and valour when Ralph and Nicholas sons to John Bagnol of Newcastle in this County were both Knighted for their good service, the one in Mustle-Borough fight, the otherin Ireland. Yea, as if their courage had been hereditary. Their sons Samuel and Henry were for their Martial merit advanced to the same degree.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Holinsh•…•…d pag. •…•…51.
• * 1.2

  Idem Ibid.
• * 1.3

  Holinshed pag. 563.
• * 1.4

  In the Law∣yers of this Coun•…•…y.
• * 1.5

  S.E.Ms.
• * 1.6

  Idem in his description of the Town of Bagenhale.