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.

Since the Reformation.

BERNARD Son of EDWIN GILPIN Esquire, was born at Kentmire in this Coun∣ty, Anno 1517. At sixteen years old, (very young in that Age from those Parts,) his Parents sent him to Queens-colledge in Oxford; whence his merit advanced him one of the first Students in the new foundation of Christs church.

Hitherto the Heat of Gilpin was more then his Light, and he hated Vice more then Error, which made him so heartily dispute against Master Hooper, (who afterwards was Martyred) when indeed he did follow his Argument with his Affections.

How afterwards he became a zealous Protestant, I referre the Reader to his Life, written at large by Bishop Carlton, he was Rector of Houghton in the North, consisting of fourteen Villages.

In his own house he boarded and kept full four and twenty scholars. The grea∣ter number of his boarders were▪ poor mens sons, upon whom he bestowed meat, drink, and cloth, and education in learning. He was wont to entertain his Parishioners and strangers at his table, not onely at the Christmas time, as the custome is, but be∣cause he had a large and wide Parish, a great multitude of people, he kept a table for them every Sunday from Mich•…•…elmas to Easter. He had the Gentlemen, the Hus∣bandmen, and the Poorer sort set every degree by themselves, and as it were ordered in ranks. He was wont to commend the married estate in the Clergy, howbeit him∣self lived and dyed a single man. He bestowed in the building, ordering and esta∣blishing of his School, and in providing yearly stipends for a School-master and an Usher, the full summe of five hundred pounds: out of which School he supplied the Church of England with great store of learned men. He was carefull to avoid not only all evil doing, but even the lightest suspicions thereof. And he was accounted a Saint in the judgements of his very enemies, if he had any such. Being full of faith unfained, and of good works, he was at the last put into his grave as a heap of wheat in due time swept into the garner. He dyed the 4. of March 1583. and in the 66. year of his age.

RICHARD MULCASTER was born of an ancient extract in the North, but whether* 1.1 in this County or Cumberland, I find not decided. From Eaton-school he went to Cam∣bridge, where he was admitted into * 1.2 Kings-colledge 1548. but before he was gradua∣ted, removed to Oxford. Here such his proficiency in learning, that by general con∣sent he was chosen the first Master of Merchant-Tailors-School in London, which pro∣spered well under his care, as by the flourishing of Saint Johns in Oxford doth plainly appear.

The Merchant-Tailors finding his Scholars so to profit, intended to fix Mr. Mulca∣ster, as his Desk to their School, till death should remove him. This he perceiv'd, and therefore gave for his Motto,

Fidelis servus, perpetuus asinus.

But after twenty five years he procured his freedome, or rather exchanged his service, being made Master of Pauls-school.

His method in teaching was this. In a morning he would exactly and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the lessons to his Scholars, which done he slept his hour (custome made him critical to proportion it) in his desk in the School▪ but wo be to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 slept the while. Awaking he heard them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to pity, as soon as he to pardon, where he found just fault. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mothers prevailed with him as much as the requests of indulgent Fathers, rather increasing then mitigating his severity on their offending child.

In a word, he was Plagosus Orbilius, though it may be truly said (and safely for one out of his School) that others have taught as much learning with fewer lashes. Yet his sharpness was the better endured, because unpartiall, and many excellent Scholars were bred under him, whereof Bishop Andrews was most remarkable.

Then quitting that place, he was presented to the rich Parso•…•…ge of Stanfórd-rivers in Essex. I have heard from those, who have heard him preach, that his Sermons were not excellent, which to me seems no wonder; partly, because there is a diffe∣rent discipline in teaching children and men; partly, because such who make Divi∣nity (not the choice of their youth, but) the refuge of their age, seldome attain to eminency therein. He died 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth.

CHRISTOPHER POTTER D. D. kinsman to Bishop Potter, (of▪ whom before) was born in this County, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Fellow of Queens-colledge in Oxford, and at last was chosen Provost thereof, Chap•…•…in in Ordinary to King Charles, and Dean of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. One of a sweet nature, •…•…mely pre•…•…ence, courteous carriage, devout life, and deep learning; he wrot an excellent book entituled Charity mistaken, containing impregna∣ble truth, so that malice may s•…•…arl at, but not bite it, without breaking its own teeth. Yet a railing Jesuit wrote a pretended 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thereof, to which the Doctor m•…•…de no return; partly, because the industrious Bee would not meddle with a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Hor∣net rather, partly, because Mr. Chillingworth a great Master of defence in School-di∣vinity, took up the Cudgells against him. This worthy Doctor died in the beginning of our civill distempers.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A. M. P.
• * 1.2

  M.S. Hatcher of the Scho∣lars there•…•….