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.

CHAP. XXI. General Rules for the AUTHOR and READERS. Ease.

I Have ranked all persons under their respective Titles, according to their Seniori∣ties, of the ages they lived in. Good the method of the Sons of Jacob, sitting down at the Table of their [unknown] brother * 1.1 Joseph, the first according to his Birthright, and the Youngest according to his Youth. If therefore, on this account, a mean man take place of a mighty Lord, the later (as being dead) I am sure will not, and the Living Reader should not be offended thereat.

Of the Dates of Time annexed to the Persons and their Actions.

The Sun, that Glorious Creature, doth serve Mankind for a double use, to lighten their Eyes with his Beams, and Minds with his Motion. The later is performed by him as appointed for * 1.2 Signs and for Seasons, as he is the great Regulator of Time, joynted into Years and Months, carved into Weeks and Dayes, minced into Hours and Minutes.

At what a sad loss are such, who living in Lone Houses, in a Gloomy Winter Day, when the Sun doth not at all appear, have neither the benefit of Watches, Silent Clocks, nor of Clocks, Speaking Watches, being ready oft-times to mistake Noon for Night, and Night for Noon. Worse Errors are committed by those, who being wholy ignorant in Chronology, set the Grand-children before their Grandfathers, and have more Hysteron∣Proterons, than of all other Figures in their Writings.

The Maxime, He who distinguisheth well instructeth well, is most true in the observing of the Distinction of time. It will pose the best Clerk to read (yea to spel) that Deed, wherein Sentences, Clauses, Words and Letters, are without Points or Stops, all continued together. The like Confusion ariseth, when persons and their actions are not distanced by Years, nor pointed with the periods of Generations.

I have endevoured in my following work, to Time Eminent Persons by one of these Notations, First, that of their Morning or Nativity, the second, that of their Noon or Flourishing, the last, that of their Night or Death. The first is very uncertain, many Illus∣trious Men being of obscure Extraction. The second more conspicuous, when Mens Lustre attracts many Eyes to take Notice of them. Many see the Oake when grown, (especially if a standard of Remark) whilst few (if any) remember the Acorn, when it was set. The last is not the least Direction, as which is generally observed. It com∣eth to pass somtimes, that their Deaths acquaint us with their births, viz. when atten∣ded on their Tomb with Intelligence of their age, so that by going backward so many years from their Coffins we infallibly light on their Cradles.

Some Persons in our Works are notified by all of these Indications, most with two, and all with one of them. When we find a Contest amongst Chronologers, so that with the mutinous Ephesians, * 1.3 some cry one thing, and some another, being as much dispersed in their Opinions, as the Amorites in their Persons (when defeated by Saul) so * 1.4 that two of them were not left together, in such a case, I have pitched on that Date (under correction of better judgements) which seemed to me of greatest Probability.

An Apology for Qualificatives used, and Blanks left in this History.

I approve the plain Country By-word, as containing much Innocent Simplicity therein,

Almost and very nigh, Have saved many a Lie.

So have the Latines their prope, fere, juxta, circiter, plus minus, used in matters of fact by the most authentick Historians. Yea, we may observe, that the Spirit of Truth it self, where Numbers and Measures are concerned, in Times, Places and Persons, useth the aforesaid Modificatives, save in such cases, where some mystery contained in the number, requireth a particular specification thereof.

In times.	In places.	In persons.
Dan. 5. 33. Darius being about threescore and two years old.	Luk. 24. 13. From Jerusalem about sixty furlongs.	Exod. 12. 37. About six hun∣dred thousand men on foot.
Luke 3. 23. Jesus began to be about thirty years of age.	Joh. 6. 19. Had rowed about five and twenty furlongs.	Act. 2. 41. Added to the church about 3 thousand 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

None therefore can justly find fault with me, if on the like occasion I have secured my self with the same Qualificatives. Indeed such Historians who grind their Intelli∣gence to the powder of fraction, pretending to cleave the pin, do sometimes misse the But. Thus one reporteth, how in the Persecution under Dioclesian, there were neither under nor over, but just nine hundred ninety nine Martyrs. Yea, generally those that Trade in such Retail-ware, and deal in such small parcells, may by the ignorant be commended for their Care, but condemned by the judicious for their ridiculous curio∣sity.

But such who will forgive the use of our foresaid Qualificatives (as but limping and lamenesse) will perchance not pardon the many blanks which occur in this Book, ac∣counting them no better then our Flat fallingto the ground, in default of our Industry

where they found their best preferment, especially if Convents or Dignities of signal note; as Henry of Huntington, not born, but Arch-Deacon there; William of Malms∣bury, and Matthew of Westminster, no Natives of those Towns; but Monks of the Monasteries therein.

However to prevent Cavils, and avoid Confusion, and to distinguish those from the former, their Names are marked with S. N. for second Nativity, to shew, that whence soever they fetcht their Life, here they found their best Livelyhood. But when a person plainly appears born beyond the Seas, We take no notice of him, though never so highly advanced in England, as without our Line of Communication, and so not belonging to this Subject.

What REM. for Remove when affixed in the Margin doth Denote.

We meet with some persons in this our Work, whose Nativities we cannot Reco∣ver with any great Probability, neither by help of History, or Heraldry, or Tradition, or Records, or Registers, or Printed, or Writen books, which hitherto have come to our hands. Now if such persons be of no Eminence, we intend not to trouble our selves and Reader with them, Let Obscurity even go to Obscurity, when we find no great note in them, we take not any notice of them. But in case they appear men of much Merit, whose Nativities are concealed by some Casualty, we are loath that their Memories, who whilst living were Worthies, now dead should be Vagrants, repo∣sited in no certain place.

Wherefore we have disposed them in some Shire or other, not as Dwellers, no nor so much as Sojourners therein. But only as Guests, and we render some slight Rea∣sons, why we invited them to that place, rather then another, seeing a small motive will prevail with a charitable mind, to give a Worthy Stranger a Nights Lod∣ging.

However, that these may not be confounded with those, of whose Nativities we have either assurance or strong presumption. We have in the Margin charactered them with a Rem. for Remove, it being our desire that they should be transplanted on the first convincing Evidence, which shall appear unto us, to their proper place. And therefore I behold them as standing here with a Staffe in their hands, ready to pack up, and go away, whither any good Guide shall give them direction.

Always provided, that as they are set here, with little, they be not removed hence with lesse probability; an unset bone is better then a bone so ill set, that it must be broken again to double the pain of the Patient. And better it is these persons should con∣tinue in this their loose and dislocated condition, than to be falsly fixed in any place, from whence they must again be translated.

Now Reader (to recollect our marginal or prefixed characters) know it is the best sign when no Sign at all is added to a name, for then we proceed on certainty; at least wise, on the credit of good Authors, for the place of his Nativity, thus the best of the house giveth his Coat plain, whilst the following differences are but the Diminutions of the younger brothers, viz.

• 1. Amp. Where our Evidence of a persons birth is but conjectural and craveth fur∣ther instruction.
• 2. S. N. When having no aim at the place of their birth, we fixe them according to their best Livelyhood.
• 3. REM. When wholly unsatisfied of their position, we remit their Removal to the Readers discretion.

Now seeing order only makes the difference betwixt a wall and a heap of stones, and seeing, Quibene distinguit bene docet, we conceived our selves obliged to part, and not jumble together the several gradations.

How Persons belonging to several Topicks are ranked.

It often 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to passe, that the same person may justly be entituled to two or more •…•…opicks, as by the ensuing may appear.

for not seeking due Information. But let such know, that those Officers, who by their place are to find out persons enquired after, deserve neither to be blamed nor shamed, when having used their best diligence, they return to the Court a Non est in∣ventus.

For my own part, I had rather my Reader should arise hungry from my Book, than surfeited therewith; rather uninformed than misinformed thereby; rather ignorant of what he desireth, than having a falsehood, or (at the best) a conjecture for a truth obtruded upon him.

Indeed, I humbly conceive that vacuity which is hateful in nature, may be helpful in History. For, such an hiatus beggeth of posterity, to take pains to fill it up with a truth (if possible to be attained) whereas, had our bold adventure farced it up with a conjecture, intus existens prohibuerit extraneum, no room had been left for the ende∣vours of others.

What Ampliandum, so often occurring in this Book, doth import.

It is sufficiently known to all Antiquaries, that causes brought to be heard and de∣termined before the Roman Judges, were reducible to two kinds.

1. Liquets.	2. Ampliandums.
When the case as clear and plain, was pre∣•…•… decided.	When, being dark and difficult, they were put off to farther debate, somewhat alluding to our Demurrs.

Hence it is, that we find the Roman * 1.5 Oratour complaining of an unjust Judge, Cum causam non audisset, & potestas esset Ampliandi, dixit sibi Liquere.

I should be loth to be found guilty of the like offence in rash adjudging mens Nati∣vities to places, on doubtful Evidence, and therefore when our presumptions do ra∣ther incline then satisfie, we have prefixed AMP. before the Names of such persons. For when they appear undoubted English, and Eminent in their respective Qualities, it would be in us a sin of omission not to insert them; and yet being ignorant of the ex∣act place of their Birth, it would be presumption peremptorily to design it without this Note of Dubitation, though on the most tempting Probabilities. Know also that when AMP. is used in the Arms of Sheriffs, it is only done in such an Exigent, where there are different Coats of very ancient Families, and largely diffused, as [Nevil, Ferrers, Basset, &c.] So that it is hazardous for me to fixe on one in such great variety.

What S. N. frequently appearing prefixed to Mens NAMES doth signifie.

When we cannot by all our indevours inform our selves of the Nativities of some eminent person, we are forced to this Refuge (so creditable, that I care not what Eyes behold us entring under the Roof thereof) to insert such persons in those Coun∣ties, where we find them either first or highest preferred: and this we conceive pro∣per enough, and done upon good consideration. For the wild Irish love their Nurses as well (if not better) than their own Mothers, and affect their Foster-brothers, which suckt the same breast, as much as their Natural-brothers whith sprang from the same Womb. If any say these are the wild Irish, whose barbarous customes are not to be imitated, I defend my self by the practice of more civilized people.

The Latines have a Proverb, non ubi nascor, sed ubi pascor, making that place their Mother, not which bred, but which fed them. The Greeks have but one word, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, both for Life and Livelyhood. The Hebrews accounted that place was to give a Man his Native Denomination, where he had his longest and most visible 〈◊〉〈◊〉, from (though not sometimes in) his Infancy. By which common mistake Jesus was intituled on the cross, of Nazareth instead of Bethlehem.

Yea, we may observe; that though generally our English Clergy 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from their Birth places: Yet some few quitted them, to be named from those 〈◊〉〈◊〉,

Two of	Bishops, Writers, Arth. Lakes.	Two of	Seamen, Souldiers, Sir Francis Drake.
	Physicians, Benefactors, Jo. Caius.		Statesmen, Souldiers, Sir Ralph Sadler.
Three of	Bishops, Writers, Benefactors, Lancelot Andrews.	Three of	Statesmen, Lawyers, Benefactors, Sir Nicholas Bacon.
	Martyrs, Bishops, Writers, Thomas Cranmer.		Statesmen, Lawyers, Writers, Sir Francis Bacon.
Four of	Saints, Bishops, Writers, Statesmen, Tho. Becket.	Four of	Lawyers, Statesmen, Writers, Benefa∣ctors, William Lord Cecil.
	Confessors, Bishops, Writers, Benefactors Ed. Grindall.		Souldiers, Seamen, Statesmen, Writers, Sir Walter Raleigh.

The Question is now, under what head they shall be properly placed, seeing so many lay claim unto them?

Some will say, let them be ranked in that capacity wherein they excelled. This I humbly conceive is an invidious work for any to perform. Seeing none have made me, I will not make my self a Judge in this Case, many appearing equally eminent in their several capacities, but have embraced the following Order.

First, The Titles of Saints and Martyrs carrieth it clearly from all others, I be∣hold them as heavenly honours, and Glory outshines Gold; next I deny not, I have an affection for Benefactors to the Publick, and much indulge that Topick, clean tho∣rough this Work, * 1.6 David saith to God himself, thou art good, there is a clear spring, and thou doest good, there is a comfortable stream. Benefaction therefore being a God-like▪act, blame me not if under that Title, those have been ranked, who otherwise had more outwardly honourable Relations. For the rest I am not asha∣med to confesse, that Casualty in such who came first, and Conveniency in such, who agre∣ed best with my present occasion, regulated them in their method, and so be it they be here, the placing of them is not so much material.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Gen. 43. 33.
• * 1.2

  Gen. 1. 10.
• * 1.3

  Acts 19. 32.
• * 1.4

  •…•… Sam. 11. 11.
• * 1.5

  Pro Cec. 290. a.
• * 1.6

  Psal. 119.