Memoires of the lives, actions, sufferings & deaths of those noble, reverend and excellent personages that suffered by death, sequestration, decimation, or otherwise, for the Protestant religion and the great principle thereof, allegiance to their soveraigne, in our late intestine wars, from the year 1637 to the year 1660, and from thence continued to 1666 with the life and martyrdom of King Charles I / by Da. Lloyd ...

THE Life and Death OF Sir BEVILE GREENVILE, Father of the Right Honorable, the Earl of Bathe.

THere are two ancient Families in this Gentlemans name, the Beviles, that have flourished six hundred years in Cornwall at Gwarnack. in his Christian Name; and the Greenviles that have continued in great honor at Bediford in Devonshire above five hundred years in his Surname: And there were the two eminent Vir∣tues of those Families, in his nature (his names being to him not only significations of Honor, but intimations of Virtue, according to that admonition given by Alexander to one of his Followers, Either quit your good name, or leave your bad manners) meekness, wa∣riness, good nature, and ingenuity, the character of the one; va∣lor and prowess, the known honor of the other. His Ancestor Sir R. Greenvile assisted King William Rufus 1113. against the Welch Re∣bells, successfully dedicating the Spoils of the war to the honor of Almighty God, in maintaining a Religious House. Sir Bevile Greenvile attended King Charles the First against the English 1641. consecrating his services to the Glory of God, and the settlement of the Church, usually saying, That he counted it the greatesta 1.1 honor of his Family, that one of it, meaning Will. de Greenvile, above three hundred years before, under Edw. the First, was Arch∣bishop of York, and in the Councel of Vienna, next the Archbishop of Triers; being for his publick spirit and activity, especially in improving the Trade, maintaining the Priviledges, and keeping up the Discipline of his Country, called to advise with his Majesty in Parliament, about the great affairs of the kingdom, he would not continue there without him: But when he saw that he was more likely to be suppressed by his Majesties adversaries, than his Majesty was to be supported by his friendship at Westminster, he

withdrew, with many more Devonshire and Cornish Gentlemen that deserved Queen Elizabeths Character of these Countrymen, That they were all born Courtiers with a becoming confidence) to give their Country, by rational Declarations, the same satisfaction about the state of affairs, that they had already in their own breast (forcing not the Country, till they had convinced and perswaded it) assert∣ing Authority the ligament of civil society against violence, the publick interest against private designs, liberty against licentious∣ness and oppression, and this upon such moderate principles, to widen rather than narrow their interest, and in so civil terms, as won those generous people that were not to be forced; like com∣pleat Orators, making happy applications to the several humors and Genius of all persons, with Alcibiades shifting disposition as they altered place; yea, so prudentially did they manage their expressi∣ons, that the men at Westminster should not despair of their compli∣ance with them, until they were in a capacity to appear against them, when they had secured the Port-towns, the Fishing-trade for Herring and Pilchards,a 1.2 the Mines, the Markets, for the Manufa∣ctures of that Country, Kersies, Bonelace, &c. and setled as good a correspondence between Devonshire and Cornwall by Sir Bevile Greenviles advice, as was before by Sir Theo. Greenvile's device, who built Baddiford-bridge, as Sir Bevile secured it. They appear in a great body near Pendennis, whereof Sir Nicholas Slaning, another excellent Patriot of Cornwall, was Governor, and Launston the County-town of Cornwall, which Sir Bevile Greenvile possessed him∣self of.

The Body he trained to war, he disciplined to piety (piety not like the Cornish Diamond, counterfeit) and strictness, least as Pil∣chards in this Country, being persecuted by their fellow-fish, the Tunny and Hake, fall into the Fisher-mens Nets; so the Country∣people abused by the incivilities of their friends, the Cavaleers, might be taken in the Snares of their enemies the Faction. As the Ambergreese, found sometimes in this Country, hath a more fra∣grant scent, compounded with other things, than when singly its self; so this noble Gentleman gained a greater repute, when joyn∣ing counsels and endeavors with others, than when he acted alone. The neighbor Counties were on fire, these Counties look to them∣selves. Sir Bevile wished that his Army were all of them as good as his Cause, but it is not to be expected that all should be Fish that are caught in a Drag-net; neither that all should be good and reli∣gious people, who were adventurers in an action of so large a ca∣pacity as this war was; some of the Devils Black Guard may be listed among Gods Souldiers, yet there were fewer oaths among them, than in any Army then in England. They say the Cornish-tongue affordeth but two natural oaths, or but three at the most.

The sobriety of this Army (which Sir Bevile would say were greater, if less, some being rather a burden than strength to it) made them valiant (its the foul Gun and the guilty Conscience that re∣coils) as when Sir William Waller intended to break the Western Association at Landsdown, was beaten out of his Lines and Hedges

by Sir Bevill, and not only so, but forced likewise out of an high hill, fortified on all sides, the passage up very narrow and dange∣rous, between a Wood, lined with Musqueteers on the one hand, and Hedges on the other, gained after four desperate Repulses by Horse, Foot, and Canon, by Sir Bevill, and maintained with a Stand of his own Pikes, with a gallantry and honor admired by his very enemies, until he was unfortunately ••lain in the Head of his Men, with the excellent Serjeant Major Lower at his feet, and honorable Mr. Leake, the Earl of Scarsedales Son, with his enemies Colours about his armes, to whom this mention is due, Mr. Barker, Lieute∣nant Col. Wall, Mr. Bostard, Captain Iames, and Cholwell, being found dead not far from him; both sides bewailing him, and the whole University of Oxford honoring his memory with a Book of Verses, whereof these I pitched upon for his Epitaph.

NOt to be wrought by Malice,* 1.3 Gain, or Pride, To a Compliance with the Triving Side; Not to take Armes for Love of change, or spight, But only to maintain afflicted Right. Not to dye Vainly in pursuit of Fame, Perversly seeking after Voice and Name; Is to resolve, Fight, Dye, as Martyrs do; And thus did he, Souldier, and Martyr too. He might (like some reserved Men of State, Who look not to the Cause, but to its Fate). Have stood aloof, Engaged on neither side, Prepared at last to strike in with the Tide: But well-weighed Reason told him, that when Law Either's Renounced, or Misapplied by th' awe Of false-nam'd Patriots; that when the Right Of King and Subject is suppress'd by Might; When all Religion either is refused As meer pretence, or meerly as that used. When thus the fury of Ambition swells, Who is not active, modestly Rebels. VVhence in a just Esteem to Church and Crown, He offered all, and nothing thought his own: This thrust him into Action whole and free, Knowing no Interest, but Loyalty; Not loving Arms as Arms, or Strife for Strife, Nor Wasteful, nor yet Sparing of his Life. A great Exacter of himself, and then By fair commands, no less of other men. Courage and Iudgment had their equal part, Counsel was added to a generous heart; Affairs were justly timed, nor did he catch At an affected fame of quick dispatch; Things were Prepar'd, Debated, and then done, Not rashly Broke, or vainly Overspun;

False Periods no where by design were made, As are by those that make the VVar their Trade. The Building still was suited to the Ground, VVhence every Action issued full and round. We know who blind their men with specious Lies, With Revelation, and with Prophecies; Who promise two things, to obtain a third, And are themselves by the like Motives stir'd. By no such Engine he his Soldiers drawes, He knew no Arts, but Courage, and the Cause; With these he brought them on, as well-train'd Men, And with those two he brought them off again. When now th' Incensed Legions proudly came Down like a Torrent without Bank or Dam: When understood Success urged on their Force, That Thunder must come down to stop their Course, or Greenvile must step in; then Greenvile stood, And with himself opposed, check'd the Floud. Conquest or Death was all his thoughts, so Fire Either O'rcomes, or doth it self Expire: His Courage work't like flames, cast Heat about Here, there on this, on that side none gave out. Not any Pike in that renowned Stand, But took new force from his inspiring Hand: Souldier encourag'd Souldier, Man urg'd Man, And he urg'd all; so much example can: Hurt upon Hurt, Wound upon Wound did call, He was the Butt, the Mark, the Aim of all: His Soul this while retir'd from Cell to Cell, At last flew up from all, and then he fell. But the devoted Stand enraged more From that his Fate, plied hotter than before; And proud to fall with him, sworn not to yeild, Each sought an honored Grave, so gain'd the Field. Thus he being fallen, his action Fought anew, And the Dead Conquered, whiles the Living slew. This was not Natures Courage, nor that thing We Valor call, which Time and Reason bring; But Diviner Fury fierce and high, Valor transported into Extasie; Which Angels looking on us from above, Vse to convey into the Souls they love.

Doctor Lluelin.

ANd with this constant Principle possess't, He did alone expose his single Breast Against an Armies force, and bleeding lay, The Great Restorer of th' declining day.

Thus slain thy Vasiant Ancestor did Lie, VVhen his one Barque a Navy durst defie; When now encompass'd round, he Victor stood, And bath'd his Pinnace in his Conquering blood, Till all his purple Current dried and spent, He fell, and left the Waves his Monument. Where shall next famous Greenviles Ashes stand? Thy Grandsire fills the Sea, and thou the Land.

And there is a third Greenvile, the Right Honorable Iohn Earl of Bathe, Sir Beviles Son and Heir (who having gone on so honorably all the War, the Chronicle whereof swells with his name) pursu∣ing those great Actions his Father had begun in King Charles I. time, that my Lord Dighy and that King writing to the Queen a∣bout making him of the Princes Bed-Chamber, declare him then the most deserving young Gentleman in England, and waited upon King Charles I. so faithfully, that as he had been witness of his Majesties gracious intentions and thoughts towards his distracted Kingdoms abroad in his banishment; so he was the first Messenger between his Majesty and his Kingdoms in order to his miraculous return home, who should be the instrument of the Sons Restauration, but Sir Bevile Greenviles Son, who had so nobly dyed in de∣fence of the Father. And if there be any knowledge above among the blessed of what is done here below among us: its, King Charles the Martyrs satisfaction, that his Son is restored to his Throne; and it adds to Sir Bevill Greenviles bliss, that his heir is the first mes∣senger in the Kingdom met in Parliament, of the Gracious Letters that accomplished that Restauration.

And here will be the most proper place to mention Sira 1.4 Richard Greenvile, Sir, Beviles Brother, who staid with the Parlia∣ment till two Treaties, and the great condescention of his Majesty brought him over first to correspondence, and when an oppor∣tunity offered its self of performing his Majesty a considerable ser∣vice, by carrying over with him the Government of a very advan∣tageous Port-Town, to actual service, contributing very much by possessing my Lord Roberts house, taking Lesterman Castle, and stopping most of the Passes which he understood very well, to the famous streight wherein the Earl of Essex was caught in in Corn∣wall: and a while after very active in besieging Col. Weldens Bri∣gade, and the Town of Taunton both at one time. As he was up∣the fatal defeat at Naseby in getting together 4 or 5 thousand Re∣formades in the Counties of Devonshire and Cornwall, where he pursued his Majesties quarrel as long as he had either a Garrison or a Regiment, after the Treaty at Tresilian-bridge, made between my Lord Hopton and Sir ••. F. for disbanding the Western Forces, waiting on his Majesty that now is, to Scilly, Holland, France, &c. where he was very instrumental in laying the model of the second, or the Presbyterian War, understanding by a long converse with the Faction, their interest and humor of most of them by Sea and Land; and that failing, he followed his Majesties fortune abroad

while he lived, being accomplished as well with ingenious Arts, that rendred him company for a Prince in time of peace, as with those more severe, that made him serviceable to him in War; his youth and Sir Beviles being bred up in Exeter Colledge to all gen∣tile habits of Learning, Vertue, and Complaisance; yet in the midst of more soft pleasures as well as harder services, his solid minde admits nothing scandalous either to his Religion or Cause, both which a vertuous suffering, pityed by mankind advancing, as well as heroick attempts commended by them; the first in the eyes of all men, deserving that success which the last wanted: to which circumspect converse he added frequent conferences to his Masters in the good opinion of those near him; and an unin∣terrupted correspondence in the indefatigable way of Cyphers, to keep them upright in their duty that were at distance, sal∣ving all the strange Phaenomena of the Rebels success, and his Ma∣jesties misfortunes in intire discourses, which he kept of all trans∣actions from first to last; besides that, he gained his Country much honor by his services to the Crowns of France and Spain, evincing that the King of great Britain in his very Banishment had such At∣tendants (his Court even then was the Scene of the most Heroick vertue in Europe) as could serve any Prince, and would one day restore their own: the very sight of whom, and some discourse with Sir R. Greenvile, &c. put many upon prophecying what we have lived to see particularly. The Arch-bishop of Avignon sent a Scheme drawn up by one Oneal, a great Mathematician, demon∣strating that his Majesty should return 1660. to London with as great triumph in peace, as his blessed Father was 1641. driven out of it by tumults.

Neither did Sir Richard come over alone to the Kings service; for the attractive of his example brought along another eminent Parliament-man that had been very active in the West, by name Sir George Chudleigh,* 1.5 who 1643. declared,

That Petitions of Right are commendable, and Remonstrances may be lawful; but Arms, though defensive, are ever doubtful: my Lot (saith he) fell to be cast upon the Parliaments side, by a strong opinion of the goodness of their Cause, which to my judgment then ap∣peared to be so; Religion and the Subjects Liberty seemed to me to be in danger, but the destruction of the Kingdom cannot be the way to save it: nor can the loss of Christian Subjects, nor the Subjects loss of their Estates by Plunder and Assessement con∣sist with Piety, nor yet with propriety: As for Religion, his Ma∣jesty (whom God long preserve) hath given us unquestionable security. I have cast my self at my Soveraigns feet, and implo∣red his gracious pardon. I will contend no more in words or deed. And this my resolution with the indisputable grounds thereof, I thought good to declare to my Friends and Country∣men, that they may understand my sitting (he means at Oxford,) to proceed from no compulsion.

He and his Son, men of great Repu∣tation in the West, redeeming their former miscarriage by very eminent services in Counsel and in Arms; and by this time, we

see the reason why the men at VVestminster who understood no∣thing but English, Proclaimed Sir Richard Greenvile Traytor in three Languages, and they which hated Images hanged him in Effigie, excepting him out of their pardon even for that very rea∣son, for which God took him to his, even because he repented.

Euge! virtus suis firmior erroribus uti confracta solidior a sunt ut plurimum ossa! nisi errassent Heroes paenitentes, fecerant minus.

To these I may adde Chammo Greenvile of Pughill Cornwall, who is 657 l. deep in their Books at Haberdashers, and Goldsmiths-hall; and Thomas Chudley of Aishton Devonshire. 430 l.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Note that one of his Sons is a sober, meek, godly and exemplary minister of the Chur••h of England, whi••h puts me in minde of Esquire Bu∣chenhall, who used to say, what sh••ll I say to Mar••in Luther, hav∣••ng eleven Sons, if I make not one of them a M∣••••ister.
• a 1.2

  Silver at Combmartin and Tin, ••or the meeting of which with Sea-Cral••o save Wood, and k••ep the Tei•• from westing in the blest. Sir Bevile made several experi∣ments.
• * 1.3

  By Mr. Will. ca••twr••ght.
• a 1.4

  Sir Rich∣ard Green∣vile, who went with 600 l. he had of the Parliament toward a de∣sign to Ox∣ford.
• * 1.5

  Sir George Chudleigh and his Deela∣ration, and why be deserted the Parliament with young Mr. Chud∣leigh, whose return broke the Earl of Strafford.