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EDward Herbert, Son of Richard Herbert, Esquire, and Susan Newport his Wife, was born at Mountgomery-Castle, and brought to Court by the Earl of Pem∣brooke, where he was Knighted by King Iames, who sent him over Embassador into France. Afterwards King Charles the First, Created him Baron of Castle-Island in Ireland, and some years after Baron of Cherbury in Mount∣gomery-shire.
He was a most excellent Artist and rare Linguist, studied both in Books and Men, and himself the Author of two Works most re∣markable, viz. A. Treatise of Truth, written in French, so highly prized beyond the Seas, and (they say) it is extant at this day with great honor in the Popes Vatican. And an History of King Henry the Eighth, wherein his Collections are full and authentick, his Observation judicious, his Connexion strong and coherent, and the whole exact. He Married the Daughter and sole Heir of Sir William Herbert of St. Iulians in Monmouth-shire, with whom he had a large inheritance in England and Ireland, and died in August, Anno Domini, 1648. having designed a fair Monument of his own inven∣tion, to be set up for him in the Church of Mountgomery, according to the Model following;
Vpon the ground a Hath-pace of fourteen Foot square, on the middest of which is placed a Dorick Column, with its right of Pedestal Basis, and Capitols fifteen Foot in height, on the Capitol of the Column is mounted a Vrn with a heart flamboul, supported by two Angels. The foot of this Column is attended with four Angels, placed on Pedestals, at each corner of the said Hath-pace; two having Torches reverst, Extinguishing the Motto of Mortality; the other two holding up Palms, the Emblems of Victory.
When this Noble Person was in France, he had private Instru∣ctions from England, to mediate a Peace for them of the Religion; and in case of refusal, to use certain menaces. Accordingly, be∣ing referred to Luynes the Constable and Favourite of France, he delivereth him the Message, reserving his threatnings, till he saw how the matter was relished. Luynes had hid behind the Cur∣tains a Gentleman of the Religion, who being an ear-witness of what passed, might relate to his friends, what little expectations they ought to entertain from the King of Englands intercession.
Luynes was very haughty, and would needs know what our King had to do with their affairs. Sir Edward replyed; It is not to you, to whom the King my Master oweth an account of his actions; and for me it is enough that I obey him. In the mean time, I must maintain, That my Master hath more reason to do, what he doth, than you to ask, why he doth it? Nevertheless, if you desire me in a gentle fashion, I shall acquaint you further.
Whereupon Luynes bowing a little, said, very well. The Embassa∣dor answered, That it was not on this occasion only, that the King of Great Britain had desired the Peace and Prosperity of France, but upon all other occasions, when ever any War was raised in that Country, and this he said was his first reason. The second was, That when a Peace was setled there, his Majesty of France, might be better disposed to as∣sist the Palatine in the affairs of Germany. Luynes said, We will have none of your advices. The Ambassador replyed, That he took that for an answer, and was sorry only that the affection, and the good will of the King his Master was not sufficiently understood; and that since it
was rejected in that manner, he could do no less than say, That the King his Master knew well enough what he had to do. Luynes answered, We are not afraid of you. The Ambassador smiling a little, replyed, If you had said you had not loved us, I should have believed you, and made another answer: In the mean time, all that I will tell you more is, That we know very well what we have to do. Luynes hereupon ri∣sing from his Chair, with a fashion and countenance a little dis∣composed, said, By God, if you were not Mounsieur the Ambassador, I know very well how I would use you. Sir Edward Herbert rising also from his Chair, said, That as he was his Majesty of Great Brittains Ambassador, so he was also a Gentleman, and that his Sword whereon he laid his hands, should do him reason if he had taken any offence. After which Luynes replying nothing, the Ambassador went on his way toward the door, and Luynes seeming to accompany him, he told him there was no occasion to use such Ceremony after such Lan∣guage, and departed, expecting to hear further from him: But no message being brought him from Luynes, he had in pursuance of his Instructions, a more civil Audience of the King at Coignac, where the Marshal of St. Geran told him he had offended the Con∣stable, and he was not in a place of Security here: Whereunto he answered, That he held himself to be in a place of security where∣soever he had his Sword by him.
Luynes resenting the affront•• got Cadenet his Brother Duke of Chaun, with a ruffling train of Officers (whereof there was not one, as he told King Iames, but had killed his man) as an Ambassador Extra∣ordinary to mis-report their Traverses so much to the disparage∣ment of Sir Edward, that the Earl of Carlisle sent to accomdate le Mal Entendu, that might arise between the two Crowns, got him called home; untill the Gentleman behind the Curtains, out of his duty to Truth and Honor, related all circumstances so, as that it appeared, that though Luynes gave the first affront, yet Sir Edward kept himself within the bounds of his Instructions and Ho∣nor, very discreetly and worthily. Insomuch that he fell on his knees to King Iames before the Duke of Buckingham, to have a Trumpeter, if not an Herauld, sent to Mounsieur Luynes, to tell him, that he made a false relation of the passages before mentio∣ned, and that Sir Edward Herbert would demand reason of him with Sword in hand on that point. The King answered, He would take it into consideration: But Luynes a little after dyed, & Sir Edw. was sent Ambassador to France again, and otherwise employed so, that if it had not been for fear and jealousies, the bane of pub∣lick services, he had been as great in his actions, as in his writings; and as great a Statesman, as he is confessed a Scholar.
Sanctior in sacra tumulatur pulvis arena, dum mens sideribus purior Astra colit Mnemosynum cui ne desit, marmor{que} dolor{que} Aeterno Fletus nectare nomen alunt Pignora{que} ingeniis & matrissantia formis tot stant historiae tot monument a tui; Veritatem Quaerit Philosophia; Invenit Theologia fruitur pietas.