State-worthies, or, The states-men and favourites of England since the reformation their prudence and policies, successes and miscarriages, advancements and falls, during the reigns of King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, King James, King Charles I.

Observations on the Life of Sir Rob. Armstroder.

HE was a great Soldier, a skilful Antiquary, and a good Fellow: In the first capacity I finde him bringing off five hundred English for three miles together without the loss of a

man, from six thousand Spaniards, along a plain Champion, where the Enemy might have surroun∣ded them at pleasure.— Well he could handle bright armour in the Field, better he understood that more rusty in the Tower; therefore in his se∣cond capacity we have him picking up old Coyn, valuing more a Dollar which he might study, than a pound he might spend: Yet though his mind was taken with the Curiosities of former Times, his inclination was very compliant with the mode of his own; for he was excellent company, in which ca∣pacity none more prevalent than he in Germany, where they talk much; none more acceptable in Denmark, where they drink hard; none more taking in Sweden, where they droll smartly. His humble prop••sition and submission in behalf of the Elector, was accepted by the Emperour, 1630. He went to Denmark; and the first night he arri∣ved he pleased the King so well in drinking healths, that his Majesty ordered that his business should be dispatch'd that very night, and he shipped when asleep, as he was to his own amazement when a∣waked, and the amazement of all England when returned; he being here before some thought he had been there.— Humour is the Misterss of the world.

Neither was he more inten•• upon the pleasing o•• Foreign Princes, than careful in the honour of his own, especially in his faith, word, and impreg∣nable honesty; for he knew a faithless Prince is be∣loved of none; but suspected by his friends, not trusted of his enemies,—and forsaken of all men in his grea••est necessities.

Yet he was not so taken with antique Medals a∣broad,

but he promoted a new invention at home: for to him & Sir H. Wotton we owe it, that F. Klein the German, a very eminent Artist in working Tape∣stry, came over to serve K. Charls the first, a Virtuoso, judicious in all Liberal mechanical Arts, and for 100 pounds per ann. pension, so improved that Ma∣nufacture, at this time very compleat at Mortlack, in a house built by Sir Franci•• Crane upon King Iames his motion, who gave two thousand pounds towards it in that place.—General Tilly would say before Gustavus Adolphus came into Germany, that he was happy for three things; That he heard Mass, daily; that he had never touched a woman; and that he had never lost a battel.—What ever Sir Ro∣bert could say to the first, he was very prosperous for the last; that he never failed of success either in fighting or treating; in the Field, or in the Cham∣ber.