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 Thomas Wentworth.

SIr Tho. Wentworth of Nettles••ed in Suffolk, of a younger Family, (confessed by the Cres∣cent in his Coat) descended from the Wentworths of Wentworth-wood-house in York-shire, and was created Baron Wentworth by King Henry the viii. He was a stout and valiant Gentleman, a cordial Protestant, and his Family a Sanctuary of such Professors; Iohn Bale comparing him to the good Centurion in the Gospel, and gratefully ac∣knowledging him the cause of his conversion from a Carmelite. The memory of this good Lord is much (but unjustly) blemished, because Calis was lost the last of Queen Mary under his Go∣vernment: The manner was huddled up in our Chronicles, (least is best of bad business) where∣of this is the effect: The English being secure by reason of the last Conquest at St. Quintin, and the Duke of Guise having notice thereof, he sate down before the Town at the time (not when Kings go forth to, but return from battle) of mid-winter, even upon New-years-day. Next day he took the two Forts of Risebank and New∣man-bridge, (wherein the strength of the City consisted) but whether they were undermined or overmoneyed, it is not decided, and the last left most suspicious. VVithin three Days the Castle of Calis, which commanded the City, and was under the command of Sir Ralph Chamberlain,

was taken, the French wading through the Dit∣ches, (made shallower by their artificial cut) and then entring the Town, were repulsed back by Sir Anthony Ager Marshal of Calis, the only Man, saith Stow, who was ••illed in the Fight, (understand him, of note) others, for the credit of the business, accounting four-score lost in that service. The French re-entring the City the next Day, being Twelfth-day, the Lord Went∣worth Deputy thereof made but vain resistance, which (alas) was like the wrigling of a Worms tayl after the head thereof is cut off; so that he was forced to take what terms he could get, viz. That the Towns-men should depart (though plundered to a Groat) with their Lives, and himself with 49 more, such as the Duke of Guise should chuse, should remain Prisoners to be put to ransome.

This was the best news brought to Paris, and worst to London ••or many years before: It not only abated the Queens chear the remnant of Christmas, but her mirth all the days of her life. Yet might she thank her self for loosing this Key of France, because she hung it by her side with so slender a string, there being but Five Hundred Souldiers effectually in the Garrison; too few to manage such a piece of importance. The Lord Wentworth the second of Iune following, was so∣lemnly condemned for Treason, though unheard, as absent in France: which was not only against Christian Charity, but Roman Justice; Festus confessing it was not fashionable amongst them to deliver any Man to die, before he which is accu∣sed have the accusers face to face, and have li∣cence

to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. It was well for this Lord that he was detained in France till his ransome was paid, and Queen Mary dead, who otherwise probably had lost his life, if he had had his liber∣ty. But Queen Elizabeth coming to the Crown, he found the favour, or rather had the justice to be tryed again, and was acquitted by his Peers; finding it no treachery, cowardise, or carelessness in him, but in Sir Iohn Harlston, and Sir Ralph Chamberlain, the one Governour of Risebank, the other of Calis-Castle: for which they were both condemned to die, though their Judgment was remitted. This Lord was the only Person I have read of, who thus in a manner played Rubbers, when his Head lay at stake; and having lost the fore, recovered the after-game. He di∣ed a very aged Man, 1594. Thus far Mr. Fuller.

Two ways a Courtier advanceth himself: the first, that more leisurely, slow, though sure, of watching Offices, Preferments and Dignities that may by steps bring them to the Kings Presence; The second, that more quick and short, but most practised, of following the Court for such extraor∣dinary Commissions and particular services to the Empire, as may (without the danger of delays that must be fatal amidst so many Competitors) recom∣mend him to his favour. It was below Sir Thomas his Estate to stoop to that first method; it suited more with his activity to embrace the second. Two usually-inconsistent qualities he had, The closeness of an Agent, and The Valour of a Souldier. To Rome he was sent in disguise, and to Treport with an

Army: so graceful his carriage, so insinuating his affability, so clear and well-weighed his discourse, so searching and comprehensive his Judgment; so gravely Aiery, so Majestically pleasant his counte∣nance, so becoming his gate and apparel, so watch∣ful his Negotiations, so winning his Addresses, so discr••etly smart his Reparties, (darting a suddain lustre and vigour to the darkness and heaviness of his graver D••scourses, neither common nor unsa∣voury, neither affected nor far-fetched, neither a∣busive of others, nor mis-becoming himself) so discreet and well-managed his complaisance, (with re••erence to circumstances, Person, Place, Time, matter and cause) that he had Cardinal Senhault's Secretary, to bring him to the Pope's Closet; the Emperour's Agent Randolphus, to introduce him to Court; that he won Fryar Paul, to shew him the mysteries of the Church; Engineer Palvino, to re∣present the Pop••'s Cities, Towns, Fortification••, Havens, Harbours, A••tiquities, Seminaries, Exer∣cises, Ships, Treasure, Armories, Arsenals, Maga∣zines, (having always by him a Card of the Terri∣tories) and the Pope's Bed-chamber-man, to shew him all the Papers and Transactions that concerned Henry the eighth. So well experienced his Con∣duct, so well disciplined his Army, so watchful and industrious his Nature, so good his pay, (though he pawned, at once in Normandy, his own Estate to satisfie his Souldiers) so noble his rewards of v••lour and service, (it being his rule, That every man should enjoy as much as he could conquer) so prevalent his example, that he did more with 2000 Men in three Moneths, than the Duke of Suffolk had done with 8000 in three years. The Duncery and idle∣ness

of the Monks in his time, (as he writes himself) made Erasmus a Student: the sloth and carelesness of Commanders in Sir Thomas his time, made him a Souldier.

Edward the third of England having sent to France to demand the Crown by Maternal Right, the Council there sent him word, That the Crown of France was not tied to a Distaff. To which he replyed, That then he would tie it to his Sword. Sir Thomas Wentworth demanding Normandy in right of the Dukes thereof, Kings of England, was told, That Dukedomes were never given away in France by the Wills of the Dead: Nay then, replyed he, we will have them against the Wills of the Living.

It's written of our Henry the fifth, that he had something of Caesar in him, which Alexander the Great had not, That he would not be Drunk; and something of Alexander the Great, which Caesar had not, That he would not be Flattered: Sir Tho∣mas had both their Virtues, none of their Vices; Non tam extra Vitia, quam cum summis Virtutibus. Though he could not avoid misfortune, and pro∣sper; yet he could yield to it, and retire: (that ex∣perienced File that could not withstand the enemies ••hot, could fall down and escape it.) Privacy at once secured and supported this unfortunate Gentleman: It is much to know how to lead and bring on suc∣cessfully; it's more to retreat, and come off hand∣somely, and give over a bad game.

Since he heard ill, I hear no more of him but this: One being designed an Agent, waited upon this knowing and experienced Lord for some Dire∣ctions for his conduct and carriage; he delivereth himself (saith my Author) thus: To secure your

self, and serve your Country, you must at all times•• and upon all occasions, speak truth: for (as he added) you will never be believed; and by this means your truth will secure your self if you be questioned, and pu•• those you deal with (who will still hunt counter) to a loss in all their disquisitions and undertakings.