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EDward Fines Lord Clinton, Knight of the Garter, was Lord Admiral of England for more then thirty years. He was wise, va∣liant, and very fortunate, as appears by his Master-piece in Museleborough-field, in the reign of King Edward the sixth, and the Battle against the Scots. He was afterwards created Earl of Lincoln, where he was born, May 4. 1474. and where he had a proportionable Estate to support his Dignity, which
he much increased, beside his Paternal Inheritance. He died January 16. 1558. and lieth buried at Windsor, in a private Chappel, under a stately Mo∣nument, which Elizabeth his third Wise, Daugh∣ter to the Earl of Kildare, erected in his remem∣brance. His Fortune made him a younger Bro∣ther, and his Industry an Heir; coming to Court, where they that have Estates, spend them; and they that have none, gain them. His recreation was at Court, but his business in the Country; where notwithstanding the Statute in Henry the se∣venths time against Pasturage for Tillage, he Gra∣zed 11000 Acres of Ground: then a noble and gaining Employment, that advanced many a Fami∣ly in one Generation; and now a saving one, that hath kept up as many ten.
The best tempered Swords will bend any way, and the best metalled men will comply with any occasion. At White-hall, none more affable and courteous then our Lord; at Sea, none more skil∣ful; in the field, none more resolute; in the Coun∣try, none more thristy and hospitable. His Enter∣tainments were orderly and suitable, made up of solid particulars, all growing upon his own Estate. King Charles would say, Every man hath his vanity, and mine (speaking of the Soveraign) is Building: Every man hath his humour, and mine (said he, speaking of the Fens) is Drayning. Adding withal, He that would be merry for a day, let him be trim∣med; he that would be merry for a week, let him marry; he that would be merry for a year, let him build; he that would be merry for Ages, let him im∣prove. Now you would have him among his Work∣men and Stewards in Lincoln, anon among the
Commissioners either in France or Scotland; by and by before Bulloign or Calice, and a while after at Spieres or Muscleborough, and on a suddain at a Mask in Court. Neither was his Soul less pliable to persons, then things: as boysterously active as King Henry could expect, as piously meek as King Edward could wish, as warily zealous as Queen Mary's times required, and as piercingly obser∣vant as Queen Elizabeths perplexed occasions de∣manded. It was by him and my Lord Bacon said of business, That it was in business as it is in ways, that the next and the nearest way is commonly the fou∣lest; and that if a man will go the fairest way, he must go somewhat about.
Sitting in a Committee about invading Scotland, whereof Sir Anthony Brown then Viscount Moun∣tacute presented a Draught, there arose as great a debate between him and my Lord in Council, as afterwards in the Field, about the point of En∣trance; Nay, said my Lord in the heat of the Dis∣course, with as much power on others passions, as command over his own, We stand quarrelling here how we shall get in, but here is no discourse how we shall get out.
It's a Rule, Whosoever hath any thing fixed in his person that doth induce contempt, hath also a perpetual spur in himself to rescue and deliver him∣self from scorn, either by vertue or malice; And my Lord having some disadvantage from Nature, made it up by Art: None more bold, none more industrious and more successful, because that dis∣advantage took off envy on the one hand, and jea∣lousie on the other: so that upon the matter, in a great Wit, Contempt is a great advantage to rising.
Judge Brooke had a Project against Usury, which came up to the Lords House: this rich Peer upon the first motion of it, stands up, and saith, Shew me a State without Usury, and I'll shew you a State with∣out Men and Trade.
Rich he was for expence, and expend he did upon honour and good Action: his ordinary ex∣pences were the third of his Estate, and his extra∣ordinary none of it; his Rule being, Extraordina∣ry disadvantages must be balanced with extraordi∣nary advantages. He would not stoop to petty gains, but he would abridge petty charges: but his occa∣sions calling him often from his Estate, he turned it all to certainties; often changing his Servants, who being unacquainted with him and his Estate, were less subtle, and more timorous. Much behind∣hand he was when he came to the Estate, and as much before when he left it. Neither was he too suddain or too slow in paying his Debts; equally a∣voiding a disadvantageous sale on the one hand, and devouring interest on the other: and so inuring himself by degrees into an habit of frugality, he gained as well upon his Minde, as upon his Estate. For husbanding the English Treasure in Scotland, he was Knighted in the Field May 11. 34 H. 8. by the Earl of Hertford: for the Clause concerning Scot∣land he put in at the Treaty of Guisnes, 35 H. 8. he was made Baron by Patent: for his discreet Con∣duct in demanding the young Queen of Scots, to∣gether with the performance of the Articles made in Henry the eighth's time, with 60 sayl of Ships be∣fore the battle of Muscleburgh, he had 600 l. a year assigned him by the Protector: for his great experience at Sea, his interest in Sea-men, and his
nown among the Neighbour-States, he was made Earl of Lincoln.
He meant land.