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 Hen∣ry Umpton.

SIr Henry Ʋmpton was born at Wadley in Barkshire. He was son to Sir Edward Ʋmpton, by Anne (the Relict of John Dudley Earl of Warwick, and) the eldest Daugh∣ter of Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset. He was employed by Queen Elizabeth Embassador into France; where he so behaved himself right stoutly in her behalf, as may appear by this parti∣cular. In the moneth of March, anno 1592, being sensible of some injury offered by the Duke of Guise to the Queen of England, he sent him this ensuing Challenge.

For as much as lately in the Lodging of my Lord Du Mayne, and in publick elsewhere, impudently, indiscreetly, and over-boldly you spoke badly of my Soveraign, whose sacred Person here in this Country I represent: To maintain both by word and weapon

her Honour, (which never was called in question a∣mong people of Honesty and Vertue) I say, you have wickedly lyed in speaking so basely of my Soveraign; and you shall do nothing else but lye, whensoever you shall dare to tax her Honour: Moreover, that her sacred Person (being one of the most compleat and vertuous Princess that lives in this world) ought not to be evil spoken of the tongue of such a perfidiour Traytor to her Law and Country as you are. And hereupon I do defie you, and challenge your person to mine, with such manner of Arms as you shall like or chuse, be it either on horse-back or on foot. Nor would I have you to think any inequality of Person between us, I being issued of as great a Race and No∣ble House (every way) as your self. So assigning me an indifferent place, I will there maintain my words, and the lye which I gave you, and which you should not endure if you have any courage at all is you. If you consent not to meet me hereupon, I wil hold you, and cause you to be generally held one of the arrantest Cowards, and most slanderous Slave that lives in all France. I expect your answer.

I finde not what Answer was returned. This Sir Henry dying in the French Kings Camp before Lofear, had his Corpse brought over to London, and carried in a Coach to Wadley, thence to Fa∣rington, where he was buried in the Church on Tuesday the eighth of July 1596. He had allowed him a Barons Hearse, because he died Ambassa∣dour Leiger.