The English historical library, or, A short view and character of most of the writers now extant, either in print or manuscript which may be serviceable to the undertakers of a general history of this kingdom / by William Nicholson ...

CHAP. VIII.

Of the Histories of our Vniver∣sities and Writers.

WHAT Sir John Marshama says of the old Monks of this Isle, may be well apply'd to the Zea∣lous Antiquaries of our two Universi∣ties, Illos in illustrandis suorum Nata∣libus Antiquitati plus quam Veritati in∣cubuisse. In the days of Henry the Eighth, during the Storm against Ab∣bies and Colleges, the Controversy was seemly enough. For, whilst nothing but Ruin was within their view, such a concern was as natural as 'tis for de∣caying Families to value themselves on their Pedigrees: But, in their flour∣ishing condition under Queen Eliza∣beth, it might have been hoped that the Members of both would have found themselves better Employment.

This the contending Parties in that Reign seem to have been somewhat sensible of; and therefore the most violent and fierce of 'em declin'd the owning of their several Brats, the af∣fixing their Names to Pleadings and Apologies. The Truth is, the great∣est part of what was offer'd on either side was so aery and vapid, that 'twas fit only for young Sophisters, or Men that had left the School for thirtya Years, to argue at such a rate: where∣as the grave and residing Doctors were justly asham'd of such Practices, and (for some time) modestly play'd their Puppets from behind the Curtain. What was done for either of these Noble Seminaries by King Sigebert or King Aelfred may possibly endure the Canvasing: But when the contesting Antiquaries begin to be so hardy as to launch farther (into the vast and dark Ocean of the Times of Iren or Rydychen and Caer-grant,) I think the wisest Course is to divide the Laurel, and to call in Kingb Bladud to be Foun∣der of our first University at Stanford.

Thus the pitching of our Tents in a third place ends the Controversy; and we may quietly, and at leisure, draw off our Colonies, to Oxford or Cam∣bridge, as we have occasion.

Some Writers we have that have behaved themselves with tolerable in∣differency in treating of these Matters, and have honestly enquir'd into the true History of the gradual Advance∣ment of Learning in this Kingdom; recounting whatever remain'd of the ancient State and Condition of it in either of our Universities: But the most of those that pretend to write of both without prejudice, are too manifestly byass'd in their Affections, and seldome fail of giving the Prece∣dence to the place of their own res∣pective Education. John Ross (the Warwick Antiquary) has been already observ'd to mix a deal of this kind of History in that which he wrote of the Kings of England: And 'tis certain he also design'd a particular Treatise of the Antiquities of our Universities. This very Treatise (tho' he acknow∣ledges 'twas an imperfect Copy that came to his hands) is frequently quoted

by John Leland; and yet Mr. Wood a believes 'tis now lost, as confidently as his Predecessor (Brian Twine) thought it never had a being. I presume his other Tract, Contra Historiolam Canta∣brigiensem, was only a Fragment of this Fragment; and therefore, if the one be irrecoverably gone, there's little encouragement to look after the other. Amongst Master Leland's own Works we have also one that bears the Title, b De Academiis Britannicis; which was once in such forwardness as that himself spoke of it as of a piece that would suddainly appear abroad:c Quin Grantae gloriam accuratius in Opus∣culo, quod de Academiis Britannicis sum propediem editurus, collaudabo. I cannot see how this Expression could give any Foundation tod one of our Queen Elizabeth's Antiquaries to assert that if this Book were publish'd in that intire Condition in which its Author left it, it would infallibly stop the Mouths of those that contend for the Antiquity of Cambridge: But I think 'twas a suf∣ficient

Reply to such a Supposition, that,a If the Sky should fall we should as infallibly catch Lar••s. John Pits prefaced his Account of our Writers, with a small History of our Univer∣sities; which he desir'd might be taken notice of in the Title of that Work, inscrib'd by himself,b De Academiis & Illustribus Scriptoribus Angliae There's nothing in him, on the for∣mer head, but what he has Epito∣miz'd out of some of those that wrote on the same Subject a little before his Time: from whom he borrows all the new Light he pretends to give, De Academiis, tam Antiquis Britonum, quam recentioribus Anglorum. About the same time (as I guess) liv'd Robert Hare;c who was an Esquire of good Worship and Wealth, and a great lover and preserver of Antiquities. He care∣fully Collected the precious Monuments of both Vniversities; caus'd them fairly to be transcrib'd, and freely bestow'd a Du∣plicate (or double Copy) on each of them. This industrious Gentleman was some∣times a Member of Gonvil and Caius

College in Cambridge; and therefore, tho' he pretends to give a fair History of the Priviledges of Oxford; yet he a inclines too much (upon occasion) the other way. In Howes's Edition ofb Stow's Chronicle we have an Appendix or Corollary of the Foundations and Descriptions of the three most fa∣mous Vniversities of England, viz. Cambridge, Oxford and London. The Story of the two first of these, we are told, was compiled by John Stow, and continu'd by his Publisher: and 'tis not much that we owe to the pains of either of 'em, since the whole is only a lean Tract of half a dozen Pages. There's, in thec Archives of Bodley's Library, a Poetical Piece, entitul'd, Britannia Scholastica; which was writ∣ten by one Robert Burhil, about the beginning of King James the First's Reign, and Treats of the prime An∣tiquities of our two Universities.

The zealous stickling for Seniority in the last Age did this Service to both

our famous Nurseries of good Learn∣ing, that many of their most ancient Records were hereupon enquir'd out and carefully preserv'd; which may be as beneficial to our English History, as some officious Forgeries (on the same occasion) are injurious to it. We have no less thana one and twenty seve∣ral Volumes relating to the Antiquities of the University of Oxford; as Char∣ters, Orders, Statutes, Decrees, Let∣ters, &c. the last whereof bears this Title. About the Burghesses for the Vniversity; and what may be answer'd in case their Right of sitting in Parlia∣ment should be impugn'd. These are all in Manuscript; and are theb Foun∣tain whence some of our best Printed Accounts have been deriv'd. Amongst the latter kind the Historiola Oxoniensis is look'd upon the most Authentic; and (as such) has hadc several Im∣pressions. 'Tis only a short Fragment of a single Page in Octavo; wherein we are told that the Britains began an University at Grekelade, which the Sax∣ons

remov'd to Oxford. This is the Summ of that little Narrative; which (tho' 'tis found in some of their Ma∣nuscript Statute-Books, as old as the Reigns of Edward the Third and Henry the Fourth, yet) is not much insisted on by Mr. Wood, who was sensible that it was Penn'd too carelesly to be of any great use in the grand Con∣troversy. John Ross seems (soon af∣ter this) to have written particularly of the Antiquities of Oxford; besides the Treatise he left upon the two Universities in common: for such a Book of his Leland refers to, tho' he gives the Author of it the tart Cha∣racter ofa Vir majoris longe Diligen∣tiae quam Judicii. 'Tis perhaps the same which we elsewhere meet with under the Title ofb Contra Histo∣riolam Cantabrigiensem. About the same time (or, it may be, a little sooner) William Wircester, Worcester or Buttoner, wrote his Polyandrum Ox∣oniensium, &c. wherein he gave a List of all the eminent Persons that had been educated in this University;

which might possibly be had amongst a Brian Twine's Collections. The first Champion that appear'd in the Cause against Cambridge, was Tho. Key, Master of University College; who, having for some time been employ'd in the Registrary's Office, was the best acquainted with the public Instru∣ments and Records. Hisb Assertio Antiquitatis Oxoniensis Academiae was written in Defence of this University, in opposition to what had been ad∣vanc'd (two years before) by the pub∣lic Orator of Cambridge; who, in an Harangue to Queen Elizabeth, had af∣firm'd his own Mother to be the El∣der Sister of the two. That Princess coming afterwards to Oxford, the fore∣said Treatise was hastily drawn up and presented to Her in Manuscript: And, a Copy of it falling afterwards into the hands of Dr. Caius, it was publish'd with his Answer; which will be further mention'd anon. This usuage provok'd the Author to take more leisure in Composing a Reply, which he communicated to several of

his Friends under the Title of, Exa∣men Judicii Cantrabrigiensis cujusdam, qui se Londinensem dicit, nuper de Ori∣gine utriusque Academiae lati. Mr. Wood a says he once met with a Trans∣cript of this Book, and found some things in it worth his observation: but he could not direct his Reader where it was afterwards to be had; and speaks so coldly of it, that the obscure owner (in whose hands he saw it) does not appear to be worth the enquiring after. He rather offers to our perusal the Mystical Oxon. of Ox∣onford, &c. by Henry Lyte; which (he b says) is amongst Twine's Manu∣scripts at Oxford, and has several Crotchets in it which may be service∣able to the Man that shall hereaf∣ter engage in these weighty Disputes. To these fanciful pieces may be added thec Laudes Academiae Parisinoe & Oxoniensis, by the eminently learned Dr. Alberic Gentilis; whose Panegy∣rick on this University is penn'd with the like accuracy as the other Works of that noted Author. After him fol∣lows

Isaac Wake'sa Rex Platonicus; wherein the Author (who was then publick Orator, afterwards a Knight and Ambassador) elegantly describes the Entertainment given by the Uni∣versity to King James the First, and occasionally intermixes the History and Antiquities of the whole and all its parts. Brian Twine (Fellow of Corpus Christi, and sometime Custos Archivo∣rum to the University) made a more diligent search into the History and Records of this place than any of the former; and oblig'd the Lovers of these Studies with hisb Antiquitatis Academiae Oxoniensis Apologia, which (in three Books) very amply refutes all Dr. Caius's Arguments for the Se∣niority of his Cantabrigians. The in∣dustrious Author intended another Edi∣tion of this Book: and, to that pur∣pose, had largely augmented an inter∣leav'd Copy; which ('tis suppos'd) was lost during those unhappy Con∣fusions which at first retarded the publishing of it. What is printed has been censur'd asc an Heap, rather

than a Pile; and the Writer himself declar'd to be no methodical Antiquary: And yet (how strangely different are the Judgments of Men of contrary Affections and Interests!) this is the Character we have of the Book from another hand,a In eo libro praeter Subactissimum Judicium, etiam varia Lectionis indicia passim sparguntur. The same year, with this Apology, was publish'db Ilium in Italiam, writ∣ten by John Sansbury of St. John's College; wherein are the Arms of the several Colleges in this Universi∣ty, and Verses upon them. 'Tis not much more considerable than what (not long before) was written at Rome by Nich. Fitzherbert, a Reteiner to Cardinal Allen; and was there print∣ed under the Title of,c Oxonien∣sis in Anglia Academiae Descriptio. A d slight Discourse on the Oxford-An∣tiquities, by way of Letter to a Friend, was penn'd by Dr. Leonard Hutton; who dy'd Canon of Christ-Church, A. D. 1632. and left also behind him

a Manuscript Treatise in Latin, en∣titl'd, Historia Fundationum Ecclesiae Christi Oxon. una cum Episcoporum Decanorum & Canonicorum Ejusdem Catalogo. Of the like Complection with the latter of these (Meager in it self, and of a narrow Subject) is Dr. Savage'sa Ballio-Fergus; which pre∣tends to give a true History of all the great Men that have been Members of Baliol College, whereof the Author was Master. This Writer is observ'd to have had a Genius somewhat averse to the Business he was here engag'd in, being too much a Courtier to turn Antiquary: so that (having also a very imperfect stock of Materials) 'twas no wonder that a great many Errors and Defects were discover'd in his Book; that Duns Scotus (for example) was transplanted hither from Merton, and Bishop Tonstal wholly overlook'd. Theb Notitia Acade∣miae Oxoniensis was the Work of the late learned Mr. Fulman; who also began the History of (his own Col∣lege) Corpus Christi, but did not live

to finish it for the Press. Above all, this famous University is chiefly indebted to the indefatigable pains of honest An∣thony Wood; whose Industry, joyn'd with Camden's Learning and Judg∣ment, would have made a compleat English Antiquary. Hisa Historia & Antiquitates Vniversitatis Oxoniensis gives abundantly more than the whole Tribe of the foremention'd Authors could afford us; and, in two large Books, runs through every particular of her Story. In the former of these we have her Annals, from the eldest date of her Records, down to the Year 1648. wherein our ancient Bri∣tish Government, Religion, Liberties, Laws and Learning, were all sacri∣ficed together. The Confusions that ensu'd, and continu'd for above ele∣ven long Years after King Charles's Martyrdom, made a Scene too Tra∣gical; and therefore our Historian wisely drop'd the Curtain before Ig∣norance had entirely usurp'd the Schools, Blasphemy the Pulpits and Oliver the Throne. The latter Book presents us with an Account of the

Foundations, Endowments, &c. of the Publick Lectures, Library, Colleges and Halls; with a List of their Bene∣factors, Governours and eminent Wri∣ters: To which is added a Catalogue of the Chancellors, Vice-Chancellors, Proctors, Stewards and Representa∣tives in Parliament. This Work was first penn'd in English; and translated into Latin by several Persons appoint∣ed by the Curators of the Press: So that the Style is not very uniform, and sometimes the original Sense a little mistaken and perverted. Some instances of these failures are given by a latea Learned Prelate of our Church; who is a little too severe in his Reflections upon the chief Pub∣lisher of these Antiquities. The Au∣thor himself complain'd of severalb Additions and Alterations, made with∣out his Privity and Consent; and seem'd to hope that his own English Copy (the Language whereof, I dare say, was not over Charming) would sometime or otherc hereafter be Pub∣lish'd.

The Black Book at Cambridge makes as considerable a Figure there, as any of our old Statute-Books can do at Ox∣ford; and it has also its Historiola, which is equal (both for Matter and Authority) with ours. The whole Volume is a Collection of ancient Char∣ters and Priviledges; amongst which this short History was (in the last Age) inserted bya William Buckenham, Master of Caius College, and Vice-Chancellor of that University. In this we have the Story of King Gur∣guntius's bestowing the Eastern part of Great Britain upon Cantaber, a Spani∣ard; who (forsooth) had sometime study'd at Athens, and (after Caer-Grant was built by his Son Grantanus) invited thence his old Friends Anaxi∣mander and Anaxagoras, to teach Philo∣sophy in this City. Centum sunt ibi (saysb John Leland) praeterea ejusdem farinae Fabulae. Profecto nihil unquam legi vanius, sed ne{que} Stultius aut Stupi∣dius. Missas igitur facio has Antiquita∣tis delicias. Out of the same Bookc Robert Hare borrow'd his Catalogue of

the Chancellors (or Rectors, if the other Word should prove too young for the purpose) of this University; which are most exactly continu'd from St. Amphibalus (who was Rector, A. D. 289.) down to the Conquest. 'Tisa reported, that a certain Hi∣storia Cantabrigiae was written by Ni∣cholas Cantelupe, a Welch Gentleman; who dy'd Prior of a Monastery of Car∣melites at Northampton, A. D. 1441. Archbishop Vsher takes this to be the same with what we have already ob∣serv'd to be in the Black Book; and there∣fore heb frequently quotes Cantelupe's Historiola for the Benefactions of King Lucius and King Arthur, to the Uni∣versity of Cambridge, Pelagius's study∣ing there, &c. Our later Antiquaries agree with this learned Primate; and allow this Author, and that very Work, to be the first that appear'd in defence of the British part of her Story: And they further tell us, that herec began the Quarrel betwixt the two Si∣sters, and that John Ross professedly engag'd on the behalf of Oxford. In∣deed,

Tho. Fullera speaks of a Trea∣tise concerning the ancient Priviledges of this University, which seems to carry a little more Age; being written by one Thomas Markant, Fellow of Peter-House, and Junior-Proctor, A. D. 1417. This Book, he says, was be∣stow'd on the University by the Au∣thor himself; and, at his request, care∣fully kept (for some time) in a lock'd Chest. It was afterwards lost or stoln; but recover'd and restor'd by R. Hare. It was again lost; and recover'd by Matt. Wren, Bishop of Ely. A third time 'tis lost: And this Relapse (says he) I suspect to be mortal. The Life of King Sige∣bert was amongstb John Leland's many Designs; and broad Hints he gave that in it he would discover the true Original of the University of Cambridge: But the bulkiest Promises of such noted Writers, commonly prove the most abortive; Despair of answering the World's rais'd Expecta∣tions, very much contributing to their Miscarriage. The most learn'd Canta∣brigian Antiquary that has yet appear'd was John Caius, Doctor of Physick,

and Physician in Ordinary to Queen Mary; whoa was born at Norwich, and was the generous Founder of Caius College out of Gonvil-Hall. His two Booksb De Antiquitate Cantabrigi∣ensis Academiae were written, in defence of the Cambridge-Orator, against Tho. Key. The former Edition of them was under the feign'd Name of Londi∣nensis: But in the second the Author himself thought it no disparagement to own his Work. His first Attempt is to establish the lately advanc'd Doctrin of his Mother's great Age and Seni∣ority; which he endeavours to do from the exemplify'd Charters of King Ar∣thur and King Cadwallader, together with those of the Popes Honorius and Sergius. This done, his next Business is to overthrow the pretended Anti∣quity of Oxford; which (in his second Book) he dispatches as effectually as he had done his former Argument. He seems to have intended a much larger History of this University, than is here given us: For (speakingc of the frequent Depopulations and Mise∣ries

of the Town, during the Wars betwixt the Saxons and the Danes) he concludes, De quibus in libris nostris de Historia Cantabrigiensis Academiae expli∣catius egimus. I am very confident that a good part of the Collections which he made for this purpose, are still ina Sir John Cotton's Library; where we are told of a Volume of Collectanea ex antiquis Rotulis & variis Auctoribus de Academia Cantabrigiensi, ejus Antiquitate & Privilegiis, cum multis Literis Originalibus ejusdem Aca∣demiae ad Regem Henricum VIII. Tho∣mam Cromwellum, &c. The same Year with the first Edition of Dr. Caius's Book, was publish'db Re∣gina Litera, sive, De Adventu Eliza∣bethae Reginae Angliae ad Academiam Cantabrigiensem; a Treatise of the same Nature with that of Rex Plato∣nicus (afterwards) at Oxford. In the same Queen's Reign, wherein the Civil Wars betwixt our two Univer∣sities were the most violent, was Printed ac Catalogue of the Rectors and Chancellors of Cambridge, from

Mauritius (in the Time of Constantine the Great) to the Year 1585. writ∣ten by Matt. Stokys, Beadle and Re∣gistrary of that University. Since his Time the only Person (as far as I know) that has publish'd any Hi∣story of this place (for I do not think Sir Simonds D'Ewes'sa Speech de∣serves such a Name) is Tho. Fuller; who was pleas'd to annex hisb Hi∣story of the University of Cambridge to that of the Churches of Great Bri∣tain; and most People think they ought not to be separated. He begins (modestly) at the Conquest; and ends at the Year 1643. for the like Rea∣sons that prevail'd with our Oxford-Antiquary to break off Five Years af∣ter. The Foundation of the Uni∣versity by King Sigebert, he had dis∣cuss'd before; in the Body of his c Church-History: And the potent Arguments he there produces have been nicely examin'd and consider'd byd Mr. Wood. Parker'se Scele∣ton Cantabrigiense does not promise

any great Matters in its Title: and Mr. Hatcher'sa Catalogue of the Fellows of King's College (tho it may have some things of Note in it, yet) is of too confin'd a Subject to deserve any more than the bare nameing in this Place.

It had been a happy thing if all those that, with so much Industry and Application, have enquir'd into the first Originals of our two Universities, had bestowed as much of their learned Pains in following down the Histories of such eminent Writers as have flou∣rish'd in either of them: For (as here∣by they might severally have done as much Honour to their respective Mothers, so) this had been the most effectual Course to have endear'd them∣selves to Posterity, and to have made their Labours for ever valuable. We are extreamly indebted to those pious Princes and generous Heroes that (either in the East or Western Parts of the Kingdom) have afforded us such noble advantages of Education, in all sorts of Learning, as no other

Nation can pretend to; and perhaps we cannot be more injurious to their Memories than by clogging their true Story with Fables, Fancies and For∣geries. Instead therefore of raking in their Ashes and rifling their Sepul∣chres to prove them Men of Gigantick Stature, instead of refineing upon their History till we have turn'd it into Romance, we should pay them more grateful and real Honours if (be∣ing content with such Remains of them as we know are Genuine) we employ'd more of our Time in letting the World see what use has been made of their Benefits; how much the se∣veral Branches of the unforbidden Tree of Knowledge have thriven under the Influences of their Charity; what mighty Numbers of great Doctors and Masters (in all Faculties) have been fed at their Expence, and flourish'd by their Bounty. 'Tis true, our Uni∣versities were not always the sole Fountains of good Literature in this Island; many of our eminent Wri∣ters having had their Education in Monasteries: But (since St. John of Beverly has been made a Member of that at Oxford, and venerable Bede a

Student at Cambridge) I wish they had rank'd all our antient Men of Knowledge on one Hand or the other, provided they had given us full Ac∣counts of their Persons and Labours. I think we may (without Vanity) affirm that hardly any Kingdom in the World has outdone England, either in the Number or Goodness of her Authors; and that, even in the dark∣est Ages, our Lamps shone always as bright as any in our Neighbourhood. When School-Divinity was in Fashion, we had our Doctores Subtiles, Irrefra∣gabiles, &c. and, as Learning grew to a better Ripeness and Stature, we had plenty of good Books in other (as useful) Sciences.

The first that attempted the Hi∣story of our Writers was John Boston, a Monk of St. Edmundsbury, A. D. 1410. who, havinga view'd most of the Libraries in England, drew a Catalogue of all the British Authors, and gave short censures upon them. He could hardly have flourish'd so early as Pits here speaks of, if his

Progress was (as a latera Writer in∣forms us) in the Reign of King Henry the Seventh: But we shall not quar∣rel with him for such small Mistakes as this. He ought indeed to have been a little better vers'd in the Story of his great Grandfather; for the three fol∣lowing Johns (Leland, Bale and Pits) handed from one another what was first borrow'd from him. Arch-bishop Vsherb had the most curious MS. Copy of his Book: And our Oxford Antiquaryc cites another (smaller) Catalogue of the same Author's Com∣posure. Whether Alanus de Linna (Prior of a Carmolite Monastery at Lyn in Norfolk, A. D. 1420.) didd en∣large this Catalogue or the other, I dare not determine: Possibly, he on∣ly made an Index to them; as he did toe forty other Volumes in the Li∣brary at Norwich.

The next that thought this Matter worth his consideration was John Le∣land; who was indeed an extraordi∣nary

Person, having (besides his be∣ing a great Master in Poetry) attain'd to a good share of Knowledge in the Greek, Latin, Welsh, Saxon, Italian, French and Spanish Languages. In the Year 1534. King Henry the Eighth gave him a Commission to Search all the Libraries of England, and to make what Collections he thought Good: in which Employment he Spent Six whole Years. He afterwards turn'd Protestant, and was siez'd with a Fren∣zy; losing (says mya Author, very uncharitably) his Understanding with his Faith. In this Condition he dy'd at London, A. D. 1552. leaving a vast number of Historical Treatises behind him. Amongst these, the most valu∣able (at least, that which we are now chiefly concern'd to enquire after) is said to have been entitl'd De Illustribus Britanniae Scriptoribus; containing the Lives and Characters of most of the eminent Writers of this Kingdom. This Work is now in the publick b Library at Oxford; where it makes the fourth Volume of his Collectanea

(being 354 Pages in Folio) given by Will. Burton to that University.

John Bale was a Suffolk-Man, some∣time Scholar in Jesus College in Cam∣bridge; and afterwards a Carmelite Friar in Norwich. He was (as hea says) converted from Popery by the procurement of Thomas Lord Went∣worth; tho' (in truth) his wife Dorothy seems to have had as great Hand in that happy Work. In the Year 1552. he was madeb Bishop of Ossory in Ireland: But, returning from Exile in Queen Elizabeth's Reign, he did not think it advisable to go any more into that Kingdom; contenting him∣self with a Prebend of Canterbury, where he dy'd, A. D. 1563. His Summarium Illustrium Majoris Britanniae Scriptorum was first presented to King c Edward the Sixth; and contain'd only five Centuries of Writers. To these he afterwards addedd three more; and made several Corrections and Additions throughout the whole Book. The Ground-plot of this Work (as has been observ'd) was borrow'd

from Leland; and the chief of his own Superstructure is malicious and bitter Invectives against the Papists. The Character which a late learned Person gives of him and his Writings is too justa Veritas Balaeo Parum curae erat, dummodo Romanae Ecclesiae Ini∣micorum Numerum augere posset. And again, Clausis plerunque oculis Scripto∣rum Anglicorum aetates definivit. Some have thought his makingb Books of some little Saxon Epistles excusable, and what would admit of an Apolo∣gy: But, if we mark him well, he's continually multiplying the Writings of all his Authors at a very unsuffe∣rable and unjustifiable rate.

In Opposition to Bale's hard Treat∣ment of the Romanists came forth J. P's c Relat. Histor de rebus Anglicis, Tom. 1. &c. which is the same Book with that usually quoted by the Name of Pitseus de Scriptoribus. This Author Stuy'd in New-College in Oxford; and was at last Dean of Liverdune in Lorain, where he dy'd, A. D. 1616. Tho' he quotes Leland with great Familia∣rity

and Assurance, 'tis very probable he nevera saw any such thing as his Collectanea de Scriptoribus; but that his only true Author, for all he pretends to bring out of that Store-house, was John Bale himself. His Latin is clean enough; and his giving an Account of some eminent Popish Writers, that liv'd beyond Sea in the beginning of the Reformation, is an acceptable Piece of Service. Mr. Wood has taken the pains to Correct a great many of his Mistakes; and might have noted some hundreds more. He must needs have been too much in hast to write accurately, who, even in the Cata∣logue he gives of his own Uncleb Nich. Sanders's Writings, is guilty of so gross an Error as to reckon the Treatise entitl'd,c Fidelis Servi sub∣dito infideli responsio among that infa∣mous Writer's Works, when on the contrary, the Book was written against him, and he's the Subditus Infidelis mention'd in the Title-page.

Our Writers of these two last Ages have been pretty well accounted for by

the late industrious Anthony Wood; whosea Athenae Oxonienses give us a large Collection of Reports (good and bad) of the most minute Circumstan∣ces of almost all the Authors that have flourish'd in either of our Universities since the Year 1500. The Writer of these two Volumes (or his Friend, who penn'd the Prefaces for him) thought it convenient to excuse the extraordinary Respect he paid to the Members of the Roman Communion; telling us that he had found those the most communica∣tive, as (on the contrary) the Fanaticks were generally the most reserv'd and morose. Some fancy'd there were other secret Reasons for these mutual Civili∣ties betwixt the Gentlemen of that Persuasion and our Author; who, by his long conversation amongst them, was thought to be a little too deeply tinctur'd with their Principles. 'Twill be a difficult Task to prove him a Pa∣pist from any thing that he has here advanc'd; since in some places he falls as foul on those People, as his Praises of 'em are extravagant in others. The truth is, His Books are little more than

a Medly of Notes and such Informa∣tions as were sent in from his several Correspondents; without being di∣gested into any other method than the throwing them under that particular Author's Name, to whom they chiefly related. 'Tis no Blemish on his Memo∣ry to observe that he had his share of that Peevishness and Austerity (both in his Stile and Manners) which is com∣monly incident to Antiquaries; and thus much we ought gratefully to acknow∣ledge that he has furnish'd us with a larger Stock of useful Materials than perhaps any one Man of this Age has Collected. If he was too sullen among Courtiers, he paid sufficiently for all the Liberty he took; and 'tis illegal to object a Crime for which a suitable Penance has been already en∣joyn'd and perform'd.

It were highly to be wish'd that we had a general Account of all our Wri∣ters done with the like accuracy and exactness as those of Oxford (for the last 200 Years) are in these two Volumes; but in somewhat better and more po∣lite Air: And I think I may boldly promise the Reader that this will be abundantly perform'd by Mr. Tanner,

who has diligently compar'd Leland's Original Manuscript with the scanda∣lously false Copies that have been given of it by Bale and Pits. He has Corrected innumerable Errors in all the three; and has made those many and large Additions to all that they could tell us, that we shall have rea∣son to look upon the Work as en∣tirely new and his own. The oblig∣ing Pains that have been taken by this worthy Person on that Subject have render'd him better qualify'd to give an Account of our English Historians than I can pretend to be; and I wish I had early enough thought of recom∣mending the Task to him: But his great Candour, in remarking the Omis∣sions and Mistakes in my former Part, encourages me to hope that he will as kindly review this; and then I shall not question but they will both become more serviceable than (without such an Assistance) I could ever have made them.

The End of the Second Part.

Notes

• a

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. ad. Monast. Angl. in fine.
• a

  Vid. J. Caii, de Antiq. Cantab. lib. 1. in princip.
• b

  Hist. & Antiq. Oxon. lib. 1. p. 3.
• Both the Vniver∣sities.
• a

  Id. ibid. lib. 2. pag. 77.
• b

  J. Pits, pag. 743, 744.
• c

  Comment. in Cyg. Cant. voce Granta. Vid. & ibid. voc. Isidis vadum.
• d

  Tho Key, Assert. An∣tiq. Oxon. p. m. 5.
• a

  John Caii, De Antiq. Cantab. lib. 1.
• b

  Pits, p. 817.
• c

  Fuller's Hist. of Cambr. p. 15.
• a

  Vid. Hist. & Antiq. Oxon. Lib. 2. p. 386, 390. & Lib. 1. p. 83.
• b

  Fol. Lond. 1632.
• c

  Hist. Ox. lib. 1. p. 42.
• a

  Bibl. Cott. Faustina, C. 7.
• b

  Vid. Hist. & Antiq. Oxon. lib. 1. p. 203, & alibi.
• c

  In prin∣cip. Assert. Antiq. Oxon. Thomas Key, Hist. Oxon. lib. 1. p. 4. &c.
• a

  Comment. in Cygn. Cant. voc. Isidis vadum.
• b

  J. Pits, p. 683.
• a

  See his Apolog. lib. 2. §. 144.
• b

  8vo. Lond. 1568. & 4to. Ibid. 1574.
• a

  Ath. Oxon. vol. 1. p. 137.
• b

  Ibid. p. 293.
• c

  8vo. Hanov. 1605.
• a

  4to. Oxon. 1607. & 8vo. Ibid. Saepius.
• b

  4to Oxon. 1608.
• c

  T. Fuler's Hist of Cambr. p. 14.
• a

  Hist. & Antiq. Oxon. lib. 2. p. 241.
• b

  8vo. Oxon. 1608.
• c

  8vo. Rome 1602.
• d

  Vid. Ath. Oxon. vol. 1. p. 498.
• a

  4to. Oxon, 1668.
• b

  4to. Oxon. 1665. & Lond. 1675.
• a

  Fol. Oxon. 1674.
• a

  Bp. Barlow's Rem. p. 181, 183, 184.
• b

  Athen. Oxon. vol. 2. p. 605.
• c

  Ibid. p. 28.
• Cam∣bridge.
• a

  Vid. Joh. Caii Antiq. Cantab. lib. 1. p. 〈…〉〈…〉
• b

  Comment. ad Cygn. Cant. voce Granta.
• c

  Hist. et Antiq. Oxon. lib. 2. p. 390.
• a

  J. Pits, p. 635.
• b

  Antiq Eccles. Brit. p. 69, 112, 268.
• c

  Hist. et Antiq. Oxon. lib. 1. p. 36.
• a

  Hist. of Cambr. p. 65. 66.
• b

  Comment. in Cygn. Cant. voce Gran••a.
• a

  J. Pits, p. 756. & Fuller's Worthies, p. 275. 276. in Norwich.
• b

  8vo. Lond. 1568. & 4to. Ibid. 1574.
• c

  Edit. 1586.
• a

  Bibl. Cott. F••ustina, C. 3.
• b

  8vo. Lond. 1568.
• c

  Impress. Cantabr. per Th••m. Thomasium.
• a

  4to. Lond. 1641. Vid. & Hist. Oxon. lib. 1. p. 30.
• b

  Fol. Lond. 1655.
• c

  Cent. 7. lib. 2. ad An. 631.
• d

  Hist. & Antiq. Oxon. lib. 1. p. 35, 36, &c.
• e

  Citat. a Tho. Fuller, in Hist. Cantab. p. 31, &c.
• a

  Ibid. p. 139. And in his Worthies frequently.
• Writers.
• J. Boston.
• a

  J. Pits, p. 593.
• a

  T. Gale, in Praesat. ad 15. Script. p. 1.
• b

  Th. Fuller's Worthies, p. 166. in Lanca••. Vide etiam ip∣sum Vsher. de Script. Vernac. p. 124.
• c

  Hist. & An∣tiq. Oxon. vol. 1. p. 58.
• d

  Vid. J. Pits, p. 603.
• e

  Bale, Edit. Wesal. fol. 185.
• J. Le∣land.
• a

  J. Pits, p. 743.
• b

  Vid. Ath. Oxon. vol. 1. p. 69.
• J. Bale.
• a

  Cent 8. cap. 100.
• b

  Puller's Worthies, p. 60. 61. in Suffolk.
• c

  4 to. Ipsw. & Wesal. 1549.
• d

  Fol. Basil. 1559.
• a

  H. Wharton, in Praefat. ad. Angl. Sac. vol. 1. p. 31. & 47.
• b

  H. Spelm. Concil. Tom. 1. p. 210.
• c

  4 to. Paris 1619.
• J. Pits.
• a

  Athen. Oxon. vol. 1. p. 345, 346, &c. & Hen. Wharton, Praefat, ad Angl. Sac. vol. 1. p. 15.
• b

  Pag. 775.
• c

  4 to. Lond. 1573.
• A. Wood.
• a

  Fol. Lond. 1691. & 1692.
• T. Tan∣ner.