Anglorum speculum, or The worthies of England, in church and state Alphabetically digested into the several shires and counties therein contained; wherein are illustrated the lives and characters of the most eminent persons since the conquest to this present age. Also an account of the commodities and trade of each respective county, and the most flourishing cities and towns therein.

Seamen.

Will. Wilford, born nigh Plymouth, was a valiant and successful Sea-man. After the French in the Raign of H. 4. had by a suddain invasion burnt several Hundreds of Houses in Plymouth, on that side of the

Town called since Britain side. He took 40 Ships on the Coast of the Britains and burnt as many at Pe∣narch, repaying the Monsieurs in their own Coyn. He dyed about the beginning of the Raign of Hen. 8.

Sir Humph. Gilbert, born at Green-way, the Seat of his Family for a long time An. 1569. Valiantly and Fortunatly served in Ireland, and afterwards led nine Companies to the Assistance of the Hollanders. An. 1583 he set forth with five Ships, to make Discove∣ries in the North of America, where he took Livery and Seisin in due manner and form, for the Crown of England. In his Return to England he met a great Sea-Lyon which passed the Ship making a hor∣rible roaring. (Such a one (we read) was taken at Sea, An. 1282. and presented to Pope Martin the fourth) instantly a terrible Tempest arising, Sir Humphrey said Cheerfully to his Companions, We are as near Heaven here at Sea as at Land. And a little after his Ship with all therein Sunk, tho the other that was in their Company recovered home. This hap'ned An. 158.

—Cock. was in 88. a Cock of the Game being the only Man of Note amongst the English, who figh∣ting a Volunteer in his own Ship, lost his Life to save his Queen and Country.

Sir Fr. Drake. Of him see the Holy-State, only take these Verses on his Corps.

Tho Rome's Religion should in time return, Drake none thy Body will ungrave again; There is no fear Posterity should burn, Those Bones which free from fire in Sea remain.

Sir Walt. Raleigh, born at Budeley of an Ancient Family, but decayed in Estate, and he the youngest

Brother thereof, was bred in Oriel-Coll. in Oxf. and thence coming to Court found some hopes of the Queens favour; this made him Write in a Glass-Window, obvious to the Queens Eye. Fain would I Climb, yet fear I to fall; under which her Majesty perceiving it, did Write, if thy Heart fails thee Climb not at all. But his Introduction into Court is said to have Born an elder date, from the time he spred his Plush-Cloak for her Majesty to step upon over a Wet-Place. Yet the Wise Queen in rewarding him made him to purchase by Pain and Peril as well as Comple∣ment, what Places were bestowed upon him. He seem'd to be born to that only which he went about, so Dexterous he was in all his Undertakings, in Court, in Camp, by Sea, by Land, by Sword, by Pen; witness in the last, his History of the World. Of his Detra∣ctors he was wont to say, If any Man accuseth me to my Face, I will answer him with my Mouth, but my Tail is good enough to answer to such who traduce me behind my Back.