This text has been selected for inclusion in the EEBO-TCP: Navigations collection, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication ( http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
GLoucestershire hath Worc. & Warw. on the North, and Wilt. on the East, Som. on the South, Heref. with the River Wye on the West, and is in length 48 miles & in the broadest part 28. The Severn runneth through it. 'Tis said this County was much more fruitful in former times than it is now. Tho
it affords not the best Tillage, yet for Pasturage there is Land near Slimbridge, where in the Spring time, let it be bit to the Roots (as is reported) a Wand laid along therein over-night will be cove∣red with new grown Grass by the next Morning. Which being represented to King Ja. in other Terms, viz. that the Wand could not be seen next morning, he replyed, I know a place in Scotland where if a Horse be left over Night, he cannot be seen in the Morning. But the difference is Palpable, between long Grass and long Fingers, or betwixt the Grass stealing out of the Earth without, and a Mans stealing of a Horse with a Felonious intent. The Natural Com∣modities in this County are, Tabacco which grew formerly about Winchcomb, but is since prohibited by Act of Parliament, Oak, the best in England is in Dean-Forrest in this County. In the Reign of Queen Eliz. the Spaniard sent an Ambassadour over purpose∣ly to get Oak destroyed (privately) in Engl. The next is Steel which was made in abundance by Sir Basil Brooke, who had a Patent prohibiting the im∣portation of Forraign Steel, but it was afterwards revoked. The Manufactures are Cloathing as good as any in England; the best Wool growing on Cots-wood-Hills in this County. Mustard, the best in Engl. at Tewksbury. Then Wine formerly growing here, witness the places called the Vineyards; and in this Shire there were Rent-wines paid in great Proporti∣ons. Sider a Liquor more proper for the English Climat. Of Buildings. The Abbey (since Cathedral) Church of Gloucester, is a Beautiful Fabrick consisting of a continued Window-work; where, if you speak against a Wall softly, another shall hear your Voice better a good way off then near hand, occasi∣oned probably by some hollow, behind the Wall. The City is bound by Act of Parl. to maintain and
repair this Church. As for Civil Structures, our late Wars laid a Finger on Barkeley; their Arms on Sudeley Castle, but their Loynes on Cambden-house (one of the newest and neatest in Engl. built by Bap∣tist Hicks, Visc. Cambden) pressed down to the Foundation. As for Wonders, there are frequently found at Aldersey Oysters, Cockles, &c. of Stone which are Lusus Naturae, and cannot in reason be sup∣posed to have been real Fish. The Higre, that is, the confluence of fresh and Salt Water in the Severn, which is attended with terrible Flashings and Noise, so that that River may seem to be troubled with a Fit of the Mother. The last is a kind of devouring Bird coming in the Harvest-time, (tho seldom) in∣to this County, which can cut an Apple at one Snap with its long Bill, which Rapacious Creature drinks up Hogsheads of Sider at the first hand.
I. As sure as God's in Gloucestershire. This pro∣bably was superstitiously inferred from the Multi∣tude of Abbeys formerly Extant in this County. II. You are a Man of Duresley. This is taken for one who breaks his word, I hope the Inhabitants of Duresley will resolve to confute this Proverb by their Practice, whatsoever was the first occasion thereof. III. It is long in coming as Cotswold Barley. It is ap∣plyed to such things as are slow but sure; The Corn on the Wowlds being exposed to the Winds is back∣ward at first, but afterwards overtakes the for∣wardest in this County. IV. He looks as if he had lived on Tewksbury Mustard. It is spoken of such who have a severe or sad Countenance.
V. The Tracies have always wind in their Faces. Founded on a false Tradition, since Sir Will. Tracy was most active against four Knights, who killed Th. Becket; it is imposed on Tracies for Miraculous Penance, that whither they go by Land or Water, the Wind is ever on their Faces.
Kenelme Son of Kenwolfe, King of Mercia, at 7 years of Age succeeded his Father, but was shortly after killed by Quenrid his Sister, and that Murder was wonderfully discovered (if the Legend be true) by a Dove that carried in Parchment notice thereof to Rome. As for Quenrid, when her Eyes fell out they Bloodied her Primer, whilst her Brothers Corps was Solemnly buried at Winchcomb, and had in holy Ve∣neration.
Jo. Baynham Esquire, a Lawyer and a true Lover of the Gospel, was by Sir Th. Moores Order whipt at a Tree in Chelsey, then cruelly Rackt in the Tower in his sight, after which he abjured. But Recant∣ing his Recantation, he was after much cruel usage Burnt in Smithfield.
Tideman de Winchcomb, was made by R. 2. Ab∣bot of Benle, Bishop of Landaff, then of Worcester. He was also the Kings Physician; having a Plura∣lity of Cures both in Number and Kind.
Jo. Chedworth, Bishop of Lincoln was joyned in Commission by King Hen. 6. with the Bishop of Winch. to Regulate the Statutes of Eaton and Kings Colledges in Camb. He dyed An. 1471.
Jo. Carpenter, born at Westbury was Bishop of Wor∣cester. He could not procure to himself the Ti∣tle of Bishop of Worcester and Westbury. He dyed 1475.
Th. Ruthal, born in Chichester was made by King Hen. 7. Bishop of Durham, and by H. 8. Privy Coun∣cellour. He was grossly mistaken when in stead of a Breviate of the State of England, which he had drawn up, he presented H. 8. with his own Estate amounting to an invidious Sum, viz. of 100000 l. his Enemy Card. Woolsey glad at the mistake, told the King, he knew now where a Mass of Money was, in case he needed it. This broke Ruthal's Heart, who had paid the third part of the cost of making the Bridge of New-Castle over Tyne, and intended many more Benefactions, had not Death (1523) on this occasion surprised him.
Edw. Fox. born in Duresley, was Almoner to King Hen. 8. He first brought Dr. Cranmer to the know∣ledge of the King. He was afterwards Bishop of Hereford, and was the Principal Pillar of the Refor∣mation, as to the Managery of the Politick part thereof. Of the many Books he wrote, that De differentiâ utriusque Potestatis was his Master-piece. He was employed on several Embassies into France and Germany and dyed An. 1538.
Sir Ralph Butler, Knight of the Garter, and Lord Sudeley in this County, was Lord Treasurer of Engl. He built Sudley-Castle the strongest and best Habita∣tion of a Subject in Engl. Being Summoned by E. 4. and suspecting imprisonment, he said, It is thou Su∣deley and not I that am a Traytor. And so resigned the same into the Kings hands to procure his Liber∣ty.
Anth. Fitz Herbert, Justice of the Com. Pleas, V. Derb.
Edw. Trotman, born at Cam. wrote an Abridge∣ment of Sir Edw. Coke's Reports, his Endeavours be∣ing well esteemed by the Learned in that Profession. He was buried in the Temple-Church 1643.
Sir Will. Tracy, of Todington, a Gent. of high Birth, State and Stomach, much in favour with King Hen. 2. was the forwardest of the four Knights who killed Thomas Becket. He had large Possessions in Dev. His intended Pilgrimages to Jerus. for Pe∣nance were ever crossed with advers Winds. He dyed An. 1180.
Will. Winter, Knight and Vice-Adm. of Engl. assaul∣ted the Fort of French in the Island of Inchkeith in Edenburgh Frith An. 1559. He (with Sir Th. Smith) demanded the Restitution of Calis, 1567. He con∣ducted
a great Treasurer of the Genoa Merchants safely into the Netherlands, in despite of the French opposing him, 1568. He (with Rob. Beale) was sent in∣to Zealand to demand the Restitution of some English Ships, 1576. He did signal Service, when the Sp. Fleet was fallen towards the Coast of Zealand, 1588. Lidney-house, the Seat of the Family, had produced ma∣ny more Mariners happy in Sea-Voyages.
Osbern Claudian of Glouc. where he was a Bene∣dictine Monk, a Learned and Facetious Man, wrote a Comment on the Pentateuch, and on the Incarnati∣on, Nativity, &c. of Christ, besides his Pan-Ormia and others.
Rob. of Glou. where he was a Monk, was a Rhymer but good Historian, flourishing under Hen. 2. and King Jo. 1200.
Alan (Abbot) of Teuxbury, was intimate with Th. Becket, after whose decease, he, with three other of Becket's Evangelists, wrote the History of his Mock-passion and Miracles. He flourished under King Jo. An. 1200.
Alex. of Hales as he followed Pet. Lombard so he did lead Th. Aquinas and other Schoolmen. He was the first that wrote a Comment on the Sentences, cal∣led the Sum of Divinity, at the Instance of Pope In∣noc. 4. For his Services he had the Title of Doctor Irrefragabilis. He dyed An. Dom. 1245. and was buried in Paris.
Th. de la More, well descended, was famous in Peace and War, and brought honour out of Scotland on his Swords point being Knighted by E. 4 for his Va∣liant and Fortunate Service therein. He wrote the Manner of Deposition of E. 2. to whom he bore a
most Loyal Affection, and did the best Service he could on that Fatal occasion. He flourished An. 1326.
Th. of Hales a Minorite, promoted the Fabulous point of Purgatory, with other Popish Positions un∣der E. 3. 1340.
Th. Neale, born at Yate, and bred in Oxf. (where he was Prof. of Hebrew) dedicated his Translati∣on of some Rabbins to Card. Pole. He was a Man of fearful Nature, yet constant to the Rom. Persua∣sion, being Chaplain to Bishop Bonner. Papists ad∣mire him for his rare Judgment, and Protestants for his strange Invention in first ••eigning Math. Parkers Consecration at the Nags-head in Cheapside. He li∣ved in Oxf. 1576.
Rich. Tracy, Esquire born at Todington was Son to Sir Will. the Confessor, to whose Zeal he succeeded, and wrote in the defence thereof several Treatises in English, amongst which was Preparations to the Cross. He wrote Prophetically before the Reign of Queen Mary. Note, that An. 1626. there was (amongst others) a Treatise called A Preparation to the Cross found in the Belly of a Cod, which was sold at Camb. Of which these Verses were written.
If Fishes thus do bring us Books, then we May hope to equal Bodleys Library.Yet after that, some found the Cross in Camb.
Sir Th. Overbury, Knight, born at Borton on the Hill, and bred in Oxf. hath given a Proof of his Accomplishments, in Poetry and Prose. He was the first Writer of Characters in Engl. so far as I have observed. He lost the favour of the Earl of Som.
by dissuading him from keeping Company with a Lady, Wife of another Person of Honour. He was committed to the Tower for refusing to be imployed Ambassadour to Russia. His strict Restraint encou∣raged his Enemies to Practise his Death, which was by Poyson effected, 1615. For which the Earl was banished the Court, and others were executed.
Jo. Sprint, bred in Oxf. and Minister of Thornbury, became a Conformist of a great Dissenter, and wrote his Cassander Anglicanus (a Persuasive to Conformity) dedicated to Arch-Deac. Burton, whose Arguments had prevailed much with him in the Laudable Change of his opinion. He dyed about 30 years ago.
Jo. Workman, born about Lasbury and bred in Oxf. and Preacher at Glouc. made a Counter-change to the former, renouncing all Conformity by reason of some Super-Canonical Ceremonies that were pressed by some. He was outed of his School for saying, That the Pa∣pists painted the Blessed Virgin more like a Curtesan than a modest Maid; and afterwards turn'd Physician. He dyed 1636.
Rich. Capel, born in Glouc. and bred in Oxf. wrote a Pious Book of Temptations, asserting all Temptati∣ons to be injected solely by our own Corruption. Up∣on his refusing his assent to the Book of Sports on the Lords-day, he resigned his Benefice. He dyed An. Dom. 165-
Kath. Clyvedon, (or Dame K. Berkley) founded the fair School of Wootton-under-edge, which remains after the extinguishment of the vast Donations of the Berkleys to Monasteries.
Sir Will. Hampton, born at Minchen-Hampton, was a Fish-monger and afterwards Lord Mayor of Lond. 1472. He was the first that set up Stocks in every Ward, for the punishment of Vagabonds, &c.
Th. Bell, twice Mayor of Glouc. was one of the first that brought the Trade of Capping into the City, and was Knighted by H. 8. He bought from the Crown, Blackfryers by the South-gate, where he built his House, and hard by it an Alms-house, endowing it with Com∣petent Revenues. His Daughter and Heir brought a fair Estate into the Families of the Dennis. He dyed in the beg. of the Reign of Queen Eliz.
Edw. Palmer, Esquire, (Uncle to Sir Th. Overbu∣ry) born at Limington, in this County, where his Ancestry have continued ever since the Conquest, was a curious and diligent Antiquary. He spent vast Sums of Money in pursuance of a design to erect an Acade∣my in Palmers-Island in Virginia; but before it was finished, he was Transplanted to another World, 1625.
Hugh Pirry, born in Wootton-under-edge, Merchant and Sher. in Lond. 1632. derived Water to the Town of Wootton at his own cost; and bequeathed 1000 l. for the building of an Alms-house there. Of 4 Daugh∣ters, the Eldest was Married to the Lord Fitz-Williams of Northam. He dyed An. 163—
An. 9. Walt. de Stuchesly, [monarch E. 1:] received the Kings Letters, enjoyning him to take an account of the Number and Names of all Villa∣ges, &c. (with the present Possessors) of the Coun∣ty. The Return whereof began thus, Nulla est Civi∣tas in Comitat. Glouc. &c. There is no City in the Coun∣ty of Gloucester; Gloucester having been since made an Episcopal See (and City) by H. 8. The like Returns were made through England.
5. Th. Berkeley de Cobberley used E. 2. very civilly, [monarch E. 3.] when Prisoner at Berke∣ley Castle, one of the Seats of that Right Ancient Family, who are descended from Rob. Fitz-Harding derived from the Kings of Denmark. The Crosses in their Arms, denote their Services in the Holy-war, as the Mitre signifies their Benefactions. Of this Fa∣mily was descended Will. Lord Berkeley, by King Hen. 4. made Visc. Berkeley and (by R. 2.) Earl of Nott. and (in the Right of his Wife Daughter of Th. Mowbray) D. of Norf. Hen. 7. made him Marq. Berkeley and Marshal of Engl. He dyed without Issue. At this Day there flourisheth many Noble Stems sprung thereof, tho Geo. Lord Berkeley, Bar. Berke∣ley, Lord Mowbray, Segrave, Bruce be the Top Branch. One who hath been so signally Bountiful in promo∣ting these (and all other) my weak endeavours, that I deserve to be Dumb if ever I forget to return him Publick thanks for the same.
43. Jo. Points, whose Ancestors are mentioned in Dooms-day-book, and were Seated at Acton in the days
of E. 2. when Sir Nich. Points Married the Daughter and Heir of Acton.
[monarch H. 8.] 6. Will Kingston, Knight, Lieutenant of the Tower and Captain of the Guard to King Hen. 8. being persuaded by Card. Woolsey to beware of Kingston he declined the Town King∣ston in his way, but he dyed within a few days after he had been brought out of the North by
4. Anth. Kingston, the terrible Provost Marshal of the Kings Army in the Execution of the Western Rebels, who also dyed (as some say) for fear of Death in his way to Lond. having been apprehended for a Conspiracy against Queen Mary and the Go∣vernment.