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.

Since the Reformation.

Jo. Young, a Monk in Ramsey, at the Dissolution saved many Hebrew Books of the noble Library of Ramsey. He flourished, 1520.

Jo. White, Brother to Fr. B. of Ely, was bred in Camb. and made aftewards Vicar of Eccles in Lanc. then Chaplain in Ordinary to K. James, and shortly after died at London, and was buried in St. Maries Church Woolnoth, 1615, leaving Learned Works to Posterity.

Sir Robert Cotton, Knight and Baronet, born at Cunnington, descended by the Bruces from the Blood-Royal of Scotland, was bred in Trin. Coll. in Camb.

and became a most Eminent Antiquary, whose Me∣mory is Famous to this and Forreign Nations for his Collection of his Library at Westminster, contai∣ning Original Manuscripts, wonderful for their Ra∣rity, Variety and Method. And what addeth a Lustre to all the rest, is the favourable access there∣unto for such as bring any Competency of Skill with them, and leave Thankfulness behind them. Here I Register my self amongst the meanest of those who through the favour of Sir Th. Cotton, (inheriting as well the Courtesie as Estate of Sir Robert) have had admittance into that worthy Trea∣sury, from which the grandest Antiquaries have fetched their Materials. Cambden to him, to him doth Selden owe,— their Glory— No Won∣der, there was a Design driven on in the Popes Conclave, after the Death of Sir Robert, to compass this Library to be added to the Vatican. Fine Sharpers! with their Solemn Hue, and Cry, Have you any Knives to Grind? Whereas they only in∣tended to blunt their Edge by their Index Expurga∣torius. Their Project having miscarried to the Honour of the Nation, and advantage of the Pro∣testant Religion. Those Ʋseful Instruments, remai∣ning in safer Custody, will serve upon occasion, to pair the Nails, (if not to cut the Fingers) of Sanctified Ambition. From this Library, Secreta∣ries of State, &c. have recovered lost Originals. This Sir Robert was a Man of publick Spirit, it be∣ing his principal endeavour in all Parliaments (wherein he served so often) that the Prerogative and Priviledge might run in their due Channel, and in truth he did cleave the Pin betwixt the Soveraign and the Subject. He was wont to say that He had the least share in himself, whilst his Country and Friends had the greatest Interest in him. He died

at his House in Westminster, May, 6. An. 1631. & Aet. 61. Tho one may truly say, his Age was adequate to the continuance of the Creation, Such was his exact Skill in all Antiquity. By Eliz. Daughter and Coheir of William Brocas Esquire he had only one Son, Sir Th. now living, who by Margaret Daughter to the Lord Will. Howard (Grand-child to Th. D. of Norf.) hath one Son, Ja. Cotton Es∣quire, and 2 Daughters, Lucie, and Frances. The Posthume Works of this Worthy Knight, are lately set forth, to the great profit of Poste∣rity.

Steph. Marshall born at God-Manchester, and bred in Eman. Coll. in Camb. was Minister at Finchfield, in Ess. and after long discontinuance, B. D. in Camb. To the long Parliament, he was, in their Fasts and Preaching, their Trumpet; in their Sick∣ness, their Confessor; in their Assembly, their Councellour; in their Treaties, their Chaplain; and in their Disputations, their Champion. He was of so supple a Soul, that he brake not a joynt, yea sprained not a Sinew, in all the alteration of Times; and his Friends put all on the account, not of his uncon∣stancy, but Prudence, who in his own Practice (as they conceive,) reconciled the various Lections of St. Pauls Precept, Rom. 12.11. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Serving the Lord and the times. He is said on his death Bed to have given full satisfaction to such who formerly suspected his sincerity to the Presbyterian Discipline, dying An. 1655. He was buried in the Abbey of Westm.