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.

Benefactors to the Publick.

Hen. Chichley, born at Higham Ferrers, and bred in Oxford, was sent by Henry 4. to the Council of Pisa 1409, and by the Popes own hand was conse∣crated Bishop of St. Davids at Vienna, and thence was advanced Arch-Bishop of Canterbury by Henry 5. Which Wise King having a shrewd design a∣gainst the Abbeys, was diverted with vast sums of Mony paid by the Clergy, to maintain his Wars in France. He refused a Cardinals Cap (proffered to him in the Reign of Henry 6.) being loath (as some think) to be junior to Cardinal Beaufort of Winchester who had often disobliged him. He was cruel against the Wicklevites, but was a Zea∣lous Asserter of the English Liberties in opposition to the Popes Ʋsurped Supremacy. Great his Zeal to promote Learning, as appears by 3 Coll••ges

erected and endowed at his expence and procure∣ment. One with an Hospital at Higham-Ferrers St. Bernards in Oxford, afterwards bettered by Sir Th. White into St. John's Colledg and All-Souls in Oxford. Having continued in his See 29 years, He died 1443.

William Laxton, (of Oundle) was bred a Grocer in London, whereof he was Lord Mayor 1544. He founded and endowed a fair School and Alms∣house at Oundle in this County, well maintained at this day by the Company of Grocers. He died 1556.