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.

W. Perkins, born at Marston, bred Fellow of Christs-Colledge, became Preacher of St. Andrew in Cambridge. (See of him in my Holy State) He dyed 1602.

Tho. Drax, D. D. born at Stonely, and bred in Christs-Colledge in Cambridge, was a pious Man, and an excellent Preacher. He Translated all the Works of Mr. Perkins into Latine. He was beneficed nigh Harwich in Essex, and dyed 1616. The Family of the Drax flourished a long time at Wood-hall in York-shire, and after various Changes, hath recovered and encreased its former lustre in Sir James Drax, who hath merited much of the English Nation, in bringing the Sugars, and other Commodities of the Barbadoes to their perfection.

William Shakespeare, born at Stratford, was in some sort a Compound of three eminent Poets, viz. Mar∣tial, Ovid, and Plautus the Comedian; The two first were Charactered in a Verse made by Queen Eliza∣beth, coming into a Grammar School; Persius a Crab∣staff, Bawdy Martial, Ovid a fine VVag. Though the Genius of this our Poet was jocular, he could be so∣lemn and serious, when occasion required, as appears by his Tragedies, so that He aclitus himself might af∣ford

to smile at his Comedies, and Democritus scarce forbear to sigh at his Tragedies. His Learning being very little, Nature seems to have practised her best Rules in his production. Many were the witty Com∣bates betwixt him and Benjamin Johnson, who (like a Spanish Gallion) was built far higher in Learning; solid, but slow in his performances; whilst Shakespeare (like an English Man of War, less in bulk, but lighter in Sailing) could turn with all Tides, tack about, and take advantage of all Winds, by the quickness of his wit and invention. He dyed 16.. and was buried at Stratford.

Michael Drayton, born at Athelston, was a pious Poet, a Temperate man, and a good natured Compa∣nion. He changed his Laurel for a Crown of Glory, 1631. and was buried in Westminster-Abbey.

Sir Fulke Grevil Knight, Son to Sir Fulke Senior of Becham Court, was bred in Cambridge. He came to Court back'd with a fair Estate, in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. He was a good Scholar, and a great Friend to Learned Men, Bishop Overal chiefly owed his pre∣ferment to him, and Mr. Cambden tasted largely of his Liberality. His Studies were most in Poetry and History, as his works do witness. King James crea∣ted him Baron Brook of Beauchamp-Court, as descend∣ed from the sole Daughter and Heir of Edward VVil∣loughby the last Lord Brook. He was murdered 16.. by a discontented servant, who conceiving himself not soon or well enough rewarded, first wounded his Ma∣ster mortally, and afterwards dispatched himself. He lyeth buried in Warwick Church, under a fair Monu∣ment, whereon he is styled Servant to Queen Elizabeth, Councellour to King James, and Friend to Sir Philip Sidney, dying unmarried, his Barony descended on his Kinsman, Robert Grevil Lord Brook, Father to the Right Honourable Robert Lord Brook.

Nich. Byfield, bred in Queens Colledge in Oxford, entring into the Ministery, was invited into Ireland; But being wind-bound at Chester, and having preached there, with great approbation, he was chosen Minister in the City, being afterwards informed that his going over to Ireland, would have been labour in vain. He maintained the strict observation of the Lords day a∣gainst Mr. Breerwood. He was afterwards Minister of Isleworth in Middlesex, where he Preached for 15 years together, twice every Lords day, and expound∣ed Scripture every Wednesday and Fryday. He dyed of the Stone (in his Bladder) which being taken out after his death, was weighed and measured, being 33 ounces and more, in length 13 inches and above, in measure about the breadth, almost 13 inches; and a∣bout the edge 15 and ½. Being of solid substance, (to look upon) like Flint. He was buried at Isle∣worth.

Philemon Holland, bred in Trinity-Colledge in Cam∣bridge, a Doctor in Physick, and fixed himself in Co∣ventry. He was the Translator General of his Age, of whom one saith,

Holland with his Translations doth so fill us, He will not let Suetonius be Tranquillus.

Many of his Books he wrote with one Pen, whereon he himself versifies.

With one sole Pen I writ this Book, made of a Grey Goose Quill, A Pen it was when I it took, and a Pen I leave it still.

He Translated Cambden's Britannia, with many excel∣lent Additions, and was himself Translated to a better Life 16...

Francis Holyoake, born at Whitacre, was Minister of Southampton. He set forth Rider's Dictionary, and dyed 16...

James Cranford, born at Coventry, and bred in Ox∣ford, was beneficed in Northampton-shire, afterwards Minister of St. Christophers in London; A learned and pious man, and a painful Preacher, of much Humili∣ty, Moderation and Charity. Having sadly sympathi∣zed with the Sufferings of Church and State, he dyed 1657.