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Tho. Cole commonly called the Rich Clothier of Read∣ing. He is reported a Man of vast Wealth, main∣taining 140 Menial Servants, besides 300 poor Peo∣ple, whom he set on Work, insomuch that his Wains with Cloth filled the High-way from Read∣ing to Lond. to the stopping of King H. I. in his Progress, which King gratified Cole with a Standard-yard, the length of his Royal-Arm; but the Truth is, was the Arm of E. I. which was the Adequation
of a Yard. This whole story is uncertain, yet Cole may be accounted Eminent in this kind.
Jo. Winscombe commonly called Jack of Newbury was indeed the most considerable Clothier England ever beheld. He kept 100 Looms in his House, each of them managed by a Man and a Boy. In the Ex∣pedition to Flodden-field, against Ja. King of Scot∣land, he marched with 100 of his own Men well Mounted, to shew that the Painful in Peace, could be Valiant in War. He Feasted King Hen. 8 and his first Queen Kath. at his own House, yet extant at Newbury, the Church of which he built from the Pulpit to the Tower Inclusively. He dyed about 1520, some of his Name and Kindred of great Wealth in this County.
As to the Gentry in this County, Will. Fachel or Vachel was right Ancient, having an Estate in and a∣bout Reading. And the Family of the Pusays is so Ancient, that they were Lords of Pusay (a Village near Faringdon) long before the Conquest in the time of King Canutus, holding their Lands by the Tenure of Cornage, viz. by Winding of a Horn, (when the Enemies made their Approach) which that King gave their Family, and which their Posterity still Extant at this day do produce. But generally the List of Sheriffs is the most Comprehensive Catalogue of the English Gentry.