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.

Sir Will. Son to Will. Harper, was born in Bedford, but bred a Merchant-Taylor in London, where he was chosen Lord Mayor. He erected and endowed a Free-School in Bedford, where he lyeth buried.

Hen. Grey, Son to H. Grey, was born at Wrest. Rich. Grey 3d. Earl of Kent of that Family wasted most of his Estate, and gave the King and others what re∣mained thereof, not regarding Sir H. Grey his Bro∣ther (by a 2d. Venter) of Wrest, in this County, who therefore declined the Honour. Thus the Earl∣dom of Kent lay asleep in the Family of the Greys almost 50 years, viz. from 15. H. 8 till 13 of Queen Eliz. when she advanced Reginald Grey, Grandfather to Sir H. Grey aforesaid (who had Recruited himself with Revenues) to be Earl of Kent, An. 1571. Regi∣nald dying Childless within the year, Hen. his Bro∣ther (the Subject of our present description) suc∣ceeded to this Honour. A Person truly Noble, ex∣pending the Income of his own Estate and his Ladies Joynture (Mary the Relict of Edw. E. of Darby) in Hospitality. He was a Cordial Protestant, on the same Token that being present at the Execution of Queen of Scots, when she requested the Nobility there, to stand by and see her Death, he (fear∣ing something of Superstition) hardly assented there∣unto.

On the other side he was as far removed from Faction, deserving the Character given him by Mr. Cambd.* 1.1 A Person highly Ho∣noured with all the Ornaments of true No∣bility. He left no Issue, except some will behold him, in some sort Parent of Sidney-Coll. in Camb. as one of the Executors to the Foundress thereof, who both proved and improved her Will, besides her Per∣sonal Benefaction thereunto. And being the Survi∣ving Executor, he did Perpetuate the Fellowships (formerly) Temporary, according to his Trust. He dyed An. 1613.

Fr. Cleark, Knight, born at Eaton-soton, in the Lord∣ship called the Paersonage. A Noble Benefactor to Sidney-Coll. augmenting all the Scholarships of the Foundation, and erecting a fair Range of Buildings. So skilful he was that he computed to a Brick what was necessary for the finishing thereof. He founded four new Fellowships. The Gift was felt before the Giver (a meer Stranger) was seen. He dyed An. Dom. 163.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Brit. Kent.