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.

Souldiers.

Richard de Clare, alias Strongbow, born (probably) at Stringule Castle, was Earl of Stringule and Pembrook. A person of effectual performance. It happened that Mac Murugh, an. 1167. being expelled his Territo∣ries, for several Tyrannies, by the Lords of Meath and Conaight, repaired to King Henry 2. and invited him to Ireland. That Politick King sent over this R. Strongbow (with 1200 Men) who possessed himself of the Ports of Leinster and Mounster, with large Lands thereunto belonging; insomuch that the King growing jealous of his greatness remanded him home, and com∣manded him to surrender his Acquest into his hands, which done, he received them by regrant from the King, save that Henry reserved the City of Dublin for him∣self. This Strongbow is commonly called Domitor Hi∣berniae, the Tamer of Ireland. Yet some of the great Lords there did still retain the Power and Title of King; Witness the Preface in the Commission, where∣by King Henry 2. made William Fitz-Adelme his Lieu∣tenant of Ireland, Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Regibus, &c. Salutem. This Earl dyed at Dublin, 1177.

Sir Roger Williams, born of an ancient Family at Penross, was first a Souldier of Fortune under the Duke of Alva, and afterwards served Queen Elizabeth. A man extreamly forward to Fight. When a Spanish Captain challenged Sir John Norris to fight a single Com∣bat (which was beneath him to accept, being a Gene∣ral) this Roger undertook the Don. And after they had fought some time (both Armies beholding them) without any hurt, they pledged each other a deep draught of Wine, and so friendly departed. Another time at mid-night, he assaulted the Camp of the Prince of Parma, nigh Venloe, slew some of the Enemies, and

pierced to the Tent of the General. He bravely de∣fended Sluse, whilst any hope of help.

William Herbert, Earl of Pembrook, with Sir Richard his Brother, were both valiant Men, and as fast Friends to King Edward 4. as professed Foes to Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick. Leading the Army of the Welsh, in the Battle of Banbury, with their Poll-Axes, they twice made way through the Battle of the Northern men (which sided with King Henry 6.) without any Mortal Wound. There passeth a Tradition in the No∣ble Family of the Herberts of Chierbury, that this Sir Richard their Ancestor, slew that day 140 Men with his own hands, in passing and repassing through the Army. Guns not being then in fashion, the Poll-Axe was the next Mortal Weapon, especially in such a dead Hand as this Knight had. He is reported also to be of a Giants Stature, the Peg being extant in Mont∣gomery Castle, whereon he used to hang his Hat at din∣ner, which no Man of an ordinary height can reach with his hand at this day. However, both these brave Brethren, circumvented with the subtilty of their Foes (Odds at any time may be bet on the side of Treachery, against Valour) were brought to Banbury, beheaded and buried, the Earl at Tinterne, and Sir Richard at Abergaveny in this County.