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.

Cheshire,

CHeshire lyeth in form of an Axe, having L•…•…x. on the North, Darby and Staff. on the East Shropshire on the South, Denbigh, Flintshire and the Irish Sea on the West, the longest part 44, and th•…•… broadest 25 Miles. The County was reputed a Pas•…•…ti∣nate before the Conquest, and it is much to Lanc, in that honour, being related to Che. as the copy to the original being Palatinated but by E. 3 Granting that the D. of Lanc. should have Regal Jurisdiction So fully and freely as the Earl of Chester. And whereas Records are written in the Comon Law. Contra Coronam & Dignitatem Regis, in this County they run thus, Con∣tra Dignitatem gladii Cestriae. It aboundeth with all Necessaries for Mans life. All the Rivers here either rise or through some Pool. And of Lakes of this C••••∣shire abounds, and therefore has great plenty of Carp•…•…, Tenches, Trouts, Eels.

The Gentry are Remarable for their Numerous∣•…•…ess Antiquity (many of their Ancestors being fix∣•…•…d here before the Conquest) their Loyalty and Hos∣•…•…itality. One said pleasantly that it appears then ••••e good House-keepers by the Wheaton-sheaves so •…•…requently given in their Coats of Arms; The Ori∣•…•…inal whereof was in Conformity to Hugh Kivelios ••••e fifth Earl, who gave Az. 6. Garbs (or Sheaves) •…•…. Natural Commodities are Salt, Cheese (whence, •…•…ome say, is the Word Cheshire 9. Chees-shire) Where∣•…•…f the best of England is made here, yet are not their •…•…ows Housed in the Winter. Milstones, great and •…•…ood in Mowcop-hill. For Buildings, Beestones-Castle ••••tuated on a steep Hill, carried away the credit, •…•…rected by Raynulf the third Earl of Ghoster, a beau∣••••ful structure; levelled to the ground since the late Wars, of which Leland Prophesies a Restauration. •…•…s for Wonders, it is said there is a Pool adjoyning •••• Brereton, wherein great Logs of Timber are seen •••• swim for certain days together before the Death •…•…f any Heir of that House, but I have heard this con∣••••adicted by the Right Honourable Lord Brereton, •…•…ow living, who told me that lately some Persons con∣••••rned in the Event, upon observation of the Critical time, ••••uld not behold the prodigy, and that the time of the •…•…otion of those Logs is as uncertain, as the Original cause 〈◊〉〈◊〉 loosness is.

Proverbs.

I. Cheshire chief of Men; which Challenge the Men •…•…f Cornwall or Kent are ready to Answer. But, ra∣••••er than any difference shall arise Wise-men will ••••ow of many Chiefs. Indeed the Cestrians have in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their Undertakings demeaned themselves Valiantly. •…•…ing Rich. II, in dangerous times, sent for 2000 of

them, to attend him, and in time a suspicious Par•…•… the Number was doubled. Pity it was their Valour was once wasted against themselves in the Terrible Battle beteen H. 4. and H. Piercy, Sirnamed Hotsp••••, Of which Drayton, There Dutton D••••∣ton kills, a Done doth kill a Done. One * 1.1 side fought for Mortimer, who should be King by Right, the other for H. 4. who was Actu∣ally so. The Loyalty of the first side is not so much impeached by the Voice of Fame, as it is disprored by Voice of the Law which Supposes Treason may be committed against one that is only a King de facto; which Limitation was more Applicable to R. 3. than it was to H. 4.

II. Better Wed over the Mixon than over the Mo••••. Over the Mixon, that is at home, Mixon being the Compost, in the Yards of good Husbands. The mean∣ing is, the Gentry in Cheshire find it more profitable to Match within their County, than to bring a Bride out of other Shires, being more easily acquainted 〈◊〉〈◊〉 put to less Charge at home.

Cardinals.

Will. Makilsfield, probably born in this County, tho reputed a Conventrian, because then Cheshire was in the Diocess of Coventry and Liech. See his Chara∣cter in Warwickshire.

Prelates.

Will. Booth first bred in Greys-Inn in London in the Study of Com. Law, till, upon proffer of a Chan∣cellours place in St. Pauls, he took orders. After∣wards consecrated Bishop of Liechfield, and six years after Translated to York, and after twelve years

dyed and was buried in St. Maries Chappel in South∣well 1464.

Lawr. Booth half Brother to Will. was bred and be∣came Master of Pemb. Hall in Camb. and was Chan∣cellour of that University. He made the Composi∣tion between the University and the K. Coll. and was an Eminent Benefactor to his own, bestowing thereon all the Tenements (since Alienated) be∣twixt it and St. Botolphs Church, amongst which was St. Thomas Hostle. He Exonerated the Colledge of •…•… Pension of five Pounds, which he redeemed, and conferred thereon the mannor and Patronage of Over∣•…•…on Waterfield in Hunt. He was preferred Chancel∣•…•…or to Marg. Queen to H. 6. and An. 13 E. 4. made Lord High Chancellor (it seems his Publick Spirit was neither for York nor Lanc. but England) having first been Bishop of Durham, afterwards Arch-bishop of York, and built in the first the Gate of Aukland-Colledge, and bought for the latter the Mannor Ba∣•…•…erfed nigh London. He kept the Master-ship of Pemb. Hall till the day of his Death that place be∣ing Ambitious of his Patronage.

Jo. Booth Brother to Lawr. aforesaid, Batchelor of Laws, was consecrated Bishop of Exeter, An. 6. E. 4. 1466. He built the Bishops Chair, or Seat in •…•…his Cathedral, which hath not its equal in England, but the softest Cushion belonging to it was taken away, when Bishop Vescy Alienated the Lands thereof. When the Bishop had finished this Chair, he could not qui∣etly sit down therein, such were the troubles arising from the Wars between York and Lanc. Therefore retiring to his Private Habitation at Horsley in Hamp∣shire, he dyed 1478. and was buried in St. Clem. Danes in London. These three Brothers had an eldest Bro∣ther Sir Roger Booth Knight of Barton in Lanc. Father of Margaret Wife of Ralph Nevil third Earl of West∣•…•…erland.

Th. Savage, born at Maklefield. His Father (a Knight) bred a Doctor of Law in Camb. Hence a•…•… was preferred Bishop of Rochester and at last Arch-bishop of York. A greater Courtier than Clerk, de•…•…∣trous in managing secular Affairs, a mighty 〈◊〉〈◊〉∣man. He was the first who was privately install•…•…d by his Vicar. He maintained a Numerous Family, and built much at Scroby and Cawood. He dyed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Body being buried at York, his heart at Makle∣field, in a Chappel of his own Erection.

Since the Reformation.

Will. Chaderton D. D. of worthy Extraction, i•…•… this County, bred a Fellow and Mr. of Queens Coll. i•…•… Camb. and chosen first the Lady Margarets, then the Kings professor in Divinity, to whom Doctor Whit∣aker succeeded. Made Bishop of Chester An. 1579. then of Lincoln. 1594. He dyed 1608. His Virtuous Grand-Daughter married to Mr. Jocelin Esquire, writ The Mothers Legacy to her unborn Infant, and dyed in Travel.

Will. James D. D. born in this County, and bred in Christs-Church in Oxf. was President of the Uni∣versity Colledge, and Dean and Bishop of Durham. He had been Chaplain to Rob. Dudley Earl of Leicester, and Ministred Comfort to him near the hour of Death. He was a Principal means of recovering Durham-house to his See, which House was granted by E. 6. to the Lady (afterwards Queen) Eliz. for Term of Life, and lay neglected till Bishop Ja•…•…er regained it and repaired the Chappel to his great cost. He once entertained Queen Eliz. very much to her Satisfaction. Otherwise it was with a following Bishop of that See, being reproved by King Ja. for some neglect of his Officers, he Survived that re∣proof not a full Twelve-month.

Jo. Richardson, born in this County of a most Worshipful and Ancient Family, bred in the Uni∣versity of Dublin, where he was Graduated Doctor in Divinity, and afterwards was made Bishop of Ar∣dagh in Ireland, in the late Rebellion he came over into England. A Grave Man and good Divine, ve∣rifying the Rule, Bonus Texturius bonus Theologus, for he carried a Concordance in his Memory. The Larger Annotations, especially on Ezekiel an Elaborate Work Challenge him, in a great measure for the Au∣thor. Our Bishop, who had been relieved had his bounty to bestow on others, and by his Will bequeathed a considerable Legacy to the Colledge of Dublin. He dyed An. 1658. Aet. 74.

Statesmen.

Sir Thomas Egerton Knight, extracted from an An∣cient Family in this County, so Eminent a Lawyer, that Queen Eliz. made him her Solicitor, then Master of the Rolls, then Keeper of the Great Seal An. 38 of of her Reign. A man of great Wisdom and Gravity, quick Wit, solid Judgment, ready Utterance, and great integrity. An. 1. Jac. he was made Lord Chancellor (the same in effect with Lord Keeper) and of Lord Elismer, he was created Viscount Brackley 1616. Great was the Con∣tention for many years together betwixt this Lord of Equity and Sir Edw. Coke the Oracle of Justice at West∣minster-Hall. His civil Death (by Resignation) hap'ned a few days before his Natural Death, after which his Body was buried in Duddleston in this County. He left a fair Estate to his Son, who was afterwards Created Earl of Bridgewater. When he observed King James to be profuse to the Scots he advised him to preserve his Crown-lands, seeing he or his Successors might meet with Parliaments which

would not supply his occasions, but on such Condi∣tions as would not be very acceptable. It was a•• ordinary Speech with him Frost and Fraud end in Fo••, He dyed 1616.

Capital Judges.

Sir Humph Starkey, probably born in * 1.2 this County, so skilled in the Law, that he was preferred Bar. of the Exchequer about •••• Hne. 7. Whereas that Age was justly complaining of the Extortions of the Kings Officers (as Emps•••• and Dudley, &c.) nothing of that nature is laid in his charge. He dyed An. ult. H. 7. was buried in Leonard Shore-ditch. Where his Epitaph begins, O∣rate.

Sir Hen. Bradshaw Knight, so noted a Lawyer that An. 6. E. 6. he was Ch. Bar. of the Exchequer de∣meaning himself therein to his great Commendati∣on. I have cause to conceive that this Judge was outed of his place 1. Ma. finding no more mention of him.

Sir Randel Crew, so great a Lawyer that 22 Ja was made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. and therein served two Kings, (tho scarce two years 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Office) with great Integrity. He declared his Judgment against the project of the LOAN, and thereupon he was by Writ discharged from his place, after which he lived long at Westm. much praised for his Hospitality. The Gown being put off, he had a warm Suit remaining, I mean a fair Estate, parti∣cularly Crew-Hall in Cheshire. He it was that brought the Model of excellent Building into these Remoter parts. He had a Vertuous Lady, very Essential to the Integrity of a Married Judge, lest what Westmin∣ster-Hall doth conclude Westminster-Bed-chamber do

revoke. He had a Brother Sir Th. Crew a Learned •…•…erjeant in the same Profession, whose Son Geo. Crew, •…•…nstrumental in the Kings Restauration is designed for some Title of Honour.

Sir Humph. Davenport, bred in the Temple, a Stu∣dyed Lawyer and upright Person, Qua∣tities which commended him to be * 1.3 chosen Baron of the Exchequer.

Souldiers.

Sir Hugh Calvely, born at Calvely, of whom 'tis said that he could feed as much as two, and fight as much as ten men, his quick and strong Appetite could digest any thing but an injury, so that killing a Man •…•…is reported the Cause of his quitting this Country and going for France, where he became such an ex∣cellent Souldier, that he converted the most difficult Atchievments into easie performances by his Martial Valour. He was one of 30 English in France, who, in a Duel, encountred as many Britains. He reveng∣ed the Blood of the English, who whilst his Hands were tied behind him, were slain before his Face. An. ult. E. 3. 'Twas he that, after an unfortunate Voy∣age of the English Nobility An. 1. R. 2. took Bark∣bulloign and 25 other French Ships, besides the Castle of Mark, lately lost and by him recovered; And in the next year, he spoiled Estaples, with the plunder of which he enriched the Calicians for many years after. He Married the Queen of Arragon, whose Arms are quartered on his Tomb. His Death may be Collected about 1388. After which time no men∣tion of him, and it was impossible for such a Spirit to be, and not to be Active.

Sir Rob. Knowles, Knight, born of mean Parents in this County; yet did not the Weight of his low

Extraction depress the Wings of his Martial mind who by his Valour wrought his own Advancement. He was another of the 30 English spoken of i••••∣diately before. Afterwards he was a Command•••• in the French War, under King E. 3. where beha∣ving himself like a true Son of Mars, he drove •••• Enemies before him, like Sheep, overturning like another deluge, Cities, Towns, &c. so that ma•••• years after, the Sharp points and Gableends of over∣thrown houses were commonly called KNOWLES MITRES. His last Service was the suppressing of Wat Tiler and his Rebels. The Citizens of Land in expression of their Gratitude, Enfranchised h•••• a Member thereof. His Charity was as great at his Valour, and he rendred himself no less loved by the English than feared by the French. He gave bounti∣fully to the Building of Rochester-Bridge, founding a Chappel and a Chantry at the East end thereof, win a Colledge at Pontfract in Yorkshire, where ••••∣stance his Lady was born, endowing with it 180 pounds a year. He dyed at his Mannor of Scone-Thorp i•…•… Norf. in Peace and Honour, being about 90 years of Age, and is buried in White Friers in London.

Jo. Smith, Captain born in this County, spent the most part of his life in Foreign parts. First in Hungary under the Emperor, fighting against the Turks, three of which he himself killed in single Duels, and there∣fore was Authorized by Sigismund King of Hung to bear three Turks heads as an Augmentation of his Arms. Here he gave intelligence to a besieged City, in the Night, by Significant Fire-Works formed in the Air, in Legible Characters. Thence he went into Ame∣rica about the end of the Reign of Queen Eliz. such his Perils and Preservations, they seem to most Men above belief. They are mentioned in a Treatise done by himself. He was very Instrumental in setling

the Plantation of Virginia, whereof he was Gover∣nour, as also Admiral of New-England. When old, •…•…e lived in London where being High-minded and •…•…oor, he was exposed to the contempt of disingenu∣••••s persons. Yet he efforted his Spirits with a Com∣•…•…emoration of the Days of Old. He was buried in •…•…epulcher-Church-Quire. A Line of his Rauting Epi∣•…•…aph follows.

Here lies one Conquer'd that hath Conquered Kings.

Physicians.

If this County bred no Writers in that Faculty, the Wonder is the less, if it be true what I read, that if any here be Sick They make him a Posset and •…•…ye a Kerchief about his head, and if that will not mend him, then God be merciful to him. This may be true of the Common People, the Gentry having the help (no doubt) of the learned in that Profession.

Writers.

Th. Ecleston, bred a Franciscan in Oxf. wrote a Book of the Succession of his Order in England, &c. and another de Impugnatione Ordinis sui per Dominica∣nos, these two sort of Friers Whipping one ano∣ther with their Cords to the mutual wounding of their Reputations. He dyed An. 1340.

Since the Reformation.

Ralph Radcliffe who converted a Demolished House of the Carmelites into a Grammer-School, wrote a Treatise of the Burning of Sodome, another of the Afflictions of Job, and a third de Triplici Mentoriâ, Of

the Threefold Memory, denoting probably such a dif∣ference, as there is between Wax, Water and Iron, in re∣ceiving an impression. He flourished under E. 6. 1551. and 'tis likely he dyed before the Reign of Queen Mary.

Jo. Speed, born at Farington, first a Taylor did no more than cut his Coat according to his Cloath, when, being obedient to the Impulses of a Vigorous mind, and assisted by Sir Fulk Grevil, a great Favourer of Learning, he designed the Maps and Composed the History of England and made the usual Geneaologies formerly prefixed to all English Bibles, having a pa∣tent granted to him by King Ja. in reward of his great Labours. Thus he Exchanged a Manual for a Manly Trade and made no greater hast than good Speed. He dyed in London An. 1629, and was buried in St. Giles without Criple-Gate.

Jo. Dodd, born at Shotliedge, bred in Jesus-Col. A witty, Learned and Godly Divine. Minister suc∣cessively of Hanwell in Oxf. Fenny Compton in War•…•…. Canons Ashby and Fausly in Northam. tho for a time silenced in each of them; yet even then he did in∣struct by his holy Demeanor and Pious Discourse. A good Chymist to extract Gold out of other Me•••• Lead, and how loose soever the Premisses of other Mens discourse, Piety was always his unforced con∣clusion thereupon. When others meditated mischief in the Civil-Wars, he confined himself to the Medita∣tions of Sanctity and Innocency. V. Clarks Lives.

Benefactors.

Sir Rich. Sutton, born at Presbury, of a Plentiful Estate and bountiful Hand. It hap'ned that Will. Smith Bishop of Lincoln began Brason-Nose-Coll. •••••• dyed before the finishing of one Nostril thereof. 〈◊〉〈◊〉

being his Executor Compleated the Foundation, •…•…ith his own Liberal Additions thereunto. He dy∣•••• about the middle of the Reign of H. 8.

Since the Reformation.

Rob. Brassy, born at Bunbury (i. e. Boniface-bury) •…•…ed D. D. in Kings Coll. in Camb. whereof he was •…•…rovost. Being Learned and Stout he Publickly pro∣••••sted against the Visitors of the University in the •…•…eign of Queen Ma. as to his own Colledge, thereby •…•…king off the Edge of these Persecuting Commissi∣•…•…ners. When many Doctors of Camb. were resol∣•…•…ed to sell their Right in Sturbridge-fair, for a Tri∣•…•…e to the Towns-men, he dashed their designs, which Manly Opposition prevented the Vice-Chancellours •…•…olding the Stirrup to the Mayor. He dyed An. Dom. •…•…558. and lies buried on the South-side of the Chap∣•…•…le.

Geo. Palin, born at Wrenbury, was bred a Mer∣•…•…hant in London, free of the Company of Girdlers. We may call his Benefactions the Golden-gridle of Cha∣rity, for with our Saviour he went about doing good. To Wrenbury he gave 200 pounds to purchase Lands for the relief of the poor. For building an Alms∣•…•…ouse in and about London 900 pounds. To St. Johns Coll. in Camb. 300 l. To the Hospital of St. Th. in Southwark, 50 l. To the Preachers at Pauls-Cross, 200 l. Toward a Chime in Bow-Church. 100 l. To six Prisons in and about London 60 l. To Bra∣son nose-Coll. in Oxf. two Scholarships, to each year∣ly 4 l. To the Coll. of St. Jo. Bap. in Oxf. 2 Scho∣larships of the same value. To Christ-Church-Hos∣pital, 300 l. To the Church and Poor of Wrenbury, to buy them Gowns, 70 l. &c. He dyed about the beginning of the Reign of King Ja.

Jo. Brereton, Knight, a Branch of that well spre•…•…∣tree in this County, one of the first Scholars of the Foundation of Sidney-Coll. then having studied th•…•… Law, went into Ireland and was at last made the Kings Serjeant therein. Having got a good Estate, he gave well nigh 3000 l. to Sidney-Coll. after 40 years absence. A pure Gift because 'twas loaded with no Detrimental Conditions in the acceptance. He dy∣ed about the year 1633.

Jo. Barnston D. D. born of an Ancient Family, •…•… Fellow of Brason-nose Coll. in Oxf. and Chapl to Chanc. Egerton Being Judge of the Consistory, whe•…•… a Church-Warden was Sued for a Chalice stoln out of (his House not the proper place of) Custody, Well (said the Doctor) I am sorry the Cup of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 should be the cause of difference among you, I doubt •••• but either the Thief will out of Remorse restore it, or so•••• other as good will be sent unto you, and according by his secret Charity the Doctor provided another. He founded an Hebrew Lecture in Brasen-nose-Coll. and dyed An. 1642.

Memorable Person.

Will. Smith, an Ancient Surname in this County, was made Pursuivant of Arms by the Name of Ra•…•…∣garagon. He wrote a Geographical and Historical Description of this County set forth by Mr. Crew.

Will. Web. M. A. was Clerk of the Mayors Court in Chester, and under-Sheriff in this County 13. Jac. He compiled a Descripton of Cheshire and Chestern.

Randel Crew Esquire, second Son to Sir Clisby who was Son to Judge Crew, drew an exact Map of Che∣shire with his Pen, which the Gravers skill could but little improve. He went beyond the Seas, where he was Assassinated by some French-men and hon∣ourably

buried with general Lamentation of the Eng∣•••• at Paris, 1656.

Noted Sheriffs.

An. 56. Hugh de Hatton, whose An∣••••ors * 1.4 had Lands at Hatton in this •…•…nty, by the Grant of Will. the Conq. From him Lineally descended the Learned and Religious Sir •…•…rist. Hatton, Knight of the Bath, (who set forth •…•…us Meditations on the Psalms) created by King I. Bar. of Hatton in Kerby, in Northamp. The ••••iginal of the Conquerors Grant is in this Lords ••••ssession, and was preserved in the Civil-Wars, tho •…•… Library was then Plundred.

•…•…. Sr. Hugh Chol•…•…nly (or Cholmondesly) •…•…ght his Knighthood in the Field at * 1.5 ••••gh in Scotland. He was five times ••••gh-Sheriff of this County, (and sometimes of ••••t-sh.) and for many years one of the two Dep. ••••utenants thereof. He was President of the Mar∣••••es of Wales, under the Right honourable Sir Hen. ••••dney Knight. He was esteemed (for 50 years) Father of his Country and dying An. 157▪ was bu∣••••d in the Church of Malpass, under a Tomb of ••••abaster, leaving a Son Heir to his Vertues and state.

Jo. Savage direct Anchestor to Sir Th. Savage Knight ••••d Bar. created by King Ch. I. Baron Savage of •…•…ock Savage in this County. This Lord. (a great •…•…tatesman) married Eliz. Eldest Daughter and Co∣•…•…eir of Th. Lord Darcy of Chich. Viscount Colchester, •…•…nd E. of Rivers, Honours entailed on his Posterity, •…•…nd now enjoyed by the Right Honourable Th. Savage •…•…. of Rivers.

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Battles.

Rowton-heath 1645. Sep. 24. His Majesty being in∣formed that Col. Jones had seized the Suburbs and strong Church of St. Johns in Chester, Marched Northward for the relief thereof. Poins a Parlia∣ment-General pursued his Majesty. At Rowton-hea•…•… within three Miles of Chester, the Kings Army made a halt, whilst his Majesty with some Prime Persons marched into the City. Next day a fierce Fight hap∣ned on the Heath, betwixt the Kings and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Forces, the latter going off with the greater loss, 'Twas conceived that had the Royalists pursued the Single Enemy, before they were recruited, they ha•…•… finally worsted him, which Fatal Omission (oppertu∣nities omitting of no after-games) proved their over∣throw. For next day Col. Jones drew out his Men into the Field, so that the Royalists being charged on the Heath, in Front and Rear, and having no Foot, were defeated before a considerable party of Horse (designed for their Relief) were sent from Chester, who came too soon to engage themselves, as they came too late to Succour their Friends. Here fell the youngest of the three Noble Brethren, who lost their Lives in the King's Service, Bernard Steward Earl of Liechfield.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Polyal.
• * 1.2

  A M P.
• * 1.3

  Q.
• * 1.4

  H. 3.
• * 1.5

  Q. Ma.