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.

FLINT-SHIRE.

FLint-shire (named from Flint, formerly an eminent place therein) hath the Sea on the North, Shrop-shire on the South, Cheshire on the East, and Denbigh-shire on the West. The smallest Shire in VVales. Flint the Shire-Town is no Market Town, no nor St. Asaph, (a City and Bishops See) till made so very late; But it is near to Chester, the Market General of these parts, and besides, every Village hath a Market in it self, as affording all necessary Commodities. This County was Parcel of the County Palatine, paying 2000 Marks (called a Mize) at the Change of every Earl of Chester, until the year 1568. For then upon the occasion of one Thomas Radford, committed to Prison by the Cham∣berlain of Chester, this County disjoyned it self from the Earldom of Chester, and united it self to the Prin∣cipality, though I cannot see how the one or the other could be done, without an Act of Parliament.

Proverbs.

I. Mwy nag un bwa yro Ynghaer; That is, More then on Yugh-Bow in Chester. Cheshire men have been very famous for Archery. It is applyed to such who take other folks Goods for their own, being mistaken with the similitude and resemblance.

Princes.

Elizabeth, the 7th. Daughter of King Edward 1. and Queen Lleanor, was born at Ruthland Castle, where

antiently a Parliament was kept an. Edward 1. This Princess, at 14 years of Age, was Married to John, first of that Name, Earl of Holland, Zealand, &c. and (after his death) to Humfrey Bohun Earl of Here∣ford and Essex; High Constable of England, by whom he had a numerous Issue. She dyed 1316. and was buried in the Abby-Church of Saffron-Walden in Essex.

Saints.

Congellus or Comgallus is challenged by the Welsh for their Country-Man, as being first Abbot of Banchor in this County, though Arch-Bishop Usher makes him the first Abbot of Bangor in the North of Ireland. He was one of a pious Life, who wrote Learned Epistles, and dyed an. 600. Aet. 85.

St. Beno. Instructor to St. Wenefride, was it seems a good Chirurgeon to a Miracle, who when VVene∣fride was beheaded by the Lustful Caradocus, set her Head on again, she living 15 years after!

Asaph, born of Right Honourable Parentage, was bred at Llan-Elvy, under Mungo the Scotch Bishop of that place, who had a Convent of 663 Monks (almost the number of the Beast) whereof 300 being more—unlearned then the rest, were employed in Husbandry. Amongst the rest (who attended Divine Service) St. Asaph was eminently conspicuous for Piety and Learn∣ing, insomuch that Mungo, (in Latine Quentigernus) being called into his Country, resigned both his Con∣vent and Cathedral to him. Here he demeaned him∣self with such Sanctity, that Llan-Elvy was after his death, called from him St. Asaph. He was an assi∣duous Preacher, having this Speech in his Mouth, Such who are against the Preaching of Gods word, envy Mans Salvation. He is thought by some to have dyed about 569. After which, his See was Vacant above 500

years, until Jeffrey of Monmouth was placed there.

Prelates since the Reformation.

Richard Parry, D. D. born at Ruthin, was bred in Christs-Church in Oxford, whence he was preferred Dean of Bangor, and at last Bishop of St. Asaph, con∣secrated December 30. 1604. Bishop Godwin being near to him in time, and in his studies, desireth to be his equal in other Episcopal Qualities. Bishop Parry dyed 16.

Souldiers.

Owen Glendower, born in his ancient Patrimony of Glendower-Wye, was bred in London, a Student of the Common Law, till he became a Courtier and Servant to King Richard 2. After whose death, being in the wrong side of preferment, he retired into Wales, where there arose a difference between him and the Lord Gre of Ruthen, about a Common, which Owen by force recovered from Gre, whom he killed. Many spur'd his posting Ambition, by telling him he was the true Heir to all North-Wales, and now or never the time to regain it; whereupon he brake into open Rebellion. Being angry with the King, his Revenge fell upon God; burning down the fair Cathedrals of Bangor, and St. Asaph. Doing mischiefs to others, he did no good to himself. King Henry 4. found it more easie to depose King Richard then subdue this Owen, who had taken Roger Earl of March, and next Heir to the Crown, Prisoner.

Writers.

Elvodugus Probus, was Vir sui Nominis; he lived at

Bangor Monachorum, in that Age the Cambridge and Oxford of all Britain. He wrote many Books, (and particularly a Chronicle of his Nation) which the Envy of Time hath denied to Posterity. Amongst many eminent Men whom he had for his Scholars, there was the Learned Nennius, commonly called Nennius El∣vodugi. This Elvoduge flourished 950.

Since the Reformation.

Meredith Hanmer, D D. was born in this County, where a good Family of his Name flourish at Han∣meer, at this day. He was Treasurer of Trin-Colledge in Dublin. He Translated the Eccles. Histories of Euseb. Socrates, Evagrius, &c. into English, wrote an Ephemeris of the Irish Saints, and a Chronicle of that Country. He dyed at Dublin of the Plague, 1604.

Benefactors to the Publick since the Reformation.

Richard Clough, born at Denbigh, was a Chorister in Chester, whence he removed to London, where he became an Apprentice to, and afterwards Partner with Sir Thomas Gresham. Having lived some time at An∣twerp, he Travelled to Jerusalem, where he was made Knight of the Sepulchre. Some affirm that some Thou∣sands of pounds were disbursed by him, for the build∣ing of the Royal Exchange, and that it was agreed be∣twixt him and Sir Thomas Gresham, that the Survivour of them should be Heir to the other, on which ac∣count they say, that the Knight carried away the main of the Estate. He gave the impropriation of Killken in Flint-shire, worth 100 pounds per annum to the free School in Denbigh, besides his Benefaction to the new Church there. He dyed 15.

Memorable Persons.

Thomas ap William ap Thomas ap Richard ap Howel, ap Evan Vaughan, &c. Esq was born of an ancient worshipful Parentage at Moston. This Gentleman be∣ing called at the Pannel of a Jury by the aforesaid Names, was advised by the Judge, in the Reign of King Henry 8. to contract his Name, who thereupon denominated himself Moston. A leading case to the Gentry in Wales, who (leaving their Pedigrees at home) carry one Sirname only abroad with them.

Note, Superstitious Pilgrimages do still continue of fond people in this County, to the VVell of St. VVini∣frede, though their Proverb tells them, Goreu Pererin∣dod Cyrchu offeren Sull; That is, It is the best Pilgri∣mage to frequent the Divine duties of the Sabbath.