A Chronicle of the Kings of England from the Time of the Roman Government, Regnal history 8 · Part 9
Of men of Note in his time.
THere were men of valour in this Kings Reigne, of extraordinary eminencie; as first, Iohn Duke of Bedford Regent of France, whom when a French Lord upbraided, that his sword was of lead; he made him answer, and made him feel that it was of steele. Next him was Thomas Montacute Earle of Salisbury, whose very name was a sufficient charme to daunt a whole French Army. Then the next was Iohn Lord Talbot, so great a terror to the French, that when the women would still their children from crying, they would use to say, Talbot comes. Then was Richard Nevill Earle of Warwicke, so much greater than a king; as that which makes, is greater than that it makes, and such a one was he. Many other besides these, not much inferior to these; that we may truly say, there never was a more heroicall King of England than Henry the Fifth; nor ever a King of England that had more heroicall Subjects, than Henry the Sixth. And though Arms and Letters seem to be of different conditions, yet they commonly grow up and flourish together; as in this kings Reigne, were Iohn Leland sirnamed the Elder, who wrote divers Treatises for instruction of Gramarians: William White a Priest of Kent, professing the Doctrine of Wickliffe, for which he suffered Martyrdome by fire: Alexander Carpenter, who wrote a booke called Destructorium vitiorum, against the Prelates of that time: Peter Basset Esquire of the Privy Chamber to king Henry the Fifth, whose life he wrote: Iohn Pole a Priest, who wrote the life of St. Walhorayle an English woman: Also, Thom…s Walden, alias Netter, who wrote divers Treatises against the Wickliffifts: Pe…er Clerke a Student in Oxford, and a defender of Wickliffes doctrine; for which he fled, and was put to death beyond Sea: Thomas Walsingham born in Norfolk a diligen… Historiographer: Thomas Ringstead the younger, an excellent Preacher, who wrote divers Treatises: Thomas Rudborn a Monke of Winchester, and an Historiographer: Peter P…yne an earnest professor of Wickliffes doctrine, for which he fled into …be…: Nicholas Vpton a Civilian, who wrote of Heraldry, of colours in Armory, and of the duty of Chivalry: Iohn Capgr…ve born in Kent, an Augustine Frier, who wrote many excellent Treatises, particularly the Legend of English Saints: Humphry Duke of Glocester, Protector of the Realm, well learned in Astrologie, whereof he wrote a speciall Treatise, inti…u…ed Tabula Directionum: Iohn Whethamstead, otherwise called Fr…mentariu…, Abbot of St. Alb…ns, who wrote divers Treatises; and amongst others, a booke of the Records of things happening whiles he was Abbot, which book Holinshead had seen, and in some passages of his time followed: Roger O…l…y accused of Treason, for practising with the Lady El…nor Cobham by sorcery to make the king away; and therof condemned, and dyed for it: he wrote one Treatise intituled Contra …lgi superstitiones; and another, De sua Innocentia: Henry Walsingham a Carmelite Frier o… Norwich, who wrote sundry Treatises in Divinity: Iohn Lidgate … Monke of Bury, who had travelled France and Italy to learne languages, and wrote many workes in Poetry: Thomas Beckington Bishop of Bath, who wrote against the Law Salique of France: Michael Trigurie born in Cornw…ll, whom for his excellent learning king Henry the Fifth made Governor of the Universitie of Ca…n in Normandy, after he had conquered it: Reynold Peacocke Bishop of Chichester, who wrote many Treatises touching Christian Religion: Robert Fleming, who wrote a D…ctionary in Greeke …d Latine, and a worke in verse of sundry kindes: Nicholas M…ntacute an Historiographer: Iohn Stow a Monke of Norwich, and Doctor of Divinity in Oxf…rd: Nich…l… Bu…geie, born in a Town of Norfolke, of that name, who wrote an History called Ad…ti…nes Chronicorum: Robert …als…cke, who wrote a booke De …e Milit…ri: Thomas D…d… a Carmelite Frier of M…rleborough, who wrote the life of Alphred king of the West-Saxons: Robert B…le, …irnamed the Elder, Recorder of London, who gathered a Chronicle of the Customs, Laws, Foundations, Changes, Offices, Orders, and publique Assemblies of the Citie of London, with other matters touching the perfect discription of the same Citie; he wrote other workes also touching the state of the same Citie, and the Acts of King Edward the third.