The History of the Worthies of England, Part 2 · County 26 · Section 13
Physicians.
RICHARDUS ANGLICUS was certainly a man of Merit, being eminently REM.so denominated by Foraigners, (amongst whom he conversed) from his Country, and he who had our Nation for his Name, cannot have less then London for his Lodging in this our Catalogue of Worthies. He is said to have studied first in Oxford, then in Paris, where he so profited in the faculty of Physick, that he is counted by Simphorianus *In tractatu q uinto de ejus Artis Scriptoribus.Champerius (a stranger to our Nation, and therefore free from Flattery,) one of the most eminent Writers in that Profession. Now, because he was the first English man, whom I find famous in that Calling, may the Reader be pleased with a Receipt of the several names of the Books, left by him to posterity.
1. *Bale de script. Brit. Cent. 3. Num. 92. & Pits. in Anno 1230.A Tractate of ….
2. Of the Ru…es of Urins.
3. Of the Signs of Diseases.
4. Of Prognostick Signs.
5. Of Letting Bloud.
6. Of Anatomy according to …alen.
7. Of Feavors.
8. A Correction of Alchymy.
9. A Mirour of Alchymy.
10. Of Physick.
11. Repressive.
12. Of the Signs of Feavors.
Leland reporteth, that besides these, he writ other works, which the Envy of time hath denied unto us. He flourished about the year of our Lord 1230.
JOHN … was born in this City, *… de script. Brit. Cent. 8. Num. 38.bred Fellow of Baliol-colledge in Oxford, where he contracted familiarity with his Colleague and Mecaenas, I. Tiptoft Earl of Worcester. He afterwards travelled into Italy, and at Ferrara was a constant auditor of Gwarinus an old man, and famous Philosopher. Hitherto our Phreas made use only of his ears, hereafter of his tongue, when of Hearer he turned a Teacher; and see the stairs whereby he ascended.
1. He read Physick at Ferrara, concerning Medicinal herbs.
2. Then at Florence, well esteemed by the Duke thereof.
3. Then at Padua, (beneath Florence in beauty, above it in learning,) an University where he proceeded Doctor of Physick.
4. Then at Rome, where he was gratious with Pope Paul the second, dedicating unto him many books translated out of Greek.
The Pope rewarded him with the Bishoprick of Bath and Wells, dying before his consecration, *Idem ibidem.poisoned (as is vehemently suspected) by some, who maligned his merit;
Heu mihi quod nullis livor medicabilis herbis!
Solomon himself, who wrot of all Simples, from the *1 King. 4. 33.Cedar in Lebanus, to the Hysop on the Wall, could find no defensative against it; which made him cry out *Prov. 22. 4.But who can stand before envy? No wonder therefore, if our Phreas (though a skilful Botanist) found mens malice mortal unto him. He died at Rome Anno Domini 1465. and Lelands commendation of him may serve for his Epitaph, if but, Hic jacet Johannes Phreas be prefixed before it; qui primus Anglorum erat, qui propulsâ barbarie, patriam honesto labore bonis literis restituit.
ANDREW BORDE Doctor of Physick, was (I conceive) bred in Oxford, because I find his book called the Breviary of Health examined by that University. He was Physician to King Henry the eighth, and was esteemed a great Scholar in that age. I am confident his book was the first written of that faculty in English, and dedicated to the Colledge of Physicians in London. Take a tast out of the beginning of his Dedicatory Epistle,
Egregious Doctors and Masters of the Eximious and Arcane Science of Physick, of your Urbanity exasperate not your selves against me for making this little volume of Physick, &c.
Indeed his book contains plain matter under hard words, and was accounted such a Jewel in that age, (things whilst the first are esteemed the best in all kinds,) that it was Printed, Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum, for William Midleton, Anno 1548. He died as I collect in the raign of Queen Mary.