The History of the Worthies of England, Part 2 · County 11
EXETER.
EXETER▪ It is of a circular (and therefore most capable) form, sited on the top of an Hill, having an easie assent on every side thereunto. This … much to the cleannesse of this City, Nature being the chief Scavenger thereof, so that the Rain that falleth there falleth thence by the declivity of the place. The Houses stand sidewaies backward into their Yards, and onelyonly … with their Gables towards the Street: the City therefore is greater in content than appearance, being bigger than it presenteth it self to … through the same.
Manufactures.
Cloathing is plyed in this City, with great Industry and Judgment. It is hardly to be believed what credible Persons attest for truth, that the return for Serges alone in this City amounteth weekly, (even now when Trading though not dead is sick) to three Thousand Pounds, not to ascend to a higher proportion.
But the highest commendation of this City is for the Loyalty thereof, presenting us with a pair-Royal of Services herein;
when besieged by
1 Perkin Werbeck, in the Reign of King Henry the seventh.
2 The Western Rebels, in the Raign of King Edward the sixth.
3 The Parliament Forces, in the Raign of King Charles the first.
There Valour was in vincible in the two first, and their Loyalty unstained in the last, rewarded by their Enemies with the best made, and best kept Articles, yea in the very worst of times, a depressed party therein were so true to their Principles, that I meet with this epitaph in the Chancell of St. Sidwells.
Hic jacet Hugo Grove in Comitatu Wilts, Armiger, in restituendo Ecclesiam, in asserendo Regem, in propugnando Legem ac Libertatem Anglicanam, captus & decollatus 6 Maii, 1655.
The Buildings.
The Cathedrall dedicated to St. Peter is most beautifull, having the West end thereof adorned with so lively Statues of stone, that they plainly speak the Art of those who erected them.
There is in this City a Castle, whitherto King Richard the Usurper repaired, and for some dayes reposed himself therein. He demanded of the Inhabitants, how they called their Castle, who returned the name thereof was RUGEMONT, though I confesse it a Rarity, that the castle in a City should be called by any other name than a Castle. Hereat the Vsurper was much abashed, having been informed by Wizards, that he should never prosper after he had met a thing called Rugemont. It seems Sathan either spoke this Oracle low or lisping, desirous to palliate his fallacy and ignorance; or that King Richard (a guilty conscience will be frighted with little) mistook the word, seeing not Rugemont but Richmond, (the title of King Henry the seventh) proved so formidable to this Vsurper.
As for Parish-Churches in this City, at my return thither this year I found them fewer than I left them at my departure thence 15 years ago. But the Demolishers of them can give the clearest Account, how the plucking down of Churches conduceth to the setting up of Religion; besides I understand that thirteen Churches were exposed to sale by the publick Cryer, and bought by well-affected Persons, who preserved them from destruction.
The Wonders.
When the City of Exeter was besieged by the Parliaments Forces, so that only the southside thereof towards the Sea was open unto it, incredible number of Larks were found in that open quarter, for multitude like Quails in the Wildernesse (though blessed be God) unlike them both in cause and effect, as not desired with Mans destruction, nor …ent with Gods anger, as appeared by their safe digestion into wholesome nourishment: hereof I was an eye and mouth witnesse. I will save my credit in not conjecturing any number, knowing, that herein though I should stoop beneath the truth, I should mount above belief: they were as fat as plentifull, so that being sold for two Pence a dozen, and under, the Poor (who could have no cheaper, as the … … … meat) used to make pottage of them, boyling them down therein. Seve…al natural Causes were assigned hereof: 1. That these Fowl frighted with much shooting on the Land, … to the Sea-side for their Refuge. 2. That it is familiar with them in cold winters (as that was) to shelter themselves in the most … parts. 3. That some sortes of Seed were lately fown in those parts which invited them thither for their own repast. However the Cause of causes was Divine …, thereby providing a Feast for many poor people, who otherwise had been pinched for provision.
Princes.
HENRIETTA youngest Childe of King Charles and Queen Mary, was born at Bedford House in this City, Anno 1644. on the sixteenth day of June. After her long and sad night of Affliction, the day dawn'd with her, in her Brothers happy returne. Since she is marryed to the Duke of Orleance. I hope that I once related unto her as a Chaplain, may ever pray for her, that her soul may be sanctified with true Grace, and she enjoy both the Blessings of this and a Better life.
Prelates.
BARTHOLOMEUS ISCANUS, born in this * City, was accounted in that age theGoodwin, in his Catalogue of Bishop. Oracle of Learning and Religion, so that in all Conventions to that purpose his suffrage clearly carried it. He became afterwards Bishop in the place of his nativity, being intimate with his City-man, whose Character next followeth, Baldwin of Devonshire, then but Abbot of Ford, afterwards advanced to higher preferment. These mutually dedicated Books each to others Commendation so that neither wanted praise nor praised himself. This Leland calleth pulcherimum certamen. Indeed this Alternation of reciprocal Encomiums, became them the better, because it was merit in both, flattery in neither. This Bartholomew was an opposer of Becket his insolence: and having sate Bishop 14 Years ended his life, Anno 1185.
BALDVINUS DEVONIUS was born in this City, of poor Parentage, save that in some sort a worthy man may be said to be Father to himself. His preferment encreased with his Learning and deserts, being first a School-master, then an Arch-deacon, then Abbot of Ford: afterwards Bishop of Worcester, and lastly Arch-bishop of Canterbury. An eloquent Man, and a pious Preacher, according to the Devotion of those dayes, so that the errours which he maintained may justly be accounted the Faults of the tim…s, and in him but infirmities. When King Richard the first went to Palestine, he conceived himself bound both in conscience and credit, to partake of the pains and perils of his Soveraign, whom he attended thither but not thence, dying there, and being buried at Tyre, Anno Dom. 1190.
WALTER BRONSCOMBE was Son to a very mean * man in this City, and thereforeHooker, alias …, in … Catalogue of the Bishops of EXETER. the more remarkable, that taking no rise from his extraction, he raised himself by his own industry to be Bishop of Exeter. Here he built and endowed an Hospital for poor people, and also founded a fair Colledge at Perin in Cornwall. The Angel Gabriel was very much beholding to him, for instituting an Annual Festival unto Him, (observed, as I humbly conceive, only in his own Cathedral, or own Diocesse at the most) and least people sho…ld complain of the dearnesse of their Devotion, he left good Land to defray the cost of that Solemnity. He is much blamed for compassing the Mannour of BishopsClift to his Church by indirect means, to which I can say nothing, but only observe, that this small City, within eighty Years did afford three eminent Prelates (whereof two Episcopi in Patria) the Natives thereof, which will scarcely be paralell'd in any Place of the same proportion, He died Anno 12..
Writers.
JOSEPHUS ISCANUS was born at this City, anciently called Isca, from the River Isk, (now named Eske) running thereby. A golden Po…t in a leaden Age, so terse, and elegant were his Conceipts and expressions,. This our English Maro had for his Mecenas Baldwin Archbishop of Canterbury. But I revoke my words, and desire to turn Maro into Cornelius Nepos, under whose name the Dutch-men have lately printed a Poem, made by this Josephus, debello Trojano. It soundeth much to a Mans honour, even to be mistaken for another Man of eminency: for though there may be much of error in the mistake, there must be something of truth in the error, especially with the judicious: Yea in such case a general conformity betwixt the Persons is not enough to build the mistake on, without some … …; as here the affinity of phrase, and fancy betwixt these two Poets.
This … Nepos under whose name the Poems of this Josephus were printed, flourished in the time of Tully. Indeed I finde not any Poems made by him, though having to that purpose perused all Scaliger, de Arte …, as a most probable Authour. But most sure it is, that this Corn…lius was most judicious in that Art, because Valerius Catullus dedicated his Poem unto him, as best able to p…sse a learned censure thereon, this Josephus Iscanus flourished under King John, Anno 1210, being Arch-Bishop of Burdeaux.
I have nothing more to observe of him, save what, with the Readers pardon, I cannot omit, viz. that this Josephus alwayes minded me of another Josephus Iscanus, I mean Joseph Hall, lately Bishop of Exeter, a witty Poet, when young, a painfull Preacher, and solid Divine in his middle, a patient-Sufferer in his old age, of whom God willing, more *See Writers in Lecestershire.in due place.
WILLIAM of Exeter was *Bale, de scrip. Brit. cent. 5. p. 405. & Pi…z. anno 1330.born in this City, bred a Doctor of Divinity in Oxford, and afterwards became … of the … in the place of his nativity. Now in his age fome Franciscan Friers so praised the perfectiou of Poverty, that they touched the Popes Coppy-hold of Inheritance, For if Poverty was so essential to Piety, Papal pomp, and plenty must needs argue prophaneness: In confutation hereof, this William of Exeter undertook William of Ockam, though indeed impar congressus betwixt them; for Exeter, a fair City did not more exceed Ockam a smal village in Surrey in beauty, and building, than that Ockam William excelled this Exeter William in parts and Learning; however what he wanted in brains, he had in a good back to assist him: and William of Exeter with John the three and twentieth Pope of Rome was able to undertake any Authour of that age, He flourished in the Year of our Lord 1330. under the Raign of King Edward the third.
Since the Reformation.
RICHARD MARTYN was born in this City, and bred partly in the Court, partly in the Inns of Court; and at last …etook himself to the Study of the Law, He was accounted one of the highest Witts of our Age and his Nation, King James being much delighted with his facetiousnesse, a quality (which with other of his Abilities) commended him to be chosen Recorder of London; He is eminent, as for many Speeches, so especially for that he made in Parliament in the tenth year of King James, when account was taken of Forty Gentlemen in the House, which were not twenty, and some of them not sixteen years of age: Formerly (said this R…order Martyn) it was the custome of Old men to make Lawes for Young ones,: But now Nature is invaded and inverted, seeing Young men enact Lawes to govern their Fathers: He had an excellent Pen, and wrote very much, and the more the pitty that they are suppressed from publick use; his death happened about the year 1616.
WILLIAM MARTIN Kinsman to the aforesaid Recorder was born in this City, and bred a Student in the Lawes of the Land: He wrote a short and clear of the Kings of England since the conquest. I have been credlbly informed, that King James took some exceptions at a Passage therein, sounding either to the derogation of his own Family, or of the Scotch Nation, which he took so tenderly that Mr. Martin was brought into trouble for the same; and though he wethered out the Kings displeasure, and was reconciled to his Majesty, yet he never r…covered his former chearfulnesse. It seems that a Princes Anger is a disease which though cured, is not cured, grief for the same being conceived to hasten his death, which happened about the year 1616.
WILLIAM TUCKER, was born in this *N. Colledge Register. in an. 1577.City, bred fellow of New-Colledge in Oxford, and after became Doctor in Divinity, Canon of Sarisbury, Arch-deacon of Barnstable, and Dean of Lichfield,. The purity of his Latine Pen procured his preferment, writing, and dedicating a Book to Queen Elizabeth, de Charismate, of our Kings of England their gracious healing the Evil, being the best that I have seen on that Subject, vindicating such cures from all imposture, unlawfull Magick, and from some French Writers bold usurpations, who lay claim to it, as originally belonging to their Kings alone; Whereas, under correction I conceive, that the word Soveraign which properly importeth the Supream Majesty, doth also in our English Tongue, in a secondary sence signi…ie, what is cordial to cure and heal Diseases or sores, ever since such sanative power hath been annexed to the Crown of England. This Doctor may be said to have worn half a Miter, seeing his Congee de-lire was signed (if not sent) to elect him Bishop of Glocester, but afterwards by Order f…om King James it was revoked, on what occasion I list not to enquire. I conjecture the date of his death was much about the Year 1617.
JOHN BARKHAM, born in this City, was bred in Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford, whereof he was Fellow, Chaplain afterwards to Archbishop Bancroft, and Parson of Bocking in Essex. Much his Modesty and no lesse his Learning; who, (though never the publique Parent of any) was the carefull Nurse of many Books, who otherwise had expired in their Infancy, had not his care preserved them. He set forth D.▪ Crackenchorp his Posthume Book against Spalato, and was helpfull to John Speed, in the composing of his English History; yea, he wrote the whole Life of the Raign of King John, (which is the King of all the Raigns in that Book, for profound penning) discoverable from the rest of the different style, and much Scripture scited therein: Mr. Guillim in his Heraldry, was much beholden to this Doctors Emendations.
He was a greater Lover of Coyns than of Money, rather curious in the stamps, than Covetous for the Mettall thereof. That excellent Collection in Oxford Library was his Gift to the Arch-bishop, before the Arch-bishop gave it to the University. He dyed March 25. 1641.
Benefactors to the Publick.
JOAN TUCKVILE, a Merchants Widdow in this City, first procured the possession, then the consecration of a parcel of Ground which she had fairly compassed about, for the Interment ofsuch as were executed at Hevie-tree hard by, allowing Land to buy a shrone for every one of them; that such as dyed Malefactors might be buried as men, yea as Christians; who having passed under the hand of Justice, received a Boon from her hand, who was mercifull to the dead: This I may call exemplary Charity indeed, as which set a coppie for others, but such as hitherto hath not (to my knowledg) by any been transcribed. She dyed about the beginning of the Raign of Queen Elizabeth.
The Farewel.
Malice knoweth no other Heaven than to do mischief to others, though thereby no good to it fels: Such the spite of the Cornish Rebels besieging Exeter, who to damnifie the City, damned and stopped up the Channel of the River EX (near to a Village thence called *Camd. Brit. in C…nsh.Weare at this day) to such a degree that thereby the accesse of lesser Vessels is much hindred, and of the greater ships wholly debarred.
Some knowing Sr. Simon Baskervile, (a Physician and native of this place) to have a plentifull purse, and publick Spirit, wished he would have taken the work in hand, to cure this Obstruction: but it was no Physicians work to meddle therewith, nor is it either powder of Steel, or gilded pils which can do the deed, but onelyonly pills of massy gold and silver, so expensive is the performance.
Indeed several Acts of* Parliament have ordered the removeal of these Stoppages,† Idem ibidem. but nothing is effected in this kinde, these real Remoraes remaining as before.
It is urged as an Argument of Aristotle, against the conceit of Plato his having all Women in common, and their Children to be brougbt up on the publique charge, that then the Education of such Children will be neglected, because wh…t is ever mans work, is no manswork: The truth hereof appeareth in the slow avoiding of these steam-…. I could heartily wish, that one Act of Parliament more [an Eunuch, yet not barren] may be made, eunuch, that it may beget no more Acts to cause the retarding and elongation of this work; yet not barren, that it may effectually remedy this Grievance, and that a general good be no longer postponed to mens private profit.