The History of the Worthies of England, Part 2 · County 46 · Section 14
Seamen.
ARMIGELL WAAD, born of an ancient Family in York-shire, as I am informed from his Epitaph on his monument at Hampstead in Midlesex: wherein he is termed Hen. 8. & Edw. 6. Regum Secretiori consilio ab epistolis, which I took the boldnesse to interpret (not Secretary, but) Clerk of the Councel. Take the rest as it followeth in his Funeral Inscription.
Qui in maximarum Artium disciplinis prudentiaque civili instructissimus, plurimarum linguarum callentissimus, legationibus honoratissimis perfunctus, & inter Britannos Indicarum Americarum explorator primus.
Indeed he was the first Englishman that discovered America, and his several voyages are largely described in Mr. Hackluite his Travels.
This English COLUMBUS had by two Wives twenty Children, whereof Sir William Waad was the eldest, a very able Gentleman, and Clerk of the Councel to Queen Elizabeth. This Armigel died June 20. 1568. and was buried as is aforesaid.
MARTIN FROBISHER, Kt. was born nigh*Stows Chron. pag. 809. Doncaster in this County. I note this the rather, because learned Mr. Carpenter in his Geography recounts him amongst the famous men of Devonshire, (But why should Devon-shire, which hath a flock of Worthies of her own, take a Lamb from another County?) because much conversing therein.
He was from his youth bred up in Navigation, and was the first Englishman that discovered the North way to China and Cathai, whence he brought great store of black soft Stone, supposing it Silver or Gold Ore, but which, upon trial with great expence, prov'd uselesse; yet will no wise man laugh at his mistake, because in such experiments, they shall never hit the mark, who are not content to … it.
He was very valiant, but withal harsh and violent (faults which may be dispensed with in one of his profèssion) and our Chronicles loudly resou…d his signal service in Eighty Eight, for which he was Knighted. His last service was the defending of BrestHaven in Britain, with ten ships, against a far greater power of Spaniards. Here he was shot into the side, the wound not being mortal in it self; But Swords and Gu…s have not made more mortal wounds, than Probes in the hands of carelesse and skillesse Chirurgeons, as here it came to passe: The Chirurgeon took out only the Bullet, and left the bumbast about it behind, wherewith the sore festered, and the worthy Knight died at Plimo…th, Anno 1594.
GEORGE CLIFFORD, Lord Clifford, Vescye, &c. Earl of Cumberland, was son to Henry second Earl of that Family, by his second Lady, a person wholly composed of true Honour and Valour, whereof he gave the world a clear and large demonstration.
It was resolved by the judicious in that age, the way to humble the Spanish greatnesse, was not by pinching and pricking him in the Low-Countries, which only emptied his veins of such blood as was quickly re-filled: But the way to make it a Cripple for ever, was by cutting off the Spanish sinews of War, his Money from the West Indies.
In order whereunto, this Earl set forth a small Fleet at his own cost, and adventured his own person therein, being the best born Englishman that ever hazarded himselfe in that kind.
His Fleet may be said to be bound for no other Harbour but the Port of Honour though touching at the Port of Profit in passage thereunto; I say, touching; whose design was not to enrich himself, but impoverish the enemy. He was as merciful as valiant, (the best metal bows best) and left impressions of both in all places where he came.
Queen Elizabeth Anno 1592. honoured him with the dignity of the Garter. When King James came first out of Scotland to York, he attended him with such an equipage of Followers, for number and habit, that he seemed rather a King than Earl of Cumberland. Here happened a*Stow… Chronicle 1 Ja…. contest between the Earl and the Lord President of the North, about carrying the Sword before the King in York; which office, upon due search and enquiry, was adjudged to the Earl, as belonging unto him: and whilest Cliffords Tower is standing in York, that Family will never be therein forgotten. His Anagram was as really as litterally true.
Georgius Cliffordius Cumberlandius.
Doridis regno clarus cum vi f…lgebis.
He died 1605. leaving one Daughter and Heir, the Lady Anne, married to the Earl of Dorset, of whom*In the Benefactors to the publick in …. hereafter.