The History of the Worthies of England, Part 3

The History of the Worthies of England · Part 3

p. 1THIS PRINCIPALITY hath the Severn Sea on the South, Irish-Ocean on the West and North, England on the East, antiently divided from it by the River Severn, since by a Ditch drawn with much Art and Industry, from the Mouth of Dee to the Mouth of Wie. From East to West, [Wie to Saint Davids] is an hundred, from North to South, [Car…ion to Hollihead] is an hundred and twenty miles.

The Ditch or Trench lately mentioned, is called Clauhd-Offa, because made by King Offa; who cruelly enacted, that what Welch-man soever was found on the East-side of this Ditch should forfeit his Right-hand. A Law long since Cancelled, and for many ages past, the Welch have come peaceably over that Place, and good reason, bringing with them both their Right-hands and Right-hearts; no less Loyally then Valiantly to defend England against al… enemies, being themselves under the same Soveraign United thereunto.

It consisteth of three parts, the partition being made by …oderick the great, about the year 877. dividing it betwixt his three sons.

This division in fine proved the Confusion of Wales, whose Princes were always at War, not onelyonly against the English, their Common Foe, but mutually with themselves to enlarge or defend their Dominions.

Of these three North-wales was the chief, as doth plainly appear, first, because Roderick left it Mervin his Eldest Son. Secondly, because the Princes thereof were by way of Eminency stiled the Princes of Wales, and sometimes Kings of Aberfrow. Thirdly, because as the King of Aberfrow paid to the King of London, yearly Threescore **T. Mills in his Catal. of Hon. pag. 292.and three pounds by way of Tribute, so the same summe was paid to him by the Princes of Powis and South-wales.

However South-wales was of the three the Larger, Richer, Fruitfuller, therefore called by the Welsh Deheubarth, that is, The Right-side, because nearer the Sun. But that Country being constantly infested with the Invasions of the English and Flemings, had North-wales preferred before it, as more intire and better secured from such annoyances. Hence it was, that whilst the Welsh-tongue in the South is so much mingled and corrupted, in North-wales it still retaineth the purity thereof.

The Soil.

It is not so Champion and Levell, and by consequence not so fruitfull as England, mostly rising up into Hills and Mountains of a lean and hungry nature, yet so that the ill quality of the ground is recompenced by the good quantity thereof.

A right worshipfull Knight in Wales, who had a fair Estate therein, his rents resulting from much Barren-ground, heard an English Gentleman (perchance out of intended opposition) to brag, that he had in England, so much ground worth forty shillings an Acre; you (said he) have ten yards of Velvet, and I have te… score of Frize, I will not exchange with you. This is generally true of all Wales, that much ground doth make up the Rent, and yet in proportion they may lose nothing thereby, compared to Estates in other Countries.

However there are in Wales most pleasant Meadows along the sides of Rivers, and p. 2as the sweetest flesh is said to be nearest the bones, so most delicious vallies a…e interposed betwixt these Mountains.

But now how much these very Mountains advantage the Natives thereof, in their Health, Strength, Swiftness, Wit, and other naturall Perfections, Give me leave to stand by silent▪ whilst a great Master of Language and Reason entertaineth the Reader with this most excellent and pertinent discourse,

Carpenters Geography second Book, chap. 15. pag. 258.

This conceit of Mounsieur Bodin, I admit without any great contradiction, were he not over-peremptory in over-much censuring all Mountainous people of Blockishness and Barbarisme, against the opinion of Averroes a great Writer; who finding these People nearer Heaven, suspected in them a more Heavenly Nature. Neither want there many reasons drawn from Nature and Experiment to prove Mountainous People more pregnant in Wit, and Gifts of understanding then others inhabiting in low and plain Countries. For however Wit and Valour are many times divided, as we have shewn in the Northern and Southern people, yet were they never so much at variance, but they would sometimes meet. First therefore, what can speak more for the witty temper of the Mountain People, then their clear and subtile Aire, being far more purged and rarified, then that in Lower countries. For holding the Vital spirits to be the chiefest Instruments in the Souls Operation, no man can deny but that they sympathize with the Aire, especially their chiefest foment. Every man may by experience, find his Intellectuall Operations more Vigorous in a Clear day, and on the contrary most Dull and Heavy, when the Aire is any way affected with foggy vapours. What we find in our selves in the same place at divers seasons, may we much more expect of places diversly affected in Constitution. A second reason, for the proof of our assertion, may be drawn from the Thin and spare Diet, in respect of those others. For people living of Plains have commonly all Commodities in such plenty, that they are subject to surfeiting and luxury, the greatest Enemy and Underminer of all Intellectuall Operations. For a fat Belly commonly begets a gross Head, and a lean Brain: But want and scarcity the Mother of Frugality invites the Mountain-dwellers to a more sparing and wholesome Diet. Neither grows this conveniency only out of the scarcity of Viands; but also out of the Dyet. Birds, Fowls, Beasts, which are bred upon higher places are esteemed of a more Cleanly and wholsome feeding, then others living in Fens and Foggy Places. And how far the Quality of our Dyet prevails in the Alteration of our Organs and Dispositions, every Naturalist will easily resolve us. A third reason may be drawn from the cold Aire of these Mountainous Regions, which by an Antiperistasis keeps in and strengthens the Internall heat, the chief instrument in Natural and Vital Operations. For who perceives not his Vital and by consequence his Intellectuall Parts, in cold frosty weather to be more strong, and vigorous, then in hot and soultry seasons, wherein the spirits be d…faced and weakned? This disparity in the same region, at divers times, in regard of the disposition of the Aire, may easily declare the disparity of divers Regions, being in this sort diversly affected. A fourth reason, may be taken from the Custome and Hardness, whereunto such people inure themselves from their infancy; which (as Huartus proves) begets a better temper of the Brain, in regard of the Wit and Understanding; which we happen to find clean otherwise with them, who have accustomed themselves to deliciousness. These reasons perhaps would seem onelyonly probable, and of no great moment, were they not strengthened with Forraign and Domestick Observations.

Thus much I thought fit to transcribe out of our Author, un paralleld in his kind, confident that our ensuing work will be a Comment on his Text, or rather, will, by the Induction of severall instances, Natives of Wales, be the Proof of the Truth of this his most Judicious assertion.

p. 3Naturall Commodities,

Silver.

Tully (a better Orator then Historian, yet better Historian then Metallist, affirmeth that Britain affordeth, ne micam auri vel argen…i, not a grain of gold or silver: understand him what in his age was discovered. Otherwise Wales, and especially Cardiganshire yields ROYAL MINES, where the silver holds standard, and pays with profit for the separation from Lead, and the refining thereof, as by the ensuing particulars will appear.

1. Six Mountains there are in Cardigan shire, (pardon British Reader, if I spell them rather after our English Pronunciation, then the Welch Orthography,) viz. Comsomelock, Tallabant, Gadarren, Bromefloid, Geginnon and Cummerrum.

2. The Romans first began to mine here, (as appears by their coines found therein,) working in trenches, not above twenty or four and twenty fathom deep, and found plenty of Lead.

3. The Danes and Saxons wrought by Sheafts, so they call what is long and narrow; whether mounting into the aire, (as Spires of Steeples,) or sinking into the earth, as their Pits here, an hund…ed fathom deep.

4 They found great plenty of Lead, but at last deserted their works, either because the vein of metall failed, or they drowned with the irruption of water.

5. Customer Smith, about the latter end of the raign of Queen Elizabeth, discovered Silver in Comsomelock, and sent it up to the Tower of London with great expence, to be coined.

6. After his death, the design was prosecuted, and more perfected by Sir Hugh Middleton Knight, coining the Silver to his great charge, as his Predecessour, at the Tower.

7. After the death of Sir Hugh, Sir Francis Godolphin of Cornwall Knight, and Thomas Bushell Esquire, undertook the work.

8. King Charles, for their greater encouragement, and sparing their expence, granted them power of coinage at Aberrusky in that County.

9. Thomas Bushell (Sir Francis dying soon after, and Comsom…lock being deserted) adventured on the other five Mountains.

10. Not disheartned, that the first year and half afforded no effectuall discovery, at last these Mines yielded one hundred pounds a week, (besides Lead amounting to half as much) coined at Aberrusky aforesaid.

11. The pence, groats, shillings, half-crowns, &c. of this Silver, had the Ostrich feathers (the Armes of Wales) for distinction stamped on them.

Then came our Civil Wars, and discomposed all the work, when Mattocks must be turned into Spear…, and Shovells into Shields, or else probably before this time the project had arrived at a greater perfection.

Here by the way, it is richly worth the observing, how the modern manner of Mining exceedeth what was formerly used. For thirty years since they began at the top of a Mountain, digging directly downwards with their Shafts, which was subject to a double mischief, of damps, and drowning. Besides, vast was the expense before they could come to the bowels of the Mountain, wherein the Oar (if any) was most probably expected.

Since they have gone a more compendious way by Adyts, making their entrance (some five foot and a half high, and perchance as broad,) into the Mountain, at the lowest levell therereof, so that all the water they meet with, conveyeth it self away as in a channel, by the declivity of the place. And thus they penetrate the most expeditious way athwart the middle thereof, which bringeth them to the speediest discovery of the metal therein.

p. 4But the rarest invention is the supplying of the Miners with fresh aire, which is performed by two mens blowing wind by a pair of bellows on the outside of the Adit, into a pipe of lead, daily lengthened as the Mine is made longer, whereby the Candle in the Mine is daily kept burning, and the Diggers recruted constantly with a sufficiency of breath. This invention was the master-piece of Sir Franci… ▪ Bacon, Lord Ver…lam, and not onelyonly so acknowledged by Thomas Bushell his gratefull servant, but also effectually prosecuted by him; a person innated with a publike spirit, if he migh… meet with proportionable encouragement.

And here methinks it were …tting (Pardon, (reader) a short digression) that rewards should be given to such undertakers, who are the discoverers of profitable projects; and not onelyonly to such who exactly hit the mark, but even to those who ingeniously miss it, because their aberrations may be directions to others. And though many tympanies and false conceptions would happen, yet amongst many miscarriages some pregnant▪ wits would happily be delivered of rare inventions▪ especially if the State would be pleased to be their Mid-wife favourably to encourage them.

Lead.

This is found in many places in Wales, but in Carnarvan-shire the best, in many respects. First, because so near the sea, so that they may cast the Oare into the Ship. Metalls elsewhere are digged as out of the Bowells of the Earth, so out of the Bowells of the Land, I mean, so far from any Conveyance by Water, that the expence of the portage swallows much of the profits thereof: which charge is here avoyded. Secondly, for the plenty. Lastly, for the purity thereof. Insomuch that there was great probability for a long time that it would have proved a Mine Royal. Which hope was frustrated at last to the great gain of the owners thereof. For a Leaden Mine is a Silvermine to such Subjects as possess it, whilst a Silver-mine is but a Leaden one unto them, from whom the property is taken, as then accrewing to the Crown or State, by vertue of its Prerogative.

Goats.

In Latine Capri, à Carpendo, from cropping, (therefore forbidden to be kept in some places, because destructive to young Woods,) are when young, most nimble and frisking, (whence our English to Caper,) but afterwards put on so great gravity, that an HeGoat is recounted by wise **Prov. 30. 31.Prov 30:31Agur, amongst the four creatures which are comely in going. Yea, if that ornamentall excrement which groweth beneath the chin, be the standard of wisdome, they carry it from Aristotle himself. They are strong above their proportion, and an He-Goat will beat a Ram of equall bigness. Hence it is that in **Dan. 8. 4, 7.Dan 8:4Dan 8:7Daniel, the Persian Monarchy is compared to a Ram, and the Macedonian, which subdued the Persian, resembled to a Goat. They can clamber the highest hills, without help of a ladder, delighting in steep and craggy places, seeming rather to **Dum…sa pendere procul de rupe capellae. Egl. 1.hang then stand, as they are feeding.

Their flesh, disguised with good cookery, may deceive a judicious palate, as it did ††Gen. 27. 25.Gen 27:25Isaac's, for venison. Of their skins excellent gloves are made, which may be called our English-Cordovant, soft, supple and stretching, whence the expression of Cheverelconsciences, which will stretch any way for advantage. Course Coverings are made of their shag, God himself not despising the present of **Exod. 25. 4.Exod 25:4Goats-hair, which made the outward case of the **Exod. 26. 7.Exod 26:7Tabernacle. Their milk is accounted cordiall against consumptions; yea, their very stench is used for a perfume in Arabia the Happy, where they might surfeit of the sweetness of spices, if not hereby allayed. In a word, Goats are be… for food, where Sheep cannot be had.

Plenty of these are bred in Wales, especially in Montgomery-shire, which mindeth me of a pleasant passage, during the restraint of the Lady Elizabeth. When she was so strictly watched by Sir Henry Benefield, that none were admitted access unto Her, a Goat was espied by a merry Fellow, (one of the Warders) walking along with her. Whereupon, taking the Goat on his Shoulders, he in all hast hurried him to Sir Henry, I pray Sir (said he) **Fox Acts and Mon. pa. 2095.examine this fellow, whom I found walking with her Grace, but what p. 5talk they had I know not, not understanding his Language. He seems to me a stranger, and I believe a Welsh-man by his frieze Coat.

To return to our subject, I am not so knowing in Goats, as either to confirme or confute what Plinie **Nat. Hist. lib. 8. cap. 50.reports, that Adhuc lactantes generant; They … young ones, whilst they themselves as yet suck their Dams. He addeth, that they are great enemies to the Olive-trees, (which they embarren with licking it) and therefore are never sacrificed to Minerva. Sure I am a true Deity accepted them for his service; as many kids well nigh, as lambs, being offered in the Old Testament.

The Manufactures.

The Brittish generally bearing themselves high on the account of their gentile extraction, have spiri… which can better comport with designes of suddain danger then long difficulty, and are better pleased in the imploying of their valour then their labour. Indeed some souls are over-lovers of liberty, so that they mistake all industry to be degrees of slavery. I doubt not but posterity may see the Welsh Commodities improved by art far more then the present Age doth behold, the English as yet as far excelling the Welsh, as the Dutch exceed the English in Manufactures. But let us instance in such as this Country doth afford,

Frieze.

This is a course kind of Cloath, then which none warmer to be worn in Winter, and the finest sort thereof very fashionable and gentile. Prince Henry had a frieze sute, by which he was known many weeks together, and when a bold Courtier checkt him for appearing so often in one Suit, Would (said he) that the Cloath of my Country (being Prince of Wales) would last always. Indeed it will daily grow more into use, especially since the Gentry of the Land being generally much impoverisht, abate much of their gallantry, and lately resigned rich cloaths to be worn by those (not whose persons may best become them, but) whose purses can best pay for the price thereof.

Cheese.

This is milk by Art so consolidated, that it will keep uncorrupted for some years. It was antiently (and is still) the Staple food for Armies in their marching, witness when David was sent with **1 Sam. 17. 18.1 Sam 17:18Ten Cheeses to recruit the provisions of his Brethren, and when **2 S…. 17. 29.Barzillai with Cheeses (amongst other food) victualled the Army of K. David. Such as are made in this Country are very tender and palatable, and once one merrily (without offence I hope) thus derived the Pedigree thereof;

Adams nawn Cusson, was her by her birth,

Ap Curds, ap Milk, ap Cow, ap Grasse, ap Earth.

Foxes are said to be the best Tasters of the fineness of Flesh, Flies of the sweetest Grapes, and Mice of the tenderest Cheese, and the last, (when they could Compass … in that kind) have given their Verdict for the goodness of the Welch. What should be the reason, that so many people should have such an Antipathie▪ against Cheese (more then any one manner of meat) I leave to the skilfull in the Mysteries of Nature to decide.

Metheglen.

Some will have this word of Greek extraction, from foreign, contracted foreign. But the British will not so let go their none Countriman MATHEW GLIN, but will have it purum potum Cambricum, wholly of Welsh originall: Whencesoever the word is made, the liquor is compounded of water, honey, and other ingredients, being most wholesome for mans body. Pollio Romulus, who was an hundred years old, being asked of Augustus Cesar, by what means especially he had so long preserved his vigour both of mind and body; made answer, **Plin. Nat. Hist. lib. …. cap. 24.Intus mulso, foris oleo, by taking Metheglen inward, and oyle outward.

It differeth from Mede, ut vinum à ††Va…ro de lingua Lat.lora, as wine from that weak stuffe which is the last p. 6running from the grapes pressed before. It is a most generous liquor, as it is made in this Country, in so much that had **Atlas … Bohemia.Mercator, who so highly praised the Mede of Egra, for the best in the world; I say, had he tasted of this Welch Hydromel, he would have confined his commendation to Germany alone, and allowed ours the precedency. Queen Elizabeth, who by the Tudors was of Welch-descent, much loved this Her native liquor, recruiting an annual stock thereof for Her own use, and here take if you please,

The Receit thereof,

First gather a Bushell of Sweet-briar leaves, and a Bushell of Time, half a Bushell of Rosemary, and a Peck of Bay-leaves. Seeth all these (being well washed) in a Furnace of fair water, let them boil the space of half an Hour, or better, and then pour out all the water and herbs into a Vat, and let it stand till it be but milk-warme, then strain the water from the herbs, and take to every six Gallons of water one Gallon of the finest Honey, and put it into the **That is the Wort or boiled liquor.Boorn, and labour it together half an hour, then let it stand two days, stirring it well twice or thrice each day. Then take the Liquor, and boil it anew, and when it doth seeth, skim it as long as there remaineth any dross. When it is clear, put it into the Vat as before, and there let it be cooled. You must then have in readiness a kind of new Ale or Beer, which, as soon as you have emptied, suddenly whelme it upside down, and set it up again, and presently put in the Metheglen, and let it stand three days a working. And then tun it up in Barrells, tying at every Tap-hole, (by a Pack-thred) a little bag of beaten Cloves and Mace, to the value of an Ounce. It must stand half a year before it be drunk.

The Buildings.

The Holy **Job 3. 4.Job 3:4Spirit complaineth, that great men build Desolate places for themselves; therein taxing their Avarice, Ambition, or both. Avarice, they joyn House to **Esai. 5. 8.Isa 5:8House, [by Match, Purchase, or Oppression,] that they may be alone in the Land, that their Covetousness may have Elbow-room to lye down at full length, and wallow it self round about. These love not, because they need not Neighbours, whose numerous Families can subsist of themselves.

Or else their Ambition is therein reproved, singling out Desolate Places for themselves, because scorning to take that Fruitfulness which Nature doth tender, and desireing as it were to be Petty-Creators, enforcing Artificiall Fertility on a place where they found none before.

I* well knew, that wealthy Man, who being a great improves of ground, was wont to say, that he would never come into that place which might not be made better: On the same token, that one tartly returned, that then he would never go to Heaven, for that place was at the best. But the truth is, Fertilizing of barren ground may be termed a Charitable Curiosity, employing many poor people therein.

It is confessed that Wales affordeth plenty of barren places, (yielding the benefit of the best Aire,) but the Italian humor of building hath not affected (not to say infected) the British Nation. I say the Italian-humor, who have a merry Proverb, Let him that would be happy for a Day, go to the Barber; for a Week, marry a Wife; for a Month, buy him a New-horse; for a Year, build him a New-house; for all his Life-time, be an Honest-man. But it seems that the Welsh are not tempted to enjoy such short happiness for a years continuance.

For their Buildings, generally they are like those of the old Britains, neither big nor beautifull, but such as their Ancestors in this Isle formerly lived in, For when Cataracus that valiant British Generall, (who for nine years resisted here the **TacitusRomans puissance) after his Captivity and Imprisonment, was inlarged, and carried about to see the Magnificence of Rome, **Zonaras and out of h…m Camden in his Remains pag. 245.Why do you (said he) fo greedily desire our poor Cottages, whereas you have such stately and magnificent Palaces of your own?

The simplicity of their common building for private persons may be conjectured by the Palaces of their Princes. For Hoelldha Prince of Wales, about the year 800. built a house for his own residence of White-hurdells or Watling, therefore called Ty Gwin, that is, the White-house or Whitehall if you please.

p. 7However there are brave buildings in Wales, though not Welsh buildings, many stately Castles, which the English erected therein. And though such of them as survive at this day, may now be beheld as Beauties, they were first intended as bridles to their Country. Otherwise their private houses, are very mean indeed. Probably they have read what Master Camden writes, that the building of great houses was the bane of good house-keeping in England, and therefore they are contented with the worse habitations, as loath to lose their beloved hospitality. The rather, because it hath been observed that such Welsh buildings as conforme to the English mode, have their Chimneys though more Convenient, less Charitable, seeing as fewer eyes are offended, fewer bellies are fed, with the smoaking thereof.

But though the Lone-houses in Wales, be worse then those in England; their Markettowns generally are built better then ours, the Gentry (it seems) having many of their habitations therein.

The Proverbs.

These are twofold. 1. Such as the English pass on the Welsh. 2. Such as the Welsh make on the English. The latter come not under my cognizance, as being in the British Tongue, to me altogether unknown Besides my friend Master James Howel in a Treatise on that Subject, hath so feasted his Reader, that he hath starved such as shall come after him, for want of New Provisions. As for the former sort of Proverbs, we insist on one or two of them.

His Welsh Blood is up.]

A double reason may be rendred, why the Welsh are subject to anger. 1. Moral; Give losers leave to speak, and that passionately too. They have lost their land, and we Englishmen have driven their Ancestors out of a fruitfull Country, and pend them up in Barren Mountains. 2. Naturall; Choler having a Predominancy in their Constitution, which soundeth nothing to their disgrace. Impiger **Horace de Arte Poetica.Iracundus, is the beginning of the Character of Achilles himself. Yea, Valour would want an Edge, if Anger were not a Whetstone unto it. And as it is an Increaser of Courage, it is an Attendant …n Wit, Ingeniosi sunt Cholerici. The best is, the anger of the Welsh doth soon arise, and soon abate, as if it were an Embleme of their Country, up & down, chequered with Elevations and Depressions.

As long as a Welsh pedigree.]

Men (who are made Heralds in other Countries) are born Heralds in Wales, so naturally are all there inclined to know and keep their descents, which they derive from great antiquity: so, that any Welsh-gentleman (if this be not a Tautology) can presently clime up, by the stairs of his pedigree, into princely extraction. I confess some English-men make a mock of their long pedigree, (whose own perchance are short enough if well examined,) I cannot but commend their care in preserving the memory of their Ancestors, conformable herein to the custome of the Hebrews. The worst I wish their long pedigree, is broad possessions, that so there may be the better symmetry betwixt their extractions and estates.

Give your horse a Welch-bait.]

It seems it is the custome of the Welsh travailers, when they have climed up a hill (whereof plenty in these parts) to rain their horses backward, and stand still a while, taking a prospect (or respect rather) of the Country they have passed. This they call a bait, and (though a Peck of Oates would doe the palfrey more good) such a stop doth (though not feed) refresh. Others call this a Scotish-bait, and I believe the horses of both mountainous Countries, eat the same provender, out of the same manger, on the same occasion.

Proceed we now to our Description, and must make use in the first place of a generall Catalogue, of such who were undoubtedly Welsh yet we cannot with any certainty refer them to their respective Counties, and no wonder,

1. Because they carry not in their Sur names any directions to their nativities, as the antient English generally (and especially the Clergy) did, till lately, when conquered by the English, some conformed themselves to the English custome.

p. 82. Because Wales was antiently divided but into three great Provinces Northwales, Powis, and South-wales, and was not modelled into Shires, according to the modern division, till the raign of K. Henry the eighth.

Of such therefore who succeed herein, though no County of Wales (perchance) can say this man is mine, Wales may avouch all these are ours. Yet I doe not despair, but that in due time this my Common may God willing be inclosed, (and fair Inclosures I assure you is an inriching to a Country,) I mean, that having gained better intelligence from some Welsh Antiquaries (whereof that Principality affordeth many) these persons may be Un-general'd, and impaled in their particular Counties.

Princes.

I confess there were many in this Principality, but I crave leave to be excused from giving a list of their nativities. They are so antient, I know not where to begin, and so many, I know not where to end. Besides, having in the fundamentalls of this Book confined Princes to the children of Soveraigns, it is safest for me, not to sally forth, but to intrench my self within the aforesaid restrictions.

OnelyOnly I cannot but insert the following note found in so Authentick an Author, for the rarity thereof in my apprehension, Camdens Remains, pag. 181.

As for the Britains or Welsh, whatsoever Jura Majestatis their Princes had, I cannot understand that they ever had any Coin of their own, for no Learned of that Nation have at any time seen any found in Wales or elsewhere.

Strange that having so much Silver digged out, they should have none Coined in their Country, so that Trading was driven on either by the bartery or change of Wares and Commodities, or else by money Imported out of England and other Countries.

Confessors.

WALTER BRUTE was born in Wales, and if any doubt thereof, let them peruse the ensuing protestation, drawn up with his own hand,

**Fox Acts and Mon. pag. 477.I Walter Brute, Sinner, Layman, Husbandman, and a Christian, (having mine of-spring of the Britains, both by Fathers and Mothers side,) have been accused to the Bishop of Hereford, that I did err in many matters concerning the Catholick Christian faith: by whom I am required, that I should write an answer in Latine to all those matters, whose desire I will satisfie to my power, &c.

Observe herein a double instance of his Humility, that being a Welch-man, (with which Gentleman is reciprocall) and a Scholar**Idem p. 475. graduated in Oxford, contented himself with the plain addition of husbandman.

He was often examined by the aforesaid Bishop, by whom he was much molested and imprisoned, the particulars whereof are in Master Fox most largely related. At last he escaped, not creeping out of the window by any cowardly compliance, but going forth at the door fairly set open for him by Divine Providence. For, he onelyonly made such a generall subscription, which no Christian man need to decline, in form following:

**Idem p. 50….I Walter Brute, submit my self principally to the Evangely of Jesus Christ, and to the determination of holy Kirk, and to the General Councels of Holy Kirk. And to the sentence and determination of the four Doctors of holy writ, that is, Austin, Ambrose, Jerome, and Gregory. And I meekly submit me to your correction, as a Subject ought to his Bishop.

It seems the Popish Prelates were not as yet perfect in their art of persecution, (Brute being one of the first who was vexed for Wickliffisme) so that as yet, they were loose and favourable in their language of Subscription. But soon after they grew so p. 9punctuall in their expressions, and so particular in penning abjurations and recantations; that the persons to whom they were tendered, must either strangle their consciences with acceptance, or lose their lives for refusall thereof.

NICHOLAS HEREFORD. I have presumptions to perswade my self (though possiblyA M P. not to prevail with the Reader) to believe him of British extraction. He was bred Doctor of Divinity in Oxford, and a Secular Priest, betwixt whose Profession and Fryery, there was an ancient Antipathy. But our Hereford went higher, to defie most Popish Principles, and maintain

That

1. In the Eucharist, after the Consecration of the Elements, Bread and Wine still remained.

2. That Bishops and all Clergy-men, ought to be subject to their Respective Princes.

3. That Monks and Fryers, ought to maintain themselves by their own labour.

4. All ought to regle their lives, not by the Popes Decrees, but Word of God.

From these his four Cardinall Positions, many Hereticall Opinions were by his Adversaries deduced, (or rather detracted,) and no wonder they did Wrack his Words, who did desire to torture his Person.

From Oxford he was brought to London, and there with Philip Repington was made to**See the story at large in Mr. Foxes Acts and Mon. Recant his Opinions publiquely at Saint Pauls Cross, 1382. See their severall success;

REPINTON like a violent Renegado proved a Persecutor of his Party, for which he was rewarded, first with the Bishoprick of Lincoln, then with a Cardinals Cap.

HEREFORD did too much to displease his Conscience, and yet not enough to please his enemies. For the jealousie of Archbishop Arundel persecuted and continued him always a Prisoner.

The same with the later was the success of John Purvey his partner in opinions, whom T. Walden termeth the Lollards Library. But they lock'd up this Library, that none might have access unto it, keeping him and Hereford in constant durance. I will say nothing in excuse of their Recantation, nor will I revile them for the same: knowing there is more requisite to make one valiant under a Temptation, then only to call him coward who is foiled therewith. Yet I must observe, that such as consult Carnall Councills, to avoid afflictions (getting out by the window of their own plotting, not the door of Divine Providence) seldome injoy their own deliverance. In such Cases our Saviours words are always (without the parties Repentance) spiritually and often literally true,**Mar▪ 16. 25.Mark 16:25 He that findeth his life shall lose it. And although we read not that this Hereford was put to death, he lost the life of his life, his liberty and lustre, dwindling away in obscurity as to the time and place of his death.

REGINALD PEACOCK was born in Wales, **Relicta Cambria sold natali. Bale Cent. 8. Num. 19.Num 19bred in Kings (commonly saith Bale called Orial) Colle…ge in Oxford, where for his learning and eloquence, he proceeded Doctor in Divinity; Bishop first of Saint Asaph, then of Chichester. For twenty years together he favoured …he opinions of Wicliffe, and wrot many books in defence thereof, untill in a Synod held at Lambeth by T. Bourcher Arch-bishop of Canterbury 1457. he was made to recant at Pauls Cross (his books being burnt before his eyes) confuted with seven solid arguments, thus**B…le ut prius. reckoned up, Authoritate, Vi, Arte, Fraude, Metu, Terrore & Tyrannide.

Charitable men behold this his Recantation as his suffering, and the act of his enemies: some account it rather a slip then a fall, others a fall, whence afterwards he did arise. It seems, his recanting was little satisfactory to his adversaries, being never restored to his Bishoprick, but confin…d to a poor pension in a mean Monastery, where he died obscurely, though others say,**Fox Acts & Mon. pag. 710. he was privily made away in prison. He is omitted by Pitzeus in his Catalogue of Writers, a presumption, that he apprehended him finally dissenting from the Popish perswasion.

p. 10Popes.

I find none bred in this Principality, and the wonder is not great; For before the time of Austin the Monk his coming over into England, Wales acknowledged no Pope, but depended meerly on their own Arch-bishop of Carlyon. Yea, afterwards it was some hundreds of years, before they yielded the Pope free and full obedience; besides, the inhabitants of Wales being depressed in their condition, had small accommodations for their travels to Rome, and those at Rome had lesse list to chuse persons of so great distance into the Papasie.

Cardinals.

SERTOR of WALES was so called from his Native Country. By some he is named Fontanerius Valassus, but why, saith Bishop **In Cat. Card. pag. 171.Godwin, Rationem non capio, and I will not hope to understand what he could not. He was bred a Franciscan, and was chosen (very young for that place) their General the nineteenth in succession, Anno Domini 1339. Afterwards he was made Bishop of Massile, then Arch-Bishop of Ravenna, next Patriarch of Grado, and by Pope Innocent the sixth, was made Cardinal, Anno Domini 1361. But being extremely aged, he was so unhappy, that before the Cardinals Cap could come to him, he was gone out of this world. Many Books he wrote of his Lectures, Quodlibets, but chiefly, he is eminent for his Comment on Saint Austin, De civitate Dei. He died at Padua in Italy, and was therein **Pitz. de Ang. script. p. 497.buried in the Church of Saint Anthony.

Prelates.

MARBOD EVANX (I had almost read him Evans a noted name in Wales,) was born in this Country, and bred in the study of all Liberal Sciences. In his time the Danes wofully harassed the Land, which caused him to ship himfelf over into little Britain in France; the inhabitants whereof may be termed Cosin-Germans to the Welch, as Sons to their younger brethren, much symbolizing with them in manners and language. Here Marbod, though abroad, was at home, (worth is the worlds Countriman) and his deserts preferred him to be Episcopus Redonensis, Bishop of Renes, Praelatus non Elatus, such his humility in his advancement.

We may conclude him a general Scholar by the variety of his works, writing of gems and precious stones, and compounding profit and pleasure together in his book called Carmina Sententiosa, much commended (Italian praise of British Poetry is a black swan) by Lilius * Giraldus an Italian in his lifes of Poets. We will conclude all with the CharacterBale de script. Brit. Cent. 2. Num. 50. given unto him by ††Speculum Sal. lib. 4. cap. 16.Giraldus Cambrensis, Marbodus bonarum literarum magister eruditus colores rhetoricos, & tam verborum quam sententiarum exornationes versibus egregiis declaravit. He flourished 1050.

WALTER de CONSTANTIIS. Who would not conclude him from his Surname born at Constance on the Boden Zee in Switserland? But we have a Constat for his **Bale de script. Brit. Cent. 3. Num. 41.British Nativity. He was preferred first Arch-Deacon of Oxford, then Bishop of Lincoln, then Arch-Bishop of Rohan, by King Richard the first. A man of much merit, besides his fidelity to his Soveraign, whom he attended to Palestine, through many perils by Sea and by Land. … somuch, that there want not those, who will have him named, De Constantiis, from the Expressive Plural, relating to his Constancy to his Master in all conditions.

No doubt he had waited on him in his return through Austria, and shared with him in the miseries of his Captivity, if not formerly remanded into England, to retrench the Tyranny of William Longcampt Bishop of Ely, which he effectually performed. He had afterwards a double Honour, first to interr King Richard at Font-Everard, then to invest K. John with the Principality of Normandy, as being the Prime Prelate therein. His death may be collected about the year 1206.

CADUCANUS a Welsh-man by birth, was a very skilful Divine, and Bishop of Bangor. Leaving his Bishoprick he became a Cistercian Monk in Monasterio Durensi sive Dorensi, (which for the present I am unwilling to English.) Here I find two learned p. 11Antiquaries, the one the lender, the other the debtor, (I had almost said the one owner the other stealer,) much divided in their judgements, about this his retrograde motion, from a Bishop to a Monke, the one commending, the other condemning him herein;

It is past my power to comprimise a difference betwixt two so great persons in so great a difference, at so great a distance; onelyonly to hold the ballance even betwixt them, give me leave to whisper a word or two,

First for Leland, whereas he calleth the Bishoprick of Bangor, Optimas fortunas, it was never very rich, and at the present very troublesome; (by reason of the Civill Wars) so that Caducanus turning Monk, in most mens apprehension, did but leave what was little for what was less.

As for John Bale, he himself under King Edward the sixth, was Bishop of Ossory in Ireland, and flying thence in the days of Queen Mary, did not return in the raign of Queen Elizabeth to his See, but contented himself rather with a **See his life in Suffolk.Canons place in the Church of Canterbury; so that by his own practise, a Bishops place may on some considerations be left, and a Private (though not Superstitious) life lawfully embraced.

The best is, even Bale himself doth consess of this Caducanus, that after …e turned Monk, Studiorum ejus interea non elanguit successus, He was no less happy, then industrious in his endeavours, writing a book of Sermons, and another called speculum Christiano…um. He dyed under the raign of King Henry the third, Anno Domini 1225.

Since the Reformation.

HUGH JOHNES born in Wales, was bred Batchelour of the Laws in the University of Oxford, and made Bishop of Landaff (which See it seems for the poorness thereof, lay Bishopless for three years after the death of Bishop Kitchin,) May 5. 1566. Memorable no doubt on other accounts, as well as for this, that though this … be in Wales, he was the **Bishop Godwin in his Car. of B…shops of L…ndaffe.first Welch-man, who for the last three hundred years (viz. since John of Monmouth elected 1296.) was the Bishop thereof. He was buried at Matherne, November 15. 1574.

Doctor......... PHILIPS was a native of **Mr. James Chaloner in his Descr. of the Is… of Man pag. 7.Wales, had his education in Oxford, and was afterward preferred to be Episcopus Sodorensis, or Bishop of Man. Out of his zeal for propagating the Gospell, he attained the Manks tongue, and usually preached therein.

Know by the way, Reader, that the King of Spain himself (notwithstanding the vastness of his Dominions,) had not in Europe more distinct languages spoken under his command, then had lately the King of great Britain, seven tongues being used in his Territories, viz.

1. English, in England.

2. French, in Gersey & Guernzey.

3. Cornish, in Cornwall.

4. Welch, in Wales.

5. Scotch, in Scotland.

6. Irish, in Ireland.

7. Manks, in the Isle of Man.

This Doctor Philips undertook the translating of the Bible into the Manks tongue, taking some of the Islanders to his assistance, and namely Sir Hugh Cavoll, Minister of the Gospell, and lately (if not still) … of Kir-Michael. He perfected the same work in the space of **Idem pag. ….twenty nine years, but prevented by his death, it was never put to press. I know not whether the doing hereof soundeth more to the honour of the p. 12dead, or the not Printing thereof since his death, to the shame of the living, seeing surely money might be procured for so general and beneficiall a design. Which makes some the less to pity the great pains of the Ministers of the Isle of Man, who by double labour read the Scriptures to the peoplé out of the English in the Manks-tongue. This singularly learned, hospitable, painfull and pious Prelate died Anno Dom. 16...

Physicians.

ROBERT RECORDE was born in this**Bale de script. Brit. Cent. 8. Num. 3.Num 3 Country, ex Claris Parentibus, bred in Oxford, where he proceeded Doctor of Physick. His soul did not live in the Lane of a single science, but traversed the Latitude of Learning, witness his Works

In

Arithmetick, not so absolute in all numbers, before his time, but that by him it was set forth more Compleat.

Astrology, he Practicall part whereof hath so great an influence upon Physick.

Geometry, whereof the wrot a Book, called the Path of Geometry, and that easier and nearer then any before.

Physick, of the Judgements of Urines: and though it be commonly said Urina meretrix, yet his judicious rules have reduced that Harlot to Honesty, and in a great measure fixed the uncertainty thereof.

Metals, his Sight may seem to have accompanied the Sun-beams into the Bowells of the Earth, piercing into those Penetralls in his discoveries of, and discourses on Gold and Silver, (wherewith I believe him well stored,) Brass, Tin, Lead, and what not?

What shall I speak of his skill in Anatomy, Cosmography, Mu…ick, whereof he read publique Lectures in Oxford?

As for his Religion (say not this is of no Concernment in a Physician) I conjecture him to be a Protestant. First, because he wrot of Auricular Confession, and de Negotio Eucharistiae, each whereof is a Noli me tangere, for a Romish Lay-man to meddle with, according to Popish principles. Secondly, because so largely commended by Bale. But I dare conclude nothing herein, having not hitherto seen his Treatises in Divinity. He flourished under K. Edward the sixth about the year, 1550.

THOMAS PHAIER was born in**Pitz. Aetat. decima sexta anno 1550. Wales, and bred (I believe) first in Oxford, then in London, a generall Scholar, and well versed in the Common Law, wherein he wrot a book De natura Brevium, of the Nature of Writs. Strange that he would come after Justice Fitz-herbert, who formerly had written on the same Subject. But probably Phaiers Book (having never seen any who have seen it) treateth of Writs in the Court of Marches, (whereto Wales was then subjected, and) where the Legal Proceedings may be somewhat different from ours in England.

But the Study of the Law did not fadge well with him, which caused him to change his Copy, and proceed Doctor in Physick. Now (though he made none) he, out of French did translate many usefull books. 1. Of the Pestilence, and the cure thereof. 2. Of the Grief of children. 3. Of the Nature of Simples. 4. The Regiment of Nuturall Life. He had also his Diversion, some excursion into Poetry, and translated Virgil his Eneads, Magna Gravitate (saith my**Idem ibidem. Author) which our Modern Wits, will render, with great Dulness, and avouch, that he instead of a Latine Virgill, hath presented us with an English Ennius, such the rudeness of his verse. But who knoweth not, that English Poetry is improved fifty in the Hundred, in this last Century of years? He died, and was buried in London about the year of our Lord 1550.

ALBANE HILL was**Bale de script. Brit. Cent. 9. Num. 38. Britannus by birth. I confess Britannus doth not clearly carry his Nativity for Wales, except it were additioned Cambro-Britannus. But according to our peaceable promise **In our Preface to the Reader.premised, let him pass for this Country-man. The rather, because so many Hills (and Mountains too) therein. He was bred a Doctor of Physick, professing and practising most beyond the Seas, more famous in Forraign Parts, then in his Native Country. I find two eminent Outlandishmen, viz. Josias Simler, an Helvetian of Zurich; and Bassianus Landus, an Italian of Placentia, charactering him to be, Medicus Nobilissimus ac optimus, & in omni disciplinarum genere optime versatus, and that he wrot much upon Galen, and the Anatomicall part of Physick, so that we may say with the**Virgil Ecloga sixta. Poet,

p. 13Ut littus Hilum, Hilum omne sonarct.

The shoar resounded still,

Nothing but Hill and Hill.

I find no time affixed wherein he flourished, but according to the received Rule, Noscitur è socio, he may from his Contemporaries be collected in full Lustre, Anno 1550. and it is remarkable that Wales had three eminent Physicians Writers all in the same Age.

Writers.

Be it premised, that as I should be loth by my lasiness to conceal, so with all my Industry I conceive it impossible to compleat their Characters. For as the Venetian Courtezan, after she had put off her lofty attire, and high Chippines, almost pares away her self into nothing; such the slender account given us of these Writers, that after some set forms and Commendations of Course common to all Persons, be first defalked, the remainder will be next to nothing. But it is no fault of me the Cistern if I be empty, whilst my fountain is dry, seeing I spill nothing by the Leakage of my Neglect, but faithfully deliver all the intelligence I find, as followeth:

PETROK was a Welch-Irish-Cornish-Man. He had his birth in**Bale de script. Brit. Cent 1. Num. 60. Wales, but breeding in Ireland, according to the Mode of that Age, wherein all British sailed over into Ireland, (as the English in after ages did into France,) there to have their Education in all learned Sciences. Who would have thought to have found Helicon amongst the Bogs, as indeed it was at that Time? Petrok after twenty years reading good Authours there, came over into Cornwall, and fixed himself nigh the Severn Sea, in a small Oratory called Petrok-Stowe, (the station or abiding place of Petrok) now corruptly Pad-Stowe, where many eminent Scholars were brought up under him. He wrot a book of Solitary life, whereto he was much addicted.

I confess Petrok is somewhat degraded, as entred under the Topick of Writers, who is reputed a Saint, and I remember a handsome Church in Exeter dedicated to his Memory, who flourished Anno 560.

GILDAS the FOURTH, for there were three before him, viz. Gildas Albanius, Gildas Surnam'd Sapiens, (of whom**In the Writers of Somerset-shire. before) Gildas Cambrius, and this our Gildas, who laggeth last in the Teame of his Name-sakes. But the second of these is worth all the rest, (were there four hundred of them) whom I behold as a Sun indeed, shining with the Lustre of his own desert, whilst two of the others are but so many Meteors about him, some suspecting them, no realities in Nature, but meerly created by mens sight-deception, and the reflection of the Memory of the true Gildas.

This our fourth Gildas is made a Welch-Scotch-Irish-Man, Wales sharing in him two parts of three, viz. his Birth and Death, the largest part of his life belonging to Ireland, where he studied. Many the Books imputed to him of the Wonders and first inhabitants of Britain, of King Arthur and his**Bale de script. Brit. Cent. 2. Num 21.Num 21 unknown Sepulehre, so that now we can teach Gildas what he knew not, namely, that King Arthur was certainly buried at††Camdens B…it. in Somersetsh…e. Glassenbury. He wrot also of Percevall and Lancelot, who… I behold as two Knights Combatants, and presume the former most victorious, from the Notation of his Name, Per sevalens, prevailing by himself.

Our Author is charged to be full of Fables, which I can easily believe, for in Ancient History if we will have any thing of truth, we must have something of falsehood, and (abating onelyonly Holy-writ) it is as impossible to find Antiquity without Fables, as an old Face without Wrinckles. He flourished Anno Dom. 860.

BLEGABRIDE LANGAURIDE. Philip Comineus observeth, that to have a short Name is a great advantage to a Favorite, because a King may readily remember, and quickly call. him. If so, the writer aforesaid is ill qualified for a Favorite. But let him then pronounce his own Name, for others will not trouble themselves therewith. He attained to be a great Scholar, Doctor of both Laws, and Arch-deacon of the Church of Landaft. He to the honour of his Country, and use of Posterity, translated the laws of Howell the most modest King of Wales, and flourished**Bale de script. B…it. Cen…. …. Num. 23.Num 23 914.

SALEPHILAX the BARDE. This Mungrell name seemeth to have in it an Eye or p. 14Cast of Greek and Latine, but we are assured of his Welch extraction. In inquiring after his works, my success hath been the same with the painfull Thresher of Mill-dew'd wheat, gaining little more then Straw and Chaffe. All the grain I can get is this,**Bale de script. Brit Cent. 2. Num. 29.Num 29 that he set forth a Genealogy of the Britains, and flourished about the year 920.

GWALTERUS CALENIUS (may we not English him Walter of Calen?) was a Cambrian by his**Bale de script. B…it. Cent. 2. Num. 65. Nativity, though preferred to be Arch-deacon of Oxford. He is highly prized for his great learning, by Lealand and others. This was he who took the pains to go over into Britain in France, and thence retrived an Ancient Manuscript of the British Princes, from Brutus to Cadwalader. Nor was his labour more in recovering, then his courtesie in communicating this rarity to Jeffrey of Munmouth, to translate the same into Latine. Nor was this Walter himself idle, continuing the same Chronicle for four hundred years together, untill his own time. He flourished Anno Dom. 1120. under King Henry the first.

GUALO BRYTANNUS born in Wales, was from his Infancy a servant to the Muses, and lover of Poetry. That he might injoy himself the better herein, he retired into a private**Bale de script. B…t. Cent. 3. Num. 5.Num 5 place, from the noise of all people, and became an Anchorite for his Fancy not Devotion, according to the Poet,

Carmina secessum scribentis & otia quaerunt.

Verses justly do request

Their writers privacy and rest.

Here his pen fell foul on the Monks, whose covetousness in that age was so great, that of that subject

Difficile est Satyram non scribere.

'Twas hard for any then to write,

And not a Satyre to indite.

He wrot also Invectives against their wantonness and impostures, and yet it seems did it with that Cautiousness, that he incurred no danger. Indeed he is commended by John of Sarisbury and others, Quod esset Prudens & Doctus. He flourished Anno Domini 1170. under King Henry the second.

WILLIAM BRETON was born (saith Bale and Pitz. the later alledging one Willot for his Author) in Wales, bred a Franciscan at Grimsby in Lincoln-shire. I will not quarrell his Cambrian extraction, but may safely mind the Reader, that there was an ancient family of the Bretons at Ketton in Rutland next Lincoln-shire, where this William had his education.

But, let this Breton be Brito, (believing the allusion in sound not the worst evidence for his Welch originall) sure it is, he was a great Scholar, and deep Divine; the Writer of many books both in Verse and Prose; and of all, his Master-pi…ce was, an exposition of all the hard words in the Bible, which thus begins,

Difficiles studeo partes, quas**A Nominative case singular, according to the barbarisme of that age. Biblia gestat,

Pandere; sed nequeo, latebras nisi qui ma …festat

Auxiliante Deo, qui c… vult singula praestat,

Dante juvamen eo, nihil insuperabile restat, &c.

Hard places which the Bible doth contain,

I study to expound; but all in vain,

Without Gods help, who darkness doth explain,

And with his help nothing doth hard remain, &c.

Such the reputation of his book, that in the controversie betwixt Standish Bishop of Saint A…aph and Erasmus, [unequal contest] the former appeals to**Bale de script. Brit. Cent. 5. Nam. 89. Br…tons book, about the interpretation of a place of Scripture. This William died at Grimsby, Anno Domini 1356.

UTRED BOLTON was born saith Lealand, ex Transabrinâ Gente. Now though parts of Salop, Worcester and Gloucester-shire, with all Hereford shire be beyond Severn, yet in such doubtfull Nativities England giveth up the Cast, rather then to make a Contest to measure it. Troublesome times made him leave his Country and travail to Durham, where he became a Benedictine. He had a rare Naturall Happiness, that the Promptness and Pleasantness of his Parts, **Bale de script. B…it. Cent. 5. Num. 53.commended all things that he did or said. This so far ingratiated him with the Abbot of his Convent, that he obtained leave to go to Oxford, to File his Nature the Brighter by learning.

Hither he came in the heat of the difference, betwixt Wickliffe and his Adversaries. p. 15Bolton sided with both and with neither, consenting in some things with Wickliffe, dissenting in others, as his conscience directed him.

William Jordan, a Dominican (and Northern Man,) was so madded hereat, that he he fell foul on Bolton, both with his Writing and Preaching. Bolton angry hereat, expressed himself more openly for Wickliffe, especially in that his smart Book, Pro Veris Monachis, for True Monkes, or Monkes Indeed, (parallel with Saint Pauls Widdows indeed, **1 Timo. 5. 3.which were to be honoured) showing what Sanctity and Industry was required of them. Hereat the anger of Jordan did Overflow, endeavouring (and almost effecting) to get Bolton excommunicated for an Heretick. This Learned Man flourished under King Richard the second 1330.

JOHN GWENT was born in**Bale de script. Brit. Cent. 5. Num. 81. Wales, bred a Franciscan in Oxford, till he became Provinciall of his Order throughout all Britain. He wrot a Learned Comment on Lombard his Common Places, and is charactered a Person, qui in Penitiore recognitae Prudentiae Cognitione se vel admirabilem ostenderet. Here endeth Lealand his writing of him, and beginneth Bale his railing on him, pretending himself to the truest Touchstone of Spirits, and trying Men thereby. Yet doth he not charge our Gwent, with any thing peculiar to him alone, but common to the rest of his Order, telling us (what we knew before) that all Mendicants were acted with an ill Genius, being Sophisters. Cavilers, &c. this Bee being no more, guilty then the whole Hive therein. He dyed at Hereford in the Verge of his Native Country 1348.

JOHN EDE was (saith**C…nt. 7. Num. 28.Num 28 Bale,) genere Wallus, by Extraction a Welch man, immediately adding patria Herefordensis, by his Country a Hereford-shire man. We now for quietness sake, resign him up wholly to the former. Yet was he a Person worth contending for, Lealand saith much in little of him, when praising him to be, Vir illustris Famâ, Eraditione & Religione. He wrot severall Comments on Aristotle, Peter Lumbard, and the Revelalion. He was chief of the Franciscans Convent in Hereford, where he was buried in the raign of King Henry the fourth 1406.

DAVID BOYS. Let not Kent pretend unto him, wherein his Surname is so Ancient and Numerous, our Author assuring us of his**Bale de script. Brit. Cent. 8: Num. 12.Num 12 British Extraction. He studied in Oxford (saith Lealand) no less to his own Honour, then the Profit of others, reaping much benefit by his Books. Having his Breeding at Oxford, he had a Bounty for Cambridge, and compassing the writings of John Barningham his Fellow-Carmelite, he got them fairly transcribed in four Volumes, and bestowed them on the Library in Cambridge, where Bale beheld them in his Time. He was very familiar (understand it in a good way) with Eleanor Cobham Dutchess of Gloucester, whence we collect him at least a Parcell-Wickliffite. Of the many books he wrot, fain would I see that Intituled of Double Immortality, whether intending thereby the Immortality of Soul and Body, or of the Memory here and Soul hereafter. I would likewise satisfie my self in his Book about the madness of the Hagarens, whether the Mahometans be not ment thereby, pretending themselves descended from Sarah, when indeed they are the Issue of the Bondwoman. He was Prefect of the Carmelites in Gloucester, where he dyed 1450. Let me adde, that his Surname is Latined Boethius, and so Wales hath her David Boethius, whom in some respects she may Vie with Hector Boethius of Scotland.

Since the Reformation.

Sir JOHN RHESE alias Ap Ryse Knight, was born in Wales, Noble by his Linage, but more by his Learning. He was well vers'd in the British Antiquities, and would not leave a Hoof of his Countries Honour behind, which could be brought up, to go along with him. Now so it was, that Polydore Virgil that Proud Italian, bare a Pique to the British, for their Ancient Independency from the Pope. Besides, he could not so easily compass the Welch Records into his clutches, that so he might send them the same way with many English Manuscripts, which he had burnt to ashes. This made him slight the Credit of Welch Authors, whom o… Sir John was a Zelot to assert, being also a Champion to vindicate the story of King Arthur. Besides, he wrot a Treatise of the Eucharist, and by the good words**Script. Brit. Cent. 9. Num. 57. Bale bestoweth on him, we believe him a Favorour of the Reformation, flourishing under King Edward the sixth 1550.

JOHN GRIFFIN was born in**Pitz. de Angscript. ae…at. 16. an. 1550. Wales, first bred a Cistercian Friar in Hales-Abbey in p. 16Gloucester-shire. After the dissolution of his Convent he became a Painfull and Profitable Preacher. He suited the Pulpit with Sermons for all seasons, having his Conciones Aestivales & Brumales, which he preached in English, and wrot in Latine; flourishing under King Edward the sixth, Anno Domini 1550.

HUGH BROUGHTON was born in Wales, but very nigh unto Shrop-shire. He used to speak much of his Gentility, and of his Armes, which were the Owles, presaging, as he said his Addiction to the study of Greek, because those were the birds of Minerva, and the Embl…me of Athens. I dare not deny his Gentile Extraction, but it was probable, that his Parents were fallen to great decay, as by the ensuing story will appear.

When Mr. Barnard Gilpin that Apostolike man was going his annual journey to Oxford, from his Living at Houghton in the North, he spied by the way-side a Youth, one while walking, another while running; of whom Mr. Gilpin demanded whence he came, he answered out of **Bishop Carleton in the life of Mr. Gilpin.Wales, and that he was a going to Oxford with intent to be a Scholar.

Mr. Gilpin perceiving him pregnant in the Latine, and having some smattering in the Greek Tongue, carried him home to Houghton, where being much improved in the Languages, he sent him to Christs-colledge in Cambridge. It was not long before his worth preferred him Fellow of the House.

This was that Broughton so famous for his skill in the Hebew, a great Ornament of▪ that University, and who had been a greater, had the heat of his Brain, and Peremptoriness of his Judgement been tempered with more moderation; being ready to quarrell with any who did not presently and perfectly imbrace his Opinions. He wrote many books, whereof one called The consent of times, carrieth the generall commendation.

As his Industry was very Commendable, so his Ingratitude must be condemned, if it be true what I read; that when Master Gilpin his Mecaenas (by whose care, and on whose cost he was bred, till he was able to breed himself,) grew old, he procured him to be troubled and **Idem ibidem.molested, by Doctor Barnes Bishop of Durham, in expectation of his Parsonage, as some shrewdly suspect.

At last he was fixed in the City of London, where he taught many Citizens, and their Apprentices the Hebrew Tongue. He was much flocked after for his Preaching, though his Sermons were generally on Subjects, rather for Curiosity then Edification. I conjecture his death to be about the year of our Lord 1600.

HUGH HOLLAND was born in Wales, and bred first a Scholar in We…minster, then Fellow in Trinity-colledge in Cambridge. No bad English, but a most excellent Latine Poet. Indeed, he was addicted to the New-old Religion; New, in comparison of Truth it self; yet Old, because confessed of long continuance. He travailed beyond the Seas, and in Italy (conceiving himself without Ear-reach of the English,) let flie freely against the Credit of Queen Elizabeth. Hence he went to Jerusalem, though there he was not made, or he would not own himself Knight of the …. In his return he touched at Constantinople, where Sir Thomas Glover Embassador for King James, called him to an account for his Scandalum Reginae at Rome, and the former over freedome of his tongue, cost him the confinement for a time in Prison. Enlarged at last, returning into England, with his good parts bettered by learning, and great learning increased with experience in travail; he expected presently to be chosen Clerk of the Councell at least, but preferment not answering his expectation, he grumbled out the rest of his life in visible discontentment. He made verses in description of the chief Cities in Europe, wrot the Chronicle of Queen Elizabeths raign, (believe him older and wiser, not railing as formerly,) and a book of the life of Master Camden, all lying hid in private hands, none publikely Printed. This I observe, the rather, to prevent Plagearies, that others may not impe their credit with stollen feathers, and wrongfully with ease pretend to his painfull endeavours. He had a competent estate in good Candle-rents in London, and died about 'the beginning of the raign of King Charles.

The Farewell.

To take my Vale of the Worthies of Wales General, I refer the Reader for the rest to a Catalogue of their names, set forth at the end of the Welch Dictionary: Which Catalogue, I was once resolved to Print as an Appendix to this Work; till disswaded on this Consideration: It being Printed in Welch, in the re-printing whereof, our Best English Correctors would be but bad Welch Corrupters, and make a Mungrel Language, more than departed from Babel, or ever since was any where used. And now we proceed to the Particular Shires of Wales▪