The History of the Worthies of England, County 11

The History of the Worthies of England · County 11

p. 49MONMOUTH-SHIRE.

MONMOUTH-SHIRE. I may fi…ly call this an English-Welsh County, for though it lie West of Severn, yea of … it self; and though the Welsh be the common Language thereof, yet it doth wear a double badge of English relation. First, whereas formerly all Welsh Counties sent but one Knight to the Parliament, this had the priviledge of two, Conformable to the Shires of England. Secondly, it is not subject to the VVelsh Jurisdiction, but such Itinerant Judges as go Oxford Circuit have this County within the compass of their Commission.

Manufactures.

Caps.

These were the most ancient, general, warm, and profitable coverings of mens heads in this Island. It is worth our pains to observe the tenderness of our Kings to preserve the trade of Cap-making, and what long and strong strugling our State had to keep up the using thereof, so many**…. in Londo…, Stat. 13. of Q. Eliz. cap. 19. and probably twice as many in the land beside. thousands of people being maintained thereby in the land, especially before the invention of Fulling-Mills, all Caps before that time being wrought, beaten, and thickned by the hands and feet of men, till those Mills as they eased many of their labour, outed more of their livelihood. Thus ingenious inventions conducing to the compendious making of Commodities, though profitable to private persons, may not always be gainful to the publick, to which what employes most, is most advantageous, as Capping anciently set fi…teen distinct Callings on work, as they are reckoned up in the**13. of Q. Eliz. cap. 19. Statute,

1. Carders.

2. Spinners.

3. Knitters.

4. Parters of Wooll.

5. Forsers.

6. Thickers.

7. Dressers.

8. Walkers.

9. Dy…rs.

10. Battellers.

11. Shearers.

12. Pr…ers.

13. Edgers.

14. Liners.

15. Band-makers. And other Exercises.

No wonder then if so many Statutes were enacted in Parliaments, to encourage this Handicraft, as by the ensuing Catàlogue will appear.

1. Anno 22. of Edward the fourth Cap. 5. That none thicken any Cap or Bonnet in any Fulling-Mill, upon pain to forfeit forty shillings.

2. Anno 3. of Henry the eighth, Cap. 15. That no Caps or Hats ready wrought should be brought from beyond the Seas, upon the forfeiture of fourty shillings. Yet because notwithstanding this Statute, some still presumed to import forraign Wares, it was enacted,

3. Anno 21. of Henry the eighth, Cap. 9. That such outlandish Hats should be sold at such low prices as are specified in the Statute, meerly to deter the Merchant from importing them, because such their cheapness that they would turn to no accompt.

4. Anno 7. of Edward the sixth, Cap. 8. Fulling-Mills beginning now to take footing in England, the Statute made the 22 of Edward the fourth was revived, to stand and remain in full force, strength and effect.

5. Anno 8. of Queen Elizabeth, Cap. 11. Fulling-Mills still finding many to favour them, the pains and profit of Cap-making was equally divided betwixt the Mills and the Cap-makers, it being enacted, That no Cap should be thicked or fulled in any Mill, untill the same had first been well scoured and closed upon the Bank, and half footed at least upon the foot-stock.

6. Lastly, to keep up the usage of Caps, it was enacted the 13. of Queen Eliz. p. 50Cap. 19. That they should be worn by all persons (some of worship and quality excepted) on Sabboth and Holy-days, on the pain of forfeiting ten groats for omission thereof.

But it seems nothing but Hats would fit the Heads (or humors rather) of the English, as fancied by them fitter to fence their fair faces, from the injury of wind and weather, so that the 39 of Queen Elizabeth this Statute was repealed. Yea, the Cap accounted by the Romans an emblem of liberty, is esteemed by the English (except Faulconers and Hunters) a badge of servitude, though very useful in themselves, and the Ensign of constancy, because not discomposed, but retaining their fashion, in what form soever they be crouded.

The best Caps were formerly made at Monmouth, where the Cappers Chappel doth still remain, being better carved and gilded than any other part of the Church. But on the occasion of a great plague hapning in this Town, the trade was some years since removed hence to Beaudly in Worcester-shire, yet so that they are called Monmouth Caps unto this day. Thus this Town retains, though not the profit, the credit of Capping, and seeing the Child still keeps the Mothers name, there is some hope in due time she may return unto her.

All I will adde is this, if at this day the phrase of wearing a Monmouth Cap be taken in a bad acception, I hope the inhabitants of that Town will endeavour to disprove the occasion thereof.

Saints.

Saint AMPHIBALUS a Citizen of Carlion. See the Saints in Hereford shire.

Saint AARON was a wealthy Citizen of Carlion in this County, who for the testimony of the Christian Faith, was martyred under the Tyrant Emperor Dioclesian. By the way we may observe the names of the three first British Martyrs as to their Language.

It seems that the Christian Britons at the Font quitted their Native names as barbarous, and imposed on their Children those of the learned Languages. This Aaron was martyred, Anno Dom. 303.

Saint JULIUS. It is pity to part so fast friends, both being Citizens of Carlion. Yea, they were lovely in their lives, and in their deaths they were not divided, both suffering martyrdom together, and therefore like Philip and Jacob one day is assigned to their Memories in the Kalendar.

Nor must I forget how Carlion the place of their aboad, though now a small Town, was once a great City stretching so far o… both sides of the River, that **Camb. Brit. in Monmouthshire.Saint Julians (a house of late of Sir William Herberts) was sometimes within the City, though now about a mile South-West thereof, being a Church dedicated anciently to the Memory of this Saint Julius.

Cardinals.

GEFFERY of Monmouth is by **Cicaoniussome very firmly avouched to have been created a Cardinal, but by what Pope, and with what Title uncertain; but my worthy **Bishop Godwin in the Catalogue o… the Bishops of S. Asaph.Author justly suspecteth the truth hereof; alledging that Popes in that age advanced few Forraigners at so great a distance to that Title, except their merits to the See of Rome (which appears not to this Jeffery) were very great. Let me adde, that it is improbable so much honour should be done unto him whilest living, who was so solemnly disgraced after his death; whose Books (extant in his life) were afterwards by the Court of Rome publickly prohibited. See him therefore in this Shire under the Title of Writers.

JOHN of Monmouth, so called from the place of his Nativity, D. D. and Canon p. 51of Lincoln, was chosen Anno 1296. Bishop of Landaff. The manner whereof was remarkable, for when Robert Kilwarby complained to Pope Celestine, how that Cathedral had been for seven years without a Bishop; (caused either by the troublesomness of those Times, or the exility of revenue thereof) his Holiness remitted his Election wholly to the discretion of this Arch-Bishop, to conferre that vacant See on whomsoever he pleased. The Arch-Bishop knowing all eyes intent on his Integrity herein, resolved on a Welsh-man by his birth (as most proper for, and acceptable in the place) and on one of merit for the Function.

Both Qualifications met in this John of Monmouth, as British by his birth and alliance, and Charactered to be Doctus & Pius Theologus. One of his **Harpf. Hist. Eccl. Ang. pag. 490.Successors in that Bishoprick acknowledgeth that he was Multimodis sedi suae Benefactor, and more particularly, that he procured the Rectory of Newland in the Forrest of Dean to be appropriated thereunto. But one Bishop [Anthony Kitchin by name] more unlanded Landaff * Godw. in his Catalogue of Bishops in Landaff.in one, than all his Predecessors endowed it in four hundred years. This John dying April 8. 1323. was buried in Saint Maries Chappel, whose Epitaph in French is hardly legible at this day on his Marble Monument.

WALTER CANTILUPE was Son to William [the elder] Lord Cantilupe, whose prime residence was at Abergavennie in this County. One of high birth, higher preferment (made by King Henry the third, Bishop of Worcester) and highest spirit. In his time the Popes Legate came into England, and complained of m…ny Clergy-men, keeping their livings against the Canons, intending either to force such irregular Incumbents into avoydance, (so to make room for the Popes Favourites) or else to compound for their continuance at his arbitrary price. But our Walter would not yield to such extortion. Indeed he was one of a keene nature, and his two-edged spirit did cut on both sides, against

Lying on his death-bed he was touched with true **Godwin in the Bishops of Worcester.remorse for his disloyalty, and upon his desire obtained absolution. He died February the fifth, 1267. whom I behold as Uncle unto Thomas Cantilupe the Sainted Bishop of Hereford.

Souldiers.

RICHARD de CLARE was born (as from all concentred probabilities may be conjectured) at Strigule-Castle in this County, and had the Title of Earl of Strigule and Pembroke. He was otherwise surnamed Strongbow, from drawing so strong a Bow, and had Brachia projectissima, saith my **Camb. Brit. in this County.Author; though I can hardly believe that Reacher, which another writeth of him, that††Mills in his Catalogue of Hon. pag. 1082 with the palms of his hands he could touch his knees, though he stood up right. More appliable to him is the expression of **Epist. ad A… ticum, lib. 4.Tully, Nihil egit levi brachio, being a person of effectual performance.

It hapned that Mac Murugh Lord of Leinster, in the year of our Lord 1167. being expelled his Territory for several Tyrannies, by the Lords of Meth and Conaght, repaired to our King Henry the second, and invited him to invade Ireland. But that politick King, fearing, if failing in success, to forfeit the reputation of his discretion, would not engage in the design, but permitted such Subjects of his, who had a mind Militare propriis stipendiis, to adventure themselves therein.

Amongst these Richard Strongbow was the principal, going over into Ireland with twelve hundred men, too great for an Earls Train, yet too little for a Generals Army, to make a National Invasion; yet so great his success, that in a short time he prossessed p. 52himself of the Ports of Leinster and Mounster, with large lands belonging thereunto; insomuch that King Henry grew jealous of his greatness, remanded him home, and commanded him to surrender his acquests into his hands, which done, he received them again by re-grant from the King, save that Henry reserved the City of Dublin for himself.

This Strongbow is he who is commonly called Domitor Hiberniae, The Tamer of Ireland; though the Natives thereof then, and many hundred years after, paid rather …erbal submission, than real obedience to our English Kings. Yea, some of their great Lords had both the power and Title of Kings in their respective Territories, witness the Preface in the Commission, whereby King Henry the second made William Fitz. Adelme his Lieutenant of Ireland; Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Regibus, Comitibus, Baronibus, & omnibus fidelibus suis in Hibernia, Salutem. Where Kings are postposed to Bishops, which speaketh them Royolets by their own ambition, and by no solemn inauguration. This Earl Richard died at Dublin 1177. and lieth buried in Trinity Church therein.

Sir ROGER WILLIAMS born of an ancient Family at Penrosse in this County, was first a Souldier of Fortune under Duke D'Alva, and afterwards successfully served Queen Elizabeth, having no fault, save somewhat over-free and forward to fight.

When a Spanish Captain challenged Sir John Norris to fight a single Combat (which was beneath him to accept, because a General) This Roger undertook the Don. And after they had fought some time (both **Camb. E…z. in Anno 1581.Armies beholding them) without any hurt, they pledged each other a deep …raught of Wine, and so friendly departed.

Another time at midnight he assaulted the Camp of the Prince of Parma, nigh Venloe, slew some of the enemies, and **Idem. 1586.pierced to the Tent of the General, as highly blamed by some for rashness, as commended by others for his valour. He bravely defended Slufe, whilest any hope of help.

WILLIAM HERBERT, Earl of Pembroke, with Sir Richard Herbert his Brother, were both undoubtedly born in this County; but whether or no at Ragland Castle, is uncertain. Both valiant men, and as fast Friends to King Edward the fourth, as professed Foes to Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick. They gave the last and clearest evidence hereof in the Battel of Banbury, where we find it reported, that these two leading the Army of the Welsh, with their Poll-Axes, twice made way through the Battel o… the Northern men (which sided with King Henry the sixth) without any mortal wound.

There passeth a tradition in the Noble Family of the Herberts of Chierbury, that this Sir Richard their Ancestor slew that day one hundred and forty men with his own hands, which if done in charging, some censure as an act of impossibility; if after a rout in an execution, as a deed of cruelty. But others defend both truth and courage therein, as done in passing and repassing through the Army. Indeed Guns were and were not in fashion in that age, used sometimes in sieges, but never in field service; and next the Gun, the Poll-Ax was the mortal Weapon, especially in such a Dead han… as this Knight had, with which Quot icti, tot occisi. He is reported also to be of a Giants stature, the Peg being extant in Mountgomery Castle, whereon he used to hang his Hat at dinner, which no man of an ordinary height can reach with his hand at this day.

However both these brave brethren, circumvented with the subtilty of their Foes (Odds at any time may be bet on the side of treachery against valour) were brought to Banbury, beheaded and buried, the Earl at Tinterne and Sir Richard at Abergaveny in this County.

Writers.

JEFFREY of Monmouth was born in, and named from, Monmouth. He was also called ap Arthur, from his Father, (as I suppose) though others **…ale de scrip. B…t. C…nt. 2. … 86.say, because he wrote so much of King Arthur; but by the same propor…ion Homer may be termed Achillides, and Virgil the Son of Aeneas. Yea, this Jeffrey, by an ancienter title might be sirnamed p. 53ap Bruit, whose story he asserteth. He translated and compiled the various British Authors into one Volume.

I am not so much moved at William Newbourough, calling this his book Ridicula sigmenta, as that Giraldus Cambrensis his Countryman, and (as I may say) Con-sub-temporary, should term it Fabulosam historiam. Indeed he hath many things from the British. Bards, which though improbable, are not ipso facto untrue. We know Herodotus, nicknamed by some Pater Fabularum, is by others acknowledged to be Pater Historiarum.

The truth is, that both Novelants and Antiquaries must be content with many falshoods, the one taking Reports at the first rebound, before come to; the other raking them out of the dust, when past their perfection.

Others object, that he is too hyperbolical in praising his own Countrey: A catching disease, seeing Livy mounts Italy to the skyes, and all other Authors respectively; and why should that be mortal in our Monmouth, what is but venial in others? And if he be guilty in Mis-timing of actions, he is not the onelyonly Historian without company in that particular.

However on the occasion of the premisses, his book is prohibited by his Holiness, whilst the lying Legend is permitted to be read without controul: Thus Rome loves questuosa, non inutilia figmenta, Falshoods whereby she may gain. Some conceive it to be his greatest fault, that he so praiseth the ancient Church in Britain, making it Independent from the See of Rome, before Austin the Monk came hither. One maketh him a Cardinal, which is improbable, whilest it is more certain that he was Bishop of St. Asaph, and flourished Anno 1152.

THOMAS of **Bale de script. Brit. cent. 2. num. 94.Monmouth was probably born, certainly bred and brought up in the chief Town of this County. Nor doth it move me to the contrary, because Pits calls him an Englishman, Monmouth in that Age being a Frontier Garrison, peopled with English Inhabitants.

It happened at this time many Jews lived in Norwich, where their habitation was called **Id. Ibid.Abrahams Hall, though therein not practising the piety of that worthy Patriarch. He, out of conformity to Gods command, sacrificed his one and onelyonly son; they, contrary to his will in his Word; crucified the child of another, William by name. His Sepulchre was afterwards famed for many miracles, whereof this Thomas wrote an History, and dedicated it to William de Turbes, Bishop of Norwich, though he lived above six score miles from the place of those strange performances: But probably the farther the better, Major è longinquo reverencia, and miracles are safest reported, and soonest believed at some competent distance. He flourished Anno 1160. under King Henry the Second.

Benefactors to the Publick.

HENRY PLANTAGENET, first Duke of Lancaster, was born in Monmouth castle, AMP.the chief seat of his Barony. He is commonly sirnamed **Speeds Chro. in the foundation of Bennet College.de torto collo, or the wryneck, and by others the **Mills Catal. of Honour in the Dukes of ….good Duke of Lancaster, by which name we entitle him, it being fitter to call men from what was to be praised, than what to be p…tied in them; not from their natural defects, but moral perfections. His bounty commends him to our mention in this place, being head of the Guild of Corpus-Christi in Cambridge, and the first Founder of a College so called in that Universi…y. Indeed the Land was but little he conferred thereon, but great the countenance of so eminent a person in procuring and setling their Mortmaine. He dyed in the year of our Lord, 1361. and was buried in the Collegiate Church at Leicester, which he founded. Blanch his onelyonly daughter which had issue, was married to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster.

Since the Reformation.

WILLIAM JOHNES was a Native of the Town of Monmouth, a person whose Estate was very considerable in several respects, viz. in

p. 541. His Emptiness, being forced out of Monmouth, for not being able to pay ten Groats: as the late **…. …, Esq.Recorder of that Corporation hath informed me. How had he been undone, if he had not been undone?

2. His Filling, flying to London, he became first a Porter, and then (his Brains being better than his Back) a Factour, and going over to Hamborough, by his industry and ingenuity made such a vent for Welsh Cottons, that what he found Drugs at home, he left Dainties beyond Sea.

3. His Refunding, founding a fair School-house in the place of his Nativity, allowing fifty pounds yearly for the Master, thirty for the Usher, with one hundred Marks salary to a Lecturer. Besides, a stately Almes-house for twenty poor folk, each of them having two Rooms and a Garden, with half a Crown a week, besides other conveniences.

All which his **Reckoned up in Stow his Survey of London, pag. 103.Benefactions, and many more, he by Will submitted to the over-sight of the honourable Company of Haberdashers in London, who at this day right worthily discharge their trust herein. He dyed Anno Dom. 16—.

Memorable Persons.

WILLIAM EVANS was born in this County, and may justly be accounted the Giant of our Age for his stature, being full two yards and an half in height: He was Porter to King Charles the First, succeeding Walter Persons in his place, and exceeding him two Inches in height, but far beneath him in an equal proportion of body; for he was not onelyonly what the Latines call Compernis, knocking his Knees together, and going out squalling with his feet, but also haulted a little; yet made he a shift to dance in an Antimask at Court, where he drew little Jeffrey the Dwarf out of his pocket, first to the wonder, then to the laughter, of the beholders. He dyed Anno Dom. 163..

Sheriffs.

This was made a Shire by Act of Parliament in the 27. year of King Henry the Eight, but it seems not solemnly setled till five years after.

The Farewell.

I understand that in **Ca…b. Brit. in this County.January 1607. part of this County which they call the Moore, sustained a great loss by the breaking in of the Severn sea, caused by a violent South-west wind, continuing for three dayes together: I heartily desire the Inhabitants thereof may for the future be secured from all such dangerous inundations▪ (water being a good servant but bad master) by his Providence, who bindeth the sea in a girdle of sands, and saith to the waves thereof, Thus far shall ye go and no further.