A Fit Conjucture of Religion and Learning, Book 2 · Chapter 13

A Fit Conjucture of Religion and Learning · Book 2 · Chapter 13

p. 91CHAP. XIII. Of the Universities of England.

BRittain (which comprehends England and Scotland) is the greatest Isleland of Europe; it was in times past called Albion, say some, ab albis montibus primùm ad eam navigantibus apparentibus. See Bish. Usher De Britan. Eccles. primord.

Some of the chief things for which England is famous, are comprehended in this verse,

Mons, & Fons, & Pons, Ecclesia, Famina, Lana.

England is termed by some, the Paradise of women, the Purgatory of servants, the Hell of horses.

England hath been famous for Learned men, and for her Seminaries of Learning,Ante hac gratulatus sum Angliae tuae, quae tot haberet viros egregia probitate, parique doctrina praeditos: nunc propemodum invidere incipio, quae sic efflorescat omni genere studiorum, ut omnibus regionibus laudem prae…ipiat, ac pene tenebras offundat. Quanquam ista laus haud ita nova est vestrae insulae, in qua constat & olim eximios viros extitisse. Declarant id vel Academiae vestrae quae vetustate nobilitat…que cum vetustissimis & celeberrimis cerrant. Eras. l. 6. Epist. Gulielmo Montioco. as well as other things.

Renowned Scholars amongst us.

Alcuinus one of the Founders of the University of Paris, Beda styled Venerabilis, Anselm and Bradwardine Archbishops of Canterbury, Alexander of Hales Tutor to Thomas Aquinas, and Bonaventure, Iohn Wiclef.

Since the times of the Reformation, Iohn Iewell Bishop of Salisbury, D^r Iohn Reynolds and M^r Richard Hooker, D^r Whitaker, Bishop Bilson and Andrews, both Bishops of Winchester, Bishop Mountague of Norwich, D^r Iohn Whitgift.

Papists, D^r Harding, Nicholas Sanders, and D^r Thomas Stapleton, Campian and Parsons, and William Rainolds.

For other studies, Lindwood the Canonist, Cosins and Cowell eminent in the study of the Civil Laws, Bracton and Briton of old times Dier and Cooke of late daies expert in the Laws of England. Iohannes de Sacro Bosco the Author of the book of the Sphere, Roger Bacon, a famous Mathematician, Sir Francis Bacon an excellent Philosopher, Sir Thomas More Lord Chancellor, a witty and Learned man, Sir Henry Savill a great Grecian, Sir Henry Spelman a Learned Antiquary, Camden the Pausanias of the British Islands, Sir Thomas Bodlie, Sir Isaac Wake, M^r Selden, Matthew Paris, Matthew of Westminster, Roger Hoveden, Henry of Huntingdon, William of Malmesbury and Thomas of Walsingham, all known Historians.

For Poetry, Gower, Chaucer, Spencer, Sir Philip Sidnie, Daniel and Draiton, Beaumont and Fletcher, Ben, Iohnson.

As the messenger of Pyrrhus long since called Italy a Conntry of Kings, and Egypt was wont to be called the Country of Physitians; so may this blessed Island of ours justly merit the title of The Region of Divines. D^r Hals Preface toFor practicall Divinity p… exceed all the Reformed Churches the married Clergy.

Stupor mundi Clerus Britannieus: whence many outlandish men have learned English, that they might reade those Books of our Divines which were printed in our Language.

p. 92Ioseph Scaliger **Anglorum vero etiam doctissimi tam prave Latina efferunt, ut in hac urbe, quum quidam ex ea gente per quadrantem norae integrum apud me verba fecisset, neque ego magis cum intelligerem, quam si Turcice loquutus fuisset, ego hominem rogaverim exculatum me habere, quod Anglice non bene intelligerem. Ille, qui eum ad me deduxerat tantum cachinnum sustulit, ut mea non minus interfuerit pudere quam ipsius ridere. Scalig. Epist. l. 4. Epist. 362. Stephano Uberto. Cum essem in Italia graves viros graviter & cum decoro pronunciantes audiebam. Cum in Britanniam veneram, novos viros, novo quodam pronuntiationis genere omnia personare ostendebam. Hic itaque sic cogitabam apud me, cum nec Romae, nec in universa Italia, imo verò cum neque in Germania, Gallia, neque Belgia, nec alibi gentium, quàm in nostra Britannia ullum unquam verbum de pronunciatione illa nova, ullavè mentio aut significatio tum fuit, novam pronunciationem alibi in usu non fuisse quàm in Britannia certò scire licet. Nequè ea tamen universa, sed certo quodam loco, in quo per ea tempora Oratores novi imperabant. Sic tamen haec refero, ut eos propter literas aliasque virtutes vehementer amem & suspiciam propter haec vero laudem minime. Caii De pronunciatione Graecae & Latinae Linguae cum scriptione nova libellus.findes fault with our English men for speaking Latine.

Some think they pronounce the a too little, and the i too big and broad.

Caius in his Book De pronuntiatione Graecae & Latinae linguae, saith, that he learned by experience that variety of pronuncing did hinder mutuall commerce, mens society and understanding of things. He saith, that a Greek Patriarck being at London in the Reign of Edward the 6^th, did not understand Sir Thomas Cheeke, nor Sir Thomas him, the Knight using the new kinde of pronouncing, the other the old: he addes, pleading for the old and barbarous pronunciation, Quo omnes Graeci ad huc utebantur cum ego essem Venetiis, tum è Cathedra Graecas literas profitendo, tum in templis sacra celebrando. Audiebam enim data opera saepius. At si ego tacerem norit Oxoniensis schola, quemadmodum ipsa Graecia pronunciarit, ex Matthaeo Calphurnio Graeco, quem ex Graecia Oxonium Graecarum literarum gratia produxerat Thomas Wolsaeus, de bonis literis optimè meritus Cardinalis, cum non alia ratione pronunciarit ille, quàm qua nos jam profitemur. Id si ita sit, nos Britanni docebimus ipsos Graecos in ipsa Graecia oriundos sua verba sonare? suas voces atquè literas pronu…tiare? & plus in aliena lingua sapiens quàm ipsa gens atquè natio, cui lingua Graeca familiaris atque etiam vulgaris est, & successione temporum continuata, tanquam per manus esse tradita? Nam privata haec pronunciatio paucorum hominum in Britania est, & eorum juvenum, alibi minimè recepta gentium.

There are in England many triviall Schooles in Towns and Cities: AmongstWestminster having but 40 Scholers, sends as many yearly to both the Universities, as Eaton and Winchester both, though they have each of them 70 Scholers. Hactenus de Collegiis & Aulis, quae eleganti structurà opimis redditibus, & instructis Bibliothecis ita florent, ut reliquas orbis Christiani Academias superent omnes. Hentzueri Itinerarium Germaniae, Angliae, Galliae, Italiae. Cum in utraque Angliae Academia ante multos annos viverem in sociorum (Collegiorum) numero multos vitos doctissimos me invenisse memini, qui cum quibusvis contendere possent. Constant. L Emper. Not. In Benjaminem. which the most famous are,

That of Eaton and Westminster, founded by Henry the 6^th, Edward the 4^th, and Q. Elizabeth, and of Winchester, Schola certè Augusta, ante 200 ampliùs annos erecta, ut adolescentes suavioribus disciplinis imbuti, ad artes Academic…s meliori genio animum intendant. Europaei orbis Academiae.

There are also in London that of Pauls, and Merchant Taylors.

The two Universities of England may equall many beyond Sea.

Ubi tot Academiae quot Collegia, Scultetus de curriculo vitae. Magnae in Collegiis Angliae opes & vectigalia: verbo vobis dicam? unum Oxoniense Collegiam (rem inquisibi) superat vel decem nostra. Lipsi Lovanium l. 3. c. 5.

Most of their Universities (Paris excepted) being no better then our Colledges of Westminster, Eaton, or Winchester.

Oxford (without controversie) is the more healthfull place, and better situated, and the Town and streets (I suppose) larger.Non immerito apud antiquos Oxonia Bellositum audiit, quasi musae conspirassent, hic tantùm domicilia sibi statuere, ubi & amaenitas, & salubritas suas sibi sedes potissimas praeelegissent. Wake Mus. Regn.

Both Universities are governed by a Vicechancellour and Proctors.

The Heads of the Colledges in Oxford have severall Titles, as President, Master, Warden, Provost, Dean, Principall; but in Cambridge they are all styled Masters, except in Kings Colledge, the Head of that House is called the Provost.

p. 93The time of Doctors and Masters proceeding yearly or taking their compleat degree, is called Commencement**A French word which signifieth beginning, rather because they Commence or begin in those degrees, then because it begins before Oxford Act. in Cambridge, Act in Oxford, for though they be designed before to their degrees, yet they obtain them not actually and compleatly but in Comitiis.

Oxford Act concludes with a Latine Sermon, so doth not Cambridge.

In our Universities Schollars live in their Colledges, not in the Town, as someStudiosi vitam fere monasticam degunt, sicut enim in Monasteriis olim Monachi, nullis aliis rebus, erant intenti & occupati, quàm ut statis horis, precibus ad Deum fusis, reliquum tempus bonis artibus, & studiis honestis impenderent, ita & hos facere oportet. Hentzueri Itinerarium Germaniae, Angliae, Galliae, Italiae. where beyound Sea. Heutznerus saith, Vestitus cum Iesuitarum fermè congruit; etenim togis sunt induti longis ad talos usque demissis.

By the Councell of Vienna **Clementinarum Quinto Antiquae illae qua…uor nominantur Academiae, Luteria, Oxonium, Bononia, Salamantica: & Lutetia dicta prior est: at homini Gallo, in Concilio Galliae. At posterior est Oxonio si haec nostra est Lutetiae mater: & Alcuinus noster, Caroli autem magni Praeceptor, ipse fuit auctor, ut Parisiensis Schola inciperet, & initium haberet: ubi antea nulla erat quod ipsi sic scribunt & consitentur Galli Alber. Gentilis laudes Acad. Paris. Oxon. Verè antiquissima omnium est Academia nostra, In quatuor nobilissimis & celeberrimis ipsa est prima. Id. ibid. Academia antiquissima, & in quatuor nobilissimis, quae sunt Oxonium, Lutetia, Bononia, Salamanca, prima; populosissima, & frequentissima: quae jam Edvardo primo regnante triginta millia Studiosorum censuit. Lansii Orat. pro Britannia. Haec est illa Academia fama celebri notissima, & longissimè apud exteras gentes divulgata, ubi prudens ille, solers, & sagax de Hispaniis Legatus Toletanus, cum dies plures disputationibus Gymnasticis, noctes verò serotinas spectaculis Comicis & Tragicis interfuisset libenter, probasset sapienter, laudasset graviter haec verba publice palam, & aperte profitebatur, Regiones plures perlustravi, multa vidi, sed haec sunt admiranda, & sic referam ubi in Patriam venero. Academ. quae aliquando fuerunt & hodie sunt in Europa, Catalogus.Oxford was reckoned not only among one of the four ancient Universities, but had the second place, Paris, Oxford, Bononia, Salamanca, and, as some think, it may justly challenge the first place, though Coringius in his first Dissertat. Antiq. Academ. and some others think it was a while after Paris.

Ingulphus (who was Secretary to William the Conquerour) saith he lived in Studio Oxoniensi. His words are these, Ego Ingulphus humilis magister S. Guthlaci Historia Ingulphi.Monasteriique sui Croilandensis, natus in Anglia, & à parentibus Anglicis, quippe urbis pulcherrimae Londoniarum pro literis addiscendis in teneriori aetate constitutus, primum Westmonasterio, postmodum Oxoniensi studio traditus etiam.

Those Schools of Learning which we call Academies or Universities, that Age termed Studia; that is, Studies. S^t Hierom termed the Schools of Gaul, Studia florentissima. The name of University was taken up about the time of King Henry the 3^d, for a publick School.

There are but three Latine Writers (which I have met with) who have written generally de Academiis, Iunius, and Middendorpe, and another intituled, Academiarum quae aliquando Fuere & Hodie sunt in Europa, Catalogus & enumeratio brevis.

At the end of Iunius his excellent Treatise de Academiis, there is added a briefAcademia ad Isidis vadum quae nunc nobis corruptè Oxford pro Ouseford dicitur, Alfridi benevolentia, & pietate instituta. Lelandi Comment. in Cygneam cantionem. Alphredus magnus Scholsa liberalium artium publicas Neoti piis monitis Oxonii primus, ut praefertur, posuit, ut omnibus adventantibus essent Communes. Balaeus de Script. Brit. Cent. 2. Academia Oxoniensis statim à principio, tum divinarum humanarumque literarum studiis, tum mira hominum doctrinis incumbentium frequentia multo Celeberrima esse caepit, deinceps usque eò floruit, ut jam facile cum quovis alio totius orbis gymnasio de nominis gloria certare possit. Polyd Verg. Angl. hist. lib. 5. Ut enim de Anglia dicam prius, ande nobis prima literaturae rudimenta redierunt, ab Alphredo Rege Scholam publicam Oxoniae esse institutam anno Christiano septuagesimo tertio vel potius nonagesimo quinto, Ex Oxoniensium monumentis haud pauci hodie narrant. Coring. de Antiq. Acad. Dissertat. 3. Catalogue of all the Universities in the Christian world, in which their Country, Names, Originall and situation are described out of Ptolomy.

He begins with England, and therein with Oxford, and saith of it, Academia Oxoniensis vulgò Oxford, quam instituit Aluredus, Saxonum Rex, Anno Christi 872. Posteà vero ex multorum Principum & Praes…lum beneficentia, amplissimis structuris, reditibus & privilegiis ornatur: habetque jam Collegia XVI, aulas etiam VIII, singula p. 94aedificiorum splendore magnificentissima, ac bonarum literarum artiumque omnium studia florentissima. Cantabrigiensis, vulgò Cambridge, in qua primum Collegium instituit Batsomus, Eli…nsit Episcopus, Anno 1274. Habet jam Collegia XI, Aulas etiam IV, eaque omnia aedificiorum celebritate praestantissima. Habuit etiam ante Scholam publicam pera…gustam (in qua Philosophia, humanio oresque disciplinae tradebantur) à Sigeberto, Estanglorum Rege constitutam, Anno 637.

Yet it is the opinion of some, that the University of Oxford was rather restored then first Founded by King Alured, Anno 806. after it had been over-born a while by Danish furies.

Middendorp in his 3^d Book de Academiis, where he speaks of the Universities of England, saith, Inter harum duarum Academiarum professores gravis & acerba nuper controversia exorta est, dum singuli suam Academiam & antiquiorem prioremque tempore, & praestantiorem existere asseverant, & varias pro sua quisque sententia rationes, diversaque argumenta producit, ut difficile sit homini externo, terra ab iis marique disjuncto, suum judicium interponere. But after counsell given to them, toQuid profuerit si haec illa antiquior fuerit Academia, modo haec illi virtute par sit. Puerorum est de locorum praestantia & dignitate contendere, & inanium verborum contentione & dissidio animos vuln…rare. Caius de Antiquit. Cantab. Acad. l. 1. Dr Arrowsmiths modesty and ingenuity I approve of, who in a speech at Cambridge-Commencoment the last save two, had this passage, Cantabrigia, Oxonium. Oxonlum, Cantabrigia. endeavour rather to excell each the other in diligence, faithfulness and wisdom, and not to stand so much upon antiquity, and multitude, or excellency of Colledges, which belong more to the glory of the dead then the living, he concludes at the last thus,

Porrò utramque hanc Academiam, veterem quidem atque florentem reperio, Cantabrigiensis tamen, quantum hactenus deprehendere licuit, tempore prior & antiquior est. Ideoque ab ea principium ducam.

But Learned Sir Isaac Wake in his Rex Platonicus p. 217. saith thus,

Haec ipsa Antiquitatis lis, publico jam nuper totius Regni conventu Parliamentario, ex antiquissimorum Historicorum fide examinata est & determinata, & praecedentia Oxoniensi Universitati communi applausu omniumque suffragiis asserta.

There he also addeth, p. 218.

Iohannes Caius, vir fidei ut in rebus Religiosis, ita in Historicis nullius plane.

He proceeds,

Imò qui inter ipsos istius Scholae antiquitatem acerrimè tuentur, non asserunt tantùm, sed & probant indubitatis argumentis Cantabrigiam, Generalem Artium & scientiarum Academiam factam & stabilitam non fuisse, ante vicesimum annum Edwardi tertii (hoc est nudiustertius ferè, si Aluredi seculum spectemus) quo Rege intercedente, apud Johannem Pontificem Romanum, Universitatis ibi stabiliendae privilegium iis est concessum ut Petrus de I…kham Monachus Ecclesiae Cantuar. scribit.

Caius Middendorpii testimonio rem probat: Caii testimonio eandem probat Middendorpius: sic manus manum, & falsarius falsarium fricat. Quin potiùs suam oportet agnoscere ignorantiam, qui de exterorum rebus scribit, quorum res gest as nunquam legerit. Imò Middendorpi (tibi clam in aurem dico) agnosce impudentiam tuam, qui it a confidenter scribis de Academiis, ac si in omnibus aetatem totam vixisses, ita tamen frigidè, futiliter, indoctè, ac si in nulla unquam vel diem unum posuisses. Wake ibid.

The third who writes of all the Academies of Europe saith,

Ac libens optarim ne digladientur nimis & naenias mittant, qui hanc aut illam Acad…miam contendunt esse antiquiorem. Sint Arcades ambae, utraeque florentes, lucem sole clariorem sibi invicem alternantes.There is a Manuscript of Robert Burhils in Oxford Library, De Britanniae rebus Scholasticis inverse, consisting of ten Books. The sixth book is termed Elfreda, de urbe Oxonia quam Elfreda insedem Academiae deligendam suadet. The seventh book is styled Parallelismus de Antiquitate utriusque Academiae Oxon. & Cantab. wherein he asserts the antiquity of Oxford, but saith, Non est quod Cantabrigiensis Academia hanc suam originem etsi seriorem erubesceret. Primo, cum nec operae pretium sit contendere. Secundo, nec leves interim calamitates dum nondum exorta esset Cantabrigia, Academiam Oxoniensem nostram exceperint. Tertio, & antiquiora ferè incultiora, Academiis vix tandem Monastica fece expurgatis.

And after he hath this passage of Cambridge: Haec est illa Academia antiqua, & celebris, quae non modò Oxoniensi florentissimo. Anglorum Gymnasio, sed & aliis Europaei p. 95orbis Academiis antiquioribus facilè posset adaequari.

He speaks also very honourably of Oxford, and I have cited something out of him to that purpose.

Sir Thomas More saith in an Epistle to the University of Oxford, Cantabrigiae, cui Epistola Thomae Mori ad Acad. Oxon.vos praelucere semper consuevistis.

I know one, who is a very competent judge, because a most Learned Bishop, and well versed in antiquities, and also of an University in another Kingdom, who holds Oxford to be the ancienter.

Oxford also hath been famous for Learned Scholars.Trithemius, Baleus, Lelandus Oxonienses ultra trecentos Cantabrigienfes non plures uno supra centum & viginti scriptores in suis Catalogis commemorant. Brianus Twinus Antiq. Acad. Oxon.

Mathematicians and Schoolmen, for the later there is no question, and I shall mention divers of them when I speak of Merton Colledge.

For the first Roger Bacon, Bradwardine, Simon Bredon and Oddington were famous.

The first Professor**Vide Gervas. Dorobernens. in Civil Law in England, viz. Vacarius, was of Oxford.

Oxford lies in a Champion plain: It is a fair and goodly City, whether a man respect the seemly beauty of private houses, or the stately magnificence of publick buildings, together with the wholesom sight or pleasant prospect thereof.

It is formed in the figure of a Cross, two long streets thwarting one another, each of them near a mile in length, containing in that compass thirteen Parish Churches, and a See Episcopall founded here by King Henry the 8^th, Anno 1541.

For the Stateliness of the Schools and publick Library and**There are many Pictures throughout the great Gallery adjoyning to the Library, of Learned men in severall Faculties. The Statutes of the University of Oxford at large are much commended. The select Statutes out of the body of them are printed and to be sold. Gallery, the bravery and beauty of particular Colledges, all built of fair and polished stone, the liberall endowment of those houses, and great incouragements of Industry and Learning in the salary of the Professors in most Arts and Sciences, it is (say some) not to be paralleled in the Christian world.

D^r Iames hath set out two Catalogues of the publick Library in Oxford:

One published in the year 1605, which mentions the Books Alphabetically distinguished, according to the four Faculties.Clarissimus vir Thomas Bodleius qui vetustate, & temporum an hominum injuria Collapsam Universitatis Bibliothecam immensis sumptibus, conquisitis undine praeter omnes omnium generum codices excusos, manuscriptis, quantum in hoc spicilegio licuit, compluribus vetustis optimae notae, instauravit. Savil. Not. in Chrysost. in Gen. Tom. 8.

The other 1620. in which there is only a care had of the Alphabeticall order, by this more exact Catalogue one may readily finde any Authour, and all the Works of that Authour uno intuitu.

If the Library be inferiour to the Popes Vaticane in sumptuous building, yet in Printed Books, if not in Manuscripts (there being many choice ones given by Sir Thomas Bodlie, and of late by my Lord of Pembroke, and Archbishop Laude, in almost all Languages) it may well contend with it for a Superiority.

Reckon the number of Volumes in the publick Library, whereof the greatestHe mentions sixteen thousand in his Preface to his last Catalogue. part are in Folio, which amount to 11 or 12 thousands of divers Authours, the plurality of Languages, the diversity of Sciences, wherein these Books are written, the condition of the Books whether written or printed, by Protestants or Papists, or any other, the use for six hours every day throughout the whole year, (Sundaies and Holydaies excepted) and we shall finde that the like Library is no where to be found. D^r Iames of the Corrupt. of Script. Counc. and Fath. part 5.

In Oxford there are 18 Colledges endowed with Lands, besides 7 Halls, where Students live at their own charges in both of them.

Professors of the Arts and Sciences, as also of Divinity, Law, Physick, and the learned Languages, with Liberall Salaries.

p. 96University Colledge, Founded 872.

Alfred or Allured King of the West Saxons, being addicted to Religion and good literature, for the increase and study of Divinity, Philosophy and other Arts, in the 2^d year of his reign founded this Colledge, by the name of University Colledge.

George Abbat Archbishop of Canterbury was of this Colledge.

Baliol Colledge, Founded 1262.

Iohn▪ Baliol, born at Bernads Castle in the Bishoprick of Durham, (a worthyCollegium Baliolense gloriatur potiù… quòd Humfredum ducem Glocestriae, Henrici quarti filium virtutum merito Bonum cognominatum Academiae nostrae lucidum atque patriae Sydus, nomen que nunquam oblinescendum educarit quàm quòd Cranmerum Archiepiscopum, Ridlaeum, Latimerum Episcopos, suis prae foribus (ut Eliam) igne…s vehiculis coelum p…tentes conspexerit. Wake Rex Platon. Warriour to King Henry the 3^d in his civil Warres against his Barons) with his wife Dervorgilla, a Lady of Honourable Parentage, Parents of Iohn Baliol King of the Scots, Founded this Colledge, giving thereunto both Lands and Revenews, for the maintenance of a Master, 10 Fellows, and 11 Scholars, which is Recorded to be the first and most anciently endowed Colledge in this University, as some late Historians constantly affirm.

Iam Fundatoris imprimis Balioli Regis Scotiae nomen jactat, quasi tum olim Scotia suos Reges Academiae nostrae propitios in Baliolo suo sposponderit, quod in Iacobo nostro jam faeliciter appropinquante praestitit. Wake Rex Plat.

Iohn Wiclefe was of this House.

Wiclefus ille Restaurator Religionis cui non notus Baliolensis. Alber. Gent. Laud. Acad. Perusin. & Oxon.

Merton Colledge Founded 1274.

Walter de Merton sometimes L. Chancellour of England, Counsellour to KingCamden in Oxfordshire saith that Balioll Colledge and this were the first endowed Colledges for Students in Christendom. Ex hoc Collegio principes in omni literarum genere viri, tanquam ex equo Trojano, ad veritatis defensionem, atque ad Baby. …onici Imperii incendium & ruinas per diversa secula prodierunt. Hinc Iohannes Wicleuus, hinc Gulielmus Occham, hinc Thomas Bradwarden. Praefat. Episc. Carlet. ad consensum Eccles. Cathol. contra Trident. Vide plura ibid. Henry the 3^d, and Edward the first Bishop of Rochester, Founded this Colledge by the name of Merton Colledge, endowing it in effect with all the Lands and Revenews which at this present are belonging thereunto, ordaining in the same a Warden, and no definitive number of Fellows.

It may be styled Collegium Scholasticorum, Bacon, Burlie, Occham, Scotus, Bradwardine, Gatisdene, Dumbleton, Nicholas Gorrham, Suitzaeus, great lights of Europe were of this Colledge.

What one Colledge ever yielded at one time and from one Country, three such Divines as Iewell, Raynolds, and Hooker; or two such great Wits and Heroicall spirits, as S^r Thomas Bodley, and S^r Henry Savill. D^r Hackw. Epist. Dedicat. to Oxford before his Apology.

Of this Colledge also were Bishop Carleton, S^r Isaac Wake the University Orator.

Excester Colledge, Founded 1316.

Walter Stapleton, being descended of Noble Parentage (for his Wisdom, Gravity and Learning, was often employed in Embassages from King Edward the 2^d, who made him Bishop of Excester, Lord Treasurer of England, and one of his Privy Councell) Founded this Colledge, it was much augmented by Sir William Peter.

D^r Hakewell Fellow of this House, erected and finished the new Chappell.

D^r Prideaux was Head of this House.

D^r Holland was of this House.Hollandus alter Apollo, potens in Scripturis, cum patribus adeo familiaris ac si ipse Pater, cum Scholasticis ac si seraphicus Doctor. Conc. Funeb.

p. 97Orial Colledge, Founded 1337.There are many guesses at the original of its name.

King Edward the 2^d erected it, it was so called because it was indeed a work which might beseem a King.

Queens Colledge, Founded 1340.

Robert Eglesfield Batchelor of Divinity, Chaplain to Queen Philippa, wife to King Edward the 3^d, founded this Colledge in his own ground by the name ofCollegium Reginae nobilitatur duorum Principum, omnium, quos Anglia vidit, forti ssimorum educatione; videlicet Edwardi Principis cognomento Nigri & Henrici Quinti …elicissimi Regis. Wake Rex Platon. Quod Collegium si visant extranei & conspiciantur à studiosis inhabitantibus, in cornu bubulo praegrandi de Cerenisia sua ipsis propinant. Laudem meretur officiosa haec humanitas. Iodoc. Sinc. Itinerar. Galliae. Queens Colledge (commending the Patronage thereof to his Lady the Queen, and to the Queens of England successively) which he endowed with Lands and Revenews.

They are called to Dinner and Supper by the sound of a Trumpet.

Doctor Ayrie (who wrote so well upon the Philippians) was Provost of this Colledge.

Learned D. Langbane is now the Provost of it, and worthy M. Barlow the Publick-Library-Keeper, a Fellow of it.

New Colledge, Founded 1375.

William Wickam principal Secretary to King Edward the 3^d, Keeper of the Privy-Seal,Collegium Beata Mari…, quod vulgò novum (etsi reve…a per antiquum) dicitur. Wake. Rex Platon. Bishop of Winchester, Lord High▪Treasurer, and Chancellour of England, founded this Colledge. He also founded a Colledge at Winchester, wherein he established one Warden, ten Fellows, two Schoolmasters and seventy Scholars, with Officers and servants, which all are maintained at his charge; out of which School he ordained should be chosen the best Scholars alwayes to supply the vacant places of the Fellows of this Colledge.

Thomas Chaundlerus librum de Wiccami vita & rebus gestis sane perelegantem Hoc ipso item anno (viz. 1366.) Gulielmus Unyckam Vintoniensis Episcopus Oxonii in rei litterariae gratiam Collegium excitavit, illudque D. Mariae Virgini dicavit, quod hodie novum Collegium nuncupatur. Georg. Lilii Anglorum Reg. Chronicon.conscripsit Waynfleti foreign.

Wickamus celebratur ab erudito Iurisconsulto Martino.

Of this Colledge was Philpot the famous Martyr, and S^r Thomas Rives, Bishop Lake, D^r Twisse and D^r Iames.

Lincoln Colledge, Founded 1420.

Richard Fleming Bishop of Lincoln in the eighth year of the reign of King Henry the 5^th founded this Colledge by the name of Lincoln Colledge, which was afterward in Richard the thirds time, in the year of our Lord 1479. by Thomas Rotheram Bishop of the same Sea, and Secretary to four Kings, much augmented and increased.

D^r Kilbie a learned Hebrician was Head of this Colledge, and that learned School-Divine D^r Sanderson was Fellow of this House.

All-Souls Colledge, 1437.

Henry Chichley Archbishop of Canterbury, layed in Oxford the foundation ofLinacer was Fellow of this Colledge, and Sir Thomas More his Scholar. two goodly Colledges, this and that of S^t Iohns Colledge, the last being reedified by S^r Thomas White Lord Maior of London.

There is Vita Henrici Chichele Descripta ab Arthuro D…k.Si politam operis elegantiam requiramus, est propter structuram Collegium omnium Animarum ex lapide quadrato & perpolito in prima orbis facie multùm spectabile. Eurpoaei orbis Academiae.

p. 104Magdalen Colledge, Founded 1459.

William Wainflet Bishop of Winshester founded first Magdalen▪ Hall, afterItaque longè magnificentius hospitium excipiendis Musis conditurus (regia quippe benignitate adjutus) Aulam Magdalena quam vis parentem Collegii dereliquit, domumque consanguine…m ne omnino periisse videretur, in suum quasi corpus iterum transtulit. In ipso Oxonii suburbano, Eurum versus Collegium vergit: à quâ regione amhe perspicuo praeterfluentè alluitur, qui Cherwellus dicitur, latus septentrionale atboreto clauditur. Utrinque multae ambulalacrorum amaenitates, & in utro que elemento quasi delicias excogitante natura. Surgit è quadrato latere, visendum ip…â vel materia, vel subtili junctura aedificium, duplici pinnarum ordine adversus paries decoratur. Frontem Collegii occupat excelsa turris, quae erudito statuarij opere incisa, intuentium oculos mirè ad se trahit, aream interiorem cingunt claustra (sic hodiè appella…us) cocto later… per strata, quae topiarii vel porticus usum non incommodè praestant. Vivis animalium figuris tibicines, occultum nescio quid & hieroglyphicum significantibus ex…rnantur: Antiquissimorum codicum supellectile instruitur bibliotheca. Templum Augustum & divini numinis religione verè suspiciendum: aula elegans & spatiosa Waynfleti foreign per Iohan Bud▪ Cum primis virtutis doctrinae que ergò nominandus Thomas Chalonerus Eques Auratus, Principi in disciplinarum omniumque virtutum regiarum instiiutione honorarius praefectus quo vito merito gloriatur Collegium Magdale…onse, ut etiam in numeris aliis, quos intra lustra annorum non multa in Rempublicam Ecclesiamque transmisit alumnis, Archiepiscopis scilicet duobus, iisdemque Cardinalibus, Episcopis viginti duobus, Foxo Martyrologo, Laurentio Humfredo, allis que ▪ Wake Rex Platon. that this Colledge dedicating the same to the honour of S. Mary Magdalen. He builded also a great part of Eaton Colledge, before begun by King Henry the sixt.

Prince Henry was of this Colledge. Claimund and Doctor Bond were Presidents of it.

Braze…-Nose Colledge, Founded 1515.

William Smith Bishop of Lincoln, during the reign of King Henry the 7^th laidAenei nasi Collegium spectatu dignum, cujus prae foribus nominis antiquitatisque index, Nasus monstrose prominet ahe…tus. Wake Rex Platon. Per id quoque tempus Gulielmus Smith Episcopus Lincolniensis Margaritae exemplo ductus, Oxonii Scholasticorum Collegium collocavit in aula quam vulgo vocant Brasyn. Nose, hoc est, aeneum nasum, quod eò loci imago aenea facie admodum immani prae foribus exte…. Item Richardus Vintonienfis Episcopus tale ejusmodi opus Oxonii fecit, appellavitque Corporis Christi Collegium. Polyd. Verg. Angl. Hist. l. 26. the foundation of this Colledge. After whose death Richard Sutton Esquire, took upon him to perfect the same, which he accomplished.

Alexander Nowel was of this house, M^r Bolton, and I think M^r Iohn Ball.

Corpus Christi Colledge, Founded 1516.

Richard Fox Bishop of Winchester, and Godfather to King Henry the 8^th foundedPraefuit hic primus doctissimus ille Claymondus, qui exquisitissima in Plinium Commentaria conscripsit. Successit deinde Robertus Morwentus Theologus Praeses tantae gravitatis, ut quum 40. ampliùs annos Praesidentis loco surrogatus, & ipse optimè praefuisset, Oxoniensibus in Concione publica Pater patriae literatae Oxoniensis appellatus est, quum in extremis naturae laboraret. Praelegit illic in Rhetoricis in celeberrima audientium corona praesentibus illustrissimis Principibus, Henrico octavo Rege, & Catharina conjuge, Ludovicus Vives, omnis politioris literaturae selentissimus. Item Shep…evus 28 annorum trilinguis doctissimus fato functus praematuro nimis. Inde prodiere Reginaldus Polus Cardinalis, Brocus, Juellus, Chedseus, omnes literarum gloria florentes. Europaei Orbis Academiae. Collegium Corporis Christi, quod omnium Oxoniae nitidissimum meritò audit; tum ob totius structurae, Templi imprimis, & Peristylii, Bibliothecae, atque Aulae concinnitatem, tùm propter Horoscopii Columnaris pulchritudinem, quod in areae quadratae medio, omni & ingenii & operis varietate elaboratum eminet. Wake Rex Platon. this Colledge.

It nourished Iewel, Rainolds, W…tton, Hooker, Cardinal Pool, who was chosen Pope, D^r Featley, and other learned men.

Christ-Church Colledge, Founded 1546.

Thomas Wolsey Cardinal, Archbishop of York, and Lord high Chancellour ofEst Regia Musarum sedes, sive operis molem mirandam, sive structurae magnificentiam, sive studiosorum numerum, sive proventus annuos pleniùs inspiciamus, si alicubi in orbe Christiano, Christo Servatori dicata: à Thoma Volsaeo Cardinale, anno post Christum 1539. Quem fundo largo, praediis amplis, & reditibus multis illustrissimus Rex Henricus Octav…s, anno Christi 1546. auctiorem reddidit, & longe consummatiotem Europaei Orbis Academiae. p. 99England laid the foundation of a most ample and spacious Colledge, but he falling, his design failed with the Founder.

Henry the eight enriched the same with many goodly revenues, annexing thereunto Canterbury Colledge.

It hath a spatious Court or quadrangle, nay divers, and a Hall both spatious and splendid, wherein is a most beautifull glasse Lanthorn, there is also a very fair Kitchin, which only, was finished by the Cardinal, and gave oceasion to that scoff of an outlandish man, Egregium opus (saith he) Cardinalis Collegium incepit, popinam absolvit. Sanna vix è coquina deprompta adeo sale caret▪ saith Sir Isaac Wake in his Rex Platonicus.

Peter Martyr was once Prebend of this Colledge, as his own Epistles shew, He writes thus, Amico cuidam in Anglia, Ego cum essem Oxonii vestibus illis albis in Choro nunquam uti volui, quamvis essem Canonicus, mei facti ratio mihi constabat.

Toby Matthew Archbishop of York was of this House, and M^r Burton who wrote of Melancholy, upon whose Tomb there is this witty Epitaph,

Paucis notus, paucioribus ignotus

Hic jacet Democritus Iunior

Cui vitam pariter & mortem

Dedit Melancholia.

Trinity Colledge, Founded 1556.

Sir Thomas Pope Knight founded this Colledge in the fourth year of the Reign of King Philip and Qu. Mary, dedicating the same to the Trinity.

S^t Iohns Colledge, Founded 1557.

Henry Chichley Doctor of the Civil-Law Archbishop of Canterbury, among other building, laid the foundation of this Fabrick; it was enlarged by William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury.

Iesus Colledge, Founded 1572.

Hugh Prise Doctor of the Civil Law founded this Colledge, it was perfected by Queen Elizabeth; it hath had many other Benefactors.

Wadham Colledge, Founded 1613.

Nicholas Wadham Esquire in the seventh year of the raign of King Iames founded it.

Pembrok Colledge, Founded 1620.

It was first Broadgate-Hall, but was called Pembroke Colledge from William Earl of Pembroke, then Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and Visitor of that Hall.

There are also in this University seven Hals, in which there are many Students living at their own charge, viz.

Glocester-Hall.

Which being first built for Monks, was after converted to a House for Scholars, by Sir Thomas White Knight.

Edmund Hall.

It was builded by S. Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury.

Albon Hall.

It was builded by the Abbot of S^t Albons, for their Monks to study in.

Hart Hall.

It was built by Walter Stapleton Bishop of Excester.

p. 100M^r Selden was of this House.

New Inne.

Heretofore it was called Turlocks Inne.

S^t Mary Hall.

It was founded by King Edward the second.

Sir Thomas More Chancellour of England was of this Hall. Cardinal Allen was principal of it about the same time.

Magdalen Hall.

It was founded by William Wainfleet Bishop of Winchester, and D^r Budden who writes his life and death, cals it Aulam Magdaelene parentem Collegii, and a little book which mentions the several Colledges in Oxford and Cambridge, makes the Hall a eleven years elder then the Colledge.

Cambridge.

THis is the other University and eye of England, a most famous Storehouse of good Literature and Godlinesse; it standeth upon the River Cam, which divideth it into two parts, and hath a Bridge over it, whence arose the name Cambridge.

There is not wanting any thing here, which a man may require in a most flourishing University, were it not that the air is somewhat unhealthfull, arising as it doth out of a Fenny-ground hard by.

That Cantaber a Spainard 3751. years before Christs Nativity, first began andImò qui inter ipsos istius Scholae antiquitatem acerrimè tuentur, non asserunt tantùm, sed & probant indubitatis argumentis Cantabrigiam, Generalem Artium & Scien…iarum Academiem factum & stabilitam non fuisse, ante Vicesimum annum Edwardi tertii, hoc est nudius-tertius ferè, si Aluredi seculum spectemus. Wake Rex. Platon. Vide plura ibid. founded this University, is affirmed by Caius, but Leland the great Antiquary, and Camden also confute that conceit; and M^r Camden saith, It was a seat of learning about the time of King of Henry the first, and that under the reign of Edward the first (some think it should be the second) Grantbridge of a School was made an University (such as Oxford is) by the Court of Rome. Hugh Balsham Bishop of Ely in the year 1284. built the first Colledge, called Peter House, and endowed it with lands: whose example the other Founders did imitate and follow, saith the same Camden.

That which some relate also▪ That a publick Academy was erected at Cambridge by King Sigebert, Anno Christi 630. Id vero dubia annalium fide nititur; Cantabrigiensium quoque aemuli Oxonienses pernegant fortiter. Et ut quaedam fuerit instituta, procul dubio rudis fuit, nec in longum tempus. Caeterum nono seculo majori verisimilitudine laus illa competit. Coring. De Antiq. Academ. Dissertat. 3. Vide plura ibid. p. 73. See Petrus Blesensis at the end of Ingulphus.

That which some urge for the honour of Cambridge of Bedes reading there, is aHic venerabilis ille Beda, illiusque discipulus, Carolique magni praeceptor Alcuinus sive Albinus, Joannes Roffensis Episcopus, Thomas Morus, Thomas Linacer; Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus, & infiniti similes celeberrimi viri floruerunt. Swertii Athen. Belg. Certè recepta ab omnibus opinio est, & fama celebris Cantabrigiae & fuisse Bedam & studuisse. Caius De Antiq. Cant. Acad. l. 1. fable well confuted by Sir Isaac Wake in his Rex Platonicus, in his Acts of the fourth day, Bedam vero ipsum unquam Cantabrigiae fuisse quis nisi cerebri laesi putat? Quum ipse dissertissimis scriptis suis asserat, se nunquam extra monasterium suum operam literis dedisse, ac ne inde unquam ferè egressum à pueritia; Cantabrigiam verò, sua aetate adeò Academiam celebrem non fuisse, ut fuisse planè desolatam civitatulam asserat.

Caius the Physician styled himself Londinensem when he wrote De Antiq. Cantab. Acad. though he was of Cambridge, and only a Londoner by birth, ne si Cantabrigiensis p. 101videretur, affectum quoque suum in scribendo prodidisse videretur.

That passage of Caius's De Antiqu. Cantab. Acad. lib. 1. therefore might well have been spared. Caeterum ad has discordias rumpendas atque fini…ndas sanctamque pacem componendam, at que statuendam, cum ne que Ox…niensis Cantabrigiensem, nec Cantabrigiensis ferat Oxoniensem in controversia judicem, quòd pro sua cujus que affectione rem tractatam iri uterque indicet, ex libidine magis quàm ex vero celebratam aut obscuratam existimet, res suasit & commiseratio jussit, ut ego homo Londinensis, medio loco inter utrumque positus, & eodem animo in utrumque affectus, cui longa triginta annorum absentia à gymnasiis (nisi subinde invisendi gratia charitatis studio) omnem affectum juvenilem in Gymnasia sustulit, hanc controversiam ut inutilem, imo verò rem damnosam alioqui tanquam communis amicus definirem ac componerem. Vide librum ejus de libris propriis.

My worthy friend Sir Simonds D'Ewers (in his Speech touching the Antiquity of Cambridge) saith, If I should lose time to reckon up the vain allegations produced for the Antiquity of Oxford by Twyne, and of Cambridge by Caius, I should but repeat deliria senum.

At the present Cambridge consists of sixteen Colledges and Hals (for there is littleThe Halls there are endowed with Lands and Fellowships as the Colleges are. No private Chappel in England beyond that of Kings Colledge in Cambridge. Collegium studioso…um propè dixerim Europae amplissimum Vos. Epist. Dedicat. ad artem Grammati…. Ex Collegiis hâc splendidi…im… sunt Trinitatis, Regio Palatio par aedificium & S. Joannis Sacellum hic est singularis & vix memorandi artificii. Iodoc. Sinc. Itin. Gall. difference there between them) erected and maintained with the Lands and Revenues of their several Founders.

Kings Colledge Chappel being founded by Henry the sixth, is all of free-stone, a very curious structure, and from its form, called the University Cradle.

Trinity Colledge founded by King Henry the eighth, one of the compleatest Colledges in Europe.

A Colledge for stately greatnesse, for uniform building and beauty of rooms, scarce inferiour to any other in Christendom, saith Camden.

Next to it is S^t Iohns Colledge.

S^t Peters Colledge or House, Founded 1280.

Hugh Basham Bishop of Ely began the foundation of this Colledge about Anno 1257.

He setled not the endowment till anno 1284.

Clare-Hall, Founded 1280.

Richard Badew Chancellour of the University first founded this Hall by the name of the University-House or Hall. Afterwards the first foundation was resigned into the hands of Elizabeth Countesse of Clare widow, which Lady by the licence of King Edward the 3^d, established and finished the same, and changing the name thereof, willed that for ever after it should in memory of her family, from whence she was descended, be called Clare-Hall.

D^r Butler the famous Physician was sometimes Fellow and President of this House.

Pembroke Hall, Founded 1343.

Mary de S. Paul Countesse of Pembroke, daughter to Guido Chastillion Earl of S^t Paul in France, procured Licence from King Edward the 3^d, to found this House by the name of the Colledge of Mary Valence, after called Pembroke Hall.

Richard Fox Bishop of Winchester, Edmond Grindall and Iohn Whitgift Archbishops of Canterbury, William Fulk Doctor of Divinity, were all Masters of this House, and have by gifts of Lands, Money, Plate, Books, augmented the same, and Lancelot Andrews Doctor of Divinity, late Master and Bishop of Winchester hath given a thousand pounds, with three hundred seventy four folio Books well bound.

M^r Bradford Martyr was Fellow of Pembroke Hall, and first lived in Katherine p. 102Hall, and the Masters of those Colledges strove which should have him, as himself relates in one of his Letters, not to boast of himself, but to shew Gods goodness towards him.

Bishop Ridley was also of Pembroke Hall, and there in the Orchard learnedActs and M…n. Edit. ult. part. 3 p. 508. without Book almost all Pauls Epistles, yea and all the Canonical Epistles, save only the Apocalypse. So he saith of himself.

Corpus Christi Colledge, Founded 1351.

Henry of Monmouth sirnamed Torto Collo ordained this Colledge. It hath been since much inlarged.

Matthew Parker Archbishop of Canterbury, and Sir Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, were of this House, and great Benefactors to it.

Trinity Hall, Founded 1353.

William Bateman Bishop of Norwich founded this Hall.

Steven Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Chancellour of this University, was of this House.

Gonvill and Caius Colledge, Founded 1353.

Edmond Gonvill Parson of Terrington in Norfolk, obtained License of King Edward the 3^d to erect this Colledge.

Afterward Iohn Caius Doctor of Physick Anno 1557. was made a Cofounder by Letters Patents, who caused it to be called Gonvill and Caius Colledge.

King Iames being in Caius Colledge presented with Caius his Antiquitates Cantabrigiensis Academiae, he said, What should I do with the Antiquities of Cambridge? Give me Caius **That Book of his is commended.de Canibus.

Kings Colledge, Founded 1441.

King Henry the sixth in the nineteenth year of his Reign, began this royal Foundation.

In which Colledge at this present is standing one of the fairest Chappels in theSee Stows Chronicle in the life of Henry the sixth. world, which only he finished, but intended to have made the Colledge conformable thereunto.

D Goade was of this House.

Queens Colledge, Founded 1448.

Queen Margaret wife to Henry the sixth laid the Foundation of this Colledge, but leaving the same imperfect, Queen Elizabeth wife to King Edward the fourth, obtained Licence to finish the same, which she accomplished.

Bishop Davenant was Master of this Colledge.

Sir Thomas Smith principal Secretary to Queen Elizabeth, was Fellow of this Colledge.

Katherine Hall, Founded 1475.

Robert Woodlork Chancellour of Cambridge, founded this Hall, it hath been since inlarged by many other Benefactors.

D. Sibbes and Gouge were of this House.

Iesus Colledge, Founded 1496.

Iohn Alcock Bishop of Ely and Lord Chancellour of England, procured Licence of King Henry the 7^th to found this Colledge.

Christs Colledge, Founded 1505.

It was first begun by King Henry the sixth, and after his decease brought to perfection by the Lady Margaret Countesse of Richmond, and mother of King Henry the 7^th.

p. 97This is called by D. Willet Collegium Theologorum, the Colledge of Divines, M. Perkins, M. Bains, and D. Ames were all Fellows of this Colledge.

S^t Iohns Colledge, Founded 1508.

The Lady Margaret Countesse of Richmond founded this Collenge, which hath been much inlarged since by other Benefactors.

D. Whitaker was Master of this Colledge.

There is a fair Library in it founded by Bishop Williams.

Magdalen Colledge, Founded 1519.

Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham founded this Colledge; it is since much inlarged by divers Benefactors.

Trinity Hall, Founded 1546.

It was founded and erected by King Henry the eight, it is since much inlarged by divers Benefactors.

Emanuel Colledge, Founded 1584.

Sir Walter Mildmay Privy Councellor to Queen Elizabeth obtained Licence of the said Queen to found and erect this Colledge. It hath since been much augmented by the liberality of divers Benefactors.

Doctor Preston was first Fellow of Queens Colledge, and the Master of Emanuel.

Sidney Sussex Colledge, Founded 1598.

Frances Sidney Countesse of Sussex (Aunt to the renowned Sir Philip Sidney) widow of Thomas Ratcliffe Earl of Sussex, founded this Colledge by the name of the Colledge of the L. Frances Sidney Sussex. It is much inlarged since by divers Benefactors.

Doctor Ward was Master there, and M. Gataker Fellow.