REMAINS OF A GREATER WORK, Concerning Britain, the inhabitants thereof, their Languages, Names, Surnames, Emprese, Wise speeches, Poësies, and Epitaphs.  
AT LONDON Printed by G. E. for Simon Waterson. 1605.   

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL, WORTHY, and Learned Sir Robert Cotton of Connington Knight.  
TEmples (saith the ancient Aristides) are to be dedicated to the Gods, and Books to Goodmen. Upon warrant of which words, and long experience of your goodness, Right worshipful, this silly, pitiful, and poor Treatise was once unadvisedly forward to have been dedicated to your good worship. But upon more advised consideration, whereas Aristides in his wisdom knew nothing but that which was good, to be seemly and sortable for goodmen, & therefore meant most certainly, that only good Books are to be dedicated to good men: It recalled itself in good tine, for that it cannot challenge any such title either for matter or manner of handling, being only the rude double and outcast rubbish (as you know) of a greater and more serious work. Whereas therefore neither in respect of itself it dare, neither in regard of you it may present itself by way of Dedication, for that should imply honour unto you, which it cannot bring, and require patronage from you, which it needeth not, being by the pitiful silliness thereof secured from envy, only reaching at eminency. I here send it unto you in lose leaves, as fit to be Ludibria venti: and withal submit it to your censure, not as he did Sive legi, sive tegi iusseris. Albeit I assure myself that you in your learned judgement cannot but sentence it, as I have done with this doom.  
Tineas pascat taciturnus inertes.  
From my Lodging xii. junii. 1603.  
Your worships assured M. N.   

Britain  
WHereas I have purposed in all this Treatise to confine myself within the bounds of this Isle of Britain, it cannot be impertinent, at the very entrance, to say somewhat of Britain, which is the only subject of all that is to be said, and well known to be the most flourishing and excellent, most renowned and famous Isle of the whole world: So rich in commodities, so beautiful in situation, so resplendent in all glory, that if the most Omnipotent had fashioned the world round like a ring, as he did like a globe, it might have been most worthily the only gem therein. For the air is most temperate and wholesome, sited in the midst of the temperate Zone, subject to no storms and tempests as the more Southern and Northern are; but stored with infinite delicate fowl. For water, it is walled and guarded with the Oc●an most commodious for traffic to all parts of the world, and watered with pleasant fishfull and navigable rivers, which yield safe havens and roads, and furnished with shipping and Sailors, that it may rightly be termed the Lady of the sea. That I may say nothing of healthful Baths, and of Meres stored both with fish and fowl; The earth fertile of all kind of grain, manured with good husbandry, rich in mineral of coals, tin, lead, copper, not without gold and silver, abundant in pasture, replenished with cattle both tame and wild, (for it hath more par●es than all Europe beside,) plentifully wooded, provided with all complete provisions of War, beautified with many populous Cities, fair Borroughs, good Towns, and well-built Villages, strong Munitions, magnificent Palaces of the Prince, stately houses of the Nobility, frequent Hospitals, beautiful Churches, fair Colleges, as well in other places, as in the two Universities, which are comparable to all the rest in Christendom, not only in antiquity, but also in learning, building, and endowments. As for government Ecclesiastical and Civil, which is the very soul of a kingdom, I need to say nothing, whenas I write to home-born, and not to strangers.  
But to praise Britain according as the dignity thereof requireth is a matter which may exercise, if not tire the happiest wit furnished with the greatest variety of learning; and some already have busied their brains and pens herein with no sma●l labour and travel: let therefore these few lines in this behalf suffice, out of an ancient Writer. Britain, thou art a gloriou●●sle, extolled and renowned among all Nations; the navies of Tharsis can not be compared to thy shipping bringing in all precious commodities of the world: the Sea is thy wall, and strong fortifications do secure thy Ports: Chivalry, Clergy, and Merchandise do flourish in thee. The P●sans, Genoveses, and Venetians do bring thee sapphires, Emeralds and Carbuncles from the East: Asia serveth thee with Silk & Purple, Africa with Cinnamon and Balm, Spain with Gold, and Germany with Silver: Thy Weaver Flaunders doth drape Cloth for thee of thine own Wool; Thy Gascoigne doth send thee Wine: 
Gascoigne then under the crown of England.  Buck and Do are plentiful in thy Forests: Droves of Cattle, and Flocks of Sheep are upon thy Hills: All the perfection of the goodiust ●and is in thee: Thou hast all the Fowl of the air. In plenty of Fish thou dost surpass all Regions. And albeit thou art not stretched out with large limits, yet bordering Nations clothed with thy Fleeces, do wonder at thee for thy blessed plenty. Thy sword have been turned into plowshares: Peace and Religion flourish in thee; so that thou art a Mirror to all Christian Kingdoms.  
Add hereunto (if you please) these few lines out of a far more ancient Panegyrist in the time of Constantine the Great. O happy Britain and more blissful than all other Regions: Nature hath enriched thee with all commodities of heaven and earth, wherein there is neither extreme cold in Winter, nor scorching heat in Summer; wherein there is such abundant plenty of Corn, as may suffice both for Bread and Wine: wherein are Woods without wild Beasts, and the Fields without noisome Serpents; but infinite numbers of milk Cattle, and Sheep weighed down with rich Fleeces: And that which is most comfortable, long days, and lightsome nights.  
So that, not without cause, it was accounted one of the fairest and most glorious Plumes in the triumphant Diadem of the Roman Empire, while it was a Province under the same; 
Alfred● 〈…〉.  and was truly called by Charles the Great, The Storehouse, and Granary of the whole western world.  
But whereas the said Panegyrist falleth into a gladsome admiration, how from hence there hath risen gracious princes, As good gods honoured throughout the whole world. That if ever, as it was lately to our glorious joy evidently, & effectually verified in our late Sovereign, of most dear, sacred and ever-glorious memory QUEEN ELIZABETH, the honour of her time, and the mirror of succeeding ages: so with an assured confidence, we hope it will likewise be proved true in her undoubted and rightful successor, our dread Lord and Sovereign. That to his endless honour MERCY and TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS and PEACE may here kiss together; and true RELIGION, with her attendants JOY, HAPPINESS, and GLORY, may here for ever seat themselves under him; in whose person the two mighty kingdoms of England and Scotland hitherto severed, are now conjoined, and begin to close together into one, in their most ancient name of BRITAIN.  
If any would undertake the honour and precedence of Britain before other Realms in serious manner (for here I protest once for all, I will pass over each thing lightly & slightly) a world of matter at the first view would present itself unto him. As that the true Christian Religion was planted here most auntiently by joseph of Arimathia, Simon Zelotes, Aristobulus, yea by saint Peter, and saint Paul, as may be proved by Dorotheus, Theod●●●, Sophronius, & before the year of Christ 200. it was propagated, as Tertullian writes to places of Britain ●accessa Ro●anis, whither the Romans never reached, which can not be understood, but of that part which was afterward called Scotland. The kingdoms also are most ancient, held of God alone, acknowledging no superiors, in no vassalage to Emperor or Pope. 
Tho▪ Moor in the Debellation Parl. 43. Edw. 3.  The power of the Kings more absolute, than in most other kingdoms, their territories very large; for the Kings of England, beside Ireland, have commanded from the Isles of Orkenay, to the Pyrene Mountains, and are de iure, Kings of all France by descent. The Kings of Scotland, beside the ample realm of Scotland commands the 300 Western Isles, the 30. of Orkney & Schetland. Also, which was accounted a special note of majesty in former ages, the Kings of England, with them of France, jerusalem, Naples, and afterward Scotland, were anciently the only anointed Kings of Christendom: which manner began among the jews, was recontinued at length by the Christian Emperors of Constantinople, with this word at the anointing, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 
Curopalares.  that is, Be holy; and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Be worthy; and from thence was that sacred ceremony brought to us and the other kingdoms.  
As for that admirable gift hereditary to the anointed Princes of this Realm, 
Charisma of doctor Tooker.  in curing the King's Evil, I refer you to the learned Discourse thereof lately written. Neither would it be forgotten, that England in the opinion of the Popes (when they swayed the world, and their authority was held sacred) was preferred, because it contained in the Ecclesiastical Division, two large Provinces, which had their several Legatinati, whereas France had scantly one, That Scotland was by them accounted an exempt kingdom, 
Epist. Bonif. sept. ad ● d. 1. reg. Angl●●.  and a Peculiar properly appertaining to the Roman Chapel. And which was accounted in that age a matter of honour, when all Christianity in the Counsel Constance was divided into Nations, Anglicana Natio was one of the principal and no sub alterne. As also, that in times past, the Emperor was accounted Maior filius Ecclesiae, the King of France, Filius Minor, and the King of England, Filius Tertius, and Adoptivus. And so in general councils, as the King of France had place next the Emperor on the right hand, so the King of England on the left; and the Kings of Scotland, as appeareth in an ancient Roman Provincial, had next place before Castil●. The Archbishops of Canterbury, who were anciently styled archbishops of Britain, were adjudged by the Popes, tanquam alterius orbis Pontifices Maximi, and they had their place in all general councils, at the Pope's right foot. The Title also of Defensor fidei, is as honourable, and more justly conferred upon the Kings of England, than, either Christianissimus upon the French, or Catholicus upon the Spaniard. Neither is it to be omitted, which is so often recorded in our Histories, when Brithwald the Monk, not long before the Conquest busied his brain much about the succession of the Crown, because the blood Royal was almost extinguished, he had a strange vision, and heard a voice, which forbade him to be inquisitive of such matters, resounding in his ears. The kingdom of England is Gods own kingdom, and for it God himself will provide. But these, & such like are more fit for a graver Treatise than this. I will perform that I promised, in handling nothing seriously, and therefore I will bring you in some Poets, to speak in this behalf for me, and will begin with old Alfred of Beverlie, who made this for Britain in general, which you must not read with a censorious eye; for it is, as the rest I will cite, of the middle age, having heretofore used all of more ancient and better times in an other work. But thus said he of Britain.  
Insula praedives quae toto vix eget orb,  
Et cuius totus indiget orbis open.  
Insula praedives, cuius miretur, & optet,  
Delicias Solomon, Octavianus opes.  
For Scotland, one lately in a far higher strain, and more Poetically, sung these; 
Quis tibi frugifera 〈…〉,  
Aut aris gravides, & 〈◊〉 p●●dere 〈…〉,  
Et nitidos auro monces, ferr●que rigent●●  
Deque met all●feris manantia 〈…〉:  
Quaeque bea●t alias communia commoda gettest   
For England a very old Epigrammatist made these with a Prosopopoeia of Nature, the indulgent mother to England, which doth comprise as much as the best wits can now conceive in that behalf.  
Anglia terra ferax, tibi pax secura quietem,  
Multiplicem luxum merx opulenta dedit.  
Tu nimio nec stricta gelu, nec sydere fervens.  
Clementi coelo, temperieque places.  
cum pareret Natura parens, varioque favore,  
Divideret dotes omnibus una locis:  
Seposuit potiora tibi, matremque professa  
Insula fis ●oelix, plenaque pacis, ●●t.  
Quicquid amat luxus, quicquid desiderat usus,  
Ex t● proveniet, vel aliunde tibi.  
Accordingly it is written in the Black book of the Exchequer, that our Ancestors termed England, a Storehouse of Treasure, and a Paradise of Pleasure, in this verse; 
Divitijsque sinum, delicijsque larem.   
So that not without cause Pope Innocentius the fourth, 
Matthew Paris.  most willingly, and especially desired to see Divitias Londini, & delicias Westmonasterij. In these respects, to conclude, most truly our Lucan singeth of this our country; 
Samuel Daniel.  
The fairest Land, that from her thrusts the rest,  
As if she cared not for the world beside,  
A world within herself with wonders blest.    

The inhabitants of Britain  
AS all the Regions with the whole world's frame, and all therein was created by the Almighty, 
Cicero.  for his last and most perfect work, that goodly, upright, provident, subtle, witty, and reasonable creature, which the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, for his upright look; the Latins Homo, for that he was made of mould; 
Petrus Nanuius.  and we with the Germans, call Man of his principal part, the mind, being the very image of God, and a petty world within himself: so he assigned in his divine providence, this so happy and worthy a region to men of answerable worth, if not surpassing, yet equalling the most excellent inhabitants of the earth, both in the endowments of mind, lineaments of body, and their deportment both in peace and war, as if I would enter into discourse I could very easily show.  
But overpassing their natural inclination by heavenly influence, 
P●ol. in Quad●●●.  answerable to the disposition of Aries, Leo, and Sagittary, & jupiter, with Mars Dominators for this Northwest part of the world, which maketh them impatient of servitude, lovers of liberty, martial and courageous. I will only in particular note somewhat, and that summarily of the Britain's, Scottish, and English, the three principal inhabitants.  
The Britain's, 
Britain's  the most ancient people of this Isle anciently inhabited the same from sea to sea, whose valour and prows is renowned both in Latin & Greek monuments, and may appear in these two points which I will here only note. First that the most p●●ssant Roman forces, when they were at the highest, could not gain of them, being but then a halfe-naked people, 
Plinius.  in thirty whole years the countries from the Thames to Str●●ling. And when they had gained them, and brought them into form of a province, they found them so warlike a people, that the Romans levied as many Cohorts, 
Notitia provin●●arum.  companies, and ensigns of Britan's from hence for the service of Armenia, Egypt, Illyricum, their frontier Countries, as from any other of their Provinces whatsoever. 
Pict-britans'.  As for those Britain which were farther North, and after as is most probable, called picts, (for that they still painted themselves when the Southern parts were brought to civility,) they not only most courageously defended their liberty, but offended the Romans with continual and most dangerous incursions. The other remainder of the Britan's, which retired themselves to west parts, now called W●●es, with like honour of fortitude, for many hundred years repelled the yoke both of the English and Norman slavery. But since they were ●●ted to the imperial Crown of England, 
Welsh-britans'.  they have, to their just praise, performed all parts of dutiful loyalty and allegiance most faithfully thereunto.] Great also is the glory of those Britan's, 
American or French Britan's.  which in most doleful time of the English invasion, withdrew themselves into the West parts of Gallia, then called Armorica: For they not only seated themselves, there maugre the Romans, (than indeed low, and near setting,) and the French: but also imposed their name to the country, held and defended the same against the French, until in our grandfathers memory, it was united to France by the sacred bonds of matrimony.]  
Next after the Britan's, 
Scottishmen. ●  the Scottishmen coming out of Ireland, planted themselves in this Islco● the North side of Cluid, 
B●●a lib. ●.  partly by force, partly by favour of the picts, with whom a long time they annoyed the Southern parts, but after many bloody battles amongst themselves, the Scottishmen subdued them, and established a kingdom in those parts, which with 〈◊〉 courage and warlike prowess, they have not only maintained at home, but also hath purchased great honour abroad. For the French cannot but acknowledge they have seldom achieved any honourable acts without Scottish hands, who therefore are deservedly to participate the glory with them. As also diverse parts of France, Germany, and Suitzerland, cannot but confess, that they owe to the Scottish Nation, the propagation of good letters and Christian religion amongst them.  
After the Scottishmen, the Angles, Englishmen or Saxons, by God's wonderful providence were transplanted hither out of Germany. 
Englishm●●  A people composed of the valiant Angles, jutes, and Saxons, then inhabiting jutland, holsten, and the sea coasts along to the river Rhine, who in short time subduing the Britan's, and driving them into the mountainous Western parts, made themselves by a most complete conquest, absolute Lords of all the better soil thereof, as far as Orkeney. Which cannot be doubted of, when their English tongue reacheth so far along the East coast, unto the farthest parts of Scotland, and the people thereof are called by the Highland-men, which are the true Scots, by no other name than Saxons, by which they also call us the English.  
This warlike, victorious, stiff, stout, and rigorous Nation, after it had as it were taken root here about one hundred and sixty years, and spread his branches far and wide, being mellowed and mollified by the mildness of the soil and sweet air, was prepared in fullness of time for the first spiritual blessing of God, I mean our regeneration in Christ, and our engrafting into his mystical body by holy baptism. Which Beda our Ecclesiastical Historian recounteth in this manner, and I hope you will give it the reading. Gregory the Great Bishop of Rome, on a time saw beautiful boys to befold in the market at Rome, & demanded from whence they were▪ answer was made him out of the Isle of Britain Then asked he again, whither they were Christians or no● they said no. Alas for pity said Gregory, that the soul 〈…〉 be Lord of such fair folks▪ and that they which carry such grace in their 〈…〉 in their hearts. Then he would know of them by what name their Nation was called, and they told him 〈◊〉, And justly be they so called (quoth he,) for they have Angelic faces, and seem meet to be made cohair●● with the Angels in heaven.  
Since which time, they made such happy progress in the Christian profession both of faith and works, that if I should but enter into consideration thereof, I should be overwhelmed with main tides of matter. Many and admirable monuments thereof, do every where, at home present themselves to your view, erected informer times, (and no small number in our age, although few men note them,) not for affectation of ●ame, or ostentation of wealth, but to the glory of God, increase of faith, of learning and to maintenance of the poor. As for abroad, the world ca● testify that four Englishmen have converted to Christianity, eight Nations of Europe, Wi●frid alias Boniface, the D●●shire-man converted the Germane Saxons, Franc●●●ns Hossians, and Thuringians, Willebred the Northern man, the Frisians and Hollanders. Nicholas Braksp●● of Middlesex, who was after called Pope Hadrian the Normegians, and not long since, Thomas of W●lden of Essex, the Lit●●●ians. Neither will I here note which strangers have noted, that England hath bred more Princes renowned for sanctity, than any Christian Nation whatsoever. It doth also redound to the eternal honour of England, that our countrymen have twice been schoolemaist 〈…〉 France. First when they taught the Gauls the discipline of the 〈◊〉 and after, when they and the Scottishmen first taught the French the liberal Arts, and persuaded Carelus Magnus to found the University of Paris. They also brought into France the best laws which the Parliament of 〈◊〉 and Bordeaux have now in use. 
〈◊〉.  They at the lowest ebb of learning, amazed the world with their excellent knowledge in Philosophy, and Divinity: for that I may not 〈◊〉 of Alexander of Hales, the 〈…〉 Schoolmaster to the 〈◊〉 Doctor Thomas Aq●●●, one College in Oxford brought forth in one age those four lights of learning: 
〈◊〉 college  Sco●us the Subtle, Bradward●ne the Profound, Okham the Invincible, and Burley the Perspicuous, and as some say, Baconthorpe the Resolute; which Titles they had by the common consent of the judicial and learned of that and the succeeding ages. Yet their military glory hath surpassed all, for they have terrified the whole world with their Arms in Syria, Egypt, Cyprus, Spain, Sicill, and India.  
They have traversed with most happy victories both France and Scotland, brought away their King's captives, conquered Ireland and the Isle of Cypress, which King Richard the first gave frankly to Guy of Lusigni●●, and lately with a maiden's hand, mated the mightiest Monarch in his own Countries. They beside many other notable discoveries, twice compassed the whole globe of the earth with admirable success, which the Spaniards have yet but once performed. Good Lord, how spaciously might a learned pen walk in this argument! But lest I should seem over prodigal in the praise of my countrymen, I will only present you with some few verses in this behalf, and first this Latin rhythm of the middle time in praise of the English Nation, with some close cautions. It's quilted as ●t were out of shreds of diverse Poets, such as Scholars do call a Cento.  
Quo versu Anglorum possim describere gentem,  
Saepe mihi dubiam traxit sententia mentem.  
Sunt in amicitia percusso foedere veri.  
Mayor at est virtus, quam quarere, parta tu●●i.  
Su●● bello fortes, alires, validique duel●●s,  
Aspera se● po●●tis ●●●●scant secula bellis.  
Sunt 〈…〉, florent virtutis 〈◊〉,  
S●d nihil est virtus, nisi cum 〈…〉.  
Quid fit avaritia pestis gens Anglicanescit,  
Cr●scit amor dandi, quantum ipsa 〈…〉  
〈…〉 prima 〈◊〉, dare largè, 〈◊〉 virescit,  
Vas nisi syncerum quodcunque infundis acescit.  
L●uti●r est ill●s cum mensa divite cu●●us,  
Accedunt hilares semper super 〈…〉.  
Non ibi Damaetas pauper dicit Melyb●●,  
In cratere meo Thetis est sociata Ly●●.  
Gratius ingenium datur his, & gratia m●rum,  
Sic norunt quam sit du●cis ●●xtura bonorum.  
Anglorum cur est gens quaevis invida genti?  
Summa petit livor, perflant altissima venti.  
And for the Scottish nation this of their own Poet:  
Illa pharetratis est propria gloria Scotis,  
Cingere venatu saltus, superare natand●  
Flumina, far famem, contemnere frigora & ●stus:  
Nec fossa & muris patriam, sed mart tueri,  
Et spreta incolumem vita defendere fam●●,  
Polliciti servare fidem, sanctumque vereri  
Numen amicitia, mores non munus amare.   

The Languages.  
FRom the people we will now proceed to the languages. here would Scholars show you the first confusion of languages out of Moses, that the gods had their peculiar tongue out of H●●er, that brute beasts, birds, and fishes, had their own proper languages out of Clemens Alexandri●●●. They would teach you out of Euphorus, that there were but 52. tongues in the world, because so many souls out of jacob descended into Egypt, 
In Psalm. 104.  and out of Arnobius, that there were seventy and two: Albeit Timosthenes reporteth that in Dioscurias a mart town of Colchis, their trafficked 300. Nations of diverse languages: And howsoever our Indian or American discoverers say, that in every fourscore mile in America, and in every valley almost of Peru you shall find a new language. Neither would they omit the Island where the people have cloven tongues out of the fabulous Narrations of Diodorus Siculus: yea, they would lash out of the Utopian language with Volvola Barchin hema●●, la lalvola dram pagloni. whenas it is a greater glory now to be a Linguist, than a Realist. They would moreover discourse at large, which I will tell you in a word. First the British tongue or Welsh (as we now call it) was in use only in this Island, 
Britania Camdem.  having great affinity with the old Galliqua of Gaul, now France, from whence the first inhabitants in all probability came hither. Afterward the Latin was taken up when it was brought into the form of a Proviner, about the time of Domitian, according to that notable place of Tacitus, where he reportteth that julius Agricola Governor here for the Romans, preferred the Britan's, as able to do more by wit, than the Gauls by study: Vt qui (saith he) modò linguam Romanam abnuebant, eloquentiam concupiscerent. Ind etiam habitus nostri honour & frequens toga. But the British overgrewe the Latin, and continueth yet in Wales, and some villages of Cornwall intermingled with some Provincial Latin. After the Irish tongue was brought into the Northwest parts of the Isle, out of Ireland by the ancient Scottishmen, and there yet remaineth. Lastly, the English-Saxon tongue came in by the English-Saxons on't of Germany, who valiantly and wisely performed here all the three things, which imply a full conquest, viz. the alteration of laws, language, and attire.  
This English tongue extracted out of the old Germane, as most other from Island to the Alps, is mixed as it is now, of the old English-Saxon & N●●●●● of Latin, Germane, and the old 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Latin and German-Gotish, and the Spanish of Latin, Gotish-German and Arabic, Saracen, or M●r●sq●●. And to the honour of our progenitors the English-Saxons be it spoken, their conquest was more absolute here over the Brita●●s, than either of the Francs in Fran●c● over the G●●l●s, or the Goths and lombards in Italy over the K 〈…〉, or of the Goths, Vandals, and Moors over the ancient Spaniards in Spain. For in these nations much of the provincial Latin (I mean the Latin used whilst they were Provinces of the Romans) remaineth, which they politicly had spread over their Empire, by planting of Colonies and enfranchising all Nations subject unto them. But the English-Saxon conquerors, altered the tongue which they found here wholly: so that no British words, or provincial Latin appeared therein at the first: & in short time they spread it over this whole Island, from the Orcadeses to Isle of Wight, except a few barren corners in the Western parts, whereunto the relics of the Britan's and Scots retired, reserving in them both their life and their language. For certainly it is that the greatest and best parts, the East and South of Scotland, which call themselves the Lawlandmen, speak the English tongue varied only in Dialect, as descended from the English-Saxons: and the old Scottish, which is the very Irish, is used only by them of the West, called the Hechtlandmen, who call the other as the Welsh call us Sassons, Saxons, both in respect of language and original, as I showed before.  
I dare not yet here affirm for the antiquity of our language, that our great-great-great-grandsires tongue came out of Persia, albeit the wonderful Linguist joseph Scaliger hath observed, father; Mother, Bruder, 〈◊〉 etc. in the Pers 〈…〉 tongue in the very sense as we now use th' 〈…〉.  
It will not be unproper I hope to this purpose, if I note out of the epistles of that learned Ambassador Busbeq 〈…〉, how the inhabitants of Taurica-Ch●rson●ssus, in the utter-most part of Europe eastward, have these words, Wind, Silver, Kor●●, Sak, Fish, Son, Apple, Waggon, Singen, 〈◊〉, Beard, with many other in the very same sense and signification, as they now are in use with us, whereat I mervailed not a little when I first read it. But nothing can be gathered thereby, but that the Saxons our progenitors, which planted themselves here in the West, did also to their glory place Colonies likewise there in the east.  
As in the Latin tongue, the learned make in respect of time, four Idioms, the Ancient, the Latin, the Roman, the Mixed: so we in ours may make the Ancient English-Saxon, and the Mixt. But that you may seem how powerable time is in altering tongues as all things else, I will set down the Lords prayer as it was translated in sundry ages, that you may see by what degrees our tongue is risen, and thereby conjecture how in time it may alter and fall again.  
If we could set it down in the ancient Saxon, I mean in the tongue which the English used at their first arrival here, about 420. years after Christ's birth, it would seem most strange and harsh Dutch or Gebrish, as women call it; or when they first embraced Christianity, about the year of Christ 600. But the antientst that I can find, was about 900. year since, about the year of Christ 700. found in an ancient Saxon, glossed Evangelists in the hands of my good friend M. Robert Bowyer, written by Eadfride the eight Bishop of Lindiffar●●, 
Holy-Iland.  (which after was translated to Durrham,) and divided according to the ancient Canon of Eusebius, not into chapters, for Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canturburie, first divided the holy Scriptures into chapters, as Robert Stephan did lately into verse; and thus it is.  
Vrens Our father Father thic which art art in in heofnas heaven, 
 Sie be gehalgud hallowed thin thin noma name., to cymeth come 
 thin thy ric kingdom.. Sie Be thin thy willa will sue so is as in in 
 heofnas heaven, and and in in eortho earth.. Vrens Our hlaf loaf 
 ofer Super- wirtlic substantial sell give us us to to daeg day,, and and 
 forg●f forgive us us scylda debts urna eu●es, sue so we we for for. 
 gefan give scyldgum debts urum ours,, and and no do inlead not led 
 useth us in into custnung temptation., Ah But gefrig deliver urich every one 
 from from ifle evil.. Amen.  
Some two hundred years after, I find this somewhat varied in two translations.  
Thu ure father the eart on heofenum 
 Si thin nama gehalgod. Cum thin ric. 
 
* Gewurthe thin willa.  Si thin willa on eorthan, swa swa on heofo 
 num. Syle us to daeg urn daegthanlican daily hlaf. 
 And forgif us ure gyltas trespasses swa, swa we for 
 gifath 
* Vrum gyltendum.  tham the with against us us agyltath have trespassed. And ne 
 led the us on costnung, Ac alys us from 
 yfle. 
* Sothlice.  Si Be it it swa. so.  
About an hundred and three score years after, in the time of king. Henry the second, I find this in time sent from Rome by Pope Adrian an Englishman, to be taught to the people.  
Vre father in heaven rich,  
Thy name be halyed everlich:  
Thou bring us thy michell bliss,  
Als hit in heaveny-doe,  
Evar in earth been it also:  
That holy bread that lasteth ay,  
Thou send it ou● this ilke day.  
Forgive ous all that we havith done,  
As we forgivet such other mon:  
Ne let ous fall into no founding,  
Ac shield ous fro the fowl thing. Amen.  
Neither was there any great variation in the time of king Henry the third, as appeareth in this of that age, as I conjecture by the Character; 
father that art in heavin bliss,  
Thin helge name it wurth the bliss.  
Cumen & mot thy kingdom,  
Thin holy will it be all don,  
In heaven and in erdh also,  
So it shall been full well Ic tr●.  
Give us all bread on this day,  
And forgif us ure sins,  
Ai we do ure wider wins:  
Let us not in fonding fall,  
O ac fro evil thou syld us all. Amen.   
In the time of king Richard the second about a hundred and odd years after, it was so mollified, that it came to be thus, as it is in the Translation of Wickliff, with some Latin words now inserted, whereas there was not one before.  Our father, that art in heaven, halloed be thy name, thy kingdom come to, be thy will done, so in heaven, and in earth: give to us this day our bread over other substance: and forgif to us our dettis, as we forgiven to our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us fro evil. Amen. 
Hitherto will our sparkefull Youth laugh at their great grandfathers English, who had more care to do well, than to speak minion-like, and l●ft more glory to us by th●ir exploiting of great acts, than we shall do by our sonnetting.  
Great verily was the glory of our tongue before the Norman Conquest in this, that the old English could express most aptly, all the conceits of the mind in their own tongue without borrowing from any. As for example:  
The holy service of God, which the Latins called Religion, because it knitted the minds of men together, and most people of Europe have borrowed the same from them, they called most significantly Fan-fastnes, as the one and only assurance and fast ankerholde of our soul's health.  
The gladsome tidings of our salvation, which the greeks called Evangelion, and other Nations in the same word, they called Godspel, that is, God speech.  
For our Saviour, which we borrowed from the French, and they from the Latin Salvator, they called in their own word, Haelend from Hael, that is, Salus, safety, which we ●●tame still in Al-hael, and Was-hael, that is, Ave, Salve, Sis salvus.  
They could call the disciples of Christ, 
Leorning  Leorning Cnibtas, that is, Learning Servitors. For 〈◊〉 which is now a name of worship, signified with them an Attendant, or servitor.  
They could name the pharisees according to the Hebrew, Sunder-halgens, as holy religious men which had sundered and severed themselves from other.  
The Scribes they could call in their proper signification, as Bookmen, Bocer. So they called parchment which we have catched from the Latin Pergamenum, Boc-fell in respect of the use.  
So they could call the sacrament Haligdome, as holy judgement. For so it is according as we receive it.  
They could call Fortilitie and fruitfulness of land significatively Eordes-wela, as wealth of the earth.  
They could call a Comet, a Faxed star; which is all one with Stella Crinita, or Cometa. So they did call the judgement seat Domesettle.  
That which we call the Parliament of the French Parier to speak, they called a Witten mot, as the meeting and assembly of wise men.  
The certain and inward knowledge of that which is in our mind, be it good or bad, which in the Latin word we call Conscience, they called Inwit, as that which they did inwardly wit and wot, that is, know certainly.  
That in a river which the Latins call Alveus, and Cana●is, and from thence most nations of Europe name the Channel, Kanel, Canale, etc. they properly called the Streame-race.  
Neither in the degrees of kindred they were destitute of significative words; for he whom we of a French & English compound word call Grandfather, they called Eald-fader, whom we call Great Grandfather, they called Thirdafader. So Proavus, which we call Great Great Grandfather, they called Fortha-fader, as Abavus, Fiftha-fader.  
An Eunuch, for whom we have no name, but from the greeks, they could aptly name Vnstana, that is, without stones, as we use Unspotted for without spot, Unlearned, for, without learning.  
A Covetous man whom we so call of the French Convoitise, they truly called Git-sor, as afore & eager Getter, and Gatherer.  
That which the Latins call Abortus, and we in many words, Untimely Birth, or, Borne before the full time, they called Miss-borne.  
A Porter, which we have received from the French, they could in their own word as significatively call A Doreward.  
I could particulate in many more, but this would appear most plentifully, if the labours of the learned Gentlemen Master Laurence Nowell of Lincoln's Inn, who first in our time recalled the study hereof, Master William Lambert, Master I: joscelin, Master Fr: Tate were once published. Otherwise it is to be feared, that devouring Time, in few years will utterly swallow it, without hope of recovery.  
The alteration and innovation in our tongue as in all others, hath been brought in by entrance of Strangers, as Danes, Normans, and others which have swarmed hither, by traffic, for new words as well as for new wares, have always come in by the tyrant Time, which altereth all under heaven, by Use, which swayeth most, and hath an absolute command in words, and by Pregnant wits: specially since that learning after long banishment, was recalled in the time of King Henry the eight, it hath been beautified and enriched out of other good tongues, partly by enfranchising and endenizing strange words, partly by refining and mollifying old words, partly by implanting new words with artificial composition, happily containing themselves within the bounds prescribed by Horace. So that our long is (and I doubt not but hath been) as copious, pithy, and significative, as any other tongue in Europe: and I hope we are not yet and shall not hereafter come to that which Seneca saw in his time, 
I● Epistolis.  When men's minds begin once to injure themselves to dislike whatsoever is usual, is disdained. They affect novelty in speech, they recall foworn and uncuth words, they forge new phrases, and that which is newest, is best liked; there is presumptuous and far fetching of words. And some there are which think it a grace if their speech do hover, and thereby hold the hearer in suspense: you know what followeth.  
Omitting this, pardon me and think me not overbalanced with affection, if I think that our English tongue is (I will not say as sacred as the Hebrew, or as learned as the Greek,) but as fluent as the Latin, as courteous as the Spanish, as courtlike as the French, and as amorous as the Italian, as some Italianated amorous have confessed. Neither hath any thing detracted more from the dignity of our tongue, than our own affection of foreign tongues, by admiring, praising, and studying them above measure: whereas the wise Romans thought no small part of their honour to consist in the honour of their language, esteeming it a dishonour to answer any foreign in his own language. As for a long time the English placed in the Borough towns of Ireland and Wales, would admit neither Irish nor Welsh among them. And not long since for the honour of our native tongue, Henry Fitz-Allan Earl of Arundel, in his travail into Italy, and the Lord William Howard of Effingham, in his government of Calais, albeit they were not ignorant of other foreign tongues, would answer no strangers by word or writing, but only in English. As in this consideration also before them Cardinal Wolsey in his embassage into France, commanded all his servaunts to use no French, but mere English to the French, in all communication whatsoever.  
As for the Monosyllables so rife in our tongue which were not so originally, although they are unfitting for verses and measures, yet are they most fit for expressing briefly the first conceits of the mind, or Intentionalia as they call them in schools: so that we can set down more matter in fewer lines, than any other language. Neither do we or the Welsh so curtal Latin, that we make all therein Monosyllables, as joseph Scaliger chargeth us; 
In Catalecti●.  who in the mean time forgetteth that his Frenchmen have put in their Proviso in the edict of Pacification in the Grammatical war, that they might not pronounce Latin distinctly, as the English common Lawyers obtained then a Reservation that they might write false Latin, and the Irish not to observe quantity of syllables. I cannot yet but confess that we have corruptly contracted most names both of men and places, if they were of more than two syllables, and thereby hath ensued no little obscurity.  
Whereas our tongue is mixed, it is no disgrace, whereas all the tongues of Europe do participate interchangeably the one of the other, and in the learned tongues, there hath been like borrowing one from another. 
In Mithridate.  Yet is it false which Gesner affirmeth, that our tongue is the most mixed and corrupt of all other. For if it may please any to compare but the Lord's Prayer in other languages, he shall find as few Latin and borrowed foreign words in ours, as in any other whatsoever. Notwithstanding the diversive of Nations which have swarmed hither, and the practice of the Normans, who as a monument of their Conquest, would have yoked the English under their tongue, as they did under their command, by compelling them to teach their children in schools nothing but French, by setting down their laws in the Norman-French, and enforcing them most rigorously to plead and to be impleaded in that tongue only, for the space of three hundred years, until K. Edward the third enlarged them first from that bondage. Since which time, our language hath risen by little, and the proverb proved untrue, which so long had been used, jack would be a gentleman, if he could speak any French.  
Herein is a notable argument of our Ancestors steadfastness in esteeming and retaining their own tongue. For as before the Conquest they misliked nothing more in K. Edward the Confessor, than that he was Frenchified, & accounted the desire of foreign language, then to be a foretoken of the bringing in of foreign powers, which indeed happened. In like manner after the Conquest, notwithstanding those enforcements of the Normans in supplanting it, and the nature of men, which is most pliable with a curious jollity to fashion & frame themselves according to the manners, attire, and language of the Conquerors. Yet in all that long space of 300. years, they intermingled very few French-Norman words, except some terms of law, hunting, hawking, and dicing, whenas we within these 60. years, have incorporated so many Latin and French, as the third part of our tongue consisteth now in them. But like themselves, continue still those old Englishmen which were planted in Ireland, in Fingall, & the Country of Weysford, in the time of K. Henry the second, who yet still continue their ancient attire and tongue, in somuch that an English gentleman not long since, sent thither in Commission among them, said that he would quickly understand the Irish, when they spoke the ancient English. So that our Ancestors seemed in part as jealous of their native language, as those B●itans which passed hence into Armorica in France, 
Ne●nius.  and marrying strange women there, did cut out their tongues, lest their children should corrupt their language with their motters' tongues, or as the Germans which have most of all Nations opposed themselves against all innovations in habit, and language.  
Whereas the Hebrew Rabbins say, and that truly, that Nature hath given man five instruments for the pronouncing of all letters, the lips, the teeth, the tongue, the palate, and throat; I will not deny but some among us do pronounce more fully, some flatly, some broadly, and no few mincingly, offending in defect, excess, or change of letters, which is rather to be imputed to the persons and their education, than to the language. Whenas generally we pronounce by the confession of strangers, as sweetly, smoothly, and moderately, as any of the Northern Nations of the world, who are noted to soup their words out of the throat with fat and full spirits.  
This variety of pronunciation hath brought in some diversity of Orthography, and hereupon Sir john Price, to the derogation of our tongue, and glory of his Welsh, reporteth that a sentence spoken by him in English, & penned out of his mouth by four good Secretaries, severally, for trial of our Orthography, was so set down by them, that they all differed one from the other in many letters: whereas so many Welsh writing the same likewise in their tongue varied not in any one letter at all. Well, I will not derogate from the good Knight's credit; yet it hath been seen where ten English writing the same sentence, have all so concurred, that among them all there hath been no other difference, than the adding, or omitting once or twice of our silent E, in the end of some words. As for the Welsh, I could never happen on two of that Nation together, that would acknowledge that they could write their own language.  
Sir Thomas Smith her majesties secretary not long since, a man of great learning and judgement, occasioned by some uncertainty of our Orthography, though it seem grounded upon Sound, Reason, and Custom, laboured to reduce it to certain heads; Seeing that whereas of Necessity there must be so many letters in every tongue, as there are simple and single sounds, that the Latin letters were not sufficient to express all our simple sounds. Therefore he wished that we should have A short, and A long, because a in Man, and in Mân of horse hath different sounds; E long as in Mên moderate, and e short as in Men, and an English e as in we, thee, he, me: I long, and I short, as in By, per, and Bî, emere: O short, and O long, as in smonk of a woman, and smôk of the fire: V long, as in Bût, Ocrea, and V short, as in Bunt, Sed: and v or y Greek, as slu, nu, true. For consonants he would have C be never used but for Ch, as it was among the old English, and K in all other words; for Th', he would have the Saxon letter Thorn, which was a D with a dash through the head, or ●; for I consonant the Saxon ●, as ●et, not jet for jeat-stone, ●ay for jay: Q, if he were king of the A, B, C, should be put to the horn, and banished; and Ku in his place, as Kuik, not quik, Kuarel, not Quarrel: Z; he would have used for the softer S, or eth, and es, as dîz for dieth, liz for lies, and the same S inverted for sh, as Shall for shall, fire for flesh. This briefly I have set you down his devise, which albeit Sound and Reason seemed to countenance, yet that Tyrant Custom hath so confronted, that it will never be admitted.  
If it be any glory which the French and Dutch do brag of, that many words in their tongues do not differ from the Greek, I can show you as many in the English; whereof I will give you a few for a taste, as they have offered themselves in reading; but withal, I trust you will not gather by consequence, that we are descanded from the Grecians. Who doth not see an identity in these words, as if the one descended from the other.  

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to call.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a path.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to lap.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, rain  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to rap.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, last.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to seeth.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, rash.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, new.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, grass.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, an Orchard.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to creak.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a star.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, whole.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, foul.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a Dear.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a rod.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, rest.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Moon.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a mill.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a treat.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a ship.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a rope.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to gallop.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, ache.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a rag.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a climbing.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, an udder.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, whorish sport.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to kiss.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to hang.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, earth.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a crab.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a phoale.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a li●ke.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to cut.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to raze out.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, ochre.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to mock.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, less.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, an axe.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to scoff.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to strow.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a skirmish.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a Church.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a pot.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Moustaches.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a door.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a hulk.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to you know what. With many more if a man would be so idle to gather them with Budans, Baifius, junius, Pichardus, and others.   
Hereby may be seen the original of some english words, and the Etymology or reason whence many other are derived, beside them already specified may as well be found in our tongue, as in the learned tongues, although hardly; for that herein as in other tongues, the truth heath hidden and is not easily found, as both Varro and Isidor do acknowledge. But an indifferent man may judge that our name of the most divine power, God, is better derived from Good, the chief attribute of God, than Deus from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, because God is to be feared. So Winter from Wind, So●●er from the Son, Lent from springing, because it falleth in the spring, for which our progenitors the Germans, use Glent. The feast of Christ's Rising, Easter, from the old world East, which we now use for the place of the rising of the Sun, Sail as the Sea-haile, Windor or Window, as a door against the wind, King from Cunning, for so our Great grandfathers called them, which one word employeth two most important matters in a Governor, Power and Skill, and many other better answering in sound and sense, than those of the Latins, Frater quasi ferè alter, Tempestas quasi Tempus pestis, Caput à capiendo, Digiti quia decentèr iuncti, Cura quia cor urit, Peccare quasi pedam capere.  
Dionysius a Greek coiner of Etymologyes is commended by Athenaeus, in his supper-gulls, table-talkers, or Deipnos●phistae, for making mowse-traps of Musteria: and verily if that be commendable, the Mint-masters of our Etymilogies, deserve no less commendation: for they have merrily forged Money from My-hony, Flatter from flie-at-her, shovel from shove-full, Maid as my aid Mastiefe as Mase-thiefe, Staff as Stay of, Beer, Be-heere, Simony See-mony, Stirrup, a Sayre-up, etc.  
This merry playing with words too much used by some hath occasioned a great and high parsonage, to say, that as the Italian tongue is fit for courting, the Spanish for treating, the French for traffic; so the English is most fit for trifling and toying. And so doth Giraldus Cambrensis seem to think whenas in his time he saith, the English and Welsh delighted much in licking the letter and clapping together of Agnominations. But now will I conclude this trifling discourse with a true tale out of an ancient Historian.  
Of the effectual power of words, great disputes have been of great wits in all ages; the pythagoreans extolled it, the impious jews ascribed all miracles to a name which was ingravened in the revestiarie of the Temple, watched by two brazen dogs, which one stale away and enseamed it in his thigh, as you may read in Osorius de Sapientia, and the like in Rabi Hamas Speculation: and strange it is what Samonicus Serenus ascribed to the word ABRADACABRA, against agues. But there was one true English word of as great, if not greater force than them all, now out of all use and will be thought for sound barbarous; but therefore of more efficacy (as it pleaseth Porphyry) and in signification it signifieth as it seemeth, no more then abject, base minded, false hearted, coward, or nidget. Yet it hath levied Armies, and subdued rebellious enemies; and that I may hold you no longer, it is Niding. 
William Malmsbury.  For when there was a dangerous rebellion against King William Rufus, and Rochester Castle then the most important & strongest fort of this Realm was stoutly kept against him, after that he had but proclaimed that his subjects should repair thither to his Camp, upon no other penalty, but that whosoever refused to come, should be reputed a Niding: they swarmed to him immediately from all sides in such numbers, that he had in few days an infinite Army, and the rebels therewith were so terrified, that they forthwith yielded. While I run on in this course of English tongue, rather respecting matter then words, I forget that I may be charged by the mi●●ion refiners of English, neither to write State-English, Court-English, nor Secretarie-English, and verily I acknowledge it. Sufficient it is for me, if I have waded hither-unto in the fourth kind, which is plain English, leaving to such as are complete in all, to supply whatsoever remaineth.   

Christian Names.  
NAmes called in Latin Nomina quas● Notamina, were first imposed for the distinction of persons, which we call now Christian names: After for difference of families which we call Surnames, and have been especially respected as whereon the glory and credit of men is grounded, and by which the same is conveyed to the knowledge of posterity.  
Every person had in the beginning one only proper name, as among the jews, Adam, joseph, Solomon; among the Egyptians, Anubis, Amasis, Busuris; among the Chaldaeans, Ninus, 
V●●to julius. Paris Viglius.  Ninias, Semira●●; among the Medians, Astyages, Bardanes, Arbaces; among the Grecians, Diomedes, Ulysses, Orestes; among the Romans, Romulus, Remus, Faustulus; among the old Gauls, Litavicus, Cavarilus, Divitiacus; among the Germans, Ariovistus, Arminius, Nassua; among the Britan's, Cassibellin, Caratac, Calgac; among the ancient English, Hengest, 
Plinius Marcellin●●.  Aella, Kenrie, likewise among all other Nations, except the savages of Mount Atlas in Barbary, which were reported to be both nameless and dreamelesse.  
The most ancient Nation of the jews gave the name at the Circumcision the eight day after the nativity; the Romans to females the same day, to males the ninth day, which they called Dies lustricus, as it were the cleansing day; upon which day they solemnized a feast called Nominalia, 
De Anima ca 19  and as Tertulian noteth, Fata scribenda advocabantur, that is, as I conceive, their nativity was set. At what time other Nations in ancient times gave names I have not read: but since Christianity, most Nations for the time followed the jews, celebrating baptism the eight day after the birth, only our Ancestors in this Realm, until latter time baptised, and gave name the very birth day, or next day after, following therein the counsel of S. Cyprian, in his third Epistle Ad Fidum. But the Polonians gave name in the seventh year, 
Mart. Crom●●.  at which time they did first cut their children's hair.  
The first imposition of Names was grounded upon so many occasions, as were hard to be specified, but the most common in most ancient times among all nations, as well as the Hebrews, was upon future good hope conceived by parents of their children, in which you might see their first and principal wishes toward them. Whereupon Saint Hierome saith, Votiva & quasi ob virtutis auspicium imponuntur vocabula hominibus, & appellativa vertuntur inpropria, sicut apud Latines, Victor, Probus, Castus, etc. And such hopeful lucky names called by Cicero, 
Cic de Divinatione.  Bona nomina, by Tacitus, Fansta nomina were ever first enroled and ●anged in the Roman Musters; first called out to serve at the first sacrifices, in the foundation of Colonies, as Statorius, Faustus, Valerius, which implied the persons to be stout, happy, and valorous. As chose Atrius V●●ber is accounted in Invie, abominandi ominis nomen, an abominable name, for that it participated in signification with dismal darkness, dead ghosts, and shadows. And you remember what Plautus saith of one whose name was Lyco, that is, a Greedy Wolf; 
Vosmet nunc facit● coniectur 〈◊〉 caeterùm  
Quid id sit hominis, cui Lyco nomen siet.   
Yea such names were thought so happy and so fortunate, that in the time of Galienus one Regilianus, 
See Herodot. lib. ●. de Hegesistrato. Trebellius. Polli●.  which commanded in Illyricum, got the Empire there, only in favour of of his name. For when it was demanded at a supper from whence Regilianus was derived, one answered, à Regno, another began to decline Rex, Regis, Regi, Regilianus; whereat the soldiers (which in all actions are forward.) began with acclamation, Ergo potest Rex esse, Ergo potest regere, Deus tibi regis nomen imposuit: and so invested him with imperial robes. In this Isle also at Silcaster in Hamshire, Constantinus a military man of some reputation, in hope of his lucky name, and that he would prove another Constantinus Magnus to the good of the people, was by the Britain Army proclaimed emperor against Henorius: who exploited great matters in his own person in Gallia, and by his son in Spain. 
Lampridiu●.  So in former times the name of Antoninus in remembrance of Antoninus Pius, was so amiable among the Romans, as he was supposed unfit for the empire, who bore not that name, until Antoninus Elagabalus with his filthy vices distained the same. We read also that two Ambassadors were sent out of France into Spain, to King Alphonse the 9, to demand one of the daughters that he begat of the daughter of King Henry the second of England, to be married to their Sovereign, King Lewes the eight: one of these Ladies was very beautiful called Vrraca, the other not so beautiful, but named Blanch. When they were presented to the Ambassadors, all men held it as a matter resolved that the choice would light upon Vrraca, as the elder and fairer: But the Ambassadors inquiring each of their names, took offence at Vrraca, and made choice of the Lady Blanch, saying, That her name would be better received in France than the other, as signifying fair and beautiful, according to the verse made to her honour.  
Candida, candescens candore, & cordis, & oris.  
So that the greatest Philosopher Plato might seem, not without cause, to advise men to be careful in giving fair and happy names: as the Pythagoreans affirmed the minds, actions, and successes of men to be according to their Fate, Genius, and Name. One also well observeth that these seven things; Virtue, good Parentage, Wealth, Dignity or Office, good Presence, a good Christian name, with a gracious Surname, and seemly attire, do especially grace and adorn a man. And accordingly saith Panormitan; Ex bono nomine oritur bona presumptio. As the common Proverb, Bonum nomen, bonum omen.  
The devil nevertheless who always maligneth God and goodness, 
Ammianus Macellinus lib 19  wrought by the cruelty of Valens the emperor the destruction of many men of worth, who had happy names beginning with Theo signifying God, as Theodorus, Theodubis, Theodoretus, Theodosius, etc. For that divers curious companions had found by the falling of a ring magically prepared, upon those letters only of all the Alphabet, graven in a Charger of sundry metals, and set upon a Laurel trivet; that one who had his name beginning with Theod, should succeed in the empire, which was verified in Theodosius not long after.  
In times of Christianity the names of most holy and virtuous persons, and of their most worthy progenitors were given to stir up men to the imitation of them, whose names they bore. But succeeding ages (little regarding saint Chrysostoms' admonition to the contrary, have recalled profane names, so as now 〈…〉, names of unhappy disaster are as 〈◊〉 some 〈…〉 they were in Paga●●sm●s▪ Albeit in our late 〈…〉 of good consideration have brought in 〈…〉 josias, etc. as better agreeing with our saith, but without contempt of our country names (as I hope) which have both good and gracious significations, as shall appear hereafter.  
Whereas in late years Surnames have been given for Christian names, among us, and no where else in Christendom; although many dislike it, for that great inconvenience will ensue: nevertheless it seemeth to proceed from hearty goodwill and affection of the Godfathers to show their love, or from a desire to continue and propagate their own names to succeeding ages. And is in no wise to be disliked, but rather approved in those which matching with heirs general of worshipful ancient families have given those names to their heirs, with a mindful and thankful regard of them, as we have now, Pickering Wott●n, Grevill Varney, Bassingburne Ga●●dy, Culthorp Parker, Pizzle Brac●●, Fuz-Raulfe Chamberlain, who are the hei●●s of Pickering, 〈◊〉 Bassingburn, Grevill, Calthorp, etc. For beside the continuation of the name, we see that the self name, yea & sometime the similitude of names doth kindle sparkles of love and liking among mere strangers.  
Neither can I believe a wayward old man, which would say, that the giving of Surnames for Christian names first began in the time of king Edward the sixth, by such as would be Godfathers, when they were more than half fathers, and thereupon would have persuaded some to change such names at the Confirmation. Which (that I may note by the way) is usual in other countries, as we remember two sons of king Henry the second of France, christened by the names of Alexander and Hercules, changed them at their Confirmation into 〈◊〉 and Francis.  
But two Christian names are rare in England, and I only remember now his Majesty who was named Charles james, as the Prince 〈…〉 and among private men, Thomas Maria Wingfield, and sir Thomas P●sth●●●us Hobby. Although it is common in Itaile, to adjoin the name of some Saint, in a kind of devotion to the Christian name, as 〈◊〉 Baptista Spinalu, johannes Franciscns Bor●omeus, Marcus Antonius 〈◊〉: and in Spain to add the name of the Saint on whose day the child was borne.  
If that any among us have named their children Remedian 〈◊〉, Imago s●eu●, or with such like names, I know some will think it more than a vanity, as they do but little better of the new names, Freegift, Reformation, Earth, Dust, Ashes, Delivery, More fruit, Tribulation, The Lord is near, More trial, Discipline, joy again, From above: which have lately been given by some to their children with no evil meaning, but upon some singular and precise conceit. That I may omit another more vain absurdity, in giving names and surnames of ruen, 
Suetonius in Domitia. cap. 10  yea and of the best families to dogs, bears, and horses. Whenas we read it was thought a capital crime in Pomposiamas for calling his base bondslaves by the name of grand captains. Here I might remember how some mislike the giving of parents' names successively to their heirs, 
See Demosthenes contra Boetua●, de Nomine.  for that if they should be forced to prove descent, it will be hard to prove the Donor and the Done in Formedon, and to distinguish the one from the other.  
It were impertinent to note here, that destinies were superstitiously by Onomantin deciphered out of names, as though the names and natures of men were suitable, and fatal necessity concurred herein with voluntary motion, in giving the name, according to that of Ausonius to Probus.  
Qualem cravit moribus,  
jussit vocari nomine.  
Mundi supremus arbitar.  
And after, where he playeth with bibbing mother Mere●, as though she were so named, because she would to drink mere wine without water, or as he pleasantly 〈◊〉 it ●●rum Merum; for as he saith; 
Qui primus Mere● 〈◊〉 tibi 〈…〉  
Thesida nomen condidit Hippolit●.  
Nam divinare est, nomen componere, quòd 〈◊〉  
Fortuna, morum, vel nocis indici●●.   
For Hippolytus the son of Theseus was torn in 〈◊〉 by his coach horses, according to his name. So 〈◊〉, signified he should linger long before Trey. 〈◊〉 that he should be redeemed out of bondage in his childhood, Tantalus, that he should be most wretched, because 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the one, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, in the other, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the third implieth such accidents unto them. Hither also may be referred that of Claudius Rutilius.  
Nominibus certis credam decurrere mores?  
Moribus aut potius nomina certa dari●  
But to confront Poet with Poet, our good Epigr 〈◊〉 Poet, old Godfrey of Winchester thinketh no ominous forspeaking to lie in names, in that to Faustus: 
Multùm Fauste tua de nobilitate superbis,  
Quodq, bone Faustus omine nomen habes,  
Sed nullum nomen nomenti, sit licèt omen.   
Memorable is that which may be observed out of histories, how that men of the self same name have begun and ended great states and empires: as Cyrus the son of Cambyses began the Persian Monarchy, Cyrus ●he son of Darius ruinated the same. Darius' the son of Histaspes restored it. And again, Darius the son of Ars●●is utterly overthrew it. Philip the son of Ami●●●tas especially enlarged the kingdom of Macedonia, Philip the son of Antigonus wholly lost the same. Augustus was the first established emperor of Rome, Augustulus the last. Constantinus Magnus borne in this Isle first began the Empire of Constantinople, Constantinus the last left it to the Turks, and utterly lost the same, etc.  
Such 〈◊〉 curious observations bred the superstitious kind of Divination called 〈◊〉, condemned by the last general Counsel, 
〈…〉.  by which the pythagoreans judged the even number of vowels in names to signify imperfections in the left sides of men, and the odd number in the right. By this Augustus the emperor encouraged himself, and conceived good hope of victory, 
〈…〉.  whenas the night before the sea-battell at Actium, the first man he met was a poor waysa●ing man driving his ass before him, whose name when he demanded, he answered, Eutyches, that is, Happyman; and that his asses name was Nicon, that is, Victor. In which place when he accordingly had obtained the victory, he builded the City Nicopolis, that is, the city of Victory, and there erected brazen Images of the man and his ass. 
C●●. Rodog●●● lib. 13 cap. 35.  By this Theodatus king of the Goths, when he was curious to know the success of his wars against the Romans, an On●manticall or Name-wisard jew willed him to shut up a number of swine in little hog-sties, and to give some of them Roman names, to other Goatish names, with several marks, and there to leave them to a certain day; At the day appointed, the king with the jew repaired to the hog-sties, where they found them only dead to whom they had given the Goatish names, and those alive to whom they had given the Roman names, but yet with their brissels more than half shed. Whereupon the jew foretold, that the Goths should wholly be discomfited, and the Romans should lose a great part of their forces. 
Tacks 4 〈◊〉.  By this Vespasian was encouraged to take upon him the empire, when coming to the Temple of Serapi● at Alexandria, and being there alone at his devotion, he suddenly saw in a vision, one Basilides, a noble man of Egypt, who was then four score miles off. Upon which name of Basilides derived from Basileus, signifying a King, he assured himself of royalty, and the empire which he then complotted for. As concerning this On●mantia a German lately set forth a Table, which I wish had been suppressed, for that the devil by such vanities, doth abuse the credulity of youth to greater matters, and sometimes to their 〈…〉.  
I can not tell how you would like it if I should 〈◊〉 remember how the greeks superstitiously judged them more happy, in whose names the numeral letters added together made the greater sum, and therefore Achilles forsooth must needs vanquish Hector, because the numeral Greek letters rose to a greater number in his name then in the others. Or how the amorous Romans kissed the Cup with a health so often at their meetings, as there were letters in their Mistress names, according to that of merry martial of his two wenches, Navia which had six letters, and justina that had seven in her name; Navia sex cyathis, septem Iustina ●ibatur.  
Our Nation was far from those and such curious 〈◊〉 therefore here will I overpass them, and set down Alphabetically the names which we now call Christian names, most usual to the English Nation, with their significations. For this is to be taken as a granted verity, that names among all nations and tongues (as I partly noted before) as significative and not vain senseless sounds. Among the Hobrew●s it is certain out of sacred Scriptures, S. Hicrome, and Philo likewise among the greeks, Romans, German, French, etc. yea among the barbarous Turks, for with them M●●emet signifieth glorified or laudable, 
Bell forest.  H●mar lively, Abdall● God's servant, Seliman peaceable, Agm●● good, Ha●iza ready. Neam● pleasant. 
joseph Acosta.  And the savages of Hispa●●la and all America, name their children in their own languages, Glistering light, Sun bright, Gold-bright, Fine gold, Sweet, Rich feather, etc. as they of Congo, by names of birds, precious stones flowers, etc.  
So that it were gross ignorance and to no ●mall reproach, of our progenitors, to think their names only nothing significative, because that in the daily alteration of our ●ong, the signification of them is lost, or not commonly known, which yet I hope to recover, and to make in some part known, albeit they cannot easily and happily be 〈◊〉, because as 〈◊〉 noteth; Barbarous name● (as he term th● them,) 
Theolo●●● Ph●nicum.  were very emphatical and very short. But in all the significations of these names, you shall see the good and hopeful respects which the devisers of the names had, that there is an Orthetes or certitude of names among all Nations according to Plate, 
In Cratyl●,  and thereby perceive that many were translated out of the Greek and Latin. With all we may make this fruit by consideration of our names, which have good, hopeful, and lucky significations, that accordingly we do carry and conform ourselves; so that we fail not to be answerable to them, but be Nostri nominis homines, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, as Severus, Preb●s, and Aur●●lus are called Sui nominis imporatores. And accordingly it seemeth to have been the manner at giving of names, to wish the children might perform and discharge their names, as when Gunthr●● King of the French, named Clatharius at the font, he said; Crescat puer, & huius sit nominis executer.  
But before I proceed farther, this is to be noted. In most ancient times the Britan's had here their peculiar names, for the most part taken from colours, (for they used to pain● themselves) which are now lost or remain among the Welsh. Afterward they took Roman names when they were Provincials, which either remain corrupted among them, or were extinguished in the greatest part of the Realm, after the entrance of the English Saxons, who brought in their Germane names, as Cridda, Ponda, Oswald, Edward, uchtred, Edmund, etc. Then to say nothing of the Danes, who no doubt brought in their names, as Suayn, Harold, Knute, etc. The Normans conquest brought in other Germane names, for they originally used the Germane tongue, as William, Henry, Richard, Robert, Hugh, Roger, etc. as the Greek names, 
Olden dorplu●.  A●labius, i Innocent, Aspasious i. Delightful, Beëthius, Symmachus. i. Helper, Texetius. i. Archer, etc. were brought into Italy after the division of the Empire. After the Conquest, our Nation (who before would not admit st●●nge and unknown names, but avoided them therefore as unlucky) by little and little began to use Hebrew and sacred names, as Matthew, David, Samson, Luke, 〈…〉, etc. which were never received in Germany, 
〈◊〉.  〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 of Frederick the second, about some 300. years since.  
So that the Saxons, Danish, Norman, and British tongues. are the fittest keys to open the entrance for searching out of our ancient names yet in use. For the Hebrew I will follow the common tables of the Bible, which every one may do as well, and Philo Do nominibus mutatis. For the Greek the best Glossaries with mine own little skill. For the Welsh, I will sparingly touch them, or leave them to the learned of that Nation. But for old English names, which here are the scope of my care, I must sift them as I may out of old English- Saxon treatises, as I have happened upon here and there: and some coniecturally, referring all to the judgement of such, as shall be more happy in finding out the truth, hoping that probability may either please, or be pardoned by such as are modestly learned in histories and languages; to whose judgement in all humility, I commit all that is to be said. For that they cannot but observe the diversity of names, from the original in diverse languages, as how the French have changed Petrus into Pierre, johaunes to 〈◊〉, Benedictus to Beneist, Stephanus to Esti●n, Radulphus to R●●l: how the Italians have changed johannes into Giovanni, Constans into Gostante, Christopherus into Christophan●, jacobus into jacope, Radulphus into Ridulpho, Laurentius into Lorenz. How the Welsh have altered joannes into Even, Aegidius into Silim, George into Sior, Laurence into Lowris, Constantinus into Custenith. How the English have changed Gerrard into Garret, Albric into Aubry, Alexander into Sanders, Constantin into Constance, Benedict into Bennet. How the English and Scottish borderers do use Roby and Rob for Robert, L●kky for Luke, Io●ie and jonie for john, Cristie for Christopher, etc. That I may omit the Spaniard which have turned john into ivan, and jacobus into jago and Diego: as the Germans which have contracted johannes into House, and Theodoric into Doric. These and the like, whosoever will learnedly consider, will not think any thing strange which shall hereafter follows; howsoever the unlearned will boldly censure it. I had purposed here, lest I might seem hereafter to lay my foundations in the sands of conjecture, and not on grounds of truth and authority, to have given you the signification of such words as offer themselves most frequent in the compositions of our meers English names, viz.  

Ael  
All  
Aelf  
Ard  
Are  
Bert  
Bald  
Cin  
Cuth  
Ead  
Ferd  
Gisle  
Gund  
Hold  
Helm  
Hulph  
Hare  
Here  
Leod  
Leof  
Mere  
Mund  
Rad  
Red  
Rod  
Ric  
Sig  
Stan  
Theod  
Ward  
Wald  
Weld  
Widow  
Will  
Winifrid, etc.   
And these not out of suppositive conjectures, but out of Alfricus Grammar, who was a learned Archbishop of Canterbury, well near six hundred year since, and therefore not to be supposed ignorant of the English tongue, out of the English-Saxon Testament, Psalter, and Laws, out of Willeramus Paraphrasis upon the Canticles, and the learned Notes thereon by a man skilful in the Northern tongues, as also out of Beatus Rhonanus, M. Luther, Dasipodius, Killianus, who have laboured in illustration of the old Germane tongue, which undoubtedly is the matrix and mother of our English. But I think it most fitting to this purpose, to show those my grounds in their proper places hereafter.  
In the Table following. 
 Gre. noteth the name to be Greek; Germ. German, Lat. Latin, Fre. French, Hebr. Hebrew, Brit. Welsh, Sax. Saxon, or old English.   

Usual Christian names.  

ARAON, Heb. a Teacher, or Mountain of sortitude.  
ABEL, Heb. Just.  
ADAM, Heb. Man, 〈◊〉, or red.  
ADOLPH, s●e Eadulph.  
ADRIAN, 〈◊〉 Hadrian.  
ALAN, is thought by juhas Scaliger (some of whose progenitors bore that name) to signify an hound in the Sclavonian tongue, and Chancer useth 〈◊〉 in the same sense: neither may it seem strange to take names from beasts. The Romans had their Caninius, Apur, Asinus, etc. and 〈…〉, Lup●●Vrsula. But whereas 〈…〉 into England with Alan earl of Britain, to whom the Conqueror gave the greatest part of 〈◊〉, and hath 〈◊〉 most common since that time in the Northern parts, in the younger children of the noble house of Percies, and the family of Zouch, descended from the Earls of Britain; I would feels it rather out of the British, than 〈◊〉 tongue, and will believe with an 〈…〉 from Aeliamus, that is, Sunne-bright, as they 〈…〉 into Guida●.  
〈…〉 and hope 〈…〉, wealth and might, as Plutarch, Architas, Crates, Craterus, Polycrates, Pancratius, with the greeks, Regulus Opimius, etc. with the Latins. The king of the Goths, which sacked Rome bearing his name, was called by the Romans Allaricus, the old Englishmen turned it into Alric, the Normans into Aiberic. 
Rye.  That Ric, as it signified a kingdom, so also it signified, rich, wealthy, mighty, able powerful, attributes to a kingdom; the word yet remains in that sense among all the Germane nations dispersed in Europe, and little mollisied doth sufficiently prove. The Italians receiving it from the langobards, have turned it into Ricco, the Spaniards from the Goths into Rico, the French from the Frankes into Richo, we from the Saxons into Rich, etc. Fortunatus Venantius, who lived about a thousand years since, translated it by Potens, and Fortis in these verses to Hilperic king of France: 
Hilperice potens, si interpres barbarus adsit,  
Adiutor fortis hoc quoq, nomen habet.  
Nec fuit in vanum sic te vocitare parents,  
Praesagum hoc totum laudis, & omen erat.   
As that Hilperic did signify, puissant and mighty helper. This name is usually written Chilperic, but the C was set before the Coning, that is, King, as in Clotharius, Clodovens, Cheribertus, for Lotharius, Lodovaeus, Heribertus. Aubry hath been a most common name in the honourable family of Vere earls of Oxford.  
ALBAN, Lat. White, or High, as it pleaseth other. The name of our Stephen and first Martyr of Britain.  
ALWIN, Sax. All victorious, or Winning all, as Victor and Vincontius, in Latin Nicetas and Nicophorus. The Yorkeshireman, which was Schoolmaster to Carolus Magnus, and persuaded him to found the University of Paris, is in an English-Saxon treatise called Alwin. But the French, as it seemeth, not able to pronounce the w, called him Alcumus, and Albinus.  
ALBERT, Germ. All-bright, as Epiphanius, Phaedrus, Eudoxus with the grecians: Lucilius, Illustrius, Fulgentius, with the Latins, Beert and Bert, 
Bert.  as Alfricus, and Rhenamus do translate it, is famous, fair, and clear. Which the rather I believe, for that Bertha a Germane Lady sent into Greece, was there called Eudoxia in the same sense, as Luitprandus reporteth. They moreover that in ancient Books are written Ecbert, Sebert, Ethelbert, in the latter are written Echright, Sebright, Ethelbright: So that, Bert in composition of names doth not signify Beard, as some translate it.  
AELFRED, 
Ealand Ael.  Sax. All peace, not varying much in signification from Irenans. Eal, Ail, Ael in old English compound names is answerable to Pan and Pam in Greek names, as Pamphilus, Pammachius, Panaetius, Pantalcon, etc.  
ALDRED, Sax. All reverend fear.  
ALEXANDER, Gre. Succour-man, or Helper of men.  
ALPHONS, if it be a Germane name, and came into Spain with the Goths, a Germane nation, it is as much as Holfa●s, that is, Our help, and probable it is to be a Goatish name, for Alphens the first king of Spain of that name Anno 740 was descended from the Goths.  
AMERY, in Latin Almaricus, from the Germane Emerich, that is, always rich, able, and powerful, according to Luther: the French write it Aumery, as they of Theoderic, Henric, Frederic, make Terrey, Henry, Frery.  
AMBROSE, gr●● Divine, Immortal.  
AMIE, from the French Amiè, that is, Beloved, and that from Amatus, as Renè from Renatus. The earls and dukes of Savoy which be commonly called Aimè, were in Latin called Amadeus, that is, Loving God, as Theophilus, and so was that earl of Savoy called, which did homage to king Henry the third of England for Bourg in Bresse, 
Math. Paris  Saint Maurice in Chablais, Chasteau Bard, etc. which I note for the honour of England. We do use now Amias for this in difference from Amie the women's name. Some deduce Amias from Aemilius the Roman name, which was deduced from the Greek Aimulios', Fair spoken.  
ANANIAS, heb. The grace of the Lord.  
ANDREW, gre: Manly, or Manful Freculphus turneth it Decorus, Comely and Decent; I know not upon what ground. See Charles.  
ANARAUD, brit. corrupted from Honoratus, that is, Honourable.  
ANGEL, gre: a Messenger.  
ANTHONY, gre: as Anthoros, flourishing, from the greek Anthos a flower, as florence and Florentius with the Latins, and Thales, Euthalius with the greeks. There are yet some that draw it from Anton a companion of Hercules,  
ANSELM, germ: Defence of Authority, according to Luther. Whether this name came from the Goatish word Anses, 
jornandes cap. 13.  by which the Goths called their victorious Captains as Demi-gods, I dare not determine: yet Ansbert, Ansegis, Answ●ld, German names, and Ansketel used much in the ancient house of the Mallories seem to descend from one head.  
ARCHEBALD, vide Erchenbald.  
ARFAST, Sax. Goodly-man [Alfricus.]  
ARNOLD, her: Honest, but the Germans write Ernold. Probus in Latin [Luther.] It hath been common in the old family of the Boyses.  
ARTHUR, a Latin name in juvenal drawn from the goodly fixed star Arcturus, and that from Arctus is the Bear, as Vrsicinus amongst the Romans. The famous Arthur made this name first famous amongst the Britons.  
AUGUSTINE, Latin, ●ncreasing, or Majestical from Augustus, as Victorinus, justinus, Constantinus diminutives from Victor, justus, Constans, according to Molinaeus. One observeth that adoptive names do end in anus, as Aemilianus, Domitianus, justinianus, adopted by Aemilius, Domitius, justinus [Lilius Giraldus.]   

B  
BALDWIN, Ger. if we believe Luther, Speedy Conqueror, if Rhenanus, and Lipsius, Victorious power. But whereas jornandes, cap. 29. showeth that king Alaric was surnamed Baldh id est, 
〈◊〉.  Audax: for that he was bold and adventurous, and both Kilianus, and Lipsius himself doth confess, 
Epist. 43. Cent 3.  that it was anciently in use, for Bold and confident, Baldwin must signify Bold victor, as Winbald, the same name inverted, Ethelbald nobly bold, Willibald very bold and confident, concurring somewhat in signification with Thraseas, Thrasimachus, Thrasibulus, 
Win.  Thrasillus of the Grecians. So all the names wherein Winifrid is found, seem to imply victory, as Tatewin, Learned victor, Bertwin, Famous victor, Earlewin, Glorions or honourable victor, and Vnwin, yet amongst the Danes for invincible [jonas Turson] as Anicetus in Greek. Accordingly we may judge that most names wherein Winifrid is found, to resemble the Greek names, Nicetes, Nicocles, Nichomachus, Nicander, Polynices, etc. which have Nice in them.  
BAPTIST, gre: A name given to S. john, for that he first baptised, and to many since in honour of him. 
Vlph. Wolph.   
BARDULPH, 
Hulf. Aelf.  Ger. from Bertulph i. fair help, Viph, 
Hilp. Helf.  Wolf, Hulf, Aelf, Hilp, Helf, signify Help, as Luther and others assure us. So Aelfwin-Victorious help, Aeelfric Rich or powerful help, Aelfwold Helping Governor, Aelfgiva Helpe-giver. Names conformable to Boetius, Symmachus, etc.  
BARTHOLOMEW, Hebr. the son of him that maketh the waters to mount, that is, of God which lifteth up the mind of his teachers, and drops down water [Szegedinus.]  
BARNABAS, or Barnaby, Heb. son of the Master, or Son of Comfort.  
BARUCH, Hebr. the same which Bennet, blessed.  
BASIL, Gre. Royal, Kingly, or Princely.  
BEDE, Sax. He that prayeth, or a devout man, as Eucherius, or Eusebius in Greek. We retain still Bedman in the same sense, and to say our beads, is but to say our prayers.  
BEAVIS, may seem probably to be corrupted from the name of the famous Celtique King Bellovesus. Whereas the French have made in like sort Beavois of the old City Bellovacum. In both these is a significancy of beauty. In latter times Boge hath been used in Latin for Beavis.  
BENET, Lat. contracted from Benedictus. i. Blessed.  
BENJAMIN, Herald The son of the right hand, or Filius dierum, [Phil●:] See joseph. li. 1. Archaielogias.  
BERNARD, Germ. Saint Bernardes' Cluniac Monks drew it from Bona Nardus, by allusion, some turn it Hard child, in which sense Barn is yet retained with us in the North. If it be derived as the Germans will have it from Bearne, 
Bern or Barn.  which signifieth a Bear, it is answerable to Arthur. Others yet more judicially translate Bernard, into Filialis indoles, Childlike disposition toward parents, as Bernher, Lord of many children. It hath been most common in the house of Brus of Connigton and Exton. Out of the which the Lord Harrington of Exton, and Sir Robert Cotton of Connington are descended, as his most excellent Majesty from Robert Brus, eldest brother to the first Bernard  
BERTRAN, for Bertrand, Fair and pure; some think that the Spaniards have with sweeter sound drawn hence their Fernando and Ferdinando.  
BLASH, Gr. Budding forth, or Sprewting with increase.  
BONIFACE, Lat. Well doer, or Good and sweet face: See Winefrid.  
BONAVENTURE, Lat. Good adventure, as Eutychius among the greeks, Paustus and Portunatus among the Latins,  
BOTOLPH, Sax. contracted into Botall, Help ship, as Sailors in that age were called Botescarles. In part it is answerable to the Greek names, Nauplins, Naumachius. etc.  
BRIAN, Fre. written in old books, Briant and Brient, Shrill voice as among the Romans Voconins, [Nicotius]  
BALTHASAR, heb. Searcher of Treasure, or without treasure.   

C  
CALER, Heb. Hearty, Philo.  
CALISTHENES, Gre. Beautiful & strong.  
CARADOC, Bri. dearly beloved. Quaere.  
CEASAR, This came a late to be a Christian name among us. Spartianus saith it was first given for killing of an Elephant, which in the Moors language is called Caesar, or that he was cut out of his mother's womb, or borne with a bush of hair, or grey eyes. Such variety of opinions is concerning a name, which as he saith, Cum ●ternitate mundi duratur●●●.  
CHARLES', Germ. according to I. Du Tillet, from Carl, that is, strong, stout, courageous, and valiant, as Virius, Valerius, Valeus, etc. with the Romans, Craterus, etc. with the greeks; not from the Greek Charilans, which signifieth Publicola, the Claw-back of the people. The Hungarians call a king by a general name Carl [Aventinus.]. And Carl is only in the coins of Carolus Magnus, Ful. Scaliger makes Caellman Carlman answerable to the Greek Andreas.  
CHRISTOPHER, Gre. Christe-carrier, a name, as learned men think, devised, and a picture thereunto mystically applied as a representation of the duties of a true Christian, 
Gastius Brisacensis.  and was as their Nosce teipsum. Of such mystical Symbols of the Primitive Christians; See joseph Scaliger ad Freherum.  
chrysostom, gre: Golden-mouth.  
CLEMENS, lat: Meek, Mild and Gentle.  
CONSTANTIN, Lat: Fast, or Firm, for which in some parts of the realm we use Constance.  
CONRADE, germ: Able-counsell, or Advised valour, as julius Scaliger will Exercitat. 
Rad, Red, Rod.  256. But here is to be noted, that Rad, Red, and Rod signify counsel and advise. [Luther, Alfricus, kilian] and differ only in Dialect, as Stan, Sten, Stone. And this appeareth by that which the Northern men cried when they killed Walter bishop of Duresme, Short Rad, good Rade, quell ye the Bishop, that is, Short council, Good council, etc. [M. Paris.]  
CORNELIUS, Lat: All draw it from Cornis an horn.  
CUTHBERT, Sax. Not Cut-beard, as some fable, but famous, bright, and clear skill or knowledge, according to the old verse; Quique gerit certum Cuthbert de luce vocamen. No man doubteth but Cuth signified knowledge, as uncuth unknown; So Cuthwin skilful victor, Cuthred, skilful in counsel.  
CYPRIAN, gre: from Cypria, a name of Venus, so named of the Isle of Cyprus, where she was especially honoured.  
CADWALLADER, Brit: A warlike name, deduced from God, that is, Battle, as it seemeth: but I refer it to the learned Britan's.  
CRESCENS, Lat: Increasing.   

D  
DANIEL, Hebr. judgement of God.  
DAVID, Hebr. Beloved.  
DEMETRIUS, Ger. belonging to Ceres.  
DENIS, Gr. for Dronisius, which some fetch from Dios nous, s. divine mind. It is one of the names of the drunkard Bacehus, & derived by Nonnus in his Dionysiacis, from jupiter his lame leg, for Nises signifieth, saith he, lame in the Syrian tongue: and we will imagine that jupiter halted when Bacehus was enseamed in his thigh But Saint Denis of France hath most graced this name.  
DRV, in Lat Drugo, or Dr●g● Subtle, as calidius in Latin if it come from the Saxon or Germane; but if it be French, Lively and Lusty [Ni cetius]  
DUNSTAN, Sax. One that writeth S. Dunstan's life, saith the name is answerable to Aaron●s. Mountain of fortitude. That Dun with the old English signified a mountain or high hill, is apparent that they called mountain man Dunlettan, and Down continueth in the like sense with us. 
Stan.  Others suppose it to signify Most high, as among our Ancestors Leofstan signified Most believed, Betstan, Best of all, Fridstan, most peaceful, etc. Stan being the most usual termination of the Superlative degree.   

E  
EADGAR, 
Ead.  Sax for Eadig●ar, Happy, or blessed honour, or power, for I find it interpreted in an old history Faelix potestas The last verse of Ethelwardus history seemeth to prove the same, and Eadigi (for the which Ead was used in composition,) is the word in the c. of saint Math. in the English Saxon testament, so oftē●terated, for Blessed in the Beatitudes. That Ear, or Are, signify Honour, it appeareth in the Saxon laws, 
Ar.  and in jonas Turson Danish Vocabulary, as Artic & Earlic, 
Ear.  Honourable. And from honour cometh our honourable name of Earls, which came hither with the Danes, as may be gathered out of Ethetwerdus.  
EDMUND, Sax. for Eadmund, Happy, or blessed, peace: Our Lawyers yet do acknowledge Muna for Peace. in their word Mundbzeck, for breach of Peace. 
Mund.  So Aelmund all peace, Kinmund, Peace to his kindred, Ethelmund noble peace; yet I know that some translate Mund by Mouth, as Pharamund, True Mouth.  
EADULPH, Sax. Happy help.  
EADWIN, Happy victor.  
EDWARD, in Sax. coins Eadward, happy keeper. The Christian humility of King Edward the Confessor, brought such a credit to this name, that since that time it hath been most usual in all estates. 
Ward.  That Ward signifieth a Keeper, is apparent by Wood ward. Mill-wara, etc.  
EALDRED, Sax. All reverend fear.  
EALRED, Sax All Council.  
EBULO, See Thell.  
EGBERT, or rather Ecbert, Sax. Always bright, famous for ever, as the old English called Everlasting life, Ec-life.  
ELLIS, Heb. corruptly for Elias, Lord God.  
ELMER, Sax. Contracted from Ethelmer, Noble and renowened: For Willeranus translateth 〈◊〉, by Celebris and Famosus. So Merwin renowned Victor, 
Mer.  Merwald renowned Governor. Yet I know B. 
Metr.  〈◊〉 turneth Mire & Mere by Governor. Cap. ult. Rer. Ger.  
EMANVEL, Heb. God with us.  
EMERY, See Amery.  
ENION, Brit. From Aen●●s as some think, but the British glossary translateth it justus i. Just and upright.  
ENGELBERT, Germ. Bright Angel.  
ERASMUS, Gr. Amiable, or to be beloved.  
ERCHENBALD, Ger. Powerful, bold, and speedy learner, or observer [Dasypodius.]  
ERNEST, Germ. in Caesar Ariovistus, Severe [A●entinus.] in the 〈◊〉 sense we still retain it.  
ESAY, Heb. Reward of the Lord.  
ETHELBERT, or Edlebert, Noble bright, or nobly renowned, 
Ethel. Adel.  for Ethel or Adel, signify in Germany, Noble. From whence happily Athalric King of the Goths had his name. From hence it was that the heirs apparent of the Crown of England, were surnamed Etheling i. Noble borne, and Clito i. Inclitus; as in the declining estate of the Roman Empire, the heirs of Emperors were called Nobilisssimi: hence also the Spaniards which descended from the Germane Goths, may seem to have partly borrowed their Idal-guie, by which word they signify their noblest gentlemen.  
ETHELRED, Sax. Noble advice and Council.  
ETHELARD, Sax. For which we now use Adelard, Noble disposition.  
E●HEL●●AN, Sax. Noble jewel, 〈…〉, or, most noble.  
ETHELWARD, Sax. Now Ae●ward, Noble Keeper.  
ETHELWOLD, 
Wold and Wald.  Sax. Noble Governor, for the old book of S. Augustine's in Canterbury. Wileranus and Luther do agree that Wold & Wald doth signify Praefectus a Governor. So Bertwold and Brightwold Famous Governor, Kinwald, Governor of his kindred.  
ETHELWOLPH, Sax. Noble helper.  
EVERARD, ger. Well reported, as Gesnerus writeth, like to Eudoxus of the greeks: but other with more probability deduce it from Eberard i. excellent or supreme towardness. A name most usual in the ancient family of the Digbyes.  
EUSEBIUS, gre. Pious and religious godly-man.  
EUSTACE, gre. Seemeth to be drawn from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which signifieth Constant, as Constantinus▪ but the former ages turned it into Eustachius in Latin.  
EVAN, See Ivon.  
EUTROPIUS. gr. Well mannered.  
EZECHIAS, Heb. Strength of the Lord.  
EZECHIEL, Heb. Seeing the Lord.   

F  
FABIAN, from Fabius, who had his name from beans, as Valerian from Valerius Fabianus bishop of Rome, martyred under Decius, first gave reputation to this name.  
FOELIX, Lat: Happy, the same with Macarius among the Grecians.  
FLORENCE, Lat: Flourishing, as Thales with the greeks, Antonius with the Latins.  
FRANCIS, g●rm: from Franc, that is, Free, not servile, or bond. The same with the Greek Eleutherius, and the Latin Liberius.  
FREDERIC, germ: Rich peace, or as the Monk which made this allusion, Peaceable reign.  

Est ●●ibenda fides rationi nominis huius  
Composite Frederic, 〈◊〉 componentia cuius.  
S●●t FRIDERIC, Frith, qd nisi pax, Ric qd nisi regnum.  
Sic per 〈◊〉 Fredericus, quid nisi vel rex,  
Pacificus vel regia pax? pax, pacificusque.   
For 〈◊〉, th'English have commonly used Frery and Ferry, which hath been now a long time a christian name in the ancient family of Tilney, and lucky to their house, as they report.  
FREMUND, Sax: Free-peace.  
FOULK, or FULKE, germ: Some derive it from the Germane Vollg, Noble and Gallant. But I from Folc, the English-Saxon word for people, as though it were the same with Publius of the Romans, and only translated from Publius, as, beloved of the people and commons.  
FULBERT, Sax: Full bright.  
FULCHER, Sax: Lord of people.  
FERDINANDO, See Beriram. This name is so variable, that I can not resolve what to say: for the Spaniards make it Hernand, and Hernan, the Italians Ferando, and Ferante, the French Ferrant, which is now become a surname with us, and the Latins Ferdinandus: unless we may think it is fetched by transposition from Ferd, and Rand, that is, Pure peace.   

G  
GA●RIEL, hebr. Man of God, or Strength of God.  
GAMALIEL, hebr. God's reward, as Deodatus, Theodorus, and Theodosiu●.  
GARRET, for GERARD, and GERALD: See Everard, for from thence they are de●●rted, if we believe Ges●erus. But rather Gerard may seem to signify, 
Ger. Gar. Althamerus  All 〈◊〉, as 〈◊〉, All truth, Gerwin, All victorious, and the Germane nation is so named, as All and fully men.  
GAWEN, a name devised by the author of king Arthur's fable, if it be not Walwin: See Walwin.  
GEORGE, gre: Husbandman, the same with Agricola, a name of special respect in England, since the victorious King Edward the third chose Saint George for his Patro●●c, and the English in all encounters, and batt●●les, used the name of Saint George in their cries, as the French did, M●●ti●y S. Denis.  
GEDEON, Heb: A Breaker, or Destroyer.  
GERMAN, Lat: of the same stock, Tr●e, no counterfeit, or a natural brother. S. German, who suppressed the Pelagian heresy in Britain, about the year 430. advanced this name in this Isle.  
GERVAS', Ger●●sius in Latin, for Gerfast, (as some Germans conjecture) that is, All sure, firm, or fast. If ●● be so, it is only C●●stans translated. But it is the name of a 〈◊〉 who suffered under Nero at Ma●lai●●, who if he were a 〈…〉 was, it may signify Grave & Ancient, or Honourable, as wrested from Gero●sius.  
GEFFREY, Ger. from Gaufred, joyful peace. Kilianus translateth Gaw. 
Frid. Fred.  joyful, as the French do Gay. That Ferd and Frid, do signify peace, is most certain, as Fred-stole. i. Pacis cathedra. See Frederic.  
GILBERT germ. I supposed heretofore to signify Gold-like-bright, as Aurelius or Aurelianus: or yellow bright, as Fl●vius with the Romans. For Geele is yellow in old Saxon, & still in Dutch, as Gilvus according to some in Latin. But because it is written in Doomsday book▪ G●sl●bert. I judge it rather to signify Bright or brave pledge; for in old Saxon, Gisle signifieth a pledge, & in the old English book of S. Augustine's of Canterbury, sureties and pledges for keeping the peace are called Fredgisles. So it is a well fitting name for children whi●h are the only sweet pledges and pawns of love between man & wife, & accordingly called Dulcia pignora & Pignora amoris.  
GILES, is miserably disjointed from Aegidius, as Gillet from Aegidia, by the French, as appear in lustories by the name of Duke of Rollos' wife. It may seem a Greek name, for that S. G●●es, the first that I have read so named, was an Athenian, and so drawn from Aigidion, that is, Little Kid, as we know Martia●us Capell. had his name in like sense; ●or some no●●sse probably fetch Giles from julius, as G●●ha● from juliana.  
GODFREY, ger. From Godfred, Gods-peace, or god●v; for the D●nes call godliness Gudfreidhed. [jonas Turson]  
GODDARD ger. Strength of God, or Gods-man as Gabriel according to Luther. But I think it rather to signify Godly disposition or towardness, for Ard and Art in the Germane tongue, 
Ard.  do signify Towardness, aptness or disposition. As Mainard, 
junius. Lipfius. Kilianus.  powerful disposition, Giffard, Liberal disposition, as Largus; Bernard, Childlike disposition, Leonard Lionlike disposition, as Leoninus; Re●●ard, pure disposition, as Syncerus.  
GODWIN, ger. for Win-God, converted, or Victorious in God.  
GODRICH. ger. Rich, or powerful in God.  
GREGORY gre. Watching, watchful, as Vigilantius, and V●gilius in Latin.  
GRYFFITH, Brit. Some Britan's interpret it, Strong-faithed.  
GRUFFIN, Brit. If it be not the same with Griffith, some do fetch from Rufinus, Red. as many other Welsh names are derived from colours.  
GRIM●ALD, ger. But truly Grim●ald, power over anger, as Rodoalà power of council [●uther] a name most usual in the old family of Pa●●cefoote.  
GWISCHARD, See Wischard.  
GVY, In Latin, Guide from the French Guide. A guide, leader, or director to other.   

H  
HADRIAN, Lat. deduced from the city Hadria, 
Ael Spartia●●s  whence Hadrian the emperor had his original. 
〈◊〉 in libr. v●●ae suae.  Gesner bringeth it from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Gross or wealthy.  
HAMON, Heb. Faithful.  
HANNIBAL, A● unick name. Gracious Lord.  
HECTOR gr. defender, according to ●lat●.  
HENRY, ger. in Latin Henricus. A name so famous since the year 920. when Henry the first was Emperor, that there have been 7. Emperors, 8. Kings of England, 4. Kings of France, as many of Spain of that name. If Ein-ric be the original, it signifieth Ever rich or powerful. If it be deduced from Herric, which the Germans use now, it is as much as Rich-Lord. I once supposed, not without some probability, that it was contracted from Honoricus, of which name, as Procopius mentioneth, there was a Prince of the Vandals, in the time of Honorius, and therefore likely to take name of him, as he did from honour. And lately I have found that Fr. Philelphus is of the same opinion. 
In epistolic.  Howsoever it hath been an ominous good name in all respects of signification.  
HENGEST, Sax. Horse man, the name of him which led the first Englishmen into this Isle, somewhat answerable to the Greek names, Philippe, Speusiprus, Ctesippus, his brother in like sort was called Horsa.  
HARHOLD, Sax. Luther interpreteth it Governor or General of an Army, and so would I if it were Harwold. But being written Harhold & Herold, I rather turn it love of the Army. For Hold see Rheinhold. 
Hare. Here.  For Hare and Here that they signify both an Army, and a Lord, it is taken for granted: Yet I suspect this Here, for a Lord to come from the Latin Herus. See Ethelwold.  
HERBERT, Germ. Famous Lord, bright Lord, or Glory of the Army.  
HERWIN, ger. Victorious Lord, or Victor in the Army.  
HARMAN, or Hermon, her. General of an Army, the same which Strato or Polemarchus in Greek Caesar turned it into Arminius [Tscudus,] Hence the Germane Dukes are called Hertogen, as Leaders of Armies.  
HERCULES, gr. Glory or illumination of the air, as it pleaseth Macrobius, who affirmeth it to be proper to the Sun, but hath been given to valiant men for their glory.  
HIEROME, gr. Holy name.  
HILDEBERT, germ. Bright, or famous Lord. See Maud.  
HILARY, Lat. Merry and pleasant.  
HOWEL, A British name, the original whereof some Britain may find. Goropius turneth it Sound or whole, as wisely as he saith, Englishmen were called Angli, because they were good Anglers. I rather would fetch Hoel from Haelius, that is, Sunne-bright, as Coel from Caelius.  
HV●H, Aventinus deriveth it from the Germane word Hougen, that is, slasher or cutter. But whereas the name Hugh, was first in use among the French, and O●frid in the year 900. used Hugh for Comfort, I judge this name to be borrowed thence, and so it is correspondent to the Greek names Elpidius, and Elpis.  
HUMPHREY, ger. for Humfred, House-peace, a lovely and happy name, if it could turn home-warres between man and wife into peace. The Italians have made Onuphrius of it in Latin.  
HUBERT, Sax. Bright form, fair shape, or fair hope.  
HORATIO, I know not the Etymology, unless you will derive from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is, well sighted.   

I  
IACO●, Heb. A tripper, or supplanter. Whose name because he had power with God, that he might also prevail with men, was changed into Israel by God. See Genes. ca 32. Philo de nominibus mutatis.  
JAMES, Wrested from jacob, the same. Iago in Spanish, jaques in French, which some frenchified English, to their disgrace, have too much affected.  
JASPER.  
I●EL, See Ybel.  
JOACHIM, Heb. Preparation of the Lord.  
JEREMY, Heb: High of the Lord.  
JOAB, Heb: Fatherhood.  
JOHN, Heb: Gracious, yet though so unfortunate in Kings; for that john of England well near, lost his Kingdom; and john of France was long captive in England; and john Balliol was lifted out of his Kingdom of Scotland; that john Steward when the Kingdom of Scotland came unto him, renouncing that name, would be proclaimed King Robert. See juon.  
JOB, Heb. Sighing or sorrowing.  
JORDAN, Heb: The river of judgement.  
JOSVAH, Heb: As jesuiah Saviour.  
IOSC●LIN, A diminutive from I●st or justus, as justulus according to Islebius, but molefied from jostelin, in the old netherlands language, from whence it came with joscelin of Lovan, younger son of Godfrey Duke of Brabant, Progenitor of the honourable Percyes, if not the first, yet the most noble of that name in this Realm. Nicotius maketh it a diminutive from jost judocus.  
JOSEPH, Heb. Increasing [Phil●] or increase of the Lord.  
JOSIAS, Heb. Fire of the Lord.  
JOSVAH, Heb: The Lord Saviour.  
INGEIBERT, See Engelbert.  
INGRAM, Germ: Engelramus in Latin, deduced from Engell which signifieth an Angel, as Angelo is common in Italy, so Engelbert seemeth to signify bright Angel.  
ISAAC, Heb: Laughter, the same which Gelasius among the greeks.  
ISRAEL, Heb. Seeing the Lord, or prevailing in the Lord: See jacob.  
JULIUS, gr: Soft haired or mossy bearded, so doth julus signify in Greek. It was the name of Aeneas son, who was first called Ilus.  
Ilus erat dum res stetit Ilia regno.  
The old Englishmen in the North parts turned julius into joly, and the unlearned Scribes of that time may seem to have turned julianus, into jolanus, for that name doth often occur in old evidences.  
IVON, is the same with john, and used by the Welsh, and Sclavonians for john; and in this Realm about the conquerors time john was rarely found, but juon as I have observed.  
JONATHAN, Heb. The same with Theodorus, and Theodosius, that is, God's gift.   

K  
KENHELME, Sax. Defence of his kindred. H●●m, 
●e●m.  Defence, [Luther:] so 〈◊〉 Happy defence, Bright-helme, Fair defence, Sig-●elme, Victorious defence.  
KENARD, Sax. Kind disposition, and affection his kindred.   

L  
LAMBERT, Sax: As some think, Faire-lamb Luther turneth it far famous.  
LANCELOT seemeth a Spanish name, and may signify a Lance, as the military men, use the word now for an horseman. Some think it to be no ancient name, but forged by the writer of king Arthur's history for one of his doughty knights.  
LAURENCE, Lat: Flourishing like a bay tree: the same that Daphnis in Greek.  
LAZARUS, Hebr: Lords-help.  
LEOFSTAN, Sax: most beloved.  
LEOFWIN, Sax: Winlove, or to be loved, as Agapetus, and Erasmus with the greeks, and Amandus with the Latins.  
LEONARD, her: Lion-like disposition, as Thymoleon with the greeks, or Popularis indoles, as it pleaseth Lips●●s, that is, People pleasing disposition.  
LEWIS, Wrenched from L●dowike, which Tilius interpreteth, Refuge of the people.  
LEWLIN, Brit. Lion-like, the same with Leominus, and Leontius.  
LIONEL, Lat: Leonellus, that is, Little-lyon.  
LUKE, Hebr: Rising or lifting up.  
LEODEGAR, or LEGER, ge●m: Gatherer, of people, 
Leod. Aimonius li 3. c. ● M. Wel●erus re●um Boi●carum pag. 118.  Lipsius in. Poliorceticis, or, Altogether popular.  
LEODPOLD, her: Defender of people, corruptly Leopold. In our ancient tongue Leod signified people of one City, as Leodscip, was to them Respublica, The northern Germans have yet Lewd in the same sense. So Luti, Li●di, Leuti, and Leudi, as the Dialect varieth, signifies people. In which sense, the Normans in the life of Carolus Magnus were called Nortleud. The names wherein Leod are found, seem translated from those Greek names wherein you shall find D●m●s and L●●s, as Demosthenes, that is, Strength of the people. Dimochares, that is, Gracious to the people, Demophilus, that is, Lover of the people. Nicodemus, that is, Conqueror of people. L●●medon, that is, Ruler of people. L●od●mas, that is, Tamer of people, etc.  
LIVIN, germ. The same with Amatus, that is, Beloved [Kilianus]   

M  
MADOC, Brit: from Mad, that is, Good in the Welsh, as Caradoc, from C●●●, that is, Beloved. The same with Agathias in Greek [Dict: Walicum]  
MALACHIAS, hebr: My messenger.  
MANAS●● hebr: not forgotten.  
MARC●LLV●, lat: Plutarch out of P●ssido●ius do●●vet● it from Mars, as martial and warlike, other from Marculus, that is, an Hammer. The latter times turned it to Martell and Mallet, which divers took for a surname, because they valiantly did hammer and beat down their adversaries, See Malmes. pag. 54.  
MARMADUC, germ: Mermachtig as some conjecture, which in old Saxon signifieth More mighty, being sweetened in sound by process of time. A name usual in the North, but most in former times in the noble families of Tweng, Lumley, and Constable, and thought to be Val●ntinianus translated.  
MARK In Hebrew signifieth High, but in Latin, according to Varr●, it was a name at the first given to them that were borne in the month of March; but according to Festus Pompeius it signifieth a Hammer or Mallet, given in hope the person should be martial.  
MATHEW, hebr. Gods-gift.  
MARTIN, Lat: from Martius, as Antoninus from Antonius. Saint Martin the military Saint, bishop of Toures first made this name famous among the Christians by his admirable piety.  
MERCURY, Lat: Quasi medius currens inter deos & homines, as the grammarians Etymologize it, A mediate coursi●or between gods and men.  
MEREDITH, Brit: in Latin Mereducius.  
MERRIC, Brit: in Latin Meuricus, I know not whether it be corrupted from Maurice.  
MICHAEL, Hebr. Who is perfect? or, Who is like God? The French contract it into Miel.  
MAXIMILIAN, A new name, first devised by Frederic the third Emperor, who doubting what name to give to his son and heir, composed this name of two worthy Romans names, whom he most admired, Q. Fabius Max●●us, and Scipio Aemili●●●, with hope, that his son would imitate their virtues. [Hieronymus Gebviterius de f●milia Austriaca.  
MILES, Lat: Mile, which some fetch from Milium, a kind of grain called Millet, as probably as Plime draweth Fab●●, Le●tulus, C●eer● from Faba, Lens, Cicer, that is, beans, lentil, and chich pease. But whereas the French contract Michael into Miel: some suppose our Miles to come from thence.  
MOSES, hebr▪ Drawn up.  
MORGAN, Brit▪ the same with Pelagius, that is, Se●man, if we may believe an old fragment, and Mor signifies the Sea among the Welsh: So Marius, Marinus, Marianus, and Pontius among the Latins have their name from Mare and Pontus the Sea. Qu●re.  
MAUGRE, a name eftsoons used in the worshipful family of Vavasors. Malgerius, in old histories. Quare.  
MORICE, from the Latin M●●●itius, and that from Maurus, A Moor, as Syritius from Syus a Syrian. The name not of any worth in his own signification, but in respect of Saint Maurice a Commander in the Theban Legion martyred for the Christian profession under Maximianus.   

N  
NATHANIEL, Hebr: The gift of God, as Theod●sius, etc.  
NEALE, F: Blackish, or swart, for it is abridged from Nigel, and so always written, in Latin records Nigellus, consonant to Nigrinus, and Atrius of the Latins, Melanius and Melauthus of the Grecians.  
NICHOLAS, gre: Conqueror of the people,  
NORMAN, drawn from the Norman nation, as Northerne-man, usual anciently in the family of Darcy.  
NOEL, F: the same with the Latin Natalis, given first in honour of the feast of Christ's birth, to such as were then borne.   

O  
ODo, See Oaths.  
OLIVER, A name fetched from the peace-bringing Olive, as Daphnis, and Laurence, from the triumphant Lar●rell.  
OSBERN, Sax. House-childe, as Filius familiàs, [Luther.]  
OSBERT, Sax. Domestical brightness, or light of the family.  
OSMUND, Sax. House-peace.  
OSWOLD, Ger. House-ruler or Steward: for Wold in old English and high Dutch, is a Ruler: but for this the Normans brought in Ledespencer now Spencer. The holy life of S. Oswald King of Northumberland, who was incessantly in prayer hath given much honour to this name. See Ethelwold.  
OATHS, An old name in England, drawn from Otho, written by some Odo, and by others, Eudo, in English-Saxon Odan, and after the original, 
Hood.  whereof when 〈◊〉 could not find, I will not seek. Av●nt●●s maketh it Hud, that is, Keeper: but Petr●● Bles●●sis Epist. 126. maketh it to signify a Faithful reconciler; for he writeth, Od● in Episc●pum Parisionsem consecratus nomen s●is operibus interpret●●i non cessat, fidelis sequester inter deum & 〈◊〉. Ottwell and Ottey seem to be nursenames drawn from Oaths.  
OWEN, Lat. Audoenus, if it be the same with S. Owen of France. But the Britan's will have it from old King Oenus father in law to Hercules; others from Eugenius, that is, Noble or well borne. Certain it is that the Country of Ireland called Tir-Oen, is in Latin Records, Terra Eugenij; and the Irish Priests know no Lat●ne for their Oenone but Eugenius, as Rothericus for Rorke. And Sir Owen Ogle in Latin Records, as I have been informed, was written Eugenius Ogle.  
ORIGINAL, May seem to be deducted from the Greek Origenos, that is, Borne in good time.   

P  
PASCAL, Deduced from Pascha, the Passover.  
PATRICK, Lat. From Patricius, Quasi Patram cians, A Peer or State, he which could cite his father as a man of honour. A name given first to Senators sons, but it grew to reputation when Constantin● the Greek made a new state of Patricij, who had place before the Praefectus Praet●ri●, or Lord great Master of the house, if it may be so translated [Zosim●s.]  
PAUL, Heb. Wonderful or rest: But the learned Baronius drawing it from the Latin, maketh it Little, or Humble.  
PAULIN, From Paul, at Nigrinus from Niger.  
PERCIVAL, Is thought at first to have been a surname, and after (as many other) a Christian n●me: fetched from P●rcheval, a place in Normandy. One by allusion made this Percival, Per se valens.  
pain, in Lat. Paganus, exempt from military service, a name now out of use, but having an opposite signification to a military man, as Scaliger observeth upon Ansdnius.  
PETRE, For which as the French used Pierre: so our Ancestors used Pierce, a name of high esteem among the Christians, since our Saviour named Simon, the son of jona, Cephas, which is by interpretation a stone, joan. 5. 42. But fole-wisely have some Petres, called themselves Pierius.  
PEREGRINE, Lat. Strange, or outlandish.  
PHILEBERT, Ger. Much bright fame, or very bright and famous, as Polyphemus in Greek [Rhenanus.]  
PHILIPPE, Gr. A lover of horses, Philip B●roald conceiting this his name, very clerckly proveth that Phillippe is an Apostolical name by Saint Philip the Apostle, a royal name by King Philip King of Macedonia, and an imperial name by Philip the first Christian Emperor.  
POSTHUMUS, Lat. Borne after his father's death.   

Q  
QVINTIN, Lat. From Quintus, the fifth borne, a man dignified by Saint Qu●tin of France.   

R  
RALPH, Germ. Contracted from Radulph, which as Rodulph signifieth Help-councell, not differing much from the Greek Eubulus.  
RAYMUND, Germ. Quiet peace, as Hesichius in Greek.  
RANDAL, Sax. Corrupted from Ra●ulph, that is, Fair help.  
RAPHAEL, Heb: The Physic of God.  
REINHOLD, Sax. Sincere or pure love: for the Germans call their greatest and goodliest river for pureness Rhine, 
Rein, and Ran.  and the old English used Hold for love, Holdlic, for lovely, as Vnhold, without love: 
Hold.  Willeranus useth Hold for favour, which is answerable to love. I have also observed Hold for Firm, and once for a General of an army.  
RHESE, A British name, deduced as they think from Rh●sus the Thracian King, who was (as Homer describeth him by his Armour,) of a Giantlike stature. But I dare not say the wordimplieth so much in signification: yet Rhesi, signifieth a Giant in the Germane tongue.  
RICHARD, Sax. Powerful and rich disposition, as Richer, an ancient Christian name, signified Powerful in the Army, or Rich Lord, and was but Herr●● reversed, Aventinus turneth it, Treasure of the kingdom. See Aubry.  
ROBERT, Germ. Famous in Council, for it is written most anciently Rodbert. Rod, Red, and Rod, 
Rad, Red, Rod.  do signify council, See Conrade and Albert. This name was given to Rollo, first Duke of Normandy, an original Ancestor of the Kings of England, who was called first by the Normans and French Rou, whereunto, some without ground think that Bert was added: so that it should signify Rou, the renowned. Others untruly turn it Red-●eard, as though it were all one with Aenobarbus of the Latins, or Barbarossa of the Italians, john Bodin (or Pudding,) that I may give him his true English name, maketh it full wisely Red-bara; but I think no Robert which knoweth what Bardus meaneth, will like of it.  
ROGER, 
Frodo●rdi. Romensis chronic.  Ger. Ruger, Quiet, the same with Tranquilles in Latin, Frodoard writeth it always Rottgarius, or Rodgarus, so it seemeth to signify All council, or strong council.  
ROLLAND, Ger. Whereas it was anciently written Rod, land, it may seem to signify Council for the Land. And the first that I find so named, was land-warden in France, under Carolus Magn●s, against the Piracies of the Normans. The Italians use Orland for Rowland by Metathesis.  
ROMAN, Lat. Strong, from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 answerable to Valens.  
RUBEN, Heb. The son of visions, or a quick-seeing son. [Philo.]  
REINFRED, Sax. Pure peace.   

S  
SALOMON, hebr: Peaceabi●.  
SAMPSON, hebr: There the second 〈◊〉.  
SAMV●L, hebr: Place of God.  
SAUL, Hebr: Lent of the Lord, or ●● some will, Fox.  
S●●ASTIAN, gre: Honourable or 〈◊〉, as Augustus or Augustinus among the Romans.  
SIG●SMVND, germ: Victo●●●● peace, 〈◊〉 victory with peace; 
Sig, and Seg.  That Sig signifieth Victory, A●frie, Das●podius, and Luther do all agree, yet Hadr: 〈◊〉 turneth it Victorious or prevailing speech. So Sigward, now Seward, victorious preserver, Sigh●m, victorious defence, Sighere, Conqueror of an army, or victorious Lord: and Sigbert, now Sebright, victorious fame, or fame by victory.  
SILVESTER, jat: Woodman.  
SYLVANUS, Lat: Woodman, or rather Wood-god. See Walter.  
SIMON, Hebr: Obedientlistening [Phil●]  
STEPHEN, gre: A Crown.  
SWITHIN, Sax: From the old English Swithea●n, that is, Very high, as Ce●●●s or Ex●periu● with the Romans. This name hath been taken up in honour of Saint Swithin the holy Bishop of W●nchester about the y●●re 860. and called the Weeping saint 〈◊〉, for that about his feast Praesepe and Aselli, 〈◊〉 constellanons do 〈◊〉 Cosmic●●y, and commonly cause rain.   

T  
THEOBALD, commonly Tibald, and Thibald, God's power, as B: Rhenanius noteth. But certain it is, that in our Saxon Psalter Gentes is always translated by Theod, 
Theod.  and in the English-Saxon old Annals, the English nation is often called Engl●-th●●d. The same Lips●●● in Poli●●ceticis affirmeth to be in the ancient Germane Psalters. So that Theobald seemeth in his opinion to signify Powerful, or bold over people. It was the common name in the family of the Gorges; and of the Lord Verdons, of whom the Earls of Shr●wsburie, and Essex are descended.  
THEODORE, gre: God's gift, now corruptly by the Welsh-britans' called Tydder.  
THEODOSIUS, gre: the same with Theodore.  
THEODERIC, her: contractly Deric and Torry with the French, Powerable, or Rich in people according to Lipsius.  
THEOPHILUS, gre: A lover of God.  
THOMAS, hebr: Bottomless deep, or Twin.  
TIMOTHY, gre: from Timotheus, Honouring God.  
TOBIAS, hebr: The Lord is good.  
TRISTRAM, I know not whether the first of this name was christened by king Arthur's fabler. If it be the same which the French ●all Trist●●, it cometh from sorrow: for P. Aemi●ius noteth that the son of Saint Lewes of Franc●, horn in the heavy sorrowful time of his father's imprisonment under the Saracens, was named Tristan in the same respect.  
TURSTAN, Sax: for Trustan, most true and trusty, as it seemeth.   

V  
VALENS, Lat: Puissant.  
VALENTINE, Lat: The same.  
uchtred, her: High counsel, used in the old family of Raby. From whence the Nevils.  
VINCENT, Lat: Victorious.  
VITAL, Lat: He that may live a long life, like to Macrobius; or Lively, the same that Zosimus in Greek.  
VIVIAN, Lat: the same.  
VRBANUS, Lat: Courteous, civil.  
VRIAN, The same with George, as I have heard of some learned Danes. It hath been a common name in the family of Saint Pier of Chesshire, now extinguished.   

W  
WALTER, her: from Waldher, for so it is most auntiently written, a Pilgrim according to Reneccius; other make it a Wod-Lorde, or a Woodman, answerable to the name of Silvius, 
W●ld.  Silvanus, or Sylvester. The old English called a wood, Wald, and an hermit living in the woods, a Waldbro●der. But if I may cast in my conceit, I take it to be Herwald inverted, as Herric and Richer, Winbald and Baldwin. And so it signifieth Governor or General of an Arm●e, as Hegesistratus, See Herman and Harold:  
WALWIN, Some have interpreted out of the Germane tongue, a Conqueror, as Nicholaus and Nicodemus, Victor in Latin; but we now use Gawen instead of Walwyn, Architrenius maketh it Walganus in Latin. But if Walwin was a Britain, and king Arthur's nephew, as W: Malmesbury noteth, where he speaketh of his giantlike bones found in Wales, I refer the signification to the Britan's.  
WARIN, jovianus libr. 1. de Aspiratione draweth it from ●●rro. But whereas it is written in all Records. Guarinus: It may seem mollified from the Dutch Gerwm, that is, All-victorious. See Gertrud.  
WILLIAM, ge: For sweeter sound drawn from Wilhelm, which is interpreted by Luther, Much Defence, or, Defence to many, as Wilwald, Ruling many. Wildred, Much reverend fear, or Awful. Wilfred, Much peace. Willibert, Much brightness, or Very bright. Willibrod Much increase. So the French that cannot pronounce W have turned it into Philli, as Phillibert, for Willibert, Much brightness. Many names wherein we have Will, seem translated from the Greek names composed of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, as Polydamas, Polybius, Polyxenus, etc. Helm yet remaineth with us, 
Helm Will and Willi.  and Villi, Willi, and Bills yet with the Germans for Many. Other turn William, a Willing Defender, and so it answereth the Roman Titus, if it come from Tuendo, as some will have it. The Italians that liked the name, but could not pronounce the with if we may believe Gesner, turned it into Galeazo, retaining the sense in part for Helm. But the Italians report, that Galeazo the first Viscount of Mill●●●● was so called, for that many cocks crew lustily at his birth. This name hath been most common in England since king William the Conqueror, insomuch that upon a festival day in the Court of king Henry the second, when Sir William Saint-Iohn, and Sir William Fitz-Hamon especial Officers had commanded that none but of the name of William should d●●e in the great Chamber with them, they were accompanied with an hundred and twenty Williams, all Knights, as Robert Moutensis recordeth Anno 1173.  
WILLFRED, Sax: Much peace.  
WIMUND, Sax: Sacred peace, or holy peace, as Wibert, Holy and Bright; for Widow, in Willeramus is translated Sacer.  
WISCHARD, or GVI●CARD, Norm: Wily, and crafty shifter: [W: Gemiticensis] Falcandus the Italian interpreteth it Erro, that is, Wanderer. But in a Norman name I rather believe the Norman Writer.  
WOLSTAN, Sax: Comely, decent, as Decentius, [Dasipodius.]  
WULPHER, Sax: Helper, the Saxon name of a King of Middle- England, answering to the Greek name Alexias, or rather Epicurus. The most famous of which name was a hurtful man, albeit he had a helpful name.   

Y  
YBELL, Brit: Contracted from Eubulus, good Councillor.  
YTHELL, Brit: Likewise contracted from Euthalius, very flourishing.   

Z  
ZACHARY, Hebr: The memory of the Lord.    

Christian Names of Women.  
Lest Women, the most kind sex, should conceive unkindness if they were omitted, somewhat of necessity must be said of their names.  

ABIGAEL, Heb. The father's joy.  
AGATHA, Gr. Good, Guth in old Saxon.  
AGNES, Gr. Chaste, the French write Ignatia, but I know not why▪  
ALETHEIA, Gre. Verity, or ●uth.  
ALICE, Ger. Abridged from Adesiz, Noble. See Ethelbert. But the French make it defendresse, turning it into Alexia.  
ANNA, Heb. Gracious, or merciful.  
ARBELA, Heb. God hath revenged, as some translations have it. [Index Bibliorum.]  
ADELIN, Goe Noble, or descending from nobles.  
AUDRY, Sax. It seemeth to be the same with Etheldred▪ for the first foundress of Ely church is so called in Latin histories, but by the people in those parts, S. Audery. See Etheldred.  
AMIE, Fr. Beloved, in Latin Amata, the name of the ancient King, Latinus wife. It is written in the like sense Amicia, in old Records.  
ANCHORET, Gr. for Anachoreta, Solitary live●, which retired herself from the world to serve God.  
AVICEN, Some observe that as it is written now Avicen, so in former times Hawisia, and in elder ages Helwisa: whereupon they think it detorted from Hildevig, that is, Lady-defence, as Lewis is wrested from Lodovicus and Ludwig.  
AUREOLA, Lat. Pretty-little golden dame.  
ANSTASE, Gr. Anastasia, and that from Anastasis, as Anastasius, given in remembrance of Christ's glorious resurrection & ours in Christ.   

B  
BARBARA, Gr. Strange; of unknown language, but the name respected in honour of S. Barbara, martyred for the true profession of Christian religion, under the Tyrant Maximian.  
BEATRICE, Lat. From Beatrix, Blessed.  
BLANCH, Fr. White, or fair.  
BRIGID, Contracted into Bride, an Irish name as it seemeth, for that the ancient S. Brigid, was of that Nation: the other of Suetia was lately Canonised about 1400. Quaere.  
BERTHA, Ger. Bright and famous. See Albert.  
BONA, Lat. Good.  
BENEDICTA, Lat: Blessed.  
BENIGNA, Lat: Mild and gentle.   

C  
CASSANDRA, Gr. Inflaming men with love.  
CATHERINE, Gr: Pure, Chaste.  
CHRISTIAN, A name from our Christian profession, which the Pagans most tyrannically persecuted, hating as Tertullian writeth in his Apologetico, a harmless name in harmless people  
CLARA, Lat: Bright, the same with Berta, & Claricia in latter times.  
CICELY, From the Latin Caecilia, Grey-eyed.   

D  
DENIS, See before among the name of men.  
DIANA, From the Greek Di●s, that is, jove, as jovina, or joves daughter, or God's daughter.  
DIONYE, From Diana.  
DIDO, A Phaenician name, signifying a manlike woman. [Servius Hon●ratus.]  
DOROTHYE, Gr: The gift of God, or given of God.  
DORCAS, Gr: A Roebuck, Lu●retius lib. 4. noteth, that by this name, the Amorous Knights were wont to salute freckled, wartie, and wodden-faced wenches, where he saith,  
Caes●a Palladi●n; naevosa & ●ignea Dorcas.  
DOUZE, From the Latin Dulcia, that is, sweetewench.  
DOUSABEL, Fr: Sweet and fair, somewhat like Glycerium.  
DOUGLAS, of the Scottish surname, taken from the river Douglas, not long since made a Christian name in England, as jordan from the river of that name in the holy Land, was made a Christian name for men.   

E  
ETH●LDRED, Noble advice: See Audrey.  
ELA, See Alice.  
ELINOR, Deduced from Helena, Pitiful.  
ELIZA, Heb. God saveth.  
ELIZABETH, Heb. Peace of the Lord, or Quiet rest of the Lord, the which England hath found verified in the most honoured name of our late Sovereign. Mantuan playing with it, maketh it Eliza-bella.  
EADE, Sax. Drawn from Eadith, in which there is signification of happiness. In latter time it was written Auda, Ada, Ida, and by some Id●nea in Latin.  
EMME, Some will have to be the same with Amie, in Latin Amata. Paulus Merula saith it signifieth a good nurse, and so is the same with Eutrophime among the greeks, Rog: Hoveden pag. 246. noteth that Emma daughter to Richard the first Duke of Normandy, was called in Saxon Elfgiva, that is as it seemeth, Helpe-giver.  
EMMET, A diminutive from Emme.  
EVA, Heb. Giving life.   

F  
FAITH.  
FORTUNE, The signification well known.  
FREDISWID, Sax. Very free, truly free.  
FRANCIS, See Francis before.  
FAELICE, Lat. Happy.  
FORTITUD, Lat.  
FLORENCE, Lat. Flourishing.   

G  
GERTRUD, gr: All true, and amiable; if German signifieth All-man, as most learned consent, and so Gerard may signify All-hardy. [Althamerus.]  
GRACE., the signification is well known.  
GRISHILD, Grey Lady, as Caesia, see Maud.  
GLADUSE, Brit: from Claudia.  
GOODITH, Sax: Contracted from Goodwife, as we now use Goody: by which name king Henry the first was nicked in contempt, as William of Ma●nesbury noteth.   

H  
HELENA, gre: Pitiful: A name much used in the honour of Helena mother to Constantine the Great, and native of this Isle● although one on ●he Author ma●eth h●r a Bithini●n, but Baronius and our Historian● will have her a Britain.  
HAWIS, See Avicen.   

I  
JANE, See joan; for 32. Eliz: Regulant ●t was agreed by the court of the King's Bench to be all one with joan.  
JUDITH, Hebr. Praising, Confessing▪ our ancestors turned it into juet.  
JOYCE, in Latin Ioco●a, M●rry, pleasant.  
JAQVET, Fr: from jacoba, See james.  
JENET, a diminutive from joan, as little and pretty Ihoan.  
JOAN, See john. In latter years, some of the better and nicer sort misliking joan, have mollified the name of joan into jane, as it may seem, for that jane is never found in old Records: and as some will, never before the time of king Henry the eight. Lately in like sort some learned johns and Hanses beyond the sea, have new christened themselves by the name of janus.  
ISABELLA, The same with Elizabeth; if the Spaniards do not mistake, which always translate Elizabeth into Isabel; and the French into Isabeau.  
JULIAN, from julius, Gilian commonly, yet our Lawyers libr. Assis. 26. pa. 7. make them distinct names, I doubt not but upon some good ground.   

K  
KATHARIN, See Catharin.  
KINBURG, Sax: Strength and defence of her kindred; as Kinulf, help of her kindred.   

L  
LETICE, Lat: joyfulness, mirth.  
LYDIA, gre: Borne in that region of Asia.  
LORA, Sax: Discipline, or Learning: but I suppose rather it is corrupted from Laura, that is, Bay, and is agreeable to the Greek name Daphne.  
LUCIA, Lat: Lightsome, Bright: A name given first to them that were borne when daie-light first appeared.  
LUCRETIA, Lat: An honourable name in respect of the chaste Lady Lucretia; if it as Lucretius do not come from Lucrum, gain, as a good housewife, I leave it to Grammarians. Lucris, a wench in Plautus seemed to have her name from thence, whenas he saith it was Nomen & omen quantivis pretij.   

M  
MAEEI. Some will have it to be a contraction of the Italians from Mabella, that is, my fair daughter, or maid. But whereas it is written in Deeds, Amabilia and Mabilia, I think it cometh from Amabilis, that is, Loveable, or lovely.  
MAGDALEN, Hebr: Majestical.  
MARGARET, gre: commonly Margot, pearl or precious.  
MARGERY, Some think to be the same with Margaret: others fetch it from Marioria, I know not what flower.  
MARRY, Hebr: Exalted. The name of the blessed Virgin, who was blessed among women, because of the fruit of her womb.  
MAUD for MATILD, her: Matildis, Mathilidis, and Matilda in Latin, Noble or honourable Lady of Maids. Alfric turneth Heroina by Hild. So Hildebert was heroically famous, Hildegard, heroical preserver: and Hilda was the name of a religious Lady in the Primitive church of England.  
MELICENT, Fr: Hony-sweete.  
MERAUD: Used anciently in Cornwall, from the precious stone called the Emeraud.  
MURIEL from the Greek Muron, Sweet perfume.   

N  
NEST, Used in Wales for Agnes, See Agnes.  
NICHOLA, See Nicholas.  
NICIA, gre: Victorious.   

O  
OLYMPIAS, gre: Heavenly.  
ORABILIS, Lat: Easily entreated.   

P  
PENELOPE, gre: The name of the most patient, true, constant and chaste wife of Ulysses, which was given to her, for that she carefully loved and fed those birds with purpre necks called Penelope's.  
PERNE●L, from Petronilla, Pretty-stone, as ●iere and Perkin strained out of Petre. The first of this name was the daughter of Saint Petre.  
PRISCA, Lat: Antient.  
PRISCILLA, A diminutive from Prisca.  
PRUDENCE, Lat: whom the greeks call Sophia, that is, Wisdom.  
PHILIPPA, See Philip.  
PHILADELPHIA, gre: A lover of her sisters, or brethren.  
PHILLIS, gre: Lovely, as Amie in Latin.  
POLYXENA, gre: She that will entertain many guests, and strangers.   

R  
RADEGUND, Sax: Favourable council. Hadrianus junius translateth Gund Favor, 
Gund.  so Gunther favourable Lord, Gunderic, Rich, or mighty in favour, etc.  
RACHEL, Hebr: A sheep.  
REBECCA, Hebr: Fat and full.  
ROSAMUND, Rose of the world, or Rose of peace: See in the Epitaphs.  
ROSE, Of that fair flower, as Susan in Hebrew.   

S  
SAEINA, As chaste and religious as a Sabine, who had their name from their worshipping of God.  
SANCHIA, Lat: from Sancta, that is, Holy.  
SARAH, Hebr: Lady, Mistress, or Dame.  
SCHOLASTICA, gre: Leisure from business.  
SUSAN, Hebr: Lillie, or Rose.  
CICELY: See Caeselia.  
SOPHRONIA, gre: Modest, and temperate.  
SIBYL, gre: God's council, other draw it from Hebrew, and will have it to signify Divine Doctrine. [Peucerus.]  
SOPHIA, gre: Wisdom; a name peculiarly applied by the Primitive Christians to our most blessed Saviour, who is the wisdom of his Father, [Epistle to the Hebrews] by whom all things were made. And therefore some godly men do more than dislike it as irreligious, that it should be communicated to any other.   

T  
TABYTHA, Hebr: Roebuck.  
TAMESIN, or THOMASIN: See Thomas.  
THEODOSIA, gre: Gods-gift.  
TACE, Be silent, a fit name to admonish that sex of silence.  
TEMPERANCE, Lat. The signification known to all.   

V  
VENUS, Lat. Coming to all, as Cicero derived it à Veniendo, a fit name for a good wench. But for shame it is turned of some to Venice. In Greek Venus was called Aphrodite, not from the foam of the Sea, but as Enripides saith, from Aphrosune, that is, Maddefollie.  
VRSULA, Lat. A little Bear. A name heretofore of great reputation in honour of Ursula the Britan Virgin-Saint, martyred under Gods-scourge Attila.   

W  
WALBURG, Gracious; the same with Eucharia in Greek [Luther] We have turned it into Warburg.  
WINEFRID, Sax. Winifrid, or get peace. If it be a Britain word, as some think it to be & written Guinfrid, it signifieth Fair and Beautiful countenance. Verily Winifred a native of this Isle, which preached the Gospel in Germany, was called Boniface; for his good face, or good deeds, judge you.  
OTher usual names of women I do not call to remembrance at this time, yet I know many other have been in use in former ages among us, as Derv●rgild, Sith, Amphilas, &c: And also Nicholea, Laurentia, Richarda, Guilielma, Wilmetta, drawn from the names of men, in which number we yet retain Philippe, Philip, Francisca, Francis, joanna, jana, etc.  
These English-Saxon, Germane and other names may be thought as fair, and as fit for men and women, as those most usual Praenomina among the Romans, 〈◊〉 for that he was nourished of the gods: Luciu● for him that was borne in the dawning of the day: Marcus, for him that was borne in March: Manius for him that was borne in the morning: Cneus for him that had a wart: Servius for him that was borne a slave, Quinctius for him that was fifth borne, etc. And our women's names more gracious than their Rutilia, that is, Red-head: Caesilia, that is, Grey-eyed, and Caia● the most common name of all among them (signifying ●oy:) for that Caia Caesilia the wife of King Tarqvinius Priscus was the best distasse-wife and spinster among them.  
Neither do I think in this comparison of Names, that any will prove like the Gentleman, who distasting our names, preferred King Arthur's age before ours, for the gallant, brave, and stately names then used, as sir Orson, sir Tor, sir Quadragan, sir Dinadan, sir Lancelot, etc. which came out of that forge, out of the which the Spaniard forged the haughty and lofty name Traquitantoes for his Giant, which he so highly admired, when he had studied many days and odd hours, before he could hammer out a name so conformable to such a person as he in imagination then conceited.    

Surnames.  
SVrnames given for difference of familys, and continued as hereditary in families, were used in no nation anciently but among the Romans, (and that after the league with the Sabines) which called them Nomina, and Nomina Gentilitia, as the former were called Praenomina. But the French and we termed them Surnames, not because they are names of the sire, or the father, but because they are superadded to Christian names, as the Spaniards call them Renombres, as Renames.  
The Hebrews keeping memory of their Tribe, used in their Genealogies in steed of Surnames, the name of their father with Ben, that is, Son, as Melchi Ben-Addi, Addi Ben-Cosam, Cosam Ben-E●●adam, etc. So the Grecians, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Icarus the son of Dedalus, Dedalus the son of Eupalmus, Eupalmus the son of Metion.  
The like was used amongst our ancestors the English, as Coloured Ceolwalding, Ceolwald Cuthing, Cuth Cuthwining, that is, Ceonred so●ne of Ceolwald, Ceolwald son of Cuth, Cuthe son of Cuthwin, etc. And to this is observed by William of Malmesbury, where he noteth that the son of Eadgar was called Eadgaring, 
Libr. primo.  and the son of Edmund, Edmunding.  
The Britan's in the same sense with Ap for Mab, as Ap Owen, Owen Ap Harry, Harry Ap Rhese, as the Irish with their Mac, as Donald Mac Neale, Neale Mac Con, Con Mac D●rm●tt, etc. And the old Normans with Fitz for Filz, as john Fitz-Robert, Robert Fitz-Richard, Richard Fitz-Ralph, etc. 
Scaliger de c●nsis linguae Lat:  The Arabians only as one learned noteth, used their father's names without their own forename, as Aven-Pace, Aven Rois, Aven-Z●ar, that is, the son of Pace, Rois and Zoar; As if Pace had a son at his circumcision named Haly, he would be called Aven Pace, concealing Haly, but his son, howsoever he were named, would be called Aven-Haly, etc. So Surnames passing from father to son, and continuing to their issue, was not anciently in use among any people in the world.  
Yet to these single Names were adjoined oftentimes other names, as Cognomina, or Sobriquetts, as the French call them, and By-names, or Nicke-names, as we term them, if that word be indifferent to good and bad, which still did die with the bearer, and never descended to posterity. That we may not exemplify in other nations (which would afford great plenty,) but in our own. King Eadgar was called the Peaceable, king Ethelred the unready, king Edmund for his Valour, Iron-side; king Harold the Harefoot, Eadric the Streona, that is, the Getter or Streiner, Siward the Degera, that is, the Valiant, King William the first, Bastard, king William the second Rouse, that is, the Red, king Henry the first Beauclarke, that is, Fine Scholar: so in the house of Anjou which obtained the Crown of England, Geffrey the first Earl of Anjou was surnamed Grisogonel, that is, Grey-cloake, Fulco his son Nerra, his grandchild Rechi●, for his extortion. Again, his grandchild Plantagenet, for that he ware commonly a broome-stalke in his bonnet. His son Henry the second, king of England, Fitz-Empresse, because his mother was Empress, his son king Richard had for surname Corde-Lion, for his lion-like courage, as john was called Sans-terre, that is, Without land: So that whereas these names were never taken up by the son, I know not why any should think Plantagenet to be the surname of the royal house of England, albeit in late years many have so accounted it. Neither is it less strange, why so many should think Theodore or Tydur, as they contract it, to be the surname of the Princes of this Realm since king Henry the seventh. For albeit Owen ap Mer●dith Tydur, which married Katherine the daughter of Charles the sixth king of France, was grandfather to king Henry the seventh, yet that Tydur, or Theodore was but the Christian name of Owen's grandfather. For Owen's father was Meredith ap Tydur, Ap groan, Ap Tydur, who all without Surnames iterated Christian names, after the old manner of the Britain's, and other nations heretofore noted, and so lineally deduced his pedigree from Cadwallader king of the Britan's, as was found by Commission directed to Griffin ap Lewellin; Gitteu Owen, john King, and other learned men both English and Welsh in the seventh year of the said king Henry the seventh.  
Likewise in the line Royal of Scotland, Milcolme, or Malcolm was surnamed Canmore, that is, Great head, and his brother, Donald, Ban, that is, White: Alexander the first, the Proud, Malcolm the fourth, the Virgin, William his brother the Lion. As amongst the Princes of Wales, Brochvail Schitrauc, that is, Gaggtothed, Gurind, Barmbtruch, that is, Spade-bearded, Elidir Coscorvaur, that is, Heliodor the Great housekeeper, and so in Ireland Murough Duff. that is, Black: 〈◊〉 Roose. that is, Red: Nemoliah, that is, full of wounds: Patric Ban, that is, White: Gavelc●, that is, Fetters.  
To seek therefore the ancient Surnames of the royal, and most ancient families of Europe, is to seek that which never was. And, therefore greatly are they deceived which think Valois to have been the surname of the late French kings, or Borbon of this present king, or Habsburg, or Austriac of the Spanish king, or Steward of the late kings of Scotland, and now of BRITAIN, or Oldenburg of the Danish; For (as all know that have but sipped of Histories) Valois was but the Apponage and Earldom of Charles younger son to Philip▪ the second, from whom the late kings descended: so Borbon was the inheritance of Robert a younger son to saint Lewes, of whom this king is descended: Habsburg and Austria were but the old possessions of the Emperors and Spanish King's progenitors. Steward was but the name of office to Walter, who was high Steward of Scotland, the progenitor of Robert first King of Scots of that family, and of the King our Sovereign. And Oldenburg was but the earldom of Christian the first Danish king of this family, elected about 1448. But yet Pl●●tagenet, Steward, Valois, Borbon, Habsburg, etc. by prescription of time have prevailed so far, as they are now accounted surnames. But for surnames of Princes, well said the learned Marcus, 
〈◊〉 consti●●●●.  Salon de Pace. Reges cognomive now vt●ntur, q●●ia ut Regum familiae, & agnationes, & memoriae conserventur, 〈◊〉 cognomina non sunt necessaria prout in aliis inferioribus, quorum ipsa cognomina agnationum ac familiarum memori●● tutantur.  
About the year of our Lord 1000 (that we may not minute out the time) surnames began to be taken up in France, and in England about the time of the Conquest, or else a very little before, under King Edward the Confessor, who was all Frenchified. And to this time do the Scottishmen refer the antiquity of their surnames, 
Vit● Milcolumb●.  although Buchanan supposeth that they were not in use in Scotland many years after.  
But in England certain it is, that as the better sort, even from the Conquest by little and little took surnames, so they were not settled among the common people fully, until about the time of King Edward the second: but still varied according to the father's name, as Richardson, if his father were Richard, Hodgeson, if his father were Roger, or in some other respect, and from thenceforth began to be established, (some say by statute,) in their posterity.  
This will seem strange to some Englishmen and Scotishmen, which like the Arcadians think their surnames as ancient as the Moon, or at the least to reach many an age beyond the Conquest. But they which think it most strange, (I speak under correction,) I doubt they will hardly find any surname which descended to posterity before that time: Neither have they seen (I fear) any deed or donation before the Conquest, but subsigned with crosses and single names, without surnames in this manner in England; Ego Eadredus confirmavi. ✚ Ego Edmundus corroboravi. ✚ Ego Sigarius conclusi. ✚ Ego Olfstanus consolidavi, etc. Likewise for Scotland, in an old book of Duresme in the Charter, whereby edgar son of King Malcolm, gave lands near Coldingham to that Church, in the year 1097. the Scottish Noblemen witnesses thereunto, had no other surnames than the Christian names of their fathers. For thus they signed S. 
Signu●.  ✚ Gulfi filii M●niani, S ✚ Culverti filii Donecani, S ✚ Olavi filii Oghe, etc. As for myself, I never hitherto found any hereditary Surname before the Conquest, neither any that I know: and yet both I myself and diverse whom I know, have pored and puzzled upon many an old Record and Evidence to satisfy ourselves herein: and for my part I will acknowledge myself greatly indebted to them that will clear me this doubt.  
But about the time of the Conquest, I observed the very primary beginnings as it were of many surnames, which are thought very ancient, when as it may be proved that their very lineal Progenitors bore other names within these six hundred years. Mortimer and Warren are accounted names of great antiquity, 
Rob. de Mon ●● de sundat. Monast. 〈◊〉.  yet the father of them (for they were brethren) who first bore those names, was Walterus de sancto Martino. He that first took the name of Clifford from his habitation, was the son of Richard, son of Puntz a noble Norman, 
Lib. Dunelmen.  who had no other name. The first Lumley was son of an ancient English man called Liwulph. The first Gifford, 
Ge●itieg●●.  from whom they of Buckingham, the Lords of Brimesfeld, and others descended, was the son of a Norman called Osbert de Belebe●. The first Windsor descended from Walter the son of Other Castellan of Windsor. The first who took the name of Shirley was the son of Sewall, descended from Fulcher without any other name. The first Nevil of them which are now, from Robert the son of Maldred, a branch of an old English family who married Isabel the daughter and heir of the nevil's which came out of Normandy. The first Level came from 〈◊〉 de Perce●●●ll. The first Montacute was the son of Drogo ●●venis, as it is in Record. The first Stanley of them now Earls of Derby was likewise son to Ad●vn de Aldeleigh, or Audley, as it is in the old Pedigree in the Eagle tower of Latham. And to omit others, the first that took the name of de Burgo, or Burks in Ireland was the son of an English man called William Fitz Aldelni●; 
Record. regul Hibe●●iae.  as the first of the Girald●●es also in that Country was the son of an Englishman called Girald of Windsor. In many more could I exemplify, which shortly after the conquest, took these surnames, when either their fathers had none at all, or else most different, whatsoever some of their posterity do overween of the antiquity of their names, as though in the continual mutability of the world, conversions of States, and fatal periods of families, five hundred years were not sufficient antiquity for a family or name, whenas but very few have reached thereunto.  
In the authentical Record of the Exchequer called doomsday, Surnames are first found, brought in then by the Normans, who not long before first took them: but most noted with the, such a place as Godefridus de Mannevilla; A. de Grey. Walterus de Vernon; Robert de Oily, now Doyley; Albericus de Vere; Radulphus de Pomerey; Goscelinus de Dive. Robertus de Busl●● Guilielmus de Moiun; R. de Brai●se; Rogerus de Lacie; Gislebertus de Venables, or with Filius, as Ranulphus, Asculphi, Guilielmis; filius Osbernie, Richardus filius Gisleberti; or else with the name of their office, as Eudo Depifer: Guil: Camerarius, Hervaeus Legatus, Gislebertus Cocus, Radulphus Venator: but very many with their Christian names only, as Olaff, Nigellus, Eustachius, Baldricus, with single names are noted last in every shire, as men of least account, and as all, or most underholders specified in that Book. But shortly after, as the Romans of better sort had three names according to that of juvenal, Tanquam habeas trianomina, & that of Ausonius, 
Vide Politian●● 〈◊〉 libr. 3.  Tria nomina nobiliorum. So it seemed a disgrace for a Gentleman to have but one single name, a● the meaner sort and bastards had. For the daughter and 〈◊〉 of Fitz- 〈◊〉 a great Lord, as Robert of Gloucester in the Library of the industrious Antiquary master john Stowe writeth, when king Henry the first would have married her to his base son Robert, she first refusing answered;  
It were to me a great shame,  
To have a Lord without'n his twa name.  
whereupon the king his father gave him the name of Fitz-Roy, who after was earl of Gloucester, and the only Worthy of his age.  
To reduce surnames to a Method, is matter for a Ramist, who should haply find it to be a Typocosmie: I will plainly set down from whence the most have been deduced, as far as I can conceive, hoping to incur no offence herein with any person, when I protest in all sincerity, that I purpose nothing less than to wrong any man in any respect, or to make the least aspersion upon any whosoever. The end of this scribbling labour tending only to maintain the honour of our names against some Italianated, who admiring strange names, do disdainfully contemn their own country names: which I doubt not but I shall effect with the learned and judicious, to whom I submit all that I shall write.  
The most surnames in number, the most ancient, and of best account, have been local, deduced from places in Normandy and the countries confining, being either the patrimonaill possessions or native places of such as served the Conqueror, or came in after out of Normandy; as Aulbeny, or Mortimer, Warren, Albigny, Percy, Gournay, Deureux, Tankervil, Saint-Lo, Argenton, Marmion, Saint Maure, Bracy, Maigny, Nevil, Ferrer, Harecourt, Baskervile, Mortaigne, Tracy, Beufoe, Valoyns, Cayly, Lucy, Montfort, Bonvile, Bovil, Auranch, etc. Neither is there any village in Normandy, that gave not denomination to some family in England; in which number are all names, having the French De, Du, Des, De-la prefixed, & beginning or ending with Font, Fant, Beau, Saint Mont, Bois, Aux, Eux, Vall, Vaux, Cort, Court, Fort, Champ, Vil, which is corruptly turned in some into ●eld, as in Ba●kerfeld, Somerfeld, Dangerfeld, Trubl●feld, Gr●●feld, 〈◊〉, for B●●kervil, Somervil, Dangervil, Turbervil, Gree●●vil, 〈◊〉 vil; and in others into Well, as Boswell for B●ssevil, 〈◊〉 for Freschevil. 
Mart. Cro●ar●●.  As that I may note in passage, the 〈◊〉 Nobility take their names from places adding Ski or King thereunto.  
Out of places in Britain came the families of Saint Aubin, Mor●ey, D●nant, lately called Denham, D●le, Bal●●, Conquest, Valtort, Lascells, Bluet, etc.  
Out of other parts of France from places of the same names came, Courtney, Corby, B●ll●in, Crevecuer, Sai●t-Leger, Bohun, Saint George, Saint Andrew, Chaworth, Saint Qu●●ti●, Gorges, Villiers, Cromar, Paris, Reims, Cressy, Fines, 〈◊〉, Coignac, Lions, Chalons, Chaloner, Estampes, or Stamps, and many more.  
Out of the Netherlands came the names of Levayne, Gaunt, Ipres, Bruges, Malines, odingsell's, Tournay, Douai, Buers, Beke; and in latter ages Dabridgecourt, Robsert, M●●y, Grand●son, etc.  
From places in England and Scotland infinite likewise. For every town, village, or hamlet hath made names to families, as Darbyshire, Lancaster, (do not look that I should as the Nomenclators in old time marshal every name according to his place) Essex, Murray, Clifford, Stafford, Barkley, Leigh, Lea, Hasting, Hamleton, Gordon, Lumley. Douglas, Booths, Clinton, Heydon, Cleydon, Hicham, Henningham, Popham, Ratcliff, Markham, Seaton, Framingham, Pagrave, Cotton, Cari●, Hume, Poinings, Goring, Prideaux, Windsor, Hardes, Stanhope, Sydenham, Needehaus, Dimoc, Wi●nington, Allington, D●cre, Thaxton, Whitney, Willoughby, Apseley, Crew, Kniveton, Wentworth, Fa●shaw, Woderington, Manwood, Fetherston, Penrudock, Tremaine, Trevoire, Killigrew, Roscarroc, Carminow, and most families in Cornwall, of whom I have heard this rhythm: 
By Tre, Ros, Pol, Lan, Caer and Pen,  
You may know the most Cornish men.  Which signify a town, a health, a pool, a church, a castle, or city, and a foreland, or promontory.  
In like sort many names among the Romans were taken from places, as Tarqvinius, Gabinus, Volscius, Vatinius, Norbanus, from Tarquini, Gabijs, Volic●, Vatia, Norba, towns in Italy, Sigo●ius and other before him have observed; and likewise Amerinus, Carrinas, Macenas as Varre noteth. So Ruric●us, Fonteius, Fundanus, Agellius, etc. Generally, all these following are local names, and all which have their beginning or termination in them, the significations whereof, for the most part, are commonly known. To the rest now unknown, I will adjoin somewhat briefly out of A●fricus and others, reserving a more ample explication to his proper place.  

ACRE, drawn from the Latin Ager.  
AY, vide Eye.  
BAC, F: A Ferry.  
BACH, the same which Be a river, [Munster.]  
BANK.  
BARN.  
BARROW, vide Burrow.  
bath.  
BEACHE.  
BEAM, a Trunk, or stock of a tree.  
BEAK or Bec, (as Bach) used in the North.  
BEGIN, a building. Alfricus.  
BEND, A place where rushes grow.  
BEARNE, A wood. Beda lib. 4. cap. 2.  
BERTON or Barton.  
BERRY, a Court. Others make it a hill from the Dutch word Berg, some take it to be the same with Burrow, and only varied in dialect.  
BEORH, Adceruus, as Stane Beorh, Lapidum accruus [Glossarium vetus.]  
BOLD, from the Dutch Bol, a Fe●ne.  
BUY, From the Hebrew Beth, an habitation. [Alfricus]  
BOIS, Fr: A wood.  
BORROUGH, from the Latin Burgu●, a fortified place or defence, pronounced in the South parts Bury, in other Burgh and Brough, and often Berry and Barrow. Alfricus.  
BORNE, or Burn, a river.  
BOTTLE, An house in the North parts. Alfricus turneth it Aedes, & Aedilis, Bottleward.  
BOOTH.  
BRIDGE.  
BROMEFIELD.  
BRUNN, A fountain from Burn.  
BRIEWR, Fr: An Heath.  
BROUGH, See Burrowgh.  
BURY, See Burrow.  
BURGH, See Burrowgh.  
BURNE, Vide Borne.  
BUSH.  
BUTTS.  
CAER, But a fortified place, or City.  
CAMPH.  
CAPELL, the same with Chapel.  
CAR, A low watery place where Alders do grow, or a pool.  
CARNES, the same with stones.  
Castle.  
CASTER, Chester, Cester, Chaster, the same varied in Dialect, a City or walled place derived from Castrum.  
CAVE.  
CHURCH.  
CASTER, See Chester.  
CHANNEL.  
CHAPEL.  
CHASE.  
CLEY, or Clay.  
COVE, A small creak.  
CLIFF, and Cleve.  
CLOUGH, A deep descent between hills.  
COB, A forced harborough for ships, as the Cob of Linne in Dorsetshire.  
COPE, The top of a high hill.  
COMER, a word in use both in France and England for a valley between two high hills. Nicotius.  
COAT.  
COURTE.  
COVERT, Fr: A shadowed place or shade.  
crag.  
CREEK.  
CROFT, Translated by Abbo Floriacencis in Praedium a Farm. Our Ancestors would say prover. bially of a very poor man, that He had ne Toft, ne Croft.  
CROSS.  
DALE.  
DELLE, A dike.  
DENE, A small valley contrary to Down.  
DEEPS.  
DERNE, See turn.  
DICH, or Dish.  
DIKE.  
DOCK.  
DON, corruptly sometime for Tun or Town.  
DON, and Down, all one, varied in pronunciation, a high hill or Mont. [Alfricus.]  
END.  
AY, a watery place as the Germans use now Aw, Ortelius. Alfricus translateth Amnis into Ea or Eye.  
FARM.  
FIELD.  
FELL, Sax: Crags, barren and stony hills.  
fen.  
FLEET, a small stream.  
FOLD.  
FORD.  
FORREST.  
FOOT.  
FONT, or Fund, a spring.  
FRITH, A plain amidst woods: but in Scotland a straight between two lands, from the Latin Fretum.  
GARNET, a great granary.  
GARDEN.  
GARTH, A yard.  
GATE.  
GILL, A small water.  
GLIN, Welsh, A dale.  
GORST, Bushes.  
GRANGE, Fr: A barn (Nicotius.)  
GRAVE, A dich or trench, or rather a wood, for in that sense I have read Grava in old deeds.  
GRAVET, The same with ●rove.  
GREEN.  
GROVE.  
HALE, or Haule, from the Latin Aula, in some names turned into All.  
HAM, Mansio [Beda] which we call now Home, or house often abridged into Am.  
HATCH▪  
HAWGH, or Ho●gh, A green plot in a valley, as they use it in the North.  
HAY, Fr: A hedge.  
HEAD, and Heveth, a Foreland▪ Promontory, or high place.  
HEADGE.  
HEATH.  
HERST, See Hurst.  
HERN●, Sax: A house Beda, who translateth Whatbern, Candida casa.  
HITH, A Haven. [Alfricus.  
HIDE, So much land as one plough can plow in a year.  
HILL, Often in composition changed into Hull and Ell.  
HOLME, Plain grassy ground upon water sides, or in the water. [Buchanan]  
HOLT, A wood, Nemus, [Alfricus.  
HOLD, A tenement, or the same with Holl▪  
HOPE. The side of a● hill, but in the North, a low ground amidst the tops of hills.  
HOW, or H●●, An high place.  
HORN. See Hurn.  
HOUSE.  
HULL, See Hill,  
HUNT.  
HURNE, or Horn, A corner Alfricu●.  
HUR'ST, or Herst, A wood  
ING, A meadow or low ground, Ignulphus, and the Danes still keep it.  
ISLE, or I'll.  
KAY, A landing place, a wharf, the old Glossary Kaij, Cancelli.  
KNAP.  
KNOLL, The top of a hill.  
KYRK, A Church, from the Greek Kuriace, that is, the Lords house.  
LADE, Passage of waters, Aquaeductus in the old glossary is translated Water-lada.  
LAKE.  
LAND.  
LANE.  
LATH, A Barn among them of Lincolnshire.  
LAUND, A plain among trees.  
LAW, A hill in use among the hither Scottishmen.  
LE, Brit: A place.  
LEY, and Leigh, the same, or a pasture.  
L'LYS, Brit: A place.  
LOD, See Lad.  
LOCK, A place where rivers are unstopped, or a lake, as the word is used in the North parts.  
LOP, Salebra, An uneven place which cannot be passed without leaping.  
LOUND, the same with Land.  
MARCH, A limit, or confines.  
MARKET.  
MEAD●.  
MEADOW.  
MERE.  
MESNILL, or Menill, in Norman French, A mansion house.  
MERSH.  
MILL.  
MINE.  
MINSTER, contracted from Monastery, in the north, Monster, in the South Mister.  
MORE.  
MOSSR.  
MOTE.  
MOUTH, Where a river falleth into the sea, or into another water.  
NESS, A promontory, for that it runneth into the sea as a nose.  
NORE, The same with North.  
ORCHARD  
OVERDO, and contractly, Ore.  
PACE  
PARK  
PEN, brit: the top of an hill, or mountain  
PITTS  
PLACE  
PLATE, Fr: Plain ground  
PLAIN  
POLE  
POND  
PORT  
POUND  
PRAT, F: A meadow  
PRINDLE, The same with Crossed  
QVARRY  
REYKE  
RIDGE, and RIG  
RING, An enclosure  
ROAD  
ROW, F: A street Raw in the north.  
ROS, brit: A heath  
RY, Fr: from Rive, a shore, coast, or bank  
RILL, A small brook  
RITHY, brit: from Rith a ford  
SALE, F: a Hall, an entrance [junius]  
SAND, or SANDS  
SCAR, a craggy stony hill  
SETT, Habitation or seat, Ortelius  
SCHELL, a spring: See Skell  
SHAW, Many trees near together, or shadow of trees.  
SHALLOW  
SHEAL, A cottage, or shelter, the word is usual in the wastes of Northumberland and Cumberland.  
SHORE  
SHOT, or SHUT, A Keep [Munster]  
SKELL, a Well in the old northern English  
SLADE  
SLOW, A mi●y foul place  
SMETH, a smooth plain field, a word usual in Norfolk and Suffolk  
SPIR, PYRAMID: A shaft to the old English, or spire steeple.  
SPRING  
STAKE  
STRAND, A bank of a river  
STREET  
STROAD, STROUD: as some do think, the same with Strand.  
STABLE, as STALE.  
STALE and STAPLE, the same: A storehouse.  
STAPLE  
STED, from the Dutch Stadt, a standing place, a station.  
STEEPLE  
STE●, A bank [Alfricus]  
STYLE,  
STOCK  
STOKE, the same with Stow  
STONE, or STANE  
STOW, a place. Alfricus  
STRAITH, a vale along a river  
side  
TEMPLE  
TERN, or DARN, a standing pool, a word usual in the North.  
THORN  
THORP, from the Dutch: Dorp, a village  
THURN, a tower: Ortelius  
THWAIT, a word only used in the north, in addition of Towns: some take it for a pasture from the Dutch Hwoit  
TOFT, a parcel of ground where there hath been a house: but for Toft and Croft, inquire of Lawyers.  
TOR, a high place or tower  
TREY, british from Tref a Town  
TRENCH  
TREE  
Vale  
VAULX, the same in french  
UP  
UNDER  
WALD, a Wood; the same with Wild.  
WALL  
WARE, or WEAR  
WARK, or WERK, a work or building  
WARREN  
WASTE, A desert or solitary place.  
WASH  
WATH, a ford; a word usual in Yorkshire  
WATER  
WAY  
WICK, and WHICH, in short, the curving or reach of a River, or the Sea: junius, Rhenanus: But our Alfric, and so tilius maketh it a Castle, or little Port.  
WHICH, in Long, a salt spring.  
WELL  
WILD  
WOLD, hills without wood  
WOOD  
WORTH, auntiently Worth and Woorthid: Alfricus makes it Praedium, a possession or Farm: Abbo translateth it a court or place: Ki●●anus a Fort and an Isle.  
YARD  
YATE, or YATES   
At a word, all which in English had Of set before them, which in Cheshire and the North was contracted into A, as Thomas a Dutton, john a Standish, Adam a Kirkby, and all which in La●ine old evidences have had De prefixed, as all heretofore specified, were borrowed from places. As those which had Le set before them, were not ●●call, but given in other respects. As I● Martial, Le L●●ner, Le Despencer, Le Scroop. Le Sav●●e, Le ●av●sour. Le Strange. Le Norice, Le Fscriva●, Le Bl●●d, Le Molineux, Le Bret. As they also which were never noted with De or Le, in which number I have observed, Gifford B●sset, Arundel, Howard, Talb●●, Bellot, Bigot, Bagot, Ta●leboise, Tale●●ch, Gern●●, L●vell, Lovet, Fortescu, Pancevolt, Tirell, Biund or Blunt, Bisset, Bacun, etc. And these distinctions of local names with De, and other with Le, or simply, were religiously observed in Records until about the time of king Edward the fourth.  
Neither was there, as I said before, or is there any town, village, hamlet, or place in England, but hath made names to families, and so many names are local which do not seem so, because the places are unknown to most men, and all known to no one man: as who would imagine Whitegift, Powlet, Bacon, Creeping, Alshop, Tirwhit, Antrobus, Heather, Hartshorne, and many such like to be local names, and yet most certainly they are.  
Many also are so changed by corruption of speech, and altered, so strangely to significative words by the common sort, who desire to make all to be significative, as they seem nothing less than local names; as Wormwood, Inkepen, Tiptow, Moon, Manners, Drinkewater, Cuckold, Goddolphin, Harlestone, waits, Smalbacke, Loscotte, Devil. Neithe●mill, Bellows, Filpot, Wod●l, etc. for Ormund, Ingepen, Tiptoft, Mahune, Manors, Derwentwater, Cuckswold, Godolchan, Hudleston. Thefts, Smalbach, ●●scot, Davill, or D'Eivill, Nettervil, Bellhouse, Phillipot, Wahul, etc.  
Neither is it to be omitted, that many local names had At prefixed before them in old Evidences, as At More, A● Stow, At Ho, At Bower, At Wood, At ●owne, etc. which A●, as it hath been removed from some, so hath it been conjoined to other, as Atwood, Atslowe, Atho, Atwell, Atmor. As S also is joined to most now, as Manors, Kn●les, Crofts, Yates, Gates, Thorns, Groves, Hills, Combs, Holmes, Stokes, etc.  
Rivers also have imposed names to some men, as they have to Towns situated on them; as that old Ba●on ●ur-Teys, that is, on the river Teys running between Yorkshire and the Bishopric of Duresine, Derwent-water, I de●, Troutbecke, Hartgill, Esgill, Wampull, Small, Stoure, Thames, Trent, Tamar, Grant, Tine, Croc, Lone, Lun, Calder, etc. as some at Rome were called Tiberij, An●eni, Aufidij, etc., because they were borne near the rivers Tiber, Anten, Ausidus, as julius Paris noteth.  
Divers also had names from trees near their habitations, as Oak, Asp, Box, Alder, El●●e, Elder, Beach, Coigniers, that is, Quince, Zouch, that is, the trunk of a tree, Curtsy and Curson, the stock of a Vine, Pine, Plum, Chesney or Cheyney, that is, Oak, Dauney, that is, Alder, Foulgiers, that is, Fearne, Vine, ash, Hawthorne, Turres, Bush, Hast, Coularay, that is, Has●ewood, buck, that is, ` Beech, Willows, Thorn, Broome, Block, etc. which in former time had at prefixed, as at Beech, at Furs, at Ash, at ●lme. And here is to be noted, that divers of this sort have been strangely contracted, as at Ash into Tash, at Oak into Took, at Abbey into Tabbey; at the End into th'end; As in Saints names, Saint Only into Tolye, Saint Ebb into Saint Tabbe, Saint Osyth into Saint Tows.  
Many strangers also coming hither, and residing here, were named of their Countries, as Picard, Scot, Lombard, Fleming, French, Bigod, that is, superstitious, or Norman. (For so the Frenchmen called the Normans, because at every other word they would swear,) By God; Bretton, Britain, Bret, Burgoin, german, Westphaling, Dane, Daneis, Man, Gascoigne, Welsh, Welsh, waleys, Irish, Cornish, Cornwallis, Fasterling, Magne, Champneis, Poitevin, Angevin. Loring, that is, de Lotharingia, etc. And these had commonly Le prefixed in Records and Writings, as Le Fle●●ing, Le Picard, Le Bret, etc. viz. the Fleming, the Picard.  
In respect of situation to other near places rise these usual names, Norrey, North▪ South, East, West▪ and likewise Northcote, Southcote, Estcote, Westcote; which also had originally At set before them. Yea the names of Kitchen, Hall, Cellar, Parlour, Church, Lodge etc. may seem to have been borrowed from the places of birth, or most frequent abode; as among the greeks, Anato●●us. i. East Zephirius, i West, etc.  
Whereas therefore these local denominations of families are of no great antiquity, I can not yet see why men should think that their Ancestors gave names to places, when the places bore those very names, before any men did their Surnames. Yea the very terminations of the names are such as are only proper and appliable to places, and not to persons in their significations, if any will mark the Local ●erminations which I lately specified. Who would suppose Hil, Wood, Field, Ford, Ditch, Pole, Pond, Town, or Tun, and such like terminations to be convenient for men to bear in their n●mes, unless they could also dream Hills, Woods, Fields, fords, Ponds, Pounds etc. to have been metamorphosed into men by some supernatural transformation.  
And I doubt not but they will confess that Towns stand longer than families continue.  
It may also be proved that many places which now have Lords denominated of them, had Lords and owners of other Surnames, and families not many hundred years since. But a sufficient proof it is of ancient descent where the inhabitant had his Surname of the place where he inhabiteth, as Compton of Compton, Terringham of Terringham, Egerton of Egerton, Portington of Portington, Skeffington of Skeffington, Beeston of Beeston, etc.  
I know nevertheless, that albeit most Towns have borrowed their names from their situation, and other respects; yet some with apt terminations have their names from men, as Edwarston, Alfredston, Vbsford, Malmesbury, corruptly for Maidu●p●sbury. But these names were from fore-names or Christian names, and not fro● Surnames. For Ingulphus plainly showeth, that W●burton▪ and Leffrington were so named, 
pag. 491.  because two knights, Wiburt, and Leofric there sometimes inhabited. But if any should affirm that the Gentlemen named Le●frington, Wiburton, Lancaster, or Leicester, Bossevill, or Shoreditch, gave the names to the places so named, I would humbly, without prejudice, crave respite for a further day before I believed them. And to say as I think, verily when they shall better advise themselves, and mark well the terminations of these, and such like Local names, they will not press me ov●r eagrely herein.  
Notwithstanding, certain it is that Surnames of families have been adjoined to the names of places for distinction, or to notify the owner, as Melton Mowbray, Higham Ferrer, Minster-L●vel, Stansted Rivers, Drayton-Basset, Drayton-Beauchamp, etc. for that they were the possessions of Mowbray, Ferrer, Level, etc. Neither do I deny, but some among us in former time, aswell as now, dreaming of immortality of their names, have named their houses after their own names, as Camois-Court, Hamon's, Bretts, Bailies, Theobaldes, whenas now they have possessors of other names. And the old verse is, and always will be verified of them, which a right worshipful friend of mine not long since writ upon his new house: Nunc mea, mox ●uius, sed posteà nescio cuius.  
Neither must all, having their names from places, suppose that their Ancestors were either Lords, or possessors of them; but may assure themselves, that they originally came from them, or were borne at them. But the Germans and Polonians do clear this error by placing In before the Local names, if they are possessors of the place, or Of, if they only were borne at them, as Martinus Cromerus noteth. The like also seemeth to be in use in the Marches of Scotland, for there you shall have Trotter of Folshaw, and Trotter in Fogo, Haitly of Haitly, and H●●ly in Haitly.  
Whereas since the time of king Henry the third the Prince's children took names from their natal places, as Edward of Carnarvan, Thomas of Brotherton, Ioann● of Acres, ●●dmund of Woodstock, john of Gaunt, who named his children by Cath. Swinford, Beaufort of the place where they were born● u● nothing to our purpose, to make further mention of them whenas they never descended to their posterity.  
After this local names, the most names in number have been derived from Occupations, or Professions, as Tailor, Potter, Smith, Sadler, Arblaster, that is, Balistarius, Archer, Taverner, Chauser, i. Hosier, Weaver, Pointer, Painter, Walker, ●d est, Fuller in old English, Baker, Baxter, Boulengem, all one in signification, Collier, Carpenter, joiner, Salter, armourer, Spicer, Grocer, Monger, id est, Chapman, Brower. Brasier, Webster, Wh●eler, Wright, Cartwright, Shipwright, Banister, id est, Balneator, Forbisher, Farrar, Goff, id est, Smyth in Welsh. And most which end in Er in our tongue, as among the Latins, Artifice●s names have arius, as lu●tcariarius, vestiarius, calcearius, etc. or eo, or ●o for th●ir termi●ations, as Linteo, Pellio Phrygio. Neither was there any trade, craft, art, profession, occupation never so mean, but had a name among us commonly ending in Er, and men accordingly denominated, but some ●re worn out of use, and therefore the significatio●● unknown, and other have been mollified ridiculously by the bearers, lest they should seem vilified by them. And yet the like names were among the noblest Romans, as Figul●s, Pictor, Fabritius, Scribon●●s, Sal●●tor, Rusticus, Agricola, Carbo, ●unarius, etc. And who can deny but they so named may be Gentlemen, if Virtue which is the soul of Gentry shall ennoble them, and Virtus (as one saith) Nulli pralusa est omnibus patet. Albeit Doctor Turner in a Book against Stephan Cardiner saith the contrary, exemplifying of their own names. At which time wise was the man that told my Lord Bishop that his name was not Gardiner, as the English pronounce it, but Gardiner with the French accent, and therefore a Gentleman.  
Hitherto may be referred many that end in Man, as, Tubman, Carreman, Coachman, F●rriman, Clothman, Chapman, Spelman, id est, Learned man, Palf●iman, horseman, etc.  
Many have been assumed from offices, as, Chambers, Chamberlain, Cook, Spenser, that is, Steward, Martial, Latimer, that is, Interpreter, Staller, that is, Constable or Standard-bearer, Reeve, Wo●dreeve, Sheriff, Sergeant, Parker, Foster, that is, Nourisher, Forraster, contractly Forster, Hunter, Kempe, that is, Soldier in old English; (for Alfricus translateth T●ro, Yong-Kempe) Falconer, Fowler, Page, Butler, Clarke, Proctor, Abbot, Friar, Monk, Priest, Bishop, Spigurnell, that is, a sealer of Writs, which office was hereditary for a time to the Bohunes of Midherst. Deacon, Deane, Bailive, Franklin, Leach, Warder, i Keeper; & from thence Woodward, Millward, Steward, Dooreward, tha●●, Porter, Bearward, Heyward, Hereward, that is, Conserver of the army, Bond, that is, Paterfamilias, as it is in the book of old terms belonging sometimes to Saint Augustine in Canterbury, and we retain it in the compound Husb●nd. In which book also Horden is interpreted a Steward.  
Names also have been taken of honours, dignities, or estate, as King, Duke, Prince, Lord, Baron, Knight, Valuasor, or Vavasor, Squire, Castellan, partly for that their ancestors were such, served such, acted such parts, or were Kings of the Bean, Christmas Lords, etc. And the like names we read among the Greeks and Romans, as Basi●us, Archias, Archel●●, Regulus, Servius, Flaminius, Caesarius, Augustulus: who notwithstanding were neither Kings, Priests, Dukes, or Caesars. Others from the qualities of the mind, as Good, Through good, Goodman, Goodchild, Wise, hardy, Plain, Light, Meek, Bold, Best, Proud, Sharp, Still, Sweet, Speed, Quick, Sure, etc. As those old Saxon names, Shire, that is, Clear, Dyre, that is, Well-beloved, Blithe, 
Chauces.  that is, merry, Drury, that is, jewel. Also these French names, Galliard, that is, Frolic, Musard, that is, Delayer, Bland, that is, Fairespoken, Coin, that is, Valiant, Bawd, that is, Pleasant, Barrat; Kus, Rush, that is, Subtle, and so is Prat in the old book of Petreborrough, Huttin, that is, Mutineer. As among the Grecians, Agathias, A●dragathius, Sophocles, Eubulus, Eumenius; Thraseas. Among the Romans, Prudentius, Lepidus, Cato, ` Pius, Valeus, Constans, Asper, Tacitus, Dulcitius, etc. And accordingly names were borrowed, as Plutarch saith, from the nature of the man, 
Plutarch. in Matio & Sylla.  from his actions, from some mark, form or deformity of his body, as Macrinus, that is, Long, Torquatus, that is, Chained, Silvius that is, White and Red: And in like sort, Mnemon, that is, Mindful, Grypus, that is, Hawkes-nose, Callinicus, that is, Fair Victor. From the habit●des of body, and the perfections or imperfections thereof, many names have been imposed, as Strong, Ar●●strong, Long, Low, Short, Broad, big, Little, Speed, Fair, Goodbody, Free body, ●●ll, that is, Fair, Bellet, that is, Bel●ulus, proper in French: Helder, that is, Thin, Heile, that is, Healthful, Fairfax, that is, Faire-lockes, in ancient English Whitlocks. As those British names still in use amongst us, Vachan, that is, Little, Mool, that is, Bald, Gam, that is, Crooked, Fane, that is, S●lender, Grim, that is, Strong, Krich, that is, Curlepate, Grig, or Krig, that is, Hoarse. No more to be disliked than this Greek and Roman names, Ner●, that is, Strong, as also Romulu●; Longus, Longinus, Minut●●s, Macros, Megasthenes, Calistus, calisthenes, Paulus, Cincinnatus, Crispus, calvus, Terentius, that is, tender according to Varr●. Gracchus, that is, Thin, Bassus, that is, Fat, Salus●●us, that is, Healthful, and Cocles one-eye. As Pap●rius Masonius reporteth that Philippus Augustus' King of France, was surnamed Borgne for his blinking with one eye.  
Others in respect of age have received names, as Young, Old, Baby, Child Stripling, as with the Romau●▪ Senec●●, Priscus, juvenalis, junius, Virginius, etc.  
Some from the time wherein they were borne, as Winter, Summer, Christmas, Day, May, Sunday, Holiday, Monday, Paschal, Noel▪ Penticost: as with the ancient Romans, januarius, Martius, Manius, Lucius, F●stus, and Vergilius borne at the rising of the Vergiliae, or seven stars, as Pontanus learnedly writeth against them which write his name Virgilius.  
Some from that which they commonly carried, 
Claud. ●a●cher.  as Palmer, that is, Pilgrim, for that they carried Palm when they returned from Jerusalem. Longsword, Broad-speare, Fortescu, that is, Strong-shield, and in some such respect, Breakespeare, Shakespeare, Shotbolt, Wagstaffe, Bagot, in the old Norman, the same with Scipio, that is, a stay or walking staff with the Latins, which became a surname, for that Cornelius served as a stay to his Blind father. Likewise Biliman, Hookeman, Talevas, of a shield so called, whereof William son of Robert de Belisme Earl of Shrewsbury had his name.  
Some from parts of the body, as Head, Redhead, Whitehead, Legge, foot, Pollard, Arm, Hand, Lips, heart, as Corculum, Capito, Pedo, Labeo, Naso, among the Romans.  
Garments have also occasioned names, as Hos, Hosatus, Hat, Cap, Frock, petticoat, Gaicoat: as with the Romans, Caligula, Caracalla, Fimbria, and Hugh Capet, from whom this last house of France descended, was so called, for that he used when he was young to snatch off his fellows caps, if we believe Du Tillet.  
Not a few from colours of their complexions, garments, or otherwise have gotten names, as White, Black, Browne, Red, green, and those Norman names: Rous, that is, Red, Blunt or Blund, that is, Flaxen hair, and from these Russell and blundel, Grissel, that is, Grace, Pigot, that is, Speckled, Blanch and Blanc, that is, White, with those British or Welsh names, who whereas they were wont to depaint themselves with sundry colours, have also borrowed many names from the said colours, as Gogh, that is, Red, Gwin, that is, White, Dee, that is, Black, Leuid or ●lud, that is, R●sset: Names to be no more disliked than Albinus, Candidus, Flavius, Fulvius, Fusc●●, 〈◊〉, C●cc●●us, Rutilius, Rufus, Niger, Nigrinus, among the Roman● and Pyrrhus, Chlorus, Le●cagus, Chryses, 〈◊〉, etc. among the Grecians.  
Some from flowers and fruits, as Lily, Li●, Rose, Pear, Nut, F●lbert, Peach, Peascod, Vetch, as fair names, as Lentu●us, Pis●, Fabius, among the Romans. Others from beasts, as Lamb, Lion, Boar, Bear, Buck, Hind, Hound, Fox, Wolph, Hare, Hog, Roc, Broc, Badger, etc. Neither are these & such like to be disliked, whenas among the noblest Romans, Leo, Vrsicinus, Catulus, Lupus, Leporius, Aper, Apronius, Canimus, Cast●r, etc. and Cyrus, that is, Dog, with the Persians were very usual.  
From fishes likewise, as Plaice, Salmon, Trout, Cub, Gurnard, Herring, Pike, Pikerill, Breme, Burt, Whiteing, Crab, Sole, Mullet, Base, etc. nothing inferior to the Roman names, Murena, Phocas, Orata, that is, Gilihed, etc. for that happily they loved those fishes more than other.  
Many have been derived from birds, as Corbet, that is, Raven, Arondell, that is, Swallow: the Gentlemen of which name, do bear those birds in their Coat-armours, Bisset, i. Dove, Lark, Tisson, Chaffinch, Nitingall, jay-cocke, Peacock, Sparrow, Swan, Crow, woodcock, Eagle, Alecocke, Wilcocke, Handecocke, Hulet or Owlet, Wren, Gosling, Parrot, Wild goose, Finch, Kite, etc. As good names as these, Corvinus, Aquilius, Milvius, Gallus, Picus, Falco, Livia, i. Stockedove, etc. Therefore I cannot but marvel why one should so sadly marvel such names of beasts and birds to be in use in Congo in Africa, when they are and have been common in other Nations, as well as they were among the Troglodytes inhabiting near Congo in former times.  
Of Christian names as they have been without change, many more have been made, as Francis, Herbert, Guy, Giles, Leonard, Michael, Lewis, Lambert, Owen, H●wel, joscelin, Humphrey, Gilbert, Griffith, Griffin, Constantine, james, Thomas, 〈…〉 Godfrey, G●rvas, Randall, Alexander, Charles, Daniel, etc.  
Beside these & such like, many surnames are derived from those Christian names which were in use about the time of the Conquest, & are found in the Record called Doomsday book, & else where; as Achard, Alan, Alpheg, Aldelme, Aucher, A●sel●, A●selm, A●sger, Askaeth, Hascuith, Alberic, Bagot, Baldric, Bardolph, Belchard, Berenger, Berner, Biso, Brient, Ca●●t, Knout or C●ute, Carbonell, Chettell, Colf, Corbet Corven, Crouch, Degory, Dod, Done, Donet, as it seemeth from Donatus, Dru, Duncan, Durand, Eadid, Edolph, Egenulph, El●er, Eud● or Fde, Fabian, Fulcher, Gamelin, Gernegan, Girth, Goodwin, Godwin, Goodrig, Goodluck, Grime, Grimbald, Guncelin, Guthlake, Haco or Hake, Hamon, Hamelin, Harding, Hasting, 
Brand, a stirring up, junius.  Herebrand, and many ending in Brand, Herman, Hervye Herward, Howard, Heward, Hubald, Hubert, Huldrich, jollan, jowl, contractly from julian, Ivo, or Ive, Kettell, Leofwin, Lewin, Levin, Liming, Macy, Maino, Maynerd, Meiler, Murdac, Nele, Norman, Oddo or hood, Oger, Olave, Orso or Vrso, Orme, Osborne, Other, pain, Picotte, Pipard, Pontz, Pu●tz, Reyner, Remy, Rolph, Rotroc, Saer, Searle, Semar, Sewal, Sanchet, Siwald, Siward, Staverd, Star, calf, Swain, Sperwicke, Talbot, Toly, Tovy, Turgod, Turrold, Turstan, Turchill, uctred, or Oughtred, Vde, Vivian, Voner, Wade, Walarand, Wistan, Winoc, Walklin, Warner, Winebald, Wigod, Wigan, Wi●●arc, Woodnot, etc.  
And not only these from the Saxons and Normans, but also many Britain or Welsh Christian names, as well in ancient time, as lately hath been taken up for Surnames, when they came into England, as Chun, Blethin, Kenham, from Cynan or Conanus, Gittin-Mervin, Belly, Sitsil, or Cesil, Caradoc, Madoc, Rhud, Ithell, Meric, Meredith, Edern, Bedow, from the English Bede, i. A devout prayer, beside the Welsh Christian names usual and known to all As in like manner many names were made from the Praenomina among the Romans, as Spurilius, Statilius, Titius, from Spurius, Statius, Titus, And as Qu●itilian saith, Agnom●● & cognomina 〈…〉.  
By contracting or rather corrupting of Christian names, we have Terry from Theodorie, 
tilius.  Frerry from Frederic, Collen and Cole from Nicholas, Tebald from Theobald, jessop, from joseph, Aubry, from Alberic, Amery, from Almeric, Garret, from Gerrard, Nele, from Nigel, Elis, from Elias, Bets, from Beatus, as Bennet, from Benedict, etc.  
By addition of S to Christian names, many have been taken, as Williams, Rogers, Peter, Peirs, Davies, Harris, Roberts, Simonds, Guyes, Stevens, Richards, Hughes, jones, etc.  
From Nicknames or Nursenames, came these (pardon me if it offend any, for it is but my conjecture,) Bill for William, Clem for Clement, Nat for Nathaniel, Mab for Abraham, Kit for Christopher, Mund for Edmund, Hall for Harry, At and Atty for Arthur, Cut for Cuthberd, Mill for Miles, Bawl and Bald for Baldwin, Ran for Randal, Crips for Crispin, Turk for Turktetill, Sam for Samson or Samuel, Pipe for Pipard, Gib for Gilbert. Dan for Daniel, Greg for Gregory, Bat for Barthobnewe, Law for Laurence, 〈◊〉 for Timothy, Rol for Rolland, jeff for jeffrey, Dun for Duncan or Dunstan, Duke for Marmaduke, day for David, God. For Godfrey or Goddard, for otherwise I cannot imagine how that most holy name unfit for a man, and not to be tolerated, should be appropriate to any man: and many such like which you may learn of Nurses.  
By adding of S to these Nicknames or Nursenames, in all probability we have Robins, Nicks, nicols, Tho●s, Dickes, Hickes, Wills, Sims, sam's, jecks, jucks, Collins, jenks, Munds, Hodges, Hobbs, Dobi, Saunders from Alexander, Gibs from Gilbert, Cuts from Cuthberd, Bats from Barthol●●we Wats from Walter, Philips from Philip, Hai●es from Anulphus, as some will, for Ainulphesbury in Cambridgshire is contracted to Aiusbury, and such like.  
Many likewise have been made by adjoining Ki●● and Ius to those nursenames, making them in Ki●s as it were diminutives, & those in Ius, as Patronymica. For so Alfric Archbishop of Canterbury, & the most ancient Saxon Grammarian of our Nation, noteth that names taken from progenitors, do end in Ins; so Dickins, that is, little Dick, Perkins from Peir or Peter, little Petre; so Tomkins, Wilkins, Hutchins, Huggins, Higgins, Hitchins; from Hugh, Lambkins, Hopkins, Hobkins; from Hob, Dobbin●, Robbins, Atkins; from Arthur, Gibbins, Simkins, Hodgekins, Hoskins, Watkins, jenkin's, jennings, Tipkins; from Tibald, Daukins; from Davy, Rawlins from Ra●ul, that is, Rafe, and Hankin for Rand●ll in Cheshire. In this manner did the Romans very names, as Constans, Constantius, Constantinus; justus, justulus, justinus, justinianus: Aurelius, Aureolus, Aurelianus, Augustus, Augustinus, Augustinianus, Augustulus, etc.,  
Beside these, there are also other diminutive names after the French Analogy in Et or Ot, as Willet; from Will, Haket; from Hake, Bartlet; from Bartholomew, Millet from Miles, Huet from Hugh, Allet from Allan, Collet from Cole, Guyet from Guy, Eliot from Elias and Beckvet, that is, Little Sharp nose.  
But many more by addition of Son, to the Christian or Nickname of the father, as Williamson, Richardson, Dickson, Harryson, Gibson; for Gilbertson, Simson, Simondson, Stevenson, Dauson; for Davison, Morison, Lawson, id est, Lawrenson, Robinson, Cutbertson, Nicholson, Tomson, wilson, Leweson, jobson, Waterson, Watson, Peerson, and Pierson, Peterson, Ha●son from Hankin, Wilkinson, Danison for Daniel, Benison, and Benson from Bennet, Denison, Patison; from Patrick, jenkinson, Matison; from Matthew, Colson; from Cole, or Nchol, Rogerson, Herdson; from Herdingson, Hodgskinson, Hugheson, Hulson; from Huldric, Hodson from Hod or Odd●, Nelson from Neale or Nigell, Davidson, Saunderson, johnson, Raulson; from Raoul or Ralf. So the ancient Romans used Publipor, Marcip●r, Lucipor; for Publij puer, Marci puer, Lucij puer, according to Varro: As afterwards in the Capitolin Tables, they were wont to note both father and grandfather for proof of their gentry in abbreviations, as A. Sempronius, Aulifilius Lucij Nep●s, that is, 〈◊〉 Se●pronius, son of Aulus, grandchild or nephew of Lucius, C. Martius, L. F. C. N. etc. Neither is it true which some say, Omnia nomina in Son sunt boralis generis, whenas it was usual in every part of the Realm.  
Some also have had names from their mothers, as Fitz-parnell, Fitz-Isabell, Fitz-Mary, Fitz-Emme, Mandle●s, Susan's, Mawds, Grace, Emson, etc. As Vespasian the Emperor, from Vespasia Polla his mother, and Popaea Sabina the Empress, from her grandmother.  
In the same sense it continueth yet in them which descended from the Normans, Fitz-Hughe, Fitz-william, Fitz-Herbert, Fitz-Geffrey, Fitz-Simon, Fitz-Alian, Fitz-Owen, Fitz-Randoll, being names taken from their progenitors, as among the Irish, Mac-william, Mac-Cone, Mac-Dermot, Mac-Mahon, Mac-Donell, Mac-Arti, i. the son of Arthur.  
So among the Welsh-britans' likewise, Ap-Robert, Ap-Evans, Ab-Yihel, Ap-Hary, Ap-Hughe, Ap-Rice, Ap-Richard, Ap-Howell, Ap-Enion, Ap-Owen, Ap-Henry, Ap-Rhud, which be contracted into Probert, Bevans, Bythell, Parry, Pughe, Price, Prichard, powel, Benion, B●wen, Peurbye, Prud, etc.  
So in the borders of England and Scotland, Gawis I●k, for john the son of Gavin, Richies Edward, for Edward the son of Richard, jony Riches Will, for William the son of john, son of Richard. The like I have heard to be in use among the meaner sort in Cornwall.  
Dainty was the devise of my Host at Grantham, which would wisely make a difference of degrees in persons, by the terminations of names in this word Son, as between Robertson, Robinson, Robson, Hobson; Richardson, Dickson, and Dickinson; wilson, Williamson, and Wilkinson, jackson, johnson, jenkinson, as though the one were more worshipful than the other by his degrees of comparison.  
The names of alliance, have also continued in some for surnames, as where they of one family being of the same Christian name, were for distinction called R. Le Frere, Le Fitz, Le Cosm, that is, Brother, the Son, etc. all which passed in time into Surnames.  
Many names also given in merriment for By-names or Nicke-names have continued to posterity: as Malduit for ill scholarship, or ill taught, Mallieure commonly Mallyvery, i. Malus Leporarins, for ill hunting the hare, Pater noster for devout praying. The Frenchman, which craftily, and cleanly conveyed himself and his prisoner, T: Crioll a great Lord in Rent, about the time of King Edward the second out of France, and had therefore Swinfield given him by Crioll, as I have read, for his fine conveyance, was then called Fineux, and left that name to his posterity. So Baldwin le-Pettour, who had his name, and held his land in Suffolk, Per saltum, sufflum & pettum, sive bumbulum, for dancing, pout-puffing, and doing that before the King of England in Christmas holy days, which the word Pet signifieth in French. Inquire if you understand it not of Cloacinas' chaplains, or such as are well read in A●ax.  
Upon such like occasions names were given among the Romans, 
Macrobius.  as Tremellius was called Scropha or Sow, because when he had hid his neighbour's Sow under a pad, and commanded his wife to lie down thereon; he swore when the owner came in to seek the Sow, that he had no Sow but the great Sow that lay there, pointing to the pad, and the Sow his wife. So one Cornelius was surnamed Asina, for that when he was to put in assurance for payment of certain sums in a purchase, he brought his Ass laden with money, and made ready payment. So Augustus named his dwarf Sarmentum, 
Suetonius.  i. sprig, and Tiberius called one Tricongius, for carousing three gallons of wine. So Servilius was called Ala, for carrying his dagger under his arme-pit, when he killed Spurius. So Pertinax the Emperor being stubbornly resolute in his youth to be a wood monger as his father was, 
Capitolinus.  when he would have made him a Scholar, was named Pertinax. So the father of Valens the Emperor, who was Camp-maister here in Britain, for his fast holding a rope in his youth, which 〈◊〉 soldiers could not pluck from him, was called 〈◊〉. About which time also Paul a Spaniard, a common Informer in Britain was named Catena, i. the Chain, for that he chained and fettered many good men here, with linking together false surmises, to their utter undoing in the time of Constantinus, who also that I may remember it in passage, named his attendant scholar by no unfitting name, Musonius. But what names the beastly monster, rather than Emperor Commmodus gave to his attendants, I dare not mention, lest I should be immodestly offensive to chaste ears, and modest minds. But hitherto with modesty may be referred this of the family of Gephyri, i Bridges in Greece, who took their name from a Bridge; for when their mother was delivered of nine children at a birth, and in a foolish fear had privily sent seven of them to be drowned at a bridge, the father suddenly coming to the bridge, saved them, and thereupon gave them that name. Of these, and the like, we may say, Propi●ra sunt honori, quam ignominiae. Infinite are the occasions which in like manner have made names to persons, I will only report one or two French examples, that thereby you may imagine of others in other places and former ages.  
In the first broils of France, certain companies ranging themselves into troops, one Captain took new names to himself and his company from the furniture of an horse. Among these new named gallants, you might have heard of, Monsieur Saddle, (to english them) Mounsieur Bridle, Le Croupier, Le girt, Horsh●●●, Bit, Trappiers, Hoof, Stirrup, Curb, Musrole, Frontstall, etc. Most of the which had their passport, as my Author noteth, by Seign●●● de la Halter. Another Captain there also gave names to his, according to the places where he found them, as Hodge, Hieway, River, Pond, Vine, Stable, Street, Corner, Gallows, Tavern, Tree, etc. And I have heard of a consort in England, who when they had served at Sea, took names from the equipage of a ship, when they would serve themselves at land, as, 〈◊〉, Ball●st, Plank, Foredeck, Deck, Loop-hole, Pump, Rudder, Gable, Anchor, Mizzen sail, Capson, mast, Bolt.. So that is true which Isidore saith, Names are not always given according to Nature, but some after our own will and pleasure, as we name our lands and servants according to our own liking. And the Dutchmans' saying may be verified, which when he heard of, Englishmen called God and Devil, said, that the English borrowed names from all things whatsoever, good or bad.  
It might be here questioned, whether these surnames were assumed and taken at the first by the persons themselves, or imposed and given unto them by others. It may aswell seem that the local names of persons were partly taken up by themselves, if they were owners of the place, as given by the people, who have the sovereignty of words and names, as they did in the Nicke-names before Surnames were in use. For who would have named himself, Peaceable, Unready, Without-land, Beauclerke, Strongbow, Gagtooth, Blanch-mayne, Bossue, i Crook-backe, but the concurrent voice of the people, as the women neighbours gave the name to Obed in the book of Ruth; and likewise in Surnames. In these pretty names, as I may term them, from flowers, fishes, birds, habitudes, &c: it may be thought that they came from Nurses in former times here, as very many, or rather most in Ireland and Wales do at this present. These Nicke-names of one syllable turned to surnames, as Dickes, Nickes, Toms, Hobbes, etc. may also seem to proceed from Nurses, to their Nurslings; or from fathers and masters to their boys and servants. For, as according to the old proverb, Omnis herus serum Monosyllabus, in respect of their short commands: so Omnis servus har● Monosyllabus in respect of the curtolling their names, as Will, Sim, Hodge, etc. Neither is it improbable, but that many names that seem unfitting for men, as of brutish beasts, etc. came from the very signs of the houses where they inhabited; for I have heard of them which said they spoke of knowledge, that some in late time dwelling at the sign of the Dolphin, Dull, White-horse, ●●●ket, Peacock, etc. were commonly called 〈◊〉 at the Dolphin, Will at the Bull, George at the White horse, Robin at the Racket, which names as many other of like sort, with omitting At, became afterward herod●ta●le to their children.  
Hereby some insight may be had in the original of Surnames, yet it is a matter of great difficulty, to being them all to certain heads, whenas our language is so greatly altered, so many new names daily brought in by Aliens, as French, Scots, Irish, Welsh, Dutch, etc. and so many old words worn out of use. I mean not only in the old English, but also the late Norman, for who knoweth now what these names were, Giffard, Basset, Gernon, Mallet, Howard, Peverell, Paganell, or Paynell, tail boise, Talb●t, L●vet, Panc●volt, Tirrell, etc. which are nothing less than local, and certainly significative, for they are never noted, as I said before in old evidences with De as local names, 〈◊〉 always absolutely, as W. Giffard, R. Basset, as Christian names are, when they are made Surnames; and yet I will not affirm, that all these here mentioned were at any time Christian names, although doubtless some were.  
For we know the significations of some of them, as Mallet, an Hammer, Bigot, a Norman, or superstitious Tailebois. 
Nicotlus.  i. Cutwood, Lovet, Little Wolf, and Basset, (as some think) Fat; Giffard is by some interpreted Liberal; and Howard, 
M. Lambert p●●amb, Cantu, pa. 538.  High Warden, or Guardian (as it seemeth an office now out of vs●) whenas Heobeorg signified in old English High defence, and He●h-faeder, Patriarch or High father. Certain it is, that the first of that right noble family who was known by the name of H●ward, was the son of William de Wigenhall, as the honourable Lord William Howard of Naworth, third son to Thomas late Duke of Norfolk, an especial searcher of Antiquities, who equalleth his high parentage with his virtues, hath lately discovered.  
To find out the true original of Surnames, 
Change of names  is full of difficulty, so it is not easy to search all the causes of alterations of Surnames, which in former ages have been very common among us, and have so intricated, or rather, obscured the truth of our Pedigrees, that it will be no little hard labour to deduce many of them truly from the Conquest; Somewhat nevertheless shall be said thereof, but more shall be left for them which will sound deeper into this matter.  
To speak of alteration of names, omitting them of Abraham, and Sara, jacob, and Israel, in holy Scriptures, I have observed that the change of names, hath most commonly proceeded from a desire to avoid the opinion of baseness. 
Cre●●as Guid●●●  So C●d●marus when he succeeded Ochus in the kingdom of Persia, called himself by the princely name Darius. So new names were given to them which were deified by the Paganish consecration, as Romulus was called Quirmus, Melicertus was called Portunus, and Palaemon, Likewise in adoptions into better families and testament, as the son of L. Aemilius, adopted by Scipio, took the name of Scipio Africanus. So Augustus who was first named Thureon, took the name of Octavian by testament: by enfranchising also into new Cities, as he which first was called Lucumo, when he was enfranchised at Rome, took the name of Lucius Tarqvinius Priscus. So Demetrius Mega when he was there made free of the City, was called Publius Cornelius. Cicero Epist. 36. lib. 13.  
Likewise slaves when they were manumised, took often their master's names, whenas they had but one name in their servile state. As they which have read Artemidorus, do know, how a slave, who when he dreamt he had tria virilia, was made free the next morning, and had three names given him.  
Neither is it to be forgotten, that men were not forbidden to change name or surname, by the rescript of Dioclesian L. Vinc. c. de mutat. nom. so be that it were Sine aliqua fraud, iure licito. As that great Philosopher which was first called Malchus in the Syrian tongue, took the name of Porphyrius, as Eunapius reporteth: as before Suetonius the Historian look to surname 〈◊〉, whenas his father was Suetonius L●uis. Those notwithstanding of strange base parentage were forbidden L. supper 〈◊〉 c. de quaest. to insert, or inthrust themselves into noble and honest families by changing their names, which will grow to inconvenience in England, as it is thought, by reason that Surnames of honourable and worshipful families are given now to mean men's children for Christian names, as it is grown now in France, to the confusion of their Gentry, by taking new names from their purchased lands at their pleasures. 
Alex. ab Alexandro Genial. dier. lib. 2. c. 28.  Among the Romans nevertheless they that were called ad Equestrem ordinem, having base names, were new named nomine ingenuorum veterumque Romanorum, lest the name should disgrace the dignity, 
In Philebo.  when according to Plato, comely things should have no uncomely names.  
It was usual amongst the Christians in the Primitive church, to change at Baptism the names of Catechu●e●i, which were in years, as that impious Renegado, that was before called Lucius, was in his Baptism called Lucianus. So the Pope's use to change their names, when they enter into the Papacy, which as Plati●a saith, was begun by Pope Sergius the second, who first changed his name, for that his former name was Hogges-mouth, but other refer the change of names in Popes to Christ, who changed Simon into Peter, john and james into Bonarges: Only Marcellus, not long since chosen Pope, refused to change his name, saying, Marcellus I was, and Marcellus I will be, I will neither change Name nor Manners. Other religious men also when they entered into some Orders, changed their name ●n times past, following therein, (as they report) the Apostle, that changed his name from Saul to Paul, after he entered into the Ministry, borrowing (as some say) that name from Sergius Paulus the Roman lieutenant, 
Chrysostomus.  but as other will from his low stature, for he was but three cubits high, as Saint chrysostom speaking of him. Tricubitalis ille tamen coelum ascendit.  
Of changing also Christian names in Confirmation we have said before; but overpassing these foreign matters let us say somewhat as concerning change of names in England.  
As among the French in former time, and also now, the heir took the father's surname, and the younger sons took names of their lands allotted unto them. So likewise in times past did they in England; 
Lib Prioratus de Wroxhall.  and the most common alteration proceeded from place of habitation. As if Hugh of Suddington gave to his second son his Manor of Frydon, 
Yvo Catnotensis in his Epistles complaineth of th●●.  to his third son his Manor of Pantley, to his fourth his Wood of Albdy; the sons called themselves De Frydon, De Pantley, De Albdy; and their posterity removed De. So Hugh Montfortes' second son called Richard being Lord of Hatton in Warwickshire took the name of Hatton. So the youngest son of Simon de Montfort Earl of Leicester staying in England, when his father was slain, and brethren fled, took the name of Welsborne, as some of that name have reported. So the name of Ever came from the Manor of Ever, near Uxbridge, to younger sons of L. john Fitz-Robert de Clavering, from whom the Lord Evers, and sir Peter Evers of Axholme are descended So sir john Cradocke knight great grandfather of sir Henry Newton of Somersetshire took first the name of Newton, which was the name of his habitation: as the issue of Huddard in Cheshire took the name of Dutton.  
But for variety and alteration of names in one family upon diverse respects, I will give you one Cheshire example for all, out of an ancient roll belonging to sir William Brerton of Brerton knight, which I saw twenty years since. Not long after the Conquest William Bellward lord of the moiety of Malpasse, had two sons, Dan-David of Malpasse, surnamed Le Clerk, and Richard; Dan-David had William his eldest son surnamed De Malpasse, from whom the Baron Dudley is descended by heir general. His second son was named Philip Gogh, one of the issue of whose eldest sons took the name of Egerton; a third son took the name of David 〈◊〉, and one of his sons the name of Goodm●●. Richard the other son of the aforesaid William Belward had three sons, who took also diverse names, viz. Thomas de C●tgrave, William de Overton, and Richard Little, who had two sons, the one named Ken-clarke, and the other john Richardson. Herein you may note alteration of names in respect of habitation in Egerton, Cotgrave, Overton, in respect of colour in G●g●, that is, Red, in respect of quality in him that was called Goodm●n, in respect of stature in Richard Little, in respect of learning in Ken-clarke, in respect of the father's Christian name in Richardson, all descending from William Bellward. And verily the Gentlemen of those so different names in Cheshire would not easily be induced to believe they were descended from one house, if it were not warranted by so ancient a proof.  
In respect of stature I could recite to you other examples, but I will only add this which I have read, that a young Gentleman of the house of Preux, being of tall stature attending on the Lord Hungerford, Lord treasurer of England, was among his fellows called Long H: who after preferred to a good marriage by his Lord, was called H. Long, that name continued to his posterity, knights and men of great worship.  
Other took their mother's surnames, as A. Audley younger brother to james lord Audley, marrying the daughter and heir of H. de Stanley left a son William, that took the name of Stanley, from whom Stanley Earl of Derby, and other of that name are descended. Geffrey the son of Robert Fitz-Maldred, and Isabel his wife, heir of the Norman house of the Nevils, took the name of Nevil, and left it to his posterity which was spread into very many honourable families of England. In like manner the son of joscelin of Lovan a younger son to the Duke of Brabant, when he had married Agnes the only daughter of William Lord Percy so named of Percy forest in the county of Maen, from whom they came, (and not of piercing the king of S●●ts through the 〈◊〉, as H●ct●r B●●tius fableth) his son and posterity upon a composition with the same Lady, took her name of Percy, but retained their old coat armour, to show from whom they descended; So Adam de Montgomery marrying the daughter and heir of Carew of Molesford, her son relinquishing his own, left to his posterity his mother's name Carew, from whom the Barons Carew, the carew's of Haccomb, of Berry, of Authony, Beddington, etc. have had their names and original. Likewise Ralph Gernon marrying the daughter of Cavendish, or Candish, left that name to his issue, as Th: Talbot, a learned Genealogist hath proved. So Robert Meg the great favourite of king john took the name of Braybrooke, whereof his mother was one of the heirs. So sir john de Haudlow marrying the daughter and heir of the Lord Burnell, his posterity took the name of Burnell. So sir Tibauld Russell took the name of De Gorges to him and his issue, for that his mother was sister and one of the heirs of Ralph de Gorges, as it appeareth in the controversy between Warbleton and the said Tibauld de Corges for the coat of Armes Lozengy, Or, and Azure, 21. of Edward the third, before Henry Earl of Lancaster, and others, at the siege of Saint Margaret. Not many years since, when james H●rsey had married the daughter of De-Le-vale of Northumberland, his issue took the name of De-la-vale.  
Hereunto may they also be referred who changed their names in remembrance of their progenitors being more honourable, as the sons of Geffrey Fitz-Petre, took the name of Magnavilla or Mandevile, when they came to be Earls of Essex, because their grandmother Beatrix was of the house of Mandevile, as appeareth by the Abbey book of Walden. So Thomas de Molton took the name of Lucy, and many other, which I omit.  
Others also have taken the name of them whose lands they had: As when King Henry the first gave the lands of the attainted Robert Mowbray Earl of Northumberland, being 120. Knight's fees in Normandy, and 140. in England, to Nigall or N●●le de 〈…〉 who in the battle at 〈◊〉, took Robert Duke of 〈◊〉 prisoner: he commanded withal, that his posterity should take the Surname of Mo●bray, which they accordingly did, and retained the same as long as the issue male continued, which determined in john Mo●bray Duke of Norfolk, in the time of King Edward the fourth: whose heirs were married into the families of Howard and Barkeley.  
Remembrance of benefits made others to change their names, as William Mortimer descended from those of Richard's Castle, took the name of La-Zouch, and named his son Alan de la-Zouch, for some favour received from the Lord Zouch of Ashby de la-Zouch, as appeareth by Inquisition. 11. & 21. Ed. 3.  
In respect of adoption also, very many in all ages have changed their names: I need not particulate it, for all know it. Some of their own dislike of their names, have altered them: for as I have read in the book of Fornesse, William Fitz-Gilbert Baron of Kendal, obtained licence of King Henry the second, to change his name and call himself and his posterity Lancaster, from whom the Lancaster's in Westm●rlaud etc. are descended.  
Hereupon some think that without the King's licence new names cannot be taken, or old names given away to others. Yet tiraquel the great Civilian of France, in Leg. quin. Conub. Tit. 92. seemeth to incline, that both name and Arms may be transferred by will and testament, and produceth Augustus, who by his Testament commanded Tiberius and Livia to bear his name. How in former times Herevile, 
●. Wirl●y.  Dunvile, Clauwowe, gave and granted away their Arms, which are as silent names, distinctions of families; and the same was thought unlawful afterward, when the Lord 〈◊〉 would have done the same, shall be declared in more convenient place. But the inconvenience of change of names, hath been discovered to be such in France, that it hath been propounded in 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉, that it should not be permitted but in these two respects, either when one should be made heir to any with especial words, to assume the name of the testator; or when any one should have a donation surmounting a thousand crowns, upon the same condition. But to retire to our purpose.  
Not a few have assumed the names of their father's Baronies, as in former times the issue of Richard Fitz-Gilbert, took the name of Clare, which was their Barony: and in late time, since the Suttons came to the Barony of Dudley, all their issue took the name of Dudleyes: that I may omit others. The dislike of others hath caused also a change of names, for King Edward the first, disliking the iteration of Fitz, commanded the Lord john Fitz-Robert, a most ancient Baron, 
Lib. Monasterii Sibeton.  (whose Ancestors had continued their Surnames by their father's Christian names,) to leave that manner, and to be called john Clavering, which was the capital seat of his Barony. And in this time, many that had followed that course of naming by Fitz, took them one settled name, and retained it as Fitz Walter, and others.  
Also at that time the names of Thomson, Richardson, wilson, and other of that form began to be settled, which before had varied according to the name of the father. Edward the fourth likewise (as I have heard,) loving some whose name was Picard, would often tell them that he loved them well, but not their names, whereupon some of them changed their names: and I have heard that one of them which took the name of Ruddle, being the place of his birth in that respect. And in late years in the time of King Henry the eight, an ancient worshipful gentleman of Wales, being called at the panniell of jury by the name of Thomas Ap William, Ap Thomas, Ap Richard, Ap Hoel, Ap Evan Vaughan, etc. was advised by the judge to leave that old manner. Whereupon he after called himself Moston, according to the name of his principal house, and left that Surname to his posterity.  
Offices have brought new names to diverse families, as when Edward Fitz-Th●●bald, of Ireland, the Earls of Ormond and others descended from them, took the name of Butler. So the distinct families of the Constables in the County of York, are said to have taken that name, from some of their Ancestors which bore the office of Constables of some Castles. In Like manner the Stewards, Marshals, Spencers. That I may say nothing of such as for well acting on the stage, have carried away the names of the personages which they acted, and have lost their own names among the people.  
scholars pride hath wrought alteration in some names which have been sweetened in sound, by drawing ●hem to the Latin Analog●●. As that notable Non-resident in our father's time Doctor Magnus, who being a foundling at Newark upon Trent, where he erected a Grammar school, was called by the people T. Among us, for that he was found among them: But he profiting in learning, turned Among us, into Magnus, and was famous by that name, not only here, but also in foreign places where he was often Ambassador.  
It were needless to note here again, how many have taken in former times the Christian name of their father, with prefixing of Fitz or Filz, as Fitz-bugh, Fitz-alan, Fitz-william, or adding of Son, as Richardson, Tomson, johnson, etc. and so altered their Surnames if they had any. Whereas diverse ancient Gentlemen of England do bear Coats of Arms, which by old rolls and good proofs are known to belong to other names and families, and cannot make proof that they matched with those families, it is worth observation, considering how religious they were in elder times in keeping their own Arms: whether they were not of those ancient houses whose Arms they bear, and have changed their names in respect of their habitation, or partitions and lands gotten by their wives. As Pickering of the North, beareth Ermine a Lion rampant Azure crowned, Or, which, as it is in the old Abbey book of furnace, was the coat of Roger de Miyth●rp. In the same book the coat of Dacr●, Gules 3. Escal●pes Arg. is the coat of R. Ger●●th of Cumberland, and so the three pillows Ermine of Redman of Northumberland, is the coat of Ran. de Greystock. So Vfford E. of Suffolk, and Peit●n, Fetiplace, and Hide, and many other Gentlemen of the same Arms, may seem to have been of the same stock, and to have varied their names in divers respects.  
Finally, among the common people which sway all in names, many Surnames have been changed in respect of occupations, and not a few have been changed in respect of masters, for in every place we see the youth very commonly called by the names of their ocupations, as john Baker, Thomas Taylor, Will Butcher, Dic Barber, and many by their master's names, as john Pickering, Thomas Watkins, Nicholas French, whenas they served masters of those names, which often were conveyed to their posterity, and their own Surnames altogether forgotten. Some other causes of alteration of names may be found, as for crimes committed when men have been enforced to leave their countries. But hereby it may be understood that an Alias or double name cannot prejudice the honest: and it is known that when judge Catiline took exception at one in this respect, saying, that no honest man had a double name, & came in with an Alias. The party asked him what exception his Lordship could take to jesus Christ, Alias, jesus of Nazareth.  
I doubt not but some men among us in changing their names, do imitate old Goffer Simon the Cobbler in Lucian, who when he grew fat in the purse, would needs be called for Goodman Si●●on. Master Simonides, as some women do follow the good Greek wench, Melissarton, that is, Pretty honny-Bee, who when of a Commediant she became a wealthy man's wife, 
〈◊〉  would be saluted Madam Pythias, or Prudence. And some likewise can change themselves from she, to he, and consequeetly their name, as Cenis the wench, into Ceneus the young man, as you may see in Ovid.  
Among the alteration of 〈…〉 how Kings of Arms, 〈◊〉, and 〈◊〉 are new named with a bowl of wine powered upon their heads by the Prince or Earl Martial, when they are invested, and the Kings crowned, as Garter, Clerenceux, N●rrey: L●●caster, York, Richmond, Somerset, etc. which is as ancient as the time of King Edward the third. For we read, that when news was brought him at Windsor, by a Pursuvant, of the victory at the battle of Auroy, 
〈◊〉.  he bountifully rewarded him, and immediately created him Herold, by the name of Windsor.  
here might I note that women with us at their marriage do change their surnames and pass into their husband's names, and justly for that then Non sunt du●, sed car● una: And yet in France and the Netherlands, the better sort of women will still retain their own name with their husbands, as if Mary daughter of Villevill be married to A. Vavin, she will write herself Mary Vavin Ville vill. But I fear husbands will not like this note, for that some of their dames may be ambitiously over-pert and tootoo forward to imitate it.  
Beside these former alterations, the tyrant Time which hath swallowed many names, hath also in use of speech, changed more by contracting syncopating, cu●telling and mollifying them, as beside them before mentioned. Adr●●y is now turned into Darcy, Aldethelight into Awdley, Sabrigworth into Sapsford, Sitsil into Cecil, Mount●●y into Mungey, Dunevet into Knevet, if you bel●eve Leland, Gr●vile into Greenefeild, Haverington into Harrington, Bourgchier into Bowcer, Le Dai●erell into Dairell, Ravensford into Rainsford, Mohune into Moon, Danvers into Davers, Gernegan into jerningham, Cah●rs into Chaworth, Din●●t into Dinham, Wooderington into Witherington, Estlegh into Ast●y, Turbervile into Troublefeild, De Oilei● into D●iley, P●gli into Polye, De Alencon into Dalison, Purefoy into Purfrey, Cavend●sh into Cand●sh, Veinour into Fenner, Harecourt into Harcot, Sanctpaul into Sampol, Fortesen into F●sk●, Ferrer 〈…〉, Culwen into Curwen, P●●tevin into Petsin, Berenger into Be●ger. Montacute into Montague, Ger●●us into Garnish, Pul●●ston into P●ston, Cholmondley into Cholmley, Grosvenour into Gravener, Meisuilwarin into Manwaring, after into Man●ering, Fitz-Gerard into Garret, Ok●ver into Ochre, Wedale into Udall, Damprecourt first into Dabrig●court, now into Dabscot, Leventhrop into Lenthrop, Wilburnhame into Willbram, A●kow from Ascouth, and that from the old Christian name Ascuith, which in Latin was Hasculphus and Hastulphus, that is, Speedy help, etc.  
It may not seem from this purpose, if I here set down & compare a few names of ancient good families, as they are written in old Latin Records and histories, with them now in use: whereof many are as it were so transformed in common pronunciation from the original, as they will scantly seem to have been the same.  

ash, De Fraxi●is.  
BELLEW, De Bella aqua.  
BEAUFOE, De Bella fago,  
BOYS, De Bosc●.  
BEAUPRE, ` De Bello prato.  
BOURCHIER, De Burgo char, only once.  
BEAUMONT, De Bello-monte.  
BEAUCHAMP, De Bello-campo.  
BLOUNT, Flavus, sometimes.  
BOWS, De Arcubus.  
BOVIL, De Bovis Villa.  
CHAWORTH, De Cadurcis.  
CHENEY, De Casineto, and De Querceto.  
champaign, De Campania.  
CANTLOW, De Cantelupo.  
CHAWMOND, De Calvo Mont●.  
CHAMPFLOUR, De Campo-florid●.  
CAPELL, De Capella.  
CREVECURE, De Crepito cord.  
CHAMP●RNOVN, De 〈…〉.  
D'EVREVX, De Ebr●i●is.  
D'AVTR●Y, De Altaripa.  
D'AVNEY, De Al●eto.  
D'AVBENEY, De Albeneie.  
FRESHMERSH, De Frisco-Marisco.  
FERRER, De Ferrarijs.  
HUSSEY, De Hosato, & Hosatu●.  
LORTY, De Vrtiaco.  
LOVE, Lupus.  
LOVET, Lupettus.  
lovel, Lupellus.  
LISLE, De jusula.  
MALLOVELL, Malus Lupellus.  
MONTIOY, De Moute jovis.  
MANORS', De Mannerijs.  
MINORS, De Minerijs.  
MARSH, De Marisco.  
MAULEY, De Mal●-Lacu.  
MONTCHENSEY, De Monte Canisio.  
MORTIMER, De Mortuo Mari.  
MUSTERS, De Monasterijs.  
MEWS, De Melsa.  
MONTHERMER. De Monto Hermer●●.  
MONTFICHET, De Monte-●ix●.  
MONTPERSON, De Monte Pessonis.  
MOLINES, De Molindinis.  
MOIGNE, Monachus.  
NEWMARCH, De Nove Mercatu.  
NOWRES, De Nodorijs.  
NEVIL, De Nova Villa.  
PECHE, De Peccato.  
PERPOINT, De Petra-Ponte.  
PUDSEY, De Puteaco.  
ROCH, De Rupe.  
SELLINGER, or Saint LEGER, De Sancto 〈◊〉.  
SYMBER●, De Sancta Barb●●  
straddling, Easterling, because they first came out of the East part of Germany.  
S●NLIS, Sylv●●●ct●●sis, and De Sancto Lizi●.  
S. FOSTER, De S. Vedasto.  
SEMARC, De S. Medardo.  
SEIMOR, De S. Maur●.  
SAMPIRE, De S. Petro.  
SAMPOL, De S. Paul●.  
SENTLOVE, De S. Land●.  
SENTLOW, De S. Lup●.  
SYNCLER, De S. Clara.  
SEMARTON, De S. Martino.  
SINGLIS, in Ireland, De S. Gelasio.  
S. TOMER, De S. Aud●mar●.  
S. OWEN, De S. Aud●●n●.  
SAMOND, De S. Amand●.  
SV●TEYES, Super Teysam.  
SALTMERSH, De Salso Marisco.  
SPENCER, or Le Despencer, Dispensat, or,  
SCALES, De Scalarijs.  
STRANGE, Extrancus.  
VIPOUNT, De Veteri-ponte.  
DE LA ZOVCH, De Stipite sicc●.   
For William de la Zouch Archbishop of York, is so called in this verse, for his valour in an encounter against the Scottishmen at Bearparke. 134●.  Est pater invictus sicc● de stipite dictus, etc. 
For Zouch signifieth the stock of a tree in the French tongue. And this translation of names into Greek or Latin, is still in use among the Germans, for he whose name is Ertswert or Blackland, will be Melancthon; if Newman, Neander; if Holieman, Osiander; if Brook, Torrenti●s; if Fen, Paludanus, etc. which some amongst us began lately to imitate.  
To draw to an end, no man whatsoever is to be disliked in respect either of original, or of signification, for neither the good names do grace the bad, neither do evil names disgrace the good; if names are to be accounted good or bad. In all countries both good and bad have been of the same surnames, which as they participate one with the other in glory, so sometimes in shame. Therefore for ancestors, parentage and names (as he said) let every man say Vix ca nostra voco. 
Sen●ca.  Time hath intermingled & confused all, & we are come all to this present, by successive variable descents from high and low: or as he saith more plainly, the low are descended from the high, and chose, the high from low.  
If any do vaunt of their names, let them look to it, lest they have inania nomina; you know who faith, Vestra nomina nunquam sum admiratus, 〈…〉 vobis reliquerunt, magnos arbitrabor. And if they glory in their ancient fai●e names, and farr● fetched descents, with contempt of others, haply some such like as Marius was, may return upon them Marius words; Si iure despiciunt nos, faciunt idem maioribus suis, quibus uti nobis ex virtu●● nobilitas caepit. Invident honori nostro: ergo invideant labori, innocentiae. periculis etiam nostris, quoniam per haec ill●● 〈◊〉. Yea some of these occupation and office names, which do seem so mean to some, are as ancient in this Realm as most other. For in that most authentical Register Doomsday book in the Exchequer, ye shall have C●●us, A●rifaber, ●●tor, Pistor, Accipitrarius, Camera●ius, Venator, 〈◊〉 Modicus, ● Cook, Goldsmith, Painter, Baker, Falconer, Chamberlain, Huntsman, Fisher, Martial, Porter, Leach, and others, which then held land in Capite, and without doubt left these names to their posterity, albeit haply they are not mentioned in those tables of B●●●aile Abbey, of such as came in at the Conquest: which whosoever consider well, shall find always to be forged, and those names to be inserted which the time in every age favoured, and were never mentioned in that authentical Record.  
If you please to compare the Roman names that seem so stately, because you understand them not, you will disdain them in respect of our meanest names; For what is Front but Beetle-browed? Casius but Cattes-eys? Petus but Pink-eyed? Cocles One-eye, Naso Bottlenose, Galba Maggot, as Suetonius interpreteth; Sil● Apes-nose, Ancus Crooked arm, Pausa broad foot, Strabo Squint-eye, suilius Swincheard, Capito jobbernoll, Calvus Baldpate, Crispus Curlepate, Flaccus Loll-eares, or Flagge-eared, Labeo Blabber-lippe, Scaurus Knobd heel, Varus Bow-legged, Pedo Longshanks, Marcellus Hammer, for it cometh from Marculus, Hortensius Gardner, Cilo Petty-long pate, 
In Orthographic  Chilo Flap-lippes, or, as Velius Longus saith, Impro●●●ribus labris hom●.  
Those great names also Fabius, L●ntulus, Cicero, Piso, Stolo, are no more in our tongue then Bean-man, Lentill, Chich-pease, 
Lib. 18 c. 3.  Pescod-man, Branch; for as Pliny saith, these names were first appropriated to them, for skill in sowing those grains. Neither those from beasts which Varro reciteth in the second de Rustica, Taurus, Vitulus, Ovilius, Por●ius, Caprilius, were better than Bull, Calf, Sheep, Hog, Goat, etc.  
In respect of these names all the names of England are such as I think few would take the benefit of Dioclesian's rescript, which I lately mentioned. But in France (where the fowl names Marmot, Merd●oyson, Boreau) and in Spain (where Verdugo, i Hangman, Putanero, and such like are rife) it is no marvel that some procure licence from the King to change their names: and that a Gentlewoman, doctor Andrea's the great Civilians wife said; 
●. Andr. in C●dum sec●ndum de P●ab.  If fair names were saleable, they would be well bought.  
Thus much of Christian names and Surnames, or Praenomina and Nomina. As for Cognomina and Agnomina, or By-names were rare in our Nation; only I remember these three, Le Beuf in the family of the Giffardes, of Mevill among the Darcies, and Bouchard in one house of the Latimers, and some say Algernoun in the family of Percies: but that as yet is out of the reach of my reading, unless it be the same that is corruptly in the descent of the Earls of Belleyn belonging to the late Queen Mother of France, set down Agernouns, for Alger●●●●s; For so Eustace the second is there bynamed, who in other old Pedigrees is called Eustace with the clear eyes.  
As for additions given over and beside names, and surnames in Law causes, that I may note them out of a Law book, they are either of estate, or degree, or mystery, or town, or hamlet, or county. Addition of estate are these; Yeoman, Gentleman, Esquire. Addition of degree are those which we call names of dignity, as Knight, Earl, marquess, Duke. Additions of mystery are such, Scrivener, Carpenter, Smith. Addition of towns, as of Paddington, Islington, Edelmeton. And where a man hath household in two places, he shall be said to dwell in both of them, so that his addition in one of them doth suffice.  
By the Statute the first year of king Henry the fifth and fifth chapter, it was ordained, that in suits or in actions where process of Vtary lieth, such addition should be to the name of the Defendant, to show his estate, mystery, and place where he dwelleth, and that such writs shall abate, if they have not such additions, if the Defendant do take exception thereat, they shall not abate by the office of the court.  
Also, Duke, marquess, Earl, or Knight be none of that addition, but names of dignity, which should have been given before the statute. And this was ordained by the said statnte, made in the first year of king Henry the seventh chap. 5. to the intent that one man may not be grieved or troubled by the utlary of an other, but that by reason of the certain addition every man might be certainly known, and bear his own burden.  
How the names of them which for capital crimes against Majesty, were creazed out of the public Records, Tables, and Registers, or forbidden to be borne by their posterity, when their memory was damned. I could show at large, but this and such like, with Misnomer in our laws, and other Quiddities, I leave to the professors of laws.  
Somewhat might be said here of the adjuncts to names or titles, which in most ancient times were ●●ther none, or most simple. For Augustus was impatient to be called Domin●●● yet Domitian liked well to be called Dom ●nus Deusque and Dominus was taken up by every private man, as appeareth by Seneca, and the poor Grecian which refused that title by alluding 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Nevertheless it was never used by the Emperors, from Domitian to Dioclesianus, as Victor noteth; but afterward it was continued by the Christian Emperors, yea upon their Coins.  
And that which is more strange, they used then as appeareth in the Constitutions, for themselves. Aeternitat nostra, Perennitas nostra, Numen nostrum; and to their principal officers, Vir illustri●, Vi●●spectabilis, Magnifica cellitudo, Sublimis magnit●do tua, Illustris magnificentia, Sublim●tas, Miranda sublimitas, Eminentia tua, Excellentia tua, Praecelsa magnificentia tua, etc. As appeareth in the Volumes of the Civil Law. So as I know not wh●e that Spite king Buchanan should envy lesser titles to Princes, the very types of God's majesty, yea very Gods in earth, and brand them with the mark of Sericite nebulones, which honour Princes therewith.  
The Romans under the latter Emperors had a very curious and careful observation, in giving titles to men of reputation, which as I have read were only five; Illustris was the highest appropriated to the Praefecti Praetorio of Italy and Gallia, 
Cod. Theod. & justinian.  the Prafectus of the City of Rome, Magister Equitum, Magister Peditum, Quaestor Palatij, Comes Largitania, etc. and all that had voice in the Senate. Spectabil●● was the second 〈◊〉 due to the lieutenants general, and 〈◊〉 of Provinces etc. So in Notitia Provinciarum, Vicarius Britanniarum, Comes Littoris Saxonici per Britannish. Dux Britanniae are st●●ed Viri spectabiles. Clarissimus was the third title peculiar only to the Consulares, Correctores, and Praesides of Provinces. Perfectissimus was the fourth. Egregius the fifth. And as Clarissimus was a title to those great officers above specified, so no other could have that, as neither of Perfectissimus, and Egregius, but granted by Patents. And in that age, as it is in the Code of Theodosius, Titulo, Vt Dignitatem ordo servetur. Si quis indebitum sibi locum usurpaverit, nulla seignoratione defendat, sitque planè sacrilegij reus.  
Amongst us the Kings had these adjuncts, when they were written and spoken unto, Gloriosus, Gloriosissimus, Pracellentissimus, Charissimus Dominus, Rex illustris, lately Potentissimus, Invictissimus, Serenissimus; Our ●ege Lord, Our Sovereign. Our Dread Sovereign etc.  
As for Grace, it began about the time of Henry the fourth. Excellent Grace under Henry the sixth. High and mighty Prince under Edward the fourth. And Majesty which first began to the Roman Emperors about the time of Gallienus, 
Trebellius Pollio.  came hither in the time of King Henry the eight, as Sacred Majesty lately in our memory. Whereas among Christians it was appliable only in former ages to God, 
Ovid. Fast.  as among the old Romans to the Goddess Majesty the daughter of Honour and Reverence.  
Among other men in former ages D●n corrupted from Dominus, was the greatest attribute both to Spiritual and Temporal, and afterward Worshipful, and Right Worshipful, hath been thought convenient among us for the great Dukes and Fails; but we now begin so to overlade men with additions, as Spaniards did lately, until they were restrained by the Pragmatical 1586. At which time Pasquil at Rome being demanded why Philip of Spain had so taken away all titles from all sorts of men, answered merrily, albeit not religiously. That it may be verified of him which is said, Tu solus Do●●inus, tu solus altissimus, in respect of his voluminous long Title which will ●i●e the Reader.  
Thus far had I proceeded in names, when it was high time to stay, for I am advertised that there is one, which by Art Trochilick, will draw all English surnames of the best families out of the pit of Poetry, as Bourchier from Busyris the tyrant of Egypt; Percy from flying Perseus; Darcy from Dircaus Apollo; Lee from Laetus turned into a Swan in Ovid; jakeson from jason: well he may satisfy them herein, whom I cannot. As for myself, I acknowledge that I cannot satisfy neither them, nor myself in all particularities: and well therefore I do like h●m that said, He doth not teach well which teacheth all; leaving nothing to subtle wits to sift out. And sure I am scrupulous Diligence lieth open to Envy. But for such as will not be content with that which is said, I wish sir john de Bilbao would conjure up William Ockam the father of the Nominalles (as Appion did Homer,) for their better satisfaction herein. Mean while I desire no man will take offence at any thing here spoken, when as I have been so far from giving offence, that I dare protest it in that solemn ancient form, Superos, & Sydera testor. Hating it in others, and condemning it in myself, even unto the bottomless pit of hell.   

Allusions.  
I Will now present unto you a few extracts out of names, (I fear you will call them foolish fopperies,) but call them what you please, I hope a little folly may be pardonable in this our so wise an age  
Out of Names the busy wit of man continually working hath wrought upon liking or dislike Allusions, very common in all ages, and among all men, Rebus, 〈…〉 ages both with learned and unlearned, and Anagrams though long since invented, yet rare in this our refined times. In all which, I will briefly show our Nation hath been no less pregnant, than those Southern which presume of wits in respect of 〈◊〉. Afterward somewhat shall be said of Arms, which as silent names distinguish families.  
An Allusion is as it were a dalliance or playing with words, like in sound, unlike in sense, by changing, adding, or substracting a letter or two; so that words nicking and resembling one the other, are appliable to different significations. As the Almighty (if we may herein use sacred authority,) in ratification of his promise to the seed of Isaac, changed Abram, ⸫ High father, into Abraham, that is, father of many; and Sarai, that is, my Dame, into Sara, that is, Lady or Dame. The greeks (to omit infinite others,) nicked Antiochus Epiphanes, that is, the famous, with Epinanes, that is, the furious. The Romans likewise played with bibbing Tiberius Nero, calling him Biberius Mero. So Tully called the extorting Verres, in the actions against him Verrens, as Sweepe-all. So in Quintilian the sour fellow, Placidus was called Acidus, and of late one called Scaliger, Aliger.  
Excellent is that which our countryman Reverend Beda reporteth in his Ecclesiastical History of England, of the cause that moved Gregory the Great to send Augustine into England. On a time (as I showed before) when he saw beautiful boys to be sold in the market at Rome, and demanded by what name their Nation was called; and they told him Englishmen; and justly be they so called (quoth he,) for they have Angelic faces, and seem meet to be made Coheirs with the Angels in heaven: After, when it was told him that their King was called Alla, then said he ought Alleluya to be sung in that Country to the praise of their Creator: when it was also signified unto him, they were borne in a part of the Kingdom of Northumberland, called then Deira, now holderness Deira Dei, (than said he,) sunt liberandi.  
Laurens Archbishop, which succeeded that Augustine, was by allusion called Lauriger, Mellitus, Mellifluus, Brithwald, Bright-world, Nothelhelme, Noble-helme, Celnothu●, Caelo natus, all archbishops of Canterbury. And such like were framed out of the names of many English Confessors, which I omit.  
Arletta, the good wench which so kindly entertained Robert Duke of Normandy, when he begat of her William the Conqueror, (as I had rather you should read in others then hear of me,) was for his honesty, closely with an aspiration called Harlot. But the good and learned Recorder would say, that this name began from her, and in honour of her, was appropriated by the Normans in England, to all of her kind profession, and so continueth.  
When Herbert first Bishop of Norwich, and founder of the Cathedral Church there, had simoniacally procured that Bishopric to himself, and the Abbacy of Winchester to his father, they were alluded upon by the name of Simon in the worst sense, in this verse.  Filius est Praesul, pater Abbas, Simon uterque. 
Strong and sudden was that Allusion of Gilbert Folioth Bishop of Hereford, 
Minor hist. M. Paris.  who when he had incurred the hatred of many, for opposing himself against Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury, one c●●ed with a loud voice at his chamber window at midnight, Folieth, ●olioth, thy god is the goddess Azaroth. 
Venu●.  He suddenly and stoutly replied, Thou list fowl fiend, my God is the God of Sabaoth.  
Hitherto may be referred that which Giraldus Cambrensis reporteth. An Archdeacon named Pecc●tum or Peche, a rural Deane called De vill, 
sin..  & a jew travailing together in the Marches of Wales, when they came to Illustrate, the Archdeacon said to his Dean, that their jurisdiction began there, & reached to Malpasse: The jew considering the names of the Dean, Archdecon, & limits, said by Allusion: Marvel may it be if I scape well out of this jurisdiction, where Sin is Archdeacon, the Devil the Deane, and the bounds Illustrate with Malpasse.  
Alexander Nequam, a man of great learning, borne at Saint Albans, and desirous to enter into religion there, after he had signified his desire, writ to the Abot Laconically.  Si vis, veniam, sin autem, tu autem. 
Who answered as briefly, alluding to his name.  Si bonus sis, venias, si Nequam, nequaquam. 
Whereupon he changed his name to Neckam.  
Philip Rependum, Abbot of Leicester, alluded thus upon the name of Neckam,  
Es niger & nequam, cum sis cognomine Neckam.  
Nigrior esse potes, nequior esse nequis.  
But he repaid him with this re-allusion upon the name of Philipp.  Phinota faetoris, lippus malus omnibus horis, etc. 
A London Poet dallied thus with the name of Fustachius, when he was preferred from Treasurer of the Exchequer, to be Bishop of London, 1222. which was thought a great preferment in that age.  
Eustachi nupèr benè stabas, nunc benè stabis.  
Ille status valuit, praevalet iste tamen.  
Robert Passelve, an especial favourite of Henry the third, afterward by a court-tempest so shaken as he was glad to be Parson of Derham in Norfolk; was alluded unto while he was in the Sunshine, by Pass●le-eau, as surpassing the pure water, the most excellent element of all, if you believe Pindar.  
This Allusion was composed to the honour of a religious man called Robertus, resolving it into Ros, Ver, Thus.  
Tu benè Robertus quasi Ros, Ver, Thusque vocaris,  
Ros sata, ver flores, Thus h●locausta facit.  
Sic tu Ros, Ver, Thus, geris haec tria, Ros sata verbi,  
Ver floris morum, Thus holocausta precum.  
Upon the same, another framed this.  
Robertus titulo dotatur triplice, Roris  
Temperie, Veris dulcedine, Thuris odour.  
Upon the same name and invention I have also found this, 
Es benè Ros, Ver, Thus, Ros es qùod nectare stillas,  
Ver, qùod flore vires, Thus, quia mente sapis.  
Ros (inquam) Ver, Thus: Ros qui dulcedine stillat,  
Ver quod flore nitet, Thus quoth odour sapit.  
Nam qùod tu sis Ros, Ver, Thus, perhibet tua Roris,  
Temperies, Veris gratia, Thuris odor.   
Upon the same name Robertus, an other made Robur, Thus, with this Distiche: 
Tu benè Robertus quasi Robur, Thus: benè Robur,  
Nam virtute vig●s, Thus, quia mente sapis.  When Pandulphus the Popes Nuncio came into England, a scholar smoothed him with this foolish allusion.  
Te totum dulcor perfundit, & indè vocaris,  
Pandulphus quid Pan nisi totum? Dull nisidulcor!  
Phu● nisi fusus? id est, totus dulcedine fusus.  
One in a dedication alluded unto Roger an Ecclesiastical pe●son in this verse: Qui Cleri Rogere Rosam geris, annno vati.  
A poor Poet begging of one, whose name was john, which is in Hebrew, The grace of God, begged of him by praising his name in this manner.  
Nomen habes non immeritò Divina, johannes,  
Gratia, voce sua conveniente rei.  
Ergo vel gratus summo, vel gratia summi,  
Es, pro part meâ casus uterque facit.  
Si summo gratus, ergo pietatis alumnus,  
Ergo pauperibus ferre teneria apem.  
Another played upon the name of Turbervill, when practising with the French, he played false with his Sovereign K. Edward the first.  Turbat tranquilla clàm Thomas Turbida Vil●a. 
These may seem over many in so slight a matter, yet I will in respect of the persons, offer you two or three more to be regarded. William, Lord Monti●y, famous for his learning, great Grandfather to the honourable Charles, now Earl of Denshire, who is no less famous for his virtue and hereditary love of learning; when he was the Queen's Chamberlain, in an Epistle to Erasmus, called king Henry the eight Octavius for Octavus resembling him thereby to Octavius Augustus the only mirror of Princely virtues.  
Lady jane Grey daughter to the Duke of Suffolk, who paid the p●●ce of others ambition with her blood, for her excellency in the Greek tongue was called for Greia, Graia, and this made to her honour in that respect.  
Miraris janam Craio sermone valere?  
Quo nata est primùm tempore Crata fuit.  
When the duke of Buckingham was put to death by the practice of cardinal Wolsey a Butcher's son, the Emperor Charles the fifth said, It was great pity, that so fair and goodly a Buck should be woried to death by a Butcher's cur; alluding either to the name of Buckingham, or to a Buck, which was a badge of honour to that family.  
Domingo a Spaniard in the time of Queen Mary, offended with an Englishman that called him Domingus, told him he was Dominicu●; but he was I assure you more highly offended, when he after for Dominicus called him D●moniacu●.  
In the beginning of her late majesties reign one alluded to her name Elisabetha, with Illasa-Beata, that is, Safe without hurt, and happy. The sense whereof, as the Almighty by his fatherly mercy performed in her person, so she by her motherly providence under God effected in this realm in blissful peace and plenty, whereas chose other confining Regions have been overwhelmed with all kind of miseries. The cause whereof, one in this last French broils referred by Allusion to Spania and Mania two Greek words, signifying Panury and Fury; but implying therein closely the late King of Spain, and duke du Maine.   

Rebus, or Name-devises.  
MAny approved customs, laws, manners, fashions, and phrases have the English always borrowed of their neighbours the French, especially since the time of King Edward the Confessor, who resided long in France, and is charged by Historians of his time, to have returned from thence wholly Frenchified; then by the Norman Conquest which immediately ensued, after by the honourable alliances of the Kings of England, with the most renowned families, yea and with the very royal house of France. But after that the triumphant victorious king Edward the third had traversed France with his victories, and had planted English colonies in Calais, Haures and Guynes, our people bordering upon the pregnant Picardes, began to admire their fooleries in painted Poesies. For whereas a poesy is a speaking picture, and a picture a speechless Poesy, they which lacked wit express their conceit in speech, did use to dep●int it out (as it were) in pictures, which they called Rebus, by a Latin name well fitting their devise. These were so well liked by our English there, and sent hither over the straight of Calais with full sail, were so entertained here (although they were most ridiculous) by all degrees, by the learned and unlearned, that he was no body that could not hammer out of his name an invention by this wit-craft, and picture it accordingly: whereupon who did not busy his brain to hammer his devise out of this forge.  
Sir Thomas Cavall, whereas Cavall signifieth an horse, engraved a galloping horse in his scale with 〈◊〉 limping verse; Thomae credit, cum cernitis eius equum.  
So john Eagleshead, as it seemeth, to notify his name, about his Arms, as I have seen in an old S●ale with an Eagles head, set down this: Hoc aquila caput est, signumque figura johannis.  
The Abbot of Ramsey more wisely set in his Seal a Ram in the sea, with this verse, to show he was a right ram; Cuius signa gero dux gregis est, ut ego.  
William Chandler Warden of New college in Oxford, playing with his own name, so filled the hall-windowes with candles, and these words, Fiat lux, that he darkened the hall. Whereupon the Vidam of Charters when he was there, said, It should have been, Fiant tenebrae.  
Did not that amorous Youth mystically express his love to Rose Hill, whom he courted, when in the border of his painted cloth, he caused to be painted as rudely, as he devised grossly, a rose, an hill, an eye, a loaf, a well, that is, if you will spell it.  Rose-Hill I love well. 
You may imagine that Francis Corn●field did scratch his elbow when he had sweetly invented to signify his name, Saint Francis with his Frierly kowle in a cornfield.  
It may seem doubtful whether Bolton Prior of Saint 〈◊〉 In Smithfield, was wiser when he invented for his name a bird bolt through a T●nne, or when he built him an house upon Harrow Hill, for fear of an mundation after a great conjunction in the watery Triplicity.  
Islip Abbot of Westminster, a man most favoured by king Henry the seaven●h, had a quadruple devise for his single name; for somewhere he set up in his windows an ●ie with a slip of a t●ee, other places one slipping boughs in a tree, in other places an I wi●h the said slip; and in some places one slipping from a t●ee with the word Islip.  
Whosoever devised for Thomas Earl of Arundel, a capital A in a Rundle, wherewith he decked an house which he built, did think I warrant you, that he did the Nobleman great honour.  
No less did he 〈◊〉 his invention, which for sir Anthony Wingfield, devised● Wing with these four letters, F, E, L, D, quarterly about it, and over the Wing a cross, to show he was a Christian, and on the cross a red rose, to show that the followed the house of Lancaster.  
Morton Archbishop of Canterbury, a man of great wisdom, and borne to the universal good of this realm, was content to use Mor upon a Tun; and sometime a Mulberry tree called Morus in Latin out of a Tun. So Luton, Thorneton, Ashton did notify their names with a Lute, a Thorn, an Ash upon a Tun. So an Ha●● on a bottle for Harebottle; a Maggot-pie upon a goat for Pigot, an Hare by a sheaf of ●e in the Sun for Harrison; Med written on a calf for Medcalfe; Chester, a chest with a Star over it: Allet a Lot; Lionel Ducks a Lion with L. on his head, whereas it should have been in his 〈◊〉. If the Lion had been eating a duck, it had been a ra●e devise worth a ducat, or ducke-egge. And if you require more, I refer you to the witty inventions of some I ●●doners, but that for Garret Dews is most memorable, two in agarret casting Dews at dice. This for Rebus may suffice, and yet if there were more, I think some lips would like such kind of Lettuce. In part to excuse them yet, some of the greatest Romans were a little blasted with this foolery, if you so censure it. Our great Master Cicero in a dedication of his to his gods, inscribed Marcus 〈◊〉, and that 〈◊〉 pulse less than, 〈…〉 call (I think) a 〈◊〉 pease, and the Latins Cicer, in steed of Cicero. As in the coins of julius Caesar we have seen an Elephant, for so Caesar signifieth in the Mauritanian tongue, and the two Mint-maisters in that age, L. Aquilius Florus, and Voconius Vitulus; the one used a Flower, the other a Calf in the reverses of their coins, alluding unto their names.   

Anagrams.  
THE only Quint-essence that hitherto the Alchemy of wit could draw out of names, is Anagrammatisme, or Metagrammatisme, which is a dissolution of a Name truly written into his Letters, as his Elements, and a new connexion of it by artificial transposition, without addition, substraction, or change of any letter into different words, making some perfect 〈…〉.  
〈…〉 omitting or retaining it, for that it cannot challenge the ●●ght of a letter. But the licentiats somewhat licentiously lest they should prejudice poetical liberty, will pardon themselves for doubling or rejecting a letter, if the sense fall aptly, and think it no injury to use E for A, V for W, S for Z, and C for K, and chose.  
The French exceedingly admire and celebrate this faculty, for the deep and far fetched antiquity, the piked fines and the mystical significations thereby: for that names are divi●e notes, and divine notes do notify future events; so that events consequently must lurk in names, which only can be pried into by this mystery. Affirming that each man's fortune is written in his name, as Astrologians say, all things are written in heaven, if a man could read them: They exemplify out of the Rabbins; they quote dreaming 〈◊〉, with other allegations; they urge particular experiments, and so enforce the matter, with strong words and weak proofs, that some credulous young men, hover between hope and fear, might easily be carried away by them into the forbidden superstition of Onomantia, or Soothsaying by names.  
But some of the sour sort will say it is nothing but a troublous toy, and because they cannot attain to it, will condemn it, lest by commending it, they should discommend themselves. Others more mild will grant it to be a dainty devise and disport of wit not without pleasure, if it be not wrested out of the name to the reproach of the person. And such will not deny, but that as good names may be ominous, so also good Anagrams, with a delightful comfort and pleasant motion in honest minds, in no point yielding to many vain pleasures of the body. They will also afford it some commendations in respect of the difficulty, (Diffici●●a quae pulchra,) as also that it is a whetstone of a patience to them that shall practise it. For some have been seen to bite their pen, scratch their head, bend their brows, bite their lips, beat the board, tear the paper when they were fair for somewhat, and caught nothing herein.  
If profound antiquity, or the inventour may commend an invention, this will not give place to many. For as the great Masters of the jews testify, Moses received of God a literal law, written by the finger of God, in the two Tables of the ten Commandments to be imparted to all, and another Mystical to be communicated only to seventy men, which by tradition they should pass to their posterity, whereof it was called Cabala. Which was divided into Mercana, concerning only the sacred names of God, and Bresith of other names consisting of Alphabetary revolution, which they will have to be Anagrammatisme, by which they say Marie resolved made, Our holy Mistress. But whether this Cabala is more ancient than the talmudical learning, hatched by the curious jews, (as some will,) about 200. years after Christ, let the learned consider.  
The Greeks refer this invention to Licophron, (as Isaac Tzetzes hath in his preface to his obscure Poem Cassandra, who was one of those Poets which the greeks called the Seaven-starres, or Pleiades, and flourished about the year 380. before Christ, in the time of Ptolomaus Philadelphus, king of Egypt, whose name he thus anagramatised.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Made of h●●ny.  
And upon Arsinoe his wife, thus;  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. junes' violet.  
Afterward as appeareth by Eustachius there were some greeks disported themselves herein, as he which turned Atlas for his heavy burden, in supporting heaven to Talas, that is, wretched, Art, Virtue into Erate, that is, lovely, Ilaros, merry, into Liar●s, that is, warm. But in late years, when learning revived under Francis the first in France, the French began to distill their wits herein, for there was made for him.  
Francis de Valois.  
DE FACON SVIS ROYAL.  
For his son Henry de Valois.  
ROY ES DE NUL HAY.  
For Charles of Barbon, the Prince of Conde.  
Borbonius.  
ORBI BONUS.  
For the late Queen of Scotland, his majesties mother.  
Maria Stevarta.  
VERITAS ARMATA.  
And that Greek one, which is most excellent, of the sacred name of our sweet Saviour jesus, according to that of the 53. of Esay, He is brought as a sheep to the slaughter, thus: 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is, Thou art that sheep.   
The Italians who now admire them, began not 20. years since to use them as the Bishop of Grassa a professor herein testifieth.  
In England I know some who 30. years since have bestowed some idle hours herein with good success, albeit our English names running rough with cragged consonants, are not so smooth and easy for transposition as the French and Italian. Yet I will set down some which I have happened upon, framed o●t of the names of diverse great personages, and others in most of the which in the sense may seem appliable to their good parts.  
To begin with his most Excellent Majesty our dread Sovereign, was made this declaring his undoubted rightful claim to the Monarchy of Britan, as the successor of the valorous king Arthur. 
Charles james Stevart.  
CLAIMS ARTHUR'S SEAT.   
As this also truly verified in his person. 
jacobus Sextus Stuartus.  
VITA CASTUS, EX SE ROBUSTUS.   
For our late Queen of happy memory, to whose gracious government under God, we owe much happiness. I have found the letters of Elizabetha Regina transposed to signify that happiness, as speaking unto her in this sense. O England's Sovereign thou hast made us happy: thus  
Elizabetha Regina,  
ANG●IAE HERA, BEASTI.  
And whereas the French compare Anagrams by themselves to gems, but when they are cast into a distich or Epigram to gems enchased in enamelled gold. Thi● distich was then made thereon with a most humble and 〈◊〉 wish.  
Nos Anglos radijs hera nostra beata beasti,  
Sis hera nostro solo, sis Deasera poso.  
The same blessedness of her Maiestre to England unspeakable good, and her joyful reign were noted thus out of 
Elizabetha Regina,  
ANGLIAE ERIS BEATA.  
EIA, LETA REGNABIS.   
Carolus Vienhovius my good friend made this 30. years since in Greek, when he attended here upon Monsieur Foix, Ambassador from the French King.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉,  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
that is, The divine dew of her Kingdom.  
Likewise out of the Greek was this,  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉,  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
that is, A Goddess Queen.  
Her most mild government of her subjects, and Lion-like courage against her Spanish enemies, was thus declared out of  
Elizabetha Regina Anglia,  
ANGLIS AGNA, HIBERIAE LEA.  
Whereas she was as a Sweepnet for the Spanish ships, which (as the Athenians said of their fortunate Timothye,) happily fell into her net: this was made by transposing of  
Elizabeth Regina Angliae,  
GENTI HIBERAE,  
ILLA SAGENA.  
In respect of her great wars exploited against that mighty Monarch, this was wrought out of  
Elizabetha Anglorum Regina,  
MAGNA BELLA TV ●EROINA GERIS.  
The good government of her Majesty, was thus noted under the name of the flourishing Muse Thalia  
Elizabetha Regina,  
BENE THALIA REGIS.  
In this following was comprised the wish then of all true English, 
Elizabetha Regina Anglorum,  
GLORIA REGNI SALVA MANEBiT.   
Have now some framed upon the names of diverse honourable personages and others, lover's I hope of good letters, neither let any conceive offensively if they a●e not here remembered: I have imparted all that came to my hands.  
Out of the name of the late right reverend, the Lord archbishop of Canterbury, the mirror of Praelats in our days was found this, in respect of his mild proceedings.  
joannes Whitegiftius.  
NON VI EGIT FAVIT ●●ESVS.  
For the Lord Chancellor, Lord Ellesmer.  
Thomas Egerton,  
GEST AT HONOREM.  
Oris honore viget, Vt mentis gestat honorem  
juris Egertonus, dignus honore col●.  
For the late Lord Treasurer, a most prudent and honourable Councillor to two mighty Princes.  
Guilielmus Cecisius Baro Burglio.  
VIGILI CUM LABOUR ILLUCES REGIBUS.  
Regibus illuces vigili Gulielme labour,  
Name clarè fulget lux tua luce Dei.  
For the Earl of Nottingham, Lord Admiral.  
Carolus Howard,  
CHARUS, ARDVO LEO.  
For the Earl of Northumberland.  
Henricus Percius,  
HIC PURE SINCERUS.  
Upon which with a relation to the Crescent or silver Moon his Cognisance, was framed thus:  
Percius HIC PURE SINCERUS, Percia Luna  
Candida tota micat, pallet at illa p●lo.  
This was made as a wish to the Earl of Shrewsbury, that his name and Talbot may be as terrible to the French, as it was when the French so feared his progenitor john, Lord Talbot, first Earl of Shrewsbury of that family.  
Gilberts Talbottius.  
CALLOS TV TIBI TURBES  
Vt proavi preavus, sic GALLOS TV TIBI TURBES;   

Imprese.  
AN Impreze (as the Italians call it) is a devise in picture with his Motte, or Word, borne by noble and learned personages, to notify some particular conceit of their own: as Emblems (that we may omit other differences) do propound some general instruction to all: As for example: Whereas Cosmi Medici Doke of Florence had in the ascendent at his nativity the sign Capricorue, under which also Augustus and Charles the fifth, two great and good Princes were borne: he used the celeshall sign Capricorn, with this Moon; FIDEM FATI VIRTUTE SE QVEMUR for his Impreze, particularly concerning his good hope to prove like unto them. But a fair woman pictured with an Olive crown representing Peace, carrying in one hand the horn of Plenty, leading a little golden boy for Plutus in the other, with, EX PACE RERUM OPULENTIA, is an Emblem, and a general document to all, that Peace bringeth Plenty.  
There is required in an Impreze (that we may reduce them to few heads) a correspondency of the picture, which is as the body, and the Motte, which as the soul giveth it life. That is, the body must be of fair representation, and the word in some different language, witty, short, and answerable thereunto neither too obscure 〈◊〉 too plain, and most comm●nded, when it is an Hemislich, or parcel of a verse.  
According to these prescripts neither the stars with the Moon in Tide●s shield in Aeschilus, neither Amphiaraus dragon in Pindare, neither the stem of a ship used for a seal by Pompey, can have here place: Much less the reverses in Roman coins, which were only historical memorials of their acts; as that of Claudius, with a ploughman at plough and this COL: CAMALODUN was to signify that he made Maldon in essex a Colony, 
Britannia 〈◊〉.  and that of Hadrian with an Emperor, three soldiers, and EXERC: BRITANNICUS was in memory of some good service by the three Legions resiant in this Isle at York, Chester, and Carleon upon uske. That also of Severus with a woman sitting upon Cliffs holding an ensign in one hand, and as it were writing upon a shield, with VICTORIA BRITANN: was only to show his victories here.  
Such also as are set down in Notitia Provinciarum, as a Boor seiant for jovij, a circle party per Saltier for Britanniciani, a carbuncle (as Blazoners term it) for Britannici, &c. cannot be admitted into the number of Imprese, for they were the several ensigns of several military companies, whereof the two last seemed to be levied out of this Isle.  
Childish it is to refer hither the shields of King Arthur's round-table Knights, when they were devised, as it is probable, for no other end, but to teach young men the terms of Blazon.  
Neither are Arms to be referred hither, which were devised to distinguish families, and were most usual among the nobility in wars, tiltes and tournaments in their coats called Coate-armours, Shields, Standards, Banners, Pennors', Guydons, until about some hundred years since, when the French and Italian in the expedition of Naples, under Charles the eight began to leave Arms, haply for that many of them had none, and to bear the curtains of their mistresses beds, their mistress' colours, or these Imprese in their banners, shields, and comparisons: in which the English have 〈…〉 and albeit a few have borrowed somewhat from them, yet many have matched them, and no few surpassed them in witty conceit, as you shall perceive hereafter, if you will first give me leave to remember some imperfect Devises in this kind of some former Kings of England, which you may well say to be livelesse bodies, for that they have no word adjoined.  
Of King William Conqueror I have heard none, neither dare (as jovius taketh the Sphinx Augustus' signet for an Impreze) so set down our Conquerors seal? which had his own picture on horseback with these verses to notify his Dominions.  
Hoc Normannorum Willelmum nosce patronum:  
On the other side;  
Hoc Anglis Regem signo fatearis eundem.  
As a King of Sicily had about that time this;  
Apulus & Calaber, Siculus mihi servit & Afer.  
Stephen of Bloys the Usurper took the sign Sagutarius, for that he obtained this kingdom when the Sun was in the said sign.  
King Henry the second grievously molested by the disobedience of his four sons, who entered into actual rebellion against him, caused to be painted in his great Chamber at his palace in Winchester an Eagle with four young chickens, whereof three pecked and scratched him, the fourth picked at his eyes. This his devise had no life, because it had no Motte: but his answer gave it life, when he said to one demanding his meaning, That they were his sons which did so peck him, and that john the youngest whom he loved best, practised his death more busily than the rest. [Giraldus Cambrensis distinct]  
King Henry the third as liking well of Remuneration; commanded to be written in his Chamber at Woodstock, as it appeareth in the Records in the Tower, Qui non dat quod amat; non accipit i●le quod optat.  
Edmund Cr●uch-backe his second son first Earl of Lancaster, used a red Rose, wherewith his Tomb at Westminster is adorned.  
Edward the third bore for his devise the rays of the Sun dispersing themselves out of a cloud, and in other places, a golden trunk of a tree.  
The victorious Black Prince his son used sometimes one feather, sometime three, in token of his speedy execution in all his services, as the Posts in the Roman times were Pterophori, and wore feathers to signify their flying post-haste. But the tradition is, that he won them at the battle of Poitiers, whereunto he adjoined this old English word IC DEN, 
Thegn.  that is, I serve, according to that of the Apostle, The heir while he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant: These feathers were an anient ornament of military men, as is evident by that of Virgil: Cuius olorina surgunt de vertice pennae:  
And were used by this Prince before the time of Canoy Chan the Tartarian, who because his life was saved by an Owl, would have his people wear their feathers: from whom Haithon fableth, that the people of jurope received first the use of feathers.  
john of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, brother to this Prince, took a red Rose to his devise (as it were by right of his first wise the heir of Lancaster, as Edmund of Langley, Duke of York, took the white Rose. Before these two brethren took these two Roses, which the fautors and followers of their heirs after, bare in that pitiful distraction of England, between the families of Lancaster and York, a white Rose-tree at Longleete, bare upon one branch a fair white rose on the one side, and as fair a red rose on the other; which might as well have been a fore-token of that division, as the white hen with the bay sprig lighting in the lap of Livia Augusta, betokened the Empire to her posterity, which ended in Nero, when both the brood of that hen failed, and the bay of that sprig withered.  
The said Edmund of Langley, bore also for an Impreze a Falcon in a fetter-locke, implying that he was locked up from all hope and possibility of the Kingdom, when his brethren began to aspire thereunto. Whereupon he asked on a time his sons when he saw them, beholding this devise set up in a window, what was Latin for a fetter-locke: Whereat when the young gentleman studied, the father said, well than you cannot tell me, I will tell you, Hic haec hoc tacea●s, as advising them to be silent and quiet, and therewithal said, Yet God knoweth what may come to pass hereafter. This his great Grandchild King Edward the fourth reported, when he commanded that his younger son Richard Duke of York, should use this devise with the fetter-locke opened, as Roger Wall an Herald of that time reporteth.  
King Richard the second, whose untrained youth and yielding lenity hastened his fall, used commonly a white Hart couchant with a crown, and chain about his ●●cke. For wearing the which, soon after his deposition lost their lives. He also used a peascod branch with the cod's open, but the pease out, as it is upon his rob in his Monument at Westminster.  
His wife Anne, sister to Wenceslaus the Emperor, bore an Ostrich, with a nail in his beak.  
King Henry the fourth (as it is in Master Garters book,) used only a Fox tailed pendent, following lysanders advise, if the Lion's skin were too short, to piece it out with a Fox's case.  
His half brethren surnamed Beausort, of their natal place, who after were dukes of S●mmerset, etc. bare a portcullis gold; whereunto not long afterward was added this word ALTERA SLCURITAS. And not long since by the Earls of Worcester, issued from them MUTARE, AUT TIMERE SP●RNO.  
His younger son Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, a noble fautor of good letters, ba●e in that respect a Laurel branch in a golden cup.  
That most martial Prince King Henry the fifth, carried a burning Cresset, sometime a Beacon: and for his word, (but not appropriate thereunto,) une SANS PLUS. One and no more.  
King Henry the sixth had two feathers in saltire.  
King Edward the fourth, bore his white Rose, the fetter-locke before specified, and the sun after the battle of Mortimer's cross, where three Suns were seen immediately conjoining in one.  
King Richard the third bore a white Boar, which gave occ●sion to the rhyme that cost the maker his life.  
The Cat, the Rat, and Lovel the Dog,  
Rule all England under an Hog.  
King Henry the seventh, in respect of his descent from the house of Summerset, used the Portcullis before mentioned; and in respect of the union of the two houses of Lancaster and York by his marriage, the white Rose united with the red, sometime placed in the Sun. And in respect he was crowned in the field with King Richard's crown, found in an hawtherne bush, he bore the hawthorn bush with the crown in it; & with this he filled the windows at Richmond, and his Chapel at Westminster.  
His wife Queen Elizabeth, had a white and red rose knit together.  
His mother Lady Margaret, Countess of Richmond, had three white Daisies growing upon a turf.  
When king Henry the eight began his reign, the English wits began to imitate the French and Italian in these devises, adding the Mots. First king Henry himself at the interview between him and king Francis the first, whereat also Charles the fifth was present, used for his Impress, an English Archer in a green coat, drawing his arrow to the head, with this inscription, CVI ADHAEREO, PRAEEST: whenas at that time those mighty Princes banding one against the other, wrought him for their own particular.  
His wife Queen Anne, a happy mother of England's happiness by her most happy daughter, bore a white crowned Falcon, holding a Sceptre in her right talon, standing upon a golden trunk, out of the which sprowted both white and red roses, with MIHI, ET MEAE  
To the honour of Queen jane, who died willingly to save her child King Edward, was devised after her death a Phoenix in his funeral fire, with this Motte, NASCATUR VT ALTER.  
King Edward the sixth bore (as the Black Prince) three feathers in a crown while his father survived, as Prince of Wales, with IC DEN.  
Queen Mary when she was Princess of Wales, used both a red and white Rose, and a Pomegranate knit together, to show her descent from La●caster, York, and Spain. When she came to the kingdom, by persuasion of her Clergy, she bore winged Time drawing Truth out of a pit, with VERIT AS TEMPORIS FILIA.  
Her Successor of blessed memory Queen Elizabeth; upon occasions, used so many heroical devises, as would require a volume; but most commonly a Sieve without a Motte, for her words, VIDEO, TACEO, and SEMPER EADEM, which she as truly and constantly performed.  
Cardinal Poole showed the terrestrial globe encompassed with a Serpent, adding this out of Saint Matthew, ESTOTE PRUDENTES.  
NOw I will descend from the blood Royal and former time, and present unto you a few Imprese born by noble, and gentlemen of our nation, in our age, without commenting upon them, as the Italians use. For the persons names I am to be pardoned as knowing them not, when I observed them at Titles and elsewhere: But such as adjoined after the old and most laudable Italian manner, their Arms withal.  
He signified his constancy in adversity, which painted a man swimming and striving against the stream in a tempestuous sea, with this, ANIMUS TAMEN IDEM.  
Desirous was he to rise, but found counterblasts, who figured a man ascending a Mountain, but repelled with contrary winds, with this Mot, NITENS AD SUMMA, REPELLOR.  
Henry Howard Earl of Surrey, son and heir to Thomas Duke of Norfolk, devised for himself, I know not upon what consideration, a broken pillar with this word, SAT SUPEREST. But I read he was charged at his arraignment with that devise, the impaling of his Arms with the Arms of Saint Edward, and erecting three banqueting houses, as Bastilions in his garden near Norwich; as matters of great consequence and high treason, to the loss of his life. This is that noble Earl of Surrey, who first among the Nobility of England, conjoined the honour of learning to the honour of high Parentage. Of whom the learned Hadrianus junius giveth this testimony in Latin, which I cannot so well express in English, H●roicum corporis filium, ingenium velox, & expromptum, memoria inexhausta, planeque Mythridatica, sermo ob ipsis Gratiis effictus, linguarum multiplex cognitio, etc.  
He would either find a way or make a way to his preferment, which caused to be portrayed, a hand working out a way in a craggy hill with a pickaxe, and this word, INVENIT AUT FACIT.  
Sir Philip Sidney, to note that he persisted always one, depainted out the Caspian sea surrounded with his shores, which neither ebbeth nor floweth, and over it: SINE REFLUXV.  
He acknowledged his essence to be in his gracious Sovereign, which bore a Sundial, and the Sun setting, adding OCCASV DESINET ESSE.  
He might seem to bear a vindicative mind, but I think it was for some amorous affection, which bore a she upon an eye, with SIC VLTUS PEREAM.  
Upon his Prince's favour he wholly 〈◊〉, which devised the Sun shining upon a bush, subscribing SI DES●RIS PEREO.  
As he which in like sense bore the Sun reflecting his rays from him, with QVOUS QVE AVERTES▪  
His devote mind to his Lady he devoutly, though not religiously showed, which under Venus in ●●●owde changed the usual prayer into, SALVA ME DOMINA.  
He showed his affectionate goodwill in height of courage, that showed in his shield, Atlas bearing heaven with a roll inscribed in Italian, INTENDAM, CHE PVO.  
The force of love was well figured by him that gave an Unicorn (haply the badge of his family) reposing his head in a Lady's lap, with this word, O QVANTA POTENTIA.  
Excellent was that of the late Earl of Essex, who when he was cast down with sorrow, and yet to be employed in Arms, bore a black mourning shield without any figure, but inscribed, PAR NULLA FIGURA DOLORI.  
A steadfast settled mind was in that gentleman, that devised for himself a Pyramid open to wind and weather, with NEC FLATV, NEC FLUCTV.  
He noted our peaceable times, when having a Martial mind, showed an armed Knight sound sleeping in a cockboat upon a calm Sea, with, AEQVORA TUTA SILENT.  
He played with a Name, and hoped remedy to his Love, which devised a Rose, with that of Ovid, (leaving out the negative) AMOR EST MEDICABILIS HFRBIS.  
A Gentleman committed, and after to his great commendation enlarged, took to him for an Impreze, a Ball upon a Racket, sapers●ebing, PERCUSSA RESVR●O.  
The Sun declining to the West, with Occidens, Occidens, I being short in the first word, and long in the second, showed that the safety and life both of the bearer and of others did depend on the light and life of the Sovereign.  
A studious lover of good letters framed to himself only the figure of I with this philosophical principle, OMNIA EX uno.  
Out of Philosophy likewise an other, to notify his greatest impeachment, drew this principle, EX NIHI●O NIHIL: and inscribed it bend-wise, with his Arms in a bare shield.  
One weighed down with some adverse hap, and yet not altogether hopeless, painted an heavy stone fastened to a man's arm with, SPES MIHI MAGNA TAMEN.  
Neither seemed he void of all hope for his pains, after long service, which painted a follow field with, AT QVANDO MESSIS.  
The Needle in the Sea Compass still moving but to the North point only with MOVEOR IMMOTUS, notified the respective constancy of the gentleman to one only.  
The ornament of our land was meant by him which placed only the Moon in heaven in full light with, QVID SINE TE COELUM?  
far was he from Venus' service with bare Venus portrayed in a cloud with NIHIL MINUS.  
But whole devoted was he to that goddess, which chose bore the Astronomical character of Venus, with NIHIL MAGIS.  
The successive variety of worldly affairs, or his own favours, a studious Gentleman well noted, which painted in an Hemisphere some stars rising some setting, with, SURGUNT QVE CADUNT QVE VICISSIM.  
His whole trust reposed that good Divine in God, which after some adversities set up a Rock beaten with wind & weather, to express his state yet standing, with DEO IWANTE, DEO CONSERVANTE.  
Heavenly cogitations were in him, who only figured a man kneeling, with ●is hands lifted up to the heavens, with this inscribed, SUPREMA OPTIMA MUNDI.  
A very good invention was that to show his stay and support by a virgin Prince, who presented in his shield, the Zodiac with the Characters only of Leo and Virgo, and this word, HIS EGO PRAESIDIIS.  
It may be thought that he noted deserts to be every where excluded, and mere hap to raise most men, who inscribed within a Laurel Garland, FATO, NON MERITO.  
A lavish tongue might seem to have damnified the Gentleman which took for his device Landscape, as they call it, and solitary Mountains, with TUTI MONTES, TUTUM SILENTIUM.  
He had no great care to express his conceit in an Impreze, which nevertheless he did express, which bore a white shield enscribed, NEC CURA, NEC CHARACTER.  
No Knight of Venus was he, who as triumphing over her force, bore her Son winged Cupid in a net, with QVI CAPIT, CAPITUR.  
The Star called Spica Virgins, one of the fifteen which are accounted to be of the first magnitude among the Astronomers, with a scroll in written, MIHI VITA SPICA VIRGINS, declared thereby haply, that he had that Star in the ascendent at his Nativity, or rather, that he lived by the gracious favour of a virgin Prince.  
One in our seafaring age adventuring himself and all he had to the Seas, proposing no certain arrival to himself, made a Ship with full sails in the Sea, and superscribed, PORTUS IN IGNOTO.  
His mind mounted above the mean, which devised for himself, one that had clambered much more than half the way of a sleep Mountain, adding this word near him, DIXERUNT FATVI, omitting the other part of the verse, Medicum tenuere beati.  
Likewise he hoped to attain the height of his desire, which made one climbing to the middle of a Pyramid, with HAC SPE, by him, and ILLIC SPES above him.  
Another also which climbed in his conceit, but as it seemeth fearing a fall, made a man upon the upper degree● of a Ladder, with this Mot adjoined, NON QVO, SED unde CADO.  
He referred Fate, Fortune and all to his Sovereign, which drew for himself the twelve houses of heaven, in the form which Astrologians use, setting down neither Sign, nor Planet therein, but only placing over it this word, DISPONE.  
The like reference had he which only used a white Shield, and therein written, FATUM INSCRIBAT ELIZA.  
It may be doubtful whether he affected his Sovereign, or justice more zealously, which made a man hover in the air, with FEROR AD ASTAEAM.  
You may easily conjecture what he conceived, who in his shield reared an Oar with a ●aile fastened thereunto, adding. for'rs ET VIRTUS MISCENTUR IN VNUM.  
Full of loving affection was he to his Lady, which bore a Rose upon his pricking branch, and ABIGITQVE TRAHITQVE.  
With many a blustering blast he seemed to have been tossed, which painted an Horizon, with all the Cardinal and collateral winds blowing, and in the midst RAPIUNT QVEFERUNT QVE.  
As to the honour of Magellanus (whose ship first passed round about the world, though he miscarried) was devised the terrestrial Globe, with, TV PRIMUS CIRCUMDEDISTI ME. So our Sir Francis Drake, who fortunately effected the same, had devised for him a Globe terrestrial, upon the height whereof in a ship under sail, trained about the Globe with two golden hawsers, by direction of an hand out of a cloud, and a dragon volant upon the hatches, regarding the direction with these words, AVXI●IO DIVINO.  
An Impreze too perplexed and unfitting for so worthy a man, who as one said to him most excelently in this Distich 
PLUS VLTRA, Herculeis inscribas Drake 〈◊〉,  
Et magno dicas Hercule maior 〈◊〉.   
A man ve●●ly worthy to be eternised by some good p●n, as also his servant john Oxenham, who arriving with 70. men in the strait of Dariena in America▪ drew a land his ship▪ and hiding it with boughs, marched over the l●nd with his company, guided by negroes, until be came to a river where he cut wood made him a Pinnace, entered the South sea, went to the Island of Pearls, lay there ten days, intercepted in two Spanish ships 60. thousand weight of gol●e, and one hundred thousand in bars of silver, returned safely to the main land: but through the mutiny of his soldiers he miscarried, and as the Poet saith, Magnu excidit ausis. In an adventure never attempted by any, and therefore not to be forgotten, when as the Lopez a Spaniard hath recorded it not without admiration, as you may see in the Discoveries of the learned and industrious M Rich. Ha●kluit: But pardon this d●gression occasioned by the memory of Sir Fr. Drake.  
It seemed a difficulty unto him to l●●e rightly, either in liberty or in bondage, w●i●h painted one Greyhound coursing, with, IN LIBERTATE LABOUR, and another ●i●d to a tree gazing on the game, with, IN SERVITUTE DOLOUR.  
I can not imagine what he m●ant, which too●e for his devise a small brook passing along the lands ●●ldly, till it came to a dam, and there rising and raging overflowed the lands, with, MAGIS MAGIS QVE, written in the place overflowed: unless he would give us to understand that the more his affections were stopped, the more they were stirred.  
He which took a man armed at all points with, ME, ET MEUM, while he showed a resolution in his own behalf, forgot God, and that of King Henry the eight, DIEV ET MON DROIT, God and my right.  
In the Imprese of Ruscelli, I find that Sir Ri●hard Shetley, Knight of S: Ioh●s, used a white Falcon, with th●s Spanish Motto, FE Y FIDALGVIA. Id est. Faith and gentleness, which Falcon he quartered in his arme● by the name of Michelgrove, As they say.  
Whereas the Laurel sacred to learning is never hurt by lightning, and therefore the Cock resorteth thereunto in tempests, as natural Historians testify. He seemed studious of good learning, and fearful of danger, which caused to be painted for him a Cock under a Laurel, with, SIC EVIT ABILE FULMFN. An amorous affection was only noted in him which set down an eye in an heart, with, WLNUS ALO.  
He also held one course, and leveled at one mark, which made a River in a long tract disgorging himself into the Sea, with SEMPER AD MARE.  
He doubted not to find the right course by indirect means, which did set down a spherical crooked pair of Compasses, with PER OBLIQVA RE●TA.  
He proposed to himself honour in Martial service, which made a Trophy, or trunk of a tree, with harness and habiliments of war, and a Sepulchre not far off, adding underneath, AUT SPOLIIS LAETEMUR OPIMIS. Omitting that which followeth in Virg●●l, Aut Laetho insigni.  
A wary man would he seem, and careful for his own, which showed a village on fire, with I AM PROXIMUS ARDET.  
Tired might he seem with Law-delayes, or such like suits, which devised for himself a tottering ship with torn sails driven up and down, with I AM SEUTIMA PORTAT. You know what followeth, Omn●bus errantem terris & fluctibus astas.  
In the beginning of her late majesties reign, one upon happy hope conceyved, made an half of the Zodiac, with Virgo rising, adding I AM REDIT ET VIRGO: Suppressing the words following, Redeunt Saturma regna.  
Variety and vicissitude of human things he seemed to show, which parted his shield, Per Pale, Argent, & Sables, and counterchangeably writ in the Argent, ATER, and in the Sables, ALBUS.  
He elegantly showed by whom he was drawn, which depainted the Nautical compass, with, AUT MAGNES, AVI MAGNA.  
Another ascribing his life and all to his Lady, pictured at 〈◊〉 near a spring, and at the root thereof, QVOD VIVAM TWM.  
He showed himself to be a martial, and a Mercurial man, which bore a sword in one hand, and a Bay in the other, with ARTI ET MARTI.  
It might seem a craving Impreze, which set nothing but Ciphers down in a ro●le, with ADD VELURE VNUM.  
Likewise he which set down the nine numeral figures▪ with ADD, VEL ADIME.  
His meaning might be perceyved out of the last Eglogue of Virgil, containing Gallus loving lamentations, which po●● trayed a tree, and in the bark engraved E, adding this word, CRES●ETIS.  
Studious in Alchemy might he seem, or in some abstruse Art which he could not find out, which showed for his devise only a golden branch, with LATET ARBORE OPACA.  
He se●med not to respect hopeful tokens without good effects, which made a ship sinking, and the Rainbow appearing, with QVID TV, SI PEREO.  
I know one which overcome with a predominant humour was so troubled with a fanciful urine cogitation, so that no counsel or company could withdraw him from it, figured a man with a shadow pro●ected before him, with this word, IT COMES.  
A Gentleman scholar drawn from the University where he was well liked to the Court, for which in respect of his bashful modesty, he was not so fit; painted a red coral branch, which while it grew in the sea was green, with this, NUNC RUBEO, ANTE VIREBAM.  
Master Richard Carew of Anthony, when he was in his tender years, devised for himself an Adamant upon an Anvil, with a hand holding an hammer thereover, and this Italian Motto, I VERACE DURERA: which also contained his name Anagranimatically.  
He seemed not to be sufficiently warmed, living in the Sunshine of the Court, which framed for his devise a glass of parabolical concavity, or burning glass as some call it, with the Sun shining over it, and a combustible matter kindled under it, with NEC DUM CALESCO.  
He doubted not but continual suit would mollify his Mistress heart, which made an eye-dropping tears upon an heart, SAEPE CADINDO.  
He lacked but some gracious hand to effect some matter well forward, which made more than half a circle with a pair of compasses, the onefoote fixed in the centre, the other in the circumference, placing thereby, ADD MANUM.  
His conceit was godly and ●owe spondent to his name, who made an, Hart to his race to a fountain and over it, VT CFRWS FONTEM, and under it, SIC ABRAHAMVS CHRISTUM. The meaning is plain to all which know Scriptures, and I take the Gentleman's name to be Abraham Hartwell: The same Impreze was used by Boromeo the best Cardinal which I have heard of, but with this word, una SALUS.  
When the Spania●ds purposed the invasion 1588., and their Navy was scattered to their confusion, by a ship fired and carried among them by direction from her late Majesty. A Gentleman depainted that Navy in confusion with a fired ship approaching, adding to her honour out of Virgil: DUX FAEMINA FACTI.  
This calls another to my remembrance, which I have seen cast in silver, as concerning that matter, A great Navy upon the sea near the South coast of England, with VENIT, VIDIT, FUGIT: As that of julius Caesar, when he had overcome Pharmaces, VENI, VIDI, VICI.  
About that time, when some dislikes grew between the English and the States of the united Provinces, they fearing that it might tend to the hurt of both, caused to be imprinted two pitchers floating on the water upon a Medalia, with SI COLLIDIMUR, FRANGIMUR.  
In the like sense, there were comed pieces with two Oxen drawing the plough, the one marked with a rose for England, the other with a Lion on the shoulder for Holland, and written thereby, TRAHITE A QVO JUGO.  
He measured himself with a mean, and seemed to rest content, which made a Tortoise in his shell, with MECUM HABITO.  
His conceit was obscure to me which painted a savage of America pointing toward the Sun, with TIBI ACCESSV, MIHI DECESSV.  
Sir Philip Sidney, who was a long time heir apparent to the Earl of Leicester, after the said Earl had a son borne to him, used at the next Tilte-day following SPERAVI, thus dashed through, to show his hope therein was dashed.  
He signified himself to be revived with gracious favour, which made the Sunshining upon a●●●hered tree, but new blooming, with this, HIS RADIIS REDIVIVA VIRESCO.  
The late Earl of Essex took a Diamond only amidst his shield, with this about it, DUM FORMAS MINVIS: Diamonds, as all know, are impaired while they are fashioned and pointed.  
Sir Henry Lea upon some Astrological consideration, used to her late Majesties he now, the whole constellation of Ariadne's crown, culminant in her nativity, with this word: CAELUM QVE SOLUMQVE BE AVIT.  
A settled conscience did he show, which made a Haleyon hover against the wind with, CONSTANS CONTRARIA SPERNIT. The Fishers do say, that when it is dead and hanged up, turneth the belly always to the wind.  
He might seem to be in some hard distress, which carried a Viper upon his hand, with this word over written, MORS, VEL MORSUS.  
He might seem to reach at some of Vulcan's order, which made a Buck casting his horns, with INERMIS DEFORMIS over him; and under him, CUR DOLENT HABENTES?  
It was some loving conceit expressed by him, which bore two Torches, the one light, the other out, with, EXTINGVOR A SIMILI.  
Another presenting himself at the Tilt, to show himself to be but young in these services, and resolving of no one Impreze, took only a white shield, as all they did in old time, that had exploited nothing: and in the base point thereof made a Painter's pencil, and a little shell of colours, with this Spanish word, HAZED ME QVE QVIRES, ●d est, Make of me what you will.  
At that time one bare a pair of Scales, with fire in one balance, and smoke in the other, thereby written, PONDER ARE, ere ARE.  
The same day was borne by an other, many flies about a candle, with, SIC SPLENDIDIORA PETUNTUR.  
In an other shield, (if I am not deceived) drops fell down into a fire, and there-under was written, TAMEN NON EXTINGVENDA.  
The Sun in another shield did seem to cast his rays upon a star, partly over-shadowed with a cloud, and thereby was set down, TANTUM, QVANTUM.  
A letter folded and sealed up, superscribed, LEGE ET RELEGE, was borne by another, and this last I refer to the Readers consideration.  
Confident was he in the goodness of his cause, and the justice of our Land, who only pictured Iustiti● with her Balance and Sword, and this being an Anagramme of his name, DUM ILLA, EVINCAM.  
For whom also was devised by his learned friend, Pallas defensive Shield with G●rg●ns head thereon, in respect of his late sovereigns most gracious patronage of him, with this Anagrammaticall word, NIL MALUM, CVI DEA.  
Caetera desunt.   

¶ Grave Speeches, and witty Apothegms of worthy Personages of this Realm in former times.  
TWenty years since, while I: Bishop (whose memory for his learning is dear to me) and myself turned over all our Historians we could then find, for divers ends, we began to note apart the Apothegms or Speeches (call them what ye will) of our nation. Which since that time I have so far increased, as our Countrey-Writers spare in this point, have afforded; and here do offer them unto you. Albeit I do know they will lie open to the censure of the youth of our time, who for the most part, are so over-gulled with self-liking, that they are more than giddy in admiring themselves, and carping whatsoever hath been done or said heretofore, Nevertheless I hope that all are not of one humour, and doubt not, but that there is diversity of tastes, as was among Horace's guests; so that which seemeth unsavoury to one, may seemed dainty to another, and the most witless speech that shallbe set down, will seem witty to some. We know that whereas Diana's Temple at Ephesus was burned that night that Alexander the Great was borne; 
●●eer. de Nat. Deorum lib. 2.  one said, It was no marvel, for she was then absent, as mother Midwise, 
Plutarch in Alexand●●.  at so great a childbirth▪ Tully doth commend this for a witty conceit, and Plutarch condemneth it as a witless jest. The like is to be looked for in these, which nevertheless whatsoever they are in themselves, or in other men's judgements, I commend them to such indifferent, courteous, modest Readers, as do not think basely of the former ages, their country, and countrymen; leaving to other to gather the pregnant Apothegms of our time, which I know will find far more favour. And that I may set them in order of time, I will begin with the ancient Britan Prince, called by the Romans Caratacu● (haply in his own tongue Caradoc) who flourished in the parts now called Wales, about the sixt●eth year after the birth of Christ.  
CAratacus a Britain that 9 years withstood the Roman puissance, was at length vanquished, and in triumphant manner with his wife, daughters, and brethren, presented to Claudius the Emperor, in the view of the whole city of Rome. But he nothing appalled with this adversity, delivered this speech; Had my moderation and carriage in prosperity, been answerable to my Nobility and Estate, I might have come hither rather a friend than a captive; neither would you have disdained to have entered amity with me being nobly descended and sovereign over many people. My present state, as it is reproachful to me, ●o it is honourable to you: I had horsemen, munition and money, what marvel is it, if I were loath to lose thames If you will be soveraign● over all, by consequence all must serve you: Had I yielded at the first, neither my power, nor your glory had been renewned, and after my execution oblivion bade ansewed: But if you save my use, I shall be for ever a precedent and proof of your clemency. This manly speech purchased pardon for him and his, and the Senate assembled adjudged the taking of this poor Prince of Wales, as glorious, as the conquering of Syphax King of Numidia by P. Scipio, or of Perses King of Macedonia by L. Paulus. [Tacitu●]  
When this 〈◊〉 now enlarged was carried about to see the state and magnificence of Rome, Why do you (said he) so greedily desire our poor cottages, when as you have such stately and magnifical palaces? [Zonaras]  
In the time of Nero, when the Britan's could no longer bear the injustice wherewith the Romans both h●re and elsewhere grounded their greatness; Bundica, called by some Boadicia, Princess then of the parts of Norfolk and Suffolk, exceedingly injuried by them, animated the Britan● to shake off the Roman bondage, and concluded: Let the romans which are no better than Hares and F●xe● understand that they make a wrong match with Wool●es and greyhounds: And with that word let an Hare o●t of her lap, as a fore-token of the Romans fearfulness, but the success of the b●ttell proved otherwise. [Xiphilinus.]  
Calgacus a warlike Britan commanding in the north part of this Isle, when he had encouraged his people with a long speech to withstand the Romans ready to invade them, concluded emphatically with these words, You are now come to the shock, think of your ancestors, think of your posterity: for the Britan's before the arrival of the Romans enjoyed happy liberty, and now were in danger of most heavy slavery.  
Severus the Emperor an absolute Lord of the most part of this Isle, when from mean estate he had ascended to the highest honour, was wont to say, I have been all, and am never the better.  
When he lay sick of the gout at York, and the soldiers had saluted his son there by the name of Augustus as their Sovereign: he got him up, caused the principal practisers of that fact to be brought before him, and when they prostrate craved pardon, he laying his hand upon his head, said; You shall understand, that my head, and not my feet doth govern the Empire: and shortly after ended his life in the city of York with these words; I found the State troublesome every where, and I leave it quiet even to the Britan's, and the Empire sure and firm to my children, if they be good, but unsure and weak if they be bad: A man he was very industrious, of marvelous dispatch, and so enured in continual action, that at the last gasp he said, And is there any thing for me to do now?  
While he ruled, the world was so loose that three thousand were indicted at Rome of adultery, at which time julia the Empress blamed the wife of Argetocox a northern Britain Lady, that the British women did not according to womanhood carry themselves, in accompanying with men, (for then ten or twelve men had two or three wives common among them.) But she not ignorant of the Roman incontinency, replied; We accompany indeed with the best and bravest men openly, but most vile and base companions do use you secretly. [Xiphilinus]  
At York also died Constantinus Chlorus the Emperor, who being not able to furnish Dioclesian his consort in the Empire with such a mass of money, as he required at that instant, said, He thought it better for the commonweal that many should be in the hands of private men, then shut up in the Emperor's coffers; concurring with Trajan, who compared the treasure of the Prince unto the spleen, that the greater it groweth, the limbs are the lesser. [Eusebius.]  
His son C●nstantine, invested in the Empire at York, (and a Britain borne as all Writers consent, beside Nicophorus who lived not long since, and now Lipsius deceived by the false printed copy of jul. Firmicus,) the first Emperor which advanced the faith of Christ, followed the humility of Christ, for he used to call the common people, His fellow servants and brethren of the Church of God.  
When a flattering Priest (for in all ages the clerical will flatter, as well the Laical) told him that his godliness & virtues justly deserved to have in this world the empire of the world, and in the world to come, to reign with the son of God: The humble Emperor cried, Fie, fie, for shame, let me hear no more such unseemly speeches: but rather suppliantly pray unto my Almighty Maker, that in this life, and in the life to come, I may seem worthy to be his servant.  
When he sought by severe edicts to abolish all heathenish superstition, and laboured by godly laws to establish the true religion and service of Christ; yea, and uncessantly endeavoured to draw men unto the faith, persuading, reproving, praying, entreating in time, out of time, publicly and privately: he one day said merrily, yet truly unto the Bishop, that he had bidden to a banquet, As ye be Bishops within the Church, so may I also seem to be a Bishop out of the Church.  
He dissuading one from covetousness, did with his lance draw out the length and breadth of a man's grave, saying: This is all that thou shalt have when thou art dead, if thou canst happily get so much.  
He made a law, that no Christian should be bondman to a jew, and if that any jew did buy any Christian for his slave, he should be fined therefore, and the Christian enfranchised; adding this reason: That it stood not with equity, that a Christian should be slave unto the murderers of Christ.  
Ethelbert King of Kent, was hardly induced to embrace Christian Religion at the persuasion of Augustine, sent to convert the English Nation: but at length, being persuaded and desirous to be baptised, said: Let us come also to the King of Kings, and giver of Kingdoms: it may redound to our shame, that we which are first in authority, should come list to Christianity: But I do beseech that true King, that he would not respect the precedence in time, but devotion of my m●nde, [joscelinus.]  
When Paulinus brought unto Edwin king of Northumberland, the glad tidings of the salvation of mankind by Christ, and preached the Gospel unto the king and his Nobility, zealously and eloquently, opening unto them the mysteries of our faith and precepts of Christian Religion; one of the Lords thus spoke unto the King, (but some now happily will smile at this speech,) We may ●●ely compare man's state unto this little Robbin-redbrest, that is now in this cold weather here in the wa●me chamber chirpeng and singing merrily, and as long as she shall remain here, we shall see and understand how she doth: but anon when she shall be flown hence abroad into the wide world, and shall be forced to feel the bitter storms of hard winter, we shall not know what shall become of her: So likewise we see how men fare as long as they live among us, but after they be dead, neither we nor our Religion have any knowledge what becomes of them: Wherefore I do think it wisdom to give care unto this man, who seemeth to show us, not only what shall become of us, but also how we may obtain overlasting life hereafter. Beda.  
When Rodoald king of the East Angles, being won with rewards, was shamefully minded to have delivered unto Edelfride the king of Northumberland, the innocent Prince Edwin, who had fled unto him to be saved from the bloody hands of Edelfride, who had unlawfully bereft him of his kingdom: His wife turned his intent, by telling him, that It stood not with the high and sacred state of a King to buy and sell the bodies of men, as it were a peti●chapman: or that which is more dishonourable, slave-like to sell away his faith, a thing which he ought to hold more precious than all the gold and gems of the whole world yea and his own life. Beda.  
Ina King of Westsaxons, had three daughters, of whom upon a time he demanded whether they did love him, and so would do during their lives above all others; the two elder swore deeply they would, the youngest, but the wisest told her father flatly without flattery, That albest she did love, honour, and reverence him, and so would whilst she lived, as much as nature and daughterly duty at the uttermost could expect: Yet she did think that one day it would come to pass, that she should affect another more servently, meaning her husband, when she were married: Who being made one flesh with her as God by commandment had told, and nature had taught h●r she was to cleave fast to, forsaking father and mother, kiss and kin. [Anonymus.] One referreth this to the daughters of king Leir.  
Imperious was that speech of Theodore the Grecian, Archbishop of Canterbury, in depriving a poor English Bishop, Although we can charge you with nothing, yet that we w●●l we will: like to that, Sie volo, sic ●ubeo, stat pro ratione voluntas: But humble was the English Bishops reply: Paul appealed from the jews to Caesar, and I from you to Christ. Vita S. Wilfredi.  
The reverend Bede, whom we may more easily admire, than sufficiently praise for his profound learning in a most barbarous age, when he was in the pangs of death, said to the standers by; I have so lived among you, that I am not ashamed of my life, neither fear I to die, because I have a most gracious Redeemer. He yielded up his life with this prayer for the Church; O King of glory, Lord of Hosts, which hast triumphantly ascended into heaven, leave us not fatherless, but send the promised spirit of thy truth amongst us. Some write that he went to Rome, and interpreted there S, P, Q, R, in derision of the Goths swarming to Reme, Stultus Populus Quaerit Roman: and that in his return he died at Genoa, where they show his tomb: But certain it is that he was sent for to Rome by Sergius the Pope, and more certain that he died at Weremouth, and from thence was translated to Durham: And that I may incidently note that which I have heard: Not many years since a French Bishop returning out of Scotland, coming to the Church of Durham, and brought to the shrine of Saint Cu●hbert, kneeled down, and after his devotions, offered a Baubie, saying; Sancte Cuthberte, si sanctus si●, ora pro me: But afterward, being brought unto the Tomb of Bed●, saying likewise his Orisons, offered there a French crown with this alteration, Sancte Beda, quia sanctus es, ora pro me.  
johannes Erigena surnamed Scotus, a man renowned for learning, sitting at the Table, in respect of his learning, with Charles' the bawld Emperor and King of France, behaved himself as a slovenly Scholar, nothing Courtly; whereupon the Emperor asked him merrily, Quid interest inter Scotum & Sotum; What is between a Scot and a Sot? He merrily, but yet malapertly answered, Mensa, The Table; as though the Emperor were the Sot, and he the Scot [Rog: Hovede●us,]  
On an other time the Emperor did serte down unto him a dish with two fair great fishes, and one little one, willing him to be carver unto two other Scholars that fate beneath him: Then Master john, who was but a little man, laid the two great fishes upon his own trencher, and set down the one little fish unto the other two Scholars, who were big men. Which when the Emperor saw, he smiling said; In good faith Master john, you are no indifferent divider: Yes if it like your Highness, very indifferent (said he) for here (pointing to himself and the two great fishes) be two great ones, and a little one, and so yonder (reaching his hand towards the Scholars) are two great ones and a little one. Idem  
Wenefridus borne at Kirton in Devonshire, after furnamed Boniface, who converted Freesel and to Christianity, was wont to say, In old time there were golden Prelates, and wooden Chalices, but in his time wooden Prelates, and golden Chalices. [Beatus Rhenanus libr. 2. rerum Germen●arum.]  
Ethelwold the Bishop of Winchester in the time of king Edgar, in a great famine, sold away all the sacred gold and silver vessels of all his church, to relieve the hunger-starved poor people, saying, That there was no reason that the senseless temples of God should abound in riches, and living temples of the holy-ghost starve for hunger.  
Whenas Kinnad King of Scot● a vassal to King Eadgar of England, had said at his Table, That it stood not with the honour of the Princes of this Isle to be subject to that Dandiprat Eadgar, who was indeed but of small stature, yet full of courage. He understanding thereof withdrew Kinnad privately into a wood, as though he had to confer with him of some important secret; where he offered him the choice of two swords, prepared for that purpose, with these words, Now we are alone, you may try your manhood: now may it appear who should be subject to the other: retire not one foot back: It standeth not with the honour of Princes to brave it at the Table, and not to dare it in the field. But Kinad heere-at dismayed, desired pardon by excuse, and obtained it. [Malmesburiensis pag. 33.]  
The same king Eadgar, having brought into his subjection the aforesaid Kinnad king of Scots, Malcolm king of Cumberland, Mac cuis the arch pirate lord of the Isles, with Dufnall, Griffith, Howell, jacob, Iudethil● Princes of Wales, was rowed by them in triumphant manner in his barge upon the river of Dee at Chester, at which time it is reported he said; Then may my successors the Kings of England glory, when they shall do the like. [Marianus Scotus Anno 973.  
When Hinguar of Denmark came so suddenly upon Edmund the king of the Eastangles, that he was forced to seek his safety by flight, he happened unhappily on a troop of Danes, who fell to examining of him, whether he knew where the king of the Eastangles was, whom Edmund thus answered; Even now when I was in the palace, he was there, and when I went from thence, he departed thence, and whether he shall escape your hands or no, only God knoweth. But so soon as they once heard him name God, the godless infidels pitifully martyred him. [Vita Sancti Edmundi.  
When Brithwold a noble Saxon marching against the Danes encamped near Maldon, was invited by the Abbot of Elie to take his dinner with him, he refusing, answered; He would not dine from his companies, because he could not fight without his companies. Liber Eliensis.  
King Canutus, commonly called Knute, walking on the sea sands near to Southampton, was extolled by some of his flattering followers, and told that he was a king of kings, the mightiest that reigned far and near, that both sea and land were at his command: But this speech did put the godly King in mind of the infinite power of God, by whom Kings have and enjoy their power, and thereupon he made this demonstration to refel their flattery: He took off his cloak, and wrapping it round together, s●te down upon it near to the sea, that then began to slow, saying, Sea, I command thee that thou touch not my feet: 〈◊〉 he had not so soon spoken the word, but the surging wave dashed him. He then rising up, and going back, said: Ye see now my Lord, what good cause you have to call me a King, that am not able by my commandment to stay one wave: no morta●l man doubtless is worthy of such an 〈◊〉 name, no man hath such command, but one King, which ruleth all: Let us honour him, let us call him King of all kings, and Lord of all nations: Let us not only confess, but also profess him to be ruler of the heavens, sea, an● land. [Polydorus and others.  
When Edric the extorte● was deprived by King C●ute of the government of Mercia; he impatient of the disgrace, told him he had deserved better, for that to pleasure him, he had first revolted from his Sovereign king Edmund, and also dispatched him. Whereat C●ute all appalled, answered; And thou shalt die for thy desert, when●● thou art a traitor to God and me, in killing thy king, and my confederate brother; His blood be upon thy head, which hast laid hands upon the Lords anointed. Some report that he said; For his deserts he should be advanced above all the Nobility of England, which h● c●mmediately performed, advancing his head upon the Tower of London. [Florilegus.  
King Edward the Confessor, one afternoon lying in his bed with the curtain, drawn round about him, a poor pilfering Courtier came into his chamber, where finding the King's Casket open, which Hugoline his chamberlain had forgotten to shut, going forth to pay money in haste, he took out so much money as he could● well carry, and went away. But insatiable desire brought him again, and so the third time, when the King who lay still all this while, and would not seem to see, began to speak to him, and bade him speedily be packing; For he was well if he could see, for if Hugoline came and took him there, he were not only like to lose all that he had gotten, but also stretch an halter. The fellow was no sooner gone, but Hugoline came in; and finding the Casket open, and much money taken away, was greatly moved: But the King willed him not to he grieved, For (said he) he that hath it had more need of it then we have. This at that time was adjudged Christian lenity, but I think in our age it will be accounted simplicity in the worst sense. [Vita Sancti Edwardi.  
This Edward hasted out of Normandy, whither his expelled father king Ethelred had fled with him, with a great power to recover the kingdom of England from the Danes, near unto whose forces he was encamped, ready to give them battle: But when his Captains promised him assured victory, and that they would not leave one Dane alive: God forbid (quoth Edward,) that the kingdom should be recovered for me one man, by the death of so many thousand men: It is better that I do lead a private and unbloody life, then be a King by such but cherry: And therewithal broke up Camp and retired into Normandy, where he stayed until God sent opportunity to obtain the kingdom without blood. [Paulus Aemilius.]  
Harold as he waited on the cup of the said king Edward, chanced to stumble with one foot that he almost kissed the ground, but with the other leg he recovered himself and saved the wine, whereat his father Godwyn Earl of Kent, who then dined with the King, smiling sa●d: Now one brother did help another: At this word, although spoken proverbially, the King's blood began to rise, thinking how shamefully they had murdered his brother Alfrede, and angrily answered: And so might my brother have been a help to me, if it had pleased you. [VitaS. Edward's.]  
The same king Edward passing out of this life, commended his wise to the Nobility, and said; That she had carried herself as his wife abroad, but as his sister or daughter at home: Afterward seeing such as were present weeping and lamenting for him, he said; If you loved me, you would for bear weeping and rejoice, because I go to my father, with whom I shall receive the joys promised to the faithful, not through my merits, but by the free mercy of my Saviour, which showeth mercy on whom he pleaseth. [Eilredus Rivallensis]  
Sywarde the martial Earl of Northumberland, feeling in his sickness that he drew towards his end, arose out of his bed and put on hi● Armour, saying, That it became not a valiant man to die lying, like a beast: and so he gave up the Ghost standing: As valiantly both spoken and performed, as it was by Vespasian.  
When the said Siward understood that his son whom he had sent in service against the Scottishmen, was stain, he demanded whether his wound were in fore part or hinder pa●t of his body, when it was answered in the fore part, he replied: I am right glad, neither wish any other death to me or mine. [Hen. Hunt●ngdon.]  
In this age when a Bishop living loosely was charged that his conversation was not according to the Apostles lives, he made a mock at it▪ and excused himself with this verse, which was after taken up for a common excuse in that behalf: Nunc aliud tempus, a●●j pro tempere m●res. [Anonymus.]  
When the fatal period of the Saxon Empire was now complete, and battles were marshaled between William Duke of Normandy, and Harold King of England, Girthe harold younger brother, not holding it best to hazard the kingdom of England at one cast, signified to the King, that the success of war was doubtful, that victory was swayed rather by fortune than by valour, that advised delay was most important in Martial affairs, and if so be brother (said he,) You have plighted your faith to the Duke, retire yourself, for no force can serve against a man's own conscience, God will revenge the violation of an ●the: You may reserve yourself to give them a new encounter, which will be more to their terror: As for me, if you will commit the charge to me, I will perform both the part of a kind brother, and a courageous Leader. For being clear in conscience, I shall sell my life, or discomfit your enemy with more felicity.  
But the King not liking his speech, answered: I will never turn my back with dishonour to the Norman, neither can I in any sort digest the reproach of a base mind: Well, then be it so, (said some discontented of the company,) let him bear the brunt that hath given the occasion. [Anonymus.]  
WIlliam Conqueror when he invaded this Island, chanced at his arrival to be graveled, and one of his feet stack so fast in the sand, that he fell to the ground. Wherewithal one of his attendants caught him by the arm and helped him up, saying: Stand up my ●iege Lord and be of good cheer, for now you have taken fast footing in England: and then espying that he brought up sand and earth in his hand, added: Yea and you have taken livery and seisin of the Country: For you know that in delivering of livery and seisin, a piece of the earth is taken. [Hist. Normanica.]  
A Wizard, (or a Wiseman as they then called them,) had foretold William that he should safely arrive an England with his whole Army, without any impeachment of Harold: the which after it came it pass, the King sent for the Wizard to confer further with him. But when it was told him that he was drowned in that ship which only of all the whole fleet miscarried, The Conqueror said: He would never make account of that science that profited more the ignorant than the skilful therein, for he could foresee my good fortune, but not his own mishap. [Idem.]  
That morning that he was to join battle with Harold, his atmorer put on his backe-peece before, and his breastplate behind, the which being espied by some that stood by, was taken on them for an ill token, and therefore advised him not to fight that day; to whom the Duke answered: I force not of such fooleries, but if I have any skill 〈◊〉 Soothsaying, (as in sooth I have none,) it doth prognosticate that I shall change copy from a Duke to a King. [Idem.]  
Magic in the time of Ner●, was discovered to be but a vanity, in the declining state of the Roman Empire accounted by the Gentiles a verity: in the time of Hildebrand, (if we believe Authors,) so approved that it was commonly practised: For as in the time of Valets, diverse curious men (as hath been said,) by the falling of a ring Magically prepared upon the letters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, judged that one Theodorus should succeed in the Empire, when indeed Theodosius did. So when Hildebrand was Pope, by like curiosities it was found that Odo should succcede. Whereupon Odo Earl of Kent, and Bishop of Bayeux, brother to king William the Conqueror, devoured the Papacy in hope, sent money his persuading messengers to Rome, perchased a palace there, and prepared thitherward; when king William for his presumption, and other his misdemenours stayed him, and committed him, saying: Offensive foole-hardines must be timely restrained [Liber Cadomensis.]  
When the same Od● who was both Bishop of Bai●ux in Normandy, and Earl of Kent, in former time had so disloyally carried himself against king William the Conqueror, that he complained of him to his Lords: Lanfranc Archbishop of Canterbury advised the King to commit him. But what say you● (quoth the King,) whenas he is a Clergyman? You may not, said he, commit the Bishop of Baieux, but you may well 〈◊〉 the Earl of Kent [W: Malmsbur] Like unto this was that distinction of Pyramus, Secretary to Charles the fifth in late years, when Pope julius the second did combine with the French king, against the Emperor, of the Pope's honesty, and julius dishonesty.  
This King William, by reason of sickness, kept his chamber a long time, whereat the French King scoffing said: The King of England heth long in childbed. Which when it was reported unto King William, he answered; When I am churched there shall be a thousand lights in France: (alluding to the lights that women used to bear when they were churched,) and that he performed within few days after, wasting the French frontiers with fire and sword.  
The same King at the time of his death, said; I appoint 〈◊〉 successor in the kingdom of England, but I commend it to the eternal God, whose I am, and in whose hands all things are: haply remembering that of the Monk before specified, pag. 5.  
This king perceiving his own defects, in some points, for want of learning, did exhort his children oftentimes to learning with this saying, An unlearned Prince is a crowned Ass: Which speech took so great impression in his son Henry, that he obtained by study and learning the surname of Beauclearke, or fine Scholar. [annal Ecclesia Cant. Malmesburiensi●.  
William Rufus loved well to keep vacant bishoprics and Abbeys in his hands, saying; Christ's bread is sweet, dainty, and most delicate for Kings.  
But although this King made most commonly, as it were, port-sale of the Spiritual livings; yet when two Monks were at drop-vied Bezantines (the currant gold of that age) before him for an Abbey, he espied a third Monk of their company standing in a corner, whom the King asked, what he would give to be Abbot? Not one farthing (said he) for I renounced the world and riches, that I might serve God more sincerely. Then (said the King) thou art most worthy to be made Abbot, and thou shalt have it. [Liber Cantuar.  
When news were brought him that the French King had besieged the city of Constances' in Normandy, ●e posted with a few to the sea coast, to take ship. But because the wind blew very strong from South, the sailors signified, that it was very dangerous for him to take Sea, but the King replied, Hoist up sails in God's name, for I have not heard of a King drowned by tempest: You shall see both wind and weather serviceable to us. Answerable to that of julius Caesar, which enforced a poor Pilot in the like case to launch forth, and in the rage of the storm comforted him with saying, Caesarem & Caesaris fortunam vebis. And as courageously as that of Charles the fifth, who in the battle of Tunis when he was advised by the Marquis of Gu●sto to retire his person, when the great ordnance began to play, said; marquess, thou never heardst that an Emperor was slain with a great shot.  
I will here present you with an other speech (or call it what you will) of the same King William Rufus, out of the good and historical Poet Robert of Gloucester, that you may compare a Prince's pride in that age, with our private pride, and that our first finest Poets may smile at the verses of that time, as succeeding ages, after some hundred years will haply smile at theirs: 
As his Chamberlain him brought, as he rose on a day.  
A morrow for to wear, a pair of hose of Say:  
He asked what they costned, three shillings he said,  
Fie a dibles quoth the King, who say so vile a deed:  
King to wear so vile a cloth, but it costned more,  
Buy a pair for a mark, or thou shalt ha' cory f●re.  
A worse pair enough, the other swith him brought,  
And said they costned a mark, & uneath he them so bought:  
Ay bel-amy, quoth the King, these were well bought,  
In this manner serve me, other ne serve me not.   
Hitherto also may be referred that of this king William, who the morning before he was slain with an arrow in hunting, told his company he dreamt the last night before, that an extreme cold wind passed through his sides: whereupon some dissuaded him to hunt that day, but he resolved to the contrary answering. They are no good Christians that regard dreams. But he found the dream too true, being shot through the side by Walter Tirell. [Tragmentum antiquae historiae Franc. à P. P●th●● aditum.  
OF Henry the first I have read no memorable speech, but what I have read I will report. He was by common voice of the people commended for his wisdom, eloquence, and victories, dispraised for covetousness, cruelty, and lechery: Of which he left proof by his sixteen bastards. But it seemeth that his justice was deemed by the common people to be cruelty, for the learned of that age surnamed him the Lion of justice, [Huntingd. Polycraticon, Gemeticensis.  
It was the custom of the Court in the time of King Henry the first, that books, bills, and letters should be drawn, and signed for servitors in the Court, concerning their own matters, without fee. But at this time Turstane the king's steward, or Le Despencer, as they then called him, from whom the family of the L. Spencer's came, exhibited to the king a complaint, against Adam of Yarmouth clerk of the Signet, for that he refused to sign without fee, a bill passed for him. The king first heard Turstane, commending the old custom at large, and charging the Clerk for exacting somewhat contrary thereunto, for passing his book. Then the Clerk was heard, who briefly said, I received the Book, and sent unto your steward, desiring him only to bestow of me two spice cakes, 
Gastellos.  made for your own mouth, who returned answer; He would not, and thereupon I denied to seal his Book. The King greatly disliked the steward for returning that negative, and forthwith made Adam sit down upon the bench, with the seal and Turstanes Book before him, but compelled the steward to put off his cloak, to fetch two of the best spice cakes for the kings own mouth, to bring them in a fair white napkin, and wi●h low curtsy to present them to Adam th● Clerk; which being accordingly performed, the King commanded Adam to seal and delive, him his Book, and made them spends, adding this speech, Officers of the Court must gratify, anashew a cast of their office, not only one to another: but also to all strangers, whensoever need shall require. [●ualterus Mapes. De nugis Curialium.  
There was allowed a pottle of wine for livery every night to be served up to king Henry the first chamber, but because the king did seldom or never use to drink in the night, Pain Fitz-Iohn his Chamberlain, and the Pages of the Chamber did carouse the wine among them. On a time it happened the King at midnight called for wine, but none was to be found: Pain and the Pages bestured themselves in vain, seeking wine here ●nd there. Pain was called in to the King, who asked him if there were not allowance for livery: he humbly answered that there was a pottle allowed every night, but for that he never called for it (to say the truth in hope of pardon) we drunk it up amongst v●; Then (quoth the King) have you but one pottle every night? that is too short for me and you, from henceforth there shall be a whole gallon allowed, whereof the one pottle shall be for me, the other for you and yours. This I note, not for any gravi●e, but that the King in that age was commended herein both for bounty and clemency. [Cualterus Mapes.  
Queen Maud wife to King Henry the first of England, and daughter to Malcolm Canmore King of Scotland, was so devoutly religious, that she would go to church barefoot, and always exercise herself in works of charity, insomuch that when David her brother came out of Scotland to visit her, he found her in her privy chamber with a towel about her middle, washing, wiping, and kissing poor people's feet, which he disliking said, Verily if the King your husband knew this, you should never kiss his lips. She replied; That the feet of the King of heaven are to be preferred before the lips of a King in earth. [Guil: Malmes: & Math. Paris.  
Simon Deane of Lincoln, who for his Courtlike carriage was called to Court, and became a favourite of this king Henry the first, was wont to say, I am cast among courtiers, as salt among quick Eels, for that he salted, powdered, and made them stir with his salt and sharp quipping speeches. But what saith the Author, who reporteth this of him; The salt lost his season by the moisture of the Eels, and was cast out on the dunghill: For he incurring hatred in Court, was disgraced, committed, and at last banished. Henr. Huntingdon in Epistola.  
WHen the Scots in the time of king Stephen with a great army invaded England, the Northern people brought to the field the Earl of Albemarle the only respective heir of those parts in his cradle, and placed him by the Standard, hoping thereby to animate the people: But Ralph Bishop of Duresme animated them more with this saying, Assure yourselves, that this multitude not trained by discipline will be cumbersome to itself in good success, and in distress easily discomforted. Which proved accordingly, for many Scottishmen left their carcases in the field. [Historiola de Standardo.  
MAwd the Empress, daughter and heir of this king Henry the first, which styled her s●lfe Lady of the Englishmen, would often say to her son king Henry the second; Be hasty in nothing; Hawks are made more serviceable, when ye make fair shows of offering meat often, and yet withhold it the longer. [Cualterus Mapes. Others Maxims of her, In art Reguands proceeding from a niggish old wife I wittingly omit, as unbefitting a Prince.  
Robert Earl of Gloucester base son to king Henry the first, the only martial man of England in his age, used Stephen Beauchampe with all grace and countenance, as his only favourite and privado, to the great dislike of all his followers. Whereupon when he was distressed in a conflict, he called to some of his company for help, but one bitterly bade him, Call now to your Stephen. Pardon me, pardon me, replieth the Earl, In matters of Venery I must use my Stephen, but in Martial affairs I rely who he upon you. [Gualther Mapes de Nugis Curialium.  
HEnry the second caused his eldest son Henry to be crowned k●ng, and that day served him at the Table, Whereupon the archbishop of York said unto the young king, Your Majesty may rejoice, for there is never a Prince in the world that hath this day such a waiter a● his Table as you have. Wonder you so much a● that my Lord (said the young king) and doth my father think it an abasement for him being descended of royal blood, only by his mother, to serve me at the Table, that have both a King to my father, and a Queen to my mother? Which proud speech when the unfortunate father heard, he rounded the Archbishop in the care, and said; I repent me, I repent me of nothing more than of untimely advauncements. [Anonymus.  
Wimund Bishop of the Isle of Man, in the time of King Stephen, a martial Prelate (as many were in that age) after he had with many an inroad annoyed the Scots, some English procured by them suddenly apprehended him, put out his eyes, and gelded him (as my Author saith) for the peace of the kingdom, not for the kingdom of heaven. Who after retiring himself to the Abbey of Biland in Yorkshire, would often courageously say, Had I but a sparrow, eye, my enemies should never carry it away scotfree. [Newbrigensis.]  
When king Plenry the second was at S. Davis in Wales, and from the cliffs there in a clear day discovered the coast of Ireland, that most mighty Monarch of this realm, said; I with my ships am able to make a bridge thither, if it be no further: which speech of his being related to Murchard king of Lemster in Ireland; he demanded if he added not to his speech (with the grace of God:) when it was answered, that he made no mention of God: Then said he more cheerfully, I fear him less which trusteth more to himself, than to the help of God. [Giraldus Cambrensis.  
Owen of Kevelsoc Prince of Powis admitted to the table of king Henry the second at Shrewsbury, the king the more to grace him, reached him one of his own loaves, which he cutting in small pieces, and setting them as far off as he could reach, did eat very leisurely. When the king demanded what he meant thereby, he answered, I do as you my Sovereign, meaning that the king in like manner took the fruition of offices and spiritual preferments, as long as he might. [Giraldus.  
The same king Henry returning out of Ireland, arrived at saint Davis in Wales, where it was signified unto him, that the Conqueror of Ireland returning that way, should die upon a stone called Lech-laver near the churchyard: whereupon in a great presence he pasted over it, and then reproving the Welsh-britans' credulity in Merlin's Prophecies, said; Now who will hereafter credit that liar Merlin? [Giraldus.  
Gilbert Foliot Bishop of London disliking Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury, would say oftentimes, Ad Zachaeum non divertisset Dominus nisi de sicomoro iam descendisset: That Zachaeus had never entertained and lodged Christ, unless he had come down from the fig tree: As though Christ could never like the lofty, until they should humiliate themselves, and come down. [Anonymus Ms.  
The same king would often say, The whole world is 〈◊〉 enough for a great Prince. [Girald. in Distinct.  
In the time of this Henry the second, the See of Lincoln was so long void, as a certain Convert of Tame prophesied, that there should be no more Bishops of Lincoln: But he proved a truthless prophet, for Geffrey the king's base son was preferred after sixteen years vacancy thereunto, but so fit a man, as one said of him, That he was skilful in fleecing, but unskilful in feeding. [Vitae Episcoporum Eboracensium.  
This gallant base Bishop would in his protestations and oaths always protest, By my faith, and the King my father. But Walter Mapes the kings Chaplan told him, You might do aswell to remember sometimes your mother's honesty, as to mention so often your father's royalty. [Mapes de Nugis Curialium. This Bishop Ceffrey in all his Instruments passing from him, used the style of G. Archiepiscopus Eborum; but in the circumference of his Seal, to notify his royal parentage, Sigillum Galfredi filii Regis Anglorum, as I observed in his Seals.  
SAvage a Gentleman which amongst the first English, had planted himself in Ulster in Ireland, advised his son for to build a castle for his better defence against the Irish enemy, who valiantly answered; that he would not trust to a castle of stones, but to his castle of bones, Meaning his body. [Mar●ebrigensis.  
Robert B●anchmaines Earl of Leicester was wont to say Sovereign Princes are the true types or relemblances of Gods true majesty, in which respect, saith mine Author, treason against the Prince's person was called Crimen mayest at is [Polycraticon.  
Pope Adrian the fourth an English man borne, of the family of Breakespeare in Middlesex, a 〈◊〉 commended for converting Norway to christianity, before his Papacy. but noted in his Papacy, for using the Emperor Frederick the second as his Page, in holding his stirroppe, demanded of john of Sarisbury his countryman what opinion the world had of the Church of Rome, and of him, who answered: The Church of Rome which should be a mother, is now a stepmother, wherein sit both Scribes and pharisees; and as for yourself, whenas you are a father, why do you expect pensions from your children? etc. Adrian smiled, and after some excuses told him this tale, which albeit it may seem long, and is not unlike that of Menenius Agrippa in Livy, yet give it the reading, and haply you may learn somewhat by it. All the members of the body conspired against the stomach, as against the swallowing gulf of all their labours; for whereas the eyes beheld, the ears heard, the hands laboured, the feet travelled, the tongue spoke, and all parts performeds their functions, only the stomach lay idle and consumed all. hereupon they jointly agreed all to forbear their labours, and to pine away their lazy and public enemy. One day passed over, the second followed very tedious, but the third day was so grievous to them all, that they called a common Counsel; The eyes waxed d●mme, the feet could not support the body, the arms waxed lazy, the tongue faltered, and could not lay open the matter; Therefore they all with one accord desired the advice of the Heart. There Reason laid open before them, that ●ee against whom they had proclaimed wars, was the cause of all this their misery: For he as their common steward, when his allowances were withdrawn, of necessity withdrew theirs fro them, as not receiving that he might allow. Therefore it were a far better course to supply him, than that the limbs should faint with hunger. So by the persuasion of Reason, the stomach was served, the limbs comforted, and peace re-established. Even so it fareth with the bodies of Commonweals; for albeit the Princes gather much, yet not so much for themselves, as for others: So that if they want, they cannot supply the want of others; therefore do not repine at Princes herein, but respect the common good of the whole public estate. [Idem.  
Oftentimes would he say, All his preferments never added any one jot to his happiness or quietness. [Idem.  
He also (that I may omit other of his speeches) would say, The Lord hath dilated me by hammering me upon the anvild; but I beseech him he would underlay his hand to the unsupportable burden which he hath laid upon me. [Idem.  
When it was signified unto king Richard the first, son to the foresaid King Henry sitting at supper in his palace at Westminster (which we call the old palace now) that the French king besieged his town of Vernoil in Normandy: he in greatness of courage protested in these words, I will never turn my back until I have confronted the French: For performance of which his princely word, he caused the wall in his palace at Westminster to be broken down directly towards the South, posted to the coast, and immediately into Normandy, where the very report of his sudden arrival, so terrified the French, that they raised the siege, and retired themselves. [Ypodigma.  
The same king Richard purposing an expedition into the holy land, made money at all hands, and amongst other things sold unto Hugh Pudsey Bishop of Durham the Earldom of Northumberland, merrily laughing when he invested him, and saying; Am not I cunning, and my crafiesmaister, that can make a young Earl of an old Bishop? But this Prelate was fit to be an Earl, for the world (as one of that age said of him) was not crucifixus to him, but infixus in him. [Lib. Dunelm.  
One Fulke a Frenchman of great opinion for his holiness told this king Richard that he kept with him three daughters, that would procure him the wrath of God, if he did not shortly rid himself of them. Why hypocrite (quoth the king) all the world knoweth that I never had child, Yea (said Fulke) you have as I said, three; and their names are Pride, Covetousness, and Lechery. (It is so (said the king) you shall see me presently bestow them: the knights Templars shall have Pride, the while M●nkes Covetousness, and the Clergy Lechery; and there have you my three daughters bestowed among you.  
When there was a fair opportunity offered unto this king Richard, and to Hugh duke of Burgundy for the surprise of jerusalem, they marched forward in two battles from Acres. The king of England led the first, the Duke of Burgundy the other; when they approached, the Duke of Burgundy envying the glory of the English, signified to the king of England, that he would retire with his companies, because it should not be said, that the English had taken jerusalem. While this message was delivering, and the King grieving that so glorious an enterprise was so overthwarted by envy; one amongst the English companies cried aloud to the King and said, Sir, S●r, come hither and I will show you jerusalem. But king Richard cast his coat of arms before his face, and weeping uttered these words with aloud voice; Ah my Lord God, I beseech thee that I may not see thy holy City jerusalem, whenas I am not able to deliver it out of the hands of the enemies. [jan Sire Signior de jonville in the life of Saint Lewes. cap. 70. This Author also giveth this testimony of the said king, in the eight chapter of the said Book. This Prince was of such prowess, that he was more feared and redoubted amongst the Saracens then ever was any Prince Christian. Insomuch that when as their little infants began to cry, their mothers would say to make them hold their peace; King Richard cometh, and will have you, and immediately the little children hearing him named, would forbear crying: And likewise the Turks and Saracens, when their horses at any time started, they would put spur to them and say; What you jades, you think King Richard is here?  
When the same king Richard had fortunately taken in a skirmish, Philippe the Bishop of Beavoys a deadly enemy of his, he cast him in prison with bolts upon his heels, which being complained of unto the Pope, he wrote earnestly unto him, not to detain his dear son, an Ecclesiastical person, and a shepherd of the Lords, but to send him back unto his flock. Whereupon the King sent unto the Pope the armour that he was taken in, and willed his Ambassador to use the words of Jacob's sons unto their father, when they had sold away their brother joseph, Hanc invenimus, vide utrum tunica filii tui sit, an 〈◊〉 This we found, see whether it be the coat of thy son, or no. Nay (quoth the Pope) it is not the coat of my son, nor of my brother, but some imp of Mars, and let him procure his delivery of he will, for I will be no mean for him.  
When the French king and king Richard the first began to parley of peace, his brother john, who had falsely and unnaturally revolted unto the French king, fearing himself, came in of his own accord, and suppliantly besought Richard brotherly to pardon his manifold offences, that he had unbrotherly committed against him, he rehearsed the strait league of brotherly piety, he recounted the many merits of his brother, he bewailed with tears that hitherto he had been unmindful of them, as an unnatural and unthankful person. Finally, that he doth live, and shall live, he doth acknowledge that he hath received it at his hands. The king being mollified with this humble submission, said: God grant that I may as easily forget your offences, as you may remember wherein you have offended.  
IN the woeful wars with the Barons, when king john was viewing of the Castle of Rochester held against him by the Earl of Arundel, he was espied by a very good Arcubalister, who told the Earl thereof, and said, that he would soon dispatch the cruel tyrant, if he would but say the word; God forbid, vile varlet (quoth the Earl) that we should procure the death of the holy one of God. What (said the soldier) he would not spare you if he had you at the like advantage. No matter for that (quoth the Earl) God's good will be done, and be will dispose, and not the King. [Math: Paris.  
When one about him showed him where a noble man, that had rebelliously borne arms against him, lay very honourably intoombed, and advised the king to deface the monument, he said; No, no, but I would all the rest of mine enemies were as honourably buried. [Idem.  
When divers greeks came hither, and offered to prove that there were cettaine errors in the Church of England at that time, he rejected them, saying, I will not suffer our faith established to be called in question with doubtful disputations. [Fragm: antiquum aeditum à P. Pithaeo.  
Yet when the said king john saw a fatie buck haunched, he said to the standers by, See how fair and fat this Bu●ke is, and yet he never heard Mass all his life long. But this may be forged to his disgrace by the envious. [Math. Paris.  
IN a solemn conference between king Henry the third of England, and Saint Lewes king of France, the only devout kings of that age, when the French king said, He had rather hear Sermons, than hear Masses. Our king replied, which some will smile at now, but according to the learning of that time, That he had rather see his loving friend (meaning the real presence in the Sacrament) than to hear never so much good of him, by others in sermons. This I note, because it was then thought facetious, which I doubt not but some will now condemn as superstitious [G●●l: Rishanger.  
Pecham that optical Archbishop of Canterbury, who writ Perspectiva Communis, when Pope Gregory the tenth, who had created him Archbishop, commanded him to pay four thousand marks within four months, under pain of excommunication, he that came unto the See then deeply indebted, said; Behold, you have created me, and as a creature doth desire to be perfected by his creator, so I do in my oppressions fly unto your Holmesse to be recreated. Archiep. Cantuar.  
Sewall Archbishop of York much aggrieved with some practices of the Pope's collectors in England, took all patiently, and said; I will not with Cha● discover the nakedness of my father, but cover and conceal it with Sem. As Constantine the Great said, that he would cover the faults of Bishops and Fathers of the Church with his Imperial rob. [Mat. Paris.  
Pope Innocentius the fourth when he offered the kingdom of Sicil and Naples to Richard Earl of Cornwall with many impossible conditions, You might as well (say de the Earl's Agent at Rome) say to my Lord and Master, I sell or give you the Moon, climb up, catch is, and take it. [Anonymus qui incipit. Rex Pictorum.  
Alexander successor to Innocentius sent unto the said Earl Richard to borrow a great mass of money; but the Earl answered, I will not lend to my superior, upon whom I cannot distrain for the debts. This Richard is reported by the said Author, to have had so great treasure, that he was able to dispend for ten years an hundred marks a day, which according to the Standard of that time was no small sum. [Idem.  
In the reign of king Henry a Bishop of London sto●●ly withstood the Pope's Nunci●, that would have levied exactions of the Clergy: Whereupon the N●●ci● complained unto the king, who shortly menaced the Bishop, and told him he would cause the Pope to pluck his peacocks toil: but the Bishop boldly answered the King, that the Pope and he being too strong for him, might bereave him of his bishopric, by might, but never by, right; and that although they took away his Mitre, yet they would leave him his Helmet. [Lib. Cantuar.  
Wicked rather than witty is that of a Dean high treasurer of England, that had demeaned himself so well in his office, that when he died he made this wicked will; I bequeathe all my goods and possessions unto my liege Lords the King, my body to the earth, and my soul to the devil. [Idem.  
WHen Edward the first heard of the death of his only son, he took it grievously as a father, but patiently as a wise man. But when he understood shortly after of the departure of his father king Henry the third, he was wholly dejected and comfortlesses whereat when Charles king of Sicily, with whom he then sojourned in his return from the holy land, greatly marveled, He satisfied him with this, God may send more sons, but the death of a father is irrecoverable. [Wa●singham.  
This is that king Edward the first, who as in lineaments of body he surpassed all his people, being like Saul, higher than any of them; so in prudence conjoined with valour and industry, he excelled all our Princes, giving there by sure anchorhold to the government of this realm, waving up and down before most uncertainly. Which he effected not so much by establishing good laws, as by giving life unto his laws, by due execution. And as my Author saith, judices potissimùm iudicans quos constituit indices aliorum. Who addeth also this of him; Nem● in consilijs illo argutior, in eloqu●● torrenti●r, in periculis socurior, in prosperis ●●uti●r, in adversis constanti●r. [Commendatie lamentabilis in transi●n Regis Edw: pri●●.  
Whereas the kings of England, before his time, used to wear their Crown upon all solemn feast days, he first omitted that custom, saying merrily, That Crowns do rather onerate, than honour Princes. [Idem tractatus.  
When a simple religious man seeing him meanly attired, wondering thereat, asked him, why he being so potent a Prince ware so simple a suit, he answered, Father, Father, you know how God regardeth garments, What can I do more in royal robes, than in this my gabbardine? [Idem.  
When the Clergy pretending a discharge by a 〈◊〉 lately made at the Council held at Lions in Fra●●●, would contribute nothing to the temporal necessities of King Edward, he said unto them in parliament, Seeing you do refuse to help me, I will also refuse to help you, etc. If you deny to pay tribute to me as unto your Prince, I will refuse to protect you as my subjects; and therefore if you be spoiled, robbed, mai●●ed, and nurthered, seek for no succourner defence of me, or mine.  
The Pope sent an Injunction unto the same Edward, the which was delivered unto him in one of his journeys against the fautors of john Balleal king of Scotland, the tenor of it was, that he should surcease to disquiet the Scots, which were an exempt nation, and properly appertaining to the Roman Chapel, wherefore the city of jerusalem could not but defend her Citizens, and help them that did trust in the Lord, like mount Si●●. He had no sooner read it, but rapping out an oath, said; I will not hold my peace for Zion nor jerusalem's rest, as long as there is breath in my body, but will prosecute my just right known unto all the world, and defend is to the death. [Tho: Walsing ham.  
When john Earl of Ath●ll nobly descended, who had with other murdered john Co●●in, was apprehended by king Edward the first, and some entreated for him, The king answered, The higher his calling is, the greater must his fall be; and as he is of higher parentage, so he shallbe the higher hanged: which accordingly was performed, for he was hanged on a gallows fifty foot high. [Florilegus.  
Whenas in siege of the Castle of Strivelin in Scotland, king Edward the first, by his over-forwardnesse was often endangered, some advised him to have more regard to his person, he answered them with that of David in the Psalm, A thousand shall fall as my fide, and ten thousand at my right hand, but it shall not come near me. [Florilegus.  
When the learned Lawyers of the realm were consulted in a cause by him, and after long consultation did not satisfy him, he said, (as kings impatient of delays may be bold with their Lawyers,) My Lawyers are long advising, and never advised. [Florilegus. As for other speeches of his I wittingly and willingly overpass.  
Eleanor wife to king Edward the first, a most virtuous and wise woman, when he took his long and dangerous voyage into the holy land, would not be dissuaded to tarry at home, but would needs accompany him, saying; Nothing must part them whom God hath joined, and the way to heaven is as near in the holy land, (if not nearer) as in England, or Spain.  
This worthy Queen maketh me remember Eubulus a scoffing Comical Greek Poet, which curseth himself if ever he opened his mouth against women, inferring albeit Medea were wicked, yet Penelope was peerless: if Clytaemnestra were nought, yet Alcestes was passing good: if Ph●dra were damnable, yet there was an other laudable. But here saith he I am at a stand, of good women I find not one more, but of the wicked I remember thousands. Beshrew this scoffer, ye good wives all, and let his curse fall upon him, for of your kind may many a million be found, yea of your own country, and that I may reserve other to a fitter place, I will show unto you a rare example in this Queen of England, a most loving and kind wife, out of Rodericus Sanctius not mentioned by our Historians.  
When king Edward the first was in the holy land, he was stabbed with a poisoned dagger, by a Sarazen, and through the rancour of the poison, the wound was judged incurable by his Physicians. This good Queen Eleanor his wife, who had accompanied him in that journey, endangering her own life, in loving affection saved his life, and eternised her own honour. For she daily and nightly sucked out the rank poison, which love made sweet to her, and thereby effected that which no Art durst attempt; to his safety, her joy, and the comfort of all England; So that well worthy was she to be remembered by those Grosses as monuments, which in stead of Statues were erected by her husband to her honour at Lincoln, Gr●●tham, Stanford, Goddington, Northampton, St●●y Straford, Dunstaple, Saint Albans, Waltham, and Westminster called Charing cross, all adorned with her Arms of Castille, Leon, and Pontive  
Robert Winchelsey the Archbishop of Canterbury was banished by king Edward the first, but afterward restored again by him, and all the rents that had been sequestered during his absence, repaid him: whereby he became the richest Archbishop that had been in that feat before him: Wherefore often recording his troubles he would say; Adversity never burteth, where no uniquity over-rule●●. [Liber Cantuar.  
William de March Lord treasurer unto king Edward the first, caused all the treasure throughout all the land, that was laid up in the Monasteries and Churches, to be at one iustant violently taken away by military men, saying, It is better that money should be moving, and according to the name be currant, and go abroad to the use of the people, than resting in chests without fruits and occupation: concurring in this last point with a Maxim of the usurers hall.  
Of king Edward the second I find nothing memorable, but that which grief and great indignity wrested from him, when Corney and his rascal rabblements after his deposition, would needs shave him on the way, lest he should be known and rescued. They enforced him to sit down upon a mole hill, and the knave Barber insulting, told him that cold water taken out of the next ditch should serve for his trimming at that time. He answered, Whether you will or no, there shall be warm water: and therewithal he shedding tears plentifully, verified his words. [Thom: de la More.  
After the battle of Poitiers 〈◊〉 Lord Audley was brought to the Black Prince in a Litter most grievously wounded, for he had carried himself most valiantly that day. To whom the Prince with due commendations, gave for his good service four hundred marks of yearly revenues. The which he returning to his tent, gave as frankly to his four esquires, that attended him in the battle: whereof when the Prince was advertised, doubting that his gift was contemned as too little for so great good service: the Lord Audley satisfied him with this answer; I must do for them who deserved best of me. These my esquires saved my life amidst the enemies. And God be thanked, I have sufficient revenues left by my Ancestors to maintain me in your service. Whereupon the Prince praising his prudence and liberality, confirmed his gift made to his esquires, and assigned him moreover six hundred marks of like land in England. [●rossard.  
William Wickham after Bishop of Winchester came into the service, and also into the great favour of King Edward the third, by being overseer of his great work at Windesor, whereas before he served as a poor parish priest. Wherefore he caused to be written in one of his windows, This work made Wickham. Which being told unto the King, he was offended with Wickham, as though he had gone about to rob him of the glory of that magnificent work. But when Wickham told him that his meaning was, that that work had been his making, and advauncement, the King rested content and satisfied, [Vita Wiccami.  
When the said William Wickham (as it is commonly said) sued unto Edward the third for the Bishopric of Winchester, the King told him that he was unmeet for it, because he was unlearned, but he said, In recompense thereof I will make many learned men. The which he performed indeed. For he founded New College in Oxford and another in Winchester, which houses have afforded very many learned men, both to the Church and to the Commonwealth.  
When Henry of Lancaster surnamed the Good Earl of Derby had taken 1341. Bigerac in Gascoigne, he gave and granted to every soldier, the house which every one should first seize upon, with all therein. A certain soldier of his br●ke into a Mint-maisters house, where he found so great a mass of money, that he amazed therewith, as a prey greater than his desert or desire, signified the same unto the Earl, who with a liberal mind answered, It is not for my state to play boys play, to give and take; Take thou the money, if it were thrice as much. [Walsingham.]  
When news was b●ought unto king Richard the second, that his uncles of York and Gloucester, the Earls of Arundel, Warwick, Derby, and Nottingham, with other of that faction, who sought to reform the misorders of the King, or rather, of his wicked Counsellors, were assembled in a wood near unto the Court; after he had asked other men's opinions, what was to be done in so weighty and doubtful a case. At length he mernly demanded of one sir Hugh a Linne, who had been a good military man in his days, but was then somewhat distraught of his wits, what he would advise him to do: Issue out (quoth sir Hugh) and let us set upon them, and stay them every mother's son; and by God's eyes, when thou hast so done, thou hast killed all the faithful friends that thou hast in England. [Anonymus.]  
KIng Henry the fourth, a wise Prince, who full well knew the humour of the English, in his admonition to his son, at his death, said; Of Englishmen, so long as they have wealth and riches, so long s●alt thou have obeisance; but when they be poor, than they be always ready to make insurrections at every motion. [Hall.  
King Henry the fourth, during his sickness, caused his Crown to be set on his pillow, at his bed's head, and suddenly his pang so sore troubled him, that he lay as though his vital spirits had been from him departed: Such chamberlains as had the care and charge of his body thinking him to be dead, covered his face with a linen cloth. The Prince his son being thereof advertised, entered into the chamber, and took away the Crown, and departed. The father being suddenly revived out of his trance, quickly perceived that his Crown was taken away: and understanding that the Prince his son had it, caused him to repair to his presence, requiring of him for what cause he had so misused himself. The Prince with a good audacity answered: Sir, to mine and all men: judgements you seemed dead in this world, wherefore I, as your next and apparent heir took that as mine own, not as yours. Well fair son, (said the King with a great sigh) what right I had to it, and how I enjoyed it, God knoweth, Well (quoth the Prince) if you die King, I will have the garland, and trust to keep it with the Sword against all mine enemies, as you have done. [Hall.  
KIng Henry the fifth, when he prepared wars against France, the Dolphin of France sent him a present of Paris Balls, in derision: but he returned for answer, That he would shortly resend him London Balls, which should shake Paris Walls. [Anonymus Angticè.  
When King Henry the fifth had given that famous overthrow unto the French at Agincourt, he fell down upon his knees, and commanded his whole army to do the same, saying that verse in the Psalm, Non nobis Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam: Not unto us (O Lord) not us, but unto thy name give the glory.  
HEnry the sixth did take all injuries, whereof he received plenty so patiently, that he not only did not seek to revenge them, but Gave God thanks that he did send them to punish his sins in this life, that he might escape punishment in the life to come. [Vita Henrici Sexti. As the Emperor Frederick the third, when he heard of the death of a great noble man of Austria, who lived ninety three years most wickedly in fleshly pleasures, and yet never once afflicted with grief or sickness, said; This pro●veth that which Divines teach, that after death there is some place where we receive reward or punishment; when we see often in this world, neither the just rewarded, nor the wicked punished.  
The same King Henry having in Christmas a show of young women, with their bare breasts laid out, presented before him, he immediately departed with these words, Fie, fie for shame, forsooth you be too blame. [Idem.  
He receiving on a time a great blow by a wicked man, which compassed his death, he only said, Forsooth, forsooth ye do foully to smite a King anointed.  
Not long before his death, being demanded why he had so long held the Crown of England unjustly, he replied, My father was King of England, quietly enjoying the Crown all his reign, and his father my grandfire was also king of England, and I even a child in cradle was proclaimed and crowned King without any interruption, and so held it forty years, well-near all the states doing homage unto me, as to my Ancestors. Therefore wi●● I say with King David, My lot is fallen in a fair ground, I have a goodly heritage, my help is from the Lord which saveth the upright in heart. [Idem.  
Thomas Montacute ●arle of Sarisbury, when he besieged Orleans, and had so enforced it, that the Inhabitants were willing to articulate, and to yield themselves to the Duke of Burgundy, then being in his company: he highly disdaining it, said in the English proverb; I will not beat the bush, and another shall have the birds. Which proverbial speech so offended the Burgundian, that it wholly alienated his mind from the English, to their great loss in all the French wars following. [Paulus Aemilius Lib. 10.  
john Lord Talbot first Earl of Shrewsbury of that family, surprised upon the sudden by the French army at Chastilion, far from cowardly flare of death, and fatherly affected to his son the Lord ●isle, who would not forsake him in that danger, advised him to f●le, saying; My death in respect of my former exploits can not be but honourable; and in respect of thy youth, neither can it be honourable for thee to die, nor dishonourable to f●ie. But this young Lord in height of courage, nothing degenerating from so worthy a father, lost his life with his father in the field, and with them a base son, and a son in law of the said Earls. [Paulus Aemilius Lib. 10. & Commentarij Pij PP. 2. Lib. 6.  
After this battle, when the flames of inward war began to flash out in England, the martial men of England were called home out of France, to maintain the factions here: at which time a French Captain scoffingly asked an Englishman when they would return again into France. He answered feelingly, and upon a true ground: When your sins shall be greater and more grievous in the sight of God, than ours are now.  
¶ Until this time, from the beginning of King Edward the first, which was about an hundred and sixty years, whosoever will with a marking eye consider the comportment of the English Nation, the concurrent of martial men, their councils, military discipline, designs, actions, and exploits, not only out of our own Writers, but also foreign Historians; cannot but acknowledge, that they were men of especial worth, and their prowess both great and glorious. Why afterward it should decay, as all other professions, which even like plants have their times of beginning or in-rooting, their growing up, their flourishing, their maturity, and than these fading, were a disquisition for the learned. Whether it proceedeth from celestial influence, or those Angels which Plato makes, or the Secundei which Trith●●●ius imagined to have the regiment of the world successively, or from the degenerating of numbers into sums, which I confess I understand not, being an ignorant in abstruse learning. Only I have read in Paterculus, 
Velleius Paterculus. li. 1. Naturaliter quod procedere non potest, recedit.  that when either envy, or admiration hath given m●n an edge to ascend to the highest, and when they can ascend no higher, after a while they must naturally descend. Yet I rely upon that of Eccclesiastes, as I understand it, Cuncta fecit bona in tempore su● Deus, & mundum tradidit disputationi eorum, ut non inveniat home quod operatus est Deus ab initio usque ad finem. But pardon me, I cannot tell how I have been by admiration of our progenitors diverted from my purpose.  
In the year of our Lord 1416. when a fifteen hundred English under the conduct of I: Beaufort earl of Derset were encompassed between the sea, and fifteen thousand French. The Earl of Arminac general of the French, sent to the Earl, advising him to yield himself, but he answered, It is not the manner of the English, to yield without blows, neither am I so heartless that I will deliver myself into their hands, whom God ●ay deliver into mine. And accordingly God gave him the honour of the day, to the great confusion of the enemy. [Walsingham in Ypodigmate.  
WHen Elizabeth the widow of sir john Grace was a suitor unto King Edward the fourth (against whom her husband lost his life) for her jointure: the kind King became also a suitor to her unto her for a night's lodging: But she wisely answered him, when he became importunate, That as she did account herself too base to be his wife, so she did think herself too good to be his 〈◊〉.  
When love grew so hot in this K. Edward the fourth, that he would needs marry the said Elizabeth, widow of sir john Grey, to the great discontent of his Counsel, but especially of his mother, who alleging many reasons to the contrary, said, That only widowhood might be sufficient to restrain him, for that it was high disparagement to a King, to be dishonoured with bigamy in his first marriage. The King merrily answered; In that she is a widow, and hath already children; by God's blessed Lady I am a bachelor, and have some too: and so each of us hath a proof, that neither of us are like to be barren. And therefore Madam, I pray you be content, I trust in God she shall bring you forth a young Prince; that shall please you. And as for the bigamy, let the Bishop hardly lay it in my way when I come to take Orders: for I understand it is forbidden to a Priest, but I never wist it yet that it was forbidden to a Prince.  
His note love nevertheless was partable among three other of his Mistresses, of whom he was wont to say, The one was the fairest, the other the merriest, and the third the holiest, for she had wholly devoted herself to his bed and her beads.  
When Lewes the eleventh French King entertained divers Councillors of king Edward the fourth with large pensions to steed him in England, he sent Peter Cleret one of the masters of his household unto the Lord Hastings the King's Chamberlain, to present him with two thousand crowns. Which when he had received, Petre Cleret did pray him, that for his discharge he would make him an acquittance; The Lord Chamberlain made a great difficulty thereat. Then Cleret doth request him again that he would give unto him only a letter of three lines for his discharge to the King, signifying that he had received them. The Lord Chamberlain answered; Sir, that which you say is very reasonable; but the gift comes from the goodwill of the King your Master, and not at my request at all: If it please you that I shall have it, you shall put it within the pocket of my sleeve, and you shall have no other acquittance of me. For I will never it shallbe said for me, that the Lord Chamberlain of the King of England had been Pensioner to the King of France: Nor that my acquittances shall be found in the Chamber of accounts in France. The aforesaid Cleret went away malcontent, but left his money with him, and came to tell his message to his King, who was very angry with him. But thenceforth the Lord Chamberlain of England was more esteemed with the French, and always paid without acquittance. [Philippe de Commines.  
KIng Richard the third, whose monstrous birth foreshowed his monstrous proceedings, for he was born with all his teeth, and hair to his shoulders, albeit he lived wickedly, yet made good Laws, and when divers shires of England offered him a benevolence, he refused it, saying, I know not in what sense; I haa rather have your hearts, than your money. [joannes Rossus Warwiceusis.]  
john Morton then Bishop of Elie, but afterward of Canterbury, being solicited by the Duke of Buckingham then alienated from Richard the third, to speak his mind frankly unto him, in matters of State: the Bishop answered him; In good faith my Lord I love not much to talk with Princes, as a thing not all out of peril, although the words be without fault. Forasmuch as it shall not be taken as the party meant it, but as it pleaseth the Prince to construe it. And ever I think on Aesopes' tale, that when the Lien had proclaimed, that on pain of death, there should no horned beast abide in that wood, one that had in his forehead a bounch of flesh, fled away a great pace. The Fox that saw him ruune so fast, asked him whither he made all that haste: he answered; In faith I neither wot nor reck, so I were once hence, because of this proclamation made of horned beasts. What fo●le (quoth the Fox) thou mayest well enough abide, the Lion meant not by thee, for it is no horn that is upon thy head: No Mary (quoth he) that wot I well enough, but what and he call it an horn, where am I then? [Tho: Moor.  
Sir Thomas Rokesby being controlled for suffering himself to be served in treene Cups, answered; These homely cups and dishes pay truly for that they contain: I had rather drink out of treene, and pay gold and silver, than drink out of gold and silver, and make wooden payment.  
WHen Richard the third was slain at Bosworth, and with him john Howard Duke of Norfolk, King Henry the seventh demanded of Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey the Duke's son and heir then taken prisoner, how he d●rst bear Arms in the behalf of that tyrant Richard. He answered; He was my crowned King, and if the Parliamentary authority of England set the Crown upon a stock, I will fight for that stock. And as I fought then for him, I wi● fight for you, when you are established by the said authority. And so he did for his son King Henry the eight at Flodden field. Anonymus.  
When Margaret the widow of Charles the Hardy Duke of Bargundie, and sister to king Edward the fourth, envying much the happy estate and reign of Henry the seventh descended of the adverse family of Lancaster, had at sundry times suborned two rascals to counterfeit the persons of her two brothers sons, thereby to withdraw the hearts of his subjects, and raise uproars in his realm, the king sent over unto Philippe the Duke of Burgundy doctor Warrham afterward Archbishop of Canterbury, to inform him of her treachery. This Doctor in the latter ●●d of his Oration thus nipped the seditious Duchess That within few years after she was passed threescore years of age, she had brought forth two monsters, Lambert and Peter, and not in the nine and tenth months, as women naturally do, but in the hundred and fourscore month, (for they were both about fifteen years of age when she brought them abroad, as it were, out of her belly:) neither were they Crisomers, but such childe-choppers, that as soon as ever they were borne, they were able to wage war with a mighty King. [Th: More.  
The earl of Kildare being charged before king Henry the seventh for burning the Metropolitan Church of Cassilles in Ireland, and many witnesses procured to avouch the truth of the Article against him, he suddenly confessed it to the great wondering and detestation of the Counsel. Then it was looked how he should justify that fact. By jesus (quoth he) I would never have done it, if it had not been told me that the Archbishop had been within it. And because the Bishop was one of the busiest accusers present, merrily laughed the king at the plainness of the man, to see him allege that intent for excuse, which most of all did aggravate his fault.  
When among many articles the last article exhibited by the Irish against that Earl of Kildare, the last was: Finally, All Ireland cannot rule this Earl. Then (quoth the King) shall this Earl rule all Ireland; and shortly after he made him Deputy thereof.  
When one reproved King Henry the seventh for his slowness in making wars on those that wronged him, he answered, If we Princes should take every occasion that is offered us, the world should never be quiet, but wearied with continual wars.  
When a Gentleman, none of the wisest, told King Henry the seventh, that he found sir Richard Gr●ftes, who was made Banneret at the battle of Stoke to be a very wise man. The King answered, He doubted not that, but marveled much how a fool could know a wiseman.  
It happened that there was fallen in communication the story of joseph, how his master Putiphars wife a great m●n with the King of Egypt, would have pulled him to ●e●b●d ●n● he fled away. Now Master M●●o (he was the King Almoner) quoth king Henry the seventh, You be a tall strong man on the one side, and a cunning Doctor on the other side, what would you have done, if you had not been joseph, but in Joseph's stead? By my troth fir (quoth he) and it like your Grace, I cannot tell what I would have done, but I can tell you what I should have done. [Tho: Moor.  
The Lady Margaret Countess of Richmond mother to king Henry the seventh, a most worthy Patroness of good Letters, would often say, On the condition that Princes of Christendom would combine themselves, and march against the common enemy the Turk, she would most willingly attend them, and be their Laundress in the camp.  
There was a poor blind man in Warwickshire, that was accounted very cunning in prognosticating of weather: upon a day, Empson a great lawyer, as he road that way, said in scorn of his cunning. I pray you tell me father when doth the Sun change? The chafed old man that knew his corrupt conscience, answered: when such a wicked Lawyer as you goeth to heaven.  
Doctor Collet the Dean of Paul's said, that if the Clergy were nought, the Laity were worse, for it could not otherwise be, but the lay men must ever be one degree under the Clergy: for surely it can be no 〈◊〉 that our Saviour saith himself, who saith of the Clergy, that they be the salt of the earth, and if the salt once appall, the world must needs wax unsavoury: and he sayeth that the Clergy be the light of the world; and then sayeth he, if the light be darkened, how dark will then the darkness be? that is to wit, all the world beside, whereof he calleth the Clergy only the light.  
Cardinal Wolsey, his teeth watering at the rich Bishopric of Winchester, sent one unto Bishop Fox (who had advanced him unto the king's service) for to move him to resign the Bishopric, because extreme age had made him blind: the which message and motion Foxe did take in so ill part, that he willed the messenger to tell the Cardinal thus from him: that although old age bereaving me of sight, I know not white from black, yet I can discern truth from falsehood, and right from wrong: yea, and that now I am blind I have esp●ed his malicious unthankfulness: the which I could never before perceive when my e●e sight was at the best. And let my lord Cardinal take heed, that his ambition and covetousness, bring him not into a worse blindness than I have, and make him fall before he fear.  
At sir Thomas Moor his first coming to the service of King Henry the eight the King gave him this godly lesson. First look unto God, and after unto me.  
He would also wish, as I have heard of an ancient man of that age, that his counsellors would commit simulation, dissimulation, and partiality, to the Porter's lodge, when they came to sit in council.  
The same King Henry the eight, finding fault with the disagreement of Preachers, would often say; Some are too stiff in their old Mumpsimus, and other to busy and curious in their new Sumpsimus. Haply borrowing these phrases from that which Master Place his Secretary reporteth in his book De Fructu doctrinae, of an old Priest in that age, which always read in his Portasse, Mumpsimus Domine, for Sumsimus: whereof when he was admonished, he said that he now had used Mumplimus thirty years, and would not leave his old Mumpsimus for their new Sumpsimus.  
A noble man of this time, in contempt of learning said, that it was for noble men's sons enough to wind their horn, and carry their Hawk fair, and to leave study and learning to the children of mean men. To whom the foresaid Richard Place replied. Then you and other noble men must be content, that your children may wind their bornes, and keep their Hawks while the children of mean men do manage matters of estate [R. Pacaeus De fructu doctrinae.]  
john Fisher Bishop of Rochester, when the King would have translated him from that poor Bishopric to a better, he refused, saying: He would not forsake his poor little old wife, with whom he had so long lived. Haply thinking of the fifteenth canon of the Nicone Council, and that of the canonists, Matrimonium inter Episcopum, & Ecclesiam esse contractum, etc.  
There was a Nobleman merry conceited, and riotously given, that having lately sold a Manor of an hundred tenements, came ruffling into the Court, in a new suit, saying: Am not I a mighty man, that bear an hundred houses on my back? Which Cardinal Wolsey hearing, said: You might have better employed it in paying your debts. Indeed my Lord (quoth he) you say well; for my Lord my father, owed my master your father three half pence for a Calves head, hold, here is two pence for it. As Skelton jested at the Cardinal, that he was descended of Sanguil●er, he was cast out of a Butcher's stall, for his father was a Butcher of Ipswich.  
When Stephen Cardiner was advanced unto the Bishopric of Winchester, and sent over as Ambassador into France with great pomp●● he said unto an old acquaintance of his that came to take his leave of him; Now I am in 〈◊〉 Gloria Patri: Yea (said his friend) and I hope, ●t nunc & semper. Or (replied the Bishop) if it please the king my master, Sicut erat in principio. A poor Scholar of Cambridge again.  
When sir Thomas, Moor was Speaker of the Parliament, with his wisdom and eloquence, he so crossed a purpose of Cardinal Wolsey that the Cardinal in a chafe sent for him 〈◊〉 White-Hall; where when he had danced attendance long, at length the Cardinal coming out, said in the presence of many; Master Moor, I would you had been at Rome, when you were made Speaker of the Parliament house. He immediately replied: And if it pleased your Grace, so would I, for than I should have seen a famous City, whereof I have heard much, but never saw. [Vita Tho: Mori impressa.  
The same cardinal at a full Counsel table, when sir Th● Moor was first made privy Counsellor, moved that there might be a Lieutevant general of the Realm chosen for certain considerations; and the body of the Counsel inclined thereunto. Sir Thomas Moor opposed himself. Whereupon the Cardinal in a chafe said; Are not you ashamed who are the meanest man here, to dissent from so many honourable and wise personages: you prove yourself a plain fool. Whereunto master Moor forthwith answered; Thanks be to God that the King's majesty hath but one fool in his right honourable Counsel. [Idem.  
When he was Lord Chancellor, he enjoined a Gentleman to pay a good round sum of money unto a poor widow whom he had oppressed; and the Gentleman said: Then I do hope your Lordship will give me a good long day to pay it. You shall have your request (said sir Thomas) Monday next is Saint Barnabas day, the longest day in all the year, pay her me then, or else you shall kiss the Fleet.  
When he had no lust to grow greatly upward in the world, neither would labour for office of authority, and over that, forsake a right worshipful room when it was offered him, his wife fell in hand with him, and asked him; What will you do that you list not to put forth yourself as others do? Will you sit still by the fire, and make goslings in the ashes with a stick, as children do? Would God I were a man, and look what I would do. What? By God go forward with the best; for as my mother was wont to say, It is ever more better to rule than to be ruled, and therefore I warrant you, I would not be so foolish to be ruled, where I might rule. By my truth wife (quoth he) I dare say you say truth, for I never found you willing to be ruled yet.  
He used, when he was Lord Chancellor, upon every Sunday, when he was at home, to sit in the Choir in his surplice and sing the Service: and being one day espied in that attire by the Duke of Norfolk. The Duke began to chafe, crying, Fie, fie, my Lord, the Lord Chancellor of England a parish priest, and a paltry singing man, you dishonour the King, you dishonour the King. No my Lord (quoth sir Thomas) it is no shame for the King, if his servant serve his Sovereign and Saviour, who is King of kings.  
During the time of his Chancellourship of England, he used to send his Gentleman-usher to his wife's pew, after divine service was done, to tell her that he was gone: but the next Sunday after he gave up his Chancellourship of England, he came himself to her pew, and used the usual words of his Gentleman-usher, Madam, my Lord is gone.  
His latter wife was a widow, of whom Erasmus writeth, that he was wont to say, that she was, nec bella, nec puella: who as she was a good housewife, so was she not void of the fault that often followeth that virtue, somewhat shrewd to her servants: Upon a time sir Thomas found fault with her continual chiding, saying; if that nothing else would reclaim her, yet the consideration of the time (for it was Lent) should restrain her. Tush, tush, my Lord (said she) look, here is one step to heavenward, showing him a friars girdle. I fear me (quoth sir Thomas Moor) this one step will not bring you up a step higher.  
One day when she came from shrift, she said merrily unto him, Be merry sir Thomas, for this day was I well shriven, I thank God, and purpose now therefore to leave off all my old shrewdness; Yea (quoth he) and to begin afresh.  
When he was sent prisoner unto the Tower, and the Lieutenant, his old friend, received him with a heavy cheer, he said; Is this the entertainment and good countenance you give your guests when they come to you? Why look man, here are twenty angel nobles (showing him his purse) and when this is spent, turn me out at doors, as a bare gamester, and not able to pay for that he takes. Hitherto may be referred his silent answer, when at his entering into the Tower, one of the Officers claimed for a fee, his upper garment, (meaning his gown or his cloak) he offered him his cap.  
Being asked after his condemnation, and before his execution, whether he had changed his mind, he said: Yea, for I thought to have been shaved, but now seeing I shall die so shortly, I will let my beard grow.  
His daughter Roper one day as she repaired unto him into the Tower, counseled him to recover the King's favour, and his own former liberty, by doing I know not what, the which she said one of the greatest States of this Realm, and a man learned too, and his tender friend, said he might do, without scruple of conscience, as most of the Nobility of the Realm had done, not once sticking thereat, save only himself, and one other man. This speech of her he answered with a pleasant tale. At a Bartholomew fair at London, there was an Escheater of the same city, that had arrested a Clothier that was outlawed, and had seized his goods, which he had brought into the fair, tolling him out of the fair by a train. The man that was arrested was a Northern man, which by his friends made the Escheator to be arrested within the fair, upon an Action I not near what, and called a Court of Pipowders. Now ●ad the Clothier, by friendship of the Officers, found the means to have all the Quest almost made of the Northern men, such as had their Booths standing in the fair, who were no sooner departed from the bar, and come into the house, but the Northern men were agreed, and in effect all the other, to cast our London Escheater. They thought they needed no were to prove that he did wrong, than even the name of his bare office alone. But than was there amongst them, as the Devil would, an honest man of another quarter called Company. And the fellow seemed but a silly soul, and sat still, and said nothing; they made noreckoning of him, but said. We be agreed now, come, let us go and give up our verdict. Then when the poor fellow saw that they made such hazel, and his mind nothing gave him that way that theirs did (if that their ●●ndes gave them that way they said,) he prayed them to tarry and talk upon the matter, and tell such reason therein, that ●ee might think as they did, and when they should so do, be would be glad to say with them; or else he said they must pardon him: For sith ●ee had a soul of his own to keep, as they had, be must say as he thought for his soul, as they must for theirs. When they heard this they were half angry with him, What good fellow, (quoth one of the Northern men) whare wannes thou? Be not we eleven here, and thou but one all alone, and all we agreed, whereto shouldst thou stick? Whates thy name good fellow? Masters (quoth he) my name is called Company. Company (quoth they) now by my troth good fellow, play then the good companion, come thereon forth with us, and pass even for good company. Would God good masters (quoth the man again) that there lay no more weight thereon. But now, when we shall hence, and come before God, and that he shall send you unto heaven for doing according unto your conscience, and me to the devil, for doing against mine, all passing at your request here for good company now, By God Master Dickenson (that was one of the Northern men's names,) If I then shall say unto you all again; Masters, I went once with you for good company, which is the cause that I go now to hell, play you the good fellows now again with me, as I went then for good company with you, so some of you go now for good company with me: would you go master Dickenson? Nay, nay, by our Lady, nor never a one of you all. And therefore must you pardon me for passing as you pass; for the passage of my poor soul passeth all good company.  
In the like sense he used often to say, That he would never pin his soul at another man's back, not even the best man that he knew that day living; for he knew not whither he might hap to carry it.  
When one came to him, to signify that he must prepare himself to die, for he could not live, he called for his urinal, wherein when he had made water, he cast it, and viewed it (as Physicians use) at last he said soberly, That he saw nothing in that water, but that he might live, if it pleased the King.  
When he was in prison, and his books and papers taken from him, he did shut his chamber windows both day and night, saying; When the wares are gone, and the tools taken away, we must shut up shop.  
When he went to death, a certain woman offered him a cup of wine, which he refusing, said; Good woman, Christ in his passion drunk gall, and no wine.  
When he was to mount the scaffold he said to one of the sheriffs men, I pray thee help me up, as for coming down I take no care.  
When the hangman (according to his manner) desired him to pardon him his death, he answered, I do forgive thee with all my heart: but one thing I will tell thee, thou w●●t never have honesty in cutting off my head, my neck is so short.  
NOw we have done with sir Thomas Moor his own Apothegms which have come to my hands, I will transcribe out of his works, a few Tales, or call them what you please.  
A poor man found a priest over familiar with his wife, and because he spoke it abroad, and could not prove it, the priest sued him before the Bishop's Official for defamation, where the poor man in pain of cursing was commanded, that in his parish Church he should upon the Sunday, at high Mass, stand up, and say, Mouth thou liest: Whereupon for fulfilling of his penance, up was the poor soul set in a pew, that the people might wonder at him, and hear what he said: and there all aloud (when he had rehearsed what he had reported by the priest) than he set his hands on his mouth, and said; Mouth thou liest: And by and by thereupon, he set his hands upon both his eyes, and said; But eyen (quoth he) by the Mass ye lie not a whit.  
When sir Thomas Moor had told one whom he termeth in his Dialogue the Messenger, how he might yearly have seen a miracle done at the Rhodes, if he would have gone thither. So far, quoth the Messenge? nay, yet I had rather have God's blessing to believe that I see not, then to go so far for it. I am well paid (said sir Thomas) thereof, for if you had rather believe, then take the pain of a long pilgrimage, you will never be so stiff in any opinion, that you will put yourself in jeopardy for pertinacy, and stubborn standing by your part. Nay Marry said the Messenger, I warrant you that I will never be so mad, to hold, till it wax too hot, for I have such a fond fantasy of mine own, that I had rather shiver and shake for cold in the Summer, then be burned in the mids of Winter.  
It happened that a young Priest very devoutly in a Procession, bore a Candle before the Cross for lying with a Wench, and bore it light all the long way, wherein the people took such spiritual pleasure and inward solace, that they laughed apace. And one merry Merchant said unto the Priests that followed him, Sic luceat lux vestra coram hominibus, Thus let your light shine before the people. But a lewd Priest in later time, being reproved of his loose life, and told that he and other of the Clergy ought to be the Lanterns of light, How can we (said the shameless Priest) be Lanterns of light, when as ye Lay men have all the horns.  
When a lusty gallant saw a Friar going barefoot in a great frost and snow, he asked him why he did take such pain. He answered, that it was a very little pain if a man would remember hell: Yea Friar (quoth the Gallant) but what and if there be no Hell? Then art thou a great fool: Yea Master (quoth the Friar) but what if there be hell, then is mastership much more fool.  
A Friar as he was preaching in the Country, espied a poor wife of the parish, whispering with her Pew-felow, and he falling angry thereat, cried out unto her aloud, Hold thy babble I bid thee, thou wife in the red hood, which when the housewife heard, she waxed as angry, and suddenly she started up, and cried unto the Friar again that all the Church rang thereon; Mary sir, I beshrew his heart, that babbleth most of us both, for I do but whisper a word with my neighbour here, and thou hast babbled there a good large hour.  
King Ladislaus used much this manner among his servants, when one of them praised any deed of his, or any condition in him, if he perceyved that they said nothing but the truth, he would let it pass by uncontrolled: But when he saw that they did set a gloze upon it for his praise, of their own making beside; then would he shortly say unto them, I pray thee good fellow, when thou fairest grace, never bring in Gloria patri, without a Sicut erat. Any act that ever I did, if thou report it again to mine honour, with a Gloria patri, never report it but with a Suut trat. That is to wit, even as it was, and no otherwise, and lift not me up with lies, for I love it not.  
Friar donald preached at Paul's Cross, that our Lady was a virgin, and yet at her pilgrimages, there was made many a foul meeting. And loud cried out, Ye men of London, gang on yourselves with your wives to Wilsdon, in the Devil's name, or else keep them at home with you with a sorrow.  
Sir john Moor was wont to compare the choosing of a wife unto a casual taking out at all a very ventures of Eels out of a bag, wherein were twenty Snakes for an Ele.  
Sir john Fineux, sometime chief justice of the King's bench, was often heard to say: Who so taketh from a justice the order of his discretion, taketh surely from him more than half his office.  
Wise was that saying of Doctor Medealfe: You young men do think us old men to be fools, but we old men do know that you young men are fools.  
Katherine wife to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk: when her husband at a feast, willed every Lady to take to sit by her, him that she loved best, provided he were not her husband, she took Stephen Cardiner, Bishop of Winchester, saying: Seeing she might not have him whom she loved best, she would take him whom she loved worst.  
KIng Edward the sixth when three sword were delivered at his coronation unto him, as king of England, France, and Ireland, said, There was yet another sword to be delivered unto him. Whereat when the Lords marveled, he said: I mean (said he) the sacred Bible, which is the sword of the spirit, without which we are nothing, neither can do any thing. [Balaeus in Centurijs.]  
When sit Ralph Fane was condemned to die by the practice of the Duke of Northumberland, he said no more, protesting his innocency, but, My blood shall be the Duke's bolster, as long as he liveth: Meaning, as I think, that his conscience affrighted with shedding innocent blood, should enjoy little quiet, but pass restless nights. Relatio Gallica.  
Thirlby Bishop of Elie, when he was Ambassador at Rome, one of her men negligently laying down his livery cloak, in his lodging lost it: wherewith the Bishop being angry rated the fellow roughly, who told him that he suspected nothing in so holy a place as Rome was, but did take them all for true men. What knave (qvoth the Bishop) when thou comest into a strange place, think all men there to be thieves, yet take heed thou do not call them thieves.  
When he was prisoner in the Tower, he was searched by the Lievetenaunt, and five hundred French crowns found in his purse, and in his doublet about him: whereat when the Lieutenant wondering, asked him, what he meant to carry so much money about him: he answered, I love to have my friends still near about me, and can not tell how I should be used if I lacked them.  
In the rebellion in the West, during the reign of king Edward the sixth, sir Anthony Kingston marshal of the field, hanged up a fellow that was servant to a rebellious Miller, whom he affirmed himself to be, until he came unto the gallows, and then his denial would not be allowed. Afterward the matter being better known, sir Anthony was told that he had executed the man for the master. It is well enough (quoth sir Anthony) he could never have done his master better service, than have hanged for him.  
THese following are taken out of the life of Cardinal Poole Archbishop of Canterbury, written by a learned man, and Printed at Venice.  
When one asked counsel of Cardinal Poole, what method and way was best to be taken, to understand the obscure places in Saint Paul's Epistles: he answered him he thought the best and shortest way was, to read first the latter part of those Epistles, which doth entreat of Christian manners, and understand it, and express it in life and good manners; and then to go unto the first part, where the matters of faith are subtilely and exactly handled, saying; That God will give his spirit of understanding soon unto those, that with all their whole hearts seek to serve him.  
He was wont to say, That he and all other Bishops ought to consider that they were ordained, not only judges over those of their Dioceses, but father judges.  
In communication when mention happened to be made of a certain Bishop, who was wont to blame the Bishops that lived at Rome, and neglected their charge, and yet he himself was resident at Rome. He (quoth Poole) doth like unto those that cannot abide the smell of garlic, for if they have to do with them that have eaten garlic, they eat some to themselves, that they may not percerve their stinking breaths.  
Speech was heard of a young man that was learned indeed, but too bold, and ready to censure. Learning (quoth Poole) doth work almost that in young men, that wine doth in the fat; there it worketh, there it boileth up, and swelleth. But as soon as it is purged, and put in the vessel, having gathered his forces together, it is quiet and still.  
When one very skilful in Astrology told him, that he had very exactly calculated his-nativitie, and found that great matters were portended of him: Poole answered, Perhaps it may be as you affirm, but you must remember that I was borne again by baptism, and that day of nativity wherein I was borne again, doth eclipse the other before.  
When one had said, that we must be so wholly busied in the study of the Scriptures, that no time should be left for other studies: and another man had added, that the studies of other learn were to be used as Wayting-maides, and Bondwomen, What do you not know (quoth Poole) that Agar was cast out of the doors, because she was a bondwoman?  
When Sadolet adhorted him unto the study of Philosophy, giving to it the price above all other studies: Poole answered him, While all the world was overwhelmed with the darkness of Paganism, it did excel all other Arts: but since that thick mist was chased away, by the bright beams of the preaching of Christ and his Apostles, and their successors; the study of the sacred Scriptures and divinity had gotten the pa●ne and chief praise, adding, that Philosophy was now as Tenedos, of whom Virgil writeth:  
— notissima fama  
Insula div●s opum Priami dum regna manebant.  
Nunc tantùm sinus & statio malefida carinis.  
A famous Isle of riches great while Priamus kingdom stood,  
Now nothing but a baggage bay, and harbour nothing good.  
He used friendly to admonish a certain Bishop, not to forsake his sheep, but rather leaving Rome to repair home and execute his office. This Bishop upon a time came unto him, and told him that he was minded to go out of the city, for one month, and to visit his sheep, and therefore he did desire that he might depart with his good leave and liking: Poole answered, I shall take this comfort by your departure, that you shall be beaten the less.  
When Letters were showed unto him very artificially penned, which one had sent unto a great man, to comfort him for the death of his friends, and to tha● intent had used all the places of Rhetoric, he read them, and then said; That he never in all his life had ever read Letters, that could bring greater comfort; for they were such, that no man that should read them, could be able to keep himself from laughing.  
Having heard a certain Preacher of great name, who arrogated much to himself, and did passingly please himself; he was asked what he thought of the man. Poole answered; Well, but I would that he would first preach unto himself, and then afterward to other.  
When a Nobleman of Rome told him, that he did trust that he should come to his pleasant gardens, which he had sumptuously made, yea thirty years after, and wonder at the beauty of them. Poole answered, I hope I have not deserved so ill of you, that you should wish me so long a banishment from my heavenly country.  
While he was in the Low countries, and one day would have gone unto Charles the Emperor, but he could not be admitted to his speech: but two days after the Bishop of Arras was sent unto him by the Emperor, to excuse his long stay, and desire him to come unto him: Poole said, that he had strange hap, That whereas be spoke daily unto God for the Emperor, yet he was not admitted unto the Emperor, to talk with him about a matter belonging to God.  
There was one that was very curious in keeping of his beard, and it was reported that he bestowed every month two ducats upon the trimming of it. If it be so (said Poole) his beard will shortly be more worth than his head.  
After the death of Paulus Tertius when many Cardinals came unto him, and told him, that if he liked of it, they would make him Pope: He desired them to look well to it, that they were swayed by no passion of the mind, or did aught for favour, and goodwill, but refer all their cogitations wholly unto the honour of God, and the profit of his Church; the which only they all ought especially to have always before their eyes.  
When one of the Cardinals of the adverse faction did one day charge him with ambition, and said that he did untimely and overhastily seek the Popedom: He answered gravely That he thought not the burden of that great office to be so light, but that he was of the mind, that it was rather to be feared, than desired. A● for them which understood not, and thought more basely of so great a place, he lamented their case, and was sorry for them.  
When the Cardinal Farnesi, and divers other of his fri●nds came unto him, at midnight, to make him Pope, by adoration, he repelled them saying; He would not have so weighty a matter tumultuously and rashly done, but v●●aily and orderly, that the night was no convenient time therefore, that God loved the light more than darkness, wherefore they should defer it until the next day, and that then of it plea●ed God, it might very well be done. But this his pious modesty lost him the Papacy.  
He used often to say, Those which would betake them unto the study of the holy Scriptures, (which was as though they would go into the inner and secret part of the Temple) must pass thorough a low and a narrow door: For that no man can attain to the understanding of the Scriptures, that is proud and puffed up with the sharpness of his wit, or excellency of human learning; but be that bringeth lowliness of mind, and 〈◊〉 tempt of himself, and yields his understanding (as the Apostle saith) captive unto faith.  
Of this also did he often admonish those that would study the sacred Scriptures, That they should specially beware that they never went to the reading of them with this intent and mind, that they might dispute of them to show their learning, and by that knowledge to get them honours and riches: for both purposes, were every contrary to this kind of study. Whereunto aught to be adhibited, first fervent prayers▪ then a lowly mind, and finally an heart void of all ambition and greedy desire. Thus far of this good Cardinal.  
Wil●iam Marks of Winchester, being asked how he continued of the counsel on the troublesome times of diverse Princes, answered. By being a Willow, and not an Oak. He would also often say, that he found great ease in this: That I never sought to rule the r●ste, and to be the director of others, but always suffered myself to be swayed with the most and mightiest. As another Courtier of former times said he had borne off many court-stormes indangerous times. By suffering injuries and giving thanks for them.  
A lusty gallant that had wasted much of his patrimony, seeing master Dutton a gentleman in a gown, not of the newest out, told him that he had thought it had been his great grandfathers gown, It is so (said master Dutton) and I have also my great grandfathers lands, and so have not you.  
A reverend man my first teacher would often say in the midst of his mirth, Sorrow is good for nothing save sin only.  
NOw we draw to an end, have a few save of merry M. chelwood the great Epigrammatist. When Qu: Mary told this Heiwood, that the Priests must forego their wives. He merrily answered, Your Grace must allow them Lemen then, for the Clergy can not live without sauce.  
He being asked of the said Queen Mary, what wind blew him to the Court, answered her, Two specially, the one to see your Majesty, We thank you for that, said Queen Mary; But I pray you, what is the other? That your Grace (said he) might see me.  
When one told him, that Pace being a master of Art had disgraced himself with wearing a fools come, he answered, It is less hurtful to the commonweal, when wisemen go in fools coats, than when fools go in w●●e m●ns gowns.  
When he saw one riding that bare a wanton behind him, he said; In good faith sir, I would say that your horse were overloaden, if I did not perceive this the 〈◊〉 you carry were very light.  
When a man of worship, whose beer was better hopped than maulted, asked him at his Table, how he liked of his beer, and whether it were not well hopped: Yes by the faith of my body (said he) it is very well hopped: but if it ha● hoppea a little further, it had hopped into the water.  
When one said, that the number of Lawyers would mar the occupation; he answered, No, for always the more spaniels in the field, the more game.  
This usual speech of sir Th: Moor, both of himself & other Book breeders, which is also extant in an Epistle of his, I have reserved to close up this part. Booke-makers are ful●●se folk who p●ine and ●●ne themselves away by writing, to subject themselves to the censure of such which in Ordinaries and in Alebenches will 〈…〉 pull them by their words, phrases, and lines, as it were by the beards; when some of them are so pill● themselves, as that they have not one hair of honesty; or to use his own words, Ne pilum boni hominis. But these he resembleth to those unmannerly guests, which when they have been well and kindly entertained flinch away never giving thanks, but depraving and disprasing their courteous entertainment.   

CERTAIN Poems, or Poesies, Epigrams, Rhythms, and Epitaphs of the English Nation in former Times.  
POEMS.  
OF the dignity of Poetry much hath been said by the worthy Sir Philipp Sidney, and by the Gentleman which proved that Poets were the first Politicians, the first Philosophers, the first Historiographers. I will only add out of Philo, that they were Gods own creatures, who in his Book de Plantatione Noah, reporteth, that when he had made the whole world's mass; he created Poets to celebrate and set out the Creator himself, and all the creatures: you Poets read the place and you will like it. Howsoever it pleaseth the Italian to censure us, yet neither doth the Sun so far retire his chariot from our Climate, neither are there less favourable aspects between Mercury, jupiter, and the Moon, in our inclination of heaven, if Poets are Fato, as it pleased Socrates, neither are our Poets destitute of Art prescribed by reason, and grounded upon experience, but they are as pregnant both in witty conceits and devices, and also in imitation, as any of them. Yea and according to the argument excel in granditie and gravity, in smoothness and propriety, in quickness and briefness. So that for skill, variety, efficacy, and sweetness, the four material points required in a Poet, they can both teach and delight perfectly.  
This would easily appear if any lines were extant of that worthy British Lady Claudia Rufina, so commended by Martial, or of Gildas which Lilius Giraldus saw in the libraries of Italy, 
Beda Eccl. hist. lib. 4. cap. 24.  or of old Chedmon who by divine inspiration about the year 680. became so divine a Poet in our English tongue, that with his sweet verses full of compunction, he withdrew many from vice to virtue, and a religious fear of God: or of our Claudius Clemens one of the first founders of the University of Paris: and doth most clearly appear to all that can judge by many learned Poems published in this our learned age. But whereas these later are in every man's hand, and the former are irrecoverable, I will only give you a taste of some of middle age, which was so overcast with dark clouds, or rather thick fogs of ignorance, that every little spark of liberal learning seemed wonderful: so that if sometime you happen of an uncouth word, let the time entreat pardon for it, when as all words have their times, and as he saith.  
licuit semperque licebit,  
Signatum present nota procudere nomen.  
We will begin with joseph of Excester, who followed our King Richard the first in his wars in the holy land, celebrated his acts in a book called Antiocheidos, and turned Dares Phrigius so happily into verse, that it hath been Printed not long since in Germany, under the name of Cornelius Nepos.  
The passing of the pleasant river Simois by Troy, & the encounter between the waves of the Sea, and it, at the disemboging, or inlett thereof, he lively setteth forth thus: 
Proxima rura rigans alio peregrinus ab orb  
Visurus Troiam Simois, longoque meatu  
Emeruisse velit, ut per tot regna, tot urbes  
Exeat aequoreas tandem Trotanus in undas.  
Dumque indefesso miratur Pergama visu  
Lapsurum suspendit iter, flwiumque moratur,  
Tardior & totam complects destinat urbem:  
Suspensis infensus aquis violentior instat  
Nereus, atque amnem cogens procùl ire minorem;  
Proximus accedit urbi, contendere credas  
Quis propior, sic alternis concurritur undis,  
Sic crebras iterant voces, sic iurgia miscent.   
You may at one view behold mount Ida with his trees, & the country adjacent to Troy in these few lines, as in a most pleasant prospect presented unto you thus, by the said joseph.  
Haud procul incumbens intercurrentibus aruis  
Idaeus consurgit apex, vetus incola montis  
silva viret, vernat abies procera, cupressus  
Flebilis, interpres laurus, vaga pinus, oliva  
Concilians, cornus venatrix, fraxinus audax,  
Staet comitis patiens ulmus, nunquamque senescens  
Cantatrix buxus: paulò procliviùs aruum  
Ebria vitis habet non dedignata latere  
Cancricolam poscit Phoebum, vicinus aristas  
Praegnantes faecundat ager▪ non plura Falernus  
Vina bibit, non tot pascit Campania messes.  
A right woman and Ladylike disdain may be observed in the sa●e Author, where he bringeth in Pallas, mating dame juno with modest disdamfulnesse before Paris, in the action of beauty, a matter of greatest importance in that sex, after this manner of reply.  
Magna parens superûm, nec enim nego; magna Tonantis  
Nupta, nec invideo; meritum, Paris inclyte, nostrum  
Si quod erat carpsit testor freta, testor Olympum,  
Testor humum, non armatas in praelia linguae  
Credideram venisse deas; hâc part loquacem  
Erubeo sexum, minùs hîc quam faemina possum;  
Martem alium didici, victoria faeda ubi victis  
Plus laudis victore feret, nostrisque trophaeis  
Hic haud notus honos. Sed quo regina dearum  
Effatu tendit, Dea sit, cedo, imò Dearum  
Maxima, non dextrae sortiri sceptra potentis,  
Partiri ue iovem certatim venimus, illa  
Illa habeat, quae se ostentat.  
In the commendation of Britain, for breeding Martial men, and praise of the famous King Arthur, he song in his Antiocheidos' these which only remain out of that work, 
Inclita fulsit  
Posteritas ducibus tantis, tot dives alumnis,  
Tota faecunda viris, premerent qui viribus o● bem,  
Et famà veteres. Hinc Constantinus adeptus  
Imperium, Romam tenuit, Byzantion auxit.  
Hinc Senenum ductor captiuà Brennius urbe,  
Romuleas domuit flammis victricibus arces.  
Hinc & Scaeva satus pars non obscura tumultus  
Civilis, Magnum solus qui mole soluta  
Obsedit, meliorque stetit pro Caesare murus,  
Hinc celebri fato faelici floruit ortu  
Flos regum Arthurus, cuius tamen acta stupori  
Non micuere minùs, totus quòd in aure voluptas  
Et populo plaudente faws. Quacunque priorum  
Inspice, Pellaeum commendat fama Tyrannum,  
Pagina Caesareos loquitur Romana triumphos,  
Alciden domitis attollit gloria monstris.  
Sed nec pinetum coryli, nec sydera solemn  
Aequant, annal Graios, Latiosque revolve,  
Prisca parem nescit, aequalem postera nullum  
Exhibitura dies. Reges supereminet omnes  
Solus praeteritis melior, maiorque futuris.   
If a painter would portrait devils let him paint them in his colours, as Foelix the old Monk, of Crowland depaynted the bugs of Crowland in his verses, and they will seem right hellhounds.  
Sunt aliqui quibus est crinis rigidus, caput amplum,  
Frons cornuta, gena distorta, pupilla coruscans,  
Os patulum, labra turgentia, dens praeacutus,  
Et quibus est crinis quasi seta, caput quasi truncus,  
Frons quasi cera, gena quasi pix, oculus quasi carbo,  
Os quasi sporta, labra quasi plumbum, dens quasi buxus.  
Sunt alij quibus est vultus gibbosus & acer,  
Nasus curuatus & foedus, auris acuta,  
Et grandis, ceruix dependens & macilenta:  
Caesaries & barba rigens, frons & gena pallens,  
Nasus & auris olens, vertex & sinciput horrens.  
Et sunt perplures qui crine videntur adusto,  
Front truci, naso praegrandi, lumine toruo.  
Faucibus horrendis, labris pendentibus, ore  
Ignivomo, vultu squamoso, vertice grosso,  
Dente fero, mento peracuto, gutture rauco,  
Pelle nigra, scapulis contractis, ventre rapaci,  
Costis mobilibus, lumbis ardentibus, anis  
Caudatis, genibus nodatis, cruribus uncis,  
Plantis aversis, talisque tumentibus, & sunt  
Nonnulli, quibus est non horrida forma, sed ipse  
Horror, cum non sint scelerati, sed scelus ipsum.  
He did seem also a good poet in his age, which described a great battle between the Danes and the English; thus.  
Eminùs in primis hiberni grandinis instar  
Tela volant, syluas hastarum fragmina frangunt;  
Mox ruitur propiùs, praescinditur ensis ab ense,  
Conculcatur equus ab equo, ruit hostis in hostem.  
Hic effossa trahit hostili viscera ferro,  
Hic tacet exanimis fusâ cum sanguine vitâ.  
Hic pedis, ille manus, hic pectoris, ille lacerti  
Vulnere damnatus reditum proponit inanem.  
If he which scraped together the fragments of ancient poets, had happened on the verses following, written to a Bishop of Norwich, happily he would have inserted them.  
Magnus Alexander bellorum saepe procellas  
Immixtus fregit studijs, Socratesque studend●  
Continuum solitus interrupisse laborem,  
Threicias tremulo numeravit pollice chordas.  
Cedit Atlas oneri, civili scriptor ab ense  
julius abstinuit, invictus saepe quievit  
Alcides, rigidum mollis lyra flexit Achillem,  
Tu quoque lugenti patriae graviterque diuque  
Expectate parens, sibi quem viduata maritum  
jam Pastoralis Norwici regia poscit. etc.  
john Hanuill a Monk of S. Albans made this good & godly invocation before his poem, comparable with many of the latter brood.  
Tu Cyrrhae latices nostrae Deus implue menti,  
Eloquij rorem siccis infunde labellis,  
Distillaque favos, quos nec dum pallidus auro  
Scit Tagus, aut sitiens admotis Tantalus undis.  
Dirige qua timidè susc●pit dextera, dextram  
Audacem pavidamque iwa, tu mentis habenas  
Feruoremque rege, quicquid dictauerit ori  
Spiritus aridior, oleum suffunde favoris.  
Tu patris es verbum, tu mens, tu dextra, Verbum  
Expediat verbum, mens mentem, dextera dextram.  
Lazy and superficial scholars which thrust the day forward ward with their shoulders in the university, and return as wise as they came thither he describeth in this sort: 
Hi sunt qui statuae veniunt-statuaeque recedunt,  
Et Bacchi sapiunt non Phaebi pocula, Nysae  
Agmina non Cirrhae, Phaebo Bacchoque ministrant,  
Hoc pleni illo vacui.   
The old ale knights of England were well depainted out of him, in the ale house colours of that time, in this manner, 
jamque vagante scypho, discincto gutture was-heil  
Ingeminant was-fieil; labour est plus perdere vini  
Quam sitis, exhaurire merum vehementius ardent,  
quam exhaurire sitim.   
The same john Hanuill when he would signify whatsoever envy had wrought against Troy, the Roman virtue had repaired, sung briefly.  
Si quid de cùlmine Troiae  
Diminuit livor, virtus reparavit, ut orbi  
Hic urbem rapuit, haec orbem reddidit urbi.  
Passionate are these verses upon the death of K. Richard the first, penned by one Gaulfrid.  
Neustria sub clypeô Regis defensa Richardi  
Indefensa modò gestu testare dolorem,  
Exundent oculi lachrimas exterminet ora  
Pallor, connodet digitos tortura, cruentet  
Interiora dolour, & verberet aera clamour:  
Tota peris ex morte suâ, mors non fuit eius  
Sed tua, non una sed publica mortis imago.  
O Veneris lachrimosa dies, o sidus amarum.  
Illa dies tua nox fuit, & Venus illa venenum.  
Illa dedit vulnus, sed pessimus ille dierum  
Primus ab undecimo, qui vitam victricus ipsam  
Clausit, uterque dies homicida, tyrannide mira,  
Traiecit clausus inclusum, tectus apertum,  
Providus incautum, miles munitus inermem,  
Et proprium Regem.  
And after a few verses: he speaking to Death, addeth in commendation of that prince.  
—, Nihil addere noverat ultrà  
Ipse fuit quicquid potuit natura, sed istud  
Causa fuit quare rapuisti, res pretiosas  
Eligis, & viles quasi dedignata relinquis.  
These former verses were mentioned by Chaucer our English Homer in the description of the sudden stir and Panicall fear when Chanteclere the cock was carried away by Reynold the Fox with a relation to the said Galfride.  
The silly widow and her daughters two  
Herd the hens cry and make ado.  
And out at the door start they anon  
And saw the fox toward the woodygon,  
And bare upon his back the cock away  
And cried out harow and well away.  
Aha the fox, and after him they ran,  
And eke with staves many other man.  
Run Coll our dog, Talbot and eke Garland,  
And Malkin with her distaff in her hand,  
Ran Cow and Calf and eke the very hogs,  
For they so sore afraid were of the dogs.  
And shouting of men and of women eke.  
They ran so her heart thought to breaks  
They yellen as fends do in hell,  
The Ducks cried as men would them quell,  
The Geese for fear flew over the trees,  
Out of the heves came swarms of Bees.  
So hideous was the noise, ah benedicite  
Certes jack Straw, ne his meiney  
Ne made never shouts half so shrill  
When that they would any Fleming kill,  
As that day was made upon the Fox.  
Of brass they blew the trumps and of box,  
Of horn, and box, i which they blew and pouped,  
And therewith they shrieked and shouted,  
It seemed as though heaven should fall.  
O Gaulfride dear master sovereign,  
That when the worthy King Richard was slain  
With shot, complainedst his death so sore,  
Why ne had I now thy science, and thy lore?  
The Friday for to chide as did ye,  
For on a Friday shortly slain was he.  
Then would I show you how that I could plain,  
For Chauntecleercs dread and for his pain.  
Certes such cry, ne lamentation,  
Was never of Ladies made when that Ilium  
Was won, an Pyrrhus with his bright sword,  
When he hent King Priam by the beard,  
And slough him (as saith Aeneidos')  
As made all the hens in the close,  
When they lost of Chantecleere the sight:  
But sovereignly dame Pert●lott shright,  
Well louder than did Hasdruballs' wife,  
When that her husband hath lost his life,  
And that the Romans had brent Cartage,  
She was so full of torment and of rage,  
That wilfully into the fire she start,  
And brent herself with a steadfast heart.  
O woeful Hens right so cried ye,  
As when that Nero brent the city  
Of Rome, cried the Senators wives,  
For that her husbonds should lose her lives.  
These may suffice for some Poetical descriptions of our ancient Poets, if I would come to our time, what a world could I present to you out of Sir Philipp Sidney, Ed. Spencer, Samuel Daniel, Hugh Holland, Ben: johnson, Th. Campion, Mich. Drayton, George Chapman, john Marston, William Shakespeare, & other most pregnant wits of these our times, whom succeeding ages may justly admire.   

Epigrams.  
IN short and sweet Poems, framed to praise or dispraise, or some other sharp conceit which are called Epigrams, as our country men now surpass other nations, so in former times they were not inferior, if you consider ages, as the indifferent Reader may judge by these.  
In the praise of our native Country England, Alfred of Beverley made this.  
Anglia plena iocis, gens libera et apta iocari,  
Libera gens cui libera mens & libera lingua,  
Sed lingu. i melior, liberiorque manus.  
And in another old Book I find this.  
Anglia dulce solum, quod non aliena, recensque,  
Sed tua dulcedo pristina dulce facit,  
Quae nihil à Galli●, sed Gallia suscipit à te  
Quicquid amoris habet quicquid honoris, habet.  
In the dark misle of all good learning, about 800. years since, in commendation of the godly King Saint Os●uald, was made this.  
Quis fuit Alcides? quis Caesar julius? aut quis  
Magnus Alexander? Alcides' se superasse  
Fertur, Alexander mundum: sed julius hostem:  
Se simul Oswaldus, & mundum vicit, & hostem.  
To the honour of Elfleda noble Lady, which repaired Derby, Chester, Warwick, etc. I have found this.  
O Elfleda potens, o terror virgo virorum,  
Victrix naturae, nomine digna viri;  
Te quo splendidior fieres, natura puellam,  
Te probitas fecit nomen habere viri.  
Te mutare decet, sed solum nomina sexus  
Tu Regina potens, Rexque trophaea parans.  
jam nec Caesarei tantum meraeri triumphi,  
Caesare splendidior virgo, virago viges.  
This also may here have place, which William conquerors Poet made to him when he had obtained this Realm.  
Caesariem Caesar tibi si natura negavit,  
Hanc Wilielme tibi stella comata dedit.  
It may seem he alluded to the baldness of julius Caesar, who for that cause used a Laurel Garland, to the Comet appearing before his conquest of this kingdom, portending the same as it was thought, and to the manner of the French in that time: among whom long bushy hair was the signal mark of Majesty, as Agathias noteth, when as all subjects were rounded, and the Kings only long haired. Which custom continued among the French Kings, until Peter Lombard Bishop of Paris dissuaded them from it, and among ours, as appeareth by their seals until King Henry the 5.  
The happy success of English and Normans, with the cowardly flight of the French, at Nugent 1109 in the time of King Henry the first, was thus expressed.  
Henricus regum rex & decus, abstulit altos  
Francigenis animos, Ludovicum namque Nugenti  
Rex regem campo magnum maior superavit:  
Praeposuere fugam bellis, calcaria telis  
Galli praecipites: fama spolijsque potitos  
Laureâ Normanos, & laus aterna coronat,  
Sic decus iste ducum sic corda tumentia pressit,  
Oraque Francorum superba mutire coegit.  
Maud daughter to Malcolm King of Scots, a woman of rare piety, buried at Westminster, to which Church she would come daily barefoot, while the Court lay there, had an excellent Epigram made to her commendation, whereof these four verses only remain.  
Prospera non laetam fecere, nec aspera tristem,  
Aspera risus erant, prospera terror erant.  
Non decor effecit fragilem, non sceptra superbam,  
Sola potens humilis, sola pudica decens.  
No bad Poet was he which wrote to the honour of Adeliza, second wife to King Henry the first, who was daughter to the Duke of Brabant, & sister to Lord joscelin, from whom the Percies Earls of Northumberland descended.  
Anglorum Regina tuos Adeliza decores  
Ipsa referre parans Musa, stupore riget.  
Quid Diadema tibi pulcherrima? quid tibi gemma?  
Pallet gemma tibi, nec Diadema nitet.  
Demetrius tibi cultus, cultum natura ministrat,  
Non exornari forma beata potest.  
Ornamenta cave, nec quicquam luminis inde  
Accipis, illa micant lumine clara tuo;  
Non puduit modicas de magnis dicere laudes,  
Nec pudeat dominam te precor esse meam.  
But among all our old Epigrammatists all commendation is carried away by old Godffery Prior of Winchester, who lived Anno 1100. which City hath brought forth so many excelling in Poetical faculty, not only in former ages, but also in latter, out of the worthy College there, that the very Genius loci doth seem Poetical. Out of his Epigrams first imparted to me by the right learned Master Th. Allen of Oxford, I will here impart a few unto you.  
To one that would know how long he should learn, he wrighteth thus.  
Discendi Damiane modum te quaerere dicunt,  
Discas dum nescis, sit modus iste tibi.  
That the contempt of fools is not to be respected.  
Contemptum stulti contemnere Dindime laus est,  
Contemni a stulto dedecus esse nego.  
Against pride in prosperity.  
Extolli noli quùm te fortuna beavit  
Pompone, haec eadem quae levat, ipsa premit.  
Against such as teach well, and live not accordingly.  
Multa Solon, sed plura Cato me verba docetis,  
At nemo vestrum quanta docetis, agit.  
To one which had eaten stinking meat.  
Druse comedisti quem misit silvius hircum,  
Vel tibi non nasus, vel tibi nasus olet.  
He teacheth us to rely upon firm and sure supports, lest we fall to the ground with them in this.  
Non est securus super titubantia fultus  
jungere labenti, labitur ille, ruis.  
That we must look for like measure, if we do not as we would be done unto, he admonisheth all under the name of Albius.  
jurgia, clamores tibi gloria gloria lights,  
Et facis & dicis omnibus, unde noces.  
Expectes ead●m quae nobis seceris Albi,  
Nam quem tu laedis, te ferit ille libens.  
Youth which in their haughty heat, reject the advise of old men, he adviseth thus.  
Pannorum veterum facile contemnitur usus  
Non sic consilium, posthumiane, senum.  
The vanity of them which vaunt of their ancient nobility, and have no nobility in themselves, he thus taxeth.  
Stemmata continuas, recitas ex ordine patres,  
Queis nisi tu similis, Rufule quid recitas?  
That there was no contending with him who with missive bribes can prevail against justice.  
Missilibus Daciane tuis Astraea recessit  
Vincis m●ssilibus Ius Dac●●nc tuis.  
The common proverb, Love me love mine, he thus advised us to observe,  
Me tanquam socium te dicis amare Trebati,  
Et quos totus amo dente furente teris  
Sed nisi sis socius socijs, & amic●s  
Non potero nostrum dicere te socium.  
Against hooked gifts which draw others.  
Multa mihi donas, vereor ne multa requiras,  
Nolo mihi doncs Aulice, si repetas.  
Against one that sought a benefice and would teach before he could teach.  
Quâ doceat sedem quaerit Pl●timus & aedem,  
Quarit quâ doceat, non ea quae doceat,  
Against a covetous wretch.  
Nasidiane diu vixisti semper anarus,  
Oro tibi ●●uas Nasidiane does.  
Against one that would exact of others, and do nothing himself.  
Ex●gis a nobis quem 〈◊〉 soluis amorem,  
Quam nulli praestes exigis. Aule sidem.  
Exig●● à nobis quem non m●rearis honorem,  
Mirum est quod non das, id tibi velle 〈◊〉.  
Against an Abbot that would defend his monks from others, but worry them himself.  
Tollit onem de fauce lupi persaepe molossus,  
Ereptamque lupo ventre recondit ovem.  
Tu quoque Scevae tuos praedone tueris ab omni,  
unus praedo tamen perdis ubique tuos.  
One amidst the wars between King Stephen and Henry the second, commended the same Henry in these verses.  
Praelia quanta movet Stephanus, moucat volo namque  
Gloria nulla foret si pralia null: moveret.  
Tu contra Stephanum cui copia multa virorum;  
Duxisti pautos, our paucos? gloria maior,  
Est▪ multos paucis, quam paucos vincere multis.  
At the same troublesome time and as it were desolation of England were written to the same Henry as it were in a Prosopopcia of England.  
Dux Henrice nepos Henrici maxime magni;  
Anglia tota ruo, nec iam ruo, tota ruina. etc.  
Upon two other fearful flights of the French, one at Vernoil, the other at Vandosme in the time of King Henry the second, one made this.  
Gallia fugisti bis, & hoc sub rege Philippo,  
Nec sunt sub modio facta pudenda duo.  
Vernolium sumit testem fuga prima, secunda  
Vindocîum, noctem prima▪ secunda diem.  
Nocte fugam primam celerasti, mane secundam,  
Prima pavore fuit, vique secunda fuit.  
When one had flattered William Longchampe Bishop of Elye the only powerable man of England in his time with this blandation.  
Tam benè, tam facile, tu magna negotia tractas,  
Vt dubium reddas sis homo, sive deus.  
Giraldus Cambrensis a man well borne and better lettered, of that house from whence the Giraldines of Ireland are descended, and secretary to King john, played upon these verses, and that Bishop after he was apprehended in woman's attire flying out of the realm.  
Tam male, tam temerè, tam turpiter omnia tractas,  
Vt dubium reddas bellua sis, vel homo.  
Sic cum sis minimus tentas maioribus uti,  
We dubium reddas simia sis, vel homo.  
He that made the verse following (some ascribe it to that Giraldus) could adore both the son rising, and the son setting, when he could so cleanly honour King Henry the second then departed, and King Richard succeeding.  
Miracano sol occubuit, nox nulla secuta.  
Great was the commendation of Maecenas, who when he could do all with Augustus, yet never harmed any, whereupon in an Elegy upon his death, Pedo Albinovanus writeth.  
Omnia cum possess, tanto tam carus amico,  
Te sensit nemo posse nocere tamen.  
Which commendation king Henry the eight gave to that worthy Duke of Suffolk Charles Brandon, who never used the King's favour to the hurt of any. And the same Giraldus testified the like of King Henry the second, in this verse very effectually.  
Glorior hoc uno, quòd nunquam vidimus unum,  
Nec potuisse magis, nec nocuisse minùs.  
These also following are referred unto him.  
Vive deo, tibi mors requies, tibi vita labori,  
Vive Deo, mors est vivere, vita mori.  
These following were likewise written by him against lewd love.  
Nec laus, nec probitas, nec honor superare puellam,  
Sed Veneris vitium vincere laudis opus.  
Vis melius sapiens, melius vis strenuous esse,  
Si Venerem superes, istud & istud eris:  
Noli castra sequi Veneris, sed castra Mineruae,  
Haec docet, illa furit, haec iu●at, illa nocet.  
Cum sit amor vetitus, vetiti malus actus amoris,  
Si malus ergo nocet, si nocet, ergo fuge,  
Cuius caepta timor, medium scelus, exitus ignis,  
Tu fuge, tu reproba, tu metuendo cave.  
Why the Sun appeareth ruddy and as it were blusheth at his first rising. Alexander Necham sometime prior of Cirencester rendereth the cause thus.  
Sol vultu roseo rubicundo fulget in ortu,  
Incestae noctis facta pudore notans.  
Nempè rubore suo tot damnat damna pudoris,  
Cernere tot Phaebum gesta pudenda pudet▪  
Tota blandos nexus, tot suavia pressa labellis,  
Tota miserae Veneris monstra novella videt.  
Frigida quòd nimium caleat lasciva senectus,  
Ignis quòd gelido ferueat amne stupet.  
Of the fiery colour of the planet Mars, and the spots in the Moon he giveth this reason.  
Mars Venerem secum deprensam fraud mariti  
Erubuit, superest flammeus ille rubor.  
Sed cur lunaris facies fuscata videtur?  
Quae vultu damnat, furta videre solet.  
Add quòd Ecclesiam Phoebe, maculae nota culpam  
Signat, habet maculas utrque Luna suas.  
If you will read carping Epigrammaticall verses of a Durham Poet against the prior Ralph, here you may have them.  
De seen, de caluo, de delirante Radulpho  
Omnia monstra cano, nil nisi vera tamen:  
Imputat errores aliis semper, sibi nunquam,  
Est aliis Argus, Tyresiasque sibi.  
Non vult esse bonus, sed vult bonus esse videri▪  
Est ovis exterius, interiusque lupus.  
Sus vita, canis officio, vulpecula fraud,  
Mente lepus, passer renibus, ore lupus.  
Talis qui daemon nunquam poterit nisi morte  
Esse bonus, postquam desinat esse malus.  
The same Author played also prettily upon William and Alan archdeacons of Northumberland and Durham.  
Archilevitas in sort Northumbria largos,  
Dunnelmum cupidos semper habere solet.  
Nunc è converso sedem dotavit utramque  
Willelmi probitas, crimen Alane tuum.  
Vos nunc degeneres patribus succeditis ambo,  
Hic bonus, antè malus, hîc malus, antè bonus.  
Answerable to these, were these verses of the said Durham Poet, upon the fate of a Pot and a Pipkin, when the pot was all broken, and the Pitcher lost but the handle, by the fall of a window.  
Lapsa fenestra ruit, luit urna sciphusque propinquus,  
Desinit haec esse prorsus, hic esse bene.  
Alias.  
Lapsa fenestra ruit, sciphus urna luunt, nihil illa  
Quo teneat, nihil hic quo teneatur, habet.  
When King Richard the first was detained prisoner with the Emperor, one did write this supplicant verse to the Emperor in a sharp close.  
Magnus es, & genibus flexis tibi supplicat orbis,  
Cum possis, noli saevire, memento Neronis.  
A housewife which had increased her family in her husband's absence with a new bratte, assured her husband at his return, that she conceived it of a Snowball cast at her. But he conveying it away, selling it to a beggar assured her with the like lie; that as it was conceived by snow, so it was melted away by the Sun, which a Poet in the time of K. john expressed thus very briefly, & for that age prettily.  
Rebus in augendis longè remorante marito,  
Vxor maecha parit puerum; post multa reverso,  
Dè nive conceptum fingit, fraus mutua, cautè  
Sustulit, asportat, vendit, matrique reportans  
Ridiculum simile, liquefactum sole refingit.  
But two others comprised the same matter more succinctly in this manner.  
De nive conceptum quem matter adultera fingit,  
S●o●sus eum vendens, liquefactum sole refi●xit.  
Vir quia quem reperit genitum nive famina fingit  
Vendit, & a simili liquefactum sole resinxit.  
That scholar also could play at even and odd, that could keep the figure Compar so precisely in these two verses upon the spring.  
Turba colorum, vis violarum, pompa rosarum,  
Induit hortos, purpurat agros, pascit ocellos.  
A suitor wearied with delais in the emperors court, did at the length frame this distich, and cooled it on a wall.  
Si nequeo placidas affari Caesaris aures,  
Saltem aliquis veniat, qui mihi dicat, Abi.  
So a poor English man fed with vain hope by many, in the time of King Henry the third did write this distich.  
Spem mihi dent alij magnam, rem tu citò paruam,  
Res me parva iwet, spes mihi magna nocet.  
Against a carping companion was this made about that time by john Havill.  
Zoile tu laudem cunens, tu serra bonorum,  
Magna doles, maiora notas, in maxima saevis.  
Such as can speak feelingly of church livings, will not dissemble that these were the four entrances into the church, which a countryman of ours long since in this manner Epigrammatically opened.  
Ecclesias portis his quatuor itur in omnes,  
Principis, & Simonis, sanguinis atque, Dei.  
Prima patet magnis, nummatis altera, charis  
Tertia, sed raris ianua quarta patet.  
Good also is that under S. Peter in the Cathedral church of Norwich, (were it not for the fault which is in the former,) but therein you have S. Peter's ship Sea, Nets, and Fish.  
Ecclesiam pro nave rego, mihi climata mundi  
Sunt mare, scriptura retia, piscis homo.  
When Eustathius was elected Bishop of London, one congratulated his advancement thus.  
Omnes hic digni, tu dignior omnibus, omnes  
Hic plenè sapiunt, plenius ipse sapis.  
Of a bragging brawl between two well met, was framed this by Henry of Winchester, but the beginning is lost.  
Hic ait, ille negat, hic asserit, ille refellit,  
Hic proavos multum praedicat, ille premit.  
Fisus uterque sibi se venditat, iste decorem  
jactitat, ille decus, hic opus, alter opes.  
Hic bonus, ille beatus, hic multis disserit, ille  
Multiplicata refert: hic levis, ille loquax.  
When Adrian our countryman had converted some people of Norway, and was made Pope, this was composed to his honour.  
Conferet hic Romae, plus laudis quam sibi Roma,  
Plus dabit hic orbi, quam dabit orbis ei.  
But this would not easily be matched in our age, which was written in the time of King Henry the 6. over the entrance into the Reccipt at Westminster, to admonish accontants to be circumspect in entering, as janus with his two heads, and as vigilant in ending Exchequer accounts, as Argus with his hundred eyes.  
Ingredients jani, rediture sis aemulus Argi.  

RHYTHMS.  
Rhyming verses which are called Versus Leonini, I know not wherefore (for a Lion's tail doth not answer to the middle parts as these verses do) began in the time of Carolus Magnus, and were only in request then, and in many ages following, which delighted in nothing more than in this minstrelsy of metres. I could present you with many of them, but few shall suffice, when as there are but few now which delight in them.  
In the praise of Miles Earl of Hereford, 
Sub Stephano rege.  was this penned, in respect he was both martial and lettered.  
Vatum & ducum gloria  
Milo, cuius in pectore  
Certant vires & studia,  
Certat Hector cum Nestore.  
Virtutum privilegia,  
Mente geris & corpore.  
Teque coronat arbore  
Mars Phoebi, Phoebus propria.  
Walter de Mapes Archdeacon of Oxford, who in the time of King Henry the second filled England with his merriments, confessed his love to good liquor, with the causes, in this manner.  
Mihi est propositum in taberna mori,  
Vinum sit appositum morientis ori:  
Vt dicant, cum venerint, Angelorum chori,  
Deus sit propitius huic potatori.  
Poculis accenditur animi lucerna,  
Cor imbutum nectare volat ad superna,  
Mihi sapit dulcius vinum in taberna,  
quam quod aqua miscuit praesulis pincernn.  
Suum cuique proprium dat natura munus,  
Ego nunquam potui scribere iciunus:  
Me iciunum vincere posset puer unus.  
Sitim & iciunium, odi tanquam funus.  
unicuique propriumdat natura donum,  
Ego versus faciens, vinum bibo bonum,  
Ft quod habent melius dolia cauponum,  
Tale vinum generat copiam sermonum.  
Tales versus facio, quale vinum bibo,  
Nihil possum scribere, nisi sumpto cibo,  
Nihil valet penitus, quod iciunus scribo,  
Nasonem post caelices carmine praeibo,  
Mihi nunquam spiritus prophetiae datur.  
Nisi tunc cum fuerit, venture bene satur  
Cum in arce cerebri Bacchus dominatur,  
In me Phoebus irruit, ac miranda fatur.  
The infirmity and corruption of our nature prone to sensuality he acknowledgeth thus.  
Via lata gradior more iwentutis,  
Implico me vitijs, immenor virtutis,  
Voluptatis avidus, magis quam salutis  
Mortuus in anima curam gero cutis.  
Mihi cordis gravitâs, res videtur gravis,  
jocus est amabilis, dulciorque favis.  
Quicquid Venus imperat labor est suavis,  
Quae nunquam in mentibus habitat ignavis.  
Quis in igne positus igni non uratur?  
Quis in mundo demorans castus habeatur?  
Vbi Venus digito iwenes venatur,  
Oculis illaqueat, fancy praedatur.  
This lusty priest when Pope Innocent the third forbade the Clergy their wives, became Proctor for himself, and them with these verses: desiring only for his fee, that every priest with his sweet heart would say a Pater noster for him.  
Prisciani regula penitùs cassatur,  
Sacerdos per Hic et Haec olim declinatur,  
Sed per Hic solummodo, nunc articulatur.  
Cum per nostrum praesulum Haec amoveatur.  
Ita quidem presbyter caepit allegare,  
Peccat criminaliter qui vult seperare,  
Quod Deus iniunxerat, faeminam amare.  
Tales dignum duximus●fures appellare.  
O quam dolor anxius, quam tormentum grave,  
Nobis est dimittere, quoniam suaue.  
O Roman pontifex, statuisti prauè,  
Ne in tanto crimine moriaris, cave.  
Non est Innocentius, immò nocens verè,  
Qui quod facto docuit studet abolere:  
Et quod olim invenis voluit habere,  
Modò vetus pontifex, studet prohibere,  
Gignere nos praecipit vetus Testamentum:  
Vbi nowm prohibet, nusquam est inventum.  
Praesul qui contrarium donat documentum,  
Nullum necessarium his dat argumentum,  
Dedit enim dominus maledictionem  
Viro qui non fecerit generationem.  
Ergo tibi consulo, per hanc rationem,  
Gignere, ut habeas benedictionem.  
Nonnè de militibus mili●es procedunt?  
Et reges à regibus qui sibi succedunt?  
Per locum à simili, omnes iura laedunt.  
Clericos qui gignere crimen esse credunt.  
Zacharias habuit prolem ●t uxorem.  
Per virum quem genuit adeptus honore●:  
Baptiz●uit enim nostrum salvatorem:  
P●reat, qui teneat nowm hunc errorem,  
Paulus caelos rapitur ad superiores,  
Vbi multas didicit res secretiores,  
Ad nos tandem rediens, instruensque mores.  
Suas (inquit) habeat quilibet uxores.  
Propter haec et alia dogmata doctor●●.  
Reor est m●lius, et magis decorum,  
Quisque suam habeat et non proximorum,  
Ne incurrat odium & iram eorum.  
Proximorum faeminas filias, & neptes,  
Violare nefas est, quare nil deceptes.  
Verè tuam habeas & ha● del●●les  
Diem ut sic ultimum tutius expectes  
Ecce iam pro clericis multum allegavi,  
Nec non pro presbiteris plura comprobavi:  
Pater noster nunc pro me quoniam peccavi,  
Dicat quisque presbyter, cum sua suavi.  
Merry Michael the Cornish poet piped this upon his pipe for merry England, but with a mocking compassion of Normandy, when the French usurped it in the time of K. john;  
Nobilis Anglie pocula, prandia, donat et aera:  
Terra iwabilis, et sociabilis agmine plena  
Omnibus utilis Anglia fertilis est, et amaena.  
Sed miserabilis et lachrimabilis absque cateruà,  
Neustria debilis, et modo flebilis et quia serva,  
He begged his exhibition of King Henry the third with this distich.  
Regie rector, miles ut Hector, dux ut Achilles,  
Te quia sector, melle ●vector, 
* Money my honey.  mel mihi stills.  
The same Michael highly offended with Henry of Aurench the king's Poet for disgracing Cornwall, thought to draw blood of him with these bobbing times.  
Est tibi gamba capri, crus passeris, et latus apri,  
Os leporis, catuli nasus dens et gena muli,  
Frons vetulae, tauri caput, et color undique Mauri:  
His argumentis quaenam est argutia mentis?  
Quod non a monstro differs: satis hic tibi monstro.  
If you please to hear a solemn plea at Reason's bar between the Eye & the Heart, run over this, which a contriman of ours made in time of king Henry the 3.  

Quisquis cordis et oculi  
Non sentit in se iurgia,  
Non novit qui sunt stimuli,  
Quae culpae seminaria.   

Causam nescit periculi,  
Cur alternant convitia,  
Cur procaces & aemuli  
Replicent in se vitia.   

Cor sic affatur oculum  
Te peccati principium,  
Te fontem, te stimulum,  
Te mortis voco nuntium.   

Tu domus meae ianitor  
Hosti non claudis ostium,  
Familiaris proditor  
Admittis adversarium.   

Nonnè fenestra diceris  
Quod mors intrat ad animam;  
Nonnè quod vides sequeris  
Vt bos ductus ad victimam.   

Saltem sordes quas ingeris,  
Cur non lavas per lachrimam  
Aut quarè non crueris  
Mentem fermentans azimam?   

Cordi respondet oculus,  
Iniustè de me quaereris,  
servus sum tibi sedulus,  
Exequor quicquid iusseris.   

Nun tu mihi praecipis,  
Sicut et membris caeteris,  
Non ego, tu te decipis,  
Nuntius sum quò tu miseris.   

Cur damnatur apertio?  
Corpori necessaria,  
Sine cuius obsequio,  
Cuncta languent officia.   

Quo si fiat ereptio.  
Cum sim fenestra pervia,  
Si quod recepi nuntio,  
Quae putatur iniuria?   

Addo quòd nullo pulvere  
Quem immitto pollueris,  
Nullum malum te laedere  
Potest, nisi consenseris.   

De cord mala prodeunt  
Nihil invitum pateris,  
Virtutes non intereunt,  
Nisi culpam commiseris.   

Dum sic uterque disputat  
Soluto pacis osculo:  
Ratio litem amputat  
Diffinitivo calculo.   

Vtrumque reum reputat  
Sed non pari periculo,  
Nam cordi causam imputat,  
Occasionem oculo.   
Dan Elingham a Monk of Linton of Saint benedict's order, coming to the White-friar's in Nottingham, found there john Baptist painted in a white friars weed, whereat marveling, he coled out these verses upon the wall near to the picture.  
Christi Baptista, vestis non te decet ista,  
Qui●e vestivit fratrem, maledictus abivit.  
Nunquam Messias wiater fuerat, nec Helias,  
Non stat plebs lata, dum sit pro fratre propheta.  
Si fratrem jonam fingis Geezi tibi ponam:  
Ac jebusaeum, ne iungas his Helisaeum.  
But a white Friar there answered Elingham, with these following in the person of john Baptist.  
Elingham mentiris, metris fatuis quoque miris  
Atque ea quae nescis, sic astruis ut ea quae scis.  
Nam deus est testis, decet haec me candida vestis,  
Plusquàm te vestis pulla, sive nigra cuculla.  
Sum Carmelita meritò, sed tu Geezita.  
A● frater fictus Benedicti, non benedictus.  
He which made this when King Edward the first, and the Pope concurred in exacting a payment from the Clergy, should have smarted, had he been known.  
Ecclesiae navis titubat, regni quia clavis  
Errat, Rex, Papa facti sunt unica capa,  
Hoc faciunt do, des, Pilatus hîc alter Herodes.  
A merry learned Lawyer which had received Wine for a regard, or remembrance, from the Abbot of Merton, who had entertained him in a cause, sent these two verses, as standing upon his integrity against bribes, and requiring rather good evidence than good Wine.  
Vinum transmissum nunc me facit esse remissum,  
Conuivis vina, causis tua iura propina.  
The Abbot which persuaded himself what would move a Lawyer, when Wine could not, returned these three distiches.  
Tentavi temerè vinô te, posse movere,  
Non movi verè, sed forte moveberis aere.  
Vinum non quaeris, sed tinnit si sonus aeris,  
Et spe duceris, forsitàn alter eris.  
Vt mihi sis mitis, tibi misi pocula vitis,  
Nec tamen illa sitis desinit, undè sitis.  
King Edward the third when he first quartered the Arms of France with England, declared his claim in this kind of verse, thus.  
Rex sum regnorum binâ ratione duorum,  
Anglorum regno sum rex ego iure paterno,  
Matris iure quidem Francorum nuncupor idem.  
Hinc est armorum variatio facta meorum.  
These following were made by his Poet, when Philip de Valois the French King lurked in Cambray, and so well liked of him, that he swore by Saint George they were valiant verses; and commanded them to be shot upon an arrow into the City, as a cartel of challenge.  
Si valeas, venias Valois, depelle timorem,  
Non lateas, pateas, maneas, ostend vigorem.  
In the Chapter house of York Minster is written this in commendation thereof:  
Vt rosa flos florum, sic est domus ista domorum.  
The Exchequer officers were extortours in the time of King Henry the 4, otherwise Henry Bell collector of the Custom, (as he styleth himself at that time,) would never have written a rhyming long Satire against them, which beginneth thus.  
O Scacci Camera, locus est mirabilis ille.  
Vt referam vera, tortores sunt ibi mill.  
Si contingat ibi temet quid habere patrandum,  
Certe dico tibi caetum reperire nefandum.  
And concludeth in this manner.  
O sic vexatè tortoribus & cruciate  
Non dices vere propter tales Miserere.  
But this is good advise, which he giveth to such as have to deal with the officers of the Receipt.  
Qui tallas scribunt, cum murmur saepè loquuntur,  
Summas quique solent in magnâ scribere pelle.  
Scribere valdè dolent, dùm non sit solvere bellè.  
Escas manè datas propter ientacula pones,  
Costas assatas, pisces, pinguesque capones,  
Illos conforta pariter per fortia vina,  
Westminster porta, pro talibus est medicina.  
Now for the Fleet then, he writeth thus.  
Cum sis in Fleta, patioris mill molesta,  
Illic dona dabis, si sanus vis fore puncto,  
Nam custos Fletae bona de prisonibus unit,  
Ni soluant laete mox hos per vincula punit:  
Illis qui baculos portant, ostendere debes,  
Valde pios loculos, & ludere praebeo, praebes.  
In the time of King Henry the 4. when in levying of a Subsidy, the rich would not, and the poor could not pay, so they of the meaner sort bore the burden: a skilful dicer, and no unskilful rhymer wrote these verses.  
Dews As non possunt, & Sise Sink solvere nolunt,  
Est igitùr notum, Cater Tre solvere totum.  
Of the decay of gentry one made these rhymes.  
Ex quo nobilitas seruilia caepit amare,  
Nobilitas caepit cum servis degenerare.  
Many more and of great variety of metres in this kind I could present you with all, for these rhymers have as curious observations in their Arte Rithmizandi, as the Italian makers, in their Stanzas, Quartetts, Tercetts, Octaves: but now they are counted long eared which delight in them.  
Beside these, our Poets hath their knacks as young Scholars call them, as Echoes, Achrostiches, Serpentine verses, Recurrents, Numeralls, etc. yea and our prose Authors could use Achrostiches, for Ranulph of Chester began the first Chapter of his Polychronicon with P, the 2. with R, the 3. with E. the 4. with S. the fifth with N. and so forth, as if you would spell the first Chapters of his Book, you, shall find, Praesentem chronicam compilavit Ranulphus Monachus Cestrensis. And why not as well as Agapetus the Greek, who did the like in his admonitions to justinian the Emperor.  
But I will end with this of Odo, holding Master Doctor's Mule, and Anne with her tablecloth: which cost the maker much foolish labour, for it is a perfect verse, and every word is the very same, both backward and forward.  
Odo tenet mulum, madidam mappam tenet Anna.  
Anna tenet mappam madidam, mulum tenet Odo.   

Epitaphs.  
GReat hath been the care of burial even since the first times, as you may see by the examples of Abraham, jacob, joseph, josua, the old prophet in Bethel, and Toby; and also by that in holy scriptures: Mortuo ne deneges gratiam. The jews anointed the dead bodies, wrapped them in sindon, laid them in covered sepulchres hewed out of stone: The Egyptians embalmed and filled them with odoriferous spices, reserving them in glass or coffins, the Assyrians in wax and honey, the Scythians carried about the cleansed carcases to the friends of the deceased for 40. days with solemn banquets. And that we may not particulate, the romans so far exceeded in funeral honours, and ceremonies, with ointments, images, bonfires of most precious woods, sacrifices, & banquets, burning their dead bodies until about the time of Theodosius, 
Macrobius.  that laws were enacted to restrain the excess. Neither have any neglected burial, but some savage nations as Bactrians, (which cast the dead to their dogs) some varlet Philosophers, as Diogenes which desired to be devoured of fishes, some dissolute courtiers as Maecenas, who was wont to say.  Non tumulum curo, sepelit natura relictos. 
As an other said.  De terra in terram, & quaevis terra sepulchrum. 
Yea some of especial note amongst us neglecting the last duty either upon a sparing or a precise humour, are content to commit to the earth their parents, wives, and the nearest unto them in tenebris with little better than Sepultura asinorum. 
Plinius lib. 6. Epist. 10. & lib. 9 Epist. 19  As for those which philosophically dislike monuments and memorials after their death, and those that affect them, I think as Pliny did, speaking of Virginius, and Apronius: that both of them do ambitiously march with like paces toward glory, but by diverse ways, these openly, in that they desire their due titles, those other covertly, in that they would seem carelessly to contemn them.  
But among all funeral honour's Epitaphs have always been most respective, for in them love was showed to the deceased, memory was continued to posterity, friends were comforted, and the reader put in mind of human fraielty.  
The invention of them proceeded from the presage or forfeeling of immortality implanted in all men naturally, and is referred to the scholars of Linus, who first bewailed their master when he was slain, in doleful verses then called of him Aelinum, afterward Epitaphia, for that they were first song at Burials, after engraved upon the sepulchres.  
It were needless to set down here the laws of Plato, that an Epitaph should be comprised in four verses, or of the Lacedæmonians, who reserved this honour only to Martial men, and chaste women: or how the most ancient, (especially Greek) were written in Elegiac verse, after in prose:  
How monuments were erected most usually along the high way side, to put passengers in mind that they are, as those were mortal.  
How such as violated sepulchres were punished with death, banishment, condemnation to the mines, loss of members, according to circumstance of fact and person, and how sacred they were accounted.  
In which regard I cannot but give you the words out of the Novellae leges Valentiniani Augusti: De Sepulchris titulo. v. which are worth reading Scimus, nec vana fides, & solutas membris animas habere sensum, & in originem suam spiritum redire caelestem. Hoc libris veteris sapientiae, hoc religionis, quam veneramur & colimus, declaratur arcanis. Et licaet occasus necessitatem mens divina non sentiat, amani tamen animae sedem corporum relictorum, & nescio qua sort rationis occultae sepulchri honore laetantur: cuius tanta permaneat cura temporibus, ut videamus in hos usus sumptu nimio praetiosa montium metalla transferri, operosasque moles censu laborante componi. Quod prudentium certè intelligentia recusaret, si nihil crederet esse post mortem. Nimis barbara est & vesana crudelitas, munus extremum luce carentibus invidere, & dirutis per inexpiabile crimen sepulchris, monstrare caelo corporum reliquias humatorum. Against which I cannot without grief remember, how barbarously, and unchristianly some not long since have offended, yea some Mingendo in patrios cineres, which yet we have seen strangely revenged.  
I could here also call to your remembrance how the place of burial was called by S. Paul Seminatio, in the respect of the assured hope of resurrection, of the greeks Caemiterion, as a sleeping place until the resurrection, and of the Hebrews The house of the living in the same respect, as the Germans call Churchyards until this day God's acre, or God's field. And in the like sense tombs were named Requietoria, Ossuaria, Cineraria, Domus aeternae, etc. As you may see in old inscriptions at Rome, and elsewhere. Which Lucian scoffingly termed Camps and Cottages of Carcases.  
Notorious it is to all how the same Lucian bringeth in Diogenes laughing and outlaughing King Mausolus for that he was so pitifully pressed and chrushed with an huge heap of stones under his stately monument Mausoleum. for the magnificence accounted among the world's wonders: But monuments answerable to men's worth, states, and places, have always been allowed, yet stately sepulchres for base fellows have always lain open to bitter jests, as that marble one of Licinus the barber, which one by way of comparison thus derided, with a doubt thereon, whether God regarded men of worth.  
Marmoreo Licinus tumulo jacet, at Cato parvo,  
Pompeius' nullo. Credimus esse Deos?  
Whereunto another replied with an assurance that God doth regard worthy men.  
Saxa premunt Licinum, vehit altum fama Catonem,  
Pompetum tituli, Cedimus esse Deos.  
As for such as bury themselves living, and say they live to themselves, when they live neither to themselves, nor to other, but to their belly, ease, and pleasure, well worthy are they to have while they live, that Epitaph which Seneca devised for Vatia their fellow to be inscribed upon his house, Hic situs est Vatia. and no memorial at all when they are dead.  
It is not impertinent to note in one word as the ancient Romans began Epitaphs with D. M. for Dijs Manibus. D. M. S. i Dijs Manibus sacrum. Hic situs est. Hospes, as speaking to the reader. So we & other Christians began them with Hic deponitur, Hic jacet, Hic requiescit, Hic tumulatur▪ in French Icy gist. Here lieth. and in latter time according to the doctrine of the time Ora pro. etc. Of your charity, etc. And now after the ancient manner D. O. M. for Deo. Optimo. Maximo. Posteritati Sacrum. Memoriae Sacrum. Deo & Posteris. Virtuti & Honori Sacrum. etc.  
Likewise as our Epitaphs were concluded with On whose soul God have mercy. Cuius animae prepitietur Deus. God send him a joyful resurrection. etc. So theirs with, Hoc Monumentum posuit vel fecit, in these letters. M. P. M. F. in the behalf of him that made the Monument. With Vale, Vale, & Salue anima, nos eo ordine quo natura iusserit. sequemur. With H. M. H. N. S: for Hoc monumentum haeredes non sequitur. When they would not have their heirs entombed therein; with Rogo per Deos superos inferosque ossa nostra ne viols, And most commonly with Sit tibi terra levis in these notes, S. T. T. L. And sometime with Quietem posteri non invideant.  
But omitting this discourse I will offer unto your view a Century of choice Epitaphs of our nation for matter and conceit, some good, some bad, that you may see how learning ebbed and flowed: most of them recovered from the injury of time by writers. And will begin with that at Rome as most ancient erected to the memory of a Britanne; who after the manner of the time, took a Roman name. M. VLPIO JUSTO. Q. SIG. AUG. MILITAVIT. AN. 
 XXV. VIXIT. XLV. NATIONE BRITTO. ●EC. 
 M. VLSIUS RESPECTUS VEH. AUG. AMICO OPTIMO 
 DE SE BENE MERENTI.  
Arthur the valorous upholder of the ruinous state of Britain against the Saxons about the year 500 was buried secretly at Glastenburie, lest the enemy should offer indignity to the dead body, and about 700. years after when a grave was to be made in the Churchyard there, a stone was found between two Pyramids deep in the ground with a cross of lead infixed into the lower part thereof, and inscribed in the inner side of the cross in rude Characters, which the Italians now call Goatish letters.  HIC JACET SEPULTUS INCLYTVS REX ARTURIUS IN INSULA AVALONIA. 
Under which in a trough of Oak were found his bones, which the Monks, translated into the church and honoured them with a tomb, but dishonoured him with these horn pipe verses.  
Hic jacet ●rturus flos regum, gloria regni,  
Quem morum probitas commendat laud perenni.  
Augustine the first Archbishop of Canterbury, who first preached Christ to the English nation, converted the Kentishmen, & revived Christianity in this Isle, which flourished among the Britain's, many years before his coming, was buried at Canterbury in S. Peter's Porch, with this Epitaph.  
Hic requiescit dominus Augustinus Dorobernensis Archiepiscopus primus, qui ●lim huc a beato Gregorio Remanae urbis pontifice directus, & a Deo operatione miraculorum suffultus Aethelbertum regem, ac gentem illius ab idolorum cultu ad Christi fidem perduxit. & completis in pace diebus officij sui, defunctus est septimo Kalendas junias, eodem rege regnant:  
In the same place were interred the six succeeding Archbishops, for whom and Augustin making the seventh, were these verses, as common to them all, written on the wall with this title: as I find them in Geruasius Dorobernensis.   

Septem primae ecclesiae Anglorum columnae.  
Augustinus, Laurentius, Mellitus, justus, Honorius. Deusdedit. Theodorus.  
Septem sunt Anglis primates & protopatres,  
Septem rectores, caelo septemque triones,  
Septem cisternae vitae, septemque lucernae,  
Et septem palmae regni, septemque coronae  
Septem sunt stellae quas haec tenet area cellae:  
But Theodore the last of the 7. which first taught Greek in England, and died in the year 713. had this severally inscribed upon his tomb.  
Scandens alma novae foelix consortia vitae  
Civibus Angelicis iunctus in arce poli.  
Cedwall King of the West Saxons went to Rome in the year 689. & there being baptized, renounced the world, ended his life, and lieth buried with this Epitaph.  
Culmen, opes, sobolem, pollentia regna, triumphos  
Exwias, proceres, mania, castra, lares.  
Quaeque patrum virtus, & quae congesserat ipse,  
Caedwal armipotens liquit amore Dei.  
With some more which you may see in Paulus Diaconus, and Beda:  
King Eadgar surnamed the Peaceable, the great patron and favourer of Monks, deserved well for his foundation of so many abbeys this Epitaph.  
Author opum, vindex scelerum, largitor honorum  
Sceptriger Eadgarus, regna superna petit.  
Hic alter Solomon, legum pater, orbita pacis,  
Quòd caruit bellis, claruit inde magis.  
Templa Deo, templis monachos, monachis dedit agros  
Nequitiae lapsum, iustitiaeque locum.  
Novit enim regno verum perquirere falso.  
Immensum modico, perpetuumque brevi:  
To the honour of King Alfred, a godly, wise, and warlike prince, and an especial advancer of learning, was made this better than that time commonly afforded.  
Nobilitas innata tibi probitatis honorem  
Armipotens alfred dedit, probitasque laborem,  
Perpetuumque labor nomen: cui mixta dolori  
Gaudia semper erant: spes semper mixta timori,  
Si modò victor eras ad crastina bella pavebas  
Si modó victus eras in crastina bella parabas.  
Cui vestes sudore iugi, cui sica cruore  
Tincta iugi, quantum sit onus regnare probarunt.  
Non fuit immensi quisquam per climata mundi  
Cui tot in adversis vel respirare liceret:  
Nec tamen aut ferro contritus ponere ferrum,  
Aut gladio potuit vitae finisse labores.  
jam post transactos vitae regnique labores  
Christus ei sit vera quies, et vita perennis.  
It is marvelous how immediately after this time learning decayed in this Kingdom, for john Erigena alias Scotus, favoured of Charles the Bald King of France, and the foresaid King Alfred for his learning, when he was stabbed by his scholars at Malmesbury was buried with this rude, rough and unlearned verse.  
Clauditur in tumulo Sanctus Sophista johannes  
Qui ditatus erat, iam vivens dogmate miro.  
Martyrio tandem Christi conscendere regnum  
Quo meritis, regnant sancti per secula cuncti.  
And from this time learning so low ebbed in England that between Thames & Trent, there was scant one found which could understand Latin, and that you may perceive, when as Hugolin Treasurer to King Edward the Confessor, had these most silly verses in graven upon his monument in the old Chapter house of Westminster.  
Qui ruis iniustè capit hic Hugoline locus te,  
Laude pia claroes, qnia martyribus niece claroes:  
But shortly after the Conquest learning revived, as appeareth by these that follow, which were cast in a more learned mould than the former.  
King William surnamed the Conqueror for his conquest of England, was buried at Caen in Normandy, with this Epitaph, discovered in the late civil wars of France, but mentioned in Gemeticensis.  
Qui rexit rigidos Normannos atque Britannos,  
Audacter vicit, fortiter obtinuit:  
Et Caenomanenses virtute contudit enses,  
Imperijque sui legibus applicuit.  
Rex magnus parva jacet his Gulielmus in urna:  
Sufficit & magno paruae domus domino.  
Ter septem gradibus se voluerat atque duobus,  
Virgins in gremio Phoebus, et hic obijt.  
Upon Stigand Archbishop of Canterbury degraded for his corruption, I find this most viperous Epitaph in an old Manuscript.  
Hic jacet Herodes Herode ferocior, huius  
Inquinat infernum spiritus, ossa solum.  
William the Valiant, Earl of Flaunders, nephew to this King William the Conqueror, son to Robert, who unhappy in his state, losing the hope of the Kingdom of England, & dying of a wound in his hand, was not altogether unhappy in his Poet, which made him this Epitaph.  
unicus ille ruit, cuius non terga sagittam,  
Cuius nosse pedes non potuere fugam.  
Nil nisi fulmen erat, quoties res ipsa movebat,  
Et si non fulmen, fulminis instar erat:  
King Henry the first, for his learning surnamed Beauclerc, had this flatterng Epitaph, as Poets could flatter in all ages.  
Rex Henricus obit, decus olim, nunc dolor orbis,  
Numina flent numen deperijsse suum.  
Mercurius minor eloquio, vi mentis Apollo,  
jupiter imperio, Marsque vigore gemunt.  
Anglia quae curá, quae sceptro Principis huius,  
Ardua splenduerat, tam tenebrosa ruit.  
Haec cum rege suo, Normania cum Duce marcet,  
Nutrijt haec puerum, perdidit illa virum.  
Of him also another composed these in respect of his peaceable government, and the troubles which ensued under King Stephen, both in England and Normandy.  
Anglia jugeat hinc, Normannica gens fleat illinc,  
Occidit Henricus modò lux, nunc luctus utrique  
Upon William son of, King Henry the first, and heir apparent of this Realm, drowned upon the coast of Normandy, I have found this Epitaphe.  
Abstulit hunc terrae matri maris unda noverca,  
Proh dolour? occubuit Sol Anglicus, Anglia plora:  
Quaeque prius fueras gemino radiata nitore,  
Extincto nato vivas contenta parent.  
But well it was with England in that he was so prevented, which threatened to make the English draw the Plough as Oxen. (Hypodigma)  
Maud daughter to the foresaid King, wife to Henry the Emperor, mother to King Henry the 2. who entitled herself Empress & Augusta, for that she was thrice solemnly crowned at Rome as R. de Diceto test fi, & Anglorum Domina, because she was heir apparent to the crown of England, was very happy in her Poet, who in these 2. funeral verses, contained her princely parentage, match, & issue.  
Magna ortis, maiorque viro, sed maxima partu,  
Hic jacet Henrici filia, sponsa, parens.  
Alberic Vere grandfather to the first Earl of Oxford, and his son William were buried together Anno 1088. with this Epitaphe at Colne where he was founder & afterward Monk, as it is in the Annals of Abingdon.  
En puer, en senior, pater alter, filius alter,  
Legem, fortunam, terram venêre sub unam:  
In which the maker seemed to imitate that of Conrade the Emperor at Spires in Germany.  
Filius hîc, pater hîc, annus hî, proaws jacet istic.  
Thomas Beket Archbishop of Canterbury had these Epitaphs expressing the cause, the time, & place of his death, made by his especial favourer.  
Pro Christi sponsa, Christi sub tempore, Christi  
In templo, Christi verus amator obit  
Quinta dies natalis erat, flos orbis ab orb  
Carpitur, et fructus incipit esse poli.  
Quis morritur? praesul. cur? pro grege. qualiter? ense:  
Quando? natali. quis locus? ara Dei.  
For Theobald of Bloys Earl of Champain nephew to King Henry the first. Giraldus Cambrensis Bishop of S. David's in Walls made this.  
Ille comes, Comes ille pius Theobaldus eras, quem  
Gaudet habere polus, terra carere dolet.  
Non hominem possum, non audeo dicere numen:  
Mors probat hunc hominem, vita fuisse Deum.  
Trans hominem, citraque Deum, plus hoc, minus istud,  
Nescio qui● neuter, inter utrumque fuit:  
Vitalis Abbot of Westminster which died in the time of the Conqueror, had this Epitaph:  
Qui nomen traxit a vita, morte vocante  
Abbas Vitalis transijt, hicque jacet:  
And for Laurence Abbot of the same place which died 1176. was made this alluding to his name:  
Pro meritis vitae dedit isti Laurea nomen,  
Detur ei vitae laurea pro meritis.  
These two happily, may find as much favour with some if one word do not prejudice, as that ancient one of Floridus so highly commended.  
Quod vixi flos est, servat lapis hic mihi nomen,  
Nolo Deos manes, flos mihi pro titulo.  
Geruays de Bloys base son to King Stephen, and Abbot also of the same church was buried with the foresaid in the cloister with this.  
De Regum genere pater hic Geruasius ecce  
Monstrat defunctus, mors rapit omne genus:  
William de Albeney Earl of Arundel, and Butler to the King, was buried at Wimodham which he founded with this.  
Hunc Pincerna locum fundavit, & hîc jacet alla  
Quae dedit huic domui, tam sine fine tenet.  
That mighty Monarch King Henry the second, which by his own right adjoined Anjoy, Maine and Tourain, by his wife Aquatine, Poyctov, and by conquest Ireland to the Crown of England, and commanded from the Pyrene mountains to the Orcadeses, had this Epitaph according to his greatness.  
Rex Henricus eram, mihi plurima regna subegi  
Multiplicique modo, Duxque Comesque fui.  
Cui satis ad votum non essent omnia terrae  
Climata, terra modo sufficit octo pedum.  
Qui legis haec pensa discrimina mortis, et in me  
Humanae speculum conditionis habe.  
Sufficit hic tumulus, cui non suffecerat orbis.  
Res brevis ampla mihi, cui fuit ampla brevis:  
Rosamond the fair his paramour, daughter to Walter Lord Clifford, and mother to William Longspee, the first Earl of Sarisbury aeternised by master daniel's muse, had this nothing answerable to her beauty.  
Hac jacet in tumba rosa mundi non Rosamunda,  
Non redolet, sed olet quae redolere solet.  
William Longspee Earl of Sarum, base son to King Henry the second by this Lady, had an Epitaph not unlike to that of his mother.  
Flos comitum Willielmus cognomine longus  
Ensis, vaginam caepit habere brevem.  
The glory of that magnanimous and lionlike prince king Richard the first, renowned for his Conquest of Cyprus. The king whereof he took and kept in setters of silver, and for his great exploits in the holy land stirred up the wits of the best Poets in that age, to honour him, with these Epitaphs which follow, when he was slain in viewing the Castle of Chaluz in Limosin.  
Hic Richarde iaces, sed mors si cederet armis  
Victa timore tui, cederet ipsa tuis:  
Another also writ of him.  
Istius in morte perimit formica leonem:  
Proh dolour, in tanto funere, mundus obit.  
An English poet imitating the epitaph made of Pompey & his children, whose bodies were buried in diverse countries, made these following of the glory of this one king divided in three places by his funeral.  
Viscera Carccolum, corpus fons servat Ebrandi,  
Et cor Rothomagum magne Richarde tuum.  
In tria dividitur unus, qui plus fuit uno:  
Non uno iaceat gloria tanta loco.  
At Font Euerard where his body was interred with a gilt image, were these six excellent verses written in golden letters, containing his greatest and most glorious atchievementes: as his victory against the Sicilians, his conquering of Cyprus, the sinking of the great Galiasse of the Saracens, the taking of their convoy, which in the East parts is called a Caruana, and the defending of jeppe in the holy land against them: 
Scribitur hoc tumulo Rex auree, laus tua, tota  
Aurea, materiae convenient notâ.  
Laus tua prima fuit Siculi, Cyprus altera, Dromo  
Tertia, Caruena quarta, suprema jope.  
Suppressi Siculi, Cyprus pessundata. Dromo  
Mersus, Caruana capta, retenta jope.   
But sharp and satirical was that one verse, which by alluding noted his taking the Chalices from Churches for his ransom, and place of his death which was called Chaluz.  Christ tui calicis praedo sit praeda Caluzis. 
Savaricus Bishop of Bath and Wells a stirring prelate, which laboured most for the redeeming King Richard, when he was captive in Austria, and is famous in the decretals (lib. 3. tit. 9 0 Novit ille) had this Epitaph, for that he was always gadding up and down the world, and had little rest.  
Hospes erat mundo per mundum semper eundo,  
Sic suprema diès, fit sibi prima quies.  
And the like in late years was engraven upon the monument of jacobus Triulcio a military man of the same metal, as Lodonic Guicciardin reporteth.  
HIC MOR TWS REQVIESSCIT SEMEL.  
QVI VIWS REQVIEVIT NUNQVAM.  
But ●imilis Captain of the guard to Adrian the Emperor, when he had passed a most toilsome life, after he had retired himself from service, and lived privately 7. years in the country, 
Xiphilinus.  acknowledged that he had lived only them 7. years, as he caused to be inscribed upon his monument thus.  
Hic jacet Similis cuius aetas multorum  
annorum fuit, ipse septem duntaxat  
annos vixit.  
It may be doubted whether Wulgrine the Organist was so good a Musician, as Hugh Archdeacon of York was a Poet, which made this Epitaph for him.  
Te Wulgrine cadente cadunt vox, organa, cantus,  
Et quicquid gratum gratia vocis habet.  
Voce, lira, modulis, Syrenes, Orphea, Phoebum  
unus tres poteras aequiperare tribus.  
Si tamen illorum non fallet fama locorum,  
Quod fueras nobis, hoc eris Eliijs.  
Cantor eris, qui cantor eras, hic charus et illî,  
Orpheus alter eras, Orpheus alter eris.  
Upon one Peter a religious man of this age I found this.  
Petra capit Petri cineres, animam Petra Christus.  
Sic sibi divisit utraque petra Petrum.  
Upon the death of Morgan base son of king Henry the 2. was made this Epitaph, alluding to his name in that alluding age.  
Larga, benigna, decens, jacet his stirps regia, morum,  
Organa Morgano fracta iacente, silent:  
In the time of king Henry the third they began to make Epitaphs, as they call it now out of Propria quae maribus, as some do in our age, but among them this was short and good for William earl of Pembroke and Martial of England, buried in the Temple church.  
Sum quem Saeturnum sibi sensit Hibernia, solemn  
Anglia, Mercurium Normannia, Gallia Martem.  
And this was not bad for Richard de Clare, earl of Glocestor and Hertford which died, Anno 1262.  
Hic pudor Hippoliti, Paridis gena, sensus Vlissis,  
Aeneae pietas, Hectoris ira jacet.  
I doubt not but this time of Simon Montfort Earl of Leicester, slain at Euesham found favour in that age, as the Earl himself who was so followed by the people, that he durst confront his sovereign king Henry the 3. and as the Epitaph doth imply, was the peerless man of that time, for valour, parsonage, and wisdom.  
Nunc dantur fato, casuque cadunt iterato  
Simone sublato, Mars, Paris, atque Cato.  
Upon a gentleman as some think named None buried at Wimondham who gave nothing to the religinous there, was made this.  
Hîc situs est Nullus, quia nullo nullior iste;  
Et quia nullus erat, de nullo nil tibi Christ.  
Excellent is this (which I found in the book of Wimondham) for Pope Lucius borne at Luca, Bishop of Ostia Pope of Rome, and dying at Verona.  
Luca dedit lucem tibi Luci, Pontificatum  
Ostia, Papatum Roma, Verona mori.  
Imo Verona dedit tibi verè vivere, Roma  
Exilium, curas Ostia, Luca mori.  
If you will see an old Deane named Ham● Sol, resembled to the twelve sons of old father Annus which had every one as Cleobulus was wont to call them thirty daughters, some fair, some foul, all dying and never dying,, read this epitaph.  
Participate mensis dotes cuiuslibet Hamo  
Circumspectus erat ut janus, crimina purgans,  
Vt Februus, veterana novans us Martius' ipse,  
Semina producens ut Ap●ilis flore coruscans,  
Vt Maiu●, fancy plaudens ut junius, intùs  
Feruens ut julius, frugis maturi●● adultae  
Messor ut Augustus, faecundans horrea more  
Septembris, replens vino cellaria more  
Octobris, p●stor pecundum sed spiritualis,  
More Novembris epulator dapsilis instar,  
Omne Decembris habet hiemalis pest quiescens.  
Another playing upon the name Hamon made this for him 
Olim piscator hominum quasi pisces ab hamo  
Mortis captus hamo, celebrat convivia vitae.  But witty was this, whereas he died in a Leap year upon the leap day accounted so unhappy a day of the Romans that Valentinian the Emperor durst not peep out in that day: one, made this: 
Hamo Decane iaces, toto fugit exul ab anno  
Interitum Solis, ausa videre dies.  Verily he was a man of some good note in that time, for I find another of him alluding also to this leap day.  
Nulla dies anni nisi bisextilis, et anni  
judicio damnata sui, nec subdita mensi,  
Sed noctis lux instar erat, lux nescia lucis,  
Et lux existens inter luces, quasi bubo,  
Inter aves, huius poterat concludere vitam  
Solis, et humanum genus hac privare lucerna.  
Alexander Nechan a great learned man of this age, as appeareth by his books de divinae sapientiae laudibus, was buried in the cloister at Worcester with this, but deserved a better.  
Eclipsim patitur sapientia: sol sepelitur;  
Qui dum vinebat, studij genus omne vigebat:  
Soluitur in cineres Neccham, cui si foret haeres  
In terris unus, minus esset flebile funus.  
A merry mad maker as they call poets now was he which in the time of K. Henry the 3. made this for john Calf.  
O Deus omnipotens vituli miserere johannis,  
Quem mors praeucaiens noluit esse bovem.  
Robert de Courtn●y was buried at Ford, as appear by the register of that place 12 ●2. under a stately Pyramid, who whether he was descended from the Earls of Eodessa, or from Petre the son of 〈◊〉 the Gross K. of France, had but this bad inscription which I insert more for the honour of the name, than the worth of the verse.  
Hic jacet ingenui de Courtney gleba Roberti,  
Militis egregij, virtutum laud referti.  
Quem genuit strenuous Reginal dus Courteniensis  
Qui procer eximius fuerat tunc devoniensis.  
A Monk of Duresme busied his brain in nicking out these nice verses upon the death of W. de La-march Chancellor of England under king john.  
Culmina qui cupitis  
Laudes pompasque sititis  
Est sedata sitis  
Si me pensare velitis  
Qui populos regitis  
memores super omnia sitis  
Quod mors immitis  
non parcit honore potitis  
Vobis prapositis  
similis fucram benè scitis  
Quod sum vos eritis  
ad me currendo venitis  
William de valentia commonly called Valens Earl of Pembroke, & half brother to K. Henry the 3. from whom, the Earls of Shrewsbury, Kent, and others are descended, is entombed at Westminster, with these rank rhymes.  
Anglia tota doles, moritur quia regia proles,  
Qua slorere soles, quam continet infima moles:  
Guilelmus nomen ensign valentia praebet  
Celsum cognomen, nam tale dari sibi debet  
Qui valuit validus, vincens virtute valour  
Et placuit placido sensu, morumque vigore.  
Robert Grostest commonly called Robin Groshead bishop of Lincoln, a most learned prelate, reported by Matthew Paris to be a severe reproover of the Pope, a favourer of learning, a searcher of scriptures, a preacher of the word, & generally a man of great worth commanded this only to be engraven over his Tomb.  
Quis sim nosse cupis? caro putrida, nil nisi vermis;  
Quisquis es, hoc de me sit tibi scire satis.  
But upon his death this was written.  
Rex dolet ac regnum gemit, et flet Anglia tota,  
Plebs plangit gemitus ingeminare juuat,  
Quip Grosredus speculum, virtutis, asylum  
Iust●●ciae, Regis inchora morte jacet.  
Non poterit tamen ille mori, cui fama perorat,  
Laus loquitur, redolet fructus, abundat honour,  
unde 〈◊〉 tristatur homo, canit Angelus inde,  
unde serenantur sidera, pallet humus.  
Upon the tomb of doctor john Bekingale sometime bishop of Chichester this is engraven which I set here, for rare correspondency of the rhyme.  
Tu modo qualis eris? quid mundi quaeris honores?  
Crimina deplores, in me nunc te speculeris:  
En mors ante fores, quae clamitat omnibus adsum  
In paenis passum, pro me te deprecor oars.  
Which is the same in sense with that at Geneva.  VIXI VT VIVIS MORIERIS VT SUM MORTWS SIC VITA TRUDITUR. 
Lewes de Beaumond that learned bishop of Duresme, who was preferred thereunto for his affinity unto the Queen, although he could not with all his learning read this word Metropoli●ice at his consecration, but passed it over with Soit pour dict. and would swear by S. Lewes that they were discourteous, which set down so many hard words in the ordering of priests, had this upon his tomb in Duresme Church where he was buried 1333.  
De Bello Monte jacet hic lodovicus humatus,  
Nobilis ex font regum, Comitumque creatus etc.  
King Edward the first a most worthy, and mighty prince the first establisher of the kingdom of England, had affixed at the Altar of S. Edward near his tomb at Westminster, a large Epitaph in prose, whereof I have found only this fragment.  
Abaws autem & tri●vus eius dilatantes imperia, subie●erunt sibi Ducatus & Comitatus. Edwardus vero paternarum magnificentiarum amplius aemulator existens. Regaleque solium perornans in clypeo & in hastà, Principatum Walliae truncatis eius principibus, Leclino & David potentissimè adquisivit. Quinimò dominium regni Scotiae, primò magni industria consilij, de inde virtute bellorum victoriosissimè est adeptus. Nihilominus Comitatibus Cornubiae & Norfolk (disponente ●o cuius est orbis terrae & plenitudo eius) ad manus Edwardi mirabilitèr devolutis, suis successoribus amplissimam reliquit materiam gloriandi. Vbicunque igitur Christus habet nomen, inter praecellentissimos reges fidelium habeat & Edwardus honorem.  
The famous K. Edward the 3. which had so great victories over the French, to the greater glory than good of England as some say, is entombed at Westminster with this.  
Hic decus Anglorum, slos regum praeteritorum,  
Fama futurorum, rex clemens, pax populorum,  
Tertius Eduardus regni complens jubilaum:  
Robert Hawley a valiant Esquire, was murdered in Westminster Church in service time, where he had taken sanctuary, and is there buried in the place, where he was first assaulted with these verses.  
Me dolus, ira, furor, multorum militis atque,  
in hoc gladiis celebri pietatis asylo,  
Dum levita Dei sermones legit ad aram  
Proh dolour, ipse meo Monachorum sanguine vultus  
Aspersi moriens, chorus est mihi testis in ●uum,  
Et me nunc retinet sacer hic locus Hawle Robertum,  
Hic quia pestiferos malè sensi primitùs hosts:  
Famous is L. Siccinius Dentatus, who served in an hundred and twenty battles. And glorious is Henry the third Emperor, who fought 62. battles, and likewise honourable should the memory be of Sir Matthew G●urnay out Countryman, of whose house Sir H. Newton is descended, which commanded in 6. battles, & was buried at Stoke Hamden in Somersetshire, with this French memorial now defaced.  
Icy gist le noble & valiant Chevaler, Mahe● de Gurnay iadis seneschal de Landes & captain du castle d'Aques pro nostre signor le Roy en la Duche de Guien que in sa vi● fu a la battle, de Benamazin & a la pres a la siege de Algezir sur le Sarazens & auxi a les battles de Scluse, de Cressy, de Ingenesse, de poitiers, de Nazara, etc. Obijt 96. aetatis 26. Septemb. 146.  
Henry Chichely although he was founder of All Souls College in Oxford, and an especial furtherer of learning, was but little honoured by this unlearned Epitaph 1443.  
Pauper eram natus, post Primas his relevatus  
jam sum prostratus, & vermibus esca paratus,  
Ecce meum tumulum:  
His next successor one john Kempe, happened upon a better Poet, who in one verse comprehended all his dignities which were great.   

Thomas Kempe.  
Bis Primas, ter praesul erat, bis cardine functus.  
For he was Bishop of Rochester, Chichester, and London, Archbishop of York, then of Canterbury, and Cardinal, first Deacon, than Priest.  
This that followeth is engraven about a fair tomb in a goodly Chapel adjoining to the Choir of Saint Mary's Church in Warwick, being a worthy monument of so noble a person, since whose time although but late, you may observe a great change both of the heirs of his house, and the use of words in this Epitaph.  
Pray devoutly for the soul whom God asso●le of one of the most worshipful Knights in his days of manhood and cunning, Richard B●auchampe late Earl of Warwick, Lord dispenser of Bergevenny, and of many other great Lordships, whose body resteth here under this tomb, in a full fair vault of stone, set in the bare roche. The which visited with long sickness, in the castle of Rohan, therein deceased full Christianly the last day of April, in the year of our Lord God 1439. he being at that time Lieutenant general of France, and of the Duchy of Normandy, by sufficient authority of our Sovereign Lord King Henry the sixth. The which body by great deliberation and worshipful conduct, by sea and by land, was brought to Warwick the fourth of October, the year abovesaid, and was laid with full solemn exequys in a fair Chest made of Stone, in the West door of this Chapel, according to his last Will and Testament therein to rest, till this Chapel by him devised in his life were made, the which Chapel founded on the Roche, and all the members thereof his executors did fully make, & apparel, by the authority of his said last Will & Testament. And thereafter by the said authority, they did translate worshipfully the said body into the vault aforesaid: Honoured be God therefore.  
His sister the Countess of Shrewsbury was buried in Saint Faiths under S. Paul's at London with this:  
Here before the image of Ihesu lieth the Worshipful and right noble Lady, Margaret Countess of Shrouseburie, late wife of the true & victorious Knight, & redoubted Warrior john Talbot, Earl of Shrousebury, which worshipfully died in Gien for the right of this land, the first daughter and one of the heirs of the right famous and renowned Knight Richard Beauchampe, late Earl of Warwick which died in Roan, and of dame Elizabeth his wife, the which Elizabeth was daughter and heir to Thomas late Lord Berkely, on his syd, and of 〈◊〉 moders side Lady Lisle, and Ties, which Countess passed from this world the xiiii, day of june, the year of our Lord 1468. On whose soul the Lord have mercy.  
For that valorous Earl her husband the terror of France, I found no Epitaph, but instead thereof I will give you ●o understand, that not long since his sword was found in the river of Dordon, and sold by a peasant to an Armorour of Bordeaux, with this inscription, but pardon the Latin, for it was not his, but his Camping priests. SUM TALBOTI M. JIII.C.XLIII. 
 PRO VINCERE INIMICO MEO.  
This inscription following is in the Cathedral Church at Rouen in Normandy, for john Duke of Bedford, and Governor of Normandy, Son to King Henry the fourth, buried in a fair plain monument; which when a French Gentleman advised Charles the eight French King to deface, as being a monument of the English victories, he said: Let him rest in peace now he is dead, whom we feared while he lived.  
Cy gist feu de noble memoire haut & puissant, prince jean en son vivant regent du Royaume de France, Duc de Bethfort, pour lequel est fondè une Messe estre par chacun iour perpetuellement celebr●e en cest autel par le college, des Clementins incontinent apres prime: & trespassa le 13. Septembre 1435. Au quell 13. iour semblablement est fondè po●r luy un obït en ceste eglise. Dieu face pardon à soname.  
Upon an ancient Knight Sir jernegan buried Cross-legged in Somerly in Suffolk some hundred years since, is written: 
jesus Christ both God and man,  
Save thy servant jernegan.  Happy & prudent K. Henry the 7. who stopped the streams of civil blood, which so long overflowed England, & left a most peaceable state to his posterity, hath his magnifical monument at Westminster, inscribed thus:  
Septimus hic situs est Henricus gloria regum  
Cunctorum illius qui tempestate fuerunt,  
Ingenio atque opibus gestarum nomine rerum:  
Accessere quibus naturae dona benignae,  
Frontis honos, facies augusta, heroica forma  
junctaque ei suavis coniunx perpulchra, pudica  
Et faecunda fuit, foelices prole parents,  
Henricum quibus octawm terra Anglia debes.  
Hic jacet Henricus, huius nominis VII. Angliae quondam rex Edmundi Richmundiae Comitis filius, qui die 22. Aug. Rex creatus, statim post apud Westmonasterium 30. Octob. coronatur, anno Domini. 1485. moritur deinde xxi April. anno aetatis Liii. Regnavit annos xxii. mens. viii. minùs uno die.  
This following I will note out of Hackney Church, that you may see that the Clergy, were not always anticipating, and gripping many livings by this worthy man, which relinquished great dignities, and refused greater.  
Christopherus Vrswicus Regis Henrici Septimi Elemozinaerius, vir sua aetate clarus, summatibus atque infimatibus iuxtà charus. Ad exteros reges undecies pro patria legatus. Decanatum Eboracensem, Archidiaconatum Richmundiae, Decanatum Windsoriae habitos vivens reliquit. Episcopatum Norwicensem oblatum recusavit. Magnos honores totâ vita spreu●t, frugali vita contentus, hic vivere, hic mori voluit. Plenus annorum obi●● ab omnibus desideratus. Funeris pompam etiam testamento vetuit. Hic sepultus carnis resurrectionem in adventum Christi expectat: 
Obijt anno Christi incarnati 1521. Die 23.  
Martij. Anno aetatis suae 74.   
This testamentary Epitaph I have read in an old Manuscript.  
Terram terra tegit, Daemon peccata resumat.  
Res habeat Mundus, spiritus alta petat  
The name of the defunct is as it were enigmatically expressed in this old epitaph.  
Bis fuit hic natus, puer & bis, bis iwenisque  
Bis vir, bisque senex, bis doctor, bisque sacerdos,  
In the Cathedral church of S. Paul's in London, a stone is inscribed thus without name.  Non hominem aspiciam ultra. OBLIVIO. 
This man yet would not willingly have been forgotten, when he adjoined his Arms to continue his memory, not unlike to Philosophers which prefixde their names before their Treatises of contemning glory.  
Another likewise suppressing his name, for his Epitaph did set down this goodly admonition.  
Look man before thee how thy death hasteth,  
Look man behind thee, how thy life wasteth:  
Look on thy right side how death thee desireth.  
Look on thy left side how sin thee beguileth:  
Look man above thee, joys that ever shall last.  
Look man beneath thee, the pains without rest.  
The Abott of S. Albans which lieth buried there in the high Choir, suppressed his name as modestly as any other, in this.  
Hic quidam terra tegitur  
Peccato soluens debitum,  
Cuius nomen non impositum,  
In libro vitae sit inscriptum:  
In the Cloister on the north side of S. Paul's now ruinated, one had this inscription upon his Grave, without name.  VIXI, PECCAVI, PAENITVI, NATURAE CESSI. 
Which is as Christian, as that was profane of the Roman:  AMICI, DUM VIVIMUS V●VAMVS. 
Queen jane who died in Child birth of King Edward the sixth and used for her device a Phoenix, has this thereunto alluding for her Epitaph. 
Phoenix jana jacet, nato Phaenice, doendum  
Secula Phaenices nulla tulisse duos:   
The noble Thomas Earl of Surrey, father to Thomas late Duke of Norfolk, and the right honourable and nobly learned now Earl of Northampton, in the time of King Henry the eight, first refined our homely English Poesy; among many other, made this Epitaph comparable with the best, for Thomas Clear Esquire his friend and follower buried at Lambeth .1545. 
Norfolk sprang thee, Lambeth holds thee dead,  
Clear of the County of Clerimont though high.  
Within the womb of Ormondes' race thou bread  
And sawest thy cousin crowned in thy sight;  
Shelton for love, Surrey for Lord thou chase,  
Ay me, while life did last that league was tender:  
Tracing whose steps thou sawest Kelsall blaze,  
Laundersey burned, & battered Bullen render,  
At Muttrell gates hopeless of all recure  
Thine Earl half dead gave in thy hand his will:  
Which cause did thee this pining death procure,  
Ere summers seven times seven, thou couldst fulfil.  
Ah, Clere, if love had booted, care, or cost;  
Heaven had not won, nor earth so timely lost.   
The Duke of Suffolk and his brother, sons of Charles Brandon, which died of the sweat at Bugden, were buried together with this. 
una fides vivos coniunxit, religio una,  
ardour et in studijs unus, et unus amor.  
Abstulit hos simul una dies: duo corpora iungit  
una urna, ac mentes unus Olympus habet.   
The Earl of Devonshire Edward Courtney honourably descended, from one of the daughters of King Edward the fourth, is buried at Saint Anthony's in Padua with this which I set down more for his honour, than the elegancy of the verse. 
Anglia quem, genuit, fueratque habitura patronum,  
Corteneum celsa haec continet ar●a Ducem:  
Credita causa necis, regni affectata cupido,  
Reginae optatum tunc quoque connubium—  
Cui regni proceres nou cosensere, Philippo  
Reginam Regi iungere posse rati,  
Europam unde fuit iwem peragrare necesse:  
Ex quo mors misero contigit ante diem.  
Anglia si plorat defuncto principe tanto,  
Nil mirum, Domino deficit illa pio.  
Sed iam Corteneus caelo fruiturque beatis  
Cum doleant Angli, cum sine fine gemant:  
Cortenei probitas igitur, praestantia, nomen,  
Dum stabit hoc templum, vivanda semper erunt.  
Angliaque hinc etiam stabit, stabuntque Britanni,  
Coniugij optati fama perennis eris.  
Improba naturae leges Libitina rescindens,  
Ex aequo iwenes praecipitatque senes.   
Walter Milles, who died for the profession of his faith, as some say made this Epitaph for himself. 
Non prava impietas, aut actae crimina vitae  
Armarunt hostes in mea fata truces.  
Sola fides Christi sacris signata libellis,  
Quae vitae causa est, est mihi causa necis.   
This man was not so godly, as he was impious (as it seemeth▪) who was buried in the night without any ceremony under the name of Menalcas, with this. 
Here lieth Menalcas as dead as a log▪  
That lived like a devil & died like a dog:  
Here doth he lie said I? then say I lie,  
For from this place, he parted by and by.  
But here he made his descent into hell,  
Without either book, candle, or bell.   
This may seem too sharp, but happily it proceeded from some exulcerated mind, as that of Don Petro of Toledo Viceroy of Naples, wickedly detorted out of the Scriptures. 
Hic est.  
Qui propter nos & nostram salutem, descendit ad inferos:   
A merry and wealthy Goldsmith of London in his life time prepared this for his Gravestone, which is seen at S. leonard's near Foster-lane.  
When the Bells, be merrily rung,  
And the Mass devoutly song,  
And the meat merrily eaten:  
Then is Robert Traps, his wife and children quite forgotten,  
Wherefore Ihesu that of Mary sprung,  
Set their souls the Saints among;  
Though it be undeserved on their side,  
Let them evermore thy mercy abide,  
Doctor Caius a learned Physician of Cambridge, and a co-founder of Gunwell and Caius college, hath only on his monument there: FVI CAIUS.  
Which is as good as that great learned man of his profession julius Scaliger. SCALIGERI QVOD RELIQWM.  
But that which Cardinal Pole appointed for himself, is better than both. Depositum Poli Cardinalis.  
This ensuing for Sir N. Bacon Lord Keeper of the great Seal, is worthy to be read, both for the honour of the person who was a most wise councillor, and the rareness of jambique verses in Epitaphs (albeit this our age doth delight 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) But as he saith, Malos jambus enecat, beat bonos.  

Hic Nicolaum n● Baconum conditum  
Existima illum, tam diu Britannici,  
Regni secundum columen; exitium malis.   

Bonis asylum, caeca quem non extulit,  
Ad hunc honorem sors; sed aequitas, fides,  
Doctrina, pietas, unica, & prudentia,   

Non morte raptum crede, qui unica  
Vita perennes emerit duas: agit  
Vitam secundam caelites inter animos.   

Fama implet orbem, vita quae illi tertia est.  
Hac positum in arca est corpus, olim animi domus:  
Ara dicata sempiternae memoriae.   
W. Lamb, a man which deserved well of the city of London by diverse charitable deeds, framed this for himself.  
As I was so be ye,  
As I am ye shall be:  
That I gave, that I have,  
That I spent, that I had:  
Thus I end all my cost,  
That I left, that I lost.  
All which Claudius Secundus a Roman contained in these four words: HIC MECUM HABEO OMNIA.  
Short and yet a sufficient commendation of M. Sands was this.  
Margareta Sands.  
Digna haec luce diuturniore,  
Nisi quod luce meliore digna.  
And answerable thereunto is this, for a Gentleman of the same name.  
Who would live in others breath?  
Fame deceives the dead man's trust:  
When our names do change by death:  
Sands I was, and now am dust.  
Sir Philip Sidney (to whose honour I will say no more,) but that which Maro said of Marcellus nephew of Augustus. Ostendunt terris hunc tantum fata, nec ultra esse sinunt, which also was answered by the Oracle to Claudius the 2. Emperor of his brother Quintilius) hath this most happily imitated out of the French of Mons. Bonivet, made by joach. du Bellay, as it was noted by Sir George Buc in his Poetica.  

England, netherlands, the heavens, and the arts,  
The soldiers, and the world hath made six parts,  
Of noble Sidney, for who will suppose,  
That a small heap of stones, can Sidney enclose.   

England had his body for she it fed,  
netherlands his blood in her defence shed:  
The heavens have his soul, the arts have his fame,  
The soldiers the grief, the world his good name.   
Upon the golden Lion rampaut in Gueles of the house of Albenye which the late Earl H. Fitz-Alan bore in his arms as receiving the Earldom of Arundel from the house of Albenye, one composed this Epitaph.  
Aureus ille lo (reliqui trepidate leones)  
Non in sanguineo nunc stat ut ante solo:  
Nam lo de juda vicit, victoque pepercit,  
Et secum patris duxit ad usque domos.  
Sic cadit ut surgat, sic victus vincit, et illum,  
Quem modo terra tulit, nunc Paradisus habet.  
In the Cloister of New College in Oxford, this following is written with a coal, for one Woodgate who bequeathed 200 pound to one, who would not bestow a plate for his memorial:  
H●us Peripatetice,  
Conde tibi tumulum, nec fide haeredis amori:  
Epitaphiumque compara,  
Mortuus est, nec emit libris haec verba ducentis.  
WOODGATUS HIC SEPULTUS EST.  
Therefore the counsel of Diego de Valles is good, who made his own tomb at Rome with this inscription.  
Certa dies nulli est, mors certa, incerta sequentum  
Cura, locet tumulum qui sapit, ante sibi.  
A Gentleman falling off his horse broke his neck, which sudden hap gave occasion of much speech of his former life, and some in this judging world, judged the worst. In which respect a good friend made this good Epitaph, remembering of S. Augustin. Miserecordia Domini inter pontem, & fontem.  
My friend judge not me,  
Thou seest I judge not thee:  
Betwixt the stirrup and the ground,  
Mercy I asked, mercy I found.  
To the honour of Sir Henry Goodyer of Polesworth, a knight memorable for his virtues: an affectionate friend of his, framed this Tetrastich.  
An ill year of a Goodyer v●●●rest,  
Who gone to God, much lack of him here left:  
Full of good gifts, of body and of mind,  
Wise, comely, learned, eloquent, and kind.  
Short and sufficient is this of a most worthy Knight, who for his Epitaph hath a whole College in Cambridge, and commanded no more to be inscribed than this.  
Virtute non vi.  
Mors mihi lucrum.  
Hic jacet Gualterus Mildmay Miles, et uxor eius.  
Ipse obijt ultimo die Maij 1589.  
Ipsa decimo sexto Martij 1576.  
Reliquerunt duos filios et tres filias  
Fundavit Collegium Emanuelis Cantabrigiae.  
Moritur Cancellarius & subthesaurarius Scaccarij, et  
Regiae Maiestati â consilijs.  
Upon a youngman of great hope, a student in Oxford w●●a made this.  
Short was thy life,  
yet livest thou ever:  
Death hath his due,  
yet diest thou never.  
But I fear now I have overcharged the Readers mind, with doleful, dampish, and uncomfortable lines. I will therefore for his recomfort, end this part with a few conceited, merry, and laughing Epitaphs, the most of them composed by master john Hostines when he was young, and will begin with the bellows maker of Oxford.  
Here lieth john Cruker a maker of bellows,  
His craftes-master and King of goodfellows;  
Yet when he came to the hour of his death,  
He that made bellows, could not make breath.  
Thomas Elderton, who did arm himself with Ale (as old Father Ennius did with Wine) when he ballasted, had this, in that respect made to his memory.  
Hic situs est sitiens atque ebrius Eldertonus,  
Quid dico hic situs est? hic potius sitis est.  
Of him also was made this.  
Here is Elderton lying in dust.  
Or lying Elderton, chose which you lust.  
Here he lies dead, I do him no wrong,  
For who knew him standing, all his life long.  
Some wise man was he, and so reputed for whom this was composed.  
Here lieth Thom Nicks body  
Who lived a fool and died a nodye:  
As for his soul ask them that can tell.  
Whether fools souls go to heaven or to hell.  
Neither may this offend any, for that of Durandus the old priest is little better.  
Hic est Durandus positue sub marmore duro,  
An sit saluandus ego nescio, nec ego curo.  
Miserable was Hermon, who when he had only dreamt that he had disbursed money, died for woe, likewise Ph●idon who weapt not for that he should die, but that his burial would stand 〈◊〉 at 4. s. But most miserable was that pinchpenie Hermocrates, that in his last will and testament made himself his own sole heir and executor of all he had, and yet refused to live when he might, because he would not be at charge of a purgation. And our countryman old Sparges ●ight seem to be of his tribe, for whom was made.  
Here lieth father Sparges  
That died to save charges.  
Master Wills doctor of Physic who died lately at Vienna would often say that he would have this verse only for his Epitaph.  
Here lieth willing Wills.  
But a friend of his that knew him to be Capricious, wished him to add one verse more to make up time after the manner, but when he said, he had nothing he might add more, one extempore said it might be well made up thus.  
Here lieth willing Wills  
With his head full of Windmills.  
For one that had continual new encounters in his own mind, and crammed his head with contrary discontents, I have heard this.  
Here lieth he,  
Which with himself could never agree.  
You shall have this out of the Cathedral Church of Norwich whatsoever you account of it.  
Under this stone  
Lies john Knapton.  
Who died just  
The xxviii of August  
M.D.XC and one  
Of this church Peti-Canon,  
Upon merry Tarlton, I have heard this.  

Hic situs est cuius vox, vultus, actio possit  
Ex Heraclito reddere Democritum.   

Here lieth Richard a Preene,  
One thousand, five hundred, eighty nine,  
Of March the 22. day,  
And he that will die after him may.   

Here lieth he, who was borne and cried,  
Told ●hreescore years, fell sick, and died.   

Here lies the man whose horse did gain,  
The Bell in race on Salisbury plain:  
Reader, I know not whether needs it,  
You or your horse rather to read it.   

Here lies the man that madly slain,  
In earnest madness did complain,  
On nature that she did not give,  
One life to lose, another to live.   

Here lieth C. under ground,  
As wise as L. thousand pound.  
He never refused the Wine of his friend,  
Drink was his life, and drink was his end.   

Here lieth N. a man of fame  
The first of his house and last of his name.   
At Fa●lam on the west marches near Naworth Castle.  
john Bell broken-brow  
Ligs under this stean:  
Four● of mine een sons  
Laid it on my weam.  
I was a man of my meat  
Master of my wife  
I lived on mine own land  
Without micle strife.  
For old Th. Churchyard the poor Court-Poet this is now commonly current.  
Come Allecto and lend me thy torch,  
To find a Churchyard in the Church-porch.  
Poverty, and Poetry this tomb doth enclose,  
Therefore Gentlemen be merry in Prose.  
With this memoriales of the dead which give a little living breath to the dead: for as he saith, Mortuorum vita in memoria vi●orum posita est, I conclude:  
Et veniam pro laud peto: laudatus abundè:  
Non fastiditus si tibi Lector ero.    
FINIS.