A most Delightful HISTORY Of the Famous Clothier of England, CALLED, JACK of NEWBERRY, In the days of King Henry the Eighth; how he was beloved of his Mistress above all her Wealthier Suitors: what great and valiant things he did for England: and the great number of poor he daily cherished.  
And how (when the King sent for him) he refused (with his company) to leave the Hill of Aunts to go to the King: and therefore the King went to him: which he wittily excused: with many other very pleasant passages.  
Written by W. ●. F. C.  
Printed for W. Thackeray, at the Sign of the Angel in Ducklane.   

THE MOST Delightful History OF Jack of Newberry.  
IN the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, one John Winchcomb, being an Apprentice to a rich Clothier in the town of Newberry in Berkshire, a pretty handsome Youth, his Master died, and left his Mistress a Widow; who perceiving Jack to be a faithful, careful, and trusty Servant, she put him in great trust in the House; who as carefully performed the trust reposed in him.  
His Mistress having many Suitors coming to her, could not fancy any: for her Man John had stolen away her heart. The Parson of Spinhome-land wooed her, and often solicited with her to make her his Wife, but could not obtain her love, because he was a Clergyman; too much (she thought) devoted to his Study. A rich Tanner was a second Wooer, but could not speed; for though he was rich, yet was he too Old for he young and lusty desires. A Taylor was a third man, who was almost confident of her love; but all in vain, for her man John, oh! he was the man that had so wounded her heart that she could love no other man.  
She seeing the backwardness of John, her man (after many occasions which she gave him to woo her) came at last, and told him plainly that she loved him, which secret she did earnestly desire him not to impart to any: but he very modestly blushing with a Rosy colour in his Cheeks, not knowing low to express himself ●s he desired, being astonished hereat, answered: Sweet Mistress (quoth he) I am but a Child to undertake so great a thing, it is a charge, the discharge whereof methinks I fear to undertake: At which answer, she was something discouraged in her suit for the present, and kissing of him, broke off discourse for that time; and night approaching, she went to Bed, but took but little rest; but either slumbering (at the best) or Dreaming of her pretty Man John. She was so troubled, as if she had been wounded in a Prison, and with many Cogitations of her Beloved, fetched many deep sighs in that dolesom and dark night: thinking it long  morning came, rejoicing to see the light appear; more to embrace her dear Servant, or rather her Master, John.  
She going to see Bartholomew Fair, as Women use to do, to see and be seen, took her man John with her; who whilst she was talking with a friend, espied him saluting a pretty Maid, which made her own mouth water; and biting her Lips, she left discoursing with her Neighbour to go to John, to prevent his further familiarity with the Maid.  
Afterwards she met with the Tailor her Sweetheart, so neat as could be, in the Fair; who desiring her to drink a Cup of Wine with him, was denied again and again, but by importunity she was persuaded; and he espying the Tanner, called him into t●e Tavern to them, to help to bear their Charges; little imagining that he was a Suitor to the same Widow; and both of them espying the Parson go by, called him in, expecting to make him their Solicitor; thus were they all merely drawn into Cupid's Paradise: but when each had discovered their intents to other, they were all exceedingly perplexed, not knowing how this Division might be ended: At last, it was desired of the Widow which of them she loved best: and she answered, that she loved them all; and gave them thanks for their charges; but (quoth the Parson) can you find in your heart to Marry me? It is your Office to Marry, quoth she, and not mine. Then (quoth the Tanner) will you make me your Husband? Truly Neighbour, quoth she, methinks you might better be my Father, you are of great Years to Marry such a young Widow as I am. Then (quoth the Tailor) Widow, i● is I that must enjoy you; shall you and I be Married? Yes, I hope so (quoth the Widow) when we and our sweetheart's are agreed: So desiring to take her leave of them, giving them thankss for their costs they spent on her, she arose up to go away; but they desiring a full answer from her, desired her to give them better satisfaction to their Requests. If (quoth she) you will come to my Hou●e on Thursday, I will give you full satisfaction: at which time they all came; and she told them all then plainly, that she would marry none of them, for she had one nearer home, whom she loved so well, that she could not marry any other man; so they went all away very sad and discontented.  
Night approaching, she talked privately with her Man John, wooing him to marry her; which he still through bashfulness refused: And when night approached, she caused a special bed to be made for her man John to lie in; which bed was only for special strangers to lie in, or for her Husband when he was not well: and she lay herself in the next Chamber to him, which she locked up, and kept the Key thereof herself.  
But when she had lain in Bed an hour or two, she began to think it very long to lie alone; so she arose out of her bed, and went to her man John, shivering and shaking, and lifting up his bed , he started; Who is there, quoth he? It is I my sweet John, quoth she, I am your Mistress; it is an extreme cold Night, and I, lying alone, am almost starved in my Bed: Good John, afford me the favour of one Night's lodging by thy side, my John, I pray thee. Alas poor Mistress, quoth he, come, come lie close: Yea, yea, quoth she, O sweet and good John; but here I leave them till the next morning.  
She got up very early in the morning, and calling for John her man to go abroad with her, she took him to the Church of Saint bartholomew's; and calling for the Prsest of the place, she, with him, persuaded John that they might then be married together; which with small entreaty he was persuaded to, and so they returned home; and when they went to dinner, she made him to sit in her old husband's Chair by herself at the end of the Table, at which his old fellow servants began to smile; and before Dinner was ended, she took him about the neck and kissed him, and told her Servants that he was her Husband, and commanded them to give him the respects due to a Master.  
He also spoke lovingly to them, and told them, that he would not forget that he was once their Fellow-Servant, but would deserve their respects to the uttermost of his endeavour. Thus they spent the day in loving Toying, only some oversight of the Workmen withal, and at night they went to Bed.  
This new married Bride was the next morning visited by divers Gossips of her acquaintance, that heard of the Wedding, who spent each of them their verdict, what the event of this her hasty Match would be; which Gossips did exceedingly discourage her▪ Oh! but (quoth she) I w●ll take an Order for that, for I will curb him at the first, that I will make sure that he shall never crow over me, I warrant you.  
And indeed she began to grow as great a Gossip as any was in Newberry, and would sometimes come home very late at night; insomuch, that at last her Husband John went to bed, and locked her out, and took the Key up into his own Chamber; and when the good wife saw that she was shut out of doors, she knocked very hard, till at last her Husband looked out at the window, and bade her to go look her lodging at night, where she had been sitting all day: Such Gossips (quoth he) as you, the Cage is the fittest Lodging for, go to the Constable, and bespeak a bed of him.  
Oh! dear Husband, quoth she, be not so angry, I pray you; give me leave to come into my Bed, good sweet Husband, I pray you, and let me not stand thus in the cold, lest I lose my life thereby: After many fine words wherewith she had entreated her Husband to come down and open the door, he came down to her, and let her in; to whom she dissemblingly pretended to have lost her Wedding-Ring from off her hand, who lovingly going forth with the Candle in his hand (in his shirt) looked up and down upon the goound for it: and she the mean time stepping in, clapped to the door, and shut him out; whereat he was much perplexed, and knocked a long time in the cold before she would answer, who at last opening the Window, bade him go look a Lodging with him Constables Wife; and asked him whether he thought it good to lie in the cold in the Street: Now (quoth she) she who was even now at your mercy, hath gotten you at hers. Oh sweet Wife, quoth he, be not angry, but let me come in; I swear unto thee, that I will never shut thee forth of doors again, but thou shalt do what thou wilt and I will never meddle not make with you whatsoever you do hereafter: whereupon she came down and opened the door, and let him in; and there they made great protestations each to other, never to affront or fall out one with the other after; and with a good Sack-posset the Covenant was agreed between them.  
Shortly after the King was to raise an Army of Soldiers against the Scots, who was risen against the English; and Jack of Newberry raised at his own charges an hundred and fifty men, and allowed white Coats red Caps, and yellow Feathers; and led them himself: fifty of them were valiant Horsemen; fifty Pikes, and fifty Musquetiers; all brave Steeds, good Arms, and valiant men; who marching by before the Queen, Queen Katherine, she called for him, and understanding what he was, after she had put forth her hand for him to kiss, she promised to acquaint the King's Majesty with his free and great service.  

A Song used by Jack of Newberry and his Soldiers:  

KIng Jamy of Scots had raised  
an Army against England;  
But let him come, we'll thunder him back,  
he cannot us withstand.   

Jack of Newberry comes proud Scots take heed  
with valiant Soldiers stout;  
Who for brave England will fight with you,  
and never will give out.   

Our milk-white Coats, red Caps,  
and yellow Feathers declare,  
Our Resolution's stout and good,  
there Scots will not spare.    
Shortly after Jack of Newberry heard that the King was to ride by Newberry, so he with his Servants went out into the field, and finding an Hill of Pismires, drew his Sword and guarded it; and the King coming by, sent for him to know the reason why he guarded that place with his Sword drawn, the King in person being to pass by there? who returned answer, That he was busy, and could not speak with him; and the King is on Horseback, and I am on Foot, therefore (quoth he) he may the better come to me. Tell the King, that I stand here to guard the laborious Aunts from their Enemies: which Message being brought to the King, he went to Jack of Newberry, expecting that it was done to make some jest for his pleasure: and when the King came, Jack, with all his men, fell on their knees, and cried, God save the King; your Sacred Majesty (quoth he) hath vanquished all mine Enemies. Now trust me, quoth the King, you are stout Soldiers to fight against Butterflies, and withstand such mighty Giants.  
My dread Sovereign, quoth Jack of Newberry, not long ago, in my conceit, I saw the most provident Nation of the Aunts, summoned their chief Peers to a Parliament, which was held in the famous City of Drie-dustie, the one and thirtieth day of September; whereas by their Wisdoms I was chosen their King; at what time also many Bills of complaint were brought in against divers ill Members in the Commonwealth, amongst whom the Mole was attainted of High-treason to their State, and therefore was banished for ever from their quiet Kingdom; so was the Grasshopper and Caterpillar, because they were not only idle, but also lived upon the labours of other Men: Amongst the rest, the Butterfly was very much misliked, but few durst say any thing to him, because of his Golden Apparel: who, through sufference, grew so ambitious and malapart, that the poor Ant could no sooner get an Egg into her Nest, but he would have it away, especially against Easter which at length was misliked.  
This painted Ass took snuff in the nose, and assembled a great many other of his own Coat, by windy Wars to root these painful people out of the Land, that he himself might be above them. These were proud Butterflies, quoth the King.  
Whereupon, I, with my men, quoth Jack, prepared ourselves to withstand them, till such time as your Majesty's Royal presence put them to flight.  

The Song which Jack Sung with his Men before the KING.  

I Have taken upon me a charge,  
to govern these poor Aunts,  
That they may walk at large,  
to gather in their wants.   

That they may walk more safe,  
to bring home their relief,  
And keep that which they have;  
from every idle Thief.   

But now my King is here,  
I bow down low my knee,  
For we that vaunted here,  
are Subjects unto thee.   

God bless thee Royal King,  
and send thee long to Reign,  
And joy in every thing,  
and freedom from all pain.   

I, and my men, and mine,  
my Aunts, and all we have;  
Command us, we are thine,  
and so the King God save,    
Now to return again to Jack and his Wife, it fell out that she fell sick and died; and being buried, Jack fell in love with one of his Maids: and sending for her Father, to know what he would give with his Daughter: he came to Newberry, and seeing the wealth of his Daughter's Sweetheart, and Master, he was astonished: for Jack had, viz. 

In one Room two hundred Loom all going.  
Two hundred Boys making Quills.  
A hundred Women Carding.  
Two hundred Maids in another Room Spinning.  
An hundred and fifty Boys picking of Wool.  
Fifty Siermen.  
Eight Rowers.  
Forty Dyers in the Dye-house.  
Twenty men in a Fulling-Mill.  
Ten fat Oxen he spent every week in his house, besides Butter, Cheese, Fish, etc.  
A Butcher for his own house.  
A Baker for his own house.  
A Brewer for his own house.  
Five Cooks.  
Six Scullion-Boys.  
Divers Turn-spits, etc.    
Sir, (quoth the old man) I wis the see you be bominable Rich, and I'm content you shall have my Daughter, and God's Blessing and mine light on you both. I vaith cham but a poor man, but I thong God cham of good exclamation among my Neighbours, and they will as zoon take my vice for any thing as a richer man's: thick I will bestow you shall have with a very good will, because i hear very good commendation of you in every place: therefore thick give you twenty Nobles, and a weaning Calf, and when I die, and my Wife; you shall have the Revelation of my Goods  
But Jack made more reckoning of the Woman's modesty, and virtues, than of his Father's proffer; and he married her, and made a great Wedding; and instead of receiving the old man's Dowry, he gave him twenty pounds in money; besides other good gifts.  
Oh my good Zon! quoth the old man, Christ's benison be with thee evermore; For to tell thee true, we had zold all our Kine to make money for my Daughter's marriage, and this zeven year we should not have been able to buy any more. Notwithstanding we should have zold all that ever we had, before my poor wench should have lost her marriage: I should have zold my Coat from my back, and my Bed from under me, before my Daughter should have gone without you. I thank you good Father and Mother (quoth the Bride) and I pray God long to keep you in health: then the Bride kneeling down, did her duty to her Parents; who weeping for very joy, departed.  
Now there was one Randal Pert, a Draper, dwelling in Watling-street, who owed to Jack of Newberry five hundred pounds; and it happened that Jack came up to London; and as he went to his Customers, he met in the street this Randal Pert in a Frock, carring a Porter's Basket, and an old ragged Doublet, and a torn pair of Breeches, with his Hose out at Heels, and a pair of old broken slip-shooes on his feet, a Rope about his middle, and a greasy Cap on his Head, and newly come out of Prison.  
Now was his Wife, who before for daintiness would not foul her fingers, nor turn her head aside for fear of rumpling her Nemkinger, yet now glad to go about and wash Bucks at the Thames side, and to be a charwoman; her soft hand was now hardened with scouring, and instead of Gold Rings upon her Lily white fingers, her hands and fingers were now filled with chaps.  
But when her husband espied Jack of Newberry his Creditor, he ran away as fast as he could, for fear of being arrested: but he sent his man after him; who seeing one pursue him, he ran the faster; and in running, here he lost one of his slip-shooes, and there another, ever looking behind him with great fear: At last his Breeches being tied but with one point, that with the haste he made, and the oldness thereof, brake, and his Breeches fell about his heels, and did so shackle him, that he fell down all along in the Street which his Arse bare, and an old ragged Shirt, he lay sweeting and blowing, being quite worn out of breath; to whom the fellow came, and brought him to his Master, who took him to a Scrivener, to give him Bond for the payment of the money; and the time of the payment of the money was to be paid when the said Pert was Sheriff of London, a thing very unlikely.  
Well, the Scrivener made the Bond, to be paid when Randal Pert was Sheriff of London, and thereunto set his hand for a Witness, and twenty persons more that stood by.  
And Jack of Newberry sent for a new suit of Apparel for him out of Birchen-Lane, and a new Shirt, and Band, Hat, Hose, Shoes, and all things necessary, Merchantlike; then he took for him a Shop in Canwick-street, and furnished the same Shop with a thousand pounds worth of Cloth, by which means, and other favours which he did for him, he grew in good credit again, and became very provident; and his Wife turned to be the best Housewife in the Parish; and he soon got good custom, and was very provident, and increased in wealth, so that in short time became one of the best men for wealth in the Parish; and there was so much notice taken of him, that he was chosen Sheriff of London, and paid the five hundred pounds every penny; and kept a brave House in his Shrevalty, and afterwards being an Alderman of London, died before he came to be Lord Mayor, and left his Wife a gre●t Estate.  
Jack of Newberry, otherwise called Master John Winchcomb, being grown very old, he fell sick, and after few days he died; and his Wife buried him in great Pomp: and he left his Wife a great Estate, and many Legacies to Friends, and to many poor people were left by him; and to his Burial come the greatest part of the Country all thereabouts, to see the good old man laid in his Grave, where we will leave him with this Epitaph.   

EPITAPH.  
OF Newberry here lies valiant Jack  
shrouded in white, come to his end  
By Death that now hath broken his back,  
who to his Country was a Friend;  
An aid to those that labour loved,  
an help to poor, both blind and lame,  
Men, Women, Children, all have proved  
the succour sweet that from him came.  
Winchcomb adieu, God hath thy Soul,  
thy Body lies enclosed in earth,  
Thy Works brave Histories do Enrol,  
thy Life, thy Fame, even from thy birth.   
FINIS.  

These Books following are to be Sold by William Thackeray, at the Angel in Ducklane, near West-Smithfield.  

THe famous History of the Gentle Craft.  
The Book of Knowledge, of things unknown: the old and best sort.  
The History of Thomas of Reading.  
The History of the Golden Eagle.  
The History of the Jews, a small one.  
The Book of Merry Riddles.  
Variety of Riddles and Songs.  
Corydons Compliments.  
Robin the Cobbler.   
With all sorts of Histories New or Old.  
There is also to be had these Books of Divinity.  

FEnner's Sermon of Repentance.  
A Sermon of Dives and Laz●rus.  
A Warning-piece for the Slothful.   
These three are not above Threepences a piece.  

The Godly Man's Gain, and Wicked Man's Woe.  
Sinners Sobs.  
The Christians Guide.   
These three last are but Twopences a piece.  

There is also two Excellent Tables: One called, Changed istus Natus Est, of the Birth Christ.  
The other, A Watch for a Wise Man's Observation: very good, pretty, and delightful things.    
FINIS.