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автор John Aubrey

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AUBREY'S 'BRIEF LIVES'

ANDREW CLARK

VOL. II.

HENRY FROWDE, M.A.

PUBLISHER TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

LONDON, EDINBURGH, AND NEW YORK

AUBREY'S BOOK-PLATE

From MS. Aubrey 6, fol. 11^v

'Brief Lives,' chiefly of Contemporaries, set down by John Aubrey, between
the Years 1669 & 1696

EDITED FROM THE AUTHOR'S MSS.

BY

ANDREW CLARK
M.A., LINCOLN COLLEGE, OXFORD; M.A. AND LL.D., ST. ANDREWS

WITH FACSIMILES

VOLUME II. (I-Y)

Oxford
AT THE CLARENDON PRESS 1898

Oxford

PRINTED AT THE CLARENDON PRESS
BY HORACE HART, M.A.
PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY

AUBREY'S 'BRIEF LIVES'

... Ingelbert.

[A]Mr. Ingelbert was the first inventer or projector of bringing the water from Ware to London[1] called Middleton's water. He was a poore-man, but Sir Hugh Middleton[2], alderman of London, moneyed the businesse; undertooke it; and gott the profit and also the credit of that most usefull invention, for which there[3] ought to have been erected a statue for the memory of this poore-man from the city of London.—From my honoured and learned friend Mr. Fabian Philips, filiser of London, etc., who was in commission about this water.

Notes.

[A] In MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 1^v, Aubrey has this note:—'In Pond's Almanack, 1647, thus—"Since the river from Ware to London began by Edward Pond, Jan. 2, 35 yeares. 'Twas finished, Sept. 20, 34 yeares"—.'

John Innocent (14— -1545).

[4]At Doctors Commons is 'argent on gules a mayd stark naked with a chaplet in her hand dexter.' The name I could never learn, till by chance, in Hampshire, by a courtier. It is the coate of Dr. Innocent, deane of Paule's and master of St. Crosses, tempore Henrici VII. Borne at Barkehamsted, Hertfordshire; where he built a free-schole, where this coat is in severall places. 'Tis endowed with 500li. per annum for 120 scholars from any part of England. The Visitor is the Warden of All Soules, Oxon.

Henry Isaacson (1581-1654).

[5]Mr. Henry Isaacson was secretary to Lancelot Andrews, lord bishop of Winton. Was borne in this parish (of St. Katharine Coleman) anno Domini 1581; christned—ex registro[I.]—Septemb. 17^th; and buried in this church. He died about the 7th of December, 1654. He had severall children: four sonnes still living, one is a minister at Stoke neer Ipswych in Suffolk.

[I.] St. Catherine Coleman, 1581—'Sept. 17, Henry Isackson baptised.'—MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 89^v.

In the chancell here[6] I find this inscription, on a marble grave-stone, viz.:

'Here lyeth the body of Richard Isaacson, esq., Eastland merchant, and free of the Paynters Stayners of this citie of London, who having lived in this parish 58 yeares, slept in the Lord 19 January, Anno Domini 1620. [II.]Henricus filius et haeres hoc memorabile posuit pietatis ergo.'

[II.] Scil. Henricus praedictus.

[7]Memorandum:—<Thomas> Bourman, Dr. of Divinity, of Kingston upon Thames, did know Mr. Isaacson, and told me that he was a learned man, which I easily believed when I heard he was secretary to that learned prelate, who made use of none but for merit. The Dr. told me that when he presented his Chronologie to his majestie King Charles the first, 'twas in the matted gallery at White-hall[III.]. The <king> presently discerned the purpose of the treatise, and turned to his owne birth; sayd the King, 'Here's one lye to begin with.' It seemes that Mr. Isaacson had taken it out of ... (a foreigner), who used the other account. Poor Mr. Isaacson was so ashamed at this unlucky rencounter, that he immediately sneak't away and stayd not for prayse or reward, both which perhaps he might have had, for his majestie was well pleased with it. He wrote severall little bookes, besides his Chronologie: quaere of the minister's wife (his niece) their titles. He was of Pembroke-hall, in Cambridge. He was there about Master of Arts standing.

[III.] 'Twas presented in an ill hower. An astrologer would give something to know that day and hower. He wanted a good election.

[8]Concerning Henry Isaacson[9].

Sir,

I find that my grandfather dyed in St. Cathrin Coleman's parish London, the 19^e January, 1620, and to my best rememberance upon his gravestone in the chancell it was ingraven that hee had lived in the said parrish 58 yeares. He <was> fined for not serving the office of shereif of London, being chosen in the yeare 1618.

My father died in St. Cathrin Coleman's parrish above-said about the 7^e of December, 1654, which is neare 34 years after my grandfather's death. I calculate from the tyme of his birth to my grandfather's death to bee 39 yeares: ad[10] the 34 yeares after my grandfather's death to the 39 before: 39 + 34 makes 73 yeares his age—which all the familie agree that hee was seaventy three yeares of age when hee died, soe that hee was borne in anno 1581. Borne in anno 1581, dyed aged 73, makes 1654 the yeare when he dyed. And in all probabillity hee was borne in St. Kathrin Coleman's parrish, my grandfather having lived soe long tyme there: the church booke, if extant, will soone resolve yow—I never heard any thing to the contrary.

My brother William Isaacson could more exactly give you an account of the degrees he tooke, if any, but the University was Cambriege and the College Pembrooke-Hall. I thinke I have heard hee was Mr. of Arts standing, but am somthing uncertayne of this.

Rand. Isaacson.

Fifeild,
the 21^e Aprill 1681.

[11]In the table of benefactors in the Church of St. Catherine Colman, viz.—

'1620: Mr. Richard Isaacson'—the chronologer[12]—'2 li. 12s. per annum to the poor.'

James I (1566-1625).

<A life of 'James R.' is entered in the index to MS. Aubrey 6 (see vol. i. p. 8), as contemplated by Aubrey. If written, the life was hostile in tone, as may be seen from the following query towards it (Aubrey, in MS. Wood F. 39, fol. 347: 8 Sept. 1680):—

'Pray search that booke[13], and see if you can find the ballad, or verses, on the coronation of king James—

And at the erse of them marched the Scotish peeres With lowzie shirts, and mangie wrists, went pricking-up their eares.'>

... Jaquinto.

[14]Dr. Jaquinto: physitian to pope ..., then to king James[15]. He went into the marshes of Essex, where they putt their sheep to cure them of the rott, where he lived sometime purposely to observe what plants the sheep did eat, of which herbs he made his medicine for the consumption, which Mr. E. W.[16] haz.

David Jenkins (1586-1663).

[17]Judge Jenkins, prisoner in the Tower of London, Windsor, etc., <eleven> yeares, for his loyalty. He would have taken it kindly to have been made one of the judges in Westminster Hall, but would give no money for it, [so[18] the Lord Chancellor Hyde never preferred him].

He was of very good courage. Rode in the lord Gerard's army in Pembrokeshire, in the forlorne-hope, with his long rapier drawne holding it on-end.

Obiit Dec. 3, anno Domini 1663; sepult. at Cowbridge church in the south aisle in Glamorganshire. No remembrance yet (1682) set up for him.

[Quaere[19] Sir Robert Thomas whereabout in the church or chancell.]

[20]David Jenkins hath writt a learned treatise of the lawe, in folio, of cases twice judged (quaere nomen); and an 'opusculum' (Lex terrae, etc.) in 16mo.

Borne at ... in Glamorganshire. He was of Edmund Hall. Afterwards of Graye's inne. One of the judges[21] in South Wales. Imprisoned a long time in the Tower, Newgate, and Windsore. Was the only man that never complied. Dyed about 1665, at Cowbridge in Glamorganshire.

He marryed Sir John Aubrey's sister.

[22]David Jenkins, judge, was borne at Hensol, the place where he lived, in the parish of Pendeylwyn in com. Glamorgan. He was reciting this verse out of Ausonius, not long before he dyed, to Sir Llewellin Jenkins:—

Et baculo innitens, in qua reptabat arena.

Scripsit Opuscula, contayning severall little treatises, viz. Lex terrae, etc.; Rerum judicatarum censurae octo, in folio; praeter alias ejusdem naturae ineditas.

He was one of the judges of the Carmarthen, Cardigan, and Pembrokeshire circuit before the wars. In the warres he was taken prisoner at Hereford. Long time prisoner in the Tower, Newgate, Wallingford, and Windsore. Never submitted to the usurping power (I thinke, the only man). All his estate was confiscated; and was always excepted by the parliament in the first ranke of delinquents.

In his circuit in Wales at the beginning of the warres, he caused to be indicted severall men of those parts (that were parliament, etc. engaged against the king) for highe treason; and the grand jury indicted them. Afterwards, when he was prisoner in Newgate, some of these grandees came to him to triumph over him, and told him that if they had been thus in his power, he would have hanged them. 'God forbid els!' replied he—which undaunted returne they much admired.

The parliament intended to have hanged him; and he expected no lesse, but resolved to be hangd with the Bible under one arme and Magna Charta under the other. And hangd he had been, had not Harry Martyn told them in the house that

Sanguis martyrum est semen ecclesiae,

and that that way would doe them more mischiefe. So his life was saved, and they removed him out of the way to Wallingford Castle.

He dyed upwards (something[23]) of fowrscore yeares of age at Cowbridge in the county of Glamorgan,[24] on St. Nicholas day, November[25] the sixth, 1663; and in that church lyes buried, yet without a monument, but I thinke my cosen intends one.

'Tis pitty he was not made one of the judges of Westminster-hall for his long sufferings; and he might have been, he told me, if he would have given money to the Chancellor—but he scornd it. He needed it not, for he had his estate againe (1500 li. per annum), and being old and carceribus confractus. Mr. T. H., Malmesburiensis, told him one day at dinner that 'that hereafter would not shew well for somebodie's honour in history.'

[26]Sir Llewellin Jenkins remembers himself kindly to you. He hath made a very fine inscription (which is an abstract of his life) in laxe Iambiques for judge David Jenkins. I would have him send it to you, but he is too modest.

Sir Leoline Jenkins (1623-1685).

[27]Sir Lleuellin Jenkins, knight, was borne at Llantrithid in the countie of Glamorgan, anno domini....

His father (whom I knew) was a good plaine countreyman, a coppyholder of Sir John Aubrey, knight and baronet (eldest son of Sir Thomas), whose mannour it is.

He went to schoole at Cowbridge, not far off.

David Jenkins, that was prisoner in the Tower (maried a sister of Sir John Aubrey), was some remote kin to him; and, looking on him as a boy towardly, diligent, and good, he contributed something towards his education.

Anno Domini 164<1>, he was matriculated of Jesus College in Oxford, where he stayed till (I thinke) he tooke his degree of Bac. Artium.

About that time Sir John Aubrey sent for him home to enforme his eldest sonne Lewis Aubrey (since deceased, 1659) in grammar; and that he might take his learning the better, he was taught in the church-house where severall boyes came to schoole, and there were 6 or 7 gentlemen's sonnes (Sir Francis Maunsell, bart.; Mr. Edmund Thomas; Mr. ... ...) boarded in the towne. The young gentlemen were all neer of an age, and ripe for the University together; and to Oxford they all went under Mr. Jenkins' care about anno 1649 or 50, but by reason of the disturbances of those times, Sir John would not have his sonne of any college. But they all studyed at Mr. (now Sir) Sampson White's house, a grocer, opposite to University College. Here he stayed with my cosen about 3 yeares or better, and then, in anno 165- (vide Mr. Hobbes' de Corpore, 'twas that yeare), he travelled with my cosen and two or 3 of the other gentlemen into France, where they stayd about 3 yeares and made themselves masters of that language.

He first began[28] the Civill lawe, viz., bought <Arnold> Vinnius on Justinian, 1653[29].

When he brought home Mr. Lewis Aubrey, he returned to Jesus College (quaere, if he was of the foundation).

After his majestie's restauration Dr. <Francis> Maunsell was restored to his principallship of that house, but being very old and wearie of worldly cares, he kept it not long, before he resigned it to Mr. Jenkins.

Gilbert Sheldon, archbishop of Canterbury, and Sir John Aubrey were co-etanei, and contracted a great friendship at Oxon in their youth, which continued to their deaths. In the troublesome times after Dr. Sheldon was expelled, he was a yeare (I thinke) or two with Sir John at Llantrithid, where he tooke notice of the vertue and assiduity of the young man Mr. Jenkins. After the king's restauration Sir John Aubrey recommended Mr. Jenkins to him; made him. Anno <1668> he was archbishop of Canterbury: Sir <William> Meyric, LL.D. and Judge of <the Prerogative Court of Canterbury>, dyed, and the archbishop conferred that place on Mr. Jenkins.

Anno ... he had the honour of knighthood.

Anno 1673, <he> was sent with Sir Joseph Williamson, plenipotentiaries, to Nemeghen: I remember that very time they went away was opposition of Saturn and Mars. I sayd then to the earl of Th<anet> that if that ambassade came to any good I would never trust to astrologie again.

Anno 167- sent ambassador to ..., from whence he returned anno 16[79/80].

March 25, 1680, he was made Principall Secretary of Estate.—When I came to wayte on him to congratulate for the honour his majestie had been pleased to bestowe on him, he recieved me with his usuall courtesie, and sayd that 'it had pleased God to rayse-up a poore worme to doe his majestie humble service.'

He haz a strong body for study, indefatigable, temperate and vertuous. God blesse him.

When Mary the queen-mother dyed at Paris, the king of Fraunce caused her jewells and treasures to be locked up and sealed. His majestie of Great Britaine sent Sir Llewellin (which is Leoline in Latin) to Paris concerning the administration [1668[30]].