Chapter V (7)

Bishop THOMAS THIRLBY, Doctor of Law, died in Archbishop _Matthew Parker's_ House, and was buried at _Lambeth_, with this inscription:

[_Hic jacet_ Thomas Thirlby, _olim Episcopus Eliensis,
qui obiit 26 die Augusti, Anno Domini, 1570_.]

Bishop THOMAS JANN, who was Prior of _Ely_, died at _Folkston-Abbey_, near _Dover_ in _Kent_.

Some were translated unto other Bishopricks; as Bishop WILLIAM RALEGH was remov'd unto _Winchester_, by King _Henry_ III.

Bishop RALPH _de_ WALPOLE was translated to _Ely_, in the time of _Edward_ I. He is said to have begun the building of the Cloister, which is esteemed the fairest in _England_.

Bishop WILLIAM ALNWICK built the Church Gates at the West End of the Church, and the great Window, and was translated to _Lincoln_, in the Reign of _Henry_ VI.

And of later time, Bishop EDMUND FREAKE, who succeeded Bishop _Parkhurst_, was removed unto _Worcester_, and there lieth entomb'd.

Bishop SAMUEL HARSNET, Master of _Pembroke-Hall_, in _Cambridge_, and Bishop of _Chichester_, was thence translated to _York_.

Bishop FRANCIS WHITE, Almoner unto the King, formerly Bishop of _Carlisle_, translated unto _Ely_.

Bishop MATTHEW WREN, Dean of the Chappel, translated also to _Ely_, and was not buried here.

Bishop JOHN JEGON, who died 1617, was buried at _Aylesham_, near _Norwich_. He was Master of _Bennet College_, and Dean of _Norwich_, whose Arms, _Two Chevrons with an Eagle on a Canton_, are yet to be seen on the West Side of the Bishop's Throne.

My honour'd Friend Bishop JOSEPH HALL, Dean of _Worcester_, and Bishop of _Exon_, translated to _Norwich_, was buried at _Heigham_, near _Norwich_, where he hath a Monument. When the Revenues of the Church were alienated, he retired unto that Suburbian Parish, and there ended his Days, being above 80 Years of Age. A Person of singular Humility, Patience, and Piety; his own Works are the best Monument and Character of himself, which was also very lively drawn in his excellent Funeral Sermon, preach'd by my learned and faithful old Friend, _John Whitefoot_, Rector of _Heigham_, a very deserving Clerk of the Convocation of _Norwich_. His Arms in the Register Office of _Norwich_ are, _Sable three Talbots Heads erased Argent_.

My honour'd Friend also, Bishop EDWARD REYNOLDS, was not buried in the Church but in the Bishop's Chappel; which was built by himself. He was born at _Southampton_, brought up at _Merton Colledge_ in _Oxford_, and the first Bishop of _Norwich_ after the King's Restauration: A Person much of the Temper of his Predecessor, Dr. _Joseph Hall_, of singular Affability, Meekness and Humility; of great Learning; a frequent Preacher, and constant Resident: He sat in this _See_ about 17 Years; and though buried in his private Chappel, yet his Funeral Sermon was preached in the Cathedral, by Mr. _Benedict Rively_, now Minister of S. _Andrews_: He was succeeded by Dr. _Anthony Sparrow_, our worthy and honoured Diocesan.

It is thought that some Bishops were buried in the old Bishops Chappel, said to be built by Bishop _John Salmon_ [demolish'd in the Time of the late War] for therein were many Gravestones, and some plain Monuments. This old Chappel was higher, broader, and much larger than the said new Chappel built by Bishop _Reynolds_; but being covered with Lead, the Lead was sold, and taken away in the late rebellious Times; and the Fabrick growing ruinous and useless, it was taken down, and some of the Stones partly made use of in the building of the new Chappel.

Now, whereas there have been so many noble and ancient Families in these Parts, yet we find not more of them to have been buried in this the Mother Church. It may be consider'd, that no small numbers of them were interred in the Churches and Chappels of the Monasteries and religious Houses of this City, especially in three thereof; the _Austin-Fryars_, the _Black-Fryars_, the _Carmelite,_ or _White Fryars_; for therein were buried many Persons of both Sexes, of great and good Families, whereof there are few or no Memorials in the Cathedral. And in the best preserved Registers of such Interments of old, from Monuments and Inscriptions, we find the Names of Men and Women of many ancient Families; as of _Ufford_, _Hastings_, _Radcliffe_, _Morley_, _Windham_, _Geney_, _Clifton_, _Pigot_, _Hengrave_, _Garney_, _Howell_, _Ferris_, _Bacon_, _Boys_, _Wichingham_, _Soterley_; of _Falstolph_, _Ingham_, _Felbrigge_, _Talbot_, _Harsick_, _Pagrave_, _Berney_, _Woodhowse_, _Howldich_; of _Argenton_, _Somerton_, _Gros_, _Benhall_, _Banyard_, _Paston_, _Crunthorpe_, _Withe_, _Colet_, _Gerbrigge_, _Berry_, _Calthorpe_, _Everard_, _Hetherset_, _Wachesham_: All Lords, Knights, and Esquires, with divers others. Beside the great and noble Families of the _Bigots_, _Mowbrays_, _Howards_, were the most part interr'd at _Thetford_, in the Religious Houses of which they were Founders, or Benefactors. The _Mortimers_ were buried at _Attleburgh_; the _Aubeneys_ at _Windham_, in the Priory or Abbey founded by them. And _Camden_ says, _That a great part of the Nobility and Gentry of those Parts were buried at Pentney_ Abbey: Many others were buried dispersedly in Churches, or Religious Houses, founded or endowed by themselves; and therefore it is the less to be wonder'd at, that so many great and considerable Persons of this Country were not interr'd in this Church.

There are Twenty-four Escocheons, _viz._ six on a Side on the inside of the Steeple over the Choir, with several Coats of Arms, most whereof are Memorials of Things, Persons, and Families, Well-wishers, Patrons, Benefactors, or such as were in special Veneration, Honour, and Respect, from the Church. As particularly the Arms of _England_, of _Edward_ the Confessor; an Hieroglyphical Escocheon of the Trinity, unto which this Church was dedicated. _Three Cups within a Wreath of Thorns_, the Arms of _Ely_, the Arms of the _See_ of _Canterbury_, quartered with the Coat of the famous and magnified _John Morton_, Archbishop of _Canterbury_, who was Bishop of _Ely_ before; of Bishop _James Goldwell_, that honoured Bishop of _Norwich_. _The three Lions of_ England, S. _George's_ Cross, the Arms of the Church impaled with Prior _Bosviles_ Coat, the Arms of the Church impaled with the private Coats of three Priors, the Arms of the City of _Norwich_.

There are here likewise the Coats of some great and worthy Families; as of _Vere_, _Stanley_, _De la Pole_, _Wingfield_, _Heyden_, _Townshend_, _Bedingfield_, _Bruce_, _Clere_; which being little taken notice of, and Time being still like to obscure, and make them past Knowledge, I would not omit to have a Draught thereof set down, which I keep by me.

There are also many Coats of Arms on the Walls, and in the Windows of the East End of the Church; but none so often as those of the _Boleyns_, _viz._ in a Field _Arg. a Chev. Gul. between three Bulls Heads couped sab. armed or_; whereof some are quartered with the Arms of noble Families. As also about the Church, the Arms of _Hastings_, _De la Pole_, _Heyden_, _Stapleton_, _Windham_, _Wichingham_, _Clifton_, _Heveningham_, _Bokenham_, _Inglos_.

In the North Window of _Jesus_ Chappel are the Arms of _Radcliff_ and _Cecil_; and in the East Window of the same Chappel the Coats of _Branch_, and of _Beale_.

There are several Escocheon Boards fastened to the upper Seats of the Choir: Upon the three lowest on the South-side are the Arms of Bishop _Jegon_, of the _Pastons_, and of the _Hobarts_; and in one above the Arms of the _Howards_. On the Board on the North-side are the Arms of Bishop _Redmayn_; and of the _Howards_.

Upon the outside of the Gate, next to the School, are the Escocheons and Arms of _Erpingham_, being an Escocheon within an _Orle of Martlets_; impaled with the Coats of _Clopton_ and _Bavent_, or such Families who married with the _Erpinghams_ who built the Gates. The Word, _Poena_, often upon the Gates, shews it to have been built upon Pennance.

At the West End of the Church are chiefly observable the Figure of King _William Rufus_, or King _Henry_ I. and a Bishop on his Knees receiving the Charter from him: Or else of King _Henry_ VI. in whose Reign this Gate and fair Window was built. Also the maimed Statues of Bishops, whose Copes are garnished and charged with a Cross _Moline_: And at their Feet, Escocheons, with the Arms of the Church; and also Escocheons with Crosses _Molines_. That these, or some of them, were the Statues of Bishop _William Alnwyck_, seems more than probable; for he built the three Gates, and the great Window at the West End of the Church; and where the Arms of the _See_ are in a Roundele, are these Words,--_Orate pro anima Domini Willelmi Alnwyk_.--Also in another Escocheon, charged with Cross _Molines_, there is the same Motto round about it.

Upon the wooden Door on the outside, there are also the _Three Miters_, which are the Arms of the _See_ upon one Leaf, and a Cross _Moline_ on the other.

Upon the outside of the End of the North Cross Isle, there is a Statue of an old Person; which, being formerly covered and obscured by Plaister and Mortar over it, was discovered upon the late Reparation, or whitening of that End of the Isle. This may probably be the Statue of Bishop _Richard Nicks_, or the blind Bishop; for he built the Isle, or that Part thereof; and also the Roof, where his Arms are to be seen, _A Chevron_ between _three Leopards Heads Gules_.

The Roof of the Church is noble, and adorn'd with Figures. In the Roof of the Body of the Church there are no Coats of Arms, but Representations from Scripture Story, as the Story of _Pharaoh_; of _Sampson_ towards the East End. Figures of the last Supper, and of our Saviour on the Cross, towards the West End; besides others of Foliage, and the like ornamental Figures.

The North Wall of the Cloister was handsomly beautified, with the Arms of some of the Nobility in their proper Colours, with their Crests, _Mantlings_, _Supporters_, and the whole Atchivement quartered with the several Coats of their Matches, drawn very large from the upper Part of the Wall, and took up about half of the Wall. They are Eleven in Number; particularly these. 1. An empty Escocheon. 2. The Atchievement of _Howard_, Duke of _Norfolk_. 3. Of _Clinton_. 4. _Russel._ 5. _Cheyney._ 6. The Queen's Atchievement. 7. _Hastings._ 8. _Dudley._ 9. _Cecill._ 10. _Carey._ 11. _Hatton._

They were made soon after Queen _Elizabeth_ came to _Norwich_, _Ann. 1578_, where she remained a Week, and lodged at the Bishop's Palace in the Time of Bishop _Freake_, attended by many of the Nobility; and particularly by those, whose Arms are here set down.

They made a very handsome Show, especially at that Time, when the Cloister Windows were painted unto the Cross-Bars. The Figures of those Coats, in their distinguishable and discernable Colours, are not beyond my Remembrance. But in the late Times, when the Lead was faulty, and the Stone-work decayed, the Rain falling upon the Wall, washed them away.

The Pavement also of the Cloister on the same Side was broken, and the Stones taken away, a Floor of Dust remaining: But that Side is now handsomly paved by the Beneficence of my worthy Friend _William Burleigh_, Esq.

At the Stone Cistern in the Cloister, there yet perceivable _a Lyon Rampant, Argent, in a field Sable_, which Coat is now quartered in the Arms of the _Howards_.

In the Painted Glass in the Cloister, which hath been above the Cross-Bars, there are several Coats. And I find by an Account taken thereof, and set down in their proper Colours, that here were these following, _viz._ the Arms of _Morley_, _Shelton_, _Scales_, _Erpingham_, _Gournay_, _Mowbray_, _Savage_, now _Rivers_, three Coats of _Thorpe's_, and one of _a Lyon Rampant, Gules in a Field Or_, not well known to what Family it belongeth.

Between the lately demolish'd Chapter-House and S. _Luke's_ Chappel, there is an handsom Chappel, wherein the Consistory, or Bishop's Court is kept, with a noble Gilded Roof. This goeth under no Name, but may well be call'd _Beauchampe's_ Chappel, or the Chappel of our _Lady_ and _All-Saints_, as being built by _William Beauchampe_, according to this Inscription. _In honore Beate Marie Virginis, et omnium sanctorum_ Willelmus Beauchampe _capellam hanc ordinavit, et ex propriis sumptibus construxit_. This Inscription is in old Letters on the outside of the Wall, at the South-side of the Chappel, and almost obliterated; He was buried under an Arch in the Wall, which was richly gilded; and some part of the Gilding is yet to be perceived, tho' obscured and blinded by the Bench on the inside. I have heard there is a Vault below gilded like the Roof of the Chappel. The Founder of this Chappel, _William Beauchampe_, or _de Bello Campo_, might be one of the _Beauchampe's_, who were Lords of _Abergevenny_; for _William_ Lord _Abergevenny_ had Lands and Mannors in this Country. And in the Register of Institutions it is to be seen, that _William Beauchampe_, Lord of _Abergevenny_ was Lord Patron of _Berg cum Apton_, five Miles distant from _Norwich_, and presented Clerks to that Living, 1406, and afterward: So that, if he lived a few Years after, he might be buried in the latter End of _Henry_ IV. or in the Reign of _Henry_ V. or in the Beginning of _Henry_ VI. Where to find _Heydon's_ Chappel is more obscure, if not altogether unknown; for such a Place there was, and known by the Name of _Heydon's_ Chappel, as I find in a Manuscript concerning some ancient Families of _Norfolk_, in these Words, _John Heydon of Baconsthorpe, Esq.; died in the Reign of_ Edward IV. _Ann. 1479. He built a Chappel on the South side of the Cathedral Church of_ Norwich, _where he was buried. He was in great Favour with King_ Henry VI. _and took part with the House of_ Lancaster _against that of_ York.

HEN. HEYDON, Kt. his Heir, built the Church of _Salthouse_, and made the Causey between _Thursford_ and _Walsingham_ at his own Charge: He died in the Time of _Henry_ VII. and was buried in _Heydon's_ Chappel, joining to the Cathedral aforesaid. The Arms of the _Heydon's_ are Quarterly _Argent_, and _Gules a Cross engrailed counter-changed_, make the third Escocheon in the North-Row over the Choir, and are in several Places in the Glass-Windows, especially on the South-side, and once in the Deanry.

There was a Chappel to the South-side of the Goal, or Prison, into which there is one Door out of the Entry of the Cloister; and there was another out of the Cloister itself, which is now made up of Brickwork: The Stone-work which remaineth on the inside is strong and handsom. This seems to have been a much frequented Chappel of the Priory by the wearing of the Steppings unto it, which are on the Cloister Side.

Many other Chappels there were within the Walls and Circuit of the Priory; as of S. _Mary_ of the _Marsh_; of S. _Ethelbert_, and others. But a strong and handsom Fabrick of one is still remaining, which is the Chappel of St. _John_ the Evangelist, said to have been founded by Bishop _John Salmon_, who died _Ann._ 1325, and four Priests were entertained for the daily Service therein: That which was properly the Chappel, is now the Free-School: The adjoining Buildings made up the Refectory, Chambers, and Offices of the Society.

Under the Chappel, there was a Charnell-House, which was a remarkable one in former Times, and the Name is still retained. In an old Manuscript of a Sacrist of the Church, communicated to me by my worthy Friend Mr. _John Burton_, the Learned, and very deserving Master of the Free-School, I find that the Priests had a Provisional Allowance from the Rectory of _Westhall_ in _Suffolk_. And of the Charnell-House it is delivered, that with the Leave of the Sacrist, the Bones of such as were buried in _Norwich_ might be brought into it. _In carnario subtus dictam capellam sancti Johannis constituto, ossa humana in civitate_ Norwici _humata, de licentia sacristae, qui dicti carnarii clavem et custodiam habebit specialem utusque ad resurrectionem generalem honeste conserventur a carnibus integre demulata reponi volumus et obsignari._ Probably the Bones were piled in good Order, the Sculls, Arms, and Leg-Bones, in their distinct Rows and Courses, as in many Charnell-Houses. How these Bones were afterwards disposed of, we have no Account; or whether they had not the like Removal with those in the Charnell-House of S. _Paul_ kept under a Chappel on the North-side of S. _Paul's_ Church-yard: For when the Chappel was demolish'd, the Bones which lay in the Vault, amounting to more than a Thousand Cart-Loads, were conveyed into _Finnesbury_ Fields, and there laid in a moorish Place, with so much Soil to cover them, as raised the Ground for three Wind-mills to stand on, which have since been built there, according as _John Stow_ hath delivered, in his Survey of _London_.

There was formerly a fair and large, but plain Organ in the Church, and in the same Place with this at present. (It was agreed in a Chapter by the Dean and Prebends, that a new Organ be made, and Timber fitted to make a Loft for it, _June 6. Ann. 1607_. repaired 1626. and 10_l._ which _Abel Colls_ gave to the Church, was bestowed upon it.) That in the late tumultuous Time was pulled down, broken, sold, and made away. But since his Majesty's Restauration, another fair, well-tuned, plain Organ, was set up by Dean _Crofts_ and the Chapter, and afterwards painted, and beautifully adorned, by the Care and Cost of my honoured Friend Dr. _Herbert Astley_, the present worthy Dean. There were also five or six Copes belonging to the Church; which, tho' they look'd somewhat old, were richly embroider'd. These were formerly carried into the Market-Place; some blowing the Organ-pipes before them, and were cast into a Fire provided for that purpose, with shouting and rejoicing: So that, at present, there is but one Cope belonging to the Church, which was presented thereunto by _Philip Harbord_, Esq. the present High Sheriff of _Norfolk_, my honoured Friend.

Before the late Times, the Combination Sermons were preached in the Summer Time at the Cross in the Green-Yard, where there was a good Accommodation for the Auditors. The Mayor, Aldermen, with their Wives and Officers, had a well-contriv'd Place built against the Wall of the Bishop's Palace, cover'd with Lead; so that they were not offended by Rain. Upon the North-side of the Church, Places were built Gallery-wise, one above another; where the Dean, Prebends, and their Wives, Gentlemen, and the better Sort, very well heard the Sermon: The rest either stood, or sat in the Green, upon long Forms provided for them, paying a Penny, or Halfpenny apiece, as they did at S. _Paul's_ Cross in _London_. The Bishop and Chancellor heard the Sermons at the Windows of the Bishop's Palace: The Pulpit had a large Covering of Lead over it, and a Cross upon it; and there were eight or ten Stairs of Stone about it, upon which the Hospital-Boys and others stood. The Preacher had his Face to the South, and there was a painted Board, of a Foot and a half broad, and about a Yard and a half long, hanging over his Head before, upon which were painted the Arms of the Benefactors towards the Combination Sermon, which he particularly commemorated in his Prayer, and they were these; Sir _John Suckling_, Sir _John Pettus_, _Edward Nuttel_, _Henry Fasset_, _John Myngay_. But when the Church was sequester'd, and the Service put down, this Pulpit was taken down, and placed in _New-Hall_ Green, which had been the Artillery-Yard, and the Public Sermon was there preached. But the Heirs of the Benefactors denying to pay the wonted Beneficence for any Sermon out of _Christ_-Church, (the Cathedral being now commonly so call'd) some other Ways were found to provide a Minister, at a yearly Sallary, to preach every Sunday, either in that Pulpit in the Summer, or elsewhere in the Winter.

I must not omit to say something of the Shaft, or Spire of this Church, commonly called the Pinacle, as being a handsom and well proportioned Fabrick, and one of the highest in _England_, higher than the noted Spires of _Litchfield_, _Chichester_, or _Grantham_, but lower than that at _Salisbury_, [at a general Chapter, holden _June 4. 1633_, it was agreed that the Steeple should be mended] for that Spire being raised upon a very high Tower, becomes higher from the Ground; but this Spire, considered by itself, seems, at least, to equal that. It is an Hundred and five Yards and two Foot from the Top of the Pinacle unto the Pavement of the Choir under it. The Spire is very strongly built, tho' the Inside be of Brick. The upper Aperture, or Window, is the highest Ascent inwardly; out of which, sometimes a long Streamer hath been hanged, upon the Guild, or Mayor's Day. But at His Majesty's Restauration, when the Top was to be mended, and a new gilded Weather-Cock was to be placed upon it, there were Stayings made at the upper Window, and divers Persons went up to the Top of the Pinacle. They first went up into the Belfry, and then by eight Ladders, on the Inside of the Spire, till they came to the upper Hole, or Window; then went out unto the Outside, where a Staying was set, and so ascended up unto the Top-Stone, on which the Weather-Cock standeth.

The Cock is three quarters of a Yard high, and one Yard and two Inches long; as is also the Cross-Bar, and Top-Stone of the Spire, which is not flat, but consists of a half Globe, and Channel about it; and from thence are eight Leaves of Stone spreading outward, under which begin the eight Rows of Crockets, which go down the Spire at five Foot distance.

From the Top there is a Prospect all about the Country. _Mourshold-Hill_ seems low, and flat Ground. The _Castle-Hill_, and high Buildings, do very much diminish. The River looks like a Ditch. The City, with the Streets, make a pleasant Show, like a Garden with several Walks in it.

Tho' this Church, for its Spire, may compare, in a manner, with any in _England_, yet in its Tombs and Monuments it is exceeded by many.

No Kings have honour'd the same with their Ashes, and but few with their Presence. And it is not without some Wonder, that _Norwich_ having been for a long Time so considerable a Place, so few Kings have visited it: Of which Number, among so many Monarchs since the Conquest, we find but Four, _viz._ King _Henry_ III. _Edward_ I. Queen _Elizabeth_, and our Gracious Sovereign now reigning; King _Charles_ II. of which I had particular Reason to take Notice.[321]

[321] Sir _Thomas_ being then Knighted.

The Castle was taken by the Forces of King _William_ the Conqueror; but we find not, that he was here. King _Henry_ VII. by the Way of _Cambridge_, made a Pilgrimage unto _Walsingham_; but Records tell us not, that he was at _Norwich_. King _James_ I. came sometimes to _Thetford_ for his Hunting Recreation, but never vouchsafed to advance twenty Miles farther.

Not long after the writing of these Papers, Dean _Herbert Astley_ died, a civil, generous, and public-minded Person, who had travell'd in _France_, _Italy_, and _Turkey_, and was interr'd near the Monument of Sir _James Hobart_: Unto whom succeeded my honoured Friend Dr. _John Sharpe_, a Prebend of this Church, and Rector of St. _Giles's_ in the Fields, _London_; a Person of singular Worth, and deserv'd Estimation, the Honour and Love of all Men; in the first Year of whose Deanery, 1681, the Prebends were these:

Mr. _Joseph Loveland_, } { Dr. _William Smith_,
Dr. _Hezekiah Burton_, } { Mr. _Nathaniel Hodges_,
Dr. _William Hawkins_, } { Mr. _Humphrey Prideaux_.

(But Dr. _Burton_ dying in that Year, Mr. _Richard Kidder_ succeeded,) worthy Persons, learned Men, and very good Preachers.

_ADDENDA_

I have by me the Picture of Chancellor SPENCER, drawn when he was Ninety Years old, as the Inscription doth declare, which was sent unto me from _Colney_.

Tho' Bishop NIX sat long in the _See_ of _Norwich_, yet is not there much deliver'd of him: _Fox_ in his _Martyrology_ hath said something of him in the Story of THOMAS BILNEY, who was burnt in _Lollard's_ Pit without _Bishopgate_, in his Time.

Bishop SPENCER lived in the Reign of RICHARD II. and HENRY IV. sat in the _See_ of _Norwich_ 37 Years: Of a Soldier made a Bishop, and sometimes exercising the Life of a Soldier in his Episcopacy; for he led an Army into _Flanders_ on the Behalf of Pope _Urban_ VI. in Opposition to _Clement_ the Anti-Pope; and also over-came the Rebellious Forces of _Litster_ the _Dyer_, in _Norfolk_, by _North-Walsham_, in the Reign of King RICHARD II.

Those that would know the Names of the Citizens who were chief Actors in the Tumult in Bishop SKEREWYNG'S Time, may find 'em set down in the Bull of Pope _Gregory_ XI.

Some Bishops, tho' they liv'd and died here, might not be buried in this Church, as some Bishops probably of old, more certainly of later Time.

* * * * *

HERE CONCLUDES SIR Thomas Browne's _MS._

MISCELLANIES

An Account of Island, alias Ice-land,
In the Year 1662.

Great Store of Drift-wood, or Float-wood, is every Year cast up on their Shores, brought down by the Northern Winds, which serveth them for Fewel, and other Uses, the greatest Part whereof is _Firr_.

Of _Bears_ there are none in the Country, but sometimes they are brought down from the North upon Ice, while they follow _Seales_, and so are carried away. Two in this Manner came over, and landed in the North of _Island_ this last Year, 1662.

No _Conies_, or _Hares_, but of _Foxes_ great Plenty, whose White Skins are much desired, and brought over into this Country.

The last Winter, 1662, so cold, and lasting with us in _England_, was the mildest they have had for many Years in _Island_.

Two new Eruptions with Slime and Smoak, were observed the last Year in some Mountains about Mount _Hecla_.[322]

[322] _A Burning Mountain in_ Island.

Some hot Mineral Springs they have, and very effectual, but they make but rude Use thereof.

The Rivers are large, swift, and rapid, but have many Falls, which render them less Commodious; they chiefly abound with _Salmons_.

They sow no Corn, but receive it from Abroad.

They have a kind of large _Lichen_, which dried, becometh hard and sticky, growing very plentifully in many Places; whereof they make use for Food, either in Decoction, or Powder, some whereof I have by me, different from any with us.

In one Part of the Country, and not near the Sea, there is a large black Rock, which Polished, resembleth Touchstone, as I have seen in Pieces thereof, of various Figures.

There is also a Rock, whereof I received one Fragment, which seems to make it one kind of _Pisolithes_, or rather _Orobites_, as made up of small Pebbles, in the Bigness and Shape of the Seeds of _Eruum_, or _Orobus_.

They have some large Well-grained White Pebbles, and some kind of White _Cornelian_, or _Agath_ Pebbles, on the Shore, which Polish well. Old Sir _Edmund Bacon_, of these Parts, made Use thereof in his peculiar Art of Tinging and Colouring of Stones.

For Shells found on the Sea-shore, such as have been brought unto me are but coarse, nor of many Kinds, as ordinary _Turbines_, _Chamas_, _Aspers_, _Laves_, _etc._

I have received divers Kinds of Teeth, and Bones of Cetaceous Fishes, unto which they could assign no Name.

An exceeding fine Russet Downe is sometimes brought unto us, which their great Number of Fowls afford, and sometimes store of Feathers, consisting of the Feathers of small Birds.

Beside _Shocks_, and little Hairy _Dogs_, they bring another sort over, Headed like a _Fox_, which they say are bred betwixt _Dogs_ and _Foxes_; these are desired by the Shepherds of this Country.

Green _Plovers_, which are Plentiful here in the Winter, are found to breed there in the beginning of Summer.

Some _Sheep_ have been brought over, but of coarse Wooll, and some _Horses_ of mean Stature, but strong and Hardy: one whereof kept in the Pastures by _Yarmouth_, in the Summer, would often take the Sea, swimming a great Way, a Mile or Two, and return the same, when its Provision fail'd in the Ship wherein it was brought, for many Days fed upon Hoops and Cask; nor at the Land would, for many Months, be brought to feed upon Oats.

These Accounts I received from a Native of _Island_, who comes Yearly into _England_; and by Reason of my long Acquaintance, and Directions I send unto some of his Friends against the _Elephantiasis_, (_Leprosie_,) constantly visits me before his Return; and is ready to perform for me what I shall desire in his Country; wherein, as in other Ways, I shall be very Ambitious to serve the Noble Society, whose most Honouring Servant I am,

THOMAS BROWNE.
_Norwich, Jan.
15, 1663._

Concerning some Urnes found in
Brampton-Field, in Norfolk,
Ann. 1667.

I thought I had taken Leave of URNES, when I had some Years past given a short Account of those found at _Walsingham_,[323] but a New Discovery being made, I readily obey your Commands in a brief Description thereof.

[323] _See_ Hydriotaphia, _Urne-Burial: or, A Discourse of the
Sepulchral Urnes lately found in_ Norfolk, _8vo._ Lond. _printed_
1658.

In a large Arable Field, lying between _Buxton_ and _Brampton_, but belonging to _Brampton_, and not much more than a Furlong from _Oxnead Park_, divers _Urnes_ were found. A Part of the Field being designed to be inclosed, while the Workmen made several Ditches, they fell upon divers _Urnes_, but earnestly, and carelesly digging, they broke all they met with, and finding nothing but Ashes, or burnt Cinders, they scattered what they found. Upon Notice given unto me, I went unto the Place, and though I used all Care with the Workmen, yet they were broken in the taking out, but many, without doubt, are still remaining in that Ground.

Of these Pots none were found above Three Quarters of a Yard in the Ground, whereby it appeareth, that in all this Time the Earth hath little varied its Surface, though this Ground hath been Plowed to the utmost Memory of Man. Whereby it may be also conjectured, that this hath not been a _Wood-Land_, as some conceive all this Part to have been; for in such Lands they usually made no common Burying-places, except for some special Persons in Graves, and likewise that there hath been an Ancient Habitation about these Parts; for at _Buxton_ also, not a Mile off, _Urnes_ have been found in my Memory, but in their Magnitude, Figure, Colour, Posture, _etc._ there was no small Variety, some were large and capacious, able to contain above Two Gallons, some of a middle, others of a smaller Size; the great ones probably belonging to greater Persons, or might be Family _Urnes_, fit to receive the Ashes successively of their Kindred and Relations, and therefore of these, some had Coverings of the same Matter, either fitted to them, or a thin flat Stone, like a Grave Slate, laid over them; and therefore also great Ones were but thinly found, but others in good Number; some were of large wide Mouths, and Bellies proportionable, with short Necks, and bottoms of Three Inches _Diameter_, and near an Inch thick; some small, with Necks like Juggs, and about that Bigness; the Mouths of some few were not round, but after the Figure of a Circle compressed; though some had small, yet none had pointed Bottoms, according to the Figures of those which are to be seen in _Roma Soteranea_, _Viginerus_, or _Mascardus_.

In the Colours also there was great Variety, some were Whitish, some Blackish, and inclining to a Blue, others Yellowish, or dark Red, arguing the Variety of their Materials. Some Fragments, and especially Bottoms of Vessels, which seem'd to be handsome neat Pans, were also found of a fine _Coral_-like Red, somewhat like _Portugal_ Vessels, as tho' they had been made out of some fine _Bolary_ Earth, and very smooth; but the like had been found in divers Places, as Dr. _Casaubon_ hath observed about the Pots found at _Newington_ in _Kent_, and as other Pieces do yet testifie, which are to be found at _Burrow_ Castle, an Old _Roman_ Station, not far from _Yarmouth_.

Of the _Urnes_, those of the larger Sort, such as had Coverings, were found with their Mouths placed upwards, but great Numbers of the others were, as they informed me, (and One I saw my self,) placed with their Mouths downward, which were probably such as were not to be opened again, or receive the Ashes of any other Person; though some wonder'd at this Position, yet I saw no Inconveniency in it; for the Earth being closely pressed, and especially in _Minor_ Mouth'd Pots, they stand in a Posture as like to continue as the other, as being less subject to have the Earth fall in, or the Rain to soak into them; and the same Posture has been observed in some found in other Places, as _Holingshead_ delivers, of divers found in _Anglesea_.

Some had Inscriptions, the greatest Part none; those with Inscriptions were of the largest Sort, which were upon the reverted Verges thereof; the greatest part of those which I could obtain were somewhat obliterated; yet some of the Letters to be made out: The Letters were between Lines, either Single or Double, and the Letters of some few after a fair _Roman_ Stroke, others more rudely and illegibly drawn, wherein there seemed no great Variety. _NUON_ being upon very many of them; only upon the inside of the bottom of a small Red Pan-like Vessel, were legibly set down in embossed Letters, _CRACUNA. F._ which might imply _Cracuna figuli_, or the Name of the Manufactor, for Inscriptions commonly signified the Name of the Person interr'd, the Names of Servants Official to such Provisions, or the Name of the Artificer, or Manufactor of such Vessels; all which are particularly exemplified by the Learned _Licetus_,[324] where the same inscription is often found, it is probably, of the Artificer, or where the Name also is in the _Genitive_ Case, as he also observeth.

[324] Vid. _Licet._ de Lucernis.

Out of one was brought unto me a Silver _Denarius_, with the Head of _Diva Faustina_ on the Obverse side, on the Reverse the Figures of the Emperor and Empress joining their Right Hands, with this Inscription, _Concordia_; the same is to be seen in _Augustino_; I also received from some Men and Women then present Coins of _Posthumus_, and _Tetricus_, Two of the Thirty Tyrants in the Reign of _Gallienus_, which being of much later Date, begat an Inference, that _Urne-Burial_ lasted longer, at least in this Country, than is commonly supposed. Good Authors conceive, that this Custom ended with the Reigns of the _Antonini_, whereof the last was _Antoninus Heliogabalus_, yet these Coins extend about Fourscore Years lower; and since the Head of _Tetricus_ is made with a radiated Crown, it must be conceived to have been made after his Death, and not before his Consecration, which as the Learned _Tristan_ Conjectures, was most probably in the Reign of the Emperor _Tacitus_, and the Coin not made, or at least not issued Abroad, before the Time of the Emperor _Probus_, for _Tacitus_ Reigned but Six Months and an Half, his Brother _Florianus_ but Two Months, unto whom _Probus_ succeeding, Reigned Five Years.

There were also found some pieces of Glass, and finer Vessels, which might contain such Liquors as they often Buried in, or by, the _Urnes_; divers Pieces of Brass, of several Figures; and in one _Urne_ was found a Nail Two Inches long; whither to declare the Trade or Occupation of the Person, is uncertain. But upon the Monuments of _Smiths_ in _Gruter_, we meet with the Figures of _Hammers_, _Pincers_, and the like; and we find the Figure of a _Cobler's_ Awl on the Tomb of one of that Trade, which was in the Custody of _Berini_, as _Argulus_ hath set it down in his Notes upon ONUPHRIUS, _Of the Antiquities of_ VERONA.

Now, though _Urnes_ have been often discovered in former Ages, many think it strange there should be many still found, yet assuredly there may be great Numbers still concealed. For tho' we should not reckon upon any who were thus buried before the Time of the _Romans_, [altho' that the _Druids_ were thus buried, it may be probable, and we read of the _Urne of Chindonactes_, a _Druid_, found near _Dijon_ in _Burgundy_, largely discoursed of by _Licetus_,] and tho, I say, we take not in any Infant which was _Minor igne rogi_, before Seven Months, or Appearance of Teeth, nor should account this Practice of burning among the _Britains_ higher than _Vespasian_, when it is said by Tacitus, that they conformed unto the Manners and Customs of the _Romans_, and so both Nations might have one Way of Burial: yet from his Days, to the Dates of these _Urnes_, were about Two Hundred Years. And therefore if we fall so low, as to conceive there were buried in this Nation but Twenty Thousand Persons, the Account of the buried Persons would amount unto Four Millions, and consequently so great a Number of _Urnes_ dispersed through the Land, as may still satisfy the Curiosity of succeeding Times, and arise unto all Ages.

The Bodies, whose Reliques these _Urnes_ contained, seemed thoroughly burned; for beside pieces of Teeth, there were found few Fragments of Bones, but rather Ashes in hard Lumps, and pieces of Coals, which were often so fresh, that one sufficed to make a good Draught of its _Urne_, which still remaineth with me.

Some Persons digging at a little Distance from the _Urne_ Places, in hopes to find something of Value, after they had digged about Three Quarters of a Yard deep, fell upon an observable Piece of Work, whose Description this Figure affordeth. The Work was Square, about Two Yards and a Quarter on each Side. The Wall, or outward Part, a Foot thick, in Colour Red, and looked like Brick; but it was solid, without any Mortar or Cement, or figur'd Brick in it, but of an whole Piece, so that it seemed to be Framed and Burnt in the same Place where it was found. In this kind of Brick-work were Thirty-two Holes, of about Two Inches and an Half _Diameter_, and Two above a Quarter of a Circle in the East and West Sides. Upon Two of these Holes, on the East Side, were placed Two Pots, with their Mouths downward; putting in their Arms they found the Work hollow below, and the Earth being clear'd off, much Water was found below them, to the Quantity of a Barrel, which was conceived to have been the Rain-water which soaked in through the Earth above them.

The upper Part of the Work being broke, and opened, they found a Floor about Two Foot below, and then digging onward, Three Floors successively under one another, at the Distance of a Foot and Half, the Stones being of a Slatty, not Bricky, substance; in these Partitions some Pots were found, but broke by the Workmen, being necessitated to use hard Blows for the breaking of the Stones; and in the last Partition but one, a large Pot was found of a very narrow Mouth, short Ears, of the Capacity of Fourteen Pints, which lay in an enclining Posture, close by, and somewhat under a kind of Arch in the solid Wall, and by the great Care of my worthy Friend, Mr. _William Masham_, who employed the Workmen, was taken up whole, almost full of Water, clean, and without Smell, and insipid, which being poured out, there still remains in the Pot a great Lump of an heavy crusty Substance. What Work this was we must as yet reserve unto better Conjecture. Mean while we find in _Gruter_ that some Monuments of the Dead had divers Holes successively to let in the Ashes of their Relations, but Holes in such a great Number to that Intent, we have not anywhere met with.

About Three Months after, my Noble and Honoured Friend, Sir _Robert Paston_, had the Curiosity to open a Piece of Ground in his Park at _Oxnead_, which adjoined unto the former Field, where Fragments of Pots were found, and upon one the Figure of a well-made Face; but probably this Ground had been opened and digged before, though out of the Memory of Man, for we found divers small Pieces of Pots, _Sheeps_ Bones, sometimes an _Oyster_-shell a Yard deep in the Earth, an unusual _Coin_ of the Emperor _Volusianus_, having on the Obverse the Head of the Emperor, with a Radiated Crown, and this Inscription, _Imp. Caes. C. Volusiano Aug._ that is, _Imperatori Caesari Caio Vibio Volusiano Augusto_. On the Reverse an Human Figure, with the Arms somewhat extended, and at the Right Foot an Altar, with the Inscription, _Pietas_. This Emperor was Son unto _Caius Vibius Tribonianus Gallus_, with whom he jointly reigned after the _Decii_, about the Year 254; both he, himself, and his Father, were slain by the Emperor _AEmilianus_. By the Radiated Crown this Piece should be Coined after his Death and Consecration, but in whose Time it is not clear in History.

Concerning the too nice Curiosity of
censuring the Present, or judging
into Future Dispensations.

We have enough to do rightly to apprehend and consider things as they are, or have been, without amusing our selves how they might have been otherwise, or what Variations, Consequences and Differences might have otherwise arose upon a different Face of things, if they had otherwise fallen out in the State or Actions of the World.

If SCANDERBERG had joined his Forces with HUNNIADES, as might have been expected before the Battel in the Plains of _Cossoan_, in good probability they might have ruin'd MAHOMET, if not the _Turkish_ Empire.

If ALEXANDER had march'd Westward, and warr'd with the _Romans_, whether he had been able to subdue that little but valiant People, is an uncertainty: We are sure he overcame _Persia_; Histories attest, and Prophecies foretel the same. It was decreed that the _Persians_ should be conquered by ALEXANDER, and his Successors by the _Romans_, in whom Providence had determin'd to settle the fourth Monarchy, which neither PYRRHUS nor HANNIBAL must prevent; tho' HANNIBAL came so near it, that he seem'd to miss it by fatal Infatuation: which if he had effected, there had been such a traverse and confusion of Affairs, as no Oracle could have predicted. But the _Romans_ must reign, and the Course of Things was then moving towards the Advent of CHRIST, and blessed Discovery of the Gospel: Our Saviour must suffer at _Jerusalem_, and be sentenc'd by a _Roman_ Judge; St. PAUL, a _Roman_ Citizen, must preach in the _Roman_ Provinces, and St. PETER be Bishop of _Rome_, and not of _Carthage_.

Upon Reading Hudibras.

The way of _Burlesque_ POEMS is very Ancient, for there was a ludicrous mock way of transferring Verses of Famous Poets into a Jocose Sense and Argument, and they were call'd +Odeai+ or _Parodiae_; divers Examples of which are to be found in ATHENAEUS.

The first Inventer hereof was HIPPONACTES, but HEGEMON SOPATER and many more pursu'd the same Vein; so that the _Parodies_ of OVID'S _Buffoon Metamorphoses Burlesques, Le Eneiade Travastito_, are no new Inventions, but old Fancies reviv'd.

An Excellent _Parodie_ there is of both the SCALIGERS upon an Epigram of CATULLUS, which STEPHENS hath set down in his _Discourse of Parodies_: a remarkable one among the _Greeks_ is that of MATRON, in the Words and Epithites of HOMER describing the Feast of XENOCLES the _Athenian_ Rhetorician, to be found in the fourth Book of _Athenaeus_, pag. 134. Edit. _Casaub._

CHRISTIAN

MORALS,

BY

S^R THOMAS BROWN,

OF NORWICH, _M.D._

And AUTHOR of
RELIGIO MEDICI

Published from the Original and Correct
Manuscript of the Author;
by _JOHN JEFFERY_, D.D.
ARCH-DEACON of NORWICH.

_CAMBRIDGE_

Printed at the UNIVERSITY-PRESS,
For _Cornelius Crownfield_, Printer to the UNIVERSITY;
And are to be sold by Mr. _Knapton_ at the Crown
in St. _Paul's_ Churchyard; and Mr. _Morphew_ near
Stationers-Hall, _LONDON_, 1716.

_TO THE RIGHT_ HONOURABLE

DAVID EARL OF BUCHAN.

VISCOUNT AUCHTERHOUSE, LORD CARDROSS
AND GLENDOVACHIE,
ONE OF THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF POLICE, AND LORD
LIEUTENANT OF THE COUNTIES OF STIRLING
AND CLACKMANNAN IN NORTH-BRITTAIN.

MY LORD,

The Honour you have done our Family Obligeth us to make all just Acknowledgments of it: and there is no Form of Acknowledgment in our power, more worthy of Your Lordship's Acceptance, than this Dedication of the last Work of our Honoured and Learned Father. Encouraged hereunto by the Knowledge we have of Your Lordship's Judicious Relish of universal Learning, and sublime Virtue, we beg the Favour of Your Acceptance of it, which will very much Oblige our Family in general, and Her in particular, who is,

MY LORD,

_Your Lordship's_

_most humble Servant_,

ELIZABETH LITTELTON.

THE PREFACE

_If any One, after he has read_ Religio Medici, _and the ensuing Discourse, can make Doubt, whether the same Person was the Author of them both, he may be Assured by the Testimony of Mrs._ LITTELTON, _Sr._ THOMAS BROWN'S _Daughter, who Lived with her Father when it was composed by Him; and who, at the time, read it written by his own Hand: and also by the Testimony of Others (of whom I am One), who read the MS. of the Author, immediately after his Death, and who have since Read the Same; from which it hath been faithfully and exactly Transcribed for the Press. The Reason why it was not Printed sooner is, because it was unhappily Lost, by being Mislay'd among Other MSS. for which Search was lately made in the Presence of the Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury, of which his Grace, by Letter, Informed M^{rs.}_ LITTELTON, _when he sent the MS to Her. There is nothing printed in the Discourse, or in the short notes, but what is found in the original MS of the Author, except only where an Oversight had made the Addition or transposition of some words necessary._

JOHN JEFFERY
Arch-Deacon
of Norwich.

CHRISTIAN MORALS