wise under their severall colours. Amongst which warlike traine as his Majestie was very pleasant and gracious, so to shew instance how much he loved and respected the art militarie, he made a shot himselfe out of a canon, so faire, and with such signe of experience, that the most expert Gunners there beheld it, not without admiration: and there was none of judgement present, but without flattery gave it just commendation. Of no little estimation did the Gunners account themselves in after this kingly shot; but his Majestie, above all vertues, in temperance most excellent, left that part of the wall and their extraordinary applause; but, being attended by his Nobilitie both of Scotland and England (the Lord Henry Howard', Brother to the late Duke of Norfolke, and the Lord Cob

The Lord Henry Howard, younger Brother of Thomas fourth Duke of Norfolk, was born at Shottisham in Norfolk about 1539; bred at King's College, and afterwards at Trinity Hall in Cambridge, where he took the degree of M. A. to which he was also admitted at Oxford 1568. Bishop Godwin says, his reputation for literature was so great in the University, that he was esteemed "the learnedest among the nobility, and the most noble among the learned." He was probably very slenderly provided for, being often obliged, as Loyd records, " to dine with the chair of Duke Humphry." However, he contrived to spend some years in travel; but on his return could obtain no favour at Court, at least till the latter end of Queen Elizabeth's reign, which was probably owing to his connexions. In 1597 it seems as if he was in some power (perhaps only the influence of his friend Lord Essex), because Rowland White applied to him concerning Sir Robert Sidney's suits at Court. He was the grossest of flatterers, as appears by his letters to his patron and friend Lord Essex. But while he professed the most unbounded friendship for Essex, he yet paid his suit to the Lord Treasurer Burleigh. On the fall of Essex, he insinuated himself so far into the confidence of his mortal enemy, Secretary Cecil, whom he had just before called tortuosum colubrum, as to become the instrument of the Secretary's correspondence with the King of Scots, which passed through his hands. It is not wonderful therefore, when we consider the sufferings of Lord Harry's family for the Queen of Scots, and his own late employment, added to his intriguing spirit, that, on King James's accession, he was immediately received into favour. In May 1603 he was made a Privy Councillor; in January following Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports; in March Baron of Marnhill, and Earl of Northampton; and in April 1608 Lord Privy Seal; and honoured with the Garter. In 1609 he succeeded John Lord Lumley as High Steward of Oxford; and 1612 Robert Earl of Salisbury as Chancellor of Cambridge, Soon after he became a principal instrument in the infamous intrigue of his great niece the Countess of Essex with Carr Viscount Rochester. The wretch acted as pander to the Countess, for the purpose of conciliating the rising favourite. And it is impossible to doubt his deep criminality in the murder of Overbury. About nine months afterwards, June 15, 1614, he died, luckily for himself, before this atrocious affair became the subject of public investigation. He was a learned man; but a pedant dark and mysterious: and of course far from possessing masterly abilities. It is said, that non generant aquile columbas, and that fortes creantur fortibus et bonis: it causes astonishment therefore, when we reflect that this despicable and wicked wretch was the son of the generous and accomplished Earl of Surrey. Collins's Peerage, by Brydges, vol. I. p. 101.

ham', being then newly come to Towne), and guarded by the Gentlemen Pensioners of Barwick, he bestowed this day in surveying of the plots and fortifications, commending the manner of the Souldiers, and the militarie order of the Towne, being indeed one of the best places of strength in all the North of England. All which when with great liking he had to his kingly pleasure beheld, he returned to his Pallace and there reposed till the next day.

The 8th of Aprill, being Fryday, the trumpets warned for the remove; and all that morning his Majestie, with Royall liberalitie, bestowed amongst the Garrison souldiers and every Officer for warre, according to his place, so rich and bounteous rewards, that all souldiers by his bountifull beginning there, may be assured they shall not (as they have bin) be curtald of their duties by exacting Pollers, but used as the Servants and Servitors of a King, which very name, but more his largesse, addes double spirit to a man of warre. After dinner his Highnesse mounted on horsebacke and tooke leave of Barwicke, where, near the bridge, he knighted Mr. Ralph Gray, a Gentleman of great commaund and possession near the Borders. As his Excellence left Barwicke and entered the Realme of England, he was received by Mr. Nicholas Forester, High Sheireffe of Northumberberland, who, besides his own Servants and Followers, was accompanied with a number of gallant Gentlemen of the Shyre, who riding before his Majestie led way towards Withrington, where his Majestie intended to rest that night. By the way, of his kingly goodnesse, and Royall inclination to the honor of armes, and reverence of vertuous age, he vouchsafed to visit that worthy, honourable Souldier, Sir William Read 2, who, being blind with age, was so comforted with the presence and gracious speeches of the King, that his spirits seemed so powerful within him, as he boasted himselfe to feele the warmth of youth stirre in his frost-nipt bloud. The way his Majestie had to ride being long, enforced him to stay with this good Knight the lesse while; but that litle time was so comfortable, that his friends hope it will be a meane to cherish the old knight all his life long.

the

1

Henry Brooke, fifth Lord Cobham, succeeded to that title Feb. 24, 1597-8; and in 1601 was appointed (as his ancestors had often been) Warden of the Cinque Ports; but in 1603 he and his brother George were charged with being confederates in a plot to alter Religion and subvert the Government; and being tried and found guilty, had judgment of death pronounced against them; but George only suffered, who was beheaded, and this Henry reprieved, and his estates given to many of the King's favourites and relations, yet nevertheless attainted, and left to drag on in misery and the most wretched poverty, the remainder of an unhappy life in imprisonment, wherein he died in 1619. * Two Gentlemen named William Read were knighted by Queen Elizabeth, in 1586 and 1595.

Not to be longer writing this than his Highnesse was riding the journey, he departed thence upon the spurre, scarce any of his traine being able to keepe him company; for being neare 37 miles, he rode it al in lesse than foure houres. And, by the way, for a note, the miles, according to the Northern phrase, are a wey-bit longer than they be here in the South. Well, as long as the miles were, his Majestie made short worke, and attained Withrington, where by the Maister of the place, Sir Robert Carey, and his right vertuous Lady, he was received with all duty and affection; the house being plentifully furnished for his entertainment. Besides, for scituation and pleasure it stands very delightfull1. His Majestie having a little while reposed himselfe after his great journey, found new occasion to travel further; for as he was delighting himselfe with the pleasure of the parke, he suddenly beheld a number of deere neare the place. The game being being so faire before him he could not forbear, but according to his wonted manner forth he went and slew two of them 2. Which done, he returned with a good appetite to the house, where he was most Royally feasted and banketted that night.

On Saturday the 9th of Aprill his Majestie prepared towards Newcastle. But, before his departure, he knighted [Mr. Nicholas Forster,] Mr. Henry Withrington3,

1 Widdrington Castle has been already noticed in page 33.-The Castle, though irregular, and the work of various ages, was a noble structure, especially the most ancient part of it, which was a Gothic tower, finished with machicolations and four round turrets, built on double tiers of corbules. There is a good view of it by S. and N. Buck in 1728. It was destroyed by fire in or about the year 1777, said to be occasioned by the negligence of workmen; and the only remaining part of it at present is an octangular embattled tower, to which a square modern edifice has been added.

⚫ James was very severe against those who disturbed him in the pursuit of his amusement of hunting. "I dare boldly say," says Osborn, with some spleen," that one man in his reign might with more safety have killed another than a rascal deer; but if a stag had been known to have miscarried, and the author fled, a Proclamation, with the description of the party, had been presently penned by the Attorney General, and the penalty of his Majesty's high displeasure (by which was understood the Star Chamber) threatened against all that did abet, comfort, or relieve him: thus satyrical, or if you please, tragical, was this Sylvan Prince against deer-killers and indulgent to man-slayers. But lest this expression should be thought too poetical for an historian, I shall leave his Majesty dressed to posterity in the colours I saw him in the next Progress after his inauguration, which was green as the grass he trod on, with a feather in his cap, and a horn instead of a sword by his side; how suitable to his age, person, or calling, I leave others to judge from his picture, he owning a countenance not in the least regard semblable to any my eyes ever met with, besides an host dwelling at Ampthill, formerly a shepherd, and so metaphorically of the same profession."

3 Sir Henry Widdrington was High Sheriff of Northumberland, 21 Q. Eliz. and 3 King James I. and a Representative for that County in Parliament, 1, 12, 18 King James I. He was succeeded by

Mr. William Fenwicke, and Mr. Edward Gorges1. After which, taking his leave with Royall curtesie, he set forward towards Newcastle, being 16 miles from Withrington. To passe the occurrentes by the way, being not very materiall; when his Majestie drewe neare to Newcastle, the Mayor, Aldermen, Counsell, and best Commoners of the same, beside numbers of other people, in joyfull manner met him. The Mayor presenting him with the sword and keyes with humble dutie and submission; which his Highnesse graciously accepting, he returned them againe; giving also to his Maiestie in token of their love and heartie loyaltie, a purse full of gold; his Majestie giving them full power and authority Sir William Widdrington, High Sheriff 12 King Charles I. and Representative in Parliament 15, 16, and 17 of the same Reign. He with Sir William Carnaby and Sir Patricius Curwen, were three of the fifty-six Members who voted for saving the life of the Earl of Strafford. He was committed to the Tower, for having candles brought into the House without a general order, 189 voices against 172. He was expelled the House, Aug. 26, 1642, for refusing to attend it, and raising forces in defence of his Majesty, who created him Baron Widdrington of Blankley, co. Lincoln, Nov. 10, 1643. After the battle of Marston Moor, he retired beyond seas with his noble friend the Marquess of Newcastle aad others; and his estate was sequestered by the Parliament.-On the March of Charles the Second to Worcester, Lord Widdrington staid behind at Wigan in Lancashire with the Earl of Derby, and many loyal Gentlemen-about 200 horse, with a design of taking the country-volunteers along with them, where they were surprised by a party of the Parliament-forces at the dawn of the morning, and after a gallant display of valour, were either slain or taken prisoners: among the former was Lord Widdrington, who disdained to take quarter.

"His Lordship," says Lord Clarendon, "was one of the goodliest persons of that age, being near the head higher than most tall men, and a Gentleman of the most ancient extraction of the County of Northumberland, and of a very fair fortune, and one of the four which the King made choice of to be about the person of his son the Prince, as Gentlemen of his Privy Chamber, when he first settled his family. His affection to the King was always most remarkable; as soon as the war broke out, he was of the first who raised both horse and foot at his own charge, and served eminently with them under the Marquess of Newcastle, with whom he had a particular and entire friendship. He was very nearly allied to the Marquess, and by his testimony that he had performed many signal services, he was about the middle of the war made a Peer of the Kingdom."

His son William Lord Widdrington was one of the Council of State upon the restoration of the Parliament; and his grandson William third and last Lord Widdrington, by marriage acquired an additional estate of upwards of £.1200 a year. His Lordship's real and personal estate valued, as set forth in his petition to Parliament, Dec. 4, 1722, at above £.100,000, came to the Crown by his attainder in 1715, and was sold, for the public use, to Sir George Revel, from whom it descended, by heiresses, to Lord Bulkeley its present possessor. Royal mercy being extended to Lord Widdrington, he did not suffer death with Lord Derwentwater and his associates, being only divested of his honours and estates.

'Created a Baronet in 1612, see hereafter under that year.

under him, as they lately held in her Majestie's name, ratifying all their customes and priviledges that they were possessed of, and had a long time held. And so passing on he was conducted to the Mayor's house, where he was richly entertained, and remained there three dayes 1.

2

Upon Sunday, being the 10th of April, his Majestie went to the Church, before whom the Bishop of Durham preached. And that day (as it is his most Christian-like custome) being spent in devotion, he rested till Munday, which he bestowed in viewing the Towne, the manner and beautie of the bridge2 and keye, being one of the best in the North parts. Besides he released all prisoners except those that lay for treason, murther, and Papistrie, giving great summes of money for the release of many that were imprisoned for debt, who heartily praised God, and blessed his Majestie for their unexpected libertie. So joyfull were the 1 "Saturday, April 9th this year, King James I. on his way from Scotland to take possession of the Crown of England, arrived at Newcastle-upon-Tyne: on the Sunday Tobias Matthew, Bishop of Durham, preached before him at St. Nicholas Church in that Town, on the 2 Chron. xv. 1, 2. On the Wednesday following the King set forward for Durham. The King was entertained at the house of Sir George Selby. The King, soon after his arrival in London, (June 18,) appointed George Clifford, Earl of Cumberland, Warden of the Middle and West Marches towards Scotland, with the most extensive powers; and also Lieutenant General of the Counties of Cumberland, Northumberland, and the Town and County of Newcastle-upon-Tyne." Brand's History of Newcastle, p. 450. Tyne Bridge is supposed to owe its first foundation to the Emperor Hadrian. Pennant supposed even that part of the Roman masonry was still remaining, and several Romain coins (somewhat later than Hadrian) were certainly found in the ruined piers after the flood of 1771. The first bridge, however, was doubtless of wood; it existed under Henry II. and was consumed by fire, with a great part of Newcastle, in 1248. A full account of its rise, progress, fall, and renovation, may be seen in Brand's Newcastle, vol. I. p. 35—53.-The following account of this Bridge as it existed at the time of King James's passage over it, is extracted from Grey's Chorography of Newcastle, 1649: "The Bridge of this Town over the river Tyne consisteth of arches high and broad, having many houses and shops upon the Bridge, and three Towers upon it; the first on the South side, the second in the middle, and the third on Newcastle side, lately built upon an arch in the bridge, used for a magazine for the Towne; and an old Chappell. There is a blew stone about the middle of the bridge, which is the bounds of Newcastle Southwards, from Gateside in the County Palatine of Durham."—Of the alarming flood which threw down Tyne Bridge in November 1771, see the Gentleman's Magazine, vol. XLI. p. 519. "It was then found necessary to take down the whole of the old bridge. The rebuilding of a third part of the fabric from the Blue Stone Southwards, was incumbent on the See of Durham; and in 1772, an Act passed enabling the Bishop to raise £.12,000 for the purpose, by granting annuities for lives, not exceeding ten per cent. The foundation stone of the Bishop's part was laid October 14, 1774, and the first arch closed in July 8th, 1775. The whole sum raised for the repairing being paid off, the bridge was thrown open without toll in 1818."

Surtees's History of Durham, vol. II. p. 113.